United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from unemployment taxation commercial fishermen who, pursuant to an arrangement with the owner or operator of a fishing boat, receive a share of the boat's catch or proceeds from its sale in lieu of cash remuneration. Specifies that the boat's crew must be comprised of fewer than ten individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Title I: Export Trading Companies - Export Trading Company Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promote export trading companies by providing information and by facilitating contacts between producers of exportable goods and export trading companies. Authorizes any banking organization to invest specified amounts in export trading companies upon notifying, but without obtaining the prior approval of, the appropriate Federal banking agency, if such investment does not cause an export trading company to become a subsidiary of such organization. Allows greater investment by Edge Act Corporations not engaged in banking. Permits any banking organization to invest beyond such limitations with prior approval of the appropriate Federal banking agency. Requires prior notification of such agencies in specified circumstances. Sets forth further limitations on export trading companies and investments by banking organizations. Specifies factors to be taken into consideration by the banking agencies. Permits such agencies to impose conditions in approving applications to invest in export trading companies. Requires such agencies to report to the appropriate Congressional committees with their recommendations concerning implementation of this Act, related changes in U.S. law, and effects of ownership of U.S. banks by foreign banking organizations. Authorizes the appropriate Federal banking agency to exempt from specified requirements of the Federal Reserve Act any loan or extension of credit made by a national or State bank to an export trading company affiliate if such exemption is necessary to finance an affiliated export trading company and does not expose the bank to undue financial risks. Provides for judicial review of denial orders in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals. Sets forth the grounds for disapproval. Provides for a remand for further consideration by the banking agency. Directs the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration to give special weight to export-related benefits when considering applications for loans and guarantees by export trading companies. Authorizes up to $10,000,000 to be appropriated for initial investments and operating expenses for each of fiscal years 1982-1986. Directs the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide loan guarantees for expansion to export trading companies or exporters when adequate financing is not otherwise available. Requires such loan guarantees to be secured by accounts receivable or inventories. Directs the Board of Directors to try to insure that a major share of such guarantees promotes exports from small, medium-size, and minority businesses or agricultural concerns. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to subsidize the employment of export managers by small business manufacturing firms which have not previously been substantial exporters. Limits such grants to the lesser of: (1) 50 percent of the expenses related to employing a full-time export manager for one year; or (2) $40,000. Sets forth the requirements for an application by a firm for such grant and the factors the Secretary shall consider in making such grants. Authorizes appropriations for each of fiscal years 1982-1984 to carry out this grant program. Directs the Secretary to evaluate this program and to submit such evaluation and any recommendation to Congress by a specified date. Title II: Export Trade Association - Export Trade Association Act of 1981 - Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt the trade, activities and methods of operation of certified export trade associations and export trading companies from the antitrust laws. Delays the effectiveness of any certificate upon the notification of the Secretary of Commerce by the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of disagreement with the decision to issue a certificate. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by any association or export trading company seeking certification under this Act and by the Secretary in issuing such certificates. Permits automatic certification for existing associations. Provides for appeal of the Secretary's denial of certification. Requires firms to report changes in membership, export trade activities, or methods of operation to the Secretary and to apply for an amendment of their certificates. Directs the Secretary to revoke a firm's certificate if it does not comply with the requirements for an antitrust exemption or to amend such certificate so that it does comply with such requirements. Authorizes the Attorney General or the FTC to bring an action to invalidate certification. Provides for judicial review of such actions. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General and the FTC, to publish certification guidelines. Requires certified associations and export trading companies to submit annual reports to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Commerce an Office of Export Trade. Requires such Office to report annually to the appropriate Congressional committees on all East-West trade transactions requiring validated licenses and on the role of U.S. export trading companies in such trade. Requires, with specified exceptions, that all applications for certification be kept confidential. Authorizes the Secretary to require an association or trading company to modify its operation to be consistent with international obligations of the United States. Directs the President to appoint, with the Senate's advice and consent, a task force, seven years after enactment, to examine the effect of this Act and to make recommendations. Makes the amendments of the Webb-Pomerene Act set forth in this Act effective with regard to existing associations only at such time as such associations elected to be certified.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Allows motor carriers an income tax deduction for the value of motor carrier operating authorities rendered worthless by deregulation or $50,000, whichever is greater. Requires the deduction of such amount over a 36 month period.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest or dividends earned on savings deposits which are used by the deposit institutions for residential mortgage lending purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Oil Spill Liability and Compensation Act of 1981 - Title I: Oil Spill Liability and Compensation - Subjects the owner or operator of a vessel or facility to liability for oil discharged in violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (unless the discharge was caused as an act of God, war, or by a third party). Causes such owners and operators to be liable for: (1) all actual costs of removal incurred by the United States or a State under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Intervention on the High Seas Act, or the Deepwater Port Act of 1974; (2) any removal costs incurred by any person, as removal is defined under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and (3) specified damages for economic loss or loss of natural resources resulting from such a discharge. Limits such liability, but stipulates than an owner or operator shall be liable for all damages and removal costs in the case of: (1) willful misconduct or negligence; (2) violation of applicable safety, construction, or operating standards or regulations; (within the knowledge or privity of the owner or operator); or (3) a refusal to provide reasonable cooperation and assistance requested by a responsible official. Provides that owners or operators subject to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act shall bear all costs of removal. Authorizes the President to establish additional limitations on liability for certain facilities; and, from time to time, to increase established limitations to reflect specified factors. Provides for third party liability. Directs that money in the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (established in title II of this Act) be used for, among other things: (1) payment of removal costs; and (2) related research. Sets forth procedures for asserting claims against the Fund. Requires any claimant, prior to asserting a claim, to present the claim to the owner, operator, or guarantor of the vessel or facility from which the oil was discharged. Directs the President to: (1) prescribe forms and procedures for filing claims; and (2) attempt to arrange a settlement. Authorizes the President to establish and to pay a claim or to submit a claim to a Board of Arbitrators. Permits a claimant, dissatisfied with an award, to appeal to the Board of Arbitrators. Requires the owner and operator of any offshore vessel and/or facility to establish and maintain stated levels of financial responsibility sufficient to satisfy claims. Title II: Trust Fund Establishment and Collections - Establishes the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Provides that the Fund shall consist of: (1) amounts derived from an additional petroleum tax of 1.3 cents per barrel, imposed by an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code; (2) amounts recovered under title I of this Act; (3) penalties imposed under title I of this Act or under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and other unobligated funds available under such Act; (4) all assets of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Liability Fund; (5) all assets of the Deepwater Port Liability Fund; and (6) all assets of the Offshore Oil Pollution Compensation Fund established under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1978. Establishes a minimum amount of $30,000,000 to be maintained in the Trust Fund. Establishes the order in which unpaid claims are to be paid. Limits the liability of the United States to the amount in the Trust Fund. Provides for Trust Fund borrowing, as repayable advances, from the General Fund of the Treasury. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth effective dates and conforming amendments. Directs the President, in cooperation with the Comptroller General, to study possible incentives for safer operation of vessels and facilities to prevent oil discharges, and to report to the Congress by July 1, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Urges the President to extend for three years the orderly marketing agreements between the United States and Taiwan and between the United States and South Korea which limit the exportation from Taiwan and South Korea of nonrubber footwear to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1981
Commodity Straddles Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that any loss which exceeds gain from the holding of a position held as part of an offsetting position may not be recognized, for income tax deduction purposes, for the period during which a taxpayer holds such a position, plus 30 days. Defines "offsetting position" to mean that there is a substantial reduction of the taxpayer's risk of loss from holding any position with respect to personal property (commodities, evidences of indebtedness, and other types of personal property) because the taxpayer also holds one or more other positions with respect to personal property (commonly referred to as a "straddle"). Treats as offsetting, with specified exceptions, two or more positions which include equivalent long and short positions if: (1) such positions are in the same commodity; (2) the aggregate margin requirement for the positions is less than the sum of the margin requirements for each position; (3) the positions are in debt instruments; or (4) the positions are determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury to be offsetting positions. Defines "long position" and "short position" as positions which increase in value or decrease in value respectively, the personal property to which they relate increases in value. Disallows as a deduction, and makes chargeable to capital account, interest and carrying charges with respect to personal property which is part of an offsetting position. Provides that obligations of the United States, a State or local government, or a U.S. possession issued on a discount basis and payable without interest in less than one year shall be treated as capital assets in determining tax consequences of gain or loss with respect to such obligations. Excludes from capital gains tax treatment gain by a securities dealer from the sale or exchange of any security unless the security was clearly identified in the dealer's records, before the end of the day after the date of acquisition, as a security held for investment (currently, before the end of the 30th day after the date of acquisition).
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Soil and Water Conservation Incentives Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer engaged in the business of farming an investment tax credit for soil and water conservation expenditures not treated as deductible expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Public Buildings Act of 1980 - Title I: General Authorities - Gives the Administrator of General Services (GSA), acting through the Public Buildings Service, sole authority to acquire, design, construct, lease, manage, maintain, repair, renovate, and assign space in public buildings. Establishes in GSA a Public Buildings Service to be headed by a Commissioner of Public Buildings. Creates the position of Supervising Architect to supervise all design activities of the Public Buildings Service. Permits the Administrator to delegate any of the aforementioned authorities to an agency head with respect to the public buildings needs of such agency. Requires the Administrator to annually report to Congress concerning activities undertaken to meet the public buildings needs of Federal agencies. Specifies lists to be included in such report. Requires the Administrator to maintain specified information in order to keep Congress fully informed. Directs the Administrator to require, prior to executing any lease or other contract which would obligate funds in excess of $10,000 authorized pursuant to this Act, a certification from the owner of the space to be leased or the contractor. Requires such certification to include statements and declarations that such owner or contractor, or any of his officers or principal employees: (1) has no business or employment relationship or interest or holding which constitutes a conflict of interest; (2) has not offered or promised anything of value to a public official with the intent to influence any official act or to induce the official to perform any act in violation of his lawful duties; (3) has not been debarred or suspended from the award of public contracts; (4) has not had a public contract terminated for default; and (5) has not been convicted, within ten years prior to the date of the solicitation, of, or is not currently under indictment for or otherwise charged with, specified offenses. Makes the Administrator responsible for the interpretation of all contracts entered into to carry out this Act. Requires the GSA to furnish to specified Congressional committees, by April 30, 1982, a survey report describing all of the steam generating units it owns or operates with a heat input rate of 50 million Btu/hour or greater. Sets forth the information such report shall contain. Repeals the Public Buildings Act of 1959. Title II: Locations for Federal Agency Offices - Requires the headquarters offices of each Federal agency to be located in the National Capital region. Requires regional, district, area, or local Federal agency offices to be centrally located or within easy transportation access of the populations they serve or other offices with which they must maintain frequent communication. Requires other Federal agency offices to be distributed throughout the country generally in proportion to the geographic distribution of the population. Sets forth criteria to be used in locating, planning for, and consolidating the public buildings needs of Federal agencies. Permits agency heads and the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to appeal locations assigned by the Administrator. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall require the relocation of any office from its present location. Title III: Design and Management of Public Buildings - Sets forth requirements for the design and maintenance of public buildings, including quality of architecture, energy efficiency, conformity with existing buildings, furnishings, and parking facilities for motor vehicles and bicycles. Requires the head of the agency concerned to: (1) submit standards assuring compliance with the minimum requirements of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 to the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board; and (2) prescribe regulations to assure conformity with such standards. Requires that the annual plan to Congress include a schedule for making all existing public buildings conform with such standards and regulations. Authorizes the Administrator, upon the request of local and State officials, to name a public building after, and establish a memorial therein in honor of, any person who has made notable contributions to government, science, industry, education, the arts, or other fields of human endeavor. Title IV: Mixed Use and Adaptive Use in Public Buildings - Public Buildings Cooperative Use Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Public Buildings Cooperative Use Act of 1976 to direct the Administrator to design, construct, and lease out space for commercial, cultural, educational, and recreational activities. Sets forth conditions for space so leased. Repeals provisions requiring the Administrator to: (1) identify existing buildings of historic, architectural, or cultural significance suitable for meeting Federal public buildings needs; and (2) notify Congress of the use or nonuse of such buildings. Title V: Exhibitions and Works of Art - Federal Building Enhancement Act of 1981 - Directs the Administrator to: (1) acquire works of art by living American artists to be exhibited in Federal buildings; (2) develop exhibitions for Federal buildings that reflect the heritage or development of the United States; and (3) commission works of art by American artists for Federal buildings. Sets forth standards such works of art and exhibitions shall meet. Requires the Administrator to avoid the development of an official style in architecture or art. Authorizes the Administrator to use one-half of one percent of the sums available for the construction, repair, and acquisition of public buildings for such purposes and one-twentieth of one percent of the sums available for the lease of buildings for such purposes. Title VI: Architectural Services - Directs the Administrator to employ architects, designers, and urban planners to prepare, under the supervision of the Supervising Architect, plans for such public building projects as the Commissioner of Public Buildings may designate. Requires those architectural designs not prepared in accordance with the above to be procured in accordance with the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and requires a design competition between at least three qualified architectural firms, with respect to at least half of the projects expected to cost more than $5,000,000. Directs the Administrator to make public the reasons for the selection made. Requires that firms participating in such competition receive no more than one-half of one percent of the expected project costs. Title VII: Leasing - Specifies that within the next ten years at least 60 percent, and within 20 years no fewer than 75 percent, of Federal employees shall have their principal offices in public buildings, with such percentage being maintained uniformly throughout the country. Prohibits the Administrator from contracting for the construction of any building other than one Government-owned except under specified circumstances. Prohibits leasing space for specified Federal functions unless necessary to meet immediate and urgent requirements. Exempts buildings leased pursuant to this Act from provisions requiring money consideration and limiting the amount of rent. Prohibits rental rates from exceeding current commercial rates for space of nearest comparable quality. Requires the Administrator to publicly solicit competitive bids to procure space by lease for the Government. Directs the Administrator to provide a copy of the lease agreement to the highest ranking official of each Federal agency in leased buildings. Title VIII: Congressional Authorization - Directs the Administrator to submit annually to Congress a program of necessary projects and actions for the coming fiscal year. Directs the Administrator: (1) to certify that public hearings have been held or the opportunity for same afforded for each major project in such report; and (2) to provide a final environmental impact statement for such projects. Prohibits the obligation of any appropriation for a public building without Congressional authorization. Requires appropriations for the cost of completion of any public building or the total cost of a lease before construction may commence or a lease entered. Authorizes appropriations to the Public Buildings Service for fiscal year 1982 with specified amounts earmarked for: (1) the construction, acquisition, or renovation of public buildings in specified localities; (2) alteration of leased buildings and lease agreements; (3) planning and preliminary design of projects; (4) real property operations; (5) program direction; and (6) other obligations. Reserves a portion of such funds for unanticipated changes and requires the submission of an explanatory statement on such changes to specified Congressional committees before such funds may be obligated. Authorizes the Administrator to increase expenditures or decrease the amount of space to be constructed, up to specified limits, if the project costs exceed the estimated maximum cost authorized . Directs the Administrator to report to specified Congressional committees. Requires Congressional approval of any other action. Title IX: Public Building Financing - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require rates and charges for public buildings and buildings leased on behalf of the United States to be established annually at a level approximating commercial rates, but not less than the costs of providing space and services. Authorizes the Administrator to issue obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury in order to finance the acquisition, construction, or renovation of any public building. Provides for payment of principal and interest on such obligations from the fund for real property management. Title X: Miscellaneous - Makes this Act effective October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate adjusted net income as a standard for determining the amount which a private foundation is required to distribute to avoid the tax on undistributed income.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
State Set-aside Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to promulgate regulations establishing a State set-aside system for propane, middle distillates, motor gasoline, residual fuel oil, and aviation fuels Sets State set-aside levels.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Vietnam-Era Veterans' Readjustment Amendments of 1981 - Extends the eligibility of Vietnam-era veterans for counseling and related mental health services through September 30, 1983. Permits specified exceptions to such limitation. Excludes alcohol or drug abuse from willful misconduct for purposes of the education benefits delimiting period. Extends such period through September 30, 1983, for veterans pursuing an apprenticeship, vocational objective, or secondary education course. Prohibits the approval of an exclusively flight training program of education under such extension. Extends the veterans readjustment appointment program through September 30, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Prisoners of War Health-Care Benefits Act of 1981 - Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to establish an advisory committee to assess new medical and other information on former prisoners of war (POW's). Requires that such committee include former POW's of World War II, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam era and individuals who are recognized authorities in certain fields of medicine. Directs the committee to submit a biennial report to the Administrator on its activities. Makes POW's with the disease of psychosis manifest to a degree of ten percent presumably eligible for wartime disability benefits (presently such psychosis must have occurred within two years of separation from service). Entitles POW's of not less than 60 days during World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, or the Vietnam era eligible for hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care benefits. Directs the Administrator to prescribe regulations and furnish medical services for any disability on an outpatient or ambulatory basis to such POW's. Includes veterans held in captive status due to the seizure of the United States Embassy in Iran among those veterans eligible for educational assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration should develop and validate an alternative nonanimal testing procedure.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Act - Establishes a program of educational assistance for men and women who enter active duty in the armed forces after June 30, 1981. Defines an eligible veteran for such program as one who: (1) serves on active duty for three or more consecutive years; or (2) serves an obligated period of active duty for three or more consecutive years which began after June 30, 1981; or (3) served on active duty for two or more consecutive years and has been accepted in the Ready Reserve of a component of the armed forces for four or more years. Entitles an eligible veteran to basic educational assistance if such veteran is pursuing a program of education on a full-time basis. Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to reduce rates of assistance appropriately if such veteran is pursuing a program of education on less than a full-time basis. Entitles an eligible veteran to supplemental educational assistance if such veteran: (1) has served six or more consecutive years in the armed forces; or (2) has served four or more consecutive years and has been accepted for service in a component of the Ready Reserve. Excludes the periods of service for basic educational assistance from being counted for entitlement to supplemental assistance. Allows such veterans to receive both types of assistance concurrently. Permits the Secretary of a component of the armed forces to authorize an eligible veteran who has served ten or more consecutive years of active duty to transfer all or any part of his entitlement to his dependents in accordance with provisions of this Act. Prohibits any person divorced from an eligible veteran from receiving any educational assistance based on such veterans' service. Declares the use of an eligible veterans' educational assistance expires ten years after such veterans' last discharge or release from active duty. Sets forth exceptions to such ten-year period based on certain circumstances. Suspends payments for any eligible veteran who fails to serve satisfactorily in the Ready Reserve if such service is a requirement for eligibility. Excludes certain service for the purpose of earning entitlement, including: (1) assignment to a course of education substantially the same as that offered civilians; (2) service as a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies; (3) certain enlistment in the Army or Air National Guard; or (4) service in any of the Reserve components. Extends the period of entitlement when necessary for any person to complete a term of education. Provides that payments for basic educational assistance shall be made from appropriations made to the Veterans Administration and payments for supplemental assistance shall be made from appropriations made to the Department of Defense. Permits a Secretary to increase the amount of basic or supplemental educational assistance if necessary to obtain or retain qualified active duty personnel in specific categories of such personnel. Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to each report biennially on the operation of programs provided under this Act, including recommendations for administrative or legislative changes. Makes technical amendments to provisions of the United States Code to conform with this Act. Prohibits a veteran eligible for assistance under this Act from participating in any other veterans educational assistance program. Amends the Veterans Education and Employment Assistance Act of 1976 to preclude enrollment in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance program after December 31, 1981. Establishes a delimiting period of five years when a veteran commences a program of education within two years of discharge, or December 31, 1989, whichever is later.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Veterans' Automobile Assistance and Adaptive Equipment Amendments of 1981 - Increases the amount of maximum assistance the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs must provide to certain severely service-connected disabled veterans for automobile adaptive equipment. Entitles veterans suffering from ankylosis of one or both knees or hips to adaptive equipment sufficient to overcome such disability to meet State licensure requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of the earned income exclusion for U.S. citizens working abroad who are bona fide residents of a foreign country. Sets the amount of such exclusion at $50,000, plus 50 percent of the lesser of compensation exceeding $50,000 or $50,000. Repeals the requirement that such U.S. citizens work in hardship areas to be eligible for the tax exclusion. Reduces the length of the residency requirement for the tax exclusion. Provides for an income tax exclusion for the value of employer-provided lodging in a camp in cases where satisfactory housing is not generally available. Repeals the income tax deduction for certain living expenses of U.S. citizens abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1981
Veterans Administration Adjudication Procedure and Judicial Review Act - Title I: Adjudication Procedures - Codifies, for Veterans Administration (VA) adjudication purposes, the burden of proof and reasonable doubt standard currently provided for by VA regulation. States that a claimant has the burden of submitting sufficient evidence to justify his or her claim, and that if an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence exists regarding the merits of a claim, the VA is to resolve such doubt in favor of the claimant. Stipulates that VA subpoenas may be served either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail. Increases the size of the Board of Veterans' Appeals from 50 to 65 members. Requires the chairman of such Board to submit an annual report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning the Board's current handling of cases and projections for the subsequent fiscal year. Requires the Board to: (1) provide notice to a claimant and an opportunity for a hearing before a decision may be based on "additional official information" received after a Board decision has previously been made; (2) provide the claimant with an opportunity for a hearing; and (3) make its decision exclusively on evidence and material of record in the proceeding. Removes the requirement that new material sufficient to allow the Board to reopen a previously disallowed claim be in the form of official reports. Provides that the Board's discretionary authority to reopen a claim will not be diminished by a judicial decision following an appeal as provided for by this Act. Requires the Board to mail to the claimant notice of its decision and the reasons for such decision. Provides that, upon the request of a claimant, the Board shall provide an independent advisory medical opinion when there exists substantial medical disagreements with respect to a material issue in a veterans' appeal. Sets forth new procedural rules for adjudication hearings regarding: (1) oaths affirmations, and witness examination; (2) admissibility of evidence; (3) procedural rights of claimants; (4) disqualification of a hearing officer; (5) the record of the proceedings and the claimants' right to examine and obtain a copy of such record; and (6) the exclusiveness of veterans' adjudication procedures and rights prescribed by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to provide at each stage of the appeal proceedings written notice to a claimant of procedural rights and procedures. Directs the Administrator to conduct a study of two alternate claims resolution methods, one a new intermediate-level adjudication process, the other an enhanced schedule of formal Appeals Board hearings. Title II: Veterans' Administration Rule Making - Includes the VA's rulemaking procedures under the relevant provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Title III: Judicial Review - Provides for judicial review of VA decisions in the Federal court system. States with regard to jurisdiction: (1) that judicial review of a final decision in a claim for benefits may be obtained in a civil action brought within 180 days of the Board's mailing of notice of its decision, and that such action shall be brought in Federal district court; (2) that in cases not directly involving a claim for benefits a civil action otherwise authorized by law shall not be precluded; (3) the definition of final decision; (4) that the judicial review procedures established under this Act shall not apply to insurance and home loans; (5) that the VA shall file the various materials constituting the record in a case together with its answer to the claimant's complaint; and (6) that the court render a decision on the pleadings. States, with regard to the reviewing court's scope of review, that such court: (1) decide questions of law and interpret constitutional, statutory, and regulatory provisions, but that questions of fact (unless unsupported by substantial evidence) will not be subject to a trial de novo; and (2) in reviewing a final decision of the VA which is adverse to a party solely because such party failed to comply with VA procedures, such court may only review questions concerning such procedures. Sets out provisions regarding remand, survival of actions, and appellate review. Title IV: Attorneys' Fees - Authorizes the Administrator to allow attorneys' fees above the present $10 maximum if the appealing party's claim is allowed by the VA after an initial denial. States that such fee shall be the lesser of: (1) the fee agreed upon by the party and attorney; (2) $500, unless the Administrator approves a greater amount; or (3) if the party and attorney have entered into a contingent-fee agreement, not more than 25 percent of the total of any past-due benefits awarded on the basis of such party's claim. Provides for the approval of attorneys' fees, in successful veterans' claims brought before a court, as provided for under this Act. Stipulates that such fees shall be determined by such court, and in contingent-fee agreements such fees shall not exceed 25 percent of the total of any past-due benefits awarded on the basis of such claim. Authorizes attorneys' fees of up to $750 in certain unsuccessful veterans' claims. Prohibits the VA from authorizing payment to a claimant's attorney based on past-due benefits unless such benefits are owed as of the date of the VA's or a court's award. Establishes procedures for the review of the VA's or a court's approval of attorneys' fees. States that in the case of a benefits claim resolved before the VA, either the claimant or the attorney may challenge the award in the Federal district court in which the claimant resides or has his principal place of business within 30 days after notice of the attorneys' award. Provides that all parties be given notice. Stipulates that such provisions regarding attorneys' fees shall only apply to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the VA and shall not apply in cases in which the VA is the plaintiff or in which other attorneys' fees statutes are otherwise controlling. Title V: Effective Dates - States that this Act shall become effective 180 days after enactment. Permits review of Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions rendered on or after January 1, 1977, and prior to the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a home heating tax credit equal to the sum of: (1) the amount incurred during the taxable year for any qualified home heating source multiplied by a specified factor; and (2) an amount equal to the degree day factor for the State in which the taxpayer's principal residence is located. Limits the amount of such credit to less than the excess of $300 over ten percent of the amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $30,000. Reduces such credit by any amount received by the taxpayer for a qualified home heating energy source under any Federal, State, or local program. Limits eligibility for such credit to one person per household. Allocates portions of the credit to tenants of a building which is heated by a qualified home heating energy source.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt interest paid on deposits by State and local governments of public funds, which are secured by tax-exempt securities, from provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which disallow income tax deductions for interest paid with respect to tax-exempt financing.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Federal Interagency Medical Resources Sharing and Coordination Act of 1981 - Establishes the Federal Interagency Medical Resources Committee to be composed of the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs or their designees. Directs the Committee: (1) to evaluate the opportunities for the interagency sharing of health resources between the Department of Defense and the Veterans' Administration; (2) to prescribe policies and procedures for such interagency sharing; and (3) within 180 days after enactment of this Act, to prescribe guidelines for such interagency sharing to the directors of health care facilities of the Department and the Administration. Requires such guidelines to provide that: (1) the director of each facility shall enter into cooperative arrangements for providing health care to beneficiaries of other facilities; (2) the availability of medical care to beneficiaries of an agency other than the providing agency shall be on a referral basis; and (3) an agency shall be reimbursed for a medical service provided to a beneficiary of another agency. Directs the Committee to submit to the Committees on Appropriations of each House of Congress an annual report regarding interagency medical resource sharing activities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to prohibit bank holding companies and their subsidiaries from selling insurance as principals, agents or brokers, except: (1) where the insurance secures an extension of credit in the event of death, disability, or the involuntary unemployment of the debtor; (2) where the insurance is declining balance credit property insurance, sold by a subsidiary finance company, to protect against loss or damage to collateral securing an extension of credit of $10,000 or less (adjusted by the Consumer Price Index with 1980 as the base year); (3) any insurance agency activity in a community of less than 5,000 or which has inadequate insurance agency facilities; (4) any insurance agency activity lawfully engaged in by a bank holding company on June 12, 1980; (5) certain supervisory activity over agents who sell insurance covering a holding company's property and employees; and (6) any insurance agency activity, except the sale of unauthorized life insurance or annuities, conducted by a bank holding company or its subsidiary which has less than $50,000,000 in total assets.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1981
Expresses the jubilation and relief of the Senate at the release of the 52 Americans held hostage by Iran. Expresses appreciation for the efforts of various Government officials to secure the release of the hostages. Recognizes the patriotism of the military personnel who tried to rescue them. Thanks Algeria for its help in securing the hostages' release.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income a corporate stock distribution to a stockholder based upon the reinvestment of stock dividends in the corporation by such stockholder pursuant to his election to participate in a qualified dividend reinvestment plan, as defined in this Act. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $1,500 per year. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that a distribution made by a corporation which purchases its common stock within one year of such distribution shall not be deemed a distribution pursuant to a qualified dividend reinvestment plan.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1981
Title I: Export Trading Companies - Export Trading Company Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promote export trading companies by providing information and by facilitating contacts between producers of exportable goods and export trading companies. Authorizes any banking organization to invest specified amounts in export trading companies upon notifying, but without obtaining the prior approval of, the appropriate Federal banking agency, if such investment does not cause an export trading company to become a subsidiary of such organization. Allows greater investment by Edge Act Corporations not engaged in banking. Permits any banking organization to invest beyond such limitations with prior approval of the appropriate Federal banking agency. Requires prior notification of such agencies in specified circumstances. Sets forth further limitations on export trading companies and investments by banking organizations. Specifies factors to be taken into consideration by the banking agencies. Permits such agencies to impose conditions in approving applications to invest in export trading companies. Requires such agencies to report to the appropriate Congressional committees with their recommendations concerning implementation of this Act, related changes in U.S. law, and effects of ownership of U.S. banks by foreign banking organizations. Provides for judicial review of denial orders in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals. Sets forth the grounds for disapproval. Provides for remand for further consideration by the banking agency. Directs the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration to give special weight to export-related benefits when considering applications for loans and guarantees by export trading companies. Authorizes up to $20,000,000 to be appropriated for initial investments and operating expenses for each of fiscal years 1981-1985. Directs the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide loan guarantees for expansion to export trading companies or exporters to be secured by accounts receivable or inventories when adequate financing is not otherwise available. Directs the Board of Directors to try to insure that a major share of such guarantees promotes exports from small, medium-size, and minority businesses or agricultural concerns. Title II: Export Trade Associations - Export Trade Association Act of 1981- Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt the export trade, export trade activities, and methods of operation of certified export trade associations and export trading companies from the antitrust laws. Delays the effectiveness of any certificate upon the notification of the Secretary of Commerce by the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of disagreement with the decision to issue a certificate. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by any association, company, or export trading company seeking certification under this Act and by the Secretary in issuing such certificates. Permits automatic certification for existing associations. Provides for appeal of the Secretary's denial of certification. Authorizes the Attorney General or the FTC to bring an action to invalidate a certification. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General and the FTC, to publish certification guidelines. Requires certified associations and export trading companies to submit annual reports to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Commerce an Office of Export Trade. Requires such Office to report annually to the appropriate Congressional committees on all East-West trade transactions requiring validated licenses and on the role of U.S. export trading companies in such trade. Grants a temporary exemption from the Sherman Act antitrust provisions for existing associations. Requires, with specified exceptions, that all applications for certification be kept confidential. Authorizes the Secretary to require an association or trading company to modify its operation to be consistent with international obligations of the United States. Directs the President to appoint, with the Senate's advice and consent, a task force, seven years after enactment, to examine the effect of this Act and to make recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit of 25 percent of the qualified research and experimental expenditures paid or incurred by a taxpayer in carrying on a trade or business. Defines "qualified research and experimental expenditures" as those business-related expenditures which are deductible under current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Limits the scope of such expenditures, for both the tax credit and tax deduction, to technological research designed to develop or improve products or services. Excludes expenditures for research or experimentation in the social sciences or humanities, government-funded research, and certain applied research. Limits the amount of expenditures eligible for the credit to those which exceed the annual average of such expenditures for the immediately preceding three years. Requires taxpayers under common control to aggregate such expenditures for purposes of computing the credit. Sets forth rules for adjusting such expenditure amounts when there is a change in business ownership. Provides for a three-year carryback and seven-year carryover of unused credits.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1981
Commission on Presidential Nominations Resolution - Establishes the Commission on Presidential Nominations to make an investigation regarding the presidential nominating process. Directs the Commission to report to the President and Congress respecting such investigation including recommendations for the 1984 presidential elections. Terminates the Commission 60 days after submission of such report. Sets forth the powers of such Commission, and related administrative provisions. Authorizes necessary appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from processing potatoes for entry into the United States until appropriate measures have been taken to assure that seed potatoes are not substituted for potatoes intended for human consumption.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for whoever robs, by force and violence or intimidation, a licensed pharmacy which is regularly engaged in retail dispensing of prescription drugs or devices in interstate commerce, if such robbery is part of a pattern of robberies in the locality. Defines "property" as a controlled substance, as defined in the Controlled Substances Act, whose value exceeds $500.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
State and Local Government Fiscal Note Act of 1981 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to estimate the costs which would be incurred by State or local governments in complying with any bill or resolution (likely to result in annual costs greater than $200,000,000 or have exceptional fiscal consequences) and compare such estimates with any made by congressional committees or Federal agencies. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Federal Assistance Reform Act of 1981 - Title I: Consolidation of Federal Assistance Programs - Directs the President: (1) prior to each regular session of Congress, to examine the various Federal assistance programs to determine if consolidation of any such programs is necessary or desirable to promote the efficiency, administration, or coordination of such programs; and (2) upon making such a determination, transmit to Congress a plan for consolidating functionally related programs. Requires that such a plan: (1) designate a single agency to administer the plan and the consolidated programs; (2) specify the terms and conditions under which such programs will be administered; (3) expire no later than ten years after enactment of this Act; and (4) include a message describing the difference between the terms and conditions of the programs to be consolidated before and after consolidation, and assessing the plan's effects on the costs of implementing the programs. Directs the President to transmit a report on the administration of this title to Congress within 60 days of each session of Congress. Prohibits a consolidation plan from: (1) consolidating programs which are not functionally related; (2) designating an administering agency that did not administer any program to be consolidated; (3) excluding any person or group who is eligible for assistance under one of the programs to be consolidated from eligibility for assistance under the consolidation plan; or (4) making eligible for assistance under the plan any person or group not eligible under one of such programs. Terminates the consolidation authority under this title ten years after it becomes effective Declares that a consolidation plan shall become effective upon approval by the President of a Congressional resolution approving the plan. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for considering such a resolution. Authorizes the aggregation of appropriations for programs consolidated under such a plan. Title II: Financial Management and Audit of Federal Assistance Programs - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): (1) in consultation with the Comptroller General of the United States, to establish and maintain standard procedures to be utilized by all Federal agencies for the administration, accounting, and financial auditing of Federal assistance to State and local governments and nonprofit organizations; and (2) to prescribe directives to agencies for coordinating Federal, State, and local audits of grant programs. Requires a single, independent, biennial, compliance, and financial audit of State and local government entities, nonprofit organizations, and subgrantees which receive Federal assistance. Requires such an audit of an organization which receives less than $100,000 a year to be conducted quinquennially. Establishes the responsibility of State and local governments and nonprofit organizations to utilize independent auditors to conduct audits of Federal assistance recipients within their jurisdictions in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Makes the Federal Government responsible for: (1) utilizing the quality review process to be established by the Director of OMB and the Comptroller General to assure the proper performance of such audits; and (2) conducting audits which are not financial and compliance audits. Directs the OMB to establish methods of payment of independent auditors for the expense of performing all or any part of an audit on behalf of the Government. Title III: Integrated Grant Development - Integrated Grant Development Act of 1981 - Repeals the Joint Funding Simplification Act. Directs the President to issue guidelines necessary to assure that Federal agencies: (1) identify related Federal assistance programs that would be suitable for providing joint funding; (2) issue guidelines and develop materials to assist in the development of projects drawing support from different assistance programs; (3) review and modify administrative requirements which impede integrated grant development for projects; (4) establish common administrative rules with respect to related programs to assist in integrated grant development for specific projects; and (5) create joint or common procedures for processing applications, supervising projects, and evaluating performance (including procedures insuring that agencies participating in integrated grant programs contribute proportionately to the lead agency's costs of administering the program). Requires the heads of Federal agencies to cooperate with respect to Federal assistance programs which may be suitable for providing joint support of projects of State or local governments or nonprofit organizations. Declares that the Director of OMB shall have responsibility for carrying out the provisions of this title. Specifies guidelines to be followed by each Federal agency participating in an integrated grant program when processing applications for assistance from State or local governments or nonprofit organizations. Sets forth special authorities to be utilized by an agency providing support to a project assisted by more than one Federal program only when a problem cannot be solved through other actions by this title or other applicable law. Directs an agency to adopt uniform provisions governing the financial management of a project, the timing of Federal payments for such project, the form of assistance, and accountability procedures when such project otherwise would be subject to conflicting administrative rules. Permits the review of integrated grant project proposals by a single board or committee. Allows an agency to delegate its functions for the administration of a Federal assistance program to another agency with the approval of the President. Authorizes the establishment of a management fund with respect to a project receiving support from more than one program. Permits the transfer to such fund of the proportionate share of payments for the project from each affected appropriation. Directs the OMB to report to the Appropriations Committees of Congress on the savings effected by integrated grants. Requires the recipients of assistance under a program financed by a management fund to keep records necessary for an effective audit. Grants access to the papers and records of such a recipient to the Comptroller General and the head of the agency administering the management fund. Terminates the provisions of this title five years after they become effective. Directs the President, at least two years before the provisions expire, to transmit to Congress a report which evaluates and makes recommendations for the administration of this title. Title IV: Administration of Generally Applicable Federal Assistance Requirements - Defines the term "generally applicable requirement" as any requirement with which a recipient of Federal assistance has to comply in order to achieve national policy objectives, and which applies to programs administered by two or more agencies. Requires the President, within 120 days after enactment of this title, to designate Federal agencies to: (1) coordinate the preparation of national policy assistance standards for one or more generally applicable requirements in various subject areas; and (2) report on the implementation of such requirements. Directs the President to establish a date for the preparation of such standards which shall be not later than two years after enactment of this Act for existing requirements or two years after a requirement is established by statute or administrative rule. Directs each designated agency to organize and chair a task force to prepare such standards. Requires such a task force to consist of each assistance agency responsible for implementing the national policy objective. Requires that such standards eliminate any unnecessary compliance burdens for assistance recipients while ensuring the achievement of national policy assistance objectives. Directs each agency which administers a program to which such standards apply, to implement such standards within 120 days after they are published by a designated agency. Directs each designated agency to coordinate the implementation of such standards, and to insure that such standards are revised only on the first day of each fiscal year. Requires the head of each assistance agency to designate a senior official to: (1) coordinate such agency's actions to comply with such standards; and (2) ensure active agency participation in the development and implementation of such standards. Authorizes such agency head to certify that State and local governments are in compliance with State and local government requirements that contain the same requirements as national policy assistance standards. Directs a designated agency to report to the President concerning any impediments to the development of such standards. Permits the President to direct the agency to prepare a proposed bill for transmission to Congress, to remove such impediments. Allows the President to submit to Congress proposed legislation exempting certain programs from inappropriate generally applicable requirements. Authorizes the President to delegate responsibility for monitoring the overall implementation of this title to the Director of OMB or the head of any other Federal agency. Title V: Miscellaneous - Amends the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 to require any Federal agency which administers a program of Federal assistance to a State government or a political subdivision, upon request, to provide written information to a designated State agency on the amount and purpose of such assistance. Requires any Federal agency: (1) to provide notice to a State or local government before withdrawing or refusing to renew financial assistance; (2) upon request, to provide such government with an opportunity to demonstrate why such action should not be taken; and (3) upon request, to explain why such a government's application for assistance was rejected. Authorizes the head of a Federal agency to waive any changed requirements for the receipt of grants with respect to a State, local government, or nonprofit organization which has expended substantial effort to apply for such grant under the existing requirements. Directs the United States Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental Relations: (1) to conduct a study of alternative methods of delivering public services supported by grants-in-aid in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of such services; and (2) to report its findings and recommendations to Congress and the President. Requires the Director of OMB to prepare a list of the 100 largest Federal assistance programs of each year. Directs the head of an agency administering any such program to prepare and transmit to the Director an analysis of the administrative costs of that program during the preceding year. Requires the Director of OMB to conduct and report to Congress concerning a pilot program to develop and implement methods to assess the administrative costs of Federal assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System should reduce and institute alternative policies to restrain interest rates; (2) Congress should abolish the Federal Open Market Committee and stipulate that the Board make all final decisions concerning the money supply and interest rates; and (3) the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs should study and report on the advisability of seeking other necessary reforms of the Federal Reserve System including implementation of a dual prime rate to improve management of the monetary structure.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1980
Designates the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health located in Montgomery County, Maryland, as the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health. Directs the Committee on Rules and Administration to place appropriate markers or inscriptions at suitable locations within such center to commemorate and designate such building.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1980
Extends the tributes of the Senate to the members of the United States Air Force who participated, including Sergeant Davis Livingston who died and those members who were injured, in the voluntary mission at the Titan II missile site near Damascus, Arkansas.
United States · United States Congress · 3 September 1980
Congratulates Polish workers on the successful completion of their strikes. Urges the Polish government to respect the agreement. Calls upon other nations to not interfere in Poland's internal affairs.
![Official portrait of Sen. Mitchell, George J. [D-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000811_200.jpg)