United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Establishes the Sunday after the first Monday in November in 1984, 1986, 1988, and 1990 as election day for Representatives and Senators to the Congress. Requires electors of the President and Vice President for 1984 and 1988 to be appointed on the Sunday after the first Monday in November. Specifies the hours during which polling places shall be opened for such presidential elections. Requires the Federal Election Commission to report to Congress and the President on the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
States that the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) between the United States and the Soviet Union should: (1) pursue a complete halt to the nuclear arms race; (2) decide when and how to achieve a mutual verifiable freeze on the testing, production, and further deployment of nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems; (3) give special attention to destabilizing weapons; (4) pursue reductions through numerical ceilings and other means; (5) preserve present limitations on nuclear weapons; and (6) incorporate ongoing negotiations in Geneva on land-based intermediate-range nuclear missiles into the START negotiations. Requires that every effort be made to reach common positions with the NATO allies.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
States that the United States and the Soviet Union should: (1) pursue a complete halt to the nuclear arms race; (2) decide when and how to achieve a mutual and verifiable freeze on the testing, production, and further deployment of nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems; (3) give special attention to destabilizing weapons; and (4) proceeding from this freeze, pursue major, mutual, and verifiable reductions in nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
States that the President should, at the earliest possible date: (1) request Senate consent to ratification of the Threshold Test Ban and Peaceful Nuclear Explosion Treaties; and (2) resume trilateral test ban treaty negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1982
Constitutional Amendment - Authorizes the Congress and the States to regulate contributions and expenditures in Federal and State elections, respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 1982
Temporary Emergency Shelter Demonstration Program Act of 1982 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct a demonstration program under which grants will be provided to assist communities or nonprofit organizations to provide shelter for people subject to life-threatening situations because of their lack of housing. Requires the Secretary to make such grants on a competitive basis according to the need for emergency housing. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on such program and to use a specified amount of the funds appropriated for additional authority for annual contributions for lower income housing projects during FY 1983 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1982
Natural Gas Price Control Act of 1982 - Provides that the maximum lawful price applicable to the first sale delivery of any natural gas produced in the United States shall be the November 30, 1982, price applicable to such natural gas. Provides that, notwithstanding the terms of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 or any contract, any price increase subject to this Act shall not be effective following the expiration of the control period. Defines control period as the period beginning December 1, 1982, and ending May 31, 1983. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to prescribe regulations which assure that the reductions in the costs which (but for this Act) would be borne by natural gas purchasers shall be passed through to such purchasers.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1982
Establishes the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. Requires the Commission to: (1) plan and develop appropriate activities to commemorate the bicentennial of the Constitution; (2) encourage private organizations, and State and local governments to organize and participate in bicentennial activities; (3) coordinate activities throughout all the States; and (4) serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of bicentennial information. Directs the Commission to seek assistance from private and governmental agencies and organizations. Requires the Commission to submit a report of its recommendations to the President, Congress and the Judicial Conference within two years of enactment of this Act and annually until its termination. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 1989. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 and such sums as necessary through FY 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1982
Toxic Victim Compensation Act - Title I: Establishment of New Cause of Action for Victims of Hazardous Substances - Makes the following persons liable for damages for specified injuries, illnesses, deaths, or losses caused by a release of a hazardous substance: (1) the owner and operator of a vessel or facility from which a hazardous substance is released; (2) a person who owned or operated a facility at which a hazardous substance was disposed and from which a hazardous substance is released when such person no longer owns or operates such facility; (3) any person who arranges for disposal or treatment, or transportation for disposal or treatment, of any hazardous substance at a facility owned by another person from which such a release occurs; and (4) any person who accepts a hazardous substance for transport to a site, selected by such person, from which such a release occurs. Includes as compensable damages: (1) the loss of use of real or personal property or natural resources without regard to ownership; and (2) any direct or indirect loss of revenue by the Federal Government or any State or local government. Exempts a defendant from such liability if he or she can establish by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the release of the hazardous substance was caused by an act of God, an act of War, or an act or omission of a third party who is not an agent, employee, or contractor of the defendant; (2) the defendant exercised due care with respect to the hazardous substance; or (3) the defendant took reasonable precautions against foreseeable acts of any third party and foreseeable consequences of such acts. Declares that no persons shall become exempt from liability by transferring such liability to any other person. Allows a trier of fact, in any action for damages under this Act, to find the defendant liable for punitive damages in addition to any compensatory damages, if such trier finds the conduct of the defendant demonstrated a gross and wanton disregard for public safety. Declares that this Act shall apply to any Federal agency to the same extent as it applies to any person. Provides that the plaintiff will have established a presumption that the defendant caused or significantly contributed to the injury, illness, or damage suffered by the plaintiff upon showing sufficient evidence that: (1) the plaintiff was exposed to a hazardous substance found in a discharge, release, or disposal caused or contributed to by the defendant; (2) the plaintiff's exposure to such substance would likely to cause or significantly contribute to the injury, illness, or damage. Makes it the burden of the defendant to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that he or she did not cause or significantly contribute to the plaintiff's injury or illness. Specifies the kinds of evidence which shall be considered relevant to the issue of causation of injury, illness, or damage. Designates as questions for the trier of fact the degree of culpability of, and the recovery amount due from, each defendant shown to be liable. Prohibits the commencement of any action for damages under this Act after the end of a three-year period beginning on the date the injury, illness, or damage was first known, or should reasonably have been known, to exist. Grants jurisdiction for such an action to any State court of competent jurisdiction or any Federal district court for the district in which either the plaintiff or the defendant resides, regardless of the amount in controversy. Requires an action brought against a Federal agency to be brought in a Federal district court. Prohibits any person from being denied benefits under a State's workers compensation plan for illness or injury due to a release of a hazardous substance because the person filed a claim in an untimely manner if the person filed within the period provided for filing an action for damages under this Act, regardless of whether the person's employer was responsible for such injury or illness. Declares that the presumption of cause, provided for actions for damages under this Act, shall constitute State law in any administrative or judicial proceeding under a State's workers compensation law. Title II: The Environmental Protection Agency - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency: (1) to establish procedures under which physicians report all cases of injury, illness, and death which are suspected to have been caused by hazardous substances; and (2) to conduct investigations and studies to determine whether a hazardous substance has been released and the extent of the hazard. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct public proceedings as part of such an investigation. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish in the Federal Register any tentative finding that the release of a hazardous substance has created the potential for injury, illness, or property damage; (2) invite and evaluate public comments concerning such finding; and (3) conduct further studies or investigations; or (4) publish his or her final determination of the risk of injury, illness, or damage created by the release. Permits a person adversely affected by the Administrator's final determination, to file a petition for judicial review of such determination within 60 days after it is issued. Provides that such a determination shall be conclusive in any legal or administrative proceeding if no petition is filed within such period. Title III: Toxic Victims Compensation Board - Establishes a Toxic Victims Compensation Board, which shall: (1) accept applications from persons claiming to be victims of illness, injury, or property damage caused by a release of a hazardous substance; (2) certify claimants as victims upon determining that such a release caused such injury, illness, or property damage; and (3) award specified benefits to such victims for their losses. Disqualifies from entitlement to such benefits any person who intentionally causes injury or illness to himself, herself, or another person. Specifies time limits for filing application with the Board. Sets forth the procedure for certification of a victim by the Board. Grants the Board subpeona powers. Requires any person filing for certification as a victim to also file a claim for benefits, simultaneously. Permits a victim to file a supplemental claim for benefits for losses suffered after the application date. Provides for the payment of a benefit award to a person other than the victim if necessary: (1) to secure payment for alimony, maintenance, or child support; or (2) to satisfy a claim for medical benefits or reasonable attorney's fees as verified by the Board. Subrogates the Board to the rights of any victim for the full amount of such benefit payments. Grants the Board a lien in such amount upon any amount recovered by such victim in a civil action for damages under title I of this Act. Allows the Board to exercise the right of such victim to commence such an action if such victim declines to do so. Provides for the judicial review of a determination by the Board. Requires the Board to submit to the President and Congress an annual report, analyzing: (1) the operation of its duties; (2) the regulations it issued; and (3) the victims certified and benefits awarded. Title IV: Fund for Compensation of Victims of Toxic Exposure - Establishes in the Treasury a trust fund to be known as the Toxic Victims Trust Fund (TVC Fund). Requires any amounts obtained by the Toxic Victims Compensation Board as a reimbursement for benefits paid to be deposited into such Fund. Requires the transfer of moneys from the Hazardous Response Trust Fund to cover any victim benefit payment for which there are insufficient moneys in the TCV Fund. Authorizes the appropriation to the Secretary of the Treasury of such amounts as may be necessary for loans to the TCV Fund to pay benefits exceeding amounts available in the TCV Fund and in the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1982
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to reestablish the Emergency School Aid Act as title VI of ESEA. Makes the emergency school aid program a categorical grant program to assist public school desegregation. Authorizes appropriations for the emergency school aid program for FY 1984 through 1987. Amends the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 to delete references to the emergency school aid program under the block grant provisions of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1982
White House Conference on Productivity Act - Directs the President, within a year of enactment, to conduct a White House Conference on Productivity, to develop recommendations to stimulate the U.S. productivity improvement rate. Lists the policy options the Conference shall consider. Requires the Conference to submit a report to the President. Requires the report to be made public. Directs the President to transmit to the Congress recommendations for legislative action to implement recommendations in the report.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1982
Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to prohibit an interstate pipeline from passing on to its customers cost increases in the natural gas it purchases from its suppliers (cost passthroughs) if the price paid by the pipeline for the natural gas was not prudent and if the pipeline has no significant sales competition.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1982
Amends the Veterans Health Programs Extension and Improvement Act of 1979 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, rather than the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, to conduct the epidemiological study of the long-term health effects on humans of exposure to phenoxy herbicides (including Agent Orange).
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1982
Directs the President to resume negotiations with the Soviet Union on a treaty prohibiting: (1) the testing, deployment, production, or use of any weapons system designed to damage or interfere with a spacecraft; and (2) the stationing in outer space of any weapon designed to inflict injury or damage on the Earth, in the atmosphere, or on objects placed in space. Requires such a treaty to provide for verifying compliance with its terms. Directs the President to seek the establishment of a working group within the United Nations to provide a forum for discussing a multilateral space treaty banning from space all weapons launched by any country.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1982
Directs the Committee on Governmental Operations of the House and the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate to study: (1) the budgetary systems of States required to maintain balanced budgets; and (2) the impact of off-budget activities on the Federal budget process. Requires that such Committees recommend changes to the Federal budget system necessary for a balanced budget framework. Title I: Amendments to Budget and Accounting Act, 1921 - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require that any budget submitted to Congress by the President shall set forth a level of estimated expenditures which do not exceed receipts. Provides that the President, for reasons of national security or economic necessity may submit two budgets, only one of which is balanced. Title II: Amendments to Congressional Budget Act of 1974 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide for the annual adoption of one concurrent resolution on the budget. Requires the submission of balanced budgets by the Committees on the Budget of each House. Allows the Committees to submit two budgets, only one of which is balanced, if the Committees find it infeasible to submit a complying budget. Repeals provisions which require a second concurrent resolution on the budget. Revises certain reconciliation procedures. Provides that the budget resolution shall be binding unless waived by a three-fifths vote in either House of Congress. Requires the chairman of the House and Senate Budget Committees and a presidential appointee to meet and agree upon common economic and technical estimating assumptions to be used for preparation of the President's budget proposal. Requires, beginning with FY 1984, that the appropriate level of total budget outlays set forth in any concurrent resolution on the budget, as reported, for a fiscal year not exceed specified percentages of the Trend Gross National Product for such fiscal year. Sets forth the definition of the Trend Gross National Product for the purposes of this Act. Title III: Technical and Conforming Amendments - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and the Rules of the House of Representatives to make technical and conforming changes. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective dates for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1982
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide for the annual adoption of one binding concurrent resolution on the budget. Repeals provisions which require a second concurrent resolution on the budget. Requires Congress to complete action on reconciliation legislation by a specified date each year. Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the Rules of the House of Representatives, and the Congressional Budget Act to make technical and conforming changes.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1982
Amends the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 to repeal provisions allowing a tax deduction for illegal payments to foreign government officials or employees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1982
States that the United States and the Soviet Union should: (1) pursue a complete halt to the nuclear arms race; (2) decide when and how to achieve a mutual and verifiable freeze on the testing, production, and further deployment of nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems; (3) give special attention to destabilizing weapons; and (4) proceeding from this freeze, pursue major, mutual, and verifiable reductions in nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1982
Missing Children Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to collect and exchange information which would assist in the identification of unidentified deceased individuals and the location of missing persons, including missing children.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1982
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the termination of an individual's disability benefits on the grounds that the individual's disability has ceased or did not exist, unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services finds that: (1) there has been a medical improvement in the individual's impairment such that the individual is no longer disabled under the disability standards in effect at the time of the original disability determination; or (2) the original disability determination was clearly erroneous under the disability standards in effect at the time it was made. Makes such requirement inapplicable in the case of an individual who has demonstrated an ability to engage in substantial gainful activity. Provides that subsequent reviews of a disability determination following an initial review for purposes of determining the continuing eligibility of beneficiaries who become entitled in October 1982 and thereafter shall be at the discretion of the State agency or the Secretary, as appropriate. Requires that such individuals be notified when subsequent reviews of disability determinations are scheduled. Limits the number of reviews of disability determinations for purposes of continuing eligibility which the Secretary may conduct for individuals who become entitled to disability benefits before October 1982, but authorizes the Secretary to review, at his or her discretion, selected cases to the extent that such review will be cost-effective and that adequate personnel and time are available for such review. Permits a disability insurance beneficiary who has been found to be no longer entitled to disability benefits to elect to have such benefits continued until the disability determination has been affirmed or overturned on appeal or until the time for such an appeal has expired. Provides that benefits paid pursuant to such an election shall be considered overpayments if the decision after a hearing affirms the determination that the individual involved is no longer entitled to benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1982
National High-Technology Technician Training Act - Directs the Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out a pilot high-technology technician training program under which community colleges, using Federal and community industrial support, will provide training in technical competencies in strategic high-technology fields. Requires such programs to emphasize on-the-job training intermixed with technical occupational training and to place recruiting emphasis on the underemployed and unemployed. Requires the participating colleges to establish an associate degree training program in designated fields according to the Director's guidelines. Requires the Director to: (1) determine the necessary fields; (2) identify economic areas with high-technology industries; (3) select accredited community colleges; and (4) appoint a National Advisory Council on High-Technology Technician Training to advise him on the program. Requires the Director to report to Congress annually on the program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 and 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1982
Provides that, for any week beginning after enactment of this Act and before January 1, 1983, the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act shall be applied as if the State trigger were based solely on a State insured unemployment rate of five percent for that week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks (waiving the 120 percent factor). Waives the required 13-week period between extended benefit periods if the prior extended benefit period closed before the date of enactment of this Act. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to delay from September 25, 1982, to March 31, 1983, the effective date of amendments increasing the State insured unemployment rate required to trigger extended unemployment compensation payments. Permits States to pay extended benefits on the basis of area triggers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to decrease the income level, in the case of an individual or a joint return, above which unemployment compensation becomes includible in gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1982
Provides that, for six months, the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 shall be applied as if: (1) specified amendments made by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1970 (which excluded extended and additional unemployment compensation claims from the determination of the insured unemployment rate and which raised the level of State unemployment required to trigger the extended unemployment compensation program) had not been enacted; and (2) such State trigger were based solely on a State insured unemployment rate of five percent for that week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks (waiving the 120 percent factor).
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1982
National Nursing Home Standards Act of 1982 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Commission on the Regulation of Nursing Homes. Provides for a moratorium on deregulation of skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities until September 30, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1982
Prohibits the appointment of any person as a page of the House of Representatives. Requires the assignment of page duties to college students over 17 years of age employed as messengers under the supervision of the Doorkeeper.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1982
Precollege Mathematics and Science Teacher Assistance Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a program of direct loans to students in institutions of higher education who are preparing to be precollege mathematics and science teachers. Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program of establishing and maintaining funds at institutions of higher education for making low-interest loans to students who: (1) pursue baccalaureate degree courses of study in mathematics and/or science,and (2) intend to enter the precollege mathematics and science teaching profession. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through FY 1988 to carry out such program. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1988 through FY 1993 to enable students who have received loans for academic years ending prior to October 1, 1988, to continue or complete courses of study. Directs the Secretary to make payments to institutions of higher education on the basis of the estimated needs of such institutions for making such student loans. Sets forth conditions for sych payments and for the agreements with the Secretary which such institutions must make in order to receive such payments. Sets forth the terms of such student loans. Sets forth eligibility requirements for students. Sets forth requirements for agreements between an institution and a student receiving such a loan from the student loan fund (including agreement which require commitments to teach or repay such loans). Provides for cancellaton of such student loans at the rate of 25 percent for each complete year of service after the date of enactment of this Act as a full-time science or mathematics teacher in an elementary or secondary school academic year. Provides for cancellation of the entire amount of interest which accrues for any year in which a portion of the loan is cancelled.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1982
Residential Mortgage Investment Act of 1982 - Permits employee benefit plans, as defined under this Act, to engage in any qualified mortgage transaction involving any qualified residential mortgage loan, provided transactions between all parties are at arm's length. Permits such plans to participate in any mortgage pool, provided such pool conforms to specified requirements with regard to permitted investments. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations to carry out this Act. Provides that this Act shall supersede any and all contrary provisions of State law, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code. Prohibits the imposition of Federal excise tax on a plan or pool that engages in a transaction described under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1982
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the tax exclusion of interest on mortgage subsidy bonds. Revises the arbitrage requirements for tax-exempt bonds to increase the amount by which interest rates on such bonds may exceed the interest rates on mortgages financed with such bonds. Increases the amount by which the acquisition cost of bond-financed residences may exceed the average area purchase price of other homes in the same statistical area. Specifies that issuers are not required to dispose of any investment and realize a loss in order to satisfy arbitrage restrictions. Revises the new homeowner requirements to allow eligibility for bond-financed mortgages for persons who are residing in substandard housing or who have lost their homes because of natural disasters or governmental action. Repeals the registration requirements for bond issues. Revises requirements for residential rental property bond issues relating to the median income level of occupants and the term of the low-income occupancy. Allows the exclusion of interest on industrial development bonds used to finance cooperative housing corporations if the cooperative is affordable by lower income families and other conditions are met.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1982
Small Issue Industrial Development Bond Reform Act of 1982 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disqualify industrial development bonds (IDBs) for the small issue tax exemption if a substantial amount of proceeds of such bonds are used to finance restaurants, certain office buildings, shopping centers, or entertainment or recreation facilities. Requires bond issuing authorities to conduct public hearings prior to the approval and issuance of any small issue industrial development bond. Requires the Governor of a State to report to the Secretary of the Treasury annually beginning in 1984 on bonds issued during the preceding year. Increases to $15,000,000 the amount of industrial development bonds used for economically distressed areas which qualify as tax-exempt small issues. Permits the financing of office buildings, restaurants, stores or shopping centers in such areas. Specifies requirements relating to poverty for designation as a qualified distressed area. Provides that capital research and experimental expenditures shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining the aggregate face value of industrial development bonds which otherwise qualify for the small issue exemption. Suspends temporary Internal Revenue Service regulations which prohibit pooled issues of bonds for projects located in only one State with respect to bonds sold after August 23, 1981. Sets forth transitional rules and effective dates.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1982
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ("Superfund") to repeal the State preemption clause which prohibits, except as provided in such Act, requiring any person to contribute to any fund the purpose of which is to pay compensation for claims for any costs of response or damages or claims which may be compensated under title I (Hazardous Substances Releases, Liability, Compensation) of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1982
States that the United States and the Soviet Union should begin the strategic arms reduction talks (START), which should have the following objectives: (1) pursuing a complete halt to the nuclear arms race; (2) deciding when and how to achieve and pursue a mutual and verifiable freeze on the testing, production, and further deployment of nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems; (3) giving special attention to destabilizing weapons; (4) preserving present limitations and controls on current nuclear weapons and delivery systems; and (5) incorporating ongoing negotiations in Geneva on land-based intermediate-range nuclear missiles into the START negotiations. Declares that the United States shall try to reach a common position with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies on any agreement that would be inconsistent with existing U.S. commitments to those allies. Declares that the United States shall promptly approve the SALT II agreement if adequate verification capabilities are maintained.
![Official portrait of Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000556_200.jpg)