United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1981
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage from entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State, or limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in that area, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in that area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Expresses the disapproval of Congress of the proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of five airborne warning and control aircraft (AWACS) and conformal fuel tanks and air-to-air missiles for F-15 aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1981
Consumer Product Safety Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to notify the Congressional commerce committees of any consumer product information or research grant in an amount greater than $50,000. Stipulates that the Commission shall assist public and private organizations in the development of safety standards and test methods "to the extent feasible." Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act to prohibit the Commission from making a public disclosure of information about a product of an identifiable manufacturer or private labeler unless: (1) the information is accurate and not confidential; and (2) its disclosure is fair in the circumstances and reasonably necessary to effectuate a specific function of the Commission. Deems as confidential, information which relates to a trade secret or is not in the public domain. Requires the Commission to: (1) notify a manufacturer or labeler of its intention to disclose information about a product not less than 30 days prior to such disclosure; (2) publish a retraction of inaccurate or misleading information; and (3) communicate promptly to each manufacturer or labeler on any information with respect to significant risk of injury associated with a product. Eliminates the Commission's authority to promulgate by rulemaking consumer product safety standards with respect to composition, contents, design, construction, finish, or packaging of a consumer product. Retains such authority with respect to product performance. Eliminates the current provision prohibiting the incorporation of any sampling plan in a safety standard, except with respect to flammability standards. Revises the rulemaking procedures for promulgation of consumer product safety standards to eliminate the Commission's authority to develop a standard without making an invitation to interested persons. Eliminates the provision which permits a person to offer to develop a proposed standard. Requires the Commission to prepare a regulatory impact analysis containing specified information, including cost-benefit analysis, before publishing or promulgating a consumer product safety rule. Requires that the opportunity for oral presentation with respect to consumer product safety rules include an opportunity for cross-examination when requested by interested persons for resolution of material issues of fact and when other procedures, including oral and written rebuttal, are determined by the Commission to be inadequate. Directs the Commission, before publishing a proposed consumer product safety rule, to solicit public comment on the hazard which may be presented by the product which would be subject to the proposed standard. Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act to require the Commission to find that compliance with a voluntary standard is unlikely to result in elimination of risk or that substantial compliance with such a standard is unlikely, before promulgating a regulation with respect to which persons have adopted a voluntary standard. Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to repeal the provision authorizing private actions to enforce product safety orders. Repeals the authority of the Commission to initiate with the concurrence of the Attorney General criminal actions to enforce laws subject to its jurisdiction. Requires that orders issued by the Commission to persons to submit reports and answers to Commission questions be designed to place the least burden on such persons as is practicable taking into account the order's purpose. Requires the Commission to obtain a search warrant before entering a facility or conveyance for inspection purposes. Directs the Commission to: (1) amend its consumer product safety standard for walk-behind lawn mowers to provide that manually started rotary mowers which have specified characteristics shall be considered in compliance; and (2) report on the effect of such amendment within 26 months after the standard becomes effective. Prohibits the Commission from amending the standard as changed before such date. Establishes a Chronic Hazard Scientific Review Panel to review the scientific data and other information respecting risk of injury from a consumer product which presents risk of injury from cancer, birth defects, gene mutations, or behavioral disorders. Prohibits the Commission from taking any action with respect to a consumer product unless the Panel determines that the product presents such risk. Eliminates the Product Safety Advisory Council, the National Advisory Committee for the Flammable Fabrics Act, and the technical advisory committee authorized under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970. Establishes a Congressional veto of consumer product safety rules or regulations promulgated under the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act. Provides that any regulation shall not take effect if: (1) both Houses of Congress adopt a concurrent resolution of disapproval within 90 days of its promulgation; or (2) one House adopts such a resolution within 60 days and the other House does not disapprove such resolution within 30 days. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the reduced amounts of $33,000,000 for fiscal year 1982 and $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct that motor vehicle safety standards established by the Secretary of Transportation that require the installation of any automatic occupant restraint system in passenger cars: (1) shall not apply to cars manufactured before September 1, 1983; and (2) shall thereafter apply equally to passenger cars.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1981
Voting Rights Act Repealer Amendments Act of 1981 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to repeal the prohibitions against voting qualifications, prerequisites, tests, or devices which abridge the right of a citizen who is a member of a language minority to vote. Repeals bilingual election requirements that States and other political subdivisions make available registration, voting materials, and voting assistance in languages other than English in areas where more than five percent of the citizens belong to a single language minority.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase to $1,000 plus 50 percent of the excess interest and dividends up to $5,000 ($2,000 plus 50 percent of the excess up to $10,000 for joint returns) the amount of interest and dividend income which may be excluded from gross income. Amends the Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980 to repeal the termination date for such exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
State and Local Government Financing Reform Act of 1981 - Excludes from the Federal law limiting and restricting the corporate powers of national banking associations to deal in and underwrite investment securities, specified dealings in and underwriting of all other nongeneral obligations issued or guaranteed by or on behalf of a State or any political subdivision thereof (except special assessment obligations and industrial revenue bonds) which are at the time eligible for purchase by a national bank for its own account, subject to specified limitations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit an annual report to the Congress showing the extent to which the business of underwriting and dealing in State and local obligations is being carried on by commercial banks as compared with other banking institutions with a view to determining the effect of the provisions of this Act on the institutional distribution of such business.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) express to the Soviet Union the United States' deep concern about the Soviet Union's depriving the Vashchenko and Chmykhalov families of religious freedom and refusing them permission to emigrate; (2) ensure that such families may reside in the U.S. embassy in Moscow until the Soviet Union authorizes their emigration; and (3) ensure provision of assistance for such families during their residence in the embassy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Coal Incentives Act of 1981 - Title I: Balancing Energy and Environmental Policies - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to prepare a cost-benefit analysis of any proposed national ambient air quality standard with an emphasis on the impact of any proposed modification in any standard on the use of domestic coal. Extends to December 31, 1981, the deadline by which the Administrator must: (1) propose such new or modified standards; and (2) review and revise air quality criteria for air pollutants. Extends to July 1, 1981, the deadline by which any applicable implementation plan for which an attainment date later than December 31, 1982, has been granted by the Administrator must be revised to include comprehensive public transportation and traffic control measures. Authorizes the President to issue to any fuel-burning stationary source a temporary emergency suspension of any part of an applicable implementation plan adopted by a State, if the President determines that: (1) a national or regional emergency exists involving high levels of unemployment or loss of necessary energy supplies for residential dwellings; (2) such unemployment or loss can be alleviated by such emergency suspension; and (3) foreign imports of fuels used by such source have reached an excessive level which can be reduced by such suspension. Extends the duration of emergency suspensions from a maximum of four months to five years or such longer period as the owner or operator of such source may establish as reasonable, except that a suspension is limited to four months if it would result in a violation of any national ambient air quality standard. Excludes the voluntary conversion to coal of a source from the definition of a "modification" of such source thereby exempting it from new source performance standards. Authorizes the Administrator to specify a date not later than December 31, 1983, for final compliance with an applicable State implementation plan by a source which burns petroleum products and/or natural gas and which: (1) is prohibited from doing so by an order under the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974; (2) gives notice of intent to convert to coal as a primary fuel because of actual or anticipated curtailment of natural gas supplies; or (3) gives notice of intent to voluntarily convert to coal as a primary fuel. Exempts from the penalty for noncompliance with emission requirements under the Clean Air Act the owner or operator of a source that fails to comply because it uses coal as a primary energy source where the only alternative is to use oil, natural gas, or other nonrenewable forms of energy. Redefines the "locally or regionally available coal or coal derivatives" to which a source may be restricted under a measure to prevent economic disruption or unemployment. Prohibits subjecting an existing or a new source that satisfies emission limitations and performance standards under the Clean Air Act to more stringent limitations or standards for the shorter of ten years or the period of depreciation or amortization of such source. Redefines class I national wilderness areas as those areas in excess of 50,000 acres (instead of 5,000). Eliminates the maximum increases in sulphur dioxide and particulate matter concentration allowed for a 24-hour period or for a three-hour period. Allows a State to redesignate any area as a class I area if such redesignation: (1) is approved by the Governor and local legislature; and (2) will not cause air pollutant concentrations to exceed maximum levels in another area. Requires the Administrator to notify a Federal official responsible for class I lands of construction permit applications for only those emission facilities to be located within 50 miles of such lands. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify coal utilization property for the full investment tax credit allowed for pollution control facilities with a useful life of not less than five years. Allows an investment tax credit to public utilities for coal utilization property. Permits the amortization of coal utilization property, based on a 36-month period. Defines "coal utilization property" as tangible, depreciable property which is: (1) a boiler or burner the primary fuel for which will be coal; or (2) pollution control equipment required for such boiler or burner.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the President, in the case of acts of terrorism or other hostile acts committed with the assistance or acquiescence of a foreign state, to exclude or deport nationals of that state from the United States. Permits the President to modify, terminate, or exclude certain classes of aliens from such an order. Limits administrative and judicial procedures and appeals for such aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission or any administrative law judge from issuing antitrust decisions, findings, or cease-and-desist orders in concentrated market structure or shared monopoly proceedings until Congress establishes and defines the elements of such a violation. Declares that this Act shall apply to any proceeding pending on March 10, 1981. Vacates any decision or order issued in such proceeding before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit a State, under certain circumstances, to purchase, either through a competitive bidding process or otherwise: (1) laboratory and X-ray services; (2) family planning supplies; (3) dentures; (4) prosthetic devices; or (5) eyeglasses.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit a State to establish a program under which relatives of a Medicaid beneficiary receiving skilled nursing facility services or intermediate care facility services may contribute to a fund used to provide such services.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit a State to terminate an individual's benefits for up to one year after notice and opportunity for hearing, if it is determined, by a preponderance of the evidence, that such individual has committed specified Medicaid abuses.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to repeal the provision under which a State is prohibited from charging an enrollment fee, premium, or deduction for inpatient hospital services, outpatient services, laboratory and X-ray services, skilled nursing facility services, certain physicians' services, and home health services to an individual who is eligible for Medicaid and who is receiving aid or assistance under titles I (Old Age and Medical Assistance), X (Aid to the Blind), XIV (Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled), XVI (Supplemental Security Income), or IV part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of such Act. Directs that any charge for any Medicaid benefit provided to any such individual shall be nominal.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide complete medical coverage to any individual during any period in which that person is considered eligible for supplemental security income benefits because of an incorrect determination by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires the Secretary to promptly give notice and explain any termination of payment of supplemental security benefits to the State agency which administers that individual's State Medicaid Plan.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare, for distribution to taxpayers, brief but comprehensive statements which set forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of taxpayers during an audit; (2) the procedures which the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may use in enforcing revenue laws; and (3) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file taxpayer complaints. Requires a copy of such statement to accompany any tax forms sent to taxpayers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation by employees of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws which inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization which are not directly related to such tax laws; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Creates a civil cause of action for any taxpayer aggrieved by a prohibited investigation or by the deprivation of any civil rights. Permits the award of a judgment of costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, to a prevailing taxpayer in any proceeding before the Tax Court. Requires the IRS, upon a taxpayer's request, to conduct any interview regarding a deficiency assessment in the taxpayer's residence or place of business, at a reasonable time convenient to the taxpayer. Requires the officer or employee conducting such interview to warn the taxpayer that: (1) he has a right to remain silent; (2) any statement he makes may be used against him; and (3) he has the right to the presence of an attorney. Exempts certain income producing property from levy for nonpayment of taxes. Makes binding on the Secretary: (1) a tax return prepared for the taxpayer by an officer or employee of the IRS acting in his official capacity to provide such assistance; and (2) information or advice given to the taxpayer by such an officer or employee acting in his official capacity. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to establish, and to report annually to Congress on, a program to provide for a continuing audit and investigation of the efficiency, uniformity, and equity of the administration of the internal revenue laws of the United States. Places the burden of proof, in administrative and judicial proceedings involving the IRS and a taxpayer, upon the IRS. Directs that all property of taxpayers, for purposes of the estate and gift tax, be valued at historical cost (original cost to the taxpayer or the basis of the property if it was not purchased). Prohibits the use in IRS personnel evaluations of amounts collected pursuant to audits or investigations. Requires the annual audit of the tax returns of IRS revenue agents and tax auditors. Requires a court order before property of a taxpayer may be levied upon for the collection of tax.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal provisions for: (1) the adoption and enforcement of emission standards for new motor vehicles by States with approved plans for nonattainment areas; and (2) production warranties and parts certification for compliance with emission standards by manufacturers of new cars. Revises provisions relating to: (1) performance warranties for vehicle and engine compliance with emission standards; (2) manufacturer's instructions for the maintenance, replacement, and repair of emission control devices and systems; and (3) prohibited acts involving such devices or systems. Prohibits State or local governments from adopting or enforcing standards applicable to motor vehicle or engine parts for purposes of controlling or regulating motor vehicle emissions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to increase the maximum penalties for desecration of the United States flag from one year imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine to five years' imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1970 to revise and increase the mandatory penalties for using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony. Extends the scope of such offense to include displaying or offering to use a firearm, whether or not capable of being discharged. Deletes the current requirement that the firearm be carried "illegally." Applies the mandatory penalties to commission of a felony involving the use or threat of violence. Increases the additional penalty imposed for such offense to five to ten years' imprisonment for a first offense (currently, one to ten years), ten to 25 years for a second offense (currently, two to 25 years for a second or subsequent offense), and 25 years to life for a third offense. Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence, grant probation, or impose concurrent sentences. Prohibits the granting of parole to any offender.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the excise tax on large cigars for fiscal years 1982 and 1983 and eliminate the tax thereafter. Revises the formula for determination of the wholesale price on which the excise tax is based.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the total amount of money expended by the United States in any fiscal year from exceeding the total amount of revenue received by the United States during such year, except revenue received from the issuance of bonds, notes, or other obligations. Prohibits the total amount of money expended by the United States in any fiscal year from exceeding the amount equal to 20 percent of the gross national product during the last calendar year ending before the beginning of such fiscal year. Permits the suspension of such prohibitions during any fiscal year during any part of which the United States is at war declared by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Steel Industry Compliance Extension Act of 1981 - Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to extend the date for compliance with emission limitation requirements by owners or operators of a stationary source in an iron and steel producing operation if: (1) the compliance date extension is necessary to allow the applicant to make capital investments in its operations to improve efficiency and productivity; (2) the funds freed by such extension will be used within two years for additional capital investments in the applicant's operations; (3) the Administrator and the applicant agree to a phased compliance program for each of the applicant's stationary sources; (4) the applicant has sufficient funds to comply with such program; (5) the applicant is in compliance with any existing Federal decrees applicable to its operations; and (6) the compliance date extension will not result in the degradation of air quality during the extension term. Prohibits the imposition of a noncompliance penalty under the Clean Air Act upon an owner or operator with a compliance date extension provided their stationary source remains in compliance with all the requirements of such extension. Makes available to the public all information obtained by the Administrator under this Act, subject to a specified exception. States that revision of a State implementation plan is not required because a compliance date extension has been granted if such plan would have met Clean Air Act requirements prior to the granting of such extension.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for taking or attempting to take by force and violence or intimidation a controlled substance from a pharmacy. Increases the penalties if any person's life is endangered by use of a dangerous weapon or if any person is assaulted or killed during commission of such offense. Directs the Federal Bureau of Investigation to include pharmacy robbery data in its annual Uniform Crime Reports. Directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the enforcement of this Act within 120 days of enactment and biannually for the subsequent three-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
World War I Veterans Service Pension Act of 1981 - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay (in addition to any pension already paid) a monthly pension of $150: (1) to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements; (2) to the surviving spouse of each such veteran; or (3) when there is no surviving spouse, to the child or children of each such veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Administrative Rulemaking Reform Act - Directs a Federal agency preparing to hold a rulemaking session to make a reasonable effort to inform those likely to be affected by the proposed rulemaking. Requires the notice of rulemaking to include: (1) the projected effective date of the rules; (2) the purpose of the rulemaking; (3) the text of the proposed rules; and (4) the studies on which the agency intends to rely in the rulemaking proceedings. Requires public notice and public opportunity for comment on all rulemaking proceedings unless the agency finds that proposed rules are emergency rules or are of routine or insignificant impact. Requires Federal agencies to give interested persons at least 45 days to participate in the rulemaking. Provides for agency hearings to receive oral comments, and procedures to resolve significant controversies over factual issues. Requires each agency to maintain a public file of all relevant material and required statements for each rulemaking. Prohibits adoption of a proposed rule that has been revised substantially unless interested persons are provided an opportunity to comment on such revisions. Sets forth an expedited rulemaking procedure for rules to replace emergency rules. Directs each agency to submit a copy of each promulgated rule to each House of Congress. Declares that no rule, excluding an emergency rule, shall become effective if: (1) both Houses of Congress adopt a concurrent resolution disapproving it within 90 days of continuous session of Congress; or (2) one House adopts such a resolution within 60 such days and the other House does not disapprove such resolution within 30 days thereafter. Authorizes either House to adopt a resolution directing an agency to reconsider and repromulgate a newly promulgated rule or an existing rule within a specified period. Provides that if such agency fails to act such rule shall lapse. Directs the Administrative Conference of the United States to study and report on the effects on rulemaking of the Congressional review provisions of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for such study. Directs a court reviewing an agency rule to set aside any rule found to be unwarranted by material in the rulemaking file.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that disability insurance benefits for an individual having a terminal illness shall begin with the first month during which such individual has such illness.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit married individuals filing separate income tax returns an election to be taxed at rates applicable to unmarried individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1981
Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 to prohibit the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from providing housing assistance for the benefit of any alien unless such alien is a U.S. resident and either admitted for permanent residence or lawfully present in the United States under specified conditions (including admission as an asylee or a refugee, or because his or her deportation has been withheld).
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Declares a named individual to have satisfied specified requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act relating to required periods of residence and physical presence within the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Veterans' Educational Assistance Act of 1981 - Establishes a new educational assistance program for the all-volunteer force. Entitles veterans who are graduates of a secondary school and who have served in the armed forces on continuous active duty for at least three years to basic educational assistance. Entitles veterans of the Selected Reserve and the National Guard who are graduates of secondary school and who have served at least two years of continuous active duty in the armed forces and at least four years of continuous duty in the Selected Reserve to basic educational assistance. Sets forth the formula for determining the length of such assistance based on the length of time served. Entitles such veterans to a monthly assistance allowance of $250 for a full-time approved program of education. Permits enrollment, if eligible, in a program of education while an individual continues to perform his duties. Entitles veterans who have served three or more consecutive years of active duty in addition to those required for basic educational assistance to supplemental educational assistance. Entitles veterans of the Selected Reserve who have served two or more consecutive years of active duty and four or more consecutive years of duty in the reserves in addition to that required for basic educational assistance to supplemental educational assistance. Entitles such veterans to a monthly supplemental assistance allowance of $300 a month. Permits the provision of such assistance to an individual entitled to basic educational assistance who has a skill or specialty in which there is a critical shortage of personnel. Permits the Secretary of Defense to authorize such an individual to transfer to a dependent part or all of such individual's entitlement to educational assistance. Sets forth the conditions under which transferred benefits may be provided. Permits the Secretary of a military branch to enter into preservice educational assistance agreements to encourage enlistment in the active-duty and reserve components. Sets forth the terms and conditions for such assistance. Establishes a ten year delimiting period for educational assistance. Excludes time spent as a prisoner of war subsequent to discharge and time spent physically or mentally disabled. Limits educational assistance to individuals being furnished subsistence to the amount an institution would charge similarly circumstanced nonveterans. Prohibits participation in more than one program of educational assistance. Allocates the administration and costs of such programs to the Veterans' Administration and the Department of Defense. Requires predischarge counseling which includes a discussion of educational benefit entitlements. Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator to submit to Congress a biennial report on the operations of such programs. Amends the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Act of 1977 to terminate the right to enroll in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program after December 31, 1981. Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1981, to extend the pilot Department of Defense educational loan repayment program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Changes the name of the China Bluff Access Area being constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway near Warsaw in Sumter County, Alabama, to the S.W. Taylor Memorial Park.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to permit local distribution companies to provide natural gas service to residential customers for use in outdoor lighting fixtures installed and receiving natural gas before the enactment of such Act. Requires each local distribution company, in accordance with rules established by the Secretary of Energy, to: (1) periodically inform its customers of the amount of natural gas consumed by outdoor lighting; and (2) report such information method to the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish the Committee on Internal Security with jurisdiction over communist, terrorist, and other subversive activities. Removes such jurisdiction from the Judiciary Committee. Transfers to the Internal Security Committee all of its property under the control of the Judiciary Committee or any other government agency.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Directs the Postal Service to submit to Congress (rather than to the Postal Rate Commission) any proposed change in the nature of postal service which would have nationwide impact. Requires any statement of proposed change so submitted to include an estimate of the impact of such change upon the public, business mail users, service levels and postal finances. Provides that no proposed change shall become effective if either House of Congress adopts a resolution disapproving it within 60 days after it is submitted to Congress.
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 · 22 January 1981
Prisoner of War Health-Care Benefits Act of 1981 - Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to establish an advisory committee to assess new medical and other information on former prisoners of war (POW's). Requires that such committee include former POW's of World War II, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam era and individuals who are recognized authorities in certain fields of medicine. Directs the committee to submit a biennial report to the Administrator on its activities. Reduces from six months to 60 days the internment period after which it may be presumed that a POW has suffered certain diseases. Makes POW's with the disease of psychosis manifest to a degree of ten percent presumptively eligible for wartime disability benefits (presently such psychosis must have occurred within two years of separation from service). Entitles POW's of not less than 60 days' internment during World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, or the Vietnam era to hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care benefits. Directs the Administrator to prescribe regulations and furnish medical services for any disability on an outpatient or ambulatory basis to such POW's. Includes veterans held in captive status due to the seizure of the United States Embassy in Iran among those veterans eligible for educational assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Permits calculation of the investment tax credit for such property without regard to the useful life of the property. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits a taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Resource Conservation and Development Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a resource conservation and development program to assist States, local units of government, and local nonprofit organizations to operate and maintain a planning process for land conservation and utilization, natural resources development, and rural economic and environmental improvement. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance in developing area plans for designated rural areas; (2) cooperate in conducting surveys and inventories, disseminating information, and developing area plans; (3) assist in the carrying out of approved area plans by local public agencies and nonprofit organizations designated by States; and (4) enter into specified agreements with such State and local entities. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such agreements. Permits the identification of groups or problems for special consideration in area plans. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Agriculture a Resource Conservation and Development Policy Board to advise the Secretary regarding the administration of this Act. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the program provided for in this Act and to report on such evaluation by December 31, 1986. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act, with specified annual limits on technical and financial assistance and on loans.
![Official portrait of Sen. Shelby, Richard C. [R-AL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000320_200.jpg)