United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1979
Maritime Education and Training Act of 1979 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 to integrate existing provisions of Federal law concerning maritime education and training by the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Academy), State maritime colleges, and civilian nautical schools. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish minimum requirements and a system of competition for selecting candidates to the Academy. Prohibits granting any preference in the selection process to members of the families of Academy alumni. Requires the Panama Canal Commission to nominate candidates from the areas and installations made available to the United States pursuant to the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and related agreements. Authorizes the Secretary to make a limited number of noncompetitive appointments to the Academy each year. Requires each candidate who is a U.S. citizen, as a condition of appointment, to sign an agreement committing the candidate: (1) to complete instruction at the Academy; (2) to obtain and maintain an officer's license in the United States merchant marine for six years following graduation; (3) to apply for and, if tendered, accept a six-year appointment as a commissioned officer in the United States Naval Reserve; (4) in lieu of such appointment, to serve the U.S. national defense or foreign commerce for five years; and (5) to report to the Secretary on compliance with such agreement. Authorizes the Secretary to order any cadet who violates the agreement to active duty to serve the unexpired portion of required service. Authorizes the chairmen of the congressional committees having legislative jurisdiction over the Academy to designate committee staff members as staff members for the Board of Visitors of the Academy. Directs the Governors of the States or territories cooperating to sponsor a regional college to identify the State or territory to conduct the affairs of such college. Declares that a regional maritime college is eligible for Federal assistance on the same basis as a State maritime college. Authorizes the Secretary: (1) to pay the costs to such a regional or State college (college) for fuel used for training cruises; and (2) to provide for training of college students on Government-owned and subsidized vessels or other vessels. Requires the Secretary to assist the colleges with the operation and maintenance of new vessels. Stipulates that a college, as a condition for receiving Federal assistance or a training vessel, must require Students to pass the examination for an entry-level merchant marine officer's license. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to appoint students graduating from a college which receives Federal assistance as Reserve midshipmen of the U.S. Navy or to commission such students as Reserve ensigns in the Navy. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to college students. Requires that each student receiving a loan agree to certain conditions concerning use of the loan and post-graduate service obligations. Declares that such a loan shall be forgiven if the student: (1) completes all terms of the loan agreement; or (2) is separated from the college because of failure to meet the academic requirements of the college or the physical requirements for a merchant marine officer's license. Allows the Secretary to waive payment of the loan under specified circumstances. Includes service as an administrative enrollee of the United States Maritime Service (USMS) as Federal service for those enrollees appointed to civil service positions. Stipulates that: (1) such USMS service shall be counted either toward one periodic step increase or toward one additional step increase; and (2) after appointment to the civil service such enrollees are not entitled to certain USMS travel and health benefits. Authorizes the Secretary: (1) to lend surplus shipping equipment to the Academy, colleges, or other approved merchant marine training schools for instructional purposes; (2) to utilize resources of other Federal agencies, with the consent of such agencies, for maritime-education purposes; and (3) to employ instructors for maritime-education courses without regard to specified provisions of Federal law concerning the classification of civil service positions and General Schedule pay rates. Repeals certain provisions of Federal law relating to marine education and training.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the standard mileage rate used in computing the charitable deduction for expenses incurred in the operation of a motor vehicle shall be the same as the standard mileage rate established by the Secretary of the Treasury for the business related deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $250 ($500 in the case of a joint return) of interest income earned on a savings account in a financial institution. Specifies that such exclusion shall take effect in 1983 and provides for the exclusion of gradually increasing amounts of interest for taxable years beginning in 1980 through 1982. Excludes estates and trusts from eligibility for the tax exclusion. Increases the amount of the tax exclusion for dividends received by individuals to $150 in 1981, $200 in 1982, and $250 thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1979
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit the adoption of any concurrent resolution on the budget which sets forth a level of total budget outlays in excess of 21 percent of the gross national product in fiscal year 1981, or 20 percent of the gross national product for each fiscal year thereafter. Establishes procedures to enable the President and the Congress to suspend such limitations on the level of budget outlays.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a refundable income tax credit equal to one-third of the total cost during the taxable year of heating oil purchased by such individuals for use in a residence for residential purposes. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $400 for the taxable year. Reduces the amount of such credit by one percent of the amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $20,000. Provides for the termination of the credit for taxable years ending after December 31, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1979
Small Business Innovation Research Act of 1979 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop an information program to assure that each qualified small business concern has the opportunity to participate in the Federal agency Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs. Requires the SBA to report annually to the appropriate committees of Congress on the SBIR programs. Requires each Federal agency having an annual research and development budget of more than $100,000,000 to establish an SBIR program where one-half of one percent of its 1980 research and development budget and one percent of its subsequent budgets would be reserved for contract awards to small business firms specifically in connection with the SBIR program. Sets forth responsibilities of each such Federal agency with respect to the administration of an SBIR program as follows: (1) determine categories of projects; (2) issue SBIR solicitations; (3) receive and evaluate proposals; (4) select awardees for SBIR contracts; (5) administer such contracts; (6) make payments to SBIR contractors; and (7) make quarterly reports on the SBIR program to the SBA. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $20,000,000 to establish goals specifically for awards of contracts for research and development to small business concerns. Allows such agencies to include the value of SBIR contracts in determining whether such goals are met. Prohibits contract awards to small business concerns for research and development which result from competitive or single source selections other than under an SBIR program to be counted as meeting any portion of the percentage requirements established pursuant to this Act. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in conjunction with the SBA and the National Science Foundation, to issue regulations which shall: (1) provide a simplified acquisition process for the program with SBIR requests for proposals being standardized throughout the Federal Government; and (2) include uniform requirements for patent rights and rights in data.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1979
Fuel Assistance Act of 1979 - Title I: Fuel Assistance for Low-Income and Elderly Households - Directs the Secretary of Health. Education, and Welfare (HEW), in cooperation with the Secretary of Energy, the Director of the Community Services Administration, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to establish procedures for determining the needs of eligible low- income and elderly households for increased weatherization and other energy-related assistance and for providing such assistance on a time basis. Earmarks specified funds for the purpose of creating public information and outreach programs designed to ensure maximum participation in the energy assistance program established under this Act. Directs the Secretary of HEW, acting through the Social Security Administration, to establish a program to provide assistance to low-income and elderly households for meeting primary residential fuel costs. Sets forth criteria for determining the amount of such assistance, and requirements for eligibility. Specifies that the amount or value of benefits provided under such program shall not be considered income or resources for any purposes under any Federal or State law. Establishes a system of making payments to fuel suppliers supplying fuel to eligible recipients. Requires such suppliers to provide specified information to the appropriate State agency in order to qualify for such payments. Provides that such program shall be administered by the appropriate State agency according to an agreement between such agency and the Secretary, or, in the absence of such agreement, by the Secretary in accordance with regulations. Requires suppliers to keep full records and submit them to the Comptroller General as needed for auditing purposes. Prohibits suppliers from refusing to sell fuel to eligible participants solely on the basis of their participation in the fuel assistance programs established under this Act. Prohibits suppliers from terminating supplies of primary residential fuel to eligible households except in accordance with specified procedures. Imposes criminal penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations necessary to carry out this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such fuel assistance program. Directs the Director of the Community Services Administration to establish a crisis intervention program to supplement the fuel assistance program with evacuation procedures, emergency shelter, home repair, or payment of bills. Authorizes appropriations for such crisis intervention for fiscal years 1980 through 1982. Title II: Middle-Income Energy Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit to eligible taxpayers for amounts paid for heating oil for principal residences.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Title I: Contracts Between Sales Representatives and Principals - Requires a principal to furnish specified information to a sales representative concerning orders placed through the representative's account and a monthly accounting of commissions due such representative. Enumerates items which must be set forth in any contract between a sales representative and a principal. Title II: Indemnification - Exempts principals conforming with such information requirements from the indemnification provisions set forth in this Act. Requires a principal who, without good cause, terminates a contract between such principal and a sales representative, or reduces the rate of commission for orders solicited on behalf of such principal, to indemnify the representative according to this Act. Requires a principal who reduces the size of the geographic territory assigned to a representative for a specified account, which results in a specified reduction in commissions, to indemnify such representative. Sets forth formulae for the indemnification of such representatives. Title III: Miscellaneous - Allows a plaintiff to bring an action to enforce any rights or liabilities created by this Act in a United States district court. Stipulates the procedure for such action.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1979
North Pacific Fur Seal Protection Act of 1979 - Title I: Termination of Convention - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Interim Convention on the Conservation of North Pacific Fur Seals should not be continued. Declares that the President should terminate such Convention and enter into negotiations for an international agreement banning all killing of such seals. Title II: Protection of Seals - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Pribilof Wildlife Refuge. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to designate that part of the fishery conservation zone extending seaward of the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, as a marine sanctuary. Prohibits the taking of seals within such Refuge and marine sanctuary, unless by the natives for subsistence purposes. Sets forth sanctions for violations of these provisions. Directs the Secretaries to employ, to the greatest extent possible, Pribilof Islands natives as rangers and guides. Stipulates that this title shall become effective upon termination of the Convention. Title III: Advisory Council; Social Services Programs - Provides for the establishment of an advisory committee to study and recommend to Congress alternative means of developing a livelihood for Pribilof Islands natives in lieu of the taking of seals, upon the termination of the Convention. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to assure that the income of Pribilof Islands natives engaged in the taking of seals be maintained, after the prohibition on the taking of seals takes effect. Title IV: Other Provisions of Law - Repeals title I (Conservation and Protection of North Pacific Fur Seals) of the Fur Seal Act of 1966. Stipulates that the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 shall not apply if the taking of seals is prohibited under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1979
Consumer Checking Account Equity Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize member banks in the Federal Reserve System and federally insured nonmember banks to make automatic funds transfers from a savings deposit to a demand deposit pursuant to the written authorization of the depositor to make such transfers in connection with checks or drafts drawn upon the bank. Authorizes federally insured banks and savings and loan associations, State banks and savings and loan associations, savings banks, and mutual savings banks to offer interest-bearing deposits or accounts upon which the depositor may make withdrawals by negotiable instrument for the purpose of making transfers to third parties (NOW accounts). Stipulates that such deposits or accounts may only be held by individuals or nonprofit organizations. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to permit Federal savings and loan associations and Federal mutual savings banks to establish remote service units pursuant to regulations of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Authorizes such associations to extend loans directly related to negotiable order of withdrawal accounts. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to require any institution which has subscribed for the stock of a Federal Home Loan Bank to maintain reserves against its negotiable order of withdrawal accounts pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Prescribes the required form of such balances. Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to permit insured credit unions to offer share draft deposits to individuals and nonprofit organizations in accordance with regulations prescribed by the National Credit Union Administration Board. Requires each Federal credit union to maintain reserves against such deposits in amounts and forms prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1979
Social Security Payroll Credit Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers, employees, and self-employed individuals an income tax credit equal to 20 percent of the amount of social security taxes paid by such individuals in 1980 and 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Campaign Contribution Reform Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any multicandidate political committee (other than a multicandidate committee of a political party) from making contributions to a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress and his or her authorized committees which in any calendar year exceeds: (1) $5,000 with respect to any general or special election and a primary election relating to such election; or (2) $7,500 (but not more than $5,000 for one election) with respect to a general or special election and both a primary and runoff election relating to such election. Prohibits a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress or any authorized political committee from accepting contributions from political committees, other than committees of a political party, aggregating more than $50,000 in any calendar year, except in the case of a candidate who is a candidate in a general election and a special election, such candidate may accept such contributions aggregating: (1) $50,000 with respect to such general and any primary election relating to such general election; and (2) $50,000 with respect to such special election and any primary election relating to such special election. Specifies that any contribution made in a year, other than the calendar year in which the election is held, is considered to be made in the calendar year in which such election is held, and any contribution made after the date of such election shall be considered a contribution with respect to such election only if such contribution is used to pay obligations incurred with respect to such election. Specifies that any extension of credit for goods or services relating to advertising on broadcasting stations, in newspapers or magazines, by direct mail or other similar types of general public political advertising shall be considered a contribution, if such extension of credit is: (1) in an amount of more than $1,000; and (2) for a period of more than 30 days.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1979
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a standing Committee on Energy to investigate and report on: (1) energy production and conservation policy; (2) energy regulation; (3) energy research and development; (4) natural gas and oil production; (5) coal production, distribution, and utilization; (6) hydroelectric power; (7) solar power systems; (8) nonmilitary development of nuclear energy; (9) naval petroleum reserves; (10) energy- related aspects of deep-water ports; and (11) studies, reviews, and reports relating to energy matters.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1979
Amends the Walsh-Healey Act to permit government contractors to have their employees work a four-day workweek consisting of four ten-hour days. Amends the Contract Work Hours Standards Act to revise wage and overtime guidelines to accommodate such a workweek.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1979
Research Modernization Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish within the National Institutes of Health a National Center for Alternative Research to develop and coordinate alternative methods of research and testing which do not involve the use of live animals. Directs that the Center will be managed by a Director who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and that the head of any Federal agency which conducts or sponsors research or testing involving the use of live animals shall appoint one employee to serve as a member of the Center. Requires the Center to submit annual plans to the Secretary which shall include: (1) the identification and development of alternative methods of research and testing which do not involve the use of live animals; (2) directives to agencies which conduct or sponsor such research or testing; (3) an evaluation of the activities of the Center; and (4) an evaluation of the extent to which the goals of the plan have been achieved. Requires the Secretary to submit a report annually to Congress summarizing the plan. Requires the Secretary to make and publish in the Federal Register descriptions of alternative methods of testing which meet the regulatory scientific needs of the agencies and which have been reported in summary or plan. Prohibits the use of Federal funds to sponsor research or testing involving the use of live animals if alternative methods have been published in the Federal Register or if such work duplicates work performed by another agency. Requires each agency conducting research involving the use of live animals to: (1) implement a program to develop and utilize alternative methods of research and testing that would reduce or eliminate reliance on the use of live animals; (2) implement a program to develop and utilize methods which minimize or eliminate the pain, suffering, and fear of animals used in such research and testing; and (3) make grants and enter into contracts with educational institutions to establish courses for the training of scientists in methods of research and testing which do not involve the use of live animals.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Amends the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 to increase the labor cost limitations for weatherization materials for which financial assistance may be provided under such Act in areas where the Secretary of Energy determines that there is an insufficient number of volunteers, training participants, and public service workers available to work on weatherization projects. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to waive the requirement relating to assurances that applicants for weatherization assistance will use such funds to supplement, and not supplant, State and local funds where he makes the determination described above. Makes inapplicable the limitation on the amount of weatherization assistance allowed to be used for repair to a dwelling to make such weatherization effective if the State policy advisory council requests the Secretary of Energy to increase such amount.
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
Establishes the Boston Harbor National Recreation Area, and describes its boundaries. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Commission to prepare a plan for the development, maintenance, and management of the recreation area within one year after enactment. Authorizes the appropriation of not to exceed $200,000 for each fiscal year for the preparation of such plan. Requires the plan to include recommendations: (1) for the development of public recreational facilities; (2) for the preservation of significant natural and historic resource areas; (3) for expanded public water access to and between the Boston Harbor Islands; and (4) for the identification of the units of State or local government which will be responsible for implementing the plan. Prohibits the plan from proposing an expenditure of Federal funds in excess of $20,000 (exclusive of funds available under any existing Federal plan) for such implementation. Requires the Commission to submit its plan to the Secretary within one year after its establishment. Specifies the standards and procedure for approval or disapproval of such draft plan. Establishes a special account in the Treasury of the United States to hold moneys for grants to State or local governmental units implementing such plan. Requires that $20,000,000 from revenues due and payable to the United States under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act or under the Act of June 4, 1920 (41 Stat. 813) be covered into such account.
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 · 27 June 1979
Animal Welfare Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit coursing (the use of live animals as visual lures in dog racing and training). Sets forth the penalties for violation of this Act. Exempts any dog trained by the use of any live visual lure, or sponsored or exhibited in a coursing venture, or any animal used as a live visual lure in a coursing venture before the effective date of this Act from the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should call upon Paraguay to apprehend and extradite Josef Mengele to stand trial in the Federal Republic of Germany.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) former President Richard M. Nixon should pay the United States $66,614.03 for federally-funded improvements to his California estate (known as La Casa Pacifica) which were not made for security purposes; and (2) the President and the Attorney General should attempt to recover such sum.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. delegation to the 1980 Madrid meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe to seek free elections supervised by the United Nations in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, after the withdrawal of all Soviet military and civilian personnel. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should inform and gain the support and cooperation of other nations in realizing independence for the Baltic States. Expresses the sense of Congress that the: (1) President should warn the Soviet Union against making citizenship claims on U.S. citizens; and (2) Secretary of State should inform U.S. citizens planning to visit the Soviet Union of the implications of the Soviet law on citizenship.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1979
Elderly Homeowner's Relief Act - Amends the Home Owner's Loan Act of 1933 to permit Federal savings and loan associations to offer reverse annuity mortgages on the security of first liens upon residential real property in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Requires the regulations issued by the Board to include provisions which: (1) entitle applicants to withdraw without penalty from the mortgage agreement within 17 days of its consummation; (2) assure notice to consumers of all contingencies under the terms of the mortgage in the event of default; (3) provide all applicants an opportunity for refinancing at the end of the mortgage term; (4) allow prepayment at any one time without penalty; (5) require all associations to purchase annuities from an insurance company licensed by the State of their incorporation; (6) prohibit any variable interest rate on the mortgage loan; and (7) require applicants to receive a written notice of the terms of the mortgage loan containing specified provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Defense Production Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to authorize the President to allow the Department of Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority to guarantee loans for the purpose of expediting deliveries or services with respect to national defense contracts. Increases the maximum loan which any Federal agency may guarantee under such Act without the approval of Congress from $20,000,000 to $38,000,000. Requires notification to specified Congressional committees of any proposed obligation above such limit. Authorizes the agency involved to guarantee such a loan if neither House of Congress disapproves of such action within a specified time. Authorizes the President to provide loans to private business enterprises for the production of energy. Increases the ceiling for loans made to private enterprises pursuant to such Act from $25,000,000 to 48,000,000. Extends the President's power under such Act to purchase raw materials for the national defense through fiscal year 1995. Directs the President to attempt to achieve a national production goal of at least 500,000 barrels per day crude oil equivalent of synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks within five years. Authorizes and directs the President to require fuel and chemical feedstock suppliers to provide synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks in any case where the President deems it practicable and necessary to meet national defense needs. Authorizes the President, in carrying out these objectives, to: (1) contract for purchases or commitments to purchase synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks which may be for Government use or resale; and (2) encourage the development and production of such synthetic fuels and feedstocks for national defense preparedness. Terminates the President's authority to enter into such contracts at the end of fiscal year 1995. Sets forth procedures for the awarding and performance of such contracts. Authorizes the President to organize corporations to meet the production goal for synthetic fuels and feedstocks as set forth in this Act. Sets forth Congressional oversight measures with respect to the formation of such corporations. Authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000,000 for synthetic fuel and feedstock contracts as authorized pursuant to this Act. Extends specified provisions of such Act through fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Expresses the congressional intention that the President initiate negotiations with other oil importing nations to establish a Council of Oil Importing Nations to negotiate for reasonable oil prices with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Directs the President to develop and submit to such Council a set of appropriate sanctions to be used by such Council to encourage compliance with negotiated oil prices. Requires the President to report to Congress concerning progress with such negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1979
Oil Independence Act of 1979 - Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a program for the production and marketing of industrial hydrocarbons and motor fuels derived from agricultural commodities, forest products, coal, coal tars, and solid waste. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee loans, not to individually exceed $15,000,000, for each of twenty plants to be constructed for such purposes by public, private, or cooperative organization. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to expand the range of activities for which alcohol and industrial hydrocarbon production and marketing research grants may be made, to include research in solid waste and forest product and research relating to the identification and development of by-products from such production.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Amends the Lanham Trademark Act to prohibit any State, territory, or any agency or political subdivision thereof, from adopting, enforcing, or continuing in effect any law or regulation which requires the display of any registered mark in a manner differing from that contemplated in the certificate of registration.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1979
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a special postage stamp in honor of Filippo Mazzei, and in tribute to the millions of Americans of Italian descent who have played an important role in American history.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1979
Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act of 1979 - Requires each organization which expends more than $5,000 per quarter year for lobbying purposes to register with the Comptroller General and to update annually such registration. Requires the identification of certain persons retained for such lobbying purposes. Requires such organization to file quarterly reports concerning such lobbying activities including: (1) listing of total lobbying expenditures including each expenditure over $35 made to or for the benefit of any Federal officer, congressional employee, or Member of Congress; (2) the identification of retainees of an organization or certain employees making lobbying communications and the disclosure of certain expenditures; (3) a description of the issues for which such an organization has lobbied; and (4) known business contacts with the person whom such organization is attempting to influence. Requires that the final quarterly report identify by amount each organization which contributed $3,000 or more to the reporting organization, unless the reporting organization proves that such identification would subject the contributing organization to harassment. Exempts certain tax-exempt organizations from such reporting requirement. Specifies duties of the Comptroller General concerning the management of such disclosed information which include making copies of each registration and report required by this Act available for public inspection and copying. Makes any person who knowingly violates the registration, recordkeeping, or reporting requirements of this Act subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $100,000. Authorizes the Attorney General to institute a civil action to compel compliance with all such requirements. Directs Attorney General to notify and consult a person suspected of violating such requirements before commencing such action. Authorizes the Attorney General to issue a civil investigative demand requiring a person suspected of violating this Act to produce specific documentary material. Sets forth the procedure governing the service of such a demand and the custody of the documentary material. Permits the Attorney General to petition the court for an order to enforce such demand and permits the person served with such demand to petition for a court order to modify the demand. Directs the Comptroller General to transmit reports to the President and each House of the Congress no later than March 31 of each year concerning activities under this Act. Provides a Congressional veto of rules and regulations promulgated by the Comptroller General pursuant to this Act. Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act and specified provisions of the Legislative Reorganization Act. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,600,000 for each of the fiscal years 1981-1983.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify a replacement oil boiler whose energy savings cost can reasonably be expected to exceed its cost over a ten year period for the investment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to stipulate that the institute currently authorized to conduct research on neurological diseases shall be named the "National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke." Requires at least $16,000,000 of the sums appropriated for such Institute to be obligated for research in the area of regeneration of the spinal cord.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the major oil companies should continue to provide supplies and other services to independent oil dealers so that such dealers may continue their summer fill-up programs of home heating oil.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Forest Fuel Utilization Act of 1979 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants through the rural forestry assistance program of the Forest Service to States for the employment of additional State foresters or equivalent State officials. Requires the Secretary to determine the number of woodlot owners in each State. Authorizes the Secretary to make forest fuel utilization training programs available to State foresters, or equivalent State officials, in States in which forest growth is underutilized and in which there is a potential for the utilization of wood as a fuel in place of oil. Directs: (1) the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to increase the assistance and information provided to the Forest Service by the Department of Energy; and (2) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to develop a plan to increase the managerial assistance and information provided to small woodlot owners and wood fuel distributors and marketers by the Small Business Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 to include in the definitions of the terms "United States" and "State" the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any other territory or possession over which the United States has jurisdiction. Directs the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to implement and administer a national recreational boating safety and facilities improvement program. Authorizes the Secretary to allocate funds to States for accepted State recreational boating safety and facilities improvement programs if sufficient State matching funds are available. Directs the Secretary to accept State programs that include: (1) an approved vessel numbering system; (2) a cooperative boating safety assistance program with the Coast Guard; (3) sufficient patrol to enforce applicable State laws; (4) boating safety education; (5) a State agency to implement or coordinate the program and report to the Secretary; and (6) facilities improvement. Sets forth formulas for the allocation of funds among the States. Establishes in the Treasury a National Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Fund from which the Secretary may allocate funds for accepted State programs. Authorizes appropriations for such State programs of $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1981 through 1984. Amends the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer certain amounts from the taxes received from special motor fuels and gasoline used in motorboats to the National Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow homeowners a nonrefundable income tax credit for expenses paid or incurred to make alterations to their residences for the purpose of making such residences more accessible to, and usable by, a handicapped individual who is either the taxpayer, his spouse, or a dependent of the taxpayer. Limits the amount of such credit, for each such handicapped individual, to the lesser of $1,000 or an amount which, when added to previous year's credits, does not exceed $5,000. Reduces the amount of such credit by one-half of the amount by which the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer exceeds $20,000 ($35,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly). Defines "handicapped individual" as any individual who has a medically identifiable mental or physical impairment which can be expected to result in death or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months, and which substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual. Requires the handicapped individual to live in the principal residence for which the alterations are made for not less than a nine month period during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1979
Exempts classroom performances or displays of a work by instructors or pupils of any educational institution (presently a nonprofit educational institution) from copyright royalty requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should seek the establishment of an international food cartel made up of the major food exporting countries which would negotiate with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries for reasonable oil prices.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit equal to 75 percent of the amounts paid by blind, deaf, or speech-impaired individuals for use of toll telephone service by means of teletypewriters. Allows an income tax deduction for 50 percent of the expenses of purchasing or installing a teletypewriter which are incurred by blind, deaf, or speech-impaired individuals. Limits the amount of such deduction to $200 for each teletypewriter.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1979
Omnibus Solar Energy Commercialization Act of 1979 - Establishes a national goal for the increased use of renewable energy resources as a part of the Nation's total energy supply in the year 2000. Defines the term "passive solar energy system" to mean space heating and cooling systems making the most efficient use of, or enhancing the use of, natural forces including solar insulation, winds, nighttime coolness, and cooling by radiation to the night sky, to heat or cool living space by the use of conductive, convective or radiant energy transfer. Describes several types of passive solar energy systems. States that it shall be the policy of the Secretary of Energy to utilize State and local government organizations, Energy Extension Services, regional Solar Energy Research Centers, and other such entities in providing information services, training, education and other services to the public and to persons involved in the development and commercialization of solar energy systems. Directs the Secretary to establish the Solar Heating and Cooling Information Center to provide information services to the public and to the entities listed above, including: (1) retrieval and dissemination of solar energy development and commercialization materials; (2) development of materials specifically designed to assist architects, builders, installers, manufacturers and others involved in solar energy development and commercialization; and (3) development of training and education programs specifically designed for such purposes. Directs Federal agency heads responsible for construction of new civilian Federal buildings to require the utilization of active and passive solar energy systems unless it is determined that such systems are not cost effective, according to a specified formula. Directs the head of each Federal agency operating a fueling station for civilian gasoline motor vehicles to require that such stations only dispense a ten percent alcohol and gasoline mixture. Requires that the same alcohol-gasoline mixture be dispensed by retail gasoline supply outlets operated by Federal agencies. Authorizes the Administrators of the Alaska Power Administration, the Bonneville Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, and the Western Area Power Administration to purchase power from proposed non-federally constructed generating facilities utilizing renewable energy resources. Authorizes such Administrators to construct and operate non-hydroelectric generating facilities, provided that the Administrator has made a public offer to purchase or guarantee the purchase of power from a comparable non-federally constructed facility and has received no offer from a non-Federal entity to construct such a facility. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Energy a Solar Energy Development Corporation with the same corporate powers given the Government National Mortgage Association. Sets forth the purposes of the Solar Corporation to provide financial initiatives to promote the use of renewable energy resources, including subsidies of long-term, low-interest loans. Sets forth terms and conditions of and limits on the amount of such loans. Amends the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 to include within the definition of "weatherization materials" materials associated with passive and active solar energy systems.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1979
Infant Nutrition Act of 1979 - Prohibits the sale, distribution, or export of infant formula to any developing country on a list to be published by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), unless pursuant to an export license. Sets forth the application procedure for such licenses and the conditions which must be met before such applications will be approved. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to issue and renew such licenses after notification by the FTC of its approval. Provides for revocation of such license if the Secretary is notified that the sale of infant formula would contribute to morbidity or mortality in early infancy. Requires licensees to report the quantities of infant formula sold under the license to the Secretary. Prohibits the sale, distribution, or export of infant formula to any developing country unless the formula containers contain specified instructions and information. Makes it unlawful for U.S. persons to promote, directly or indirectly, the sale of infant formula in any developing country. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Donnelly, Brian J. [D-MA-11]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000416_200.jpg)