United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1983
Dedicates the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California to Phillip Burton. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to inform the public of the contributions of Phillip Burton through the use of signs, maps, and interpretive programs and to establish an appropriate memorial to him within the recreation area. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1983
Civil Rights Amendments Act of 1983 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of affectional or sexual orientation. Provides that this Act shall not be construed to permit a finding of discrimination based on statistical differences or the fashioning of any remedy requiring a quota.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1983
Proclaims Nelson Mandela an honorary citizen of the United States and requests the President to take steps to secure his unconditional release from prison in South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1983
Proclaims Winnie Mandela an honorary citizen of the United States and requests the President to seek from South Africa a revocation of her banishment to Brandfort, South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1983
Hazardous Substance Victims Compensation Act of 1983 - Title I: Victims Compensation - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act (also known as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) to provide compensation for injury, illness, or death resulting from exposure to certain hazardous substances. Permits individuals who allege that they have sustained damages for which compensation is payable under this Act to file an application for such compensation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Directs the Administrator to pay compensation to individuals who establish by a preponderance of the evidence that they have suffered physical injuries or illnesses which were caused by an exposure to a hazardous substance: (1) from a facility or site where it was stored, treated, or disposed of; or (2) during transportation to such a facility or site. Directs the Administrator to pay compensation to dependents of deceased individuals if such dependents establish to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the death of such deceased individual was caused by any such exposure. Provides that compensation to individuals who have suffered a physical injury or illness shall consist of: (1) a payment or reimbursement for all medical costs incurred in connection with the physical injury, illness, or death concerned; and (2) an amount equal to two-thirds of the injured, ill, or deceased person's earnings which are lost by reason of the physical injury, illness, or death. Limits such compensation for loss of earnings to $2,000 per month. Provides that compensation to dependents shall be equal to such compensation for medical costs and loss of earnings, plus reasonable burial expenses. Directs the Administrator to: (1) promulgate rules regarding equitable allocation of compensation payable where there are two or more dependents; and (2) compute the amount of compensation to be awarded to any applicant and determine the method, terms, and time of payment. Provides that payments made under this Act shall be charged against amounts available in funds established under this Act (i.e. the Victims Compensation Trust Fund or, where the Administrator determines that the exposure was attributable to a facility which had received a permit under hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Post-Closure Victims Trust Fund). Provides that claims against either of such funds which are in excess of the total money in the fund concerned shall become valid and shall be paid in the same manner as provided under specified provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. Sets forth procedures for determination of claim payments. Directs the Administrator to: (1) use the procedures used by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in determining entitlement to disability insurance benefit payments; and (2) arrange with the Secretary to use the personnel and office of the Social Security Administration for administration and determination of claims filed under this Act. Sets forth provisions relating to presumption of causation. Sets forth factors relevant to the issues of causation. Sets forth requirements relating to medical tests, examinations, and other investigations, and to hearings with respect to such claims. Requires that, whenever such a claims payment is made to an applicant, the United States be: (1) subrogated to the rights of such applicant under any other provisions of law (including provisions of this Act relating to the liability of certain persons) for the full amount of such payment; and (2) entitled to recover all administrative and adjudicative costs and attorneys fees incurred by the United States by reason of the applicant's claim. Directs the Attorney General to protect and enforce such rights of subrogation. Requires that amounts thus recovered by the United States be deposited in the funds established under this Act, as may be appropriate based on the source of the funds used to pay the claim involved. Sets forth provisions for judicial review of final determinations made by the Administrator under this Act. Sets forth provisions for recovery of an additional amount in a subsequent claim by an individual who establishes that an additional physical injury or illness: (1) was caused by such exposure; and (2) was not known to the individual at the time the prior claims application was made. Prohibits entitlement to compensation in the case of any applicant who, by action or inaction, intentionally causes or contributes to the injury, illness, or death on which the claim is based. Sets forth conditions for such prohibition. Makes the following persons liable, jointly and serverally and without regard for fault, for damages to individuals (or their dependents) caused by such individuals exposure to a hazardous substance: (1) the owner or operator of the facility or site at the time of or subsequent to the treatment, storage, or disposal of such substance; (2) the owner or possessor of such substance who arranged for disposal or treatment, or for transport for disposal or treatment; and (3) the transporter of such substances to a disposal or treatment facility or site. Sets forth conditions under which such persons are not liable for such damages. Provides that the following damages due to personal injury, illness, or death shall be compensable: (1) medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, or burial expenses; (2) loss of income or profits or any impairment or loss of earning capacity; and (3) pain and suffering. Prohibits the introduction of the results of proceedings brought for administrative compensation into such actions for damages. Permits the introduction of any relevant health effects document into evidence in such actions. Grants jurisdiction over such causes of action to the appropriate U.S. district court. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt, or otherwise affect, any State law regarding liability for damages in connection with hazardous substances. Sets time limitations on applications for administrative compensation and on actions for damages under this Act. Prohibits retroactive liability under this Act. Sets forth requirements relating to collateral recovery under this Act and from specified other sources. Prohibits recovery of any amount under this Act for any injury, illness, or death for which any compensation is available under a State workers' compensation law. Directs the Administrator to periodically prepare and, after notice and opportunity for comment, publish hazardous substance health effects documents. Sets forth criminal penalties for false statements in any application or proceeding for administrative compensation under this Act. Title II: Victims Compensation Fund - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose additional environmental taxes on petroleum and certain chemicals. Provides that such taxes shall be imposed until the earlier of: (1) September 30, 1990; or (2) the date on which the total amount received in the Victims Compensation Fund through such taxes and through specified other sources totals a specified amount. Establishes the Victims Compensation Trust Fund in the U.S. Treasury. Appropriates to such fund amounts determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be equivalent to: (1) the amounts received in the Treasury under the additional environmental taxes; and (2) the amounts recovered on behalf of such fund and penalties assessed under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to such fund for FY 1984 through 1990. Sets forth administrative provisions and requirements relating to expenditures from such fund. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an additional environmental tax on the receipt of hazardous waste at a qualified hazardous waste disposal facility. Provides that such tax shall apply to such receipt after September 30, 1983. Provides that, if, as of September 30 of any subsequent calendar year, the unobligated balance of the Post-Closure Victims Trust Fund exceeds a specified amount, such tax will not be imposed during the following calendar year. Establishes the Post-Closure Victims Trust Fund in the U.S. Treasury. Sets forth administrative provisions and requirements for expenditures from such fund.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1983
Amends the Small Business Act to specify the maximum interest rate on disaster loans made by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to homeowners or small businesses for disasters commencing on or after October 1, 1982. Provides that such loans, subject to reductions in insurance payments received by a loan applicant, shall cover 100 percent of the loss suffered. Limits such loans to $500,000 per disaster, unless a loan applicant is a major source of employment in the disaster area, in which case such limitation may be waived at the discretion of the Administrator of the SBA. Requires the interest rate for such loans to be the rate that is in effect when the disaster commenced. Prohibits the SBA, subject to reductions for insurance payments received by a loan applicant, from reducing the amount of such loans for homeowners to less than $100,000 for loss of real property or $20,000 for personal property. Provides that upon presentation by a loan applicant of proof of loss, damage or injury, the SBA will cancel a portion of the principal of any loan used to cover damage to real property that is occupied as a primary residence or personal property contained therein resulting from a disaster commencing on or after October 1, 1982. Specifies the portion of the loan principal to be cancelled for certain loan amounts. Authorizes funds to the SBA for FY 1984 for direct loans to small businesses for facility rehabilitation and for disaster relief. Extends for one year the prohibition on disaster loan assistance by the SBA to agricultural enterprises.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions which terminate the income tax exclusion for amounts received by an employee under an educational assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1983
Amends the Federal Reserve Act to direct the President in selecting the members of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to appoint one member each to represent the respective interests of small businesses and agriculture.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to exempt segments of the Interstate Highway System from the requirement that commercial motor vehicle combinations consisting of a truck tractor and two trailing units (double bottom trucks) be allowed to operate on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and designated Federal- aid Primary System highways.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Balanced Monetary Policy Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to require the Board of Governors and the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve System to establish yearly targets for money and total credit aggregates and for real interest rates consistent with historic levels. Requires the Board and the Federal Open Market Committee to take necessary actions to assure that such targets are achieved, on average, on an annual basis. Requires a written report to specified Congressional committees if such targets cannot or should not be achieved because of unfavorable economic conditions. Requires the Board of Governors to transmit specified information to Congress biannually. Requires the Board to announce publicly changes in objectives and plans at the time those changes are determined. Requires the President to state for the System's record the administration's position on each vote on monetary policy taken by the Board and by the Federal Open Market Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Homeowners Loan Corporation Charter Act of 1983 - Establishes the Homeowners Loan Corporation as an independent Federal agency. Sets forth provisions governing the Board of Directors, general powers, and capital stock of such Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to acquire home mortgages facing foreclosure in exchange for obligations and to make cash advances to pay the taxes, assessments, and maintenance expenses of the property involved as well as other incidental expenses of the exchange. Limits the value of any obligation exchanged for a mortgage to: (1) the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insurable amount for the home involved; and (2) 80 percent of the appraised value of the home. Requires that each acquired mortgage be carried as a first lien or refinanced as a home mortgage by the Corporation. Limits the amortization period and interest on such acquired mortgages. Directs the Corporation to set the monthly mortgage payment for an assisted homeowner at an amount that, when combined with the homeowner's monthly housing expense, does not exceed 30 percent of the homeowner's monthly net effective income. Directs the Corporation to establish certain procedures for monitoring the financial circumstances of such homeowners. Allows the Corporation to extend the time for an installment payment or to revise the term of a mortgage upon consideration of a mortgager's circumstances. Authorizes the Corporation to make loans to homeowners for taxes, assessments, and maintenance expenses if the property involved is not otherwise encumbered, and to make cash advances on behalf of a homeowner to a mortgage holder who refuses to accept Corporation obligations, subject to the same provisions governing interest, amortization, and extensions as are applicable to acquired mortgages. Authorizes the Corporation to acquire mortgages and make loans and cash advances under this Act in any Federal Home Loan Bank district only when the mortgage delinquency rate for three consecutive months for either such district or the nation exceeds a specified amount. Provides for the termination and reinstitution of such authority based on such mortgage delinquency rate. Directs the Corporation to notify mortgagees in a district when instituting program assistance. Includes as conditions of eligibility for mortgage acquisition or cash assistance under this Act the requirements that: (1) the mortgage is not federally insured; (2) the homeowner has incurred a substantial reduction in income as a result of a loss of, or reduction in, employment for the homeowner or for any person contributing to the homeowner's income and the homeowner is, therefore, unable to make full mortgage payments; and (3) the acquisition or assistance is necessary to avoid foreclosure. Sets forth provisions governing the authority of the Corporation to issue obligations to finance the assistance program under this Act. Limits the aggregate principal amount of outstanding obligations to 12 times the Corporation's capital stock of $1,000,000,000. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase such obligations. Declares that the Corporation shall be exempt from all taxes except State and local real property taxes. Directs the Corporation to submit annual reports on its activities to the President and Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Small Business Capital Formation Tax Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to lower the amount of corporate tax liability on taxable income up to $200,000. Increases from 60 percent to 80 percent the capital gain deduction for equity investments in small business concerns for investments held for five years or more. Establishes a maximum corporate capital gain tax rate of 20 percent attributable to equity investments in small business concerns. Allows a small business to use a cash receipts method of accounting if its average annual gross receipts do not exceed $1,500,000 for the three preceding taxable years. Allows a nonrefundable ten percent tax income credit for investment in small business stock. Permits a taxpayer to defer payment of tax on the sale of any capital gain property if the proceeds from such sale are reinvested within one year in small business stock, and the amount of such gain does not exceed the amount invested in small business stock.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Authorizes the erection of a memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia, or its environs, in honor and commemoration of members of the armed forces who served in the Korean war. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to select, with the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, a suitable site on public grounds for such memorial. Subjects the design and any plans for the memorial to the approval of the Secretary, the National Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission. Declares that no moneys belonging to the United States or the District of Columbia shall be expended for the erection of such memorial. Authorizes appropriations for site acquisition and preparation in the event nonpublic land is selected for the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Permits the Administrator of General Services to make available for public use all records of the Select Committee on Assassinations of the 94th and 95th Congresses other than those voted to be kept secret or confidential. Requires the guidelines governing disclosure of such records to be those used by the General Services Administration for the records of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Directs the President to furnish to the House of Representatives, within ten days after adoption of this resolution, documents relating to: (1) military assistance furnished to Honduras; (2) certain military intelligence activities in Nicaragua and Honduras; and (3) combat activities of and casualties incurred by Nicaragua and Honduras.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should not encourage or support efforts to destabilize or overthrow the government of any Central American nation; (2) other nations in the region should not engage in such activities; (3) all interested parties should encourage the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region; and (4) the United States should engage in multilateral negotiations with Nicaragua and Honduras to reduce the tensions in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay specified sums to two named individuals in full satisfaction of all of their claims against the United States arising out of the tortious and felonious activity of a special agent of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Requires the Maritime Administration to set aside specified surplus government ships for the use of LIFE International, a private nonprofit organization, to provide humanitarian services to developing countries. States that such set-aside authority shall not apply when the ships are needed for national security purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 to exempt designated Interstate System and Federal-aid primary system highways from the requirement that States allow commercial motor vehicle combinations consisting of a truck tractor and two trailing units (double bottom trucks) to operate on such highways. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to grant such exemption for safety considerations and highway structural integrity. Sets forth the procedure for States to obtain such exemption. Prohibits States from imposing a vehicle length limitation of less than 28 feet on semitrailers or trailers of double bottom trucks operating on exempted highways. Directs the Secretary to provide for a study of the effects of double bottom trucks on the Interstate Highway System. (Currently the Secretary monitors such effects). Requires a report to the Secretary and Congress on the results of such study not later than January 31, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Global Resources, Environment, and Population Act of 1983 - Declares it to be the public policy to: (1) promote national population stabilization; (2) encourage other nations to achieve population stabilization; and (3) coordinate research and national planning concerning global trends in population characteristics, the availability of natural resources, and environmental change. Directs all Federal agencies to: (1) use reliable demographic research in planning and decisionmaking which affect national and global population characteristics; and (2) develop procedures to insure the consideration of population characteristics, population stabilization, and environmental, economic, and natural resource aspects in agency planning and decisionmaking. Directs each agency head to: (1) review the agency's statutory authority, policies, and regulations to determine whether there are any impediments to complying with this Act; and (2) recommend the necessary administrative or legislative actions to eliminate such impediments. Establishes an Interagency Council on Global Resources, the Environment, and Population to: (1) coordinate research, conduct studies, and report to the President and Congress on trends in population characteristics; (2) assess the impact of such trends on population stabilization, the environment, and the availability of natural resources; (3) recommend legislative and administrative actions to modify or eliminate Federal programs, laws, and regulations which limit the achievement of the policies of this Act; and (4) recommend to Congress and the President a national population policy and policies to encourage global population stabilization at a level which maintains the highest possible standard of living and does not deplete the world's natural resources or degrade the global environment. Requires the President to submit to Congress, annually, a national population change and planning report which includes: (1) an evaluation of the impact that national and global trends in population characteristics, the availability of natural resources, and environmental change will have on the nation's economy and national security; and (2) recommendations for necessary legislative actions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
National Defense Education Act of 1983 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to establish a program of assistance for science, mathematics, and foreign language education at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for programs to improve educational achievement standards. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to ensure that LEAs achieve qualitative and quantitative educational improvements as a condition of obtaining assistance under such Act. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Sets forth authorized uses for such grants relating to mathematics, science, and foreign language education, including: (1) development of new curricula and requirements; (2) purchase of laboratory equipment and computers; (3) in-service training and summer institutes for teachers; (4) expansion of summer school programs; (5) purchase of new textbooks and related materials; (6) funding specialists in such fields for elementary education; (7) costs of more stringent standards for graduation, including remedial classes; (8) costs of certification of graduates of postsecondary institutions as teachers in such fields; and (9) demonstration projects for school-year extension. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of establishing and maintaining funds at institutions of higher education for making low-interest loans to students who: (1) pursue courses of study in mathematics, science, or a foreign language leading to a baccalaureate degree; and (2) intend to enter the profession of teaching such subjects in elementary or secondary schools. Directs the Secretary to make payments to each institution based on its estimated needs for making such loans. Sets forth requirements for applications and agreements relating to such funds. Sets forth limitations on the amount of such loans to an individual student. Sets forth conditions for student eligibility and agreements for such loans. Sets forth loan repayment conditions. Provides for cancellation of 25 percent of such loan for each complete academic year of service as a full-time science or mathematics teacher in an elementary or secondary school (as well as cancellation of all interest accruing on such loan during such year). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for programs of competency testing for students in mathematics, science, and foreign languages in order to determine appropriate undergraduate instruction programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for continuing education programs for secondary school teachers of science, mathematics, and foreign languages to improve skills and assist in qualification for certification. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to award fellowships for graduate study in mathematics, sciences, engineering, and foreign languages to students of superior ability who intend to teach such subjects at elementary, secondary, or postsecondary levels. Limits each fellowship award to a 60-month maximum period. Directs the Secretary to select a panel from the Department of Education to determine such fellowship awards and amounts. Requires nomination by an institution of higher education for such a fellowship. Permits use of such fellowship at any accredited institution of higher education. Conditions continued fellowship payments on maintenance of satisfactory proficiency and full-time study or research in the field for which the fellowship was awarded. Obligates fellowship recipients to teach one year for each year of the fellowship or to repay the total amount of the fellowship, plus interest, at a rate prescribed by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to award grants to colleges for programs of education in high-technology areas. Requires colleges to consult, and coordinate such programs, with other job-training efforts on the Federal, State, and local levels. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to colleges to assist them in long-range planning for engineering programs. Requires colleges to obtain matching funds from non-Federal sources to be eligible for such grants. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Clean Campaign Act of 1983 - Adds a new title to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971: "Title V: Financing of General Election Campaigns for the House of Representatives". Establishes eligibility criteria entitling candidates to receive campaign payments on a matching basis. Establishes formulae to determine such sums. Limits expenditure of personal funds to $20,000 per election. Waives spending limits for eligible candidates whose opponents have spent sums exceeding the limit imposed upon such candidates. Requires specified independent expenditures to be reported to the Commission and to each candidate within specified time-frames. Permits additional payments to certain candidates who have waived specified broadcasting rights. Requires the Federal Election Commission to certify the eligibility of candidates to the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall disburse funds to such candidates. Directs the Secretary to establish a separate United States House of Representatives Election Campaign Account in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and to deposit certain sums in such account in accordance with specified guidelines. Directs the Commission to audit campaign accounts. Requires repayment of excess payments and unexpended payments. Penalizes the use of funds for other than campaign purposes. Authorizes the Commission to institute repayment actions in U.S. district courts. Delineates the administrative authority of the Commission in carrying out this Act. Requires the Commission to make certain reports to the House of Representatives. Authorizes appropriations. Limits to $90,000 in any calendar year the amount of contributions which congressional candidates or their authorized political committees may accept from non-party multicandidate political committees. Specifies exceptions for candidates in general and special elections. States that any extension of credit for advertising on broadcasting stations, in newspapers or magazines, or by direct mail, or for other types of public political advertising shall be considered a contribution, if such credit is: (1) in excess of $1,000; and (2) for a period exceeding 30 days.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that a taxpayer whose spouse earns less than $250 of compensation shall not be disqualified from having a spousal individual retirement account.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Title I: Transfer of Powers - Declares the policy of the Congress regarding the decolonization and self-determination of the people of Puerto Rico. States that the powers exercised by the U.S. Government, its agencies and armed forces, should be relinquished and transferred to the people of Puerto Rico. Directs the President, ninety days after approval of this resolution, to announce U.S. intentions to withdraw and surrender all rights of possession, supervision, jurisdiction and control over such territory, including all military reservations, to the people of Puerto Rico. Makes such withdrawal effective upon the convening of a constituent assembly of the people of Puerto Rico. Title II: The Constituent Assembly - Authorizes an organizing committee of Puerto Rican political parties to convene such constituent assembly and to transfer to it all powers relinquished and transferred by the U.S. Government. Provides that all laws and regulations to the contrary shall be deemed superseded when the constituent assembly convenes. Provides that the organizing committee shall prescribe all matters pertaining to the composition and election of such constituent assembly. Provides, also, that only Puerto Rican nationals shall vote for the election of the constituent assembly. Title III: The Negotiating Commission - Directs the President to appoint a member to represent the U.S. and directs the Constituent Assembly of Puerto Rico to appoint five members to represent Puerto Rico to negotiate specific terms of U.S.-Puerto Rican relations. Requires such negotiating commission to: (1) take appropriate action if a proposal for any form of free association between the two countries is rejected (or not acted upon within a specified time period); or (2) submit disputed issues to the U.N. International Court of Justice, if such negotiating commission cannot reach an accord on any or all of the terms of such relations. Title IV: Transition - Provides for the continuation of the customary administration of the functions of the Puerto Rican government during the transition period, except in those areas that are crucial for the protection of the self-determination of the Puerto Rican people. Requires that a trust for the benefit of Puerto Rican people be created, either in the World Bank or another international banking institution, from U.S. funds that have already been appropriated by Federal law as well as those funds appropriated during the transitory period not to exceed five years. Provides that rights and benefits acquired by Puerto Rican citizens under U.S. law (such as Social Security rights) shall be fully maintained and respected under U.S.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should convey U.S. concern for the welfare of Ethiopian Jews and seek ways to assist Ethiopian Jews to emigrate freely.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1983
Housing for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1983 - Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to limit to 9.25 percent per year the interest rate plus the allowance for administrative costs and probable losses on loans for the provision of housing and related facilities for elderly or handicapped families. Allows a maximum of 25 percent of the units in an elderly or handicapped housing project financed under such Act to be efficiencies, if the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development determines that such units are appropriate for the local elderly or handicapped population. Prohibits the Secretary from establishing general limitations or preferences concerning the number of units in a project or the number of units made available to any sponsor. Authorizes the Secretary to require a corporation to deposit in a special escrow account a minimum capital investment of up to $10,000 with respect to an assisted project. Directs the Secretary to: (1) consider design features necessary for elderly and handicapped residents when establishing cost limitations on project units; and (2) adjust such limitations annually to reflect changes in construction costs. Requires the project sponsor to determine the basis of employment of development or construction contractors. Prohibits the Secretary from approving the prepayment, sale, or transfer of a loan for such a project without assurances that the project will continue to provide housing for elderly or handicapped families on equally advantageous terms. Requires that all specific eligibility requirements for assistance under such Act be published in the Federal Register in clear and complete language at least 90 days before applications for such assistance are due. Requires the Secretary to afford applicants an opportunity to correct application deficiencies. Allows loan applicants that were rejected during FY 1982 because of religious references in their articles of incorporation or bylaws to reapply for a comparable number of units in the FY 1983 or 1984 funding cycle. Replaces the Secretary's authority to provide such loans with authority to provide assistance in the form of a deferred payment, noninterest bearing advance to any corporation, consumer cooperative, or public agency or body for the provision of housing for elderly or handicapped families. Conditions such assistance only on the Secretary's finding that the construction will be undertaken in an economical manner with no extravagant design or materials. Limits the amount of such assistance to the total development cost of a project. Authorizes the Secretary to provide additional assistance to such an entity in an amount not exceeding 75 percent of the total development cost of a project if part of the financing is to be provided by a public housing agency. Requires repayment of such assistance after 20 years. Permits the Secretary to forgive a portion of an advance for each year after 20 years that a project continues to serve elderly and handicapped families, and the entire advance after 40 years of continued service. Directs the Secretary to require that at least 75 percent of the units of a project receiving an advance be made available to lower income families during the initial 20-year period of such advance. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the rents for lower income families occupying such projects to be determined in accordance with provisions governing the determination of rents for lower income occupants of units assisted under the United States Housing Act of 1937, with certain exceptions. Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts with owners of assisted projects to make payments to cover the costs of units occupied by lower income families that are not met from project income. Limits: (1) the annual contract amount per project; (2) the aggregate contracting authority of the Secretary per year; and (3) the aggregate amount that may be obligated over the duration of the contracts. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts to make monthly homeownership expense payments to lower income families who purchase dwellings from elderly or handicapped families who move into assisted projects. Limits: (1) the amount of such payments for individual families; (2) the duration of such payments; and (3) the annual and aggregate contract authority of the Secretary with respect to such payments. Amends the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978 to establish the eligibility of assisted projects for the elderly or handicapped for operating assistance for troubled housing projects. Amends the Congregate Housing Services Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations for the congregate services program for FY 1984 through 1986. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the use of community development assistance provided under such Act for grants to neighborhood-based nonprofit organizations for the development of shared housing opportunities for the elderly. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to direct the Secretary to: (1) permit assistance provided under existing housing and moderate rehabilitation programs to be used by elderly families in shared housing arrangements; and (2) issue minimum property standards for shared housing. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to require the Secretary to allow the use of rental assistance by elderly families or persons who elect to live in a shared housing arrangement in a single-family dwelling. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 to establish in the Department an Office of Housing for the Elderly. Lists the responsibilities of the Office, including: (1) coordinating the Department's housing programs for the elderly with other Federal, State, and local programs; (2) making recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Housing on research needs, demonstrations, and evaluations with respect to housing for the elderly; and (3) coordinating preparation of a report, to be submitted by the Secretary to Congress annually, on the Department's efforts during the previous and the current fiscal years with respect to housing for the elderly. Directs the Assistance Secretary to establish an advisory Committee on Housing for the Elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1983
Prohibits the implementation of certain regulations proposed by the Office of Personnel Management (published in the Federal Register on March 30, 1983) that change the administration of the civil service system by establishing a performance management system and revising regulations concerning reductions-in-force, pay administration under the Fair Labor Standards Act, bargaining policy in labor-management relations, and the prevailing rate pay system. Voids any such regulations which became effective before enactment of this Act. Prohibits the implementation of any other regulations that would have the same effect.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1983
Sexual Exploitation of Children 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 $75,000 and, on a subsequent conviction, from $15,000 to $150,000. Establishes as an affirmative defense to prosecution that the medium (upon which such prosecution is based), when taken as a whole, possesses serious literary, artistic, scientific, social or educational value.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1983
Deep-Draft Navigation Act of 1983 - Title I: Findings and Purposes; Definitions - Declares the findings of Congress and the purposes of this Act. Title II: Creation of Trust Fund to Administer Accounts for Operations and Maintenance, Improvement Projects, and Local-Share Credits - Establishes the Deep-Draft Navigation Trust Fund in the Treasury, consisting of: (1) the Operations and Maintenance Account; (2) the Navigation Improvement Account; and (3) the Special Credit Account. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to be the trustee of the Trust Fund and to make an annual report to Congress on the operation and status of the Fund. Sets forth the certain and the authorized uses for each Fund account. Title III: Tax on Deep-Draft Commercial Vessels Using Deep-Draft Commercial Channels, Harbors, and Navigational Facilities; Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the use of any deep-draft commercial channel or harbor within the United States by a deep-draft commercial vessel (vessel). States the rate of such tax. Declares that such tax shall not apply to intraport transfers. Imposes a tax on any vessel using any Great Lakes navigation improvement which is operated or maintained by the United States. States the rate of such tax. Imposes a tax on the use of any deep-draft commercial channel or harbor within the United States for a purpose other than the loading or unloading of commercial cargo (including convenience, bunkering, refitting, or repair). States the rate (including the maximum rate) of such tax. Requires the master of a vessel to report the value of all qualified commercial cargo loaded onto, unloaded from, or contained in such vessel to the U.S. Customs Service upon the loading or unloading of any such cargo or upon passage through any Great Lakes navigation improvement, operated or maintained by the United States. States the powers of the Secretary of the Treasury, with regard to making investigations and requiring record keeping, for determining whether any person is in violation of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the U.S. Customs Service or any other designated agency, to assess and collect the taxes imposed under this title. Requires that the liability for the payment of such taxes shall be imposed on the owner of such vessel and shall constitute a valid lien against said vessel in favor of the United States until paid. Sets forth provisions concerning violations and enforcement of this title, including: (1) findings of violations by the Secretary; (2) actions by the Attorney General; (3) jurisdiction and venue of actions under this title; (4) unlawful departure of vessels without paying all taxes; and (5) the unlawful diversion of taxable cargo for tax avoidance purposes. Grants the consent of Congress to the levying by the States of taxes on cargo to be exported from a State's deep-draft commercial channels and harbors. States conditions concerning the imposition of such taxes, and the rates of the taxes. Directs the Comptroller General to audit the deep-draft commercial harbor operations of States that have not authorized the U.S. Customs Service to accept payment of the tax levied under this title. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress concerning such audits. Amends the Act establishing the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation to authorize the Corporation to accept certain amounts for the operation and maintenance of authorized deep-water navigation works in the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Waives that portion of the toll levied on a vessel for use of the Seaway to the extent that such toll exceeds the deep-draft commercial vessel tax imposed under this Act. Requires the Corporation to remit to the Treasury all revenues derived from the collection of charges from providing services to vessels using the Seaway and from toll bridge charges. Requires the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, to initiate discussions with the Government of Canada concerning the reduction or elimination of all tolls on the international Great Lakes and/or the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to Congress on the progress of such discussions and the economic effects to U.S. waterborne commerce of any proposed reduction or elimination in tolls. Title IV: Establishment of Federal/Local Partnership for Deep-Draft Navigation Improvement Projects - Requires the Secretary of the Army to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the port authority sponsoring any deep-draft navigation project, prior to submitting recommendations to Congress for the authorization or reauthorization of such projects. Requires the memorandum to establish the responsibilities of each party with respect to the construction and operation of the project, including a formula (determined in a specified manner) for the allocation of project costs. Grants the consent of Congress to the imposition of a duty or tax upon any vessel engaged in foreign commerce by any State, political subdivision or agency thereof, for the purpose of recovering the local share of any deep-draft navigation improvement project. Requires all revenue derived from such duty or tax to be paid into the Treasury for credit against local share of the project costs. States that Congress reserves the right to withdraw such consent upon certain circumstances. Authorizes port authorities to construct and operate a deep-draft navigation project upon entering into a memorandum of agreement with the Secretary. Sets forth certain provisions to be contained in such memoranda. Requires the Secretary to order persons or port authorities in violation of any provision of the memorandum to comply with such memorandum within 90 days. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action as may be necessary to bring such persons or port authorities into compliance with the memorandum. Requires the National Academy of Sciences to study the economic effects of the taxes imposed and the funding mechanisms established under this Act. Requires the Academy to report the results of such study to the Congress and the President within a specified period. Title V: Expedited Procedure for Authorization and Review of Deep-Draft Navigation Improvement Projects - Authorizes port authorities to submit to the Secretary of the Army proposals for the construction of deep-draft navigation improvement projects. States the required contents of such proposals. Requires the Secretary to direct the Corps of Engineers to prepare and submit, on an expedited basis, certain reports and an environmental impact assessment of the proposed project. States procedures to be followed for consolidated environmental review of proposed projects. Requires the Corps of Engineers to be the lead agency in the consolidated environmental review process. Requires the Secretary to evaluate such reports and assessments and to submit recommendations for the construction of such projects (together with a lst of all proposals submitted) to the appropriate congressional committees. Requires such recommendations to be cost effective, and to reflect a mix of differing depths and scope and to be from each of the standard coastal and Great Lakes ranges. Prohibits the Secretary from recommending to Congress any projects or combination of projects for which the total Federal share of projected annual outlays will exceed the amounts available for the Deep-Draft Navigation Trust Fund in such fiscal year. Requires the congressional committee to which the recommendations were submitted to report a joint resolution approving or disapproving such recommendations, in whole or in part, within 90 days of their submission. Requires the Secretary to establish and publish in the Federal Register a schedule (the permit schedule) for the issuance or nonissuance of all necessary federal permits for the construction of such projects. States the procedures to be followed for the permit schedule. Requires the Secretary to monitor compliance with the permit schedule by all agencies subject to such schedule. Provides a procedure to be followed in the event of any threatened delay or failure to meet any deadline imposed under the schedule. Declares that nothing in this title shall be construed to relieve any agency of any legal requirements or to affect the application of any law or regulation to a deep-draft navigation improvement project or related landslide facilities. Describes procedures concerning judicial review of final agency decisions concerning deep-draft navigation improvement projects authorized under this Act. Declares that if any part of this Act is held invalid then all of this Act shall be invalid.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1983
Polygraph Control and Privacy Protection Act of 1983 - Prohibits any person engaged in interstate commerce from: (1) requiring any employee, officer, or applicant for employment to take a polygraph test in connection with employment; (2) denying employment or disciplining an employee by reason of such individual's refusal to submit to such a test; or (3) using the results of such a test in connection with an individual's employment. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of such provisions. Authorizes civil actions in U.S. district courts on behalf of aggrieved individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
National Park System Protection and Resources Management Act of 1983 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) collect, analyze, and document data on the factors which degrade or threaten to degrade the natural and cultural resources of the national park system; and (2) transmit to Congress a biennial State of the Parks report. Provides that such report shall include: (1) a description of the condition of each national park unit's natural and cultural resources, of the factors which damage or threaten such resources, and of the ongoing and planned mitigation actions and their results; (2) a description of the systemwide efforts to address the resource protection requirements listed above; (3) a discussion of systemwide resource protection and management policies for natural and cultural park resources; (4) a discussion of the adequacy of congressional appropriations in addressing protection and resource management programs; and (5) a discussion of funding needs to implement such policies and measures. Requires the National Park Service to solicit public involvement in the preparation of such report. Requires the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees an annual report on the 50 most critical natural and the 50 most critical cultural resource problems within the national park system. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences for development of a plan for the National Park Service to conduct natural and cultural resources inventories and research on the problems and solutions with respect to national parks. Requires the plan to be submitted to the Secretary and the appropriate congressional committees. Requires that resource management plans for each national park unit be prepared and updated continually. Provides that general management plans for each park unit shall be based upon the park's resource management plan. Directs the Secretary to review and revise the current land classification system for the preservation and use of national park system lands. Requires the development of a new classification for maximum resource protection for sensitive ecosystems and cultural resources of special research value. Requires that those park units designated as biosphere reserves or world heritage sites receive priority consideration for monitoring and resource protection efforts. Expresses the sense of Congress that park and legislative officials establish ways to ensure the protection of international parks designated as biosphere reserves. Permits the Secretary to exercise the authority to issue leases within a national park unit, permit the use or development of such an area, or dispose of lands and waters within such an area only if the exercise of such authority will not have a significant adverse effect on the park unit. Restricts the Secretary's authority to act in areas adjacent to national park units in the same way, unless any significant adverse effects on the national parks are less important than the public interest value of a proposed action. Requires Federal agencies conducting activities within, or adjacent to, any national park unit to insure, to the extent practicable, that such activities will not significantly degrade the natural or cultural resources of the park unit. Provides for notification of the Secretary by a Federal agency if a proposed agency action may degrade or threaten the natural or cultural resources of a national park unit. Requires the Secretary to respond in writing on the foreseeable impact on park resources of a proposed agency action and to recommend any changes in such action needed to avoid adverse effects on park resources. Authorizes the Secretary to request information regarding a proposed agency action where the agency fails to notify the Secretary and the Secretary determines that such action may threaten park resources. Requires the Secretary to consider any adopted city, county, State, or Federal development plan during the deliberations on a proposed agency action. Requires the Secretary to hold a public hearing: (1) if requested by the affected government unit; and (2) if the Secretary's response to the proposed action is to be negative. Requires the proposing Federal agency to comply fully with the Secretary's recommendations in all cases where the proposed agency action would occur upon Federal lands or waters within the boundaries of a national park unit. Permits the proposing Federal agency to proceed with its action after consideration of the Secretary's recommendations in cases where the proposed action would occur on non-Federal lands within the boundaries of a national park unit, if the public interest in the proposed action is greater than the public interest in avoiding the adverse effects on the park resources involved. Provides that when the proposed agency action would involve areas adjacent to a national park boundary, the Federal agency must consider the Secretary's recommendations and must notify the Secretary of its decision to proceed. Sets forth notification requirements when proposed agency action differs from the Secretary's recommendation. Requires proposing agencies to notify specified congressional committees. Requires the Secretary to publish notices of proposed Federal actions and responses in the Federal Register. Exempts emergency, disaster, and national security actions from this Act. Requires actions under this Act to be brought in the U.S. district court in the district in which the national park unit involved is located. Provides for the Secretary to cooperate with, and provide technical assistance to, governmental and other entities to protect national park system resources. Requires the superintendent of each park unit to work with governmental and other entities which influence or control lands, resources, and activities within or adjacent to the park unit to develop a mutually compatible land use plan for the general area. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to local governments for park resource protection and for the development of such plan. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986 for such grant. Provides that such cooperative efforts shall be initiated in at least two park units for each administrative region, as well as in all biosphere reserves and world heritage sites, within one year after enactment of this Act. Requires that such efforts be initiated within two years after enactment of this Act in all national park units. Requires that each park unit or regional office have on its staff a person to coordinate the activities required by this Act. Directs the Secretary to initiate a training program for park personnel in the principles and techniques necessary to carry out the requirements of this Act. Requires the Secretary to establish a public information program to inform park visitors and the public of the need to protect park resources. Directs the Secretary to assure that the National Park Service includes adequate numbers and distribution of professional and scientific personnel to provide for park resource protection and management. Requires that general management plans for each national park unit be updated at least every ten years. Requires the Director of the National Park Service to assist potential donors of property located adjacent to or within national park units in satisfying the requirements under the Internal Revenue Code relating to charitable contributions. Provides that if provisions of this Act conflict with provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the provisions of such Act shall prevail. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Emergency Vietnam Veterans' Jobs Training Act of 1983 - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to establish an on-the-job training program for Vietnam-era and disabled veterans. Requires that such program be carried out through payments to employers who employ such veterans in jobs that involve significant training of employees. Requires an eligible veteran to have been unemployed for at least 15 of the last 20 weeks before applying for participation. Establishes maximum periods of assisted training: 12 months for a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 30 percent or more, six months for any other veterans. Requires employers to provide approved training for at least six months. Permits an approved veteran to select an approved program of job training with any for-profit private employer which hires the veteran into the regular work force with the expectation of permanent employment after the training ends. Directs the Administrator to make payments to such employers, not exceeding 50 percent of the wages paid to the training veteran. Sets forth the requirements an employer's training program must fulfill, including a certification that the wages and benefits paid to a participating veteran are equivalent to those paid to other employees participating in a similar program of training, and that there is a reasonable certainty that a position of that type will be available to such veteran upon completion. Prohibits the Administrator from approving programs involving seasonal or temporary jobs or industries in which a substantial number of experienced workers are unemployed. Prohibits the Administrator from making payments when the conduct or progress of the veteran is unsatisfactory due to circumstances within the employer's control. Authorizes the Administrator to disapprove further participation by eligible veterans in any previously approved program failing to meet the requirements of this Act. Permits veterans otherwise eligible for this program to pursue, instead, a full-time vocational training program at an approved educational institution. Sets forth the conditions of such training. Directs the Administrator to provide an outreach and public information program to inform both eligible veterans and employers about this program. Directs the Administrator to establish procedures and obtain the assistance of disabled veterans outreach program specialists and personnel in regional offices of the Veterans Administration. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide for the participation of eligible veterans in training programs under this Act and under the Jobs Training Partnership Act. Requires the Secretary to make special efforts to inform eligible veterans of training opportunities. Requires both the Secretary and the Administrator to provide employment counseling services to any eligible veteran who requests them. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 and 1985. Terminates this program after 15 months for the initial application period and after 27 months for the payment of assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Environmental Protection Act of 1983 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares that the existing governmental entities charged with preventing air, water, and land pollution have not adequately protected the environment. States the purpose of this Act to be to protect Americans against adverse effects of environmental changes through the establishment of a multimember independent regulatory commission. Title II: Establishment of Commission - Establishes the Environmental Protection Commission as an independent regulatory commission to be composed of five members appointed by the President with the Senate's approval. Sets forth provisions governing the members, officers, powers, and functions of the Commission and the functions of the Chairman of the Commission. Directs the Science Advisory Board to provide such scientific advice as the Commission may request. Sets forth guidelines for the nomination, selection, and appointment by the Chairman of an individual to fill any vacancy on the Board. Requires the Chairman to issue regulations regarding conflicts of interest with respect to members of the Board. Title III: Transfer of Functions - Transfers to the Commission all functions, not otherwise transferred by this Act, of: (1) the Environmental Protection Agency; and (2) the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Title IV: Administrative Provisions - Part A: Personnel Provisions - Provides for the appointment and compensation of Commission officers and employees and the procurement and compensation of experts and consultants. Part B: General Administrative Provisions - Sets forth provisions governing the authority of the Commission to: (1) exercise transferred functions; (2) delegate functions to its officers and employees; (3) reallocate functions among its offices and reorganize its structure; (4) enter into and perform contracts; and (5) promulgate rules. Requires the Commission, for each proposed action to promulgate or revise a rule, to: (1) establish and make available to the public a rulemaking docket containing the comments and certain documentary information concerning each rule; (2) publish a notice of the proposed action which shall include a statement of the purpose and basis of the rule and the period available for public comment; (3) allow any person to present oral or written data on the rule during the comment period; and (4) keep the record of the rulemaking open for 30 days after completion of the proceeding to provide for submission of rebuttal or supplementary information. Requires the promulgated rule to be accompanied by: (1) a statement of its basis and purpose; (2) a justification of major changes to the rule as proposed; and (3) a response to significant data submitted during the comment period. Provides for the judicial review of such rules. Authorizes a six-month extension of a statutory deadline for the promulgation of such a rule if such extension is necessary to afford the public and the agency adequate opportunity to carry out rulemaking requirements. Authorizes the Commission to: (1) establish, alter, discontinue, or maintain regional and other field offices as necessary; (2) acquire and maintain schools, research and training facilities, and accommodation as may be necessary for employees; (3) establish eating facilities for employees at its installations; (4) provide certain facilities, services, and supplies for employees at remote locations; (5) use the resources of Federal, State, local, and foreign instrumentalities with their consent; (6) permit public and private organizations to use its facilities for Commission purposes; (7) acquire copyrights, patents, applications for patents, licenses under copyrights and patents, and releases for past patent or copyright infringement; (8) accept and use gifts, bequests, and devises of property; (9) provide advice and technical assistance related to its functions; (10) establish a working capital fund; and (11) transfer funds among Commission appropriations, with certain limitations. Directs the Commission to procure a seal of office. Requires the Commission to submit to the President and Congress at the beginning of each regular session of Congress a comprehensive report on the administration of its functions. Requires that such report include: (1) an appraisal of the incidence of health and other effects to the population resulting from environmental causes; (2) an evaluation of the degree of observance of environmental rules; (3) a summary of outstanding problems confronting the Commission; and (4) specified information on voluntary environmental standards developed with the Commission's assistance. Title V: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Sets forth provisions governing the transfer and allocation of personnel, appropriations, and other resources transferred to the Commission under this Act. Terminates the Environmental Protection Agency and positions in such Agency which were expressly authorized by law or compensated at an Executive Schedule pay rate. Declares that this Act shall have no effect on orders issued, determinations made, proceedings pending, or civil actions commenced before its enactment. Provides that statutory requirements for notice, hearings, and administrative or judicial review applicable to functions transferred by this Act shall continue to apply to such functions. Title VI: Effective Date and Interim Appointments - Sets forth the effective date of this Act. Provides that funds available to any agency the functions of which are transferred by this Act may, with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, be used to pay the compensation of interim officers and other expenses of establishing the Commission or transfering functions until funds for such expenses are otherwise available. Authorizes the President to designate an officer on the executive branch to act as a Commission officer for 120 days or until such office is filled, whichever occurs first.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to States which adopt and implement effective child passenger safety programs. Sets forth eligibility requirements for States to receive such grants and a limitation on apportionments. Requires the Secretary to establish, by regulation, standards for such programs. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund for FY 1984 through 1986. Directs the Secretary to conduct an annual evaluation of each eligible State's child passenger safety program to measure its effectiveness on child safety seat usage.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Extends by three years, from FY 1984 to FY 1987, the period during which Vietnam-era veterans may request psychological readjustment counseling from the Veterans Administration. Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to conduct a comprehensive study of the readjustment of Vietnam-era veterans to civilian life. Requires that such study include a nationwide survey of the prevalence and incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder and related readjustment problems among such veterans and a survey of their health status in relation to that of the general population. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on such study by December 31, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
High-Technology Training Act - Amends the Vocational Education Act of 1963 to establish a program of high-technology training grants. Directs the Secretary of Education to make such grants to States to stimulate vocational education programs to train individuals as high-technology technicians, in accordance with five-year State plans and annual program plans. Requires States to commit specified percentages of its basic grant under such Act to high-technology training programs. Directs States to consider specified factors in evaluating training program proposals of eligible recipients. Requires eligible recipients to provide specified assurances before receiving such training program funds. Authorizes appropriations for high-technology training program grants for FY 1984 and succeeding fiscal years. Makes conforming amendments to allotment provisions under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Minority Telecommunications Ownership Tax Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the investment tax credit for the purchase of used telecommunications property pursuant to a Federal Communications Commission tax certificate. Defines "FCC tax certificate" as any certificate granted by the Federal Communications Commission which provides that the purchase of the property is necessary or appropriate to effectuate an FCC policy with respect to the ownership and control of systems of communication by wire or radio. Extends the nonrecognition of gain for FCC-certified sales or exchanges of radio broadcasting stations to systems of communications by wire or radio.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should, as soon as possible, form a bipartisan National Commission on Natural Gas Pricing to make recommendations on natural gas pricing reforms which will ensure adequate natural gas supplies and fair prices; and (2) such Commission should transmit its recommendations to the Congress in time for introduction and passage of legislation before the next winter heating season.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Civil Service Spouse Retirement Equity Act - Entitles a former spouse of a Federal employee or Member of Congress to: (1) a portion of the retirement annuity of such employee or Member; and (2) a survivor annuity upon the death of the employee or Member. Requires that the former spouse must have been married to the Member or employee for at least ten years during periods of creditable service. Provides for the calculation of the amount of either such annuity of a former spouse on the basis of the portion of the employee's or Member's creditable service during which the former spouse was married to the employee or Member. Disqualifies any former spouse who remarries before becoming 60 years of age from eligibility for either such an annuity calculated as a regular retirement annuity based on the employee's or Member's creditable service. Authorizes an employee or Member providing a survivor annuity benefit for a former spouse to elect, or to be ordered by a court, to provide for an additional survivor annuity for any other former or current spouse if the employee or Member passes a physical examination prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Limits the maximum survivor annuity or combination of survivor annuities to 55 percent of the employee's or Member's annuity. Authorizes the employee or Member to provide for survivor annuities either by a reduction in his or her retirement annuity or pay, or by a lump sum payment, or by a combination of both. Provides for the recomputation of an employee's or Member's retirement annuity and the refund of certain amounts deposited in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund if a former spouse for which a survivor annuity benefit is provided dies or remarries before the age of 60. Declares that provisions regarding cost of living increases in civil service annuities shall not apply to such annuities for former spouses unless authorized by OPM. Entitles an eligible former spouse: (1) to an annuity under this Act only if such former spouse elects to receive it instead of any other annuity provided to a Federal employee's spouse; (2) to an annuity if the employee or Member died in service (in the same amount as if the employee or Member had died after becoming eligible for an annuity); and (3) to a portion of any lump sum credit payable to an employee or Member who transfers or is separated from service prior to the commencement of either such annuity. Authorizes a Member or employee, a spouse, or former spouse to jointly elect to waive or reduce a survivor annuity for that spouse. Eliminates the current authority of the employee or Member to elect not to provide for a survivor annuity without the spouse's agreement, except when the employee or Member satisfies OPM that the spouse cannot be located. Requires both the employee or Member and the spouse, rather than just the employee or Member, to elect not to increase a survivor annuity upon the employee's or Member's reemployment. Declares that, except when determined by OPM to be inconsistent with this Act, the right of a former spouse to an annuity, survivor annuity, or lump sum credit shall be determined in accordance with an applicable court order or spousal agreement covering such former spouse, with certain limitations. Sets forth provisions governing civil service survivor benefits in cases of divorces occurring prior to the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to increase the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance for FY 1984. Decreases the maximum amount of grant money allotted for a fiscal year to States for low-income home energy assistance which a State may request to be held available for the next fiscal year. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect home energy and home energy assistance data on a State-by-State basis. Requires the Secretary to submit the annual report on such data required under such Act no later than September 30 of each calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Transfers marihuana from schedule I (abuse potential, no accepted medical use) to schedule II (accepted medical use) under the Controlled Substances Act. Amends such Act to establish in the Department of Health and Human Services an Office for the Supply of Internationally Controlled Drugs, to be responsible for regulating the domestic production and distribution of marihuana. Establishes procedures for the production and use of medicinal marihuana. Permits the distribution of medicinal marihuana only to hospitals and pharmacies registered to dispense schedule II controlled substances for the purposes of treating glaucoma, cancer, or research approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Provides for a marihuana abuse prevention and information program through the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase from $50,000 to $100,000 the amount of death benefits paid to the survivors of public safety officers.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund to present proposals to the Fund's Executive Board to ensure that member countries eliminate import restrictions which restrict U.S. exports. Requires the U.S. Executive Director to vote against the use of Fund resources by a member country which fails to agree to such proposals. Requires the U.S. Trade Representative, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Commerce to inform the U.S. Executive Director of all such import restrictions and export subsidies having a serious adverse impact on U.S. exports or employment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that the family planning program under title X of the Public Health Service Act should be administered in the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1983
Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from repealing, amending, or otherwise modifying specified rules regarding network television syndication, network television financial interests, and prime time access before July 1, 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1983
Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1983 - Title I: Improved Identification for Motor Vehicle Parts and Components - Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate a Federal motor vehicle security standard applicable to parts used in the manufacture of motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, after the effective date of such standard, or manufactured as new replacement parts after such date. Directs the Secretary to conduct a cost-benefit analysis before promulgating such standard, which includes the effect on domestic motor vehicle production and sales. Stipulates that the standard shall not: (1) impose additional costs upon manufacturers in excess of $10 per motor vehicle; or (2) require the identification of more than 14 parts for any motor vehicle, nine parts for any truck, or four parts for any trailer. Declares that a Federal motor vehicle standard supercedes any State or local standard. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct studies on the development of security devices and systems. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on such devices and systems within one year of enactment. Provides for repeal of this title on a specified date. Title II: Antifencing Measures - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for removing or altering any identification number of any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part required by regulation. Requires the forfeiture of any vehicle or part which has had such number removed, with specified exceptions. Applies to the seizure and forfeiture of motor vehicles and parts those provisions of law relating to the seizure and forfeiture of vessels and merchandise under the customs laws. Establishes penalties for anyone who buys, receives, possesses, or obtains control of, with intent to sell or otherwise dispose of, any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part knowing that such identification number has been removed or altered. Designates as nonmailable matter any manipulative type device which is designed or adapted to operate, circumvent, remove, or render inoperative the ignition switch or lock, or door or trunk lock of two or more motor vehicles, or any advertisement for the sale of such device. Title III: Importation and Exportation Measures - Establishes criminal and civil penalties for anyone who imports, exports, or attempts to import or export any motor vehicle, off-highway vehicle or vehicle part knowing that it has been stolen or that its identification number has been altered. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require persons who export or attempt to export a used motor vehicle or off-highway mobile equipment to present to the appropriate customs officers the vehicle and a document describing that vehicle. Title IV: Reporting Requirements - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a task force to study problems relating to motor vehicle titling and controls over motor vehicle salvage which may affect the motor vehicle theft problem. Directs the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Transportation and the Postmaster General, to report to Congress on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1983
Small Business Administration State Development Company Program Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to purchase or guarantee any debenture issued by a qualified State development company unless such debenture is collateralized by industrial development bonds. Requires debentures so purchased or guaranteed to be treated on an equal basis in repayment and liquidation with those funds borrowed by the qualified State development company unless the SBA determines that such debentures may be subordinate to the company's other debts and obligations.
![Official portrait of Rep. Mitchell, Parren J. [D-MD-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000826_200.jpg)