United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Expresses the support of the Senate for the growing acceptance of principles of freedom and democracy in Poland. Commends the President for extending agricultural credits and aid to Poland. Urges the President to develop a policy toward Poland commensurate with U.S. concerns, to extend additional agricultural credits to Poland, and to press other countries to assist Poland.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Expresses the objection of Congress to the proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, conformal fuel tanks, AIM- 9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and aerial refueling aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1981
Title I - Amends the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to declare that the Islands' government has the powers set forth in such Act and in the Virgin Islands' constitution. Makes certain provisions of the U.S. Constitution applicable to the Virgin Islands. Deletes certain limitations on the legislative authority and power of the Virgin Islands. Requires the U.S. laws applicable to the Islands to remain in force unless Congress provides otherwise. Retains the provision which authorizes the Governor of the Virgin Islands to request military assistance in emergencies from the U.S. armed forces in the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. Vests judicial power in, and sets forth the jurisdiction of, the District Court of the Virgin Islands and the Islands' appellate and local courts. Sets forth the relationship between U.S. courts and the courts of the Virgin Islands. Provides for appeals from the lower local courts pending the establishment of the appellate court called for in the Islands' constitution. Sets forth the composition of the district court's appellate division. Grants the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third District jurisdiction over appeals from the district court's appellate division. Provides for the appointment, tenure, removal, and compensation of the district judges. Makes Federal rules on bankruptcy, criminal procedure, and judicial procedure applicable to the district court and to appeals from the district court under certain circumstances. Divides the Virgin Islands into two judicial divisions. Deletes the provisions for filling a vacancy in the U.S. attorney's office. Deletes the provision requiring the Islands' government officials and employees to take a loyalty oath. Sets forth the relationship between the Federal Government and the Islands' government. Repeals specified provisions of the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands. Amends the Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to require Federal copyright laws to apply to the Islands. Deems specified provisions of such Act and other specified Acts to have expired or been superseded. Title II - Amends the Organic Act of Guam to authorize initiatives and referenda in Guam. Sets forth the referendum procedure. Subjects to recall the Lieutenant Governor and the members of the legislature. Directs Customs and Postal Service officials to assist officials of the Virgin Islands in collecting local excise taxes. Changes the date for transferring certain Federal and Trust Territory property to various island governments. Makes such date the termination date of the agreement governing the administration of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands instead of October 1, 1982. Authorizes appropriations for grants to certain territories and possessions to offset reductions in, or termination of, Federal grant-in-aid programs and to reimburse certain areas for revenue reduction caused by Federal tax revisions or reductions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1981
Hunger Elimination and Global Security Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should make development of poor countries and the eradication of poverty and hunger the primary objective of U.S. foreign policy. Directs the President to designate certain foreign aid programs as Hunger Relief and Prevention Assistance. Title I: Public Law 480 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to replace the provision describing self-help programs developed under agreements for the sale of farm products for foreign currency and long-term-dollar-credit. Requires such agreements to describe the self-help programs and to provide for the termination of the agreement or adjustment of its credit terms whenever the President finds that the program is not being carried out as specified in the agreement. Prohibits termination or credit adjustment of such an agreement if the President reports to Congress that: (1) such action would threaten U.S. security; or (2) the program was not carried out because of circumstances beyond the control of the recipient country. Requires the self-help measures to be sufficiently described so that the primary beneficiaries of the agreement will be needy people. Defines "needy people." Requires such measures to be in addition to measures that the recipient country would otherwise have taken. Directs the President to verify that such measures are being carried out and to report to the appropriate congressional committees on such verification and on the additional nature of such measures. Title II: Multilateral Development Banks - Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to work within certain multilateral development banks to establish a requirement that not less than 50 percent of such banks' lending must benefit needy people. Requires the Secretaries of State and Treasury to report to Congress annually on establishing such requirement. Title III: World Food Security - Directs the President to encourage other grain exporting countries to establish their own food security reserves or take other measures that complement the U.S. food security reserve. Directs the President to report to Congress on actions taken with respect to such food security reserves. Directs the President to negotiate with other countries and with certain organizations to try to ensure that the benefits of the food financing facility recently approved by the International Monetary Fund be directed to effect the maximum feasible reduction in hunger and malnutrition. Directs the President to report to Congress on such negotiations. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from imposing export controls on food if such controls would cause measurable malnutrition in the countries against whom the controls are proposed unless the President determines such controls are necessary to protect U.S. national security. Title IV: Basic Human Needs Agreement - Requires a Basic Human Needs Agreement between the United States and a foreign country before the foreign country may receive bilateral development assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Exempts from such requirement assistance for narcotics control, disaster relief, or peacekeeping operations. Sets forth the goals of such agreements. Title V: Relief and Prevention of Starvation - African Assistance and Hunger Prevention Act - Requires at least 50 percent of all U.S. international development assistance funds beginning in fiscal year 1983 to be used to finance productive facilities primarily for the absolutely poor. Defines the "absolutely poor." Requires special emphasis to be placed on alleviating hunger in sub-Saharan Africa and on the role of women in farm production in that region. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to earmark for the food for development program a specified percentage of the aggregate value of all agreements entered into under the program for the sale of farm products for foreign currency and long-term-dollar-credit. Requires certain commodities and funds to be used to establish grain reserves in famine prone African nations or to otherwise prepare for food shortages in those nations. Title VI: General Provisions - Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, acting through the Director of the Peace Corps, should emphasize projects to alleviate hunger and malnutrition by encouraging agricultural self-sufficiency in countries where Peace Corps volunteers are serving.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1981
Establishes the President's Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. Authorizes the President to appoint members of the Commission. Provides that members shall receive no compensation for their services. Requires Federal departments and agencies to cooperate with the Commission in planning commemorative activities. Requires the Commission to: (1) investigate and evaluate ways of commemorating the two hundredth anniversary of the Constitution of the United States; (2) plan and coordinate commemorative observances and activities; (3) encourage and provide educational programs concerning the issues and individuals involved in framing the Constitution; and (4) promote through scholarly studies an understanding of the contributions of the Constitution to the American political system. Directs the Commission to report to the President and to Congress not later than two years after the enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission thirty days after the submission of the report. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1981
Delays until 1983 the application of Revenue Ruling 81-216 which denies a tax exclusion of the interest on multiple lots of $1,000,000 each of industrial development bonds that are pooled and issued as one bond.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1981
Expresses the objection of Congress to the proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, conformal fuel tanks, Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and aerial refueling aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1981
Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the Small Business Administration from entering into government procurement contracts set aside for small businesses under such Act after March 31, 1983 (currently the small business set-aside program ends on September 30, 1981). Requires the President to designate within 60 days of the enactment of this Act the agency with which such contracts shall be made.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1981
Declares that the President of the United States, the Senate and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs should assure that the specific provisions of the Federal Reserve Act providing for agricultural, commercial, and broad regional representation on the Board of Governors are followed.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1981
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Honorable William R. Cotter, a Representative from Connecticut. Authorizes the appointment of a committee to attend the funeral services.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1981
United States Olympic Development Fund Checkoff Act of 1981 - Permits taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns an election to contribute one dollar of their income tax refunds or one dollar forwarded with returns to support the fund established by this Act. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a United States Olympic Development Fund. Appropriates to the Fund an amount equivalent to the amount designated on tax returns to be available to the Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay amounts so transferred to the U.S. Olympic Committee for use in a program of expansion and improvement of amateur athletics. Sets forth reporting requirements with respect to the expenditure of such funds by the Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1981
Disapproves the final rule promulgated by the Secretary of Commerce dealing with the Federal consistency provisions of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to declare that the United States shall assume exclusive fishery management authority over all fish within a specified fishery conservation zone (currently excludes highly migratory species).
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1981
Legal Services Corporation Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for carrying out the activities of the Legal Services Corporation in the amount of $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1982 through 1984. Directs the Corporation to make funds available for legal assistance furnished by private attorneys.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1981
Amends provisions regulating Federal involvement in international expositions to require the Secretary of Commerce to include in the plan for Federal participation in such an exposition: (1) the documentation of a Federal need for a permanent structure in the area of the exposition if such need exists; (2) a design for a Federal pavilion which meets the needs of Federal participation in the exposition and the need for a permanent structure; and (3) the Secretary's determination of whether the Federal Government should be deeded a site for such a pavilion as a condition of participation in the exposition. Directs the Secretary to design a temporary Federal pavilion if no design will satisfy the need for a permanent structure and the needs of Federal participation in the exposition. Authorizes appropriations if Congress approves participation in such an exposition.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1981
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination used for first-class mail up to one ounce in weight and shall be placed on sale on March 12, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1981
Airline Deregulation Amendments Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to modify the definition of "ticket agent" as used in such Act. Directs air carriers to file with the Civil Aeronautics Board until December 31, 1982, individual and joint fares and charges, classifications, rules, and services for or in connection with interstate and overseas passenger air transportation. Requires that such filings shall be made to the Secretary of Transportation between January 1, 1983, and December 31, 1984. Prohibits air carriers and ticket agents from charging or collecting greater or less or different compensation than that specified in such filings. Transfers the authority of the Board relating to foreign air transportation to the Department of Transportation. Accelerates to January 1, 1983, the transfer of specified authority of the Board. Allows the Board to approve any contract or agreement that reduces or eliminates competition if it finds that the contract or agreement is necessary to secure important public benefits, including the marketing and sale of transportation through ticket agents. Sets forth the expiration dates for specified authority of the Secretary relating to contract approvals. Revises the expiration date and contents of the Secretary's (formerly the Board's) report to Congress concerning the implementation of such Act. Prohibits the Board from issuing any final order or rule in regard to agreements among air carriers and agreements among foreign air carriers insofar as those agreements provide for the accreditation and supervision of travel agents. Directs the Board to forward the recommendations and analyses concerning such proceedings to the Secretary for final disposition. Prohibits the Board and the Department from attaching an expiration date on any certificate of public convenience and necessity. Deletes provisions concerning the issuance of such certificates for temporary authority to provide air transportation. Permits an air carrier to file an application with the Secretary seeking to revoke a temporary or experimental certificate to engage in foreign air transportation. Directs the Secretary to grant such application according to specified criteria. Requires that each air carrier or foreign air carrier shall keep on file with the Board after January 1, 1983, the established divisions of all joint rates, fares, and charges for air transportation in which such carrier participates.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1981
Small Business Job Tax Credit Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the targeted jobs credit with a job development credit. Allows small businesses (gross receipts of $5,00,000 or less for a taxable year) a partially refundable income tax credit for wages paid with respect to the employment of either: (1) an unemployed individual over 21 years old eligible to receive unemployment compensation, or an unemployed individual between 18 and 21 years old seeking work and not enrolled in a full-time educational instruction; (2) a member of a targeted group; or (3) a resident of an area of substantial unemployment. Extends the termination date for the jobs credit to 1983. Requires employers, to the maximum extent feasible, to provide job training to the employees for whom a jobs credit is allowed.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1981
Fair Commercial Reporting Practices Act of 1981 - Sets forth rights and procedures applicable to businesses which are the subject of commercial credit reports. Excludes from the coverage of this Act any consumer reporting agency, consumer report, or user of information which is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Delimits the circumstances in which a commercial reporting agency may furnish a commercial report. Requires a user of a commercial report to notify a person in writing whenever credit, insurance, or other benefits have been denied (or charges increased) based on a commercial report. Requires such notification to include: (1) the identity of the commercial reporting agency; and (2) such person's right to request a copy of the report and to correct an erroneous report. Requires a commercial reporting agency, upon request of any person, to: (1) disclose all information in its files on such person; (2) permit all such information to be copied; (3) disclose to such person the sources of all information; and (4) disclose the names of all recipients of any commercial report which the agency has furnished within a six-month period. Directs a commercial reporting agency to reinvestigate the status of information which is disputed by any person (unless it has reasonable grounds to believe such dispute is frivolous or irrelevant), and to delete promptly inaccurate or unverifiable information. Entitles a business to file a brief statement of disagreement if such reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute. Requires a commercial reporting agency to maintain reasonable procedures to assure the maximum possible accuracy of its information. Prohibits any such agency from: (1) furnishing adverse information which antedates the commercial report by more than ten years (except with respect to credit transactions or life insurance underwriting involving $500,000 or more); (2) obtaining information by implying that failure to do so will result in adverse consequences; (3) furnishing negative information or recommending that credit not be extended because of a business' failure to cooperate with the reporting agency; (4) furnishing a report which indicates that a business has been denied credit, if the sole reason for such denial is lack of sufficient information, unless the report so states; and (5) lowering the credit rating of a business unless that business is notified of such action in writing within 30 days of such action. Makes a commercial reporting agency or user of information which willfully or negligently fails to comply with the requirements of this Act civilly liable to the person affected in any appropriate Federal district court without regard to the amount in controversy, or in any court of competent jurisdiction. Establishes criminal penalties for any person who willfully and knowingly obtains information on a person from a commercial reporting agency under false pretenses.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Emergency Preparedness Act of 1981 - Title I: Standby Revenue Recycling Authority - Directs the President to submit to Congress a proposed standby plan which, when implemented, will permit the President to recycle Federal tax revenues both to State Governors for further distribution and to residents of the United States. Requires the proposed standby plan to provide for, among other things: (1) mitigation of extreme personal hardship caused by severe petroleum supply disruption; (2) national defense; (3) assurances that each U.S. resident is eligible for assistance; and (4) giving the highest priority to the enforcement of antitrust statutes that will guard against anticompetitiveness during severe petroleum supply disruptions. Provides that the recycling plan shall use a combination of emergency distribution of funds to State Governors, emergency charges in withholding rates, reductions in payroll taxes, additions to social security and income payments, or other distribution mechanisms. Requires the proposed plan to include adjustments and simplifications to the crude oil windfall profit tax that would eliminate the tax on oil discovered during and after a severe supply disruption and that would increase the tax rate on the incremental revenues resulting from the supply disruption. Prohibits the implementation of a proposed standby plan unless each House of Congress passes a resolution approving the plan within 60 days of receiving the plan. Authorizes the President to implement the plan whenever the President determines that a severe petroleum supply disruption exists and only with the passage of a joint resolution authorizing a specific amount of Federal tax revenues to be recycled. Authorizes the President to reimburse any State for expenses incurred in preparation for or execution of responsibilities delegated to such State. Title II: Use of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve - Requires the President to: (1) submit to Congress a report describing the advisability of competitive sales from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to ensure emergency access to crude oil for particularly affected refiners in lieu of a standby crude oil allocation program; and (2) submit an amendment to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve plan that incorporates procedures recommended by the study. Title III: Investigations and Reports - Directs the President to submit a report on the advisability and alternative means of: (1) reducing the tax liability of persons who draw down oil reserves during oil supply disruptions; and (2) providing tax or other incentives for the construction of private-sector oil storage facilities and the maintenance of increased private-sector oil reserves. Directs the President to submit a report on the manner in which oil stockpile and demand restraint measures have been and may be coordinated among some or all allies and trading partners.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1981
Condemns the violence in Northern Ireland. Urges the exploration of all possible steps to avoid further deaths in the hunger strike and to achieve an immediate and humanitarian resolution of the strike issues. Urges Great Britain to exercise greater flexibility in administering prison rules in Northern Ireland and to invite the European Commission on Human Rights or other appropriate independent parties to participate in settling the strike. Urges the political leaders in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland to seek the earliest possible settlement in Northern Ireland through a negotiated agreement. Requests the President to express to the Prime Minister of Great Britain, American concern for an immediate hunger strike settlement and a lasting settlement of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the exclusion of interest on mortgage subsidy bonds. Repeals provisions which allow tax-exempt status for such bonds if 95 percent of the mortgages financed by such issues are in compliance with stated requirements. Provides that a showing that the issuing authority has tried in good faith to satisfy all requirements will cure a failure to meet any particular requirement if such failure is corrected within a reasonable time after its discovery. Allows bondholders to rely upon an issuer's good faith covenant as to compliance. Revises the new homeowner requirements to allow eligibility for bond-financed mortgages for persons who are residing in substandard housing or who have lost their homes because of natural disasters or governmental action. Changes the method of determining the average area purchase price for purposes of the purchase price requirements for bond-financed mortgages. Specifies that the average area purchase price shall not include residences which are not typically financed through normal real estate mortgage loans and that such prices may be determined separately for new and previously occupied homes. 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. Changes the method of determining the yield on an issue. Specifies that issuers are not required to dispose of any investment and realize a loss in order to satisfy arbitrage restrictions. Allows two or more qualified mortgage bond issues of a single issuer to be combined for purposes of determining compliance with arbitrage requirements. Permits issuers to maintain a reasonable reserve against investment losses and to allocate credits or payments between eligible mortgagors. Exempts mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration from certain mortgage assumption requirements. Includes energy impacted areas within the definition of targeted areas for purposes of the special treatment of targeted area residences. Transfers to the States the authority to designate areas of chronic economic distress. Limits the designation of areas of chronic economic distress to 25 percent of the geographic area within a State. Redefines statistical areas to include two or more statistical areas combined. Repeals the registration requirements for bond issues.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1981
Commercial Business Energy Tax Credit Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include in the definition of "specially defined energy property," for purposes of the investment tax credit, specified additional equipment and devices installed in connection with any existing industrial, retail, or commercial facility for the purpose of reducing energy consumption. Revises the definition of "energy property" to include insulation property. Increases the energy percentage, for purposes of such credit, in the case of property which is qualified for the credit under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
National Home Weatherization Act of 1981 - Allows a State to submit an annual grant application requesting financial assistance under this Act for energy assistance and weatherization programs authorized under the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act, the Emergency Energy Conservation Act, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, the National Energy Extension Service Act, and any other Federal law. Requires that 65 percent of such assistance be used for low-income weatherization assistance programs unless the Governor determines that an insufficient or limited need for such assistance exists in such State. Sets forth the circumstances under which a State application will not be approved. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide financial and technical assistance to States and Indian tribes to fund energy programs and State energy plans. Requires a State to submit a State energy plan in order to receive assistance under this Act. Requires that State energy plans contain: (1) a plan for coordinating and apportioning responsibilities for development and implementation of the State energy plans; (2) an implementation plan for a low- income weatherization assistance program; (3) a plan to coordinate the administration of various Federal low-income energy assistance programs; (4) a plan and a description of the proposed uses of funds for the implementation of the State energy plan; (5) a description of State energy supply and demand and State energy conservation goals and policies; and (6) a description of how the State and local governments plan to implement any other State energy programs. Directs the Secretary to approve a State energy plan or modification thereto unless the plan or modification fails to comply with this Act or with Federal law. Requires Federal agencies which produce or consume significant quantities of energy within a State to provide energy-related information to the State upon request. Directs a State to hold public hearings on the development of its first State energy plan and any plan modifications. Requires that a State give priority to the needs of the poor, the handicapped, and the elderly in its State energy plan. Directs the Secretary to provide written notice of and an opportunity for a hearing concerning: (1) disapproval of a State application for assistance, a waiver request under this Act, or a State energy plan or plan modification; or (2) a finding that a recipient of assistance has not complied with this Act or any other law. Authorizes the Secretary to suspend financial assistance upon issuance of such a notice. Prohibits the payment of financial assistance for any State energy plan or other activities if the Secretary makes a final determination of noncompliance. Sets forth the allocation of the funds available under this Act. Restricts the expenditures of such funds. Directs the Secretary to reserve a portion of the funds annually for the benefit of Indian tribes. Limits the total amount allocated for any State in any year to ten percent of the total allocation for all the States. Requires a State receiving financial assistance to provide local governments and regional councils with funds commensurate with their responsibilities with respect to the State energy plan. Permits a State to participate in interstate or multistate organizations that coordinate State energy plans. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1984.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Low-Income Energy Assistance Act of 1981 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States to assist eligible households to meet home energy costs. Defines "eligible households" as those households: (1) in which one or more individuals are eligible for (a) aid to families with dependent children under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, (b) supplemental security income under title XVI of such Act, (c) food stamps under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, or (d) certain veterans' benefits; and (2) with certain income levels. Specifies circumstances under which a household shall not be eligible for home energy assistance. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1986. Specifies the allotment formulas to be used to determine State allocations under this program. Reserves specified amounts to be apportioned among U.S. territories and possessions and used for energy crisis activities and outreach activities for the elderly and handicapped. Requires the Secretary to approve State plans for assistance which comply with the requirements under this Act. Directs the Secretary to withhold assistance payments to a State if there has been a substantial failure to comply with any provisions in the approved State plan. Imposes criminal penalties on anyone who violates this Act or knowingly provides false information in any report required under this Act. Repeals the Home Energy Assistance Act of 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Anatoly Shcharansky be released from prison in the Soviet Union, be given proper medical treatment, and be permitted to emigrate to Israel. Urges the President, the Secretary of State, and the U.S. delegation to the Madrid Conference on Security and Cooperation to continue to express U.S. opposition to the imprisonment of Anatoly Shcharansky.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1981
White House Conference on Education Act - Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Education not later than January 15, 1982. Sets forth the purpose and composition of the Conference. Requires that the Conference be planned and conducted by an executive director, appointed by the President. Requires that a final report of the Conference, including recommendations, be submitted to the President, made public, and transmitted to the Congress. Sets forth provisions for the administration of the Conference. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated to the Department of Education, other than funds appropriated pursuant to this resolution, to carry out such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Amends the Small Business Act to make Small Business Administration (SBA) loans available to State and local development companies for plant acquisition, construction, conversion, or expansion (including land acquisition) and to any small business for purposes of such Act. Removes limitations on the primary use of such loans. Increases the maximum amount of such loans from $500,000 to $750,000. Authorizes the SBA to add up to one percent to the interest rate on such loans (currently the SBA may add one-quarter of one percent to the interest rate). Increases the maximum maturity from ten to 30 years. Makes small business concerns owned and controlled by Indian tribes and any public or private organizations which employ handicapped individuals for 75 percent or more of the man-hours required for their business eligible for loans under such Act. Permits the SBA to advance financial assistance to State or local development companies to assist identifiable small business concerns. Eliminates loans to corporations formed and capitalized by small businesses for the purpose of obtaining raw materials, equipment, inventories, supplies, or research and development benefits. Repeals provisions authorizing trade adjustment loans, loans to small businesses in high unemployment and low income areas or owned by low-income individuals, and loans for solar energy and energy conservation measures. Repeals the authorizations for SBA programs, salaries, and expenses for fiscal year 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Delinquent Payments Act of 1981 - Requires Federal agencies to pay interest on overdue payments to businesses for property or services. Specifies the procedure for computing such interest. Requires an agency to pay any such interest charges out of funds appropriated for its programs. Allows an agency to take advantage of an early payment discount only if payment is made within the time specified by the business. Directs each agency to report to Congress annually on interest payments made during the fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act to revise the system for evaluating services provided to persons with developmental disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make allotments to States to design, test, and operate a comprehensive evaluation system which meets certain standards. Permits the Secretary to reserve up to five percent of total allotments appropriated for each fiscal year for such purpose. Extends the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for protection and advocacy of individual rights, university affiliated facility grants, and State allotments. Reduces the authorization levels for university grants and allotments. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to influence issuance or passage of any Executive order, regulation, or Congressional legislation. Revises the Secretary's authority to make special project grants to require that demonstration projects have substantial impact on improving technical assistance grants and gathering and disseminating information relating to developmental disabilities. Extends the authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for special project grants at a reduced level.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Regulatory Reform Act - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require the notice of proposed agency rulemaking to include: (1) a statement of the Congressional intent behind the rule; (2) a solicitation for public proposals for alternative methods; (3) a description of the data used in the rulemaking; and (4) a determination of whether the rule is a "major rule," as defined in this Act. Directs each agency to publish with such notice: (1) a description of the costs and benefits of and alternatives to the proposed rule; and (2) a justification for proposing the rule and selecting it over the alternatives. Requires agencies to give interested persons at least 60 days to submit written comments on any proposed rule and to make oral comments on major rules. Provides for a 30-day extension of such period. Directs each agency to publish with each final rule a statement of its basis and purpose, including an assessment of the public comments and a comparison of the costs, benefits, and adverse effects of the rule. Requires an agency officer or employee to prepare the rulemaking notice and the statement of the basis and purpose. Directs each agency to maintain, for judicial review, a public file of the paperwork and comments pertaining to each rulemaking proceeding. Allows an agency to promulgate an emergency rule without meeting the notice and comment requirements. Directs such agency: (1) to publish an explanation of the situation requiring the emergency rule and a justification of the emergency rule selected; and (2) to comply with normal rulemaking requirements as soon as practicable. Requires each agency to review its major rules every ten years. Directs each agency to: (1) publish and submit to the President a proposed review schedule; and (2) publish a final schedule within one year after enactment of this Act. Permits the President to select additional rules for review. Directs each agency to publish a notice of its proposed action regarding a reviewed rule. Requires that the notice: (1) assess the costs, benefits, and adverse effects of the rule; and (2) invite public proposals for modifications or alternatives to the rule. Requires an agency to follow normal rulemaking procedures when amending or rescinding a rule. Specifies procedures for renewing a rule without amendment. Directs a court reviewing an agency action to: (1) set aside any agency rule found to lack substantial support in the rulemaking file; (2) determine the authority or jurisdiction of the agency on the basis of the language of the authorizing statute or other evidence of legislative intent; and (3) accord no presumption in favor of or against agency action. Declares that when proceedings for review of the same agency action are instituted in two or more courts of appeals within ten days, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall select the court in which the record shall be filed by a system of random selection. Authorizes the courts not selected to grant preliminary relief pending transfer of their proceedings. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually, an agenda of the rules the agency expects to propose, promulgate, renew, or withdraw within the next 12 months, including a schedule of the significant actions pertaining to each rule. Directs the President to publish, semiannually, a Calendar of Federal Regulations, listing each of the major rules included in the agenda.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Legal Services Corporation Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to direct the Legal Services Corporation to make available substantial funds to provide the opportunity for legal assistance to be furnished by private attorneys. Authorizes appropriations for the Corporation in the amount of $321,300,000 for fiscal year 1982 and necessary sums for fiscal years 1983 and 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Proclaims Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States. Requests the President to ascertain his whereabouts from the Soviet Union and to secure his freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Small Business Innovation Research Act of 1981 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) maintain an information program to provide small businesses an opportunity to participate in Federal small business innovation research (SBIR) programs; (2) coordinate a schedule for release of agency SBIR solicitations and prepare a master release schedule; (3) monitor SBIR programs within Federal agencies; and (4) report annually to the Congressional Small Business Committees on the SBIR programs. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $100,000,000 in fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to spend a specified percentage of its budget in connection with an SBIR program. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to establish specific goals for funding research and development agreements with small businesses. Directs each Federal agency with an SBIR program to report annually to the SBA the number of awards over $10,000 in amount made under the SBIR program and to concerns other than small business concerns. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in conjunction with the SBA, to promulgate regulations for the conduct of the SBIR programs. States that this Act does not authorize the appropriation of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend from August 6, 1982, to August 6, 1992: (1) the time period during which jurisdictions covered by the triggering mechanism must not have used a test or device to deny the right to vote on account of race in order to be released from coverage; and (2) the time period during which changes in voting laws must be precleared with the Federal Government. Extends the bilingual election requirements from August 6, 1985, to August 6, 1992. Restates the prohibition against denying the right to vote based on race to prohibit any State from imposing voting practices "in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement" of the right to vote.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Economic Equity Act - Title I: Tax and Retirement Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the maximum deduction for contributions to an individual retirement plan: (1) shall be computed separately for each individual who is married; and (2) in the case of a married individual who has no compensation or less compensation than that of the spouse, shall be determined as if such compensation were the same as that of the individual's spouse. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan that provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount that would have been made under the survivor's annuity if the participant had survived and retired on such annuity date. Provides that a participant's election not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse of the participant consents in writing to such an election. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State domestic relations law. Amends ERISA to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from age 25 to age 21. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accruals of creditable service to continue while an individual is on approved maternity or paternity leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the zero bracket amount; (2) lower the tax rate; (3) decrease withholding requirements; and (4) increase minimum filing requirements for heads of households. Entitles former spouses of members of the uniformed services, civil service employees, and Members of Congress, who were married for at least ten years during creditable service, to an annuity based upon a portion of retired or retainer pay. Amends the Survivor Benefit Plan of the uniformed services to make former spouses eligible for annuities under such plan. Provides for survivor's annuities for surviving former spouses of civil service employees or Members of Congress. Provides that the election of a member of the uniformed services, civil service employee, or Member of Congress not to make a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse and any former spouse consents in writing to such an election. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to employers of displaced homemakers. Title II: Day Care Program - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the formula for determining the tax credit for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment. Provides that such credit may exceed tax liability. Increases the dollar limit for such credit from $2,000 to $2,500 (from $4,000 to $5,000 for two or more dependents). Allows a higher limit in the case of a taxpayer with children under two years of age. Increases the earned income limitation for such credit in the case of a spouse who is a student or incapable of self-care. Provides that employers may make advance payments of the credit to qualified employees. Excludes from gross income of an employee any amounts paid or expenses incurred by the employer for dependent care assistance to such employee. Title III: Armed Forces - Revises the rules for the distribution of the property of deceased members of the Air Force and Army by removing any gender distinctions from such rules. Establishes a distribution formula based on six classes: (1) beneficiary named in a will; (2) surviving spouse; (3) children; (4) parents; (5) siblings; and (6) next of kin. Eliminates sexual distinctions with regard to promotion procedures and procedures to remove reserve officers from active duty status in the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve. Requires the Secretary of Defense to make an annual report to the Congress concerning the status of women in the armed forces. Title IV: Estate Tax on Agricultural Property and Farm Loans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift tax from $47,000 to $192,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases the minimum gross estate requirement for filing a return from $175,000 to $600,000. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if they materially participated in the operation of the farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death or during the period beginning on the date of deaths of the decedent and ending on the date of death of the spouse. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who received property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Provides that the interest rate on extended payments of estate taxes shall be the lower of six percent or 75 percent of the prime rate. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to remove the preference to married persons in receiving farm improvement loans. Title V: Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Grants to State or local governments having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer, if a State or local authority: (1) has received notice of a complaint and fails to act within 60 days; or (2) has no insurance discrimination laws. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Title VI: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the heads of each Federal administrative agency to conduct a review of the regulations of that agency to assure that such regulations are sex neutral. Requires that, to the extent practicable, all rules, regulations, documents, and other writings of Federal administrative agencies shall use words that are neutral as to gender, unless the subject matter specifically applies only to one sex or the words used do not result in sex-based discrimination. Title VII: Study of Enforcement of Alimony and Child Support Payments - Directs the Attorney General to undertake a study of the appropriate role of the Federal Government in the enforcement of delinquent payments of alimony, child support, and property settlement orders against an absent spouse or parent. Requires the Attorney General to submit to the President and the Congress not later than one year after enactment of this Act a report of such study together with recommendations for appropriate legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Commends Secret Service Agents Timothy McCarthy and Jerry Parr and Metropolitan Police Officer Thomas Delahanty for their performance in the line of duty with respect to the assassination attempt on the life of the President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
Amends the Standing Rules of the Senate to change the status of the Select Committee on Small Business to that of a standing committee. Provides that all matters of the Senate relating to the Small Business Administration be referred to such Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Industrial Energy Security Tax Incentives Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the energy percentage, for purposes of the investment tax credit, in the case of certain alternative energy property, specially defined energy property, recycling equipment, cogeneration equipment, and qualified industrial energy efficiency property. Defines "qualified industrial energy efficiency property" as property which is part of a modification to an industrial or commercial facility and which: (1) results in decreased energy use per unit of output; (2) results in an aggregate annual decrease in energy consumption by the facility; (3) does not increase the total consumption of oil and natural gas; (4) is constructed or acquired after January 1, 1981; and (5) is depreciable or amortizable property with a useful life of three years or more. Excludes from such definition property for which the energy percentage is otherwise claimed. Extends the period for which such percentage may be applied with respect to such property which is part of projects for which certain construction and financial commitments have been met. Sets forth a formula for determining reductions or increases in the credit based on a ratio between the energy percentage amount and Btu savings. Reduces the credit attributable to application of the energy percentage where the use of qualified industrial energy efficiency property results in an increase of more than ten percent in the capacity of the facility. Provides that the applicable percentage of such property, for purposes of determining qualified investment, shall be 100 percent, without regard to the useful life of the property. Revises the definition of "alternative energy property" to: (1) include equipment for converting an alternate substance into electricity, up to the electrical transmission state; (2) define "boiler"; (3) include heat treating furnaces which use as the primary fuel an alternate substance, melt furnaces which use no fuel or use as the primary fuel an alternate substance, and modification equipment which is used in a facility which uses as the primary fuel an alternate substance and which reduces the use of fuels other than alternate substances. Expands the definition of "alternate substance" to include petroleum coke, petroleum pitch, synthetic fuels, and any product derived from an alternate substance. Excepts taxpayers from the primary fuel requirement in specified circumstances. Revises the definition of "specially defined energy property." Revises the definition of "recycling equipment" to: (1) include property used for the unloading, transfer, and storage of solid waste; and (2) include property used in the recovery of additional reusable resources and materials. Includes in the definition of "cogeneration equipment" property comprising a system for the generation of mechanical shaft power. Excludes as a fuel, for purposes of the definition of "biomass property," certain recyclable waste paper. Excludes from treatment as energy property any specially defined energy property or qualified industrial energy efficiency property used as public utility property unless such property is installed in connection with specified types of generating facilities. Provides rules regarding: (1) the replacement of equipment or processes by energy property; and (2) energy property which increases the operating capacity of a process or facility. Treats as qualified industrial energy efficiency property reasonably necessary for the operation of alternative energy property, specially defined energy property, recycling equipment, cogeneration equipment, or qualified industrial energy efficiency property.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Requires an embargo on the export of any goods or services to the Soviet Union during any period in which a grain embargo is in effect against such country.
![Official portrait of Sen. Weicker, Lowell P., Jr. [R-CT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000253_200.jpg)