United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of April 10 to 16, 1983, as A Week of Remembrance for the Fortieth Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the Federal Reserve System shall manage monetary policy to accommodate the growth in the nominal gross national product required to achieve real economic growth comparable to the average rate for the first eight quarters of previous postwar recoveries. Requires such rate to be calculated on the basis of recoveries beginning in 1954, 1958, 1961, 1971, and 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1983
Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986. Extends authorizations of appropriations through FY 1986 for the sea grant international cooperative program.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1983
Fair Trade Act of 1983 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to submit a report to the President on certain trade practices of countries designated as major trading countries. Requires the report to be completed within six months after enactment of this Act. Requires the report to contain a study on any major practice of each major trading country that: (1) is inconsistent with a trade agreement; (2) is unjustifiable and restricts U.S. commerce; or (3) denies to competitive U.S. products commercial opportunities that are substantially equivalent to those offered by the United States. Directs the President to publish and submit to the appropriate congressional committees: (1) such study; (2) an estimate of the trade distorting impact of the practices identified in the study; (3) all feasible courses of action which would redress imbalances caused by such practices if efforts to obtain their elimination fail; and (4) a proposed joint resolution which requires the President to take a specific course of action which the President has determined to be the most appropriate. Authorizes other Federal agencies to help the USTR to carry out this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for expedited consideration of the proposed joint resolution which the President is required to submit to the appropriate congressional committees. Directs the President, upon enactment of such resolution, to inform the countries involved that the President will undertake the course of action specified in the joint resolution unless the countries eliminate the offensive practices within 60 days. Adds to the list of unfair trade practices that require Presidential action under the Trade Act of 1974 those foreign trade practices that deny to the United States commercial opportunities substantially equivalent to those offered by the United States. Directs the President to take appropriate action to redress any imbalance resulting from such foreign trade practices. Provides that such action need not be limited to the equivalent product or service sector or the offending act, policy, or practice.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1983
Exempts a State from interest charges assessed on advances from the Federal Unemployment Account if the State enacts legislation that increases its unemployment tax revenues by 20 percent after March 31, 1982, but before April 1, 1984 (40 percent on or after April 1, 1984), and decreases its benefit expenditures by five percent (ten percent after April 1, 1984) if its average weekly benefits exceeds the national average. Eliminates the requirement that the State's outstanding Federal Unemployment Account balance not exceed that of the third preceding year. Provides that the State's unemployment tax rate must equal or exceed its benefit-cost ratio for the last calendar year ending before the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1983
Veterans Administration Adjudication Procedure and Judicial Review Act - Title I: Adjudication Procedures - Codifies, for Veterans Administration (VA) adjudication purposes, the burden of proof and reasonable doubt standards currently provided for by VA regulation. States that a claimant has the burden of submitting sufficient evidence to justify his or her claim, and that if an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence exists regarding the merits of a claim, the VA is to resolve such doubt in favor of the claimant. States that VA subpoenas may be served either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail. Increases the maximum size of the Board of Veterans' Appeals from 50 to 65 members. Requires the chairman of such Board to submit an annual report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning the Board's current handling of cases and projections for the subsequent fiscal year. Requires the Board to: (1) provide notice to a claimant and an opportunity for a hearing before a decision may be based on "additional official information" received after a Board decision has previously been made; and (2) make its decision exclusively on evidence and material of record in the proceeding. Removes the requirement that new material sufficient to allow the Board to reopen a previously disallowed claim be in the form of official reports. Provides that the Board's discretionary authority to reopen a claim will not be diminished by a judicial decision following an appeal as provided for by this Act. Requires the Board to mail to the claimant notice of its decision and the reasons for such decision. Provides that, upon the request of a claimant, the Board shall provide an independent advisory medical opinion when there exists substantial medical disagreement with respect to a material issue in a veteran's appeal. Sets forth new procedural rules for adjudication hearings regarding: (1) oaths, affirmations, and witness examination; (2) admissibility of evidence; (3) procedural rights of claimants; (4) disqualification of a hearing officer; (5) the record of the proceedings and the claimants' right to examine and obtain a copy of such record; and (6) the exclusiveness of veterans' adjudication procedures and rights prescribed by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to provide at each stage of the appeal proceedings written notice to a claimant of procedural rights and procedures. Directs the Administrator to conduct a study of two alternative claims resolution methods, one a new intermediate-level adjudication process, the other an enhanced schedule of formal Appeals Board hearings. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on such studies. Title II: Veterans' Administration Rule Making - Includes the VA's rulemaking procedures under the relevant provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Title III: Judicial Review - Provides for judicial review of VA decisions in the Federal court system. States with regard to jurisdiction: (1) the definition of final decision; (2) that judicial review of a final decision in a claim for benefits may be obtained in a civil action brought within 180 days of the Board's mailing of notice of its decision, and that such action shall be brought in Federal district court; (3) that the VA shall file the various materials constituting the record in a case together with its answer to the claimant's complaint; (4) that the court may render a decision on the pleadings; and (5) that the judicial review procedures established under this Act shall not apply to insurance and home loans. States, with regard to the reviewing court's scope of review, that such court: (1) decide questions of law and interpret constitutional, statutory, and regulatory provisions, but that questions of fact (unless unsupported by substantial evidence) will not be subject to a trial de novo; and (2) in reviewing a final decision of the VA which is adverse to a party solely because such party failed to comply with VA procedures, such court may only review questions concerning such procedures. Sets out provisions regarding remand, survival of actions, and appellate review. Title IV: Attorneys' Fees - Authorizes the Administrator to allow attorneys' fees above the present $10 maximum if the appealing party's claim is allowed by the VA after an initial denial. States that such fee shall be the lesser of: (1) the fee agreed upon by the party and attorney; (2) $500, unless the Administrator approves a greater amount; or (3) if the party and attorney have entered into a contingent-fee agreement, not more than 25 percent of the total of any past-due benefits awarded on the basis of such party's claim. Provides for the approval of attorneys' fees, in successful veterans' claims brought before a court, as provided for under this Act. States that such fees shall be determined by such court, and in contingent-fee agreements such fees shall not exceed 25 percent of the total of any past-due benefits awarded on the basis of such claim. Authorizes attorneys' fees of up to $750 in certain unsuccessful veterans' claims. Prohibits the VA from authorizing payment to a claimant's attorney based on past-due benefits unless such benefits are owed as of the date of the VA's or a court's award. States that such provisions regarding attorneys' fees shall only apply to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the VA and shall not apply in cases in which the VA is the plaintiff or in which other attorneys' fees statutes are otherwise controlling. Title V: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1983
Columbia River Gorge Act of 1983 - Establishes the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area as a unit of the national forest system. Extends the boundaries of the Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon and of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington State to include all the lands in their respective States lying within the Area which are not within their boundaries on the enactment of this Act. Provides that national forest system lands in Oregon which are within the Area shall be treated as components of the Mount Hood National Forest and national forest system lands in Washington which are within the Area shall be treated as components of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest for purposes of providing forest system revenues to a State or local government. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to administer the Area and to provide all interested parties with an opportunity to participate in plans and programs for the management of the Area. Establishes in the Department of Agriculture the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area Regional Commission, which shall be composed of members from both Oregon and Washington as well as the Chief of the Forest Service. Makes the Commission responsible for: (1) assisting the Chief of the Forest Service in the establishment of a management plan for the Area; (2) facilitating communication and coordination among the Federal, State, and local governmental agencies with jurisdiction within the Area and with residents and landowners within the Area; (3) reviewing and monitoring the implementation of the management plan by such governmental agencies; (4) reviewing all land acquisition proposals submitted by the Secretary in cases involving the potential use of eminent domain; (5) reviewing all Federal development projects within the Area for consistency with the management plan; and (6) preparing an annual report for the Secretary, Congress, and the Governors of Oregon and Washington on the status and implementation of the management plan. Requires the Chief of the Forest Service to prepare a management plan for the Area. Requires the Chief of the Forest Service to consult with the Commission and with State and local government authorities within the Area during preparation of the management plan. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance to such authorities to carry out land use management activities. Directs the Secretary to incorporate State and local policies, management plans, standards, and requirements into the management plan and resolve any conflicts with the State and local authorities concerned. Requires that the management plan be submitted to the Commission for approval. Authorizes the Secretary to modify and resubmit any plan disapproved by the Commission. Authorizes the Secretary to adopt a resubmitted management plan without the Commission's approval. Permits requests for amendments to or variances from the management plan to be submitted to the Secretary. Prohibits the construction or modification of any facility in the critical portions of the Area before the Secretary's adoption of interim guidelines which shall govern all land use activities within the Area until the management plan is adopted. Requires that Federal activities within the Area be consistent with the interim guidelines and the management plan. Sets forth the procedure for the Secretary's approval of any such activities. Requires the Secretary to permit hunting and fishing on lands and waters under his or her jurisdiction within the Area. Directs the Secretary to monitor all land use activities within the Area prior to the adoption of the management plan to prevent violations of the interim land use guidelines. Requires local governments which have land use planning authority under State law and wish to enforce the management plan within the Area to submit to the Secretary and the Commission a land use plan consistent with the management plan. Requires the Secretary to approve or disapprove such a local plan within six months after its submission. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual grants to local governments to assist them in establishing such land use plans. Directs the Secretary to enforce the management plan if no approved local land use plan is in effect. Imposes criminal penalties for violations of regulations or orders issued pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General, at the Secretary's request, to institute a civil action for an injunction or other order to prevent the use of lands in the Area in violation of the management plan. Provides for administrative and judicial review of such violations. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands classified as critical lands under the management plan without the owner's consent, unless, as of July 1, 1981, such lands were used primarily for single family residential purposes, farming, or grazing. Requires the Secretary to consider sale offers made by Area landowners. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire non-Federal lands within the Area by exchange. Provides that State lands may be acquired only by donation or exchange. Permits the transfer of Federal property within the Area to the Secretary without consideration. Requires that property thus acquired be: (1) transferred to the jurisdiction of the National Forest Service for inclusion in the national forest system; or (2) sold on terms to assure the use of such property in a manner consistent with the management plan. Authorizes appropriations. Makes appropriations from the Land and Water Conservation Fund available for land acquisition within the Area. Establishes an acquisition fund for land acquisition within the Area. Authorizes appropriations for the initial capital of the fund. Authorizes the Secretary to accept contributions which shall be credited to the fund. Authorizes the Secretary to make payments to local governments to mitigate property tax revenue losses resulting from Federal acquisition of real property within the Area. Limits the authority under this Act to enter into contracts or to make payments to the extent and the amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts. Makes provisions of this Act which authorize new budget authority effective only for FY 1983 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
Renewable Energy Employment Act - Title I: Jobs Training in Renewable Energy - Requires the Secretary of Labor to review all Federal job training or placement programs and to implement policies, procedures, and programs to develop a labor force skilled in energy conservation, weatherization of homes, and the use of renewable energy technology. Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to require the Secretary of Labor to administer employment and training programs for Native Americans to meet the specific energy conservation and renewable energy training needs peculiar to their situation. Requires that employment and training programs for veterans under such Act include renewable energy and energy conservation job training for veterans. Title II: Housing and Community Development Programs - Amends the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 to require the Secretary of Energy to maintain information on: (1) the areas to be served under the weatherization assistance program; (2) methods for providing priority assistance to elderly and severely handicapped low-income persons; (3) outreach activities with respect to such program; (4) labor plans; (5) policies to ensure that owners and renters are treated equitably; and (6) plans to ensure participation by Native Americans under such program. Requires the Secretary and the Director of the Community Services Administration to include in the annual report to the President and Congress on the weatherization program an evaluation of the effect of such program on energy conservation and employment. Authorizes appropriations for the weatherization program for FY 1984 and succeeding fiscal years. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to include the potential for local energy development, including energy conservation and renewable energy use, among the factors which must be taken into account by the standards issued by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for determining the eligibility of cities and urban counties for urban development action grants. Includes among the activities of Community Development Programs which are eligible for assistance under such Act those amounts spent for energy needs. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make loans for energy conservation and renewable energy development or retrofit for housing in rural areas. Requires Federal agencies administering financial assistance programs for economic development or job creation to consider the development of energy conservation and renewable energy as significant criteria for the provision of such assistance. Title III: Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to include as non-fossil energy systems windmills, anaerobic digesters, alcohol distilleries, microhydroelectric generators, gasifiers, and solar heating systems. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in making loans to farmers and ranchers, to promote sustainable agriculture (a set of agricultural production practices which are designed to produce long term, sustainable yields of agricultural products, involve the use of renewable resources, and avoid the use of chemical products). Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to require that small farm extension programs assist small farm families in carrying out sustainable agriculture. Provides that sustainable agriculture extension programs shall consist of extension programs to provide farmers with assistance and current information with respect to sustainable agriculture. Permits all other persons in a State, in addition to universities and colleges in such State, to participate in agricultural research and extension programs. (Under current law, only universities and colleges in a State may participate in such programs.) Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in carrying out the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, to ensure that adequate national support of extension, teaching, and agricultural research is provided to establish integrated multidisciplinary organic farming research projects. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report annually to Congress on sustainable agriculture in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire property within the Gran Marais, Michigan, and Munising, Michigan, corporate limits lying outside the boundary of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan for the purpose of providing visitor information and administrative centers for the lakeshore. Prohibits the Secretary from acquiring by condemnation any property used in a manner consistent with zoning regulations adopted by local zoning authorities pursuant to this Act with respect to the inland buffer zone of the lakeshore. Defines the term "improved property" for purposes of such prohibition as any one-family dwelling on which construction was begun before September 1, 1982, together with the land in the same ownership as the dwelling. (Under current law, the term "improved property" means any one-family dwelling on which construction was begun before December 31, 1964, together with the land in the same ownership as the dwelling.) Permits local zoning authorities with jurisdiction over the inland buffer zone of the lakeshore to develop a land use plan and zoning regulations for the management of such zone. Requires the land use plan to: (1) define land uses to stabilize and protect the land and waters within the zone; (2) establish standards to encourage private development and operation of visitor facilities; (3) provide for resource management; (4) maintain and improve access roads to the lakeshore; and (5) provide for the establishment of standards for improved residential properties and other land uses. Requires that the zoning regulations provide for the continuance of land uses which existed before September 1, 1982, and be consistent with existing State and local zoning laws. Sets forth the procedural requirements for approval of the land use plan and the zoning regulations by the Secretary and their adoption by the local zoning authorities. Requires the Secretary, before initiating condemnation proceedings against such property, to request the appropriate local zoning body to remedy any land use in the inland buffer zone which is inconsistent with the zoning regulations adopted pursuant to this Act. Increases the authorization of appropriations for the development of the lakeshore. Authorizes appropriations for up to five years, beginning in FY 1984, for the maintenance and improvement of primary access roads within the boundary of the lakeshore.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
Prohibits federally assisted rental housing projects for the elderly and handicapped from forbidding tenants to have pets or discriminating against persons having pets. Permits a project authority to require the removal of a pet that constitutes a threat to the health or safety of project occupants or other persons in the community.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
Renewable Energy Consumer Incentives Act of 1983 - Amends the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Act of 1980 to extend the life of the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank until September 30, 1990. (Under current law, the Bank will not exist after September 30, 1987.) Requires that a portion of the payments by the Bank to financial institutions to provide financial assistance for the installation of solar energy systems in residential, commercial, and agricultural buildings be allocated for active solar energy. Provides that there shall be no Federal preference with respect to financial assistance between single-family and multifamily residences. Permits all financial institutions to apply directly to the Bank for financial assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1990 for the financial assistance program under the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Act of 1980 for the purchase and installation of residential and commercial energy conserving improvements and solar energy systems. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the residential energy credit applicable to expenditures for items which serve a purpose in addition to increasing energy efficiency in a dwelling (such as thermal draperies). Includes passive solar energy property which uses convective, conductive, or radiant energy transfer and which has significant impact on home energy savings as "renewable energy source property" which is eligible for the residential energy credit. Makes the residential energy credit inapplicable to energy conservation and renewable energy source expenditures made after December 31, 1990. (Under current law, such credit is inapplicable to expenditures made after December 31, 1985.) Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to permit a State to transfer up to ten percent of its allotment under the low-income home energy assistance program for States to block grants for support of energy related information systems. Requires the Secretary of Energy to develop a formalized information exchange on the Federal, State, and local levels with respect to conservation and renewable energy. Authorizes appropriations to provide financial assistance to States and local governments to coordinate such program. Amends the Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 to require the Secretary of Energy to maintain a renewable energy and energy conservation information program. (This program replaces the solar energy information program required to be established under current law.) Requires the Secretary to establish a National Appropriate Technology Assistance Service to provide individualized technical assistance to anyone interested in renewable energy and energy efficient technologies. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to require the Secretary of Transportation to consider the use or integration of renewable fuels and any approaches which maximize conservation and renewable energy applications in determining maximum feasible average fuel economy. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe labeling requirements for consumer goods particularly in cases where there is a direct consumer benefit to save energy or utilize renewable energy. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to provide reduced-rate loans to small businesses for acquisition of system performance ratings from testing laboratories for energy conservation and renewable energy systems and technologies. Requires State regulatory authorities to implement standardized contracts for renewable energy systems generating less than 100 kilowatts for: (1) the sale of electric energy from utilities to small power production facilities; and (2) the purchase of electric energy produced by small power production facilities by such utilities. Requires the Secretary of Energy to include renewable energy as a discrete energy sector in all publications of "The Monthly Energy Review". Requires Federal agencies with renewable energy programs to submit annual reports on such programs to Congress. Sets forth reporting requirements which apply to specified Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
Renewable Energy Small Business Development Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the investment tax credit for renewable energy property from 1985 to 1990. Increases such credit for solar, wind, and geothermal property. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to require that not less than 12 percent of the loan authority of the Export-Import Bank shall be made available only to businesses with $25,000,000 or less in previous-year sales. Requires that a portion of such loan authority be made available for transactions involving renewable energy. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to specify rules for the rates for purchase by electric utilities of electric energy from any qualifying cogeneration facility or qualifying small power production facility. Amends a specified reorganization plan to require the Department of Commerce to provide export assistance to businesses involving renewable energy. Amends the Small Business Innovation Act of 1982 to require that renewable energy and energy conservation businesses receive a reasonable portion of the Department of Energy's small business research and development funds.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1983
Renewable Energy National Security Act of 1983 - Requires the Secretary of a military department, when procuring energy systems, to procure systems that include energy-conserving equipment. Includes biofuels as a renewable form of energy for purposes of energy systems procurement by a military department. Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide for the use of biofuels in meeting Department of Defense energy needs to the extent feasible and consistent with overall defense needs. Requires the Secretary of Defense to encourage the use of energy-conserving devices and equipment in military construction projects, including family housing projects, where practical and economically feasible. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to include spoiled and contaminated grains among the accumulated stocks of agricultural commodities which the Commodity Credit Corporation may process into liquid fuels. Authorizes the Corporation to provide for the storage of liquid fuels so processed for use by the agricultural sector during periods of fuel shortages. Requires the Corporation to provide for the processing of spoiled and contaminated commodities into liquid fuels before the processing of stocks of usable feedstock. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Secretary of Energy to maintain a data base on the location of all stockpiles of renewable energy supplies and biofuels and of all renewable energy production facilities in the United States. Requires that such data be made available to Government departments and agencies upon request. Requires the Secretary of Defense to assess and report to the Armed Services Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate on the feasibility of using mobile energy systems that use renewable energy as emergency backup energy systems at military installations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1983
Neighborhood Development Demonstration Act of 1983 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct a three-year demonstration program to determine the feasibility of supporting neighborhood development activities by providing Federal matching funds to certain nonprofit neighborhood development organizations on the basis of monetary support from the private sector. Limits the amount of grants that may be multiyear awards. Directs the Secretary to use a competitive process in selecting program participants. Requires that a selected participant: (1) demonstrate measurable achievements in certain neighborhood development activities; (2) specify a plan for accomplishing one or more of such activities; and (3) specify a strategy for achieving long term private sector support. Directs the Secretary to establish a Neighborhood Development Advisory Council to evaluate the applicants and recommend selections. Requires the Secretary to: (1) assign each participating organization a program year during which time voluntary private contributions shall be eligible for matching funds; and (2) establish a ratio of between two and ten Federal dollars matched for each dollar privately contributed, which the Secretary shall pay to each organization at the end of each three-month period of the organization's program year. Limits the maximum amount the Secretary may pay to any organization for a year to $50,000. Requires the Secretary to insure that: (1) assistance may be provided under this Act only if the local government of the neighborhood to be assisted certifies that such assistance is consistent with such government's objectives; and (2) eligible neighborhood development activities comply with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the activities carried out under this Act and any findings or recommendations concerning the demonstration program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to implement procedures for identifying social security benefit checks issued under title II which have not been negotiated within 12 months and to credit the appropriate social security trust fund, on a monthly basis, for the amount of all unnegotiated benefit checks drawn on such trust fund. Requires the Secretary to pay a benefit check presented for payment after they have been credited to one of the trust funds, and to recharge such trust fund, if such check is otherwise proper. Requires the reimbursement of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund from the Treasury for the total amount of unnegotiated benefit checks.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Soviet Union should fulfill obligations undertaken in certain international agreements relating to human rights by pursuing a more humane emigration policy and by ceasing harassment of Jews and others seeking to emigrate; (2) Soviet fulfillment of internationally recognized emigration rights would significantly promote improved relations with the United States; (3) the President should convey these concerns of Congress to the Soviet Union at every appropriate opportunity; and (4) the President should also convey these concerns to U.S. allies.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1983
United States Academy of Peace Act - Establishes the United States Academy of Peace as an independent nonprofit corporation. Permits the Academy to use "United States" or "U.S." or any other reference to the United States Government or Nation in its title, corporate seal, emblem, or other mark of recognition in any fiscal year only if there is an authorization of appropriations for the Academy for such fiscal year provided by law. Sets forth the powers and the duties of the Academy, including establishment of an Endowment of the United States Academy of Peace. Authorizes the Academy to establish: (1) a Center for International Peace; and (2) a United States Medal of Peace and other medals or honors. Authorizes the Academy to refuse research requests of Federal agencies for reason of cost or of inappropriateness to the Agency's purpose or independence. Prohibits the Academy from undertaking to influence the passage or defeat of any Federal, State, local, or United Nations legislation, but permits Academy personnel to testify or make other appropriate communication when formally requested to do so by a legislative body, committee, or member thereof. Provides for appointment of members of the Academy's Board of Directors. Sets forth grounds for removal of Board members. Permits Board meetings to be closed only in exceptional circumstances. Sets forth provisions for Academy officers, employees, procedures, and records. Provides that, with certain exceptions, the Academy shall not be considered a department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government. Prohibits the use of any political test or political qualification with respect to personnel actions of the Academy or financial assistance by the Academy. Authorizes appropriations in a specified amount for an Academy principal office capitalization fund. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for FY 1984 and 1985 for Academy programs and administration. Requires that Academy expenses in connection with the United States Medal of Peace or the accompanying cash award be paid out of the private funds of the Endowment. Restricts contract-making authority under this Act to the extent and amounts provided in appropriation Acts. Directs the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Academy to report to the Congress and the President, beginning two years after the enactment of this Act and at two-year intervals thereafter. Directs the President to transmit to the Congress the recommendations of the appropriate Federal agencies with respect to such report and to any legislation concerning the Academy. Requires the appropriate congressional committees to hold hearings to review such report and recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1983
Children's Survival Act of 1983 - Title I: Essential Preventive Programs for Children - Subtitle A: Child Welfare; Adoption; Juvenile Justice; Runaway Youth - Makes appropriations for FY 1984 to enable the Secretary of Health and Human Services to cooperate with State public welfare agencies in establishing, extending, and strengthening child welfare services, pursuant to the authority contained in specified provisions of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 and the Social Security Act. Reauthorizes the program of Federal payments for dependent children voluntarily placed in foster care (by eliminating the October 1, 1983, termination date for such program) under the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 for grants to States for child abuse and neglect prevention and treatment programs under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 for demonstration projects under such Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 to carry out provisions relating to adoption opportunities under title II of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978. Authorizes and makes appropriations for FY 1984 to make grants and contracts under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1978 for programs and projects to prevent, identify, and treat sexual abuse of children. Limits to ten percent the amount of such funds which may be used for research. Makes appropriations for FY 1984, pursuant to the above authorizations of appropriations for: (1) grants to states under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act; (2) demonstration projects under such Act; (3) adoption opportunities under title II of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978; and (4) programs and projects related to the treatment of sexual abuse of children. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to eliminate the ceiling on appropriations to carry out title II (Programs and Offices) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. Makes appropriations for FY 1984 to carry out such title. Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated for FY 1984 for part A (Grants Program) of title III (Runaway and Homeless Youth) of such Act. Makes appropriations for FY 1984 for such grants program for runaway and homeless youth under such Act. Subtitle B: Child Care - Makes appropriations for FY 1984 to carry out the Head Start Act, pursuant to the authority contained in specified provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. Amends the National School Lunch Act to restore a reimbursement level for up to three meals and two supplements per day per child. (Current law provides for only two meals and one supplement.) Provides that no institution may be prohibited from serving breakfast, lunch, supper, and supplements to any eligible child each day, except in the case of institutions that provide day care to school children outside of school hours. Eliminates provisions for ten percent reductions in the total amount of reimbursement provided for school lunch program administrative expenses for family or group day care home sponsoring organizations. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to immediately adjust the maximum allowable level for administrative expense payments so as to achieve an increase in the total amount of reimbursement which is equivalent to any reduction made pursuant to specified amendments made by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. Provides for restoration of the child care nutrition equipment assistance program under the National School Lunch Act. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance to States under the National School Lunch Act for programs serving large numbers of low-income children meals under such Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Sets forth formulas for reimbursements to institutions. Amends title XX (Blocks Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to establish a program of supplemental incentive grants to States for child day care services. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 for such program. Sets forth provisions for apportionment among the States and other program requirements. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the income tax credit for household and dependent care expenses from 20 percent to a maximum of 50 percent of such expenses. Reduces such percentage by one percent for each full $1,000 by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $10,000. Make the income tax credit for household and dependent care services refundable. Provides that no part of such credit shall be: (1) counted as income in determining eligibility for other entitlement programs; or (2) counted against other credits under specified provisions of the Code. Grants tax-exempt status to organizations which provide nonresidential dependent care services to the general public for purposes of enabling individuals to maintain employment. Subtitle C: Health Care for Mothers and Children - Part 1: Appropriations - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services) of the Social Security Act to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated for FY 1984 for the maternal and child health block grant program. Makes appropriations for FY 1984 for such program. Makes appropriations for FY 1984 for grants to community health centers, pursuant to the authority contained in the Public Health Service Act. Makes appropriations for FY 1984 to carry out title X (Population Research and Family Planning) of the Public Health Service Act, pursuant to the authority contained in such Act and in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 and the Public Health Service Act to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated in FY 1984 for grants for preventive health service programs to immunize children against immunizable diseases. Makes appropriations for FY 1984 for such grants. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated for FY 1984 for the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC). Makes appropriations for FY 1984 for the WIC program. Part 2: Medicaid - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) eligibility for certain needy individuals under age 18 and for pregnant women; (2) automatic eligibility determination procedures during the first two months of life for certain children born to women receiving Medicaid assistance; (3) vision, hearing, and dental care services for eligible individuals under age 21; (4) exemption of certain expenditures in calculating Federal expenditure targets for States; and (5) mandatory Medicaid eligibility for recipients of State-provided child care. Subtitle D: Education - Makes appropriations for FY 1984 to carry out chapter I (Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Disadvantage Children) of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981, pursuant to the authority contained in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. Makes appropriations for FY 1984 to carry out part B (Assistance for Education of All Handicapped Children) of the Education of the Handicapped Act, pursuant to the authority contained in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. Amends the National School Lunch Act to provide for a reduction of reduced-price meal costs. Revises eligibility standards for free and reduced-price lunches. Provides for an increased subsidy for preparation of free or reduced-price meals. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to repeal the $5,000,000 per fiscal year limitation on funding for grants to states for nutrition education and information programs. Authorizes appropriations for at least $10,000,000 per fiscal year for such grants. Makes appropriations for FY 1984 for such grants. Repeals provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 which lowered the earned income deduction under the food stamps program. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to increase the earned income deduction. Provides for optional retrospective accounting for determining household eligibility under the food stamps program. Raises food stamp benefit amounts to thrifty food plan levels. Subtitle F: Family Supports - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated for FY 1984 and succeeding fiscal years. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for an upward adjustment of the credit for dependent children and children under age six. Reduces the tax on earned income of low-income workers. Amends title IV, part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of the Social Security Act to repeal provisions which count earned income tax credit payments in advance as income for AFDC grant determination purposes. Amends title IV, part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) mandatory supplemental payments to families with income; (2) optional retrospective budgeting and optional monthly reporting by states; (3) elimination of the four-month restriction on work incentive disregards; (4) repeal of the 150 percent cap on income limit for eligibility; and (5) increased amounts for the disregards for work expenses and child care expenses. Subtitle G: Youth Employment - Makes appropriations for FY 1984 to carry out part A (Adult and Youth Programs) of title II (Training Services for the Disadvantaged) and title IV (Federally Administered Programs)(other than part B - Job Corps - provisions of title IV) of the Job Training Partnership Act of 1982. Requires that at least 93 percent of the appropriated amount be available to carry out local training programs for economically disadvantaged persons under part A of title II of such Act. Makes appropriations for FY 1984 to carry out part B (Summer Youth Employment and Training Programs) of title II of the Job Training Partnership Act of 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to implement procedures for identifying social security benefit checks issued under title II which have not been negotiated within 12 months and to credit the appropriate social security trust fund, on a monthly basis, for the amount of all unnegotiated benefit checks drawn on such trust fund. Requires the Secretary to pay a benefit check presented for payment after they have been credited to one of the trust funds, and to recharge such trust fund, if such check is otherwise proper. Requires the reimbursement of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund from the Treasury for the total amount of unnegotiated benefit checks.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1983
American Defense Education Act - Authorizes a national program to provide incentives to local educational agencies to improve: (1) instruction in mathematics, science, and communication skills, foreign languages, and technology; and (2) guidance and counseling. Title I: Elementary and Secondary Education Programs - Requires local education agencies which desire to participate in such national program to develop and carry out a program of improvement of instruction and student achievement. Sets forth requirements for such programs. Entitles participating local educational agencies to receive basic payments for each fiscal year equal to two percent of an established payment rate multiplied by the average daily attendance. Entitles agencies which show substantial evidence of meeting program goals to an incentive payment equal to an additional two percent of the established payment rate multiplied by the average daily attendance. Sets forth formulae for establishing such payment rate. Sets forth requirements for applications for payments. Directs the Secretary of Education ("the Secretary") to approve applications which meet such requirements. Title II: Teacher Training and Postsecondary Programs - Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program of grants to institutions of higher education for coordination between such institutions and local educational agencies in improving science and mathematics education, through precollege teacher training, development, and recruitment programs. Sets forth requirements for grant proposals and priorities in grant selection. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987 for such grants. Title III: Research to Improve Instruction - Directs the Secretary to administer, through the National Institute of Education (NIE) in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies, a program to support research and development into effective education in mathematics, the sciences, foreign languages, and technology. Authorizes appropriations in the Department of Education to be made available to NIE to carry out such educational research program for FY 1985 through 1987. Title IV: General Provisions - Directs the Secretary to administer the program and to pay each local educational agency with an approved application the amount to which it is entitled for each fiscal year under title I provisions. Provides for a joint survey and report to Congress by the Secretaries of Defense and Education, for each year from 1984 through 1987, on the academic achievement levels of U.S. 18-year-olds and the personnel training and educational needs of the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1983
Education for Economic Security Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make matching grants to States to pay the Federal share of the costs of strengthening instruction in mathematics, science, computer education, foreign languages, and vocational education. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986. Directs the Secretary to allot to each State from such appropriations for each fiscal year an amount based on the relative number of children aged five through 17 in such State. Provides that no State shall receive less than one-half of one percent of the funds appropriated for any fiscal year. Provides for reallotments, based on the Secretary's estimates, of sums exceeding a State's needs. Authorizes additional appropriations for allotment to: (1) Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; (2) the Secretary of the Interior for programs in schools operated for Indian children; and (3) the Secretary of Defense for programs in overseas dependent schools. Apportions 65 percent of each State's allotment to elementary, secondary, and vocational education programs and 35 percent to higher education programs. Directs State educational agencies to distribute a specified percentage of the elementary, secondary, and vocational education apportionment to local educational agencies for mathematics and science instruction, foreign language instruction, and computer education programs, together with related instructional materials. Bases such distribution upon the relative numbers of children aged five through 17 in the schools and upon the size of the proposed programs. Bases renewals of such payments upon such criteria and upon a determination that the local program serves substantial numbers of students and involves several grade levels. Requires each State education agency to: (1) distribute a specified percentage of its apportionment for foreign language instruction; and (2) use a specified percentage for exemplary programs instructional materials, technical assistance, and information. Requires the State agency responsible for vocational education to use a specified percentage of the apportionment for vocational education employment-based programs in new and emerging technologies, including computer learning and instruction (with a specified portion to be used for programs in correctional institutions). Requires each local educational agency to to provide for special educational services and arrangements in which children enrolled in private elementary and secondary schools can participate. Requires that expenditures for such services be equal (taking into account the number and needs of children to be served) to expenditures for public school children. Requires that program funds be distributed among vocational education schools and area vocational schools. Directs the State agency for higher education to distribute the higher education programs apportionment among institutions of higher education, with specified percentages to be used for: (1) elementary and secondary school teacher training, retraining, and in service training in mathematics, science, and computer education, as well as cooperative programs with other organizations, such as museums and libraries; (2) employment-based programs equipment in new and emerging technologies, including computer learning and instruction and basic engineering instruction; and (3) foreign language instruction. Sets forth requirements for State applications for grants under this Act. Sets forth provisions for Federal matching payments of 50 percent of the costs of programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1983
Emergency Jobs, Training and Family Assistance Act of 1983 - Title I: Jobs for the Unemployed - Directs the Secretary of Labor ("the Secretary"), from funds authorized under this title, to transfer funds to or reserve funds for specified employment programs. Authorizes appropriations for the period from the date of enactment of this Act through September 30, 1984. Makes such funds available for obligation and expenditure for one year from the date of appropriation. Requires that such funds be in addition to any amounts authorized for such employment programs prior to the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer a specified amount of funds under this title to hire long-term unemployed individuals through the Community Development Block Grant program, authorized under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), from transfers made by the Secretary, to make grants to States and local governments in accordance with a specified allocation for housing rehabilitation and other activities described under such Act which the Secretary of HUD determines are labor intensive activities. Sets forth formulas for allocation of such funds to States and entitlement areas based on unemployment rates. Sets forth requirements for State and local applications and use of funds within a specified period. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on such program by July 1, 1984. Authorizes the Secretary to reserve a specified amount of funds under this title for youth employment and education programs authorized under part C of title II of the Job Training Partnership Act. Amends such Act to add such provisions for a youth employment and education program. Sets forth program requirements for: (1) reservation of funds; and (2) allotment and allocation to and within States. Limits program eligibility to economically disadvantaged youths between 15 and 20 years old who agree to resume or maintain attendance in a secondary school diploma or high school equivalency certificate program or participation in other educational activities to improve their employability. Permits program funds to be used for part-time employment or training operated by specified types of governmental or private nonprofit organizations or for full-time summer employment. Sets forth requirements for private industrial council (PIC) applications for such program. Sets forth program responsibilities of State and local governments, State job training coordinating councils, and PICs. Authorizes the Secretary to reserve a specified amount of funds under this title for community service employment for older Americans under the Older Americans Act of 1965. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer a specified amount of funds under this title to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for weatherization projects under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981. Amends such Act to add provisions for an emergency low income weatherization employment program. Provides for allotments to States from funds transferred under this title to be used for low-cost residential weatherization or other energy-related home repair for low-income households designed to provide employment to the unemployed in areas where such weatherization and home repair are carried out. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer a specified amount of funds under this title to the Secretary of HHS for additional amounts for social services block grants for increased provision of child day care services under the Social Security Act. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer a specified amount of funds under this title to the President of the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank for activities designed to increase employment opportunities under the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Act of 1980. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer a specified amount of funds under this title to the Secretary of HHS for development loans to rural community economic development programs to increase employment under the Community Economic Development Act of 1981. Authorizes the Secretary to make such transfers of funds authorized under this title for the above mentioned programs to the head of each Federal agency within 60 days after enactment of the appropriation Act providing such funds. Prohibits such transfers until the Secretary and the appropriate Federal agency heads have entered into cooperative agreements. Sets forth required provisions for such cooperative agreements. Requires that at least 80 percent of funds provided under this title which are expended for wage and benefits will be used for wages and benefits for workers who were unemployed: (1) at least 15 of the 26 weeks immediately preceding the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) immediately prior to program participation. Requires that all workers employed under the program assisted by this title have been referred by a U.S. Employment Service office as being currently unemployed. Makes ineligible for program employment workers who have, within six months prior to the determination, voluntarily terminated, without good cause, their last previous employment at or exceeding the Federal minimum wage. Requires that program wages be not less than the highest of the applicable minimum wage or the prevailing wage for workers in similar positions with the same employer. Limits the share of wages and benefits paid to any program participant out of funds under this title to the hourly equivalent of $10,000 per year. Requires that at least 75 percent of the program funds under this title to be used for employee wages and benefits. Prohibits displacement of current workers by program employees funded under this title. Sets forth other prohibitions for programs funded under this title. Sets forth administrative provisions. Title II: Training for New Industries - Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1983 and 1984 for employment and training assistance for dislocated workers under the Job Training Partnership Act. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to disregard, in any case in which a student is determined to be a dislocated worker (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Labor), all equity in a single place of residence and the amount of unemployment benefits of such a student for purposes of computation of assets and income for the proposed family contribution schedule for determination of Pell Grants. Increases the total amount of appropriations authorized under Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981 for Pell Grants for the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act through September 30, 1984. Makes such additional sums available for entitlements only to dislocated workers who are otherwise eligible for Pell Grant payments. Authorizes additional appropriations for the Job Corps under the Job Training Partnership Act, for the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act through September 30, 1984. Title III: Emergency Services Assistance - Emergency Food and Shelter Act of 1983 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services ("the Secretary") to make grants to States for emergency food, shelter, and health care assistance. Authorizes appropriations for the period from the date of enactment of this Act through September 30, 1984, to carry out the provisions of this title. Provides that such funds shall remain available for the succeeding fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to make allotments to States as follows: (1) 25 percent of grant funds on the basis of relative numbers of unemployed; and (2) 75 percent on the basis of "excess numbers" of unemployed (those in excess of 4.5 percent of the civilian labor force). Directs State Governors to allocate the State allotment among local governments on the basis of relative numbers of excess numbers of unemployed and of long-term unemployed within service delivery areas. Permits such grants to be used for emergency shelter (including emergency payments for rent and utilities), food, and health care services for long-term unemployed and other needy individuals, together with crisis counseling for alcoholism, drug abuse, suicide, child abuse, and domestic violence. Sets forth requirements for State applications. Requires that: (1) between 15 to 20 percent of each local government allocation be used for health care services for long-term unemployed individuals; and (2) of such amount for health care services, two-thirds will be used for hospital care and one-third for community health center care. Limits administrative expenses to ten percent of the State allotment. Sets forth requirements for program payments, administration, withholding, and audit. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the President and the Congress on the program authorized by this title.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1983
Disability Amendments of 1983 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the termination of disability benefits on the grounds that the physical or mental impairment on which such benefits were based has ceased, did not exist, or is no longer disabling, unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services finds that the individual is significantly more able to engage in substantial gainful activity than at the time of the most recent decision that the individual was disabled. Exempts certain cases from the prohibition against termination of benefits, including cases where there is a finding of fraud. Directs the Secretary, in determining whether a person is disabled, to consider all evidence available in the person's case record and to develop a complete medical history of at least the preceding year. Requires that a preliminary disability decision by a State agency, or the Secretary, which is unfavorable to the disability benefit applicant contain a statement of the case with a discussion of the evidence, the basis for such decision, the right of the applicant to a review of the decision, and the right to submit additional medical evidence prior to such review. Requires the statement to be sent to the individual. Entitles the applicant or the applicant's spouse, former spouse, surviving spouse, surviving divorced mother, child or parent to a review of the preliminary decision (including the right to make a personal appearance and submit additional medical evidence), upon a showing that his or her rights may be prejudiced by such decision and upon timely request. Sets forth the procedural requirements for a review of a preliminary disability decision. Provides that a preliminary disability decision may be affirmed, modified, or reversed on the basis of the review. Authorizes the State agency which made the initial disability determination to make any new disability determination required during review of the case after notification to the Secretary and in accordance with the rules governing such determinations. Requires that a decision by the Secretary after review which is unfavorable to the individual requesting the review contain a statement of the case which shall be sent to the individual. Requires the statement to contain a discussion of the evidence, the reasons for the decision, the right of the individual to a hearing, and the right to submit additional medical evidence before the hearing. Requires that individuals requesting a review be informed of the requirements under this Act and of their right to representation at the review. Provides for reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing for disability benefit applicants who show that their rights may be prejudiced by a decision after review. Provides that the hearing decision may affirm, modify, or reverse the Secretary's findings of fact and the decision after review. Requires the Secretary to prescribe a period of time after hearing decisions during which the Secretary, upon his or her own motion or at the request of the individual who requested the hearing, may review the hearing decision and affirm, modify, or reverse it. Makes such a review the final review of the decision. Provides that the decision shall be considered final if it is not so reviewed. Requires the Secretary to notify the individual involved with respect to a case where the Secretary initiates a review. Provides that an application for disability benefits filed before the first month in which the applicant satisfies the requirements for such benefits shall be considered valid only if: (1) the applicant satisfies such requirements before the Secretary makes a final decision on the application and no request for review has been made; or (2) the applicant satisfies such requirements before a decision on review is made in any case where review is requested. Requires that hearings on disability decisions after review be conducted on the record. Subjects such hearings to Federal law governing administrative hearings. Requires the Secretary to appoint administrative law judges to conduct such hearings. Entitles any individual who is dissatisfied with the final hearing decision to judicial review of that decision. Entitles an individual who shows that his or her rights may be prejudiced by a determination with respect to his or her continuing eligibility for disability benefits to the same type of review and hearing as is permitted in the case of an initial disability determination. Repeals the provision of title II covering suspension of benefits based on disability. Repeals the current provision covering reconsiderations of terminations of disability benefits. Specifies the cases with respect to which State agencies may make new disability determinations for purposes of review under this Act. Permits an individual who has been found to be no longer eligible for disability benefits, and who has requested a hearing on such determination, to elect to have the payment of such benefits continued during the period of appeal. Provides that if the decision upon appeal affirms the determination that the individual is not entitled to such benefits, any benefits paid pursuant to such election shall be considered overpayments. Requires the Secretary to provide uniform standards which shall be applied at all levels of disability determinations. Provides that except in certain cases, if an individual has been found to be no longer eligible for disability benefits, the termination month for such benefits shall be the month in which: (1) a decision affirming such benefit termination has been made after review of the preliminary decision to this Act; or (2) the time for requesting such a review has expired. Sets forth evidentiary requirements with respect to disability determinations. Requires the Secretary, if a U.S. Court of Appeals issues an opinion requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to apply a provision of the Social Security Act in a manner different from the manner in which such provision is generally carried out, to request review of the decision by the Supreme Court or to acquiesce in such decision with respect to all beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1983
Social Security Amendments of 1983 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend indefinitely the authority for interfund borrowing among the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for financing benefit payments when necessary. (Currently, interfund borrowing is authorized through December 31, 1982.) Provides for the appointment to the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund of one representative of employers, one representative of employees, one representative of beneficiaries, and one representative highly qualified in the management of investment funds. Amends Part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to: (1) exclude the receipts and disbursements of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and social security taxes from the totals of the Federal budget; and (2) exempt such items from any general statutory limitation on Federal expenditures and net lending. Requires that the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund be treated as a separate item in the Federal budget with respect to new budget authority and budget outlays and recommended revenue levels for such fund. Amends title II of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to implement procedures for identifying social security benefit checks issued under title II which have not been negotiated within one year and to credit the appropriate social security trust fund on a monthly basis for the amount of all unnegotiated benefit checks drawn on such trust fund. Requires the Secretary to pay a benefit check presented for payment after it has been credited to one of the trust funds if it is otherwise proper. Authorizes appropriations to reimburse the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund for the total amount of unnegotiated benefit checks.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1983
Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to: (1) exclude the receipts and disbursements of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and social security taxes from the totals of the Federal budget; and (2) exempt such items from any general statutory limitation on Federal expenditures and net lending. Requires that the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund be treated as a separate item in the Federal budget with respect to new budget authority and budget outlays and recommended revenue levels for such fund.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1983
Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from transferring the ownership or management of any civil land remote sensing space satellite system until a comprehensive plan for such a transfer is approved by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for taking or attempting to take property by force, violence, or intimidation from either a pharmacy or a person registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Increases the penalties if any person's life is endangered by use of a dangerous weapon or if any person is assaulted or killed during the commission of such offense. Directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the enforcement of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to impose a one-tenth of one cent per gallon duty on apple and pear juice. (Currently, imports of such juice are duty-free.)
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Permits local zoning authorities with jurisdiction over the inland buffer zone of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan to develop a land use plan and zoning regulations for the management of such zone. Requires that the land use plan: (1) define land uses to stabilize and protect the land and waters within the zone; (2) establish standards to encourage private development and operation of visitor facilities; (3) provide for resource management; and (4) maintain and improve access roads to the lakeshore. Requires that the zoning regulations provide for the continuance of land uses which existed before July 1, 1982, and be consistent with existing State and local zoning laws. Sets forth the procedural requirements for approval of the land use plan and the zoning regulations by the Secretary of the Interior and their adoption by the local zoning authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Emergency Homeowners' Relief Act of 1983 - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make emergency mortgage relief advances to mortgagees on behalf of certain delinquent mortgagors when, for three consecutive months, the amount of delinquent loans exceeds a specified percentage of the amount of all loans accounted for in the mortgage delinquency series maintained by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Directs the Secretary to provide such assistance in a State located in a Federal home loan bank district for which such mortgage delinquency rate exists, regardless of whether such rate exists for the entire nation. Provides for the discontinuation and reinstitution of such assistance on the basis of such delinquency rate. Lists conditions for assistance eligibility which include requirements that: (1) foreclosure would result without such assistance; (2) the mortgagor has incurred a substantial reduction in income as a result of involuntary unemployment or underemployment due to adverse economic conditions and is unable to make full mortgage payments; (3) there is a reasonable prospect that the mortgagor will be able to resume making full mortgage payments; and (4) the mortgaged property is the principal residence of the mortgagor. Limits the amount of a monthly advance to the least of: (1) 80 percent of the mortgagor's monthly housing expenses; (2) $600; or (3) the amount necessary to supplement the amount the mortgagor is capable of contributing. Limits the duration of such assistance to 12 months, plus any period of delinquency, with a six-month extension authorized. Directs assistance recipients to report increases in income to the Secretary. Declares that assistance under this Act shall be repaid and secured as prescribed by the Secretary. Sets forth the authority of the Secretary to recapture such assistance. Requires the Secretary and specified Federal agencies that supervise financial institutions or mortgagees to waive or relax limitations on the operations of such institutions with respect to mortgage delinquencies in order to encourage forebearance in residential loan foreclosure. Requires each financial institution or mortgagee to notify the supervisory agency and the mortgagor at least 30 days before instituting foreclosure proceedings. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Equal Access to Voting Rights Act - Directs the Attorney General to promulgate guidelines to assure that registration and polling place facilities used for Federal elections are readily accessible to handicapped and elderly individuals. Sets forth minimum requirements for these guidelines. Requires States to make available registration and voting aids for handicapped and elderly individuals in Federal elections. Authorizes the Attorney General and aggrieved persons to bring actions in Federal court to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Homeless Assistance Act of 1983 - Authorizes a State formula grant program for assistance to the homeless. Bases funding on a formula which includes the numbers of persons below the poverty line, unemployed, evicted, and deinstitutionalized. Requires 70 percent of a State's grant to go to municipalities with populations over 250,000. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to draw up a list ranking all States according to need for such assistance. Provides for State comment on such list and for its annual revision. Prescribes grant application procedures. Authorizes a separate program of matching grants to States and local governments for assistance to the homeless, for which local governments may apply directly. Establishes a one-year Homeless Assistance Advisory Committee in the Department of Health and Human Services. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grant appropriations through FY 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Economically Strategic Industrial Research and Development Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to enter into an agreement with both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering to conduct a study which identifies economically strategic technologies and plans for their optimal development. Directs the Academies to: (1) solicit views of private industry and examine evidence of current industrial initiatives; (2) assess the economic benefit to be gained from each technology; (3) assess government efforts in technological development; (4) summarize existing and projected levels of research and development activity by private industry for each technology; (5) determine current levels of research and development by foreign nations and their competitive strategies; and (6) consider the potential and feasibility of U.S. industry developing a competitive posture in each technology. Directs the Academy to develop a technology development program for each technology designated as economically strategic and to establish an advisory committee to make recommendations for each such program. Sets forth the desired recommendations, including: (1) participants for each program; (2) program responsibilities; (3) levels of effort and financial commitment for each program and participant; and (4) a timetable. Requires a committee set up under the agreement to make interim and annual reports to the President and the appropriate congressional committees on each program and to make a final report within three years. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
States that the President should, at the earliest possible date: (1) request Senate consent to ratification of the Threshold Test Ban and Peaceful Nuclear Explosion Treaties; and (2) resume trilateral test ban treaty negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Disapproves the proposed deferral of budget authority (D83-43) relating to economic development assistance programs, transmitted by the President to Congress on February 1, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1983
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to reestablish the Emergency School Aid Act as title VI of ESEA. Makes the emergency school aid program a categorical grant program to assist public school desegregation. Authorizes appropriations for the emergency school aid program for FY 1984 through 1987. Amends the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 to delete references to the emergency school aid program under the block grant provisions of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1983
National Science and Mathematics Teachers Development Act - Establishes the National Science and Mathematics Teachers Development Board in the Department of Education. Requires that the functions of the Secretary of Education under this Act be carried out through the Board. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for continuing education programs designed to improve the skills and competence of secondary school teachers of science and mathematics. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 to carry out this Act. Authorizes appropriations for related administrative expenses. Sets forth application requirements for program participation by institutions of higher education. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria to achieve equitable distribution of assistance under this Act among the States and areas within each State. Limits the amount of any grant under this Act to a single institution of higher education to $200,000. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplementary matching grants to institutions of higher education under specified conditions. Limits each such grant to $250,000. Sets forth provisions for payments to institutions of higher education under this Act. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress by December 31, 1985, on expenditures under this Act, Board activities, and types of grants made, with recommendations for further legislation to develop adequate science and mathematics teacher training.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1983
Competition in Contracting Act of 1983 - Title I: Amendments to Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to revise the procedures for soliciting and awarding bids for Government contracts. Requires executive agencies (excluding military departments, the Coast Guard, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to use competitive procedures in making contracts for property and services. Directs agencies to: (1) use advance planning and market research, prepare specifications, and solicit bids in a manner designed to achieve effective competition for a contract; and (2) use the competitive procedure or combination of procedures best suited for a procurement action. Authorizes an agency to award a procurement contract in order to establish or maintain any alternative source of supply if doing so would: (1) increase competition and reduce procurement costs; or (2) be in the interest of industrial mobilization in a national emergency. Requires procurement regulations to include simplified procedures and forms for making small purchases. Defines a "small purchase" as any purchase or contract which does not exceed $25,000. Prohibits dividing a procurement for the purpose of using small purchase procedures. Requires an agency, when using competitive procedures for other than small purchases, to solicit sealed bids when: (1) time permits the solicitation, submission, and evaluation of sealed bids; (2) the award will be made on the basis of price or other factors; (3) discussions with responding sources are not necessary; and (4) there is a reasonable expectation of receiving more than one bid. Directs an agency to request competitive proposals when sealed bids are not required. Permits agencies to use noncompetitive procurement procedures only when: (1) there is only one source and no substitute for the property or services needed; (2) the delay involved in using competitive procedures would seriously injure the Government; (3) it is necessary to award the contract to a particular source to achieve an essential industrial capacity in the United States or to maintain national industrial mobilization; (4) an agreement with a foreign government requires such procedures; (5) a statute requires that the procurement be made through another agency or a specific source; or (6) disclosure of an agency's needs to more than one source would compromise the national security. Prohibits an agency from awarding a contract, for other than a small purchase, using noncompetitive procedures unless a notice of such procurement has been published by the Secretary of Commerce. Requires agency solicitations for bids or proposals to include specifications which: (1) permit effective competition; and (2) contain only such restrictive provisions as are necessary to meet agency needs or as are required by law. Requires all solicitations for bids or proposals for other than small purchases to state: (1) the relative importance of all significant factors which the agency will consider in evaluating such bids or proposals; (2) in the case of sealed bids, that their will be no discussions with bidders; and (3) in the case of competitive proposals, that proposals are intended to be evaluated with discussions with the offerors, but might be evaluated without discussions. Requires each agency to: (1) evaluate bids and proposals on the basis of factors specified in the solicitation; and (2) award contracts to the bidder or offeror whose bid or proposal is most advantageous to the Government considering the price and other factors. Permits an agency to reject all bids or proposals if such action is in the public interest. Requires an agency, when evaluating competitive proposals, to award a contract: (1) after conducting written or oral discussions with all offerors submitting proposals within a specified range; or (2) on the basis of the proposals as received or as clarified after discussions conducted for the purpose of minor clarification. Directs an agency head to refer to the Attorney General any sealed bid evidencing an antitrust violation. Requires each agency to furnish for publication by the Secretary of Commerce a notice announcing: (1) its intention to enter a contract at a price greater than the maximum amount established for small purchases or a lesser amount as specified by the Administrator; and (2) the awarding of such a contract. Requires such notice of an agency's intention to enter a contract to be published at least 30 days before the date set for the receipt of bids or proposals. Requires that such notice include: (1) a description of the property or service to be procured; (2) the identity of the agency representative to contact to obtain a copy of the solicitation; (3) a statement that any person may submit a bid or proposal; and (4) a justification of any use of noncompetitive procedures. Exempts certain classified and noncompetitive procurements from such notice requirements. Requires agencies to: (1) maintain records, by fiscal year, of noncompetitive procurements and competitive procurements for which only one bid was received, excluding small purchases; and (2) transmit such information to the Federal Procurement Data Center. Requires a prime Government contractor or subcontractor, with specified exceptions, to submit and certify the accuracy of cost of pricing data prior to: (1) the award of contracts using other than sealed bid procedures and certain subcontracts where the price is expected to exceed $500,000; or (2) the pricing of any modification to such a contract or subcontract expected to result in a price adjustment exceeding $500,000. Requires the price to the Government of such a contract, subcontract, or modification to be adjusted to exclude any significant amount by which the price was increased because of inaccurate data. Authorizes an agency representative, for three years after final payment under such a contract or subcontract, to examine the contractor's records and other information to evaluate the accuracy of the cost and pricing data. Title II: Amendments to Title 10, United States Code - Revises procurement procedures for military departments, the Coast Guard, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to correspond with procurement procedures for executive agencies under title I of this Act. Permits contracts to require the carriage of Government property in cargo containers of specific dimensions if the Secretary of Defense determines that military requirements necessitate the specification of container sizes. Title III: Advocate for Competition; Annual Report on Competition - Directs the head of each executive agency to designate an officer or employee as an advocate for competition who shall promote competition in the procurement of property and services. Requires the advocate to report to the head of the agency on: (1) opportunities to achieve competition; (2) solicitations which contain unnecessarily detailed or restrictive specifications and other conditions that may reduce competition; and (3) his or her activities, annually. Requires the head of each agency, through 1986, to transmit to specified congressional committees an annual report which: (1) describes all actions the agency head intends to take during the next fiscal year to increase competition for agency contracts, and to reduce the number and value of agency contracts awarded after soliciting or evaluating bids or proposals from only one source; and (2) summarizes the activities of the agency's advocate for competition. Title IV: Notice Requirements Under the Small Business Act - Amends the Small Business Act to repeal certain provisions requiring the Secretary of Commerce to obtain and publish notice of all defense and civilian procurement actions exceeding specified dollar amounts. Title V: Applicability - Declares that this Act shall apply with respect to solicitations for bids or proposals issued on or after the date 180 days after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1983
Fair Insurance Practices Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Specifies prohibited acts. Grants State and local authorities the primary authority to enforce any State or local laws prohibiting such discriminatory action. Allows an aggrieved individual to institute a civil suit in U.S. district court if the State authority fails to take diligent action on a complaint. Authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to bring a civil action in U.S. district court whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person is engaged in a pattern or practice of such discrimination. Authorizes the court to provide judicial relief when a violation has occurred.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1983
Health Insurance for Unemployed Workers Act of 1983 - Permits States to establish and regulate reinsurance pools providing three or more qualified pool health options for unemployed individuals. Requires each State reinsurance pool to offer three or more health plan options to any unemployed individual and his family, at a monthly rate which is discounted from the average premium amount. Authorizes the State insurance commissioner or other official having jurisdiction over group health plans to be responsible for establishing and overseeing the operation of the pool. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to certify whether a State reinsurance pool meets all the stipulated requirements. Allows for private reinsurance pools in States which do not establish a State reinsurance pool. Directs the Secretary to carry out the duties of the State insurance commissioner in such instances. Directs the Secretary to establish a Federal pool in States where there is no State or private reinsurance pool. Waives participation in a pool by any group health plan provider which extends coverage under a group plan for covered employees after involuntary termination or layoff, at a level equal to or surpassing the minimum extended coverage required by a qualified pool health plan. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disqualify for income tax deductions an employer's premium payments to any group health plan that does not provide coverage according to this Act. Requires qualifying group health plans to provide for the continuation of health insurance coverage following an employee's involuntary severance. Makes qualified unemployed individuals in States without pool health plans eligible to enroll in the hospital insurance program and in the supplementary medical insurance program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary to establish expedited enrollment procedures. Provides for conversion from such Social Security coverage to pool health plan coverage. Provides for Federal contributions to reinsurance pools when the national unemployment rate exceeds seven and one-half percent and the individual State's unemployment rate is equal to 110 percent of the national rate for the previous six months.