United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1981
Directs the United States Postal Service to provide and sell a postage stamp issue to commemorate the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Provides that such postage stamp shall be of such denomination and design, and shall be sold for such period, as the United States Postal Service shall determine.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Designates that section of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway within the State of Maryland as the Gladys Noon Spellman Parkway. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the State of Maryland, to erect an appropriate marker commemorating the contributions of Gladys Noon Spellman. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Establishes an Anwar El Sadat Peace Medal. Provides that such medal may be awarded annually by the Congress, upon a majority vote of both Houses of Congress, to an individual or group nominated as having made the most significant contribution to world peace. Establishes the Sadat Peace Medal Board. Sets forth the membership requirements of such Board. Directs the Board to nominate to the Congress annually one individual or group to receive such medal. Provides that if Congress does not award a medal to a nominee the Board shall nominate another individual or group, and if Congress does not award a medal after three nominations, no medal shall be awarded for that year.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Establishes the Global Peace Award. Provides that the first Global Peace Award shall be awarded in memory of the late President Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat of Egypt.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Directs the Attorney General to conduct a study of the appropriate role of the Federal Government in the enforcement of alimony, child support, and property settlement orders against an absent spouse or parent. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Prompt Payment Act of 1981 - Requires Federal agencies to pay interest on overdue payments to businesses for property or services. Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to prescribe required payment dates. Specifies the procedures for computing such interest. Requires an agency to pay any interest charges out of funds made available for administration of its programs. Authorizes Federal grant recipients to provide for the payment of interest on overdue payments on their procurement contracts. Directs each agency to report to OMB annually on interest payments made during the fiscal year. Requires OMB to report to specified congressional committees on agency compliance with this Act. Requires the Director of OMB to delegate responsibility for OMB functions under this Act to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1981
Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to authorize a judicial officer when making a pretrial release determination to consider whether a person charged with possession or transfer of a controlled substance will pose a danger to any other person or the community. Requires the judicial officer to hold a hearing for such persons to determine whether surety resources have been obtained by noncriminal means.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1981
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Fred Waring, Louis L'Amour, and the widow of Joe Louis. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates of each medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the retired senior volunteer program (RSVP), administered by the ACTION agency, should be commended upon its tenth anniversary for successfully providing meaningful opportunities for retired persons to render volunteer service in their communities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1981
Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to undertake an aggressive campaign designed to encourage banks to: (1) cease providing loans or lines of credit for unproductive and speculative purposes, while increasing the supply of credit available for productive uses; and (2) ensure that thrift institutions, the housing industry, auto dealers, small businesses, farmers, and home buyers have access to the cheapest possible credit in order to avoid a recession.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1981
Repeals provisions in the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 regarding the windfall profit tax which: (1) increase the credit for royalty owners for 1981 and exempt royalty oil for 1982 and thereafter; (2) reduce the tax imposed on newly discovered oil; and (3) exempt independent producer stripper well oil.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1981
Small Business Innovation Research 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) monitor SBIR programs within Federal agencies; and (3) report annually to the Congressional Small Business Committees on the SBIR programs. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $100,000,000 in fiscal year 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 in excess of $20,000,000 in fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to establish specific goals for funding agreements for research or research and development to small businesses with small businesses. Directs each Federal agency with a SBIR program to report annually to the SBA the number of awards over $10,000 in amount 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 · 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 · 29 July 1981
Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude from the definition of "immigrant" an alien (and accompanying spouse and children) having a foreign residence (with no intention of abandoning) coming to the United States temporarily to study full-time at a vocational or other nonacademic institution approved by the Attorney General. Provides that such vocational-nonacademic student category shall become effective six months after enactment of this Act. Redefines the definition of "child" to include: (1) a child adopted before the age of 16; and (2) an orphan under the age of 16. Excludes adultery from the determination of good moral character for the purposes of such Act. Limits the existing drug-related provision relating to good moral character to "trafficking in narcotics." Provides that aliens seeking admission within five years of the date of their deportation or removal shall be ineligible for admission in to the United States (presently no time limit on excludability). Eliminates certain reporting requirements imposed on the Attorney General regarding his discretionary waiver of excludability. Includes drug offenses among the categories of excludability that may be waived in the case of alien children, spouses, or parents of U.S. citizens or permanent residents seeking admission as immigrants. Eliminates the requirement of a medical specialty certificate from the American Board of Medical Specialties for admission of an alien graduate of a foreign medical school practicing in the United States as of January 9, 1978. Provides that such an alien's stay shall be the time normally required to complete a designated course of medical study (presently two years with a one year extension). Stipulates that such period shall not exceed seven years unless the alien's country has an exceptional need for such specialty training. Permits such an alien to change his/her designated course of medical study upon approval of the Director of the International Communication Agency within two years after entry or acquisition of exchange visitor status (presently must continue course of education under which admitted to the United States). Requires: (1) the alien to file an affidavit of good academic standing annually with the Attorney General; and (2) the Director of the International Communication Agency to report annually to the Congress regarding such aliens. Amends waiver of standards provisions regarding such training programs to: (1) require a training program to have a comprehensive plan to reduce its reliance on alien physicians to qualify for such a waiver; and (2) extend such waiver authority from December 31, 1981, to December 31, 1983. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State, to report to the Congress at the beginning of fiscal years 1982 and 1983 regarding the distribution (geography, nationality and specialty) of those aliens who have entered the United States under such waiver. Includes within the definition of "special immigrant" certain alien physicians (and families) who entered the United States before January 10, 1978, and were practicing medicine here. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, after consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the Director of the International Communication Agency, to report to Congress by January 15, 1983, concerning the value of medical exchange programs. Revises re-entry permit provisions to authorize the issuance of such permit for a two-year nonrenewable period (presently one year with up to a one year discretionary extension). Revises alien deportation and maintenance expense provisions to: (1) provide that deportation shall be to the country from which the alien boarded the vessel or airplane that brought him to the United States; (2) provide that if such departure was from a foreign territory contiguous to the United States of which such alien was not a national or resident, then deportation shall be to the country from which such alien departed for such contiguous territory; (3) set forth guidelines for the Attorney General if a country is unwilling to accept a deportable alien; and (4) require such transportation lines to deposit a bond to cover any fine or disputed fine relating to deportation with a district director of customs (presently with a customs collector). Makes discretionary the existing mandatory waiver of fraudulent entry deportation provisions regarding alien spouse, children, or parents of United States citizens or permanent residents. Permits nontrafficking drugs offenses to be waived for such persons. Provides that such deportation waiver shall also operate with regard to improper entry documents resulting from such fraud. Provides with regard to such cancelled deportation proceedings that the reduction of available immigrant visas shall come from the overall permanent or conditional entry visa allotment rather than from the nonpreference allotment. Permits certain nonimmigrant exchange aliens to have deportation proceedings suspended and have their status adjusted to permanent resident. Revises the category of nonimmigrant aliens who cannot have their nonimmigrant classification changed to another nonimmigrant classification without first applying to the Attorney General for such change. Repeals alien change of address requirements concerning: (1) yearly current address notification; and (2) three-month notification of current address by temporary residents. Provides with regard to the smuggling of aliens into the United States that: (1) any conveyance, including vessels, vehicles, or aircraft used for such purposes (excluding common carriers not consenting to such act and stolen conveyances), shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture; (2) any conveyance may be seized without warrant if probable cause exists and circumstances exist where a warrant is not constitutionally required; (3) specified customs laws shall apply to such seizures; (4) the Attorney General may retain for official use, sell, or require the General Services Administration to take custody of, any forfeited conveyance; and (5) in all forfeiture suits where the conveyance is claimed by any person the burden of proof shall be upon such person, provided that probable cause for such forfeiture shall first be shown by the Government. Provides that the spouse and dependent unmarried children of an alien who qualifies for certain naturalization residence requirement exceptions shall also qualify for such exceptions for the period they resided abroad as members of such alien's household. Repeals the provisions requiring: (1) witnesses to be present at a final naturalization hearing; and (2) a 30-day waiting period between the filing of a petition and the issuance of a certificate of naturalization. Requires the clerk of a State naturalization court to pay to the Attorney General one-half of all fees up to $40,000 (presently $6,000), and all fees in excess of such amount, in a fiscal year. Prohibits an alien diplomat from having his/her status adjusted to that of a permanent resident unless such alien has shown compelling reasons that: (1) he/she is unable to return to the country of accreditation; and (2) the adjustment would be in the national interest. Authorizes the Attorney General to waive certain technical immigrant visa defects which are not the fault of the alien involved. Prohibits persons who participated in Nazi-related persecutions from departing voluntarily in lieu of a deportation proceeding or from having their status adjusted to permanent resident. Requires no specified period of residence within the jurisdiction of a naturalization court for the adopted child of certain U.S. parents not currently residing in the United States. Exempts alien investors from immigrant visa numerical limitations if as of June 1, 1978, they: (1) had applied for status adjustment; (2) were qualified as nonpreference immigrants; and (3) were exempt from labor certifications because of their actual investment and managerial role in a U.S. business.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1981
Repeals provisions of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981 which repeal the minimum monthly social security benefit under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
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 · 15 July 1981
Directs the United States Postal Service to provide and sell a postage stamp issue to honor American servicemen and women who have been prisoners of war or missing in action as a result of their service during military conflict. 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 · 25 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat as long-term capital gain amounts actually paid to a taxpayer with respect to a small business participating debenture (SBPD) which constitute the distribution of a share of the earnings of the issuer. Defines "small business participating debenture" (SBPD) as a written debt instrument issued by a qualified small business which: (1) is a general obligation of such business; (2) bears interest at not less than specified by the Secretary of the Treasury; (3) has a fixed maturity; (4) grants no voting or conversion rights in the business to the purchaser; and (5) provides for the payment of a share of the issuer's total earnings. Defines "qualified small business" as one: (1) whose equity capital does not exceed $10,000,000; (2) the face value of all of whose outstanding SBPD's does not exceed $1,000,000; and (3) which has no outstanding securities subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Treats members of a controlled group of corporations as a single taxpayer. Denies capital gains treatment where the taxpayer is a "related party" to the SBPD issuer. Treats losses on small business participating debentures as ordinary losses. Allows an interest expense deduction for interest and share-of-earnings payments made on such debentures.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1981
Directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a bust or statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior, for placement in a suitable location in the Capitol.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Federal Computer Systems Protection Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for using or attempting to use a computer which: (1) is operated on behalf of the Federal Government or a financial institution (where the prohibited conduct directly affects the computer operation); or (2) operates in interstate commerce, with intent to defraud, obtain property by false pretenses, embezzle, steal, or knowingly convert the property of another. Specifies factors which Federal law enforcement officers must consider in determining whether to exercise jurisdiction over such offense, where concurrent jurisdiction exists with a State or local government. Directs the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on the extent of the exercise of such Federal jurisdiction.
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 · 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 · 3 June 1981
Missing Children Act - Directs the Attorney General to collect and preserve information which would assist in: (1) the identification of any deceased individual who has not been identified within 30 days of his or her death; and (2) the location of any missing child who is under the age of 17, does not have a history of running away, and has been missing for at least 48 hours.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor Roberto Clemente. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination used for first-class mail up to one ounce in weight and shall be placed on sale during the month of August.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Taxpayer Protection and Reimbursement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit reasonable court costs, including attorneys' fees, to be awarded to the prevailing party (other than the United States or a creditor of the prevailing party) in any civil action in any court of the United States for the determination, collection, or refund of any tax, interest, or penalty imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Limits the amount of such award to $20,000 for any one civil action. Includes within the definition of "attorney's fees" amounts paid to an individual who is not an attorney but who is authorized to practice before the Tax Court. Defines "prevailing party" as a party who: (1) establishes that the position of the United States in the civil action was unreasonable; and (2) substantially prevails with respect to the amount in controversy or the most significant issue or set of issues. Disallows costs for certain civil actions involving declaratory judgments.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1981
Right to Life Act of 1981 - Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purpose of the right to life guarantee under the fourteenth amendment. Prohibits any inferior Federal court from issuing injunctive relief in any case arising out of State or local law that prohibits or regulates abortion or the provision of public assistance for the performance of abortions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Title I - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend from August 6, 1982, to August 6, 1992: (1) the time period during which jurisdictions covered by the triggering mechanism must not have used a test or device to deny the right to vote on account of race in order to be released from coverage; and (2) the time period during which changes in voting laws must be precleared with the Federal Government. Title II - Restates the prohibition against denying the right to vote based on race to prohibit any State from imposing voting practices "in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement" of the right to vote (thus permitting use of indirect proof in proving discrimination). Title III - Extends the bilingual election requirements from August 6, 1985, to August 6, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1981
Military Spouse Retirement Equity Act - Entitles a former spouse of a member of the uniformed services who was married to such member for at least ten years to an annuity based upon a percentage of such member's retired or retainer pay. Allows annuities to be paid to former spouses covered by spousal agreements or court orders which are not inconsistent with provisions of this Act. Provides that the ten-year requirement for the marriage of a former spouse to a member of the uniformed services should not be construed to affect the rights of any such person under applicable State laws. Amends the Survivor Benefit Plan to make such former spouses eligible to receive annuities under such plan.
![Official portrait of Rep. Mazzoli, Romano L. [D-KY-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000291_200.jpg)