United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Soviet Union should fulfill obligations undertaken in certain international agreements relating to human rights by pursuing a more humane emigration policy and by ceasing harassment of Jews and others seeking to emigrate; (2) Soviet fulfillment of internationally recognized emigration rights would significantly promote improved relations with the United States; (3) the President should convey these concerns of Congress to the Soviet Union at every appropriate opportunity; and (4) the President should also convey these concerns to U.S. allies.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1983
United States Academy of Peace Act - Establishes the United States Academy of Peace as an independent nonprofit corporation. Permits the Academy to use "United States" or "U.S." or any other reference to the United States Government or Nation in its title, corporate seal, emblem, or other mark of recognition in any fiscal year only if there is an authorization of appropriations for the Academy for such fiscal year provided by law. Sets forth the powers and the duties of the Academy, including establishment of an Endowment of the United States Academy of Peace. Authorizes the Academy to establish: (1) a Center for International Peace; and (2) a United States Medal of Peace and other medals or honors. Authorizes the Academy to refuse research requests of Federal agencies for reason of cost or of inappropriateness to the Agency's purpose or independence. Prohibits the Academy from undertaking to influence the passage or defeat of any Federal, State, local, or United Nations legislation, but permits Academy personnel to testify or make other appropriate communication when formally requested to do so by a legislative body, committee, or member thereof. Provides for appointment of members of the Academy's Board of Directors. Sets forth grounds for removal of Board members. Permits Board meetings to be closed only in exceptional circumstances. Sets forth provisions for Academy officers, employees, procedures, and records. Provides that, with certain exceptions, the Academy shall not be considered a department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government. Prohibits the use of any political test or political qualification with respect to personnel actions of the Academy or financial assistance by the Academy. Authorizes appropriations in a specified amount for an Academy principal office capitalization fund. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for FY 1984 and 1985 for Academy programs and administration. Requires that Academy expenses in connection with the United States Medal of Peace or the accompanying cash award be paid out of the private funds of the Endowment. Restricts contract-making authority under this Act to the extent and amounts provided in appropriation Acts. Directs the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Academy to report to the Congress and the President, beginning two years after the enactment of this Act and at two-year intervals thereafter. Directs the President to transmit to the Congress the recommendations of the appropriate Federal agencies with respect to such report and to any legislation concerning the Academy. Requires the appropriate congressional committees to hold hearings to review such report and recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1983
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Act of 1983 - Amends title IV (National Research Institutes) of the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Institute (Institute) of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases in the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Redesignates the existing National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases as the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. States that the Institute shall conduct research and related activities concerning arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases, including sports-related disorders and skin diseases. Requires the Director of the Institute, with the advice of the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Council, to establish within 180 days a national plan to coordinate such activities. Requires an annual evaluation of the skin diseases programs. Establishes within the Institute: (1) the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Data System; and (2) the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1986. Establishes within the Institute: (1) an Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Interagency Coordinating Committee; and (2) a Skin Diseases Interagency Coordinating Committee. Requires annual reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and to the Director of NIH. Establishes within the Institute a National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Council. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1986 for arthritis and musculoskeletal demonstration projects and multipurpose disease centers. Requires the Institute to submit a biennial report. Transfers arthritis-related functions (including data system, advisory functions, coordinating functions, demonstration project, and multipurpose center), funds, personnel, and assets to the Institute from the existing National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees and to the Comptroller General within 60 days regarding such transfers. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the appropriate congressional committees within 80 days regarding such transfers. Terminates the National Arthritis Advisory Board. Makes conforming amendments. Requires the Secretary, through NIH, to conduct a study of the existing combinations of disease research programs within the institutes and of the standards to be followed in establishing new or realigning existing institutes. Requires a report to the appropriate congressional committees within 18 months. Prohibits the establishment of any new institutes within six months of such report's submission. Directs the Secretary to conduct and complete within 60 days a review of the disease research programs of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (as redesignated by this Act) to determine if any of these programs could be more effectively managed by other national research institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1983
Disability Amendments of 1983 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the termination of disability benefits on the grounds that the physical or mental impairment on which such benefits were based has ceased, did not exist, or is no longer disabling, unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services finds that the individual is significantly more able to engage in substantial gainful activity than at the time of the most recent decision that the individual was disabled. Exempts certain cases from the prohibition against termination of benefits, including cases where there is a finding of fraud. Directs the Secretary, in determining whether a person is disabled, to consider all evidence available in the person's case record and to develop a complete medical history of at least the preceding year. Requires that a preliminary disability decision by a State agency, or the Secretary, which is unfavorable to the disability benefit applicant contain a statement of the case with a discussion of the evidence, the basis for such decision, the right of the applicant to a review of the decision, and the right to submit additional medical evidence prior to such review. Requires the statement to be sent to the individual. Entitles the applicant or the applicant's spouse, former spouse, surviving spouse, surviving divorced mother, child or parent to a review of the preliminary decision (including the right to make a personal appearance and submit additional medical evidence), upon a showing that his or her rights may be prejudiced by such decision and upon timely request. Sets forth the procedural requirements for a review of a preliminary disability decision. Provides that a preliminary disability decision may be affirmed, modified, or reversed on the basis of the review. Authorizes the State agency which made the initial disability determination to make any new disability determination required during review of the case after notification to the Secretary and in accordance with the rules governing such determinations. Requires that a decision by the Secretary after review which is unfavorable to the individual requesting the review contain a statement of the case which shall be sent to the individual. Requires the statement to contain a discussion of the evidence, the reasons for the decision, the right of the individual to a hearing, and the right to submit additional medical evidence before the hearing. Requires that individuals requesting a review be informed of the requirements under this Act and of their right to representation at the review. Provides for reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing for disability benefit applicants who show that their rights may be prejudiced by a decision after review. Provides that the hearing decision may affirm, modify, or reverse the Secretary's findings of fact and the decision after review. Requires the Secretary to prescribe a period of time after hearing decisions during which the Secretary, upon his or her own motion or at the request of the individual who requested the hearing, may review the hearing decision and affirm, modify, or reverse it. Makes such a review the final review of the decision. Provides that the decision shall be considered final if it is not so reviewed. Requires the Secretary to notify the individual involved with respect to a case where the Secretary initiates a review. Provides that an application for disability benefits filed before the first month in which the applicant satisfies the requirements for such benefits shall be considered valid only if: (1) the applicant satisfies such requirements before the Secretary makes a final decision on the application and no request for review has been made; or (2) the applicant satisfies such requirements before a decision on review is made in any case where review is requested. Requires that hearings on disability decisions after review be conducted on the record. Subjects such hearings to Federal law governing administrative hearings. Requires the Secretary to appoint administrative law judges to conduct such hearings. Entitles any individual who is dissatisfied with the final hearing decision to judicial review of that decision. Entitles an individual who shows that his or her rights may be prejudiced by a determination with respect to his or her continuing eligibility for disability benefits to the same type of review and hearing as is permitted in the case of an initial disability determination. Repeals the provision of title II covering suspension of benefits based on disability. Repeals the current provision covering reconsiderations of terminations of disability benefits. Specifies the cases with respect to which State agencies may make new disability determinations for purposes of review under this Act. Permits an individual who has been found to be no longer eligible for disability benefits, and who has requested a hearing on such determination, to elect to have the payment of such benefits continued during the period of appeal. Provides that if the decision upon appeal affirms the determination that the individual is not entitled to such benefits, any benefits paid pursuant to such election shall be considered overpayments. Requires the Secretary to provide uniform standards which shall be applied at all levels of disability determinations. Provides that except in certain cases, if an individual has been found to be no longer eligible for disability benefits, the termination month for such benefits shall be the month in which: (1) a decision affirming such benefit termination has been made after review of the preliminary decision to this Act; or (2) the time for requesting such a review has expired. Sets forth evidentiary requirements with respect to disability determinations. Requires the Secretary, if a U.S. Court of Appeals issues an opinion requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to apply a provision of the Social Security Act in a manner different from the manner in which such provision is generally carried out, to request review of the decision by the Supreme Court or to acquiesce in such decision with respect to all beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Mail Order Consumer Protection Amendments of 1983 - Authorizes the United States Postal Service to issue an order requiring any person to cease and desist from conducting a lottery or scheme for obtaining money or property by false representations through the mail. Authorizes the Postmaster General, in conducting an investigation to determine whether a person is engaged in such prohibited activity, to tender the price requested for an article or service offered through the mail. Declares that failure to provide an article or service after the price is tendered by the Postal Service may be considered in a hearing to determine if there is probable cause to believe that a prohibited activity has occurred. Sets forth provisions governing the conduct of a person tendering an offer on behalf of the Postal Service. Declares that mailing an advertisement promoting the sale of a publication or a solicitation to purchase, or a purchase order for, such a publication is not prohibited if: (1) the advertisement is not false or misleading and contains no material misrepresentations of fact; (2) the advertisement discloses the source of any statements derived from or about the publication; and (3) neither the advertisement nor the publication is designed to promote the sale of another product as part of a commercial scheme. Establishes a civil penalty to be assessed against any person who: (1) attempts to evade an order directing a postmaster to return mail addressed to such person or prohibiting a postmaster from paying a money order from, or to, such person; (2) fails to comply with a cease and desist order; or (3) assists any person to evade or not to comply with any such order. Authorizes the Postal Service to commence a civil action in the appropriate U.S. district court to enforce such a penalty. Requires the Postmaster General to submit semiannual reports on the investigative activities of the Postal Service to the Board of Governors of the Postal Service. Directs the Board to transmit such reports, upon approval, to Congress. Directs the Postmaster General to conduct and report to Congress on a program to educate consumers concerning schemes involving false representations through the mail.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Equal Access to Voting Rights Act - Directs the Attorney General to promulgate guidelines to assure that registration and polling place facilities used for Federal elections are readily accessible to handicapped and elderly individuals. Sets forth minimum requirements for these guidelines. Requires States to make available registration and voting aids for handicapped and elderly individuals in Federal elections. Authorizes the Attorney General and aggrieved persons to bring actions in Federal court to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
States that the President should, at the earliest possible date: (1) request Senate consent to ratification of the Threshold Test Ban and Peaceful Nuclear Explosion Treaties; and (2) resume trilateral test ban treaty negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Disapproves the proposed deferral of budget authority (D83-43) relating to economic development assistance programs, transmitted by the President to Congress on February 1, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1983
Condemns the use of plastic or rubber bullets in Northern Ireland. Calls upon the Government of the United Kingdom to ban the use of plastic or rubber bullets against civilians.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1983
Fair Insurance Practices 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. Specifies prohibited acts. Grants State and local authorities the primary authority to enforce any State or local laws prohibiting such discriminatory action. Allows an aggrieved individual to institute a civil suit in U.S. district court if the State authority fails to take diligent action on a complaint. Authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to bring a civil action in U.S. district court whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person is engaged in a pattern or practice of such discrimination. Authorizes the court to provide judicial relief when a violation has occurred.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1983
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the Administrator of the General Services Administration to transfer to any State or local government surplus property determined by the Attorney General to be required for correctional facility use. Requires the Administrator to report annually to Congress on the acquisition cost of all donated personal property and real property disposed of during the preceding fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1983
Hazardous Waste Identification Improvement Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, when evaluating a petition to exclude a waste generated at a particular facility from being regulated as a hazardous waste, to consider criteria, constituents, or other related factors other than those for which the waste was listed. Requires notice and opportunity for public hearing before such a petition is granted or denied. Sets time limits on the temporary granting of such petitions prior to enactment of this Act without the opportunity for public comment and the full consideration of such comment. Requires that such petitions be accompanied by adequate information for evaluation, including information on samples of such waste determined to be representative on the basis of guidelines published by the Administrator. Requires that such information be certified by a responsible corporate official of the facility to be accurate, complete, and representative within the knowledge of employees or contractors of such facility. Directs the Administrator, within six months after the enactment date of this Act, to submit to the Congress a workplan: (1) for developing regulations identifying additional characteristics of hazardous waste, including measures or indicators for toxicity; (2) identifying those particular wastes on which the Agency intends to decide whether to list as a hazardous waste within two years after such enactment date; and (3) developed by the National Toxicology Program in cooperation with the Administrator, evaluating the feasibility of determining whether the presence of certain constituents (such as known carcinogens, mutagens, or teratogens) at levels substantially in excess of levels commonly agreed to affect health may cause wastes to be hazardous per se. Directs the Administrator, within six months after the enactment date of this Act, to promulgate regulations listing dioxin-and dibenzofuran-containing wastes as hazardous wastes. Directs the Administrator, within two years after the enactment date of this Act, to: (1) promulgate regulations identifying additional characteristics of hazardous waste; (2) reach decisions on all wastes identified for decision within two years and for each such waste either promulgate regulations listing such particular hazardous waste or publish a statement as to why such waste should not be so listed; and (3) report to the Congress on progress in evaluating the feasibility of determining whether health-threatening levels of certain constituents may cause wastes to be hazardous per se. Directs the Administrator: (1) within six months after the enactment date of this Act, to determine the appropriateness of using the extraction procedure toxicity characteristic for evaluating such petitions; and (2) within two years of such enactment date, make necessary improvements in the procedure to predict more accurately the leaching potential of wastes.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1983
Office Machine and Equipment Dealers Act - Title I - Contracts Between Dealers and Suppliers - Declares that any supplier of office products who enters into a dealer agreement shall act in good faith in performance and termination of such agreement. Specifies seven duties of a supplier to a dealer. Title II - Procedures for Termination - Allows a supplier to terminate a dealer agreement before a specified expiration date (or at any time if such agreement does not contain an expiration date) by offering the dealer, within 60 days of the intended termination, fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the agreement. Permits the parties to resort to arbitration to determine the amount of such compensation if a controversy occurs. Title III - Miscellaneous Provisions - Grants any party the right to file an action for damages or equitable relief in Federal district court for violations of this Act. States that this Act shall not be construed to modify any provision of the antitrust laws or to supersede any State law which provides additional or stronger standards than those in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1983
Precollege Mathematics and Science Teacher Assistance Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a program of direct loans to students in institutions of higher education who are preparing to be precollege mathematics and science teachers. Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program of establishing and maintaining funds at institutions of higher education for making low-interest loans to students who: (1) pursue baccalaureate degree courses of study in mathematics and/or science; and (2) intend to enter the precollege mathematics and science teaching profession. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through FY 1989 to carry out such program. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1989 through FY 1994 to enable students who have received loans for academic years ending prior to October 1, 1989, to continue or complete courses of study. Directs the Secretary to make payments to institutions of higher education on the basis of the estimated needs of such institutions for making such student loans. Sets forth conditions for such payments and for the agreements with the Secretary which such institutions must make in order to receive such payments. Sets forth the terms of such student loans. Sets forth eligibility requirements for students. Sets forth requirements for agreements between any institution and a student receiving such a loan from the student loan fund (including agreements which require commitments to teach or commitments to repay such loans). Provides for cancellation of such student loans at the rate of 25 percent for each complete year of service after the date of enactment of this Act as a full-time science or mathematics teacher in an elementary or secondary school academic year. Provides for cancellation of the entire amount of interest which accrues for any year in which a portion of the loan is cancelled.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1983
Math and Science Education Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers an income tax credit for compensation paid to: (1) precollege mathematics and science teachers hired for the summer months for employment which provides experience in the applied use of high technology; and (2) permanent employees who teach precollege mathematics or science at a public school without compensation from such school. Sets the amount of such credit at the sum of: (1) 50 percent of the aggregate compensation paid to teachers employed for the summer months; plus (2) 100 percent of the aggregate compensation paid to permanent employees who teach at public schools. Limits the amount of compensation paid to a permanent employee which may be taken into account to $1,000 multiplied by the number of months such employee teaches in a public school. Requires that teachers hired for the summer months must be paid at a weekly rate equal to or greater than the weekly rate of the teaching salary of such teacher. Requires that permanent employees who teach at public schools must teach at an elementary or secondary school for at least ten hours per week (at least five hours of which must be actual instruction in the classroom) at the request of the school district administrators.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1983
Amends the Small Business Act to eliminate from the exceptions to the requirement that notice of Government procurement actions be published in the Commerce Business Daily those procurement actions which: (1) involve perishable subsistence supplies; (2) are of such emergency that the Government would be seriously injured if bids were made more than 15 days after the invitation to bid was issued; (3) are made by an order placed under an existing contract; (4) are for personal or professional services; or (5) are for services from educational institutions. Prohibits procuring activities, when required to publish notice of procurement actions, from: (1) issuing a solicitation for a procurement action until 15 days after publication of such a notice; (2) foreclosing competition under a procurement order until 30 days after the issuance of the solicitation or, in the case of orders under a basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or similar arrangement, after publication of intent to place the order; or (3) commencing negotiations for the award of a sole source contract until 30 days after the publication of a notice of intent to contract. Exempts from compliance with such time periods procurement actions which: (1) are made by an order placed under an existing contract; (2) are of such emergency that the Government would be seriously injured if such time periods were complied with; or (3) involve perishable subsistence supplies. Prohibits a procuring activity from entering into negotiations for the award of a sole source contract for more than $100,000 unless: (1) the head of the activity has approved the proposal for such negotiation; and (2) the activity has considered all responses to the notice of the procurement action. Provides for the application of this Act to the Tennessee Valley Authority only to the extent it deems practicable.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1983
Amends the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 to repeal provisions which require the withholding of tax on interest and dividends. Requires taxpayers to file information returns and statements on the interest, dividends, and patronage dividends they receive.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Federal nutrition programs, including the food stamp, child nutrition, and elderly feeding programs, should be protected from budget cuts; (2) the WIC (supplemental food program for women, infants, and children) should continue to be fully funded; and (3) the Federal Government should maintain primary responsibility for nutrition programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Railroad Retirement Board and representatives of railroad employees and carriers should jointly or independently study methods of financing the railroad retirement program. Requires a report to Congress by October 1, 1983, on the alternatives studied. Urges railroad labor and management to agree on how to best solve the financial difficulties of such program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Housing Finance Opportunity Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the continued issuance of mortgage revenue bonds after December 31, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a temporary heroin program under which confiscated heroin shall be made available to hospitalized cancer patients for the relief of pain. Sets forth application requirements for qualified hospitals designed to protect against the illicit diversion of distributed heroin. Authorizes the Secretary to import opium to manufacture heroin if amounts confiscated are insufficient to meet hospital needs. Requires the Secretary to report to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources within specified time periods. Requires the Director of the National Cancer Institute to secure an exemption from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for heroin to be used in certain Institute investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Appalachian Transition Assistance Act of 1983 - Title I: - Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments - Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to add as a purpose of such Act the orderly transition from special Federal assistance to increased State, local, and private investment in Appalachian regional development. Authorizes appropriations to the President and the Appalachian Regional Commission through FY 1987. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990 for the Appalachian development highway system. Increases the Federal share of specified construction costs of such system. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to States and other entities to assist in: (1) the creation or retention of permanent private sector jobs; (2) aiding severely distressed and underdeveloped counties; and (3) providing reasonable access to primary health care for residents of the region. Specifies restrictions on funds authorized by this Act, including limiting the Federal share of any project approved under this Act (except highway systems) to 50 percent of its costs. Extends certain programs under such Act to October 1, 1987. Title II: - Recognition of the Appalachian Foundation - Provides for the congressional recognition of the Appalachian Foundation, provided that such Foundation shall not: (1) claim congressional approval or Federal authorization of its activities; or (2) lose its tax-exempt status. States the purposes of such Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Product Liability Act - Preempts State product liability laws. States that this Act governs any civil action for harm caused by a product which would have been based on: (1) strict or absolute liability in tort; (2) negligence or gross negligence; (3) breach of express or implied warranty and; (4) failure to discharge a duty to warn or instruct. Makes a manufacturer liable if the claimant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that a product was unreasonably dangerous: (1) in construction or design; (2) because the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings of danger; or (3) because the product did not conform to an express warranty. Specifies the requisite findings which must be made for such proof of unreasonable danger to be determined. Subjects a product seller to liability if the claimant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the claimant's harm was proximately caused by such seller's failure to use reasonable care with respect to the product. Enumerates circumstances under which such a seller is also subject to the liability of a manufacturer. Provides that all claims under this Act shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Sets forth rules with respect to conduct affecting comparative responsibility, including misuse, alteration or modification of a product. Specifies the manner in which damages are to be apportioned. Requires that damages in any product liability claim be reduced by an amount paid as workers' compensation benefits. Precribes a statute of limitation for recovery. Allows punitive damages to be awarded if the claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the result of the product manufacturer's or sellers's reckless disregard for the safety of product users, consumers, or others who might be harmed by the product. Provides that evidence of corrective measures taken by a product seller after a harm has occurred would not be admissible in court to prove liability.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Reciprocal Trade and Investment Act of 1982 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to set forth provisions dealing with foreign trade barriers. Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR), through the interagency trade organization established pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, to identify, analyze, and estimate the impact of practices that constitute significant barriers to or distortions of: (1) U.S. export of goods or services; and (2) foreign direct investment by U.S. persons, especially if it has implications for trade in goods or services. Sets forth factors to be considered by the USTR in such analysis. Directs the USTR to update the analysis annually. Directs the USTR to submit the analysis to the appropriate congressional committees. Requires the report to include any action taken to eliminate such trade barriers. Directs the USTR to consult with Congress on trade policy priorities. Directs Federal agencies to furnish information and other assistance to prepare such analysis. Authorizes the President to respond to a foreign entity's unfair trade practices by taking action with respect to any goods or sector of such entity without regard to whether the goods or sector were involved in the unfair trade practice. (Current law provides that the President may take action against the products or services of the foreign entity.) Authorizes the President to propose legislation to protect U.S. trade rights or to eliminate unfair trade practices. Requires such legislative proposals to be given priority treatment. Requires a summary of a petition for a trade investigation by the USTR to be published in the Federal Register (currently, the entire petition must be published) if the USTR decides to begin an investigation with respect to the issues raised by the petition. Authorizes the USTR to initiate an investigation in order to advise the President concerning the exercise of the President's authority to take action against unfair trade practices. Directs the USTR to consult with the appropriate congressional committees before beginning such an investigation. Authorizes the USTR to delay for up to 90 days any request for consultation by a foreign entity concerning a petition for investigation into unfair trade practices. Directs the USTR to publish notice of the delay in the Federal Register and to report to Congress the reasons for the delay. Changes the definition of "commerce" for purposes of foreign trade investigations to include: (1) services associated with international trade, whether or not related to specific goods (currently products); and (2) foreign direct investment by U.S. persons with implications for trade in goods or services. Defines "unreasonable", "unjustifiable", and "discriminatory" for purposes of such investigations. Prohibits making information which the USTR has received in a trade investigation available to the public, if: (1) the person who provided the information makes a specified certification; (2) the USTR determines that such certification is well-founded; and (3) the person providing the information provides an adequate nonconfidential summary. Authorizes the USTR to use the information in trade investigations or to make it available to the public in a form which cannot identify the person providing the information. Sets forth the principal U.S. negotiating objectives with respect to trade in services, foreign direct investment, and high technology products. Directs the USTR to develop and coordinate the implementation of U.S. policies concerning trade in services. Requires Federal agencies responsible for regulating any service sector industry to advise and work with the USTR concerning: (1) the treatment afforded U.S. services sector interest in foreign markets; or (2) allegations of unfair practices by foreign governments or companies in a service sector. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to establish a service industries development program. Sets forth the goals of the program. Expresses the policy of the Congress that the President shall: (1) consult with State governments on trade policy issues affecting the regulatory authority on non-Federal governments or their procurement of goods and services; and (2) establish one or more intergovernmental policy advisory committees on trade. Authorizes the President to establish policy advisory committees representing non-Federal governmental interests to provide policy advice on trade negotiating objectives, bargaining positions, and the implementation of trade agreements. Authorizes the President to negotiate to reduce trade barriers in foreign direct investment by U.S. persons, especially if such investment has implications for trade in goods and services. Authorizes the President to enter into agreements concerning high technology industries. Authorizes the President to proclaim the modification, elimination or continuance of any existing duty, duty-free, excise treatment, or other additional duties with respect to specified high technology products listed in the U.S. Tariff Schedules. Provides for the termination of this authority five years after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1976 to extend for two years, until 1985, the allowance of the deduction for eliminating architectural and transportation barriers to the handicapped and elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
American Conservation Corps Act of 1983 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to establish and administer a public lands conservation, rehabilitation, and improvement program called the American Conservation Corps. Requires the Secretary to provide assistance to program agencies (any Federal or State agency responsible for the management of public lands) to establish and operate residential and nonresidential conservation centers to implement program projects. Describes the types of projects which will receive program preference. Limits program projects to those on public lands or Indian lands, except where projects on nonpublic lands provide documented public benefits. Sets forth requirements for establishing conservation centers and eligibility criteria for enrollees in the program. Makes persons eligible for enrollment and employment in the program if they are: (1) unemployed; (2) between the ages of 16 and 25 years; and (3) citizens, lawful permanent residents, or lawfully admitted alien parolees or refugees. Provides that in the selection of enrollees for the program, preference shall be given to economically, socially, physically, and educationally disadvantaged youth and youth residing in areas having substantial unemployment. Requires program agencies to provide services, facilities, supplies, and equipment for conservation centers as the Secretary deems necessary. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to, or enter into agreements with, program agencies for the funding and operation of conservation centers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 through 1989. Requires that such appropriations come from specified Treasury receipts. States that program enrollees shall not be deemed Federal employees, except for certain purposes. Directs the Secretary to establish pay rates and to coordinate the program with related Federal, State, local, and private activities. Directs the Secretary to submit a report to Congress, within one year of enactment of this Act, on the feasibility of allowing enrollees who have completed two years in the program an exemption from training and service under the Military Selective Service Act. Directs the Secretary to make arrangements with educational institutions to award academic credit to enrollees for competencies developed under this Act. Authorizes program agencies to make arrangements with such institutions for academic study by enrollees during nonworking hours. Requires program agencies to provide certification of skills acquired by program participants and to provide job guidance and placement information as necessary. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and Congress detailing the activities carried out under this Act. Entitles to an appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board any Federal employee displaced rightly or wrongly by activities under this Act. Grants similar appeal rights to the employees of any contract grantee similarly displaced.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Emergency Agricultural Credit Act of 1983 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to permit family farmers to request economic hardship loan repayment and foreclosure deferrals through FY 1983. Provides for loan consolidation and rescheduling at the end of such deferral period. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide notification to Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) borrowers regarding such deferral and rescheduling programs. Prohibits deferred or rescheduled loan interest rates from exceeding original rates. Raises limits on individual aggregate guaranteed and insured operating loans. Authorizes specified amounts for FY 1983 operating loans. Sets aside a specified portion for new borrowers. Requires that at least 20 percent of FY 1983 farm ownership and operating loans be for limited-resource farmers. Requires the Secretary to notify all farmers about such program. Amends the Emergency Agricultural Credit Adjustment Act of 1978 to require the Secretary to make economic emergency loans (currently the Secretary is authorized to make such loans, but not required). Authorizes additional amounts in loan guarantees for such program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to provide supplemental unemployment benefits to certain railroad employees with less than ten years of service. Authorizes appropriations to the railroad unemployment insurance account and the railroad unemployment insurance administration fund in the Unemployment Trust Fund for the payment of such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Reye's Syndrome Act of 1983 - Amends title XI (Genetic Disease, Hemophilia Programs, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish, through the National Institute of Neurological, Communicative Disorders, and Stroke, the Reye's Syndrome Coordinating Committee. Directs such Committee to: (1) make grants and enter into contracts for clinical research and treatment; and (2) establish mobile research teams. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress within six months following the end of the Committee's authorization.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Amends title VI (also known as the Federal Supplemental Compensation Act of 1982) of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 to extend the Federal supplemental unemployment compensation program through weeks beginning on or before September 30, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
States that the United States and the Soviet Union should: (1) pursue a complete halt to the nuclear arms race; (2) decide when and how to achieve a mutual and verifiable freeze on the testing, production, and further deployment of nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems; (3) give special attention to destabilizing weapons; and (4) proceeding from this freeze, pursue major, mutual, and verifiable reductions in nuclear warheads, missiles, and other delivery systems.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States and the District of Columbia shall elect the President and Vice President. Requires each elector to cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. Requires the electors of President and Vice President in each State to have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature, except that for electors of President and Vice President, the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive residence qualifications and for electors of President and Vice President the Congress may establish uniform residence qualifications. Provides that: (1) the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected, if such number is at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast; and (2) if no pair of persons has such number, a runoff election shall be held in which the choice of President and Vice President shall be made from the two pairs of persons who received the highest numbers of votes. Requires the days for such elections to be determined by Congress and to be uniform throughout the United States. Requires Congress to prescribe by law the time, place, and manner in which the results for such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Allows Congress to provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1983
States that the United States should propose negotiations with the Soviet Union on an advance notification and test reduction treaty that: (1) requires long-term advance notification to the other party of all nuclear and land-based intercontinental missile tests; (2) limits the number of such tests each year; and (3) seeks a reduction in the number of such tests each year to a zero level by the end of an agreed upon time.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Senate condemns and abhors the suppression of civil liberties and human rights by the Polish martial law government; (2) Americans respect the commitment to ideals manifested by the Polish people and Lech Walesa in particular; (3) Americans hope that Polish authorities will take steps to return to the Polish people their rights and liberties; and (4) the President is urged to proclaim December 12, 1982, as a national day of solidarity and prayer for Poland.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1982
Reaffirms the commitment of Congress to locating and repatriating Americans unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. Expresses congressional appreciation to the Lao Government for its expressed willingness to help. Supports the President's actions to locate and return missing Americans. Urges the President to respond to the indicated willingness of the Lao Government to cooperate in this effort.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1982
Amends the International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1981 to allow the President to make the second and succeeding certification, which are required before the President can continue giving aid to El Salvador, only if the certifications include a determination by the President that El Salvador: (1) has made good faith efforts since the last such certification to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the murders of six U.S. citizens; and (2) has taken all reasonable steps to investigate the disappearance of journalist John Sullivan.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 1982
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Open Market Committee should take actions to achieve a level of interest rates low enough to generate economic growth and reduce the current level of unemployment.
![Official portrait of Sen. Glenn, John H., Jr. [D-OH]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000236_200.jpg)