United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Limitation on Government Recordkeeping Requirements and Actions Act of 1980 - Prohibits any Federal agency from: (1) requiring any person to maintain, prepare, or produce any record (other than a record relating to a dangerous material) of an event after four years have expired since the event occurred; and (2) commencing an action against a person who violated a regulation if four years or more have expired since such violation occurred, except as otherwise provided by the Internal Revenue Code or a regulation promulgated thereunder.
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 · 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 · 29 May 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the independence of Yugoslavia and its continued development of a multinational federation are consistent with U.S. and European security interests and contribute to world peace; and (2) the President should assist Yugoslavia in maintaining its independence and in improving the well-being of its people.
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
Prohibits the Postal Service from decreasing the frequency of mail delivery service below the frequency in effect for the calendar week beginning April 7, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1980
Amends the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1980 and 1981, to increase the authorization of appropriation to the State Department for fiscal year 1980 and 1981 for international organizations and conferences and for fiscal year 1981 for the administration of foreign affairs (earmarks a specified portion for payment ex gratia to Yugoslavia for injuries sustained by a Yugoslav national). Decreases the authorization of appropriations for international commissions. Repeals the ceilings on the aggregate amount spent on the administration of foreign affairs, international organizations and conferences, and international commissions. Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to increase the authorization of appropriations for fiscal years 1980 and 1981 for the Board for International Broadcasting. Amends specified passport provisions to provide for the Secretary of State to prescribe a fee for issued passports which shall be paid into the U.S. Treasury (presently such fees are set at ten dollars for each passport and are paid quarterly). Extends the period of validity of a passport from five years to ten years. Removes the ceiling on authorized funds for the U.S. share of expenses of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History. Prohibits the U.S. payment of its share of the annual expenses of the Hague Conference on Private International Law and of the International (Rome) Institute for the Unification of Private Law from exceeding ten percent of the total expenses after 1978 (currently seven percent). Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to direct the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a U.S. representative to the Vienna office of the United Nations. Authorizes the use of appropriated funds for living quarters for the staffs of U.S. representatives to the United Nations. Authorizes necessary appropriations for the U.S. share of the expenses of the United Nations peacekeeping forces (presently limited to those in the Middle East). Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for the Inter-American Foundation. Exempts private sector representatives on U.S. delegations to international telecommunications conferences, who are specifically designated as the U.S. Representative with respect to a particular matter, from specified criminal code provisions on conflicts of interest. Requires such representatives to have on file a financial disclosure report with the State Department. Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to permit any person having special scientific, technical, or professional qualifications, in the employ or service of the U.S. Government, to be assigned to a foreign government (presently restricted to U.S. citizens). Authorizes the making of procurement contracts for periods which do not exceed five years if: (1) appropriations are adequate for the first fiscal year; (2) Government need is reasonably firm and continuing; (3) such contract will encourage effective competition or promote economics in performance and operation; and (4) such method will not inhibit small business participation. Requires such contracts to be cancelled if funds are not available for continuation into subsequent fiscal years. Revises the authority of the Director of the International Communication Agency (ICA) to purchase vehicles for use abroad to permit security vehicles to be purchased without regard to maximum price limitations. Provides for the principal assistant of an ICA Associate Director to perform the duties of any Associate Director who dies, resigns, or is sick or absent. Requires the ICA Director to make available the film, "Reflection: Samuel Eliott Morison," for public distribution within the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Expresses a congressional tribute to the members of the Armed Forces who participated in the mission to rescue the Americans held hostage in Iran and urges the President to dedicate May 17, 1980, Armed Forces Day, to such military personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1980
Export Promotion and Export Trading Company Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to encourage the formation of export trading companies by providing information and advice to interested persons. Requires the Secretary to provide a referral service to facilitate contacts between producers of exportable goods and services and concerns offering export trade services. Permits State and local governments to participate in such export trading companies. Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt trading companies, solely with respect to their export trade activities, from antitrust restrictions. Directs the President, five years after enactment, to appoint a task force to study and report any recommendations to the President concerning the effect of this Act on domestic competition and the U.S. trade deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1980
Reduces the compensation and other emoluments of the office of Secretary of State to the level of compensation and emoluments in effect on January 1, 1977. Requires that such level of compensation and emoluments be maintained until the earlier of noon of January 3, 1983, or the date on which the first individual appointed to the office of Secretary of State after enactment of this Act ceases to hold that office. Authorizes any person aggrieved by an action of the first Secretary of State appointed after enactment of this Act to bring an action in any U.S. district court to contest the constitutionality of the appointment of such Secretary. Directs any judge designated to hear such an action to give such action expedited consideration.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a certain portion of royalty owner oil production from the windfall profit tax. Limits the amount so exempted per quarter to ten barrels per day. Requires proportionate allocation of any production in excess of ten barrels per day between tier 1 oil, tier 2, and tier 3 oil, and within any tier on the basis of removal prices. Requires allocation of the ten barrel amount among royalty owners who are members of the same related group.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow estates required to file estate tax returns before July 13, 1978, to elect the valuation of certain farm and other real property within 90 days after the later of: (1) the date of the enactment of this Act; or (2) the earliest date on which all necessary relevant regulations become final. Defines a "necessary regulation" as a regulation necessary in order for the executor to make a reasoned evaluation of whether or not to make such an election. Applies the provisions of this Act to estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1980
Requires loans and purchases of the 1979 crop of soybeans to be made by the Secretary of Agriculture without regard to compliance with the reduction of acreage requirements of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 and the set-aside requirements of the Agricultural Act of 1949.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
Soybean Emergency Act of 1980 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish price supports for the 1980 and 1981 crops of soybeans at not less than $5.02 per bushel.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1980
Hostage Relief Act of 1980 - Title I: Amendments to Title 5 of the United States Code - Amends title 5 of the United States Code to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a savings fund to which the head of an agency may allot all or a portion of the pay and allowances of any employee who is in a missing status on or after November 4, 1979, as the result of a hostile action against the United States. Requires interest on such fund to be compounded quarterly at the average rate paid on United States Treasury bills with three-month maturities issued during the calendar quarter immediately preceding the first day of the applicable pay period. Directs the President to issue regulations to authorize agency heads to reimburse (up to $25,000 in any calendar year) any such employee, or dependent of such an employee, for necessary travel, rest and recuperation, private medical car, and other expenses related to the ordeal which are incurred on or after such date. Entitles the spouse of such an employee to reimbursement, for a certain time, for expenses incurred for tuition, books, fees, and subsistence while attending an educational or training institution. Extends to such employees the provisions of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, deferring civil actions that affect property rights of such persons until their missing status is ended. Applies the provisions of this Title to all citizens and resident aliens of the United States held hostage in Teheran at any time during November, 1979, and to their dependents and spouses, regardless of whether they are Federal employees. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of such an employee compensation received for active service for any month during the period of his or her missing status, or during which such employee was hospitalized as a result of wounds, injury, disease, or partial or total physical or mental disablement incurred during a hostile action against the United States. Cancels the income taxes for any such employee who dies as a result of such hostile action, for the year in which death occurs and for all prior years during which the employee was in missing status. Authorizes spouses of such employees to file a joint income tax return. Defers the filing of an income tax return by such an employee until after 180 days following the termination of his or her missing status. Applies the provisions of this Title to all citizens and resident aliens of the United States held hostage in Teheran at any time during November, 1979, regardless of whether they are Federal employees. Applies the tax exclusion to non-employees only to the extent of the daily equivalent of the annual basic rate of pay in effect for level V of the Executive Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1980
Authorizes the President to redesignate the week of May 11, 1980, as "National Small Business Survival Week" rather than "National Small Business Week".
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a repayment of the oil import fee equal to ten cents per gallon of gasoline used for certain exempt purposes. Defines "exempt use" as: (1) any use by a State or local government; (2) any use by a nonprofit educational institution; (3) any use as supplies for vessels or aircraft; (4) agricultural uses; (5) certain business uses; and (6) any use in connection with intercity, local, or school buses.
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 · 27 March 1980
Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to limit the President's authority to impose import fees on petroleum or petroleum products to periods of: (1) congressionally declared war; (2) a national emergency declared under the National Emergencies Act; (3) a national emergency created by an attack on the United States; (4) U.S. Armed Forces involvement in hostilities pursuant to specific statutory authorization; and (5) U.S. Armed Forces involvement in hostilities under circumstances which require a report by the President to Congress pursuant to the War Powers Resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should increase the power of the transmitters and improve the quality and quantity of foreign language programs of the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Liberty; and (2) research should be undertaken to speed progress in the area of international mass communication media.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1980
Rescinds $229,000,000 in appropriations provided for the purchase of furniture by Federal agencies and departments in fiscal year 1980. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to allocate such rescission among the agencies and departments and to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate concerning the allocation. Rescinds $15,000,000 in appropriations made to the Federal Buildings Fund for the rental of space in fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1980
Amends current law authorizing any seaman who suffers personal injury in the course of employment to maintain an action for damages at law to stipulate that such an action may not be maintained if: (1) such person was not a citizen or permanent resident alien of the United States at the time of the incident; and (2) the incident occurred in connection with the operation of any special purpose vessel used for offshore exploration, in any area other than within the United States or the territorial waters or Outer Continental Shelf of the United States. Permits such an action under certain circumstances available under the laws of any country asserting territorial jurisdiction or in which the person injured maintains citizenship.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1980
Denies veterans' benefits to any individual whose discharge from the Armed Forces is characterized as being for misconduct, unsuitability, marginal performance of duty, personal abuse of drugs other than alcohol, or for the good of the service and is under conditions indicating that such person has performed less than honest and faithful service.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1980
Resource Conservation and Development Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a resource conservation and development program to assist States, local units of government, and local nonprofit organizations to operate and maintain a planning process for land conservation and utilization, natural resources development, and rural economic and environmental improvement. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance in developing area plans for designated rural areas; (2) cooperate in conducting surveys and inventories, disseminating information, and developing area plans; (3) assist in the carrying out of approved area plans by local public agencies and nonprofit organizations designated by States; and (4) enter into specified agreements. Sets forth terms and conditions of agreements which must be met if the Secretary is to provide any technical or financial assistance, including loans, to a State agency, local government, or local nonprofit organization in carrying out works of improvement specified in an approved area plan. Permits the identification of groups or problems for special consideration in area plans. Declares that the authority of the Secretary under this Act shall be supplemental and not in lieu of any authority of the Secretary under any other provision of law. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Agriculture a Resource Conservation and Development Policy Board to advise the Secretary regarding the administration of this Act. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the program provided for in this Act and to report on such evaluation, with recommendations. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act, with specified annual limits on technical and financial assistance and on loans.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1980
Food Security Act of 1980 - Declares it to be U.S. policy to develop a wheat reserve solely to provide for emergency food needs in developing countries. Directs the President, in order to carry out such policy, to establish a reserve stock of wheat of up to 4,000,000 metric tons for specified purposes. Permits stocks of wheat for such reserve to be acquired: (1) through purchases from producers or in the market, if the Secretary of Agriculture determines that such purchases will not unduly disrupt the market; and (2) by designation by the Secretary of stocks of wheat acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Authorizes the President to release such designated or acquired wheat reserve stocks to provide, on a donation or sale basis, emergency food assistance to developing countries at any time that the U.S. domestic wheat supply is so limited that quantities cannot be made available for disposition, except for humanitarian purposes, under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Provides that up to 300,000 tons of wheat may be released from the reserve in any fiscal year for use under such Act in providing urgent humanitarian relief in developing countries which suffer major disasters (as determined by the President), in circumstances of unanticipated and exceptional need when the normal means of obtaining food assistance make timely programming impossible. Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on wheat so released and its timely replenishment. Allows such wheat to be processed in the U.S. and shipped to the recipient country as wheat flour, when necessary. Requires that such wheat be made available under such Act, with specified provisions as to determinations of availability inapplicable thereto. Directs the Secretary to provide for reserve management as to location and class of wheat needed to meet emergencies, rotation to avoid spoilage and deterioration, and prompt equivalent replacement of removed quantities. Specifies that stocks of wheat shall not: (1) be considered a part of the total domestic supply (including carryover) for certain purposes; or (2) be subject to any quantitative export limitations under the Export Administration Act of 1979. Directs the Secretary to utilize the funds and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation in carrying out this Act, except that any restrictions applicable to the acquisition, storage, or disposition of Corporation owned or controlled commodities shall not apply to wheat for or in the reserve. Requires that the Corporation be reimbursed for actual costs under such program. Declares final any determination by the President or the Secretary under this Act. Provides that: (1) this Act shall take effect on October 1, 1980; (2) the authorities of this Act shall expire on September 30, 1983; and (3) any wheat in the reserve when such authorities expire shall be distributed under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act in fiscal year 1984 and subsequent fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1980
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to limit the sum of all severance taxes or fees, for any fiscal year, levied upon or collected from any taxpayer by a State or any political subdivision thereof on coal destined for shipment in interstate commerce for use in any powerplant or major fuel-burning installation or on any improvements or other rights, property, or assets produced, owned, or used in connection with the production of such coal. States that such tax shall not exceed a total of 12 1/2 percent of the value of such coal produced during a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Energy should not promulgate any Federal emergency energy conservation plan which would harm recreational boating.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1980
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to limit the sum of all severance taxes or fees, for any fiscal year, levied upon or collected from any taxpayer by a State or any political subdivision thereof on coal destined for shipment in interstate commerce for use in any powerplant or major fuel- burning installation or on any improvements or other rights, property, or assets produced, owned, or used in connection with the production of such coal. States that such tax shall not exceed a total of 12 1/2 percent of the value of such coal produced during a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that recent attempts to undermine the stability of Tunisia constitute a serious threat to international peace and U.S. national security interests. States that the United States should furnish economic and security assistance to Tunisia.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1980
Interest Rate Equalization Act of 1980 - Title I: Interest Rate Amendments Regarding State Usury Ceilings on Certain Loans - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the National Housing Act, and the Federal Credit Union Act to permit federally insured banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, and approved mortgagees under Federal mortgage insurance programs to charge interest at one percent in excess of the discount rate in effect in their Federal Reserve districts notwithstanding lower State usury ceilings. Penalizes the charging of interest in excess of such rate by forfeiture of the creditor's entire interest in the indebtedness. Terminates such preemption of State law on July 1, 1982. Amends the Small Business Investment Company Act of 1958 to permit qualified small business investment companies to charge interest on business loans at a rate equal to the lower of the following, if such rate would be higher than an applicable State usury law: (1) the maximum rate prescribed by regulation of the Small Business Administration for loans made by any small business investment company determined without regard to any State rate incorporated by such regulation; or (2) the higher of the Federal Reserve discount rate plus one percent or the applicable State usury ceiling. Terminates such preemption of State law on July 1, 1982. Establishes penalties for the charging of interest in excess of such ceilings. Authorizes a small business company aggrieved by a violation of this Act to recover twice the amount of the interest paid on a usurious loan by bringing a civil action in an appropriate court. Title II: Applicability of State Usury Ceilings to Certain Obligations Issued by Banks and Affiliates - Amends the Federal Reserve Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to preclude specified financial institutions from pleading or claiming with respect to any deposit or obligation of such institution any defense or right under any State law regulating interest rates. Suspends any penalty which would otherwise attach under any such State law. Stipulates that the provisions of this title shall apply only with respect to deposits made or obligations issued during the period beginning with the enactment of this Act and ending on July 1, 1982. Title III: General Provisions - States that this Act shall not affect the applicability of provisions of Federal law governing rates of interest on certain business and agricultural loans in excess of $25,000. Provides for the severability of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should release Andrei Sakharov from internal exile immediately. Urges the President to: (1) protest Sakharov's exile and the continued suppression of human rights in the Soviet Union; (2) call upon other nations to join in such protests and impose sanctions against the Soviet Union; and (3) inform Helsinki signatory governments that the U.S. delegation intends to raise these violations at the 1980 Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe review meeting.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal of appropriate design to Ambassador Kenneth Taylor in recognition of his efforts to secure the return of six American Embassy officials in Tehran. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be struck such gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1980
Intelligence Reform Act of 1980 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to define "special activity" to mean activity conducted abroad to further official United States programs and policies which is planned and executed so that the role of the Government is not apparent or acknowledged publicly, but excluding diplomatic activity and the collection of intelligence or related support functions. Prohibits the expenditure of funds by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for a special activity unless: (1) the President finds that the activity is important to the national security and reports such activity to the congressional select intelligence committees (current law requires such reporting to the "appropriate" congressional committees); or (2) the National Security Council (NSC) determines that the activity does not involve substantial resources or risks and falls within a category of special activities which (A) have been found by the President to be important to the national security, and (B) have been reported to the congressional select intelligence committees. Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to exempt information in files maintained by an intelligence agency or component of the Government from the provisions of any law requiring publication or disclosure, if such files have been specifically designated by the Director of Central Intelligence to be concerned with: (1) scientific or technical systems for the collection of foreign intelligence; (2) special activities and foreign intelligence operations; (3) investigations to determine the suitability of potential foreign intelligence sources; and (4) intelligence liaison arrangements with foreign governments. Requires requests by U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens for information concerning themselves to be processed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to add a new title I, "Protection of Certain National Security Information." Establishes a maximum criminal penalty of ten years' imprisonment and/or a $50,000 fine for anyone who, having had authorized access to classified information, intentionally discloses to any individual not authorized to receive classified information any information that identifies an individual as an employee of an intelligence agency or as an agent, informant, or source to know that the information so identifies such individual and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such individual's intelligence relationship to the U.S. Establishes a maximum criminal penalty of one year imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine for anyone who with intent to impair the foreign intelligence activities of the U.S. discloses such information with such knowledge. Makes it a defense to such crimes that before the commission of the offense the United States had publicly acknowledged or revealed the intelligence relationship of the individual to the United States. Stipulates that it shall not be an offense to transmit such information directly to the congressional intelligence committees. Defines "intelligence agency" for the purposes of such offenses to mean the CIA and any intelligence component of the Department of Defense.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1980
Individual Investors' Incentive Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to ten percent of the cost of corporate securities purchased by such taxpayer during the taxable year. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $1,000 ($2,000 for married individuals filing jointly). Requires the recapture of specified amounts of such credit if any securities for which the credit is allowed are disposed of by the taxpayer within one year of their purchase. Disqualifies estates, trusts, and nonresident aliens from eligibility for the credit.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bowen, David R. [D-MS-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000682_200.jpg)