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 · 5 May 1981
Establishes a Pilotage Regulatory Advisory Committee to: (1) review existing and proposed rules concerning the qualification standards or licensing requirements for pilots navigating vessels in United States waters; (2) consult with, advise, and make recommendations to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating with respect to such standards or requirements; and (3) submit to the Secretary any proposed amendments to, or any recommendations for the repeal of, such rules which the committee determines are necessary. Directs the Secretary not to take any significant action with regard to the rules or administrative policy governing the licensing of such pilots without first consulting the Committee. Sets forth provisions concerning Committee membership and administrative support services. Exempts the Committee from the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Terminates the Committee on the date: (1) the Secretary receives notice that the Committee has determined it is unnecessary to amend or repeal any rules or proposed rules; or (2) a final rule, or an amendment to a rule, incorporating any proposed amendment or recommendation of the Committee takes effect, whichever occurs first.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1981
Title I: Wildlife Restoration Fund - Amends the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act to include American Samoa as a jurisdiction eligible for Federal funds under that Act. Provides that funds attributable to the tax imposed on the sale of component parts of firearms ammunition may be used by a State solely for the purpose of paying not more than 75 percent of the cost of a hunter education program or a program for the acquisition, construction and maintenance of public target ranges, or both such programs. Specifies certain conditions for the operation of such programs. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a continuing study regarding the use made by the States of the funds provided under this Act for hunter education and public target range programs. Directs the Secretary to submit such study to the Congress not later than October 1, 1986, together with the recommendation as to whether such funds should continue to be provided to the States. Title II: Tax on Sale of Component Parts of Firearm Ammunition - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the sale of component parts of firearm ammunition.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Older Worker Employment Incentives Act of 1981 - Title I: Pension Accruals for Older Workers - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the prohibition against participation in a pension plan by employees who begin employment five years or less before the normal retirement age. Prohibits suspension or reduction, solely because of age, of an employee's benefit accrual, in the case of a defined benefit plan, or of employer contributions to the employee's account, in the case of a defined contribution plan. Provides that the amendments made by this title shall apply with respect to plan years beginning after December 31, 1982. Title II: Amendments to the Social Security Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Disability and Survivors Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) a graduated increase in delayed retirement credit; and (2) a liberalization of the earnings test, for taxable years ending after the date of enactment of this Act. Title III: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the amount of credit for new employees to provide for an income tax credit for the employment of lower-income older workers. Makes such credit applicable to amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 1980, in taxable years ending after such date. Title IV: Age Discrimination in Employment - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to eliminate provisions permitting age discrimination in employment where age is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the particular business. Removes the existing 70-year upper age limit to which the discrimination prohibitions apply, thus extending coverage to all individuals who are at least 40 years of age. Eliminates provisions permitting mandatory retirement at age 65 for bona fide executives or high policymakers entitled to specified benefits. Amends specified laws relating to Government organization and employees to eliminate provisions which permitted maximum-age entrance requirements for Federal employees. Eliminates provisions relating to automatic separations or mandatory separations based on a prescribed retirement age for Federal employees or employees of the government of the District of Columbia. Sets forth conforming amendments to the District of Columbia Public Education Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate a mandatory retirement at age 70 requirement for tax court judges and to permit such judges who have attained age 70 to retire at any time after serving for ten years or more. Amends specified law relating to the Federal Judicial Center to eliminate a mandatory retirement at age 70 requirement for the Director of the Center and to permit retirement at age 70 upon the request of the Director. Amends a specified law relating to the appointment and tenure of U.S. magistrates to eliminate a mandatory retirement at age 70 requirement for such magistrates. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to repeal mandatory retirement provisions for participants in the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System. Provides that specified annuities under such System commence at age 60, or at separation for participants who separate after reaching age 60. Amends a specified law relating to Lighthouse Service officers and employees to eliminate compulsory retirement at age 70 for such officers and employees. Amends the Coast and Geodetic Survey Commissioned Officers' Act of 1948 to eliminate provisions relating to: (1) transfer of officers to the retired list; (2) separation from service; (3) effective date of retirements and separations; (4) lump-sum payment upon separation from service; and (5) retirement of officers for age. Eliminates the duty of a personnel board to make selections and recommendations for retirement of officers. Amends the Public Health Service Act to eliminate mandatory retirement at age 64 for commissioned officers of the Service and to permit such officers to be retired at such age upon their own request. Removes the authority of the Secretary to retire such officers after completion of specified periods of active service (retains the officers' right to be retired after such periods upon their own application). Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to eliminate mandatory retirement at age 70 for the Comptroller General and the Deputy Comptroller General and to permit such officials to retire at such age upon their own request. Amends the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to eliminate the requirement that the Chief Judge of the District Court of the Virgin Islands be under 70 years of age. Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act of 1964 for Certain Employees to repeal provisions for mandatory retirement of participants in the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. Declares that the provisions of, and amendments made by, this title shall apply only to individuals employed on the effective date of this title.
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 · 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 · 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
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) should initiate implementing procedures to carry out the Helsinki Final Act of the CSCE by holding review meetings regularly on the implementation of such Act. States that the appropriate Congressional committees should: (1) hold hearings to assess the results of the Madrid review meetings of the CSCE; (2) based on such assessment, determine what additional measures the United States should undertake to assure Soviet compliance with the Final Act and whether it is in the U.S. interest for another review meeting to be held; and (3) report such assessment to Congress, the President, and the Secretary of State. Expresses the sense of the Congress that members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other Western ally signatories to the Final Act should conduct similar reviews to assess the most effective procedures for assuring compliance with the Final Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that because of the importance to human rights objectives of implementation of the Final Act the Congress should consult with the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe in monitoring such implementation. Recommends bipartisan Congressional support for assuring compliance with such Act to maximize pressure on the Soviet Union to comply with such Act.
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
Comprehensive Older Americans Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to add to the declaration of objectives: (1) full supportive (as well as restorative) services, including assistance in avoiding institutionalization, with maximum independence for those who do require institutional care; (2) maximum opportunity to select full-time, part-time, flexible, or other appropriate employment; (3) specified education and training opportunities, including ones relating to legal, financial, and health needs; and (4) freedom from domestic violence and other violence and crime. Revises provisions relating to the Administration on Aging to specify that: (1) the Commissioner on Aging shall be directly responsible to the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and (2) certain functions of the Commissioner may not be delegated. Includes the Grants to States for Services programs (title XX) of the Social Security Act among those programs with an impact on older persons which the Commissioner must continually evaluate. Specifies that the other agencies with which the Commissioner coordinates a national plan for training personnel in the field of agencies must be Federal and State agencies. Requires consultation between the Commissioner and the head of the Federal agency administering: (1) continuing postsecondary education programs and planning under the Higher Education Act of 1965; (2) the Adult Education Act; and (3) the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Requires that dissemination of information by the National Information and Resource Clearing House for the Aging be carried out quickly. Requires that the Clearing House: (1) make available through a national toll-free telephone line information concerning federally administered programs, services, and benefits for which older persons may be eligible; and (2) cooperate with other Federal, State, and local information and referral services to ensure that information concerning non-federally administered public and private benefits is available. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Clearing House through fiscal year 1984. Requires that at least one member of the Federal Council on Aging be an official of a designated State agency and that at least one other member be an official of a designated area agency. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Council through fiscal year 1984. Specifies that sums authorized to be appropriated to carry out certain authorized activities of the Commissioner are to go directly to the Commissioner. Authorizes the Commissioner to request the technical assistance and cooperation of the Department of Education in carrying out the program of grants to State and community programs on aging. Defines "education and training services" for purposes of such program and includes such services among those for which current information and referrals are to be kept. Includes services designed to prevent domestic violence under the definition of legal services for purposes of such program. Extends through fiscal year 1984 the authorizations of appropriations for grants for State and community programs on aging (relating to social services and to congregate and home delivered nutrition services). Provides that formulas for allotments to States apply to any fiscal year in which specified sums are appropriated for such programs. Continues through fiscal year 1984 formulas to determine the Federal share of costs of such programs. Includes legal services among the social services for which area plans for older persons must provide. Eliminates the requirement that area plans provide that: (1) 50 percent of social service grant funds will be expended for access to services, in-home services, and legal services; and (2) area agencies on aging will develop and publish methods by which priority of such services is determined. Adds a requirement that area plans provide that such agencies, where possible, enter into arrangements with local legal service providers to use services mandated for older individuals under the Legal Services Corporation Act. Raises to $50,000 (from $20,000) the minimum amount which State agencies on aging must expend for long-term care ombudsman programs. Revises provisions for the availability of funds for social services and nutrition services. Eliminates the requirement that State transfers of funds between the congregate and home delivered nutrition services programs "meet the needs of the area served." Prohibits States from transferring more than 20 percent of appropriated funds for any fiscal year between social services and nutrition services programs. Requires that home delivered nutrition services projects give priority to the provision of meals during weekend periods. Adds to training programs for personnel in the field of aging programs to assist persons involved in the provision of home delivered nutrition services in also providing related social and human services, including regular individual needs assessments. Revises provisions for training, research, and discretionary projects and programs to provide for grants and contracts for special projects in mental health care. Revises provisions for special demonstration projects on legal services for older Americans to permit the Commissioner to make grants and contracts for such projects to and with the designated State agencies on aging (currently, to and with public and private nonprofit agencies or organizations). Requires that there be a reservation from appropriated funds of specified or necessary amounts for such projects in fiscal years 1982 through 1984. Authorizes appropriations in specified or necessary amounts for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 to carry out training, research, and discretionary projects and programs on aging. Authorizes appropriations in specified or necessary amounts for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 to carry out programs for multipurpose senior centers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Coastal Barrier Resources Act - Declares the findings and intentions of Congress in regard to the fish, wildlife, and other natural resources associated with the coastal barriers along the Atlantic and gulf coasts of the United States. Establishes the Coastal Barrier Resources System (System) which shall consist of specified undeveloped coastal barriers on the Atlantic and gulf coasts. Requires that certain coastal barrier maps shall be available for public inspection through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide copies of such maps to the chief executive officer of: (1) each State and political subdivision in which a System unit is located; and (2) each affected Federal agency. Directs the Secretary to make necessary modifications to such maps and to notify specified Congressional committees of same. Limits, to specified projects, Federal expenditures on or financial assistance for purposes within the System. Lists those projects eligible for financial assistance. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to certify annually to Congress that the Federal agencies concerned have complied with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth the contents of reports to be filed by the Secretary with specified Congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Expresses the disapproval of Congress of the proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of five airborne warning and control aircraft (AWACS) and conformal fuel tanks and air-to-air missiles for F-15 aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1981
Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to State educational agencies to fund model programs, designed and operated by local educational agencies, for the improvement and expansion of foreign language study for children aged five through 17 who reside within their school districts. Sets forth formulas for determining the amount of such grants based on State population. Sets forth provisions relating to the availability of such funds. Sets forth grant application requirements for State educational agencies. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to cover part of the costs of foreign language instruction for their students. Sets forth formulas to determine whether an institution is eligible for such grants, based on the percentage of its student body enrolled in qualified postsecondary language courses. Authorizes the Secretary to establish standards, including reporting requirements, for programs assisted by such grants. Sets forth formulas for determining the amounts of such grants, based on numbers of students enrolled in such courses. Directs the Secretary to make grants to each institution of higher education which requires at least two years of postsecondary credits in foreign language (or a competency equivalent) for each graduating student. Sets forth formulas for determining the amounts of such grants, based on the number of students enrolled in the institution. Prohibits any grant or contract under this Act except to such extent, or in such amounts, as may be provided in appropriation Acts. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1983 through 1985 to carry out grant programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the deduction of expenses incurred in attending a convention, seminar or other meeting held on domestic cruise ships documented under the laws of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1981
District Heating and Cooling Act of 1981 - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to a qualified municipality (a self-governing town or city with a population of 100,000 or less which meets Federal assistance requirements prescribed by the Secretary) to fund 70 percent of the costs of: (1) feasibility studies to assess the potential for district heating or cooling (a system providing residential, commercial, and industrial heating or cooling from electric powerplants or other thermal or cooling sources through pipelines) in such municipality; and (2) engineering and design studies for such system. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make guaranteed interest loans to a qualified municipality to cover 40 percent of the costs of establishing a district heating or cooling system. Sets forth the requirements for loan application approval. Establishes in the U.S. Treasury a District Heating and Cooling Revolving Fund for such loans. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund for the five fiscal years following enactment of this Act. Conditions Federal assistance under this Act on disclosure to the Secretary of complete information on any district heating or cooling system. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States for studies by the States and local governments on problems related to district heating and cooling.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify for the residential energy credit expenditures for property which is installed in connection with a principal residence and which uses hot or cold water or steam from a district heating or cooling system to heat, cool, or provide hot water for use within the dwelling unit. Defines "district heating or cooling system" as a system comprised of a thermal or cooling source connected to a piping network which provides hot or cold water or steam to at least two buildings for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes. Qualifies for the investment tax credit: (1) property which enables the taxpayer to use in his trade or business hot or cold water or steam from a district heating or cooling system or to sell energy to such a system on a proportionate basis; and (2) any amount paid or incurred for connection to a district heating or cooling system. Excludes from treatment as energy property any district heating or cooling property used as public utility property.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Mass Transportation Maintenance Assistance Act of 1981 - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to local public bodies for maintenance expenses of mass transportation systems. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal years 1983 through 1986. Allocates ten percent of such appropriation to States according to specified formula. Limits the expenditure of such funds to urbanized areas with populations of less than 200,000 which have maintenance programs approved under this Act. Apportions the remainder of such appropriations to urbanized areas with populations of over 200,000. Limits to 15 percent of operating costs the amount of such grants for maintenance expenses. Directs the Secretary to develop a system of measuring improved efficiency of mass transportation systems resulting from such maintenance programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the purchase of buses and related equipment and the construction of bus related facilities. Authorizes appropriations, to remain available until expended, for such grants for fiscal years 1983 through 1986. Sets forth an apportionment formula for such funds. Directs a Governor to: (1) take service based factors into account when distributing such funds; and (2) report annually to the Secretary concerning such allocations. Directs that sums apportioned under this Act shall be available for obligation by the Governor or designated recipient for three years following the close of the fiscal year for which they were apportioned. Limits the Federal share of any project for: (1) the payment of maintenance expenses to 75 percent; and (2) the purchase of buses and related equipment to 80 percent. Specifies criteria by which a grant applicant shall be found eligible for approval. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1983 through 1986 for formula grants for areas other than urbanized areas. Limits the application of this Act to amounts apportioned for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Soviet Union should comply with various declarations and international agreements by providing proper medical care to Yuriy Shukhevych, by releasing him from prison, and by permitting him and his family to emigrate; (2) the President should express continuing U.S. opposition to the imprisonment and maltreatment of Yuriy Shukhevych; and (3) the President should reiterate that the United States, in evaluating its relations with other nations, will consider the extent to which other nations honor their international commitments, especially their human rights commitments.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Title I - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend from August 6, 1982, to August 6, 1992: (1) the time period during which jurisdictions covered by the triggering mechanism must not have used a test or device to deny the right to vote on account of race in order to be released from coverage; and (2) the time period during which changes in voting laws must be precleared with the Federal Government. Title II - Restates the prohibition against denying the right to vote based on race to prohibit any State from imposing voting practices "in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement" of the right to vote (thus permitting use of indirect proof in proving discrimination). Title III - Extends the bilingual election requirements from August 6, 1985, to August 6, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Economic Equity Act - Title I: Tax and Retirement Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the maximum deduction for contributions to an individual retirement plan: (1) shall be computed separately for each individual who is married; and (2) in the case of a married individual who has no compensation or less compensation than that of the spouse, shall be determined as if such compensation were the same as that of the individual's spouse. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan which provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount which would have been made under the survivor's annuity if the participant had survived and retired on such annuity date. Provides that a participant's election not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse of the participant consents in writing to such an election. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment, decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State domestic relations law. Amends ERISA to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from age 25 to age 21. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accruals of creditable service to continue while an individual is on approved maternity or paternity leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the zero bracket amount; (2) lower the tax rate; (3) decrease withholding requirements; and (4) increase minimum filing requirements for heads of households. Entitles former spouses of members of the uniformed services, civil service employees and members of Congress who were married to such a member or employee for at least ten years during creditable service to an annuity based upon a portion of such member's or employee's retired or retainer pay period. Amends the Survivor Benefit Plan of the uniformed services to make former spouses eligible for annuities under such plan. Provides for survivor's annuities for surviving former spouses of civil service spouses or members of Congress. Provides that the election of a member of the uniformed services, civil service employee or member of Congress not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse and any former spouse of such member or employee consents in writing to such an election. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to employers of displaced homemakers. Title II: Day Care Program - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the tax credit for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment from 20 percent of the cost of such services to 50 percent of the cost reduced by one percent for each $1,000 amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $10,000. Makes such credit refundable. Increases the dollar limit for such credit from $2,000 to $2,400 (from $4,000 to $4,800 for two or more dependents). Allows such credit for certain services performed outside the taxpayer's household. Establishes a minimum income for individuals engaged in business on a substantially full time basis to be used in the computation of the earned income limitation on the amount of such credit. Includes as a tax-exempt organization any organization which provides non-residential dependent care services to the general public for purposes of enabling individuals to be gainfully employed. Title III: Armed Forces - Revises the rules for the distribution of the property of deceased members of the Air Force and Army by removing any gender distinctions from such rules. Establishes a distribution formula based on six classes: (1) beneficiary named in a will; (2) surviving spouse; (3) children; (4) parents; (5) siblings; and (6) next of kin. Eliminates sexual distinctions with regard to promotion procedures and procedures to remove reserve officers from active duty status in the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve. Requires the Secretary of Defense to make an annual report to the Congress concerning the status of women in the armed forces. Title IV: Estate Tax on Agricultural Property and Farm Loans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift tax from $47,000 to $192,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases the minimum gross estate requirement for filing a return from $175,000 to $600,000. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if they materially participated in the operation of such farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Provides that the interest rate on extended payments of estate taxes shall be the lower of 6 percent or 75 percent of the prime rate. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to remove the preference to married persons in receiving farm improvement loans. Title V: NonDiscrimination in Insurance Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Grants to State or local governments having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer, if a State or local authority which has received notice of a complaint fails to act within 60 days or with respect to those authorities not having insurance discrimination laws. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Title VI: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the head of each executive agency to conduct a review of all rules, regulations and policies of the agency which result in different treatment based on gender. Directs each agency to report annually to the Congress on such review. Provides that such report shall include proposals to eliminate any resultant sex-based discrimination. Requires that all rules, regulations, documents and other writings of executive agencies shall use words that are neutral as to gender unless it is impracticable to do so or the subject matter specifically applies only to one sex. Title VII: Study of Enforcement of Alimony and Child Support Payments - Directs the Attorney General to undertake a study of the appropriate role of the Federal Government in the enforcement of delinquent payments of alimony, child support, and property settlement orders against an absent spouse or parent. Requires the Attorney General to submit to the President and the Congress not later than one year after enactment of this Act a report of such study together with recommendations for appropriate legislation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Economic Opportunity Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands within the definition of 'State' for the purposes of such Act. Title I: Research and Demonstrations - Permits the Director of the Community Services Administration to provide financial assistance through grants or contracts for research, demonstration, or pilot projects for urban and rural community development. Requires the Director, as a part of the annual report to the Congress on the activities of such office, to submit a description for each fiscal year of the current plan of activities, together with a statement indicating the time and, to the extent feasible, the manner in which the benefits of such activities and findings are expected to be realized. Requires the Director to develop and carry out pilot projects which are designed to: (1) aid low-income elderly persons to achieve greater self-sufficiency; (2) focus upon the problems of rural poverty; (3) develop new techniques and community-based efforts to prevent narcotics addiction or to rehabilitate narcotics addicts; (4) encourage the participation of private organizations other than nonprofit organizations, in programs under such Act; or (5) strengthen and maintain the family unit. Requires the Director to conduct research and pilot projects designed to: (1) assure a more effective use of the human and natural resources of rural America and to slow the migration from rural areas due to lack of economic opportunity; and (2) suggest new programs and policies to achieve economic development of urban and rural low-income areas in such ways as to provide opportunities for employment, ownership, and a better quality of life for low-income community residents. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such programs through fiscal year 1984. Title II: Urban and Rural Community Action Programs - Makes the strengthening and support of the low-income family unit a purpose of such Act. Terminates the "Summer Youth Recreation" program under such Act. Establishes the "Youth and family development" program which shall be designed to strengthen and maintain low-income families and assist economically disadvantaged children and youth. Makes the Northern Mariana Islands eligible for assistance under such Act for the development and implementation of community action programs. Requires the Director to reserve not more than five percent of the sums which are appropriated or allocated for assistance under such Act for allotment in accordance with such criteria and procedures as the Director may prescribe. Directs the Director to utilize the criteria of poverty used by the Bureau of the Census in compiling the 1980 decennial census for the allotment of funds under such Act. Reserves a specified amount of appropriated funds to carry out the national youth sports program. Terminates research for the development of new approaches to the problems of rural poverty. Permits financial assistance under such Act to include funds to provide reimbursement of actual expenses for attendance at meetings of any community action governing board, neighborhood council, or committee meeting. Increases, to $22,275, the amount of financial assistance that an employee engaged in carrying out community action program activities under such Act may receive per year. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out rural community action programs. Title III: Special Programs to Combat Poverty in Rural Areas - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out special programs to combat poverty in rural areas. Title IV: Assistance for Migrant and Other Seasonally Employed Farmworkers and Their Families - Requires the Director of the Community Service Administration to coordinate programs with the Office of Economic Development to assist or serve migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to provide assistance for migrant and other seasonally employed farmworkers and their families. Title V: Head Start and Follow Through - Authorizes appropriations though fiscal year 1986 to carry out the Head Start and Follow Through programs. Extends such program through June 30, 1986. Title VI: Administration and Coordination - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 for the National Advisory Council on Economic Opportunity and for programs for the elderly poor. Eliminates the transfer of funds from one program or activity under such Act to any other program or activity. Prohibits the release of any funds to any agency receiving financial assistance for work training, programs to combat poverty in rural areas, employment and investment incentives, administration and coordination, or community economic development until it has submitted to the Director a statement certifying that the assisted agency and its delegate agencies have established an accounting system with internal controls. Requires the Director, within three months after the effective date of a grant to or contract of assistance with an organization, to provide for a preliminary audit survey to review and evaluate the adequacy of such accounting system and internal controls. Requires the Director, not less than every two years, to provide for an audit of each organization receiving grants or contracts of assistance under such Act. Title VII: Community Economic Development - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out community economic development programs. Terminates the requirement of a plan of action for the establishment of a Model Community Economic Development Finance Corporation. Terminates the research and demonstration projects designed to suggest new programs to achieve the purposes of such Act in such ways as to provide opportunities for employment, ownership, and a better quality of life for low-income residents. Title VIII: Native American Programs - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out Native American programs. Title IX: Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1983 for program and project evaluation. Title X: Miscellaneous Provisions - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Elephant Protection Act of 1981 - Prohibits importing or exporting African elephants or elephant products. Prohibits the acquisition, transportation, or sale in interstate commerce of such products imported in violation of this Act. Permits individuals to: (1) import and export a total of 10,000 pounds of unworked ivory for six months after enactment of this Act; and (2) import worked ivory for 90 days after enactment if there is no intention to sell such ivory in the United States. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to grant permits for the importation or exportation of elephants and elephant products if the Secretary finds that: (1) such nation has developed and implemented an elephant conservation program according to specified criteria; (2) the products can be traced as coming from a particular nation; (3) the products are acquired and transported in compliance with laws of the originating nation; (4) the importation or exportation will not be detrimental to the survival of the species; and (5) the permit is applied for in good faith. Authorizes the Secretary to grant permits for the importation or exportation of elephants or elephant products to enhance propagation or survival of the species and is consistent with the policy of this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress concerning granting of such permits. Sets forth civil or criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides for the remittance or mitigation by the Secretary of any civil penalty assessed under this Act. Provides for the forfeiture of elephants, elephant products, or vehicles aiding in the importation, exportation, acquisition, or transportation of such products contrary to the provisions of this Act. Grants specified search and seizure powers for enforcement of this Act by authorized persons. Authorizes the payment of rewards to persons furnishing information concerning violations of this Act. Requires all imports and exports of elephant products to go through either the Port of New York or the Port of Seattle, Washington. Exempts from this Act: (1) elephants imported or exported for zoological, educational, scientific, or exhibitional purposes; (2) elephant products included in a keyboard for a musical instrument; (3) elephant products taken and imported or exported by a sports hunter; and (4) elephant products taken and transported in compliance with the laws of the originating nation. Supersedes the Endangered Species Act and State laws regarding elephants and elephant products. Directs the Secretary of State to establish a program to assist nations to: (1) protect elephant habitats; (2) conserve living elephants; and (3) develop and implement elephant conservation management programs. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretaries of the Interior and State for fiscal years 1983, 1984, and 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of State should recommend to the Attorney General that aliens who are nationals of El Salvador be granted extended voluntary departure status until they can reside safely in El Salvador.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Commends the peaceful attempts to resolve differences between Poland's workers and government officials and expresses the hope that they will continue to resolve their differences through peaceful negotiations. Welcomes to the United States Poland's First Deputy Prime Minister. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States could not remain indifferent to external aggression or internal repression against Poland and that such developments would have serious consequences for East-West relations. Supports efforts to work with other nations to ease Poland's economic difficulties and the U.S. decision to sell surplus food to Poland at concessionary prices and in Polish currency provided neither external aggression nor internal repression occurs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1981
Military Spouse Retirement Equity Act - Entitles a former spouse of a member of the uniformed services who was married to such member for at least ten years to an annuity based upon a percentage of such member's retired or retainer pay. Allows annuities to be paid to former spouses covered by spousal agreements or court orders which are not inconsistent with provisions of this Act. Provides that the ten-year requirement for the marriage of a former spouse to a member of the uniformed services should not be construed to affect the rights of any such person under applicable State laws. Amends the Survivor Benefit Plan to make such former spouses eligible to receive annuities under such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Requires any United States person who controls an enterprise in South Africa which employs more than 20 people to insure that in operating such enterprise the following employment principles are implemented: (1) no racial segregation in any employment facility; (2) equal employment for all employees; (3) equal pay for equal work; (4) establishment of a minimum wage and salary structure; (5) increase in the representation of nonwhites in managerial, supervisory, administrative, clerical, and technical jobs; (6) improvement of the quality of employees' lives outside the work environment; and (7) labor union recognition and fair labor practices. Directs the Secretary of State to establish an Advisory Council in South Africa to advise the Secretary with respect to the implementation of such employment principles and to review the annual reports which each U.S. person covered by this Act must submit to the Secretary on the progress made in implementing such principles. Directs the Secretary to establish in the United States an American Advisory Council to make policy recommendations regarding labor practices of U.S. persons in South Africa and to review such persons' progress in implementing such employment practices. Directs the Secretary: (1) to take specified actions to insure compliance with the implementation of such employment principles; and (2) to review the compliance of such persons at least biennially. Sets forth penalties for noncompliance. Authorizes the President to waive compliance with the implementation of such principles if such compliance would harm U.S. national security. Prohibits any U.S. financial or lending institution from making any loan directly or through a foreign subsidiary to South Africa unless such loan is for educational, housing or health facilities available to all persons on a nondiscriminatory basis. Prohibits the importation of any gold coin minted in South Africa or sold by South Africa. Requires any financial or lending institution which makes a loan directly or through a foreign subsidiary to any entity in South Africa other than the Government or a Government controlled organization to report annually to the Secretary on such loan. Makes such report available to the public. Directs the Secretary to take specified actions to enforce the prohibitions on loans and the importation of gold coins. Sets forth penalties for violations of such prohibitions. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibitions for one year if South Africa meets specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Beginning Farmers Assistance Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to provide loan guarantees to States for loans by State agencies to eligible and approved individuals to purchase and operate family farms. Limits the loan guarantee to not more than 90 percent of the principal and interest. Prescribes the contents of a State application to participate in such loan guarantee program. Limits approval of such applications to 20. Requires the Secretary to approve or disapprove such an application within 90 days after receipt. Provides for termination of participation whenever an approved State falls into noncompliance with the terms of its application. Limits eligibility of individuals seeking State loans under such program to individuals who: (1) have a net worth of less than $100,000 and assets having an aggregate value of less than $300,000 in fiscal year 1982; (2) have not purchased or owned a family farm in the ten-year period preceding application for a loan; and (3) are unable to obtain conventional credit. Sets forth a formula for the determination of the maximum aggregate amount of outstanding loans with respect to which the Secretary may make guarantees. Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to the appropriate Congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act for fiscal years 1982 through 1984, at the end of which the Secretary's authority to guarantee such loans shall terminate. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to permit the use of real estate loans for loan closing costs and points.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the: (1) U.S. representative to the World Health Assembly should vote for the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes; (2) American infant formula industry should abide by such code; (3) President should encourage other governments to call upon their infant formula industries to comply with this code; and (4) President should cooperate with governments of developing countries to develop health standards and programs to implement this code.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1981
Authorizes any State or local government election agency to send free of postage: (1) absentee ballots; (2) voting instructions pertaining to such ballots; and (3) envelopes for returning ballots. Permits any person casting an absentee ballot to return it to the agency postage-free. Provides that this Act shall not apply to mail transmitted under the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 or the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Proclaims Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States. Requests the President to ascertain his whereabouts from the Soviet Union and to secure his freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) express to the Soviet Union the United States' deep concern about the Soviet Union's depriving the Vashchenko and Chmykhalov families of religious freedom and refusing them permission to emigrate; (2) ensure that such families may reside in the U.S. embassy in Moscow until the Soviet Union authorizes their emigration; and (3) ensure provision of assistance for such families during their residence in the embassy.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1981
Hunger and Global Security Act - Title I: Public Law 480 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to require the President to consider the extent to which a developing country is using self-help measures to reduce illiteracy among young farmers and to improve the health of farmers and their families before the President can enter an agreement for the sale of agricultural commodities for foreign currencies and long-term-dollar credit with such country. Requires that the economic development and self-help measures the recipient country agrees to undertake be sufficiently described so that the primary beneficiaries will be needy people with incomes below the level required to prevent malnutrition. Requires such economic development and self-help measures to be in addition to the measures the recipient country had otherwise been planning to take. Directs the President to verify that such measures are being carried out and to report to the appropriate Congressional committees on such verification and on the additional nature of such measures. Title II: Multilateral Development Banks - Amends the Federal provisions for aiding international financial institutions to require the United States to work within certain multilateral development banks to establish a requirement that not less than 50 percent of such bank's lending benefit needy people. Requires the Secretaries of State and of the Treasury to report to Congress annually on establishing such requirement. Title III: World Food Security - Directs the President to encourage other grain exporting countries to establish food security reserves or take other measures that complement the U.S. food security reserve. Directs the President to report to Congress on actions taken with respect to such food security reserves. Directs the President to negotiate the establishment of a global food financing facility and ensure that the benefits of such facility meet basic human needs. Directs the President to report to Congress on the actions taken to implement such facility. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from imposing export controls on food if it is determined that such controls would cause measurable malnutrition in the countries against whom the controls are proposed unless the President determines such controls are necessary to protect U.S. national security. Title IV: Generalized System of Preferences - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to prohibit the President from designating as a beneficiary developing country any country that fails to give priority to alleviating malnutrition and poor health and enabling the poor to participate actively in increasing economic productivity, unless the President determines that such designation is required by U.S. national security interests and so reports to Congress. Directs the President to review the possibility of increasing the benefits available to the poorest beneficiary developing countries under such Act's Generalized System of Preferences. Title V: American International Public Health Fund - Establishes within the Agency for International Development (AID) an American International Public Health Fund to provide financial assistance to private and voluntary organizations to support specified public health activities in developing countries. Limits the Fund's financial assistance with respect to the administrative activities of such organizations. Specifies factors to be considered in allocating the Fund's resources. Authorizes the Fund to carry out all AID programs assisting private and voluntary organizations. Directs the Administrator of AID to establish a Board for International Public Health which shall: (1) participate in project proposal review; (2) review documents that detail the terms under which the Fund provides financial assistance to private and voluntary organizations; (3) review the impact of activities supported by the Fund; (4) recommend the allocation of funds; and (5) participate in preparing the annual report. Requires the Director of the Fund to report annually to Congress and the President on the Fund. Authorizes appropriations for such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1981
Declares that high level officials of South Africa should not be invited to visit the United States until South Africa abandons its policy of apartheid and commits itself to granting social justice and participation in the political process to all South Africans.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to publish biennially the status of the existing national airport system plan to provide for the development of public-use airports in the United States. Directs that such plan shall include the type and estimated cost of eligible airport development considered by the Secretary to be necessary to provide a safe and efficient system of public use airports to anticipate and meet the needs of civil aeronautics, requirements in support of the national defense, and the needs of the Postal Service. Declares that such plan shall be known as the national plan of integrated airport systems. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to submit to the Congress, and revise and publish annually, a national airways system plan. Specifies that such plan shall set forth, for a ten-year period, the programs, facilities, and equipment considered by the Administrator to be necessary for a system of airways, air traffic services, and navigation aids which will meet the needs of: (1) civil aeronautics; (2) the national defense; and (3) air commerce safety. Sets forth additional information to be included in such plan. Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the operations of such national airways system. Directs the Department of Defense to make military airports and airport facilities available for civil use to the extent feasible. Directs the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress an evaluation of the military airport system and a plan to make military airports and airport facilities available for civil use to the maximum extent feasible. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for airport development and planning in the form of project grants. Sets forth the aggregate funding level for such grants for fiscal years 1981 through 1985. States that no obligation shall be incurred by the Secretary for airport development at a privately owned public-use airport unless the Secretary receives assurances that such airport will continue to function as a public-use airport during the economic life (no less than ten years) of any facility at such airport that was developed with Federal financial assistance under this Act. Authorizes appropriations out of the Trust Fund for fiscal years 1981 through 1985 for: (1) the establishment of air navigation facilities (of which not less than 20 percent of the total amount appropriated shall be for the installation of guidance and safety equipment at commercial service and reliever airports); (2) airport research, engineering, and development, and demonstration projects; (3) training of State and local government employees to carry out the purposes of this Act; (4) costs of services provided under international agreements relating to the joint financing of air navigation services; and (5) costs incurred in operating and maintaining air navigation facilities in a safe and efficient condition. Limits expenditures for such services and facilities. Prohibits appropriations from the Trust Fund to carry out programs or activities, except as specified, under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Directs that amounts authorized shall remain available in the Trust Fund until appropriated for the purposes described. States that amounts transferred to the Trust Fund by the Airport and Airway Revenue Act of 1970 may not be appropriated for administrative expenses of the Department of Transportation. Grants the Secretary the authority to obligate to an airport by grant agreement the unobligated balance of amounts that were apportioned in prior fiscal years and that remain available for approved airport development projects, in addition to amounts authorized for that fiscal year by this Act. Directs the Administrator to submit budget information or legislative recommendations to specified Congressional officials and committees whenever he submits these to the Executive Branch. Sets forth the method for apportioning the funds made available under this Act. Specifies conditions applicable to such apportionments for airports, including primary airports and primary hubs, airport system planning, and ground access projects. Directs that not less than $7,500,000 of such funds shall be distributed to reliever heliports during fiscal years 1981 through 1985, except that no heliport shall receive more than $1,000,000 of such funds during such period. Sets forth procedures for the submission of project grant airport development applications and requirements which must be satisfied for approval of such applications. Requires a sponsor of an airport project to hold public hearings where the project grant application involves the location of an airport, an airport runway, or a major runway extension. States that such a grant shall not be made unless the Governor of the State in which the project is to be located certifies in writing to the Secretary that there is a reasonable assurance that the project will be located, designed, constructed, and operated so as to comply with applicable air and water quality implementation plans. Prohibits a project for airport development involving a ground access system from being approved unless: (1) there are no unmet safety needs at the airport proposing the project; (2) such system will be used primarily by individuals traveling to or from the airport; and (3) the project will not extend more than five miles from the nearest border of airport property. Authorizes the Secretary to approve standards (other than standards for safety of approaches) established by a State for airport development at public- use airports which are not primary airports. Authorizes the Secretary, in connection with any project under this Act, to require the project sponsor to certify that all of the statutory and administrative requirements imposed by this Act will be observed. States that the United States share of allowable project costs for a project approved under this Act shall be 90 percent of its cost. Establishes lower percentages for such projects under specified circumstances. Imposes upon the Secretary, as a condition precedent to approval of an airport development project contained in a project grant application submitted under this Act, the duty to receive written assurances that: (1) such airport will be available for public use on fair, reasonable, equitable, and nondiscriminatory terms; (2) generally, no person providing aeronautical services to the public will have an exclusive right to use such airport; (3) such airport and related facilities will be suitably operated and maintained, with due regard to climatic and flood conditions; (4) the aerial approaches to such airport will be adequately cleared, protected, and hazard-free; (5) land in the immediate vicinity of such airport will be used for purposes compatible with airport operations; (6) such airport's facilities will be available for use by United States Government aircraft; (7) the airport operator or owner will furnish certain land, water, or estate therein to the Federal Government for use in connection with air traffic control, navigation, weather reporting, or communications activities related to air traffic control; (8) all project records will be kept in accordance with a standard accounting system; (9) the airport operator or owner will maintain a fee and rental structure for the facilities and services being provided to airport users which will make the airport as self-sustaining as possible; (10) such operator or owner will submit reports as requested by the Secretary; (11) the airport and all airport records will be available for the Secretary's inspection; and (12) such operator or owner who receives a grant for the purchase of land for noise compatibility purposes which is conditioned on the disposal of the acquired land at the earliest practicable time will use its best efforts to so dispose of such land. Authorizes the Secretary to relieve a project sponsor from contractual obligations entered into under this Act, the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970, or the Federal Airport Act to provide free space in airport buildings to the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary, upon approving a project grant application, to transmit an offer to the sponsors thereof to make a grant for the United States share of allowable project costs. Sets forth procedures for the execution of such agreements. Directs the Secretary first to determine that the cost of an airport development or planning project is allowable before the United States pays from amounts appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act. Sets forth criteria to be used in determining whether such costs are allowable. Authorizes the Secretary to approve, as allowable costs of an airport development project, terminal development costs in nonrevenue producing public-use areas that are directly related to the movement of passengers and baggage. Limits, under specified conditions, amounts to be obligated for project costs. Directs that the United States' share of such costs shall not exceed 50 percent. Describes project costs not allowed under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to determine, within certain parameters, the times and amounts in which payments shall be made under such agreements. States that construction work on projects funded under this Act shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Secretary and shall be in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. States that contracts in excess of $2,000 for such construction projects shall include provisions establishing minimum rates of wages to be predetermined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act. Requires that construction contracts for airport development projects grant employment preferences to Vietnam and disabled veterans. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in the event that a public airport project will require the use of Federal lands, to request the head of the Federal agency or department controlling such lands to transfer the necessary property interest to the public agency sponsoring the project or owning or controlling the airport involved. Requires the head of such an agency or department to notify the Secretary within four months of its decision with respect to such a request. Exempts from such request lands under the administration of the National Park Service, units of the National Wildlife Refuge System or similar areas under the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or within any national forest or Indian reservation. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress describing operations under this Act during the preceding fiscal year. Sets forth criminal penalties for fraudulent acts committed with regard to projects under this Act. Sets forth recordkeeping and auditing requirements with regard to projects under this Act. Directs the Secretary to take affirmative action to assure that no person shall on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex be excluded from participating in any activity conducted with funds received from any grant made under this Act. Repeals the provisions of the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970. Amends the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 to authorize the Secretary to incur obligations to make grants for airport noise compatibility planning. States that all of the provisions of this Act applicable to grants made herein shall be applicable to grants made under such Act. Amends the Airport and Airway Development Act Amendments of 1976 to authorize $19,750,000 to be appropriated out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund before the date which is 180 days after the date of enactment of the International Air Transportation Competition Act of 1979. Directs the Secretary to determine the need for: (1) an airborne surveillance radar system for low level air traffic control at Tyrone, Pennsylvania; and (2) an air traffic control center in the region which includes central and western Pennsylvania and New York and northern Maryland. Directs the Secretary to report such findings to Congress within six months after the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to appoint a task force to study the problems of allocating the use of airport facilities and airspace. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to study and report to Congress on: (1) the effectiveness of airport emergency plans; and (2) the utility of mobile medical emergency facilities as an element of such plans. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on September 30, 1983, to provide for the part-time operation of not more than 60 existing flight service stations operated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Permits the Secretary to close not more than five such stations before October 1, 1983, and to close additional stations if the service provided after such closing (provided by mechanical device or by contract with another party) is as good as or better than the service provided when the station was open.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Calls upon the President to: (1) demand that El Salvador thoroughly investigate the December, 1980, murders of four U.S. missionaries; (2) instruct, in light of allegations that Salvadorans residing in the United States were involved in those murders, the Federal Bureau of Investigation to assume a more directive role in the investigation and employ all other available U.S. resources in that investigation; (3) report on the investigation to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on at least a biweekly basis; (4) demand that El Salvador begin investigating the murders of two U.S. labor representatives, and the disappearance of a U.S. journalist; and (5) warn El Salvador that, if these investigations are not satisfactorily resolved, the United States will consider terminating U.S. assistance to El Salvador.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. policy should promote the conservation and protection of the world's whales and that the United States should work for the adoption by the International Whaling Commission of an indefinite moratorium on commercial killing of whales. Recognizes proposals to: (1) strengthen the management procedures of the Commission to ensure that risks of extinction to individual stocks of whales are not seriously increased by exploitation; and (2) extend the commission's ban on the use of the cold (nonexplosive) harpoon and implement other measures to ensure the humane taking of all whales. Urges the Commission to continue to collect and study information relating to aboriginal/subsistence whaling. Reaffirms the U.S. position that the Commission possesses regulatory authority with respect to specified types of whales. Declares the United States should make use of all available means in promoting conservation and protection of whales.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
International Claims Settlement Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 to permit the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to determine the claims against East Germany of persons who were aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States as of the date of their property loss and who were citizens of the United States by a specified date (currently only persons who were U.S. nationals as of the date of the loss may receive such a determination).
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend tax-exempt status to veterans' organizations at least 75 percent of whose membership consists of past or present members of the armed forces of the United States (combat or noncombat veterans) and whose remaining membership consists substantially of cadets or spouses, widows, or widowers of armed forces personnel or cadets.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Ride-Sharing Tax Incentives Act of 1981 - Title I: Individual Income Tax Credits for Purchase of Commuter Highway Vehicles - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers an income tax credit equal to 15 percent of the cost of acquiring a qualified commuter highway vehicle. Specifies that such vehicle must seat at least eight adults (excluding the driver) and must be usable for at least 176 days during certain periods of time for transporting individuals from their homes to work. Requires a minimum three-year use of such vehicle under penalty of recapture of credit amounts in the year of any cessation of such use or other disposition of the vehicle. Terminates the credit for vehicles acquired after 1985. Title II: Payments for Public Transportation Excluded from Gross Income - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an employee amounts paid or reimbursed by the employer for the cost of commuting to and from work on public transportation. Excludes from gross income any services provided or amounts contributed by an employer in connection with a ride-sharing program that assists employees in locating and starting car pools. Excludes from the gross income of the car pool driver any compensation received by the riders in the car pool. Title III: Amendments Relating to Investment Tax Credit for Commuter Highway Vehicles - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 20 percent investment tax credit for commuter highway vehicles. Revises the use requirements for such vehicles for purposes of qualifying for the investment tax credit. Title IV: Income Tax Credit for Employers Who Have Qualified Ride-Sharing Programs - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a nonrefundable income tax credit for administrative expenses incurred in connection with the operation of a ride-sharing commuter program for employees. Determines the amount of such credit by multiplying the average number of such employees during the taxable year by a specified amount keyed to the percentage of participating employees. Terminates such credit after 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Amends the highway safety programs uniform standards to include: (1) comprehensive alcohol-traffic safety programs; and (2) penalties to deter motorists from driving while under the influence of alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to authorize appropriations for the activities of the Legal Services Corporation in the amount of $321,300,000 for fiscal year 1982 and necessary sums for fiscal years 1983 and 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Act - Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability for veterans exposed to herbicides during service who suffer from a disease which may be caused by exposure to such herbicides, developed to a ten percent degree of disability. Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to determine what diseases and birth defects may be due to exposure to herbicides. Qualifies such birth defects disabling to a degree of ten percent as an aggravation of a preexisting injury suffered in the line of duty in the active military service during a period of war. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations within one year of enactment incorporating such determinations and setting forth the conditions of service during the Vietnam era required to establish exposure.
![Official portrait of Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/o000006_200.jpg)