United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should notify the Common Market's Council of Ministers that: (1) renegotiation of the Common Market's tariff on corn gluten feed is not in the best interests of the United States; and (2) the imposition of any trade restriction on corn gluten feed would seriously impede U.S. relations with the Common Market. Urges the President to take all other appropriate steps to protect U.S. exports of corn gluten feed.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1982
Prohibits the Government from imposing export restrictions on agricultural commodities which interfere with valid export contracts if: (1) the contracts were entered into before the imposition of such restrictions; and (2) the contracts provide for the delivery of such commodities for export within 180 days of the date the restrictions are imposed.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth special temporary rules for the taxation of life insurance companies for 1982 and 1983. Revises provisions relating to policies reinsured under modified coinsurance contracts. Specifies that prescribed policy and other contract liability requirements shall not include interest payable after enactment of this Act by a reinsured to a reinsurer in connection with a coinsurance contract. Revises the method of computing the tax deductions for: (1) dividends to policyholders; (2) certain nonparticipating contracts; and (3) certain accident, health insurance, and group life insurance plans. Revises the method of determining adjusted life insurance reserves. Revises the method of computing the policyholder's shared investment yield, life insurance company taxable income, and net capital gain for companies filing consolidated returns. Specifies that the above method shall not apply to certain contract computation in effect before 1982. States that the determination for taxable years before 1982 as to whether a contract is a coinsurance contract shall be made solely by reference to the terms of the contract.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Expands the membership of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to include three elected school board officials from different States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Establishes U.S. policy concerning commercial food exports. Declares that there should be no interruptions in exports unless there is a general embargo in circumstances that justify the united support of the free world.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the aggregate amount of appropriations for conservation and renewable energy for FY 1983 should not be less than the amount appropriated for FY 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1982
Enterprise Zone Tax Act of 1982 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by this Act. Specifies that State and local governments shall nominate areas for such designation. Limits the designation of enterprise zones to 25 nominated areas per year. Limits the period during which such designations shall remain in effect. Specifies that the Secretary may designate such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area (with a population of at least 50,000) or 2,500 otherwise, or is within an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, or receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area. Terminates the authority of the Secretary to designate enterprise zones on December 31, 1985 or three years after publication of regulations pertaining to such zones, whichever is later. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Requires that any property tax reduction effected by a local government under the terms of this Act be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. States that designation of an enterprise zone shall not give displaced persons from such an area any rights or benefits under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives Subtitle A - Credits for Employers and Employees - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a nonrefundable income tax credit for ten percent of the increase in payroll for all employees, taking into account a maximum of $15,000 in wages per employee. Allows such credit only for wages paid to employees who perform 90 percent of their services in work directly related to the conduct of the taxpayers' business located in the enterprise zone and who perform 50 percent of their services within such zone. Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit for employers equal to 50 percent of the wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers for the first three years of the enterprise zone designation. Phases out such credit by ten percent a year beginning in the forth year after such designation. Requires a recapture of such credit for the early termination of such employees. Disallows a deduction for the portion of wages or salaries subject to such credit. Requires employers to furnish to each employee a written statement showing the amount of wages paid to such employee. Provides an income tax credit for enterprise zone employees equal to five percent of the first $9,000 of wages received each year. Phases out such credit in the last four years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for certain tangible property located in enterprise zones. Limits such credit to five percent for zone personal property and ten percent for new zone construction property, including rental property. Requires that the property subject to such credit be predominantly used in the zone, be purchased after zone designation, and not be acquired from relatives or related corporations. Requires the recapture of such credit upon early disposition of the property. Subtitle C: Reduction in Capital Grain Tax Rates - Eliminates the capital gains tax on property of corporations acquired after the enterprise zone designation and used in a zone business. Qualifies certain low-income rental housing located in an enterprise zone for such treatment. Permits property to remain qualified for purposes of the revised capital gains treatment after a designation of an enterprise zone has terminated. Exempts gain from the sale or expenses of property used in a business in an enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Expresses the sense of Congress that if the minimum tax is modified, enterprise zone capital gain will be excluded in computing minimum taxable income. Subtitle D: Extension of Carryover Periods - Extends the net operating loss and investment tax credit carryover period to the longer of 15 years or the duration of the enterprise zone designation for businesses operating in such zones. Subtitle E: Rules Relating to Industrial Development Bonds - Provides that rules relating to small issue tax-exempt industrial development bonds now in effect shall apply to bonds used to finance land or other depreciable property located in an enterprise zone, even if such rules are subsequently changed. Subtitle F: Sense of the Congress With Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions, to include qualified businesses (as defined in Title II of this Act), designating governments, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations which pertain to the carrying out of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve such request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in continuation of the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement (including the Davis-Bacon Act and Fair Labor Standards Act) or which would present a danger to the public health and safety. Provides that such waivers or modifications of rule shall remain in effect as long as the zone designations. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote the coordination of all enterprise zone programs and consolidate all periodic reports required under such programs into one summary report. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to and expedite applications for the establishment of parts of entry necessary to establish such zones. States that to the maximum extent practicable foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1982
Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1982 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to add the term "experimental population" to the definitions. Defines such term as a population of an endangered or threatened species that: (1) has been transported and released outside of the current range of the species to further its conservation; and (2) is wholly separate geographically from nonexperimental populations of the species. Provides for the treatment of experimental populations as threatened species. Requires the Secretary (either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, as program responsibilities are vested) to issue protective regulations for such species. Increases the limit on the Federal share of costs of conservation programs for endangered and threatened species developed by States pursuant to cooperative agreements between the States and the Secretary. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from making less restrictive the regulations applicable to any threatened species over which program responsibilities are vested in the Secretary of Commerce without a prior favorable determination by the Secretary of Commerce. Requires the Secretary, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable, to designate the critical habitat of any endangered or threatened species concurrent with the determination of the status and the listing of the species. Deletes the requirement that the Secretary conduct a review of the status of a species before making a determination of whether the species is endangered or threatened. Requires the Secretary to review regularly the status of all species identified as in danger of extinction and determine whether to propose such such species for listing as endangered or threatened. Provides that upon receipt of a petition to add a species to, or remove a species from, the endangered or threatened species list, the Secretary shall determine and publish a finding whether the petition presents substantial scientific information that such addition or removal is warranted, in addition to conducting and publishing a review of the status of the species as required under current law. Revises the notice requirements with respect to the proposal by the Secretary of regulations relating to the determination of the status and listing of endangered or threatened species. Eliminates the review board established to consider Federal agency and permit or license applicants' applications for exemptions for agency actions likely to jeopardize endangered or threatened species or their habitats. Provides for the Secretary to review, and report to the Endangered Species Committee on, such exemption applications in place of the review board. Reduces from 60 days to 20 days the time available to make the initial determination concerning the exemption applicant's eligibility for the exemption. Reduces from 180 days to 150 days the time period within which the Secretary must complete a report on: (1) the availability of alternatives to the agency action involved; (2) the evidence as to whether the action is in the public interest or is of national or regional significance; (3) appropriate reasonable mitigation and enhancement measures which should be considered; and (4) whether the Federal agency involved and the exemption applicant refrained from making irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources prohibited by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Reduces from 90 days to 30 days the time within which the Committee must determine whether to grant an exemption after receiving the Secretary's report. Prohibits the Committee from granting an exemption for an agency action if the Federal agency or the exemption applicant made an irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources prohibited by such Act. Provides that when an agency, a permit or license applicant, and the Secretary agree to extend the consultation period for determining whether an agency action is likely to jeopardize an endangered or threatened species or its habitat, the Secretary shall specify the information required to complete the consultation and the date on which the biological opinion will be completed. Provides that in addition to exempted agency actions, activities within the scope of an agency action which will promote the conservation of a listed species or critical habitat or which will not jeopardize a listed species or critical habitat shall not be considered a taking of any endangered or threatened species. Requires the Secretary to determine on the basis of the best available biological information derived from reliable wildlife management practices: (1) whether the export or introduction of any specimen of a species included in appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora will be detrimental to the survival of that species; and (2) whether the export of such specimens should be limited. Provides that the Secretary shall not be required to use population estimates in making such determinations when such estimates are not the best available biological information derived from reliable wildlife managment practices. Authorizes the Attorney General to seek to enjoin any person alleged to be in violation of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 through 1985 to carry out the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1982
Amends the International Communication Agency Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1982 and 1983, to authorize additional appropriations for FY 1983 for the International Communication Agency (ICA). Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to authorize the Director of the ICA to employ aliens as translators when equally or better qualified U.S. citizens are not available. (Current law authorizes employing aliens when suitably qualified U.S. citizens are not available.) Allows the ICA to credit to its appropriations the fees received in connection with its English-teaching programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1982
Police Officers' Protection Act of 1982 - Makes it unlawful to import, manufacture, or deal in "restricted handgun ammunition" except as authorized by the Attorney General. Makes it unlawful for any person to deliver such ammunition in interstate commerce or to possess such ammunition which is moving in interstate commerce. Prohibits certain categories of persons, such as fugitives and drug users, from receiving restricted handgun ammunition. Establishes additional criminal penalties, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year imprisonment, for: (1) using restricted handgun ammunition to commit a Federal felony; or (2) carrying such ammunition during commission of a Federal felony.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) express to the Soviet Union the United States' deep concern about the Soviet Union's depriving the Vashchenko and Chmykhalov families of religious freedom and refusing them permission to emigrate; (2) ensure that such families may reside in the U.S. embassy in Moscow until the Soviet Union authorizes their emigration; and (3) ensure provision of assistance for such families during their residence in the embassy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1982
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act - Title I: Duty-Free Treatment - Authorizes the President to proclaim duty-free treatment for all eligible articles from Caribbean countries the President designates as beneficiary countries. Prohibits the President from terminating a country's beneficiary designation unless both Houses of Congress are notified 60 days before the termination. Requires the President to consider only specified countries and territories as beneficiary countries. Prohibits the President from designating as a beneficiary country any country that: (1) is a Communist country; (2) has nationalized or seized control, or effectively nationalized or seized control, of U.S. property, unless the President determines that a good faith effort is being made to compensate for such seizure; (3) fails to act in good faith in recognizing as binding or in enforcing arbitral awards in favor of U.S. citizens or corporations; or (4) grants preferential treatment to the products of a developed country other than the United States which may have a significant adverse effect on U.S. commerce, unless the President reports to Congress that certain assurances have been made. Permits the President to designate as a beneficiary country a Communist country, an expropriating country or a country that fails to act in good faith with respect to an arbitral award if the President determines and reports to Congress that such designation will be in the national interest. Lists factors the President should consider in determining whether to grant a beneficiary designation. Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to grant to imports from U.S. insular possessions, subject to specified provisions of this Act, duty treatment no less favorable than the treatment afforded such imports from a beneficiary country. Directs the President to withdraw or suspend a country's beneficiary designation, if the President determines that changed circumstances in such country would prohibit such designation under the guidelines in this title. Requires duty-free treatment, unless otherwise excluded from eligibility, to apply to any article imported from a beneficiary country if: (1) the article is imported directly from such country into U.S. customs territory; and (2) the sum of specified costs of the article is not less than 25 percent of its appraised value at the time of its entry. Prohibits this duty-free treatment from applying to textile and apparel articles covered by textile agreements. Sets forth the manner of governing the importation and duty-free treatment of certain sugars, sirups, and molasses. Authorizes the President to suspend the duty-free treatment provided by this title and to proclaim a duty for an eligible article if such action is taken pursuant to certain import relief or national security provisions. Requires the International Trade Commission (ITC) in any report on a petition for import relief under the Trade Act of 1974 to state how its findings and recommendations apply to any duty-free article imported from beneficiary countries. Authorizes the President to reduce or end the application of import relief measures with respect to articles imported from beneficiary countries earlier than otherwise scheduled. Provides that suspension of duty-free treatment provided by this title shall be treated as an increase in duty for purposes of the import relief section of the Trade Act of 1974. Prohibits such a suspension of duty-free treatment unless the ITC finds that the harm caused by the imports results from its duty-free treatment by this title. Authorizes the filing of petitions for import relief with the Secretary of Agriculture, as well as with the ITC, for injury from imports of perishable products from beneficiary countries. Directs the Secretary to recommend the granting or denying of such petition within 14 days of its filing. Requires the President to take emergency action or to publish a notice of determination not to take emergency action within seven days of receiving the Secretary's recommendation. Sets forth the limits on the duration of the emergency action. Defines perishable products to include certain fresh or chilled vegetables, fresh mushrooms, fresh fruit, and fresh cut flowers. Exempts from proclamations under this title certain fees imposed pursuant to the Agricultural Adjustment Act. Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to increase to five liters (currently, four liters) the amount of duty-free liquor that may be brought into the United States. Requires that not more than four liters, of such five liter limit, may have been produced outside American Samoa, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Authorizes the President to withdraw duty-free treatment on rum if the amount of excise taxes on rum that is paid into the treasuries of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands falls below the amount that would have been paid if the rum had been produced in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. Amends the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 to repeal the provision for protecting U.S. possessions against revenue losses caused by concessions granted by the United States in the Tokyo Round of the Multilateral Trade Negotiations. Prohibits any action under this title from affecting a tariff imposed by Puerto Rico on coffee imported into Puerto Rico. Limits the duration of duty-free treatment under this Act to 12 years. Title II: Emergency Economic Assistance - Authorizes FY 1982 appropriations for economic support funds for countries in the Caribbean Basin. Title III: Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require excise taxes on rum imported into the United States to be paid to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Limits the amount paid to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the amount those possessions would have received if the rum had been produced in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands and transported to the United States. Provides an investment tax credit for investments in Caribbean Basin property placed in service within five years after enactment. Defines Caribbean Basin property as new investment credit property used predominantly in a country that is: (1) a beneficiary country, as defined under this Act; and (2) a party to a bilateral agreement providing for exchange of information between the United States and the beneficiary country. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to conclude an agreement with a beneficiary country to provide information to carry out the tax laws of the United States and the beneficiary country. Prohibits allowing an investment tax credit to foreign corporations for Caribbean Basin property. Allows an investment tax credit to a U.S. shareholder of a foreign corporation that invests in Caribbean Basin property if the shareholder holds five percent of the foreign corporation's stock. Requires recapture of the investment credit if, during any taxable year, the Caribbean Basin property is used predominantly outside a qualifying country or the United States. Extends an investment tax credit and accelerated cost recovery deduction to property owned or used by U.S. corporations or citizens engaged in trade or business in Puerto Rico or other U.S. possessions. (Current law excludes such corporations and citizens from obtaining such credit and deduction.) Authorizes certain corporations that own stock in corporations doing business in Puerto Rico or another U.S. possession to receive a portion of the investment tax credit and accelerated cost recovery deduction available to corporations doing business in Puerto Rico or another U.S. possession. Authorizes certain corporations that own stock in corporations doing business in the Virgin Islands to receive a portion of the investment tax credit and the accelerated cost recovery deduction available to the corporations doing business in the Virgin Islands. Excludes from the definition of qualified leased property for purposes of the accelerated cost recovery deduction Caribbean Basin property and property in Puerto Rico or U.S. possessions owned by certain U.S. corporations or citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1982
States that the United States and the Soviet Union should begin the strategic arms reduction talks (START) with the following objectives: (1) preserving present controls on nuclear weapons and delivery systems; (2) reducing such weapons and systems; (3) limiting the testing and deployment of destabilizing nuclear weapons; and (4) linking ongoing negotiations on land-based intermediate-range nuclear missiles with the START negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1982 - Title I: Military Sales and Related Programs Foreign Military Sales Credits Authorization and Aggregate Ceilings - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to increase for FY 1983: (1) authorized appropriations for the Foreign military sales credit and loan guarantee program; (2) ceilings on the amount of such credits and guarantees; and (3) allocation of such credits and guarantees to Israel. Reduces that portion of the total allocation of military sales credits and loan guarantees to Israel which must be available only as military sales credits in FY 1983. Eliminates the allocation of foreign military loan guarantees for Greece for FY 1983. Repeals the provisions allocating a specified amount of FY 1983 foreign military sales credits for Egypt and the Sudan. Increases the amount of such credits that Egypt is released from repaying. Decreases the amount of such credits that Israel is released from repaying. Amends certain definitions to provide that administrative surcharges include recovery of extraordinary expenses incurred by Federal agencies in carrying out foreign military sales. Authorizes the President to provide free training of foreign military personnel at professional U.S. military schools (other than the Service academies) in accordance with reciprocal programs between U.S. and foreign schools. Authorizes the President to sell defense articles to a U.S. company for incorporation into end items that will be sold by such company to friendly countries or international organizations. Permits such sales only if specified conditions are met. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the FY 1983 authorized appropriation for the international military education and training program. Exempts the international narcotics program and the international military eduation and training program from the requirement that Congress receive prior notification of reprogramming of funds, if the reprogramming involves less than $50,000. Limits the meaning of the phrase "communist countries" for purposes of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to a specified list of countries. (Current law indicates that the phrase includes but is not limited to the countries on such list.) Deletes from the list Tibet and the People's Republic of China. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to declare that the People's Republic of China shall be considered a friendly country eligible to enter into sales agreements and to receive assistance under such Act. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase FY 1982 and 1983 authorized appropriations for peacekeeping operations. Authorizes the President to order the use of Federal agency commodities and services, up to a specified value, for emergency peacekeeping operations. Requires the President to notify Congress of such an action. Title II: Anti-Terrorism Assistance - Authorizes the President to furnish eligible countries with anti-terrorist assistance. Authorizes providing services and commodities for such assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983. Title III: Economic Support Fund - Increases the FY 1983 authorized appropriations for the Economic Support Fund. Eliminates the FY 1983 Fund allocations earmarked for: (1) Egypt; (2) Israel; (3) certain regional cooperative projects in the Middle East; (4) relief and rehabilitation programs in Lebanon; (5) Turkey; (6) Cyprus; (7) Tunisia; (8) Costa Rica; and (9) Nicaragua. Title IV: Development Assistance - Increases the FY 1983 authorized appropriations for assistance programs for: (1) education and human resources development; (2) indigenous resources development; and (3) trade and development. Extends the authorization for the agricultural and productive credit and self-help community development programs. Deletes the allocations of the funds authorized for international organizations and programs. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Increases the FY 1983 authorized appropriations for: (1) international narcotics control programs; and (2) the operating expenses of the agency primarily responsible for administering international development programs. Title VI: Authorizations for the Fiscal Year 1984 and Effective Date - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 for programs for which appropriations are authorized for FY 1983 by this Act or by the International Secrity and Development Cooperation Act of 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
Reaffirms that deposits, up to the statutorily prescribed amount, in federally insured depository institutions are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1982
Authorizes the printing of a compilation of materials entitled "Background Information on the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate" as a Senate document. Authorizes additional printing of copies of such document for the use of that committee.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1982
Authorizes the printing of a specified number of copies of the fifth revised edition of the committee print entitled "Background Information on the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate" for the use of that committee.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) continue to express U.S. opposition to the forced exile of Ida Nudel; (2) urge the Soviet Union to provide her with adequate medical care and allow her to emigrate; and (3) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will consider the extent to which countries honor their commitments under international law when evaluating U.S. relations with such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1982
Requests the President to designate the week of June 20 through June 27, 1982, as National Safety in the Workplace Week to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the American Society of Safety Engineers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1982
White House Conference on Productivity Act - Title I: Findings - States the findings of Congress concerning U.S. productivity. Title II: The White House Conference on Productivity - Directs the President to call a White House Conference on Productivity, within one year, to develop recommendations to stimulate the U.S. productivity improvement rate. Lists the policy options the Conference shall consider. Requires the Conference to submit a report to the President. Requires the report to be made public. Directs the President to transmit to the Congress recommendations for legislative action to implement recommendations in the report. Title III: Administration - Provides for the administration of the Conference. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1982
Establishes the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. Establishes within the Department of the Interior the Illinois and Michigan Canal Heritage Corridor Commission which shall administer the corridor. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an economic impact study with respect to the report submitted to Congress by the National Park Service in October 1981 containing a conceptual plan for the corridor. Directs the Commission to help implement and support, according to such plan: (1) the stabilization of canal structures and renovation of portions of the canal; (2) the establishment of an intermittent recreation trail from Summit to LaSalle, Illinois; (3) the retention of the natural setting of the trail corridor; (4) the retention and enhancement of unique natural areas; (5) the enhancement of public awareness of, and appreciation for, historic, archaeological, and geological resources in the corridor; (6) the restoration of historic buildings with economic development potential; (7) the interpretation of the cultural and natural resources of the corridor; (8) the marketing of the amenity resources of the corridor; and (9) the enhanced economic development of the corridor. Requires the Commission to adhere as closely as possible to the time frame of the conceptual plan for the corridor and to enter into cooperative agreements with State and local governments to implement such plan. Requires the Commission to report annually to the Governor of Illinois and the Secretary on its activities. Directs Federal agencies whose activities affect the corridor to consult and cooperate with the Secretary and the Commission. Requires the Commission to prepare an economic impact assessment before undertaking any capital improvement and before making funds available for the acquisition of real property. Provides that at least five percent of the funds available to the Commission may be used only to implement the goals of the conceptual plan for the corridor. Sets forth the powers of the Commission and staff requirements. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct specified inventories; (2) assist the Commission in developing thematic structure for interpretation of the heritage corridor story; (3) design and make specified interpretive materials; (4) provide feasibility studies for retrofiting six historic structures; (5) provide individual tax benefit analysis on various easements for protecting three natural areas in the corridor under private ownership; (6) provide consultation on fund raising and volunteerism strategies; and (7) provide two staff positions to the Commission. Provides a timetable for the Secretary to follow in providing such assistance. Requires the United States to release to Illinois all remaining rights to the property associated with the Illinois and Michigan Canal except as to the canal prism and towpath. Provides for the termination of the Commission. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the amount of funds available for the economic impact study required by this Act. Prohibits the authorization of funds before October 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1982
Title I: Incentive Grants for States with Strict Driving While Intoxicated Statutes - Amends the highway safety programs uniform standards to direct the Secretary of Transportation to make incentive grants to States that have specified statutes concerning driving while intoxicated. Title II: National Driver Register - National Driver Register Act of 1982 - Eliminates the register in the Department of Commerce that lists the names of persons who have had their motor vehicle operator's licenses revoked. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish and maintain a National Driver Register to assist chief driver licensing officials of participating States in exchanging information regarding the motor vehicle driving records of individuals. Prohibits the Secretary from maintaining information in such Register for more than a seven-year period from the date of its entry. Allows any State to participate in such Register system. Directs the chief driver licensing official of a participating State to transmit to the Secretary specified information on certain drivers (including reversals of previously transmitted traffic offense convictions). Allows access to such information to specified individuals, including the Administrator of the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety and the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. Limits the use of such information to official investigations and other specified purposes. Directs the Secretary to implement a pilot test program to demonstrate the potential effectiveness of a system for electronic referral and relay of information regarding the motor vehicle driving records of individuals. Describes State participation in such program. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the program. Sets forth criminal penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of information from the National Driver Register. Establishes a National Driver Register Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of the Register system. Directs the Committee to report at least annually to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, within nine years of the date of enactment of this Act, to report to Congress on the level of State participation in and the effectiveness of the Register system. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act for fiscal years 1983 through 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. delegation to the February meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to tell the Commission that the Soviet Union should stop harassing Soviet Jews and should allow its citizens to practice their religion and to emigrate. Urges the Soviet Union to comply with its human rights obligations. Urges the President to: (1) express to the Soviet Union U.S. opposition to harassment of Soviet citizens and to prohibitions of emigration; and (2) reiterate that the United States will consider the extent to which other nations honor their commitments under international law when evaluating its relations with such nations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Lech Walesa and others detained by Poland's government for political reasons should be released. Declares that Lech Walesa and other Solidarity members should be permitted to: (1) participate in negotiations concerning the future of Solidarity; (2) comment on the situation in Poland; and (3) travel freely.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate relative to the safe rescue of Brigadier General James L. Dozier. Commends the General and his family and congratulates the Government of Italy for its successful rescue mission. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should: (1) take measures to protect American diplomatic and military personnel serving abroad; and (2) work closely with its allies to combat international terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1982
Acid Precipitation Accelerated Review and Reporting Act - Amends the Energy Security Act (title VII provisions also known as the "Acid Precipitation Act of 1980") to reduce the period covered by a comprehensive research plan from ten years to five years. Makes conforming amendments relating to implementation of, and authorization of appropriations for, the comprehensive research plan. Directs the Acid Precipitation Task Force to submit a final report, with detailed recommendations, within five years of enactment of the Energy Security Act. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to submit recommendations, to accompany the final report of the Task Force, for specific changes in law supported by scientific findings of the Task Force. Prohibits the Administrator from proposing or promulgating any rule to control sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide emissions if such rule would expand the Administrator's existing regulatory authority, before the final report is transmitted. Directs the Task Force to: (1) study fuel precombustion treatment and low-polluting combustion processes for reduction of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions; and (2) solicit information from State agencies conducting acid deposition research.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1982
Authorizes the Director of the International Communication Agency to make available for broadcasting in the United States the film entitled "Let Poland Be Poland: A Day of Solidarity With the People of Poland."
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1982
Authorizes expenditures for investigations and studies by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations from March 1, 1982, through February 28, 1983, including: (1) employment of personnel; (2) utilization of Federal agency personnel on a reimbursable basis; and (3) procurement of consultant services.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1982
Expresses the sense of the Congress that current Federal law authorizes and requires the Internal Revenue Service to deny tax-exempt status and deductibility of contributions to private schools that practice racial discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend from August 6, 1982, to August 6, 1984, the current preclearance requirements (under which jurisdictions covered through the triggering mechanism must submit proposed electoral changes to the Department of Justice). Establishes a new standard for jurisdictions to "bail-out" of these requirements effective August 6, 1984. Permits political subdivisions of covered States to bail-out independently of the State. Conditions a declaratory judgment for bail-out on the jurisdiction's showing that it and all its political subdivisions have met the bail-out requirements for a ten-year period prior to the filing of the suit. Includes among the requirements for bail-out that: (1) no test or device has been used to discriminate on account of race, color, or language; (2) no actions alleging voting discrimination are pending or have gone to final judgment; (3) no Federal examiner has served in the jurisdiction seeking bail-out; (4) the jurisdiction and all its subdivisions have complied with the preclearance requirements; and (5) the jurisdiction and its subdivisions have taken affirmative steps to protect voting rights. Stipulates that lawsuits filed during pendency of the bail-out litigation will not bar bail-out. Subjects the jurisdiction to the preclearance requirements if any such lawsuit alleging voting violations is successful after bail-out. Restates the prohibition against voting discrimination to include as a violation conduct which has the effect of discrimination. Stipulates that the failure of a minority to be proportionately represented does not itself constitute a violation. Extends the bilingual election requirements from August 6, 1985, to August 6, 1992. Declares that nothing in the Voting Rights Act shall be construed to permit assistance within the voting booth, unless the voter is blind or physically incapacitated.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Bankruptcy Improvements Act of 1981 - Amends title 11 (Bankruptcy) of the United States Code to establish an eligibility test for liquidation bankruptcy relief based on the individual petitioner's inability to pay a reasonable portion of his debts out of future income. Permits the court to dismiss a bankruptcy case upon the motion of any party in interest filed prior to the conclusion of the meeting of creditors, and after notice and a hearing, if the debtor is ineligible for relief under such title because he is able to pay a reasonable portion of his debts out of future income. Requires the bankruptcy judge to preside at any meeting of creditors and to perform such additional judicial duties as may be required. Declares that the value of the creditor's interest in the estate's interest in consumer goods property shall be determined in light of the purpose of the valuation and of the proposed disposition or use of such property, and in conjunction with any hearing on such disposition or use or on a plan affecting such creditor's interest. Declares that the value of consumer goods which the debtor seeks to redeem in liquidation shall be presumed to be the established resale market price, if such market exists. Requires the debtor in bankruptcy cases to file a statement of estimated income and expenses for the year following filing of his petition. Requires the debtor, if the debtor's schedule of assets and liabilities includes consumer debts which are secured by property of the estate, to file and serve upon each creditor holding such security and the trustee, a statement expressing the debtor's intention with respect to retention or surrender of the collateral. Requires the debtor, at or before the meeting of creditors provided for by such title, to perform his intention with regard to such secured creditors. Repeals the provisions concerning exempt property and makes the States responsible for establishing exemptions to bankruptcy proceedings. Presumes nondischargeable any debt which was incurred on or within 45 days before the date of the filing of a petition under such title nondischargeable. Allows for rebuttal of such presumption. Allows creditors to enforce liens which have not been voided in bankruptcy. Permits reaffirmation of consumer debts subject to the debtor's right to rescind any such agreement within 60 days or until a discharge is received, whichever occurs later, by giving a written notice of rescission to the creditor. Declares that at the meeting of creditors the court shall inform the debtor of the nature and effect of a discharge and of any reaffirmation of debt. Limits the trustee's power to avoid liens or recover payments made within 90 days of the filing of the petition in bankruptcy (within one year in the case of an insider) unless the creditor had reasonable cause to believe the debtor was insolvent. Permits the court, upon notice and hearing, to require a creditor to accept payments in redemption of the value of a claim secured by a nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interest in tangible personal property, over a reasonable period not to exceed five years, if such tangible personal property consists of specified objects. Allows a creditor, upon 10 days notice to the debtor and codebtor, to collect any portion of a debt from the codebtor which is not being paid by the debtor through the adjustment of debts of such debtor with a regular income. Requires payments under an adjustment of debts payment plan to commence within thirty days after the filing of the plan. Provides for the return of such funds after deducting the costs of administration if no plan is confirmed. Provides for the separate classification of co-debtor claims and non-dischargeable claims and authorizes payment of them under an adjustment of debts payment plan. Allows a debtor to choose such a repayment plan of up to five years. Bases such repayment upon the debtor's ability to repay out of future income after taking into account the basic living necessities for the debtor and dependents. Provides for an early discharge of debts where a reasonable portion of unsecured claims are paid. Permits a hardship discharge of otherwise non-dischargeable debts to the extent the debtor attempted to pay such debts under an adjustment of debts payment plan, but was prevented from so doing by unforeseen cirucmstances.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Soviet Union should release Andrei Sakharov from internal exile and should allow him and his wife to choose their place of residence. Urges the President to: (1) protest the continued internal exile of Sakharov; (2) call upon other nations to join in such protest; and (3) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will consider the extent to which foreign countries honor their commitments under international law when evaluating U.S. relations with such countries.
![Official portrait of Sen. Percy, Charles H. [R-IL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000222_200.jpg)