United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1984
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for: (1) FY 1985 through 1987 to be used by the Secretary of Commerce to assist in the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities; and (2) FY 1987 through 1989 for the Public Broadcasting Fund used by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1984
Directs the Librarian of Congress, subject to the supervision and construction authority of a Federal, civilian, or military agency, to construct the Library of Congress Mass Book Deacidification Facility. Directs the Librarian to operate and maintain such facility. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1984
Amends the Sherman Act to prohibit any rail carrier, with intent to monopolize, from denying a person the use, at reasonable terms, of a facility which is the sole facility for movement of such person's shipment of ore, coal, grain, forest products, chemicals, or fertilizers to the destination of shipment. Provides that terms for the use of such facility shall be considered unreasonable if they require: (1) the shipper to use any other facilities of the rail carrier; (2) rates that would yield a revenue-to-variable cost ratio higher that the lower of the revenue-to-variable cost ratios yielded by the carrier's single line rate or its division of a competing joint line rate to the shipment destination; or (3) rates higher than the rates that would yield a fair return on the proportion of the carrier's prudent investment in the railroad facility that the shipper's traffic bears to all traffic using such railroad facility. Allows the shipper to elect to connect with water carriage at any point within or not substantially beyond the first rail connection with a competing rail carrier. Declares that a carrier shall be conclusively presumed to have denied use of such facility with intent to monopolize if it denies use of such facility at reasonable terms to such a person and to other carriers for the transporation of such person's goods.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1984
Victims of Crime Assistance Act of 1984 - Establishes within the Treasury a Crime Victims' Assistance Fund, in which shall be deposited all criminal fines collected from convicted Federal defendants and all proceeds received from the sale of literary or other rights arising from criminal acts. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to establish a procedure under which any money due a criminal defendant under a contract entered into for the purposes of recounting or having his or her crime depicted shall be paid into the Fund. Provides that all money deposited in the Fund is for the benefit of any victim of the defendant's crime. Requires such victim, in order to receive money from the Fund, to secure a judgment in a civil action against the defendant for damages arising out of the crime. Allows money from the Fund to pay for the defendant's legal representation. Requires the clerk of the court to publish every six months for two years a notice to victims that such money is available to satisfy judgments pursuant to this Act. Amends the Federal criminal code to allow victims the opportunity to appear at parole hearings and testify about the emotional, psychological, physical, and financial impact the prisoner's conduct has had on their lives. Authorizes the Attorney General to make annual grants from the Fund to States for the purpose of compensating and providing other assistance to victims of crime. Establishes criteria based on State victims' compensation payouts and population for the distribution of the Fund. Requires that States appoint a State victim assistance administrator to award funds to eligible non-profit, State, and local agencies which provide assistance to victims. Directs the Attorney General to appoint a Federal Victim Assistance Administrator to provide funds to executive agencies for services and other nonfinancial assistance to victims of Federal crimes. Authorizes the President to establish a Federal Victims of Crime Advisory Committee to advise the Federal Administrator about the needs of Federal victims. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit a report to the Attorney General setting forth the steps it has taken to: (1) improve the accurate accounting of collections of criminal fines; and (2) assure all collected fines are deposited in the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1984
Fair Trade in Steel Act of 1984 - Declares that it is the policy of Congress that access to the U.S. market for foreign-produced carbon, alloy, and specialty steel mill products should be on an equitable basis to safeguard national security, insure orderly trade in steel mill products, reduce unfair trade in steel mill products, and alleviate U.S. balance-of-payments problems. Expresses the intent of Congress to: (1) expand the economic viability of the U.S. steel industry and the jobs of its workers; (2) prevent the further decline of the domestic steel industry; and (3) temper the economic hardships resulting from unemployment in steel industry communities by encouraging reinvestment in existing steelmaking facilities. Limits annual imports of specified steel mill product categories to specified percentages of the apparent domestic supply which are based on adjusted average import penetration levels for each such product category for the years 1979, 1980, and 1981. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to allocate global product limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries, or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocations. Requires the Secretary to make an annual determination of the expected apparent domestic supply in each steel mill product category. Requires the Secretary to revise such determination periodically during the year. Directs the Secretary to determine, within 90 days of enactment of this Act, whether the steel industry companies have plans to use substantially all of the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and the modernization of the steel sector. Suspends the import restrictions until the Secretary determines that the steel companies have such plans. Directs the Secretary to monitor steel sector investments made and announced by the steel industry and to consult with steel industry representatives and employees in the course of such monitoring. Directs the Secretary to determine annually whether steel companies are using substantially all the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Directs the Secretary to modify or suspend the relevant import restrictions if the Secretary determines that substantially less than all the cash flow from the steel sector is being used for such reinvestment and modernization and that the level of investment is not demonstrably justified by adverse financial conditions within the industry. Directs the Secretary to publish: (1) each annual determination and its rationale; and (2) the total amount of cash flow from the steel sector and the total amount used for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Requires the Secretary's annual determination to include an evaluation of the steel industry's progress toward fulfillment of the reinvestment and modernization plans. Directs the Secretary to examine the supply and demand situation in the United States for a specified steel product category if reguested by affected steel consumers. Sets forth criteria to be used in determining short supply. Directs the Secretary to monitor imports of fabricated steel mill products. Sets forth the method of investigating whether imports of fabricated steel products are rendering ineffective or materially interfering with the objectives of this Act. Limits the quantity of iron ore that may be entered from all sources during any calendar year after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Secretary to allocate global iron ore limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocation. Directs the Secretary, in making such allocations, to attempt first to accommodate the requirements of individual steel mills which have been traditionally dependent on ocean sourced foreign iron ore and the requirements of contractual obligations incurred before January 1, 1984. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the import restrictions on iron are if necessary to meet the needs of such individual steel mills. Provides for the enforcement and implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
Impact Aid Authorization Act of 1984 - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to authorize appropriations through FY 1989 for the impact aid program for federally affected schools. Increases the authority for reimbursements to eligible local educational agencies for revenues lost from federally owned, nontaxable property. Requires the Secretary of Education, not later than November 15, of each year, to publish the percentage change in the price index published for October of the preceding fiscal year and October of the fiscal year in which such publication is made. Bases the amount authorized for such impact aid programs on such percentage change. Limits such percentage change to no more than five percent. Repeals the three-year phaseout of impact aid to federally affected schools whose students' parents either live or work on Federal property. Authorizes appropriations for such impact aid through FY 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
Human Services Reauthorization Act - Title I: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to extend the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance to FY 1985 through 1989. Includes in the term "energy crisis intervention" household energy related emergencies. Requires that at least five percent of a State's allotment of funds for low-income home energy assistance be reserved until March 15 of each year for energy crisis intervention, which shall be administered by public or nonprofit entities having experience in and the capacity to administer such programs. Requires as part of the annual application for an allotment of funds for low-income home energy assistance that a State agree to: (1) describe the eligibility requirements for households desiring to participate in the low-income home energy assistance program and the manner in which the State determines benefit levels; and (2) indicate the amount which the State will reserve for energy crisis intervention and the administration procedures for designating an emergency and determining the assistance to be provided and for determining the use of funds reserved for energy crisis intervention but not expended for emergencies. Provides that home energy assistance payments provided to a household by a private nonprofit organization or by an entity whose revenues are derived primarily on a rate-of-return basis regulated by the State or Federal Government shall not be considered income for such household for purposes of Federal or State law if the appropriate State agency certifies that such assistance is based on need. Decreases the maximum amount of grant money allotted for a fiscal year to States for low-income home energy assistance which a State may request to be held available for the next fiscal year. Specifies additional home energy and home energy assistance data which the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to collect on a State-by-State basis. Specifies the dates by which the Secretary's annual reports on such data must be submitted to Congress. Prohibits the Secretary from using more than $350,000 in any fiscal year for demonstration and analysis of effective ways to meet the energy needs of low-income households. Title II: Community Services Block Grant - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to increase the authorization of appropriations for community services grants for FY 1985 and 1986 and to authorize appropriations for such grants for FY 1987 through 1989. Permits a State to revise the poverty line for purposes of community services grants to 125 percent of the official poverty line established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget if the State determines that such revision will serve the objectives of such grants. Revises the amount of funds which a State applying for a community services block grant must agree to make available to community action agencies and organizations serving seasonal or migrant farmworkers. Requires that the remainder of such funds be used to permit existing community action agencies to serve geographic areas not being served or to establish new community action agencies. Sets forth waiver provisions with respect to such funding requirements. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Service to provide training and ongoing activities of national and regional significance related to the purposes of the community services grant program. (Under current law, the Secretary has discretionary authority to provide such training and activities.) Permits the Secretary to make grants, loans, and loan guarantees to nonprofit private organizations applying jointly with business concerns for funding. Title III: Head Start Program - Amends the Head Start Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to administer the Head Start program through the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families within the Department of Health and Human Services. Authorizes the appropriations for the Head Start program for FY 1985 through 1989. Requires the Secretary to reserve for training and technical assistance for each fiscal year funds which are not less than the amount spent for such activities under such Act in FY 1982. Requires the Secretary to designate as Head Start agencies any local public or private nonprofit agency which was receiving funds under any Head Start program on August 31, 1981, if such agency meets program and fiscal requirements established by the Secretary. (Under current law, the Secretary is required to give priority in the designation of Head Start agencies to such local agencies.) Authorizes the Secretary to designate a Head Start agency from among qualified applicants in a community if there is no Head Start agency or program serving such community. Permits each Head Start program operated in a community to provide more than one year of Head Start services to children from age three to the age of compulsory school attendance in the State where the program is located. Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training in connection with Head Start programs. (Under current law, the Secretary is authorized to provide such activities.) Specifies the types of programs which must be included in such training activities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1984
Directs the President to: (1) secure from the Southeast Asian nations a full accounting of Americans captured or missing as a result of the Vietnam conflict; and (2) work for the release of Americans listed as prisoners of war (POW) or missing-in-action (MIA) and the return of the remains of all American POWs and MIAs who died in Southeast Asia. Requires the President to submit two reports to Congress on the POW/MIA problem.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1984
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Federal Communications Commission should not institute flat end user charges for residential and single line business customers: (1) until it documents that such charges will not threaten universal basic telephone service and submits such findings to the Senate in time for the Senate to exercise its oversight function; (2) before June 1985; and (3) in excess of four dollars per month per line prior to 1990. Directs the Commission, if it institutes such charges, to: (1) ensure the institution of reduced cost basic telephone or lifelong service for those people who otherwise could not afford basic telephone or lifelong services and exempt such persons from such charges; (2) implement a plan to provide small rural telephone companies with high costs assistance in addition to that announced by the Commission in July 1983 in order to ensure affordable basic telephone service to their customers; and (3) review the tariffs for interexchange telecommunications services to ensure that the prices for such services are reduced as much as possible. Directs the Commission to implement justified changes in pricing levels, mechanisms, and structures for telecommunications services gradually to minimize the impact on the viability of alternative networks, the vitality of competition, and the maintenance of universal service. Prohibits the Commission from increasing the flat end user charge above four dollars before additional study and congressional oversight. Directs the Commission to expand the exemption from surcharges on private line surcharges to include users who verify that they do not interconnect with the public switched telephone network.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1984
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the President should submit a revised budget proposal containing specific provisions to reduce the Federal deficit by a total of at least $200,000,000,000 over the next three fiscal years. Calls for the Congress to act expeditiously through legislative procedures to consider such proposals and enact a deficit reduction package.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the direct or indirect ownership or control of a national television network or a cable television multiple system operator that serves at least 250,000 subscribers by: (1) an alien; (2) a foreign government or corporation; (3) any corporation which has an alien officer or director or of which more than one-fifth of the capital stock is owned by an alien or a foreign government or corporation; or (4) any corporation directly or indirectly controlled by any other corporation of which more than one-fourth of the directors are aliens, of which more than one-fourth of the capital stock is owned by aliens or a foreign government or corporation, or of which any officer is an alien if the Federal Communications Commission finds that prohibiting such alien officership serves the public interest. Eliminates the Commission's authority to permit more than one-fourth of the directors or stockholders of a parent company of a broadcast licensee to be aliens when it serves the public interest. Declares that the provisions of this Act shall not apply to any interest of ownership or control in existence on February 9, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Authorizes the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Incorporated to erect a National Law Enforcement Heroes Memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia or its environs in honor and recognition of law enforcement officials in the United States who died in the line of duty. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Fund, to select with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, a suitable site on public grounds for such memorial. Subjects the design and any plans for the memorial to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission. Declares that no moneys belonging to the United States or the District of Columbia shall be expended for the erection of such memorial other than expenses incurred in the process of site selection and approval of design and plans.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1984
Declares U.S. policy toward Lebanon should include: (1) the prompt withdrawal of U.S. armed forces from the multinational force in Lebanon; (2) a diplomatic effort at the United Nations to replace the multinational force with another peacekeeping force, preferably under U.N. auspices; (3) advising Lebanon of their need to develop a plan which recognizes the aspirations of all groups there; (4) development of diplomatic efforts with Syria to achieve acceptance by Syria of a reconciliation plan for Lebanon; (5) promotion of a dialog between Israel and Lebanon concerning security arrangements and a reconciliation plan for Lebanon; (6) continuation of other efforts to achieve the withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanon and the reestablishment of a sovereign Lebanon; (7) renewal of efforts to pursue a broader Middle East peace; (8) intensification of U.S. efforts to retrain and reequip the Lebanese Armed Forces; (9) implementation of an economic assistance program for the reconstruction and development of Lebanon; and (10) implementation of military contingency plans to protect U.S. interests from terrorist attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1984
Commends the President for his support for specified confidence building measures between the United States and the Soviet Union. Urges the President to pursue negotiations with the Soviet Union concerning such measures, adding to such negotiations the establishment of nuclear risk reduction centers in both countries.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the basis of passenger automobiles to $15,000 for purposes of determining the amount of depreciation and investment tax credit allowable. Allows for an automobile price inflation adjustment (if required) for the calendar year in which the automobile is placed in service. Limits the amount that can be deducted as an ordinary and necessary business expense for leasing automobiles for periods longer than one month.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1984
Continues to apply after FY 1983 the certification requirements of the International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1981 which relate to El Salvador until Congress enacts new legislation providing conditions for U.S. military assistance to El Salvador or until September 30, 1984, whichever occurs first.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1984
Child Support Enforcement Amendments of 1984 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise the purposes of such part to provide that assistance in obtaining support will be available under part D to all children (whether or not eligible for aid under the Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC) program) for whom such assistance is requested. Requires a State, under part D, to have enacted laws establishing, embodying, or requiring the use of the following procedures to increase the effectiveness of its part D program: (1) procedures for the withholding from income of support amounts; (2) procedures assuring the State will improve the enforcement of support obligations; (3) procedures to collect support from a State tax refund; (4) procedures under which liens are imposed against real and personal property for amounts of past-due support owed by an absent parent; (5) procedures for establishing a child's paternity; (6) procedures requiring an individual to give security or post a bond to secure payment of past-due support if the individual is an absent parent who has demonstrated a pattern of not making payments; (7) procedures by which information regarding the amount of past-due support owed by an absent parent residing in the State will be made available to any consumer credit bureau organization upon the request of such organization, subject to certain conditions; and (8) procedures under which support payments will be made under part D through the State agency or other entity administering the State's income withholding system at the request of either parent, even though no arrearages are involved. Sets forth the procedures (referred to in clause one above) for the withholding from income of support payments. Provides that under such procedures: (1) amounts withheld must comply with the support order; (2) withholding must be initiated without application in the case of a child who is already receiving services under part D, and will be initiated with an application in the case of any other child; (3) withholding must be carried out in full compliance with all procedural due process requirements and must begin as soon as feasible; (4) withholding must be administered by a public agency (or a publicly accountable agency) designated by the State, and amounts withheld must be expeditiously distributed; (5) the State must provide advance notice to each individual who will have payments withheld and information as to how to contest the withholding; (6) State law must give priority to support collection over any other legal process against the same wages; (7) there will be withholding from all forms of income; (8) provisions must be made for terminating withholding; and (9) arrangements will be made with other States providing for reciprocal withholding. Requires, in addition, under such procedures that: (1) an employer withhold ordered payments (which shall include a fee to be paid to the employer) when provided with written notice; (2) an employer be held liable to the State for failure to withhold; and (3) a fine be imposed on any employer who refuses to employ or takes disciplinary action against any individual subject to wage withholding because of the existence of the withholding and additional obligations imposed on the employer. Requires a State's laws to require withholding whenever arrearages occur, even if an application for services under part D is not filed. Provides exemptions from the requirements of this paragraph, subject to the Secretary of Health and Human Services' continuing review, for States demonstrating that the enactment of any of this paragraph's requirements will not improve the State's support enforcement program. Authorizes a State to use the funds available under part D for automated management systems to facilitate the development and improvement of income withholding procedures. Requires a State, whenever a family for whom support payments have been collected and distributed under part D ceases to receive assistance under part A (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) of title IV, to: (1) continue collecting support for up to three months; and (2) continue collection and payment to the family (without requiring reapplication) at the end of the three-month period on the same basis as in the case of individuals not receiving assistance under part A. Repeals the current 12 percent incentive payment which is based on collections made on behalf of AFDC families. Provides, under the new incentive payment provisions, that the basic incentive payment will be four percent of the State's AFDC collections plus four percent of the State's non-AFDC collections. Provides that to the extent that AFDC or non-AFDC collections exceed the State's combined AFDC and non-AFDC administrative costs, higher incentives will be paid on a graduated scale of up to ten percent of AFDC and ten percent of non-AFDC collections. Caps the total dollar amount of incentive paid for non-AFDC collections at 125 percent of the incentive payment for AFDC collections. Provides that the amount of incentive payments to be made to a State for any fiscal year shall be estimated by the Secretary before the beginning of such year and that the Secretary shall make such payments for such year on a quarterly basis, with the payments being reduced or increased to compensate for any prior overpayments or underpayments. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, in order to encourage and promote the development and use of more effective methods of enforcing support obligations under part D in cases where either the children on whose behalf the support is sought or their absent parents do not reside in the State where such cases are filed, to States proposing to undertake new or innovative methods of support collection in such cases. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. Requires: (1) review of a State's part D program at least once every three years; and (2) the operation by a State of a child support program (under part A) which is in substantial compliance with the State's part D plan. Replaces current penalty provisions under part A with graduated penalties of two, three, and five percent in cases where a State's part D program does not meet applicable requirements. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to require any demonstration project undertaken which assists in promoting the objectives of part D of title IV to: (1) be designed to improve the financial well-being of children, and prohibit modifications in the child support program which would have the effect of disadvantaging children in need of support; and (2) not result in increased costs to the Federal Government under part A of title IV. Provides, under part D, that amounts collected by a State as child support on behalf of a child for whom a public agency is making foster care maintenance payments under part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV: (1) shall be retained by the State to the extent necessary to reimburse it for foster care maintenance payments made; (2) shall be paid to the public agency responsible for supervising the placement of a child to the extent that amounts collected exceed foster care maintenance payments made with respect to the child but not amounts required by a court order to be paid on behalf of the child; and (3) shall be retained by the State if any portion of the amounts collected remains after making the payments required above, to the extent that such portion is necessary to reimburse the State for any foster care maintenance payments made for a child. Requires any balance to be paid to the State agency responsible for supervising child care placement. Requires a State, under part E, where appropriate, to take all steps to secure an assignment to the State of any rights to support on behalf of each child receiving foster care maintenance payments. Requires collection by a State of spousal support under part D. (Current law permits such collection.) Requires the Secretary's annual report under part D to include the payment status of all active child support cases in each State, with specific information concerning: (1) interstate cases; and (2) the number of cases in certain defined categories. Requires a State, under part D, to regularly publicize the availability of child support enforcement services, including a telephone number or address where further information can be obtained. Requires a State, as a condition of eligibility for Federal payments under part A or D of title IV, to establish a State Commission on Child Support to examine, investigate, and study the operation of the State's child support system so as to determine the extent to which the system has been successful in securing support and parental involvement for both AFDC and non-AFDC children. Requires a report from the Commission. Permits waivers of the requirement for a Commission in a State if the State already has its own commission, which is making satisfactory progress towards effective child support enforcement, or has in effect objective standards for child support obligations. Directs the Secretary to approve a request from the State of Wisconsin to waive any requirement of part A or D of title IV so as to permit modifications of such State's programs under parts A and D in order to enable such State to make an adequate test of its Child Support Initiative, provided certain conditions are met. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations requiring States to petition for the inclusion of medical support as part of any child support order whenever health care coverage is available to the absent parent at a reasonable cost. Repeals the requirement that a State may not request the assistance of the Federal Parent Locator Service until the State has determined that the absent parent cannot be located through its own agencies. Provides for the continuation of Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) eligibility for four months if a family loses AFDC eligibility because of the collection or increased collection of support under part D of title IV.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1984
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the food stamp plan as well as other food assistance programs should remain national programs and the block grant concept proposed by the President's Task Force on Food Assistance Programs should not be adopted.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1983 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish rules, regulations, standards, and orders to assure that: (1) commercial motor vehicles are safely maintained, equipped, loaded, and operated; (2) the responsibilities imposed upon drivers of commercial motor vehicles do not impair such drivers' ability to operate safely; (3) the physical condition of such drivers is adequate to enable them to drive safely; and (4) the operation of commercial motor vehicles does not create deleterious effects on the physical condition of such drivers. Requires the Secretary and the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to undertake a study of health hazards to which employees engaged in the operation of commercial motor vehicles are exposed and to develop information to enable such employees to operate free from recognized hazards. Requires that such study be submitted to Congress within one year after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary, before prescribing or revising requirements for motor carrier qualifications, hours of service, safety, and equipment standards, to consider the costs and benefits of such requirements. Requires agents of the Secretary, in carrying out the Secretary's inspection and investigation functions, to consult with employers and employees and their authorized representatives and offer such persons the right of accompaniment. Sets forth the Secretary's duty to investigate nonfrivolous complaints and to protect the identities of complainants. Sets forth penalties for violations of safety standards promulgated under this title. Removes the authority of the Secretary to initiate litigation related to highway safety. Vests such authority in the Attorney General. Allows States to adopt more stringent safety rules if such rules are not inconsistent with Federal rules. Requires each commercial motor vehicle to pass an annual inspection of its safety equipment. Directs the Secretary to establish Federal standards for such equipment and a procedure for State implementation of such inspections. Directs the Secretary to establish a procedure to determine the safety fitness of persons seeking operating authority as motor carriers. Requires the submission of such procedure to Congress not later than one year after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of safety characteristics of heavy trucks, including an examination of their handling, braking, stability, and crashworthiness. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 and 1985 for such study. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the results of a study of crash protection for truck occupants, including potential performance standards for truck manufacturers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 for such study. Directs the Secretary to study the effectiveness of existing regulations on emergency warning devices required to be carried on buses, trucks, truck tractors, and motor-driven vehicles which are involved in emergency situations. Requires such study to investigate the potential costs and benefits of requiring passenger automobile operators to carry emergency warning devices and to examine the benefits of warning devices in enhancing highway safety. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 for such study. Directs the appropriate congressional committees to conduct periodic oversight hearings on the effects of this title for the first three years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior for FY 1985 through FY 1989 to assist States in carrying on the work of a competent and qualified mining and mineral resources research institute at one public college or university (or private college or university if a State does not have an eligible public college or university) in the State meeting eligibility requirements. Provides that funds appropriated shall be made available for grants to be matched on a basis of no less than one and one-half non-Federal dollars for each Federal dollar during FY 1985 and 1986, and no less than two non-Federal dollars for each Federal dollar during FY 1987 through FY 1989. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY 1985 through FY 1989 which shall be made available to institutes to meet the necessary expenses for purposes of: (1) specific mineral research and demonstration projects of broad application which could not otherwise be undertaken; and (2) research into any aspects of mining and mineral resources problems related to the mission of the Department of the Interior which are not otherwise being studied. Sets forth funding criteria. Requires each institute to: (1) set forth its plan to provide for the training of individuals as mineral engineers and scientists; (2) set forth policies and procedures to assure that Federal funds made available under this Act will supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the level of funds that would, in the absence of such Federal funds, be made available for purposes of this Act, and in no case supplant such funds; and (3) report annually to the Secretary concerning amounts received under this Act and projects undertaken pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe necessary rules and regulations; and (2) report to Congress annually concerning the receipts, expenditures, and work of the institutes in all States under the provisions of this Act. Prohibits anything in this Act from being construed to authorize Federal control of education at any college or university. Directs the Secretary to assure that programs authorized by this Act are not redundant. Authorizes appropriations necessary to print and publish the results of activities carried out by institutes under this Act and for administrative planning and direction. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projected scientific research in all fields of mining and mineral resources. Directs the President to clarify agency responsibility for Federal mining and mineral resources research and to provide interagency coordination of such research. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Committee on Mining and Mineral Resources Research to consult with and make recommendations to the Secretary on all matters relating to mining and mineral resources research as required by this Act. Requires the Committee to: (1) develop a national plan for research and development in mining and mineral resources and to formulate and recommend a program to implement the plan utilizing resources provided for under this Act; and (2) submit such plan to the Secretary, the President, and Congress by March 1, 1986, and to update the plan annually. Requires the Committee to determine the eligibility of a college or university to participate as a mining and mineral resources research institute under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
High Technology Research and Scientific Education Act of 1983 - Title I: The Credit for Increasing Research Activities; ACRS for R&D Equipment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for research and development (R&D) expenditures. Modifies the definition of qualified research for purposes of the R&D credit to narrow the category of eligible activities for which the credit is allowable. Makes depreciation of research equipment eligible for the R&D credit. Eliminates the special three-year accelerated cost recovery system (ACRS) category for research equipment. Increases contract research expenses eligible for R&D credit purposes to 75 percent of the amount paid to others for research on the taxpayer's behalf. Provides that in-house and contract research expenses paid or incurred by a regular corporation will constitute qualified research expenses for R&D credit purposes. Provides that in the case of research being conducted in partnership form, the "in carrying on" test is applied at the partnership level, and the credit is apportioned among the partners in accordance with general partnership rules. Title II: Promotion of University Research and Scientific Education - Establishes a new income tax credit equal to 25 percent of payments to universities for basic research which exceed a fixed, maintenance-of-effort floor. Calculates the maintenance-of-effort floor as the greater of the annual average of university basic research payments over 1982-1983 or one percent of the average annual R&D budget over 1981-1983. Treats the portion of the university basic research payments which is not in excess of the maintenance-of-effort floor as contract research expenses eligible for purposes of computing the regular incremental R&D credit. Allows corporations an income tax deduction for contributions of scientific and technical property or services to an institution of higher education. Defines scientific property to mean computer software or other equipment used in a trade or business, which is donated for the direct education of students and faculty, for research and experimentation, or for research training in the United States in mathematics, the physical or biological sciences, engineering, or computer science. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of the allowable deduction for contributions of scientific property or services. Limits the amount of such deduction to ten percent of taxable income computed without regard to specified deductions. Provides for an income tax exclusion for the scholarships, fellowship grants, student loan forgiveness, or stipends of a graduate student in mathematics, engineering, computer science, or the physical or biological sciences. Specifies that such tax exclusion is not forfeited merely because the student is required, as a condition of the scholarship or fellowship, to perform future service in teaching or research.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Comprehensive Trade Law Reform Act of 1983 - Title I: Countervailing and Antidumping Duties - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to direct the administering authority to order the suspension of all entries of merchandise subject to a preliminary determination in an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation if the preliminary determination of the International Trade Commission (ITC) is affirmative. Imposes the burden of persuasion with respect to allegations in such investigations upon the person in possession of the specific information necessary to verify or negate such allegations. Establishes within the Department of Commerce the Small Business International Trade Advocate Office (Advocate) which shall assist small businesses in the preparation for, and participation in, any proceedings related to the administration of the U.S. trade laws (including arguing on behalf of petitioners who are financially unable to prosecute antidumping and countervailing duty investigations). Provides that the Advocate may request the ITC to conduct on behalf of small businesses no more than three fact-finding investigations in a given fiscal year. Requires the Advocate each fiscal year to report its activities to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the administering authority and the ITC to make available under a protective order confidential information submitted by a party to an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation upon receipt of an application which describes the information requested. (Current law requires that the application must describe the information with particularity and must set forth the reasons for the request.) Requires that the information to be disclosed shall include all confidential information available to or prepared by the administering authority during an investigation, excluding customer names and the identity of market research organizations. Declares that it shall not be a requirement of disclosure that the person making the request demonstrate a need to have access to the information. Requires the administering authority or ITC to act upon requests for such information within ten days. Directs the ITC, in determining material injury or the threat of material injury in antidumping or countervailing duty investigations, to consider the cumulative impact of imports of merchandise under investigation when combined with imports of the same class or kind which are subject to similar investigations. Declares that in determining whether a petition requesting an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation states a cause of action the absense of a history of imports in sufficient volume to be a present cause of material injury shall not be a basis for a negative determination when a capability to increase exports is asserted. Amends the definition of the nature of a subsidy to require the ITC, in determining whether there is a threat of material injury, to consider information other than the information presented to it by the administering authority and to consider whether the alleged subsidy is related to a promotional program benefitting a specific industry. Sets forth the time periods to be considered by the ITC in determining material injury or threat of material injury. Requires the ITC, in determining threat of material injury, to consider evidence of: (1) increasing domestic inventories of imported merchandise; (2) new or increased capability to manufacture or export such merchandise in the countries under investigation or shift of production and exports among industry product lines; and (3) any effort by a foreign government or instrumentality to promote the development or growth of export capability of the industry under investigation through a combination of policies or programs. Authorizes the imposition of countervailing duties upon merchandise which is likely to be imported into the United States if such merchandise meets all the other requirements for the imposition of countervailing duties. Requires the imposition of countervailing or antidumping duties on merchandise if a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury or the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded by sales of imports or offers of sales of imports. Requires the ITC to make its preliminary determination in antidumping or countervailing duty investigations on the basis of the information contained in the petition and any information received by way of questionnaire response. Provides an extension of time for making a preliminary determination if the ITC does not believe the information contained in the hearing and the questionnaire responses establish material injury. Requires the ITC, in such a case, to schedule a hearing during which interested parties may address the factual issues of concern to the ITC. Permits an extension of time during which the preliminary determination by the administering authority in an antidumping or countervailing duty case may be made only if the petitioner files a timely request for such extension and the case is extraordinarily difficult. (Current law permits such extension if either of these conditions is met.) Excludes claims for antidumping and countervailing duties from the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to compromise Government claims. Amends the Trade Agreement Act of 1979 to require the ITC, in cases involving revocation of countervailing duties, not to base a negative determination of potential material injury on any export taxes, duties, or other charges levied on the export of merchandise to the United States specifically intended to offset the subsidy received. Directs the administering authority, upon being notified of a negative determination of potential material injury based upon clear and convincing evidence presented by any party seeking revocation, to revoke an existing countervailing duty order and refund the countervailing duties that had been collected. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit the ITC and the administering authority from reviewing a final determination in a countervailing or antidumping duty case or the suspension of an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation less than five years after publication of notice of that determination or suspension. Authorizes the administering authority, after review, to revoke a countervailing or antidumping duty order or to terminate a suspended investigation. Prohibits the administering authority from taking such actions unless, upon clear and convincing evidence presented by any party seeking revocation or termination of a suspended investigation: (1) the administering authority finds that it is substantially unlikely that subsidized sales or sales at less than fair value will be resumed; and (2) the ITC makes a negative determination of potential material injury to U.S. industries by imports covered by the order or investigation. Prohibits the administering authority from revoking a countervailing duty order or terminating a suspended investigation on the basis of any export taxes, duties, or other charges levied on exports to the United States specifically intended to offset the subsidy received. Prohibits the administering authority from revoking a countervailing or antidumping duty order or terminating a suspended investigation unless the affected foreign manufacturers, producers, or exporters give assurances that they shall not receives subsidies or make sales at less than fair value. Sets forth penalties for violations of such assurances. Requires the administering authority and the ITC to continue an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation if the administering authority, within 20 days of publication of the notice of suspension of an investigation, receives a request for continuation of the investigation from the petitioner. Changes the definition of "interested parties" to include: (1) a trade or business association at least ten percent of whose members manufacture, produce, or wholesale a like product in the United States; and (2) a coalition which includes one or more certified unions or recognized groups of workers associated with the production of a like product in the United States and one or more entities which manufacture, produce, or wholesale a like product in the United States. Changes the definition of "like product." Directs the administering authority to reimburse petitioners, upon request, for the costs of preparing an investigation petition and of participating in an investigation if the investigation results in the issuance of a countervailing or antidumping duty order or a suspension agreement. Requires the payments to be made out of an account which shall be established by the administering authority and into which all countervailing and antidumping duties shall be paid. Declares that there shall be no presumption for or against agency action in any civil proceeding arising under the antidumping or countervailing duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. Permits the administering authority to extend the deadline for a final determination in a countervailing duty investigation to the date of its final determination in an antidumping duty investigation if an antidumping duty investigation is initiated simultaneously with the countervailing duty investigation. Adds definitions of "negative determination" and of "affirmative determination" with respect to antidumping and countervailing duty determinations. Authorizes the administering authority to suspend a countervailing duty investigation if the subsidizing government or the exporters who account for substantially all of the imports of the merchandise subject to the investigation agree: (1) to eliminate the subsidy program completely within six months, except that the administering authority shall not accept an agreement unless the suppression or undercutting of price levels of domestic products by imports of that merchandise will be prevented; or (2) to cease exports of that merchandise to the United States within six months. Authorizes the administering authority, for the purpose of determining the net subsidy, to subtract from the gross subsidy only the amount of: (1) any payment made to qualify for or to receive the benefit of the subsidy; and (2) any loss in the value of the subsidy resulting from its deferred receipt if the deferral is mandated by Government order. Changes the definition of "subsidy" to include a domestic subsidy provided directly or indirectly to a supplier of any input to the class or kind of merchandise imported into the United States. Amends the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 to require the ITC to review countervailing duty orders, upon request, if the request is received before a countervailing duty petition is filed with the administration authority. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit designating a country as a country under the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures until the country has committed itself under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade to eliminate its export subsidies. Permits countries which are beneficiary developing countries under the Trade Act of 1974 to be designated as countries under the Agreement if, in lieu of such commitment such country agrees: (1) to phase out existing export subsidies within five years; (2) not to increase existing export subsidies, nor extend such subsidies to new merchandise, nor introduce new export subsidies; and (3) to eliminate within one year export subsidies on merchandise which the ITC determines is either produced by an import sensitive U.S. industry or already competitive in the U.S. market and would be competitive in the absence of export subsidies. Requires the President to review the status of and compliance with such agreements at least once during each 12-month period following the date on which the agreement becomes effective and upon the request of certain interested parties. Sets forth the effect of a finding by the President that a country designated as "a country under the Agreement" has not honored its commitments relating to eliminating subsidies. Requires that a countervailing duty order shall presumptively apply to all merchandise of the class of kind which have been determined to materially injure U.S. industries and which are exported from the country investigated, except that differing duties may be imposed if the administering authority determines that there is a significant differential between companies receiving subsidy benefits or if a State-owned enterprise is involved. Adds to the definition of "subsidy" specified programs and protections when used as part of a program to develop a significant export capability in a particular product sector. Requires that the foreign market value of the merchandise under investigation shall be the constructed value of the merchandise if the administering authority determines that the cost to the foreign producer of any foreign material incorporated in the merchandise under investigation is unreasonable. Requires that the cost of such preference or subsidy shall be included in the constructed value of the imported merchandise. Authorizes the administering authority to accept an agreement to restrict the volume of imports of merchandise into the United States (with either the government of the country where the merchandise which is being investigated is produced or with the exporters of such merchandise who account for substantially all the imports of such merchandise) if the agreement will eliminate completely the injurious effect of such imports. Authorizes the administering authority to prescribe regulations governing the entry or withdrawal from warehouse for consumption of merchandise covered by: (1) agreements to eliminate completely sales at less than fair value or to cease exports of merchandise; or (2) agreements to eliminate injurious effect. Requires the administering authority to have received the written consent of the petitioner before suspending an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation. Prohibits making an adjustment to the foreign market value of an import for specified differences in circumstances of sale or discounts. Requires the purchase price and exporter's sales price to be adjusted by being reduced by, among other costs, the costs relating to the circumstances of sale. Requires that "cost relating to" circumstances of sale rather than "differences in" circumstances of sale shall be taken into account if they cause a difference between the U.S. price and the foreign market value of the merchandise. Requires that the foreign market value of imported merchandise shall be the weighted average price of all sales or offers for sale of such merchandise subject to specified conditions. Prohibits the administering authority from using items selected by foreign manufacturers, producers, or exporters, or the U.S. importers of merchandise under investigation when the authority uses averaging or sampling techniques to determine the foreign market value of such merchandise. Revises the definition of sales at less than the costs of production to include sales through a related party if such sales are made below the cost of production including related party marketing costs. Requires such sales to be disregarded in determining foreign market value if they have been made over an extended period of time and in substantial quantities. (Current law requires that such sales, in order to be disregarded must also have been at prices which do not permit recovery of all costs within a reasonable period of time in the normal course of trade.) Includes within the definition of "exporter" for purposes of determining U.S. price, any person who owns or controls five percent (currently 20 percent) or more of the voting power or control in the business carried on by the person by whom or for whose account the merchandise is imported into the United States and also five percent (currently 20 percent) or more of such power or control in the business of the exporter, manufacturer, or producer. Requires that any differences between the U.S. price and the foreign market value of imported merchandise which are due to circumstances of sales shall reflect the actual selling expenses incurred by the purchasers in their markets. Repeals the provision for posting security in lieu of estimated antidumping duties pending an early determination of the antidumping duty. Authorizes the administering authority, upon request by an interested party, to negotiate settlement agreements the implementation of which shall be subject to the withdrawal of the petitions resulting in the antidumping or countervailing duty investigation. Provides for the enforcement of such agreements. Title II: Escape Clause - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize an entity which is representative of an industry (including an industry which produces parts irrevocably destined for incorporation in an article like or directly competitve with an imported article) to petition the ITC for import relief. Requires that the ITC, in determining whether increased imports of an article are causing or threatening serious injury to domestic industries, shall take into account whether the article under investigation is incorporated in an imported article. Deletes the provision which defines "substantial cause" for purposes of injury determination as a cause which is important and not less than any other cause. Requires that the ITC, whenever it has reason to believe that the increased imports are attributable to circumstances which come within the purview of other remedial provisions of law, shall promptly notify the appropriate agency and such agency shall initiate the appropriate action. Requires that an affirmative determination of serious injury under this title shall be considered to be an affirmative determination of material injury under other remedial provisions of law if the affirmative determination of serious injury has been made within 12 months of the date on which the petition was filed under the other statutes. Requires that the ITC, if it finds that a serious injury or the threat of a serious injury exists, shall, in order to prevent or remedy such injury: (1) find the amount of increase in or imposition of any duty; (2) determine a tariff rate quota on such article; (3) determine the quantitative import restriction on the import into the United States of such article; or (4) recommend any combination of such actions. Requires at least six months to elapse between investigations of import injury. Requires the ITC to determine, within 45 days of the filing of a petition, whether or not a reasonable indication that conditions for an affirmative finding of serious import injury exist if a petitioner alleges that imports of an article have increased by more than ten percent in volume or 20 percent relative to domestic production in the previous 12 months. Requires the Commissioner of Customs, if the ITC makes an affirmative determination of such indication, to order the suspension of liquidation of entry of such articles. Requires the suspension to continue until: (1) the ITC makes a negative determination of serious injury; or (2) import relief actions take effect. Requires an additional duty to be imposed on any article that is subject to a suspension of liquidation of entry if the ITC makes an affirmative determination of import injury. Deletes the provision authorizing the President to grant trade adjustment assistance instead of import relief to an industry which has been seriously injured by imports. Directs the President, if the President finds that it is in the national economic interest to provide import relief, to either place into effect the determination of the ITC or to negotiate one or more orderly marketing agreements pursuant to the ITC's determination. Requires the President, if the President determines that the import relief recommended by the ITC is not in the national economic interest and that there are alternatives which offset the injury to the same extent as the ITC's recommendations, to transmit to Congress a document setting forth: (1) such determination; (2) the reasons why the ITC's recommendation is not in the national economic interest; (3) other information with respect to the alternatives; and (4) proposed legislation to implement the President's recommendation. Provides for expedited consideration of the President's proposal in the Congress. Requires the President, within 31 days of the submission of such proposal to Congress to: (1) proclaim the actions recommended by the ITC if Congress does not enact the President's proposal; or (2) take the action recommended in the President's proposal. Requires that the import relief proclamation, if it provides for the imposition of or an increase in the rate of duty, shall also provide for periodic review and adjustment of the duty rate in order to maintain substantially the same amount of import relief that has been proclaimed. Requires that bilateral or multilateral orderly marketing agreements negotiated by the President shall limit the export from foreign countries and the import into the United States of articles subject to the import relief proclamation. Prohibits an orderly marketing agreement from becoming effective unless the ITC determines that it provides at least the same level and duration of import relief as found by the ITC to be necessary. Requires the President to proclaim the import relief found by the ITC if the ITC finds that the orderly marketing agreement does not provide the necessary import relief or if the ITC is evenly divided on the question. Requires the import relief to last for not less than five years and not more than ten years. (Current law terminates import relief after five years unless renewed.) Authorizes the import relief to be phased down during the period of such relief but only after the first three years have elapsed. Deletes the provisions providing for extension of import relief. Authorizes the President to reduce or terminate import relief but only after at least five years have elapsed. Requires at least one year to elapse between the end of a period of import relief with respect to an article and the beginning of a new investigation into import relief with respect to such article. (Current law requires two years to elapse between investigations.) Title III: Enforcement of United States Rights - Authorizes the administering authority, based upon information available to it or upon a petition filed with it, to initiate investigations relating to the enforcement of U.S. rights under trade agreements and relating to the U.S. response to certain unfair foreign trade practices. (Current law authorizes the President to begin such investigations.) Authorizes the administering authority to take specified steps to enforce such rights or to respond to the foreign trade practices. Declares that a foreign practice that denies fair and equitable market opportunities to U.S. goods or services or denies to U.S. businesses fair and equitable opportunities for the establishment of an enterprise shall be considered an unreasonable practice which burdens U.S. commerce. Declares that foreign industrial targeting of a specific sector or sectors of the economy shall be considered an unreasonable practice that burdens U.S. commerce. Requires the administering authority to take action if a foreign government has engaged in industrial targeting which causes or threatens to cause material injury to a U.S. industry or which materially retards the establishment of an industry in the United States. Authorizes any interested person to file a petition with the administering authority requesting action to enforce U.S. rights under trade agreements and to respond to certain foreign trade practices. Requires the administering authority to review the sufficiency of the allegations of the petition within 20 days of its filing date. Requires the administering authority, if it finds that the petition provides the basis for action, to publish the petition and provide an opportunity for hearing. Requires the administering authority, if it finds no basis for action in the petition, to reject the petition and inform the petitioner of the reasons for the rejection. Deletes the provision requiring consultation with the affected foreign country regarding issues raised by the petition. Directs the administering authority to present questionnaires to the affected foreign governments and foreign enterprises to develop information about the allegations. Requires the administering authority to verify the information provided by such governments and enterprises and relied upon by the administering authority. Requires the final determination of the administering authority to be based upon the best information available if the foreign governments or entities do not respond to the questionnaires or if the responses cannot be verified. Requires the administering authority to issue a preliminary determination within five months of the initiation of the investigation. Requires the administering authority, if the preliminary determination is affirmative, to take specified actions on a provisional basis. Requires the administering authority to make a final determination within 11 months of the initiation of the investigation. Requires specified actions to be taken within 30 days if the final determination is affirmative. Requires the administering authority to consult closely with the petitioner on the nature of the action taken. Directs the administering authority to make confidential information submitted during an investigation available upon request. Prohibits disclosing customer names and the identity of market research organizations. Authorizes the administering authority, if the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) disapprove an action taken by the United States, to modify or terminate the action or take such other action as it deems appropriate to compensate an adversely affected foreign country. Defines "administering authority" to mean the U.S. Trade Representative or any other U.S. officer to whom the responsibilities of the administering authority under this title are transferred by law. Requires the administering authority to collect data on foreign nontariff trade barriers, foreign barriers to investment, and foreign government programs to promote particular industries. Requires the administering authority to report quarterly to Congress on the information collected. Provides for judicial review of determinations of the administering authority by the U.S. Court of International Trade. Requires the Court to hold unlawful any determination found to be unsupported by substantial evidence on the record or otherwise not in accordance with law. Title IV: Private Remedies - Amends the Revenue Act of 1916 to permit a civil suit against manufacturers, exporters, or importers of an article if: (1) the article is manufactured or produced in a foreign country and imported or sold within the United States at a price less than the foreign market value or constructed value of such article; (2) the importation or sales cause or threaten material injury to U.S. industry or labor or prevent the establishment or modernization of any industry in the United States; and (3) the person filing the suit is injured in business or property because of the importation or sale. Authorizes a plaintiff, if a defendant is found liable, to recover the costs of the action, damages for the injury sustained, or appropriate equitable relief. (Current law provides for criminal penalties and treble damages in civil suits.) Declares that the standard of proof in such actions is the preponderance of the evidence. Grants subpoena power to the district court involved in the case. Makes the District Director of the U.S. Customs Service for the port through which the article is commonly imported the agent of the manufacturer or exporter for service of process. Imposes a four year statute of limitation on such actions. Supends the running of the statute of limitation during certain administrative proceedings under the Tariff Act of 1930. Authorizes the court to enjoin further importation, sale, or distribution of the article or take any other action authorized by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure if the defendant fails to comply with court orders. Preserves the confidentiality of information used in such action. Requires such an action to be expedited in every way possible. Includes within the foreign market value or constructed value of the article any subsidy provided to the manufacturer, producer, or exporter of the article. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the provisions of this title are consistent with the GATT. Title V: Miscellaneous - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should appoint a task force on agricultural credit to: (1) examine agricultural credit problems; (2) report to the President and Congress on the credit-related problems confronting agricultural producers and related businesses; and (3) make recommendations on how to resolve problems that might be identified. Directs the task force to: (1) identify and describe the components of the existing agricultural credit system; (2) identify and describe the credit needs of agricultural producers and related businesses; (3) identify and evaluate the current agricultural credit system's ability to meet producer credit needs; and (4) develop for the President and Congress specific recommendations for policies and legislation to ensure the availability of adequate agricultural credit at reasonable cost.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Amends rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate to prohibit the offering of amendments to a bill or joint resolution making continuing appropriations except with the approval of two-thirds of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Amends rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate to prohibit the offering of amendments to a bill or joint resolution raising the public debt limit, unless: (1) the amendment changes the figure limiting the public debt; or (2) two-thirds of the Senate approves the consideration of such amendment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that, upon confirmation, the new Secretary of the Interior should act to insure that the policies and programs of the Department of the Interior conform with the expressed will of the Congress and regain public support and confidence.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1983
Olmsted Historic Landscapes Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to prepare a State-by- State inventory of Olmsted historic landscapes. Provides that all properties on the inventory shall be part of an Olmsted historic landscape system. Requires that property identified in the inventory as nationally significant by a State historic preservation officer or by a State outdoor recreation liaison officer be studied by the Secretary for possible designation as a national landmark and for the World Heritage List. Requires that property on the inventory which meets the appropriate criteria be nominated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Requires periodic updating of the inventory. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate general standards for preservation of historic landscapes; (2) provide technical assistance to Federal agencies, State and local governments, private organizations, and other interested individuals on the identification, commemoration, and preservation of Olmsted historic landscapes; (3) conduct and submit to Congress a thematic study of historic landscapes to identify those landscapes which would qualify as national historic landscapes; (4) establish a program for the use of the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site in Massachusetts as a center for research and establish an advisory committee for the site; and (5) develop appropriate international activities related to the Olmsted historic landscapes. Requires the Secretary to provide for the coordination of applications for grants for the preservation of Olmsted historic landscapes. Permits State and local governments to use Federal funds made available to them for the preservation of any inventoried Olmsted historic landscape. Requires the Secretary to assist and coordinate public and private cooperation in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Secretary to conduct appropriate activities during the decade of 1985 to 1995 to commemorate the Olmsted achievements and influence on American life. Establishes the Advisory Committee on Olmsted Historic Landscapes, which shall assist the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in carrying out those of its duties under the National Historic Preservation Act that relate to Olmsted historic landscapes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1983
Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1983 - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to require the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to establish and maintain a national toll-free telephone line for reporting information regarding the location of missing children. Directs the Administrator to establish a national resource center and clearinghouse to: (1) provide technical assistance to State and local governments and agencies in locating missing children; (2) coordinate public and private efforts to recover missing children; and (3) disseminate information on innovative missing childrens' programs, services, and legislation. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual summary of research on missing children and prepare a comprehensive plan for coordinating activities of all agencies and organizations responsible for missing children. Authorizes the Administrator, in consultation with the Advisory Board on Missing Children, to make grants for research or demonstration or service programs designed to: (1) educate parents and community agencies on ways to prevent the abduction of children; (2) assist in the recovery or tracking of missing children; (3) aid communities in collecting material to assist parents in the identification of their children; (4) demonstrate the psychological consequences of a child's abduction; and (5) collect data on investigative practices utilized by law enforcement agencies. Requires the Administrator to appoint an Advisory Board on Missing Children to assist the Administrator in coordinating programs and activities relating to missing children. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in order to reduce high unemployment and to foster the recovery of the U.S. automobile industry and to avoid the further deterioration of U.S. trade, the President should urge the Japanese to extend beyond March 31, 1984, the present automobile export restraints.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) provide protection and security for U.S. Forces in Lebanon; (2) pursue, in coordination with our allies in the Multinational Peacekeeping Force, the transferral of the peacekeeping responsibilities in Lebanon to a United Nations peacekeeping presence or to other forces from neutral countries; and (3) prepare and transmit to the Congress a report setting forth the measures that have been taken to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that on the President's visit to Japan, he should express to Japan that: (1) action must be taken to reduce the current balance-of-trade deficit; (2) the reduction of the trade imbalance is critical to future U.S.-Japan trade relations; and (3) Japan should announce its commitment to purchase one-third of its metallurgical and steam coal from the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1983
Commission on Civil Rights Resolution - Establishes within the legislative branch an eight member Commission on Civil Rights (Commission). Provides rules of procedure for Commission hearings. Requires the Commission to: (1) investigate allegations of citizens' being denied their right to vote by reason of their color, religion, sex, age, handicap or national origin; (2) study and collect information concerning discrimination or a denial of equal protection; (3) appraise Federal laws and policy with respect to discrimination and the denial of equal protection; and (4) serve as a national clearinghouse for such information. Prohibits the Commission from investigating any membership practice or internal operation of any fraternal organization, college or university fraternity or sorority, private club or religious organization. Prohibits the Commission from collecting or studying information with respect to abortion. Directs the Commission to appraise the laws and policies of the Federal Government with respect to denials of equal protection involving Americans who are members of eastern - and southern - European ethic groups.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1983
Designates the week beginning February 12, 1984, as a time to recognize the contributions of volunteers who become Big Brothers and Big Sisters to single-parent youth.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1983
Drought Relief Act of 1983 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to permit farmers and ranchers to qualify for disaster assistance whether or not their counties have been designated as disaster areas. Permits family farmers to request economic hardship loan repayment and foreclosure deferrals through FY 1984. Requires a showing of: (1) good management; (2) temporary inability to repay because of circumstances beyond one's control; (3) reasonable chance of repayment; and (4) no available loan-servicing alternatives. Provides for loan consolidation and rescheduling at the end of such deferral period. Requires the Secretary to notify borrowers regarding such deferral and rescheduling programs. Requires deferred or rescheduled loan interest rates to be at the lower of either original or current rates. Amends the Emergency Agricultural Credit Adjustment Act of 1978 to extend the economic emergency loan program through FY 1984. Gives preference to farmers affected by the 1983 drought. Limits interest rates to eight percent. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to increase insured and guaranteed operating loan limits. Extends the maximum payment period from seven to 15 years. Requires that at least 20 percent of FY 1984 farm ownership and operating loans be for limited-resource farmers. Requires the Secretary to notify all farmers about such program. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to require the Secretary to make advance deficiency payments to 1984 wheat, feed grain, upland cotton, and rice producers. Requires the Secretary to make low-grade Commodity Credit Corporation corn available (at 75 percent of the local loan rate) to poultry and livestock producers in areas affected by the 1983 drought. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to make emergency business loans available to small rural businesses in areas adversely affected by the drought or payment-in-kind program. Requires the Secretary to provide for a graduated scale of rural water and waste disposal grants based on income and population levels. Restricts the maximum rate to projects in communities with populations of 1500 or less and a median income level below 80 percent of the statewide nonmetropolitan median income level. Directs the Secretary to establish a project selection system based on income, population, and health hazards due to lack of potable water or inadequate waste disposal. Authorizes predevelopment grants and technical assistance. Revises the standard for five percent loans from one based on the Federal poverty line to one based on the statewide nonmetropolitan median income level. Establishes a seven-percent loan for communities with median incomes of between 80 and 100 percent of such statewide income level.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1983
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Lady Bird Johnson in recognition of her humanitarian efforts and contributions to the beautification of America. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the striking of such medal and bronze duplication for sale to the public. Declares such medals to be national medals. Authorizes appropriations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Ford, Wendell H. [D-KY]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000268_200.jpg)