United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1982
Establishes the United States Capitol Page Board for the supervision and education of congressional pages. Repeals the eligibility of Supreme Court pages for attendance and residence at the John W. McCormack Residential Page School. Requires the Board to provide for personnel to perform duties with respect to such school.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1982
Amends the Small Business Act to treat businesses owned by Indian tribes as socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses for purposes of the Small Business Administration's business development program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1982
Adds three members to the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. Directs the President to appoint the three members from a panel of at least six elected town officials submitted by the National Association of Towns and Townships.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) take immediate action to demonstrate that the United States is a reliable grain supplier; and (2) try to increase agricultural exports by negotiating a long-term grain agreement with the Soviet Union requiring the Soviet Union to buy a minimum amount of grain annually.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1982
Product Liability Act - Preempts State product liability laws. States that this Act governs any civil action for harm caused by a product which would have been based on: (1) strict or absolute liability in tort; (2) negligence or gross negligence; (3) breach of express or implied warranty and; (4) failure to discharge a duty to warn or instruct. Makes a manufacturer liable if the claimant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that a product was unreasonably dangerous: (1) in construction or design; (2) because the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings of danger; or (3) because the product did not conform to an express warranty. Specifies the requisite findings which must be made for such proof of unreasonable danger to be determined. Subjects a product seller to liability if the claimant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the claimant's harm was proximately caused by such seller's failure to use reasonable care with respect to the product. Enumerates circumstances under which such a seller is also subject to the liability of a manufacturer. Provides that all claims, under this Act shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Sets forth rules with respect to conduct affecting comparative responsibility, including misuse, alteration or modification of a product. Specifies the manner in which damages are to be apportioned. Requires that damages in any product liability claim be reduced by an amount paid as workers' compensation benefits. Prescribes statutes of limitation for recovery. Allows punitive damages to be awarded if the claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the result of the product manufacturer's or sellers's reckless disregard for the safety of product users, consumers, or others who might be harmed by the product. Provides that evidence of corrective measures taken by a product seller after a harm has occurred would not be admissible in court to prove liability.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1982
Amends the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978 ("the Act") to revise definitions and purposes under the Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, subject to appropriations, to make grants under the Act. Requires that such grants defray, at the determination of the tribally controlled community college, expenditures for the operation and maintenance of the college (including administrative, academic, community, and student service programs, and technical assistance). Requires that grant applications include a description of recordkeeping procedures for expenditure funds received under the Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of grants to tribes and tribal entities for planning and development of proposals for the establishment of tribally controlled community colleges, or to determine the need and potential for such colleges. Directs the Secretary to reserve and expend a specified amount from appropriations for title I of the Act to make such planning grants available to as many as five approved applicants. Revises provisions relating to technical assistance contracts. Replaces requirements for "feasibility studies" with requirements for "eligibility studies". Reduces the percentage of title I funds which may be used to carry out such studies. Revises formulas for determining the amount of each grant to a tribally controlled community college on the basis of the "Indian student count" at such colleges. Prohibits the Secretary from altering the priorities or budget allocations made by an Indian tribe which operates a tribally controlled community college if such tribe identifies an allocation for that college from appropriations authorized under the Snyder Act or in accordance with the Secretary's annual budget exercise. Provides that any Indian student who receives a student assistance grant from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for postsecondary education that be deemed to have received such assistance under the Pell Grants program of the Higher Education Act of 1965, for purposes of such Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through FY 1987 to carry out provisions for: (1) technical assistance contracts; (2) grants to tribally controlled colleges; and (3) construction of new facilities. Provides for a transition to the advance funding method of timing appropriation action. Revises provisions for grant adjustment. Directs the Administrator of General Services to: (1) study facilities available for use by tribally controlled community colleges; (2) report study results to the Congress by September 30, 1984; and (3) in consultation with the BIA, conduct a program of renovation, alteration, repair, and reconstruction of BIA facilities. Directs the Secretary to provide grants for construction of new facilities for any tribally controlled community college for which the report of the Administrator of General Services identifies a need for new construction. Sets forth requirements for eligibility and for the college's share of such construction costs. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such requirements. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of making endowment grants to tribally controlled community colleges which are current recipients of specified assistance under the Act or under the Navajo Community College Act. Sets forth agreement requirements for receipt of such endowment grants. Sets forth provisions for the use and allocation of such endowment grant funds and for compliance with a matching funds requirement. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987 to carry out such endowment grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1982
Violent Crime and Drug Enforcement Improvements Act of 1982 - Title I: Bail Reform - Bail Reform Act of 1982 - Repeals the Bail Reform Act of 1966 and sets forth new bail procedures. Retains execution of a money bond as a condition for pretrial release. Authorizes a judicial officer to consider the safety of any person or the community when making a pretrial release determination. Establishes as a mandatory release condition that the person not commit a Federal, State, or local crime during release. Expands the discretionary release conditions to include that the defendant: (1) maintain employment or an educational program; (2) avoid contact with an alleged victim or potential witness; (3) report to a law enforcement or pretrial service agency; (4) comply with a curfew; (5) refrain from possessing a firearm or using alcohol or narcotic drugs; (6) undergo medical treatment; (7) agree to forfeit designated property, including money, upon failure to appear; and (8) return to custody at specified hours. Prohibits a judicial officer from imposing financial conditions that result in the pretrial detention of a person. Authorizes a judicial officer to order the detention for up to ten days of a person who is presently on pretrial release for a felony under Federal, State, or local law or on probation or parole or release pending sentencing or appeal for any offense, upon a determination that such person may flee or pose a danger to any person or the community. Requires that a detention hearing be held in any case involving: (1) a crime of violence; (2) any offense punishable by life imprisonment or death; (3) a narcotics offense punishable by at least ten years' imprisonment; (4) a serious risk of flight or obstruction of justice; or (5) any felony committed after the person has been convicted of two or more offenses for which a hearing is mandated. Authorizes a judicial officer after such a hearing to order the pretrial detention of a person upon finding that no condition will reasonably assure such person's appearance and the safety of any other person and the community. Creates certain rebuttable presumptions with regard to absence of such conditions. Enumerates additional factors to be considered by the judicial officer in making a release determination, including the defendant's past conduct, history of drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and the nature and seriousness of the danger to the community or any person. Requires the detention of a person who has appealed his conviction unless the judicial officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) such person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to another person or property; and (2) the appeal raises a substantial question of law or fact. Requires the detention of a person awaiting sentencing unless the officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or the community. Authorizes a U.S. attorney to appeal a release order. Makes a person guilty of an offense for failing to appear after having been released. Provides increased penalties for persons charged with more serious offenses. Makes it an affirmative defense to such crime that uncontrollable circumstances prevented the person from appearing. Establishes mandatory additional penalties for commission of an offense while on pretrial release. Subjects a person who has been conditionally released and violates a condition of release to revocation of release and prosecution for contempt of court. Authorizes a surety to arrest a person charged with an offense who is released upon execution of an appearance bond with such surety. Requires such person to be delivered promptly to a judicial officer for a revocation determination. Grants new authority to law enforcement officers to arrest a person who violates pretrial release conditions. Title II: Witness-Victim Protection - Witness Victim Protection Act of 1982 - Amends rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that presentence reports contain information assessing the impact upon and cost to any person who was the victim of the offense. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish as offenses "tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant" and "retaliating against a witness or an informant." Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to require as a condition of pretrial release that the defendant not commit these offenses. Grants general authority to the Attorney General to relocate or protect Government witnesses. Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate civil proceedings to restrain tampering with a witness or victim. Grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Federal courts over civil claims against the United States for damages caused by dangerous offenders who are released or escape from the lawful custody of a U.S. employee as a result of such employee's gross negligence. Directs the Attorney General to develop Federal guidelines for the fair treatment of crime victims to ensure all victims of crime are justly compensated. Title III: Controlled Substances Penalties - Controlled Substances Penalties Amendments Act of 1982 - Increases the fine levels for drug trafficking. Increases the penalties for trafficking in large amounts of controlled substances. Title IV: Protection of Federal Officials - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a Federal crime to kill, assault, or kidnap a cabinet officer or second ranking official in each executive department, Director or Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, U.S. Supreme Court justice or nominee, or senior presidential or vice presidential adviser. Includes as a Federal crime any attempt or conspiracy to commit such offenses. Title V: Sentencing Reform - Sentencing Reform Act of 1982 - Sets forth a new sentencing structure applicable to a defendant who is found guilty of an offense under any Federal statute. Permits an individual to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment or probation and a fine, and to receive additional sanctions, including: (1) forfeiture for certain racketeering crimes and drug-related offenses; (2) an order of notice to victims of crimes in cases involving fraud or deceptive practices; or (3) an order of restitution in cases involving bodily injury or property damage. Permits an organization to receive these penalties, with the exception of imprisonment. Creates the United States Sentencing Commission. Specifies factors to be considered by a sentencing court, including the guidelines and policy statements issued by the United States Sentencing Commission. Requires the court to impose a sentence within the range set forth by the Commission unless aggravating or mitigating circumstances exist that were not adequately considered by the Commission in formulating the guidelines. Requires the court to state in open court at the time of sentencing the reason for imposing a sentence at a point within the prescribed range, or the specific reason for imposing a sentence outside of such range. Authorizes the imposition of a term of probation, unless specifically prohibited, for all but the most serious class of felonies. Requires as a mandatory condition of probation that a defendant not commit another crime. Enumerates 20 discretionary conditions. Sets forth a fine schedule for the categories of offenses generally at higher levels than current law. Includes higher maximums for organizational defendants. Directs the court to consider the defendant's financial status in determining the amount of a fine and the method of payment. Sets maximum terms of imprisonment for five classes of felonies (A to F), three classes of misdemeanors (A to C), and an infraction (five day maximum). Allows the court, in imposing a sentence of imprisonment for a felony or misdemeanor, to include a term of supervised release after imprisonment. Eliminates the special sentencing provisions under current law for dangerous special offenders, youth offenders, young adult offenders, and drug addicts, but provides for these categories of offenders under the proposed sentencing guidelines. Excludes capital punishment as an authorized penalty, but leaves unaffected the current death penalty and procedures for aircraft hijacking. Eliminates the parole system. Permits a defendant to petition for a sentence reduction upon a showing of extraordinary and compelling reasons. Limits this motion for defendants who are sentenced to six or more years of imprisonment. Allows the defendant or the government to file a notice of appeal in the district court for review of a final sentence. Title VI: Criminal Forfeiture - Comprehensive Criminal Forfeiture Act of 1982 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to specify that property subject to forfeiture for racketeering activity includes: (1) all proceeds obtained directly or indirectly from racketeering activity; (2) real and tangible and intangible personal property; and (3) positions, offices, appointments, and benefits obtained through illegal activity. Makes property forfeitable to the United States upon the commission of the act giving rise to forfeiture. Permits the forfeiture of property which has been transferred to a third party, but includes a provision protecting innocent bona fide purchasers. Authorizes a court to order the forfeiture of substitute assets of the defendant where the original property cannot be located or traced. Authorizes a court to take appropriate action preserving the availability of property during the pre-indictment period effective for up to 90 days. Specifies the circumstances under which a temporary restraining order may be issued without notice to the affected party. Authorizes the Attorney General to grant petitions for remission or mitigation of forfeiture. Directs the Attorney General to establish regulations governing the restitution and disposition of forfeited property. Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to establish general criminal forfeiture provisions for felony violations under titles II and III. Includes provisions similar to the RICO amendments of this Act, relating to property subject to forfeiture, third party transfers, asset substitution, pre-indictment orders, and remission. Authorizes a court to issue a warrant authorizing the seizure of property subject to forfeiture in the same manner provided for a search warrant, if other injunctive relief would not assure the availability of the property. Provides that a criminal forfeiture proceeding shall stay any civil forfeiture proceeding with respect to the same property. Authorizes the Drug Enforcement Administration to set aside 25 percent of the amounts realized from forfeitures under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 for payment for information or assistance leading to forfeiture. Terminates this program on September 30, 1984. Title VII: Offenders With Mental Disease or Defect - Authorizes a special verdict of "not guility only by reason of insanity" for any criminal defendant who raises the issue of insanity by notice as currently provided. Establishes a new civil commitment procedure for persons found not guilty only by reason of insanity. Title VIII: Surplus Federal Property Amendments - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the Administrator of the General Services Administration to transfer to any State or local government surplus property determined by the Attorney General to be required for correctional facility use. Requires the Administrator to report annually to Congress on the acquisition cost of all donated personal property and real property disposed of during the preceding fiscal year. Title IX: - Miscellaneous Criminal Justice Improvements - Makes it a Federal offense to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. Increases penalties for violent crimes committed in aid of racketeering activities. Expands explosives offenses to cover arson. Permits administrative forfeiture procedures for property valued at less than $100,000. Extends kidnapping jurisdiction to protect certain Federal officials if the crime is committed while the victim is engaged in his official duties. Extends Federal jurisdiction over the robbery of a pharmacy. Increases the penalties for distributing controlled substances in or on or within 1,000 feet of, an elementary or secondary school. Revises the provisions relating to offenses against families of Federal officials, currency and foreign transactions, truck theft, felony-murder, the Federal juvenile justice system, and emergency electronic surveillance. Urges the President to promote a declaration by the United Nations of an International Year Against Drug Abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1982
Furniture Purchase Reimbursement Act of 1982 - Requires all furniture and decorative accessories for any office of any Federal officer appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to be procured by the Administrator of General Services, unless such items can be supplied from: (1) excess property available through the Federal Property Resources Service or from another agency; or (2) sources maintained by the Federal Supply Service. Permits the Administrator to authorize the competitive procurement of such items by an agency after approving the specific requirement for such items. Declares that any officer who procures such items in violation of this Act shall be personally liable for the Government's procurement expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1982
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that nothing in the Constitution shall be construed to prohibit prayer in public schools or institutions. States that no person shall be required by the United States or any State to participate in prayer.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1982
Water Resources Research Act of 1982 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to assist the work of any water resources research and technology institute, center, or equivalent agency established in the States in accordance with this Act. States that each such institute shall: (1) have responsibility for planning, conducting, and/or arranging for competent research in relation to water resources; and (2) cooperate with other colleges and universities in the State in order to develop a statewide program designed to resolve State and regional water and related land problems. Requires each institute, prior to the receipt of funds each fiscal year, to submit to the Secretary a water research program. Permits the Secretary to make grants to each designed institute matched at specified rates by non-Federal dollars. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 1987. Permits the Secretary to make additional grants to other qualified institutions and agencies of local or State government for research concerning any aspect of a water-related problem which the Secretary may deem to be in the national interest. Repeals the Water Research and Development Act of 1978. Authorizes appropriations for such additional grants and for administration of grants through FY 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1982
Declares that the President should invite the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to participate in the Cabinet Council on Economic Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend until December 31, 1987, the authority for the targeted jobs income tax credit. Extends the credit to all cooperative education students regardless of their economic status. Disallows the credit for employees who have worked for the same employer within the last 180 days. Limits the credit claimed on any individual to $4,500.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1982
Omnibus Victims Protection Act of 1982 - Title I: Victims Impact Statement - Amends rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that presentence reports contain information assessing the impact upon and cost to any person who was the victim of the offense. Title II: Protection of Victims and Witnesses from Intimidation - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish as offenses "tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant" and "retaliating against a witness or an informant." Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to require as a condition of pretrial release that the defendant not commit these offenses. Grants general authority to the Attorney General to relocate or protect Government witnesses. Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate civil proceedings to restrain tampering with a witness or victim. Title III: Restitution - Authorizes a sentencing court to order the defendant to make restitution for any offense. Requires the court to state for the record the reasons for not ordering restitution. Directs the Attorney General to recommend to Congress laws necessary to compensate victims of crimes where restitution is not possible. Title IV: Federal Accountability for Escape or Release of a Federal Prisoner - Grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Federal courts over civil claims against the the United States for damages caused by dangerous offenders who are released or escape from the lawful custody of a U.S. employee as a result of such employee's gross negligence. Title V: Federal Guidelines for Fair Treatment of Crime Victims and Witnesses in the Criminal Justice System - Directs the Attorney General to develop Federal guidelines for the fair treatment of crime victims and witnesses. Requires the Attorney General to consider certain objectives in preparing the guidelines, including: (1) ensuring that victims receive prompt social and medical services; (2) giving victims and witnesses notice of important criminal justice proceedings and scheduling changes; (3) arranging for the prosecution to obtain the nonbinding views of victims of serious crimes during such stages as plea bargaining and pretrial release; (4) encouraging employers to continue to pay victims and witnesses for work absences to assist investigations and prosecutions; and (5) training law enforcement personnel in victim assistance. Title VI: Profit by a Criminal from Sale of his Story - Directs the Attorney General to recommend to Congress any laws that are necessary to ensure that no Federal felon derives any profit from the sale of his or her story until any victim of the offense receives restitution.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1982
Amends Federal judicial procedure provisions relating to venue to provide that: (1) if proceedings have been instituted in two or more courts of appeals with respect to the same agency action and the first such proceeding was instituted more than five days before the second, the record shall be filed in that court in which the proceeding was first instituted; and (2) if the first such proceeding was not instituted more than five days before the institution of a later proceeding with respect to the same agency action and the agency has received written notice from the parties instituting each of these proceedings, the agency shall advise the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, with respect to the first proceeding and all proceedings instituted within five days after the first proceeding, that such multiple proceedings have been instituted and shall identify each court for which it has notice that such proceedings are pending. Directs the Administrative Office, pursuant to a system of random selection, to select the court in which the record shall be filed from those identified by the agency, in the situation where the first proceeding was not instituted more than five days before the institution of a later proceeding. Requires all proceedings to be transferred to the court of appeals in which the record has been filed. Authorizes any court in which a proceeding with respect to any agency action is pending, including a court selected pursuant to a system of random selection, to transfer such proceeding to any other court of appeals in which the action under review would have a substantially greater impact, unless the interests of justice require the court to: (1) retain such proceedings; or (2) transfer the proceedings to a circuit other than one in which the impact would be substantially greater. Directs the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to administer the system of random selection. Prohibits a civil action in which the defendant is a Federal officer or employee, a Federal agency, or the United States from being brought in a judicial district in which a defendant resides or the plaintiff resides if no real property is involved, unless the action that is the subject of the lawsuit would substantially affect the residents of that judicial district. Requires that in any action of a local environmental nature brought against the United States in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia the plaintiff must forward a copy of the complaint to the attorney general of each affected State (but not more than five States). Requires a district court, in any civil action in which a defendant is a Federal officer or employee, a Federal agency, or the United States, upon motion of any party, to transfer an action to a district where the action might have been brought, and in which the action would have substantially greater impact, unless the interests of justice require the court to: (1) retain the action; or (2) transfer the action to a district other than one in which the impact would be substantially greater.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1982
Prohibits Federal involvement in the performance of abortions, except when the life of the mother would be endangered if the child were carried to term. Includes the following activities within the scope of this prohibition: (1) performance of an abortion by a Federal agency; (2) use of appropriated funds to perform or reimburse or refer for abortions; (3) use of funds for research or training with respect to abortion; or (4) contracting for insurance which pays or reimburses for abortion. Prohibits any institution receiving Federal funding from discriminating against any employee or student because of such person's opposition to abortion. Authorizes the bringing of individual or class actions in Federal court to enforce this Act. Provides for expedited Supreme Court review with regard to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should notify the Common Market's Council of Ministers that: (1) renegotiation of the Common Market's tariff on corn gluten feed is not in the best interests of the United States; and (2) the imposition of any trade restriction on corn gluten feed would seriously impede U.S. relations with the Common Market. Urges the President to take all other appropriate steps to protect U.S. exports of corn gluten feed.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1982
Prohibits the Government from imposing export restrictions on agricultural commodities which interfere with valid export contracts if: (1) the contracts were entered into before the imposition of such restrictions; and (2) the contracts provide for the delivery of such commodities for export within 180 days of the date the restrictions are imposed.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth special temporary rules for the taxation of life insurance companies for 1982 and 1983. Revises provisions relating to policies reinsured under modified coinsurance contracts. Specifies that prescribed policy and other contract liability requirements shall not include interest payable after enactment of this Act by a reinsured to a reinsurer in connection with a coinsurance contract. Revises the method of computing the tax deductions for: (1) dividends to policyholders; (2) certain nonparticipating contracts; and (3) certain accident, health insurance, and group life insurance plans. Revises the method of determining adjusted life insurance reserves. Revises the method of computing the policyholder's shared investment yield, life insurance company taxable income, and net capital gain for companies filing consolidated returns. Specifies that the above method shall not apply to certain contract computation in effect before 1982. States that the determination for taxable years before 1982 as to whether a contract is a coinsurance contract shall be made solely by reference to the terms of the contract.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Establishes U.S. policy concerning commercial food exports. Declares that there should be no interruptions in exports unless there is a general embargo in circumstances that justify the united support of the free world.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1982
Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1982 - Title I: Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1982 - Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 to revise the authorization of appropriations for fiscal years 1984 through 1990 for the Interstate Highway System. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to apportion, for FY 1984, the sums authorized to be appropriated for expenditures on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways according to specified factors. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund for fiscal years 1983 through 1986 for: (1) the Federal-aid primary program; (2) the Federal-aid rural program; (3) the Federal-aid urban program; (4) forest highways; (5) public lands highways; (6) bridge replacement and rehabilitation; and (7) highway safety improvements. Prohibits any State from receiving less than one-half of one percent of the total apportionment for the Interstate System for each of fiscal years 1984 through 1987. Revises apportionments for the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program. Directs the Secretary to develop a selection process for discretionary bridges according to certain criteria. Revises the apportionment ratio for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the distribution of Federal financial assistance for such activities. Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1978 to extend the authorization of appropriations from FY 1983 through 1987 for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing specified lanes on the Interstate System. Authorizes appropriations, out of the Highway Trust Fund, for fiscal years 1983 through 1986 for substitute highway and mass transit projects. Repeals provisions concerning priority primary routes. Revises procedures concerning the Federal-aid urban and rural programs. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the States, to establish a highway safety improvement program for projects on public roads including: (1) specified highway safety improvement projects; (2) railway-highway crossing projects; (3) highway-related safety requirements and guidelines; and (4) evaluation of the highway safety improvement program. Sets forth procedures for the implementation of such program. Revises the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program. Revises provisions concerning the Federal lands highways program including forest highways and park roads. Repeals provisions concerning: (1) economic growth center development highways; (2) the national scenic and recreational highway; (3) access highways to certain public recreation areas; and (4) highway crossings. Directs the Secretary to expend such sums as are necessary (up to 100 percent of costs) for carpool and vanpool projects. Authorizes the Secretary to approve financial assistance for acquisition or construction of preferential parking facilities for carpools. Prohibits the use of emergency relief funds for the repair or reconstruction of certain bridges that have been permanently closed to vehicular traffic. Requires that emergency relief funds be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund. Revises the Federal share payable for emergency repairs or reconstruction. Allows Federal-aid highway projects to include nonconstruction programs or projects which enhance the safety and use of bicycles. Increases to 100 percent the Federal share for bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkway projects. Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 to allow limited truck traffic on the Highland Scenic Highway in West Virginia. Allows States to transfer funds allocated for a particular urbanized area to another such area. Authorizes the Secretary to discharge any of his responsibilities relative to the physical construction phase of Interstate projects using established certification acceptance procedures. Eliminates the requirement for the Secretary to make a final inspection of each such project. Requires defense access roads to be funded from monies appropriated for defense maneuvers and exercises. Authorizes the Secretary, if after 90 days following notification of a State highway department a project is still not being properly maintained, to withhold project funds for one or more of the other Federal-aid systems or programs in the State. (Presently the Secretary is required to withhold funds from all projects in the State.) Requires each State on January 1 of each year to certify to the Secretary that it has a program for the Interstate Highway System in accordance with the Secretary's guidelines. Combines highway planning and research funds into a single fund for administration by the Secretary. Establishes the Federal share for any project financed by such fund. Requires provisions of equal employment opportunities for highway projects without regard to sex. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct and finance training and assistance programs for minority business enterprises. Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with other Federal agencies to minimize duplication, paperwork, and delays in the development of Federal highway projects. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent for Federal-aid rural and urban programs approved prior to enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Improvement Act of 1981, and to 50 percent for any such programs approved after enactment. Sets forth limitations on obligations and State allocations for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs for FY 1983. Repeals two laws relative to the State of Maryland's authority to construct, operate, and maintain certain bridges. Authorizes the State, through the Maryland Transportation Authority, to continue to collect tolls and use the revenues for transportation projects in accordance with State laws and applicable Federal laws. Requires the Secretary to carry out a project to demonstrate the feasibility of reducing the time required to complete highway projects by extending the coverage of State certifications to any Federal law, regulation, or policy applicable to such project. Authorizes appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund for such project. Requires the Secretary to submit a recommendation report to Congress within six months of the project's completion. Allows the State of Alaska to expend Federal-aid highway funds on portions of an Alaskan highway that extends into Canada. Repeals the Territorial Highway Program. Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1978 to repeal the acceleration of bridge projects program. Title II: Highway Revenue Act of 1982 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to extend from 1984 through 1989 the highway excise taxes allocated to the Highway Trust Fund. Makes funds available for expenditure from the fund until October 1, 1990. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to conform to provisions of this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 relative to the tax on use of certain motor vehicles to allow the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the beginning of a tax year or taxable period.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1982
Declares that the United States should propose to the Soviet Union: (1) a long-term, mutual, and verifiable nuclear forces freeze at equal and sharply reduced levels; and (2) practical measures to reduce the danger of an accidental nuclear war and to prevent the use of nuclear weapons by third parties. States that the United States and the Soviet Union should channel their resources away from amassing nuclear armaments and towards fighting poverty, hunger, and disease. Declares that the United States should continue to work for balanced arms reductions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1982
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish enhanced penalties for distributing a controlled substance on or adjacent to public or private elementary or secondary school property. Increases any special parole terms granted to such offenders. Establishes a mandatory, minimum three-year prison sentence for repeat offenders.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Congress that FY 1983 funding for impact aid to school districts will be at levels equal to those authorized for FY 1980, as adjusted for inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, through the Government National Mortgage Association, to assist middle- and lower-income families in acquiring a home or membership in a cooperative housing association by making periodic interest reduction payments on behalf of such families to mortgagees and lenders. Prohibits the Secretary from entering into contracts to provide interest reduction payments during any month unless the Federal Home Loan Bank Board's home mortgage interest rate index for the most recent two-month period exceeds 12.5 percent per year. Conditions eligibility for interest reduction payments on the insurability of the first mortgage or loan secured by such property. Sets forth the qualifications for insurance, which include requirements that: (1) the loan be executed by a borrower who has an annual income of less than $30,000; (2) the loan involve a one- to four-family dwelling the construction of which was completed on or after March 6, 1982; (3) the loan be amortized over 30 years; and (4) beginning with the second year, the loan payments be increased by a specified amount which shall be applied to the principal obligation until it is paid off. Limits the duration of the interest reduction payments to five years. Declares that the amount of all such payments shall constitute a second lien on the property. Requires repayment of such amount, not to exceed 60 percent of the homeowner's net equity: (1) upon the sale or disposition of the property; (2) upon the refinancing of the loan; or (3) when the owner ceases to occupy the property as a principal residence for a period exceeding nine months. Limits the amount of interest reduction payments to the difference between the amount of the monthly principal and interest payment under the terms of the loan and the amount such payment would be if the interest rate on the loan were: (1) 11 percent per year; or (2) four percentage points less than the rate specified in the loan, whichever rate is higher. Requires the Secretary to: (1) allocate the amount available to carry out this Act on the basis of the population, number of housing starts, and unemployment in each State relative to all States; and (2) assure that the allocated amounts are made available in a manner which maximizes participation by eligible lenders and borrowers. Declares that any mortgage insured or assisted under this Act shall be eligible for purchase by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association Corporation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should take no action to accelerate the decontrol of wellhead natural gas prices.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1982
Provides for deferrals on repayment of specified farm loans and a moratorium on foreclosures through FY 1983 for borrowers suffering economic hardship. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make loan rescheduling procedures available.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1982
Expresses the disapproval of Congress of the Federal Trade Commission's final rule relating to used motor vehicles submitted to Congress on January 28, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1982
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a temporary heroin program under which confiscated heroin shall be made available to pharmacies of qualified hospitals for dispensing to cancer patients for the relief of pain. Sets forth application requirements for such program for qualified hospitals designed to protect against the diversion of distributed heroin into illicit channels. Authorizes the Secretary to import opium to manufacture heroin, if amounts confiscated are insufficient to meet the needs of qualified hospitals. Amends specified provisions of law to conform to provisions of this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources within specified time periods on the activities under the temporary heroin program. Requires the Director of the National Cancer Institute to secure an exemption from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for heroin to be used in certain investigations by the Institute.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Bankruptcy Improvements Act of 1981 - Amends title 11 (Bankruptcy) of the United States Code to establish an eligibility test for liquidation bankruptcy relief based on the individual petitioner's inability to pay a reasonable portion of his debts out of future income. Permits the court to dismiss a bankruptcy case upon the motion of any party in interest filed prior to the conclusion of the meeting of creditors, and after notice and a hearing, if the debtor is ineligible for relief under such title because he is able to pay a reasonable portion of his debts out of future income. Requires the bankruptcy judge to preside at any meeting of creditors and to perform such additional judicial duties as may be required. Declares that the value of the creditor's interest in the estate's interest in consumer goods property shall be determined in light of the purpose of the valuation and of the proposed disposition or use of such property, and in conjunction with any hearing on such disposition or use or on a plan affecting such creditor's interest. Declares that the value of consumer goods which the debtor seeks to redeem in liquidation shall be presumed to be the established resale market price, if such market exists. Requires the debtor in bankruptcy cases to file a statement of estimated income and expenses for the year following filing of his petition. Requires the debtor, if the debtor's schedule of assets and liabilities includes consumer debts which are secured by property of the estate, to file and serve upon each creditor holding such security and the trustee, a statement expressing the debtor's intention with respect to retention or surrender of the collateral. Requires the debtor, at or before the meeting of creditors provided for by such title, to perform his intention with regard to such secured creditors. Repeals the provisions concerning exempt property and makes the States responsible for establishing exemptions to bankruptcy proceedings. Presumes nondischargeable any debt which was incurred on or within 45 days before the date of the filing of a petition under such title nondischargeable. Allows for rebuttal of such presumption. Allows creditors to enforce liens which have not been voided in bankruptcy. Permits reaffirmation of consumer debts subject to the debtor's right to rescind any such agreement within 60 days or until a discharge is received, whichever occurs later, by giving a written notice of rescission to the creditor. Declares that at the meeting of creditors the court shall inform the debtor of the nature and effect of a discharge and of any reaffirmation of debt. Limits the trustee's power to avoid liens or recover payments made within 90 days of the filing of the petition in bankruptcy (within one year in the case of an insider) unless the creditor had reasonable cause to believe the debtor was insolvent. Permits the court, upon notice and hearing, to require a creditor to accept payments in redemption of the value of a claim secured by a nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interest in tangible personal property, over a reasonable period not to exceed five years, if such tangible personal property consists of specified objects. Allows a creditor, upon 10 days notice to the debtor and codebtor, to collect any portion of a debt from the codebtor which is not being paid by the debtor through the adjustment of debts of such debtor with a regular income. Requires payments under an adjustment of debts payment plan to commence within thirty days after the filing of the plan. Provides for the return of such funds after deducting the costs of administration if no plan is confirmed. Provides for the separate classification of co-debtor claims and non-dischargeable claims and authorizes payment of them under an adjustment of debts payment plan. Allows a debtor to choose such a repayment plan of up to five years. Bases such repayment upon the debtor's ability to repay out of future income after taking into account the basic living necessities for the debtor and dependents. Provides for an early discharge of debts where a reasonable portion of unsecured claims are paid. Permits a hardship discharge of otherwise non-dischargeable debts to the extent the debtor attempted to pay such debts under an adjustment of debts payment plan, but was prevented from so doing by unforeseen cirucmstances.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Bilingual Education Amendments of 1981 - Amends title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Bilingual Education Programs, also known as the Bilingual Education Act) to revise bilingual education policy to no longer require that children of limited English proficiency use their native language while receiving instruction to achieve competence in English. Revises an element of the definition of "limited English proficiency" to refer to "individuals who have difficulty speaking and understanding instruction in the English language." Redefines "program of bilingual instruction" to require inclusion of "an intensive course of study in English." Revises grant provisions to require that bilingual education programs limit participation by any child to one year. Permits an additional year of participation only if an individual evaluation establishes the need for continued services and is approved by the appropriate local education agency official. Prohibits enrollment of any non-handicapped child for more than three years. Sets forth requirements for such individual evaluations. Directs the Secretary of Education to withhold application approval or grant payments whenever a bilingual education program is unable or unwilling to comply with such limitations on individual participation and with such individual evaluation requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) Americans want an early, peaceful, and popularly supported resolution of the issues that led to the imposition of martial law in Poland; (2) Americans deplore the imposition of martial law in Poland, the suspension of workers' rights, and the arrests of Solidarity leaders; (3) recent events call into question the suitability of further assistance for Poland: (4) the Polish people have the right to resolve their problems without outside interference; (5) the support of Americans for continued U.S. dealings with Poland's present government will relate to the degree to which that government avoids violence and demonstrates its respect for Solidarity and its commitment to continuing reforms; (6) the President and the Secretary of State should continue to stress this U.S. position; and (7) the Administration should consult with our allies to develop a concerted and sustained response to the threat to the democratization process in Poland.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Amends title IV (National Research Institutes) of the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. Sets forth the Institute's research and training functions and arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases program plan. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Institute, to operate multipurpose arthritis and musculoskeletal disease research centers. Requires annual evaluations of such centers. Authorizes specified appropriations for such centers for fiscal years 1983-1985. Directs the Secretary to establish an arthritis and musculoskeletal disease Coordinating Committee, which shall meet at least four times a year.
![Official portrait of Sen. Abdnor, James [R-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/a000009_200.jpg)