United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Bankruptcy Improvements Act of 1981 - Amends title 11 of the United States Code (Bankruptcy) to establish an eligibility test for liquidation bankruptcy relief based on the individual petitioner's ability to pay a reasonable portion of his debts out of future income. Permits the court to dismiss a bankruptcy case under chapter 7 (liquidation) upon the motion of any party in interest filed not later than 30 days after the meeting of creditors, and after notice and a hearing, if the debtor is ineligible for relief under such title. Requires the bankruptcy judge to preside at any meeting of creditors and to perform such additional judicial duties any may be required. Declares that the value of the creditor's interest in the estate's interest in such property shall be determined in light of the purpose of the valuation and of the proposed disposition or use of such property, and in conjunction with any hearing on such disposition or use or on a plan affecting such creditor's interest. Declares that the value of consumer goods which the debtor seeks to redeem in liquidation shall be presumed to be the established resale market price, if such market exists. Requires the debtor in bankruptcy cases to file a statement of income and expenses. Requires the debtor, if the debtor's schedule of assets and liabilities includes consumer debts which are secured by property of the estate, to file and serve upon each creditor holding such security and the trustee, a statement expressing the debtor's intention with respect to retention or surrender of the collateral. Requires the debtor, at or before the meeting of creditors provided for by such title, to perform his intention with regard to such secured creditors. Repeals the provisions concerning exempt property and makes the States responsible for establishing exemptions to bankruptcy proceedings. Makes any debt which was incurred on or within 90 days before the date of the filing of a petition under such title nondischargeable. Allows creditors to enforce liens which have not been voided in bankruptcy. Permits reaffirmation of consumer debts subject to the debtor's right to rescind any such agreement within 60 days or until a discharge is received, whichever occurs later, by giving a written notice of rescission to the creditor. Declares that at the meeting of creditors the court shall inform the debtor of the nature and effect of a discharge. Eliminates the trustee's power to avoid liens or recover payments made within 90 days of filing petition in bankruptcy (within one year in the case of an insider) unless the creditor had reasonable cause to believe the debtor was insolvent. Permits the court, upon notice and hearing, to require a creditor to accept payments in redemption of the value of a claim secured by a nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interest in tangible personal property, over a reasonable period not to exceed five years, if such tangible personal property consists of specified objects. Allows a creditor, upon 10 days notice to the debtor and codebtor, to collect any portion of a debt from the codebtor which is not being paid by the debtor through the adjustment of debts of such debtor with a regular income. Requires payments under an adjustment of debts payment plan to commence at the time of the filing of the plan. Provides for the return of such funds after deducting the costs of administration if no plan is confirmed. Provides for the separate classification of co-debtor claims and non-dischargeable claims and authorizes payment of them under an adjustment of debts payment plan. Allows a debtor to choose such a repayment plan of up to five years. Bases such repayment upon the debtor's ability to repay out of future income after taking into account the basic living necessities for the debtor and dependents. Provides for an early discharge of debts where at least 70 percent of all allowed unsecured claims are paid. Permits a hardship discharge of otherwise non-dischargeable debts to the extent the debtor attempted to pay such debts under an adjustment of debts payment plan.
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
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 · 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 · 2 October 1981
Amends titiles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to require Federal agencies to give to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, upon request, the names and social security account numbers of disability or SSI benefit recipients who are inmates of penal institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should fill the 1982 vacancy on the Federal Reserve System's Board of Governors with a person having small business or farming experience.
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 · 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
Declares that the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Health and Human Services should develop and present to Congress a plan to correct the benefit disparity caused by the 1977 changes in the social security retirement benefit formula.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1981
Independent Contractor Tax Status Clarification Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify standards for determining whether certain individuals qualify as independent contractors for purposes of the tax on employment income. Treats an individual as an independent contractor if such individual: (1) controls the total number of his work hours; (2) does not maintain a principal place of business, or, if he does, such place of business is not provided, or is not provided rent-free, by the person for whom such individual performs services; (3) has substantial investment in his business and earns income based upon sales or output rather than upon number of hours worked; (4) performs services pursuant to a written contract and is provided written notice of his responsibility with respect to income and self-employment taxes; and (5) the recipient of such individual's services files returns disclosing payments made to such individual. Provides that the criteria established by this Act shall not be applicable to agent-drivers, commission-drivers, full-time life insurance salesmen, home workers, and traveling or city salesmen who are statutorily designated as employees for purposes of social security taxation. Provides that the failure of an individual claiming independent contractor status to meet the criteria established by this Act shall not create an inference that such an individual is an employee or that the recipient of his services is an employer. Limits the applicability of the criteria established by this Act to questions of employment status arising under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, self-employment tax provisions, and withholding requirements under the Internal Revenue Code. Requires recipients of services performed by an independent contractor to file an information return with respect to payments made for such services in excess of $600 for the taxable year. Requires individuals who file such information returns to furnish written statements to persons with respect to whom such information is reported which indicate the amount of payment reported. Provides penalties for failure to furnish information returns or statements. Applies deficiency procedures for the assessment of unpaid taxes due to the reclassification of an individual as an employee who had been treated as an independent contractor. Treats as employees, for purposes of the withholding of income tax, certain traveling or city salesmen.
United States · United States Congress · 17 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.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1981
Directs the President, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Congress to take the following steps to lower and stabilize interest rates: (1) make immediate spending cuts by identifying and eliminating nonessential and low-priority items which may remain in the budget; (2) increase government revenues by eliminating existing preferences; and (3) the Board of Governors should prudently increase the money supply.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1981
Disapproves the final rule promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission dealing with the matter of the trade regulation rule relating to the sale of used motor vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1981
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to expand the applicability of the provisions of such Act relating to incentives for the development of underground coal mines so that such provisions shall apply to all coal mines. Revises provisions relating to the guarantee of loans for the development of such mines to provide that an individual may receive a loan guarantee only if the individual has obtained a contract for the sale or resale of coal from the mine, the duration of which meets requirements that the Secretary of Energy shall prescribe. Deletes the requirement that the sale or resale must be to an individual in compliance with the Clean Air Act. Redefines the term "low sulfur coal" to mean coal with sulfur content that does not exceed the maximum sulfur content permitted under the Clean Air Act and any applicable implementation plan.
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 · 4 August 1981
Federal Pay Continuity Act - Defines the term "agency" for purposes of this Act to include: (1) an Executive agency; (2) the Judicial branch; (3) the Library of Congress; (4) the Government Printing Office; (5) the Legislative branch; and (6) the District of Columbia government. Appropriates the funds necessary to pay agency employees and members of the uniformed services during any period when such funds are not available because the legislation making appropriations to the Government entity employing such individuals has not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1981
Repeals provisions of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981 which repeal the minimum monthly social security benefit under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the House shall not consider any bill, resolution, or conference report thereon reducing social security benefits prior to the opening of the second session of the 97th Congress. Instructs the House conferees on H.R. 3982 to recede and concur in an amendment deleting from the conference report on H.R. 3982 the section which repeals minimum social security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1981
Airline Deregulation Amendments Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to modify the definition of "ticket agent" as used in such Act. Directs air carriers to file with the Civil Aeronautics Board until December 31, 1982, individual and joint fares and charges, classifications, rules, and services for or in connection with interstate and overseas passenger air transportation. Requires that such filings shall be made with the Secretary of Transportation between January 1, 1983, and December 31, 1984. Prohibits air carriers and ticket agents from charging or collecting greater or less or different compensation than that specified in such filings. Transfers the authority of the Board relating to foreign air transportation to the Department of Transportation. Accelerates to January 1, 1983, the transfer of specified authority of the Board. Allows the Board to approve any contract or agreement that reduces or eliminates competition if it finds that the contract or agreement is necessary to secure important public benefits, including the marketing and sale of transportation through ticket agents. Sets forth the expiration dates for specified authority of the Secretary relating to contract approvals. Revises the expiration date and contents of the Secretary's (currently the Board's) report to Congress concerning the implementation of such Act. Prohibits the Board from issuing any final order or rule in regard to agreements among air carriers and agreements among foreign air carriers insofar as those agreements provide for the accreditation and supervision of travel agents. Directs the Board to forward the recommendations and analyses concerning such proceedings to the Secretary for final disposition. Prohibits the Board and the Department from attaching an expiration date on any certificate of public convenience and necessity. Deletes provisions concerning the issuance of such certificates for temporary authority to provide air transportation. Requires that each air carrier or foreign air carrier shall keep on file with the Board after January 1, 1983, the established divisions of all joint rates, fares, and charges for air transportation in which such carrier participates.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress urges all negotiators involved in the baseball dispute to settle the strike promptly.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1981
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to state that a food intended for human consumption shall be deemed misbranded unless it is labeled to show the amount of sodium and potassium it contains when in excess of a certain amount of milligrams. Permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services to exempt a food from such requirement by requiring the information to be prominently displayed in close proximity to the place of display or sale of such food. Exempts from such labeling requirements any manufacturer of such foods whose total annual sale are less than a specified amount.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1981
Title I: Margin Requirements - Margin Requirements Fairness Act of 1981 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit certain credit transactions for the acquisition of securities of U.S. corporations by either U.S. or non-U.S. persons where such a transaction is financed by either U.S. or non-U.S. lenders if: (1) such a transaction is or would be prohibited if it had been made or had otherwise occurred in a lender's office or other place of business in the United States; and (2) a statement is required to be filed under such Act in connection with the acquisition or carrying of such securities. Requires the statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to such Act, by any person who is directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of more than five percent of any equity security of a class which is registered pursuant to such Act, to include information as to whether the margin requirements imposed pursuant to such Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder are applicable and not being violated. Applies the provisions of this Act to any purchase or carrying of securities on or after June 24, 1981, if: (1) the loan or extension of credit involved originated, or if the loan proceeds used to purchase or carry such securities were disbursed, on or after such date; or (2) the person who has obtained, received or used the loan or extension of credit to purchase or carry securities acquires directly or indirectly by any means any additional securities of the same issuer on or after such date. Title II: Foreign Energy Investment - Foreign Energy Investment Act of 1981 - Makes it unlawful, during the period beginning on July 1, 1981, and ending on March 31, 1982, for any Canadian person to acquire, directly or indirectly, by purchase or trade any voting securities of a United States energy resources corporation if, after such acquisition, more than five percent of any class of voting securities of such corporation will be directly or indirectly owned by: (1) such Canadian person; (2) any partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or other group of which such Canadian person is a member; (3) the other members of any such partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or other group; or (4) any combination of the foregoing. States that such prohibition shall not apply to any acquisition which was the subject of an agreement to merge between a United States energy resources corporation and a Canadian person prior to June 25, 1981. Directs the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with specified Federal officials and agencies, to undertake a comprehensive study of direct and indirect investment in United States energy resources enterprises by foreign persons and to report the findings and recommendations to Congress not later than March 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1981
Directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a bust or statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior, for placement in a suitable location in the Capitol.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Postal Service Amendments of 1981 - Authorizes the United States Postal Service to issue written demands requiring access to books, records, documents, or other objects believed to relate to any postal offense or civil matter under investigation by the Postal Service. Provides for the enforcement of such a demand by the appropriate district court. Authorizes the Postal Service to issue an order requiring any person to cease and desist from conducting a lottery or scheme for obtaining money or property by false representations through the mail. Declares that the resumption of such an activity through the use of any instrumentality of interstate commerce shall be considered to be a failure to comply with such order. Permits the Postal Service, in investigating whether a person is conducting such an activity, to tender the price of any article or service that such person has offered for sale. Declares that failure by such person to provide such article or service, or failure to comply with a written demand of the Postal Service for access to materials, shall constitute probable cause to believe such person is engaged in such activities, warranting the detention of such person's incoming mail. Establishes a civil penalty to be assessed by the Postal Service, after an opportunity for an agency hearing, against any person who: (1) attempts to evade an order directing the postmaster to return mail addressed to such person; (2) fails to comply with a cease and desist; or (3) assists another person in evading such an order.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1981
Preservation of Confidential Information Act - Amends the Freedom of Information Act to establish procedures under which submitters of information may object to agency disclosure of such information. Requires an agency to give written notice to a submitter of information whenever such agency receives a request for information not already in the public domain which has been obtained from any private source or which concerns any individually identifiable private party. Permits a submitter to provide the agency with written objections to disclosure of the records. Directs an agency to provide a submitter who makes a timely request an informal ex parte hearing. Requires the agency to make a final decision regarding disclosure within 30 days of the hearing. Subjects an agency determination following such procedures to disclose all or part of the records to de novo review in Federal district court. Requires the agency to sustain its action by a preponderance of the evidence. Authorizes the court to assess against the United States attorney fees and other costs in any case in which the complainant has substantially prevailed. Requires the Special Counsel to initiate a disciplinary proceeding whenever the court orders the withholding of agency records improperly disclosed by an agency and issues a written finding that the records raise the question of whether agency personnel acted arbitrarily or capriciously. Includes among the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget the promulgation of a uniform system of rules in conformance with the Freedom of Information Act with which agencies shall make information available to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Former Presidents Facilities and Services Reform Act of 1981 - Title I: Presidential Libraries - Prohibits the Administrator of General Services from establishing any Presidential archival depository after January 20, 1983. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress a prospectus for establishing a central Presidential library for the deposit and preservation of the records and papers of former Presidents, and historical materials related to the former Presidents. Requires the prospectus to provide: (1) for the establishment of the library in a phased manner allowing for expansion; (2) that the first phase of the library shall provide for the deposit and preservation of the records, papers, and materials concerning two former Presidents; (3) that the archival and research space for each former President in the library shall equal the average space provided per President in all Presidential archival depositories; and (4) that a specified area be established for museum displays concerning each former President. Authorizes the Administrator to lend any item stored in the library for display in a private Presidential museum or library. Directs the Administrator to duplicate and make available upon request the more historically significant documents. Requires the President, while holding office, to dispose of his or her Presidential records which have no administrative, historical, informational, or evidentiary value after obtaining the views of the Archivist of the United States concerning such disposal, unless the Archivist notifies the President that the Archivist intends to request advice from certain congressional committees. Declares that the provisions of this title apply only to: (1) the records of those Presidents taking office after January 20, 1969, for whom a Presidential archival depository is not established before January 20, 1983; and (2) all Presidential records to which the Government has title. Title II: Former Presidents - Changes the amount of the annual allowance to which the spouse of a deceased former President is entitled from $20,000 to two-thirds of the allowance to which a former President is entitled. Repeals the requirement that the spouse must waive the right to any other Government annuity or pension to qualify for such allowance. Authorizes the Administrator to provide to each former President, upon request: (1) one office; (2) compensation, without an aggregate ceiling, for members of an office staff who shall be subject to certain provisions of civil service laws; (3) payment for the travel and subsistence allowances for specified office employees; (4) communications services; and (5) printing and binding expenses. Allows any Federal employee to be detailed to the office staff of a former President with the consent of the employee's agency head. Authorizes the Administrator to provide a former Vice President with necessary services and facilities for winding up his or her office affairs which are similar to the services and facilities provided to a former President under this title. Prohibits the use of funds provided for necessary services and facilities of a former President or Vice President for partisan political activities or income generating activities. Permits a former President to use such funds to prepare his or her memoirs if the former President signs an agreement providing that the Public Printer will print and distribute such memoirs. Prohibits the expenditure of such funds for a former President any time beyond 90 days after the former President dies. Requires each former President to submit to Congress an annual report concerning activities carried out with the assistance of such funds. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this title concerning the services and facilities to be provided for former Presidents and Vice Presidents. Repeals specified provisions of the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. Title III: Protection of Former Presidents, Former Vice Presidents, and Their Families - Prohibits the United States Secret Service from protecting a former President, former Vice President, or the spouse, widow, widower, or minor child of a former President except as authorized under this title. Authorizes the Secret Service to protect: (1) a former President for eight years after the individual becomes a former President; and (2) the spouse of a former President to the extent that such protection is incidental to the protection of the former President. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to reinstate for six months the Secret Service protection of a former President or the spouse, widow, widower, or minor child of a former President after the original protection has been terminated upon finding that a serious threat warranting such protection exists. Allows the Secretary to extend for six-month periods the Secret Service protection provided to such an individual upon the individual's written request and upon the approval of an existing advisory committee established to determine whether protection should be furnished to certain Presidential or Vice Presidential candidates. Establishes the Advisory Panel on Secret Service Protection to review requests for extended protection and to make recommendations on such requests to such advisory committee. Permits the Secretary, upon a former Vice President's written request and upon finding that a threat exists which warrants protection, to authorize Secret Service protection for a former Vice President for a period beginning on the last day of the individual's Vice Presidential term and ending on the last day of the fiscal year in which the term expires. Declares that this title shall take effect on October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Calls upon the Postmaster General of the United States to give priority consideration to means other than closing local post offices as a method of reducing expenditures of the United States Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission from investigating or taking any action concerning any State regulated profession until Congress enacts legislation which expressly provides that the Commission has authority over professions and that the Commission's authority preempts State authority. Vacates any such action taken during the period beginning on May 28, 1981, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Monongahela and Upper Ohio River Waterways Improvement Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to replace specified locks and dams on the Monongahela River, Pennsylvania, to rehabilitate the Gallipolis Dam, Ohio and West Virginia, and to replace certain locks on the Ohio River. Directs the Chief of Engineers to mitigate fish and wildlife habitat losses resulting from such construction by purchasing, at Federal expense, specified land. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer such land to the State of West Virginia for operation and maintenance. Requires the Chief of Engineers to submit a final environmental impact statement to Congress prior to initiating such construction. Provides for veto of such impact statement by concurrent resolution of Congress within 60 days. Exempts such impact statement and actions to carry out such project from judicial review except as specified. Sets forth procedures for such expedited judicial review. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Chief of Engineers, pending appropriation of such sums, to allot, from existing Army Department civil works appropriations, such sums as are necessary for immediate prosecution of the improvements ordered herein.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the exclusion of interest on mortgage subsidy bonds. Repeals provisions which allow tax-exempt status for such bonds if 95 percent of the mortgages financed by such issues are in compliance with stated requirements. Provides that a showing that the issuing authority has tried in good faith to satisfy all requirements will cure a failure to meet any particular requirement if such failure is corrected within a reasonable time after its discovery. Allows bondholders to rely upon an issuer's good faith covenant as to a compliance. Revises the new homeowner requirements to allow eligibility for bond-financed mortgages for persons who are residing in substandard housing or who have lost their homes because of natural disasters or governmental action. Changes the method of determining the average area purchase price for purposes of the purchase price requirements for bond-financed mortgages. Specifies that the average area purchase price shall not include residences which are not typically financed through normal real estate mortgage loans and that such price may be determined separately for new and previously occupied homes. Revises the arbitrage requirements to increase the amount by which interest rates on tax-exempt mortgage subsidy bonds may exceed the interest rates on mortgages financed with such bonds. Changes the method of determining the yield on an issue. Specifies that issuers are not required to dispose of any investment and realize a loss in order to satisfy arbitrage restrictions. Allows two or more qualified mortgage bond issues of a single issuer to be combined for purposes of determining compliance with arbitrage requirements. Permits issuers to maintain a reasonable reserve against investment losses and to allocate credits or payments between eligible mortgagors. Exempts mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration from certain mortgage assumption requirements. Includes energy impacted areas within the definition of targeted areas for purposes of the special treatment of targeted area residences. Repeals the requirement that the designation of areas of chronic economic distress be approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Limits the designation of areas of chronic economic distress to 25 percent of the geographic area within a State. Redefines statistical areas to include two or more statistical areas combined. Repeals the registration requirements for bond issues.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Declares it the sense of the Congress that no legislation that would change the operations of the Guaranteed Student Loan Program before October 1, 1981, should or will be enacted. Prohibits the Secretary of Education from promulgating any rule which changes the operations of the Guaranteed Student Loan Program before October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1981
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a postage stamp to honor the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Steel Industry Compliance Extension Act of 1981 - Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to extend the date for compliance with emission limitation requirements by owners or operators of a stationary source in an iron- and steel-producing operation if: (1) the compliance date extension is necessary to allow the applicant to make capital investments in its operations to improve efficiency and productivity; (2) the funds freed by such extension will be used within two years for additional capital investments in the applicant's operations; (3) the Administrator and the applicant agree to a phased compliance program for each of the applicant's stationary sources; (4) the applicant has sufficient funds to comply with such program; (5) the applicant is in compliance with any existing Federal decrees applicable to its operations; and (6) the compliance date extension will not result in the degradation of air quality during the extension term. Prohibits the imposition of a noncompliance penalty under the Clean Air Act upon an owner or operator with a compliance date extension provided their stationary source remains in compliance with all the requirements of such extensions. Makes available to the public all information obtained by the Administrator under this Act, subject to a specified exception. Directs the Administrator to publish notice of receipt of an application for extension of time in the Federal Register and to notify the appropriate State and local officials. Directs the Administrator to publish in the Federal Register notice of any finding made or other action taken, or failure or refusal to take action, by the Administrator in connection with consent decrees. Provides that such findings, actions, refusals, or failures shall be reviewable only by a court in which a specified civil action under such Act is brought against the stationary source owner or operator. States that revision of a State implementation plan is not required because a compliance date extension has been granted if such plan would have met Clean Air Act requirements prior to the granting of such extension.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Title I: Contracts Between Sales Representatives and Principals - Requires a principal who enters into a contract with a sales representative for the solicitation of orders for merchandise of the principal to furnish specified information to the representative, including monthly commission statements. Enumerates items to be included in any written contract between a principal and sales representative in order to conform with this Act. Title II: Indemnification - Exempts principals who have entered into a written contract in conformity with title I from the indemnification requirements of this title. Requires any principal to indemnify a sales representative in accordance with this title if such principal: (1) without good cause terminates a representative's assignment or reduces the geographical territory assigned to a representative; (2) reduces the rate of commission paid to a representative; or (3) reduces the number of accounts assigned within a geographical territory. Sets forth a formula for the indemnification of such representatives. Title III: Miscellaneous - Permits actions to be brought in Federal district court to enforce the rights or liabilities of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest earned on certificates of deposit issued by banks, certain savings institutions, or credit unions. Requires such certificates to be issued between June 30, 1981 and July 31, 1982, to have a one year maturity, and to bear interest at a rate not greater than 70 percent of the average yield of U.S. Treasury bills. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns).
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to permit a bank, a bank holding company or a subsidiary thereof, or a savings and loan association to: (1) organize, sponsor, operate, or render investment advice to an investment company; or (2) underwrite, distribute, sell, or issue securities of any such investment company which is organized, sponsored, operated, controlled, or so advised by a bank, a bank holding company or a subsidiary thereof, or a savings and loan association. Requires officers and employees of banks or savings and loan associations who sell such securities to meet such standards with respect to training, experience, and sales practices as the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Home Loan Bank Board shall prescribe.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Noninstitutional Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly and Disabled Act - Amends the Social Security Act by adding a new title, title XXI (Noninstitutional Acute and Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly and the Disabled), to provide a comprehensive system of noninstitutional health, developmental, and social services for individuals with chronic disabilities. Entitles an eligible individual to the following benefits: (1) home health services; (2) homemaker-home health aide services; (3) adult day services; (4) respite care services for up to 14 days, or 336 hours, in any year; (5) service coordination; (6) home help services; and (7) other services, provided on a demonstration basis, which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines may be of value. Sets forth definitions of such benefits. Provides benefits to every individual who: (1) has attained age 65; (2) is disabled and eligible for benefits under titles II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance), XVI (Supplemental Security Income), XVIII (Medicare), and XIX (Medicaid) of the Act; (3) was eligible for such benefits and ceased to be so eligible, but only if loss of benefits would seriously jeopardize such individual's ability to continue to live in a noninstitutional community residence and such individual's income is not sufficient to allow such individual to provide a reasonable equivalent of the services available under this Act; or (4) has been certified as eligible by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. States that no eligible individual shall be eligible to receive any benefits under title XXI or any long-term care benefits under titles XVIII, XIX, or XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Act unless such individual has a plan of care, as specified in this Act, and has been screened and assessed by a preadmission assessment and screening team (PAT) in order to determine the types and frequency of services required by such individual and in order to assure the maximum level of independence for such individual. Requires the Governor of each State to designate the State agency or agencies which shall administer or supervise the administration of the States' PAT program. Directs such agency or agencies to designate the PAT. Directs the Secretary to reimburse any PAT, and any State, for the reasonable costs incurred under this Act. Requires beneficiaries under title XXI to make copayments. Sets limits based on income for such copayments. Exempts those below the poverty line from copayments. Directs the Secretary to pay amounts for benefits incurred by an eligible individual in accordance with specified guidelines. Creates the Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund into which specified funds will be deposited in order to make the payments required by this Act. Coordinates the provisions of this Act with titles XVIII, XIX, and XX of the Act by providing that no payment shall be made under such titles to or on behalf of an individual who is eligible under title XXI for services available under title XXI, unless the individual seeking coverage first undergoes a preadmission screening and assessment as provided in title XXI. States that this Act shall be effective between January 1, 1982, and December 31, 1987. Directs the Secretary to monitor the effects of this Act and report to Congress. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct an ongoing evaluation of the effects of this Act and to report to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Title I: Amendments to Title 18, United States Code (18 U.S.C. 921-928) - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition. Adds a new definition "engaged in the business" with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Defines as a manufacturer or dealer of firearms a person who manufactures or deals as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit. Excludes as dealers persons making occasional sales or repairs of firearms. Eliminates certain activities involving ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Makes it unlawful for any person to transfer any firearm to a person who does not reside in the same State, if the transferor has reasonable cause to believe that acquisition of the firearm by such person would violate any State or local law or ordinance. Revises the current prohibition against certain classes of persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition. Includes as additional categories illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged members of the Armed Forces, and U.S. citizens who renounce their citizenship. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Stipulates that a licensed dealer's personal collection of firearms shall not be subject to recordkeeping requirements. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to revoke a license only where the holder "willfully" violates a provision of the Act. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, where such individual is not convicted of such charges. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, firearms, or ammunition that the Secretary has probable cause to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises. Restricts the firearms information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Establishes a "willful" scienter (knowledge) requirement with respect to general violations of the Act. Revises the current offense of using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony to: (1) include use of a destructive device; (2) delete the act of "carrying" a firearm to commit a felony; and (3) limit such offense to felonies over which the Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Retains the current penalty (one to ten years) for first offenses. Increases the penalty for second or subsequent offenses to five to 25 years' imprisonment (currently, two to 25 years). Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence or grant probation. Deletes the prohibition against concurrent sentences. Prohibits the granting of parole to first and subsequent offenders. Stipulates that no person shall be subject to the additional, mandatory penalties if use of the firearm or destructive device was to protect person or property. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Directs the court to award attorney fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in a proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Requires the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was without foundation or was initiated in bad faith. Limits seizure to firearms individually identified as involved in the violation. Revises the current procedure allowing persons who have been convicted of a crime to apply to the Secretary for relief from the firearms prohibitions to make the following changes. Permits any person prohibited from possessing, shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or ammunition to apply for relief. Requires, instead of permits, the Secretary to grant release, unless the applicant will be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety. Permits any person who is denied relief to seek de novo judicial review in Federal court. Makes the authority of the Secretary to permit importation of certain types of firearms and ammunition nondiscretionary. Extends the types of sporting firearms which may be imported. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Establishes a Congressional veto procedure with respect to firearms regulations. Authorizes either House of Congress to adopt a resolution of disapproval within 90 days of the rule's promulgation. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Makes any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1981
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage from entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State, or limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in that area, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in that area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the capital expenditure limit for certain small issues of bonds used in connection with urban development action grant programs for purposes of the tax exclusion of interest on such bonds. Amends the Revenue Act of 1978 to change the effective date for such increase.
![Official portrait of Rep. Mollohan, Robert H. [D-WV-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000845_200.jpg)