United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Farmland Protection Policy Act - Defines "agricultural land" as any land (including crop, pasture, range, or forest lands) being used or capable of being used for agriculture, forestry, or timber production. Requires each Federal agency or other unit to: (1) develop procedures within 60 days for identifying the effects of its programs regarding the conversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses; (2) review within 90 days relevant administrative and legal provisions which may prevent such unit from acting to mitigate losses of such land; and (3) develop within 120 days appropriate administrative and legislative proposals.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration should develop and validate an alternative nonanimal testing procedure.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Act - Establishes a program of educational assistance for men and women who enter active duty in the armed forces after June 30, 1981. Defines an eligible veteran for such program as one who: (1) serves on active duty for three or more consecutive years; or (2) serves an obligated period of active duty for three or more consecutive years which began after June 30, 1981; or (3) served on active duty for two or more consecutive years and has been accepted in the Ready Reserve of a component of the armed forces for four or more years. Entitles an eligible veteran to basic educational assistance if such veteran is pursuing a program of education on a full-time basis. Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to reduce rates of assistance appropriately if such veteran is pursuing a program of education on less than a full-time basis. Entitles an eligible veteran to supplemental educational assistance if such veteran: (1) has served six or more consecutive years in the armed forces; or (2) has served four or more consecutive years and has been accepted for service in a component of the Ready Reserve. Excludes the periods of service for basic educational assistance from being counted for entitlement to supplemental assistance. Allows such veterans to receive both types of assistance concurrently. Permits the Secretary of a component of the armed forces to authorize an eligible veteran who has served ten or more consecutive years of active duty to transfer all or any part of his entitlement to his dependents in accordance with provisions of this Act. Prohibits any person divorced from an eligible veteran from receiving any educational assistance based on such veterans' service. Declares the use of an eligible veterans' educational assistance expires ten years after such veterans' last discharge or release from active duty. Sets forth exceptions to such ten-year period based on certain circumstances. Suspends payments for any eligible veteran who fails to serve satisfactorily in the Ready Reserve if such service is a requirement for eligibility. Excludes certain service for the purpose of earning entitlement, including: (1) assignment to a course of education substantially the same as that offered civilians; (2) service as a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies; (3) certain enlistment in the Army or Air National Guard; or (4) service in any of the Reserve components. Extends the period of entitlement when necessary for any person to complete a term of education. Provides that payments for basic educational assistance shall be made from appropriations made to the Veterans Administration and payments for supplemental assistance shall be made from appropriations made to the Department of Defense. Permits a Secretary to increase the amount of basic or supplemental educational assistance if necessary to obtain or retain qualified active duty personnel in specific categories of such personnel. Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to each report biennially on the operation of programs provided under this Act, including recommendations for administrative or legislative changes. Makes technical amendments to provisions of the United States Code to conform with this Act. Prohibits a veteran eligible for assistance under this Act from participating in any other veterans educational assistance program. Amends the Veterans Education and Employment Assistance Act of 1976 to preclude enrollment in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance program after December 31, 1981. Establishes a delimiting period of five years when a veteran commences a program of education within two years of discharge, or December 31, 1989, whichever is later.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Family Enterprise Estate and Gift Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift taxes from $47,000 to $267,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases from $175,000 to $800,000, by specified annual increments through 1985, the minimum gross estate requirement for filing of a return. Repeals the existing limitations on the marital deduction for gift and estate taxes. Increases from $3,000 to $6,000 the annual gift tax exclusion. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if they materially participated in the operation of the farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death or takes over active management upon the decedent's death. Qualifies the owner of a woodland for the special use valuation if the owner or a member of the owner's family actively managed the property for ten years prior to the owner's death. Reduces from 15 to ten years the length of time a qualified property must be held and put to a qualified use following the decedent's death before it can be disposed of without incurring a recapture of estate tax benefits. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Allows the like kind exchange of property without loss of special use valuation eligibility. Allows valuation based on net crop share rentals as an alternative method of valuing farms. Authorizes the step-up in basis of such assets. Repeals the requirement that an heir elect special treatment for involuntary conversions of qualified real property, thus making such treatment automatic upon such conversion. States that gifts made within three years of a decedent's death shall be valued as of the time of transfer rather than as of the date of death. Authorizes an individual to elect to pay a gift tax rather than use the unified tax credit. Eliminates the alternative extension of time for payment of the estate tax where the estate consists largely of an interest in a closely held business. Allows an installment payment election if the value of the interest in the closely held business is either 35 percent of the value of the gross estate or 50 percent of the taxable estate. Allows payment of an installment within six months after the due date without penalty. Allows a disclaimer of an interest in property for estate tax purposes in specified circumstances where such disclaimer does not result in the passing of the interest concerned under the applicable State law.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1981
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 standard 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. Stipulates that VA subpoenas may be served either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail. Increases the 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; (2) provide the claimant with an opportunity for a hearing; and (3) 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 disagreements with respect to a material issue in a veterans' 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 alternate claims resolution methods, one a new intermediate-level adjudication process, the other an enhanced schedule of formal Appeals Board hearings. 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) 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; (2) that in cases not directly involving a claim for benefits a civil action otherwise authorized by law shall not be precluded; (3) the definition of final decision; (4) that the judicial review procedures established under this Act shall not apply to insurance and home loans; (5) that the VA shall file the various materials constituting the record in a case together with its answer to the claimant's complaint; and (6) that the court render a decision on the pleadings. 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. Stipulates 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. Establishes procedures for the review of the VA's or a court's approval of attorneys' fees. States that in the case of a benefits claim resolved before the VA, either the claimant or the attorney may challenge the award in the Federal district court in which the claimant resides or has his principal place of business within 30 days after notice of the attorneys' award. Provides that all parties be given notice. Stipulates 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 - States that this Act shall become effective 180 days after enactment. Permits review of Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions rendered on or after January 1, 1977, and prior to the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Declares that seven members of named families have resided since a certain date in the United States Embassy in Moscow and have been living there in accordance with United States laws. Authorizes the granting of a visa and admission to the United States for permanent residence to each individual. Provides that each individual shall be held and considered to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence as of a specified date, and to have been physically present and residing therein continuously since such date.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Investment Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals and corporations a deduction from gross income for a percentage of the cost of recovery property. Defines "recovery property" as depreciable tangible property (equipment or machinery) used in a trade or business or held for the production of income and placed in service after December 31,1980. Establishes four classes and recovery periods for such property; (1) Class 1, two years; (2) Class 2, four years; (3) Class 3, seven years; and (4) Class 4, ten years. Requires assignment of property to the class which has a recovery period at least 50 percent shorter than its present midpoint useful life under the Asset Depreciation Range (ADR). Permits the taxpayer to elect placement of any item of property in the class with the next longer recovery period than the class to which it would otherwise belong. Limits the amount of a recovery deduction to the aggregate determined by applying the recovery percentage for each class of property to the balance in the recovery account for such class at the end of the taxable year. Defines the recovery percentage as the percentage (100 percent, 150 percent, or 200 percent) selected by the taxpayer for a class of items, divided by the number of years in the corresponding recovery period. Requires a taxpayer to establish a recovery account for each class of recovery property. Sets forth formulae for additions to and reductions in such account. Excludes from the application of such deduction the following kinds of property: (1) certain livestock; (2) property subject to amortization; (3) property depreciable on a basis other than time; (4) public utility property; (5) oil- or gas-fueled boilers; and (6) property used predominantly outside the United States. Treats qualified progress expenditures, for purposes of the recovery deduction, as property placed in service. Increases from 20 percent to 30 percent the ADR variance from class life for public utility property. Revises the applicable percentage for determination of the investment tax credit to make eligible for such credit: (1) 40 percent of the basis of an asset if its useful life is between two and four years (currently, 33 1/3 percent if its useful life is between three and five years); (2) 75 percent of asset basis if its useful life is between four and seven years (currently, 66 2/3 percent if its useful life is between five and seven years); and (3) 100 percent of basis if its useful life is seven years or more (currently, the same). Provides increased applicable percentages for purposes of applying the energy percentage and the employee plan percentage. Allows election of: (1) 20-year straight line depreciation, with Section 1250 recapture, for structures and structural components; (2) 15-year straight line depreciation, with Section 1250 recapture, for low-income housing; and (3) 15-year declining balance depreciation, with Section 1245 recapture, of certain owner-occupied buildings used for industrial, retail, or catalog distribution purposes. Disallows component depreciation for any taxpayer who makes such election. Repeals provisions granting small businesses a first-year depreciation allowance for the cost of tangible personal property. Increases the investment credit carryover (from seven to ten years), the net operating loss carryover for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1981 (to ten years), and the investment tax credit for rehabilitated nonresidential structures (from ten percent to 25 percent). Repeals provisions disallowing the deduction for real property construction period interest and taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Anti-Arson Act of 1981 - Establishes an Interagency Committee on Arson Prevention and Control to coordinate Federal anti-arson programs and to provide assistance to State and local governments for the prevention, detection, and control of arson. Directs the Committee to report to Congress on the success of its activities within 18 months of enactment. Terminates the Committee two years from the date of enactment. Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to: (1) classify arson as a major crime in the Uniform Crime Reports; and (2) develop a special statistical report for arson in cooperation with the National Fire Data Center. Directs the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration to: (1) conduct a research program for the development of techniques and equipment for use by State and local fire fighting and law enforcement personnel for arson prediction, prevention, and control; (2) establish anti-arson educational and training programs for State and local government; (3) develop materials for community awareness programs; and (4) provide information relative to the prevention, prediction, occurrence, and control of arson. Authorizes appropriations for the Administration for such purpose. Amends the National Housing Act to require that FAIR (fair access to insurance requirements) plans be issued only after insurers obtain information from a prospective policyholder with respect to arson.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Radio Deregulation Act of 1981 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make licenses for the operation of a radio broadcasting station valid for an indefinite period of time. Permits any party in interest to petition the Federal Communications Commission for a revocation of such license. Requires such petition to contain specific allegations of fact to establish a prima facie case that the licensee has violated specific provisions of such Act or an order of the Commission. Requires the Commission to hold a hearing if a substantial and material question of fact is presented. Permits the Commission to grant an application for a license for a frequency in the radio broadcast service on a system of random selection. Requires the Commission to establish procedures for such selection within a specified period. Prohibits the Commission from requiring radio broadcast station licensees to provide specific types of programming or restricting the length or frequency of commercials. Requires the Commission to report to Congress annually on its progress in reviewing regulations applicable to radio broadcasting. Requires the Commission within three years to report to Congress on the impact of deregulation on radio programming.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1981
Savings and Retirement Income Incentive Act of 1981 - Amends the Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980 to make permanent the income tax exclusion for dividend and interest income. Increases such tax exclusion for persons over age 65 to $500 ($1,000 for joint returns). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase to $2,000 the amount of the income tax deduction for contributions to individual retirement accounts. Eliminates the prohibition against certain pension plan participants (e.g. government and military personnel) from making deductible contributions to individual retirement accounts. Increases the amount of nondeductible contributions which an individual may make to an individual retirement account in a taxable year and over such individual's lifetime. Permits contributors to an individual retirement account to withdraw from such an account up to $10,000, without tax penalty, in order to purchase a first home or finance the higher education of a dependent child. Allows an income tax deduction for voluntary employee contributions to tax-qualified employer pension and annuity plans.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1981
Criminal Justice Construction Reform Act - Title I: Findings and Definitions - Sets forth definitions and findings. Defines "criminal justice facilities" to include court, law enforcement, juvenile, correctional, and other facilities used for any criminal justice purpose. Title II: Grants for the Construction and Modernization of Criminal Justice Facilities - Authorizes the Administrator of the Criminal Justice Facilities Administration (established under title III) to make grants to States for the construction and modernization of criminal justice facilities during fiscal years 1983 through 1988. Apportions appropriations among States on the basis of population and the volume and expenditure of criminal justice activities. Sets aside another portion of such sums appropriated for demonstration grants to test the applicability of advanced practices on the design, construction, and modernization of facilities. Requires any State desiring to receive such funding to submit a seven- year State plan. Directs the Administrator to operate a criminal justice facilities information clearinghouse. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to pay State and local governments an interest subsidy for criminal facility construction bonds which reduce the cost of such bonds to not more than five percent interest. Title III: Administration Provisions - Establishes the Criminal Justice Facilities Administration within the Department of Justice, headed by an Administrator appointed by the President. Charges the Administrator with carrying out this Act and submitting to the President for transmittal to Congress a report at least once per year. Sets at 75 percent the Federal share of the cost of a State plan approved under this Act. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the Administrator of the General Services Administration to donate surplus property to any State for construction and modernization of criminal justice facilities. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1981
Headstart Extension Act of 1981 - Amends the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to extend through fiscal year 1986 the authorization of appropriations for Headstart programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1981
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to limit to 12 1/2 percent of the value of the coal produced yearly the amount of all State and local severance taxes or fees on coal mined from Indian or Federal lands and shipped in interstate commerce to any powerplant or major installation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1981
Expresses the jubilation and relief of the Senate at the release of the 52 Americans held hostage by Iran. Expresses appreciation for the efforts of various Government officials to secure the release of the hostages. Recognizes the patriotism of the military personnel who tried to rescue them. Thanks Algeria for its help in securing the hostages' release.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers who do not itemize income tax deductions to claim a deduction from gross income for charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1981
Title I: Export Trading Companies - Export Trading Company Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promote export trading companies by providing information and by facilitating contacts between producers of exportable goods and export trading companies. Authorizes any banking organization to invest specified amounts in export trading companies upon notifying, but without obtaining the prior approval of, the appropriate Federal banking agency, if such investment does not cause an export trading company to become a subsidiary of such organization. Allows greater investment by Edge Act Corporations not engaged in banking. Permits any banking organization to invest beyond such limitations with prior approval of the appropriate Federal banking agency. Requires prior notification of such agencies in specified circumstances. Sets forth further limitations on export trading companies and investments by banking organizations. Specifies factors to be taken into consideration by the banking agencies. Permits such agencies to impose conditions in approving applications to invest in export trading companies. Requires such agencies to report to the appropriate Congressional committees with their recommendations concerning implementation of this Act, related changes in U.S. law, and effects of ownership of U.S. banks by foreign banking organizations. Provides for judicial review of denial orders in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals. Sets forth the grounds for disapproval. Provides for remand for further consideration by the banking agency. Directs the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration to give special weight to export-related benefits when considering applications for loans and guarantees by export trading companies. Authorizes up to $20,000,000 to be appropriated for initial investments and operating expenses for each of fiscal years 1981-1985. Directs the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide loan guarantees for expansion to export trading companies or exporters to be secured by accounts receivable or inventories when adequate financing is not otherwise available. Directs the Board of Directors to try to insure that a major share of such guarantees promotes exports from small, medium-size, and minority businesses or agricultural concerns. Title II: Export Trade Associations - Export Trade Association Act of 1981- Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt the export trade, export trade activities, and methods of operation of certified export trade associations and export trading companies from the antitrust laws. Delays the effectiveness of any certificate upon the notification of the Secretary of Commerce by the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of disagreement with the decision to issue a certificate. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by any association, company, or export trading company seeking certification under this Act and by the Secretary in issuing such certificates. Permits automatic certification for existing associations. Provides for appeal of the Secretary's denial of certification. Authorizes the Attorney General or the FTC to bring an action to invalidate a certification. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General and the FTC, to publish certification guidelines. Requires certified associations and export trading companies to submit annual reports to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Commerce an Office of Export Trade. Requires such Office to report annually to the appropriate Congressional committees on all East-West trade transactions requiring validated licenses and on the role of U.S. export trading companies in such trade. Grants a temporary exemption from the Sherman Act antitrust provisions for existing associations. Requires, with specified exceptions, that all applications for certification be kept confidential. Authorizes the Secretary to require an association or trading company to modify its operation to be consistent with international obligations of the United States. Directs the President to appoint, with the Senate's advice and consent, a task force, seven years after enactment, to examine the effect of this Act and to make recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1981
Product Liability Risk Retention Act of 1981 - Defines "risk retention group" to mean any corporation or insurance company formed under State law which: (1) is organized for the primary purpose of assuming and spreading product liability or completed operations liability risk exposure; (2) is chartered as an insurance company under State law; (3) does not exclude members for competitive advantage; and (4) consists of members whose principal activity is the manufacture, design, distribution, packaging, or sale of a product. Defines "purchasing group" to mean any group of persons which has as one of its purposes the purchase of product liability or completed operations insurance on a group basis. Exempts risk retention groups and purchasing groups from State laws which prohibit, regulate, or otherwise discriminate against such groups. Enumerates requirements which a State may impose on a risk retention group, including compliance with unfair claims settlement practices laws, payment of taxes, and reporting requirements. Authorizes a State to license an agent or broker for a purchasing group. Stipulates that the ownership interests of members in a risk retention group shall not be considered securities or an investment company for purposes of the Federal securities laws or State blue sky laws.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the allowable amount of the income tax deduction for eliminating architectural and transportation barriers for the handicapped and aged from $25,000 to $100,000. Makes such tax deduction permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow married couples, who do not file a single joint tax return with their spouses, to elect the same tax rates currently applicable to unmarried individuals (other than surviving spouses and heads of households), without regard to any community property laws. Entitles any married individual making such an election to claim the income tax credit for dependent care services, even though such individual did not contribute over half of the support of the dependent concerned.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Requests the President to designate the week beginning with the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Authorizes the President, subject to specified conditions, to negotiate agreements with foreign governments limiting imports of automobiles, trucks, and their parts. Limits such authorization and agreements to a specified period of time. Requires consultation with the private sector. Prohibits treating actions taken pursuant to such agreements as violations of U.S. laws.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate with respect to the murder of four American missionaries in El Salvador in December 1980, and extends its condolences to their families and friends. Declares that the President should urge the government of El Salvador to bring the murderers to justice.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1980
Designates the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health located in Montgomery County, Maryland, as the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health. Directs the Committee on Rules and Administration to place appropriate markers or inscriptions at suitable locations within such center to commemorate and designate such building.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1980
Earth Data and Information Service Act of 1980 - Establishes the Earth Data and Information Service within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to collect, interpret, compile, and distribute data obtained by remote sensing satellites and other sources on the Earth's resources and environment. Directs the Service to: (1) provide rapid processing of, and ready access to, such data at a reasonable cost to both foreign and domestic users; (2) promote competition among suppliers of equipment and services to the Service; and (3) make available to all users remote sensing data and basic information products and services. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) plan, initiate, construct, acquire, own, manage, and operate an Earth Data and Information System to provide a reliable source of useful data and basic information products to users; (2) include in such system remote satellites, ground facilities and other necessary equipment; (3) establish communication networks to transmit such data and products to users on a timely basis. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Federal Communications Commission in establishing such networks. Stipulates that the communication services needed for such networks, insofar as practicable, shall be procured from the private sector. Permits the Secretary to: (1) recommend continued research and development by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on remote sensing components and systems for both space and ground operations of the System; (2) arrange for the participation of specified personnel in operating and planning the System; and (3) widely disseminate the data and basic information products to the users. Permits the Secretary, under the President's supervision, to participate in a program of international activities related to the functions of the Service. Directs the Secretary to establish a schedule of user charges for products and services provided under this Act. Sets forth penalties for unlawful reproduction for sale or distribution of any data or basic information products produced by the Service. Specifies procedures by which the President may transfer to the Service related functions of any other Federal department or agency. Requires the Secretary to present to the President, who shall transmit to Congress in January of each year, a report containing a description of the activities and accomplishments of the Service during the preceding year. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1980
Authorizes from funds previously approved in appropriations Acts for the homeownership assistance program under the National Housing Act $125,000,000 to be available for contracts to make periodic mortgage assistance payments entered into on or after October 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1980
Regulatory Negotiation Act of 1980 - Title I: General Provisions - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to encourage the formation of regulatory negotiation commission as an alternative to the adversarial process of establishing regulatory policy. Defines the term "regulatory negotiation commission" as a group consisting of representatives of the major positions on the issues under consideration which is formed voluntarily by private individuals and organizations to attempt, through negotiation, to reach consensus recommendations on regulatory policy. Title II: Grants for Regulatory Negotiation Commissions - Directs the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States to establish a pilot program to make grants to five regulatory negotiation commission projects during each of fiscal years 1981 and 1982. Restricts such grants to projects pertaining to regulatory policy in the areas of health, safety, and the environment for which: (1) a major law has been enacted, but no rules or regulations have been issued; (2) final rules and regulations have been issued, but are likely to undergo major revision; or (3) basic statutory changes are expected. Requires the Chairman to select the areas for which grant applications will be accepted and to provide notice to the public of such grants. Specifies the information to be included in such an application including: (1) the need for the commission; (2) a proposed membership list for the commission; and (3) a written commitment by each member to negotiate in good faith and to produce a report on negotiations within the necessary time period. Directs the Chairman to approve an application only if the proposed commission: (1) will be able to report expanded areas of consensus among the affected parties; (2) will include balanced and sufficient representation of the major positions of interest in the area of regulatory policy to be considered; and (3) can recommend policy alternatives that will provide significant improvements over existing policy. Permits such grants to be used to employ an administrative director of a commission, to pay travel and per diem expenses of commission members, and to pay other administrative costs. Requires each commission receiving a grant to issue a final report outling areas of consensus, areas of disagreement, and recommendations. Directs an agency, upon request, to send an observer to a commission to provide information and make suggestions to the commission and to report to the agency concerning commission activities. Prohibits such an observer from negotiating policy on behalf of the agency or officially representing the agency. Requires an agency to comment on the report of a commission within a specified period and to submit such comments to the appropriate congressional committees. Directs all Federal agencies engaged in the areas of health, safety, and environmental regulation to review the reports of any regulatory negotiation commission regardless of whether such commission is funded under this Act. Title III: Miscellaneous - Requires the Chairman to report to Congress by January 1, 1983, on the pilot program established under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1980
National Hostel System Act of 1980 - Directs the National Hostel System Study Commission, established by this Act, to transmit to specified congressional committees, within two fiscal years following the effective date of this Act, a National Hostel System Plan which shall: (1) guide the development and implementation of a national hostel system; (2) encourage the development of hostels by State and local governmental agencies and private, nonprofit organizations; and (3) encourage the operation of hostels by private, nonprofit organizations. Requires the Commission to provide for full public participation during the development of such Plan. Requires the Commission, every six months after the effective date of this Act, and until the Plan is submitted to the specified congressional committees, to submit to such committees a brief and comprehensive written status report on the progress being made toward the completion of the Plan. Terminates the Commission one year after submission of the Plan. Directs the Commission to transmit the proposed Plan to the Secretary of the Interior for review and comment. Requires the Secretary, within 30 days after receipt of the Plan, to submit written comments and recommendations to the Commission. Provides for public review and comment on the Plan. Requires the Commission, within 30 days after the completion of such review procedures, to incorporate into the Plan such comments and recommendations as it deems appropriate and submit the Plan, along with the Secretary's and the public's comments and recommendations, to specified congressional committees. Establishes the National Hostel System Study Commission, whose purpose it shall be to prepare, and to submit to Congress, a National Hostel System Plan, and to perform such other functions as are set forth in this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States, units of local government, and private, nonprofit organizations to defray the costs of improvements in, or renovations of, structures and facilities for hostel purposes. Specifies that such grants may be made only for projects approved by the Commission, and limits such grants to amounts not to exceed $200,000. Sets forth the procedures for applying for such grants. Declares that, upon the request of the Secretary, any structure declared excess by any Federal agency shall be transferred to the Secretary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Secretary to ensure that the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan for each State developed pursuant to the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act address the potential and plans for the location and development of hostels. Allows the head of any Federal agency, upon the application of any agency or instrumentality of a State or local government or any private nonprofit organization, to lease any structures and land to such applicant, without charge, for hostel purposes if the Secretary has certified that the applicant meets the standards of the National Hostel System Plan.
![Official portrait of Sen. Riegle, Donald W., Jr. [D-MI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000249_200.jpg)