United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Real Estate Construction and Rehabilitation Tax Incentives Act of 1981 - Title I: Capital Cost Recovery Treatment of New Section 1250 Property - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a 20- year straight line depreciation of depreciable real property placed into service after the effective date of this Act. Provides transitional rules for property already in service. Requires a 12-year straight line depreciation of low-income housing and a 16-year straight line depreciation of rehabilitated residential rental property. Title II: Increase in Investment Tax Credit for Rehabilitated Structures - Increases from ten to 25 percent the investment tax credit for qualified rehabilitated buildings. Title III: Deduction of Construction Period Interest and Taxes - Repeals current provisions requiring the amortization of construction period interest and taxes. Allows the taxpayer to elect: (1) to treat the unamortized balance of such interest and taxes as chargeable to capital account; or (2) to deduct such unamortized balance for taxable year 1981. Title IV: Extension and Expansion of Existing Incentives - Repeals the expiration dates for Code provisions which: (1) permit rapid amortization of rehabilitation expenses for low-income rental housing; (2) prohibit accelerated depreciation for new structures built on historic sites; (3) provide for favorable depreciation of rehabilitated historic property; (4) encourage the removal of architectural barriers; and (5) prohibit deductions for the demolition of historic structures. Provides for rapid amortization of rehabilitation expenses for all residential rental housing (currently such rapid amortization is limited to low-income rental housing). Increases: (1) from $3,000 to $5,000 the minimum depreciable per unit expenditure; and (2) from $20,000 to $30,000 the maximum depreciable per unit expenditure. Requires that the amount of such rapid amortization treated as a tax preference shall not exceed the amount which would have been a tax preference item if computed under the double declining balance method. Title V: Removal of Impediments to New Real Property Development - Exempts depreciable real property from the limitation on the deduction of investment indebtedness interest for individuals. States that for purposes of the amortization of startup expenditures the business beginning of real estate development activities is the date on which construction activity commences. Permits the exclusion from gross income of interest on certain industrial development refunding bonds if the proceeds of the refunded issue are used to provide residential real property for family units or to remove existing first liens on rehabilitation property. Allows income tax deductions for business expenses related to the rental of a residence to a family member of the taxpayer if such family member pays a fair rental and uses such residence as the principal place of residence. Specifies that the energy investment credit shall be available for low-income rental housing and residential rental property. Title VI: Effective Dates - States that the amendments made by this Act shall be effective upon enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Act - Establishes a program of educational assistance for men and women who enter active duty in the armed forces after June 30, 1981. Defines an eligible veteran for such program as one who: (1) serves on active duty for three or more consecutive years; or (2) serves an obligated period of active duty for three or more consecutive years which began after June 30, 1981; or (3) served on active duty for two or more consecutive years and has been accepted in the Ready Reserve of a component of the armed forces for four or more years. Entitles an eligible veteran to basic educational assistance if such veteran is pursuing a program of education on a full-time basis. Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to reduce rates of assistance appropriately if such veteran is pursuing a program of education on less than a full-time basis. Entitles an eligible veteran to supplemental educational assistance if such veteran: (1) has served six or more consecutive years in the armed forces; or (2) has served four or more consecutive years and has been accepted for service in a component of the Ready Reserve. Excludes the periods of service for basic educational assistance from being counted for entitlement to supplemental assistance. Allows such veterans to receive both types of assistance concurrently. Permits the Secretary of a component of the armed forces to authorize an eligible veteran who has served ten or more consecutive years of active duty to transfer all or any part of his entitlement to his dependents in accordance with provisions of this Act. Prohibits any person divorced from an eligible veteran from receiving any educational assistance based on such veterans' service. Declares the use of an eligible veterans' educational assistance expires ten years after such veterans' last discharge or release from active duty. Sets forth exceptions to such ten-year period based on certain circumstances. Suspends payments for any eligible veteran who fails to serve satisfactorily in the Ready Reserve if such service is a requirement for eligibility. Excludes certain service for the purpose of earning entitlement, including: (1) assignment to a course of education substantially the same as that offered civilians; (2) service as a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies; (3) certain enlistment in the Army or Air National Guard; or (4) service in any of the Reserve components. Extends the period of entitlement when necessary for any person to complete a term of education. Provides that payments for basic educational assistance shall be made from appropriations made to the Veterans Administration and payments for supplemental assistance shall be made from appropriations made to the Department of Defense. Permits a Secretary to increase the amount of basic or supplemental educational assistance if necessary to obtain or retain qualified active duty personnel in specific categories of such personnel. Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to each report biennially on the operation of programs provided under this Act, including recommendations for administrative or legislative changes. Makes technical amendments to provisions of the United States Code to conform with this Act. Prohibits a veteran eligible for assistance under this Act from participating in any other veterans educational assistance program. Amends the Veterans Education and Employment Assistance Act of 1976 to preclude enrollment in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance program after December 31, 1981. Establishes a delimiting period of five years when a veteran commences a program of education within two years of discharge, or December 31, 1989, whichever is later.
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
Petroleum Displacement Act of 1981 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to repeal certain prohibitions and limitations on the use of natural gas as a primary energy source in electric powerplants. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to prohibit the use of petroleum or natural gas or both: (1) as a primary energy source in electric powerplants where coal or alternate fuel capability exists; and (2) in excess of a minimal amount in an electric powerplant where feasible to use a mixture of petroleum or natural gas or an alternate fuel as a primary energy source.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Veterans' Automobile Assistance and Adaptive Equipment Amendments of 1981 - Increases the amount of maximum assistance the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs must provide to certain severely service-connected disabled veterans for automobile adaptive equipment. Entitles veterans suffering from ankylosis of one or both knees or hips to adaptive equipment sufficient to overcome such disability to meet State licensure requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that, in accordance with specified international agreements, the Soviet Union should provide proper medical care for Viktor Brailovsky and permit him to emigrate to Israel with his family. Urges the President to: (1) continue to express U.S. opposition to the imprisonment and treatment of Brailovsky; and (2) inform the Soviet Union that the United States, in evaluating its relations with other countries, will consider the extent to which those countries honor their commitments to human rights under international law.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1981
Veterans Administration Adjudication Procedure and Judicial Review Act - Title I: Adjudication Procedures - Codifies, for Veterans Administration (VA) adjudication purposes, the burden of proof and reasonable doubt standard currently provided for by VA regulation. States that a claimant has the burden of submitting sufficient evidence to justify his or her claim, and that if an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence exists regarding the merits of a claim, the VA is to resolve such doubt in favor of the claimant. Stipulates that VA subpoenas may be served either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail. Increases the size of the Board of Veterans' Appeals from 50 to 65 members. Requires the chairman of such Board to submit an annual report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning the Board's current handling of cases and projections for the subsequent fiscal year. Requires the Board to: (1) provide notice to a claimant and an opportunity for a hearing before a decision may be based on "additional official information" received after a Board decision has previously been made; (2) provide the claimant with an opportunity for a hearing; and (3) make its decision exclusively on evidence and material of record in the proceeding. Removes the requirement that new material sufficient to allow the Board to reopen a previously disallowed claim be in the form of official reports. Provides that the Board's discretionary authority to reopen a claim will not be diminished by a judicial decision following an appeal as provided for by this Act. Requires the Board to mail to the claimant notice of its decision and the reasons for such decision. Provides that, upon the request of a claimant, the Board shall provide an independent advisory medical opinion when there exists substantial medical disagreements with respect to a material issue in a veterans' appeal. Sets forth new procedural rules for adjudication hearings regarding: (1) oaths affirmations, and witness examination; (2) admissibility of evidence; (3) procedural rights of claimants; (4) disqualification of a hearing officer; (5) the record of the proceedings and the claimants' right to examine and obtain a copy of such record; and (6) the exclusiveness of veterans' adjudication procedures and rights prescribed by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to provide at each stage of the appeal proceedings written notice to a claimant of procedural rights and procedures. Directs the Administrator to conduct a study of two alternate claims resolution methods, one a new intermediate-level adjudication process, the other an enhanced schedule of formal Appeals Board hearings. Title II: Veterans' Administration Rule Making - Includes the VA's rulemaking procedures under the relevant provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Title III: Judicial Review - Provides for judicial review of VA decisions in the Federal court system. States with regard to jurisdiction: (1) that judicial review of a final decision in a claim for benefits may be obtained in a civil action brought within 180 days of the Board's mailing of notice of its decision, and that such action shall be brought in Federal district court; (2) that in cases not directly involving a claim for benefits a civil action otherwise authorized by law shall not be precluded; (3) the definition of final decision; (4) that the judicial review procedures established under this Act shall not apply to insurance and home loans; (5) that the VA shall file the various materials constituting the record in a case together with its answer to the claimant's complaint; and (6) that the court render a decision on the pleadings. States, with regard to the reviewing court's scope of review, that such court: (1) decide questions of law and interpret constitutional, statutory, and regulatory provisions, but that questions of fact (unless unsupported by substantial evidence) will not be subject to a trial de novo; and (2) in reviewing a final decision of the VA which is adverse to a party solely because such party failed to comply with VA procedures, such court may only review questions concerning such procedures. Sets out provisions regarding remand, survival of actions, and appellate review. Title IV: Attorneys' Fees - Authorizes the Administrator to allow attorneys' fees above the present $10 maximum if the appealing party's claim is allowed by the VA after an initial denial. States that such fee shall be the lesser of: (1) the fee agreed upon by the party and attorney; (2) $500, unless the Administrator approves a greater amount; or (3) if the party and attorney have entered into a contingent-fee agreement, not more than 25 percent of the total of any past-due benefits awarded on the basis of such party's claim. Provides for the approval of attorneys' fees, in successful veterans' claims brought before a court, as provided for under this Act. Stipulates that such fees shall be determined by such court, and in contingent-fee agreements such fees shall not exceed 25 percent of the total of any past-due benefits awarded on the basis of such claim. Authorizes attorneys' fees of up to $750 in certain unsuccessful veterans' claims. Prohibits the VA from authorizing payment to a claimant's attorney based on past-due benefits unless such benefits are owed as of the date of the VA's or a court's award. Establishes procedures for the review of the VA's or a court's approval of attorneys' fees. States that in the case of a benefits claim resolved before the VA, either the claimant or the attorney may challenge the award in the Federal district court in which the claimant resides or has his principal place of business within 30 days after notice of the attorneys' award. Provides that all parties be given notice. Stipulates that such provisions regarding attorneys' fees shall only apply to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the VA and shall not apply in cases in which the VA is the plaintiff or in which other attorneys' fees statutes are otherwise controlling. Title V: Effective Dates - States that this Act shall become effective 180 days after enactment. Permits review of Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions rendered on or after January 1, 1977, and prior to the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Declares that seven members of named families have resided since a certain date in the United States Embassy in Moscow and have been living there in accordance with United States laws. Authorizes the granting of a visa and admission to the United States for permanent residence to each individual. Provides that each individual shall be held and considered to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence as of a specified date, and to have been physically present and residing therein continuously since such date.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct, operate, and maintain the following hydroelectric powerplants: (1) the Friant powerplant, California; (2) the Whiskeytown powerplant, California; (3) the Canyon Ferry powerplant enlargement, Montana; (4) the Yellowtail Afterbay powerplant, Montana; (5) the Hoover Dam powerplant modification, Arizona and Nevada; (6) the Buffalo Bill Dam powerplant replacement, Wyoming; (7) the Red Bluff powerplant, California; (8) the Stony Gorge powerplant, California; (9) the Monticello powerplant, California; (10) the Boca powerplant, California and Nevada; (11) the Prosser powerplant, California and Nevada; and (12) the Blue Mesa powerplant, Colorado. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to construct, operate, and maintain transmission facilities for such powerplants and to purchase replacement capacity and energy in order to maintain deliveries to customers during unit outages caused by such powerplant construction. Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy to minimize the loss of capacity and energy to power customers due to unit outages resulting from such powerplant construction. Directs the Secretary of Energy to maintain deliveries of capacity and energy at contract prices to customers affected by such unit outages. Requires that the hydroelectric power generated by such facilities be marketed through existing Federal hydroelectric power marketing systems. Authorizes appropriations beginning in fiscal year 1982 to the Secretary of the Interior for: (1) construction, operation, and maintenance of the powerplants authorized under this Act; (2) the cost of replacement capacity and energy; (3) construction of an automated gate at Lake Helena; and (4) bank stabilization, replacement of fishery access, and other fish, wildlife, and recreational facilities concurrent with the Canyon Ferry powerplant enlargement. Authorizes appropriations beginning in fiscal year 1982 to the Secretary of Energy for transmission facilities and the purchase of replacement capacity and energy. Makes the authorization for the Canyon Ferry powerplant enlargement effective 20 months after the enactment of this Act unless the Secretary of the Interior reports to Congress that the project cannot be economically justified or creates adverse environmental effects.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt interest paid on deposits by State and local governments of public funds, which are secured by tax-exempt securities, from provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which disallow income tax deductions for interest paid with respect to tax-exempt financing.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should invite a representative from each country which adheres to specified international agreements to attend an international conference to amend such agreements to require the contracting parties to break diplomatic relations with any country which is determined to have violated such agreements by unlawfully detaining a diplomatic or consular agent or by seizing or failing to protect the premises of a diplomatic or consular mission.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Voluntary Family Planning Services and Population Research Amendments of 1981 - Amends title X (Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs) of the Public Health Service Act to: (1) include natural family planning methods under the coverage of training and research programs; (2) permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide recipients of grants or contracts for contraceptive development with exclusive development and marketing rights; (3) require that family planning services be available to both sexes; (4) provide for appropriate linguistic or cultural services in areas with substantial nonEnglish speaking populations; and (5) authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1984 for basic family planning services, training, research, and education and information services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that public utilities which utilize for ratemaking purposes a procedure or adjustment which is inconsistent with methods used in estimating or projecting tax expenses, depreciation expenses, or reserves for deferred taxes shall not be considered to have complied with the normalization method of accounting required for computing the accelerated depreciation and investment tax credit amounts of such utilities. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations which define other procedures and adjustments which are inconsistent with the normalization method of accounting. Provides that violations of normalization requirements shall not result in a public utility's loss of eligibility for accelerated depreciation or the investment tax credit if: (1) such violations involved the use of estimates, projections, or adjustments to the utility's rate of return; and (2) such estimates, adjustments, or projections only applied for periods ending prior to March 1, 1980, and were included in certain specified orders of a public utility commission. Delays the payment of any tax refunds or credits for overpayments resulting from the amendments made by this Act until after October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1981
Headstart Extension Act of 1981 - Amends the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to extend through fiscal year 1986 the authorization of appropriations for Headstart programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1981
Declares seven 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 · 21 January 1981
Expresses the jubilation and relief of the Senate at the release of the 52 Americans held hostage by Iran. Expresses appreciation for the efforts of various Government officials to secure the release of the hostages. Recognizes the patriotism of the military personnel who tried to rescue them. Thanks Algeria for its help in securing the hostages' release.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers who do not itemize income tax deductions to claim a deduction from gross income for charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit of 25 percent of the qualified research and experimental expenditures paid or incurred by a taxpayer in carrying on a trade or business. Defines "qualified research and experimental expenditures" as those business-related expenditures which are deductible under current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Limits the scope of such expenditures, for both the tax credit and tax deduction, to technological research designed to develop or improve products or services. Excludes expenditures for research or experimentation in the social sciences or humanities, government-funded research, and certain applied research. Limits the amount of expenditures eligible for the credit to those which exceed the annual average of such expenditures for the immediately preceding three years. Requires taxpayers under common control to aggregate such expenditures for purposes of computing the credit. Sets forth rules for adjusting such expenditure amounts when there is a change in business ownership. Provides for a three-year carryback and seven-year carryover of unused credits.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1981
Amends the Uniform Time Act of 1966 to change the date on which daylight saving time begins from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in March.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from 60 percent to 75 percent the noncorporate capital gains deduction from gross income. Reduces the alternative minimum tax rate. Reduces from 28 percent to 17.5 percent the corporate alternative tax rate on capital gains.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1981
Cigarette Safety Act - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate, within 24 months, final performance standards for cigarettes and little cigars ensuring a minimum capacity for igniting smoldering fabric fires. Authorizes the Commission to prohibit manufacturers from stockpiling such products to which such standards apply. Provides for judicial review of such standards in an appropriate U.S. court of appeals. Declares such cigarette safety standards to be subject to all remedial and penalty provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act for the first three fiscal years beginning after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Desert Pupfish National Wildlife Refuge in the State of Nevada. States that lands, waters, and interests owned by the State of Nevada, or any local government, may be acquired only with the consent of such owner. Abolishes the Devil's Hole portion of Death Valley National Monument upon establishment of such refuge, and makes its lands, waters, and interests a part of the Desert Pupfish National Wildlife Refuge. Makes any funds available for the Devil's Hole portion of Death Valley National Monument available for the purposes of such refuge. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Big Sur Coast Area Act - Establishes the Big Sur Coast Area in the State of California. Establishes the Big Sur Coast Area Council to: (1) recommend to the Secretary of Agriculture a comprehensive management plan for the protection and management of the Big Sur Area; (2) facilitate communication and coordination among the governmental agencies that have jurisdiction within the area; and (3) advise the Secretary on the appropriate Federal role in the management of the Big Sur Area. Sets forth the elements to be contained in such comprehensive plan. Requires the Council, in the event that the local coastal programs for the Big Sur Area mandated by the California Coastal Act of 1976 are not certified by the California Coastal Commission by the statutory deadline of July 1, 1981, to recommend a land-use plan and implementation program for the area that shall be in effect until certification of the local coastal programs. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Council any amendments to such plan with an explanation of the reasons for such amendments. Requires the Council to respond to the amendments made by the Secretary and to submit any recommendations for changes. Requires the Secretary to revise the plan in a manner which adequately responds to the recommendations of the Council and to adopt the plan as so revised. Directs the Council to review the plan at least once every five years. Sets forth the administrative responsibilities of the State of California and local governmental authorities having jurisdiction within the Big Sur Area. Withdraws, subject to valid existing rights, all federally owned lands within the area from the operation of the mining and mineral leasing laws of the United States. Prohibits any timber harvest or other cutting of timber on so much of the Los Padres National Forest as is within the Area except to the extent necessary to control fire, disease, or insect activity. States that the Secretary, with the advice of the Council, shall provide for the administration of the comprehensive management plan and shall ensure that such plan is carried out by all Federal, State, and local agencies. Allows the Secretary to enter into contracts or agreements with State and local agencies, landowners, or private nonprofit organizations in order to provide for the management of the area. Requires any consistency determination submitted to the California Coastal Commission for any development project or plan within or adjacent to the Big Sur Area to include a Council recommendation for concurrence or objection by the Commission. Authorizes the Secretary, until the adoption of the plan, to acquire Council-recommended lands, waters, or interests within the Big Sur Area and other interests determined by the Secretary to have critical ecological or scenic values which are in immediate danger of being adversely affected. Sets forth the authorities of the Secretary with respect to land acquisition after the plan has been adopted. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State, local governments, and private or other public entities for the acquisition of interests within the area. Permits the Secretary to convey property acquired pursuant to this Act to State or local authorities in accordance with the management plan. Permits the Secretary to sell or lease back lands purchased within the area to the original owner of such lands subject to use restrictions consistent with this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from acquiring private property within the area by condemnation except if such acquisition is required to: (1) provide for public access and recreation use as specified by the management plan; (2) prevent new uses which would be incompatible with such plan; or (3) reclaim lands on which new uses have been initiated. Prohibits the Secretary from acquiring without the consent of the owner any structure approved pursuant to State and local law on which construction was initiated prior to July 1, 1980. Directs the Secretary of Defense to transfer any lands under such Secretary's jurisdiction within the Big Sur Area whenever such lands exceed the needs of the Department of Defense. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or in any way diminish the authority of the California Department of Fish and Game or the California Fish and Game Commission to regulate the fish and wildlife resources of the State in the Big Sur Area. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Establishes the Orange Coast National Urban Park in the State of California. Declares that it is the intention of Congress that all the property within the park be acquired by December 31, 1985. Declares that any land or interest therein owned by the State of California or any local government may be acquired only by donation or exchange. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey any property acquired pursuant to this Act to the State of California or any local government, subject to such terms, conditions, and reversionary provisions as will assure preservation of the property for public park or open-space purposes. Conditions the authority of the Secretary to acquire lands and interests upon the occurrence of certain events within specified time periods. Directs the Secretary to convey and transfer such rights-of-way through the park as may be necessary for the establishment of the San Joaquin Hills transportation corridor. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States, and the District of Columbia shall elect the President and Vice President. Requires each elector to cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. Requires the electors of President and Vice President in each State to have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature, except that for electors of President and Vice President, the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive residence qualifications and for electors of President and Vice President the Congress may establish uniform residence qualifications. Provides that: (1) the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected, if such number is at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast; and (2) if no pair of persons has such number, a runoff election shall be held in which the choice of President and Vice President shall be made from the two pairs of persons who received the highest numbers of votes. Requires the days for such elections to be determined by Congress and to be uniform throughout the United States. Requires Congress to prescribe by law the time, place, and manner in which the results for such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Allows Congress to provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Requests the President to designate the week beginning with the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Prohibits all taking of wolves and other predators or scavengers on public lands, except under procedures prescribed in this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Notifies the House of Representatives of the election of the Honorable Strom Thurmond, of South Carolina, as President pro tempore of the Senate, and William F. Hildenbrand as Secretary of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1980
Authorizes the President of the Senate and President pro tempore to make certain commission and committee appointments after the sine die adjournment of the present session.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1980
All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Act of 1980 - Establishes a program of educational assistance for men and women who enter active duty in the armed forces after June 30, 1981. Defines an eligible veteran for such program as one who: (1) serves on active duty for three or more consecutive years; or (2) serves an obligated period of active duty for three or more consecutive years which began after June 30, 1981. Entitles an eligible veteran to basic educational assistance if such veteran is pursuing a program of education on a full- time basis. Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to reduce rates of assistance appropriately if such veteran is pursuing a program of education on less than a full-time basis. Entitles an eligible veteran to supplemental educational assistance if such veteran: (1) has served six or more consecutive years in the armed forces; or (2) has served four or more consecutive years and has been accepted for service in a component of the Ready Reserve. Excludes the periods of service for basic educational assistance from being counted for entitlement to supplemental assistance. Allows such veterans to receive both types of assistance concurrently. Allows such veterans who have served 12 or more consecutive years of active duty to transfer all or any part of their entitlement to their dependents in accordance with provisions of this Act. Prohibits any person divorced from an eligible veteran from receiving any educational assistance based on such veteran's service. Declares the use of an eligible veteran's educational assistance expires ten years after such veteran's last discharge or release from active duty. Sets forth exceptions to such ten-year period based on certain circumstances. Excludes certain service for the purpose of earning entitlement, including: (1) assignment to a course of education substantially the same as that offered civilians; (2) service as a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies; (3) certain enlistment in the Army or Air National Guard; or (4) service in any of the Reserve components. Extends the period of entitlement when necessary for any person to complete a term of education. Provides that payments for basic educational assistance shall be made from appropriations made to the Veterans Administration and payments for supplemental assistance shall be made from appropriations made to the Department of Defense. Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to each report biennially on the operation of programs provided under this Act, including recommendations for administrative or legislative changes. Makes technical amendments to provisions of the United States Code to conform with this Act. Amends the Veterans' Education and Employment Assistance Act of 1976 to preclude enrollment in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance program after December 31, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1980
Designates the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health located in Montgomery County, Maryland, as the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health. Directs the Committee on Rules and Administration to place appropriate markers or inscriptions at suitable locations within such center to commemorate and designate such building.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1980
Declares a named individual to be the natural-born alien daughter of a citizen of the United States for the purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1980
Directs the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to review the application of Herman Miller for consideration of being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Requires the Board to apply the standards for such award as were in effect on April 16, 1900.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the crude oil windfall profit tax, to treat a holder of a net profit interest as a producer liable for payment of such tax on the portion of gross production allocated to him in proportion to his respective share, if any, of the net profits (computed without regard to such tax).
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1980
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Amendments of 1980 - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 to extend the authorizations of appropriations for child abuse prevention and treatment and adoption reform programs through fiscal year 1986. Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to provide protection from adverse job actions for persons reporting instances of child abuse and neglect occurring in public or private residential institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should urge the government of South Korea to fulfill its commitment to democracy and reconsider the process leading to the convictions of government critics. States that Congress will review U.S. South Korean relations if the harsh sentences are enforced.
![Official portrait of Sen. Cranston, Alan [D-CA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000877_200.jpg)