United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1983
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to eliminate provisions which: (1) permit petitions to the Secretary of Energy for prescription of rules which supersede State energy efficiency standards; and (2) provide for supersedure of State energy efficiency standards prescribed after January 1, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1983
Criminal Justice Act Revision of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code to revise provisions concerning the appointment of counsel in Federal criminal proceedings. Entitles to representation witnesses appearing before a grand jury or court who face possible criminal prosecution or loss of liberty. Makes the representation of material witnesses in custody a right of such witnesses instead of discretionary with the court. Authorizes the representation of financially eligible persons charged with a petty offense for which a sentence of confinement is authorized. Authorizes appointment of an additional attorney in complex or difficult cases where the court finds it to be in the interest of justice. States that counsel should be provided as soon as feasible after custody begins and that the authorities should notify the official responsible whenever a person in custody requests counsel or is without counsel. Authorizes the Judicial Conference of the United States to set and modify the maximum hourly rates which appointed counsel shall receive. Increases the maximum amounts appointed counsel may receive: (1) in a felony case, from $1,000 to $10,000; (2) for a misdemeanor, from $400 to $3,000; and (3) for an appeal, from $1,000 to $5,000. Decreases from 200 to 175 the number of persons needing assistance of counsel in a district for establishment of a defender organization. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide liability insurance for employees of a Federal Public Defender Organization or Community Defender Organization receiving grants. Authorizes appropriations to the U.S. courts for representation plans, including funds for the continuing education of persons providing representational services.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1983
World Peace Tax Fund Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit conscientious objectors to designate their income, estate, or gift tax payments for nonmilitary purposes. Establishes within the Treasury a World Peace Tax Fund to receive such tax payments. Defines a conscientious objector as an individual who is opposed to war in any form and who has been exempted from combat training in the Armed Forces under the Military Selective Service Act, or who satisfactorily demonstrates that he is conscientiously opposed to war in any form. Requires tax forms to contain a checkoff for taxpayers who wish to claim conscientious objector status and designate their tax payments for the World Peace Tax Fund. Permits the setting aside of criminal or civil penalties imposed upon a taxpayer for nonpayment of tax prior to 1979 if the taxpayer pays the tax and satisfactorily establishes that the nonpayment was due to his religious beliefs. Directs the Comptroller General to determine the percentage of actual appropriations made by the United States from the Federal budget during the preceding fiscal year for military purposes. Requires the publication of such information in the Congressional Record. Establishes a World Peace Tax Fund Board of Trustees. Sets forth the membership structure and duties of the Board. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1983
Terminated Employee Pension Restoration Act of 1983 - Authorizes payment of a Federal annuity to persons (or spouses of such persons) who: (1) were participants in a private employee pension plan which was terminated before September 2, 1974; (2) had immediately before termination a nonforfeitable benefit under the plan; and (3) have not received payment in full of such benefit because of the plan's termination. Sets forth the method of computing the annuity. Directs the Secretary of Labor to approve a claim for such an annuity if the claim meets the Secretary's regulation and includes evidence establishing that the claimant is a qualified participant or a qualified spouse. Sets forth the procedure for review of denial of such an annuity claim. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make annuity payments to entitled individuals after the receipt of specified information from the Secretary of Labor. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to work with other Federal agencies to avoid unnecessary expense and duplication of functions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require disclosure of tax return information to Labor Department employees for comparison of specified records in order to establish the validity of an annuity claim. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 to the Department of Labor to carry out its functions under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury to make annuity payments under this Act beginning with FY 1984 and continuing until the last such payment is made.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1983
Urges the United States, the Soviet Union, and other countries possessing the technology to produce separated plutonium to begin negotiations leading to a verifiable halt in the production of separated plutonium and in the export of technology for such production. Calls for the United States and other nuclear supplier and consumer nations to begin negotiations leading to an agreement to: (1) reject the commercial use of separated plutonium as a nuclear power reactor fuel; (2) base civilian nuclear power technology only on nonweapons usable fuel; and (3) make available reliable supplies of natural and low-enriched uranium.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1983
United States Caribbean Possessions Act - Title I: Eastern Caribbean Regional Development Fund - Lists countries which the President shall consider in designating beneficiary countries for purposes of this title. Prohibits the President from designating a country a beneficiary country: (1) if such country is a communist country; (2) if the country has taken certain expropriating actions against property owned by U.S. citizens; (3) if the country fails to act in good faith with respect to arbitral awards involving U.S. citizens or companies; (4) if the country affords preferential treatment to a developed country other than the United States which adversely affects U.S. commerce unless the President receives certain assurances; (5) if a government-owned entity in such country engages in the broadcast of copyrighted material belonging to U.S. copyright owners without their express consent; and (6) unless such country is party to a treaty regarding the extradition of U.S. citizens. Lists factors the President shall take into account in determining whether to designate a country a beneficiary country. Prohibits the President from terminating the designation of a country as a beneficiary country unless, at least 60 days before the termination, the President has notified the Congress and the beneficiary country of such determination. Directs the President to withdraw or suspend the designation of a country as a beneficiary country if, because of changed circumstances, the country would be barred from designation as a beneficiary country. Establishes in the Treasury the Eastern Caribbean Regional Development Fund. Appropriates to the Fund the amount of money collected from: (1) the import duties on articles entered from beneficiary countries; and (2) the taxes on rum imported into the United States from beneficiary countries. Authorizes the Administrator of the Fund to allocate and distribute the moneys in the Fund to island beneficiary countries. Sets forth the method of allocation. Title II: Tax and Tariff Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require that if the amount of taxes collected on rum imported into the United States from beneficiary countries exceeds the amount needed in the Eastern Caribbean Regional Development Fund the excess shall be covered into the treasuries of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Prohibits granting duty-free treatment to bulk rum manufactured outside the United States, its territories, or possessions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1983
United States Marshals Service and Witness Security Reform Act of 1983 - Title I: Protection of Government Witnesses - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the Attorney General to relocate and protect witnesses and their families involved in Federal or State trials of violent offenses. Authorizes the Attorney General to take action to protect the person from bodily injury or otherwise to assure the health, safety, and welfare of that person. States that the Attorney General shall not protect any person where the risk of danger to the public in the proposed community of relocation outweighs the need for that person's testimony. Requires the Attorney General to establish guidelines defining the types of cases which constitute "violent offenses." Requires any person protected under this Act to enter into an agreement with the Attorney General. Requires the agreement to set forth such person's responsibilities, including agreement: (1) if an actual or potential witness, to provide information to all appropriate law enforcement officials and to testify in all proceedings; (2) to refrain from committing any act punishable by a prison term; (3) to take all necessary steps to avoid detection by others of the facts concerning the protection provided; and (4) to cooperate with all reasonable requests of government employees. Establishes a procedure for the termination of protection upon substantive breach of such agreement. Provides for service of process on a protected person and compliance with a judgment in a civil proceeding. Establishes within the United States Treasury a Victims Compensation Fund. Funds the trust fund, in part, with fines received from prosecution of racketeering offenses. Directs the Attorney General to promulgate guidelines for the administration of the fund. Requires all Federal agencies to cooperate with the Attorney General in carrying out this Act. Allows the Attorney General to agree with a State government to provide protection for a person. Title II: United States Marshals Service and Service of Process - Revises the United States Marshals Service System. Authorizes the Attorney General to appoint a director and other officials. Specifies the powers and duties of the Service. Grants an official of the Service the same powers that a State sheriff may exercise. Prescribes the schedule of fees that the Service may collect.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1983
Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund Self-Sufficiency Act of 1983 - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (REA) to eliminate the requirement for a State certificate of convenience and necessity before the Administrator may make loans to provide rural telephone service. Revises the liabilities and uses of the Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund established under the REA to provide that notes of the Administrator to the Secretary of the Treasury to obtain funds for loans shall be equity capital of the Fund. States that assets of the Fund shall be available only for: (1) payment of interest and principal on loans to the Administrator from the Secretary of the Treasury; and (2) for certificates of beneficial ownership issued to such Secretary or in the private market. Requires the Administrator to maintain two separate accounts within the fund: (1) the Electrification Account; and (2) the Telephone Account. Lists the items that shall be accounted for in each Account respectively, and restricts the purposes for which the assets of each Account shall be available. Authorizes the Administrator to repurchase specified certificates of beneficial ownership under certain conditions affecting their interest rates. Establishes guidelines for interest-bearing insured loans made by the Administrator to electric and telephone borrowers. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to request in each annual supplemental budget estimate the amount needed to replenish the Fund for anticipated and actual costs resulting from loans made at less than a specified rate during the preceding fiscal year. Directs the Administrator to guarantee loans to specified borrowers or to accommodate or subordinate liens or mortgages held in the Fund, according to prescribed rules and regulations. Directs the Administration to promulgate such rules and regulations within 90 days after the effective date of this Act. Prescribes guidelines under which certain lenders are authorized to adjust interest rates on loans guaranteed by the Administrator. Requires rural electrification borrowers to obtain concurrent supplemental financing according to prescribed guidelines in any fiscal year in which the minimum loan level for insured rural electrification loans is less than $1,000,000,000. Repeals the loan-making authority of the Governor of the Rural Telephone Bank which require approval by the Secretary of Agriculture of facilities or lines to be acquired with such loans. Eliminates loan restrictions placed upon potential borrowers whose net worth exceed their assets by twenty percent.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1983
Bail Reform Amendments Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code to allow the safety of other persons and the community to be considered when conditions are set for release of a defendant before trial. States that no financial condition may be imposed to assure the safety of any person or the community. Prohibits release of the defendant when his or her appearance cannot be assured. Allows as a condition of release that the defendant not commit a Federal, State, or local crime, intimidate a witness or victim, or destroy evidence. Provides a procedure for revocation of release if the defendant violates any condition of release.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1983
National Nursing Home Standards Act of 1983 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a 13 member National Commission on the Regulation of Nursing Homes. States that such Commission's purpose shall be to examine existing Federal and State quality, health, and safety regulations for nursing homes and intermediate care facilities and to make recommendations, including alternative approaches to regulating such facilities, to Congress and to the Secretary by September 30, 1984. Imposes a moratorium on nursing home rules changes until six months after the filing of such recommendations. Requires such Commission to be made up of members of the Institute of Medicine, nursing home residents and operators, and State officials.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1983
Calls upon the nations of the world, particularly the Soviet Union, to conclude in the multilateral Committee on Disarmament or other bilateral negotiations a comprehensive and verifiable treaty banning chemical weapons. States that the United States will continue its moratorium on chemical weapons production if progress is evident on a comprehensive and verifiable treaty banning chemical weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that regulations relating to title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (concerning sex discrimination in education) should not be amended or altered in any manner which will lessen the comprehensive coverage of such statute in eliminating gender discrimination throughout the American educational system.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1983
Encourages the President's efforts to achieve deep cuts in the amounts of nuclear weapons held by each nation and to establish an enduring peace. Declares that Congress would welcome an international agreement based on specified principles providing for: (1) the staged, proportional disarmament of all nations until nonthreatening force levels are reached under effective international inspection and control; and (2) concurrent agreements (in accordance with specified principles) providing methods for the peaceful settlement of international disputes, for effective compliance during the staged disarmament process, and for effective enforcement as nonthreatening force levels are approached. Urges the President to initiate: (1) renewed consideration of the "Joint Statement of agreed Principles for Disarmament Negotiations" ("Joint Statement") by appropriate U.S. agencies; and (2) joint United States and Soviet reconsideration of such "Joint Statement." Requests the President to: (1) transmit copies of this resolution to the heads of government of all nations and to invite them to participate in negotiations on such an international agreement; and (2) report to Congress on the steps taken respecting this resolution and the responses received and on the U.S. reassessment of the "Joint Statement."
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1983
Corporation Act Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to increase from nine to ten the number of members on state advisory councils, at least two of whom must be eligible clients and another two members of the general public. Directs the Legal Services Corporation (the Corporation) to: (1) publicize within a specified time-frame any contemplated grants, projects or contracts; and (2) notify the relevant State advisory council if legal assistance will be provided as a result of such grants, projects, or contracts. Establishes procedural guidelines for notification, comment, and review of such grants, projects, or contracts. Deems the Corporation's Board of Directors (the Board) to be Federal officers and employees in order to prohibit payment of members appointed during a recess of the Senate. Provides compensation to Board members only for attendance at Board meetings and necessary related travel expenses. Prohibits: (1) reimbursement to recipients and specified Board personnel for membership in private clubs; and (2) severance pay exceeding the amounts paid Federal employees for comparable service. Requires the project director of a recipient of Corporation funding to approve any allowable use of funds for communications with governmental entities. Allows class action suits against government entities if the practice in question is unlikely to change otherwise and will continue to affect eligible clients adversely. Revises conditions under which reasonable costs and legal fees shall be awarded to a defendant prevailing against the Corporation or the Corporation's recipient. Allows such an award of fees where the action had no reasonable basis in law or fact. (Currently, such fees may be awarded only if the action is a malicious abuse of legal process.) States that any such costs shall be paid directly by the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to recover such costs from a recipient adjudged to have commenced legal action without a reasonable basis in law or fact. Directs the Corporation to: (1) require recipients to attempt out-of-court resolution of disputes; (2) provide funds each fiscal year with which to compensate private attorneys who render legal services to eligible clients; and (3) develop criteria to determine reasonable legal costs and reduced fee schedules. Prohibits the use of Corporation funds for: (1) legal proceedings or legal assistance by any attorney relating to an abortion unless it is necessary to save the mother's life; or (2) legal assistance to aliens known to be in violation of Federal laws or treaties relating to immigration, exclusion, deportation, or expulsion if aliens. Directs the Corporation to: (1) require recipients to maintain documentation of their clients' eligibility for legal advice and assistance; and (2) periodically review such documentation and include findings in annual reports to the President and the Congress. Grants the Comptroller General and the General Accounting Office the same authority: (1) to conduct audits of the Corporation as they have with respect to all other Federal departments and agencies; and (2) to settle and adjust Corporation accounts. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986. Requires annual funding of current grantees and contractors to remain uninterrupted at previous fiscal year levels whenever less than six members of the Board have been appointed and are qualified under the Legal Service Corporation Act. Authorizes the Corporation to bring an action in Federal district court to: (1) compel specific performance of any agreement between the Corporation and any recipient for the provision of legal services; and (2) compel compliance by a recipient with this title. Prohibits the interruption of legal services to clients who have actions pending on the date of such court orders. Specifies exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a business expense income tax deduction for additions to a reserve established for the cost incurred by a regulated public utility in decommissioning (retiring) a nuclear powerplant. Limits the deduction to the amount which the regulatory body having ratemaking jurisdiction over the utility permits as addition to a reserve and which is included in its cost of service for ratemaking purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1983
Urges the United States and the Soviet Union to begin talks aimed at creating a jointly administered United States-Soviet student exchange program. Sets forth certain aspects of such exchange program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1983
Appropriates FY 1984 funds for Centers for Disease Control epidemiological and medical research on acquired immune disorders and related opportunistic infections.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1983
Appropriates FY 1984 funds for National Institutes of Health scientific and medical research on acquired immune disorders and related opportunistic infections.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that an individual's "years of coverage" for purposes of computing such individual's primary insurance amount under title II shall include those years (up to a specified maximum) during which such individual had a child age six or under in his or her care for more than six months.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to restore the minimum monthly social security benefit with respect to benefits for months after December 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require that, upon the death of an individual who was married at least three years prior to the date of death or was divorced after at least three years of marriage, the surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse shall inherit all of the wages and self-employment income credited to such individual during marriage.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the requirement that the amount of monthly benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or mother be reduced by the amount such spouse, surviving spouse, or mother receives in monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to enable an insured individual's spouse who has attained the age of 50 and is not entitled to any other monthly benefits to obtain a transition benefit for four months upon the death of the insured individual. Establishes the amount of such transition benefit at 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the insured individual or, if it is higher, 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1983
Social Security Modernization Act - Amends title II (Old age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the combined earnings of a married couple which are attributable to the period of their marriage shall be shared equally between them for purposes of determining the eligibility for and amount of OASDI benefits to which each spouse is or may become separately entitled. Credits the survivor of the marriage with 100 percent of the combined total wages for the period of the marriage. Provides that this Act shall not apply in specified cases where it would result in a reduction of OASDI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide full benefits for disabled widows and widowers without regard to age.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the combined earnings of a married couple which are attributable to the period of their marriage shall be shared equally between them for purposes of determining the eligibility for and amount of old-age or disability insurance benefits to which each spouse is or may be come separately entitled if: (1) their marriage lasted at least three years; (2) they are divorced; and (3) either of them elects to have such combined earnings so shared. Makes this Act inapplicable to a surviving divorced spouse if it would result in a reduction in OASDI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1983
Legal Services Corporation Act Amendments of 1983 - Directs the Legal Services Corporation (the Corporation) to insure that recipients do not use Corporation funds to: (1) pay for any type of personal service, advertisement or communication designed to influence Federal, State or local agency decisions, except for legal assistance provided on claims directly concerning a client's legal rights or responsibilities; and (2) influence any elected official regarding legislation or legislative procedure. Allows the use of Corporation funds where the recipient's project director has: (1) approved their use for communications made in response to the formal request of an elected official; (2) expressly determined that a legislative body is considering an authorization, appropriation or oversight measure directly affecting the recipient or the Corporation; and (3) expressly approved legislative representation of a client after concluding that such client is directly affected by the legislation, can secure relief from the legislative body, and has provided specified documents. Prohibits class action suits against any government entity unless: (1) the recipient's project director has expressly given approval; (2) the class relief is for the primary benefit of eligible clients; and (3) the project director has concluded that the government practice or policy will continue to impact adversely upon clients and that out-of-court settlement would be adverse to the clients' interests. Requires notice to the government entity of the impending class action. Directs the Corporation to: (1) encourage recipients to negotiate settlements before filing suit; (2) develop criteria and regulations under which funds may be available for legal assistance to eligible clients by private attorneys. Prohibits the use of Corporation funds for legal assistance to: (1) aliens in violation of specified laws; (2) any proceeding or litigation relating to abortion unless such abortion is necessary to save the mother's life. Allows legal advice regarding a client's legal rights and responsibilities with respect to an abortion. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986. Specifies amounts available in such fiscal years for grants or contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1983
Agricultural Productivity Act of 1983 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) make an inventory of existing research and extension materials and recommend further areas of research regarding crop rotation, intercropping, biological pest control, and other related farming and soil conservation systems; and (2) make such information available to the public. Directs the Secretary to conduct research on 12 pilot farms (having specified mixes of livestock and crops) to examine the effects of the transition from practices relying on chemical fertilizers and pesticides and traditional soil tillage to systems relying on organic and biological pest control, crop rotation, and conservation tillage. Requires such farms to be chosen within 120 days. Directs the Secretary to make a parallel study of 12 farms which have been using such farm systems for at least five years. Sets the term of such projects at five years each. Sets forth on-farm study data, including soil profile changes, crop yields, energy and water use, and farm income. Directs the Secretary to make payments to the owner of a pilot farm if the Secretary determines such payments are justified. Stipulates that these payments may be made only during a project's last four years. Directs the Secretary to coordinate such pilot farms project with specified Federal and State agricultural services, colleges, and farmers. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees: (1) within 15 months regarding the information inventory; and (2) by April 1 of each year from 1985 through 1988 regarding the pilot farms, with a final project summary and recommendations by April 1, 1989. Provides for a five-year program of intercropping assistance under the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1983
Ethics in Government Act Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require the Attorney General, within five days after the Speaker of the House has certified that an individual in one of specified positions has been found in contempt of Congress, to apply to the court for the appointment of an independent counsel. Requires such counsel to bring the certified statement of facts before the grand jury for its action and to prosecute any resulting indictments.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should reduce imports of apparel to no more than 25 percent of the American apparel market.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1983
Weatherization and Employment Act of 1983 - Amends the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 to authorize appropriations for FY 1984 and 1985 to carry out the low-income weatherization assistance program established under such Act. Requires the Secretary of Energy to develop and publish a plan for the implementation of the weatherization program during FY 1985 through 1994. Requires the President to identify in the annual budget submitted to Congress before the start of FY 1986 and through FY 1994 the funding needed for the weatherization program for each fiscal year and the amount needed to complete the program in accordance with the implementation plan. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1994 to carry out the weatherization program. Requires the Secretary to submit a biennial report to Congress on the number of dwelling units weatherized under the weatherization program, the average energy savings per unit, the weatherization measures which have yielded especially high energy savings, and legislative changes necessary to meet the goals of the program. Provides that a minimum of ten percent of the amount authorized to be appropriated for the weatherization program shall be allotted to a performance fund which shall provide financial assistance to those States which have demonstrated the best performance during the previous fiscal year in providing weatherization assistance under such program. Eliminates the requirement that States applying for financial assistance under the weatherization program establish policies and procedures for securing, to the maximum extent practicable, the services of volunteers, training participants, and public service employment workers. Increases from $800 to $2,500 the maximum amount of financial assistance which may be spent for the labor and materials used in the weatherization of one dwelling unit. Specifies the deadlines for the disbursement of funds by the Secretary to the States under the weatherization program. Requires that States applying for financial assistance under the weatherization program give priority in providing weatherization assistance to low-income individuals receiving assistance under the low- income energy assistance program. Requires that the regulations promulgated by the Secretary to carry out the weatherization program provide that assistance to the States may be used to provide information, education, and technical assistance to the residents of low-income dwellings in which weatherization materials have been installed. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to encourage the development of new methods to weatherize multifamily rental dwellings which will benefit both the owners and the occupiers. Authorizes the Secretary to use, in any fiscal year, up to two percent of the funds appropriated for the weatherization program to make grants to local weatherization agencies to carry out field testing of energy saving methods and materials. Includes as "weatherization materials" for purposes of the weatherization program any furnace efficiency modifications. Permits a State to determine whether an insulating or energy conserving device or technology constitutes "weatherization materials" for purposes of such program. Makes such a determination subject to the Secretary's approval. Provides that the term "low-income" shall mean income below any income level established as poverty level under any Federal program being carried out in a State applying for assistance under the weatherization program if such State so elects. Requires that States applying for financial assistance under the weatherization program: (1) submit a training plan for weatherization workers, crew supervisors, field staff, and program directors; (2) arrange for inspections by trained persons of eligible dwellings at least once after the installation of weatherization materials to determine if such materials were the most cost effective and appropriate and were installed correctly; and (3) provide for coordination between the weatherization program and the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. Makes funds available for the training plan. Requires the Secretary to establish a system for monitoring State and local use of funds under the weatherization program and to promulgate regulations governing cost reporting by local agencies. Provides that the standards governing weatherization efforts by the States shall provide that the procedures to be applied to determine the optimum set of cost- effective weatherization measures to be installed in a dwelling unit shall include State procedures set forth in the State's application and approved by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1983
Patent Law Amendments of 1983 - Authorizes the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to issue a patent on an invention without the required examination if the applicant waives all legal remedies and pays a stated fee. States that no maintenance fees shall be required for such patents. Permits the Commissioner to require that the total issue fee for all patents be payable within three months of issuance or sooner. Permits the basic fee portion of an international fee to be paid within one month of filing rather than upon filing. States that the designation of the United States as the country in which a patent is sought in an international patent filed under the patent cooperation treaty shall continue to have effect until the international application is withdrawn, if a claim for the benefit of a prior filing date is made before such application is ultimately withdrawn. Renders permissible rather than mandatory the receipt from the International Bureau of all international applications and search reports for international applications designating the United States. Permits the Commissioner to fix a later time for the completion of certain requirements than the commencement of the national stage of an international application. States that failure to submit a copy of the application by commencement and lack of compliance with other specified requirements shall be regarded as abandonment of the application. Permits rather than requires the Commissioner to receive a verification of the translation of an international application. Permits a surcharge to be levied as a condition for accepting the national fee or the oath or declaration if these requirements are not met by commencement of the national stage. Eliminates the special fee and restoration of patent provisions for claims not searched in the international stage and later found not to comply with the requirement for unity of invention under the treaty. Prohibits the collection of fees for maintaining a plant patent in force.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1983
Authorizes the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to retain in office marshals serving in such capacity under specified law on the date of enactment of the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1983
Dedicates the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California to Phillip Burton. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to inform the public of the contributions of Phillip Burton through the use of signs, maps, and interpretive programs and to establish an appropriate memorial to him within the recreation area. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1983
Civil Rights Amendments Act of 1983 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of affectional or sexual orientation. Provides that this Act shall not be construed to permit a finding of discrimination based on statistical differences or the fashioning of any remedy requiring a quota.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1983
Amends the Small Business Act to specify the maximum interest rate on disaster loans made by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to homeowners or small businesses for disasters commencing on or after October 1, 1982. Provides that such loans, subject to reductions in insurance payments received by a loan applicant, shall cover 100 percent of the loss suffered. Limits such loans to $500,000 per disaster, unless a loan applicant is a major source of employment in the disaster area, in which case such limitation may be waived at the discretion of the Administrator of the SBA. Requires the interest rate for such loans to be the rate that is in effect when the disaster commenced. Prohibits the SBA, subject to reductions for insurance payments received by a loan applicant, from reducing the amount of such loans for homeowners to less than $100,000 for loss of real property or $20,000 for personal property. Provides that upon presentation by a loan applicant of proof of loss, damage or injury, the SBA will cancel a portion of the principal of any loan used to cover damage to real property that is occupied as a primary residence or personal property contained therein resulting from a disaster commencing on or after October 1, 1982. Specifies the portion of the loan principal to be cancelled for certain loan amounts. Authorizes funds to the SBA for FY 1984 for direct loans to small businesses for facility rehabilitation and for disaster relief. Extends for one year the prohibition on disaster loan assistance by the SBA to agricultural enterprises.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Directs the President to furnish to the House of Representatives, within ten days after adoption of this resolution, documents relating to: (1) military assistance furnished to Honduras; (2) certain military intelligence activities in Nicaragua and Honduras; and (3) combat activities of and casualties incurred by Nicaragua and Honduras.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Clean Campaign Act of 1983 - Adds a new title to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971: "Title V: Financing of General Election Campaigns for the House of Representatives". Establishes eligibility criteria entitling candidates to receive campaign payments on a matching basis. Establishes formulae to determine such sums. Limits expenditure of personal funds to $20,000 per election. Waives spending limits for eligible candidates whose opponents have spent sums exceeding the limit imposed upon such candidates. Requires specified independent expenditures to be reported to the Commission and to each candidate within specified time-frames. Permits additional payments to certain candidates who have waived specified broadcasting rights. Requires the Federal Election Commission to certify the eligibility of candidates to the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall disburse funds to such candidates. Directs the Secretary to establish a separate United States House of Representatives Election Campaign Account in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and to deposit certain sums in such account in accordance with specified guidelines. Directs the Commission to audit campaign accounts. Requires repayment of excess payments and unexpended payments. Penalizes the use of funds for other than campaign purposes. Authorizes the Commission to institute repayment actions in U.S. district courts. Delineates the administrative authority of the Commission in carrying out this Act. Requires the Commission to make certain reports to the House of Representatives. Authorizes appropriations. Limits to $90,000 in any calendar year the amount of contributions which congressional candidates or their authorized political committees may accept from non-party multicandidate political committees. Specifies exceptions for candidates in general and special elections. States that any extension of credit for advertising on broadcasting stations, in newspapers or magazines, or by direct mail, or for other types of public political advertising shall be considered a contribution, if such credit is: (1) in excess of $1,000; and (2) for a period exceeding 30 days.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1983
Prohibits the implementation of certain regulations proposed by the Office of Personnel Management (published in the Federal Register on March 30, 1983) that change the administration of the civil service system by establishing a performance management system and revising regulations concerning reductions-in-force, pay administration under the Fair Labor Standards Act, bargaining policy in labor-management relations, and the prevailing rate pay system. Voids any such regulations which became effective before enactment of this Act. Prohibits the implementation of any other regulations that would have the same effect.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1983
Declares a named individual to have satisfied specified requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act relating to required periods of residence and physical presence within the United States. Authorizes such individual to be naturalized.
![Official portrait of Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000020_200.jpg)