United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Agriculture should continue Department policy in deferring the repayment of, and foreclosure proceedings on, certain outstanding Farmers Home Administration loans.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that members of the National Guard and Reserve should be granted time off from their jobs for military training, exclusive of earned vacation, and given equal consideration for job benefits and promotions as other employees.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1981
Directs the United States Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination applicable to first-class mail up to one ounce in weight. Directs that such stamp shall be issued on November 11, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1981
Title I: Reclamation Reform - Directs that irrigation water from reclamation project facilities not be withheld from delivery to project lands because owners, lessees, or operators live on or near such lands. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, whenever an acreage limitation is imposed by Federal reclamation laws and upon the request of a contracting entity, to designate lands under the applicable limitation within a district having class I productive potential. Requires owners of excess lands to execute a recordable contract with the Secretary for the disposal of such lands before irrigation water may be made available to them. Exempts Federal water resources projects constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers from acreage limitation requirements or other provisions of reclamation laws, unless specifically made applicable by statute or pursuant to the authority of the Secretary. Provides that lands which are leased shall not be subject to the application of acreage limitation provisions of Federal reclamation laws. Exempts from limitations and restrictions of reclamation laws: (1) any district which has repaid the construction costs of water project facilities; (2) bona fide religious or charitable organizations using the agricultural produce for charitable purposes; (3) lands held by a trustee in a fiduciary capacity for beneficiaries whose interest in such lands is within limits imposed by reclamation laws; (4) lands which receive a temporary supply of water; (5) lands acquired by involuntary foreclosure, bona fide conveyance in satisfaction of mortgage, inheritance, or devise, which are eligible for a temporary supply of water not exceeding five years; (6) isolated tracts which are economically farmable only if included in a larger farming operation; and (7) lands served with a temporary supply of water under contracts permitting later use of such water for municipal or industrial purposes. Requires payment contracts for the use of irrigation water temporarily made available from reclamation facilities in excess of ordinary quantities not otherwise storable for project purposes or not otherwise available without such facilities. Provides for the validation of any contract provision between the Secretary and any party pursuant to matters arising under reclamation laws and of written representations of acreage limitations at the request of any non-Federal party to such an agreement, provided Congress does not disapprove such validation by joint resolution. Vests exclusive jurisdiction in the United States district court for the district in which a project facility is located for injunctive relief sought under contracts between any non-Federal party and the Secretary relative to water service. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Optional Expanded Ownership - Authorizes the amendment of water contracts between the Secretary and any non-Federal party to conform to provisions of this Act. Limits the delivery of water for irrigation purposes to 3,200 acres of class I lands, provided that not more than 1,600 acres of such land may be owned by the qualified recipient. Allows the delivery of water in excess of such acreage upon payment by recipients of the full cost of such excess water. Title III: Leasing Requirements - Prohibits the leasing of lands which receive irrigation water unless the lease instrument is written and for a term not in excess of ten years. Directs that the Secretary be provided with a certificate signed by the lessee which includes a legal description of the land, the lease term, and certification of the reasonableness of the rent. Grants any lease in effect on November 18, 1981, ten years after enactment of this Act to comply with its provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1981
Safe Drinking Water Regulatory Reform Act - Revises regulatory procedures under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Permits petitions for judicial review of administrative actions under such Act to be filed only in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or in the U.S. court of appeals for a judicial circuit in which a substantial portion of the associated impact or injury will occur. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in proposing and promulgating such regulations, to consider any relevant advice or recommendations of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council, and any separate statements by individual Council members as provided under this Act. Requires that a promulgated rule be accompanied by statements of: (1) its basis and purpose; (2) the reasons for any major changes from the proposed rule; (3) factual data and reasons supporting a determination that the benefits of applying the rule justify the compliance costs; (4) the reasons why any public comment alternatives to the proposed rule were rejected; and (5) response to significant public comment, criticism, and new data submissions. Prohibits basing the promulgated rule on any information not in the docket. Revises standards for primary drinking water regulations. Replaces regulation of contaminants having "any adverse effect" on human health with regulation of contaminants "posing an unreasonable risk to human health". Removes a requirement that such regulations provide for proper operation and maintenance of public water systems, minimum quality of water taken into the systems, and new facilities siting. Eliminates specified references to the Administrator's judgments or determinations and to allowance for "an adequate margin of safety" in promulgating such regulations. Requires the maximum contaminant level specified in revised national primary drinking water regulations for a contaminant to be as close to the recommended maximum contaminant level as is "reasonable" (currently, "feasible"). Removes specified provisions relating to requirements for the use of treatment techniques. Continues State primary enforcement responsibility whenever the Administrator revises or amends any national primary drinking water regulation. Requires a State with primary enforcement responsibility to show the Administrator that the State public water system supervision program meets the revised or added requirement, within a specified period. Requires the Administrator's approval of continuation of the State's primary enforcement responsibility. Authorizes the Administrator to waive a prohibition against making grants to State public water system supervision programs that have not assumed and maintained primary enforcement responsibility. Permits such waiver during any time within 18 months after the effective date of any amendment or revision of the national regulations if the State has assumed such responsibility and is making a diligent effort to comply with the new amendment or revision. Authorizes the Administrator to grant a State an additional six months to come into compliance, on a showing of good cause. Revises provisions relating to the National Drinking Water Advisory Council. Provides for sixteen members, with four each from four membership categories: (1) the general public; (2) scientists expert in public health and water hygiene; (3) representatives of State and local agencies concerned with water hygiene and public water supply; and (4) representatives of both publicly owned and private investor owned suppliers of water. Requires the Council to elect a Chairman and adopt rules for calling and conducting meetings. Requires that any recommendation or advice to the Administrator be: (1) voted upon specifically by the Council; and (2) accompanied by any separate statements of dissenting or supplementary views submitted by any Council member. Repeals a provision that allows national interim primary drinking water regulations to be amended from time to time.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1981
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to provide for the extension of an export financing credit for agricultural commodities. Sets a formula for determining the amount of the credit extension for each fiscal year. Makes provisions for the credit inapplicable for fiscal years in which: (1) the demand for such credit is less than a specified ratio; or (2) the level of agricultural exports will be adequate without the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States and Japan should exert maximum efforts to resist Soviet challenges to Asia; (2) Japan should make a greater contribution to its own defense; and (3) Japan's defense expenditures should be at least one percent of its gross national product.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which provide incentives for energy conservation and development of renewable energy sources should not be repealed or amended to reduce such incentives.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that any agreement for a transfer by the United States of the airborne warning and control system (AWACS) to a foreign country shall include all the requirements under the Arms Export Control Act and in the standard Letter of Offer and Acceptance, as well as specified terms and conditions. Requires that the United States immediately terminate all support for the AWACS if any of these contractual provisions are breached. Requires that only countries that promote peace and stability receive AWACS. Directs the President to certify to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the conditions specified in this Act have been met before the actual transfer of any part of the AWACS.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1981
Missing Children Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to collect and exchange information which would assist in the identification of unidentified deceased individuals, and the location of missing persons, including missing children.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Directs the United States Postal Service to provide and sell a postage stamp issue to commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of the presence of the bald eagle on the official seal of the United States of America. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination applicable to first-class mail up to one ounce in weight. Directs that such stamp shall be issued during the week of June 20, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
National Harbors Improvement and Maintenance Act of 1981 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to maintain the deep-draft channels and harbors of the United States. Prohibits the Secretary, after October 1, 1982, from expending funds for such maintenance until an appropriate non-Federal interest contracts with the Secretary to pay for specified portions thereof. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the President and to Congress on national harbor maintenance needs for the succeeding fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1983 through 1987. Authorizes such non-Federal interest to undertake navigation improvements subject to required permits. Requires that such non-Federal interest repay the United States, within 50 years of the date of enactment, the cost of all channel and harbor construction projects undertaken after September 30, 1982. Declares that this Act shall not prohibit or interfere with national defense transportation requirements. Permits an affected non-Federal interest to recover its reimbursement obligation by collecting fees from specified vessels engaged in commercial waterway transportation. Sets forth procedures concerning the joint processing of all Federal permits required for such construction activities. Directs the Secretary to report to certain congressional committees in regard to such permit schedules.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1981
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide that certain fiduciary duties under such Act shall be deemed satisfied by investments in residential housing mortgages that provide adequate security and a reasonable rate of interest. Exempts from specified prohibitions under such Act the placing, investing, or purchase of a mortgage secured by residential housing property if such investment or sale: (1) is adequately secured; (2) is made in accordance with specific provisions regarding such loans set forth in the employee benefit plan; and (3) bears a reasonable rate of interest.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1981
Expresses the disapproval of Congress of the Federal Trade Commission's final rule relating to used motor vehicles submitted to Congress on September 10, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1981
Declares that the President of the United States, the Senate and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs should assure that the specific provisions of the Federal Reserve Act providing for agricultural, commercial, and broad regional representation on the Board of Governors are followed.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Changes from 90 to 180 days the time limitation under which the President may order members of the Selected Reserve to active duty other than during war or national emergency. Increases from 100,000 to 250,000 the number of members who may be so ordered. Authorizes the President, during such period, to suspend applicable law relating to promotion, retirement, or separation. Directs the President to give Congress written notification of any national security reasons requiring the extension of the time limit.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1981
Reauthorizes the WEB rural water development project, South Dakota. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to proceed with such project according to specified terms and to make available for immediate obligation any funds appropriated for such project for fiscal year 1981. Authorizes the Secretary to study the following Pick-Sloan Missouri River basin programs in South Dakota: (1) the Oahe unit, James Division; (2) the Garrison unit; (3) the Pollock-Herreid unit; and (4) the potential for development of other water projects proposed by the Governor of South Dakota. Sets forth criteria to be considered by the Secretary in reporting such studies to Congress. Permits the Secretary to contract with the State to carry out such studies. Makes certain changes in the features of the authorized plan of development for the Oahe unit, initial stage. Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with the Department of Energy, to make available the Missouri River basin program pumping power to specified irrigation projects constructed in South Dakota by Indian tribes or by public entities. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1981
Billboard Deregulation Act of 1981 - Repeals the Federal outdoor advertising control program. Rescinds all authorizations of appropriations for such program that are unappropriated upon enactment of this Act. Describes procedures by which the Secretary of Transportation may withhold funds from a State that has not effectively controlled the establishment and maintenance along the Interstate Highway System and the primary system of outdoor junkyards.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to conduct a study of the Madison aquifer in the States of Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming to determine whether the transportation of coal in a coal slurry pipeline will affect the quantity or quality of ground or surface water in such States. Prohibits a right-of-way or permit for a coal slurry pipeline that is expected to utilize ground water from the Madison aquifer from being granted or issued by a Federal agency until 90 days after the Secretary reports to the Governors of Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota under this Act. Provides for a permanent prohibition under certain conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1981
Coal Pipeline Act of 1981 - Prohibits granting a right-of-way across Federal land for construction or extension of a coal pipeline unless each affected State consents to the use of its water. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, after ensuring that all appropriate Federal laws and that each affected State has consented to the use of its water, to grant or renew rights-of-way over, under, upon or through Federal lands for the construction, operation, maintenance, or extension of coal pipelines.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1981
Amends the Flood Control Act of 1965 to deauthorize that component of the Dickey-Lincoln School Lakes Project, Saint John River, Maine, known as the Dickey Dam and its associated transmission facilities. Prohibits Federal agencies from considering license applications relating to hydropower projects above the Lincoln School Dam on the Saint John River and its tributaries for five years from the date of enactment of this Act. Terminates authorizations for the Meramec Park Lake project, Missouri. Directs the Secretary of the Army to transfer all right, title, and interest in the following projects to the State of Missouri: (1) Meramec State Park extension; (2) Onondaga Cave State Park extension; (3) Huzzah State Wildlife Management Area extension; (4) endangered species sites (not more than 200 acres); (5) Campbell Bridge access; (6) Sappington Bridge access; and (7) Liberty Road access. States that specified easements shall be granted in regard to certain projects. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates authorizations for the following projects: (1) Helm Reservoir, Illinois; (2) Lincoln Dam and Reservoir, Illinois and Indiana; (3) Big Blue Dam, Indiana; (4) Illinois Waterway, Illinois and Indiana; (5) Lafayette Dam and Reservoir, Indiana; (6) Nansemond River, Virginia; and (7) Clifty Creek Dam, Indiana.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1981
Petroleum Disruption Management Act of 1981 - Title I: Sequential Management Authority and Activation - Directs the President to prescribe (and transmit to Congress for approval) four petroleum disruption management programs: (1) a Strategic Petroleum Reserve distribution program; (2) a private dedicated reserve program (PDR); (3) a national crude oil sharing program; and (4) a petroleum product disruption management program. Prohibits approval of a program unless each House of Congress, within 30 days of transmittal of a program, passes a resolution approving the program. Requires the President to submit a revised program if any program is not approved. Provides for the activation of a program whenever the President determines that a substantial or severe crude oil or energy supply disruption or interruption exists or is imminent, or a program is necessary in order to comply with the international energy program, and an approving joint resolution is passed within six days of transmittal. Limits such programs to 120 days duration. Permits the President to request successive 120-day extensions. Title II: Private Crude Oil and Petroleum Product Storage Incentives - Directs the President to report on the advisability and alternative means of: (1) reducing the tax liability of persons who draw down crude oil and petroleum product reserves during oil supply disruptions; and (2) providing tax or other incentives for the construction of private-sector oil and petroleum product storage facilities and the maintenance of increased private-sector crude oil or petroleum product reserves. Title III: Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Private Dedicated Reserve Distribution - Authorizes the President to distribute crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, upon a determination that a substantial crude oil disruption exists, in amounts not in excess of 300,000 barrels daily for no more than 90 days annually. Provides for such distributions on a pro rata basis. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prohibit the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Plan from becoming effective unless each House of Congress passes a resolution approving the Plan within 30 days of the Plan's transmittal to Congress. Requires that during a substantial crude oil disruption allocation shall be as provided for in this Act. Requires the Secretary of Energy to submit to Congress a report evaluating the expansion of the physical capacity of the Reserve through the use of temporary storage facilities. Directs the President to promulgate a rule establishing a PDR. Requires the rule establishing the PDR to: (1) provide for the equitable distribution of crude oil at competitive prices; (2) require designated refiners to provide crude oil to any qualified refiner experiencing a supply disruption; (3) distribute crude oil to such qualified refiners to permit them to operate at 95 percent of the national utilization rate; (4) provide that the obligation of each designated refiner to sell crude oil to qualified refiners shall be a given percentage of each designated refiner's average crude oil runs to distallation units during the previous 12 months; and (5) provide that the price paid by a qualified refiner will not exceed a stated level. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a report determining the minimum volume of reserves to be maintained in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and analyzing the advisability of distributing crude oil from the Reserve in lieu of activating the PDR. Title IV: National Crude Oil Sharing Program - Directs the President to promulgate a rule establishing a national crude oil sharing program. Requires the rule establishing such program to: (1) provide for the equitable sharing of crude oil at competitive prices among all regions during a severe disruption; (2) require refiners to offer for sale any crude oil supplies that would permit their refineries to operate in excess of the national utilization rate; (3) assure that refiners are able to purchase sufficient crude oil to permit operation at the national utilization rate; (4) provide that the price paid by a refiner will not exceed the weight-averaged price during the previous 60-day period; (5) provide for directives requiring a refiner to adjust the percentage yield of a refined petroleum product in order to increase output of that product in a time of short supply; and (6) provide for the adjustment of the quantities of crude oil allocated among refiners so as to ensure desired production levels. Title V: Petroleum Product Programs - Directs the President to promulgate a standby regulation which when implemented will provide for the mandatory allocation of refined petroleum products produced in or imported into the country in amounts specified in and at ceiling prices specified in such regulation. Requires the standby regulation to provide for: (1) protection of public health, safety, and welfare (including maintenance of residential heating), and national defense; (2) maintenance of all public services; (3) maintenance of agricultural operations; (4) preservation of an economically sound and competitive petroleum industry; (5) equitable distribution of refined petroleum products at equitable prices; (6) allocation of refined petroleum products necessary to explore for and extract fuels and minerals; (7) economic efficiency; and (8) minimization of economic distortion. Requires the standby regulation, in specifying prices, to provide for a dollar-for-dollar pass through of net increases in the cost of crude oil and refined petroleum products at all levels of distribution from the producer to the retail level. Requires such regulation to provide for the establishment of a State set-aside program for refined petroleum products to be activated on a State-by-State basis. Provides that authority to carry out any rationing contingency plan under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act shall expire when this Act becomes effective. Title VI: Establishment of Advisory, Data Collection and Coordination Functions - Directs the President to establish: (1) an Energy Emergency Council, to be composed of members of the executive branch, to advise the President on matters relevant to the implementation of this Act and the activation and management of its programs; and (2) an Energy Advisory Committee, to consist of members of the petroleum industry and consumers, to advise the President and the Council on matters relevant to the implementation of this Act and the activation and management of its programs. Directs the Council, after consultation with the Committee, to evaluate the current energy information collection and monitoring systems within the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary to inform the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration whether the energy information now being collected is sufficient, whether changes are needed, and if so, to direct the Administrator to make the necessary changes. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a report examining the standards for activation of the programs. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth provisions relating to administration and enforcement, including: (1) application of provisions of the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970 to regulations, orders, and Presidential actions undertaken pursuant to this Act; and (2) setting forth monetary penalties for violations of this Act. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to include any rule, regulation, or order issued under this Act in adjustment provisions to prevent special hardship or inequity. Extends, until October 1, 1989, the authority for international voluntary agreements with respect to the International Energy Program under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Terminates this Act on October 1, 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1981
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination used for first-class mail up to one ounce in weight and shall be placed on sale on March 12, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1981
Airline Deregulation Amendments Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to modify the definition of "ticket agent" as used in such Act. Directs air carriers to file with the Civil Aeronautics Board until December 31, 1982, individual and joint fares and charges, classifications, rules, and services for or in connection with interstate and overseas passenger air transportation. Requires that such filings shall be made to the Secretary of Transportation between January 1, 1983, and December 31, 1984. Prohibits air carriers and ticket agents from charging or collecting greater or less or different compensation than that specified in such filings. Transfers the authority of the Board relating to foreign air transportation to the Department of Transportation. Accelerates to January 1, 1983, the transfer of specified authority of the Board. Allows the Board to approve any contract or agreement that reduces or eliminates competition if it finds that the contract or agreement is necessary to secure important public benefits, including the marketing and sale of transportation through ticket agents. Sets forth the expiration dates for specified authority of the Secretary relating to contract approvals. Revises the expiration date and contents of the Secretary's (formerly the Board's) report to Congress concerning the implementation of such Act. Prohibits the Board from issuing any final order or rule in regard to agreements among air carriers and agreements among foreign air carriers insofar as those agreements provide for the accreditation and supervision of travel agents. Directs the Board to forward the recommendations and analyses concerning such proceedings to the Secretary for final disposition. Prohibits the Board and the Department from attaching an expiration date on any certificate of public convenience and necessity. Deletes provisions concerning the issuance of such certificates for temporary authority to provide air transportation. Permits an air carrier to file an application with the Secretary seeking to revoke a temporary or experimental certificate to engage in foreign air transportation. Directs the Secretary to grant such application according to specified criteria. Requires that each air carrier or foreign air carrier shall keep on file with the Board after January 1, 1983, the established divisions of all joint rates, fares, and charges for air transportation in which such carrier participates.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1981
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to construct a pumped-storage hydroelectric facility as part of the Fort Randall Dam-Lake Francis Case project, South Dakota.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt from disclosure records maintained by the Secret Service in connection with its protective functions. Amends the Federal criminal code to extend the scope of the current provision authorizing a physical zone of protection for the President to all Secret Service protectees. Establishes a new offense of threatening to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon a former President, major presidential or vice-presidential candidate or spouse of a candidate, or member of the immediate family of the President or Vice President. Limits the Secret Service protection of the spouse and minor children of a former President to a period of six months. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to extend such protection if necessary. Extends the authority of the Secret Service to investigate fraud against the Government and offenses involving the electronic transfer of data for U.S. or foreign government funds. Authorizes the reimbursement of Secret Service agents for subsistence expenses while on protective missions on a 24-hour basis in a nontravel status. Establishes a new offense of forging endorsements on Treasury checks or United States bonds or securities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the exclusion of interest on mortgage subsidy bonds. Repeals provisions which allow tax-exempt status for such bonds if 95 percent of the mortgages financed by such issues are in compliance with stated requirements. Provides that a showing that the issuing authority has tried in good faith to satisfy all requirements will cure a failure to meet any particular requirement if such failure is corrected within a reasonable time after its discovery. Allows bondholders to rely upon an issuer's good faith covenant as to compliance. Revises the new homeowner requirements to allow eligibility for bond-financed mortgages for persons who are residing in substandard housing or who have lost their homes because of natural disasters or governmental action. Changes the method of determining the average area purchase price for purposes of the purchase price requirements for bond-financed mortgages. Specifies that the average area purchase price shall not include residences which are not typically financed through normal real estate mortgage loans and that such prices may be determined separately for new and previously occupied homes. Revises the arbitrage requirements to increase the amount by which interest rates on tax-exempt mortgage subsidy bonds may exceed the interest rates on mortgages financed with such bonds. Changes the method of determining the yield on an issue. Specifies that issuers are not required to dispose of any investment and realize a loss in order to satisfy arbitrage restrictions. Allows two or more qualified mortgage bond issues of a single issuer to be combined for purposes of determining compliance with arbitrage requirements. Permits issuers to maintain a reasonable reserve against investment losses and to allocate credits or payments between eligible mortgagors. Exempts mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration from certain mortgage assumption requirements. Includes energy impacted areas within the definition of targeted areas for purposes of the special treatment of targeted area residences. Transfers to the States the authority to designate areas of chronic economic distress. Limits the designation of areas of chronic economic distress to 25 percent of the geographic area within a State. Redefines statistical areas to include two or more statistical areas combined. Repeals the registration requirements for bond issues.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Clean Water Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Clean Water Act (also known as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act) to revise provisions for Grants for Construction of Treatment Works (title II). Prohibits Federal grants, after October 1, 1981, which provide assistance only for facility plans, or plans, specifications, and estimates for any proposed construction of treatment works. Provides that non-Federal funds expended during the facility planning and advanced engineering and design phase shall be reimbursed at the prevailing Federal share, if the proposed project later receives a Federal grant for construction. Prohibits grant approval until the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State have reviewed and approved plans, specifications, estimates, compliance with specific Federal laws, and a grant payment schedule. Lowers the Federal share for treatment works grants (from 75 percent in fiscal year 1981) to 65 percent for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 and to 55 percent thereafter. Requires that treatment works grants be made only for: (1) secondary treatment or more stringent treatment, or any cost-effective alternative; and (2) new interceptors and appurtenances. Revises formulas for determining the amount of any grant, made after September 30, 1978, for treatment works using innovative or alternative wastewater treatment processes. Extends the definition of the term "eligible treatment works" to cover those that can be fully funded by States in fiscal years beyond fiscal year 1981 (and which meet specified other requirements). Makes available to the Administrator specified additional funds per fiscal year to be used to address water quality problems of bays and estuaries due to discharges from combined storm water and sanitary sewer overflows, not otherwise eligible for Federal payments for treatment works. Authorizes the use of such funds upon the request of and demonstration of water quality benefits by the Governor of an affected State. Revises conditions on treatment works grants to prohibit grants to construct that portion of the treatment works providing reserve capacity (except for specified planning and preparation grants). Directs the Administrator to base determination of size and capacity of the eligible treatment works upon 1980 population statistics. Requires grant applicants to identify the engineer or firm responsible for architect-engineering or supervisory services for treatment works construction. Requires such engineer or firm to acknowledge such responsibility in writing and to give a two-year warranty of performance of such works according to specifications. Provides for resolution by binding arbitration of disputes about the nature of the responsibility of the engineer or firm. Sets forth formulas, schedules, and procedures for the allotment of funds for treatment works grants in fiscal years 1982 through 1985. Extends a formula for specified State and territorial allotments, as well as an authorization of appropriations for such allotments, through fiscal year 1985. Sets forth a formula for reserving specified funds from each State's allotment for fiscal year 1982 and thereafter. Authorizes the Administrator to reserve an additional amount from State allotments to be available to States, local governments, or multijurisdictional agencies for: (1) water quality management decision-making as to treatment works construction; and (2) implementing provisions for water quality standards and implementation plans. Extends through fiscal year 1985 requirements that specified minimum amounts be expended from State allotments to increase the Federal share of grants for construction of treatment works utilizing innovative processes and techniques. Revises formulas for determining such amounts. Lowers the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 1982 for treatment works construction grants. Authorizes appropriations, in such lowered amount, for fiscal years 1983 through 1985 for such purpose. Eliminates provisions for project priority that relate to: (1) specified categories of projects; (2) required allocation of funds; and (3) the authority to remove a project from a State's priority list. Provides that the determination of priority shall be made by the State in which the projects are to be constructed, consistent with the treatment works grants provisions of such Act. Limits projects included on a State's priority list to those eligible for funding under specified provisions. Directs a State to give highest priority to projects which demonstrate that significant public health or water quality benefits will be achieved, and in particular to projects having the greatest effect on water quality improvement. Requires that the review, revision, adoption or promulgation of revised or new water quality standards, pursuant to specified provisions of such Act, be completed two years after the enactment of this Act. Requires that, to the extent practicable, the establishment of total maximum daily loads of pollutants, pursuant to specified provisions, also be completed by such date. Extends to July 1, 1988, the period for which the Administrator may issue or modify permits to extend compliance deadlines for specified effluent limitations, in cases where reductions in the amount of financial assistance or changed construction conditions beyond the control of the owner or operator will make it impossible to complete construction by July 1, 1983. Repeals a provision that all publicly owned treatment works must comply by a certain date with specified requirements for study and evaluation of alternative waste management techniques and for application of best practicable waste treatment technology. Provides that, for purposes of specified information and guidelines provisions, certain types of facilities shall be deemed the equivalent of secondary treatment upon a showing satisfactory to the Administrator that water quality will not be adversely affected. Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with the States, to submit to the Congress, within 18 months, a report: (1) identifying those publicly owned treatment works needed to comply with specified requirements and standards; and (2) taking into account all actions of the Administrator pursuant to specified provisions, estimating the total cost and the Federal share necessary for the construction of such works.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns) of the interest earned on an All Savers Certificate in taxable years 1981, 1982, and 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt from the disclosure requirements matters relating to: (1) internal personnel rules and practices and training or reorientation of personnel of the Central Intelligence Agency; (2) special activities, clandestine collection, or covert operations of the CIA; and (3) internal operation, office management, or organization of the CIA. Eliminates Federal court jurisdiction to enjoin the CIA from withholding records, except personnel records of an individual the disclosure of which is necessary for obtaining employment outside the Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the continued access of farmer-owned oil refining cooperatives and independent oil refining businesses to crude oil at reasonable prices must be assured.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1981
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage from entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State, or limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in that area, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in that area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Anatoly Shcharansky be released from prison in the Soviet Union, be given proper medical treatment, and be permitted to emigrate to Israel. Urges the President, the Secretary of State, and the U.S. delegation to the Madrid Conference on Security and Cooperation to continue to express U.S. opposition to the imprisonment of Anatoly Shcharansky.
![Official portrait of Sen. Abdnor, James [R-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/a000009_200.jpg)