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United States · Official source
787 records where Sen. Jepsen, Roger W. [R-IA] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer to elect either an income tax credit of $250 or an income tax deduction of $1,000 for maintaining a household which includes as a member a dependent age 65 or over.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an income tax deduction for contributions made by a married taxpayer to an individual retirement plan for the benefit of a nonsalaried spouse. Allows for a deduction up to $3,000 in the case of a handicapped spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an unrestricted business expense tax deduction for contributions made to a tax-exempt day care facility. Grants tax- exempt status to day care facilities which meet specified requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the nonrecognition of gain from the sale of any property, except to the extent that the amount realized from the sale exceeds the cost of common or preferred stock of a qualified small business corporation purchased by the taxpayer within one year after the date of such sale. Defines "qualified small business corporation" as a small business corporation whose passive investment income, for the taxable year or for any of the three subsequent taxable years, does not exceed 15 percent of its gross receipts. Requires a reduction of the basis of such stock by the amount of gain not recognized. Prescribes a three-year statute of limitations for the assessment of any deficiency attributable to gain realized by the sale of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a tax-exempt trust for the care of the parents and handicapped dependents of the taxpayer. Allows a $3,000 income tax deduction for contributions to such a trust.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Prohibits Federal preemption of State laws relating to spousal abuse or domestic relations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to grant tax-exempt status to nonprofit organizations operated for the purpose of providing treatment and care for victims of domestic violence or abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Changes from 90 to 180 days the time limitation under which the President may order members of the Selected Reserve to active duty other than during war or national emergency. Increases from 100,000 to 250,000 the number of members who may be so ordered. Authorizes the President, during such period, to suspend applicable law relating to promotion, retirement, or separation. Directs the President to give Congress written notification of any national security reasons requiring the extension of the time limit.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Expresses Senate disapproval of U.S. participation in the meeting of the Interparliamentary Union at Havana, Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1981
Amends the Federal Alcohol Administration Act to require any bottled beverage intended for interstate commerce containing at least 24 percent alcohol to bear a health warning on the label.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1981
Food Safety Amendments of 1981 - Title I: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act - 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: Amendments to the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Meat Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act - Amends such Acts to conform to provisions of this Act. Title III: General and Conforming Provisions - Requires persons who have filed food or color additive petitions or new animal drug applications which are not final 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
Excludes from the Federal law limiting and restricting the corporate powers of national banking associations to deal in, and underwrite, investment securities specified dealings in, and underwriting of, all other nongeneral obligations issued or guaranteed by or on behalf of a State or any political subdivision thereof (except special assessment obligations and industrial revenue bonds) which are at the time eligible for purchase by a national bank for its own account, subject to specified limitations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit an annual report to the Congress showing the extent to which the business of underwriting and dealing in State and local obligations is being carried on by commercial banks as compared with other banking institutions with a view to determining the effect of the provisions of this Act on the institutional distribution of such business.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1981
Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to eliminate all provisions authorizing union security agreements (requiring union membership as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1981
Student Freedom of Choice Act of 1981 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to provide that no employer shall justify discrimination against any employee for nonmembership in or failure to support a labor organization, if the employee is a student enrolled in a full-time program of secondary, vocational, or higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1981
Declares that it is the general policy of the Federal Government to rely on competitive private industry to supply the products and services it needs. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in coordination with the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, to administer such policy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
National Port and Navigation Improvement Act of 1981 - Title I: Short Title: Findings and Purposes and Objectives; Definitions - Sets forth the findings of Congress concerning deep-draft commercial ports in the United States. Title II: Priority Navigation Projects - Directs the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to prepare, maintain, and submit to Congress within one year after enactment of this Act, a deep- draft commercial port maintenance program. Specifies that such program shall include a schedule of required maintenance dredging projects. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to submit to Congress a programmatic environmental impact statement, including an analysis of the adequacy of deep-draft commercial ports to accommodate increasing import and export trade. Requires the Secretary to enter into memorandums of agreement with: (1) the Administrator in regard to the disposal of dredged and fill material into navigable waters; and (2) the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce concerning the environmental aspects of the maintenance and improvement of federally authorized channels in deep-draft commercial ports. Provides for veto of such maintenance program and environmental impact statement by concurrent resolution of Congress within 60 days. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, for a period of five years (subject to reapproval by resolution of specified congressional committees), to perform maintenance dredging of federally authorized channels. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress modifications of existing environmental impact statements for certain navigation improvement projects. Authorizes the Secretary to undertake navigation improvements in deep-draft commercial ports on a priority basis under specified circumstances. Sets forth procedures by which the Secretary shall submit feasibility studies, survey reports, and environmental impact statements to Congress. Declares that the absence of a concurrent congressional resolution of disapproval within 60 days following receipt of such study, report, or environmental impact statement shall constitute a determination by Congress that: (1) the navigation improvement project is in the national interest for purposes of the Federal consistency provisions of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972; (2) the final environmental impact statement is adequate; and (3) the project is in compliance with the Water Pollution Control Act and the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. Directs the Secretary to expedite construction and operation of marine cargo handling facilities at such deep-draft commercial ports. Exempts such environmental impact statements and other actions to carry out such projects from judicial review, with specified exceptions. Title III: Priority Navigation Project Financing - Requires that the Secretary and the port proposing such navigational improvements enter into an agreement which provides that such port pay no more than 40 percent of the project construction cost and no more than 25 percent of operation and maintenance costs. Declares that this Act shall not be construed to prohibit non-Federal public bodies from securing financing through means other than provided for in this Act. Authorizes an affected non-Federal public body to provide for recovery of its reimbursement obligations by the collection of user fees from vessels in commercial waterway transportation in such deep-draft ports. Authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretaries of Commerce, State, Transportation, Treasury, Energy, and Agriculture, the Attorney General, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to promulgate regulations and guidelines to govern such programs of non-Federal fee collection. Declares that this Act shall not be construed to prohibit the Department of the Army or other Federal authority to operate, maintain, or improve any deep-draft channel or deep-draft commercial port for purposes of Coast Guard navigation requirements or other national defense transportation requirements. Directs the Secretary of the Army to designate a cost allocation of or for national defense and noncommercial purposes of 60 percent for construction and 75 percent for operation and maintenance of deep-draft commercial port navigation improvement projects. Authorizes the Secretary to study, design, construct, rehabilitate, operate, and maintain such deep-draft ports without Federal contribution if the appropriate non-Federal public body agrees to reimburse the Federal Government for all related costs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from taxation the interest on obligations for such deep- draft commercial ports navigation improvement projects. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes appropriations. Allows the Secretary, upon congressional approval, to transfer funds from existing Department of the Army civil appropriations pending appropriation of such authorized sums. Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the actual and anticipated receipts of the United States pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1981
Family Protection Act - States as the purposes of this Act the strengthening of the American family and the elimination of governmental policies which diminish its strength and prosperity. Title I: Family Preservation - Establishes a legal presumption in favor of an expansive interpretation of the parents' role in supervising and determining the religious or moral formation of their child. Requires the notification of parents or guardians before a federally-funded program, project, or entity may provide contraceptive or abortion services to an unmarried minor. Prohibits Federal preemption of State laws relating to child or spousal abuse or juvenile delinquency. Prohibits the expenditure of Federal funds for child abuse programs in any State unless the legislature of such State has specifically authorized such programs. Defines "child abuse and neglect" as physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, negligent treatment, or maltreatment. Excludes from such definition discipline or corporal punishment applied by a parent or an individual authorized to act in the place of such parent. Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to prohibit legal assistance for any proceeding or litigation: (1) to compel an abortion or State or Federal funding for an abortion; (2) to obtain a divorce; or (3) to adjudicate the issue of homosexual rights. Directs the Secretary of the branch of the Armed Forces concerned to deduct from the monthly pay and allowances of a member of such Armed Forces who is living separately from his or her dependents an amount sufficient to provide for the support of such dependents. Prohibits the use of Federal funds by any organization which advocates, promotes, or suggests male or female homosexuality as a life style. Title II: Taxation - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer an income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay his expenses or those of a dependent at an educational institution (pre-school through college). Limits the amount of such deduction to $2,500 for a taxable year and permits only one account to be established on behalf of any individual. Provides for an inflation adjustment of such amount, based on the Consumer Price Index. Exempts from income taxation any distributions from such accounts which are used exclusively to meet the educational expenses of the dependent child. Treats qualified distributions as income to the beneficiary for the taxable year in which the beneficiary attains age 25, and for each of the following nine years, in successive installments equal to ten percent of the total amount of such distributions. Grants tax-exempt status to certain private educational institutions. Provides for the termination of the tax exemption of a school which is found to discriminate in the hiring of teachers or the admission of students on the basis of race, nationality, or ethnic background. Allows individuals who maintain a household which includes a dependent who has reached age 65 a nonrefundable income tax credit not in excess of $250 for the taxable year. Allows such individuals to take an income tax deduction in lieu of the credit. Limits the amount of such deduction to $1,000 for the taxable year. Allows an income tax deduction for contributions to a trust established by a taxpayer to provide care to such taxpayer's parents or handicapped relatives. Limits the amount of such deduction to $3,000 for a taxable year. Provides for the tax exemption of such trusts. Permits married individuals to compute on a separate basis the maximum retirement savings deduction to which each individual is entitled. Permits a maximum deduction of $3,000 for a spouse who is handicapped. Grants tax-exempt status to organizations providing day care for children. Allows contributors to a tax-exempt day care center to claim a business expense deduction for contributions not deductible as a charitable contribution. Allows an additional personal tax exemption of $1,000 for each child born to or adopted by a taxpayer during the taxable year. Permits an exemption of $3,000 for the adoption of a handicapped child over the age of three whose parents are not of the same race or for a child born to the taxpayer who is handicapped. Permits an income tax deduction from gross income for fees, court costs, attorney's fees, and other necessary expenses incurred in the adoption of a child. Limits the amount of such deduction to a maximum of $3,500 ($4,500 for an international adoption), with a $500 deductible. Title III: Education - Amends the General Education Provisions Act to prohibit payments under such Act to Federal, State, or local educational agencies or institutions which: (1) prohibit the involvement of parents and representatives of the community in decisions relating to the establishment or continuation of religious studies; (2) limit parental visits to public schools or classes or the right of parents to inspect their children's school records; (3) require the payment of dues or fees as a condition of employment for teachers; or (4) prohibit parental review of textbooks prior to their use in the classroom. States that no Federal funds may be made available for textbooks which do not reflect a balance between the status role of men and women and do not contribute to the American way of life. Guarantees the right of any State or local educational agency to set qualifications for teachers, set attendance requirements for students, and to limit or prohibit the intermingling of sexes in sports or other school-related activities. Amends the National Labor Relations Act to exclude from the definition of "employer" any corporation or association operating a school. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for the payment of allotments to States for the financing of elementary and secondary school programs. Directs the Secretary of Education to terminate the payment of such allotments if the programs for which funds are paid no longer comply with specified requirements. Permits judicial review of any finding of the Secretary with respect to applications for funding or termination of payments to a State. Prohibits the exercise of Federal control over the curriculum, administration, or personnel of any State or local school system. Repeals certain titles of such Act providing: (1) financial assistance to meet special educational needs of children; (2) basic skills improvement; (3) special projects; (4) educational improvement, resources, and support; (5) bilingual education programs; and (6) additional special programs. States that nothing in this Act or in other Federal law shall prohibit release time for parenthood education to be conducted by churches or parents. Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to prohibit legal assistance in any proceeding or litigation relating to racial quotas or the desegregation of elementary or secondary schools. Title IV: Voluntary Prayer and Religious Meditation - Voluntary Prayer and Religious Meditation Act of 1981 - States that individuals shall have the right to participate in voluntary prayer or religious meditation in any public building or other building supported by Federal funds. Prohibits Federal, State, or political subdivisions from abridging the free exercise of such prayer or meditation. Authorizes civil actions for violations of this title. Title V: Rights of Religious Institutions and Educational Affiliates - Prohibits the Federal Government from imposing legal requirements upon the operation of a church organization which sponsors a child care center, orphanage, foster home, social action training program, emergency shelter for abused children or spouses, school, or juvenile delinquency or drug abuse treatment center or home. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Grants jurisdiction to United States district courts to hear any cases arising under this Act. Provides for a six-year statute of limitations on actions brought under this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the administration of this Act and the progress of the States in effectuating its provisions. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1981
Amends the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 to require the bankruptcy court, in the case of a bankruptcy petition filed by, or with respect to, a person engaged in the business of operating a farm produce storage facility, within specified time limits, to: (1) identify those farm producers who have produce in storage, and those parties which have secured interests in farm produce, within such facility; (2) audit the assets of the farm produce storage facility for the purpose of determining the extent of farm produce available for distribution to such producers and secured creditors; and (3) direct the abandonment of such farm produce according to procedures set forth by this Act. Declares that such procedures shall be applied by the court solely for the purpose of effectuating abandonment of farm produce which is not property of the estate, or is of inconsequential value to the estate, and shall not be construed to limit the right of any party to seek abandonment of any other property. Prohibits distribution of farm produce ordered abandoned by the court from being delayed due to the pendency of any appeal from the orders of abandonment, except that a stay of orders may be entered under specified conditions. Makes any such stay of orders appealable as of right by any aggrieved party. Grants to any farmer who, having delivered agricultural products to a licensed warehouseman upon a contract for sale and who has not received the agreed upon payment, a lien against products or like products in the licensed facility in excess of that required to satisfy receipted or other storage obligations, title to which may be then vested in such warehouseman, to the extent of the payment agreed upon for the purchase of the product sold. Attaches such lien at the time of the formation of the contract for sale and continues it until the obligations of the warehouseman to the seller of the products are satisfied.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1981
Urban Jobs and Enterprise Zone Act of 1981 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones, for a period ending December 31, 2001, and subject to the approval of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, by local governments or by State governments on behalf of local governments for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by titles II and III of this Act. Specifies that the Secretary may approve the designation of such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the designating local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous and includes accessible vacant or underutilized properties; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area with a population of at least 50,000 or 2,500 otherwise, or is an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires designating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's approval, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, or receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area. Terminates the authority of the Secretary to designate enterprise zones on December 31, 1996. Sets forth minimum and maximum numbers of such designations. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to set forth the duties of the Secretary under this Act. Requires any property tax reduction effected by a local government under an agreed to program to be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. Expresses the sense of the Congress that whenever possible, foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones and that in the case of any application for designation of a foreign-trade zone within an enterprise zone: (1) the Foreign-Trade Zone Board should expedite the application process; (2) the Board, in evaluating such application, should consider future development to be expected as a result of the incentives provided by this Act; and (3) the Board should provide technical assistance to the applicants. Title II: Taxation - Subtitle A: Refundable Credits for Employers and Employees - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a refundable income tax credit for five percent of the wages paid to unemployed or economically disadvantaged individuals who are certified as eligible under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act and who perform at least 50 percent of their services within an enterprise zone. Disallows a deduction for the portion of the wages or salaries equal to the amount of such credit. Allows individuals who are employees of qualified businesses and at least 50 percent of whose services during the taxable year are performed in an enterprise zone a refundable tax credit for five percent of the earned income attributable to services performed in an enterprise zone during a 36-month period. Limits such credit to $1,500 for any taxable year. Defines "qualified business" as a person: (1) at least 50 percent of whose gross receipts are attributable to the active conduct of a trade or business within an enterprise zone; and (2) at least 40 percent of whose employees are individuals whose employment qualifies for the employers' credit allowed under this subtitle and who are hired after the later of the dates on which the conduct of a business in an enterprise zone is begun or the area is designated as such a zone. Subtitle B: Reduction in Capital Gain Tax Rates - Reduces the alternative tax on capital gains and increases the capital gains deduction. Qualifies certain low-income rental housing located in an enterprise zone for such treatment. Permits property to remain qualified for purposes of the revised capital gains treatment after a designation of an enterprise zone has terminated. Exempts gain from the sale or exchange of property used in a business in an enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Removes as an item of tax preference accelerated depreciation on real property used in such a business. Subtitle C: Reduction in Gross Income of Trades or Businesses Operating in Zone - Excludes from taxable income a specified percentage of the sum of any amount received by a qualified business from the active conduct of a trade or business within an enterprise zone and any interest on financing provided by a taxpayer to a qualified business in connection with the conduct of such business. Subtitle D: Other Incentives - Permits any qualified business to elect to use the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting without regard to any inventory requirements if its gross receipts do not exceed $2,000,000 in any prior taxable year. Allows a 20-year carryover of net operating losses for qualified businesses. Qualifies for the investment tax credit low-income rental housing with respect to which the capital gains tax reduction is granted under subtitle B of this title. Subtitle E: Sense of the Congress with Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue code affected by this title. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions, to include qualified businesses (as defined in Title II of this Act), designating governments, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns) of the interest earned on an All Savers Certificate in taxable years 1981, 1982, and 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt from the disclosure requirements matters relating to: (1) internal personnel rules and practices and training or reorientation of personnel of the Central Intelligence Agency; (2) special activities, clandestine collection, or covert operations of the CIA; and (3) internal operation, office management, or organization of the CIA. Eliminates Federal court jurisdiction to enjoin the CIA from withholding records, except personnel records of an individual the disclosure of which is necessary for obtaining employment outside the Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Public Land Reform Act of 1981 - Title I: Short Title; Findings and Declaration of Policy; Definitions - Declares that the Federal Government retains ownership of substantial territory considered unreserved unappropriated public lands in States wholly west of the one-hundredth meridian. Provides that it is the policy of this Act to place all such lands, presently held in trust for the States in which they are situated, in State ownership. Excludes from the definition of unreserved unappropriated public lands the following: (1) lands within the boundaries of national parks, national monuments, and national wildlife and migratory bird sanctuaries established prior to May 1, 1981; (2) designated units of the National Wilderness Preservation System; (3) lands within boundaries of military and Indian reservations; (4) lands essential to the operation, maintenance, and access to the U.S. Water and Power Resources Services projects, and designated highways; (5) lands necessary to the operation, maintenance, and access to shipyards, docks, security and defense establishments, magazines, arsenals, and Federal buildings; and (6) lands selected under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and other applicable law. Title II: Federal Land Transfer Board - Authorizes the Governor of any State seeking to acquire such unreserved and unappropriated lands to petition the President within ten years of the enactment of this Act to establish a Federal Land Transfer Board for such State. Directs the President to establish such a Board consisting of State and Federal members within 90 days of the receipt of such an application. States that the Board shall serve until all conveyances of such lands within the State are carried out. Requires each Federal Land Transfer Board to coordinate its activities with the State land management agency established pursuant to this Act. Directs each Board to carry out the required land transfers within two years of its determination that a State's application meets the requirements of this Act. Empowers the Land Transfer Boards to resolve land claims and disputes arising from the implementation of this Act. Grants any State aggrieved by a decision of a Land Transfer Board on its application the right to a public hearing and review before the Board. Empowers the United States courts of appeals to hear appeals from final orders of the Boards. States that judicial review shall be on the record made before the Board and that the Board's findings shall be conclusive if supported by substantial evidence. Prohibits members of the Board from directly or indirectly receiving compensation as a result of any land transfer carried out pursuant to this Act. Title III: State Land Management Agencies - Requires each State seeking the conveyance of unreserved and unappropriated land under this Act to establish a State land management agency to: (1) hold any transferred lands in trust for all people of the United States; (2) protect the interests of persons who have acquired rights in such land under Federal law; (3) provide for an ongoing inventory and study of public lands within the State with a view toward determining the best methods of management and utilization; (4) provide for the continued annual payments to units of local government in which entitlement lands are situated; (5) transfer to the United States those property interests necessary to continue lawful Federal activities; and (6) continue to administer lands previously administered by the United States pursuant to a treaty or interstate compact in conformance with the terms of such treaty or compact. Title IV: Conveyance From State Ownership - Prohibits any State from conveying lands conveyed to it by the Federal Land Transfer Board unless such land is difficult and uneconomic to manage, or no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was acquired, or its disposal will serve important public objectives. Title V: Miscellaneous - Declares that the United States shall retain control over the oceans, seas, navigable rivers, streams, lakes, and projects of the Corps of Engineers and Water and Power Resources Service. Directs the President to modify agreements with other nations if necessary to implement this Act. Grants the consent of Congress to any interstate compact relating to the management and use of such lands if it has been approved by the appropriate Federal Land Transfer Board. Grants the consent of Congress to any amendments to the Enabling Act of a State receiving a conveyance of land which may be necessary to revoke any disclaimer to title of public lands not granted by the United States to the State. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to report to the Congress, within 18 months of enactment of this Act, on the results of a study of the relative costs and benefits of Federal and State land management activities. Authorizes sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that combating violent crime should be a national priority.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1981
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage from entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State, or limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in that area, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in that area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1981
Uniformed Services Pay and Benefits Act of 1981 - Increases for members of the uniformed services according to specified schedules: (1) the monthly basic pay; (2) the basic allowance for subsistence; and (3) the basic allowances for quarters. Increases the monthly pay for cadets and midshipmen. Increases the incentive pay for the performance of hazardous duty by enlisted crew members according to a specified schedule. Increases aviation career incentive pay, particularly for specified officers who have frequently and regularly performed operational or proficiency flying duty required by orders for over 25 years. Excludes time spent as an enlisted member of the Navy when determining incentive pay for officers for the frequent and regular performance of operational submarine duty required by orders. Increases the special pay for diving duty. Permits a member to receive both such special pay and incentive pay for hazardous duty if such member is assigned by orders to perform specified duties. Permits an unserved period of an enlistment to be considered as part of an immediately subsequent term of reenlistment for bonus purposes. Requires that such bonus be paid in periodic installments (currently gives a member the option of lump sum payment). Permits nuclear-qualified officers of the naval service to execute a new active-service agreement for one period of not more than four years as specified. Permits the payment of special pay for the performance of unusually hazardous duty or duty performed under unusually severe working conditions. Permits the President to suspend such pay in time of war. Permits the payment of special pay to an officer of an armed force who has been certified by the Secretary concerned as having the technical qualifications for detail to engineering or scientific duty. Sets forth the terms and conditions for receiving such pay. Prohibits the payment of travel and transportation allowances to members upon separation from service or release from active duty unless such member has served at least 90 percent of the time such member originally agreed to serve. Exempts members who retire, who are placed on the temporary disability retired list, or who are discharged for hardship from such requirement. Permits the reimbursement of subsistence expenses incurred by a member of a uniformed service and the member's dependents during a period of up to four days while occupying temporary quarters incident to a change of permanent station. Limits the amount of such reimbursement to $110 a day. Permits the advance payment of departure, dependent transportation and dislocation allowances. Authorizes a member of a uniformed service who is denied leave between two tours of duty overseas because of military necessity to use travel and transportation allowances from his current duty station at the first time the member is granted leave. Permits the payment of allowances to a member of a uniformed service and authorized dependents serving at a specifically designated duty station abroad transportation to another location abroad having different social, climatic, or environmental conditions than those at the duty station, or to the United States. Permits the payment of roundtrip transportation expenses for a member stationed overseas and authorized dependents incident to emergency leave granted for reasons of personal emergency. Permits the payment of travel and transportation allowances to a uniformed service member performing temporary duty away from his permanent duty station for return to such station or another location. Entitles members of the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program to an initial uniform allowance. Permits members of such program to be advanced up to one month's pay upon reporting for active duty. Permits the reimbursement of professional expenses incurred by an officer on active duty who is a judge advocate or law specialist of one of the armed forces. Establishes an annual limit to such reimbursement. Directs the Secretary of Defense to compare regular military compensation with the rates of pay for similar levels of work in private enterprise, rather than the General Schedule rates of basic pay for civilian employees when determining appropriate adjustments in compensation. Requires the President to prepare and submit to Congress an alternative plan for compensation adjustments when necessary because of national security considerations, national emergency, or economic conditions affecting the general welfare. Makes such alternative effective at the beginning of the applicable fiscal year unless either House adopts a resolution disapproving such alternative within 30 days of transmittal. Excludes involuntary leave taken by a member of an armed force during the appellate review of certain courts-martial convictions from the period of active service for purposes of determining leave entitlement and accumulation. States that such member may be required to begin such leave at any time on or after sentence is approved. Prohibits punishment before trial without regard to the effective date of sentences. Permits the accused to be represented by more than one military counsel as specified. Extends from 30 to 60 days the period during which an accused may petition the Court of Military Appeals for review of a decision of a Court of Military Review. Requires an application within two years of sentencing for modification or vacation of a sentence or findings in a courts-martial case which has been finally reviewed, but not review by a Court of Military Review. Increases the amount of reimbursement for quarters for a member of the uniformed service on sea duty deprived of quarters on ship. Increases the number of cadets and midshipmen who may be in financial assistance programs at any one time.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1981
Expresses the concern of the Senate over the attack on Pope John Paul II.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to redefine capital gains and losses so as to eliminate the one year holding period requirement for capital gains tax treatment. Revises the tax treatment of capital losses.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Anatoly Shcharansky be released from prison in the Soviet Union, be given proper medical treatment, and be permitted to emigrate to Israel. Urges the President, the Secretary of State, and the U.S. delegation to the Madrid Conference on Security and Cooperation to continue to express U.S. opposition to the imprisonment of Anatoly Shcharansky.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1981
Amends the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1977 to permit a registered professional land surveyor (in addition to an engineer or geologist) to prepare and certify maps or plans for use in an application for a surface coal mining and reclamation permit.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1981
Requests the President to designate the week beginning May 10, 1981, as "Senior Center Week."
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to extend the expiration date from September 30, 1981, to September 30, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for an automatic cost of living adjustment to the maximum dollar amount of the income tax deduction for retirement savings contributions to individual retirement accounts (IRA's).
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Delinquent Payments Act of 1981 - Requires Federal agencies to pay interest on overdue payments to businesses for property or services. Specifies the procedure for computing such interest. Requires an agency to pay any such interest charges out of funds appropriated for its programs. Allows an agency to take advantage of an early payment discount only if payment is made within the time specified by the business. Directs each agency to report to Congress annually on interest payments made during the fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1981
Amends Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to authorize a new plea of "guilty but insane" for any criminal defendant whose actions constitute all necessary elements of the offense charged but who lacks the requisite state of mind as a result of mental disease or defect. Adopts the current notice provisions for a defense of insanity for the new plea of guilty but insane. Permits the jury or the court in a non-jury trial to find a defendant guilty but insane. Requires the court in any such case to hold a hearing to determine the present mental condition of the convicted person. Directs the court to commit such person to the custody of the Attorney General upon a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that the person is presently suffering from a mental disease or defect as a result of which release would create a substantial danger to himself or to the person or property of another. Directs the Attorney General to release such person to a State which will assume responsibility for his custody and treatment or otherwise to hospitalize such person in a suitable facility. Requires the court to hold a hearing upon the certification by the director of the facility that such person's release will no longer create a substantial danger to himself or the person or property of another. Directs the court to order the discharge of a person who is found to have recovered. Provides for the hospitalization of persons found guilty, imprisoned persons, and persons due for release, who are found to suffer from mental disease or defect.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Regulatory Reform Act - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require the notice of proposed agency rulemaking to include: (1) a statement of the Congressional intent behind the rule; (2) a solicitation for public proposals for alternative methods; (3) a description of the data used in the rulemaking; and (4) a determination of whether the rule is a "major rule," as defined in this Act. Directs each agency to publish with such notice: (1) a description of the costs and benefits of and alternatives to the proposed rule; and (2) a justification for proposing the rule and selecting it over the alternatives. Requires agencies to give interested persons at least 60 days to submit written comments on any proposed rule and to make oral comments on major rules. Provides for a 30-day extension of such period. Directs each agency to publish with each final rule a statement of its basis and purpose, including an assessment of the public comments and a comparison of the costs, benefits, and adverse effects of the rule. Requires an agency officer or employee to prepare the rulemaking notice and the statement of the basis and purpose. Directs each agency to maintain, for judicial review, a public file of the paperwork and comments pertaining to each rulemaking proceeding. Allows an agency to promulgate an emergency rule without meeting the notice and comment requirements. Directs such agency: (1) to publish an explanation of the situation requiring the emergency rule and a justification of the emergency rule selected; and (2) to comply with normal rulemaking requirements as soon as practicable. Requires each agency to review its major rules every ten years. Directs each agency to: (1) publish and submit to the President a proposed review schedule; and (2) publish a final schedule within one year after enactment of this Act. Permits the President to select additional rules for review. Directs each agency to publish a notice of its proposed action regarding a reviewed rule. Requires that the notice: (1) assess the costs, benefits, and adverse effects of the rule; and (2) invite public proposals for modifications or alternatives to the rule. Requires an agency to follow normal rulemaking procedures when amending or rescinding a rule. Specifies procedures for renewing a rule without amendment. Directs a court reviewing an agency action to: (1) set aside any agency rule found to lack substantial support in the rulemaking file; (2) determine the authority or jurisdiction of the agency on the basis of the language of the authorizing statute or other evidence of legislative intent; and (3) accord no presumption in favor of or against agency action. Declares that when proceedings for review of the same agency action are instituted in two or more courts of appeals within ten days, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall select the court in which the record shall be filed by a system of random selection. Authorizes the courts not selected to grant preliminary relief pending transfer of their proceedings. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually, an agenda of the rules the agency expects to propose, promulgate, renew, or withdraw within the next 12 months, including a schedule of the significant actions pertaining to each rule. Directs the President to publish, semiannually, a Calendar of Federal Regulations, listing each of the major rules included in the agenda.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Title I: Amendments to Title 18, United States Code (18 U.S.C. 921-928) - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition. Adds a new definition "engaged in the business" with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Defines as a manufacturer or dealer of firearms a person who manufactures or deals in a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit. Excludes as dealers persons making occasional sales or repairs of firearms. Eliminates certain activities involving ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Makes it unlawful for any person to transfer any firearm to a person who does not reside in the same State, if the transferor has reasonable cause to believe that acquisition of the firearm by such person would violate any State or local law or ordinance. Revises the current prohibition against certain classes of persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition. Includes as additional categories illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged members of the Armed Forces, and U.S. citizens who renounce their citizenship. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Declares that a licensed dealer's personal collection of firearms shall not be subject to recordkeeping requirements. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to revoke a license only where the holder "willfully" violates a provision of the Act. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, where such individual is not convicted of such charges. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, firearms, or ammunition that the Secretary has probable cause to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises. Restricts the firearms information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Establishes a "willful" scienter (knowledge) requirement with respect to general violations of the Act. Revises the current offense of using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony to: (1) include use of a destructive device; (2) delete the act of "carrying" a firearm to commit a felony; and (3) limit such offense to felonies over which the Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Retains the current penalty (one to ten years) for first offenses. Increases the penalty for second or subsequent offenses to five to 25 years' imprisonment (currently, two to 25 years). Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence or grant probation. Deletes the prohibition against concurrent sentences. Prohibits the granting of parole to first and subsequent offenders. Declares that no person shall be subject to the additional, mandatory penalties if use of the firearm or destructive device was to protect persons or property. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Directs the court to award attorney fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in a proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Requires the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was without foundation or was initiated in bad faith. Limits seizure to firearms individually identified as involved in the violation. Revises the current procedure allowing persons who have been convicted of a crime to apply to the Secretary for relief from the firearms prohibitions to make the following changes. Permits any person prohibited from possessing, shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or ammunition to apply for relief. Requires, instead of permits, the Secretary to grant release, unless the applicant will be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety. Permits any person who is denied relief to seek de novo judicial review in Federal court. Makes the authority of the Secretary to permit importation of certain types of firearms and ammunition nondiscretionary. Extends the types of sporting firearms which may be imported. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Establishes a Congressional veto procedure with respect to firearms regulations. Authorizes either House of Congress to adopt a resolution of disapproval within 90 days of the rule's promulgation. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Declares any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to Title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 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 · 29 April 1981
Armed Services Procurement Policy Act of 1981 - Permits the Secretary of a military department to acquire services and property by any kind of contract, excluding cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost contracts, but including multiyear contracts of not more than five years. Sets forth the factors the Secretary should consider in entering such contracts, including the national security interests of the United States, the continuing requirement for the property to be purchased, and whether furnishing such property requires a substantial investment in plant or equipment by the contractor. Directs the Secretary to notify the appropriate committees of Congress whenever any military contract contains a cancellation ceiling in excess of $50,000,000. Requires the cancellation of multiyear contracts if funds are not made available in subsequent fiscal years. Directs the Secretary of Defense and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to modify regulations to conform with this Act. Amends the Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1976, to make conforming changes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Declares the sense of the Congress that the President shall take steps to: (1) call upon the Soviet Union to permit the resurrection of the Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic Churches; (2) contact the officials of the Soviet Union to secure freedom of worship in the Ukraine; and (3) bring to the attention of national and international religious councils Soviet violations of basic human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1981
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to exempt from pre-slaughter animal examination and post mortem carcass inspection requirements all meat food products processed by a federally inspected establishment and derived from meat which has been slaughtered or processed at a State-inspected establishment in a State whose meat inspection requirements have been determined by the Secretary to be at least equal to the Federal requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act of 1963 to exempt from the definition of "farm labor contractor": (1) any person supplying migrant workers for employment in his own agricultural operation (currently the employer must personally engage in such hiring); (2) bona fide employees who perform such activity for their employer (currently full-time or regular employees who engage only incidentally in such activity); (3) any person who supplies students or other persons whose principal occupation is nonagricultural to perform certain seed industry work (currently only applies to corn and sorghum with a maximum four-week work period); and (4) nonprofit or cooperative associations of farmers, growers, or ranchers and their employees. Defines the terms "for such person's own operation" and "bona fide employee" for purposes of such Act. Redefines "migrant worker" to mean a seasonal or temporary agricultural worker who can not normally return to his or her domicile after each working day (currently anyone employed in agriculture).
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Proclaims Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States. Requests the President to ascertain his whereabouts from the Soviet Union and to secure his freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Small Business Innovation Research Act of 1981 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) maintain an information program to provide small businesses an opportunity to participate in Federal small business innovation research (SBIR) programs; (2) coordinate a schedule for release of agency SBIR solicitations and prepare a master release schedule; (3) monitor SBIR programs within Federal agencies; and (4) report annually to the Congressional Small Business Committees on the SBIR programs. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $100,000,000 in fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to spend a specified percentage of its budget in connection with an SBIR program. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to establish specific goals for funding research and development agreements with small businesses. Directs each Federal agency with an SBIR program to report annually to the SBA the number of awards over $10,000 in amount made under the SBIR program and to concerns other than small business concerns. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in conjunction with the SBA, to promulgate regulations for the conduct of the SBIR programs. States that this Act does not authorize the appropriation of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 - Title I: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933, as reenacted and amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to make dairy base plan authority permanent (current authority expires at the end of 1981). Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend through 1985: (1) semiannual milk support adjustments; (2) the program of price-supported dairy products for the military and veterans' hospitals; and (3) the dairy indemnity program. 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 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 wheat crops at the higher of $3.20 per bushel or 85 percent of the average U.S. price over a given period in order to keep the price of wheat competitive with that of other grains. Extends current authority through 1985 for land diversion payments to wheat producer. Exempts the 1982-1985 wheat crops from: (1) marketing quotas and producers certificate provisions; (2) quota provisions; and (3) current support price levels. Extends the Commodity Credit Corporation sales price restrictions for wheat and feed grains through 1985. Extends the nonapplicability of processor and exporter certificate requirements to wheat processors and exporters through May 31, 1986. Title IV: Feed Grains - Provides for loans and purchases of the: (1) 1982 corn crop at not less than $2.40 per bushel or 75 percent of the average U.S. corn price over a given period; and (2) 1983-1985 corn crops at between 65-85 percent of such price (with a minimum of $2.40 per bushel). Provides for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 crops of barley, oats, grain sorghums, and rye at levels determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Extends current authority through 1985 for: (1) land diversion payments to feed grain producers; (2) the inapplicability of certain price support provisions to such producers. Title V: Upland Cotton - Extends for the 1982-1985 upland cotton crops: (1) marketing quota and acreage allotment suspensions; (2) loan levels, with a provision that upland cotton imported into the United States while a special quota is in effect shall not be subject to import duties; (3) Commodity Credit Corporation sales price restrictions; (4) skiprow practices; (5) exemptions from cotton-soybean equivalency requirements; and (6) the land diversion program. States that the permanent State, county and farm base acreage allotments for the 1977 upland cotton crop shall be the preliminary allotments for the 1986 crop. Title VI: Rice - Provides for loans and purchases of the: (1) 1982 rice crop at 75 percent of the average U.S. rice crop over a given period; and (2) 1983-1985 rice crops at between 65-85 percent of such price. States that the level for the 1982-1985 crops shall not be less than $8.01 per hundredweight. Extends the land diversion program. Suspends provisions relating to allotments, marketing quotas, and acreage apportionment for the 1982-1985 rice crops. Title VII: Peanuts - Exempts the 1982-1985 peanut crops from annual marketing quota and State acreage allotment requirements. Provides that the 1982-1985 New Mexico peanut allotments shall not be reduced below the adjusted 1977 level. Extends for the 1982-1985 peanut crops provisions relating to the national acreage allotment, national poundage quota, and farm poundage quota. Modifies such provisions to: (1) set a minimum national acreage allotment of 1,614,000 acres; (2) set a minimum national poundage quota of 1,440,000 tons increased as necessary by the Secretary of Agriculture; 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 poundage quota the Secretary shall adjust such increases in order not to exceed such national poundage quota. Extends provisions relating to sale, lease, and transfer of acreage allotments for the 1982-1985 peanut crops. Permits acreage allotments and marketing quotas to be transferred without regard to county boundaries in a State having a peanut acreage allotment of not more than 11,000 acres. Extends provisions relating to marketing penalties and the disposition of additional peanuts for the 1982-1985 crops. Modifies such 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 the case of any marketing document shall not be considered violations except in cases of fraud or conspiracy; (3) permit the Secretary to exempt certain seed peanuts from marketing penalties; (4) penalize handlers for marketing peanuts in excess of the quantity, grade, or quality of quota levels; (5) change the deadline for contracting for additional peanuts from June 15 to April 15; (6) permit producers to redeem additional peanuts from loan at prices equal to or more than 105 percent of the loan level of quota peanuts; and (7) give sole authority to the area marketing associations for selling additional peanuts under loan when such peanuts are sold at prices not less than the Commodity Credit Corporation's minimum price. Extends through 1985: (1) specified reporting and recordkeeping requirements; and (2) preservation of unused allotments provisions. Extends the price support program for the 1982-1985 peanut crops. Modifies such program to: (1) establish such levels at the Secretary's discretion, but not less than $650 per ton; (2) set forth factors to be considered by the Secretary in making any loan level adjustments; (3) prohibit the support price for additional peanuts from being set at a level that would incur losses for the Commodity Credit Corporation; (4) require storage loans and supervisory activities to be carried out by grower associations operated primarily for such purposes; and (5) direct the Secretary to require area marketing associations to establish recordkeeping procedures. Title VIII: Soybeans - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish the soybean price support program under the category of "basic agricultural commodity." Provides for loans and purchases of the: (1) 1982 soybean crop at 75 percent of the average U.S. price over a given period; and (2) 1983-1985 soybean crops at between 65-85 percent of such price. States that the level for the 1982-1985 crops shall not be less than $5.02 per bushel. States that soybeans are ineligible for the producer storage reserve program. Title IX: Grain Reserve Storage Facility Loans - Modifies the current wheat and feed grains producer storage program as follows: (1) directs the Secretary to set up a producer storage program for wheat and feed grains; (2) authorizes the Secretary to fix loan levels as necessary to encourage producer participation; (3) establishes the repayment period for such loans at not less than three years with an adjustable interest rate based upon the rate paid by the Commodity Credit Corporation; (4) sets the release price for a particular commodity at the average adjusted cost of production; (5) provides for storage payments to be made until the loan matures or until the commodity's market price is at least 115 percent of the release price; (6) authorizes the Secretary to require early repayment in cases of emergency, after sending notice of such a situation to the Senate and House Agriculture Committees; and (7) prohibits the Commodity Credit Corporation from selling wheat or feed grains at less than 130 percent of the release price whenever the storage program is in effect. Extends the farm storage facility loan program through 1985. Title X: Miscellaneous - Extends the special grazing and hay program through 1985. Amends the Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition Education Act to provide penalties for violations of such Act. Repeals title XVIII (advisory committees) of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977. Directs: (1) the Secretary to appoint a special task force to study the concept of farm income protection insurance; (2) such task force to report to the Senate and House Agriculture Committees within 18 months of enactment of this Act; and (3) such task force to be dissolved 40 days after submitting such report. Amends the United States Grain Standards Act to authorize State agencies to perform official inspections at export port locations under specified circumstances. Title XI: Agricultural Exports - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to establish in the U.S. Treasury an Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund to make loans to foreign purchasers of U.S. agricultural commodities and for loans for related overseas facilities construction and acquisition. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1984. Requires the Secretary to make annual reports (beginning not later than December 31, 1982) to Congress regarding the Fund's operations. Dissolves such Fund effective October 1, 1985. Provides for a two-House veto of any bilateral international agreement (excluding treaties) which involves a commitment by the United States to assure access by foreign countries or instrumentalities to U.S. agricultural commodities on a commercial basis. Directs the Secretary to formulate a special export subsidy program to neutralize the effects of such foreign subsidies in non-U.S. markets. Sets forth the determinations which must be first made by the President before the Secretary may so act. Amends the Agricultural Trade Suspension Adjustment Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary to mitigate the adverse effects on agricultural prices generated by executive foreign policy or national security export controls. Sets forth formulae for determining such payments. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) to extend international assistance programs under such Act through 1985. Title XII: Food Stamps - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to establish a food stamp purchase requirement. Exempts the elderly and the disabled from such requirement. Increases from 30 to 33 percent the assumed amount of income spent on food. Establishes penalties for abuses by coupon issuers. Excludes boarders from food stamp participation. Requires children and parents living together to apply as one household unless one of the parents is at least 60 years old. Eliminates the provision allowing food stamps to be used in authorized restaurants. Adjusts the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan on January 1 of each year to reflect cost increases for the 12 months preceding September 30. Permits the Secretary to make individual food need adjustments in such Plan. Permits low income energy assistance payments to be counted as income for purposes of determining food stamp benefits. Requires States to establish a workfare program as a condition for participation in the food stamp program. Eliminates inflation adjustments for household income computation. Disallows income deductions for household expenses paid by a third party. Increases the period of disqualification for State-determined fraud from three to 12 months. Establishes a minimum 12-month period of disqualification for food stamp coupon fraud. Requires repayment of double the value of fraudulently received coupons before a person is eligible to again participate in the program (currently liable for the value of fraudulently received coupons). Lowers the age of "dependent" children from 12 to six for work exemption purposes. Prohibits any non-participating household from becoming eligible for such program, or from increased benefits, because of a family member's going on strike. Disqualifies households (other than those with elderly or certain disabled members) if gross income exceeds: (1) one-twelfth of the nonfarm poverty level; and (2) for a household with income, 115 percent of such poverty level. Reduces the household school lunch allotment and the per meal value of the Thrifty Food Plan for a family of eight. Requires first-month benefits to be pro-rated as necessary. Eliminates: (1) the provision prohibiting food stamps from being counted as income for public assistance determinations; and (2) Federal funding under such Act for food stamp outreach activities. Limits the period for recovering wrongfully denied benefits to 45 days from the date such a request is received by the State agency. Increases funding authorization for fiscal year 1981, and authorizes specified maximum appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1985. Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend specified commodities distribution programs through fiscal year 1985. Establishes penalties for fraudulent use of such commodities. Amends the Food Stamp Act Amendments of 1980 to repeal scheduled increases in dependent care deductions for working adults and medical deductions for the elderly and the disabled. Title XIII: Reauthorization of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 - Extends the terms of the Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences, and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Users Advisory Board from five to ten years. Revises membership and reporting provisions. Exempts such Council from the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Creates an additional Assistant Secretary of Agriculture to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Extends the authorization of appropriations for competitive research grants through fiscal year 1987. Makes: (1) land grant college research foundations eligible for special grants; and (2) cooperative forestry schools and land grant colleges eligible for facilities grants. Amends the Research Facilities Act of 1963 to extend the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1987. Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act to: (1) direct the Secretary to develop a higher education program in the food and agricultural sciences; (2) direct the Secretary of Education to transfer specified authority not already transferred to the Secretary of Agriculture under the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977; (3) authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to colleges for food and agricultural sciences programs, and (4) make competitive grants for specialized programs. Extends the authorization of appropriations for higher education grants through fiscal year 1987. Transfers specified teaching and related functions from the Secretary of Education to the Secretary of Agriculture. Extends the authorization of appropriations for alcohol and industrial hydrocarbon research grants through fiscal year 1987. Increases the maximum amount awardable to institutions in any one State. Establishes a distribution formula for the national education program. Extends the term of the Animal Health Science Research Advisory Board from five to ten years. Requires the Secretary to establish priority lists of animal health problems and to award grants on the basis of such priorities. Directs the Secretary to utilize institutions of higher education to develop linkages among such institutions, the Federal Government, and international research centers to improve worldwide food and agricultural progress. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance (on a reimbursable basis) to U.S. institutions so involved. Extends authorizations of appropriations through fiscal year 1987 for: (1) agricultural research; (2) agricultural experimental stations; and (3) cooperative extension programs. Provides that funds made available by the Secretary under specified Acts shall not be subject to reduction for indirect costs incurred by the recipient. Amends the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962 to direct the Secretary to appoint a 16 member forestry advisory council. Amends Federal law to make funds from custom duties on agricultural products available for food and agricultural research, extension, and teaching. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit the Secretary to furnish excess Federal property to State and county extension services, agricultural experimental stations, and to land grant colleges. Title XIV: Resource Conservation - Directs the Secretary to establish a program for the conservation of soil, water, and related resources in special designated areas with soil and water management problems. Provides with regard to such program that: (1) a conservation plan shall be developed by the Secretary and the local soil and water conservation district; (2) such plan shall be the basis for contracts to pay landowners to make conservation-oriented cropping changes; (3) contracts shall be for a maximum length of ten years; (4) special areas may be designated for ten years following enactment of this Act; and (5) the Secretary shall report to Congress by January 1, 1986, and at five-year intervals thereafter. Authorizes necessary appropriations. Amends the Watershed Protection and Flood Preservation Act to: (1) make all Indian tribes eligible sponsors of small watershed projects; (2) permit the Federal Government to share the costs of mitigating fish and wildlife losses resulting from such projects; and (3) raise the approval authority of the Secretary from $1,000 to $3,000. Permits energy developing components of projects under such Act and under title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act to be considered as part of the cost-benefit ratio. Authorizes the Secretary to use volunteers 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. Title XV: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective as of October 1, 1981, except as otherwise provided therein.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to prohibit Federal agencies from maintaining, selling, or renting an individual's address containing a ZIP code of more than five digits.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Regulatory Reduction and Congressional Control Act of 1981 - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require Federal agencies to provide interested persons at least 60 days after publication of the general notice of a proposed rulemaking to participate in the rulemaking. Allows an agency to adopt an emergency rule, temporarily, without regard to specified time constraints. Provides expedited procedures for the adoption of a rule to replace such a temporary emergency rule. Subjects interpretive agency rules and general policy statements which will have general applicability and affect the rights of persons outside the agency to notice and public comment requirements for agency rulemaking. Directs each agency, upon publishing a recommended final rule, to transmit to Congress a copy of the rule with a summary of the problem requiring Government regulation and a statement of the estimated costs imposed by the rule. Prohibits such a rule from becoming effective if one House adopts a resolution disapproving the rule within 60 days of continuous session of Congress and the other House does not disapprove such resolution within 30 days thereafter. Specifies factors to be considered by a Congressional committee when determining whether or not to report such a resolution. Allows an agency to issue a modified rule relating to the same area as a disapproved rule. Authorizes each Congressional committee having legislative jurisdiction over an existing agency rule to review such rule periodically to determine whether: (1) provisions of the rule seriously injure the public interest; or (2) the rule violates or is inconsistent with other rules, existing law, judicial decisions, congressional intent, or its statutory authority. Authorizes such a committee or any Member of Congress to report or introduce a resolution requiring that an agency reconsider and repromulgate an existing rule or else the rule shall lapse within 180 days. Requires any agency repromulgating a rule to hold a hearing for oral presentations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of September 20 through 26, 1981, as "National Cystic Fibrosis Week."
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Commends Secret Service Agents Timothy McCarthy and Jerry Parr and Metropolitan Police Officer Thomas Delahanty for their performance in the line of duty with respect to the assassination attempt on the life of the President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1981
Amends the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 to require the bankruptcy court, in the case of a bankruptcy petition filed by a person engaged in the business of operating a farm produce storage facility, within specified time limits, to: (1) identify those farm producers who have produce in storage, and those parties which have secured interests in farm produce, within such facility; (2) audit the assets of the farm produce storage facility for the purpose of determining the extent of farm produce available for distribution to such producers and secured creditors; and (3) direct the abandonment of such farm produce according to procedures set forth by this Act. Declares that such procedures shall be applied by the court solely for the purpose of effectuating abandonment of farm produce which is not property of the estate, or is of inconsequential value to the estate, and shall not be construed to limit the right of any party to seek abandonment of any other property. Prohibits distribution of farm produce ordered abandoned by the court from being delayed due to the pendency of any appeal from the orders of abandonment, except that a stay of orders may be entered under specified conditions. Makes any such stay of orders appealable as of right by any aggrieved party. Grants to any person who, having delivered agricultural products to a licensed warehouseman upon a contract for sale and who has not received the agreed upon payment, a lien against products of like quantity, quality, and type, title to which may be then vested in such warehouseman, to the extent of the payment agreed upon for the purchase of the product sold. Attaches such lien at the time of the formation of the oral or written contract for sale and continues it until the obligations of the warehouseman to the seller of the products are satisfied.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the investment tax credit to certain individuals who purchase used depreciable business property used for farming purposes (including livestock used for breeding purposes) from a related party. Limits the allowance to the first sale of such property to such an individual.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress to adopt for each year a budget which sets forth the total receipts and outlays of the United States. Prohibits the adoption of any budget in which outlays exceed total receipts, unless three-fifths of each House of Congress approve such budget. Prohibits Congress from passing and the President from signing any bill which would cause the total outlays for any year to exceed the total expenditures in the budget for such year. Prohibits the retention of receipts in any year for use of the Treasury in an amount which exceeds as a proportion of the national income, the amount retained for the prior year, unless a bill directed at approving a specific increase in such proportion has been passed by a majority of each House. Permits Congress to waive the provisions of this Act with respect to any single year in which a declaration of war is in effect.