United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
Amends the Energy Security Act to repeal the requirement that Congress approve the comprehensive strategy established by the U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation to achieve the national synthetic fuel production goal established by such Act. Requires that preference in selecting proposals for synthetic fuels projects for financial assistance be given to proposals which are for research and development of synthetic fuel production and use. Eliminates the authority of the Corporation with respect to joint ventures by the Corporation for synthetic fuel project modules and Corporation synthetic fuel construction projects. Establishes a national goal of facilitating research and development in order to achieve domestic synthetic fuel production capability when the synthetic fuel industry matures and synthetic fuels become price competitive. (Under current law, there is a national goal of achieving a synthetic fuel production capability of at least 500,000 barrels per day of crude oil by 1987 and of at least 2,000,000 barrels per day of crude oil by 1992 from domestic resources.) Repeals the limitation on the authorization of financial assistance under such Act to any one synthetic fuel project or to any one person. Limits the funds available to the Corporation for obligation under the Energy Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1983
Increases from 26 to 30 the number of members of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, by adding: (1) one elected officer of a local government of an area with a population of less than 10,000 and one elected school board member, to be appointed by the President; and (2) one judge of a U.S. court of appeals or district court and one chief justice or judge of a State court of last resort, to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Soviet Union should comply with certain international agreements relating to human rights by pursuing a more humane emigration policy and by ceasing harassment of Jews and others seeking to emigrate; (2) Soviet compliance with internationally recognized emigration rights would significantly promote improved relations with the United States; (3) the President should convey these concerns of Congress to the Soviet Union at every appropriate opportunity; and (4) the President should also convey these concerns to U.S. allies.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1983
Amends the Automobile Dealers Day in Court Act to prohibit a manufacturer from selling, leasing, or offering to sell or lease any passenger car, truck, or stationwagon to any person (or any other dealer) at a price lower than the price at which the same model is sold to its franchised dealers. Prohibits a manufacturer from imposing restrictions on some purchasers of automobiles, but not others. Requires that all rebates, discounts, refunds or other promotional inducement or benefit be provided to all ultimate purchasers of the same model of motor vehicle during the same period of time. Establishes an exception to the Act for the sale of automobiles to Federal, State or local governmental units. Applies this Act to importers of covered motor vehicles who import directly or through distributorships. Allows an automobile dealer to recover reasonable attorneys fees resulting from an action under this Act. Limits standing for a cause of action for termination of an agreement under this Act to dealers who comply with all reasonable provisions of the franchise agreement in question.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Anatoly Shcharansky should be released from prison and permitted to emigrate. Urges continued expression of U.S. opposition to the imprisonment of Anatoly Shcharansky.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to implement procedures for identifying social security benefit checks issued under title II which have not been negotiated within 12 months and to credit the appropriate social security trust fund, on a monthly basis, for the amount of all unnegotiated benefit checks drawn on such trust fund. Requires the Secretary to pay a benefit check presented for payment after it has been credited to one of the trust funds, and to recharge such trust fund, if such check is otherwise proper. Authorizes appropriations to reimburse the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund for the total amount of unnegotiated benefit checks.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1983
Bail Reform Act of 1983 - 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. Provides for the detention of an alien whose presence in the United States is not under color of law. 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; (3) a narcotics offense punishable by at least ten years imprisonment; or (4) any offense committed after the person has been convicted of two or more offenses for which a hearing is mandated. Permits the government or the court to move for a detention hearing in any other case involving a serious risk of flight or obstruction of justice. 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. Provides additional penalties for failing to appear before the court or surrender for service of sentence as required. 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 · 27 January 1983
Urges the United States Postal Service to issue a postage stamp commemorating members of the uniformed services who have been prisoners of war or missing in action especially those missing as a result of the conflict in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Social Security Benefit Termination Reform Act of 1982 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that monthly insurance benefits shall be paid for the month in which a beneficiary dies. Requires that the amount of such benefits be proportionate to the number of days of such month preceding the date of the beneficiary's death.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit entitlement to title II benefits in the case of an individual who is not a U. S. citizen or national if such individual: (1) is not a permanent resident of the United States; or (2) is outside the United States. Prohibits the payment of title II benefits to any dependent or survivor of such an individual on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the benefit involved is payable to such an individual as the dependent or survivor of: (1) a U. S. citizen or national; (2) a permanent resident of the United States; or (3) a U. S. citizen or national residing outside the United States if the relationship required for such individual's entitlement already existed at the time such national or citizen reached age 50. Authorizes the payment of title II benefits to an individual who is not entitled to benefits pursuant to this Act until the total amount of such benefits equals the total amount of any taxes paid on the wages and self-employment income on which the benefits are based.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that nothing in the Constitution shall be construed to prohibit prayer in public schools or institutions. States that no person shall be required by the United States or any State to participate in prayer.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which a beneficiary may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1983
Prohibits Federal involvement in the performance of abortions, except when the life of the mother would be endangered if the child were carried to term. Includes the following activities within the scope of this prohibition: (1) performance of an abortion by a Federal agency; (2) use of appropriated funds to perform or reimburse or refer for abortions; (3) promotion or assistance in the performance of abortions abroad; (4) contracting for insurance which pays or reimburses for abortions; (5) discrimination against an individual on the basis of that person's opposition to abortions; and (6) the withholding from a handicapped infant of nutritional sustenance, medical or surgical treatment by an institution receiving Federal assistance. Provides for expedited Supreme Court review of State laws restricting abortions or infanticide whenever such laws have been invalidated by a lower court.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that disability insurance benefits for an individual having a terminal illness shall begin with the first month during which such individual has such illness.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1983
Constitutional Amendment - Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purpose of the right to life guarantee. Makes such amendment inapplicable to laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Expresses the support of Congress for the present strategic arms reductions talks. Urges the Soviet Union to join with the United States to: (1) conclude an equitable and verifiable agreement which freezes strategic nuclear forces at equal and substantially reduced levels; (2) negotiate an effective means of verification of the terms of such agreements; (3) negotiate measures which are likely to reduce the risk of nuclear war by error or misunderstanding; and (4) concentrate on reducing weapons which are judged to be destabilizing.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1982
Establishes the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. Requires the Commission to: (1) plan and develop appropriate activities to commemorate the bicentennial of the Constitution; (2) encourage private organizations, and State and local governments to organize and participate in bicentennial activities; (3) coordinate activities throughout all the States; and (4) serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of bicentennial information. Directs the Commission to seek assistance from private and governmental agencies and organizations. Requires the Commission to submit a report of its recommendations to the President, Congress and the Judicial Conference within two years of enactment of this Act and annually until its termination. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 1989. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 and such sums as necessary through FY 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1982
Declares that it should be U.S. policy to: (1) support the people of Afghanistan in their struggle to be free from foreign domination; (2) provide the Afghans, upon request, with material assistance; and (3) pursue a negotiated settlement of the war in Afghanistan based on the total withdrawal of Soviet troops and the recognition of the right of the Afghans to choose their own destiny.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1982
Balanced Monetary Policy and Price Stability Act of 1982 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to require the Board of Governors and the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve System to establish monthly ranges of targets for short-term interest rates, consistent with historical levels of real interest rates, sustained economic growth, stable prices, and stable foreign exchange rates. Declares that if such objectives cannot be achieved simultaneously, the object of stable prices, as measured by an index of current prices, shall take precedence. Requires yearly targets for the growth or diminution of money and credit aggregates to also be established. Requires the Board and the Federal Open Market Committee to take necessary actions to assure that the targets for monetary and credit aggregates are achieved on an annual basis and short-term interest rates are achieved on a monthly basis. Requires a written report to specified congressional committees if such targets cannot or should not be achieved because of unfavorable economic conditions. Requires the Board of Governors to transmit specified information to Congress biannually. Requires the Board to announce publicly changes in objectives and plans at the time those changes are determined. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the United States excutive director of the International Monetary Fund to request a conference of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund for the purpose of considering reforms of the international monetary system which would promote price stability, financial confidence, and expanded world trade.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1982
Comprehensive Victim and Witness Protection and Assistance Act of 1982 - Amends rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that presentence reports contain: (1) information concerning any harm or loss suffered by the victim; (2) information that may aid the court in sentencing; (3) a statement of the circumstances of the commission of the offense; and (4) any prior criminal record of the defendant. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish as offenses "tampering with a witness or an informant" and "retaliating against a witness or an informant." Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate civil proceedings to restrain any harassment of a victim or witness. Authorizes a sentencing court to order the defendant to make restitution. Requires the court to state for the record the reasons for not ordering restitution. Prescribes a procedure for the issuance of restitution orders. Directs the Attorney General to develop Federal guidelines for the fair treatment of crime victims and witnesses. Requires the Attorney General to consider certain objectives in preparing the guidelines, including: (1) ensuring that victims receive prompt social and medical services; (2) giving victims and witnesses notice of important criminal justice proceedings and scheduling changes; (3) arranging for the prosecution to obtain the nonbinding views of victims of serious crimes during such stages as plea bargaining and pretrial release; (4) encouraging employers to continue to pay victims and witnesses for work absences to assist investigations and prosecutions; (5) training law enforcement personnel in victim assistance; and (6) informing victims or witnesses on legal steps for protection from intimidation. Directs the Attorney General to recommend to Congress any laws that are necessary to ensure that no Federal felon derives any profit from the sale of his or her story until any victim of the offense receives restitution. Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to require as a condition of pretrial release that the defendant not commit certain offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1982
Military Widows and Surviving Children Benefits Restoration Act - Directs the head of a designated agency to make monthly payments to the surviving spouse of a veteran in the amount such spouse would have received under the Social Security Act were she caring for a child under 16 (when such child is actually between 16 and 18 years of age). Directs the head of a designated agency to make monthly payments equivalent to the child's insurance benefit under the Social Security Act before the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to certain children between the ages of 18 and 22 attending institutions of higher learning. Limits eligibility for such payments to children of veterans who died on active duty before August 13, 1981, or from a service-connected disability. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide the designated agency head with information necessary to carry out this Act. Sets forth provisions determining time and percentage of increases in benefits, including a requirement that all payments be rounded down to the next lower multiple of $1. Directs the Secretary of Defense during FY 1983 to transfer funds from the Retired Pay, Defense account to whomever is chosen to administer this program. Requires such head to establish an account in his or her agency to receive such payments. Permits such head and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to combine specified payments into a single monthly payment.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1982
Urges the President to declassify and publicize to the American people existing intelligence information on the military threat to the United States and its allies posed by the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1982
Criminal Justice Reform Act of 1982 - Title I: Offenders with Mental Disease or Defect - Insanity Defense Reform Act of 1982 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a defense to a Federal prosecution that at the time of the offense the defendant, as a result of mental disease or defect, lacked the state of mind required as an element of the offense charged. Requires the court to hold a hearing to determine the present mental condition of the defendant. Directs the court to commit such person to the custody of the Attorney General upon a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that the person is presently suffering from a mental disease or defect, rendering him mentally incompetent. Directs the Attorney General to hospitalize such person in a suitable facility. Provides that when the defendant has recovered and is able to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him, the court will order his release and set a date for trial. Authorizes a special verdict of "not guilty only by reason of insanity" for any criminal defendant who raises the issue of insanity by notice as provided by Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Provides for the hospitalization of persons found not guilty only by reason of insanity, convicted persons, imprisoned persons, and persons due for release who are found to suffer from mental disease or defect. Allows for discharge when such person is found to have recovered. Requires reimprisonment of any such person for whom a term of prison sentence has not yet expired. Title II Application of the Exclusionary Rule - Exclusionary Rule Application Act of 1982 - Allows evidence obtained as a result of a search or seizure to be admissible if the search or seizure was undertaken in a reasonable good faith belief that it was in conformity with the fourth amendment to the Constitution. Title III: Federal Intervention in State Criminal Proceedings - Federal Intervention Reform Act of 1982 - Conditions consideration of a habeas corpus claim by a State prisoner on a showing of actual prejudice resulting from the Federal right violated and that : (1) state action precluded assertion of the right; (2) the Federal right did not previously exist; or (3) the factual basis of the claim could not have been discovered by reasonable diligence. Establishes a one-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners. Vests authority to issue certificates for probable cause for appeal of habeas corpus orders exclusively in the courts of appeals. Permits denial on the merits of habeas corpus writs notwithstanding the failure to exhaust State remedies. Prohibits the granting of a habeas corpus writ with respect to any claim which has been fully and fairly adjudicated in State proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1982
Diversity Jurisdiction Reform Act of 1981 - Abolishes diversity of citizenship as a basis of jurisdiction of Federal district courts, but retains as a basis of jurisdiction "alienage," involving foreign states or citizens of foreign states. Increases the amount in controversy requirement in such cases from $10,000 to $25,000. Retains as a basis for Federal jurisdiction statutory interpleader, which includes actions between citizens of different States. Permits venue for a Federal civil action in any judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred, or in which a substantial part of property that is the subject of the action is situated.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1982
Extends the congratulations of Congress to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the individuals who contributed to the successful completion of the test flight phase of the Space Shuttle program and the entry of the United States into a new era of space flight.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1982
Expresses the support of the Congress for beginning strategic arms reductions talks. Urges the Soviet Union to join with the United States in concluding an equitable and verifiable agreement which freezes strategic nuclear forces at equal and substantially reduced levels. Reaffirms congressional support for the position that the United States should not enter into an arms agreement which provides for force levels inferior to those of the Soviet Union. Declares that the United States should propose practical measures to: (1) reduce the danger of accidental nuclear war; (2) prevent the use of nuclear weapons by third parties, including terrorists; and (3) halt the worldwide proliferation of nuclear weapons. Insists that any arms control agreement must be fully verifiable.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1982
Educational Opportunity and Equity Act of 1982 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit in an amount equal to 50 percent of the tuition paid to an elementary or secondary educational institution for any dependents who have not attained the age of 20. Limits such credit to: (1) $100 in 1983 (2) $300 in 1984; and, (3) $500 in 1985 and thereafter. Reduces such limit by specified percentages of the amount by which the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer exceeds $50,000 ($25,000 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return). Reduces such limits by any amounts paid to the taxpayer or his dependents as scholarships or other financial assistance. Disallows such credit for tuition paid to schools found to maintain racially discriminatory policies. Requires all educational institutions which receive tuition payments for which such credit is taken to file with the Secretary of Treasury a statement, subject to the penalties for perjury, declaring that the institution does not follow a racially discriminatory policy. Requires a taxpayer claiming such credit to attach a copy of such statement to the income tax return. Authorizes the Attorney General, upon the filing of a petition alleging racial discrimination, to bring an action for declaratory judgment against an educational institution to determine whether the institution has followed a racially discriminatory policy.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1982
Authorizes the erection of a memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia, or its environs, in honor and commemoration of members of the armed forces who served in the Korean war. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to select, with the approval of the National Commisson of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, a suitable site on public grounds for such memorial. Subjects the design and any plans for the memorial to the approval of the Secretary, the National Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission. Declares that no moneys belonging to the United States or the District of Columbia shall be expended for the erection of such memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1982
Expresses the sense of Congress that legislation should be proposed and enacted to: (1) establish parity between the compensation of Government Printing Office (GPO) employees and the compensation of other Federal employees performing similar work; (2) fix the wages of GPO employees in accordance with the prevailing wage rate system applicable to executive branch employees; and (3) strengthen the Public Printer's ability to manage without infringing on the oversight responsibilities of the Joint Committee on Printing.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the collection of defaulted Federal student loans by offset against income tax refunds of those individuals found to be in default on such loans. Defines "Federal student loans" as federally insured loans to graduate students in the health professions. Sets forth special rules with respect to joint returns and fiscal year taxpayers. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services of the amounts collected with respect to any loan to any individual; and (2) transfer such amounts to the Secretary as is necessary to reimburse the entity or fund to which the loan is repayable. Requires that such notification and transfer be made not less often than monthly.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lungren, Daniel E. [R-CA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000517_200.jpg)