United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1981
Expresses the disapproval by the Senate of the proposed deferral of budget authority for the Veterans' Administration health-care facility construction while the Administration considers alternative methods for providing readily available quality medical care for eligible veterans as set forth in a special message transmitted by the President to the Congress under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1981
Establishes within the National Institutes of Health the Office of Drugs of Limited Commercial Value under the direction of the Director of the National Institutes of Health. Establishes within the Office an advisory council to advise the Director and make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services respecting the time required for drug approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance to entities for the development of drugs of limited commercial value, defined as a drug for a condition or disease of low incidence, to undertake the development of such drugs, undertake studies to determine the potential and need for specific drugs, and coordinate the efforts of public and private entities engaged in the development of such drugs. Requires the submission and approval of an application containing the scientific basis for the development and the proposed therapeutic use of the drug and other specified information before financial assistance is provided. Requires each entity receiving funds to keep specified records. Requires the Director to report to Congress within two years on the effectiveness of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) confer on an urgent basis with other nuclear suppliers to consider tightening restrictions on dangerous nuclear trade through specified measures; (2) develop a strong and effective program for the improvement of the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards regime through specified measures; (3) formulate and urge other countries to adopt a clear policy on enhanced international restrictions on dangerous nuclear trade and on improving the international safeguards regime; (4) call for a reevaluation of world nuclear energy policy; and (5) reaffirm U.S. policy to assist other countries in meeting their energy needs with nonnuclear energy alternatives.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) reopen the nuclear suppliers conference to consider tightening restrictions on dangerous nuclear trade through specified measures; (2) propose the improvement of the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards regime through specified measures; (3) formulate and urge other countries to adopt a clear policy on enhanced international restrictions on dangerous nuclear trade and on improving the international safeguards regime; (4) start planning for a world nuclear energy policy conference; and (5) reaffirm U.S. policy to assist other countries in meeting their energy needs with nonnuclear energy alternatives.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1981
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the Administrator of the General Services Administration, upon recommendation of the Attorney General, to donate surplus Federal property to any State for the construction and modernization of criminal justice facilities, including correctional facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that at least 15 percent of any business tax cut enacted by Congress should be specially designed for small and independent businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Retail Dealers' Agreement Act - Makes it a violation of this Act for any supplier of office products to: (1) induce a dealer in such products to enter into a dealer agreement by fraud; (2) fail to act in good faith in performing, canceling, terminating, or refusing to renew a dealer agreement; or (3) enter into a dealer agreement whereby the dealer will conduct business in a market area which is already the market area of another dealer without providing 60 days notice to the existing dealer. Requires a Federal district court to determine the propriety of the proposed dealership in accordance with specified guidelines in the event the existing dealer objects to its establishment. Includes among such guidelines: (1) whether the additional dealership is warranted by current economic and marketing conditions; (2) the permanency of the investment of the objecting dealer; and (3) whether the objecting dealer is providing adequate competition and sales, convenient service, and adequate facilities, equipment, and parts. Stipulates that the desire for further market penetration shall not in itself justify the establishment of a new dealership. Authorizes a dealer to bring an action against a supplier in Federal district court for damages, equitable relief, and attorney fees and other costs. Permits an award of treble damages for willful violations. Stipulates that this Act shall not be construed to modify any provision of the antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns) of the interest earned on an All Savers Certificate in taxable years 1981, 1982, and 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1981
Monongahela and Upper Ohio River Waterways Improvement Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to replace specified locks and dams on the Monongahela River, Pennsylvania, to rehabilitate the Gallipolis Dam, Ohio and West Virginia, and to replace certain locks on the Ohio River. Directs the Chief of Engineers to mitigate fish and wildlife habitat losses resulting from such construction by purchasing, at Federal expense, specified land. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer such land to the State of West Virginia for operation and maintenance. Requires the Chief of Engineers to submit a final environmental impact statement to Congress prior to initiating such construction. Provides for veto of such impact statement by concurrent resolution of Congress within 60 days. Exempts such impact statement and actions to carry out such project from judicial review except as specified. Sets forth procedures for such expedited judicial review. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Chief of Engineers, pending appropriation of such sums, to allot, from existing Army Department civil works appropriations, such sums as are necessary for immediate improvements.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Delinquent Payments Act of 1981 - Requires Federal agencies to pay interest on overdue payments to businesses for property or services. Specifies the procedure for computing such interest. Requires an agency to pay any such interest charges out of funds appropriated for its programs. Allows an agency to take advantage of an early payment discount only if payment is made within the time specified by the business. Directs each agency to report to Congress annually on interest payments made during the fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Regulatory Reform Act - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require the notice of proposed agency rulemaking to include: (1) a statement of the Congressional intent behind the rule; (2) a solicitation for public proposals for alternative methods; (3) a description of the data used in the rulemaking; and (4) a determination of whether the rule is a "major rule," as defined in this Act. Directs each agency to publish with such notice: (1) a description of the costs and benefits of and alternatives to the proposed rule; and (2) a justification for proposing the rule and selecting it over the alternatives. Requires agencies to give interested persons at least 60 days to submit written comments on any proposed rule and to make oral comments on major rules. Provides for a 30-day extension of such period. Directs each agency to publish with each final rule a statement of its basis and purpose, including an assessment of the public comments and a comparison of the costs, benefits, and adverse effects of the rule. Requires an agency officer or employee to prepare the rulemaking notice and the statement of the basis and purpose. Directs each agency to maintain, for judicial review, a public file of the paperwork and comments pertaining to each rulemaking proceeding. Allows an agency to promulgate an emergency rule without meeting the notice and comment requirements. Directs such agency: (1) to publish an explanation of the situation requiring the emergency rule and a justification of the emergency rule selected; and (2) to comply with normal rulemaking requirements as soon as practicable. Requires each agency to review its major rules every ten years. Directs each agency to: (1) publish and submit to the President a proposed review schedule; and (2) publish a final schedule within one year after enactment of this Act. Permits the President to select additional rules for review. Directs each agency to publish a notice of its proposed action regarding a reviewed rule. Requires that the notice: (1) assess the costs, benefits, and adverse effects of the rule; and (2) invite public proposals for modifications or alternatives to the rule. Requires an agency to follow normal rulemaking procedures when amending or rescinding a rule. Specifies procedures for renewing a rule without amendment. Directs a court reviewing an agency action to: (1) set aside any agency rule found to lack substantial support in the rulemaking file; (2) determine the authority or jurisdiction of the agency on the basis of the language of the authorizing statute or other evidence of legislative intent; and (3) accord no presumption in favor of or against agency action. Declares that when proceedings for review of the same agency action are instituted in two or more courts of appeals within ten days, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall select the court in which the record shall be filed by a system of random selection. Authorizes the courts not selected to grant preliminary relief pending transfer of their proceedings. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually, an agenda of the rules the agency expects to propose, promulgate, renew, or withdraw within the next 12 months, including a schedule of the significant actions pertaining to each rule. Directs the President to publish, semiannually, a Calendar of Federal Regulations, listing each of the major rules included in the agenda.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Establishes a Special Joint Committee on the Centennial of the Birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Directs that such committee be composed of sixteen Members of the Congress. Directs that such committee shall prepare an overall program for nationwide observances and make comprehensive plans for commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, including a joint session of Congress to be held on January 29, 1982. Provides that such committee shall terminate not later than April 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1981
Coastal Barrier Resources Act - Declares the findings and intentions of Congress in regard to the fish, wildlife, and other natural resources associated with the coastal barriers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Establishes the Coastal Barrier Resources System (System) which shall consist of specified undeveloped coastal barriers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Requires that certain coastal barrier maps shall be available for public inspection through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide copies of such maps to the chief executive officer of: (1) each State and political subdivision in which a System unit is located, and (2) each affected Federal agency. Directs the Secretary to make necessary modifications to such maps and to notify specified Congressional committees of the same. Limits, to specified projects, Federal expenditures on such projects or financial assistance for purposes within the System. Lists those projects eligible for financial assistance. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to certify annually to Congress that the Federal agencies concerned have complied with the provisions of this Act. Declares that no provision of this Act shall be construed to invalidate any provision of State or local law. Sets forth the contents of reports to be filed by the Secretary with specified Congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Peace Corps Autonomy Act - Requires the Peace Corps to be an independent agency within the Executive branch. Amends the Peace Corps Act to delete certain provisions relating to readjustment allowance payments to Peace Corps volunteers. Authorizes the President to delegate the authority to carry out such Act only to the Director of the Peace Corps. Requires the Directors of the Peace Corps, the Action Agency, and the Office of Management and Budget to report to Congress within a specified time on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Senate and the American people: (1) regret the loss of Japanese life and property in connection with the collision of a U.S. submarine and a Japanese freighter; (2) sympathize with the families of those who died; and (3) assure Japan that the collision will be investigated and explained.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Proclaims Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States. Requests the President to ascertain his whereabouts from the Soviet Union and to secure his freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Small Business Innovation Research Act of 1981 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) maintain an information program to provide small businesses an opportunity to participate in Federal small business innovation research (SBIR) programs; (2) coordinate a schedule for release of agency SBIR solicitations and prepare a master release schedule; (3) monitor SBIR programs within Federal agencies; and (4) report annually to the Congressional Small Business Committees on the SBIR programs. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $100,000,000 in fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to spend a specified percentage of its budget in connection with an SBIR program. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to establish specific goals for funding research and development agreements with small businesses. Directs each Federal agency with an SBIR program to report annually to the SBA the number of awards over $10,000 in amount made under the SBIR program and to concerns other than small business concerns. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in conjunction with the SBA, to promulgate regulations for the conduct of the SBIR programs. States that this Act does not authorize the appropriation of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend from August 6, 1982, to August 6, 1992: (1) the time period during which jurisdictions covered by the triggering mechanism must not have used a test or device to deny the right to vote on account of race in order to be released from coverage; and (2) the time period during which changes in voting laws must be precleared with the Federal Government. Extends the bilingual election requirements from August 6, 1985, to August 6, 1992. Restates the prohibition against denying the right to vote based on race to prohibit any State from imposing voting practices "in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement" of the right to vote.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Commends Secret Service Agents Timothy McCarthy and Jerry Parr and Metropolitan Police Officer Thomas Delahanty for their performance in the line of duty with respect to the assassination attempt on the life of the President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1981
Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of State to establish an independent Office of Foreign Missions within the Department of State. Permits the Secretary to authorize the Director of such Office to: (1) assist Federal, State and municipal agencies to ascertain the benefits due a foreign mission; (2) provide benefits for or on behalf of a foreign mission; and (3) support the secure and efficient operation of foreign missions. Authorizes the Secretary to require a foreign mission to obtain benefits from or through the Director on terms approved by the Secretary if providing the benefits is necessary to: (1) facilitate relations between the United States and a sending State (state represented by such mission); (2) protect U.S. interests; (3) adjust for costs and procedures of obtaining benefits for U.S. missions abroad; or (4) assist in resolving a dispute affecting U.S. interests. Authorizes the Secretary to require a foreign mission to comply with certain terms, including paying the Director a fee and waiving any recourse against any governmental authority or employee, as a condition to: (1) the performance in the United States of any contract; (2) the acquisition of any real property; or (3) the application for or acceptance of any benefit. Authorizes the Secretary to require any foreign mission to: (1) notify the Director before such mission acquires or disposes of any real property; and (2) divest itself of or forgo the use of any real property acquired without notice to the Director or exceeding the limits placed on real property available to U.S. missions in the sending state. Authorizes the Secretary to protect and dispose of any property of a foreign mission which has ceased conducting governmental activities and has not designated a protecting power. Makes the location and dimensions of any foreign mission's real property in the District of Columbia subject to the approval of the National Capital Planning Commission. Sets forth the criteria for the Commission's determinations about such real property. Provides for the administration and management of the Office of Foreign Missions. Makes the provisions of this Act applicable to public international organizations. Prohibits compliance with this Act by a foreign mission from being deemed a waiver of any immunity. Prohibits making benefits available to foreign missions contrary to this Act. Makes the provisions of this Act severable. Amends the Diplomatic Relations Act to extend the privileges and immunities of the Vienna Convention to the missions of non-parties to the Convention. Authorizes the President to determine what privileges and immunities should be extended to a foreign mission.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1981
Expresses the disapproval by the Senate of the proposed deferral of budget authority for the welfare reform programs administered by the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor as set forth in a special message transmitted by the President to the Congress under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (deferral D-81-36A).
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1981
Expresses the sense of the United States Senate that: (1) Poland's problems can and should be solved by the Polish people; (2) any outside intervention would violate international law and solemn commitments; (3) officially sanctioned internal use of force would violate the prevailing spirit of cooperative negotiations; (4) the United States could not be indifferent to either such development which could have grave consequences for East-West relations; and (5) the Senate supports the President's efforts to ease Poland's economic difficulties providing repression or foreign intervention do not occur.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Title I: Export Trading Companies - Export Trading Company Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promote export trading companies by providing information and by facilitating contacts between producers of exportable goods and export trading companies. Authorizes any banking organization to invest specified amounts in export trading companies upon notifying, but without obtaining the prior approval of, the appropriate Federal banking agency, if such investment does not cause an export trading company to become a subsidiary of such organization. Allows greater investment by Edge Act Corporations not engaged in banking. Permits any banking organization to invest beyond such limitations with prior approval of the appropriate Federal banking agency. Requires prior notification of such agencies in specified circumstances. Sets forth further limitations on export trading companies and investments by banking organizations. Specifies factors to be taken into consideration by the banking agencies. Permits such agencies to impose conditions in approving applications to invest in export trading companies. Requires such agencies to report to the appropriate Congressional committees with their recommendations concerning implementation of this Act, related changes in U.S. law, and effects of ownership of U.S. banks by foreign banking organizations. Authorizes the appropriate Federal banking agency to exempt from specified requirements of the Federal Reserve Act any loan or extension of credit made by a national or State bank to an export trading company affiliate if such exemption is necessary to finance an affiliated export trading company and does not expose the bank to undue financial risks. Provides for judicial review of denial orders in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals. Sets forth the grounds for disapproval. Provides for a remand for further consideration by the banking agency. Directs the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration to give special weight to export-related benefits when considering applications for loans and guarantees by export trading companies. Authorizes up to $10,000,000 to be appropriated for initial investments and operating expenses for each of fiscal years 1982-1986. Directs the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide loan guarantees for expansion to export trading companies or exporters when adequate financing is not otherwise available. Requires such loan guarantees to be secured by accounts receivable or inventories. Directs the Board of Directors to try to insure that a major share of such guarantees promotes exports from small, medium-size, and minority businesses or agricultural concerns. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to subsidize the employment of export managers by small business manufacturing firms which have not previously been substantial exporters. Limits such grants to the lesser of: (1) 50 percent of the expenses related to employing a full-time export manager for one year; or (2) $40,000. Sets forth the requirements for an application by a firm for such grant and the factors the Secretary shall consider in making such grants. Authorizes appropriations for each of fiscal years 1982-1984 to carry out this grant program. Directs the Secretary to evaluate this program and to submit such evaluation and any recommendation to Congress by a specified date. Title II: Export Trade Association - Export Trade Association Act of 1981 - Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt the trade, activities and methods of operation of certified export trade associations and export trading companies from the antitrust laws. Delays the effectiveness of any certificate upon the notification of the Secretary of Commerce by the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of disagreement with the decision to issue a certificate. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by any association or export trading company seeking certification under this Act and by the Secretary in issuing such certificates. Permits automatic certification for existing associations. Provides for appeal of the Secretary's denial of certification. Requires firms to report changes in membership, export trade activities, or methods of operation to the Secretary and to apply for an amendment of their certificates. Directs the Secretary to revoke a firm's certificate if it does not comply with the requirements for an antitrust exemption or to amend such certificate so that it does comply with such requirements. Authorizes the Attorney General or the FTC to bring an action to invalidate certification. Provides for judicial review of such actions. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General and the FTC, to publish certification guidelines. Requires certified associations and export trading companies to submit annual reports to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Commerce an Office of Export Trade. Requires such Office to report annually to the appropriate Congressional committees on all East-West trade transactions requiring validated licenses and on the role of U.S. export trading companies in such trade. Requires, with specified exceptions, that all applications for certification be kept confidential. Authorizes the Secretary to require an association or trading company to modify its operation to be consistent with international obligations of the United States. Directs the President to appoint, with the Senate's advice and consent, a task force, seven years after enactment, to examine the effect of this Act and to make recommendations. Makes the amendments of the Webb-Pomerene Act set forth in this Act effective with regard to existing associations only at such time as such associations elected to be certified.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
Energy Storage Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to prepare and transmit to specified Congressional committees a comprehensive program management plan for the research, development, and demonstration of energy storage technologies (processes to store electrical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical energy generated from any energy resource for end-use in transportation, building heating and cooling, industrial processes, and utility applications). Directs the Secretary in pursuing such program to: (1) initiate and accelerate research and development of new energy storage technologies; (2) solicit proposals and evaluate new or improved technology; (3) obtain scientific, technological, and economic information; and (4) coordinate such program with specified energy laws. Sets forth the contents of the program management plan. Requires that a technical panel on energy storage of the Energy Research Advisory Board be established to advise the Secretary on the conduct of the energy storage program. Requires the Secretary to make available to domestic industry and universities technical information on such program, except where such information involves trade secrets or proprietary information. Directs the Secretary to maintain a program to provide public information and educational materials on energy storage. Directs the Secretary to provide realistic and adequate opportunities for small business concerns to participate in energy storage programs. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the energy storage program. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 to 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Amends the highway safety programs uniform standards to include: (1) comprehensive alcohol-traffic safety programs; and (2) penalties to deter motorists from driving while under the influence of alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Prohibits the United States Postal Service from requiring the inclusion of a ZIP code in the address of any piece of mail, except as a condition for mailing at a reduced rate or rates for a subclass established to recognize the costs of handling mail bearing such a code.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
National Driver Register Act of 1981 - Eliminates the register in the Department of Commerce that lists the names of persons who have had their motor vehicle operator's licenses revoked. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish and maintain a National Driver Register to assist chief driver licensing officials of participating States in exchanging information regarding the motor vehicle driving records of individuals. Prohibits the Secretary from maintaining information in such Register for more than a seven-year period from the date of its entry. Allows any State to participate in such Register system. Directs the chief driver licensing official of a participating State to transmit specified information on certain drivers to the Secretary. Allows access to such information to specified individuals, including the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. Limits the use of such information to official investigations and statistical research. Sets forth criminal penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of information from the National Driver Register. Establishes a National Driver Register Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of the Register system. Directs the Committee to report at least annually to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, within nine years of the date of enactment of this Act, to report to Congress on the level of State participation in and the effectiveness of the Register system. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act for fiscal years 1981 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Urges the President to extend for three years the orderly marketing agreements between the United States and Taiwan and between the United States and South Korea which limit the exportation from Taiwan and South Korea of nonrubber footwear to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1981
Export of Hazardous Wastes Control Act of 1981 - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to permit the export of hazardous wastes from the United States only pursuant to a validated export license. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to issue a license only: (1) after consultation with specified Federal officials; and (2) if the Secretary is satisfied that the importing country's government has been fully informed about, and agrees to, the shipment. Makes such conditions applicable to all exports of hazardous wastes. Directs the Secretary to list annually for Congress: (1) hazardous wastes for which validated export licenses are required; (2) the number and type of applications received for the export of such wastes; and (3) hazardous wastes for which export licenses were granted.
![Official portrait of Sen. Glenn, John H., Jr. [D-OH]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000236_200.jpg)