United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1980
Deplores the recent curtailment of Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union. Urges executive branch officials to express U.S. opposition to such repression. Urges the President to instruct the U.S. delegation to the Madrid meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe to seek an explanation of Soviet emigration policies and protest violations of the family reunification provisions of the Helsinki Final Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1980
Declares that the Congress accepts the gift of a red oak tree as a symbol of American hopes for the immediate release of the hostages in Iran. Dedicates the tree to the principles of individual freedom and world peace.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1980
Honors Raoul Wallenberg for his work in Hungary during World War II. Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. delegation to the Madrid meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe should urge the consideration of the Wallenberg case. Requests the State Department to discover the whereabouts of Raoul Wallenberg from the Soviet Union and secure his return to Sweden.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1980
Constitutional Amendment - Allows the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands to have Representatives in the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should convey congressional concern about the deprivation of the rights of Christians by the Soviet Union, particularly the Pentecostals living in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Directs the President to report to Congress on the prospects for religious freedom in the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should express to the Soviet Government U.S. concern for the fate of Raoul Wallenberg; and (2) the U.S. delegation to the Madrid meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe should urge the consideration of the Wallenberg case.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should convey congressional concern about the deprivation of the rights of Protestant Christians by the Soviet Union, particularly the Pentecostals living in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Directs the President to report to Congress on the prospects for religious freedom in the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should request the International Red Cross to: (1) make regular visits to the hostages held in Iran and report back to Congress with its findings; and (2) urge its member countries to solicit Iranian cooperation in such visits.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1980
Condemns Soviet persecution of Vladimir Kislik. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should request that Kislik be permitted to emigrate from the Soviet Union; and (2) if not permitted to emigrate, the matter should be placed on the agenda of the next Biennial Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the Aged and the Disabled) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to make such benefits available for health services and medical supplies furnished by hospices to individuals who: (1) are determined by a physician to be terminally ill and to have less than six months to live; and (2) are U.S. citizens or legal aliens who have resided in the United States for the preceding five years.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1980
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to increase the quantity of cigarettes which may be entered duty-free by U.S. residents, for their personal use, returning from specified insular possessions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1980
Makes civilian employees of the Department of Defense, who are residents of Guam, the Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico at the time of their employment, eligible for assignment rotation to duty outside such territories and the United States. Authorizes the delegates to Congress from the Virgin Islands and Guam to have two appointments each (presently one appointment) for attendance at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Air Force Academy. Makes such nominations effective for academic years beginning more than one year after the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes the establishment of an Army National Guard and Air National Guard in Guam.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide homebuilders with an income tax credit for the construction of residences which incorporate a passive solar energy system. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and Housing and Urban Development, to prescribe regulations setting forth a solar construction credit table for purposes of determining the amount of the credit for which the incorporator of the solar energy system is eligible. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $2,000 for calendar years prior to 1986 and phases out the amount of the credit by $500 decrements until 1989 when such credit terminates. Defines "passive solar energy system" as a system which contains a solar collection area, an absorber, a storage mass, a heat distribution method, and heat regulation devices. Requires such system to be installed in a new residence after September 30, 1980 and before January 1, 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1980
Municipal Arts Program Act of 1980 - Authorizes the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, with the advice of the National Council on the Arts, to make grants to cities and metropolitan areas to help finance municipal arts programs approved under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 through 1985. Limits the total amount of any grant to one-third of the costs of such municipal arts program. Exempts 15 percent of the funds available to the Chairman from this restriction. Directs the Chairman to submit to Congress timely requests for additional authorizations for fiscal years 1986 through 1989. Sets forth requirements for applications for grants, including summaries of projected uses of such funds, general sources of revenue, and assurances of citizen participation in the planning process of such program. Limits the percentage of funds which may be expended for planning and administration purposes. Directs the Chairman to approve an application unless the activities fall clearly outside the purposes of this Act. Sets forth the activities eligible for assistance under a municipal arts program. Requires grants to cities and metropolitan areas with populations of less than 500,000 to be reviewed by the State agency except as specified. States that an application will be deemed approved unless disapproved. Sets forth the formula for the allocation and distribution of funds for annual grants. Creates a discretionary fund for each of the fiscal years in an amount equal to ten percent of authorizations for grants to be used by the Chairman in making grants for specified purposes, including special studies service centers and clearinghouses. Authorizes the Chairman to make grants up to 100 percent of the costs of such programs. Directs the Chairman to report to the President and Congress within three years on the progress of the municipal arts program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1980
Military Pay and Allowances Benefits Act of 1980 - Grants an increase for enlistment and reenlistment bonuses to members of the uniformed services who qualify in a critical military skill. Extends to not more than 14 years the maximum period a member may serve and still remain eligible for the reenlistment or extension of an enlistment bonus. Extends the period of obligated service which will not be computed in determining such bonus to 16 years. Repeals the requirement that a person must enlist for four years to be eligible for the enlistment bonus. Provides a special pay bonus for certain aviation career officers who enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of Transportation (when applicable), to remain on active duty in aviation service for at least one year. Prohibits such agreement to extend beyond the date on when the officer would complete 19 years of such service. Defines "aviation service" to mean the service performed by an officer holding an aeronautical rating or designation under regulations prescribed by the applicable Secretary. Sets forth terms and conditions for such officer to refund to the United States the appropriate amount of the bonus if the officer fails to complete the extension of service agreed upon. Increases special pay to naval officers for nuclear duty who extend their period of active service for four years, and for such officers who successfully complete nuclear training. Extends the authority for such pay until September 30, 1983. Increases the annual incentive bonus for certain naval officers who have successfully completed or received training for nuclear duty. Extends the authority for such bonuses until October 1, 1983. Eliminates requirements for such service to have begun after September 30, 1975. Amends the definition of "nuclear service year" to mean any fiscal year beginning before October 1, 1983. Increases the monthly incentive pay for enlisted members for hazardous duty on submarines. Entitles qualified enlisted members who enter into an agreement with the Secretary concerned to extend their duty at designated locations overseas to special pay not in excess of $50 per month. Allows such members to elect a period of rest and recuperative absence at Government expense in lieu of such special pay. Revises entitlement provisions for basic allowance for quarters to allow members above the pay grade of E-6 (presently commissioned officers above the pay grade 0-3) to elect not to occupy quarters and instead to receive such allowance according to the applicable pay grade. Provides that a member below the pay grade of E-7 is not entitled to such allowance while on sea duty, and a member below the pay grade of E-6 is not entitled to such allowance while on sea duty for a period in excess of 90 days. Increases the per diem allowance for members traveling on official business. Limits the allowance for the transport of a house trailer or mobile home dwelling to not more than the total cost of packing, pick-up, linehaul or drayage, delivery, and unpacking baggage and household effects of members or dependents as authorized by the Secretary concerned. Permits the storage of such homes up to 180 days while in transit. Allows payments for such transportation to be made in advance. Eliminates provisions of existing law which direct the means of transporting such homes and references to the cost per mile of such transportation. States that parking facilities provided for such homes not owned by the Government shall not be considered quarters for purposes of the basic allowance for quarters. Allows the Government to establish a fee for the use of any such facility and to amortize the cost of construction for such facility 15 years after the completion of construction. Makes members under the pay grade of E-4 eligible for a family separation allowance. Permits the reimbursement of any member of the Navy on sea duty (presently only naval officers) for expenses incurred in obtaining quarters, when such quarters are not available onboard ship. Stipulates that such members who are stationed near their dependents shall not be entitled to such reimbursement. Provides permanent authority for subsistence allowances for members of the Marine Corps officer candidate program and repeals an Act which provided authority to that effect until September 30, 1982. Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1980
Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 through 1985 to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a program of matching grants to States to assist "1890 land grant colleges", including Tuskegee Institute, in acquiring and improving agricultural and food research facilities and equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1980
Urban Jobs and Enterprise Zone Act of 1980 - Title I: Designation of Private Jobs and Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of private jobs and enterprise zones, for a ten-year period, by local governments, or by State governments on behalf of local governments subject to the approval of the Secretary of Commerce, for purposes of extending the tax incentives provided by title II of this Act to employers and employees within designated zones. Specifies that the Secretary may only approve the designation of such zones if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the designating local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000, or is an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires designating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's approval, to effect a permanent real property tax reduction in their respective jurisdictions, which is not less than 20 percent of the current effective rate. Requires any such property tax reduction to be disregarded for the purpose of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. Expresses the sense of the Congress that in the case of any application for designation of an area in a private jobs and enterprise zone as a foreign trade zone: (1) the Foreign Trade Zone Board should expedite the application process; (2) the Board, in evaluating such application, should consider not only the current economic conditions within the zone, but also future development to be expected as a result of the incentives provided by this Act; and (3) the Board should provide technical assistance to the applicants. Title II: Tax Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce social security payroll taxes in designated private jobs and enterprise zones. States that such tax rate reductions shall not affect an individual's eligibility for social security benefits. Appropriates to the Federal Disability and Hospital Insurance Trust Funds general revenue amounts equivalent to the amount by which such taxes are reduced. Reduces the rate of tax on the capital gains of individuals and corporations in such zones. Exempts gain from the sale or exchange of property used in a business in a private jobs and enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Reduces the rate of tax on the income of corporations whose workforce comprises at least 50 percent of individuals working in a private jobs and enterprise zone (qualifying businesses). Authorizes accelerated depreciation for qualifying businesses (straight line method based on a three year useful life). Limits the basis for depreciation to $500,000. Allows a full investment tax credit for such property despite election of such accelerated depreciation. Permits qualifying businesses to elect to use a cash method of accounting if their gross receipts do not exceed $1,500,000 in any prior taxable year. Allows a ten year carryover of net operating losses for qualifying businesses. Title III: Effective Date - Specifies effective dates for provisions of this Act which apply to income tax, provisions which apply to social security payroll taxes, and provisions which apply to tax procedure and administration.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1980
Farm Credit Act Amendments of 1980 - Title I: Federal Land Banks and Associations - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to authorize any Federal land bank, under the supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) participate in loans with other Farm Credit System institutions (i.e., Federal land banks, Federal land bank associations, Federal intermediate credit banks, production credit associations, and banks for cooperatives); (2) participate in loans which the land banks are authorized to make with lenders which are not Farm Credit System institutions; (3) sell interests in loans to such lenders; (4) buy from and sell to Farm Credit System institutions interests in loans and in other financial assistance extended and nonvoting stock; (5) make other investments; (6) accept contributions to their capital from Federal land bank associations; (7) enter into agreements with other Farm Credit System institutions to share loan and other losses; (8) issue nonvoting stock to borrowers as a patronage refund; and (9) make or participate with other lenders in long-term real estate mortgage loans not exceeding 85 percent of the appraised value of the real estate security. Makes producers and harvesters of aquatic products eligible for Federal land bank services. Authorizes Federal land bank associations to make capital contributions to a Federal land bank. States that a member of a Federal land bank association need not make the required purchases of land stock with respect to that part of a loan derived from a lender which is not a Farm Credit System institution. Authorizes the Federal land bank associations to pay dividends on a differential basis between different classes and issues of stock and participation certificates corresponding to the value of such classes and issues to the capital or earnings of the Federal land bank in its district. Permits the Federal land bank associations to agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System institutions. Title II: Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations - Authorizes the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, subject to the supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) buy from and sell to Farm Credit System institutions interests in loans and in other financial assistance extended and nonvoting stock; (2) make other investments; (3) agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System institutions; (4) participate with other Farm Credit System institutions in making loans; and (5) issue nonvoting stock to such institutions. Authorizes the Federal intermediate credit banks to discount, or purchase from other financial institutions, loans made to producers and harvesters of aquatic products. Authorizes each production credit association, subject to the supervision of the intermediate credit bank in its district and the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) buy from and sell to any bank in the Farm Credit System interests in loans, other financial assistance extended, and nonvoting stock; (2) participate in loans with other Farm Credit System institutions; (3) agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System Institutions; (4) issue participation certificates to eligible borrowers in lieu of nonvoting stock; and (5) issue participation certificates or nonvoting stock to any financial institution outside the Farm Credit System with which the association participates in a loan in satisfaction of the requirement that a borrower own such stock or participation certificates. Requires a borrower to own only that amount of stock or participation certificates which is proportionate to that portion of a loan retained by a production credit association when it participates with another lender in making a loan. Authorizes the production credit association to extend loan assistance to bona fide farmers, ranchers, and producers and harvesters of aquatic products for basic processing and marketing directly related to the borrower's operations. Requires the borrower's operation to provide a specified percentage of the total processing or marketing for which financing is extended. Title III: Banks For Cooperatives - Empowers each bank for cooperatives, subject to the supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) participate with other Farm Credit System institutions in making loans; (2) deposit its securities and current funds with any domestic or foreign financial organization (presently, such deposits must be made at a member bank in the Federal Reserve System); (3) buy and sell bankers acceptances which are obligations of member banks in the Federal Reserve System; (4) buy and sell other obligations including those which arise in the course of transactions which the bank has assisted through loans; (5) buy from and sell to Farm Credit System institutions interests in loans and in other financial assistance extended and nonvoting stock; (6) make other investments; (7) invest in foreign and domestic business entities to facilitate the obtaining of credit information and the performance of services related to international transactions; (8) maintain credit balances to assist in the transfer of funds between parties to authorized transactions; (9) agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System institutions; and (10) issue participation certificates to parties who may not be issued voting stock. Requires all participation certificates, voting and nonvoting stock issued by the banks for cooperatives to be retired at par value. Authorizes the banks for cooperatives to: (1) offer a currency exchange for eligible cooperative associations; and (2) extend loans, loan participation commitments, and other technical and financial assistance to any domestic or foreign party in which a member cooperative has an ownership interest or which engages with the cooperative in dealings in agricultural or aquatic products, farm supplies or the lease of property, provided such assistance substantially benefits the member cooperative. Sets forth guidelines for regulations governing the extension of such assistance. Enables cooperatives solely engaged in furnishing aquatic business services to borrow from the banks for cooperatives. Reduces the degree of ownership in a cooperative which must be held by farmers, producers or harvesters of aquatic products, or other cooperative associations in order to make such a cooperative eligible to borrow from a bank for cooperatives. Requires a bank for cooperatives to retire any equity held by a borrower in default or dissolution at fair market value not to exceed the par value of the equity interest of the borrower. Prohibits the retirement or cancellation of such an equity interest if the bank's capital structure would be adversely affected. Permits each bank for cooperatives to transfer more than 25 percent of its net annual savings to a surplus account. Authorizes the banks for cooperatives to pay patronage refunds to borrowers in the form of participation certificates. Title IV: Provisions Applicable to Two or More Classes of Institutions of the System - Declares that interest rates established by the Farm Credit Administration for loans made by Farm Credit System institutions and by specified agricultural credit corporations shall preempt any interest rate limitation imposed by State law. States that when two or more Farm Credit System institutions participate in a loan as authorized by this Act, the terms of such loan shall be those agreed upon by the institutions. Requires that such factors as borrower eligibility, membership, term, amount, loan security and purchase of stock or participation certificates by the borrower are to be governed by the provisions of law applicable to the institution originating the loan. Exempts credit transactions of Farm Credit System institutions and specified agricultural credit corporations from the provisions of any State statute or any other law or regulation which impose, with regard to a credit transaction, any duty or requirement which is similar to those which have been imposed by the Truth in Lending Act. Requires each Federal land bank association and production credit association to prepare a program for furnishing sound and constructive credit and related services to young, beginning, and small farmers and ranchers. Directs the Federal land bank and the Federal intermediate credit bank for each district to annually obtain reports of activities under such programs. Authorizes the institutions of the Farm Credit System to organize corporations to perform non-lending functions and services which such institutions are authorized to perform. Empowers the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration to review and revise the charters of such corporations. States that such corporations shall be subject to supervision and examination by the Administration. Applies State and other laws relevant to organizing banks to such corporations, except for specified tax exemptions. Authorizes the sale to Farm Credit System members of insurance to protect the loan commitment and the member's farm or aquatic unit, with specified limitations. Permits banks and associations already offering insurance not authorized by this section to continue to sell such insurance for one year and continue to service such insurance until expiration. Title V: District and Farm Credit Administration Organization - Permits the Virgin Islands to be included within a farm credit district, if the extension of credit and other services in the Virgin Islands is determined to be feasible. Revises the process for the election of farm credit district directors by reducing from three to two the number of nominees on the election poll. Establishes the rate of compensation for the Federal Farm Credit Board at the daily equivalent of the rate prescribed for grade GS-18 of the General Schedule. Authorizes the Board to fix the salary of the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration at any level not exceeding the maximum rate of basic pay in the Executive Schedule. Authorizes the Governor to appoint Deputy Governors to provide assistance in the functioning of the Farm Credit Administration. Exempts the Administration from provisions of Federal law relating to appointments in the competitive civil service, travel expenses, allowances, procurement, and property disposition. Credits employees of Farm Credit System institutions with specified leave and retirement benefits when they are transferred to Federal service in the Farm Credit Administration. Authorizes the banks of the System, with the concurrence of two-thirds of the district boards, to sell or otherwise dispose of any interest in property. Requires the Farm Credit Administration to make annual reports to Congress which include a summary of any unresolved differences arising out of consultations with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Comptroller of the Currency and a summary and analysis of specified reports submitted to such Administration by the Federal land banks and Federal intermediate credit banks relating to programs for serving young, beginning, and small farmers and ranchers. Eliminates the requirement that such Administration maintain its principal office in the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980
Authorizes the President to present a gold-plated medal, on behalf of the Congress, to those athletes selected through the Olympic trial process to be members of the United States Summer Olympic Team of 1980. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be stricken 650 such medals with suitable emblems. Declares that such medals are national medals and that funds to carry out this Act shall be made available under the Amateur Sports Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1980
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Research and Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to prepare a comprehensive program management plan of research, development, and demonstration of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems. Directs the President to submit to Congress annually the most recent revision of the plan giving justification for any changes. Directs the Secretary to initiate research or accelerate existing research in areas in which the lack of knowledge limits development of OTEC in order to achieve the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to initiate a program to design, construct, and operate well instrumental OTEC facilities of sufficient size to demonstrate the technical feasibility of utilizing the various forms of OTEC to displace nonrenewable fuels. Directs the Secretary to conduct evaluations, arrange for tests, and disseminate information to support such design efforts. Provides for the competitive selection of at least two independent parallel pilot demonstration projects. Establishes goals for the demonstration program which shall include: (1) the demonstration of OTEC technical feasibility through multiple pilot demonstration plants with a combined capacity of at least 50 megawatts of electrical capacity or energy product equivalent by 1987; (2) the delivery of baseload electricity to utilities located on land or the production of commercially attractive quantities of energy products; and (3) the continuous operation of each pilot demonstration facility for a sufficient period of time to collect and analyze system performance and reliability data. Directs the Secretary to prepare a comprehensive technology application and market development plan that will permit the realization of the national goal set forth in this Act of 2,500 megawatts of electrical capacity or energy product equivalent from OTEC systems by 2000. Directs the Secretary to set priorities consistent with several criteria including: (1) the realization of competitive energy costs for OTEC; (2) private cost-sharing; and (3) the promotion of OTEC in areas vulnerable to interruptions in the supply of fossil fuel. Establishes the OTEC Advisory Committee to advise and report to the Secretary. Requires the Committee to meet at least four times annually until the demonstration goals are met. Authorizes appropriations for operating expenses for fiscal year 1982. Authorizes appropriations for the conceptual and preliminary design of demonstration plants with a combined capacity of at least 50 megawatts electrical or energy product equivalent.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Extends the congratulations of the House of Representatives to members of the 1980 handicapped Olympic team and recognizes specified organizations for their efforts in producing the second winter Olympics for the physically handicapped.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Boston African American National Historic Site in Boston, Massachusetts. Authorizes the Secretary to accept any gift or bequest of any property within the boundaries of such site and to enter into cooperative agreements with the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of their political subdivisions, or any private person or organization for such activities as may be necessary for the preservation of any such properties. Authorizes the Secretary to assist with maintenance of those properties owned by the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, their political subdivisions, or not-for-profit organizations. Specifies that if any fees are charged for the use of a property covered by any such cooperative agreement, and Federal funds are committed in the cooperative agreement, the income from such fees shall be applied to the costs of maintenance and renovation of such property. Permits the Secretary, in cooperation with other interested groups, to identify other significant sites relating to the nineteenth century free African American community on Beacon Hill, Boston, and, with the consent of the owners thereof, to mark them appropriately and make reference to them in any interpretive literature.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
National Defense Compensation Act of 1980 - Increases the pay and allowances, and certain special and incentive pays, of members of the uniformed services for pay periods beginning after December 31, 1981, 1982, and 1983. Directs the President, in any year in which an alternative pay plan is transmitted to the Congress, to include in such plan a statement specifying the adjustments which would have been made but for such alternative plan.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1980
Honors Raoul Wallenberg for his work in Hungary during World War II. Requests the State Department to discover the whereabouts of Raoul Wallenberg from the Soviet Union and secure his return to Sweden.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1980
Civil Rights Improvements Act of 1980 - Amends current law (42 U.S.C. 1983) creating a Federal cause of action for the violation of a person's civil rights under color of State law to specify the circumstances under which a State or local government may be held liable for purposes of damages or other monetary relief and for injunctive or declaratory relief. Stipulates that it is not a defense for a government entity that the officer or employee clothed with the authority of such entity is personally immune from liability under common law or any statute. Makes supervisory officers, with command responsibility superior to a person engaging in actionable conduct, jointly and severally liable whenever a government unit would be liable. Permits a plaintiff to join to a claim under such law other claims deriving from a common nucleus of operative fact. Makes a State or local prosecuting officer liable for failure to disclose to a defendant in a criminal proceeding, upon request, all material evidence reasonably known to be exculpatory. Sets forth the circumstances under which a Federal court may certify a question of State law to the highest court of a State. Prohibits the dismissal or stay of civil actions under this Act on the grounds that State legal and administrative remedies were not exhausted. Limits the circumstances in which a Federal court may stay a pending State criminal prosecution. Specifies the circumstances under which, in any such action, the prior judgment of a State court shall have merger and bar effect. Requires the complaint in any such action to be filed within four years after the right of action first accrues. Prohibits a Federal court, in evaluating the need for relief under such law, from considering the availability of other remedies under State law. Makes the right to enjoy one's reputation a right secured by the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Law Enforcement Officers' Protection Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) conduct a study to determine the capacity of handgun bullets to penetrate bulletproof vests and the risk posed to law enforcement officers by the availability of handgun bullets; and (2) report the findings and legislative recommendations to the President and Congress within one year after funds are made available under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the seven-day period beginning October 5, 1980, as "National Port Week." Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report annually to Congress on the conditions of U.S. public ports.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1980
Title I: American Samoa - Transfers to the American Samoa government all rights, titles, and interest of the United States in personal property in American Samoa that is not used by the Government. Title II: Guam - Terminates the liability of Guam for the repayment of specified Federal assistance which was not repaid before the effective date of this Act. Title III: Northern Mariana Islands - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 to the Secretary of the Interior for grants to the government of the Northern Mariana Islands for the rehabilitation, upgrading, and construction of public facilities. Title IV: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after fiscal year 1980 for the installation, operation, and maintenance of communications systems and for developing the use of renewable sources of energy for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Trust Territory). Authorizes the appropriation to the Secretary of 50 percent of the sums necessary to pay all adjudicated claims and final awards made before the enactment of this Act by the Micronesia Claims Commission. Transfers to the governments of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Marshall Islands, or the Federated States of Micronesia, without reimbursement, all rights, titles, and interest of: (1) the United States in personal property in the Trust Territory that is not used by the Government; and (2) the Trust Territory in personal property anywhere which is not used by the Trust Territory government. Title V: Virgin Islands - Transfers specified Federal lands on Saint Croix to the Virgin Islands government without any cost to such government. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to the governments of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands on subjects within the responsibility of each government. Directs all Federal departments to waive any requirements for local matching funds when making grants-in-aid to American Samoa or the Northern Mariana Islands. Directs the Government to assure that there will be no diminution of any rights or entitlements of the Territory of Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and no adverse effect on any funds authorized or appropriated for such areas if such areas form a political union. Requires that funds appropriated under the Emergency School Aid Act for fiscal year 1980 remain available for the purpose of eliminating segregation and discrimination in the schools of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the Virgin Islands as provided by such Act immediately before September 30, 1979. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to be expended for developing renewable sources of energy in the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Declares that authorizations of appropriations under this Act shall be effective on October 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1980
Establishes the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Martin Luther King, Junior, Preservation District which shall consist of the properties within the Martin Luther King, Junior, Historic District. Authorizes the Secretary, within the national historic site, to: (1) acquire by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, transfer or exchange, lands and interests therein; (2) convey a freehold or leasehold or leasehold interest in any property, for such sums as he deems appropriate, and subject to such terms and conditions and reservations as will assure the use of the property in a manner consistent with the purposes of this Act; (3) enter into cooperative agreements with the owners of properties of historical or cultural significance; and (4) provide security and law enforcement services as authorized by law. Establishes, in the Department of the Interior, the Martin Luther King, Junior, Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary with respect to the formulation and execution of plans for the national historic site and the preservation district. Terminates such Commission ten years from the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1980
Expresses the condolences of the Congress over the death of members and officials of the United States Amateur Athletic Union boxing team in a plane crash in Warsaw, Poland.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
Guillain-Barre Syndrome Compensation Commission Act - Establishes the Guillain-Barre Syndrome Compensation Commission to fairly and expeditiously hear, determine, and pay claims against the United States for injuries to individuals who contracted such syndrome after immunization pursuant to the swine flu program. Sets forth the composition and operating procedures of such Commission. Authorizes the Commission to appoint a director and staff and procure other necessary personnel. Directs the Commission to hold hearings at times and places necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Commission to issue subpenas relative to procuring evidence of the liability of the United States for damages to a claimant. Provides judicial procedures for refusal to obey such subpenas. Authorizes the Chairperson of the Commission to secure any information from Federal agencies not exempted from disclosure by rule of law. Directs that any claim for relief under this Act shall be submitted to the Commission within 12 months after the date of enactment of such Act. Requires the Commission, within 120 days of receipt of such claim, to hold a hearing to determine the eligibility and amount of damages due any such claimant. Declares a claimant eligible for damages if: (1) a timely claim has been filed; (2) the Guillain-Barre Syndrome was contracted within 20 weeks after immunization; and (3) the claimant has not received a full settlement of such claim against the United States. Specifies time periods under which the Commission shall make a final determination pursuant to any claim and to make payment of damages due any claimant. Declares that any payment to a claimant shall be in full settlement of all claims of such claimant against the United States arising out of the swine flu program. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to the President and each House of Congress pursuant to its operations under this Act, within three years after the date of enactment of such Act. Declares that the Commission shall terminate on a date determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1980
Establishes within the National Institutes of Health the Office of Drugs of Limited Commercial Value under the direction of the Director of the National Institutes of Health. Establishes within the Office an advisory council to advise the Director and make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly Health, Education, and Welfare) respecting the time required for drug approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance to entities for the development of drugs of limited commercial value, defined as a drug for a condition or disease of low incidence, to undertake the development of such drugs, undertake studies to determine the potential and need for specific drugs, and coordinate the efforts of public and private entities engaged in the development of such drugs. Requires the submission and approval of an application containing the scientific basis for the development of the drug and the proposed therapeutic use of the drug and other specified information before financial assistance is provided. Requires each entity receiving funds to keep specified records. Requires the Director to report to Congress within two years on the effectiveness of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System should immediately take steps to reduce interest rates.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1980
Proclaims October 19, 1981, a national day of celebration as the two hundredth anniversary of the victory of General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1980
Prohibits the Secretary of Energy from promulgating any Federal emergency energy conservation plan or other rule or regulation which would restrict or discriminate against recreational boating.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1980
Uniform Relocation Assistance Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 to require that relocation benefits, including relocation assistance advisory services, be made available to all persons displaced by the commencement of a Federal or federally-assisted project by the head of the Federal agency administering or financing such assistance. Increases the amount of payment for moving and dislocation allowances for displacement from dwellings, business, and farm operations. Stipulates that the additional housing payments for occupant-owned dwellings shall compensate such displaced person for any increased real property taxes which such person wil incur during the life of the mortgage on the replacement dwelling. Increases the amount of replacement housing payments for tenants and certain other persons to enable such displaced persons to rent or lease a dwelling or to make a downpayment on the purchase of a dwelling. Stipulates that the assurances required of the relocation assistance advisory services that housing will be available shall: (1) be made prior to Federal approval of a project; (2) be based upon careful analysis of the housing needs of the persons to be displaced and the availability of housing; and (3) include plans for housing replacement by the Federal agency as last resort if comparable replacement sale or rental housing is not available. Authorizes the agency head to use funds authorized for the project to provide such housing. Directs the President to designate an agency which shall establish a single uniform set of regulations and procedures for use by Federal agencies and by States, State and local agencies, and other recipients of Federal financial assistance. Requires such agency to assure the uniform application and interpretation of such regulations and procedures. Makes provisions for aggrieved persons to petition such agency for a hearing. Requires such agency annually to make adjustments for inflation in housing costs. Authorizes the head of a Federal agency administering or financing a project to offer to acquire property from any person owning property affected by such project who is left with an uneconomic remnant in order to entitle the owner and occupant to full benefits under this Act. Allows the owner of real property to give or donate all or part of such property to the Federal or State agency undertaking its acquisition. Requires the donation or gift to be voluntary and in writing after the owner has been fully informed of the right to receive just compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell commemorative medals honoring Maggie Lena Walker's contributions to the banking industry of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Small Business Development Act of 1980 - Title I: Small Business Innovation - Amends the Small Business Act to require the head of each Federal agency which obligates over $100,000,000 for research and development in a fiscal year to: (1) expend at least one percent of the amount spent on research and development during the next year for a small business innovation program; (2) solicit research and development proposals from small businesses during the next year; and (3) promote the use of small businesses to conduct research and development. Requires the head of each Federal agency to increase the amount of funds obligated for the conduct of research and development by small businesses by one percent each year until the amount obligated to small businesses in a fiscal year equals at least ten percent of the total amount obligated by such agency for research and development. States that it is an objective of this Act to amend existing patent procedures in order to promote the marketing of inventions developed under federally supported research and development projects by nonprofit organizations and small business firms. Permits any such organization or firm to elect, within a reasonable amount of time, to retain title to such inventions. Permits Federal agencies which have supported such projects to retain title to inventions through their funding agreements in specified circumstances, including when necessary to conduct foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities. Requires review of agency determinations that such circumstances exist by the Comptroller General and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the implementation of this Act by Federal agencies. Enumerates provisions which must be included in funding agreements between a Federal agency and a small business firm or nonprofit organization, including provisions: (1) to insure the rights of the Federal Government under this Act; (2) to provide that the agency shall have a nonexclusive, nontransferable, irrevocable and paid-up license to use the invention; (3) to prohibit a nonprofit organization from assigning rights to the invention without the approval of the Federal agency; (4) to prohibit such an organization, other than small business firms, from granting exclusive rights from the earlier of five years from the first commercial use of the invention or eight years from the date of invention; and (5) to require such organizations to use their royalties and earnings to support scientific research or education. Provides that the first commercial use with respect to a product of the invention shall not end the exclusive period to different subsequent products covered by the invention. Requires the head of a Federal agency to approve provisions of a funding agreement which require the licensing to third parties of inventions owned by the contractor. Sets forth terms and conditions under which such approval may be granted. Authorizes a Federal agency to transfer or assign its rights, acquired from an agency employee as coinventor, to an inventor electing to acquire title to an invention. Empowers any Federal agency to require inventors or their assignees to grant licenses in order to: (1) achieve practical applications of the invention in its field of uses; (2) alleviate health or safety needs; (3) meet requirements for public use specified by Federal regulations; or (4) achieve participation by United States industry in the manufacturing of an invention. Entitles the government to 15 percent of all net income in excess of $70,000 gross income received by a contractor after a patent application is filed on a subject invention. Provides that if a contractor receives a gross income of $1,000,000, the government shall be entitled to a share of the excess of $1,000,000 that shall be negotiated but not to exceed five percent of such excess. Limits the government share of any excesses to its contributions under the funding agreement. Requires the Director of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to revise the government entitlements in light of changes to the Consumer Price Index or other indices at least every three years. Declares such government entitlements applicable to subject inventions upon which United States patents are granted and in effect. Restricts the assignment and licensing of rights by patent holders to foreign-owned or controlled firms unless such persons agree that any products embodying the subject invention or produced through the use of the subject invention will be manufactured substantially in the United States where commercially feasible. Authorizes Federal agencies to withhold information on inventions from public disclosure. Specifies the authority of Federal agencies with respect to obtaining patents, granting licenses, and transferring custody of patents. Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations specifying the terms upon which any federally-owned invention may be licensed. Sets forth the procedure whereby Federal agencies may grant exclusive or partially exclusive licenses in any invention covered by a federally-owned domestic patent or patent application. Prohibits licensing which lessens competition. Directs that business firms be given preference in exclusive or partially exclusive licensing. Enumerates provisions which must be contained in any grant of a license by a Federal agency. Declares that this Act shall take precedence over any other Act in the disposition of inventions. Title II: Depreciation Acceleration; Repeal of Used Property Limitation in Investment Tax Credit; Corporate Income Tax Rate Reductions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits a taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year. Repeals the $100,000 limitation on the amount of used property which is eligible for an investment tax credit. Reduces the tax rates applicable to corporate income. Repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1976 which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property"s basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent. Title III: Tax Incentives for Small Business Capital Formation - Provides for the nonrecognition of gain on the sale or exchange of an equity interest in a small business which is reinvested in another small business within two years. Defines a "small business" as any business entity in which the aggregate equity interests do not exceed $25,000,000. Allows a tax credit for proceeds received from small business debentures which have a fixed maturity and grant no conversion or voting rights. Limits the amount of such credit to $5,000 ($10,000 in the case of a joint return). Disallows such credit if the issuing small business has $1,000,000 of such debentures outstanding or has a class of securities subject to regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Treats amounts paid on such debentures which represent a share of the issuer's earnings as long-term capital gain. Treats losses on such debentures as an ordinary loss. Requires distributions on such debentures, which represent either interest or a share of earnings, to be treated as interest. Title IV: Small Business Equal Access to Justice - Amends title II of the Small Business Act (Study of Small Business) to direct the Office of Advocacy within the Small Business Administration to assist the Attorney General, Federal agencies, and the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States to facilitate relief afforded to small businesses under such Act. Requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to submit biennial reports to the President and Congress on awards made to small businesses under such Act. Excludes from the definition of "party" for purposes of this title: (1) an individual whose net worth exceeds $1,000,000; and (2) any partnership, corporation, association, organization, or sole owner of an unincorporated business whose net worth exceeds $5,000,000, but includes an agricultural cooperative, as defined in the Agricultural Marketing Act, regardless of its net worth. Entitles a prevailing party (other than the United States) to be awarded fees and other expenses, including attorney fees, which were incurred by such party in: (1) an administrative adjudication (excluding ratemaking and license application hearings, but including such actions as suspension or modification of a license); or (2) in any civil action, other than a tort, brought by or against the United States, unless the agency conducting such adjudication, or the court having jurisdiction of such action, finds that the position of the agency or the United States was substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award unjust. Allows the agency or the court to reduce any such award to the extent that the prevailing party unduly and unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy. Stipulates that such awards in administrative adjudication shall be paid by the particular agency over which the party prevails, but prohibits authorization of appropriations to such agency for the specific purpose of such payments. Authorizes a party dissatisfied with such award in an administrative adjudication to petition for leave to appeal the decision in an appropriate Federal court. Authorizes a court to award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in any civil action brought by or against the United States or any agency, including the Post Office, or official of the United States acting in an official capacity, where the court may award such fees in such suits involving private parties (thus applying to Government litigation the common law and statutory exceptions to the "American rule" which requires parties to be responsible for their own attorney fees). Directs the Administrative Conference and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually on the amount of fees and expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year in such agency adjudications and civil actions. Makes this title applicable to any civil action pending on, or commencing after, the date of enactment, except for civil tax actions, which shall be subject to this title six months after enactment. Directs the Office of the Chairman of the Administrative Conference and Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide to the Small Business Office of Advocacy the information required to be collected in this title. Title V: Small Business Regulatory Flexibility - Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency to publish semiannually an agenda of those rules which may be proposed during the upcoming six-month period affecting a substantial number of small businesses and small organizations. Permits Federal agencies to modify the definition of "small business", if appropriate, after notice and opportunity for hearing. Defines "small organizations" to include unincorporated businesses, sheltered workshops enterprises which are not dominant in their fields, and such other groups and enterprises as each Federal agency shall establish by rule, not in conflict with the definition of "small business." Requires each published agenda to be transmitted to the office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comments. Directs each Federal agency to endeavor to provide notice of each agenda to affected small enterprises by means other than publication in the Federal Register. Directs each Federal agency to publish a written analysis prior to the issuance of any proposed rule affecting a substantial number of small businesses and organizations which considers: (1) the effect of such rule on small enterprises and competition; (2) whether an exemption could be provided such small enterprises; (3) whether lesser compliance standards could be adopted for small enterprises; and (4) the expected nature of reporting recordkeeping requirements necessitated by such rule. Requires each Federal agency to issue a rule containing an exemption or differing compliance standard for such small business concerns and organizations if it is lawful, desirable, and feasible to do so. States that such small enterprises shall be given an opportunity to participate in agency rulemaking, which substantially affects such enterprises, unless otherwise provided. Requires each agency to review its existing rules and prepare an analysis for purposes of eliminating or modifying those rules which are most burdensome to small businesses and organizations. Permits any agency to perform the analyses required by this title in conjunction with any other analysis required by law. Declares that such other analysis shall not in itself satisfy the requirements of this title. Title VI: Sunset Provisions - Requires the Congressional Budget Office in conjunction with the congressional committees having jurisdiction over each Government program, within one year after enactment of this Act, to set forth a timely review of all Government programs. Terminates any program which has not been reviewed within three years after enactment of this Act unless both Houses of Congress vote to continue such programs pending completion of a review. Requires that each review: (1) identify the need for the program; (2) identify conflicting or duplicative programs; (3) assess the program's effectiveness and cost; and (4) assess the impact of the program on the national economy.
![Official portrait of Del. Evans, Melvin H. [R-VI-At Large]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/e000254_200.jpg)