United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations exempting retirees or individuals over age 65 from interest penalties with respect to any underpayment of estimated tax. Requires that such underpayment be due to reasonable cause (defined to include mistake or ignorance of the law) and not to willful neglect.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit of 20 percent of charitable contributions to programs providing job training for handicapped persons, economically disadvantaged individuals, or workers with obsolete skills. Limits the credit to $250,000. Allows for a three year carryback and a 15 year carryover of the unused credit.
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
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should invite the Soviet Union to begin nuclear arms negotiations regarding: (1) current or proposed strategic arms; and (2) control of nuclear proliferation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that no action be taken to terminate or otherwise weaken the community service employment program for senior citizens under title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1982
Volunteering in Government Act of 1982 - Authorizes the head of each U.S. department or agency to recruit, train, accept, and enter into an agreement with any volunteer organization to obtain their services for any activity of the department or agency. Directs the head of a department or agency to give priority to any activity relating to health clinics, maintenance of trails and related facilities in national parks and forests, schools, prisons, veterans services, customs or immigration centers, treatment centers, housing, financial counseling, emergency services, or law enforcement. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to report to Congress biennially on the progress achieved in implementing this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1982
Declares that if Israel or any other democratic state is denied its rights and privileges in the United Nations' General Assembly the United States will suspend its participation in the General Assembly and will withhold its contribution to the United Nations until the action is reversed.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1982
Requests the President to designate the week of June 20 through June 27, 1982, as National Safety in the Workplace Week to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the American Society of Safety Engineers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1982
Unfair Foreign Competition Act of 1982 - Amends the Clayton Act to include a specified antidumping provision among U.S. antitrust laws. Amends the antidumping provision to prohibit importing, assisting in importing, or selling in the United States articles made in a foreign country at less than the foreign market or constructed value of the articles if the reasonably foreseeable effect is: (1) material injury to industry or labor engaged in commerce in the United States; and (2) the prevention of the establishment, modernization, or expansion of industry in the United States. (Current law does not cover sellers of such articles and bases its prohibition of such imports upon the intent of the importers rather than the effects of the imports.) Increases the maximum fine for violating the antidumping provision. Retains the criminal penalty for violations. Provides for filing suits concerning such violations in the U.S. district court in which the defendant resides, transacts business, is found, or has an agent. Authorizes the court to issue a temporary or permanent injunction or a temporary restraining order against importing or selling articles in violation of the antidumping provision. Retains the treble damages provision for violations. Shifts to the defendant the burden of proof for rebutting a prima facie case. Includes within the meaning of prima facie case a finding by the International Trade Commission that dumping exists. Authorizes the court to: (1) order the exclusion of the contested goods from the United States pending completion of the suit; (2) issue subpoenas outside its judicial district if necessary; and (3) enjoin the defendant from importing the contested articles if the defendant fails to comply with discovery orders. Permits the court to: (1) review, in camera, confidential or privileged material; (2) accept material under seal; and (3) disclose such material. Requires expedited treatment of these types of suits. Defines foreign market value. Adds to such value any subsidy not otherwise included in the foreign market or constructed value. Deems the Commissioner of Customs the attorney for service of process for foreign manufacturers or exporters who sell in the United States. Sets a four-year statute of limitation for violations of this antidumping provision. Expresses the sense of the Congress that this Act is consistent with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should take no action to accelerate the decontrol of wellhead natural gas prices.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1982
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to implement procedures for identifying social security benefit checks issued under title II which have not been negotiated within 12 months and to credit the appropriate social security trust fund on a monthly basis for the amount of all unnegotiated benefit checks drawn on such trust fund. Requires the Secretary to pay a benefit check presented for payment after it has been credited to one of the trust funds if it is otherwise proper. Directs the Secretary to transfer funds from the general fund of the Treasury to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and to the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to reimburse them for the total amount of unnegotiated benefit checks.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1982
Appalachian Transition Assistance Act of 1982 - Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to add as a purpose of such Act the orderly transition from special Federal assistance to increased State, local, and private investment in Appalachian regional development. Authorizes appropriations to the President and the Appalachian Regional Commission through FY 1987. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990 for the Appalachian development highway system. Increases the Federal share of specified construction costs of such system. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to States and other entities to assist in: (1) the creation or retention of permanent private sector jobs; (2) aiding severely distressed and underdeveloped counties; and (3) providing reasonable access to primary health care for residents of the region. Specifies restrictions on funds authorized by this Act, including limiting the Federal share of any project approved under this Act (except highway systems) to 50 percent of its costs. Extends certain programs under such Act to October 1, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should consider making a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services to continue the Work Incentive Program (title IV of the Social Security Act) for FY 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1982
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, as reenacted and amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to provide for marketing orders applicable to mushrooms.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1982
Reciprocal Trade, Services and Investment Act of 1982 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to include foreign restrictions on direct investments by U.S. citizens or nationals among the foreign trade restrictions on U.S. commerce that would trigger a U.S. response. Authorizes the President to take action to establish or further the principles of national treatment or reciprocal market access with respect to U.S. goods, U.S. services, and foreign direct investment by U.S. nationals or citizens. Authorizes the President to: (1) enter into bilateral or multilateral negotiations to further such principles; (2) adjust Government procurement policies to provide for procurement from nations that provide reciprocal market access to comparable U.S. producers; (3) instruct the U.S. directors of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) and the International Monetary Fund to vote against aid to countries that do not adhere generally to principles of national treatment and market access; (4) request Federal regulatory agencies to consider a country's adherence to such principles in making decisions or taking actions with respect to applications or requests of such country; or (5) propose legislation which would impose equivalent restrictions within the United States on goods and services from countries that do not adhere to such principles. Authorizes the President to take any other appropriate action to enforce U.S. trade rights, respond to discriminatory trade practices, or further principles of national treatment or reciprocal market access. Changes the definition of commerce for purposes of U.S. trade agreement enforcement rights. Includes within that definition foreign direct investment by U.S. citizens or nationals. Defines national treatment for such purposes as the treatment by a government of foreign investment or foreign establishments operating within its borders in the same way as a domestic investment or comparable domestic establishments. Authorizes the House Ways and Means Committee or the Senate Finance Committee to file a resolution with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) requesting the President to take action to enforce U.S. trade rights, respond to discriminatory trade practices, or further principles of national treatment or reciprocal market access. Provides that consultations need not take place between the USTR and a foreign country after beginning an investigation into complaints concerning such country's national treatment or market reciprocity policies. (Current law requires such consultations when the United States is investigating complaints about U.S. trade agreement rights or foreign discriminatory trade practices.) Requires the USTR to recommend to the President a course of action within one month of the start of an investigation of complaints concerning national treatment or reciprocity. Directs the President to make recommendations to Congress within 120 days of starting an investigation into complaints concerning national treatment and market reciprocity. Authorizes the President to negotiate international agreements on restrictions on foreign direct investment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1982
States that the budget and appropriations for FY 1982 of the Internal Revenue Service's taxpayer's assistance program shall not be reduced below the level required to permit 100 percent response and service by the IRS to all taxpayers requesting such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend from August 6, 1982, to August 6, 1984, the current preclearance requirements (under which jurisdictions covered through the triggering mechanism must submit proposed electoral changes to the Department of Justice). Establishes a new standard for jurisdictions to "bail-out" of these requirements effective August 6, 1984. Permits political subdivisions of covered States to bail-out independently of the State. Conditions a declaratory judgment for bail-out on the jurisdiction's showing that it and all its political subdivisions have met the bail-out requirements for a ten-year period prior to the filing of the suit. Includes among the requirements for bail-out that: (1) no test or device has been used to discriminate on account of race, color, or language; (2) no actions alleging voting discrimination are pending or have gone to final judgment; (3) no Federal examiner has served in the jurisdiction seeking bail-out; (4) the jurisdiction and all its subdivisions have complied with the preclearance requirements; and (5) the jurisdiction and its subdivisions have taken affirmative steps to protect voting rights. Stipulates that lawsuits filed during pendency of the bail-out litigation will not bar bail-out. Subjects the jurisdiction to the preclearance requirements if any such lawsuit alleging voting violations is successful after bail-out. Restates the prohibition against voting discrimination to include as a violation conduct which has the effect of discrimination. Stipulates that the failure of a minority to be proportionately represented does not itself constitute a violation. Extends the bilingual election requirements from August 6, 1985, to August 6, 1992. Declares that nothing in the Voting Rights Act shall be construed to permit assistance within the voting booth, unless the voter is blind or physically incapacitated.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the Interstate Commerce Commission should not grant a certain petition to exempt from interstate commerce regulation export coal carried by railroads to U.S. ocean ports.
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
Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Relief Act - Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability for veterans exposed to herbicides during service who suffer from a disease which may be caused by exposure to such herbicides, developed to a 20 percent degree of disability. Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to determine what diseases may be due to exposure to herbicides. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations within three months of enactment incorporating such determinations and setting forth the conditions of service during the Vietnam era required to establish exposure.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) Americans want an early, peaceful, and popularly supported resolution of the issues that led to the imposition of martial law in Poland; (2) Americans deplore the imposition of martial law in Poland, the suspension of workers' rights, and the arrests of Solidarity leaders; (3) recent events call into question the suitability of further assistance for Poland: (4) the Polish people have the right to resolve their problems without outside interference; (5) the support of Americans for continued U.S. dealings with Poland's present government will relate to the degree to which that government avoids violence and demonstrates its respect for Solidarity and its commitment to continuing reforms; (6) the President and the Secretary of State should continue to stress this U.S. position; and (7) the Administration should consult with our allies to develop a concerted and sustained response to the threat to the democratization process in Poland.
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 · 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
Eliminates the authority of the Federal Communications Commission or any other Federal agency to regulate the franchise fee or tax which a State or local government may impose for cable television franchises.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Expresses disapproval by the Senate of the proposed deferral of budget authority (deferral numbered D82-193) for the Office of Justice Assistance, Research, and Statistics of the Department of Justice, as set forth in the special message transmitted by the President to the Congress on October 29, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. delegation to the February meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to tell the Commission that the Soviet Union should stop harassing Soviet Jews and should allow its citizens to practice their religion and to emigrate. Urges the Soviet Union to comply with its human rights obligations. Urges the President to: (1) express to the Soviet Union U.S. opposition to harassment of Soviet citizens and to prohibitions of emigration; and (2) reiterate that the United States will consider the extent to which other nations honor their commitments under international law when evaluating its relations with such nations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1981
Northeast-Midwest States Federal Hydropower Financing Authority Act - Establishes the Northeast-Midwest States Hydropower Financing Authority (the Corporation). Makes the incorporation of such Authority effective upon notification of the Secretary of Energy by the Governors of at least four eligible Northeast-Midwest States of their desire to be members of the Corporation. Provides that the Corporation's Board of Directors shall consist of each Governor of a member State and a Chairman appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes the Corporation to make loans and loan guarantees for hydropower development to member States, political subdivisions thereof engaged in retail electric service, power authorities of such States, and rural electric cooperatives, interstate compact river commissions, and consumer- and stockholder- owned electric utilities which are located within member States. Sets forth limitations and conditions with respect to the making of such loans and loan guarantees. States that the Corporation's principal office shall be maintained in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Requires that the Corporation maintain complete and accurate accounts and file with Congress annually a financial statement and a complete report on the Corporation's business. Requires the Comptroller General to audit the Corporation's transactions at least annually. Requires that the U.S. Corps of Engineers, in coordination with the Power Marketing Administration of the Department of Energy, complete for each member State a study of hydroelectric power potential in the State. Prohibits the approval of a loan application under this Act unless the Governor of the State in which the project to be developed with the loan is located is notified and does not disapprove of the project within 60 days of such notification. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1981
Mining Reclamation Reserve Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer to elect an income tax deduction for additions to a reserve established for estimated expenses of future surface mining land reclamation activities attributable to mining activities conducted during the taxable year. Requires such reclamation activities to be conducted in accordance with a plan submitted pursuant to specified provisions of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 or other Federal or State law which imposes substantially similar reclamation and permit requirements. Prohibits revocation of such an election without the consent of the Secretary of the Treasury. Permits qualified reclamation expenses which are attributable to activities conducted before the first taxable year for which the accounting method allowed by this Act is elected to be treated as deferred expenses and to be deducted ratably over a 60 month period.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1981
Federal Election Reform and Deregulation Act of 1981 - Title I: Deregulation of Presidential Campaigns - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act) to allow a $1,000 contribution in-kind to a presidential general election campaign provided that any such contributions in excess of $500 are reported. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to eliminate: (1) the state-by-state expenditure limitation; (2) the legal and accounting exemption for presidential campaigns receiving public funds; and (3) the fundraising expense exemption. Increases expenditure limitations for presidential primary and general elections. Requires the Federal Election Commission to show a pattern of inadequate recordkeeping in order to require a campaign organization to repay public funds. Permits inactive presidential candidates to file quarterly (rather than monthly) reports. States that all repayments under such Act are to be credited to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. Title II: Reducing Recordkeeping and Reporting Burdens - Increases specified reporting threshhold amounts and eliminates certain related reporting requirements. Title III: Limitations on Contributions - Raises ceilings on individual per election and aggregate Federal election contributions. Places a limit on contributions to draft committees. Title IV: Streamlining the Federal Election Commission - Eliminates the requirement that Federal candidates and committees file duplicate reports with the House and Senate (makes the Commission the sole point of entry for such filings). Makes structural changes in the Commission including: (1) removing the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House from membership; (2) placing a $20,000 ceiling on compensation; (3) replacing the positions of staff director and general counsel with an Executive Director position; and (4) permitting persons to engage in other employment while serving on the Commission. Requires the Commission to publish periodically statistical analyses of filed reports and statements, including a June 30 deadline for post- election summaries. Establishes a specific time frame for Commission enforcement actions and replaces the existing violation notice procedure with a letter of inquiry. Permits the Commission to impose a $10,000 nonfiling penalty on a multicandidate committee without going through specified enforcement procedures. Directs the Commission to: (1) review its rules, regulations, and forms after each even-numbered election year; and (2) make its examination and audit of presidential candidates public by July 31 of the post-election year. Authorizes the Commission to: (1) audit multicandidate committees on a random basis; and (2) waive specified recordkeeping or reporting requirements. Reduces the legislative review period of Commission regulations from 30 legislative days to 15 legislative days. Authorizes the Commission to establish a revolving fund. Expands the scope of the Commission's advisory opinion authority. Reduces the public comment period on such opinions from ten days to five days. Eliminates the Commission's annual reporting requirement. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Makes draft committees subject to disclosure requirements. Eliminates valuation requirement for in-kind contributions of less than $500. Permits a trade association's political committees to solicit stockholders, personnel, and families until the corporation revokes such authority.
United States · United States Congress · 24 November 1981
United States Academy of Peace Act - Establishes the United States Academy of Peace as an independent nonprofit corporation. Sets forth the powers and duties of the Academy, including establishment of an Endowment of the United States Academy of Peace. Authorizes the Academy to establish: (1) a Center for International Peace; and (2) a United States Medal of Peace and other medals or honors. Subjects the Academy to specified freedom of information requirements. Provides that, with certain exceptions, the Academy shall not be considered a department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government. Prohibits the use of any political test or political qualification with respect to personnel actions of the Academy or financial assistance by the Academy. Authorizes appropriations in a specified amount for an Academy buildings and grounds capitalization fund. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for fiscal years 1983 and 1984 for Academy programs and administration.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1981
Directs the United States Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination applicable to first-class mail up to one ounce in weight. Directs that such stamp shall be issued on November 11, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1981
Amends the copyright law to eliminate the prior to July 1, 1982, restriction on the application of the manufacturing requirements to nondramatic literary material.
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.
![Official portrait of Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000709_200.jpg)