United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1983
States that the Congress: (1) holds Iran responsible for upholding the rights of the Baha'is; (2) condemns Iran's decision to destroy the Baha'i faith; and (3) calls upon the President to work with appropriate foreign governments to form an appeal to Iran concerning the Baha'is, to cooperate with the United Nations in its efforts on behalf of the Baha'is, and to provide humanitarian assistance for Baha'is who flee Iran.
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
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States congratulates Argentina on its successful conduct of democratic elections; and (2) commends the Argentine military in promoting the succession to power of the new civilian government of Argentina.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1983
Interstate Compact - Grants the consent of Congress to the Interstate High Speed Intercity Rail Passenger Network Compact as participated in by Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1983
Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1983 - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to require the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to establish and maintain a national toll-free telephone line for reporting information regarding the location of missing children. Directs the Administrator to establish a national resource center and clearinghouse to: (1) provide technical assistance to State and local governments and agencies in locating missing children; (2) coordinate public and private efforts to recover missing children; and (3) disseminate information on innovative missing childrens' programs, services, and legislation. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual summary of research on missing children and prepare a comprehensive plan for coordinating activities of all agencies and organizations responsible for missing children. Authorizes the Administrator, in consultation with the Advisory Board on Missing Children, to make grants for research or demonstration or service programs designed to: (1) educate parents and community agencies on ways to prevent the abduction of children; (2) assist in the recovery or tracking of missing children; (3) aid communities in collecting material to assist parents in the identification of their children; (4) demonstrate the psychological consequences of a child's abduction; and (5) collect data on investigative practices utilized by law enforcement agencies. Requires the Administrator to appoint an Advisory Board on Missing Children to assist the Administrator in coordinating programs and activities relating to missing children. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1983
Designates the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania, as the James E. Van Zandt Veterans Administration Medical Center. Designates the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia, as the Carl Vinson Veterans Administration Medical Center.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1983
Retirement Equity Act of 1983 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to lower from age 25 to age 21 the age limitation for minimum participation and vesting standards for pension plans. Prohibits certain defined benefit plans from requiring, as a condition for plan participation, that employees complete period of service extending beyond the earlier of age 25 or the vesting expectation date. Lowers from age 22 to age 18 the age limitation for the computation of periods of service. States that years of service may be disregarded when computing periods of service for participation or vesting purposes if breaks in service during such a period amounted to five or more one-year breaks. Treats breaks in service due to pregnancy, birth, or adoption of a child as completed hours of service according to a specified formula. Accords such treatment only in the year of the pregnancy, birth or adoption, and only to participants who would incur a one-year break in service without such treatment. Requires pension plans which provide life annuity benefits to pay such benefits in the form of a qualified joint and survivor annuity. Requires that each pension plan participant have the option of electing, waiving, or revoking the joint and survivor annuity form of benefit. Conditions the efficacy of such election upon: (1) the written consent of a participant's spouse; (2) a written acknowledgement by a participant's spouse of the effect of such election; and (3) an official witnessing of such spousal consent by a plan representative or notary public. Limits such consent to the signatory spouse. Requires pension plans to furnish participants with written explanations of the terms and rights of election regarding joint and survivor annuities. Prohibits joint and survivor annuity payments from being less than the actuarial equivalent of payments made if the annuitant had lived to the earliest date of retirement or had separated from service on the date of death. Requires the surviving spouse's consent for any distribution of nonforfeitable benefits exceeding $3,500. Requires such benefits to be paid according to the surviving spouse's written requests. States that plans subject to funding requirements must provide benefits payable in the form of an annuity. Exempts qualified domestic relations orders from the Act's proscriptions against alienation and assignment of pension plan benefits. Sets procedural guidelines for the payment of such benefits to an alternate payee under such orders. Prohibits alternative payees from receiving any portion of any increase in a participant's accrued benefits if such increases occur after payments to such payees have begun. Declares that alternate payees under domestic relations orders are not considered to be, by virtue of such orders, participants or beneficiaries under the pension plan. Increases from $1,750 to $3,500 the allowable mandatory distribution from a retirement plan. Requires notification to participants that certain benefits may be forfeitable if the participant dies before a certain date. Sets December 31, 1984 as the effective date of this Act for existing plans. Provides transitional dates and certain effective dates for plans maintained under collective bargaining agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1983
Amends veterans' hospitalization benefits to authorize the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to carry out a screening and treatment program for eligible veterans suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Permits the furnishing of hospital or nursing home care to afflicted veterans who are at least fifty years old.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for the home care expenses of individual taxpayers who maintain a household which includes a dependent of the taxpayer who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Permits this deduction whether or not the taxpayer itemizes deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1983
Designates November 12, 1983, as Anti-Defamation League Day in honor of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Anti-Defamation League of the B'nai B'rith.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1983
Includes service in the United States merchant marine between May 26, 1940, and January 1, 1948, as military service for purposes of provisions concerning the determination of civil service retirement benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1983
Residential Mortgage Investment Act of 1983 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from specified prohibited transactions: (1) any qualified mortgage transaction engaged in by an employee benefit plan if such transaction received the prior approval of an independent fiduciary; (2) the purchase, retention, or sale by an employee benefit plan of interests in Federal or State guaranteed residential mortgage loans; and (3) any participation or dealings by an employee benefit plan in residential mortgage-backed securities if such securities bear one of the three highest ratings of a nationally recognized rating service. Prohibits the promulgation of rules or orders which limit, interpret or implement: (1) the exemptions or definitions of this Act; and (2) the term "reasonable rate of interest."
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1983
States that the War Powers Resolution became operative on October 25, 1983, for purposes of determining the termination date for the presence of U.S. armed forces in Grenada.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1983
Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior for FY 1985 through 1989 to assist States in carrying on the work of a competent and qualified mining and mineral resources research institute at one public college or university (or private college or university if a State does not have an eligible public college or university) in the State meeting eligibility requirements. Provides that such funds when appropriated shall be made available for grants to be matched on a basis of no less than one and one-half non-Federal dollars for each Federal dollar during FY 1985 and 1986 and no less than two non-Federal dollars for each Federal dollar during FY 1987 through 1989. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY 1985 through 1989 which shall be made available to institutes to meet the necessary expenses of: (1) specific mineral research and demonstration projects of broad application which could not otherwise be undertaken; and (2) research into any aspects of mining and mineral resources problems related to the mission of the Department of the Interior which are not otherwise being studied. Sets forth funding criteria. Requires each institute to: (1) set forth its plan to provide for the training of individuals as mineral engineers and scientists; (2) set forth policies and procedures to assure that Federal funds made available under this Act will supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the level of funds that would, in the absence of such Federal funds, be made available for purposes of this Act, and in no case supplant such funds; and (3) report annually to the Secretary concerning amounts received under this Act and projects undertaken pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe necessary rules and regulations; and (2) report to Congress annually concerning the receipts, expenditures, and work of the institutes in all States under the provisions of this Act. Prohibits anything in this Act from being construed to authorize Federal control of education at any college or university. Directs the Secretary to assure that programs authorized by this Act are not redundant with respect to established mining and minerals research programs. Authorizes appropriations necessary to print and publish the results of activities carried out by institutes under this Act and for administrative planning and direction. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projected scientific research in all fields of mining and mineral resources. Directs the President to clarify agency responsibility for Federal mining and mineral resources research and provide interagency coordination of such research. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Committee on Mining and Mineral Resources Research to consult with and make recommendations to the Secretary on all matters relating to mining and mineral resources research as required by this Act. Requires the Committee to: (1) develop a national plan for research and development in mining and mineral resources and to formulate and recommend a program to implement the plan utilizing resources provided for under this Act; and (2) submit such plan to the Secretary, the President, and Congress by March 1, 1986, and update the plan annually. Requires the Committee to determine the eligibility of a college or university to participate as a mining and mineral resources research institute under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1983
Amends the charter of the American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS) by extending eligibility for membership to individuals who qualify on or after May 8, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1983
School Facilities Child Care Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public agencies and private nonprofit organizations having the capacity to furnish school-age child care services in order to assist such agencies and organizations to establish and operate such services in public schools. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987. Sets forth information which must be included in applications by such agencies or organizations to the Secretary for such grants. Requires the Secretary, in approving the applications, to: (1) assure that there is an equitable distribution of approved applications; (2) give priority to applications from applicants in communities with the greatest need and a shortage of economic resources for such services; and (3) give consideration to applications from applicants who can illustrate an identifiable base of community support. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of collecting data from recipients of assistance under this Act designed to provide a national needs assessment for child care services of school-age children in the United States. Requires the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees on activities under this Act together with a needs assessment of child care services for school-age children in each State. Requires the Secretary to operate a clearinghouse on school-age child care programs. Sets forth general administrative provisions with respect to carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1983
Motor Vehicle Passenger Safety Act - Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to add provisions on the promotion and use of safety belt systems. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to States for the development and implementation of: (1) State-educational programs promoting the use and associated benefits of safety belt systems; and (2) State laws and regulations requiring the use of safety belt systems for passenger motor vehicles. Sets forth the allocation formula and terms and conditions for such grants. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a program to utilize public and private resources as a free public service in promoting the use and benefits of safety belt systems. Requires chief executive officers of Federal agencies to promote the use of such systems within their agencies and report annually to the Secretary on such activities. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress by December 31, of each year on the grant program for the previous fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through FY 1996 for such program. Directs the President to promulgate regulations requiring: (1) Federal motor vehicles to be equipped with safety belt systems; (2) passengers in such vehicles to use the systems; and (3) the use of such systems while operating in Federal areas. Provides a civil penalty for violation of such regulations. Requires the President to report annually to Congress on the enforcement of such regulations. Prohibits any person from rendering inoperable any safety belt system installed in a motor vehicle in compliance with Federal standards, unless such vehicle will not be used during such time of inoperation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1983
Requires the Attorney General of the United States, the Federal Trade Commission, and all other appropriate Federal agencies and officials to enforce the antitrust laws, including the prohibition against vertical price restraints. Directs such officials and agencies to cease propounding arguments in court designed to weaken such prohibition, and to submit to Congress proposed legislation to make any desired changes in such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Cable Telecommunications Act of 1983 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize any governmental entity empowered to grant a cable television franchise to require: (1) that a reasonable amount of channel capacity be designated for public, educational, or government purposes; and (2) that rules be promulgated governing the use of such channel capacity, including rules for creating an agency or nonprofit organization to administer the use of such channel capacity. Allows the cable system operator to use such channel capacity for other purposes until there is a demand for use of such capacity for public, educational, or governmental purposes. Prohibits a cable operator from exercising any editorial control over any video programming for such purposes. Requires a cable operator to designate a specified percentage of its channel capacity not required for use under Federal law for commercial use by persons unaffiliated with the operator. Prohibits any Federal, State, or local authority from requiring the designation of a greater percentage of channel capacity for commercial use by unaffiliated persons. Allows an operator to continue using such designated capacity until a written agreement with an unaffiliated person is obtained. Directs the operator to establish prices, terms, and conditions for such use that are sufficient to assure that the operation, financial condition, and market development of the cable system are not adversely affected. Prohibits a cable operator from exercising any editorial control over video programming for such use except to the extent necessary to assure that such cable system is not adversely affected. Prohibits the use of such channel capacity to provide a cable service being provided on the enactment date of this Act in order to avoid providing a diversity of information sources. Authorizes any person aggrieved by the failure of an operator to make channel capacity available for such commercial use to seek to compel that such capacity be made available by bringing an action in the appropriate Federal district court or by petitioning the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Authorizes the FCC to prescribe rules necessary to assure that a cable operator or owner provides for a diversity of information sources over the cable system: (1) upon finding that prior adjudications constitute a pattern of such failure by such person; and (2) whenever cable systems with 36 or more activated channels are available to 70 percent of U.S. households and are subscribed to by 70 percent of the households to which such systems are available. Prohibits a person from owning or controlling a cable system if such person: (1) is the licensee of a television broadcast station the predicted grade B contour (field strength) of which covers any part of the community served by such cable system; (2) owns or controls a daily newspaper published in such community; or (3) is a common carrier providing telephone exchange service in any part of such community, excluding specified rural areas. Authorizes the FCC to prescribe rules concerning the common ownership or control of cable systems by persons who own or control other media of mass communications serving the community served by the cable system. Prohibits any State or local authority from regulating the diversity of ownership of mass media interests. Prohibits any State or local authority that has an interest in any cable system from directly or indirectly controlling the content of any programming on such system, except programming on educational, public, or government channels, unless such authority establishes an independent board or separate management company. Prohibits the owner of a multiple unit dwelling from interfering with the provision of cable service requested by a resident. Permits the owner to require that: (1) the costs of installation, construction, operation, or removal of the cable facilities be borne by the subscriber, the operator, or both; (2) the condition of the dwelling and the safety and convenience of other residents are not adversely affected by the installation or construction of such facilities; and (3) the owner be fully compensated by the cable operator for any damages caused by such facilities. Directs the FCC to establish the amount of just compensation to which the owner is entitled. Authorizes a governmental or franchising authority to award one or more cable franchises within its jurisdiction. Directs such authority to assure that the opportunity to purchase cable service is not denied to any class of potential subscribers because of income or economic status. Provides that a franchise shall be construed to authorize the construction of a cable system over public rights-of-way and through easements dedicated for compatible uses, provided the property owners are compensated for any resulting damages. Prohibits a cable system from providing cable service without a franchise. Permits a governmental or franchising authority to require the construction of cable system facilities or the provision of certain equipment as part of an initial franchise or a franchise renewal proceeding. Directs such authority to negotiate and, if necessary, enter binding arbitration with a cable operator over the termination, modification, or deferral of a requirement for facilities or equipment (excluding facilities or equipment for educational, public, or government use) that the operator shows to be impracticable as a result of a significant change in circumstances. Provides that the terms of any franchise agreement resulting from a request for proposals originally issued on or before September 30, 1982, shall remain in effect for the remaining term of the franchise. Declares that no cable system shall be subject to regulation as a common carrier or utility by reason of providing cable service. Authorizes a governmental or franchising authority to require a cable operator to pay a franchise fee not to exceed an annual aggregate of five percent of such operator's gross revenues. Permits a cable operator to pass the cost of any increase in the franchise fee through to subscribers. Prohibits a governmental or franchising authority from requiring the provisions of services, facilities, or other items not related to the provision of cable service under a franchise. Authorizes a franchising authority to regulate the rates for the provision of basic cable service and the installation or rental of equipment necessary for the receipt of such service for any cable system that is not located within the grade B contour of four or more full power television signals with at least one affiliate of each of the three power commercial television networks. Authorizes such an authority to regulate the rates of a franchise in effect on the enactment date of this Act for the greater of five years or one-half of the remaining term of the franchise. Authorizes annual rate increases not exceeding the regional consumer price index if subscribers are given 30 days notice. Provides that requests for rate increases shall be deemed to be granted if not acted upon within 90 days. Bars any other regulation of rates, with specified exceptions, by any Federal, State, local, or other franchising authority. Prohibits any such authority from regulating the provision or content of cable services, except that: (1) any applicable FCC regulation in effect on September 21, 1983, may remain in effect; (2) a franchising authority may enforce the terms of a franchise agreement under which the cable operator agrees to provide particular services; (3) a franchising authority and a cable operator may specify that certain services that are obscene or otherwise unprotected by the Constitution may not be provided; and (4) an operator may be required to offer basic cable services. Allows an operator to rearrange, replace, or remove a service specified in a franchise if there has been a significant change in circumstances. Requires a franchising authority to grant an application for the renewal or extension of an operator's franchise, unless: (1) the operator has not substantially complied with the franchise or applicable law or has committed a felony; (2) there has been a change in the operator's qualifications that impairs the provision of service; (3) the facilities to be provided by the operator are unreasonable in terms of cost and community need; (4) the signal of the operator's system has not met the FCC's technical standards; or (5) the proposals of the application are otherwise unreasonable. Sets forth time requirements and procedures governing the filing, consideration, and denial of applications and the judicial review of adverse decisions. Prohibits a franchising authority, upon the expiration of a franchise, from acquiring an ownership interest in a cable system, or requiring a sale of a system to another person, at less than the system's fair market value. Prohibits a franchising authority from acquiring an ownership interest in a system subject to a franchise termination resulting from a material breach by a cable operator, unless the operator was provided notice of, and a reasonable opportunity to remedy, the breach. Prohibits any cable operator or any other person who provides cable services from using the cable system to collect personally identifiable information on a cable subscriber without the written or electronic consent of the subscriber. Permits the collection of such information solely for billing purposes or for monitoring unauthorized receptions of cable telecommunications. Requires such information to be destroyed when it is no longer used for such purposes. Prohibits the disclosure of such information without the consent of the subscriber or a court order authorizing such disclosure. Requires cable operators to notify subscribers of their rights under the privacy provisions of this Act. Requires each subscriber to have access to all of their personally identifiable information collected and maintained by a cable operator or other person providing cable services. Authorizes civil damages for violations of these privacy provisions. States that cable operators have no liability for programs on public, educational, or governmental channels or for channels designated for commercial use by unaffiliated persons. Prohibits any person from intercepting or receiving cable services or assisting in intercepting or receiving cable services without specific authorization by a cable operator or by law. Sets forth provisions governing civil remedies, the determination of civil damages, and criminal penalities for violations of such prohibition. Provides that a State shall not be considered to regulate the rates, terms, and conditions for pole attachments unless: (1) the State has issued and made effective regulations implementing such regulatory authority; and (2) the State takes final action on a complaint about an individual matter within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Civil Liberties Act of 1983 - Title I: Recognition of Injustice and an Apology on Behalf of the Nation - States that the Congress accepts the findings of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians and recognizes that a grave injustice was done to both citizens and resident aliens of Japanese ancestry by the evacuation, relocation, and internment of civilians during World War II. Title II: United States Citizens of Japanese Ancestry and Resident Japanese Aliens - Requests the President to offer pardons of those convicted of violating laws during the internment period whose violation was based on a refusal to accept racially discriminatory treatment. Provides that Federal departments and agencies that review applications for restitution of positions, status, or entitlement lost during the internment period shall review such applications giving full consideration to the findings of the Commission. Establishes within the Treasury a Civil Liberties Public Education Fund. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund. Requires the Attorney General to pay $20,000 each from the Fund in compensation to surviving internees. Establishes a Board of Directors which shall be responsible for making disbursement from the Fund. Provides that disbursement from the Fund shall be used to: (1) sponsor research and public educational activities dealing with the internment; (2) fund studies of similar civil liberties abuses; (3) prepare and distribute hearings and findings of the Commission; and (4) promote the general welfare of the ethnic Japanese community in the United States. Title III: The Aleuts - Requires the Attorney General to identify, locate, and pay a sum of $5,000 each to surviving internees of Alaskan Aleut ancestry. Establishes within the Treasury the Aleutian Islands Education and Restoration Fund. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund. Provides for a Board of Directors to be responsible for making disbursements from the Fund. Authorizes disbursements for community and individual purposes that will be compensatory for the losses and injuries suffered as a result of the evacuation of the Aleuts. Directs the Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild and restore churches and buildings damaged or destroyed in the Aleutian Islands and clear away the military debris that remains there from the evacuation and relocation period. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey the island of Attu, Alaska, to the Aleut native corporation. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides that all documents, personal testimony, and other material collected by the Commission shall be deposited in the National Archives of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
States that the United States, in negotiating an arms control agreement with the Soviet Union, should delay for six months the deployment of Pershing II and cruise missiles in Europe if the Soviet Union agrees to negotiate for specified mutual nondeployment and reductions of nuclear force missiles in Europe. Suggests that the United States and the Soviet Union should work with their respective allies to achieve a multilateral agreement on a reduction and a ban on nuclear weapon systems. Urges that the negotiations in Geneva on Soviet-American intermediate-range nuclear systems should be combined with the Strategic Arms Reduction negotiations with the objective of achieving a verifiable U.S.-Soviet freeze and reduction in the deployment of nuclear missiles and other delivery systems.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Establishes the National Commission on Federal Budget Deficit Reductions to review all relevant elements of fiscal and monetary policy, identify problems which may hinder the control and reduction of Federal budget deficits, and analyze all potential options which would result in deficit reductions and place the Government on a sound financial basis. Requires the Commission to transmit a report to the President and Congress not later than February 15, 1984, or the close of the 90th day beginning after the date of enactment of this resolution. Requires such report to contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions as it considers appropriate. Terminates the Commission 30 days after it submits its report.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1983
Synthetic Fuels Corporation Fiscal Accountability Act of 1983 - Amends the Energy Security Act to prohibit the U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation from making new awards of financial assistance after the date of the enactment of this Act and before the date on which the Corporation's comprehensive strategy for achieving the national synthetic fuel production goal is approved by Congress. Makes limitations on Corporation construction projects effective upon the enactment of this Act rather than upon approval of the comprehensive strategy as provided under current law.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to revise the benefit levels of individuals becoming eligible for benefits in or after 1979 so that they are equal to the benefit levels of individuals who became eligible for benefits before 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1983
Small Business Competitive Procurement Act of 1983 - Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit Government procurement officers from using qualified bidders or similar lists to preclude small businesses from being awarded contracts without referring the matter for final disposition to the Small Business Administration (SBA). Requires the SBA to certify small businesses as eligible to perform specified Government subcontracts if the contract involved exceeds $100,000 or the approved limits of a contractor's procurement system, whichever is greater. Provides that a Government procurement officer may not refuse to include a product of a small business concern or group of small business concerns on a qualified products list without referring the matter for final disposition to the SBA. Requires the SBA to make such final disposition within 60 days. Prohibits the SBA from: (1) establishing an exemption from the requirements that Government procurement officers refer questions as to a small business' eligibility as a Government contractor to the SBA for disposition; or (2) refusing to accept such a referral. Declares it to be the policy of the United States that small business concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals shall have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the award of Government prime contracts and subcontracts for appropriate portions of component systems, spare parts, and services for major weapon systems. Provides that during the planning for contracts for the procurement and performance of service or for the production or assembly of goods and spare parts for major weapon systems, the head of each Federal agency shall maximize competition for such components or services so as to insure to the maximum extent practicable that small businesses and small disadvantaged businesses are not precluded from performing as prime contractors and subcontractors on such contracts. Requires Federal agencies to publicly post and make available to small businesses information concerning the agencies' solicitations, unless such disclosure of information would be a breach of security or would disclose the Government's cost estimate for the procurement. Directs the Department of Defense to use funds appropriated for the development or production of any major weapon system to acquire manufacturing data relating to such system. Requires contracts entered into by any military department for the development or production of any major weapons system to contain provisions insuring the Government's acquisition of such manufacturing data, including conditions under which the contractor waives proprietary rights with respect to data necessary for the performance of such contracts. Provides waiver authority upon notification to specified congressional committees in instances where the military department determines that manufacturing technical data is not necessary. Directs each military department, within a specified time, to complete an inventory of the manufacturing technical data which the Government has in its possession or to which it has access. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to transmit to Congress, within three years after enactment of this Act, a report evaluating each military department's efforts to compile an inventory of the manufacturing data for major weapons systems in its possession or to which it has access. States that Federal procurement rulemaking is to be covered under the Administrative Procedure Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1983
States that Congress: (1) deplores the assassination of Benigno Aquino; and (2) expresses its condolences to his family and to all Filipinos. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) steps should be taken to achieve an independent investigation of the Aquino assassination and to bring to justice those responsible for his death; and (2) the President should not visit the Philippines until there has been an accounting of the assassination and until the President's security can be guaranteed. States that it should be U.S. policy to: (1) support fair elections to the National Assembly in May 1984; and (2) urge the Philippine Government to take steps to secure the full participation of the opposition parties in those elections, including the reconstitution of an impartial electoral commission and the restoration of freedom of the press. Urges the United States in conducting its relations with the Philippine Government to take into account the investigation and the fairness of the 1984 National Assembly elections.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should request the resignation of James Watt from the Office of the Secretary of the Interior.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should urge the Japanese to extend the current voluntary auto export limits beyond March 31, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1983
National Archives and Records Administration Act of 1983 - Title I: Establishment of An Independent National Archives and Records Administration - Establishes the National Archives and Records Administration as an independent establishment in the executive branch to be directed by the Archivist of the United States. Requires the Archivist to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Archivist to appoint a Deputy Archivist. Sets forth the administrative duties and authority of the Archivist. Requires the Archivist to submit to Congress an annual report concerning the administration of functions of the Archivist and the Administration. Transfers to the Administration and the Archivist the functions, duties, and authority of the General Services Administration (GSA) and its Administrator, respectively, concerning: (1) congressional printing and binding; (2) the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations; (3) the distribution and sale of public documents; (4) archival administration; (5) presidential records; (6) the National Archives Trust Fund Board; (7) the National Historical Publications and Records Commission; (8) records management; (9) the disposal of records; (10) official territorial papers; (11) Indian records placed with the Oklahoma Historical Society; (12) public laws, Constitutional amendments, and the United States Statutes at Large; and (13) electoral credentials and certificates. Transfers to the Administration the National Archives and Records Service. Title II: Administrative Provisions - Limits the fee that the Archivist may charge for making or authenticating copies of materials to the amount necessary to recover actual costs. (Currently such fee may exceed such costs by up to ten percent.) Requires such fees to be deposited to the credit of the appropriation against which they are charged. (Currently such fees are paid into the National Archives Trust Fund.) Requires the National Archives Trust Fund Board to use the services and personnel of the Administration to assist the Board in performing its functions. (Currently the Board may appoint necessary employees.) Directs the Board to submit to Congress an annual report on its operations and on the moneys, securities, and personal property received and held by it. Authorizes the Board to authorize the transfer of funds to the Administration to be expended on an archival or records activity approved by the Board or to accomplish the purpose of a gift or bequest. Prohibits expenditures for purposes for which appropriated funds could not be expended, unless required by the instrument of gift or bequest. Permits the Board to solicit gifts or bequests. Requires that moneys received for the Fund be deposited within five working days. Allows disbursements from the Fund only for activities approved by the Board, including the publication of special works and the release of historical photographs and recordings. Authorizes the Archivist to sell such publications and releases at a price which will cover their cost (currently, cost plus ten percent). Authorizes the Archivist to initiate action for the recovery of agency records unlawfully removed or for other legal redress against persons who remove or destroy agency records if the agency fails to take such action within a reasonable period of time after being informed of its necessity by the Archivist. Directs the Archivist to report any such agency failure to the appropriate committees of Congress. Directs the Archivist to establish detailed criteria for determining whether material should be classified as agency records. Grants the Archivist access to any material made or received by an agency to determine whether the agency is in compliance with regulations governing records disposal. Permits the Archivist to authorize an agency to dispose of records only after publishing notice of, and providing an opportunity for public comment on, such disposal.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the proposed United States Steel-British Steel purchase agreement is adverse to the interests of the United States, the steel industry, and U.S. steel workers; and (2) the Secretary of Commerce take action under existing laws, including the United States-European Community Steel arrangement, to determine if there are any violations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1983
States that until Chile returns to democracy the United States should deny all military and economic assistance, including guarantees and loans from the Export-Import Bank and the Commodity Credit Corporation. Urges the United States to oppose all loans and grants to Chile by the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Development Association, unless such assistance is directed to programs which serve the basic human needs of the people.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1983
Federal Supplemental Compensation Extension Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal Supplemental Compensation Act of 1982 to extend the payment of benefits under the Federal supplemental unemployment compensation program for six months, through March 31, 1984. Increases the number of weeks for which such benefits are payable. Revises formulas and tables for determining the amounts in accounts established after March 31, 1983, and the amounts in accounts established before April 1, 1983. Sets forth a transitional rule for determining an individual's eligibility for additional weeks of compensation. Directs the Secretary of Labor to require modifications of agreements with States under such Act to conform with amendments made by this Act within a specified period.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1983
Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to include individuals filing claims for regular, extended, additional, or supplemental compensation in determining the insured unemployment rate (IUR) in a State for purposes of the Federal-State extended unemployment compensation program. Revises State trigger provisions for such program to set: (1) the State "on" indicator for such program for any week if the IUR under State law for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks equalled or exceeded four percent; and (2) the State "off" for any week if the IUR under State law for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks is less than four percent. Provides that, for State trigger purposes, the IUR for any 13-week period shall be determined by reference to the average monthly covered employment under State law for the first four of the most recent six calendar quarters ending before the close of such period. Reinstates the national trigger for such program. Bases national trigger determinations on whether the seasonally adjusted IUR for all States equals or exceeds four-and-one half percent (as determined for periods and in a manner similar to that under State trigger provisions). Makes technical amendments. Repeals the 20-week work requirement for purposes of program eligibility determinations. Prohibits the denial of extended compensation payments to any recipient (who submits documentation to the Secretary of Labor) for any week because such recipient is in training or attending an accredited educational institution on a substantially full-time basis, or because of the application of State law to any such recipient relating to availability for work, the active search for work, or the refusal to accept work on account of such training or attendance, unless the State agency determines that such training or attendance will not improve the opportunities for employment of the recipient. Increases the number of weeks for which extended unemployment compensation is payable. Directs the Secretary of Labor to study: (1) the feasibility of having extended unemployment compensation payable on the basis of area triggers instead of State triggers; and (2) the changes in State law which would be necessary or appropriate to implement area triggers. Directs the Secretary to report, with recommendations, on such study to the Congress within two years after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
Designates the week beginning February 12, 1984, as a time to recognize the contributions of volunteers who become Big Brothers and Big Sisters to single parent youths.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 12 September 1983
Requires the President to submit a specified report to Congress, as required under the War Powers Resolution, dealing with the U.S. armed forces in Lebanon.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that charitable organizations which incur a fee as a result of transfer of property from another organization may recoup the amount of such fee from the persons to whom they distribute the property without jeopardizing the charitable contribution deduction of any donor.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the reporting of tips by large food or beverage establishments in lieu of allocation requirements if reported tips do not equal eight percent of gross receipts. Allows for a reduction of such percentage under certain circumstances.
![Official portrait of Rep. Kostmayer, Peter H. [D-PA-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000319_200.jpg)