United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1981
FHA Revitalization Act of 1981 - Title I: General Authority - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure a home loan or mortgage that has an adjustable interest rate, is required to be refinanced before the end of amortization, involves the payment of discount points to reduce the interest rate, or is otherwise currently ineligible for insurance under such Act. Prohibits the Secretary from providing such insurance to a person who has owned a dwelling within the previous three years. Increases the maximum amounts of mortgages for two, three, and four- family residences which are eligible for insurance. Title II: Five-Year Mortgages - Authorizes the Secretary to insure mortgages which mature, but are not fully amortized, in five years or less and which bear a constant rate of interest. Declares that such a mortgage may be refinanced. Permits the Secretary to insure the mortgage executed to refinance such earlier mortgage. Title III: Condominiums - Eliminates the requirement that a multifamily project must have had a federally insured mortgage or must have qualified for a Veterans Administration loan or guarantee before one of its single-family units can qualify for Federal mortgage insurance. Authorizes the Secretary to insure a blanket mortgage on a new multifamily project involving a principal obligation of an amount not exceeding 70 percent of the project's property value which includes the value of units rented by the developer for not more than five years and units owned by investors. Title IV: Mortgage Insurance for Homes on Leased Land - Authorizes the Secretary to insure the mortgage of a home on leased land where the home owner has an option to buy the land. Title V: Mortgage Insurance on Certain Homes - Authorizes the Secretary to insure a mortgage involving a principal obligation not exceeding 97 percent of the property value. Requires that a mortgage, to be eligible for insurance, be secured by a dwelling which satisfies standards prescribed under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Act of 1974 and which has a permanent foundation. Decreases to 30 years the maximum maturity period of an eligible mortgage. Title VI: Property Standards - Authorizes the Secretary to insure a loan to acquire, for the purpose of rehabilitation, a property which is 30 or more years old if it complies with local health and safety codes. Allows the borrower to refinance such loan within five years. Provides conditions for insurance of the loan to refinance.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to give first or fourth visa preference (sons and daughters of U.S. citizens) to an alien who was fathered by a U.S. serviceman after 1950 in Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Laos, Japan, Thailand, or the Philippines. Requires a five-year financial support guarantee signed by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident sponsor. Allows the Attorney General to enforce such guarantee against the sponsor in a civil suit unless such sponsor dies or is adjudicated bankrupt.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Career Criminal Life Sentence Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish a mandatory life sentence for "career criminals." Defines "career criminal" to mean whoever commits a Federal or State robbery or burglary felony while using, threatening to use, displaying, or possessing a firearm, after having been twice convicted of a robbery or burglary felony. Expresses the intent of Congress that the United States should ordinarily defer to State prosecution under this Act. Permits Federal prosecution upon the determination of the Attorney General, in consultation with State or local officials, that there is a significant Federal interest and the State authorities are unlikely to secure a sentence of life imprisonment.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Directs the United States Postal Service to provide and sell a postage stamp issue to commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of the presence of the bald eagle on the official seal of the United States of America. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination applicable to first-class mail up to one ounce in weight. Directs that such stamp shall be issued during the week of June 20, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Expresses the support of the Senate for the growing acceptance of principles of freedom and democracy in Poland. Commends the President for extending agricultural credits and aid to Poland. Urges the President to develop a policy toward Poland commensurate with U.S. concerns, to extend additional agricultural credits to Poland, and to press other countries to assist Poland.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1981
Amends the Federal Reserve Act to provide that demand deposits of State and local governments shall not be subject to reserve requirements. Amends the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act to direct the Deregulation Committee to increase the limitation on the maximum rate of interest which may be paid on any demand deposits by State and local governments so that the maximum rate applicable to all such deposits is the same or is determined in the same manner.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1981
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide that certain fiduciary duties under such Act shall be deemed satisfied by investments in residential housing mortgages that provide adequate security and a reasonable rate of interest. Exempts from specified prohibitions under such Act the placing, investing, or purchase of a mortgage secured by residential housing property if such investment or sale: (1) is adequately secured; (2) is made in accordance with specific provisions regarding such loans set forth in the employee benefit plan; and (3) bears a reasonable rate of interest.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1981
Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1981 - Title I: Improved Identification for Motor Vehicle Parts and Components - Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate a Federal motor vehicle security standard. Directs the Secretary to conduct a cost-benefit analysis before promulgating such standard, which includes the effect on domestic motor vehicle production and sales. Stipulates that the standard shall not: (1) impose additional costs upon manufacturers in excess of $10 per motor vehicle; and (2) require the identification of more than 14 parts for any motor vehicle, nine parts for any truck, and four parts for any trailer. Declares that a Federal motor vehicle standard supersedes any State or local standard. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct studies on the development of security devices and systems. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on such devices and systems within one year of enactment. Provides for repeal of this title on a specified date. Title II: Antifencing Measures - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for removing or altering any identification number for any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part required by regulation. Requires the forfeiture of any vehicle or part which has had such number removed, with specified exceptions. Applies to the seizure and forfeiture of motor vehicles and parts those provisions of law relating to the seizure and forfeiture of vessels and merchandise under the customs laws. Establishes penalties for anyone who buys, receives, possesses, or obtains control of, with intent to sell or otherwise dispose of, any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part knowing that such identification number has been removed or altered. Designates as nonmailable matter any manipulative type device which is designed or adapted to operate, circumvent, remove, or render inoperative the ignition switch or lock, or door or trunk lock of two or more motor vehicles, or any advertisement offering the sale of such device. Title III: Importation and Exportation Measures - Establishes criminal and civil penalties for anyone who imports, exports, or attempts to import or export any self-propelled vehicle or vehicle part knowing that its identification number has been altered. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require persons who export or attempt to export a used self-propelled vehicle to present to the appropriate customs officers the vehicle and a document describing that vehicle. Title IV: Reporting Requirements - Directs the Attorney General to establish a task force to study problems relating to the theft of off-highway mobile equipment. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a task force to study problems relating to motor vehicle titling and controls over motor vehicle salvage which may affect the motor vehicle theft problem. Directs the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Transportation and the Postmaster General, to report to Congress on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1981
Hunger Elimination and Global Security Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should make development of poor countries and the eradication of poverty and hunger the primary objective of U.S. foreign policy. Directs the President to designate certain foreign aid programs as Hunger Relief and Prevention Assistance. Title I: Public Law 480 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to replace the provision describing self-help programs developed under agreements for the sale of farm products for foreign currency and long-term-dollar-credit. Requires such agreements to describe the self-help programs and to provide for the termination of the agreement or adjustment of its credit terms whenever the President finds that the program is not being carried out as specified in the agreement. Prohibits termination or credit adjustment of such an agreement if the President reports to Congress that: (1) such action would threaten U.S. security; or (2) the program was not carried out because of circumstances beyond the control of the recipient country. Requires the self-help measures to be sufficiently described so that the primary beneficiaries of the agreement will be needy people. Defines "needy people." Requires such measures to be in addition to measures that the recipient country would otherwise have taken. Directs the President to verify that such measures are being carried out and to report to the appropriate congressional committees on such verification and on the additional nature of such measures. Title II: Multilateral Development Banks - Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to work within certain multilateral development banks to establish a requirement that not less than 50 percent of such banks' lending must benefit needy people. Requires the Secretaries of State and Treasury to report to Congress annually on establishing such requirement. Title III: World Food Security - Directs the President to encourage other grain exporting countries to establish their own food security reserves or take other measures that complement the U.S. food security reserve. Directs the President to report to Congress on actions taken with respect to such food security reserves. Directs the President to negotiate with other countries and with certain organizations to try to ensure that the benefits of the food financing facility recently approved by the International Monetary Fund be directed to effect the maximum feasible reduction in hunger and malnutrition. Directs the President to report to Congress on such negotiations. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from imposing export controls on food if such controls would cause measurable malnutrition in the countries against whom the controls are proposed unless the President determines such controls are necessary to protect U.S. national security. Title IV: Basic Human Needs Agreement - Requires a Basic Human Needs Agreement between the United States and a foreign country before the foreign country may receive bilateral development assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Exempts from such requirement assistance for narcotics control, disaster relief, or peacekeeping operations. Sets forth the goals of such agreements. Title V: Relief and Prevention of Starvation - African Assistance and Hunger Prevention Act - Requires at least 50 percent of all U.S. international development assistance funds beginning in fiscal year 1983 to be used to finance productive facilities primarily for the absolutely poor. Defines the "absolutely poor." Requires special emphasis to be placed on alleviating hunger in sub-Saharan Africa and on the role of women in farm production in that region. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to earmark for the food for development program a specified percentage of the aggregate value of all agreements entered into under the program for the sale of farm products for foreign currency and long-term-dollar-credit. Requires certain commodities and funds to be used to establish grain reserves in famine prone African nations or to otherwise prepare for food shortages in those nations. Title VI: General Provisions - Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, acting through the Director of the Peace Corps, should emphasize projects to alleviate hunger and malnutrition by encouraging agricultural self-sufficiency in countries where Peace Corps volunteers are serving.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1981
Title I: Policy - Expresses the need to establish and maintain a uniform Federal policy for the management and use of the results of federally sponsored science and technology research and development. Title II: Implementation - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate, direct, and review the implementation and administration of this policy through consultation with Federal agencies and departments. Authorizes the Secretary to assist agencies in promoting licensing, utilization, and protection of Federal inventions both here and aboard and to receive fees and royalties. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on these activities, including relevent statistical data and recommendations. Terminates the authority of the Secretary under this Act seven years after enactment. Title III: Allocations of Rights-Government Contractors - Grants each agency title to any invention made under contract with that agency upon certification to the Secretary that the services of the contractor are for the operation of Federal research centers, if necessary to protect intelligence activities, or to further the policy of this Act. Requires Federal agency research contracts to: (1) require periodic written reports on the commercial utilization of the invention; (2) reserve to the United States at least an irrevocable, nonexclusive, nontransferable, paid-up license to make, use, and sell the invention; and (3) employ a single patent rights clause, detailing the time limits and obligations of each party for moving on the invention. Grants the contractor the right to retain title to the invention, subject to the right of the Federal agency to require its commercial utilization through licensing specified terms. Permits an agency to waive its rights if to do so would be in the public interest. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Makes technical and conforming amendments to specified Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1981
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a specially struck gold medal to the widow of Roy Wilkins. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to coin and sell bronze duplicates of such medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1981
Declares that the President of the United States, the Senate and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs should assure that the specific provisions of the Federal Reserve Act providing for agricultural, commercial, and broad regional representation on the Board of Governors are followed.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1981
United States Olympic Development Fund Checkoff Act of 1981 - Permits taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns an election to contribute one dollar of their income tax refunds or one dollar forwarded with returns to support the fund established by this Act. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a United States Olympic Development Fund. Appropriates to the Fund an amount equivalent to the amount designated on tax returns to be available to the Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay amounts so transferred to the U.S. Olympic Committee for use in a program of expansion and improvement of amateur athletics. Sets forth reporting requirements with respect to the expenditure of such funds by the Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) private relief agencies embarking on a program of emergency foodstuffs for Poland are to be commended and Americans encouraged to support this effort; (2) the Senate supports the President's efforts to respond to the Polish food emergency and urges a continuation of this stance; and (3) European governments and peoples are urged to assist in relieving the Polish food emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1981
Independent Local Newspaper Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the establishment of independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trusts to facilitate payment of the estate tax imposed upon the estate of a decedent who owned an interest in an independent local newspaper. Sets forth requirements for the establishment of such trusts, including requirements that such trusts: (1) be created pursuant to a plan adopted by the newspaper; (2) be governed by a written instrument which requires that contributions to and income of the trust be invested solely in obligations of the United States; (3) name as trustee a bank or another individual who is capable of administering such trust in compliance with the requirements of this Act; (4) maintain trust assets separately from other property; (5) accept contributions exclusively from independent local newspapers; (6) devote assets of the trust solely to the payment of the estate tax; and (7) distribute any excess funding of the trust to its beneficiaries or their estates. Limits an individual who owns interests in several independent local newspapers to participation in not more than one estate tax payment trust. Defines an "independent local newspaper" as a newspaper publication which is not a member of a chain and which maintains all its offices in a single city, community or metropolitan area, or, on January 1, 1981, within one State. Defines "excess funding" as the excess of the face value of the assets of a qualified trust over: (1) 70 percent of the value of a decedent's interest in an independent local newspaper which is includable in his gross estate; or (2) a decedent's estate tax which is attributable to his interest in an independent local newspaper included in his gross estate. Exempts independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trusts and the individuals for whom such trusts are established from income taxation with respect to income earned by such trust. Terminates such tax-exempt status if the taxpayer's interest in the newspaper is sold, the newspaper itself is sold or ceases to qualify as an independent newspaper, or there is an excess funding of the trust. Provides that the amount of any excess funding shall be distributed to the individual for whom the trust was created and included in his gross income or gross estate. Allows an income tax deduction to local independent newspapers for contributions made to estate tax payment trusts. Limits the amount of such deduction to 50 percent of the taxable income derived from such newspaper for the taxable year. Requires the redetermination of the estate tax of an individual for whom an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust is established and the inclusion in the gross estate of such individual of an amount equal to the estate tax payment made by such trust which is attributable to the individual's interest in the newspaper, if the trust or any heir of the individual sells, within 15 years of the death of such individual, any part of the interest in the newspaper with respect to which the trust was created. Provides for the gradual phaseout of any additional estate tax which is imposed due to the premature sale of a newspaper, if the sale does not occur prior to the ten to 15 year period following the death of the individual for whom the estate tax trust is established. Permits the shareholders of an independent local newspaper who receive the stock of a corporation which the newspaper controls to exclude from their gross income any gain realized as a result of such distribution if: (1) the shareholders do not sell such stock within five years after the date of its distribution; (2) the shareholders retain control of the newspaper for five years after the date of the distribution; and (3) the newspaper and the controlled corporation each continue to be engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business through the five year period beginning on the date of the distribution. Excludes from the gross estate of a decedent the value of any interest in an independent local newspaper which he holds at the time of his death and any estate tax payment made by an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust. Permits the executor of an estate which includes an interest in an independent local newspaper to pay the estate tax in two or more (but not exceeding ten) equal installments. Limits the maximum amount of estate tax that may be paid in installments to the excess of the amount of estate tax over the tax that would have been imposed if the interest in the newspaper had not been included in the gross estate, reduced by all payments of the estate tax made by an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1981
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination used for first-class mail up to one ounce in weight and shall be placed on sale on March 12, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1981
Excludes from the Federal law limiting and restricting the corporate powers of national banking associations to deal in, and underwrite, investment securities specified dealings in, and underwriting of, all other nongeneral obligations issued or guaranteed by or on behalf of a State or any political subdivision thereof (except special assessment obligations and industrial revenue bonds) which are at the time eligible for purchase by a national bank for its own account, subject to specified limitations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit an annual report to the Congress showing the extent to which the business of underwriting and dealing in State and local obligations is being carried on by commercial banks as compared with other banking institutions with a view to determining the effect of the provisions of this Act on the institutional distribution of such business.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1981
Postal Service Amendments of 1981 - Authorizes the United States Postal Service to issue written demands requiring access to books, records, documents, or other objects believed to relate to any postal offense or civil matter under investigation by the Postal Service. Provides for the enforcement of such a demand by the appropriate district court. Authorizes the Postal Service to issue an order requiring any person to cease and desist from conducting a lottery or scheme for obtaining money or property by false representations through the mail. Declares that the resumption of such an activity through the use of any instrumentality of interstate commerce shall be considered to be a failure to comply with such order. Permits the Postal Service, in investigating whether a person is conducting such an activity, to tender the price of any article or service that such person has offered for sale. Declares that failure by such person to provide such article or service, or failure to comply with a written demand of the Postal Service for access to materials, shall constitute probable cause to believe such person is engaged in such activities, warranting the detention of such person's incoming mail. Establishes a civil penalty to be assessed by the Postal Service, after an opportunity for an agency hearing, against any person who: (1) attempts to evade an order directing a postmaster to return mail addressed to such person; (2) fails to comply with a cease and desist order; or (3) assists another person in evading such an order.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1981
Credit Deregulation and Availability Act of 1981 - Title I: Business and Agricultural Credit - Amends the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980 to eliminate the current Federal rate ceiling for business and agricultural loans. Permits a State to reject Federal preemption of State usury ceilings on such loans within three years of the effective date of this Act. Makes Federal preemption applicable to certain activities in connection with credit agreements entered into during the preemption period, if the credit is extended within 18 months of the effective date of the State law rejecting preemption. Title II: Consumer Credit - Preempts all State usury laws in connection with extensions of consumer credit made by a creditor. Permits a State to reject such Federal preemption within three years of the effective date of this Act. Includes a transitional provision where a State rejects Federal preemption, applicable to open-end credit transactions where the credit is extended within 18 months of the effective date of the State law rejecting preemption. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to publish Board interpretations regarding the scope and application of such provisions. Title III: Federal Credit Unions - Authorizes the boards of directors of Federal credit unions to establish interest rates. Title IV: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective upon the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1981
Expresses the opposition of the Senate to the attempt by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization to regulate news content and the operation of the world press.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
Former Presidents Facilities and Services Reform Act of 1981 - Title I: Presidential Libraries - Directs the Administrator of General Services, in consultation with the Archivist of the United States and the Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service, to promulgate architectural and design standards for Presidential archival depositories. Authorizes the Administrator to accept, as private gifts or pursuant to agreements with State or local governments, institutes, or foundations, only such land, buildings, and equipment as are necessary to establish one depository in one building of a specified size for each President or former President. Requires the Administrator to submit a prospectus for each proposed depository to specified congressional committees. Prohibits the Administrator from accepting a gift or entering into an agreement to establish a depository if: (1) such committees adopt a resolution disapproving such prospectus within a specified period; or (2) the land, buildings, and equipment do not meet the architectural and design standards, unless Congress adopts a concurrent resolution approving the establishment of such depository regardless of noncompliance with such standards. Establishes similar restrictions governing changes to a depository. Requires the President, while holding office, to dispose of his or her Presidential records which have no administrative, historical, informational, or evidentiary value after obtaining the views of the Archivist of the United States concerning such disposal, unless the Archivist notifies the President that the Archivist intends to request advice from certain Congressional committees. Title II: Former Presidents - Changes the amount of the annual allowance to which the spouse of a deceased former President is entitled from $20,000 to two-thirds of the allowance to which a former President is entitled. Repeals the requirement that the spouse must waive the right to any other Government annuity or pension to qualify for such allowance. Authorizes the Administrator to provide to each former President, upon request: (1) one office; (2) compensation, without an aggregate ceiling, for members of an office staff who shall be subject to certain provisions of civil service laws; (3) payment for the travel and subsistence allowances for specified office employees; (4) communications services; and (5) printing and binding expenses. Allows any Federal employee to be detailed to the office staff of a former President with the consent of the employee's agency head. Authorizes the Administrator to provide a former Vice President with necessary services and facilities for winding up his or her office affairs which are similar to the services and facilities provided to a former President under this title. Prohibits the use of funds provided for necessary services and facilities of a former President or Vice President for partisan political activities or income generating activities. Permits a former President to use such funds to prepare his or her memoirs if the former President signs an agreement providing that the Public Printer will print and distribute such memoirs. Prohibits the expenditure of such funds for a former President any time beyond 90 days after the former President dies. Requires each former President to submit to Congress an annual report concerning activities carried out with the assistance of such funds. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this title concerning the services and facilities to be provided for former Presidents and Vice Presidents. Repeals specified provisions of the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. Title III: Protection of Former Presidents, Former Vice Presidents, and Their Families - Prohibits the United States Secret Service from protecting a former President, former Vice President, or the spouse, widow, widower, or minor child of a former President except as authorized under this title. Authorizes the Secret Service to protect: (1) a former President for eight years after the individual becomes a former President; (2) the spouse or minor child of a former President to the extent that such protection is incidental to the protection of the former President; and (3) the widow or widower of a former President for six months after the former President dies. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to reinstate the Secret Service protection of a former President for one year and of a spouse or minor child for six months after the original protection has been terminated upon finding that a serious threat warranting such protection exists. Authorizes additional extensions of such periods of protection upon the individual's written request and with the approval of an existing advisory committee established to determine whether protection should be furnished to certain Presidential or Vice Presidential candidates. Establishes the Advisory Panel on Secret Service Protection to review requests for extended protection and to make recommendations on such requests to such advisory committee. Permits the Secretary to authorize Secret Service protection for a former Vice President for a period beginning on the last day of the individual's Vice Presidential term and ending on the last day of the fiscal year in which the term expires, upon the former Vice President's written request, and upon finding that a threat exists which warrants such protection.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Debt Collection Act of 1981 - Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to permit a Federal agency to disclose individual records to a consumer reporting agency. Authorizes a Federal agency attempting to collect a claim under the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966 to notify a consumer reporting agency that a person is responsible for a claim if: (1) the agency has sent a written notice informing the person that a consumer reporting agency will be contacted, describing the information to be disclosed, and explaining the person's right to dispute the agency's claim; (2) the person has not agreed to repay the claim or filed for review of the claim; (3) the agency, upon request, has reviewed the claim; and (4) the agency has obtained assurances that the consumer reporting agency complies with Federal laws governing the provision of consumer credit information. Requires the agency to notify the consumer reporting agency promptly concerning any change in the status or amount of the claim. Directs Federal agencies to require any individual applying for credit or financial assistance, which may result in indebtedness to the Government, to furnish his or her social security numbers. Authorizes an agency (including the United States Postal Service) to deduct installment payments from the pay of an employee or member of the Armed Forces or Armed Forces Reserve to offset any debts owed the Government. Limits the amount deducted to 25 percent of the individual's disposable pay. Makes murder or manslaughter of a Federal debt collector a Federal offense. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose to a Federal agency: (1) information concerning the tax liability of a Federal loan applicant; and (2) the mailing address of a taxpayer for use by employees or agents of the agency in collecting or compromising a Federal claim. Increases the rate of interest on delinquent taxes to 100 percent (currently 90 percent) of the prime rate quoted by commercial banks to large businesses. Permits the annual (currently biennial) adjustment of such interest rate. Allows the Government to collect claims by administrative offset beyond the six year statute of limitations on actions brought by the Government for money damages. Directs each agency to charge a minimum annual rate of interest on outstanding debts and to assess a penalty charge and handling costs on delinquent claims, except where another statute, statutorily mandated regulation, loan agreement, or contract either prohibits or explicitly fixes interest or penalty charges. Declares that service of legal process brought for the collection of U.S. claims shall be accomplished in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or as directed by the court. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to: (1) direct each agency with outstanding debts to submit to the Director and the Department of the Treasury an annual report on the status of the agency's loans and accounts receivable; and (2) report to Congress annually on the management of agency debt collection activities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Preservation of Confidential Information Act - Amends the Freedom of Information Act to establish procedures under which submitters of information may object to agency disclosure of such information. Requires an agency to give written notice to a submitter of information whenever such agency receives a request for information not already in the public domain which has been obtained from any private source or which concerns any individually identifiable private party. Permits a submitter to provide the agency with written objections to disclosure of the records. Directs an agency to provide a submitter who makes a timely request to an informal ex parte hearing. Requires the agency to make a final decision regarding disclosure within 30 days of the hearing. Subjects an agency determination following such procedures to disclose all or part of the records to de novo review in Federal district court. Requires the agency to sustain its action by a preponderance of the evidence. Authorizes the court to assess against the United States attorney fees and other costs in any case in which the complainant has substantially prevailed.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns) of the interest earned on an All Savers Certificate in taxable years 1981, 1982, and 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Olympic Coin Act of 1981 - Declares the purposes of this Act to be: (1) to provide for the minting of coins to commemorate the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games; and (2) to help finance those games without the use of tax revenues. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint: (1) not more than 30,000,000 copper-nickel clad coins with a face value of one dollar; (2) not more than 22,400,000 silver coins with a face value of ten dollars; (3) not more than 2,400,000 gold coins with a face value of fifty dollars; and (4) not more than 1,600,000 gold coins with a face value of one hundred dollars. Specifies the size and weight of such coins. Specifies that the designs of such coins shall be determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee. Sets certain minting specifications for such coins. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee which shall provide for the implementation of the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to furnish such coins to the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee at a price agreed to pursuant to such implementation agreement. Provides that all coins minted shall be delivered to the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee for distribution and sale to the public in accordance with the terms of the implementation agreement. Sets the delivery date for each series of coins. Provides that all proceeds received by the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee from the commercial sale of such coins shall be used for the purpose of staging and promoting the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and assisting the U.S. Olympic Committee and amateur athletics. Provides that all coins authorized by this Act shall be legal tender. Directs that no coins shall be minted pursuant to this Act after December 31, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Repeals the residential energy conservation program and the energy conservation program for commercial buildings and multifamily dwellings under the National Energy Conservation Policy Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Anatoly Shcharansky be released from prison in the Soviet Union, be given proper medical treatment, and be permitted to emigrate to Israel. Urges the President, the Secretary of State, and the U.S. delegation to the Madrid Conference on Security and Cooperation to continue to express U.S. opposition to the imprisonment of Anatoly Shcharansky.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1981
Transit Assistance Act of 1981 - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to prohibit a discretionary capital grant or loan from being made by the Secretary of Transportation unless the applicant has sufficient capability to maintain the facilities and equipment purchased with such grant or loan. Revises the Federal share of such grants and loans. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 for the purposes of such Act, including research and development, training, and demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations, beginning in fiscal year 1983, for administrative costs necessary to carry out the functions of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make capital grants to States and local public bodies for repair or replacement of public transportation equipment and facilities damaged by natural disaster or catastrophic occurrence. Sets forth conditions for approval of such grants. Authorizes appropriations for formula grants for fiscal years 1981 through 1984 for: (1) urban mass transit; (2) construction or operating assistance; (3) commuter rail and fixed guideway systems; and, for fiscal years 1982 through 1986, (4) the purchase of buses and related equipment or the construction of bus-related facilities; and (5) areas other than urbanized areas. Authorizes a Governor to transfer part of a specified apportionment made to his or her State to supplement funds apportioned to the State for areas other than urbanized areas. Requires that such amounts so transferred be utilized for construction projects. Directs that, after fiscal year 1983, unobligated or deobligated funds for urban mass transit grants shall be added to the amount available for apportionment for buses, bus-related equipment, and construction of bus-related facilities. Declares that apportionments for fiscal year 1975 shall lapse on September 30, 1977, and apportionments for fiscal year 1976 shall lapse on September 30, 1978. Prohibits the Secretary from approving a project for the payment of operating expenses of urban mass transit services after September 30, 1984. Repeals provisions that require that rates charged elderly and handicapped persons for transportation during non-peak hours be no more than one-half of peak hour full fares. Eliminates grants for the establishment and operation of transportation centers at nonprofit institutions of higher learning. Revises the criteria for the award of contracts for acquisition of rolling stock, including buses. Provides a local option for transit programs for the handicapped. Lists the required elements of such programs. Declares that a recipient of funds under such Act may not be required to retrofit: (1) any bus to provide for wheelchair users; or (2) any fixed guideway system to accommodate handicapped persons. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress within three years after the date of enactment of this Act on the service being provided by apportionment recipients to handicapped persons. Prohibits sums apportioned by the Secretary after September 30, 1982, for formula grants for areas other than urbanized areas from being used for operating expenses or costs incurred under purchase of service agreements. Repeals provisions concerning terminal development programs and intercity bus service. Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1978 to prohibit the authorization of appropriations for a specified waterborne transportation demonstration project after September 30, 1981. Amends the National Mass Transportation Assistance Act of 1974 to repeal provisions dealing with the investigation of safety hazards in urban mass transportation systems.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Delinquent Payments Act of 1981 - Requires Federal agencies to pay interest on overdue payments to businesses for property or services. Specifies the procedure for computing such interest. Requires an agency to pay any such interest charges out of funds appropriated for its programs. Allows an agency to take advantage of an early payment discount only if payment is made within the time specified by the business. Directs each agency to report to Congress annually on interest payments made during the fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1981
Product Liability Risk Retention Act of 1981 - Defines "risk retention group" to mean any corporation or insurance company formed under State law which: (1) is organized for the primary purpose of assuming and spreading product liability or completed operations liability risk exposure; (2) is chartered or licensed as an insurance company under State law; (3) does not exclude members for competitive advantage; and (4) consists of members whose principal activity is the manufacture, design, distribution, packaging or sale of a product. Defines "purchasing group" to mean any group of persons which has as one of its purposes the purchase of product liability or completed operations insurance on a group basis. Exempts risk retention groups and purchasing groups from State laws which prohibit, regulate, or otherwise discriminate against such groups. Enumerates requirements which a State may impose on a risk retention group, including compliance with unfair claims settlement practices laws, payment of taxes, and reporting requirements. Authorizes a State to license an agent or broker for a purchasing group. Stipulates that the ownership interests of members in a risk retention group shall not be considered securities or an investment company for purposes of the Federal securities laws or State blue sky laws.
![Official portrait of Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000504_200.jpg)