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United States · Official source
2,256 records where Rep. Tauke, Thomas Joseph [R-IA-2] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1982
Makes a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Labor for FY 1982 for grants to States for unemployment insurance and employment services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1982
Grants a Federal charter to the National Society, Daughters of the American Colonists.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the investment tax credit for energy property.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1982
Amends rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require a recorded vote on the final passage of legislation that economically affects Members of Congress as a separate and distinct class.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1982
Rescinds any legislation enacted after December 31, 1980, granting Members of Congress an income tax deduction for living expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Prohibits any State from selling or otherwise transferring interstate waters unless there is an interstate compact between the affected States pursuant to such sale or transfer, and all parties to such compact consent to the sale or transfer.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Broadcast Licensing, Renewal, and Deregulation Act of 1981 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish new procedures for reviewing petitions to deny broadcast license applications. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to grant a license renewal application by a radio or television broadcast station licensee unless the actions of the licensee evidence such serious disregard for the Communications Act and for the rules and policies of the FCC that denial of the application is justified. Prohibits the FCC from considering the applications of other persons for a broadcast station's facilities when the FCC is acting upon a license renewal application by a radio or television broadcast station. Permits persons holding construction permits or station licenses to transfer the permit or license without first obtaining an FCC finding that the transfer serves the public interest. Requires the FCC to be notified of such transfer. Provides for public notice of the transfer. Provides for disposition by the FCC of objections to such transfer. Prohibits the FCC from considering whether the public interest would be served by the transfer of the permit or license involved to a different person. Repeals certain provisions relating to the application of the antitrust laws. Prohibits the FCC from imposing requirements on radio or television licensees relating to: (1) programs; (2) programming formats; (3) ascertainment; (4) commercialization; and (5) maintenance of program logs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1981
Orphan Drug Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations to exempt from such Act drugs intended solely for drug treatment investigations. Defines "drug treatment investigation" as an investigation of a drug which involves human participants with a rare disease or condition. Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services an interagency committee known as the Committee on Orphan Drug Development. Makes it the function of such committee to promote the development of drugs for rare diseases or conditions (orphan drugs). Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to submit to the Committee an annual report on the rare disease and condition research activities of NIH. Requires the Committee to report by June 1 of each year to the appropriate congressional committees on its activities and the results of its evaluations, including the report submitted by NIH. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for qualified experimental expenses incurred while researching orphan drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 1981
Anti-Terrorism and Foreign Mercenary Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the President to issue a proclamation naming any foreign government, faction within a foreign country or international terrorist group with respect to which the employment or commercial involvement of U. S. citizens would be detrimental to the national security. Establishes criminal penalties for U. S. citizens who provide assistance to any foreign government, faction, or international terrorist group which is named in a Presidential proclamation.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should halt any deportation proceedings of Polish citizens until he determines that the political situation in Poland is stable and such Poles will encounter no undue risk by returning.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit an individual to elect hospice care, in lieu of certain other benefits, during two periods of 180 days each during the individual's lifetime. Provides for full reimbursement of reasonable costs to a hospice program, subject to a ceiling. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the hospice reimbursement method. Defines hospice care as including items and services furnished to the terminally ill in their homes, on an outpatient basis, and on a short term inpatient basis.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Expands the membership of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to include three elected school board officials from different States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program under which States periodically furnish the Secretary with information on the death certificates officially filed with them so that necessary corrections may be made to the beneficiary records maintained under the social security program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of June 13, 1982, as "National Orchestra Week".
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1981
Telecommunications Act of 1981 - Title I: General Provisions - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to add new purposes to the list of purposes of the Act. States that such Act shall apply to: (1) all interexchange (long-distance) and international transmissions and to all persons engaged in the United States in providing transmissions subject to title II of such Act; (2) exchange (local) transmissions, to the extent not regulated by the States; (3) all radio transmissions originating or received in the United States; and (4) the allocation and use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Title II: Interexchange and International Transmissions - Changes the title of title II of such Act from "Common Carriers" to "Interexchange and International Transmissions". Deletes specified provisions. Sets forth the purposes of title II. Part A: Regulatory Authority of the Commission - Grants the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authority over the electronic transmissions and certain other activities of a carrier and the activities of any other person to the extent they directly affect the provision of electronic transmissions. Prohibits the FCC or any State commission from considering the income derived from the unregulated products or services of an affiliate or separate subsidiary in determining the revenue requirements of a regulated carrier, unless such carrier has filed a tariff including costs connected with an unregulated service or product. Prohibits restrictions on the resale or shared use of any transmission service or enhanced service. Prohibits regulation of data processing services or products other than the regulation required by this title. Directs the FCC to classify all carriers that own interexchange transmission facilities as dominant, regulated, or deregulated carriers. Requires completion of the initial classification of carriers within a specified time. Requires carriers classified as deregulated to continue carrying services that had previously been regulated for a specified time. Authorizes the FCC to classify new carriers, facilities, or services upon request. Authorizes the FCC to review such classifications. Directs the FCC to classify a carrier as a dominant carrier if: (1) it owns, on a nationwide basis a majority of the support facilities for the transmission of exchange and interexchange telecommunications; and (2) adequate alternative facilities are not available from unaffiliated carriers. Makes such carriers subject to the requirements of the Communications Act applicable to dominant, regulated, and interexchange carriers. Classifies an interexchange carrier as a regulated carrier if the interexchange carrier offers a regulated service. Defines regulated service. Permits a regulated carrier to offer an unregulated transmission service only if specified conditions are met. Permits the FCC to establish additional criteria for classifying carriers and to establish subcategories of regulated carriers. Sets forth the standards for determining the adequacy of alternative transmission facilities. Requires business entities which own or offer inside wiring and carriers to: (1) provide interconnection to any transmission service or facility or any terminal equipment which meets FCC standards; and (2) furnish technical information necessary for interconnection. Prohibits unreasonable or anticompetitive discrimination relating to such interconnection. Authorizes the FCC to enforce the interconnection provisions and to specify or approve the conditions for providing interconnection to regulated services or facilities. Part B: Interexchange Transmission - Authorizes the FCC to prescribe different requirements for: (1) different subcategories of regulated carriers; (2) different transmission facilities or services; or (3) various combinations of carriers, facilities, and services. Limits such authority by prohibiting the FCC from prescribing different requirements if the carriers are substantially similar. Authorizes the FCC to prescribe conditions governing the provision of any interexchange service by regulated carriers. Prohibits carriers from imposing or enforcing conditions on the resale or shared use of any transmission service or enhanced service. Requires all interexchange carriers to provide interconnection. Prohibits any carrier from offering interexchange service until 30 days after notifying the FCC of its intent to provide such service. Prohibits termination or suspension of such service unless notice is given to the FCC, to any affected customers, and to any State commission involved. Requires the FCC to permit the suspension or termination of regulated services that do not meet specified criteria. Authorizes FCC review of the classification of services that carriers propose to suspend or terminate. Requires persons who intend to offer or to terminate resale of interexchange service to notify the FCC. Authorizes the FCC to obtain certain information from carriers, persons who resell telecommunications services, and other persons. Requires regulated carriers to furnish regulated services to any person upon reasonable request. Requires carriers that provide regulated services to establish just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory tariffs for such services. Prohibits unjust, unreasonable, and discriminatory tariffs. Prohibits tariffs for regulated service from including certain costs. Requires every regulated carrier to file with the FCC copies of all contracts, agreements, or arrangements between the regulated carrier and any other carrier. Retains the current provisions governing: (1) valuation of carrier property; (2) depreciation charges; (3) extension of facilities; and (4) transactions regarding services and equipment. Prohibits tariffs proposed after a specified date by a regulated carrier for regulated services from taking effect until accepted or conditionally accepted by the FCC. Requires the carrier to establish the reasonableness of the tariff. Provides for public notice and comment on the proposed tariff. Requires the FCC to: (1) accept the tariff; (2) accept the tariff with conditions; (3) reject the tariff; or (4) prescribe a different tariff. Authorizes the FCC to help facilitate public negotiations on disputed tariff proposals. Requires the FCC to hold hearings on tariff proposals if requested. Authorizes a regulated carrier to file a tariff for joint service with another regulated carrier. Permits such carriers to divide the revenues from such service without being considered affiliates. Sets forth the requirements applicable to interexchange service offered by dominant carriers. Prohibits the FCC and State commissions from regulating the provision of enhanced services by persons other than regulated carriers or regulated exchange carriers. Authorizes such commissions to regulate the provision of enhanced services by such carriers to a limited extent. Defines enhanced service to mean offering the capacity to make available information in a form capable of electronic transmission or to alter an electromagnetic impulse during transmission. Requires regulated carriers and regulated exchange carriers to keep the charges for enhanced services separate from other charges and costs. Prohibits dominant carriers from providing enhanced services except through separate subsidiaries. Retains the current provisions relating to franks and passes. Part C: Exchange Transmission - Grants to State commissions the exclusive authority to specify the carriers, rates, terms, and conditions for offering exchange transmission service. Requires each State commission to establish exchange areas within the borders of the State involved. Makes such exchange areas subject to review by the transitional joint board established by this Act. Sets forth the criteria that exchange areas must meet. Prohibits a State from being a single exchange area. Prohibits an exchange area located in one State from including a point located in another State without the approval of the transitional joint board. Prohibits an exchange area that includes part or all of one standard metropolitan statistical area from including a substantial part of another such area except in certain densely populated States. Prohibits carriers that offer exchange transmission service for which there are not adequate alternative facilities from impeding the development of competition in markets that depend upon or that may be used in conjunction with exchange facilities and services. Requires exchange carriers to: (1) provide all interexchange carriers with equal interconnection to exchange services and facilities; and (2) offer all interexchange carriers exchange access that is equal to the access provided the interexchange services of the exchange carrier and its affiliates. Authorizes the FCC to postpone the application of the competition requirements with respect to small exchange carriers. Prohibits exchange carriers from discriminating between affiliates and non-affiliates in the provision of certain transmission services. Retains the current provisions relating to pole attachments. Authorizes State commissions to obtain certain information from carriers, persons who resell telecommunications services, and other person within the State. Sets forth the purposes of the system of access fees charged by regulated exchange carriers for the use of their services by interexchange customers. Requires each exchange carrier to submit a schedule of its access fees to the FCC. Requires services to be provided only in accordance with that schedule. Requires the FCC to follow a specified formula in establishing or approving such fees. Sets forth certain costs that must be included in the schedule. Requires each schedule to include a certification that the exchange carrier is providing equal interconnection in compliance with specified requirements and that the fees do not include any cost not associated with the provision of exchange access. Directs the FCC to accept or reject the fee schedules or to prescribe a different schedule. Authorizes the FCC to delegate to State commissions the authority to approve such fee schedules for small exchange carriers. Permits State commissions to authorize or require exchange carriers within the State to divide revenues received from access fees. Directs the transitional joint board to establish and administer the National Telecommunications Fund consisting of three separate accounts. Specifies the contents of each such account. Provides for payments from such Fund to eligible exchange carriers. Makes such payments subject to audit and adjustment. Directs the FCC to establish a Federal-State Joint Board to promote the sharing of information among the State commissions and between State commissions and the FCC regarding the regulation of carriers. Part D: Telecommunications Equipment - Directs the FCC to establish and enforce uniform technical standards for terminal equipment and telecommunications facilities and services. Requires terminal equipment to be labelled to identify nation of origin and other significant information. Prohibits the FCC from imposing any requirements, with specified exceptions, upon persons engaged in the manufacture, sale, or supply of any telecommunications facilities, terminal equipment, or inside wiring. Prohibits the FCC or any State commission, with specified exceptions, from regulating the production, installation, or marketing of terminal equipment by a regulated carrier or regulated exchange carrier, unless such carrier violates specified provisions relating to tariffs. Requires the FCC to prescribe rules, within a specified time, relating to the pricing of terminal equipment. Authorizes dominant carriers or affiliates, after a specified time, to provide terminal equipment only through separate subsidiaries. Prohibits regulated carriers or regulated exchange carriers from filing tariffs for regulated service which include costs associated with or caused by the provision of terminal equipment or inside wiring, unless such filing falls within a specified exception. Requires all persons offering terminal equipment, inside wiring, or telecommunications services and facilities to provide separate charges. Requires such charges to be the same for items in each category. Requires that the policies of regulated carriers relating to the procurement and construction of facilities shall promote competition and avoid the imposition of unnecessary costs upon the users of regulated services. Requires regulated carriers and regulated exchange carriers to procure on a nondiscriminatory basis any facility intended to be used to provide a regulated service or regulated exchange service. Sets forth a schedule according to which a dominant carrier will increase annually the percentage of its requirements in each product category that it will purchase from unaffiliated manufacturers. Provides for FCC review of the effectiveness of such schedule. Authorizes the FCC to prescribe rules to protect users of regulated services from paying the costs of procurement by a dominant carrier on noncompetitive terms. Part E: Dominant Carriers - Authorizes the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) to provide any type of telecommunications facility, terminal equipment, or enhanced service, notwithstanding the 1956 decree. Permits AT&T to offer any service, facility, or product (except transmission services or facilities) only through a separate subsidiary which meets specified requirements. Designates certain dominant carrier subsidiaries as limited separate subsidiaries. Permits a limited separate subsidiary to perform only one of the following: (1) the manufacture and marketing of terminal equipment and the manufacture and installation of inside wiring; (2) the provision of enhanced services; or (3) the provision of information publishing services. Sets forth the structure of separate subsidiaries and the method of conducting business between a separate subsidiary and the dominant carrier. Requires separate subsidiaries to be audited annually. Requires the FCC to submit the audit to Congress and to make it available to the public. Prohibits separate subsidiaries from: (1) providing an information publishing service that uses a facility owned by the dominant carrier; (2) entering into any joint venture or partnership with the dominant carrier; (3) having a financial structure in common with the dominant carrier; or (4) owning or using property in common with the dominant carrier except for certain transmission services. Sets forth general provisions governing: (1) the activities that a separate subsidiary must conduct separately from a dominant carrier; (2) the use of a trade name by a separate subsidiary; and (3) the issuance of securities by such a subsidiary. Limits the amount of any class of a limited separate subsidiary's outstanding capital stock that a dominant carrier may own. Prohibits limited separate subsidiaries from owning or providing transmission facilities or services substantially similar to transmission services offered by the dominant carrier. Authorizes the FCC to: (1) prevent anticompetitive practices between a general or limited separate subsidiary and the dominant carrier; and (2) protect users of regulated services and regulated exchange services from bearing any cost associated with such subsidiaries. Permits a separate subsidiary and the dominant carrier to offer pension plans on a joint basis. Designates a subsidiary of a dominant carrier as a general separate subsidiary if it follows the provisions governing separate subsidiaries as well as certain requirements applicable only to general separate subsidiaries. Authorizes a general separate subsidiary to perform all the functions of a limited separate subsidiary. Directs the FCC to authorize a general separate subsidiary to engage in the resale of a transmission service if it will not affect substantially the pricing of such service. Prohibits a general separate subsidiary from: (1) purchasing or receiving a transmission facility from a carrier affiliated with the dominant carrier; and (2) making a transmission facility available to the dominant carrier. Permits a general separate subsidiary to manufacture and sell transmission facilities after a specified period if the dominant carrier has substantially complied with specified requirements. Terminates the authority of the FCC to approve a security issued by a general separate subsidiary after such period. Limits the amount of any class of outstanding capital stock of the general separate subsidiary that may be owned by the dominant carrier during such period. Sets forth provisions governing the separation of the general separate subsidiary and the dominant carrier. Requires a dominant carrier to file specified information with the FCC regarding its transmission services and facilities. Prohibits a dominant carrier's subsidiary, division, or affiliate from disclosing such information to another subsidiary division, affiliate, or separate subsidiary until it has been made public. Directs the FCC to establish additional standards to prohibit disclosures by dominant carriers to separate subsidiaries that would confer a significant competitive advantage. Part F: Telecommunications Industry - Makes it lawful for carriers jointly to agree, under the auspices of the FCC, on matters affecting a network of telecommunications services or facilities or on proposed technical standards for such services and facilities. Disavows any intent to affect the applicability of the antitrust laws. Authorizes the FCC to coordinate arrangements among all interexchange and international carriers for dealing with disasters or national emergencies. Authorizes the President and Federal agencies to take specified actions to ensure that there are sufficient telecommunications services and facilities available for national defense or emergency preparedness. Directs the Chairman of the FCC to designate a national security and emergency preparedness Commissioner. Directs the President to appoint an advisory council to: (1) examine the needs of Federal telecommunications management for national defense and emergency preparedness under deregulation; and (2) ensure the existence of a viable telecommunications industry. Authorizes any carrier to offer an information publishing service over any facility it owns. Prohibits regulated carriers or regulated exchange carriers from filing a tariff based on costs associated with the provision of information publishing services other than directory listings. Prohibits such carriers from discriminating among their customers in providing a support service used in connection with the information publishing services. Prohibits a regulated exchange carrier from cross subsidizing its information publishing service with its exchange service. Requires certain large regulated exchange carriers to make their information publishing service available on a nondiscriminatory basis to persons who make a reasonable request for it. Prohibits dominant carriers or their separate subsidiaries from providing an information publishing service through a transmission facility used to provide regulated service or regulated exchange service. Permits dominant carriers to provide: (1) facilities to unaffiliated persons for information publishing services; (2) directory listings or assistance; or (3) through a separate subsidiary weather or time information, printed directory advertising, electronic directory information, or a certain audio information service. Directs the FCC to promote diversity among available information sources and to foster competition in the provision of telecommunications services and facilities. Prohibits a regulated exchange carrier from providing cable services or broadcasting services in the same area in which the carrier offers exchange services. Exempts carriers serving rural areas with low population densities from such prohibition. Authorizes the FCC to allocate portions of the electromagnetic spectrum for transmission services. Permits the FCC to establish a preference that increases the diversity of persons authorized to use the spectrum. Prohibits a preference based upon the services provided by the applicant. Sets forth as the provisions governing international transmissions the provisions of current law relating to: (1) service and charges of common carriers; and (2) interlocking directorates. Redesignates the current provision governing consolidations and mergers of telegraph carriers as the provision governing competition among record carriers. Directs the FCC to establish conditions applicable to foreign enterprises supplying telecommunications services or facilities in U.S. markets which are reciprocal with conditions applicable to U.S. persons operating in specified foreign nations connected with such foreign enterprises. Directs the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to compile a list of foreign nations that do not provide reciprocal rights to U.S. telecommunications equipment manufacturers. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to revise such list under certain circumstances. Sets forth the requirements for establishing that a foreign nation has provided market access reciprocity. Permits the FCC to exclude from interconnection rights certain terminal equipment if more than half of its value added was manufactured in a foreign nation that does not extend reciprocal market access. Directs the FCC to consult with other Federal officers in determining whether to restrict entry of a foreign enterprise because of lack of reciprocity. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to monitor implementation of the reciprocity provisions and to collect information necessary to implement such provisions. Part G: Protection of Ratepayers and Employees in Transition to Competitive Marketplace - Requires that terminal equipment which is provided by a regulated carrier under tariff on a specified date shall continue to be provided under the tariff in force on such date until the equipment is fully depreciated. Grants State commissions the authority to: (1) increase such tariffs; and (2) set the price for equipment that is sold before it is fully depreciated. Requires the customer using such equipment to receive full ownership of it after it has been fully depreciated, unless the State commission elects to allow a regulated carrier to retain ownership of it or to provide for the sale or transfer of the equipment. Requires tariffs for the sale of terminal equipment on an unbundled basis for a specified time. Requires the State commissions to authorize the public sale of certain terminal equipment. Requires each State commission to arrange such sales so that they promote the orderly development of a competitive secondary market and achieve the maximum compensation for ratepayers of regulated exchange carriers. Requires the FCC to ensure the availability of parts and technical specifications for equipment sold at public sales. Grants each State commission authority, for specified periods, over terminal equipment offered for sale or lease in such State by a regulated carrier or its affiliates or by a dominant carrier. Requires regulated exchange carriers to continue to offer inside wiring on a regulated basis for a specified time. Authorizes customers of such carriers to buy such wiring before it is fully depreciated at a price set by the State commission involved. Requires the State commissioners to consider the revenues obtained from such sales or transfers in determining the lawfulness of tariffs submitted by a regulated carrier or regulated exchange carrier. Directs the FCC to establish a transitional joint board to: (1) evaluate and determine the value of certain assets of regulated carriers; (2) ensure equitable treatment of users of exchange and interexchange service; (3) provide for an orderly transition to the system of exchange access fees established by this Act; and (4) achieve cooperation between the Federal and State governments. Sets forth the authority, composition, powers, and duties of the board. Requires the board to determine the value of assets which are subject to the jurisdiction of a State commission before a specified date and which are subsequently transferred to a separate subsidiary or to an entity carrying out unregulated activities. Makes such valuation binding upon the FCC and the State commissions. Requires a separate subsidiary to reimburse regulated carriers and certain regulated exchange carriers for assets or payments transferred from such carrier. Requires an unregulated activity of a regulated carrier to reimburse the regulated accounts of such carrier for assets or payments transferred from such carrier. Terminates the transitional joint board after a specified time. Permits State commissions to continue to regulate, during the transition period, certain tariffs relating to regulated service that originates and terminates within the boundaries of the State involved. Requires a dominant carrier to file a plan with the FCC stating its proposed method of complying with the requirements of Part E before such carrier may offer service or equipment through a separate subsidiary. Sets forth the procedures for filing and gaining approval of such plan. Requires the FCC to determine the value of certain assets that are proposed to be transferred to a separate subsidiary or to an entity carrying out unregulated activities. Requires the FCC to allocate certain payments associated with activities or assets not subject to the jurisdiction of a State commission. Sets forth the transitions periods after which a dominant carrier must acquire specified services and equipment from a separate subsidiary or from unaffiliated persons. Puts additional restrictions on the equipment and services provided by separate subsidiaries. Provides for the protection of the benefits and rights of employees transferred from a carrier or affiliate to a separate subsidiary. Entitles transferred employees to payments from the separate subsidiary covering moving expenses under certain circumstances. Prohibits restricting benefits for seven years following the transfer of an employee. Provides for the continued application of a collective bargaining agreement with respect to transferred employees. Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) termination allowances for employees terminated within seven years after their transfer; and (2) preferential rights of rehire for employees laid off during such period. Requires notification of a labor organization before a transfer of a work group if the labor organization represents employees in the affected work group. Restricts the right of a carrier or affiliate to lower the wages, lay off, or terminate the employment of a regular employee during the six months immediately before the establishment of a separate subsidiary. Sets forth provisions covering court actions to enforce the employee benefit protection provisions. Part H: Rights of Ratepayers - Authorizes the FCC to provide financial assistance for public participation in certain proceedings. Authorizes the use of civil suits to acquire nonregulatory remedies of specified violations of this Act. Directs the FCC to prescribe rules to protect the privacy of persons using regulated services and of employees of regulated carriers. Requires limitations on the circumstances under which regulated carriers may: (1) intercept conversations between their employees and users of regulated services; and (2) make available information derived from the provision of regulated services. Transfers to title 5 of the Communications Act (dealing with Penal Provisions and Forfeitures) specified provisions of such Act relating to: (1) carriers' liability for damages and for agents' acts and omissions; (2) recovery of damages; (3) complaints to and investigations by the FCC; (4) orders for payment of money; and (5) obscene or harassing telephone calls. Authorizes the FCC to increase certain requirements applicable to a regulated carrier, its affiliate, or separate subsidiary if the FCC finds that such carrier, affiliate, or subsidiary violated this Act. Sets forth considerations to be made by the FCC in reaching such a decision. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the definitions of the terms used in this Act. Disavows any intent to limit by this Act the applicability of Federal or State antitrust laws. Makes certain technical and conforming amendments. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit entitlement to title II benefits in the case of an individual who is not a U. S. citizen or national if such individual: (1) is not a permanent resident of the United States; or (2) is outside the United States. Prohibits the payment of title II benefits to any dependent or survivor of such an individual on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the benefit involved is payable to such an individual as the dependent or survivor of: (1) a U. S. citizen or national; (2) a permanent resident of the United States; or (3) a U. S. citizen or national residing outside the United States if the relationship required for such individual's entitlement already existed at the time such national or citizen reached age 50. Authorizes the payment of title II benefits to an individual who is not entitled to benefits pursuant to this Act until the total amount of such benefits equals the total amount of any taxes paid on the wages and self-employment income on which the benefits are based.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 1981
Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to direct the Government National Mortgage Association, during fiscal year 1982, to provide financial assistance to mortgagors by reducing the mortgage payments for certain new homes to amounts the payments would equal if the interest rates on such mortgages were 12 percent. Directs the Association to provide such assistance by: (1) purchasing and servicing mortgages; or (2) making payments to mortgagees on the principal of or interest on mortgage loans. Requires the Association to recapture the lesser of the amount of assistance provided to a mortgagor or 50 percent of the net appreciation of the assisted property whenever the property is sold or refinanced or whenever the property is no longer the mortgagor's principal place of residence. Directs the Secretary to provide that: (1) assistance is allocated among the regions of the country on the basis of each region's inventory of unsold, newly constructed homes; (2) the amount of assistance provided to any mortgagor shall not exceed $6,000; and (3) priority for assistance is given to first-time buyers who could not otherwise afford to buy and who are purchasing modest homes constructed by small homebuilders.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1981
Milwaukee Railroad and Rock Island Railroad Amendments Act of 1981 - Amends the Milwaukee Railroad Restructuring Act to revise procedures by which the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) oversees the purchase of bankrupt rail lines by financially responsible persons. Defines a "financially responsible person" as one who is capable of paying the purchase price of a railroad line and the expenses of providing service over the line for at least two years. Amends the Rock Island Railroad Transition and Employee Assistance Act to declare that the ICC's authority to grant temporary operating approval for the use of Rock Island or Milwaukee Railroad facilities shall continue until a plan of reorganization or liquidation is approved by the ICC and the bankruptcy court.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1981
United States Academy of Peace and Conflict Resolution Act - Establishes the United States Academy of Peace and Conflict Resolution. Sets forth the functions of the Academy. Declares that the Academy is an independent nonprofit corporation. Sets forth the powers and duties of the Academy, including establishment of an Endowment of the United States Academy of Peace and Conflict Resolution. Set forth provisions for a Board of Directors and for officers and employees of the Academy. Set forth requirements for Academy program procedures and records. Requires an annual audit of Academy accounts and audit reports to the President and the Congress. Subjects the Academy to specified freedom of information provisions. Provides that, with certain exceptions, the Academy shall not be considered a department, agency, or instrumentality of of the Federal Government. Prohibits the use of any political test or political qualification with respect to personnel financial assistance under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for Academy buildings, grounds, facilities, programs, and administration. Sets forth provisions for availability of appropriations. Requires transfer of income and assets to the U.S. Treasury upon dissolution and final liquidation of the Academy or any other legal entity created pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1981
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to deem a disabled individual under 18 who would receive supplemental security income payments under title XVI of the Act if he or she were in a medical institution as an individual to whom an SSI payment is being paid if it is determined that: (1) the individual requires a level of care provided in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or intermediate care facility; (2) it is appropriate to provide such care outside such an institution; and (3) the cost of care outside the institution would not be more than the cost of care in an institution.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1981
Provides that a named individual shall be deemed to have been eligible for the special pension due those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor as of a specified date.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should disassociate itself from foreign governments that promote terrorism. Directs the President to support international actions to respond to Libya's policy of supporting international terrorism. Imposes an embargo on all imports from Libya and on all exports, except food and medicine, to Libya. Requires such embargo to end if the President certifies to Congress either that Libya is no longer committing a consistent pattern of terrorist activities or that the embargo threatens U.S. national security.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $2,500 ($5,000 for joint returns) of the interest and dividends from a domestic corporation received by taxpayers aged 62 or over.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1981
Requests the President to designate February 22, 1982, as a day of national celebration in honor of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of George Washington.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1981
Amends the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act to require persons attempting to export or import cash in an amount over $10,000 to file reports prior to departing from, or arriving in, the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1981
Amends title IV (National Research Institutes) of the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. Sets forth the Institute's research and training functions and arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases program plan. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Institute, to operate multipurpose arthritis and musculoskeletal disease research centers. Requires annual evaluations of such centers. Authorizes specified appropriations for such centers for fiscal years 1983 through 1985. Directs the Secretary to establish an arthritis and musculoskeletal disease Coordinating Committee, which shall meet at least four times a year.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the tax deferral of amounts received under variable annuity contracts. Permits the use of an independent investment manager of such annuities. Allows the like-kind exchange of one annuity contract for another. Provides that the tax treatment of any payment made by a contract holder on or before September 25, 1981, shall be determined without regard to Revenue Ruling 81-225 (disallowing tax deferral of amounts received under certain variable annuity contracts).
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1981
Directs the President to limit milk protein product imports through 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that policies of Jewish emigration discrimination and anti-Semitism are morally reprehensible. Urges the President to tell the Soviet Union that the United States opposes these policies and wants emigration restrictions on Soviet Jews removed.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1981
National Petroleum Supply Evaluation Act of 1981 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with others, to investigate the impacts of acquisitions of domestic petroleum companies by major international concerns and to report to Congress concerning such investigation by May 1, 1982. Requires the investigation to evaluate the effect of such acquisition on the exploration, development, production, refining, transportation, distribution, and marketing of domestic petroleum supplies. Prohibits any major international energy concern from acquiring more than five percent of any domestic petroleum company between October 1, 1981, and June 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of November 7, 1982, through November 13, 1982, as "National Disabled Veterans Week."
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1981
Record Carrier Competition Act of 1981 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to eliminate the current provisions governing consolidations and mergers of telegraph carriers except with respect to certain contracts between domestic and international record carriers. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promote the development of fully competitive domestic and international markets for record communications service. Defines "record communications service" to mean any telecommunications service that is designed or used primarily to transfer information which originates or terminates in written or graphic form. Defines "record carriers" as carriers of such service. Requires the FCC to reduce its regulation of record carriers as competition develops. Requires the FCC to assure that the costs of record communications services, facilities, and terminal equipment are borne by users of any other record communications services. Requires record carriers, upon reasonable request, to provide full interconnection for other record carriers with any record communications service or facility. Treats a record carrier which provides both domestic and international record communications services as a separate domestic and a separate international record carrier for purposes of interconnection. Requires such a carrier to furnish the same quality interconnection under equal terms to its domestic or international branch as it furnishes to other carriers with one specified exception. Requires that any agreement between record carriers on furnishing record communications services or facilities will establish a nondiscriminatory formula for allocating revenues from such services. Requires such allocation to be based on costs to the extent it is possible. Directs the FCC to convene a meeting between all existing international record carriers and any record carriers which would be parties to an interconnection agreement. States that the purpose of the meeting is to negotiate such agreement. Requires the FCC to establish an agreement if certain carriers fail to agree. Authorizes a record carrier not subject to the agreement to become subject to the agreement by furnishing written notice to the FCC and the existing parties to the agreement. Terminates the agreement after a specified time. Authorizes the FCC to establish an interconnection agreement after such termination under specified circumstances. Prohibits enforcement of agreements that impede the development or operation of competitive record communications service market. Authorizes the FCC to modify or vacate an interconnection agreement if it is inconsistent with developing a competitive market. Sets forth the authority of the FCC with respect to applications by record carriers for providing international record communications service. Authorizes all record carriers to provide record communications service domestically and internationally. Requires such carriers that want to provide such service to apply to the FCC. Requires the FCC to act expeditiously on such applications. Authorizes the FCC to consider in connection with such an application the effect on foreign commerce of granting or denying the application. Extends for one year after enactment the FCC oversight of the distribution formulas for unrouted outbound telegraph traffic and the revenue allocations with respect to such traffic.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1981
Designates the Department of Commerce Building in the District of Columbia as the Herbert Clark Hoover Department of Commerce Building.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1981
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the United States must manage its assets in a manner more prudent and beneficial to the interests of the American people; (2) all executive branch agencies should inventory their assets, estimate the approximate value of each asset, and identify the uses to which each asset is put; (3) the President should then identify which assets are surplus to Federal needs and should be candidates for liquidation; (4) the President should submit recommendations to Congress on any legislative and administrative revisions that may be needed to carry out such a program of liquidation in an orderly manner; (5) the receipts of this program should be used only to restrain and ultimately reduce the national debt; and (6) the Comptroller General should investigate and recommend to Congress and each agency improved processes for managing Federal assets, estimating their value, and liquidating those which are unneeded.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that no limitation should be placed on the Federal income tax deduction for interest paid on a residential mortgage.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1981
World Peace Tax Fund Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit conscientious objectors to designate their income, estate, or gift tax payments for nonmilitary purposes. Establishes within the Treasury of the United States a World Peace Tax Fund to receive such tax payments. Defines a conscientious objector as an individual who is opposed to war in any form and who has been exempted from combat training in the Armed Forces under the Military Selective Service Act, or who satisfactorily demonstrates that he is conscientiously opposed to war in any form. Requires tax forms to contain a checkoff for taxpayers who wish to claim conscientious objector status and designate their tax payments for the World Peace Tax Fund. Permits the setting aside of criminal or civil penalties imposed upon a taxpayer for nonpayment of tax prior to 1979 if the taxpayer pays the tax and satisfactorily establishes that the nonpayment was due to his religious beliefs. Directs the Comptroller General to determine the percentage of actual appropriations made by the United States from the Federal budget during the preceding fiscal year for military purposes. Requires the publication of such information in the Congressional Record. Establishes a World Peace Tax Fund Board of Trustees. Sets forth the membership structure and duties of the Board. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement of receipts and outlays for that year in which total outlays are no greater than total receipts. Permits Congress in such statement to provide for a specific excess of outlays over receipts by a three-fifths vote directed solely to that subject. Prohibits total receipts for any fiscal year set forth in such statement from increasing by a rate greater than the rate of increase in national income in the last calendar year ending before such fiscal year, unless Congress passes a bill directed solely to approving specific additional receipts and such bill has become law. Permits Congress to waive the provisions of this Act with respect to any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Prohibits the Congress from requiring that the States engage in additional activities without compensation equal to the additional costs. Declares that total receipts shall include all receipts of the United States, except those derived from borrowing and total outlays shall include all outlays of the United States except those for repayment of debt principal.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1981
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a specially struck gold medal to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in recognition of the bicentennial anniversary of diplomatic and trade relations between the Netherlands and the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to coin and sell bronze duplicates of such medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1981
Amends the copyright law to exempt the private, noncommercial recording and use of copyrighted works on a video recorder from copyright infringement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Bankruptcy Improvements Act of 1981 - Amends title 11 of the United States Code (Bankruptcy) to establish an eligibility test for liquidation bankruptcy relief based on the individual petitioner's ability to pay a reasonable portion of his debts out of future income. Permits the court to dismiss a bankruptcy case under chapter 7 (liquidation) upon the motion of any party in interest filed not later than 30 days after the meeting of creditors, and after notice and a hearing, if the debtor is ineligible for relief under such title. Requires the bankruptcy judge to preside at any meeting of creditors and to perform such additional judicial duties any may be required. Declares that the value of the creditor's interest in the estate's interest in such property shall be determined in light of the purpose of the valuation and of the proposed disposition or use of such property, and in conjunction with any hearing on such disposition or use or on a plan affecting such creditor's interest. Declares that the value of consumer goods which the debtor seeks to redeem in liquidation shall be presumed to be the established resale market price, if such market exists. Requires the debtor in bankruptcy cases to file a statement of income and expenses. Requires the debtor, if the debtor's schedule of assets and liabilities includes consumer debts which are secured by property of the estate, to file and serve upon each creditor holding such security and the trustee, a statement expressing the debtor's intention with respect to retention or surrender of the collateral. Requires the debtor, at or before the meeting of creditors provided for by such title, to perform his intention with regard to such secured creditors. Repeals the provisions concerning exempt property and makes the States responsible for establishing exemptions to bankruptcy proceedings. Makes any debt which was incurred on or within 90 days before the date of the filing of a petition under such title nondischargeable. Allows creditors to enforce liens which have not been voided in bankruptcy. Permits reaffirmation of consumer debts subject to the debtor's right to rescind any such agreement within 60 days or until a discharge is received, whichever occurs later, by giving a written notice of rescission to the creditor. Declares that at the meeting of creditors the court shall inform the debtor of the nature and effect of a discharge. Eliminates the trustee's power to avoid liens or recover payments made within 90 days of filing petition in bankruptcy (within one year in the case of an insider) unless the creditor had reasonable cause to believe the debtor was insolvent. Permits the court, upon notice and hearing, to require a creditor to accept payments in redemption of the value of a claim secured by a nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interest in tangible personal property, over a reasonable period not to exceed five years, if such tangible personal property consists of specified objects. Allows a creditor, upon 10 days notice to the debtor and codebtor, to collect any portion of a debt from the codebtor which is not being paid by the debtor through the adjustment of debts of such debtor with a regular income. Requires payments under an adjustment of debts payment plan to commence at the time of the filing of the plan. Provides for the return of such funds after deducting the costs of administration if no plan is confirmed. Provides for the separate classification of co-debtor claims and non-dischargeable claims and authorizes payment of them under an adjustment of debts payment plan. Allows a debtor to choose such a repayment plan of up to five years. Bases such repayment upon the debtor's ability to repay out of future income after taking into account the basic living necessities for the debtor and dependents. Provides for an early discharge of debts where at least 70 percent of all allowed unsecured claims are paid. Permits a hardship discharge of otherwise non-dischargeable debts to the extent the debtor attempted to pay such debts under an adjustment of debts payment plan.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide farmers a refundable income tax credit based on the number of soil conservation acres which they utilize. Defines "soil conservation acres" as land owned by the taxpayer which is used in farming in which only conservation tillage practices are used (procedures which reduce soil erosion by minimizing the amount of plowing). Reduces the credit by the amount of governmental grants received for the purpose of carrying out conservation tillage practices.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Prompt Payment Act of 1981 - Requires Federal agencies to pay interest on overdue payments to businesses for property or services. Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to prescribe required payment dates. Specifies the procedures for computing such interest. Requires an agency to pay any interest charges out of funds made available for administration of its programs. Authorizes Federal grant recipients to provide for the payment of interest on overdue payments on their procurement contracts. Directs each agency to report to OMB annually on interest payments made during the fiscal year. Requires OMB to report to specified congressional committees on agency compliance with this Act. Requires the Director of OMB to delegate responsibility for OMB functions under this Act to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which provide incentives for energy conservation and development of renewable energy sources should not be repealed or amended to reduce such incentives.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1981
Requests the President to designate the week beginning October 25, 1981, as "National End Handgun Violence Week."
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of October 12, 1992, to honor Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas. Authorizes the President to establish a special advisory commission to plan and implement a five hundredth anniversary celebration during the week of October 12, 1992, in honor of Christopher Columbus and his discovery of the Americas.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1981
Allows individuals who voluntarily leave military service to receive unemployment compensation based on such service. Increases from 365 to 730 days the length of continuous military service needed to qualify as employment for purposes of unemployment compensation. Delays an ex-service member's entitlement until the fifth week after discharge or release from the service. Limits an ex-service member's total entitlement to no more than 13 weeks of benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1981
Amends titiles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to require Federal agencies to give to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, upon request, the names and social security account numbers of disability or SSI benefit recipients who are inmates of penal institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
National Commission on Down Syndrome Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the President's Committee on Mental Retardation, and other concerned organizations, to establish a National Commission on Down Syndrome to formulate a long-range plan for the study, prevention, and treatment of Down Syndrome. Requires a final report to the President and the Congress within 12 months after the Commission is organized. Requires the Secretary to submit a related budget analysis to specified congressional committees. Terminates the Commission three months after submission of the final report. Authorizes specified appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Repeals provisions of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 which set forth special rules for the leasing of depreciable business property between corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should fill the 1982 vacancy on the Federal Reserve System's Board of Governors with a person having small business or farming experience.