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Official portrait of Rep. Roukema, Marge [R-NJ-5]

Rep. Roukema, Marge [R-NJ-5]

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Resolution· HRESH.Res. 518 (98th)referred

Sunshine Resolution of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1984

Sunshine Resolution of 1984 - Amends Rule XXVIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to provide that, after the approval of any matter, House conferees shall be entitled to three days in which to file supplemental, minority, or additional views. Establishes Rule LI which requires the Speaker of the House to provide for printing of the floor schedule in the Congressional Record at least two legislative days in advance. Amends Rule XXVII to require the printing in the Record of the names of Members who have signed, or withdrawn a signature to, a motion to discharge a committee from consideration of a bill or resolution, whenever 100 Members have signed such a motion. Amends Rule I to require the broadcasting system to include frequent, wide-angle visual coverage of the chamber when the House is in session. Amends Rule X to provide for the compilation of an oversight agenda resolution. Requires the House to complete action on such resolution within 100 days after the Congress convenes. Amends Rule XI to prohibit proxy voting in committees. Establishes Rule LII which requires the body of the Congressional Record for the House to contain an accurate and verbatim account of remarks actually delivered on the floor. Limits extension and revision of remarks delivered on the floor to the correction of grammatical and typographical errors. Authorizes Members, by unanimous consent, to make insertions of remarks not actually delivered on the floor and requires such insertions to be clearly distinguished from verbatim remarks. Amends Rule X to require committee ratios to reflect the majority to minority party ratio in the House.

Bill· HRH.R. 5640 (98th)open

Superfund Expansion and Protection Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984

Superfund Expansion and Protection Act of 1984 - Title I: Provisions Relating Primarily to Response and Liability - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund) (CERCLA) (the Act) to revise the definition of "hazardous substance" to include petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) which: (1) is released from an underground storage tank (as defined in title IV of this title); or (2) may present a significant risk to human health. Transfers the definition of "pollutant or contaminant" from under provisions for response authorities under the Act to among the definitions for purposes of the entire Act. Provides that such term shall include petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) only in the case of a release from an underground storage tank as defined in title IV of this title. Adds references to "pollutants or contaminants" under specified provisions of the Act. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (the Administrator) to promulgate regulations, within six months after enactment of this Act, establishing that one single quantity shall be the reportable quantity of any hazardous substance regardless of the medium into which the hazardous substance is released. Increases the amount of criminal fines and the duration of criminal sentences for specified violations under the Act. Adds civil penalties for specified violations under the Act. Revises response authorities provisions to transfer from the President to the Administrator the authority to determine whether a response action will be done properly by the responsible party. Authorizes the Administrator, as well as the President, to undertake response actions. Requires that any removal action undertaken by the Administrator, or by any responsible party, be consistent, to the extent practicable, with any long term remedial action with respect to the release or threatened release. Directs the Administrator, to the maximum extent possible, to assess the risk to human health associated with the release or threatened release. Revises response authorities provisions relating to agreements with States. Requires States to make specified agreements with the Administrator, rather than with the President. Eliminates the requirement that a State assure all future maintenance of the removal and remedial actions provided for the expected life of such actions. Requires the State to pay ten percent of the costs of remedial action and ten percent of all future operation and maintenance costs of any onsite remedial action. Requires a 50 percent or greater State share of response costs only in the case of facilities operated, as well as owned, by the State or local government at the time of hazardous waste disposal. Requires the State to also pay all future operation and maintenance costs of any onsite remedial action at such State or locally owned and operated facilities. Provides for credits to any State which has paid more than a ten percent share of remedial costs at a facility owned, but not operated, by such State or local government. Provides that reasonable administrative expenses may be credited against a State's ten percent share. Sets forth mandatory cleanup standards. Directs the Administrator, rather than the President, to select appropriate cost-effective remedial actions determined to be necessary. Requires that such actions be in accordance with: (1) the National Contingency Plan, to the extent practicable; and (2) a required protection level. Directs the Administrator, in evaluating the cost-effectiveness of a remedial action, to consider permanent solutions and alternative treatment technologies to the maximum extent practicable. Requires that the remedial action provide for a level or standard of control necessary to protect human health and the environment. Requires that such level or standard be as stringent as the most stringent applicable standard under the Toxic Substances Control Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Air Act, or Clean Water Act (or water quality criteria under the Clean Water Act). Requires that any remedial action which provides for containment at the facility comply with standards applicable to facilities required to obtain hazardous waste management permits under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Authorizes the Administrator to waive the requirement of the most stringent applicable standard, or of the specified containment standard, and to select an alternative remedial action upon a finding that: (1) such alternative remedial action will provide substantially equivalent protection; or (2) compliance with such requirements at that facility will consume such a disproportionate share of the resources of the Hazardous Substances Trust Fund (the Fund) as to have the effect of deferring or preventing remedial action at other facilities which pose a significantly greater threat to human health and the environment. Prohibits permit requirements for any removal or remedial action undertaken pursuant to the Act at the location of the release or threatened release. Authorizes the Administrator to establish the exclusive administrative procedures for making any determination under provisions for required protection level. Revises provisions for information gathering and access authorities to refer to the Administrator, rather than the President. Applies specified information requirements to generators of hazardous wastes, even if such information is available at the facility where such waste is located. Provides for access to such facilities by duly designated Federal and State officers, whenever necessary to carry out any provision of the Act, at reasonable times and for a reasonable duration. Prohibits anyone from impeding or interfering with such entry. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to prepare toxicological profiles sufficient to establish the likely effect on human health of at least 100 hazardous substances which are most frequently found or which pose the most significant threat to human health at facilities listed on the National Priorities List prepared under the National Contingency Plan. Requires that the 100 profiles be completed 48 months after enactment of this Act (at 12-month intervals for four groups of 25 substances). Adds new provisions for public participation in remedial action planning. Sets forth mandatory remedial action schedules. Directs the Administrator (of EPA) to commence remedial investigations for all facilities which are listed, as of the enactment date of this Act, on the National Priorities List (NPL) in accordance with the following schedule: (1) one-third of such facilities within six months after such enactment date; (2) two-thirds within 12 months after such date; and (3) all within 18 months after such date. Directs the Administrator to list not fewer than 1,600 facilities on the NPL by January 1, 1988. Directs the Administrator to commence remedial actions and feasibility studies for each facility added to the NPL after the enactment date of this Act within six months after addition of such facility to the NPL. Directs the Administrator to ensure that substantial and continuous physical on-site remedial action commences at facilities on the NPL at a rate of not fewer than 150 facilities per year beginning on October 1, 1986. Directs the Administrator to complete by January 1, 1987, preliminary assessments of all sites listed, as of the enactment date of this Act, on the Emergency and Remedial Response Information System. Directs the Administrator to ensure that remedial action is completed, to the maximum extent feasible, for all facilities listed as of the date of enactment of this Act on the NPL within five years after such enactment date. Directs the Administrator to publish an explanation of why any such remedial action could not be completed within such period. Sets forth provisions for citizen petitions for health effects studies and for emergency relief. Allows any individual or group of individuals to submit a petition to the Administrator providing evidence which: (1) demonstrates that such individual or individuals are being exposed to any hazardous substance; and (2) provides an empirical analysis of the level of exposure. Directs the Administrator to initiate a health effects study upon determination that: (1) there is a reasonable likelihood that such substance is from a facility where such substance is or was treated, stored, recycled, or disposed of, on a regular basis, or where removal action is being or was taken under any provision of the Act; and (2) the exposure may present a significant risk to human health. Directs the Administrator (or the ATSDR Administrator if so designated by the Administrator), within 30 days after receipt of such petition, to: (1) initiate a health effects study; or (2) publish a written explanation of the determination which prevented initiation of the study. Requires that each such health effects study be completed within six months after the date the petition is filed and include specified information. Requires that steps be taken to eliminate any significant risk to human health which such study finds the exposure concerned presents. Provides that such steps may include provision of alternative drinking water supplies and relocation of individuals. Requires that the National Contingency Plan (NCP) be revised within 18 months after the enactment of this Act to reflect the amendments made by this Act. Requires that the portion of the NCP known as "the National Hazardous Substance Response Plan" be revised to provide procedures and standards for remedial actions consistent with protection level requirements under this title. Sets forth provisions for citizen petitions for site ranking. Directs the Administrator, within 12 months after receipt of a citizen petition, to complete a preliminary assessment of the hazards to public health and environment associated with any actual or threatened release of a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant. Directs the Administrator, if such assessment indicates a significant threat, to make a prompt evaluation in accordance with the hazard ranking system referred to under specified provisions of the Act to determine the national priority of such release or threatened release. Requires that plan criteria for determining priorities among releases or threatened releases throughout the United States for purposes of taking remedial action shall also take into account: (1) the release-associated damage to natural resources which may affect the human food chain; and (2) the release-associated contamination or potential contamination of the ambient air. Sets forth provisions for abatement actions. Directs the Administrator, within 18 months after enactment of this Act, and after consultation with the Attorney General, to revise and republish specified guidelines for using imminent hazard, enforcement, and emergency response authorities to effectuate the responsibilities and powers created by this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to establish administrative procedures regarding the opportunity for a person to object to an abatement order under this title. Provides that no court shall have jurisdiction to review any such abatement order in any action other than an action to: (1) enforce such order; (2) recover a penalty for a violation; or (3) recover punitive damages. Revises liability provisions to provide for liability for Federal or State costs of removal or remedial action with respect to a release or threatened release (whether or not such action is consistent with the NCP). Adds liability for Federal or State costs of information gathering with respect to a release or threatened release. Adds liability for the costs of any action taken by the Administrator, under specified citizens petition and emergency relief provisions of this Act, to eliminate a significant risk to human health presented by exposure to a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant and the costs of any health effects study carried out under such provisions with respect to such exposure. Provides that liability under the Act (CERCLA) shall be strict, joint, and several as construed and applied under specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and under these CERCLA liability provisions. Provides that amounts recoverable shall include interest at a specified rate. Prohibits the Attorney General from representing any Federal agency (other than the EPA) in any civil action under title I (Hazardous Substances Releases, Liability, Compensation) of the Act (CERCLA). Authorizes the head of any such Federal agency to appoint agency attorneys or contract with non-Federal attorneys to represent the agency in any such action. Provides that, in any action under liability provisions of the Act, the results of laboratory tests conducted by the Administrator (or by a State) to determine what substances are present at the facility where a release or threatened release occurs may be introduced into evidence and shall be presumed to be accurate. Provides that such presumption shall be overcome if the defendant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that such test results lack a reasonable basis. Adds to authorized uses of the Fund the payment of any costs incurred under provisions of this Act: (1) relating to emergency relief and health effects studies; (2) by the ATSDR in preparing specified toxicological profiles; and (3) by the Administrator in evaluating facilities pursuant to petitions for preliminary assessments of hazards to public health. Eliminates a requirement that 85 percent of specified money credited to the Fund be available only for specified purposes. Limits to six percent of such money the amount available for payment of specified claims. Revises audit provisions to direct the Inspector General of the EPA, in each fiscal year, to: (1) conduct an annual audit of the Trust Fund; (2) report on the status of all remedial and enforcement actions taken during the prior fiscal year; and (3) estimate the amount of resources, including the number of work years or personnel, which would be necessary for the Administrator to complete the implementation of all duties vested in the Administrator under this title. Requires that such audit and such status report: (1) include specified information; and (2) be reported annually by the Inspector General to the Congress. Prohibits any potentially liable person from seeking judicial review of any determination to incur any governmental response costs pursuant to response authorities provisions or to utilize the Fund for payment of such costs except in an action to recover such costs under liability provisions. Revises statute of limitations provisions under the Act. Prohibits, with specified exceptions for minors or incompetent persons, presentation of any claim or commencement of any action for damages, as defined under the Act, beyond three years after the later of: (1) the date of the discovery of the loss; (2) the date on which regulations are promulgated under specified provisions for the assessment of damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources resulting from a release of oil or hazardous substance for purposes of the Act and of specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; or (3) the date on which regulations are promulgated establishing procedures for the filing of such claims. Sets a statute of limitations of six years after the date of the completion of the response action for presentation of claims or commencement of actions for recovery of response costs in cases involving the responsible person's willful misconduct or willful negligence, violation of safety, construction, or operating standards or regulations, or failures or refusals to provide reasonable cooperation and assistance requested by public officials. Extends the deadline for promulgation of regulations for the assessment of damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources resulting from a release of oil or a hazardous substance for purposes of the Act and of specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Sets forth provisions concerning the relationship of this Act to other law. Authorizes States to require any person to contribute to any fund to pay compensation for claims for any response costs or damages or claims which may be compensated under the Act. Title II: Federal Cause of Action - Subtitle A: Federal Cause of Action - Establishes a Federal cause of action for damages to an individual which result from harm caused by a release of a hazardous substance from specified facilities. Allows the individual or the individual's dependents to sue for compensable damages under this title. Makes liable for such damages: (1) the owner or operator of a vessel (otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the United States) or a facility; (2) any person who at the time of disposal of any hazardous substance owned or operated any facility at which such hazardous substance was disposed of; (3) any person who by contract, agreement, or otherwise arranged for disposal or treatment, or arranged with a transporter for transport for disposal or treatment, of hazardous substances owned or possessed by such person, by any other party or entity, at any facility owned or operated by another party or entity and containing such hazardous substances; and (4) any person who accepts or accepted any hazardous substances for transport to disposal or treatment facilities or sites selected by such person. Makes such liability strict. Makes such liability joint and several, with specified exceptions. Sets forth defenses to such strict liability. Makes the following damages compensable under this title: (1) any medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, or burial expenses due to personal injury, illness, or death; (2) any loss of income or profits or any impairment or loss of earning capacity due to personal injury, illness, or death; (3) any pain or suffering which results from personal illness, injury, or death; and (4) any economic loss and any damages to property, including diminution in value. Provides for jurisdiction over such Federal cause of action in U.S. district courts. Provides that such Federal jurisdiction shall not affect the jurisdiction of any State court with respect to any action. Authorizes the court to award litigation costs where appropriate. Provides that nothing in this title shall be construed to preempt, or otherwise affect, any provision of State law regarding liability for damages in connection with any hazardous substance. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Sets forth a three-year statute of limitations, with specified exceptions for minors or incompetent persons, for actions under this title beginning on the later of: (1) the date the individual knew (or reasonably should have known) that the injury, illness, or death or other expense was caused by the hazardous substance concerned; or (2) the date of enactment of this title. Prohibits any person who is an employee covered by a State or Federal worker's compensation plan which compensates employees for an injury, illness, or death arising out of and in the course of employment (or pursuant to similar tests of work-relatedness) from recovering any amount under this title for such injury, illness, or death. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Eliminates provisions under the Act (CERCLA) relating to a legislative veto. Authorizes citizen lawsuits under the Act (CERCLA). Sets forth provisions relating to such citizen lawsuits. Title IV: Regulation of Underground Storage Tanks - Establishes a program for identification and regulation of underground storage tanks containing hazardous substances (including petroleum products), and for cleanup of leaks from such tanks. Defines "hazardous substance" for purposes of this title as: (1) any substance designated pursuant to specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; (2) any element, compound, mixture, solution, or substance designated pursuant to the CERCLA definition of "pollutant or contaminant," as added by this Act; (3) any hazardous waste having the characteristics identified under or listed pursuant to hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (but not including any waste the regulation of which under such Act has been suspended by Act of Congress); (4) any toxic pollutant listed under specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; (5) any hazardous air pollutant listed under specified provisions of the Clean Air Act; (6) any imminently hazardous chemical substance or mixture with respect to which the Administrator has taken action pursuant to specified provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act; and (7) any petroleum product or fraction thereof. Excludes from such term natural gas, natural gas liquids, propane, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas usable for fuel (or mixtures of natural gas and such synthetic gas). Defines "underground storage tank" to include underground pipes connected to such a tank, and lists the following exclusions from this term: (1) farm or residential underground storage tanks of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes; (2) underground storage tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored; (3) residential septic tanks; (4) pipelines regulated under the Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 1968; or (5) surface impoundments, pits, ponds, lagoons, or basins. Sets forth notification requirements applicable to any person who, during the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which this title was enacted, has supplied any hazardous substance to 100 or more sites where there is an underground storage tank which is or has been used for the storage of any hazardous substance. Requires such persons to notify a designated State or local agency of the existence of any such tank located at such a site. Directs the Administrator, within eight months after the enactment date of this Act, to promulgate regulations (taking into account the effect on small business) regarding the providing of notice to obtain information concerning any such tanks which are not located at such sites. Requires that the notice required of such persons supplying hazardous substances to 100 or more sites where such tanks are located be provided within 12 months after the enactment of this title. Requires that the notice required with respect to all other sites where such tanks are located be provided within 12 months after the promulgation of such regulations. Requires that specified information be contained in those notices required of the suppliers to 100 or more sites and in those notices required of owners or operators which install or bring into use an underground storage tank after the enactment of this Act. Sets forth other information requirements for notices required of the suppliers to 100 or more sites, and for notices required pursuant to regulations for tanks at other sites, in the case of any such tank used for such storage prior to the enactment of this Act but taken out of operation before such enactment date (but after January 1, 1974). Provides that notice shall not be required under this title in the case of any tank for which notice was given pursuant to specified provisions of CERCLA. Requires any owner or operator which installs or brings into use an underground storage tank after the enactment of this Act to notify the designated State or local agency within a specified period. Directs the Governor of each State, within 90 days of such enactment date, to designate the appropriate State or local agencies to receive such notifications. Directs the Administrator, within 180 days of such enactment date and in consultation with designated State and local officials, to prescribe in greater detail the form and content of such notifications. Provides that, if a Governor chooses not to designate a State or local agency for such purpose, such notifications shall be submitted to the Administrator. Requires the State, if such notifications are submitted to a designated State or local agency, to compile the submitted information into a comprehensive inventory and furnish such inventory to the Administrator within 18 months of such enactment date. Sets forth provisions for release detection, prevention, and correction regulations applicable to all owners and operators of underground storage tanks used for storing hazardous substances. Directs the Administrator to promulgate such regulations after opportunity for public comment and within 18 months after enactment of this title. Requires that such regulations include requirements respecting specified areas, including: (1) leak detection or inventory systems and tank testing; (2) records of such testing, inventory, or detection; (3) reporting releases and corrective actions; (4) standards of performance for new underground tanks, including specified requirements; (5) corrective actions; (6) closure to prevent future release; and (7) evidence of financial responsibility for taking corrective action and for bodily injury and property damage to third parties. Prohibits, until the effective date of such regulations and after 180 days from the enactment of this Act, any person from installing or beginning to use an underground storage tank to store hazardous substances unless such tank is cathodically protected against corrosion, constructed of a noncorrosive material, or contained in a manner designed to prevent the release into the environment of any stored hazardous substances. Sets forth provisions for the Administrator's review and approval of State programs for underground storage tank release detection, prevention, and correction. Requires the State to demonstrate that the State program is equivalent to the Federal program under this title and that it provides for adequate enforcement of compliance with program requirements. Requires that a State's new tank standards be no less stringent than the performance standards promulgated by the Administrator pursuant to this title. Provides for notice and opportunity for public comment before determinations concerning approval of State programs are made. Gives States with approved programs primary enforcement responsibility for requirements related to control of underground storage tanks used to store hazardous substances. Provides for withdrawal of approval upon the Administrator's determination, after public hearing, that a State is not administering and enforcing the program in accordance with specified requirements. Sets forth provisions relating to inspections, monitoring, and testing. Sets forth provisions for confidentiality of information, and criminal penalties for violations of such confidentiality. Requires that all information reported to, or otherwise obtained by, the EPA under this title be made available, upon written request, to any duly authorized committee of the Congress. Sets forth provisions for Federal enforcement of requirements under this title. Sets forth civil penalties for specified violations. Makes requirements under this title applicable to Federal facilities. Authorizes the President to grant exemptions from such requirements upon determination that it is in the paramount interest of the United States to do so. Requires the President to report annually to Congress on such exemptions and the reasons for granting them. Provides that nothing in this Act shall preclude or deny any State or local authority to regulate more stringently underground storage tanks used to store hazardous substances. Directs the Administrator, within 36 months after the enactment of this title, to study the following underground storage tanks exempted under the definition of "underground storage tanks": (1) farm or residential tanks of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes; and (2) tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored. Requires that such study include estimates of the number and location of such tanks and an analysis of the extent to which there may be releases or threatened releases from such tanks into the environment. Directs the Administrator to report to the President and the Congress on the results of the study, with recommendations as to whether or not such tanks should be subject to regulation under this title. Title V: Amendments of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the environmental tax on petroleum from 0.79 cent to 4.5 cents a barrel, effective October 1, 1985. Extends the period before such tax is terminated until September 30, 1990. Repeals specified CERCLA sunset provisions relating to expiration of the authority conferred by CERCLA to collect environmental taxes. Repeals specified provisions of the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 relating to the Post-Closure Tax and Trust Fund, and the amendments made by such provisions. Repeals specified CERCLA provisions relating to the Post-Closure Liability Fund. Requires that all sums credited to the Post-Closure Liability Trust Fund established under the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 which have not been obligated prior to the date of enactment of this title shall be refunded to the persons who paid taxes under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Requires that such funds be made on a ratable basis in proportion to the total amount of such taxes which were paid by each such person. Adds provisions for a waste end tax, effective January 1, 1987, to Internal Revenue Code provisions for environmental taxes. Imposes such waste end tax on the disposal of any hazardous substance, if such disposal is required to be carried out in compliance with hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Sets the amount of such waste end tax in the case of: (1) any hazardous substance for which there is in effect under specified CERCLA regulations a reportable quantity of one pound or less, at $15 for each metric ton disposed of by underground injection and $30 for each metric ton not disposed of by such method; (2) all hazardous substances for which there is in effect under specified CERCLA regulations a reportable quantity of more than one pound, at $5 for each metric ton disposed of by underground injection and $10 for each metric ton not disposed of by such method. Provides that, in the cases of mixtures of hazardous substances with reportable quantities of one pound or less and those with reportable quantities more than one pound, the entire mixture shall be deemed to have a reportable quantity of one pound or less. Requires the owner or operator of the facility to pay such waste end tax with respect to the disposal of any hazardous substance at a facility for which a permit is in effect under the hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Requires the person disposing of the hazardous substance to pay such waste end tax with respect to any other disposal of any hazardous substance. Provides that such waste end tax shall not apply after September 30, 1990. Sets forth exemptions from such waste end tax. Provides that such tax shall not apply to the disposal of: (1) any substance by incineration in accordance with the standards applicable to incineration facilities under hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; (2) any substance by any person in the course of carrying out any removal and remedial action under CERCLA; or (3) any solid waste which is required to be studied under specified provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act unless, after the completion of the studies, a law is enacted subjecting such waste to the waste end tax. Sets forth definitions and special rules relating to such waste end tax, including rules treating waste as disposed of not later than one year after generation and as generated not earlier than the date such waste is identified as hazardous, and a rule imposing a fraction of the tax for a fraction of a metric ton of waste. Amends the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 to provide that revenues from such waste end tax shall be deposited in the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund. Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the environmental tax on certain chemicals (and metals). Increases the rate of such tax on most chemicals on the list (but decreases such tax rate for methane). Adds other chemicals (and metals) to such tax list. Eliminates the listings of zinc chloride and zinc sulfate, but adds zinc to the list for purposes of such tax. Revises the exemption for substances derived from coal from such tax on chemicals to provide that the following substances shall not be exempt from such tax: benzene, tolvene, xylene, naphthalene, tars, and light oils. Expands the exemption for substances used in the production of fertilizer from such tax on chemicals to include as qualified substances specified substances which are sold for resale by any purchaser for use or for resale for ultimate use in a qualified use. Makes such amendments relating to the tax on certain chemicals effective on October 1, 1985. Amends the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 to revise provisions relating to the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund (the Fund). Authorizes appropriations to the Fund for FY 1986 through 1990. Expands the scope of authorized expenditures from the Trust Fund by authorizing expenditures for other costs described under specified CERCLA provisions. Increases from 85 percent to 94 percent the Fund amounts reserved for expenditures for specified purposes. Revises provisions relating to the Fund's authority to borrow repayable advances. Extends through March 31, 1988, the period during which advances may be made for payment of response costs. Extends through September 30, 1990: (1) the period during which other advances may be made to the Fund; and (2) the deadline for final repayment of all advances to the Trust Fund.

Bill· HRH.R. 5511 (98th)open

A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to provide incentive grants in order to encourage States to adopt and enforce laws requiring the use of safety belts by schoolchildren in new school buses, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1984

Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to States which enact and enforce laws requiring the use of safety belts by schoolchildren in all schoolbuses. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund, other than the Mass Transit Account, for FY 1985 through 1987 for such grants. Defines schoolbus for purposes of this Act, limiting such term to vehicles manufactured after the 90th day following the date of enactment.

Bill· HRH.R. 5490 (98th)open

Civil Rights Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984

Civil Rights Act of 1984 - Amends the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination by any recipient of Federal financial assistance. (Currently, discrimination is prohibited only in a program or activity receiving Federal assistance.) Defines the term "recipient" to extend comprehensive coverage for purposes of the four Acts to any State or local governmental unit, any public or private agency or entity, and any subunit, successor, assignee, or transfereee of any such unit, agency, or entity.

Bill· HRH.R. 5345 (98th)open

Equal Access Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1984

Equal Access Act - Prohibits federally-funded public secondary schools which allow non-school-sponsored groups of students to meet from discriminating against any meeting of students on the basis of religious content if: (1) the meeting is voluntary and student initiated; (2) there is no government sponsorship; and (3) no unlawful activity is permitted.

Bill· HRH.R. 5310 (98th)open

Age Discrimination in Employment Act Public Safety Officers Amendments of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1984

Age Discrimination in Employment Act Public Safety Officers Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to exclude State and local law enforcement officers and firefighters from coverage under the Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 5143 (98th)referred

Public Employee Pension Plan Reporting and Accountability Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1984

Public Employee Pension Plan Reporting and Accountability Act of 1984 - Imposes disclosure and reporting requirements upon State and local government pension plans. Establishes fiduciary standards for trustees of public employee pension benefit plans. Provides remedies and access to Federal courts. Specifies employee benefit plans which are exempt from this Act. Title I: Reporting and Disclosure - Requires the administrator of each public employee pension benefit plan to submit a registration statement to the appropriate State Governor within one year of enactment of this Act. Exempts a plan from the reporting and disclosure requirements of this Act if a State Governor certifies to the Secretary of Labor that: (1) State requirements are substantially equivalent to those of this Act; (2) the State can adequately administer its requirements; and (3) the State can adequately collect the requisite reports. Requires the Secretary of Labor to terminate any certification if a State is not meeting Federal requirements. Requires the plan administrator to: (1) publish a summary plan description; and (2) furnish such description to plan participants, beneficiaries, and specified persons. Delineates the contents of such summary plan description. Requires such description to: (1) state the rights of participants and beneficiaries; and (2) include an update whenever material modifications are made to the plan. Requires the plan administrator to publish an annual report. Specifies the contents of such report. Directs such administrator to engage an independent qualified public accountant to ascertain whether the financial statements and schedules in the annual report present fairly and in all material respects the information contained in the annual report. Requires the accountant's opinion to be included in the annual report. Requires the annual report to include a financial statement containing specified information, including the most recent annual statement of assets and liabilities of a common or a collective trust held by a bank or similar institution. Requires each plan to maintain a schedule of: (1) all assets held for investment purposes during each plan year; and (2) each transaction involving a party in interest. Requires annual reports to include, with respect to a defined benefit plan, a complete actuarial statement applicable to the appropriate plan year. Directs the plan administrator to engage an enrolled actuary to prepare such statement. Delineates the contents of the actuarial statement. Requires the annual report to include a statement from an insurance organization if any plan benefits are purchased from or guaranteed by such organization. Details the contents of such statement. Requires the enrolled actuary of the plan to make an actuarial valuation at least once every three plan years. Directs the plan administrator to furnish, upon written request of certain persons, a copy of summary plan descriptions and the status of an individual's plan benefits and contributions. Provides guidelines under which the plan administrator is directed to file the annual report with either the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) or the appropriate State Governor. Authorizes the Secretary or Governor to reject the information filed by the plan administrator, and to take the following actions: (1) retain an independent public accountant to perform an audit; (2) retain an enrolled actuary to prepare an actuarial report; or (3) bring a civil action to enforce this Act. Presents guidelines for notice and review where claims for benefits are denied. Title II: Requirements Relating to Fiduciary Functions - Requires every plan to be established and maintained by written instructions which designate at least one named fiduciary. Details the functions of named fiduciaries and trustees. Establishes fiduciary and trustee liability. Prohibits certain transactions. Authorizes the Secretary to grant specified exemptions regarding such transactions. Imposes personal liability upon fiduciaries who fail to meet the fiduciary requirements, including removal for specified violations. Prohibits persons who have been convicted of, or imprisoned for, certain offenses from holding specified positions. Requires plan fiduciaries to be bonded. Specifies exceptions. Sets forth guidelines for the bonding procedure. Sets a limitation on actions which may be brought regarding failure to meet fiduciary requirements. Title III: Administration and Enforcement - Authorizes civil actions to redress violations of this Act. Imposes personal liability upon: (1) a plan administrator who fails to comply with a request for information; or (2) any person who fails to file required forms. Authorizes a plan to sue or be sued. Grants the United States district courts exclusive jurisdiction of civil actions brought under this Act. Grants concurrent jurisdiction to State courts and Federal district courts for specified actions. Authorizes the Federal district court to award reasonable attorney's fees under certain circumstances. Provides that suits brought against the Secretary may be brought in Federal district court. Authorizes the Secretary or appropriate State official to assess and collect a civil penalty against a party in interest who has engaged in a prohibited transaction. Grants such Secretary and State official investigative powers to determine violations of this Act. Details the extent of such powers. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to administer this Act. Directs such Secretary to cooperate with State and local governments regarding the exchange of data and information. Prohibits interference with the exercise of rights by a plan participant or beneficiary. Establishes an Advisory Council on Governmental Plans, comprised of eleven members appointed by the President. Requires Council members to be qualified to appraise the plans falling under this Act. Requires the Council to: (1) report to the President and each House of Congress regarding implementation of this Act with possible recommendations for legislation; (2) advise the Secretary and make recommendations; and (3) monitor the costs incurred by plans under this Act and recommend cost reduction measures. Directs the Secretary to furnish staff services to the Council. States that this Act supersedes any State laws regarding public employee pension benefits plans. Specifies exceptions. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· HRH.R. 5159 (98th)open

National Training Incentives Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1984

National Training Incentives Act of 1984 - Title I: Withdrawals from Individual Retirement Accounts and Annuities for Job Training for Displaced Workers - Sets forth provisions for certification of an unemployed individual as a displaced worker by application of such individual to the Secretary of Labor, through the appropriate employment office. Defines "displaced worker" for purposes of this title as any individual who: (1) has, as of the date of application for certification, at least 20 quarters of coverage under title II of the Social Security Act; and (2) has, within the one-year period ending on such date, received counseling relating to seeking employment from any public employment office of any State or such other agency as the Secretary has approved under specified provisions of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA). Defines "displaced workers" also as individuals who: (1) on the date of application for certification, are receiving (or are eligible to receive) regular unemployment compensation in such State; (2) on or before such date, have exhausted all right to receive regular unemployment compensation in such State in the individual's most recent benefit year; (3) on or before such date, have become unemployed (or have received notice from their employer that their employment will be terminated within six months of such notice) as a result of the permanent closure of the plant or facility of such employer where such individuals are or were employed; or (4) as of such date, have been unemployed for six months or more and have limited opportunity for employment (for any reason, including age) within a reasonable commuting distance from their principal residence in the same or any similar trade or occupation. Permits any displaced worker to withdraw, in a specified manner, an amount not to exceed the qualified amount from any individual retirement account or any individual retirement annuity established for the benefit of such worker to pay any expenses for training in a new trade or occupation. Sets forth formulas for determination of a "qualified amount." Sets forth provisions relating to the manner of such withdrawal, including provisions for issuance of training vouchers. Prohibits depositary institutions from assessing penalties for early withdrawals for purposes of such training, but provides for adjusted rates of return on investments under certain conditions. Requires that such training in an eligible training program at a qualified institution be treated as training with the approval of the State agency for purposes of specified FUTA requirements relating to approval of State unemployment laws. Prohibits denial of any unemployment compensation payment under any Federal law solely because a displaced worker is in such training at an eligible training program at a qualified institution. Sets forth definitions of eligible training programs and training expenses. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe by regulation the application procedure and the criteria to be used in determining whether a training program is eligible; and (2) in making such determination, take into account determinations made by specified other officials and entities. Sets forth nondiscrimination provisions. Directs the Secretary to keep paperwork to the minimum necessary to administer this title and carry out the purposes of this Act. Title II: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 Relating to Employee Training - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the additional tax on early withdrawals from individual retirement accounts shall not apply to specified withdrawals for training of dislocated workers. Sets forth special rules for early withdrawals from individual retirement accounts. Establishes an employee training tax credit for employers. Sets forth formulas and rules relating to such employee training credit. Title III: State Employment Service Responsibilities - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Labor for FY 1985 and succeeding fiscal years for reimbursement payments to States for certain administrative costs incurred pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary to allocate such funds among all States which meet specified criteria in order to assist each such State to administer public employment offices or such other agencies which the Secretary has approved under specified FUTA provisions. Makes any State eligible for such payments if its public employment offices (or other such agencies) provide: (1) certification for displaced workers; and (2) labor market and training information and job search services (including specified counseling) to assist displaced workers to enroll in an eligible training program and obtain employment as quickly as possible. Directs the Secretary, within one year after enactment of this Act, to report to Congress on: (1) the extent to which the nationwide computerized job bank and matching program authorized under specified provisions of the Job Training Partnership Act can be expected to increase employment opportunities in each State; (2) the estimated cost of making such nationwide computerized job bank and matching program fully operational in the manner intended under such provisions; (3) the extent to which the development of such nationwide computerized job bank and matching program will require changes in the existing employment service operations in each State; and (4) the feasibility of using nonprofit privately operated job-referral services, in areas where such services are available, for the referral of individuals to jobs in low-wage industries where little or no skill is a prerequisite for employment rather than using State employment service offices or such nationwide computerized job bank and matching program. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to require private industry councils to make available throughout the service delivery area (SDA) information concerning training programs in such SDA which have been recognized as eligible training programs under this Act. Makes special provision for dislocated workers with respect to Pell Grants. Provides that, notwithstanding specified provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or any other provision of law, the determination of the amount of the expected family contribution to a student to determine the amount of a basic grant to any student who is a certified displaced worker shall be made without including in the effective family income the amount of: (1) any unemployment compensation received by the student; or (2) any distribution from an individual retirement account established to pay training expenses of such student.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 489 (98th)open

A joint resolution directing the President to secure a full accounting of Americans missing in Southeast Asia.

United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1984

Directs the President to: (1) secure from the Indochina nations a full accounting of Americans captured or missing as a result of the Vietnam conflict; and (2) work for the release of captive Americans and the return of the remains of those American servicemen and civilians who died in Southeast Asia. Requires the President to submit two reports to Congress on American POW/MIAs in Southeast Asia.

Bill· HRH.R. 4906 (98th)referred

Acid Rain Control Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1984

Acid Rain Control Act of 1984 - Amends the Clean Air Act ("the Act") to provide for reduction of acid deposition through reduction of emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Establishes a program for reduction of total sulfur dioxide emissions in the 48 contiguous States. Provides that such reduction is to be: (1) to a level 10,000,000 tons below the total sulfur dioxide emissions in 1980; and (2) achieved by December 1, 1995. Provides that the requirements of such program are to be in addition to other requirements under the Act. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), within 90 days after enactment of this Act, to compute and publish State aggregate sulfur dioxide emission targets for January 1, 1989, and January 1, 1995. Sets forth formulas for calculating such targets for each State, based on reductions from the 1980 sulfur dioxide emissions levels which would have been achieved if all fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units in the State had complied with specified emissions limitations during 1980 (two pounds per million Btu for the 1989 target and one and two-tenths pounds per million Btu for the 1995 target). Requires each State, by January 1, 1986, to develop and submit State plans for emission limitations necessary to achieve such targets. Allows such plans to provide for compliance through: (1) the use of a technological sytem of continuous emission reduction; or (2) any other continuous emission reduction requirements (applicable to stationary sources) which the State finds appropriate. Directs the Administrator to approve such plans if they are adequate to achieve such targets. Prohibits commencement of construction of any new stationary source of sulfur dioxide if no State plan is submitted by the deadline or if the Administrator disapproves a State plan. Directs the Administrator to promulgate a plan for any State which fails to submit: (1) a plan by the deadline; or (2) a revised plan within six months after disapproval. Provides that the plan promulgated by the Administrator shall only be applicable to fossil fuel-fired steam generating units in the State which are not subject to more stringent emission limitations under any other provision of the Act. Provides that such plan shall require each such unit to comply with an emission limitation of: (1) two pounds per million Btu by January 1, 1989; and (2) one and two-tenths pounds per million Btu by January 1, 1995. Prohibits commencement of construction of any new stationary source of sulfur dioxide in any State which does not meet the 1989 or 1995 target. Provides for crediting toward the State target: (1) emissions reductions credited under a specified trading program; and (2) nitrogen oxide emissions reductions substituted for sulfur dioxide emissions reductions in accordance with a specified ratio. Prohibits the establishment, under any provision of the Act, of any sulfur dioxide emission limitation which would permit any stationary source (or unit) to exceed the sulfur dioxide emissions allowable from it in 1982 under the applicable implementation plan in effect on January 1, 1982. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations to facilitate the trading of emission reduction requirements, and actual reductions, on a State or regional basis under the sulfur dioxide emissions program of this Act. Allows such regulations to provide for emission reduction banks or brokerage institutions. Allows such trading to include trading of sulfur dioxide emissions for nitrogen oxide emissions in accordance with a specified ratio. Allows the State plan to permit any owner or operator of a stationary source of sulfur dioxide emissions to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions in lieu of any sulfur dioxide emissions reduction which would otherwise be required under the plan. Requires that such reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions be at a rate of two units by weight of nitrogen oxides for each unit of sulfur dioxide. Provides that State plan requirements under this Act shall be treated as requirements of applicable implementation plans for specified purposes under the Act. Imposes a fee for each kilowatt hour of electric energy which is either generated by an electric utility in or imported into the contiguous 48 States. Requires that EPA regulations for such fee allow utilities to pass through to customers the cost of the fee and indicate the fee as a separate item on bills. Provides that such fee shall: (1) take effect with respect to electric energy generated, or imported, after December 31, 1984; (2) cease to apply on December 31, 1990; (3) be applied during each calendar quarter at the rate of one and five-tenths mill per kilowatt hour; and (4) not apply to any electric energy (including imported electric energy) which is generated by nuclear or hydroelectric power. Sets civil and criminal penalties for specified violations of such fee requirements. Establishes the Acid Deposition Control Fund in the Treasury. Allows the Fund to be used for: (1) certain loans for capital costs of emission control; (2) specified studies, research, and demonstrations; and (3) assistance to States for acid deposition mitigation programs. Credits to the Fund amounts determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be equivalent to the amount received into the Treasury from fees imposed under this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report annually to Congress on the Fund; and (2) make investments on behalf of the Fund. Directs the Administrator to: (1) report, within one year after enactment of this Act, to Congress on the expected costs of the construction and installation of technological systems of continuous emission reductions necessary to meet emission limitations; and (2) estimate the amount, and establish a schedule for issuance, of specified notes or other obligations which must be issued to meet such costs. Authorizes the Administrator to issue to the Secretary such specified notes and other obligations, but only in such amounts as may be specified in appropriation Acts. Directs the Administrator to make loans from the Fund, in the five-year period beginning on the date the Fund is established, for capital costs of emission control. Allows owners or operators of stationary sources subject to emission limitations under plans adopted or promulgated under this Act to apply for such loans. Authorizes the Administrator to make such loans only upon determination that loan proceeds will be used only for the costs of the construction and installation of any technological system of continuous emission reduction used to comply with such emission limitations in accordance with requirements which the Administrator deems appropriate. Provides that such loans shall be: (1) made without interest; (2) required to be repaid within such period and under such conditions as the Administrator shall establish. Directs the Administrator to require only such repayment of such loans as is necessary to assure the availability of adequate sums for the Administrator to make payments of principal and interest on specified notes and other obligations issued under this Act. Directs the Administrator, upon expiration of the five-year period beginning on the date of the establishment of the Fund, to report to Congress the amount required to pay such principal and interest. Directs the Administrator to issue regulations establishing the criteria upon which such loans shall be made and the procedures for handling applications. Revises provisions for new stationary source performance standards to direct the Administrator, promptly after the enactment of this Act, to promulgate or revise such performance standards for emissions of: (1) nitrogen oxides from fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units; and (2) sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides from other fossil fuel-fired steam generating units which are capable of combusting more than 50,000 pounds per million Btu/hour heat input of fossil fuel (either alone or in combination with any other fuel). Revises provisions for emissions standards for new motor vehicles or engines to direct the Administrator to revise specified regulations applicable to nitrogen oxide emissions from trucks and truck engines manufactured during and after model year 1986 so that total nitrogen oxide emissions will be reduced by 4,000,000 tons by January 1, 1995. Directs the Administrator to conduct a study and report to Congress on the rate-making policies of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and of State public utility regulatory authorities regarding the costs incurred by regulated electric utilities in complying with emission control requirements under the sulfur dioxide emissions program established under this Act. Requires that such study determine the extent to which: (1) such costs are equitably allocated, under rate schedules approved or established by the Commission and such State authorities, among the customers of such utilities; and (2) a disproportionate burden of such costs are borne by customers of any utility who are not located in the State in which the utility is located. Directs the Administrator to undertake studies regarding: (1) formation of acid deposition and interstate transport of acid deposition precursors; (2) effects of acid deposition on human health and the environment, including visibility; (3) adverse effects associated with acid rain in areas outside the northeast; (4) effectiveness of acid deposition mitigation measures; and (5) innovative means to control acid deposition. Directs the Administrator to carry out a demonstration program for clean coal technologies. Directs the Administrator to provide financial assistance to State programs for mitigation of the adverse effects of acid rain. Requires that at least one-third of the total amounts expended by a State for any such program in any fiscal year be derived from non-Federal sources. Limits to one percent of the amounts available in the Fund the amount which may be used to provide such assistance for such State programs.

Bill· HRH.R. 4834 (98th)referred

No-Fault Multiemployer Plan Termination Insurance Reform Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984

No-Fault Multiemployer Plan Termination Insurance Reform Act of 1984 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to redefine the circumstances which trigger withdrawal liability for employers in the trucking and warehousing industries. Identifies such circumstances as: (1) the resumption or continuation by an employer of the same type of business in the same area of the pension plan within five years after such employer's contribution obligation has ceased and the employer does not renew it; and (2) the transfer by such employers of specified business assets to purchasers operating the same type of business in the same area of the plan who have no contribution obligation to any pension plan for such work. Details the conditions under which: (1) a pension plan is deemed a "trucking and warehousing plan" for purposes of this Act; (2) the cessation of an employer's contribution obligation due to loss of a contract is not considered a complete withdrawal from a pension plan; (3) the sale of an employer's business assets at auction (or in connection with Federal bankruptcy proceedings) is not considered a complete withdrawal from a pension plan; and (4) an employer's withdrawal of substantially all of the contribution base units to a plan is considered a partial or complete withdrawal from such a plan. Details the conditions under which a partial withdrawal from a trucking and warehousing pension plan occurs. Specifies exceptions. Authorizes a plan sponsor or authorized fiduciary to decline to pursue a claim for withdrawal liability under certain circumstances. Allows suspension of an employer's withdrawal liability payments, pending review of the liability determination, if the employer either posts bond or pays into escrow an amount equal to its required contribution in the last plan year ending before the alleged withdrawal. Sets forth procedural guidelines for notice and review before a plan sponsor may claim withdrawal liability from an employer deemed to have partially or completely withdrawn from a plan. Outlines the procedure under which the sponsor of a trucking and warehousing plan shall terminate a single-employer plan. Provides notification procedures if an actuary determines that a trucking and warehousing plan faces an accumulated funding deficiency. Establishes an involuntary withdrawal liability payment fund and a program under which the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation shall pay 90 percent of the liability incurred for involuntary withdrawal from a plan. Provides for assessments against covered plans for payments into the fund. Applies the program to involuntary withdrawals from all plans with mandatory coverage. Authorizes the Corporation to provide optional coverage. Sets standards to ascertain withdrawal liability based upon the involuntary withdrawal of an employer resulting from a certified change of collective bargaining representative. Requires the Corporation to provide for regular 12-month assessment periods for assessing each covered plan for its allocated portion of payments to the fund. Authorizes division of the fund into: (1) a mandatory coverage account; and (2) an optional coverage account. Defines the conditions under which an involuntary withdrawal occurs. Authorizes the Corporation to transfer moneys from a specified pension guaranty fund to the involuntary withdrawal liability payment fund if it determines that such a transfer is advisable to meet funding deficiencies. States that such a transfer of funds must be repaid. Sets guidelines for the Corporation to promulgate regulations for the reimbursement of withdrawals which occurred before the involuntary withdrawal liability payment program was enacted. Creates an exemption from withdrawal liability if the amount of unfunded vested benefits of a plan as of the end of a plan year is not greater than zero and the employer withdraws from such plan within a specified time. Directs the Corporation to issue regulations prescribing: (1) adjustments to the formulae used to allocate unfunded vested benefits where employer withdrawal from a plan occurs after an exemption period; and (2) the actuarial assumptions used to determine unfunded vested benefits and withdrawal liability. (Currently, the Corporation's authority to prescribe such regulations is discretionary.) States that a complete or partial withdrawal from a plan does not occur if the purchaser in a bona fide conveyance assumes the former employer's plan contribution obligations. Prescribes guidelines for the determination of: (1) complete or partial withdrawal by the seller; (2) amount of unfunded vested benefits allocable to the seller; (3) complete or partial withdrawal by the purchaser; and (4) the amount of unfunded vested benefits allocable to the purchaser. Authorizes the Corporation to impose additional requirements to reduce unreasonable risks to the plan if the purchaser is in a less favorable financial position than the seller immediately after conveyance of the business. Prescribes transitional rules for: (1) past business conveyances causing no withdrawal; and (2) past business conveyances causing exempt withdrawal. Prescribes guidelines under which the sponsor of a multiemployer plan shall furnish, upon an employer's request, information necessary to compute withdrawal liability and potential withdrawal liability. Authorizes the Corporation, upon request, to approve rules for the reduction or elimination of withdrawal liability. Sets quidelines under which such approval will be granted. Provides that the funding standard account for a plan year shall be charged with sums computed according to specified formulae. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code. Reduces from 25 years to 15 years the schedule for amortization of a plan's unfunded vested benefits liability in the case of a plan in reorganization under bankruptcy law. Establishes formulae for minimum contribution requirements if a plan does not meet specified asset/benefit ratios. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code. Voids any withdrawal liability incurred as the result of the complete or partial withdrawal from a multiemployer plan under certain Acts prior to September 26, 1980. Requires refund of any amounts paid as a result of such liability.

Bill· HRH.R. 4854 (98th)referred

Congressional Salary Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984

Congressional Salary Act of 1984 - Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to make any recommendations of the President relating to the salaries of Members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico purely advisory. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to require that the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the Senate and House leadership be the rate payable for such positions on the date of enactment of this Act. Makes it out of order in the House to consider any bill or resolution which adjusts the pay of Members or modifies income tax credits or deductions for Members as a separate and distinct class, unless: (1) it takes effect at the beginning of the subsequent Congress; and (2) it is comprised solely of items adjusting the pay of Members. Requires a record vote on such legislation.

Bill· HRH.R. 4571 (98th)referred

National Observance Advisory Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983

National Observance Advisory Act - Establishes a commission known as the President's Advisory Commission on National Observances to establish criteria for recommending to the President that a proposed national observance be approved or disapproved.

Bill· HRH.R. 4494 (98th)referred

Public Charity Tax Penalty Reform Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983

Public Charity Tax Penalty Reform Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt officials of public charities who serve on a volunteer or part time basis from the tax penalties for willful failure to collect and pay over tax.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 227 (98th)open

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to the adverse impact of early projections of election results by the news media.

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1983

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the news media should voluntarily refrain from projecting election results before the polls close; and (2) the news media and industry, trade and professional organizations should voluntarily adopt guidelines to assure that exit interview data is not used to project election results before the polls close.

Law· HRH.R. 4325 (98th)enacted

Child Support Enforcement Amendments of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1983

Child Support Enforcement Amendments of 1983 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise the purposes of such part to provide that assistance in obtaining support will be available under part D to all children (whether or not eligible for aid under the Aid to Families With Dependent Children program) for whom such assistance is requested. Requires a State, under part D, to have enacted laws establishing, embodying, or requiring the use of the following procedures to increase the effectiveness of its part D program: (1) procedures for the withholding from income of support amounts; (2) procedures assuring the State will improve the enforcement of support obligations; (3) procedures to collect support from a State tax refund; (4) procedures under which liens are imposed against real and personal property for amounts of past-due support owed by an absent parent; (5) procedures for establishing a child's paternity; (6) procedures requiring an individual to give security or post a bond to secure payment of past-due support if the individual is an absent parent who has demonstrated a pattern of not making payments; (7) procedures by which information regarding the amount of past-due support owed by an absent parent residing in the State will be made available to any consumer credit bureau organization upon the request of such organization, subject to certain conditions; and (8) procedures under which support payments will be made under part D through the State agency administering the State's income withholding system at the request of either parent, even though no arrearages are involved. Sets forth the procedures (referred to in clause one above) for the withholding from income of support payments. Provides that under such procedures: (1) amounts withheld must comply with the support order; (2) withholding must be initiated without application in the case of a child who is already receiving services under part D, and will be initiated with an application in the case of any other child; (3) withholding must be carried out in full compliance with all procedural due process requirements and must begin as soon as feasible; (4) withholding must be administered by a public agency (or a publicly accountable agency) designated by the State, and amounts withheld must be expeditiously distributed; (5) the State must provide advance notice to each individual who will have payments withheld and information as to how to contest the withholding; (6) State law must give priority to support collection over any other legal process against the same wages; (7) there will be withholding from all forms of income; (8) provisions must be made for terminating withholding; and (9) arrangements will be made with other States providing for reciprocal withholding. Requires, in addition, under such procedures that: (1) an employer withhold ordered payments (which shall include a fee to be paid to the employer) when provided with written notice; (2) an employer be held liable to the State for failure to withhold; and (3) a fine be imposed on any employer who refuses to employ or takes disciplinary action against any individual subject to wage withholding because of the existence of the withholding and additional obligations imposed on the employer. Requires a State's laws to require withholding whenever arrearages occur, even if an application for services under part D is not filed. Provides exemptions from the requirements of this paragraph, subject to the Secretary of Health and Human Services' continuing review, for States demonstrating that the enactment of any of this paragraph's requirements will not improve the State's support enforcement program. Authorizes a State to use the funds available under part D for automated management systems to facilitate the development and improvement of income withholding procedures. Requires a State, whenever a family for whom support payments have been collected and distributed under part D ceases to receive assistance under part A (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) of title IV, to: (1) continue collecting support for up to three months; and (2) continue collection and payment to the family (without requiring reapplication) at the end of the three-month period on the same basis as in the case of individuals not receiving assistance under part A. Repeals the current 12 percent incentive payment which is based on collections made on behalf of AFDC families. Provides, under the new incentive payment provisions, that the basis incentive payment will be four percent of the State's AFDC collections plus four percent of the State's non-AFDC collections. Provides that to the extent that AFDC or non-AFDC collections exceed the State's combined AFDC and non-AFDC administrative costs, higher incentives will be paid on a graduated scale of up to ten percent of AFDC and ten percent of non-AFDC collections. Provides that the amount of incentive payments to be made to a State for any fiscal year shall be estimated by the Secretary before the beginning of such year and that the Secretary shall make such payments for such year on a quarterly basis, with the payments being reduced or increased to compensate for any prior overpayments or underpayments. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, in order to encourage and promote the development and use of more effective methods of enforcing support obligations under part D in cases where either the children on whose behalf the support is sought or their absent parents do not reside in the State where such cases are filed, to States proposing to undertake new or innovative methods of support collection in such cases. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. Requires: (1) review of a State's part D program at least once every three years; and (2) the operation by a State of a child support program (under part A) which is substantial compliance with the State's part D plan. Replaces current penalty provisions under part A with graduated penalties of two, three, and five percent in cases where a State's part D program does not meet applicable requirements. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to require any demonstration project undertaken which assists in promoting the objectives of part D of title IV to: (1) be designed to improve the financial well-being of children, and prohibit modifications in the child support program which would have the effect of disadvantaging children in need of support; and (2) not result in increased costs to the Federal Government under part A of title IV. Provides, under part D, that amounts collected by a State as child support on behalf of a child for whom a public agency is making foster care maintenance payments under part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV: (1) shall be retained by the State to the extent necessary to reimburse it for foster care maintenance payments made; (2) shall be paid to the public agency responsible for supervising the placement of a child to the extent that amounts collected exceed foster care maintenance payments made with respect to the child but not amounts required by a court order to be paid on behalf of the child; and (3) shall be retained by the State if any portion of the amounts collected remains after making the payments required above, to the extent that such portion is necessary to reimburse the State for any foster care maintenance payments made for a child. Requires any balance to be paid to the State agency responsible for supervising child care placement. Requires a State, under part E, where appropriate, to take all steps to secure an assignment to the State of any rights to support on behalf of each child receiving foster care maintenance payments. Requires collection by a State of spousal support under part D. (Current law permits such collection.) Requires the Secretary's annual report under part D to include the payment status of all active child support cases in each State, with specific information concerning: (1) interstate cases; and (2) the number of cases in certain defined categories. Requires a State, under part D, to regularly publicize the availability of child support enforcement services, including a telephone number or address where further information can be obtained. Requires a State, as a condition of eligibility for Federal payments under part A or D of title IV, to establish a State Commission on Child Support to examine, investigate, and study the operation of the State's child support system so as to determine the extent to which the system has been successful in securing support and parental involvement for both AFDC and non-AFDC children. Requires a report from the Commission. Permits waivers of the requirement for a Commission in a State if the State already has its own commission, which is making satisfactory progress towards effective child support enforcement, or has in effect objective standards for child support obligations. Directs the Secretary to approve a request from the State of Wisconsin to waive any requirement of part A or D of title IV so as to permit modifications of such State's programs under parts A and D in order to enable such State to make an adequate test of its Child Support Initiative, provided certain conditions are met.

Bill· HRH.R. 4300 (98th)open

Missing Childrens Assistance Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1983

Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1983 - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to require the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to establish and maintain a national toll-free telephone line for reporting information regarding the location of missing children. Directs the Administrator to establish a national resource center and clearinghouse to: (1) provide technical assistance to State and local governments and agencies in locating missing children; (2) coordinate public and private efforts to recover missing children; and (3) disseminate information on innovative missing childrens' programs, services, and legislation. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual summary of research on missing children and prepare a comprehensive plan for coordinating activities of all agencies and organizations responsible for missing children. Authorizes the Administrator, in consultation with the Advisory Board on Missing Children, to make grants for research or demonstration or service programs designed to: (1) educate parents and community agencies on ways to prevent the abduction of children; (2) assist in the recovery or tracking of missing children; (3) aid communities in collecting material to assist parents in the identification of their children; (4) demonstrate the psychological consequences of a child's abduction; and (5) collect data on investigative practices utilized by law enforcement agencies. Requires the Administrator to appoint an Advisory Board on Missing Children to assist the Administrator in coordinating programs and activities relating to missing children. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1988.

Law· HRH.R. 4280 (98th)enacted

Retirement Equity Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1983

Retirement Equity Act of 1983 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to lower from age 25 to age 21 the age limitation for minimum participation and vesting standards for pension plans. Prohibits certain defined benefit plans from requiring, as a condition for plan participation, that employees complete period of service extending beyond the earlier of age 25 or the vesting expectation date. Lowers from age 22 to age 18 the age limitation for the computation of periods of service. States that years of service may be disregarded when computing periods of service for participation or vesting purposes if breaks in service during such a period amounted to five or more one-year breaks. Treats breaks in service due to pregnancy, birth, or adoption of a child as completed hours of service according to a specified formula. Accords such treatment only in the year of the pregnancy, birth or adoption, and only to participants who would incur a one-year break in service without such treatment. Requires pension plans which provide life annuity benefits to pay such benefits in the form of a qualified joint and survivor annuity. Requires that each pension plan participant have the option of electing, waiving, or revoking the joint and survivor annuity form of benefit. Conditions the efficacy of such election upon: (1) the written consent of a participant's spouse; (2) a written acknowledgement by a participant's spouse of the effect of such election; and (3) an official witnessing of such spousal consent by a plan representative or notary public. Limits such consent to the signatory spouse. Requires pension plans to furnish participants with written explanations of the terms and rights of election regarding joint and survivor annuities. Prohibits joint and survivor annuity payments from being less than the actuarial equivalent of payments made if the annuitant had lived to the earliest date of retirement or had separated from service on the date of death. Requires the surviving spouse's consent for any distribution of nonforfeitable benefits exceeding $3,500. Requires such benefits to be paid according to the surviving spouse's written requests. States that plans subject to funding requirements must provide benefits payable in the form of an annuity. Exempts qualified domestic relations orders from the Act's proscriptions against alienation and assignment of pension plan benefits. Sets procedural guidelines for the payment of such benefits to an alternate payee under such orders. Prohibits alternative payees from receiving any portion of any increase in a participant's accrued benefits if such increases occur after payments to such payees have begun. Declares that alternate payees under domestic relations orders are not considered to be, by virtue of such orders, participants or beneficiaries under the pension plan. Increases from $1,750 to $3,500 the allowable mandatory distribution from a retirement plan. Requires notification to participants that certain benefits may be forfeitable if the participant dies before a certain date. Sets December 31, 1984 as the effective date of this Act for existing plans. Provides transitional dates and certain effective dates for plans maintained under collective bargaining agreements.

Law· HRH.R. 4164 (98th)enacted

Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1983

Vocational Technical Education Act of 1983 - Establishes vocational-technical education programs to replace those under the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Title I: Purpose; Authorization of Appropriations; and Allotments - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987 and for succeeding fiscal years for: (1) basic State grants and State administrative responsibilities; (2) consumer and homemaking education; (3) comprehensive career guidance and counseling programs; (4) industry-education partnership for training in high-technology occupations; (5) vocational education programs for youth with special needs; and (6) adult training, retraining, and employment development. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 and succeeding fiscal years for the President's Council on Vocational-Technical Education. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and succeeding fiscal years for grants to State advisory councils on vocational-technical education. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and succeeding fiscal years for assistance to States: (1) in preparing plans, updates, and progress reports; and (2) in conducting program evaluations. Requires a State, in order to receive any allotment under this Act, to: (1) establish a State board and a State advisory council on vocational-technical education; (2) have an approved State plan and application; (3) comply with evaluation and review and other provisions of this Act. Sets forth provisions for allotment among the States of appropriations for title II of this Act (after deduction of amounts required to be reserved for specified purposes). Bases such allotment on formulas using State allotment ratios and relative State populations of certain age groups. Allots the following percentages of title II funds on the basis of population aged: (1) 15 through 19 - 50 percent; (2) 20 through 24 - 20 percent; and (3) 25 through 65 - 15 percent. Allots the remaining 15 percent on the basis of the relative sums of such age group allotments. Set forth a formula for determining State allotment ratios based on relative State per capita income. Sets maximum and minimum limits on such ratios and sets ratios for specified territories and possessions of the United States. Sets forth a minimum State allotment amount. Provides for reallotment among other States of any amount which the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) determines will not be required for carrying out the State's program for any fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to reserve five percent of the appropriations for State basic grants and State administrative responsibilities for any fiscal year in order to: (1) transfer an amount within specified limits in any fiscal year to the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; (2) use an additional minimum amount in any fiscal year for the National Center for Research in Vocational Education; (3) use a minimum amount in any fiscal year for the program of special institutes; and (4) use the remainder of the reserved amount for other programs authorized under title III (National Programs). Authorizes the Secretary to reserve, from the remainder of the appropriations for State basic grants and State administrative responsibilities for any fiscal year, funds for vocational educational programs to eligible Indians through Indian tribes and through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Limits such amount to not more than one percent of such remainder and approximately equivalent to an amount based on the ratio of eligible Indian population aged 15 through 24 to the total population aged 15 through 24 of all the States. Directs the Secretary, from the amount so reserved, to enter into contracts with the tribal organization of any eligible Indian tribe, upon such tribe's request, to plan, conduct, and administer programs, or portions of programs, which are authorized by and consistent with the purposes of this Act. Subjects such contracts to specified terms and conditions under the Indian Self-Determination Act and other specified Federal laws. Authorizes the Secretary, from any remaining funds so reserved, to enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of the BIA for the operation of vocational education programs authorized by this Act in institutions serving eligible Indians, and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to receive such funds for such purposes. Directs the BIA to expend a matching amount to pay a part of the costs of such programs. Requires the BIA to expend during each fiscal year no less than the amount expended during the prior fiscal year on vocational education programs, services, and activities. Directs the Secretary and the Commissioner to prepare a joint plan for the expenditure of funds and the evaluation of such programs. Directs the Secretary to assume responsibility for the administration of the program, with the assistance and consultation of the BIA. Requires that the sum of any State's allotments for title II programs under this Act shall not be less than the total amount of payments made to the State under allotments determined under the Vocational Education Act of 1963 for FY 1983. Provides for ratable reductions of other State allotments in order to comply with this minimum State allotment requirement. Title II: State Programs - Part A: Basic State Grants - Authorizes the Secretary, from the State allotments, to make grants to assist States in funding vocational education programs, services, and activities carried out by State boards and eligible recipients. Requires that basic State grants be used, in accordance with approved State plans, for: (1) vocational education responsive to labor market demands or designed to keep abreast of technological changes, including part D high-technology industry-education partnership programs; (2) vocational education for populations with special needs, including part E youth programs; (3) postsecondary and adult vocational education for out-of-school youth and adults, including part F adult training, retraining, and employment development programs; (4) strengthening the institutional base of vocational education by updating curricula, equipment, materials, planning, and staff skills; (5) design and implementation of planned sequential vocational programs between secondary and postsecondary education levels; (6) teaching mathematics and science through practical applications related to occupational goals; (7) assigning personnel to coordinate responsiveness to the labor market; (8) vocational student organizational activities; (9) prevocational programs; (10) information collection and dissemination; (11) special supportive services and activities, including career counseling and guidance (under part C), work-study, cooperative, on-site, and apprenticeship, technical education, research, curriculum development personnel training, overcoming sex bias and stereotyping, residential vocational-technical schools, and exemplary and innovative demonstration programs; (12) construction of area vocational-technical school; (13) support of full-time personnel for specified purposes; (14) needy student stipends; (15) placement services; (16) industrial arts; (17) day care services; (18) vocational education through arrangements with private vocational education institutions, employers, and community-based organizations (as defined under the Job Training Partnership Act); (19) administrative and supervisory costs; (20) planning, evaluation, and reporting costs; (21) entrepreneurship programs consistent with the purposes of this Act; and (22) consortia with other States. Prohibits the use of funds for needy student stipends or for day care services for students' children unless the State board makes a finding that such use of funds under this Act is necessary because of inadequate funding of other programs or inadequates services in the area. Part B: Consumer and Homemaking Education - Authorizes the Secretary, from State allotments, to make grants to assist State consumer and homemaking education programs, including: (1) instructional programs, services, and activities to prepare youth and adults for the homemaking occupation; and (2) instruction in the areas of food and nutrition, consumer education, family living and parenthood education, child development and guidance, housing, home and resource management, and clothing and textiles. Permits such grants to be used, in accordance with approved State plans, to: (1) conduct programs in economically depressed areas; (2) encourage participation of traditionally underserved populations; (3) encourage elimination of sex bias and sex stereotyping; (4) improve, expand, and update programs; and (5) address priorities and emerging concerns at the local, State, and national levels. Permits such grants to be used for specified program development and improvement and for specified support services and activities. Sets forth provisions for information dissemination and leadership. Directs the State board to ensure that experience and information gained through carrying out such programs is shared with administrators for the purpose of program planning. Requires that funds available under this part be used to assist in providing State leadership qualified by experience and preparation in home economics education. Part C: Comprehensive Career Guidance and Counseling Programs - Authorizes the Secretary, from State allotments, to make grants to assist State career guidance and counseling programs. Requires that such grants be used, in accordance with approved State plans, for comprehensive programs to meet career development, vocational education, and employment needs of students and potential students, including assistance in: (1) self-assessment, career planning and decisionmaking, and employability skills; (2) transition and placement activities; (3) maintaining themselves in established occupations; (4) developing new skills in high-technology and skill-shortage areas; and (5) developing midcareer job seeking skills clarifying career goals. Requires that such programs: (1) encourage the elimination of sex, age, and race bias and stereotyping; (2) provide for community outreach; (3) seek collaboration of family, community, business, industry and labor; and (4) be accessible to all segments of the population, including women, minorities, handicapped, and economically disadvantaged. Requires that such programs consist of: (1) instructional activities and services to help students develop specified skills; (2) counselor education, support personnel training curriculum and instructional materials development, research, demonstration, and experimental projects, equipment acquisition, and State and local leadership and supervision; and (3) opportunities for counselors to obtain firsthand experience in business and industry and for students to become acquainted with business, industry, labor market, and training posibilities. Sets forth information dissemination and leadership provisions. Part D: Industry - Education Partnership for Training in High-Technology Occupations - Authorizes the Secretary, from State allotments, to make grants to States for industry-education partnership training programs in high-technology occupations. Requires that such grants be used in accordance with approved State plans which contain specified assurances. Requires that at least 50 percent of the funds for such programs be from non-Federal sources, and that at least 50 percent of such non-Federal funds be provided by participating business and industrial firms in cash or in-kind contributions. Requires coordination of such programs with part A programs. Requires active participation of the State council in the development of such programs. Permits States to designate funds available under part A in lieu of a non-Federal portion for program costs under this part, if an eligible recipient demonstrates that it is incapable of providing all or part of such non-Federal portion. Permits such grants to be used for: (1) vocational educational programs designed to train skilled workers and technicians in high-technology occupations; (2) administrative costs; (3) training and retraining of instructional and guidance personnel; (3) curriculum, equipment, and materials development and acquisition; and (4) such other activities authorized by this title as may be essential to programs under this part, including ensuring program access for women, minorities, the handicapped, and the economically disadvantaged. Directs the State board, in approving such programs, to give special consideration to specified factors. Limits administrative cost expenditures to five percent of the State's allotment for this part. Prohibits funds made available under this part from being used to provide job placement or stipends. Part E: Vocational Education Programs for Youth with Special Needs - Defines "eligible youth" for purposes of this part as youth (up to and including age 21) who are: (1) educationally or disadvantaged individuals needing assistance to participate or succeed in regular vocational programs; (2) handicapped individuals needing special assistance, instruction, or programs to participate in or profit from vocational education; (3) individuals of limited English proficiency who require instruction in the English language, or bilingual instruction until they are proficient in English, in order to participate in or profit from vocational education; or (4) single parents and heads of households, or persons who wish to enter occupations that are not traditional for their sex, who need special assistance in preparing for employment. Authorizes the Secretary, from State allotments, to make grants to States to carry out programs, services, and activities authorized by this part. Permits such grants to be used, in accordance with State plans, for programs for eligible youth, including: (1) vocational education programs, services, and activities authorized under provisions for basic State grants and designed to meet special needs; (2) outreach, diagnostic assessment, and career guidance; (3) youth leadership development and vocational student organization activities; (4) improving institutional capacity to provide instruction and supportive services; (5) supplementary and remedial instruction; (6) open-entry, open-exit programs for individual needs; (7) worksite learning; (8) training instructional and support personnel to serve eligible youth in regular or special programs (such as bilingual programs); (9) extension of the schoolday or school year; (10) transition and work adjustment followup services; and (11) other activities to enable eligible youth to take full-advantage of high-quality vocational education. Requires eligible recipients to provide for program participation by eligible youth enrolled in nonprofit private schools in the area to be served, without commingling with State or local funds the Federal funds made available under this part to accommodate such students. Requires that at least 90 percent of the grant to each State under this part be allocated among eligible recipients, with approved plans, upon the basis of numbers of eligible youth served in the previous year and proposed to be served in the year for which such allocation is made. Requires coordination of programs under this part with programs for youth funded under title II (Training Services for the Disadvantaged) of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), including summer youth employment and training programs. Directs the State board to consult with the State job training coordinating council (established under the JTPA) in order that programs funded under this part may be taken into account in recommendations for the Governor's coordinating and special services plan required under JTPA. Part F: Adult Training, Retraining, and Employment Development - Authorizes the Secretary, from State allotments, to make grants to States for funding programs, services, and activities under this part. Permits such grants to be used, in accordance with approved State plans, for vocational education and employment development authorized under basic State grant provisions and designed to meet the needs of: (1) individuals who have graduated from or left high school and who need additional vocational education to enter the labor force; (2) unemployed individuals who need training to obtain employment or increase employability; (3) employed individuals who need retraining to retain their jobs or training to upgrade skills to qualify for higher-paid or more dependable jobs; (4) displaced homemakers and single heads of households entering or reentering the labor force; and (5) employers who need assistance in training individuals in new employment opportunities or retraining employees in new skills. Permits such grants also to be used for: (1) short-term retraining; (2) cooperative institutional and worksite programs and quick-start customized training; (3) linkages between public and private sectors, eligible individuals, and training, employment, and economic development agencies; (4) cooperative education to improve management and increase productivity; (5) training for small business entrepreneurship; (6) recruitment, job search, counseling, remedial services, information and outreach to help individuals take advantage of vocational educational programs and services, with particular attention to reaching women, older workers, individuals with limited English proficiency, the handicapped, and the disadvantaged; and (7) curriculum development, equipment and material acquisition, personnel training, pilot projects, and related and additional services and activities. Requires specified State assurances with regard to programs under this part. Requires coordination of programs under this part with programs for dislocated workers under title III (Training and Assistance for Dislocated Workers) of JTPA. Directs the State board to consult with the State job training coordinating council in order that programs under this part may be taken into account in recommendations for the Governor's coordination and special services plan. Directs the State board to encourage program coordination between eligible recipients of funds under this part and the appropriate private industry council established under JTPA. Title III: National Programs - Directs the Secretary to maintain a national vocational education data system. Requires States receiving assistance under this Act to cooperate in supplying information for such system. Directs the Secretary, in maintaining and annually updating such system, to make such system compatible with: (1) the occupational information data system established under this Act; (2) other systems developed or assisted under labor market information provisions under JTPA; and (3) other occupational supply and demand information systems developed or maintained through Federal assistance (directs the Secretary to cooperate with the Secretary of Labor in this). Directs the Secretary to secure data about program enrollees and completers, placement and followup, staffing, and expenditures by major purposes of this Act. Establishes a National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee consisting of specified Federal officials. Directs the Committee, with funds available under title I, to: (1) annually provide funds for and assist State occupational coordinating committees; (2) improve coordination among administrators and planners of programs authorized by this Act and JTPA, employment security agency administrators, researchers, and Federal, State, and local employment and training agency personnel; (3) develop and implement an occupational information system to meet common needs of vocational education and employment and training programs; and (4) study the effects of technological change on new and existing occupational areas and the required changes in knowledge and job skills. Requires each State receiving assistance under this Act to establish a State occupational information coordinating committee composed of representatives of the State board, employment security agency, economic development agency, job training coordinating council, and agency for administering programs under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Directs the State committee, with funds from the national committee, to implement an occupational information system in the State designed to meet the needs of State board programs under this Act and administering agencies under JTPA. Establishes the President's Council on Vocational-Technical Education consisting of members appointed by the President, with a majority representing the private sector of the economy and the remainder with broad experience in education and economic and human resources development (at least one of whom is a member of the National Commission for Employment Policy established under JTPA). Directs the Council to: (1) assess national needs with respect to occupations requiring less than a baccalaureate degree; (2) identify ways to encourage cooperation between the private sector of the economy and vocational-technical education; (3) evaluate program needs for updated equipment, curricula, competent staff, and other necessary components for student preparation and worker training and retraining for the workplace; (4) make appropriate recommendations; and (5) advise the President, Congress, and Secretary on the implementation of this Act, JTPA, and adequate policies for vocational- technical education programs. Directs the Council to report its findings and recommendations to the President, Congress, and Secretary every third year. Provides that the National Center for Research in Vocational Education established under the Vocational Education Act of 1963 shall continue to be operated with funds made available under this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make an annual grant for the Center's operation; and (2) on the basis of solicited applications and the advice of non-Federal experts in vocational education administration and research, designate the entity to be the Center once every five years. Requires that the Center: (1) be a nonprofit entity associated with a public or private nonprofit university which has made, or is prepared to make, a substantial financial contribution towards its establishment; and (2) have a Director, appointed by such university and assisted by the advisory committee on research and program development. Sets forth provisions for program improvement activities. Authorizes the Secretary, after consultation with the advisory committee on research and program improvement, to use funds reserved under title I to establish not less than ten research institutes for vocational education at a minimum level of $300,000 each per year. Directs the Secretary to designate these institutes for a five-year period on the basis of competitive applications, the advice of non-Federal experts in vocational education and research, and specified criteria. Requires such institutes to: (1) conduct research and leadership development activities on nationwide programs in employment-related education; and (2) serve as independent entities for research and development focused on one or more specified areas. Authorizes the Secretary to also use such reserved funds for national program improvement activities through grants and contracts to private and public entities to assist vocational educational programs and supportive services of States and eligible recipients assisted under this Act. Includes graduate fellowship awards among such activities. Authorizes the Secretary to award solicited and unsolicited grants and contracts for program improvement activities. Requires that such awards include: (1) a program of small grants to entities such as individual researchers, community colleges, and State advisory councils; (2) requests for proposals consistent with the objectives of program improvement provisions; and (3) the funding of proposals initiated in the field. Directs the Secretary, in establishing such institutes and making such awards, grants, and contracts, to require recipients to contribute, in cash or in kind, at least ten percent of the costs of the institute or project. Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that program improvement activities represent a coordinated effort; and (2) include a summary and appraisal of such activities in the report to Congress on vocational education. Authorizes the Secretary, from funds available to carry out this title, to develop and implement, through grants and contracts, cooperative employer-education demonstration programs. Requires that such programs: (1) be established and operated by employers or consortia of employers, or recognized labor organizations or building trades councils, in cooperation with State boards and eligible recipients in two or more States; (2) provide worksite job training for vocational education graduates or advanced students which is linked to classroom and laboratory instruction provided by an eligible recipient; (3) provide placement services; (4) demonstrate cooperative programs between vocational education and the private sector; and (5) where practical, involve projects (such as housing rehabilitation in inner cities or economically depressed rural areas) that will benefit the public or result in increased opportunities for the disadvantaged, the handicapped, or women. Permits funds for such cooperative demonstration programs to be used for institutional and on-the-job training, supportive services, and technical and other assistance. Permits such programs to operate on a school-year, year-long, or summer basis, and be of whatever duration the Secretary specifies as appropriate. Requires that at least 25 percent of the cost of such cooperative demonstration programs be provided in cash or in kind by the recipient of the grant or contract. Directs the Secretary to appoint an advisory committee on research and program improvement to advise the Secretary: (1) on selection and management of programs funded under this title; (2) with respect to policy issues in the administration of the Center and in the selection and conduct of research and demonstration projects and activities by the center (also advising the Director of the Center on such issues, selection, and conduct); and (3) in the selection of research institutes. Sets forth provisions for advisory committee membership. Provides that members shall not be Federal employees. Requires the advisory committee to meet at least three times annually at the call of the Secretary, including at least one meeting at the Center. Title IV: General Provisions - Part A: State Administrative Responsibilities - Sets forth requirements relating to the functions of State boards of vocational education. Includes among State board responsibilities: (1) appointment of a State director of vocational education and other personnel to administer this Act; and (2) convening and meeting at least four times annually. Requires the State board to assign at least one full-time individual to assist it in specified ways. Directs each State to reserve a specified amount from its basic State grant for State board functions. Sets forth requirements relating to State advisory councils on vocational-technical education. Limits membership of each council to 15, a majority of whom must be represenatatives of private sector employment. Sets forth other membership representation requirements. Sets forth council functions and duties, including biennial evaluation of vocational education program delivery systems assisted under this Act and under JTPA, and of the adequacy and effectiveness of Federal, State, local, and private efforts to strengthen and improve vocational education in the State. Directs the Secretary, from sums appropriated for such State councils and allotted in a specified manner, to make grants to State councils to carry out their functions. Sets maximum and minimum limits on the amount of each such grant. Part B: Planning and Applications - Sets forth requirements for three-year State plans, to be submitted to the Secretary. Sets forth requirements for State applications for funds for each fiscal year under this Act. Sets forth requirements for three-year local plans by eligible recipients, to be formulated with the assistance of local advisory councils and to be submitted to the State board. Part C: Evaluation and Review - Sets forth requirements for program evaluation by State boards with the assistance of the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to report every two years to the Congress on the status of vocational education in the Nation, including a summary of State program evaluations, with conclusions and recommendations. Sets forth requirements for local progress reports and amendments to local plans. Part D: Federal Administrative Responsibilities - Sets forth provisions for payments to States for administrative costs. Sets forth maintenance of effort requirements. Sets forth provisions for withholding of funds from States by the Secretary, and for judicial review of such withholding. Part E: Transitional and Conforming Amendments - Sets forth provisions for the transition from requirements (including expenditure of funds) under the Vocational Education Act of 1963 to requirements under this Act. Transfers the personnel, property and records of: (1) the National Advisory Council on Vocational Education established under such Act to the President's Council on Vocational-Technical Education established under this Act and to the advisory council on research and program improvement established under this Act; and (2) the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee established under such Act to the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee established under this Act. Repeals the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Makes conforming amendments to the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Adult Education Act, the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968. Part F: Definitions of Terms - Sets forth definitions of terms used in this Act.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 389 (98th)referred

A joint resolution calling upon the Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice, and all other appropriate Federal agencies to enforce the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Sherman Act, and all other Federal antitrust laws including the prohibition against vertical price restraints.

United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1983

Requires the Attorney General of the United States, the Federal Trade Commission, and all other appropriate Federal agencies and officials to enforce the antitrust laws, including the prohibition against vertical price restraints. Directs such officials and agencies to cease propounding arguments in court designed to weaken such prohibition, and to submit to Congress proposed legislation to make any desired changes in such prohibition.

Bill· HRH.R. 4103 (98th)open

Cable Franchise Policy and Communications Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983

Cable Telecommunications Act of 1983 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize any governmental entity empowered to grant a cable television franchise to require: (1) that a reasonable amount of channel capacity be designated for public, educational, or government purposes; and (2) that rules be promulgated governing the use of such channel capacity, including rules for creating an agency or nonprofit organization to administer the use of such channel capacity. Allows the cable system operator to use such channel capacity for other purposes until there is a demand for use of such capacity for public, educational, or governmental purposes. Prohibits a cable operator from exercising any editorial control over any video programming for such purposes. Requires a cable operator to designate a specified percentage of its channel capacity not required for use under Federal law for commercial use by persons unaffiliated with the operator. Prohibits any Federal, State, or local authority from requiring the designation of a greater percentage of channel capacity for commercial use by unaffiliated persons. Allows an operator to continue using such designated capacity until a written agreement with an unaffiliated person is obtained. Directs the operator to establish prices, terms, and conditions for such use that are sufficient to assure that the operation, financial condition, and market development of the cable system are not adversely affected. Prohibits a cable operator from exercising any editorial control over video programming for such use except to the extent necessary to assure that such cable system is not adversely affected. Prohibits the use of such channel capacity to provide a cable service being provided on the enactment date of this Act in order to avoid providing a diversity of information sources. Authorizes any person aggrieved by the failure of an operator to make channel capacity available for such commercial use to seek to compel that such capacity be made available by bringing an action in the appropriate Federal district court or by petitioning the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Authorizes the FCC to prescribe rules necessary to assure that a cable operator or owner provides for a diversity of information sources over the cable system: (1) upon finding that prior adjudications constitute a pattern of such failure by such person; and (2) whenever cable systems with 36 or more activated channels are available to 70 percent of U.S. households and are subscribed to by 70 percent of the households to which such systems are available. Prohibits a person from owning or controlling a cable system if such person: (1) is the licensee of a television broadcast station the predicted grade B contour (field strength) of which covers any part of the community served by such cable system; (2) owns or controls a daily newspaper published in such community; or (3) is a common carrier providing telephone exchange service in any part of such community, excluding specified rural areas. Authorizes the FCC to prescribe rules concerning the common ownership or control of cable systems by persons who own or control other media of mass communications serving the community served by the cable system. Prohibits any State or local authority from regulating the diversity of ownership of mass media interests. Prohibits any State or local authority that has an interest in any cable system from directly or indirectly controlling the content of any programming on such system, except programming on educational, public, or government channels, unless such authority establishes an independent board or separate management company. Prohibits the owner of a multiple unit dwelling from interfering with the provision of cable service requested by a resident. Permits the owner to require that: (1) the costs of installation, construction, operation, or removal of the cable facilities be borne by the subscriber, the operator, or both; (2) the condition of the dwelling and the safety and convenience of other residents are not adversely affected by the installation or construction of such facilities; and (3) the owner be fully compensated by the cable operator for any damages caused by such facilities. Directs the FCC to establish the amount of just compensation to which the owner is entitled. Authorizes a governmental or franchising authority to award one or more cable franchises within its jurisdiction. Directs such authority to assure that the opportunity to purchase cable service is not denied to any class of potential subscribers because of income or economic status. Provides that a franchise shall be construed to authorize the construction of a cable system over public rights-of-way and through easements dedicated for compatible uses, provided the property owners are compensated for any resulting damages. Prohibits a cable system from providing cable service without a franchise. Permits a governmental or franchising authority to require the construction of cable system facilities or the provision of certain equipment as part of an initial franchise or a franchise renewal proceeding. Directs such authority to negotiate and, if necessary, enter binding arbitration with a cable operator over the termination, modification, or deferral of a requirement for facilities or equipment (excluding facilities or equipment for educational, public, or government use) that the operator shows to be impracticable as a result of a significant change in circumstances. Provides that the terms of any franchise agreement resulting from a request for proposals originally issued on or before September 30, 1982, shall remain in effect for the remaining term of the franchise. Declares that no cable system shall be subject to regulation as a common carrier or utility by reason of providing cable service. Authorizes a governmental or franchising authority to require a cable operator to pay a franchise fee not to exceed an annual aggregate of five percent of such operator's gross revenues. Permits a cable operator to pass the cost of any increase in the franchise fee through to subscribers. Prohibits a governmental or franchising authority from requiring the provisions of services, facilities, or other items not related to the provision of cable service under a franchise. Authorizes a franchising authority to regulate the rates for the provision of basic cable service and the installation or rental of equipment necessary for the receipt of such service for any cable system that is not located within the grade B contour of four or more full power television signals with at least one affiliate of each of the three power commercial television networks. Authorizes such an authority to regulate the rates of a franchise in effect on the enactment date of this Act for the greater of five years or one-half of the remaining term of the franchise. Authorizes annual rate increases not exceeding the regional consumer price index if subscribers are given 30 days notice. Provides that requests for rate increases shall be deemed to be granted if not acted upon within 90 days. Bars any other regulation of rates, with specified exceptions, by any Federal, State, local, or other franchising authority. Prohibits any such authority from regulating the provision or content of cable services, except that: (1) any applicable FCC regulation in effect on September 21, 1983, may remain in effect; (2) a franchising authority may enforce the terms of a franchise agreement under which the cable operator agrees to provide particular services; (3) a franchising authority and a cable operator may specify that certain services that are obscene or otherwise unprotected by the Constitution may not be provided; and (4) an operator may be required to offer basic cable services. Allows an operator to rearrange, replace, or remove a service specified in a franchise if there has been a significant change in circumstances. Requires a franchising authority to grant an application for the renewal or extension of an operator's franchise, unless: (1) the operator has not substantially complied with the franchise or applicable law or has committed a felony; (2) there has been a change in the operator's qualifications that impairs the provision of service; (3) the facilities to be provided by the operator are unreasonable in terms of cost and community need; (4) the signal of the operator's system has not met the FCC's technical standards; or (5) the proposals of the application are otherwise unreasonable. Sets forth time requirements and procedures governing the filing, consideration, and denial of applications and the judicial review of adverse decisions. Prohibits a franchising authority, upon the expiration of a franchise, from acquiring an ownership interest in a cable system, or requiring a sale of a system to another person, at less than the system's fair market value. Prohibits a franchising authority from acquiring an ownership interest in a system subject to a franchise termination resulting from a material breach by a cable operator, unless the operator was provided notice of, and a reasonable opportunity to remedy, the breach. Prohibits any cable operator or any other person who provides cable services from using the cable system to collect personally identifiable information on a cable subscriber without the written or electronic consent of the subscriber. Permits the collection of such information solely for billing purposes or for monitoring unauthorized receptions of cable telecommunications. Requires such information to be destroyed when it is no longer used for such purposes. Prohibits the disclosure of such information without the consent of the subscriber or a court order authorizing such disclosure. Requires cable operators to notify subscribers of their rights under the privacy provisions of this Act. Requires each subscriber to have access to all of their personally identifiable information collected and maintained by a cable operator or other person providing cable services. Authorizes civil damages for violations of these privacy provisions. States that cable operators have no liability for programs on public, educational, or governmental channels or for channels designated for commercial use by unaffiliated persons. Prohibits any person from intercepting or receiving cable services or assisting in intercepting or receiving cable services without specific authorization by a cable operator or by law. Sets forth provisions governing civil remedies, the determination of civil damages, and criminal penalities for violations of such prohibition. Provides that a State shall not be considered to regulate the rates, terms, and conditions for pole attachments unless: (1) the State has issued and made effective regulations implementing such regulatory authority; and (2) the State takes final action on a complaint about an individual matter within 60 days.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 382 (98th)referred

A joint resolution to establish a bipartisan National Commission on Federal Budget Deficit Reductions.

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983

Establishes the National Commission on Federal Budget Deficit Reductions to review all relevant elements of fiscal and monetary policy, identify problems which may hinder the control and reduction of Federal budget deficits, and analyze all potential options which would result in deficit reductions and place the Government on a sound financial basis. Requires the Commission to transmit a report to the President and Congress not later than February 15, 1984, or the close of the 90th day beginning after the date of enactment of this resolution. Requires such report to contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions as it considers appropriate. Terminates the Commission 30 days after it submits its report.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 334 (98th)open

A resolution urging the President to give priority attention, in forthcoming discussions with Japanese government leaders, to current imbalances in the yen-dollar relationship having an adverse impact on United States goods and services in interstate and foreign commerce.

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President should give priority attention, in discussions with the Japanese, to the realignment of the yen-dollar exchange rates and to achieving greater equilibrium in the flow of goods, services, and investments between the two countries; and (2) measures to achieve such equilibrium should include mechanisms for close consultations and policy coordination in order to maintain acceptable fluctuations in the value of the yen, reduce disparities in the interest-rate levels, and allow equivalent access of foreign investors to domestic capital markets.

Bill· HRH.R. 4098 (98th)open

Synthetic Fuels Corporation Fiscal Accountability Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1983

Synthetic Fuels Corporation Fiscal Accountability Act of 1983 - Amends the Energy Security Act to prohibit the U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation from making new awards of financial assistance after the date of the enactment of this Act and before the date on which the Corporation's comprehensive strategy for achieving the national synthetic fuel production goal is approved by Congress. Makes limitations on Corporation construction projects effective upon the enactment of this Act rather than upon approval of the comprehensive strategy as provided under current law.

Bill· HRH.R. 4093 (98th)referred

A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to protect the benefit levels of individuals becoming eligible for benefits in or after 1979 by eliminating the disparity (resulting from changes made in 1977 in the benefit computation formula) between those levels and the benefit levels of persons who became eligible for benefits before 1979.

United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1983

Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to revise the benefit levels of individuals becoming eligible for benefits in or after 1979 so that they are equal to the benefit levels of individuals who became eligible for benefits before 1979.

Bill· HRH.R. 4032 (98th)referred

Pension Equity Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983

Pension Equity Act of 1983 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("the Act") to lower the age limitation for: (1) minimum pension plan participation standards from age 25 to age 21; and (2) the computation of periods of service from age 22 to age 21. Credits as "hours of service" employee absences due to the birth or adoption of a child if the employee would incur a one-year break in service without such credit. Limits such credit to the year of birth or adoption. Includes such credit in the computation of accrued benefits under a pension plan. Requires pension plan annuities which are under either the normal form of benefit or the optional form of benefit to have the effect of a qualified joint and survivor annuity. Requires that pension plan participants receive a written explanation of the terms of joint and survivor annuity benefits before they elect to accept or reject such benefits. Prohibits survivor annuity payments from being less than joint annuity payments would have been if retirement had preceded death. Requires that pension plans treat surviving individuals who were spouses of annuitants for the one-year period ending on the annuity starting date as though such survivors were the annuitant's spouse on the day of death, regardless of actual marital status on the date of death. Authorizes annuitants and certain spouses to waive such survivor's annuity. Conditions the efficacy of a participant's election regarding joint and survivor annuity benefits upon the written consent of the participant's spouse. Exempts qualified domestic relations orders from the Act's proscriptions against alienation and assignment of pension plan benefits. Sets forth procedural guidelines for the payment of benefits to an alternate payee under such an order. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that investments in annuity contracts that are subject to domestic relations orders will be allocated on a pro rata basis between the appropriate distributions under such orders. Allows certain distributions made to alternate payees under domestic relations orders to be treated as qualifying rollover distributions. Amends the Act to require plan administrators to notify participants that certain benefits may be forfeitable if the participant dies. Raises from $1750 to $3,500 the ceiling placed on distributions made for employee services which may be disregarded for purposes of determining accrued benefits.

Bill· HRH.R. 4005 (98th)referred

Department of Defense Procurement Procedures Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1983

Department of Defense Procurement Procedures Act of 1983 - Sets forth a formula for determining the applicable percentage of Department of Defense procurement of property and services which must be made through formal advertising for fiscal years after FY 1983. Prohibits the Department of Defense from expending funds for negotiated contracts in any fiscal year following a fiscal year where the purchases and contracts made through formal advertising fall below the applicable percentage. Removes such prohibition if the Department meets or exceeds the applicable percentage during or after that fiscal year. Requires that specified information concerning a negotiated contract be part of the records of the contracting agency, including all cost and pricing data submitted by a contractor and the name of each Government official who participated in the negotiating or awarding of such contract. Requires that agency records on negotiated contracts containing classified information be maintained for at least ten years and be made available to Congress and the Comptroller General upon request. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish procedures which are similar to formal advertising procedures for the purchase of or contracting for personal or professional services. Sets forth investigatory procedures to determine the need for and price of services by a university or other educational institution.

Bill· HRH.R. 3870 (98th)reported

A bill to restrict the sales of alcoholic beverages in interstate commerce.

United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983

Prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21 if the beverage has traveled in interstate commerce or if the sale or offer of sale is made in an establishment which is in or affects interstate commerce. Subjects violators to a maximum civil penalty of $5,000. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to assess such penalty by an order made on the record after opportunity for a hearing in accordance with specified law. Prescribes due process procedures for assessing such penalties. Authorizes the Secretary to compromise or modify such penalties. Authorizes judicial review for persons aggrieved by civil penalty assessments. Restricts petitions for such judicial review to a specified time period. Directs the Attorney General to recover penalties in arrears in a civil action in Federal district court. Authorizes citizens' civil actions to enjoin alleged violators of the alcoholic beverage proscription under this statute. Prescribes procedure and appropriate venue for such civil actions. Confers jurisdiction upon Federal district courts over such suits, without regard to amount in controversy or citizenship of the parties. Authorizes the court to award the plaintiff attorney's fees, court costs, and expert witness fees.

Law· HRH.R. 3635 (98th)enacted

Child Protection Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1983

Child Protection Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code dealing with the sexual exploitation of children. Increases the penalties for the sexual exploitation of children from $10,000 to $100,000 and, on a subsequent conviction from $15,000 to $200,000. Prohibits the distribution involving the sexual exploitation of minors even if the material is not found to be "obscene." Eliminates the requirement that persons distributing such material in interstate commerce do so for purposes of sale. Raises the age of a minor to include any person under the age of eighteen. Redefines "sexually explicit conduct" to exclude simulated conduct when there is little or no possibility of harm to the minor and when there is redeeming social, literary, educational, scientific or artistic value. Permits authorization for the interception of wire or oral communications in the investigation of such offenses.