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United States · Official source
3,686 records where Sen. Heinz, John [R-PA] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that continued, adequate funding should be provided for the necessary research, development, and demonstration of new fossil fuel technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1982
Requires the Maritime Administration to set aside specified surplus government ships for the use of LIFE International, a private nonprofit organization, to provide humanitarian services to developing countries. States that such set aside authority shall not apply when the ships are needed for national security purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
High Technology Trade Act of 1982 - Authorizes the President to enter into bilateral or multilateral agreements to obtain the maximum openness with respect to international trade in high technology and to strengthen the international trading system. Lists policies that may be included in such agreements. Authorizes the President to: (1) proclaim changes in tariffs on high technology products; and (2) use procedures contained in the Trade Act of 1974 to change U.S. laws in order to carry out such agreements. Directs the President to determine whether certain key countries are providing national treatment for U.S. exports of high technology products and U.S. investments in high technology industries. Directs the President to enter into consultations with countries that the President determines are not providing national treatment. Directs the President to consider taking other appropriate actions if the consultations are not effective. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the High Technology Industry Advisory Committee, to report annually to Congress on: (1) the extent to which a key country uses industrial policies or measures which significantly distort international trade or investment and which have or may have a substantial adverse effect on the U.S. high technology industry; and (2) the steps which the President is taking or proposes to take to remedy such adverse effects. Sets forth the scope of the analysis to be included in such report. Directs the President to take whatever steps are necessary to eliminate or offset the adverse effects of foreign industrial practices that: (1) significantly distort international trade or investment harmful to the U.S. high technology industry; or (2) may result in sales of articles at less than fair market value in the United States or subsidization of articles imported into the United States and cause, or threaten to cause, material injury to any U.S. high technology industry. Directs the Secretary to establish a mechanism to analyze high technology trade and investment patterns in key countries, to evaluate competitive opportunities offered in foreign markets, and to further the objectives of this Act. Directs the USTR and the Secretary, after consultation with the High Technology Industry Advisory Committee, to report annually to the President on the foreign trade practices listed in such report which: (1) violate U.S. international agreements; or (2) are unjustifiable and a burden on U.S. high technology products, services, or investments. Directs the President to consider what action may be taken to reduce or eliminate such measures. Directs the Secretary and the USTR to establish a High Technology Industry Advisory Committee and to consult with the Committee on actions under this Act relating to: (1) preparing negotiating positions; (2) concluding agreements; (3) imposing restrictions; or (4) monitoring the results of any such agreement or restriction.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Voting Rights for the Handicapped and the Elderly Act - Directs the Attorney General to promulgate guidelines to assure that registration and polling place facilities used for Federal elections are readily accessible to handicapped and elderly individuals. Sets forth minimum requirements for these guidelines. Requires States to make available registration and voting aids for handicapped and elderly individuals in Federal elections. Authorizes the Attorney General and aggrieved persons to bring actions in Federal court to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Requests the President to designate the week of October 19 through October 25, 1982, as Lupus Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) an effective Federal environmental program is necessary to protect U.S. citizens' health and well-being; (2) the Environmental Protection Agency should be appropriated increased funds to protect our environment and meet expanded responsibilities mandated by law; and (3) the President should submit a new budget for the Environmental Protection Agency for FY 1983 reflecting these principles.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1982
Requests the President to designate April 25 through May 2, 1982, as Jewish Heritage Week.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the aggregate amount of appropriations for conservation and renewable energy for FY 1983 should not be less than the amount appropriated for FY 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1982
Enterprise Zone Tax Act of 1982 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by this Act. Specifies that State and local governments shall nominate areas for such designation. Limits the designation of enterprise zones to 25 nominated areas per year. Limits the period during which such designations shall remain in effect. Specifies that the Secretary may designate such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area (with a population of at least 50,000) or 2,500 otherwise, or is within an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, or receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area. Terminates the authority of the Secretary to designate enterprise zones on December 31, 1985 or three years after publication of regulations pertaining to such zones, whichever is later. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Requires that any property tax reduction effected by a local government under the terms of this Act be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. States that designation of an enterprise zone shall not give displaced persons from such an area any rights or benefits under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives Subtitle A - Credits for Employers and Employees - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a nonrefundable income tax credit for ten percent of the increase in payroll for all employees, taking into account a maximum of $15,000 in wages per employee. Allows such credit only for wages paid to employees who perform 90 percent of their services in work directly related to the conduct of the taxpayers' business located in the enterprise zone and who perform 50 percent of their services within such zone. Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit for employers equal to 50 percent of the wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers for the first three years of the enterprise zone designation. Phases out such credit by ten percent a year beginning in the forth year after such designation. Requires a recapture of such credit for the early termination of such employees. Disallows a deduction for the portion of wages or salaries subject to such credit. Requires employers to furnish to each employee a written statement showing the amount of wages paid to such employee. Provides an income tax credit for enterprise zone employees equal to five percent of the first $9,000 of wages received each year. Phases out such credit in the last four years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for certain tangible property located in enterprise zones. Limits such credit to five percent for zone personal property and ten percent for new zone construction property, including rental property. Requires that the property subject to such credit be predominantly used in the zone, be purchased after zone designation, and not be acquired from relatives or related corporations. Requires the recapture of such credit upon early disposition of the property. Subtitle C: Reduction in Capital Grain Tax Rates - Eliminates the capital gains tax on property of corporations acquired after the enterprise zone designation and used in a zone business. Qualifies certain low-income rental housing located in an enterprise zone for such treatment. Permits property to remain qualified for purposes of the revised capital gains treatment after a designation of an enterprise zone has terminated. Exempts gain from the sale or expenses of property used in a business in an enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Expresses the sense of Congress that if the minimum tax is modified, enterprise zone capital gain will be excluded in computing minimum taxable income. Subtitle D: Extension of Carryover Periods - Extends the net operating loss and investment tax credit carryover period to the longer of 15 years or the duration of the enterprise zone designation for businesses operating in such zones. Subtitle E: Rules Relating to Industrial Development Bonds - Provides that rules relating to small issue tax-exempt industrial development bonds now in effect shall apply to bonds used to finance land or other depreciable property located in an enterprise zone, even if such rules are subsequently changed. Subtitle F: Sense of the Congress With Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions, to include qualified businesses (as defined in Title II of this Act), designating governments, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations which pertain to the carrying out of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve such request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in continuation of the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement (including the Davis-Bacon Act and Fair Labor Standards Act) or which would present a danger to the public health and safety. Provides that such waivers or modifications of rule shall remain in effect as long as the zone designations. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote the coordination of all enterprise zone programs and consolidate all periodic reports required under such programs into one summary report. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to and expedite applications for the establishment of parts of entry necessary to establish such zones. States that to the maximum extent practicable foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1982
Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1982 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to add the term "experimental population" to the definitions. Defines such term as a population of an endangered or threatened species that: (1) has been transported and released outside of the current range of the species to further its conservation; and (2) is wholly separate geographically from nonexperimental populations of the species. Provides for the treatment of experimental populations as threatened species. Requires the Secretary (either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, as program responsibilities are vested) to issue protective regulations for such species. Increases the limit on the Federal share of costs of conservation programs for endangered and threatened species developed by States pursuant to cooperative agreements between the States and the Secretary. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from making less restrictive the regulations applicable to any threatened species over which program responsibilities are vested in the Secretary of Commerce without a prior favorable determination by the Secretary of Commerce. Requires the Secretary, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable, to designate the critical habitat of any endangered or threatened species concurrent with the determination of the status and the listing of the species. Deletes the requirement that the Secretary conduct a review of the status of a species before making a determination of whether the species is endangered or threatened. Requires the Secretary to review regularly the status of all species identified as in danger of extinction and determine whether to propose such such species for listing as endangered or threatened. Provides that upon receipt of a petition to add a species to, or remove a species from, the endangered or threatened species list, the Secretary shall determine and publish a finding whether the petition presents substantial scientific information that such addition or removal is warranted, in addition to conducting and publishing a review of the status of the species as required under current law. Revises the notice requirements with respect to the proposal by the Secretary of regulations relating to the determination of the status and listing of endangered or threatened species. Eliminates the review board established to consider Federal agency and permit or license applicants' applications for exemptions for agency actions likely to jeopardize endangered or threatened species or their habitats. Provides for the Secretary to review, and report to the Endangered Species Committee on, such exemption applications in place of the review board. Reduces from 60 days to 20 days the time available to make the initial determination concerning the exemption applicant's eligibility for the exemption. Reduces from 180 days to 150 days the time period within which the Secretary must complete a report on: (1) the availability of alternatives to the agency action involved; (2) the evidence as to whether the action is in the public interest or is of national or regional significance; (3) appropriate reasonable mitigation and enhancement measures which should be considered; and (4) whether the Federal agency involved and the exemption applicant refrained from making irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources prohibited by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Reduces from 90 days to 30 days the time within which the Committee must determine whether to grant an exemption after receiving the Secretary's report. Prohibits the Committee from granting an exemption for an agency action if the Federal agency or the exemption applicant made an irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources prohibited by such Act. Provides that when an agency, a permit or license applicant, and the Secretary agree to extend the consultation period for determining whether an agency action is likely to jeopardize an endangered or threatened species or its habitat, the Secretary shall specify the information required to complete the consultation and the date on which the biological opinion will be completed. Provides that in addition to exempted agency actions, activities within the scope of an agency action which will promote the conservation of a listed species or critical habitat or which will not jeopardize a listed species or critical habitat shall not be considered a taking of any endangered or threatened species. Requires the Secretary to determine on the basis of the best available biological information derived from reliable wildlife management practices: (1) whether the export or introduction of any specimen of a species included in appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora will be detrimental to the survival of that species; and (2) whether the export of such specimens should be limited. Provides that the Secretary shall not be required to use population estimates in making such determinations when such estimates are not the best available biological information derived from reliable wildlife managment practices. Authorizes the Attorney General to seek to enjoin any person alleged to be in violation of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 through 1985 to carry out the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1982
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor Roberto Clemente. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination used for first-class mail up to one ounce in weight and shall be placed on sale during the month of August.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1982
Prohibits the construction of any naval vessel in a foreign shipyard unless the President gives Congress 30 days notice of a determination that such construction is in the national security interest of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1982
Requests the President to designate the week beginning July 18, 1982, as National Junior Bowling Championship Week.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations exempting retirees or individuals over age 65 from interest penalties with respect to any underpayment of estimated tax. Requires that such underpayment be due to reasonable cause (defined to include mistake or ignorance of the law) and not to willful neglect.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1982
Requests the President to designate October 16, 1982, as World Food Day.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1982
Requests the President to designate June 1982 as National Rivers Month.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) express to the Soviet Union the United States' deep concern about the Soviet Union's depriving the Vashchenko and Chmykhalov families of religious freedom and refusing them permission to emigrate; (2) ensure that such families may reside in the U.S. embassy in Moscow until the Soviet Union authorizes their emigration; and (3) ensure provision of assistance for such families during their residence in the embassy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1982
Crime Control Act of 1982 - Title I: Federal Incarceration of State Convicts - Directs the Federal Bureau of Prisons, upon request by a State, to accept custody of State convicts who have been convicted of two or more felonies or a felony involving violence with a firearm, to the extent of available space in the Federal prison system. Directs the Attorney General to recommend within one year of enactment specific amounts of Federal funding needed to expand existing Federal prisons. Title II: Parole for Persons Convicted of Violent Crimes - Amends the Federal criminal code to make persons convicted of felonies involving the use or threatened use of violence with a firearm ineligible for parole. Title III: Information Source Reform - Directs the Attorney General to develop alternative proposals for the exchange of Federal, State, and local criminal record information, to be used to establish a national data bank. Title IV: Coordinator of Narcotics Policy - National Narcotics Act of 1982 - Establishes in the executive branch the Office of the Coordinator of Narcotics Policy charged with: (1) developing and enforcing Government policy with regard to illegal drugs; (2) coordinating efforts to halt the importation and sale of illegal drugs in the United States; (3) approving funding allocations; (4) coordinating information; and (5) directing the temporary reassignment of Government personnel with regard to U.S. illegal drug policy. Title V: Victim Injury Assessment - Amends rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that presentence reports include verified information assessing the impact of the offense on any victim, including psychological, physical, social, or financial damage. Title VI: Postal Service Inspection - Postal Service Amendments of 1982 - Authorizes the Postal Service to require by written demand that any of its employees be given access at reasonable times to records or other objects that the Postal Service has reason to believe relate to a matter under investigation. Authorizes the Postal Service to tender the price of any article or service that a person under investigation has offered for sale by mail. Permits the Postal Service to issue cease and desist orders with regard to false representations made through the mail. Establishes new civil penalties for persons who evade, attempt to evade, or otherwise fail to comply with postal service orders. Requires a hearing before such penalties can be assessed. Title VII: Mandatory Sentencing for Violent Crimes - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1970 to revise and increase the mandatory penalties for using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony. Limits the scope of such offense with regard to carrying a firearm to felonies involving violence or the threat of violence. Deletes the requirement that the firearm be carried "unlawfully". Increases the additional penalty to five to ten years' imprisonment for a first offense (currently, one to ten years), ten to 25 years for a second offense, (currently, two to 25 years for second or subsequent offenses), and 25 years to life for a third or subsequent conviction. Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second or subsequent offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence, grant probation, or impose concurrent sentences. Stipulates that the additional penalties shall not apply if the underlying felony consists solely of the illegal possession, transportation, or sale of a firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1982
Designates the week of November 7, 1982, through November 14, 1982, as National Hospice Week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, through the Government National Mortgage Association, to assist middle- and lower-income families in acquiring a home or membership in a cooperative housing association by making periodic interest reduction payments on behalf of such families to mortgagees and lenders. Prohibits the Secretary from entering into contracts to provide interest reduction payments during any month unless the Federal Home Loan Bank Board's home mortgage interest rate index for the most recent two-month period exceeds 12.5 percent per year. Conditions eligibility for interest reduction payments on the insurability of the first mortgage or loan secured by such property. Sets forth the qualifications for insurance, which include requirements that: (1) the loan be executed by a borrower who has an annual income of less than $30,000; (2) the loan involve a one- to four-family dwelling the construction of which was completed on or after March 6, 1982; (3) the loan be amortized over 30 years; and (4) beginning with the second year, the loan payments be increased by a specified amount which shall be applied to the principal obligation until it is paid off. Limits the duration of the interest reduction payments to five years. Declares that the amount of all such payments shall constitute a second lien on the property. Requires repayment of such amount, not to exceed 60 percent of the homeowner's net equity: (1) upon the sale or disposition of the property; (2) upon the refinancing of the loan; or (3) when the owner ceases to occupy the property as a principal residence for a period exceeding nine months. Limits the amount of interest reduction payments to the difference between the amount of the monthly principal and interest payment under the terms of the loan and the amount such payment would be if the interest rate on the loan were: (1) 11 percent per year; or (2) four percentage points less than the rate specified in the loan, whichever rate is higher. Requires the Secretary to: (1) allocate the amount available to carry out this Act on the basis of the population, number of housing starts, and unemployment in each State relative to all States; and (2) assure that the allocated amounts are made available in a manner which maximizes participation by eligible lenders and borrowers. Declares that any mortgage insured or assisted under this Act shall be eligible for purchase by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association Corporation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
Artist's Tax Equity and Donation Act of 1982 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for the current fair market value of a literary, musical, or artistic composition created by the taxpayer and contributed to a charitable organization. Disallows a fair market value deduction for a contribution of property which was produced while the taxpayer was a Government officer or employee if such property arose out of the performance of the taxpayer's duties.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should invite the Soviet Union to begin nuclear arms negotiations regarding: (1) current or proposed strategic arms; and (2) control of nuclear proliferation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress supports the President's decision to prohibit imports of Libyan oil and to deny licenses for the export of certain oil and gas equipment to Libya.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
Condemns the religious persecution by Iran of persons of the Baha'i faith. Holds Iran responsible for upholding the rights of all its citizens. Expresses the hope that the discrimination against and executions of the Baha'is will cease. Urges Iran to end the executions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
Reaffirms that deposits, up to the statutorily prescribed amount, in federally insured depository institutions are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1982
Grants a Federal charter to the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Incorporated.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1982
Designates April 28, 1982, as National Nursing Home Residents Day.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) continue to express U.S. opposition to the forced exile of Ida Nudel; (2) urge the Soviet Union to provide her with adequate medical care and allow her to emigrate; and (3) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will consider the extent to which countries honor their commitments under international law when evaluating U.S. relations with such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1982
Declares that if Israel or any other democratic state is denied its rights and privileges in the United Nations' General Assembly the United States will suspend its participation in the General Assembly and will withhold its contribution to the United Nations until the action is reversed.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1982
Requests the President to designate the week of June 20 through June 27, 1982, as National Safety in the Workplace Week to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the American Society of Safety Engineers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1982
Grants a Federal charter to the organization known as American Ex-Prisoners of War.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1982
Designates July 9, 1982, as National P.O.W.-M.I.A. Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1982
Declares it the sense of the Senate that changes to the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 proposed in the FY 1983 budget should not be implemented.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1982
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a specially struck gold medal to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in recognition of the bicentennial anniversary of diplomatic and trade relations between the Netherlands and the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to coin and sell bronze duplicates of such medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1982
Declares that the United States intends to continue its policy towards Cuba as expressed in a 1962 joint resolution which states that the United States is determined to: (1) prevent the Cuban regime from expanding; (2) prevent the creation in Cuba of an externally supported military capability endangering U.S. security; and (3) support Cuban self-determination.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; and (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1982
Excludes liabilities incurred in borrowing from the Student Loan Marketing Association from the limitations on indebtedness incurred by a national bank.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should take no action to accelerate the decontrol of wellhead natural gas prices.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1982
Title I: Incentive Grants for States with Strict Driving While Intoxicated Statutes - Amends the highway safety programs uniform standards to direct the Secretary of Transportation to make incentive grants to States that have specified statutes concerning driving while intoxicated. Title II: National Driver Register - National Driver Register Act of 1982 - 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 to the Secretary specified information on certain drivers (including reversals of previously transmitted traffic offense convictions). Allows access to such information to specified individuals, including the Administrator of the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety and the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. Limits the use of such information to official investigations and other specified purposes. Directs the Secretary to implement a pilot test program to demonstrate the potential effectiveness of a system for electronic referral and relay of information regarding the motor vehicle driving records of individuals. Describes State participation in such program. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the program. 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 1983 through 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. delegation to the February meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to tell the Commission that the Soviet Union should stop harassing Soviet Jews and should allow its citizens to practice their religion and to emigrate. Urges the Soviet Union to comply with its human rights obligations. Urges the President to: (1) express to the Soviet Union U.S. opposition to harassment of Soviet citizens and to prohibitions of emigration; and (2) reiterate that the United States will consider the extent to which other nations honor their commitments under international law when evaluating its relations with such nations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Lech Walesa and others detained by Poland's government for political reasons should be released. Declares that Lech Walesa and other Solidarity members should be permitted to: (1) participate in negotiations concerning the future of Solidarity; (2) comment on the situation in Poland; and (3) travel freely.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1982
Appalachian Transition Assistance Act of 1982 - Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to add as a purpose of such Act the orderly transition from special Federal assistance to increased State, local, and private investment in Appalachian regional development. Authorizes appropriations to the President and the Appalachian Regional Commission through FY 1987. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990 for the Appalachian development highway system. Increases the Federal share of specified construction costs of such system. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to States and other entities to assist in: (1) the creation or retention of permanent private sector jobs; (2) aiding severely distressed and underdeveloped counties; and (3) providing reasonable access to primary health care for residents of the region. Specifies restrictions on funds authorized by this Act, including limiting the Federal share of any project approved under this Act (except highway systems) to 50 percent of its costs. Extends certain programs under such Act to October 1, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1982
Peer Review Improvement Act of 1982 - Replaces the present professional standards review program (part B of title XI of the Social Security Act) with the program established by this Act. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with utilization and quality control peer review organizations (organizations) as defined in title XI (General Provisions) of the Act. Amends title XI to redesignate part B - Peer Review of the Utilization and Quality of Health Care Services (currently, Professional Standards Review). Defines a utilization and quality control peer review organization as an entity which: (1) is composed of a substantial number of the licensed doctors of medicine or osteopathy engaged in the practice of medicine or surgery within designated areas established by the Secretary; and (2) is able to perform review functions as required by this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish geographic areas with respect to which contracts will be made. Requires such areas to be the same as those established under part B prior to enactment of the Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Act of 1982, except that such areas shall be consolidated according to specified criteria. Requires each contract to provide that: (1) the organization shall perform the functions required under this Act; (2) the initial contract shall be for two years and shall be renewable annually afterwards; (3) the Secretary may evaluate the organization's effectiveness; (4) the contract may be terminated by the organization upon 90 days notice; (5) the Secretary may terminate a contract upon 90 days notice to the organization; and (6) the Secretary and the organization shall include negotiated objectives in the contract. Sets forth procedures the Secretary must follow prior to terminating a contract. Requires an organization to perform the following functions: (1) review the professional activities of area health care practitioners and determine whether the services provided were necessary, met professional standards and could have been provided more economically; (2) determine whether payment shall be made under Medicare; (3) notify a practitioner or provider whenever the organization determines that any services furnished or to be furnished are disapproved; (4) determine the types and kinds of cases with respect to which the organization will exercise review authority; (5) apply professionally developed norms of care, diagnosis, and treatment within its area; (6) examine the records of any practitioner or provider with respect to which the organization has a responsibility for review; (7) collect appropriate information; and (8) coordinate information exchanges. Prohibits a physician from reviewing health care services provided by the physician or any organization to which the physician is associated. Entitles any dissatisfied Medicare beneficiary and any provider or practitioner dissatisfied with an organizations's findings to a reconsideration of the findings. Requires practitioners and providers providing services under Medicare to assure that services provided will be provided economically and will be of a quality which meets professionally recognized standards of care. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude a practitioner or provider from participating in Medicare if the practitioner or provider fails to meet stated standards. Provides that no person providing information to any organization having a contract shall be held to have violated any civil or criminal law, unless: (1) the information is unrelated to the performance of the contract; or (2) the information is false and the person knew or had reason to believe the information was false. Exempts health care practitioners and providers from civil liability to any person on account of any action taken pursuant to a contract if due care was exercised in the performance of his or her profession. Directs the Secretary to make payment to an organization incurred in connection with the defense of any suit related to the performance of its duties. Authorizes a State plan approved under any title of the Social Security Act to provide for contracting with an organization to perform review functions. Provides that the Federal share of such expenditures shall be 75 percent. Provides for payment from the trust funds of the Medicare program to cover review expenses under Medicare. Declares that an organization shall not be a Federal agency for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act. Prohibits disclosure of any information acquired by an organization except for specified purposes. Sets forth criminal penalties for any person violating the disclosure provisions. Sets forth reporting requirements. Exempts Christian Science sanatoriums. Requires providers to provide an organization the data necessary for the organization to carry out its functions. Makes conforming amendments to title XIX (Medicaid). Provides for demonstration projects to determine whether the use of competitive bidding under part B of title XI would be beneficial.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1982
Designates June 14 as Baltic Freedom Day.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should consider making a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services to continue the Work Incentive Program (title IV of the Social Security Act) for FY 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1982
Pennsylvania Wilderness Act of 1982 - Designates the following lands in the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) the Allegheny Islands Wilderness; and (2) the Hickory Creek Wilderness. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire by exchange private oil, gas, and mineral rights within, and adjacent to, the wilderness areas designated by this Act. Authorizes appropriations to establish the values of both the nonfederally owned and federally owned oil, gas, and mineral rights to be exchanged and to carry out such acquisition. Sets forth procedural requirements for evaluating such rights. Requires that owners of oil, gas, and mineral rights not exchanged or conveyed out of such wilderness areas submit to the Secretary for approval a plan detailing surface use during any oil, gas, or mineral exploration, development, or extraction activities. Permits the Secretary to condition approval with required measures designed to protect national forest resources. Provides that all federally owned lands within the Allegheny National Forest not designated as wilderness by the date of enactment of this Act, except for the islands in the Allegheny River between Kinzua Dam and the township of Tionesta, shall be managed for uses other than wilderness. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting any further roadless area review and evaluation of lands in the Allegheny National Forest or review of such lands to determine their suitability as wilderness without express congressional authorization. Provides that a wilderness designation under this Act shall not lead to the creation of buffer zones around the wilderness area. Expresses the intent of Congress that the Secretary manage the following lands within the Allegheny National Forest for uses other than wilderness: (1) the Cornplanter area; (2) the Allegheny Front area; and (3) the Clarion River area. Establishes the Kinzua National Recreation Area in the Allegheny National Forest. Requires the Secretary to publish a management plan for the protection and use of such area. Directs the Secretary to permit hunting and fishing within such area. Authorizes the Secretary to designate zones where, and periods when, no hunting or fishing shall be permitted.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1982
Designates the week of June 6 through June 12, 1982, as National Child Abuse Prevention Week.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1982
Competition in Contracting Act of 1982 - Title I: Amendments to Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to revise the procedures for soliciting and awarding bids for Government contracts. Requires executive agencies (excluding military departments, the Coast Guard, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to use competitive procedures in making purchases and contracts for property and services. Directs agencies to solicit a sufficient number of bids, without bias, to achieve effective and efficient competition. Permits agencies to use noncompetitive procurement procedures only when: (1) there is only one source of the property or services needed; (2) the delay involved in using competitive procedures would seriously injure the Government; (3) it is necessary to award the contract to a particular source to maintain an essential industrial capacity in the United States or to achieve national industrial mobilization; (4) an agreement with a foreign government requires such procedures; (5) a statute requires that the procurement be made through another agency or a specific source; or (6) disclosure of an agency's needs to more than one source would compromise the national security. Requires that each solicitation for bids disclose: (1) the factors the agency will use in evaluating bids; (2) the agency's objectives in procuring the property or services; (3) whether the bids will be evaluated with or without discussion; and (4) the time and location for the opening of bids. Requires each agency to evaluate bids on the basis of price and other appropriate factors. Permits an agency to discuss bids with bidders when necessary before awarding a contract. Prohibits discussion if the Government's needs and the terms of the contract are sufficiently described to permit: (1) sources to prepare and submit bids on an informed and timely basis; and (2) the agency to evaluate all bids on a common and timely basis. Directs an agency to notify all bidders when procurement is awarded. Requires an agency to direct the Secretary of Commerce to publish a notice of: (1) the agency's intention to use competitive procedures to purchase property or services costing over $25,000; (2) the agency's intention to use noncompetitive procedures to procure property or services costing over $75,000; or (3) an actual purchase or contract award exceeding an amount specified by the Administrator of Federal Procurement Policy. Requires such a notice for noncompetitive procurement to be published at least 30 days before the contract is awarded and to include: (1) the names of sources to be solicited; (2) the property or services to be procured; (3) the estimated value of the procurement; and (4) a statement that any person may submit bids within 30 days. Exempts certain procurement activities from such notice requirements. Requires agencies to maintain records of noncompetitive procurements during each fiscal year. Declares that such records shall include a justification of each use of competitive procedures and shall be available to any Member of Congress. Title II: Amendments to Title 10, United States Code - Revises procurement procedures for military departments, the Coast Guard, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to correspond with procurement procedures for executive agencies under title I of this Act. Title III: Applicability - Declares that this Act shall become applicable 60 days after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1982
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, as reenacted and amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to provide for marketing orders applicable to mushrooms.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1982
Authorizes the printing, for the use of the Special Committee on Aging, of part I of the report entitled "Developments in Aging: 1980."