United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1983
Agricultural Productivity Act of 1983 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) make an inventory of existing research and extension materials and recommend further areas of research regarding crop rotation, intercropping, biological pest control, and other related farming and soil conservation systems; and (2) make such information available to the public. Directs the Secretary to conduct research on 12 pilot farms (having specified mixes of livestock and crops) to examine the effects of the transition from practices relying on chemical fertilizers and pesticides and traditional soil tillage to systems relying on organic and biological pest control, crop rotation, and conservation tillage. Requires such farms to be chosen within 120 days. Directs the Secretary to make a parallel study of 12 farms which have been using such farm systems for at least five years. Sets the term of such projects at five years each. Sets forth on-farm study data, including soil profile changes, crop yields, energy and water use, and farm income. Directs the Secretary to make payments to the owner of a pilot farm if the Secretary determines such payments are justified. Stipulates that these payments may be made only during a project's last four years. Directs the Secretary to coordinate such pilot farms project with specified Federal and State agricultural services, colleges, and farmers. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees: (1) within 15 months regarding the information inventory; and (2) by April 1 of each year from 1985 through 1988 regarding the pilot farms, with a final project summary and recommendations by April 1, 1989. Provides for a five-year program of intercropping assistance under the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act. Authorizes ceilinged appropriations for FY 1984 through 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1983
Rail Passenger Service Act Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to provide that the two members of the board of directors of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) which are selected by the preferred stockholders shall serve until their successors have been appointed. Provides that the preferred stock issued by the Corporation shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date the Corporation receives the funds for such stock. Authorizes the Corporation to issue preferred stock at par value to the Federal Financing Bank to: (1) repay principal and interest owed to such bank; (2) fund obligations under leases guaranteed by the Secretary of Transportation; and (3) fund the acquisition of titles to cars and locomotives. Directs the Secretary to exercise the rights of the United States as a shareholder of the Corporation. Provides that the authority of the Secretary to guarantee obligations of the Corporation shall expire upon its satisfaction of such obligations. Repeals provisions which established and set forth the duties of the Performance Evaluation Center within the Corporation. Eliminates requirements for monthly performance reports. Requires the Corporation to report to Congress not later than February 15 of each year on its intercity rail passenger service, including data on ridership, short-term avoidable profit or loss per passenger mile, revenue-to-cost ratio, revenues, the Federal and non-Federal subsidies, and on-time performance. Provides that beginning October 1, 1983, the Corporation may continue service on routes where the Secretary recommends discontinuance if the Corporation and the affected State enter into an agreement to ensure that specified criteria are met. Revises such criteria to remove requirements to calculate passenger mile per train mile on such routes. States that trade secrets and commercial or financial information prepared by the Corporation are not subject to public disclosure requirements. Authorizes appropriations for the Corporation for FY 1984 and 1985. Grants the Comptroller General discretionary authority to make performance audits of the Corporation. (Currently the Comptroller General is required to make such audits annually.)
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1983
Handicapped Independence Assistance Act of 1983 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include within the definition of "medical and other health services" sensory and communication aids designed to substantially reduce or eliminate handicaps caused by blindness, deafness, a severe hearing or visual impairment, or the inability to communicate vocally. Continues to exclude from such inclusion eyeglasses, hearing aids, and certain other services. Provides that with respect to such benefits up to $5,000 annually and up to $15,000 in a five year period may be considered as incurred expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shall be maintained as a scientifically sound Federal institution to safeguard the American people's interest in the oceans and atmosphere. Expresses the sense of the Senate that NOAA's institutional integrity should be preserved through comprehensive authorization legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1983
Mortgage Retirement Account Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers an election to treat home mortgage prepayments as a tax deductible contribution to an individual retirement account. Allows amounts to be withdrawn from an individual retirement account for the purchase of a principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Dairy Production Act of 1983 - Title I: Dairy Compliance Program - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1982, to eliminate the scheduled 50-cent milk assessments. Sets milk support levels at $13.10 per hundredweight for FY 1984 through FY 1985 for those farmers producing at or below their 1981-1982 marketing history levels. Sets forth provisions for farmers with less than full, or no 1981-1982 production levels. Establishes a reduced dairy compliance price (of up to $12.00, resulting in a blend price of not less than $12.10 per hundredweight) for overproduction as determined annually by the Secretary of Agriculture. Provides that funds represented by such reduced payments shall be remitted to the Commodity Credit Corporation and credited to the Dairy Stabilization Settlement Fund to be used to: (1) keep down program costs; and (2) make diversion payments ($10.00 per hundredwight) to farmers reducing production below their marketing histories. Prohibits the transfer of marketing histories. Requires farmers to get marketing history certifications from their county committees. Provides civil penalties for program violations. Title II: Dairy Promotion Program - Provides for the creation of a National Dairy Promotion and Research Board made up of milk producers appointed by the Secretary from nominations provided by certified (as provided for in this Act) dairy organizations. Empowers such Board to budget, develop, and administer dairy promotion and nutrition programs. Funds such program through mandatory 15-cent per hundredweight producer assessments. Terminates such program after its initial September 30, 1985 period unless approved by 50 percent by a producer referendum. Provides civil penalties for program violations. Authorizes appropriations. Stipulates that appropriated funds shall not be used to cover Board expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to cause a named vessel to be documented as a vessel of the United States entitled to engage in the coastwise trade.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1983
Natural Gas Consumer Relief Act - Title I: Contracting and Marketing Practices - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to declare a take-or-pay clause of a pipeline contract to be against public policy and unenforceable for a three-year period: (1) to the extent that it requires a pipeline to make any payment with respect to natural gas in excess of 50 percent of the maximum annual volume the pipeline has contracted to take; or (2) if such clause does not entitle a pipeline which makes a payment under such clause to take delivery of the gas during the one-year period beginning on the date of payments. Defines "take-or-pay clause" to mean any contract provision which requires payment for the minimum quantity of natural gas contracted for under the contract in the event the pipeline fails to take delivery. Permits a pipeline, in the case of a contract for the first sale of natural gas, to: (1) request the seller to renegotiate the contract; and (2) indicate that, if there is no renegotiation within 30 days of the request, the pipeline will exercise its market-out-option. Permits a pipeline exercising its market-out-option to refuse delivery without incurring an obligation to pay for any amount of natural gas contracted for if the pipeline in its sole discretion determines that it could not market the gas. Declares any indefinite price escalator clause applicable to the first sale of natural gas to be against public policy and unenforceable. Defines "indefinite price escalator clause" as any provision of any contract which provides for the establishment or adjustment of the price for natural gas delivered by reference to prices for natural gas, crude oil, or any other commodity. Prohibits a pipeline from passing through its costs if the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) determines that the amount the pipeline paid was excessive due to imprudence. Declares any minimum commodity bill requirement applicable to any sale of natural gas by any interstate or intrastate pipeline to be against public policy and unenforceable: (1) to the extent that it requires the purchaser to make any payment with respect to natural gas in excess of 50 percent of the maximum annual volume the purchaser has contracted to take; or (2) if such requirement does not entitle a purchaser who makes a payment under such requirement to take delivery of the natural gas involved subsequent to the date of payment provided under the requirement. Directs FERC to order an interstate pipeline, upon application by a producer of natural gas or by a purchaser of natural gas from a producer, to carry natural gas, for a just and reasonable consideration, between the producer and purchaser if FERC finds that: (1) the pipeline has available capacity; (2) no undue burden would be placed upon such pipeline by reason of the order; (3) construction of new facilities would not be required; and (4) the order would not impair the ability of the pipeline to render adequate service to its other customers. Directs FERC to complete a rulemaking proceeding to issue standards for interstate pipeline tariffs. Directs FERC to require, by rule, a first-sale purchaser of natural gas to file a copy of the contract with FERC. Title II: Wellhead Price Provisions - Revises ceiling price provisions for natural gas. Provides that the ceiling price for categories other than high-cost gas shall be the August 1982 ceiling price multiplied by the monthly equivalent of the modified price adjustment factor. Defines the "modified price adjustment factor" for any month as the lower of: (1) 75 percent of the quarterly percent change in the GNP implicit price deflator (as defined in the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978); or (2) the percent change in the energy index, computed and published as an annual rate by the Department of Labor, for the most recent month for which such percent change has been so published at least eight days before the beginning of the month for which the modified price adjustment factor is being calculated. Provides that for high-cost gas the maximum lawful price shall be prescribed by FERC at a rate which provides reasonable incentives for production, but may not exceed 150 percent of the maximum lawful price for categories of gas other than high-cost gas. Authorizes a higher price for high-cost gas in the case of wells the surface drilling of which commenced on or after April 7, 1983, if necessary to allow a reasonable return. Provides for an adjusted ceiling price for wells drilled on or after August 1, 1982, and before enactment. Repeals provisions permitting increases in the ceiling price of certain categories of natural gas if just and reasonable. Provides, as a general rule, that the maximum lawful price applies with respect to the recovery of all costs and profits associated with production and first-sale delivery of marketable natural gas. Prohibits the importation of natural gas if the first sale price in the United States of the gas exceeds 150 percent of the maximum lawful price for domestically produced gas. Directs the President to submit to Congress a report on the status of negotiations with Canada regarding modification of the border price for natural gas imported from Canada. Extends price controls and standby authority for two years beyond their present expiration dates.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1983
Prohibits U.S. agencies from spending money to produce lethal binary chemical munitions. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should continue and intensify efforts at the Disarmament Talks in Geneva to achieve with the Soviet Union a mutual and verifiable ban on the production and stockpiling of such munitions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Private Pension Reform Act of 1983 - 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. Requires a retirement plan to treat an individual who was the spouse of the participant on the annuity starting date and who survives the participant as if such individual were the spouse of the participant on the date of death of the participant whether or not divorced after the annuity starting date. 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.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Limits the number of automobiles that may be imported from Japan during each of FY 1984 and 1985. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit estimates to the Secretary of the Treasury on the number of new automobile sales in the United States. Requires such estimates to be made at the beginning of each calendar quarter. Requires the estimates to cover projected sales during: (1) the subsequent six quarters; and (2) the calendar year during which the estimate is being made. Limits the number of Japanese automobile imports to 14 percent of sales estimates for each of calendar years 1986-1987. Requires quarterly revisions of the estimates to reflect any changes in the estimate of auto sales for the calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
National Commission on Space Act - Directs the President to establish a National Commission on Space to make a comprehensive investigation of existing and proposed space activities in the United States to assess their adequacy in meeting the present and future needs of the Nation. Requires such study to include a review of methods by which space technology might be utilized and the adequacy of current and future space policy. Directs the Commission to report to the President and the appropriate congressional committees within 12 months. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
National Archives and Records Administration Act of 1983 - Establishes the National Archives and Records Administration as an independent establishment in the executive branch. Requires the Administration to be directed by the Archivist of the United States who shall be appointed by the President for a ten-year term. Directs the Archivist to appoint a Deputy Archivist. Sets forth the administrative duties and authority of the Archivist. Requires the Archivist to submit to Congress an annual report concerning the administration of functions of the Archivist and the Administration. Transfers to the Administration and the Archivist the functions, duties, and authority of the General Services Administration (GSA) and its Administrator, respectively, concerning: (1) congressional printing and binding; (2) the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations; (3) the distribution and sale of public documents; (4) archival administration; (5) presidential records; (6) the National Archives Trust Fund Board; (7) the National Historical Publications Commission; (8) records management; (9) the disposal of records; (10) official territorial papers; (11) Indian records placed with the Oklahoma Historical Society; (12) public laws, Constitutional amendments, and the United States Statutes at Large; and (13) electoral credentials and certificates. Transfers to the Administration the National Archives and Records Service and the office of Office Information Services of the Office of Information Resources Automated Data and Management (presently within GSA).
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Insider Trading Sanctions Act of 1983 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to permit the Securities and Exchange Commission, whenever it appears that any person has traded in securities while in possession of material nonpublic information, to seek an order in a district court action requiring the violator, or anyone who aided and abetted the violation, to pay a civil penalty of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided as a result of the unlawful transaction. Permits the Commission if such person fails to pay such penalty, to refer the matter to the Attorney General who may recover such penalty by action in the appropriate U.S. district court. Increases from $10,000 to $100,000 the maximum criminal fine that may be imposed on persons, other than exchanges, who willfully violate the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Economic Equity Act of 1983 - 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. Treats alimony as compensation for purposes of determining an individual's income tax deduction for retirement savings. 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 has 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. Requires a retirement plan to treat an individual who was the spouse of the participant on the annuity starting date and who survives the participant as if such individual were the spouse of the participant on the date of death of the participant whether or not divorced after the annuity starting date. 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. Entitles former spouses of civil service employees or Members of Congress, who were married to an employee or Member for at least ten years during creditable service, to an annuity based upon a portion of retired or retainer pay unless otherwise provided by a spousal agreement or a state court decree of divorce or annulment. Entitles former spouses to survivor's benefits under the civil service plan unless the former spouse remarries before becoming 60 years of age or the employee or Member and former spouse elect to waive such benefit. Requires that such waiver be jointly made in writing. Includes displaced homemakers as a targeted group for purposes of the targeted jobs tax credit. Defines "displaced homemaker" as a person who: (1) has not worked, except in the home, for a substantial number of years; (2) has been dependent on public assistance or on the income of a family member but is no longer supported by that income; and (3) is a member of an economically disadvantaged family and is experiencing difficulty obtaining or upgrading employment. Increases the zero bracket amount for heads of households from $2,300 to $3,400. Title II: Dependent Care Program - Increases the income tax credit for household and dependent care services from a maximum of 30 percent of amounts paid to a maximum of 50 percent of amounts paid. Reduces such percentage to a minimum of 20 percent based on the taxpayer's adjusted gross income. Makes such income tax credit refundable. Treats as tax-exempt organizations certain organizations which provide nonresidential dependent care to the general public. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (through the Commissioner of the Administration of Children, Youth, and Families) to establish a grant program to assist nonprofit organizations in the establishment or operation of community-based child care information. Title III: Nondiscrimination in Insurance - Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act of 1983 - 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 IV: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the head of each Federal agency to: (1) conduct an ongoing review of the rules, regulations, programs, and policies of the agency to identify any which result in different treatment based on sex; and (2) submit annually a report to the Congress on such review. Sets forth rules of statutory construction relating to gender. Title V: Child Support Enforcement - Amends the Social Security Act to specify that the purpose of the child support enforcement program is to assure compliance with obligations to pay child support to each child in the United States living with one parent. Allows offsets of income tax refunds of an absent parent on behalf of children not receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (present law permits such offsets only in the case of children receiving AFDC payments). Requires States to establish a child support clearinghouse through which child support payments can be paid, recorded and forwarded. Revises State child support enforcement procedures. Allows allotments for child and spousal support to be taken from the pay of Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Federal Land Retention Act of 1983 - Requires Executive agencies to comply with specified inventory, public comment and review, and governmental notification procedures before offering Federal lands for sale. Requires that Federal lands included within specified public land systems be sold at fair market value only in accordance with this Act and only with congressional approval under the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976. Authorizes conveyances of specified Federal lands for recreational purposes to government units or nonprofit organizations at no cost or for up to 25 per cent fair market value without Congressional approval. Subjects such conveyance to specified conditions under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act of 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that the family planning program under title X of the Public Health Service Act should be administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1983
Deep-Draft Navigation Act of 1983 - Title I: Findings and Purposes; Definitions - Declares the findings of Congress and the purposes of this Act. Title II: Creation of Trust Fund to Administer Accounts for Operations and Maintenance, Improvement Projects, and Local-Share Credits - Establishes the Deep-Draft Navigation Trust Fund in the Treasury, consisting of: (1) the Operations and Maintenance Account; (2) the Navigation Improvement Account; and (3) the Special Credit Account. Requires the Secretary of the Army to be the trustee of the Trust Fund and to make an annual report to Congress on the operation and status of the Fund. Sets forth contents and the authorized uses for each Fund account. Title III: Tax on Deep-Draft Commercial Vessels Using Deep-Draft Commercial Channels, Harbors, and Navigational Facilities; Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the use of any deep-draft commercial channel or harbor within the United States by a deep-draft commercial vessel (vessel). States the rate of such tax. Declares that such tax shall not apply to intraport transfers. Imposes a tax on the use by any vessel of any Great Lakes navigation improvement operated or maintained by the United States. States the rate of such tax. Imposes a tax on the use of any deep-draft commercial channel or harbor within the United States for a purpose other than the loading or unloading of commercial cargo (including convenience, bunkering, refitting, or repair). States the rate (including the maximum rate) of such tax. Requires any person or agent of such person who causes qualified commercial cargo to be transported by means of a vessel to provide to the Master of such vessel a sworn declaration of the value of such cargo prior to the loading of such cargo. Requires the master of a vessel to report the declared value of all qualified commercial cargo loaded onto, unloaded from, or contained in such vessel to the U.S. Customs Service upon the loading or unloading of any such cargo or upon passage through any Great Lakes navigation improvement operated or maintained by the United States. Entitles the Master and owner of a vessel to rely upon the accuracy of any sworn declaration of value for purposes of rendering the tax imposed on such vessels under this Act. Declares that the owner of such vessel shall not be liable for the payment of any additional vessel tax unless such owner knew or had reason to know of the inaccuracy of such declaration of value. States the powers of the Secretary of the Treasury, with regard to making investigations and requiring recordkeeping, for determining whether any person is in violation of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the U.S. Customs Service or any other designated agency, to assess and collect the taxes imposed under this title. Requires that the liability for the payment of such taxes shall be imposed on the owner of such vessel and shall constitute a valid lien against said vessel in favor of the United States until paid. Sets forth provisions concerning violations and enforcement of this title, including: (1) findings of violations by the Secretary; (2) actions by the Attorney General; (3) jurisdiction and venue of actions under this title; (4) unlawful departure of vessels without paying all taxes; and (5) the unlawful diversion of taxable cargo for tax avoidance purposes. Defines "deep-draft commercial vessel" (vessel) and "deep-draft commercial channel or harbor" for purposes of this title. Amends the Act establishing the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation to authorize the Corporation to accept certain amounts for the operation and maintenance of authorized deep-water navigation works in the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Waives that portion of the toll levied on a vessel for use of the Seaway to the extent that such toll exceeds the deep-draft commercial vessel tax imposed under this Act. Requires the Corporation to remit to the Treasury all revenues derived from charges for providing services to vessels using the Seaway and from toll bridge charges. Requires the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, to initiate discussions with the Government of Canada concerning the reduction or elimination of all tolls on the international Great Lakes and/or the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to Congress on the progress of such discussions and on the economic effects to U.S. waterborne commerce of any proposed reduction or elimination in tolls. Title IV: Establishment of Federal/Local Partnership for Deep-Draft Navigation Improvement Projects - Requires the Secretary of the Army to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the port authority sponsoring any deep-draft navigation project, prior to submitting recommendations to Congress for the authorization or reauthorization of such projects. Requires the memorandum to establish the responsibilities of each party with respect to the construction and operation of the project, including a formula (determined in a specified manner) for the allocation of project costs. Declares that navigation improvement projects previously authorized by Congress need not be reauthorized and are eligible for appropriations under this Act. Authorizes port authorities to construct and operate a deep-draft navigation project upon entering into a memorandum of agreement with the Secretary. Sets forth certain provisions to be contained in such memoranda. Requires the Secretary to order persons or port authorities in violation of any provision of the memorandum to comply with such memorandum within 90 days. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action as may be necessary to bring such persons or port authorities into compliance with the memorandum. Title V: Expedited Procedure for Authorization and Review of Deep-Draft Navigation Improvement Projects - Authorizes port authorities to submit to the Secretary of the Army proposals for the construction of deep-draft navigation improvement projects. States the required contents of such proposals. Requires the Secretary to direct the Corps of Engineers to prepare and submit, on an expedited basis, certain reports and an environmental impact assessment of the proposed project. States procedures to be followed for the consolidated environmental review of proposed projects. Requires the Corps of Engineers to be the lead agency in the consolidated environmental review process. Requires the Secretary to evaluate such reports and assessments and to submit recommendations for the construction of such projects (together with a list of all proposals submitted) to the appropriate congressional committees. Requires such recommendation to be cost effective, to reflect a mix of differing depths and scope, and to be from each of the standard coastal and Great Lakes ranges. Prohibits the Secretary from recommending to Congress any projects (or combination of projects) for which the total Federal share of projected annual outlays will exceed the amounts available for Deep-Draft Navigation Trust Fund's Navigation Improvement Account for each fiscal year. Requires the congressional committee to which the recommendations were submitted to report a joint resolution approving or disapproving such recommendations, in whole or in part, within 90 days of their submission. Requires the Secretary to establish and publish in the Federal Register a schedule (the permit schedule) for the issuance or nonissuance of all necessary Federal permits for the construction of such projects. States the procedures to be followed for the permit schedule. Requires the Secretary to monitor compliance with the permit schedule by all agencies subject to such schedule. Provides a procedure to be followed in the event of any threatened delay or failure to meet any deadline imposed under the schedule. Declares that nothing in this title shall be construed to relieve any agency of any legal requirements or to affect the application of any law or regulation to a deep-draft navigation improvement project or related landslide facilities. Describes procedures concerning judicial review of final agency decisions concerning deep-draft navigation improvement projects authorized under this Act. Declares that if any part of this Act is held invalid then all of this Act shall be invalid.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1983
Soviet-Eastern European Research and Training Act of 1983 - Establishes the Soviet-Eastern European Research and Training Fund in the Treasury. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund. Establishes the Soviet-Eastern European Studies Oversight Committee. Sets forth the membership of the Committee. Requires that interest on obligations held in the Fund be available upon approval of the Committee for payments to the National Council for Soviet and East European Research (the Council), the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution (the Center), the International Research and Exchanges Board (the Board), and any other organization to carry out research and training in Soviet and Eastern European studies. Sets forth specific uses for such payments. Requires the National Council, the Center, and the Board to submit an application to the Committee each fiscal year. Authorizes any other organization to submit an application to the Committee. Sets forth requirements for such applications. Requires the Committee to approve expeditiously any application which meets such requirements. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to invest portions of the Fund not required for current withdrawal (in the determination of the Committee). Sets forth investment requirements for the Fund. Requires the Oversight Committee to prepare and submit a specified annual report to the President and to Congress concerning the Fund. Requires that the provisions of this Act terminate ten years after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) report to Congress on his intention to begin negotiations on a new long-term agricultural trade agreement with the Soviet Union; (2) seek, in such a new agreement, higher minimum and maximum supply guarantees and a provision for the export of value-added products; (3) report to Congress, by a specified date, on the potential economic and employment impacts of such a new agreement on U.S. agriculture and related industries; and (4) take appropriate measures to assure free movement of increased quantities of U.S. agricultural products to the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1983
Declares that Congress: (1) condemns the violence in Northern Ireland; (2) urges U.S. citizens to refrain from any action which contributes to the violence there; (3) urges an early political settlement there that secures the rights of both sides and that achieves Irish unity; (4) believes that a reconciliation can be found between the two Irish political traditions and between Britain and Ireland; and (5) requests the President to convey to Britain and to Ireland the desire of Americans for lasting peace in Northern Ireland.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund to present proposals to the Executive Board of the Fund concerning the elimination of import restrictions in member countries which restrict U.S. exports. Requires the U.S. Executive Director to vote against the use of Fund resources by a member country which fails to agree to such proposals. Requires the U.S. Trade Representative, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Commerce to inform the U.S. Executive Director of all such import restrictions and export subsidies having a serious adverse impact on U.S. exports or employment.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Declares that the President should invite the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to participate in the Cabinet Council on Economic Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1983
Ocean and Coastal Development Impact Assistance Block Grant Act - Establishes the Ocean and Coastal Development Impact Assistance Fund in the Treasury. States that five percent of Outer Continental Shelf gas and oil lease revenues shall be used for such Fund. Provides block grants from such Fund to coastal States and territories for: (1) living marine resources; (2) coastal management planning and implementation; (3) energy impact assistance; (4) research, education, and natural resource management; and (5) capital infrastructure. Sets forth an allocation formula based upon oil or gas production, coastal population, shoreline, and bonus revenues. Establishes minimum and maximum grant amounts, with excess funds to be shared among those States eligible for additional amounts. Requires a State to give at least 40 percent of its grant money to local coastal communities. Directs the Secretary to establish by contract a National Coastal Resources Research and Development Institute to be administered in affiliation with the Oregon Institute of Marine Science. Provides monies for the Institute from the Ocean and Coastal Development Impact Assistance Fund. Requires: (1) the Secretary to conduct an ongoing evaluation of the Institute's activities; and (2) the Institute to report to the Secretary within two years, including recommendations for specified regional centers. States that employees of such Institute shall not be considered Federal employees. Provides for block grant audit and assessment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1983
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to declare congressional policy with respect to the marketing and sale of passenger air transportation. Directs the Civil Aeronautics Board to vacate Order 82-12-85, adopted on December 16, 1982, and to adopt as its final decision in docket numbered 36595 the recommended order of an administrative law judge dated June 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1983
Fair Practices in Automotive Products Act - Sets forth for all motor vehicle manufacturers which produce over 100,000 motor vehicles for ultimate retail sale in the United States "minimum domestic content ratios" (the domestic value, including labor and parts, of the manufacturer's production costs of all automotive products sold in the United States). Requires all vehicle manufacturers producing more than 100,000 motor vehicles for sale in the United States to provide information to the Secretary of Transportation for the purpose of administering this requirement. Establishes penalties for a vehicle manufacturer who fails to meet the minimum domestic content ratio. Directs the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and prepare a written report regarding policies and practices of vehicle manufacturers used to persuade U.S. motor vehicle dealers to favor foreign made parts rather than domestically produced parts.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1983
Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States, local public agencies, and nonprofit organizations for projects designed to prevent domestic violence and to provide immediate shelter and other assistance for victims and dependents of victims of domestic violence. Sets forth conditions for receiving the formula grants, including that the State: (1) distribute funds to local public agencies and private nonprofit organizations for domestic violence programs and services; (2) distribute at least 70 percent of such funds to private nonprofit organizations and give special emphasis to supporting community-based projects; (3) set forth procedures to assure an equitable distribution of grants within the State; (4) designate a State agency to administer the domestic violence program and coordinate all such programs within the State; (5) set forth procedures to assure active citizen participation within the State; (6) provide assurances that any project funded will coordinate its activities with other State programs and be administered by appropriately trained personnel; and (7) comply with reporting requirements. Declares that the Secretary shall not disapprove any application except after notice of and opportunity for a hearing. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to Indian tribes and intertribal organizations. Provides that such funds may not be used for direct payment to any victim of domestic violence or to a dependent of such victim, and that no income eligibility standard may be imposed for anyone seeking services under this Act. Limits the total amount of grants to any local program to $150,000 for not more than a three-year period. Limits the grant for any fiscal year to $50,000. Requires local public agencies and private organizations to provide the following shares of Federal funding: (1) 25 percent in the first year; (2) 33.33 percent the second year; and (3) 50 percent the third year. Requires that at least 75 percent of grants be distributed to entities providing immediate shelter and related assistance to victims. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplemental grants to States for: (1) administrative costs; (2) developing and implementing programs; (3) assuring active citizen participation; and (4) developing a media campaign. Provides that each State will be allotted at least $45,000 in formula grants and $7,500 in supplemental grants. Requires each State receiving assistance to submit detailed annual reports to the Secretary on the implementation of programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate a director of programs carried out under this title; (2) establish a national information clearinghouse on domestic violence, in coordination with the child abuse clearinghouse; (3) make recommendations to Congress regarding domestic violence programs; and (4) obtain information on research relating to domestic violence. Directs the Secretary to make annual reports to Congress and to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of the programs no later than two years after funds are obligated. Sets forth confidentiality requirements with respect to records of persons assisted under this title. Establishes the Federal Interagency Council on Domestic Violence to assist the Secretary in coordinating Federal programs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to report to the President and Congress within 18 months of enactment on the nature and incidence of abuse of elderly individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Amends the Federal Supplemental Compensation Act of 1982 to increase the amount established in a Federal supplemental unemployment compensation account with respect to an individual's benefit year. Increases the number of weeks, during specified types of unemployment periods in a State, for which benefits are payable to an individual under the Federal supplemental unemployment compensation program. Extends such program payments through weeks beginning on or before September 30, 1983. Makes conforming changes in the period of eligibility for such program payments and in provisions for agreements with States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Amends title 31 of the United States Code to add a new Chapter 74 - Capital Assistance to State and Local Governments. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, for each entitlement period, to pay out of the State and Local Government Capital Fiscal Assistance Trust Fund (as established by this Act): (1) to each State government a total amount equal to its entitlement for such period; and (2) to each unit of local government a total amount equal to its entitlement. Requires such payments to be made in quarterly installments paid no later than five days after the close of the quarter. Limits the use of such funds by State and local governments to capital expenditures. Establishes the State and Local Government Capital Fiscal Assistance Trust Fund. Makes appropriations for such Trust Fund. Sets forth the procedure for determining the amounts which are to be allocated to each State for each entitlement period. Declares that the State government shall be entitled to receive 33 1/3 percent of the amount allocated to a State for each entitlement period and that the remaining portion shall be allocated among the units of local government of that State. Makes all units of local government eligible to receive such payments except: (1) any municipality, township, Indian tribe, or Alaskan Native Village which has a population of less than 35,000; (2) any county government with a population of less than 10,000; and (3) any unit of local government which is allocated less than $10,000 for such entitlement period. Establishes the Discretionary Capital Assistance Trust Fund for payments to local governments which are not eligible to receive a payment out of the State and Local Government Capital Fiscal Assistance Trust Fund. Requires reports to the Secretary on the use of funds by each State and local government which receives funds under this Act after the close of each entitlement period. Sets forth miscellaneous provisions concerning qualifications of State and local governments to receive funds. Terminates all authorities granted under this Act on September 30, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Designates May 21, 1983, as National Andrei Sakharov Day. Authorizes and requests the President to: (1) call upon all nations to designate May 21, 1983, as National Andrei Sakharov Day; (2) urge the Soviet Union to permit the Sakharovs to freely choose their place of residence; and (3) direct the American delegation to the United Nations to introduce a resolution in the General Assembly calling upon that body to designate May 21, 1983, as International Andrei Sakharov Day.
![Official portrait of Sen. Riegle, Donald W., Jr. [D-MI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000249_200.jpg)