United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to make benefits under such title payable to a resident alien only if such alien has continuously resided in the United States for at least five years.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Makes additional immigration visas available in the case of a foreign state from which the total number of immigrants admitted to the United States in any fiscal year after June 30, 1972, was less than three-fourths of the average annual number of visas made available to immigrants from such state during the ten-year period beginning July 1, 1955. Limits to 7,500 the total number of visas to be made available in the case of any one foreign state. Specifies the percent of additional visas to be allocated to the categories of preference and nonpreference priorities set forth in the Immigration and Nationality Act. Stipulates that the provision of such Act which prohibits the admittance of aliens seeking to enter the United States for the purpose of performing skilled or unskilled labor shall not apply in the determination of an immigrant's eligibility to receive an additional visa as authorized by this Act. Limits the application of the provisions of this Act to four years. Stipulates that nothing in this Act modifies or affects the authority of the Attorney General in the administration of any law relating to immigration, nationality, or naturalization.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Changes the effective date of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to June 10, 1979. Amends the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 to require government authorities, rather than financial institutions, to notify customers of their rights under such Act. States that such notification must be given only when the Act requires any other customer notice.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits compelling a student to attend a public school other than the one nearest his residence. Grants Congress the power to enforce by appropriate legislation the provisions of this amendment, and to insure equal educational opportunities for all students wherever located.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the producers and distributors of motion pictures and television and radio programs should cease the production and distribution of films and programs which defame, stereotype, ridicule, demean, or degrade ethnic, racial, or religious groups. Calls upon the motion picture and broadcasting industries to establish adequate standards for the production of films which portray such groups. States that if the industries do not respond, the Congress shall formulate measures to establish and implement such standards.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers who do not itemize income tax deductions to claim a deduction from gross income for charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to provide that a declaration of a state of emergency is effective as of the date on which the emergency or major disaster commenced.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Truth in Lending Act Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to the Truth in Lending Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to include within its coverage specified bailment and lease contracts which transfer ownership of the property involved to the bailee or lessee through the exercise of options to renew the contract. Requires credit disclosure calculated on the assumption that the bailee or lessee will exercise all such options. Exempts credit transactions for agricultural purposes from the requirements of the Act. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to issue model forms and clauses, for use in common transactions, describing the transaction in understandable language. Exempts creditors who use such forms from liability under the Act. Revises the disclosure requirements for open-end credit plans, consumer credit sales, and consumer loans. Stipulates that a creditor need not disclose collection costs, default, or acceleration charges in connection with consumer credit sales or consumer loans. Limits the liability of a creditor in any class action or series of class actions arising out of the same violation. Extends the period of time in which a creditor may notify a consumer of an error in order to avoid civil liability. States that there shall be a single recovery of damages under a consumer credit transaction or lease involving multiple obligors. Grants any consumer the right to cancel within 30 days any optional credit life insurance purchased to secure a consumer credit transaction or lease. Requires any credit advertisement, including advertisements of residential real estate, to express finance charges only as an annual percentage rate. Requires any advertisement for consumer credit involving more than four installments to state whether the quoted price includes the cost of credit or is only the cash price. Establishes civil liability for violations of the credit advertising provisions and the prohibition against credit and surcharges. Repeals the requirement that a creditor make specified disclosures in periodic statements sent to a consumer, including the annual percentage rate of the finance charge and the payment date, under extensions of consumer credit other than open-end plans. Title II: Effective Date of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act - Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to make the effective date June 10, 1979. Title III: General Provisions - Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to issue regulations called for by this Act within one year of its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates below the level established by the Social Security Amendments of 1977 on employment income for both employers and employees and on self-employment income. Increases Federal contributions to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act by 50 percent. Increases the ceiling on the amount of income that is subject to social security taxation to $100,000 in 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends the Clean Air Act to postpone for one year the application of certain restrictions to areas which have failed to attain national ambient air quality standards and to delay for one year the date required for adoption and submission of State implementation plans applicable to these areas.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Wildlife on Federal Lands Trapping Act of 1979 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue such regulations relating to trapping as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any type of trap unless such trap utilizes the most humane capture method available for the species concerned, and minimizes the probability of capturing species for which such trap was not intended. Directs the Secretary to undertake a research program to develop such types of traps. Establishes an advisory commission to make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to traps designed or intended for use. Prohibits the Secretary from permitting trapping on Federal lands where such trapping may reduce any species below specified levels. Sets forth a procedure for the application and issuance of trapping permits. Requires the attachment of a shipping certificate to any package containing the fur, hide, skin, horn, or feathers of any mammal or bird captured by any trap within any State or the District of Columbia if such package is transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) engaging in trapping without a permit issued pursuant to this Act; (2) violating any condition of such permit; (3) violating any regulation of the Secretary relating to trapping; (4) selling or transporting in interstate commerce an unapproved trap; (5) falsifying the shipping certificate; or (6) conveying any package under this Act without affixing the shipping certificate or affixing a false certificate. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with States with respect to the imposition of trapping regulations consistent with those prescribed under this Act. Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Grants a Federal charter to the Gold Star Wives of America. Declares that the purpose of such corporation is to aid widows and children of persons who died in the service of their country.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to permit the National Committee of American Airmen Rescued by General Mihailovich to construct a monument to General Mihailovich on Federal public land within the District of Columbia or its environs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1978
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the "Proposed Revenue Procedure on Private Tax-Exempt Schools" should not be adopted by the Internal Revenue Service.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1978
Daniel James Memorial Center for Preventive Health Education Act - Directs the Commissioner of Education to make a $12,000,000 grant to the Board of Trustees of Tuskegee Institute, Alabama, for the purpose of constructing a building in memory of General Daniel James to be named the "Daniel James Memorial Center for Preventive Health Education."
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1978
Technology Transfer Ban Act - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to state that goods and technology may contribute to the military potential of possible adversary nations. Declares it to be the policy of the United States to prohibit the transfer to any Communist country of goods or technology which have any potential for military, law enforcement, or intelligence gathering purposes and to encourage friendly countries to exercise similar controls. Authorizes the President to impose export controls for national security purposes regardless of their availability from sources outside the United States. Directs the President to require a license for export of goods and technology to any Communist country. Provides a procedure for Congress to disapprove the issuance of such license. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to review any proposed export of goods or technology to any Communist country and recommend disapproval if such export has potential military, law enforcement, or intelligence gathering value, which could prove detrimental to the national security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1978
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the producers and distributors of motion pictures should cease the production and distribution of films and programs which defame, stereotype, ridicule, demean, or degrade ethnic, racial, or religious groups. Calls upon the motion picture and broadcasting industries to establish adequate standards for the production of films which portray such groups. Provides that if the industries do not respond, the Congress shall formulate measures to establish and implement such standards.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the Secretary of the Treasury, upon the written request of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, to disclose the tax return information of any individual taxpayer who has applied for a student loan under the Higher Education Act of 1965 solely for the use of the Secretary in verifying information on such taxpayer's application. Permits the Commissioner of Education to release such information to educational institutions participating in the student loan program. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose the Commissioner the address of any individual taxpayer who has defaulted on a student loan. Permits the Commissioner to release addresses to participating educational institutions solely for use in locating defaulters. Amends Title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to disclose to the Commissioner of Education, upon his written request, the mailing address of any social security benefit recipient who has defaulted on a student loan. Permits the Commissioner to release addresses to educational institutions participating in the student loan program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1978
Amends Part A of Title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to a State: (1) 90 percent of the expenditures for development of mechanized claims processing and information retrieval systems to provide for the effective administration of the State plan under such Title; (2) 75 percent of State expenditures for the operation of such systems; and (3) 90 percent of State expenditures for the establishment and operation of a State Aid to Families with Dependent Children fraud control unit. Defines such a unit.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1978
Requires each State as a condition of eligibility for Federal funds under Title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) and Title XIX (Medicaid), to annually match its welfare rolls against all relevant State and Federal records, including: (1) Federal employment records; (2) State and local employment records; (3) wage reports under the social security, supplemental security income, and railroad retirement programs, and under other Federal benefit programs. Directs that the privacy of the individuals involved be maintained to the maximum extent possible.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1978
Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish an effective means of obtaining from States and political subdivisions of States records as to deaths and of reviewing such records to prevent illegal payments under the Social Security Act to or on behalf of persons who have died.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1978
Authorizes the appropriation of funds necessary for the Inspector General of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) to: (1) carry out investigations of fraud and abuse of HEW programs including Medicaid and Medicare; (2) perform other prescribed duties of the Office of Inspector General; and (3) conduct and submit to Congress a study on fraud and abuse in the areas of drug purchases, respiratory therapy, and student financial aid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide, through demonstration projects, payments to individuals who are receiving, or are eligible to receive, benefits with respect to post-hospital extended care services under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act or intermediate care facility services or skilled nursing facility services under Title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act, who do not require 24-hour nursing care or supervision, and who desire to establish a noninstitutional living arrangement which will meet their medical and other needs. Requires payments received to be used to finance appropriate noninstitutional living arrangements which meet the medical and other needs of the individual. Provides that such payments shall not be includable in gross income under the Internal Revenue Code. Requires the Secretary to design demonstration projects for the purpose of determining: (1) the feasibility of transferring inpatients of skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities to noninstitutional living arrangements; (2) the types and percentage of such inpatients who could live effectively in a noninstitutional living arrangement; and (3) the types and percentages of such inpatients who would benefit economically and qualitatively from transferring to a noninstitutional living arrangement. Directs that funds for such payments be made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Fund established under the Social Security Act and from funds appropriated for Medicaid.
United States · United States Congress · 17 August 1978
Free and Fair Trade in Procurement Act - States the purposes of this Act to be to provide preference for domestic goods in government procurement with Federal funds, and to provide an additional preference for such procurement over foreign goods not freely and fairly traded. Defines "domestic article" for purposes of this Act to be any final good delivered to the government of which at least 75 percent of the total cost is attributable to United States sources. Includes within the definition of "Federal agency" for purposes of this Act AMTRAK and Conrail. Requires that domestic articles and materials be purchased for (1) procurements by Federal agencies or with Federal funds; (2) public buildings or public works involving Federal funds; and (3) State and local procurements at least 50 percent of which are federally funded. Allows for exceptions to such preference if the domestic product can not be obtained in sufficient quantity or quality, or if the cost of such product is excessive. Directs that no product may be procured with Federal funds from nonmembers or violators of an international government code to which the United States is a party. Allows for exceptions to such preference due to insufficient quantity, quality, or excessive cost. Extends the preference for domestic goods to subcontracts which form ten percent or more of the total delivered price of the procured product. Stipulates that the procurement preferences provided for in this Act shall not apply to the procurement of goods to be used outside the United States, or for purchases inconsistent with the public interest. States that the cost of a domestic product is to be considered excessive if the cost of the domestic product is (1) more than ten percent higher than a foreign equivalent product which is freely and fairly traded; or (2) not less than nor more than 40 percent higher than a foreign equivalent product which is not freely and fairly traded. Sets forth the guidelines for determining whether a foreign product is freely and fairly traded for purposes of this Act. Provides that a person in violation of certain unfair import practices under the Tariff Act of 1930 shall be barred from participating in any government procurements for three years. Requires a contractor supplying foreign products for government procurements to certify that he has written assurance from any foreign supplier that such foreign products are not being supplied at below their production cost, and that such foreign supplier is not in violation of United States antitrust laws. Provides that a contractor falsely certifying shall be barred from participating in any government procurements for three years. Repeals the "Buy American Act."
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1978
Free and Fair Trade in Procurement Act - States the purposes of this Act to be to provide preference for domestic goods in government procurement with Federal funds, and to provide an additional preference for such procurement over foreign goods not freely and fairly traded. Defines "domestic article" for purposes of this Act to be any final good delivered to the government of which at least 75 percent of the total cost is attributable to United States sources. Includes within the definition of "Federal agency" for purposes of this Act AMTRAK and Conrail. Requires that domestic articles and materials be purchased for (1) procurements by Federal agencies or with Federal funds; (2) public buildings or public works involving Federal funds; and (3) State and local procurements at least 50 percent of which are federally funded. Allows for exceptions to such preference if the domestic product can not be obtained in sufficient quantity or quality, or if the cost of such product is excessive. Directs that no product may be procured with Federal funds from nonmembers or violators of an international government code to which the United States is a party. Allows for exceptions to such preference due to insufficient quantity, quality, or excessive cost. Extends the preference for domestic goods to subcontracts which form ten percent or more of the total delivered price of the procured product. Stipulates that the procurement preferences provided for in this Act shall not apply to the procurement of goods to be used outside the United States, or for purchases inconsistent with the public interest. States that the cost of a domestic product is to be considered excessive if the cost of the domestic product is (1) more than ten percent higher than a foreign equivalent product which is freely and fairly traded; or (2) not less than nor more than 40 percent higher than a foreign equivalent product which is not freely and fairly traded. Sets forth the guidelines for determining whether a foreign product is freely and fairly traded for purposes of this Act. Provides that a person in violation of certain unfair import practices under the Tariff Act of 1930 shall be barred from participating in any government procurements for three years. Requires a contractor supplying foreign products for government procurements to certify that he has written assurance from any foreign supplier that such foreign products are not being supplied at below their production cost, and that such foreign supplier is not in violation of United States antitrust laws. Provides that a contractor falsely certifying shall be barred from participating in any government procurements for three years. Repeals the "Buy American Act."
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt taxpayers from the payment of interest or a penalty on tax deficiencies attributable to erroneous advice obtained in writing from an Internal Revenue Service Officer or employee acting in an official capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1978
Expresses the disapproval of the Congress of the denial by the Government of the Soviet Union of the right to emigrate and the harassment and imprisonment of individuals, including Mrs. Ida Nudel, who desire to emigrate.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1978
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should use his influence to induce the Soviet Union to withdraw all troops occupying Czechoslovakia by December 1978, and to reevaluate sales and export licenses to the Soviet Union and participating Warsaw Pact countries if such withdrawal is not effectuated.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1978
Maintains current classes of mail, rates of postage, and fees for postal services presently in effect until modified by Congress. Repeals the authority of the Postal Service to: (1) establish temporary changes in rates; (2) reimburse a mailer for paying a fee determined to be unlawful or superceded by a lower fee; and (3) establish uniform rates for books, films and educational materials based solely on weight.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1978
Authorizes and directs the Attorney General to acquire, collect, classify and preserve any information which would assist in the identification of any deceased individual who has not been identified within 30 days of the date of death.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1978
Steel Trade Negotiations Act - Lists products the manufacture of which shall constitute the "steel sector" for purposes of determining the appropriate product sector with respect to import restriction authority under the Trade Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Act to Combat International Terrorism - Directs the President to transmit a report to the Congress every six months on those incidents determined to be acts of international terrorism as defined in this Act. Requires that, where the incident involves citizens or property of the United States, such report be transmitted not more than 30 days after the incident. Stipulates that such report shall include a description of the incident and persons involved, the identity of any government providing support for such terrorist acts, a description of the actions of any government which assisted in bringing about a positive termination of the incident, and a description of the response of the United States to such incident. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a list of governments which have demonstrated a pattern of support for international terrorism. Directs the President with respect to countries appearing on such list to: (1) provide no assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) not authorize any sale or extend any credit or guaranty, with respect to defense articles or services; (3) approve no export license for the export of commodities or technical data which has a potential military application or which would otherwise enable a foreign government to support acts of international terrorism; or (4) extend no duty-free treatment under the Trade Act of 1974. Authorizes the President to suspend such sanctions in the interest of national security. Authorizes the President to take such other actions with respect to such countries as are deemed appropriate. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to assess the effectiveness of the security measures at foreign airports. Directs the Secretary, upon a finding that such an airport does not maintain effective security measures, to notify the appropriate authorities of such foreign government of his findings and to recommend any steps necessary to bring the security measures in use to the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Directs the Secretary to publish the names of foreign airports which fail to bring their security measures into compliance with such standards and to display the names of such airports at United States airports. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold, revoke, or impose conditions on the operating authority of any carrier or foreign air carrier to engage in foreign air transportation utilizing such an airport. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance concerning aviation security to foreign governments. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture explosive materials which do not contain identification taggants which are retrievable after detonation and which make possible the identification of the manufacturer, the date of manufacture and which provide such other information as the Secretary of the Treasury may require. Makes it unlawful to manufacture explosive materials which do not contain a detection taggant which permits detection of such material prior to its detonation. Makes the importation, transportation, or receipt of explosive materials without identification and detection taggants, illegal. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of such taggant requirements. Makes it illegal: (1) to interfere with the operation of any civil aircraft; (2) to commit any act of violence against an aircraft passenger; or (3) to willfully communicate false information which endangers the safety of any aircraft while in flight. Imposes criminal penalties on individuals committing specified offenses against or on board aircraft registered in a State other than the United States and who are afterwards found in this country. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for individuals imparting false information regarding attempts or alleged attempts to commit specified crimes against aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Amateur Sports Act - Title I: Declaration of Policy - Makes findings and states that the policy of Congress is to promote amateur athletics and protect the right of amateur athletes to participate in athletic competition. Title II: Olympic Committee Reorganization - Amends the corporate charter of the Olympic Committee to (1) provide for a principal place of business of the United States Olympic Committee (Corporation); (2) set forth the objectives and purposes of the Corporation; (3) set forth the powers of the Corporation; (4) provide reasonable representation for specified individuals and organizations in establishing and maintaining provisions for the governance and conduct of its affairs; and (5) subject to civil liability any person who uses an Olympic designation without authority to promote a private financial interest. Permits contributors or suppliers of goods or services to use the name of the United States Olympic Committee or its designation to advertise that such goods or services have been furnished to, approved, or selected by the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to establish in its constitution and bylaws provisions for the resolution of disputes involving the opportunity of an amateur athlete or other specified individuals to participate in sanctioned athletic competitions. Authorizes the Corporation to recognize as a national governing body any amateur sports organization (but only one for each sport) which submits an application for recognition and complies with eligibility requirements. Sets forth such eligibility requirements. Sets forth the duties and powers of a national governing body and the requirements which an amateur sports organization must meet to hold an athletic competition or sponsor athletes in competition and be sanctioned by a national governing body. Grants to the Corporation the power of review over the actions of any national governing body and invests a United States district court with jurisdiction to enjoin any action of a national governing body inconsistent with the terms of the Corporate charter. Sets forth procedures for the Corporation in (1) processing a complaint against a national governing body by an individual athlete or an amateur sports organization; (2) revoking recognition of a national governing body; and (3) replacing an incumbent national governing body. Provides for arbitration of a determination of the Corporation. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to lend financial assistance to the Corporation in developing amateur athletics in the United States. Authorizes appropriations for carrying out the work of the national governing bodies. Directs the Secretary to conduct a feasibility study to determine the most appropriate means of providing funding to the Corporation for the construction and operation of training centers and sports medicine research facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1978
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should promptly pass proposed legislation that would comprehensively revise the telecommunications policy of the United States in order to promote the application of new telephone technology and the expansion of nationwide telephone service at uniform and low rates.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1978
Expands the boundaries of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Increases the number of members on the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Advisory Commission from 11 to 13 members. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from acquiring, after January 1, 1986, any property within a specified lakeshore area if construction begins on an energy transmission or storage substation within such area. Authorizes an appropriation of $25,000,000 for the construction of a marina within the lakeshore.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1978
Congressional Award Program Act - Establishes the Congressional Award Program in the United States and its territories to recognize and promote youth leadership and excellence in the areas of expedition fitness, personal creative development, and public service. Creates a Congressional Award Board with a Director to supervise such program. Authorizes the appointment of State award directors under this Act. Creates three Congressional Award Medals to be awarded under this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Fary, John G. [D-IL-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000040_200.jpg)