United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Makes the Federal tort claims procedure the exclusive remedy in medical malpractice actions resulting from federally authorized National Guard training activities (repeals the current provision covering such liability).
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Radio Deregulation Act of 1981 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make licenses for the operation of a radio broadcasting station valid for an indefinite period of time. Permits any party in interest to petition the Federal Communications Commission for a revocation of such license. Requires such petition to contain specific allegations of fact to establish a prima facie case that the licensee has violated specific provisions of such Act or an order of the Commission. Requires the Commission to hold a hearing if a substantial and material question of fact is presented. Permits the Commission to grant an application for a license for a frequency in the radio broadcast service on a system of random selection. Requires the Commission to establish procedures for such selection within a specified period. Prohibits the Commission from requiring radio broadcast station licensees to provide specific types of programming or restricting the length or frequency of commercials. Requires the Commission to report to Congress annually on its progress in reviewing regulations applicable to radio broadcasting. Requires the Commission within three years to report to Congress on the impact of deregulation on radio programming.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
National Tourism Policy Act - Title I: National Tourism Policy - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to establish a cooperative effort between the Federal Government, State and local governments, and other concerned public and private organizations to implement a national tourism policy. Title II: United States Travel and Tourism Administration - Establishes, as an independent agency, the United States Travel and Tourism Administration. Sets forth the terms of office, compensation, powers, and duties of the Administrator and Deputy Administrator. Authorizes the Administration to assist Congress and the Federal agencies having policy and programmatic responsibilities affecting tourism. Directs the Administrator, by April 15, 1982, to submit a detailed tourism development plan to specified Congressional committees. Requires each Federal agency, upon the request of the Administrator, to: (1) make its services, personnel, and facilities available to assist the Administration; and (2) furnish the Administration necessary information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics. Prohibits the Administration from providing or arranging for transportation or accommodations in competition with businesses engaged in providing or arranging for such transportation or accommodations. Directs the Administration to submit budget information, legislative recommendations, prepared testimony for congressional hearings, and reports to the President or to the Office of Management and Budget and, concurrently, to Congress. Directs the Administration to submit an annual report to the President for transmittal to Congress. Directs the United States Travel Service to make a specified sum available to the Administration within 30 days of the date of enactment of this Act. Establishes the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. Sets forth the membership, compensation, and duties of such Board. Directs the United States Travel Service to complete the transfer of its assets, powers, duties, and privileges to the Administration within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Abolishes the United States Travel Service upon completion of such transfer. Title III: Amendments to the International Travel Act - Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations through fiscal year 1981 to carry out the purposes of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide financial assistance to a region of not less than two States or portions of two States to assist in the implementation of a regional tourism promotional and marketing program. Declares that any such program shall serve as a demonstration project for future program development for regional tourism promotion. Extends until September 30, 1981, the time limit for the reduction in the number of employees of the United States Travel Service. Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from reducing: (1) the number of United States Travel Service employees in offices in foreign countries to a level below that authorized for fiscal year 1979; and (2) the amount of funds appropriated pursuant to this Act for financing the activities of such foreign offices to a level below that authorized for fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
State Water Protection Act of 1981 - Prohibits: (1) the United States from using water from any State in an energy project unless the water is obtained pursuant to State law; and (2) a grantee acquiring rights-of-way across Federal land for energy projects from using water other than pursuant to State law. Defines "energy project" to mean the interstate development or transportation of energy material or products including coal pipeline carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1981 - 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 capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Permits calculation of the investment tax credit for such property without regard to the useful life of the 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. Permits a taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to repeal the limitation on outside income for beneficiaries age 65 or older.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Community Home Health Services Act of 1981 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make loans to proprietary entities (in addition to the home health grants now available) for home health programs to meet the initial cost of establishing and operating such programs. Authorizes appropriations for home health programs through fiscal year 1984. Directs the Secretary to submit a report concerning home health programs to the appropriate committees of the Congress. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) provide that home health services may be furnished by a nonprofit hospital; (2) provide coverage for homemakers services when required; (3) provide coverage for transportation related to home health items and services; and (4) include as a home health service any service furnished as an alternative to institutional care. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act to require a State plan to include home health services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purpose of the right to life guarantee. Makes such amendment inapplicable to laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1981
Expresses the jubilation and relief of the Senate at the release of the 52 Americans held hostage by Iran. Expresses appreciation for the efforts of various Government officials to secure the release of the hostages. Recognizes the patriotism of the military personnel who tried to rescue them. Thanks Algeria for its help in securing the hostages' release.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1981
Prohibits the issuance of any final Internal Revenue Service regulations which have the effect of increasing the rate of imputed interest with respect to: (1) loans between related organizations, trades, or businesses; or (2) deferred payments in the case of certain property sales.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1981
Title I: Export Trading Companies - Export Trading Company Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promote export trading companies by providing information and by facilitating contacts between producers of exportable goods and export trading companies. Authorizes any banking organization to invest specified amounts in export trading companies upon notifying, but without obtaining the prior approval of, the appropriate Federal banking agency, if such investment does not cause an export trading company to become a subsidiary of such organization. Allows greater investment by Edge Act Corporations not engaged in banking. Permits any banking organization to invest beyond such limitations with prior approval of the appropriate Federal banking agency. Requires prior notification of such agencies in specified circumstances. Sets forth further limitations on export trading companies and investments by banking organizations. Specifies factors to be taken into consideration by the banking agencies. Permits such agencies to impose conditions in approving applications to invest in export trading companies. Requires such agencies to report to the appropriate Congressional committees with their recommendations concerning implementation of this Act, related changes in U.S. law, and effects of ownership of U.S. banks by foreign banking organizations. Provides for judicial review of denial orders in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals. Sets forth the grounds for disapproval. Provides for remand for further consideration by the banking agency. Directs the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration to give special weight to export-related benefits when considering applications for loans and guarantees by export trading companies. Authorizes up to $20,000,000 to be appropriated for initial investments and operating expenses for each of fiscal years 1981-1985. Directs the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide loan guarantees for expansion to export trading companies or exporters to be secured by accounts receivable or inventories when adequate financing is not otherwise available. Directs the Board of Directors to try to insure that a major share of such guarantees promotes exports from small, medium-size, and minority businesses or agricultural concerns. Title II: Export Trade Associations - Export Trade Association Act of 1981- Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt the export trade, export trade activities, and methods of operation of certified export trade associations and export trading companies from the antitrust laws. Delays the effectiveness of any certificate upon the notification of the Secretary of Commerce by the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of disagreement with the decision to issue a certificate. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by any association, company, or export trading company seeking certification under this Act and by the Secretary in issuing such certificates. Permits automatic certification for existing associations. Provides for appeal of the Secretary's denial of certification. Authorizes the Attorney General or the FTC to bring an action to invalidate a certification. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General and the FTC, to publish certification guidelines. Requires certified associations and export trading companies to submit annual reports to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Commerce an Office of Export Trade. Requires such Office to report annually to the appropriate Congressional committees on all East-West trade transactions requiring validated licenses and on the role of U.S. export trading companies in such trade. Grants a temporary exemption from the Sherman Act antitrust provisions for existing associations. Requires, with specified exceptions, that all applications for certification be kept confidential. Authorizes the Secretary to require an association or trading company to modify its operation to be consistent with international obligations of the United States. Directs the President to appoint, with the Senate's advice and consent, a task force, seven years after enactment, to examine the effect of this Act and to make recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1981
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to convey National Forest System land parcels of up to five acres to persons who have encroached upon such land as a result of an erroneous Federal land survey or an uncertified Federal survey monument. Requires all such monuments to be certified by the Secretary of the Interior within 180 days of monumentation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1981
American Sovereignty Protection Act - Amends the Alien Enemies Acts to include within the definition of predatory act against the United States: (1) the seizure of a diplomatic mission; or (2) the seizure of such premises together with the taking of diplomatic hostages.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
GI Education Assistance Act of 1981 - Title I: New GI Education Program - Establishes an educational assistance program for veterans who entered the armed forces after December 31, 1980, served on active duty for two or more years, and were honorably discharged or discharged for hardship or a service-connected disability. Entitles eligible veterans to 27 months of assistance for the first two years of active service and one month of assistance for each additional month of service. Makes such veterans eligible for educational loans. Establishes a delimiting period of ten years after discharge or release from active duty for completing a program of education unless such period is interrupted by a physical or mental disability which prevents completion. Excludes periods of capture from the delimiting period. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay each eligible, participating veteran the cost of tuition and a monthly subsistence allowance. Establishes an educational benefits program for persons serving on active duty who have completed six years of active duty. Requires such persons to participate for at least 12 consecutive months except as specified. Requires participants to agree to a monthly deduction from such person's military pay as a contribution to such program. Provides for a refund of such contributions upon disenrollment, discharge, release, or death. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to contribute to the fund of any participant any amount necessary to encourage persons to remain in the armed forces. Entitles each participant to 36 monthly benefit payments. Sets forth the formula for computing the amount of such payments. Permits eligible veterans to transfer any educational benefits to such veterans' spouse or children. Establishes a delimiting period of ten years after discharge or release for educational assistance benefits. Requires the Administrator and the Secretary to report to the appropriate committees of Congress on their respective plans for implementing the educational assistance benefits program. Prohibits participation in both the career service person's education assistance program and other specified educational assistance after a specified time. Title II: Educational Leave of Absences for Members of the Armed Forces - Permits the Secretary to grant any eligible member a leave of absence from such member's military duties to permit such member to pursue a program of education for up to 12 months. Sets forth the impact of such leave of absence upon the payment of basic pay, determining eligibility for retirement pay, and upon time in grade for promotion purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Comprehensive Vietnam and Post-Vietnam-Era Veterans Readjustment, Recruitment, and Retention Assistance Act of 1981 - Title I: Interagency Coordination and Veterans Outreach Services - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to coordinate all programs and activities affecting veterans and their dependents with other departments and agencies. Directs the Administrator to initiate a comprehensive outreach and information program to inform and assist eligible veterans and eligible persons to understand and utilize such programs. Title II: Compensation and Treatment for Diseases and Disabilities Caused by Toxic Substances and Radiation Exposure - Entitles a veteran who suffers from a personal injury or disease contracted in the line of duty, or a disabled child with birth defects resulting from genetic damage to a veteran, to compensation and medical care. Authorizes the Administrator to establish and carry out a comprehensive program of screening veterans who may have been exposed to toxic substances, chemical or biological agents, or radiation during their military, naval, or air service to determine whether such veterans have incurred any disease or disability as a result of such exposure. Provides for outreach services to inform and assist such veterans in adjusting to such diseases or disabilities. Permits the Administrator to establish a centralized registry of claims made before the Veterans' Administration (VA) or other appropriate agency arising out of exposure or possible exposure to toxic substances, chemical or biological agents, or radiation, and of the disabilities, diseases, genetic damage, or symptoms associated with such exposure. Title III: Readjustment Counseling Improvement and Expansion - Authorizes the Administrator to arrange for or assist the veteran or the veteran's dependent, or both, in obtaining readjustment counseling or mental health services. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct or contract for comprehensive studies of the psychological and sociological effects of the Vietnam Conflict, military service, and the readjustment process upon veterans and dependents. Directs the Administrator to coordinate such services with the appropriate provisions of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). Title IV: GI Bill Program Adjustments - Modifies the delimiting period for completing a program of education for veterans. Provides for the extension of the delimiting period for eligible veterans up to a period of two years. Terminates eligibility for educational assistance after December 31, 1989, or the expiration of five years after the veteran's last discharge or release from active duty. States that the Administrator shall provide educational, vocational, and personal adjustment counseling for veterans eligible for educational assistance. Eliminates reporting requirements to Congress regarding default rates and experience with respect to loans made under this Act to eligible veterans. Discharges a veteran's liability on loans, in the amount of entitlement remaining, upon such veteran's successful completion of educational, professional, or vocational objective. Title V: Post-Vietnam Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment Assistance Program - Establishes an education assistance program for veterans who served on active duty for a period of two or more years after December 31, 1976, and were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Entitles such veterans to such assistance for a period of one month for each month of active duty served after such date. Makes such veterans eligible for educational loans. Establishes a delimiting period of ten years for such benefits unless the Administrator grants an exemption because a physical or mental disability has prevented a veteran from completing a program of education within such period. Directs the Administrator to pay each participating veteran an educational assistance allowance to meet specified expenses. Makes members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of a component of the armed forces eligible for educational assistance. Sets forth the formula and criteria for computing the extent of such members' entitlement. Establishes a ten year delimiting period for such benefits. Permits specified veterans eligible for educational assistance to transfer all or part of such entitlement to a spouse or dependent child or children. Makes all persons eligible to participate in such programs also eligible to participate in a program of Career Development, Advancement and Training. Title VI: Interagency Task Force; Presidential Commission on Veterans' Affairs - Establishes an Interagency Veterans' Advisory Task Force to advise and assist in the review of the effectiveness, appropriateness, and coordination of all rights, benefits, programs and services available to veterans. Establishes within such Task Force: (1) a section on enforcement and implementation of laws, directives and regulations relevant to the needs, programs, services, and policies of the Veterans Administration; and (2) a section on the evaluation, recognition, utilization, and accreditation of military training, service, education, and experience. Establishes a Presidential Commission on Veterans' Affairs to advise and assist in the execution of the duties of the Task Force. Title VII: Job Counseling, Training, and Placement Service for Veterans - Directs each State representative of the Veterans' Employment Service to develop technical assistance and training to implement the provisions of CETA relating to veterans. Title VIII: Employment and Training of Post-Vietnam-Era Veterans - Requires Federal contracts of $10,000 or more to require the contracting party to take affirmative steps to employ qualified disabled veterans and veterans of the Post-Vietnam-era and to make reasonable efforts to provide career development, advancement, and training opportunities to such veterans. Encourages veterans employment within the Federal Government. Title IX: Veterans Career Development, Advancement, and Training Assistance - Establishes a program of career development, advancement, training, and related services for Vietnam-era veterans. Sets forth provisions regarding the entitlement to and the eligibility of a veteran for a career development and advancement or training allowance. Sets the duration of such eligibility. Requires the Administrator of the Veterans' Administration to provide occupational and vocational counseling. Permits an eligible veteran to select a program of career development and advancement, or a program of career development and training with an eligible employer in a chosen career field if the employer hires such veteran into its regular workforce with the expectation of permanent employment after the training and career development assistance ends. Directs the Administrator to provide such veteran with a career development advancement and training voucher designating such veteran's entitlement unless the Administrator specifically approves such enrollment. Disallows approval of enrollment of a veteran for: (1) seasonal, intermittent or temporary jobs; (2) jobs paying less than $4.00 an hour, unless the Administrator determines in a particular case that the clause does not apply; (3) jobs outside the United States or its territories or possessions; (4) jobs under which commissions are the primary source of income; (5) employment which involves political or religious activities; (6) employment in an industry which a substantial number of experienced and able workers are unemployed; (7) jobs that are above entry level, except when applicable personnel procedures and collective bargaining procedures regarding the advancement of currently employed workers are complied with; (8) employment which would result in the displacement of any currently employed worker; or (9) jobs which if filled would replace any worker who is on lay off, or on strike. Requires the Administrator to discontinue the career development and advancement allowance of an eligible veteran whose conduct or progress is unsatisfactory. Allows the Administrator to renew the veterans' allowance under certain conditions. Directs the Administrator to pay to each eligible veteran employer, on behalf of each eligible veteran, an allowance to meet in part the expenses of such veteran's wages, benefits, training, and any other necessary or appropriate costs. Sets forth the provisions for computation of career development, advancement, and training allowances and payment to eligible employers. Outlines the specifications for approval of career development and advancement programs. Provides for the issuance of certificates of approval to the eligible employers. Requires an employer who receives an overpayment as a result of: (1) willful or negligent failure to report a veteran's excessive absences from work or interruptions in a planned program; or (2) false certification to repay the amount of such overpayment to the United States. Allows the Administrator to make a complete report of the facts to the appropriate approving agency and, if considered advisable, to the Attorney General of the United States for appropriate action. Allows an eligible veteran to make one change of program, unless the Administrator finds sufficient reason to support further changes. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct compliance surveys periodically. Outlines the duties of the Secretary of Labor under this Act. Directs the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Education to provide for an outreach and public information program to inform eligible veterans of the program established by this Act. Title X: Honorable Discharge (Limited) - Creates a discharge category of honorable discharge (Limited) if the board determines that such individual has been rehabilitated, that such individual's conduct, activities, and habits since the individual's last discharge or dismissal have been exemplary for a reasonable period of time. Title XI: Effective Date - Provides that the amendments made by this Act shall take effect October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Tax Equalization Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require annual cost of living adjustments to personal income tax brackets and the personal exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow married couples, who do not file a single joint tax return with their spouses, to elect the same tax rates currently applicable to unmarried individuals (other than surviving spouses and heads of households), without regard to any community property laws. Entitles any married individual making such an election to claim the income tax credit for dependent care services, even though such individual did not contribute over half of the support of the dependent concerned.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 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 appropriation 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 · 17 September 1980
Establishes the United States Holocaust Memorial Council which shall: (1) provide and encourage appropriate ways for the Nation to observe the Days of Remembrance to commemorate the holocaust; (2) plan, erect, and oversee the operation of a memorial museum to the victims of the holocaust; and (3) plan for carrying out the recommendations of the report submitted to the President on September 27, 1979, by the President's Commission on the Holocaust. Authorizes the Council to receive public land in the District of Columbia on which it may erect the memorial. Terminates the Council's authority to construct a memorial if the erection of the memorial has not commenced within five years of enactment of this Act and sufficient funds to ensure completion of the memorial have not been certified to be available. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 September 1980
Congratulates Polish workers on the successful completion of their strikes. Urges the Polish government to respect the agreement. Calls upon other nations to not interfere in Poland's internal affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1980
Family Enterprise Estate and Gift Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift taxes from $47,000 to $155,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases from $175,000 to $500,000, by specified annual increments through 1985, the minimum gross estate requiring filing of a return. Repeals the existing limitations on the marital deduction for gift and estate taxes. Increases from $3,000 to $6,000 the annual gift tax exclusion. Permits disabled individuals and those receiving social security benefits to meet existing material participation requirements with respect to the special use valuation of certain farms and other real property, if an individual has materially participated in the operation of the farm or business for five out of the eight years preceding the year in which he or she becomes disabled or eligible for such benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to meet such requirements if the spouse has actually managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death, or takes over active management upon the decedent's death. Permits the owner of a woodland to qualify for the special use valuation if he or she has actively managed the property for ten years prior to death. Reduces from 15 to ten years the length of time a qualified property must be held 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 for 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 for application of the special use valuation. Allows like kind exchanges of property without loss of special use valuation qualification. Allows net crop share rentals to qualify for the special use valuation as well as cash rentals. Authorizes the step-up basis of assets recaptured because of loss of the special use valuation. Repeals the requirement that an heir elect special treatment for involuntary conversions of qualified real property, thus making such treatment automatic upon such a 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. Eliminates the alternative extension of time for payment of the estate tax where the estate consists largely of an interest in a closely held business. Allows 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. Allows payment of an installment within six months after the due date without penalty. 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 · 2 July 1980
Amends the Agriculture Act of 1949 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to announce a set-aside of feed grain cropland by November 1 (currently November 15) and of wheat cropland by August 1 (currently August 15) of each calendar year for the crops harvested in the next calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Commemorates the twentieth anniversary of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan. Declares that it is in the best interest of both such countries to convene a parliamentary and scholarly conference to commemorate and evaluate such treaty. Expresses the interest of the Senate in receiving a report on such conference.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980
Amends the Small business Act to provide Small Business Administration loans and loan guarantees for businesses in the communications industry (books, newspapers, greeting cards, radio or television broadcasting, record or video tape production or distribution, or academic tutoring).
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980
Tax Reduction - Job Creation Act - Title I: Individual Tax Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce income tax rates for each category of individual taxpayers. Title II: Incentives for New Plant and Equipment - 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 capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. 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. Permits taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1980
Vocational Education Alcohol Fuels Program Act - Amends the Vocational Education Act of 1963 to establish a national Alcohol Fuels Program. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 through 1983 to carry out such program. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants and enter into contracts with local educational agencies to carry out experimental vocational education alcohol fuels programs emphasizing gasohol, and including: (1) the preparation of vegetation; (2) the construction and operation of stills; (3) the marketing of stills and fuels; and (4) experimentation with alcohol fuels. Sets forth application requirements for such grants and contracts. Directs the Secretary to assure an equitable distribution of assistance between urban and rural areas.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the domestic automotive and truck industry. Declares it to be a goal of the United States to achieve technological superiority in the world automobile and truck industry. Advocates changes in economic, fiscal, and import policies in order to create adequate capital and produce a more favorable climate for the domestic automobile and truck industry.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1980
Disapproves a specified portion of the proposed deferral of budget authority (D80-65) for Environmental Protection Agency grants for waste treatment works.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1980
Disapproves a specified portion of the proposed deferral of budget authority (D80-65) for Environmental Protection Agency grants for waste treatment works.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1980
Urban Jobs and Enterprise Zone Act of 1980 - Title I: Designation of Private Jobs and Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of private jobs and enterprise zones, for a ten-year period, by local governments, or by State governments on behalf of local governments subject to the approval of the Secretary of Commerce, for purposes of extending the tax incentives provided by title II of this Act to employers and employees within designated zones. Specifies that the Secretary may only approve the designation of such zones if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the designating local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000, or is an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires designating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's approval, to effect a permanent real property tax reduction in their respective jurisdictions, which is not less than 20 percent of the current effective rate. Requires any such property tax reduction to be disregarded for the purpose of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. Expresses the sense of the Congress that in the case of any application for designation of an area in a private jobs and enterprise zone as a foreign trade zone: (1) the Foreign-Trade Zone Board should expedite the application process; (2) the Board, in evaluating such application, should consider not only the current economic conditions within the zone, but also future development to be expected as a result of the incentives provided by this Act; and (3) the Board should provide technical assistance to the applicants. Title II: Tax Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce social security payroll taxes in designated private jobs and enterprise zones. States that such tax rate reductions shall not affect an individual's eligibility for social security benefits. Appropriates to the Federal Disability and Hospital Insurance Trust Funds general revenue amounts equivalent to the amount by which such taxes are reduced. Reduces the rate of tax on the capital gains of individuals and corporations in such zones. Exempts gain from the sale or exchange of property used in a business in a private jobs and enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Reduces the rate of tax on the income to corporations whose workforce comprises at least 50 percent of individuals working in a private jobs and enterprise zone (qualifying businesses). Authorizes accelerated depreciation for qualifying businesses (straight line method based on a three year useful life). Limits the basis for depreciation to $500,000. Allows a full investment tax credit for such property despite election of such accelerated depreciation. Permits qualifying businesses to elect to use a cash method of accounting if their gross receipts do not exceed $1,500,000 in any prior taxable year. Allows a ten year carryover of net operating losses for qualifying businesses. Title III: Effective Date - Specifies effective dates for provisions of this Act which apply to income tax, provisions which apply to social security payroll taxes, and provisions which apply to tax procedure and administration.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that any income received or accrued by a tax-exempt mutual or cooperative electric or telephone company from qualified pole rentals, or by a cooperative telephone company from the sale of display listings in a directory furnished to company members, shall not be treated as unrelated business income subject to tax. Defines qualified pole rental as any rental of a pole (or other structure used to support wires) if: (1) such pole or structure is used by the telephone or electric company in providing telephone or electric services to its members; and (2) the use of such pole or structure pursuant to the rental is in connection with the transmission by wire of electricity or of telephone or other communications.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President instruct the Attorney General to prosecute all persons who violate the Logan Act, thereby giving color of right to illegal actions by the Government of Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1980
Business Accounting and Foreign Trade Simplification Act - Amends the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 to change the name of such Act to the Business Practices and Records Act. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require issuers of securities to keep their books and maintain a system of internal accounting controls in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Makes issuers liable for knowingly falsifying any books or for the intentionally wrongful maintenance or circumvention of the system of internal accounting controls. Requires only good faith efforts by issuers holding 50 percent or less of the equity capital to use their influence to cause transactions and dispositions of assets to be carried out consistent with such provisions. Repeals the provisions specifying prohibited foreign corrupt practices by issuers. Amends the Business Practices and Records Act to include issuers within the provisions specifying prohibited foreign corrupt practices by domestic concerns. Permits items of value to be given to foreigners in specified circumstances, including courtesy items, demonstration expenses, and payments lawful under the laws of the country of the intended recipient. Directs the Attorney General to issue guidelines specifying permissible conduct and arrangements associated with common types of export sales arrangements and business contracts and precautionary procedures creating 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 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.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Title I: Export Trading Companies - Export Trading Company Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promote export trading companies and facilitate contacts between producers of exportable goods and export trading companies. Authorizes any banking organization to invest up to 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 the 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 concerning implementation of this Act and any recommendations. Provides for judicial review of denial orders in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals. Sets forth the grounds for disapproval. Provides for remand for further consideration by the banking agency. Directs the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration to give special weight to export-related benefits when considering applications for loans and guarantees by export trading companies. Directs the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide loan guarantees to export trading companies or exporters to be secured by accounts receivable or inventories when adequate financing is not otherwise available and such guarantees will facilitate expansion of exports. Title II: Export Trade Associations - Export Trade Association Act of 1980 - Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt the export trade, export trade activities, and methods of operation of certified export trade associations and export trading companies from the antitrust laws. Delays the effectiveness of any certificate upon the notification of the Secretary of Commerce by the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of disagreement with the decision to issue a certificate. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by any association, company, or export trading company seeking certification under this Act and by the Secretary in issuing such certificates. Provides for appeal of the Secretary's denial of certification. Authorizes the Attorney General or the FTC to bring an action to invalidate a certification. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General and the FTC, to publish guidelines for determining whether an association or export trading company will meet the certification requirements. 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 to promote export trade associations and trading companies. Provides for automatic certification of existing associations. Requires that all applications for certification be kept confidential with specified exceptions. 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. Title III: Taxation of Export Trading Companies - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to make banking organizations which have invested in an export trading company eligible for treatment as domestic international sales corporations (DISC). Includes the gross receipts from the export of services produced in the United States and from export trade services as qualified export receipts, in the case of a DISC which is an export trading company. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, with the Secretary of the Treasury, to develop and distribute information concerning the utilization of the DISC provisions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to make export trading companies eligible for Subchapter S treatment if the shareholders of such companies are otherwise small business corporations. Exempts such companies from restrictions on the amount of foreign income they can receive and still be eligible for Subchapter S tax treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1980
Amends the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 to authorize appropriations to the State and Local Government Fiscal Assistance Trust Fund for the entitlement periods of each of fiscal years 1981 through 1985. Reduces by one-third the funds authorized to be provided for such entitlement periods. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish within the Trust Fund a State government account and a local government account for entitlement periods beginning after September 30, 1980. Declares that the State account shall receive only funds transferred from categorical grant programs. Prohibits the amount credited to the State account for a specific State for any entitlement period from exceeding one-half the amount credited to the local government account for all local governments within such State for that period. Declares that the amount a State government is entitled to receive from the Trust Fund for any entitlement period beginning after September 30, 1980, shall not exceed the amount of the categorical grant funding reduction elected by that State for that entitlement period. Sets forth the procedures for the designation, by the chief executive officer of a State, of the categorical grant programs under such State's allotments which are to be transferred to the State account of the Trust Fund. Requires a majority of the chief executive officers of States involved in a single project under a program to designate the transfer of funds for such program before such transfer may occur. Directs the Secretary to transfer any such designated program funds to the State government account. Declares that such a transfer of funds allotted to a State under a program shall constitute a payment to that State for purposes of provisions of law providing for the reallotment of amounts not paid under the program to a State.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1980
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the enactment of a withholding tax on interest and dividend payments would be detrimental to the economic well-being of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1980
Small Business Export Expansion Act of 1980 - Title I: Small Business Export Financing Assistance - Amends the Small Business Act to empower the Small Business Administration, either directly or in cooperation with lending institutions, to extend credit for export purposes to enable small business concerns to develop foreign markets. Limits the extension of such credit to periods of 18 months or less. Sets a maximum of $750,000 outstanding and committed to any borrower from the business loan and investment revolving fund. Allows the Administrator to authorize participating lending institutions to take certain actions on his or her behalf with respect to deferred participation loans. Establishes within the Administration an Office of International Trade to promote sales opportunities for small business goods and services abroad. Requires such Office to: (1) provide small businesses with access to current and complete export information; (2) encourage greater small business participation in trade fairs, shows, missions, and other domestic and overseas export development activities of the Department of Commerce; and (3) assign full-time export development specialists to each Administration regional office. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, after consultation with specified agencies, to establish an export promotion center in each of two regional offices of the Administration where field offices of the Department of Commerce and the Internal Revenue Service exist. Requires each such center to serve as a one-stop information center on Federal Government export assistance, financing programs available to small business, and other provisions of law governing exporting for small business. Requires: (1) a progress report on the implementation of such centers to the appropriate congressional committees within six months of enactment of this Act; and (2) an evaluation, within two years after enactment, of the effectiveness of such centers in developing and expanding small business exports. Title II: Small Business Export Expansion Assistance - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to qualified applicants to encourage the development and implementation of small business international marketing programs. Limits the grant amount to each applicant to a maximum of $150,000 annually for three years. Sets forth eligibility requirements for applicants. Prohibits the use of any Federal funds to directly underwrite any small business participation in foreign trade missions abroad. Requires each small business international marketing program to: (1) have a full-time staff director to manage program activities; (2) have access to export specialists to counsel and assist small business clients; and (3) establish an advisory board of nine members appointed by the staff director. Sets forth operational procedures for such a board. Directs the Secretary to require, as a condition to any grant, that an additional amount equal to twice the amount of such grant be provided from sources other than the Federal Government. Excludes from such additional amount indirect costs or in-kind contributions paid for under any Federal program. Prohibits any such indirect costs or in-kind contributions from exceeding 50 percent of the non-Federal additional amount. Directs the Secretary to develop a plan to evaluate such programs to: (1) determine the impacts of such programs on the small businesses assisted; (2) determine the amount of export sales generated by such businesses; and (3) make recommendations concerning continuation and/or expansion of the program. Requires the establishment of at least one small business international program within each region of the Department of Commerce. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the International Trade Administration, to maintain a central clearinghouse for the collection, dissemination, and exchange of information between such programs. Authorizes appropriations for such programs through fiscal year 1983. Title III: National Export Council - Creates a National Export Council, composed of the Secretaries of State, Treasury, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, and others, to serve as a national advisory body on matters relating to United States export trade. Requires the Council to: (1) evaluate the export promotion and development activities of the communities represented by its membership; (2) examine specific problems which business, industrial, and agricultural practices may cause for export trade; (3) examine the needs of business, industry, and agriculture to expand their efforts; and (4) recommend specific legislative and administrative solutions to these problems and needs. Directs the Council to: (1) act as a liaison among the communities represented by its membership; and (2) encourage the business, industrial, and agricultural communities to enter new foreign markets and to expand existing export programs. Sets forth administrative provisions for the Council. Requires an annual report to be submitted to the President and to Congress regarding the Council's activities. Requires the Council to make an annual report to the President and the Congress on its activities. Title IV: Commerce Department--Commercial Officers Overseas - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to appoint commercial ministers, commercial counselors, and commercial attaches with the rank and privileges of other ministers, counselors, and attaches in the United States embassies and consulates, to: (1) provide trade and commercial services, such as the protection and promotion of United States trade and commercial interests and investments in their districts; (2) engage in promotion of United States exports; (3) file semiannual reports to the Secretary on market, industrial, and commodity conditions in their districts and on the implementation of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements; and (4) maintain current data on the commercial standing and capacity of foreign firms within their districts. Provides for domestic assignment, office logistics, allowances and benefits of such ministers, counselors, and attaches.
![Official portrait of Sen. Pressler, Larry [R-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000513_200.jpg)