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United States · Official source
582 records where Rep. McKernan, John R., Jr. [R-ME-1] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1983
Designates the week beginning November 6, 1983, as National Congregate and Meals on Wheels Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Cable Telecommunications Act of 1983 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize any governmental entity empowered to grant a cable television franchise to require: (1) that a reasonable amount of channel capacity be designated for public, educational, or government purposes; and (2) that rules be promulgated governing the use of such channel capacity, including rules for creating an agency or nonprofit organization to administer the use of such channel capacity. Allows the cable system operator to use such channel capacity for other purposes until there is a demand for use of such capacity for public, educational, or governmental purposes. Prohibits a cable operator from exercising any editorial control over any video programming for such purposes. Requires a cable operator to designate a specified percentage of its channel capacity not required for use under Federal law for commercial use by persons unaffiliated with the operator. Prohibits any Federal, State, or local authority from requiring the designation of a greater percentage of channel capacity for commercial use by unaffiliated persons. Allows an operator to continue using such designated capacity until a written agreement with an unaffiliated person is obtained. Directs the operator to establish prices, terms, and conditions for such use that are sufficient to assure that the operation, financial condition, and market development of the cable system are not adversely affected. Prohibits a cable operator from exercising any editorial control over video programming for such use except to the extent necessary to assure that such cable system is not adversely affected. Prohibits the use of such channel capacity to provide a cable service being provided on the enactment date of this Act in order to avoid providing a diversity of information sources. Authorizes any person aggrieved by the failure of an operator to make channel capacity available for such commercial use to seek to compel that such capacity be made available by bringing an action in the appropriate Federal district court or by petitioning the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Authorizes the FCC to prescribe rules necessary to assure that a cable operator or owner provides for a diversity of information sources over the cable system: (1) upon finding that prior adjudications constitute a pattern of such failure by such person; and (2) whenever cable systems with 36 or more activated channels are available to 70 percent of U.S. households and are subscribed to by 70 percent of the households to which such systems are available. Prohibits a person from owning or controlling a cable system if such person: (1) is the licensee of a television broadcast station the predicted grade B contour (field strength) of which covers any part of the community served by such cable system; (2) owns or controls a daily newspaper published in such community; or (3) is a common carrier providing telephone exchange service in any part of such community, excluding specified rural areas. Authorizes the FCC to prescribe rules concerning the common ownership or control of cable systems by persons who own or control other media of mass communications serving the community served by the cable system. Prohibits any State or local authority from regulating the diversity of ownership of mass media interests. Prohibits any State or local authority that has an interest in any cable system from directly or indirectly controlling the content of any programming on such system, except programming on educational, public, or government channels, unless such authority establishes an independent board or separate management company. Prohibits the owner of a multiple unit dwelling from interfering with the provision of cable service requested by a resident. Permits the owner to require that: (1) the costs of installation, construction, operation, or removal of the cable facilities be borne by the subscriber, the operator, or both; (2) the condition of the dwelling and the safety and convenience of other residents are not adversely affected by the installation or construction of such facilities; and (3) the owner be fully compensated by the cable operator for any damages caused by such facilities. Directs the FCC to establish the amount of just compensation to which the owner is entitled. Authorizes a governmental or franchising authority to award one or more cable franchises within its jurisdiction. Directs such authority to assure that the opportunity to purchase cable service is not denied to any class of potential subscribers because of income or economic status. Provides that a franchise shall be construed to authorize the construction of a cable system over public rights-of-way and through easements dedicated for compatible uses, provided the property owners are compensated for any resulting damages. Prohibits a cable system from providing cable service without a franchise. Permits a governmental or franchising authority to require the construction of cable system facilities or the provision of certain equipment as part of an initial franchise or a franchise renewal proceeding. Directs such authority to negotiate and, if necessary, enter binding arbitration with a cable operator over the termination, modification, or deferral of a requirement for facilities or equipment (excluding facilities or equipment for educational, public, or government use) that the operator shows to be impracticable as a result of a significant change in circumstances. Provides that the terms of any franchise agreement resulting from a request for proposals originally issued on or before September 30, 1982, shall remain in effect for the remaining term of the franchise. Declares that no cable system shall be subject to regulation as a common carrier or utility by reason of providing cable service. Authorizes a governmental or franchising authority to require a cable operator to pay a franchise fee not to exceed an annual aggregate of five percent of such operator's gross revenues. Permits a cable operator to pass the cost of any increase in the franchise fee through to subscribers. Prohibits a governmental or franchising authority from requiring the provisions of services, facilities, or other items not related to the provision of cable service under a franchise. Authorizes a franchising authority to regulate the rates for the provision of basic cable service and the installation or rental of equipment necessary for the receipt of such service for any cable system that is not located within the grade B contour of four or more full power television signals with at least one affiliate of each of the three power commercial television networks. Authorizes such an authority to regulate the rates of a franchise in effect on the enactment date of this Act for the greater of five years or one-half of the remaining term of the franchise. Authorizes annual rate increases not exceeding the regional consumer price index if subscribers are given 30 days notice. Provides that requests for rate increases shall be deemed to be granted if not acted upon within 90 days. Bars any other regulation of rates, with specified exceptions, by any Federal, State, local, or other franchising authority. Prohibits any such authority from regulating the provision or content of cable services, except that: (1) any applicable FCC regulation in effect on September 21, 1983, may remain in effect; (2) a franchising authority may enforce the terms of a franchise agreement under which the cable operator agrees to provide particular services; (3) a franchising authority and a cable operator may specify that certain services that are obscene or otherwise unprotected by the Constitution may not be provided; and (4) an operator may be required to offer basic cable services. Allows an operator to rearrange, replace, or remove a service specified in a franchise if there has been a significant change in circumstances. Requires a franchising authority to grant an application for the renewal or extension of an operator's franchise, unless: (1) the operator has not substantially complied with the franchise or applicable law or has committed a felony; (2) there has been a change in the operator's qualifications that impairs the provision of service; (3) the facilities to be provided by the operator are unreasonable in terms of cost and community need; (4) the signal of the operator's system has not met the FCC's technical standards; or (5) the proposals of the application are otherwise unreasonable. Sets forth time requirements and procedures governing the filing, consideration, and denial of applications and the judicial review of adverse decisions. Prohibits a franchising authority, upon the expiration of a franchise, from acquiring an ownership interest in a cable system, or requiring a sale of a system to another person, at less than the system's fair market value. Prohibits a franchising authority from acquiring an ownership interest in a system subject to a franchise termination resulting from a material breach by a cable operator, unless the operator was provided notice of, and a reasonable opportunity to remedy, the breach. Prohibits any cable operator or any other person who provides cable services from using the cable system to collect personally identifiable information on a cable subscriber without the written or electronic consent of the subscriber. Permits the collection of such information solely for billing purposes or for monitoring unauthorized receptions of cable telecommunications. Requires such information to be destroyed when it is no longer used for such purposes. Prohibits the disclosure of such information without the consent of the subscriber or a court order authorizing such disclosure. Requires cable operators to notify subscribers of their rights under the privacy provisions of this Act. Requires each subscriber to have access to all of their personally identifiable information collected and maintained by a cable operator or other person providing cable services. Authorizes civil damages for violations of these privacy provisions. States that cable operators have no liability for programs on public, educational, or governmental channels or for channels designated for commercial use by unaffiliated persons. Prohibits any person from intercepting or receiving cable services or assisting in intercepting or receiving cable services without specific authorization by a cable operator or by law. Sets forth provisions governing civil remedies, the determination of civil damages, and criminal penalities for violations of such prohibition. Provides that a State shall not be considered to regulate the rates, terms, and conditions for pole attachments unless: (1) the State has issued and made effective regulations implementing such regulatory authority; and (2) the State takes final action on a complaint about an individual matter within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Establishes the National Commission on Federal Budget Deficit Reductions to review all relevant elements of fiscal and monetary policy, identify problems which may hinder the control and reduction of Federal budget deficits, and analyze all potential options which would result in deficit reductions and place the Government on a sound financial basis. Requires the Commission to transmit a report to the President and Congress not later than February 15, 1984, or the close of the 90th day beginning after the date of enactment of this resolution. Requires such report to contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions as it considers appropriate. Terminates the Commission 30 days after it submits its report.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on the benefit disparities caused by the 1977 changes in the social security retirement benefit formula and to submit to specified congressional committees and to the Congressional Budget Office proposals to correct such disparities. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to cooperate with the Secretary in, and to report to such committees on, the study and proposals required by this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1983
Small Business Competitive Procurement Act of 1983 - Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit Government procurement officers from using qualified bidders or similar lists to preclude small businesses from being awarded contracts without referring the matter for final disposition to the Small Business Administration (SBA). Requires the SBA to certify small businesses as eligible to perform specified Government subcontracts if the contract involved exceeds $100,000 or the approved limits of a contractor's procurement system, whichever is greater. Provides that a Government procurement officer may not refuse to include a product of a small business concern or group of small business concerns on a qualified products list without referring the matter for final disposition to the SBA. Requires the SBA to make such final disposition within 60 days. Prohibits the SBA from: (1) establishing an exemption from the requirements that Government procurement officers refer questions as to a small business' eligibility as a Government contractor to the SBA for disposition; or (2) refusing to accept such a referral. Declares it to be the policy of the United States that small business concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals shall have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the award of Government prime contracts and subcontracts for appropriate portions of component systems, spare parts, and services for major weapon systems. Provides that during the planning for contracts for the procurement and performance of service or for the production or assembly of goods and spare parts for major weapon systems, the head of each Federal agency shall maximize competition for such components or services so as to insure to the maximum extent practicable that small businesses and small disadvantaged businesses are not precluded from performing as prime contractors and subcontractors on such contracts. Requires Federal agencies to publicly post and make available to small businesses information concerning the agencies' solicitations, unless such disclosure of information would be a breach of security or would disclose the Government's cost estimate for the procurement. Directs the Department of Defense to use funds appropriated for the development or production of any major weapon system to acquire manufacturing data relating to such system. Requires contracts entered into by any military department for the development or production of any major weapons system to contain provisions insuring the Government's acquisition of such manufacturing data, including conditions under which the contractor waives proprietary rights with respect to data necessary for the performance of such contracts. Provides waiver authority upon notification to specified congressional committees in instances where the military department determines that manufacturing technical data is not necessary. Directs each military department, within a specified time, to complete an inventory of the manufacturing technical data which the Government has in its possession or to which it has access. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to transmit to Congress, within three years after enactment of this Act, a report evaluating each military department's efforts to compile an inventory of the manufacturing data for major weapons systems in its possession or to which it has access. States that Federal procurement rulemaking is to be covered under the Administrative Procedure Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1983
Urges the President to convene a national Conference on Small Business in 1984 to: (1) reaffirm the country's commitment to small business; (2) secure the continued leadership of small businesses with respect to the U.S. economic recovery; (3) assure that small businesses continue their leadership in maintaining the quality of life in the United States; and (4) ensure that the role that small businesses have played in the past growth and development of the United States will continue unimpeded by governmental restraints.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983
Designates the week of October 17 through October 24, 1983, as National Adult Continuing Education Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the transfer of ownership or management of any civil meteorological satellite system and associated ground system equipment to the private sector is not presently appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1983
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act) to allow any State to prepare and submit for approval to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency: (1) a survey of water quality deterioration in the State which has resulted from acid deposition; and (2) methods and procedures to restore the water quality insofar as it has deteriorated as a result of acid deposition. Directs the Administrator to provide financial assistance to States to carry out such approved methods and procedures. Limits the amount of any such grant to 80 percent of the State expenditure for carrying out the approved methods and procedures. Directs the Administrator to provide for equitable distribution of such grants on the basis of the relative need of each State for the restoration of water quality which has deteriorated as a result of acid deposition. Provides that such grants shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other Federal assistance. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act for FY 1984 through 1988.
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 · 13 September 1983
States that the United States: (1) condemns the Soviet destruction of Korean Air Lines flight 7; (2) calls for an explanation from the Soviets; (3) extends its sympathies to the families who lost loved ones and supports their rights to obtain reparations from the Soviets; (4) calls on the Soviets to assist in the recovery of the remains of the victims; (5) calls for an international investigation by the International Civil Aviation Organization; (6) declares its intention to demand that the Soviets modify their air defense procedures to assure the safety of commercial airliners; (7) finds that this incident will make it difficult for the U.S. and other nations to accept the Soviets as responsible members of the international community; and (8) urges our allies and other nations to cooperate with specified demands on the Soviets.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1983
Designates the week of September 25 through October 1, 1983, as National Rehabilitation Facilities Week.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Grants a Federal charter to the Franco-American War Veterans, Incorporated.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Wine Equity Act of 1983 - Requires the President to direct the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to negotiate the harmonization of tariff and nontariff barriers on wine with each designated major trading country. Requires negotiations with designated major trading countries which do not export wine to the United States in order to eliminate all tariff and nontariff trade barriers of such countries to the importation of U.S. wine. Requires the President to impose tariff and nontariff trade barriers equal or substantially equivalent to the barriers applied by a designated major trading country if such country does not provide harmonization to U.S. produced-wine with 180 days of the country's designation as a designated major trading country. Provides for removing such U.S. tariff and nontariff barriers. Requires the USTR to report to specified congressional committees at the beginning and end of each negotiation. Requires the USTR to consult with such committees to identify further tariff and nontariff barriers to and potential markets for U.S. wine. Provides for assistance for the USTR from other Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for expenses incurred in the care of elderly family members. Sets such credit at 30 percent of the expenses incurred for taxpayers with incomes of $25,000 or less. Reduces the rate of such credit, but not below 20 percent, by one percent for each $2,000 of taxpayer income in excess of $25,000. Limits such credit to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $75,000. Imposes a maximum $7,000 limit on the amount of elderly care expenses that can be taken into account. Defines "qualified family member" as any individual who: (1) is related to the taxpayer by blood or marriage; (2) is at least 70 years of age (or diagnosed with senile dementia); and (3) has a family income of $15,000 or less. Defines "qualified elderly care expenses" as payments for: (1) home health agency services; (2) homemaker services; (3) adult day care; (4) respite care; or (5) certain health care equipment and supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Designates August 4, 1984, as Coast Guard Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1983
Grants a Federal charter to the Jewish War Veterans of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1983
Designates the week beginning May 21, 1984, as National Medical Transcriptionist Week.
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 · 20 July 1983
Designates the week beginning September 18, 1983, as Emergency Medicine Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1983
Designates the week beginning October 16, 1983, as National Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1983
Proclaims September 3, 1983, as a day of national celebration of the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1983
Maritime Safety Act of 1983 - Prohibits vessels subject to Coast Guard inspection from being operated without such inspection. Subjects violators to fines under various Federal laws. Requires vessel owners, operators, or agents to notify the Coast Guard about any vessel that may have been lost or imperiled. Subjects violators to fines. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to contract with specified U.S. shipowners for installation of a marine satellite telecommunications system. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986. Subjects all acts of marine incompetency or misconduct committed by licensed personnel to Coast Guard jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1983
Authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate jointly to present, on behalf of the Congress, a bronze medal to families of American personnel missing or otherwise unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that one-half of the cost of insurance paid by a self-employed taxpayer for medical care during the taxable year will be allowed as a business deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1983
Proclaims March 20, 1984, as National Agriculture Day.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1983
Directs the President to designate a specified week in June 1984, as Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1983
Grants a Federal charter to the organization known as the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1983
National Acid Deposition Control Act of 1983 - Title I: Acid Deposition Control and Assistance Program - Amends the Clean Air Act to establish new requirements for acid deposition control. Sets forth direct federally mandated emission reductions and retrofit technology for the 50 fossil fuel fired electric utility generating plants which had the largest total emissions of sulfur dioxide during the calendar year 1980. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) identify each such plant which emitted sulfur dioxide during calendar year 1980 at an annual average rate equal to or exceeding three pounds per million Btu; (2) within two months after enactment of this Act, publish a list of the 50 plants which have the largest total emissions; (3) notify the owner or operator of each of the 50 plants listed; and (4) within four months after such enactment, and after notice and opportunity for comment, publish a final list of the 50 plants with the largest total emissions. Requires the owner or operator of each plant on the final list to submit to the Administrator, by January 1, 1985, a compliance schedule, including increments of progress. Directs the Administrator to approve or disapprove such schedule, within one year after submission, and after notice and opportunity for hearing. Directs the Administrator, if such schedule is not submitted by the deadline or is not approved, to promulgate a compliance schedule for such plant on January 1, 1986. Provides for modification and publication of such schedules. Requires that each compliance schedule provide that: (1) a technological system of continuous emission reduction be used for each steam generating unit in the fossil fuel fired electric utility generating plant concerned; and (2) sulfur dioxide emissions from such plant for the calendar year 1990 and each calendar year thereafter shall not exceed 1.2 pounds per million Btu heat input and ten percent of the total annual sulfur dioxide emissions during calendar year 1980 (90 percent reduction) or 0.6 pounds per million Btu and 30 percent of the total annual sulfur dioxide emissions during the calendar year 1980 (70 percent reduction). Sets forth procedures for determining plant compliance with such emission limitation. Requires that: (1) contracts be entered into for the purchase and installation of the technological systems of continuous emission reduction by January 1, 1988; (2) such systems be installed and in operation by January 1, 1990; and (3) the emission limitation be achieved for each calendar year after 1989. Directs the Administrator, from the Acid Deposition Control Fund established under this Act, to pay for 90 percent of the costs of construction and installation of the technological system of continuous emission reduction necessary for each such plant to comply with the emission limitation. Directs the Administrator, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, to promulgate regulations under which such payments: (1) may be made to utilities only if they will be used entirely to reduce those electric rate increases which would otherwise result from such construction and installation; and (2) shall be made at such times as will minimize rate increases. Sets forth requirements for State plans for additional emission reductions of sulfur dioxide. Directs the Administrator, within four months after the enactment of this Act, to compute a State share, for each of the 48 contiguous States, of a 10,000,000 ton reduction in annual emissions of sulfur dioxide by 1993 below that of 1980. Sets forth a formula for computation of State shares. Permits the Governors of two or more States to reallot State shares among agreeing States, if there is an equal or greater total reduction in annual emissions of sulfur dioxide through such reallotment. Sets deadlines and procedures for submission and approval of State plans for such State shares. Directs the Administrator to promulgate a State plan on January 1, 1988, if no State plan has been: (1) submitted by June 1, 1985; or (2) approved by January 1, 1988. Requires State plans for State shares to provide for emission limitations applicable to any stationary sources in the State for which the actual annual sulfur dioxide emission rates have been calculated by the Administrator for the calendar year 1980, other than a source which is one of the listed 50 electric utility plants subject to direct federally mandated emission reductions. Requires that the emission limitations for each stationary source subject to the State plan establish an allowable average annual sulfur dioxide rate at a level such that the total reduction would equal the State share, with specified credits for States in which any of the 50 listed plants are located. Permits State plans for State shares to provide for compliance with emission limitations through use of technological systems of continuous emission reduction or any other appropriate requirements. Directs the Administrator, from the Acid Deposition Control Fund (established within this Act), to pay for 90 percent of the costs of the construction and installation at an electric utility generating plant of any technological system of continuous emission reduction necessary to comply with requirements under a State plan for a State share of sulfur dioxide emission reductions. Subjects such payments to regulations relating to reduction of increases in utility rates. Establishes a trust fund in the Treasury of the United States to be known as the Acid Deposition Control Fund, consisting of amounts generated by fees imposed under this Act. Directs the Administrator to make payments from the fund first to facilities covered by direct federally mandated emission reductions and then to facilities covered by State share plan requirements. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to be the trustee of the Fund and to report to the Congress for each fiscal year ending on or after September 30, 1984, on its financial condition and the results of its operation during such fiscal year and on its expected condition and operations during the next five fiscal years. Sets forth Fund investment duties of the Secretary. Imposes, under regulations promulgated by the Administrator, a fee of one mill for each kilowatt hour of electric energy: (1) generated in the contiguous 48 States by an electric utility; and (2) imported into the contiguous 48 States. Exempts from such fee electric energy: (1) used at the electric generating facility concerned; or (2) generated by a nuclear generating facility. Makes such fee effective with respect to electric energy generated, or imported, after December 31, 1984. Makes the fee cease to apply on the earlier of: (1) December 31, 1995; or (2) the date on which all payments required under this Act have been made. Authorizes the Administrator to terminate the fee at an earlier date upon estimation that sufficient funds have been collected to fund all such required payments. Directs the Administrator to promulgate within six months after enactment of this Act regulations setting forth the time and manner required for payment of such fee and related reporting requirements. Establishes civil penalties for: (1) electric utilities (or importers of electric energy) which fail or refuse to pay such fees or to file required reports; and (2) any person who makes false or misleading statements in such required documents. Directs the Administrator to bring civil actions in such cases. Establishes additional criminal penalties for electric utilities (or importers of electric energy) which knowingly commit such violations. Makes conforming amendments. Title II: Control of Nitrogen Oxide Emissions - Directs the Administrator to revise standards of performance for new stationary sources for emissions of nitrogen oxides from electric utility steam generating units which burn bituminous or subbituminous coal and which commence construction after the enactment of this Act. Prohibits the emission of nitrogen oxides from such units at a rate which exceeds: (1) 0.30 pounds per million Btu, in the case of subbituminous coal; and (2) 0.40 pounds per million Btu, in the case of bituminous coal. Adds to provisions relating to emissions from mobile sources to set the following nitrogen oxide emission standards for model year 1986 and after truck and truck engines: (1) gross vehicle weight of 6,000 pounds or less - 1.2 grams per vehicle mile; (2) 6,000 to 8,500 pounds - 1.7 grams per vehicle mile; and (3) more than 8,500 pounds - 4.0 grams per brake horsepower-hour.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1983
Designates the month of November 1983, as National Diabetes Month.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1983
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Organic Act - Title I: Declaration of Findings, Purposes, and Policies - Sets forth the findings, purposes, and policies of Congress concerning marine and atmospheric resources. Title II: Establishment; Powers; Functions - Establishes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as an independent agency. Provides for the principal officers, with an Administrator as the head of NOAA, and sets out the functions, responsibilities, and powers of the Administrator. Requires the recipient of a grant, loan, or other form of financial assistance from NOAA to keep records on the disposition of the funds. Grants the Administrator access to such records to determine if the funds were used in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Title III: Coordination - Requires the Administrator to consult with other Federal departments and agencies to insure that inconsistent and duplicative requirements are not imposed on regulated industries or individuals. Directs the Administrator to consult with the Secretary of State on agreements, treaties or understandings with foreign nations or international bodies concerning areas in which NOAA has domestic responsibility. Title IV: Enforcement - Sets forth the enforcement powers of NOAA's authorized officers. Authorizes the Administrator to utilize the personnel, services, and facilities of any State agency to assist with his enforcement authority. Sets forth provisions concerning the issuance of citations, the disposition of seized property and vessel penalties. Grants jurisdiction to the U.S. district courts for cases arising out of this Act. Sets out the remedies the Administrator may seek for violations of law for which he has enforcement authority. Grants to individuals the right to institute civil actions for violations of laws administered by NOAA. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Transfers the functions and authority from the existing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the Department of Commerce to the new NOAA. Transfers personnel, property, records, and funds to the new NOAA. Permits the President to make interim appointment of officers for the NOAA until permanent officers may be appointed with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the President to submit biennial authorization requests to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1983
Energy Security Tax Incentives Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend for ten years from 1985 to 1995 the availability of the investment tax credit for affirmative commitments made for solar, wind, and geothermal energy property. Requires that such affirmative commitments must be made by specified dates.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1983
Water Quality Renewal Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize appropriations for FY 1983 through 1988 for: (1) specified research, investigation, and training programs in water pollution control; (2) State and interstate pollution control programs; (3) undergraduate programs in water quality control; (4) grants for developing waste treatment management plans for areas with substantial water quality control problems; (5) water pollution control programs in agricultural areas; (6) agreements among Government agencies providing for maximum use of existing programs for water quality control; (7) grants to States for lake pollution control; and (8) carrying out such Act generally. Increases the authorization for grants for construction of waste treatment works for FY 1984 and 1985. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1986 through 1988. Revises the timetable for compliance of all pollutants with effluent limitations. Requires as new conditions for the modification of treatment requirements with respect to the discharge of pollutants from a publicly owned treatment works that an applicant for such modification demonstrate that: (1) in the case of a treatment works serving a population of 50,000 or more, there is in effect a specified pretreatment program for toxic pollutants introduced into such works for which there is no pretreatment requirement in effect; and (2) the effluent which is discharged from such works is receiving primary treatment and meets the criteria for water quality established by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Revises the meaning of the phrase "discharge of any pollutant into marine water." Requires that a water quality standard which is revised after January 1, 1983, maintain the designated uses of the navigable waters involved in effect on such date, except that such a standard may contain a less restrictive use if the State demonstrates that: (1) the existing designated use is not attainable because of natural background or irretrievable man-induced conditions; or (2) the application of effluent limitations needed to attain the existing designated use would result in substantial and widespread adverse economic and social impact. Requires a State to revise water quality standards to preserve the quality of those waters within the State exceeding the level necessary to support the designated use contained in existing water quality standards. Requires a State to consider the need to adopt numercial criteria in addition to other water quality criteria' with respect to specified toxic pollutants whenever such State reviews a water quality standard. Requires the maintenance and protection of water the quality of which exceeds levels necessary to support the propagation of fish and wildlife and to allow recreation in and on the water, unless a State chooses, after compliance with intergovernmental coordination and public participation requirements, to allow lower water quality because of essential economic or social development for which there is no feasible alternative. Prohibits a degradation of water quality which will interfere with or injure instream water uses. Prohibits degradation in high quality waters which constitute an outstanding national resource. Requires a State to minimize the effects of development on water quality in any case where water quality degradation is permitted. Requires the Administrator to publish in the Federal Register a list of all navigable waters in each State the water quality of which is being impaired by the discharge from specific sources of toxic pollutants. Directs the Administrator to establish an individual control strategy for each listed segment of navigable waters which shall reduce the discharge of toxic pollutants from such sources so as to allow the achievement of water quality which provides for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for recreation in and on the water. Increases the civil penalties for violations of requirements with respect to water quality standards under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Requires the Administrator to convene a management conference whenever the attainment or maintenance of water quality in an estuary requires the control of sources of pollution in more than one State. Provides that such a management conference shall establish and provide for the implementation of a master plan which addresses the pollution problems of the estuary involved. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States participating in such a management conference which are equal to 55 percent of a State's cost of implementing a master plan for a fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1988 for such grants. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator for FY 1984 through 1988 for: (1) administrative expenses with respect to management conferences; (2) grants for the development of master plans for estuaries; and (3) monitoring the implementation of such master plans. Prohibits the specification of a disposal site in navigable waters for the discharge of dredged or fill material unless the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, determines that the discharge of such material at such site will not have an unacceptable adverse effect on the aquatic environmental and that there is no less adverse practicable alternative to the proposed discharge. Requires that an application for a permit to discharge dredge or fill material into navigable waters at a specified disposal site be filed with the district engineer of the Corps of Engineers for the district where the discharge is to be made. Requires the district engineers to notify the Administrator, the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce, and other appropriate Federal agency heads of any such application. Specifies the time periods within which such agencies may submit comments on such applications. Requires the district engineer to give full consideration to such comments in deciding whether to issue a permit. Requires the district engineer to notify the Administrator or the appropriate Secretary if a permit to which the Administrator or the Secretary is opposed is to be issued. Specifies the time periods within which the district engineer must publish a decision with respect to a permit application. Provides that a denial of a permit application shall be the final decision of the Secretary of the Army. Provides that a decision to issue a permit shall be the final decision of the Secretary of the Army unless the Administrator, the Secretary of the Interior, or the the Secretary of Commerce requests a review of such a decision in any case in which the Administrator or either Secretary opposed the issuance of a permit. Specifies the time periods within which the Secretary of the Army must issue a final decision following such a request. Requires the Administrator to study and report to Congress on the effects of the impoundment and discharge of waters by dams upon the quality of navigable waters.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1983
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to authorize the Commodity Credit Corporation to export or aid in the development of foreign markets for fish and fish products without regard to whether the fish are harvested in aquacultural operations. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to include fish within the definition of agricultural commodities, for purposes of that Act, without regard to whether the fish are harvested in aquacultural operations. Deletes the provision which requires that priority be given to financing the sale of food and fiber commodities under title I of such Act. Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to include fish within the definition of agricultural commodities, for purposes of the export sales credit program of that Act, without regard to whether the fish are harvested in aquacultural operations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1983
Proclaims the week of June 3 through June 9, 1984, National Theatre Week.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1983
Historic Shipwreck Preservation Act - Provides that the United States relinquishes to the respective States all right, title, and interest of the United States with respect to historical shipwrecks and structures on the seabed or in the subsoil of lands beneath the navigable waters within the boundaries of such States. Provides that the U.S. maritime law of salvage shall not apply to such shipwrecks or structures.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the continuing possibility that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to withholding of tax from interest and dividends will be repealed is creating, for all payors, an undue hardship within the meaning of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, and that the Secretary of the Treasury should exercise his authority under such Act to delay the effective date of such provisions until December 31, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1983
Designates the week beginning November 6, 1983, as National Disabled Veterans Week.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1983
Designates October 1, 1983, the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1983
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program of grants to: (1) identify women who received diethylstilbestrol (DES) while pregnant and their children; (2) establish a voluntary registry of such women and children; (3) provide them with periodic cancer screening; and (4) provide health personnel with information respecting the health hazards of such drug.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1983
Designates February 11, 1984, as National Inventors' Day.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1983
Designates the week of September 18 through 24, 1983, as National Cystic Fibrosis Week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1983
Authorizes and requests the President to designate May 8 to June 19, 1983, as Family Reunion Month.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1983
Proclaims September 3, 1983, a day of national celebration of the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1983
Church Audit Procedures Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restrict the Secretary of the Treasury from investigating or auditing churches unless the Secretary possesses evidence causing him to believe that a church: (1) is carrying on an unrelated trade or business; or (2) should not be granted tax-exempt status. Restricts the Secretary from beginning any investigation unless he has first provided the church with written notice that an investigation is being commenced. Sets forth the requirements of such notice. Requires that the Secretary must first approve an application by the regional counsel of the internal revenue region for examination of church records and religious activities before beginning any such examination. Requires the Secretary, prior to the approval of any such application, to offer in writing an opportunity for a conference to discuss facts, evidence, and issues relevant to the investigation. Requires the Secretary to notify the church in writing of the approval of the application for examination at least 15 days prior to the commencement of such examination. Limits the examination of religious activities to that necessary to determine whether an organization is a church or convention or association of churches. Limits the examination of church records to that necessary to determine the amount of tax imposed. Allows an organization which claims that the Secretary has violated the provisions of this Act to bring a civil action for injunctive relief against the Secretary. Reduces the statute of limitations for collection after assessment of tax to three years in the case of any organization which is a church or convention or association of churches.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1983
Designates the week beginning September 4, 1983, as Youth of America Week.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that regulations relating to title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (concerning sex discrimination in education) should not be amended or altered in any manner which will lessen the comprehensive coverage of such statute in eliminating gender discrimination throughout the American educational system.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1983
Designates the week of October 16 through October 22, 1983, as Lupus Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1983
Designates May 6 through May 13, 1984, as National Tuberous Sclerosis Week.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1983
Urges the United States and the Soviet Union to begin talks aimed at creating a jointly administered United States-Soviet student exchange program. Sets forth certain aspects of such exchange program.