United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Prohibits travel at Government expense outside the United States by any Member of Congress who has been defeated as a candidate for nomination, or election in any primary or regular election, or who is not a candidate for reelection in the next Congress, unless exempted by a concurrent resolution passed by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
National School-Age Mother and Child Health Act of 1979 - Amends title III of the Public Health Service Act (General Powers and Duties of Public Health Service) to authorize and direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to designated State agencies to meet part of the cost of planning and coordinating services for school-age girls and their children. Sets forth requirements which State plans must meet before receiving such grants, including: (1) comprehensive health care to school-age girls associated with the continuation of pregnancy and to their children, health education, community outreach, family planning services, continuing education of mothers, counseling for the mother and father of the child, infant and child day care, adoption and foster care services, and a coordinated program of social services. Prohibits the collection by, or submission to, the Federal or State Government or any individual or organization (except the program delivering the services and third-party payers) of identifying information of persons receiving services under this program. Establishes a unit within the Maternal and Child Health Service of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to administer and coordinate such program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of individuals who have attained age 65 up to $5,000 of interest income earned on a savings account. Reduces the amount excluded by so much of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income as exceeds $10,000.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include discrimination of the physically handicapped as an unlawful employment practice. Stipulates that employers are not required to provide any unusual or special services to physically handicapped employees.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a portion of the Saint John River in Maine as a potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Taxpayer Audit Disclosure Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation the specific criteria which the Internal Revenue Service uses in choosing taxpayers for an audit of their income tax returns. Requires the Secretary to notify in writing those taxpayers selected for audits of the reasons for their selection and directs that such taxpayers be furnished with written explanations of the audit procedure, what rights a taxpayer may exercise during an audit, and what appeals a taxpayer may take from an adverse decision. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation on: (1) the number of audits conducted in the previous 12 month period; (2) a breakdown of individuals audited by income, geography, and profession; and (3) the number of individuals who filed erroneous returns during the previous 12 month period.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act to direct the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science to conduct studies and surveys of the special library and information needs of children.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that any individual who would have been fully insured at age 62 may qualify for disability insurance benefits if such individual has 20 quarters of coverage, regardless of when such quarters were earned. States that such coverage requirement is an alternative to the requirement that an individual have 20 quarters of coverage during the 40-quarter period immediately preceding his disability.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Congressional Pay Raise Deferral Act - Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 and the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to provide that any adjustment in the rate of pay for Members of Congress proposed during any Congress shall not take effect earlier than the beginning of the next Congress. States that any such pay adjustment proposed in an even-numbered year of any Congress after the congressional elections and before the beginning of the following Congress, shall be considered as occurring during the first session of the following Congress for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to increase from three to five years the issuance and renewal periods for which broadcast station licenses shall be granted. Sets forth criteria for such renewal determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Railroad Right-of-Way Improvement Act of 1979 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide financial assistance during times of high unemployment for the purpose of providing employment for unemployed and underemployed persons in jobs maintaining or rebuilding railroad rights-of-way. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires such funds to be expended only for wages and employment benefits. Prohibits further obligation of such funds unless the rate of national unemployment (seasonally adjusted) has receded below six per cent for three consecutive months. Requires that applications for financial assistance for railroad right-of-way employment programs contain specified assurances. Directs the Secretary to transmit to Congress at least annually a detailed report setting forth the activities conducted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the National Trail System Act to authorize the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, and Transportation to conduct feasibility studies for the establishment of national scenic bicycle trails. Specifies the following routes to be studied: (1) United States Highway Number One from Maine to Florida; (2) United States Highway Number 30 from New Jersey to Oregon; and (3) United States Highway Number 101 from Washington State to California.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to stipulate that it is not an unfair labor practice for a labor organization, which has agreed upon a grievance procedure to settle disputes arising out of an existing collective bargaining agreement, to refuse to provide legal representation for any employee involved in any such settlement procedure, if such employee is not a member of such labor organization.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week beginning on the first Saturday after the first Tuesday in January of each year as "National Ski Week."
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States, and the District constituting the Seat of Government of the United States shall elect the President and Vice President. Requires each elector to cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. Requires the electors of President and Vice President in each State to have the qualifications requisite for electors of Members of Congress from that State except that for electors of President and Vice President, the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive residence qualifications and for electors of President and Vice President the Congress may establish uniform residence qualifications. Allows Congress to prescribe the qualifications for electors from the District of Columbia. Provides that the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected, if such number be at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast. Provides that if no pair of persons has such number, a runoff election shall be held in which the choice of President and Vice President shall be made from the two pairs of persons who received the highest number of votes. Requires the days for such elections to be determined by Congress and to be uniform throughout the United States. Requires Congress to prescribe by law the time, place, and manner in which the results for such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Declares that if the candidate entitled to election as President shall have died, the vice-presidential candidate elect shall be declared elected President. Allows Congress to provide for the case of the death or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Authorizes the President to designate October 17 through October 23, 1979, as "Anne Sullivan Week" in honor of the woman who was Helen Keller's teacher.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Grants Congress the power to disapprove any reprieve or pardon granted by the President. Requires each House of Congress to disapprove such reprieve or pardon by a two-thirds vote within 90 days.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that the duty to bargain collectively includes bargaining with respect to retirement benefits for retired employees.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends the Antidumping Act, 1921, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to determine whether there is reason to believe that imported goods are being sold in the United States or elsewhere at less than its fair market value within six months of the initiation of an investigation by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to withhold appraisement of imported goods when the Secretary determines to initiate such an investigation. Deletes the provision of Federal law which permits an extension of time to make such a determination. Requires the Secretary to make a final determination within two months regarding the sale of imported goods at less than fair value. Directs the Secretary to inform the International Trade Commission if the Secretary determines that the purchase price of imported goods is less, or likely to be less, than the foreign market value. Requires the Commission to investigate whether U.S. industry is being injured or less likely to be established due to such imported goods and to notify the Secretary of its determination within three months of the Secretary's determination. Stipulates that any special dumping duty on imported goods should be assessed within one year after the Secretary has made a finding that the purchase price of such goods is less than fair value.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Tax Equity Act of 1979 - Provides that the Secretary of the Treasury shall, within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the Committee on Ways and Means a draft of any technical and conforming changes in the Internal Revenue Code which should be made to reflect the substantive amendments made by this Act. Provides that every amendment made by this Act shall apply notwithstanding that its application may be contrary to the provisions of some treaty in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. Title I: Capital Gains and Losses - Repeals the alternative tax on long term capital gains for individuals, corporations, and life insurance companies. Provides, in lieu of the present 60 percent tax deduction for net long term capital gains, an exclusion from gross income of so much of the gain as does not exceed one half of one percent of the adjusted basis of property (capital assets or property used in a trade or business) at the time of its sale or exchange times the number of months such property is held over 12 months. Repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code related to the preferential tax treatment of long term capital gains. Allows the deduction of capital losses for corporations only to the extent of the gains which such corporations realize from the sale or exchange of capital assets and property used in its trade or business. Allows the deduction of capital losses for other taxpayers only to the extent of gains realized by such taxpayers plus the taxable income of the taxpayer or $3,000, whichever is smaller. Permits a one year carryover of net capital losses which exceed the limitations on deductibility in the current or preceding taxable years. Permits a three year carryback of such losses which are in excess of $10,000. Limits the deduction for net capital losses to the amount of the net capital gain in the year in which the loss is carried back. Allows a carryback of net capital losses without regard to the $10,000 limit for a decedent who sustains a capital loss in the year of his death. Allows the executor of a decedent's estate to include in the gross income of a decedent for his last taxable year any unrealized capital gains on a capital asset held by the decedent at the time of his death, if the decedent had a net capital loss during such year. Requires the amount of gain included in the decedent's gross income to be added to the adjusted basis of the property for purposes of computing the basis of property passing to the heirs. Provides that periodic income from the sale or exchange of patent rights shall be treated as royalties (ordinary income) rather than as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. Title II: Income Derived from Extraction of Minerals - Repeals the percentage depletion allowance for taxable years beginning after 1979. Allows an income tax deduction for expenditures (including intangible drilling costs) incurred in the exploration and development of mineral properties (including geothermal deposits), but only to the extent of taxable income derived from such properties. Terminates the income tax deductions for expenditures for the development of mines or other natural deposits (other than an oil or gas well) and for expenditures for mining exploration after 1979. Provides an exclusion from gross income of amounts derived from foreign mineral properties, provided that such income is not derived from: (1) a nonoperating mineral interest; (2) distributions received with respect to the stock of a corporation; and (3) amounts includible in gross income as undistributed profits of controlled foreign corporations. Limits the losses allowable from the disposition of mineral property to the extent of the gains from the sale or exchange of such properties during the taxable year. Title III: Reform Measures Affecting Primarily Individuals - Revises the income tax rates for individuals to limit the maximum rate to 50 percent. Provides, in lieu of certain itemized personal income tax deductions, an income tax credit equal to 30 percent of the itemized deductions which the taxpayer would normally take for the taxable year. Specifies those deductions which qualify as personal deductions. Limits to $10,000 the amount of interest and taxes paid on a personal residence which may qualify for the 30 percent credit. Allows a standard credit allowance (in lieu of the zero bracket amount) for taxpayers who do not itemize income tax deductions. Authorizes the President to increase or decrease by not more than two percent the amount of the credit if he determines that such action is in the public interest. Provides that either House of Congress may disapprove Presidential action to increase or decrease the credit. Requires a taxpayer who is claiming a child for purposes of the 30 percent income tax credit, to include in his gross income any income received by the child during the taxable year from a trust created by the taxpayer, and also any dividends, interest, or royalties received by the child from any property given to him by the taxpayer. Provides that shareholder-employees of closely held corporations must include in gross income: (1) that part of contributions paid by an employer-corporation (and deductible by it) to trusts, annuities, or bond purchase plans for the benefit of the shareholder-employee in excess of (a) the lesser of 15 percent of his compensation; or (b) $7,500, unless 75 percent of the contributions made during the year by the corporation under the plans are for the benefit of employees who are not shareholder-employees; (2) payments to an accident or health plan for the benefit of a shareholder- employee unless employees who are not shareholder-employees received 75 percent or more of all such payments made by the employer-corporation during the taxable year; and (3) the value of lodging and meals furnished by the employer-corporation. Repeals the $100 exclusion from gross income for dividend income. Requires a taxpayer who claims a business expense deduction for attendance at a foreign convention that such convention was: (1) directly related to the active conduct of his trade or business; and (2) more properly held outside the United States than within it, considering all the circumstances. Disallows any deduction for the expenses of attending a convention held on a cruise ship. Revises the formula for computing the income tax deduction for the maintenance of a vacation home to lower the amount of the allowable deduction. Limits the amount of the allowable income tax deduction attributable to farming to the gross income derived from the business of farming for a taxable year plus, in the case of an individual, the greater of $10,000 or the amount of the special deductions (taxes, interest, casualty or theft losses, drought losses, and capital losses) attributable to farming, or in the case of other taxpayers, the amount of the special deductions for the taxable year. Provides that the earnings and profits of a parent corporation, for the purpose of paying taxable dividends, shall not be less than the earnings and profits of the consolidated group for the taxable year. Provides for the recognition of gain from the transfer of appreciated property to a controlled corporation by a related corporation to the extent that such transfer qualifies as the payment of a dividend. Provides that stock options granted to officers and employees of a corporation will not have an ascertainable fair market value at the time they are granted unless such options are traded on a stock exchange or over the counter. Provides that an individual who establishes a trust for his minor children and retains an interest in such trust which will revert to him after ten years will be taxed on the interest which is distributed to his children during the ten year period. Extends to business enterprises formed to invest in real estate the rule which limits income tax deductions for business losses to amounts which such enterprises actually have at risk. Prohibits an individual from basing his estimated tax payments on the prior year's tax (or at the current year's rates applied to the prior year's facts) if in any one of the three preceding taxable years the tax shown on his return was in excess of $100,000. Treats a partnership which is required to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a comparable State agency after July 1, 1979, as a corporation for taxable years ending after the date of the filing of the registration statement. Title IV: Reform Measures Affecting Primarily Corporations - Repeals the investment tax credit with respect to property placed in service on or after January 1, 1980. Repeals the asset depreciation range system of computing the allowance for depreciation. Reinstates the reserve ratio test for determining the useful life of property subject to the allowance for depreciation. Prohibits a corporation from claiming an income tax deduction for depreciation which is greater than the amount of depreciation carried on its books for purposes of reporting earnings to shareholders. Limits the business expense deduction for repairs to the amount which a corporation reports on its books as current expenses. Limits the amount of the income tax deduction for dividends received by corporations to 85 percent of its taxable income computed without regard to the operating loss deduction or any capital loss carryback. Permits a carryover of any amount disallowed due to such limitation to the following taxable year. Provides that any dividend received by a corporation from an unaffiliated corporation shall be reduced, for purposes of the dividends received deduction, by the amount of any interest costs incurred to purchase or carry the stock of the unaffiliated corporation. Disallows the dividends received deduction for dividends received from an unaffiliated corporation to the extent that such dividends exceed the amount of dividends paid by the receiving corporation during the taxable year. Permits the nonrecognition of gain in the case of a corporation which distributes appreciated property in redemption of its stock pursuant to a court proceeding under the antitrust laws, if such stock was acquired before January 1, 1970. Repeals provisions permitting the nonrecognition of gain from the bulk sale of inventory in a 12 month corporate liquidation. Imposes a tax at the corporate level on a portion of the gain from the distribution of property by a corporation to tax-exempt shareholders pursuant to a 12 month liquidation. Permits the nonrecognition of gain from a distribution of corporate property pursuant to a plan of complete liquidation, if , at the time of the adoption of the plan, the corporation has more than 15 shareholders. Disqualifies as a tax free reorganization a transaction in which share-holders of a merging corporation own, as a result of such transaction, less than 20 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the surviving corporation. Terminates the special treatment of bad debt reserves of financial institutions after December 31, 1979. Taxes, on a current basis, the undistributed profits of a controlled foreign corporation to its domestic shareholders based upon each shareholder's pro rata share of such undistributed profits. Terminates the tax exemption for a domestic international sales corporation (DISC) after December 31, 1979. Reduces the basis of property owned by a corporation which is similar or related in service or use to property which has been involuntarily converted by the amount of gain which is not recognized as a result of the purchase of stock in such corporation. Prohibits a corporation from basing its estimated tax payments on the prior year's tax (or on the basis of the prior year's facts and the current year's rates) if in any one of the three preceding taxable years the tax shown on the corporation's return was in excess of $300,000. Disallows the income tax deduction for interest paid by banks and other financial institutions to depositors and other creditors to the extent that their investments in tax exempt bonds constitutes a percentage of their total assets. Title V: Reforms Affecting Individuals and Corporations - Repeals provision which permits the deduction of an individual's or corporation's income tax liability from the sum of the items of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Repeals provisions designating reserves for bad debts of financial institutions, percentage depletion, and capital gains as items of tax preference. Designates tax exempt interest on State and local bonds and the foreign tax credit as items of tax preference. Requires the inclusion in the gross income of a corporation the difference between the value on the open market of the use of the corporation's property or money and the amount charged to a shareholder for the use of such property or money. Treats such amount as a dividend to the shareholder. Disallows an income tax deduction for depreciation of a rental building to the extent that such depreciation would reduce the adjusted basis of the building below the unpaid balance of the mortgage on the land and building. Reduces the allowable amount of the charitable deduction for the contribution of appreciated property to a charitable organization by the amount of gain which would have been realized if the property contributed had been sold by the taxpayer at its fair market value. Requires the capitalization of expenditures attributable to the planting, cultivation, maintenance, or development of any fruit or nut grove, or any vineyard, and which is incurred before the time when the productive stage is reached. Repeals the tax exemption of foreign individuals or corporations which operate ships documented under the laws of a foreign country which grant an equivalent tax exemption to United States citizens or corporations. Empowers the Internal Revenue Service to conduct all civil proceedings involving the enforcement of the internal revenue laws in any court (including the United States Supreme Court). Title VI: Reforms Affecting Private Foundations and Estate and Gift Taxes - Provides that a trust shall not be treated as a public charity if the trustees have discretion to distribute as they see fit more than 50 percent of the trust income between two or more organizations named in the trust instrument as permissible beneficiaries. Treats an individual's contribution to a private foundation as public support only to the extent that such contribution does not exceed one-half of one percent of the foundation's support. Eliminates the five percent reversionary interest test for determining whether the value of trust property passing to its beneficiaries upon the death of the grantor will be included in the estate of the grantor. Requires the inclusion in the gross estate of a decedent the value of an annuity or other plan of compensation receivable by a beneficiary under an agreement of the decedent's employer which arose out of services rendered by the decedent, whether or not the beneficiary has an enforceable right to receive the compensation. Provides that the exclusion from the gross estate of a decedent of annuity payments attributable to employer contributions shall apply only if such payments go to the decedent's surviving spouse. Requires the inclusion of life insurance proceeds in the gross estate of a decedent in the proportion that the premiums paid by the decedent or his spouse bears to all premiums paid for the insurance. Limits the charitable estate tax deduction to the greater of $1,000,000 or 50 percent of the gross estate minus expenses for administration and payment of the decedent's debts. Excludes from the gross estate any transfer made by the decedent during his lifetime for which an estate tax charitable deduction is permitted. Permits the donor of property to a charitable organization a gift tax deduction for the value of such property even if he retains an interest in the property donated. Title VII: State and Local Obligations - Repeals the income tax exclusion for interest on State and local bonds issued after December 31, 1979. Provides that the Federal Government will pay 35 percent of the interest yield on State and local bonds, other than industrial development bonds, issued after December 31, 1979. Title VIII: Withholding of Income Tax on Dividends and Interest - Requires the withholding of income tax on interest and dividends equal to ten percent of such interest or dividends. Defines "interest" and "dividends" for purposes of this Title.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require House of Representatives committee reports on proposed legislation of a public character to contain statements estimating the reporting and recordkeeping requirements imposed on individuals, private industry, and State and local governments as a result of the enactment of such legislation. Prohibits the House of Representative from considering any legislation reported in the House unless it contains such a statement. Declares that the requirements of this Act shall be considered as part of the rules of the House.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week beginning on the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the new Department of Labor health and safety training regulations for miners places an undue burden on small store, sand, and gravel surface mining operations and should not apply to operations with 35 or fewer employees.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Loading - Unloading Act of 1979 - Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to stipulate that a motor carrier's duty to provide safe and adequate service shall not be construed to require a carrier to either load or unload perishable goods or goods exempt from such Act. Stipulates that motor carriers' tariffs may specify that the consignor shall load and unload shipments of exempt or perishable goods. Makes it a felony for persons engaged in loading and unloading perishable or exempt commodities to knowingly issue to the driver or carrier receipts for charges which contain false, fraudulent, or deceptive information regarding the identity of individuals performing such services. Makes it a felony for persons engaged in the operation of warehouses, parks, terminals, or distribution centers to knowingly permit any robbery, extortion, or extortionate practice in which drivers or carriers of transported property are subjected to threats of violence, physical damage, or undue delays with respect to the loading or unloading of any goods in facilities under their control.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1964 to exclude cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits from consideration as household income for purposes of determining: (1) eligibility for participation in the food stamp program; (2) the charge for issuing a coupon allotment to a household; and (3) eligibility for any Federal program administered by the Department of Agriculture which provides for the donation or distribution of surplus agricultural commodities to low-income persons.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to assure the individuals otherwise eligible for benefits under such title do not lose such eligibility, or have the amount of such benefits reduced, because of increases in the amount of benefits under title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Prohibits the consideration of any cost of living or general benefit increase of Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance benefits after May, 1977 for purposes of determining the eligibility for or amount of assistance which any individual or family is provided under the United States Housing Act of 1937, the National Housing Act, the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, or the Housing Act of 1949.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Religious and Charitable Donors' Tax Justice Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals to elect a nonrefundable income tax credit for charitable contributions in lieu of the current income tax deduction. Limits such credit to the lesser of 50 percent of the charitable contributions paid during the taxable year or $500.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual age 62 or over an exclusion from gross income of up to $3,000 of interest income that would otherwise be includible. Reduces the amount of the exclusion by one-half of the amount by which the individual's adjusted gross income exceeds $5,500.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Stipulates that income received from post-1974 Social Security cost-of-living increases shall be excluded in determining the eligibility of an individual for benefits under: (1) title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act; (2) title XI (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of such Act; (3) dependency and indemnity compensation plans for veteran's service connected deaths; (4) veterans' pension plans; (5) the Food Stamp Act of 1964; (6) the United States Housing Relief Act of 1937; or (7) any other Federal assistance program which conditions eligibility upon the income or resources of the applicant.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an annual cost-of-living adjustment, based on the Consumer Price Index, to the individual income tax rates and the personal exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Media and Individual Privacy Protection Act of 1979 - Title I: Media Source Protection - Prohibits courts, grand juries, State or Federal administrative bodies, State legislatures, or Congress from requiring journalists, newscasters, or print or broadcast organizations to disclose news or the source of any news gathered for publication or broadcast. Title II: Searches and Seizures Involving the Media and Individuals - Provides penalties for seeking evidence of a crime, under color of law and not incident to a lawful arrest, without first obtaining a subpoena. Permits a court to issue a search warrant if it finds at a hearing that there is probable cause that the person in control of the evidence has committed or is committing the crime to which the evidence relates or that the evidence sought would be destroyed, concealed, or altered. Stipulates that the fruits of an unlawful search or seizure shall not be admissible in any criminal proceeding. Authorizes aggrieved individuals to commence civil actions in U.S. district courts. Permits States to enact laws giving increased protection to the gathering or dissemination of news.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Requires, upon application by the insured, waiver of the payment of premiums for National Service Life Insurance during any time after which the insured has attained the age of 70 and has paid premiums on the insurance for not less than 25 years.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Grants a Federal charter to the Gold Star Wives of America. Declares that the purpose of such corporation is to aid widows and children of persons who died in the service of their country.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Title I: Authorizations and Miscellaneous Amendments - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize appropriations for specified programs and expenses of the Small Business Administration. States that all appropriations, whether specifically or generally authorized, shall remain available until expended. Authorizes the Administration to make disaster loans available to small business concerns affected by a shortage of energy-producing resources caused by a strike, boycott, or embargo unless such strike, boycott or embargo is directly against such small business concern. Makes specified low-interest disaster loans available until October 1, 1982. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to repeal the authority of the Administration to invest sums from the revolving fund for surety bond guarantees in Treasury bonds, obligations, and other guaranteed debt securities. Authorizes such investments from the revolving fund for qualified contract guarantees. Transfers specified provisions of the Act which established an Office of Advocacy within the Small Business Administration to the Small Business Act. Title II: Small Business Development Centers - Authorizes the Small Business Administration to make grants to States, State agencies, regional entities, State-chartered development credit corporations, and institutions of higher learning to assist in establishing Small Business Development Centers. Requires such grants to be matched in equal amounts by funds from non-Federal sources. Establishes additional restrictions on such grants for fiscal years 1979 through 1982. States that Small Business Development Centers shall have a full-time staff, business and technology analysts, information and professional specialists, and access to laboratory and engineering facilities. Requires such Centers to provide small businesses with business and technology counseling, information on government regulations, library services, and comprehensive studies and surveys. Directs federally funded laboratories and innovation centers to cooperate with the Small Business Development Centers. Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to appoint a Deputy Associate Administrator for Management and Technical Assistance to administer the Small Business Development Center program. Establishes a National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board consisting of nine civilian members. Sets forth provisions governing the appointment of members, a Chairman, meetings, and compensation of the Board. Directs the Small Business Administration to conduct an evaluation of the Development Center program and to submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress within three years. Title III: White House Conference on Small Business - White House Conference on Small Business Act - Directs the President to convene a White House Conference on Small Business by June 30, 1980, to identify the problems of small business concerns and to make recommendations for executive and legislative action. Requires the Conference to submit a report to the President and the Congress within one year of the date it convenes. Requires the Small Business Administration to report to the Congress within three years on the status and implementation of the findings and recommendations of the Conference. Authorizes appropriations for the expenses of the Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Press Protection Act - Prohibits any person acting under color of law, without a prior adversary court proceeding, from searching any place or seizing any things in the possession, custody, or control of any person engaged in the gathering or dissemination of news for the print or broadcast media, unless with a warrant issued by a court upon probable cause that such person has committed or is committing a criminal offense. Establishes a criminal fine of not more than $10,000 for violation of this Act, and creates a civil cause of action for any person aggrieved by a violation. Allows punitive damages of up to $10,000, and reasonable attorneys' fees.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to permit the National Committee of American Airmen Rescued by General Mihailovich to construct a monument to General Mihailovich on Federal public land within the District of Columbia or its environs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare, for distribution to taxpayers, brief but comprehensive pamphlets which set forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of taxpayers during an audit; (2) the procedures which the Internal Revenue Service may use in enforcing revenue laws; and (3) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file taxpayer complaints. Requires a copy of such pamphlet to accompany the first communication from the Service to any taxpayer regarding tax liability. Establishes within the Internal Revenue Service an Office of Taxpayer Services, directed by an Assistant Commissioner of Internal Revenue, whose primary responsibilities shall include: (1) assisting taxpayers with information about tax returns, audits corrections, appeals procedures, and payment or document location; and (2) receiving and evaluating complaints of improper, abusive, or inefficient service by Internal Revenue Service personnel. Authorizes the Assistant Commissioner for Taxpayer Services to issue a Taxpayer Assistance Order prohibiting the Secretary, for up to 60 days after such issuance, from taking any assessment, collection, or other action adverse to a taxpayer if the Assistant Commissioner determines that such taxpayer is suffering from an unusual, unnecessary, or irreparable loss as a result of such action. Prescribes criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation by employees of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws which inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual which are not directly related to such tax laws; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Creates a civil cause of action for any taxpayer aggrieved by a prohibited investigation, or by the deprivation of any civil rights. Permits the award of a judgment of costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, to a prevailing taxpayer in any proceeding before the Tax Court. Requires the Internal Revenue Service, upon a taxpayer's request, to conduct any interview regarding a deficiency assessment in the taxpayer's residence or place of business, at a reasonable time convenient to the taxpayer. Requires the officer or employee conducting such interview to warn the taxpayer that: (1) he has a right to remain silent; (2) any statement he makes may be used against him; and (3) he has the right to the presence of an attorney. Exempts certain income producing property from levy for nonpayment of taxes. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to establish, and to report annually to Congress on, a program to provide for a continuing audit and investigation of the efficiency, uniformity, and equity of the administration of the internal revenue laws of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Senior Citizens Health Insurance Standards Act of 1979 - Directs each State to submit to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare a plan specifying certain minimum standards applicable for the sale of health insurance to the elderly. Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary to conduct studies for the purpose of making recommendations to Congress concerning: (1) a uniform approach for regulating all private health insurance offered to the aged and disabled; and (2) the feasibility of health insurance coverage under title XVIII in addition to the coverage now provided under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of such title.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Fair Meat Trading Act of 1979 - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, within 120 days of passage, to report to Congress his recommendations for alternative substitute procedures involving the marketing and pricing of meat commodities, including: (1) the banning of formula base pricing, that is, all buying and selling where price is based or determined by the quote of a market price reporting service, not by agreement between the parties to the trade; and (2) a system for electronic base marketing as part of a centralized national market system. Requires a minimum three-year maintenance of all records necessary to carry out this Act, or a longer period if the Secretary so directs. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Meat Industry Marketing Standards Board: (1) to recommend standards of identity for meat commodities and other appropriate terms and rules necessary for orderly trading on any centralized national market which may be established for the trading of all meat commodities; and (2) to develop and present to the Secretary proposals relating to market price reporting services. Requires the Board to consider: (1) establishing a volume standard as a basis for price reporting; and (2) proscribing formula based trading using only one market news reporting service. Requires licensing by the Secretary of any market price reporting service for meat commodities, for renewable terms of three years. Requires every trader in meat commodities to furnish full and accurate information concerning all trades to all licensed market price reporting services in any transaction over carload lots in excess of 35,000 pounds (and any other transaction when such trader is contacted by a licensed market price reporting service), except when traded on a centralized market. Requires, if requested, confirmation of such information in writing to such reporting service within 48 hours. Directs the Packers and Stockyards Administration to audit the records of authorized market price reporting services at least once 30 days after licensing is granted, and at least once a year thereafter. Requires a good faith effort by each licensed service to obtain an accurate sampling of all items reported in its sheet or disseminated to its customers in any manner. Establishes administrative and criminal penalties for: (1) the furnishing of false information; (2) the manipulation of prices or figures shown on any market price reporting service; and (3) other specified violations of the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to subpoena documents and witnesses, and to grant immunity to witnesses, to secure effective enforcement of this Act, or to carry out any investigation or proceeding authorized by it.
![Official portrait of Rep. Conte, Silvio O. [R-MA-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000709_200.jpg)