United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1983
Central Board of Scientific Risk Assessment Act of 1983 - Authorizes the National Academy of Sciences to establish a Central Board of Scientific Risk Assessment to develop a scientific review and evaluation of risk assessments made by Federal agencies, with particular emphasis upon risk assessment of substances that may result in chronic health hazards. Authorizes the Board to establish subpanels. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1983
Drought Assistance act of 1983 - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out an emergency feed program in designated disaster areas to assist family farms in preserving livestock and poultry affected by the 1983 drought. Reallocates specified Commodity Credit Corporation funds for such program. Establishes graduated interest payments (three percent on first $50,000, five percent on next $50,000, eight percent on amounts above $100,000) for drought-related emergency loans for family farmers otherwise unable to get sufficient credit.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1983
Regulatory Oversight and Control Act of 1983 - Title I: Agency Rulemaking Improvements - Requires each executive agency and each independent regulatory agency to include in the notice of a proposed rule an explanation of the agency's determination as to whether the rule is a major rule. Directs each agency, before or upon publishing notice of a proposed rulemaking proceeding for a major rule, to issue statements concerning: (1) the need for the rule; (2) the reasonable alternative approaches; (3) regional differences; (4) the benefits, costs, and effectiveness of the proposed rule and alternatives; (5) the advantages and disadvantages of adopting performance standards rather than design standards; (6) the technical information the agency will rely on in making the rule; and (7) the statutory authority of the agency to regulate any areas previously regulated only by State law. Requires that each agency issue additional statements upon providing notice of the promulgation of a major rule, including a statement of its determination that the benefits of the rule will justify the costs of the rules and that the rule will achieve rulemaking objectives in a more cost effective manner than the alternatives. Directs each agency to: (1) include in the notice of each proposed and final major rule, instructions on how the public may obtain copies of agency statements on such rule; (2) send a copy of all statements required at the notice and publication of a major rule to the President; and (3) include such statements and any technical information considered in the rulemaking file. Requires agencies to provide for oral presentations at informal public hearings as part of the rulemaking proceedings for major rules. Directs agencies to allow cross-examination of persons presenting information if necessary to resolve significant issues of fact. Directs agencies to regulate such public hearings so as to ensure orderly and expeditious proceedings. Allows an agency to delay completing the rulemaking requirements of this Act if it publishes a finding that complying with such requirements before making the rule would be impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. Requires an agency to complete such requirements as soon as practicable after promulgating the rule unless the rule will expire within two years. Sets forth provisions governing the judicial review of agency compliance with rulemaking and rule review requirements of this Act and the President's compliance with oversight requirements. Directs the President to: (1) establish procedures for agency implementation of the requirements of this title; (2) afford the public an opportunity to comment on such procedures before adoption; and (3) monitor, review, and comment on agency compliance with such requirements. Permits the Comptroller General to review agency compliance with this Act. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually, a regulatory agenda containing a list of all rules the agency expects to propose, promulgate, repeal, modify, or review in the next year and specified information concerning such rules. Requires publication of the agendas of all agencies in a single issue of the Federal Register. Directs each agency to publish for public comment a proposed schedule for the review of its existing major rules and other rules that may be added by the agency or the President. Declares that each such rule shall cease to be effective not more than ten years after the date the final schedule is published. Directs each agency to publish its responses to public comments upon publishing the final schedule. Requires an agency to include with the publication of a major rule the date, within ten years, on which the rule will expire and the date by which the rule must be reviewed. Directs each agency to: (1) publish a notice of the initiation of the review of a rule; (2) describe the costs, benefits, problems, and alternatives to the rule; (3) provide a period for public comment; and either (4) conduct a rulemaking proceeding to reissue or amend the rule; or (5) publish an explanation of its decision to allow the rule to expire. Allows agencies to alter review schedules if the President agrees. Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to eliminate the exemption of rules concerning loans, grants, and benefits from notice and comment rulemaking requirements. Requires that the notice of a proposed rulemaking include: (1) a statement of the objectives of the rule; (2) a statement that the agency seeks proposals from the public of alternative methods; and (3) a statement of where the file of the rulemaking proceeding may be inspected or how file copies may be obtained. Requires an agency to: (1) provide a period of at least 60 days after publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking for the public to submit comments on a proposed rule; and (2) include the agency's response to such comments in the statement published with the adopted rule. Prohibits an agency from relying on any material of central relevance in a rulemaking if the material is not included in the rulemaking file or the public has not had an opportunity to comment on the material. Directs each agency to maintain a public file on each rulemaking proceeding. Allows an agency to exclude from such file any material relied upon which is exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, if a statement of the basis for such exclusion is included. Requires a court reviewing an agency action: (1) not to accord any presumption in favor of or against agency action; (2) in determining questions of law other than statutory jurisdiction, to give the agency's interpretation such weight as it warrants considering the agency's authority under law; (3) in making determinations concerning statutory jurisdiction, to determine whether the action is within the agency's jurisdiction on the basis of the statutory language or other indications of legislative intent; and (4) in determining whether the adoption of a rule is in accordance with law, to consider whether there is substantial support in the rulemaking file for the agency's factual determinations. Declares that when proceedings for review of the same agency action are instituted in two or more courts of appeals within ten days, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall select, by a system of random selection, the court in which the record shall be filed. Authorizes the courts to postpone the effective date of the agency action as necessary to permit designation of the court of record. Prohibits agencies from paying expenses of persons participating or intervening in agency proceedings except as specifically authorized by statute. Title II: Congressional Review of Agency Proceedings - Requires each agency to transmit a copy of each rule it promulgates to the House of Representatives and the Senate. Declares that such rule shall be considered only as a recommendation of the agency to Congress. Prohibits a major rule from taking effect unless a joint resolution approving the rule is enacted within 90 days. Prohibits a rule other than a major rule from taking effect if a joint resolution disapproving the rule is enacted within 90 days. Prohibits an agency from promulgating a new rule that is substantially the same as a major rule that was not approved or any other rule that was disapproved. Directs the Comptroller General, at the request of a committee of either House which has primary legislative jurisdiction over a rule or on his or her own initiative, to inform such committee as to whether the rule is consistent with the statutory authority under which it was promulgated. Exempts an emergency rule from such congressional review requirements if the agency submits to the appropriate congressional committees a written notice of: (1) its determination that the rule is an emergency rule; (2) the time period (limited to 210 days) during which the rule will be effective; and (3) its intention to issue a final rule, if necessary, when such emergency rule expires. Sets forth House and Senate procedure for the consideration of such resolutions of approval or disapproval. Declares that: (1) congressional inaction on or rejection of a resolution disapproving a rule shall not be deemed an expression of approval of that rule; and (2) enactment of a resolution approving a major rule shall not be construed to create any presumption of validity with respect to such rule and shall not affect the judicial review of such rule. Title III: Regulatory Oversight and Control Amendments to House Rules - Amends the rules of the House of Representatives to establish a Regulatory Review Calendar to which all resolutions for the approval or disapproval of agency rules shall be referred. Provides for the consideration of the resolutions on such Calendar on the first and third Monday and the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Declares that it shall be in order during the reading of a general appropriation bill to consider any germane amendment proposing a limitation restricting the implementation of an agency rule, other than a major rule, for which a resolution of disapproval has not been considered by the House, or has been passed by the House but not enacted, within the time required under this Act. Requires each standing committee of the House to consider and adopt its oversight plans in a meeting which is open to the public by March 1 of the first session of a Congress. Directs each such committee to: (1) consult with other congressional committees with jurisdiction over the same areas to assure that such areas are reviewed in the same Congress and that there is maximum coordination and cooperation between such committees in conducting such review; (2) give priority to the review of programs under permanent budget or statutory authority; and (3) attempt to ensure that all laws, programs, activities, and agencies within its jurisdiction are reviewed at least once every ten years. Requires each committee to submit its final plans to the Committee on Government Operations which shall report all such plans to Congress with recommendations to assure the effective coordination of such plans. Authorizes the Speaker of the House, with the approval of the House, to appoint special ad hoc committees to review specific matter within the jurisdiction of two or more standing committees. Requires each committee to include in its biennial report to the House separate sections summarizing the legislative and oversight activities of that committee. Declares that it shall not be in order in the House to consider a primary expense resolution for any committee that has not submitted its oversight plans to the Committee on Government Operations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1983
Single-Employer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1983 - Title I: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to add the following new terms and definitions: (1) contributing sponsor; (2) control groups; (3) single-employer plan; (4) composite single-employer plan; (5) amount of unfunded guaranteed benefits; and (6) amount of unfunded nonforfeitable benefits. Increases from $2.60 to $6.00 the annual premium rate payable to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation by single-employer plans for plan years beginning after December 31, 1982. Authorizes the Corporation to establish annual premiums in accordance with revised rate bases. Amends the Act to require congressional approval of revised premium schedules by a joint resolution (currently a concurrent resolution is required.) Directs the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress to study the premiums established under the single-employer pension plan termination insurance program set forth in Title IV of ERISA. Requires submission of a report and recommendations to the Congress within two years. Authorizes appropriations. Prescribes procedural guidelines for the termination of single-employer plans by plan administrators. Requires a plan administrator to warn plans maintained under collective bargaining agreements that a notice of intent to terminate within a specified time will be filed with the Corporation. Grants the employee organization representing plan participants the right to object to such termination. Prohibits the plan administrator from filing a notice of intent to terminate if such employee organization files a written objection to the proposed termination within a specified period. Voids any notice of intent to terminate which violates these prescriptions. Prescribes procedures under which single-employer plans may terminate under a standard termination. Imposes upon standard terminations the same prior notice requirement that is placed upon plans maintained under collective bargaining agreements. Requires the plan administrator to include with the notice-of-intent-to-terminate a statement of the current values of: (1) plan assets; (2) nonforfeitable benefits; (3) accrued benefits; and (4) the actuarial assumptions and techniques used in determining the values of such assets and benefits. Sets benefit accrual guidelines for services performed after the termination date. Requires contributing sponsors (or members of their controlled groups) to contribute additional amounts necessary to pay all the benefits due for the appropriate plan year if a plan has insufficient assets on the standard termination date to pay such benefits. Allows the closing out of a single-employer plan in a standard termination if the plan has enough assets to pay all the benefits to which participants would have been entitled had they separated from service on a certain distribution date. Requires the plan administrator to send notice of the final distribution date to the Corporation, each plan participant, and each employee organization representing plan participants. Requires such notification to include certification by an enrolled actuary of the plan asset amounts, and of the present value of nonforfeitable plan benefits. Requires the final distribution of plan assets to fully satisfy the payment of all outstanding benefits. Limits the cessation of benefit accruals to standard termination cases only. Considers failure to satisfy the requirements of the minimum funding standards to be a failure on the part of each contributing sponsor (and each member of such sponsor's controlled group) to meet an outstanding obligation. Prescribes procedures for the termination of single-employer plans under a "distress termination." Requires notification of the intent to terminate under distress. Conditions the validity of such termination upon: (1) an indication in the benefit plan that all contributing sponsors (and each member of such sponsors' controlled groups) have assumed termination trust obligations; and (2) receipt of notice by the plan administrator that the Corporation has made specified determinations. Requires all plans maintained by contributing sponsors or by substantial members of such sponsors' controlled groups to have been granted funding waivers by the Internal Revenue Service for three of the five plan years preceding the termination, including the most recently completed plan year. Requires the contributing sponsors and each substantial member of their controlled groups to have filed a liquidation petition (under either State or Federal law) which has not been dismissed or converted under the Federal bankruptcy code. Requires the contributing sponsor to present substantial evidence to the Corporation that unless a distress termination is granted, such sponsor and each substantial member of the sponsor's controlled groups will be unable to pay outstanding debts and continue in business. Requires the plans maintained by the contributing sponsor and each substantial member of the sponsor's controlled group to show that the ratios of required pension contributions to gross income and to total annualized wages have doubled within a certain period. Defines a "substantial member" of a controlled group as a person whose assets comprise five percent or more of such group's total assets. Subjects the effectiveness of distress terminations to the condition that the Corporation be satisfied it will receive from the appropriate liable employers the outstanding amounts in an acceptable form. Requires the Corporation to: (1) determine by a specified time whether the plan's assets are sufficient to discharge all basic benefit obligations when they fall due; and (2) to notify the plan administrator of its findings. Precludes any service performed after the distress termination date from being taken into account for any benefit plan purposes. Voids any distress termination based solely upon the filing of a liquidation petition if the case was either dismissed or converted to a case under the reorganization provisions of Federal bankruptcy law. Requires the Corporation to institute court proceedings to terminate a single-employer plan if it finds that the plan is either unable to pay benefits when due, or has been abandoned. Establishes a termination trust for single- employer plans terminated under a distress termination. Requires contributing sponsors of such plans (and members of their controlled group) to fund such trusts with annual contributions. Prescribes procedure for the payment from the trust to eligible benefit plan participants. Includes termination trusts within the ERISA definition of "employee welfare benefit plan." Authorizes a plan administrator to restore terminated single-employer plans to pretermination status, under procedures prescribed by the Corporation. Imposes primary liability upon persons who are contributing sponsors (or members of such sponsor's controlled group) upon the termination date of a plan terminated by either the plan administrator or by the Corporation. Imposes joint and several liability upon persons who were under common control upon such termination date. Establishes liability to the Corporation for the amount of: (1) unfunded guaranteed benefits under the plan as of the termination date; (2) total unpaid contributions due as of the termination date (including contributions for which waivers were granted); and (3) unpaid contributions which would have been due but for the filing of a bankruptcy petition under Federal or State bankruptcy laws. Sets formulae for the computation and payment of such liability. Makes contributing sponsors and members of their controlled group liable for annual contributions to a plan's termination trust. Imposes contingent liability upon a formerly obligated contributing sponsor (or controlled group member) if a single-employer plan to which obligations were transferred is itself terminated. Imposes joint and several liability upon formerly obligated persons for five years. Extends the period of contingent liability to ten years upon bankruptcy, liquidation, receivership, or an assignment for the benefit of creditors. Imposes contingent liability upon: (1) formerly obligated sponsors, if one single-employer plan is transferred to another; (2) each member of a formerly contributing sponsor's controlled group, if such sponsor has stopped contributing; (3) the departing member of a controlled group, if any other member in such controlled group is a contributing sponsor; and (4) each remaining controlled group member for the benefit obligations of a departing contributing sponsor. Specifies exemptions to contingent liability. Authorizes the Corporation to prescribe regulations imposing similar contingent liability on composite single-employer plans. Provides guidelines for the amount and payment of contingent liability. Authorizes the amortization of contingent liability payments for a maximum of fifteen years. States that persons who are secondarily liable are also liable for the annual termination trust contributions. Provides for recourse of contingently liable persons against other liable persons. Sets guidelines under which: (1) contingent liability may be reduced; and (2) exemptions from contingent liability may be granted. Exempts from contingent liability persons who remain primarily liable. Authorizes the Corporation to waive or grant variances for liability upon a determination that its interests are adequately protected. Directs the Corporation to consolidate all civil actions involving any one single-employer plan termination in a single Federal court. Creates a lien in favor of an affected single-employer plan if the Internal Revenue Service grants a waiver of the plan's minimum funding standards. Provides guidelines for the satisfaction of such lien. Authorizes the Corporation to bring a civil action to: (1) enjoin violations; (2) obtain equitable relief; or (3) enforce termination provisions. Authorizes specified interested parties who are adversely affected by a violation of the plan termination provisions to bring a civil action for: (1) enjoinment; (2) redress; (3) enforcement; or (4) other equitable relief. Makes a single-employer plan amenable to suit as an entity. Grants Federal district courts exclusive jurisdiction over such civil actions, without regard to the amount in controversy, or the citizenship of the parties. Authorizes the court to award attorney's fees to the prevailing party. Treats corporate reorganizations designed to evade or avoid pension plan liability as though the reorganized corporate entity were the same as the entity to which this Act originally applied. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to conform to title I of this Act. Allows a deduction from gross income for payments of contingent liabilities in connection with terminated plans. Makes termination trusts tax-exempt organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1983
Multinational Force in Lebanon Resolution - Authorizes the President, for purposes of the War Powers Resolution, to continue the participation by U.S. armed forces in the Multinational Force in Lebanon, subject to specified conditions. States that such conditions will not preclude such protective measures as are necessary to ensure the safety of such Multinational Force in Lebanon. Requires the President to report to Congress, at least every six months, with respect to the situation in Lebanon. Requires specified information to be included in such reports. Declares the participation of the armed forces of other countries in the Multinational Force in Lebanon to be essential. States Congress' belief that U.S. policy should promote Israeli, Syrian, and Lebanese discussions aimed at the withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanon and the establishment of conditions that will permit the Lebanese armed forces to carry out their responsibilities in the Beirut area. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should discuss with members of the U.N. Security Council the establishment of a U.N. peacekeeping force to replace the Multinational Force in Lebanon. Requires an analysis of the implications of the response to such discussions to be included in the President's report to Congress. Provides that the continued participation of the U.S. armed forces in the Multinational Force in Lebanon shall be authorized for 18 months, unless the Congress extends it for a longer period. Requires such participation to terminate sooner upon the: (1) withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, unless the President makes a specified certification to the Congress; or (2) assumption by the United Nations or Lebanon of the responsibilities of the Multinational Force in Lebanon; or (3) implementation of other effective security arrangements in the area. Provides that nothing in this resolution shall: (1) preclude the President from withdrawing U.S. armed forces participation in such Multinational Force in Lebanon if circumstances warrant it or Congress directs such a withdrawal; or (2) modify, limit, or supersede any provision of the War Powers Resolution or a specified part of the Lebanon Emergency Assistance Act of 1983 (relating to congressional authorization for the expansion in the number or role of U.S. armed forces in Lebanon).
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
Designates the week beginning February 12, 1984, as a time to recognize the contributions of volunteers who become Big Brothers and Big Sisters to single parent youths.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
States that the United States: (1) condemns the Soviet destruction of Korean Air Lines flight 7; (2) calls for an explanation from the Soviets; (3) extends its sympathies to the families who lost loved ones and supports their rights to obtain reparations from the Soviets; (4) calls on the Soviets to assist in the recovery of the remains of the victims; (5) calls for an international investigation by the International Civil Aviation Organization; (6) declares its intention to demand that the Soviets modify their air defense procedures to assure the safety of commercial airliners; (7) finds that this incident will make it difficult for the U.S. and other nations to accept the Soviets as responsible members of the international community; and (8) urges our allies and other nations to cooperate with specified demands on the Soviets.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Davis-Bacon Reform Act of 1983 - Amends the Davis-Bacon Act to increase from $2,000 to $1,000,000 the threshold dollar amount subjecting certain contracts to such Act and requiring them to specify the minimum wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish as the prevailing wage for a class of laborers or mechanics the entire range of wages being paid to a corresponding class of such workers in the particular urban or rural subdivision of the State in which the work is to be performed. Excludes from the computation of wages the basic hourly rates of pay for workers on local Federal projects. Establishes a separate classification for helpers of laborers or mechanics. Amends the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act to require certain contractors or subcontractors to furnish compliance statements concerning weekly wages at the beginning and conclusion of the period covered by the contract, instead of every week as the wages are paid.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Risk Assessment Research and Demonstration Act of 1983 - Directs the President to establish and direct coordinated interagency projects which shall be designed to: (1) improve the use of risk assessment within Federal agencies; (2) develop a systematic approach to the use of risk assessment by Federal agencies; (3) identify research needed to improve risk assessment; and (4) bring public awareness to the nature of regulated risks. Directs the President to designate an agency to coordinate the projects. Directs the coordinating agency to submit a report to Congress which includes: (1) a review of the risk assessments presently being carried out in federal agencies; (2) recommendations for sharing research results among Federal agencies; (3) a proposal for the risk assessment demonstration projects required by this Act to be undertaken by specified Federal agencies; and (4) identification of the areas where the use of the results of a risk assessment is required, encouraged, limited, or prohibited by current law, regulation, or practice. Requires specified Federal agencies to recommend to the coordinating agency research projects relating to risk assessment. Directs the coordinating agency to report to Congress with recommendations concerning risk assessment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1983
Provides that any legal public holiday declared by Federal statute or Executive order that would result in the number of such holidays in a calendar year exceeding ten shall be treated as a regular workday.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1983
Revises the effective date of provisions under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act which terminate child's insurance benefits when a child reaches the age 16 unless such child is disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1983
Abolishes the page system of the House of Representatives at the end of the 98th Congress. States that page system functions shall be provided in a manner prescribed by the Committee on House Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1983
Export Administration Amendments Act of 1983 - Title I: Amendments to Export Administration Act of 1979 - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to set forth penalties for: (1) conspiring or attempting to export goods in violation of such Act; (2) attempting to evade the provisions of such Act; and (3) possessing goods or technology with the intent to export them in violation of a national security or foreign policy export control or with the knowledge or reason to believe they would be so exported. Permits a waiver of the revocation of the authority to export goods or technology only if specified congressional committees are first consulted. Requires persons convicted of violating a national security or foreign policy export control to forfeit: (1) the goods or technology that were the subject of the violation or that were used in the violation; and (2) the proceeds from the transaction from which the violation arose. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to designate Commerce Department employees to take specified actions to enforce the Export Administration Act. Limits the authority of customs officers with respect to such Act to: (1) inspection and seizure of goods or technology at those places in which such officers are lawfully authorized to conduct such searches and seizures; and (2) investigations conducted before such inspection, search, or seizure. Limits the U.S. Customs Service inspections of goods and technology in the enforcement of this Act to those goods and technology about which the Customs Service has received information of possible violations. Prohibits the Customs Service from conducting random inspections. Limits the amount of money which the Customs Service may spend in enforcing export controls. Amends the congressional findings and the declaration of policy of the Export Administration Act to declare that it is the U.S. policy to: (1) sustain vigorous scientific enterprise; and (2) control the export of goods and substances banned or severely restricted for use in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to issue licenses authorizing multiple exports instead of a validated license for each export including: (1) a qualified general license, authorizing exports for approved end uses; (2) distribution licenses; (3) project licenses; (4) service supply licenses; and (5) comprehensive operations licenses. Authorizes the President to prohibit or curtail the transfer of goods or technology which are subject to national security export controls to foreign embassies or affiliates of foreign countries located within the United States. Prohibits requiring permission for the exportation of goods or technology covered by national security controls if they are being exported to countries which maintain export control cooperatively with the United States, except that the Secretary may require an export license in certain circumstances and may require the exporter to notify the Commerce Department of such exports. Makes technology and related goods, including militarily critical technologies, eligible for a comprehensive operations export license. Makes exports of goods and technology eligible for a distribution license or other licenses authorizing multiple exports. Provides that one criterion for determining whether to eliminate the requirement of having a validated export license or a qualified general export license shall be the anticipated military needs of countries which are subject to national security export controls. Requires the Secretary to negotiate with other countries, including countries not participating in the group known as the Coordinating Committee, to obtain their cooperation in restricting certain exports. Requires the removal of a national security export control on a good if all applications for an export license of such good to a country group during the previous year have been granted, except that the Secretary may require an export license for exports to certain end users in such country group. Exempts from such requirement all export controls which the United States maintains cooperatively with another country. Prohibits imposing a national security export control on a good solely because the good contains a nonreprogrammable embedded microprocessor. Permits imposing an export control on such a good only if the functions of the good are such that, if exported, it would make a significant contribution to the military potential of a country that would be detrimental to U.S. national security. Adds to the objectives of the President's negotiations with the group known as the Coordinating Committee. Limits the duration of national security export controls on goods or technology that are available in foreign countries. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a validated license for the export of such goods or technology if the availability has not been eliminated within six months of the President's determination that the absence of such export controls would be detrimental to national security. Requires the Secretary to accept the representations of export license applicants with respect to the foreign availability of goods or technology unless the representations are contradicted by reliable evidence. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Department of Commerce an Office of Foreign Availability which shall collect information necessary for determinations of foreign availability under the Export Administration Act. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress within 90 days on a finding by a technical advisory committee that goods or technology subject to national security export controls are available in foreign countries. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a validated export license for such goods or technology if, after six months, the foreign availability has not been eliminated. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense to complete the integration of the list of militarily critical technologies into the commodity control list not later than April 1, 1985. Requires the list to include only goods or technologies which are not possessed by nor available to countries to which national security controls apply. Requires the Secretaries to specify to Congress why U.S. military or national security is benefitted if the list includes a good or technology which is available in other countries. Requires the General Accounting Office (GAO) to evaluate the attempt to integrate the list of militarily critical technologies into the commodity control list. Sets forth matters to be considered. Requires the GAO to report its findings to Congress by April 1, 1985. Requires the Secretaries and the GAO to consider mechanisms to reduce the list of militarily critical technologies, including removing from the list: (1) goods and technology the transfer of which would not lead to a significant near-term improvement in the defense capability of a country to which exports are controlled; (2) slowly evolving technologies; (3) technology that is not process-oriented; and (4) components used in militarily sensitive devices that in themselves are not sensitive. Sets forth the criteria the President shall consider in determining whether to impose export-control for foreign policy purposes. Requires the President, before imposing foreign policy export controls, to consult with the countries with which the United States maintains export controls cooperatively. Authorizes the President to impose, expand, or extend foreign policy export controls only after consulting with specified congressional committees and making a specified report to Congress. Requires the President to submit a report to Congress within ten days of imposing, expanding, or extending foreign policy export controls. Requires such report to include the extent and results of consultations with industry and other countries before the foreign policy export controls were imposed. Prohibits any export controls imposed for foreign policy reasons from affecting: (1) export contracts entered into before the controls were imposed; or (2) export licenses issued before such time. Provides that the export controls shall affect existing contracts or export licenses if the controls relate directly to actual or imminent gross acts of aggression or of international terrorism, to actual or imminent gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, or to actual or imminent nuclear weapons tests. Prohibits export controls imposed on goods or technology in short supply from affecting export contracts entered into before the controls were imposed. Prohibits foreign policy export controls from authorizing export controls on donations of goods intended to be used to relieve human suffering. Permits such controls, even with regard to such goods, in order to control the export of goods and substances banned or severely restricted for use in the United States. Authorizes the President to prohibit or curtail the exportation from the United States of any goods, technology, or other information produced in the United States to the extent necessary to further significantly U.S. foreign policy or to fulfill U.S. international obligations. Applies foreign policy export controls to activities undertaken with the intent to evade such controls even if such controls would not otherwise apply to such activities. Authorizes the President to impose foreign policy export controls with respect to an expanded number of goods or technology if: (1) the President reports to Congress on the proposed controls; and (2) a law is enacted authorizing such controls. Sets forth the method for considering a joint resolution authorizing such controls. Requires that determinations of the Secretary of Commerce with respect to including items on the commodity control list or approving or denying export licenses for crime control or detection instruments shall be made in concurrence with the Secretary of State. Reimposes for one year the foreign policy export controls which were in effect on February 28, 1982, and ceased to be effective on March 1, 1982, September 15, 1982, and January 20, 1983 (except those controls with respect to the 1980 summer Olympic games). Authorizes one year extensions of such controls. Prohibits the President from rescinding a determination that a country supports international terrorism unless the President submits a report to Congress justifying the rescission and certifying that the country has not provided such support for a year. Authorizes entities which represent an industry or a substantial segment of an industry which processes metallic materials capable of being recycled to petition the Secretary to monitor exports of such material or impose export controls on such material if: (1) a domestic price increase or a domestic shortage resulting from increased exports has or may have a significant adverse effect on the economy or on a domestic industry; and (2) a significant increase in exports is or may be a substantial cause of adverse effect on the economy or on a domestic industry. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations defining specified terms. Sets forth the criteria the Secretary shall use in determining whether to impose monitoring or controls on such materials. Prohibits the Secretary from considering another petition with respect to such material within six months of the final action on the prior petition. Deletes the provision permitting the Secretary to impose temporary controls on such materials after a petition has been filed. Requires specified procedures to be followed before export controls on such materials may be imposed. Authorizes the export of domestically produced crude oil transported by pipeline over rights-of-way granted pursuant to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act only if: (1) the President recommends exporting the oil after making and publishing certain findings; and (2) the President includes such findings in the recommendation to Congress and Congress, within 60 days of receiving the recommendation, agrees to a joint resolution approving such exports. Extends the short supply export controls on domestically produced crude oil until September 30, 1987. Requires the President to notify Congress whenever the President determines that short supply export controls should be imposed on refined petroleum products. Declares that foreign policy or short supply controls imposed on agricultural commodities shall cease to be effective if, within 60 days of receiving the President's report on such controls, the Congress does not adopt a joint resolution approving the controls. Requires the Secretary to issue or deny within 60 days of submission those export license applications which are not referred to another department or agency. Requires the Secretary to allow an export license applicant 30 days to respond to a decision to deny the license application. Prohibits the Secretary from returning a license application without action if the license requirements are changed after the application has been submitted. Authorizes the Secretary to request additional information in such a case. Requires the Secretary to provide a proper classification of a good or technology on the commodity control list within 10 days of receiving a request for such classification. Requires the Secretary to respond within 30 days to an inquiry about the applicability of export license requirements to a proposed export transaction or series of transactions. Requires the Secretary to include in the annual report to Congress on the administration of the Export Administration Act detailed information on the removal of export controls pursuant to a specified section. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of such Act for FY 1984 and 1985. Extends the authority granted by such Act until September 30, 1985. Requires the Secretary to modify the office hours of the Office of Export Administration on at least four days of each workweek to accommodate exporters throughout the United States. Title II: Export Promotion Programs - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 and 1985 to carry out Commerce Department export promotion programs. Directs the President, within 180 days of enactment of this Act, to submit to Congress a contingency plan for bartering surplus farm commodities for petroleum and petroleum products and for other materials vital to the national interest. Authorizes the President to: (1) barter farm commodities for petroleum and petroleum products and for other materials vital to the national interest; and (2) purchase such products and materials which are produced abroad and acquired by persons in the United States through barter for farm commodities through normal commercial trade channels. Title III: South Africa - United States Policy Toward South Africa Act of 1983 - Subtitle I: Labor Standards - Requires any United States person who has or controls an enterprise in South Africa which employs more than 20 people to insure that in operating such enterprise the following employment principles are implemented: (1) desegregation in any employment facility; (2) equal employment for all employees; (3) equal pay for equal work; (4) establishment of a minimum wage and salary structure; (5) increase in the representation of nonwhites in managerial, supervisory, administrative, clerical, and technical jobs; (6) improvement of the quality of employees' lives outside the work environment; and (7) recognition of labor unions and fair labor practices. Declares that the Secretary may issue guidelines and give advisory opinions on compliance with such principles. Directs the Secretary of State to establish an Advisory Council in South Africa to advise the Secretary with respect to the implementation of such employment principles and to review the annual reports which each U.S. person covered by this Act must submit to the Secretary on the progress made in implementing such principles. Directs the Secretary to establish in the United States an American Advisory Council to make policy recommendations regarding labor practices of U.S. persons in South Africa and to review such persons' progress in implementing such employment practices. Directs the Secretary: (1) to take specified actions to insure compliance with the implementation of such employment principles; and (2) to review the compliance of such persons at least biennially. Sets forth penalties for noncompliance. Authorizes the President to waive compliance with the implementation of such principles if such compliance would harm U.S. national security. Subtitle II: Prohibition on Loans and Importation of Gold Coins - Prohibits any U.S. bank from making a loan directly or through a foreign subsidiary to South Africa unless such loan is for educational, housing, or health facilities available to all persons on a nondiscriminatory basis. Prohibits the importation of any gold coin minted in South Africa or sold by South Africa. Directs the Secretary to take specified actions to enforce the prohibitions on loans and the importation of gold coins. Sets forth penalties for violations of such prohibitions. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibitions for one year if South Africa meets specified conditions. Subtitle III: General Provisions - Directs Federal agencies to cooperate with the Secretary in carrying out provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1983
Amends the wartime disability compensation provisions to deem as service-connected the disease of transverse myelitis developed to a degree of at least ten percent disability in a wartime veteran within seven years from the date of such veteran's discharge or release.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1983
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Margaret Truman Daniel, daughter of Harry S. Truman, in recognition of the lifetime of outstanding public service he gave to the United States. Commemorates his one hundredth birthday which will be celebrated on May 8, 1984. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1983
Amends the Bankruptcy Rules to make effective on August 1, 1983, a specified rule concerning notice to the debtor, all creditors and indenture trustees about certain proceedings. Permits such person as the Court may direct to give such notice. (Under current law, only the clerk may give such notice.)
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1983
Establishes a select committee to investigate the alleged alterations of certain hearing transcripts during the second session of the 97th Congress and whether other House documents have been altered. Requires the select committee to report to the House not later than October 28, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1983
Secondary Mortgage Market Equity Act - Amends the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act and the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to set forth a formula for increasing the maximum mortgage limitation for a one- to four- family residence in certain areas where high prevailing housing sales prices have limited housing opportunities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that further expansion of cargo preference requirements, either for commercial or other trade, should not be imposed.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1983
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that membership in a labor organization is not required as a condition of employment in Federal areas located within a State or territory (thus allowing the application of State right-to-work laws).
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1983
Surplus Dairy Products Exchange Act - Declares that it is in the national interest to promote the exchange of surplus dairy stocks for critical and strategic materials. Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture, during FY 1984 and 1985, to accept offers from individuals or commercial firms to exchange strategic and critical materials for surplus dairy stocks provided specified conditions relating to value determination and protection of export markets are met. Requires the Secretary to export, if possible, at least 15 percent of uncommitted surplus dairy stocks in each of FY 1984 and 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1983
Government Printing Office Pay Reform Act of 1983 - Requires the pay of Government Printing Office employees to be administered under the prevailing rate system and the General Schedule. Provides that employees who, upon enactment of this Act, hold positions for which the pay rates are determined by conference with the Public Printer or by appeal to the Joint Committee on Printing, shall, with specified exceptions, continue to receive basic pay at a rate not below the rate in effect immediately before enactment of this Act, plus any increase payable under the prevailing rate system or the General Schedule. Repeals the limitation on the number of apprentices that the Public Printer may employ at one time.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1983
Requests the President to issue a proclamation commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of the George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, Missouri.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1983
Designates the U.S. Post Office Building, 41-65 Main Street, Flushing, New York, as the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Post Office Building. Requires the Postmaster General to install an appropriate plaque indicating such designation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1983
Export Administration Amendments Act of 1983 - Title I: Amendments to Export Administration Act of 1979 - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 (the Export Administration Act) to set forth penalties for: (1) conspiring or attempting to export goods in violation of such Act; (2) attempting to evade the provisions of such Act; and (3) possessing goods or technology with the intent to export them in violation of a national security or foreign policy export control or with the knowledge or reason to believe they would be so exported. Permits a waiver of the revocation of the authority to export goods or technology only if specified congressional committees are first consulted. Requires persons convicted of violating a national security or foreign policy export control to forfeit: (1) the goods or technology that were the subject of the violation or that were used in the violation; and (2) the proceeds from the transaction from which the violation arose. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to designate Commerce Department employees to take specified actions to enforce the Export Administration Act. Limits the authority of customs officers with respect to such Act to: (1) inspection and seizure of goods or technology at those places in which such officers are lawfully authorized to conduct such searches and seizures; and (2) investigations conducted before such inspection, search, or seizure. Limits the U.S. Customs Service inspections of goods and technology in the enforcement of this Act to those goods and technology about which the Customs Service has received information of possible violations. Prohibits the Customs Service from conducting random inspections. Limits the amount of money which the Customs Service may spend in enforcing export controls. Declares that it is U.S. policy to sustain vigorous scientific enterprise and to control the export of goods and substances banned or severely restricted in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to issue licenses authorizing multiple exports instead of a validated license for each export, including: (1) a qualified general license, authorizing exports for approved end uses; (2) distribution licenses; (3) project licenses; (4) service supply licenses; and (5) comprehensive operations licenses. Authorizes the President to impose restrictions on the transfer of goods or technology within the United States to embassies and affiliates of countries which are subject to national security export controls. Prohibits requiring permission for the exportation of goods or technology covered by national security controls if they are being exported to countries which maintain export controls cooperatively with the United States, although the Secretary may require an export license for exports to certain end users. Authorizes the Secretary to require exporters to notify the Commerce Department of such exports. Makes technology and related goods that are subject to national security export controls, including militarily critical technologies, eligible for a comprehensive operations export license. Makes exports of such goods and technology eligible for a distribution license or other licenses authorizing multiple exports. Authorizes the Secretary to establish as one criterion for removing the requirement of validated and qualified general export licenses the anticipated needs of the military of countries subject to national security export controls. Requires that a national security export control on a good to a specific country group shall be removed if, during the previous year, all applications for export licenses for such good to that country group have been granted. Permits the Secretary to require an export license for the export of that good to certain end users in such country group. Exempts from such requirements all export controls which the United States maintains cooperatively with another country. Prohibits imposing a national security export control on a good solely because it contains an embedded microprocessor if the microprocessor cannot be used or altered to perform functions other than those it performs in the good in which it is embedded. Permits imposing an export control on such a good only if the functions of the good are such that, if exported, it would make a significant contribution to the military potential of a country that would be detrimental to U.S. national security. Adds to the list of objectives which the President shall attempt to accomplish in negotiating multilateral export controls. Limits the duration of national security export controls on goods or technology that are available in foreign countries. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a validated license for the export of such goods or technology if the availability has not been eliminated within six months of the President's determination that the absence of such export controls would be detrimental to national security. Requires the Secretary to accept the representations of export license applicants with respect to the foreign availability of goods or technology unless the representations are contradicted by reliable evidence. Establishes in the Department of Commerce an Office of Foreign Availability which shall be responsible for gathering and analyzing information relating to determinations of foreign availability under the Export Administration Act. Requires such information to be made available to the Congress every six months. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress within 90 days on a finding by a technical advisory committee that goods or technology subject to national security export controls are available in foreign countries. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a validated export license for such goods or technology if after six months, the foreign availability has not been eliminated. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense to complete the integration of the list of militarily critical technologies into the commodity control list. Requires the Secretaries to report to the appropriate congressional committees before April 1, 1985, any circumstances that would prevent the integrated list from being completed by that date. Requires the list to include only goods or technologies which are not possessed by nor available to countries to which national security controls apply. Requires the Secretaries to specify to Congress why U.S. military or national security is benefitted if the list includes a good or technology which is available in other countries. Requires the General Accounting Office to evaluate the attempt to integrate the list of militarily critical technologies into the commodity control list and to report its findings to Congress by April 1, 1985. Requires the Secretaries and the task force to consider mechanisms to reduce the list of militarily critical technologies, including removing from the list: (1) goods and technology the transfer of which would not lead to a significant near-term improvement in the defense capability of a country to which exports are controlled; (2) slowly evolving technologies; (3) technology that is not process-oriented; and (4) components used in militarily sensitive devices that in themselves are not sensitive. Lists criteria which the President shall consider when imposing, expanding, or extending foreign policy export controls. Requires the President, before imposing foreign policy export controls, to consult with certain countries, including the countries with which the United States maintains export controls cooperatively. Authorizes the President to impose, expand, or extend foreign policy export controls only after consultation with the appropriate congressional committee. Requires the President to submit a report to Congress before imposing, expanding, or extending such controls. Lists information to be included in such report. Prohibits foreign policy export controls from affecting: (1) export contracts entered into before the controls were imposed; or (2) export licenses issued before such time. Declares that this prohibition shall not apply to export controls that relate to actual or imminent acts of aggression or of international terrorism, to actual or imminent gross violations of human rights, or to actual or imminent nuclear weapons tests. Prohibits export controls imposed on goods or technology in short supply from affecting export contracts entered into before the controls were imposed. Declares that foreign policy export controls do not authorize export controls on donations of goods intended to be used to relieve human suffering. Authorizes the President to impose export controls on medicine, food, and donations of goods which are restricted in the United States. Authorizes the President to prohibit or curtail the exportation from the United States of any goods, technology, or other information produced in the United States to the extent necessary to further, significantly, U.S. foreign policy or to fulfill U.S. international obligations. Applies foreign policy export controls to activities undertaken with the intent to evade such controls even if such controls would not otherwise apply to such activities. Authorizes the President to impose foreign policy export controls even if such controls would not otherwise apply to such activities. Authorizes the President to impose foreign policy export controls with respect to an expanded number of goods or technology if: (1) the President reports to Congress on the proposed controls; and (2) a law is enacted authorizing such controls. Provides for expedited consideration of a joint resolution authorizing such controls. Requires that any determination of the Secretary with respect to exporting or granting export licenses for crime control instruments shall be made with the concurrence of the Secretary of State. Reimposes for one year the foreign policy export controls which were in effect on February 28, 1982, and ceased to be effective on March 1, 1982, September 15, 1982, or January 20, 1983, (except those controls with respect to the 1980 summer Olympic games). Authorizes one year extensions of such controls. Prohibits the President from rescinding a determination that a country supports international terrorism, unless the President submits a report to Congress justifying the rescission and certifying that the country has not provided such support for a year. Authorizes entities which represent an industry or a substantial segment of an industry which processes metallic materials capable of being recycled to petition the Secretary to monitor exports of such material or impose export controls on such material if: (1) a domestic price increase of a domestic shortage resulting from increased exports is or may be a substantial cause of adverse effect on the economy or on a domestic industry; and (2) a significant increase in exports is or may be a substantial cause of adverse effect on the economy or a domestic industry. Requires such petition to include information demonstrating that specified criteria are satisfied. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations defining specified terms. Sets forth the criteria the Secretary shall use in determining whether to impose monitoring or controls on such materials. Prohibits the Secretary from considering another petition with respect to such material within six months of the final action on the prior petition. Deletes the provision permitting the Secretary to impose temporary controls on such materials after a petition has been filed. Requires specified procedures to be followed before export controls on such materials may be imposed. Terminates the short supply export controls on domestically produced crude oil on September 30, 1987. Requires the President to notify Congress whenever the President determines that short supply export controls should be imposed on refined petroleum products. Declares that foreign policy or short supply controls imposed on agricultural commodities shall cease to be effective if, within 60 days of receiving the President's report on such controls, the Congress does not adopt a joint resolution approving the controls. Requires the Secretary to issue or deny within 60 days of submission those export license applications which are not referred to another department or agency. Requires the Secretary to inform an export license applicant in writing if the Secretary receives questions or negative recommendations from other departments or agencies with respect to the application. Entitles such an applicant to respond in writing to such questions or recommendations and to respond in person to the department or agency raising such questions or recommendations. Requires the Secretary to allow an export license applicant 30 days to respond to a decision denying the license application. Prohibits the Secretary from returning a license application without action if the license requirements are changed after the application has been submitted. Authorizes the Secretary to request additional information in such a case. Requires the Secretary to provide a proper classification of a good or technology on the commodity control list within ten days of receiving a request for such classification. Requires the Secretary to respond within 30 days to an inquiry about the applicability of export license requirements to a proposed export transaction or series of transactions. Requires the Secretary to include in the annual report to Congress on the administration of the Export Administration Act detailed information on the removal of export controls pursuant to a specified section. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of such Act for FY 1984 and 1985. Extends the authority granted by such Act until September 30, 1985. Requires the Secretary to modify the office hours of the Office of Export Administration or at least four days of each workweek to accommodate exporters throughout the United States. Title II: Export Promotion Programs - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 and 1985 to carry out Commerce Department export promotion programs. Directs the President to report to Congress, within 180 days of enactment of this Act, on a contingency plan to promote agricultural exports by bartering surplus agricultural commodities for petroleum, petroleum products, and other vital materials. Authorizes the President: (1) to barter farm commodities for such materials in situations in which sales would otherwise not occur; and (2) to purchase such materials which are produced abroad and acquired by persons in the United States through barter from farm commodities produced in and exported from the United States through normal commercial trade channels. Directs the President to take steps to safeguard existing export markets for farm commodities operating on conventional business terms. Title III: South Africa - United States Policy Toward South Africa Act of 1983 - Subtitle I: Labor Standards - Requires any United States person who has or controls an enterprise in South Africa which employs more than 20 people to insure that in operating such enterprise the following employment principles are implemented: (1) desegregation in any employment facility; (2) equal employment for all employees; (3) equal pay for equal work; (4) establishment of a minimum wage and salary structure; (5) increase in the representation of nonwhites in managerial, supervisory, administrative, clerical, and technical jobs; (6) improvement of the quality of employees' lives outside the work environment; and (7) recognition of labor unions and fair labor practices. Declares that the Secretary may issue guidelines and give advisory opinions on compliance with such principles. Directs the Secretary of State to establish an Advisory Council in South Africa to advise the Secretary with respect to the implementation of such employment principles and to review the annual reports which each U.S. person covered by this Act must submit to the Secretary on the progress made in implementing such principles. Directs the Secretary to establish in the United States an American Advisory Council to make policy recommendations regarding labor practices of U.S. persons in South Africa and to review such persons' progress in U.S. persons in South Africa and to review such persons' progress in implementing such employment practices. Directs the Secretary: (1) to take specified actions to insure compliance with the implementation of such employment principles; and (2) to review the compliance of such persons at least biennially. Sets forth penalties for noncompliance. Authorizes the President to waive compliance with the implementation of such principles if such compliance would harm U.S. national security. Subtitle II: Prohibition on Loans and Importation of Gold Coins - Prohibits any U.S. bank from making any loan directly or through a foreign subsidiary to South Africa unless such loan is for educational, housing, or health facilities available to all persons on a nondiscriminatory basis. Prohibits the importation of any gold coin minted in South Africa or sold by South Africa. Directs the Secretary to take specified actions to enforce the prohibitions on loans and the importation of gold coins. Sets forth penalties for violations of such prohibitions. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibitions for one year if South Africa meets specified conditions. Subtitle III: General Provisions - Directs Federal agencies to cooperate with the Secretary in carrying out provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that hospice care is a necessary and humane alternative to traditional health care for the terminally ill.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for real estate taxes imposed by State law on tenants. Extends such deduction to taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize their income tax deductions.
![Official portrait of Rep. Winn, Larry, Jr. [R-KS-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000636_200.jpg)