United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the special tax treatment of church agency pension plans as qualified church plans. Provides that plans maintained by groups or associations of churches include individuals "substantially all" of whom are qualified beneficiaries. Allows such plans to retain accrued benefits, according to their terms, or to continue receiving contributions for up to five years for separated employees. Allows any plan which is determined to have failed to meet church plan requirements a grace period of 270 days, or any other period specified by the Secretary of the Treasury or a court in an adjudication of such an issue, to bring itself into compliance without becoming disqualified. Applies these provisions retroactively to 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977 to provide that provisions of such Act shall not apply to stone mining or sand and gravel mining operations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to make permanent the special tax treatment of church agency pension plans as qualified church plans. Provides that plans maintained by groups or associations of churches include individuals "substantially all" of whom are qualified beneficiaries. Allows such plans to retain accrued benefits, according to their terms, or to continue receiving contributions for up to five years for separated employees. Allows any plan which is determined to have failed to meet church plan requirements a grace period of 270 days, or any other period specified by the Secretary of the Treasury or a court in an adjudication of such an issue, to bring itself into compliance without becoming disqualified. Applies these provisions retroactively to 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the income tax deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Amends the Saccharin Study and Labeling Act to extend to January 3, 1981 (or to the enactment, if earlier, of any law changing the conditions under which a food additive shall not be deemed safe) of the period during which the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare is prohibited from taking specified actions restricting the continued use of saccharin as a food, drug, or cosmetic. Declares void of all legal force or effect any such prohibited action which the Secretary may have taken after the expiration of the initial 18-month prohibition period.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Expresses congressional concern that Mexico be given full consideration as a major source for imported oil and natural gas in the formulation of our national and international energy policies. Encourages the President to agree to cooperate with Mexico on common concerns, including the mutually beneficial development of Mexico's oil and natural gas reserves.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Meat Import Act of 1979 - Limits the maximum aggregate quantity of specified meat articles which may be entered, or withdrawn from warehouses, for consumption in the customs territory of the United States in any calendar year after 1978 to 1,204,600,000 pounds, adjustable according to a specified formula. Excludes from the domestic commercial production factor in such formula the carcass weight of live cattle specified in certain Tariff Schedules. Requires a further adjustment of such annual aggregate quantity by multiplying it by a ratio of: (1) the average annual per capita production of domestic cow beef during a calendar year (as estimated) and the four preceding calendar years; and (2) to the average annual per capita production of domestic cow beef in the calendar year (as estimated) and the preceding calendar year. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, for each calendar year after 1978, to estimate and publish the aggregate quantity of meat articles prescribed for such year as well as the quantity that would be entered into the United States but for the limitations. Directs the President to limit by proclamation, upon giving 30 days notice in the Federal Register, the total quantity of meat articles entered into the United States, whenever such quantity equals or exceeds 110 percent of the Secretary's estimate; but prohibits any limitation below 1,200,000,000 pounds. Requires the termination of any limitation as of the first day of a calendar quarter, under most circumstances, if before such quarter the aggregate quantity is less than 110 percent of the Secretary's estimate. Permits the President, upon giving 30 days notice in the Federal Register, to suspend any proclamation or increase any amount proclaimed as required by the preceding provision if: (1) required by economic or national security interests; (2) supplies are inadequate to meet domestic demand at reasonable prices; or (3) trade agreements ensure the execution of the policy. Prohibits the President from increasing the total quantity of meat imports if the above ratio is less than 1.0 unless: (1) a period of national emergency is declared; or (2) supplies are inadequate because of a natural disaster to meet demand at reasonable prices. Prohibits such suspension or increase from extending beyond the termination of the national emergency. Requires the Secretary to allocate the entry quota of meat articles proclaimed by the President among supplying countries on the basis of their respective shares of the United States market for meat articles during the representative period, taking into account any special factors. Directs the Secretary to study the regional economic impact of imports of meat articles and report any recommendations to the appropriate committees of Congress by December 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Extends death benefit coverage under title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include public safety officers who die as a result of medical conditions arising out of or exacerbated by official duties.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Prohibits any increase in the rate of pay or any other financial benefit of Members of Congress or officers of the Congress from taking effect unless such increase is approved by each House of Congress by resolution and adopted by recorded vote, and does not take effect before the first day of the following Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Repeals the requirement, under the Social Security Amendments of 1977, that the amount of monthly benefits payable to a spouse or surviving spouse under title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act be reduced by the amount such spouse or surviving spouse receives in monthly payments from a Federal or State pension fund.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Solar Energy Bank Act - Establishes a Government corporation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development to be known as the Solar Energy Development Bank to make long-term, low-interest loans to encourage the use of solar energy in commercial and residential structures. Sets forth requirements for loan eligibility concerning the term and amount of the loan and necessary warranties for the solar energy systems covered by such loan. Prohibits conflicts of interest on the part of officers or employees of the Bank. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Establishes a seven-member Advisory Board to make annual reports to Congress and the President on the operation of the program established by this Act. Prohibits subsidy payments under this Act to any person who has received other Federal assistance for purchase and/or installation of energy systems similar to the solar systems assisted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $1,000 ($1,500 for joint returns, $750 for married individuals filing separately) of the interest earned from savings accounts. Reduces the amount of such exclusion, dollar for dollar, by the amount the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $10,000 ($15,000 for joint returns, $7,500 for married individuals filing separately).
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1964 to exclude cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits from consideration as household income for purposes of determining: (1) eligibility for participation in the food stamp program; (2) the charge for issuing a coupon allotment to a household; and (3) eligibility for any Federal program administered by the Department of Agriculture which provides for the donation or distribution of surplus agricultural commodities to low-income persons.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to assure the individuals otherwise eligible for benefits under such title do not lose such eligibility, or have the amount of such benefits reduced, because of increases in the amount of benefits under title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Prohibits the consideration of any cost of living or general benefit increase of Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance benefits after May, 1977 for purposes of determining the eligibility for or amount of assistance which any individual or family is provided under the United States Housing Act of 1937, the National Housing Act, the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, or the Housing Act of 1949.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income a corporate stock distribution to a stockholder based upon the reinvestment of stock dividends in the corporation by such stockholder pursuant to his election to participate in a qualified dividend reinvestment plan, as defined in this Act. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $1,500 per year. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that a distribution made by a corporation which purchases its common stock within one year of such distribution shall not be deemed a distribution pursuant to a qualified dividend reinvestment plan.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Asbestos-Related Disease Screening Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Labor, after consultation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, to: (1) make contracts with and grants to reimburse public and private organizations for the reasonable cost of providing screening for asbestos-related diseases to employees who are exposed to asbestos during a period of at least 30 days and for whom a significant risk of developing such a disease exists; and (2) provide for a program to reimburse eligible individuals exposed to asbestos for screening expenses. Disallows reimbursement where such screening is provided from other programs, such as workman's compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
IRA-Employer Plan Coordination Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend to participants in qualified (tax-exempt) private employer pension plans the income tax deduction for cash contributions made by, or on behalf of, such participants to a retirement savings account. Limits such deduction to the excess of the lesser of $1,500 or an amount equal to 15 percent of an individual's employment compensation for the taxable year, over the total amount of contributions made on behalf of such individuals to a plan under which the individual has a nonforfeitable right to 100 percent of his accrued benefits. Specifies limits on the amount of deductible contributions to simplified employee pensions and individual retirement plans. Reduces, by five percent, the allowable deduction for participants in a multiemployer defined benefit plan or church plan. Disallows deductions for employees covered by Government plans, owner-employees, officers of corporations maintaining a plan, ten percent shareholders, and individuals who have attained age 70 1/2. Disallows deductions for individuals who are otherwise qualified but who do not conform to methods prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury for computing the total amount of plan contributions for a taxable year. Requires the recapture of specified amounts taken as deductions for contributions to a plan in the gross income of a plan participant whose rights under such plan become fully vested. Excludes employee contributions to a qualified employer pension plan from the gross income of the employee. Requires the inclusion in the gross income of a plan participant distributions, not received as an annuity, from a plan to which the participant has made one or more deductible contributions. Imposes an additional tax of ten percent on plan distributions which a plan participant receives before 59 1/2. Requires the administrator of a qualified private employer pension plan to submit an annual written statement of information concerning the plan to its participants. Requires an individual retirement account to contain a method for determining the taxable year in which specific contributions are made to it and the amount of income and loss which is attributable to a specific contribution for each taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Stipulates that income received from post-1974 Social Security cost-of-living increases shall be excluded in determining the eligibility of an individual for benefits under: (1) title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act; (2) title XI (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of such Act; (3) dependency and indemnity compensation plans for veteran's service connected deaths; (4) veterans' pension plans; (5) the Food Stamp Act of 1964; (6) the United States Housing Relief Act of 1937; or (7) any other Federal assistance program which conditions eligibility upon the income or resources of the applicant.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an annual cost-of-living adjustment, based on the Consumer Price Index, to the individual income tax rates and the personal exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Grants a Federal charter to the Gold Star Wives of America. Declares that the purpose of such corporation is to aid widows and children of persons who died in the service of their country.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Title I: Authorizations and Miscellaneous Amendments - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize appropriations for specified programs and expenses of the Small Business Administration. States that all appropriations, whether specifically or generally authorized, shall remain available until expended. Authorizes the Administration to make disaster loans available to small business concerns affected by a shortage of energy-producing resources caused by a strike, boycott, or embargo unless such strike, boycott or embargo is directly against such small business concern. Makes specified low-interest disaster loans available until October 1, 1982. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to repeal the authority of the Administration to invest sums from the revolving fund for surety bond guarantees in Treasury bonds, obligations, and other guaranteed debt securities. Authorizes such investments from the revolving fund for qualified contract guarantees. Transfers specified provisions of the Act which established an Office of Advocacy within the Small Business Administration to the Small Business Act. Title II: Small Business Development Centers - Authorizes the Small Business Administration to make grants to States, State agencies, regional entities, State-chartered development credit corporations, and institutions of higher learning to assist in establishing Small Business Development Centers. Requires such grants to be matched in equal amounts by funds from non-Federal sources. Establishes additional restrictions on such grants for fiscal years 1979 through 1982. States that Small Business Development Centers shall have a full-time staff, business and technology analysts, information and professional specialists, and access to laboratory and engineering facilities. Requires such Centers to provide small businesses with business and technology counseling, information on government regulations, library services, and comprehensive studies and surveys. Directs federally funded laboratories and innovation centers to cooperate with the Small Business Development Centers. Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to appoint a Deputy Associate Administrator for Management and Technical Assistance to administer the Small Business Development Center program. Establishes a National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board consisting of nine civilian members. Sets forth provisions governing the appointment of members, a Chairman, meetings, and compensation of the Board. Directs the Small Business Administration to conduct an evaluation of the Development Center program and to submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress within three years. Title III: White House Conference on Small Business - White House Conference on Small Business Act - Directs the President to convene a White House Conference on Small Business by June 30, 1980, to identify the problems of small business concerns and to make recommendations for executive and legislative action. Requires the Conference to submit a report to the President and the Congress within one year of the date it convenes. Requires the Small Business Administration to report to the Congress within three years on the status and implementation of the findings and recommendations of the Conference. Authorizes appropriations for the expenses of the Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual income tax credit for qualified energy conservation expenditures with respect to a home which is owned by the taxpayer and is used by an individual other than the taxpayer as his principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Press Protection Act - Prohibits any person acting under color of law, without a prior adversary court proceeding, from searching any place or seizing any things in the possession, custody, or control of any person engaged in the gathering or dissemination of news for the print or broadcast media, unless with a warrant issued by a court upon probable cause that such person has committed or is committing a criminal offense. Establishes a criminal fine of not more than $10,000 for violation of this Act, and creates a civil cause of action for any person aggrieved by a violation. Allows punitive damages of up to $10,000, and reasonable attorneys' fees.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Independent Agencies Regulatory Improvements Act of 1979 - Directs the head of each independent regulatory agency to revise the rulemaking procedures of the agency in order to: (1) minimize the paperwork required of such procedures; and (2) provide for public participation in such procedures. Requires each agency head to publish in the Federal Register at least twice a year an agenda of the significant rules under development or review by that agency. Sets forth the information concerning each rule which must be included in such agenda. States that criteria for identifying significant agency rules shall be established by each agency head and must include consideration of: (1) the persons and organizations affected, the paperwork required, and the direct and indirect effects caused by the rule; and (2) the relationship of the rule to rules of other programs or agencies. Specifies that there must be a 60-day period provided for public comment on proposed significant rules. Requires each agency head to approve proposed significant rules before they are published in the Federal Register. Directs the agency head to approve such rule upon determining that: (1) the impact and requirements of any public comment concerning such rule have been adequately considered; and (2) the proposed rule is necessary, clearly written, and the least burdensome of acceptable alternatives. Requires each agency head to prepare a regulatory analysis of significant rules which may have major economic consequences for the general economy, industry, government, or geographic regions. Directs the agency head to develop procedures for public participation in developing such analysis. Directs each agency head to review periodically agency rules to determine whether such rules conform to the policies of this Act. Requires the agency head to publish within 60 days of the date of enactment of this Act the criteria for selecting the rules to be reviewed. Requires the Comptroller General to monitor the implementation of this Act by the agencies and to report to Congress and the President on the effectiveness of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Adds to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 a new title (Title XI: Regulatory Budget Procedure) to require Congress, on or before September 15 of each year, to complete action on a concurrent resolution which establishes a regulatory budget for each Federal agency that sets the maximum costs of compliance with all rules and regulations declared by the agency. Directs the President to establish a Business Advisory Council to include representatives of each major industrial and commercial sector, and each geographic region, to provide such information, advice and consultation as he may require to develop and carry out regulatory costs analysis procedures. Directs the President, in consultation with the Council, to formulate the criteria for determining the costs of compliance with Federal rules and regulations. Requires the head of each agency, using such criteria, to conduct a study of the costs of compliance with rules and regulations set forth by the agency and to submit such reports to the President, Congress, and the Comptroller General. Directs the Comptroller General to review such agency reports and to submit its findings to Congress. Requires the President to include regulatory budget recommendations in the Budget to Congress. Directs Congress to utilize such findings and recommendations in developing the regulatory budget for each agency. Requires Congressional committee reports on bills or resolutions to contain a statement of the estimate of the costs of compliance with agency rules or regulations to carry out the provisions of such bill or resolution. Sets forth the rules for consideration of any bill, resolution, or amendment that would cause the level of costs of compliance for any agency to exceed the maximum costs of compliance as established in the regulatory budget for the agency.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Regulatory Conflicts Elimination Act of 1979 - Directs the President to formulate criteria for use in determining the costs of compliance with Federal rules and regulations. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to submit to the President. Congress and the head of each independent agency an annual report which: (1) identifies duplicative or conflicting rules and regulations promulgated by executive departments or independent agencies; (2) determines the costs of compliance with such rules; and (3) makes recommendations for modifying, elimination, or consolidating such rules. Requires each head of an independent agency and the President to transmit to Congress and the Comptroller General recommendations for changing the conflicting or duplicative rules promulgated by the agency or executive department, and to implement such recommendations 60 days after transmittal unless Congress passes a concurrent resolution disapproving those recommendations. Directs the Comptroller General, within 30 days after the receipt of such reports, to submit a review of such reports to Congress. Directs the President to formulate criteria for use in determining the costs of compliance with Federal rules and regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Regulatory Cost Reduction Act of 1979 - Directs the President to establish (1) methods for determining the costs of compliance with Federal rules and regulations, and (2) methods of comparing the cost effectiveness of alternative ways of achieving regulatory objectives. Requires the President to submit such information to the head of each executive agency after review by the public and specified offices. Requires each agency head to use the most cost effective method for achieving a regulatory goal whenever alternative methods exist. Directs each agency head to prepare for each proposed rule a regulatory impact analysis which includes: (1) a description of the economic and social consequences of each alternative proposal; (2) a justification of the selection of the final rule; and (3) the paperwork requirements, economic impact, conflicting rules, and a cost-benefit analysis of the final rule. Requires each agency to develop procedures for public participation and comments regarding the regulatory analysis. Requires each agency head to review existing rules within five years of the date of enactment of this act. Urges the agency head to: (1) eliminate unnecessary rules; (2) clarify rule language; and (3) modify rules where necessary to adjust to technological or economic changes which have occurred since promulgation of the rule. Directs each agency head to publish a draft and, after approval of the President, a final report on the actions taken by the agency to implement this Act. Specifies the contents of the report which include estimates of the annual costs of compliance with the rules of each agency. Requires the Comptroller General to monitor the implementation of this Act and to report to Congress and the President on the effectiveness of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Balanced Budget Amendment - Prohibits total Federal expenditures from exceeding total receipts. Authorizes suspension of such prohibition for a congressional term in time of war or national emergency upon the concurrence of three-fourths of the Members of both Houses of Congress.
![Official portrait of Rep. Frost, Martin [D-TX-24]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000392_200.jpg)