United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1983
Congressional Pay Reform Act - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 and the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to specify that pay adjustments for Members of Congress shall become effective on the March 1 following the beginning of the next Congress after the Congress during which such adjustment is approved. Conditions such adjustment on the adoption of a concurrent resolution by each House of Congress. Requires a recorded vote on such resolution to reflect the vote of each Member. Prohibits any congressional employee from being paid at a rate exceeding the rate payable for Senators and Members of the House of Representatives. Requires the President to transmit to the Congress, within a specified time period, recommendations for rates of pay of Members of Congress, legislative, and judicial employees. Prohibits the House of Representatives and the Senate from considering any bill or joint resolution carrying an appropriation for compensation of Members of Congress for any fiscal year if such bill or joint resolution carries an appropriation or a limitation on appropriations for any other purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1983
States that as part of the strategic arms reduction negotiations (START) the United States and the Soviet Union should: (1) place the highest priority on eliminating the fear of a first-strike by either nation; and (2) seek a verifiable agreement that produces a stable strategic relationship by ensuring that neither nation possesses capabilities of a first strike.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Directs the President to negotiate an agreement with the Soviet Union for the establishment of a permanent joint United States-Soviet Communications Center to provide an additional channel for communications between the United States and the Soviet Union in order to reduce the threat of an accidental nuclear war. Declares that the agreement should provide that: (1) the function of the Center would be to serve as a direct and secure means of communications between the two countries; (2) the Center would have no intelligence gathering capabilities and would not be used for espionage; (3) the Center would be located in an agreed upon third country with the operating costs shared equally; and (4) the Center would be staffed by an equal number of personnel from each country. Requires the agreement to be either a treaty or an executive agreement which will enter into force only upon its approval by both Houses of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish mandatory minimum two-year terms of imprisonment for the Federal crimes of burglary, aggravated assault, second degree murder, commission of an offense with a firearm or destructive device, rape, and robbery (including bank robbery). Increases the minimum term to four years for repeat offenders. States that the execution or imposition of sentences: (1) may not be suspended; (2) may not include probation or parole; and (3) is not subject to good time provisions or the Federal Youth Corrections Act. Specifies mitigating circumstances for the imposition of such mandatory sentences. Requires a sentencing hearing to determine if such circumstances are applicable.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Regulatory Procedure Act of 1982 - Title I: The Analysis, Management, and Organization of Agency Functions - Requires each executive agency and each independent regulatory agency to include in the notice of a proposed rule an explanation of the agency's determination as to whether the rule is a major rule. Directs each agency, before or upon publishing notice of a proposed rulemaking proceeding for a major rule, to issue statements concerning: (1) the need for the rule; (2) the reasonable alternative approaches; (3) regional differences; (4) the benefits, costs, and effectiveness of the proposed rule and alternatives; (5) the advantages and disadvantages of adopting performance standards rather than design standards; (6) the technical information the agency will rely on in making the rule; and (7) the statutory authority of the agency to regulate any areas previously regulated only by State law. Requires that each agency issue additional statements upon providing notice of the promulgation of a major rule, including an analysis of the extent to which benefits of the rule justify its costs and an explanation of the selection of the rule over less costly alternatives. Directs each agency to: (1) include in the notice of each proposed and final major rule, instructions on how the public may obtain copies of agency statements on such rule; (2) send a copy of all statements required at the notice and publication of a major rule to the President; and (3) include such statements and any technical information considered in the rulemaking file. Requires agencies to provide for oral presentations at informal public hearings as part of the rulemaking proceedings for major rules. Directs agencies to allow cross-examination of persons presenting information if necessary to resolve significant issues of fact. Directs agencies to regulate such public hearings so as to ensure orderly and expeditious proceedings. Allows an agency to delay completing the rulemaking requirements of this Act if it publishes a finding that complying with such requirements before making the rule would be impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. Requires an agency to complete such requirements as soon as practicable after promulgating the rule unless the rule will expire within two years. Sets forth provisions governing the judicial review of agency compliance with rulemaking and rule review requirements of this Act and the President's compliance with oversight requirements. Directs the President to: (1) establish procedures for agency implementation of the requirements of this title; (2) afford the public an opportunity to comment on such procedures before adoption; and (3) monitor, review, and comment on agency compliance with such requirements. Permits the Comptroller General to review agency compliance with this Act. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually, a regulatory agenda containing a list of all rules the agency expects to propose, promulgate, repeal, modify, or review in the next year and specified information concerning such rules. Requires publication of the agendas of all agencies in a single issue of the Federal Register. Directs each agency to publish for public comment a proposed schedule for the review over a ten-year period of its existing major rules and other rules that may be added by the agency or the President. Directs each agency to publish its responses to public comments upon publishing the final schedule. Requires an agency to include with the publication of a major rule the date, within ten years, by which the rule must be reviewed. Requires agencies to review rules according to such schedule, excluding rules that are no longer considered to be major rules as of the review date. Directs each agency to: (1) publish a notice of the initiation of the review of a rule; (2) describe the costs, benefits, problems, and alternatives to the rule; (3) provide a period for public comment; and either (4) conduct a rulemaking proceeding to repeal or amend the rule; or (5) publish a justification of its decision to continue the rule. Permits the President to extend the review period to 15 years. Allows agencies to alter review schedules if the President agrees. Title II: Reorganizing and Improving Agency Proceedings - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to eliminate the exemption of rules concerning loans, grants, and benefits from notice and comment rulemaking requirements. Requires that the notice of a proposed rulemaking include: (1) a statement of the objectives of the rule; (2) a statement that the agency seeks proposals from the public of alternative methods; and (3) a statement of where the file of the rulemaking proceeding may be inspected or how file copies may be obtained. Requires an agency to: (1) provide a period of at least 60 days after publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking for the public to submit comments on a proposed rule; and (2) include the agency's response to such comments in the statement published with the adopted rule. Prohibits an agency from relying on any material of central relevance in a rulemaking if the material is not included in the rulemaking file or the public has not had an opportunity to comment on the material. Directs each agency to maintain a public file on each rulemaking proceeding. Allows an agency to exclude from such file any material relied upon which is exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, if a statement of the basis for such exclusion is included. Requires a court reviewing an agency action: (1) not to accord any presumption in favor of or against agency action; (2) in determining questions of law other than statutory jurisdiction, to give the agency's interpretation such weight as it warrants considering the agency's authority under law; (3) in making determinations concerning statutory jurisdiction, to determine whether the action is within the agency's jurisdiction on the basis of the statutory language or other indications of legislative intent; and (4) in determining whether the adoption of a rule is in accordance with law, to consider whether there is substantial support in the rulemaking file for the agency's factual determinations. Declares that when proceedings for review of the same agency action are instituted in two or more courts of appeals within ten days, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall select, by a system of random selection, the court in which the record shall be filed. Authorizes the courts to postpone the effective date of the agency action as necessary to permit designation of the court of record. Prohibits agencies from paying expenses of persons participating or intervening in agency proceedings except as specifically authorized by statute. Requires each agency to submit a copy of each newly promulgated rule (with specified exceptions) to each House of Congress. Prohibits the rule from taking effect if: (1) either House adopts a resolution disapproving it within 60 legislative days after the date the rule is submitted; and (2) the other House does not disagree to such resolution within 65 legislative days after such date. Provides that a rule shall take effect the day after either House disagrees to a resolution disapproving it within such periods. Prohibits an agency from promulgating a new rule identical to a disapproved rule unless a statute is enacted that affects the agency's authority over the subject matter. Authorizes either House to adopt a resolution directing an agency to reconsider an existing rule. Requires an agency to respond to such a resolution by: (1) publishing a notice that the agency reviewed the rule and found that no action is necessary; or (2) initiating appropriate rulemaking proceedings concerning the rule. Provides that a rule which was excluded from congressional review when promulgated must be subjected to congressional review if Congress adopts a resolution for reconsideration of such rule. Exempts rules promulgated pursuant to resolutions of reconsideration from certain rulemaking requirements for major rules under title I of this Act. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for considering such resolutions of disapproval or reconsideration. Amends the rules of the House to establish a Regulatory Review Calendar to which all such resolutions shall be referred. Terminates the force and effect of any existing law governing procedures for the congressional review of agency rules with respect to rules promulgated after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Job Opportunity and Business Stimulation Act - Establishes a program under which the Secretary of Labor shall make payments to States and U.S. territories for job opportunities and business stimulation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 and 1984 for such payments. Sets forth formulas for allocation of such appropriations to specified territories of the U.S. on the basis of population and to States on the basis of population and of relative economic indicators derived from income growth factors. Requires that the Secretary's payment to a State be made available to the Governor for specified authorized uses that the Governor determines will contribute most to the creation of jobs for the unemployed. Directs the Governor to ensure that such expenditures are distributed geographically in a specified manner. Requires that funds be distributed to county areas based on unemployment factors and revenue sharing amounts. Directs the Governor, in determining fund allocation and uses, to: (1) consult with the State job training coordination council established pursuant to the Job Training Partnership Act; (2) provide for public hearings; and (3) publish an expenditure plan. Permits funds made available under this Act, under specified conditions, to be used for any program, project, or activity with the principal purpose of increasing available jobs in the area served. Limits use of such funds to activities which are in addition to those which would otherwise be available in the area. Limits training of dislocated workers with such funds to programs and projects established in accordance with the Job Training Partnership Act. Prohibits use of such funds to duplicate facilities or services available in the area from Federal, State, or local sources. Sets forth program requirements relating to conditions of employment and training, health and safety standards, workers' compensation benefits, and job benefits and working conditions. Prohibits use of funds under this Act for contributions on behalf of any participant to retirement systems or plans. Prohibits displacement of any currently employed worker by participants in programs funded under this Act. Prohibits such programs from impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements. Requires the written concurrence of the labor organization and the employer concerned before any such program which would be inconsistent with the terms of a collective bargaining agreement may be undertaken. Prohibits program participants from being employed or job openings being filled when: (1) any other individual is on layoff from the same or any substantially equivalent job; or (2) the employer has terminated the employment of any regular employee or otherwise reduced its work force with the intention of filling the vacancy by hiring a participant whose wages are subsidized under this Act. Prohibits creation of jobs in a promotional line that will infringe in any way on the promotional opportunities of currently employed individuals. Requires States receiving funds under this Act to provide the Secretary with assurances that none of such funds will be used to assist, promote, or deter union organizing. Requires that an opportunity for comment be provided for any labor organization representing a substantial number of employees engaged in similar work or training in the same area as that proposed to be funded under this Act. Applies the wage rate requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act to all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in works federally assisted under this Act, with specified exceptions for bona fide trainees. Sets forth program requirements relating to: (1) monitoring; (2) fiscal controls and sanctions; (3) reports, recordkeeping, and investigations; (4) nondiscrimination; and (5) administrative provisions. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Agricultural Export Subsidy Offset Act of 1982 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an export subsidy program under which agricultural commodities acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation through price support operations are given to U.S. exporters, U.S. processors, or foreign countries to encourage additional export sales of such commodities. Directs the Secretary to ensure that: (1) export sales of such commodities and of products of such commodities do not displace usual U.S. marketings; (2) such commodities and products are not exported to any country which is not eligible for most-favored nation treatment; and (3) such commodities and products after export are not resold or transhipped to another nation or used for purposes other than domestic purposes of such country. Requires the Secretary, if the program places U.S. processors at a disadvantage, to give to such processors the agricultural commodities acquired by the Corporation through price support operations. Terminates the Secretary's authority under this Act after December 31, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Directs the U.S. Postal Service to submit to Congress (rather than to the Postal Rate Commission) any proposed change in the nature of postal service which would have nationwide impact. Requires any statement of proposed change to include an estimate of the impact of such change upon the public, business mail users, service levels, and postal finances. Provides that no proposed change shall become effective if either House of Congress adopts a resolution disapproving it within 60 days after it is submitted to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Natural Gas Marketing Improvements Act of 1983 - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to provide that any contract for the sale of natural gas to any pipeline shall be deemed to include a purchase requirement adjustment clause, unless otherwise expressly provided in the contract. Provides that under a purchase requirement adjustment clause a purchaser may refuse to accept any portion of the gas purchased if the purchaser determines there is not a market for the gas. Prohibits a purchaser from reducing the volume accepted below 50 percent of the amount the purchaser contracted to take. Requires a purchaser to reduce the volume of the highest price gas first. Voids any contract provision that requires payment for gas not accepted pursuant to this Act. Prohibits a purchaser who has not accepted the full amount of gas under a contract from accepting gas for an equal or higher price under a new contract. Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to consider a pipeline's use of a purchase requirement adjustment clause in any purchase gas adjustment or general rate proceeding involving that pipeline. Provides that any contract for the sale of natural gas to any pipeline shall be deemed to include a transportation obligation clause. Provides that under a transportation obligation clause any purchaser who has exercised the right to reduce the volume of gas for which the purchaser contracted must provide, on behalf of the seller, transportation of any such gas which: (1) is involved in the reduction; (2) is resold by the seller to another purchaser; and (3) the purchaser would be required to pay for in the absence of the exercise of such contract provision. Provides that the consideration for any such transportation shall be $.05 per million Btu's plus the cost of transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Sunset Act of 1983 - Title I: Reauthorization of Government Programs - Sets forth a ten-year schedule for reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for fiscal year 1983. Sets forth the procedure in the House of Representatives and the Senate for the consideration of any bill, resolution, or amendment which authorizes new budget authority. States that it is not in order for either House to consider any legislation which authorizes the enactment of new budget authority for a program for a period of more than ten years, for an indefinite period, or for any fiscal year beginning after the next reauthorization date applicable to such program. Provides that before the Congress can appropriate funds for any program, after its first reauthorization date, there must be a specific authorization in law to support the appropriation. Requires the committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to schedule and conduct a sunset review of programs to be reauthorized. Requires that the report accompanying such reauthorizations contain specified information and be completed during the Congress in which the program is scheduled for reauthorization. Exempts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as interest on Federal debts, health care services, general retirement and disability payments, as well as litigation activities which have as their objectives the protection and implementation of civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution, and specified retirement pay and benefits. Allows the reauthorization schedule set forth in this Act to be changed by concurrent resolution of the two Houses of Congress and sets forth the procedure for such change. Requires all legislation and other matters related to changes in the dates for programs under this Act to be referred to the committee with legislative jurisdiction over any program affected by the proposal and, sequentially, to the Committee on Rules in the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Rules and Administration in the Senate. Requires such committees to report any concurrent resolution or bill referred to it by a committee of legislative jurisdiction within 30 days, with a statement on each of its recommendations. Makes provisions for any proposed change which has been reported by a committee before June 1, 1984. Title II: Program Inventory - Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs. Declares that the purpose of such program inventory is to advise and assist Congress in carrying out reauthorization and reexamination requirements and to link such reauthorization and review process with the budget process. Requires the Comptroller General to submit such program inventory to each House of Congress no later than January 1, 1984. Sets forth the contents of the inventory program, including the type of authorization provided for such programs' new budget authority and the manner in which related program areas may be grouped for evaluation and review. Permits the congressional committees, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service to review the program inventory and to suggest revisions. Requires that the program inventory be revised at the end of each session of Congress, and that such revisions be reported to each House. Requires that periodic reports tabulate the progress of congressional action on bills and resolutions authorizing budget authority for programs in the inventory. Requires the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to submit periodic reports to the Congress on the adequacy of the functional and subfunctional categories for grouping programs of like missions or objectives. Title III: Program Reexamination - Requires each committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to reexamine selected programs or groups of programs over which it has jurisdiction. Sets forth procedures for such review, and criteria for selection of program areas for evaluation. Directs each committee to consult with the appropriate committees of either the House of Representatives or the Senate in order to achieve coordination of program reevaluation. Directs each Committee to inform itself of the related activities of or available assistance from the General Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the Congressional Research Service, the Office of Technology Assessment, and other appropriate instrumentalities in the executive and judicial branches. Requires each committee to deliver a report on the reexamination to the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House at the date specified in the funding resolution first reported by such committee in 1985 and thereafter for the first session of each Congress. Allows two or more committees which have legislative jurisdiction over the same programs or portions of the same programs to examine such programs jointly and submit a joint report. Stipulates that such report: (1) contain the findings, recommendations, and justifications of the program; and (2) include specified information including, but not limited to, an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the program and an identification of any trends, developments, and emerging conditions which are likely to affect the nature and extent of the problems or needs which the program is intended to address. Requires each executive department or agency which is responsible for a program selected for reexamination to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget and to the appropriate committees of the Congress on its findings, recommendations, and justifications of specified aspects of the program. Title IV: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, after consultation with the Joint Committee on Taxation of the Congress, to prepare an inventory of tax expenditure provisions and to submit a report on such inventory to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House and the Senate Finance Committee. Defines the term "tax expenditure provision" as any provision of Federal law which allows a special exclusion, exemption, or deduction in determining liability for any tax or which provides a special credit against any tax, a preferential rate of tax, or a deferral of tax liability. Specifies the contents of the report, which include an estimate of the revenue loss from each tax provision. Requires the Director to: (1) submit a revised inventory to each House of Congress by December 1, 1984; (2) revise the inventory after the close of each session of Congress and report such revisions to Congress; and (3) periodically report on Congressional action on bills and resolutions which create or affect tax provisions. Directs the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax provisions similar to the schedule set out for Federal programs in title I of this Act. Requires Congress to take final action on the reauthorization schedule for tax provisions before the end of the 98th Congress. Provides that each tax expenditure provision shall expire unless it is reauthorized by a law enacted during the Congress in which it is scheduled for review. Sets forth procedures and restrictions for the consideration of bills reauthorizing tax provisions, which are similar to the restrictions and procedures governing bills authorizing new budget authority for Federal programs as described in title I. Requires that the report accompanying a reauthorization bill include specified information. Permits Congress to prescribe technical rules necessary to mitigate adverse effects which might result for taxpayers who rely on a certain tax provision. Title V: Miscellaneous - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to permit the committees of Congress to obtain from the agencies of the Government estimates or requests for appropriations, or requests for increases in an item of any such estimate or request, and recommendations as to how the revenue needs of the Government should be met. Sets forth administrative procedures and requirements. Directs the President, with the cooperation of the head of each appropriate agency, to submit to the Congress a "Regulatory Duplication and Conflicts Report" for all programs scheduled for reauthorization in the next Congress. Requires that each such report identify duplicative or conflicting rules and regulations promulgated by executive departments, independent agencies, and State and local governments and contain recommendations which address such conflicts or duplications. Directs the chairmen of the House and Senate committees having jurisdiction over a program scheduled for reauthorization during a Congress, to introduce a bill constituting a reauthorization within 15 days of the beginning of the second session of that Congress. Declares that it shall be in order to discharge a committee from consideration of such a bill if the committee fails to report the bill by a specified date. Makes it the duty of the Committees on Governmental Affairs and on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committees on Government Operations and Rules of the House of Representatives to review the operation of the procedures established by this Act and to submit a report every five years beginning December 31, 1990. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
States that the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) between the United States and the Soviet Union should: (1) pursue a complete halt to the nuclear arms race; (2) decide when and how to achieve a mutual verifiable freeze on the testing, production, and further deployment of nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems; (3) give special attention to destabilizing weapons; (4) pursue reductions through numerical ceilings and other means; (5) preserve present limitations on nuclear weapons; and (6) incorporate ongoing negotiations in Geneva on land-based intermediate-range nuclear missiles into the START negotiations. Requires that every effort be made to reach common positions with the NATO allies.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
States that the United States and the Soviet Union should: (1) pursue a complete halt to the nuclear arms race; (2) decide when and how to achieve a mutual and verifiable freeze on the testing, production, and further deployment of nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems; (3) give special attention to destabilizing weapons; and (4) proceeding from this freeze, pursue major, mutual, and verifiable reductions in nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1982
Job Opportunity and Business Stimulation Act - Establishes a program under which the Secretary of Labor shall make payments to States and U.S. territories for job opportunities and business stimulation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 and 1984 for such payments. Sets forth formulas for allocation of such appropriations to specified territories of the U.S. on the basis of population and to States on the basis of population and of relative economic indicators derived from income growth factors. Requires that the Secretary's payment to a State be made available to the Governor for specified authorized uses that the Governor determines will contribute most to the creation of jobs for the unemployed. Directs the Governor to ensure that such expenditures are distributed geographically in a specified manner. Requires that funds be distributed to county areas based on unemployment factors and revenue sharing amounts. Directs the Governor, in determining fund allocation and uses, to: (1) consult with the State job training coordination council established pursuant to the Job Training Partnership Act; (2) provide for public hearings; and (3) publish an expenditure plan. Permits funds made available under this Act, under specified conditions, to be used for any program, project, or activity with the principal purpose of increasing available jobs in the area served. Limits use of such funds to activities which are in addition to those which would otherwise be available in the area. Limits training of dislocated workers with such funds to programs and projects established in accordance with the Job Training Partnership Act. Prohibits use of such funds to duplicate facilities or services available in the area from Federal, State, or local sources. Sets forth program requirements relating to conditions of employment and training, health and safety standards, workers' compensation benefits, and job benefits and working conditions. Prohibits use of funds under this Act for contributions on behalf of any participant to retirement systems or plans. Prohibits displacement of any currently employed worker by participants in programs funded under this Act. Prohibits such programs from impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements. Requires the written concurrence of the labor organization and the employer concerned before any such program which would be inconsistent with the terms of a collective bargaining agreement may be undertaken. Prohibits program participants from being employed or job openings being filled when: (1) any other individual is on layoff from the same or any substantially equivalent job; or (2) the employer has terminated the employment of any regular employee or otherwise reduced its work force with the intention of filling the vacancy by hiring a participant whose wages are subsidized under this Act. Prohibits creation of jobs in a promotional line that will infringe in any way on the promotional opportunities of currently employed individuals. Requires States receiving funds under this Act to provide the Secretary with assurances that none of such funds will be used to assist, promote, or deter union organizing. Requires that an opportunity for comment be provided for any labor organization representing a substantial number of employees engaged in similar work or training in the same area as that proposed to be funded under this Act. Applies the wage rate requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act to all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in works federally assisted under this Act, with specified exceptions for bona fide trainees. Sets forth program requirements relating to: (1) monitoring; (2) fiscal controls and sanctions; (3) reports, recordkeeping, and investigations; (4) nondiscrimination; and (5) administrative provisions. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1982
Agricultural Export Subsidy Offset Act of 1982 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an export subsidy program, under which agricultural commodities acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation through price support operations are given to U.S. exporters, U.S. processors, or foreign countries to encourage additional export sales of such commodities. Directs the Secretary to ensure that: (1) export sales of such commodities and of products of such commodities do not displace usual U.S. marketings; (2) such commodities and products are not exported to any country which is not eligible for most-favored nation treatment; and (3) such commodities and products after export are not resold or transhipped to another nation or used for purposes other than domestic purposes of such country. Requires the Secretary, if the program places U.S. processors at a disadvantage, to give to such processors the agricultural commodities acquired by the Corporation through price support operations. Terminates the Secretary's authority under this Act after December 31, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1982
Temporary Natural Gas Market Correction Act of 1982 - Declares that any contract for the first sale of natural gas shall be deemed to include a volume adjustment option with respect to any natural gas the first sale delivery of which could occur pursuant to such contract at any time after the effective date of this Act and before November 1, 1983. Defines "volume adjustment option" as a contract provision under which the purchaser may elect to refuse to take delivery under such contract of any volume of natural gas without incurring an obligation to pay any fee or charge with respect to the natural gas not delivered pursuant to such election. Provides, subject to certain exceptions, that the purchase by any natural gas pipeline company of any natural gas which is delivered on any day after the effective date of this Act and before November 1, 1983, at an excessive price, shall be considered as fraud, abuse, or as similar grounds for purposes of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) review of cost passthroughs. Considers the price of natural gas delivered to any natural gas pipeline company on any day excessive if that price exceeds the price of any other natural gas not delivered to such pipeline company on that day, but which could have been acquired by such pipeline company for delivery on that day under any contract to which the pipeline is a party. Requires every natural gas pipeline company to file monthly with FERC: (1) a statement concerning the volume adjustment clause, as well as steps it has taken to achieve the lowest possible weighted average acquisition cost of natural gas; and (2) a modification of the costs to be recovered by the pipeline under a purchased gas adjustment clause (as defined in the Natural Gas Act), if the weighted average acquisition cost of natural gas by the pipeline is lower because of the volume adjustment option or because of other steps taken by the pipeline.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1982
Federal Anti-Tampering Act - Amends the Federal Criminal Code to make it a Federal offense to maliciously cause bodily injury or death to any person by tampering with any article, product, or commodity which is produced or distributed for human use or consumption. Provides for a prison term of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $20,000 if personal injury results, or a prison term of up to life if death results.
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 it to be the policy of the Government that: (1) Federal procurement should be accomplished on a competitive basis wherever possible through the General Services Administration (GSA); (2) the use of multiple award schedules should be restricted to cases where competitive single awards are not feasible, sales volume justifies centralized procurement, and a valid need exists for functionally similar items with different prices and features; and (3) where the volume of products purchased is too low to provide a price advantage and commercial "off-the-shelf" products can be substituted for products designed to Government specifications, individual agencies should purchase items locally subject to review by the GSA. Directs the Administrator of the GSA to implement: such policy; the recommendations on procurement contained in the Comptroller General's report of May 2, 1979; and the policy statement prepared by the Office of Acquisition Policy in response to such report. Directs the Administrator, within 60 days after enactment, to issue transitional regulations governing purchases from any multiple award schedule. Requires that such regulations: (1) include the requirement that whenever any agency procurement officer or employee determines that an item in such a schedule is available from a commercial source in the area at a lower cost and under conditions which are no less favorable to the Government than is the case under the schedule, the item shall be purchased from that source; and (2) establish procedures for the audit and review of any such purchase and the enforcement of such regulations by the GSA. Repeals such regulations on the effective date of the regulations which are issued to implement the procurement policy declared by this Act and which apply to any item on a multiple award schedule. Requires the Administrator to submit to Congress periodic reports on actions taken and legislation needed to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1982
Natural Gas Consumer Protection Act of 1982 - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to define the term "abuse" so as to include: (1) misrepresentation; (2) imprudence on the part of a pipeline; (3) failure by a pipeline to bargain at arms-length with any producer; and (4) the entering into of or operating pursuant to any contract by a pipeline with a producer if such contract materially prevents the pipeline from responding to changes in customer demand or other market forces. Sets forth the circumstances under which a rebuttable presumption arises that a contract materially prevents a pipeline from responding to changes in customer demand or other market forces. Authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to prescribe the maximum duration of a contract for the purchase of natural gas.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1982
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to terminate the export controls that were imposed for foreign policy purposes on December 30, 1981, and June 22, 1982, on equipment and technology that could be used to complete the Soviet natural gas pipeline.
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 · 16 September 1982
Natural Gas Marketing Improvements Act of 1982 - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to provide that any contract for the sale of natural gas to any pipeline shall be deemed to include a purchase requirement adjustment clause, unless otherwise expressly provided in the contract. Provides that under a purchase requirement adjustment clause a purchaser may refuse to accept any portion of the gas purchased if the purchaser determines there is not a market for the gas. Prohibits a purchaser from reducing the volume accepted below 50 percent of the amount the purchaser contracted to take. Requires a purchaser to reduce the volume of the highest price gas first. Voids any contract provision that requires payment for gas not accepted pursuant to this Act. Prohibits a purchaser who has not accepted the full amount of gas under a contract from accepting gas for an equal or higher price under a new contract. Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to consider a pipeline's use of a purchase requirement adjustment clause in any purchase gas adjustment or general rate proceeding involving that pipeline. Provides that any contract for the sale of natural gas to any pipeline shall be deemed to include a transportation obligation clause. Provides that under a transportation obligation clause any purchaser who has exercised the right to reduce the volume of gas for which the purchaser contracted must provide, on behalf of the seller, transportation of any such gas which: (1) is involved in the reduction; (2) is resold by the seller to another purchaser; and (3) the purchaser would be required to pay for in the absence of the exercise of such contract provision. Provides that the consideration for any such transportation shall be $.05 per million Btu's plus the cost of transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1982
Jobs Incentive Act of 1982 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for each new employee position created by an employer in an area of substantial unemployment. Sets the amount of such credit at $1,000 for each new permanent employee position and $500 for each new temporary employee position. Defines "area of substantial unemployment" as any county, within the United States, in which the local unemployment rate exceeds the national unemployment rate.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 1982
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize Congress to initiate Presidential actions against unfair foreign trade practices by adopting a concurrent resolution that: (1) states that Congress considers such a country's or an instrumentality's act, policy, or practice to be a denial of benefits to the United States under trade agreements or to be unjustifiable and a burden on U.S. commerce; and (2) requests the President to take action. Requires the President to notify Congress within 21 days of what action, if any, the President will take against such foreign trade practices. Requires the President to submit an annual report to Congress specifying with respect to foreign countries or instrumentalities with which the United States had a negative trade balance: (1) the extent to which such negative trade balance was attributable to unfair foreign trade practices; and (2) what actions were taken to eliminate such practices.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs tax credit from 1982 to 1987. Treats as members of a targeted group certain individuals who have either: (1) exhausted rights to extended unemployment compensation during 1982 to 1983; or (2) exhausted rights to regular benefits during 1982 or 1983 and are eligible for trade adjustment allowances.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1982
Authorizes the President to impose tariff surcharges on articles imported from Japan, France, or any country within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization if the President determines that the cost of providing such country with defense assistance should be offset by tariff surcharges.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1982
States that the United States and the Soviet Union should: (1) pursue a complete halt to the nuclear arms race; (2) decide when and how to achieve a mutual and verifiable freeze on the testing, production, and further deployment of nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems; (3) give special attention to destabilizing weapons; and (4) proceeding from this freeze, pursue major, mutual, and verifiable reductions in nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1982
Requires the Secretary of the Army to continue in effect any cottage site lease of property located along the Mississippi River between Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the mouth of the Mississippi River. Prohibits the Secretary from terminating such a lease unless: (1) the property covered by the lease is needed for immediate use for public park purposes or other higher public use or for a navigation or flood control project; or (2) the lessee violates a provision of such lease.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1982
Provides that, for any week beginning after enactment of this Act and before January 1, 1983, the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act shall be applied as if the State trigger were based solely on a State insured unemployment rate of five percent for that week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks (waiving the 120 percent factor). Waives the required 13-week period between extended benefit periods if the prior extended benefit period closed before the date of enactment of this Act. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to delay from September 25, 1982, to March 31, 1983, the effective date of amendments increasing the State insured unemployment rate required to trigger extended unemployment compensation payments. Permits States to pay extended benefits on the basis of area triggers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to decrease the income level, in the case of an individual or a joint return, above which unemployment compensation becomes includible in gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs tax credit from 1982 to 1983. Includes economically disadvantaged individuals who have attained the age of 55 as members of a targeted group for purposes of such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1982
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1982 - Authorizes States with approved unemployment compensation laws with extended compensation provisions to enter into and participate in (and to terminate upon 30 days' written notice) agreements with the Secretary of Labor that State agencies will make emergency compensation payments. Declares eligible for such payments individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular State compensation, who have no rights to State or Federal compensation (including both regular and extended compensation), and who are not receiving Canadian compensation for any week of unemployment which begins in an emergency benefit period and the individual's eligibility period. Prohibits such payments for any week of unemployment which begins more than two years after the end of the benefit year for which the individual exhausted regular compensation rights. Declares that an emergency benefit period shall: (1) begin with the third week after a week for which there is an area "emergency on" indicator (when the rate of insured unemployment in such State for such week and the immediately preceding three weeks equaled or exceeded five percent); and (2) end with the third week after the first week for which there is a State "emergency off" indicator (when the rate of insured unemployment in such State for such week and the immediately preceding three weeks is less than five percent). Requires that, in the case of any area of a State, no emergency benefit period shall last longer than 13 consecutive weeks. Requires that the amount of emergency compensation payable to any individual for any week of total unemployment be equal to the regular compensation payable to such individual during his or her benefit year under State law. Requires that, under such agreements, States establish an emergency compensation account for each eligible applicant, in an amount equal to the lesser of 100 percent of the total amount of regular compensation payable to such applicant during his or her most recent benefit year or 13 times the average weekly benefit amount for such year. Requires that each State which has entered into such agreement be paid an amount equal to 100 percent of the emergency compensation paid to individuals by the State pursuant to such agreement. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make such payments to each State in sums certified by the Secretary of Labor, by transfers from funds appropriated under this Act to the account of such State in the Unemployment Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act. Provides penalties for individuals involved in misrepresentation with regard to such emergency payments. Authorizes States to require individuals to repay amounts of emergency compensation to which they were not entitled, and to waive such repayments in cases where the individual was without fault and where repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience. Authorizes States to deduct such amounts to be repaid from various types of unemployment compensation payable to such individual and administered by State agencies. Limits any single deduction to no more than 50 percent of the weekly benefit amount from which such deduction is made. Requires notice and opportunity for a fair hearing for an individual, and an appropriate review, before such repayment determinations become final and before such repayments are required or such deductions are made.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1982
Residential Mortgage Investment Act of 1982 - Permits employee benefit plans, as defined under this Act, to engage in any qualified mortgage transaction involving any qualified residential mortgage loan, provided transactions between all parties are at arm's length. Permits such plans to participate in any mortgage pool, provided such pool conforms to specified requirements with regard to permitted investments. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations to carry out this Act. Provides that this Act shall supersede any and all contrary provisions of State law, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code. Prohibits the imposition of Federal excise tax on a plan or pool that engages in a transaction described under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 14 July 1982
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the tax exclusion of interest on mortgage subsidy bonds. Revises the arbitrage requirements for tax-exempt bonds to increase the amount by which interest rates on such bonds may exceed the interest rates on mortgages financed with such bonds. Increases the amount by which the acquisition cost of bond-financed residences may exceed the average area purchase price of other homes in the same statistical area. Specifies that issuers are not required to dispose of any investment and realize a loss in order to satisfy arbitrage restrictions. Revises the new homeowner requirements to allow eligibility for bond-financed mortgages for persons who are residing in substandard housing or who have lost their homes because of natural disasters or governmental action. Repeals the registration requirements for bond issues. Revises requirements for residential rental property bond issues relating to the median income level of occupants and the term of the low-income occupancy. Allows the exclusion of interest on industrial development bonds used to finance cooperative housing corporations if the cooperative is affordable by lower income families and other conditions are met.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1982
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to convey specified land to Illinois for National Guard purposes. Requires that the conveyance be made at the appraised market value of the land and authorizes the Secretary to give the State credit for costs previously incurred in improving the property.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1982
Federal Capital Investment Budget Act of 1982 - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921 to require the President to include with each Budget submitted on or after January 1, 1983, a special analysis, for the ensuing fiscal year which shall identify and summarize for each function, category, agency, and program of appropriation and expenditure in the Budget the amount of appropriations and expenditures which may be classified as public infrastructure investments. Sets forth other information to be included in such analysis. Requires the President also to include with each Budget, on or after January 1, 1984, a capital investment budget which shall identify by State the amount of appropriations and expenditures classifiable as public infrastructure investments. Declares that any appropriation or expenditure shall be classified as a public infrastructure investment to the extent that it will be used for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of any civilian public facility in the United States. Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to require the Economic Development Administration to prepare an inventory of civilian public facilities in the United States and an assessment of their physical condition. Requires the Secretary to make a report of such inventory and assessment to Congress not later than January 1, 1984, and to update such report annually.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1982
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should direct the appropriate agencies to pursue vigorously and conclude promptly the countervailing duty and antidumping investigations being conducted under the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Trade Act of 1974 concerning foreign trade practices involving carbon steel mill products and specialty steel mill products; and (2) the Congress should consider legislation to strengthen U.S. trade laws if necessary.