United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1981
Acid Rain Research Implementation Act of 1981 - Declares it to be the policy of the United States to strengthen specified research and development programs relating to acid precipitation pollution and to establish a process for cooperative decisionmaking on strategies to control such pollution. Directs the the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency ("the Administrator"), the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to ensure that the comprehensive research plan prepared under the Acid Precipitation Act of 1980 satisfies such policy. Directs the Administrator of NOAA, as director of task force research under such Act, to provide the Administrator with a status report within 12 months of enactment of this Act and once every 24 months thereafter. Directs the Administrator, within specified periods, to: (1) determine whether new measures are necessary; (2) report, with recommendations to Congress; and (3) issue proposed rules requiring measures that may help prevent, limit, and remedy the harmful effects of acid precipitation. Directs the Administrator, in order to prepare such reports and proposed rules, to: (1) contract with the National Academy of Science for specified services; (2) work with the task force, State, local, and foreign governments, and private industrial, environmental, scientific, and international organizations in establishing and strengthening monitoring networks to determine the sources and effects of acid precipitation and other long-range pollutants; and (3) arrange, with such entities, for information exchange and cooperative data analysis to ensure that remedial measures may be planned and implemented cooperatively, with minimum social and economic dislocation and maximum environmental protection. Directs the Administrator, working within the plan and in cooperation with other programs, to: (1) ensure that adequate analysis and comparative consideration is given to institutional arrangements (including cost sharing and capital formation approaches that will minimize unforseen or inequitable economic impacts on particular regions or economic sectors) necessary to implement new measures specified in such reports; and (2) include in the task force's annual report a description of actions taken to ensure such analysis and consideration, as well as any recommendations for legislative or administrative action concerning such institutional arrangements. Directs the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator of NOAA, to include in the annual task force report a statement concerning the adequacy of task force resources to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1981
Acid Deposition Control Act - Amends title I (Air Pollution Prevention and Control) of the Clean Air Act to establish a new program entitled "Interstate Transport and Acid Precursor Reduction." Establishes an "acid deposition region" consisting of 31 States (east of or bordering the Mississippi River) and the District of Columbia. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) study air pollution problems associated with long-range transport of pollutants in the portions of the continental United States not included in the acid deposition region; and (2) report the results to Congress within two years. Establishes an acid deposition regional target providing for a ten-year phased schedule of reductions to achieve an annual average emission level that is 10,000,000 tons of sulfur dioxide below the 1980 baseline level. Directs the Administrator, within six months, to compute and publish a target and a schedule for each affected State. Permits two or more States to agree to change their share of the sulfur dioxide emissions reduction ("reduction"). Requires that State reduction schedules begin within five years, be substantially complete within eight years, and reach the State target within ten years of enactment of this Act. Sets forth formulas for: (1) State reduction fractions (based on 1980 emissions from electric utility steam generating units); and (2) the 1980 baseline level for the region or any State within the region. Requires States within the region to prepare, publish, and submit to the Administrator, within two years of enactment of this Act, State programs of reduction in accordance with the State schedules. Directs the Administrator to approve State programs, within four months of submission, if such programs: (1) were adopted after public notice, opportunity for hearing, and submission to Governors of the other States in the region; and (2) contain enforceable reduction measures, including emission limitations, monitoring requirements, and compliance schedules. Requires State programs to include enforceable continuous emission reduction measures. Lists some measures that State programs may include. Permits a State or any person subject to State program requirements to substitute a reduction of twice as many units of oxides of nitrogen emissions for each unit of required reductions of sulfur dioxide emissions. Provides for an EPA alternative program if a State program: (1) has not been adopted by a State within two years; or (2) has not been approved by the Administrator within two years and four months. Requires, in such cases, that any owner or operator of an electric utility steam generating unit in such State submit, within three years of enactment of this Act, a unit plan and schedule for reductions. Requires unit plans and schedules only from units which: (1) are major stationary sources; (2) are not subject to new source performance standards; and (3) actually emitted, or were permitted to emit, sulfur dioxide during 1980 in excess of a specified rate. Requires that unit plans and schedules provide for a reduction to a specified rate of emissions, according to a phased schedule (beginning within five years, substantially complete within eight years, and finally complete within ten years of the enactment of this Act). Sets forth provisions for approval of unit plans and schedules. Provides that any unit for which a plan has not been submitted and approved must comply with the specified emission limitation within five years of the enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish a program of purchase and sale of emission reduction credits among stationary sources of sulfur dioxide in five emission reduction credit regions within the acid deposition region. Provides that specified requirements under this Act shall be treated as emission limitation requirements of applicable State implementation plans. Sets forth procedures for petitions for determination that programs or plans will not meet deadlines and for petitions for review of such determinations or denials.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1981
Amends title I (Air Pollution Prevention and Control) of the Clean Air Act to require States within an acid rain mitigation area to include control of acid deposition in their State implementation plans. (Defines "acid precipitation mitigation area" to mean the 31 States east of a line running south from the western borders of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas). Provides that, if a State fails to submit within one year of this Act's enactment a plan meeting acid precipitation mitigation requirements or if the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency does not approve such plan within one year and four months after such date, no plan shall be promulgated by the Administrator. Requires, in such cases, that specified electric utility steam generating units comply, within five years of this Act's enactment, with a specified emission limitation for sulfur dioxide. Requires that, for purposes of required provisions for revision of State plans, a one-year period after enactment expire before the Administrator may submit a notice of a determination of noncompliance with acid deposition mitigation requirements or treat any plan as not complying with such requirements. Provides for a new program of Mitigation of Acid Precipitation to establish sulfur dioxide emission limitations applicable to certain large stationary sources in the acid rain mitigation area in order to: (1) prevent any net increase of such emissions in the area; and (2) attain a substantial and reasonably achievable reduction in such emissions from the area. Directs the Administrator to publish in the Federal Register, within 90 days of this Act's enactment, lists of electric utility steam generating units in the area not subject to new stationary source performance standards, identifying: (1) the 50 units with the highest annual sulfur dioxide emissions for 1980; and (2) all other such units with a generating capacity of more than 100 megawatts. Requires that applicable State implementation plans establish statewide programs for net reduction of sulfur dioxide emissions from such units. Sets forth statewide program schedule requirements: (1) for any of the 50 units to attain in three three-year periods before 1990; and (2) for any of the other units to attain in two three-year periods before 1990. Directs the Administrator to publish baseline levels, for any of the 50 units, from which such emissions reductions schedules can be determined according to a specified formula. Permits achievement of required total emission reductions by application of enforceable emission reduction techniques to any of such units or to any other sources of sulfur dioxide in the acid rain mitigation area. Specifies some permissible emission reduction techniques. Requires continuous emissions monitoring and publication of resultant data by applicable sources. Requires assurances that States will have adequate personnel, funding, and authority to carry out required plan provisions. Provides that emissions limitations or other requirements under the acid precipitation mitigation program shall apply only if they are more stringent than the requirements they replace. Directs the Administrator to establish an emission reduction credit program for the specified stationary source units in the acid rain mitigation area, as divided into five emission reduction credit regions. Sets forth formulas and procedures for compliance with emission limitations through purchase or exchange of such credits within such regions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1981
Commitment to the Clean Air Act resolution of the Ninety-seventh Congress - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) clean air is fundamentally important for the health and well-being of the citizens, economy, and environment of the United States; and (2) the existing Clean Air Act should be maintained and strengthened subject only to changes that will improve its administration and effectiveness.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Establishes the Global Peace Award. Provides that the first Global Peace Award shall be awarded in memory of the late President Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat of Egypt.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that a program of financial assistance to local governments as authorized by the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 should be funded at the level authorized in that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1981
Social Security Rights Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to replace lost, stolen, or undelivered benefit checks within ten days after an individual submits a written request for a replacement check or give a written explanation of why the individual is not entitled to a replacement check. Requires that decisions on benefit claims or entitlement be made within specified time periods. Provides for payment to an individual of an amount equal to the monthly benefit claimed by such individual if any decision with respect to such individual's benefit claim or entitlement is not made within the time specified by this Act. Requires that payment of benefits on approved claims begin within a specified time period. Provides for payment to an individual of an amount equal to the monthly benefit approved if such individual does not receive a benefit check within the specified time period.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the inclusion of the receipts and disbursements of the social security trust funds (the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund) in the totals of the Federal budget and exempt them from any general statutory limitation on Federal budget outlays, beginning with fiscal year 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1981
Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish, within the Department, an Office of Housing for the Elderly. Lists the responsibilities of the Office which include coordinating housing programs for the elderly and representing the Assistant Secretary for Housing on matters concerning housing for the elderly. Directs the Assistant Secretary to establish an Advisory Committee on Housing for the Elderly. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Act to submit to Congress an annual report on housing for the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Directs the Attorney General to conduct a study of the appropriate role of the Federal Government in the enforcement of alimony, child support, and property settlement orders against an absent spouse or parent. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Prompt Payment Act of 1981 - Requires Federal agencies to pay interest on overdue payments to businesses for property or services. Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to prescribe required payment dates. Specifies the procedures for computing such interest. Requires an agency to pay any interest charges out of funds made available for administration of its programs. Authorizes Federal grant recipients to provide for the payment of interest on overdue payments on their procurement contracts. Directs each agency to report to OMB annually on interest payments made during the fiscal year. Requires OMB to report to specified congressional committees on agency compliance with this Act. Requires the Director of OMB to delegate responsibility for OMB functions under this Act to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, pursuant to applications submitted by State or local governments, to provide second mortgage loans or other assistance to owners of multifamily rental housing projects to assist in financing the construction or rehabilitation of such projects. States that such a loan shall not be amortized, but repayable with simple interest after 30 years. Sets forth conditions for making such a loan for a project, including the owner's agreement to pass on to the tenants the savings resulting from the reduction in debt service payments. Declares that the first mortgage on such a project may be Federally insured under the National Housing Act. Directs the Secretary to consider the population and market conditions of an area when allocating such assistance in order to provide adequate assistance, in areas in short supply of rental housing. Prohibits the Secretary from providing such assistance to a local government which has not demonstrated satisfactory progress in meeting its assisted housing needs. Requires the Secretary's approval of rents charged for units of assisted projects. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the design and workability of the program established by this Act as a housing development incentive. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Federal Oil and Gas Development Act of 1980 - Title I: Exploration for and Extraction of Oil and Gas on Federal Land - Directs the Federal Oil and Gas Development Corporation (established by this Act) to exercise sole control over oil and gas exploration and extraction operations on Federal land. Prohibits the formation of any contract or lease for such operations except as provided in this Act. Directs the Corporation's Board of Directors to decide whether to allow any such lease or contract signed but not in effect before the effective date of this Act. Provides for title to any such oil and gas to remain with the United States until it is extracted and sold. Directs the Corporation to exercise all oil and gas rights held by the Federal Government. Authorizes the Corporation to purchase oil from any source to meet energy shortages during an oil emergency. Authorizes the Corporation to contract for exploration and extraction of oil and gas located on Federal land. Requires the Corporation's President to select the contract which is most profitable to the Corporation. Requires such contracts to include certain costs, bonuses, and profit percentages. Requires public access to any information held by a contractor on the exploration or extraction of oil or gas on Federal land and to information on Federal land which is the subject of a contract for such exploration or extraction. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) manage Federal land and to insure compliance with Federal and State laws and with contracts concerning Federal lands; (2) supervise contracts for the exploration and extraction of oil and gas on Federal land in effect before the enactment date of this Act; (3) determine where new exploration and extraction on Federal land will be allowed; and (4) transfer control over such exploration and extraction to the Corporation. Prohibits the Secretary from exercising any authority for such exploration and extraction after control has been transferred to the Corporation. Requires any exploration or extraction right which had expired to become a right of the Corporation. Directs the Corporation to sell its oil or gas to a qualified buyer and to pay its profits into the United States Treasury. Requires the sales of oil or gas by the Corporation to conform with existing Federal laws and its own regulations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, and the Corporation to jointly audit all oil and gas located on Federal land and all leases and contracts involving such oil and gas. Requires a report to Congress on the audit's results. Requires both Secretaries and the Corporation's President to review each contract and lease to determine if requirements of due diligence in exploration and extraction are being met. Allows the Corporation to exercise any exploration or extraction rights contained in a contract that is cancelled because of a lack of due diligence. Directs the Corporation's President to notify, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of the Environment Protection Agency of any exploration or extraction on Federal land. Allows the Administrator to determine if it would result in any unreasonable adverse environmental impact. Directs the result in any unreasonable adverse environmental impact. Directs the Secretary to conform the Corporation's activities with environmental protection. Title II: Federal Oil and Gas Development Corporation - Creates the Federal Oil and Gas Development Corporation composed of a five member Board of Directors. Establishes an Advisory Board to the Corporation to be an information exchange among several executive departments and the Corporation. Requires the Advisory Board to consult with the Corporation during energy emergencies and on conflicts between energy production and environmental protection. Establishes criteria for the appointment of officers and employees, including a President of the Corporation, by the Board of Directors. Prohibits the issuance of shares of stock, declaration of dividends, and contributions to political parties. Directs the Corporation to have the usual powers of a nonprofit corporation established under the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act. Requires the Energy Information Administration to provide the Corporation with all the information requested by the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to submit an annual report to Congress. Establishes a Public Energy Fund as a depository fund for Corporation revenues. Authorizes the Corporation to issue, and the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase, Corporation obligations up to a certain amount. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Transfers some functions of the Secretary of the Interior, the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration, and the Secretary of Energy to the Corporation's President. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920: (1) to include a reservation of power by the Corporation's President to cancel any contracts when a party fails to exercise due diligence in performing the contracts; (2) to decrease the amount of land that can be leased by one person in any State after a certain date; (3) to require the Secretary of the Interior to consult with other public officers before permitting certain easements and before suspending certain lease conditions; and (4) to increase the duration of certain leases. Imposes criminal sanctions on Federal employees for disclosure of or speculation based on confidential information concerning crude oil or petroleum products. Repeals the findings and purposes clause of the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which provide incentives for energy conservation and development of renewable energy sources should not be repealed or amended to reduce such incentives.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate on the favorable recommendation of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, should select individuals for appointment to vacancies on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act so that agricultural and commercial interests, including small businesses, will no longer be underrepresented on the Board.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
National Commission on Down Syndrome Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the President's Committee on Mental Retardation, and other concerned organizations, to establish a National Commission on Down Syndrome to formulate a long-range plan for the study, prevention, and treatment of Down Syndrome. Requires a final report to the President and the Congress within 12 months after the Commission is organized. Requires the Secretary to submit a related budget analysis to specified congressional committees. Terminates the Commission three months after submission of the final report. Authorizes specified appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should fill the first two vacancies on the Federal Reserve System's Board of Governors with persons having housing experience and small business experience, respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1981
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Fred Waring, Louis L'Amour, and the widow of Joe Louis. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates of each medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1981
Entitles any individual covered by a Federal health benefits program which provides payment for the services of a nurse-midwife to: (1) unrestricted selection of and access to such nurse-midwife; and (2) direct payment or reimbursement for such services.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1981
Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include services rendered by a nurse-midwife. Defines "nurse-midwife" to mean a registered nurse who: (1) has successfully completed a prescribed course of study or has been certified by a recognized organization; and (2) performs services (including antepartal, intrapartal, postpartal, and gynecological services) in the area of women and baby care.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to establish in the Treasury the Social Security Reserve Trust Fund. Appropriates to the Trust Fund for each fiscal year 25 percent of the revenues from the windfall profit tax for such year. Limits the aggregate amount appropriated to the Trust Fund to $50,000,000,000 for all fiscal years. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to the Trust Fund amounts so appropriated at least quarterly. Creates a Board of Trustees to hold and manage the Trust Fund and report to Congress annually on the operation of the Trust Fund and whenever the Trust Fund amount is too small. Sets forth requirements for investment by the Trust Fund in interest-bearing obligations of the United States or in federally guaranteed obligations. Directs the Secretary to transfer from the Trust Fund to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund such amounts as may be provided by appropriation Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1981
Expresses the support of the House of Representatives for the growing acceptance of principles of freedom and democracy in Poland. Commends the President for extending agricultural credits to Poland. Urges the President to extend additional credits to help relieve Poland's food shortages.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1981
Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide that occupant income limits and rents for public housing units shall be fixed by the appropriate public housing agency and approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Limits such rents to 25 percent of the income of a very low income family or 30 percent at the income of other families. Sets minimum rents at the higher of: (1) five percent of the family's gross income; or (2) the portion of the family's welfare assistance designated for housing costs. Specifies amounts to be excluded from family income. Requires that contracts for annual contributions to low income housing projects require the appropriate public housing agency to review the family income of project occupants biennially (currently annually). Establishes the amount of monthly assistance payments to owners who provide housing for lower-income families as the difference between the maximum rent the owners may charge under terms of the assistance contract and an amount to be established by the Secretary equal to: (1) between 15 and 25 percent of the income of a very low income family; (2) 15 percent of the income of a large very low income family or lower income family with exceptional medical or other expenses; (3) 20 percent of the income of a very large lower income family; or (4) between 20 and 30 percent of the income of other families. Amends the National Housing Act to require the Secretary to conduct a biennial (currently annual) review of the income of lower income families living in projects receiving mortgage interest assistance payments. Changes the maximum rent for a unit of such a project to 25 percent of the tenant's income, and the minimum rent of a unit with metered utilities to 20 percent of the tenant's income. Directs the Secretary to make additional assistance payments if required to reduce a tenant's rental payment to 25 percent of the tenant's income. Prohibits reducing such payment below the tenant's utility costs, except in certain circumstances. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 to increase annual rent supplement payments for qualified lower income families to the amount by which the fair market rent of a project unit exceeds 25 percent of the tenant's income. Requires the Secretary to recertify the income of tenants of projects receiving rent supplements biennially (currently annually). Directs the Secretary to use regulations in effect on July 31, 1981, to determine rental payments under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1981
Peace Corps Reform Act - Amends the Peace Corps Act to include within the purposes of such Act the goals of strengthening the development programs in foreign countries and of furthering a spirit of voluntary actions. Establishes the Peace Corps as an independent government corporation to carry out the purposes of such Act. Sets forth additional powers of the Peace Corps. Requires the Peace Corps to evaluate its performance and report such evaluation to Congress annually. Vests authority for the operations of the Peace Corps in a Board of Directors. Sets forth the membership of the Board. Establishes an Advisory Council in the Peace Corps to advise the Board on the policies and programs of the Peace Corps. Requires the Peace Corps to request each host country to establish an advisory council to advise the Peace Corps Country Director and appropriate host country government officials on the appropriate priorities and operating procedures for the Peace Corps in that country. Requires the Peace Corps to encourage establishment of regional advisory councils to advise the Peace Corps on its policies in the countries represented by the council. Requires the Board to appoint a Director and Deputy Director of the Peace Corps. Sets forth the duties of such officers. Requires the Peace Corps to establish procedures to maximize coordination with programs of other volunteer and development organizations. Sets forth general provisions concerning the organization of the Peace Corps as a government corporation. Limits the funds that may be used to carry out the Peace Corps Act for fiscal year 1982. Limits the amount of Peace Corps funds that may be spent for experts and consultants during such year. Repeals specified obsolete provisions of the Peace Corps Act. Increases the monthly allowance for volunteers to $150. Prohibits any volunteer from serving more than five years in any ten year period unless the Director approves an extension. Requires the Peace Corps to: (1) help returning volunteers in readjusting and using their skills; (2) help organizations in using the skills of such persons; and (3) encourage such persons to share their experiences in order to help promote American understanding of developing countries. Provides allowances and expenses for spouses of volunteers. Repeals the provisions creating Peace Corps volunteer leaders and making certain mutual defense assistance control provisions applicable. Revises the provisions governing Peace Corps employees. Prohibits security investigations of persons employed under the Peace Corps Act unless requested by the Peace Corps. Limits the amount of voluntary service program funds that may be contributed to other organizations to pay for encouraging development of international voluntary programs. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Peace Corps Act and other specified Acts. Sets forth provisions for the transition of the Peace Corps from a part of ACTION to an independent government corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1981
Hunger Prevention and African Food Security Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the President to use at least half of the funds available for development assistance to provide assistance for persons living in absolute poverty as defined by specified standards. Requires special emphasis to be placed on alleviating hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa and particularly on facilitating the participation of women in food production in that region. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to specify a minimum aggregate value of all famine relief agreements. Requires famine relief agreements to provide that at least one-fifth of the commodities made available for famine relief or funds generated from the sale of those commodities in participating countries shall be used to strengthen food distribution systems in famine-prone countries, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa. Requires each such agreement to specify the measures taken to ensure that such commodities and funds benefit primarily the poor.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1981
Economic Recovery Tax Reform Act of 1981 - Repeals provisions in the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 regarding the windfall profit tax which: (1) increase the credit for royalty owners for 1981 and exempt royalty oil for 1982 and thereafter; (2) reduce the tax imposed on newly discovered oil; and (3) exempt independent producer stripper well oil.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that any congressional proposal to postpone the effective date of cost of living adjustments under titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act and of pensions of disabled war veterans and their dependents should be approved only if the Congress earlier acts to delay for a comparable period of time the application of certain windfall profit tax provisions and individual income tax reduction provisions applicable to taxpayers with a gross income of $50,000 or more contained in the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1981
Delays until 1983 the application of Revenue Ruling 81-216 which denies a tax exclusion of the interest on multiple lots of $1,000,000 each of industrial development bonds that are pooled and issued as one bond. Provides that the rules in effect before such Revenue Ruling (including Revenue Rulings 74-380, 77-55, and 78-159) shall remain in effect during such period.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1981
Amends the Second Liberty Bond Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to fix the investment yield on any United States savings bond at a yield which makes such bond competitive with comparable investments. Authorizes appropriations to stimulate public service advertising of United States savings bonds for fiscal year 1982 and each subsequent fiscal year. Prohibits the use of any other funds to promote the sale or retention of United States savings bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1981
Rural Enterprise Zone Development Act of 1981 - Title I: Declares the purpose of this Act to be to provide financial and technical assistance and tax incentives to help restore distressed rural areas. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1961 to define "rural enterprise zone" (zone) as an area under at least one local government's jurisdiction with a population density of less than 200 people per square mile and a total population of between 5,000 and 50,000 people. Requires a local entity to submit a zone plan to the Secretary of Agriculture for approval. Authorizes the Secretary to make: (1) development facility grants; (2) vocational education and agricultural extension service center loans; and (3) industrial and commercial activity loans and loan guarantees. Limits the number of annual zone designations. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1983-1984. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make technical assistance grants and provide related aid to rural enterprise zones. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1983-1984. Title II: Tax Incentives for Small Businesses Located in Rural Enterprise Zones - Small Rural Business Program Tax Act of 1981 - Subtitle A: Designation of Eligible Areas and Businesses - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to add a new subchapter which sets forth criteria for the designation of rural enterprise zones and defines qualified small rural businesses for purposes of providing tax incentives for such businesses. Empowers the Secretary of Agriculture to approve the designation of an area as a rural enterprise zone if a local government submits to the Secretary a plan which meets specified requirements for the establishment of such zones. Limits the number of zones which the Secretary may designate in any calendar year. Sets forth criteria relating to population, poverty, unemployment, and per capital income growth which the Secretary must consider in approving the designation of a rural enterprise zone. Defines a "qualified small rural business" (small rural business) as an actively conducted trade or business which employs individuals who perform a specified number of hours of service for the business in a rural enterprise zone. Disqualifies any business which has had gross receipts in excess of $2,000,000 for any of the three preceding taxable years. Subtitle B: Tax Incentives for Qualified Small Rural Businesses - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the capital gains tax rates of small rural businesses and investors in rural enterprise zones. Exempts the capital gains of small rural businesses from the minimum tax. Excludes from gross income 50 percent of the total of small rural business income for a taxable year and interest on loans made to such businesses to finance business activity in a rural enterprise zone. Allows small rural businesses a five percent tax credit for interest paid on loans used to finance business activity in a rural enterprise zone. Allows a targeted jobs income tax credit for the hiring of employees for a small rural business. Allows a small rural businesses and their employees a refundable income tax credit for training designed to improve the technical and managerial skills of such employees. Allows a small rural business to elect to use the cash method of accounting. Authorizes accelerated depreciation for small rural business property. Increases by ten percent the investment tax credit for the rehabilitation expenditures of a small rural business.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President and Secretary of State should: (1) urge foreign governments to take measures to stop the production and exportation of illicit narcotics; (2) solicit recommendations for U.S. assistance; and (3) consider the desirability of imposing sanctions on nations in which illicit narcotics trade continues.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that the schedule of cost of living benefit increases as currently in effect under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act should be maintained.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow any income tax deductions for activities of manufacturers of breastmilk substitutes which are inconsistent with the International Code of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes as adopted by the World Health Organization. Reduces the amount of the foreign tax credit of manufacturers who violate such Code.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1981
Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from taking any action which would remove, rescind, or modify the regulation requiring that notice of certain changes in Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) reimbursement methods or levels be published at least 60 days prior to the proposed effective date of any change.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1981
Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to undertake an aggressive campaign designed to encourage banks to: (1) cease providing loans or lines of credit for unproductive and speculative purposes, while increasing the supply of credit available for productive uses; and (2) ensure that thrift institutions, the housing industry, auto dealers, small businesses, farmers, and home buyers have access to the cheapest possible credit in order to avoid a recession.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1981
Extends through fiscal year 1983 the program established by the Small Business Act under which government procurement contracts are set aside for small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1981
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish in the Department of Health and Human Services the Office for the Supply of Internationally Controlled Drugs, to be responsible for regulating the domestic production of marihuana and the distribution of marihuana for medical, scientific, and research purposes. Establishes procedures for the production 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 or the nausea of cancer patients or research approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1981
Tax Reduction and Reform Act of 1981 - Repeals the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981. Reinstates prior law. Title I: Individual Income Tax Provisions - Subtitle A - Tax Reductions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual and estate and trust income tax rates in 1982, with further reductions in 1983 and thereafter. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations permitting workers to increase or decrease their withholding allowances. Reduces the highest marginal tax rate on all types of income from 70 to 68 percent in 1982 and to 67 percent in 1983 and thereafter. Increases the zero bracket amount for each category of taxpayers. Increases the income levels at which a taxpayer is required to file an income tax return. Increases the personal exemption to $1,100. Subtitle B - Increase in Earned Income Credit; Deduction for Two-Earner Married Couples; Etc. - Increases the rate of the earned income tax credit from ten to 11 percent of the first $5,000 of earnings beginning in 1982. Expands income eligibility requirements for such credit. Allows married individuals filing a joint return an income tax deduction from gross income of ten percent of the lesser of $30,000 or the earned income of the lower income spouse, beginning in 1983. Specifies that deduction shall be five percent of such amount in 1982. Increases the amount of the tax credit allowable for expenses for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment, beginning in 1982. Permits such credit for certain services provided outside the taxpayer's home. Extends until January 1, 1983, the time during which a State legislator may qualify for the income tax deduction for living expenses while engaged in legislative business away from his home district. Limits such deduction to 110 percent of the daily amount allowable for Federal employees away from home but serving in the United States. Disallows such deduction for State legislators whose district residence is within 50 miles from the State capital. Title II: Business Provisions - Subtitle A - Depreciation Reform - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the current system of depreciation with a first-year income tax deduction equal to the basis of personal property used in a trade or business or held for the production of income (expense-method property) which is placed in service after 1980. Phases in such expensing method by limiting the income tax deduction to a specified percentage of the basis of such property each year through 1990. Permits the first $25,000 worth of qualified assets to be expensed in the year they are purchased or placed in service without regard to the phase-in period. Excludes from eligibility for expensing: (1) property used predominantly outside of the United States; (2) certain property held by noncorporate lessors; (3) certain property not eligible for the investment tax credit; (4) certain public utility property; (5) property acquired at death; (6) certain livestock; (7) railroad tank cars; (8) oil pipelines; and (9) certain films. Disqualifies expense-method property from eligibility for the investment tax credit after 1985. Exempts accelerated depreciation on leased personal property from classification as an item of tax preference for purposes of computing the minimum tax. Revises the treatment of property depreciated under the retirement-replacement-betterment method to allow a five-year amortization of the existing adjusted basis of such property. Repeals the retirement-replacement-betterment method of depreciation. Repeals the additional first-year depreciation allowance for small business. Allows the depreciation of real property based on a useful life of 20 years. Permits the taxpayer to elect either the straight-line or declining balance method of depreciation for such property. Specifies that the declining balance method shall be at a rate of 200 percent of the straight-line depreciation rate for low-income housing and targeted area property and 150 percent for all other property. Revises component depreciation rules to provide that the taxpayer must utilize the same recovery period and method of depreciation for a building and its structural components. Allows separate depreciation of substantial improvements made after the property has been in service for three years. Excludes the following types of property from eligibility for accelerated depreciation: (1) property with a class life of 12 1/2 years or less; (2) mobile homes; and (3) property eligible for amortization. Establishes a method of simplified cost recovery for long-life public utility property. Establishes the following two classes and recovery periods for such property: (1) Class 1 property which has a present class life of more than 18 but less than 25 years, 15 years recovery; and (2) Class 2 property which has a present class life of over 25 years, ten year recovery. Excludes from eligibility for accelerated depreciation public utility property for which the normalization method of accounting is not used and property eligible for amortization. Requires the taxpayer to establish a recovery account for each class of public utility recovery property. Provides special rules for the depreciation of property not eligible for the expense-method of cost recovery. Sets forth guidelines for the determination of the useful life of such property. Provides that, for purposes of computing the earnings and profits of a corporation in any taxable year, the useful life of expense-method property shall be the lower life limit of such property and the useful life of real property shall be 35 years. Subtitle B - Corporate Rate Reductions for Small Businesses - Reduces corporate income tax rates for 1982 through 1984 and thereafter. Subtitle C - Credit for Rehabilitation Expenditures - Increases the investment tax credit percentage for rehabilitation expenditures to 15 percent for 30-year buildings, 20 percent for 40-year buildings, and 25 percent for certified historic structures, effective in 1982. Qualifies for the investment tax credit certain rehabilitated buildings leased to tax-exempt organizations or to governmental units. Subtitle D - Incentives for Research and Experimentation - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit for 25 percent of the qualified research expenses incurred by a taxpayer in carrying on any trade or business to the extent that such expenses exceed the average amount of the taxpayer's expenses in a specified base period. Defines "qualified research expenses" as amounts paid or incurred for in-house and contract research. Allows such credit for basic research contracted out to colleges, universities, and tax-exempt scientific research institutes. Excludes from eligibility for such credit research conducted outside of the United States, research in the social sciences or humanities, exploration for ore or other minerals, and activities performed by the taxpayer for another person. Provides for a carryover and carry back of any unused credit. Terminates such credit after 1985. Title III - Estate and Gift Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate tax from $47,000 to $104,800 by specified annual increments through 1985 for farms and closely held businesses. Repeals the limitations on the estate and gift tax marital deduction. Qualifies certain terminable interests for such deduction. Redefines "qualified joint interest" for purposes of the 50 percent valuation of interest in property held by the decedent and the decedent's spouse. Sets forth special rules for: (1) the estate taxation of certain property for which the marital deduction was previously allowed; (2) the tax treatment of disposition of certain life estates; and (3) recovery rights in the case of certain marital deduction property. Title IV: Tax Reform - Subtitle A - Repeal of Percentage Depletion for Oil and Gas - Repeals the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas, effective in 1982. Subtitle B - Tax Straddles - Provides that any loss from the holding of one or more positions in certain securities shall be recognized, for income tax deduction purposes, only to the extent that it exceeds the unrealized gain (gain which would be recognized if the position has been sold at its fair market value) from the holding of one or more positions which: (1) were acquired before the disposition resulting in the loss; (2) were offsetting positions; and (3) were not part of an identified straddle as of the end of the taxable year. Defines "offsetting position" to mean that there is a substantial reduction of the taxpayer's risk of loss from holding any position with respect to securities which are actively traded because the taxpayer also holds one or more other positions with respect to such securities (commonly referred to as a "straddle"). Creates a rebuttable presumption that two or more positions are offsetting, for purposes of the definition of a straddle, if: (1) they are in the same personal property, although they may be in a substantially altered form; (2) they are in debt instruments of a similar maturity or certain other debt instruments; (3) they are sold or marketed as such; (4) the aggregate margin requirement for such positions is lower than the sum of the margin requirement for each such position; or (5) there are other factors, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to regulation, which indicate that such positions are offsetting. Imposes a penalty upon a taxpayer who fails to report each position held with respect to which there is unrealized gain. Disallows as a deduction, and makes chargeable to capital account, interest and carrying charges with respect to personal property which is part of a straddle. Treats as sold at its fair market value any regulated futures contract held by the taxpayer at the close of the taxable year. Treats gain or loss with respect to such a contract as: (1) short-term capital gain or loss, to the extent of 50 percent of the gain or loss; and (2) long-term capital gain or loss, to the extent of 50 percent of the gain or loss. Exempts from the loss recognition provisions of this title any straddle consisting entirely of offsetting positions which are regulated futures contracts. Defines "regulated futures contracts" as contracts: (1) which require delivery of personal property; (2) with respect to which amounts deposited and withdrawn depend on a system of marking to market; and (3) which are traded on or subject to the rules of certain boards of trade. Exempts from the application of such rules any hedging transaction. Defines "hedging transaction" as any transaction: (1) which is entered into in the course of the trade or business primarily to reduce certain types of risk with respect to property or borrowing; (2) the gain or loss on which is treated as ordinary income or loss; and (3) which is clearly identified as such. Limits the three-year carryback of losses from regulated futures contracts to an amount which: (1) does not exceed the lesser of the capital gain net income from regulated futures contracts or all of the capital gain net income; and (2) does not increase or produce a net loss. Provides that obligations of the United States, a State or local government, or a U.S. possession issued on a discount basis and payable without interest in less than one year shall be treated as capital assets in determining tax consequences of gain or loss with respect to such obligations. Treates as ordinary income any gain realized from the sale or exchange of short-term government obligations which does not exceed an amount equal to the ratable share of the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity over the taxpayer's basis. Excludes from capital gains tax treatment gains by a securities dealer from the sale or exchange of any security, unless the security was clearly identified in the dealer's records before the close of the day on which it was acquired as a security held for investment (currently, before the end of the date of acquisition). Extends capital gains treatment to gains or losses attributable to the termination of a right or obligation with respect to personal property of a type which is actively traded and which is or would be a capital asset in the hands of the taxpayer. Subtitle C - Treatment of Foreign Oil and Gas Income - Foreign Oil and Gas Tax Act of 1981 - Excludes from gross income any foreign oil and gas extraction income of a taxpayer. Disallows any tax credits or deductions attributable to such income or for the amount expended for oil and gas exploration outside of the United States. Disallows the foreign tax credit for excess foreign oil related payments by domestic corporations. Provides that the oil-and gas-related income of a foreign corporation controlled by a U.S. company shall be presently taxed (instead of deferred as under present law). Subtitle D - Cash Management - Increases from 60 to 80 percent the amount in total tax liability which certain large corporations must pay in estimated taxes. Title V: Financing of Railroad Retirement System - Increases the rate of the employer and employee railroad retirement taxes. Allows the Railroad Retirement Account to borrow funds from the Treasury if the balance of such Account is insufficient to pay annuity amounts due.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1981
Amends the Federal Reserve Act to require the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to take and maintain detailed minutes of all meetings of the Federal Open Market Committee. Permits the Board, before the publication of any such minutes, to delete any information regarding any foreign country, central bank of a foreign country, or any international institution which has a majority of members who are foreign countries or central banks of foreign countries. Provides for the future review and publication of such deleted information.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1981
Extends through fiscal year 1982 the programs established by the Small Business Act under which government procurement contracts are set aside for small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1981
Repeals provisions in the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 regarding the windfall profit tax which: (1) increase the credit for royalty owners for 1981 and exempt royalty oil for 1982 and thereafter; (2) reduce the tax imposed on newly discovered oil; and (3) exempt independent producer stripper well oil.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1981
Medicare Deductible Rollback Act - Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to decrease the multiplier in the inpatient hospital deductible formula from $45 to $40. Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII to decrease the part B deductible from $75 to $60.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1981
Directs the President to immediately begin consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the purpose of modifying the Board of Governors' monetary policy to significantly reduce interest rates within the next 90 days. Requires such consultations to include modifications in the areas of: (1) reserve requirements; (2) Federal Open Market Committee activities; and (3) the federal Reserve discount rate; and (4) preventing diversion of substantial sums of available credit and capital for nonproductive purposes.
![Official portrait of Rep. Mitchell, Parren J. [D-MD-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000826_200.jpg)