United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Bail Reform Act of 1981 - Repeals the Bail Reform Act of 1966 and sets forth new bail procedures. Authorizes a judicial officer to consider the safety of any person or the community when making a pretrial release determination. Establishes as a mandatory release condition that the person not commit a Federal, State, or local crime during release. Authorizes pretrial release upon execution of an unsecured appearance bond. Expands the discretionary release conditions to require that the defendant: (1) maintain employment or an educational program; (2) avoid contact with an alleged victim or potential witness; (3) report to a law enforcement or pretrial service agency; (4) comply with a curfew; (5) refrain from possessing a firearm or using alcohol or narcotic drugs; (6) undergo medical treatment; (7) forfeit designated property upon failure to appear; and (8) return to custody at specified hours. Authorizes a judicial officer to order the detention for up to ten days of a person who is presently on pretrial release for a felony under Federal, State, or local law or on probation or parole or release pending sentencing or appeal for any offense, if no conditions will assure his appearance and the safety of the community and any other person. Authorizes a judicial officer to order the pretrial detention of a person upon finding that: (1) no condition will reasonably assure such person's appearance and the safety of any other person and the community; and (2) there is a substantial probability that the person committed the offense. Requires that a detention hearing be held in any case involving: (1) a crime of violence; (2) any offense punishable by life imprisonment or death; or (3) a narcotics offense punishable by at least ten years imprisonment. Permits the Government or the court to move for a detention hearing in any other case involving: (1) a serious risk of flight or obstruction of justice; or (2) any offense committed after the person has been convicted of two or more offenses for which a hearing is mandated. Enumerates additional factors to be considered by the judicial officer in making a release determination, including the defendant's past conduct, history of drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and the nature and seriousness of the danger to the community or any person. Requires the detention of a person who has appealed his conviction unless the judicial officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) such person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to another person or property; and (2) the appeal raises a substantial question of law or fact. Requires the detention of a person awaiting sentencing unless the officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or the community. Authorizes a U.S. attorney to appeal a release order. Establishes mandatory additional penalties for commission of an offense while on pretrial release. Subjects a person who has been conditionally released and violates a condition of release to revocation of release and prosecution for contempt of court. Grants new authority to law enforcement officers to arrest a person who violates certain pretrial release conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1981
Requires that satisfactory arrangements be made to pay the certified claims of U.S. nationals against Cuba before full diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States are established. Requires assignable tax credits to be provided as cash equivalents to U.S. certified claimants if the President enters into any agreement involving counterclaims by Cuba against the United States. Directs the President to urge Cuba to establish a fund to be administered by an international agency to pay these claims.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1981
Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1981 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) maintain an information program to provide small businesses an opportunity to participate in Federal small business innovation research (SBIR) programs; (2) coordinate a schedule for release of SBIR solicitations and prepare a master release schedule; (3) monitor SBIR programs within Federal agencies; and (4) report annually to the congressional Small Business Committees on the SBIR programs. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget of at least $100,000,000 in FY 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to spend a specified percentage of its budget in connection with an SBIR program. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget of at least $20,000,000 in FY 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to establish specific goals for funding research and development agreements with small businesses. Directs each Federal agency to report annually to the SBA the number of awards over $10,000 made under the SBIR program and to concerns other than small business concerns. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in conjunction with the SBA, to promulgate regulations for the conduct of the SBIR programs. States that this Act does not authorize the appropriation of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) express to the Soviet Union the U.S. opposition to the Soviet's imprisonment of Benedict Scott (Vytautas Skuodis); and (2) take every appropriate action to secure his release from prison and the emigration of him and his family.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1981
Directs the United States Postal Service to provide and sell a postage stamp issue to honor all American servicemen and civilians still unaccounted for as a result of the conflict in Indochina. Provides that such postage stamp shall be of such denomination, and shall be sold for such a time, as the United States Postal Service shall determine.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1981
Coal Pipeline Act of 1981 - Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to authorize a person to apply to the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) for a certificate of public convenience to construct, operate, or maintain a coal pipeline or to extend an existing coal pipeline. Directs the Commission to approve the application if the public convenience will be enhanced. Permits any person holding such a certificate to acquire rights-of-way on private lands by exercise of the power of eminent domain. Limits the scope of such exercise regarding rights to water or to certain historic or significant lands. Requires coal pipeline certificate holders to fulfill relevant common carrier transportation and service obligations. Requires the line pipe of all pipelines to be located underground, to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with environmental protection, safety, and good engineering and technological practices. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant or renew to a certificate holder rights-of-way on Federal lands for the construction, operation, maintenance, or extension of coal pipelines. Requires the Secretgary to first consult with the heads of other agencies which may administer such Federal lands. Requires a right-of-way to be granted or renewed in accordance with specified provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe additional terms and conditions. Exempts existing coal pipeline rights-of-way and law suits commenced prior to enactment of this Act from certain provisions of this Act. Prohibits the United States or its agents from using or claiming water within any State for a coal pipeline unless pursuant to State substantive and procedural law. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations establishing uniform Federal standards applicable to certain aspects of coal pipeline facilities. Exempts existing coal pipelines from certain such standards. Authorizes the Attorney General, at the request of the Secretary of Transportation, to institute a civil action to enforce any such regulation. Authorizes the Attorney General, at the request of the Secretary of the Interior, to institute a civil action to enforce any provision of this Act. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for any person failing to comply with any provision or regulation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. officials should recognize the traditional commitment of the United States to the right of all peoples to independence and autonomy as it applies to Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1981
Airline Deregulation Amendments Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to modify the definition of "ticket agent" as used in such Act. Directs air carriers to file with the Civil Aeronautics Board until December 31, 1982, individual and joint fares and charges, classifications, rules, and services for or in connection with interstate and overseas passenger air transportation. Requires that such filings shall be made with the Secretary of Transportation between January 1, 1983, and December 31, 1984. Prohibits air carriers and ticket agents from charging or collecting greater or less or different compensation than that specified in such filings. Transfers the authority of the Board relating to foreign air transportation to the Department of Transportation. Accelerates to January 1, 1983, the transfer of specified authority of the Board. Allows the Board to approve any contract or agreement that reduces or eliminates competition if it finds that the contract or agreement is necessary to secure important public benefits, including the marketing and sale of transportation through ticket agents. Sets forth the expiration dates for specified authority of the Secretary relating to contract approvals. Revises the expiration date and contents of the Secretary's (currently the Board's) report to Congress concerning the implementation of such Act. Prohibits the Board from issuing any final order or rule in regard to agreements among air carriers and agreements among foreign air carriers insofar as those agreements provide for the accreditation and supervision of travel agents. Directs the Board to forward the recommendations and analyses concerning such proceedings to the Secretary for final disposition. Prohibits the Board and the Department from attaching an expiration date on any certificate of public convenience and necessity. Deletes provisions concerning the issuance of such certificates for temporary authority to provide air transportation. Requires that each air carrier or foreign air carrier shall keep on file with the Board after January 1, 1983, the established divisions of all joint rates, fares, and charges for air transportation in which such carrier participates.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1981
Independent Local Newspaper Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the establishment of independent local newspaper advance estate tax trusts to facilitate payment of the estate tax imposed upon the estate of a decedent who owned an interest in an independent local newspaper. Sets forth requirements for the establishment of such trusts, including requirements that such trusts: (1) be created pursuant to a plan adopted by the newspaper; (2) be governed by a written instrument which requires that contributions to and income of the trust be invested solely in obligations of the United States; (3) name as trustee a bank or another individual who is capable of administering such trust in compliance with the requirements of this Act; (4) maintain trust assets separately from other property; (5) accept contributions exclusively from independent local newspapers; (6) devote assets of the trust solely to the payment of the estate tax; and (7) distribute any excess funding of the trust to its beneficiaries or their estates. Limits an individual who owns interests in several independent local newspapers to participation in not more than one estate tax payment trust. Defines an "independent local newspaper" as a newspaper publication which is not a member of a chain and which maintains all its offices in a single city, community or metropolitan area, or, on January 1, 1981, within one State. Defines "excess funding" as the excess of the face value of the assets of a qualified trust over: (1) 70 percent of the value of a decedent's interest in an independent local newspaper which is includable in his gross estate; or (2) a decedent's estate tax which is attributable to his interest in an independent local newspaper included in his gross estate. Exempts independent local newspaper advance estate tax trusts and the individuals for whom such trusts are established from income taxation with respect to income earned by such trust. Terminates such tax-exempt status if the taxpayer's interest in the newspaper is sold, the newspaper itself is sold or ceases to qualify as an independent newspaper, or there is an excess funding of the trust. Provides that the amount of any excess funding shall be distributed to the individual for whom the trust was created and included in his gross income or gross estate. Allows an income tax deduction to local independent newspapers for contributions made to estate tax payment trusts. Limits the amount of such deduction to 50 percent of the taxable income derived from such newspaper for the taxable year. Requires the redetermination of the estate tax of an individual for whom an independent local newspaper advance estate tax trust is established and the inclusion in the gross estate of such individual of an amount equal to the estate tax payment made by such trust which is attributable to the individual's interest in the newspaper, if the trust or any heir of the individual sells, within 15 years of the death of such individual, any part of the interest in the newspaper with respect to which the trust was created. Provides for the gradual phaseout of any additional estate tax which is imposed due to the premature sale of a newspaper, if the sale does not occur prior to the ten to 15 year period following the death of the individual for whom the estate tax trust is established. Permits the shareholders of an independent local newspaper who receive the stock of a corporation which the newspaper controls to exclude from their gross income any gain realized as a result of such distribution if: (1) the shareholders do not sell such stock within five years after the date of its distribution; (2) the shareholders retain control of the newspaper for five years after the date of the distribution; and (3) the newspaper and the controlled corporation each continue to be engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business through the five year period beginning on the date of the distribution. Excludes from the gross estate of a decedent the value of any interest in an independent local newspaper which he holds at the time of his death and any estate tax payment made by an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust. Permits the executor of an estate which includes an interest in an independent local newspaper to pay the estate tax in two or more (but not exceeding ten) equal installments. Limits the maximum amount of estate tax that may be paid in installments to the excess of the amount of estate tax over the tax that would have been imposed if the interest in the newspaper had not been included in the gross estate, reduced by all payments of the estate tax made by an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1981
Amends the Federal Plant Pest Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to take emergency measures against plant pests if State action is inadequate. Authorizes intrastate inspections without warrants by Department of Agriculture personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1981
Authorizes appointment of a Northern Mariana Islands citizen who is qualified and indicates an intent to become a U.S. citizen: (1) as an officer in the U.S. armed forces; (2) in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps; and (3) in the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship program. Declares that this Act expires upon the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1981
Tobacco Deregulation Act of 1981 - Title I: Repeal of Programs Concerning Price Support For and the Marketing of Tobacco - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 and the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to repeal specified programs concerning tobacco, including: (1) price supports; (2) parity payments; (3) review and adjustment of quotas; and (4) marketing quotas. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 and the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to prohibit agricultural commodity assistance for tobacco. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing any orders that regulate the handling of tobacco. Makes such provisions applicable to the 1982 and subsequent crops of tobacco. Title II: Withdrawal of Consent Relating to Compacts Among States for Regulating Tobacco Production and Commerce - Repeals provisions relating to compacts among States providing for the control or production of, or commerce in, tobacco within such States. Withdraws congressional consent of such compacts. Title III: Tobacco Inspection and Related Services - Amends the Tobacco Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to collect fees from specified persons for the inspection, certification, and other services concerning tobacco at designated auction markets. Requires that such fees cover the cost of such services. Makes such provisions effective July 1, 1981. Title IV: Warehouse Examination, Inspection, and Licensing - Amends the United States Warehouse Act to direct the Secretary to collect a fee for examinations and inspections of agricultural product warehouses that covers the costs of providing such services. Authorizes appropriations. Makes the above provisions effective October 1, 1982. Title V: Increased Tax on Cigars and Cigarettes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on cigars and cigarettes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1981
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 - Title I: House Committee on Agriculture - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to set forth limitations on spending for the food stamp program through fiscal year 1985. Reduces the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1984 for: (1) dairy and beekeeper indemnity programs; (2) payments to States and possessions for marketing activities; (3) rural water and waste disposal grants; (4) rural community fire protection grants; (5) rural development planning grants and rural development grants; (6) agricultural conservation programs; (7) forestry incentives program; (8) the water bank program; (9) the emergency conservation program; (10) the Soil Conservation Service; (11) the Rural Clean Water Program; (12) expenses under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480 - Food for Peace); (13) forest research by the Forest Service; (14) State and private forestry; (15) the National Forest System; and (16) construction and land acquisition by the Forest Service. Reduces authorizations for salaries and expenses of other programs of specified agencies, offices and functions of the Department of Agriculture. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth the procedure for the determination of the milk price support (between 75 percent and 90 percent of parity) at the beginning of each of the 1982 through 1985 marketing years. Provides for semiannual adjustments in such supports for marketing years 1983 through 1985. Amends the United States Grain Standards Act to require the Administrator of the Federal Grain Inspection Service to charge and collect reasonable inspection fees to cover the estimated cost of official inspection, except under certain circumstances (such costs are now shared or borne totally by the Federal Government). Prohibits the total administrative and supervisory costs for inspection and weighing, for each of the fiscal years 1982 through 1985, from exceeding 35 percent of the total costs for such activities. Authorizes appropriations as necessary for final years 1981 through 1985 for other specified activities related to grain inspection. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an advisory committee to advise the Administrator of the Federal Grain Inspection Service with respect to the efficient and economical implementation of the United States Grain Standards Act of 1976. Amends the United States Cotton Standards Act, the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act, the Tobacco Inspection Act, and the United States Warehouse Act to require the collection of such fees and charges as will cover, as nearly as practicable, the costs of: (1) licensing cotton classifiers, establishing cotton standards and making classification services available to cotton producers; (2) performing tobacco inspections; and (3) inspecting warehouses and licensing inspectors and warehousemen. Repeals the Naval Stores Act with respect to the marketing of spirits of turpentine and resin. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to allow the Secretary of Agriculture to set interest rates on Farmers Home Administration loans for water and waste disposal and for community facilities as high as the current market yield for outstanding municipal obligations. Provides for up to a five percent interest rate for such projects in low-income communities. Limits the authorized insurable amount for such loans for fiscal year 1982. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to eliminate the existing waiver of interest on loans made on the 1980 and 1981 crops of wheat and feed grains placed in the farmer-held reserve. Limits, for fiscal year 1982, the amount of Commodity Credit Corporation funds which can be made available for administrative expenses of such Corporation. Title II: House Committee on Armed Services - Authorizes the President to dispose of specified quantities of certain materials currently held in the National Defense Stockpile. Amends the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act to require, before any funds may be obligated or expended for acquisition of any material, transmittal of a complete statement of the proposed acquisition to the appropriate congressional committees, which then must approve or disapprove within 30 days. Provides for annual, instead of semiannual, cost-of-living increases for military retirees contingent upon a similar change in law with respect to the civil service retirement system. Provides military retirees with an open enrollment period for opting to participate in the survivor benefit plan. Title III: House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs - Subtitle A: Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1981 - Reduces the authorization of appropriations in the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 for community development grants, Urban Development Action Grants, and loan guarantees through fiscal year 1983. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 and the Neighborhood Self-Help Development Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for the rehabilitation loan program and the Neighborhood Self-Help Development program. Terminates the existing authorization for planning grants. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 with respect to the authorization of other specified community development programs for fiscal years 1982 and 1983. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to reduce the amount of budget authority in fiscal year 1982 for assisted housing programs and subsidized housing programs. Increases the maximum percentage of income a tenant in subsidized housing would be required to contribute, and allows the Department of Housing and Urban Development to determine what adjustments to income may be allowed in determining a tenant's contribution. Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from committing more than 48 percent of low-income rental housing funds for existing housing, or more than 52 percent of such funds for newly constructed and substantially rehabilitated units. Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to limit the aggregate amount of guarantee commitments the Government National Mortgage Association may make during fiscal year 1982. Requires the Association to sell a specified amount of tandem mortgages during fiscal year 1982. Extends the authorization of the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank through fiscal year 1984. Directs the Government National Mortgage Association, in entering into commitments to purchase below-market, tandem plan mortgages (during the period beginning June 15, 1981, and ending October 1, 1982), to limit such commitments to multifamily projects with firm commitments for mortgage insurance under the National Housing Act. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend the flood insurance program through fiscal year 1982. Prohibits provision of new flood insurance coverage for any new construction or substantial improvements of structures located on designated undeveloped coastal barriers. Amends the National Housing Act to extend the crime and riot insurance program through fiscal year 1985. Amends the National Housing Act of 1949 to extend the rural housing program through fiscal year 1982. Reduces the authorization for rental assistance. Extends the mutual and self-help housing program. Subtitle B: International Development Banks - Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to authorize the United States Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to increase the authorized capital stock of such Bank and to subscribe on behalf of the United States to a specified number of shares. African Development Bank Act - Authorizes the President to accept membership for the United States in the African Development Bank. Directs the President to appoint a Governor and an Alternate Governor of such Bank. Provides for subscription of stock. Exempts securities issued by such Bank from the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Amends the Inter-American Development Bank Act and the Asian Development Bank Act to reduce contributions to such Banks. Directs the United States Executive Directors of the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank to oppose any new extensions of assistance by those respective institutions to Afghanistan, Vietnam, or Cuba, unless specified conditions are met. Directs the United States Executive Directors of such Banks, along with the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund, to oppose any new extensions of assistance to any member country which imposes economic sanctions against the United States. Requires the establishment of guidelines for the annual lending by such Banks so that priority is given to sound, efficient, productive, self-sustaining projects designed to benefit needy people in developing countries. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to reduce the principal amount of direct loans made by the Export-Import Bank in fiscal year 1982. Subtitle C: Banking and Related Programs Authorization Adjustment Act - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to the Department of the Treasury for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Secretary of the Treasury. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transmit a report to Congress regarding the status of negotiations within the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development on improving the International Arrangement on Guidelines for Officially Supported Export Credits and on the status of any other multilateral or bilateral negotiations or discussions. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 for the expenses and salaries of the Bureau of Government Financial Operations. Extends the authorizations for administrative expenses under the New York City Loan Guarantee Act of 1978 and the Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Act of 1979 through fiscal year 1984. Amends the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act to extend, with reduced authorizations, the National Consumer Cooperative Bank through fiscal year 1984. Title IV: House Committee on the District of Columbia - Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to limit, through fiscal year 1984, the authorized levels of capital project loans to the District of Columbia. Title V: House Committee on Education and Labor - Omnibus Education and Labor Reconciliation Act of 1981 - Reduces the amount of federal impact aid to school districts with high concentrations of federal employees (including military) for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984. Prescribes formulae for the allocation of such aid. Terminates or limits the authorization for other specified aid to education programs for such fiscal years. Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act to eliminate funding for the public service employment program for such fiscal years. Authorizes other specified programs for fiscal year 1982. Prescribes fund allocation formulae. Terminates or reduces the authorizations for other specified Acts under the jurisdiction of the Education and Labor Committee. Economic Opportunity Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to permit the Director of the Community Services Administration to provide financial assistance through grants or contracts for research, demonstration, or pilot projects for urban and rural community development. Requires the Director to develop and carry out pilot projects which are designed to: (1) aid low-income elderly persons to achieve greater self-sufficiency; (2) focus upon the problems of rural poverty; (3) develop new techniques community-based efforts to prevent narcotics addiction or to rehabilitate narcotics addicts; (4) encourage the participation of private organizations other than nonprofit organizations, in programs under such Act; or (5) strengthen and maintain the family unit. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such programs through fiscal year 1984. Establishes the National Center for Appropriate Technology, as a part of the Emergency Energy Conservation Services program, as a private, nonprofit organization to perform functions designed to further the adoption, extension, and use of appropriate energy technology to meet the needs of low-income individuals and community groups. Makes the Northern Mariana Islands eligible for assistance under such Act for the development and implementation of community action programs. Terminates research for the development of new approaches to the problems of rural poverty. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out rural community action programs and to provide assistance for migrant and other seasonally employed farmworkers and their families. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1986 to carry out the Head Start and Follow Through programs. Terminates the authorization of funds for the National Advisory Council on Economic Opportunity. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 for administration and coordination of programs. Prohibits the release of any funds to any agency for work training, programs to combat poverty in rural areas, employment and investment incentives, administration and coordination, or community economic development, until it has submitted to the Director a statement certifying that it has established an accounting system with internal controls. Requires the Director, within three months after the effective date of a grant or contract of assistance with an organization, to provide for a preliminary audit review of the adequacy of such accounting system and internal controls. Requires subsequent audits biennially. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out community economic development programs. Requires the National Advisory Community Investment Board to advise the Director regarding the development of management capability standards for use in community development corporations. Prohibits financial assistance for any community economic development program unless the Director determines that: (1) the applicant has demonstrated management capabilities sufficient to create a probability that the program will operate in a manner which minimizes the prospect of financial failure; and (2) the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Director that adequate restraints on excessive administrative or expense accounts are in place. Prohibits any financial assistance for community economic development programs if the Director determines that the proposed activities of such a program are similar to, or duplicative of, existing private sector businesses in the same area. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out Native American programs. Older Americans Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to eliminate the National Information and Resource Clearing House for the Aged. Extends through fiscal year 1984 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) grants for State and community programs on aging (relating to social services and to congregate and home delivered nutrition services); and (2) the Federal Council on Aging. Requires State plans to make each nutrition service project available, not only to individuals aged 60 or older, but also to handicapped or disabled individuals under 60 years of age residing in senior citizen centers where congregate nutrition services are provided. Allows area agencies to award funds to organizations for home nutrition services without requiring that such organizations also provide congregate services. Extends through fiscal year 1984 the authorization of appropriations for certain training, research, and discretionary projects and programs in the field of aging. Eliminates specified other projects and programs. Provides for special projects in mental health care. Includes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in provisions for distribution of assistance under such Act. Extends through fiscal year 1984 the authorization of appropriations for grants for Indian tribes for elderly services, other than multipurpose senior centers. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, designated State agencies to provide home maintenance and repair services to older individuals. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 to carry out such program. Amends the Domestic Volunteer Services Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1982 and 1983 for National Older Americans Volunteer programs (the Retired Senior Volunteer program, the Foster Grandparent program, and the Older American Community Service programs). Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act to authorize specified sums for alcohol and drug abuse education projects for fiscal years 1982-1985. Authorizes up to five percent (currently, three percent) of annual appropriations for project evaluation. Makes Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian centers eligible for assistance under such Act. Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations to carry out national volunteer antipoverty programs for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984. Requires that at least 83 percent of such funds must be earmarked for the VISTA program. Eliminates provisions earmarking portions of such funds for other programs. Authorizes the Director of the ACTION Agency to make grants and contracts for projects and programs which encourage and enable students in secondary, vocational, and postsecondary schools to participate in service-learning programs on an in-school or out-of-school basis in specified assignments. Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to extend through fiscal year 1986 the authorization of appropriations for the child abuse prevention and treatment program. Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 to extend through fiscal year 1986 the authorization of appropriations for the adoption reform program. Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide specified types of assistance in locating missing children. Provides protection under such Act from adverse job actions for persons reporting instances of child abuse and neglect occurring in public or private residential institutions. Sets forth provisions concerning the use of appropriated funds under the Education of the Handicapped Act. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, with respect to the guaranteed student loan program, to: (1) count Social Security and Veterans' benefits as student aid instead of income for eligibility purposes; (2) reduce the maximum amount available for independent student loans from $3,000 to $2,500; (3) increase from nine percent to 14 percent the interest rate on parent loans; (4) eliminate grace periods after repayment deferrals; (5) raise the minimum annual repayment from $360 to $600; (6) authorize assessment of a four percent origination fee on all guaranteed student loans made after July 1, 1981; and (7) eliminate administrative allowances. Child Nutrition Amendments of 1981 - Amends the National School Lunch Act for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 to: (1) reduce the general reimbursement to State agencies; (2) reduce the reduced price lunch subsidy (thereby increasing the price) with provision for annual adjustments in payment rates; (3) reduce commodity assistance for lunches; (4) lower the income eligibility guidelines; (5) revise state revenue matching requirements; (6) limit private school participation; (7) limit the summer food service program to lunches only; and (8) revise the child care food program. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 to: (1) reduce breakfast subsidies; (2) end the special milk program; and (3) reduce the authorization of appropriations contained in such Act for nutrition education and training. Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to impose a temporary (through fiscal year 1984) user fee on coal sold by a producer. Revises the eligibility requirements for black lung benefits and payments from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. Delays retroactive payment of black lung benefits until after a claim has been completely adjudicated. Changes from six percent to the adjusted prime rate the interest rate paid by coal operators on reimbursement to the Trust Fund for paid-out benefits later determined to be the responsibility of such operators. Title VI: House Committee on Energy and Commerce - Sets forth changes in laws within the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce sufficient to reduce appropriations for programs authorized by such committee so as to achieve specified savings in budget authority and outlays. Title VII: House Committee on Foreign Affairs - Sets forth limitations on the following programs under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in order to meet specified savings in budget authority and outlays: (1) the American schools and hospitals abroad for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (2) international organizations and programs for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (3) international narcotics control for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (4) international disaster assistance for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (5) the African Development Foundation for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (6) the Inter-American Foundation for fiscal year 1982; (7) the Peace Corps for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (8) international organizations and conferences - assessed contributions for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (9) the Board for International Broadcasting for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (10) the International Communication Agency - salaries and expenses for fiscal year 1982; (11) the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency for fiscal years 1982 and 1983; and (12) expenses not otherwise recoverable and unrecovered prior years' costs for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984, under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Title VIII: House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs - Sets forth limitations on authorizations through fiscal year 1984 for the following: (1) the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (2) the Forest Service; (3) special recreation user fees programs of the Corps of Engineers; (4) programs of the Department of Energy which are wholly or partially within the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs; (5) Indian Health Service; (6) programs of the Department of the Interior which are wholly or partially within the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs; (7) the National Board on Water Resources; (8) the Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation Commission; (9) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; (10) the Office of Federal Inspector for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System; (11) the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation; and (12) the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. States that, effective October 1, 1981, all offers for noncompetitive oil and gas leases shall be accompanied by a specified filing fee. Sets forth a pricing policy for federal uranium enrichment services. Title IX: House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries - Subtitle A: Maritime Programs - Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for certain Department of Commerce maritime programs including: (1) ship construction, acquisition, and construction differential subsidies; (2) operating-differential subsidy payments; (3) research and development; (4) operations and training; (5) fleet expenses; and (6) maritime education. Authorizes supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for employee benefits. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to allow the Secretary of Commerce to reduce the construction differential subsidy rate by five percent under specified circumstances. Authorizes an operator receiving operating differential subsidy funds to suspend its subsidy contract under certain conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to establish alternate trade routes, via a range of different ports, during the seasonal closure of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Redefines the terms "foreign commerce," "foreign trade," and "vessel" to include the employment of certain methanol (methyl alcohol) producing barges. Redefines the term "noncontiguous domestic trade" as used in such Act to include the carriage from the United States to offshore burn sites of chemical wastes for incineration at sea. Prohibits a vessel from receiving a construction or operating differential subsidy if it is not offered for enrollment in an approved sealift readiness program. Reduces the sums available for obligation pertaining to commercial demonstration ocean thermal energy conversion facilities or plantships. Authorizes the Secretary, during fiscal year 1982, to waive certain minimum spending obligations for fishing vessels and facilities if such reserved obligations will not be utilized for such purposes during fiscal year 1982. Revises membership of the Board of Visitors to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Amends the Shipping Act, 1916, to prohibit an ocean freight forwarder from receiving compensation from a common carrier in regard to any shipment in which the forwarder or certain others have a beneficial interest. Directs the Secretary to compare repair and outfitting costs for the training vessel Bay State with reactivation and conversion costs for the steamship Tulare in order to determine the appropriate vessel for use as the Massachusetts Maritime Academy training ship. Requires such study to be submitted to Congress within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to authorize the Secretary, until September 30, 1983, to permit an operator receiving or applying for an operating differential subsidy under such Act to construct or acquire its vessels in a foreign shipyard under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to make construction differential subsidies available to United States-built or documented vessels for replacement or upgrading of such vessels' existing propulsion machinery in order to improve energy efficiency. Establishes guidelines for the approval of such subsidies. Sets forth procedures for the negotiation, acceptance, and payment of such subsidies by the Secretary. Requires replacement propulsion equipment to be of United States origin except under specified circumstances. Classifies such upgraded vessel as "new" or "reconstructed" for specified purposes of such Act. Reduces the age of such vessel by ten years for purposes of the obligation to replace it under any operating differential subsidy and capital construction fund program or contract. Subtitle B: Merchant Seamen Entitlement to Medical Care - Amends the Public Health Service Act to eliminate free health care for merchant seamen provided by the Public Health Service. Subtitle C: Comprehensive Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation Act - Establishes the Comprehensive Oil Spill Liability Fund in the Treasury of the United States, to be administered by the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of the Treasury, to pay specified removal costs arising out of an oil pollution incident. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to collect from each refinery owner, and from the owner of each terminal receiving oil for export or entry into the United States, a specified fee. Permits claims for damages for economic loss which are incurred within a specified time to be asserted in certain circumstances. Imposes joint, several, and strict liability on the owners and operators of each pollution source. Specifies liability limits, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, for ships and other vessels. Specifies procedures whereby the Secretary shall designate and advertise pollution sources. Sets forth procedures for the disposition and appeal of claims submitted to the Fund. Subrogates any person or Government entity paying compensation, including the Fund, to all claimant's claims and rights under this Act. Declares that the Comprehensive Oil Spill Liability Fund shall assume all liability incurred by the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Liability Fund. Subtitle D: Ocean Dumping Fees - Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to require the establishment of a system for the imposition of ocean dumping fees at an amount not greater than five dollars per wet ton of materials dumped. Title X: House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service - Sets forth the following Federal employee pay comparability adjustments: (1) 5.8 percent during fiscal year 1982; (2) 7.4 percent during fiscal year 1983; and (3) 7.0 percent during fiscal year 1984. Prohibits the President, beginning in fiscal year 1985, from submitting any pay adjustment pay not based on full comparability except during times of national emergency or of general mandatory wage and price controls. Amends Federal law to reduce civil service pay for military retirees by the full amount of their military retirement pay. Prohibits federal employees who are reservists in the armed forces or members of the National Guard from receiving both civilian and military pay during their annual two-week period of active duty. Reduces such civilian pay by the amount received in military pay. Requires adjustments to federal personnel ceilings based on the extent to which federal operations are contracted out. Requires such contracting out to be based on cost-effectiveness criteria. Authorizes cash awards to federal employees who disclose waste, fraud, and mismanagement in the government. Entitles a member of the Senior Executive Service in the Federal Government whose position is eliminated to be reassigned to another Senior Executive Service position for which such career appointee is qualified. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to withhold State income tax from the monthly annuity payment of any annuitant who requests such withholding. Reduces, and eliminates as of fiscal year 1984, the public service payment to the United States Postal Service (USPS) for the costs of providing unprofitable services. Requires the continuation of six-day mail delivery through fiscal year 1984. Requires the Postal Service to provide for consolidation and closing of post offices so as to achieve specified savings. Reduces the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1984 for the revenue foregone payment subsidies for USPS. Defers, until fiscal year 1985, the federal payment to the Postal Service Fund for unfunded liabilities of the old Post Office Department. Prohibits funds for the Postal Service or any executive agency to implement a nine-digit zip code. Title XI: House Committee on Public Works and Transportation - Subtitle A: Transportation Programs - Requires the Civil Aeronautics Board to fix and determine rates of compensation under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 and to establish rates of compensation under such Act so that the total amount of compensation payable by such Board for service performed during fiscal year 1982 does not exceed a specified amount. Limits the total of all obligations for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs for fiscal year 1982. Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to reduce, for fiscal year 1982, the authorization of appropriations for the Urban Mass Transit Grant program. Subtitle B: Water Resources Development Programs - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reduce the authorization of appropriations in fiscal year 1982 for sewage construction grants. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to carry out the State construction grant management program. Limits the authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, for construction of river and harbor, flood control, shore protection, and related authorized projects (other than the project for the Mississippi River and tributaries). Eliminates the authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to the Tennessee Valley Authority to carry out the North Alabama Coal Gasification Project at Murphy Hill, Alabama. Prohibits any fees from being charged by any officer of the Federal Government for the transportation for the purpose of dumping, or the dumping, of any material into the oceans. Subtitle C: Economic Development Programs - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to reduce funding for certain programs under the Economic Development Administration. Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to reduce the authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for the Appalachian Regional Commission. Subtitle D: Pollution Liability, Compensation, and Fund - Comprehensive Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation Act - Establishes the Comprehensive Oil Spill Liability Fund in the Treasury of the United States, to be administered by the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of the Treasury, to pay specified removal costs arising out of an oil pollution incident. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to collect from each refinery owner, and from the owner of each terminal receiving oil for export or entry into the United States, a specified fee. Permits claims for damages for economic loss which are incurred within a specified time to be asserted in certain circumstances. Imposes joint, several, and strict liability on the owners and operators of each pollution source. Specifies liability limits, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, for ships and other vessels. Specifies procedures whereby the Secretary shall designate and advertise pollution sources. Sets forth procedures for the disposition and appeal of claims submitted to the Fund. Subrogates any person or Government entity paying compensation, including the Fund, to all claimant's claims and rights under this Act. Declares that the Comprehensive Oil Spill Liability Fund shall assume all liability incurred by the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Liability Fund. Title XII: House Committee on Science and Technology - Subtitle A: Department of Energy Civilian Research and Development Programs and Projects 1982 Authorization Act - Authorizes funds for operating expenses for research and development programs of the Department of Energy for fiscal year 1982. Sets forth percentages of fiscal year 1981 funds that are provided for fiscal year 1982 programs. Authorizes appropriations for plant and capital equipment for certain projects and new construction at specified project sites. Provides for the termination of the Clinch River Breeder Project and makes appropriations for refined conceptual design activities for a liquid metal fast breeder Large Development Plant. Sets forth administrative provisions for funding of construction projects. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Research and Development Construction and Facilities Office to provide technical and management facility design and construction services for the Department. Prohibits the use of any funds under this title for the purpose of releasing any radioactive contaminated water into the Susquehanna River. Subtitle B: Department of Energy Civilian Programs Authorization - Authorizes the appropriation of funds for: (1) conservation activities; (2) regulatory and related functions; (3) power marketing programs; (4) nuclear assessment, interim spent nuclear fuel management, and commercial waste remedial action; (5) other renewable resources and conservation activities; (6) uranium enrichment, other commercial waste management activities, and West Valley demonstration project activities; and (7) departmental administration. Sets forth energy projections to the year 2000. Subtitle C: National Science Foundation Authorization - National Science Foundation Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1982 - Authorizes appropriations for programs and operations of the National Science Foundation. Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to authorize the National Science Board (formerly the Foundation) to establish special commissions, consisting of such members as the Board considers appropriate, to make recommendations to the Foundation on issues relating to research and education in science and engineering. Amends the National Science Foundation Act, Fiscal Year 1978, to disestablish the Resource Center for Science and Engineering. Subtitle D: Atmospheric, Climatic, and Ocean Pollution Authorization - Atmospheric, Climatic, and Ocean Pollution Act of 1982 - Authorizes appropriations to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the Department of Commerce for atmospheric, climatic, and ocean pollution programs for fiscal year 1982. Authorizes the NOAA to plan for, develop, and operate a civilian land observing system. Requires the Administrator of NOAA to report to the President and Congress by January 15, 1982, on the activities undertaken pursuant to such system. Subtitle E: Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1982 - Authorizes appropriations to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specified activities and research programs for fiscal year 1982. Directs the Administrator of EPA to: (1) conduct a pilot project on the use of peer review in research planning; and (2) conduct a study on the Federal government's efforts in the integration of research and dissemination of information and report to the President and Congress on such study within 18 months of enactment of this Act. Subtitle F: Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering, Development, and Demonstration Authorization - Authorizes appropriations to the Federal Aviation Administration from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for certain research, engineering and development, and demonstration projects and activities. Authorizes the Administration to use such funds for any other such activity upon approval from the appropriate congressional committees. Subtitle G: Federal Emergency Management Agency Authorization - Amends the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 and the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for fiscal year 1982 for specified programs and activities. Title XIII: House Committee on Small Business - Small Business Budget Reconciliation and Loan Consolidation/ Improvement Act of 1981 - Amends the Small Business Act to set forth methods, procedures, and criteria for the Small Business Administration in making loans to eligible small businesses. Authorizes appropriations to carry out provisions of this title. Title XIV: House Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Terminates the Veterans' Administration authority to provide educational assistance to veterans for flight training and to veterans, spouses, and surviving spouses for correspondence training. Eliminates dental benefits for veterans whose dental conditions existed during military duty, but who did not seek or receive treatment. Limits the payment of burial allowances for veterans dying during fiscal year 1982, 1983, and 1984. Title XV: House Committee on Ways and Means - Subtitle A: Adjustment Assistance - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise eligibility requirements for adjustment assistance to require that imports be a "substantial cause of" (currently, "contributed importantly to") a firm's decline. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide full information to workers about the benefits available under the Act. Revises trade readjustment allowance qualifying requirements, weekly amounts, and limitations on allowances. Authorizes the Secretary, within certain limitations, to require adversely affected workers to accept job training or to actively search for work outside their former employment area if the Secretary determines with respect to the labor market area that: (1) a high level of unemployment exists; (2) suitable employment opportunities are not available; and (3) there are facilities available to provide training in new or related job classifications. Requires the Secretary to develop, in cooperation with an adversely affected worker covered by a certification who is unemployed or underemployed and with others, an appropriate employability plan. Authorizes the Secretary, with certain restrictions, to defray reasonable transportation and subsistence expenses when training facilities are not within commuting distances. Increases individual job search allowances and relocation allowances. Waives the requirement that any overpayment must be repaid if: (1) the overpayment was made without fault on the part of an individual; and (2) requiring repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience. Abolishes the Adjustment Assistance Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 and 1983. Sets forth provisions relating to definitions, conforming amendments, and effective dates and transitional provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance (including grants) to firms. Prohibits a direct loan to a firm if the loan can be obtained from private sources at a rate no higher than the maximum interest per annum that a participating financial institution may establish on guaranteed loans made pursuant to the Small Business Act. Revises conditions for financial assistance to a firm. Provides that direct loans made or guaranteed for the acquisition or development of real property or other capital assets shall ordinarily be secured by a first lien on the assets and shall be fully amortized. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance, up to a specified sum per industry, for the establishment of industry wide programs for new development or other uses consistent with the purposes of the Act. Repeals the Adjustment Assistance Program for Communities. Extends the termination date of adjustment assistance programs for workers and firms from September 30, 1982, to September 30, 1983. Subtitle B: Federal Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program - Social Security Spending Reduction Amendments of 1981 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide for the phased elimination of a child's insurance benefits to an individual on the basis of full-time postsecondary school student status. Terminates a nondisabled's entitlement to child's insurance benefits when such child reaches age 16 (currently such entitlement ceases when a child reaches age 18). Eliminates prospectively the minimum benefit amount used in computing the primary insurance amount. Authorizes reimbursement of the cost of providing information to assist specified parties with respect to the administration of an employee benefit plan. Provides that at each stage in the benefit computation, the amount derived is rounded down (presently rounded up) to the next higher 10 cents. Delays part of the payment of the cost-of-living increase to October 1982 presently scheduled to be paid in July 1982. Authorizes reimbursement from the trust fund to a State for vocational rehabilitation services only where the services have resulted in a beneficiary's performance of substantial gainful activity for a continuous nine month period. Retains the earnings limitations test for persons under age 72 until 1983 (presently scheduled to be lowered to age 70 in 1982). Limits the payment of lump-sum death benefits to a widow or widower entitled to widow's, widower's, or mother's benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of a deceased individual or in equal shares to each person entitled to child's insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual (currently such benefits may be paid to cover burial expenses of the insured individual). Provides that in the case of workers retiring at age 62 entitlement to benefits begins with the first month throughout all of which the individual is entitled. Subtitle C: Unemployment Compensation, Public Assistance, and Low-Income Energy Assistance - Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to eliminate the "national trigger" under the extended benefits program. Excludes extended benefit claimants from the calculation of the insured unemployment rate for extended benefits trigger purposes. Increases from 365 to 730 days the length of continuous military service needed to qualify as employment for unemployment compensation purposes. Delays an ex-serviceman's entitlement until the fifth week after discharge or release from Federal Service. Limits an ex-service member's total entitlement to no more than 13 weeks of benefits. Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise eligibility and benefits standards by requiring States to disregard specified amounts of monthly earnings. Allows States to terminate, or phase-out gradually, the $50 disregard and the one-third work incentive disregard for families with earned income above the poverty level or, at State option, 200 percent of the State standard of need, after the family has had earned income and claimed one-third disregard for 12 consecutive months. Permits individuals who lose eligibility for AFDC payments because of the termination of the disregards to remain eligible for Medicaid for 12 months after payment stops. Requires that in calculating a child's need for AFDC a State shall consider a specified portion of stepparent's income as available to such child. Provides that AFDC eligibility for a month shall be determined on the basis of the family's income during such month; that family resources shall be determined as they existed on the last day of the previous month; and that the benefit amount shall be determined on the basis of the income of the previous month. Requires AFDC families to report their income, and other information, on a monthly basis. Requires that whenever a determination is made to terminate, suspend, or adjust AFDC payments to a family, such family shall be mailed a written notice concerning such action at least ten days prior to the effective date of the action. Allows States to require, under certain conditions, AFDC recipients to participate in a qualified State work experience program in which they would perform work in return for the regular AFDC benefits. Limits eligibility for certain AFDC payments to two-parent families to such families in which the "principal earner" parent is unemployed (currently payments may be made if either one is unemployed). Requires a State to promptly correct any AFDC overpayment or underpayment. Permits States paying benefits to dependent children over 18 who are students to limit AFDC eligibility at any age between 18 and 21. Provides that any family is ineligible for AFDC if the combined value of its resources exceeds $1,500 or a lower amount at the State's option. Permits a State to exclude from resources: (1) a home and a car; (2) household goods and personal effects; (3) tools and equipment; and (4) life and burial insurance policies. Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require a State plan to make provisions for enforcing spousal support obligations (alimony) in addition to child support. Requires a State to retain ten percent of the support collected on behalf of a non-AFDC recipient, in order to defray the costs of such collection service. Requires that the incentive payments to States collecting child support payments on behalf of another jurisdiction be made from the total amount of such collections, rather than from the Federal assistance share. Prohibits the discharge in bankruptcy of a child support obligation assigned to a State as a condition of AFDC eligibility. Requires child support enforcement agencies to determine on a periodic basis whether any individuals receiving unemployment compensation owe child support obligations being enforced by such agency and if so, to require the agency to withhold such child support payments from the unemployment compensation. Amends title III (Unemployment Compensation) of the Act to require State unemployment compensation agencies to require unemployment compensation applicants to disclose whether or not the applicant owes child support obligations and to notify the appropriate child support enforcement agency if child support is owed. Permits the Internal Revenue Service to collect delinquent alimony as well as child support payments. Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Act to provide that an individual's monthly eligibility for benefits for a month shall be determined on the basis of the individual's income, resources, and other relevant characteristics in such month, and the amount of monthly benefits on the basis of income and other characteristics in the preceding month, such month, or on the basis of income and other characteristics in the second month preceding such month. Authorizes the Secretary to redetermine eligibility for and the amount of benefits at other times. Allows States to continue to pay out cash, in lieu of food stamps, to SSI recipients under specified conditions. Limits the negotiability of SSI checks to 180 days from the date of issuance. Requires future cost-of-living adjustments in SSI to conform to cost-of-living adjustments under title II. Adds a new title to the Social Security Act, title XXI (Energy Assistance to Low-Income Households). Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 and 1983 to provide low-income energy assistance in order to offset excessive home energy costs. Makes such funds available to States which have plans for low-income energy assistance approved by the Secretary. Sets forth State plan requirements. Directs the Secretary to pay up to a formulated amount 80 percent of a State's expenses in carrying out the plan for fiscal year 1983 and 100 percent of the expenses for fiscal year 1982. Prohibits payments with respect to any household unless the household has at least one individual eligible for AFDC, SSI, Food Stamps, certain veterans benefits, or the household's income falls below a specified level. Amends title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to limit Federal funding for fiscal year 1982 for training costs. Subtitle D: Medicare Program - Medicare Spending Reduction Amendments of 1981 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate coverage of alcohol detoxification facilities, under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII. Provides payment for nutritional therapy for individuals with end-stage renal disease when used as a means of delaying or substituting for the provision of kidney dialysis. Requires a one dollar a day copayment under Medicare for each of the first 60 days of inpatient hospital care. Provides that Part A coinsurance will be based on the current years deductible, rather than the deductible effective when the illness began. Revises the part A, inpatient hospital deductible by adding five dollars to the base figure of $40 used in the formula to determine such deductible. Eliminates the carryover from the last three months of the previous year of incurred expenses used to determine whether the part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) deductible has been met. Increases the part B deductible from $60 to $70, and indexes it to cost-of-living increases under title II. Offsets interest earnings on funded depreciation accounts of providers against interest expenses to determine reimbursement. Revises an exemption to a provision requiring the reduction of reimbursements to hospitals in specified situations, by adding a requirement that a hospital derive less than 30 percent of its income from non-governmental sources to qualify for such exemption. Exempts hospitals from such reductions if there is no excess of hospital beds in the area in which the hospital is located. Directs the Secretary to provide for a method of determining prospectively the amounts of payments to be made for dialysis services furnished by providers and renal dialysis facilities to furnished individuals in a facility and at home. Prohibits the Secretary, in determining the amount of reimbursements for home health services, from recognizing as reasonable costs for such services to the extent such costs exceed the 75th percentile of such costs per visit for home health agencies; or, in the judgment of the Secretary, such lower percentile as the Secretary may determine. Prohibits the Secretary, in determining reimbursements with respect to routine operating costs for inpatient hospital services, from recognizing as reasonable costs to the extent that they exceed 108 percent of the mean of such routine operating costs per diem; or, in the judgment of the Secretary, such lower percentage as the Secretary may determine. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title X of the Social Security Act to provide civil penalties for any person who presents or causes to be presented an improper claim for a medical or other item or service under the Medicare or Medicaid (title XIX) programs. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Act to direct the Secretary to establish utilization guidelines for the provision of home health care. Repeals the requirement that skilled nursing facility agreements be renewed annually. Amends the Medicare and Medicaid Amendments of 1980 to direct the Secretary to establish guidelines by October 1, 1981, to assure that agreements with States already authorized, for demonstration projects for the training of AFDC recipients as homemakers and home health aides are entered into by January 1, 1982. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress relating to such projects. Amends part B (Professional Standards Review) of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary by September 30, 1981, to identify and specify requirements which will be used in assessing a PSRO's performance. States that such requirements shall include requirements relating to the effectiveness of a PSRO in: (1) monitoring the quality of patient care; (2) reducing unnecessary utilization; and (3) managing its activities efficiently. Authorizes the Secretary to terminate the less effective PSRO's during fiscal year 1982. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress relative to PSRO performance assessments. Makes 100 percent financing under part B of title XI applicable only to the Medicare program and provides States the option of contracting for Medicaid review at a 75 percent Federal matching rate. Repeals the PSRO program effective October 1, 1983. Repeals the requirement for utilization review under the Medicare program with respect to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and rural health clinics. Prohibits payments under the Medicare program with respect to an item or service for an individual aged 65 or older to the extent that payment has been made, or can reasonably be expected to be made under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Postal Service Amendments of 1981 - Authorizes the United States Postal Service to issue written demands requiring access to books, records, documents, or other objects believed to relate to any postal offense or civil matter under investigation by the Postal Service. Provides for the enforcement of such a demand by the appropriate district court. Authorizes the Postal Service to issue an order requiring any person to cease and desist from conducting a lottery or scheme for obtaining money or property by false representations through the mail. Declares that the resumption of such an activity through the use of any instrumentality of interstate commerce shall be considered to be a failure to comply with such order. Permits the Postal Service, in investigating whether a person is conducting such an activity, to tender the price of any article or service that such person has offered for sale. Declares that failure by such person to provide such article or service, or failure to comply with a written demand of the Postal Service for access to materials, shall constitute probable cause to believe such person is engaged in such activities, warranting the detention of such person's incoming mail. Establishes a civil penalty to be assessed by the Postal Service, after an opportunity for an agency hearing, against any person who: (1) attempts to evade an order directing the postmaster to return mail addressed to such person; (2) fails to comply with a cease and desist; or (3) assists another person in evading such an order.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Olympic Coin Act of 1981 - Declares the purposes of this Act to be: (1) to provide for the minting of coins to commemorate the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games; and (2) to help finance those games without the use of tax revenues. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint: (1) not more than 30,000,000 copper-nickel clad coins with a face value of one dollar; (2) not more than 22,400,000 silver coins with a face value of ten dollars; (3) not more than 2,400,000 gold coins with a face value of fifty dollars; and (4) not more than 1,400,000 gold coins with a face value of one hundred dollars. Specifies the size and weight of such coins. Specifies that the designs of such coins shall be determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee. Sets certain minting specifications for such coins. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee which shall provide for the implementation of the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to furnish such coins to the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee at a price agreed to pursuant to such implementation agreement. Provides that all coins minted shall be delivered to the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee for distribution and sale to the public in accordance with the terms of the implementation agreement. Sets the delivery date for each series of coins. Provides that all proceeds received by the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee from the commercial sale of such coins shall be used for the purpose of staging and promoting the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and assisting the U.S. Olympic Committee and amateur athletics. Provides that all coins authorized by this Act shall be legal tender. Directs that no coins shall be minted pursuant to this Act after December 31, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1981
Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 - Expresses the sense of Congress, with respect to the education of handicapped children, that: (1) the Education of All Handicapped Children Act needs to be amended in the light of limited financial resources and questions of administration and application; and (2) it would not be advisable at this time to consolidate funds for the education of disadvantaged children. Declares that the national interest in the education of handicapped children would be best served by the establishment of a national commission to study the operation of the Education of All Handicapped Children Act and to advise the President, the Secretary of Education, and the Congress on appropriate amendments to or restructuring of such Act by January 15, 1982. Title I: Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Children - Declares it to be the policy of the United States to continue to provide financial assistance to State and local educational agencies to meet the special needs of educationally deprived children, on the basis of entitlements calculated under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), in a manner which will eliminate burdensome and unproductive paperwork and free the schools of Federal supervision. Directs the Secretary of Education, during fiscal years 1983 through 1987, to make payments to State educational agencies for grants made on the basis of entitlements created under title I of ESEA and calculated in accordance with provisions of such title in effect on September 30, 1982. Directs the Secretary, in making such payments, to continue to utilize specified provisions of title I of such Act, with the exception of provisions relating to local program requirements and applications and to State and Federal administration of programs and projects. Requires that State and local educational agencies use such payments for programs and projects (including the acquisition of equipment and the construction of school facilities) designed to meet the special educational needs of educationally deprived children. Requires that State agency programs be designed to serve those categories of children (migratory, handicapped, neglected and delinquent) counted for eligibility for grants under specified ESEA provisions in accordance with the requirements of this title. Requires that local educational agencies use ESEA funds received under this title only for programs and projects: (1) designed to meet the special educational needs of educationally deprived children identified in accordance with specified provisions of this title; and (2) included in an application for assistance approved by the State educational agency and containing specified assurances concerning such programs and projects. Provides for the participation of children enrolled in private schools in special educational services and arrangements. Provides for appeals by State and local educational agencies of determinations by the Secretary that a local educational agency has substantially failed to provide for such participation on an equitable basis and that an alternative provider of such services should be sought. Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) maintenance of effort; (2) use of funds limited to excess costs; (3) Federal funds to supplement, not supplant regular non-Federal funds; (4) comparability of services (and written assurances thereof by local agencies); (5) exclusion of special State and local program funds; and (6) allocation of funds in certain States. Title II: Consolidation of Federal Programs for Elementary and Secondary Education - Declares it to be the purpose of this title: (1) to consolidate the program authorizations contained in titles II through IX of ESEA into a single authorization of grants to States for the same purposes set forth in such titles, but to be used in accordance with the educational needs and priorities of each State as determined by the State; and (2) to financially assist State and local educational agencies to improve elementary and secondary education (including preschool education) for public and private school children, in a manner which eliminates administrative and paperwork burdens on the schools. Vests basic responsibility for the administration of funds made available under this title in State educational agencies. Admonishes such agencies to discharge such responsibility in a manner which will not impose an unreasonable administrative burden. Declares the intent of Congress that the responsibility for the design and implementation of programs assisted under this title is mainly that of local boards of education, school superintendents and principals, classroom teachers, and supporting personnel. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1983 through 1987. Sets forth provisions for allotments to States and for State grant applications. Requires that a State educational agency distribute at least 80 percent of the sums received as a State allotment to local educational agencies. Provides that such allocation be according to relative enrollments in public and nonpublic schools within the school districts of the local agencies, adjusted to provide higher per pupil allocations to agencies with the greatest numbers or percentages of children whose education imposes a higher average cost per child, such as children: (1) from low-income families; (2) of limited English proficiency; or (3) living in sparsely populated areas. Directs the Secretary to approve State agency criteria for such allocation adjustment if such criteria are reasonably calculated to produce an equitable distribution of funds. Sets forth requirements for local educational agency applications to receive such allocations. Requires that specified funds be used by State and local educational agencies to develop and implement a basic skills improvement program, as formerly authorized under title II of ESEA (Basic Skills Improvement). Authorizes State educational agencies to provide leadership and support for the basic skills improvement program. Sets forth requirements for school level basic skills improvement programs which local educational agencies must meet in applying for program funds. Authorizes State education agencies to carry out selected activities from among the full range of programs and projects formerly authorized under titles IV, V, VI, and VII of ESEA (Educational Improvement, Resources, and Support; State Leadership; Emergency School Aid; and Bilingual Education Programs) and titles III, VIII, and IX of ESEA (Special Projects; Community Schools; and Additional Programs for Gifted and Talented Children, Educational Proficiency Standards, and Women's Educational Equity), in accordance with requirements of this title, including a planned allocation of funds set forth in the State application. Sets forth authorized activities under such programs and projects. Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) maintenance of effort; (2) Federal funds being supplementary to, and not supplanting, non-Federal funds; and (3) participation of children enrolled in private schools. Authorizes the Secretary to use discretionary reserved funds for activities relating to the purposes of and programs under this Act, such as: (1) a national information source to assess program effectiveness and the needs of those served; (2) research and demonstrations; (3) teacher training improvement; and (4) implementation assistance for State and local educational agencies. Directs the Secretary to fund, from such discretionary reserved funds, the inexpensive book distribution program (Reading Is Fundamental), the special mathematics program, the national programs of arts in education, and the national diffusion network, as formerly authorized in specified provisions of ESEA, at least in amounts necessary to sustain these activities at the level of operations during fiscal year 1981, and then use the remainder of such funds for other authorized activities. Title III: General Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations relating to this Act: (1) on duties specifically assigned to the Secretary; (2) on proper fiscal accounting for appropriations and on the method of making payments authorized; and (3) which reasonably insure compliance with the specific requirements and assurances required. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing regulations on all other matters relating to the details of planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating State and local educational agency programs and projects. Permits the Secretary to consult with appropriate State, local, and private educational agencies and to provide, upon request, technical assistance, information, and suggested guidelines. Provides that regulations issued pursuant to this Act shall not have the standing of a Federal statute for the purposes of judicial review. Sets forth provisions for withholding of payments and for judicial review thereof. Provides that specified provisions of the General Education Provisions Act (relating to "State Educational Agency Monitoring and Agency Applications") shall not: (1) apply to programs authorized under this Act except to the extent that such provisions relate fiscal control and fund accounting procedures; and (2) be construed to authorize the Secretary to require any reports or take any actions not specifically authorized by this Act. Declares that the provisions of this Act shall take effect October 1, 1982. Repeals the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Provides that funds appropriated in fiscal year 1982 pursuant to authorizations repealed by this Act and intended for use in the school year 1982 through 1983 shall be used in accordance with, and to carry out the purposes of, this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1981
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct environmental impact and other necessary studies to determine the suitability for other uses of a military installation that is a candidate for closure. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to State and local governments to assist in planning community adjustments necessitated by such closure or by the cancellation of defense contracts or an approved major weapon system program. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress annually on the amount spent for each community or State. Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act, 1977 to make conforming changes.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criteria for the imposition of the death penalty for Federal crimes. Requires the Government, for any offense punishable by death, to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a plea that it intends to seek the death penalty and the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury, or the court upon motion by the defendant, when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to an offense punishable by death. Provides that no presentence report shall be prepared in such cases. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing, without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury. Specifies mitigating factors which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the information and aggravating factors which the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Includes as threshold, aggravating factors for homicide that the defendant: (1) intentionally killed the victim; (2) intentionally inflicted serious bodily injury which resulted in the death of the victim; (3) intentionally participated in an act which he reasonably should have known would create grave risk of death to a person and the victim did die as a direct result of the act; or (4) attempted to kill the President of the United States. Sets forth special aggravating factors with respect to the crimes of treason and espionage. Includes among the mitigating factors that the defendant was less than 18 years old at the time of the crime. Conditions imposition of the death penalty on a unanimous finding by the jury that: (1) some aggravating factor exists in addition to a threshold factor; and (2) the aggravating factors sufficiently outweigh any mitigating factor found to exist. Directs the court to impose the death penalty upon a finding that such sentence is justified. Requires the court to instruct the jury not to consider the race, color, national origin, creed, or sex of the defendant in its consideration of the death sentence. Limits the circumstances under which the offense of delivering defense information to aid foreign governments is punishable by death. Allows the death penalty to be imposed for the murder of foreign officials and for an offense of kidnapping resulting in the death of any person. Eliminates the death penalty for the crime of rape. Authorizes the death penalty for the crime of attempting to kill the President of the United States if the attempt results in bodily injury to the President or otherwise comes dangerously close to causing his death. Establishes procedures for appeal from a death sentence. Requires the Court of Appeals, upon considering the record and the information and procedures of the sentencing hearing, to affirm the decision if: (1) the sentence was not imposed under influence of passion, prejudice, or arbitrariness; and (2) the information supports the finding of aggravating factors or the absence of mitigating factors. Requires the court to provide a written explanation of its determination.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an income tax credit for legal practitioners who provide legal assistance to persons financially unable to afford legal representation. Limits the credit to an amount equal to 25 percent of the value of the charitable legal services provided in noncriminal proceedings. Provides for a carryover and carryback of unused credit amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to require a judicial officer, in setting conditions for pretrial release for any person charged with certain narcotics offenses, to consider which conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community, the personal safety of persons in the community, and the prevention of similar offenses by such person. Requires a judicial officer to deny release to any person charged with a narcotics offense who: (1) has previously been convicted of a felony narcotics offense under Federal, State, or foreign law; (2) is on parole, probation, or other conditional release for a felony offense under Federal or State law; (3) is an illegal alien; (4) was arrested in possession of a false passport; or (5) has been convicted of being a fugitive from justice. Requires the Government to provide clear and convincing evidence that the person charged falls within any such category and to establish that there is substantial probability that the person committed the offense . Permits the judicial officer to grant release to a person who has not been previously convicted of a felony narcotics offense upon a finding of special mitigating factors. Requires that the case of a person who is denied release be placed on an expedited calendar.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the limitations on the amount of the estate and gift tax marital deduction. Allows an election to value gifts of certain real property by using the estate tax valuation provisions applicable to certain farm and business real property.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Requires that the rate of imputed interest with respect to loans between related organizations, trades, or businesses (for purposes of allocation of income and deductions among taxpayers) and deferred payments in the case of certain sales of property not exceed rates applicable for such purposes to transactions entered into on August 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Expresses the opposition of the Congress to efforts by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to regulate news content and the operation of the world press. States that the United States should withdraw all financial support for UNESCO if UNESCO begins implementing any plan to regulate the dissemination of news and ideas.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1981
National Infant Screening Act of 1981 - Amends title XI (Genetic Diseases, Hemophilia Programs, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) of the Public Health Service Act to provide grants for infant screening programs to detect metabolic disorders.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
Urban Jobs and Enterprise Zone Act of 1981 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones, for a period ending December 31, 2001, and subject to the approval of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, by local governments or by State governments on behalf of local governments for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by titles II and III of this Act. Specifies that the Secretary may approve the designation of such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the designating local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous and includes accessible vacant or underutilized properties; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area with a population of at least 50,000 or 2,500 otherwise or is an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires designating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's approval, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, or receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area. Terminates the authority of the Secretary to designate enterprise zones on December 31, 1996. Sets forth minimum and maximum numbers of such designations. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to set forth the duties of the Secretary under this Act. Requires any property tax reduction effected by a local government under an agreed to program to be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) local governments should attempt to facilitate to the greatest extent possible the employment of poor and unemployed residents of their enterprise zones and should consider the effects of a designation upon area employment practices and patterns; and (2) whenever possible, foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones and that in the case of any application for designation of a foreign-trade zone within an enterprise zone: (A) the Foreign-Trade Zone Board should expedite the application process; (B) the Board, in evaluating such application, should consider future development to be expected as a result of the incentives provided by this Act; and (C) the Board should provide technical assistance to the applicants. Title II: Taxation - Subtitle A: Refundable Credits for Employers and Employees - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a refundable income tax credit for five percent of the wages paid to unemployed or economically disadvantaged individuals who are certified as eligible under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act and who perform at least 50 percent of their services within an enterprise zone. Disallows a deduction for the portion of the wages or salaries equal to the amount of such credit. Allows individuals who are employees of qualified businesses and at least 50 percent of whose services during the taxable year are performed in an enterprise zone a refundable tax credit for five percent of the earned income attributable to services performed in an enterprise zone during a 36-month period. Limits such credit to $1,500 for any taxable year. Defines "qualified business" as a person: (1) at least 50 percent of whose gross receipts are attributable to the active conduct of a trade or business within an enterprise zone; and (2) at least 40 percent of whose employees are individuals whose employment qualifies for the employers' credit allowed under this subtitle and who are hired after the later of the date on which the conduct of a business in an enterprise zone is begun or the area is designated as such a zone. Subtitle B: Reduction in Capital Gain Tax Rates - Reduces the alternative tax on capital gains and increases the capital gains deduction. Qualifies certain low-income rental housing located in an enterprise zone for such treatment. Permits property to remain qualified for purposes of the revised capital gains treatment after a designation of an enterprise zone has terminated. Exempts gain from the sale or exchange of property used in a business in an enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Removes as an item of tax preference accelerated depreciation on real property used in such a business. Subtitle C: Reduction in Gross Income of Trades or Businesses Operating in Zone - Excludes from taxable income a specified percentage of the sum of any amount received by a qualified business from the active conduct of a trade or business within an enterprise zone and any interest on financing provided by a taxpayer to a qualified business in connection with the conduct of such business. Subtitle D: Other Incentives - Permits any qualified business to elect to use the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting without regard to any inventory requirements if its gross receipts do not exceed $2,000,000 in any prior taxable year. Allows a 20-year carryover of net operating losses for qualified businesses. Qualifies for the investment tax credit low-income rental housing with respect to which the capital gains tax reduction is granted under subtitle B of this title. Subtitle E: Sense of the Congress with Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this title. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity," for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions, to include qualified businesses (as defined in title II of this Act), designating governments, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
Transfer Tax Reform Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift taxes from $47,000 to $155,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases from $175,000 to $500,000, by specified annual increments through 1985, the minimum gross estate requirement for filing of a return. Increases from $3,000 to $10,000 the annual gift tax exclusion. States that gifts made within three years of a decedent's death shall be valued as of the time of transfer rather than as of the date of death. Allows an individual to elect to pay a gift tax rather than use the unified tax-credit. Revises the formula for computation of the estate tax to value gifts for preceding calendar years and quarters at their value used in computing the tax for the last preceding calendar year or quarter for which a gift tax was payable. Revises the definition of "qualified real property," for purposes of the special use valuation, to: (1) eliminate the requirement that the property be used on the date of the decedent's death for a qualified use; and (2) allow such valuation for real property which is put to a qualified use by a member of the decedent's family. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if such decedents materially participated in the operation of the farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits, under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death or takes over active management upon the decedent's death. Qualifies the owner of a woodland for the special use valuation if the owner or a member of the owner's family actively managed the property for ten years prior to the owner's death. Includes as property qualified for the valuation certain future and partial interests. Reduces from 15 to ten years the length of time a qualified property must be held and put to a qualified use following the decedent's death before it can be disposed of without incurring a recapture of estate tax benefits. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Modifies the formula for recapture upon partial disposition of qualified property to include in the calculation of the additional tax imposed the adjusted tax difference attributable to the property disposed of or ceased to be used for a qualified use. Increases from $500,000 to $1,000,000, by specified annual increments through 1986, the limitation on the aggregate decrease in the value of property to which the special use valuation is applied. Allows the like kind exchange of property without loss of special use valuation eligibility. Permits, for purposes of calculating the five-year period required for qualification of real property, the aggregation of periods with respect to exchange property with those with respect to property included in the gross estate. Repeals the requirement that an heir elect special treatment for involuntary conversions of qualified real property, thus making such treatment automatic upon such conversion. Alters the method of valuing farms and woodlands and provides an alternate discount method of valuation. Allows the election of the step-up in basis in the case of recapture upon disposition or cessation of the qualified use of property. Imposes interest upon the recapture tax in the event of such election. Expands the definition of "member of the family," for purposes of determining special use valuation eligibility, to include members of a spouse's family. Permits a parent or legal representative of a person under a legal disability to sign an agreement to the application of recapture provisions on behalf of such person. Applies the special use valuation provisions to property held in trust as through the decedent or heir had a direct interest in the property. Expands the conditions under which such property is deemed to have been acquired from the decedent to include: (1) exercise of purchase options; (2) payments by the terms of the will or trust; or (3) purchase from the estate or trust. Specifies that the estate tax deductions for indebtedness shall not be reduced if the value of the property is determined by applying the special use valuation. Modifies the alternate extension of time for payment of the estate tax where the estate consists largely of an interest in a closely held business to: (1) allow an installment payment election if the value of the interest in the closely held business is either 35 percent of the value of the gross estate or 50 percent of the taxable estate; (2) increase to 50 percent the value of an interest disposed of which will accelerate the payment of tax; and (3) permit payment, but with a penalty, of an installment within six months after the due date. Revises rules for determining whether property qualifies as an interest in a closely held business with respect to property included in the gross estate which is transferred prior to death and ownership of assets leased to or used by a family-owned business. Revises disclaimer rules with respect to: (1) notice and acceptance of the interest or its benefits; (2) partial disclaimers; (3) powers of appointment; and (4) disclaimers which are ineffective under State law.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
United States Flag Ship Fair Competition Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit accelerated depreciation for vessels documented under the laws of the United States. Provides a useful life of one or more years for vessels constructed in the United States and a useful life of five or more years for foreign-built vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Severe Storms Advisory Committee Act of 1981 - Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a Severe Storms Advisory Committee which shall submit annual reports to the President and Congress assessing and making recommendations concerning the current objectives, milestones, and technological developments of the severe storms forecasting program. Sets forth the terms and conditions of membership on such Committee, including representation from specified agencies, State and local civil defense systems, and weather forecasters. Terminates such Committee after five years.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the week commencing on June 7, 1981, should be designated as "National Italian-American Heritage Week."
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission from investigating or taking any action concerning any State regulated profession until Congress enacts legislation which expressly provides that the Commission has authority over professions and that the Commission's authority preempts State authority. Vacates any such action taken during the period beginning on May 28, 1981, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an estate tax deduction for any interest in property which passes from a decedent with no surviving spouse to a disabled child of the decedent who is left parentless. Limits the amount of such deduction to $250,000.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Title I: Guam - Amends the Organic Act of Guam to authorize initiatives and referenda in Guam. Sets forth the referendum procedure. Subjects the Lieutenant Governor and the members of the legislature to recall. Authorizes appropriations for grants to Guam for fiscal years 1983-1986 for rehabilitation and construction of public facilities. Title II: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands - Amends the date for transferring certain U.S. property located in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands to the governments of such islands. Makes such date the termination date of the trusteeship agreement governing the administration of the Trust Territory instead of October 1, 1982. Title III: Virgin Islands - Authorizes appropriations for each of fiscal years 1982 through 1985 for grants to the Virgin Islands for construction of water and power generation and distribution facilities pursuant to a plan which meets specified requirements. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Transfers the duty to prepare a comprehensive energy plan for specified insular areas of the United States from the Secretary of Energy to the Secretary of the Interior. Deems the governments of specified U.S. territories to have met the matching assistance requirements for certain authorized capital improvement projects. Authorizes appropriations for grants to American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands for fiscal years 1982 through 1985 for rehabilitation and construction of public facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act of 1963 to exempt from the definition of "farm labor contractor": (1) any agricultural employer who recruits and hires migrant workers for such person's own agricultural operation (currently the employer must personally engage in such hiring); (2) bona fide employees who perform such activity for their employer (currently full-time or regular employees who engage only incidentally in such activity); (3) any person who supplies students or other persons whose principal occupation is nonagricultural to perform certain seed industry work (currently only applies to corn and sorghum with a maximum four-week work period); and (4) nonprofit or cooperative associations of farmers, growers, or ranchers and their employees. Defines the terms "for such person's own operation" and "bona fide employee" for purposes of such Act. Redefines "migrant worker" to mean a seasonal or temporary agricultural worker who cannot normally return to his or her domicile after each working day (currently anyone employed in agriculture).
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits: (1) any person who has been elected to the Senate twice from being eligible for election or appointment to the Senate; and (2) any person who has been elected to the House of Representatives six times from being eligible for election to the House.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lagomarsino, Robert J. [R-CA-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000020_200.jpg)