United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1982
Expresses the sense of Congress that September 4, 1982, the 100th anniversary of Thomas Edison's Pearl Street central power station, should be commemorated as Pearl Street Centennial Day.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1982
Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1982 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (Administrator) to develop a program, through grants or contracts, designed to assist Federal, State, and local environmental agencies in carrying out projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control. Provides that such program may include projects such as: (1) air monitoring and emission testing; (2) pesticides inventory and control; (3) water quality and supply sampling and monitoring; (4) technical libraries and public information projects; (5) carcinogenic surveys and followup; (6) hazardous materials routing surveys; (7) health screening in rural areas and among migrant workers; and (8) noise abatement and control. Directs the Administrator to: (1) submit to Congress, within 180 days after enactment of this Act a report identifying projects which serve the purpose of the program; (2) consult with representatives of State and local environmental agencies concernign ways to implement this Act; and (3) utilize the talents of older Americans available for project participation and consult with the Secretary of Labor and the Administrator of the Administration on Aging to ensure coordination with similar projects under the Older Americans Act of 1965 or the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (or under any successor statute). Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to and cooperative agreements with, public and private institutions and individuals to carry out the program under this Act. Prohibits the Administrator from making any grants to, or agreements with, any State or local environmental agency for any activities which would take the job of any agency employee or impair any existing contract for services. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator for FY 1982 through 1985 to carry out the administrative provisions of this Act. Provides that environmentally related programs described under this Act shall be eligible for funding made available through title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 and title III of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 1982
Sallie Mae Technical Amendments Act of 1982 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend for two years the waiver of Federal priority over the indebtedness of the Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae). Limits the maximum Pell Grant a student may receive for academic years 1983-1984 and 1984-1985 to $1,800 or 50 percent of the cost of attendance (as defined for academic year 1982-1983). Authorizes the Secretary of Education to establish or approve separate (from the Pell Grant family contribution schedule) systems of need analysis for academic years 1983-1984 and 1984-1985 for the campus-based programs of supplemental educational opportunity grants, work-study, and direct loans. Carries over the academic year 1982-1983 Pell Grant family contribution schedule into academic year 1983-1984, with specified modifications to be published within 15 days of enactment of this Act. Provides that the academic year 1984-1985 Pell Grant family contribution schedule shall be the same as for academic year 1983-1984, with specified modifications, unless the Secretary of Education publishes in the Federal Register and submits to the Congress a proposed schedule by April 1, 1983, and a final schedule by May 15, 1983. Provides that such final schedule shall take effect unless either House of the Congress adopts a resolution of disapproval by a specified date. Provides for a new proposed schedule to take effect unless another resolution of disapproval is adopted. Requires that a modified family contribution schedule for academic year 1984-1985 be submitted by July 15, 1983, under specified conditions. Carries over for academic years 1983-1984 and 1984-1985 the Pell Grant cost of attendance criteria in effect for academic year 1982-1983. Directs the Secretary to publish changes in amounts allowed as an offset for family size as a consequence of specified modifications of the Pell Grant family contribution schedule, immediately after publication of the Consumer Price Index for June, 1983. Carries over for the July 1, 1983 through June 30, 1984 period of instruction the guaranteed student loan family contribution schedule for the preceding year, with specified modifications. Extends through FY 1983 and 1984 the proportional reduction formula for apportionment to States of appropriations for: (1) supplemental educational opportunity grants; and (2) national direct student loans. Requires specified disclosures of the cost and terms of student loans to borrowers prior to the start of the repayment period. Permits State guaranty agencies, nonprofit institutions, and eligible lenders to consolidate federally insured or guaranteed student loans, upon the request of a borrower whose aggregate outstanding indebtedness reaches specified levels. Provides for an extended repayment period of up to 20 years and the establishment of graduated, income sensitive repayment schedules for such consolidated loans. Sets the maximum annual interest rate at eight percent on the unpaid principal balance of the new, consolidated loan, for any borrower who has received two or more federally insured student loans at nine percent. Requires the State guaranty agency, nonprofit institution, and eligible lender to develop an information program regarding such consolidation of loans. Replaces the ratable reduction formula for Pell Grant awards with a linear reduction formula under which, when there are insufficient appropriations, awards for those with lesser need would be cut by a larger percentage than awards for those with greater need. Directs the National Center for Education Statistics to collect and publish for academic years 1982 through 1985 data on tuition, fees, and room and board charges for institutions included in the Higher Education General Information Survey.
United States · United States Congress · 13 August 1982
Interstate Compact - Grants congressional consent and approval to an agreement by Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont regarding salmon restoration in the Connecticut River Basin. Authorizes the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior to participate as members in a Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission created by such agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1982
Work Incentive Act of 1982 - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise income disregards for purposes of determining need under the AFDC program by disregarding: (1) the first $50 of monthly income; (2) 20 percent of salary or self-employment income, plus the full amount of work related expenses; (3) monthly child care expenses up to $160; (4) group health insurance premiums; and (5) one-third of the amount not already disregarded above. Includes as income, for purposes of determining need, any refund of an earned income credit.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should submit a comprehensive review of the nation's nuclear weapons policies to Congress at the earliest possible date, but no later than December 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1982
Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan Amendments of 1982 - Prohibits the Office of Personnel Management from entering into a contract for a Federal employee health benefits plan, unless the plan: (1) is nondiscriminatory; and (2) (excluding comprehensive medical plans) provides equal coverage for each type of benefit offered, provides for the payment of reasonable expenses for the treatment of mental disorders, and establishes a peer review system for determining whether a type of prescribed treatment is necessary medically or as treatment for a mental disorder. Requires the service benefit plan and the indemnity benefit plan to include, in addition to all types of benefits currently authorized: (1) nervous and mental disorder benefits; and (2) alcoholism and substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation benefits. Requires all Federal employee health benefit plans to include benefits for costs for general hospital care and health services of a catastrophic nature.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1982
Disapproves regulations submitted to the Congress on July 29, 1982, by the Secretary of Education which revised certain parts of the Code of Federal Regulations with respect to the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1982
Wilderness Protection Act of 1982 - Withdraws from disposition under all laws pertaining to oil, gas, oil shale, coal, phosphate, potassium, sulphur, gilsonite, and geothermal leasing: (1) wilderness areas; (2) lands recommended for wilderness designation, until Congress determines otherwise or until the lands concerned are recommended for other uses; (3) wilderness study areas, for the period of interim wilderness protection and management required by law; and (4) lands identified for further planning in Executive Communication 1504, 96th Congress, until one year after the final approval and implementation of an initial forest plan covering the further planning area. Exempts from the withdrawal pursuant to this Act: (1) national forest system land released to management for nonwilderness uses; (2) lands designated as congressional wilderness study areas in Colorado and New Mexico and certain lands within the River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho; (3) Bureau of Land Management wilderness study areas; and (4) lands in Alaska. Permits activities compatible with the preservation of the wilderness environment for the purpose of inventorying energy, mineral, and other resource values in areas withdrawn by this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to augment recurring surveys of mineral values of wilderness areas and to acquire information on the areas withdrawn by this Act by conducting mineral inventories of such areas. Authorizes the President to recommend to Congress that minerals exploration, development, or extraction be permitted in specified areas withdrawn under this Act if: (1) there is an urgent national need for the mineral activity; and (2) the need outweighs the public values of the wilderness lands involved and the potential adverse environmental impacts likely to result. Makes such a recommendation effective only upon enactment of a joint resolution by Congress approving such recommendation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue oil and gas leases for the subsurface of national forest or public land wilderness areas that are immediately adjacent to oil and gas producing fields or areas that are prospectively valuable. Prohibits surface occupancy under such leases and provides that such leases may be entered only by directional drilling from outside the wilderness or by other nonsurface disturbing methods.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1982
States that the President, at the earliest possible date, should: (1) request Senate consent to ratification of the Threshold Test Ban and Peaceful Nuclear Explosion Treaties; and (2) resume trilateral test ban treaty negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1982
Amends the Clayton Act to permit a State, or its political subdivision, or the United States to institute an action to recover damages for price fixing, even though they were not direct purchasers. Permits a State attorney general to institute such an action on behalf of a natural person who was not a direct purchaser. Entitles a defendant in an antitrust action to prove as a partial or complete defense that the plaintiff has passed on to others all or part of the damages claimed. Authorizes the court to award a reasonable attorney's fee to a prevailing defendant in such an action upon finding that the plaintiff has acted in bad faith.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1982
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1982
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ("the Act," also known as the Clean Water Act) to extend through FY 1987: (1) authorizations of appropriations for programs of investigations and information and for State program grants; and (2) the general authorization of appropriations to carry out programs under the Act. Specifies amounts of such authorizations for FY 1983, but provides for such sums as may be necessary for FY 1984 through 1987. Extends until July 1, 1988, the deadline for industry compliance with best available technology (BAT) and best conventional technology (BCT) guidelines and effluent limitations for pollutants. Extends until July 1, 1991, the deadline for facilities with permits to use innovative production processes, control techniques, or systems to achieve compliance with BAT. Extends the deadline for requests by owners or operators of municipal, publicly owned treatment works for permits to extend the time for achievement of effluent limitations based on secondary treatment or on more stringent water quality standards. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prescribe and collect processing fees for applications for modifications and exemptions under specified provisions of the Act. Requires that amounts collected be credited to the appropriation that incurs the costs and be available only in such amounts as are included in appropriations Acts. Redefines "new source" to mean any source the construction of which is commenced after the publication of final regulations prescribing applicable new source performance standards (NSPS). Extends until July 1, 1984, the deadlines for the Administrator to: (1) publish regulations providing guidelines for effluent limitations; (2) propose and publish regulations establishing Federal new source performance standards (NSPS) within listed categories of sources; and (3) establish effluent limitations for specified toxic pollutants. Revises provisions for the pretreatment of sources which introduce pollutants into publicly owned treatment works and which are incompatible with such works. Directs the Administrator to continue in force and revise as appropriate pretreatment regulations generally applicable to all categories of such sources. Requires that such generally applicable pretreatment regulations which are promulgated or significantly revised after the enactment of the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1982 shall specify a compliance date not to exceed two years from the promulgation date. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate pretreatment standards for specific categories and classes of such sources, specifying a compliance date not to exceed three years from the promulgation date. Provides that pretreatment standards for specific categories and classes of sources which were in effect immediately prior to enactment of the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1982 shall continue in full force and effect unless modified, rescinded, or determined by the Administrator to be no longer necessary or reasonable. Permits owners or operators of publicly owned treatment works to revise such pretreatment requirements for specified categories or classes or for equivalent new sources, if: (1) the treatment by such works removes all or part of the pollutant; (2) the discharge from such works does not violate the effluent limitation or standard which would be applicable if it were discharged other than through a publicly owned treatment works; and (3) the discharge does not impair sludge use or disposal by such works. Authorizes the Administrator to revise pretreatment standards as control technology, processes, operating methods, or other alternatives change. Authorizes the Administrator, with State concurrence (or, if appropriate, the State itself) and after opportunity for a public hearing, to issue permits exempting publicly owned treatment works from discharge requirements involving: (1) identification of the character and volume of pollutants introduced by any significant source; and (2) assurance of compliance with pretreatment standards by such source. Sets forth certification requirements for such exemptions. Provides for exemptions for: (1) all sources, subject to specified category; or (2) new sources, upon specified certifications by the owner or operator of the publicly owned treatment works into which the pollutants are introduced. Sets forth procedures relating to such exemptions, including limiting the term of such exemptions to ten years. Directs the Administrator to promulgate pretreatment standards for equivalent categories and classes of new sources, simultaneously with the promulgation of such standards for existing categories and classes of sources. Authorizes the Administrator, after consultation with the State in which the violation occurs, to assess a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 per day of violation and not exceeding $75,000 in total, for violations of specified provisions of the Act. Sets forth procedures for assessment of such penalties. Revises provisions for criminal penalties under the Act. Prescribes penalties for negligently introducing, and for knowingly introducing, pollutants or hazardous substances into sewer systems or publicly owned treatment works under specified conditions. Raises penalties for knowing violations of the Act to a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $50,000 per day of violation and/or up to two years imprisonment. Revises provisions on Presidential exemptions for Federal effluent sources from requirements of the Act. Repeals the prohibition against Presidential exemptions of Federal facilities from toxic and pretreatment effluent standards and from national standards of performance for new sources (NSPS). Requires with respect to such Presidential exemptions, that: (1) all existing wastewater treatment facilities and techniques be utilized to their full design capacity; and (2) all reasonable efforts be taken to comply at the earliest possible date with the requirements of the Act. Extends the initial exemption period from one year to three years. Directs the President to include in the report to Congress on such exemptions the progress toward achieving compliance with exempted requirements. Authorizes the President, in addition to such effluent source exemptions, to issue regulations exempting from requirements any property owned or operated by the United States or by the National Guard which is essential to the national defense. (Currently, such regulations may exempt property owned or operated by the U.S. armed forces or the National Guard which is uniquely military in nature.) Requires that, with respect to United States or National Guard facilities so exempted: (1) all existing wastewater treatment facilities be utilized to full design capacity; and (2) all reasonable efforts be made to comply at the earliest possible date with the requirements of the Act. Authorizes the President to modify or suspend the provisions of the Act during the period of any war declared by Congress or any national emergency declared by Congress or the President. Revises provisions relating to thermal discharges. Authorizes the Administrator (or, if appropriate, the State) to issue a permit for modified effluent limitations for control of the thermal component of any discharge from a point source, upon a satisfactory showing by the applicant that such modified requirement will assure: (1) the attainment and maintenance of thermal water quality criteria adopted under provisions for water quality standards and implementation plans and in compliance with provisions for ocean discharge criteria; or (2) the protection and propagation of a balanced population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife in and on that body of water as determined by the State (or, if appropriate, the Administrator). Provides that the applicant must also show that a monitoring program to ensure continued compliance will be established before such modified limitation may be imposed. Provides that any standard established under effluent limitation provisions and applicable to a point source shall require that: (1) the location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures reflect the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impacts; or (2) other equally effective measures will be applied, alone or in combination with best available technology, to minimize adverse environmental impacts. Extends from five years to ten years the maximum term of a permit issued by the Administrator or a qualified State under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Revises provisions for approval of State programs under NPDES. Authorizes the Administrator to approve a state plan to administer part of a permit program, with a State commitment to administer the full program within five years. Provides that return of permit program administration to the Administrator, or withdrawal of approval by the Administrator, may only be made of the entire program currently being administered by a State. Provides that the term "point source" does not include return flows from irrigated agriculture or controlled or uncontrolled flows of water through, over, or around dams with water quality effects: resulting solely from such impoundment or the method of release of impounded waters. Prohibits the Administrator from requiring an NPDES permit for discharges composed entirely of any flow from a dam excluded under the definition of "point source." Allows the State continuing planning process for navigable waters to include a process to: (1) identify adverse changes in quality movement, flow, or circulation of navigable waters caused by hydrologic modifications, including changes caused by the existence or operation of dams; and (2) set forth procedures and methods to control such adverse changes. Excludes from the definition of "pollutant" munitions expended in the course of conventional weapons training exercises by the U.S. armed forces, or by its allies in joint training exercises.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1982
Product Liability Act - Preempts State product liability laws. States that this Act governs any civil action for harm caused by a product which would have been based on: (1) strict or absolute liability in tort; (2) negligence or gross negligence; (3) breach of express or implied warranty and; (4) failure to discharge a duty to warn or instruct. Makes a manufacturer liable if the claimant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that a product was unreasonably dangerous: (1) in construction or design; (2) because the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings of danger; or (3) because the product did not conform to an express warranty. Specifies the requisite findings which must be made for such proof of unreasonable danger to be determined. Subjects a product seller to liability if the claimant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the claimant's harm was proximately caused by such seller's failure to use reasonable care with respect to the product. Enumerates circumstances under which such a seller is also subject to the liability of a manufacturer. Provides that all claims, under this Act shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Sets forth rules with respect to conduct affecting comparative responsibility, including misuse, alteration or modification of a product. Specifies the manner in which damages are to be apportioned. Requires that damages in any product liability claim be reduced by an amount paid as workers' compensation benefits. Prescribes statutes of limitation for recovery. Allows punitive damages to be awarded if the claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the result of the product manufacturer's or sellers's reckless disregard for the safety of product users, consumers, or others who might be harmed by the product. Provides that evidence of corrective measures taken by a product seller after a harm has occurred would not be admissible in court to prove liability.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1982
Directs that the annual report of the Secretary of Transportation entitled "Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program, Third Annual Report to Congress", be printed as a Senate document.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1982
Small Business Debt-Equity Relief Act of 1982 - States that no Intenal Revenue Service regulations determining whether an interest in a corporation is to be treated as stock or indebtedness shall apply to an instrument issued before 180 days after the regulations are submitted to Congress. Requires that any such proposed regulations shall be consistent with the findings of Congress set forth in this Act if the Secretary of the Treasury chooses to adopt them.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1982
Vocational Guidance Act of 1982 - Amends the Vocational Education Act of 1963 to require comprehensive vocational guidance components in State and local programs under such Act. Requires that at least six percent of the total amounts appropriated for State vocational education programs be reserved to carry out vocational guidance activities. Includes vocational guidance requirements in provisions for: (1) State and local advisory councils; (2) State applications; (3) five-year State plans; (4) Federal and State evaluations; (5) basic grant uses; (6) cooperative vocational education programs; (7) residential vocational schools; (8) research programs; (9) exemplary and innovative programs; (10) curriculum development; and (11) personnel training. Sets forth required components of vocational guidance and counseling programs under the basic grant program. (Makes all activities listed in current vocational guidance and counseling provisions of such Act required activities under the basic grant program.) Requires, insofar as practicable, that vocational guidance and counseling programs include additional activities in which individuals from various occupations come to the schools and in which students and counselors have work-site experiences.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1982
Military Widows and Surviving Children Benefits Restoration Act - Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to make monthly payments equivalent to the child's insurance benefit under the Social Security Act before the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to certain children between the ages of 18 and 22 attending institutions of higher learning. Limits eligibility for such payments to children of veterans who died on active duty or from a service-connected disability. Directs the Secretary to make a lump-sum payment to persons who would have been entitled to such payments one month before the effective date of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to make monthly payments to the surviving spouse of such veteran in the amount such spouse would have received under the Social Security Act were she caring for a child under 16 (when such child is actually between 16 and 18 years of age). Directs the Secretary to make a lump-sum payment to persons who would have been entitled to such payments one month before the effective date of this Act. Directs the Secretary concerned to notify each member of the armed forces that his or her dependents will be ineligible for such benefits should the member die after the applicable date, in no case later than August 13, 1983. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide the Secretary concerned with information necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1982
Requests the Secretary of Agriculture to provide additional opportunities for public, scientific, and professional comment on and to prepare a supplementary environmental impact statement regarding proposed National Forest System resource planning regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1982
Small Business Access to Trade Remedies Act of 1982 - Establishes in the Treasury the Small Business Trade Access Trust Fund which shall consist of such amounts in the general fund attributable to the collection of customs duties as are necessary to carry out this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to manage the trust fund and report to Congress annually on its financial condition and operations. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the Department of Commerce the Small Business Trade Assistance Office which shall assist small businesses in preparing for, and participating in, proceedings relating to the administration of the U.S. trade laws. Requires the Office to establish a system for awarding small businesses reasonable expenses associated with such proceedings. Sets forth the limitations on such awards. Makes the trust fund available to cover the expenses of such program. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that in the case of a small business seeking import relief under such Act, the International Trade Commission shall consider the separate circumstances of such petitioner in making any determination as to material injury. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the President, in determining whether to provide import relief and the method and amount of import relief to provide for a small business, to take into account: (1) the general economic situation in the major geographic area in which the small business is located; (2) the impact of fluctuations in exchange rates on any industry in such area; and (3) the ability of the small business to adjust by converting alternative product lines. Permits a petitioner for import relief in connection with any perishable products (certain fresh or chilled vegetables, fresh mushrooms, certain fresh fruit, and certain fresh cut flowers) to file with the Secretary of Agriculture a petition for emergency action. Requires the Secretary to determine within 14 days after such a petition has been filed whether the perishable product concerned is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to cause serious injury or threat of injury to the domestic industry producing a perishable product like, or directly competitive with, the imported product. Directs the Secretary to recommend to the President that emergency action be taken if the determination is affirmative or to publish notice of a negative determination and notify the petitioner. Requires the President to either order import relief or publish notice, within seven days after receipt of a recommendation by the Secretary, of a decision not to take action. Permits a petitioner to file subsequent petitions after a negative determination. Makes an emergency action with respect to import relief ineffective when: (1) the President makes a decision on a regular petition filed under the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to the perishable product concerned; (2) the International Trade Commission makes a negative determination after an investigation with respect to such a petition; or (3) the President determines such relief is no longer warranted because of changed circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1982
Water Resources Research Act of 1982 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to assist the work of any water resources research and technology institute, center, or equivalent agency established in the States in accordance with this Act. States that each such institute shall: (1) have responsibility for planning, conducting, and/or arranging for competent research in relation to water resources; and (2) cooperate with other colleges and universities in the State in order to develop a statewide program designed to resolve State and regional water and related land problems. Requires each institute, prior to the receipt of funds each fiscal year, to submit to the Secretary a water research program. Permits the Secretary to make grants to each designed institute matched at specified rates by non-Federal dollars. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 1987. Permits the Secretary to make additional grants to other qualified institutions and agencies of local or State government for research concerning any aspect of a water-related problem which the Secretary may deem to be in the national interest. Repeals the Water Research and Development Act of 1978. Authorizes appropriations for such additional grants and for administration of grants through FY 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1982
Declares that the President should invite the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to participate in the Cabinet Council on Economic Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1982
Resources for Handicapped Individuals Act - Title I: Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults - Establishes a Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults to: (1) provide specialized intensive services for deaf-blind persons; (2) train personnel to provide such services; and (3) conduct applied research, development, and demonstrations relating to communication techniques, teaching methods, aids, and devices, and delivery of services. Requires an annual audit of the Center. Directs the Secretary of Education to ensure that: (1) Center service and training programs are monitored regularly; and (2) Center operation is evaluated annually, with written reports to the President and the Congress submitted by specified deadlines. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 for Center operation and maintenance in accordance with guidelines or regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Defines "Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults" to mean that facility and its affiliated network established pursuant to an agreement approved in 1969 by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and continued pursuant to specified provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (Repeals such provisions of such Act in title IV of this Act.) Provides that nothing in this Act shall in any way cause to affect or modify any existing or future agreement between any Federal department, agency, or instrumentality and the Industrial Home for the Blind, Inc., or its successors or assignees, with respect to the Helen Keller National Center for the Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. Title II: Instructional Media for the Handicapped - Directs the Librarian of Congress to establish a loan service of capitioned films and educational media for handicapped individuals, their parents, and others directly involved in activities for the advancement of the handicapped. Authorizes the Librarian to: (1) acquire such films, educational media, and equipment; (2) provide, by grant or contract, for film captioning, for distribution of media and equipment to State schools and other appropriate local or regional agencies, for production and distribution of such media, and for research and training in their use; (3) utilize other governmental agencies' facilities and services; and (4) accept gifts, contributions, and voluntary and uncompensated services of individuals and organizations. Authorizes the Librarian to enter into specified types of agreements with institutions of higher education, State and local educational agencies, or other appropriate nonprofit agencies for the establishment and operation of centers on educational media and materials for the handicapped. Directs the Librarian to give preference to the proposals of institutions and agencies which: (1) have demonstrated the capabilities necessary for development and evaluation of such media; and (2) can serve the educational technology needs of the Model High School for the Deaf. Directs the Librarian to report annually to the Congress on the activities of the centers on educational media and materials for the handicapped. Authorizes appropriations in each fiscal year as necessary to carry out this title. Title III: Regional Postsecondary Educational Programs - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contracts with institutions of higher education, including junior and community colleges, vocational and technical institutions, and other appropriate nonprofit educational agencies, for the development and operation of specially designed or modified programs of vocational, technical, postsecondary, or adult education for deaf or other handicapped indviduals. Directs the Secretary to give priority to programs: (1) serving multistate regions or large population centers; (2) adapting existing programs of vocational, technical, postsecondary,or adult education to the special needs of handicapped individuals; and (3) designed to serve areas where a need for such services is clearly demonstrated. Directs the Secretary to conduct, directly or by contract, a continuing evaluation of the effectiveness of each program assisted under this title. Authorizes appropriations in each fiscal year as may be necessary to carry out this title. Directs the Secretary, in each fiscal year after September 30, 1982, to assure that each recipient of funds in FY 1982 under regional educational program provisions of the Education of the Handicapped Act which the Secretary determines will provide effective services for that fiscal year will continue to receive financial assistance for that fiscal year. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which relate to the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. Repeals provisions of the Education of the Handicapped Act which relate to instructional media for the handicpped and to regional education programs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1982
Public Buildings Authorization Act of 1982 - Prohibits the obligation of any appropriation for a public building without congressional authorization. Requires appropriations for the cost of completion of any public building or the total cost of a lease before construction may commence or a lease be entered. Authorizes appropriations to the Public Buildings Service for FY 1983 with specified amounts earmarked for: (1) the construction, acquisition, renovation of public buildings in specified localities; (2) alteration of leased buildings and lease agreements; (3) planning and preliminary design of projects; (4) real property operations; (5) program direction; and (6) other obligations. Reserves a portion of such funds for unanticipated changes and requires the submission of an explanatory statement on such changes to specified congressional committees before such funds may be obligated. Authorizes the Administrator of the General Services Administration to increase expenditures or decrease the amount of space to be constructed, up to specified limits, if the project costs exceed the estimated maximum cost authorized . Directs the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees. Requires congressional approval of any other action.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1982
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to extend the authorization of appropriations through FY 1984 for general administration and for assistance to States in the development and implementation of authorized State hazardous waste programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the tax exclusion of interest on mortgage subsidy bonds. Revises the arbitrage requirements to increase the amount by which interest rates on tax-exempt mortgage subsidy bonds may exceed the interest rates on mortgages financed with such bonds. Specifies that issuers are not required to dispose of any investment and realize a loss in order to satisfy arbitrage restrictions. Increases the amount by which the acquisition cost of a residence financed with such bonds may exceed the average area purchase price. Revises prior residency requirements for mortgagors. Repeals the registration requirements for bond issues. Revises requirements for residential rental property bond issues relating to the median income level of occupants and the term of the low-income occupancy.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for expenses incurred for qualified elderly care expenses for a qualifying family member. Allows an income tax credit of 30 percent of the expenses incurred for taxpayers with incomes of $10,000 or less. Reduces the rate of such credit, but not below 20 percent, by one percent for each $2,000 of taxpayer income in excess of $10,000. Limits such credit to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $50,000. Imposes a maximum $7,000 limit on the amount of elderly care expenses taken into account. Defines "qualified family member" as any individual who: (1) is related to the taxpayer by blood or marriage; (2) is at least 75 years of age (or diagnosed with senile dementia); and (3) has a family income of $15,000 or less. Defines "qualified elderly care expenses" as payments for: (1) home health agency services; (2) homemaker services; (3) adult day care; (4) respite care; or (5) certain health care equipment and supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1982
Amends the Veterans Administration Health Professional Scholarship Program to make eligible part-time employees of the Department of Medicine and Surgery. Sets forth the payments and obligations concerning such persons.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Expands the membership of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to include three elected school board officials from different States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify multiple lot issues of industrial development bonds for the small issue exemption for purposes of the tax exclusion of interest on such bonds. Requires that such multiple lots be sold at the same time, at the same interest rate, and under a common marketing plan. Requires that a common or pooled security be used to pay debt service on such obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1982
Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1982 - Title I: Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1982 - Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 to revise the authorization of appropriations for fiscal years 1984 through 1990 for the Interstate Highway System. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to apportion, for FY 1984, the sums authorized to be appropriated for expenditures on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways according to specified factors. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund for fiscal years 1983 through 1986 for: (1) the Federal-aid primary program; (2) the Federal-aid rural program; (3) the Federal-aid urban program; (4) forest highways; (5) public lands highways; (6) bridge replacement and rehabilitation; and (7) highway safety improvements. Prohibits any State from receiving less than one-half of one percent of the total apportionment for the Interstate System for each of fiscal years 1984 through 1987. Revises apportionments for the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program. Directs the Secretary to develop a selection process for discretionary bridges according to certain criteria. Revises the apportionment ratio for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the distribution of Federal financial assistance for such activities. Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1978 to extend the authorization of appropriations from FY 1983 through 1987 for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing specified lanes on the Interstate System. Authorizes appropriations, out of the Highway Trust Fund, for fiscal years 1983 through 1986 for substitute highway and mass transit projects. Repeals provisions concerning priority primary routes. Revises procedures concerning the Federal-aid urban and rural programs. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the States, to establish a highway safety improvement program for projects on public roads including: (1) specified highway safety improvement projects; (2) railway-highway crossing projects; (3) highway-related safety requirements and guidelines; and (4) evaluation of the highway safety improvement program. Sets forth procedures for the implementation of such program. Revises the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program. Revises provisions concerning the Federal lands highways program including forest highways and park roads. Repeals provisions concerning: (1) economic growth center development highways; (2) the national scenic and recreational highway; (3) access highways to certain public recreation areas; and (4) highway crossings. Directs the Secretary to expend such sums as are necessary (up to 100 percent of costs) for carpool and vanpool projects. Authorizes the Secretary to approve financial assistance for acquisition or construction of preferential parking facilities for carpools. Prohibits the use of emergency relief funds for the repair or reconstruction of certain bridges that have been permanently closed to vehicular traffic. Requires that emergency relief funds be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund. Revises the Federal share payable for emergency repairs or reconstruction. Allows Federal-aid highway projects to include nonconstruction programs or projects which enhance the safety and use of bicycles. Increases to 100 percent the Federal share for bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkway projects. Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 to allow limited truck traffic on the Highland Scenic Highway in West Virginia. Allows States to transfer funds allocated for a particular urbanized area to another such area. Authorizes the Secretary to discharge any of his responsibilities relative to the physical construction phase of Interstate projects using established certification acceptance procedures. Eliminates the requirement for the Secretary to make a final inspection of each such project. Requires defense access roads to be funded from monies appropriated for defense maneuvers and exercises. Authorizes the Secretary, if after 90 days following notification of a State highway department a project is still not being properly maintained, to withhold project funds for one or more of the other Federal-aid systems or programs in the State. (Presently the Secretary is required to withhold funds from all projects in the State.) Requires each State on January 1 of each year to certify to the Secretary that it has a program for the Interstate Highway System in accordance with the Secretary's guidelines. Combines highway planning and research funds into a single fund for administration by the Secretary. Establishes the Federal share for any project financed by such fund. Requires provisions of equal employment opportunities for highway projects without regard to sex. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct and finance training and assistance programs for minority business enterprises. Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with other Federal agencies to minimize duplication, paperwork, and delays in the development of Federal highway projects. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent for Federal-aid rural and urban programs approved prior to enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Improvement Act of 1981, and to 50 percent for any such programs approved after enactment. Sets forth limitations on obligations and State allocations for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs for FY 1983. Repeals two laws relative to the State of Maryland's authority to construct, operate, and maintain certain bridges. Authorizes the State, through the Maryland Transportation Authority, to continue to collect tolls and use the revenues for transportation projects in accordance with State laws and applicable Federal laws. Requires the Secretary to carry out a project to demonstrate the feasibility of reducing the time required to complete highway projects by extending the coverage of State certifications to any Federal law, regulation, or policy applicable to such project. Authorizes appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund for such project. Requires the Secretary to submit a recommendation report to Congress within six months of the project's completion. Allows the State of Alaska to expend Federal-aid highway funds on portions of an Alaskan highway that extends into Canada. Repeals the Territorial Highway Program. Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1978 to repeal the acceleration of bridge projects program. Title II: Highway Revenue Act of 1982 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to extend from 1984 through 1989 the highway excise taxes allocated to the Highway Trust Fund. Makes funds available for expenditure from the fund until October 1, 1990. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to conform to provisions of this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 relative to the tax on use of certain motor vehicles to allow the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the beginning of a tax year or taxable period.
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
Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1982 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to add the term "experimental population" to the definitions. Defines such term as a population of an endangered or threatened species that: (1) has been transported and released outside of the current range of the species to further its conservation; and (2) is wholly separate geographically from nonexperimental populations of the species. Provides for the treatment of experimental populations as threatened species. Requires the Secretary (either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, as program responsibilities are vested) to issue protective regulations for such species. Increases the limit on the Federal share of costs of conservation programs for endangered and threatened species developed by States pursuant to cooperative agreements between the States and the Secretary. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from making less restrictive the regulations applicable to any threatened species over which program responsibilities are vested in the Secretary of Commerce without a prior favorable determination by the Secretary of Commerce. Requires the Secretary, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable, to designate the critical habitat of any endangered or threatened species concurrent with the determination of the status and the listing of the species. Deletes the requirement that the Secretary conduct a review of the status of a species before making a determination of whether the species is endangered or threatened. Requires the Secretary to review regularly the status of all species identified as in danger of extinction and determine whether to propose such such species for listing as endangered or threatened. Provides that upon receipt of a petition to add a species to, or remove a species from, the endangered or threatened species list, the Secretary shall determine and publish a finding whether the petition presents substantial scientific information that such addition or removal is warranted, in addition to conducting and publishing a review of the status of the species as required under current law. Revises the notice requirements with respect to the proposal by the Secretary of regulations relating to the determination of the status and listing of endangered or threatened species. Eliminates the review board established to consider Federal agency and permit or license applicants' applications for exemptions for agency actions likely to jeopardize endangered or threatened species or their habitats. Provides for the Secretary to review, and report to the Endangered Species Committee on, such exemption applications in place of the review board. Reduces from 60 days to 20 days the time available to make the initial determination concerning the exemption applicant's eligibility for the exemption. Reduces from 180 days to 150 days the time period within which the Secretary must complete a report on: (1) the availability of alternatives to the agency action involved; (2) the evidence as to whether the action is in the public interest or is of national or regional significance; (3) appropriate reasonable mitigation and enhancement measures which should be considered; and (4) whether the Federal agency involved and the exemption applicant refrained from making irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources prohibited by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Reduces from 90 days to 30 days the time within which the Committee must determine whether to grant an exemption after receiving the Secretary's report. Prohibits the Committee from granting an exemption for an agency action if the Federal agency or the exemption applicant made an irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources prohibited by such Act. Provides that when an agency, a permit or license applicant, and the Secretary agree to extend the consultation period for determining whether an agency action is likely to jeopardize an endangered or threatened species or its habitat, the Secretary shall specify the information required to complete the consultation and the date on which the biological opinion will be completed. Provides that in addition to exempted agency actions, activities within the scope of an agency action which will promote the conservation of a listed species or critical habitat or which will not jeopardize a listed species or critical habitat shall not be considered a taking of any endangered or threatened species. Requires the Secretary to determine on the basis of the best available biological information derived from reliable wildlife management practices: (1) whether the export or introduction of any specimen of a species included in appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora will be detrimental to the survival of that species; and (2) whether the export of such specimens should be limited. Provides that the Secretary shall not be required to use population estimates in making such determinations when such estimates are not the best available biological information derived from reliable wildlife managment practices. Authorizes the Attorney General to seek to enjoin any person alleged to be in violation of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 through 1985 to carry out the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
![Official portrait of Sen. Stafford, Robert T. [R-VT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000776_200.jpg)