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United States · Official source
1,947 records where Sen. Chiles, Lawton [D-FL] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of May 17 through May 23, 1981, as "U.S.O. Week".
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1981
Requests the President to designate the week beginning May 10, 1981, as "Senior Center Week."
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Prohibits the issuance of phosphate leases in the Osceola National Forest, Florida. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to determine if any individual or company who has filed a phosphate preference right lease application has made a discovery of valuable deposits. Directs the Comptroller General to determine the present fair market value of any such lease. Directs the Secretary, at the option of a lease applicant to: (1) suspend the issuance of a phosphate preference right lease until such time as Congress permits the issuance of a lease; or (2) extend to the applicant a monetary credit to be used for bonus, rental, or royalty payments on any lease competitively won by the applicant. Provides that if an applicant waives his or her right to petition for the above choice the Secretary shall acquire the preference right to the applicant's lease by purchase or condemnation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Delinquent Payments Act of 1981 - Requires Federal agencies to pay interest on overdue payments to businesses for property or services. Specifies the procedure for computing such interest. Requires an agency to pay any such interest charges out of funds appropriated for its programs. Allows an agency to take advantage of an early payment discount only if payment is made within the time specified by the business. Directs each agency to report to Congress annually on interest payments made during the fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1981
Amends Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to authorize a new plea of "guilty but insane" for any criminal defendant whose actions constitute all necessary elements of the offense charged but who lacks the requisite state of mind as a result of mental disease or defect. Adopts the current notice provisions for a defense of insanity for the new plea of guilty but insane. Permits the jury or the court in a non-jury trial to find a defendant guilty but insane. Requires the court in any such case to hold a hearing to determine the present mental condition of the convicted person. Directs the court to commit such person to the custody of the Attorney General upon a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that the person is presently suffering from a mental disease or defect as a result of which release would create a substantial danger to himself or to the person or property of another. Directs the Attorney General to release such person to a State which will assume responsibility for his custody and treatment or otherwise to hospitalize such person in a suitable facility. Requires the court to hold a hearing upon the certification by the director of the facility that such person's release will no longer create a substantial danger to himself or the person or property of another. Directs the court to order the discharge of a person who is found to have recovered. Provides for the hospitalization of persons found guilty, imprisoned persons, and persons due for release, who are found to suffer from mental disease or defect.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1981
Modifies a project for the Apalachicola River, Florida, the Chattahoochee River, Georgia and Florida, and the Flint River, Georgia, to authorize the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to restore and maintain access to certain bendways and interconnecting waterways in the interest of navigation and ecological restoration.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1981
Modifies a specified water resources project to authorize the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to acquire lands for, and to construct, operate, and maintain water-related public use and access facilities along, certain sections of the Apalachicola River, Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1981
States the disapproval of the Senate to proposed deferrals of budget authority D81-95 and D81-96 for Veterans' Administration medical care.
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
Residential Housing Tax Incentives Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, interest earned on qualified housing savings certificates. Limits such exclusion to interest earned on $100,000 certificates ($200,000 if joint return is filed). Defines "qualified housing savings certificates" as investment certificates issued by regulated depository financial institutions with three or five year maturities. Specifies that the proceeds of such certificates be applied to the financing of single-family, owner-occupied residences. Prescribes limitations on the interest rate chargeable for mortgages financed with proceeds from a qualified housing savings certificate. Disqualifies families which have income more than twice the median family income for their area from receiving a mortgage financed from proceeds from a qualified housing savings certificate. Prescribes penalties for the improper use of qualified housing savings certificates.
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
Pharmacy Protection and Violent Offender Control Act of 1981 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish penalties for taking or attempting to take by force and violence or intimidation a controlled substance from a pharmacist. Establishes mandatory terms of imprisonment if any person is assaulted, killed, or maimed during commission of the offense. Requires the Department of Justice to include pharmacy crime data in its annual Uniform Crime Reports.
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
Establishes a Special Joint Committee on the Centennial of the Birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Directs that such committee be composed of sixteen Members of the Congress. Directs that such committee shall prepare an overall program for nationwide observances and make comprehensive plans for commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, including a joint session of Congress to be held on January 29, 1982. Provides that such committee shall terminate not later than April 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to a person entitled to notice of a summons to a third-party recordkeeper to produce records of such person: (1) to repeal the current right of such person to stay compliance with the summons; and (2) to authorize such person to move to quash the summons within 14 days after notice is given. Requires accompaniment of such motion by an affidavit stating the reasons that the records sought are not relevant to a legitimate tax inquiry or any other legal basis for quashing the summons. Requires any third party upon receipt of a summons to proceed to assemble the records requested and to be prepared to deliver them at the required time.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the requirement that an employer furnish to an individual whose employment has terminated before the close of the calendar year a wage and withholding statement upon the last payment of remuneration. Requires an employer to furnish a statement within 30 days upon receipt of a written request by such employee.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1981
Limitation on Government Recordkeeping Requirements and Actions Act of 1981 - Prohibits any Federal agency from: (1) requiring any person to maintain, prepare, or produce records of an event more than five years after the event has occurred; or (2) commencing an action against a person for a violation of a regulation more than five years after such violation has occurred, except as otherwise provided by the Internal Revenue Code or in any case involving dangerous material, fraud, a willful violation, or a misleading statement of material fact.
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 · 8 April 1981
Declares the week of April 19 through 26, 1982, as National Nurse Midwifery Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Proclaims Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States. Requests the President to ascertain his whereabouts from the Soviet Union and to secure his freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Requests the President to designate August 13, 1981, as "National Blinded Veterans Recognition Day."
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Requests the President to designate May 6, 1981, as "National Nursing Home Residents Day."
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
Amends the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 to renew the authority of the Office of Management and Budget to exempt individual transactions and programs from the requirements of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Youth Skills Act of 1981 - Declares the intention of the Congress to establish the authority of Opportunities Industrialization Centers and other community-based organizations of demonstrated effectiveness to develop and furnish skills training and job placement as subgrantees in unrestricted grant programs. Directs the head of each agency administering specified programs to take necessary actions to ensure that: (1) appropriate youth employment and training services will be furnished under each such program; and (2) Opportunities Industrialization Centers and other community-based organizations will be given special consideration in the delivery of such services. Specifies the programs to which such requirement applies as: (1) the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 and any successor program providing for general revenue sharing to States and/or local government; (2) title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, or any similar legislation providing unrestricted grants for community development; (3) any program providing for unrestricted Federal assistance for public works or for the creation of private sector jobs; (4) any program to rehabilitate and improve U.S. railroads; and (5) any program of tax incentives or other Federal subsidies to encourage economic development of urban areas with high concentrations of unemployed individuals, especially areas designated as urban enterprise zones. Directs such agency heads to assure that eligible employers under such unrestricted financial assistance programs will enter into contracts for the delivery of employment and training services to youth. Directs the Secretary of Labor to advise appropriate public agencies and private contractors receiving assistance under such programs of the provisions of this Act and the availability of subcontracting the delivery of employment and training services for youth to Opportunities Industrialization Centers and other community-based organizations. Directs such agency heads to assure that recipients of financial assistance under such programs provide employment and training services, with special consideration for jobs with prospects of continued employment, for youth: (1) hard to employ and historically unemployed and unskilled; (2) living in urban and rural areas with high concentrations of welfare families; (3) living in designated enterprise zones; and (4) living in rural areas where job opportunity development will prevent out-migration to urban areas. Sets forth nondiscrimination provisions. Defines "community-based organization" as a nonprofit tax exempt organization of demonstrated effectiveness in delivering employment services. Cites examples of such organizations. Defines "youth" as an individual who has attained 18 years of age but not 26 years of age. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed as a limitation on any other Federal law provision for employment and training services.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Financial Integrity Act of 1981 - Amends the Accounting and Auditing Act of 1950 to require the head of each executive agency to prepare and transmit to the President an annual report on the adequacy of the agency's systems of internal accounting and administrative control. Requires the report to include detailed plans for correcting any inadequacy. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to: (1) establish guidelines for evaluating such systems; and (2) define internal auditing and administrative controls to prevent waste or misuse of agency funds or property and to assure accountability of assets.
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 · 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
Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit any foreign government from suing for damages for an injury caused by a violation of United States antitrust laws unless: (1) similar conduct was a violation of the laws of the foreign government during the same period and such laws were enforced; and (2) the United States may recover damages for a similar injury to its business property under the laws of the foreign government. Limits the amount that a foreign government may recover to actual damages and the cost of the suit.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Federal Assistance Improvement Act of 1981 - Title I: Consolidation of Federal Assistance Programs - Directs the President: (1) prior to each regular session of Congress, to examine the various Federal assistance programs to determine if consolidation of any such programs is necessary or desirable; and (2) upon making such a determination, to transmit to Congress a plan for consolidating functionally related programs. Requires that such a plan: (1) designate a single agency to administer the plan and the consolidated programs; (2) specify the terms and conditions under which such programs will be administered; (3) expire no later than four years after its enactment; and (4) include a message describing the difference between the terms and conditions of the programs before and after consolidation, and assessing the plan's effects on the costs of implementing the programs. Directs the President to transmit a report on the administration of this title to Congress within 60 days of each session of Congress. Prohibits a consolidation plan from: (1) consolidating programs which are not functionally related; (2) designating as an administering agency any agency that did not administer one of the programs to be consolidated; (3) expanding the number or groups of persons eligible for assistance by consolidating programs; or (4) excluding any purposes or goals of consolidated programs from activities authorized by the plan. Terminates the consolidation authority under this title five years after it becomes effective. Declares that a consolidation plan shall become effective if Congress adopts a joint resolution approving it within 90 days after it is transmitted to Congress and the President approves that resolution. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for considering such a resolution. Authorizes the aggregation of appropriations for programs consolidated under such a plan. Title II: Financial Management and Audit of Federal Assistance Programs - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): (1) in consultation with the Comptroller General of the United States, to establish and maintain standard procedures to be used by all Federal agencies for implementing such procedures and for the administration, accounting, and financial auditing of Federal assistance to State and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Indian tribes; and (2) to prescribe directives to agencies for coordinating Federal, State, and local audits of assistance programs. Requires a single, independent, biennial, compliance and financial audit of State and local government entities, nonprofit organizations, and subgrantees which receive Federal assistance. Requires such an audit of an organization which receives less than $100,000 a year to be conducted quinquennially. Establishes the responsibility of State and local governments and nonprofit organizations to utilize independent auditors to conduct financial audits of Federal assistance recipients within their jurisdictions in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Makes the Federal Government responsible for: (1) using the quality review process to assure the proper performance of such audits; and (2) conducting audits which are not financial and compliance audits. Directs the OMB to establish methods of payment to independent auditors for the expense of performing all or any part of an audit of a Federal assistance program. Title III: Administration of Generally Applicable Federal Assistance Requirements - Amends the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968. Defines the term "generally applicable requirement" as any requirement with which a recipient of Federal assistance has to comply in order to achieve national policy objectives and which applies to programs administered by two or more agencies. Requires the President, within 120 days after enactment of this title, to designate Federal agencies to: (1) coordinate the preparation of national policy assistance standards for one or more generally applicable requirements in various subject areas; and (2) report on the implementation of such requirements. Directs each designated agency to develop such standards within one year of such designation and in consultation with Federal agencies and assistance recipients. Requires that such standards minimize the paperwork burden and compliance costs imposed on assistance recipients, include standard compliance procedures, and list the assistance programs to which they apply. Directs each agency which administers a program to which such standards apply to implement such standards within 120 days after they are published by a designated agency. Directs each designated agency to coordinate the implementation of such standards and to insure that such standards are revised only on the first day of each fiscal year. Requires the head of each assistance agency to designate a senior official to: (1) coordinate such agency's actions to comply with such standards; and (2) ensure active agency participation in the development and implementation of such standards. Authorizes such agency head to certify and accept State and local government requirements that contain the same requirements as national policy assistance standards. Directs assistance agencies to aid recipients in complying with such standards. Directs a designated agency to report to the President concerning any impediments to the development of such standards. Permits the President to direct the agency to prepare a proposed bill to remove such impediments. Allows the President to submit to Congress proposed legislation exempting certain programs from inappropriate generally applicable requirements. Authorizes the President to delegate responsibility for monitoring the overall implementation of this title to the Director of OMB or the head of any other Federal agency. Requires the President to: (1) establish a procedure for resolving disputes between designated agencies, assistance agencies, and assistance recipients over national policy assistance standards; and (2) publish a catalog of all such standards for generally applicable requirements in effect. Specifies circumstances under which implementation of a standard may be suspended. Authorizes the President or other official responsible for monitoring implementation of this title to suspend the implementation of a standard upon determining that its implementation will lead to serious, unanticipated consequences. Title IV: Joint Funding Simplification Act Amendments - Amends the Joint Funding Simplification Act of 1974 to require that Federal agencies take currently authorized actions pertaining to the joint funding of projects by various Federal programs. Provides for the establishment of integrated funding processes (currently joint management funds) for the administration of joint funds to such projects. Title V: Integrated Assistance - Amends the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 to authorize each State or local government applying for Federal assistance to submit an integrated program plan representing an integrated approach to implementing several Federal assistance programs in the same functional category, and to provide for the administration of such plan by one agency. Directs the head of the agency administering one or more of the covered assistance programs to establish requirements governing approval of such a plan, including requirements designed to: (1) increase the efficiency of such programs; (2) reduce the rigidity, duplication of effort, and unnecessary expenditures of assistance programs; and (3) permit State and local governments to redirect part of the resources in the covered programs to other priorities that cross existing statutory assistance categories. Authorizes assistance applicants to propose transferring up to 20 percent of the funds of any one covered program among other covered programs. Requires an agency head to complete the review of a proposed plan in a timely fashion and to notify an applicant that its plan has been disapproved within 90 days of submission or the plan shall be considered to be approved. Declares that an approved plan shall be effective for only the fiscal year in which the application for funding is approved. Requires States to consult with local governments when developing integrated program plans. Terminates the authority provided under this title on September 30, 1986. Requires the Director of OMB to report to Congress by September 30, 1985, concerning the implementation of integrated program plans and recommendations on continuing integrated assistance. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Amends the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 to direct the agency head administering an assistance program to waive requirements that a single or specific State or local agency or procedure be utilized to administer assistance under certain conditions. Repeals all requirements of Federal assistance programs intended to insure that Federal assistance does not reduce or replace relevant State or local government expenditures. Limits Congress to prescribing maintenance of effort requirements which: (1) require State or local governments to maintain the average expenditures for the aided program during the preceding two fiscal years or the Federal assistance will be reduced proportionate to the reduction in such expenditures; and (2) permit the administering agency head to waive the requirement if it would cause extraordinary fiscal hardship. Prohibits any Federal law from diminishing or superceding practices established by State law for expending Federal funds, designating a State agency to administer Federal assistance, or reviewing State plans and applications for such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Organized Crime Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for whoever commits or commissions a contract murder, attempted murder, or assault. Provides that a direct or indirect contract between two or more persons involving an offer, agreement, or solicitation to commit a contract murder shall constitute prima facie evidence that the act was commissioned for "anything of value." Applies the penalties for contract murder to whoever uses actual or threatened force to coerce another to commit a murder, attempted murder, or assault in violation of State law. Directs the Attorney General to designate criteria for Federal involvement in the prosecution of contract murders. Stipulates that this Act does not preempt State law in this area. Makes it a Federal offense to kill any attorney, agent, or employee of the U.S. Government employed to investigate or prosecute violations of Federal criminal statutes or any employee of the Intelligence Community. Establishes a new offense of assaulting, kidnapping, murdering, or threatening the relative of any Federal employee covered by the current assault statute, with intent to interfere with such employee's official duties. Amends the obstruction of justice statute to expand the class of persons protected from coercion to include potential witnesses and informants (current law protects actual witnesses). Amends the Freedom of Information Act to expand the exception relating to informants to limit disclosure of information which "tends to disclose" an informant's identity. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to permit a court to reduce a sentence of a cooperating defendant upon application of a U.S. Attorney. Authorizes a court to impose additional penalties where a crime is carried out by use of, or threatened use of, violence, or a dangerous weapon or destructive device. Amends the wiretap statute to require a judge to review in camera any information as to previous wiretap applications which might compromise a current or pending case or investigation. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to permit disclosure of Federal grand jury information to a State or local law enforcement official who is assisting a U.S. Attorney in the enforcement of Federal criminal law. Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to authorize a judicial officer, in making a determination of whether a person charged with a noncapital offense should be released on bail, to consider the safety of any person or the community (in addition to assurance of appearance as currently provided).
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 · 24 March 1981
Immigration and National Security Act of 1981 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) increase the size of the Border Patrol and improve its technology and equipment; (2) establish an alien identification card system; and (3) report to the President and Congress regarding such matters within one year of enactment of this Act. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit annual immigration to 350,000 (presently 270,000). Gives admission priority to immediate family members. Provides that in an emergency the President may, after appropriate consultation with Congress, reallocate available immigrant visas or use visas available for the succeeding fiscal year. Requires the President to report annually to Congress concerning the projected number of admissions (including immediate relatives, refugees, parolees, and immigrants). Requires such report to include a determination by the Secretary of Labor regarding the effect of such admissions on U.S. employment. Revises asylum provisions to: (1) require an applicant to show the qualifying conditions (of persecution) that existed prior to departure from his or her country; (2) define "entry into the United States" for an applicant involved in an exclusion or deportation proceeding; and (3) direct the Attorney General, after consultation with the Secretaries of State and Health and Human Services, to prepare plans for processing applicants, including establishing reception centers outside the United States. Restricts the exercise of the Attorney General's parole authority to a case-by-case basis. Authorizes the Attorney General to permit certain aliens who entered the United States illegally before January 1, 1978, to remain as immigrants. Prohibits the knowing employment of illegal aliens. Provides civil and criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Attorney General: (1) to include such enforcement efforts in his annual report; and (2) in cooperation with the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services develop a phased prevention program whose main elements include affirmation of U.S. citizenship, verification of social security records, and issuance of new social security cards. Directs the Attorney General to prescribe a uniform schedule of immigration-related fees and charges. Authorizes necessary appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 to subject imported tomatoes to specified container-pack restrictions comparable to those applicable to domestic tomatoes.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the definition of "return information." Defines as "nonreturn information" identifying information: (1) collected by the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to a taxpayer or return relating to liability for any penalty or other imposition or offense; and (2) any part of any written determination or any background file document closed to public inspection. Allows disclosure of return information to an officer or employee of the Department of Justice for use in preparing any administrative, judicial, or grand jury proceeding involving the enforcement of a specific Federal criminal statute (but not involving tax administration) or in an investigation which may result in such a proceeding. Authorizes such disclosure only by ex parte order of a Federal district court judge or magistrate. Sets forth grounds for the granting of such order. Permits further disclosure by the Government attorney who has authorized the application for the ex parte order to Government personnel required to assist in a criminal investigation. Requires the Secretary to disclose nonreturn information (other than nonreturn information which would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a tax investigation), upon written request of the Head or the Inspector General of a Federal agency or the Attorney General or his designee, to such officers and employees as are directly engaged in, and solely for use in or preparation for, any administrative, judicial, or grand jury proceeding involving the enforcement of a specific Federal criminal statute (but not involving tax administration) or in an investigation which may result in such a proceeding. Permits further disclosure of such information so disclosed to such other Government personnel as the Federal official deems necessary to assist him during a criminal investigation or in preparation for the proceeding involved. Directs the Secretary to disclose, as soon as practicable, nonreturn information (other than information which would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a tax investigation) which may constitute evidence of a violation of Federal criminal laws to the extent necessary to apprise the head of the appropriate Federal agency responsible for enforcing such laws. Authorizes the Secretary, upon recommendation to the Department of Justice for prosecution for violation of the Internal Revenue Code, to disclose to the Department return information reviewed, developed, or obtained during a tax investigation which constitutes evidence of a violation of Federal criminal laws. Allows information disclosed pursuant to this Act to be entered into evidence in a proceeding not involving tax administration or in an ancillary proceeding to which the United States is a party. Limits such disclosure to the extent required by applicable discovery requirements. Prohibits admission of such information into evidence if the Secretary determines that it would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a tax investigation, unless a court otherwise directs disclosure. Permits the Secretary or his designee, in specified emergency circumstances, to disclose information to the extent necessary to apprise the appropriate Federal agency of such emergency. Permits the Internal Revenue Service to assist the Department of Justice or any other Federal agency in joint tax and nontax investigations of criminal matters which may involve tax violations. Allows a Federal official authorized to apply to a district court judge or magistrate for an ex parte order to disclose to the appropriate State attorney general or district attorney any return or nonreturn information in his possession which is relevant to the violation of a State felony statute. Authorizes the disclosure of return or nonreturn information to a competent authority of a foreign government which has a convention relating to the exchange of tax information with the United States. Provides a procedure for the disclosure of return or nonreturn information sought pursuant to a treaty on mutual assistance in criminal matters for use in an investigation or proceeding unrelated to the tax laws of the foreign country. Adds as an affirmative defense to a prosecution for the unauthorized disclosure of return or nonreturn information that such disclosure resulted from a good faith, but erroneous, interpretation of this Act. Permits a taxpayer aggrieved by the knowing or negligent disclosure by a Federal employee of return or nonreturn information in violation of this Act to bring a civil action for damages exclusively against the particular Federal agency.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1981
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit State and county agricultural extension services and State agricultural experiment stations to obtain excess personal property from the Secretary of Agriculture for grantees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest or dividends earned on savings deposits which are used by the deposit institutions for residential mortgage lending purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Authorizes the printing, for the use of the Special Committee on Aging, of part I of the report entitled "Developments in Aging: 1980."
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Habeas Corpus Procedures Amendments Act of 1981 - Prohibits Federal magistrates from conducting evidentiary hearings in habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners. Prohibits the consideration in a habeas corpus proceeding of a Federal question which was not properly presented under State law at trial and on appeal unless the petitioner establishes that the alleged violation of the Federal right was prejudicial and that: (1) the Federal right did not exist at time of trial and has been determined to be retroactive; (2) the State procedures precluded assertion of the right; (3) evidence was suppressed which prevented raising of the claim; or (4) material and controlling facts upon which the claim is based were unknown and could not have been ascertained by reasonable diligence. Establishes a three-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners. Prohibits the Federal evidentiary hearing from being conducted where State court records contain factual findings, unless the petitioner establishes the existence of at least one of six enumerated circumstances. (Currently, the State findings are presumed to be correct unless petitioner establishes existence of a circumstance.) Eliminates from such circumstances that the applicant: (1) did not receive a full, fair, and adequate hearing; or (2) was otherwise denied due process.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the Secretary of State to inform the Secretary of Health and Human Services of the use or intended use by any country or international organization of any herbicide to eradicate marihuana in a program receiving U.S. aid for narcotics control (currently no U.S. aid may be used for any such program if the herbicide is likely to cause serious harm to marihuana users unless the herbicide is used with another substance that will warn potential users of the presence of the herbicide). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to monitor the impact on the health of marihuana users of such a herbicide. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress any determination that marihuana users are exposed to harmful amounts of herbicide.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Urges the President to extend for three years the orderly marketing agreements between the United States and Taiwan and between the United States and South Korea which limit the exportation from Taiwan and South Korea of nonrubber footwear to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that social security benefits remain exempt from Federal taxation.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Exempts nonprofit veterans' organizations and nonprofit fraternal organizations from the requirement that nondramatic literary or musical performance royalties be paid to copyright holders.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Establishes within the Department of State a Bureau of North American Affairs. Requires the appointment of an Assistant Secretary for North American Affairs to head the Bureau and to have responsibility for activities of the Department relating to the Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, and the independent island countries in the Caribbean Sea other than Cuba. Requires the appointment of certain Deputy Assistant Secretaries who shall report to the Assistant Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Requests the President to designate the third Sunday in September as "National Ministers Day."
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should enter into negotiations with Canada and Mexico to agree to establish a North American Commission for Cooperation and Development. Sets forth proposed purposes of the Commission. States that the agreement should provide that: (1) each member country be represented by a Commissioner who shall head a delegation of experts; (2) each Commissioner should participate on an equal basis; and (3) additional Western Hemisphere countries may become members of the Commission.
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 · 24 February 1981
Prohibits the United States Postal Service from using its funds to implement a nine digit ZIP code system.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Revises the congressional budget in order to: (1) reduce budget authority by $10.7 billion, and outlays by $4,8 billion, in fiscal year 1981; (2) reduce budget authority by $61.3 billion, and oulays by $41.4 billion, in fiscal year 1982; and (3) reduce budget authority by $88.4 billion, and outlays by $79.7 billion, in fiscal year 1983.