United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1983
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that for purposes of printing in the Congressional Record, remarks of Members made on the floor or submitted for inclusion in the Record, including associated materials, shall be relevant to governmental matters. Exempts from such provision, remarks on the death of present or former Federal officials.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1983
Department of Defense Procurement Procedures Act of 1983 - Sets forth a formula for determining the applicable percentage of Department of Defense procurement of property and services which must be made through formal advertising for fiscal years after FY 1983. Prohibits the Department of Defense from expending funds for negotiated contracts in any fiscal year following a fiscal year where the purchases and contracts made through formal advertising fall below the applicable percentage. Removes such prohibition if the Department meets or exceeds the applicable percentage during or after that fiscal year. Requires that specified information concerning a negotiated contract be part of the records of the contracting agency, including all cost and pricing data submitted by a contractor and the name of each Government official who participated in the negotiating or awarding of such contract. Requires that agency records on negotiated contracts containing classified information be maintained for at least ten years and be made available to Congress and the Comptroller General upon request. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish procedures which are similar to formal advertising procedures for the purchase of or contracting for personal or professional services. Sets forth investigatory procedures to determine the need for and price of services by a university or other educational institution.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Export-Import Bank should delay extending specified amounts in guarantees and insurance to Mexico and Brazil until the Congress has examined such proposed guarantees and insurance in light of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 and the budget and appropriations process for FY 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to the family of the late Honorable Lawrence P. McDonald in recognition of his distinguished service as a Member of Congress and the facts surrounding his untimely death. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the striking of such gold medal and authorizes the Secretary to make duplicates in bronze of such medal available for public sale. Authorizes appropriations after October 1, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
Authorizes the Veterans Administration to furnish each veteran with a compensable service-connected disability such drugs and medicines as may be prescribed by any licensed physician for treatment of the service-connected disability.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Davis-Bacon Reform Act of 1983 - Amends the Davis-Bacon Act to increase from $2,000 to $1,000,000 the threshold dollar amount subjecting certain contracts to such Act and requiring them to specify the minimum wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish as the prevailing wage for a class of laborers or mechanics the entire range of wages being paid to a corresponding class of such workers in the particular urban or rural subdivision of the State in which the work is to be performed. Excludes from the computation of wages the basic hourly rates of pay for workers on local Federal projects. Establishes a separate classification for helpers of laborers or mechanics. Amends the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act to require certain contractors or subcontractors to furnish compliance statements concerning weekly wages at the beginning and conclusion of the period covered by the contract, instead of every week as the wages are paid.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the reporting of tips by large food or beverage establishments in lieu of allocation requirements if reported tips do not equal eight percent of gross receipts. Allows for a reduction of such percentage under certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1983
Interstate Compact - Grants congressional approval to the Southeast Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, which provides for cooperation among the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia in the management of low-level radioactive waste on a continuing basis.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1983
Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1983 - Enacts into law the short titles "Civil Rights Act of 1968" and "Fair Housing Act." Adds new definitions for "handicap conciliation" and "conciliation agreement." Excludes from the meaning of "handicap" any impairment consisting of alcohol, drug abuse, or any other impairment which would be a direct threat to the property or safety of others. Makes it unlawful to: (1) refuse to sell or rent to a handicapped person unless such handicap would prevent a prospective occupant from conforming to specified non-discrimination rules and practices; or (2) discriminate against a handicapped person in the conditions of sale or rental or in the provision of related services or facilities. Includes within such discrimination a refusal to: (1) permit reasonable modifications to permit access to the premises (but only if a renter agrees to restore the premises to their original condition); and (2) make reasonable accommodations in policies, services, or facilities to afford handicapped persons ready access to and use of premises. Establishes a new administrative enforcement procedure within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Repeals the 30-day limitation imposed on the Secretary of HUD to respond to complaints. Requires the Secretary to give notice of his or her decision whether to resolve the complaint as promptly as possible. Provides that a conciliation agreement may provide for binding arbitration of the dispute. Permits the Secretary to join additional respondents as parties to a complaint. Grants authority to certified State or local agencies to investigate and conciliate complaints. Authorizes the Secretary to refer cases to the Attorney General while in the investigative stage for the purpose of seeking preliminary judicial relief pending the administrative disposition of the complaint. Allows the Secretary to refer other cases to the Attorney General in his or her sole discretion. Provides enforcement measures for conciliation agreements and civil penalties for noncompliance. Revises the enforcement procedure for private persons. Extends the statute of limitation for two years. Allows an aggrieved individual to enforce the terms of the conciliation agreement. Grants jurisdiction to the Attorney General to commence an action or intervene in a private civil action for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1983
Refugee Assistance Extension Act of 1983 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize appropriations for refugee assistance through 1985. Places the Office of Refugee Resettlement within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (Presently such Refugee Office is in the Social Security Administration.) Authorizes the Secretary of Education (presently the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement) to make grants for special educational programs for refugee children. Requires the Comptroller General to directly audit FY 1984 and FY 1985 initial resettlement grants. Requires a recipient agency (in addition to existing provisions) to: (1) provide quarterly performance and finance reports; (2) notify, upon request, local welfare offices of any cash assistance provided directly by such agency to a refugee; (3) insure that refugees with medical conditions affecting the public health report to the appropriate health authorities in their resettlement areas; and (4) report annually to the administering Federal agency and the appropriate congressional committees regarding refugee placement, expenditures, and other related program information. Authorizes grants for local areas with high refugee concentrations. States that such grants shall supplement other funds and be used primarily for refugee employment. Prohibits refugees who enter the United States on or after October 1, 1984, from receiving aid to families with dependent children assistance for the first 90 days after admission to the United States. Authorizes States to disqualify a refugee from general cash assistance programs during such period, except in extreme hardship cases or in emergencies. Terminates refugee cash assistance for three months for refusal to accept employment (six months for subsequent refusals). Prohibits: (1) such cash or medical assistance grants from being given as block or consolidated grants; and (2) the Director from delegating grant review or approval authority to the States or their political subdivisions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1983
Establishes the Kamehameha National Monument in Hawaii. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide facilities to commemorate the historical significance of the monument. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1983
Child Protection Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code dealing with the sexual exploitation of children. Increases the penalties for the sexual exploitation of children from $10,000 to $100,000 and, on a subsequent conviction from $15,000 to $200,000. Prohibits the distribution involving the sexual exploitation of minors even if the material is not found to be "obscene." Eliminates the requirement that persons distributing such material in interstate commerce do so for purposes of sale. Raises the age of a minor to include any person under the age of eighteen. Redefines "sexually explicit conduct" to exclude simulated conduct when there is little or no possibility of harm to the minor and when there is redeeming social, literary, educational, scientific or artistic value. Permits authorization for the interception of wire or oral communications in the investigation of such offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1983
First Time Homebuyer Assistance Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit to first time homebuyers for interest on home mortgages in specified circumstances where State or local governments elect to participate in a mortgage credit program rather than issue mortgage subsidy bonds. Sets forth requirements for a State or local government to participate in such a mortgage credit program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1983
Women's Economic Parity Act of 1983 - Title I: Equitable Treatment of Spouses Under Private Pension Plans - 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 made under the survivor's annuity 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 participant's spouse on the date of death, whether or not divorced after the annuity starting date. Subjects benefit payments to specified domestic relations orders and establishes procedural guidelines under which a plan administrator pays the alternate payee according to the terms of such domestic relations order. Provides the alternate payee named in such order with a right of action for the failure to comply with the requirements of the statutory guidelines. Specifies circumstances under which an alternate payee will be considered a participant or beneficiary under a retirement plan. 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 leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave. Title II: Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the earned income limitations placed on individual deductions for retirement savings (including those for married and for divorced individuals). 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; and (2) has been dependent on public assistance or on the income of a family member but is no longer supported by that income. Exempts displaced homemakers from the termination provisions relating to tax credits earned by employers who hire members of a targeted group designated under the Internal Revenue Code. Deems the performance of substantial volunteer services by a spouse as gainful employment for the tax credit for household and dependent care expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1983
Secondary Mortgage Market Equity Act - Amends the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act and the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to set forth a formula for increasing the maximum mortgage limitation for a one- to four- family residence in certain areas where high prevailing housing sales prices have limited housing opportunities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that further expansion of cargo preference requirements, either for commercial or other trade, should not be imposed.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1983
Prison Industries Improvement Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code to permit the transportation of certain prison-made goods through interstate commerce. Establishes criteria regarding taxes and wages that prison industry programs must meet. Allows for a deduction in prisoners wages for the cost of room and board, taxes and reimbursement for crime victims.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1983
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that membership in a labor organization is not required as a condition of employment in Federal areas located within a State or territory (thus allowing the application of State right-to-work laws).
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1983
National Narcotics Act of 1983 - Establishes a Cabinet-level Office of Director of National and International Drug Operations and Policy to plan and coordinate drug enforcement efforts of the Federal Government. Requires the Director to report to Congress on United States policy with respect to illegal drugs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1983
Government Printing Office Pay Reform Act of 1983 - Requires the pay of Government Printing Office employees to be administered under the prevailing rate system and the General Schedule. Provides that employees who, upon enactment of this Act, hold positions for which the pay rates are determined by conference with the Public Printer or by appeal to the Joint Committee on Printing, shall, with specified exceptions, continue to receive basic pay at a rate not below the rate in effect immediately before enactment of this Act, plus any increase payable under the prevailing rate system or the General Schedule. Repeals the limitation on the number of apprentices that the Public Printer may employ at one time.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an income tax deduction for charitable contributions of partial interests in property or property placed in trust where the governing instrument of the transfer is amended or conformed to meet certain requirements after the initial transfer. Allows the adjustment or exchange of an income interest or remainder interest transferred for charitable purposes where the donee receives an interest in property not less in value than that of the original transfer. Allows an estate or gift tax charitable deduction for a partial interest where the reformable interest in the charitable trust had not been corrected and there had been a termination of all intervening interests in the trust. Provides that interest on underpayment of tax will not be collected where the underpayment results from a disallowance of a charitable deduction involving a reformable partial interest. Extends until December 31, 1985, the period for filing a claim or credit for refund of overpayment of tax where the overpayment resulted from the allowance of a charitable deduction as a result of amending or conforming the transfer instrument.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1983
Bankruptcy Court and Federal Judgeship Act of 1983 - Title I: Bankruptcy Jurisdiction, and Procedure - Confers upon the district courts original and exclusive jurisdiction of all cases under title 11 (the bankruptcy code). Confers original, but not exclusive, jurisdiction upon the district courts of all civil proceedings arising under title 11 or arising in or related to cases under title 11. Authorizes district courts to refer all cases and civil proceedings arising under title 11 to the bankruptcy court for the district. Confers upon such bankruptcy court all jurisdiction granted the district courts for title 11 actions and proceedings. Authorizes district courts to withdraw certain actions previously referred to bankruptcy courts. Allows district courts to abstain from hearing a particular proceeding under title 11, and precludes appeals from such decisions. Requires the district courts to abstain, upon proper motion, from adjudicating claims based upon State law where such claims will be timely instituted in an appropriate State forum. Authorizes district courts to exercise jurisdiction over all the debtor's property, wherever located, and over the bankruptcy estate. Sets venue guidelines for: (1) cases and proceedings under title 11; (2) cases to enjoin actions in a State or Federal court; and (3) actions to enjoin liens against property in such courts. Delineates procedures for removal of bankruptcy cases by a party. Authorizes courts to remand cases which have been so removed, and precludes any appeal of a remand decision. Designates bankruptcy courts for each judicial district. States that such courts shall constitute a department of the district court and be comprised of bankruptcy judges in regular active service. Requires the United States court of appeals for a circuit to appoint the bankruptcy judges for each judicial district within such circuit. Sets forth provisions for: (1) official duty stations of bankruptcy judges; (2) removal procedures of such judges; (3) salaries ; (4) outside employment; (5) division of business; (6) appointment of chief bankruptcy judgeships; (7) temporary transfers of bankruptcy judges; and (8) court personnel. Requires district courts to withdraw specified actions previously referred to the bankruptcy courts. Authorizes district courts to refer certain cases or proceedings to: (1) a bankruptcy court to serve as special master; (2) a United States magistrate; or (3) a bankruptcy judge who shall exercise all the powers of a United States magistrate. Confers jurisdiction upon the district courts to hear appeals from bankruptcy court judgments and establishes appellate procedure. Sets standards for bankruptcy judge salaries and terms of office. Title II: Omnibus Judgeship - Enumerates additional permanent circuit and district judgeships for the States. Establishes retirement guidelines for judges holding office during good behavior. Outlines retirement and resignation criteria for judges, including retirement pay and salary upon resignation. Title III: Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments. Provides for annuities for certain bankruptcy judges. Provides criteria for filling vacant bankruptcy judgeships.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1983
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to eliminate provisions which: (1) permit petitions to the Secretary of Energy for prescription of rules which supersede State energy efficiency standards; and (2) provide for supersedure of State energy efficiency standards prescribed after January 1, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1983
Uniformed Services Survivors Benefits Amendments of 1983 - Extends the application of the Survivor Benefit Plan to a person who dies before or within 90 days after notification of eligibility for retired pay and is married or has a dependent child. Entitles certain surviving dependent children of such a person to an annuity equal to the difference between the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation and 55 percent of the retired pay to which the children would have been entitled. Increases the amount of retired pay which shall be reduced by a specified percentage for a person with a spouse or spouse and dependent child who has not elected to provide an annuity for such persons, or has changed such an election. Directs the Secretary concerned to pay an annuity to survivors of a member or former member who died during a specified period and who would have been eligible for retired pay if he had been 60. Requires a person entitled to two annuities because of subsequent marriage to elect which annuity to receive.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the changes in the Federal estate tax laws which were made by the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 are vital to the continuation of the family farm and small business, and should not be repealed or amended.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1983
Credit Card Counterfeiting and Fraud Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it an offense to knowingly and unlawfully produce, buy, sell, or transfer a credit card or account which is counterfeit, forged, lost, or stolen. Makes it a federal offense to possess with the intent to defraud five or more credit cards or fraudulent payment devices. Makes it unlawful to produce, buy, sell, transfer, or possess equipment used in the production of such fraudulent payment devices. Includes within the prohibition of the Act any individual who attempts or conspires to commit any of these offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1983
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933, as amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to subject imported tomatoes to the same packing restrictions that apply to domestic tomatoes.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of the income tax credit for contributions to candidates for public office from $50 to $500 (from $100 to $1,000 in the case of a joint return).
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1983
Title I: Federal Tort Claims Amendments - Amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to make remedies provided by the Act exclusive of any other action arising out of the same tortious conduct. Substitutes the United States as the party defendant after: (1) the Attorney General has certified that a defendant Federal employee acted within the scope of employment; and (2) an action has been instituted in Federal district court. Declares such certification binding and conclusive. Provides guidelines for limitations of actions. Specifies the Federal agencies to which the Act applies. Title II: Constitutional Torts - Grants district courts exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions for money damages based on constitutional torts. Establishes judicial procedure for the resolution of claims based on constitutional torts. Specifies the Federal agencies amenable to suit for such torts. Authorizes Federal agency administrators to settle claims for money damages based on constitutional torts after obtaining written approval of the Attorney General. Declares such settlements final and conclusive. Establishes guidelines for administrative adjustment of claims. Provides formulae for recovery of damages and sets a maximum damages award for tortious conduct involving either: (1) reckless disregard for constitutional rights; or (2) malicious intent to violate constitutional rights. Specifies defenses to claims based on a constitutional tort. Requires disposition by the appropriate Federal agency before actions may be initiated against the United States for money damages. Allows either party to request a jury trial in actions for money damages. Permits the Attorney General to settle or arbitrate claims after an action has been instituted. Awards attorney's fees to successful claimants. Directs the Attorney General to defend any civil action against any Federal employee for money damages based on constitutional torts. Makes any such action the claimant's exclusive remedy for such a constitutional tort. Directs the Attorney General to remove from State court into district court under specified conditions. Authorizes disciplinary actions against defendant employees under specified circumstances. Exempts specified Federal agencies from tort claims under the Act. Establishes a limitations period. Title III: Amendments to Other Laws; Applicability of Act - Makes conforming amendments relative to medical malpractice provisions concerning Federal health professionals. Makes additional technical amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1983
Truth in Budgeting Resolution - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to prescribe a congressional budget process. Sets forth a timetable for reports of House Committees and the Congressional Budget Office for submission to the Budget Committee. Requires the House to complete action on the omnibus budget bill by June 30 of each year.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1983
Preemptory Challenge Act of 1983 - Amends the judicial code to require reassignment of cases in Federal District or bankruptcy courts to another judicial officer if all parties on one side of a case make such a request. Sets guidelines for such reassignment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1983
Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to include in the definition of "contribution" donations made to draft clearly identified individuals to become candidates for Federal office. Exempts from the definition of "contributions" any donations to political parties or committees designated to defray establishment, administration, or solicitation costs of the Committee. Requires that these donations be reported on a semiannual basis. Extends to the national committee of a political party certain exemptions that are given to State committees. Allows a political committee of a party to utilize the expedited procedure for advisory opinion requests during the 60-day period before an election. Requires the Commission to establish time limits for investigations. Revises the investigatory procedures of the Commission. Deletes the requirement that the Court of Appeals sit en banc when hearing cases involving the constitutionality of the Act. Increases the contribution limitations for certain offices. Permits political committees of political parties to engage in bona fide commercial transactions in order to defray establishment, administration, and solicitation costs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide the opportunity for a presidential general election candidate to request a hearing before the Commission if a demand for repayment of funds is made available.
![Official portrait of Rep. McCollum, Bill [R-FL-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000350_200.jpg)