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United States · Official source
2,043 records where Rep. McCloskey, Frank [D-IN-8] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1983
Designates August 3, 1983, as National Paralyzed Veterans Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1983
National Employment Priorities Act - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the findings and purposes of this Act and definitions. Title II: Federal Adjustment Assistance - Requires the Secretary of Labor to implement a comprehensive assistance program for employees who lose their employment with an establishment which is required under title III of this Act to give advance notice of plant closings and permanent layoffs. Requires that such program include: (1) training programs; (2) job placement services; (3) payments for reasonable expenses incurred by employees in searching for new employment in a geographical area away from such establishment; (4) payments for moving expenses; and (5) education assistance. Requires the Secretary, to the extent practicable, to provide such assistance before employment loss occurs and through existing programs. Provides that the Secretary shall consult with a business establishment and with any affected labor organizations in order to develop a retraining plan which meets the manpower needs of such establishment. Requires the payment of travel and subsistence allowances to employees receiving assistance under this program. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to retrain employees of a business undergoing plant closings and laying off employees. Makes a business concern eligible for assistance under this Act if: (1) such business concern intends to undertake a change of operations which will result in a substantial employment loss; (2) all reasonable efforts and the resources of such business concern are inadequate to prevent such employment loss; (3) such assistance will enable such business concern to operate on an improved economic basis within a reasonable time period and without the change of operations; and (4) such business concern has complied with notice requirements under title III of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide eligible business concerns with enough financial assistance to substantially contribute to their economic viability if equivalent financial assistance is unavailable from conventional sources and if it is reasonably likely that they will repay the United States. Provides that such financial assistance may include loans, loan guarantees, interest subsidies, and an assumption of debt. Authorizes the Secretary to provide eligible business concerns with enough technical assistance to substantially contribute to their economic viability. Provides that such assistance may include research and development grants and contracts which will provide new employment opportunities. Requires the Secretary to issue a certificate of procurement credit to a business concern which complies with notice requirements under title III of this Act if such business concern will be able to offer additional employment opportunities upon entering into a procurement contract with the Government. Provides that bids submitted by a business concern with such a certificate shall be treated by Government agencies as if they are equal to 95 percent of the amount stated in the bids. Makes local governments eligible for assistance under this Act if, as a result of a change of operations of a business concern, there will be a substantial decrease in the amount of revenues paid to such governments, a substantial increase in demand for social services provided by them, or a substantial increase in the number of unemployed individuals residing within their jurisdiction. Authorizes the Secretary to provide to eligible local governments grants, loans, and loan guarantees to increase the availability of social services and to implement any plan for a public works project approved by the Secretary. Makes employers other than business concerns required to comply with notice requirements under title III of this Act and cooperative associations of employees eligible for assistance under this Act if such employers and cooperative associations will create or expand employment opportunities and provide continuous employment over a substantial period of time, and substantially equivalent assistance is unavailable from any other source. Authorizes the Secretary to provide to such employers and cooperative associations loans, loan guarantees, and technical assistance for expanding operations in an establishment required to comply with notice requirements under title III of this Act, constructing new establishments, and undertaking research and development projects to identify new markets and employment opportunities. Establishes priority requirements for the provision of assistance under this title. Title III: Advance Notice of Plant Closings and Permanent Layoffs - Requires a business concern to give written notice with respect to any intended change of operations in a State which will result in the number of employees suffering an employment loss in any 18-month period equaling or exceeding the lesser of 100 employees or 15 percent of the employees at such establishment. Requires that the notice be given to the Secretary, the employees, representatives of affected labor organizations at such establishment, and local government units as required by the Secretary. Sets forth time requirements with respect to such notice. Requires the Secretary to inform each employee who receives such notice of the availability of assistance under this Act. Requires the Secretary to conduct an investigation of any intended change of operations at an establishment with respect to which notice is required under this Act if the Secretary receives a written request for such an investigation within 60 days after such notice is given from an authorized representative of an affected labor organization or from at least 10 percent of the employees notified. Provides that the Secretary may conduct such an investigation regardless of whether such notice is given if such investigation would serve the purposes of this Act or if at least 50 percent of the employees of the establishment involved request an investigation. Requires the Secretary to publish a report containing his or her findings resulting from such an investigation and recommendations to prevent or minimize the harmful economic and social effects of the intended change of operations of the business which is investigated. Title IV: Employer Responsibilities - Requires a business concern which is required to give notice under title III of this Act and which reduces the weekly wages of an employee to less than 85 percent of the average weekly wages paid to such employee during the 26 weeks preceding such reduction or which suspends or terminates the employment of such employee to give such employee a written statement of employment status. Provides that such an employee shall be treated as suffering an employment loss if: (1) such statement does not include an assurance that such employee's wages will be increased or that such employee will be reinstated; or (2) the business concern fails to give such statement to such employee. Requires the business concern to give such an employee a lump sum payment, in addition to other payments required by this Act, if the business concern fails to prevent such employee's loss of employment. Requires a business concern which is required to give notice under title III of this Act to: (1) pay to each employee who suffers an employment loss as a result of a change in operations a weekly income maintenance payment for one year; and (2) make payments to any employee benefit plan in effect with respect to each such employee for one year. Provides that no business concern shall be required to make total payments exceeding $25,000 to any employee suffering an employment loss. Provides that no business concern shall be required to make payments to such an employee if: (1) such employee begins employment with any other establishment of such business concern; (2) such employee refuses to accept employment which is within a reasonable commuting distance, which provides wages and benefits equal to or better than those of the employee's previous job, and which is similar to such employee's previous position; (3) such employee refuses to participate or fails to make satisfactory progress without good cause in a training or placement program under this Act; or (4) such employee receives a retirement benefit under a pension plan to which the business concern contributed. Requires a business concern to pay moving expenses for an employee who accepts employment with such business concern within three years after such employee's employment loss occurs. Provides for an extension of the one-year period of payments under this title to an employee if such employee is between 53 and 61 years old at the end of the one year. Requires the Secretary to reimburse the business concern involved for any such payments. Provides that any payment required under this title which a business concern fails to make shall be treated as a debt owed by such business concern to the United States and requires the Secretary, upon request, to make such payment to the employee involved. Provides that a business concern which transfers ownership or control of an establishment in order to avoid liability for any subsequent employment loss shall be liable to the United States for the amount of employee assistance which the business concern owning or controlling the establishment at the time the employment loss occurs fails to provide. Requires a business concern required to give notice under title III of this Act to offer to any employee who suffers an employment loss any employment which becomes available at another establishment of such business concern within three years following such employment loss and which such employee is qualified to perform, to the extent that the provision of such employment does not violate any collective-bargaining agreement in effect. Provides that an employee of a business concern required to give notice under title III of this Act who suffers an employment loss shall be eligible to participate in any employee benefit plan in effect with respect to such employee during any period when such business concern is required to make payments to such plan under this title. Sets forth vesting requirements with respect to such plans. Provides that an individual who knowingly accepts employment with a business concern which has given notice as required under title III of this Act shall not be considered an employee of such business concern for purposes of assistance under this Act. Makes a business concern which is required to give notice under title III of this Act liable to local government units for any loss of revenue which occurs during the three fiscal years preceding the fiscal year in which the business concern implements its change of operations. Provides that any such payment which a business concern fails to make shall be treated as a debt owned by such business concern to the United States and requires the Secretary, upon request, to make such payment to the local government involved. Makes a business concern whose change of operations involves a transfer of operations outside the United States when an economically viable alternative exists liable to the United States for loss of revenue. Title V: Administration - Imposes criminal penalties on anyone who fraudulently obtains assistance under this Act and on anyone who gives the notice required under title III of this Act and makes false statements or fails to disclose material facts required under such title. Imposes civil penalties on any business concern which fails to: (1) give notice as required by title III of this Act; (2) provide assistance to employees pursuant to title IV of this Act; or (3) pay any debt owed to the United States pursuant to this Act within 180 days after such debt is incurred. Makes it unlawful for a business concern required to give notice under title III of this Act to: (1) fail to offer an employee who suffers an employment loss other employment at an alternative establishment; or (2) discriminate against an employee who participates in any investigation under this Act. Requires the suspension or reduction of assistance payments with respect to any person who has fraudulently obtained such assistance. Requires the Secretary to maintain operating reserves with respect to anticipated claims under loan guarantees made under title II of this Act. Requires that mortgages acquired by the Secretary as security for any loans made under such title be recorded by the Secretary according to State law. Specifies time periods within which Congress may disapprove rules promulgated by the Secretary to carry out this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress: (1) a report evaluating the effectiveness of the assistance programs under this Act; and (2) legislative proposals which provide assistance to local government units adversely affected by changes of operations of business concerns and which require business concerns to provide employment information for inclusion in the job bank and matching program established under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act. Establishes in the Department of Labor the National Employment Priorities Administration which shall carry out the provisions of this Act. Establishes a National Employment Priorities Advisory Council which shall give advice to the Secretary, evaluate the programs under this Act, and conduct various employment studies. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1983
Designates April 24, 1984, as National Day of Remembrance of Man's Inhumanity to Man.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should reduce imports of apparel to no more than 25 percent of the American apparel market.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1983
Dedicates the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California to Phillip Burton. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to inform the public of the contributions of Phillip Burton through the use of signs, maps, and interpretive programs and to establish an appropriate memorial to him within the recreation area. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1983
Designates October 2, 1983, as a national day of recognition for Mohandas K. Gandhi.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions which terminate the income tax exclusion for amounts received by an employee under an educational assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1983
Amends the Federal Reserve Act to direct the President in selecting the members of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to appoint one member each to represent the respective interests of small businesses and agriculture.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Emergency Public Works Employment Act of 1983 - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to States, municipalities, urban counties, and Indian Tribes for construction, renovation, repair, and improvement of local public works. Requires that such grants made to States be for local public works located in nonmetropolitan areas. Sets forth conditions for such grants and the Federal share of such projects. Prohibits making such grants to local governments which had an unemployment rate of less than eight percent for the preceding 12-month period. Prohibits the use of such grants for the acquisition of real property or for construction of any recreational or cultural facility. Requires grant applicants to give certain assurances to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to prescribe rules, regulations, and procedures to carry out this Act. Sets forth certain required grant application procedures. Requires the Secretary to apportion funds appropriated to carry out this Act in a specified manner. Requires the Secretary to carry out an audit on each completed project carried out with Federal assistance provided by this Act. Requires grant recipients to maintain certain records. Requires the Secretary and the Comptroller General to have access to all books and records for the purpose of audit and examination. Requires the Secretary to withhold ten percent of the grant amount until completion of the audit. Requires the Secretary not to pay the recipient any withheld funds if the Secretary finds a violation of this Act. Requires that local public works projects shall not, except in the public interest, be constructed by any department, agency, or instrumentality of any State or local government, unless the State or local government certifies that no responsible person has submitted a bid on any part of a project for which a grant has been made under this Act. Requires the construction of each grant project to be performed by contract, awarded by competitive bidding. Sets forth conditions for such public bidding. Prohibits any grant under this Act from being made unless the steel, cement, and manufactured products to be used in such project are produced in the United States. Sets forth exceptions to the requirement to use American products. Prohibits the Secretary from imposing any restrictions or limitations on assistance which restricts any State from imposing more stringent "buy American" requirements than this Act. Requires grant recipients to expend a certain share of the grant for minority businesses as the Secretary determines. States factors for such prescribed share. Defines "minority business enterprise" for the purposes of this Act. Prohibits making any grant under this Act unless the applicant gives assurances that the project will be designed and constructed in accordance with accessibility standards, under Federal law, for the handicapped and the elderly. Authorizes the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to insure that such projects comply with Federal accessibility standards. Requires certain labor standards to be maintained upon the construction work. Sets forth wage provisions. Prohibits discrimination because of sex in any project receiving Federal grant assistance under this Act. Requires the Secretary to maintain a permanent list of grant applications approved under this Act. Requires such list to be available for public inspection, and to contain certain information. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Designates the week beginning May 1, 1983, as National Children's Liver Disease Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1983
Prohibits the implementation of certain regulations proposed by the Office of Personnel Management (published in the Federal Register on March 30, 1983) that change the administration of the civil service system by establishing a performance management system and revising regulations concerning reductions-in-force, pay administration under the Fair Labor Standards Act, bargaining policy in labor-management relations, and the prevailing rate pay system. Voids any such regulations which became effective before enactment of this Act. Prohibits the implementation of any other regulations that would have the same effect.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1983
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of July 24 through July 31, 1983, as National Animal Agriculture Week.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Broadcast Licensing, Renewal, and Deregulation Act of 1983 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish new procedures for reviewing petitions to deny broadcast license applications. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to grant a license renewal application by a radio or television broadcast station licensee unless the actions of the licensee evidences such serious disregard for the Communications Act and for the rules and policies of the FCC that denial of the application is justified. Prohibits the FCC from considering the applications of other persons for a broadcast station's facilities when the FCC is acting upon a license renewal application by a radio or television broadcast station. Permits persons holding construction permits or station licenses to transfer the permit or license without first obtaining an FCC finding that the transfer serves the public interest. Requires the FCC to be notified of such transfer. Provides for public notice of the transfer. Provides for disposition by the FCC of objections to such transfer. Prohibits the FCC from considering whether the public interest would be served by the transfer of the permit or license involved to a different person. Repeals certain provisions relating to the application of the antitrust laws. Prohibits the FCC from imposing requirements on radio or television licensees relating to: (1) programs; (2) programming formats; (3) ascertainment; (4) commercialization; and (5) maintenance of program logs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Designates the week of September 25 through October 2, 1983, as National Respiratory Therapy Week.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President designate September 1983 as National Sickle-Cell Anemia Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should express U.S. opposition to the Soviet Union's policies of forced labor. Declares that the Soviet Union should cease such practices and honor their international commitments.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to increase the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance for FY 1984. Decreases the maximum amount of grant money allotted for a fiscal year to States for low-income home energy assistance which a State may request to be held available for the next fiscal year. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect home energy and home energy assistance data on a State-by-State basis. Requires the Secretary to submit the annual report on such data required under such Act no later than September 30 of each calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in an area, from: (1) entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State; or (2) limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in such area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1983
Authorizes and requests the President to designate July 16, 1983, as National Atomic Veterans' Day.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1983
Recognizes the pause for the Pledge of Allegiance as part of the celebration of National Flag Day.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1983
Declares that Congress: (1) condemns the violence in Northern Ireland; (2) urges U.S. citizens to refrain from any action which contributes to the violence there; (3) urges the parties to seek an early political settlement that secures the rights of both sides and achieves Irish unity; (4) believes that a reconciliation can be found between the two Irish political traditions and between Great Britain and Ireland; and (5) requests the President to convey to Britain and to Ireland the desire of Americans for lasting peace in Northern Ireland.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Natural Gas Consumer Relief Act - Title I: Contracting and Marketing Practices - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to declare a take-or-pay clause of a pipeline contract to be against public policy and unenforceable for a three-year period: (1) to the extent that it requires a pipeline to make any payment with respect to natural gas in excess of 50 percent of the maximum annual volume the pipeline has contracted to take; or (2) if such clause does not entitle a pipeline which makes a payment under such clause to take delivery of the gas during the one year period beginning on the date of payments. Defines "take-or-pay clause" to mean any contract provision which requires payment for the minimum quantity of natural gas contracted for under the contract in the event the pipeline fails to take delivery. Permits a pipeline, in the case of a contract for the first sale of natural gas, to: (1) request the seller to renegotiate the contract; and (2) indicate that, if there is no renegotiation within 30 days of the request, the pipeline will exercise its market-out-option. Permits a pipeline exercising its market out option to refuse delivery without incurring an obligation to pay for any amount of natural gas contracted for if the pipeline in its sole discretion determines that it could not market the gas. Declares any indefinite price escalator clause applicable to the first sale of natural gas to be against public policy and unenforceable. Defines "indefinite price escalator clause" as any provision of any contract which provides for the establishment or adjustment of the price for natural gas delivered by reference to prices for natural gas, crude oil, or any other commodity. Prohibits a pipeline from passing through its costs if the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) determines that the pipeline has failed to adopt practices minimizing amounts paid to purchase natural gas. Declares any minimum commodity beill requirement applicable to any sale of natural gas by any interstate or intrastate pipeline to be against public policy and unenforceable: (1) to the extent it requires the purchaser to make any payment with respect to natural gas in excess of 50 percent of the maximum annual volume the purchaser has contracted to take; or (2) if such requirement does not entitle a purchaser who makes a payment under such requirement to take delivery of the natural gas involved subsequent to the date of payment provided under the requirement. Directs FERC to order an interstate pipeline, upon application by a producer of natural gas or by a purchaser of natural gas from a producer, to carry natural gas, for a just and reasonable consideration, between the producer and purchaser if FERC finds that: (1) the pipeline has available capacity; (2) no undue burden would be placed upon such pipeline by reason of the order; (3) construction of new facilities would not be required; and (4) the order would not impair the ability of the pipeline to render adequate service to its other customers. Directs FERC to complete a rulemaking proceeding to issue standards for interstate pipeline tariffs. Directs FERC to require, by rule, a first-sale purchaser of natural gas to file a copy of the contract with FERC. Title II: Wellhead Price Provisions - Revises ceiling price provisions for natural gas. Provides that the ceiling price for categories other than high-cost gas shall be the January 1982 ceiling price multiplied by the monthly equivalent of the modified price adjustment factor. Defines the "modified price adjustment factor" for any month as the lower of: (1) 75 percent of the quarterly percent change in the GNP implicit price deflator (as defined in the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978); or (2) the percent change in the energy index, computed and published as an annual rate by the Department of Labor, for the most recent month for which such percent change has been so published at least eight days before the beginning of the month for which the modified price adjustment factor is being calculated. Provides that for high-cost gas the maximum lawful price for any first sale shall be 150 percent of the maximum lawful price for categories of gas other than high-cost gas. Provides for an adjusted ceiling price for wells drilled on or after January 1, 1982, and before enactment. Repeals provisions permitting increases in the ceiling price of certain categories of natural gas if just and reasonable. Provides, as a general rule, that the maximum lawful price applies with respect to the recovery of all costs and profits associated with production and first-sale delivery of marketable natural gas. Prohibits the importation of natural gas if the first sale price in the United States of the gas exceeds 150 percent of the maximum lawful price for domestically produced gas. Directs the President to submit to Congress a report on the status of negotiations with Canada regarding modification of the border price for natural gas imported from Canada. Extends price controls and standby authority for two years beyond their present expiration dates.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Follow Through Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to reenact Follow Through programs (as the Follow Through Act) with certain technical amendments. Authorizes appropriations for such programs for FY 1984 and 1985. Requires (currently authorizes) the Secretary of Education to: (1) provide financial assistance for research, demonstration, or pilot projects designed to develop new methods of overcoming the special problems of primarily low-income children in continuing to develop to their full potential in kindergarten and the primary grades; and (2) provide technical assistance for Follow Through programs and training for program personnel. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide for an analysis of all previous evaluations of Follow Through programs; (2) include in the next evaluative report of such programs an analysis of their impact on preschool-elementary school linkage efforts and their effectiveness in narrowing the gap in successful educational performance between children from low-income families and other children; and (3) submit such report to the President and Congress by April 30, 1985. Establishes a National Commission on Follow Through Education. Directs the Council to: (1) review all research, demonstration, and pilot projects conducted under Follow Through programs; (2) determine the most effective approaches developed through such programs that are conducive to replication on a national basis; (3) recommend Federal, State, and local actions necessary to facilitate the replication of such approaches; and (4) report to the President and Congress by April 30, 1985, on its activities and recommendations. Terminates the Commission on September 30, 1985. Authorizes appropriations. Repeals provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 relating to the Follow Through program.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the highway use tax on heavy trucks. Increases the excise tax on diesel fuel from nine cents per gallon to 12 cents per gallon in 1983 and from 12 cents per gallon to 14 cents per gallon in 1984. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations exempting from such increases diesel fuel used in automobiles and light trucks.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
States that the Government should restore balance to the Department of Energy's FY 1984 budget by maintaining funding for energy conservation, solar and renewable energy, and weatherization programs and by distributing information on conservation and renewable and solar energy.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow married individuals to compute the amount of their income tax deduction for contributions to retirement savings accounts on the basis of the earned income of their spouses. Treats alimony payments as compensation for purposes of this deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1983
Designates March 21, 1984, as National Single Parent Day.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1983
Economic Equity Act of 1983 - Title I: Tax and Retirement Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the maximum deduction for contributions to an individual retirement plan: (1) shall be computed separately for each individual who is married; and (2) in the case of a married individual who has no compensation or less compensation than that of the spouse, shall be determined as if such compensation were the same as that of the individual's spouse. Treats alimony as compensation for purposes of determining an individual's income tax deduction for retirement savings. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan that provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount that would have been provided if the participant had survived and retired on such annuity date. Provides that a participant's election not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse of the participant consents in writing to such an election. Requires a retirement plan to treat an individual who was the spouse of the participant on the annuity starting date and who survives the participant as if such individual were the spouse of the participant on the date of death of the participant whether or not divorced after the annuity starting date. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State domestic relations law. Amends ERISA to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from age 25 to age 21. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accruals of creditable service to continue while an individual is on approved maternity or paternity leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave. Entitles former spouses of civil service employees or Members of Congress, who were married to an employee or Member for at least ten years during creditable service, to an annuity based upon a portion of retired or retainer pay unless otherwise provided by a spousal agreement or a state court decree of divorce or annulment. Entitles former spouses to survivor's benefits under the civil service plan unless the former spouse remarries before becoming 60 years of age or the employee or Member and former spouse elect to waive such benefit. Requires that such waiver be jointly made in writing. Includes displaced homemakers as a targeted group for purposes of the targeted jobs tax credit. Defines "displaced homemaker" as a person who: (1) has not worked, except in the home, for a substantial number of years; (2) has been dependent on public assistance or on the income of a family member but is no longer supported by that income; and (3) is a member of an economically disadvantaged family and is experiencing difficulty obtaining or upgrading employment. Increases the zero bracket amount for heads of households from $2,300 to $3,400. Title II: Dependent Care Program - Increases the income tax credit for household and dependent care services from a maximum of 30 percent of amounts paid to a maximum of 50 percent of amounts paid. Reduces such percentage to a minimum of 20 percent based on the taxpayer's adjusted gross income. Makes such income tax credit refundable. Treats as tax-exempt organizations certain organizations which provide nonresidential dependent care to the general public. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (through the Commissioner of the Administration of Children, Youth, and Families) to establish a grant program to assist nonprofit organizations in the establishment or operation of community-based child care information. Title III: Nondiscrimination in Insurance - Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act of 1983 - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Grants to State or local governments having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer, if a State or local authority: (1) has received notice of a complaint and fails to act within 60 days; or (2) has no insurance discrimination laws. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Title IV: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the head of each Federal agency to: (1) conduct an ongoing review of the rules, regulations, programs, and policies of the agency to identify any which result in different treatment based on sex; and (2) submit annually a report to the Congress on such review. Sets forth rules of statutory construction relating to gender. Title V: Child Support Enforcement - Amends the Social Security Act to specify that the purpose of the child support enforcement program is to assure compliance with obligations to pay child support to each child in the United States living with one parent. Allows offsets of income tax refunds of an absent parent on behalf of children not receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children. (Present law permits such offsets only in the case of children receiving AFDC payments.) Requires States to establish a child support clearinghouse through which child support payments can be paid, recorded, and forwarded. Revises State child support enforcement procedures. Allows allotments for child and spousal support to be taken from the pay of Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1983
Air Travelers Security Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to declare congressional policy with respect to the marketing and sale of passenger air transportation. Directs the Civil Aeronautics Board to vacate Order 82-12-85, adopted on December 16, 1982, and to adopt as its final decision in docket numbered 36595 the recommended order of an administrative law judge dated June 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1983
United States Olympic Checkoff Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns a contribution of one dollar of their income tax refunds or any cash amount voluntarily forwarded with their returns to support the U.S. Olympic Trust Fund. Establishes in the Treasury a U.S. Olympic Trust Fund (trust fund). Appropriates to such trust fund an amount equal to the amount designated on tax returns. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay amounts so transferred to the U.S. Olympic Committee. Allows specified administrative expenses to be paid from such trust fund.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the income tax credit for child care expenses from a maximum of 30 percent to a maximum of 50 percent of such expenses. Reduces such percentage by one percent for each full $1,000 by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $10,000. Grants tax-exempt status to organizations which provide nonresidential dependent care services to the general public for purposes of enabling individuals to maintain employment.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1983
Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Relief Act - Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability for veterans exposed to herbicides during service in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era who suffer from specified diseases which may be caused by exposure to such herbicides, developed to a ten percent degree of disability. Permits the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to determine what other diseases may be due to exposure to herbicides, chemicals, or environmental hazards. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations within one year of enactment incorporating such determinations and setting forth the standards used to reach them.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1983
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of April 10 through April 16, 1983, as National Mental Health Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1983
Extends through FY 1984 specified bonuses for enlistment and reenlistment in the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1983
Skilled Enlisted Reserve Training Act - Directs the Secretary of each military department to establish a skilled enlisted reserve training program to obtain adequate numbers of enlisted members with critical technical skills. Permits each Secretary to enter into agreements with a qualified person under which the Secretary agrees to provide educational assistance in a technical field in exchange for that person's agreement to perform either three or more years of active or six or more years of reserve service in the armed forces. Permits the Secretary to pay up to 100 percent of educational expenses and a monthly stipend. Sets forth eligibility requirements. Requires accepted members to complete basic training before beginning technical training. Sets forth the penalties for noncompletion of training, including possible reimbursement of educational assistance. Requires the Secretary concerned to approve the courses and educational institution before entering an agreement with a member. Permits the Secretary to provide assistance to educational institutions providing courses of training. Permits the Secretary to detail members for instructional and administrative duties at such institutions. Directs the President to make an annual report to Congress concerning such program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Vietnam Veterans National Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to coin and sell a medal in honor of the members and former members of the Armed Forces who served in Vietnam. Declares that the Secretary shall offer such medals for sale to the public at a price sufficient to cover the cost of minting and distributing of such medals.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Authorizes and requests the President to designate February 27, 1986, as Hugo LaFayette Black Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Designates November 1983 as National Alzheimer's Disease Month.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1983
Natural Gas Policy Act Amendments of 1983 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Sets forth: (1) ten Congressional findings concerning natural gas; and (2) the purposes of this Act. Title II: Amendments to the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to add to the definition of Btu. Sets forth a method of determining the number of Btu's per unit volume of natural gas. Defines definite price provision, indefinite price provision, market-out provision, and take-or-pay provision, for purposes of the use of such terms in a contract for the first sale of natural gas. Requires the price under any contract for the first sale of natural gas in effect on November 8, 1978, to remain the price after November 8, 1978, unless the contract expressly and specifically by its plain language authorizes prices established by Congress, in which case any price not in excess of the applicable maximum lawful price may apply. Repeals the annual inflation adjustment factors. Provides that the maximum lawful price for any first sale of natural gas shall be deemed to include all costs necessary to, or associated with, the delivery of marketable natural gas to the purchaser. Authorize an adjustment to the seller for necessary costs which deprive the seller of a just and reasonable return. Authorizes the purchaser an adjustment if the purchaser provides the seller consideration in addition to the maximum lawful prices. Establishes a transportation rate of no less than $0.05 per million Btu's end requires all revenues in excess of such amount to be credited back to the pipeline's customers. Declares null and void all indefinite price provisions in all contracts for the first sale of natural gas. Deems all contracts for the first sale of natural gas which is affected by deregulation to include a market-out provision. Deems all take-or-pay provisions in effect as of enactment to be reduced by 50 percent. Declares null and void any first sale contract which restricts the right of the purchaser to contest the contract. Requires all first sale contracts to be filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and made available to the public. Confers jurisdiction on the FERC to resolve contract disputes, on petition by any party to a contract. Directs the FERC to promulgate a final rule establishing the interest rate at which refunds shall be paid by natural gas companies on any collections made in excess of approved rates. Directs the FERC to undertake and complete a comprehensive study of minimum bill and related provisions in interstate pipeline tariffs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1983
Title I: Consumer Credit - Consumer Debtor Bankruptcy Amendments Act of 1983 - Amends the Bankruptcy Code to permit a bankruptcy court to dismiss a case or suspend all proceedings if it determines that a debtor whose debts are primarily consumer debts does not need the provisions of the chapter under which relief has been sought and the granting of relief under such chapter would be a substantial abuse of its provisions. Requires the Clerk of each Federal judicial district to compile statistics regarding debtors where debts are primarily consumer debts. Requires the bankruptcy judge to convene, and permits such judge to preside at, any meeting of creditors and to perform such additional judicial duties as may be required. Declares that the value of the creditor's interest in the estate's interest in consumer goods property shall be determined in light of the purpose of the valuation and of the proposed disposition or use of such property, and in conjunction with any hearing on such disposition or use or on a plan effecting such creditor's interest. Declares that the value of consumer goods which the debtor seeks to redeem in liquidation shall be presumed to be the established resale market price, if such market exists. Permits the court to utilize other methods of valuation if no such market exists or if the court determines that resale value is inappropriate in light of the property's proposed use or disposition. Requires the debtor in bankruptcy cases to file a statement of estimated income and expenses for the year following filing of his petition. Requires the debtor, if the schedule of assets and liabilities include consumer debts secured by property of the estate, to file and serve upon each creditor holding such security and upon the trustee, a statement expressing the debtor's intention with respect to retention or surrender of the collateral. Requires the debtor, at or before the meeting of creditors provided for by such title, to perform his intention with regard to such secured creditors. Requires that the notice of meeting of the creditors be accompanied by a copy of the statement of estimated income and expenses and that the debtor supply the clerk of the court, upon the filing of the petition, with enough copies of such statement to accommodate the listed creditors. Requires individuals filing for bankruptcy in joint or consolidated cases to elect either the Federal or State exemptions. Places an aggregate limit of $3,000 on the value of the exemption with regard to household goods and personal effects. Prohibits the debtor from utilizing the unused dollar value of the homestead exemption to exempt additional property not explicitly provided for by such Act. Repeals the provisions of such Act which currently authorize the debtor to avoid nonpurchase money security interest in property. Presumes nondischargeable any debt incurred on or within 40 days before the date of the filing of a petition under such title. Allows for rebuttal of such presumption. Allows creditors to enforce liens which have not been avoided in bankruptcy. Permits reaffirmation of consumer debts subject to the debtor's right to rescind any such agreement within 60 days or until a discharge is received, whichever occurs later. Declares that at the meeting of creditors the court shall inform the debtor of the nature and effect of a discharge and of any reaffirmation of debt. Prohibits the custodian from being an assignee under a general assignment for the benefit of the debtor's creditors that was appointed or took possession more than 120 days before the date of the filing of the petition. Permits the trustee or the court, however, to require such an assignee to file an accounting. Limits the trustee's power to avoid liens or recover payments made within 90 days of the filing of the petition in bankruptcy (within one year in the case of an insider) unless the creditor had reasonable cause to believe the debtor was insolvent. Permits the court, upon notice and hearing, to require a creditor to accept payments in redemption of the value of a claim secured by a nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interest in tangible personal property, over a reasonable period not to exceed five years, if such tangible personal property consists of specified household goods and tools of the debtor's trade. Permits the court, upon notice and hearing, to avoid any lien in whole or in part, if the court finds;: (1) that the debtor has no reasonable ability to pay the redemption value of such property out of anticipated future income; and (2) the enforcement of such lien would impose undue hardship on the debtor. Allows a creditor, upon 10 days notice to the debtor and codebtor, to collect any portion of a debt from the codebtor which is not being paid by the debtor through the adjustment of debts of such debtor with a regular income. Requires payments under an adjustment of debts payment plan to commence within thirty days after the filing of the plan. Provides for the return of such funds after deducting the costs of administration if no plan is confirmed. Provides for the separate classification of codebtor claims and non-dischargeable claims and authorizes payment of them under an adjustment of debts payment plan. Allows a debtor to choose such a repayment plan of up to five years. Bases such repayment upon the debtor's ability to repay out of future income after taking into account the basic living necessities for the debtor and dependents. Provides for an early discharge of debts where a reasonable portion of unsecured claims are paid. Permits a hardship discharge of otherwise non-dischargeable debts to the extent the debtor attempted to pay such debts under an adjustment of debts payment plan, but was prevented from so doing by unforeseen circumstances. Title II: Agricultural Produce - Agricultural Produce Bailment Bankruptcy Amendments Act of 1983 - Requires bankruptcy courts to give priority to allowed unsecured claims of farmers arising from the sale or conversion of farm produce to or by a debtor who operates a farm produce storage facility. Specifies that such sale or conversion must have occurred within 180 days before the filing of the petition or before the cessation of the debtor's business, whichever occurs first. Limits the payment of any such claim to $2,000 per individual. Permits a bankruptcy court to expedite the procedures for determining interests in and the disposition of grain and proceeds held by debtors who own or operate grain storage facilities. Requires the court to expedite such procedures if requested by a trustee or a claimant. Sets forth factors for the court to consider before deciding whether to shorten the time periods for procedures. Lists the procedures which may be expedited. Specifies administration details. Title III: Miscellaneous - Declares that if any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid the provisions of every other part and their application shall not be affected thereby. Makes the provisions of this Act effective 90 days after enactment. Declares that the amendments made by this Act shall not apply to cases pending before the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1983
Designates the week of May 29, 1983, as National Tourism Week.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the proposed changes by the Office of Management and Budget to Circular A-122 that would prohibit Federal reimbursement of Government contractors and grantees for the cost of activities constituting political advocacy should be withdrawn permanently.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1983
Condemns the trial and conviction of Dr. Viktor Brailovsky by the Soviet Union. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President should express to the Soviet Union U.S. concern and opposition to the internal exile of Dr. Brailovsky and to the Soviet Union's refusal to permit Dr. Brailovsky and his family to emigrate; (2) the Soviet Union should comply with various international agreements by reversing Dr. Brailovsky's conviction and by permitting him and his family to emigrate; and (3) the Soviet Union should cease persecuting individuals seeking to emigrate and should cease denying basic rights to Soviet Jews.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1983
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to authorize the Secretary of Labor to prohibit the awarding of Federal contracts to persons who have violated certain judicial orders or orders issued by the National Labor Relations Board. Limits the period of such ban to not more than three years after the Secretary has certified the identify of such person to the Comptroller General. Permits the awarding of Federal contracts to such person during the period of the ban if the Federal agency or department, after notice and opportunity for hearing to all interested parties, certifies to the Secretary that there is no other source for the material or services furnished by such person.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
Designates the square dance as the national folk dance of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1983
Directs the Attorney General to: (1) suspend and withhold deportation of three named individuals for a two-year period on the condition that certain written assurances are made regarding the vocation of one of such individuals; and (2) adjust the status of such individuals to that of aliens lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence upon compliance with such assurances.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1983
Railroad Retirement Solvency Act of 1983 - Title I: Benefit Adjustments - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to make certain disabled railroad employees eligible for disability insurance benefits under the Social Security Act. Sets forth formulas for determining annuities for certain individuals who retire before the age of 62. Sets forth the annuity formulas for spouses of such individuals and spouses of disabled employees. Makes such annuities comparable to benefits payable under the Social Security Act. Revises the computation of railroad annuities with respect to cost-of-living adjustments made under the Social Security Act. Changes annuity beginning dates to conform to such dates under such Act. Eliminates post-secondary school students from eligibility for survivors' annuities. Repeals certain provisions to preserve the financial solvency of the Railroad Retirement Act. Title II: Revenue Increases - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the tier II tax on railroad employees, employers, and employee representatives and to extend such tax from July 1, 1984, until June 30, 1986. Provides for adjustments of such tax rates after July 1, 1986, depending upon the tier II benefit deficit and the average Railroad Retirement Account balance requirements imposed by this Act. (Defines "tier II benefit" as benefits paid from the Railroad Retirement Account other than social security equivalent benefits). Requires that social security equivalent benefits of railroad employees be taxed like social security benefits, and that tier II benefits be taxed as benefits received under employer plans. Provides for the transfer of revenue increases to the Railroad Retirement Account. Title III: Borrowing Authority Adjustments - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to the Railroad Retirement Account from the general fund such amounts as are determined necessary by the Railroad Retirement Board after the end of each month beginning in October 1983. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to authorize advances to the railroad unemployment insurance account from the Federal unemployment account in the Unemployment Trust Fund. Requires an advance to the railroad unemployment insurance account in an amount sufficient to repay amounts due the Railroad Retirement Account. Title IV: Other Amendments - Changes the maximum percentage of amounts that may be transferred from the Railroad Retirement Account to the Dual Benefits Payments Account to such amount as determined necessary by the Board to pay dual benefits for a particular month. Provides for the transfer of amounts owed to the Railroad Retirement Account for unfunded dual benefits previously paid. Makes technical and conforming amendments.
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 · 23 February 1983
Abandoned Mine Reclamation Improvements Act - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to invest that part of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund (the Fund) not required to meet current withdrawals. Requires the interest earned from such investment to be deposited in the Fund. Requires a State to have in effect a State Reclamation Plan and surface mine regulatory program in order to collect its reclamation fee payment. Permits a State or Indian tribe to have such payments made annually or quarterly. Provides that such payments shall be equal to 50 percent of the funds collected in any State or Indian reservation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1983
Designates the week beginning October 2, 1983, as National Children's Week.