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

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

United States · Official source

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2,523 records where Rep. Roukema, Marge [R-NJ-5] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· HRH.R. 3545 (98th)referred

Child Support Enforcement Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1983

Child Support Enforcement Act of 1983 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to state that the purpose of part D is to assure that all children in the United States who are in need of assistance in securing financial support from their parents will receive such assistance regardless of the economic status of their parents and that parents will prevent their children from becoming a burden on taxpayers by fulfilling to the best of their ability their financial obligations on behalf of their children. Revises provisions relating to incentive payments under part D. Provides that incentives will be computed and paid quarterly beginning in FY 1986. Provides generally that as the amount of support collected increases, the incentive payment will increase. Repeals the present incentive system as of October 1, 1985, but assures a State of receiving at least 80 percent in FY 1986, 60 percent in FY 1987, and 40 in FY 1988, of what the State would have received under the repealed incentive system. Provides for the collection of past-due support from Federal tax refunds in non-Aid to Families With Dependent Children (part A of title IV) cases. (Currently, this is done for AFDC cases.) Requires a State under part D to implement procedures providing for: (1) the withholding of child support from wages if a support order has been entered by a State; (2) quasi-judicial or administrative procedures for entering child support orders which have the same force and effect as orders entered by a court; (3) the collection of past-due support from State tax refunds; (4) placing liens on real property for amounts of past-due support; (5) the sharing of information regarding amounts of past-due support owed by absent parents with consumer credit bureau organizations; and (6) seeking employment-related health care or health insurance from the absent parent for children for whom the State is seeking financial support when such care or insurance would be available at a reasonable cost and such care or insurance could not be provided by the custodial parent. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States to assist in the development or improvement of clearinghouses and other information management systems to aid in the enforcement of support by facilitating the collection and exchange, both within a State or locality and among States and localities, of child support information. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose for FY 1984 through FY 1989. Requires that there be filed annually with the Secretary, the designee of the Secretary, data showing the number of cases by State filed on behalf of children seeking support in which all support owed was fully paid in each of the preceding 12 months, the number of such cases in which at least 80 percent of the support owed was paid in each of the preceding 12 months, the number of such cases in which less than half the support owed was paid, and the number of such cases in which no support was paid. Amends title III (Grants to States for Unemployment Compensation Administration) of the Act to require the reporting (at least quarterly) of the name, address, and wages paid to each individual with respect to whom an unemployment contribution has been made. Requires a State unemployment compensation agency to disclose to any State or local child support enforcement agency and to any State agency administering a State AFDC plan any information it has regarding an individual's: (1) wages; (2) unemployment compensation; (3) address; and (4) employment opportunities. Makes conforming amendments to sections of the Internal Revenue Code, Wagner-Peyser Act, and Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1976.

Bill· HRH.R. 3546 (98th)referred

Child Support Enforcement Amendments of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 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 direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments, in addition to those already provided under part D, to any State whose part D program is found to be exemplary in the amount of collections made, the cost efficiency with which the program is operated, or the magnitude of the costs to other assistance programs that could reasonably have been expected to occur but for the operation and the effective performance of the State's program. Repeals the present provisions for incentive payments to States and localities. Reduces Federal funding to States under part D. Eliminates funding for the planning, design, development, installation, or enhancement of an automatic data processing and information retrieval system under part D. Revises provisions of part D relating to the distribution of the amounts collected as child support by a State. Provides: (1) that amounts collected by a State under part D as support for families receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (part A of title IV of the Social Security Act) shall be paid to the family, to the extent that such amounts exceed the amount of AFDC paid to the family but do not exceed the amount of required court ordered support; (2) that amounts in excess of those required to be paid to the family shall be retained by the State to the extent they do not exceed the total amount of AFDC previously paid to the family; and (3) that any balance shall be paid to the family. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to assist in the development or improvement of clearinghouses and other information management systems to aid in the enforcement of support by facilitating the collection and exchange, both within a State and among States, of child support information. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Requires charging an application fee of at least $25 for child support or paternity determination services furnished under part D to individuals not otherwise eligible. Provides that the cost of providing collection services may range from three to ten percent of the amount collected. Requires a State under part D to implement procedures providing for: (1) the withholding of child support from wages if a support order has been entered by a State; (2) quasi-judicial or administrative procedures for entering child support orders which have the same force and effect as orders entered by a court; (3) the collection of past-due support from State tax refunds; and (4) placing liens on real property for amounts of past-due support. Requires a designee of the State to conduct a review of each State's part D program at least once every three years in order to determine the program's effectiveness and compliance with part D requirements. Requires a State which is receiving funds under part A of title IV to have in effect a plan under part D and operate a child support program in substantial compliance (currently, in conformity) with the part D plan. Provides for reduced Federal funding under part A for any State whose part D program is not in compliance. Eliminates the requirement that before a State agency can request information from the Secretary the agency must have determined that the absent parent cannot be located through procedures under the control of the agency. Makes provisions of part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act relating to demonstration project authority applicable to part D. Makes modifications in the timing and content of the Secretary's annual part D report to Congress. Requires child support collected by a State on behalf of a child for whom a public agency is making foster care payments under part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to be paid to the public agency responsible for supervising placement of the child, to the extent that the amounts collected exceed the monthly foster care maintenance payments but not the monthly amount required by a court to be paid on behalf of the child or agreed to by both parents of such child. Requires a State plan under part E to provide that all steps will be taken to secure an assignment to the State of any rights to support on behalf of each child receiving part E foster care maintenance payments.

Bill· HRH.R. 3502 (98th)open

Patent Term Restoration Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1983

Patent Term Restoration Act of 1983 - Amends the patent laws to extend the terms of patents which encompass specified products or a method for using a product, any of which are subject to certain nonpatent regulatory review periods. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such extension, including a seven year limitation. Directs the Commissioner of Patents to issue to the owner of record of a patent a certificate of extension stating the fact and length of the extension and identifying the product and the use and the claim to which such extension is applicable. Makes such certificate a part of the original patent. Limits the application of such patent term extension to patents for products subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the Act of March 4, 1913 (relating to virus, serum, toxin, and analogous products).

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 139 (98th)referred

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Health and Human Services should continue to review the Social Security Disability Program to ensure that disability benefits for individuals are not arbitrarily terminated.

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1983

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health and Human Services should continue to review the social security disability program in order to ensure that disability benefits are not arbitrarily terminated.

Bill· HRH.R. 3354 (98th)open

National Child Support Enforcement Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1983

National Child Support Enforcement Act - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require that in order for any State to be eligible for payments pursuant to title IV or title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act, to have enacted and implemented a State law providing for the collection of child support through a mandatory wage withholding system satisfying the requirements of this Act. Requires a State system to: (1) apply in every case where child support has been ordered by a court or administrative process of the State; (2) provide for withholding from wages per pay period of child support payments due, plus any past-due support (to a maximum of 25 percent of gross pay); (3) require that any charges or fees imposed covering the costs of collection be paid by the individual from whom the amounts were collected; (4) utilize the services and facilities available under part D to locate individuals owing support, administer the withholding process, and distribute amounts withheld; and (5) include such other provisions as the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines necessary and appropriate.

Bill· HRH.R. 3282 (98th)open

Water Quality Renewal Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1983

Water Quality Renewal Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize appropriations for FY 1983 through 1988 for: (1) specified research, investigation, and training programs in water pollution control; (2) State and interstate pollution control programs; (3) undergraduate programs in water quality control; (4) grants for developing waste treatment management plans for areas with substantial water quality control problems; (5) water pollution control programs in agricultural areas; (6) agreements among Government agencies providing for maximum use of existing programs for water quality control; (7) grants to States for lake pollution control; and (8) carrying out such Act generally. Increases the authorization for grants for construction of waste treatment works for FY 1984 and 1985. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1986 through 1988. Revises the timetable for compliance of all pollutants with effluent limitations. Requires as new conditions for the modification of treatment requirements with respect to the discharge of pollutants from a publicly owned treatment works that an applicant for such modification demonstrate that: (1) in the case of a treatment works serving a population of 50,000 or more, there is in effect a specified pretreatment program for toxic pollutants introduced into such works for which there is no pretreatment requirement in effect; and (2) the effluent which is discharged from such works is receiving primary treatment and meets the criteria for water quality established by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Revises the meaning of the phrase "discharge of any pollutant into marine water." Requires that a water quality standard which is revised after January 1, 1983, maintain the designated uses of the navigable waters involved in effect on such date, except that such a standard may contain a less restrictive use if the State demonstrates that: (1) the existing designated use is not attainable because of natural background or irretrievable man-induced conditions; or (2) the application of effluent limitations needed to attain the existing designated use would result in substantial and widespread adverse economic and social impact. Requires a State to revise water quality standards to preserve the quality of those waters within the State exceeding the level necessary to support the designated use contained in existing water quality standards. Requires a State to consider the need to adopt numercial criteria in addition to other water quality criteria' with respect to specified toxic pollutants whenever such State reviews a water quality standard. Requires the maintenance and protection of water the quality of which exceeds levels necessary to support the propagation of fish and wildlife and to allow recreation in and on the water, unless a State chooses, after compliance with intergovernmental coordination and public participation requirements, to allow lower water quality because of essential economic or social development for which there is no feasible alternative. Prohibits a degradation of water quality which will interfere with or injure instream water uses. Prohibits degradation in high quality waters which constitute an outstanding national resource. Requires a State to minimize the effects of development on water quality in any case where water quality degradation is permitted. Requires the Administrator to publish in the Federal Register a list of all navigable waters in each State the water quality of which is being impaired by the discharge from specific sources of toxic pollutants. Directs the Administrator to establish an individual control strategy for each listed segment of navigable waters which shall reduce the discharge of toxic pollutants from such sources so as to allow the achievement of water quality which provides for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for recreation in and on the water. Increases the civil penalties for violations of requirements with respect to water quality standards under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Requires the Administrator to convene a management conference whenever the attainment or maintenance of water quality in an estuary requires the control of sources of pollution in more than one State. Provides that such a management conference shall establish and provide for the implementation of a master plan which addresses the pollution problems of the estuary involved. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States participating in such a management conference which are equal to 55 percent of a State's cost of implementing a master plan for a fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1988 for such grants. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator for FY 1984 through 1988 for: (1) administrative expenses with respect to management conferences; (2) grants for the development of master plans for estuaries; and (3) monitoring the implementation of such master plans. Prohibits the specification of a disposal site in navigable waters for the discharge of dredged or fill material unless the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, determines that the discharge of such material at such site will not have an unacceptable adverse effect on the aquatic environmental and that there is no less adverse practicable alternative to the proposed discharge. Requires that an application for a permit to discharge dredge or fill material into navigable waters at a specified disposal site be filed with the district engineer of the Corps of Engineers for the district where the discharge is to be made. Requires the district engineers to notify the Administrator, the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce, and other appropriate Federal agency heads of any such application. Specifies the time periods within which such agencies may submit comments on such applications. Requires the district engineer to give full consideration to such comments in deciding whether to issue a permit. Requires the district engineer to notify the Administrator or the appropriate Secretary if a permit to which the Administrator or the Secretary is opposed is to be issued. Specifies the time periods within which the district engineer must publish a decision with respect to a permit application. Provides that a denial of a permit application shall be the final decision of the Secretary of the Army. Provides that a decision to issue a permit shall be the final decision of the Secretary of the Army unless the Administrator, the Secretary of the Interior, or the the Secretary of Commerce requests a review of such a decision in any case in which the Administrator or either Secretary opposed the issuance of a permit. Specifies the time periods within which the Secretary of the Army must issue a final decision following such a request. Requires the Administrator to study and report to Congress on the effects of the impoundment and discharge of waters by dams upon the quality of navigable waters.

Bill· HRH.R. 3281 (98th)referred

A bill to amend the Vocational Education Act of 1963 regarding communications and telecommunications equipment and utilization.

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1983

Amends the Vocational Education Act of 1963 to permit funds from basic grants to States to be used for communications and telecommunications equipment and utilization. Permits such funds to be used for: (1) up to 25 percent of the purchase price of communications and telecommunications equipment for vocational education programs; and (2) up to 25 percent of the operating costs of utilizing communications and telecommunications equipment to expand the reach and application of vocational education.

Bill· HRH.R. 3280 (98th)referred

A bill to amend the Vocational Education Act of 1963 regarding high technology equipment and training.

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1983

Amends the Vocational Education Act of 1963 to permit funds from basic grants to States to be used for high-technology equipment and training. Permits such funds to be used for up to 50 percent of the purchase price of high-technology equipment for training programs in the operation and servicing of such equipment. Requires such programs to emphasize multiskill training and to be cooperative and innovative efforts between public and private sectors. Defines "high- technology equipment" as recent innovations in tools and equipment, including computers and word processors, which represent the state-of-the-art in a trade or vocation.

Bill· HRH.R. 3181 (98th)open

Credit Card Counterfeiting and Fraud Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1983

Credit Card Counterfeiting and Fraud Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it an offense to knowingly and unlawfully produce, buy, sell, or transfer a credit card or account which is counterfeit, forged, lost, or stolen. Makes it a federal offense to possess with the intent to defraud five or more credit cards or fraudulent payment devices. Makes it unlawful to produce, buy, sell, transfer, or possess equipment used in the production of such fraudulent payment devices. Includes within the prohibition of the Act any individual who attempts or conspires to commit any of these offenses.

Bill· HRH.R. 3071 (98th)referred

ERISA Simplification Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1983

ERISA Simplification Act of 1983 - Title I: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Subtitle A: Amendments to Definitions - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to authorize the Secretary of labor to exempt by regulation any severance pay or supplemental income arrangement from provisions applicable to welfare plans and to provide alternative methods of compliance with any such provision. Conforms the definitions of "party in interest" and "governmental plan" with the Internal Revenue Code. Revises the definitions of "normal retirement age" and "relative." Subtitle B: Amendments to Reporting and Disclosure Provisions - Eliminates requirements regarding the filing of a plan description with the Secretary of Labor. Requires qualified public accountants and actuaries to rely on the correctness of actuarial or accounting matters certified by an enrolled actuary or with respect to which a qualified public accountant has expressed an opinion for purposes of the preparation of annual reports. Eliminates certain automatic filing requirements. Revises requirements regarding simplified annual reports for pension plans with less than 100 active participants and not more than 200 participants. Exempts from reporting and disclosure requirements welfare plans providing exclusively apprenticeship and other training benefits. Eliminates the requirement of a summary annual report. Limits to $10 the fee for obtaining a plan's lastest annual report. Revises requirements regarding the disclosure to a participant or beneficiary of benefit rights and account information. Directs administrators to issue reports to certain plan participants who have separated from service stating the nature, amount, and form of the deferred vested benefit to which they are entitled. Requires employers to maintain records regarding each employee sufficient to determine the benefits due to the employee. Requires, rather than allows, the Secretary to prescribe an alternative method of compliance with reporting requirements under certain circumstances. Specifies circumstances in which the administrator of a multiemployer plan may use an alternative method of information distribution. Revises requirements of notice to interested parties before issuance of determination letters. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, to conduct a study of the means by which the reporting of information pursuant to ERISA may be approved. Specifies matters to be analyzed by such study. Subtitle C: Amendments to Participation and Vesting Provisions - Permits the determination of pension plan eligibility on a plan year basis. Specifies that the notification and election requirement triggered by a change in vesting schedules shall be applicable only to employees who would be adversely affected by the change. Makes 125 days of service in any maritime industry equivalent to 1,000 hours of service for purposes of satisfying benefit accrual requirements. Requires a plan offering an optional benefit form, in order not to be treated as having altered a participant's accrued benefit by reason of a change in actuarial assumptions, to set forth such assumptions in a separate document. Requires plans in which a majority of employees are seasonal employees to use 500 hours, rather than 1000 hours, for purposes of defining a year of service. Revises joint and survivor annuity requirements. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe methods of measuring services based upon the elasped time of an employee's service. Subtitle D: Amendments for Funding Provisions - Makes certain revisions with respect to funding, including a requirement that changes in funding method or plan year need be approved only when made more than once in a three-year period, and a requirement that a funding method take into account future benefit changes. Subtitle E: Amendments to Fiduciary Responsibility Provisions - Permits the return to an employer of an overpayment of withdrawal liability: (1) in the case of a multiemployer plan; and (2) in the case of a multiemployer plan maintained pursuant to collective bargaining agreements where it is determined that a contribution was made by a mistake of fact or law. Requires the definition of "qualifying employer real property" for purposes of the limitation on the acquisition and holding of real property by a plan. Provides for allocation of prohibited transaction enforcement responsibilities. Conforms certain provisions regarding transactions by parties in interest with provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Extends the prohibited transaction exemption procedure to owner-employees. Subtitle F: Amendments to Administration and Enforcement Provisions - Creates a civil cause of action for collection by a fiduciary of a multiemployer plan of delinquent employer contributions, subject to a six-year statute of limitations (three years after the date of actual knowledge of the cause of action). Makes available to the Department of Labor for purposes of administering ERISA any amounts which become available through the public request of information. Revises the composition of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans to require that one of the employer members be a representative of employers maintaining small plans. Directs the Secretary of Labor to publish at least annually reports showing the number of plans and participants; amounts of assets, income, and expenses; and certain other information categorized by plan size and type. Deems as preempted by ERISA certain provisions of State law: (1) regarding benefits provided by an insurance policy issued to an employee benefit plan; and (2) which treat a participant's interest in a plan as a security or similar right. Deems as not preempted by ERISA certain provisions of State law: (1) which require an insurance policy issued to a plan to permit a participant to convert or continue protection after the termination of the insurance coverage under the plan; and (2) which prohibit such an insurance policy from classifying health care services as ineligible for coverage solely because the provider is licensed as a provider of services other than those rendered by a medical doctor. Allows the assignment of pension plan benefits pursuant to a specific State or foreign decree of divorce, annulment, legal separation, or family support or a court order relating marital property rights. Prescribes notification and administrative requirements with respect to any such assignment. Subtitle G: Clarifying and Technical Amendments - Makes certain technical changes and corrections. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Subtitle A: Amendments Related to Title Amendments - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make conforming changes in accordance with the provisions of title I of this Act.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 267 (98th)open

A joint resolution calling for a worldwide ban on chemical weapons.

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1983

Calls upon the nations of the world, particularly the Soviet Union, to conclude in the multilateral Committee on Disarmament or other bilateral negotiations a comprehensive and verifiable treaty banning chemical weapons. States that the United States will continue its moratorium on chemical weapons production if progress is evident on a comprehensive and verifiable treaty banning chemical weapons.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 190 (98th)passed

A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the need to maintain guidelines which ensure equal rights with regard to education opportunity.

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1983

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that regulations relating to title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (concerning sex discrimination in education) should not be amended or altered in any manner which will lessen the comprehensive coverage of such statute in eliminating gender discrimination throughout the American educational system.

Bill· HRH.R. 2916 (98th)referred

Home Ownership Incentive Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1983

Home Ownership Incentive Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for contributions of cash, stocks, bond, or other securities tradeable on an established exchange to a tax-exempt trust account established for the exclusive purpose of purchasing the taxpayer's first principal residence. Limits the maximum annual deduction to $1,000 with a maximum lifetime deduction of $10,000. Excludes distributions from such account from gross income if they are used exclusively for the purchase of a first principal residence. Imposes a ten percent surtax on distributions from an individual housing account which are not used for the purchase of a principal residence. Requires the trustee of an individual housing account to report on the maintenance of the account. Imposes a penalty for failure to file required reports.

Bill· HRH.R. 2640 (98th)open

A bill to permit States conducting certain medicare and medicaid demonstration projects or using State hospital reimbursement control systems to include costs of hospital-based mobile intensive care units.

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1983

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide, upon a State's request, that in the case of a statewide Medicare or Medicaid (titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act) demonstration project or hospital reimbursement control system which provides for payments to hospitals on a prospective basis and related to a classification of patients by diagnosis-related groups the amount of payments shall include payments for the operation of hospital-based mobile intensive care units if the State provides satisfactory assurances that the total amount of payments to such hospitals under titles XVIII and XIX of the Act under such project or system would not exceed the total amount of payments which would have been paid under such titles if the project or system were not in effect.

Bill· HRH.R. 2631 (98th)referred

A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to offer lifetime leases to certain individuals leasing dwellings in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1983

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to offer lifetime leases to individuals who lease federally owned dwellings in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area if the dwellings conform to minimum health and safety standards.

Bill· HRH.R. 2469 (98th)open

A bill to prohibit the production of lethal binary chemical munitions by the United States and to call on the President to continue and intensify recently begun efforts in the Committee on Disarmament with the governments of the Soviet Union and other countries to achieve an agreement establishing a mutual and verifiable ban on the production and stockpiling of such munitions.

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983

Prohibits U.S. agencies and departments from producing or contracting for the production of lethal binary chemical munitions. Calls upon the President to continue and intensify efforts at the Disarmament Talks in Geneva to achieve with the Soviet Union a mutual and verifiable ban on the production and stockpiling of such munitions.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 100 (98th)referred

A concurrent resolution calling upon the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to end the current repressive policies of forced labor and expressing the sense of Congress that the exploitation of workers in forced labor camps by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is morally reprehensible.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should express U.S. opposition to the Soviet Union's policies of forced labor. Declares that the Soviet Union should cease such practices and honor their international commitments.

Bill· HRH.R. 2193 (98th)referred

A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18 of the United States Code to extend and strengthen the mandatory penalty feature of the prohibition against the use of firearms in Federal felonies, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1983

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1970 to revise and increase the mandatory penalties for using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony. Redefines such offense as using a firearm to commit a felony over which the district courts have exclusive jurisdiction or carrying a firearm during such a felony involving violence. Deletes the requirement that the firearm be carried "unlawfully". Increases the additional penalty imposed for such offense to not less than five years' imprisonment for a first offense (currently, one to ten years) and ten years for a second or subsequent offense (currently, two to 25 years). Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence, grant probation, or impose concurrent sentences. Makes a first offender ineligible for parole for five years and a second or subsequent offender ineligible for ten years. Expresses the sense of Congress that the executive prosecute vigorously such offenses.

Bill· HRH.R. 2124 (98th)open

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to repeal the highway use tax on heavy trucks and to increase the tax on diesel fuel used in heavy trucks.

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the highway use tax on heavy trucks. Increases the excise tax on diesel fuel from nine cents per gallon to 12 cents per gallon in 1983 and from 12 cents per gallon to 14 cents per gallon in 1984. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations exempting from such increases diesel fuel used in automobiles and light trucks.

Bill· HRH.R. 2097 (98th)open

Little Hoover Commission

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1983

Little Hoover Commission - Establishes the Commission on the Centennial Review of the Civil Service. Directs the Commission to study the history and development of the civil service system over the last 100 years and to recommend methods for continuing or improving its performance. Requires the Commission to consider the retirement and disability system, employee pay and benefits, personnel practices, and labor-management relations under the civil service system. Requires the Commission to submit a final report containing its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for legislation or administrative action to the President and Congress within the first ten days of the Ninety-nineth Congress. Directs the President, within 90 days after receiving the report, to transmit to Congress an evaluation of the report's findings and conclusions together with any recommendations for modifying the proposed legislation. Terminates the Commission 90 days after it submits such report. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· HRH.R. 2076 (98th)referred

Federal Lending Oversight and Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1983

Federal Lending Oversight and Control Act - Title I: Reports Regarding Federal Credit Activity - Requires the Council of Economic Advisers, in its annual report to the Congress as required by the Employment Act of 1946, to examine the relationship between Federal credit activity during the previous year and: (1) the condition of the economy; (2) the availability and cost of credit in the private sector; and (3) the exercise of monetary and fiscal policy by the Government. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to direct the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in their biannual reports to Congress concerning recent developments affecting economic trends in the Nation, to examine the effects of Federal credit activity on the availability and cost of credit in the private sector and on the exercise of monetary policy by the Board and the Federal Open Market Committee. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to require the President, in his annual budget statement to the Congress, to include all essential facts regarding direct lending by the Government and guarantees by the Government of the repayment of indebtedness incurred by another person or government. Title II: Changes in Congressional Budget Procedures - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the first concurrent resolution on the budget for each fiscal year to set forth the appropriate level of total gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans and the appropriate level of total commitments to guarantee loans and to allocate such totals among the major functional categories of the budget. Directs each standing committee of the House and Senate to submit its estimates of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments provided for in legislation under its jurisdiction by March 15 of each year for consideration of the Budget Committee in formulating the budget resolution. Directs the House and Senate Banking Committees to submit recommendations to the Budget Committees for the aggregate levels of direct loans and loan guarantees in each fiscal year. Requires the joint explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on the concurrent resolution on the budget to include an estimate allocation of the total levels of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments among the committees of the House and Senate. Directs the Committees on Appropriations to provide such an allocation among their subcommittees as soon as practicable after a budget resolution has been agreed to. Requires the House Committee on Appropriations, before reporting any regular appropriations bills, to submit a summary report to the House comparing the credit authority contained in such bills to the levels agreed to in the budget resolution. Requires any report accompanying legislation conferring new budget authority or increasing tax expenditures to include information on direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments. Establishes a deadline for the completion of action on legislation providing credit authority. Requires the second concurrent resolution on the budget in any fiscal year and the reconciliation process to take into account Federal obligations and commitments on loans and loan guarantees. Declares out of order any measure brought up for consideration in either House which would increase the level of loan obligations and guarantee commitments agreed to in the budget process. Requires any authority to guarantee the payment of any indebtedness to be contingent on provisions in appropriation Acts. Title III: Budget Execution - Includes within the definition of appropriations all annual limitations on direct loans and loan guarantees. Title IV: Amendments to House Bills - Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each standing committee (other than the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on the Budget) to review and make appropriate recommendations with respect to the consistency and uniformity of the different definitions, default provisions, policies, interest rates, and other terms and conditions relating to direct loan, loan insurance, and loan guarantee activities included in any laws of which the subject matter is within the jurisdiction of that committee. Title V: Construction and Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates of the titles of this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 2053 (98th)open

Air Travelers Security Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1983

Air Travelers Security Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to declare congressional policy with respect to the marketing and sale of passenger air transportation. Directs the Civil Aeronautics Board to vacate Order 82-12-85, adopted on December 16, 1982, and to adopt as its final decision in docket numbered 36595 the recommended order of an administrative law judge dated June 1, 1982.

Bill· HRH.R. 1955 (98th)open

Enterprise Zone Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1983

Enterprise Zone Act of 1983 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by this Act. Specifies that State and local governments shall nominate areas for such designation. Limits the designation of enterprise zones to 75 nominated areas per year over three years (one third of which such designations shall remain in effect. Specifies that the Secretary may designate such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area (with a population of at least 50,000) or 1,000 otherwise, or is within an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, or receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area. Terminates the authority of the Secretary to designate enterprise zones on June 30, 1986, or three years after the publication of regulations pertaining to such zones, whichever is later. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Exempts enterprise zones from certain requirements relating to Federal environmental policy. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress every four years a report on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation. Requires that any property tax reduction effected by a local government under the terms of this Act be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. States that designation of an enterprise zone shall not give displaced persons from such an area any rights or benefits under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Credits for Employers and Employees - Allows employers located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit for increased employment expenditures and employment of the disadvantaged. Allows a three year carryback and 15 year carryover of such credit. Sets the amount of such credit at ten percent of the increase in payroll (taking into account a maximum of $15,000 in wages per year per employee) plus 50 percent of the wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers for the first three years of the enterprise zone designation. Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Disallows a deduction for the portion of wages taken into account for such credit. Allows employees located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to five percent of qualified wages earned per year (taking into account a maximum of $9,000 in wages per year). Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for investment in certain tangible property located in enterprise zones. Limits such credit to five percent for zone personal property and ten percent for new zone construction property, including rental property. Requires that the property subject to such credit be predominantly used in the zone, be purchased after zone designation, and not be acquired from relatives or related corporations. Requires the recapture of such credit upon early disposition of the property. Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle C: Reduction in Capital Gain Tax Rates - Eliminates the capital gains tax on property of corporations acquired after the enterprise zone designation and used in a zone business. Qualifies certain low-income rental housing located in an enterprise zone for such treatment. Permits property to remain qualified for purposes of the revised capital gains treatment after a designation of an enterprise zone has terminated. Exempts gain from the sale or exchange of property used in a business in an enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Allows noncorporate taxpayers to deduct from gross income 100 percent of any net capital gain from qualified enterprise zone property. Subtitle D: Rules Relating to Industrial Development Bonds - Provides that limitations on the cost recovery deductions for property financed with tax-exempt industrial development bonds shall not apply to enterprise zone property. Provides that the termination of the small issue exemption shall not apply to industrial development bonds the proceeds of which are used to finance facilities in such enterprise zones. Subtitle E: Sense of the Congress with Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified businesses (as defined in Title II of this Act), governments, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon the request of a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations which pertain to the carrying out of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve such request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in continuing the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement (including the Davis-Bacon Act and Fair Labor Standards Act) or which would present a danger to the public health and safety. Provides that such waivers or modifications of a rule shall remain in effect as long as the zone designations remain in effect. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote the coordination of all enterprise zone programs and consolidate all periodic reports required under such programs into one summary report. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Board to consider on a priority basis, and expedite the processing of, applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. States that to the maximum extent practicable foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones.

Bill· HRH.R. 1976 (98th)referred

Tobacco Deregulation Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1983

Tobacco Deregulation Act of 1983 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 and the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to repeal specified tobacco programs, including: (1) price supports; (2) parity payments; (3) review and adjustment of quotas; and (4) marketing quotas. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 and the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to prohibit agricultural commodity assistance for tobacco. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Assistance Act to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing any tobacco handling orders. Makes such provisions applicable to the 1984 and subsequent tobacco crops. Repeals provisions relating to compacts among States providing for the control or production of, or commerce in, tobacco within such States. Withdraws congressional consent to such compacts.

Law· HRH.R. 1870 (98th)enacted

Vietnam Veterans National Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983

Vietnam Veterans National Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to coin and sell a medal in honor of the members and former members of the Armed Forces who served in Vietnam. Declares that the Secretary shall offer such medals for sale to the public at a price sufficient to cover the cost of minting and distributing of such medals.

Bill· HRH.R. 1918 (98th)open

World War I Veterans Service Pension Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983

World War I Veterans Service Pension Act - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to pay (in addition to any pension already paid) a monthly pension of $150 to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements and to certain surviving spouses.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 178 (98th)open

A joint resolution to authorize and request the President to issue a proclamation designating May 21, 1983 as "National Sakharov Day".

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983

Designates May 21, 1983, as National Sakharov Day. Authorizes and requests the President to: (1) call upon all nations to designate May 21, 1983, as National Sakharov Day; (2) urge the Soviet Union to permit the Sakharovs to freely choose their place of residence; and (3) direct the American delegation to the United Nations to introduce a resolution in the General Assembly calling upon that body to designate May 21, 1983, as International Sakharov Day.

Bill· HRH.R. 1800 (98th)referred

A bill to amend title 11 of the United States Code with respect to consumer credit, agricultural produce, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1983

Title I: Consumer Credit - Consumer Debtor Bankruptcy Amendments Act of 1983 - Amends the Bankruptcy Code to permit a bankruptcy court to dismiss a case or suspend all proceedings if it determines that a debtor whose debts are primarily consumer debts does not need the provisions of the chapter under which relief has been sought and the granting of relief under such chapter would be a substantial abuse of its provisions. Requires the Clerk of each Federal judicial district to compile statistics regarding debtors where debts are primarily consumer debts. Requires the bankruptcy judge to convene, and permits such judge to preside at, any meeting of creditors and to perform such additional judicial duties as may be required. Declares that the value of the creditor's interest in the estate's interest in consumer goods property shall be determined in light of the purpose of the valuation and of the proposed disposition or use of such property, and in conjunction with any hearing on such disposition or use or on a plan effecting such creditor's interest. Declares that the value of consumer goods which the debtor seeks to redeem in liquidation shall be presumed to be the established resale market price, if such market exists. Permits the court to utilize other methods of valuation if no such market exists or if the court determines that resale value is inappropriate in light of the property's proposed use or disposition. Requires the debtor in bankruptcy cases to file a statement of estimated income and expenses for the year following filing of his petition. Requires the debtor, if the schedule of assets and liabilities include consumer debts secured by property of the estate, to file and serve upon each creditor holding such security and upon the trustee, a statement expressing the debtor's intention with respect to retention or surrender of the collateral. Requires the debtor, at or before the meeting of creditors provided for by such title, to perform his intention with regard to such secured creditors. Requires that the notice of meeting of the creditors be accompanied by a copy of the statement of estimated income and expenses and that the debtor supply the clerk of the court, upon the filing of the petition, with enough copies of such statement to accommodate the listed creditors. Requires individuals filing for bankruptcy in joint or consolidated cases to elect either the Federal or State exemptions. Places an aggregate limit of $3,000 on the value of the exemption with regard to household goods and personal effects. Prohibits the debtor from utilizing the unused dollar value of the homestead exemption to exempt additional property not explicitly provided for by such Act. Repeals the provisions of such Act which currently authorize the debtor to avoid nonpurchase money security interest in property. Presumes nondischargeable any debt incurred on or within 40 days before the date of the filing of a petition under such title. Allows for rebuttal of such presumption. Allows creditors to enforce liens which have not been avoided in bankruptcy. Permits reaffirmation of consumer debts subject to the debtor's right to rescind any such agreement within 60 days or until a discharge is received, whichever occurs later. Declares that at the meeting of creditors the court shall inform the debtor of the nature and effect of a discharge and of any reaffirmation of debt. Prohibits the custodian from being an assignee under a general assignment for the benefit of the debtor's creditors that was appointed or took possession more than 120 days before the date of the filing of the petition. Permits the trustee or the court, however, to require such an assignee to file an accounting. Limits the trustee's power to avoid liens or recover payments made within 90 days of the filing of the petition in bankruptcy (within one year in the case of an insider) unless the creditor had reasonable cause to believe the debtor was insolvent. Permits the court, upon notice and hearing, to require a creditor to accept payments in redemption of the value of a claim secured by a nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interest in tangible personal property, over a reasonable period not to exceed five years, if such tangible personal property consists of specified household goods and tools of the debtor's trade. Permits the court, upon notice and hearing, to avoid any lien in whole or in part, if the court finds;: (1) that the debtor has no reasonable ability to pay the redemption value of such property out of anticipated future income; and (2) the enforcement of such lien would impose undue hardship on the debtor. Allows a creditor, upon 10 days notice to the debtor and codebtor, to collect any portion of a debt from the codebtor which is not being paid by the debtor through the adjustment of debts of such debtor with a regular income. Requires payments under an adjustment of debts payment plan to commence within thirty days after the filing of the plan. Provides for the return of such funds after deducting the costs of administration if no plan is confirmed. Provides for the separate classification of codebtor claims and non-dischargeable claims and authorizes payment of them under an adjustment of debts payment plan. Allows a debtor to choose such a repayment plan of up to five years. Bases such repayment upon the debtor's ability to repay out of future income after taking into account the basic living necessities for the debtor and dependents. Provides for an early discharge of debts where a reasonable portion of unsecured claims are paid. Permits a hardship discharge of otherwise non-dischargeable debts to the extent the debtor attempted to pay such debts under an adjustment of debts payment plan, but was prevented from so doing by unforeseen circumstances. Title II: Agricultural Produce - Agricultural Produce Bailment Bankruptcy Amendments Act of 1983 - Requires bankruptcy courts to give priority to allowed unsecured claims of farmers arising from the sale or conversion of farm produce to or by a debtor who operates a farm produce storage facility. Specifies that such sale or conversion must have occurred within 180 days before the filing of the petition or before the cessation of the debtor's business, whichever occurs first. Limits the payment of any such claim to $2,000 per individual. Permits a bankruptcy court to expedite the procedures for determining interests in and the disposition of grain and proceeds held by debtors who own or operate grain storage facilities. Requires the court to expedite such procedures if requested by a trustee or a claimant. Sets forth factors for the court to consider before deciding whether to shorten the time periods for procedures. Lists the procedures which may be expedited. Specifies administration details. Title III: Miscellaneous - Declares that if any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid the provisions of every other part and their application shall not be affected thereby. Makes the provisions of this Act effective 90 days after enactment. Declares that the amendments made by this Act shall not apply to cases pending before the date of enactment.

Bill· HRH.R. 1708 (98th)open

A bill to require that the fourth Presidential certification with respect to El Salvador include a determination that the Government of El Salvador has made every effort to bring to justice those responsible for the murder of journalist John Sullivan.

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983

Amends the International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1981 to allow the President to make the fourth aid certification concerning El Salvador only if such certification includes a determination by the President that El Salvador has made every effort to bring to justice those responsible for the murder of John Sullivan.

Bill· HRH.R. 1644 (98th)open

Water Supply Rehabilitation and Conservation Act of 1983

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1983

Water Supply Rehabilitation and Conservation Act of 1983 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to make loans for the rehabilitation, expansion, or improvement of certain water supply systems to: (1) any department, agency, or instrumentality of a State or local government which operates a water supply system for at least 10,000 persons; or (2) any person who operates a water supply system under certain conditions. Prohibits such loans from exceeding 80 percent of the cost of such water supply project. Limits the amount the Secretary may lend under this Act, in any fiscal year: (1) to any water system supply operator; and (2) for water supply projects in any State. Prohibits any loans under this Act: (1) which do not have a purpose related to water supply or water conservation; (2) for water acquisition by one water supplier of another water supplier who services more than 1,000 persons; or (3) for any project solely intended to increase the number of persons served by a water supply system. Sets forth procedures for applying for such loans (including the payment of one percent of the amount of such loan requested). Authorizes the Secretary to make loans under this Act only to technologically and financially feasible systems which constitute a reasonable risk under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans under this Act to an operator of a water supply system only if the Secretary determines that such operator will implement a model water conservation program or its equivalent. Defines "model water conservation program." Requires the Secretary to enter into an agreement with each person to whom a loan is made under this Act. Sets forth some of the terms of such agreement. Directs that amounts submitted with loan applications and loan repayments be deposited in the Treasury. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1987.

Bill· HRH.R. 1617 (98th)open

A bill to make certain changes in the membership and operations of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations.

United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1983

Increases from 26 to 30 the number of members of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, by adding: (1) one elected officer of a local government of an area with a population of less than 10,000 and one elected school board member, to be appointed by the President; and (2) one judge of a U.S. court of appeals or district court and one chief justice or judge of a State court of last resort, to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.