United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1980
Residential Rental Housing Tax Incentive Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer election to depreciate new residential rental property under the straight line method based on a period of 120 months. Exempts residential property, residential rental property, and low-income housing from the requirement that construction period interest and taxes related to such property be amortized instead of deducted currently. Expands eligibility for accelerated depreciation of rehabilitation expenditures for all types of rental housing, not just low-income rental housing. Increases the amount of depreciable rental housing rehabilitation expenditures to $30,000.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 1980
Amends the Revenue Act of 1978 to extend until January 1, 1983, the period during which individuals who have not been treated as employees by their employers shall not be treated as such for purposes of the employment tax.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of the Treasury should exercise his regulatory authority by designating energy efficient wood-burning stoves as eligible for the residential energy tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980
Declares that the people of Poland should be allowed to settle their own affairs, including the formation of independent trade unions and the right to strike, without foreign interference.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1980
Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 - Declares that Congress approves and ratifies any transfer of land or other natural resource located anywhere within the United States from, by, or on behalf of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, or any of their members. States that Congress approves any such transfer within the State of Maine from, by, or on behalf of any individual Indian prior to December 1, 1873. Extinguishes the aboriginal title and any Indian claims to such lands. Establishes in the Treasury the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Fund to be held in trust by the Secretary of the Interior equally for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation. Directs the Secretary to accept reasonable terms for investment and administration of such Fund proposed by the Tribe or Nation. Authorizes either Tribe or Nation to obtain judicial review in the United States District Court for the District of Maine of any refusal by the Secretary to comply with such terms. Prohibits the distribution of the principal of the Fund to either Tribe or Nation or to their members. Requires the Secretary to make available, on a quarterly basis, any income derived from such Fund to the Tribe or Nation, and directs that a specified amount be expended annually for the benefit of members who are over the age of sixty. Establishes in the Treasury the Maine Indian Claims Land Acquisition Fund to be held in trust by the Secretary. Provides that a specified amount of the principal be held for the benefit of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to be used to purchase 5,000 acres of Maine woodland, and the balance of such principal to be held in trust equally for Tribe and Nation. Requires the principal and income derived from such Fund to be used explicitly for the purpose of land acquisition. Provides that if the Houlton Band ceases to exist, any land acquired for them shall be divided equally and held in trust for the Tribe or Nation. Exempts, with specific exceptions, any Indian lands in Maine from restraint on alienation by virtue of being held in trust. Makes void any transfer of land within the Passamaquoddy or Penobscot Indian territories or transfers of individual Indian assignment between the Tribe or Nation without the consent of such Tribe or Nation and approval of the Secretary. Stipulates that such consent and approval extend only to: (1) transfers of timber and other natural resources; (2) land leases not to exceed 50 years; (3) exchanges of lands; and (4) transfers of land from which the proceeds are reinvested in land within two years of receipt. Requires the Secretary to accept reasonable terms from the Tribe or Nation for management and administration of lands acquired and held in trust for such Indians. Authorizes such Indians to obtain judicial review of any refusal by the Secretary to accept such terms. Directs the Secretary to reinvest any money received from the taking of Indian lands by the state of Maine or the United States in other lands with the approval of the affected Tribe, Nation, or Band. Declares all Indians, other than the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation and their members, to be subject to the civil and criminal laws of the State. Subjects the Tribe and Nation to the jurisdiction of the State to the extent provided by the Maine Implementing Act. Declares that Congress approves, ratifies, and confirms such Act and exempts from such Act the authority to enter into Indian child care and custody proceedings. Makes the Tribe and Nation, including their officers and employees, immune from suit to the extent provided in such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to pay from the Settlement Fund any judgment entered against such Indians upon their failure to make such payment within 90 days of entry of final judgment. Authorizes any person asserting a money judgment against such Tribe or Nation, to sue in the United States District Court for the District of Maine for any amount due. Consents to some amendments to the Maine Implementing Act made with the agreement of the Tribe or Nation. Authorizes such Indians to exercise jurisdiction, separate and distinct from the civil and criminal jurisdiction of Maine, to the extent authorized by such Act. Grants full faith and credit to the judicial proceedings of the Tribe and Nation, and directs such Tribe and Nation to give full faith and credit to the judicial proceedings of each other, the United States, every State, every territory or possession of the United States, and every recognized Indian nation, tribe, or band. States that the laws which accord special status or rights to other Indians shall not apply to the State of Maine. Makes the Tribe, Nation, and Band eligible to receive all financial benefits provided to other Indians under the same eligibility criteria. Deems such Indians federally recognized Indian tribes for purposes of Federal taxation. Authorizes the Tribe or Nation to assume exclusive jurisdiction over Indian child custody proceedings after the approval by the Secretary of a petition to that effect. Provides that such assumption shall not affect any proceeding over which a court has already assumed jurisdiction. Deems such Indians to be bonafide reservations and tribes for purposes of such child custody proceedings. Prohibits: (1) any payments to the Tribe, Nation, or Band from being considered in computing the State of Maine's eligibility for financial aid programs; (2) any payments from Maine to such Indians from being computed in determining such Indians' eligibility for financial aid programs; and (3) the availability or distribution of funds under this Act from being considered income for the basis of denying any federally assisted housing program or other financial aid to which such Indians would otherwise be entitled. Grants a deferral of capital gains to any private owners who transferred lands to the Secretary for moneys from the Land Acquisition Fund. Directs the transfer of tribal trust funds held by the State of Maine to the Settlement Fund. Declares that this Act constitutes a general discharge and release of obligations of such State arising from any treaty or agreement with any Indians of the State, including a specified action pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1980
Gasohol Competition Act of 1980 - Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit the direct or indirect restriction by any person engaged in commerce on the use of credit instruments in any transaction concerning the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel of equivalent usability where there is no similar restriction on transactions concerning conventional motor fuel. Allows such person to impose a credit fee for such sale or transfer, provided such fee does not exceed the actual costs of extending the credit. Prohibits any other condition, restriction, agreement, or understanding which otherwise discriminates against or unreasonably limits the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel of equivalent usability. Provides that nothing in this Act: (1) precludes such person from requiring labeling of pumps dispensing gasohol or synthetic fuel to indicate that such fuels are not manufactured, distributed, or sold by such person; (2) precludes such person from issuing disclaimers of product liability for damage resulting from the use of such fuels; (3) requires such person to provide advertising for such fuels; or (4) requires such person to furnish additional pumps or facilities for the sale of such fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1980
Directs the President to furnish the House of Representatives with information concerning White House and Justice Department actions with regard to Billy Carter's involvement with Libya.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Tax Rate Reduction Act of 1980 - Title I: Individual Tax Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual income tax rates for calendar years 1981 through 1985, and permanently thereafter. Title II: Inflation Adjustments for Taxable Years Beginning After 1985 - Requires annual cost of living adjustments to income levels in each income tax bracket, beginning in calendar year 1985. Requires similar cost of living adjustments to the $1,000 personal tax exemption. Increases the minimum income levels at which a taxpayer is required to file an income tax return by providing that such levels shall be equal to the taxpayer's income tax exemption and zero bracket amount, adjusted for inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide homebuilders with an income tax credit for the construction of residences which incorporate a passive solar energy system. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and Housing and Urban Development, to prescribe regulations setting forth a solar construction credit table for purposes of determining the amount of the credit for which the incorporator of the solar energy system is eligible. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $2,000 for calendar years prior to 1986 and phases out the amount of the credit by $500 decrements until 1989 when such credit terminates. Defines "passive solar energy system" as a system which contains a solar collection area, an absorber, a storage mass, a heat distribution method, and heat regulation devices. Requires such system to be installed in a new residence after September 30, 1980 and before January 1, 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1980
Establishes the permanent boundary of Acadia National Park lying within the town of Isle au Haut, Maine. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands within the boundary of the park by donation or exchange. Transfers the title to such lands within the town of Isle au Haut, which are outside the permanent boundary of the park as established by this Act and which are federally owned and under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, to such town without monetary consideration. Authorizes the Secretary, with the concurrence of the selectmen of the town, to acquire by donation conservation easements on lands outside the permanent boundary of the park. Requires the management and use of parklands on Isle au Haut to be consistent with the maintenance of a viable local community with a traditional resource-based economy.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980
Tax Reduction - Job Creation Act - Title I: Individual Tax Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce income tax rates for each category of individual taxpayers. Title II: Incentives for New Plant and Equipment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits taxpayers to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1980
Military Pay and Allowances Benefits Act of 1980 - Grants an increase for enlistment and reenlistment bonuses to members of the uniformed services who qualify in a critical military skill. Extends to not more than 14 years the maximum period a member may serve and still remain eligible for the reenlistment or extension of an enlistment bonus. Extends the period of obligated service which will not be computed in determining such bonus to 16 years. Repeals the requirement that a person must enlist for four years to be eligible for the enlistment bonus. Provides a special pay bonus for certain aviation career officers who enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of Transportation (when applicable), to remain on active duty in aviation service for at least one year. Prohibits such agreement to extend beyond the date on when the officer would complete 19 years of such service. Defines "aviation service" to mean the service performed by an officer holding an aeronautical rating or designation under regulations prescribed by the applicable Secretary. Sets forth terms and conditions for such officer to refund to the United States the appropriate amount of the bonus if the officer fails to complete the extension of service agreed upon. Increases special pay to naval officers for nuclear duty who extend their period of active service for four years, and for such officers who successfully complete nuclear training. Extends the authority for such pay until September 30, 1983. Increases the annual incentive bonus for certain naval officers who have successfully completed or received training for nuclear duty. Extends the authority for such bonuses until October 1, 1983. Eliminates requirements for such service to have begun after September 30, 1975. Amends the definition of "nuclear service year" to mean any fiscal year beginning before October 1, 1983. Increases the monthly incentive pay for enlisted members for hazardous duty on submarines. Entitles qualified enlisted members who enter into an agreement with the Secretary concerned to extend their duty at designated locations overseas to special pay not in excess of $50 per month. Allows such members to elect a period of rest and recuperative absence at Government expense in lieu of such special pay. Revises entitlement provisions for basic allowance for quarters to allow members above the pay grade of E-6 (presently commissioned officers above the pay grade 0-3) to elect not to occupy quarters and instead to receive such allowance according to the applicable pay grade. Provides that a member below the pay grade of E-7 is not entitled to such allowance while on sea duty, and a member below the pay grade of E-6 is not entitled to such allowance while on sea duty for a period in excess of 90 days. Increases the per diem allowance for members traveling on official business. Limits the allowance for the transport of a house trailer or mobile home dwelling to not more than the total cost of packing, pick-up, linehaul or drayage, delivery, and unpacking baggage and household effects of members or dependents as authorized by the Secretary concerned. Permits the storage of such homes up to 180 days while in transit. Allows payments for such transportation to be made in advance. Eliminates provisions of existing law which direct the means of transporting such homes and references to the cost per mile of such transportation. States that parking facilities provided for such homes not owned by the Government shall not be considered quarters for purposes of the basic allowance for quarters. Allows the Government to establish a fee for the use of any such facility and to amortize the cost of construction for such facility 15 years after the completion of construction. Makes members under the pay grade of E-4 eligible for a family separation allowance. Permits the reimbursement of any member of the Navy on sea duty (presently only naval officers) for expenses incurred in obtaining quarters, when such quarters are not available onboard ship. Stipulates that such members who are stationed near their dependents shall not be entitled to such reimbursement. Provides permanent authority for subsistence allowances for members of the Marine Corps officer candidate program and repeals an Act which provided authority to that effect until September 30, 1982. Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1980
Unlocking America's Energy Resources Act - Directs the President to order the removal of administrative restrictions not required by Federal law or court order which impede the leasing of energy resources on Federal lands or on the Outer Continental Shelf. Requires the President to institute policies which will give priority to the expeditious leasing and development and production of oil, natural gas, coal, oil shale, tar sands, and geothermal resources on Federal lands. Requires the President to submit to an advisory panel a list of restrictions required by Federal law or court order which impede the leasing of energy resources on Federal lands or on the Outer Continental Shelf. Directs the panel to review the restrictions submitted by the President and submit to Congress and the President a report on: (1) the reasonableness of such restrictions; and (2) appropriate legislative or administrative actions to reduce or eliminate impediments to the leasing of energy resources on Federal lands or the Outer Continental Shelf. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to order substantial lease sales, for private development only, within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Bars civil actions challenging any such lease sale which are brought more than 30 days after the date such lease sale is announced. Exempts any such lease sale from the environmental impact statement requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. Requires the President to direct that leasing priority be given to areas of the Outer Continental Shelf that have the highest hydrocarbon potential and known hydrocarbon reserves. Sets forth the conditions for the issuance of Outer Continental Shelf leases by the Secretary of the Interior. Sets forth the requirements for the appointment by the President of members of the advisory panel.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that deferred compensation plans shall not be deemed as not satisfying minimum vesting standards even if there is a reasonable likelihood that the accrual of benefits or forfeitures under such plans will tend to discriminate in favor of employees who are officers, shareholders, or highly compensated.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1980
Extends the congratulations of the Congress to the Order of the Sons of Italy in America for their 75th anniversary. Proclaims Sunday, June 22, 1980, as "National Italian-American Day."
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1980
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Research and Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to prepare a comprehensive program management plan of research, development, and demonstration of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems. Directs the President to submit to Congress annually the most recent revision of the plan giving justification for any changes. Directs the Secretary to initiate research or accelerate existing research in areas in which the lack of knowledge limits development of OTEC in order to achieve the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to initiate a program to design, construct, and operate well instrumental OTEC facilities of sufficient size to demonstrate the technical feasibility of utilizing the various forms of OTEC to displace nonrenewable fuels. Directs the Secretary to conduct evaluations, arrange for tests, and disseminate information to support such design efforts. Provides for the competitive selection of at least two independent parallel pilot demonstration projects. Establishes goals for the demonstration program which shall include: (1) the demonstration of OTEC technical feasibility through multiple pilot demonstration plants with a combined capacity of at least 50 megawatts of electrical capacity or energy product equivalent by 1987; (2) the delivery of baseload electricity to utilities located on land or the production of commercially attractive quantities of energy products; and (3) the continuous operation of each pilot demonstration facility for a sufficient period of time to collect and analyze system performance and reliability data. Directs the Secretary to prepare a comprehensive technology application and market development plan that will permit the realization of the national goal set forth in this Act of 2,500 megawatts of electrical capacity or energy product equivalent from OTEC systems by 2000. Directs the Secretary to set priorities consistent with several criteria including: (1) the realization of competitive energy costs for OTEC; (2) private cost-sharing; and (3) the promotion of OTEC in areas vulnerable to interruptions in the supply of fossil fuel. Establishes the OTEC Advisory Committee to advise and report to the Secretary. Requires the Committee to meet at least four times annually until the demonstration goals are met. Authorizes appropriations for operating expenses for fiscal year 1982. Authorizes appropriations for the conceptual and preliminary design of demonstration plants with a combined capacity of at least 50 megawatts electrical or energy product equivalent.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Extends the congratulations of the House of Representatives to members of the 1980 handicapped Olympic team and recognizes specified organizations for their efforts in producing the second winter Olympics for the physically handicapped.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
National Defense Compensation Act of 1980 - Increases the pay and allowances, and certain special and incentive pays, of members of the uniformed services for pay periods beginning after December 31, 1981, 1982, and 1983. Directs the President, in any year in which an alternative pay plan is transmitted to the Congress, to include in such plan a statement specifying the adjustments which would have been made but for such alternative plan.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1980
Nuclear Waste Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research, development, and demonstration program for the disposal of nuclear wastes. Requires the Secretary to identify four regional repository sites in the continental United States, at least one of which shall be located in each of the eastern, central, and western regions of the United States. Directs that emphasis be given to federally owned sites. Directs the Secretary to design, construct, and operate four technology-demonstration repository facilities at the sites selected. Requires that all four repositories be in operation by the end of fiscal year 1990, with the first having been placed in operation by the end of fiscal year 1986. Sets forth certain design requirements for such sites and for disposal methods. Requires the Secretary to conduct a study and report to Congress on advanced techniques for disposal of low-level radioactive wastes.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the seven-day period beginning October 5, 1980, as "National Port Week." Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report annually to Congress on the conditions of U.S. public ports.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the windfall profit tax: (1) independent producer oil; and (2) royalty interests attributable to ownership of the property from which such oil is produced.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a certain portion of royalty owner oil production from the windfall profit tax. Limits the amount so exempted per quarter to ten barrels per day. Requires proportionate allocation of any production in excess of ten barrels per day between tier 1 oil, tier 2, and tier 3 oil, and within any tier on the basis of removal prices. Requires allocation of the ten barrel amount among royalty owners who are members of the same related group.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980
American Fisheries Promotion Act - Title I: Research and Development Regarding United States Fisheries - Directs that funds transferred by the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of Commerce from duties collected under custom laws on fishery products shall be maintained in a separate fund and used by the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) provide financial assistance for the purpose of carrying out fisheries development projects approved under this Act; and (2) implement the national fisheries research and development program as set forth by this Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make grants from such fund to assist persons in carrying out research and development fishery projects, including, but not limited to, harvesting, processing, marketing, and associated infrastructures. Subjects each such grant to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require to protect the interests of the United States. Requires the Secretary to carry out a national program of research and development addressed to United States fisheries, if not adequately covered by projects assisted by grants made pursuant to this Act. Requires the Secretary, not later than 60 days before the close of each fiscal year, to submit to specified Congressional committees a report containing: (1) the fisheries development goals and funding priorities for the next fiscal year; (2) the status of each pending project; and (3) an analysis and evaluation of all projects assisted under this Act. Specifies, with respect to any fiscal year, that not less than 75 percent of the moneys transferred to the fund and such existing fund moneys carried over into that fiscal year shall be used by the Secretary to provide financial assistance for projects and the remainder of such moneys shall be used to implement the national fisheries research and development program. Requires the Secretary to award a grant for or carry out pursuant to the national fisheries research and development program: (1) a project to establish and operate a system (in which participation must be voluntary) to grade the quality of fish landed at a United States port; or (2) a project to improve fuel efficiency in carrying out fishing operations within a United States fishery. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint not fewer than six officers who shall, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, serve abroad to promote United States fishing interests. Requires the Secretary of State, upon the request of the Secretary of Commerce, to officially assign the officers to the diplomatic mission of the United States in the country in which such officers are placed, and to obtain for them diplomatic privileges and immunities. Title II: Amendments to the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 - Extends provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 which govern a capital construction fund for vessels built in the United States to govern such a fund for fishing vessels built in, and fishing facilities located in, a Commonwealth, territory, possession, or State of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary: (1) to guarantee the payment of obligations for financing or refinancing the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of fishery facilities capable of being used for priority development fisheries; and (2) to apply an economic soundness test with respect to guarantees of obligations for fishing vessels or facilities designed for use in such priority fisheries which is less stringent than the test applicable to other obligation guarantees under such Act. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Federal Ship Financing Fund three subfunds to contain moneys for obligation guarantees for: (1) fishing vessels and facilities meeting the more stringent test; (2) high risk fishing vessels and facilities meeting the less stringent test; and (3) vessels other than fishing vessels. Declares that during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending at the close of September 30, 1982, the Secretary of Commerce may make loans from the fisheries loan fund only for the purpose of assisting obligors to avoid default on obligations that are issued with respect to the construction, reconstruction, reconditioning or purchase of fishing vessels. Title III: Amendments to the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 - Amends the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to provide for a reduction of the total allowable level of foreign fishing, if any, with respect to any United States fishery for each of the harvesting seasons 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984. Declares that the total allowable level of foreign fishing permitted within any United States fishery during any harvesting season after the 1984 harvesting season is zero, except if the Secretary of Commerce determines that such reduction will result in a substantial surplus of fish stocks within the fishery and that such surplus will not be harvested by vessels of the United States during such harvesting season. Specifies that a recommendation by the Secretary that such reduction be deferred or continued with respect to any harvesting season shall take effect only if: (1) a report containing the recommendation is received by Congress not later than 90 days before the opening day of the respective harvesting season; and (2) neither House of Congress, within the 60 day period beginning on the day on which the report is received by Congress, adopts a disapproval resolution. Requires the owner or operator of any foreign fishing vessel for which a permit is issued pursuant to the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to pay an additional fee equal to ten percent of the ex vessel price of the catch harvested under such permit. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program under which a United States observer will be stationed aboard each foreign fishing vessel while that vessel is within the fishery conservation zone and is: (1) engaging in fishing; (2) accepting United States harvested fish through transfer at sea; (3) cruising to and from a location at which any such fishing or transfer will transpire; or (4) taking highly migratory species. Requires such observers, while aboard foreign fishing vessels, to carry out such scientific and other functions as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to impose, with respect to each foreign fishing vessel, a surcharge in an amount sufficient to cover all costs of providing a United States observer aboard that vessel. Establishes, in the Treasury of the United States, the Foreign Fishing Observer Fund in which the Secretary shall deposit all surcharges collected.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1980
Uniformed Services Health Professionals Special Pay Act of 1980 - Provides special and additional pay for physicians in the Armed Forces or the Public Health Service who are on active duty for a period of not less than one year. Sets forth a schedule for such special pay providing that: (1) physicians below pay grade 0-7 are to receive between $1,200 and $10,000 per year based on years of creditable service; and (2) physicians above pay grade 0-6 are to receive $1,000 per year. Entitles a physician eligible for special pay to an additional $10,000 annual payment for any 12 month period during which he or she is not undergoing medical internship or initial residency training, based on years of creditable service, upon the execution of a written agreement under which the officer agrees to remain on active duty for at least one year. Authorizes additional special pay (from $2,000 to $5,000 based on years of creditable service) for those physicians eligible for special pay who are board certified (under regulations prescribed by this Act). Allows a qualified medical officer an incentive special pay not to exceed $8,000 for any 12 month period during which the officer is not undergoing medical internship or initial residency training. Limits the amount paid in special pay in any fiscal year to an amount equal to six percent of the total amount paid in such year for special pay. States that such a physician must agree in writing to remain on active duty for a period of not less than one year beginning on the date the officer accepts the award of such special pay. Permits the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of the military department concerned, to terminate at any time any officer's entitlement to special pay. Includes, in the computation of creditable service: (1) all periods which the officer spent in medical internship or residency training during which the officer was not on active duty; and (2) all periods of active service in the Medical Corps of the Army or Navy, as medical officer of the Air Force, or as a Public Health Service medical officer. Entitles a medical officer of the Public Health Service who is on active duty for a period of at least one year to special pay at specified rates. Provides for special pay for dentists, optometrists, and veterinarians. Prohibits the amount of special pay to which an officer is entitled to be included in computing the amount of any increase in pay, retirement pay, severance pay, or readjustment pay. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct a review every two years of the special pay for health professionals. Requires a report to Congress on the results of such review. Authorizes the use of funds previously appropriated to the Department of Defense for fiscal year 1980 and not previously obligated or expended to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1980
Proclaims October 19, 1981, a national day of celebration as the two hundredth anniversary of the victory of General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1980
Coastal Management Improvement Act of 1980 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to specify that such Act may be cited as the "Coastal Management Act of 1972." Declares that it is the national policy to provide for programs that should at least provide for: (1) the protection of significant natural systems within the coastal zone; (2) the management of coastal development; (3) priority consideration to coastal-dependent uses and orderly processes for siting major facilities related to national defense, energy, fisheries development, recreation, ports and transportation; (4) public access to the coasts for recreation purposes; (5) the coordination and simplification of procedures in order to ensure expedited governmental decisionmaking for the management of coastal resources; (6) continued consultation and coordination with affected Federal agencies; and (7) the giving of timely and effective opportunities for public participation in coastal management decisionmaking. Defines the term "coastal resource of national significance" for the purposes of this Act. Allows the Secretary to Commerce to make a grant annually to any coastal State for not more than 80 percent of the costs of administering such State's coastal management program if the Secretary determines that such program meets specified requirements. Encourages the coastal States to amend their coastal management programs to provide for: (1) the inventory and designation of coastal resources of national significance within the coastal zone of the State; (2) the identification of land and water uses permissible with respect to coastal resources of national significance; and (3) specific and enforceable State standards to ensure that human activities are carried out in a manner that is consistent with the purposes of this Act. Requires the Secretary, with respect to any coastal State which, by October 1, 1984, has not amended its coastal management program to comply with this Act or does not have an approved management program, to: (1) inventory and designate the coastal resources of national significance within that State's coastal zone; (2) identify those permissible land and water uses with respect to designated resources; and (3) specify such standards as are necessary to ensure that human activities are carried out in a manner consistent with the purposes of this Act. Allows any coastal State to which the Secretary has prescribed such regulations to amend its management program to comply with the requirements of this Act. Requires the Secretary upon approval of such amendments to repeal the applicable regulations. Allows the Secretary to make grants annually to any eligible coastal State to assist that State in meeting one or more of the following objectives: (1) the preservation or restoration of specific areas of the State; (2) the redevelopment of deteriorating and underutilized urban waterfronts and ports that are designated in the State's management program as areas of particular concern; and (3) the provision of access to public beaches and other public coastal areas and to coastal waters. Allows such grants to be used for: (1) the acquisition of fee simple and other interests in land; (2) construction projects determined by the Secretary to be consistent with the purposes of this Act; (3) engineering designs, specifications, and other appropriate reports; (4) appropriate transportation systems; and (5) management costs and such other related costs as the Secretary determines to be consistent with the purposes of this Act. Limits such grants to no more than 80 percent of the costs of carrying out, during the fiscal year concerned, the purpose or project for which it was awarded. Allows an eligible coastal State, with the approval of the Secretary, to allocate a grant to a local government, an areawide agency, a regional agency, or an interstate agency. Requires the Secretary to assist eligible coastal States and their local governments in identifying other sources of available Federal technical and financial assistance regarding the objectives of this Act, and, through the Secretarial Representatives of the Department of Commerce in the standard Federal regions, to attempt to achieve simplified and expedited procedures for obtaining such Federal assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to permit two or more coastal States to use a portion of the resource management grants made to them under this Act for the purposes of interstate coastal management coordination. Allows any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected to commence a civil action on his own behalf to compel compliance with this title against any person, including the United States, and any other government instrumentality or agency for any alleged violation of any provision of this title or any regulation promulgated under this title. Requires the Secretary to conduct a continuing review of the performance of coastal States with respect to coastal management. Provides for the reduction of financial assistance to any coastal State if the secretary determines that the coastal State is failing to make significant improvement in achieving the coastal management objectives. Directs the Secretary to withdraw approval of the management program of any coastal State, and to withdraw any financial assistance available to that State if the Secretary determines that the coastal State is failing to adhere to, and is not justified in deviating from: (1) the management program approved by the Secretary: or (2) the terms of any grant or cooperative agreement funded under this Act. Terminates the program of grants to coastal States for research and technical assistance for coastal zone management. Abolishes the Coastal Zone Management Advisory Committee. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the President for transmittal to the Congress a report summarizing the administration of such Act during each period of two consecutive fiscal years. Requires the Secretary to conduct a systematic review of Federal programs, other than the coastal zone management programs set forth in such Act, which affect coastal resources for purposes of identifying conflicts between the objectives and administration of such programs and the purposes and policies of such Act. Requires the Secretary, within one year after the date of enactment of this Act, to notify each Federal agency having appropriate jurisdiction of any conflict between its program and the purposes and policies of this title. Allows the Secretary to make grants to any coastal State for the purposes of acquiring lands to provide for the preservation of islands. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the grants under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1980
Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to limit the President's authority to impose import fees on petroleum or petroleum products to periods of: (1) congressionally declared war; (2) a national emergency declared under the National Emergencies Act; (3) a national emergency created by an attack on the United States; (4) U.S. Armed Forces involvement in hostilities pursuant to specific statutory authorization; and (5) U.S. Armed Forces involvement in hostilities under circumstances which require a report by the President to Congress pursuant to the War Powers Resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1980
Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to prohibit the President from taking action, pursuant to the President's authority to adjust the imports of articles which threaten national security, to impose import fees on petroleum and petroleum products imported into the United States without specific authorization from Congress, effective March 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the residential energy credit for energy conservation expenditures with respect to residences substantially completed after April 19, 1977, if such expenditures are for energy conservation items which are not required by Federal, State, or local housing standards.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1980
Amends current law authorizing any seaman who suffers personal injury in the course of employment to maintain an action for damages at law to stipulate that such an action may not be maintained if: (1) such person was not a citizen or permanent resident alien of the United States at the time of the incident; and (2) the incident occurred in connection with the operation of any special purpose vessel used for offshore exploration, in any area other than within the United States or the territorial waters or Outer Continental Shelf of the United States. Permits such an action under certain circumstances available under the laws of any country asserting territorial jurisdiction or in which the person injured maintains citizenship.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1980
Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit the direct or indirect restriction by any person engaged in commerce on the use of credit instruments in any transaction concerning the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel, where there is no similar restriction on transactions concerning conventional motor fuel. Prohibits any other conditions, restriction, agreement, or understanding which otherwise discriminates against or unreasonably limits the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1980
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to include any loan, payment, or gift made for the purpose of participating or intervening in a political campaign for certain offices within the definition of a "contribution or expenditure" by a national bank, a corporation, or a labor organization for purposes of such Act and the Public Utility Holding Company Act. Allows a corporation or labor organization to establish and administer a separate contributory fund for political purposes provided that all contributions for or to the fund are made voluntarily and are unrelated to any fees required for membership or employment in such organization or corporation. Prohibits the payment of any costs of establishing or administering the fund from moneys obtained in any commercial transaction.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Energy should not promulgate any Federal emergency energy conservation plan which would harm recreational boating.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Expresses appreciation to Canada for: (1) its historic close relations and cooperation with the United States in conducting foreign policy; (2) its support for U.S. efforts to obtain the safe release of the hostages in Iran; and (3) its efforts to protect and arrange the safe departure of certain U.S. citizens from Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1980
Intelligence Reform Act of 1980 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to define "special activity" to mean activity conducted abroad to further official United States programs and policies which is planned and executed so that the role of the Government is not apparent or acknowledged publicly, but excluding diplomatic activity and the collection of intelligence or related support functions. Prohibits the expenditure of funds by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for a special activity unless: (1) the President finds that the activity is important to the national security and reports such activity to the congressional select intelligence committees (current law requires such reporting to the "appropriate" congressional committees); or (2) the National Security Council (NSC) determines that the activity does not involve substantial resources or risks and falls within a category of special activities which (A) have been found by the President to be important to the national security, and (B) have been reported to the congressional select intelligence committees. Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to exempt information in files maintained by an intelligence agency or component of the Government from the provisions of any law requiring publication or disclosure, if such files have been specifically designated by the Director of Central Intelligence to be concerned with: (1) scientific or technical systems for the collection of foreign intelligence; (2) special activities and foreign intelligence operations; (3) investigations to determine the suitability of potential foreign intelligence sources; and (4) intelligence liaison arrangements with foreign governments. Requires requests by U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens for information concerning themselves to be processed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to add a new title V, "Protection of Certain National Security Information." Establishes a maximum criminal penalty of ten years' imprisonment and/or a $50,000 fine for anyone who, having had authorized access to classified information, intentionally discloses to any individual not authorized to receive classified information any information that identifies an individual as an employee of an intelligence agency or as an agent, informant, or source of assistance to an intelligence agency, where the actor knows or has reason to know that the information so identifies such individual and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such individual's intelligence relationship to the U.S. Establishes a maximum criminal penalty of one year imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine for anyone who with intent to impair the foreign intelligence activities of the U.S. discloses such information with such knowledge. Makes it a defense to such crimes that before the commission of the offense the United States had publicly acknowledged or revealed the intelligence relationship of the individual to the United States Stipulates that it shall not be an offense to transmit such information directly to the congressional intelligence committees. Defines "intelligence agency" for the purposes of such offenses to mean the CIA, any intelligence component of the Department of Defense, and any foreign intelligence component of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Provides for an exemption from the windfall profits tax for independent oil producers for an amount equal to 1,000 barrels of crude oil multiplied by the number of days in the taxable period.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 1979
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Act of 1980 - Title I: Regulation of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Facilities and Plantships - Prohibits any person from owning, constructing, or operating an ocean thermal energy conversion facility and prohibits United States citizens from owning, constructing, or operating an ocean thermal energy conversion plantship without a license issued pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to issue, transfer, amend, or renew licenses for the ownership, construction, and operation of such facilities or plantships upon application and in accordance with this Act. Sets forth criteria for determining whether to issue such licenses, and directs the Administrator to prescribe any conditions deemed necessary to carry out this Act or which are required by any Federal department or agency. Directs the Administrator to establish bonding requirements or other assurances necessary to assure that upon revocation or other termination of a license, the licensee will remove all components of any such facility or plantship from the ocean and the seabed. Sets the term of such licenses at a maximum of 25 years, with a right of renewals for an additional ten years for each renewal. Directs the Administrator to issue regulations to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies having jurisdiction over or expertise concerning any aspect of the construction or operation of such facilities or plantships to submit to the Administrator written comments as to their expertise or statutory responsibilities with respect to this or any other Federal law. Sets forth application procedures and requirements for licenses authorized for issuance by this Act, including provisions for public notice hearings, and Federal agency review. Requires that applicants for licenses remit a fee at the time of filing such application, to be determined by the Administrator, and to be deposited in the miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury. Establishes priorities for the issuance of licenses where more than one application is submitted for the same designated application area. Establishes criminal penalties for the breaking of or injury to any submarine electric transmission cable or equipment being constructed or operated under a license issued under this Act. Requires a licensee to indemnify the owner of any vessel which sacrifices any anchor, fishing net, or other fishing gear to avoid injuring any such cable or equipment. Requires any licensee who causes any break in or injury to any submarine cable or pipeline to bear the cost of the repairs thereto. Directs the Administrator to submit applications for issuance, transfer, or renewal of any license to the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission for antitrust review. Directs the Administrator to designate as an "adjacent coastal State" any coastal State either directly to be connected by electric transmission cable or pipeline to an ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship or located within 15 miles of any such proposed facility or plantship. Authorizes the Administrator to make such designation for any other State, upon request, upon a determination that there is a risk of damage to the coastal environment or if it is likely that the thermal plume of any proposed facility or plantship would impinge on possible locations for other ocean thermal energy conversion facilities or plantships which would be connected to such State. Requires that the Administrator transmit to the Governor of any designated adjacent coastal State a complete copy of a license application and prohibits the issuance of any license for an ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship without the approval of the Governor of such State where such State has an approved coastal zone management program in effect pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. Stipulates that failure by a State Governor to transmit his approval or disapproval within the alloted time period will result in the approval being conclusively presumed. Prohibits the Administrator from issuing such licenses for any facility or plantship unless the adjacent coastal State to which such facilities or plantship is to be directly connected has an approved coastal zone management plan in effect. Authorizes States to enter into agreements or compacts to apply for such licenses and to establish agencies for implementing such agreements or compacts. Requires the Administrator to issue regulations requiring licensees to pursue diligently such facility or plantship construction and operation and authorizes the termination of any license for failure to comply with such regulations. Directs the Administrator to initiate a program to assess the environmental effects of such facilities or plantships so as to determine whether their cumulative impact requires that a limit be placed on the number or total capacity of such facilities or plantships to be licensed under this Act. States that the issuance of such licenses is deemed to be a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the environment for purposes of the environmental impact statement provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes the preparation of a consolidated environmental impact statement by the Administrator and other involved Federal agencies and departments. Directs the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue regulations and enforce procedures concerning any ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship, including rules on vessel movement, transfer of materials between facilities and plantships and transport vessels, designation of anchorage areas, maintenance, law enforcement, and the equipment, training, and maintenance required to prevent pollution of and other adverse impacts on the marine environment and to clean up any pollutants which may be discharged. Directs the Secretary to designate a zone of appropriate size around and including any ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship for the purpose of navigational safety, and to establish safety zones during the period of construction of such facilities or plantships. States that for the purposes of the vessel inspection laws, such facilities and plantships shall be deemed to be vessels. Requires that licenses include such conditions as necessary to ensure that construction and operation of such facilities and plantships do not interfere with navigation, fishing, energy production, scientific research, or other uses of the high seas, including the operation of other ocean thermal energy conversion plantships and facilities. Authorizes the inspection and monitoring of licensees' activities, and sets forth procedures thereon. Sets forth provisions for the suspension, revocation, and termination of licenses for failure to comply with provisions of this Act or applicable rules or conditions issued or imposed by the Administrator under the authority of this Act. Includes provisions for the immediate suspension of facility or plantship construction or operation upon a determination by the Administrator that such action is necessary to protect public health and safety or to eliminate dangers to the environment, or upon a determination by the President that such suspension is necessary to avoid a conflict with any international obligation of the United States established by treaty or convention. Sets forth provisions concerning recordkeeping, reports, and public access to information. Authorizes licensees to relinquish to the Administrator any right to conduct construction or operation of such a facility or plantship, but stipulates that such relinquishment shall not relieve the licensee of any obligation or liability established by this Act. Authorizes civil actions by any person having a valid legal interest which is or may be adversely affected by actions of licensees or by the failure of the Administrator to comply with the requirements of this Act. Authorizes judicial review of any decision of the Administrator concerning a license. Title II: Maritime Financing for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion - States that for the purposes of the Merchant Marine Act: (1) any ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship licensed under this Act, and any vessel providing shipping service to or from such facilities or plantships, shall be deemed to be a vessel operated in the foreign or domestic commerce of the United States; and (2) any vessel documented under the laws of the United States and providing such service shall be deemed to be used in, and used in an essential service in, the foreign commerce or foreign trade of the United States. Amends the Federal Ship Mortgage Insurance provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to include such facilities and plantships in the definition of "vessel" and to add a definition of "ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship." Amends such provisions to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to guarantee, or make a commitment to guarantee, payment of the principal of and interest on an obligation which aids in financing a vessel designed for use as an ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship. Increases the aggregate principal amount which may be guaranteed with respect to such facilities or plantships constructed without the aid of construction-differential subsidy. Increases the aggregate unpaid principal amount of obligations guaranteed under such Act to $12,000,000,000, and requires that $2,000,000,000 of such amount be limited to obligations pertaining to demonstration ocean thermal energy conversion facilities or plantships guaranteed under such Act. Establishes the OTEC Fund as a special sub-account of the Federal Ship Financing Fund, to be used for obligation guarantees authorized by such Act which do not otherwise qualify under other sections thereof. Limits to five the number of ocean thermal energy conversion facilities or plantships which may obtain obligation guarantees. Title III Enforcement - Provides for the enforcement of provisions of this Act and rules or orders issued thereunder and lists prohibited acts. Authorizes the Administrator to issue compliance orders to any person for violation of specified provisions of this Act and to request the Attorney General to commence civil action for relief or civil penalties for any violation for which the Administrator is authorized to issue such compliance orders. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for such violations as specified. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Administrator to issue amendments to any regulations issued under this Act to conform such regulations to any treaty ratified by the United States as a result of any United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. Exempts from the provisions of this Act any ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship designated by the Secretary of Energy as a demonstration project. Sets forth provisions concerning the relationship of other laws to the facilities and plantships authorized for construction and operation under this Act, including a provision that the law of the nearest adjacent coastal State to which such a licensed facility is connected by electric transmission cable or pipeline is declared to be the law of the United States. Directs the Administrator to establish standards and regulations for the safe construction and operation of submarine electric transmission cables and equipment over which the United States has jurisdiction. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress an annual report on the administration of this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Emery, David F. [R-ME-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/e000175_200.jpg)