Legislation: Major U.S. Legislation
Year Legislation Significance
1980 Paperwork Reduction Act Established the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within the
Office of Management and Budget to oversee new paperwork
requirements and to create means to reduce paperwork.
1980 Staggers Rail Act Lessened restrictions on mergers and abandonment of rail lines;
established policy to reduce regulation of railroads and permit the
market to set rates; repealed antitrust immunity for collectively
manipulated rates.
1980 Judicial Conduct and Disability
Act
Allowed chief judge and governing council of each federal judicial
circuit to investigate allegations of wrongdoing and to impose sanctions
against judges or magistrates in that circuit.1980 Refugee Act Created the Office of U.S. Coordinator of Refugee Affairs within the
Department of Health and Human Services; revised policies for
admitting and resettling refugees in the United States.
1980 Superfund Act Authorized the federal government to establish procedures for cleaning
up toxic waste sites; earmarked $1.6 billion for an emergency fund to
assist cleanup of targeted toxic waste sites.
1980 Debt Limit Law Permitted the public debt limit to extend beyond June 30; eliminated
the oil import fee imposed by the Carter administration; became law
pursuant to override of President Jimmy Carter’s veto.
1980 Veterans Affairs Personnel Act Promoted recruitment and retention of health care personnel in the
Veterans Administration; became law pursuant to override of President
Jimmy Carter’s veto.
1980 Motor Carrier Act Loosened the procedures enabling truck firms to acquire operating
authority from the Interstate Commerce Commission; eased restrictions
on certain truck carriers; made it federal policy to ensure competition
in the trucking industry; paved the way for deregulation.
1980 Chrysler Loan Guarantee Act Specified how the federal government would approve and administer a
$1.5 billion loan to the Chrysler Corporation; required a series of
concessions by Chrysler, including development of an energy plan.
1980 Privacy Protection Act Prohibited all law enforcement officers from using warrants to search
the offices of legitimate news organizations; required the attorney
general to draft new guidelines for federal searches of certain
individuals.
1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act Authorized universal cuts in tax rates; reduced or eliminated taxes on
various forms of income.
1981 Social Security Amendments Restored previously canceled minimum benefits for recipients of Social
Security; allowed borrowing among trust funds to ensure payments.
1981 Veterans Health Care, Training,
and Small Business Loan Act
Approved nursing home or hospital care for veterans who were exposed
to Agent Orange or other herbicides; extended the period for Vietnam
veterans to request readjustment counseling; permitted small businesses
owned by disabled or Vietnam-era veterans to obtain loans from the
Veterans Administration.