United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress to adopt for each year a budget which sets forth the total receipts and outlays of the United States. Prohibits the adoption of any budget in which outlays exceed total receipts, unless three-fifths of each House of Congress approve such budget. Prohibits Congress from passing and the President from signing any bill which would cause the total outlays for any year to exceed the total expenditures in the budget for such year. Prohibits the retention of receipts in any year for use of the Treasury in an amount which exceeds as a proportion of the national income, the amount retained for the prior year, unless a bill directed at approving a specific increase in such proportion has been passed by a majority of each House. Permits Congress to waive the provisions of this Act with respect to any single year in which a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1981
Expresses the sense of the United States Senate that: (1) Poland's problems can and should be solved by the Polish people; (2) any outside intervention would violate international law and solemn commitments; (3) officially sanctioned internal use of force would violate the prevailing spirit of cooperative negotiations; (4) the United States could not be indifferent to either such development which could have grave consequences for East-West relations; and (5) the Senate supports the President's efforts to ease Poland's economic difficulties providing repression or foreign intervention do not occur.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit any foreign government from suing for damages for an injury caused by a violation of United States antitrust laws unless: (1) similar conduct was a violation of the laws of the foreign government during the same period and such laws were enforced; and (2) the United States may recover damages for a similar injury to its business property under the laws of the foreign government. Limits the amount that a foreign government may recover to actual damages and the cost of the suit.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1981
Native American Culture and Art Development Act - Establishes the Institute of Native American Culture and Arts Development under the direction and control of a Board of Trustees. Sets forth the composition and terms of membership of the Board. Requires that the first Chairman of the Board be appointed by the President, and that subsequent Chairmen be elected by the trustees. Directs the Board to appoint a President to carry out the policies and functions of such Institute. Sets forth the powers of the Board. Authorizes the Board to establish within the Institute: (1) a Center for Culture and Art Studies to include Departments of Arts and Sciences, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Language, and Literature; (2) a Center for Native American Scholars to include research and fellowship programs and publications; (3) a Center for Cultural Exchange to include an inter-American Indian program, marketing and promotion of Indian crafts, promotion of Indian art, exhibits and shows; (4) a Museum of Indian Arts to include the acquisition of Indian art and the curation and exhibition of Indian art; and (5) other related centers or programs. Transfers to the Institute the functions of the Institute of American Indian Arts and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board. Makes the laws applicable to such entities applicable to the Institute. Directs the President of the Institute to: (1) submit an annual report to the Congress and the Board concerning the administration of the Institute; and (2) establish an Advisory Committee consisting of Institute students and their parents to make recommendations to the Board. Directs the Board, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Interior and after a period of consultation with Indian tribes and organizations of Native Americans, to designate an existing facility under the jurisdiction of the Secretary as the headquarters of the Institute. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer such facility to the Institute. Authorizes appropriations FY 1982 and thereafter to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1981
Loans Collection Act of 1981 - Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to permit a Federal agency to disclose records pertaining to an individual to a consumer reporting agency. Declares that such a consumer reporting agency shall not be considered to be a Government contractor subject to the provisions of such Act. Authorizes a Federal agency attempting to collect a defaulted loan under the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966 to notify a consumer reporting agency that a person is responsible for such loan if: (1) the agency head sends the person a written notice of its intent to contact a consumer reporting agency and a statement that the person may obtain a full explanation of the loan and may dispute the agency's records; and (2) the person has not repaid or entered into an agreement to repay the loan. Authorizes the head of an agency to garnish the wages of an employee, member of the uniformed services, or Reserve of the Armed Forces when the agency head has a reasonable cause to believe that the person is indebted to the Government because of an erroneous payment by the agency or because the person is responsible for a defaulted loan. Directs the agency, before garnishing an employee's wages to collect a defaulted loan, to notify the employee that he or she may obtain an explanation and a review of the agency's determination of his or her indebtedness and that the employee may enter into a repayment agreement with the agency. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require that the annual Budget transmitted by the President to Congress set forth the total amount of uncollected money judgments and uncollected balances not reduced to money judgments against individuals for unpaid loans made, guaranteed, or purchased by the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Industrial Energy Security Tax Incentives Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the energy percentage, for purposes of the investment tax credit, in the case of certain alternative energy property, specially defined energy property, recycling equipment, cogeneration equipment, and qualified industrial energy efficiency property. Defines "qualified industrial energy efficiency property" as property which is part of a modification to an industrial or commercial facility and which: (1) results in decreased energy use per unit of output; (2) results in an aggregate annual decrease in energy consumption by the facility; (3) does not increase the total consumption of oil and natural gas; (4) is constructed or acquired after January 1, 1981; and (5) is depreciable or amortizable property with a useful life of three years or more. Excludes from such definition property for which the energy percentage is otherwise claimed. Extends the period for which such percentage may be applied with respect to such property which is part of projects for which certain construction and financial commitments have been met. Sets forth a formula for determining reductions or increases in the credit based on a ratio between the energy percentage amount and Btu savings. Reduces the credit attributable to application of the energy percentage where the use of qualified industrial energy efficiency property results in an increase of more than ten percent in the capacity of the facility. Provides that the applicable percentage of such property, for purposes of determining qualified investment, shall be 100 percent, without regard to the useful life of the property. Revises the definition of "alternative energy property" to: (1) include equipment for converting an alternate substance into electricity, up to the electrical transmission state; (2) define "boiler"; (3) include heat treating furnaces which use as the primary fuel an alternate substance, melt furnaces which use no fuel or use as the primary fuel an alternate substance, and modification equipment which is used in a facility which uses as the primary fuel an alternate substance and which reduces the use of fuels other than alternate substances. Expands the definition of "alternate substance" to include petroleum coke, petroleum pitch, synthetic fuels, and any product derived from an alternate substance. Excepts taxpayers from the primary fuel requirement in specified circumstances. Revises the definition of "specially defined energy property." Revises the definition of "recycling equipment" to: (1) include property used for the unloading, transfer, and storage of solid waste; and (2) include property used in the recovery of additional reusable resources and materials. Includes in the definition of "cogeneration equipment" property comprising a system for the generation of mechanical shaft power. Excludes as a fuel, for purposes of the definition of "biomass property," certain recyclable waste paper. Excludes from treatment as energy property any specially defined energy property or qualified industrial energy efficiency property used as public utility property unless such property is installed in connection with specified types of generating facilities. Provides rules regarding: (1) the replacement of equipment or processes by energy property; and (2) energy property which increases the operating capacity of a process or facility. Treats as qualified industrial energy efficiency property reasonably necessary for the operation of alternative energy property, specially defined energy property, recycling equipment, cogeneration equipment, or qualified industrial energy efficiency property.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of May 10 to May 16, 1981, as "CARE Week" in observance of the thirty-fifth anniversary of CARE (the Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere, Inc.).
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Requires an embargo on the export of any goods or services to the Soviet Union during any period in which a grain embargo is in effect against such country.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to nine named individuals in full satisfaction of a claim against the United States arising out of the death of the husband and father of such individuals while employed under contract with the Atomic Energy Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the definition of "return information." Defines as "nonreturn information" identifying information: (1) collected by the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to a taxpayer or return relating to liability for any penalty or other imposition or offense; and (2) any part of any written determination or any background file document closed to public inspection. Allows disclosure of return information to an officer or employee of the Department of Justice for use in preparing any administrative, judicial, or grand jury proceeding involving the enforcement of a specific Federal criminal statute (but not involving tax administration) or in an investigation which may result in such a proceeding. Authorizes such disclosure only by ex parte order of a Federal district court judge or magistrate. Sets forth grounds for the granting of such order. Permits further disclosure by the Government attorney who has authorized the application for the ex parte order to Government personnel required to assist in a criminal investigation. Requires the Secretary to disclose nonreturn information (other than nonreturn information which would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a tax investigation), upon written request of the Head or the Inspector General of a Federal agency or the Attorney General or his designee, to such officers and employees as are directly engaged in, and solely for use in or preparation for, any administrative, judicial, or grand jury proceeding involving the enforcement of a specific Federal criminal statute (but not involving tax administration) or in an investigation which may result in such a proceeding. Permits further disclosure of such information so disclosed to such other Government personnel as the Federal official deems necessary to assist him during a criminal investigation or in preparation for the proceeding involved. Directs the Secretary to disclose, as soon as practicable, nonreturn information (other than information which would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a tax investigation) which may constitute evidence of a violation of Federal criminal laws to the extent necessary to apprise the head of the appropriate Federal agency responsible for enforcing such laws. Authorizes the Secretary, upon recommendation to the Department of Justice for prosecution for violation of the Internal Revenue Code, to disclose to the Department return information reviewed, developed, or obtained during a tax investigation which constitutes evidence of a violation of Federal criminal laws. Allows information disclosed pursuant to this Act to be entered into evidence in a proceeding not involving tax administration or in an ancillary proceeding to which the United States is a party. Limits such disclosure to the extent required by applicable discovery requirements. Prohibits admission of such information into evidence if the Secretary determines that it would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a tax investigation, unless a court otherwise directs disclosure. Permits the Secretary or his designee, in specified emergency circumstances, to disclose information to the extent necessary to apprise the appropriate Federal agency of such emergency. Permits the Internal Revenue Service to assist the Department of Justice or any other Federal agency in joint tax and nontax investigations of criminal matters which may involve tax violations. Allows a Federal official authorized to apply to a district court judge or magistrate for an ex parte order to disclose to the appropriate State attorney general or district attorney any return or nonreturn information in his possession which is relevant to the violation of a State felony statute. Authorizes the disclosure of return or nonreturn information to a competent authority of a foreign government which has a convention relating to the exchange of tax information with the United States. Provides a procedure for the disclosure of return or nonreturn information sought pursuant to a treaty on mutual assistance in criminal matters for use in an investigation or proceeding unrelated to the tax laws of the foreign country. Adds as an affirmative defense to a prosecution for the unauthorized disclosure of return or nonreturn information that such disclosure resulted from a good faith, but erroneous, interpretation of this Act. Permits a taxpayer aggrieved by the knowing or negligent disclosure by a Federal employee of return or nonreturn information in violation of this Act to bring a civil action for damages exclusively against the particular Federal agency.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National Forest System lands which are: (1) 40 acres or less and interspersed with or adjacent to mineral patents; (2) ten acres or less and have been used or improved upon as a result of an erroneous Federal survey; and (3) road rights-of-way substantially surrounded by lands not owned by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Federal Land Survey Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to notify affected agencies and the public of the intent to conduct, certify, or record any land survey or resurvey, at least 30 days prior to such intended action. Requires the Secretary to: (1) initiate such survey within six months of the notice of intent; (2) complete such survey within two years of its initiation; and (3) certify such survey in the appropriate land office within 90 days of its completion. Sets forth certain monumentation requirements for surveys involving both federal and non-federal lands. Provides a procedure for removal of any monumentation if the Secretary fails to certify such monument within the 90-day period. Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the state governors and the President of the National Academy of Sciences, to: (1) conduct an assessment of multipurpose national cadastre information needs; and (2) develop a feasibility study for the establishment of a multipurpose national cadastre system. Requires the submission of such feasibility report to the Congress within three years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the windfall profit tax certain rights of States to payments under the Mineral Lands Leasing Act. Revises the definition of "severance tax," for purposes of calculating windfall profit, to: (1) include any severance tax imposed by an Indian tribe; and (2) allow the determination of such tax on an ad valorem basis. Revises the definition of "producer," for purposes of the windfall profit tax, to assign to States and instrumentalities thereof cost recovery oil (amounts of crude oil used for reimbursement, pursuant to any agreement with another party, for oil or gas development costs) in accordance with their proportion in net profits. Excludes from gross income and treats as paid by the governmental entity, for purposes of the net income limitation on windfall profit, cost recovery oil covered by such an agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a limited exemption of stripper well oil from the windfall profit tax. Revises the definition of "front-end oil."
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 - Title I: Individual Tax Rate Cuts - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual and estate and trust income tax rates for 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984, lowering the maximum rate to 50 percent in 1984. Repeals the 50 percent maximum tax rate on personal service income. Reduces the alternative minimum tax for noncorporate taxpayers. Title II: Incentives for Plant, Equipment, and Real Property - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) Ten-year property, including owner-used buildings and their structural components and certain public utility property; (2) five-year property, including tangible property, and (3) three-year property, including automobiles, light-duty trucks, and certain tangible property used in connection with research and experimentation. Excludes from the category of recovery property: (1) property placed in service before January 1, 1981; (2) certain property eligible for amortization; and (3) certain depreciable real property. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Revises the treatment of progress expenditure property with respect to the investment tax credit and the allowance for depreciation. Includes as recovery property, property which would have been depreciated using the retirement-replacement-betterment method. Provides special rules for recovery property predominantly used outside of the United States. Establishes definite useful lives for certain types of real property, (e.g., buildings, low-income housing, owner-occupied industrial and commercial buildings) which are not subject to change by the Internal Revenue Service upon audit. Allows current depreciation of any qualified progress expenditure property not yet placed in service. Revises the applicable percentage for determination of the investment tax credit to make eligible for such credit: (1) 100 percent of the basis of ten-year or five-year recovery property; and (2) 60 percent of the basis of three-year recovery property. Revises the progress expenditure rules to eliminate the useful life requirement for depreciable property being constructed by or for a taxpayer for use in trade or business (qualified progress expenditure property) and to apply to such property the revised percentages for determining the investment tax credit under this Act. Revises rules for the recapture of tax benefits upon the disposition of property eligible for the investment tax credit. Prescribes recapture percentages for each of the three classes of recovery property. Limits the amount of the investment tax credit to the amount that the taxpayer has at risk. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Repeals the retirement-replacement- betterment methods of depreciation allowed for certain types of property. Specifies that such property shall be depreciated using a ratable method. Requires the recapture as ordinary income of excess depreciation from recovery property which is subsequently sold or exchanged. Exempts accelerated depreciation on real property with a shortened audit-proof life and recovery property from classification as an item of tax preference for purposes of computing the minimum tax. Sets forth rules for treatment of the depreciation allowance for any recovery property under real property with a shortened audit-proof life in computing the earnings and profits of a corporation. Extends the carryover period for the net operating loss deduction, the investment tax credit, the work incentive program credit, and the new employee credit. Sets forth a method of computing the recovery allowance for recovery property and certain real property in the case of certain corporate acquisitions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1981
National Water Resources Policy and Development Act of 1981 - Title I: Directs States to review periodically their water resources needs. Authorizes the States to request the Water Resources Council for detailed studies of specific water resources needs. Directs States to submit annually to the Council a list of authorized studies which have not been completed and which are necessary to meet identified water resources needs. Authorizes the appropriate Federal water resources agency to make detailed evaluations of specific water resources needs upon referral by the Council. Directs that the State or other non-Federal body must agree to pay 25 percent of the costs of the study before any study may be initiated. Provides for State employees to work in coordination with the appropriate agency. Requires such studies to be completed within three years, to the extent practicable and reasonable. Directs the Council to allocate expenditures among the States according to a specified formula. Authorizes appropriations. Directs States to develop and submit to the Council annually a priority list of water resource needs and projects. Declares that such lists will be deemed approved after 60 days unless the Council finds that such list was developed without adequate public participation. Directs the Council to publish in the Federal Register a summary of the projects in such report. Declares such projects: (1) authorized for implementation; (2) eligible for inclusion on a State's priority list; and (3) eligible for specified funding under this Act, ninety days after such publication. Specifies that if a Governor affected by such project objects to the Council within 90 days, then such project must be authorized by Congress. Sets forth procedures for approving a project not recommended for implementation by a Federal water resources agency. Requires the States or other non-Federal bodies to agree to pay specified percentages of the costs of construction and operation of such projects. Requires any revenues from such projects to be shared between the non-Federal interests and the participating Federal agencies based on their percentage contribution to the project. Permits any project that provides for municipal and industrial water supply to be implemented by the appropriate non-Federal interest in consultation with the Corps of Engineers. Terminates projects authorized prior to this Act if: (1) construction has not begun within five years of enactment of this Act; and (2) the project is not on a State's priority list. Authorizes the Council to study regional water resources projects that have national significance and priority. Directs the Council to select up to ten of such projects from among projects authorized prior to enactment of this Act which shall be eligible for direct funding by Congress without regard to specific limitations in this Act. Specifies that such projects, if authorized specifically by Congress, shall be constructed at full Federal cost. Permits the use of the Inland Waterways Trust Fund to pay the non-Federal contribution for commercial inland navigation projects. Requires the Council to report to Congress concerning: (1) national priorities for water resources management through the year 2000; (2) State needs for water resources projects; (3) the best ways to maximize the efficient use of water supplies from existing Federal projects; and (4) cost-sharing mechanisms for water resources projects. Title II: Amends the Water Resources Planning Act to provide for an independent Water Resources Council. Revises the composition of such Council to include experts in water resources development. Establishes a State Advisory Committee to analyze water resources problems.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1981
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to construct a specified flood control project in the vicinity of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Authorizes the Chief of Engineers to enter into agreements with certain entities for water storage in the Abiquiu and Elephant Butte Reservoirs. Modifies the Santa Rosa Lake, Pecos River, New Mexico, flood control project to authorize the expenditure of a specified sum for the recovery of cultural resource data.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Establishes within the Department of State a Bureau of North American Affairs. Requires the appointment of an Assistant Secretary for North American Affairs to head the Bureau and to have responsibility for activities of the Department relating to the Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, and the independent island countries in the Caribbean Sea other than Cuba. Requires the appointment of certain Deputy Assistant Secretaries who shall report to the Assistant Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should enter into negotiations with Canada and Mexico to agree to establish a North American Commission for Cooperation and Development. Sets forth proposed purposes of the Commission. States that the agreement should provide that: (1) each member country be represented by a Commissioner who shall head a delegation of experts; (2) each Commissioner should participate on an equal basis; and (3) additional Western Hemisphere countries may become members of the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Amends current law creating a Federal cause of action for the violation of a person's civil rights under color of State law to exempt from liability a local government which acted in good faith with a reasonable belief that its actions were not in violation of constitutional rights or laws providing for equal rights of citizens or persons.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Amends current law creating a Federal cause of action for the violation of a person's civil rights under color of State law to limit the availability of such action to the deprivation of constitutional rights or law providing for equal rights of citizens or all persons within United States jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
San Joaquin del Canon del Rio de Chama Grant Commission Act - Establishes the San Joaquin del Canon del Rio de Chama Grant Commission to determine the boundaries and interests in land of such grant in New Mexico. Specifies the composition of such Commission. Provides for the appointment of a staff of such Commission. Authorizes such Commission to hold hearings. Requires such Commission to report to the Governor of New Mexico and the Attorney General within four years with findings and recommendations concerning such grant. Requires the Governor and the Attorney General to make recommendations to each House of Congress no later than 180 days after receipt of such report.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to provide for the issuance of a citation to a mine operator violating a nonserious mandatory health or safety standard. Defines a nonserious violation as one not threatening imminent bodily injury or death. Exempts mines with 15 or less employees from Federal supervision if a State has enacted legislation protecting miners. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to assist a State in establishing and maintaining mine safety programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Revises the congressional budget in order to: (1) reduce budget authority by $10.7 billion, and outlays by $4,8 billion, in fiscal year 1981; (2) reduce budget authority by $61.3 billion, and oulays by $41.4 billion, in fiscal year 1982; and (3) reduce budget authority by $88.4 billion, and outlays by $79.7 billion, in fiscal year 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide homebuilders with an income tax credit for the construction of residences which incorporate a passive solar energy system. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and Housing and Urban Development, to prescribe regulations setting forth a solar construction credit table for purposes of determining the amount of the credit for which the incorporator of the solar energy system is eligible. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $2,000. Defines "passive solar energy system" as a system which contains a solar collection area, an absorber, a storage mass, a heat distribution method, and heat regulation devices. Requires such system to be installed in a new residence after September 30, 1981 and before January 1, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Water Projects Amendments of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, through the Corps of Engineers, to enter into agreements providing for owner contributions to public works projects which will produce increased land values for the owner. Repeals the provision abolishing tolls on government canals. Limits the Secretary of the Army's authority to maintain and rehabilitate navigation projects without Congressional authorization. Requires reports to the appropriate Congressional committees to contain information concerning: (1) the possibility of failure of dam facilities; and (2) the impact on existing recreational facilities of projects including new recreational facilities. Makes the Secretary of Transportation responsible for all calculations of transportation-related benefits from future water resources projects. Revokes authorization for any project under the responsibility of the Chief of Engineers for which construction has not commenced within ten years of its authorization, unless otherwise directed by resolution of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the House Public Works and Transportation Committee within 60 days following transmittal of such information to Congress. Revokes authorization for any survey or study under the responsibility of the Chief of Engineers if no funds are expended for same within four full fiscal years following its approval. Directs the Chief of Engineers, within six months of the date of enactment of this Act, to submit to Congress a list of all existing inactive or deferred studies. Sets forth procedures for deauthorization of such studies. Establishes the Advisory Board on Water Resources Complaints to evaluate complaints concerning: (1) existing water resources projects; (2) changes in project operations; (3) construction of new facilities; and (4) changes in requirements for local interests. Directs the Board to transmit its recommendations to the Secretary of the Army, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the House Public Works and Transportation Committee, and to interested State or local public agencies. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Outlay Scheduling and Reporting Act of 1981 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, for each Federal department or establishment with a total amount of budget and spending authority in excess of $50,000,000 for any fiscal year, to prepare a schedule of anticipated outlays by such department or establishment for each month of such fiscal year. Requires the Director to submit such schedule to specified Congressional committees and to the Director of the Congressional Budget Office. Requires the head of each department or establishment, within 15 days after the close of each fiscal quarter, to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House specifying: (1) the total amount of outlays during the preceding quarter; (2) the percentage of total available budget or spending authority for the fiscal year which such total constitutes; and (3) any differences in the total made from the schedule of outlays submitted pursuant to this Act. Requires the head of a department or establishment, if upon a determination that the total fiscal year outlays of such department or establishment will exceed by a specified percentage the total amount of outlays specified in the submitted schedule, to submit a revised schedule of outlays for the remainder of such fiscal year to the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House. Prohibits a department or establishment from making outlays in accordance with such revised schedule if either of the Appropriations Committees, within 30 days after receipt, adopts a resolution disapproving such schedule. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, within ten days after receiving any schedules or reports under this Act, to provide a report on their implications for congressional fiscal policies to specified Congressional committees. Prohibits the obligation of appropriations made available to a department or establishment under any Act in a manner that would cause the obligations of such department or establishment to exceed 35 percent for the last quarter of any fiscal year or 15 percent for any month in such last quarter. Permits a waiver of such requirement if necessary to avoid a serious disruption in carrying out any program or activity. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to keep the Committees on the Budget of the Senate and the House fully informed of actions taken to carry out such obligation limitation requirements, including the terms and justification of any waiver granted. Directs the Director, within 15 days after the close of each fiscal year, to submit a report to such committees and to the Comptroller General on the results and impact of such requirements. Requires the Comptroller General to review promptly each such report and submit to such Committees an analysis and any appropriate recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Underground Coal Gasification and Unconventional Gas Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to prepare a comprehensive program management plan for research, development, and demonstration activities for underground coal gasification and unconventional natural gas production. Directs the Secretary to establish such a research and development program. Directs the Secretary to solicit proposals for the design of underground coal gasification and enhanced gas recovery facilities to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of producing synthetic and unconventional natural gas. Directs the Secretary to prepare a comprehensive commercialization plan. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress, as a separate part of the annual report submitted under the Department of Energy Organization Act, an annual report of the activities undertaken pursuant to this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that no future amendments to the Federal debt limit may be approved without the previous adoption of specified actions by the President and the Congress to balance Federal outlays and revenues without increasing taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Family Enterprise Estate and Gift Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the estate and gift tax rates beginning in 1981. Increases the unified credit against the estate and gift taxes from $47,000 to $124,750 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases from $175,000 to $600,000, by specified annual increments through 1985, the minimum gross estate requirement for filing of a return. Repeals the existing limitations on the marital deduction for gift and estate taxes. Increases from $3,000 to $10,000 the annual gift tax exclusion. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if such decedents materially participated in the operation of the farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death or takes over active management upon the decedent's death. Qualifies woodlands for the special use valuation if the decedent or a member of the decedent's family owned and farmed the property for ten years prior to the decedent's death. Reduces from 15 to ten years the length of time a qualified property must be held and put to a qualified use following the decedent's death before it can be disposed of without incurring a recapture of estate tax benefits. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Allows the like kind exchange of property without loss of special use valuation eligibility. Revises the method of valuing farms by providing that the basis of such valuation shall be the average annual gross rental value. Authorizes the step-up in basis of such assets. Repeals the requirement that an heir elect special treatment for involuntary conversions of qualified real property, thus making such treatment automatic upon such conversion. States that gifts made within three years of a decedent's death shall be valued as of the time of transfer rather than as of the date of death. Authorizes an individual to elect to pay a gift tax rather than use the unified tax credit. Modifies the alternate extension of time for payment of the estate tax where the estate consists largely of an interest in a closely held business to: (1) allow an installment payment election if the value of the interest in the closely held business is either 35 percent of the value of the gross estate or 50 percent of the taxable estate; (2) increase to 50 percent the value of an interest disposed of which will accelerate the payment of tax; and (3) permit payment, but with a penalty, of an installment within six months after the due date. Allows a disclaimer of an interest in property for estate tax purposes in specified circumstances where such disclaimer does not result in the passing of the interest concerned under the applicable State law.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Sets forth a limit of $10,000,000 on any flood prevention or water or land conservation projects submitted to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the House Public Works and Transportation Committee. Directs that more expensive projects shall be authorized only by Act of Congress. Directs that such projects' benefits must, by at least 20 percent, directly relate to agriculture. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Administrator of the Soil Conservation Service, to report to Congress, by April 1, 1982, on the requirement that public access be provided to specified water impoundments that have recreation-related potential.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1981 - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to establish criminal penalties for any person who knowingly discloses information which identifies a U.S. covert intelligence agent. Establishes a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment and/or a $50,000 fine for any person who, having had authorized access to classified information which identifies a covert agent, learns the identity of a covert agent and intentionally discloses such information. Establishes a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and/or a $25,000 fine for any person who, having had authorized access to classified information, learns the identity of a covert agent and intentionally discloses such information. Establishes a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment and/or a $15,000 fine for any person who, in the course of a "pattern of activities intended to identify" covert agents and with "reason to believe" that such activities would impair U.S. foreign intelligence activities, discloses information identifying an agent. Directs the President to establish procedures requiring Federal agencies to provide assistance in concealing the identity of U.S. intelligence agents.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977 to provide that the provisions of such Act shall not apply to any surface mining of stone, clay, sand, or gravel.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to protect and restore the river diversion structures and associated canals attendant to the operations of certain historical acequias (irrigation ditches) in the State of New Mexico. Requires the State of New Mexico to pay 20 percent of the cost of such work. Limits such costs to a specified sum. Authorizes the appropriation of a specified sum for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct, operate, and maintain the following hydroelectric powerplants: (1) the Friant powerplant, California; (2) the Whiskeytown powerplant, California; (3) the Canyon Ferry powerplant enlargement, Montana; (4) the Yellowtail Afterbay powerplant, Montana; (5) the Hoover Dam powerplant modification, Arizona and Nevada; (6) the Buffalo Bill Dam powerplant replacement, Wyoming; (7) the Red Bluff powerplant, California; (8) the Stony Gorge powerplant, California; (9) the Monticello powerplant, California; (10) the Boca powerplant, California and Nevada; (11) the Prosser powerplant, California and Nevada; and (12) the Blue Mesa powerplant, Colorado. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to construct, operate, and maintain transmission facilities for such powerplants and to purchase replacement capacity and energy in order to maintain deliveries to customers during unit outages caused by such powerplant construction. Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy to minimize the loss of capacity and energy to power customers due to unit outages resulting from such powerplant construction. Directs the Secretary of Energy to maintain deliveries of capacity and energy at contract prices to customers affected by such unit outages. Requires that the hydroelectric power generated by such facilities be marketed through existing Federal hydroelectric power marketing systems. Authorizes appropriations beginning in fiscal year 1982 to the Secretary of the Interior for: (1) construction, operation, and maintenance of the powerplants authorized under this Act; (2) the cost of replacement capacity and energy; (3) construction of an automated gate at Lake Helena; and (4) bank stabilization, replacement of fishery access, and other fish, wildlife, and recreational facilities concurrent with the Canyon Ferry powerplant enlargement. Authorizes appropriations beginning in fiscal year 1982 to the Secretary of Energy for transmission facilities and the purchase of replacement capacity and energy. Makes the authorization for the Canyon Ferry powerplant enlargement effective 20 months after the enactment of this Act unless the Secretary of the Interior reports to Congress that the project cannot be economically justified or creates adverse environmental effects.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Authorizes the Committee on the Budget from March 1, 1981, through February 28, 1982, to: (1) make expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate; (2) employ personnel; and (3) utilize the services of department or agency personnel on a reimbursable basis. Sets forth the limit on expenses by the committee during such period.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Federal Lending Program Control Act of 1981 - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to provide a basis for controlling loans and loan guarantees under Federal credit programs through the congressional budget process. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the first concurrent resolution on the budget for each fiscal year to set forth the appropriate level of total gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans and the appropriate level of total commitments to guarantee loans and to allocate such totals among the major functional categories of the budget. Directs each standing committee of the House and Senate to submit its estimates of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments by March 15 of each year. Directs the House and Senate Banking Committees to submit recommendations to the Budget Committees for the aggregate levels of direct loans and loan guarantees in each fiscal year. Requires the joint explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on the concurrent resolution on the budget to include an estimated allocation of the total levels of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments among the committees of the House and Senate. Directs the Committees on Appropriations to provide such an allocation among their subcommittees as soon as practicable after a budget resolution has been agreed to. Requires the House Committee on Appropriations, before reporting any regular appropriations bills, to submit a summary report to the House comparing the credit authority contained in such bills to the levels agreed to in the budget resolution Requires any report accompanying legislation conferring new budget authority or increasing tax expenditures to include information on direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments. Establishes a deadline for the completion of action on legislation providing credit authority. Requires the second concurrent resolution on the budget in any fiscal year and the reconciliation process to take into account Federal obligations and commitments on loans and loan guarantees. Declares out of order any measure brought up for consideration in either House which would increase the level of loan obligations and guarantee commitments agreed to in the budget process. Requires any authority to guarantee the payment of any indebtedness to be contingent on provisions in appropriation Acts. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to direct the President to include items relating to Federal loan obligations and guarantee commitments in the annual budget message to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Authorizes public-lands States, in lieu of receiving monetary payment, to select surveyed, unreserved, or unappropriated lands in exchange for State lands taken by the United States within the boundaries of an existing military reservation. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to determine the value of selected lands and if such determination is disputed by the State, to attempt to settle such dispute by arbitration. Provides that upon the failure of arbitration such dispute may be referred to the U.S. district court wherein such land lies. Directs the head of the agency acquiring such land to reimburse the Secretary and the State for necessary expenses in such land exchanges.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require, for all fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 1983, a two-thirds vote in the Senate to adopt any concurrent deficit budget resolution. Requires the Senate Committee on the Budget, if such resolution fails to pass, to report a concurrent resolution which does not set forth a deficit within three days.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1981
Expresses the jubilation and relief of the Senate at the release of the 52 Americans held hostage by Iran. Expresses appreciation for the efforts of various Government officials to secure the release of the hostages. Recognizes the patriotism of the military personnel who tried to rescue them. Thanks Algeria for its help in securing the hostages' release.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for whoever robs, by force and violence or intimidation, a licensed pharmacy which is regularly engaged in retail dispensing of prescription drugs or devices in interstate commerce, if such robbery is part of a pattern of robberies in the locality. Defines "property" as a controlled substance, as defined in the Controlled Substances Act, whose value exceeds $500.
![Official portrait of Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000407_200.jpg)