United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1982
Expresses the sense of Congress that sufficient funds should be provided for maintenance of U.S. rivers and harbors to maintain authorized depths, and that such funds should not be impounded or held unspent by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1982
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to grant a broadcast station license renewal application if the licensee has operated the station during the most recent license period: (1) in a manner which serves the public interest; and (2) without serious violations of related regulations or treaties. Directs the FCC to deny a renewal application and to consider applications for a construction permit for that station if the FCC determines that a broadcast station licensee has not met the requirements for license renewal.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1982
Energy Consumer Regulatory Reform Act of 1982 - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act, the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, and the Energy Reorganization Act by repealing provisions relating to energy conservation improvements to buildings. Repeals provisions of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act and the Energy Security Act relating to residential energy conservation service and commercial and apartment energy conservation service. Repeals energy efficiency standards and requirements for consumer products other than automobiles under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to repeal retail regulatory policies for electric and gas utilities. Repeals provisions of the Energy Conservation and Production Act relating to electric utility rate design initiatives. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act by repealing provisions relating to State energy conservation programs and general emergency energy authorities. Repeals the Emergency Energy Conservation Act of 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1982
Declares that any action by the United Nations to prevent a democratic state from exercising its rights to participate in the United Nations will seriously and harmfully affect congressional support for the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1982
Requests the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Lenny Skutnik, in recognition of his heroic rescue of one of the victims of the airline crash into the Potomac River on January 13, 1982. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to cause bronze duplicates of such medal to be coined for sale to the general public.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1982
Chitimacha Claims Settlement Act - Declares constitutional and legal any transfer of land or natural resources in Louisiana by the Chitimacha Tribe before the enactment of this Act. Declares extinguished as of the date of transfer: (1) aboriginal titles held by the tribe to land or natural resources the transfer of which is approved by this Act; and (2) tribal claims for damages or possession against the State, any political subdivision of the State, or any person based on an approved transfer of land or natural resources or an aboriginal title extinguished by this Act. Sets forth procedures for actions challenging the constitutionality of this Act. Establishes within the Treasury the Chitimacha Claims Settlement Fund as compensation to the tribe for the extinguishment of any claim under this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to make semiannual payments to the tribe from income derived from the fund. Frees the use of such payments from regulation by the Secretary. Sets forth requirements for the acquisition of land for the tribe with the fund. Authorizes appropriations to the fund. Authorizes the tribe to establish a tribal court system and a tribal police force. Gives any tribal court system established under this Act exclusive jurisdiction over certain criminal offenses occurring and civil actions arising on the Chitimacha Reservation. Permits the tribe to assume exclusive jurisdiction over Indian child custody proceedings in accordance with the Indian Child Welfare Act. Prohibits the consideration of payments to the tribe under this Act in the determination of the eligibility of the State, any political subdivision of the State, or the tribe for Federal financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the provision allowing an income tax deduction without substantiation for living expenses of Members of Congress.
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 · 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 · 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 · 8 December 1981
Fair Practices in Automotive Products Act - Title I: Domestic Content Requirements for Motor Vehicles - Sets forth for all motor vehicle manufacturers which produce over 100,000 motor vehicles for ultimate retail sale in the United States "minimum domestic content ratios" (the domestic value, including labor and parts, of the manufacturer's production costs of all automotive products sold in the United States). Requires all vehicle manufacturers producing more than 50,000 motor vehicles for sale in the United States to provide information to the Secretary of Transportation for the purpose of administering this requirement. Authorizes the imposition of import restrictions on manufacturers violating such standards. Title II: Unfair and Deceptive Practices by Vehicle Manufacturers - Defines as an unfair method of competition and deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act the refusal of any vehicle manufacturer to determine whether parts produced in the United States by a parts manufacturer satisfy reasonable replacement part standards established by the vehicle manufacturer. Grants the Federal Trade Commission rulemaking authority to administer this title.
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 · 17 November 1981
Revises provisions concerning conservation and management of U.S. fisheries. Allows foreign fishing vessels to engage in recreational fishing within specified U.S. waters and in compliance with restrictions set forth by the Secretary of Commerce and others. Makes certain reporting requirements of the Regional Fishery Management Councils discretionary. Declares that specified guidelines established by the Secretary shall not have the force of law. Revises the organization of the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils. Describes changes in the contents and implementation of fishery management plans prepared by the Councils.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1981
Taxpayer Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to subject the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in the collection of taxes, to provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act regarding communication and harassment in connection with debt collection. Prohibits the publication of any deficiency which has not been adjudged to be payable by a competent court. Permits individual taxpayers to bring a civil action in a U.S. district court for damages resulting from collection practices prohibited by this Act. Requires a Federal court order before property of a taxpayer may be levied upon for the collection of tax. Specifies that a showing of fraud or malfeasance or a misrepresentation, for purposes of modifying or reconsidering a closing agreement between an individual taxpayer and the Secretary of the Treasury, shall be taken into account only if such a showing or misrepresentation is determined by a competent court. Prohibits the Secretary from consenting to extend for more than one year the period for assessment of the income tax liability of any individual taxpayer. Requires the Secretary to prepare, for distribution to taxpayers, brief but comprehensive statements which set forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of taxpayers during an audit; (2) the procedures which the IRS may use in enforcing revenue laws; and (3) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file taxpayer complaints. Requires a copy of such statement to accompany any tax forms sent to taxpayers. Prescribes criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation by employees of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws which inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Creates a civil cause of action for any taxpayer aggrieved by a prohibited investigation or by the deprivation of any civil rights. Permits the award of a judgment of costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, to a prevailing taxpayer in any proceeding before the Tax Court. Makes binding on the Secretary : (1) a tax return prepared for the taxpayer by an officer or employee of the IRS acting in his official capacity to provide such assistance; and (2) written information or advice given to the taxpayer by such an officer or employee acting in his official capacity. Places the burden of proof, in administrative and judicial proceedings involving the IRS and a taxpayer, upon the IRS. Directs that all property of taxpayers, for purposes of the estate and gift tax, be valued at historical cost (original cost to the taxpayer or the basis of the property if it was not purchased). Prohibits the use in IRS personnel evaluations of amounts collected pursuant to audits or investigations. Precludes the Secretary from exercising any enforcement authority over churches or certain other organizations. Prohibits the audit of any group of taxpayers unless the Secretary has first met certain notice requirements or permitted members of the group to file an amended return. Sets forth conditions which must be met by the IRS before any action is taken to interfere with the property rights of a taxpayer. Requires the IRS, before securing the records of, or personal data concerning, any taxpayer, to: (1) notify the taxpayer in writing of the demand, the material sought, and the need for the material; (2) have commenced an action in a competent court against the taxpayer; and (3) have justified its need before the court consistent with the discovery rules of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. States that the IRS shall have no authority, in enforcing the tax obligations of any person, which is in conflict with the rights and privileges granted under the Constitution.
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
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
Interstate Compact - Grants the consent of Congress to the compact between Mississippi and Louisiana which establishes a commission to study the feasibility of providing rapid rail transit service between the two States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1981
Directs the United States Postal Service to provide and sell a postage stamp issue to commemorate the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Provides that such postage stamp shall be of such denomination and design, and shall be sold for such period, as the United States Postal Service shall determine.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1981
Prohibits recovery of damages for the injury or death of a foreign seaman if the incident occurred while such seaman was engaged in certain activities.
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
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 not borne by users of regulated 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. Requires that any agreement between record carriers on furnishing record communications services or facilities establish a nondiscriminatory formula for allocating revenues from such services. Requires such allocation to be based on costs to the extent it is possible to do so. 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 a party 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 · 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 · 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 · 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.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1981
Port Development and Navigation Improvement Act of 1981 - Title I: Priority Maintenance and Navigation Improvement Projects - Directs the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to submit to Congress within two years after enactment of this Act a deep-draft commercial port channel maintenance program. Specifies that such program shall include alternate disposal sites for dredged or fill material. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to submit to Congress a programmatic environmental impact statement, including an analysis of the adequacy of deep-draft commercial ports to accommodate increasing import and export trade. Provides for veto of such maintenance programs and navigational improvement projects by concurrent resolution of Congress within 60 days. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress modifications of approved maintenance and navigational improvement projects. Requires the Secretary to undertake navigation improvements in deep-draft commercial ports on a priority basis under specified circumstances. Sets forth procedures by which the Secretary shall submit feasibility studies, survey reports, and environmental impact statements to Congress. Prohibits a State port authority from dredging or performing other maintenance with regard to a navigation improvement project constructed by or with assistance from the Secretary except under specified circumstances. Requires the Secretary to enter into memorandums of agreement with: (1) the Administrator in regard to the disposal of dredged and fill material into navigable waters; and (2) the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce concerning the environmental aspects of the maintenance and improvement of federally authorized channels in deep-draft commercial ports. Sets forth procedures for congressional approval of new navigational improvement projects. Title II: Financing of Navigation Improvement Projects - Grants the consent of Congress to the levying by States of tonnage duties. Lists the purposes of such duties, including reimbursement of Federal and State entities in regard to navigation improvement projects. Directs the Comptroller General to audit periodically the operations of State port authorities dealing with such duties of tonnage. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes appropriations. Allows the Secretary, upon congressional approval, to transfer funds from existing Department of the Army civil appropriations pending appropriation of such authorized sums.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1981
Repeals titles XV (National Health Planning and Development) and XVI (Health Resources Development) of the Public Health Services Act, effective September 30, 1982. Establishes a 20-year right of recovery for the United States against a facility built or modernized with title XVI funds.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1981
Directs the President to award the Purple Heart to any individual wounded or killed while held as a prisoner of war during World War I, World War II, or the Korean conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1981
Disapproves the final rule promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission dealing with the matter of the trade regulation rule relating to the sale of used motor vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1981
United States Olympic Development Fund Checkoff Act of 1981 - Permits taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns an election to contribute one dollar of their income tax refunds or one dollar forwarded with returns to support the fund established by this Act. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a United States Olympic Development Fund. Appropriates to the Fund an amount equivalent to the amount designated on tax returns to be available to the Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay amounts so transferred to the U.S. Olympic Committee for use in a program of expansion and improvement of amateur athletics. Sets forth reporting requirements with respect to the expenditure of such funds by the Committee.
![Official portrait of Rep. Tauzin, W. J. (Billy) [R-LA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000058_200.jpg)