United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Department of Education Organization Act - Title I: Findings and Purpose - Declares the purpose of this Act to be: (1) to strengthen the Federal commitment ensuring access to equal educational opportunity for every American; (2) to support more effectively States, localities and public and private institutions in carrying out their responsibilities for education; (3) to promote improvements in the quality and usefulness of education through federally supported research, evaluation, and the sharing of information; (4) to improve the management and efficiency of Federal education activities; (5) to increase the accountability of Federal education programs to the President, the Congress, and the public; (6) to encourage the involvement of the public, parents, and students in Federal education programs; (7) to improve the coordination of Federal education programs; and (8) to prohibit Federal control of education. Title II: Establishment of the Department - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education to be headed by a Secretary of Education. Establishes within such Department: (1) a position of Under Secretary of Education; (2) six Assistant Secretary positions; (3) an Office for Civil Rights headed by an Assistant Secretary; (4) an Office of Postsecondary Education headed by an Assistant Secretary; (5) an Office of Elementary and Secondary Education headed by an Assistant Secretary; (6) an Office of Educational Research and Improvement headed by an Assistant Secretary; (7) an office to administer functions relating to the education of overseas dependents of Department of Defense personnel; (8) a General Counsel; (9) an Office of Inspector General; (10) an Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Education to provide an educational forum and to promote better intergovernmental relations; and (11) an Interdepartmental Education Coordinating Committee to assure effective coordination of Federal educational programs and practices. Title III: Transfers - Transfers from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) educational functions and offices vested in: (1) the Assistant Secretary for Education; (2) the Education Division; (3) the Office for Civil Rights; (4) any statutory advisory committee or authority giving advice primarily concerning functions transferred under this Act; (5) the Institute of Museum Services; (6) the Advisory Council on Education Statistics; (7) the Federal Education Data Acquisition Council; and (8) certain functions of the Office of Inspector General. Transfers from HEW educational functions vested in the Secretary under: (1) the General Education Provisions Act; (2) the Emergency School Aid Act; (3) the Higher Education Act of 1965; (4) the Education Amendments of 1978; (5) the Act of August 30, 1898; (6) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (7) the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act; (8) the Environmental Education Act; (9) the National Defense Education Act of 1958; (10) the Education of the Handicapped Act; (11) the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act; (12) the Vocational Education Act of 1963; (13) certain provisions of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964; (14) certain parts of the Public Health Service Act regarding student aid; (15) the Model Secondary School for the Deaf Act; (16) certain telecommunications grants under the Communications Act of 1934; and (17) certain provisions of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949. Transfers from HEW educational functions relating to Gallaudet College, Howard University, the American Printing House for the Blind, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Transfers to the Department of Education from the Departments of: (1) Labor, certain functions regarding migrant and seasonal farmworker employment and training programs under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973; (2) Defense, the administration and operation of overseas dependents schools under the Defense Dependents' Education Act of 1978; (3) Justice, the student loan and grant programs known as the law enforcement education program and the law enforcement intern program under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968; and (4) Housing and Urban Development, the administration of college housing loans under the Housing Act of 1950. Transfers to the Department of Education specified science education programs of the National Science Foundation. Title IV: Administrative Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to appoint and fix the salaries for the Department's employees in accordance with the Civil Service laws. Allows certain higher level appointments to be made by the Secretary without Civil Service Commission approval if the individual so appointed is transferred to the Department in connection with a transfer of functions under this Act. Grants rulemaking authority to the Secretary. Requires such rules to be in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act and specified provisions of the General Education Provisions Act. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) employ experts and consultants; (2) enter into contracts with public agencies and private persons and organizations; (3) provide technical advice to participants or potential participants in Departmental programs; (4) establish, maintain, alter, or discontinue field offices; (5) acquire and maintain schools, laboratories, and related facilities; (6) provide and maintain various facilities for employees and their dependents at remote locations; (7) utilize, with their consent, Federal, State, or foreign facilities; (8) acquire necessary copyrights and patents; (9) accept and utilize gifts and requests of real and personal property; (10) establish a working capital fund for administrative expenses; and (11) transfer funds within the Department. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to the Congress concerning the Department's activities. Stipulates that such report include a statement of goals and priorities and an assessment of progress. Authorizes the appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act and additional functions that may be vested in the Department, to remain available until expended. Title V: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Redesignates the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Title VI: Effective Date and Interim Appointment - Directs that this Act shall take effect 180 days after the Secretary of Education takes office. Allows the President to make initial interim appointments to the Department of Education under specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the payment of excise tax on the sale of certain sporting goods at the close of the quarter immediately following the quarter in which shipment of such goods was made.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Requires that veterans receiving hospital, nursing home, or outpatient medical care from the Veterans Administration (VA) for non-service-connected disabilities be charged for such care to the extent that they have health insurance or similar contracts or rights with respect to such care, or have entitlement to private medical care under workers' compensation or automobile accident reparation statutes of any State. Provides that where such non-VA coverage is less than the total charge for such medical care provided to an eligible veteran, the veteran shall not be responsible for the difference.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
International Sugar Stabilization Act of 1979 - Title I: International Sugar Agreement, 1977 - Authorizes the President to implement the International Sugar Agreement by (1) regulating the entry of sugar from any country not a member of the International Sugar Organization and (2) requiring records and reports concerning the entry of sugar. Establishes criminal penalties for violating such regulations. Requires the President to submit to Congress an annual report on the Agreement. Title II: Import Restrictions on Sugar - Establishes 15.25 cents per pound, raw value, as the price objective for domestic sugar during the 1978 sugar supply year. Sets forth the formula for determining the price objective for succeeding years. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to monitor the average daily price of sugar imports. Directs the Secretary to pay up to one-half cent per pound, raw value, to domestic producers and processors of sugar beets and sugarcane to assure a return of 15.75 cents per pound, raw value, during the 1978 sugar supply year (to be readjusted in succeeding years as the price objective is readjusted). Imposes a special import duty in the amount by which the average daily price for sugar imports is less than the price objective. Provides for the readjustment of such duties. Authorizes the President, on the recommendation of the Secretary, to: (1) impose special import duties on sugar-containing products; and (2) make any necessary adjustments in any special import duties. Requires the President to request an investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission to determine whether the entry of sugar-containing products is adversely affecting the achievement of the price objective before imposing any special import duty on such products unless it is an emergency. Requires the Secretary to impose quotas on sugar imports whenever the Secretary determines that the price objective will not be achieved by the special import duties alone. Directs the Secretary to periodically review and readjust such quotas. Prohibits the importation of more than 100 pounds of sugar annually into the Virgin Islands. Prohibits the exportation of certain sugar. Establishes penalties for violations of such regulations. Exempts certain sugar or sugar-containing products from this title. Specifies that certain sugar entered for subsequent export shall not be charged against any proclaimed quota. Authorizes the President to suspend the operation of this title in a national emergency. Provides penalties for violations of this section. Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to permit the President to proclaim special import duties and quotas on sugars, syrups, and molasses in order to carry out this Act. Terminates the authority under this title at the end of the 1982 sugar supply year. Title III: Farm Labor Provisions - Requires every producer of sugar beets and sugarcane to pay each employee a specified minimum wage. Requires producers to pay such wages for employees who cannot be located to the Secretary to be held for three years. Authorizes actions against producers failing to pay the specified wages in any Federal or State court. Authorizes the Secretary to supervise the payment of unpaid wages owing to any employees. Requires actions to be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued. Prohibits any producer from discriminating against any employee who has participated in an investigation or proceeding under this title. Prohibits any producer from charging more than the reasonable costs of furnishing customary goods or services to employees. Requires producers to furnish workmen's compensation insurance to employees. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Vests jurisdiction for enforcing this Act in U.S. district courts. Requires all persons engaged in the manufacturing, marketing, transporting, or industrial use of sugar and other sweeteners to furnish the Secretary with necessary information. Prohibits officials engaged in the administration of this Act from investing or speculating in sugar. Establishes penalties for violating these regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct surveys and investigations to carry out this Act. Requires the Secretary to conduct studies on the cost of producing sugar beets, sugarcane, sugar, and other sweeteners. Authorizes the Secretary to waive part of the interest and/or principal to encourage repayment of Commodity Credit Corporation loans with respect to the 1977 and 1978 crops of sugar beets and sugarcane.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require that any social security account number assigned, after this Act becomes effective, be on a card or in such other form as will easily reveal any illegal alteration or duplication. Requires, in the case of cards issued to aliens who are not in the United States under conditions which make it lawful for them to engage in employment, that such card be marked to indicate that such individual may not be legally employed. Authorizes the reissuance of such card without such mark at such time as it is determined that the alien may lawfully engage in employment in the United States. Establishes criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly employ alien holders of cards which indicate that they may not lawfully engage in employment in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Medicare-Medicaid Administrative and Reimbursement Reform Act - Establishes additional requirements applicable to the determination of the reasonable costs of services provided by hospitals under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a system by which hospitals will be classified by: (1) size; (2) type of hospital; (3) location (rural or urban); and (4) other criteria determined by the Secretary to be appropriate. Defines the term "routine operating cost" as used in this Act. Stipulates that such term does not include: (1) capital costs; (2) direct personnel and supply costs of hospital education and training programs; (3) costs of interns, residents, and non-administrative physicians; (4) energy costs associated with heating and cooling the hospital plant; and (5) malpractice insurance expenses; or (6) ancillary service costs. Directs the Secretary to determine for the hospitals in each category an average per diem routine operating cost amount, based upon the amount of the hospitals' routine operating costs, to be used in making payments to such hospitals. Establishes a Health Facilities Costs Commission to conduct a continuing study, investigation, and review of the reimbursement provided to hospitals under the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Directs the Secretary to establish a Hospital Transitional Allowance Board to act on the applications of hospitals for reimbursement of expenses incurred in the retirement or conversion of under-utilized facilities. Redefines the term "capital expenditure" as used in this Act in relation to expenditures made by or on behalf of health care facilities or health maintenance organizations to raise the limit on such expenditures from $100,000 to $150,000. Establishes a plan for the reimbursement of physicians under which participating doctors of medicine or osteopathy would accept the assignment of patients' claims for reimbursement under the Medicare program. Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for expediting the payment of such assigned claims to physicians. Promulgates an incentive payment to encourage physicians to participate in the program of assignment of claims. Directs the Secretary to specify those surgical procedures which can be safely and appropriately performed either in a hospital or on an inpatient ambulatory basis: (1) in a physician's office; or (2) in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital. Authorizes payment under the Medicare program for those ambulatory procedures not performed in a hospital. Directs the Secretary to establish with respect to each such surgical procedure an amount which is payable either to: (1) the physician for the excess costs in outfitting the physician's office to perform such procedures; or (2) the ambulatory surgical center for its services furnished in connection with such procedures. Stipulates that such amounts will be payable only upon assurances that the performance of such procedures will cost substantially less than the cost of performing such procedures on an inpatient basis in a hospital. Sets forth criteria for determining the reasonable charge which may be made for physicians' services, and medical services, supplies and equipment under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Authorizes payment, under the Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits program of Medicare, for antigens prepared by an allergist for a particular patient. Authorizes payment of physician's fees for a deceased Medicare recipient to the spouse or legally designated representative of the recipient under specified circumstances. Authorizes rural hospitals of less than 50 beds which have been granted a certificate of need for the provision of long-term care services to enter into agreements with the Secretary under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, providing that their inpatient hospital facilities may be used to furnish services which if furnished by a skilled nursing facility would constitute post hospital extended care services. Authorizes, pursuant to such agreements, for payments to be made for skilled nursing services and intermediate care services furnished by a hospital. Directs the Secretary to make agreements with the States under which the services of a State health agency will be utilized for the purpose of determining whether an institution in such State qualifies as a skilled nursing facility for purposes of the Medicaid program. Terminates the Health Insurance Benefits Advisory Council. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public or nonprofit private regional pediatric respiratory centers affiliated with institutions in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of respiratory diseases in children and young adults and in providing health care services to children and young adults suffering from such diseases. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the making of such grants for fiscal year 1979 and the succeeding four fiscal years. Amends title XI (General Provisions and Professional Standards Review) of the Social Security Act to stipulate that no Professional Standards Review Organization and no Statewide Professional Standards Review Council shall be considered to be or have been an agency or authority of the United States Government for the purpose of disclosure of information developed or collected under the Act. Removes the 100 visit limitation presently applicable to home health services under the Medicare program. Eliminates prior hospitalization as a condition of eligibility for home health care services under such program. Directs the Secretary to develop uniform claims forms to be utilized in making payments for health services under the Medicare and Medicaid program. Amends title XI to require, as a condition for payment to any State under title V (Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services) or title XIX for costs incurred in the performance of audits of certain entities which also provide services under title XVIII, that the conduct of such audits be coordinated with audits performed with respect to the entity for purposes of title XVIII. Requires, under titles V and XIX, that a State plan for medical assistance provide that the records of any entity participating in the plan and providing services reimbursable on a cost-related basis will be audited to insure that proper payments are made under the plan. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress concerning such audits. Requires skilled nursing facilities to provide services under both Medicare and Medicaid on a non-discriminatory basis, in order to be reimbursed under either plan. Provides coverage under the Medicare program for optometrists' services with respect to aphakia. Directs the Secretary to conduct a special study of the criteria presently used in determining whether a facility is a "skilled nursing facility" as that term is used in title XVIII. Authorizes States which have not yet entered into an agreement with the Secretary to provide coverage for certain individuals under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance for the Aged and Disabled) of title XVIII to enter into such an agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
National Digestive Diseases Prevention, Cure, and Control Act - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to establish a National Digestive Diseases Education and Information Clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information respecting digestive diseases and to serve as a national educational resource for patients with digestive diseases. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to medical schools for education and training programs in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of digestive diseases. Establishes a 24-member part-time National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board to advise on the coordination of Federal agencies' efforts in the implementation of the long- range plan of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases, among other specified functions. Terminates such Board on September 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total expenditures in any fiscal year shall not exceed the net amount of revenue received by the Government in that year. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war declared by Congress or by a concurrent resolution passed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress. Stipulates that any unanticipated deficit in any fiscal year shall be considered an expenditure for the succeeding fiscal year. Directs the Congress to provide an appropriate increase in the level of total receipts if the amount of such deficit exceeds two percent of the total expenditures for the succeeding fiscal year. Authorizes the Congress to apportion any deficit over the four following fiscal years or, by a two-thirds vote of both Houses, to include such deficit in the debts of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from prescribing rules to permit increased duplication of radio broadcasting station assignments on class I-A clear channels.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1979
Directs the Federal Communications Commission to examine the use of the AM radio broadcasting band and to assign such spectrum and distribute licenses so as to ensure that each community, regardless of size, is provided with the maximum local full-time radio broadcasting service.
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 · 1 February 1979
Administrative Rulemaking Reform Act - Requires a Federal agency preparing to hold a rulemaking session to make a reasonable effort to inform those likely to be affected by the proposed rulemaking. Requires that if the affected group is large, representatives of such group must be notified. Requires, in addition to present requirements, that the notice of rulemaking include the projected effective date of the rules, the purpose of the rulemaking, the text of the proposed rules, and the technical or other studies on which the agency intends to rely in the rulemaking proceedings. Applies the requirements of this Act to all rulemaking sessions except: (1) those specifically authorized to be kept secret in the interest of national security, and (2) those relating to agency management. Requires public notice and public opportunity for comment on all rulemaking proceedings under this Act unless the agency finds that the rules to be proposed are emergency rules or are of routine or insignificant impact in which case the rule must be published with reasons for its adoption. Requires Federal agencies to give interested persons at least 45 days to participate in the rulemaking. Requires the agency to maintain a file of each proceeding to be made available to the courts, Congress, and to the public in connection with review of the rule. Limits the period for public comment to a maximum of 90 days. Requires a copy of all proposed rules to be sent to Congress. States that such rule, other than an emergency rule, shall not become effective if it is disapproved within 90 days by both Houses of Congress, or it is disapproved within 60 days by one House and no action is taken on the disapproval resolution by the other House. Provides that either House of Congress may, by resolution, require any agency to reconsider and resubmit any rule to which this Act applies. Requires that such proposed rule be repromulgated anew in accordance with all the provisions of this Act unless it is reconsidered and resubmitted to Congress within 180 days after the adoption of the resolution requiring such reconsideration. Requires the Administrative Conference of the United States to study Congressional review of agency rulemaking under this Act and report the effect of such review on such rulemaking before July 1, 1984. Authorizes to be appropriated $200,000 to finance such study. Makes this Act effective 90 days after enactment. Terminates the Congressional review required by this Act at the adjournment of the Ninety-eight Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
National Digestive Diseases Prevention, Cure, and Control Act - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to establish a National Digestive Diseases Education and Information Clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information respecting digestive diseases and to serve as a national educational resource for patients with digestive diseases. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to medical schools for education and training programs in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of digestive diseases. Establishes a 24-member part-time National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board to advise on the coordination of Federal agencies' efforts in the implementation of the long- range plan of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases, among other specified functions. Terminates such Board on September 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Small Business Regulatory Relief Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct each Federal department, agency, and instrumentality engaged in rulemaking to prepare a written analysis of whether it is legal, feasible, and desirable to exempt small businesses (or classes thereof) from a rule or whether the agency should promulgate a rule with lesser compliance standards for small businesses. Sets forth information which must be present in such analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and for physical examinations, and for related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Soft Drink Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that exclusive territorial arrangements made as a part of a licensing agreement for the manufacture, distribution, or sale of a trademarked soft drink product are lawful under the antitrust laws provided such product is in substantial and effective competition with other products of the same general class.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Declares the public policy of the United States to prohibit the manufacture, sale, interstate shipment, and use of leg-hold and steel-jaw traps in the United States and abroad. Prohibits the shipment into interstate or foreign commerce of fur or leather products which come from animals trapped in any State or foreign country which has not banned such traps. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to publish a list of States and foreign countries which have not banned the manufacture, sale, and use of leg-hold and steel-jaw traps. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to raise the price support levels for milk, wheat, corn, soybeans, and cotton to 90 percent of their respective parity prices. Reduces the price levels at which producers participating in the wheat and feed grains storage program: (1) may redeem and market commodities securing price support loans (from between 140 to 160 percent of their respective parity prices to 100 percent); and (2) must repay such loans (from 175 to 110 percent of their respective parity prices).
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends the Antidumping Act, 1921, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to determine whether there is reason to believe that imported goods are being sold in the United States or elsewhere at less than its fair market value within six months of the initiation of an investigation by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to withhold appraisement of imported goods when the Secretary determines to initiate such an investigation. Deletes the provision of Federal law which permits an extension of time to make such a determination. Requires the Secretary to make a final determination within two months regarding the sale of imported goods at less than fair value. Directs the Secretary to inform the International Trade Commission if the Secretary determines that the purchase price of imported goods is less, or likely to be less, than the foreign market value. Requires the Commission to investigate whether U.S. industry is being injured or less likely to be established due to such imported goods and to notify the Secretary of its determination within three months of the Secretary's determination. Stipulates that any special dumping duty on imported goods should be assessed within one year after the Secretary has made a finding that the purchase price of such goods is less than fair value.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
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
Amends rule X of the Rules the House of Representatives to establish a standing Committee on Internal Security to investigate and report on Communist and other subversive activities affecting the internal security of the United States, including activities intended to overthrow or alter the form of government in the United States by unlawful means or which incite or employ violence or any unlawful means to obstruct the lawful authority of the government.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require that any social security account number assigned, after this Act becomes effective, be on a card or in such other form as will easily reveal any illegal alteration or duplication. Requires, in the case of cards issued to aliens who are not in the United States under conditions which make it lawful for them to engage in employment, that such card be marked to indicate that such individual may not be legally employed. Authorizes the reissuance of such card without such mark at such time as it is determined that the alien may lawfully engage in employment in the United States. Establishes criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly employ alien holders of cards which indicate that they may not lawfully engage in employment in the United States.
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 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
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt government chartered air museums operated exclusively for the care or use of antique, custom-built, racing, military or other special types of aircraft from the excise taxes on special fuels and the use of civil aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Legislative Oversight Act of 1979 - Title I: Requirements for Authorization Bills - Requires all legislation considered by either House of Congress which authorizes new budget authority or increased tax expenditures to include a statement of objectives of the program to be authorized or established and a requirement that the agencies administering the program report annually to Congress to assist it in determining whether such program should be amended. Requires such agency reports to list the costs and accomplishments of each program. Title II: Requirements for Reports Accompanying Authorization Bills - Requires committee reports accompanying such legislation to identify expected economic and social costs and benefits of new programs authorized or established by such legislation, potentially duplicative programs, and previous efforts to accomplish the objectives of the program being considered. Requires reports to contain an assessment of the degree to which an existing program, authorization, or tax expenditure has met previously stated objectives. Requires the Comptroller General to publish and periodically update a descriptive catalog of interrelated Federal activities which compares program costs and accomplishments and describes program interrelationships, including the extent to which programs are duplicative. Title III: Presidential Budget Recommendations - Requires the President's budget to describe the relationship between the President's recommended program budgets and the program accomplishments reported by Federal agencies under this Act. Title IV: Authorization Time Limit; Certain Obligations Not Impaired - Prohibits congressional consideration of any legislation which authorizes new budget authority or provides new or increased tax expenditures, or new spending authority for a period exceeding five years. Exempts from this prohibition national debt service and payments to individuals from Federal trust funds to which such individuals have contributed. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions; Effective Date - Recognizes the authority of either House to amend this Act. Sets the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total appropriations shall not exceed estimated revenues. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war or national emergency. Prohibits any increase in the national debt as it exists on the date this article is ratified. Sets forth a schedule for repayment of the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1978
Amends the Trade Act of 1974, with respect to the authority of the President to negotiate trade agreements, to direct the President to reserve any article for which an agreement limiting agricultural imports has been entered into, from negotiations to reduce or eliminate customs duties or import restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress to assure that the total outlays of the Government, during any fiscal year, do not exceed the total receipts of the Government during such fiscal year. States that by the fourth fiscal year after the ratification of this amendment the budget shall be balanced. Permits expenditures to exceed national revenues in time of declared emergency, but states that such expenditures shall never exceed receipts by more than ten percent. Provides that during the fifth fiscal year beginning after the ratification of this amendment and for the next 19 succeeding fiscal years thereafter, the total receipts of the Government shall exceed outlays by an amount equal to five percent of the Federal indebtedness at the beginning of the fifth year fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1978
Amends the Trade Act of 1974, with respect to the authority of the President to negotiate trade agreements, to direct the President to reserve any article for which an agreement limiting agricultural imports has been entered into, from negotiations to reduce or eliminate customs duties or import restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1978
Provides that an individual shall not be treated as an employee for purposes of the employment tax if a taxpayer did not treat him as an employee for any period prior to January 1, 1980, and had no reasonable basis for so doing. Sets forth criteria for determining whether a taxpayer had a reasonable basis for not treating an individual as an employee. Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from issuing regulations or rulings before January 1, 1980, regarding the employment status of any individual for purposes of the employment tax.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1978
Sunset Program Reauthorization and Evaluation Act - Title I: Reauthorization of New Budget Authority - Requires Government programs to be evaluated pursuant to a specified schedule to determine whether each such program should be continued, terminated, or altered (reauthorization review). Prohibits the authorization of new budget authority for a period of more than ten years. Prohibits the authorization of new budget authority for any program for which there has not been conducted a reauthorization review. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in consulation with the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to compile a list of programs subject to a reauthorization date for which new budget authority was not authorized. Title II: Program Inventory - Requires the Comptroller General to compile an inventory of Federal programs including a description of such programs covering specified topics. Title III: Program Review and Evaluation - Requires each House of Congress to select from the programs scheduled for reauthorization review in any given year a number of programs for comprehensive reauthorization review. Requires the President and each congressional committee to recommend such programs. Title IV: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes an independent Citizen's Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to study the organization and operation of Federal agencies and to recommend ways to improve the efficiency and operations of such agencies. Requires the Commission to submit its final report by July 1, 1983, and terminates the Commission 90 days after the submission of such report. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires the Comptroller General to furnish Congress with the results of prior audits and reviews of programs being reviewed under this Act. Requires all agencies which are exempt from reauthorization review to submit a status report to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1978
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to prepare a study of historical Camden, South Carolina, to determine the feasibility and desirability of estabishing such area as a unit of the National Park System, and to transmit such study to the President and specified Congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Historic Camden National Historic Park, in South Carolina. Directs the Secretary to accept the conveyance of specified lands and buildings owned by the Camden Historical Commission and to designate such lands and buildings as part of the park. Directs the Secretary to administer the park's development in accordance with the Commission's Historic District Master Plan. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1978
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to raise the price support levels for milk, wheat, corn, soybeans, and cotton to 90 percent of their respective parity prices. Reduces the price levels at which producers participating in the wheat and feed grains storage program: (1) may redeem and market commodities securing price support loans (from between 140 to 160 percent of their respective parity prices to 100 percent); and (2) must repay such loans (from 175 to 110 percent of their respective parity prices).
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 1978
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Federal courts should expedite all remaining administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to the Seabrook Nuclear Station project (New Hampshire), and that all licensing and permitting procedures for the construction and operation of nuclear generating stations should be reviewed and modified to improve the efficiency of such procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1978
Directs the Internal Revenue Service not to adopt a position which is inconsistent with a general audit position, a regulation, or a ruling in effect on January 1, 1976, in determining whether an individual is an employee for purposes of social security taxation, unemployment taxation, and income tax withholding. Prohibits the treatment of any individual as an employee of any employer, if such employer consistently treated the individual, in good faith, as an independent contractor in reasonable reliance on either past IRS audit practice, published rulings or judicial precedent, recognized practice in the industry, or long-standing treatment of the individual as an independent contractor.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1978
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to require coverage under such Title for Federal employees whose employment commences after December 31, 1978 or whose employment is not covered by a retirement system on that date. Permits Federal employees who are presently covered by a Federal retirement system to waive such coverage and elect coverage under the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program. Entitles an employee who makes such an election to a refund of any amount contributed to a retirement system or to a transfer of retirement credits to the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1978
Amends the Trade Act of 1974, with respect to the authority of the President to negotiate trade agreements, to direct the President to reserve any article for which an agreement limiting agricultural imports has been entered into, from negotiations to reduce or eliminate customs duties or import restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1978
States that the Territory of American Samoa shall be represented in the United States Congress by a nonvoting delegate to the House of Representatives. Sets forth the procedure for the election of such delegate.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1978
Foreign Earned Income Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the tax exclusion for income earned outside the United States to such income as is earned in a "qualified foreign country." Defines "qualified foreign country." Limits the amount of excludable income to $20,000 for United States citizens who establish bona fide residency in a qualified foreign country for at least one taxable year and for United States citizens or resident aliens who work in such a country during a period of 18 consecutive months. Limits the excludable amount to $25,000 for United States citizens who establish bona fide residency in a qualified foreign country for an uninterrupted period of three consecutive years. Treats presence on certain North Sea equipment used in exploring natural resources as presence in a qualified foreign country. Repeals the requirement that income earned outside the United States must be received in the country in which it is earned. Allows a tax deduction for United States citizens or residents working abroad for the sum of the qualified cost-of-living differential (difference between the cost-of-living in a particular foreign country and the Washington metropolitan area), housing, schooling, and home leave travel expenses. Limits the amount of the deduction to the amount earned abroad by an individual reduced by the amount excludable under the foreign earned income exclusion plus the amount of the exclusion for meals and lodging provided by an employer and the amount of specified allocable deductions. Specifies that the deductions for such living expenses be taken from gross income, thus permitting taxpayers who do not itemize deductions to claim such expenses as deductions in computing adjusted gross income. Sets forth definitions for qualified housing, schooling, and home leave travel expenses and rules for computing allowable deductions for such expenses. Permits an individual to maintain a separate household for spouse and dependents and still claim tax deductions for living expenses, if the living conditions in which such individual works are dangerous, unhealthy, or otherwise adverse. Increases the time and amount limitations for moving expenses for the relocation of a taxpayer at a new principal place of work outside the United States. Permits deductions for the moving expenses of a taxpayer due to retirement or for the expenses of a survivor upon the death of such taxpayer. Includes the storage fees incurred for the duration of a foreign assignment within the expenses qualifying for the moving expense deduction. Excludes from gross income meals and lodging furnished to the taxpayer, a spouse, and dependents by the employer outside the United States in a "camp style" or communal setting. Provides taxpayers working abroad the same extended repurchase time limitations as are presently provided servicemen stationed overseas for the nonrecognition of gain on the sale or exchange of a principal residence. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to submit a report to Congress indicating the number and characteristics of individuals claiming tax benefits under this Act, the economic impact of such benefits, and the manner in which such benefits have been administered.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1978
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to require coverage under such Title for Federal employees whose employment commences after December 31, 1978 or whose employment is not covered by a retirement system on that date. Permits Federal employees who are presently covered by a Federal retirement system to waive such coverage and elect coverage under the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program. Entitles an employee who makes such an election to a refund of any amount contributed to a retirement system or to a transfer of retirement credits to the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program.
![Official portrait of Rep. Holland, Kenneth L. [D-SC-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000719_200.jpg)