United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1981
Tobacco Deregulation Act of 1981 - Title I: Repeal of Programs Concerning Price Support For and the Marketing of Tobacco - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 and the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to repeal specified programs concerning tobacco, 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 Act to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing any orders that regulate the handling of tobacco. Makes such provisions applicable to the 1982 and subsequent crops of tobacco. Title II: Withdrawal of Consent Relating to Compacts Among States for Regulating Tobacco Production and Commerce - Repeals provisions relating to compacts among States providing for the control or production of, or commerce in, tobacco within such States. Withdraws congressional consent of such compacts. Title III: Tobacco Inspection and Related Services - Amends the Tobacco Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to collect fees from specified persons for the inspection, certification, and other services concerning tobacco at designated auction markets. Requires that such fees cover the cost of such services. Makes such provisions effective July 1, 1981. Title IV: Warehouse Examination, Inspection, and Licensing - Amends the United States Warehouse Act to direct the Secretary to collect a fee for examinations and inspections of agricultural product warehouses that covers the costs of providing such services. Authorizes appropriations. Makes the above provisions effective October 1, 1982. Title V: Increased Tax on Cigars and Cigarettes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on cigars and cigarettes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1981
Amends the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 to require the bankruptcy court, in the case of a bankruptcy petition filed by a person engaged in the business of operating a farm produce storage facility, within specified time limits, to: (1) identify those farm producers who have produce in storage, and those parties which have secured interests in farm produce, within such facility; (2) audit the assets of the farm produce storage facility for the purpose of determining the extent of farm produce available for distribution to such producers and secured creditors; and (3) direct the abandonment of such farm produce according to procedures set forth by this Act. Declares that such procedures shall be applied by the court solely for the purpose of effectuating abandonment of farm produce which is not property of the estate, or is of inconsequential value to the estate, and shall not be construed to limit the right of any party to seek abandonment of any other property. Prohibits distribution of farm produce ordered abandoned by the court from being delayed due to the pendency of any appeal from the orders of abandonment, except that a stay of orders may be entered under specified conditions. Makes any such stay of orders appealable as of right by any aggrieved party. Grants to any farmer who, having delivered agricultural products to a licensed warehouseman upon a contract for sale and who has not received the agreed upon payment, a lien against products of like products in the licensed facility in excess of that required to satisfy receipted or other storage obligations, title to which may be then vested in such warehouseman, to the extent of the payment agreed upon for the purchase of the product sold. Attaches such lien at the time of the formation of the contract for sale and continues it until the obligations of the warehouseman to the seller of the products are satisfied.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1981
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 - Title I: House Committee on Agriculture - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to set forth limitations on spending for the food stamp program through fiscal year 1985. Reduces the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1984 for: (1) dairy and beekeeper indemnity programs; (2) payments to States and possessions for marketing activities; (3) rural water and waste disposal grants; (4) rural community fire protection grants; (5) rural development planning grants and rural development grants; (6) agricultural conservation programs; (7) forestry incentives program; (8) the water bank program; (9) the emergency conservation program; (10) the Soil Conservation Service; (11) the Rural Clean Water Program; (12) expenses under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480 - Food for Peace); (13) forest research by the Forest Service; (14) State and private forestry; (15) the National Forest System; and (16) construction and land acquisition by the Forest Service. Reduces authorizations for salaries and expenses of other programs of specified agencies, offices and functions of the Department of Agriculture. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth the procedure for the determination of the milk price support (between 75 percent and 90 percent of parity) at the beginning of each of the 1982 through 1985 marketing years. Provides for semiannual adjustments in such supports for marketing years 1983 through 1985. Amends the United States Grain Standards Act to require the Administrator of the Federal Grain Inspection Service to charge and collect reasonable inspection fees to cover the estimated cost of official inspection, except under certain circumstances (such costs are now shared or borne totally by the Federal Government). Prohibits the total administrative and supervisory costs for inspection and weighing, for each of the fiscal years 1982 through 1985, from exceeding 35 percent of the total costs for such activities. Authorizes appropriations as necessary for final years 1981 through 1985 for other specified activities related to grain inspection. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an advisory committee to advise the Administrator of the Federal Grain Inspection Service with respect to the efficient and economical implementation of the United States Grain Standards Act of 1976. Amends the United States Cotton Standards Act, the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act, the Tobacco Inspection Act, and the United States Warehouse Act to require the collection of such fees and charges as will cover, as nearly as practicable, the costs of: (1) licensing cotton classifiers, establishing cotton standards and making classification services available to cotton producers; (2) performing tobacco inspections; and (3) inspecting warehouses and licensing inspectors and warehousemen. Repeals the Naval Stores Act with respect to the marketing of spirits of turpentine and resin. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to allow the Secretary of Agriculture to set interest rates on Farmers Home Administration loans for water and waste disposal and for community facilities as high as the current market yield for outstanding municipal obligations. Provides for up to a five percent interest rate for such projects in low-income communities. Limits the authorized insurable amount for such loans for fiscal year 1982. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to eliminate the existing waiver of interest on loans made on the 1980 and 1981 crops of wheat and feed grains placed in the farmer-held reserve. Limits, for fiscal year 1982, the amount of Commodity Credit Corporation funds which can be made available for administrative expenses of such Corporation. Title II: House Committee on Armed Services - Authorizes the President to dispose of specified quantities of certain materials currently held in the National Defense Stockpile. Amends the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act to require, before any funds may be obligated or expended for acquisition of any material, transmittal of a complete statement of the proposed acquisition to the appropriate congressional committees, which then must approve or disapprove within 30 days. Provides for annual, instead of semiannual, cost-of-living increases for military retirees contingent upon a similar change in law with respect to the civil service retirement system. Provides military retirees with an open enrollment period for opting to participate in the survivor benefit plan. Title III: House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs - Subtitle A: Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1981 - Reduces the authorization of appropriations in the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 for community development grants, Urban Development Action Grants, and loan guarantees through fiscal year 1983. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 and the Neighborhood Self-Help Development Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for the rehabilitation loan program and the Neighborhood Self-Help Development program. Terminates the existing authorization for planning grants. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 with respect to the authorization of other specified community development programs for fiscal years 1982 and 1983. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to reduce the amount of budget authority in fiscal year 1982 for assisted housing programs and subsidized housing programs. Increases the maximum percentage of income a tenant in subsidized housing would be required to contribute, and allows the Department of Housing and Urban Development to determine what adjustments to income may be allowed in determining a tenant's contribution. Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from committing more than 48 percent of low-income rental housing funds for existing housing, or more than 52 percent of such funds for newly constructed and substantially rehabilitated units. Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to limit the aggregate amount of guarantee commitments the Government National Mortgage Association may make during fiscal year 1982. Requires the Association to sell a specified amount of tandem mortgages during fiscal year 1982. Extends the authorization of the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank through fiscal year 1984. Directs the Government National Mortgage Association, in entering into commitments to purchase below-market, tandem plan mortgages (during the period beginning June 15, 1981, and ending October 1, 1982), to limit such commitments to multifamily projects with firm commitments for mortgage insurance under the National Housing Act. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend the flood insurance program through fiscal year 1982. Prohibits provision of new flood insurance coverage for any new construction or substantial improvements of structures located on designated undeveloped coastal barriers. Amends the National Housing Act to extend the crime and riot insurance program through fiscal year 1985. Amends the National Housing Act of 1949 to extend the rural housing program through fiscal year 1982. Reduces the authorization for rental assistance. Extends the mutual and self-help housing program. Subtitle B: International Development Banks - Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to authorize the United States Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to increase the authorized capital stock of such Bank and to subscribe on behalf of the United States to a specified number of shares. African Development Bank Act - Authorizes the President to accept membership for the United States in the African Development Bank. Directs the President to appoint a Governor and an Alternate Governor of such Bank. Provides for subscription of stock. Exempts securities issued by such Bank from the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Amends the Inter-American Development Bank Act and the Asian Development Bank Act to reduce contributions to such Banks. Directs the United States Executive Directors of the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank to oppose any new extensions of assistance by those respective institutions to Afghanistan, Vietnam, or Cuba, unless specified conditions are met. Directs the United States Executive Directors of such Banks, along with the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund, to oppose any new extensions of assistance to any member country which imposes economic sanctions against the United States. Requires the establishment of guidelines for the annual lending by such Banks so that priority is given to sound, efficient, productive, self-sustaining projects designed to benefit needy people in developing countries. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to reduce the principal amount of direct loans made by the Export-Import Bank in fiscal year 1982. Subtitle C: Banking and Related Programs Authorization Adjustment Act - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to the Department of the Treasury for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Secretary of the Treasury. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transmit a report to Congress regarding the status of negotiations within the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development on improving the International Arrangement on Guidelines for Officially Supported Export Credits and on the status of any other multilateral or bilateral negotiations or discussions. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 for the expenses and salaries of the Bureau of Government Financial Operations. Extends the authorizations for administrative expenses under the New York City Loan Guarantee Act of 1978 and the Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Act of 1979 through fiscal year 1984. Amends the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act to extend, with reduced authorizations, the National Consumer Cooperative Bank through fiscal year 1984. Title IV: House Committee on the District of Columbia - Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to limit, through fiscal year 1984, the authorized levels of capital project loans to the District of Columbia. Title V: House Committee on Education and Labor - Omnibus Education and Labor Reconciliation Act of 1981 - Reduces the amount of federal impact aid to school districts with high concentrations of federal employees (including military) for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984. Prescribes formulae for the allocation of such aid. Terminates or limits the authorization for other specified aid to education programs for such fiscal years. Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act to eliminate funding for the public service employment program for such fiscal years. Authorizes other specified programs for fiscal year 1982. Prescribes fund allocation formulae. Terminates or reduces the authorizations for other specified Acts under the jurisdiction of the Education and Labor Committee. Economic Opportunity Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to permit the Director of the Community Services Administration to provide financial assistance through grants or contracts for research, demonstration, or pilot projects for urban and rural community development. Requires the Director to develop and carry out pilot projects which are designed to: (1) aid low-income elderly persons to achieve greater self-sufficiency; (2) focus upon the problems of rural poverty; (3) develop new techniques community-based efforts to prevent narcotics addiction or to rehabilitate narcotics addicts; (4) encourage the participation of private organizations other than nonprofit organizations, in programs under such Act; or (5) strengthen and maintain the family unit. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such programs through fiscal year 1984. Establishes the National Center for Appropriate Technology, as a part of the Emergency Energy Conservation Services program, as a private, nonprofit organization to perform functions designed to further the adoption, extension, and use of appropriate energy technology to meet the needs of low-income individuals and community groups. Makes the Northern Mariana Islands eligible for assistance under such Act for the development and implementation of community action programs. Terminates research for the development of new approaches to the problems of rural poverty. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out rural community action programs and to provide assistance for migrant and other seasonally employed farmworkers and their families. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1986 to carry out the Head Start and Follow Through programs. Terminates the authorization of funds for the National Advisory Council on Economic Opportunity. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 for administration and coordination of programs. Prohibits the release of any funds to any agency for work training, programs to combat poverty in rural areas, employment and investment incentives, administration and coordination, or community economic development, until it has submitted to the Director a statement certifying that it has established an accounting system with internal controls. Requires the Director, within three months after the effective date of a grant or contract of assistance with an organization, to provide for a preliminary audit review of the adequacy of such accounting system and internal controls. Requires subsequent audits biennially. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out community economic development programs. Requires the National Advisory Community Investment Board to advise the Director regarding the development of management capability standards for use in community development corporations. Prohibits financial assistance for any community economic development program unless the Director determines that: (1) the applicant has demonstrated management capabilities sufficient to create a probability that the program will operate in a manner which minimizes the prospect of financial failure; and (2) the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Director that adequate restraints on excessive administrative or expense accounts are in place. Prohibits any financial assistance for community economic development programs if the Director determines that the proposed activities of such a program are similar to, or duplicative of, existing private sector businesses in the same area. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out Native American programs. Older Americans Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to eliminate the National Information and Resource Clearing House for the Aged. Extends through fiscal year 1984 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) grants for State and community programs on aging (relating to social services and to congregate and home delivered nutrition services); and (2) the Federal Council on Aging. Requires State plans to make each nutrition service project available, not only to individuals aged 60 or older, but also to handicapped or disabled individuals under 60 years of age residing in senior citizen centers where congregate nutrition services are provided. Allows area agencies to award funds to organizations for home nutrition services without requiring that such organizations also provide congregate services. Extends through fiscal year 1984 the authorization of appropriations for certain training, research, and discretionary projects and programs in the field of aging. Eliminates specified other projects and programs. Provides for special projects in mental health care. Includes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in provisions for distribution of assistance under such Act. Extends through fiscal year 1984 the authorization of appropriations for grants for Indian tribes for elderly services, other than multipurpose senior centers. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, designated State agencies to provide home maintenance and repair services to older individuals. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 to carry out such program. Amends the Domestic Volunteer Services Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1982 and 1983 for National Older Americans Volunteer programs (the Retired Senior Volunteer program, the Foster Grandparent program, and the Older American Community Service programs). Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act to authorize specified sums for alcohol and drug abuse education projects for fiscal years 1982-1985. Authorizes up to five percent (currently, three percent) of annual appropriations for project evaluation. Makes Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian centers eligible for assistance under such Act. Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations to carry out national volunteer antipoverty programs for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984. Requires that at least 83 percent of such funds must be earmarked for the VISTA program. Eliminates provisions earmarking portions of such funds for other programs. Authorizes the Director of the ACTION Agency to make grants and contracts for projects and programs which encourage and enable students in secondary, vocational, and postsecondary schools to participate in service-learning programs on an in-school or out-of-school basis in specified assignments. Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to extend through fiscal year 1986 the authorization of appropriations for the child abuse prevention and treatment program. Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 to extend through fiscal year 1986 the authorization of appropriations for the adoption reform program. Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide specified types of assistance in locating missing children. Provides protection under such Act from adverse job actions for persons reporting instances of child abuse and neglect occurring in public or private residential institutions. Sets forth provisions concerning the use of appropriated funds under the Education of the Handicapped Act. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, with respect to the guaranteed student loan program, to: (1) count Social Security and Veterans' benefits as student aid instead of income for eligibility purposes; (2) reduce the maximum amount available for independent student loans from $3,000 to $2,500; (3) increase from nine percent to 14 percent the interest rate on parent loans; (4) eliminate grace periods after repayment deferrals; (5) raise the minimum annual repayment from $360 to $600; (6) authorize assessment of a four percent origination fee on all guaranteed student loans made after July 1, 1981; and (7) eliminate administrative allowances. Child Nutrition Amendments of 1981 - Amends the National School Lunch Act for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 to: (1) reduce the general reimbursement to State agencies; (2) reduce the reduced price lunch subsidy (thereby increasing the price) with provision for annual adjustments in payment rates; (3) reduce commodity assistance for lunches; (4) lower the income eligibility guidelines; (5) revise state revenue matching requirements; (6) limit private school participation; (7) limit the summer food service program to lunches only; and (8) revise the child care food program. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 to: (1) reduce breakfast subsidies; (2) end the special milk program; and (3) reduce the authorization of appropriations contained in such Act for nutrition education and training. Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to impose a temporary (through fiscal year 1984) user fee on coal sold by a producer. Revises the eligibility requirements for black lung benefits and payments from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. Delays retroactive payment of black lung benefits until after a claim has been completely adjudicated. Changes from six percent to the adjusted prime rate the interest rate paid by coal operators on reimbursement to the Trust Fund for paid-out benefits later determined to be the responsibility of such operators. Title VI: House Committee on Energy and Commerce - Sets forth changes in laws within the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce sufficient to reduce appropriations for programs authorized by such committee so as to achieve specified savings in budget authority and outlays. Title VII: House Committee on Foreign Affairs - Sets forth limitations on the following programs under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in order to meet specified savings in budget authority and outlays: (1) the American schools and hospitals abroad for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (2) international organizations and programs for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (3) international narcotics control for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (4) international disaster assistance for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (5) the African Development Foundation for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (6) the Inter-American Foundation for fiscal year 1982; (7) the Peace Corps for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (8) international organizations and conferences - assessed contributions for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (9) the Board for International Broadcasting for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984; (10) the International Communication Agency - salaries and expenses for fiscal year 1982; (11) the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency for fiscal years 1982 and 1983; and (12) expenses not otherwise recoverable and unrecovered prior years' costs for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984, under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Title VIII: House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs - Sets forth limitations on authorizations through fiscal year 1984 for the following: (1) the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (2) the Forest Service; (3) special recreation user fees programs of the Corps of Engineers; (4) programs of the Department of Energy which are wholly or partially within the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs; (5) Indian Health Service; (6) programs of the Department of the Interior which are wholly or partially within the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs; (7) the National Board on Water Resources; (8) the Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation Commission; (9) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; (10) the Office of Federal Inspector for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System; (11) the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation; and (12) the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. States that, effective October 1, 1981, all offers for noncompetitive oil and gas leases shall be accompanied by a specified filing fee. Sets forth a pricing policy for federal uranium enrichment services. Title IX: House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries - Subtitle A: Maritime Programs - Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for certain Department of Commerce maritime programs including: (1) ship construction, acquisition, and construction differential subsidies; (2) operating-differential subsidy payments; (3) research and development; (4) operations and training; (5) fleet expenses; and (6) maritime education. Authorizes supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for employee benefits. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to allow the Secretary of Commerce to reduce the construction differential subsidy rate by five percent under specified circumstances. Authorizes an operator receiving operating differential subsidy funds to suspend its subsidy contract under certain conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to establish alternate trade routes, via a range of different ports, during the seasonal closure of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Redefines the terms "foreign commerce," "foreign trade," and "vessel" to include the employment of certain methanol (methyl alcohol) producing barges. Redefines the term "noncontiguous domestic trade" as used in such Act to include the carriage from the United States to offshore burn sites of chemical wastes for incineration at sea. Prohibits a vessel from receiving a construction or operating differential subsidy if it is not offered for enrollment in an approved sealift readiness program. Reduces the sums available for obligation pertaining to commercial demonstration ocean thermal energy conversion facilities or plantships. Authorizes the Secretary, during fiscal year 1982, to waive certain minimum spending obligations for fishing vessels and facilities if such reserved obligations will not be utilized for such purposes during fiscal year 1982. Revises membership of the Board of Visitors to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Amends the Shipping Act, 1916, to prohibit an ocean freight forwarder from receiving compensation from a common carrier in regard to any shipment in which the forwarder or certain others have a beneficial interest. Directs the Secretary to compare repair and outfitting costs for the training vessel Bay State with reactivation and conversion costs for the steamship Tulare in order to determine the appropriate vessel for use as the Massachusetts Maritime Academy training ship. Requires such study to be submitted to Congress within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to authorize the Secretary, until September 30, 1983, to permit an operator receiving or applying for an operating differential subsidy under such Act to construct or acquire its vessels in a foreign shipyard under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to make construction differential subsidies available to United States-built or documented vessels for replacement or upgrading of such vessels' existing propulsion machinery in order to improve energy efficiency. Establishes guidelines for the approval of such subsidies. Sets forth procedures for the negotiation, acceptance, and payment of such subsidies by the Secretary. Requires replacement propulsion equipment to be of United States origin except under specified circumstances. Classifies such upgraded vessel as "new" or "reconstructed" for specified purposes of such Act. Reduces the age of such vessel by ten years for purposes of the obligation to replace it under any operating differential subsidy and capital construction fund program or contract. Subtitle B: Merchant Seamen Entitlement to Medical Care - Amends the Public Health Service Act to eliminate free health care for merchant seamen provided by the Public Health Service. Subtitle C: Comprehensive Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation Act - Establishes the Comprehensive Oil Spill Liability Fund in the Treasury of the United States, to be administered by the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of the Treasury, to pay specified removal costs arising out of an oil pollution incident. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to collect from each refinery owner, and from the owner of each terminal receiving oil for export or entry into the United States, a specified fee. Permits claims for damages for economic loss which are incurred within a specified time to be asserted in certain circumstances. Imposes joint, several, and strict liability on the owners and operators of each pollution source. Specifies liability limits, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, for ships and other vessels. Specifies procedures whereby the Secretary shall designate and advertise pollution sources. Sets forth procedures for the disposition and appeal of claims submitted to the Fund. Subrogates any person or Government entity paying compensation, including the Fund, to all claimant's claims and rights under this Act. Declares that the Comprehensive Oil Spill Liability Fund shall assume all liability incurred by the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Liability Fund. Subtitle D: Ocean Dumping Fees - Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to require the establishment of a system for the imposition of ocean dumping fees at an amount not greater than five dollars per wet ton of materials dumped. Title X: House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service - Sets forth the following Federal employee pay comparability adjustments: (1) 5.8 percent during fiscal year 1982; (2) 7.4 percent during fiscal year 1983; and (3) 7.0 percent during fiscal year 1984. Prohibits the President, beginning in fiscal year 1985, from submitting any pay adjustment pay not based on full comparability except during times of national emergency or of general mandatory wage and price controls. Amends Federal law to reduce civil service pay for military retirees by the full amount of their military retirement pay. Prohibits federal employees who are reservists in the armed forces or members of the National Guard from receiving both civilian and military pay during their annual two-week period of active duty. Reduces such civilian pay by the amount received in military pay. Requires adjustments to federal personnel ceilings based on the extent to which federal operations are contracted out. Requires such contracting out to be based on cost-effectiveness criteria. Authorizes cash awards to federal employees who disclose waste, fraud, and mismanagement in the government. Entitles a member of the Senior Executive Service in the Federal Government whose position is eliminated to be reassigned to another Senior Executive Service position for which such career appointee is qualified. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to withhold State income tax from the monthly annuity payment of any annuitant who requests such withholding. Reduces, and eliminates as of fiscal year 1984, the public service payment to the United States Postal Service (USPS) for the costs of providing unprofitable services. Requires the continuation of six-day mail delivery through fiscal year 1984. Requires the Postal Service to provide for consolidation and closing of post offices so as to achieve specified savings. Reduces the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1984 for the revenue foregone payment subsidies for USPS. Defers, until fiscal year 1985, the federal payment to the Postal Service Fund for unfunded liabilities of the old Post Office Department. Prohibits funds for the Postal Service or any executive agency to implement a nine-digit zip code. Title XI: House Committee on Public Works and Transportation - Subtitle A: Transportation Programs - Requires the Civil Aeronautics Board to fix and determine rates of compensation under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 and to establish rates of compensation under such Act so that the total amount of compensation payable by such Board for service performed during fiscal year 1982 does not exceed a specified amount. Limits the total of all obligations for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs for fiscal year 1982. Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to reduce, for fiscal year 1982, the authorization of appropriations for the Urban Mass Transit Grant program. Subtitle B: Water Resources Development Programs - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reduce the authorization of appropriations in fiscal year 1982 for sewage construction grants. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to carry out the State construction grant management program. Limits the authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, for construction of river and harbor, flood control, shore protection, and related authorized projects (other than the project for the Mississippi River and tributaries). Eliminates the authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to the Tennessee Valley Authority to carry out the North Alabama Coal Gasification Project at Murphy Hill, Alabama. Prohibits any fees from being charged by any officer of the Federal Government for the transportation for the purpose of dumping, or the dumping, of any material into the oceans. Subtitle C: Economic Development Programs - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to reduce funding for certain programs under the Economic Development Administration. Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to reduce the authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for the Appalachian Regional Commission. Subtitle D: Pollution Liability, Compensation, and Fund - Comprehensive Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation Act - Establishes the Comprehensive Oil Spill Liability Fund in the Treasury of the United States, to be administered by the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of the Treasury, to pay specified removal costs arising out of an oil pollution incident. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to collect from each refinery owner, and from the owner of each terminal receiving oil for export or entry into the United States, a specified fee. Permits claims for damages for economic loss which are incurred within a specified time to be asserted in certain circumstances. Imposes joint, several, and strict liability on the owners and operators of each pollution source. Specifies liability limits, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, for ships and other vessels. Specifies procedures whereby the Secretary shall designate and advertise pollution sources. Sets forth procedures for the disposition and appeal of claims submitted to the Fund. Subrogates any person or Government entity paying compensation, including the Fund, to all claimant's claims and rights under this Act. Declares that the Comprehensive Oil Spill Liability Fund shall assume all liability incurred by the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Liability Fund. Title XII: House Committee on Science and Technology - Subtitle A: Department of Energy Civilian Research and Development Programs and Projects 1982 Authorization Act - Authorizes funds for operating expenses for research and development programs of the Department of Energy for fiscal year 1982. Sets forth percentages of fiscal year 1981 funds that are provided for fiscal year 1982 programs. Authorizes appropriations for plant and capital equipment for certain projects and new construction at specified project sites. Provides for the termination of the Clinch River Breeder Project and makes appropriations for refined conceptual design activities for a liquid metal fast breeder Large Development Plant. Sets forth administrative provisions for funding of construction projects. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Research and Development Construction and Facilities Office to provide technical and management facility design and construction services for the Department. Prohibits the use of any funds under this title for the purpose of releasing any radioactive contaminated water into the Susquehanna River. Subtitle B: Department of Energy Civilian Programs Authorization - Authorizes the appropriation of funds for: (1) conservation activities; (2) regulatory and related functions; (3) power marketing programs; (4) nuclear assessment, interim spent nuclear fuel management, and commercial waste remedial action; (5) other renewable resources and conservation activities; (6) uranium enrichment, other commercial waste management activities, and West Valley demonstration project activities; and (7) departmental administration. Sets forth energy projections to the year 2000. Subtitle C: National Science Foundation Authorization - National Science Foundation Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1982 - Authorizes appropriations for programs and operations of the National Science Foundation. Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to authorize the National Science Board (formerly the Foundation) to establish special commissions, consisting of such members as the Board considers appropriate, to make recommendations to the Foundation on issues relating to research and education in science and engineering. Amends the National Science Foundation Act, Fiscal Year 1978, to disestablish the Resource Center for Science and Engineering. Subtitle D: Atmospheric, Climatic, and Ocean Pollution Authorization - Atmospheric, Climatic, and Ocean Pollution Act of 1982 - Authorizes appropriations to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the Department of Commerce for atmospheric, climatic, and ocean pollution programs for fiscal year 1982. Authorizes the NOAA to plan for, develop, and operate a civilian land observing system. Requires the Administrator of NOAA to report to the President and Congress by January 15, 1982, on the activities undertaken pursuant to such system. Subtitle E: Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1982 - Authorizes appropriations to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specified activities and research programs for fiscal year 1982. Directs the Administrator of EPA to: (1) conduct a pilot project on the use of peer review in research planning; and (2) conduct a study on the Federal government's efforts in the integration of research and dissemination of information and report to the President and Congress on such study within 18 months of enactment of this Act. Subtitle F: Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering, Development, and Demonstration Authorization - Authorizes appropriations to the Federal Aviation Administration from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for certain research, engineering and development, and demonstration projects and activities. Authorizes the Administration to use such funds for any other such activity upon approval from the appropriate congressional committees. Subtitle G: Federal Emergency Management Agency Authorization - Amends the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 and the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for fiscal year 1982 for specified programs and activities. Title XIII: House Committee on Small Business - Small Business Budget Reconciliation and Loan Consolidation/ Improvement Act of 1981 - Amends the Small Business Act to set forth methods, procedures, and criteria for the Small Business Administration in making loans to eligible small businesses. Authorizes appropriations to carry out provisions of this title. Title XIV: House Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Terminates the Veterans' Administration authority to provide educational assistance to veterans for flight training and to veterans, spouses, and surviving spouses for correspondence training. Eliminates dental benefits for veterans whose dental conditions existed during military duty, but who did not seek or receive treatment. Limits the payment of burial allowances for veterans dying during fiscal year 1982, 1983, and 1984. Title XV: House Committee on Ways and Means - Subtitle A: Adjustment Assistance - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise eligibility requirements for adjustment assistance to require that imports be a "substantial cause of" (currently, "contributed importantly to") a firm's decline. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide full information to workers about the benefits available under the Act. Revises trade readjustment allowance qualifying requirements, weekly amounts, and limitations on allowances. Authorizes the Secretary, within certain limitations, to require adversely affected workers to accept job training or to actively search for work outside their former employment area if the Secretary determines with respect to the labor market area that: (1) a high level of unemployment exists; (2) suitable employment opportunities are not available; and (3) there are facilities available to provide training in new or related job classifications. Requires the Secretary to develop, in cooperation with an adversely affected worker covered by a certification who is unemployed or underemployed and with others, an appropriate employability plan. Authorizes the Secretary, with certain restrictions, to defray reasonable transportation and subsistence expenses when training facilities are not within commuting distances. Increases individual job search allowances and relocation allowances. Waives the requirement that any overpayment must be repaid if: (1) the overpayment was made without fault on the part of an individual; and (2) requiring repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience. Abolishes the Adjustment Assistance Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 and 1983. Sets forth provisions relating to definitions, conforming amendments, and effective dates and transitional provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance (including grants) to firms. Prohibits a direct loan to a firm if the loan can be obtained from private sources at a rate no higher than the maximum interest per annum that a participating financial institution may establish on guaranteed loans made pursuant to the Small Business Act. Revises conditions for financial assistance to a firm. Provides that direct loans made or guaranteed for the acquisition or development of real property or other capital assets shall ordinarily be secured by a first lien on the assets and shall be fully amortized. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance, up to a specified sum per industry, for the establishment of industry wide programs for new development or other uses consistent with the purposes of the Act. Repeals the Adjustment Assistance Program for Communities. Extends the termination date of adjustment assistance programs for workers and firms from September 30, 1982, to September 30, 1983. Subtitle B: Federal Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program - Social Security Spending Reduction Amendments of 1981 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide for the phased elimination of a child's insurance benefits to an individual on the basis of full-time postsecondary school student status. Terminates a nondisabled's entitlement to child's insurance benefits when such child reaches age 16 (currently such entitlement ceases when a child reaches age 18). Eliminates prospectively the minimum benefit amount used in computing the primary insurance amount. Authorizes reimbursement of the cost of providing information to assist specified parties with respect to the administration of an employee benefit plan. Provides that at each stage in the benefit computation, the amount derived is rounded down (presently rounded up) to the next higher 10 cents. Delays part of the payment of the cost-of-living increase to October 1982 presently scheduled to be paid in July 1982. Authorizes reimbursement from the trust fund to a State for vocational rehabilitation services only where the services have resulted in a beneficiary's performance of substantial gainful activity for a continuous nine month period. Retains the earnings limitations test for persons under age 72 until 1983 (presently scheduled to be lowered to age 70 in 1982). Limits the payment of lump-sum death benefits to a widow or widower entitled to widow's, widower's, or mother's benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of a deceased individual or in equal shares to each person entitled to child's insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual (currently such benefits may be paid to cover burial expenses of the insured individual). Provides that in the case of workers retiring at age 62 entitlement to benefits begins with the first month throughout all of which the individual is entitled. Subtitle C: Unemployment Compensation, Public Assistance, and Low-Income Energy Assistance - Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to eliminate the "national trigger" under the extended benefits program. Excludes extended benefit claimants from the calculation of the insured unemployment rate for extended benefits trigger purposes. Increases from 365 to 730 days the length of continuous military service needed to qualify as employment for unemployment compensation purposes. Delays an ex-serviceman's entitlement until the fifth week after discharge or release from Federal Service. Limits an ex-service member's total entitlement to no more than 13 weeks of benefits. Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise eligibility and benefits standards by requiring States to disregard specified amounts of monthly earnings. Allows States to terminate, or phase-out gradually, the $50 disregard and the one-third work incentive disregard for families with earned income above the poverty level or, at State option, 200 percent of the State standard of need, after the family has had earned income and claimed one-third disregard for 12 consecutive months. Permits individuals who lose eligibility for AFDC payments because of the termination of the disregards to remain eligible for Medicaid for 12 months after payment stops. Requires that in calculating a child's need for AFDC a State shall consider a specified portion of stepparent's income as available to such child. Provides that AFDC eligibility for a month shall be determined on the basis of the family's income during such month; that family resources shall be determined as they existed on the last day of the previous month; and that the benefit amount shall be determined on the basis of the income of the previous month. Requires AFDC families to report their income, and other information, on a monthly basis. Requires that whenever a determination is made to terminate, suspend, or adjust AFDC payments to a family, such family shall be mailed a written notice concerning such action at least ten days prior to the effective date of the action. Allows States to require, under certain conditions, AFDC recipients to participate in a qualified State work experience program in which they would perform work in return for the regular AFDC benefits. Limits eligibility for certain AFDC payments to two-parent families to such families in which the "principal earner" parent is unemployed (currently payments may be made if either one is unemployed). Requires a State to promptly correct any AFDC overpayment or underpayment. Permits States paying benefits to dependent children over 18 who are students to limit AFDC eligibility at any age between 18 and 21. Provides that any family is ineligible for AFDC if the combined value of its resources exceeds $1,500 or a lower amount at the State's option. Permits a State to exclude from resources: (1) a home and a car; (2) household goods and personal effects; (3) tools and equipment; and (4) life and burial insurance policies. Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require a State plan to make provisions for enforcing spousal support obligations (alimony) in addition to child support. Requires a State to retain ten percent of the support collected on behalf of a non-AFDC recipient, in order to defray the costs of such collection service. Requires that the incentive payments to States collecting child support payments on behalf of another jurisdiction be made from the total amount of such collections, rather than from the Federal assistance share. Prohibits the discharge in bankruptcy of a child support obligation assigned to a State as a condition of AFDC eligibility. Requires child support enforcement agencies to determine on a periodic basis whether any individuals receiving unemployment compensation owe child support obligations being enforced by such agency and if so, to require the agency to withhold such child support payments from the unemployment compensation. Amends title III (Unemployment Compensation) of the Act to require State unemployment compensation agencies to require unemployment compensation applicants to disclose whether or not the applicant owes child support obligations and to notify the appropriate child support enforcement agency if child support is owed. Permits the Internal Revenue Service to collect delinquent alimony as well as child support payments. Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Act to provide that an individual's monthly eligibility for benefits for a month shall be determined on the basis of the individual's income, resources, and other relevant characteristics in such month, and the amount of monthly benefits on the basis of income and other characteristics in the preceding month, such month, or on the basis of income and other characteristics in the second month preceding such month. Authorizes the Secretary to redetermine eligibility for and the amount of benefits at other times. Allows States to continue to pay out cash, in lieu of food stamps, to SSI recipients under specified conditions. Limits the negotiability of SSI checks to 180 days from the date of issuance. Requires future cost-of-living adjustments in SSI to conform to cost-of-living adjustments under title II. Adds a new title to the Social Security Act, title XXI (Energy Assistance to Low-Income Households). Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 and 1983 to provide low-income energy assistance in order to offset excessive home energy costs. Makes such funds available to States which have plans for low-income energy assistance approved by the Secretary. Sets forth State plan requirements. Directs the Secretary to pay up to a formulated amount 80 percent of a State's expenses in carrying out the plan for fiscal year 1983 and 100 percent of the expenses for fiscal year 1982. Prohibits payments with respect to any household unless the household has at least one individual eligible for AFDC, SSI, Food Stamps, certain veterans benefits, or the household's income falls below a specified level. Amends title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to limit Federal funding for fiscal year 1982 for training costs. Subtitle D: Medicare Program - Medicare Spending Reduction Amendments of 1981 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate coverage of alcohol detoxification facilities, under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII. Provides payment for nutritional therapy for individuals with end-stage renal disease when used as a means of delaying or substituting for the provision of kidney dialysis. Requires a one dollar a day copayment under Medicare for each of the first 60 days of inpatient hospital care. Provides that Part A coinsurance will be based on the current years deductible, rather than the deductible effective when the illness began. Revises the part A, inpatient hospital deductible by adding five dollars to the base figure of $40 used in the formula to determine such deductible. Eliminates the carryover from the last three months of the previous year of incurred expenses used to determine whether the part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) deductible has been met. Increases the part B deductible from $60 to $70, and indexes it to cost-of-living increases under title II. Offsets interest earnings on funded depreciation accounts of providers against interest expenses to determine reimbursement. Revises an exemption to a provision requiring the reduction of reimbursements to hospitals in specified situations, by adding a requirement that a hospital derive less than 30 percent of its income from non-governmental sources to qualify for such exemption. Exempts hospitals from such reductions if there is no excess of hospital beds in the area in which the hospital is located. Directs the Secretary to provide for a method of determining prospectively the amounts of payments to be made for dialysis services furnished by providers and renal dialysis facilities to furnished individuals in a facility and at home. Prohibits the Secretary, in determining the amount of reimbursements for home health services, from recognizing as reasonable costs for such services to the extent such costs exceed the 75th percentile of such costs per visit for home health agencies; or, in the judgment of the Secretary, such lower percentile as the Secretary may determine. Prohibits the Secretary, in determining reimbursements with respect to routine operating costs for inpatient hospital services, from recognizing as reasonable costs to the extent that they exceed 108 percent of the mean of such routine operating costs per diem; or, in the judgment of the Secretary, such lower percentage as the Secretary may determine. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title X of the Social Security Act to provide civil penalties for any person who presents or causes to be presented an improper claim for a medical or other item or service under the Medicare or Medicaid (title XIX) programs. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Act to direct the Secretary to establish utilization guidelines for the provision of home health care. Repeals the requirement that skilled nursing facility agreements be renewed annually. Amends the Medicare and Medicaid Amendments of 1980 to direct the Secretary to establish guidelines by October 1, 1981, to assure that agreements with States already authorized, for demonstration projects for the training of AFDC recipients as homemakers and home health aides are entered into by January 1, 1982. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress relating to such projects. Amends part B (Professional Standards Review) of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary by September 30, 1981, to identify and specify requirements which will be used in assessing a PSRO's performance. States that such requirements shall include requirements relating to the effectiveness of a PSRO in: (1) monitoring the quality of patient care; (2) reducing unnecessary utilization; and (3) managing its activities efficiently. Authorizes the Secretary to terminate the less effective PSRO's during fiscal year 1982. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress relative to PSRO performance assessments. Makes 100 percent financing under part B of title XI applicable only to the Medicare program and provides States the option of contracting for Medicaid review at a 75 percent Federal matching rate. Repeals the PSRO program effective October 1, 1983. Repeals the requirement for utilization review under the Medicare program with respect to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and rural health clinics. Prohibits payments under the Medicare program with respect to an item or service for an individual aged 65 or older to the extent that payment has been made, or can reasonably be expected to be made under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Federal Computer Systems Protection Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for using or attempting to use a computer which: (1) is operated on behalf of the Federal Government or a financial institution (where the prohibited conduct directly affects the computer operation); or (2) operates in interstate commerce, with intent to defraud, obtain property by false pretenses, embezzle, steal, or knowingly convert the property of another. Specifies factors which Federal law enforcement officers must consider in determining whether to exercise jurisdiction over such offense, where concurrent jurisdiction exists with a State or local government. Directs the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on the extent of the exercise of such Federal jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Postal Service Amendments of 1981 - Authorizes the United States Postal Service to issue written demands requiring access to books, records, documents, or other objects believed to relate to any postal offense or civil matter under investigation by the Postal Service. Provides for the enforcement of such a demand by the appropriate district court. Authorizes the Postal Service to issue an order requiring any person to cease and desist from conducting a lottery or scheme for obtaining money or property by false representations through the mail. Declares that the resumption of such an activity through the use of any instrumentality of interstate commerce shall be considered to be a failure to comply with such order. Permits the Postal Service, in investigating whether a person is conducting such an activity, to tender the price of any article or service that such person has offered for sale. Declares that failure by such person to provide such article or service, or failure to comply with a written demand of the Postal Service for access to materials, shall constitute probable cause to believe such person is engaged in such activities, warranting the detention of such person's incoming mail. Establishes a civil penalty to be assessed by the Postal Service, after an opportunity for an agency hearing, against any person who: (1) attempts to evade an order directing the postmaster to return mail addressed to such person; (2) fails to comply with a cease and desist; or (3) assists another person in evading such an order.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1981
Amends the copyright law to eliminate the pre- July 1, 1982, restriction on the application of the manufacturing requirements to nondramatic literary material.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the limitations on the amount of the estate and gift tax marital deduction. Allows an election to value gifts of certain real property by using the estate tax valuation provisions applicable to certain farm and business real property.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Requires that the rate of imputed interest with respect to loans between related organizations, trades, or businesses (for purposes of allocation of income and deductions among taxpayers) and deferred payments in the case of certain sales of property not exceed rates applicable for such purposes to transactions entered into on August 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission from investigating or taking any action concerning any State regulated profession until Congress enacts legislation which expressly provides that the Commission has authority over professions and that the Commission's authority preempts State authority. Vacates any such action taken during the period beginning on May 28, 1981, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the income tax deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses, without regard to any community property laws.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to permit the National Committee of American Airmen Rescued by General Mihailovich to construct and maintain a monument to General Draza Mihailovich in recognition of the role he played in saving the lives of approximately 500 United States airmen in Yugoslavia during World War II. Provides that such monument shall be located on Federal public land within the District of Columbia. Directs that private funds shall be the sole source for the construction and maintenance of such monument.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Regulatory Reform Act of 1981 - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require the notice of proposed agency rulemaking to include: (1) an agency solicitation for public proposals for alternative methods of achieving the regulatory objective; (2) a description of the data on which the agency will rely in the rulemaking; and (3) a determination of whether the rule is a "major rule" as defined in this Act. Directs each agency to publish with such notice: (1) a description of the costs and benefits of and alternatives to the proposed rule; and (2) a justification for proposing the rule and selecting it over the alternatives. Requires agencies to give interested persons at least 60 days to submit written comments on any proposed rule, and oral comments on major rules. Provides for a 30-day extension of such period. Directs each agency to publish with each final rule a statement of the basis and purpose of the rule which includes an assessment of the public comments on the rule and a comparison of the costs, benefits, and adverse effects of the rule. Requires an agency officer or employee to prepare the rulemaking notice and the statement of the basis and purpose of a rule. Directs each agency to maintain a public file of the paperwork and comments pertaining to each rulemaking proceeding, which shall constitute the rulemaking record for purposes of judicial review. Allows an agency to promulgate an emergency rule without meeting the notice and comment requirements under such Act. Directs any such agency: (1) to publish an explanation of the situation requiring the rule and a justification of the rule selected; and (2) to comply with normal rulemaking requirements with respect to such rule as soon as practicable. Requires each agency to review each of its major rules every ten years to determine whether to renew, amend, or rescind each rule. Directs each agency to: (1) publish and submit to the President a proposed review schedule; and (2) publish a final schedule within one year after enactment of this Act. for review. Directs each agency to publish a notice of its proposed action regarding a rule being reviewed. Requires that the notice: (1) assess the costs, benefits, and adverse effects of the rule; and (2) invite public proposals for modifications or alternatives to the rule. Requires an agency to follow normal rulemaking procedures when amending or rescinding a rule. Specifies procedures for renewing a rule without amendment. Directs a court reviewing an agency action to: (1) set aside any agency rule found to lack substantial support in the rulemaking file; (2) determine the authority or jurisdiction of the agency on the basis of the language of the authorizing statute or other evidence of legislative intent; and (3) accord no presumption in favor of or against agency action. Declares that when proceedings for review of the same agency action are instituted in two or more courts of appeals within ten days, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall select at random the court in which the in which the record shall be filed. Authorizes the courts not selected to grant preliminary relief pending transfer of their proceedings. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually: (1) an agenda of the rules the agency expects to propose, promulgate, renew, or withdraw within the next 12 months, including a schedule of the significant actions pertaining to each rule; and (2) a Calendar of Federal Regulations listing each of the major rules included in the agenda.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Permits taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns an election to contribute any portion of their income tax refunds or any additional contributions forwarded with the returns to support of the arts or the humanities. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to modify income tax return forms to notify taxpayers of their option to contribute. Authorizes the transfer of 50 percent of amounts designated for the support of the arts to the National Endowment for the Arts (Arts Endowment) and 50 percent of amounts so designated, on a proportionate basis, to State arts agencies. Treats payments of funds to the Arts Endowment and to such agencies as donations from private persons and not as Federal assistance. Imposes restrictions on the use of transferred funds for administrative expenses or for research projects or studies. Sets forth requirements for the use of specified percentages of funds transferred to the Arts Endowment or to a State arts agency. Authorizes the transfer of 80 percent of amounts designated for the support of the humanities to the National Endowment for the Humanities (Humanities Endowment) and 20 percent of amounts so designated, on a proportionate basis, to State humanities entities. Treats payments of funds to the Humanities Endowment and to such entities as donations from private persons and not as Federal assistance. Imposes restrictions on the use of funds transferred to the Humanities Endowment for administrative expenses. Sets forth requirements for the use of specified percentages of funds transferred to the Humanities Endowment or to a State humanities entity. Prohibits any entity to which funds are paid under this Act from requiring any applicant for funds to meet any matching requirement. Prohibits the use of funds raised under this Act for grants to any endowment funds or for other investment purposes. Limits grants made to institutions from funds received under this Act according to the operating budgets of the institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Title I: Amendments to Title 18, United States Code (18 U.S.C. 921-928) - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition. Adds a new definition "engaged in the business" with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Defines as a manufacturer or dealer of firearms a person who manufactures or deals as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit. Excludes as dealers persons making occasional sales or repairs of firearms. Eliminates certain activities involving ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Makes it unlawful for any person to transfer any firearm to a person who does not reside in the same State, if the transferor has reasonable cause to believe that acquisition of the firearm by such person would violate any State or local law or ordinance. Revises the current prohibition against certain classes of persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition. Includes as additional categories illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged members of the Armed Forces, and U.S. citizens who renounce their citizenship. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Stipulates that a licensed dealer's personal collection of firearms shall not be subject to recordkeeping requirements. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to revoke a license only where the holder "willfully" violates a provision of the Act. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, where such individual is not convicted of such charges. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, firearms, or ammunition that the Secretary has probable cause to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises. Restricts the firearms information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Establishes a "willful" scienter (knowledge) requirement with respect to general violations of the Act. Revises the current offense of using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony to: (1) include use of a destructive device; (2) delete the act of "carrying" a firearm to commit a felony; and (3) limit such offense to felonies over which the Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Retains the current penalty (one to ten years) for first offenses. Increases the penalty for second or subsequent offenses to five to 25 years' imprisonment (currently, two to 25 years). Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence or grant probation. Deletes the prohibition against concurrent sentences. Prohibits the granting of parole to first and subsequent offenders. Stipulates that no person shall be subject to the additional, mandatory penalties if use of the firearm or destructive device was to protect person or property. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Directs the court to award attorney fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in a proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Requires the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was without foundation or was initiated in bad faith. Limits seizure to firearms individually identified as involved in the violation. Revises the current procedure allowing persons who have been convicted of a crime to apply to the Secretary for relief from the firearms prohibitions to make the following changes. Permits any person prohibited from possessing, shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or ammunition to apply for relief. Requires, instead of permits, the Secretary to grant release, unless the applicant will be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety. Permits any person who is denied relief to seek de novo judicial review in Federal court. Makes the authority of the Secretary to permit importation of certain types of firearms and ammunition nondiscretionary. Extends the types of sporting firearms which may be imported. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Establishes a Congressional veto procedure with respect to firearms regulations. Authorizes either House of Congress to adopt a resolution of disapproval within 90 days of the rule's promulgation. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Makes any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1981
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage from entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State, or limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in that area, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in that area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Coastal Barrier Resources Act - Declares the findings and intentions of Congress in regard to the fish, wildlife, and other natural resources associated with the coastal barriers along the Atlantic and gulf coasts of the United States. Establishes the Coastal Barrier Resources System (System) which shall consist of specified undeveloped coastal barriers on the Atlantic and gulf coasts. Requires that certain coastal barrier maps shall be available for public inspection through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide copies of such maps to the chief executive officer of: (1) each State and political subdivision in which a System unit is located; and (2) each affected Federal agency. Directs the Secretary to make necessary modifications to such maps and to notify specified Congressional committees of same. Limits, to specified projects, Federal expenditures on or financial assistance for purposes within the System. Lists those projects eligible for financial assistance. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to certify annually to Congress that the Federal agencies concerned have complied with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth the contents of reports to be filed by the Secretary with specified Congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Expresses the disapproval of Congress of the proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of five airborne warning and control aircraft (AWACS) and conformal fuel tanks and air-to-air missiles for F-15 aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to authorize a judicial officer, in making a determination of whether a person charged with a noncapital offense should be released on bail, to consider the safety of any person or the community (in addition to assurance of appearance as currently provided). Authorizes a U.S. attorney to appeal a release order with or without terms or conditions of release to either the court having original jurisdiction over the offense (in any case in which another judicial officer orders release) or to the appellate court (in any case in which the court of original jurisdiction orders release). Requires a person who has appealed his conviction in a capital case to be detained unless the judicial officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) such person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to another person or to property; and (2) the appeal raises a substantial question of law or fact. Subjects a person who has been conditionally released and violates a condition of release to revocation of release and prosecution for contempt of court. Subjects a person who has been conditionally released and either threatens a prospective witness or juror or commits a felony to revocation of release.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1981
Amends the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 to require the bankruptcy court, in the case of a bankruptcy petition filed by a person engaged in the business of operating a farm produce storage facility, to: (1) identify those farm producers who have produce in storage, and those parties which have secured interests in farm produce, within such facility; (2) audit the assets of the farm produce storage facility for the purpose of determining the extent of farm produce available for distribution to such producers and secured creditors; and (3) direct the abandonment of such farm produce according to procedures set forth by this Act. Declares that such procedures shall be applied by the court solely for the purpose of effectuating abandonment of farm produce which is not property of the estate, or is of inconsequential value to the estate, and shall not be construed to limit the right of any party to seek abandonment of any other property. Prohibits distribution of farm produce ordered abandoned by the court from being delayed due to the pendency of any appeal from the orders of abandonment, except that a stay of orders may be entered under specified conditions. Makes any such stay of orders appealable as of right by any aggrieved party. Grants to any person who has delivered agricultural products to a licensed warehouseman upon a contract for sale and who has not received the agreed upon payment a lien against products of like quantity, quality, and type, title to which may be then vested in such warehouseman, to the extent of the payment agreed upon for the purchase of the product sold. Attaches such lien at the time of the formation of the oral or written contract for sale and continues it until the obligations of the warehouseman to the seller of the products are satisfied.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the individual income tax credit for the elderly and to increase the adjusted gross income limitation on such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Amends Federal law to require bankruptcy courts to give priority to determinations made with respect to requests of agricultural producers for relief from stays of acts against agricultural commodities stored in grain elevators involved in bankruptcy proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit individual taxpayers who are participants in tax-qualified employer pension plans to make tax deductible contributions to individual retirement plans.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1981 - Title I: Information Practices: Use of Consumer Reporting Agencies - Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to permit a Federal agency to disclose records pertaining to an individual to a consumer reporting agency. Authorizes a Federal agency attempting to collect a claim under the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966 to notify a consumer reporting agency that a person is responsible for a claim if: (1) the agency has sent a written notice informing the person that a consumer reporting agency will be contacted, describing the information to be disclosed, and explaining the person's right to dispute the agency's claim; (2) the person has not agreed to repay the claim or filed for review of the claim; (3) the agency has reviewed the claim, if requested; and (4) the agency has obtained assurances that the consumer reporting agency complies with Federal laws governing the provision of consumer credit information. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to establish regulations requiring each agency with outstanding debts to submit annual reports on the amount and number of such debts, the interest charged on such debts, the cost to the agency of collecting debts, and other information on the agency's debt collection activities. Requires the Director to report annually to Congress on the management of agency debt collection activities. Title II: Collection Practices for Defaulted Student Loans - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1954 to require the Secretary of Education to analyze, quarterly, the collection status of defaulted Federal, federally-guaranteed, and federally-insured student loans. Directs the Secretary: (1) to notify the borrower of a defaulted loan of the consequences of not repaying the loan; (2) to attempt to enter into a repayment agreement with the borrower; and (3) if such attempt is not successful within 180 days of the loan becoming defaulted, to engage a nonprofit collection agency to service the loan. Directs the Secretary to refer any loan which is not under a repayment agreement within one year after being placed with a collection agency, to: (1) the Attorney General if the projected outstanding balance exceeds $600; or (2) the Secretary of the Treasury for collection. Requires the Attorney General to establish procedures for the efficient collection of such loans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to require any borrower of a defaulted loan referred to the Secretary of the Treasury to pay the amount owed: (1) with income tax imposed for the year of the referral; or (2) by other methods prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. Grants the Secretary of the Treasury the same powers to assess and collect such defaulted loans as if such amounts were imposed income taxes, the collection of which would be jeopardized by delay. Exempts any such collection or assessment from review by a Federal court. Directs the Comptroller General to analyze the systems for collecting student loans established under this Act, and to submit to Congress recommendations for the application of these systems to the collection of other loans made, insured, or guaranteed by the Government. Title III: Collection of Child-Support Obligations - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to certify the amount of child support obligations assigned to a State for collection by the Secretary of the Treasury without regard to whether a State agrees to reimburse the United States for collection costs. Shortens the period that collection of such an obligation is stayed after service of the notice and demand for payment in the case of the first delinquency assessment against an individual. Title VI: Higher Interest Charges During Periods of Default for All Federal Loan Programs - Requires each agency which administers a program providing direct Federal loans to include in any such loan a provision stating that the interest rate on the loan for each month during which the loan is in default may be increased to a rate equal to the Federal borrowing cost. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate regulations for the uniform implementation of this title. Title V: Other Provisions Relating to the Collection of Federal Claims - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury, by January 15 of each year, to notify any person owing a debt (excluding student loans) to a Federal agency for the preceding year of the amount and method of payment of such debt. Requires such person to pay the debt with his or her income taxes or as prescribed by the Secretary. Grants the Secretary the same powers to assess and collect such debts as if such amounts were imposed income taxes, the collection of which would be jeopardized by delay. Permits the head of an agency to garnish an employee's wages to pay any debt owed to the United States because of an erroneous payment to the individual by another agency. Declares that the statute of limitations for actions brought by the United States for money damages shall not bar the Government from collecting money payable to an individual by administrative offset if the individual is provided with an opportunity for an administrative hearing subject to judicial review. Authorizes the Secretary to disclose a taxpayer's address to an agency or an agency contractor engaged in a proceeding to collect a Federal claim. Permits such agency or contractor to redisclose such information. Authorizes appropriations for the employment in the Internal Revenue Service of sufficient personnel to collect all Federal tax liabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission or any administrative law judge from issuing antitrust decisions, findings, or cease-and-desist orders in concentrated market structure or shared monopoly proceedings until Congress establishes and defines the elements of such a violation. Declares that this Act shall apply to any proceeding pending on March 10, 1981. Vacates any decision or order issued in such proceeding before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1981
Federal Lending Oversight and Control Act - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to provide a statutory basis for controlling loans and loan guarantees under Federal credit programs through the congressional budget process. Title I: Reports Regarding Federal Credit Activity - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, not later than February 1 and August 1 of each year, in consultation with the Council of Economic Advisors, to transmit a report to both Houses of Congress regarding Federal credit activity during the previous six month period. Requires each such report to examine the relationship between Federal credit activity during the previous six-month period 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 Federal 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: Amendments to House Rules - 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 IV: Construction and Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates of the titles of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Directs the Comptroller General to audit, each fiscal year, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Advisory Council, the Federal Open Market Committee, and all Federal Reserve banks and their branches. Requires the Comptroller General, within six months after the end of each fiscal year, to make a report to the Congress on the results of such audit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Committee Improvement Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each standing committee, not later than 60 days after the Congress convenes, to submit an oversight agenda to the Committee on Government Operations. Directs such committee to hold hearings at which the chairman and ranking minority member of each standing committee shall testify on the oversight accomplishments of the preceding Congress and the proposed oversight agenda for the new Congress. Requires the Committee on Government Operations, not later than 90 days after the Congress convenes, to report to the House an oversight agenda resolution which incorporates such agendas of all standing committees, and additional recommendations of the committee. Directs the House to complete action on such resolution not later than 90 days after the Congress convenes, to report to the House an oversight agenda resolution which incorporates such agendas of all standing committees, and additional recommendations of the committee. Directs the House to complete action on such resolution not later than 180 days after the Congress convenes. Directs the Speaker of the House to initially refer each bill, resolution, or other matter to one committee of principal jurisdiction. Eliminates the authority of the Speaker to refer any such matter to two or more committees for concurrent consideration. Requires the membership of each committee, select committee, and conference committee (and each subcommittee, task force, or subunit thereof) to reflect the ratio of majority to minority Members. Provides that such ratio be reflected for standing committees at the beginning of each Congress, and for select and conference committees at the time of appointment. Prohibits any standing committee to establish more than six subcommittees, and any Member to serve at any one time on more than four subcommittees. Defines subcommittee as any subunit of a standing committee established for a period of more than six months. Prohibits the vote by any member of any committee or subcommittee to be cast by proxy. Provides that a majority of members of each committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. Prohibits the House to consider any primary expense resolution until the Committee on House Administration has reported and the House has adopted a resolution establishing committee staff personnel ceilings for that year. Requires such committee to specify in any primary or supplemental expense resolution the number of staff positions authorized therein. Authorizes the House to consider any supplemental expense resolution in excess of such ceiling by a vote of two-thirds of the Members present.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Internal Revenue Service to send a notification of responsibility for Federal income taxes in lieu of tax return forms to individuals electing not to receive such forms.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that a certain custodianship, a guardianship, and an estate during the period of estate administration shall not be treated as generation-skipping trust equivalents for purposes of the tax on generation-skipping transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for taking or attempting to take by force and violence or intimidation a controlled substance from a pharmacy. Increases the penalties if any person's life is endangered by use of a dangerous weapon or if any person is assaulted or killed during commission of such offense. Directs the Federal Bureau of Investigation to include pharmacy robbery data in its annual Uniform Crime Reports. Directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the enforcement of this Act within 120 days of enactment and biannually for the subsequent three-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1981
Allows motor carriers an income tax deduction for the value of motor carrier operating authorities rendered worthless by deregulation or $50,000, whichever is greater. Requires the deduction of such amount over a 36 month period.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Dependent Care Amendments Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the rate of the income tax credit for household and dependent care expenses, based upon family income. Makes such credit refundable. Increases the amount of allowable dependent care expenses eligible for the credit. Permits the dependent care credit for the care of dependents over the age of 14 or handicapped dependents outside of the home, if such dependents return to the taxpayer's household each day. Imputes a minimum level of earned income to individuals engaged in business on a substantially full-time basis (35 hours a week) for purposes of insuring eligibility for the household and dependent care credit in cases where the taxpayer has little or no income for the taxable year. Grants tax-exempt status to organizations providing dependent care services to the general public. Allows an employee to claim a dependent care credit for the value of employer-provided dependent care services if the value of such services are included in the gross income of the employee.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits a person who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from being a Representative or Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Administrative Rulemaking Reform Act - Directs a Federal agency preparing to hold a rulemaking session to make a reasonable effort to inform those likely to be affected by the proposed rulemaking. Requires the notice of rulemaking to include: (1) the projected effective date of the rules; (2) the purpose of the rulemaking; (3) the text of the proposed rules; and (4) the studies on which the agency intends to rely in the rulemaking proceedings. Requires public notice and public opportunity for comment on all rulemaking proceedings unless the agency finds that proposed rules are emergency rules or are of routine or insignificant impact. Requires Federal agencies to give interested persons at least 45 days to participate in the rulemaking. Provides for agency hearings to receive oral comments, and procedures to resolve significant controversies over factual issues. Requires each agency to maintain a public file of all relevant material and required statements for each rulemaking. Prohibits adoption of a proposed rule that has been revised substantially unless interested persons are provided an opportunity to comment on such revisions. Sets forth an expedited rulemaking procedure for rules to replace emergency rules. Directs each agency to submit a copy of each promulgated rule to each House of Congress. Declares that no rule, excluding an emergency rule, shall become effective if: (1) both Houses of Congress adopt a concurrent resolution disapproving it within 90 days of continuous session of Congress; or (2) one House adopts such a resolution within 60 such days and the other House does not disapprove such resolution within 30 days thereafter. Authorizes either House to adopt a resolution directing an agency to reconsider and repromulgate a newly promulgated rule or an existing rule within a specified period. Provides that if such agency fails to act such rule shall lapse. Directs the Administrative Conference of the United States to study and report on the effects on rulemaking of the Congressional review provisions of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for such study. Directs a court reviewing an agency rule to set aside any rule found to be unwarranted by material in the rulemaking file.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit married individuals filing separate income tax returns an election to be taxed at rates applicable to unmarried individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1981
Peremptory Challenge Act of 1981 - Requires that a civil or criminal case to be tried in Federal district court or bankruptcy court shall be reassigned to another appropriate judicial officer if all parties on one side of such case file an application requesting reassignment.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977 to provide that provisions of such Act shall not apply to: (1) any surface sand or gravel, stone, or clay mine; or (2) any surface structure or road, if constructed by employees not engaged in mining.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1981
Amends the program of medical and dental care for members and certain former members of the uniformed services and for their dependents to include former spouses of members of the uniformed services. Establishes length of marriage and other requirements of eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring that State implementation plans for meeting the national primary ambient air quality standard provide for periodic inspection and testing of motor vehicles before January 1, 1986. Authorizes the Administrator to require separate testing of each new motor vehicle for compliance with emission standards before sale by the manufacturer.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish the Committee on Internal Security with jurisdiction over communist, terrorist, and other subversive activities. Removes such jurisdiction from the Judiciary Committee. Transfers to the Internal Security Committee all of its property under the control of the Judiciary Committee or any other government agency.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to limit, to 12 1/2 percent of the value of the coal produced yearly, the amount of all State and local severance taxes or fees on coal shipped in interstate commerce to any powerplant or major installation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for adoption expenses on the same basis as deductions are currently allowed for medical or dental expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1981
Savings and Retirement Income Incentive Act of 1981 - Amends the Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980 to make permanent the income tax exclusion for dividend and interest income. Increases such tax exclusion for persons over age 65 to $500 ($1,000 for joint returns). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase to $2,000 the amount of the income tax deduction for contributions to individual retirement accounts. Eliminates the prohibition against certain pension plan participants (e.g. government and military personnel) from making deductible contributions to individual retirement accounts. Increases the amount of nondeductible contributions which an individual may make to an individual retirement account in a taxable year and over such individual's lifetime. Permits contributors to an individual retirement account to withdraw from such an account up to $10,000, without tax penalty, in order to purchase a first home or finance the higher education of a dependent child. Allows an income tax deduction for voluntary employee contributions to tax-qualified employer pension and annuity plans.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Permits calculation of the investment tax credit for such property without regard to the useful life of the property. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits a taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purpose of the right to life guarantee. Makes such amendment inapplicable to laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the total amount of money expended by the United States in any fiscal year from exceeding the total amount of revenue received by the United States during such fiscal year, except in time of war as declared by the Congress. Allows the suspension of the amendment by a joint resolution approved by a vote of three-fifths of the Members of each House of the Congress and approved and signed by the President, or by a vote of two-thirds of the Members of each House of the Congress. Requires tax rates to be reduced to offset the effects of inflation. Establishes a procedure for the approval of bills or joint resolutions affecting taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1981
Family Enterprise Estate and Gift Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift taxes from $47,000 to $155,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases from $175,000 to $500,000, by specified annual increments through 1985, the minimum gross estate requirement for filing of a return. Repeals the existing limitations on the marital deduction for gift and estate taxes. Increases from $3,000 to $6,000 the annual gift tax exclusion. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if such decedents materially participated in the operation of the farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits, under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death or takes over active management upon the decedent's death. Qualifies the owner of a woodland for the special use valuation if the owner or a member of the owner's family actively managed the property for ten years prior to the owner's death. Reduces from 15 to ten years the length of time a qualified property must be held and put to a qualified use following the decedent's death before it can be disposed of without incurring a recapture of estate tax benefits. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Allows the like kind exchange of property without loss of special use valuation eligibility. Allows valuation based on net crop share rentals as an alternative method of valuing farms. Repeals the requirement that an heir elect special treatment for involuntary conversions of qualified real property, thus making such treatment automatic upon such conversion. States that gifts made within three years of a decedent's death shall be valued as of the time of transfer rather than as of the date of death. Authorizes an individual to elect to pay a gift tax rather than use the unified tax credit. Modifies the alternate extension of time for payment of the estate tax where the estate consists largely of an interest in a closely held business to: (1) allow an installment payment election if the value of the interest in the closely held business is either 35 percent of the value of the gross estate or 50 percent of the taxable estate; (2) increase to 50 percent the value of an interest disposed of which will accelerate the payment of tax; and (3) permit payment, but with a penalty, of an installment within six months after the due date. Allows a disclaimer of an interest in property for estate tax purposes in specified circumstances where such disclaimer does not result in the passing of the interest concerned under the applicable State law.
![Official portrait of Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000244_200.jpg)