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United States · Official source
1,963 records where Rep. Synar, Mike [D-OK-2] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Designates the week beginning November 25, 1984, as National Home Care Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of May 27 through June 2, 1984, as National Animal Health Week.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1984
Human Services Amendments of 1984 - Title I: Project Head Start - Amends the Head Start Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services ("the Secretary," for purposes of this title) to administer Project Head Start through the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families within the Department of Health and Human Services. Makes technical amendments to such Act. Authorizes appropriations for the Head Start program for FY 1985 through 1989. Requires the Secretary to reserve for training and technical assistance for each fiscal year funds which are not less than the amount spent for such activities under such Act in FY 1982. Prohibits funds reserved for discretionary payments by the Secretary under such Act from being combined with funds appropriated under any other Act if the purposes of combining funds is to make a single discretionary grant or a single discretionary payment. Requires the Secretary to designate as Head Start agencies any local public or private nonprofit agency in a community if such agency: (1) was receiving funds under any Head Start program on August 31, 1981; and (2) meets program and fiscal requirements established by the Secretary. (Under current law, the Secretary is required to give priority in the designation of Head Start agencies to such local agencies.) Authorizes the Secretary to designate a Head Start agency from among qualified applicants in a community if there is no Head Start agency or program serving such community. Requires that any such designation be governed by the program and fiscal requirements, criteria, and standards applicable on September 1, 1983, to then existing Head Start agencies. Requires that specified provisions relating to designation of Head Start agencies be carried out in FY 1985 through 1989 in accordance with the rules issued under such provisions by the Secretary as in effect on September 1, 1983. Permits each Head Start program operated in a community to provide services to any eligible child for any period from age three to the age of compulsory school attendance in the State where the program operates. Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training in connection with Head Start programs. (Under current law, the Secretary is authorized to provide such assistance and training.) Requires that such training activities include: (1) a national child development associate training and assessment program providing the necessary credentials for such personnel; and (2) training, including resource access projects, which improves the ability of such personnel to provide Head Start services to handicapped children. Prohibits funds for Head Start research, demonstration, and pilot projects from being combined with funds available to carry out any other provision of law if the purpose of combining funds is to make a single discretionary grant or a single discretionary payment to a recipient of such funds. Prohibits any revision in Head Start performance standards which would result in either the elimination of, or the reduction in the scope of, types of health, education, parent involvement, social, or other services required by the performance standards issued by the Secretary as in effect on November 2, 1978. Title II: Follow Through Programs - Amends the Follow Through Act to: (1) increase the authorization of appropriations for the Follow Through program for FY 1984; and (2) authorize appropriations for such program for FY 1985 through 1989. Requires the Secretary of Education ("the Secretary," for purposes of this title) to provide financial assistance for research, demonstration, and pilot projects relating to the Follow Through program. (Under current law, the Secretary is authorized to provide such assistance.) Requires that such projects be designed to test or assist in the development of new approaches or methods that will aid in overcoming the special problems of primarily low-income children previously enrolled in Head Start or similar programs to develop to their full potential in kindergarten and the primary grades. Directs the Secretary to provide for a review and analysis of all previous evaluations and reports made in connection with all Follow Through programs and projects authorized by any Act of Congress in effect after August 20, 1964, and to provide a comprehensive evaluative report to the President and Congress by January 30, 1988. Makes a technical amendment which repeals the applicability of specified Head Start Act provisions to the Follow Through Act. Adds provisions for child care information and referral services to the Follow Through Act. (Entitles such provisions as the "Child Care Information and Referral Services Act.") Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families, to make grants to assist public or private nonprofit organizations to establish and operate community-based child care information and referral centers. Sets forth grant application requirements. Requires that grant recipients be selected through a competitive process, taking into consideration the demonstrated ability of applicants to provide such services, and giving priority to applicants for grants of less than $75,000. Requires an applicant to make specified assurances, including an assurance that it shall obtain certain percentages of its projected budget through non-Federal sources of funding during the grant period. Limits to five years the aggregate period for which such grants may be made to any single center. Sets reporting requirements for centers receiving such grants. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report annually to specified congressional committees on activities under such child care information and referral services provisions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 for such child care information and referral services. Makes specified provisions for administration of the Head Start program applicable to the administration of such child information and referral services program. Title III: Community Services Programs - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to: (1) increase the authorization of appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986 for community services grants to States to ameliorate the causes of poverty in communities; and (2) authorize appropriations for FY 1987 through 1989 for such grants. Revises grant application provisions to require States to assure that: (1) at least 85 percent of the State allotment will be used for grants to community action agencies (or to organizations serving seasonal or migrant farmworkers) for specified purposes; and (2) the remainder will be used to make grants to local governments (or to specified types of nonprofit private community organizations or to migrant and seasonal farm worker organizations) for such specified purposes. Includes services under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 among those activities to which a State may transfer funds from a portion of its community services grant allotment. Authorizes a State, whenever it determines that a local government, or a combination of local governments, is not served by a community action agency, to: (1) use funds earmarked for grants to local governments through an existing community action agency to provide such services; or (2) if that is not feasible, establish a new community action agency to provide such services. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services ("the Secretary," for purposes of this title) to waive for any State specified limitations relating to eligibility to receive grants, under specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct, in several States in each fiscal year, evaluations of the uses made of community services block grants; and (2) annually submit the results of such evaluations to specified congressional committees. Provides that the Office of Community Services within the Department of Health and Human Services shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary who shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Revises provisions relating to investigations conducted by the Secretary and the Comptroller General of the use of community service grant funds. Makes such investigations by the Comptroller General mandatory. Repeals a prohibition against the Secretary either requesting information not readily available to a State or requiring that any information be compiled, collected, or transmitted in any new form not already available. Requires the Secretary to provide for specified training and other ongoing activities of national or regional significance related to the purposes of the community services grants program, including certain special emphasis programs. (Under current law the Secretary has discretionary authority to provide for such training and other activities.) Adds to the list of such special emphasis programs specified types of programs for community food and nutrition and for senior opportunities and services which are described under specified provisions of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, as in effect on August 12, 1981. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 for Native American programs under title VIII (the "Native American Programs Act of 1974") of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Title IV: Conforming Amendments; Effective Date - Makes conforming amendments to other Federal laws. Makes references to the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Community Services in the Older American Community Services Employment Act. Makes the effective date of this Act the date of enactment or October 1, 1984, whichever occurs later.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of May 1984 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1984
Joint Research and Development Act of 1984 - Declares that no joint research and development program shall be deemed illegal per se under the Federal antitrust laws or under any similar State law. Excludes from the term "joint research and development program" any activity in which two or more participating parties: (1) exchange information regarding the sales, marketing, or distribution of any product, process, or service; or (2) restrict or require the participation by any party in another research and development program, the production, marketing, or other commercial application by any party of any product, process, or service, or the sale, licensing, or sharing by any party of any invention not jointly developed under the program. Permits any party to a joint research and development program to file with the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) a written notice disclosing: (1) the parties to such program; (2) the nature, objectives, and duration of the program; and (3) the agreements made by the parties under the program. Directs the Attorney General or the FTC, within 60 days after receiving such notice, to publish in the Federal Register a notice identifying the parties to such program and the general nature and duration of such program. Exempts material submitted as part of such notices from public disclosure. Limits the amount that may be recovered in an action brought by a person or by a State on behalf of its residents for an injury to business or property sustained as a result of a violation of a State or Federal antitrust law, to the amount of the actual damages sustained, interest thereon, and the cost of the suit, if: (1) the action is based on conduct under a joint research and development program that is described in the program notice filed with the Attorney General and the FTC; and (2) such action is filed after the notice of such program is published in the Federal Register. Directs the court to award the prevailing party in such action a reasonable attorney's fee. Provides that such recovery limitation shall not apply to any conduct that occurs after an order granting a permanent injunction has been issued against such conduct as a result of an action under Federal or State antitrust law.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1984
Petroleum Marketing Practices Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to: (1) redefine the term "failure"; and (2) define the terms "constructive termination" and "similar motor fuel marketing operations." Defines "constructive termination" to mean: (1) the failure by the franchisor to supply the franchisee with motor fuel in an amount equal to the minimum specified in the franchise agreement; (2) the failure by the franchisor to make motor fuel available to the franchisee such minimum amount at a price which enables the franchisee to compete with similar motor fuel marketing operations of the franchisor; or (3) any adjustment in the quantity of fuel a franchisee is required or entitled to receive unless the franchisor can show that either the adjustment is applied equally to all franchisees and marketing operations of the franchisor within the relevant geographic area, or, if it is a downward adjustment, the franchisor can show that it is reasonable. Prohibits a motor fuel franchisor from constructively terminating a franchise. Requires a franchisor, in certain circumstances prior to terminating a franchise, to make a bona fide reasonable offer to transfer the franchise to the franchisee. Permits nonrenewal of a franchise relationship if the franchisor and franchisee cannot agree to changes or additions to the provisions of the franchise which are fair and reasonable. Prohibits nonrenewal because of the failure of the franchisor and franchisee to agree to changes or additions to the provisions of the franchise which relate to materially altering, adding to, or replacing the marketing premises. Permits nonrenewal, in a situation where renewal is presently permitted, when it would be uneconomical to the franchisor despite any reasonable changes acceptable to the franchisee, only if the franchisor demonstrates that the nonrenewal is not being made with the intent of avoiding competition with the franchisee. Requires a franchisor to notify a franchisee, 90 days prior to the franchisor's final opportunity to exercise an option to buy or to continue leasing the land where the franchise is located, of the name, address, and phone number of the owner or holder of the underlying lease. Provides that if a franchisee enters into an agreement with the owner or lessor to maintain possession of the premises, then the franchise agreement may continue, at the option of the franchisee. Requires any franchisor who competes with its own franchisees to supply motor fuel to its franchisees at a price and on terms which reasonably enable the franchisee to compete with the franchisor. States that the burden of proof is on the franchisor to show lack of competition. Revises the definition of "trial franchise." Permits a franchisee to maintain a civil action against a franchisor if the franchisor constructively terminates the franchise. States that the death, retirement, or disability of a franchisee shall not be grounds for termination or nonrenewal of the franchise if, prior the franchisee's death, retirement, or disability, the franchisee provides the franchisor with a succession plan. Permits termination or nonrenewal if: (1) the franchisor notifies the franchisee in writing, within 30 days of receipt of the plan, of the franchisor's rejection of the plan; (2) the rejection notice includes reasons for the rejection; and (3) the rejection is reasonable. Provides a franchisee with the right to sell or otherwise transfer the franchise subject to the approval of the franchisor. Prohibits approval from being withheld unreasonably.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1984
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Federal bank regulatory agencies, when examining bank loans to independent oil and gas producers experiencing financial difficulties, should require their examiners to consider other specified factors in addition to cash flow as long as high interest rates and high cost of production continue to impair the abilities of such borrowers to meet loan repayment schedules.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
Designates the week beginning November 11, 1984, as National Women Veterans Recognition Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
States that the House of Representative supports Solidarity Sunday for Soviet Jewry on May 6, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1984
Grants a Federal charter to the Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1984
Directs the President to: (1) secure from the Indochina nations a full accounting of Americans captured or missing as a result of the Vietnam conflict; and (2) work for the release of captive Americans and the return of the remains of those American servicemen and civilians who died in Southeast Asia. Requires the President to submit two reports to Congress on American POW/MIAs in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1984
Designates June 6, 1984, as D-Day National Remembrance.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Makes supplemental appropriations for FY 1984 for emergency food assistance for Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Designates the week beginning May 20, 1984, as National Arts with the Handicapped Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1984
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the: (1) Republic of South Africa should release Nelson Mandela from prison and should revoke Winnie Mandela's banning order; (2) President should use his position to secure the release of Nelson and Winnie Mandela; and (3) Speaker of the House is requested to transmit a copy of this resolution to the President and to the Republic of South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1984
Directs the President to designate the month of May 1984 as Older Americans Month.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1984
Designates the week beginning on May 6, 1984, as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1984
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Federal bank regulatory agencies should require their examiners to exercise caution and restraint in adversely classifying loans made to agricultural borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1984
Designates the Week of November 12 through November 18, 1984, as National Reye's Syndrome Week.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1984
Designates April 27, 1984, as National Nursing Home Residents Day.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1984
Designates the week beginning November 4, 1984, as National Medical Assistants Week.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1984
Designates the week beginning April 22, 1984, as National Dance Week.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1984
Declares the rate of pay of Members of the House of Representatives to be that which was payable for such office on December 31, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Indian Health Care Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, as amended by the Indian Health Care Amendments of 1980, to authorize specific appropriations for FY 1985-1987. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine which individual Indians shall receive Indian Health Scholarships. Prohibits the payment of health professions preparatory scholarships to Indians who are employed in the Indian Health Service during nonacademic periods of the school year. Prohibits the use of funds which were authorized to eliminate backlogs in Indian health care to offset or limit appropriations made under other Acts. Lists the purposes for which the appropriated funds shall be expended. Designates as the Indian Health Care Improvement Fund certain authorized appropriations necessary to raise all tribes to a specified level on the Indian Health Service's priority system. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a current health services priority system report, including the levels of health services and funds needed to raise Indian communities to a parity with that of the general population. Specifies the minimum percentage of funds to be expended by the Secretary for research into specified areas of Indian health care. Sets a deadline by which the Secretary must develop and implement a plan to reduce infant mortality among Indian tribes to a rate no greater than infant mortality among all citizens. Specifies funds available for such a plan. Establishes an Indian Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund to be administered by the Secretary for the sole purpose of meeting the extraordinary cost of medical disasters or catastrophic illnesses. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to expend certain sums over a three- year period for the construction or renovation of the top five priority inpatient care facilities and ambulatory care facilities, together with the requisite staff quarters. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress the current health facilities priority system report. Directs the Secretary to provide the Congress with one year's notice of any contemplated closing of an Indian health care facility. Directs the Secretary to begin implementing in FY 1985 a ten-year plan to provide safe water supply and sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal facilities to Indian homes and communities. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress the Service's current Indian sanitation facilities priority system, and the funds needed to raise all communities to a zero level of deficiency. Authorizes specified appropriations to provide sanitation facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance for the operation and maintenance of sanitation facilities, utility organizations, and emergency repairs of sanitation facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to contract with urban Indian organizations to administer health services programs in urban areas. Details eligibility criteria for such programs. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes eligibility guidelines for certain persons who are otherwise ineligible for medical care and benefits provided by either the Indian Health Service or by tribes contracting from the Service. Establishes the Office of Indian Health Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to administer all Indian health programs and authorities. Places the Office of Indian Health Affairs under the direction of an Assistant Secretary for Indian Health. Transfers the Indian Health Service to such Office. Authorizes the Secretary to waive Indian preference laws on an ad hoc basis for transfers occurring during a specified period.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Authorizes the President, notwithstanding any time limitations, to award a medal of honor to a named individual for acts of valor performed as a naval officer during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1983
Directs the President to investigate and report to the Congress within 18 months concerning the living conditions and available assistance for El Salvadorans displaced inside and outside their country. Requires such investigation to report on the fate of El Salvadoran deportees. Requires the House and Senate Judiciary Committees to hold hearings within two years to consider appropriate U.S. steps to assure the personal safety and equitable distribution of assistance to such displaced El Salvadorans. Provides for a three-year moratorium on specified categories of El Salvadoran deportations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1983
Designates March 16 of each year as Freedom of Information Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1983
Congressional Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit for contributions to candidates for the office of U.S. Representative. Limits the amount of such credit to $100 for any one qualified candidate, and $200 for all qualified candidates. Requires that such contributions be verified in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Treasury. Prohibits a candidate from misrepresenting his eligibility for office or the eligibility of a potential contributor for the tax credit. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the use of such political tax credits not later than June 30 following each Federal election. Adds a new title to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971: "Title V: Financing of General Election Campaigns for the House of Representatives." Sets forth requirements for the qualification of candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives to receive contributions eligible for the tax credit provided by this Act. Requires a candidate to certify to the Federal Election Commission that neither he nor his authorized committee will accept any contribution or make any campaign expenditure in excess of prescribed limits. Requires further that the candidate maintain a separate accounting of contributions which qualify for the income tax credit for political contributions provided by this Act and that the candidate provide any appropriate information to the Commission for purposes of auditing or examining campaign contributions. Requires the candidate to certify the receipt of a certain amount of threshold contributions. Limits to $20,000 the amount of personal funds (from the candidate or his immediate family) that a candidate may spend in an election. Waives spending limits for eligible candidates whose opponents have exceeded applicable expenditure limits or who have otherwise failed to meet the requirements of this Act. Requires independent expenditures in excess of $5,000 to be reported to the Commission and each candidate within specified time frames. Qualifies a candidate against whom more than $5,000 in independent expenditures have been made for premium postal rates. Requires the Commission to verify upon request the eligibility of a candidate under this Act to the Secretary. Requires the Commission to conduct an examination and audit of the campaign accounts of ten percent of the qualified candidates under this Act to determine compliance with the expenditure limitations and other requirements of this Act. Empowers the Commission to bring a civil suit in U.S. district court to enforce any requirement of this Act or recover any amounts resulting from an audit of campaign expenditures. Permits private citizens to file complaints with the Commission and initiate court actions. Authorizes appropriations. Includes within the definition of "contribution" for purposes of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 certain extensions of credit for advertising and broadcasting in excess of $1,000 for a period of more than 60 days. Limits to $90,000 (adjusted for inflation) in any calendar year the amount of contributions which candidates for U.S. Representative may accept from non-party multicandidate political committees. Specifies exceptions for candidates in general and special elections. Limits to $240,000 the expenditure amounts for such candidates. Permits candidates for the office of U.S. Representative to make expenditures independently of the campaign committee of his party in specified circumstances. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide candidates for the office of U.S. Representative with equal time in broadcast media to respond to the remarks of an opposing candidate.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1983
Designates April 8 through 14, 1984, as Parkinson's Disease Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1983
Requires the President to submit to Congress, and the Congress to adopt, for FY 1985 and each year thereafter, a "pay as you go" budget which freezes all revenues and outlays at current levels. Requires any future legislative reductions in revenues to be offset by equivalent reductions in outlays and any spending above the outlay baseline to be offset by equivalent increases in revenues or reductions in outlays so that no spending increase results in an increase in the deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1983
States that the Congress: (1) holds Iran responsible for upholding the rights of the Baha'is; (2) condemns Iran's decision to destroy the Baha'i faith; and (3) calls upon the President to work with appropriate foreign governments to form an appeal to Iran concerning the Baha'is, to cooperate with the United Nations in its efforts on behalf of the Baha'is, and to provide humanitarian assistance for Baha'is who flee Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the news media should voluntarily refrain from projecting election results before the polls close; and (2) the news media and industry, trade and professional organizations should voluntarily adopt guidelines to assure that exit interview data is not used to project election results before the polls close.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1983
Pays tribute to Chad Knutson and his parents for his decision to donate his organs at his death which made possible multiple transplant operations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1983
Designates the week beginning April 8, 1984, as National Mental Health Counselors Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1983
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a broadcast licensee to provide any person whose personal qualities are attacked during the presentation of views in a broadcast on a controversial issue of public importance with: (1) notification of the time, date, and identification of the broadcast; (2) a script or tape of the attack; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond over the licensee's facilities. Excludes from such requirement any attack: (1) on a foreign group or foreign public figure; (2) made by a legally qualified candidate for public office during the use of a broadcast station; (3) made by such a candidate on another such candidate; or (4) made on a bona fide news show. Requires any licensee which endorses or opposes any candidate in an editorial to transmit to the opposing candidates (in the case of an endorsing editorial) or to the candidate (in the case of an opposing editorial): (1) notification of the date and time of the editorial; (2) a script or tape of the editorial; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond over the licensee's facilities. Terminates the application of this Act on December 31, 1984. Suspends the personal attack rule and the political editorial rule of the Federal Communications Commission until after such date. Prohibits the Commission from repealing or modifying such rules after October 31, 1983, and before January 1, 1985. Voids any such action taken by the Commission after October 31, 1983, and before enactment of this Act. Allows the Commission to repeal or modify such rules beginning on January 1, 1985, provided that no repeal or modification shall become effective until 120 days of continuous session of Congress after it is published as final.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1983
Criminal Justice Act Revision of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code to revise provisions concerning the appointment of counsel in Federal criminal proceedings. Makes the representation of material witnesses in custody a right of such witnesses instead of discretionary with the court. Authorizes the representation of financially eligible persons charged with a petty offense for which a sentence of confinement is authorized. Authorizes appointment of an additional attorney in complex or difficult cases where the court finds it to be in the interest of justice. States that counsel should be provided as soon as feasible after custody begins and that the authorities should notify the official responsible whenever a person in custody requests counsel or is without counsel. Authorizes the Judicial Conference of the United States to set and modify the maximum hourly rates within a certain range which appointed counsel shall receive. Increases the maximum amounts appointed counsel may receive: (1) in a felony case, from $1,000 to $5,000; (2) for a misdemeanor, from $400 to $1,500; and (3) for an appeal, from $1,000 to $3,000. Provides that for any other kind of representation authorized by this section, the compensation shall not exceed $1,000. Provides for an additional authorization of $300 for investigative, expert, or other service with prior request of counsel and for an additional amount in certain circumstances. Increases the maximum amount of compensation paid to a person for services other than for legal counsel to $1,000. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide liability insurance for employees of a Federal Public Defender Organization or Community Defender Organization receiving grants. Authorizes appropriations to the U.S. courts for representation plans, including funds for the continuing education of persons providing representational services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1983
Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from repealing, amending, or otherwise modifying specified rules regarding network television syndication, network television financial interests, and prime time access after August 1, 1983, and before July 1, 1988. Voids any action taken in violation of this Act. Declares that such prohibition shall not apply to any such rule with respect to any network that has fewer than 150 affiliated television licensees which carry not more than 25 hours of network programming per week.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1983
Designates November 12, 1983, as Anti-Defamation League Day in honor of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Anti-Defamation League of the B'nai B'rith.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1983
Designates the week beginning April 8, 1984, as National Hearing Impaired Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1983
United States Marshals Service and Witness Security Reform Act of 1983 - Title I: Protection of Government Witnesses - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the Attorney General to relocate and protect witnesses and their families involved in Federal or State trials of violent offenses. Authorizes the Attorney General to take action to protect the person from bodily injury or otherwise to assure the health, safety, and welfare of that person. States that the Attorney General shall not protect any person where the risk of danger to the public in the proposed community of relocation outweighs the need for that person's testimony. Requires the Attorney General to establish guidelines defining the types of cases which constitute "violent offenses." Requires any person protected under this Act to enter into a memorandum with the Attorney General. Requires the memorandum to set forth such person's responsibilities, including agreement to: (1) if an actual or potential witness, to provide information to all appropriate law enforcement officials and to testify in all proceedings; (2) refrain from committing any act punishable by a prison term; (3) take all necessary steps to avoid detection by others of the facts concerning the protection provided; (4) cooperate with all reasonable requests of Government employees; (5) comply with civil judgments; (6) designate another person to act as an agent for the service of process; (7) make a sworn statement of all outstanding legal obligations imposed by court order, and (8) disclose any probation or parole responsibilities. Establishes a procedure for the termination of protection upon substantive breach of such agreement. Allows an individual to file a grievance within the Department of Justice independent of the program providing protection. Authorizes a probation officer to supervise any person provided protection under this Act who is on probation or parole under State law, provided the State involved consents to such supervision. Provides for service of process on a protected person and compliance with a judgment in a civil proceeding. Sets forth arbitration procedures with respect to child custody or visitation arrangements where a protected person is a party to a disputed order. Allows the Attorney General to pay restitution to, or in the case of death compensation for the death of, any victim of a crime committed by any person provided with protection. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Attorney General to establish guidelines and procedures for making such payments. Requires all Federal agencies to cooperate with the Attorney General in carrying out this Act. Allows the Attorney General to agree with a State government to provide protection for a person. Title II: United States Marshals Service and Service of Process - Revises the United States Marshals Service System. Authorizes the Attorney General to appoint a director and other officials. Specifies the powers and duties of the Service. Grants an official of the Service the same powers that a State sheriff may exercise. Prescribes the schedule of fees that the Service may collect.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from Federal income taxes members of the armed forces of the United States who die as a result of hostile action outside the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1983
Congressional Pay Reform Act of 1983 - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to specify that pay adjustments for Members of Congress shall become effective on March 1 following the beginning of the next Congress after the Congress during which such adjustment is approved. Requires the President to transmit to the Congress, within a specified time period, recommendations for rates of pay of Members of Congress, legislative, and judicial employees. Prohibits the House of Representatives and the Senate from considering any bill or joint resolution carrying an appropriation for compensation of Members of Congress for any fiscal year if such bill or joint resolution carries an appropriation, or a limitation of appropriations, for any other purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1983
State Justice Institute Act of 1983 - Establishes the State Justice Institute as a tax-exempt private nonprofit corporation to further the development of improved judicial administration in State courts in the United States. Permits the Institute to be incorporated in any State or the District of Columbia. Directs the Institute to: (1) direct a national assistance program to assure persons ready access to a fair and effective system of justice; (2) foster coordination and cooperation with the Federal judiciary; (3) promote recognition of the importance of the separation of powers doctrine to an independent judiciary; and (4) encourage education for State court judges and support personnel. Authorizes the Institute to award grants and enter into cooperative agreements or contracts to: (1) conduct research, demonstrations, or special projects relating to the purposes of this Act; (2) serve as a clearinghouse of information regarding State judicial systems; (3) participate in joint projects with other agencies, including the Federal Judicial Center; (4) evaluate the impact of programs carried out under this Act upon the quality of criminal, civil, and juvenile justice; (5) encourage judicial education; (6) serve in a consulting capacity to State and local justice systems; and (7) be responsible for the certification of national programs to improve State judicial systems. Prescribes uses and limitations on uses of grant and contract funds. Specifies restrictions on activities of the Institute. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Cable Telecommunications Act of 1983 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize any governmental entity empowered to grant a cable television franchise to require: (1) that a reasonable amount of channel capacity be designated for public, educational, or government purposes; and (2) that rules be promulgated governing the use of such channel capacity, including rules for creating an agency or nonprofit organization to administer the use of such channel capacity. Allows the cable system operator to use such channel capacity for other purposes until there is a demand for use of such capacity for public, educational, or governmental purposes. Prohibits a cable operator from exercising any editorial control over any video programming for such purposes. Requires a cable operator to designate a specified percentage of its channel capacity not required for use under Federal law for commercial use by persons unaffiliated with the operator. Prohibits any Federal, State, or local authority from requiring the designation of a greater percentage of channel capacity for commercial use by unaffiliated persons. Allows an operator to continue using such designated capacity until a written agreement with an unaffiliated person is obtained. Directs the operator to establish prices, terms, and conditions for such use that are sufficient to assure that the operation, financial condition, and market development of the cable system are not adversely affected. Prohibits a cable operator from exercising any editorial control over video programming for such use except to the extent necessary to assure that such cable system is not adversely affected. Prohibits the use of such channel capacity to provide a cable service being provided on the enactment date of this Act in order to avoid providing a diversity of information sources. Authorizes any person aggrieved by the failure of an operator to make channel capacity available for such commercial use to seek to compel that such capacity be made available by bringing an action in the appropriate Federal district court or by petitioning the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Authorizes the FCC to prescribe rules necessary to assure that a cable operator or owner provides for a diversity of information sources over the cable system: (1) upon finding that prior adjudications constitute a pattern of such failure by such person; and (2) whenever cable systems with 36 or more activated channels are available to 70 percent of U.S. households and are subscribed to by 70 percent of the households to which such systems are available. Prohibits a person from owning or controlling a cable system if such person: (1) is the licensee of a television broadcast station the predicted grade B contour (field strength) of which covers any part of the community served by such cable system; (2) owns or controls a daily newspaper published in such community; or (3) is a common carrier providing telephone exchange service in any part of such community, excluding specified rural areas. Authorizes the FCC to prescribe rules concerning the common ownership or control of cable systems by persons who own or control other media of mass communications serving the community served by the cable system. Prohibits any State or local authority from regulating the diversity of ownership of mass media interests. Prohibits any State or local authority that has an interest in any cable system from directly or indirectly controlling the content of any programming on such system, except programming on educational, public, or government channels, unless such authority establishes an independent board or separate management company. Prohibits the owner of a multiple unit dwelling from interfering with the provision of cable service requested by a resident. Permits the owner to require that: (1) the costs of installation, construction, operation, or removal of the cable facilities be borne by the subscriber, the operator, or both; (2) the condition of the dwelling and the safety and convenience of other residents are not adversely affected by the installation or construction of such facilities; and (3) the owner be fully compensated by the cable operator for any damages caused by such facilities. Directs the FCC to establish the amount of just compensation to which the owner is entitled. Authorizes a governmental or franchising authority to award one or more cable franchises within its jurisdiction. Directs such authority to assure that the opportunity to purchase cable service is not denied to any class of potential subscribers because of income or economic status. Provides that a franchise shall be construed to authorize the construction of a cable system over public rights-of-way and through easements dedicated for compatible uses, provided the property owners are compensated for any resulting damages. Prohibits a cable system from providing cable service without a franchise. Permits a governmental or franchising authority to require the construction of cable system facilities or the provision of certain equipment as part of an initial franchise or a franchise renewal proceeding. Directs such authority to negotiate and, if necessary, enter binding arbitration with a cable operator over the termination, modification, or deferral of a requirement for facilities or equipment (excluding facilities or equipment for educational, public, or government use) that the operator shows to be impracticable as a result of a significant change in circumstances. Provides that the terms of any franchise agreement resulting from a request for proposals originally issued on or before September 30, 1982, shall remain in effect for the remaining term of the franchise. Declares that no cable system shall be subject to regulation as a common carrier or utility by reason of providing cable service. Authorizes a governmental or franchising authority to require a cable operator to pay a franchise fee not to exceed an annual aggregate of five percent of such operator's gross revenues. Permits a cable operator to pass the cost of any increase in the franchise fee through to subscribers. Prohibits a governmental or franchising authority from requiring the provisions of services, facilities, or other items not related to the provision of cable service under a franchise. Authorizes a franchising authority to regulate the rates for the provision of basic cable service and the installation or rental of equipment necessary for the receipt of such service for any cable system that is not located within the grade B contour of four or more full power television signals with at least one affiliate of each of the three power commercial television networks. Authorizes such an authority to regulate the rates of a franchise in effect on the enactment date of this Act for the greater of five years or one-half of the remaining term of the franchise. Authorizes annual rate increases not exceeding the regional consumer price index if subscribers are given 30 days notice. Provides that requests for rate increases shall be deemed to be granted if not acted upon within 90 days. Bars any other regulation of rates, with specified exceptions, by any Federal, State, local, or other franchising authority. Prohibits any such authority from regulating the provision or content of cable services, except that: (1) any applicable FCC regulation in effect on September 21, 1983, may remain in effect; (2) a franchising authority may enforce the terms of a franchise agreement under which the cable operator agrees to provide particular services; (3) a franchising authority and a cable operator may specify that certain services that are obscene or otherwise unprotected by the Constitution may not be provided; and (4) an operator may be required to offer basic cable services. Allows an operator to rearrange, replace, or remove a service specified in a franchise if there has been a significant change in circumstances. Requires a franchising authority to grant an application for the renewal or extension of an operator's franchise, unless: (1) the operator has not substantially complied with the franchise or applicable law or has committed a felony; (2) there has been a change in the operator's qualifications that impairs the provision of service; (3) the facilities to be provided by the operator are unreasonable in terms of cost and community need; (4) the signal of the operator's system has not met the FCC's technical standards; or (5) the proposals of the application are otherwise unreasonable. Sets forth time requirements and procedures governing the filing, consideration, and denial of applications and the judicial review of adverse decisions. Prohibits a franchising authority, upon the expiration of a franchise, from acquiring an ownership interest in a cable system, or requiring a sale of a system to another person, at less than the system's fair market value. Prohibits a franchising authority from acquiring an ownership interest in a system subject to a franchise termination resulting from a material breach by a cable operator, unless the operator was provided notice of, and a reasonable opportunity to remedy, the breach. Prohibits any cable operator or any other person who provides cable services from using the cable system to collect personally identifiable information on a cable subscriber without the written or electronic consent of the subscriber. Permits the collection of such information solely for billing purposes or for monitoring unauthorized receptions of cable telecommunications. Requires such information to be destroyed when it is no longer used for such purposes. Prohibits the disclosure of such information without the consent of the subscriber or a court order authorizing such disclosure. Requires cable operators to notify subscribers of their rights under the privacy provisions of this Act. Requires each subscriber to have access to all of their personally identifiable information collected and maintained by a cable operator or other person providing cable services. Authorizes civil damages for violations of these privacy provisions. States that cable operators have no liability for programs on public, educational, or governmental channels or for channels designated for commercial use by unaffiliated persons. Prohibits any person from intercepting or receiving cable services or assisting in intercepting or receiving cable services without specific authorization by a cable operator or by law. Sets forth provisions governing civil remedies, the determination of civil damages, and criminal penalities for violations of such prohibition. Provides that a State shall not be considered to regulate the rates, terms, and conditions for pole attachments unless: (1) the State has issued and made effective regulations implementing such regulatory authority; and (2) the State takes final action on a complaint about an individual matter within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Designates the week beginning November 6, 1983, as Florence Crittenton Mission Week.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1983
Research and Development Joint Venture Act of 1983 - Provides that no person shall be liable under the antitrust laws for entering into or performing a contract for joint research and development projects if such person gives notice to the Attorney General in accordance with this Act. Sets forth requirements and restrictions with respect to such contracts. Requires the parties to such a contract to notify the Attorney General in writing of: (1) the date of the contract and of any contract amendments; (2) the names of the parties to the contract; (3) the nature of each research and development project to be carried out under such contract; (4) the names of the parties who will participate in each such project; and (5) the contract's compliance with the requirements under this Act. Requires the Attorney General to publish this information in the Federal Register. Provides that no person shall be liable under the antitrust laws for any relief other than injunctive relief for performance of a contract for a joint research and development project if: (1) such person discloses the nature of the project and the identities of the project participants to the Attorney General and provides any information the Attorney General may require; and (2) contract performance occurs more than 90 days after such information is disclosed or more than 60 days after the Attorney General publishes notice with respect to such project in the Federal Register. Authorizes the Attorney General to investigate the parties to a contract for joint research and development projects in order to ascertain whether: (1) the information required to be submitted by such parties under this Act is accurate; (2) the contract complies with requirements under this Act; and (3) the research and development projects comply with the contract terms. Requires the Attorney General to notify the persons who are the subjects of such investigations: (1) that an investigation is in progress; and (2) if the investigation shows that the contract involved does not comply with this Act. Provides that entering into or performing a contract for joint research and development shall not be considered per se to be a violation of the antitrust laws. Provides that no person shall be liable under the antitrust laws for an amount in excess of actual damages sustained by a claimant, the cost of suit, and any interest awarded if such liability is the result of entering into or performing such a contract. Requires the awarding of reasonable attorney's fees to a person against whom a claim arising from such a contract is made if such claim fails. Requires the Attorney General to submit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the President pro tempore of the Senate a report on the operation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should urge the Japanese to extend the current voluntary auto export limits beyond March 31, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Soviet Union should allow Vladimir Feltsman to travel with his family to perform in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1983
National Archives and Records Administration Act of 1983 - Title I: Establishment of An Independent National Archives and Records Administration - Establishes the National Archives and Records Administration as an independent establishment in the executive branch to be directed by the Archivist of the United States. Requires the Archivist to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Archivist to appoint a Deputy Archivist. Sets forth the administrative duties and authority of the Archivist. Requires the Archivist to submit to Congress an annual report concerning the administration of functions of the Archivist and the Administration. Transfers to the Administration and the Archivist the functions, duties, and authority of the General Services Administration (GSA) and its Administrator, respectively, concerning: (1) congressional printing and binding; (2) the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations; (3) the distribution and sale of public documents; (4) archival administration; (5) presidential records; (6) the National Archives Trust Fund Board; (7) the National Historical Publications and Records Commission; (8) records management; (9) the disposal of records; (10) official territorial papers; (11) Indian records placed with the Oklahoma Historical Society; (12) public laws, Constitutional amendments, and the United States Statutes at Large; and (13) electoral credentials and certificates. Transfers to the Administration the National Archives and Records Service. Title II: Administrative Provisions - Limits the fee that the Archivist may charge for making or authenticating copies of materials to the amount necessary to recover actual costs. (Currently such fee may exceed such costs by up to ten percent.) Requires such fees to be deposited to the credit of the appropriation against which they are charged. (Currently such fees are paid into the National Archives Trust Fund.) Requires the National Archives Trust Fund Board to use the services and personnel of the Administration to assist the Board in performing its functions. (Currently the Board may appoint necessary employees.) Directs the Board to submit to Congress an annual report on its operations and on the moneys, securities, and personal property received and held by it. Authorizes the Board to authorize the transfer of funds to the Administration to be expended on an archival or records activity approved by the Board or to accomplish the purpose of a gift or bequest. Prohibits expenditures for purposes for which appropriated funds could not be expended, unless required by the instrument of gift or bequest. Permits the Board to solicit gifts or bequests. Requires that moneys received for the Fund be deposited within five working days. Allows disbursements from the Fund only for activities approved by the Board, including the publication of special works and the release of historical photographs and recordings. Authorizes the Archivist to sell such publications and releases at a price which will cover their cost (currently, cost plus ten percent). Authorizes the Archivist to initiate action for the recovery of agency records unlawfully removed or for other legal redress against persons who remove or destroy agency records if the agency fails to take such action within a reasonable period of time after being informed of its necessity by the Archivist. Directs the Archivist to report any such agency failure to the appropriate committees of Congress. Directs the Archivist to establish detailed criteria for determining whether material should be classified as agency records. Grants the Archivist access to any material made or received by an agency to determine whether the agency is in compliance with regulations governing records disposal. Permits the Archivist to authorize an agency to dispose of records only after publishing notice of, and providing an opportunity for public comment on, such disposal.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1983
Exempts from Oklahoma inheritance or estate tax any Osage headright, restricted real estate, or funds which were part of the estate of any Osage Indian who died without a certificate of competency