United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the International Trade Commission (ITC), when determining whether increased imports have resulted in a serious injury to a competing domestic industry, to take into account any significant increase in the share of total imports attributable to domestic producers in the industry. Requires the ITC, when determining whether increased imports constitute a threat of serious injury to a competing domestic industry, to take into account an upward trend in imports attributable to domestic producers. Requires the ITC, when determining whether imports are a substantial cause of serious injury to a competing domestic industry, to take into account an increase in imports and a decline in the proportion of the domestic market supplied by domestic producers regardless of whether the imports are attributable to domestic producers in the industry. Requires the ITC, in determining the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with an imported article, to treat as part of the domestic industry only the domestic production of a domestic producer which also imports. Defines the term "significant idling of productive facilities" to mean a decline in domestic production, the closing of plants, or the underutilization of production capacity. Prohibits the ITC, from taking into account in determining whether increased imports are a substantial cause of or a threat of serious injury to a competing domestic industry: (1) the probable effectiveness of import relief and consideration of the position of the industry in the U.S. economy; (2) the effect of import relief on consumers and on competition in the domestic markets for such articles; (3) the effect of import relief on U.S. international economic interests; or (4) the effect on U.S. industries and firms of tariff changes or other import restrictions which may result from international obligations with respect to compensation. Declares that an ITC finding that a significant number of domestic firms operate at a reasonable level of profit or that the profits of the domestic industry are not in a downward trend shall not preclude an ITC determination that increased imports are a substantial cause of or threat of serious injury to such domestic industry. Requires that the importation of any articles by domestic producers in an industry shall be a factor supporting the existence of or the threat of serious injury to such industry.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Authorizes any water carrier to file a complaint with the Interstate Commerce Commission on the grounds that a proposed rail carrier contract is unfair, destructive, predatory, or otherwise undermines competition. Makes it Federal rail transportation policy to prohibit pricing and practices by rail carriers that are unfair, destructive, predatory, or which otherwise undermine competition with water carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Requires the Interstate Commerce Commission to: (1) consider certain indicators in determining the revenue adequacy of railroads; (2) consider specified evidence when appropriate in determining whether there is effective rail competition; (3) revise proposed guidelines which prescribe reasonable rates for coal shipments; (4) prohibit certain actions with respect to reciprocal switching services; (5) expedite its study on cancellations of through routes, joint rail rates, and reciprocal switching; and (6) facilitate discovery of information regarding railroad contracts by parties with standing to challenge such contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984
Reaffirms that it is U.S. policy to oppose the practice of torture by foreign governments through the implementation of laws and through public and private diplomacy. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) instruct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to continue to raise the issue of torture by such governments; and (2) continue to involve the U.S. Government in the formulation of international standards and the implementation of the draft Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Requests the Secretary of State to issue specified formal instructions to each U.S. mission chief regarding U.S. policy with respect to such torture. States that the Secretary of Commerce should continue to enforce the current restrictions on the export of crime control equipment pursuant to the Export Administration Act of 1979. Directs the heads of U.S. departments that furnish military and law enforcement training to foreign personnel to include in such training instruction regarding international human rights standards with respect to torture.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1984
United States Scholarship Program for Developing Countries Act - Directs the President, acting through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Information Agency, to provide an undergraduate scholarship program for citizens and nationals of developing countries to study at American institutions of higher education. Requires that half of each payment to a student shall be in the form of a loan with repayment to be forgiven upon the student's prompt return to his or her country of origin for a period of no less than the years spent studying in the United States plus one. Sets forth guidelines for implementing the program. Directs the President, before allocating any funds, to consult with U.S. educational institutions, educational exchange organizations, U.S. missions, and the governments of participating countries on how to implement the guidelines. Authorizes the President to enter into agreements with foreign governments to further the scholarship program. Urges the Administrator of the agency primarily responsible for administering development assistance programs, in implementing such programs, to increase assistance for undergraduate scholarships for students of limited financial means from developing countries to study in the United States. Urges the President to take steps to expand the opportunities for Americans from all economic classes to study in developing countries. Authorizes the President to establish counseling and orientation services: (1) abroad to prepare foreign students for study in the United States; and (2) at U.S. schools to help them while they are in the United States. Directs the Board of Foreign Scholarships to advise and assist the President in the discharge of programs authorized by this Act. Requires the public and private sectors in the United States to be encouraged to contribute to the costs of the programs financed under this Act. Directs the President to engage the public and private sectors of developing countries in programs to maximize the use of program participants upon their return to their own countries. Authorizes the President to publicize the scholarship program abroad. Authorizes the President to provide English instruction abroad when necessary. Provides for funding to carry out this Act. Requires the President to report annually to Congress on the activities taken pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1984
Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shot gun shot required by Federal or State regulations for hunting; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; and (3) projectiles that the Secretary of Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition. Allows for: (1) the manufacture or importation of armor piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; and (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor piercing ammunition. Imposes an additional mandatory sentence of not less than five years for any person who uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor piercing ammunition during the commission of a violent felony. Provides that such sentence shall not be suspended nor probation nor parole granted.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1984
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Administration should continue to oppose the imposition of restrictions by the European Community (EC) on imports of nongrain feed ingredients and corn gluten as a means to shift to other countries part of the cost of its domestic agricultural policies; and (2) imposition of a consumption tax on vegetable oils and fats by the EC would restrain trade and violate the tariff bindings in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade on soybeans and soybean products. States that if EC action is taken to inhibit the importation of such products, then the United States should restrict EC imports by the same proportion of reduced U.S. export products.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1984
Expresses the sense of Congress that copyright protection is essential for computer software and lack of such protection or the use of other legal protections incorporating compulsory licensing would undermine the computer software industry here and abroad. States that any nation's withdrawal of copyright protection or instigation of broad compulsory licensing of software should be opposed under the Universal Copyright Convention or through other avenues.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1984
Uniform Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to withhold five percent in FY 1987, and ten percent in FY 1988, of certain Federal-aid highway funds from States in which the minimum drinking age is less than 21 years.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1984
Authorizes the President, under specified conditions relating to the carrying out of certain agreements under the Trade Act of 1974, to proclaim that any staged rate modification of the Tariff Schedules of the United States shall take effect at any time during the one-year period preceding the proclaimed date of each staged rate reduction as contained in such agreements if he determines that reciprocal action has been, or is about to be, taken by a foreign country which has significant trade in exports to the United States of the item to which such modification applies.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the International Olympic Committee should establish a permanent Olympic facility on a site that insulates the games from international politics.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1984
Prohibits any change in the standard Federal regional or subregional office structure or policy as established by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) circular A-105 of April 4, 1974, except by Act of Congress. Allows combinations of standard Federal regions approved pursuant to such circular before January 1, 1984, to be continued without specific approval by Act of Congress. Requires the Director of OMB to wait at least 90 days after notifying Congress of an agency's request for approval of certain regional or subregional organization plans before approving such a plan.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1984
Title I: Trade in Telecommunications - Telecommunications Trade Act of 1984 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the President, during the three years following enactment of this Act, to enter into multilateral or bilateral trade agreements with foreign countries or instrumentalities which provide for the reduction or elimination of barriers to trade in telecommunications products. Authorizes the President to enter into such agreements whenever the President determines: (1) that any barriers to international trade of any foreign country or the United States unduly burden and restrict U.S. foreign trade in telecommunications products or adversely affect the U.S. economy or the imposition of such barriers is likely to result in such a burden, restriction, or effect; and (2) that attainment of the negotiating objectives will be promoted by entering into such agreement. Declares that the U.S. negotiating objectives shall be: (1) to obtain agreements that would provide competitive opportunities for U.S. exports of telecommunications products in foreign countries which are substantially equivalent to the competitive opportunities provided by the United States after the restructuring of the U.S. market for telecommunications; and (2) to avoid uncompensated reductions in barriers to foreign access to the U.S. market. Sets forth factors to be taken into account in pursuing such objectives. Directs the President, after not more than 90 days of consultations with the appropriate foreign countries or instrumentalities, to: (1) terminate, withdraw, or suspend all or part of any trade agreement entered into under this Act, the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, or the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to any U.S. duty or other import restriction on telecommunications products; and (2) terminate, withdraw, or suspend the obligation of the United States with respect to such duty or other import restriction. Suspends the effect of the President's action on such duty or import restriction until three years after enactment of this Act. Directs the President to consult with the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee in carrying out this title. Title II: Telecommunications Product Classification - Telecommunications Product Classification Act - Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to create a tariff classification for and impose a duty on: (1) data processing machines designed for connection with telegraphic or telephonic apparatus, instruments, or networks; (2) office machines designed for connection to such apparatus, instruments, or networks; (3) parts designed for connection to such apparatus, instruments, or networks; and (4) machines designed for connection to such apparatus, instruments, or networks. Defines the term "entertainment broadcast band receivers" to mean radio receivers designed principally to receive signals in the AM and FM entertainment broadcast bands whether or not capable of receiving signals on other bands. Creates a tariff classification for and imposes a duty on: (1) telephone switching apparatus (including private branch exchange and key system switching apparatus); (2) telephone sets and terminal equipment; (3) other switching apparatus; and (4) other terminal apparatus. Grants duty free treatment to communications satellites to be launched in the United States for use in a global communications satellite system and other communications satellite. Creates a tariff classification for and imposes a duty on: (1) radio receivers, other than solid-state receivers; (2) solid-state radio receivers designed for motor vehicle installation; (3) other entertainment broadcast band receivers; (4) hand-held citizens band transceivers; (5) low-power radio-telephonic transceivers operating on specified frequencies; (6) cordless handset telephones; (7) transmitters; (8) telephone answering machines; (9) radio-television-phonograph combination articles designed for connection to telegraphic or telephonic apparatus, instruments, or networks; (10) insulated electrical conductors with modular telephone connectors; (11) electrical equipment designed for connection to telegraphic or telephonic apparatus, instruments, or networks; (12) optical fiber bundles; and (13) optical fibers and optical fiber cables.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Civil Rights Act of 1984 - Amends the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination by any recipient of Federal financial assistance. (Currently, discrimination is prohibited only in a program or activity receiving Federal assistance.) Defines the term "recipient" to extend comprehensive coverage for purposes of the four Acts to any State or local governmental unit, any public or private agency or entity, and any subunit successor, assignee, or transferee of any such unit, agency, or entity.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) pursue with the Soviet Union the resolution of concerns over compliance with strategic and other arms control agreements through the Standing Consultative Commission and other diplomatic channels; and (2) continue its commitments under such agreements as long as the Soviet Union continues to observe such agreements, or until a new agreement is concluded. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should consider the impact of any changes to his policy regarding such agreements on the long-term security interests of the United States and its allies.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1984
Title I: Railroad Safety - Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to authorize the district court of the United States having jurisdiction, upon petition by the Attorney General, to issue orders requiring compliance with the Secretary of Transportation's directives on railroad safety. Requires the Secretary to submit the Department's annual report directly to Congress (in lieu of submission to the President for transmittal to Congress) and changes the date for submission of such report from July l to April 15 of each year. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Transportation for FY 1985 and 1986 for State safety programs and for specified provisions under such Act. Title II: Rail Passenger Service - Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to provide that the two members of the board of directors of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) which are selected by the preferred stockholders shall serve until their successors have been appointed. Provides that the preferred stock issued by the Corporation shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date the Corporation receives the funds for such stock. Repeals provisions which established and set forth the duties of the Performance Evaluation Center within the Corporation. Eliminates requirements for monthly performance reports. Requires the Corporation to report to Congress not later than February 15 of each year on its intercity rail passenger service, including data on ridership, short-term avoidable profit or loss per passenger mile, revenue-to-cost ratio, revenues, the Federal and non-Federal subsidies, and on-time performance. Provides that beginning October 1, 1983, the Corporation may continue service on routes where the Secretary recommends discontinuance if the Corporation and the affected State enter into an agreement to ensure that specified criteria are met. Revises such criteria to remove requirements to calculate passenger mile per train mile on such routes. Removes the congressional veto provisions with respect to an amendment to the Route and Service Criteria and makes any such amendment effective 120 days (currently, 60 days) after continuous session of Congress. States that trade secrets and commercial or financial information prepared by the Corporation are not subject to public disclosure requirements. Authorizes appropriations for the Corporation for FY 1984 and 1985. Repeals the Secretary's interim authority to provide emergency financial assistance for railroads operating passenger service. Makes technical and miscellaneous amendments to the Rail Passenger Services Act and the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976. Grants the Comptroller General discretionary authority to make performance audits of the Corporation. (Currently the Comptroller General is required to make such audits annually). Title III: Railroad Accounting Principles Board - Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to limit the salaries of members of the Railroad Accounting Principles Board to level V of the Executive Schedule. Terminates the Board three years after its members are appointed. Requires the Board to establish cost accounting principles and make a specified report to Congress within two years of such appointments. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Small Business Competition Enhancement Act of 1984 - Amends the Small Business Act to set forth specified evaluation considerations which must be weighed by Federal agencies with respect to solicitations for competitive and noncompetitive awards of development or production contracts for a major system. Provides a waiver for certain evaluation considerations if the contracting officer determines in writing that such requirement would not be applicable to the production contract or would not be in the best interests of the Government. Requires an agency before it can establish any prequalification requirement with respect to the awarding of a contract to: (1) prepare a written justification stating the reasons for the restriction and why free and open competition is not feasible; (2) specify in writing and make available upon request all standards which a contractor, or its product, must meet in order to become qualified; (3) provide an opportunity for a contractor to demonstrate its ability to meet such standards; and (4) inform such contractor as to whether qualification has been attained. Sets forth procedures an agency must follow in the event that the number of available qualified sources or products is less than five. Sets forth additional information which is to be included in all notices of proposed competitive and noncompetitive civilian and defense procurement actions of $10,000 and above. Requires an agency to: (1) publicly post solicitations which would have been synopsized in the Commerce Business Daily if it had equalled or exceeded the applicable dollar threshold for such publication; and (2) make available to small businesses the solicitation package for solicitations posted in abstract form and permit the copying of such solicitation. Declares it to be the policy of the United States that small businesses and small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals shall have to the maximum extent possible the opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts which are in excess of $10,000 and are not for personal services for subsystems, assemblies, components, and related services for major systems. Requires an agency with responsibility for a major system to include provisions relating to specified technical data in all production contracts in order to foster competitive procurement of spare parts requirements to maintain such systems. Provides a waiver for such provisions if the contracting officer determines in writing that any such provision would not be applicable to the production contract or would not be in the best interests of the Government. Requires an agency: (1) within one year after the enactment of this Act, to develop a plan for the management of such technical data received under contracts for the development, production, modification, or maintenance of major systems within its jurisdiction; and (2) within five years after the enactment of this Act, to complete implementation of such management plan and include the technical data for each major system within its jurisdiction. Specifies other matters the management plan shall address. Requires the Comptroller General, not later than 18 months after the enactment of this Act, to transmit to the Congress a report evaluating the plans of specified Federal agencies for the management of technical data for major systems within their jurisdiction. Requires a contracting officer, under specified circumstances, to initiate a review of the validity of restrictions on the Government's rights in technical data furnished under contract. Sets forth procedures for the certification of such restrictions. Requires the Small Business Administration to assign to each major procurement center a breakout procurement center representative who shall: (1) participate in evaluating the maintenance of a major system during its service life and determine whether requirements are to be procured through other than free and open competition; (2) review procurement method codes that restrict competition among small businesses and to request reevaluation of such restrictions by agency personnel; (3) review restrictions on competition that arise out of restrictions on the Government's rights in technical data and, when appropriate, recommend that the contracting officer initiate a review of the validity of such restriction; (4) obtain technical data for the preparation of a competitive solicitation package; and (5) have access to the unclassified procurement records and other data of the procurement center. Directs each agency to assign technical advisors to assist each breakout procurement center representative.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1984
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Margaret Truman Daniel, daughter of Harry S. Truman, in recognition of the lifetime of outstanding public service he gave to the United States. Commemorates his one hundredth birthday which will be celebrated on May 8, 1984. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1984
Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 to require the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. (Currently, the Administrator is appointed by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.) Requires the Director to: (1) integrate his or her statistical policy and coordination functions under such Act with his or her other information resources management functions; (2) appoint an experienced statistician as a chief statistician; (3) update annually the five-year plan for meeting the Government's automatic data processing and telecommunications needs; (4) set goals of reducing the burden of Federal information collection requirements by at least five percent each year for FY 1984 through 1988; and (5) issue a comprehensive set of information resources management policies and guidelines to implement such policies. Requires the Director to include in the annual report to Congress on Federal information policy activities: (1) a summary of accomplishments and planned initiatives to improve information resources management within agencies; (2) a statement on each agency's initiatives to acquire information technology to improve such management; (3) an analysis of the extent to which the newly issued information management guidelines deter or promote such initiatives; (4) a description of the actions taken or planned to carry out statistical policy and coordination functions; and (5) a description of the status of each major statistical program. Requires the Director, when the President submits the annual budget to Congress for FY 1986, to submit a report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives which describes the funds requested for such fiscal year and the funds allocated to OIRA in the preceding fiscal year for each of specified information resources management functions. Requires the Director to make available to the public a copy of each proposed agency rule or regulation reviewed by OIRA and any material submitted to OIRA by the agency or to the agency by OIRA. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1988 to carry out the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to combine the existing Federal telecommunications and automatic data processing funds into an Information Technology Fund. Authorizes appropriations for such Fund. Directs the Administrator: (1) to determine the cost and capital requirements for the Fund for each fiscal year and submit plans for such requirements to the Director; and (2) if such plans are approved by the Director, to establish rates to be charged to agencies provided information technology resources through the Fund. Permits the Administrator to enter into multiyear contracts for the provision of such resources if: (1) adequate funds are available to pay contract costs for the first fiscal year any costs of cancellation or termination; (2) such a contract is awarded on a fully competitive basis; (3) the Government's need for such resources will continue over the contract period; and (4) use of a multiyear contract will cost less than other acquisition methods and will not exclude small business participation. Requires the Administrator to report to the Director on the operation of the Fund annually. Authorizes the Director to employ up to 20 individuals, without regard to specified provisions of Federal law governing civil service appointments and pay, to carry out OIRA functions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Civilian Agency Multiyear Contracting Act of 1984 - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize a Federal agency to enter into a multiyear contract (not exceeding five years) for the purchase of property or services if: (1) adequate appropriations are available to make contract payments for the first year; (2) there is a reasonable expectation that the agency will request adequate funding for the contract period; (3) the contract will serve the Government's best interests by reducing costs, promoting economies in performance, improving contractor performance, and encouraging competition; (4) the minimum need and specifications for such services or property will remain stable; and (5) the contract will not inhibit small business participation. Allows such a contract to provide that performance during the second or any subsequent year is contingent on the appropriation of funds for that year and that a cancellation charge shall be paid to the contractor if performance is cancelled. Requires cancellation of contract performance or termination of the contract if no appropriations are available for the contract during the second or subsequent year of the contract term.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Makes a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Agriculture for FY 1984 to carry out the famine relief provisions (title II) of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480).
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1984
Authorizes the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol on April 30, 1984, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. for a ceremony commemorating the Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust. Requires that the physical preparations for the conduct of the ceremony be carried out under the direction of the Architect of the Capitol.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) U.S. negotiators, in negotiations with Japan, should insist that Japan dismantle all nontariff barriers to imports of beef; and (2) if progress is not made toward the dismantling of such nontariff barriers by a specified time, the U.S. Trade Representative should seek appropriate relief under U.S. and international trade law.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1983 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish rules, regulations, standards, and orders to assure that: (1) commercial motor vehicles are safely maintained, equipped, loaded, and operated; (2) the responsibilities imposed upon drivers of commercial motor vehicles do not impair such drivers' ability to operate safely; (3) the physical condition of such drivers is adequate to enable them to drive safely; and (4) the operation of commercial motor vehicles does not create deleterious effects on the physical condition of such drivers. Requires the Secretary and the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to undertake a study of health hazards to which employees engaged in the operation of commercial motor vehicles are exposed and to develop information to enable such employees to operate free from recognized hazards. Requires that such study be submitted to Congress within one year after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary, before prescribing or revising requirements for motor carrier qualifications, hours of service, safety, and equipment standards, to consider the costs and benefits of such requirements. Requires agents of the Secretary, in carrying out the Secretary's inspection and investigation functions, to consult with employers and employees and their authorized representatives and offer such persons the right of accompaniment. Sets forth the Secretary's duty to investigate nonfrivolous complaints and to protect the identities of complainants. Sets forth penalties for violations of safety standards promulgated under this title. Removes the authority of the Secretary to initiate litigation related to highway safety. Vests such authority in the Attorney General. Allows States to adopt more stringent safety rules if such rules are not inconsistent with Federal rules. Requires each commercial motor vehicle to pass an annual inspection of its safety equipment. Directs the Secretary to establish Federal standards for such equipment and a procedure for State implementation of such inspections. Directs the Secretary to establish a procedure to determine the safety fitness of persons seeking operating authority as motor carriers. Requires the submission of such procedure to Congress not later than one year after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of safety characteristics of heavy trucks, including an examination of their handling, braking, stability, and crashworthiness. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 and 1985 for such study. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the results of a study of crash protection for truck occupants, including potential performance standards for truck manufacturers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 for such study. Directs the Secretary to study the effectiveness of existing regulations on emergency warning devices required to be carried on buses, trucks, truck tractors, and motor-driven vehicles which are involved in emergency situations. Requires such study to investigate the potential costs and benefits of requiring passenger automobile operators to carry emergency warning devices and to examine the benefits of warning devices in enhancing highway safety. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 for such study. Directs the appropriate congressional committees to conduct periodic oversight hearings on the effects of this title for the first three years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior for FY 1985 through FY 1989 to assist States in carrying on the work of a competent and qualified mining and mineral resources research institute at one public college or university (or private college or university if a State does not have an eligible public college or university) in the State meeting eligibility requirements. Provides that funds appropriated shall be made available for grants to be matched on a basis of no less than one and one-half non-Federal dollars for each Federal dollar during FY 1985 and 1986, and no less than two non-Federal dollars for each Federal dollar during FY 1987 through FY 1989. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY 1985 through FY 1989 which shall be made available to institutes to meet the necessary expenses for purposes of: (1) specific mineral research and demonstration projects of broad application which could not otherwise be undertaken; and (2) research into any aspects of mining and mineral resources problems related to the mission of the Department of the Interior which are not otherwise being studied. Sets forth funding criteria. Requires each institute to: (1) set forth its plan to provide for the training of individuals as mineral engineers and scientists; (2) set forth policies and procedures to assure that Federal funds made available under this Act will supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the level of funds that would, in the absence of such Federal funds, be made available for purposes of this Act, and in no case supplant such funds; and (3) report annually to the Secretary concerning amounts received under this Act and projects undertaken pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe necessary rules and regulations; and (2) report to Congress annually concerning the receipts, expenditures, and work of the institutes in all States under the provisions of this Act. Prohibits anything in this Act from being construed to authorize Federal control of education at any college or university. Directs the Secretary to assure that programs authorized by this Act are not redundant. Authorizes appropriations necessary to print and publish the results of activities carried out by institutes under this Act and for administrative planning and direction. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projected scientific research in all fields of mining and mineral resources. Directs the President to clarify agency responsibility for Federal mining and mineral resources research and to provide interagency coordination of such research. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Committee on Mining and Mineral Resources Research to consult with and make recommendations to the Secretary on all matters relating to mining and mineral resources research as required by this Act. Requires the Committee to: (1) develop a national plan for research and development in mining and mineral resources and to formulate and recommend a program to implement the plan utilizing resources provided for under this Act; and (2) submit such plan to the Secretary, the President, and Congress by March 1, 1986, and to update the plan annually. Requires the Committee to determine the eligibility of a college or university to participate as a mining and mineral resources research institute under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
High Technology Research and Scientific Education Act of 1983 - Title I: The Credit for Increasing Research Activities; ACRS for R&D Equipment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for research and development (R&D) expenditures. Modifies the definition of qualified research for purposes of the R&D credit to narrow the category of eligible activities for which the credit is allowable. Makes depreciation of research equipment eligible for the R&D credit. Eliminates the special three-year accelerated cost recovery system (ACRS) category for research equipment. Increases contract research expenses eligible for R&D credit purposes to 75 percent of the amount paid to others for research on the taxpayer's behalf. Provides that in-house and contract research expenses paid or incurred by a regular corporation will constitute qualified research expenses for R&D credit purposes. Provides that in the case of research being conducted in partnership form, the "in carrying on" test is applied at the partnership level, and the credit is apportioned among the partners in accordance with general partnership rules. Title II: Promotion of University Research and Scientific Education - Establishes a new income tax credit equal to 25 percent of payments to universities for basic research which exceed a fixed, maintenance-of-effort floor. Calculates the maintenance-of-effort floor as the greater of the annual average of university basic research payments over 1982-1983 or one percent of the average annual R&D budget over 1981-1983. Treats the portion of the university basic research payments which is not in excess of the maintenance-of-effort floor as contract research expenses eligible for purposes of computing the regular incremental R&D credit. Allows corporations an income tax deduction for contributions of scientific and technical property or services to an institution of higher education. Defines scientific property to mean computer software or other equipment used in a trade or business, which is donated for the direct education of students and faculty, for research and experimentation, or for research training in the United States in mathematics, the physical or biological sciences, engineering, or computer science. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of the allowable deduction for contributions of scientific property or services. Limits the amount of such deduction to ten percent of taxable income computed without regard to specified deductions. Provides for an income tax exclusion for the scholarships, fellowship grants, student loan forgiveness, or stipends of a graduate student in mathematics, engineering, computer science, or the physical or biological sciences. Specifies that such tax exclusion is not forfeited merely because the student is required, as a condition of the scholarship or fellowship, to perform future service in teaching or research.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
National Traffic Safety Improvement Act of 1983 - Renames the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the Department of Transportation, the National Traffic Safety Administration. Consolidates specified programs. Requires the Administrator to report directly to the Secretary of Transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) be commended for his efforts to negotiate a multilateral agreement banning chemical weapons; and (2) propose the resumption of negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve a verifiable ban on chemical weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1983
States that the Congress: (1) holds Iran responsible for upholding the rights of the Baha'is; (2) condemns Iran's decision to destroy the Baha'i faith; and (3) calls upon the President to work with appropriate foreign governments to form an appeal to Iran concerning the Baha'is, to cooperate with the United Nations in its efforts on behalf of the Baha'is, and to provide humanitarian assistance for Baha'is who flee Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1983
Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1983 - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to require the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to establish and maintain a national toll-free telephone line for reporting information regarding the location of missing children. Directs the Administrator to establish a national resource center and clearinghouse to: (1) provide technical assistance to State and local governments and agencies in locating missing children; (2) coordinate public and private efforts to recover missing children; and (3) disseminate information on innovative missing childrens' programs, services, and legislation. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual summary of research on missing children and prepare a comprehensive plan for coordinating activities of all agencies and organizations responsible for missing children. Authorizes the Administrator, in consultation with the Advisory Board on Missing Children, to make grants for research or demonstration or service programs designed to: (1) educate parents and community agencies on ways to prevent the abduction of children; (2) assist in the recovery or tracking of missing children; (3) aid communities in collecting material to assist parents in the identification of their children; (4) demonstrate the psychological consequences of a child's abduction; and (5) collect data on investigative practices utilized by law enforcement agencies. Requires the Administrator to appoint an Advisory Board on Missing Children to assist the Administrator in coordinating programs and activities relating to missing children. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1983
Life Insurance Tax Act of 1983 - Title I: Life Insurance Provisions - Subtitle A: Taxation of Life Insurance Companies - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set the rate of tax on a life insurance company at the corporate rate on its life insurance company taxable income (LICTI). Sets forth an alternative tax in the case of capital gains. Defines life insurance company taxable income as life insurance gross income reduced by life insurance deductions. Defines life insurance gross income as the sum of: (1) premiums; (2) decreases in certain reserves; and (3) other amounts generally includible by a taxpayer in gross income. Allows three types of deductions: (1) general life insurance deductions; (2) the special life insurance deduction; and (3) the small life insurance company deduction. Sets forth definitions and special rules for each type of deduction. Sets forth rules for the calculation of net increases and decreases in reserves. Requires life insurance companies to use either the accrual method of accounting or a method permitted under regulations which combines an accrual method with another recognized method. Sets forth rules for the amortization of premiums and accrual of discount. Sets forth rules for the computation of a company's share and the policyholders' share of investment income. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of foreign life insurance companies. Requires an adjustment to LICTI where a required surplus held in the United States is less than a specified amount. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of contiguous country branches of domestic life insurance companies. Provides that life insurance company taxable income which has an existing policyholders surplus account shall be increased by any direct or indirect distribution to shareholders from such account. Defines "life insurance company" as an insurance company which is engaged in the business of issuing life insurance and annuity contracts or noncancellable contracts of health and life insurance if its life insurance reserves plus unearned premiums and unpaid losses comprise more than 50 percent of its total reserves. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of variable contracts. Sets forth rules relating to capital gains and losses of a life insurance company. Sets forth the effective date for the provisions of this Act. Provides transitional rules. Subtitle B: Taxation of Life Insurance Products - Redefines "life insurance contract" for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code. Defines such a contract as any contract, which is a life insurance contract under applicable State or foreign law, but only if the contract meets either of two alternatives: (1) a cash value accumulation test; or (2) a test consisting of a guideline premium requirement and a cash value corridor requirement. Specifies requirements of each such test. Sets forth rules for contracts not meeting the life insurance definition. Sets forth transitional rules. Treats as distributed to a contract holder any amount of an annuity contract held by an individual who dies before the annuity starting date. Exempts any such amounts from the five-percent penalty tax on a premature distribution from an annuity. Limits the amount of the interest deduction allowed in the case of life insurance loans. Sets forth rules for the calculation of such limit. Extends to former employees and key employees the limitations on group-term life insurance purchased for employees. Subtitle C: Nondeductible Contributions to Individual Retirement Plans - Allows certain nondeductible contributions to individual retirement accounts and annuities. Limits such contributions to the least of: (1) $1,750; (2) the excess of compensation includible in gross income over the amount allowable as a deduction under present rules; or (3) an amount designated by the taxpayer as a nondeductible contribution. Subtitle D: Studies - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to specified committees of the Congress on the revenues received by this Act and to compare the amount of such revenues and the amount anticipated by reason of changes made by the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 and this Act. Requires the Secretary to make annual reports in the years 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1989 concerning the impact of this Act on specified segments and products of the life insurance industry.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1983
Retirement Equity Act of 1983 - Title I: Amendments Relating to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to lower the age requirement for participation in a tax- deferred retirement plan from 25 to 21. Lowers the minimum age at which years of employment begin to be credited for retirement plan vesting purposes from 22 to 18. Provides that nonvested participants in a retirement plan with a break in service of up to five years will not lose credit for pre-break periods of service. Permits limited breaks in service for paternity or maternity leave without loss of vesting credits. Requires tax-deferred retirement plans to offer survivor benefits to plan participants who have attained age 45 and have ten years of creditable service. Requires spousal consent in order for a retirement plan participant to elect not to take a joint and survivor annuity. Requires that such consent must be in writing and must be witnessed by either a plan representative or a notary public. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a retirement plan in the case of a judgment, decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State's domestic relations law. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of retirement plan distributions pursuant to a divorce decree. Increases the amount of allowable mandatory distributions from a retirement plan from $1,750 to $3,500. Requires that a plan participant must be notified that benefits under the plan may be forfeited if the participant dies before a certain date. Title II: Amendments Relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to incorporate into such Act the changes made by Title I of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Cigarette Safety Study Act - Establishes an interagency Cigarette Safety Task Force to conduct studies and make recommendations concerning the technical and economic feasibility of developing cigarettes and little cigars which have a reduced propensity to ignite upholstered furniture and mattresses. Requires the Task Force to appoint a Technical Advisory Group who have knowledge and expertise concerning the health consequences of smoking, the problem of fires in upholstered furniture and mattresses, and the development and manufacture of cigarettes and little cigars which have a reduced propensity to ignite such furniture. Requires the Task Force to transmit to the President and Congress such interim reports as necessary and a final report not later than two years after the date of enactment of this Act. Declares that commercial, technical, or financial information which is submitted to the Task Force or the Technical Advisory Group and which the Task Force considers to be confidential shall be considered trade secrets. Permits the use of any such information in the required reports to Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the Task Force three months after the final report is transmitted.
![Official portrait of Sen. Danforth, John C. [R-MO]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000030_200.jpg)