United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) urge the Council of European Community Ministers to reject their Commission's proposals that seek to shift to other countries the financial burden of disposing of their agricultural surpluses; and (2) continue to oppose proposed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) modifications that would adversely affect the access of U.S. agricultural exports to European Community markets. States, also, that if the European Community adopts such proposed CAP modifiestions, then it is the House's sense that measures should be implemented to protect U.S. trade interests.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983
Condemns the Soviet Union's systematic disregard for human life and liberties and urges the President to: (1) proclaim May 28, 1984, as a day to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the introduction of the original resolution on the Ukrainian famine in the House of Representatives; (2) call the attention of the world to the Soviet policies which caused Ukrainian deaths by famine during 1932 through 1933; and (3) urge the Soviet Union to remove restrictions on the shipment of food and other necessities to Soviet citizens by private individuals and charitable organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1983
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) to declare that contributions, gifts, or payments by union members to a separate fund which is used by the union for political purposes must be voluntary and unrelated to moneys required as a condition of employment. Declares it to be unlawful to use moneys paid to an organization as a condition of employment for any type of election or campaign activities by such organization.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) U.S. negotiators, in negotiations with Japan, should insist that Japan dismantle all nontariff barriers to imports of beef; and (2) if progress is not made toward the dismantling of such nontariff barriers by a specified time, the U.S. Trade Representative should seek appropriate relief under U.S. and international trade law.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1983
Land Remote Sensing Satellite Authorization Act of 1983 - Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to authorize and direct the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to plan and provide for the development, management, and operation of a civil land remote sensing satellite system using and advancing the developments in land remote sensing technology. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States owes the Japanese a debt of gratitude for their cooperation in connection with the Korean Air Lines tragedy.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the transfer of ownership or management of any civil meteorological satellite system and associated ground system equipment to the private sector is not presently appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1983
Aviation Tax-Reduction Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the gasoline excise tax any gasoline sold for use as a fuel in an aircraft. Provides for adjustments to the excise tax on noncommercial aviation fuel (presently 12 cents per gallon on gasoline and 14 cents per gallon on jet fuel). Sets forth a formula for the calculation of such adjustments based on total amounts appropriated from the Aviation Trust Fund each fiscal year. Exempts from the special fuels excise tax any fuel used in aircraft involved in agricultural activities. Provides for adjustments to: (1) the passenger ticket tax; (2) the cargo waybill tax; and (3) the excise tax on aircraft tires and tubes.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1983 - Title I: Bail - Bail Reform Act of 1983 - Repeals the Bail Reform Act of 1966 and sets forth new bail procedures. Retains execution of a money bond as a condition for pretrial release. Authorizes a judicial officer to consider the safety of any person or the community when making a pretrial release determination. Establishes as a mandatory release condition that the person not commit a Federal, State, or local crime during release. Expands the discretionary release conditions to include that the defendant: (1) maintain employment or an educational program; (2) avoid contact with an alleged victim or potential witness; (3) report to a law enforcement or pretrial service agency; (4) comply with a curfew; (5) refrain from possessing a firearm or using alcohol or narcotic drugs; (6) undergo medical treatment; (7) agree to forfeit designated property, including money, upon failure to appear; and (8) return to custody at specified hours. Prohibits a judicial officer from imposing financial conditions that result in the pretrial detention of a person. Authorizes a judicial officer to order detention for up to ten days: (1) if a person who is presently on pretrial release for a felony under Federal, State, or local law or on probation or parole or release pending sentencing or appeal for any offense, upon a determination that such person may flee or pose a danger to any person or the community; or (2) if such person is not a U.S. citizen. Requires that a detention hearing be held in any case involving: (1) a crime of violence; (2) any offense punishable by life imprisonment or death; (3) a narcotics offense punishable by at least ten years' imprisonment; (4) a serious risk of flight or obstruction of justice; or (5) any felony committed after the person has been convicted of two or more offenses for which a hearing is mandated. Authorizes a judicial officer after such a hearing to order the pretrial detention of a person upon finding that no condition will reasonably assure such person's appearance and the safety of any other person and the community. Enumerates additional factors to be considered by the judicial officer in making a release determination, including the defendant's past conduct, history of drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and the nature and seriousness of the danger to the community or any person. Requires the detention of a person who has appealed his conviction unless the judicial officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) such person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to another person or property; and (2) the appeal raises a substantial question of law or fact. Requires the detention of a person awaiting sentencing unless the officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or the community. Authorizes a U.S. attorney to appeal a release order. Allows a defendant to file a motion for amendment of a condition of release. Makes a person guilty of an offense for failing to appear after having been released. Provides increased penalties for persons charged with more serious offenses. Makes it an affirmative defense to such crime that uncontrollable circumstances prevented the person from appearing. Establishes mandatory additional penalties for commission of an offense while on pretrial release. Subjects a person who has been conditionally released and violates a condition of release to revocation of release and prosecution for contempt of court. Authorizes a surety to arrest a person charged with an offense who is released upon execution of an appearance bond with such surety. Requires such person to be delivered promptly to a judicial officer for a revocation determination. Grants new authority to law enforcement officers to arrest a person who violates pretrial release conditions. Title II: Sentencing Reform - Sentencing Reform Act of 1983 - Sets forth a new sentencing structure applicable to a defendant who is found guilty of an offense under any Federal statute. Permits an individual to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment or probation and a fine, and to receive additional sanctions, including: (1) forfeiture for certain racketeering crimes and drug-related offenses; (2) an order of notice to victims of crimes in cases involving fraud or deceptive practices; or (3) an order of restitution in cases involving bodily injury or property damage. Permits an organization to receive these penalties, with the exception of imprisonment. Creates the United States Sentencing Commission. Specifies factors to be considered by a sentencing court, including the guidelines and policy statements issued by the United States Sentencing Commission. Requires the court to impose a sentence within the range set forth by the Commission unless aggravating or mitigating circumstances exist that were not adequately considered by the Commission in formulating the guidelines. Requires the court to state in open court at the time of sentencing the reason for imposing a sentence at a point within the prescribed range, or the specific reason for imposing a sentence outside of such range. Authorizes the imposition of a term of probation in certain circumstances. Sets forth a fine schedule for the categories of offenses generally at higher levels than current law. Includes higher maximums for organizational defendants. Directs the court to consider the defendant's financial status in determining the amount of a fine and the method of payment. Sets maximum terms of imprisonment for five classes of felonies (A to E), three classes of misdemeanors (A to C), and an infraction (five day maximum). Allows the court, in imposing a sentence of imprisonment for a felony or misdemeanor, to include a term of supervised release after imprisonment. Eliminates the special sentencing provisions under current law for dangerous special offenders, youth offenders, young adult offenders, and drug addicts, but provides for these categories of offenders under the proposed sentencing guidelines. Excludes capital punishment as an authorized penalty, but leaves unaffected the current death penalty and procedures for aircraft hijacking. Eliminates the parole system. Permits a defendant to petition for a sentence reduction upon a showing of extraordinary and compelling reasons. Limits this motion for defendants who are sentenced to six or more years of imprisonment. Allows the defendant or the government to file a notice of appeal in the district court for review of a final sentence. Provides for congressional review of the operation of the sentencing system after receipt of a study by the General Accounting Office. Title III: Forfeiture - Comprehensive Forfeiture Act of 1983 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute (RICO) to specify that property subject to forfeiture for racketeering activity includes: (1) all proceeds obtained directly or indirectly from racketeering activity; and (2) real and tangible and intangible personal property. Makes property forfeitable to the United States upon the commission of the act giving rise to forfeiture. Permits the forfeiture of property which has been transferred to a third party, but includes a provision protecting innocent bona fide purchasers. Authorizes a court to order the forfeiture of substitute assets of the defendant where the original property cannot be located or traced. Authorizes a court to take appropriate action preserving the availability of property during the pre-indictment period effective for up to 90 days. Specifies the circumstances under which a temporary restraining order may be entered without notice to the affected party. Authorizes the Attorney General to grant petitions for remission or mitigation of forfeiture. Allows the Attorney General to establish regulations governing the restitution and disposition of forfeited property. Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to establish general criminal forfeiture provisions for felony violations under titles II and III. Includes provisions similar to the RICO amendments of this Act, relating to property subject to forfeiture, third party transfers, asset substitution, pre-indictment orders, and disposition of property. Creates a rebuttable presumption of forfeitability of certain property. Authorizes a court to issue a warrant authorizing the seizure of property subject to forfeiture in the same manner provided for a search warrant, if other injunctive relief would not assure the availability of the property. Provides that a criminal forfeiture proceeding shall stay any civil forfeiture proceeding with respect to the same property. Sets forth procedures for an ancillary hearing to resolve third party claims. Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to allow the Attorney General to transfer drug- related forfeited property to other Federal, State or local agencies. Establishes within the United States Treasury, the "Drug Assets Forfeiture Fund" to pay for maintenance of forfeited property, awards to informants, and valid liens and mortgages against such property. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide for the seizure of vessels, vehicles, merchandise or baggage valued at $100,000 or less. Requires written notice of such seizure to all interested parties. Increases the surety bond for any person claiming interest in the seized property to $5,000, or ten percent of the value of the claimed property, whichever is less. Establishes in the Treasury the Customs Forfeiture Fund to pay for maintenance of forfeited property and awards to informants. Requires the deposit in such Fund of all proceeds from the sale and disposition of property forfeited under custom law. Allows for the retention of forfeited property for official use or for transfer to other Federal, State or local governmental agencies assisting in related Federal law enforcement. Increases from $50,000 to $150,000 the award of compensation given to informers for information leading to forfeiture. Grants customs officers arrest authority and the right to carry firearms. Repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code dealing with customs officers' law enforcement authority to conform to this Act. Provides that seizures of property effected by customs officers shall be governed by this Act. Title IV: Offenders with Mental Disease or Defect - Insanity Defense Reform Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it an affirmative defense to a Federal prosecution, that at the time of the commission of the acts constituting the offense, the defendant, as a result of mental disease or defect, was unable to appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of his acts. Authorizes a special verdict of "not guilty only by reason of insanity" for any criminal defendant who raises the issue of insanity by notice as currently provided. Establishes a new civil commitment procedure for persons found not guilty only by reason of insanity. Title V: Drug Enforcement Amendments - Controlled Substances Penalties Amendments Act of 1983 - Increases the fine levels for drug trafficking. Increases the penalties for trafficking in large amounts of controlled substances. Amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow the Attorney General to place an uncontrolled substance under temporary controls which provide for registration, recordkeeping and criminal penalties. Provides for administrative changes in the registration of practitioners. Title VI: Justice Assistance - Amends title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Justice System Improvement) to eliminate the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, including the Office of Community Anti-Crime Programs and the Office of Justice Assistance, Research, and Statistics. Retains the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Institute of Justice. Establishes a new Office of Justice Assistance (OJA), to be headed by an Assistant Attorney General. Places the National Institute of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Statistics within the new Office of Justice Assistance. Establishes a Justice Assistance Board to: (1) advise and make recommendations to the Assistant Attorney General on research, statistics and program priorities; (2) review and evaluate demonstration programs and (3) undertake additional tasks the board deems necessary. Authorizes grants to States for programs that address critical problems of violent and serious crime and for programs which have been certified successful. Enumerates 12 criteria for the awarding of these grants. Limits the Federal share of the grant programs to a period of three years and includes a cash match requirement. Eliminates the current national priority grant programs. Retains the discretionary grant program. Limits the purposes of discretionary grants to: (1) educational and training programs for criminal justice personnel; (2) the provision of technical assistance; and (3) national demonstration programs which are likely to be successful but unlikely to be funded. Establishes within the Office of Justice Assistance a Bureau of Criminal Justice Facilities. Directs the Bureau to make grants to States for the construction and modernization of correctional facilities. Provides for death benefits to the survivors of public safety officers (police and firemen). Authorizes the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to train State and local criminal justice personnel. Authorizes a State to apply for emergency Federal law enforcement assistance in the event that a crime problem of serious and epidemic proportions exists. Authorizes appropriations for law enforcement assistance for each of FY1984 through 1987. Title VII: Surplus Federal Property Amendments - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the Administrator of the General Services Administration to transfer to any State or local government surplus property determined by the Attorney General to be required for correctional facility use. Requires the Administrator to report annually to Congress on the acquisition cost of all donated personal property and real property disposed of during the preceding fiscal year. Title VIII: Labor Racketeering Amendments - Amends the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 (Taft-Hartley Act) to increase penalties for specified violations of restrictions on financial transactions. Makes violations involving more than $1,000 felonies punishable by up to $15,000 fines and/or five years' imprisonment. Adds intent to benefit a person not permitted to receive payments, loans, or delivery of money or other thing of value to a labor organization in payment of membership dues, to a joint labor-management trust fund, or to a plant, area, or industry-wide labor-management committee as an element of violations involving those transactions. Grants civil jurisdiction to U.S. district courts over suits brought by: (1) the United States alleging a violation involving those transactions; or (2) any person directly affected by violations by restrictions on financial transactions under such Act. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to revise prohibitions against persons guilty of criminal offenses holding specified offices or positions involving employee benefit plans, labor organizations, or labor relations consultation to employer organizations. Increases the types of positions from which an individual is barred upon conviction of enumerated crimes. Requires immediate removal of such individual upon conviction (rather than after appeal) of enumerated crimes and crimes relating to the position. Increases, from five years to ten years, the time during which a convicted individual is prohibited from holding such offices or positions, but permits a lesser period to be set by the sentencing court under specified circumstances. Prohibits any person from knowingly hiring, retaining, employing, or otherwise placing any other person to serve in a capacity in violation of such prohibitions. Raises, from one year to five years, the maximum time of imprisonment for violations of such prohibitions. Provides that any salary payable but for such prohibitions shall be placed in escrow pending final disposition of any appeal. Title IX: Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act Amendments - Increases penalties for currency violations and authorizes payments of rewards for information leading to the recovery of a criminal fine, civil penalty or forfeiture. Allows U.S. Customs agents to conduct border searches relating to currency offenses. Title X: Miscellaneous Violent Crime Amendments - Provides Federal jurisdiction over murder-for-hire and crimes in aid of racketeering activity. Makes it a Federal offense to solicit an individual to commit a crime of violence. Revises the felony-murder rule. Provides minimum mandatory sentences for the use of firearms during a Federal crime of violence. Allows for an additional mandatory sentence for the use of armorpiercing bullets in the course of Federal crimes. Makes it a Federal offense to kidnap or assault Federal officers or employees, in the performance of their duties or to commit a crime against any family members of Federal officials. Amends the Major Crimes Act to include the crimes of maiming and sodomy. Includes trucks in the definition of "motor vehicle" for purposes of the prohibition against destruction of motor vehicles. Makes it a federal offense to knowingly and willfully damage the property of an energy facility. Provides for criminal penalties for any individual who escapes from civil commitment. Makes changes in the procedure governing interstate rendition and extradition of foreign criminals found in the United States. Amends the Federal criminal code to include within the protected class, for purposes of the prohibition against arson, public safety officers injured within the course of their duty. Pharmacy Protection and Violent Offender Control Act of 1983 - Establishes penalties for taking or attempting to take a controlled substance from a pharmacy, both with or without dangerous weapons. Requires the Department of Justice to include data on such crimes in its annual Uniform Crime Report. Title XI: Serious Nonviolent Offenses - Amends the Federal criminal code dealing with the sexual exploitation of children. Increases the criminal fines for violation of this section by individuals from $10,000 to $75,000 (from $15,000 to $150,000 for a second or subsequent offense). Sets a fine of $250,000 for organizations. Provides for both criminal and civil forfeiture. Requires the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on the number of cases and convictions, and the dollar amount received in forfeiture, under this section. Makes it a Federal offense for any person to give warning of an impending execution of a search warrant. Establishes a Federal offense regarding fraud or bribery in programs receiving Federal funds. Makes it a Federal crime to counterfeit or forge state or corporate securities. Revises provisions relating to receipt of stolen bank property, bribery and fraud. Provides penalties for any inmate in a Federal penal or correctional institution who possesses any contraband article. Livestock Fraud Protection Act - Provides penalties for theft of livestock. Title XII: Procedural Amendments - Makes certain procedural amendments allowing certain juveniles to be prosecuted as adults. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to provide for emergency interception of wire or oral communications before an order authorizing such interception can be obtained. Modifies the venue statute for threat offenses, and certain tax offenses. Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate a civil proceeding in a district court to enjoin a violation of the mail fraud statutes. Authorizes a government appeal after any decision, judgment or order in a district court granting a new trial. Amends the provisions dealing with witness relocation and protection.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for anesthesia services and related care provided by a registered nurse anesthetist.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should seek to: (1) urge other governments to conduct their own investigations of suspected chemical warfare; (2) help the United Nations gain access for U.N. investigators to areas where chemical and toxin weapons use is suspected; and (3) negotiate with the Soviet Union on strengthening existing agreements on chemical, biological, and toxin weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should not export nuclear reactor components for the nuclear power station at Tarapur, India, unless India provides stronger nuclear nonproliferation guarantees. Specifies what guarantees should be included.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Declares that the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Health and Human Services should develop and present to Congress a plan to correct the benefit disparity caused by the 1977 changes in the social security retirement benefit formula.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1983
Coin-Operated Phonorecord Player Copyright Act of 1983 - Revises the scope of the limitations on the performance of a nondramatic musical work on a coin-operated phonorecord player (jukebox) to require: (1) the manufacturer or importer of the player, rather than the operator, to register and pay a one-time only compulsory licensing fee of $50, rather than an adjusted annual fee, to the Copyright Royalty Tribunal for distribution to the copyright holders; and (2) the operator of a currently-owned player to pay a compulsory licensing fee of up to $25 based upon the number of years of useful life remaining in the player. Directs the Register of Copyright to keep a list of all registered players. Restates the royalty distribution procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1983
Peace-Time Veterans' Educational Assistance Act - Establishes a new educational assistance program for the peace-time force. Excludes graduates of service academies from eligibility for such assistance. Entitles veterans who are graduates of a secondary school and who have served in the armed forces on continuous active duty for at least three years to basic educational assistance. Entitles veterans of the Selected Reserve who are graduates of secondary schools and who have served at least two years of continuous active duty in the Selected Reserve to basic educational assistance. Sets forth the formula for determining the length of such assistance based on the length of time served. Entitles such veterans to a monthly assistance allowance of $300 for a full-time approved program of education. Permits enrollment, if eligible, in a program of education while an individual continues to perform his duties. Entitles veterans who have served three or more consecutive years of active duty in addition to those required for basic educational assistance to supplemental educational assistance. Entitles such veterans to a monthly supplemental assistance allowance of $300 a month. Permits the provision of basic or supplemental assistance at a higher rate to any individual entitled to supplemental educational assistance who has a skill or specialty in which there is a critical shortage of personnel. Establishes a ten year delimiting period for educational assistance. Excludes time spent as a prisoner of war subsequent to discharges and time spent physically or mentally disabled. Excludes time an individual was in an alcohol or drug dependence or drug abuse condition if recognized treatment has been sought and the condition is under control. Directs the Administrator to suspend payment of an educational assistance allowance for any reservist failing to fullfill Reserve obligations. Prohibits participation in more than one program of educational assistance. Allocates the administration and costs of such programs to the Veterans Administration, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Defense. Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator to submit to Congress an annual report on the operations of such programs. Establishes a Career Members' Contributory Educational Assistance Program for members of the armed forces serving on active duty who have completed ten years of service. Allows such members to enroll in such educational benefits program by contributing a monthly deduction to the Career Member Education Account. Limits such contributions to not less than $25 but not more than $100. Authorizes the Secretary to match such contributions at a two for one rate after 24 months of participation by any member and to contribute additional amounts he deems necessary to encourage persons to remain in the armed forces. Provides procedures for refunds of contributions due to: (1) disenrollment from such program; (2) death of a participant; and (3) discharge of release under conditions which would bar the use of educational benefits. Sets forth the formula for determining the amount of entitlement and the methods of payments of benefits to eligible members who pursue a program of education. Authorizes eligible veterans to transfer their educational benefits to their spouses or children in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Limits educational assistance under such program to the date ten years beyond an eligible veteran's discharge or release date. Directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the Administrator each month on deductions made from the military pay of program participants. Requires the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation to transfer funds for administrative costs to the Administrator. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to prescribe regulations to grant leaves of absence (not to exceed 24 months) to eligible members of the armed forces to pursue a program of education. Requires members granted such leave to agree in writing to extend their active duty service for a period of two months for each month of leave of absence. Allows payment to such members of basic allowance for quarters and subsistence while on such leave. Sets forth the circumstances under which the Secretary may cancel such leaves of absence. Requires the Secretary concerned to provide individual predischarge counseling which includes a discussion of educational benefit entitlements. Makes persons who enter the military service after December 31, 1980, ineligible for participation in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program. Eliminates the delimiting period for the Veterans' educational assistance program for veterans who enlisted or served before January 1, 1977. Requires the Secretaries of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Transportation to transfer payment and administrative funds to the Administrator for such program. Sets forth effective dates.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1983
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in an area, from: (1) entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State; or (2) limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in such area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1983
Voting Rights for the Handicapped and the Elderly Act - Directs the Attorney General to promulgate guidelines to assure that registration and polling place facilities used for Federal elections are readily accessible to handicapped and elderly individuals. Sets forth minimum requirements for these guidelines. Requires States to make available registration and voting aids for handicapped and elderly individuals in Federal elections. Authorizes the Attorney General and aggrieved persons to bring actions in Federal court to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1983
Authorizes the Attorney General to make contracts retaining private counsel to furnish collection services in the case of any claim of indebtedness owed the United States. Permits the head of an executive or legislative agency to refer to a private counsel so retained any claims of indebtedness owed the United States arising out of such agency's activities. Declares that for the purposes of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a private counsel performing collection services under this Act shall be considered a debt collector. Requires the Attorney General to transmit to Congress a quarterly report on the activities of the Department of Justice to recover such indebtedness. Requires the Attorney General to transmit to Congress a report on the actions taken under this Act within 60 days after the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1983
Universal Telephone Service Preservation Act of 1983 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish a system of exchange access charges in order to: (1) achieve equal treatment among all inter-local access and transport area (LATA) carriers and other customers using the services of exchange companies through direct or indirect connection; (2) assure that payments and assignments of costs relating to exchange access are carried out in a manner which is open for public examination; (3) achieve flexibility in accommodating changes in market conditions and technology; (4) establish incentives for efficient investment decisions and technological choices; and (5) ensure that exchange carriers are compensated for their costs of providing exchange access. Directs the Universal Telephone Service Joint Board (established by this Act) to establish a universal service charge schedule to insure that basic telephone service will be available at reasonable rates throughout the United States. Requires such schedule to designate universal service costs to be allocated to a Federal jurisdiction and to provide for their collection by means of a universal service charge that is payable by any interLATA carrier or any provider of interLATA services or any private system that connects directly or indirectly to any exchange carrier or any local exchange switched network used to provide basic telephone service. Entitles each exchange company qualifying for payments to 90 percent of its reasonably incurred universal service costs which are directly related to the efficient and economic provision of such service. States that universal service costs shall consist of an exchange company's costs for basic intraLATA telephone service to any points within a LATA which exceed 110 percent of the average cost of providing comparable basic intraLATA telephone service throughout the United States. Provides that, notwithstanding the above provisions, any company which qualifies for payments and whose costs for basic intraLATA telephone service to any points exceed 250 percent of the average cost of providing comparable basic intraLATA telephone service throughout the United States shall be entitled to receive 100 percent of its reasonably incurred universal service costs over 250 percent of the national average. Defines: (1) "basic telephone service" as residential service; (2) "basic intraLATA telephone service" as that portion of basic telephone service provided within a local access and transport area, including access to such service; and (3) "exchange company" as a company that offers basic telephone service and other services within one or more service areas recognized by any State regulatory commission. Authorizes the Commission to assert jurisdiction over all nontraffic sensitive subscriber loop costs to a Federal jurisdiction, in order to achieve consistency and uniformity of policy in regard to interstate and intrastate access charges. Authorizes the Commission to delegate to a State commission some or all of the Commission's authority with respect to: (1) intrastate interLATA toll service; and (2) access charges for the interconnection of exchange communications service with interstate or intrastate interLATA toll service upon a finding that such delegation would promote the purposes of this Act. Directs the Universal Telephone Service Joint Board to establish guidelines binding a State commission in the exercise of any delegated authority. Directs the Commission to establish the Universal Telephone Service Joint Board which shall be composed of five commissioners of the Commission and four commissioners nominated by the national organization of State commissions. Directs the Commission to adopt as final any decisions of the Board. Establishes a fine applicable to anyone who, with the intent to deprive any exchange company of any revenue in connection with access charges, transmits telecommunications so as to avoid accessing a local exchange in order to avoid such charges. Directs the Commission and each State regulatory authority to take action to ensure access to basic telephone lifeline service.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1983
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee Act of 1983 - Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to state that the number of local agricultural stabilization and conservation committees in a county shall not be fewer than existed as of December 31, 1980. Requires with regard to such committees that: (1) all members, as of January 1, 1984, be elected to three-year terms; and (2) they meet at least four times a year. Sets forth committee duties and makes them effective as of January 1, 1984. Expands the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to use local and county committees. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to require the Secretary to pay: (1) travel expenses for members of State, county, and local committees; and (2) hourly compensation for work actually performed by county members (at GS-11 rate) and by local members (at GS-9 rate).
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1983
Veterans' Dioxin and Radiation Exposure Compensation Standards Act - Creates, upon the appropriate findings by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, a presumption of service-connected disability for compensation purposes for any veteran who was exposed to radiation or toxic chemicals while actively serving in the armed forces under specified conditions and who is now suffering from a disability or disorder symptomatic of such exposure. Maintains such presumption even in the absence of records. Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to establish guidelines and criteria for resolving claims for benefits resulting from a service-connected death or disability based on a veteran's exposure during service on active duty to: (1) herbicides containing dioxin in Vietnam during the Vietnam era; or (2) ionizing radiation from the detonation of a nuclear device, either in connection with testing or the American occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan, prior to July 1, 1946. Sets forth procedures for the development of such regulations, including: (1) opportunities for public hearings and comment; and (2) amendment of such regulations upon the annual reporting of the results of the epidemiological study on the effects of exposure to agent orange required by the Veterans' Health Programs Extension and Improvement Act of 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that further expansion of cargo preference requirements, either for commercial or other trade, should not be imposed.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the amount by which individual income tax rates will be adjusted annually shall be the Consumer Price Index minus three percentage points. Provides for such adjustment during calendar years 1985 through 1988. Provides that for FY 1985 through 1988 the cost of living adjustments for the following Federal programs will be determined by using the Consumer Price Index minus three percentage points: (1) old age, survivors and disability benefits; (2) armed services retirement and retainer pay; (3) retired pay and retainer pay of members and former members of the Coast Guard; (4) retired pay of commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Public Health Service; (5) civil service retirement benefits; (6) foreign service retirement benefits; (7) Central Intelligence Agency retirement benefits; (8) Federal workers' compensation; and (9) veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1983
(Measure reconsidered and repassed Senate, amended) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretaries of Agriculture and State should explore negotiating additional bilateral, multiyear grain supply agreements to increase and maintain U.S. agricultural exports.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1983
Urges the President to seek an agreement with the Soviet Union to: (1) declare a verifiable and limited moratorium on the testing in space of antisatellite weapons; (2) resume negotiations on a verifiable ban on the testing, production, deployment, and use of any antisatellite weapon; and (3) seek a verifiable treaty prohibiting any space-directed or space-based weapons system which is designed to cause damage on earth, in the atmosphere, or on objects placed in space. Declares that such agreements should not restrict non-weapons operations in space, such as the U.S. space shuttle program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1983
Directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce to continue to use diplomatic and legal means to achieve worldwide compliance with the International Whaling Commission moratorium on commercial whaling.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a farm truck from the heavy truck highway use tax where its use on the public highways is for the purpose of transporting farm commodities and such use does not exceed 10,000 miles.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1983
Paleontological Resources Conservation Act of 1983 - Permits any educational or scientific institution to apply to the Department of the Interior for a permit to collect, excavate, and remove any fossil vertebrate located on public or Indian lands. States that a permit will be valid for five years for all public lands within a specified geographic or geologic sector. States that further permission directly from the appropriate Indian or Indian tribe may be necessary in the case of permits for Indian lands. Sets forth other requirements concerning such permits, including: (1) contacting the Federal land manager's local representative for the lands in question; (2) requiring the Federal land manager to notify any Indian tribe whose religious or cultural site might be affected by such permit; and (3) identifying the scientists who will be responsible for complying with the terms of the permit. Permits suspension or revocation of a permit for violations of this Act, subsequent regulations, and the terms of the permit. Exempts Indians with tribal law governing the excavation and removal of such resources from the requirements of this Act. Permits a scientific commercial collector to apply to the Department for a permit to collect, excavate, and remove any fossil vertebrate located on public and Indian lands if such collection is coordinated with a professional vertebrate paleontologist and examined by such a person before commercial disposal. Makes a commercial permit valid for a term of three years within a specified geographical sector. States that an additional permit may be required for activities on Indian lands. Sets forth the conditions for such permits, including: (1) that the fossils removed become the property of the permittee; and (2) that the individual responsible for complying with the permit and the paleontologist examining the fossils be identified. Permits suspension or revocation of a permit for violations of this Act or the terms of the permit. Requires Indian approval for commercial excavations on Indian lands. Permits the Federal land manager's local representative to issue special land use permits on an annual basis to hobbyists and collectors for private purposes, subject to the same coordination and examination conditions as apply to commercial excavators. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations providing for title transfer and for scientific and educational exchanges of vertebrate fossils removed from public and Indian lands. States that disposition or exchange of fossils removed from Indian lands shall be subject to Indian consent. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this Act. Subjects to forfeiture all fossil vertebrates acquired in violation of this Act. Provides for the confidentiality of fossil nature and location when necessary to protect the resources or locality. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior, Defense, and Agriculture to promulgate regulations to effectuate this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to coordinate the exchange of information among the various interest groups, including previous private collectors and Federal authorities. Establishes a National Advisory Committee for Paleontological Research Policy to assist the Secretary of the Interior and the Federal land managers responsible for implementing this Act. Retains all existing laws and authorities relating to multiple uses of the public lands. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress every three years on the activities carried out pursuant to this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Commerce should: (1) encourage foreign nationals to attend the 1984 Olympic Games and the Louisiana World Exposition; (2) implement a plan to interest foreign nationals visiting these events in other U.S. recreational and commercial activities; (3) consult with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General to develop and implement before a specified date a national plan to consolidate inspection functions for such foreign travelers; and (4) assist, pursuant to the International Travel Act of 1961, State and local governments and other private and public entities to facilitate and encourage travel by such foreign nationals throughout the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should: (1) announce its intention to pause in the testing of new ICBMs with more than one warhead while arms negotiations proceed if the Soviet Union agrees to such a pause; and (2) propose to the Soviet Union in the START talks an arms control agreement that reduces on both sides the number of ICBMs with more than one warhead, and encourages the development of small, single warhead ICBMs, with limitations and reductions on strategic nuclear forces formulated in terms of warheads rather than launchers. Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the text and presentation of such proposal.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1983
Highway Use Tax Equalization Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the highway use tax on heavy trucks. Increases the excise tax on diesel fuel from nine cents per gallon to 12 cents per gallon in 1983 and from 12 cents per gallon to 14 cents per gallon in 1984. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations exempting from such increases diesel fuel used in automobiles and light trucks.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1983
Permits a reserve commissioned officer on active duty who is promoted to a higher reserve grade to continue to serve on active duty in such higher grade.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1983
Amends the Federal criminal code dealing with the sexual exploitation of children. Prohibits the distribution of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors even if the material is not found to be "obscene" and is transferred without sale. Increases the criminal fines for violation of this section by individuals from $10,000 to $75,000 (from $15,000 to $150,000 for a second or subsequent offense). Sets a fine of $250,000 for organizations. Provides for both criminal and civil forfeiture. Requires the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on the number of cases and convictions, and the dollar amount received in forfeiture, under this section.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1983
Service Industries Development Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the Department of Commerce a service industries development program. Lists the purposes of the program, which include: (1) promoting the competitiveness of U.S. service firms and American employees through economic policies; (2) promoting the sale of U.S. services abroad; (3) developing a data base for policymaking pertaining to services; (4) analyzing the effect on service industries of Government regulation and taxes; (5) analyzing the adequacy of current U.S. financing and export promotion programs; (6) conducting sectoral studies of domestic service industries; and (7) conducting a program of research and analysis of service-related issues and problems. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1983
Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1983 - Title I: Improved Identification for Motor Vehicle Parts and Components - Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate a Federal motor vehicle security standard applicable to parts used in the manufacture of motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, after the effective date of such standard, or manufactured as new replacement parts after such date. Directs the Secretary to conduct a cost-benefit analysis before promulgating such standard, which includes the effect on domestic motor vehicle production and sales. Stipulates that the standard shall not: (1) impose additional costs upon manufacturers in excess of $10 per motor vehicle; or (2) require the identification of more than 14 parts for any motor vehicle, nine parts for any truck, or four parts for any trailer. Declares that a Federal motor vehicle standard supercedes any State or local standard. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct studies on the development of security devices and systems. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on such devices and systems within one year of enactment. Provides for repeal of this title on a specified date. Title II: Antifencing Measures - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for removing or altering any identification number of any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part required by regulation. Requires the forfeiture of any vehicle or part which has had such number removed, with specified exceptions. Applies to the seizure and forfeiture of motor vehicles and parts those provisions of law relating to the seizure and forfeiture of vessels and merchandise under the customs laws. Establishes penalties for anyone who buys, receives, possesses, or obtains control of, with intent to sell or otherwise dispose of, any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part knowing that such identification number has been removed or altered. Designates as nonmailable matter any manipulative type device which is designed or adapted to operate, circumvent, remove, or render inoperative the ignition switch or lock, or door or trunk lock of two or more motor vehicles, or any advertisement for the sale of such device. Title III: Importation and Exportation Measures - Establishes criminal and civil penalties for anyone who imports, exports, or attempts to import or export any motor vehicle, off-highway vehicle or vehicle part knowing that it has been stolen or that its identification number has been altered. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require persons who export or attempt to export a used motor vehicle or off- highway mobile equipment to present to the appropriate customs officers the vehicle and a document describing that vehicle. Title IV: Reporting Requirements - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a task force to study problems relating to motor vehicle titling and controls over motor vehicle salvage which may affect the motor vehicle theft problem. Directs the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Transportation and the Postmaster General, to report to Congress on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1983
Universal Service Act of 1983 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission to assure that: (1) competition and deregulation of telecommunications services do not result in unreasonable increases in charges for basic telephone service; and (2) rates for basic service do not exceed 110 percent of the national average for comparable service. Authorizes the Commission to determine what basic telecommunications services, in addition to basic telephone service, should be universally available at reasonable charges, terms, and conditions, whether or not competitively provided. Permits any person to petition the Commission for a hearing to classify a service as such a basic telecommunications service. Directs the Commission to: (1) grant such petition upon a showing that the service promotes the general welfare or the safety of property; and (2) hold a hearing to determine whether such service should be universally available at reasonable charges, terms, and conditions and whether such service must be regulated to ensure such availability. Makes it the burden of any party advocating regulation to demonstrate convincingly that regulation is necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1983
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) to declare that contributions, gifts, or payments by union members to a separate fund which is used by the union for political purposes must be voluntary and unrelated to moneys required as a condition of employment. Declares it to be unlawful to use moneys paid to an organization as a condition of employment for any type of election or campaign activities by such organization.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should urge the Soviet Union to terminate its jamming of Voice of America and Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty broadcasts.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1983
Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund Self-Sufficiency Act of 1983 - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (REA) to eliminate the requirement for a State certificate of convenience and necessity before the Administrator may make loans to provide rural telephone service. Revises the liabilities and uses of the Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund established under the REA to provide that notes of the Administrator to the Secretary of the Treasury to obtain funds for loans shall be equity capital of the Fund. States that assets of the Fund shall be available only for: (1) payment of interest and principal on loans to the Administrator from the Secretary; and (2) for certificates of beneficial ownership issued to the Secretary or in the private market. Requires the Administrator to maintain two separate accounts within the Fund: (1) the Electrification Account; and (2) the Telephone Account. Lists the items that shall be accounted for in each Account respectively, and restricts the purposes for which the assets of each Account shall be available. Authorizes the Administrator to repurchase specified certificates of beneficial ownership under certain conditions affecting their interest rates. Establishes guidelines for interest-bearing insured loans made by the Administrator to electric and telephone borrowers. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to request in each annual supplemental budgets estimate the amount needed to replenish the Fund for anticipated and actual costs resulting from loans made at less than a specified rate during the preceding fiscal year. Directs the Administrator to guarantee loans to specified borrowers or to accommodate or subordinate liens or mortgages held in the Fund, according to prescribed rules and regulations. Directs the Administrator to promulgate such rules and regulations within ninety days after the effective date of this Act. Prescribes guidelines under which certain lenders are authorized to adjust interest rates on loans guaranteed by the Administrator. Requires rural electrification borrowers to obtain concurrent supplemental financing according to prescribed guidelines in any fiscal year in which the minimum loan level for insured rural electrification loans is less than $1,000,000,000. Repeals certain provisos governing the loan-making authority of the Governor of the Rural Telephone Bank which require approval by the Secretary of Agriculture of facilities or lines to be acquired with such loans. Eliminates loan restrictions placed upon potential borrowers whose net worth exceeds their assets by twenty percent.
![Official portrait of Sen. Pressler, Larry [R-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000513_200.jpg)