United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984
Commercial Space Launch Act - Prohibits persons from: (1) launching a launch vehicle or operating a launch site within the United States (or, in the case of U.S. citizens, from outside the United States) unless they are properly licensed; and (2) in the case of a license holder, launching a payload (i.e., object to be placed in space) unless such payload compiles with all requirements of Federal law. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to ascertain whether a person has obtained a license to launch a payload. Directs the Secretary, if no license has been obtained, or if no license is required by Federal law and such launch is a safety or security jeopardy, to take appropriate action to prevent the launch of such payload. Grants exclusive authority to the Secretary to issue or transfer such licenses (except for licenses issued under the Communications Act of 1934) to persons who meet the requirements of this Act. Directs the Secretary to prescribe requirements for the issuance or transfers of a license. Allows the Secretary, in individual cases and under certain circumstances, to waive such requirements. Provides for: (1) license application and approval; and (2) license modification, suspension and revocation. Provides for administrative and judicial review of actions regarding issuing, transferring, modifying,, suspending, or revoking such licenses. Permits Federal officials to monitor the activities of licenses. Permits the use of Government property by such licensees and requires them to have liability insurance. Provides for the collection of fees by the Secretary for the use of such property. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this Act. Prohibits a State from adopting any law or rule inconsistent with this Act. Allows State laws and rules additional to or more stringent than those under this Act. Requires the Secretary to carry out this Act consistent with U.S. international obligations and with applicable foreign laws. Requires the Secretary, not later than one year after enactment of this Act, to submit to the Congress a report describing activities undertaken pursuant to this Act and recommendations for legislation regarding commercial launch activities. Directs the Secretary to consult with: (1) the Secretary of Defense on matters relating to the national security of the United States; and (2) the Secretary of State with respect to international matters. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985-1989.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal rules relating to the determination of the issue price of certain debt instruments issued for property. Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1984 to repeal the revisions made to rules for the imputation of interest on certain deferred payments. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such revisions had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should direct appropriate members of the Administration to: (1) pursue discussions with Canada directed toward resolving problems relating to U.S. imports of Canadian pork; and (2) use all available authorities to protect the economic viability of the U.S. pork industry and to promote free and fair trade.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1984
Enterprise Zone Act of 1984 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by this Act. Provides that State and local governments shall nominate areas for such designation. Limits the total number of designated areas to 75 (25 per year over a three-year period). Requires that at least one-third of such area be in rural areas. Limits the period during which such designations shall remain in effect. Provides that the Secretary may designate such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area (within a population of at least 50,000) or 1,000 otherwise, or it is within an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, or receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area. Terminates the authority of the Secretary to designate enterprise zones on December 31, 1988, or three years after the publication of regulations pertaining to such zones, whichever is later. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress every four years a report on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation. Requires that any property tax reduction effected by a local government under the terms of this Act be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. States that designation of an enterprise zone shall not give displaced persons from such an area any rights or benefits under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. Exempts enterprise zones from certain requirements relating to Federal environmental policy. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Credits for Employers and Employees - Allows employers located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit for increased employment expenditures and employment of the disadvantaged. Sets the amount of such credit at ten percent of the increase in payroll (taking into account a maximum of $15,000 in wages per year per employee) plus 50 percent of the wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers for the first three years of the enterprise zone designation. Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Disallows a deduction for the portion of wages taken into account for such credit. Allows employees located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to five percent of qualified wages earned per year (taking into account a maximum of $9,000 in wages per year). Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Requires every employer to furnish to each qualified enterprise zone employee a written statement showing the amount of qualified wages paid. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for investment in certain tangible property located in enterprise zones. Limits such credit to five percent for zone personal property and ten percent for new zone construction property, including rental property. Requires that the property subject to such credit be predominantly used in the zone, be purchased after zone designation, and not be acquired from relatives or related corporations. Requires the recapture of such credit upon early disposition of the property. Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle C: Reduction in Capital Gains Tax - Eliminates the capital gains tax on property of corporations acquired after the enterprise zone designation and used in a zone business. Qualifies certain low-income rental housing located in an enterprise zone for such treatment. Permits property to remain qualified for purposes of the revised capital gains treatment after a designation of an enterprise zone has terminated. Exempts gain from the sale or exchange of property used in a business in an enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Allows noncorporate taxpayers to deduct from gross income 100 percent of any net capital gain from qualified enterprise zone property. Subtitle D: Rules Relating to Industrial Development Bonds - Provides that limitations on the cost recovery deductions for property financed with tax-exempt industrial development bonds shall not apply to enterprise zone property. Provides that the termination of the small issue exemption shall not apply to industrial development bonds the proceeds of which are used to finance facilities in such enterprise zones. 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 Act. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified businesses (as defined in Title II of this Act), governments, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations which pertain to the carrying out of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve such request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in continuation of the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement (including the Davis-Bacon Act and Fair Labor Standards Act) or which would present a danger to the public health and safety. Provides that such waivers or modifications of a rule shall remain in effect as long as the zone designations. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote the coordination of all enterprise zone programs and consolidate all periodic reports required under such programs into one summary report. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Board to consider on a priority basis and expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. States that to the maximum extent practicable, foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1984
Expresses the sense of Congress that the major television networks, their affiliates, and independent stations should broadcast public service announcements publicizing kidnapped children cases.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the limitation on private activity bonds and the restriction on the use of industrial development bonds to acquire existing facilities. Extends from 1986 to 1988 the small issue industrial development bond exceptions for non-manufacturing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the International Trade Commission (ITC), when determining whether increased imports have resulted in a serious injury to a competing domestic industry, to take into account any significant increase in the share of total imports attributable to domestic producers in the industry. Requires the ITC, when determining whether increased imports constitute a threat of serious injury to a competing domestic industry, to take into account an upward trend in imports attributable to domestic producers. Requires the ITC, when determining whether imports are a substantial cause of serious injury to a competing domestic industry, to take into account an increase in imports and a decline in the proportion of the domestic market supplied by domestic producers regardless of whether the imports are attributable to domestic producers in the industry. Requires the ITC, in determining the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with an imported article, to treat as part of the domestic industry only the domestic production of a domestic producer which also imports. Defines the term "significant idling of productive facilities" to mean a decline in domestic production, the closing of plants, or the underutilization of production capacity. Prohibits the ITC, from taking into account in determining whether increased imports are a substantial cause of or a threat of serious injury to a competing domestic industry: (1) the probable effectiveness of import relief and consideration of the position of the industry in the U.S. economy; (2) the effect of import relief on consumers and on competition in the domestic markets for such articles; (3) the effect of import relief on U.S. international economic interests; or (4) the effect on U.S. industries and firms of tariff changes or other import restrictions which may result from international obligations with respect to compensation. Declares that an ITC finding that a significant number of domestic firms operate at a reasonable level of profit or that the profits of the domestic industry are not in a downward trend shall not preclude an ITC determination that increased imports are a substantial cause of or threat of serious injury to such domestic industry. Requires that the importation of any articles by domestic producers in an industry shall be a factor supporting the existence of or the threat of serious injury to such industry.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Requires the Interstate Commerce Commission to: (1) consider certain indicators in determining the revenue adequacy of railroads; (2) consider specified evidence when appropriate in determining whether there is effective rail competition; (3) revise proposed guidelines which prescribe reasonable rates for coal shipments; (4) prohibit certain actions with respect to reciprocal switching services; (5) expedite its study on cancellations of through routes, joint rail rates, and reciprocal switching; and (6) facilitate discovery of information regarding railroad contracts by parties with standing to challenge such contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) student motivation is an important element of educational excellence; (2) educators are urged to devote more research to ways to motivate students; and (3) educators, parents, business persons, and others interested in improving education should develop recommendations for inspiring student motivation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984
Title I: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1985 for the U.S. contribution to the: (1) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development; (2) International Development Association; (3) Inter-American Development Bank; (4) Asian Development Bank; (5) African Development Fund; and (6) African Development Bank. Limits the callable capital subscriptions of the United States to the: (1) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development; (2) Inter-American Development Bank; (3) Asian Development Bank; and (4) African Development Bank. Makes appropriations for FY 1985 for international organizations and programs. Prohibits making any such funds available to the United Nations Fund for Science and Technology. Requires such funds to be allocated in a specified manner. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1985 for: (1) agriculture, rural development, and nutrition programs; (2) population planning; (3) health programs; (4) education and human resources development; (5) energy resources development; (6) science and technology programs; (7) the Private Sector Revolving Fund; (8) American schools and hospitals abroad; (9) international disaster assistance; (10) the Sahel development program, (but limits appropriations to ten percent of the total contributions to the program); (11) overseas training and special development activities (foreign currency program); (12) Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (13) Economic Support Fund, with specified amounts earmarked for Israel, Egypt, El Salvador, Cyprus, and Central America; (14) peacekeeping operations; (15) operating expenses of the Agency for International Development, with a limit on the amount that may be used for foreign affairs administrative support; (16) the trade credit insurance program; (17) trade and development programs; (18) housing and other credit guaranty programs provided that such amounts shall be available to discharge guarantees extended before enactment of this Act; (19) international narcotics control; (20) the Inter-American Foundation; (21) the African Development Foundation; (22) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; (23) the Peace Corps, provided none of the funds are used to pay for abortions; (24) migration and refugee assistance, provided none of the funds shall be used to assist in the migration to the Western Hemisphere of any person not having a security clearance based on reasonable standards to insure against Communist infiltration in the Western Hemisphere and provided that only a limited amount of the funds shall be available for the administrative expenses of the Office of Refugee Programs of the State Department; and (25) anti-terrorism assistance. Requires that at least 20 percent of the obligational authority provided for the first seven programs shall be available for loans for the current fiscal year. Prohibits any of the population planning funds from being made available to: (1) the World Health Organization's Special Program of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction; (2) any country which includes as part of its population planning programs coerced abortion; and (3) any organization which includes as part of its population planning programs coerced abortion. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1985 for: (1) military assistance programs; (2) international military education and training; (3) foreign military credit sales programs; and (4) the Guarantee Reserve Fund. Authorizes a specified amount to be made available to the Special Defense Acquisition Fund for FY 1985. Earmarks specified amounts of the foreign military credit sales for Israel and Egypt. Provides that specified amounts of the credits made available to Israel shall be earmarked for research and development activities in the United States for the Lavi program and for the procurement in Israel of defense articles and services. Limits the gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans under the foreign military sales credit program to a specified amount. Provides for the enactment of a section in a specified bill which authorizes the President to charge all eligible entities the additional costs that are incurred when the United States provides defense training. Requires that foreign military sales credits extend under this Act for Greece for FY 1985 shall be at the same interest rate as credits extended for Turkey for FY 1985. Title IV: Export-Import Bank of the United States - Authorizes the Export-Import Bank to make such expenditures within the limits of funds and borrowing authority available to the Bank and to make such contracts and commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as may be necessary in carrying out the program set forth in the current fiscal year budget provided none of such funds may be used for the export of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology except to specified countries. Limits the FY 1985 gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans and the total commitment to guarantee loans. Prohibits the amount authorized for direct loans from being available for obligation or disbursement before October 1, 1985. Limits the amount that shall be available for administrative expenses during the current fiscal year. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth general provisions governing the use of funds appropriated by this Act, including: (1) a prohibition against using such funds to aid Mozambique unless the President waives this prohibition and reports to Congress that furnishing such assistance would further U.S. foreign policy interests; (2) a prohibition against using such funds to lobby for abortion; (3) a prohibition against using "international organizations and programs" funds for programs for the Palestine Liberation Organization, the Southwest Africa Peoples Organization, Libya, Iran, or Cuba; (4) a requirement that the President submit an annual report to Congress which assesses the degree of support by the government of each foreign country for the foreign policy of the United States and a prohibition against providing assistance to a country which is engaged in a consistent pattern of opposition to U.S. foreign policy; (5) an authorization to Israel to use any loan which is or was made available under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and for which repayment is or was forgiven before using any other loan made available under such Act; (6) a prohibition against using such funds to procure construction or engineering services from certain advanced developing countries which are internationally competitive and which are not receiving Economic Support Fund or development assistance; and (7) a requirement that the President make specified reports to specified congressional committees on any international agreement entered into between the United States and El Salvador regarding the use of local currencies generated from Economic Support Fund assistance or from the sale of agricultural commodities under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Economic Support Fund assistance provided to Israel should not be less than the annual debt repayment from Israel to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1984
Agricultural Trade and Export Policy Commission Act - Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to establish a National Commission on Agricultural Trade and Export Policy (Commission) to conduct a study of the agriculture-related trade and export policies and programs of the United States and the international and domestic factors affecting such policies and programs, including U.S. intergovernmental activities that affect the formulation of policies. Requires the Commission to be composed of ex officio congressional members, plus 23 members appointed by the President. Requires the Commission to submit to the President and the Congress: (1) a report containing its initial findings and recommendations by March 31, 1985; (2) additional interim reports on its work as may be requested by the chairmen of specified congressional committees; and (3) a report containing the final results of its study and recommendations by July 1, 1986. Authorizes Federal and public support to the Commission. Exempts the Commission from specified provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and guidelines relating to the performance appraisals of Federal employees. Terminates the Commission 60 days after the transmission of its final report to the President and the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1984
Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shot gun shot required by Federal or State regulations for hunting; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; and (3) projectiles that the Secretary of Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition. Allows for: (1) the manufacture or importation of armor piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; and (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor piercing ammunition. Imposes an additional mandatory sentence of not less than five years for any person who uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor piercing ammunition during the commission of a violent felony. Provides that such sentence shall not be suspended nor probation nor parole granted.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1984
Great Lakes Preservation Act of 1984 - Establishes within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration the Great Lakes Research and Management Office to be headed by a Director. Requires as responsibilities of the Office the following: (1) identifying Federal and State research programs relating to the Great Lakes system on an annual basis; (2) establishing a Great Lakes research exchange; (3) identifying priority Great Lakes research; (4) conducting appropriate current Great Lakes research and monitoring activities; (5) establishing a Great Lakes water quality monitoring system, with specific emphasis on toxic pollutant levels; (6) developing the long term, comprehensive environmental, resource, and economic data bases required for assessing impacts of proposed decisions on the environmental health, productivity, and economic well-being of the Great Lakes; (7) conducting an inventory of all State, Federal, and international agencies with management responsibilities for the Great Lakes system, and updating such information annually; (8) identifying priority management needs to protect and rehabilitate the Great Lakes and their resources, and developing management plans where needed; (9) developing an annual report on the state of the Great Lakes; (10) actively promoting the adoption and execution of the management and rehabilitation plans; (11) serving as the source of issues which the Federal Government refers to the International Joint Commission for study; and (12) hosting a meeting (not less often than annually) for officials of State and Federal agencies involved with the Great Lakes. Requires the Administrator, in the agency's annual budget submission to Congress, to include a funding request for the Office as a separate budget line item. Allows the Administrator to provide financial assistance in the form of grants or contracts for research, monitoring, and planning projects and activities necessary to address Great Lakes priorities. Allows any person, higher education institution, or Federal, State, or local agency or department to apply for such assistance. Requires the Administrator to act upon each grant or contract application within six months of its receipt. Permits the grant to cover, in the discretion of the Administrator, up to 100 percent of the total project cost. Requires each recipient of such financial assistance to keep full and accurate financial records. Requires such records to be maintained for three years after the completion of such project or activity. Allows access to such records for audit and examination by the Administrator and the Comptroller General. Directs the head of each department or agency of the Federal Government which is in any way connected with the enhancement of the Great Lakes to: (1) cooperate fully with the Administrator and the Director;(2) make available such personnel, services, or facilities as may be necessary to assist the Administrator or Director in their purpose; and (3) furnish, upon written request, such data or information deemed necessary by the Administrator or the Director. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Chief of Engineers of the Army, the Chief of the Soil Conservation Service, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service to each submit annual reports to the Administrator regarding their efforts to comply with the Water Quality Agreement of 1978 and with recommendations made by the Office. States that this Act does not affect the jurisdiction or powers of any Federal or State department or agency or international bodies created by treaty with authority relating to the Great Lakes. Authorizes appropriations to the Administration for FY 1985-1989.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1984
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Administration should continue to oppose the imposition of restrictions by the European Community (EC) on imports of nongrain feed ingredients and corn gluten as a means to shift to other countries part of the cost of its domestic agricultural policies; and (2) imposition of a consumption tax on vegetable oils and fats by the EC would restrain trade and violate the tariff bindings in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade on soybeans and soybean products. States that if EC action is taken to inhibit the importation of such products, then the United States should restrict EC imports by the same proportion of reduced U.S. export products.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1984
Expresses the sense of Congress that the portion of the street in the District of Columbia on which is located the Embassy of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and the portion of any street in any other city in the United States on which is located a consular office or mission of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, should be named Andrei Sakharov Avenue.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1984
American Footwear Act of 1984 - Limits the imports of nonrubber footwear to 400,000,000 pairs per year. Directs the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) to allocate the import limitations among foreign countries, taking into consideration: (1) average levels of imports for the period 1978 through 1982; (2) findings of unfair trade practices with respect to nonrubber footwear products; and (3) recent market trends. Requires the Secretary to publish annually in the Federal Register the permissible level of imports by country, groups of countries, or area. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury to take all necessary actions to enforce this Act. Authorizes the Secretaries to issue such implementing regulations as necessary to effect the purposes of this Act and to enforce its provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1984
Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1984 - Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a new license to an existing licensee for a hydroelectric project authorized under such Act if the United States does not, upon the expiration of the existing license, exercise its right to take over, maintain, and operate such licensee's project, unless the Commission determines that such licensee's project will not meet the licensing standards under such Act. Provides that if the Commission determines that such licensee's project does not meet such standards, the Commission is authorized to issue a new license to a new licensee which may cover the existing licensee's project provided that the new licensee pays just compensation determined by the Commission and enters into any contracts required under the Federal Power Act. (Under current law, the Commission is authorized to issue a new license to the original licensee or to a new licensee if the United States does not exercise its rights with respect to an expired license.)
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1984
Amends the Truth in Lending Act to repeal the expiration date of the prohibition against credit card surcharges (thus making the prohibition permanent).
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1984
Toy Safety Act of 1984 - Amends the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to permit the Consumer Product Safety Commission, after it determines that any toy or other article intended for use by children that is not a banned hazardous substance creates a substantial risk of injury to children, to order the manufacturer or any distributor or dealer of the toy or article to take any one or more of the following actions: (1) to give public notice that the toy or article creates a risk of injury to children; (2) to mail such notice to each manufacturer, distributor, or dealer; or (3) to mail such notice to every person to whom the person giving notice knows such toy or article was delivered or sold. Permits the Commission, after offering interested persons an opportunity for a hearing, to order the manufacturer, distributor, or dealer either to repair such toy so that it will not create a risk of injury, to replace it with a safe equivalent toy or article, or to refund the purchase price. Declares that such an order may prohibit the person to whom it applies from manufacturing for sale, offering for sale, distributing in commerce, or importing into the customs territory of the United States (or any combination of such actions) the toy or article with respect to which the order was issued.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1984
Praises the decision of the Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education, invalidating the doctrine of "separate but equal." Designates May 17, 1984, as a national day of commemoration of that decision.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1984
Fair and Simple Tax Act of 1984 - Title I: Reduction of Individual and Corporate Tax Rates - Subtitle A: Reduction of Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise individual tax rates. Imposes a tax rate of 25 percent on the taxable income of every individual. Imposes a tax rate of 15 percent on corporate income which does not exceed $50,000 and a tax rate of 30 percent on corporate income exceeding $50,000. Subtitle B: Increase in Amount of Personal Exemption and Zero Bracket Amount - Increases the amount of the personal exemption to $2,000. Increases the "zero bracket amount" to $2,700 for single taxpayers and $3,500 for a joint return or surviving spouse. Provides for an annual adjustment in the "zero bracket amount" by a cost-of-living adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index. Subtitle C: Employment Income Exclusion Established - Allows an individual taxpayer to exclude 20 percent of the amount received during the taxable year by such individual as employment income. Provides that the exclusion is phased out when the individual's wages and salaries exceed the Federal Insurance Compensation Act's maximum wage base for the calendar year. Excludes all of an individual's employment income where the employment income for the taxable year is $10,000 or less ($20,000 or less in the case of a joint return). Subtitle D: Repeals Related to Reduction in Rates - Repeals provisions relating to: (1) tax tables for individuals; (2) personal service corporations; (3) special averaging rules for lump-sum distributions; (4) accumulated corporate surplus; (5) personal holding companies; (6) income averaging; and (7) graduated corporate tax rates. Applies the trust throwback rules only to amounts distributed from a foreign trust. Title II: Base Broadening - Subtitle A: Credits - Repeals the general tax credit, the investment tax credit, and the income tax credits relating to: (1) the elderly and the permanently and totally disabled; (2) investments in certain depreciable property; (3) work incentive expenses; (4) contributions to candidates for public office; (5) home purchases; (6) expenses for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment; (7) employment of certain new employees; (8) residential energy credit; (9) producing fuel from a nonconventional source; (10) alcohol used as fuel; (11) research activities; (12) employee stock ownership credit; and (13) clinical testing for certain drugs. Subtitle B: Exclusions - Repeals the tax exclusion for: (1) compensation for injuries or sickness; (2) amounts received under accident and health plans; (3) partial exclusion of dividends received by individuals; (4) amounts received under qualified group legal service plans; (5) qualified transportation furnished by employer; (6) dividend reinvestment in public utilities; (7) partial exclusion of interest as in effect in 1985; and (8) payments to encourage exploration, development, and mining for defense purposes. Reduces the maximum amount of the earned income credit from $5,000 to $4,000. Treats as taxable income: (1) unemployment compensation; (2) the annual increase in the cash surrender value of life insurance policies; and (3) interest on industrial development bonds and mortgage subsidy bonds. Provides that the transfer of a corporation's stock in satisfaction of indebtedness will be treated as having satisfied the indebtedness with money equal to the fair market value of the stock. Provides a limited exclusion from income for scholarships and fellowships. Amends the Merchant Marine Act to repeal the tax exemption for deposits into, and withdrawals from, a capital construction fund. Subtitle C: Deductions - Repeals the tax deductions for: (1) additional exemption for the elderly and the blind; (2) unused investment credits; (3) two-earner married couples; and (4) adoption expenses. Provides that the deduction for losses shall be limited to capital losses. Increases the floor on the deduction for medical and dental expenses from five to ten percent. Subtitle D: Adjustment to Basis; Changes in Certain Special Capital Gains Treatment Provisions - Allows an inflation adjustment, based on the gross national product deflator, to the adjusted basis of capital assets which have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or exchange solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss on such assets. Excludes from such treatment: (1) creditor's interest; (2) options; (3) net lease property in the case of the lessor; (4) preferred stock with fixed dividends; and (5) stock in small business corporations and certain foreign corporations. Allows the Secretary of the Treasury to disallow all or part of an adjustment where there was a transfer to increase the inflation adjustment or depreciation allowance. Reduces the alternative tax rate for corporations from 28 to 20 percent. Repeals the deduction for individuals for capital gains. Repeals the limitation on the deduction of capital losses by individuals. Permits the carryover of the excess of capital losses over gross income by individuals. Applies the rules for capital gains and losses only to corporations relating to: (1) sale of land with unharvested crop; (2) disposal of coal or domestic iron ore; (3) gain or loss in the case of timber, coal, or domestic iron ore; (4) distribution of property; (5) collapsible partnerships; (6) property used in the trade or business and involuntary conversions; (7) sale or exchange of patents; (8) amortization in excess of depreciation; (9) gain from sale of depreciable property between certain related taxpayers; (10) gain from dispositions of certain depreciable property; (11) gain on foreign investment company stock; (12) election by foreign investment companies to distribute income currently; (13) gain from certain sales or exchanges of stock in certain foreign corporations; (14) gain from certain sales or exchanges of patents, etc., to foreign corporations; (15) gain from disposition of certain depreciable realty; (16) gain from disposition of property used in farming where farm losses offset nonfarm income; (17) gain from disposition of farm land; (18) gain from disposition of interest in oil, gas, or geothermal property; and (19) gain from disposition of property acquired with certain cost- sharing payments. Provides a transition period of ten years beginning January 1, 1985, in which a taxpayer may elect to not apply the inflation adjustment to the basis of capital assets for purposes of determining capital gain or loss. Provides that when such election is made, 25 percent of any gain from the sale or disposition of such asset shall be excludible from gross income, or 25 percent of any loss shall not be deductible. Title III: Capital Cost Recovery - Subtitle A: Simplified Cost Recovery System for Depletable Property - Allows individuals and corporations a depletion deduction for qualified depletable property equal to an applicable percentage determined by the cost recovery tables for cost recovery property. Requires qualified depletable property be assigned to one class of recovery property. Uses the anticipated productive life of such depletable property, rather than the present class life, for making the assignment. Assigns oil, gas wells or wells drilled for any geothermal deposit to the class of three year property. Provides that these rules shall not deny any deduction allowable for loss sustained by reason of the abandonment of a nonproductive well or mine. Subtitle B: Other Changes - Repeals the income tax deductions for: (1) research and experimental expenditures; (2) soil and water conservation expenditures; (3) depreciation or amortization of improvements made by a lessee on a lessor's property; (4) expenditures by farmers for clearing land; (5) amortization of reforestation expenditures; (6) start-up expenditures; (7) intangible drilling and development costs in the case of oil and gas wells and geothermal wells; (8) percentage depletion; (9) development expenditures; and (10) deduction and recapture of certain mining exploration expenditures. Allows a ten year period for the amortization of construction period interest and taxes. Allows a deduction for circulation expenses for a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical ratably over a five-year period. Excludes amounts chargeable to a capital account from such treatment. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Subtitle A: Foreign Income - Repeals the domestic international sales corporations (DISC) provisions for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1984. Subtitle B: Other Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires farmers to compute their taxable income using the accrual method of accounting with the capitalization of preproduction expenses. Exempts taxpayers who do not have gross receipts of $1,000,000. Requires farming syndicates to use the accrual method of accounting without regard to gross receipts. Requires the recognition of the gain or loss on distributions of property by corporations. Eliminates the special bad debt reserves of financial institutions. Title V: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1984
Federal Cost Control Act of 1984 - Requires specified Senate committees, not later than June 1, 1984, to submit legislation to Congress carrying out specified budget savings for FY 1985 through 1987 as achieved through the recommendations of the President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control (Grace Commission). Requires such legislation to be based on the recommendations of the President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control as reviewed by both the Congressional Budget Office and the General Accounting Office. Declares that such recommendations are not binding on the committees. Requires the administration to: (1) review the recommendations of such survey which require administrative or presidential action to implement; and (2) adopt a sufficient quantity to achieve specified cost savings. Requires the administration to act to expedite and administer provisions of the laws enacted pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take steps to: (1) issue a proclamation commemorating the Ukrainian famine of 1933; (2) issue a warning that the continued enslavement of the Ukrainian nation is a threat to world peace; and (3) convey to the Soviet people U.S. sentiments for the recovery of Ukrainian freedom and independence.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Professional Sports Team Community Protection Act - Prohibits the relocation of a professional sports team, except in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth definitions. Defines the terms: (1) "person" to mean any individual, partnership, corporation, or any unincorporated association, or any combination or association thereof; and (2) "professional sports team" or "team" to mean any group of professional athletes organized to play major league baseball, basketball, football, hockey, or soccer which has been engaged in competition in such sport for more than five years. States that the grounds for relocation specified in clause (1) or (2) of this paragraph must be met in any case where a person other than a professional sports team seeking relocation owns the stadium in which the team plays. States that the grounds for relocation specified in clause (2) of this paragraph must be met in any case where the professional sports team seeking relocation owns the stadium in which the team plays. Sets forth the following as grounds for relocation: (1) the stadium is manifestly inadequate for the purposes of properly and competitively operating the team, the stadium authority demonstrates no intent to remedy the deficiency of the stadium within a reasonable period of time, and other sports facilities in the same territory have not been made available by appropriate governmental authorities for use by the professional sports team; and (2) the team has incurred net operating losses which are a significant danger to the continued existence of the team and the team's attendance records have fallen below specified levels. Requires any person wishing to relocate a professional sports team to a metropolitan location other than its current location to: (1) furnish written notice of the relocation to the relevant league and present municipality at least eight months before the proposed relocation; and (2) offer the team for sale at fair market value to other persons who would continue to locate such team in its present location. Requires any owner of a team receiving a bona fide offer to purchase the team which, if accepted, would result in a relocation to provide notice of the offer and intent to sell eight months prior to the sale. Establishes from time to time a Professional Sports Team Relocation Arbitration Board to be composed of three members. Provides that one member shall be appointed by the owner of the team seeking relocation, one member shall be appointed by the governmental authority regulating the operation of the team's stadium, and one member shall be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. Requires all notices of relocation or offers of sale regarding a team to be referred to the Board. Requires the Board, within seven months of the Board's establishment, to determine if any such offers of sale would ensure that the team would remain in its current location, and are equal to or greater in value than the value of the relocation. Directs the Board to determine if the team meets any of the grounds for relocation specified in this Act. Prohibits the Board from approving any relocation if an offer of equal or greater value is received which will keep the team in its present location. Prohibits a team owner from selling or relocating without a written committment from any purchaser to keep the team in its present location, if the Board determines that: (1) any offer for sale or relocation notice which has been received regarding a team equals or exceeds the value of the original offer or petition for relocation; or (2) none of the grounds for relocation specified in this Act have been met. States that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any notice for relocation or offer of sale regarding any team if, within six months after establishment of the Board: (1) the Board has not received any offer to purchase such team which would ensure that the team would remain in its present location; and (2) the Board has not received any objection to the relocation from any appropriate governmental authority. Permits any governmental entity in a metropolitan area from which a professional sports team relocates to bring a civil action on the grounds that the relocation did not comply with the provisions of this Act. Authorizes funds to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Small Business Competition Enhancement Act of 1984 - Amends the Small Business Act to set forth specified evaluation considerations which must be weighed by Federal agencies with respect to solicitations for competitive and noncompetitive awards of development or production contracts for a major system. Provides a waiver for certain evaluation considerations if the contracting officer determines in writing that such requirement would not be applicable to the production contract or would not be in the best interests of the Government. Requires an agency before it can establish any prequalification requirement with respect to the awarding of a contract to: (1) prepare a written justification stating the reasons for the restriction and why free and open competition is not feasible; (2) specify in writing and make available upon request all standards which a contractor, or its product, must meet in order to become qualified; (3) provide an opportunity for a contractor to demonstrate its ability to meet such standards; and (4) inform such contractor as to whether qualification has been attained. Sets forth procedures an agency must follow in the event that the number of available qualified sources or products is less than five. Sets forth additional information which is to be included in all notices of proposed competitive and noncompetitive civilian and defense procurement actions of $10,000 and above. Requires an agency to: (1) publicly post solicitations which would have been synopsized in the Commerce Business Daily if it had equalled or exceeded the applicable dollar threshold for such publication; and (2) make available to small businesses the solicitation package for solicitations posted in abstract form and permit the copying of such solicitation. Declares it to be the policy of the United States that small businesses and small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals shall have to the maximum extent possible the opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts which are in excess of $10,000 and are not for personal services for subsystems, assemblies, components, and related services for major systems. Requires an agency with responsibility for a major system to include provisions relating to specified technical data in all production contracts in order to foster competitive procurement of spare parts requirements to maintain such systems. Provides a waiver for such provisions if the contracting officer determines in writing that any such provision would not be applicable to the production contract or would not be in the best interests of the Government. Requires an agency: (1) within one year after the enactment of this Act, to develop a plan for the management of such technical data received under contracts for the development, production, modification, or maintenance of major systems within its jurisdiction; and (2) within five years after the enactment of this Act, to complete implementation of such management plan and include the technical data for each major system within its jurisdiction. Specifies other matters the management plan shall address. Requires the Comptroller General, not later than 18 months after the enactment of this Act, to transmit to the Congress a report evaluating the plans of specified Federal agencies for the management of technical data for major systems within their jurisdiction. Requires a contracting officer, under specified circumstances, to initiate a review of the validity of restrictions on the Government's rights in technical data furnished under contract. Sets forth procedures for the certification of such restrictions. Requires the Small Business Administration to assign to each major procurement center a breakout procurement center representative who shall: (1) participate in evaluating the maintenance of a major system during its service life and determine whether requirements are to be procured through other than free and open competition; (2) review procurement method codes that restrict competition among small businesses and to request reevaluation of such restrictions by agency personnel; (3) review restrictions on competition that arise out of restrictions on the Government's rights in technical data and, when appropriate, recommend that the contracting officer initiate a review of the validity of such restriction; (4) obtain technical data for the preparation of a competitive solicitation package; and (5) have access to the unclassified procurement records and other data of the procurement center. Directs each agency to assign technical advisors to assist each breakout procurement center representative.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1984
White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act - Calls upon the President to conduct a National White House Conference on Small Business, not earlier than January 1, 1985, and not later than September 1, 1986, to: (1) increase public awareness of the contributions of small business; (2) identify small business problems; (3) examine the status of minority and women small business owners; (4) assist small business in carrying out its role as the nation's job creator; (5) develop specific recommendations for executive and legislative action; and (6) review the status of recommendations adopted at the Conference. Authorizes and directs Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to provide support and assistance to the planning of such conference. Requires a final report of the Conference, within six months from the date such conference is convened, to be submitted to the President and the Congress. Requires the Small Business Administration to report annually to the Congress for the next three years following the submission of the final report of the Conference. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1984
Satellite Viewing Rights Act of 1984 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize any person to manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or lease equipment for use in receiving satellite television programming and to receive satellite programming which is not encrypted, without obligation to the person producing or transmitting such programming. Prohibits any person from manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling, leasing, or advertising equipment intended for the unauthorized reception and decoding of encrypted satellite programming.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1984
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for: (1) FY 1985 through 1987 to be used by the Secretary of Commerce to assist in the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities; and (2) FY 1987 through 1989 for the Public Broadcasting Fund used by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
![Official portrait of Sen. Kasten, Robert W., Jr. [R-WI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000019_200.jpg)