United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1983
Amends Federal law to require water resources projects under $10,000,000 to be submitted to specified congressional committees. Requires such projects with an anticipated Federal cost exceeding $10,000,000 to be authorized by an Act of Congress. Prohibits making appropriations for certain watershed improvement projects, unless benefits directly related to agriculture account for at least 20 percent of the total benefits of the project. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Soil Conservation Service, to study and report to the appropriate congressional committees by April 1, 1984 on requiring full public access to all water impoundments that have recreation-related potential and that were authorized by such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1983
Expresses U.S. appreciation of Simon Bolivar and proclaims July 24, 1983 through July 23, 1984, the Bicentennial Year of the Birth of Simon Bolivar. Declares the intention of Congress to send a congressional delegation to Venezuela in July 1983 to observe such bicentennial and calls upon the Congressional Research Service in the Library of Congress to conduct a study on the impact of Simon Bolivar in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the national security policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength. Sets forth the principles and goals of such a policy.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Makes crops grown on highly erodible land (as defined by this Act) that has not been farmed during the past ten years ineligible for specified agricultural assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Designates May 21, 1983, as National Andrei Sakharov Day. Authorizes and requests the President to: (1) call upon all nations to designate May 21, 1983, as National Andrei Sakharov Day; (2) urge the Soviet Union to permit the Sakharovs to freely choose their place of residence; and (3) direct the American delegation to the United Nations to introduce a resolution in the General Assembly calling upon that body to designate May 21, 1983, as International Andrei Sakharov Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of April 10 to 16, 1983, as A Week of Remembrance for the Fortieth Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1983
Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the humane standards for animals transported in commerce. Requires each research facility to establish an institutional animal studies committee with sufficient expertise to assess the appropriateness of animal care and treatment in experimental research. Requires the committee at each facility to: (1) meet regularly, with a quorum needed for all formal actions; (2) make inspections at least semiannually of animal study areas and facilities; (3) review and evaluate the research methods involving direct use of conscious animals and the condition of research animals in order to ensure compliance with humane standards and to minimize pain and distress; and (4) file with the Secretary of Agriculture and the appropriate Federal agency a certification that such inspections have occurred (includes in such certification a report of any violations of standards). Requires the committee to notify, in writing, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture and any appropriate Federal agency of unacceptable conditions of animal care, treatment, or methodology not included in the certification. Directs the committee to provide for annual sessions for scientists, animal technicians, and other qualified personnel to provide instruction or training in humane standards for laboratory animals. Prohibits discrimination against research facility employees for reporting violations of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to waive certain standards under exceptional circumstances. Directs the Secretary to establish an information service at the National Agricultural Library to provide information on improved methods of animal experimentation, including: (1) reducing or replacing animal use; (2) minimizing pain and distress; and (3) preventing unnecessary duplication of animal experimentation. Requires a research facility to provide a statement of assurance of compliance with humane standards to the Secretary and the appropriate Federal agency before requesting a Federal award for animal research, experimentation, or testing. Sets forth terms and conditions under which the agency may approve or suspend such award.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
Renewable Energy Employment Act - Title I: Jobs Training in Renewable Energy - Requires the Secretary of Labor to review all Federal job training or placement programs and to implement policies, procedures, and programs to develop a labor force skilled in energy conservation, weatherization of homes, and the use of renewable energy technology. Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to require the Secretary of Labor to administer employment and training programs for Native Americans to meet the specific energy conservation and renewable energy training needs peculiar to their situation. Requires that employment and training programs for veterans under such Act include renewable energy and energy conservation job training for veterans. Title II: Housing and Community Development Programs - Amends the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 to require the Secretary of Energy to maintain information on: (1) the areas to be served under the weatherization assistance program; (2) methods for providing priority assistance to elderly and severely handicapped low-income persons; (3) outreach activities with respect to such program; (4) labor plans; (5) policies to ensure that owners and renters are treated equitably; and (6) plans to ensure participation by Native Americans under such program. Requires the Secretary and the Director of the Community Services Administration to include in the annual report to the President and Congress on the weatherization program an evaluation of the effect of such program on energy conservation and employment. Authorizes appropriations for the weatherization program for FY 1984 and succeeding fiscal years. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to include the potential for local energy development, including energy conservation and renewable energy use, among the factors which must be taken into account by the standards issued by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for determining the eligibility of cities and urban counties for urban development action grants. Includes among the activities of Community Development Programs which are eligible for assistance under such Act those amounts spent for energy needs. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make loans for energy conservation and renewable energy development or retrofit for housing in rural areas. Requires Federal agencies administering financial assistance programs for economic development or job creation to consider the development of energy conservation and renewable energy as significant criteria for the provision of such assistance. Title III: Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to include as non-fossil energy systems windmills, anaerobic digesters, alcohol distilleries, microhydroelectric generators, gasifiers, and solar heating systems. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in making loans to farmers and ranchers, to promote sustainable agriculture (a set of agricultural production practices which are designed to produce long term, sustainable yields of agricultural products, involve the use of renewable resources, and avoid the use of chemical products). Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to require that small farm extension programs assist small farm families in carrying out sustainable agriculture. Provides that sustainable agriculture extension programs shall consist of extension programs to provide farmers with assistance and current information with respect to sustainable agriculture. Permits all other persons in a State, in addition to universities and colleges in such State, to participate in agricultural research and extension programs. (Under current law, only universities and colleges in a State may participate in such programs.) Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in carrying out the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, to ensure that adequate national support of extension, teaching, and agricultural research is provided to establish integrated multidisciplinary organic farming research projects. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report annually to Congress on sustainable agriculture in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
National Science and Technology Improvement Act of 1983 - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President a presidential program for the advancement of science and technology, to be administered by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (Office). Directs the Office to assess particular problems of science and technology manpower, including teacher shortages, and retraining of workers. Requires the Office to submit these assessments to the House Committee on Science and Technology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation before the presidential budget submission for FY 1985. Establishes a Federal program for university research facilities and science and technical manpower improvement to upgrade academic research for the physical and biological sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Authorizes specified Federal agencies to make grants. Directs the Office to establish guidelines for agency participation. Requires the Director to submit such guidelines to the aforementioned committees before such budget submission. Requires the Director to report at least annually to such committees. Terminates such program after five years. Establishes within the Executive Office the presidential science, engineering, and technology awards program to encourage young scientists and engineers at the university level to pursue careers in academic research. Requires that the program be administered by the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Requires the Director of the Office to select recipients from among untenured faculty members in mathematics, the physical or biological sciences, or engineering at universities with established doctoral research programs. States that such an award shall consist of a base research support grant of $25,000 per year for five years. Permits the Director to make an additional award for five years which requires the matching of the Federal share on a two for one basis, up to a $75,000 annual total. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984-1988. Establishes within the Executive Office a presidential science and mathematics personnel enhancement program to improve the skills of precollege science and math teachers. Requires the coordination of this program with each State. Provides stipends for eligible teachers. Requires State and local school authorities to nominate participants to be selected by the Director. Requires half the stipend money to come from non-Federal sources. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984-1988.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
Renewable Energy Consumer Incentives Act of 1983 - Amends the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Act of 1980 to extend the life of the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank until September 30, 1990. (Under current law, the Bank will not exist after September 30, 1987.) Requires that a portion of the payments by the Bank to financial institutions to provide financial assistance for the installation of solar energy systems in residential, commercial, and agricultural buildings be allocated for active solar energy. Provides that there shall be no Federal preference with respect to financial assistance between single-family and multifamily residences. Permits all financial institutions to apply directly to the Bank for financial assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1990 for the financial assistance program under the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Act of 1980 for the purchase and installation of residential and commercial energy conserving improvements and solar energy systems. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the residential energy credit applicable to expenditures for items which serve a purpose in addition to increasing energy efficiency in a dwelling (such as thermal draperies). Includes passive solar energy property which uses convective, conductive, or radiant energy transfer and which has significant impact on home energy savings as "renewable energy source property" which is eligible for the residential energy credit. Makes the residential energy credit inapplicable to energy conservation and renewable energy source expenditures made after December 31, 1990. (Under current law, such credit is inapplicable to expenditures made after December 31, 1985.) Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to permit a State to transfer up to ten percent of its allotment under the low-income home energy assistance program for States to block grants for support of energy related information systems. Requires the Secretary of Energy to develop a formalized information exchange on the Federal, State, and local levels with respect to conservation and renewable energy. Authorizes appropriations to provide financial assistance to States and local governments to coordinate such program. Amends the Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 to require the Secretary of Energy to maintain a renewable energy and energy conservation information program. (This program replaces the solar energy information program required to be established under current law.) Requires the Secretary to establish a National Appropriate Technology Assistance Service to provide individualized technical assistance to anyone interested in renewable energy and energy efficient technologies. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to require the Secretary of Transportation to consider the use or integration of renewable fuels and any approaches which maximize conservation and renewable energy applications in determining maximum feasible average fuel economy. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe labeling requirements for consumer goods particularly in cases where there is a direct consumer benefit to save energy or utilize renewable energy. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to provide reduced-rate loans to small businesses for acquisition of system performance ratings from testing laboratories for energy conservation and renewable energy systems and technologies. Requires State regulatory authorities to implement standardized contracts for renewable energy systems generating less than 100 kilowatts for: (1) the sale of electric energy from utilities to small power production facilities; and (2) the purchase of electric energy produced by small power production facilities by such utilities. Requires the Secretary of Energy to include renewable energy as a discrete energy sector in all publications of "The Monthly Energy Review". Requires Federal agencies with renewable energy programs to submit annual reports on such programs to Congress. Sets forth reporting requirements which apply to specified Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
Renewable Energy Small Business Development Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the investment tax credit for renewable energy property from 1985 to 1990. Increases such credit for solar, wind, and geothermal property. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to require that not less than 12 percent of the loan authority of the Export-Import Bank shall be made available only to businesses with $25,000,000 or less in previous-year sales. Requires that a portion of such loan authority be made available for transactions involving renewable energy. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to specify rules for the rates for purchase by electric utilities of electric energy from any qualifying cogeneration facility or qualifying small power production facility. Amends a specified reorganization plan to require the Department of Commerce to provide export assistance to businesses involving renewable energy. Amends the Small Business Innovation Act of 1982 to require that renewable energy and energy conservation businesses receive a reasonable portion of the Department of Energy's small business research and development funds.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
Renewable Energy National Security Act of 1983 - Requires the Secretary of a military department, when procuring energy systems, to procure systems that include energy-conserving equipment. Includes biofuels as a renewable form of energy for purposes of energy systems procurement by a military department. Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide for the use of biofuels in meeting Department of Defense energy needs to the extent feasible and consistent with overall defense needs. Requires the Secretary of Defense to encourage the use of energy-conserving devices and equipment in military construction projects, including family housing projects, where practical and economically feasible. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to include spoiled and contaminated grains among the accumulated stocks of agricultural commodities which the Commodity Credit Corporation may process into liquid fuels. Authorizes the Corporation to provide for the storage of liquid fuels so processed for use by the agricultural sector during periods of fuel shortages. Requires the Corporation to provide for the processing of spoiled and contaminated commodities into liquid fuels before the processing of stocks of usable feedstock. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Secretary of Energy to maintain a data base on the location of all stockpiles of renewable energy supplies and biofuels and of all renewable energy production facilities in the United States. Requires that such data be made available to Government departments and agencies upon request. Requires the Secretary of Defense to assess and report to the Armed Services Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate on the feasibility of using mobile energy systems that use renewable energy as emergency backup energy systems at military installations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Soviet Union should fulfill obligations undertaken in certain international agreements relating to human rights by pursuing a more humane emigration policy and by ceasing harassment of Jews and others seeking to emigrate; (2) Soviet fulfillment of internationally recognized emigration rights would significantly promote improved relations with the United States; (3) the President should convey these concerns of Congress to the Soviet Union at every appropriate opportunity; and (4) the President should also convey these concerns to U.S. allies.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1983
Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1983 - Establishes criminal penalties applicable to licensees under the Gun Control Act of 1968 who import, manufacture, or sell a "restricted handgun bullet," except as authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury. Establishes additional criminal penalties, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year imprisonment, for: (1) using a restricted handgun bullet to commit a Federal felony; or (2) carrying a restricted handgun bullet unlawfully during commission of a Federal felony.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1983
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criteria for the imposition of the death penalty for Federal crimes. Requires the Government, for any offense punishable by death, to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a plea that it intends to seek the death penalty and the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury, or the court upon motion by the defendant, when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to an offense punishable by death. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing, without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury. Specifies mitigating factors which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the information and aggravating factors which the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Includes as threshold, aggravating factors for homicide that the defendant: (1) intentionally killed the victim; (2) intentionally inflicted serious bodily injury which resulted in death of the victim; (3) intentionally participated in an act which he reasonably should have known would create grave risk of death to a person and the victim did die as a direct result of the act; or (4) attempted to kill the President of the United States. Sets forth special aggravating factors with respect to the crimes of treason, espionage, homicide, and attempted murder of the President. Includes among the mitigating factors that the defendant was less than 18 years old at the time of the crime. Directs the court, or the jury by unanimous vote, to impose the death penalty upon a finding that such sentence is justified based on consideration of both the aggravating and mitigating factors. Requires the court to instruct the jury not to consider the race, color, national origin, creed, or sex of the defendant in its consideration of the sentence. Limits the circumstances under which the offense of delivering defense information to aid foreign governments is punishable by death. Allows the death penalty to be imposed for the murder of foreign officials and for an offense of kidnapping resulting in the death of any person. Eliminates the death penalty for the crime of rape. Authorizes the death penalty for the crime of attempting to kill the President of the United States if the attempt results in bodily injury to the President or otherwise comes dangerously close to causing his death. Establishes procedures for appeal from a death sentence. Requires the Court of Appeals, upon considering the record and the information and procedures of the sentencing hearing, to affirm the decision if: (1) the sentence was not imposed under influence of passion, prejudice, or arbitrariness; and (2) the information supports the finding of aggravating factors or the absence of mitigating factors. Requires the court to provide a written explanation of its determination.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1983
Public Investment Incentive Act of 1983 - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the purposes and provides definitions for this Act. Title II: Capitalization of State Infrastructure Banks - Federal-State Infrastructure Partnership Program Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, under certain conditions, to allocate specified amounts to any State for the capitalization of a State Infrastructure Bank. Requires that such amounts be used only for the establishment, expansion, and maintenance of a State capital public investment loan fund. Directs the National Infrastructure Council to determine the apportionment of such funds to such Banks or comparable financing mechanisms. Sets forth the powers of such Banks or comparable financing mechanisms. Requires a State to enter into an agreement with the Secretary in order to receive funds under this title. Sets forth the provisions of such agreements (including the requirement to establish a public capital investment revolving fund). Requires amounts contributed under this Act to be available for States to: (1) make loans to governmental units based on specified interest rates and repayment requirements; and (2) blend with other State or local units to reduce market interest rates for capital infrastructure investments. Prohibits such amounts from being used for such Bank's administrative expenses. Declares that such amounts provided to the States will be audited annually and a report will be provided to the Secretary. Amends the Clean Water Act to authorize the use of sums allotted to States for FY 1984 through 1986 for loans to municipalities for wastewater treatment works. Provides requirements for such loans. Requires a State making such loans to submit an annual summary of such loan activity to the Environmental Protection Agency. Declares that nothing in this Act shall alter the requirements of: (1) the National Environmental Policy Act; (2) the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; (3) the Endangered Species Act; or (4) title III of the Clean Water Act. Requires municipal projects receiving loans under this Act to incorporate the best available technique for the conservation of water. Title III: National Infrastructure Council - National Infrastructure Council Act - Establishes the National Infrastructure Council. Requires that the Council be governed by a specified Board of Directors. States that the function of the Council is to administer this Act. Requires the Council to ensure that States establishing a Bank under this Act follow acceptable accounting procedures for Federal audits and reviews. Authorizes the Council to provide technical assistance, informational, and educational activities to States and local municipalities to meet public capital investment needs. Authorizes the Board of Directors to create a staff, with an Executive Director, and to request appropriations for its administration and activities. Lists the specific responsibilities of the Council. Requires the Council to transmit an annual report of its activities to Congress. Lists the requirements of such reports. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1983
Requires that general revenue sharing payments be made to each unit of general local government not later than the fifth day after the beginning of each quarter.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1983
Public Investment Taxable Bond Option Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide State and local governments with the option of issuing taxable bonds to fund public investments. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified percentage of interest yield on such taxable issues. Absolves the Federal Government from liability for payment of the principal of any taxable bond. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1983
Title I: Armed Forces, Soldiers' Home, Coast Guard, Lighthouse Service, and Merchant Marine - Amends Federal laws dealing with the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard to eliminate gender-based distinctions. Title II: Elimination of Gender-Based Distinctions Under the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program, Railroad Retirement and the Work Incentive Program - Eliminates gender-based distinctions in the social security and railroad retirement programs. Title III: Amendments to United States Code - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Walsh-Healey Act, the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, the Federal Criminal Code and other Acts dealing with Indian affairs, transportation, public lands and provisions relating to Saint Elizabeth Hospital and contract law to eliminate gender-based distinctions. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date for the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1983
Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Act - Establishes the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Commission to plan, encourage, coordinate, and conduct the commemoration of the voyages of Christopher Columbus. Directs the Commission to submit recommendations to Congress not later than October 1, 1985. Directs the President to recommend appropriate legislative and administrative actions. Requires the Commission to report annually to Congress on its activities, including an accounting of funds received and expended. Provides for cooperative efforts from Federal agencies and departments. Authorizes appropriations to remain available until November 15, 1992. Requires the Commission to make a final report to Congress no later than November 15, 1992, and terminates the Commission on such date.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1983
Federal Witness Security Program Reform Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the Attorney General to relocate and protect witnesses and their families involved in Federal or State proceedings dealing with organized crime. Authorizes the Attorney General to take action to protect the person from bodily injury or otherwise to assure the health, safety and welfare of that person. Requires any person protected under this Act to enter into an agreement with the Attorney General. Requires the agreement to set forth such person's responsibilities, including agreement: (1) if an actual or potential witness, to provide information to all appropriate law enforcement officials and testify in all proceedings; (2) to refrain from committing any act punishable by a prison term; (3) to take all necessary steps to avoid detection by others of the facts concerning the protection provided; (4) to cooperate with all reasonable requests of government employees; (5) to regularly inform authorities of activities and address; and (6) to make an inventory of debts, fines and other financial obligations and establish a plan for the equitable disposition of such debts. Establishes a procedure for the termination of protection upon substantive breach of such agreement. Provides for service of process on a protected person and compliance with a judgment in a civil proceeding. Establishes a Victims Compensation Fund in the Treasury. Funds the trust fund, in part, with fines received from prosecution of racketeering offenses. Directs the Attorney General to promulgate guidelines for the administration of the fund. Requires all Federal agencies to cooperate with the Attorney General in carrying out this Act. Allows the Attorney General to agree with a State government to provide protection for a person.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Amends the Hobbs Act to redefine "extortion" to mean obtaining property from another with consent by use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear thereof, or wrongful use of fear not involving force or violence, or under color of official right. Expresses congressional intent: (1) not to exclude Federal jurisdiction on the ground that conduct involving force, violence, or fear thereof, takes place in the course of a legitimate business or labor dispute, or on the ground that the conduct violates State or local law; or (2) not to chill legitimate labor activity by authorizing Federal prosecution for offenses occurring during a labor dispute not involving extortion. Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this section that the defendant's conduct: (1) was incidental to peaceful picketing in the course of a legitimate labor dispute; (2) consisted solely of minor bodily injury or property damage; or (3) was not intended to extort property.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Equal Access to Voting Rights Act - Directs the Attorney General to promulgate guidelines to assure that registration and polling place facilities used for Federal elections are readily accessible to handicapped and elderly individuals. Sets forth minimum requirements for these guidelines. Requires States to make available registration and voting aids for handicapped and elderly individuals in Federal elections. Authorizes the Attorney General and aggrieved persons to bring actions in Federal court to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that for taxpayers who receive agricultural commodities under a Federal payment-in-kind program: (1) no income shall be treated as realized by receipt of such commodities; but, (2) any gain realized from the sale or exchange of such commodities shall be included in gross income and shall be treated as ordinary income. Treates such commodities as commodities produced on acreage divested from agricultural use for purposes of the estate tax valuation of farm property.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should propose to the Soviet Union immediate adherence by both countries to the principle of a guaranteed strategic build-down of nuclear forces, subject to agreed upon procedures of verification and compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that neither the President nor the Congress should impose fees on domestic or imported crude or refined petroleum products.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1983
Bisti Badlands Wilderness Act - Designates certain lands in San Juan County, New Mexico, as the Bisti Badlands Wilderness. Provides that the De-na-zin area in San Juan County, New Mexico, shall be subject to review and designation as a wilderness study area until March 1, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1983
Authorizes the Senate Committee on the Budget, from March 1, 1983, through February 29, 1984, to: (1) make expenditures from the contingent fund; (2) employ personnel; (3) utilize department or agency personnel on a reimbursable basis; and (4) procure consultant services.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1983
Bail Reform Act of 1983 - Repeals the Bail Reform Act of 1966 and sets forth new bail procedures. Retains execution of a money bond as a condition for pretrial release. Authorizes a judicial officer to consider the safety of any person or the community when making a pretrial release determination. Establishes as a mandatory release condition that the person not commit a Federal, State, or local crime during release. Expands the discretionary release conditions to include that the defendant: (1) maintain employment or an educational program; (2) avoid contact with an alleged victim or potential witness; (3) report to a law enforcement or pretrial service agency; (4) comply with a curfew; (5) refrain from possessing a firearm or using alcohol or narcotic drugs; (6) undergo medical treatment; (7) agree to forfeit designated property, including money, upon failure to appear; and (8) return to custody at specified hours. Prohibits a judicial officer from imposing financial conditions that result in the pretrial detention of a person. Authorizes a judicial officer to order the detention for up to ten days of a person who is presently on pretrial release for a felony under Federal, State, or local law or on probation or parole or release pending sentencing or appeal for any offense, upon a determination that such person may flee or pose a danger to any person or the community, or for deportation or exclusion purposes. Requires that a detention hearing be held in any case involving: (1) a crime of violence; (2) any offense punishable by life imprisonment or death; (3) a narcotics offense punishable by at least ten years' imprisonment; (4) any felony committed after the person has been convicted of two or more offenses for which a hearing is mandated; or (5) upon motion that a serious risk of flight or obstruction of justice exists. Authorizes a judicial officer after such a hearing to order the pretrial detention of a person upon finding that no condition will reasonably assure such person's appearance and the safety of any other person and the community. Creates certain rebuttable presumptions with regard to absence of such conditions. Enumerates additional factors to be considered by the judicial officer in making a release determination, including the defendant's past conduct, history of drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and the nature and seriousness of the danger to the community or any person. Directs the Attorney General to promulgate regulations governing custody of persons detained pending trial. Requires the detention of a person who has appealed his conviction unless the judicial officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) such person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to another person or property; and (2) the appeal raises a substantial question of law or fact. Requires the detention of a person awaiting sentencing unless the officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or the community. Authorizes a U.S. attorney to appeal a release order. Makes a person guilty of an offense for failing to appear after having been released. Provides increased penalties for persons charged with more serious offenses. Makes it an affirmative defense to such crime that uncontrollable circumstances prevented the person from appearing. Establishes mandatory additional penalties for commission of an offense while on pretrial release. Subjects a person who has been conditionally released and violates a condition of release to revocation of release and prosecution for contempt of court. Authorizes a surety to arrest a person charged with an offense who is released upon execution of an appearance bond with such surety. Requires such person to be delivered promptly to a judicial officer for a revocation determination. Grants new authority to law enforcement officers to arrest a person who violates pretrial release conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1983
Federal Anti-Tampering Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a Federal offense to maliciously cause or attempt to cause injury or death to any person, or injury to any business' reputation, by adulterating a food, drug, cosmetic or other product. Provides for a prison term of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $20,000 if personal injury results, or a prison term of up to life if death results. Establishes a separate offense, with similar penalties, for any person who willfully or maliciously conveys false information concerning an attempt at such adulteration, if injury, fear of injury or death results, or if a governmental or commercial recall occurs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1983
Finality of Criminal Judgments Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to condition consideration of a habeas corpus claim by a prisoner on a showing of actual prejudice resulting from the Federal right violated and that: (1) State or Federal Government action precluded assertion of that right; (2) the Federal right did not previously exist; or (3) the factual basis of the claim could not have been discovered by reasonable diligence. Establishes a one-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners, and a two-year statute of limitations for similar motions made by Federal prisoners. Vests authority to issue certificates for probable cause for appeal of habeas corpus orders exclusively in the courts of appeals. Permits denial on the merits of habeas corpus writs notwithstanding the failure to exhaust State remedies. Prohibits the granting of a habeas corpus writ with respect to any claim which has been fully and fairly adjudicated in State proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1983
Amends the Federal criminal code to impose additional procedural requirements for the interception of communications where surreptitious entry is required. Requires the application for an order to state why other means of effecting the interception appear unlikely to succeed, or are too dangerous or impracticable. Requires the court to determine whether surreptitious entry reasonably appears to be required and, if so, to specifically authorize such entry. Allows the interception of communications without a court order in emergency situations involving immediate danger of death or serious injury to any person (current law limits it to conspiracies involving national security or organized crime). Directs an authorizing judge to report orders approving surreptitious entries to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1983
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue coins of the United States in two specified series in quantities necessary to meet public demand. Directs the Secretary to sell such coins directly to the public and to numismatic coin dealers and retailers for resale to the public at not less than the fair market value of their silver content on the day before the sale, plus the costs of minting, distributing, promoting, and marketing the coins. Requires deposit of the net proceeds of such sales in the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund after the deduction of costs incurred by the Secretary. Limits the aggregate amount of silver in the National Defense Stockpile which may be used to mint the two specified coin series. Declares that disposals of silver from the National Defense Stockpile shall be conducted during calendar years 1984, 1985 and 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1983
National Mathematics and Science Excellence in Education Act of 1983 - Title I: Science and Mathematics Education Merit Scholarships and Teaching Awards - Congressional Science and Mathematics Education Merit Scholarships and Teaching Awards Act - Authorizes the National Science Foundation to award scholarships to individuals who demonstrate outstanding potential for, and who plan to pursue, careers in teaching mathematics or science in elementary or secondary schools. Limits the period of such a scholarship to two academic years at any institution of higher education offering educational activities designed to prepare individuals for such careers. Authorizes the Foundation, after consultation with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology, to establish criteria for the selection of merit scholars. Limits the number of scholars selected to ten individuals from each State and five individuals from each congressional district in each State (and ten individuals in the case of the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico). Requires each merit scholarship recipient to agree to pursue such a teaching career for at least three years upon completion of the training for which the scholarship was awarded. Requires the Director of the Foundation to submit the names of the individuals selected to the appropriate State Commission on Excellence in Mathematics and Science established under title II of this Act for review and approval. Limits merit scholarship stipends to $2,500 for each academic year of study. Conditions scholarship payment upon the student's maintaining satisfactory proficiency and full-time study. Authorizes the Foundation to require reports on student progress. Authorizes the Foundation to make experienced mathematics and science teacher awards for elementary and secondary school teachers. Sets such awards at $5,000 for those who have taught for at least five years and $10,000 for those who have taught at least ten years. Limits such awards to two $5,000 and two $10,000 awards for each State (and for the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico), and one $5,000 and one $10,000 award for each congressional district in each State. Provides for an awards ceremony for merit scholarships and experienced teacher awards at a place in each State convenient to the individuals selected. Requires, to the extent possible, that the award be made by the appropriate Members of Congress. Sets a yearly deadline for selection and awards. Sets forth administrative provisions. Requires the Foundation to report annually to the President and the Congress on its operations under this title. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1987. Title II: State Commissions on Excellence in Mathematics and Science - Requires any State which desires to receive a block grant for the improvement of education in mathematics and science under the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 to establish a State Commission on Excellence in Mathematics and Science. Requires that the State Commission be appointed by the State Board of Education (or the Governor, if there is no Board) and approved by the Foundation. Sets forth the composition of the State Commission's membership. Permits the State Board to designate an existing State agency which is in substantial compliance with such membership requirements to be the State Commission for a specified interim period. Sets forth the functions of each State Commission. Directs the Secretary of Education and the Director of the Foundation to: (1) convene an annual conference to coordinate the activities of each State Commission; and (2) report to the Congress on the activities of each National Conference, with appropriate recommendations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1987. Requires the Director of the Foundation to allot a specified amount of such funds to each State. Title III: Block Grant for the Improvement of Education in Mathematics and Science - Amends the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 to establish a new block grant program for the improvement of education in mathematics and science. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1987. Sets forth formulas for allotment of such funds to: (1) U.S. territories and possessions; (2) Indian schools; (3) the Secretary's discretionary funds; and (4) States, including the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, based on relative school-age population. Provides for in-State allocations of State allotments, with no more than 25 percent to the State educational agency (SEA) for State level programs and at least 75 percent to local educational agencies (LEAs) according to relative enrollments in public and nonpublic schools within the LEA school districts, adjusted to provide higher per pupil allocations to LEAs with the greatest numbers or percentages of children whose education imposes a higher than average cost per child (such as children from low-income families, in economically depressed areas, and in sparsely populated areas). Directs the Secretary to approve criteria suggested by the SEA for adjusting such allocations if an equitable distribution would be produced. Directs each SEA, to the extent practicable, to use specified criteria. Directs the SEA to distribute such allocations to LEAs which have submitted applications. Sets forth authorized activities, to be consistent with goals and priorities established by State Commissions, for which SEAs and LEAs may use such block grant funds. Sets forth requirements for State and local applications for such funds. Provides for participation of children enrolled in private schools in such block grant program. Sets forth authorized uses of the Secretary's discretionary funds under such block grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a temporary heroin program under which confiscated heroin shall be made available to hospitalized cancer patients for the relief of pain. Sets forth application requirements for qualified hospitals designed to protect against the illicit diversion of distributed heroin. Authorizes the Secretary to import opium to manufacture heroin if amounts confiscated are insufficient to meet hospital needs. Requires the Secretary to report to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources within specified time periods. Requires the Director of the National Cancer Institute to secure an exemption from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for heroin to be used in certain Institute investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Armed Career Criminal Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish a mandatory sentence of 15 years to life for "armed career criminals." Applies such penalties to any person with two prior convictions who commits, conspires, or attempts to commit a robbery or burglary while in possession of a firearm or imitation firearm. Allows the Federal Government to bring prosecutions under this Act, if consented to or requested by the local prosecuting authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Directs the Federal Bureau of Prisons, upon application of a State, to accept custody of convicts who are sentenced to life imprisonment under State habitual criminal statutes, to the extent that space is available in the Federal prison system.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Reciprocal Trade and Investment Act of 1982 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to set forth provisions dealing with foreign trade barriers. Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR), through the interagency trade organization established pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, to identify, analyze, and estimate the impact of practices that constitute significant barriers to or distortions of: (1) U.S. export of goods or services; and (2) foreign direct investment by U.S. persons, especially if it has implications for trade in goods or services. Sets forth factors to be considered by the USTR in such analysis. Directs the USTR to update the analysis annually. Directs the USTR to submit the analysis to the appropriate congressional committees. Requires the report to include any action taken to eliminate such trade barriers. Directs the USTR to consult with Congress on trade policy priorities. Directs Federal agencies to furnish information and other assistance to prepare such analysis. Authorizes the President to respond to a foreign entity's unfair trade practices by taking action with respect to any goods or sector of such entity without regard to whether the goods or sector were involved in the unfair trade practice. (Current law provides that the President may take action against the products or services of the foreign entity.) Authorizes the President to propose legislation to protect U.S. trade rights or to eliminate unfair trade practices. Requires such legislative proposals to be given priority treatment. Requires a summary of a petition for a trade investigation by the USTR to be published in the Federal Register (currently, the entire petition must be published) if the USTR decides to begin an investigation with respect to the issues raised by the petition. Authorizes the USTR to initiate an investigation in order to advise the President concerning the exercise of the President's authority to take action against unfair trade practices. Directs the USTR to consult with the appropriate congressional committees before beginning such an investigation. Authorizes the USTR to delay for up to 90 days any request for consultation by a foreign entity concerning a petition for investigation into unfair trade practices. Directs the USTR to publish notice of the delay in the Federal Register and to report to Congress the reasons for the delay. Changes the definition of "commerce" for purposes of foreign trade investigations to include: (1) services associated with international trade, whether or not related to specific goods (currently products); and (2) foreign direct investment by U.S. persons with implications for trade in goods or services. Defines "unreasonable", "unjustifiable", and "discriminatory" for purposes of such investigations. Prohibits making information which the USTR has received in a trade investigation available to the public, if: (1) the person who provided the information makes a specified certification; (2) the USTR determines that such certification is well-founded; and (3) the person providing the information provides an adequate nonconfidential summary. Authorizes the USTR to use the information in trade investigations or to make it available to the public in a form which cannot identify the person providing the information. Sets forth the principal U.S. negotiating objectives with respect to trade in services, foreign direct investment, and high technology products. Directs the USTR to develop and coordinate the implementation of U.S. policies concerning trade in services. Requires Federal agencies responsible for regulating any service sector industry to advise and work with the USTR concerning: (1) the treatment afforded U.S. services sector interest in foreign markets; or (2) allegations of unfair practices by foreign governments or companies in a service sector. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to establish a service industries development program. Sets forth the goals of the program. Expresses the policy of the Congress that the President shall: (1) consult with State governments on trade policy issues affecting the regulatory authority on non-Federal governments or their procurement of goods and services; and (2) establish one or more intergovernmental policy advisory committees on trade. Authorizes the President to establish policy advisory committees representing non-Federal governmental interests to provide policy advice on trade negotiating objectives, bargaining positions, and the implementation of trade agreements. Authorizes the President to negotiate to reduce trade barriers in foreign direct investment by U.S. persons, especially if such investment has implications for trade in goods and services. Authorizes the President to enter into agreements concerning high technology industries. Authorizes the President to proclaim the modification, elimination or continuance of any existing duty, duty-free, excise treatment, or other additional duties with respect to specified high technology products listed in the U.S. Tariff Schedules. Provides for the termination of this authority five years after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Retirement Equity Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from 25 to 21. Allows a limited amount of maternity or paternity leave to be taken by an individual without being treated as a break in service for purposes of computing creditable service towards retirement benefits. 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 qualified 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. Requires the continuation of benefits to a surviving former spouse in cases where payments of joint and survivor benefits began prior to a divorce. Sets forth requirements relating to the method of distribution of divorce distributions. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of divorce distributions. Increases the allowable mandatory distributions from a retirement plan from $1,750 to $3,500. Requires that a plan participant must be notified that benefits may be forfeitable if the participant dies before a certain date.
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