United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Repeals the requirement under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act that the amount of monthly benefits payable to a spouse or surviving spouse be reduced by the amount such spouse or surviving spouse receives monthly from a Federal or State pension fund.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $10,000 interest income earned on savings accounts. Makes such exclusion permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Establishes a Commission on More Effective Government to study and recommend ways of promoting economy, efficiency, and improved service within the Executive branch of Government. Directs the Commission to recommend methods to improve the relationship between Federal, State, and local governments. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to the Congress ten days after the Ninety-eighth Congress convenes. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such date. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress. Prohibits Congress, whenever deficits exceed receipts for any two-year period, from passing any bill or other measure appropriating any moneys out of the general fund of the Treasury until such time as provisions of law have come into effect which will provide, within the following 12 months, additional revenue in an amount not less than the amount by which such expenditures exceed such receipts. Suspends such requirements during a war or other national emergency upon the recommendation of the President and the approval of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Authorizes the President, subject to specified conditions, to negotiate agreements with foreign governments limiting imports of automobiles, trucks, and their parts. Restricts such authorization and such agreements to a specified period of time. Requires consultation with the private sector. Prohibits treating actions taken pursuant to such agreements as violations of U.S. laws.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1980
Nuclear Waste Policy Act - Title I: Disposal of Transuranic Waste, High-Level Radioactive Wastes and Spent Nuclear Fuel - Directs the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the United States Geological Survey, to issue guidelines for the recommendation of sites for repositories (any facility for the permanent disposal of transuranic waste, high-level radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, or any combination of such wastes or fuel, whether or not such facility is designated to permit the subsequent recovery of materials placed in the repository). Exempts such guidelines from requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Requires the Secretary, by January 1, 1982, to identify and recommend to the President at least two sites suitable for site characterization (activities to determine the potential of a site as a repository). Requires the Secretary, by February 1, 1985, to identify and recommend to the President at least two additional sites. Requires each recommendation to include a statement of the basis for the recommendation. Directs the Secretary to notify the State Review Board of the State in which the site is located, or any Indian Tribe on whose reservation the site is located, of the recommendation. Requires the Secretary to hold public hearings in the vicinity of any site to be recommended to the President. Requires the President to: (1) review each site recommended; (2) either approve or disapprove the recommendation within 60 days; and (3) transmit his or her decision to the Secretary and the appropriate State Review Board. Provides that Presidential failure to approve or disapprove a site within the 60 day period (or failure to invoke authority as granted to delay the determination) shall be considered as an approval. Directs the Secretary, before sinking shafts at any site, to submit to the Commission and to the appropriate State Review Board, or Indian tribe, for their review and comment: (1) an environmental assessment; (2) a site characterization plan; and (3) proposals describing the possible form or packaging for the waste material and spent fuel which would be emplaced in the repository. Directs the Secretary to conduct tests at sites at which site characterization activities are being conducted in order to provide the necessary data for an application for a construction authorization for a repository at the site and for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Prohibits the use of any radioactive materials during site characterization tests, subject to stated exceptions. Requires the Secretary to hold public hearings if a selected site is determined to meet applicable requirements. Requires the Secretary to submit a recommendation and a report to the President if the Secretary affirms the determination. Requires the President to submit to Congress not later than March 30, 1987, a recommendation of a site qualified for application for a license as a repository. Requires the President, if the recommended site is disapproved by Congress, to recommend another site within a year. Requires the Secretary, if a site designation isnot disapproved by Congress, to submit to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) a license application for the construction ofa repository at the site. Requires the NRC to approve or disapprove the application by: (1) January 1, 1990; or (2) no later than four years after the submission of the application, whichever occurs later. Provides that a site designation shall be effective 30 days after the President recommends the site to Congress unless a State Review Board or an affected Indian tribe petitions Congress in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Provides that unless Congress passes a resolution approving such petition the designation shall be effective. Defines "State Review Board" and authorizes such Board to: (1) review activities under this Act with respect to the effect any site within a State would have upon the State; (2) represent the State in any proceeding before the Commission respecting a site; and (3) submit petitions of disapproval to Congress respecting sites. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State Review Boards. Requires the Secretary to seek to enter into a written agreement with a State Review Board and with any affected Indian tribe as soon as possible after deciding to study an area as a possible repository site. Requires this agreement to specify procedures: (1) for the State or Indian tribe to study, determine, comment on, and make recommendations regarding the repository; (2) which permit the Secretary to consider and respond to comments and recommendations made by the State Review Board and the Indian tribe; (3) by which the Secretary and either the State Review Board or the Indian tribe may periodically review or modify the agreement; and (4) for public notification of the above three subparagraphs. Directs the Secretary to provide funds to any affected Indian tribe to assist the tribe in conducting activities pursuant to this Act. Makes provisions for the judicial review of agency actions relating to site characterization, repository site designation, and construction or operation of a facility. Requires any Federal officer or agency issuing or granting a certificate, right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization related to the characterization, construction, or initial operation of any recommended site to issue or grant any such authorization at the earliest practicable date. Requires any repository for the disposal of high-level waste and spent fuel to be designed and constructed so that the spent fuel may be retrieved. Requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress proposing fees to be collected to offset all construction, operation, administrative, and other costs incurred in providing for the management, interim storage, and disposal of nuclear wastes and spent fuel. Title II: Low-Level Radioactive Waste - Declares it to be the policy of the Federal Government that: (1) each State is responsible for the disposal of non-Federal low-level radioactive waste generated within its borders; and (2) non-Federal low-level radioactive waste can be most safely and efficiently managed on a regional basis. Permits the States to enter compacts as necessary to provide for the establishment and operation of facilities for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste can be most safely and effectively managed on a regional basis. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress a report on assisting States in carrying out this policy. Directs the Secretary to investigate whether it is appropriate to fund 90 percent of the cost of cleanup of the uranium mill tailing site at Edgemont, South Dakota (which is under the control of the Tennessee Valley Authority) under the provisions of the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978. Requires that a report on the appropriate legislative recommendations and the views and recommendations of the Tennessee Valley Authority be submitted to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer to elect a 12 month amortization period in lieu of the present 60 month period for any certified pollution control facility. Reduces the investment tax credit rate for pollution control facilities for which the 12 month amortization period is elected.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer to select the amount of the depreciation deduction for a taxable year applicable to business property placed in service after December 31, 1980, provided that the investment tax credit with respect to such property is computed in accordance with specified standards.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals and corporations a deduction from gross income for a percentage of the cost of recovery property that is depreciable tangible property (equipment or machinery) used in a trade or business or held for the production of income, which is placed in service after December 31, 1980. Establishes four classes and recovery periods for such property: (1) Class 1, two years; (2) Class 2, four years; (3) Class 3, seven years; and (4) Class 4, ten years. Requires assignment of property to the class which has a recovery period at least 40 percent shorter than its present midpoint useful life under the Asset Depreciation Range (ADR) system. Permits the taxpayer to elect placement of any item of property in the class with the next longer recovery period than the class to which it would otherwise belong. Defines the recovery percentage as the percentage (100 percent, 150 percent, or 200 percent) selected by the taxpayer for a class of items, divided by the number of years in the corresponding recovery period. Requires a taxpayer to establish a recovery account for each class of recovery property. Sets forth formulae for additions to and reductions in such account. Limits the amount of a recovery reduction to the aggregate determined by applying the recovery percentage for each class of property to the balance in the recovery account for such class at the end of such year. Denies eligibility for such deduction to livestock property subject to amortization, and property depreciable on a basis other than time, public utility property, oil or gas fired boilers, and property used predominantly outside the United States. Increases from 20 percent to 30 percent the ADR variance from class life for public utility property. Revises the applicable percentage for determination of the investment tax credit to make eligible for such credit: (1) 40 percent of the basis of an asset if its useful life is between two and four years (currently, 33 1/3 percent if its useful life is between three and five years); (2) 75 percent of asset basis if its useful life is between four and seven years (currently, 66 2/3 percent if its useful life is between five and seven years); and (3) 100 percent of basis if its useful life is seven years or greater (currently, the same). Makes the applicable percentage for recovery property for purposes of applying the energy percentage and employee plan percentage: (1) 66 2/3 percent of the basis of an asset if its useful life is between two and four years; and (2) 100 percent of basis if its useful life is four years or greater. Allows election of: (1) 20 year straight line depreciation, with Section 1250 recapture, for structures and structural components; and (2) 15 year straight line depreciation, with Section 1250 recapture, for low income housing; and (3) 15 year depreciation computed under the declining balance method at a rate not exceeding 150 percent of the straight line depreciation rate, with Section 1245 recapture, for certain qualified owner- occupied industrial and commercial buildings. Disallows component depreciation for any taxpayer who elects either the 20 or 15 year straight line depreciation or the 15 year depreciation computed under the declining balance method. Allows an election to treat the first $25,000 ($12,500 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return) of expenditures for recovery property which is purchased for use in a trade or business as currently deductible non-capital expenses. Provides for later recapture of such deductions. Limits such election to recovery property placed in service after December 31, 1980. Sets forth rules for treatment of the depreciation allowance for any recovery property in computing the earnings and profits of a corporation. Revises the progress expenditure rules to eliminate the useful life requirement for depreciable property being constructed by or for a taxpayer for use in trade or business (qualified progress expenditure property) and to apply to such property the revised percentages for determining the investment tax credit under this Act. Allows current depreciation of any qualified progress expenditure property not yet placed in service with respect to which a qualified progress expenditure (an amount chargeable during the taxable year to capital account with respect to self-constructed property or the cost of the construction of such property by another during the taxable year) has been made. Increases from ten to 25 percent the rehabilitation tax credit for nonresidential structures.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1980
Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act - Establishes the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council composed of representatives from the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Directs the Council to establish a voluntary scientific and statistical advisory committee to assist in the development, collection, and evaluation of specified information relevant to the Council's development and amendment of a regional conservation and electric power plan. Authorizes the Council to establish such other voluntary advisory committees as necessary or appropriate to assist it. Directs the Council to prepare a regional conservation and electric power plan, giving priority in decreasing order of importance, to conservation, renewable resources, energy resources derived from utilizing waste heat or having high fuel conversion efficiency, and other resources. Sets forth the components of such plan, including: (1) an energy conservation program; (2) recommendations for research and development; (3) a methodology for determining environmental and social costs and benefits of conservation measures taken under this Act; (4) a 20-year demand forecast of power resources required to meet the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration's obligations and the portion of such obligations which can be met by resources in each of the above priority categories; (5) an analysis of reserve and reliability requirements and cost-effective methods of providing reserves; and (6) a methodology for determining surcharges, if surcharges are recommended by the Council. Directs the Council to study energy conservation measures and analyze the result of the implementation of such measures. Directs the Council and the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration to inform the Pacific Northwest public of major regional power issues to insure widespread public involvement in the formulation of regional power policies. Directs the Council to: (1) solicit recommendations from the region's State and Federal fish and wildlife agencies and appropriate Indian tribes for measures to protect, mitigate, and enhance fish and wildlife resources affected by the development and operation of any hydroelectric project of the Columbia River and its tributaries and for fish and wildlife research and development; and (2) develop a program based on the recommendations consisting of measures to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife affected by any hydroelectric project while assuring the Pacific Northwest a reliable and efficient power supply. Directs the Administrator to utilize the Bonnevile Power Administration fund and the authorities available under this Act and other applicable laws to finance such fish and wildlife protection and enhancement activities. Directs the Council to submit an annual report to specified congressional committees on the actions taken and to be taken by the Council regarding such fish and wildlife protection and enhancement activities. Directs the Council, by a specified date, to complete a thorough analysis of the costs and the equity of the conservation measures and conservation resources implemented pursuant to this Act to consumers in the Pacific Northwest region. Directs the Administrator to offer to sell electric power to each requesting public body and cooperative entitled to preference under the Bonneville Project Act of 1937 and to each requesting investor-owned utility to meet that entity's firm power load which exceeds its resource capability for meeting the previous year's firm loan requirements. Authorizes the Administrator to sell electric power to Federal agencies in the region. Directs the Administrator, subject to certain stipulations, to purchase electric power from a Pacific Northwest utility if offered at the "average system cost" of resources then available to that utility, and to offer, in exchange, to sell an equivalent amount of electric power to such utility for resale to that utility's residential users within the region. Directs the Administrator to determine the "average system cost" on the basis of a methodology developed by the Council and subject to the review and approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Authorizes the Administrator to sell electric power to existing direct service industrial customers which presently have contracts for the purchase of electric power from the Administrator, so long as such sale provides a portion of the reserves for firm power loads within the region. Prohibits the Administrator from selling electric power, including reserves, directly to new direct service industrial customers or to existing direct service industrial customers in excess of the amount permitted above unless the Administrator determines that such proposed sale is consistent with the plan, is approved by the Council, and meets certain additional requirements. Authorizes the Administrator to sell, or otherwise dispose of, electric power, including acquired power, that is surplus to obligations incurred in accordance with this Act and other applicable statutes. Sets forth provisions regarding negotiations for, and offers to enter into, initial long term contracts for the sale and/or exchange of electric power. Directs the Administrator to acquire electric power resources through conservation, to implement all conservation measures, and to acquire such renewable resources, which are installed, by a residential or small commercial consumer to reduce load, as the Administrator determines are consistent with the criteria for developing the regional conservation and electric power plan, and in the case of major resources, as provided in this Act. Provides that such measures and resources may include: (1) loans and grants to consumers for insulation, weatherization, increased system efficiency, and waste energy recovery; (2) technical and financial assistance to, and other cooperation with, the Administrator's customers and governmental authorities to encourage conservation; (3) aiding such customers and authorities in implementing model conservation standards adopted pursuant to this Act; and (4) conducting demonstration projects to determine the cost-effectiveness of conservation measures and direct application of renewable energy resources. Directs the Administrator, when proposing to acquire any major resource, when implementing a conservation measure which will conserve electric power in an amount equal to that of a major resource, when paying or reimbursing investigation and preconstruction expenses of the sponsors of a major resource, or when granting billing credit involving a major resource to: (1) conduct public hearings; (2) give notice of the proposed action to the Council, the Governor of each affected State, and the Administrator's customers; and (3) publish such notice in the Federal Register. Directs the Administrator to submit a written decision on such action to the Council and to the public for the Council's approval. Prohibits the Administrator from implementing any such proposed action without submitting to the appropriate congressional committees the administrative record of the decision. Establishes procedures to be followed when the Administrator wishes to acquire a resource, which does not meet the criteria of this Act, for experimental, developmental, or demonstration purposes, but which has a potential for providing cost-effective service to the region. Establishes procedures to be followed for entering into agreements for resources the Administrator determines to be consistent with the plan. Authorizes the Administrator to grant billing credits and provide services to a customer, subject to certain limitations, for such customer's independent conservation activities, and for resources acquired by the customer which reduce the obligation of the Administrator to acquire resources under this Act. Directs the Administrator to investigate opportunities for adding to the region's resources or reducing the region's power costs through the accelerated or cooperative development of resources located outside the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, if such resources are renewable resources and are planned or considered for development by nonregional agencies which would own, sponsor, or otherwise develop them. Directs the Administrator to establish rates for: (1) the sale and disposition of electric power and the transmission of non-Federal power; and (2) electric power sold to meet the general requirements of public body, cooperative, and Federal agency customers within the Pacific Northwest, and electric utility customers. Sets forth guidelines to be followed in establishing such rates. Authorizes the Administrator to make annual impact aid payments from the Fund to local governments within the region with respect to major transmission facilities which: (1) are within the jurisdictions of such governments; (2) have a substantial impact on such governments; and (3) are completed after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Administrator to determine the amounts of such payments by a regionwide, uniform formula established by rule under the rate-setting procedures set forth in this Act. Amends the Federal Columbia River Transmission System Act to authorize the Administrator: (1) to make expenditures from the Bonneville Power Administration fund for making such payments as are required under this Act; (2) to issue and sell bonds on behalf of the Bonneville Power Administration in order to implement authority under this Act to provide financial assistance for conservation measures, renewable resources, and fish and wildlife; and (3) purchase electric power on a short term basis to meet obligations which may arise because of actions taken under this Act to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife. Increases the aggregate principal amount of any bonds outstanding at one time after October 1, 1981, by $1,250,000,000, and provides that such amount shall be reserved for the purposes of providing funds for conservation and renewable resources loans and grants in a special revolving account created in the Bonneville Power Administration fund. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to increase the interest rate on such bonds issued by the Administrator if, beginning in fiscal year 1982, the Administrator fails to repay by the end of any fiscal year all the amounts projected to be repaid to the Treasury under the repayment criteria of the Secretary of Energy because of reasons other than a decrease in power sale revenues due to fluctuating streamflows or reasons beyond the Administrator's control. Amends the Act limiting the transfer of electric energy generated at Federal hydroelectric plants in the Pacific Northwest for use outside the Pacific Northwest to redefine the term "Pacific Northwest." Authorizes the Administrator to enter into contracts in accordance with the Bonneville Project Act of 1937. Directs the Administrator to discharge office functions in accordance with the Bonneville Project Act of 1937, the Department of Energy Organization Act, and this Act. Sets forth various administrative and savings provisions. Establishes within the Bonneville Power Administration an executive for conservation and renewable resources who shall be responsible for conservation and direct application renewable resource programs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1980
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to increase from 100,000 to 300,000 barrels per day the average rate of increase in the amount of crude oil in storage in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1980
Strategic Petroleum Reserve Management Improvement Act of 1980 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to establish a nonprofit corporation, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Corporation, to exercise authority over the Reserve (currently exercised by the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Office). Requires the Corporation to have a Board of Directors. Applies specified provisions of the Department of Energy Organization Act to the Corporation, the Board, and its officers and employees. Directs the President of the Corporation to conduct a study and report to Congress on financing the acquisition of crude oil for storage in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve by methods other than directly purchasing crude oil with appropriated funds. Sets forth elements to be included in such study. Terminates all authority for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and any regulation issued pursuant to such authority on September 30, 2000. Repeals references to the Early Storage Reserve Plan. Declares that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Plan shall store a specified amount of crude oil by December 31, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for certain expenses incurred in the rental of a dwelling unit as a residence to a member of the taxpayer's family.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for expenses incurred in the rental of a dwelling unit as a residence to a member of the taxpayer's family. Provides that this Act shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1980
Adds three members to the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. Directs the President to appoint the three members from a panel of at least six elected town officials submitted by the National Association of Towns and Townships.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 1980
Amends the Revenue Act of 1978 to extend until January 1, 1983, the period during which individuals who have not been treated as employees by their employers shall not be treated as such for purposes of the employment tax.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980
Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1981 - Authorizes appropriations to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for fiscal year 1981, to remain available until expended, for: (1) nuclear reactor regulation; (2) inspection and enforcement; (3) standards development; (4) nuclear material safety and safeguards; (5) nuclear regulatory research; (6) program technical support; and (7) program direction and administration. Permits the Commission to use not more than one percent of the appropriations for nuclear regulatory research to involve undergraduate and graduate students in nuclear regulatory research activities. Directs that the Office of Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data be given such sums as may be necessary from the appropriations for program technical support to collect and assess data from operating reactors and to provide the Commission with a semiannual report. Requires the report to identify: (1) any condition which may pose a significantly increased risk to the public health and safety; and (2) the implication of such condition on the Commission's policies and procedures. Directs the Commission to determine the actions required with respect to any such condition. Requires at least $1,000,000 of the Commission's total appropriations be available for its activities related to the expeditious cleanup of Three Mile Island Unit Two. Directs the Commission to give notice to, and receive a notice of no objection from, the appropriate Congressional committees before the Commission obligates an amount $500,000 more or less than the amount authorized or appropriated for a specific purpose. Permits the Commission to retain and use cooperative nuclear research program appropriations for salaries and expenses associated with those programs. Allows the Commission to transfer to other Government agencies sums for salaries and expenses for nuclear reactor regulation from the Commission's appropriations for that purpose. Prohibits payments under this Act except to the extent provided in advance in appropriation Acts. Directs the Commission to use as much of the total appropriations authorized as is necessary to prepare and submit to Congress a line item budget request for fiscal years 1982 and 1983. Directs the Commission to use such sums as may be necessary to establish a Three Mile Island Advisory Panel to consult with and make recommendations to the Commission on matters relating to the decontamination of the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor. Directs the Commission to consult with the Panel concerning all decontamination activities authorized by the Commission. Directs the Commissioner to conduct a study and report to Congress recommendations for developing statistically valid data on the long term health effects of employment in the nuclear power industry. Title II: Prohibitions on the Use of Funds - Prohibits the use of any funds authorized under this Act to compensate any person intervening in any Commission proceeding for the costs of such intervention.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980
Authorizes the President to negotiate agreements with foreign governments limiting exports of automobiles and trucks to the United States. Terminates such authority and any agreements pursuant to such authority on July 1, 1985. States that action taken pursuant to such agreements shall not be treated as violating U.S. laws.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that aliens who engage in unlawful or disorderly activities in the United States should be promptly deported in accordance with provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980
Declares that the people of Poland should be allowed to settle their own affairs, including the formation of independent trade unions and the right to strike, without foreign interference.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1980
Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1980 - Title I: Amendments Relating to Income Tax Generally - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that in cases where married couples live apart at all times during the calendar year, do not file a joint return, report earned income which is community income under State or foreign community property laws, and do not transfer such income between themselves before the close of the calendar year, such community income shall be treated in the same manner as community income of a U.S. citizen who is married to a nonresident alien is treated for Federal income tax purposes (income is attributable to the individual spouse who earns it). Permits a taxpayer election to amortize, based on a period of not less than 60 months, start-up expenses incurred in the creation or acquisition of a new business. Expands the types of partial interests in real property which qualify for the income tax deduction for charitable contributions for conservation to include the entire interest of a donor in real property other than the rights to subsurface minerals. Makes permanent the income tax deduction for charitable contributions for conservation purposes. Qualifies rehabilitated buildings leased to a tax-exempt organization or government unit for investment tax credit treatment. Treats income from the lease of certain spacecraft as income from sources within the United States for purposes of the income tax. Imposes upon the non-exempt income of homeowners associations a 30 percent income tax. Provides that any income received or accrued by a tax-exempt mutual or cooperative electric or telephone company from qualified pole rentals, or by a cooperative telephone company from the sale of display listings in a directory furnished to company members, shall not be treated as unrelated business income subject to tax. Defines "qualified pole rental" as any rental of a pole (or other structure used to support wires) if: (1) such pole or structure is used by the telephone or electric company in providing telephone or electric services to its members; and (2) the use of such pole or structure pursuant to the rental is in connection with transmission by wire of electricity or of telephone or other communications. Provides for a tax refund of amounts included in the gross incomes of State police officers as cash meal allowances during calendar years 1975, 1976, and 1977. Exempts amounts paid as entertainment expenses which are includible in the gross income of the recipient, who is not an employee of the taxpayer, from the requirement that such expenses be shown to be directly related to the active conduct of the taxpayer's trade or business in order to qualify for tax deductibility. Title II: Amendments Relating to Pension Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to aggregate employees of adjunct professional organizations and the employees of the professional organizations which are related to such adjunct organizations for purposes of determining the eligibility of such organizations to participate in tax-qualified pension plans. Revises the existing tax treatment of employee stock ownership plans with respect to: (1) stock bonus plans which provide a cash distribution option to participants; (2) the limitation on annual additions to participant accounts under employee stock ownership plans; (3) valuation of employer securities in stock ownership plans; (4) participation of second tier subsidiary corporations in employee stock ownership plans; (5) participation rules for certain tax credit employee stock ownership plans; and (6) the application of cash or deferred arrangement rules to cafeteria plans. Title III: Amendments Relating to Estate Tax - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit executors of an estate to elect the alternate valuation date for estate assets (six months after decedent's death) even though the estate tax return is filed after the due date. Extends, through December 31, 1980, the period during which agreements governing the transfer of estate assets for public, charitable, and religious uses may be amended to meet the requirements for a gift of a split interest to charity.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 1980
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to phase out by 1985 the limitation on outside income for beneficiaries age 65 or older.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1980
Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act Amendments of 1980 - Amends the Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act of 1963 to revise the definition of "farm labor contractor" to: (1) broaden specified exclusions from such definition (thus broadening certain exemptions from coverage under such Act); and (2) exclude from such definition (and such coverage) any nonprofit or cooperative association of farmers, growers, or ranchers, duly incorporated under appropriate State laws, and operated solely for the mutual benefit of the members thereof, and any full-time or regular employee of such association or cooperative who engages in such activity solely for such employer. Adds other definitions relating to such revisions. Revises the definition of "agricultural employment" to specify that listed activities take place on a farm or ranch. Limits the definition of "migrant worker" to mean (among individuals engaged in agricultural employment on a farm or ranch on a seasonal or temporary basis) only those who cannot regularly return to their domicile each day after working hours, or who are transported from and to their domicile each workday by the person who recruits, solicits, hires, or furnishes such worker for agricultural employment on a farm or ranch owned or operated by another person.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980
Tax Reduction - Job Creation Act - Title I: Individual Tax Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce income tax rates for each category of individual taxpayers. Title II: Incentives for New Plant and Equipment - 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 taxpayers 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.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1980
Unlocking America's Energy Resources Act - Directs the President to order the removal of administrative restrictions not required by Federal law or court order which impede the leasing of energy resources on Federal lands or on the Outer Continental Shelf. Requires the President to institute policies which will give priority to the expeditious leasing and development and production of oil, natural gas, coal, oil shale, tar sands, and geothermal resources on Federal lands. Requires the President to submit to an advisory panel a list of restrictions required by Federal law or court order which impede the leasing of energy resources on Federal lands or on the Outer Continental Shelf. Directs the panel to review the restrictions submitted by the President and submit to Congress and the President a report on: (1) the reasonableness of such restrictions; and (2) appropriate legislative or administrative actions to reduce or eliminate impediments to the leasing of energy resources on Federal lands or the Outer Continental Shelf. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to order substantial lease sales, for private development only, within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Bars civil actions challenging any such lease sale which are brought more than 30 days after the date such lease sale is announced. Exempts any such lease sale from the environmental impact statement requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. Requires the President to direct that leasing priority be given to areas of the Outer Continental Shelf that have the highest hydrocarbon potential and known hydrocarbon reserves. Sets forth the conditions for the issuance of Outer Continental Shelf leases by the Secretary of the Interior. Sets forth the requirements for the appointment by the President of members of the advisory panel.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1980
Commission on the International Application of the United States Antitrust Laws Act - Establishes a Commission on the International Application of the United States Antitrust Laws. Charges such Commission with examining the international aspects of United States antitrust laws and related statutes, court rules and administrative procedures, and with making recommendations to the President and to the Congress on the results of such study. Directs the President to appoint the 18 member Commission from the executive branch, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the private sector. Sets forth the organization and compensation of members and the powers of the Commission. Excludes such Commission from the application of the Freedom of Information Act. Requires that any formal recommendation made by the Commission to the President and to the Congress must have the majority vote of the Commission as present and voting. Requires the Commission to submit its final report within one year after its first meeting. Terminates the Commission 60 days after it submits the report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations as may be necessary to carry out the activities of the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to postpone the recognition of losses, for income tax deduction purposes, which are generated from the sale of certain types of personal property (commodities other than those used in a taxpayer's business, evidences of indebtedness, and other types of personal property other than stock in a corporation) which are offset by the purchase of other personal property from which a gain is recognized. Provides that any loss which exceeds gain from the holding of such offsetting positions may not be recognized for the period during which a taxpayer holds such offsetting positions, plus 30 days. Provides that the running of the required holding period for capital assets shall be tolled during the same period. Defines "offsetting positions" to mean that there is a substantial reduction of the taxpayer's risk of loss from holding any position with respect to personal property because the taxpayer also holds one or more other positions with respect to personal property (commonly referred to as a "straddle"). Creates a rebuttable presumption that two or more positions are offsetting if the positions are customarily treated as straddles, the aggregate margin requirement for such positions is lower than the sum of the margin requirement for each such position, or there are other factors, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to regulations, which indicate that such positions are offsetting. Provides that obligations of the United States, a State or local government, or a U.S. possession, issued on a discount basis and payable without interest in less than one year shall be treated as capital assets in determining tax consequences of gain or loss with respect to such obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that deferred compensation plans shall not be deemed as not satisfying minimum vesting standards even if there is a reasonable likelihood that the accrual of benefits or forfeitures under such plans will tend to discriminate in favor of employees who are officers, shareholders, or highly compensated.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Fuel Use Regulatory Reform Act of 1980 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to require the Secretary of Energy to grant a permanent or a temporary exemption allowing a new electric power plant or a new major fuel-burning installation to use petroleum or natural gas as a primary energy source to petitioners who certify that the Federal, State or local environmental law prevents, either permanently or temporarily, compliance with prohibitions against such use of petroleum or natural gas. Directs the Secretary to grant a temporary or a permanent exemption to an existing electric powerplant or major fuel-burning installation if the petitioner certifies that Federal State or local environmental law prevents, either temporarily or permanently, compliance with prohibitions of such use of petroleum or natural gas at such plant or installation. Requires the Secretary to grant a permanent exemption for the use of natural gas or petroleum in a new major fuel-burning installation if petitioner certifies that the amount of such fuels to be used as a primary energy source in a fuel mixture will not exceed 25 percent. Directs the Secretary to base any finding that an existing installation has a coal or alternate fuel capability on a consideration of the installation's entire energy generating system. Requires the terms and conditions of any exemption to a new or existing facility to apply only to the unit for which the petition is filed. Permits the Secretary to require only information directly related to the unit for which an exemption under this Act is sought. Requires information obtained under this Act to be treated confidentially.
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 · 3 June 1980
National Export Policy Act of 1980 - Title I: General Findings and Purposes - Sets forth congressional findings and the purposes of this Act. Title II: Export Financing - Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to direct the Export-Import Bank to adopt export finance programs comparable in structure to those extraordinary measures of official export credits offered by competing countries, until such financing is limited by international agreements. Requires the Bank to report annually to Congress as to whether any additional appropriations or any increases in its commitment authority or ceiling levels are necessary to carry out this Act. States that this Act shall not take effect until six months after enactment, unless the President defers the effective date for an additional six months. Declares it to be the policy of the Congress that the Export-Import Bank of the United States should facilitate, particularly in the presence of foreign officially-supported export credit competition, exports to countries: (1) having insufficient access to international credit facilities; (2) demonstrating reasonable economic progress; and (3) offering adequate formal assurances of repayment (currently, must offer sufficient likelihood of repayment). Increases the aggregate amount of loans and contractual liability of guarantees and insurance which may be outstanding at any one time. Requires such activities to be carried out through the Export Expansion Facility. Provides for the capitalization of such facility. Establishes staggered ten-year terms of office for the Bank directors. Declares that the appropriate congressional committees should consider limitations on Bank activities when considering appropriations for international trade activities rather than when considering foreign assistance activities. Title III: Export-Related Tax Policy - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the earned income exclusion for United States citizens working abroad, who are bona fide residents of a foreign country, from an annual rate of $20,000 to: (1) $50,000; or (2) $65,000, if such persons qualify as bona fide residents for certain specified periods. Allows separate exclusions to married individuals who are both working overseas, although one's excess exclusion cannot be used against income earned by the other. Waives the residency requirements to qualify for such exclusion for those required to leave a foreign country because of civil unrest, war, or similar adverse conditions precluding the normal conduct of business. Reduces from 17 to 11 months the foreign residency requirement with respect to the deduction for certain housing expenses of living abroad. Revises the formula for determining the base housing amount with regard to such deduction to make it 16 percent of the salary of a GS-14, step 1. Repeals similar deductions for cost-of-living differential, schooling expenses, home leave travel expenses, and residence in a hardship area. Provides that the foreign bad debt loss deduction shall not exceed the greater of 15 percent of the taxpayer's taxable income from exports, or two percent of the taxpayer's export receivables outstanding at the close of the taxable year. Provides that the amount of bad debt losses that may be added to a bad debt reserve shall not exceed five percent of the taxpayer's export receivables outstanding as of the close of the taxable year. Permits the amortization, based on a period of 60 months, of: (1) foreign market studies; (2) foreign marketing expenses; and (3) foreign patents. Permits an income tax deduction for currency fluctuation losses on export credit which have not been repaid by the end of the taxable year. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to extend the six-month deadline for exempting exports from the manufacturer's excise tax for an additional 12 months if it is determined, after consultation with the Secretary of State, that exports were delayed because of war, civil unrest, or similar adverse conditions in a foreign nation. Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to approve the duty-free entry of machinery, materials, and fuels to be used for the production of goods in a foreign trade zone if such goods are not subsequently entered into U.S. customs territory. Sets forth requirements before applications for such treatment will be approved. Makes such approval valid for six years. Requires the Foreign Trade Zones Board to include in its annual report to Congress a summary of activities and proposals to increase the use of foreign trade zones to expand U.S. exports. Makes banking organizations which have invested in an export trading company eligible for treatment as domestic international sales corporations (DISC). Includes the gross receipts from the export of services produced in the United States and from export trade services as qualified export receipts, in the case of a DISC which is an export trading company. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, with the Secretary of the Treasury, to develop and distribute information concerning the utilization of the DISC provisions. Makes export trading companies eligible for Subchapter S treatment if the shareholders of such companies are otherwise small business corporations. Exempts such companies from restrictions on the amount of foreign income they can receive and still be eligible for Subchapter S tax treatment. Title IV: Antitrust - Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt the export trade, export trade activities, and methods of operation of certified export trade associations and export trading companies from the antitrust laws. Delays the effectiveness of any certificate upon the notification of the Secretary of Commerce by the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of disagreement with the decision to issue a certificate. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by any association, company, or export trading company seeking certification under this Act and by the Secretary in issuing such certificates. Provides for appeal of the Secretary's denial of certification. Authorizes the Attorney General or the FTC to bring an action to invalidate a certification. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General and the FTC, to publish guidelines for determining whether an association or export trading company will meet the certification requirements. Requires certified associations and export trading companies to submit annual reports to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Commerce an office to promote export trade associations and trading companies. Provides for automatic certification of existing associations. Requires that all applications for certification be kept confidential with specified exceptions. Authorizes the Secretary to require an association or trading company to modify its operation to be consistent with international obligations of the United States. Directs the President to appoint, with the Senate's advice and consent, a task force seven years after enactment to examine the effect of this Act and to make recommendations. Directs the Attorney General to study whether: (1) U.S. business conduct to expand exports conflicts with basic antitrust principles; and (2) a more liberal enforcement policy for overseas activities would impede implementation of the antitrust laws. Requires the Attorney General to identify such conduct which would not warrant prosecution under the antitrust laws. Sets forth the procedures for describing such permissible conduct and disclosing such descriptions. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to intervene in such suits and to provide legal assistance to exporters. Prohibits prosecution under the antitrust laws of exporters who: (1) have notified the Attorney General of their intention to engage in such designated conduct; or (2) receive an approval, or no objection, from the Attorney General concerning proposed transactions. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Commerce to report to Congress concerning implementation of this section. Title V: Amendments to Other Laws that Hinder Exports - Amends the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 to change the name of such Act to the Business Practices and Records Act. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require issuers of securities to keep their books and maintain a system of internal accounting controls in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Makes issuers liable for knowingly falsifying any books or for the intentionally wrongful maintenance or circumvention of the system of internal accounting controls. Requires only good faith efforts by issuers holding 50 percent or less of the equity capital to use their influence to cause transactions and dispositions of assets to be carried out consistent with such provisions. Repeals the provisions specifying prohibited foreign corrupt practices by issuers. Amends the Business Practices and Records Act to include issuers within the provisions specifying prohibited foreign corrupt practices by domestic concerns. Permits items of value to be given to foreigners in specified circumstances, including courtesy items, demonstration expenses, and payments lawful under the laws of the country of the intended recipient. Directs the Attorney General to issue guidelines specifying permissible conduct and arrangements associated with common types of export sales arrangements and business contracts and precautionary procedures creating a rebuttable presumption of compliance. Provides for the establishment of a Business Practices and Records Act Review Procedure to answer specific inquiries concerning enforcement of such Act. Requires the Attorney General to issue opinions regarding compliance. Makes such opinions final and binding on all parties if the conduct does not involve a violation. Requires annual reports to Congress by: (1) the Attorney General concerning actions taken pursuant to such Act; and (2) the Securities and Exchange Commission concerning the reporting requirements. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should negotiate agreements establishing standards of conduct for international business practices, a resolution procedure, and rates of commissions. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the progress of such negotiations. Requires Congress to review the Business Practices and Records Act after receiving the President's report. Requires an export competitiveness impact statement from any issuing authority taking significant action which could affect adversely U.S. exports or the international competitive position of the United States and its exporters. Expresses the sense of Congress that export paperwork must be reduced to encourage export sales. Requires all agencies to minimize paperwork and reporting requirements. Title VI: Export Awareness and Export Promotion Programs - Export Trading Company Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promote export trading companies and facilitate contacts between producers of exportable goods and export trading companies. Authorizes any banking organization to invest up to specified amounts in export trading companies upon notifying, but without obtaining the prior approval of, the appropriate Federal banking agency, if such investment does not cause an export trading company to become a subsidiary of such organization. Allows greater investment by Edge Act Corporations not engaged in banking. Permits any banking organization to invest beyond such limitations with the prior approval of the appropriate Federal banking agency. Requires prior notification of such agencies in specified circumstances. Sets forth further limitations on export trading companies and investments by banking organizations. Specifies factors to be taken into consideration by the banking agencies. Permits such agencies to impose conditions in approving applications to invest in export trading companies. Requires such agencies to report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning implementation of this Act and any recommendations. Provides for judicial review of denial orders in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals. Sets forth the grounds for disapproval. Provides for remand for further consideration by the banking agency. Directs the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration to give special weight to export-related benefits when considering applications for loans and guarantees by export trading companies. Directs the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide loan guarantees to export trading companies or exporters to be secured by accounts receivable or inventories when adequate financing is not otherwise available and such guarantees will facilitate expansion of exports. Small Business Export Expansion Act of 1980 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to permit participating lending institutions to take actions on behalf of the Administrator with respect to deferred participation loans. Empowers the SBA, either directly or in cooperation with lending institutions, to extend credit for export purposes to enable small business concerns to develop foreign markets. Limits the extension of such credit to periods of 18 months or less. Sets a maximum of $750,000 which may be committed to any borrower from the business loan and investment revolving fund. Establishes within the Administration an Office of International Trade to promote sales opportunities for small business goods and services abroad. Requires such Office to: (1) provide small businesses with access to current and complete export information; (2) encourage greater small business participation in trade fairs, shows, missions, and other domestic and overseas export development activities of the Department of Commerce; and (3) assign full-time export development specialists to each Administration regional office. Directs the Administrator, after consultation with specified agencies, to establish an export promotion center in each of two regional offices of the Administration where field offices of the Department of Commerce and the Internal Revenue Service exist. Requires each such center to serve as a one-stop information center of Federal Government export assistance, financing programs available to small business, and other provisions of law governing exporting for small business. Requires: (1) a progress report on the implementation of such centers to the appropriate Congressional committees within six months of enactment of this Act; and (2) an evaluation, within two years after enactment, of the effectiveness of such centers in developing and expanding small business exports. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to qualified applicants to encourage the development and implementation of small business international marketing programs. Sets forth eligibility requirements for applicants. Prohibits the use of any Federal funds to directly underwrite any small business participation in foreign trade missions abroad. Requires each small business international marketing program to: (1) have a full-time staff director to manage program activities; (2) have access to export specialists to counsel and assist small business clients; and (3) establish an advisory board. Directs the Secretary to require, as a condition to any grant, that an additional amount equal to twice the amount of such grant be provided from sources other than the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary to develop a plan to evaluate such programs to: (1) determine the impact of such programs on the small businesses assisted; (2) determine the amount of export sales generated by such businesses; and (3) make recommendations concerning continuation and/or expansion of the program. Requires the establishment of at least one small business international program within each region of the Department of Commerce. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the International Trade Administration, to maintain a central clearinghouse for the collection, dissemination, and exchange of information between such programs. Directs the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with industrial corporations to develop foreign markets for their products. Requires the Secretary to direct specific market research for the products involved in foreign markets upon entering such agreements. Permits interested industrial corporations to submit a proposal incorporating specific marketing actions to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a marketing agreement after approving any such proposal. Requires repayment of the Federal share of the costs by the entity entering into such an agreement. International Education Programs Act - Amends the Higher Education Act to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to, and contracts with, institutions of higher education to pay the Federal share of the cost of programs designed to promote linkages between such institutions and the American business community engaged in international economic activities. Requires higher education institutions to apply for such grants and contracts. Limits the amount of Federal assistance. Provides for an advisory board to consider the grants made, or contracts entered into, and to review programs established under this section. Directs each Federal agency and U.S. representative to any international organization to: (1) identify programs affecting the export of U.S. firms' services; (2) make available information concerning such programs; (3) establish programs to publicize export-related programs for services; and (4) modify those programs with an adverse effect on the export of services. Makes the Secretary of Commerce responsible for coordinating such programs. Directs the Department of Treasury to report to Congress concerning the feasibility of extending DISC treatment to the export of services. Title VII: Agricultural Exports - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to establish the Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund to be available for: (1) the export of, or aid in the development of, foreign markets for agricultural commodities; and (2) loans for the acquisition of facilities in foreign countries to improve the countries' capacities to handle agri-commodities exported from the United States. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to report to Congress annually concerning the export credit sales program. Abolishes such fund effective October 1, 1983. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to require the ratio of credit extended by the Export-Import Bank for agricultural exports in comparison with the total amount extended be at least equivalent to the value of agricultural exports in comparison with total value of exports. Specifies exceptions to this requirement. Requests the President to take action to establish an International Wheat Exporting Commission which would establish an annual minimum world market price for wheat and prescribe export quotas. Requires the President to keep Congress informed about the establishment of such Commission and to report annually once such Commission is established. Title VIII: International Agreements - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the multilateral trade agreement be strongly implemented; and (2) the efforts must continue to secure a freer world trading environment. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a special export subsidy program for agricultural commodities to neutralize the effects of foreign export subsidy programs. Specifies the circumstances required before such program may be implemented. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should enter negotiations for international codes of: (1) official export financing; (2) business conduct; (3) reciprocity of antitrust enforcement; and (4) fair trade in services. Requires the President to report to Congress concerning the progress of such negotiations. Title IX: Government Support of Export Goals - Overseas Private Investment Corporation Act of 1980 - Establishes the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) as an independent agency. Sets forth the duties of OPIC. Provides for the capital of OPIC to be paid in through the appropriation process and through transfer from OPIC's earned income. Sets forth the structure of OPIC with a Board of Directors, a President of the Corporation, an Executive Vice President of the Corporation, other officers and staff, and consultants. Authorizes OPIC to issue insurance to eligible investors covering new or existing investments protecting against specified risks. Authorizes OPIC to make arrangements with foreign governments or multilateral organizations for sharing liabilities. Limits the insurance that may be issued to a single investor. Authorizes OPIC to issue guarantees of loans and other investments. Sets forth limitations on such guarantees. Authorizes OPIC to make direct loans to privately owned or mixed publicly and privately owned firms for projects sponsored by or significantly involving United States small business or cooperatives. Limits the circumstances under which OPIC may acquire stock in any other corporation. Authorizes OPIC to initiate and support the identification, assessment, and promotion of private investment opportunities, with specified exceptions. Authorizes OPIC to administer special projects to provide private technical, professional, or managerial assistance in the development of human resources, skills, technology, capital savings, and intermediate financial institutions and cooperatives. Authorizes OPIC to engage in other insurance, reinsurance, and risk sharing activities with other insurance companies, financial institutions, persons, or groups. Limits the amount of reinsurance of liabilities which OPIC may issue. Limits the amount of maximum contingent liability pursuant to insurance or guarantees issued under this Act which may be outstanding at any one time. Establishes the: (1) Direct Investment Fund as a revolving fund to be available for direct investments; and (2) Insurance Reserve and Guaranty Reserve to be available for discharging liabilities. Authorizes appropriations to the investment and guaranty fund in specified circumstances. Authorizes OPIC to issue obligations in specified circumstances in order to discharge liabilities. Requires that all revenues and income transferred to or earned by OPIC be available to carry out OPIC's purposes. Directs OPIC to determine that suitable arrangements exist for protecting OPIC's interests in connection with any insurance, guaranty, or reinsurance issued under this Act. Pledges the full faith and credit of the United States for the full payment and performance of previous obligations. Sets forth conditions with respect to insurance, guaranty, and reinsurance coverage under this Act concerning fees, time limits, fraud, and settlement of disputes. Sets forth administrative provisions and duties applicable to OPIC. Requires OPIC to undertake to broaden the participation of United States small business, cooperatives, and other small investors in the development of small private enterprise in less developed friendly countries or areas. Directs OPIC to report annually to Congress concerning its operations. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to define "eligible investor" in terms of this Act with respect to housing guarantees. Repeals provisions: (1) prohibiting the transfer of OPIC funds between accounts; (2) authorizing the President to deny assistance to any less developed country which fails to enter into an agreement to institute the investment guaranty program; and (3) establishing OPIC. Stipulates that nothing in this part shall be construed as terminating any of OPIC's statutory authority. Requires the President to submit to the appropriate congressional committees any necessary technical or conforming amendments. Declares that the potential for U.S. exports shall be a primary decisionmaking factor in considering which projects to include in U.S. foreign aid programs. Requires the Director of the International Development Cooperation Agency, (IDCA) to transfer the functions of the Office of Reimbursable Development from the Agency for International Development to an independent functional status within the IDCA. Declares that the Office of Management and Budget should assure that adequate budget allocations are made available to carry out the programs prescribed in this Act. Declares that the Department of Justice should do what it can to facilitate procedures for exporters. Declares that the Small Business Administration should: (1) be aware of the benefits of export to small business development; and (2) use every opportunity to provide information and assistance to potential exporters. Declares that the U.S. ability to export coal, nuclear power fuels, and other energy matters in a reliable manner should be a key consideration. Directs congressional committees to include in their reports the effect of the bill or resolution on the international competitiveness of the United States. Creates a National Export Council to: (1) serve as a national advisory body on matters relating to United States export trade: (2) act as a liaison among the communities represented by its membership; and (3) provide advice on Federal plans and actions that affect export promotion and development policies which have an impact on those communities represented by its membership. Requires the Council to make an annual report to the President and the Congress on its activities. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to appoint commercial ministers, counselors, and attaches with the rank and privileges of other ministers, counselors, and attaches in U.S. embassies and consulates, to: (1) provide trade and commercial services; (2) engage in the promotion of U.S. exports; (3) file semiannual reports to the Secretary on market, industrial, and commodity conditions in their districts and on the implementation of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements; and (4) maintain current data on the commercial standing and capacity of foreign firms within their districts. Provides for domestic assignment, office logistics, allowances and benefits of such ministers, counselors, and attaches. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress with any recommendations concerning: (1) the organization of international trading and financing programs in the United States; (2) the effectiveness of foreign export promotion programs; and (3) the trade activities of specified Federal agencies. Expresses the sense of Congress that the appropriate congressional committees should review periodically the trade organization of the U.S. Government.
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 · 13 May 1980
Helium-Energy Act of 1980 - Title I: Helium-Energy Provisions - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a National Helium Reserve for the storage of helium to assure that in the public interest and for national security purposes adequate supplies of helium are available for future energy efficiency and conservation purposes. Provides that the Reserve shall consist of: (1) helium owned by the United States prior to enactment; (2) helium purchased by the Secretary with consideration of not more than one dollar per thousand cubic feet and a right to repurchase from the Reserve the quantity of helium sold; (3) helium extracted in plants owned or operated by the Secretary; and (4) helium acquired by the Secretary pursuant to the Secretary's authority under this Act to acquire helium in the event that storage goals for the reserve are not met. Directs the Secretary, in relation to any helium extraction plant from which the extraction of helium is economically feasible, to enter into an agreement with the owner of the plant to: (1) operate the plant and sell the helium to the Secretary; or (2) permit the Secretary, provided the owner is reasonably and justly compensated, to operate the plant. Directs the Secretary to determine if the goals of the Reserve are being met. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) if the goals are not being met, acquire a sufficient amount of helium in deposits from which helium-bearing natural gas or helium-gas mixtures are not being produced as of the date of the determination and conserve such helium in place or provide for the extraction of the helium; and (2) if such actions are not sufficient to meet the targets, construct plants to extract helium from helium-bearing gas or helium-gas mixtures which are or will be produced but from which helium would not otherwise be extracted. Authorizes the Secretary additionally, if provided in advance in appropriation Acts, to acquire helium at fair market value. Provides that rights of repurchase shall be exercised on a first-in, first-out basis and that the price at which the helium may be sold shall be determined on the basis of the amount necessary to recover the amount paid to the seller, the direct costs of storage, and any processing or transportation services. Authorizes the Secretary to sell helium in the Reserve which is owned by the United States and which is not subject to right of repurchase only if: (1) the helium is not otherwise available at a certain price in the private sector; (2) the helium sold will not have a significant impact on the development or maintenance of a commercially viable market for helium extracted from the atmosphere; (3) the helium has not been reserved for future needs; and (4) the sale will be in the public interest. Provides the administrative authority necessary to establish, operate, and maintain the Reserve. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the President and to Congress concerning the implementation of this Act. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies regarding: (1) additional sites for helium storage facilities for the Reserve and to report the results to Congress; and (2) the future needs and supplies of helium and the effectiveness of this Act in achieving its purpose. Provides that provisions of the Natural Gas Act shall not be applicable to the sale, extraction, processing, transportation, or storage of helium. Authorizes the Secretary to make the storage facilities operated to maintain the Reserve available, at cost, to persons wishing to store helium, if such storage does not restrict or impair the operation of the Reserve. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act for fiscal year 1981, to remain available without fiscal year limitation. Provides that funds for the acquisition and construction of storage facilities and related facilities shall be available only as may be appropriated pursuant to authorization of appropriations. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to include helium within the export restriction exemptions which the President is authorized to make when such exemption is consistent with the national interest and the purposes of such Act. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish the Helium Energy Office, to be headed by a presidentially-appointed Director who shall assist and advise the Secretary on helium-related activities as set forth in this Act. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Reserves for the purposes of this Act public lands containing helium-bearing natural gas or any helium-gas mixture which are unleased under the Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, and reserves rights of ownership of helium, including the right to extract such helium from gas produced from lands permitted, leased or otherwise granted for development under such Act. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations providing for the extraction of helium from public lands. Authorizes the Secretary to contract for or otherwise sponsor research in improving methods of helium extraction, transportation, storage and use. Repeals the Helium Act and cancels the outstanding balance of all unpaid notes insured under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1980
Amends the War Claims Act of 1948 to direct the War Claims Commission to determine the validity and amount of any claim filed for detention benefits by the U.S. hostages held in Iran or by the families of hostages who die. Disallows claims of hostages who voluntarily collaborated with the forces holding the hostages. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to pay certified claims. Sets time limits for filing claims. Excludes such detention benefits and any amounts of income earned while a hostage from gross income for tax purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1980
Disapproves the proposed rule under the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 relating to incremental pricing of natural gas, a copy of which was transmitted to Congress on May 6, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to allowable deductions from a decedent's gross estate of transfers for public, charitable, and religious uses, to extend through December 31, 1980, the period during which governing instruments may be amended to meet the requirements for a gift of a split interest to charity.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1980
Directs the President to utilize the forum of the Venice Economic Summit to urge the development of an International Code of Business Conduct. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should negotiate and report to Congress concerning agreements to establish standards of ethical and equitable conduct of international business and mechanisms to resolve problems. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to report to Congress concerning its recommendations regarding such negotiations.
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
American Sovereignty Protection Act - Amends the Alien Enemies Act to include within the definition of a predatory act against the United States: (1) the seizure of a diplomatic mission; or (2) the seizure of such premises together with the taking of diplomatic hostages.
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.
![Official portrait of Rep. Brown, Clarence, Jr. [R-OH-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000910_200.jpg)