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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 · 1 June 1981
Prohibits through May 31, 1983, the issuance of any regulations by the Internal Revenue Service on employee fringe benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1981
Medicaid Financing Reform Amendments of 1981 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a State plan to provide that, if the plan limits or restricts the choice of qualified providers from whom items or services may be obtained such restrictions and limitations: (1) may apply only to institutional providers and to the provision of laboratory services and medical devices; (2) must be pursuant to cost-effective arrangements; (3) must assure individuals reasonable access to services; and (4) may not provide for payment, with respect to inpatient hospital services, that (a) is less than the cost which is necessary for the efficient and economical delivery of services, or (b) results in a substantial adverse effect or access to at least one hospital with graduate medical education programs (if one is in the area). Requires any laboratory services paid for under Medicaid to be provided for by a laboratory meeting standards set forth under the Medicare program (title XVIII of the Act). Permits the use of the Medicaid prospective reimbursement system for inpatient hospital services furnished under the Medicare program if the hospital is reimbursed for Medicaid services utilizing such system. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive Medicaid program requirements if a State demonstrates that the waivers can reasonably be expected to improve administration, eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens, or increase cost effectiveness. Prohibits any such waiver: (1) if the Secretary finds it would seriously impair substantial program goals; or (2) of certain requirements relating to eligibility, protection of life or safety, fair administrative process, or prevention of fraud or abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Title I: Examination, Inspection, and Labeling Requirements for Imported Meat - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require the labeling of any carcass, part of a carcass, meat, or meat food product which is imported into the United States and capable of consumption as human food. Requires that such meat food products be examined and inspected at the port of entry to determine whether or not they are adulterated. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prescribe regulations for the disposition of adulterated foods and for the labeling of non-adulterated foods. Requires the Secretary to prescribe such assessments and fees on imported meat food products to cover examination, inspection, and labeling costs as determined necessary. Authorizes the holding of any meat food product in customs custody until the foreign plant exporting such product pays such assessments or fees. Title II: Requirement That Eating Establishments Inform Customers That Imported Meat or Meat Food Products are Served in Such Establishments - Requires any eating establishment serving imported meat to inform its customers of such fact. Sets forth penalties for any owner, employee, or agent who knowingly violates such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Requests the President to designate May 6, 1982, as "National Recognition Day for Nurses."
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1981
Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center Endowment Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make matching grants to assist in the development of the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center, located at the University of Oklahoma. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 through 1987 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1981
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a postage stamp to honor the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Title I: Contracts Between Sales Representatives and Principals - Requires a principal who enters into a contract with a sales representative for the solicitation of orders for merchandise of the principal to furnish specified information to the representative, including monthly commission statements. Enumerates items to be included in any written contract between a principal and sales representative in order to conform with this Act. Title II: Indemnification - Exempts principals who have entered into a written contract in conformity with title I from the indemnification requirements of this title. Requires any principal to indemnify a sales representative in accordance with this title if such principal: (1) without good cause terminates a representative's assignment or reduces the geographical territory assigned to a representative; (2) reduces the rate of commission paid to a representative; or (3) reduces the number of accounts assigned within a geographical territory. Sets forth a formula for the indemnification of such representatives. Title III: Miscellaneous - Permits actions to be brought in Federal district court to enforce the rights or liabilities of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Delinquent Payments Act of 1981 - Requires Federal agencies to pay interest on overdue payments to businesses for property or services. Specifies the procedure for computing such interest. Requires an agency to pay any such interest charges out of funds made available for administration of its programs. Allows an agency to take advantage of an early payment discount only if payment is made within the time specified by the business. Directs each agency to report to Congress annually on interest payments made during the fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest earned on certificates of deposit issued by banks, certain savings institutions, or credit unions. Requires such certificates to be issued between June 30, 1981 and July 31, 1982, to have a one year maturity, and to bear interest at a rate not greater than 70 percent of the average yield of U.S. Treasury bills. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns).
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
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 · 7 April 1981
Economic Equity Act - Title I: Tax and Retirement Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the maximum deduction for contributions to an individual retirement plan: (1) shall be computed separately for each individual who is married; and (2) in the case of a married individual who has no compensation or less compensation than that of the spouse, shall be determined as if such compensation were the same as that of the individual's spouse. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan which provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount which would have been made under the survivor's annuity if the participant had survived and retired on such annuity date. Provides that a participant's election not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse of the participant consents in writing to such an election. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment, decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State domestic relations law. Amends ERISA to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from age 25 to age 21. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accruals of creditable service to continue while an individual is on approved maternity or paternity leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the zero bracket amount; (2) lower the tax rate; (3) decrease withholding requirements; and (4) increase minimum filing requirements for heads of households. Entitles former spouses of members of the uniformed services, civil service employees and members of Congress who were married to such a member or employee for at least ten years during creditable service to an annuity based upon a portion of such member's or employee's retired or retainer pay period. Amends the Survivor Benefit Plan of the uniformed services to make former spouses eligible for annuities under such plan. Provides for survivor's annuities for surviving former spouses of civil service spouses or members of Congress. Provides that the election of a member of the uniformed services, civil service employee or member of Congress not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse and any former spouse of such member or employee consents in writing to such an election. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to employers of displaced homemakers. Title II: Day Care Program - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the tax credit for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment from 20 percent of the cost of such services to 50 percent of the cost reduced by one percent for each $1,000 amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $10,000. Makes such credit refundable. Increases the dollar limit for such credit from $2,000 to $2,400 (from $4,000 to $4,800 for two or more dependents). Allows such credit for certain services performed outside the taxpayer's household. Establishes a minimum income for individuals engaged in business on a substantially full time basis to be used in the computation of the earned income limitation on the amount of such credit. Includes as a tax-exempt organization any organization which provides non-residential dependent care services to the general public for purposes of enabling individuals to be gainfully employed. Title III: Armed Forces - Revises the rules for the distribution of the property of deceased members of the Air Force and Army by removing any gender distinctions from such rules. Establishes a distribution formula based on six classes: (1) beneficiary named in a will; (2) surviving spouse; (3) children; (4) parents; (5) siblings; and (6) next of kin. Eliminates sexual distinctions with regard to promotion procedures and procedures to remove reserve officers from active duty status in the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve. Requires the Secretary of Defense to make an annual report to the Congress concerning the status of women in the armed forces. Title IV: Estate Tax on Agricultural Property and Farm Loans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift tax from $47,000 to $192,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases the minimum gross estate requirement for filing a return from $175,000 to $600,000. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if they materially participated in the operation of such farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Provides that the interest rate on extended payments of estate taxes shall be the lower of 6 percent or 75 percent of the prime rate. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to remove the preference to married persons in receiving farm improvement loans. Title V: NonDiscrimination in Insurance Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Grants to State or local governments having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer, if a State or local authority which has received notice of a complaint fails to act within 60 days or with respect to those authorities not having insurance discrimination laws. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Title VI: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the head of each executive agency to conduct a review of all rules, regulations and policies of the agency which result in different treatment based on gender. Directs each agency to report annually to the Congress on such review. Provides that such report shall include proposals to eliminate any resultant sex-based discrimination. Requires that all rules, regulations, documents and other writings of executive agencies shall use words that are neutral as to gender unless it is impracticable to do so or the subject matter specifically applies only to one sex. Title VII: Study of Enforcement of Alimony and Child Support Payments - Directs the Attorney General to undertake a study of the appropriate role of the Federal Government in the enforcement of delinquent payments of alimony, child support, and property settlement orders against an absent spouse or parent. Requires the Attorney General to submit to the President and the Congress not later than one year after enactment of this Act a report of such study together with recommendations for appropriate legislation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Older Americans Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands under the definition of "State" for purposes of the Act. Includes among the functions of the Administration on Aging the coordination of Federal activities with respect to the collection, preparation, and dissemination of information relevant to older individuals. Eliminates the National Information and Resource Clearinghouse for the Aged. Sets March 31, 1982, as the deadline for a study by the Federal Council on Aging evaluating programs for older Americans. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Council through fiscal year 1983. Eliminates outdated provisions relating to a report on legal services programs. Repeals a provision that a Congressional declaration of policy respecting "Insular Areas" not apply to the administration of programs for older Americans. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations for grants for State and community programs on aging (relating to social services and to congregate and home delivered nutrition services). Continues through fiscal year 1983 formulas for allotments to States and determination of the Federal share of costs of such programs. Changes (from a minimum of 50 percent) to "an adequate proportion" that portion of the amount of social service grant funds which area plans must assure will be expended for access to services, in-home services, and legal services. Requires that State plans provide that each nutrition service project will be available not only to individuals aged 60 or older and their spouses but also to handicapped or disabled individuals under 60 years of age residing in senior citizen centers where congregate nutrition services are provided. Requires that such plans give primary consideration to congregate nutrition services, but allows area agencies to award funds to organizations for home nutrition services without requiring that such organizations also provide congregate services. Permits charges for access to meals for the elderly where appropriate. Repeals a limitation on the use of nutrition services funds for supportive services. Extends through fiscal year 1983: (1) the 30 cents per meal minimum level of assistance under the program of donation of surplus agricultural commodities to nutrition services for the elderly grant or contract recipients; and (2) the requirement that the Secretary of Agriculture purchase high protein foods, meat, and meat alternates for such purpose. Directs the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to consult with minority aging organizations and include the status of meeting the manpower needs of the minority elderly in reports on existing and future personnel needs. Includes weatherization improvement and energy efficiency among the special housing needs of older individuals for which special consideration will be given in awarding project grants and contracts. Provides that a report on special projects in comprehensive long-term care be included in the annual report on programs for older Americans. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations for training, research, and discretionary projects and programs in the field of aging. Includes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in: (1) provisions for distribution of assistance under such Act; and (2) in the definition of "State" for purposes of the Older American Community Service Employment Programs. Includes weatherization activities among community services for purposes of such programs. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations for such programs. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations for grants for Indian tribes for elderly services, including multipurpose senior centers. Sets forth technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Requests the President to designate the week beginning June 1, 1981, as "Management Week in America."
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1981
Directs the President to award a special gold medal to Fred Waring. Stipulates that funds may not be appropriated under this Act for any period before October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Proclaims Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States. Requests the President to ascertain his whereabouts from the Soviet Union and to secure his freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
State and Local Government Financing Reform Act of 1981 - Excludes from the Federal law limiting and restricting the corporate powers of national banking associations to deal in and underwrite investment securities, specified dealings in and underwriting of all other nongeneral obligations issued or guaranteed by or on behalf of a State or any political subdivision thereof (except special assessment obligations and industrial revenue bonds) which are at the time eligible for purchase by a national bank for its own account, subject to specified limitations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit an annual report to the Congress showing the extent to which the business of underwriting and dealing in State and local obligations is being carried on by commercial banks as compared with other banking institutions with a view to determining the effect of the provisions of this Act on the institutional distribution of such business.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt stripper well oil from the windfall profit tax.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Requests the President to designate the week beginning November 22, 1981, as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend tax-exempt status to veterans' organizations at least 75 percent of whose membership consists of past or present members of the armed forces of the United States (combat or noncombat veterans) and whose remaining membership consists substantially of cadets or spouses, widows, or widowers of armed forces personnel or cadets.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 11 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a limited exemption of stripper well oil from the windfall profit tax.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a limited exemption of independent producer oil from the windfall profit tax.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Diversity Jurisdiction Reform Act of 1981 - Abolishes diversity of citizenship as a basis of jurisdiction of Federal district courts, but retains as a basis of jurisdiction "alienage," involving foreign states or citizens of foreign states. Increases the amount in controversy requirement in such cases from $10,000 to $25,000. Retains as a basis for Federal jurisdiction statutory interpleader, which includes actions between citizens of different States. Permits venue for a Federal civil action in any judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred, or in which a substantial part of property that is the subject of the action is situated.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Requests the President to designate April 9, 1981, as "African Refugee Relief Day."
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1981
Repeals a specified provision of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act thereby deleting limits on the use of public treatment works grants for treating, storing, or conveying the flow of industrial users into treatment works.
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
Confers jurisdiction upon the United States Court of Claims and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma to hear all claims which the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma may have against the United States with respect to: (1) damages to tribal assets related to construction of the Arkansas River Navigation System; and (2) lands given to third parties for station grounds of railroads.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Corrupt Horseracing Practices Act of 1981 - Prohibits the following conduct with respect to horseracing: (1) the entering of a horse in a race by its owner or trainer who knows or should know that the horse is drugged or numbed; (2) the drugging of a horse with reason to believe that it will compete in a race; and (3) the willful failure by the operator of a horseracing facility to disqualify or prohibit a horse from racing if such individual has been notified in accordance with this Act that such horse is drugged or numbed, was not available for testing, or has been suspended from racing. Sets forth the penalties for such acts, and provides increased penalties for second offenses, use of a dangerous weapon in committing such offenses, and the interference with duties or the falsification of records required by this Act. Provides for the disqualification of offenders from horseracing activities and the suspension of a drugged or numbed horse from racing, in accordance with specified procedures. Grants the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration certain investigatory and other powers with respect to such offenses. Requires operators of horseracing facilities to comply with recordkeeping requirements established by the Administrator and to furnish testing space and facilities. Directs the Administrator to: (1) exempt from this Act any State which has enacted a comparable program; and (2) submit biennial reports to Congress on matters covered by this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act. Permits the Administrator thereafter to assess fees upon operators of horseracing facilities to meet the costs of this Act. Amends the Federal criminal code to include the offenses of this Act in the existing prohibition against interstate and foreign commerce in aid of racketeering enterprises.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Federal Reserve Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to require not less than three members of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to come from the agricultural sector, the industrial sector, the commercial sector, or financial institutions with assets of less than $150,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that Federal bank regulators should immediately begin to diminish the differences between the capital- to-assets ratios imposed on small- and medium-sized banks.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Israel's security in the 1980's will reflect the military balance of power and continued U.S. assistance; (2) support of Israel will entail support of the United States; (3) the United States should build up its strength to contain Soviet influence in the Middle East; and (4) such actions will be viewed as reaffirming U.S. security agreements with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Requires the Federal Government and persons conducting federally assisted programs, projects, and activities to pay interest to business concerns for overdue sales and lease agreement payments not made by the thirtieth day after the bill for such payment is received. Specifies the procedure for computing such interest. Stipulates that overdue payments for meat, groceries, and perishables shall be determined in accordance with terms commonly offered meat, grocery, and perishable industries. Entitles the Government and such persons to early payment discounts only if payments are made within the prescribed periods.
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 · 24 February 1981
Former Prisoner-of-War Omnibus Act of 1981 - Establishes a presumption of dietary deficiency, deprivation, and dehumanization in violation of the Geneva Conventions for any veteran held captive as a prisoner of war during active military service in World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, or the Vietnam era. Expands disability entitlement to captivity-induced or aggravated disabilities for any former prisoner of war suffering from any disease associated with nutritional deficiencies, any chronic disease with a gradual onset, and psychiatric disorders, including psychosis, which have become manifest to a ratable degree. Entitles all veterans who have been POW's to: (1) psychological readjustment counseling and rehabilitation services; (2) hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care; (3) outpatient dental services; (4) medical services for any disability on an outpatient or ambulatory basis; and (5) vocational rehabilitation. Directs the Administrator to establish an advisory committee to assess new medical and other information on former POW's and to advise the Administrator on procedures affecting such veterans. Requires the committee to consist of former prisoners of war and representatives of specified medical fields. Requires the committee to report biennially to the Administrator on its activities.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1981
Requests the President to designate April 26, 1981, as "National Recognition Day for Veterans of the Vietnam Era."
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Patent Term Restoration Act of 1981 - Amends the patent law to extend the terms of patents which encompass specified products or a method for using a product any of which are subject to certain nonpatent regulatory review periods. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such extension, including a seven year limitation. Directs the Commissioner of Patents to issue to the owner of record of a patent a certificate of extension stating the fact and length of the extension and identifying the product and the use and the claim to which such extension is applicable. Makes such certificate a part of the original patent. Limits the application of such patent term extension to patents for products subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the Act of March 4, 1913 (relating to virus, serum, toxin, and analogous products).
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
World War I Veterans Service Pension Act of 1981 - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay (in addition to any pension already paid) a monthly pension of $150: (1) to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements; (2) to the surviving spouse of each such veteran; or (3) when there is no surviving spouse, to the child or children of each such veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Older Americans Alternative Care Act of 1981 - Title I: Medicare Amendments - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the homebound requirement for home health services. Includes periodic chore and respite care services as home health services. Permits home health services to be provided in an adult day care center. Title II: Senior Companions Program - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act to authorize the Director of the ACTION Agency to make grants or contracts under the National Older Americans Volunteer Program to establish senior companion programs. Title III: Income Tax Credit for Maintaining Household for Older Dependents - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize an income tax credit for an individual who maintains as his or her home a household for a dependent over age 65.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Administrative Procedure Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require the general notice of a proposed rulemaking to include certain information about the factual data on which the rule is based. Requires each agency to provide the public with an opportunity to: (1) present oral arguments concerning a proposed rule after publication of such general notice; and (2) comment on any factual data which is developed during the rulemaking and which is likely to affect the final rule. Requires an agency's statement, incorporated in the final rule, to include agency responses to significant public comments. Directs each agency to establish a public file on each rulemaking proceeding containing any notices, written data, written comments, and any other matter the agency is required to prepare for rulemaking. Creates a new procedure for administrative proceedings required by statute. Establishes an "expedited hearing procedure" for any proceeding predominantly concerned with general policy issues, including ratemaking, rulemaking, and initial licensing proceedings. Requires formal hearings for proceedings concerning factual questions which require trial-type procedures, including proceedings to assess a civil penalty or fine or to determine a claim for certain individual benefits. Directs the presiding employee at an expedited proceeding to conduct a hearing to provide an opportunity for parties to submit written arguments and responses and, at the request of any party, oral arguments. Requires such employee to designate a disputed question for resolution in a formal hearing upon determining that there is a substantial dispute of fact requiring the introduction of reliable evidence at a formal hearing and that the agency decision is dependent on the resolution of such question. Authorizes an agency to require the entire record of an expedited hearing to be certified to the agency for decision with or without the presiding employee's recommended decision, but with such employee's findings concerning any disputed question. Authorizes each agency to establish employee boards to review the decisions of presiding employees of expedited and formal hearings. 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.
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
Petroleum Displacement Act of 1981 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to repeal certain prohibitions and limitations on the use of natural gas as a primary energy source in electric powerplants. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to prohibit the use of petroleum or natural gas or both: (1) as a primary energy source in electric powerplants where coal or alternate fuel capability exists; and (2) in excess of a minimal amount in an electric powerplant in which it is feasible to use a mixture of petroleum or natural gas or an alternate fuel as a primary energy source.
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 · 3 February 1981
Presidential Nomination Commission Resolution - Establishes the Commission of Presidential Nominations to make an investigation regarding the presidential nominating process. Directs the Commission to report to the President and Congress respecting such investigation including recommendations for the 1984 presidential elections. Terminates the commission 60 days after submission of such report. Sets forth the powers of such Commission, and related administrative provisions. Authorizes necessary appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Petroleum Displacement Act of 1981 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to repeal certain prohibitions and limitations on the use of natural gas as a primary energy source in electric powerplants. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to prohibit the use of petroleum or natural gas or both: (1) as a primary energy source in electric powerplants where coal or alternate fuel capability exists; and (2) in excess of a minimal amount, in an electric powerplant in which it is feasible to use a mixture of petroleum or natural gas or an alternate fuel as a primary energy source.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Veterans' Educational Assistance Act of 1981 - Establishes a new educational assistance program for the all-volunteer force. Entitles veterans who are graduates of a secondary school and who have served in the armed forces on continuous active duty for at least three years to basic educational assistance. Entitles veterans of the Selected Reserve and the National Guard who are graduates of secondary school and who have served at least two years of continuous active duty in the armed forces and at least four years of continuous duty in the Selected Reserve to basic educational assistance. Sets forth the formula for determining the length of such assistance based on the length of time served. Entitles such veterans to a monthly assistance allowance of $250 for a full-time approved program of education. Permits enrollment, if eligible, in a program of education while an individual continues to perform his duties. Entitles veterans who have served three or more consecutive years of active duty in addition to those required for basic educational assistance to supplemental educational assistance. Entitles veterans of the Selected Reserve who have served two or more consecutive years of active duty and four or more consecutive years of duty in the reserves in addition to that required for basic educational assistance to supplemental educational assistance. Entitles such veterans to a monthly supplemental assistance allowance of $300 a month. Permits the provision of such assistance to an individual entitled to basic educational assistance who has a skill or specialty in which there is a critical shortage of personnel. Permits the Secretary of Defense to authorize such an individual to transfer to a dependent part or all of such individual's entitlement to educational assistance. Sets forth the conditions under which transferred benefits may be provided. Permits the Secretary of a military branch to enter into preservice educational assistance agreements to encourage enlistment in the active-duty and reserve components. Sets forth the terms and conditions for such assistance. Establishes a ten year delimiting period for educational assistance. Excludes time spent as a prisoner of war subsequent to discharge and time spent physically or mentally disabled. Limits educational assistance to individuals being furnished subsistence to the amount an institution would charge similarly circumstanced nonveterans. Prohibits participation in more than one program of educational assistance. Allocates the administration and costs of such programs to the Veterans' Administration and the Department of Defense. Requires predischarge counseling which includes a discussion of educational benefit entitlements. Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator to submit to Congress a biennial report on the operations of such programs. Amends the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Act of 1977 to terminate the right to enroll in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program after December 31, 1981. Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1981, to extend the pilot Department of Defense educational loan repayment program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to permit local distribution companies to provide natural gas service to residential customers for use in outdoor lighting fixtures installed and receiving natural gas before the enactment of such Act. Requires each local distribution company, in accordance with rules established by the Secretary of Energy, to: (1) periodically inform its customers of the amount of natural gas consumed by outdoor lighting; and (2) report such information method to the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the phased reduction of the rate of the percentage depletion allowance for independent oil and gas producers and royalty owners (reduced to 15 percent by 1984) and to retain the 22 percent rate for taxable years ending after 1980.