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United States · Official source
2,727 records where Sen. Ford, Wendell H. [D-KY] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1981
Provides for the participation of the Department of Defense education system for dependents in overseas areas in the Senate youth program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Retail Dealers' Agreement Act - Makes it a violation of this Act for any supplier of office products to: (1) induce a dealer in such products to enter into a dealer agreement by fraud; (2) fail to act in good faith in performing, canceling, terminating, or refusing to renew a dealer agreement; or (3) enter into a dealer agreement whereby the dealer will conduct business in a market area which is already the market area of another dealer without providing 60 days notice to the existing dealer. Requires a Federal district court to determine the propriety of the proposed dealership in accordance with specified guidelines in the event the existing dealer objects to its establishment. Includes among such guidelines: (1) whether the additional dealership is warranted by current economic and marketing conditions; (2) the permanency of the investment of the objecting dealer; and (3) whether the objecting dealer is providing adequate competition and sales, convenient service, and adequate facilities, equipment, and parts. Stipulates that the desire for further market penetration shall not in itself justify the establishment of a new dealership. Authorizes a dealer to bring an action against a supplier in Federal district court for damages, equitable relief, and attorney fees and other costs. Permits an award of treble damages for willful violations. Stipulates that this Act shall not be construed to modify any provision of the antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns) of the interest earned on an All Savers Certificate in taxable years 1981, 1982, and 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Coal Utilization Incentives Act of 1954 - Title I: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the amortization of coal utilization property, based on a 36 month period. Defines "coal utilization property" as tangible depreciable property which is: (1) a coal-burning boiler or burner which replaces a natural gas or oil burning boiler or burner; (2) equipment for converting a natural gas or oil burning boiler or burner to a coal-burning one; or (3) pollution control equipment required for such boiler or burner. Allows an investment tax credit to public utilities for coal utilization property. Qualifies coal utilization property for the full investment tax credit allowed for pollution control facilities with a useful life of not less than five years. Excludes from gross income the interest income on industrial development bonds issued to provide financing of powerplant coal utilization capital expenditures. Title II: Coal Conversions Under the Clean Air Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to exclude as a modification a stationary source which voluntarily converts to coal (thereby excluding the source from new source performance standards).
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Requests the President to designate March 19, 1982, as National Energy Education Day.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to several individuals in full satisfaction of a claim against the United States arising out of the sale of certain real property to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Refers to the Chief Commissioner of the Court of Claims a bill for the relief of several individuals. Directs the Commissioner to report to the Senate on the nature of the claim against the United States and the amount, if any, due such individuals from the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the continued access of farmer-owned oil refining cooperatives and independent oil refining businesses to crude oil at reasonable prices must be assured.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1981
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage from entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State, or limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in that area, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in that area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1981
Monongahela and Upper Ohio River Waterways Improvement Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to replace specified locks and dams on the Monongahela River, Pennsylvania, to rehabilitate the Gallipolis Dam, Ohio and West Virginia, and to replace certain locks on the Ohio River. Directs the Chief of Engineers to mitigate fish and wildlife habitat losses resulting from such construction by purchasing, at Federal expense, specified land. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer such land to the State of West Virginia for operation and maintenance. Requires the Chief of Engineers to submit a final environmental impact statement to Congress prior to initiating such construction. Provides for veto of such impact statement by concurrent resolution of Congress within 60 days. Exempts such impact statement and actions to carry out such project from judicial review except as specified. Sets forth procedures for such expedited judicial review. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Chief of Engineers, pending appropriation of such sums, to allot, from existing Army Department civil works appropriations, such sums as are necessary for immediate improvements.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1981
Expresses the concern of the Senate over the attack on Pope John Paul II.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1981
Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs should study, and report to Congress no later than August 1, 1981, on the advisability of seeking institutional reforms in the structure and operation of the Federal Reserve System as may be required to provide a stable and positive economic environment for growth and investment while reducing inflationary pressures. Requires such study to include: (1) the feasibility of implementing a dual prime rate; and (2) the advisability of increased Congressional supervision of policies affecting the Nation's monetary system.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of May 17 through May 23, 1981, as "U.S.O. Week".
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1981
Consumer Tire Registration and Public Notice Improvement Act - Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to require automobile and automobile tire dealers or distributors to furnish the first purchaser of a tire with a tire registration form. Requires public notice of tire defects if the Secretary determines that such notice is necessary in the interest of motor vehicle safety.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Requests the President to designate October 2, 1981, as "American Enterprise Day."
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Regulatory Reform Act - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require the notice of proposed agency rulemaking to include: (1) a statement of the Congressional intent behind the rule; (2) a solicitation for public proposals for alternative methods; (3) a description of the data used in the rulemaking; and (4) a determination of whether the rule is a "major rule," as defined in this Act. Directs each agency to publish with such notice: (1) a description of the costs and benefits of and alternatives to the proposed rule; and (2) a justification for proposing the rule and selecting it over the alternatives. Requires agencies to give interested persons at least 60 days to submit written comments on any proposed rule and to make oral comments on major rules. Provides for a 30-day extension of such period. Directs each agency to publish with each final rule a statement of its basis and purpose, including an assessment of the public comments and a comparison of the costs, benefits, and adverse effects of the rule. Requires an agency officer or employee to prepare the rulemaking notice and the statement of the basis and purpose. Directs each agency to maintain, for judicial review, a public file of the paperwork and comments pertaining to each rulemaking proceeding. Allows an agency to promulgate an emergency rule without meeting the notice and comment requirements. Directs such agency: (1) to publish an explanation of the situation requiring the emergency rule and a justification of the emergency rule selected; and (2) to comply with normal rulemaking requirements as soon as practicable. Requires each agency to review its major rules every ten years. Directs each agency to: (1) publish and submit to the President a proposed review schedule; and (2) publish a final schedule within one year after enactment of this Act. Permits the President to select additional rules for review. Directs each agency to publish a notice of its proposed action regarding a reviewed rule. Requires that the notice: (1) assess the costs, benefits, and adverse effects of the rule; and (2) invite public proposals for modifications or alternatives to the rule. Requires an agency to follow normal rulemaking procedures when amending or rescinding a rule. Specifies procedures for renewing a rule without amendment. Directs a court reviewing an agency action to: (1) set aside any agency rule found to lack substantial support in the rulemaking file; (2) determine the authority or jurisdiction of the agency on the basis of the language of the authorizing statute or other evidence of legislative intent; and (3) accord no presumption in favor of or against agency action. Declares that when proceedings for review of the same agency action are instituted in two or more courts of appeals within ten days, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall select the court in which the record shall be filed by a system of random selection. Authorizes the courts not selected to grant preliminary relief pending transfer of their proceedings. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually, an agenda of the rules the agency expects to propose, promulgate, renew, or withdraw within the next 12 months, including a schedule of the significant actions pertaining to each rule. Directs the President to publish, semiannually, a Calendar of Federal Regulations, listing each of the major rules included in the agenda.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Title I: Amendments to Title 18, United States Code (18 U.S.C. 921-928) - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition. Adds a new definition "engaged in the business" with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Defines as a manufacturer or dealer of firearms a person who manufactures or deals in a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit. Excludes as dealers persons making occasional sales or repairs of firearms. Eliminates certain activities involving ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Makes it unlawful for any person to transfer any firearm to a person who does not reside in the same State, if the transferor has reasonable cause to believe that acquisition of the firearm by such person would violate any State or local law or ordinance. Revises the current prohibition against certain classes of persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition. Includes as additional categories illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged members of the Armed Forces, and U.S. citizens who renounce their citizenship. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Declares that a licensed dealer's personal collection of firearms shall not be subject to recordkeeping requirements. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to revoke a license only where the holder "willfully" violates a provision of the Act. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, where such individual is not convicted of such charges. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, firearms, or ammunition that the Secretary has probable cause to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises. Restricts the firearms information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Establishes a "willful" scienter (knowledge) requirement with respect to general violations of the Act. Revises the current offense of using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony to: (1) include use of a destructive device; (2) delete the act of "carrying" a firearm to commit a felony; and (3) limit such offense to felonies over which the Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Retains the current penalty (one to ten years) for first offenses. Increases the penalty for second or subsequent offenses to five to 25 years' imprisonment (currently, two to 25 years). Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence or grant probation. Deletes the prohibition against concurrent sentences. Prohibits the granting of parole to first and subsequent offenders. Declares that no person shall be subject to the additional, mandatory penalties if use of the firearm or destructive device was to protect persons or property. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Directs the court to award attorney fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in a proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Requires the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was without foundation or was initiated in bad faith. Limits seizure to firearms individually identified as involved in the violation. Revises the current procedure allowing persons who have been convicted of a crime to apply to the Secretary for relief from the firearms prohibitions to make the following changes. Permits any person prohibited from possessing, shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or ammunition to apply for relief. Requires, instead of permits, the Secretary to grant release, unless the applicant will be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety. Permits any person who is denied relief to seek de novo judicial review in Federal court. Makes the authority of the Secretary to permit importation of certain types of firearms and ammunition nondiscretionary. Extends the types of sporting firearms which may be imported. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Establishes a Congressional veto procedure with respect to firearms regulations. Authorizes either House of Congress to adopt a resolution of disapproval within 90 days of the rule's promulgation. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Declares any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to Title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of June 1 through June 7, 1981, as "Management Week in America."
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Establishes a Special Joint Committee on the Centennial of the Birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Directs that such committee be composed of sixteen Members of the Congress. Directs that such committee shall prepare an overall program for nationwide observances and make comprehensive plans for commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, including a joint session of Congress to be held on January 29, 1982. Provides that such committee shall terminate not later than April 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1981
Coastal Barrier Resources Act - Declares the findings and intentions of Congress in regard to the fish, wildlife, and other natural resources associated with the coastal barriers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Establishes the Coastal Barrier Resources System (System) which shall consist of specified undeveloped coastal barriers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Requires that certain coastal barrier maps shall be available for public inspection through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide copies of such maps to the chief executive officer of: (1) each State and political subdivision in which a System unit is located, and (2) each affected Federal agency. Directs the Secretary to make necessary modifications to such maps and to notify specified Congressional committees of the same. Limits, to specified projects, Federal expenditures on such projects or financial assistance for purposes within the System. Lists those projects eligible for financial assistance. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to certify annually to Congress that the Federal agencies concerned have complied with the provisions of this Act. Declares that no provision of this Act shall be construed to invalidate any provision of State or local law. Sets forth the contents of reports to be filed by the Secretary with specified Congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1981
Food and Agriculture Act of 1981 - Title I: Payment Limitations for Wheat, Feed Grains, Upland Cotton, and Rice - Extends through 1985 the $50,000 annual limitation on the total amount of payments (excluding disaster payments) available to a person under the wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice programs. Limits such annual payments to $100,000 when a disaster payments program is in effect. Title II: Dairy Program - Extends through 1985 the: (1) dairy base plan authority; and (2) program of price-supported dairy products for the military and veterans' hospitals. Extends the dairy indemnity program through September 30, 1985. Establishes the milk support price for fiscal years 1982-1985 at between 75-90 percent of parity. Provides that: (1) the support price may not be less than the previous year; and (2) the support price shall be redetermined whenever dairy imports are increased as a result of relaxed import restrictions. Title III: Wool and Mohair - Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to extend the wool and mohair price support program through 1985. Sets the support price for shorn wool for the 1982-1985 marketing years at 85 percent of the current formula amount under such Act. Title IV: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 wheat crops at not less than $3.70 per bushel nor in excess of 100 percent of parity. Stipulates that the Secretary of Agriculture may reduce the loan level (by not more than ten percent nor less than $3.00 per bushel) as necessary to maintain domestic and export markets if the market price of wheat falls to 105 percent or less of the loan level. Establishes the target price for the 1982 crop at $4.40 per bushel and for the 1983-1985 crops at the previous year's target price adjusted to reflect production cost changes. Directs the Secretary to proclaim a national wheat program acreage for each of the 1982-1985 crops by August 1 of each year. Permits the Secretary to revise such programs as necessary. Establishes the national program acreage as the number of harvested acres necessary for domestic and export requirements. Requires the Secretary to determine a program allocation factor for each crop year. States that such factor shall be determined by dividing the national program acreage (of a crop) by the estimated number of acres to be harvested. Stipulates that the allocation factor shall be between 80 and 100 percent. States that: (1) the individual farm program acreage shall be determined by multiplying the allocation factor by planted acreage on farms for which individual farm program acreages are required to be determined; and (2) the farm program payment yield shall be based on the previous crop year. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for a set-aside of croplands if necessary to avoid excessive wheat and feed grain harvests. Directs the Secretary to announce any such set-aside by August 1. Requires producers participating in such set-aside program to use such acreage for conservation purposes. Stipulates that the Secretary may permit such acreage or part thereof to be used for other commodities if such crops are necessary to provide an adequate supply, and will not increase the cost of the price support program nor adversely affect farm income. Authorizes the Secretary to make land-diversion payments whether or not a set-aside is in effect to wheat and feed grain producers. Requires such acreage to be used for conservation purposes. Authorizes such land-diversion contracts to be determined by bid. Requires that the total diverted acreage in any county or local community not adversely affect the economy of such area. Permits the set-aside and diverted acreage to be used for wildlife purposes. Requires such set-aside and land-diversion programs to be carried out through the Commodity Credit Corporation. Exempts the 1982-1985 wheat crops from specified: (1) export and processing marketing certificate requirements; (2) marketing quotas and producer certificate provisions; (3) quota provisions; and (4) current support price levels. Title V: Feed Grains - Provides for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 corn crops at not less than $2.50 per bushel. Stipulates that the Secretary may reduce the loan and purchase level (by not more than ten percent nor less than $2.25 per bushel) if the market price of corn falls to 105 percent or less of such level. Requires the Secretary to provide emergency compensation (increased target price payments) if such reductions occur. Provides for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 barley, oat, grain sorghums, and rye crops at levels in relation to corn prices. Establishes the target price for the 1982 corn crop at $2.75 per bushel and for the 1983-1985 corn crops at the previous year's target price adjusted to reflect production cost changes. Directs the Secretary to proclaim a national feed grain program acreage for the 1982 crops by November 1 of each year. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for 1982-1985 cropland set-asides and land diversion payments along similar lines as apply to wheat under this Act. Extends current authority through 1985 for certain price support exemptions. Title VI: Upland Cotton - Suspends application of existing price support, marketing quota, base acreage allotment, and related provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to the 1982-1985 upland cotton crops. Extends the upland cotton loan program through 1985. Establishes the price support loan level for the 1982-1985 crops as the smaller of 85 percent of the average U. S. price over a five-year period and 90 percent of the average Northern Europe price (as determined by formulas in this Act.). Stipulates that such level may not be less than $.55 per pound. Permits the Secretary to adjust the level upward under specified conditions. States that such loans shall be made for a ten month term, with an additional eight months if requested by the producer. Requires the President to impose a 90-day quota on imported cotton upon a finding by the Secretary that the spot market price of upland cotton for any month exceeds 130 percent of the average spot market prices for the preceding 36 months. Establishes the target price for the 1982 crop at $.80 per pound and for the 1983-1985 crops at the previous year's target price adjusted to reflect production cost changes. Directs the Secretary to proclaim a national upland cotton program acreage for each of the 1982-1985 crops by November 1 of each year. Requires such national acreage to be at least ten million acres. Bases individual farm acreage on the national acreage. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for 1982-1985 cropland set-asides (up to 28 percent of planted acreage) and land diversion payments along similar lines as apply to wheat under this Act. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to extend the present skiprow provisions through 1985. States that the permanent State, county, and farm base acreage allotments for the 1977 upland cotton crop shall be the preliminary allotments for the 1986 crop. Extends Commodity Credit Corporation sales price restrictions through July 31, 1986. Title VII: Rice - Establishes the target price for the 1982 rice crop at $11.01 per hundredweight and for the 1983-1985 rice crops at the previous year's target price adjusted to reflect production cost changes. Provides for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 rice crops at a level which bears the same ratio to the previous year's loan level as the target price bears to the previous year's target price. Permits the Secretary to establish a lower loan level, as necessary (not less than $8.26 per hundredweight nor more than 100 percent of parity). Directs the Secretary to proclaim a national rice program acreage for each of the 1982-1985 crops by December 31 of each year. Bases individual farm acreage on the national acreage. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for 1982-1985 cropland set-asides and land diversion payments along similar lines as apply to wheat under this Act. Suspends provisions relating to allotments, marketing quotas, and acreage apportionment for the 1982-1985 rice crops. Title VIII: Peanuts - Exempts the 1982-1985 peanut crops from annual marketing quota and State acreage allotment requirements. Extends for the 1982-1985 peanut crops: (1) minimum national poundage quota of 1,44,000 tons; (2) sale, lease, and transfer of acreage provisions; (3) reporting and recordkeeping provisions; and (4) unused allotments provisions. Provides for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 quota peanut crops at not less than $650 per ton. Title IX: Soybeans - Provides for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 soybean crops at not less than $5.44 per bushel. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a soybean set-aside as a condition of price support eligibility for another commodity. Title X: Sugar - Provides for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 sugarcane and sugar beet crops. Title XI: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the Secretary to make disaster payments, prevented planting disaster payments, and reduced yield disaster payments for the 1982-1985 wheat, feed grain, upland cotton, and rice crops. Permits the Secretary to make individual adjustments. Provides that whenever a set-aside is in effect for one or more of the 1982-1985 wheat, feed grain, upland cotton, or rice crops, the Secretary may: (1) require for support eligibility that the normally planted acreage be reduced by the amount of set-aside or diversion; and (2) increase the target price of such commodities (and other commodities as necessary). Extends the farm storage facility loan program through September 30, 1985. Authorizes the Secretary to make producer storage loans for the 1982-1985 wheat and feed grain crops at rates up to 120 percent above the wheat and feed grain price support levels. Title XII: Public Law 480 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) to extend international assistance programs under such Act through 1985. Permits the domestic distilled spirits industry to participate in the concessional sales program under such Act. Title XIII: Food Stamp and Commodity Distribution Programs - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 concerning the "thrifty food plan" to: (1) provide for separate cost calculations for urban and rural Alaskan areas; and (2) revise the procedures for determining food cost adjustments so that adjustments will be made each January 1 based on the 12 months ending the preceding September 30. Revises the provisions for determining annual household income deductions to: (1) base such deductions on the 12 months ending the preceding September 30; (2) disallow household expenses paid by a third party; and (3) repeal certain deduction increases for dependent care and the elderly scheduled to take effect October 1, 1981. Replaces the current six-month work registration requirement with an annual requirement. Sets forth the liability of States for certain losses relating to food stamp coupons. Provides that penalties collected from food stores for food stamp violations shall be deposited in a special fund and used for activities to reduce food stamp abuse. Eliminates the current limit on fiscal year 1981 food stamp funding authorizations. Authorizes necessary appropriations for fiscal years 1981-1985. Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend specified commodities distribution programs through fiscal year 1985. Establishes penalties for fraudulent use of such commodities. Title XIV: Multiyear Set-Asides - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1970 to extend the multiyear set-aside through the 1985 crop year. Title XV: Food and Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to extend the terms of the Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Users Advisory Board to December 3, 1986. Increases the membership of such Board from 21 to 25. Authorizes the Secretary to establish an Office of Higher Education within the Department of Agriculture to assist in strengthening higher education in the food and agricultural sciences. Revises current grant provisions, including limiting grants to not more than five years. Transfers to the Secretary all functions, programs, and offices under section 22 of the Bankhead-Jones Act and the Second Morrill Act. States that persons in agricultural research, extension, teaching, or any combination thereof shall be eligible for a National Agricultural Science Award. Makes Federal laboratories eligible for biomass energy research grants. Provides that: (1) ten percent of the funds for low-income family nutrition education programs shall be divided equally among all the States; and (2) one percent of such funds may be used for administrative purposes. Redefines "eligible institution" for animal health and disease research purposes to require an institution to have related annual expenditures in excess of $150,000. Limits grants for regional or national animal health problems to not more than five years. Requires the Secretary to annually establish priority lists for such funds. Sets forth factors to be considered in making such determinations. Increases the annual authorization of appropriations for continuing agricultural and forestry extension at 1890 land grant colleges, beginning in fiscal year 1982. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with, and make grants to land grant colleges and universities, extension services, and other institutions to further Federal-State cooperation in the areas of agricultural research, extension, and teaching; and (2) establish human nutrition centers at such institutions. Prohibits funds made available by the Secretary under specified Acts from being reduced to cover indirect costs incurred by the recipient. Makes forestry schools and land grant colleges eligible for agricultural research facilities construction grants. Limits such grants to projects for renovation or installation of equipment, or in the case of new construction, for auxiliary facilities or fixed research equipment only. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program of grants to strengthen research and education on national and regional rural development issues. Authorizes necessary appropriations. Replaces specific authorizations of appropriations with generalized authorizations for the following programs: (1) rural development and small farm research and extension; (2) food and agricultural sciences education; (3) biomass energy research; (4) solar energy model farms; (5) agricultural research; (6) agricultural extension; and (7) competitive, special, and facilities research. Title XVI: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this Act (unless otherwise provided) effective October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1981
Natural Gas Utilization Act - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to repeal certain prohibitions on the use of natural gas as a primary energy source in existing electric powerplants and major fuel-burning installations. Permits local distribution companies to provide natural gas service to residential customers for use in outdoor lighting fixtures installed, and receiving natural gas, before the enactment of the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978. Requires each local distribution company, in accordance with rules established by the Secretary of Energy, to: (1) periodically inform its customers of the amount of natural gas consumed by outdoor lighting; and (2) report such information method to the Secretary. Permits the Secretary to grant a permanent exemption from the prohibitions on the use of natural gas in a gas-coal mixture in a new powerplant or installation if: (1) emissions would be reduced; and (2) disregarding any variances, the proportion of natural gas in a mixture complies with applicable environmental requirements. Repeals the Federal requirement of incremental pricing under the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Declares the week of April 19 through 26, 1982, as National Nurse Midwifery Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Small Business Innovation Research Act of 1981 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) maintain an information program to provide small businesses an opportunity to participate in Federal small business innovation research (SBIR) programs; (2) coordinate a schedule for release of agency SBIR solicitations and prepare a master release schedule; (3) monitor SBIR programs within Federal agencies; and (4) report annually to the Congressional Small Business Committees on the SBIR programs. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $100,000,000 in fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to spend a specified percentage of its budget in connection with an SBIR program. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to establish specific goals for funding research and development agreements with small businesses. Directs each Federal agency with an SBIR program to report annually to the SBA the number of awards over $10,000 in amount made under the SBIR program and to concerns other than small business concerns. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in conjunction with the SBA, to promulgate regulations for the conduct of the SBIR programs. States that this Act does not authorize the appropriation of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend from August 6, 1982, to August 6, 1992: (1) the time period during which jurisdictions covered by the triggering mechanism must not have used a test or device to deny the right to vote on account of race in order to be released from coverage; and (2) the time period during which changes in voting laws must be precleared with the Federal Government. Extends the bilingual election requirements from August 6, 1985, to August 6, 1992. Restates the prohibition against denying the right to vote based on race to prohibit any State from imposing voting practices "in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement" of the right to vote.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Economic Equity Act - Title I: Tax and Retirement Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the maximum deduction for contributions to an individual retirement plan: (1) shall be computed separately for each individual who is married; and (2) in the case of a married individual who has no compensation or less compensation than that of the spouse, shall be determined as if such compensation were the same as that of the individual's spouse. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan that provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount that would have been made under the survivor's annuity if the participant had survived and retired on such annuity date. Provides that a participant's election not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse of the participant consents in writing to such an election. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State domestic relations law. Amends ERISA to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from age 25 to age 21. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accruals of creditable service to continue while an individual is on approved maternity or paternity leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the zero bracket amount; (2) lower the tax rate; (3) decrease withholding requirements; and (4) increase minimum filing requirements for heads of households. Entitles former spouses of members of the uniformed services, civil service employees, and Members of Congress, who were married for at least ten years during creditable service, to an annuity based upon a portion of retired or retainer pay. Amends the Survivor Benefit Plan of the uniformed services to make former spouses eligible for annuities under such plan. Provides for survivor's annuities for surviving former spouses of civil service employees or Members of Congress. Provides that the election of a member of the uniformed services, civil service employee, or Member of Congress not to make a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse and any former spouse consents in writing to such an election. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to employers of displaced homemakers. Title II: Day Care Program - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the formula for determining the tax credit for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment. Provides that such credit may exceed tax liability. Increases the dollar limit for such credit from $2,000 to $2,500 (from $4,000 to $5,000 for two or more dependents). Allows a higher limit in the case of a taxpayer with children under two years of age. Increases the earned income limitation for such credit in the case of a spouse who is a student or incapable of self-care. Provides that employers may make advance payments of the credit to qualified employees. Excludes from gross income of an employee any amounts paid or expenses incurred by the employer for dependent care assistance to such employee. Title III: Armed Forces - Revises the rules for the distribution of the property of deceased members of the Air Force and Army by removing any gender distinctions from such rules. Establishes a distribution formula based on six classes: (1) beneficiary named in a will; (2) surviving spouse; (3) children; (4) parents; (5) siblings; and (6) next of kin. Eliminates sexual distinctions with regard to promotion procedures and procedures to remove reserve officers from active duty status in the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve. Requires the Secretary of Defense to make an annual report to the Congress concerning the status of women in the armed forces. Title IV: Estate Tax on Agricultural Property and Farm Loans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift tax from $47,000 to $192,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases the minimum gross estate requirement for filing a return from $175,000 to $600,000. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if they 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 during the period beginning on the date of deaths of the decedent and ending on the date of death of the spouse. 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 received 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. Provides that the interest rate on extended payments of estate taxes shall be the lower of six percent or 75 percent of the prime rate. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to remove the preference to married persons in receiving farm improvement loans. Title V: Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Grants to State or local governments having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer, if a State or local authority: (1) has received notice of a complaint and fails to act within 60 days; or (2) has no insurance discrimination laws. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Title VI: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the heads of each Federal administrative agency to conduct a review of the regulations of that agency to assure that such regulations are sex neutral. Requires that, to the extent practicable, all rules, regulations, documents, and other writings of Federal administrative agencies shall use words that are neutral as to gender, unless the subject matter specifically applies only to one sex or the words used do not result in sex-based discrimination. Title VII: Study of Enforcement of Alimony and Child Support Payments - Directs the Attorney General to undertake a study of the appropriate role of the Federal Government in the enforcement of delinquent payments of alimony, child support, and property settlement orders against an absent spouse or parent. Requires the Attorney General to submit to the President and the Congress not later than one year after enactment of this Act a report of such study together with recommendations for appropriate legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of September 20 through 26, 1981, as "National Cystic Fibrosis Week."
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1981
Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for certain Department of Commerce maritime programs including: (1) ship construction and acquisition; (2) operating-differential subsidy payments; (3) research and development; (4) operations and training; (5) fleet expenses; and (6) maritime education. Authorizes supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for employee benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Amends the Small Business Act to require that disaster loan applications be acted upon under the regulations in effect on the date of application and without regard to regulations prescribed after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Commends Secret Service Agents Timothy McCarthy and Jerry Parr and Metropolitan Police Officer Thomas Delahanty for their performance in the line of duty with respect to the assassination attempt on the life of the President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1981
Consumer Product Safety Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to limit to five the number of field offices which the Consumer Product Safety Commission may maintain. Directs the Commission to notify the Congressional commerce committees of any consumer product information or research grant in an amount greater than $50,000. Requires the Commission to find that compliance with a voluntary standard is unlikely to result in elimination of risk or that substantial compliance with such a standard is unlikely, before promulgating a regulation with respect to which persons have adopted a voluntary standard. Applies such requirement to Commission authority under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Flammable Fabrics Act. Requires the Commission to include in its report to Congress a consideration of the number and effectiveness of consumer product safety standards. Eliminates the current provision prohibiting the incorporation of any sampling plan in a safety standard, except with respect to flammability standards. Prohibits the making of any contribution to the cost of developing a proposed consumer product safety standard or participating with the Commission in development of a standard unless such contribution is made under an agreement. Requires the Commission to prepare a regulatory impact analysis containing specified information, including cost-benefit analysis, before promulgating a consumer product safety rule. Repeals the authority of the Commission to prescribe procedures to insure that manufacturers of new consumer products (products incorporating a design, material, or form of energy exchange which have not been used substantially) notify the Commission before distributing such products in commerce. Amends the notification provision to stipulate that the reporting of an inconsequential failure to comply with a consumer product safety rule or of a defect which could create only an inconsequential product hazard shall not be required. Directs the Commission to study each rule promulgated after the date of enactment within five years of its promulgation. Eliminates the Product Safety Advisory Council, the National Advisory Committee for the Flammable Fabrics Act, and the technical advisory committee authorized under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the reduced amount of $39,000,000 for fiscal year 1982. Directs the Commission to establish a panel to study the effectiveness of the interim cellulose insulation standard. Requires such Panel to report its results to Congress within six months of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1981
Designates the square dance as the national folk dance of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1981
Immigration and National Security Act of 1981 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) increase the size of the Border Patrol and improve its technology and equipment; (2) establish an alien identification card system; and (3) report to the President and Congress regarding such matters within one year of enactment of this Act. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit annual immigration to 350,000 (presently 270,000). Gives admission priority to immediate family members. Provides that in an emergency the President may, after appropriate consultation with Congress, reallocate available immigrant visas or use visas available for the succeeding fiscal year. Requires the President to report annually to Congress concerning the projected number of admissions (including immediate relatives, refugees, parolees, and immigrants). Requires such report to include a determination by the Secretary of Labor regarding the effect of such admissions on U.S. employment. Revises asylum provisions to: (1) require an applicant to show the qualifying conditions (of persecution) that existed prior to departure from his or her country; (2) define "entry into the United States" for an applicant involved in an exclusion or deportation proceeding; and (3) direct the Attorney General, after consultation with the Secretaries of State and Health and Human Services, to prepare plans for processing applicants, including establishing reception centers outside the United States. Restricts the exercise of the Attorney General's parole authority to a case-by-case basis. Authorizes the Attorney General to permit certain aliens who entered the United States illegally before January 1, 1978, to remain as immigrants. Prohibits the knowing employment of illegal aliens. Provides civil and criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Attorney General: (1) to include such enforcement efforts in his annual report; and (2) in cooperation with the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services develop a phased prevention program whose main elements include affirmation of U.S. citizenship, verification of social security records, and issuance of new social security cards. Directs the Attorney General to prescribe a uniform schedule of immigration-related fees and charges. Authorizes necessary appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Tennessee Valley Authority Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to increase the number of members of the board of directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority from three to five. Specifies residency requirements for certain members of the board. Increases the number of members required for a quorum to three.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Requests the President to designate July 17, 1981, as "National P.O.W.-M.I.A. Recognition Day."
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
Declares four named individuals to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest or dividends earned on savings deposits which are used by the deposit institutions for residential mortgage lending purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
National Laser Institute Act - Establishes a National Laser Institute to study laser research and technology applications for future civilian and national security uses and to make recommendations to Congress regarding implementation of its findings and the coordination of the efforts of the Federal Government with respect to laser technology. Sets forth the composition and terms of membership of the Institute. States that members of the Institute shall have access to such classified or nonclassified information as is necessary to carry out their responsibilities under this Act. Directs the Institute to prepare and submit to the President and specified Committees of Congress an annual report regarding its activities under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for the purposes of this Act. Terminates the provisions of this Act five years after the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Requests the President to designate May 21, 1981, as "United States Tennis Association Day."
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit any State, or political subdivision thereof, which imposes an income tax on a corporation from taking into account any amount of income of, or attributable to, any foreign corporation which is also a member of an affiliated group to which the domestic corporation belongs, unless such amount is subject to Federal income tax. Prohibits any State, or political subdivision thereof, from taxing or otherwise taking into account: (1) the amount of the deduction for dividends paid by a corporation which has elected the Puerto Rico and possession tax credit for the taxable year; or (2) a certain percentage (determined according to specified formulae) of any dividend received from a domestic corporation which is not treated as income from sources within the United States (or a dividend received by a corporation from a foreign corporation).
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to a named individual in full satisfaction of a claim against the United States arising out of the denial of survivors benefits after the death of her husband while an employee of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Urges the President to extend for three years the orderly marketing agreements between the United States and Taiwan and between the United States and South Korea which limit the exportation from Taiwan and South Korea of nonrubber footwear to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1981
Directs the Education Appeal Board to dismiss all actions which are based on audits conducted prior to the enactment of the Education Amendments of 1978, and which seek the repayment of funds provided to State or local agencies under the Financial Assistance to Meet the Special Educational Needs of Children (title I) provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Television Licensing and Renewal Act of 1981 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to increase the licensing term for a television broadcasting station from three to five years. Permits the Federal Communications Commission to grant an initial license or construction permit for a television broadcast facility on a system of random selection. Directs the Commission to grant a license renewal if the license has substantially met the needs of its service area and complied with the requirement of such Act. Prohibits the Commission from considering the application of any other person for the facilities for which renewal is sought.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Requests the President to designate the third Sunday in September as "National Ministers Day."
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to make financial assistance available to a coal surface mining operator whose probable total annual production will not exceed 200,000 tons, with regard to: (1) drilling observation wells; (2) meeting planning requirements, including water supply information, climatological information, vegetation information, fish and wildlife resources information, soil resources information, land use information, and mapping requirements; and (3) reclamation and operations activities, including water compliance monitoring and soil tests.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Requests the President to designate April 26, 1981, as "National Recognition Day for Veterans of the Vietnam era."
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Amends the Clean Air Act, with regard to State implementation plans for a national primary ambient air quality standard, to authorize the President, as well as a Governor, to issue a temporary emergency suspension of any part of such plan applicable to a fuel burning stationary source. Requires either the President or the Governor to issue such an emergency suspension if either finds that foreign imports of fuels used by such source have reached an excessive level and that such imports can be reduced by the emergency suspension. Requires such suspension to be effective for a maximum of five years, or longer if reasonable; except suspensions violating a national ambient air quality standard are limited to not more than four months. Allows the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in a disapproval order to require a lesser period if the suspension is issued by a Governor. Allows for revocation of a suspension if after four months the fuel burning stationary source in question has not changed to an alternate fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit, for ten-years, the application of a more stringent emission limitation or standard of performance to: (1) any existing major stationary source which comes into compliance with all emission limitations in the applicable implementation plan; or (2) any new or modified major stationary source the construction or modification of which meets all applicable emission limitations and standards of performance. Sets such ten-year period to run from the date of completion of compliance, construction, or modification, or during the period of depreciation or amortization of such facility (for Internal Revenue Code purposes), whichever period ends first. Exempts from the application of this Act any source to which a substantial imminent threat to public health can be attributed, as determined by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Amends the Clean Air Act to provide coequal treatment, under Federal law, for a stationary source voluntarily converting from oil or natural gas to an alternate fuel and a stationary source mandated to convert.