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United States · Official source
5,991 records where Sen. Jeffords, James M. [I-VT] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1981
Requests the President to designate December 7, 1981, as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day."
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1981
Entitles to an annuity the surviving spouses of military retirees who died before September 21, 1972, but after thier discharge or release from active duty. Requires such annuity benefits to be equal to those of surviving spouses of former members of the armed forces who died before that date while still on active duty after becoming eligible to retire.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1981
Petroleum Disruption Management Act of 1981 - Title I: Sequential Management Authority and Activation - Directs the President to prescribe four petroleum disruption management programs and transmit them to Congress for approval: (1) a Strategic Petroleum Reserve distribution program; (2) a private dedicated reserve program (PDR); (3) a national crude oil sharing program; and (4) a petroleum product disruption management program. Prohibits approval of a program unless each House of Congress, within 30 days of transmittal of a program, passes a resolution approving the program. Requires the President to submit a revised program if any program is not approved. Provides for the activation of a program whenever the President determines that a substantial or severe crude oil or energy supply disruption or interruption exists or is imminent, or a program is necessary in order to comply with the international energy program, and an approving joint resolution is passed within six days of transmittal. Limits such programs to 120 days duration, except the President may request additional 120 day periods. Title II: Private Crude Oil and Petroleum Product Storage Incentives - Directs the President to report on the advisability and alternative means of: (1) reducing the tax liability of persons who draw down crude oil and petroleum product reserves during oil supply disruptions; and (2) providing tax or other incentives for the construction of private-sector oil and petroleum product storage facilities and the maintenance of increased private-sector crude oil or petroleum product reserves. Title III: Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Private Dedicated Reserve Distribution - Authorizes the President to distribute crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, upon a determination that a substantial crude oil disruption exists, in amounts not in excess of 300,000 barrels daily for no more than 90 days annually. Provides for such distributions on a pro rata basis. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prohibit the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Plan from becoming effective unless each House of Congress passes a resolution approving the Plan within 30 days of the Plan's transmittal to Congress. Requires that during a substantial crude oil disruption allocation shall be as provided for in this Act. Requires the Secretary of Energy to submit to Congress a report evaluating the expansion of the physical capacity of the Reserve through the use of temporary storage facilities. Directs the President to promulgate a rule establishing a PDR. Requires the rule establishing the PDR to, among other things: (1) provide for the equitable distribution of crude oil at competitive prices; (2) require designated refiners to provide crude oil to any qualified refiner experiencing a supply disruption; (3) distribute crude oil to such qualified refiners to permit them to operate at 95 percent of the national utilization rate; (4) provide that the obligation of each designated refiner to sell crude oil to qualified refiners shall be a given percentage of each designated refiner's average crude oil runs to distillation units during the previous 12 months; and (5) provide that the price paid by a qualified refiner will not exceed a stated level. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a report determining the minimum volume of reserves to be maintained in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and analyzing the advisability of distributing crude oil from the Reserve in lieu of activating the PDR. Title IV: National Crude Oil Sharing Program - Directs the President to promulgate a rule establishing a national crude oil sharing program. Requires the rule establishing such program to: (1) provide for the equitable sharing of crude oil at competitive prices among all regions during a severe disruption; (2) require refiners to offer for sale any crude oil supplies that would permit their refineries to operate in excess of the national utilization rate; (3) assure that refiners are able to purchase sufficient crude oil to permit operation at the national utilization rate; (4) provide that the price paid by a refiner will not exceed the weight-averaged price during the previous 60 day period; (5) provide for directives requiring a refiner to adjust the percentage yield of a refined petroleum product in order to increase output of that product in a time of short supply; and (6) provide for the adjustment of the quantities of crude oil allocated among refiners so as to ensure desired production levels. Title V: Petroleum Product Programs - Directs the President to promulgate a standby regulation which when implemented will provide: (1) for the mandatory allocation of refined petroleum products produced in or imported into the country in amounts specified in and at ceiling prices specified in such regulation; (2) an emergency use fee; or (3) other action specified in such regulation which is not otherwise specially authorized by other Federal law. Requires the standby regulation to provide for, among other things: (1) the protection of public health, safety and welfare (including maintenance of residential heating), and national defense; (2) maintenance of all public services; (3) maintenance of agricultural operations; (4) preservation of an economically sound and competitive petroleum industry; (5) equitable distribution of refined petroleum products at equitable prices; (6) allocation of refined petroleum products necessary to explore for and extract fuels and minerals; (7) economic efficiency; and (8) minimization of economic distortion. Title VI: Establishment of Advisory Data Collection and Coordination Functions - Directs the President to establish: (1) an Energy Emergency Council to be composed of members of the executive branch, to advise the President on matters relevant to the implementation of this Act and the activation and management of its programs; and (2) an Energy Advisory Committee, to consist of members of the petroleum industry and consumers, to advise the President and the Council on matters relevant to the implementation of this Act and the management and activation of its programs. Directs the Council, after consultation with the Committee, to evaluate the current energy information collection and monitoring systems within the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary to inform the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration whether the energy information now being collected is sufficient, whether changes are needed, and if so, to direct the Administrator to make the necessary changes. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a report examining the standards for activation of the programs. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth provisions relating to administration and enforcement, including: (1) application of provisions of the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970 to regulations, orders, and Presidential actions undertaken pursuant to this Act; and (2) setting forth monetary penalties for violations of this Act. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to include this Act within those Acts for which the Secretary shall provide for making adjustments to any rule, regulation or order in order to prevent special hardship or inequity. Extends, until October 1, 1989, the authority for international voluntary agreements with respect to the International Energy Program under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Terminates this Act on October 1, 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the House shall not consider any bill, resolution, or conference report thereon reducing social security benefits prior to the opening of the second session of the 97th Congress. Instructs the House conferees on H.R. 3982 to recede and concur in an amendment deleting from the conference report on H.R. 3982 the section which repeals minimum social security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1981
Low-Income Fuel and Weatherization Supplementary Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States to assist households with incomes below a specified level to meet home energy costs. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 to carry out such program 100 percent of all funds received by the Federal Government from collections and settlements for fuel overcharges, less all identifiable legitimate claims for such overcharges. Grants to the Governor of a State the discretion to allocate such grants as needed. Allocates funds for States, U.S. territories and possessions, and Indian tribes. Requires that a reasonable amount of such funds be reserved by each State for energy crisis intervention. Requires a State to submit to the Secretary an application for each fiscal year. Conditions allotments, after the first fiscal year in which a State receives funds, on the holding of public hearings in such State on the use and distribution of such funds. Requires that an applicant State agree to: (1) use such funds in accordance with this Act; (2) describe the households eligible for home energy assistance and give priority to certain households; (3) conduct outreach activities to inform people of the availability of such assistance; (4) coordinate activities with similar State and Federal programs; (5) describe the amount of assistance to be provided to participating households; (6) give special consideration in designating local administrative agencies to local public or private nonprofit agencies receiving funds under any other low-income energy assistance or weatherization program; (7) establish notification procedures in connection with direct payments by the State to home energy suppliers; (8) treat owners and renters equitably under the program under this Act; (9) use a maximum of ten percent of the State allotment for administrative expenses; (10) provide for fiscal control and fund accounting procedures and prepare an annual audit of expenditures under such program; and (11) cooperate with any Federal investigations pursuant to this Act. Requires the State to repay to the United States any amounts not expended under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to offset such amounts against future grants to such State. Prohibits exclusion from participation in, or denial of benefits from, any program or activity funded under this Act on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap. Directs the Secretary to withhold funds from any State which does not use its allotment in accordance with this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from withholding funds from a State for a minor failure to comply with this Act. Requires the Secretary to conduct investigations in States to evaluate and insure compliance with this Act. Prohibits the use of grants under this Act for the purchase or improvement of land or for the purchase, construction, or permanent improvement of any building or facility, except under specified circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove from the subsidized energy financing limitation, for purposes of determining expenditures which qualify for the residential energy credit and the investment tax credit, energy financing received under State or local programs. Removes industrial development bond proceeds from the formula for reducing the qualified investment in energy property for purposes of the investment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to apply those provisions relating to the minimum primary insurance amount and the minimum survivor's benefit to individuals who have reached age 80 and to members of religious orders which require vows of poverty and for which an election of coverage under the Internal Revenue Code is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the House that the President should: (1) implement a U.S. nuclear nonproliferation strategy which strengthens the barriers to the spread of nuclear weapons and prescribes methods for achieving restraint by all nuclear suppliers; (2) encourage nations to ratify the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and strengthen the safeguards operations of the International Atomic Energy Agency, (IAEA); (3) work with other nuclear suppliers and with the IAEA to develop credible sanctions against nations which divert nuclear materials, technologies, or equipment to other than peaceful uses; and (4) implement the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1981
Senior Citizens Olympic Athletic Programs Act - Authorizes the U.S. Olympic Committee to encourage and assist amateur athletic programs for senior citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the percentage depletion allowance for any geothermal energy source (currently, such energy must be in "deposits"). Qualifies for the residential energy credit and the investment tax credit all of the equipment of a system using both geothermal energy and a source not eligible for a credit if geothermal energy provides more than 80 percent of the energy for which the system was designed. Allows such credits for portions of such systems which produce, distribute, or use a source of energy which is at least 50 percent geothermal energy.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1981
Requests the President to designate October 10, 1981, as "National Jogging Day."
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1981
Campaign Finance Reform Amendments of 1981 -- Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to increase the limitations on contributions to campaigns for the House of Representatives and the Senate. Raises the ceiling from $1,000 to $2,500 for an individual's total contribution to any candidate for the House of Representatives and his or her authorized political committees. Imposes a limit on the total amount such a candidate and his or her committees may accept from multicandidate political committees of $75,000 for a general or special election (with an extra $25,000 in the case of a run-off). Imposes a ceiling on the total amount a candidate for the Senate and his or her committees may accept from multicandidate political committees. Sets such ceiling at: (1) the greater of $25,000, or the product of $12,500 times the number of State Representatives, in the case of a run-off election; or (2) the greater of $75,000, or the product of $37,500 times the number of State Representatives (not to exceed $500,000), for a general or special election (including conventions and primaries). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the tax credit for political contributions from $50 to $100 ($100 to $200 for joint returns). Allows two separate tax credits, up to such amounts, for contributions: (1) to individual candidates and political committees; and (2) to national, State, and local committees of a national political party.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1981
Prohibits a State, or any of its political subdivisions, from imposing a tax with respect to natural gas which discriminates against any out-of-State producers, transporters, consumers, distributors, or users of natural gas or which applies only to gas produced outside the territory of such State. Deems any tax as discriminatory if it results in a greater tax burden on interstate natural gas than on intrastate gas.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1981
Food Safety Amendments of 1981 - Title I - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise the procedures and criteria for consideration of food and color additive petitions and new animal drug applications. Excludes from the definition of "food additive": (1) a food contact substance; and (2) a basic or traditional food. Defines "food contact substance" to mean a substance used to package food upon which such substance is not intended to, and does not have, any physical effect. Revises the general definition of "safe" to include in its meaning the absence of significant risk under the intended conditions of use of a substance. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prescribe regulations to gradually eliminate a substance from the food supply upon a finding that such elimination will serve the public interest and not present a danger to public health. Requires that a determination of whether food is adulterated be based on an assessment of the risks from the probable consumption of such substance, taking into account all pertinent safety factors. Revises the procedures under which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) establishes tolerance levels for required or unavoidable substances in foods. Replaces the current formal hearing requirements for setting tolerances with the notice and comment rulemaking procedure. Adds to the criteria for establishing tolerances: (1) an assessment of the nature and extent of the risks from probable consumption of the substance, considering all safety factors and after consultation with the food safety committee (established by this Act); and (2) the effects of limits on the cost and availability of food. Requires the Secretary to specify the analytical procedure for determining tolerance compliance. Permits any party in an injunction, seizure, or criminal action by the FDA alleging food adulteration, to request the court to set a tolerance for any food for which there is no existing tolerance. Revises the procedures and criteria for consideration of food additive petitions. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures to facilitate early discussion of an additive prior to submission of a petition. Requires the FDA to file food additive petitions within 30 days after receipt. Requires the FDA to specify in detail its reasons expanded for denying a petition. Directs the Secretary to permit interim use of an already approved additive if it appears from initial review that such expanded use is safe. Directs the Secretary to base a determination of the safety of a food additive on all relevant factors, including risk assessment. Provides an exception to the "Delaney clause" (which deems as unsafe any additive which induces cancer when ingested by man or animal) upon a finding that use of the additive does not present a significant risk to health. Requires the Secretary, whenver an additive is limited on the basis that it induces cancer in man or animal, to refer such matter to the food safety committee and permit interested persons to provide information. Enumerates additional criteria for considering a food additive which has been identified as presenting a significant risk, but has a substantial history of use and no reasonably practicable substitute. Includes among such factors the nature and extent of the consequences of use and the feasibility and effect of providing information to consumers regarding the additive's risk. Provides for expedited judicial review of any failure by the FDA to meet the time limits for food additive determinations or to provide detailed reasons for denial of a petition. Authorizes the Secretary to issue an interim food additive regulation with respect to a substance the safety of which has been questioned by new, but inconclusive, information, upon a determination that there is a reasonable certainty that such substance is not harmful. Applies the new procedures for amending or repealing a food additive regulation to any action to limit a substance which is generally recognized as safe. Establishes a new simplified premarket notification system for food contact substances. Provides that a food contact substance shall be deemed unsafe unless: (1) it is not reasonably expected to become a component of food under its intended use; (2) it conforms to a regulation; or (3) a premarket notification has been registered with the FDA and the FDA fails to make a finding of significant risk to public health within 90 days. Subjects any such finding to judicial review. Permits a person to petition the Secretary for promulgation of a regulation in lieu of premarket notification. Directs the Secretary, for the purpose of receiving referrals respecting the safety of food substances, to request the National Academy of Sciences, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, or other independent entity having such scientific expertise, to establish a committee to study and report on the safety of food substances. Provides a procedure and the criteria for the Secretary to establish an advisory food safety committee in the event such entities decline to establish such committee. Authorizes any person who may be adversely affected by a Secretarial decision to request the Secretary to consult such a committee before he makes a final decision on the use of any food substance, food additive, new animal drug, or color additive. Establishes for new animal drugs and color additives a regulatory scheme similar to that set forth for food additives. Includes as a factor to be considered with respect to animal drugs the present commercial availability of approved alternatives. Eliminates the current requirement for individual product licenses for animal drug manufacturers. Establishes a one-time location registration of establishments at which a new animal drug is to be first mixed into animal feed. Repeals the animal drug provision requiring batch certification of five specific antibiotics. Title II - Amends the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Meat Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act to conform to provisions of this Act. Title III - Requires persons who have filed food or color additive petitions or new animal drug applications which were filed prior to enactment to elect consideration in accordance with existing law or law as amended by this Act. Provides that enforcement proceedings based on acts occurring prior to enactment shall proceed under prior law.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1981
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study to determine whether there is a relationship between the exposure of members of the U.S. armed forces to nuclear radiation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and any abnormal health symptoms currently exhibited by such individuals. Requires a report to Congress within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of September 6 through September 12, 1981, as "Older Americans Employment Opportunity Week."
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Canada and the United States should create the North American Air Quality Commission (NAAQC); (2) the NAAQC should be the primary means for coordinating U.S. and Canadian enforcement efforts to reduce acid precipitation pollution; (3) the NAAQC should recommend to Canada and the United States policies and legislation to reduce acid precipitation pollution; and (4) the NAAQC should report twice annually to the Canadian Parliament and the U. S. Congress on both countries' progress toward reduction of such pollution.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Postal Service Amendments of 1981 - Authorizes the United States Postal Service to issue written demands requiring access to books, records, documents, or other objects believed to relate to any postal offense or civil matter under investigation by the Postal Service. Provides for the enforcement of such a demand by the appropriate district court. Authorizes the Postal Service to issue an order requiring any person to cease and desist from conducting a lottery or scheme for obtaining money or property by false representations through the mail. Declares that the resumption of such an activity through the use of any instrumentality of interstate commerce shall be considered to be a failure to comply with such order. Permits the Postal Service, in investigating whether a person is conducting such an activity, to tender the price of any article or service that such person has offered for sale. Declares that failure by such person to provide such article or service, or failure to comply with a written demand of the Postal Service for access to materials, shall constitute probable cause to believe such person is engaged in such activities, warranting the detention of such person's incoming mail. Establishes a civil penalty to be assessed by the Postal Service, after an opportunity for an agency hearing, against any person who: (1) attempts to evade an order directing the postmaster to return mail addressed to such person; (2) fails to comply with a cease and desist; or (3) assists another person in evading such an order.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Requests the President to designate March 19, 1982, as "National Energy Education Day."
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that nuclear war represents a great hazard and should be prevented. Urges the President to propose: (1) that the United States and the Soviet Union begin negotiations to reduce substantially their nuclear arsenals; and (2) that conferences should be held among all nuclear nations to propose annual reductions and gradual elimination of all nuclear weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1981
Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 - Expresses the sense of Congress, with respect to the education of handicapped children, that: (1) the Education of All Handicapped Children Act needs to be amended in the light of limited financial resources and questions of administration and application; and (2) it would not be advisable at this time to consolidate funds for the education of disadvantaged children. Declares that the national interest in the education of handicapped children would be best served by the establishment of a national commission to study the operation of the Education of All Handicapped Children Act and to advise the President, the Secretary of Education, and the Congress on appropriate amendments to or restructuring of such Act by January 15, 1982. Title I: Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Children - Declares it to be the policy of the United States to continue to provide financial assistance to State and local educational agencies to meet the special needs of educationally deprived children, on the basis of entitlements calculated under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), in a manner which will eliminate burdensome and unproductive paperwork and free the schools of Federal supervision. Directs the Secretary of Education, during fiscal years 1983 through 1987, to make payments to State educational agencies for grants made on the basis of entitlements created under title I of ESEA and calculated in accordance with provisions of such title in effect on September 30, 1982. Directs the Secretary, in making such payments, to continue to utilize specified provisions of title I of such Act, with the exception of provisions relating to local program requirements and applications and to State and Federal administration of programs and projects. Requires that State and local educational agencies use such payments for programs and projects (including the acquisition of equipment and the construction of school facilities) designed to meet the special educational needs of educationally deprived children. Requires that State agency programs be designed to serve those categories of children (migratory, handicapped, neglected and delinquent) counted for eligibility for grants under specified ESEA provisions in accordance with the requirements of this title. Requires that local educational agencies use ESEA funds received under this title only for programs and projects: (1) designed to meet the special educational needs of educationally deprived children identified in accordance with specified provisions of this title; and (2) included in an application for assistance approved by the State educational agency and containing specified assurances concerning such programs and projects. Provides for the participation of children enrolled in private schools in special educational services and arrangements. Provides for appeals by State and local educational agencies of determinations by the Secretary that a local educational agency has substantially failed to provide for such participation on an equitable basis and that an alternative provider of such services should be sought. Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) maintenance of effort; (2) use of funds limited to excess costs; (3) Federal funds to supplement, not supplant regular non-Federal funds; (4) comparability of services (and written assurances thereof by local agencies); (5) exclusion of special State and local program funds; and (6) allocation of funds in certain States. Title II: Consolidation of Federal Programs for Elementary and Secondary Education - Declares it to be the purpose of this title: (1) to consolidate the program authorizations contained in titles II through IX of ESEA into a single authorization of grants to States for the same purposes set forth in such titles, but to be used in accordance with the educational needs and priorities of each State as determined by the State; and (2) to financially assist State and local educational agencies to improve elementary and secondary education (including preschool education) for public and private school children, in a manner which eliminates administrative and paperwork burdens on the schools. Vests basic responsibility for the administration of funds made available under this title in State educational agencies. Admonishes such agencies to discharge such responsibility in a manner which will not impose an unreasonable administrative burden. Declares the intent of Congress that the responsibility for the design and implementation of programs assisted under this title is mainly that of local boards of education, school superintendents and principals, classroom teachers, and supporting personnel. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1983 through 1987. Sets forth provisions for allotments to States and for State grant applications. Requires that a State educational agency distribute at least 80 percent of the sums received as a State allotment to local educational agencies. Provides that such allocation be according to relative enrollments in public and nonpublic schools within the school districts of the local agencies, adjusted to provide higher per pupil allocations to agencies with the greatest numbers or percentages of children whose education imposes a higher average cost per child, such as children: (1) from low-income families; (2) of limited English proficiency; or (3) living in sparsely populated areas. Directs the Secretary to approve State agency criteria for such allocation adjustment if such criteria are reasonably calculated to produce an equitable distribution of funds. Sets forth requirements for local educational agency applications to receive such allocations. Requires that specified funds be used by State and local educational agencies to develop and implement a basic skills improvement program, as formerly authorized under title II of ESEA (Basic Skills Improvement). Authorizes State educational agencies to provide leadership and support for the basic skills improvement program. Sets forth requirements for school level basic skills improvement programs which local educational agencies must meet in applying for program funds. Authorizes State education agencies to carry out selected activities from among the full range of programs and projects formerly authorized under titles IV, V, VI, and VII of ESEA (Educational Improvement, Resources, and Support; State Leadership; Emergency School Aid; and Bilingual Education Programs) and titles III, VIII, and IX of ESEA (Special Projects; Community Schools; and Additional Programs for Gifted and Talented Children, Educational Proficiency Standards, and Women's Educational Equity), in accordance with requirements of this title, including a planned allocation of funds set forth in the State application. Sets forth authorized activities under such programs and projects. Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) maintenance of effort; (2) Federal funds being supplementary to, and not supplanting, non-Federal funds; and (3) participation of children enrolled in private schools. Authorizes the Secretary to use discretionary reserved funds for activities relating to the purposes of and programs under this Act, such as: (1) a national information source to assess program effectiveness and the needs of those served; (2) research and demonstrations; (3) teacher training improvement; and (4) implementation assistance for State and local educational agencies. Directs the Secretary to fund, from such discretionary reserved funds, the inexpensive book distribution program (Reading Is Fundamental), the special mathematics program, the national programs of arts in education, and the national diffusion network, as formerly authorized in specified provisions of ESEA, at least in amounts necessary to sustain these activities at the level of operations during fiscal year 1981, and then use the remainder of such funds for other authorized activities. Title III: General Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations relating to this Act: (1) on duties specifically assigned to the Secretary; (2) on proper fiscal accounting for appropriations and on the method of making payments authorized; and (3) which reasonably insure compliance with the specific requirements and assurances required. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing regulations on all other matters relating to the details of planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating State and local educational agency programs and projects. Permits the Secretary to consult with appropriate State, local, and private educational agencies and to provide, upon request, technical assistance, information, and suggested guidelines. Provides that regulations issued pursuant to this Act shall not have the standing of a Federal statute for the purposes of judicial review. Sets forth provisions for withholding of payments and for judicial review thereof. Provides that specified provisions of the General Education Provisions Act (relating to "State Educational Agency Monitoring and Agency Applications") shall not: (1) apply to programs authorized under this Act except to the extent that such provisions relate fiscal control and fund accounting procedures; and (2) be construed to authorize the Secretary to require any reports or take any actions not specifically authorized by this Act. Declares that the provisions of this Act shall take effect October 1, 1982. Repeals the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Provides that funds appropriated in fiscal year 1982 pursuant to authorizations repealed by this Act and intended for use in the school year 1982 through 1983 shall be used in accordance with, and to carry out the purposes of, this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Expresses the concern of the House of Representatives over the hunger strike in Northern Ireland. Calls upon the British government to exercise greater urgency and flexibility in finding a resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1981
House Committee on Agriculture Reconciliation Measures - Subtitle A: Reductions in Authorizations for Appropriations - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to extend the food stamp program, at reduced funding levels, through fiscal year 1985. Makes reduced authorizations and limits outlays for each of fiscal years 1982 through 1984 for: (1) dairy indemnity payments by the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service; (2) marketing activities payments to States and possessions by the Agricultural Marketing Service; (3) specified rural development assistance grants by the Farmers Home Administration; (4) Soil Conservation Service and other agricultural conservation program expenses; (5) international programs under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480); (6) specified expenses of the Forest Service (but not for the Bald Mountain road and timber sale in the Siskiyou National Forest); and (7) salaries and expenses of certain agencies, offices, and functions of the Department of Agriculture. Subtitle B: Reduction in Direct Spending - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set a new formula for the determination of the price support for milk during fiscal years 1982 through 1985. Limits the range of support from 75 percent to 90 percent of parity, keyed to net Government price support purchases of nonfat dry milk and the milk equivalent of butter and cheese. Requires an increase of the support price whenever dairy product imports are increased due to an expansion of imports or a termination of import restraints. Requires semiannual adjustments of such support price. Directs the Secretary to notify the congressional agriculture committees thirty days before the effective date of a new support level. Amends the United States Grain Standards Act, for fiscal years 1982 through 1984, to authorize the Administrator of the Federal Grain Inspection Service to collect inspection fees to defray administrative and supervisory costs. Limits such costs, for fiscal years 1982 through 1985, to 35 percent of the total costs of the Service. Authorizes appropriations for such years. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an advisory committee to advise the Administrator on the implementation of the United States Grain Standards Act of 1976. Amends the United States Cotton Standards Act, the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act, and the United States Cotton Futures Act to direct the Secretary to collect directly from participating producers cotton classing and loose cotton sale fees in an amount sufficient to cover the costs of such services, including administrative and supervisory costs. Limits the net cost estimate used to calculate such fees to specified amounts for fiscal years 1982 through 1984. Directs the Secretary to impose charges for establishing cotton standards. Credits all such fees and charges to the current appropriation incurring such costs and leaves them available until expended. Exempts from the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 any cotton samples submitted in compliance with the requirements of such Acts and thereby becoming United States property. Requires the Secretary to hold annual meetings with cotton industry representatives to review such activities. Amends the Tobacco Inspection Act to direct the Secretary to fix and collect fees for inspection and certification, the establishment of standards, sampling and weighing, and other services at designated auction markets. Requires such fees to cover the costs of such services, including administrative and supervisory costs. Credits such fees to the current appropriation incurring such costs and leaves them available until expended. Requires assessment of such fees against warehouse operators, who shall collect them from tobacco sellers. Directs the Secretary to set up a national advisory committee of tobacco producers, with advisory subcommittees for each major kind of tobacco, to advise him about such services and fees. Amends the United States Warehouse Act to direct the Secretary to collect warehouse examination, inspection, and licensing fees sufficient to cover the costs of such services and licenses, including administrative and supervisory costs. Limits the amounts of such fees for fiscal years 1982 through 1984. Authorizes appropriations for other services under such Act. Repeals the Naval Stores Act relating to standards and prohibitions regarding commerce in spirits of turpentine and rosin. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to allow interest rates equal to the current market yield for municipal bonds for direct or insured loans to public bodies or nonprofit associations for water and waste disposal facilities and essential community facilities. Limits to five percent per annum the interest rate on such loans for facility upgrading or new facility construction in poverty areas. Sets the range for interest rates on direct or insured low-income farm ownership loans at between five percent per annum and one-half the current market yield on United States bonds. Requires a two percent per annum additional interest rate on any direct or insured loan to a State or local government for construction of certain facilities on prime farmland where non-prime farmland is available. Marks for such treatment certain facilities for: (1) recreational uses; (2) rural small business enterprises; (3) electrical transmission systems; (4) pollution abatement and control; and (5) subterminal uses. Limits to 90 percent of actual production loss the amount of farming, ranching, or aquaculture production loss for which an applicant may receive an emergency loan. Reduces the total amount of certain insurable rural development loans for fiscal year 1982: (1) from $1,000,000,000 to $300,000,000 for water and waste facilities; and (2) from $500,000,000 to $130,000,000 for community facilities. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to eliminate certain waiver of interest provisions so the Secretary may collect interest on loans made on the 1980 and 1981 crops of wheat and feed grains placed in the farmer-held reserve. Reduces to $52,000,000 the ceiling on administrative expenses of the Commodity Credit Corporation for fiscal year 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of April 4 through April 10, 1982, as National Medic Alert Week.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1981
Requests the President to designate October 23, 1981, as "Hungarian Freedom Fighters Day."
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) should cease efforts to regulate news content and to formulate rules and regulations for the operation of the world press. Expresses the opposition of the House to efforts by some countries to control access to and dissemination of news.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1981
Food and Agriculture Act of 1981 - Title I: Dairy Production Act of 1981 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish milk price supports from October 1, 1981 through September 30, 1985, at between 75 and 90 percent of parity, based on projected purchases, surpluses and price increases. Extends dairy base plan authority. Extends through 1985: (1) the program of price-supported dairy products for the military and veterans' hospitals; and (2) the dairy indemnity program. Encourages wider consumption of dairy products through export promotion and domestic distribution. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to explore domestic casein production possibilities and report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees within 90 days after this Act becomes effective. Title II: Wool and Mohair - Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to extend the wool and mohair price support program through 1985. Title III: Wheat - Provides for loans and purchases of the: (1) 1982 wheat crop at not less than $3.55 per bushel; and (2) 1983-1985 crops at levels adjusted proportionally to the target price of wheat. Stipulates that the Secretary may adjust levels downward by up to ten percent (but not less than $3.00 per bushel) whenever the yearly price for the previous year is not more than 105 percent of the current loan and purchase level. Requires the Secretary to provide producers with the same return they would have received if such loan reductions occur. Authorizes a target price program for the 1982-1985 crops. Makes such payments mandatory if domestic carryover levels exceed one billion bushels. Sets such price for the: (1) 1982 crop at $4.20 per bushel; and (2) 1983-1985 crops at a level based on production costs over a specified time. Authorizes prevented planting and low yield disaster programs for the 1982-1985 crops only if Federal crop insurance was not generally available prior to planting. Requires set-aside and program acreages for such crops to be announced by August 1 of each year. Suspends marketing quotas and producer certificate provisions for such crops. Title IV: Feed Grains - Provides for loans and purchases of: (1) the 1982 corn crop at not less than $2.65 per bushel; and (2) the 1983-1985 crops based on target price adjustments. Stipulates that such levels may be adjusted downward by up to ten percent (but not less than $2.00 per bushel) if the yearly price for the previous year is not more than 105 percent of the current loan and purchase level. Provides for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 grain sorghum, barley, and rye crops at a level based on the loan level for corn. Bases 1982-1985 oats levels on a weight comparison with other grains. Authorizes target prices for grain sorghum and corn. Makes such prices mandatory if domestic carryover exceeds 1.3 billion bushels. Sets the target price for: (1) the 1982 corn crop at $2.90 per bushel; (2) the 1983-1985 corn crops at a level based on production cost changes; and (3) grain sorghum, oats, and barley at a level based on corn payments. Authorizes disaster payments for the 1982 feed grain crops only if Federal crop insurance was not generally available prior to planting. Requires set-aside and program acreages for the 1982-1985 feed grain crops to be announced by November 1 of each year. Title V: Upland Cotton - Suspends marketing quotas, base acreage allotments, and related provisions for the 1982-1985 upland cotton crops. Provides with regard to such crops that: (1) the minimum loan level shall be $.55 per pound (currently $.48 per pound); (2) the base for the Northern European price quotation used to determine the loan rate shall be middling 1 3/32 inch cotton (currently strict middling 1 1/16 inch); (3) the target price shall be 120 percent of the loan level; (4) disaster payments shall be available in counties without generally available Federal crop insurance; (5) cotton acreage reductions could be required as a condition for program benefits instead of current set-aside authority; and (6) the Secretary shall establish a seed cotton recourse loan program. Extends skiprow provisions through 1985. Bases the preliminary allotment for the 1986 crop on the permanent (as adjusted) 1977 acreage allotment. Title VI: Rice - Repeals acreage allotment and marketing quota provisions effective with the 1982 rice crop. Provides for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 rice crops at not less than $8.00 per hundredweight. Bases target prices on production costs. Makes disaster payments available only in counties where Federal crop insurance was not generally available prior to planting. Extends: (1) set-asides but authorizes the Secretary to limit acreage as a condition of benefits eligibility; and (2) land diversion programs. Requires the Secretary to report by July 31, 1983, to the Congress on rice futures trading, including the feasibility of using the average seasonal price received by farmers as a basis for computing loan and target prices. Title VII: Peanuts - Suspends annual marketing quotas and acreage allotments for the 1982-1985 peanut crops. Provides that the 1982-1985 New Mexico peanut allotments shall not be reduced below the adjusted 1977 level. Extends acreage allotments and national and farm poundage quotas for the 1982-1985 peanut crops. Modifies such provisions to: (1) set a minimum acreage allotment of 1,614,000 acres; (2) set a minimum national poundage quota of 1,300,000 tons, increased as necessary by the Secretary; and (3) require and set forth formulae for determining individual farm yields, base production poundage, and poundage quotas. States that if the total of all increases in individual farm poundage quotas exceeds ten percent of the national quota the Secretary shall adjust such increases in order not to exceed such percentage. Extends provisions relating to sale, lease, and transfer of acreage allotments. Permits acreage allotments and marketing quotas to be transferred without regard to county boundaries in a State having a peanut acreage of less than 11,000 acres. Eliminates the 50 acre limitation on individual allotment transfers. Extends and modifies marketing penalty and disposition of additional peanut provisions to: (1) direct the Secretary to authorize specified county committees to reduce or waive penalties for unintentional violations; (2) provide that weight errors not exceeding one-tenth of one percent in a marketing document shall not be considered violations; (3) give the area marketing associations primary responsibility for selling additional peanuts under loan when such peanuts are sold at prices not less than the Commodity Credit Corporation's minimum price; (4) change the contract deadline for additional peanuts from June 15 to March 15; and (5) penalize handlers for marketing peanuts in excess of the quantity, grade, or quality of quota levels. Extends through 1985: (1) specified reporting and recordkeeping requirements; and (2) preservation of unused allotments provisions. Provides for loans and purchases of the: (1) 1982 crop at not less than $600 per ton; and (2) 1983-1985 crops at the level of the preceding year, adjusted for production costs. Prohibits marketing associations other than the three area associations selected by the Secretary from receiving storage loans or performing administrative or supervisory activities. Title VIII: Soybeans - Establishes the soybean price support program under the category of "basic agricultural commodity" for the 1982-1985 crop years. Provides for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 soybean crops at not less than $5.02 per bushel. Authorizes the Secretary to lower such level ten percent each year (but not below $4.50 per bushel) if the previous year's average market price was not in excess of 105 percent of the loan rate for that year. States that soybeans are ineligible for the producer storage reserve program and the production adjustment control program. Title IX: Other Commodities - Establishes the sugar beet and sugar cane, and sunflower seed support programs under the category of "basic agricultural commodity" for the 1982-1985 crop years. Establishes a loan rate for sugar: (1) of 19.6 cents per pound; and (2) for the 1983-1985 crops based on production costs for the two preceding years. Provides for loans and purchases of oil sunflower seeds at not less than $9.00 per hundredweight. Title X: General and Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Continues current disaster and nondisaster payment limitations for wheat, feed grains, rice, and upland cotton through 1985. Continues and modifies the producer storage program for wheat and feed grains as follows: (1) provides an entry loan rate for grains at the higher of 110 percent of the loan rate or $3.85 per bushel for wheat and $2.80 per bushel for corn; (2) provides a minimum resale price for Commodity Credit Corporation stocks at 105 percent of the price levels at which the market rate interest rates are invoked; (3) authorizes the Secretary to waive storage charges and interest on support loans, to vary the size of the reserve, and to cancel early-release penalties, halt storage payments, and impose market rate interest under specified circumstances. Extends the special grazing and hay program through 1985. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide for set-asides for the 1982-1985 wheat and feed grain crops as a result of executive export restrictions; (2) reduce accumulated interest charges on Commodity Credit Corporation loans in order to discourage loan defaults; and (3) transfer Department funds in plant or animal disease emergencies. Continues normally planted acreage requirements for the 1982-1985 wheat and feed grain crops (but not for rice and upland cotton) but bases such acreage on the preceding two years. Title XI: National Agricultural Cost of Production Standards Review Board - Establishes the National Agricultural Cost of Production Standards Review Board. Requires the Board to report annually to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Authorizes necessary appropriations. Makes the authority provided in this title applicable for the 1982-1985 crop years. Title XII: Export Provisions - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) to: (1) extend the program through December 31, 1985; (2) increase the annual ceiling; and (3) include other alcoholic beverages in addition to wine and beer within the authorization for overseas market development. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to require the loan rate to be set at 90 percent of parity for any executive embargo not based on national security, and at a level not less than the average market price during the 15 days preceding the embargo if based solely on national security. Exempts commodities if an embargo would reduce annual export tonnage by less than two percent. Waives interest charges on loans adjusted during an embargo and provides for payment of storage charges to producers. Directs the Secretary to report within six months to the Congress on the potential for increased food use of protein byproducts derived from alcohol fuel production. Expresses the sense of Congress that any agreement by the United States for foreign sales of wheat, corn, soybeans, or feed grains provide for a price of not less than the cost of production. Title XIII: Food Stamp and Commodity Distribution Amendments of 1981 - Food Stamp and Commodity Distribution Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 and the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend such programs through fiscal year 1985. Modifies the food stamp plan to: (1) repeal the October 1-December 31 update of the Thrifty Food Plan based on projected food costs that was scheduled to take place as of January 1 of each year starting in 1982; (2) reduce the gross income eligibility ceiling to 130 percent of the poverty level; (3) repeal increases in dependent care deductions for working adults and medical deductions for the elderly, blind, and disabled scheduled to take effect on October 1, 1981; (4) require retrospective accounting for determining ongoing program eligibility and allotments for all but migrant farm worker households on a nationwide basis by October 1, 1983; (5) require monthly reporting to accompany implementation of retrospective accounting for all households with earned income (except migrant farmworker households) or receiving unemployment compensation or required to register for work or required to file monthly reports for AFDC, but not households in which all members are elderly, blind, or disabled or who reside in States with the lowest error rates; (6) impose an authorization ceiling for fiscal years 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985 fixed at $10,010,000,000, $10,345,000,000, $10,290,000,000, and $10,480,000,000, respectively; (7) raise the authorization ceiling for fiscal year 1981 to $11,480,000,000 to accommodate program needs; (8) require the Secretary to permit any political subdivision that wishes to do so in return for a 50 percent share of workfare administrative costs and that agrees to comply with the Secretary's guidelines, to administer a workfare program in which non-exempt food stamp recipients must work for the subdivision at the Federal minimum hourly wage rate (or State rate, if higher), payable in the form of food stamps; (9) require parents and children who are living together to be treated as one household unless one parent is 60 years of age or older; (10) eliminate all boarders from participation in the program; (11) eliminate establishments that do only a marginal staple food business, such as bars, gas stations, party stores, and carryout shops, from the program unless they are the only food store in the immediate area; (12) permit Alaska to have a distinct Thrifty Food Plan for its rural areas; (13) reduce the adjustment of the standard deduction and the dependent care/excess shelter deduction cap by deleting reliance upon the homeownership component in the housing costs of the Consumer Price Index; (14) deny deductions for any expenses paid on a household's behalf by a third party and require the income and resources (over a floor) of sponsors of certain aliens to be deemed available to those aliens in order to determine the aliens' eligibility and benefits; (15) give the Secretary flexibility to alter the complex accounting standards for ascertaining the value of licensed vehicles; (16) extend disqualification from the program after hearing (a) from fraud to the making of false or misleading statements or misrepresentations or concealing or withholding facts, (b) expand the use of allotment reduction to recover non-fraud overissuance arising from agency error, and (c) permit States to retain 50 percent of all misrepresentation claims collected; (17) (a) extend program disqualification for voluntarily quitting a job to current program participants, (b) extend sanctions for noncompliance with the food stamp work registration requirement to food stamp participants who fail to satisfy an AFDC-WIN or unemployment compensation work requirement, and (c) make work registration an annual requirement; (18) disqualify strikers and the households to which they belong from participating in the food stamp program (unless they were eligible to participate prior to the strike); (19) make States strictly liable for issuance losses and provide liability for negligent failures in certain other areas of State agency administrative responsibility; (20) prevent households that apply to participate in the program and are declared to be eligible from receiving any stamps for that part of the month prior to the date on which they filed their application; (21) end the 60-day transfer provision permitting benefits to follow a household moving from one political subdivision to another in an uninterrupted fashion; (22) terminate the basic mandate to perform outreach; (23) allow States flexibility to provide households with a notice of expiration of their certification periods up to 30 days before the start of the last month of a six month or longer certification period; (24) limit provision for expedited food stamp benefits within three working days of application to applicant households with $150 or less in gross income a month and liquid assets of $100 or less and to applicant households whose only income for ten days after filing an application is $25 or less from a new source of income and who also meet the $100 liquid assets test; (25) end the Department's liability to restore food stamps to households that have wrongfully been denied them or terminated from the program if the benefits were lost more than one year prior to a household's request for restoration; (26) require the State agency to request and utilize for certification purposes household members' wage and benefit information available from the Social Security Administration and State unemployment compensation agencies; (27) require the Secretary to allow political subdivisions to use certified mail in issuing food stamps to reduce mail theft and loss; (28) clarify the Secretary's authority to determine the amount of and settle or adjust any claim, including claims filed against State agencies for issuance losses; (29) end the imposition of staffing standards upon the States; (30) require States to meet the Secretary's standard for improper denials and terminations in order to receive 55 percent Federal funding of administrative costs and further require all States with error rates over five percent to develop corrective action plans; (31) mandate obtaining a household's Social Security number as a prerequisite to participation; (32) extend pilot cash-out projects for four years at State option and expand possible cash-outs to include AFDC families; (33) provide contract and grant authority to develop means for continuous nutritional monitoring of high-risk populations; (34) require certain studies of various accounting and reporting methods; (35) provide penalties for the fraudulent misuse of commodities; (36) provide authority for pilot projects using the commodity supplemental feeding program for low-income elderly persons; and (37) prevent current Supplemental Security Income cash-out States from reverting to food stamps. Title XIV: National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1981 - National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to revise the Congressional findings and purposes of such Act to give greater emphasis to the role of State agricultural extension services in research and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences. Extends from five to eight years the term of the Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences. Increases membership to at least 25 persons. Establishes three-year, staggered terms for such members. Extends from five to eight years the term of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Users Advisory Board. Increases membership from 21 to 25 persons. Establishes staggered terms for such members. Changes the due dates of the Board's: (1) annual recommendations to the Secretary from October 31 to July 1; and (2) appraisal of the President's budget from March 1 to February 20. Specifies as part of the staff of six full-time professionals assisting the Joint Council and the Users Advisory Board: (1) an executive secretary for each entity; and (2) an executive director to serve both. Authorizes the Secretary to establish cooperative human nutrition centers to focus on high-priority nutrition problems. Changes the due date of the Secretary's annual agricultural research report from February 1 to January 1. States that the Department of Agriculture should establish working relationships with foreign information and data systems as part of the policy of Congress. Provides for the appointment of an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture to carry out agricultural research, extension, and teaching. Authorizes specified appropriations through fiscal year 1985 for competitive agricultural research grants. Makes land grant college research foundations and veterinary colleges eligible for special grants. Changes the emphasis of facilities grants from purchasing equipment, land, and supplies to renovating existing buildings and limited new construction. Makes forestry schools and 1890 land grant colleges eligible for such grants. Authorizes specified appropriations for research facilities grants for fiscal years 1982-1985. Revises guidelines for higher education food and agricultural sciences grants. Transfers functions of the Secretary of Education under the Bankhead-Jones Act and the Morrill Act to the Secretary. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1985. Extends the research grant program in alcohol fuels and industrial hydrocarbons through fiscal year 1985. Limits the total amount institutions in any one State may receive to $5,000,000. Changes the due date of the assessment of the value and costs of food and human nutrition research centers. Requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and of Agriculture to jointly formulate such report. Extends limited authorizations of appropriations ($25,000,000 annually) through fiscal year 1985 for animal health and disease research. Increases and extends through fiscal year 1985 the annual limit on authorizations of appropriations for national and regional animal health and disease research. Limits the duration of such grants to five years. Directs the Secretary to establish priority lists annually for such grants. Sets forth guidelines for such determinations. Extends and increases funding for 1890 land grant colleges (including Tuskegee Institute) through fiscal year 1982. Permits administrative funds to be used for transportation to research meetings of scientists who are not Federal employees. Establishes a dairy goat research program. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1985. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance (on a reimbursable basis) to U.S. institutions involved in international agricultural research and extension. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1985 for: (1) existing agricultural programs; (2) State agricultural experiment stations; and (3) extension education. Requires at least 25 percent of research and grant funds to be appropriated for Hatch Act State experiment stations beginning with fiscal year 1984. Provides that funds made available by the Secretary under specified Acts shall not be subject to reduction for indirect costs incurred by the recipient. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish an aquaculture research and extension program; (2) make grants to colleges and universities, Federal laboratories, and experiment stations; and (3) assist States (up to $50,000) in formulating aquaculture development plans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report annually to the President and to the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture and Appropriations; and (2) establish an Aquaculture Advisory Board. Authorizes specified appropriations through fiscal year 1985. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish a rangeland research program on a matching grant basis; and (2) make grants to colleges and universities, Federal laboratories, and experiment stations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report annually to the President and to the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture and Appropriations; and (2) establish a Rangeland Advisory Board. Authorizes appropriations not to exceed $10,000,000 annually for fiscal years 1982-1985. Amends the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962 to direct the Secretary to appoint an advisory forestry council. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit the Secretary to furnish excess Federal property to State or county extension services, 1890 land grant colleges, and State experiment stations. Makes the provisions of this title effective as of October 1, 1981. Title XV: Credit, Rural Development, and Family Farms - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to permit cooperatives to receive Farmers Home Administration (FHA) loans if unable to otherwise get credit. Removes the five percent interest ceiling on FHA water and waste disposal and essential community facility loans. Directs the Secretary to set such rates, but not in excess of current market yields of comparable municipal obligations. Limits such rates to a maximum of five percent in low income areas. Provides: (1) for a two percent interest penalty on specified loans for nonfarm construction on prime farmland if optional sites are available; and (2) that interest rates on operating and ownership loans to limited resource borrowers shall be determined by the Secretary, but not at less than five percent nor more than one-half the average market value of comparable municipal obligations (currently a five percent ceiling). States that the above loan provisions shall apply as of fiscal year 1982. Amends the Emergency Agricultural Credit Adjustment Act of 1978 to extend the FHA economic emergency loan program through fiscal year 1982. Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act regarding farm storage facility loans to: (1) extend such program through fiscal year 1985; (2) make the duration of such loans between eight and ten years; (3) base facility size on the space required to store two years' production; (4) make such loans in amounts not less than 80 percent of total construction costs, not to exceed $100,000; (5) set interest rates equal to the interest charged to the Commodity Credit Corporation by the Treasury plus up to one percent; and (6) provide that the loans shall be deducted from the proceeds of price support loans on purchase agreements. Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to: (1) extend for ten years and increase the annual authorization of appropriations for U.S. class A stock purchases of the Rural Telephone Bank; (2) change the date for retiring stock previously purchased by the United States from September 30, 1985 until September 30, 1995; (3) require that loans guaranteed by the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) be made by the Federal Financing Bank upon borrower request; and (4) remove the special two percent insured loan interest rate to electric and telephone borrowers, but permit interest rates on such loans of between two and five percent in situations of financial hardship or inability to provide service without utility rate increases. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to require the Secretary to include in his annual report to Congress an assessment of how Federal tax, credit, and other laws affect the growth of nonfamily farm operations. Title XVI: Conservation - Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide increased financial and technical assistance to landowners and operators in the most seriously eroding areas of the country, as designated by the Secretary. Requires a participant to furnish a plan which: (1) incorporates erosion conservation measures; (2) includes a schedule for carrying out such measures; (3) considers local conditions; (4) allows for varying levels of application as appropriate; (5) may include wildlife and recreation enhancement; and (6) is to be developed in cooperation with, and approved by, the local soil and water conservation district. Requires: (1) a participant to forfeit further payments and reimburse the United States for payments received upon violation of the agreement; and (2) the Secretary to share the cost of such conservation measures. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts to maintain already established conservation measures. Sets forth guidelines for special area determinations. Authorizes such designations for ten-year periods. Limits to a term of ten years any contract entered into during the ten years following such a designation. Requires approval by the House and Senate Agriculture Committees of all project areas designated by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to any State having lands within a designated special area to evaluate the impact of State and local tax structures on conservation measures. Authorizes necessary appropriations. Requires the Secretary to submit an evaluation to Congress by January 1, 1986, and at five-year intervals thereafter. Directs the Secretary to establish a matching grant program with local governmental units through State soil conservation agencies. Requires local participants to: (1) have a long-range program in effect; (2) have an annual work plan consistent with such program in effect; and (3) have matching fund sources available. Authorizes necessary appropriations through fiscal year 1991. Requires the Secretary to report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees by January 1, 1986, and again by January 1, 1991. States that such grants shall be made to augment rather than replace other Department of Agriculture technical and financial assistance programs. Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to direct the Corporation, beginning with fiscal year 1982, to make loans for natural resource conservation and environmental specified county and State conservation committees as part of an overall local plan. Provides with regard to such loans that: (1) loan duration shall not exceed ten years, with interest rates based upon interest charged to the Corporation by the Treasury; (2) annual loans to an individual shall not exceed $25,000; and (3) loans over $10,000 must be secured. Directs the Secretary to establish a volunteer program for conservation work without regard to Civil Service requirements. Deems such volunteers to be Federal employees for purposes of injury and tort compensation. Authorizes necessary appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to test the feasibility of reducing excessive reservoir sedimentation in areas having watershed soil erosion problems. Requires approval by the House and Senate Agriculture Committees before implementing any program. Authorizes necessary appropriations for fiscal years 1983-1987. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress by January 1, 1987. Authorizes the Secretary to empower soil and water district boards to disapprove producers' designation of land under any set-aside or diversion program if such lands will make a less than average contribution to soil conservation compared with other lands that could have been so designated. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to owners and operators in certain cold climates who remove land from production for up to one year in order to install conservation measures involving excavation. Requires approval of local soil and water conservation boards. Prohibits such assistance in any one year of more than one-half of one percent of a county's cropland. Authorizes necessary appropriations. Reaffirms the importance of agriculture and encourages the Secretary to cooperate with other Federal agencies in developing policies that recognize the importance of limiting agricultural conversions. Directs the Secretary and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to Congress within one year of enactment of this Act concerning the retention of productive agricultural lands. Encourages the Secretary to provide related information to State, local and nonprofit entities. Directs the Secretary to develop agricultural land resource information. Declares that rural areas are facing resource utilization, economic, and social problems. Directs the Secretary to establish a resource conservation and development program of technical and financial assistance to States, local governmental units, and nonprofit organizations for rural planning. Sets forth the terms of such agreements. Authorizes necessary appropriations. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress by December 31, 1986. Directs the Secretary to establish a Resource Conservation and Development Policy Board. Makes the provisions of this title effective as of October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1981
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a postage stamp to honor the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest earned on certificates of deposit issued by banks, certain savings institutions, or credit unions. Requires such certificates to be issued between June 30, 1981 and July 31, 1982, to have a one year maturity, and to bear interest at a rate not greater than 70 percent of the average yield of U.S. Treasury bills. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns).
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Youth Employment Demonstration Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for Youth Employment Demonstration Programs. Repeals a provision relating to distribution of funds for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Noninstitutional Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly and Disabled Act - Amends the Social Security Act by adding a new title, title XXI (Noninstitutional Acute and Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly and the Disabled), to provide a comprehensive system of noninstitutional health, developmental, and social services for individuals with chronic disabilities. Entitles an eligible individual to the following benefits: (1) home health services; (2) homemaker-home health aide services; (3) adult day services; (4) respite care services for up to 14 days, or 336 hours, in any year; (5) service coordination; (6) home help services; and (7) other services, provided on a demonstration basis, which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines may be of value. Sets forth definitions of such benefits. Provides benefits to every individual who: (1) has attained age 65; (2) is disabled and eligible for benefits under titles II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance), XVI (Supplemental Security Income), XVIII (Medicare), and XIX (Medicaid) of the Act; (3) was eligible for such benefits and ceased to be so eligible, but only if loss of benefits would seriously jeopardize such individual's ability to continue to live in a noninstitutional community residence and such individual's income is not sufficient to allow such individual to provide a reasonable equivalent of the services available under this Act; or (4) has been certified as eligible by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. States that no eligible individual shall be eligible to receive any benefits under title XXI or any long-term care benefits under titles XVIII, XIX, or XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Act unless such individual has a plan of care, as specified in this Act, and has been screened and assessed by a preadmission assessment and screening team (PAT) in order to determine the types and frequency of services required by such individual and in order to assure the maximum level of independence for such individual. Requires the Governor of each State to designate the State agency or agencies which shall administer or supervise the administration of the States' PAT program. Directs such agency or agencies to designate the PAT. Directs the Secretary to reimburse any PAT, and any State, for the reasonable costs incurred under this Act. Requires beneficiaries under title XXI to make copayments. Sets limits based on income for such copayments. Exempts those below the poverty line from copayments. Directs the Secretary to pay amounts for benefits incurred by an eligible individual in accordance with specified guidelines. Creates the Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund into which specified funds will be deposited in order to make the payments required by this Act. Coordinates the provisions of this Act with titles XVIII, XIX, and XX of the Act by providing that no payment shall be made under such titles to or on behalf of an individual who is eligible under title XXI for services available under title XXI, unless the individual seeking coverage first undergoes a preadmission screening and assessment as provided in title XXI. States that this Act shall be effective between January 1, 1982, and December 31, 1987. Directs the Secretary to monitor the effects of this Act and report to Congress. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct an ongoing evaluation of the effects of this Act and to report to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Establishes a Prisoner of War Medal to be awarded by the President in the name of Congress to any person who while serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States was held by any force hostile to the United States as a prisoner, internee, or hostage.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) should initiate implementing procedures to carry out the Helsinki Final Act of the CSCE by holding review meetings regularly on the implementation of such Act. States that the appropriate Congressional committees should: (1) hold hearings to assess the results of the Madrid review meetings of the CSCE; (2) based on such assessment, determine what additional measures the United States should undertake to assure Soviet compliance with the Final Act and whether it is in the U.S. interest for another review meeting to be held; and (3) report such assessment to Congress, the President, and the Secretary of State. Expresses the sense of the Congress that members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other Western ally signatories to the Final Act should conduct similar reviews to assess the most effective procedures for assuring compliance with the Final Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that because of the importance to human rights objectives of implementation of the Final Act the Congress should consult with the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe in monitoring such implementation. Recommends bipartisan Congressional support for assuring compliance with such Act to maximize pressure on the Soviet Union to comply with such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1981
Requests the President to designate October 16, 1981, as "World Food Day."
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Coastal Barrier Resources Act - Declares the findings and intentions of Congress in regard to the fish, wildlife, and other natural resources associated with the coastal barriers along the Atlantic and gulf coasts of the United States. Establishes the Coastal Barrier Resources System (System) which shall consist of specified undeveloped coastal barriers on the Atlantic and gulf coasts. Requires that certain coastal barrier maps shall be available for public inspection through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide copies of such maps to the chief executive officer of: (1) each State and political subdivision in which a System unit is located; and (2) each affected Federal agency. Directs the Secretary to make necessary modifications to such maps and to notify specified Congressional committees of same. Limits, to specified projects, Federal expenditures on or financial assistance for purposes within the System. Lists those projects eligible for financial assistance. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to certify annually to Congress that the Federal agencies concerned have complied with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth the contents of reports to be filed by the Secretary with specified Congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1981
Youth Employment Demonstration Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1981 and 1982 for Youth Employment Demonstration Programs. Repeals a provision relating to distribution of funds for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Economic Equity Act - Title I: Tax and Retirement Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the maximum deduction for contributions to an individual retirement plan: (1) shall be computed separately for each individual who is married; and (2) in the case of a married individual who has no compensation or less compensation than that of the spouse, shall be determined as if such compensation were the same as that of the individual's spouse. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan which provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount which would have been made under the survivor's annuity if the participant had survived and retired on such annuity date. Provides that a participant's election not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse of the participant consents in writing to such an election. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment, decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State domestic relations law. Amends ERISA to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from age 25 to age 21. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accruals of creditable service to continue while an individual is on approved maternity or paternity leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the zero bracket amount; (2) lower the tax rate; (3) decrease withholding requirements; and (4) increase minimum filing requirements for heads of households. Entitles former spouses of members of the uniformed services, civil service employees and members of Congress who were married to such a member or employee for at least ten years during creditable service to an annuity based upon a portion of such member's or employee's retired or retainer pay period. Amends the Survivor Benefit Plan of the uniformed services to make former spouses eligible for annuities under such plan. Provides for survivor's annuities for surviving former spouses of civil service spouses or members of Congress. Provides that the election of a member of the uniformed services, civil service employee or member of Congress not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse and any former spouse of such member or employee consents in writing to such an election. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to employers of displaced homemakers. Title II: Day Care Program - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the tax credit for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment from 20 percent of the cost of such services to 50 percent of the cost reduced by one percent for each $1,000 amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $10,000. Makes such credit refundable. Increases the dollar limit for such credit from $2,000 to $2,400 (from $4,000 to $4,800 for two or more dependents). Allows such credit for certain services performed outside the taxpayer's household. Establishes a minimum income for individuals engaged in business on a substantially full time basis to be used in the computation of the earned income limitation on the amount of such credit. Includes as a tax-exempt organization any organization which provides non-residential dependent care services to the general public for purposes of enabling individuals to be gainfully employed. Title III: Armed Forces - Revises the rules for the distribution of the property of deceased members of the Air Force and Army by removing any gender distinctions from such rules. Establishes a distribution formula based on six classes: (1) beneficiary named in a will; (2) surviving spouse; (3) children; (4) parents; (5) siblings; and (6) next of kin. Eliminates sexual distinctions with regard to promotion procedures and procedures to remove reserve officers from active duty status in the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve. Requires the Secretary of Defense to make an annual report to the Congress concerning the status of women in the armed forces. Title IV: Estate Tax on Agricultural Property and Farm Loans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift tax from $47,000 to $192,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases the minimum gross estate requirement for filing a return from $175,000 to $600,000. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if they materially participated in the operation of such farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Provides that the interest rate on extended payments of estate taxes shall be the lower of 6 percent or 75 percent of the prime rate. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to remove the preference to married persons in receiving farm improvement loans. Title V: NonDiscrimination in Insurance Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Grants to State or local governments having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer, if a State or local authority which has received notice of a complaint fails to act within 60 days or with respect to those authorities not having insurance discrimination laws. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Title VI: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the head of each executive agency to conduct a review of all rules, regulations and policies of the agency which result in different treatment based on gender. Directs each agency to report annually to the Congress on such review. Provides that such report shall include proposals to eliminate any resultant sex-based discrimination. Requires that all rules, regulations, documents and other writings of executive agencies shall use words that are neutral as to gender unless it is impracticable to do so or the subject matter specifically applies only to one sex. Title VII: Study of Enforcement of Alimony and Child Support Payments - Directs the Attorney General to undertake a study of the appropriate role of the Federal Government in the enforcement of delinquent payments of alimony, child support, and property settlement orders against an absent spouse or parent. Requires the Attorney General to submit to the President and the Congress not later than one year after enactment of this Act a report of such study together with recommendations for appropriate legislation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Elephant Protection Act of 1981 - Prohibits importing or exporting African elephants or elephant products. Prohibits the acquisition, transportation, or sale in interstate commerce of such products imported in violation of this Act. Permits individuals to: (1) import and export a total of 10,000 pounds of unworked ivory for six months after enactment of this Act; and (2) import worked ivory for 90 days after enactment if there is no intention to sell such ivory in the United States. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to grant permits for the importation or exportation of elephants and elephant products if the Secretary finds that: (1) such nation has developed and implemented an elephant conservation program according to specified criteria; (2) the products can be traced as coming from a particular nation; (3) the products are acquired and transported in compliance with laws of the originating nation; (4) the importation or exportation will not be detrimental to the survival of the species; and (5) the permit is applied for in good faith. Authorizes the Secretary to grant permits for the importation or exportation of elephants or elephant products to enhance propagation or survival of the species and is consistent with the policy of this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress concerning granting of such permits. Sets forth civil or criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides for the remittance or mitigation by the Secretary of any civil penalty assessed under this Act. Provides for the forfeiture of elephants, elephant products, or vehicles aiding in the importation, exportation, acquisition, or transportation of such products contrary to the provisions of this Act. Grants specified search and seizure powers for enforcement of this Act by authorized persons. Authorizes the payment of rewards to persons furnishing information concerning violations of this Act. Requires all imports and exports of elephant products to go through either the Port of New York or the Port of Seattle, Washington. Exempts from this Act: (1) elephants imported or exported for zoological, educational, scientific, or exhibitional purposes; (2) elephant products included in a keyboard for a musical instrument; (3) elephant products taken and imported or exported by a sports hunter; and (4) elephant products taken and transported in compliance with the laws of the originating nation. Supersedes the Endangered Species Act and State laws regarding elephants and elephant products. Directs the Secretary of State to establish a program to assist nations to: (1) protect elephant habitats; (2) conserve living elephants; and (3) develop and implement elephant conservation management programs. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretaries of the Interior and State for fiscal years 1983, 1984, and 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Older Americans Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands under the definition of "State" for purposes of the Act. Includes among the functions of the Administration on Aging the coordination of Federal activities with respect to the collection, preparation, and dissemination of information relevant to older individuals. Eliminates the National Information and Resource Clearinghouse for the Aged. Sets March 31, 1982, as the deadline for a study by the Federal Council on Aging evaluating programs for older Americans. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Council through fiscal year 1983. Eliminates outdated provisions relating to a report on legal services programs. Repeals a provision that a Congressional declaration of policy respecting "Insular Areas" not apply to the administration of programs for older Americans. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations for grants for State and community programs on aging (relating to social services and to congregate and home delivered nutrition services). Continues through fiscal year 1983 formulas for allotments to States and determination of the Federal share of costs of such programs. Changes (from a minimum of 50 percent) to "an adequate proportion" that portion of the amount of social service grant funds which area plans must assure will be expended for access to services, in-home services, and legal services. Requires that State plans provide that each nutrition service project will be available not only to individuals aged 60 or older and their spouses but also to handicapped or disabled individuals under 60 years of age residing in senior citizen centers where congregate nutrition services are provided. Requires that such plans give primary consideration to congregate nutrition services, but allows area agencies to award funds to organizations for home nutrition services without requiring that such organizations also provide congregate services. Permits charges for access to meals for the elderly where appropriate. Repeals a limitation on the use of nutrition services funds for supportive services. Extends through fiscal year 1983: (1) the 30 cents per meal minimum level of assistance under the program of donation of surplus agricultural commodities to nutrition services for the elderly grant or contract recipients; and (2) the requirement that the Secretary of Agriculture purchase high protein foods, meat, and meat alternates for such purpose. Directs the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to consult with minority aging organizations and include the status of meeting the manpower needs of the minority elderly in reports on existing and future personnel needs. Includes weatherization improvement and energy efficiency among the special housing needs of older individuals for which special consideration will be given in awarding project grants and contracts. Provides that a report on special projects in comprehensive long-term care be included in the annual report on programs for older Americans. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations for training, research, and discretionary projects and programs in the field of aging. Includes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in: (1) provisions for distribution of assistance under such Act; and (2) in the definition of "State" for purposes of the Older American Community Service Employment Programs. Includes weatherization activities among community services for purposes of such programs. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations for such programs. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations for grants for Indian tribes for elderly services, including multipurpose senior centers. Sets forth technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1981
Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act of 1980 to permit the Commodity Credit Corporation to transfer funds to cover fiscal year 1981 operating and administrative costs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Agricultural Land Resources Act of 1981 - Encourages the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with other Federal agencies and to provide technical assistance to State, local, and qualifying nonprofit entities in order to limit the conversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses. Directs the Secretary and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to submit related recommendations to Congress within one year of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and distribute agricultural land resource educational materials; and (2) designate at least one agricultural land information center as a State and local center.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the: (1) U.S. representative to the World Health Assembly should vote for the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes; (2) American infant formula industry should abide by such code; (3) President should encourage other governments to call upon their infant formula industries to comply with this code; and (4) President should cooperate with governments of developing countries to develop health standards and programs to implement this code.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Proclaims Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States. Requests the President to ascertain his whereabouts from the Soviet Union and to secure his freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President and the Secretary of Defense should make every effort to remove waste and inefficiency from Department of Defense programs and that the expenditure of appropriated funds for national defense purposes should be closely monitored.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
Reformulates the reimbursement by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to a State for the cost incurred in providing medical facility care in State homes to veterans eligible for such care in Veterans' Administration facilities. Establishes the per diem rate of payment at 30 percent of the average cost of such care at a Veterans' Administration facility, not to exceed 50 percent of the cost of such care in the State home.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide, through demonstration projects payments to eligible individuals who do not require 24-hour nursing care and who desire to establish a medical, noninstitutional living arrangement: (1) post-hospital extended care services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; or (2) intermediate care facility services or skilled nursing facility services under title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act. Requires payments received to be used to finance appropriate medical, noninstitutional living arrangements. Provides that such payments shall not be includable in gross income under the Internal Revenue Code. Requires the Secretary to design the demonstration projects to determine: (1) the feasibility of transferring inpatients of skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities to noninstitutional living arrangements; (2) the types and percentage of such inpatients who could live effectively in a noninstitutional living arrangement; and (3) the types and percentages of such inpatients who would benefit economically and qualitatively from a noninstitutional living arrangement. Directs that funds for such payments be made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Fund established under the Social Security Act and from funds appropriated for Medicaid.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
Arts and Humanities Tax Reform Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the executor of an estate, in calculating the value of the gross estate, to disregard that portion of the value of any copyright, or literary, musical, or artistic work created by the decedent which would have been ordinary income if such work had been sold by the decedent at its fair market value. Allows 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 such estate tax valuation and charitable contribution deduction if the property was produced while the taxpayer was a Government officer or employee and arose out of the performance of the taxpayer's duties. Permits a tax deduction for the business use of a home if such dwelling unit is used to a substantial extent (rather than exclusively) for the taxpayer's trade or business. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit to the appropriate Congressional committees legislative recommendations with respect to such deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1981
Hunger and Global Security Act - Title I: Public Law 480 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to require the President to consider the extent to which a developing country is using self-help measures to reduce illiteracy among young farmers and to improve the health of farmers and their families before the President can enter an agreement for the sale of agricultural commodities for foreign currencies and long-term-dollar credit with such country. Requires that the economic development and self-help measures the recipient country agrees to undertake be sufficiently described so that the primary beneficiaries will be needy people with incomes below the level required to prevent malnutrition. Requires such economic development and self-help measures to be in addition to the measures the recipient country had otherwise been planning to take. Directs the President to verify that such measures are being carried out and to report to the appropriate Congressional committees on such verification and on the additional nature of such measures. Title II: Multilateral Development Banks - Amends the Federal provisions for aiding international financial institutions to require the United States to work within certain multilateral development banks to establish a requirement that not less than 50 percent of such bank's lending benefit needy people. Requires the Secretaries of State and of the Treasury to report to Congress annually on establishing such requirement. Title III: World Food Security - Directs the President to encourage other grain exporting countries to establish food security reserves or take other measures that complement the U.S. food security reserve. Directs the President to report to Congress on actions taken with respect to such food security reserves. Directs the President to negotiate the establishment of a global food financing facility and ensure that the benefits of such facility meet basic human needs. Directs the President to report to Congress on the actions taken to implement such facility. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from imposing export controls on food if it is determined that such controls would cause measurable malnutrition in the countries against whom the controls are proposed unless the President determines such controls are necessary to protect U.S. national security. Title IV: Generalized System of Preferences - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to prohibit the President from designating as a beneficiary developing country any country that fails to give priority to alleviating malnutrition and poor health and enabling the poor to participate actively in increasing economic productivity, unless the President determines that such designation is required by U.S. national security interests and so reports to Congress. Directs the President to review the possibility of increasing the benefits available to the poorest beneficiary developing countries under such Act's Generalized System of Preferences. Title V: American International Public Health Fund - Establishes within the Agency for International Development (AID) an American International Public Health Fund to provide financial assistance to private and voluntary organizations to support specified public health activities in developing countries. Limits the Fund's financial assistance with respect to the administrative activities of such organizations. Specifies factors to be considered in allocating the Fund's resources. Authorizes the Fund to carry out all AID programs assisting private and voluntary organizations. Directs the Administrator of AID to establish a Board for International Public Health which shall: (1) participate in project proposal review; (2) review documents that detail the terms under which the Fund provides financial assistance to private and voluntary organizations; (3) review the impact of activities supported by the Fund; (4) recommend the allocation of funds; and (5) participate in preparing the annual report. Requires the Director of the Fund to report annually to Congress and the President on the Fund. Authorizes appropriations for such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1981
Prohibits the United States Postal Service from requiring the inclusion of a ZIP code in the address of any piece of mail, except as a condition for mailing at a reduced rate or rates for a subclass established to recognize the costs of handling mail bearing such a code.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Industrial Energy Security Tax Incentives Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the energy percentage, for purposes of the investment tax credit, in the case of certain alternative energy property, specially defined energy property, recycling equipment, cogeneration equipment, and qualified industrial energy efficiency property. Defines "qualified industrial energy efficiency property" as property which is part of a modification to an industrial or commercial facility and which: (1) results in decreased energy use per unit of output; (2) results in an aggregate annual decrease in energy consumption by the facility; (3) does not increase the total consumption of oil and natural gas; (4) is constructed or acquired after January 1, 1981; and (5) is depreciable or amortizable property with a useful life of three years or more. Excludes from such definition property for which the energy percentage is otherwise claimed. Extends the period for which such percentage may be applied with respect to such property which is part of projects for which certain construction and financial commitments have been met. Sets forth a formula for determining reductions or increases in the credit based on a ratio between the energy percentage amount and Btu savings. Reduces the credit attributable to application of the energy percentage where the use of qualified industrial energy efficiency property results in an increase of more than ten percent in the capacity of the facility. Provides that the applicable percentage of such property, for purposes of determining qualified investment, shall be 100 percent, without regard to the useful life of the property. Revises the definition of "alternative energy property" to: (1) include equipment for converting an alternate substance into electricity, up to the electrical transmission state; (2) define "boiler"; and (3) include heat treating furnaces which use as the primary fuel an alternate substance, melt furnaces which use no fuel or use as the primary fuel an alternate substance, and modification equipment which is used in a facility which uses as the primary fuel an alternate substance and which reduces the use of fuels other than alternate substances. Expands the definition of "alternate substance" to include petroleum coke, petroleum pitch, synthetic fuels, and any product derived from an alternate substance. Excepts taxpayers from the primary fuel requirement in specified circumstances. Revises the definition of "specially defined energy property." Revises the definition of "recycling equipment" to: (1) include property used for the unloading, transfer, and storage of solid waste; and (2) include property used in the recovery of additional reusable resources and materials. Includes in the definition of "cogeneration equipment" property comprising a system for the generation of mechanical shaft power. Excludes as a fuel, for purposes of the definition of "biomass property", certain recyclable waste paper. Adds to the exclusion of public utility property from treatment as energy property specially defined energy property and qualified industrial energy efficiency property unless such property is installed in connection with specified types of generating facilities. Provides rules regarding: (1) the replacement of equipment or processes by energy property; and (2) energy property which increases the operating capacity of a process or facility. Treats as qualified industrial energy efficiency property reasonably necessary for the operation of alternative energy property, specially defined energy property, recycling equipment, cogeneration equipment, or qualified industrial energy efficiency property.