The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Sen. Melcher, John [D-MT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000635_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
2,300 records where Sen. Melcher, John [D-MT] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of October 19 through October 25, 1981, as "National High School Activities Week."
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1981
Competitive Health and Medical Plan Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the method of reimbursement to health maintenance organizations (HMO's). Provides instead for payments to competitive medical plans (CMP's). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine annually a per capita rate of payment for each class of individuals entitled to benefits: (1) under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII who are enrolled under the provisions of this Act with a CMP which he or she has entered into a risk-sharing contract; and (2) under part B alone who are enrolled with a CMP. Directs the Secretary to define appropriate classes of members on the basis of such factors as age, sex, institutional status, disability and health status, and place of residence. Provides that the payment rate for each class shall be equal to 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost for that class, and that the rate shall be paid monthly in advance. Defines adjusted average per capita cost to mean the average per capita amount estimated in advance that would be payable in any contract year for services convered under parts A and B, or part B only, and types of expenses otherwise reimbursable under parts A and B, or part B only, if the services were furnished by other than a CMP. Provides that payment to a CMP under this Act for individuals enrolled with a CMP and entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B shall be made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Defines a CMP as a public or private entity which: (1) is a qualified HMO; or (2) is a licensed HMO in the State in which it operates. Provides, in addition, that an entity meets the definition if it: (1) provides at least specified services; (2) is compensated on a periodic basis; (3) provides physicians' services through physicians who are employees or partners; (4) assumes the financial risk for the provision of services; and (5) makes adequate provision against the risk of insolvency. Permits a CMP to offer services in addition to those required. Requires a CMP to have an open enrollment period of at least 30 days duration annually. Prohibits a CMP from refusing an individual because of the individual's health status (except end stage renal disease). Entitles an enrolled individual to a hearing before the Secretary when the amount in controversy exceeds $100.000. Requires a CMP to have a procedure to review care and identify problems. Sets limits on a CMP's premiums and other charges. Requires each CMP to have an enrolled membership at least one half of which consists of individuals not entitled to either Medicare or Medicaid. Authorizes a waiver of this requirement where special circumstances warrant such a modification. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to carry out this Act, to enter into a risk sharing contract with any CMP which has at least 1,000 members. Requires each contract to provide either: (1) additional benefits to enrollees; (2) reduced premiums, deductibles, or copayments; or (3) rebates or dividends to enrollees, if a CMP's reimbursement exceeds a rate defined as the adjusted community rate. Requires a CMP to report to the Secretary as specified. Authorizes the Secretary to inspect a CMP. Includes within the definition of medical and other health services under title XVIII services furnished, pursuant to a CMP contract, to a member of a CMP by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1981
Establishes within the National Institutes of Health the Office of Drugs of Limited Commercial Value under the direction of the Director of the National Institutes of Health. Establishes within the Office an advisory council to advise the Director and make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services respecting the time required for drug approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance to entities for the development of drugs of limited commercial value, defined as a drug for a condition or disease of low incidence, to undertake the development of such drugs, undertake studies to determine the potential and need for specific drugs, and coordinate the efforts of public and private entities engaged in the development of such drugs. Requires the submission and approval of an application containing the scientific basis for the development and the proposed therapeutic use of the drug and other specified information before financial assistance is provided. Requires each entity receiving funds to keep specified records. Requires the Director to report to Congress within two years on the effectiveness of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1981
Declares a named individual to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1981
Requests the President to designate October 16, 1981, as "World Food Day."
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1981
Congratulates the State of Oklahoma on the celebration of its Diamond Jubilee.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1981
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require that imported agricultural products be subject to the same standards as domestically produced products. Prohibits the imposition of standards with respect to imported meat that are less stringent than standards imposed by other provisions of such Act.
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 · 23 June 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) military personnel and native Americans on reservations should not have to pay tuition for their children's elementary and secondary public education; (2) local school districts with substantial percentages of students from homes where parents live and work on Federal property or live on Indian reservations should be financially assisted in meeting such students' educational needs; (3) negotiations between the Departments of Defense and Education and between the Senate Committees on Labor and Human Resources and on Armed Services are positive steps toward resolving impact aid difficulties caused by proposed budget cuts; (4) the Select Committee on Indian Affairs and the Secretary of the Interior should take part in such negotiations; and (5) a compromise leading to an equitable solution to the impact aid dilemma is in the best interests of the United States.
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
Requests the President to designate the week of September 6 through September 12, 1981, as "Older Americans Employment Opportunity Week."
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1981
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Title I: Contracts Between Sales Representatives and Principals - Requires a principal who enters into a contract with a sales representative for the solicitation of orders for merchandise of the principal to furnish specified information to the representative, including monthly commission statements. Enumerates items to be included in any written contract between a principal and sales representative in order to conform with this Act. Title II: Indemnification - Exempts principals who have entered into a written contract in conformity with title I from the indemnification requirements of this title. Requires any principal to indemnify a sales representative in accordance with this title if such principal: (1) without good cause terminates a representative's assignment or reduces the geographical territory assigned to a representative; (2) reduces the rate of commission paid to a representative; or (3) reduces the number of accounts assigned within a geographical territory. Sets forth formulae for the indemnification of such representatives. Title III: Miscellaneous - Permits actions to be brought in Federal district court to enforce the rights or liabilities of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1981
Expresses the recognition of the Senate of the fiftieth anniversary of Radio City Music Hall.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for charitable contributions of certain crops, livestock, or poultry to tax-exempt organizations. Limits the credit to ten percent of the wholesale market price or the most recent sale price. Requires that the donated agricultural product be unsalable at a price which would enable the taxpayer to recover his costs and that it be fit for human consumption.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the exclusion of interest on mortgage subsidy bonds. Repeals provisions which allow tax-exempt status for such bonds if 95 percent of the mortgages financed by such issues are in compliance with stated requirements. Provides that a showing that the issuing authority has tried in good faith to satisfy all requirements will cure a failure to meet any particular requirement if such failure is corrected within a reasonable time after its discovery. Allows bondholders to rely upon an issuer's good faith covenant as to compliance. Revises the new homeowner requirements to allow eligibility for bond-financed mortgages for persons who are residing in substandard housing or who have lost their homes because of natural disasters or governmental action. Changes the method of determining the average area purchase price for purposes of the purchase price requirements for bond-financed mortgages. Specifies that the average area purchase price shall not include residences which are not typically financed through normal real estate mortgage loans and that such prices may be determined separately for new and previously occupied homes. Revises the arbitrage requirements to increase the amount by which interest rates on tax-exempt mortgage subsidy bonds may exceed the interest rates on mortgages financed with such bonds. Changes the method of determining the yield on an issue. Specifies that issuers are not required to dispose of any investment and realize a loss in order to satisfy arbitrage restrictions. Allows two or more qualified mortgage bond issues of a single issuer to be combined for purposes of determining compliance with arbitrage requirements. Permits issuers to maintain a reasonable reserve against investment losses and to allocate credits or payments between eligible mortgagors. Exempts mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration from certain mortgage assumption requirements. Includes energy impacted areas within the definition of targeted areas for purposes of the special treatment of targeted area residences. Transfers to the States the authority to designate areas of chronic economic distress. Limits the designation of areas of chronic economic distress to 25 percent of the geographic area within a State. Redefines statistical areas to include two or more statistical areas combined. Repeals the registration requirements for bond issues.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1981
Strategic and Critical Materials Stockpiling Revision Act of 1981 - Amends the Strategic and Critical Materials Stockpiling Revision Act of 1979 to direct the President to appoint an interagency advisory committee to determine: (1) which materials are strategic and critical to the United States; (2) how much of such material should be stockpiled; and (3) what classification such material should be assigned. Sets forth a formula for determining the quantities of each classification of material to be imported. Requires that each stockpile goal be reviewed at least every four years by the interagency committee. Requires the head of an agency, upon the committee's determination, to notify Congress of any proposed new formula for computing the stockpile goal for a particular material. Makes such formula effective 90 days after such notification unless either House of Congress, within such period, agrees to a resolution of disapproval.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to deductions for ordinary and necessary business expenses to provide a special rule for construction workers' travel and transportation expenses. Provides that a job at a site located more than 15 miles from a worker's residence: (1) shall be deemed to be temporary for the first two years of employment at that site; and (2) shall be deemed to be temporary or not temporary after the first two years based on an examination of all the facts and circumstances. Provides that no deduction shall be disallowed solely because a construction worker's employment at a job site is of indefinite duration. Prohibits the application of the "one-year" rule as set forth in Revenue Ruling 59-371. Defines "construction worker," for purposes of this Act, as any individual employed as a skilled, semiskilled, or unskilled laborer in the building or construction industry.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
World War I Veterans Service Pension Act of 1981 - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay (in addition to any pension already paid) a monthly pension of $150: (1) to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements; (2) to the surviving spouse of each such veteran; or (3) when there is no surviving spouse, to the child or children of each such veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an exchange of certain described real properties with a named individual.
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
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a domestic trade or business whose equity capital does not exceed $25,000,000 to reduce the value of a portion of excess inventory items held for more than 12 months. Permits a taxpayer who is required to change his method of accounting pursuant to Revenue Ruling 80-60 (inventory valuation) and Revenue Procedure 80-5 to effect such a change only for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1980.
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 · 21 May 1981
Airport and Airway Revenue Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the rate of tax imposed on fuel used in noncommercial aviation. Extends such tax to October 1, 1985. Reduces the airline ticket tax for individual travel from eight to three percent and the tax on the transportation of property from five to two percent. Extends the latter tax to September 30, 1985. Reinstates, and increases the rate of, the tax on the use of international travel facilities. Extends, to October 1, 1985, the tax on the taxable use of civil aircraft in commercial aviation. Amends the Airport and Airway Revenue Act of 1970 to continue the transfers of such taxes to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund until October 1, 1985. Extends, to such date, the availability of Trust Fund assets for specified expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Amends the National School Lunch Act to provide that commodity only schools are those schools which do not participate in the school lunch program but enter into an agreement to receive donated commodities for a nonprofit lunch program. Makes such schools eligible for special cash assistance under such Act, and ineligible for the special milk program authorized by the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the continued access of farmer-owned oil refining cooperatives and independent oil refining businesses to crude oil at reasonable prices must be assured.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1981
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage from entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State, or limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in that area, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in that area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1981
Energy Assistance Block Grant Act - Adds a new title to the Social Security Act, title XXI (Block Grants for Energy and Emergency Assistance). Establishes the Energy Assistance Trust Fund in the Treasury. Appropriates amounts to the trust fund, through fiscal year 1985, out of amounts received from the windfall profit tax on domestic crude oil. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress concerning the fund. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make allotments from the Fund to each State, from which a State must spend at least 90 percent for home energy assistance to assist individuals and families most in need, and to meet emergency income maintenance needs. Directs the Secretary to make payments in accordance with the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968. Requires a State, before a grant is made, to complete and publish a report after holding public hearings covering the use of funds available under this Act. Requires each report to: (1) include a program of coordinated delivery of weatherization and energy assistance; (2) give priority to the elderly, the handicapped, and those individuals who are neediest by virtue of having the lowest incomes and the highest energy costs in relation to income; (3) provide for outreach activities; (4) assure that those individuals eligible for assistance based on income eligibility under Federal law will not be treated differently from others not so eligible; (5) treat renters and homeowners the same; (6) provide that benefits be related to home energy costs in relation to income; and (7) prohibit benefits to households with incomes higher than the lower living standard income level or 125 percent of the poverty level, whichever is higher. Requires a State to annually report on and audit its expenditures. Repeals the Home Energy Assistance Act of 1980, specified provisions of part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act relating to emergency assistance, and the Emergency Energy Conservation Services program authorized pursuant to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1981
Expresses the concern of the Senate over the attack on Pope John Paul II.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1981
Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs should study, and report to Congress no later than August 1, 1981, on the advisability of seeking institutional reforms in the structure and operation of the Federal Reserve System as may be required to provide a stable and positive economic environment for growth and investment while reducing inflationary pressures. Requires such study to include: (1) the feasibility of implementing a dual prime rate; and (2) the advisability of increased Congressional supervision of policies affecting the Nation's monetary system.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to condition assistance to States, local governments, and agencies on the adoption of a law enforcement officers' bill of rights which includes, at a minimum, the following: (1) allowing off-duty officers' to engage in political activities; (2) granting officers specified procedural rights in connection with investigations of their conduct on duty which may lead to a personnel action; (3) requiring officer representation on any policy complaint review board established in the jurisdiction; and (4) prohibiting mandatory disclosure of officers' finances.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1981
White House Conference on Education Act - Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Education not later than January 15, 1982. Sets forth the purpose and composition of the Conference. Requires that the Conference be planned and conducted by an executive director, appointed by the President. Requires that a final report of the Conference, including recommendations, be submitted to the President, made public, and transmitted to the Congress. Sets forth provisions for the administration of the Conference. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated to the Department of Education, other than funds appropriated pursuant to this resolution, to carry out such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1981
Consumer Tire Registration and Public Notice Improvement Act - Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to require automobile and automobile tire dealers or distributors to furnish the first purchaser of a tire with a tire registration form. Requires public notice of tire defects if the Secretary determines that such notice is necessary in the interest of motor vehicle safety.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1981
Requests the President to designate the week beginning May 10, 1981, as "Senior Center Week."
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 30 April 1981
Residential Housing Tax Incentives Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, interest earned on qualified housing savings certificates. Limits such exclusion to interest earned on $100,000 certificates ($200,000 if joint return is filed). Defines "qualified housing savings certificates" as investment certificates issued by regulated depository financial institutions with three or five year maturities. Specifies that the proceeds of such certificates be applied to the financing of single-family, owner-occupied residences. Prescribes limitations on the interest rate chargeable for mortgages financed with proceeds from a qualified housing savings certificate. Disqualifies families which have income more than twice the median family income for their area from receiving a mortgage financed from proceeds from a qualified housing savings certificate. Prescribes penalties for the improper use of qualified housing savings certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Humane Transportation of Horses Intended for Slaughter Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards for the humane handling and transportation in commerce of horses intended for slaughter. Requires persons involved in such transportation to maintain records, as determined by the Secretary. Sets forth inspection requirements. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Vests appropriate jurisdiction in the United States district courts. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Title I: Amendments to Title 18, United States Code (18 U.S.C. 921-928) - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition. Adds a new definition "engaged in the business" with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Defines as a manufacturer or dealer of firearms a person who manufactures or deals in a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit. Excludes as dealers persons making occasional sales or repairs of firearms. Eliminates certain activities involving ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Makes it unlawful for any person to transfer any firearm to a person who does not reside in the same State, if the transferor has reasonable cause to believe that acquisition of the firearm by such person would violate any State or local law or ordinance. Revises the current prohibition against certain classes of persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition. Includes as additional categories illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged members of the Armed Forces, and U.S. citizens who renounce their citizenship. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Declares that a licensed dealer's personal collection of firearms shall not be subject to recordkeeping requirements. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to revoke a license only where the holder "willfully" violates a provision of the Act. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, where such individual is not convicted of such charges. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, firearms, or ammunition that the Secretary has probable cause to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises. Restricts the firearms information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Establishes a "willful" scienter (knowledge) requirement with respect to general violations of the Act. Revises the current offense of using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony to: (1) include use of a destructive device; (2) delete the act of "carrying" a firearm to commit a felony; and (3) limit such offense to felonies over which the Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Retains the current penalty (one to ten years) for first offenses. Increases the penalty for second or subsequent offenses to five to 25 years' imprisonment (currently, two to 25 years). Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence or grant probation. Deletes the prohibition against concurrent sentences. Prohibits the granting of parole to first and subsequent offenders. Declares that no person shall be subject to the additional, mandatory penalties if use of the firearm or destructive device was to protect persons or property. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Directs the court to award attorney fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in a proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Requires the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was without foundation or was initiated in bad faith. Limits seizure to firearms individually identified as involved in the violation. Revises the current procedure allowing persons who have been convicted of a crime to apply to the Secretary for relief from the firearms prohibitions to make the following changes. Permits any person prohibited from possessing, shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or ammunition to apply for relief. Requires, instead of permits, the Secretary to grant release, unless the applicant will be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety. Permits any person who is denied relief to seek de novo judicial review in Federal court. Makes the authority of the Secretary to permit importation of certain types of firearms and ammunition nondiscretionary. Extends the types of sporting firearms which may be imported. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Establishes a Congressional veto procedure with respect to firearms regulations. Authorizes either House of Congress to adopt a resolution of disapproval within 90 days of the rule's promulgation. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Declares any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to Title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Pharmacy Protection and Violent Offender Control Act of 1981 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish penalties for taking or attempting to take by force and violence or intimidation a controlled substance from a pharmacist. Establishes mandatory terms of imprisonment if any person is assaulted, killed, or maimed during commission of the offense. Requires the Department of Justice to include pharmacy crime data in its annual Uniform Crime Reports.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
National Rangeland Research Act of 1981 - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) make grants to educational institutions, State experimental stations, and Federal laboratories for rangeland research; (2) submit annual reports to the President and to the appropriate congressional committees; and (3) establish the Rangeland Research Advisory Board. Authorizes necessary appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Establishes a Special Joint Committee on the Centennial of the Birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Directs that such committee be composed of sixteen Members of the Congress. Directs that such committee shall prepare an overall program for nationwide observances and make comprehensive plans for commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, including a joint session of Congress to be held on January 29, 1982. Provides that such committee shall terminate not later than April 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Food Stamp Accountability Act of 1981 - Title I: Eligibility Restrictions and Penalties for Recipient Use - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to exclude boarders (persons who live with others and pay compensation to such others for meals) from the definition of an eligible household under such Act. Provides that parents and children who live together shall be treated as one household, unless one parent is 60 years of age or older. Increases eligibility disqualification periods for fraud and misrepresentation of food stamp law provisions. Provides for permanent disqualification from the food stamp program for the third occasion of any such adjudication. Revises procedures for State agencies to grant expedited services for households in immediate need of food stamps, including verification of such household's income and modification of such procedures with regard to migrant farmworkers. Requires certain household members to furnish their social security numbers to State agencies for the administration of the food stamp program. Title II: Improved Actions to Curb Abuse, Recover Overpayments, and Tighten Program Management - Revises the definition of retail food stores and the qualifications for such stores to accept and redeem food stamp coupons. Makes State agencies liable to the Secretary of Agriculture for the loss of coupons issued through the mail that management could have prevented. Directs approved retail food stores to display a sign providing information on how persons may report abuses in the operation of the food stamp program. Authorizes State agencies with written information from a household that requires reduction or termination of such household's benefits, to immediately reduce or terminate such benefits prior to an administrative hearing. Directs State agencies to promptly restore food stamp benefits upon the request of households, or other such notification, that such benefits were wrongfully denied or terminated, except in cases where such denial occurred more than one year before such notification. Authorizes the Secretary to replace coupons stolen or destroyed after receipt by a household for any one month during a six-month period. Prohibits replacement of coupons to households who lost or misplaced such coupons. Authorizes the Secretary to restrict the use of mail coupon issuance in any political subdivision under certain circumstances. Requires deposit in a special revolving fund of sums collected as civil money penalties for violations of the Food Stamp Act of 1977. Authorizes the Secretary to use such fund to finance actions to secure compliance with such Act. Requires households subject to an ineligibility determination to agree to a reduction in allotments, or repayment in cash, sufficient to reimburse the government for any overissuance of coupons. Subjects such households, upon failure to fulfill any such agreement, to an allotment reduction. Authorizes additional administrative cost-sharing to State agencies that have a prepared plan to curb fraudulent activities under the food stamp program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Declares that the Senate urges: (1) the Civil Aeronautics Board and other Federal agencies to refrain from any extraordinary action in regard to the proposed merger between Texas International Airlines and Continental Airlines; and (2) the Board to proceed with consideration of such merger under its regular procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1981
Limitation on Government Recordkeeping Requirements and Actions Act of 1981 - Prohibits any Federal agency from: (1) requiring any person to maintain, prepare, or produce records of an event more than five years after the event has occurred; or (2) commencing an action against a person for a violation of a regulation more than five years after such violation has occurred, except as otherwise provided by the Internal Revenue Code or in any case involving dangerous material, fraud, a willful violation, or a misleading statement of material fact.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Declares the week of April 19 through 26, 1982, as National Nurse Midwifery Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Proclaims Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States. Requests the President to ascertain his whereabouts from the Soviet Union and to secure his freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Requests the President to designate May 6, 1981, as "National Nursing Home Residents Day."
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Small Business Innovation Research Act of 1981 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) maintain an information program to provide small businesses an opportunity to participate in Federal small business innovation research (SBIR) programs; (2) coordinate a schedule for release of agency SBIR solicitations and prepare a master release schedule; (3) monitor SBIR programs within Federal agencies; and (4) report annually to the Congressional Small Business Committees on the SBIR programs. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $100,000,000 in fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to spend a specified percentage of its budget in connection with an SBIR program. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to establish specific goals for funding research and development agreements with small businesses. Directs each Federal agency with an SBIR program to report annually to the SBA the number of awards over $10,000 in amount made under the SBIR program and to concerns other than small business concerns. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in conjunction with the SBA, to promulgate regulations for the conduct of the SBIR programs. States that this Act does not authorize the appropriation of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Economic Equity Act - Title I: Tax and Retirement Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the maximum deduction for contributions to an individual retirement plan: (1) shall be computed separately for each individual who is married; and (2) in the case of a married individual who has no compensation or less compensation than that of the spouse, shall be determined as if such compensation were the same as that of the individual's spouse. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan that provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount that would have been made under the survivor's annuity if the participant had survived and retired on such annuity date. Provides that a participant's election not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse of the participant consents in writing to such an election. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State domestic relations law. Amends ERISA to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from age 25 to age 21. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accruals of creditable service to continue while an individual is on approved maternity or paternity leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the zero bracket amount; (2) lower the tax rate; (3) decrease withholding requirements; and (4) increase minimum filing requirements for heads of households. Entitles former spouses of members of the uniformed services, civil service employees, and Members of Congress, who were married for at least ten years during creditable service, to an annuity based upon a portion of retired or retainer pay. Amends the Survivor Benefit Plan of the uniformed services to make former spouses eligible for annuities under such plan. Provides for survivor's annuities for surviving former spouses of civil service employees or Members of Congress. Provides that the election of a member of the uniformed services, civil service employee, or Member of Congress not to make a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse and any former spouse consents in writing to such an election. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to employers of displaced homemakers. Title II: Day Care Program - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the formula for determining the tax credit for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment. Provides that such credit may exceed tax liability. Increases the dollar limit for such credit from $2,000 to $2,500 (from $4,000 to $5,000 for two or more dependents). Allows a higher limit in the case of a taxpayer with children under two years of age. Increases the earned income limitation for such credit in the case of a spouse who is a student or incapable of self-care. Provides that employers may make advance payments of the credit to qualified employees. Excludes from gross income of an employee any amounts paid or expenses incurred by the employer for dependent care assistance to such employee. Title III: Armed Forces - Revises the rules for the distribution of the property of deceased members of the Air Force and Army by removing any gender distinctions from such rules. Establishes a distribution formula based on six classes: (1) beneficiary named in a will; (2) surviving spouse; (3) children; (4) parents; (5) siblings; and (6) next of kin. Eliminates sexual distinctions with regard to promotion procedures and procedures to remove reserve officers from active duty status in the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve. Requires the Secretary of Defense to make an annual report to the Congress concerning the status of women in the armed forces. Title IV: Estate Tax on Agricultural Property and Farm Loans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift tax from $47,000 to $192,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases the minimum gross estate requirement for filing a return from $175,000 to $600,000. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if they materially participated in the operation of the farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death or during the period beginning on the date of deaths of the decedent and ending on the date of death of the spouse. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who received property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Provides that the interest rate on extended payments of estate taxes shall be the lower of six percent or 75 percent of the prime rate. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to remove the preference to married persons in receiving farm improvement loans. Title V: Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Grants to State or local governments having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer, if a State or local authority: (1) has received notice of a complaint and fails to act within 60 days; or (2) has no insurance discrimination laws. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Title VI: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the heads of each Federal administrative agency to conduct a review of the regulations of that agency to assure that such regulations are sex neutral. Requires that, to the extent practicable, all rules, regulations, documents, and other writings of Federal administrative agencies shall use words that are neutral as to gender, unless the subject matter specifically applies only to one sex or the words used do not result in sex-based discrimination. Title VII: Study of Enforcement of Alimony and Child Support Payments - Directs the Attorney General to undertake a study of the appropriate role of the Federal Government in the enforcement of delinquent payments of alimony, child support, and property settlement orders against an absent spouse or parent. Requires the Attorney General to submit to the President and the Congress not later than one year after enactment of this Act a report of such study together with recommendations for appropriate legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of September 20 through 26, 1981, as "National Cystic Fibrosis Week."
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Extends through September 30, 1984, the period of Vietnam-era veterans' eligibility for readjustment counseling and related mental health services.