United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase the amount of outside earnings permitted each year without any deduction from OASDI benefits by an amount equal to the total of all State and local real property taxes which an individual pays during a taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the business expense deduction to any trade or business conducted in the home of the taxpayer. Eliminates the restrictions on the deductibility of expenses relating to the rental of a residence to a family member. Permits a taxpayer to make repairs on rental properties on a full-time basis without being treated as using such properties for personal purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Permits calculation of the investment tax credit for such property without regard to the useful life of the property. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits a taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Resource Conservation and Development Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a resource conservation and development program to assist States, local units of government, and local nonprofit organizations to operate and maintain a planning process for land conservation and utilization, natural resources development, and rural economic and environmental improvement. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance in developing area plans for designated rural areas; (2) cooperate in conducting surveys and inventories, disseminating information, and developing area plans; (3) assist in the carrying out of approved area plans by local public agencies and nonprofit organizations designated by States; and (4) enter into specified agreements with such State and local entities. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such agreements. Permits the identification of groups or problems for special consideration in area plans. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Agriculture a Resource Conservation and Development Policy Board to advise the Secretary regarding the administration of this Act. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the program provided for in this Act and to report on such evaluation by December 31, 1986. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act, with specified annual limits on technical and financial assistance and on loans.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Firearms Mandatory Sentencing Act of 1981 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1970 to revise and increase the mandatory penalties for using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony. Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence, grant probation, or impose the additional sentence concurrently with the sentence imposed for the felony. Imposes a new requirement that such offenders may not be eligible for parole until one-half of the term of imprisonment has expired (parole eligibility generally arises when one-third of the term has expired).
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest or dividends earned on savings deposits which are used by the deposit institutions for residential mortgage lending purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purpose of the right to life guarantee. Makes such amendment inapplicable to laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1981
Family Enterprise Estate and Gift Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift taxes from $47,000 to $155,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases from $175,000 to $500,000, by specified annual increments through 1985, the minimum gross estate requirement for filing of a return. Repeals the existing limitations on the marital deduction for gift and estate taxes. Increases from $3,000 to $6,000 the annual gift tax exclusion. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if such decedents materially participated in the operation of the farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits, under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death or takes over active management upon the decedent's death. Qualifies the owner of a woodland for the special use valuation if the owner or a member of the owner's family actively managed the property for ten years prior to the owner's death. Reduces from 15 to ten years the length of time a qualified property must be held and put to a qualified use following the decedent's death before it can be disposed of without incurring a recapture of estate tax benefits. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Allows the like kind exchange of property without loss of special use valuation eligibility. Allows valuation based on net crop share rentals as an alternative method of valuing farms. Repeals the requirement that an heir elect special treatment for involuntary conversions of qualified real property, thus making such treatment automatic upon such conversion. States that gifts made within three years of a decedent's death shall be valued as of the time of transfer rather than as of the date of death. Authorizes an individual to elect to pay a gift tax rather than use the unified tax credit. Modifies the alternate extension of time for payment of the estate tax where the estate consists largely of an interest in a closely held business to: (1) allow an installment payment election if the value of the interest in the closely held business is either 35 percent of the value of the gross estate or 50 percent of the taxable estate; (2) increase to 50 percent the value of an interest disposed of which will accelerate the payment of tax; and (3) permit payment, but with a penalty, of an installment within six months after the due date. Allows a disclaimer of an interest in property for estate tax purposes in specified circumstances where such disclaimer does not result in the passing of the interest concerned under the applicable State law.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which an individual may earn while receiving benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the five-month period which is presently a prerequisite of eligibility for disability insurance benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the standard mileage rate used in computing the charitable deduction for expenses incurred in the operation of a motor vehicle shall be the same as the standard mileage rate for the business related deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1981
Prevention, Identification, and Treatment of Elder Abuse Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an office known as the National Center on Elder Abuse to: (1) compile an annual summary of recently conducted research on elder abuse; (2) develop and maintain an information clearinghouse on all programs for the prevention and treatment of such abuse; (3) compile training materials for personnel engaged in elder abuse prevention; (4) provide technical assistance for the planning and implementing of programs relating to the problems of elder abuse; and (5) investigate the causes and national incidence of elder abuse. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to or enter into contracts with public agencies or nonprofit organizations for demonstration projects designed to prevent and treat elder abuse. Sets forth the terms and conditions for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for the development and implementation of elder abuse prevention and treatment programs. Requires such States to have in effect a State elder abuse law with mandatory reporting provisions. Sets forth other requirements for eligibility. Prohibits the use of assistance for construction of facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria to achieve equitable distribution of assistance among the States. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income a corporate stock distribution to a stockholder based upon the reinvestment of stock dividends in the corporation by such stockholder pursuant to his election to participate in a qualified dividend reinvestment plan, as defined in this Act. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $1,500 per year. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that a distribution made by a corporation which purchases its common stock within one year of such distribution shall not be deemed a distribution pursuant to a qualified dividend reinvestment plan.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Small Business and Family Farm Preservation Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against estate and gift taxes from $47,000 to $155,800. Increases the amount of the annual gift tax exclusion from $3,000 to $6,000.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Extends death benefit coverage under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include rescue squad members who are certified by a State to carry out such duties.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers who do not itemize income tax deductions to claim a deduction from gross income for charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include within the categories of deportable aliens foreign students who knowingly participated in a political demonstration resulting in, or intending to result in, injury or damage to another's person or property. Permits the Attorney General to suspend deportation of such students.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Includes as creditable service for purposes of determining the amount of an individual's civil service annuity payment, any military service performed by that individual after December, 1956, regardless of that individual's eligibility for Social Security benefits for such military service.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Individual Investors' Incentive Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to ten percent of the cost of domestic stock purchased by such taxpayer during the taxable year. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $1,000 ($2,000 for married individuals filing jointly). Limits such credit to one-tenth of the increase of the aggregate adjusted basis of the taxpayer's domestic stock for the taxable year. Disallows such credit if the taxpayer controls the corporation. Requires the recapture of specified amounts of such credit if any stock for which the credit is allowed is disposed of by the taxpayer within one year of purchase. Disqualifies estates, trusts, and nonresident aliens from eligibility for the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $10,000 interest income earned on savings accounts. Makes such exclusion permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Small Business Innovation Act of 1981- Title I: Amendments to the Small Business Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct each Federal agency to target at least 15 percent of its research and development budget for prime contract awards, both direct and indirect, to small business concerns in each fiscal year. Requires that agencies achieve such target by increasing annually such awards by one percent, beginning in fiscal year 1981. Requires each Federal agency having a research and development budget of at least $100,000,000 to initiate and conduct a small business innovation research competitive solicitation program (SBIR) to stimulate technological innovation in the small business sector. Directs each such agency to award at least 50 percent of its annual target for prime contracts. Directs each agency to conduct its SBIR in accordance with regulations established by the Small Business Administration (SBA) with the advice of the National Science Foundation and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. Requires these regulations to include: (1) specific categories of research and development projects to be reserved exclusively for small business; (2) a simplified standardized acquisition process; and (3) solicitation release schedules for notifying small business of contract opportunities. Directs the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in developing Federal Acquisition Regulations under current law, to provide maximum opportunity for small businesses to perform federally funded research and development contracts. Requires all Federal agencies in promulgating regulations to impose the least amount of regulatory burden on small businesses. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to review at least annually its regulations which may have the effect of restricting small businesses from access to securities markets and to report the results to the congressional small business committees. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the nonrecognition of gain on the sale of an equity interest in a "small business" (as defined) if the proceeds of the sale are invested in another small business within 18 months. Requires a reduction of the basis of the replacement property by the amount of gain not recognized. Permits a small business to deduct an amount equal to the cash contribution to a reserve which provides for the payment of research and experimental expenditures. Limits such deduction to $50,000 or ten percent of gross income and sets a ceiling of $150,000 for the reserve. Increases the number of shareholders in subchapter S corporations from 15 to 100 and allows corporations to be shareholders. Makes the following changes with respect to "qualified" small businesses, defined as any small business which has spent at least three percent of its income on research and development for three consecutive years or six percent in any one year. Restores for such small businesses prior law for qualified stock options and permits such options to be exercised within ten years. Reduces the capital gains tax rate by one-half for such small businesses, if the investment is held for at least five years. Extends from five to ten years the period during which certain capital losses may be carried forward and deducted. Removes the dollar limitation on the amount of losses which may be deducted as a result of investment in "qualified" small business stock. Permits such small businesses to deduct as research and development expenditures the costs of otherwise depreciable research and development equipment and facilities. Title III: Patents and Inventions - Directs the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to establish regulations permitting a reexamination of patents in the light of prior art patents or publications. Permits any person to file such a request accompanied by a statement of the relation of the prior art to the claim involved and a material reason for the reexamination. Directs the Commissioner to determine whether a substantial new question of patentability affecting any patent claim is raised. Requires that a reexamination proceeding be conducted upon an affirmative determination. Requires that the patent owner be provided an opportunity to amend the patent claim in order to distinguish the prior art, and grants such owner the right of appeal. Requires that the Commissioner issue a certificate of patentability or unpatentability following any such reexamination. Title IV: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective on October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Small Business Judicial Access Act of 1981 - Title I: Revision of Class Damage Procedures - Replaces Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 23(b)(3) (class actions where common questions of law or fact predominate) with the following new types of civil actions: (1) a public action, vesting a single claim in the United States with respect to persons whose conduct in the manufacture, rental, distribution, sale, or purchase of realty, goods, or services gives rise to a civil right of action under a U.S. statute; and (2) a class compensatory action with respect to persons whose conduct gives rise to a civil right of action under a U.S. statute. Requires for a public action that at least 200 persons each sustain injury less than $300 and that the combined injury exceed $60,000. Conditions a class compensatory action on at least 40 persons having each sustained injury greater than $300. Requires in both actions that the injuries or liability arise out of the same transaction or occurrence and that a substantial common question of law or fact exist. Allows a public action to be brought by the Attorney General, a Federal agency with exclusive enforcement authority, or a private individual. Authorizes the Attorney General, in actions brought by a private individual, to: (1) assume control of the action; (2) permit prosecution by such party; (3) refer the action to a State attorney general in certain circumstances; or (4) recommend to the court that the action be dismissed. Permits the court to disallow assumption or referral and issue an appropriate order assuring that counsel defending the action against the United States will be independent of the prosecution. Requires, in a public action brought by a private person where the United States prevails, that the defendant pay to the relator taxable costs, reasonable expenses (including attorney fees where allowed by law), and an incentive fee. Specifies calculation of such incentive fee, to a maximum of $10,000, and precludes payment to the relator's attorney. Requires the judgment in a public action where the defendant is found liable to include a public recovery measured as either the aggregate damage or benefit or profit realized by the defendant (not to exceed $300 per person). Permits the court to include injunctive or declaratory relief. Directs the court to determine if the court or the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. shall administer the payment of claims from the public recovery fund. Specifies procedures for the administration of the fund and for allocation of payments to injured persons making claims. Grants to the district courts exclusive jurisdiction of class compensatory actions. Requires a defendant, in any such action where the court has ordered separate trial of liability issues, to identify and serve notice upon persons likely to have been injured. Prescribes procedures to expedite the management of both actions. Specifies discovery limits prior to the preliminary hearing, except for good cause shown. Repeals the current requirement that the best notice practicable under the circumstances be given to all members of the class who can be identified. Requires instead that the court give notice reasonably necessary to assure adequacy of representation of and fairness to all class members. Permits the court to dismiss either type of action upon a determination that full utilization of this Act and the Federal Rules will not enable the court to adequately manage the proceeding. Grants to the courts of appeal jurisdiction to review at their discretion orders dismissing or allowing public or class compensatory actions. Title II: Appeal of Small Civil Penalties Against Small Business Concerns - Authorizes a small business against which a Federal agency has imposed a civil penalty of $2,500 or less to appeal such penalty to the agency or an appropriate district court. Title III: Office of Advocacy - Adds as a primary function of the Office of Advocacy of the SBA facilitating collective relief to small business for violations of antitrust and other Federal statutes by advising and consulting with the Attorney General, Federal agencies, and States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Small Business Act to modify certain terms and restrictions on loans to small businesses made by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Increases from $500,000 to $750,000 the ceiling on loan amounts which may be made from the revolving fund. Increases from one quarter of one percent to one percent the additional amount of interest for the SBA's share of any loan. Extends from ten to 20 years (25 for real property or construction loans) the period for which loans may be made. States that no guarantee fee shall be paid by a small business receiving a loan. Permits a loan to provide for the payment of interest only during the first part of its term, upon the election of the borrower, lender, and the SBA. Permits a lender in such case to charge a one-time fee of one percent of the loan amount. Allows refinancing or extension of loans in which the SBA has agreed to participate on a deferred basis. Permits the lender to charge an additional service fee if the term of indebtedness then exceeds ten years. Authorizes the SBA to decline to participate in a loan on a deferred basis solely because the loan is for refinancing, only if certain determinations are made. Repeals the provisions of this Act as of October 1, 1983. Directs the SBA to report to the congressional small business committees on the number, value, and default rate of loans made in certain amounts and over specified periods. Makes it a felony to kill an employee of the SBA who is performing official duties.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Establishes a Commission on More Effective Government to study and recommend ways of promoting economy, efficiency, and improved service within the Executive branch of Government. Directs the Commission to recommend methods to improve the relationship between Federal, State, and local governments. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to the Congress ten days after the Ninety-eighth Congress convenes. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such date. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the total appropriations of Congress from exceeding estimated revenues. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war or national emergency. Prohibits any increase in the national debt as it exists on the date this article is ratified. Sets forth a schedule for repayment of the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States Postal Service should not increase the number of digits of the zip code until: (1) the Service and the Congress have fully examined the costs, social consequences, and technical issues associated with such action; and (2) the Service has fully examined other means of improving productivity in the sorting of mail.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1980
Industrial Energy Conservation Incentive Tax Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the investment tax credit energy percentage from ten to 20 percent for alternative energy property, specially defined energy property, and recycling equipment. Makes such credit refundable. Provides for a refundable 20 percent investment tax credit for qualified conservation property. Defines "qualified conservation property" as property which is used by a taxpayer as an energy-saving modification to an existing industrial facility. Excludes public utility property from such definition.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1980
Establishes the United States Holocaust Memorial Council which shall: (1) provide and encourage appropriate ways for the Nation to observe the Days of Remembrance to commemorate the holocaust; (2) plan, erect, and oversee the operation of a memorial museum to the victims of the holocaust; and (3) develop a plan for carrying out the recommendations of the report submitted to the President on September 27, 1979, by the President's Commission on the Holocaust. Authorizes the Council to receive public land in the District of Columbia on which it may erect the memorial. Terminates the Council's authority to construct a memorial if the erection of the memorial has not commenced within five years of enactment of this Act and sufficient funds to ensure completion of the memorial have not been certified to be available. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of the Treasury should exercise his regulatory authority by designating energy efficient wood-burning stoves as eligible for the residential energy tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980
Declares that the people of Poland should be allowed to settle their own affairs, including the formation of independent trade unions and the right to strike, without foreign interference.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1980
Directs the printing as a House document of a collection of statements made in tribute to the late Mamie Doud Eisenhower. Authorizes the additional printing of copies for use by the House at a cost not to exceed $1,200.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should request the International Red Cross to: (1) make regular visits to the hostages held in Iran and report back to Congress with its findings; and (2) urge its member countries to solicit Iranian cooperation in such visits.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1980
Revises the termination date for veterans eligible for educational assistance so that such assistance shall terminate on December 31, 1989, or the date five years after the veterans' last discharge or release from active duty, whichever is later.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1980
Armed Forces Educational Assistance Act of 1980 - Establishes an Armed Forces Educational Assistance Program for persons who enter military service after September 30, 1980, and serve on active duty for three years or more. Sets forth a schedule of educational assistance entitlement for such veterans as follows: (1) for service of 36 consecutive months but less than 48 consecutive months and an agreement to serve three years in the Ready Reserve, 18 months of assistance; (2) for service of 48 consecutive months but less than 72 consecutive months and an agreement to serve four years in the Ready Reserve, 36 months of assistance; and (3) for service of 72 consecutive months, 36 months of assistance. Allows eligible veterans who have served on active duty for 16 years by September 30, 1986, to transfer their educational entitlement to their spouse or children. Makes any veteran entitled to assistance under this Act eligible to participate in the Predischarge Education Program (PREP) and eligible for education loans. Provides that such veterans are eligible for educational assistance for the six-year period following their discharge or release date. Sets forth procedures extending any applicable time period for such veterans who are prevented from initiating or completing a program of education under certain circumstances. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay tuition costs and a substantial allowance to eligible veterans in the program. Makes technical and conforming amendments to existing laws relating to veterans educational assistance. Grants to eligible veterans, who have served on active duty from three to six years, the right to transfer educational assistance entitlements to such veteran's spouse or children in such manner as prescribed by the Administrator concerned and under limitations set forth in this Act. Terminates the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance program after September 30, 1982. Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to submit a joint report to the Congress, not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act, on plans for implementing the educational assistance provided in such Act. Directs the Secretary of Defense to report semiannually to Congress on the effect of such program on the number and quality of individuals entering the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the Aged and the Disabled) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to make such benefits available for health services and medical supplies furnished by hospices to individuals who: (1) are determined by a physician to be terminally ill and to have less than six months to live; and (2) are U.S. citizens or legal aliens who have resided in the United States for the preceding five years.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide homebuilders with an income tax credit for the construction of residences which incorporate a passive solar energy system. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and Housing and Urban Development, to prescribe regulations setting forth a solar construction credit table for purposes of determining the amount of the credit for which the incorporator of the solar energy system is eligible. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $2,000 for calendar years prior to 1986 and phases out the amount of the credit by $500 decrements until 1989 when such credit terminates. Defines "passive solar energy system" as a system which contains a solar collection area, an absorber, a storage mass, a heat distribution method, and heat regulation devices. Requires such system to be installed in a new residence after September 30, 1980 and before January 1, 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980
Directs the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences to establish a program of training in military medicine for reserve commissioned officers enrolled in the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship program. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to relieve participants who complete such training program from the 45-day active duty service requirement during one year of the scholarship program.
![Official portrait of Rep. McDade, Joseph M. [R-PA-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000399_200.jpg)