The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Sen. Kasten, Robert W., Jr. [R-WI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000019_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
2,173 records where Sen. Kasten, Robert W., Jr. [R-WI] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that one-half of the cost of insurance paid by a self-employed taxpayer for medical care during the taxable year will be allowed as a business deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1984
Declares that Congress asks the American people to take cognizance of the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Rome on June 2 through June 3, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Land Remote-Sensing Satellite Communications Act of 1984 - Title I: Declarations of Findings and Purposes - Sets forth the findings and purposes of Congress regarding the civil land remote-sensing satellite system. Defines for the purposes of this Act certain terms including "Landsat system", "nondiscriminatory basis", "unenhanced data", and "United States private entity." Title II: Operation and Data Marketing of Landsat System - Makes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) responsible for certain tasks including orbit and data collection and disposition of Landsat 4 and Landsat D-prime upon the termination of their useful operations. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to contract with a United States private entity for the marketing of unenhanced data collected according to the provisions of this title. Sets forth certain requirements of any contract with a United States private entity. Directs the Secretary to publish such requirements before entering a contract and subjects the contract to them. Directs the Secretary to transmit any proposed decision to enter such a contract to the appropriate congressional committees. Places restrictions upon when such decisions may be implemented with or without specific congressional approval. Directs the Secretary to award the contract on the basis of certain criteria including the financial return to the United States and the ability to expand the market for unenhanced land remote-sensing data. Title III: Data Continuity After the Landsat System - Directs the Secretary to evaluate competitive proposals specifying certain information from United States private entities for a contract for the development of a system capable of generating land remote-sensing data and marketing such data for six years. Sets forth provisions for congressional review of proposed contract awards. Requires any contract awarded pursuant to this title to require the contractor to offer to sell and deliver unenhanced land remote-sensing data to all potential buyers on a nondiscriminatory basis. Specifies additional contract requirements. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the feasibility of total private operation of a system within two years after the date on which any such contract becomes effective. Terminates the authority granted by this title ten years after the beginning date of any contract. Title IV: Private Land Remote-Sensing Systems - Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the appropriate Federal agencies, to license qualified United States private entities to operate civil land remote-sensing satellite systems. Prohibits the operation of such a system without a license. Specifies the conditions of any such license and the responsibilities of the Secretary regarding private remote-sensing satellite systems. Authorizes Federal agencies to engage in joint activities in satellite land remote-sensing by forming consortia with the private firms subject to certain restrictions. Terminates the authority of this title ten years after the date of enactment of this Act if no firm or consortium has been licensed and continues in operation under the provisions of this title. Title V: Research and Development - Directs the Administrators of NOAA and of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the heads of other agencies to continue land remote-sensing research and development. Authorizes the use of data gathered in Federal experimental land remote-sensing programs in related research and development programs funded by the Federal government. Authorizes the competitive en bloc sale of data gathered in Federal experimental land remote-sensing programs to any United States entity which will market the data on a nondiscriminatory basis. Title VI: General Provisions - Requires that unenhanced land remote-sensing satellite data generated by any system operator be made available to all uses on a nondiscriminatory basis. Sets forth certain general provisions including archiving of data, radio frequency allocation, and consultation requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Anti-Fraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1984 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a Federal offense for any person to knowingly make any false statement or conceal any material fact in connection with an adoption or with the placement of a child in a home for permanent free care. Makes it unlawful for any person to solicit or receive money for arranging for an adoption or for a placement for permanent free care. Provides for the following exceptions: (1) licensed agencies; (2) fees received for professional legal or medical services; and (3) if such person is the natural parent of a child or the prospective adoptive parent. Provides for imprisonment for not more than five years and/or a fine of not more than $10,000. Makes it a Federal offense for any person to use force or duress to cause any other individual to travel in interstate or foreign commerce in connection with an adoption. Provides for imprisonment for not more than ten years or a fine of not more than $20,000. Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) review model adoption legislation and procedures and propose necessary changes to insure against fraudulent practices; (2) coordinate with national, State and volunteer organizations to improve State adoption legislation; and (3) assist States in the development of improved procedures for controlling illegal adoption practices. Grants the Federal district courts jurisdiction to hear any civil action involving fraudulent adoption practices regardless of the amount in controversy.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Designates the week of November 25 through December 1, 1984, as National Home Care Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Designates the week of October 7 through October 13, 1984, as National Birds of Prey Conservation Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of May 1984 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Designates the week beginning April 22, 1984, as National Dance Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations exempting retirees or individuals over age 65 from interest penalties with respect to any underpayment of estimated tax. Requires that such underpayment be due to reasonable cause (defined to include mistake or ignorance of the law) and not to willful neglect.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1984
Grants a Federal charter to the 369th Veterans' Association.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1984
Designates the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1984
States that the United States renounces the Yalta agreement and declares that such agreement is no longer binding. Expresses the United States' solidarity with the aspirations of the peoples of the Baltic States and Eastern Europe.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1984
Designates the week of May 20 through May 26, 1984, as National Arts With the Handicapped Week.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1984
Members of Congress Pay Reform Act of 1984 - Declares the rate of pay of Members of Congress to be that which was payable for such office on December 31, 1983. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to repeal the authority for annual adjustments to compensation for Members. Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to provide that presidential recommendations for certain salaries shall take effect only if enacted into law. Requires a recorded vote on legislation which would increase the rate of pay of Members of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1984
Declares the rate of pay of Members of Congress to be that which was payable for such office on December 31, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1984
Designates January 1 through December 31, 1984, as the Year of Excellence in Education.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1984
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Honorable Clement J. Zablocki, of Wisconsin.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to provide that a buyer in the ordinary course of business who buys farm products from a person engaged in farming operations shall own such goods free of any security interest in such goods even though the security interest is perfected and even though the buyer knows of its existence.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to permit industrial homework pursued by individuals (including craftswork and the performance of services in such individuals' residences) if their employers comply with the minimum wage and maximum hours provisions of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Wine Equity Act of 1983 - Requires the President to direct the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to negotiate the harmonization of tariff and nontariff barriers on wine with each designated major trading country. Requires negotiations with designated major trading countries which do not export wine to the United States in order to eliminate all tariff and nontariff trade barriers of such countries to the importation of U.S. wine. Requires the President to impose tariff and nontariff trade barriers equal or substantially equivalent to the barriers applied by a designated major trading country if such country does not provide harmonization to U.S. produced-wine within 180 days of the country's designation as a designated major trading country. Provides for removing such U.S. tariff and nontariff barriers. Requires the USTR to report to specified congressional committees at the beginning and end of each negotiation. Requires the USTR to consult with such committees to identify further tariff and nontariff barriers to and potential markets for U.S. wine. Provides for assistance for the USTR from other Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Proclaims March 20, 1984, as National Agriculture Day.
United States · United States Congress · 11 November 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from Federal income taxes members of the armed forces or civilian employees of the United States who die as a result of hostile action outside the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1983
Amends the Small Business Act to provide that financings provided to State and local development companies under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 shall not be considered when computing the total amount outstanding and committed to a borrower from the business loan and investment fund established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1983
Organ Procurement and Transplantation Act - Title I: Task Force on Organ Procurement and Transplantation Establishment - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Task Force on Organ Procurement and Transplantation to develop a national plan for organ procurement and a donor network. Requires a report to the President and the appropriate congressional committees within three months. Terminates the Task Force three months after such report is submitted. Title II: Organ Procurement and Transplantation Registry - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of a private sector Organ Procurement and Transplantation Registry to provide for a national donor-recipient network. Authorizes grant authority for such purposes. Title III: Annual Report on Organ Transplantation - Directs the Secretary to report annually on the scientific and clinical status of organ transplantation. Title IV: Prohibition of Organ Purchases - Prohibits the sale or purchase of human organs in interstate commerce. Establishes criminal penalties for such violations.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1983
Social Security Benefits Disallowance Act of 1983 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that an individual can receive title II benefits only if such individual can show that he or she: (1) is a U.S. citizen or was a U.S. citizen but has voluntarily relinquished such status; or (2) is an alien legally admitted to work or was an alien legally admitted to work but has voluntarily relinquished such status. Prohibits the payment of title II benefits to any individual who: (1) is subject to a final order of exclusion, a final order of departure, or a voluntary departure in lieu of deportation; or (2) is not legally permitted to work in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1983
Great Lakes Water Diversion Act - Provides that Great Lakes water shall not be diverted for use outside a Great Lakes State unless such diversion is approved by all eight Great Lakes States (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin) and the International Joint Commission. Prohibits any Federal study of Great Lakes water diversion unless such study is undertaken by the Corps of Engineers under the direction of the International Joint Commission in accordance with the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1983
Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1983 - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to require the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to establish and maintain a national toll-free telephone line for reporting information regarding the location of missing children. Directs the Administrator to establish a national resource center and clearinghouse to: (1) provide technical assistance to State and local governments and agencies in locating missing children; (2) coordinate public and private efforts to recover missing children; and (3) disseminate information on innovative missing childrens' programs, services, and legislation. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual summary of research on missing children and prepare a comprehensive plan for coordinating activities of all agencies and organizations responsible for missing children. Authorizes the Administrator, in consultation with the Advisory Board on Missing Children, to make grants for research or demonstration or service programs designed to: (1) educate parents and community agencies on ways to prevent the abduction of children; (2) assist in the recovery or tracking of missing children; (3) aid communities in collecting material to assist parents in the identification of their children; (4) demonstrate the psychological consequences of a child's abduction; and (5) collect data on investigative practices utilized by law enforcement agencies. Requires the Administrator to appoint an Advisory Board on Missing Children to assist the Administrator in coordinating programs and activities relating to missing children. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should fulfill its obligations to promote respect for human rights and freedoms in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (Baltic States); and (2) the President, acting through specified officials, should take the necessary steps to bring the question of self-determination of the Baltic States before appropriate forums of the United Nations. Suggests that such forums discuss a specified list of topics, including human rights violations in the Baltic States and the withdrawal of Soviet troops.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in order to reduce high unemployment and to foster the recovery of the U.S. automobile industry and to avoid the further deterioration of U.S. trade, the President should urge the Japanese to extend beyond March 31, 1984, the present automobile export restraints.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1983
Life Insurance Tax Act of 1983 - Title I: Life Insurance Provisions - Subtitle A: Taxation of Life Insurance Companies - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set the rate of tax on a life insurance company at the corporate rate on its life insurance company taxable income (LICTI). Sets forth an alternative tax in the case of capital gains. Defines life insurance company taxable income as life insurance gross income reduced by life insurance deductions. Defines life insurance gross income as the sum of: (1) premiums; (2) decreases in certain reserves; and (3) other amounts generally includible by a taxpayer in gross income. Allows three types of deductions: (1) general life insurance deductions; (2) the special life insurance deduction; and (3) the small life insurance company deduction. Sets forth definitions and special rules for each type of deduction. Sets forth rules for the calculation of net increases and decreases in reserves. Requires life insurance companies to use either the accrual method of accounting or a method permitted under regulations which combines an accrual method with another recognized method. Sets forth rules for the amortization of premiums and accrual of discount. Sets forth rules for the computation of a company's share and the policyholders' share of investment income. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of foreign life insurance companies. Requires an adjustment to LICTI where a required surplus held in the United States is less than a specified amount. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of contiguous country branches of domestic life insurance companies. Provides that life insurance company taxable income which has an existing policyholders surplus account shall be increased by any direct or indirect distribution to shareholders from such account. Defines "life insurance company" as an insurance company which is engaged in the business of issuing life insurance and annuity contracts or noncancellable contracts of health and life insurance if its life insurance reserves plus unearned premiums and unpaid losses comprise more than 50 percent of its total reserves. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of variable contracts. Sets forth rules relating to capital gains and losses of a life insurance company. Sets forth the effective date for the provisions of this Act. Provides transitional rules. Subtitle B: Taxation of Life Insurance Products - Redefines "life insurance contract" for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code. Defines such a contract as any contract, which is a life insurance contract under applicable State or foreign law, but only if the contract meets either of two alternatives: (1) a cash value accumulation test; or (2) a test consisting of a guideline premium requirement and a cash value corridor requirement. Specifies requirements of each such test. Sets forth rules for contracts not meeting the life insurance definition. Sets forth transitional rules. Treats as distributed to a contract holder any amount of an annuity contract held by an individual who dies before the annuity starting date. Exempts any such amounts from the five-percent penalty tax on a premature distribution from an annuity. Limits the amount of the interest deduction allowed in the case of life insurance loans. Sets forth rules for the calculation of such limit. Extends to former employees and key employees the limitations on group-term life insurance purchased for employees. Subtitle C: Nondeductible Contributions to Individual Retirement Plans - Allows certain nondeductible contributions to individual retirement accounts and annuities. Limits such contributions to the least of: (1) $1,750; (2) the excess of compensation includible in gross income over the amount allowable as a deduction under present rules; or (3) an amount designated by the taxpayer as a nondeductible contribution. Subtitle D: Studies - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to specified committees of the Congress on the revenues received by this Act and to compare the amount of such revenues and the amount anticipated by reason of changes made by the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 and this Act. Requires the Secretary to make annual reports in the years 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1989 concerning the impact of this Act on specified segments and products of the life insurance industry.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1983
National Acid Deposition Reduction Act of 1983 - Title I: Acid Deposition Control Program - Amends the Clean Air Act ("the Act") to establish an acid deposition control program. Requires that a reduction in annual emissions of sulfur dioxide in an acid deposition impact region (consisting of the 31 States, and the District of Columbia, east of or bordering on the Mississippi River) of 10,000,000 tons from the total actual annual level in 1980 of such emissions. Requires that this be a phased reduction and completed no later than January 1, 1993. Prohibits, beginning January 1, 1993, the total actual annual level of emissions of sulfur dioxide from stationary sources from being allowed to exceed 16,600,000 tons per year nationwide. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to publish, by January 1, 1985, an inventory and projection of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions for the United States, including (in tons): (1) 1980 emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from each major stationary source within the 50 States, by source and State; (2) 1980 emissions of nitrogen oxides from mobile sources for each of the 50 States, by type of mobile source; (3) 1980 emissions of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides from other than major stationary or mobile sources; (4) emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from major stationary sources within the United States beginning operation after December 31, 1980 and before January 1, 1987; (5) additional increments of emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides above 1980 emissions rates for major stationary sources in operation on or before December 31, 1980; (6) additional increments of emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from mobile sources and other than major stationary sources which are projected to occur after December 31, 1980 and before January 1, 1993; (7) additional increments of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions which will occur at major stationary sources as a result of increasing plant utilization above 1980 levels and which are not subject to certain emissions limitations under specified provisions of this Act; and (8) an estimate of the gross tons of reductions in annual emissions of sulfur dioxide that are necessary to achieve a net reduction of 10,000,000 tons from the 1980 actual annual emissions of sulfur dioxide in the acid deposition impact region. Directs the Administrator to annually update such inventory and projection. Sets forth provision for an emissions cap and offsets. Prohibits any major stationary source which is in operation before 1987 from increasing its actual rate of emissions of sulfur dioxide over its 1980 level, unless there has been identified for such source a simultaneous net reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions at one or more sources in the same EPA administrative region in excess of the proposed increase in emission rate, and not otherwise required by a State implementation plan or under specified provisions of this Act. Requires that, for each major stationary source beginning operations after January 1, 1987, there shall be identified for such source a simultaneous net reduction in emissions of sulfur dioxide at one or more sources in the same EPA region in excess of the proposed emission rate for that source, and not otherwise required by a State implementation plan or under specified provisions of this Act. Provides that, for purposes of such emissions cap and offsets, a major stationary source beginning operation after January 1, 1987, and which commenced construction before January 1, 1984, shall be considered: (1) to be in operation before January 1, 1987; and (2) to have actual annual emissions not in excess of specified standards of performance under the Act. Provides that, for purposes of the emissions cap and offsets for major stationary sources in operation before January 1, 1987, actual annual emissions may exceed 1980 emissions if the additional increment of emissions results from increasing plant utilization above 1980 levels, but in no case may the actual annual emissions used to determine whether an emissions increase has occurred exceed the emissions rate that would result by multiplying the 1980 emissions rate by a plant utilization factor equal to the average level of production experienced by such source during the period from January 1, 1970 through December 31, 1980 (or the portion of such period during which such source was in operation), divided by the level of production experienced by such source in 1980. Requires States to assure: (1) compliance which such emissions cap and offsets requirements; and (2) the provision of emission reduction banks and brokerage institutions authorized under State implementation plan and acid deposition control provisions. Sets forth provisions for a priority list and emissions limitations. Directs the Administrator to publish, by January 1, 1986, a priority list of proposed control strategies for sulfur dioxide emissions reductions: (1) at major stationary sources which began operation prior to enactment of this Act; and (2) for which the Administrator intends to provide assistance by the use of funds available under the trust fund established by title II of this Act. Allows such control strategies to include specified methods or projects for net emission reduction, in addition to certain continuous emissions reductions measures, if emissions limitations under such methods or projects are enforceable by the Federal Government, States other than those in which the emissions occur, or citizens under provisions for citizen suits under the Act. Sets forth other requirements relating to such priority list. Authorizes the Administrator to limit the number of projects on the priority list which rely on fuel switching, if substantial unemployment or economic dislocation might otherwise result. Authorizes the Administrator to include on the priority list control strategies for emissions reductions by sources outside the acid deposition impact region under specified conditions relating to acid deposition or air quality improvement. Requires each State, within 12 months after publication of the priority list, to adopt enforceable measures, including emissions limitations and compliance schedules, to achieve the reductions in sulfur dioxide emissions set forth on the priority list for each source within such State. Directs each State Governor to submit such measures to the Administrator for review, and to the Governors of all States in the acid deposition impact region for comment. Directs the Administrator to approve such measures within six months, taking into consideration the comments of Governors of the other States, if specified conditions are met. Provides that such measures shall be deemed State implementation plan requirements. Requires each major stationary source identified for such a control strategy to be in compliance with such an emission limitation by January 1, 1993, but does not require any such source to implement a particular control strategy, provided that the emission limitation is achieved. Directs the Administrator to use funds available under the trust fund established under title II of this Act to pay up to 70 percent of the capital costs necessary to implement the control strategies identified in the priority list. Sets forth conditions for such assistance. Directs the Administrator to use funds available under such trust fund to pay up to 30 percent of the operation and maintenance costs necessary to implement such control strategies. Sets forth conditions for such assistance. Directs the Administrator, within 12 months after the publication of the priority list, to enter into binding agreements with the owners and operators of all sources with a control strategy included on the priority list. Sets forth requirements relating to such agreements. Limits to five percent of the funds available under such trust fund the amount which may be used to assist specified air quality improvement projects outside the acid deposition impact region. Allows up to two percent of the funds available under such trust fund to be used for the development and demonstration of sulfur dioxide emission control technologies or to conduct specified research under the Energy Security Act of 1980. Sets forth alternative reduction requirements which shall apply to all fossil-fuel-burning electric generating facilities which are major stationary sources located within: (1) the acid deposition impact region, if the Administrator fails to publish the priority list by January 1, 1986; or (2) any State, if such State fails to promulgate emissions limitations and compliance schedules as required under this Act. Title II: Acid Deposition Reduction Trust Fund - Establishes within the Treasury of the United States the Acid Deposition Reduction Trust Fund, consisting of such amounts as may be appropriated or transferred to the trust fund under this title. Appropriates to the trust fund amounts determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be equivalent to the revenues received in the Treasury under the taxes imposed by this title. Provides that amounts in the trust fund shall be available only for expenditures relating to control strategies under title I. Imposes a tax on: (1) sulfur dioxide emissions from major stationary sources; (2) nitrogen oxides emissions from major stationary sources; and (3) nitrogen oxides emissions from motor vehicles and other mobile sources, including aircraft, railroad locomotives, and heavy construction equipment, without regard to whether it is capable of being relocated. Provides that such tax shall take effect on January 1, 1985, and terminate December 31, 1994. Directs the Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator, to establish such tax rates so that the total received during the period such tax is in effect shall be $40,000,000,000. Requires that: (1) two-thirds of such amount will be received from the tax on sulfur dioxide emissions from major stationary sources; (2) one-sixth of such amount will be received from the tax on nitrogen oxides emissions from major stationary sources; and (3) one-sixth of such amount will be received from the tax on nitrogen oxides emissions from motor vehicles and other mobile sources. Provides that the taxes on sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions from major stationary sources be paid by the operator of each such source. Provides that the portion of the tax imposed on nitrogen oxides emissions attributable to light-duty motor vehicles shall be paid at the time of first sale by the ultimater purchaser of each such vehicle sold in the United States after December 31, 1984. Provides that the portion of the tax on nitrogen oxides emissions attributable to mobile sources other than light-duty motor vehicles shall be paid by the owner of each such mobile source on an annual basis. Authorizes the Secretary to adjust such tax rate in the light of accumulated experience. Makes such adjustments effective on January 1 of 1987, 1990, or 1993. Authorizes the Secretary to modify such tax rate with respect to the operator of a specific fossil-fuel-burning electric generating facility which will be installing a technological system of continuous emission reduction to comply with certain emission limitations during the period such tax will be in effect. Requires that such modification establish a tax of equal annual amounts during such period, based on the average of emission levels expected prior to and subsequent to the installation and operation of such technological system. Authorizes the Secretary to establish such tax rates on sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions from major stationary sources on the basis of ranges of quantities of such pollutants emitted from a class of such sources, in lieu of a strict per-unit-of-weight rate, if it is enforceable and produces adequate revenue, without imposing monitoring costs which bear no reasonable relationship to the revenues received from such sources. Sets forth administrative provisions relating to the trust fund. Authorizes the Secretary to allow a source to make annual payments of equal amounts in those cases where a source otherwise would be required prior to installation of control technology to make payments substantially greater than payments after the installation of such technology. Allows such a source, if it is one which would receive assistance from the trust fund, to escrow its tax payments if such action would levelize electricity rate charges.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1983
Retirement Equity Act of 1983 - Title I: Amendments Relating to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to lower the age requirement for participation in a tax- deferred retirement plan from 25 to 21. Lowers the minimum age at which years of employment begin to be credited for retirement plan vesting purposes from 22 to 18. Provides that nonvested participants in a retirement plan with a break in service of up to five years will not lose credit for pre-break periods of service. Permits limited breaks in service for paternity or maternity leave without loss of vesting credits. Requires tax-deferred retirement plans to offer survivor benefits to plan participants who have attained age 45 and have ten years of creditable service. Requires spousal consent in order for a retirement plan participant to elect not to take a joint and survivor annuity. Requires that such consent must be in writing and must be witnessed by either a plan representative or a notary public. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a retirement plan in the case of a judgment, decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State's domestic relations law. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of retirement plan distributions pursuant to a divorce decree. Increases the amount of allowable mandatory distributions from a retirement plan from $1,750 to $3,500. Requires that a plan participant must be notified that benefits under the plan may be forfeited if the participant dies before a certain date. Title II: Amendments Relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to incorporate into such Act the changes made by Title I of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the President and the Secretary of State should, in formulating U.S. foreign policy, recognize and take into account the genocide of the Armenian people; and (2) the President should direct his representatives to communicate in international forums the U.S. abhorrence to the genocide of the Armenian people.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Declares that it should be U.S. policy to: (1) support the people of Afghanistan in their struggle to be free from foreign domination; (2) provide the Afghans, upon request, with material assistance; and (3) pursue a negotiated settlement of the war in Afghanistan based on the total withdrawal of Soviet troops and the recognition of the right of the Afghans to choose their own destiny.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1983
Allows the President an item veto of appropriations bills except any item of appropriation for the legislative branch or the judicial branch. Requires the President, in signing such a bill, to designate the provisions disapproved and return the bill to the house in which it originated. Subjects such bills to the same proceedings as other bills disapproved by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1983
Constitutional Amendment - Permits the President to reduce or veto any item of appropriation in any Act or joint resolution, except an item of appropriation for the legislative branch or the judicial branch. Requires the President to return with his objections any item of appropriation reduced or vetoed to the House in which the bill originated. Subjects such bills to the same proceeding as other bills disapproved by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1983
Designates the week of January 22 through January 28, 1984 as National Meat Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) urge the Council of European Community Ministers to reject their Commission's proposals that seek to shift to other countries the financial burden of disposing of their agricultural surpluses; and (2) continue to oppose proposed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) modifications that would adversely affect the access of U.S. agricultural exports to European Community markets. States, also, that if the European Community adopts such proposed CAP modifiestions, then it is the House's sense that measures should be implemented to protect U.S. trade interests.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1983
Foreign Assistance and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1984 - Title I: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1984 for the U.S. contribution to the: (1) Inter-American Development Bank; (2) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development; (3) International Development Association; (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) Inter-American Development Bank; (2) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development; (3) Asian Development Bank; and (4) African Development Bank. Makes appropriations for FY 1984 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 1984 for: (1) agriculture, rural development, and nutrition programs; (2) population planning, providing that none of the funds may be available to the World Health Organization's Special Program of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction; (3) health programs; (4) education and human resources development; (5) energy resources development; (6) the Private Sector Revolving Fund; (7) science and technology programs; (8) American schools and hospitals abroad; (9) international disaster assistance, with a specified amount earmarked for earthquake relief and reconstruction in southern Italy; (10) the Sahel development program, which appropriations are limited to ten percent of the total contributions to the program; (11) Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (12) Economic Support Fund, with specified amounts earmarked for Israel, Egypt, and El Salvador; (13) peacekeeping operations; (14) operating expenses of the Agency for International Development, with a limit on the amount that may be used for foreign affairs administrative support; (15) trade and development programs; (16) housing and other credit guaranty programs; (17) overseas training and special development activities (foreign currency program); (18) international narcotics control; (19) the Inter-American Foundation; (20) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; (21) the Peace Corps, provided none of the funds are used to pay for abortions; (22) 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 (23) anti-terrorism assistance. Requires that at least 30 percent of the obligational authority provided for the first seven programs shall be available for loans for FY 1984. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1984 for: (1) military assistance programs, provided a specified amount is earmarked for Turkey; (2) international military education and training; and (3) foreign military credit sales program, with specified minimum amounts available only for Israel and Egypt, provided that of the amount provided for the total credit sale ceiling during the current fiscal year specified minimum amounts shall be available only for Israel, Greece, and Turkey. Sets the limits for FY 1984 on: (1) the gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans exclusive of loan guaranty defaults; and (2) total commitments to guarantee loans. Authorizes a specified amount to be made available to the Special Defense Acquisition Fund for FY 1984. 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 provided by the Government Corporation Control Act 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 1984 gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans and the total commitment to guarantee loans. 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 any such funds to lobby for abortion; (2) 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; (3) a prohibition against payments under loan guarantees or credit assurance agreements to Poland in the absence of a declaration of default of Poland with respect to such loans or credits; (4) a prohibition against making funds available to Syria, a deobligation of all funds previously obligated to Syria, and permission for the Administrator of the Agency for International Development to adopt and assume liability for contracts with contractors which had been funded by the Agency for International Development before enactment of this Act (including contracts with Syria); (5) a requirement that 30 percent of the funds appropriated for El Salvador shall be set aside until Salvadoran authorities have substantially concluded investigations into the case of the national guardsmen charged with murder in the deaths of four U.S. churchwomen and have brought the accused to trial and have obtained a verdict.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1983
Designates October 1, 1983, the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1983
Title I: Short Title - Declares that this Act may be cited as the National Productivity and Innovation Act of 1983. Title II: Joint Research and Development Ventures - Provides that no joint research and development program shall be deemed illegal per se in any action under the antitrust laws. Limits to actual damages, interest thereon, and the cost of suit the amount that any person or State may recover in an antitrust action based on conduct that is part of such a program and that has been disclosed to the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. Authorizes any individual participating in such a program to file with the Attorney General and the Commission a notification describing the program and specifying conduct to be performed under the program. Directs the Commission to publish in the Federal Register a notice of each such notification, including a description of the participants, the program, and its objectives. Declares that material submitted as part of such notification shall be available to the public upon request, unless the Attorney General or the Commission determines that the individual who submitted the notification shows good cause for not disclosing certain material. Allows an individual to withdraw a filed notification before it is published and accompanying material is made publicly available. Exempts actions and determinations of the Attorney General or the Commission concerning such notifications or antitrust actions or investigations from judicial review. Title III: Intellectual Property Licensing Under the Antitrust Laws - Amends the Clayton Act to provide that agreements to convey rights to use, practice, or sublicense patented inventions, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks, know-how, or other intellectual property shall not be deemed illegal per se in actions under the antitrust laws. Limits to actual damages, interest thereon, and the cost of suit the amount that any person or State may recover in an antitrust action based on such an agreement. Title IV: Patent and Copyright Misuse - Prohibits a patent or copyright owner who is entitled to relief for patent or copyright infringement from being denied relief or being deemed guilty of misuse or illegal extension of the patent right or copyright by reason of doing any of the following, unless such conduct violates the antitrust laws: (1) licensing the patent or copyright under terms that affect commerce outside the scope of its claims; (2) restricting a licensee in the sale of a patented or copyrighted product; (3) obligating a licensee to pay excessive royalties, royalties that differ from those paid by other licensees, or royalties not related to a licensee's sale of the patented or copyrighted product; (4) refusing to license a patent or copyright to any person; or (5) otherwise using the patent or copyright allegedly to suppress competition. Title V: Process Patents - Requires a process patent to grant the patentee the right to exclude others from using or selling products produced by that process. Includes as patent infringement the unauthorized use or sale of a product of a patented process. Places the burden of proving that a product was not produced by the patented process on the defendant in a patent infringement action if the court finds that: (1) a substantial likelihood exists that the product was produced by that process; and (2) the claimant has exhausted all reasonable means of determining the process used and was unable to make such determination.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Fringe Benefits Tax Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any fringe benefit which qualifies as a: (1) no-additional-cost service or discount property; (2) working condition fringe; or (3) de minimis fringe. Provides definitions and sets forth special rules for such tax exclusion. Excludes from gross income reductions in tuition provided by an employer to employees, their spouses and dependent children. Excludes from gross income the value of lodging furnished by certain educational institutions to employees, their spouses and dependent children.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Designates the U.S. Post Office Building in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, as the William A. Steiger Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Designates August 4, 1984, as Coast Guard Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1983
State and Local River Conservation Act of 1983 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to States for: (1) the establishment of State and local programs to conserve the natural environmental values of rivers; (2) conservation by the States, local governments, or private organizations of lands near rivers which are included in State, local, or Federal river programs; (3) the development of river management plans, technical assistance documents, or river regulations; and (4) projects demonstrating river conservation methods. Specifies restrictions on the use of such grants. Sets forth grant allocation requirements. Authorizes appropriations for the grants and for the administration of this Act. Conditions such grants upon the establishment of a State river conservation program or upon the development of an assessment of the river related resources of the State. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States for the development of such assessments. Specifies restrictions on such grants. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage volunteers and volunteer organizations to conserve, maintain, and manage rivers throughout the United States. Requires each State with a river conservation program to establish review procedures in connection with applications for a Federal permit or license to conduct activities affecting land or water uses near any river included in the State program. Requires State concurrence with the granting of any such licenses by the Federal agencies with licensing authority. Authorizes landowners to make contributions of real property interests to tax-exempt organizations in order to conserve or enhance the values of rivers included in State, local, or Federal river programs. Requires that the agency responsible for the management or supervision of the river involved to concur in the donation.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1983
Peace-Time Veterans' Educational Assistance Act - Establishes a new educational assistance program for the peace-time force. Excludes graduates of service academies from eligibility for such assistance. Entitles veterans who are graduates of a secondary school and who have served in the armed forces on continuous active duty for at least three years to basic educational assistance. Entitles veterans of the Selected Reserve who are graduates of secondary schools and who have served at least two years of continuous active duty in the Selected Reserve to basic educational assistance. Sets forth the formula for determining the length of such assistance based on the length of time served. Entitles such veterans to a monthly assistance allowance of $300 for a full-time approved program of education. Permits enrollment, if eligible, in a program of education while an individual continues to perform his duties. Entitles veterans who have served three or more consecutive years of active duty in addition to those required for basic educational assistance to supplemental educational assistance. Entitles such veterans to a monthly supplemental assistance allowance of $300 a month. Permits the provision of basic or supplemental assistance at a higher rate to any individual entitled to supplemental educational assistance who has a skill or specialty in which there is a critical shortage of personnel. Establishes a ten year delimiting period for educational assistance. Excludes time spent as a prisoner of war subsequent to discharges and time spent physically or mentally disabled. Excludes time an individual was in an alcohol or drug dependence or drug abuse condition if recognized treatment has been sought and the condition is under control. Directs the Administrator to suspend payment of an educational assistance allowance for any reservist failing to fullfill Reserve obligations. Prohibits participation in more than one program of educational assistance. Allocates the administration and costs of such programs to the Veterans Administration, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Defense. Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator to submit to Congress an annual report on the operations of such programs. Establishes a Career Members' Contributory Educational Assistance Program for members of the armed forces serving on active duty who have completed ten years of service. Allows such members to enroll in such educational benefits program by contributing a monthly deduction to the Career Member Education Account. Limits such contributions to not less than $25 but not more than $100. Authorizes the Secretary to match such contributions at a two for one rate after 24 months of participation by any member and to contribute additional amounts he deems necessary to encourage persons to remain in the armed forces. Provides procedures for refunds of contributions due to: (1) disenrollment from such program; (2) death of a participant; and (3) discharge of release under conditions which would bar the use of educational benefits. Sets forth the formula for determining the amount of entitlement and the methods of payments of benefits to eligible members who pursue a program of education. Authorizes eligible veterans to transfer their educational benefits to their spouses or children in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Limits educational assistance under such program to the date ten years beyond an eligible veteran's discharge or release date. Directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the Administrator each month on deductions made from the military pay of program participants. Requires the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation to transfer funds for administrative costs to the Administrator. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to prescribe regulations to grant leaves of absence (not to exceed 24 months) to eligible members of the armed forces to pursue a program of education. Requires members granted such leave to agree in writing to extend their active duty service for a period of two months for each month of leave of absence. Allows payment to such members of basic allowance for quarters and subsistence while on such leave. Sets forth the circumstances under which the Secretary may cancel such leaves of absence. Requires the Secretary concerned to provide individual predischarge counseling which includes a discussion of educational benefit entitlements. Makes persons who enter the military service after December 31, 1980, ineligible for participation in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program. Eliminates the delimiting period for the Veterans' educational assistance program for veterans who enlisted or served before January 1, 1977. Requires the Secretaries of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Transportation to transfer payment and administrative funds to the Administrator for such program. Sets forth effective dates.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1983
Small Business Competition in Contracting Act of 1983 - Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit Government procurement officers from using qualified bidders or similar lists to preclude small businesses from being awarded contracts without referring the matter for final disposition to the Small Business Administration (SBA). Requires the SBA to certify small businesses as eligible to perform specific Government subcontracts if the contract involved exceeds $100,000 or the approved limits of a contractor's procurement system, whichever is greater. Provides that a Government procurement officer may not refuse to include a product of a small business concern or group of small business concerns on a qualified products list without referring the matter for final disposition to the SBA. Prohibits the SBA from: (1) establishing an exemption from the requirements that Government procurement officers refer questions as to a small business' eligibility as a Government contractor to the SBA for disposition; or (2) refusing to accept such a referral. Requires prime contractors on Government procurement contracts (in excess of $500,000 or $1,000,000 for construction) to develop and submit a plan to Government agencies for placing subcontracts in designated areas of high unemployment. Declares it to be the policy of the United States that small business concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals shall have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the award of Government prime contracts and subcontracts for appropriate portions of component systems, spare parts, and services for major weapon systems. Provides that during the planning for contracts for the procurement and performance of services or for the production or assembly of goods for major weapon systems, the head of each Federal agency shall maximize competition for such components or services so as to insure to the maximum extent practicable that small and small disadvantaged businesses are not precluded from performing as prime contractors and subcontractors on such contracts. Requires Federal agencies to publicly post and make available to small businesses information concerning the agencies' solicitations, unless such disclosure of information would be a breach of security or would disclose the Government's cost estimate for the procurement. Directs the Department of Defense to use funds appropriated for the development or production of any major weapon system to acquire manufacturing data relating to such system. Requires contracts entered into by any military department for the development or production of any major weapons system to contain provisions insuring the Government's acquisition of such manufacturing data, including conditions under which the contractor waives proprietary rights with respect to data necessary for the performance of such contracts. Provides waiver authority upon notification to specified congressional committees in instances where the military department determines that manufacturing technical data is not necessary. Directs each military department, within a specified time, to complete an inventory of the manufacturing technical data which the Government has in its possession or to which it has access. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to transmit to Congress, within three years after enactment of this Act, a report evaluating each military department's efforts to compile an inventory of the manufacturing data in its possession or to which it has access. Provides that the exclusive remedy for the violation of protected information by the Government is a suit in the United States Claims Court for damages. States that Federal procurement rulemaking is to be covered under the Administrative Procedure Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1983
Designates the week of October 3 through October 9, 1983, as National Productivity Improvement Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1983
Child Support Enforcement Amendments of 1983 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments, in addition to those already provided under part D, to any State whose part D program is found to be exemplary in the amount of collections made, the cost efficiency with which the program is operated, or the magnitude of the costs to other assistance programs that could reasonably have been expected to occur but for the operation and the effective performance of the State's program. Repeals the present provisions for incentive payments to States and localities. Reduces Federal funding to States under part D. Eliminates funding for the planning, design, development, installation, or enhancement of an automatic data processing and information retrieval system under part D. Revises provisions of part D relating to the distribution of the amounts collected as child support by a State. Provides: (1) that amounts collected by a State under part D as support for families receiving Aid to Families With Dependent Children (part A of title IV of the Act) shall be paid to the family to the extent that such amounts exceed the amount of AFDC paid to the family but do not exceed the amount of required court ordered support; (2) that amounts in excess of those required to be paid to the family shall be retained by the State to the extent they do not exceed the total amount of AFDC previously paid to the family; and (3) that any balance shall be paid to the family. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to assist in the development or improvement of clearinghouses and other information management systems to aid in the enforcement of support by facilitating the collection and exchange, both within a State and among States, of child support information. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. Requires charging an application fee of at least $25 for child support or paternity determination services furnished under part D to individual's not otherwise eligible. Provides that the costs of providing collection services may range from three to ten percent of the amount collected. Requires a State under part D to implement procedures providing for: (1) the withholding of child support from wages if a support order has been entered by a State; (2) quasi-judicial or administrative procedures for entering child support orders which have the same force and effect as orders entered by a court; (3) the collection of past-due support from State tax refunds; (4) placing liens on real property for amounts of past-due support. Requires a designee of the Secretary to conduct a review of each State's part D program at least once every three years in order to determine the program's effectiveness and compliance with part D requirement. Requires a State under part A of title IV to have in effect a plan under part D and operate a child support program in substantial compliance (currently, in conformity) with the part D plan. Provides for reduced Federal funding under part A for any State whose part D program is not in compliance. Eliminates the requirement that before a State agency can request information from the Secretary the agency must have determined that the absent parent cannot be located through procedures under the control of the agency. Makes provisions of part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act relating to demonstration project authority applicable to part D. Makes modifications in the timing and content of the Secretary's annual part I report to Congress. Requires child support collected by a State on behalf of a child for whom a public agency is making foster care payments under part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of the Act to be paid to the public agency responsible for supervising placement of the child, to the extent that the amounts collected exceed the monthly foster care maintenance payments but not the monthly amount required by a court of administrative order to be paid on behalf of the child or agreed to by both parents of such child. Requires a State plan under part E to provide that all steps will be taken to secure an assignment to the State of any rights to support on behalf of each child receiving part E foster care maintenance payments.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1983
Honest Budgeting Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal Financing Bank Act of 1973 to require all transactions of the Federal Financing Bank to be reflected in the unified budget of the United States government. Treats amounts of loans guaranteed by a Federal agency and financed by the Bank as outlays of such agency. Treats amounts disbursed by the Bank for the purchase of loans guaranteed, loan assets sold, and debt obligations issued by a Federal agency as a means of financing that agency. Prohibits a Federal agency from issuing, selling, or guaranteeing any investment security obligations of a type formerly financed through the Bank unless such an obligation is offered for sale to the Bank.