United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow disclosure of returns or return information to an officer or employee of any Federal agency for use in preparing any administrative, judicial, or grand jury proceeding involving the enforcement of a specific Federal criminal statute (but not involving tax administration) or in an investigation which may result in such a proceeding. Authorizes such disclosure only by ex parte order of a Federal district court judge or magistrate. Sets forth grounds for the granting of such order. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose return information upon written request of the head or the Inspector General of a Federal agency or the Attorney General or his designee, to such officers and employees as are directly engaged in, and solely for use in or preparation for, any administrative, judicial, or grand jury proceeding involving the enforcement of a specific Federal criminal statute (but not involving tax administration) or in an investigation which may result in such a proceeding. Prohibits the disclosure of returns or return information which would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a tax investigation. Authorizes the Secretary to disclose return information (other than information which would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a tax investigation) which may constitute evidence of a violation of Federal criminal laws to the extent necessary to apprise the head of the appropriate Federal agency responsible for enforcing such laws. Permits the Secretary or his designee, in specified emergency circumstances, to disclose information to the extent necessary to apprise the appropriate Federal agency of such emergency. Allows information disclosed pursuant to this Act to be entered into evidence in a proceeding not involving tax administration or in an ancillary proceeding to which the United States is a party. Limits such disclosure to the extent required by applicable discovery requirements. Prohibits admission of such information into evidence if the Secretary determines that it would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a tax investigation. Permits the disclosure of returns and return information to Federal agencies by order of a Federal district judge if necessary to locate fugitives from justice. Permits an individual to bring an action for civil damages for the unauthorized disclosure of returns or return information by Federal officers or employees or others. Provides that an individual shall not be liable for a disclosure that results from a good faith but erroneous interpretation of the law. Limits the amount of recoverable damages. Allows the disclosure of returns or return information by Federal agencies or by the Secretary for use in certain audits by the General Accounting Office.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1982
Crime Control Act of 1982 - Title I: Organized Crime Enforcement - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for any person who commits or commissions a contract murder, attempted murder, or assault. Provides that a direct or indirect contract between two or more persons involving an offer, agreement, or solicitation to commit a contract murder shall constitute prima facie evidence that the act was commissioned for "anything of value." Applies the penalties for contract murder to any person who uses actual or threatened force to coerce another to commit a murder, attempted murder, or assault in violation of State law. Directs the Attorney General to designate criteria for Federal involvement in the prosecution of contract murders. Stipulates that this Act does not preempt State law in this area. Makes it a Federal offense to kill any attorney, agent, or employee of the U.S. Government employed to investigate or prosecute violations of Federal criminal statutes or any employee of the Intelligence Community. Establishes a new offense of assaulting, kidnapping, murdering, or threatening the relative of any Federal employee covered by the current assault statute, with intent to interfere with such employee's official duties. Amends the obstruction of justice statute to expand the class of persons protected from coercion to include potential witnesses and informants (current law protects actual witnesses). Amends the Freedom of Information Act to expand the exception relating to informants to limit disclosure of information which "tends to disclose" an informant's identity. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to permit a court to reduce a sentence of a cooperating defendant upon application of a U.S. Attorney. Amends the wiretap statute to require a judge to review in camera any information as to previous wiretap applications which might compromise a current or pending case or investigation. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to permit disclosure of Federal grand jury information to a State or local law enforcement official who is assisting a U.S. Attorney in the enforcement of Federal criminal law. Title II: Bail Reform - Amends the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 to require a judicial officer, in setting conditions of pretrial release for any person charged with certain narcotics offenses, to consider which conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community, the personal safety of persons in the community, and the prevention of similar offenses by such person. Requires a judicial officer to deny release to any person charged with a narcotics offense who: (1) has previously been convicted of a felony narcotics offense under Federal, State, or foreign law; (2) is on parole, probation, or other conditional release for a felony offense under Federal or State law; (3) is an illegal alien; (4) was arrested in possession of a false passport; or (5) has been convicted of being a fugitive from justice. Requires the Government to provide clear and convincing evidence that the person charged falls within any such category and to establish that there is substantial probability that the person committed the offense. Permits the judicial officer to grant release to a person who has not been previously convicted of a felony narcotics offense upon a finding of special mitigating factors. Requires that the case of a person who is denied release be placed on an expedited calendar. Title III: Sentencing - Authorizes a court to impose additional penalties where a crime is carried out by use of, or threatened use of, violence, or a dangerous weapon or destructive device. Increases penalties for persons in possession of large amounts of marihuana. Title IV: Habeas Corpus Reform - Prohibits Federal magistrates from conducting evidentiary hearings in habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners. Prohibits the consideration in a habeas corpus proceeding of a Federal question which was not properly presented under State law at trial and on appeal unless the petitioner establishes that the alleged violation of the Federal right was prejudicial and that: (1) the Federal right did not exist at time of trial and has been determined to be retroactive; (2) the State procedures precluded assertion of the right; (3) evidence was suppressed which prevented raising of the claim; or (4) material and controlling facts upon which the claim is based were unknown and could not have been ascertained by reasonable diligence. Establishes a three-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners. Prohibits the Federal evidentiary hearing from being conducted where State court records contain factual findings, unless the petitioner establishes the existence of at least one of six enumerated circumstances. (Currently, the State findings are presumed to be correct unless petitioner establishes existence of a circumstance.) Eliminates from such circumstances that the applicant: (1) did not receive a full, fair, and adequate hearing; or (2) was otherwise denied due process.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Soviet Union should permit Abe Stolar and his family to emigrate to Israel and that the President should express U.S. opposition to the forced captivity of the Stolar family by the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1982
Commends Israel for completing the Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula in accordance with the Camp David Accords. Expresses confidence that Israel and Egypt will continue normalizing relations.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the aggregate amount of appropriations for conservation and renewable energy for FY 1983 should not be less than the amount appropriated for FY 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1982
Enterprise Zone Tax Act of 1982 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by this Act. Specifies that State and local governments shall nominate areas for such designation. Limits the designation of enterprise zones to 25 nominated areas per year. Limits the period during which such designations shall remain in effect. Specifies that the Secretary may designate such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area (with a population of at least 50,000) or 2,500 otherwise, or is within an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, or receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area. Terminates the authority of the Secretary to designate enterprise zones on December 31, 1985 or three years after publication of regulations pertaining to such zones, whichever is later. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Requires that any property tax reduction effected by a local government under the terms of this Act be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. States that designation of an enterprise zone shall not give displaced persons from such an area any rights or benefits under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives Subtitle A - Credits for Employers and Employees - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a nonrefundable income tax credit for ten percent of the increase in payroll for all employees, taking into account a maximum of $15,000 in wages per employee. Allows such credit only for wages paid to employees who perform 90 percent of their services in work directly related to the conduct of the taxpayers' business located in the enterprise zone and who perform 50 percent of their services within such zone. Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit for employers equal to 50 percent of the wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers for the first three years of the enterprise zone designation. Phases out such credit by ten percent a year beginning in the forth year after such designation. Requires a recapture of such credit for the early termination of such employees. Disallows a deduction for the portion of wages or salaries subject to such credit. Requires employers to furnish to each employee a written statement showing the amount of wages paid to such employee. Provides an income tax credit for enterprise zone employees equal to five percent of the first $9,000 of wages received each year. Phases out such credit in the last four years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for certain tangible property located in enterprise zones. Limits such credit to five percent for zone personal property and ten percent for new zone construction property, including rental property. Requires that the property subject to such credit be predominantly used in the zone, be purchased after zone designation, and not be acquired from relatives or related corporations. Requires the recapture of such credit upon early disposition of the property. Subtitle C: Reduction in Capital Grain Tax Rates - Eliminates the capital gains tax on property of corporations acquired after the enterprise zone designation and used in a zone business. Qualifies certain low-income rental housing located in an enterprise zone for such treatment. Permits property to remain qualified for purposes of the revised capital gains treatment after a designation of an enterprise zone has terminated. Exempts gain from the sale or expenses of property used in a business in an enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Expresses the sense of Congress that if the minimum tax is modified, enterprise zone capital gain will be excluded in computing minimum taxable income. Subtitle D: Extension of Carryover Periods - Extends the net operating loss and investment tax credit carryover period to the longer of 15 years or the duration of the enterprise zone designation for businesses operating in such zones. Subtitle E: Rules Relating to Industrial Development Bonds - Provides that rules relating to small issue tax-exempt industrial development bonds now in effect shall apply to bonds used to finance land or other depreciable property located in an enterprise zone, even if such rules are subsequently changed. Subtitle F: Sense of the Congress With Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions, to include qualified businesses (as defined in Title II of this Act), designating governments, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations which pertain to the carrying out of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve such request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in continuation of the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement (including the Davis-Bacon Act and Fair Labor Standards Act) or which would present a danger to the public health and safety. Provides that such waivers or modifications of rule shall remain in effect as long as the zone designations. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote the coordination of all enterprise zone programs and consolidate all periodic reports required under such programs into one summary report. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to and expedite applications for the establishment of parts of entry necessary to establish such zones. States that to the maximum extent practicable foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1982
Declares that the United States should propose to the Soviet Union: (1) a long-term, mutual, and verifiable nuclear forces freeze at equal and sharply reduced levels; and (2) practical measures to reduce the danger of an accidental nuclear war and to prevent the use of nuclear weapons by third parties. States that the United States and the Soviet Union should channel their resources away from amassing nuclear armaments and towards fighting poverty, hunger, and disease. Declares that the United States should continue to work for balanced arms reductions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, through the Government National Mortgage Association, to assist middle- and lower-income families in acquiring a home or membership in a cooperative housing association by making periodic interest reduction payments on behalf of such families to mortgagees and lenders. Prohibits the Secretary from entering into contracts to provide interest reduction payments during any month unless the Federal Home Loan Bank Board's home mortgage interest rate index for the most recent two-month period exceeds 12.5 percent per year. Conditions eligibility for interest reduction payments on the insurability of the first mortgage or loan secured by such property. Sets forth the qualifications for insurance, which include requirements that: (1) the loan be executed by a borrower who has an annual income of less than $30,000; (2) the loan involve a one- to four-family dwelling the construction of which was completed on or after March 6, 1982; (3) the loan be amortized over 30 years; and (4) beginning with the second year, the loan payments be increased by a specified amount which shall be applied to the principal obligation until it is paid off. Limits the duration of the interest reduction payments to five years. Declares that the amount of all such payments shall constitute a second lien on the property. Requires repayment of such amount, not to exceed 60 percent of the homeowner's net equity: (1) upon the sale or disposition of the property; (2) upon the refinancing of the loan; or (3) when the owner ceases to occupy the property as a principal residence for a period exceeding nine months. Limits the amount of interest reduction payments to the difference between the amount of the monthly principal and interest payment under the terms of the loan and the amount such payment would be if the interest rate on the loan were: (1) 11 percent per year; or (2) four percentage points less than the rate specified in the loan, whichever rate is higher. Requires the Secretary to: (1) allocate the amount available to carry out this Act on the basis of the population, number of housing starts, and unemployment in each State relative to all States; and (2) assure that the allocated amounts are made available in a manner which maximizes participation by eligible lenders and borrowers. Declares that any mortgage insured or assisted under this Act shall be eligible for purchase by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association Corporation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
Condemns the religious persecution by Iran of persons of the Baha'i faith. Holds Iran responsible for upholding the rights of all its citizens. Expresses the hope that the discrimination against and executions of the Baha'is will cease. Urges Iran to end the executions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
Reaffirms that deposits, up to the statutorily prescribed amount, in federally insured depository institutions are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1982
Commodity Exchange Act Fraud Amendments of 1982 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to specify areas of exclusive Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Commission) jurisdiction, and to permit States to exercise jurisdiction over specified off-exchange transactions, including dealer options and leverage transactions. Requires registration of persons associated with commodity pool operators (CPOs) and commodity trading advisors (CTAs). Requires that the States be notified of any Commission registration application. Permits States to petition the Commission to suspend or revoke such applications. Eliminates the requirement that the Commission give notice before seeking a temporary restraining order. Authorizes State enforcement of State antifraud or commodity and security antifraud statutes, except against contract markets, clearinghouses, or floor brokers. Provides for information sharing with the States to facilitate enforcement proceedings. Makes specified criminal penalties applicable to all registrants. Provides for a private right of action under such Act in the United States district courts. Increases damages for failure to comply with a Commission reparation order.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1982
Competition in Contracting Act of 1982 - 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 purchases and contracts for property and services. Directs agencies to solicit a sufficient number of bids, without bias, to achieve effective and efficient competition. Permits agencies to use noncompetitive procurement procedures only when: (1) there is only one source of 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 maintain an essential industrial capacity in the United States or to achieve 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. Requires that each solicitation for bids disclose: (1) the factors the agency will use in evaluating bids; (2) the agency's objectives in procuring the property or services; (3) whether the bids will be evaluated with or without discussion; and (4) the time and location for the opening of bids. Requires each agency to evaluate bids on the basis of price and other appropriate factors. Permits an agency to discuss bids with bidders when necessary before awarding a contract. Prohibits discussion if the Government's needs and the terms of the contract are sufficiently described to permit: (1) sources to prepare and submit bids on an informed and timely basis; and (2) the agency to evaluate all bids on a common and timely basis. Directs an agency to notify all bidders when procurement is awarded. Requires an agency to direct the Secretary of Commerce to publish a notice of: (1) the agency's intention to use competitive procedures to purchase property or services costing over $25,000; (2) the agency's intention to use noncompetitive procedures to procure property or services costing over $75,000; or (3) an actual purchase or contract award exceeding an amount specified by the Administrator of Federal Procurement Policy. Requires such a notice for noncompetitive procurement to be published at least 30 days before the contract is awarded and to include: (1) the names of sources to be solicited; (2) the property or services to be procured; (3) the estimated value of the procurement; and (4) a statement that any person may submit bids within 30 days. Exempts certain procurement activities from such notice requirements. Requires agencies to maintain records of noncompetitive procurements during each fiscal year. Declares that such records shall include a justification of each use of competitive procedures and shall be available to any Member of Congress. 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. Title III: Applicability - Declares that this Act shall become applicable 60 days after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1982
Ethics in Government Act Amendments of 1982 - Amends the special prosecutor provisions of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. Changes the name of the special prosecutor to "independent counsel." Amends the coverage of officials who may be subject to the special prosecutor provisions. Limits coverage of persons in the Executive Office of the President to Level II or above (currently, Level IV or above). Extends coverage to members of the President's family during the incumbency of the President. Defines which national campaign officers are subject to the Act. Includes the chairman and treasurer of the national campaign committee and officers exercising authority at the national level. Makes executive officials subject to the Act during the incumbency of the President under whom they serve, plus one year. (Currently, such officials remain subject to the Act under a successive President of the same political party.) Revises the current standards for determining whether a preliminary investigation is required and for appointing a special prosecutor. Requires the Attorney General to conduct a preliminary investigation upon receiving information "sufficient to constitute grounds to investigate." Requires consideration of the credibility of the source of the information. (Currently, a preliminary investigation is triggered by receipt of "specific information" without consideration of the source's credibility.) Requires appointment of a special prosecutor if there are "reasonable grounds to believe" that further prosecution is warranted. (Currently, a prosecutor must be appointed unless the matter is "so unsubstantiated" that no further prosecution is warranted.) Requires the Attorney General to comply with written policies of the Department of Justice in determining whether appointment of a special prosecutor is warranted. Permits a court to award attorney's fees to subjects of a special prosecutor investigation if no indictment results and the expenses would not otherwise have been incurred. Changes the standard for removal of a special prosecutor from "extraordinary impropriety" to "good cause." Extends the expiration of the special prosecutor provisions from October 26, 1983, to five years after enactment of these amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1982
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for mailing an identification document (usable by a minor for the purchase of alcoholic beverages) which bears an unverified birthdate. Requires for verification that the sender of the identification obtain adequate assurances that the person to be identified is at least 21 years old or that the birthdate is accurate.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1982
Repeals provisions of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 which set forth special rules for the leasing of depreciable business property between corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1982
Repeals provisions of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 which set forth special rules for the leasing of depreciable business property between corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Bankruptcy Improvements Act of 1981 - Amends title 11 (Bankruptcy) of the United States Code to establish an eligibility test for liquidation bankruptcy relief based on the individual petitioner's inability to pay a reasonable portion of his debts out of future income. Permits the court to dismiss a bankruptcy case upon the motion of any party in interest filed prior to the conclusion of the meeting of creditors, and after notice and a hearing, if the debtor is ineligible for relief under such title because he is able to pay a reasonable portion of his debts out of future income. Requires the bankruptcy judge to preside at any meeting of creditors and to perform such additional judicial duties as may be required. Declares that the value of the creditor's interest in the estate's interest in consumer goods property shall be determined in light of the purpose of the valuation and of the proposed disposition or use of such property, and in conjunction with any hearing on such disposition or use or on a plan affecting such creditor's interest. Declares that the value of consumer goods which the debtor seeks to redeem in liquidation shall be presumed to be the established resale market price, if such market exists. Requires the debtor in bankruptcy cases to file a statement of estimated income and expenses for the year following filing of his petition. Requires the debtor, if the debtor's schedule of assets and liabilities includes consumer debts which are secured by property of the estate, to file and serve upon each creditor holding such security and the trustee, a statement expressing the debtor's intention with respect to retention or surrender of the collateral. Requires the debtor, at or before the meeting of creditors provided for by such title, to perform his intention with regard to such secured creditors. Repeals the provisions concerning exempt property and makes the States responsible for establishing exemptions to bankruptcy proceedings. Presumes nondischargeable any debt which was incurred on or within 45 days before the date of the filing of a petition under such title nondischargeable. Allows for rebuttal of such presumption. Allows creditors to enforce liens which have not been voided in bankruptcy. Permits reaffirmation of consumer debts subject to the debtor's right to rescind any such agreement within 60 days or until a discharge is received, whichever occurs later, by giving a written notice of rescission to the creditor. Declares that at the meeting of creditors the court shall inform the debtor of the nature and effect of a discharge and of any reaffirmation of debt. Limits the trustee's power to avoid liens or recover payments made within 90 days of the filing of the petition in bankruptcy (within one year in the case of an insider) unless the creditor had reasonable cause to believe the debtor was insolvent. Permits the court, upon notice and hearing, to require a creditor to accept payments in redemption of the value of a claim secured by a nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interest in tangible personal property, over a reasonable period not to exceed five years, if such tangible personal property consists of specified objects. Allows a creditor, upon 10 days notice to the debtor and codebtor, to collect any portion of a debt from the codebtor which is not being paid by the debtor through the adjustment of debts of such debtor with a regular income. Requires payments under an adjustment of debts payment plan to commence within thirty days after the filing of the plan. Provides for the return of such funds after deducting the costs of administration if no plan is confirmed. Provides for the separate classification of co-debtor claims and non-dischargeable claims and authorizes payment of them under an adjustment of debts payment plan. Allows a debtor to choose such a repayment plan of up to five years. Bases such repayment upon the debtor's ability to repay out of future income after taking into account the basic living necessities for the debtor and dependents. Provides for an early discharge of debts where a reasonable portion of unsecured claims are paid. Permits a hardship discharge of otherwise non-dischargeable debts to the extent the debtor attempted to pay such debts under an adjustment of debts payment plan, but was prevented from so doing by unforeseen cirucmstances.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1981
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit an individual to elect hospice care, in lieu of certain other benefits, during two periods of 180 days each during the individual's lifetime. Provides for full reimbursement of reasonable costs to a hospice program, subject to a ceiling. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the hospice reimbursement method. Defines hospice care as including items and services furnished to the terminally ill in their homes, on an outpatient basis, and on a short term inpatient basis.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1981
States that the Federal Government should promote energy conservation through low-income weatherization assistance, energy conservation information programs, and funding of energy conservation research and development.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 1981
Controlled Substances Amendments Act of 1981 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to eliminate the distinction between penalties for dealing in narcotic and nonnarcotic drugs listed in schedules I and II.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Amends title IV (National Research Institutes) of the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. Sets forth the Institute's research and training functions and arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases program plan. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Institute, to operate multipurpose arthritis and musculoskeletal disease research centers. Requires annual evaluations of such centers. Authorizes specified appropriations for such centers for fiscal years 1983-1985. Directs the Secretary to establish an arthritis and musculoskeletal disease Coordinating Committee, which shall meet at least four times a year.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Amends the Small Business Act to require procuring agencies to wait a specified amount of time before issuing solicitations for procurement actions or foreclosing competition under procurement actions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1981
Interstate Compact - Grants the consent of Congress to the cooperative agreement between the States of New Hampshire and Vermont for the construction and operation of facilities for the processing or disposal of solid waste.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1981
Amends the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act to increase the authorized civil and criminal penalties for violations. Extends the current reporting requirement to include persons attempting to transport monetary instruments into or from the United States. Raises from $5,000 to $10,000 the amount transported which triggers the reporting requirement. Revises the forfeiture provision to subject monetary instruments to seizure only if the person required to file a report knowingly fails to do so. Authorizes a customs officer to make a warrantless search and seizure of any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, envelope, or other container based on reasonable cause that a monetary instrument is being transported for which a report is required. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a reward for original information leading to a recovery of at least $50,000 by way of criminal fine, civil penalty, or forfeiture.
United States · United States Congress · 24 November 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth new criteria for the disclosure of tax return information to Federal law enforcement officials. Revises the definition of tax return information and investigative nonreturn information. Defines "investigative return information" as tax returns of all taxpayers and underlying records and information submitted in support of such returns. Defines "investigative nonreturn information" as all information obtained by the Internal Revenue Service which is not encompassed in the definition of investigative return information, including corporate books and records and information about taxpayers obtained from third parties. Requires an ex parte Federal court order for the disclosure of investigative return information to Justice Department officials for use in preparing any administrative, judicial, or grand jury proceeding involving the enforcement of a specific Federal criminal statute (but not involving tax administration) or in an ancillary proceeding involving the United States or for purposes of locating a fugitive from justice. Specifies the grounds for granting an ex parte order. Authorizes Justice Department officials who have obtained investigative return information pursuant to a court order to disclose such information to other government officials or potential witnesses crucial to a criminal investigation or needed for the preparation of criminal proceedings. Grants the Secretary of the Treasury discretion to refuse disclosure of investigative return or nonreturn information if he determines and certifies to the court granting the ex parte order (in the case of return information), that such disclosure would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a civil or criminal tax investigation. Requires the Secretary to disclose investigative return information to Justice Department officials as soon as practicable after the issuance of the ex parte order. Permits the disclosure of investigative nonreturn information upon the written request of a head of a Federal agency, the Inspector General of such agency, or certain officials of the Justice Department for use in Federal grand jury proceedings, or in preparation for any administrative, judicial, or grand jury proceedings. Sets forth the information which such request must contain. Permits officials who have obtained investigative nonreturn information to disclose such information to other government personnel or potential witnesses crucial to a criminal investigation or needed for the preparation of criminal proceedings. Directs the Secretary to disclose in writing to appropriate Federal officials investigative nonreturn information (other than information which would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a tax investigation) which may indicate a violation of Federal criminal laws. Directs the Secretary, when making a recommendation to the Justice Department for prosecution of a criminal tax violation, to disclose return or nonreturn information obtained during the tax investigation which indicates a violation of Federal criminal law. Allows information disclosed under the provisions of this Act to be entered into evidence in nontax judicial or administrative proceedings or in any ancillary proceedings to which the United States is a party. Limits such disclosure to the extent required by applicable discovery requirements. Prohibits admission of such evidence into evidence if the Secretary determines that it would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a tax investigation, unless a court otherwise directs disclosure. Directs the Secretary, in specified emergency circumstances, to disclose return or nonreturn information to the extent necessary to apprise appropriate Federal officials of such emergency. Permits the Internal Revenue Service to assist the Department of Justice or any other Federal agency in joint tax and nontax investigations of criminal matters which may involve tax violations. Permits Federal officials to apply to a Federal court for permission to disclose to appropriate State officials any investigative return or nonreturn information which may indicate a violation of a State felony statute. Sets forth the factors which the court must consider in authorizing such disclosure. Permits the disclosure of investigative return and nonreturn information to a foreign government which has a treaty with the United States for the exchange of tax information in nontax criminal matters. Requires a Federal judge or magistrate to determine whether the information is relevant to the criminal investigation. Permits the disclosure of investigative return and nonreturn information to Federal intelligence agencies upon the certification of the Attorney General that such information is sought exclusively for use in foreign intelligence collection or a foreign counterintelligence investigation. Sets forth additional factors which the Attorney General must consider in making his certification. Allows as an affirmative defense to a prosecution for the unauthorized disclosure of return or nonreturn information that such disclosure resulted from a good faith, but erroneous, interpretation of the requirements of this Act. Enlarges the remedy of a taxpayer aggrieved by an unauthorized disclosure of returns or return information to permit suit for civil damages against the Federal agency responsible for the disclosure. Permits direct suit against nonemployees of a Federal agency who are responsible for an unauthorized disclosure. Expands the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to examine the books of a taxpayer and certain witnesses to permit the Secretary to make inquiries regarding possible criminal tax violations. Revises procedures for challenging Internal Revenue Service third-party summonses to permit third-party recordkeepers to file a motion in Federal court to quash such summonses. Allows an appeal of an order denying a motion to quash only as part of an appeal from a final order. Grants the U.S. magistrate jurisdiction over all proceedings involving third-party summonses.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1981
Prohibits any Federal agency from soliciting offers from, entering or extending contracts with, or approving or extending subcontracts for any person who has been debarred or suspended from procurement activities of another agency, except for a compelling reason as determined by the agency head. Requires the agency head to notify the Administrator of the General Services Administration of such a determination. Directs the Administrator to maintain a file of such notices.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1981
Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to exempt specified provisions from the requirement that Congress must approve obligations of District funds before the funds are obligated. Authorizes the Mayor to make the required payments on the interest and principal of general obligation bonds and notes issued to finance capital projects. Authorizes the Mayor to take certain actions concerning bonds that created a security interest in district revenues. Changes the times at which the interest on District bonds issued for capital projects is payable. Requires that the District hold elections on whether to issue bonds for capital projects before the legislation authorizing the issuance of the bonds is sent to Congress. Requires the Mayor to publish a notice in a District newspaper whenever legislation authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds is enacted. Sets forth the limitation period between the time such legislation is enacted and the time it is deemed immune from certain court challenges. Authorizes the Mayor to issue the bonds after the Council of the District of Columbia authorizes their issuance. Sets forth the methods of payment, execution, and authentication of such bonds. Authorizes the Mayor to sell bonds by private as well as public sale if the bonds are sold after a specified date and if they are secured by District revenues. Authorizes the Council to create a security interest in District revenues to secure bonds for capital projects. Sets forth the priority of such security interest. Authorizes the Council to issue short-term general obligation notes to meet appropriations made by Congress if no unappropriated revenues are available to meet such appropriations. Authorizes the Council to issue such notes in anticipation of collecting or receiving revenues. Retains the current provisions creating a special debt service fund by levying a special tax, requiring an audit of such fund, and pledging the District's full faith and credit to pay the principal of and interest on certain general obligation bonds. Directs the Council to provide in each annual District budget for payment of the principal of and interest on bonds issued for capital projects, meeting appropriations, or revenue anticipation. Directs the Mayor to insure payment of such principal and interest. Requires using the annual Federal payment to pay such principal and interest if no other funds are available. States that the full faith and credit of the United States is not pledged for bonds issued by the District under its borrowing authority. Revises the provisions for the issuance of revenue bonds and other obligations by the Council.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) express U.S. opposition to the imprisonment of Alexander Paritsky; (2) urge the Soviet Union to release him from prison, to stop harassing him and his family, and to permit him and his family to emigrate; and (3) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will consider the extent to which countries honor their commitments under international law when evaluating U.S. relations with such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States and Japan should exert maximum efforts to resist Soviet challenges to Asia; (2) Japan should make a greater contribution to its own defense; and (3) Japan's defense expenditures should be at least one percent of its gross national product.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1981
Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of State to establish an Office of Foreign Missions within the Department of State. Permits the Secretary to authorize the Director of such Office to: (1) assist Federal, State, and municipal agencies to ascertain the benefits due a foreign mission; (2) provide benefits for or on behalf of a foreign mission; and (3) support the secure and efficient operation of foreign missions. Authorizes the Secretary to require a foreign mission to obtain benefits from or through the Director, on terms approved by the Secretary, if necessary to: (1) facilitate relations between the United States and a sending state (state represented by such mission); (2) protect U.S. interests; (3) adjust for costs and procedures of obtaining benefits for U.S. missions abroad; or (4) assist in resolving a dispute affecting U.S. interests. Authorizes the Secretary to require a foreign mission to comply with certain terms, including paying the Director a fee and waiving any recourse against any governmental authority or employee, as a condition to: (1) the performance in the United States of any contract; (2) the acquisition of any real property; or (3) the application for or acceptance of any benefit. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a State Department officer as an agent of a foreign mission to effectuate a waiver of recourse. Authorizes the Secretary to require any foreign mission to: (1) notify the Director before such mission acquires or disposes of any real property; and (2) divest itself of or forgo the use of any real property acquired without notice to the Director or exceeding the limits placed on real property available to U.S. missions in the sending state. Authorizes the Secretary to protect and dispose of any property of a foreign mission which has ceased conducting governmental activities and has not designated a protecting power. Provides for the administration and management of the Office of Foreign Missions. Makes the provisions of this Act applicable to public international organizations. Prohibits compliance with this Act by a foreign mission from being deemed a waiver of any immunity. Prohibits making benefits available to foreign missions contrary to this Act. Directs the Secretary to certify, upon request, whether a foreign mission is in compliance with this Act. Amends the Diplomatic Relations Act to extend the privileges and immunities of the Vienna Convention to missions of nonparties to the Convention. Authorizes the President to determine what privileges and immunities should be extended to any foreign mission.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1981
Labor Management Racketeering Act of 1981 - Amends the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 (Taft-Hartley Act) to increase penalties for specified violations of restrictions on financial transactions. Makes violations involving more than $1,000 felonies punishable by up to $15,000 fines and/or five years' imprisonment. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to revise prohibitions against persons guilty of criminal offenses holding specified offices or positions involving employee benefit plans, labor organizations, or labor relations consultation to employer organizations. Increases the types of positions from which an individual is barred upon conviction of enumerated crimes. Requires immediate removal of such individual upon conviction (rather than after appeal) of enumerated crimes and crimes relating to the position. Increases, from five years to ten years, the time during which a convicted individual is prohibited from holding such offices or positions. Raises, from one year to five years, the maximum time of imprisonment for violations of such prohibitions. Prohibits any person from knowingly hiring, retaining, employing, or otherwise placing any other person to serve in a capacity in violation of such prohibitions. Provides that any salary payable but for such prohibition shall be placed in escrow pending final disposition of any appeal. Sets forth the responsibility of the Secretary of Labor to detect and investigate violations of ERISA and other provisions for protecting employee benefit rights, without precluding such detection and investigation by other appropriate Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Program Fraud Civil Penalties Act of 1981 - Establishes penalties and assessments to be imposed against any person who knowingly makes a false claim or statement to: an authority of the United States; a recipient of property, services, or money from such authority; a party to a contract with such authority; or any State. Declares that such penalties and assessments are in addition to criminal and civil penalties and assessments provided by other laws. Requires that the total amount of a penalty and assessment imposed under this Act be at least equal to the damages sustained by the Government as a result of the false claim or statement, except under specified circumstances. Directs the Inspector General or other investigating official of a Federal authority to investigate allegations that a person made a false claim or statement, and to report findings to the reviewing official designated for that authority. Directs the reviewing official to refer such allegations to the authority head for a hearing upon determining there is probable cause to believe that the person is liable for a penalty or assessment. Requires the authority head to notify the Attorney General of any intention to initiate a hearing. Allows the authority head to initiate a hearing if the Attorney General approves it or does not disapprove it within 120 days. Entitles the defendant in such a hearing to: (1) written notice of the hearing; (2) be present and represented by counsel; (3) present evidence and cross-examine witnesses; (4) prompt, written notice of the authority head's determination; and (5) judicial review of an adverse determination. Specifies the authority of the investigating official and the official conducting the hearing, and the procedure for judicial review of the determination reached in the hearing. Authorizes the Attorney General to commence a civil action to recover a penalty or assessment determined by such a hearing. Authorizes the authority head to settle a final penalty or assessment determined by hearing. Grants the Attorney General exclusive authority to settle a claim subject to judicial review or collection procedures. Provides for the reimbursement of a State or political subdivision for damages sustained as a result of a false claim or statement out of any penalty or assessment collected. Specifies time limitations for commencing a hearing concerning a false statement or claim and for commencing an action to recover any penalty or assessment. Permits the deduction of any penalty or assessment from any amount owed the liable person by the Government, including tax refunds.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which provide incentives for energy conservation and development of renewable energy sources should not be repealed or amended to reduce such incentives.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Savings Bank Act of 1981 - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to permit an association which was formerly organized as a savings bank under State law to continue to carry on any activities it was engaged in immediately prior to conversion to a Federal Savings and Loan Association or a Federal mutual savings bank and to retain or make any investments of a type it held on such date. Permits such an association to establish branch offices and other facilities only in accordance with the limitations imposed by State law controlling applications of a savings bank organized under such State law. Declares that the total obligations to any Federal mutual savings bank of any person, copartnership, association, or corporation shall at no time exceed ten percent of the net worth of such Federal mutual savings bank. Provides for exceptions from such limitation by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Permits Federal mutual savings banks to accept demand deposits from any source whatever. Increases to ten percent of the assets of a Federal association, the amount which may be invested by such association in service corporations. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to declare that in implementing the indemnification agreement for the conversion of a State-chartered insured mutual savings bank into a Federal savings bank the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation shall include, but not be limited to, those losses resulting from a decline in the market value of assets due to interest rate fluctuations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Federal Employees' Compensation Act Antifraud Amendments of 1981 - Prohibits the Secretary of Labor from reimbursing a provider of medical supplies or services to injured Federal employees upon determining that such provider: (1) knowingly has made a false statement on the application for reimbursement; (2) has submitted a substantially high charge without good cause; (3) has furnished an unnecessary service or a service which does not meet professionally recognized standards; (4) has been convicted or indicted for an offense connected with providing a medical service or supply; or (5) has been excluded from a State or Federal medical program. Requires that such a determination be based on specific findings of fact. Directs the Secretary to provide notice of such findings and an opportunity for a hearing to the affected provider. States that the Secretary shall not reimburse a beneficiary for expenses accumulated after the beneficiary receives such notice. Permits a provider to obtain a review of a final decision made by the Secretary after a hearing by commencing a civil action in a U.S. district court. Directs the Secretary to adopt a schedule of reasonable fees for medical services and supplies provided in specific geographic areas. Prohibits the Secretary from paying charges exceeding the scheduled amount unless the Secretary determines such charges are reasonable in a particular case. Prohibits the payment of Federal compensation for injuries to any convicted felon while incarcerated unless such felon is participating in an approved rehabilitation program.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that any agreement for a transfer by the United States of the airborne warning and control system (AWACS) to a foreign country shall include all the requirements under the Arms Export Control Act and in the standard Letter of Offer and Acceptance, as well as specified terms and conditions. Requires that the United States immediately terminate all support for the AWACS if any of these contractual provisions are breached. Requires that only countries that promote peace and stability receive AWACS. Directs the President to certify to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the conditions specified in this Act have been met before the actual transfer of any part of the AWACS.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1981
Acid Deposition Control Act - Amends title I of the Clean Air Act (Air Pollution Prevention and Control) to establish a new program (Interstate Transport and Acid Precursor Reduction) to: (1) regulate the long-range transport of pollutants and their transformation products; and (2) reduce acid compounds, and their precursors, in the atmosphere. Establishes a long-range transport corridor, the "acid deposition impact region," consisting of 31 States (east of or bordering the Mississippi River) and the District of Columbia. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) conduct a study of air pollution problems associated with the long-range transport of pollutants in the portions of the continental United States not included in the acid deposition impact region; and (2) report the results to Congress within two years. Prohibits the increase of emissions of sulfur dioxide and of oxides of nitrogen from stationary sources in the acid deposition impact region over such total actual emissions there as of January 1, 1981. Prohibits any major stationary source in the region from significantly increasing such emissions, unless a not otherwise required net reduction of such regional pollution, in excess of the proposed increase, has been identified. Requires a ten-year phased reduction in annual emissions of sulfur dioxide in the region of 10,000,000 tons from the total 1980 level. Requires each State to achieve reductions in annual sulfur dioxide emissions according to a formula based on each State's share of utility emissions in the region. Permits State Governors to agree to reallot the required reductions. Requires each State in the region to adopt, within two years, enforcement measures to achieve such reduction. Directs the Administrator to approve such measures within four months if specified criteria are met. Sets forth a uniform sulfur dioxide emission limit for fossil-fuel-burning electric generating facilities (which are major stationary sources not subject to new performance standards) in any State that has not adopted, or has not had approved, such enforcement measures by such deadlines. Requires that owners or operators of such sources: (1) submit an approvable reduction plan and schedule within three years of enactment of this Act; (2) comply with such plan and schedule; and (3) achieve the required emission reduction at the earliest practicable date, but no later than ten years after enactment of this Act. Specifies methods or programs for enforceable net emission reduction that may be used by a State or the owner or operator of a source. Permits a State or owner or operator to substitute reduction in emissions of oxides of nitrogen for required sulfur dioxide emissions reductions, at a specified rate. Adds to State implementation plan requirements a prohibition of stationary source air pollutant emissions in amounts that will contribute to atmospheric loadings of pollutants or their transformation products so as to adversely affect public health or welfare or the environment in any other State or foreign country.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1981
Missing Children Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to collect and exchange information which would assist in the identification of unidentified deceased individuals, and the location of missing persons, including missing children.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1981
Declares that the President of the United States, the Senate and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs should assure that the specific provisions of the Federal Reserve Act providing for agricultural, commercial, and broad regional representation on the Board of Governors are followed.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1981
Declares that it is the general policy of the Federal Government to rely on competitive private industry to supply the products and services it needs. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in coordination with the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, to administer such policy.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude employers from the imposition of Federal unemployment taxes for wages paid for services performed for camps by full-time students during fewer than 13 weeks in the year.
![Official portrait of Sen. Rudman, Warren [R-NH]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000497_200.jpg)