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United States · Official source
1,811 records where Sen. Abdnor, James [R-SD] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Requests the President to designate October 2, 1981, as "American Enterprise Day."
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1981
Amends the venue provisions of Federal law to provide that a civil action in which a party is the United States must be brought in a judicial district or circuit in which: (1) the non-Federal real party in interest maintains the facilities or conducts the activities that are the subject of the action; or (2) the Federal action being sought or challenged will affect the use of public or private property within that State. Directs that the action shall be brought in the district or circuit in which the State capital is located if the non-Federal party is a State or local government. Requires that a copy of the summons and complaint in such actions shall be served on the Attorney General of each State in which the action could have been brought under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1981
National Water Resources Research and Planning Act of 1981 - Title I: General Provisions - Amends the Water Resources Planning Act to establish a National Board of Water Policy. Directs the Board to meet at least six times annually to: (1) advise the President and Congress on matters relating to water resources policy; (2) identify inconsistencies in such policy and programs; (3) establish and issue rules and procedures designed to assure the implementation of a national water resources policy and program; and (4) recommend to appropriate Federal agencies goals and priorities for programs within their jurisdiction. Establishes, within the Department of the Interior, an Office of Water Programs to carry out the requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Office to prepare periodic assessments of national water needs. Establishes a State advisory committee to review actions and proposals made by the Board. Requires such committee to meet six times annually. Authorizes appropriations for administrative expenses of the Board, the Office, and such committee. Title II: State Water Planning - Authorizes the Office of Water Programs to make grants to States and river basin commissions for comprehensive programs for the use, development, and management of water and related land resources. Directs the Office to make allotments to the States and such river basin commissions on the basis of need for planning assistance, including needs resulting from the impact of Federal activities or projects upon such State or region. Directs the Office, after consultation with the Secretary of the Army, to make grants to the States and such commissions on the basis of applications of same to study specific water resources problems with national or regional character. Requires that Federal funding for grants made under this Act shall be matched dollar for dollar by non-Federal monies. Sets forth conditions under which such applications and programs shall be approved. States that reasonable notice and an opportunity for hearing must be given to the State agency administering such program. Authorizes appropriations for the purposes of such grants to be made by the Office. Title III: Water Resources Research - Authorizes the Office of Water Programs to assist State water resources research and technology institutes, centers, or equivalent agencies in research and development in regard to water resources and related land problems. Prohibits the Office from approving a State's water research program unless it is accompanied by assurances that such program was developed in close consultation and collaboration with the director of such State's department of water resources. Sets forth provisions to be included in such programs. Authorizes appropriations for such programs and for each participating State institute, center, or agency. Authorizes the Office to make water research grants to such State organizations, qualified educational institutions, private foundations, river basin commissions, private firms, individuals, and other local and State agencies. Specifies the procedure for obtaining such grants. Lists the type of research to be undertaken, including: (1) supply and demand for water; (2) conservation; (3) water reuse; and (4) improvements in the agricultural and commercial productivity of water. Permits the establishment of a water resources research and technology institute at one college or university in each State. Sets forth the patent policy with regard to the definition of title to, and licensing of, inventions made under contracts or grants made pursuant to this Act. Title IV: River Basin Commissions - Establishes river basin commissions pursuant to a Presidential declaration requested by the States within which all or a portion of the basin or basins concerned are located. Sets forth criteria for such State requests. Authorizes such commissions to: (1) apply for grants under this Act; (2) maintain plans for water management and development; and (3) study water and related land resources problems in their respective areas. Allows a commission to terminate itself upon decision of a majority of the States composing such commission. Directs each commission to: (1) report, at least annually, to Congress, the Governors of participating States, and such Federal, State, interstate, and international agencies as the Board or participating Governors may direct; and (2) submit to the Governors and legislatures of participating States a comprehensive joint plan for water and related land resources management in the river basin for which such commission was established. Abolishes the Water Resources Council and the Office of Water Research and Technology. Repeals the Water Research and Development Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1981
Product Liability Risk Retention Act of 1981 - Defines "risk retention group" to mean any corporation or insurance company formed under State law which: (1) is organized for the primary purpose of assuming and spreading product liability or completed operations liability risk exposure; (2) is chartered or licensed as an insurance company under State law; (3) does not exclude members for competitive advantage; and (4) consists of members whose principal activity is the manufacture, design, distribution, packaging or sale of a product. Defines "purchasing group" to mean any group of persons which has as one of its purposes the purchase of product liability or completed operations insurance on a group basis. Exempts risk retention groups and purchasing groups from State laws which prohibit, regulate, or otherwise discriminate against such groups. Enumerates requirements which a State may impose on a risk retention group, including compliance with unfair claims settlement practices laws, payment of taxes, and reporting requirements. Authorizes a State to license an agent or broker for a purchasing group. Stipulates that the ownership interests of members in a risk retention group shall not be considered securities or an investment company for purposes of the Federal securities laws or State blue sky laws.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Regulatory Reform Act - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require the notice of proposed agency rulemaking to include: (1) a statement of the Congressional intent behind the rule; (2) a solicitation for public proposals for alternative methods; (3) a description of the data used in the rulemaking; and (4) a determination of whether the rule is a "major rule," as defined in this Act. Directs each agency to publish with such notice: (1) a description of the costs and benefits of and alternatives to the proposed rule; and (2) a justification for proposing the rule and selecting it over the alternatives. Requires agencies to give interested persons at least 60 days to submit written comments on any proposed rule and to make oral comments on major rules. Provides for a 30-day extension of such period. Directs each agency to publish with each final rule a statement of its basis and purpose, including an assessment of the public comments and a comparison of the costs, benefits, and adverse effects of the rule. Requires an agency officer or employee to prepare the rulemaking notice and the statement of the basis and purpose. Directs each agency to maintain, for judicial review, a public file of the paperwork and comments pertaining to each rulemaking proceeding. Allows an agency to promulgate an emergency rule without meeting the notice and comment requirements. Directs such agency: (1) to publish an explanation of the situation requiring the emergency rule and a justification of the emergency rule selected; and (2) to comply with normal rulemaking requirements as soon as practicable. Requires each agency to review its major rules every ten years. Directs each agency to: (1) publish and submit to the President a proposed review schedule; and (2) publish a final schedule within one year after enactment of this Act. Permits the President to select additional rules for review. Directs each agency to publish a notice of its proposed action regarding a reviewed rule. Requires that the notice: (1) assess the costs, benefits, and adverse effects of the rule; and (2) invite public proposals for modifications or alternatives to the rule. Requires an agency to follow normal rulemaking procedures when amending or rescinding a rule. Specifies procedures for renewing a rule without amendment. Directs a court reviewing an agency action to: (1) set aside any agency rule found to lack substantial support in the rulemaking file; (2) determine the authority or jurisdiction of the agency on the basis of the language of the authorizing statute or other evidence of legislative intent; and (3) accord no presumption in favor of or against agency action. Declares that when proceedings for review of the same agency action are instituted in two or more courts of appeals within ten days, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall select the court in which the record shall be filed by a system of random selection. Authorizes the courts not selected to grant preliminary relief pending transfer of their proceedings. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually, an agenda of the rules the agency expects to propose, promulgate, renew, or withdraw within the next 12 months, including a schedule of the significant actions pertaining to each rule. Directs the President to publish, semiannually, a Calendar of Federal Regulations, listing each of the major rules included in the agenda.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to maintain and periodically update the National Inventory of Dams.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Authorizes the Chief of Engineers, whenever the Secretary of the Army transmits to the Congress a report recommending implementation of a water resources development project, to undertake further engineering and design of such project. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Authorizes additional appropriations as necessary for the completion of comprehensive plans of development of specified river basins under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army. States that such sums shall include those necessary for the Secretary to complete local flood protection in the Columbia River Basin.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Title I: Amendments to Title 18, United States Code (18 U.S.C. 921-928) - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition. Adds a new definition "engaged in the business" with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Defines as a manufacturer or dealer of firearms a person who manufactures or deals in a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit. Excludes as dealers persons making occasional sales or repairs of firearms. Eliminates certain activities involving ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Makes it unlawful for any person to transfer any firearm to a person who does not reside in the same State, if the transferor has reasonable cause to believe that acquisition of the firearm by such person would violate any State or local law or ordinance. Revises the current prohibition against certain classes of persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition. Includes as additional categories illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged members of the Armed Forces, and U.S. citizens who renounce their citizenship. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Declares that a licensed dealer's personal collection of firearms shall not be subject to recordkeeping requirements. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to revoke a license only where the holder "willfully" violates a provision of the Act. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, where such individual is not convicted of such charges. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, firearms, or ammunition that the Secretary has probable cause to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises. Restricts the firearms information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Establishes a "willful" scienter (knowledge) requirement with respect to general violations of the Act. Revises the current offense of using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony to: (1) include use of a destructive device; (2) delete the act of "carrying" a firearm to commit a felony; and (3) limit such offense to felonies over which the Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Retains the current penalty (one to ten years) for first offenses. Increases the penalty for second or subsequent offenses to five to 25 years' imprisonment (currently, two to 25 years). Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence or grant probation. Deletes the prohibition against concurrent sentences. Prohibits the granting of parole to first and subsequent offenders. Declares that no person shall be subject to the additional, mandatory penalties if use of the firearm or destructive device was to protect persons or property. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Directs the court to award attorney fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in a proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Requires the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was without foundation or was initiated in bad faith. Limits seizure to firearms individually identified as involved in the violation. Revises the current procedure allowing persons who have been convicted of a crime to apply to the Secretary for relief from the firearms prohibitions to make the following changes. Permits any person prohibited from possessing, shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or ammunition to apply for relief. Requires, instead of permits, the Secretary to grant release, unless the applicant will be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety. Permits any person who is denied relief to seek de novo judicial review in Federal court. Makes the authority of the Secretary to permit importation of certain types of firearms and ammunition nondiscretionary. Extends the types of sporting firearms which may be imported. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Establishes a Congressional veto procedure with respect to firearms regulations. Authorizes either House of Congress to adopt a resolution of disapproval within 90 days of the rule's promulgation. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Declares any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to Title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Federal- Aid Highway Improvement Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 to increase the authorization of appropriations for the Interstate Highway System for fiscal years 1983 through 1990. Limits the obligation of such funds to specified objectives. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in making the revised estimate of the cost of completing the designated Interstate System for the January, 1983 report to Congress, to include only those costs eligible under such Act, as amended. Directs the Secretary to use specified apportionment factors in allocating funds for the Interstate System. Authorizes appropriations, for fiscal years 1982 through 1986, out of the Highway Trust Fund, for: (1) the Federal aid primary system in rural and urban areas; (2) forest highways; (3) public lands highways; (4) bridge replacement and rehabilitation; and (5) highway safety improvements. Prohibits a State from receiving less than one-half of one percent of the total apportionment for the Interstate System. Revises apportionments for the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program. Amends the Highway Safety Acts of 1973 and 1978 and the Federal-Aid Highway Acts of 1973 and 1978 to repeal the authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for: (1) highway safety programs; (2) bridge reconstruction and replacement; (3) elimination of hazards; (4) rail highway crossings; and (5) bikeways. Directs that the unobligated balance of contract authority established by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1978 for the Great River Road and highway safety programs shall lapse September 30, 1981. Makes highway reconstruction eligible for Interstate System apportioned funds. Revises Interstate System resurfacing procedures and the Federal share thereof. Authorizes appropriations for mass transit projects substituted for highway projects for which approval has been withdrawn. Revises provisions concerning such substitution projects. Repeals appropriations for provisions related to the priority primary route program. Revises the Federal-aid urban and the Federal-aid rural highway programs. Replaces the pavement marking demonstration program with a highway safety improvement program. Makes assistance available from such program for: (1) highway safety improvements; (2) railway highway crossing projects; (3) highway-related safety requirements; and (4) implementation of the highway safety improvement program developed by each State pursuant to this Act. Reserves one-half of one percent of such funds for projects on Indian reservations. Directs each State to report to the Secretary on the progress of such highway safety improvement program. Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress on such progress. Sets forth a formula for the apportionment of funds for the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program. Creates a Federal lands highway program consisting of forest highways, park roads, parkways, Indian reservation roads, and public lands highways. Directs the Secretary to expend sums necessary to carry out specified carpool and vanpool projects, including parking facilities. Directs that emergency financial assistance necessitated by natural disasters or catastrophic failures shall be authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund. Increases the authorization for such emergency assistance. Limits, to a specified sum, the amount of such assistance to any State. Increases the Federal share of such repairs or reconstruction. Revises apportionments for access highways to public recreation areas on certain lakes. Repeals the territorial highway program. Revises the scope and Federal share of the bicycle transportation program. Amends the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1973 to allow limited truck traffic on the Highland Scenic Highway. States that such commercial use by trucks may be limited and controlled by permit. Allows the Secretary to discharge any of his responsibilities under such Act relative to the physical construction phase of Interstate resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, and reconstruction projects using certain certification procedures. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for the inspection of construction and repair projects (currently, directs the Secretary to make a final inspection). Removes the limit on appropriations for defense access roads. Revises the Secretary's authority with regard to a State's failure to maintain projects under its jurisdiction. Limits funds for research and planning to specified amounts. Specifies the Federal share of such funding pursuant to certain criteria. Transfers to the Secretary the functions, powers, and duties of the Appalachian Regional Commission related to the Appalachian Development Highways System. Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for such Highway system for fiscal years 1982 through 1986. Increases the Federal share for such Highway system. Prohibits employment discrimination in such projects on account of sex. Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with other departments and State agencies, to develop and administer training and assistance programs in connection with any program under this Act in order to enable minority businesses to compete on an equal basis for contracts. Directs the Secretary to deduct, from apportionments made by this Act, specified sums for the administration of such programs. Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with the Secretaries of Defense and of the Interior, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and other agency heads as appropriate to minimize duplication, paperwork, and delays in the development and approval of projects under this Act. Sets forth criteria for such agreements. Revises the Federal share available for projects under the Federal-aid rural program and the Federal-aid urban program. Limits obligations for Federal-Aid highways and sets forth an allocation formula for such funds.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of October 4 through October 10, 1981, as "National Diabetes Week."
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Requests the President to designate the seven calendar days commencing on April 30 of 1981 as "National Beta Sigma Phi Week."
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1981
Coastal Barrier Resources Act - Declares the findings and intentions of Congress in regard to the fish, wildlife, and other natural resources associated with the coastal barriers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Establishes the Coastal Barrier Resources System (System) which shall consist of specified undeveloped coastal barriers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Requires that certain coastal barrier maps shall be available for public inspection through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide copies of such maps to the chief executive officer of: (1) each State and political subdivision in which a System unit is located, and (2) each affected Federal agency. Directs the Secretary to make necessary modifications to such maps and to notify specified Congressional committees of the same. Limits, to specified projects, Federal expenditures on such projects or financial assistance for purposes within the System. Lists those projects eligible for financial assistance. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to certify annually to Congress that the Federal agencies concerned have complied with the provisions of this Act. Declares that no provision of this Act shall be construed to invalidate any provision of State or local law. Sets forth the contents of reports to be filed by the Secretary with specified Congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Modifies the Belle Fourche irrigation project, South Dakota, to include construction, betterment of works, water conservation, recreation, and fish and wildlife conservation and development. Redesignates such projects as the "Belle Fourche Unit" of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin program. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate and execute an amendatory repayment contract with the Belle Fourche Irrigation District covering all lands of the existing Belle Fourche project. Limits the period for repayment of the construction and rehabilitation and betterment costs by irrigation water users to not more than 50 years. Sets forth acreage limitations for land held in beneficial ownership by one owner within the project, which are eligible to receive water by means of project works. Permits costs incurred under the provisions of this Act to be covered by appropriations for the Water and Power Resources Service. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act of 1963 to exempt from the definition of "farm labor contractor": (1) any person supplying migrant workers for employment in his own agricultural operation (currently the employer must personally engage in such hiring); (2) bona fide employees who perform such activity for their employer (currently full-time or regular employees who engage only incidentally in such activity); (3) any person who supplies students or other persons whose principal occupation is nonagricultural to perform certain seed industry work (currently only applies to corn and sorghum with a maximum four-week work period); and (4) nonprofit or cooperative associations of farmers, growers, or ranchers and their employees. Defines the terms "for such person's own operation" and "bona fide employee" for purposes of such Act. Redefines "migrant worker" to mean a seasonal or temporary agricultural worker who can not normally return to his or her domicile after each working day (currently anyone employed in agriculture).
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Small Business Innovation Research Act of 1981 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) maintain an information program to provide small businesses an opportunity to participate in Federal small business innovation research (SBIR) programs; (2) coordinate a schedule for release of agency SBIR solicitations and prepare a master release schedule; (3) monitor SBIR programs within Federal agencies; and (4) report annually to the Congressional Small Business Committees on the SBIR programs. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $100,000,000 in fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to spend a specified percentage of its budget in connection with an SBIR program. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to establish specific goals for funding research and development agreements with small businesses. Directs each Federal agency with an SBIR program to report annually to the SBA the number of awards over $10,000 in amount made under the SBIR program and to concerns other than small business concerns. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in conjunction with the SBA, to promulgate regulations for the conduct of the SBIR programs. States that this Act does not authorize the appropriation of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Meat Inspection, Grading, and Labeling Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct tests on imported carcasses and meat or meat food products capable of consumption as human food at the point of entry into the United States to determine if such products contain any prohibited substance under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to suspend such tests for certain packaged foods and label such foods as untested. Allows adulterated meat food products to be imported into the United States if such products are labeled as condemned and are to be used as fertilizers or other similar purposes. Requires the Secretary to prescribe assessments on imported meat food products necessary to cover the costs of inspections, certifications, testing, and labeling. Authorizes the Secretary to suspend or revoke the privilege of any person or plant to export such products to the United States for failure to pay such assessments. Directs the Secretary to establish a system for the labeling of meat food products at the time of inspection to indicate whether such products are domestic or imported. Requires imported labeling to indicate the country of origin. Provides that any person other than the ultimate consumer who breaks a container of meat food products, shall affix such labeling as required by regulations issued by the Secretary. Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require the inspection and certification of agricultural products shipped or received in interstate commerce. Directs the Secretary to establish and carry out a system for grading the quality of imported meat food products.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Regulatory Reduction and Congressional Control Act of 1981 - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require Federal agencies to provide interested persons at least 60 days after publication of the general notice of a proposed rulemaking to participate in the rulemaking. Allows an agency to adopt an emergency rule, temporarily, without regard to specified time constraints. Provides expedited procedures for the adoption of a rule to replace such a temporary emergency rule. Subjects interpretive agency rules and general policy statements which will have general applicability and affect the rights of persons outside the agency to notice and public comment requirements for agency rulemaking. Directs each agency, upon publishing a recommended final rule, to transmit to Congress a copy of the rule with a summary of the problem requiring Government regulation and a statement of the estimated costs imposed by the rule. Prohibits such a rule from becoming effective if one House adopts a resolution disapproving the rule within 60 days of continuous session of Congress and the other House does not disapprove such resolution within 30 days thereafter. Specifies factors to be considered by a Congressional committee when determining whether or not to report such a resolution. Allows an agency to issue a modified rule relating to the same area as a disapproved rule. Authorizes each Congressional committee having legislative jurisdiction over an existing agency rule to review such rule periodically to determine whether: (1) provisions of the rule seriously injure the public interest; or (2) the rule violates or is inconsistent with other rules, existing law, judicial decisions, congressional intent, or its statutory authority. Authorizes such a committee or any Member of Congress to report or introduce a resolution requiring that an agency reconsider and repromulgate an existing rule or else the rule shall lapse within 180 days. Requires any agency repromulgating a rule to hold a hearing for oral presentations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Commends Secret Service Agents Timothy McCarthy and Jerry Parr and Metropolitan Police Officer Thomas Delahanty for their performance in the line of duty with respect to the assassination attempt on the life of the President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1981
Lamb Meat Quota Act of 1981 - Limits the aggregate quantity of lamb meat that may be imported into the United States after 1981 to the smaller of: (1) 31,000,000 pounds; or (2) 12 percent of the domestic slaughter of lamb during the preceding year. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to estimate quarterly whether the domestic price of lamb exceeds the parity price and, on the basis of such estimate, to adjust the aggregate quantity of lamb meat which may enter the United States. Requires the Secretary to estimate annually the quota established the domestic price of lamb, and any adjustment of the quota. Directs the Secretary to allocate such quotas among supplying countries on the basis of their share of the U.S. market.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of May 3 through May 9, 1981, as "National Physical Fitness and Sports for All Week."
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1981
Designates the square dance as the national folk dance of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress to adopt for each year a budget which sets forth the total receipts and outlays of the United States. Prohibits the adoption of any budget in which outlays exceed total receipts, unless three-fifths of each House of Congress approve such budget. Prohibits Congress from passing and the President from signing any bill which would cause the total outlays for any year to exceed the total expenditures in the budget for such year. Prohibits the retention of receipts in any year for use of the Treasury in an amount which exceeds as a proportion of the national income, the amount retained for the prior year, unless a bill directed at approving a specific increase in such proportion has been passed by a majority of each House. Permits Congress to waive the provisions of this Act with respect to any single year in which a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Requires the appropriate non-Federal public body to reimburse the Federal Government for expenditures by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for certain operation, maintenance, construction, or rehabilitation activities concerning deep draft channels or ocean or Great Lakes ports. Makes such reimbursement effective commencing October 1, 1982. Provides for annual payments thereafter. Requires completion of such reimbursements within the life of the project concerned but in no event more than 50 years after the date the project is available for use. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to determine the rate of interest to be charged on any unpaid balance. Allows non-Federal public bodies to secure financing through means other than those provided for in this Act. Permits an affected non-Federal public body to recover its reimbursement obligation by collecting fees from specified vessels engaged in commercial waterway transportation in such deep draft channels or ports. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, in consultation with the Secretaries of State, Commerce, Transportation, Treasury, Energy, and Agriculture, the Attorney General, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to promulgate regulations and guidelines concerning such fee collections. States that this Act shall not prohibit or interfere with national defense transportation requirements. Requires the Secretary of the Army to report annually to Congress on the actual and anticipated receipts of such fee collections. Authorizes the Chief of Engineers to study, design, construct, and rehabilitate channel and port projects according to the provisions of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Inland Waterway User Fee Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, to prescribe a system of user fees to be levied on commercial transportation on the inland waterway system pursuant to this Act. Sets forth criteria by which such fees shall be established. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to utilize various mechanisms as means to recover Federal costs from system users. Specifies that such fees shall recover 100 percent of Federal operation and maintenance expenditures and an amount necessary to amortize capital expenditures for rehabilitation or replacement of existing structures completed after October 1, 1981. Directs that such fees shall be credited to the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. Sets forth civil penalties for failure to pay user fees. Lists, by project, the percentage of Federal expenditures for operation, maintenance, construction, and rehabilitation of inland waterway projects to be assigned to commercial waterway transportation. Specifies that costs assigned to commercial waterway transportation for the Mississippi River and tributaries project shall be 25 percent of total project costs. Amends the Inland Waterways Revenue Act of 1978 to make amounts in the Trust Fund available for operation and maintenance expenditures for navigation on all inland and intracoastal waterways with an authorized depth of 14 feet or less used for commercial transportation. Authorizes appropriations for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of February 7 through 13, 1982, as "National Scleroderma Week."
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove the limitation on amounts of the investment tax credit which are attributable to application of the regular percentage to qualified investment in railroad property owned by a domestic common carrier. Provides for the refundability of such credit. Requires the maintenance of a separate account for amounts received as credit refunds. Limits withdrawals from such accounts to amounts used for maintenance, improvement, or acquisition of property or payment of the railroad retirement tax. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to reserve amounts received pursuant to imposition of the windfall profit tax equal to the decrease in revenues attributable to this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest earned on industrial development bonds if the proceeds of such bonds are used to finance railroad rehabilitation or the acquisition of land or rights-of-way in connection with such rehabilitation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to direct the Interstate Commerce Commission to determine the economic impact of a rail line abandonment when public convenience and necessity require or permit such abandonment. Directs the Commission, where such an abandonment will have an adverse affect upon a leaseholder and community, to provide specified conditions in its order of abandonment. Requires submission of disagreements as to the price for the sale of the subject property to binding arbitration.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of May 10 to May 16, 1981, as "CARE Week" in observance of the thirty-fifth anniversary of CARE (the Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere, Inc.).
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Requires an embargo on the export of any goods or services to the Soviet Union during any period in which a grain embargo is in effect against such country.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Title I: Export Trading Companies - Export Trading Company Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promote export trading companies by providing information and by facilitating contacts between producers of exportable goods and export trading companies. Authorizes any banking organization to invest specified amounts in export trading companies upon notifying, but without obtaining the prior approval of, the appropriate Federal banking agency, if such investment does not cause an export trading company to become a subsidiary of such organization. Allows greater investment by Edge Act Corporations not engaged in banking. Permits any banking organization to invest beyond such limitations with prior approval of the appropriate Federal banking agency. Requires prior notification of such agencies in specified circumstances. Sets forth further limitations on export trading companies and investments by banking organizations. Specifies factors to be taken into consideration by the banking agencies. Permits such agencies to impose conditions in approving applications to invest in export trading companies. Requires such agencies to report to the appropriate Congressional committees with their recommendations concerning implementation of this Act, related changes in U.S. law, and effects of ownership of U.S. banks by foreign banking organizations. Authorizes the appropriate Federal banking agency to exempt from specified requirements of the Federal Reserve Act any loan or extension of credit made by a national or State bank to an export trading company affiliate if such exemption is necessary to finance an affiliated export trading company and does not expose the bank to undue financial risks. Provides for judicial review of denial orders in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals. Sets forth the grounds for disapproval. Provides for a remand for further consideration by the banking agency. Directs the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration to give special weight to export-related benefits when considering applications for loans and guarantees by export trading companies. Authorizes up to $10,000,000 to be appropriated for initial investments and operating expenses for each of fiscal years 1982-1986. Directs the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide loan guarantees for expansion to export trading companies or exporters when adequate financing is not otherwise available. Requires such loan guarantees to be secured by accounts receivable or inventories. Directs the Board of Directors to try to insure that a major share of such guarantees promotes exports from small, medium-size, and minority businesses or agricultural concerns. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to subsidize the employment of export managers by small business manufacturing firms which have not previously been substantial exporters. Limits such grants to the lesser of: (1) 50 percent of the expenses related to employing a full-time export manager for one year; or (2) $40,000. Sets forth the requirements for an application by a firm for such grant and the factors the Secretary shall consider in making such grants. Authorizes appropriations for each of fiscal years 1982-1984 to carry out this grant program. Directs the Secretary to evaluate this program and to submit such evaluation and any recommendation to Congress by a specified date. Title II: Export Trade Association - Export Trade Association Act of 1981 - Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt the trade, activities and methods of operation of certified export trade associations and export trading companies from the antitrust laws. Delays the effectiveness of any certificate upon the notification of the Secretary of Commerce by the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of disagreement with the decision to issue a certificate. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by any association or export trading company seeking certification under this Act and by the Secretary in issuing such certificates. Permits automatic certification for existing associations. Provides for appeal of the Secretary's denial of certification. Requires firms to report changes in membership, export trade activities, or methods of operation to the Secretary and to apply for an amendment of their certificates. Directs the Secretary to revoke a firm's certificate if it does not comply with the requirements for an antitrust exemption or to amend such certificate so that it does comply with such requirements. Authorizes the Attorney General or the FTC to bring an action to invalidate certification. Provides for judicial review of such actions. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General and the FTC, to publish certification guidelines. Requires certified associations and export trading companies to submit annual reports to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Commerce an Office of Export Trade. Requires such Office to report annually to the appropriate Congressional committees on all East-West trade transactions requiring validated licenses and on the role of U.S. export trading companies in such trade. Requires, with specified exceptions, that all applications for certification be kept confidential. Authorizes the Secretary to require an association or trading company to modify its operation to be consistent with international obligations of the United States. Directs the President to appoint, with the Senate's advice and consent, a task force, seven years after enactment, to examine the effect of this Act and to make recommendations. Makes the amendments of the Webb-Pomerene Act set forth in this Act effective with regard to existing associations only at such time as such associations elected to be certified.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission or any administrative law judge from issuing antitrust decisions, findings, or cease-and-desist orders in concentrated market structure or shared monopoly proceedings until Congress establishes and defines the elements of such a violation. Declares that this Act shall apply to any proceeding pending on March 10, 1981. Vacates any decision or order issued in such proceeding before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 - Title I: Individual Tax Rate Cuts - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual and estate and trust income tax rates for 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984, lowering the maximum rate to 50 percent in 1984. Repeals the 50 percent maximum tax rate on personal service income. Reduces the alternative minimum tax for noncorporate taxpayers. Title II: Incentives for Plant, Equipment, and Real Property - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) Ten-year property, including owner-used buildings and their structural components and certain public utility property; (2) five-year property, including tangible property, and (3) three-year property, including automobiles, light-duty trucks, and certain tangible property used in connection with research and experimentation. Excludes from the category of recovery property: (1) property placed in service before January 1, 1981; (2) certain property eligible for amortization; and (3) certain depreciable real property. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Revises the treatment of progress expenditure property with respect to the investment tax credit and the allowance for depreciation. Includes as recovery property, property which would have been depreciated using the retirement-replacement-betterment method. Provides special rules for recovery property predominantly used outside of the United States. Establishes definite useful lives for certain types of real property, (e.g., buildings, low-income housing, owner-occupied industrial and commercial buildings) which are not subject to change by the Internal Revenue Service upon audit. Allows current depreciation of any qualified progress expenditure property not yet placed in service. Revises the applicable percentage for determination of the investment tax credit to make eligible for such credit: (1) 100 percent of the basis of ten-year or five-year recovery property; and (2) 60 percent of the basis of three-year recovery property. Revises the progress expenditure rules to eliminate the useful life requirement for depreciable property being constructed by or for a taxpayer for use in trade or business (qualified progress expenditure property) and to apply to such property the revised percentages for determining the investment tax credit under this Act. Revises rules for the recapture of tax benefits upon the disposition of property eligible for the investment tax credit. Prescribes recapture percentages for each of the three classes of recovery property. Limits the amount of the investment tax credit to the amount that the taxpayer has at risk. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Repeals the retirement-replacement- betterment methods of depreciation allowed for certain types of property. Specifies that such property shall be depreciated using a ratable method. Requires the recapture as ordinary income of excess depreciation from recovery property which is subsequently sold or exchanged. Exempts accelerated depreciation on real property with a shortened audit-proof life and recovery property from classification as an item of tax preference for purposes of computing the minimum tax. Sets forth rules for treatment of the depreciation allowance for any recovery property under real property with a shortened audit-proof life in computing the earnings and profits of a corporation. Extends the carryover period for the net operating loss deduction, the investment tax credit, the work incentive program credit, and the new employee credit. Sets forth a method of computing the recovery allowance for recovery property and certain real property in the case of certain corporate acquisitions.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any benefits paid under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to revise the scope of, and penalties under, the Hobbs Act (prohibiting interference with commerce by threat or violence). Redefines "extortion" for the purposes of such Act to mean obtaining property from another with consent by use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear thereof, or wrongful use of fear not involving force or violence, or under color of official right. Expresses Congressional intent not to exclude Federal jurisdiction on the ground that conduct involving force, violence, or fear thereof, takes place in the course of a legitimate business or labor dispute. Requires that the extent of property damages be at least $2,500 for purposes of the prohibition against obstructing commerce by willfully damaging property. Increases the maximum penalties for such offenses, including enhanced penalties where death, bodily injury, or property damage exceeding $100,000 results.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Soil and Water Conservation Incentives Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer engaged in the business of farming an investment tax credit for soil and water conservation expenditures not treated as deductible expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Declares four named individuals to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Requests the President to designate the first Friday of March as "Teacher Day, United States of America."
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress shall work its will and take final action no later than May 31, 1981, on the economic recovery proposals which President Reagan presented to the Congress on February 18, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Water and Power Resources Service, to conduct a feasibility study of Federal development of the water and related land resources of the Little White River Unit of the Little White River Basin located on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation, Todd County, South Dakota. Directs the Secretary to prepare a recommended comprehensive plan for such development, considering specified water use needs and problems. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress within four years of the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Amends the joint resolution of October 10, 1980 (requesting the President to designate the week beginning with the third Monday in February 1981 as "National Patriotism Week") to request the President to make such designation annually.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Expresses the recognition of the Senate relating to the centennial observation of South Dakota State University.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1981
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to require mine operators to notify the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the type of construction and number of employees involved in a construction project. Exempts a State or political subdivision of a State from coverage under such Act. Authorizes any State agency or court to assert jurisdiction under State law over any mandatory health or safety standard involving a State-owned mine.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Requests the President to designate the calendar week beginning with the first Sunday in June of each year as "National Garden Week."
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration should develop and validate an alternative nonanimal testing procedure.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Family Enterprise Estate and Gift Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the estate and gift tax rates beginning in 1981. Increases the unified credit against the estate and gift taxes from $47,000 to $124,750 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases from $175,000 to $600,000, by specified annual increments through 1985, the minimum gross estate requirement for filing of a return. Repeals the existing limitations on the marital deduction for gift and estate taxes. Increases from $3,000 to $10,000 the annual gift tax exclusion. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if such decedents materially participated in the operation of the farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death or takes over active management upon the decedent's death. Qualifies woodlands for the special use valuation if the decedent or a member of the decedent's family owned and farmed the property for ten years prior to the decedent's death. Reduces from 15 to ten years the length of time a qualified property must be held and put to a qualified use following the decedent's death before it can be disposed of without incurring a recapture of estate tax benefits. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Allows the like kind exchange of property without loss of special use valuation eligibility. Revises the method of valuing farms by providing that the basis of such valuation shall be the average annual gross rental value. Authorizes the step-up in basis of such assets. Repeals the requirement that an heir elect special treatment for involuntary conversions of qualified real property, thus making such treatment automatic upon such conversion. States that gifts made within three years of a decedent's death shall be valued as of the time of transfer rather than as of the date of death. Authorizes an individual to elect to pay a gift tax rather than use the unified tax credit. Modifies the alternate extension of time for payment of the estate tax where the estate consists largely of an interest in a closely held business to: (1) allow an installment payment election if the value of the interest in the closely held business is either 35 percent of the value of the gross estate or 50 percent of the taxable estate; (2) increase to 50 percent the value of an interest disposed of which will accelerate the payment of tax; and (3) permit payment, but with a penalty, of an installment within six months after the due date. Allows a disclaimer of an interest in property for estate tax purposes in specified circumstances where such disclaimer does not result in the passing of the interest concerned under the applicable State law.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the Water and Power Resources Service, to study the feasibility of Federal development of the water and land resources of the I'Santi unit of the James Division of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River basin located on the Flandreau Santee Sioux Indian Reservation, South Dakota. Specifies that the irrigation potential of such lands and the rural-domestic water supply system to certain Tribe members be considered in such study. Directs the Secretary to submit a report on such study to Congress by September 30, 1984. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Youth Employment Opportunities Act of 1981 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards act of 1938 to permit employers, without prior or special certification by the Secretary of Labor, to pay 85 percent of the minimum wage (or the applicable wage in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands) for a 180-day period to youths under the age of 20. Requires compliance with applicable child labor laws. Prohibits such special wage rate if a youth has been employed by the same employer for at least six months or is currently employed at the minimum wage. Authorizes the Secretary to insure against violations of such provisions, but without prior certification requirements. Prohibits employers from engaging in a pattern and practice of: (1) substituting younger workers employed at less than the minimum wage for older workers employed at or above the minimum wage; or (2) terminating the employment of some youths and employing other youths in order to gain continual advantage from the youth opportunity wage. Establishes rates of compensation and fines for such violations. Repeals the amendments made by this Act, effective three years after the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report biannually to the Congress on the effect of the amendments made by this Act, including the effect on adult and youth employment rates.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends the Walsh-Healey Act and the Contract Work Hours Standards Act to revise overtime requirements to accommodate an alternative workweek of four ten-hour days for employees of Government contractors.