United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish a voluntary insurance program to provide insurance benefits for aged and disabled individuals and individuals medically determined to have end stage renal disease to be financed from premium payments by enrollees and excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products. Provides for coverage of the following under the program: (1) routine physical checkups, not exceeding one in any two-year period; (2) routine eye care, including the dispensing of eyeglasses no more than once a year; (3) dental care, including teeth cleaning, extractions, and crowns and bridges (as authorized); (4) hearing care, including examinations and hearing aids; and (5) prescription drugs and biologicals. Directs the Secretary to provide for a program certifying hearing aids. Creates a Trust Fund from which benefits will be paid to enrolled individuals, after payment of an annual $60 deductible. States that the Fund shall consist of gifts and bequests as provided in title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Act and 100 percent of a special tax on alcohol and tobacco established under this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish such tax. Creates a Board of Trustees for the Fund and sets forth the reporting requirements. Sets forth provisions detailing the procedure for payment of claims of providers of services and the use of carriers for administration of benefits. Declares that every individual who: (1) is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII; or (2) has attained age 65, is eligible to enroll. Sets forth provisions relating to enrollment and the enrollment period. Provides that the monthly premium shall be equal to the monthly premium under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, at the request of a State, to enter into an agreement with a State pursuant to which individuals receiving money payments under the following titles of the Act will be enrolled under the program: (1) individuals receiving money payments under a plan approved under title I (Old Age and Medical Assistance for the Aged) or XVI (Supplemental Security Income); or (2) individuals receiving money payments under all of the State plans approved under titles I, X (Aid to the Blind), XIV (Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled), XVI, and IV, part A (Aid to families with Dependent Children). Permits the Secretary to enter into a modification of an agreement with a State under which individuals who are entitled to benefits under title II of the Act or who are eligible under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act may be included within the coverage group covered under such a State agreement. Directs the Secretary to provide for a project demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of providing services and appliances, as a benefit under the program established by this Act, to assist or compensate for visual impairment in low-vision individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income medicare payments for physicians' services which exceed $10,000. Limits the aggregate amount excluded from gross income and which is attributable to services performed by any one physician to $15,000.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1981
Missing Children Act - Directs the Attorney General to collect and preserve information which would assist in: (1) the identification of any deceased individual who has not been identified within 30 days of his or her death; and (2) the location of any missing child who is under the age of 17, does not have a history of running away, and has been missing for at least 48 hours.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1981
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to impose the same restrictions on exports of agricultural commodities to the Soviet Union as were in effect on January 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1981
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to include any independent contractor (other than a construction contractor) performing services at a mine in the definition of an "operator." Exempts from the requirements of the Act any independent construction contractor engaged by an operator for the construction, repair, or alteration of structures, facilities, utilities, or private ways or roads located on the surface area of any mine or as an excavations or equipment installations attendant to such activities. Requires the independent contractor's employees to: (1) enter their work area through access routes reserved for them; and (2) work in areas which are separate from mining or excavation activities. Requires the operator of a mine at which any construction activity is undertaken by an independent construction contractor to notify the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the type of activity and number of employees involved.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Severe Storms Advisory Committee Act of 1981 - Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a Severe Storms Advisory Committee which shall submit annual reports to the President and Congress assessing and making recommendations concerning the current objectives, milestones, and technological developments of the severe storms forecasting program. Sets forth the terms and conditions of membership on such Committee, including representation from specified agencies, State and local civil defense systems, and weather forecasters. Terminates such Committee after five years.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Critical Industry Reindustrialization Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs income tax credit to the training of skilled labor in labor-shortage business or industry. Defines "labor-shortage business or industry" as any business or industry which either the Secretary of Defense or Labor has certified as having more available skilled jobs than available skilled workers and trainees. Provides for a credit of 50 percent of first year wages and 30 percent of second year wages paid to skilled labor workers. Makes inapplicable to skilled labor workers the restriction that only $6,000 of first and second year wages paid to new employees be taken into account for purposes of the targeted jobs credit. Makes permanent the jobs credit for skilled labor employees.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the week commencing on June 7, 1981, should be designated as "National Italian-American Heritage Week."
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an estate tax deduction for any interest in property which passes from a decedent with no surviving spouse to a disabled child of the decedent who is left parentless. Limits the amount of such deduction to $250,000.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for staggered four-year terms for Members of the House of Representatives. Prohibits persons from being elected to the House more than four times or more than three times to four-year terms. Prohibits persons from being elected to the Senate more than twice.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Requires Federal Reserve notes of certain denominations to be trimmed in a specified manner which will enable an individual who is blind to determine the denomination of each such note.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits: (1) any person who has been elected to the Senate twice from being eligible for election or appointment to the Senate; and (2) any person who has been elected to the House of Representatives six times from being eligible for election to the House.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Terminated Employee Pension Restoration Act of 1981 - Authorizes payment of a Federal annuity to persons (or spouses of such persons) who: (1) were participants in a private employee pension plan which was terminated before July 1, 1974; (2) had, immediately before termination, a nonforfeitable benefit under the plan; and (3) have not received payment in full of such benefit because of the plan's termination. Sets forth the method of computing the annuity. Directs the Secretary of Labor to approve a claim for such an annuity if the claim meets the Secretary's regulations and includes evidence establishing that the claimant is a qualified participant or a qualified spouse. Sets forth the procedure for review of denial of such an annuity claim. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make annuity payments to entitled individuals after receipt of specified information from the Secretary of Labor. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to work with other Federal agencies to avoid unnecessary expense and duplication of functions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require disclosure of tax return information to Labor Department employees for comparison of specified records in order to establish the validity of an annuity claim. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to the Department of Labor to carry out its functions under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury to make annuity payments under this Act beginning with fiscal year 1982 and continuing until the last such payment is made.
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 allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the income tax deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses, without regard to any community property laws.
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 · 18 May 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require a blind person to have at least six quarters of coverage in order to be eligible for disability benefits. Specifies the method of computing the average indexed monthly earnings of a blind individual for purposes of determining such individual's primary insurance amount. Provides that the benefits of a blind person shall not be reduced because of such person's refusal to accept State-approved rehabilitative services under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Requires recomputation of the disability insurance benefit of a blind individual who applies for a recomputation if such recomputation would result in a higher primary insurance amount.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1981
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to prohibit assistance to any public agency unless there is in effect with respect to such agency a law enforcement officers' bill of rights which includes, at a minimum, the following: (1) allowing off-duty officers' to engage in political activities; (2) granting officers specified procedural rights in connection with investigations of their conduct on duty which may lead to a personnel action; (3) requiring officer representation on any policy complaint review board established in the jurisdiction; and (4) prohibiting mandatory disclosure of officers' finances.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1981
Recognizes the Pause for the Pledge as part of National Flag Day and encourages all Americans to participate in National Flag Day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance on June 14, 1981. Directs Congress to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Star-Spangled Flag House in Baltimore, Maryland.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Virgin Islands Nonimmigrant Alien Adjustment Act of 1981 - Authorizes the Attorney General to adjust to permanent resident status alien workers and their dependents who have resided continuously in the Virgin Islands since June 30, 1975, if: (1) application for such adjustment is made within one year of enactment of this Act; (2) such persons were physically present in the Virgin Islands at the time of such filing; and (3) the worker is otherwise admissible as an immigrant. States that such status adjustments shall not reduce the number of available total or national immigrant visas. Authorizes the Secretary of State, after consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Governor of the Virgin Islands, to limit the number of second preference immigrant visas issued to spouses or unmarried sons or daughters of aliens adjusted under this Act. Prohibits the filing of fourth (married sons or daughters) or fifth (brothers or sisters) preference immigrant petitions by aliens adjusted under this Act unless: (1) at the time of filing such person is physically present and has resided continuously in the United States for at least two years; or (2) a case of extreme hardship exists. Prohibits the admission of alien workers to perform temporary labor in the Virgin Islands. Establishes the Interagency Task Force on Virgin Islands Immigration to analyze the impact, including the possible need for Federal assistance, on the Virgin Islands of providing health, housing, education and other social services to persons admitted under this Act. Requires a report to be submitted to the President and the Congress within one year after enactment of this Act. Disbands the Task Force 60 days after transmittal of such report. Authorizes specified appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor Roberto Clemente. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination used for first-class mail up to one ounce in weight and shall be placed on sale during the month of August.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to permit the National Committee of American Airmen Rescued by General Mihailovich to construct and maintain a monument to General Draza Mihailovich in recognition of the role he played in saving the lives of approximately 500 United States airmen in Yugoslavia during World War II. Provides that such monument shall be located on Federal public land within the District of Columbia. Directs that private funds shall be the sole source for the construction and maintenance of such monument.
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 · 7 May 1981
Veterans' Administration and Department of Defense Medical Sharing Act - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to direct the Chief Medical Director of the Veterans' Administration and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs to form an interagency committee to oversee opportunities for sharing the medical resources of the Veterans' Administration and the Department of Defense. Directs the Administrator and the Secretary to jointly establish guidelines for the sharing of medical resources by health care facilities of the Administration and the Department. Requires such guidelines to include provisions for cooperative sharing agreements with such health care facilities explicitly defining the care to be provided on a reimbursable basis. Directs the Administration and the Secretary to submit an annual joint report to Congress setting forth the guidelines prescribed, the opportunities for interagency sharing agreements, and the progress of interagency activities to share medical resources. Permits the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, upon authorization by the President, to give a higher priority to the furnishing of medical care and services to members of the armed forces on active duty during a period of war or national emergency than to all veterans but those with service-connected disabilities. Permits the Administrator to contract with private facilities for the provision of priority care. Requires the Department of Defense to reimburse the Veterans Administration for the provision of such care. Directs the Administrator, whenever priority care is authorized, to submit to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs a report of the plan for the allocation of facilities and personnel to provide such care. Directs the Administrator to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Defense to pursue planning activities and establish procedures and guidelines for the sharing of Veterans' Administration and armed forces facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Veterans' Health Care Act of 1981 - Extends from December 31, 1981, to September 30, 1982, the authority of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to contract for hospital care or medical services in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands without reference to patient loads or incidence of provision of medical services for veterans treated by the Veterans' Administration in the contiguous 48 states. Authorizes the Administrator to furnish hospital care or nursing home care to a veteran of the Vietnam-era determined to be in need of such care for the treatment of a condition that may be associated with exposure to Agent Orange. Extends through September 30, 1984 (three additional years) the period during which Vietnam-era veterans may initially request psychological readjustment counseling. Permits the Administrator to provide medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans in Veterans' Administration medical facilities not being utilized for the care of eligible veterans. Extends through September 30, 1986 the period during which, the President may authorize the Administrator to provide for payments for hospital care and medical services in the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center, Philippines for eligible U.S. veterans. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 to make grants to such Center for the replacement and upgrading of equipment and the rehabilitation of the facilities. Entitles the United States to recover the costs of certain medical care and services furnished to a veteran for a non-service connected disability when such disability is covered by another form of insurance or compensation. Sets forth the formula and procedure for the United States' recovery against the insurer or other entity. Subrogates the United States to the rights of such veteran. Reduces the minimum number of hospital and nursing home beds the Administrator must establish in medical facilities of the Veterans' Administration. Requires the Administrator to maintain a contingency capacity to assist the Department of Defense in time of war or national emergency. Requires the Chief Medical Director to analyze annually, rather than periodically, agencywide admissions policies and the records of eligible veterans who apply for care but are rejected or not given immediate attention. Requires the Director to review the adequacy and geographic distribution of operating beds and the demographic characteristics of the veteran population. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the appropriate Congressional committees. Amends the Veterans Health Programs Extension and Improvement Act of 1979 to permit the expansion of the scope of the epidemiological study of the health effects of agent orange to include an evaluation of the long term adverse health effects in humans serving in the armed forces of the United States in Vietnam during the Vietnamese conflict or other factors involved in such service, including exposure to other herbicides, chemicals, medications, or environmental hazards or conditions. Permits the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to expand the scope of the literature analysis and review to include an analysis and review of the literature covering other studies relating to the effects of such factors.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) temporarily suspend the airman certificate of anyone indicted for a violation of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act if operation of an aircraft is an element of the offense charged; and (2) revoke the airman certificate of anyone convicted of a violation of such Act if operation of an aircraft is an element of the offense for which the holder was convicted. Sets forth criminal penalties for the use or sale of fraudulent certificates with the intent or knowledge that such certificates will be used in connection with a violation of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act. Provides criminal penalties for any person who: (1) while navigating an aircraft, knowingly and willfully violates such Act; and (2) is the owner of an aircraft and knowingly allows any person to use such aircraft in violation of such Act. Requires that such penalties shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other penalty imposed under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Delinquent Payments Act of 1981 - Requires Federal agencies to pay interest on overdue payments to businesses for property or services. Specifies the procedure for computing such interest. Requires an agency to pay any such interest charges out of funds made available for administration of its programs. Allows an agency to take advantage of an early payment discount only if payment is made within the time specified by the business. Directs each agency to report to Congress annually on interest payments made during the fiscal year.
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 · 1 May 1981
Comprehensive Social Security Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to finance the hospital insurance program partially through general revenues and provide a corresponding decrease in the hospital insurance tax rates on employees, employers, and self-employment income. Increases the old age, survivors and disability insurance tax rates on employees, employers, and self-employment income. Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to make loans to the other Funds, prior to fiscal year 1991, whenever one of the funds falls below 25 percent of the amount of its disbursements for the 12 months preceding the borrowing. Provides for the repayment of such loans. Amends title II to revise the time periods which constitute base quarters and cost-of-living computation quarters for purposes of cost-of-living adjustments in title II benefits. Increases the minimum primary insurance amount and the number of years of coverage which may be counted in computing the primary insurance amount of an individual. Permits an individual to include as years of coverage, for purposes of computing the primary insurance amount, any calendar years, not to exceed ten, during which such individual was living with and caring for a child under the age of seven and such individual's wages or self-employment income was insufficient for credit with a year of coverage. Increases from $255 to $600 the amount of the lump-sum death payment in cases of deaths occurring on and after the enactment of this Act. Provides for a graduated increase in old age insurance benefits for individuals who delay retirement until after they reach or exceed age 65. Increases the amount of outside income which an individual receiving title II benefits may earn without a deduction from such benefits. Revises the method for computing an individual's average indexed monthly earnings for purposes of determining the amount of benefits to which such individual's survivors are or may become entitled. Increases the maximum benefit amounts for beneficiaries entitled to old age and survivors or disability insurance benefits. Eliminates the payment of child's insurance benefits on the basis of student status. Directs the Secretary of Education to make interest-free educational loans to individuals who demonstrate entitlement to child's insurance benefits on the basis of student status but for this Act. Specifies the terms and conditions of such loans. Requires that loan repayments be transferred to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for deposit in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Education for such loans. Increases the reduction in old age and survivors benefits for individuals who are entitled to such benefits before they reach retirement age.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
National Automotive Research Act of 1981 - Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to require the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to plan, direct, and conduct automotive research and technology development activities, utilizing to the extent possible the capabilities of other Government laboratories, private industry, and institutions of higher learning. Gives contract or grant priorities to American industrial concerns with production activities in the United States. Requires NASA to establish and implement a program to solicit and evaluate ideas from inventors and to stimulate the further development of specified ideas. Transfers to NASA within two years of enactment all automotive research and technology development activities currently being conducted by other Federal departments and agencies and as many of the positions, personnel, property, and funds of such departments and agencies as the Administrator of NASA shall recommend. Authorizes and directs the Administrator to prepare a comprehensive management program for the conduct of research and technology development activities under this Act, including a progress report on the transfer to NASA of the automotive research and development activities of other departments and agencies. Requires the Administrator to transmit such program to the appropriate committees of Congress. Requires the Administrator to detail modifications in such program in the annual budget submission. Authorizes specified amounts through fiscal year 1982 and amounts to be set in annual authorization Acts for subsequent fiscal years to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Declares the sense of the Congress that the President shall take steps to: (1) call upon the Soviet Union to permit the resurrection of the Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic Churches; (2) contact the officials of the Soviet Union to secure freedom of worship in the Ukraine and (3) bring to the attention of national and international religious councils Soviet violations of basic human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Title I: Short Title, Findings, and Purposes - National Minerals Security Act of 1981 - Sets forth findings and purposes. Title II: Mineral and Material Planning and Availability - Establishes the Council on Materials and Minerals to develop and implement a national minerals and materials policy. Title III: Domestic Mineral Resource Potential - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) review land use plans developed under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976; (2) consider the suitability of such public lands for mineral location and leasing; and (3) revise such plans accordingly. Requires any land use plan prepared under such Act and any review and any review conducted under this Act to: (1) contain an estimate of potential mineral resources; and (2) consider the development and extraction of any significant mineral deposit as a dominant use. Directs the Secretary to determine the number of acres of Federal lands withdrawn, classified, restricted, or closed to mineral location or leasing and the number of acres of land made available for mineral location and leasing under this title and to report the results to Congress. Requires the Secretary to publish a notice in the Federal Register at least once every two years requesting the nomination of lands withdrawn, classified, restricted, or closed to be reviewed. Requires the Secretary to review lands nominated by any person to determine the suitability of such lands for mineral location or leasing. Extends the December 31, 1983, mining expiration date in the Wilderness Act to December 31, 1993. Title IV: Mineral and Material Data Acquisition and Analysis - Directs the Secretary to transfer the State Mining and Mineral Resources and Research Institutes to the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Mines. Makes the Bureau the principal Federal agency for mineral data collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination. Requires the Bureau and the U.S. Geological Survey to undertake stated activities directed towards ensuring an adequate supply of minerals and materials. Title V: Capital Formation and Taxation - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) define air or water pollution control facilities for purposes of the exclusion of interest on industrial development bonds; and (2) permit a deduction for the amortization of the amortizable basis of a pollution control facility, based on any amortization period of from one to 60 months. Title VI: Regulatory Reform - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require that notice of a proposed rule published in the Federal Register include: (1) a statement of the need for and objectives of the proposed rule; and (2) a description of all reasonable alternative public or private means for achieving the objectives of the proposed rule, together with an explanation of how the proposed rule achieves the objectives at lower cost or with fewer adverse effects than the alternatives. Requires an agency, after giving notice and giving interested persons the opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process, to conduct additional proceedings if the comments received from those interested reveal that there are disputed factual issues. Requires such proceedings to include informal public hearings, meetings or conferences, mediation, presentation of witnesses for direct and cross-examination, and additional opportunity for preparation of written rebuttals to any materials required in the notice of proposed rulemaking. Title VII: National Defense Stockpile - Amends the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act to require that all moneys received from the sale of materials in the National Defense Stockpile be transferred to the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund and be available only to acquire strategic and critical materials. Title VIII: Antitrust Restrictions - Directs the Attorney General to review antitrust laws, rules, and regulations to determine the extent to which they are consistent with the policy of this Act. Title IX: Foreign Policy - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) conduct an analysis of the foreign mineral and materials information requirements and resources of all executive branch departments and agencies; (2) direct the centralization of responsibility for the maintenance of a coordinated repository of foreign mineral, material, and related information in the Bureau of Mines; and (3) ensure that the Bureau maintains its foreign mineral, material, related information repository to be responsive to the information needs of all Federal agencies. Amends the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 to require the Secretary of State to report annually to the Secretary of the Interior concerning foreign policy as it relates to the availability of minerals for domestic use.
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 · 29 April 1981
Establishes a Prisoner of War Medal to be awarded by the President in the name of Congress to any person who while serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States was held by any force hostile to the United States as a prisoner, internee, or hostage.
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 · 28 April 1981
Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to extend through fiscal year 1985 the authorization of appropriations to carry out national volunteer antipoverty programs. Raises the amount of such funds which must be earmarked for the VISTA program. Eliminates provisions earmarking portions of such funds for other programs. Extends through fiscal year 1985 the authorization of appropriations for the administration and coordination of domestic volunteer services. Eliminates provisions relating to a financial assistance limitation for specified special service-learning programs. Authorizes the Director of the ACTION Agency to make grants and contracts for projects and programs which encourage and enable students in secondary, secondary vocational, and postsecondary schools to participate in service-learning programs on an in-school or out-of-school basis in specified assignments.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that a Constitution for the U.S. Virgin Islands is approved. Establishes a constitutional review commission which shall periodically review the Constitution and report to the Virgin Islands' Senate its proposals for revisions of the Constitution. Sets forth a transitional schedule for the period between the date of the Constitution's ratification and its effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Taxpayer Protection and Reimbursement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit reasonable court costs, including attorneys' fees, to be awarded to the prevailing party (other than the United States or a creditor of the prevailing party) in any civil action in any court of the United States for the determination, collection, or refund of any tax, interest, or penalty imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Limits the amount of such award to $20,000 for any one civil action. Includes within the definition of "attorney's fees" amounts paid to an individual who is not an attorney but who is authorized to practice before the Tax Court. Defines "prevailing party" as a party who: (1) establishes that the position of the United States in the civil action was unreasonable; and (2) substantially prevails with respect to the amount in controversy or the most significant issue or set of issues. Disallows costs for certain civil actions involving declaratory judgments.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1981
Amends the Home Owner's Loan Act of 1933 to declare that State law shall apply to the enforcement of any due-on-sale provision of a mortgage or promissory note evidencing sums borrowed from a Federal savings and loan association.
![Official portrait of Rep. Murphy, Austin J. [D-PA-20]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001088_200.jpg)