United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1979
Designates the following lands in the State of Florida as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and subjects them to administration by the Secretary of Agriculture: (1) the Alexander Springs Wilderness, the Juniper Prairie Wilderness, and the Little Lake George Wilderness, all in the Ocala National Forest; (2) the Big Gum Swamp Wilderness in the Osceola National Forest; and (3) the Mud Swamp/New River Wilderness and the Sopchappy River portion of the Bradwell Bay Wilderness, both in the Apalachicola National Forest.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1979
Federal Firearms Law Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to Gun Control Act - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition and persons engaged in the business of repairing firearms. Adds a new definition, "engaged in the business", with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Includes as a manufacturer of ammunition a person whose gross sales of his own ammunition exceed $1,000 in any calendar year. Includes as a dealer in firearms a person who deals in firearms as a regular course of business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms. Replaces the current term "crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year" with a new definition of "disabling crime." Eliminates certain activities regarding ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Revises current provisions respecting the interstate sale or transfer of firearms. Revises the current prohibition against selling a firearm or ammunition to certain persons (such as persons under indictment for a felony or addicted to drugs) to apply such prohibition only to persons convicted of a disabling crime. Revises the current prohibition against certain persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to: (1) extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition; (2) conform such prohibition to the new "disabling crime" provision; and (3) include as additional categories illegal aliens, persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces, and persons who have renounced their United States citizenship. Makes the same changes to the current prohibition against certain persons who receive a firearm or ammunition which has been transported in interstate commerce, but applies such prohibition to persons who are employed by specified individuals. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Stipulates that the Secretary of the Treasury may revoke a license only where the holder of such license has "knowingly" violated a provision of the Act or regulation. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations under this Act which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, but for which such individual has not been convicted. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, and any firearm or ammunition kept by an importer, manufacturer, or dealer pursuant to this Act that the Secretary has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises of such persons. Restricts the firearm information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Stipulates that the general penalty under this Act shall apply to whoever "willfully" violates any provision. Prohibits, with respect to a person's second or subsequent conviction for illegally using or carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony, the granting of parole before completion of the minimum sentence. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Requires a court to award attorney's fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in an action or proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Allows the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was initiated in bad faith. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require (1) the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or (2) the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Allows one House of Congress to disapprove by resolution any firearms regulation within 90 days of continuous session of the promulgation of such rule. Set forth procedures for such resolutions. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing any rules identical to regulations disapproved by Congress without the enactment of additional legislation respecting his authority. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Makes any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to waive certain State agency organization requirements with respect to a State agency which demonstrates that such waiver would be consistent with the objectives of title I of such Act (Vocational Rehabilitation Services).
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1979
Employees Incentive Ownership Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove restrictions on the use of restricted stock options and to eliminate the exercise of such stock options as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1979
Prohibits either House of Congress from considering any legislation providing new budget authority for the compensation of participants in any regulatory proceeding of a Federal agency, unless enactment of such budget authority is authorized by law. Prohibits the Comptroller General from authorizing the disbursement of funds for such compensation unless such budget authority is provided. Makes the agency disbursing officer responsible for any disbursed funds for which no budget authority has been provided.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1979
Nuclear Waste Terminal Storage and Technology Demonstration Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Energy, after consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies and after reporting to Congress, to select a site from within three specified candidate areas to serve as the site for a Federal Technology Demonstration Repository for the disposal of nuclear waste. Directs the Secretary to authorize the design, site-specific geologic survey and subsequent construction of the repository. Sets forth procedures for the delivery of nuclear waste to such repository.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1979
Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coin Enhancement Act of 1979 - Amends the Coinage Act of 1965 to change the size and weight of the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Postmaster General and the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee should give favorable consideration to the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Americans of Italian descent and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Philip Mazzei on December 25, 1980, or as soon as possible thereafter. States that the Postmaster General and the Committee should honor other foreign-born contributors to the revolutionary cause, from countries which have not yet been commemorated, prior to the conclusion of the American Bicentennial celebration in 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Smaller Enterprise Regulatory Improvement Act - Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency to publish semiannually an agenda of those rules which may be proposed during the upcoming six-month period affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and small organizations. Defines "small organizations" to include unincorporated businesses, sheltered workshops, nonprofit enterprises which are not dominant in their fields and such other groups and enterprises as each Federal agency shall establish by rule. Requires each published agenda to be transmitted to the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comments. Directs each Federal agency to endeavor to provide notice of each agenda to affected small enterprises by means other than publication in the Federal Register. Directs each Federal agency to publish a written analysis prior to the issuance of any rule affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and organizations which considers: (1) the effect of such rule on small enterprises and competition; (2) whether an exemption could be provided such small enterprises; (3) whether lesser compliance standards could be adopted for small enterprises; and (4) the expected nature of reporting and recordkeeping requirements necessitated by such rule. Requires each Federal agency to issue a rule containing an exemption or differing compliance standards for such small business concerns and organizations if it is lawful, desirable, and feasible to do so. States that such small enterprises shall be given an opportunity to participate in agency rulemaking. Requires each agency to review its existing rules and prepare an analysis for purposes of eliminating those rules which are most burdensome to small businesses and organizations. Permits any agency to perform the analyses required by this Act in conjunction with any other analysis required by law. Declares that such other analysis shall not in itself satisfy the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1979 - 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 taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to permit local distribution companies to provide natural gas service to residential customers for use in outdoor lighting fixtures installed before the enactment of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Prohibits Federal-aid highway funding for any State which prohibits vehicles with an overall gross weight of less than 80,000 pounds from using highways on the Interstate System within such State.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1979
Establishes uniform national weight and length limitation on the Interstate Highway Systems until the Secretary of Energy has certified to Congress that there are adequate amounts of middle distillate fuel to meet national requirements for home heating, agricultural production, transportation, and industrial uses.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Veterans' Obligated Period of Service Completion Act - Redefines "veteran" for veterans' benefits purposes to mean an individual who served in, and was not dishonorably discharged from, the active armed services before the period ending 90 days after enactment of this Act, or who entered the active armed services on or after such 90-day period and: (1) served the entire term of duty and was other than dishonorably discharged; (2) was discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability; or (3) before the completion of such term of duty was discharged other-than dishonorably for a satisfactory reason (including joining a reserve unit or enrolling in an educational program). Redefines "eligible veteran" for post-Vietnam era educational assistance to mean an individual who initially entered the armed services on or after January 1, 1977, and: (1) if active service was before such 90-day period under this Act, served more than 180 consecutive days and was discharged other than dishonorably or for a service-connected disability; and (2) if active service was on or after such 90-day period, served more than 180 consecutive days.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Requires the President to insure the satisfactory resolution of the certified claims of United States nationals against the Cuban Government before considering normalizing relations with Cuba. Requires the provision of tax credits to United States certified claimants should the President enter into any agreement involving counterclaims made by the Cuban Government. Directs the President to urge the Cuban Government to establish a fund for the payment of claims of U.S. nationals to be administered by the International Monetary Fund or some similar international agency.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Congratulates the men and women of the Apollo program upon the tenth anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon and requests the President to designate the period of July 16 through July 24, 1979, as "United States Space Observance" in honor of such event.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1979
Intelligence Agents Protection Act of 1979 - Establishes maximum criminal penalties of 20 years imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine for anyone who knowingly and willingly discloses classified information identifying an individual engaged in foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities for the United States Government. Establishes maximum criminal penalties of ten years imprisonment and/or a $50,000 fine for anyone who falsely asserts, publishes, or otherwise claims that an individual is engaged in such activities. Directs the Attorney General to seek injunctive relief in the United States district court whenever the head of a department or agency engaged in such activities determines a person is about to engage in such prohibited conduct. Prohibits the payment of a Federal service annuity, retired pay, or gratuitous veterans benefits to an individual, or his survivor or beneficiary, convicted of such offenses. Directs the Attorney General to notify the Director of Office of Personnel Management and the Administrator of the Veterans' Administration of the advent and disposition of such criminal proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the age requirement for the one-time exclusion of gain from the sale or exchange of a principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1979
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that disability insurance benefits for an individual having a terminal illness shall begin with the first month during all of which such individual has such illness. Defines the term "terminal illness" to mean, a medically determinable physical impairment which is expected to result in death within the next 12 months.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1979
Intelligence Officer Identity Act of 1979 - Establishes maximum criminal penalties of ten years imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine for: (1) past or present employees of the United States or members of the uniformed services; and (2) anyone having lawful access to information identifying individuals as associated with a United States agency engaged in foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities, who discloses classified information concerning any such association to anyone not authorized to receive it. Establishes additional penalties for any disclosure or false assertion which prejudices the safety of the individual indentified or damages the foreign affairs functions of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
State and Local Government Cost Estimate Act of 1979 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act to require the Congressional Budget Office, for every bill or resolution reported in the House or Senate, to prepare and submit (along with its regular estimate of the Federal cost involved) an estimate of the costs which would be incurred by State and local governments in carrying out or complying with such bill or resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Permits any use, including aerial application, of the pesticide mirex on fire ants or imported fire ants during the calendar years 1979 and 1980, notwithstanding provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to the contrary. Subjects such use to Environmental Protection Agency restrictions in effect on October 1, 1977 (excepting only period of use restrictions). Prohibits the Agency from altering the terms of any such restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Controlled Substances Sentencing Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to establish mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for the commission of certain offenses currently prohibited under such Acts. Increases such minimum terms if the defendant had been convicted previously of a felony. Authorizes a court to sentence an individual to a shorter term of imprisonment or parole ineligibility upon a finding of specified mitigating circumstances. Stipulates that the imposition or execution of a sentence under such Act: (1) may not include probation; (2) may not be suspended; (3) may not run concurrently; and (4) may not come under the provisions of the Federal Youth Corrections Act. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that a separate sentencing hearing be conducted when an individual is convicted of an offense for which a mandatory term of imprisonment is authorized under this Act. Directs a judicial officer, in setting the conditions of release pending trial, to consider whether a person charged with an offense under title I of this Act poses a threat to the community or will commit similar offenses. Authorizes such judicial officer to deny pretrial release to such individual upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence of specified aggravating circumstances in a separate hearing. Sets forth due process requirements for such hearings.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to tax income of married individuals filing tax returns separate from their spouses at the same rates applicable to unmarried individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that disability insurance benefits for an individual having a terminal illness shall begin with the first month during all of which such individual has such illness. Defines the term "terminal illness" to mean, a medically determinable physical impairment which is expected to result in death within the next 12 months.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Soft Drink Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that exclusive territorial arrangements made as a part of a licensing agreement for the manufacture, distribution, or sale of a trademarked soft drink product are lawful under the antitrust laws provided such product is in substantial and effective competition with other products of the same general class. Prohibits recovery in private actions under the Clayton Act based on territorial provisions in a trademark licensing agreement prior to a final determination that such provisions are unlawful.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the transfer of the Forest Service and the Farmers Home Administration business and industry programs from the Department of Agriculture is unacceptable, and that any reorganization proposal which would diminish the Department's resources is unacceptable.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to increase from $60 to $100 the amount of the standard deduction from household income in the case of recipient households which contain a member age 65 or older.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1979
Fair Trade Enforcement Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to Antidumping Act, 1921 - Amends the Antidumping Act of 1921 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a formal investigation within 30 days of receiving information that foreign goods are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value. Directs the Secretary to make public any determination and advise the International Trade Commission of any affirmative determination. Requires the Commission to determine whether U.S. industry is being, or is likely to be, injured due to imports at less than fair value. Directs the Secretary to: (1) publish the Finding of the affirmative determinations of both the Secretary and the Commission; and (2) assess a special dumping duty. Sets forth the procedure by which a foreign exporter or a domestic importer may petition: (1) the Secretary to terminate a final determination of sales at less than full value; and (2) the Commission to terminate its determination that U.S. industry is likely to be harmed by such sales. Requires the Secretary or the Commission to conduct a hearing at the request of interested parties. Exempts such hearings from specified administrative procedure requirements. Requires the Secretary to impose provisional dumping duties when making a tentative determination that imports are being sold at less than fair value. Stipulates that duties shall either be refunded or adjusted based on the difference between the purchase price and the fair market value (the margin of dumping), depending on the Secretary's final determination. Imposes a special dumping duty on imported goods after a finding has been made. Requires the Secretary to periodically revise the applicable margin of dumping and apply it retroactively to the imported goods. Sets forth methods for determining the special dumping duty, the foreign market value, and the constructed value of merchandise (when home market sales are made at less than the costs of production). Requires the Secretary to make annual reports to Congress concerning findings, duties collected, and negative determinations. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to direct the Secretary to require a certified invoice with imported goods which includes a statement of the prices at which such goods are sold in the exporting country (home consumption prices). Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and Commerce and the Commission Chairman to publish quarterly a statistical enumeration of the purchase prices and home consumption prices. Requires a verified statement from foreign manufacturers whose goods supply ten percent or more of the U.S. market showing the home market value and the purchase price. Title II: Countervailing Duty Law Amendments - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit offsetting the net amount of any bounty or grant for any fiscal charge or indirect tax related to the export of the article that is subject to the bounty or grant. Requires the Secretary to investigate whether any bounty or grant is being paid or bestowed on exports into the United States within 30 days after a petition is filed or information is received concerning such bounty or grant, and to forward an affirmative determination to the Commission. Directs the Commission to investigate whether the likelihood of any U.S. industry being injured due to such export bounty or grant. Directs the Secretary to publish a Countervailing Duty Order following final determinations by the Secretary and the Commission. Sets forth the procedure by which a foreign exporter or domestic importer may petition the Secretary and the Commission to terminate the final determinations of export bounties or grants. Provides for a public hearing before any determination is made at the request of an interested party. Specifies the formula for establishing and revising countervailing duties. Title III: Amendments to Other Provisions of Law - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to stipulate that all imported merchandise shall be assessed duties, countervailing duties, or antidumping duties in accordance with the Secretary's determination 30 days after notice of such duty is published. Permits domestic manufacturers, producers, or wholesalers to contest in the U.S. Customs Court any determination that goods are not being sold at less than fair value, that bounties or grants are not being paid, or that U.S. industry is not being injured by such activities. Amends the provisions setting forth Customs Court procedure to permit actions contesting: (1) the termination of findings that imported goods are being sold at less than fair value; (2) the termination of Countervailing Duty Orders; (3) determinations that U.S. industry is not being harmed by sales of imported goods at less than fair value or export bounties or grants; or (4) determinations that there is no information that goods are being sold at less than fair value or bounties or grants are being paid or bestowed. Imposes civil penalties on persons who violate Commission findings and orders concerning unfair trade practices. Permits the President to disapprove the Commission's determination concerning unfair trade practices for 90 days after notifying Congress and the Commission. Requires congressional approval of the President's actions within the 90 day period if such suspension is to be indefinite. Gives domestic manufacturers a remedy for damages suffered as a result of unfair trade practices. Amends a provision of Federal law which makes it unlawful to import or sell articles in the United States at less than market value to give the burden of rebutting the prima facie case, by showing justification, to the person charged with the violation. Permits any person injured by a violation to sue for treble damages. Requires such suit to be commenced within four years after the cause of action accrued. Stipulates that the Commissioner of Customs shall be the agent upon whom all lawful process may be served in any action or proceeding against foreign manufacturers or exporters. Title IV: Transfer of Certain Functions under the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Laws from the Secretary of the Treasury to the International Trade Commission - Amends the Antidumping Act of 1921 and the Tariff Act of 1930 to transfer from the Secretary to the Commission the responsibilities for investigating and making determinations about (1) imported goods being sold at less than fair value or (2) bounties or grants being paid or bestowed on imported goods, effective January 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1979
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the transfer of the Forest Service and the Farmers Home Administration business and industry programs from the Department of Agriculture is unacceptable, and that any reorganization proposal which would diminish the Department's resources is unacceptable.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Independent Contractor Tax Status Clarification Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify standards for determining whether certain individuals qualify as independent contractors for purposes of social security taxation. Treats an individual as an independent contractor if such individual: (1) controls the total number of his work hours; (2) does not maintain a principal place of business, or if he does, such place of business is not provided, or provided rent-free, by the person for whom such individual performs services; (3) has substantial investment in his business and earns income based upon sales or output rather than upon number of hours worked; and (4) performs services pursuant to a written contract and is provided written notice of his responsibility with respect to income and self-employment taxes. Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for service performed by an individual who qualifies as an independent contractor under the standards established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Export Administration Reform Act of 1979 - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to make the Secretary of Defense responsible for identifying technologies and goods which shall be controlled for national security purposes. Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Technology Export to assist the Secretary. Directs the President to issue rules and regulations limiting the export of critical technologies and goods and significant technologies and goods. Prohibits the President from restricting the export of significant technologies or goods which are available from foreign sources. Directs the President to negotiate with foreign countries to eliminate the availability for export of technologies and goods detrimental to U.S. national security. Prohibits the President from modifying the Secretary's classification of technologies and goods and findings as to availability unless (1) the President submits a national security impact statement to Congress and (2) Congress does not disapprove. Requires the appropriate Federal agency to submit national security impact statements upon the request of Congress. Provides for the appointment of technical advisory committees by the Secretary of Defense (instead of the Secretary of Commerce).
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to subject nonresident aliens and foreign corporations to a tax on the gain from the sale or exchange of farm or rural lands situated in the United States. Requires foreign corporations which hold United States farm lands comprising 20 percent of their assets to make reports on such holdings as the Secretary of the Treasury may require.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1979
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Attorney General to order the deportation of certain nonimmigrant aliens in the United States who (1) knowingly participated in a political demonstration resulting or intending to result in personal injury or property damage; or (2) while in the United States, took part in any unlawful activity or advocated the overthrow by violence of any organized government.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1979
Declares that Zimbabwe Rhodesia has (1) demonstrated its willingness to negotiate in good faith at an all parties conference and (2) approved a constitution transferring power to a black majority government. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President (1) should determine that Zimbabwe Rhodesia is in substantial compliance with the International Security Assistance Act of 1978 and (2) should not enforce sanctions against Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Independent Local Newspaper Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the establishment of independent local newspaper advance estate tax trusts to facilitate payment of the estate tax imposed upon the estate of a decedent who owned an interest in an independent local newspaper. Sets forth requirements for the establishment of such trusts, including requirements that such trusts: (1) be created pursuant to a plan adopted by the newspaper; (2) be governed by a written instrument which requires that contributions to and income of the trust be invested solely in obligations of the United States; (3) name as trustee a bank or another individual who is capable of administering such trust in compliance with the requirements of this Act; (4) maintain trust assets separately from other property; (5) accept contributions exclusively from independent local newspapers; (6) devote assets of the trust solely to the payment of the estate tax; and (7) distribute any excess funding of the trust to its beneficiaries or their estates. Limits an individual who owns interests in several independent local newspapers to participation in not more than one estate tax payment trust. Defines an "independent local newspaper" as a newspaper publication which is not a member of a chain and which maintains all its offices in a single city, community or metropolitan area, or, on January 1, 1979, within one State. Defines "excess funding" as the excess of the face value of the assets of a qualified trust over; (1) 70 percent of the value of a decedent's interest in an independent local newspaper which is includable in his gross estate; or (2) a decedent's estate tax which is attributable to his interest in an independent local newspaper included in his gross estate. Exempts independent local newspaper advance estate tax trusts and the individuals for whom such trusts are established from income taxation with respect to income earned by such trust. Terminates such tax-exempt status if the taxpayer's interest in the newspaper is sold, the newspaper itself is sold or ceases to qualify as an independent newspaper, or there is an excess funding of the trust. Provides that the amount of any excess funding shall be distributed to the individual for whom the trust was created and included in his gross income or gross estate. Allows an income tax deduction to local independent newspapers for contributions made to estate tax payment trusts. Limits the amount of such deduction to 50 percent of the taxable income derived from such newspaper for the taxable year. Requires the redetermination of the estate tax of an individual for whom an independent local newspaper advance estate tax trust is established and the inclusion in the gross estate of such individual an amount equal to the estate tax payment made by such trust which is attributable to the individual's interest in the newspaper, if the trust or any heir of the individual sells, within 15 years of the death of such individual, any part of the interest in the newspaper with respect to which the trust was created. Provides for the gradual phaseout of any additional estate tax which is imposed due to the premature sale of a newspaper, if the sale does not occur prior to the ten to 15 year period following the death of the individual for whom the estate tax trust is established. Permits the shareholders of an independent local newspaper who receive the stock of a corporation which the newspaper controls to exclude from their gross income any gain realized as a result of such distribution if: (1) the shareholders do not sell such stock within five years after the date of its distribution; (2) the shareholders retain control of the newspaper for five years after the date of the distribution; and (3) the newspaper and the controlled corporation each continue to be engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business through the five year period beginning on the date of the distribution. Excludes from the gross estate of a decedent the value of any interest in an independent local newspaper which he holds at the time of his death and any estate tax payment made by an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust. Permits the executor of an estate which includes an interest in an independent local newspaper to pay the estate tax in two or more (but not exceeding ten) equal installments. Limits the maximum amount of estate tax that may be paid in installments to the excess of the amount of estate tax over the tax that would have been imposed if the interest in the newspaper had not been included in the gross estate, reduced by all payments of the estate tax made by an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to remove the $75 limit on the excess shelter expense deduction in the computation of household income for households composed entirely of persons who are age 62 or older, or who receive supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act. Entitles such households to a medical expense deduction to the extent that the monthly amount expended by any such household for medical or dental care exceeds the amount of the standard deduction in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1979
Senior Citizens Health Insurance Reform Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to institute a program of voluntary certification for health insurance policies sold in supplementation of medicare. Sets forth minimum standards for such certification with respect to liability, cancellation, reasonableness of premium charge, and economic benefit to the insured. Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) misrepresentations in connection with such certification; (2) the sale of specified types of duplicate insurance; and (3) certain activities in connection with the sale of insurance policies in States which have not approved such policies.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to allow the Select Committee on Aging to appoint, by majority vote of the committee, not more than 18 professional staff members.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1979
Regulatory Agency Abolition Act - Abolishes specified Federal regulatory agencies three years after enactment of this Act unless prior to such date the President and Congress study the effectiveness of such agencies and Congress thereafter adopts a resolution disapproving such abolition. Provides that each regulatory agency established after the date of enactment of this Act shall be abolished three years from the date on which it was first empowered unless the President and Congress take the steps outlined above. Directs the President to submit to Congress a plan for the orderly transfer of duties essential to the public health, safety or welfare from an abolished agency to the President or to a successor agency. Provides that all orders, rules, certificates, judicial proceedings and licenses made effective by agencies abolished by this Act shall continue in effect until repealed or superceded by the President.
![Official portrait of Rep. Chappell, Bill, Jr. [D-FL-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000321_200.jpg)