United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1983
Expresses the support of the Senate for Lebanon's and Israel's agreement on arrangements for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. Calls upon other nations to work toward the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon. Emphasizes the need of all nations to recognize the sovereignty of Lebanon. Urges Syria and the Palestine Liberation Organization to agree to the arrangements for the withdrawal of their forces from Lebanon.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1983
Waives certain requirements of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to the consideration of S. 695 (International Monetary Fund participation).
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Taiwan should remain a full member of the Asian Development Bank, irrespective of the issue of the People's Republic of China's application to such bank. Declares that the President and the Secretary of State should express U.S. support for Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1983
Authorizes the erection of a memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia, or its environs, in honor and commemoration of members of the armed forces who served in the Korean war. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to select, with the approval of the National 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, the National 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. Authorizes appropriations for site acquisition and preparation in the event nonpublic land is selected for the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that the age for drinking and purchasing alcoholic beverages should be raised to 21 in all States where the drinking age is lower.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1983
Tobacco Deregulation Act of 1983 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 and the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to repeal specified tobacco programs, including: (1) price supports; (2) parity payments; (3) review and adjustment of quotas; and (4) marketing quotas. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 and the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to prohibit agricultural commodity assistance for tobacco. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Assistance Act to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing any tobacco handling orders. Makes such provisions applicable to the 1984 and subsequent tobacco crops. Repeals provisions relating to compacts among States providing for the control or production of, or commerce in, tobacco within such States. Withdraws congressional consent to such compacts. Provides for sliding-scale based payments to low-income tobacco farmers (1982 adjusted gross income up to $24,000) who have terminated acreage allotments and marketing quotas.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1983
Amends the Federal Reserve Act and other Federal law to authorize the printing of the back side of the one-dollar note by other than the intaglio process.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1983
Repeals requirements for a national maximum speed limit of 55 miles per hour. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to repeal the authorization of appropriations to enforce such speed limit.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1983
Declares that the Senate deplores the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon. Urges specified Federal officials to hold memorial or other commemorative ceremonies to honor the victims of the bombing.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1983
Regulatory Reform Act - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to exempt from its applicability any rule involving public property, contracts, or general policy statements of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Repeals the current exemption provided for matters relating to loans, grants, and benefits. Requires a notice of proposed rulemaking to include: (1) a statement of need and objectives; (2) a statement that the agency seeks proposals of alternative methods from the public and from State and local governments; (3) a description of the information on which the agency plans to rely in the rulemaking; and (4) a statement specifying where copies of the rulemaking file may be obtained. Allows an agency to adopt a rule before publishing notice, providing a period for public comment, or establishing a rulemaking file, when notice or hearing is not required by another statute, if: (1) it publishes its findings that compliance with such procedures before the rule becomes effective would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest; and (2) it completes such procedures as soon as practicable after the rule is promulgated. Requires an agency to publish a notice and allow a period for comment on any final rule which is substantially different from the original rule as proposed. Directs each agency to give interested persons at least 60 days to submit written comments on a proposed rule. Permits an agency to use any appropriate procedure to elicit full and representative public comment on the significant issues of a rulemaking. Requires an agency to provide an opportunity for oral presentations at informal public hearings in a rulemaking for a "major rule," as defined by this Act. Requires agencies to publish with each final rule a notice of its effective date and a statement of its basis and purpose, including: (1) a discussion of significant issues and alternative approaches raised by public comments; and (2) an explanation of how the agency's factual determinations are substantially supported in the rulemaking file. Prohibits an agency promulgating a rule from relying on any material not placed in the rulemaking file in time to afford an adequate period for public comment. Directs each agency to give interested persons the right to petition for an interpretation of, or exemption from, a rule. Requires an agency to respond promptly and in writing to such a petition. Requires that each agency maintain a public file of the paperwork, data, and comments pertaining to each rulemaking which shall constitute the rulemaking record for purposes of judicial review. Allows an agency to exclude from the file material exempted from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, if the agency includes a summary of such material or a notice of the existence of such material. Prohibits an agency rule from substantially changing the requirement of any existing contract, agreement, or grant between a Federal agency and a State or local government for one year after the rule takes effect, unless the agency publishes a finding that delaying the rule's effect would be contrary to the public interest. Provides for the judicial review of agency compliance with rulemaking requirements under this Act. Requires each agency: (1) prior to publishing a rulemaking notice, to determine whether a proposed rule is a "major rule" and (2) to include an explanation of such determination in the notice. Authorizes the President or a selected officer to determine that a rule is a major rule within 30 days after publication of the rulemaking notice and to designate not more than 75 rules as major rules during any fiscal year. Requires an agency to issue, to enter into the rulemaking file, and to publish in summary form a preliminary rulemaking analysis of each proposed major rule, with specified exceptions. Provides 60 days for public comment on such analysis. Lists the contents of such analysis, including: (1) a description of quantifiable and nonquantifiable costs and benefits; (2) a description of reasonable alternatives; (3) a statement identifying the source of Federal funds, if any, to pay costs imposed on State and local governments; (4) a description of agency action to verify data; and (5) an explanation of why the rule chosen is more cost effective than the alternatives. Directs the agency to issue a final regulatory analysis upon publishing a final major rule, to place such analysis in the rulemaking file, and to summarize such analysis in the statement of the basis and purpose of the rule. Establishes guidelines for the evaluation and description of benefits and costs in the preparation of such analysis. Limits judicial review over: (1) the designation of a major rule; or (2) any regulatory analysis. Authorizes the President to establish procedures for agency compliance with the regulatory analysis and sunset review requirements under this Act and to monitor and enforce agency implementation of such procedures, except for rules issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Directs the President to report to Congress annually on agency compliance with regulatory analysis requirements. Requires each agency to publish for public comment a proposed schedule for the review of its existing major rules and other rules selected for review by the agency or the President. Directs each agency to publish a final schedule with its responses to public comments within one year of enactment of this Act. Requires each agency to review major rules within ten years after enactment of this Act, or within ten years after such a rule is promulgated, amended, or renewed, whichever is later. Directs each agency to publish a notice of its proposed action regarding a reviewed rule. Requires that the notice: (1) assess the costs and benefits of the rule; and (2) invite public proposals for modifications or alternatives. Requires an agency to follow normal rulemaking procedures when amending or rescinding a rule. Specifies procedures for renewing a rule without amendment. Provides for: (1) extension of the review period to not to exceed 15 years; (2) revision of the review schedule; and (3) expedited agency action if a review deadline is not met. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually, an agenda of the rules the agency expects to propose, promulgate, renew, or repeal within the next twelve months, including a schedule of the agency actions pertaining to each rule. Directs the President to publish, semiannually, a Calendar of Federal Regulations, listing each of the major rules included in such agenda. Allows an agency to promulgate a major rule not listed in such agenda only if it publishes an explanation of why the rule was omitted. Requires each agency to include in the notice of a proposed rulemaking the date by which it intends to complete action or each major portion of action on the rule. Directs an agency that fails to complete action by such date and that expects a delay of more than 30 days to announce a new deadline for action. Directs the President to report to Congress annually on the regulatory activities of the Government. Requires that the report include estimates of the costs and benefits to each major sector of the economy of all major rules promulgated during the preceding year, included in the regulatory agenda for the preceding year, or scheduled for review. Directs a court reviewing an agency action to: (1) determine the authority or jurisdiction of the agency on the basis of the language of the authorizing statute or other evidence of legislative intent; (2) accord no presumption in favor of or against agency action, but to give an agency's interpretation of a statutory provision such weight as it warrants; and (3) determine whether the factual basis of an agency rule has substantial support in the rulemaking file. Declares that when proceedings for review of the same agency action are instituted in two or more courts of appeals within five days, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall select, by a system of random selection, the court in which the record shall be filed. Authorizes the courts to postpone the effective date of the agency action until after such selection is made. Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to exclude from the definition of "advisory committee" for purposes of such Act any committee which is composed wholly of elected State or local officials or their representatives. Grants Federal district courts original jurisdiction of any civil action or proceeding to resolve a controversy between two or more regulatory agencies not of the same State concerning jurisdiction to regulate a public utility, unless the courts of appeals have exclusive original jurisdiction to review actions of one of the regulatory agencies involved. States that a declaratory judgment in such a proceeding shall not be withheld: (1) on the ground that a controversy over matters other than jurisdiction to regulate may exist between the parties; (2) because of failure to exhaust administrative remedies; or (3) because of inconsistent provisions of other statutes providing for judicial review of agency action. Declares that any Federal or State agency may join or be joined as a party to such action and the district court may issue its processes without regard to territorial limitations. Establishes venue for such a proceeding. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to pay the expenses of persons participating or intervening in agency proceedings, except as expressly authorized by statute. Authorizes each Federal agency to adopt as a Federal rule with respect to a State or locality any State or local rule which duplicates or is substantially equivalent to or more stringent than such Federal rule. Declares that any final agency rule, with specified exceptions including an emergency rule, shall be considered to be a recommendation to Congress and shall have no effect unless it is reviewed and not disapproved by Congress. Directs each agency to transmit each final rule to Congress on the day the rule is transmitted for publication to the Federal Register. Prohibits the rule from becoming effective if: (1) within 45 days of continuous session of Congress after the rule is received by Congress, either committee of the House or the Senate having primary legislative jurisdiction over it reports or is discharged from consideration of a resolution disapproving it; (2) within 30 days after such resolution is reported or discharged, either House adopts it; and (3) within 30 days after the adopted resolution is transmitted to the other House, such other House agrees to it. Permits a final rule to become effective at any time after either House rejects a resolution of disapproval. Authorizes an agency to issue and submit to Congress for review a recommended final rule relating to the same acts or practices as a disapproved rule. Sets forth expedited congressional procedures for the consideration of resolutions of disapproval. Declares that the provisions of this Act supercede any other provision of law requiring action by both Houses of Congress for congressional review and disapproval of agency rules, but not any other provisions requiring action by only one House. Amends the Government in the Sunshine Act to include the Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Board as an agency subject to such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1983
Equal Access Act - Prohibits public schools that allow students to participate in extracurricular activities from denying equal access or opportunity for students and faculty to engage in voluntary prayer or religious discussion on school premises during noninstructional periods. Grants Federal court jurisdiction to hear actions for damages or injunctive relief arising out of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1983
Excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, any discharge of residential mortgage indebtedness which occurred in calendar year 1982. Limits the amount excludible to the adjusted basis of the taxpayer in the principal residence with respect to which the mortgage indebtedness was incurred. Reduces the basis of the principal residence by the amount of any discharge of mortgage indebtedness. Treats any gain recognized from the disposition of a principal residence as ordinary income to the extent such gain does not exceed the amount of the reduction in basis. Suspends the application of Revenue Ruling 82-202 for calendar years 1983 and 1984, (holding that income is realized on the discharge of indebtedness by prepayment of a mortgage balance at a discount). Expresses the sense of the Congress that legislation be enacted which addresses the Federal income tax consequences of discharge of residential mortgage indebtedness that result from prepayment of such indebtedness and which applies to discharge of mortgage indebtedness that occurs after December 31, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1983
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Federal Reserve System, in conducting monetary policy for 1983, should continue to promote a reduction in interest rates consistent with sustainable economic growth and without rekindling inflation. Declares that the Federal Reserve System should permit reductions in interest rates resulting from reduced projected budget deficits without attempting to offset these reductions through a more restrictive monetary policy.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1983
Mortgage Retirement Account Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers an election to treat home mortgage prepayments as a tax deductible contribution to an individual retirement account. Allows amounts to be withdrawn from an individual retirement account for the purchase of a principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that armed forces on the border between Thailand and Kampuchea should refrain from actions that may endanger the refugees. Declares that Vietnam should halt armed attacks on civilians.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that May 8 through May 14, 1983, be designated as National Product Safety Week in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Comprehensive Forfeiture Act of 1983 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute (RICO) to specify that property subject to forfeiture for racketeering activity includes: (1) all proceeds obtained directly or indirectly from racketeering activity; (2) real and tangible and intangible personal property; and (3) positions, offices, appointments and benefits obtained through illegal activity. Makes property forfeitable to the United States upon the commission of the act giving rise to forfeiture. Permits the forfeiture of property which has been transferred to a third party, but includes a provision protecting innocent bona fide purchasers. Authorizes a court to order the forfeiture of substitute assets of the defendant where the original property cannot be located or traced. Authorizes a court to take appropriate action preserving the availability of property during the pre-indictment period effective for up to 90 days. Specifies the circumstances under which a temporary restraining order may be entered without notice to the affected party. Authorizes the Attorney General to grant petitions for remission or mitigation of forfeiture. Directs the Attorney General to establish regulations governing the restitution and disposition of forfeited property. Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to establish general criminal forfeiture provisions for felony violations under titles II and III. Includes provisions similar to the RICO amendments of this Act, relating to property subject to forfeiture, third party transfers, asset substitution, pre-indictment orders, and remission. Authorizes a court to issue a warrant authorizing the seizure of property subject to forfeiture in the same manner provided for a search warrant, if other injunctive relief would not assure the availability of the property. Provides that a criminal forfeiture proceeding shall stay any civil forfeiture proceeding with respect to the same property. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States, the "Drug Assets Forfeiture Fund" and the "Customs Forfeiture Fund." Transfers the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the forfeited property into these accounts. Grants law enforcement authority to customs agents.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Authorizes the Smithsonian Institution to purchase land in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, for the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Repeals Federal law providing that entitlement lands (those lands eligible for payments in lieu of taxes) located within two local government units shall be treated, for specified purposes, as being within the jurisdiction of the smaller of such units. Redefines "unit of local government" to limit the meaning to the principal provider of local governmental services affecting the use of public lands. Includes within such meaning: (1) a county, townships, parish, or borough existing in the State of Alaska on October 20, 1976; or (2) a city which is not within the boundaries of any other local governmental unit. Invokes the sovereign immunity of the United States to preclude any legal actions regarding specified payment distributions made before January 1, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Declares that the United States should: (1) pursue a program of strategic nuclear-force modernization; (2) seek to preserve balanced force capabilities through force modernization and arms-reduction negotiations; (3) continue to pursue negotiated mutual and verifiable reductions in the nuclear arsenals of both superpowers; and (4) agree to arms reductions within the framework of the present START and INF negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should expeditiously recommend to Congress the budgetary steps necessary to build defensive weapons for deployment in space capable of destroying ballistic missiles.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should implement, within the United States, the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Disabled Persons (1983-1992).
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
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, dealer, or importer of firearms a person who manufacturers 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. Requires such transfer to be face to face. Presumes a licensee to have actual knowledge of the published laws of the State. 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, under specific circumstances. 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. Allows the government to voluntarily dismiss criminal charges prior to trial and still proceed with revocation. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, firearms, or ammunition that the Secretary has reasonable cause to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises. Requires a warrant be issued for such search. 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 requirement, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence or grant probation. 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 Gun Control 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. 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. Imposes on the applicant the burden of proof. 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). 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 · 23 March 1983
Insider Trading Sanctions Act of 1983 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to permit the Securities and Exchange Commission, whenever it appears that any person has traded in securities while in possession of material nonpublic information, to seek an order in a district court action requiring the violator, or anyone who aided and abetted the violation, to pay a civil penalty of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided as a result of the unlawful transaction. Permits the Commission if such person fails to pay such penalty, to refer the matter to the Attorney General who may recover such penalty by action in the appropriate U.S. district court. Increases from $10,000 to $100,000 the maximum criminal fine that may be imposed on persons, other than exchanges, who willfully violate the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture for national forest lands and of the Interior for other public lands to terminate, at the purchaser's request: (1) specified quantities of estimated and cumulative timber volume as specified in such purchaser's contract bid prior to January 1, 1982; and (2) other specified contracts for estimated timber volumes. Requires purchasers to pay for the costs incurred by the appropriate Secretary in terminating such contracts and for re-offering the terminated timber for resale. Specifies the maximum amount to be paid per terminated contract. Authorizes the purchaser to transfer, retain or assign timber sale appraisal allowances according to stated guidelines. Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and of the Interior to adjust, without penalty, certain contract termination dates for a specified period, upon the purchaser's written request. Declares that contracts with termination dates adjusted for four years or more shall require: (1) payment by the purchaser according to a specified schedule; or (2) removal of a certain percentage of estimated timber volume by a certain date. Assures specified purchasers continued eligibility to bid on the resale of timber included in a terminated contract. Establishes guidelines for termination, payment schedules, bidding, and timber resales. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to permit the transfer of unused purchaser credit for road construction on specified contracts. Directs the Secretary to treat credit earned on specified contracts as transferable earned purchaser credit. Emergency National Forest Productivity Act of 1983 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a special program to remove dead or diseased timber on national forest system lands. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts, or conduct the work within the Department of Agriculture, under certain conditions. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to use regular national forest system and construction accounts subject to approval by the congressional appropriations committees.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1983
Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to redefine the term "known geothermal resource area" to mean an area where the prospects for extraction of geothermal resources for generating electricity in commercial quantities warrant substantial expenditures for that purpose. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue geothermal leases in any lands administered by another Federal agency or department, including public, withdrawn, or acquired lands. Requires lands within a known geothermal resource area which are offered for competitive lease and which receive no bids to be declassified and leased to the first qualified applicant. Requires the Secretary to offer up to five percent of all lands offered for sale in any year on a basis other than cash bonus bidding. Entitles the first qualified applicant for a lease not within a known geothermal resource area to a noncompetitive lease if the land involved is not designated a known geothermal resource area within one year of the application being filed and before the lease is issued. Permits such an applicant to match the highest competitive bid for such land if the land involved is designated as a known geothermal resource area within such time period. Entitles the applicant or lessee responsible for the exploration resulting in the designation of a known geothermal resource area to a noncompetitive lease for all lands in the designated area for which the applicant or lessee had filed applications prior to such exploration. Requires that geothermal leases provide for a royalty of: (1) not less than ten percent or more than 15 percent of the value of the energy produced and sold for electrical generation; or (2) not less than five percent or more than ten percent of the value of energy produced and sold for nonelectrical use. Authorizes the Secretary to defer royalty payments for nonelectric geothermal developments when it is in the public interest, for municipal, cooperative, or other political subdivision lessees where legal limitations on front-end financing would prohibit or significantly deter development. Eliminates the limits on the duration of: (1) geothermal leases with respect to which geothermal steam is produced or utilized in commercial quantities (currently, such leases may not be extended beyond the primary term of ten years for more than 40 additional years); and (2) leases with respect to which actual drilling operations were commenced before the end of their primary terms and geothermal steam is produced or utilized in commercial quantities (currently, such leases may not be extended beyond the primary term for more than 35 additional years). Provides that, in certain cases, the term "commercial quantities" shall include a drilled well and either a bona fide sale for delivery to utilization facilities installed or to be constructed or proof of commitment to construct such facilities. Requires the Secretary to grant extensions of up to 15 years on a primary lease if construction of such facilities has not been possible due to administrative delays beyond the lessee's control or due to demonstrated marginal economics of such facilities. Increases the State-wide acreage limitation for Federal geothermal leases from 24,480 acres to 51,200 acres. Authorizes the Secretary to increase the maximum holding in any one State, after public hearings, to a maximum of 115,200 acres. Exempts from such limitations those leases which contain wells capable of commercial production and those leases operated under approved operating, drilling, or development contracts. Permits readjustment of geothermal lease terms and conditions at 20 year intervals beginning 20 years after the date production is commenced. (Currently, such readjustment is permitted at ten year intervals beginning ten years after geothermal steam is produced.) Prohibits the Secretary from issuing leases on the acquired lands of other Federal agencies or departments without the consent of the agency or department head. Prohibits the issuance of geothermal leases in the Island Park Known Geothermal Resource Area adjacent to Yellowstone National Park until after the Secretary has completed a study to determine whether there is any thermal geological connection between such area and the thermal features of Yellowstone National Park. Requires that the study include methods for protecting the thermal features of Yellowstone Park in connection with geothermal leasing in the Island Park area. Authorizes the Secretary to issue geothermal leases in such area 60 days after completion of the study if: (1) a valuable geothermal resource exists; (2) development of such resource will not adversely affect the thermal features of Yellowstone Park; and (3) the thermal features of Yellowstone Park will be protected. Authorizes appropriations for such study. Authorizes the issuance of free use permits for: (1) noncommercial application of geothermal resources in lands administered by the Secretary; and (2) surface use and use of geothermal resources for the continued operation of any geothermal energy research and development facility, pilot plant, or demonstration facility the Federal interest in which is transferred. Permits the head of each Federal agency to develop, for the benefit of the agency, the geothermal energy resources within the lands under its jurisdiction provided such use is in the public interest and will not deter commercial development which might be more beneficial. Directs the Secretary to establish diligence requirements for exploratory and developmental activities on leased lands.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1983
Amends the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act and the Walsh-Healey Act to require overtime compensation only for hours of employment in excess of 40 hours in a workweek for employees of Federal Government contractors or subcontractors.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1983
Export-Import Bank Amendments of 1983 - Title I: Amendments to the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 - Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 in order to direct the Bank to provide guarantees, insurance, and extensions of credit at fully competitive rates and terms as those available to foreign competitors of U.S. exporters. Declares that loans made by the Bank shall bear interest at rates determined by the Board of Directors in order to support U.S. exports at rates and on terms and conditions which are fully competitive with exports of other countries. States that the Advisory Committee, established under such Act, shall; (1) consist of 12 members (currently nine); and (2) meet at least once each quarter (currently once or more each year). Requires the Committee to submit a report to Congress concerning the extent to which the Bank is providing competitive financing to expand U.S. exports and suggestions for improvements. Authorizes members of the Committee to attend meetings of the Board of Directors on a rotating basis. Sets forth the terms of office for members of the Board of Directors. Sets forth the limits on the gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans authorized by the Bank for FY 1984 and 1985. Extends the authorization for the Bank until September 30, 1989. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to complete an inquiry into the existence of foreign noncompetitive financing within 60 days following the receipt of information concerning such financing. Authorizes the Secretary to issue an authorization to the Bank to provide matching financing to U.S. exporters upon a determination that the availability of such foreign noncompetitive financing is likely to be a significant factor in a proposed transaction. Requires the Bank to provide such matching financing upon receipt of the Secretary's authorization. Prohibits the Board of Directors from giving final approval for any loan, financial guarantee or combination of both which exceeds $250,000,000, unless the Bank has submitted a certain statement to Congress describing and explaining the transaction. Title II: Mixed Credit Export Subsidies - Trade and Development Enhancement Act of 1983 - Requires the President to pursue negotiations to limit and set rules for the use of mixed financing for exports. Lists the negotiating objectives of the United States in reaching agreements on the use of such financing. Requires the Chairman of the Bank to establish a program of mixed financing for U.S. exports within the Bank. Requires such program to be carried out in cooperation with the Agency for International Development and with appropriate private financial entities. Lists the types of financing the program may include. Declares that the purpose of the program shall be to offer financing for U.S. exports which is as concessional as financing offered by a foreign government to a bona fide foreign competitor of a U.S. export sale. States that U.S. exports which could reasonably be judged to have been offered at the lowest evaluated bid shall be eligible for concessional mixed financing. Authorizes the Chairman to establish a fund to carry out this program. Requires the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID) to establish a program of mixed financing for U.S. exports. Directs that the program be carried out in cooperation with the Bank and with private financial entities. Lists the financing authorized for such program. Authorizes the combination of AID funds with Bank or private financing to provide financing for U.S. exports which is substantially as concessional as that offered by a foreign government to a bona fide competitor for a U.S. export sale. Requires that AID funds be offered only to finance U.S. exports which will contribute to the advancement of the developing objectives of the importing country. Authorizes the Administrator to draw on Economic Support Funds and to establish a fund to carry out the mixed financing program. Requires the President to appoint an individual to coordinate and ensure the implementation of both mixed financing programs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1983
Enterprise Zone Act of 1983 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by this Act. Specifies that State and local governments shall nominate areas for such designation. Limits the designation of enterprise zones to 75 nominated areas per year (one-third of which must be in rural areas). Limits the period during which such designations shall remain in effect. Specifies that the Secretary may designate such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area (within a population of at least 50,000) or 1,000 otherwise, or is within an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamling regulation of business, or receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area. Terminates the authority of the Secretary to designate enterprise zones on June 30, 1986 or three years after the publication of regulations pertaining to such zones, whichever is later. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress every four years a report on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation. Requires that any property tax reduction effected by a local government under the terms of this Act be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. States that designation of an enterprise zone shall not give displaced persons from such an area any rights or benefits under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. Exempts enterprise zones from certain requirements relating to Federal environmental policy. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Credits for Employers and Employees - Allows employers located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit for increased employment expenditures and employment of the disadvantaged. Allows a three year carryback and 15 year carryover of such credit. Sets the amount of such credit at ten percent of the increase in payroll (taking into account a maximum of $15,000 in wages per year per employee) plus 50 percent of the wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers for the first three years of the enterprise zone designation. Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Disallows a deduction for the portion of wages taken into account for such credit. Allows employees located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to five percent of qualified wages earned per year (taking into account a maximum of $9,000 in wages per year). Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for investment in certain tangible property located in enterprise zones. Limits such credit to five percent for zone personal property and ten percent for new zone construction property, including rental property. Requires that the property subject to such credit be predominantly used in the zone, be purchased after zone designation, and not be acquired from relatives or related corporations. Requires the recapture of such credit upon early disposition of the property. Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle C: Reduction in Capital Gain Tax Rates - Eliminates the capital gains tax on property of corporations acquired after the enterprise zone designation and used in a zone business. Qualifies certain low-income rental housing located in an enterprise zone for such treatment. Permits property to remain qualified for purposes of the revised capital gains treatment after a designation of an enterprise zone has terminated. Exempts gain from the sale or exchange of property used in a business in an enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Allows noncorporate taxpayers to deduct from gross income 100 percent of any net capital gain from qualified enterprise zone property. Subtitle D: Rules Relating to Industrial Development Bonds - Provides that limitations on the cost recovery deductions for property financed with tax-exempt industrial development bonds shall not apply to enterprise zone property. Provides that the termination of the small issue exemption shall not apply to industrial development bonds the proceeds of which are used to finance facilities in such enterprise zones. Subtitle E: Sense of the Congress with Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions, to include qualified businesses (as defined in Title II of this Act), to include governments, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations which pertain to the carrying out of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve such request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in continuation of the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement (including the Davis-Bacon Act and Fair Labor Standards Act) or which would present a danger to the public health and safety. Provides that such waivers or modifications of a rule shall remain in effect as long as the zone designations. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote the coordination of all enterprise zone programs and consolidate all periodic reports required under such programs into one summary report. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Board to consider on a priority basis and expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. States that to the maximum extent practicable foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Age Discrimination in Employment Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to remove the existing 70-year upper age limit of the class to which the discrimination prohibitions apply, thus extending coverage to all individuals who are at least 40 years of age. Allows compulsory retirement of tenured faculty of an institution of higher learning until July 1, 1998. Delays the effect of this Act for employees under a collective bargaining contract until January 1, 1987, or the termination of such contract, if earlier.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require a court to impose consecutive sentences on any defendant who commits and is convicted of a felony while on bail or release on personal recognizance for another offense and was also convicted of the original offense.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1983
Religious Speech Protection Act of 1983 - Prohibits federally funded public secondary schools which allow students to meet during noninstructional periods from discriminating against any meeting of students on the basis of religious content. Grants Federal jurisdiction to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1983
Smoking Prevention Health and Education Act of 1983 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to inform the public of the health hazards of cigarettes through research, demonstration, and educational activities. Establishes an Interagency Committee on Smoking and Health to coordinate such Federal and private activities. Requires the Committee to meet at least four times a year. Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the status of health and smoking in the United States. Makes it a misdemeanor (with maximum $10,000 fine) to manufacture, import, or package cigarettes without first filing a list of chemical additives (types and amounts) with the Secretary. States that such information shall be considered a trade secret. Requires the Secretary to report at least annually to Congress regarding cigarette additives and their health hazards. Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to change existing label warning provisions to require cigarette packages to carry one of four specified warnings on a rotating basis according to Federal Trade Commission rules. Makes it unlawful to manufacture, import, or package cigarettes commercially without disclosing tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide levels on the package.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1983
Amends the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act to declare that actions concerning water and related land resources projects upstream from the Imperial Dam shall not be governed by specified provisions of the Water Resources Planning Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to give preference to those salinity control units that reduce the salinity of the Colorado River at the least cost per unit of salinity reduction. Deletes certain provisions of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act concerning agreements with the Secretary of Agriculture for the Grand Valley unit. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct and maintain the following salinity control units according to specified directions: (1) Stage I of the Lower Gunnison Basin, Colorado; (2) McElmo Creek, Colorado; (3) Stage I of the Uinta Basin, Utah; (4) Palo Verde Irrigation District, California; (5) saline water use and disposal opportunities, Colorado River Basin; and (6) Sinbad Valley, Colorado. Requires the Secretary to carry out specified directions in implementing the construction of such units. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a voluntary cooperative program with private landowners to improve on-farm water management and reduce watershed erosion on non-Federal and Department of Agriculture lands. Directs the Secretary to issue reports to certain congressional committees and to certain others. Prohibits the expenditure of funds for measures implementing such program until the lapse of 60 days following submission of such reports. Provides for disapproval of such program by any of the congressional committees or the others. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1989. Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from assuming continuing operation and maintenance obligations for permanent salinity control measures constructed on non-Federal lands. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a program for minimizing salt contributions to the Colorado River from lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1983
Rural Housing Block Grant Act - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make block grants to any State (including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) for: (1) the acquisition, construction, repair, and improvement of low-income housing; (2) refinancing indebtedness incurred for such purposes; and (3) temporary housing costs. Requires the Secretary to allocate grant funds among the States electing to participate each year on the basis of the number of occupied substandard rural housing units, the number of rural households with incomes not exceeding 50 percent of a State's median income, and the rural population of each State relative to all States. Directs each State to use at least 80 percent of its grant funds to assist persons with incomes of up to 50 percent of the greater of the State or national median income, and to use the remaining funds to assist persons with incomes of up to 80 percent of the State median income. Directs the Secretary, after determining that a State has failed to comply with this Act and after providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing, to notify the State that if it fails to take corrective action within 60 days the Secretary will: (1) withhold further funds pending corrective action; or (2) require the repayment of funds not spent in accordance with this Act. Requires each participating State to: (1) make available for public comment annual reports on its intended use of block grant funds; and (2) conduct and publicize, at least every two years, financial and compliance audits of funds received. Requires a State, prior to receiving block grant funds, to provide to the Secretary written assurances that: (1) the intended use report has been developed with an opportunity for public comment; (2) funds will be used only for the purposes authorized under this Act; (3) the State will comply with nondiscrimination provisions; and (4) local governments have been consulted on major decisions regarding the use of such funds. Prohibits discrimination under any program or activity funded under this Act. Provides for the enforcement of such prohibition. Authorizes appropriations for block grants under this Act for FY 1984 through 1988. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 for: (1) Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) insured loans; (2) direct housing repair loans to very-low-income persons; (3) financial assistance for housing for farm laborers; (4) such sums as may be necessary to pay the interest on obligations issued by the Secretary to obtain loan funds; and (5) sums necessary to administer rural housing services for certain multi-family housing mortgage insurance and rental assistance programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Extends the Secretary's authority to insure loans for rural housing for elderly or handicapped persons or families of low or moderate income and loans for housing and buildings on adequate farms. Provides that transactions in FmHA Certificates of Beneficial Ownership shall be treated as debt transactions. Increases from 25 to 30 the percentage of a tenant's income to be contributed for renting an assisted rural housing unit. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into rental assistance contracts of a specified aggregate amount during FY 1984. Eliminates the Secretary's authority to make loans to low-income individuals participating in a mutual or self-help housing programs for the acquisition and development of a homesite. Abolishes the Self-Help Housing Land Development Fund and transfers its assets and liabilities to the Rural Housing Insurance Fund.
![Official portrait of Sen. Garn, E. J. (Jake) [R-UT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000072_200.jpg)