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United States · Official source
3,244 records where Sen. Pressler, Larry [R-SD] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to exempt rural electric cooperatives and rural telephone cooperatives from payment of rental fees for rights-of-way granted to them with respect to public lands and lands within the National Forest System.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Regulatory Reduction and Congressional Control Act of 1981 - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require Federal agencies to provide interested persons at least 60 days after publication of the general notice of a proposed rulemaking to participate in the rulemaking. Allows an agency to adopt an emergency rule, temporarily, without regard to specified time constraints. Provides expedited procedures for the adoption of a rule to replace such a temporary emergency rule. Subjects interpretive agency rules and general policy statements which will have general applicability and affect the rights of persons outside the agency to notice and public comment requirements for agency rulemaking. Directs each agency, upon publishing a recommended final rule, to transmit to Congress a copy of the rule with a summary of the problem requiring Government regulation and a statement of the estimated costs imposed by the rule. Prohibits such a rule from becoming effective if one House adopts a resolution disapproving the rule within 60 days of continuous session of Congress and the other House does not disapprove such resolution within 30 days thereafter. Specifies factors to be considered by a Congressional committee when determining whether or not to report such a resolution. Allows an agency to issue a modified rule relating to the same area as a disapproved rule. Authorizes each Congressional committee having legislative jurisdiction over an existing agency rule to review such rule periodically to determine whether: (1) provisions of the rule seriously injure the public interest; or (2) the rule violates or is inconsistent with other rules, existing law, judicial decisions, congressional intent, or its statutory authority. Authorizes such a committee or any Member of Congress to report or introduce a resolution requiring that an agency reconsider and repromulgate an existing rule or else the rule shall lapse within 180 days. Requires any agency repromulgating a rule to hold a hearing for oral presentations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Economic Equity Act - Title I: Tax and Retirement Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the maximum deduction for contributions to an individual retirement plan: (1) shall be computed separately for each individual who is married; and (2) in the case of a married individual who has no compensation or less compensation than that of the spouse, shall be determined as if such compensation were the same as that of the individual's spouse. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan that provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount that would have been made under the survivor's annuity if the participant had survived and retired on such annuity date. Provides that a participant's election not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse of the participant consents in writing to such an election. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State domestic relations law. Amends ERISA to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from age 25 to age 21. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accruals of creditable service to continue while an individual is on approved maternity or paternity leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the zero bracket amount; (2) lower the tax rate; (3) decrease withholding requirements; and (4) increase minimum filing requirements for heads of households. Entitles former spouses of members of the uniformed services, civil service employees, and Members of Congress, who were married for at least ten years during creditable service, to an annuity based upon a portion of retired or retainer pay. Amends the Survivor Benefit Plan of the uniformed services to make former spouses eligible for annuities under such plan. Provides for survivor's annuities for surviving former spouses of civil service employees or Members of Congress. Provides that the election of a member of the uniformed services, civil service employee, or Member of Congress not to make a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse and any former spouse consents in writing to such an election. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to employers of displaced homemakers. Title II: Day Care Program - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the formula for determining the tax credit for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment. Provides that such credit may exceed tax liability. Increases the dollar limit for such credit from $2,000 to $2,500 (from $4,000 to $5,000 for two or more dependents). Allows a higher limit in the case of a taxpayer with children under two years of age. Increases the earned income limitation for such credit in the case of a spouse who is a student or incapable of self-care. Provides that employers may make advance payments of the credit to qualified employees. Excludes from gross income of an employee any amounts paid or expenses incurred by the employer for dependent care assistance to such employee. Title III: Armed Forces - Revises the rules for the distribution of the property of deceased members of the Air Force and Army by removing any gender distinctions from such rules. Establishes a distribution formula based on six classes: (1) beneficiary named in a will; (2) surviving spouse; (3) children; (4) parents; (5) siblings; and (6) next of kin. Eliminates sexual distinctions with regard to promotion procedures and procedures to remove reserve officers from active duty status in the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve. Requires the Secretary of Defense to make an annual report to the Congress concerning the status of women in the armed forces. Title IV: Estate Tax on Agricultural Property and Farm Loans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift tax from $47,000 to $192,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases the minimum gross estate requirement for filing a return from $175,000 to $600,000. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if they materially participated in the operation of the farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death or during the period beginning on the date of deaths of the decedent and ending on the date of death of the spouse. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who received property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Provides that the interest rate on extended payments of estate taxes shall be the lower of six percent or 75 percent of the prime rate. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to remove the preference to married persons in receiving farm improvement loans. Title V: Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Grants to State or local governments having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer, if a State or local authority: (1) has received notice of a complaint and fails to act within 60 days; or (2) has no insurance discrimination laws. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Title VI: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the heads of each Federal administrative agency to conduct a review of the regulations of that agency to assure that such regulations are sex neutral. Requires that, to the extent practicable, all rules, regulations, documents, and other writings of Federal administrative agencies shall use words that are neutral as to gender, unless the subject matter specifically applies only to one sex or the words used do not result in sex-based discrimination. Title VII: Study of Enforcement of Alimony and Child Support Payments - Directs the Attorney General to undertake a study of the appropriate role of the Federal Government in the enforcement of delinquent payments of alimony, child support, and property settlement orders against an absent spouse or parent. Requires the Attorney General to submit to the President and the Congress not later than one year after enactment of this Act a report of such study together with recommendations for appropriate legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Noninstitutional Acute and Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly and Disabled Act - Amends the Social Security Act by adding a new title, title XXI (Noninstitutional Acute and Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly and the Disabled), to provide a comprehensive system of noninstitutional health, developmental, and social services for individuals with chronic disabilities. Entitles an eligible individual to the following benefits: (1) home health services; (2) homemaker-home health aide services; (3) adult day services; (4) respite care services for up to 14 days, or 336 hours, in any year; (5) service coordination; (6) home help services; and (7) other services, provided on a demonstration basis, which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines may be of value. Sets forth definitions of such benefits. Provides benefits to every individual who: (1) has attained age 65; (2) is disabled and eligible for benefits under titles II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance), XVI (Supplemental Security Income), XVIII (Medicare), and XIX (Medicaid) of the Act; (3) was eligible for such benefits and ceased to be so eligible, but only if loss of benefits would seriously jeopardize such individual's ability to continue to live in a noninstitutional community residence and such individual's income is not sufficient to allow such individual to provide a reasonable equivalent of the services available under this Act; or (4) has been certified as eligible by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. States that no eligible individual shall be eligible to receive any benefits under title XXI or any long-term care benefits under titles XVIII, XIX, or XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Act unless such individual has a plan of care, as specified in this Act, and has been screened and assessed by a preadmission assessment and screening team (PAT) in order to determine the types and frequency of services required by such individual and in order to assure the maximum level of independence for such individual. Requires the Governor of each State to designate the State agency or agencies which shall administer or supervise the administration of the State's PAT program. Directs such agency or agencies to designate entities responsible for establishing area PATs. Directs the Secretary to determine the composition of the PAT. Directs the Secretary to reimburse any PAT, and any State, for the reasonable costs incurred under this Act. Requires beneficiaries under title XXI to make copayments. Sets limits based on income for such copayments. Exempts those below the poverty line from copayments. Directs the Secretary to pay amounts for benefits incurred by an eligible individual in accordance with specified guidelines. Creates the Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund into which specified funds will be deposited in order to make the payments required by this Act. Coordinates the provisions of this Act with titles XVIII, XIX, and XX of the Act by providing that no payment shall be made under such titles to or on behalf of an individual who is eligible under title XXI for services available under title XXI, unless the individual seeking coverage first undergoes a preadmission screening and assessment as provided in title XXI. States that this Act shall be effective between January 1, 1982, and December 31, 1987. Directs the Secretary to monitor the effects of this Act and report to the Congress. Directs the Comptroller General to also conduct an ongoing evaluation of the effects of this Act and to report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Commends Secret Service Agents Timothy McCarthy and Jerry Parr and Metropolitan Police Officer Thomas Delahanty for their performance in the line of duty with respect to the assassination attempt on the life of the President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1981
Lamb Meat Quota Act of 1981 - Limits the aggregate quantity of lamb meat that may be imported into the United States after 1981 to the smaller of: (1) 31,000,000 pounds; or (2) 12 percent of the domestic slaughter of lamb during the preceding year. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to estimate quarterly whether the domestic price of lamb exceeds the parity price and, on the basis of such estimate, to adjust the aggregate quantity of lamb meat which may enter the United States. Requires the Secretary to estimate annually the quota established the domestic price of lamb, and any adjustment of the quota. Directs the Secretary to allocate such quotas among supplying countries on the basis of their share of the U.S. market.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1981
Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of State to establish an independent Office of Foreign Missions within the Department of State. Permits the Secretary to authorize the Director of such Office to: (1) assist Federal, State and municipal agencies to ascertain the benefits due a foreign mission; (2) provide benefits for or on behalf of a foreign mission; and (3) support the secure and efficient operation of foreign missions. Authorizes the Secretary to require a foreign mission to obtain benefits from or through the Director on terms approved by the Secretary if providing the benefits is necessary to: (1) facilitate relations between the United States and a sending State (state represented by such mission); (2) protect U.S. interests; (3) adjust for costs and procedures of obtaining benefits for U.S. missions abroad; or (4) assist in resolving a dispute affecting U.S. interests. Authorizes the Secretary to require a foreign mission to comply with certain terms, including paying the Director a fee and waiving any recourse against any governmental authority or employee, as a condition to: (1) the performance in the United States of any contract; (2) the acquisition of any real property; or (3) the application for or acceptance of any benefit. Authorizes the Secretary to require any foreign mission to: (1) notify the Director before such mission acquires or disposes of any real property; and (2) divest itself of or forgo the use of any real property acquired without notice to the Director or exceeding the limits placed on real property available to U.S. missions in the sending state. Authorizes the Secretary to protect and dispose of any property of a foreign mission which has ceased conducting governmental activities and has not designated a protecting power. Makes the location and dimensions of any foreign mission's real property in the District of Columbia subject to the approval of the National Capital Planning Commission. Sets forth the criteria for the Commission's determinations about such real property. Provides for the administration and management of the Office of Foreign Missions. Makes the provisions of this Act applicable to public international organizations. Prohibits compliance with this Act by a foreign mission from being deemed a waiver of any immunity. Prohibits making benefits available to foreign missions contrary to this Act. Makes the provisions of this Act severable. Amends the Diplomatic Relations Act to extend the privileges and immunities of the Vienna Convention to the missions of non-parties to the Convention. Authorizes the President to determine what privileges and immunities should be extended to a foreign mission.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1981
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984. Requires the FCC to assess charges for specified services performed by the FCC. Authorizes the FCC to increase or decrease the charges annually and to assess a penalty charge for late payments. Prohibits such charges from applying to any governmental body. Requires moneys received from the charges to be placed in the U.S. Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress to adopt for each year a budget which sets forth the total receipts and outlays of the United States. Prohibits the adoption of any budget in which outlays exceed total receipts, unless three-fifths of each House of Congress approve such budget. Prohibits Congress from passing and the President from signing any bill which would cause the total outlays for any year to exceed the total expenditures in the budget for such year. Prohibits the retention of receipts in any year for use of the Treasury in an amount which exceeds as a proportion of the national income, the amount retained for the prior year, unless a bill directed at approving a specific increase in such proportion has been passed by a majority of each House. Permits Congress to waive the provisions of this Act with respect to any single year in which a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a defense to a Federal prosecution that the defendant, as a result of mental disease or defect, lacked the state of mind required as an element of the offense (current law contains no statutory insanity defense).
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of February 7 through 13, 1982, as "National Scleroderma Week."
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove the limitation on amounts of the investment tax credit which are attributable to application of the regular percentage to qualified investment in railroad property owned by a domestic common carrier. Provides for the refundability of such credit. Requires the maintenance of a separate account for amounts received as credit refunds. Limits withdrawals from such accounts to amounts used for maintenance, improvement, or acquisition of property or payment of the railroad retirement tax. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to reserve amounts received pursuant to imposition of the windfall profit tax equal to the decrease in revenues attributable to this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest earned on industrial development bonds if the proceeds of such bonds are used to finance railroad rehabilitation or the acquisition of land or rights-of-way in connection with such rehabilitation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to direct the Interstate Commerce Commission to determine the economic impact of a rail line abandonment when public convenience and necessity require or permit such abandonment. Directs the Commission, where such an abandonment will have an adverse affect upon a leaseholder and community, to provide specified conditions in its order of abandonment. Requires submission of disagreements as to the price for the sale of the subject property to binding arbitration.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of May 10 to May 16, 1981, as "CARE Week" in observance of the thirty-fifth anniversary of CARE (the Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere, Inc.).
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Requires an embargo on the export of any goods or services to the Soviet Union during any period in which a grain embargo is in effect against such country.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Title I: Export Trading Companies - Export Trading Company Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promote export trading companies by providing information and by facilitating contacts between producers of exportable goods and export trading companies. Authorizes any banking organization to invest specified amounts in export trading companies upon notifying, but without obtaining the prior approval of, the appropriate Federal banking agency, if such investment does not cause an export trading company to become a subsidiary of such organization. Allows greater investment by Edge Act Corporations not engaged in banking. Permits any banking organization to invest beyond such limitations with prior approval of the appropriate Federal banking agency. Requires prior notification of such agencies in specified circumstances. Sets forth further limitations on export trading companies and investments by banking organizations. Specifies factors to be taken into consideration by the banking agencies. Permits such agencies to impose conditions in approving applications to invest in export trading companies. Requires such agencies to report to the appropriate Congressional committees with their recommendations concerning implementation of this Act, related changes in U.S. law, and effects of ownership of U.S. banks by foreign banking organizations. Authorizes the appropriate Federal banking agency to exempt from specified requirements of the Federal Reserve Act any loan or extension of credit made by a national or State bank to an export trading company affiliate if such exemption is necessary to finance an affiliated export trading company and does not expose the bank to undue financial risks. Provides for judicial review of denial orders in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals. Sets forth the grounds for disapproval. Provides for a remand for further consideration by the banking agency. Directs the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration to give special weight to export-related benefits when considering applications for loans and guarantees by export trading companies. Authorizes up to $10,000,000 to be appropriated for initial investments and operating expenses for each of fiscal years 1982-1986. Directs the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide loan guarantees for expansion to export trading companies or exporters when adequate financing is not otherwise available. Requires such loan guarantees to be secured by accounts receivable or inventories. Directs the Board of Directors to try to insure that a major share of such guarantees promotes exports from small, medium-size, and minority businesses or agricultural concerns. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to subsidize the employment of export managers by small business manufacturing firms which have not previously been substantial exporters. Limits such grants to the lesser of: (1) 50 percent of the expenses related to employing a full-time export manager for one year; or (2) $40,000. Sets forth the requirements for an application by a firm for such grant and the factors the Secretary shall consider in making such grants. Authorizes appropriations for each of fiscal years 1982-1984 to carry out this grant program. Directs the Secretary to evaluate this program and to submit such evaluation and any recommendation to Congress by a specified date. Title II: Export Trade Association - Export Trade Association Act of 1981 - Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt the trade, activities and methods of operation of certified export trade associations and export trading companies from the antitrust laws. Delays the effectiveness of any certificate upon the notification of the Secretary of Commerce by the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of disagreement with the decision to issue a certificate. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by any association or export trading company seeking certification under this Act and by the Secretary in issuing such certificates. Permits automatic certification for existing associations. Provides for appeal of the Secretary's denial of certification. Requires firms to report changes in membership, export trade activities, or methods of operation to the Secretary and to apply for an amendment of their certificates. Directs the Secretary to revoke a firm's certificate if it does not comply with the requirements for an antitrust exemption or to amend such certificate so that it does comply with such requirements. Authorizes the Attorney General or the FTC to bring an action to invalidate certification. Provides for judicial review of such actions. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General and the FTC, to publish certification guidelines. Requires certified associations and export trading companies to submit annual reports to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Commerce an Office of Export Trade. Requires such Office to report annually to the appropriate Congressional committees on all East-West trade transactions requiring validated licenses and on the role of U.S. export trading companies in such trade. Requires, with specified exceptions, that all applications for certification be kept confidential. Authorizes the Secretary to require an association or trading company to modify its operation to be consistent with international obligations of the United States. Directs the President to appoint, with the Senate's advice and consent, a task force, seven years after enactment, to examine the effect of this Act and to make recommendations. Makes the amendments of the Webb-Pomerene Act set forth in this Act effective with regard to existing associations only at such time as such associations elected to be certified.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
Public Telecommunications Act of 1981 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to reduce the membership of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting from 15 to seven. Makes the President of the Corporation the Chairman of the Board. Reduces the term of office of each member from six to five years. Requires meetings of the Board to take place in Washington, D.C. Requires the Board members to elect annually a Vice Chairman (rather than a Chairman). Increases the rate of daily compensation, but places a ceiling on the amount of compensation any member may receive in any one fiscal year. Prohibits any Corporation officer except a Vice Chairman from receiving any compensation from any source other than the Corporation for services rendered during such officer's employment by the Corporation. Sets forth the purposes and authorized activities of the Corporation. Grants access to space satellite interconnection facilities or services to certain public telecommunications entities for the transmission of public audio and video programs. Eliminates the Public Broadcasting Fund and the formula for matching non-Federal financial support for the Corporation with authorized appropriations. Replaces such Fund and formula with an authorization of appropriations for fiscal years 1984 through 1986. Deletes the requirement that the Corporation certify to the Secretary of the Treasury the amount of non-Federal financial support received by public broadcasting entities. Retains the role of the Secretary as disburser of appropriations for the Corporation. Reformulates the percentage of funds disbursed by the Corporation among the licensees and permittees of public television and radio stations. Directs the Corporation to establish an annual budget of appropriated monies to make grants and contracts for the production and acquisition of public audio and video programs by independent producers, for distribution of funds among telecommunications entities, for research, and for promotion of projects designed to increase the role of minorities and women in public telecommunications. Retains the prohibition against the use of such funds for the Corporation's general administrative costs. Requires such budget for fiscal years 1981-1986 to consist of not less than 95 percent of such authorized funds. Limits for fiscal years 1981, and 1984-1986 the percentage of funds the Corporation may expend for other activities. Retains provisions requiring: (1) public meetings of the governing boards of certain public broadcast entities before distribution of such funds; (2) public disclosure by such entities of annual financial and audit reports; (3) annual review of the distribution of authorized funds; and (4) division of funds reserved for public broadcast stations between radio and television stations. Authorizes recipients of such funds to use such funds for purposes related exclusively to the production or acquisition of public audio or video programs. Requires a public telecommunications entity receiving unrelated business income related to station operations in any fiscal year to refund to the Corporation an equivalent amount. Limits the amount of any one basic program grant. Eliminates the prohibition against Corporation support for: (1) a public broadcast station which does not establish and maintain a community advisory board; and (2) specified public broadcasting entities unless those entities assure the Corporation that no officer or employee of such entities is paid above a specified amount. Requires each public telecommunications entity receiving funds from the Corporation to undergo a biannual rather than an annual audit. Amends the Corporation's role in matters related to the equal employment opportunity practices of recipients of Corporation funds. Prohibits only noncommercial educational broadcasting stations which receive a basic grant pursuant to such Act (rather than all such stations) from editorializing or supporting or opposing political candidates. Repeals the provision which requires recipients of Corporation funds to record certain programs. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1984 to be used in the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Business Accounting and Foreign Trade Simplification Act - Changes the name of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA) to the Business Practices and Records Act. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require securities issuers to maintain an internal accounting system that provides reasonable assurance that specified accountability and accuracy goals are met. Establishes the degree of previous knowledge necessary to find liability for violations of the accounting standards. Requires only good faith efforts at ensuring compliance by issuers who hold 50 percent or less of the equity of domestic or foreign firms. Transfers from the Security and Exchange Commission to the Department of Justice jurisdiction to enforce the antibribery prohibitions of the FCPA with respect to issuers. Changes the jurisdictional basis of the current corrupt practices prohibition to prohibit bribery "with respect to activities in interstate or foreign commerce" (currently, the basis is use of the mails or interstate commerce "in furtherance" of bribery). Prohibits payments or promises made "directly or indirectly" by a domestic concern to a foreign official in order to obtain business. Prohibits such payments that are made to influence a foreign official's act or induce such an official to violate a legal duty. Prohibits domestic concerns from directing or authorizing such payments. Exempts from such prohibition any payment to a foreign official to facilitate or expedite performance of official duties and which is customary in the country where made. Enumerates additional exemptions, including items of value given in return for hospitality or in token of regard and esteem, and marketing or demonstration expenses pertaining to the business presentation. Empowers the Attorney General to undertake any civil investigation which is necessary to enforce the Act. Makes the provision in the Business Practices and Records Act the exclusive Federal law authorizing Federal proceedings against a domestic concern for using the mails or any instrumentality of interstate commerce to violate such Act. Requires an interagency task force to issue guidelines specifying: (1) permissible conduct and arrangements associated with common types of export sales arrangements; and (2) business contracts and precautionary procedures which would create a rebuttable presumption of compliance. Provides for the establishment of a Business Practices and Records Act Review Procedure to answer specific inquiries concerning enforcement of such Act. Requires the Attorney General to issue opinions regarding compliance. Makes such opinions final and binding on all parties if the conduct does not involve a violation. Requires annual reports to Congress by: (1) the Attorney General concerning actions taken pursuant to such Act; and (2) the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission concerning the reporting requirements. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should negotiate agreements establishing standards of conduct for international business practices, a resolution procedure, and rates of commissions. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the progress of such negotiations. Requires Congress to review the Business Practices and Records Act after receiving the President's report. Directs the President to report to Congress on the legal and practical consequences of specific action that the United States could take under existing law to: (1) promote international cooperation to prevent bribery of foreign officials, candidates, or parties in third countries; and (2) encourage persons or businesses operating in foreign countries to refrain from bribing foreign officials, candidates, or parties to the disadvantage of U. S. industry. Requires the report to contain recommendations for new legislation and an analysis of the potential effect on U. S. interests of the corruption of foreign officials and political leaders.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Amends the Veterans Health Programs Extension and Improvement Act of 1979 to direct the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to develop and publish regulations for resolving claims for benefits administered by the Veterans' Administration based on exposure to Agent Orange during military service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Amends the highway safety programs uniform standards to include: (1) comprehensive alcohol-traffic safety programs; and (2) penalties to deter motorists from driving while under the influence of alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission or any administrative law judge from issuing antitrust decisions, findings, or cease-and-desist orders in concentrated market structure or shared monopoly proceedings until Congress establishes and defines the elements of such a violation. Declares that this Act shall apply to any proceeding pending on March 10, 1981. Vacates any decision or order issued in such proceeding before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 - Title I: Individual Tax Rate Cuts - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual and estate and trust income tax rates for 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984, lowering the maximum rate to 50 percent in 1984. Repeals the 50 percent maximum tax rate on personal service income. Reduces the alternative minimum tax for noncorporate taxpayers. Title II: Incentives for Plant, Equipment, and Real Property - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) Ten-year property, including owner-used buildings and their structural components and certain public utility property; (2) five-year property, including tangible property, and (3) three-year property, including automobiles, light-duty trucks, and certain tangible property used in connection with research and experimentation. Excludes from the category of recovery property: (1) property placed in service before January 1, 1981; (2) certain property eligible for amortization; and (3) certain depreciable real property. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Revises the treatment of progress expenditure property with respect to the investment tax credit and the allowance for depreciation. Includes as recovery property, property which would have been depreciated using the retirement-replacement-betterment method. Provides special rules for recovery property predominantly used outside of the United States. Establishes definite useful lives for certain types of real property, (e.g., buildings, low-income housing, owner-occupied industrial and commercial buildings) which are not subject to change by the Internal Revenue Service upon audit. Allows current depreciation of any qualified progress expenditure property not yet placed in service. Revises the applicable percentage for determination of the investment tax credit to make eligible for such credit: (1) 100 percent of the basis of ten-year or five-year recovery property; and (2) 60 percent of the basis of three-year recovery property. Revises the progress expenditure rules to eliminate the useful life requirement for depreciable property being constructed by or for a taxpayer for use in trade or business (qualified progress expenditure property) and to apply to such property the revised percentages for determining the investment tax credit under this Act. Revises rules for the recapture of tax benefits upon the disposition of property eligible for the investment tax credit. Prescribes recapture percentages for each of the three classes of recovery property. Limits the amount of the investment tax credit to the amount that the taxpayer has at risk. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Repeals the retirement-replacement- betterment methods of depreciation allowed for certain types of property. Specifies that such property shall be depreciated using a ratable method. Requires the recapture as ordinary income of excess depreciation from recovery property which is subsequently sold or exchanged. Exempts accelerated depreciation on real property with a shortened audit-proof life and recovery property from classification as an item of tax preference for purposes of computing the minimum tax. Sets forth rules for treatment of the depreciation allowance for any recovery property under real property with a shortened audit-proof life in computing the earnings and profits of a corporation. Extends the carryover period for the net operating loss deduction, the investment tax credit, the work incentive program credit, and the new employee credit. Sets forth a method of computing the recovery allowance for recovery property and certain real property in the case of certain corporate acquisitions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the adoption of any Federal budget in which expenditures exceed receipts unless approved by a roll call vote of three-fifths of the Members of each House of Congress directed solely to that subject. Prohibits the Congress from passing and the President from signing any appropriations bill which would cause the total expenditures of the Federal Government to exceed its total receipts in any fiscal year. Permits the Congress to waive such provisions with respect to any single year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Prohibits any annual increase in the proportion of Federal receipts to the national income unless passed by a roll call vote, directed solely to such purpose, of each House of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1981
Antiterrorism Act of 1981 - Directs the President to report biannually to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on acts of international terrorism or within 60 days of an incident affecting U.S. citizens or property. Directs the President to submit to Congress a list of nations which have demonstrated a pattern of support for international terrorism. Specifies sanctions to be imposed upon such nations, including: (1) denial of foreign assistance; (2) an embargo on the sale of any defense articles or extension of credit under the Arms Export Control Act; (3) denial of an export license with respect to commodities or technical data which would enhance any such nation's military or terrorist capabilities; (4) disallowance of duty-free treatment under the Trade Act of 1974; and (5) denial of entry to nationals for the purpose of education in subjects having military application. Provides a Congressional veto procedure by concurrent resolution regarding a Presidential request to remove a foreign state from the list. Permits the President to suspend application of these sanctions in the interests of national security after consulting with the appropriate Congressional committees. Authorizes the President to exercise other appropriate sanctions. Directs the President to submit biannually to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a Report on Federal and International Capabilities to Combat Terrorism, which includes a comprehensive and specific review of Federal antiterrorism organization, policies, and activities. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to assess the effectiveness of security measures maintained at foreign airports and report such assessments to Congress. Authorizes the Secretary, after notifying the appropriate foreign authorities, to restrict operations at foreign airports failing to bring their security measures to the standards and recommendations set forth at the Montreal Convention on International Civil Aviation. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to foreign governments for promoting aviation security. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 for such purpose. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to empower the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to authorize FAA employees to carry firearms in connection with their air transportation security duties and to make arrests. Urges the President to seek international agreements to assure more effective cooperation in combating international terrorism and to develop standards and programs to insure the full implementation of the provisions of the Montreal Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation. Amends the Federal criminal code to redefine the offense of "destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities" to, among other revisions: (1) prohibit communicating false information which endangers any aircraft in flight; (2) prohibit any act of violence against any individual on an aircraft which is likely to endanger the aircraft in service; and (3) define "in service" to mean pre- and post-flight ground preparation. Establishes criminal penalties for whoever commits an offense in violation of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation and is afterward found in the United States. Establishes a new Federal crime of "imparting or conveying threats" to commit an act which would constitute the felony of aircraft sabotage if executed. Amends the Federal Aviation Act to establish civil penalties for conveying false information regarding aircraft crimes and concealing a deadly weapon while boarding an aircraft. Makes any person who willfully and maliciously conveys false information criminally liable.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that social security benefits remain exempt from Federal taxation.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Television Licensing and Renewal Act of 1981 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to increase the licensing term for a television broadcasting station from three to five years. Permits the Federal Communications Commission to grant an initial license or construction permit for a television broadcast facility on a system of random selection. Directs the Commission to grant a license renewal if the license has substantially met the needs of its service area and complied with the requirement of such Act. Prohibits the Commission from considering the application of any other person for the facilities for which renewal is sought.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the manufacture, importation, installation, offer to sell, rent, or lease, or other distribution of telephone receivers or similar equipment manufactured after the date of enactment of this Act for use in connection with any interstate or foreign communication, unless such receiver or equipment is designed and manufactured to permit telephone reception by means of hearing aids with inductive receptors.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the special use valuation of farms for estate tax purposes for real property which is put to a qualified use by a member of the decedent's family.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Soil and Water Conservation Incentives Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer engaged in the business of farming an investment tax credit for soil and water conservation expenditures not treated as deductible expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Family Enterprise Preservation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction from the value of a decedent's gross estate for the value of an interest in qualified tangible property (tangible property located in the United States which on the date of decedent's death was being used as a farm for farming purposes or in a trade or business other than farming) only if at least 50 percent of the adjusted value of the decedent's estate consisted of the adjusted value of tangible property which: (1) on the date of the decedent's death was being used for a qualified use; and (2) passed from the decedent to a qualified heir (a member of decedent's family). Limits such deduction to $750,000 with respect to bequests of qualified tangible property to decedent's spouse and $750,000 with respect to bequests to qualified heirs other than the spouse. Imposes an additional estate tax if, within 15 years of the decedent's death and before the qualified heir's death, the qualified heir: (1) disposes of any interest in qualified tangible property (other than by a disposition to a member of his family); or (2) ceases to use such qualified tangible property for the qualified use. Provides for reducing the amount of additional tax for such disposition or cessation according to the number of years after decedent's death that such disposition or cessation occurs. Prohibits the imposition of more than one additional tax with respect to any portion of an interest in such qualified tangible property.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress shall work its will and take final action no later than May 31, 1981, on the economic recovery proposals which President Reagan presented to the Congress on February 18, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Prohibits the United States Postal Service from using its funds to implement a nine digit ZIP code system.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Water and Power Resources Service, to conduct a feasibility study of Federal development of the water and related land resources of the Little White River Unit of the Little White River Basin located on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation, Todd County, South Dakota. Directs the Secretary to prepare a recommended comprehensive plan for such development, considering specified water use needs and problems. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress within four years of the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Expresses the recognition of the Senate relating to the centennial observation of South Dakota State University.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Revises the congressional budget in order to: (1) reduce budget authority by $10.7 billion, and outlays by $4,8 billion, in fiscal year 1981; (2) reduce budget authority by $61.3 billion, and oulays by $41.4 billion, in fiscal year 1982; and (3) reduce budget authority by $88.4 billion, and outlays by $79.7 billion, in fiscal year 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that agricultural resources are of strategic importance to the United States' future and calling for Federal cooperation with State and local governments and assistance to persons engaged in agriculture.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States will cease to participate in the activities of, or make support payments to, the United Nations General Assembly or any other U.N. body which rejects the credentials of the Israeli delegation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Family Enterprise Estate and Gift Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the estate and gift tax rates beginning in 1981. Increases the unified credit against the estate and gift taxes from $47,000 to $124,750 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases from $175,000 to $600,000, by specified annual increments through 1985, the minimum gross estate requirement for filing of a return. Repeals the existing limitations on the marital deduction for gift and estate taxes. Increases from $3,000 to $10,000 the annual gift tax exclusion. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if such decedents materially participated in the operation of the farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death or takes over active management upon the decedent's death. Qualifies woodlands for the special use valuation if the decedent or a member of the decedent's family owned and farmed the property for ten years prior to the decedent's death. Reduces from 15 to ten years the length of time a qualified property must be held and put to a qualified use following the decedent's death before it can be disposed of without incurring a recapture of estate tax benefits. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Allows the like kind exchange of property without loss of special use valuation eligibility. Revises the method of valuing farms by providing that the basis of such valuation shall be the average annual gross rental value. Authorizes the step-up in basis of such assets. Repeals the requirement that an heir elect special treatment for involuntary conversions of qualified real property, thus making such treatment automatic upon such conversion. States that gifts made within three years of a decedent's death shall be valued as of the time of transfer rather than as of the date of death. Authorizes an individual to elect to pay a gift tax rather than use the unified tax credit. Modifies the alternate extension of time for payment of the estate tax where the estate consists largely of an interest in a closely held business to: (1) allow an installment payment election if the value of the interest in the closely held business is either 35 percent of the value of the gross estate or 50 percent of the taxable estate; (2) increase to 50 percent the value of an interest disposed of which will accelerate the payment of tax; and (3) permit payment, but with a penalty, of an installment within six months after the due date. Allows a disclaimer of an interest in property for estate tax purposes in specified circumstances where such disclaimer does not result in the passing of the interest concerned under the applicable State law.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the Water and Power Resources Service, to study the feasibility of Federal development of the water and land resources of the I'Santi unit of the James Division of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River basin located on the Flandreau Santee Sioux Indian Reservation, South Dakota. Specifies that the irrigation potential of such lands and the rural-domestic water supply system to certain Tribe members be considered in such study. Directs the Secretary to submit a report on such study to Congress by September 30, 1984. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Youth Employment Opportunities Act of 1981 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards act of 1938 to permit employers, without prior or special certification by the Secretary of Labor, to pay 85 percent of the minimum wage (or the applicable wage in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands) for a 180-day period to youths under the age of 20. Requires compliance with applicable child labor laws. Prohibits such special wage rate if a youth has been employed by the same employer for at least six months or is currently employed at the minimum wage. Authorizes the Secretary to insure against violations of such provisions, but without prior certification requirements. Prohibits employers from engaging in a pattern and practice of: (1) substituting younger workers employed at less than the minimum wage for older workers employed at or above the minimum wage; or (2) terminating the employment of some youths and employing other youths in order to gain continual advantage from the youth opportunity wage. Establishes rates of compensation and fines for such violations. Repeals the amendments made by this Act, effective three years after the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report biannually to the Congress on the effect of the amendments made by this Act, including the effect on adult and youth employment rates.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Older Americans Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to extend the authorizations of appropriations for specified programs through fiscal year 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to provide for Congressional veto of any agricultural export controls imposed under such Act to carry out foreign policy objectives.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Rescinds the authority of the President to impose an embargo on U.S. exports of agricultural commodities for foreign policy purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends the Walsh-Healey Act and the Contract Work Hours Standards Act to revise overtime requirements to accommodate an alternative workweek of four ten-hour days for employees of Government contractors.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that whenever there is an embargo on U.S. exports of agricultural commodities to a country there shall be an embargo on all U.S. exports to that country.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1981 - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to establish criminal penalties for any person who knowingly discloses information which identifies a U.S. covert intelligence agent. Establishes a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment and/or a $50,000 fine for any person who, having had authorized access to classified information which identifies a covert agent, learns the identity of a covert agent and intentionally discloses such information. Establishes a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and/or a $25,000 fine for any person who, having had authorized access to classified information, learns the identity of a covert agent and intentionally discloses such information. Establishes a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment and/or a $15,000 fine for any person who, in the course of a "pattern of activities intended to identify" covert agents and with "reason to believe" that such activities would impair U.S. foreign intelligence activities, discloses information identifying an agent. Directs the President to establish procedures requiring Federal agencies to provide assistance in concealing the identity of U.S. intelligence agents.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to adjust the financial considerations to be made by the Secretary of Transportation in granting rehabilitation and improvement financing to railroads. Directs the Secretary to assign the highest priority to applications of carriers unable to generate such funds in the private sector.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Declares that seven members of named families have resided since a certain date in the United States Embassy in Moscow and have been living there in accordance with United States laws. Authorizes the granting of a visa and admission to the United States for permanent residence to each individual. Provides that each individual shall be held and considered to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence as of a specified date, and to have been physically present and residing therein continuously since such date.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
International Record Carrier Competition Act of 1981 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to terminate the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission over consolidations and mergers of telegraph carriers. Retains the Commission's authority to require telegraph carriers to provide interconnections with international record carriers.