United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Corrections Construction and Program Development Act of 1981 - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to State and local governments for up to 75 percent of the cost of projects to: (1) acquire, construct, or improve correctional facilities; or (2) improve programs and practices in correctional facilities. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Social Services Amendments of 1981 - Amends title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to increase the total amount allocable to the States for social services. Sets forth a formula for the distribution of such funds among the States based on the number of individuals in a State who are: (1) receiving aid under the program of Aid to Families with Dependent Children; (2) either under the age of five or over the age of 65; and (3) members of families with incomes below the national nonfarm poverty line. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for the purposes of determining the number of individuals below the national poverty line, to exclude from income all cash transfer payments based on need and made from public funds. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress with respect to the adequacy of the income data available from the 1980 census for use in making such determinations. Requires a State seeking payments under title XX to provide a comprehensive training plan for personnel providing services under title XX. Permits a State to accept restricted private funds under title XX for the training of personnel so long as such restrictions are consistent with the State plan. Authorizes appropriations under title XX for Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands for specified social services programs. Permits a State to develop a multiyear plan under title XX. Authorizes payment for emergency shelter for adults in danger of physical or mental injury, neglect, maltreatment or exploitation. Prohibits payment for such shelter for more than 30 days in any six month period.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to delete the tariff provisions: (1) for U.S. products assembled abroad; and (2) for U.S. metals exported for additional processing and returned for further processing.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers who do not itemize income tax deductions to claim a deduction from gross income for charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Declares it the public policy of the United States to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and use of leg-hold and steel-jaw traps in the United States and abroad. Prohibits the shipment in interstate or foreign commerce of fur or leather products from animals trapped in a State or foreign country which has not banned such traps. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to publish a list of States and foreign countries which have not banned such traps. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Sunset Review Act of 1981 - Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to jointly develop and maintain an inventory of all Federal programs and tax expenditures. Requires such inventory to classify all such programs and expenditures according to the jurisdiction of the various legislative committees of the two Houses. Requires the General Accounting Office (GAO), before the beginning of the 98th Congress, after consultation with the appropriate legislative committees and the Congressional Budget Office, to submit a draft inventory to the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. Requires such Committees to notify each legislative committee of the programs and tax expenditures which are classified within its jurisdiction. Allows any legislative committee to propose revisions of such inventory within 30 days after notification. Requires that such inventory be published in a single document. Requires that an update be made of such inventory at the beginning of every Congress. Specifies information to be contained in such an inventory. Directs the GAO to publish a supplement to such inventory which includes certain budget information. Requires each legislative committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate, by a specified date, to report a resolution setting forth an agenda for the sunset review of selected Federal programs within its jurisdiction, or, in the case of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance, of selected tax expenditures. Directs the committees of each House to develop their sunset review agenda in consultation with any other committee which has concurrent jurisdiction over any programs or tax expenditures involved. Requires, where practicable, that related programs and expenditures be reviewed during the same Congress. Requires the report accompanying any agenda reported in the 104th Congress and every fifth Congress thereafter to summarize the programs and expenditures reviewed and not reviewed during the five previous Congresses. Prohibits either the House or the Senate from considering a primary expense resolution for any legislative committee in any Congress until that committee has developed and submitted its sunset review agenda. Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to incorporate such agendas into a consolidated sunset review agenda and to report such consolidated agenda to its House in the form of a concurrent resolution, within seven legislative days after all committee sunset review agendas have been submitted. Requires the consolidated sunset review agenda to be adopted in the House and in the Senate no later than March 30 in the first session of each Congress. Sets forth the procedures for the consideration and adoption of such agenda. Requires each committee of the House or the Senate, not later than May 15 in the second session of each Congress, to report a bill or bills modifying, continuing, or terminating each program or tax expenditure which it has been directed to review under the consolidated sunset review agenda adopted during the first session. Requires such bill to be accompanied by a report. Requires each department, agency, and instrumentality in the executive branch of the Government which is responsible for the administration of a Federal program or tax expenditure selected for sunset review to provide the appropriate Congressional committees with its views, information, and assistance. Directs the Comptroller General to supply specified information on audits. Exempts foreign intelligence or counterintelligence programs designated by the President as requiring protection from unauthorized disclosure. Directs the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate to review such programs pursuant to the spirit of this Act. Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to include the consolidated sunset review agendas and the Congressional inventory of Federal programs as part of the House Committee on Rules' functions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Comprehensive Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation Act - Title I: Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation - Provides that, in addition to the processing and settlement of claims, the Comprehensive Oil Pollution Liability Trust Fund (Fund), established in title II of this Act, is immediately available to pay specified removal costs arising out of an oil pollution incident. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations designating the person or persons who may obligate available money in the Fund for such purposes. Permits claims for damages for economic loss, incurred within a specified time, to be asserted for: (1) removal costs; (2) injury to or destruction of property or natural resources; and (3) loss of profits or impairment of earning capacity due to such injury or destruction. Specifies the potential claimants who have standing to assert claims involving each such type of damage. Imposes joint, several, and strict liability on the owners and operators of each pollution source. Specifies liability limits, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, for ships and other vessels. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish limits on the liability of classes of facilities used for transporting, producing, processing, storing, or transferring oil. Requires owners or operators of vessels over 300 tons (including foreign vessels) and owners or operators of offshore facilities to establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility in an amount sufficient to satisfy applicable liability limits. Permits any owner or operator of more than one vessel or offshore facility to establish financial responsibility only to meet the maximum liability of the largest of such vessels or facilities, as the case may be. Provides for the enforcement of such financial responsibility requirements. States, in the case of an owner who is the holder of a leasehold interest or permit for the exploration of oil offshore, that evidence of financial responsibility established for the leasehold shall cover such owner for all facilities located on the leasehold. Provides that where an offshore facility is owned or operated by more than one person, evidence of financial responsibility may be established by any one of the owners or operators or in consolidated form. Requires owners or operators of each tank motor vehicle operated on highways and transporting oil in bulk, with a water capacity of more than 3,500 gallons, to establish and maintain evidence of specified financial responsibility. Limits the total liability of any guarantor, under this title, to the aggregate amount which such guarantor has provided as evidence of financial responsibility (except in cases of bad faith by a guarantor in settling a claim). Specifies procedures whereby the Secretary shall designate and advertise pollution sources. Directs the Secretary to advertise claims to be presented initially to the owner or operator, or to such person's guarantor, in instances in which: (1) the owner and operator of a vessel or facility designated by the Secretary deny such vessel's or facility's involvement; (2) the source of the discharge is a public vessel; or (3) the Secretary is unable to designate the pollution source. Permits claimants either to present a claim to the Fund or to bring an action in an appropriate United States court if liability is denied or the claim is not settled within a specified period. Sets forth procedures for the disposition and appeal of claims submitted to the Fund. Requires both the plaintiff and the defendant in a court action brought against an owner, operator, or guarantor to forward copies of all pleadings to the Fund. Permits the Fund to intervene in such actions. Subrogates any person or Government entity, including the Fund, paying compensation, to all the claimant's claims and rights under this Act. Specifies procedures for and the measure of recovery in actions brought by the fund against owners, operators or guarantors of alleged pollution sources. Grants U.S. district courts exclusive original jurisdiction over all controversies arising under this title, without regard to the citizenship of the parties or the amount in controversy. Declares that the rights and remedies under this Act shall be exclusive with respect to economic loss caused by oil pollution (but does not preclude State imposition of taxes or fees to finance the purchase and prepositioning of oil pollution cleanup and removal equipment). Sets penalties for persons failing to comply with specified provisions in this Act. Authorizes appropriations for this title. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress on the administration of this title. Title II: Fund and Tax - Establishes the Fund in the Treasury of the United States. Transfers to the Fund amounts determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be equivalent to: (1) the amounts received in the Treasury under the petroleum excise tax; (2) the amounts recovered or collected on behalf of such Fund under title I of this Act; and (3) any penalties imposed under title I of this Act or under oil and hazardous substances liability provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act insofar as these relate to petroleum oils. Makes amounts in the Fund available only to pay claims for compensable damages recognizable under title I of this Act (including costs incurred by the United States by reason of such claims). Defines "compensable damages" for purposes of the Act. Restricts interest payable out of the Fund. Provides for certain interfund loans, under specified conditions. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to consult with the Secretary of Transportation, in the case of the Fund, and with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in the case of the Hazardous Substance Trust Fund, concerning such interfund loans. Limits payment of claims by the Fund by requiring a minimum balance of at least $30,000,000 in the Fund. States that claims are to be paid in the order in which they were finally determined. Limits U.S. liability for payment of claims under this Act to the amounts in the Funds established under this title. Prohibits the funds from borrowing any money from the general fund of the Treasury, other than a first year authorization of appropriations as a repayable advance. Sets forth administrative provisions for the Fund, including methods of transfer, management, and investment. Coordinates this title with other provisions in this Act. Provides that nothing in this Act other than this title shall authorize: (1) the establishment of any fund; (2) the payment out of any fund created by this title; (3) the levy or collection of any fee; or (4) the imposition of any requirement with respect to the procedure applicable to rules and regulations prescribed under this title. Provides that, to the extent not inconsistent with this title, any reference in title I of this Act to a fund shall be deemed to refer to the Fund. Provides that, if the balance in any fund is to be transferred to the Fund, then any claim arising before October 1, 1981, which would have been payable out of the other fund shall be payable out of the Fund. Provides that if the Secretary of the Treasury determines that there is: (1) a Trans-Alaska Pipeline (TAP) Liability Fund surplus, then the amount of such surplus shall be treated as an advance payment of the petroleum excise tax on crude oil first transported through the TAP after the date of such determination; or (2) a TAP fund deficit, then the petroleum excise tax on such crude oil shall be increased by two cents per barrel until the total amount of such increased tax equals such deficit. Bases such TAP fund surplus or deficit on whether the amount transferred to the Fund from the TAP Liability Fund is greater or lesser than the total amount of claims which the Secretary of the Interior certifies as outstanding against the TAP Liability Fund at the time of such transfer. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide for environmental excise taxes on petroleum and certain chemicals. Imposes an excise tax (the "petroleum tax"), for fiscal years 1981 through 1986, of 1.3 cents a barrel on: (1) crude oil received at a U.S. refinery, to be paid by the operator; (2) petroleum products entered into the United States for consumption, use, or warehousing, to be paid by the person entering such product; and (3) any domestic crude oil used in or exported from the United States which has not been taxed under (1), to be paid by the person using or exporting such crude oil. Exempts from such tax domestic crude oil used, on the premises where it was produced, for extracting oil or natural gas. Defines 'crude oil', 'petroleum product', and 'United States' for purposes of the Act. Provides that only one such petroleum tax shall be imposed on any petroleum product. Title III: Regulations, Effective Dates, and Savings Provisions - Specifies the effective dates of specified provisions of this Act. Amends specified laws, including the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Act, to conform with the provisions of this Act. Requires pro rata rebates to owners of oil when: (1) the amount of actual claims settled is less than the amount of claims certified against the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Liability Fund (TAP fund) or (2) any TAP fund surplus is not used as an advanced payment to the Comprehensive Oil Pollution Liability Fund. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide that the Secretary of the Army shall make any determination with respect to specified provisions applying to certain navigable waters.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to deny eligibility for food stamps to any household including a person participating in a strike or labor dispute which the President determines is causing or substantially contributing to: (1) a critical shortage of any essential energy resource or strategic material; or (2) unemployment in an industry not directly involved in such strike or labor dispute.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1970 to revise and increase the mandatory penalties for using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony. Defines such offense as using a firearm to commit a felony over which the district courts have exclusive jurisdiction or carrying a firearm during such a felony involving violence. Deletes the requirement that the firearm be carried "illegally." Increases the additional penalty imposed for such offense from one to ten years' imprisonment to five to ten years' imprisonment for a first offender and from two to 25 years to ten years to life imprisonment for a second or subsequent offender. Extends to first offenders the directions, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence or grant probation and that the additional sentence not run concurrently with any term of imprisonment imposed for the offense itself. Makes a first offender ineligible for parole for five years and a second or subsequent offender ineligible for ten years. Expresses the sense of Congress that the executive prosecute vigorously such offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Sunset Act of 1981 - Title I: Reauthorization of Government Programs - Sets forth a ten-year schedule for reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for fiscal year 1979. Sets forth the procedure in the House of Representatives and the Senate for the consideration of any bill, resolution, or amendment which authorizes new budget authority. States that it is not in order for either House to consider any legislation which authorizes the enactment of new budget authority for a program for a period of more than ten years, for an indefinite period, or for any fiscal year beginning after the next reauthorization date applicable to such program. Provides that before the Congress can appropriate funds for any program, after its first reauthorization date, there must be a specific authorization in law to support the appropriation. Requires the committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to schedule and conduct a sunset review of programs to be reauthorized. Requires that the report accompanying such reauthorizations contain specified information and be completed during the Congress in which the program is scheduled for reauthorization. Exempts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as interest on Federal debts, health care services, general retirement and disability payments, as well as litigation activities which have as their objectives the protection and implementation of civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution, and specified retirement pay and benefits. Allows the reauthorization schedule set forth in this Act to be changed by concurrent resolution of the two House of Congress and sets forth the procedure for such change. Requires all legislation and other matters related to changes in the dates for programs under this Act to be referred to the committee with legislative jurisdiction over any program affected by the proposal and, sequentially, to the Committee on Rules in the House Representatives and to the Committee on Rules and Administration in the Senate. Requires such committees to report any concurrent resolution or bill referred to it by a committee of legislative jurisdiction within 30 days, with a statement on each of its recommendations. Makes provisions for any proposed change which has been reported by a committee before June 1, 1982. Title II: Program Inventory - Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs. Declares that the purpose of such program inventory is to advise and assist Congress in carrying out reauthorization and reexamination requirements and to link such reauthorization and review process with the budget process. Requires the Comptroller General to submit such program inventory to each House of Congress no later than January 1, 1982. Sets forth the contents of the inventory program, including the type of authorization provided for such programs' new budget authority and the manner in which related program areas may be grouped for evaluation and review. Permits the Congressional committees, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service to review the program inventory and to suggest revisions. Requires that the program inventory be revised at the end of each session of Congress, and that such revisions be reported to each House. Requires that periodic reports tabulate the progress of Congressional action on bills and resolutions authorizing budget authority for programs in the inventory. Requires the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to submit periodic reports to the Congress on the adequacy of the functional and subfunctional categories for grouping programs of like missions or objectives. Title III: Program Reexamination - Requires each committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to reexamine selected programs or groups of programs over which it has jurisdiction. Sets forth procedures for such review, and criteria for selection of program areas for evaluation. Directs each committee to consult with the appropriate committees of either the House of Representatives or the Senate in order to achieve coordination of program reevaluation. Directs each Committee to inform itself of the related activities of or available assistance from the General Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the Congressional Research Service, the Office of Technology Assessment, and other appropriate instrumentalities in the executive and judicial branches. Requires each committee to deliver a report on the reexamination to the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House at the date specified in the funding resolution first reported by such committee in 1983 and thereafter for the first session of each Congress. Allows two or more committees which have legislative jurisdiction over the same programs or portions of the same programs to examine such programs jointly and submit a joint report. Stipulates that such report: (1) contain the findings, recommendations, and justifications of the program; and (2) include specified information including, but not limited to, an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the program and an identification of any trends, developments, and emerging conditions which are likely to affect the nature and extent of the problems or needs which the program is intended to address. Requires each executive department or agency which is responsible for a program selected for reexamination to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget and to the appropriate committees of the Congress on its findings, recommendations, and justifications of specified aspects of the program. Title IV: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, after consultation with the Joint Committee on Taxation of the Congress, to prepare an inventory of tax expenditure provisions and to submit a report on such inventory to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House and the Senate Finance Committee. Defines the term "tax expenditure provision" as any provision of Federal law which allows a special exclusion, exemption, or deduction in determining liability for any tax or which provides a special credit against any tax, a preferential rate of tax, or a deferral of tax liability. Specifies the contents of the report, which include an estimate of the revenue loss from each tax provision. Requires the Director to: (1) submit a revised inventory to each House of Congress by December 1, 1982; (2) revise the inventory after the close of each session of Congress and report such revisions to Congress; and (3) periodically report on Congressional action on bills and resolutions which create or affect tax provisions. Directs the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax provisions similar to the schedule set out for Federal programs in title I of this Act. Requires Congress to take final action on the reauthorization schedule for tax provisions before the end of the 97th Congress. Provides that each tax expenditure provision shall expire unless it is reauthorized by a law enacted during the Congress in which it is scheduled for review. Sets forth procedures and restrictions for the consideration of bills reauthorizing tax provisions, which are similar to the restrictions and procedures governing bills authorizing new budget authority for Federal programs as described in title I. Requires that the report accompanying a reauthorization bill include specified information. Permits Congress to prescribe technical rules necessary to mitigate adverse effects which might result for taxpayers who rely on a certain tax provision. Title V: Miscellaneous - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to permit the committees of Congress to obtain from the agencies of the Government estimates or requests for appropriations, or requests for increases in an item of any such estimate or request, and recommendations as to how the revenue needs of the Government should be met. Sets forth administrative procedures and requirements. Directs the President, with the cooperation of the head of each appropriate agency, to submit to the Congress a "Regulatory Duplication and Conflicts Report" for all programs scheduled for reauthorization in the next Congress. Requires that each such report identify duplicative or conflicting rules and regulations promulgated by executive departments, independent agencies, and State and local governments and contain recommendations which address such conflicts or duplications. Directs the chairmen of the House and Senate committees having jurisdiction over a program scheduled for reauthorization during a Congress, to introduce a bill constituting a reauthorization within 15 days of the beginning of the second session of that Congress. Declares that it shall be in order to discharge a committee from consideration of such a bill if the committee fails to report the bill by a specified date. Makes it the duty of the Committees on Governmental Affairs and on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committees on Government Operations and Rules of the House of Representatives to review the operation of the procedures established by this Act and to submit a report every five years beginning December 31, 1988. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Regulation Reform Act of 1981 - Title I: The Analysis, Management, and Organization of Agency Functions - Requires the head of each Federal agency to publish for each proposed major rule a preliminary regulatory analysis which describes: (1) the need for the rule; (2) the reasonable alternative approaches; (3) regional differences; (4) the projected benefits, adverse economic effects, and effectiveness of the proposed rule and alternatives; (5) the estimated effect on small businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions and competition in interstate and foreign commerce; and (6) the advantages and disadvantages of adopting performance standards rather than design standards. Requires each agency to provide interested persons 60 days after the preliminary analysis is issued to submit written comments and to provide 20 additional days for persons to respond to such comments. Requires that each agency publish for each final major rule a final regulatory analysis which includes: (1) a justification over alternatives which are more cost-effective or which have less adverse economic effects; (2) a summary of the significant issues raised by public comments; (3) a statement on the possibilities of providing requirement exemptions or less burdensome compliance standards for small businesses, organizations, or governmental jurisdictions; and (4) the total costs of the agency of the preliminary and final regulatory analysis. Directs each agency to: (1) include in the notice of each proposed and final major rule instructions of how the public may obtain copies of such analyses; and (2) send a copy of such analyses to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Authorizes an agency to delay completing such analyses by publishing a finding that the rule is being adopted in response to an emergency that makes completion of such analyses impossible. Terminates any such emergency rule if such analyses are not completed within 180 days of the publication of the rule. Bars judicial review of such regulatory analyses. Directs an agency to issue a rule providing exemptions or less burdensome compliance standards to small businesses, organizations, or governmental jurisdictions when it has indicated in the final regulatory analysis that such regulatory flexibility is lawful, feasible, and desirable. Requires the Director of OMB and the Comptroller General to report to Congress on agency compliance with the requirements of this title. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually, a regulatory agenda containing a list of major and other rules for the next year and certain specified information concerning such rules. Directs each agency to submit its proposed major rules to the President for incorporation, semiannually, into the Calendar of Federal Regulations. Requires the Director of OMB to review and publish a list of rules submitted which potentially duplicate or conflict with other proposed or existing rules. Directs each agency to: (1) include in the notice of rulemaking or adjudicatory proceeding the date by which the agency intends to complete such proceeding; and (2) prepare and publish in the first regulatory agenda of the year a report on such proceedings which includes the number of proceedings the agency failed to complete by the established deadline and the reasons for such failure. Requires that such report also disclose specified information concerning the use of funds by the agency for procuring services for the preparation of any report in connection with such a proceeding. Requires each agency, within six months of the effective date of this act, to: (1) establish an office, within such agency, to be responsible for regulatory planning and management; (2) issue guidelines for determining which rules are significant rules according to specified standards; and (3) issue guidelines to insure that an adopted major or significant rule meets certain criteria including requirements that: (a) the rule is written to be easily understood; (b) there has been full consideration with affected State and local governments; and (c) the public has been given a full opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process. Directs each agency to publish and report to Congress on the costs of performing regulatory analyses and of reviewing its rules during the preceding year. Requires that each agency submit to OMB and publish in the Federal Register a draft schedule for the review, over a ten-year period, of its major rules and practices. Sets forth guidelines for such review. Directs each agency to publish a final review schedule within one year. Requires that each agency announce the review date for each major rule upon its publication. Requires each agency to publish an assessment of each precept reviewed. Declares that such review requirements shall not apply to precepts involving the internal revenue laws of the United States. Title II: Reorganizing and Improving Agency Proceedings - Requires that the general notice of a proposed rule include: (1) a statement that the agency seeks proposals from the public of alternative methods; and (2) a statement of where the file of the rulemaking proceeding may be inspected or how file copies may be obtained. Subjects rules concerning public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts to notice and comment rulemaking procedures. Directs each agency to maintain a file of each rulemaking proceeding. Requires each agency to prepare, semiannually, and transmit to the appropriate Congressional committees an agenda listing all areas in which the agency intends to propose major rules during the following year. Directs each agency to transmit a copy of each final rule to each House of Congress and to such committees on the day the rule is published. Prohibits the rule from becoming effective: (1) within 30 days after it is received by such committees; (2) until the earlier of the expiration of 60 days after the date on which a committee reports a resolution disapproving the rule or the date on which such resolution is rejected; or (3) if such a resolution is enacted. Exempts from such time constraints any major rule promulgated in response to an emergency situation. Prohibits an agency from promulgating a new rule substantially the same as a disapproved rule. Requires agencies to respond in an appropriate manner to good faith requests from interested persons for interpretations of agency rules. Creates a new procedure for administrative proceedings required by statute. Establishes an "expedited procedure" which applies to any proceeding predominantly concerning policy issues of a general character, including rulemaking and initial licensing. Requires "trial-type procedures" for proceedings concerning specific factual questions, including proceedings to assess a civil penalty or fine or to determine a claim for certain individual benefits. Enumerates the powers and responsibilities of a presiding employee at proceedings under trial-type procedure. Directs the agency, in such a proceeding, to conduct a hearing to afford parties an opportunity to submit written data, arguments, and responses, and an opportunity for oral argument. Authorizes the presiding employee to designate disputed questions for formal cross-examination. Sets forth procedures for issuing subpoenas in formal proceedings under the expedited or trial-type procedures. Allows an agency to designate an appropriate employee to recommend a decision for a proceeding under expedited procedure when the presiding employee submits a record of the proceeding without a recommended decision. Authorizes each agency to establish employee boards to review the decisions of presiding employees. Directs each agency to specify conditions under which it will accept an appeal of a decision of a presiding employee or such a board and conditions under which it will exclude a decision from the jurisdiction of a review board. Requires an action to be brought in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the review of an agency rule for which there is no applicable special statutory review procedure. Prohibits a court reviewing an agency action involving a rule from making any presumption in favor of the agency action if either the House of Representatives or the Senate has agreed to a resolution finding that the rule exceeded the agency's statutory authority or is inconsistent with legislative intent. Title III: Organizational and Program Improvements - Amends the Administrative Conference Act to repeal a requirement that the public members of the Conference be attorneys, scholars in government, or otherwise especially informed about Federal administrative procedure. Prohibits an agency from providing financial assistance for the costs of public participation in agency proceedings without specific statutory authority. Limits the maximum amount of such assistance. Requires any person awarded such assistance to enter into an agreement with the Chairman which outlines the representation to be provided by such person in the proceeding and permits the Chairman to examine expenditures from such assistance. Directs the Chairman to examine expenditures from such assistance. Directs the Chairman and the Director of OMB to report to Congress on the identity of applicants for such assistance and the amounts of assistance provided for fiscal years 1981 through 1984. Directs the Comptroller General to audit and report to Congress regarding the financial assistance procedures. Title IV: Congressional Review of Agency Regulations - Establishes the Committee on Regulatory Affairs as a permanent select committee of the House of Representatives to monitor the rulemaking activities of Federal agencies on a continuing basis. Requires each agency, upon proposing and upon promulgating a rule, to notify the Committee of certain information about the rule. Authorizes the Committee to investigate any such rule and report to the House. Specifies grounds for objections. Requires the Committee to transmit copies of such a report to the House committees with jurisdiction over the rule and to the promulgating agency. Directs the agency head to submit to the Speaker of the House within 30 days a statement indicating that the report has been reviewed, responding to issues raised by the Committee, and describing any accommodative agency actions. Precludes the House from considering any legislation appropriating funds to promulgate or implement such rule if the agency fails to submit such statement. Authorizes the Committee to report a joint resolution to prevent the promulgation of, postpone the effectiveness of, or repeal any rule on which it has issued a report. Permits the Speaker of the House to refer to the Committee: (1) any bill or resolution which authorizes an agency to issue rules which carry civil or criminal penalties for noncompliance; and (2) any resolution other than a joint resolution introduced pursuant to a provision of law authorizing Congressional disapproval of an agency rule. Directs the Committee to submit to the Ninety-eighth Congress a report on its activities during the Ninety-seventh Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Establishes a Commission on More Effective Government to study and recommend ways of promoting economy, efficiency, and improved service within the Executive branch of Government. Directs the Commission to recommend methods to improve the relationship between Federal, State, and local governments. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to the Congress ten days after the Ninety-eighth Congress convenes. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such date. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits a Federal court from requiring that a person be assigned to, or excluded from, a school on the basis of race, religion, or national origin.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Establishes in the House of Representatives a Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control to review problems of narcotics abuse, including enforcement, international trafficking, organized crime, and the criminal justice system with respect to narcotics law violations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1980
Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to direct the Attorney General to use the proceeds from dispositions of forfeited property to purchase evidence and other information in connection with investigations of violations under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1980
Welfare and Medicaid Fiscal Assistance Program Act of 1980 - Amends Title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to increase the Federal medical assistance percentage payable to a State with a medical assistance plan approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under such Act. Directs a State to pay on a pro rata basis any Federal funds received in excess of the old Federal medical assistance percentage to any political subdivision of such State which contributed under the State medical assistance plan for such quarter. Limits such payment to 100 percent of of such political subdivision's contribution.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1980
Constitution Bicentennial Observance Act - Establishes the United States Constitution Bicentennial Commission, representing the three branches of the Federal Government and the public, to plan and develop a three-year program for commemorating the bicentennial of the United States Constitution. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Directs the Commission to submit specified reports to the President and the Congress. Requires certain Federal officials to assist the Commission in planning the commemoration. Terminates the Commission on April 31, 1988. Authorizes the Commission to extend matching grants to nonprofit entities, States, and local governments for commemorative programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1980
Amends the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 to specify that officers and members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division shall receive the same overall percentage adjustment in basic compensation as other Federal employees within the General Schedule under the Federal pay comparability system, effective in fiscal year 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Father Michael J. McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus, as the Knights of Columbus celebrate their 100th anniversary. Requires that such stamp be issued in the denomination used for first class mail and be placed on sale in 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1980
Extends the congratulations of the Congress to the Order of the Sons of Italy in America for their 75th anniversary. Proclaims Sunday, June 22, 1980, as "National Italian-American Day."
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980
Authorizes the President to present a gold-plated medal, on behalf of the Congress, to those athletes selected through the Olympic trial process to be members of the United States Summer Olympic Team of 1980. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be stricken 650 such medals with suitable emblems. Declares that such medals are national medals and that funds to carry out this Act shall be made available under the Amateur Sports Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Extends the congratulations of the House of Representatives to members of the 1980 handicapped Olympic team and recognizes specified organizations for their efforts in producing the second winter Olympics for the physically handicapped.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1980
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 6515 (authorizes appropriations for the maintenance and operation of the Panama Canal, fiscal year 1981).
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the seven-day period beginning October 5, 1980, as "National Port Week." Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report annually to Congress on the conditions of U.S. public ports.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980
American Fisheries Promotion Act - Title I: Research and Development Regarding United States Fisheries - Directs that funds transferred by the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of Commerce from duties collected under custom laws on fishery products shall be maintained in a separate fund and used by the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) provide financial assistance for the purpose of carrying out fisheries development projects approved under this Act; and (2) implement the national fisheries research and development program as set forth by this Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make grants from such fund to assist persons in carrying out research and development fishery projects, including, but not limited to, harvesting, processing, marketing, and associated infrastructures. Subjects each such grant to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require to protect the interests of the United States. Requires the Secretary to carry out a national program of research and development addressed to United States fisheries, if not adequately covered by projects assisted by grants made pursuant to this Act. Requires the Secretary, not later than 60 days before the close of each fiscal year, to submit to specified Congressional committees a report containing: (1) the fisheries development goals and funding priorities for the next fiscal year; (2) the status of each pending project; and (3) an analysis and evaluation of all projects assisted under this Act. Specifies, with respect to any fiscal year, that not less than 75 percent of the moneys transferred to the fund and such existing fund moneys carried over into that fiscal year shall be used by the Secretary to provide financial assistance for projects and the remainder of such moneys shall be used to implement the national fisheries research and development program. Requires the Secretary to award a grant for or carry out pursuant to the national fisheries research and development program: (1) a project to establish and operate a system (in which participation must be voluntary) to grade the quality of fish landed at a United States port; or (2) a project to improve fuel efficiency in carrying out fishing operations within a United States fishery. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint not fewer than six officers who shall, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, serve abroad to promote United States fishing interests. Requires the Secretary of State, upon the request of the Secretary of Commerce, to officially assign the officers to the diplomatic mission of the United States in the country in which such officers are placed, and to obtain for them diplomatic privileges and immunities. Title II: Amendments to the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 - Extends provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 which govern a capital construction fund for vessels built in the United States to govern such a fund for fishing vessels built in, and fishing facilities located in, a Commonwealth, territory, possession, or State of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary: (1) to guarantee the payment of obligations for financing or refinancing the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of fishery facilities capable of being used for priority development fisheries; and (2) to apply an economic soundness test with respect to guarantees of obligations for fishing vessels or facilities designed for use in such priority fisheries which is less stringent than the test applicable to other obligation guarantees under such Act. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Federal Ship Financing Fund three subfunds to contain moneys for obligation guarantees for: (1) fishing vessels and facilities meeting the more stringent test; (2) high risk fishing vessels and facilities meeting the less stringent test; and (3) vessels other than fishing vessels. Declares that during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending at the close of September 30, 1982, the Secretary of Commerce may make loans from the fisheries loan fund only for the purpose of assisting obligors to avoid default on obligations that are issued with respect to the construction, reconstruction, reconditioning or purchase of fishing vessels. Title III: Amendments to the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 - Amends the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to provide for a reduction of the total allowable level of foreign fishing, if any, with respect to any United States fishery for each of the harvesting seasons 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984. Declares that the total allowable level of foreign fishing permitted within any United States fishery during any harvesting season after the 1984 harvesting season is zero, except if the Secretary of Commerce determines that such reduction will result in a substantial surplus of fish stocks within the fishery and that such surplus will not be harvested by vessels of the United States during such harvesting season. Specifies that a recommendation by the Secretary that such reduction be deferred or continued with respect to any harvesting season shall take effect only if: (1) a report containing the recommendation is received by Congress not later than 90 days before the opening day of the respective harvesting season; and (2) neither House of Congress, within the 60 day period beginning on the day on which the report is received by Congress, adopts a disapproval resolution. Requires the owner or operator of any foreign fishing vessel for which a permit is issued pursuant to the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to pay an additional fee equal to ten percent of the ex vessel price of the catch harvested under such permit. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program under which a United States observer will be stationed aboard each foreign fishing vessel while that vessel is within the fishery conservation zone and is: (1) engaging in fishing; (2) accepting United States harvested fish through transfer at sea; (3) cruising to and from a location at which any such fishing or transfer will transpire; or (4) taking highly migratory species. Requires such observers, while aboard foreign fishing vessels, to carry out such scientific and other functions as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to impose, with respect to each foreign fishing vessel, a surcharge in an amount sufficient to cover all costs of providing a United States observer aboard that vessel. Establishes, in the Treasury of the United States, the Foreign Fishing Observer Fund in which the Secretary shall deposit all surcharges collected.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980
Supports the President's actions towards Iran to secure the release of the hostages. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that it is necessary to obtain international cooperation in imposing sanctions on Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1980
Omnibus Maritime Regulatory Reform, Revitalization, and Reorganization Act of 1980 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares that the purposes of this Act are to: (1) promote the foreign commerce of the United States; (2) develop and maintain an efficient and competitive ocean transportation system capable of carrying a substantial portion of America's imports and exports; (3) provide for the national security; (4) ensure a unified and consistent national maritime policy; and (5) ensure that United States-flag vessels are fairly and reciprocally treated in international trade. Title II: Regulation of International Ocean Shipping - Exempts from the antitrust laws certain loyalty contracts between or among ocean common carriers, certain activities of shippers' councils, specified agreements regarding transportation between foreign countries that do not involve import or export of goods into or out of the United States, and agreements to be performed entirely within a foreign country. Authorizes ocean common carriers, conferences, or others subject to this title to: (1) discuss, fix, and agree upon rates, surcharges, and accommodations; (2) pool or apportion earnings, losses, or traffic; (3) allot ports or otherwise regulate the number and character of sailings between ports; (4) regulate the volume or character of cargo or passenger traffic to be carried; (5) engage in various working arrangements; (6) enter into agreements to regulate competition; and (7) limit conference membership. Sets forth requirements pertaining to loyalty contracts utilized by ocean carriers or conferences of carriers with shippers or consignees. Authorizes shippers' councils to negotiate with any ocean common carrier or conference regarding rates, practices, and terms and conditions of service and to exchange information with such carriers or conferences concerning traffic and transportation data. Provides that nothing in this title shall restrict the powers of an association organized under the Export Trade Act of 1918. Requires that agreements made among ocean carriers or conferences or with shippers' councils be filed with the Federal Maritime Commission which in turn, shall publish such notice of such filing in the Federal Register. Sets forth rules governing the activities of ocean carrier conferences, including: (1) reasonable notice to the appropriate shippers' councils of any proposed rate changes; (2) a right of independent action for any member of a conference agreement or for any conference serving different trades that would otherwise be naturally competitive; (3) an independent neutral body to monitor compliance; (4) a consultation process between shippers' councils and conferences to exchange information and resolve disputes; (5) conditions for admission and readmission to conference membership; (6) the opportunity to withdraw from membership without penalty; (7) commercially reasonable criteria for limitations on membership; and (8) a description, in any agreement filed under this Act, of the proposed changes in allotting ports or regulating sailings between ports. Requires shippers' councils to: (1) establish a consultation process between shippers and conferences; (2) commercially resolve disputes; and (3) cooperate in curbing malpractice. Declares that agreements between conferences and shippers' councils shall become effective within 60 days after filing with the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to suspend such effective date at its discretion for up to 180 days. Sets forth the conditions under which the Commission may disapprove or modify any such agreement. Directs the Commission to issue a final decision on any complaint within 180 days or, for cause, within an additional 60 days. States that such agreement shall go into effect as filed if such final decision is not issued within the 180 day period or by the end of any extension period. Authorizes the Commission, if it determines that it is unable to issue a final order within such period or extension due to willful delays directly attributable to either a proponent or a complainant, to approve or disapprove the agreement solely on the basis of such delays. Sets forth requirements relating to the filing and public accessibility of ocean carrier, conference, or nonvessel operating tariffs. Directs that increases in existing rates may not become effective earlier than 30 days after filing with the Commission unless the Commission allows otherwise. States that a rate change which decreases a shipper's cost may become effective upon such filing. Authorizes the Commission to permit an ocean carrier or conference to refund a portion of freight charges collected from a shipper to correct an error in the rate charged. Prohibits any ocean common carrier that is controlled by a government under whose registry such carrier operates from maintaining rates below a level which is just and reasonable. Places the burden of proving that such tariff is just and reasonable on the controlled carrier involved. Sets forth factors which the Commission may consider in determining whether the rates of such a controlled carrier are just and reasonable, including whether: (1) the rates are below a level which is fully compensatory to the controlled carrier; (2) the rates are the same as or similar to those charged by other carriers in the same trade; (3) the rates are required to assure movement of particular cargo in the trade; or (4) the rates are required to maintain acceptable service to or from affected ports. Requires a controlled carrier, upon the request of the Commission, to file a statement of justification of its existing rates or proposed rates. Authorizes the Commission to suspend a controlled carrier's rate pending a determination of its lawfulness. Requires the Commission to transmit to the President any order of suspension or final order of disapproval of a controlled carrier's rates. Grants the President the authority to require the Commission to stay such order for national defense or foreign policy reasons. Sets forth exemptions with respect to the controlled carrier regulations contained in this Act. Prohibits any person from acting as an ocean freight forwarder or nonvessel operating common carrier unless the person has been issued a license by the Commission. Creates a procedure for such licensing. Directs an ocean carrier to compensate an ocean freight forwarder in connection with any cargo shipment dispatched on behalf of others only when such forwarder has performed specified services. Sets forth guidelines under which such compensation is to be paid. Prohibits specified acts by ocean common carriers including rebates, rate discrimination, and retaliation against shippers. Sets forth the powers of the Commission and procedures to be followed with respect to adjudication proceedings under this title. Sets forth penalties for violations of this title. Authorizes the Commission to modify or remit any such penalty. Authorizes the Commission to exempt any specified activity or class of agreements between ocean carriers or other persons subject to this title from any requirement of this title. Directs that orders of the Commission relating to violations of this title or to regulations issued hereunder shall be made only after opportunity for hearing. Sets forth guidelines concerning the reversal, suspension, and enforcement of such orders. Repeals the Shipping Act of 1916. Title III: Amendments to the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to declare that the policy of the United States shall be to have an efficient and competitive merchant marine, owned and operated under the United States flag, capable of carrying its domestic commerce and a substantial portion of its foreign commerce and to have an efficient and competitive shipbuilding capacity that is sufficient to satisfy the needs of national security. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to attempt to eliminate through negotiation the adverse effects of a foreign nation's reservation of all or a portion of the cargoes moving in its waterborne commerce for its national-flag carriers. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conclude, if necessary, an intergovernmental maritime agreement with such a nation to protect the interests of United States-flag carriers. Specifies required provisions in such an agreement. Grants specified powers to the Secretary of Commerce, including authority: (1) to achieve the goal that United States-flag vessels carry 50 percent or more of the liner and bulk cargoes of the United States' foreign commerce; (2) to ensure the capacity of shipyards necessary for national security; and (3) to meet with the Secretary of the Navy, and others, and to annually submit a report to the President and the Congress of their activities and recommendations. Establishes within the Department of Commerce an Under Secretary for Maritime Policy (the Under Secretary). Modifies the construction- differential subsidy and cost of national defense features incident to the construction or reconditioning of ships to include those costs essential to maintaining a shipyard mobilization base. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to insure the existence of a competitive privately owned United States-flag fleet and the maintenance on a continuing basis of such mobilization base. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to investigate and keep current records of shipyards, related industrial production facilities, and skilled manpower available to same. Allows any citizen of the United States to make application to elect a per diem subsidy for certain vessels exclusively engaged in the bulk trades instead of a construction-differential subsidy or an operating-differential subsidy. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a contract, with specified restrictions, for the payment of such per diem subsidy. Sets forth in detail the components of such subsidy. Revises the construction-differential subsidy program under such Act to make vessels which are to be used in international trade (previously only foreign trade) eligible for such subsidies. Prohibits the payment of such a subsidy unless the Secretary certifies that he has considered the standards established by the Secretary of the Navy. Reduces such subsidy unless the vessel involved is part of an existing or future vessel series as determined by the Secretary of Commerce. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to establish standards relating to the equipment and specifications for vessels so that they will be suitable for use by the United States for national defense or military purposes. Allows an owner or charterer of a vessel: (1) built in a United States' shipyard; (2) documented under United States laws; and (3) operated in the foreign commerce of the United States, or a United States shipyard to apply for a construction-differential subsidy to make such vessel at least 15 percent more energy efficient. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to enter into specified contracts for such reconditioning. Requires that materials used in such reconditioning be of United States origin. Redefines such a reconditioned vessel as a "new vessel" and reduces by ten years the age of such vessel for the purposes of this Act. Repeals the termination date for the construction-differential subsidy program. Directs that the price of constructing a vessel in a foreign shipyard shall reflect the lower price to the vessel owner. Authorizes the Secretary to pay in excess of the approved construction-differential subsidy if ship construction necessary to sustain the shipyard mobilization base level will not be undertaken during the fiscal year. Revises the duties of the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Defense as regards the shipbuilding and ship repair capacity of the United States. Sets forth criteria for the assessment of such capacity. Reduces the duration of documentation of a completed vessel. Grants the Secretary of Commerce an option to purchase such vessel for national defense purposes. Allows a ship purchaser operating with an operating-differential subsidy to negotiate with regard to vessel specifications with foreign or domestic shipyards upon application to the Secretary. Specifies steps to be taken by the Secretary in granting such subsidy. Directs such purchaser to accept the lowest price proposal offered by a United States shipyard if such subsidy is granted. Allows such purchaser to contract with a foreign shipyard if such subsidy is not granted. Removes the competitive bidding requirement for the construction of vessels receiving such a subsidy at United States' shipyards. Sets forth requirements as to which materials used in constructing subsidized vessels may be of foreign origin or must be of United States origin. Directs the owner of a subsidized vessel to agree that such vessel shall be operated exclusively in (1) the foreign commerce of the United States; (2) international trade; or (3) on a round-the-world voyage or other specified round voyages. Allows the Secretary to approve the temporary transfer of such vessel to service other than the service covered by such agreement. Requires the owner of such a vessel to pay a prescribed amount for such transfer. Defines the "useful life of the vessel" as 25 years from the date of delivery. Authorizes the Secretary to sell a vessel from the reserve fleet for commercial use to a U.S. citizen. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report his recommendations to Congress concerning the elimination of unnecessary requirements or procedures used by vessel classification societies. Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from approving, unless specified conditions are met, the application of a U.S. citizen for financial aid in the operation of certain vessels. Directs the Secretary, in considering application for subsidies under this Act, to provide shipping services on a nondiscriminatory basis. Sets forth eligibility requirements for operating-differential subsidies for vessels in specified trade or service. Specifies amounts to be paid by the Secretary for such subsidies or in lieu thereof. Disallows such subsidies for a vessel exclusively engaged in domestic trade. Directs the Secretary to develop, keep, and publish cargo forecasts for essential trade routes. Sets forth provisions for subsidizing additional United States-flag sailings. Permits an operator receiving such subsidy to make specified replacements, transfers, or exchanges under his contract. Directs the recipient of an operating-differential subsidy ("the contractor") to conduct his operations in an economical and efficient manner. Allows a contractor to suspend such subsidy contract for not less than 12 months. Sets forth requirements under which such subsidy may be paid. Prohibits certain subsidized contractors, charterers, affiliates thereof, and specified employees from owning or operating specified foreign-flag vessels which compete with a United States-flag vessel providing essential service. Directs the Secretary to assure that any subsidized contractor who also owns foreign-flag vessels uses subsidy funds only to support United States-flag vessels. Directs that at least 50 percent of materials procured by the United States which may be transported on ocean vessels shall be transported on certain United States-flag commercial vessels. Directs each department or agency to develop an affirmative plan of action to achieve the above objective. Sets forth requirements for such plans and for their approval by the Secretary. Prohibits operators from repairing a vessel in a foreign country except in an emergency which renders the vessel incapable of reaching the United States or Puerto Rico for such repairs. Directs the Secretary to determine whether such repairs were performed pursuant to this title and to levy a duty on such operator if they were not. Defines, for purposes of this Act, a citizen of the United States. Prohibits, generally, the transfer of a vessel to any person not a citizen of the United States. Directs the Secretary to investigate and examine the: (1) cost and operation of merchant vessels in the United States and foreign countries; (2) construction methods and rules under which vessels are constructed; (3) subject of marine insurance; and (4) navigation laws of the United States, and to make recommendations for their revision. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to refuse clearance to a vessel under specified circumstances. Prohibits specified activities during a war or national emergency without the approval of the Secretary of Commerce. Orders that any vessel or related facility transferred in violation of this Act shall be forfeited to the United States. Declares that in any action to enforce such forfeiture, the criminal conviction of any person for a violation thereof with respect to the subject of the forfeiture shall constitute prima facie evidence of such violation against the person so convicted. Specifies penalties for violation of this Act. Designates the Secretary of Commerce as a preferred creditor under a preferred ship mortgage as defined in the Ship Mortgage Act of 1920. Repeals the termination date for the provision of war-risk insurance by the Secretary to United States vessels. Title IV: Tax Title - Amends the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 to include in the amount deposited in the capital construction fund income attributable to the ownership or sale of an eligible agreement vessel and the insurance proceeds attributable to such vessel. Redefines the term "eligible vessel" to include only vessels operated in international trade, the foreign or domestic commerce of the United States, or the fisheries of the United States. Amends the Internal Revenue Code regarding the applicable percentage of basis used in the case of certain vessels. Redefines the useful life of specified progress expenditure property. Increases to 100 percent the investment credit for certain vessels. Sets forth guidelines for the depreciation of expenditures for specified vessels. Title V: Miscellaneous - Repeals a specified provision of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. Amends the Intercoastal Shipping Act, 1933, to require that rates and charges for certain barging of containerized cargo between points in the United States be filed with the Federal Maritime Commission. Directs the Federal Maritime Commission to promulgate rules governing such barge operations. Directs every common carrier by water in interstate commerce to observe reasonable rates, charges, and tariffs and reasonable regulations and practices in the transportation or storage of property. Directs such carriers to file with the Commission the maximum rates and charges for its services. Prohibits a carrier from collecting an amount in excess of such filed rates and charges except with the approval of the Commission. Empowers the Commission to set such rates if a carrier fails to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1980
Vietnam Veterans Comprehensive Readjustment and Rehabilitation Act - Title I: Interagency Coordination and Veterans Outreach Services - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to coordinate all programs and activities affecting veterans and their dependents with other departments and agencies. Directs the Administrator to initiate a comprehensive outreach and information program to inform and assist eligible veterans and eligible persons to understand and utilize such programs. Title II: Compensation and Treatment for Diseases and Disabilities caused by Toxic Substances and Radiation Exposure - Entitles a veteran who suffers from a personal injury or disease contracted in the line of duty, or a disabled child with birth defects resulting from genetic damage to a veteran, to compensation and medical care. Authorizes the Administrator to establish and carry out a comprehensive program of screening veterans who may have been exposed to toxic substances, chemical or biological agents, or radiation during their military, naval, or air service to determine whether such veterans have incurred any disease or disability as a result of such exposure. Provides for outreach services to inform and assist such veterans in adjusting to such diseases or disabilities. Permits the Administrator to establish a centralized registry of claims made before the Veterans' Administration (VA) or other appropriate agency arising out of exposure or possible exposure to toxic substances, chemical or biological agents, or radiation, and of the disabilities, diseases, genetic damage, or symptoms associated with such exposure. Title III: Readjustment Counseling Improvement and Expansion - Authorizes the Administrator to arrange for or assist the veteran or the veteran's dependent, or both, in obtaining readjustment counseling or mental health services. Allows for the Administrator to conduct or contract for comprehensive studies of the psychological and sociological effects of the Vietnam Conflict, military service, and the readjustment process upon veterans and dependents. Title IV: Vocational Rehabilitation - Defines for purposes of this Act: (1) medical condition; (2) program of education; (3) program of independent living services and assistance; (4) rehabilitated; (5) rehabilitation program; (6) serious employment handicap; (7) vocational goal; (8) vocational rehabilitation program. Sets forth the provisions regarding basic entitlement and periods of eligibility for eligible veterans. Sets forth the scope of services and assistance, including: (1) evaluation for rehabilitation potential; (2) educational, vocational, psychological, employment, and personal adjustment counseling; (3) allowance and other appropriate assistance; (4) work study allowance; (5) placement services; (6) personal adjustment and work adjustment training assistance, tuition, fees, books, supplies, and other training materials; (8) loans; (9) treatment care, and services; (10) prosthetic appliances and other corrective devices; (11) services to a veterans' family; (12) essential employment equipment and supplies for severely disabled veterans requiring homebound training and for self-employment; (13) travel and incidental expenses; (14) special rehabilitation services, including services for the blind and the deaf. Provides for the duration of rehabilitative programs. Requires extended evaluations of veterans with service-connected disabilities to determine whether such veteran may have or has a serious employment handicap. Allows the Administrator to formulate an individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation for a veteran. Provides for the payment of a subsistence allowance to eligible veterans. Entitles severely disabled veterans to a program of independent living services, and assistance designed to enable such veteran to achieve maximum independence in the functions of daily living. Authorizes the Administrator to prescribe regulations regarding leaves of absences, conduct, and cooperation. Releases to eligible veterans all books, supplies, and equipment furnished to such veteran under this Act, unless the Administrator determines that such veteran must return the resources. Allows for vocational rehabilitation to hospitalized members of the Armed Forces and veterans. Provides that any Federal agency's facilities may be used to provide unpaid training or work experience as part of a veteran's vocational rehabilitation program. States that such a veteran shall be deemed a Federal employee for workmen's compensation purposes but not for the purposes of laws administered by the Office of Personnel Management. Directs the Veterans Administration (VA) to: (1) provide employment assistance, including direct employment placement, utilization of Federal, State, and nonprofit private employment services and securing loans and paying business license fees; (2) provide vocational rehabilitation staff training and development; and (3) carry out an ongoing program of rehabilitation research and special projects, including grants and contracts with public and nonprofit agencies. Directs the Administrator to appoint a Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation. Revises provisions concerning the limitation on periods of assistance under two or more veterans' educational assistance programs to include post-Vietnam era benefits within such limitation, and to provide a 48 month aggregate eligibility period for vocational rehabilitation and other educational assistance. Authorizes the Administrator to evaluate a veteran's employability in considering certain claims based on total disability and unemployability. Title V: Conditional Cost-of-Living Adjustment Educational Assistance Allowance - Authorizes the Administrator to provide a conditional cost-of-living adjust educational assistance to an eligible veteran or eligible person who makes an application and is eligible therefore. Stipulates that a cost-of-living adjustment allowance shall be in lieu of any authorized educational assistance or training allowance. Title VI: GI Bill Program Adjustments - Modifies the delimiting period for completing a program of education for veterans. Provides for the extension of the delimiting period for eligible veterans up to a period of two years. States that the Administrator shall provide educational, vocational, and personal adjustment counseling for veterans eligible for educational assistance. Limits the aggregate period during which any person may receive assistance under two or more programs of education administered by the Veterans' Administration. Declares that educational assistance allowances for institutionalized veterans after 30 days of institutionalization shall accrue and be withheld (and converted to securities), paid to dependents, and paid to such veteran upon discharge. Authorizes the Administrator, upon the request of such veteran, to pay to such veteran all or part of the monthly allowance to meet continuing financial obligations of such veteran. Provides for the payment of unused contributions to the education assistance fund to specified individuals upon death of the participant. Eliminates reporting requirements to Congress regarding default rates and experience with respect to loans made under this Act to eligible veterans. Discharges a veteran's liability on loans upon such veteran's successful completion of educational, professional, or vocational objective. Title VII: Interagency Task Force; Presidential Commission or Veterans' Affairs - Establishes an Interagency Veterans' Advisory Task Force. Sets forth the duties and responsibilities of such Task Force. Title VIII: Job Counseling, Training, and Placement Service for Veterans - Establishes within the Department of Labor an Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment. Title IX: Employment and Training of Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans - Requires Federal contracts of $10,000 or more to require the contracting party to take affirmative steps to employ qualified disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era and to make reasonable efforts to provide career development, advancement, and training opportunities to such veterans. Encourages veterans employment within the Federal Government. Title X: Veterans Career Development, Advancement, and Training Assistance - Establishes a program of career development, advancement, training, and related services for Vietnam-era veterans. Defines, for purposes of this Act: (1) eligible veteran; (2) eligible employer; and (3) dependent. Sets forth provisions regarding the entitlement to and the eligibility of a veteran for a career development and advancement or training allowance. Sets the duration of such eligibility. Requires the Administrator of the Veterans' Administration to provide occupational and vocational counseling. Permits an eligible veteran to select a program of career development and advancement, or a program of career development and training with an eligible employer in a chosen career field if the employer hires such veteran into its regular workforce with the expectation of permanent employment of the veteran after the training and career development assistance ends. Disallows approval of enrollment of a veteran for: (1) seasonal, intermittent or temporary jobs; (2) jobs paying less than $4.00 an hour, unless the Administrator determines in a particular case that the clause does not apply; (3) jobs outside the United States or its territories or possessions; (4) jobs under which commissions are the primary source of income; (5) employment which involves political or religious activities; (6) employment in an industry which a substantial number of experienced and able workers are unemployed; (7) jobs that are above entry level, except when applicable personnel procedures and collective bargaining procedures regarding the advancement of currently employed workers are complied with; (8) employment which would result in the displacement of any currently employed worker; (9) jobs which if filled would replace any worker who is on lay off, or on strike. Requires the Administrator to discontinue the career development and advancement allowance of an eligible veteran whose conduct or progress is unsatisfactory. Allows the Administrator to renew the veterans' allowance under certain conditions. Directs the Administrator to pay to each eligible veteran employer, on behalf of each eligible veteran, an allowance to meet in part the expenses of such veteran's wages, benefits, training, and any other necessary or appropriate costs. Sets forth the provisions for computation of career development, advancement, and training allowances and payment to eligible employers. Outlines the specifications for approval of career development and advancement programs. Provides for the issuance of certificates of approval to the eligible employers. Requires an employer who receives an overpayment as a result of: (1) willful or negligent failure to report a veteran's excessive absences from work or interruptions in a planned program; or (2) false certification to repay the amount of such overpayment to the United States. Allows the Administrator to make a complete report of the facts to the appropriate approving agency and, if considered advisable, to the Attorney General of the United States for appropriate action. Allows an eligible veteran to make one change of program, unless the Administrator finds sufficient reason to support further changes. Authorizes the Administrator to periodically conduct compliance surveys. Outlines the duties of the Secretary of Labor under this Act. Directs the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor, and of Health, Education, and Welfare, to provide for an outreach and public information program to inform eligible veterans of the program established by this Act. Title XI: Honorable Discharge (Limited) - Creates a discharge category of honorable discharge (limited) if the board determines that such individual has been rehabilitated, that such individual's conduct, activities, and habits since the individuals last discharge or dismissal have been exemplary for a reasonable period of time. Title XII: Effective Date - The amendments made by this Act shall take effect October 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the 1980 automatic cost-of-living increase in social security benefits should be allowed to occur as scheduled in accordance with the recommendations of the President.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1980
Establishes a Commission on More Effective Government to study and recommend ways of promoting economy, efficiency, and improved service within the Federal Government. Directs the Commission to recommend methods to improve the relationship between Federal, State, and local governments. Provides for the appointment of members of the Commission by the President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Sets forth provisions governing the organization and compensation of the Commission and its staff. Empowers the Commission to establish advisory councils and committees as it deems appropriate without regard to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Sets forth the powers of the Commission enabling it to gather information free from subsequent review or comment by any Federal agency. Directs the Commission to submit its final report to the Congress ten days after the Ninety-eighth Congress convenes. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such date. Authorizes the appropriation of funds necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal of appropriate design to Ambassador Kenneth Taylor in recognition of his efforts to secure the return of six American Embassy officials in Tehran. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be struck such gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to suspend bioaccumulation and biomagnification testing until December 31, 1982 in evaluating permit applications for ocean dumping of dredged material. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and other appropriate Federal officers, to conduct a study on the validity of such testing. Requires the findings and conclusions of such study to be reported to the Congress by January 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Expresses appreciation to Canada for: (1) its historic close relations and cooperation with the United States in conducting foreign policy; (2) its support for U.S. efforts to obtain the safe release of the hostages in Iran; and (3) its efforts to protect and arrange the safe departure of certain U.S. citizens from Iran.
![Official portrait of Rep. Zeferetti, Leo C. [D-NY-15]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/z000002_200.jpg)