United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1981
Balanced Budget and Deficit Control Act of 1981 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to make a Congressional declaration that it is essential to provide for a balanced Federal budget. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require that the first concurrent resolution on the budget, on which Congress must complete action on or before May 15 of each year, provide a balanced budget for such year and for the succeeding fiscal year. Specifies that if changes in laws, bills, or resolutions are necessary in connection with any such concurrent resolution on the budget in order to assure that there is no deficit in the budget for either of the fiscal years to which such concurrent resolution relates, such concurrent resolution shall appropriately direct the legislative committees involved to determine and recommend such changes. Makes it out of order in either the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider or adopt any concurrent resolution on the budget, to consider or adopt any amendment to such a concurrent resolution, or to adopt a conference report on such concurrent resolution, if at the time of such consideration or adoption the level of total budget outlays which is set forth in such concurrent resolution for either of the two fiscal years to which it relates exceeds the recommended level of Federal revenues for that year. Permits the suspension of such provisions: (1) upon a Presidential request, approved by Congress; (2) upon a recommendation by the Budget Committee of either the House or the Senate and approval of the Congress; and (3) with respect to any fiscal year in which the United States is at war pursuant to a declaration of war by the Congress. Permits revisions of the first concurrent resolution on the budget at any time after it has been agreed to pursuant to such Act before the end of the first fiscal year to which such resolution relates. Requires such revision to meet the same balanced budget requirements as the original concurrent resolution and provide for the same suspension of such requirements. Requires the second concurrent resolution on the budget to be for the fiscal year beginning on October 1 of such year and the succeeding fiscal year. Makes it out of order in either the House or the Senate to receive or consider any amendment to a reconciliation bill or reconciliation resolution if such amendment would have the effect of increasing any specific budget outlays above the level of such outlays contained in the bill or resolution as reported, or would reduce any specific Federal revenues below the level of such revenues as reported, unless it includes or is accompanied by an amendment which assures that total budget outlays are not increased and that total Federal revenues are not reduced by making an equivalent reduction in other specific budget outlays or an equivalent increase in other specific Federal revenues. Makes it out of order in either the House or the Senate, at any time after the Congress has completed action on the first concurrent resolution on the budget, and if a reconciliation bill or resolution is required to be reported in connection with such resolution after that bill has been enacted into law or such resolution has been agreed to, to consider any bill or resolution or amendment which provides for budget outlays, new budget authority in excess of the appropriated allocation, or new spending authority. Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to state that any references to "a fiscal year" or "the fiscal year" with respect to a concurrent resolution on the budget shall be treated as references made separately to each of the two fiscal years to which such concurrent resolution relates. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require each committee required by such Act to report on a concurrent resolution on the budget to make such report within ten legislative days after the concurrent resolution is agreed to. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require the President, from time to time during the fiscal year, to ensure that the budget complies with the requirements of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Requires such budget to be balanced, but permits the President to recommend alternative balanced budgets with outlays and revenues at higher or lower levels to take account of possible changes in economic conditions or other circumstances. Requires such budget transmitted by the President to be accompanied by a projected budget for the succeeding fiscal year. Permits a suspension of such requirements upon a Presidential request or if the United States is at war pursuant to a declaration of war by Congress. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, with respect to any fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1983, to analyze the level of Federal revenues and budget outlays during the fiscal quarter beginning October 1 and ending December 31 in that year for the purpose of determining the levels of total revenues and budget outlays which may be anticipated for such fiscal year and whether such revenues will be sufficient to equal or exceed such outlays. Requires the Director to report to the President and Congress not later than January 3 if he determines that such revenues will not be sufficient to equal or exceed such outlays and to identify the amount of any such insufficiency and the percentage of total controllable expenditures which such insufficiency represents. Requires the President, upon receipt of such a report, to issue an order sequestering such amounts of budget authority as are necessary to reduce each such controllable expenditure by that percentage and to transmit to Congress a message identifying: (1) the total amount of budget authority which is to be sequestered; (2) the annuity budget authority which is to be sequestered with respect to each such controllable expenditure in order to reduce it by the required percentage; and (3) the account, department, or establishment from which each amount of budget authority is available for obligation and the specific project or governmental functions involved. Makes such an order effective from and after the date of its issuance except to the extent revised or abrogated by the Congress pursuant to this Act. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by Congress in reviewing such an order. Permits the Budget Committee of the House or the Senate, at any time after the promulgation of such an order, to report a concurrent resolution suspending, in whole or in part, the operation of such order. Defines the term "controllable expenditures" as expenditures which may be reduced without breaching any obligation, contractual or otherwise, of the United States to make payments. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to submit to the House and Senate Budget Committee recommendations concerning further refinement in the definition and identification of controllable expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Patent Term Restoration Act of 1981 - Amends the patent law to extend the terms of patents which encompass specified products or a method for using a product any of which are subject to certain nonpatent regulatory review periods. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such extension, including a seven year limitation. Directs the Commissioner of Patents to issue to the owner of record of a patent a certificate of extension stating the fact and length of the extension and identifying the product and the use and the claim to which such extension is applicable. Makes such certificate a part of the original patent. Limits the application of such patent term extension to patents for products subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the Act of March 4, 1913 (relating to virus, serum, toxin, and analogous products).
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) continue ozone protection studies and research while increasing actual measurements of stratospheric ozone and improving methods of monitoring potential trends in such measurements; and (2) contract with the National Academy of Sciences, in consultation with the Administrators of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to (a) continue review and research, (b) determine the extent, nature, and causes of changes in stratospheric ozone concentration (with particular attention to the effects of chlorofluorocarbons), (c) investigate unreasonable effects on health and the environment, and (d) report to the Administrator and the Congress. Directs the Administrator to report, with recommendations, to the Congress at the end of a 24-month period. Prohibits the commencement or continuation of rulemaking by the Administrator with respect to regulations for the control in the United States of any chlorofluorocarbon until: (1) the Administrator, the Academy, and the President have submitted specified reports to the Congress; or (2) the Administrator determines that stratospheric ozone depletion by chlorofluorocarbons at a rate eventually harmful to human health and the environment has actually been detected. Directs the Administrator to withdraw any such rulemaking commenced after January 1, 1981, and before the date of enactment of this Act, and declares that such rulemaking has no force or effect. Requires that such final regulations be submitted to the Congress and only take effect if both Houses of Congress do not adopt a concurrent resolution of disapproval within a specified period. Sets forth procedures relating to such resolutions. Requires that continuing research and monitoring programs be expanded to determine the extent, nature, causes, effects, and associated uncertainties of stratospheric ozone concentration changes. Directs the President, within two years from the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, to report to the Congress and the public on efforts to reach international agreements among the major free-world countries producing chlorofluorocarbons as to the nature, extent, and implications of any threat to the concentration of ozone in the stratosphere and the appropriate regulatory action to be taken. Prohibits States or local governments from adopting or attempting to enforce any regulations (except ones controlling halocarbon use as an aerosol propellant) respecting the control of chlorofluorocarbons to protect the stratosphere or stratospheric ozone until the Administrator has promulgated such regulations for such control in the United States. Provides that this Act shall not affect the validity of regulations concerning aerosol propellants containing chlorofluorocarbons promulgated by the Administrator before January 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to end the payment of child's insurance benefits on the basis of student status to individuals who have reached age 18.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Administrative Rulemaking Reform Act - Directs a Federal agency preparing to hold a rulemaking session to make a reasonable effort to inform those likely to be affected by the proposed rulemaking. Requires the notice of rulemaking to include: (1) the projected effective date of the rules; (2) the purpose of the rulemaking; (3) the text of the proposed rules; and (4) the studies on which the agency intends to rely in the rulemaking proceedings. Requires public notice and public opportunity for comment on all rulemaking proceedings unless the agency finds that proposed rules are emergency rules or are of routine or insignificant impact. Requires Federal agencies to give interested persons at least 45 days to participate in the rulemaking. Provides for agency hearings to receive oral comments, and procedures to resolve significant controversies over factual issues. Requires each agency to maintain a public file of all relevant material and required statements for each rulemaking. Prohibits adoption of a proposed rule that has been revised substantially unless interested persons are provided an opportunity to comment on such revisions. Sets forth an expedited rulemaking procedure for rules to replace emergency rules. Directs each agency to submit a copy of each promulgated rule to each House of Congress. Declares that no rule, excluding an emergency rule, shall become effective if: (1) both Houses of Congress adopt a concurrent resolution disapproving it within 90 days of continuous session of Congress; or (2) one House adopts such a resolution within 60 such days and the other House does not disapprove such resolution within 30 days thereafter. Authorizes either House to adopt a resolution directing an agency to reconsider and repromulgate a newly promulgated rule or an existing rule within a specified period. Provides that if such agency fails to act such rule shall lapse. Directs the Administrative Conference of the United States to study and report on the effects on rulemaking of the Congressional review provisions of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for such study. Directs a court reviewing an agency rule to set aside any rule found to be unwarranted by material in the rulemaking file.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Stipulates that the payment of retired or retainer pay which would otherwise be made to a member of the armed forces shall be paid by the Secretary concerned to another person to the extent provided for in the terms of any court decree of divorce, annulment, or legal separation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Food Stamp Act Reform Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to provide that an authorization card held by an eligible household show any amount to be paid by such household for an allotment of food stamp coupons. Excludes the use of food stamps by persons 60 years of age or older or those receiving supplemental security income benefits at private establishments that contract with State agencies to sell food at concessional prices. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make adjustments to uniform allotments for households with respect to the age and sex of its members. Includes energy assistance payments as household income for purposes of the food stamp program. Excludes households from food stamp assistance if any member who is physically and mentally fit refuses to accept employment under a State workfare program established by this Act. Exempts any household member responsible for the care of a dependent child under the age of six (currently the age of 12) from such workfare program requirement. Prohibits households eligible for food stamp benefits prior to a member going on strike from receiving increased benefits as a result of such strike. Prohibits any household from participating in the food stamp program for any month such household exceeds specified earned income and certain nonfarm income poverty guidelines prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget. Exempts households containing a member 60 years of age or over or a member who receives certain payments under the Social Security Act from such prohibition. Eliminates provisions which reduce the value of allotments to eligible households by a specified percentage of such household's income. Sets forth a formula for reducing the value of allotments to households containing members who participate in the national school lunch program under the National School Lunch Act. Provides that the value of an allotment in excess of the amount charged for such allotment shall not be considered income for purposes of Federal, State, or local laws. Sets forth standards and procedures for determining which households, and the amount such households, shall be charged for allotments. Requires that funds received by coupon issuers from such charges shall be deposited into the Treasury and that State agencies be notified of such deposits in a manner prescribed by regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture. Sets forth penalties for violations of such regulations. Revises requirements of the monthly operations report to be submitted by coupon issuers to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to require State agencies to provide periodic reports on the receipt of coupon issuer notifications of deposits. Directs the Secretary and the U.S. Postal Service to jointly arrange for the prompt deposit of such funds collected by the Service on behalf of a State. Prohibits State agencies from conducting food stamp outreach activities with funds provided by this Act. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations for State agencies to establish and operate workfare programs which make available public employment for certain food stamp recipients. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement evaluation measures to determine the effectiveness of workfare programs established by this Act. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Food Stamp Act of 1977 consistent with the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that disability insurance benefits for an individual having a terminal illness shall begin with the first month during which such individual has such illness.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Petroleum Displacement Act of 1981 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to repeal certain prohibitions and limitations on the use of natural gas as a primary energy source in electric powerplants. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to prohibit the use of petroleum or natural gas or both: (1) as a primary energy source in electric powerplants where coal or alternate fuel capability exists; and (2) in excess of a minimal amount in an electric powerplant in which it is feasible to use a mixture of petroleum or natural gas or an alternate fuel as a primary energy source.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit married individuals filing separate income tax returns an election to be taxed at rates applicable to unmarried individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977 to provide that provisions of such Act shall not apply to: (1) any surface sand or gravel, stone, or clay mine; or (2) any surface structure or road, if constructed by employees not engaged in mining.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1981
Free Enterprise Postage Stamp Act - Establishes a Free Enterprise Postage Stamp Advisory Committee consisting of the Postmaster General, the Deputy Postmaster General, and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. Directs the Committee to advise the United States Postal Service regarding the approval of bids for the printing, distribution, and sale of postage stamps containing the logos of domestic business enterprises. Authorizes the Postal Service to enter into contracts to print, distribute, and sell 2,000 issues of 50,000 of such stamps for domestic business enterprise for a minimum price of $10,000 each. Sets forth the specifications for acceptable business logos. Requires the Committee to advertise the availability of such stamps, review the bids received for each issue, and recommend the bids which would be the most economically advantageous to the Postal Service. Directs the Committee and the Postal Service to reject all bids for an issue if such action is in the public interest. Declares that all of the revenues from the sale of such stamps shall be deposited into the Postal Service Fund. Requires the Postal Service to report to Congress on the effectiveness of the sale of such stamps in raising revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1981
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to include insurance coverage for damage caused by flood-related landslides. Directs the Federal Insurance Administrator, within one year of enactment of this Act, to report to Congress on the feasibility of insuring property which is located outside of, but on the same real estate lot as, a currently insured residential structure. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to pay to any person who, during a specified period prior to enactment of this Act, incurred property damage caused by a flood-related landslide. Provides that such amount equal the amount payable if such damage had been covered by such insurance. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish the Committee on Internal Security with jurisdiction over communist, terrorist, and other subversive activities. Removes such jurisdiction from the Judiciary Committee. Transfers to the Internal Security Committee all of its property under the control of the Judiciary Committee or any other government agency.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Radio Broadcasting Deregulation Act of 1981 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from regulating the program content or record keeping of commercial radio broadcasting station licensees.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Broadcast Licensing Act of 1981 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to increase the terms of radio broadcasting station licenses to ten years and of television broadcasting station licenses to five years. Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission, in considering an application for the renewal of a broadcasting station license, from taking into account the following: (1) any ownership interest which is held by the renewal applicant involved in any other broadcasting station or in any nonbroadcasting communications medium; or (2) any participation by such renewal applicant in the day-to-day administration and operation of the broadcasting station involved. Requires the Commission to grant such renewal if such licensee is in substantial compliance with requirements of such Act. Permits the Commission to issue without a hearing a construction permit to an initial applicant if such application is mutually exclusive with other applications for technical factors.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Resource Conservation and Development Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a resource conservation and development program to assist States, local units of government, and local nonprofit organizations to operate and maintain a planning process for land conservation and utilization, natural resources development, and rural economic and environmental improvement. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance in developing area plans for designated rural areas; (2) cooperate in conducting surveys and inventories, disseminating information, and developing area plans; (3) assist in the carrying out of approved area plans by local public agencies and nonprofit organizations designated by States; and (4) enter into specified agreements with such State and local entities. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such agreements. Permits the identification of groups or problems for special consideration in area plans. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Agriculture a Resource Conservation and Development Policy Board to advise the Secretary regarding the administration of this Act. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the program provided for in this Act and to report on such evaluation by December 31, 1986. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act, with specified annual limits on technical and financial assistance and on loans.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Authorizes the President to present on behalf of the Congress specially struck gold medals to fifty-three individuals held hostage in the United States Embassy in Iran. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) strike fifty-three gold medals with suitable emblems, devices and inscriptions; and (2) coin and sell bronze duplicates of such medals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1981
National Health Care Reform Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish actuarial categories, including an aged and disabled actuarial category, of individuals eligible for Federal financial assistance toward the purchase of membership in a health care plan qualified under this Act (health care contributions). Sets forth the factors to be considered in establishing such categories. Requires the Secretary to delineate the United States into health care areas according to specified criteria. Title I: Health Care Contributions - Makes every individual who is a resident citizen of the United States or a lawful resident alien eligible for a health care contribution. Stipulates that dependents of eligible individuals are not eligible for health care contributions unless they are aged or disabled. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax exclusion of contributions paid by an eligible individual's employer toward the premium of such plan. Sets forth the conditions for such exclusion. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer a tax credit for the premium paid by such taxpayer during the taxable year for membership in such plan. Limits the tax credit to individuals eligible for such contribution. Specifies the maximum allowable credit for a taxable year. Sets forth additional limitations on such credit. Directs the Secretary to make a contribution to eligible disabled or elderly individuals who elect to receive such contribution in lieu of benefits under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare). Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register the amount of contributions for such individuals in each health care area. Sets forth the method for computing such contributions. Entitles an eligible individual whose family income is below specified guidelines to receive for the year in which a plan is effective (plan year) a direct health care contribution. Limits contributions to one eligible individual per family. Sets forth the conditions for receipt of such contribution. Entitles an eligible aged or disabled individual to such a contribution only if he or she has: (1) elected to receive such a contribution in lieu of Medicare benefits; and (2) waived any right for the aged or disabled for the plan year. Provides for the periodic transfer of funds from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established under the Social Security Act to make payments for such contributions to aged or disabled individuals. Directs the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register the amount of contributions for the financially needy made for each health care area. Allows the Secretary to enter into a contract with any State under which the State will determine the eligibility for and the amount of a contribution for financially needy residents. Directs the Secretary to issue a health care voucher to eligible individuals in the amount of the contribution. Specifies the contents of such voucher and its date of issuance. Requires a plan to accept a voucher issued to an eligible individual as full or partial payment of the plan's annual premium. Requires the Secretary to make payments to a plan presenting such vouchers. Sets forth the terms for such payments. Prohibits the Secretary from withholding any portion of the health care payments to which a plan is entitled to offset any amount owed to the United States by the plan, an eligible individual, or any other person. Prohibits the Secretary from denying payment of an invalid voucher unless a plan has actual knowledge of such invalidity at the time of acceptance. Prohibits the assignment or attachment of a health care voucher. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude such health care voucher payments from gross income. Title II: Qualified Plans - Allows a plan to apply to the Secretary for certification as a qualified plan in one or more health care areas. Requires the Secretary to act upon such application (otherwise such application shall be deemed approved) within 30 days. Sets forth the factors to be considered in acting upon such application. Directs the Secretary to provide a plan with a written explanation and a hearing in the event of disapproval. Provides for the continued qualification of an approved plan until it is disqualified under this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from changing regulations for a plan year later than April 1 of the previous year unless all affected plans agree. Requires a plan to provide its members with basic health care services including: (1) medical, surgical, and obstetrical care; (2) inpatient, outpatient, and other institutional health services, plus home health or institutional services for aged or disabled individuals; (3) preventive health services; (4) prescription drugs; (5) blood; (6) emergency transportation; (7) medical equipment, including therapeutic devices and prosthetic applications; and (8) out-of-area coverage. Specifies exclusions from such required services. Requires a plan to provide a written membership agreement which sets forth the rights and obligations of the plan and its members. States that the term of each membership agreement shall be a plan year. Limits membership to eligible residents of the health care area in which a plan is located. Requires a plan to: (1) have an open membership enrollment, with specified exceptions including the number of medically high-risk individuals; (2) provide an individual with a written explanation if membership is denied; and (3) enroll a member's spouse or dependents as associate members, including the automatic enrollment of a new spouse or dependent. Requires each plan to establish an annual premium for each actuarial category. Sets a maximum individual cost per plan year for basic health services. Requires the Secretary to publish such maximum cost in the Federal Register. Allows group premium reductions. Requires a plan to permit: (1) monthly premium payments; and (2) premium transfers between qualifying plans. Entitles an aged or disabled individual who tenders a health care voucher which is greater than the premium to a refund or credit. Requires a plan to: (1) report annually to the Secretary with enrollment information; (2) submit to the Secretary any proposed coverage changes; and (3) provide financial information and make payments to the Health Benefits Assurance Corporation established under this Act. Requires a plan to file with the Secretary a brochure for a plan year describing: (1) the health care services to be provided; (2) the method by which such services will be provided; (3) the location of health care facilities; (4) the maximum amount of expenditures required of a member; (5) the health care area or areas in which the plan will be offered; (6) the premium charged for each actuarial category; and (7) the installments in which such premium may be paid. Directs the Secretary and the plan to make such brochures available to the public. Allows advertising of the health care plan. Directs the Secretary to bar the distribution of a misleading and inaccurate brochure or advertisement. Allows: (1) members of a plan to refuse services by a person designated by the plan to provide such service; and (2) health care personnel to refuse for moral reasons to provide certain services. Requires arbitration of specified grievances between an individual and a plan. Sets forth limitations on the authorities of the Secretary, the qualified plan, the plan's sponsor, and the deliverer of health care services. Requires the Secretary to disqualify a plan if any proposed changes will prevent such plan from providing basic health care services or will require excessive out-of-pocket expenditures. Allows the Secretary to: (1) disqualify a plan if the plan's sponsor has violated the antitrust provisions established by this Act; and (2) rescind such disqualification if the plan meets certain criteria. Prohibits treatment of a plan as a qualified plan after the U.S. Health Court appoints a receiver. Requires the Secretary to provide information about qualified plans and to help process applications for health care vouchers. Allows an eligible individual to authorize any person to act as his or her agent. Permits only a chartered health care contribution agent to serve as an authorized agent for more than 25 persons. Directs the Secretary to designate as chartered health care contribution agents persons who meet specified qualifications of honesty and expertise. Prohibits State payments under title III (Unemployment Compensation) and title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of the Social Security Act to any eligible person who is not a member of a qualified plan. Requires membership in a plan in order to qualify for supplemental security income and food stamp benefits. Exempts specified persons from such membership requirements. Grants standing to a plan to assert the rights of its members. Deems members to have assigned their rights to a claim in specified circumstances. Repeals the provisions of Federal law relating to Federal employee health insurance. Requires the Federal Government to contribute to the premium of a health plan on behalf of Federal employees. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee an insurance policy of a qualified plan where similar insurance is not available at commercially reasonable rates. Establishes the Health Benefits Assurance Corporation to periodically review health plan applications for financial certification. Exempts the Corporation from all Federal, State, and local taxes. Sets forth the powers of the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to establish a protective fund to assure the provision of services by plans financially unable to meet their obligations. Establishes a revolving fund in the U.S. Treasury for the Corporation to use to carry out its duties. Authorizes the Corporation to issue debt obligations. Requires a plan to repay the Corporation if any amount of the protective fund is used to fulfill the obligations of such plan. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse a plan for services furnished to a nonmember. Sets forth arbitration procedures. Provides for judicial review of any agency action by the Health Court. Establishes the Health Court. Sets forth the organization of such Court. Grants such Court exclusive jurisdiction over all civil actions brought to enforce this Act and all civil claims and disputes arising under this Act and under agreements by or with qualified plans. Directs the Court to appoint a receiver for a plan if the Court determines there is a strong possibility the plan will not be able to fulfill its obligations to its members. Prohibits the commencement, or requires the suspension, of any Federal or State bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding during any period for which a receiver has been appointed. Establishes a Health Court of Appeals with jurisdiction over appeals brought from the Health Court. Allows the Supreme Court to review cases in the Health Court of Appeals by writ of certiorari. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of this Act or specified sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and contracts to compensate public or private nonprofit charitable organizations for providing graduate medical education and training for health care professionals. Preempts specified State and local laws, including those which would prevent or impede the health care delivery system reforms of this Act. Revises the medical expense deduction provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to exclude the separate deduction for medical insurance and to prohibit any deduction for premiums paid to qualified health care plans. Sets forth the method of determining the adjustment amount which States that have elected to accept health care contributions instead of Medicaid assistance owe the Federal government or which the Federal government owes such States. Repeals provisions of the Social Security Act concerning professional standards review, uniform reporting, capital expenditure limitations, hospital utilization and bylaws, and customary charges. Revises the reasonable cost definition of the Medicare provisions to be costs actually incurred. Repeals specified provisions of the Public Health Services Act concerning health maintenance organizations, health planning, and health resources development. Negates the duty of an institution to provide free care and to fulfill community service obligations if 50 percent or more of the patient days of such institution were accounted for by members of qualified plans. Title IV: Effective Dates and Nonseverability - Establishes the effective date of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from making a direct health care contribution to an individual who has not made a timely election to receive the health care contribution instead of Medicare benefits. Repeals the Medicare provisions after more than 50 percent of the eligible persons elect health care contributions. Requires a State to notify the Secretary by a certain date of its irrevocable election to accept health care contributions instead of Medicaid benefits. Deems such a State to have agreed to make any necessary adjustment payments. Deems the Act invalid, except the repeals and amendments of the Social Security and the Public Health Service Acts, if any portion of this Act is found to be invalid.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1981
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow preference visas to be given to an alien who: (1) requests such treatment; (2) was born after 1950 in Korea, Vietnam, Laos, or Thailand; (3) was fathered by an American serviceman; and (4) provides a guarantee of financial support. Stipulates that such guarantee must: (1) be signed by a citizen or lawful permanent resident who is at least 21 years old; and (2) provide that such signing sponsor will provide necessary financial support for five years. Allows the Attorney General to enforce such guarantee against the sponsor in a civil suit unless such sponsor dies or is adjudicated bankrupt.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Small Business and Family Farm Preservation Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against estate and gift taxes from $47,000 to $155,800. Increases the amount of the annual gift tax exclusion from $3,000 to $6,000.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Irrigation Water Conservation Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an additional ten percent investment tax credit for equipment which conserves farm irrigation water and an election to depreciate such equipment based on a useful life of three years.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Limitation on Government Recordkeeping Requirements and Actions Act of 1981 - Prohibits any Federal agency from: (1) requiring any person to maintain, prepare, or produce records (other than records relating to a dangerous material) of an event more than four years after the event has occurred; and (2) commencing an action against a person for a violation of a regulation more than four years after such violation has occurred, except as otherwise provided by the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Child Care Agency Tax Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the windfall profit tax oil produced from interests held by or for a residential child care agency. Defines such an agency as a tax-exempt charitable organization operated primarily for the residential placement, care, or treatment of delinquent, dependent, neglected, or handicapped children.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include within the categories of deportable aliens foreign students who knowingly participated in a political demonstration resulting in, or intending to result in, injury or damage to another's person or property. Permits the Attorney General to suspend deportation of such students.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Sunset Review Act of 1981 - Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to jointly develop and maintain an inventory of all Federal programs and tax expenditures. Requires such inventory to classify all such programs and expenditures according to the jurisdiction of the various legislative committees of the two Houses. Requires the General Accounting Office (GAO), before the beginning of the 98th Congress, after consultation with the appropriate legislative committees and the Congressional Budget Office, to submit a draft inventory to the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. Requires such Committees to notify each legislative committee of the programs and tax expenditures which are classified within its jurisdiction. Allows any legislative committee to propose revisions of such inventory within 30 days after notification. Requires that such inventory be published in a single document. Requires that an update be made of such inventory at the beginning of every Congress. Specifies information to be contained in such an inventory. Directs the GAO to publish a supplement to such inventory which includes certain budget information. Requires each legislative committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate, by a specified date, to report a resolution setting forth an agenda for the sunset review of selected Federal programs within its jurisdiction, or, in the case of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance, of selected tax expenditures. Directs the committees of each House to develop their sunset review agenda in consultation with any other committee which has concurrent jurisdiction over any programs or tax expenditures involved. Requires, where practicable, that related programs and expenditures be reviewed during the same Congress. Requires the report accompanying any agenda reported in the 104th Congress and every fifth Congress thereafter to summarize the programs and expenditures reviewed and not reviewed during the five previous Congresses. Prohibits either the House or the Senate from considering a primary expense resolution for any legislative committee in any Congress until that committee has developed and submitted its sunset review agenda. Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to incorporate such agendas into a consolidated sunset review agenda and to report such consolidated agenda to its House in the form of a concurrent resolution, within seven legislative days after all committee sunset review agendas have been submitted. Requires the consolidated sunset review agenda to be adopted in the House and in the Senate no later than March 30 in the first session of each Congress. Sets forth the procedures for the consideration and adoption of such agenda. Requires each committee of the House or the Senate, not later than May 15 in the second session of each Congress, to report a bill or bills modifying, continuing, or terminating each program or tax expenditure which it has been directed to review under the consolidated sunset review agenda adopted during the first session. Requires such bill to be accompanied by a report. Requires each department, agency, and instrumentality in the executive branch of the Government which is responsible for the administration of a Federal program or tax expenditure selected for sunset review to provide the appropriate Congressional committees with its views, information, and assistance. Directs the Comptroller General to supply specified information on audits. Exempts foreign intelligence or counterintelligence programs designated by the President as requiring protection from unauthorized disclosure. Directs the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate to review such programs pursuant to the spirit of this Act. Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to include the consolidated sunset review agendas and the Congressional inventory of Federal programs as part of the House Committee on Rules' functions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Anti-Inflation Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require annual cost of living adjustments, based on the Consumer Price Index, to individual income tax rates, the personal tax exemption, withholding requirements, and minimum income tax return amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Requires that each State establish and maintain an approved workfare program as a condition of its eligibility for Federal payments or other assistance under the: (1) program of aid to families with dependent children under the Social Security Act; (2) food stamp program under the Food Stamp Act of 1977; and (3) public housing and assisted housing programs under the United States Housing Act of 1937. Requires that such State workfare program shall require every State resident applying for or receiving aid under such Federal public assistance program to perform work in return for, and as a condition for, such aid. Directs the appropriate Federal agencies to promulgate guidelines for approval, supervision, and oversight of such State workfare programs. Exempts from required participation in such programs those who are: (1) under age 18 or over age 65; (2) disabled; (3) regularly employed for at least 40 hours a week; or (4) primarily responsible for the care of a child less than three years old (or for the care of a child more than two but less than six years old if suitable child care is not available at reasonable cost). Requires that each State workfare program must provide that if any individual who is required to participate in such program refuses to accept a bona fide offer of qualified employment or to perform qualified employment, in any month, neither such individual nor any other person in the family or household of which such individual is a member shall be eligible to receive any aid under such Federal public assistance programs for that month. Requires that State workfare programs include provision for job counseling, assistance in obtaining employment outside the program, and job search activities. Provides for: (1) Federal matching funds to cover administrative costs of such State programs; (2) Federal cut-offs of funds to State agencies for failure to comply with this Act; and (3) Federal agency reports to Congress on such State programs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Youth Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to permit employers, without prior certification by the Secretary of Labor, to pay 85 percent of the minimum wage: (1) to youths under age 20, for a 365-day period; and (2) to full-time students, with proof of enrollment at an institute of higher education, for part-time work up to 20 hours per week or full-time work during vacation periods. Directs the Secretary to insure against specified violations of requirements for such special minimum wages for youths and students. Makes employers liable for unpaid wages and overtime compensation for such violations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to revise the definition of "employee" to exclude (in addition to the currently excluded masters, or crew members, of any vessel) persons who at the time of injury were: (1) officers or employees of any government; (2) engaged in any employment which is not a direct or integral part of vessel loading, unloading, repairing, building, or breaking; or (3) providing services on or for any vessel less than 65 feet in length, while covered by a State workers' compensation program. Conforms specified conditions, under which compensation for disability or death shall be payable, to the revised definitions made by this Act. Sets the maximum rate of compensation, with specified exceptions, at the lesser of: (1) an amount equal to 80 percent of the employee's spendable earnings; or (2) an amount equal to 200 percent of the applicable national average weekly wage. Defines "spendable earnings" as the employee's average weekly wage reduced by amounts required to be withheld under Federal and State tax laws. Directs the Secretary of Labor to publish tables in the Federal Register showing the amount of such "spendable earnings" for various wage levels. Entitles an employee to choose an attending physician from an applicable listing established by the deputy commissioner. Directs the deputy commissioner to actively supervise such medical care. Requires an attending physician who refers an employee to a medical specialist or consulting physician to notify the employer and submit a report, with reasons for such referral, to the employer and the deputy commissioner. Requires such specialist or consultants to submit reports in order to collect fees. Requires an employee seeking recovery of expenses for medical treatment or services to obtain such treatment in a specified manner and to provide written notice to the employer within ten days after the first treatment or services. Establishes procedures for providing independent medical examinations when medical questions arise. Entitles employees to specified relief in cases where the workplace injury is the sole cause of an impairment or disability. Provides for reexaminations of such estimates of the degree of impairment due to the work place injury. Repeals specified provisions which made certain physicians ineligible for employment as independent medical examiners unless otherwise agreed to. Requires that 80 percent of spendable earnings be paid to an employee during the continuance of permanent total disability, subject to specified limitations. Requires, for a determination of total disability, that an employee prove by substantial evidence that as a result of the injury, in cases other than ones of loss of two or more specified body parts, he or she is permanently unable to earn any wages in employment. Requires that 80 percent of spendable earnings be paid to an employee during the continuance of temporary total disability, subject to specified limitations. Prohibits such compensation from being paid after the employee attains the retirement age for the appropriate industry and geographical region. Sets the compensation rate for permanent partial disability at 80 percent of the spendable earnings of the employee, subject to specified limitations. Extends such limitations to the "other cases" category of permanent partial disability compensation and terminates such compensation after the employee attains the appropriate retirement age. Deletes a provision subjecting such compensation to reconsideration of the degree of impairment by the deputy commissioner. Bars employees suffering injuries in specified categories from seeking additional compensation in this "other cases" category. Allows employers to reduce permanent partial disability compensation when an employee's actual wages or wage earning capacity have increased or to suspend such compensation when such wages equal or exceed average weekly wages before the injury. Requires the approval of the deputy commissioner for such reductions or suspensions, with such approval to be reviewable by an administrative law judge. Allows employees whose actual wages or wage earning capacity decrease, solely as a result of the injury, to less than their average weekly wage before the injury to request reviews of their compensation payments. Eliminates a provision for death benefits for the survivors of an employee who had been receiving "other cases" category permanent partial disability compensation and who dies from causes other than the original injury. Retains the current compensation rate for temporary partial disability, but subjects such rate to specified limitations. Provides for the designation by the Secretary of an attorney to serve as a special fund representative, with specified powers, upon recommendation by an employer and insurance carrier. Revises provisions relating to: (1) compensation for employees undergoing vocational rehabilitation; (2) the wage earning capacity of injured employees in partial disability cases; and (3) approval of settlements by the deputy commissioner and the manner of payment of such settlements. Eliminates a provision for death benefits if the employee who sustains permanent total disability due to the injury thereafter dies from causes other than the injury. Revises methods of determination of the average weekly wages of injured employees at the time of injury. Revises the formula for determining yearly increases in specified compensation for permanent total disability or death. Makes revisions relating to: (1) failure to give notice; (2) the period of installment payments; (3) the right to compensation controverted; (4) penalties for overdue compensation; and (5) notice of payment. Repeals provisions concerning the deputy commissioner's authority: (1) in cases of suspended payments; and (2) to discharge the employer's liability for compensation. Limits the total money allowance payable to an employee or dependent survivors. Provides for preliminary rulings by the deputy commissioner with respect to claims to become final orders if the parties do not request a hearing. Makes other revisions in claims procedures. Repeals provisions relating to the review of compensation orders and the Benefits Review Board. Establishes a new Benefits Review Board to be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate (the former Board was appointed by the Secretary). Transfers to such Board all officers, assets, liabilities, contracts, property, and records of the Benefits Review Board in the Department of Labor. Revises the procedures, functions, powers, and duties of such Board. Revises provisions relating to: (1) powers of the deputy commissioner or an administrative law judge in proceedings under such Act; (2) fees for services; (3) institution of proceedings by a person entitled to compensation; and (4) compromises obtained by a person entitled to compensation. Prohibits the Secretary from: (1) furnishing specified information and assistance in processing claims to persons covered under such Act (formerly permitted such information and assistance upon request); and (2) participating, except as an intervenor, in proceedings relating to this Act which are before any court. Repeals provisions relating to an administration fund and to the availability of appropriations. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation to evaluate whether this Act provides an adequate, prompt, equitable, and insurable system of compensation. Declares that the Committee shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Provides that nothing contained in the amendments made by this Act shall be construed to reduce the amount of any benefits being received under the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act by any individual on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that it should limit legislative branch appropriations for the 97th Congress to no more than 90 percent of the legislative branch appropriations expended in the 96th Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1980
Child Care Agency Tax Amendments of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the crude oil windfall profit tax oil produced from interests held by or for a residential child care agency. Defines such an agency as a tax-exempt charitable organization operated primarily for the residential placement, care, or treatment of delinquent, dependent, neglected, or handicapped children.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1980
Honors Raoul Wallenberg for his work in Hungary during World War II. Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. delegation to the Madrid meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe should urge the consideration of the Wallenberg case. Requests the State Department to discover the whereabouts of Raoul Wallenberg from the Soviet Union and secure his return to Sweden.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1980
Strategic Petroleum Reserve Management Improvement Act of 1980 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to establish a nonprofit corporation, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Corporation, to exercise authority over the Reserve (currently exercised by the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Office). Requires the Corporation to have a Board of Directors. Applies specified provisions of the Department of Energy Organization Act to the Corporation, the Board, and its officers and employees. Directs the President of the Corporation to conduct a study and report to Congress on financing the acquisition of crude oil for storage in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve by methods other than directly purchasing crude oil with appropriated funds. Sets forth elements to be included in such study. Terminates all authority for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and any regulation issued pursuant to such authority on September 30, 2000. Repeals references to the Early Storage Reserve Plan. Declares that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Plan shall store a specified amount of crude oil by December 31, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1980
Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to extend the date by which public water systems which have been granted an exemption from contaminant level and treatment technique requirements must meet such requirements. Provides an alternative procedure by which a State with an underground injection control program relating to oil or natural gas production or recovery may receive approval for obtaining primary enforcement responsibility for protecting its underground water sources. Authorizes a State to demonstrate that its underground injection control program meets the minimum requirements of State program regulations and will prevent underground injection which endangers drinking water sources, rather than file an application which meets the regulations established by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Authorizes a State which has made such a demonstration to make a similar demonstration with respect to any amended requirement of underground injection rather than file a notice that the State program meets the new requirement. Prohibits the application of requirements to determine whether a State retains primary enforcement responsibility if the State initially acquired the responsibility because of such a demonstration. Authorizes the Administrator to determine, after an opportunity for public hearing, that such a demonstration is no longer valid and to remove primary enforcement responsibility from the State. Permits a State which has primary enforcement responsibility to exempt a public water system from a contaminant level or treatment technique requirement if the system was not in operation at the time the requirement took effect and no reasonable alternative source of drinking water is available. Prohibits underground water source protection grants to any State which has not assumed primary enforcement responsibility within a specified time.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1980
Title I: Short Title; Findings and Declaration of Policy; Definitions - Western Lands Distribution and Regional Equalization Act of 1980 - States that the practice of retaining Federal ownership to territory within the borders of States located west of the one-hundredth meridian as a condition precedent to their admission into the Union has impinged on the sovereignty of such States in derogation of the tenth amendment to the Constitution. Declares that the United States shall hold all federally owned, unreserved, and unappropriated lands located within such States in trust for such States and shall transfer ownership and administration of such lands to such States when they have adopted legislation which provides a uniformity of State and Federal law relating to land administration, conservation, and use. Excludes from transfer, in implementing such policy: (1) all Federal lands within national parks, national monuments, and national wildlife and migratory bird sanctuaries established prior to July 25, 1980; (2) lands within Indian or military reservations; (3) lands necessary to the operation and access to shipyards, docks, security and defense establishments and other buildings housing operations of the United States Government; and (4) lands selected pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and the Alaska Statehood Act. Title II: Federal Land Transfer Board - Authorizes the Governor of any State seeking to acquire such unreserved and unappropriated lands to petition the President within 60 months of the enactment of this Act to establish a Federal Land Transfer Board for such State. Directs the President to establish such a Board consisting of State and Federal members within 90 days of the receipt of such an application. States that the Board shall serve until all conveyances of such lands within the State are carried out. Requires each Federal Land Transfer Board to coordinate its activities with the State land commission established pursuant to this Act. Directs each Board to carry out the required land transfers within two years of its determination that a State's application meets the requirements of this Act. Empowers the Land Transfer Boards to resolve land claims and disputes arising from the implementation of this Act. Grants any State aggrieved by a decision of a Land Transfer Board on its application the right to a public hearing and review before the Board. Empowers the United States courts of appeals to hear appeals from final orders of the Boards. States that judicial review shall be on the record made before the Board and that the Board's findings shall be conclusive if supported by substantial evidence. States that the judgment of the court of appeals shall be subject to review only by the United States Supreme Court upon a writ of certiorari or certification. Title III: State Land Commissions - Requires each State seeking the conveyance of unreserved and unappropriated land under this Act, to establish a State land commission board to: (1) hold any transferred lands in trust for all people of the United States; (2) manage such lands to maximize conservation and permit compatible land uses; (3) protect the interests of persons who have acquired rights in such land under Federal law; (4) collect fees, rents, and royalties, issue licenses, conduct surveys, and perform other administrative functions relating to such lands; (5) transfer to the United States those property interests necessary to continue lawful Federal activities; and (6) continue to administer lands previously administered by the United States pursuant to a treaty or interstate compact in conformance with the terms of such treaty or compact. Requires States to make payments to local governments at least equivalent to the amount which would have been paid if such land had remained in Federal ownership. Directs each State land commission board to coordinate its activities with the appropriate Federal Land Transfer Board. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Declares that the United States shall retain control over the oceans, seas, navigable rivers, streams, and lakes, and projects of the Corps of Engineers and the Water and Power Resources Service. Directs the President to modify agreements with other nations if necessary to implement this Act. Grants the consent of Congress to any interstate compact relating to the management and use of lands if it has been approved by the appropriate Federal Land Transfer Boards. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1980
Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act Amendments of 1980 - Amends the Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act of 1963 to revise the definition of "farm labor contractor" to: (1) broaden specified exclusions from such definition (thus broadening certain exemptions from coverage under such Act); and (2) exclude from such definition (and such coverage) any nonprofit or cooperative association of farmers, growers, or ranchers, duly incorporated under appropriate State laws, and operated solely for the mutual benefit of the members thereof, and any full-time or regular employee of such association or cooperative who engages in such activity solely for such employer. Adds other definitions relating to such revisions. Revises the definition of "agricultural employment" to specify that listed activities take place on a farm or ranch. Limits the definition of "migrant worker" to mean (among individuals engaged in agricultural employment on a farm or ranch on a seasonal or temporary basis) only those who cannot regularly return to their domicile each day after working hours, or who are transported from and to their domicile each workday by the person who recruits, solicits, hires, or furnishes such worker for agricultural employment on a farm or ranch owned or operated by another person.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1980
Petroleum Displacement Act of 1980 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to repeal certain prohibitions and limitations on the use of natural gas as a primary energy source in electric powerplants. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to prohibit the use of petroleum or natural gas or both as a primary energy source in electric powerplants where coal or alternate fuel capability exists. Makes certain technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980
Calls on the President, in the exercise of authority under the Davis-Bacon Act, to declare a national economic emergency and suspend the provisions of such Act and the provisions of all other Acts providing for the payment of wages on the basis of determinations of the Secretary of Labor concerning wage rates on public works projects under such Act.
![Official portrait of Sen. Gramm, Phil [R-TX]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000365_200.jpg)