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Official portrait of Rep. Jones, James R. [D-OK-1]

Rep. Jones, James R. [D-OK-1]

United States · Official source

Records

688 records where Rep. Jones, James R. [D-OK-1] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· HRH.R. 8226 (96th)referred

Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center Endowment Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1980

Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center Endowment Act - Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make matching grants to assist in the development of the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center, located at the University of Oklahoma. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 to carry out this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 8185 (96th)referred

A bill to remove certain lands from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1980

Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Wichita Mountains Association specified lands in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in the State of Oklahoma. Conditions such conveyance upon the use of the lands for public recreational and cultural activities. Requires that title revert to the United States in the event the lands are no longer used for such purposes.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 418 (96th)referred

A concurrent resolution declaring the sense of Congress regarding periods of silence in the public schools.

United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1980

Declares the sense of Congress that the Constitution of the United States does not preclude, and that public school authorities should recognize the value of, periods of silence (for silent prayer, meditation, contemplation, or introspection) in the public schools to be used at the discretion of individual students.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 406 (96th)referred

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the people of the Polish People's Republic should be permitted by other nations to settle their internal affairs by themselves without external intervention.

United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980

Declares that the people of Poland should be allowed to settle their own affairs, including the formation of independent trade unions and the right to strike, without foreign interference.

Bill· HRH.R. 7888 (96th)referred

A bill to amend section 119 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide that meals furnished by an employer to an employee may be considered furnished for the convenience of the employer if the meals are furnished on the business premises of the employer generally, except under certain conditions whereby meals may be furnished off the business premises of the employer.

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1980

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to enumerate certain conditions whereby meals furnished by an employer to an employee may be considered furnished for the convenience of the employer, and thus qualify as tax excludible for the employee, even if such meals are furnished off the business premises of the employer.

Bill· HRH.R. 7824 (96th)referred

Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act Amendments of 1980

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1980

Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act Amendments of 1980 - Amends the Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act of 1963 to revise the definition of "farm labor contractor" to: (1) broaden specified exclusions from such definition (thus broadening certain exemptions from coverage under such Act); and (2) exclude from such definition (and such coverage) any nonprofit or cooperative association of farmers, growers, or ranchers, duly incorporated under appropriate State laws, and operated solely for the mutual benefit of the members thereof, and any full-time or regular employee of such association or cooperative who engages in such activity solely for such employer. Adds other definitions relating to such revisions. Revises the definition of "agricultural employment" to specify that listed activities take place on a farm or ranch. Limits the definition of "migrant worker" to mean (among individuals engaged in agricultural employment on a farm or ranch on a seasonal or temporary basis) only those who cannot regularly return to their domicile each day after working hours, or who are transported from and to their domicile each workday by the person who recruits, solicits, hires, or furnishes such worker for agricultural employment on a farm or ranch owned or operated by another person.

Bill· HRH.R. 7811 (96th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to increase the competitiveness of American firms operating abroad and to help increase markets for United States exports.

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1980

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $20,000 to $75,000 in 1980 (with inflation adjustments in 1981 and thereafter) the earned income exclusion for U.S. citizens working abroad who are bona fide residents of a foreign country. Repeals the requirement that, as a condition of their employment, such individuals reside in a hardship area. Reduces from 17 to 11 months the residency requirement for such exclusion. Waives such requirement if the Secretary of the Treasury determines that such individuals were required to leave a foreign country because of war, civil unrest, or other adverse conditions before the end of the 11 month period, and that they would have otherwise met such residency requirement. Provides for an income tax exclusion for the value of employer-provided lodging in a camp in cases where satisfactory housing is not generally available. Reduces from 17 to 11 months the foreign residency requirement with respect to the deduction for certain housing expenses of living abroad.

Law· HRH.R. 7709 (96th)open

An act to amend the Tariff Schedules of the United States to increase the quantity of cigarettes that may be accorded duty-free treatment if acquired in the insular possessions and entered by returning United States residents.

United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1980

Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to increase the quantity of cigarettes which may be entered duty-free by U.S. residents, for their personal use, returning from specified insular possessions.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 376 (96th)referred

A concurrent resolution relative to Japan-United States trade.

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980

Expresses the sense of Congress that the present level of the trade deficit with Japan is intolerable and threatens the future of trade between our nations. Urges Japan to cooperate in correcting such deficit.

Bill· HRH.R. 7528 (96th)referred

Consumer Health Expenses Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1980

Consumer Health Expenses Control Act - Title I: Medicap - Adds a new title to the Social Security Act, Title XXI-Medicap. Establishes a voluntary insurance plan to provide automatic protection to families against catastrophic medical expenses, Medicap, to be funded by general revenues. Provides that a family will be eligible for Medicap assistance for Medicap covered expenses after members of the family incur medical expenses equal to the deductible. Provides that deductible and coinsurance amounts shall be equal to a percentage of family income, graduated according to income. Provides that there shall be no coinsurance payments after a family has incurred expenses equal to the Medicap stop-loss. Counts only the reasonable expenses incurred for covered medical services furnished to family members as covered deductible medical expenses for a family. Sets forth provisions relating to applications for assistance under this Act. Requires any family that applies for and receives assistance under this Act to file an income statement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Permits civil penalties to be imposed for submission of an intentionally false statement. Provides that payments shall be made: (1) for the applicable percentage of the Medicap expenses for Medicap covered services; and (2) for 75 percent of the Medicap expenses for prescription drugs for the treatment of chronic illness. Provides that the applicable percentage: (1) before the family has incurred an amount of deductible covered medical expenses equal to the Medicap stop-loss, is equal to 100 percent less the family's coinsurance rate; or (2) after the family has incurred such an amount of expenses, 100 percent. Provides that the Medicap stop-loss shall be: (1) $400, if annual family income is not over $4,000 (adjusted as specified); (2) $400 plus 25 percent of the income in excess of $4,000, if annual family income is between $4,000 and $6,000 (adjusted as specified); or (3) $900 plus 35 percent of income over $6,000, if annual family income is over $6,000 (adjusted as specified). Provides that payments with respect to Medicap covered services which are described in title XVIII (Medicare) of the Act shall be made to providers, with specified exceptions, in the amount and in accordance with the procedures set forth in such title. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the administration of benefits under Medicap utilizing the entities which administer Medicare benefits. Directs the Secretary to provide for a listing of drug entities which may be legally introduced into interstate commerce with specified therapeutic categories. Provides that any individual dissatisfied with any determination relating to the individual's eligibility for or amount of Medicap benefits shall be entitled to a hearing concerning such determination and to judicial review of the Secretary's final decision. Sets forth definitions of terms used in this Act, including "Medicap covered services" which is defined as services furnished to an individual to the extent payment for such service may be made under the Medicare program, except that under Medicap: (1) inpatient psychiatric services shall be covered for 45 days in a calendar year; (2) items and services related to pregnancy, delivery, and care of a child through the first year are covered; (3) immunizations against serious communicable diseases are covered; and (4) prescription drugs for chronic illness are covered for an individual entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare. Directs the Secretary to provide for an evaluation, by an entity outside the Department of Health and Human Services, of the implementation of this Act during its first five years and to report to Congress on the evaluation. Title II: Health Cost Restraint and Employees Health Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the employee's gross income shall include the excess amount by which the employers contribution to a health plan exceeds the applicable dollar limit. Sets forth six categories of the applicable dollar limit, ranging from $45 to $100. States that the applicable dollar limit for a nonqualified plan is zero. Requires enrollment in the plan to be offered to all full-time employees. Requires the plan to provide minimum coverage for all options under the plan. Defines "minimum coverage" to mean Medicap covered services. States that a plan shall not be treated as providing minimum coverage if the aggregate amount of nonreimbursable deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for an employee for covered deductible medical expenses and expenses for which assistance is provided under Medicap exceeds $3,500 annually, States that the plan is to be offered (or administered) by an entity that has entered into a Medicap coordination agreement as defined by this Act. Requires each plan to offer qualified low cost coverage. Requires the employer contribution to be at least 50 percent of the employee cost or, if lower, 50 percent of the per employee cost of any other option (in the same category) available to the employee. Sets forth minimum and maximum amounts of the employer contributions to any lower cost option. Requires the plan to pay a rebate to employees choosing lower cost coverage or no coverage. Permits the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury to jointly enter an agreement with a State under which the State department that approves health insurance policies would certify whether or not a health plan is a qualified individual health plan meeting certain requirements relating to: (1) minimum coverage and disclosure of benefits; (2) coverage of a covered individual's children; and (3) termination of coverage. Permits a deduction, of up to $500, equal to the amount of expenses paid for a qualified individual health plan that is not offered by an employer and not compensated for by insurance. Title III - Health Maintenance Organizations - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an employer to include in its health benefits plans the option of membership in a health maintenance organization (HMO), provided there are at least two qualified HMO's serving the area and certain other conditions are met. Title IV: Payments to Health Maintenance Organizations Under the Medicare Program - Amends title XVIII of the Act to revise provisions relating to payments to and contractual arrangements with HMO's on behalf of individuals eligible for Medicare. Directs the Secretary to determine annually a per capita rate of payment for each class of individuals entitled to benefits under such title who are enrolled pursuant to this Act with a HMO. Directs the Secretary to define classes of members based on such factors as age, sex, institutional status, disability status, and place of residence. Provides a rate for each class equal to 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost for that class. Defines the term "adjusted average per capita cost" to mean the average per capita amount that the Secretary estimates would be payable for services furnished under the Medicare program, if the services were to be furnished by other than an HMO. Provides that every individual entitled to benefits under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII or part B only shall be eligible to enroll with an HMO with which the Secretary has contracted to provide services. Sets limits on an HMO's premium rate and the actuarial value of its other charges for individuals enrolled under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with any HMO that can provide the benefits required by this Act. Title V: Medicare Amendments - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Act to provide that individuals entitled to Medicare benefits may be eligible for certain benefits with respect catastrophic health insurance expenses under title XXI. Repeals the prohibition against making Medicare payments for immunizations. Permits payment for items and services related to pregnancy, to delivery, or to care of a child through one year after birth. Revises criteria for determining reasonable charges for physician services. Title VI: Studies and Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to provide for studies of, and demonstration projects with respect to, the desirability and feasibility of adding a long-term care program in titles XVIII and XXI of the Act. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the feasibility of promoting better efficiency and effectiveness in the Medicaid (title XIX of the Act) and Medicare programs through the establishment of a consumer choice program under which eligible individuals may receive benefits through competitive private plans. Directs the Secretary to reduce the amount of payments to a State under title XIX, or, if the State does not have an approved title XIX plan, to reduce grants under the Public Health Service Act if the State, after May 1, 1980, changes its laws or regulations in a manner which: (1) reduces the number of categories of individuals eligible for benefits, or the amount or extent of such benefits, provided either under titles V (Maternal and Child Health Services), XIX, or XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Act, or (B) under any program providing benefits determined to be substantially similar to those covered under title XXI of the Act; and (2) results in an increase in the amount of payments that would otherwise be made under title XXI of the Act.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 564 (96th)referred

A joint resolution congratulating the Order of the Sons of Italy in America for their seventy-fifth anniversary and wishing the Order of the Sons of Italy in America success in future years and proclaiming June 22, 1980, as "National Italian-American Day".

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1980

Extends the congratulations of the Congress to the Order of the Sons of Italy in America for their 75th anniversary. Proclaims Sunday, June 22, 1980, as "National Italian-American Day."

Bill· HRH.R. 7520 (96th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 with respect to the treatment of mutual or cooperative electric and telephone companies.

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that any income received or accrued by a tax-exempt mutual or cooperative electric or telephone company from qualified pole rentals, or by a cooperative telephone company from the sale of display listings in a directory furnished to company members, shall not be treated as unrelated business income subject to tax. Defines qualified pole rental as any rental of a pole (or other structure used to support wires) if: (1) such pole or structure is used by the telephone or electric company in providing telephone or electric services to its members; and (2) the use of such pole or structure pursuant to the rental is in connection with the transmission by wire of electricity or of telephone or other communications.

Law· HRH.R. 7482 (96th)open

A bill to authorize the President of the United States to present on behalf of Congress a specially struck gold-plated medal to the United States Summer Olympic Team of 1980.

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980

Authorizes the President to present a gold-plated medal, on behalf of the Congress, to those athletes selected through the Olympic trial process to be members of the United States Summer Olympic Team of 1980. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be stricken 650 such medals with suitable emblems. Declares that such medals are national medals and that funds to carry out this Act shall be made available under the Amateur Sports Act of 1978.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 354 (96th)referred

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should exercise his authority to restore the peaceful and orderly processing under the immigration laws of Cuban nationals who recently arrived in the United States and to remove, in accordance with law, from the United States those Cuban nationals who participate in acts of destruction or violence at the sites of such processing.

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980

Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should restore and maintain the peaceful processing of Cubans, and identify and remove from the United States those Cubans who participated in acts of destruction at the processing sites.

Bill· HRH.R. 7479 (96th)referred

National Export Policy Act of 1980

United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1980

National Export Policy Act of 1980 - Title I: General Findings and Purposes - Sets forth congressional findings and the purposes of this Act. Title II: Export Financing - Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to direct the Export-Import Bank to adopt export finance programs comparable in structure to those extraordinary measures of official export credits offered by competing countries, until such financing is limited by international agreements. Requires the Bank to report annually to Congress as to whether any additional appropriations or any increases in its commitment authority or ceiling levels are necessary to carry out this Act. States that this Act shall not take effect until six months after enactment, unless the President defers the effective date for an additional six months. Declares it to be the policy of the Congress that the Export-Import Bank of the United States should facilitate, particularly in the presence of foreign officially-supported export credit competition, exports to countries: (1) having insufficient access to international credit facilities; (2) demonstrating reasonable economic progress; and (3) offering adequate formal assurances of repayment (currently, must offer sufficient likelihood of repayment). Increases the aggregate amount of loans and contractual liability of guarantees and insurance which may be outstanding at any one time. Requires such activities to be carried out through the Export Expansion Facility. Provides for the capitalization of such facility. Establishes staggered ten-year terms of office for the Bank directors. Declares that the appropriate congressional committees should consider limitations on Bank activities when considering appropriations for international trade activities rather than when considering foreign assistance activities. Title III: Export-Related Tax Policy - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the earned income exclusion for United States citizens working abroad, who are bona fide residents of a foreign country, from an annual rate of $20,000 to: (1) $50,000; or (2) $65,000, if such persons qualify as bona fide residents for certain specified periods. Allows separate exclusions to married individuals who are both working overseas, although one's excess exclusion cannot be used against income earned by the other. Waives the residency requirements to qualify for such exclusion for those required to leave a foreign country because of civil unrest, war, or similar adverse conditions precluding the normal conduct of business. Reduces from 17 to 11 months the foreign residency requirement with respect to the deduction for certain housing expenses of living abroad. Revises the formula for determining the base housing amount with regard to such deduction to make it 16 percent of the salary of a GS-14, step 1. Repeals similar deductions for cost-of-living differential, schooling expenses, home leave travel expenses, and residence in a hardship area. Provides that the foreign bad debt loss deduction shall not exceed the greater of 15 percent of the taxpayer's taxable income from exports, or two percent of the taxpayer's export receivables outstanding at the close of the taxable year. Provides that the amount of bad debt losses that may be added to a bad debt reserve shall not exceed five percent of the taxpayer's export receivables outstanding as of the close of the taxable year. Permits the amortization, based on a period of 60 months, of: (1) foreign market studies; (2) foreign marketing expenses; and (3) foreign patents. Permits an income tax deduction for currency fluctuation losses on export credit which have not been repaid by the end of the taxable year. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to extend the six-month deadline for exempting exports from the manufacturer's excise tax for an additional 12 months if it is determined, after consultation with the Secretary of State, that exports were delayed because of war, civil unrest, or similar adverse conditions in a foreign nation. Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to approve the duty-free entry of machinery, materials, and fuels to be used for the production of goods in a foreign trade zone if such goods are not subsequently entered into U.S. customs territory. Sets forth requirements before applications for such treatment will be approved. Makes such approval valid for six years. Requires the Foreign Trade Zones Board to include in its annual report to Congress a summary of activities and proposals to increase the use of foreign trade zones to expand U.S. exports. Makes banking organizations which have invested in an export trading company eligible for treatment as domestic international sales corporations (DISC). Includes the gross receipts from the export of services produced in the United States and from export trade services as qualified export receipts, in the case of a DISC which is an export trading company. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, with the Secretary of the Treasury, to develop and distribute information concerning the utilization of the DISC provisions. Makes export trading companies eligible for Subchapter S treatment if the shareholders of such companies are otherwise small business corporations. Exempts such companies from restrictions on the amount of foreign income they can receive and still be eligible for Subchapter S tax treatment. Title IV: Antitrust - Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt the export trade, export trade activities, and methods of operation of certified export trade associations and export trading companies from the antitrust laws. Delays the effectiveness of any certificate upon the notification of the Secretary of Commerce by the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of disagreement with the decision to issue a certificate. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by any association, company, or export trading company seeking certification under this Act and by the Secretary in issuing such certificates. Provides for appeal of the Secretary's denial of certification. Authorizes the Attorney General or the FTC to bring an action to invalidate a certification. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General and the FTC, to publish guidelines for determining whether an association or export trading company will meet the certification requirements. Requires certified associations and export trading companies to submit annual reports to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Commerce an office to promote export trade associations and trading companies. Provides for automatic certification of existing associations. Requires that all applications for certification be kept confidential with specified exceptions. Authorizes the Secretary to require an association or trading company to modify its operation to be consistent with international obligations of the United States. Directs the President to appoint, with the Senate's advice and consent, a task force seven years after enactment to examine the effect of this Act and to make recommendations. Directs the Attorney General to study whether: (1) U.S. business conduct to expand exports conflicts with basic antitrust principles; and (2) a more liberal enforcement policy for overseas activities would impede implementation of the antitrust laws. Requires the Attorney General to identify such conduct which would not warrant prosecution under the antitrust laws. Sets forth the procedures for describing such permissible conduct and disclosing such descriptions. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to intervene in such suits and to provide legal assistance to exporters. Prohibits prosecution under the antitrust laws of exporters who: (1) have notified the Attorney General of their intention to engage in such designated conduct; or (2) receive an approval, or no objection, from the Attorney General concerning proposed transactions. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Commerce to report to Congress concerning implementation of this section. Title V: Amendments to Other Laws that Hinder Exports - Amends the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 to change the name of such Act to the Business Practices and Records Act. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require issuers of securities to keep their books and maintain a system of internal accounting controls in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Makes issuers liable for knowingly falsifying any books or for the intentionally wrongful maintenance or circumvention of the system of internal accounting controls. Requires only good faith efforts by issuers holding 50 percent or less of the equity capital to use their influence to cause transactions and dispositions of assets to be carried out consistent with such provisions. Repeals the provisions specifying prohibited foreign corrupt practices by issuers. Amends the Business Practices and Records Act to include issuers within the provisions specifying prohibited foreign corrupt practices by domestic concerns. Permits items of value to be given to foreigners in specified circumstances, including courtesy items, demonstration expenses, and payments lawful under the laws of the country of the intended recipient. Directs the Attorney General to issue guidelines specifying permissible conduct and arrangements associated with common types of export sales arrangements and business contracts and precautionary procedures creating a rebuttable presumption of compliance. Provides for the establishment of a Business Practices and Records Act Review Procedure to answer specific inquiries concerning enforcement of such Act. Requires the Attorney General to issue opinions regarding compliance. Makes such opinions final and binding on all parties if the conduct does not involve a violation. Requires annual reports to Congress by: (1) the Attorney General concerning actions taken pursuant to such Act; and (2) the Securities and Exchange Commission concerning the reporting requirements. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should negotiate agreements establishing standards of conduct for international business practices, a resolution procedure, and rates of commissions. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the progress of such negotiations. Requires Congress to review the Business Practices and Records Act after receiving the President's report. Requires an export competitiveness impact statement from any issuing authority taking significant action which could affect adversely U.S. exports or the international competitive position of the United States and its exporters. Expresses the sense of Congress that export paperwork must be reduced to encourage export sales. Requires all agencies to minimize paperwork and reporting requirements. Title VI: Export Awareness and Export Promotion Programs - Export Trading Company Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promote export trading companies and facilitate contacts between producers of exportable goods and export trading companies. Authorizes any banking organization to invest up to specified amounts in export trading companies upon notifying, but without obtaining the prior approval of, the appropriate Federal banking agency, if such investment does not cause an export trading company to become a subsidiary of such organization. Allows greater investment by Edge Act Corporations not engaged in banking. Permits any banking organization to invest beyond such limitations with the prior approval of the appropriate Federal banking agency. Requires prior notification of such agencies in specified circumstances. Sets forth further limitations on export trading companies and investments by banking organizations. Specifies factors to be taken into consideration by the banking agencies. Permits such agencies to impose conditions in approving applications to invest in export trading companies. Requires such agencies to report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning implementation of this Act and any recommendations. Provides for judicial review of denial orders in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals. Sets forth the grounds for disapproval. Provides for remand for further consideration by the banking agency. Directs the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration to give special weight to export-related benefits when considering applications for loans and guarantees by export trading companies. Directs the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide loan guarantees to export trading companies or exporters to be secured by accounts receivable or inventories when adequate financing is not otherwise available and such guarantees will facilitate expansion of exports. Small Business Export Expansion Act of 1980 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to permit participating lending institutions to take actions on behalf of the Administrator with respect to deferred participation loans. Empowers the SBA, either directly or in cooperation with lending institutions, to extend credit for export purposes to enable small business concerns to develop foreign markets. Limits the extension of such credit to periods of 18 months or less. Sets a maximum of $750,000 which may be committed to any borrower from the business loan and investment revolving fund. Establishes within the Administration an Office of International Trade to promote sales opportunities for small business goods and services abroad. Requires such Office to: (1) provide small businesses with access to current and complete export information; (2) encourage greater small business participation in trade fairs, shows, missions, and other domestic and overseas export development activities of the Department of Commerce; and (3) assign full-time export development specialists to each Administration regional office. Directs the Administrator, after consultation with specified agencies, to establish an export promotion center in each of two regional offices of the Administration where field offices of the Department of Commerce and the Internal Revenue Service exist. Requires each such center to serve as a one-stop information center of Federal Government export assistance, financing programs available to small business, and other provisions of law governing exporting for small business. Requires: (1) a progress report on the implementation of such centers to the appropriate Congressional committees within six months of enactment of this Act; and (2) an evaluation, within two years after enactment, of the effectiveness of such centers in developing and expanding small business exports. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to qualified applicants to encourage the development and implementation of small business international marketing programs. Sets forth eligibility requirements for applicants. Prohibits the use of any Federal funds to directly underwrite any small business participation in foreign trade missions abroad. Requires each small business international marketing program to: (1) have a full-time staff director to manage program activities; (2) have access to export specialists to counsel and assist small business clients; and (3) establish an advisory board. Directs the Secretary to require, as a condition to any grant, that an additional amount equal to twice the amount of such grant be provided from sources other than the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary to develop a plan to evaluate such programs to: (1) determine the impact of such programs on the small businesses assisted; (2) determine the amount of export sales generated by such businesses; and (3) make recommendations concerning continuation and/or expansion of the program. Requires the establishment of at least one small business international program within each region of the Department of Commerce. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the International Trade Administration, to maintain a central clearinghouse for the collection, dissemination, and exchange of information between such programs. Directs the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with industrial corporations to develop foreign markets for their products. Requires the Secretary to direct specific market research for the products involved in foreign markets upon entering such agreements. Permits interested industrial corporations to submit a proposal incorporating specific marketing actions to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a marketing agreement after approving any such proposal. Requires repayment of the Federal share of the costs by the entity entering into such an agreement. International Education Programs Act - Amends the Higher Education Act to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to, and contracts with, institutions of higher education to pay the Federal share of the cost of programs designed to promote linkages between such institutions and the American business community engaged in international economic activities. Requires higher education institutions to apply for such grants and contracts. Limits the amount of Federal assistance. Provides for an advisory board to consider the grants made, or contracts entered into, and to review programs established under this section. Directs each Federal agency and U.S. representative to any international organization to: (1) identify programs affecting the export of U.S. firms' services; (2) make available information concerning such programs; (3) establish programs to publicize export-related programs for services; and (4) modify those programs with an adverse effect on the export of services. Makes the Secretary of Commerce responsible for coordinating such programs. Directs the Department of Treasury to report to Congress concerning the feasibility of extending DISC treatment to the export of services. Title VII: Agricultural Exports - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to establish the Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund to be available for: (1) the export of, or aid in the development of, foreign markets for agricultural commodities; and (2) loans for the acquisition of facilities in foreign countries to improve the countries' capacities to handle agri-commodities exported from the United States. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to report to Congress annually concerning the export credit sales program. Abolishes such fund effective October 1, 1983. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to require the ratio of credit extended by the Export-Import Bank for agricultural exports in comparison with the total amount extended be at least equivalent to the value of agricultural exports in comparison with total value of exports. Specifies exceptions to this requirement. Requests the President to take action to establish an International Wheat Exporting Commission which would establish an annual minimum world market price for wheat and prescribe export quotas. Requires the President to keep Congress informed about the establishment of such Commission and to report annually once such Commission is established. Title VIII: International Agreements - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the multilateral trade agreement be strongly implemented; and (2) the efforts must continue to secure a freer world trading environment. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a special export subsidy program for agricultural commodities to neutralize the effects of foreign export subsidy programs. Specifies the circumstances required before such program may be implemented. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should enter negotiations for international codes of: (1) official export financing; (2) business conduct; (3) reciprocity of antitrust enforcement; and (4) fair trade in services. Requires the President to report to Congress concerning the progress of such negotiations. Title IX: Government Support of Export Goals - Overseas Private Investment Corporation Act of 1980 - Establishes the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) as an independent agency. Sets forth the duties of OPIC. Provides for the capital of OPIC to be paid in through the appropriation process and through transfer from OPIC's earned income. Sets forth the structure of OPIC with a Board of Directors, a President of the Corporation, an Executive Vice President of the Corporation, other officers and staff, and consultants. Authorizes OPIC to issue insurance to eligible investors covering new or existing investments protecting against specified risks. Authorizes OPIC to make arrangements with foreign governments or multilateral organizations for sharing liabilities. Limits the insurance that may be issued to a single investor. Authorizes OPIC to issue guarantees of loans and other investments. Sets forth limitations on such guarantees. Authorizes OPIC to make direct loans to privately owned or mixed publicly and privately owned firms for projects sponsored by or significantly involving United States small business or cooperatives. Limits the circumstances under which OPIC may acquire stock in any other corporation. Authorizes OPIC to initiate and support the identification, assessment, and promotion of private investment opportunities, with specified exceptions. Authorizes OPIC to administer special projects to provide private technical, professional, or managerial assistance in the development of human resources, skills, technology, capital savings, and intermediate financial institutions and cooperatives. Authorizes OPIC to engage in other insurance, reinsurance, and risk sharing activities with other insurance companies, financial institutions, persons, or groups. Limits the amount of reinsurance of liabilities which OPIC may issue. Limits the amount of maximum contingent liability pursuant to insurance or guarantees issued under this Act which may be outstanding at any one time. Establishes the: (1) Direct Investment Fund as a revolving fund to be available for direct investments; and (2) Insurance Reserve and Guaranty Reserve to be available for discharging liabilities. Authorizes appropriations to the investment and guaranty fund in specified circumstances. Authorizes OPIC to issue obligations in specified circumstances in order to discharge liabilities. Requires that all revenues and income transferred to or earned by OPIC be available to carry out OPIC's purposes. Directs OPIC to determine that suitable arrangements exist for protecting OPIC's interests in connection with any insurance, guaranty, or reinsurance issued under this Act. Pledges the full faith and credit of the United States for the full payment and performance of previous obligations. Sets forth conditions with respect to insurance, guaranty, and reinsurance coverage under this Act concerning fees, time limits, fraud, and settlement of disputes. Sets forth administrative provisions and duties applicable to OPIC. Requires OPIC to undertake to broaden the participation of United States small business, cooperatives, and other small investors in the development of small private enterprise in less developed friendly countries or areas. Directs OPIC to report annually to Congress concerning its operations. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to define "eligible investor" in terms of this Act with respect to housing guarantees. Repeals provisions: (1) prohibiting the transfer of OPIC funds between accounts; (2) authorizing the President to deny assistance to any less developed country which fails to enter into an agreement to institute the investment guaranty program; and (3) establishing OPIC. Stipulates that nothing in this part shall be construed as terminating any of OPIC's statutory authority. Requires the President to submit to the appropriate congressional committees any necessary technical or conforming amendments. Declares that the potential for U.S. exports shall be a primary decisionmaking factor in considering which projects to include in U.S. foreign aid programs. Requires the Director of the International Development Cooperation Agency, (IDCA) to transfer the functions of the Office of Reimbursable Development from the Agency for International Development to an independent functional status within the IDCA. Declares that the Office of Management and Budget should assure that adequate budget allocations are made available to carry out the programs prescribed in this Act. Declares that the Department of Justice should do what it can to facilitate procedures for exporters. Declares that the Small Business Administration should: (1) be aware of the benefits of export to small business development; and (2) use every opportunity to provide information and assistance to potential exporters. Declares that the U.S. ability to export coal, nuclear power fuels, and other energy matters in a reliable manner should be a key consideration. Directs congressional committees to include in their reports the effect of the bill or resolution on the international competitiveness of the United States. Creates a National Export Council to: (1) serve as a national advisory body on matters relating to United States export trade: (2) act as a liaison among the communities represented by its membership; and (3) provide advice on Federal plans and actions that affect export promotion and development policies which have an impact on those communities represented by its membership. Requires the Council to make an annual report to the President and the Congress on its activities. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to appoint commercial ministers, counselors, and attaches with the rank and privileges of other ministers, counselors, and attaches in U.S. embassies and consulates, to: (1) provide trade and commercial services; (2) engage in the promotion of U.S. exports; (3) file semiannual reports to the Secretary on market, industrial, and commodity conditions in their districts and on the implementation of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements; and (4) maintain current data on the commercial standing and capacity of foreign firms within their districts. Provides for domestic assignment, office logistics, allowances and benefits of such ministers, counselors, and attaches. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress with any recommendations concerning: (1) the organization of international trading and financing programs in the United States; (2) the effectiveness of foreign export promotion programs; and (3) the trade activities of specified Federal agencies. Expresses the sense of Congress that the appropriate congressional committees should review periodically the trade organization of the U.S. Government.

Bill· HRH.R. 7211 (96th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide more equitable treatment of royalty owners under the crude oil windfall profit tax.

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1980

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a certain portion of royalty owner oil production from the windfall profit tax. Limits the amount so exempted per quarter to ten barrels per day. Requires proportionate allocation of any production in excess of ten barrels per day between tier 1 oil, tier 2, and tier 3 oil, and within any tier on the basis of removal prices. Requires allocation of the ten barrel amount among royalty owners who are members of the same related group.

Bill· HRH.R. 7207 (96th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to eliminate the phase-down of the rate of percentage depletion for independent producers and royalty holders.

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1980

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the phased reduction of the rate of the percentage depletion allowance for independent oil and gas producers and royalty owners (phased-down to 15 percent by 1984) and to retain the 22 percent rate for taxable years ending after 1980.

Bill· HRH.R. 7046 (96th)referred

Social Security Payroll Credit Act of 1980

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980

Social Security Payroll Credit Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers, employees, and self-employed individuals an income tax credit equal to ten percent of the amount of social security taxes paid by such individuals in 1981 or 1982.

Bill· HRH.R. 6891 (96th)referred

Revenue Sharing Amendments of 1980

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1980

Revenue Sharing Amendments of 1980 - Amends the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 to authorize appropriations to the State and Local Government Fiscal Assistance Trust Fund for fiscal year 1981. Eliminates the allocation to State governments in such fiscal year. Predicates a State's entitlement to revenue sharing funds on or after October 1, 1980, on amounts actually appropriated. Directs the Comptroller General to prepare and submit to the Congress an analysis of the efficiency of the revenue sharing program in supporting State and local governments. Specifies items to be included in such analysis.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 615 (96th)referred

A resolution amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a special calendar to which all reported bills involving certain violations of the Congressional Budget Act must be referred for a specified period prior to their consideration by the House, and to impose additional reporting requirements on committees to expedite referrals to such calendar and facilitate its use.

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980

Amends rule XIII and rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a special calendar to be known as the Budget Calendar, to which shall be referred all bills and joint resolutions of a public character which are reported from committees and which, if considered immediately, would be in violation of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Requires such calendar to set forth: (1) the number and title of such bill or joint resolution, and the date or dates on which it was reported from committee and referred to the appropriate calendar; (2) the particular provisions or requirements of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 which such bill or joint resolution violates; (3) the number of the resolution containing such waiver and the number of the accompanying report, if a waiver of any provision or requirement of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been reported by the Committee on Rules; and (4) a tabulation of the progress of congressional action on bills and resolutions providing new budget authority or changing revenues or the public debt limit for a fiscal year. Stipulates that such tabulation shall be based on a determination of estimates of budget outlays and revenues made by the Committee on the Budget and the most recent periodic report provided by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office. Requires the Committee on Rules, whenever it reports a resolution waiving one or more provisions or requirements of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, to include in its report or in an accompanying statement a brief explanation as to why such waiver is necessary.

Law· HRH.R. 6842 (96th)open

A bill to protect the confidentiality of Shippers' Export Declarations, and to standardize export data submission and disclosure requirements.

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1980

Exempts Shippers' Export Declarations from public disclosure unless the Secretary of Commerce determines that such exemption would be contrary to the national interest. Requires the person in command of a ship bound for a foreign port to attach bills of lading or equivalent documents to the manifest of the ship's cargo which is required to be submitted to the appropriate United States Customs Service officer to obtain clearance for the ship. Specifies the information to be included on such manifest or attached documents and the elements of such information which shall be available for public disclosure. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to establish procedures to provide access to the information which may be disclosed and protection for the information not available for disclosure.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 275 (96th)referred

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the International Olympic Committee should allow Taiwan to participate in the 1980 winter Olympic games under its own name, flag, and national anthem.

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1980

Expresses the sense of Congress that the International Olympic Committee should allow Taiwan to participate in the 1980 winter Olympic games under its own name, flag, and national anthem.

Bill· HRH.R. 6429 (96th)reported

Small Business Equal Access to Justice Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980

Small Business Equal Access to Justice Act - Title I: Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy - Amends title II of the Small Business Investment Act (Study of Small Business) to direct the Office of Advocacy within the Small Business Administration to assist the Attorney General, Federal agencies, and the Chairman of the Administrative Conference to facilitate relief afforded to small businesses under such Act. Requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to submit biennial reports to the President and Congress on awards made to small businesses under such Act. Title II: Small Business Equal Access to Justice - Excludes from the definition of "party" for purposes of this Act: (1) an individual whose net worth exceeds $1,000,000; and (2) any partnership, corporation, association, organization, or sole owner of an unincorporated business whose net worth exceeds $5,000,000, but includes an agricultural cooperative, as defined in the Agricultural Marketing Act, regardless of its net worth. Entitles a prevailing party (other than the United States) to be awarded fees and other expenses, including attorney fees, which were incurred by such party in: (1) an administrative adjudication (excluding ratemaking and license application hearings, but including such actions as suspension or modification of a license); or (2) in any civil action, other than a tort, brought by or against the United States, unless the agency conducting such adjudication, or the court having jurisdiction of such action, finds that the position of the agency or the United States was substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award unjust. Allows the agency or the court to reduce any such award to the extent that the prevailing party unduly and unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy. Stipulates that such awards in administrative adjudication shall be paid by the particular agency over which the party prevails, but prohibits authorization of appropriations to such agency for the specific purpose of such payments. Authorizes a party dissatisfied with such award in an administrative adjudication to petition for leave to appeal the decision in an appropriate Federal court. Authorizes a court to award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in any civil action brought by or against the United States or any agency, including the Post Office, or official of the United States acting in an official capacity, where the court may award such fees in such suits involving private parties (thus applying to Government litigation the common law and statutory exceptions to the "American rule" which requires parties to be responsible for their own attorney fees). Directs the Administrative Conference of the United States and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually on the amount of fees and expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year in such agency adjudications and civil actions. Makes this Act applicable to any civil action pending on, or commencing after, the date of enactment, except for civil tax actions, which shall be subject to this Act six months after enactment. Directs the Office of the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States and Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide to the Small Business Office of Advocacy the information required to be collected in title I of this Act.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 490 (96th)referred

A joint resolution to require continuation of rail service by the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad through August 31, 1980.

United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980

Requires the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad Company to maintain its entire railroad system as it existed on September 1, 1979, through August 31, 1980, unless: (1) any discontinuance or abandonment is authorized by the Interstate Commerce Commission; and (2) no affected State (or local or regional or transportation authority) opposes such action. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, pursuant to the Emergency Rail Services Act of 1970, to guarantee trustee certificates of such railroad. Raises the ceiling on the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all such certificates.

Law· HRH.R. 6308 (96th)open

Magnetic Fusion Engineering Act of 1980

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1980

Fusion Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish research, development, and demonstration programs involving magnetic fusion energy systems to: (1) construct and operate a fusion engineering test facility by 1986; (2) construct and operate a magnetic fusion demonstration facility before the end of this century; (3) maintain and expand the base programs for fusion energy research and the development and testing of appropriate alternative confinement technologies; (4) maintain a strong research and development program in advanced fusion fuels; and (5) ensure an uninterrupted source of scientific and engineering talent from institutions of higher learning to support such effort. Requires such programs to include a study of the potential of using fusion energy for the production of synthetic fuels and the electrification of ground transportation systems. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information promoting the practical uses of fusion energy.

Bill· HRH.R. 6109 (96th)referred

A bill to authorize the President to impose higher or additional rates of duty on the products of any foreign country that does not cooperate with the United States in its diplomatic or economic initiative to terminate actions by any other foreign country that violate international law with respect to United States diplomatic personnel.

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1979

Authorizes the President to impose higher or additional duties on the products of any country which is not cooperating with the United States in its diplomatic or economic initiatives to terminate the unlawful actions of other foreign governments regarding U.S. citizens assigned to a U.S. diplomatic mission.

Bill· HRH.R. 5858 (96th)referred

Sunset Review Act of 1979

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1979

Sunset Review Act of 1979 - Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to jointly develop and maintain an inventory of all Federal programs and tax expenditures. Requires such inventory to classify all such programs and expenditures according to the jurisdiction of the various legislative committees of the two Houses. Requires the General Accounting Office, before the beginning of the 97th Congress, after consultation with the appropriate legislative committees, to submit a draft inventory to the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. Requires such Committees to notify each legislative committee of the programs and tax expenditures which are classified within its jurisdiction. Allows any legislative committee to propose revisions of such inventory within 30 days after notification. Requires, after a determination that all programs and tax expenditures are accurately classified, that such inventory be published in a single document. Requires that an update be made of such inventory at the beginning of every Congress. Directs the General Accounting Office to maintain and publish a supplement to the inventory. Requires each legislative committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate, on or before March 1 in the first session of each Congress beginning with the 98th Congress, to develop, adopt, and submit to the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committees on Rules and Administration an agenda for the sunset review of selected Federal programs within its jurisdiction or in the case of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance, of selected tax expenditures. Requires the committees of each House to develop their sunset review agenda in consultation with any other committee which has concurrent jurisdiction over any programs or tax expenditures involved. Prohibits either the House or the Senate from considering a primary expense resolution for any legislative committee in any Congress until that committee has developed and submitted its sunset review agenda. Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to incorporate such agendas into a consolidated sunset review agenda and to report such consolidated agenda to its House in the form of a concurrent resolution, within seven legislative days after all committee sunset review agendas have been submitted. Requires the consolidated sunset review agenda to be adopted in the House and in the Senate no later than March 30 in the first session of each Congress. Sets forth the procedures for adoption. Requires each committee of the House or the Senate, not later than May 15 in the second session of each Congress, to report a bill or bills modifying, continuing, or terminating each program or tax expenditure which it has been directed to review under the consolidated sunset review agenda adopted during the first session. Requires such bill to be accompanied by a report setting forth the committee's findings, recommendations, and justifications. Requires each department, agency, and instrumentality in the executive branch of the Government which is responsible for the administration of a Federal program or tax expenditure selected for sunset review to give assistance to the appropriate Congressional committees. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall affect the authority of any legislative committee to review programs or tax expenditures within its jurisdiction and to report legislation modifying, continuing, or terminating such programs or expenditures at such times and in such manner as it deems appropriate. Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to include the consolidated sunset review agendas and the congressional inventory of Federal programs as part of the House Committee on Rules' functions.

Bill· HRH.R. 5779 (96th)referred

Individual Savings and Investment Act of 1979

United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1979

Individual Savings and Investment Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual amounts contributed to a rollover account meeting the requirements of this Act. Defines such rollover account as a trust created or organized in the United States for the exclusive benefit of an individual or his beneficiaries. Requires such a trust: (1) to accept only cash or stock or securities of a domestic corporation contributed by such individual only; (2) to be a bank or other person satisfactory to the Secretary of the Treasury; (3) to invest trust funds in stock or securities of a domestic corporation or hold them in interest-bearing bank deposits; (4) to make the interest of the individual nonforfeitable in the balance of such rollover account; (5) to permit the individual to elect, no more often than each taxable year, whether such rollover account shall be discretionary (with investment determined by the trustee) or self-directed (with investment directed by the individual). Requires the trustee of a rollover fund to establish on its books, without segregation of assets, an ordinary income fund, a capital gain fund, and a capital fund. Specifies the contents of each fund. Requires inclusion of any amount paid or distributed from the account in the individual's gross income for the taxable year in which such payment or distribution is made. Requires any such payment or distribution from the account to be treated as made: first, from the ordinary income fund; second, from the capital gain fund; and third, from the capital fund. Prohibits treatment of any payment or distribution as being made from a particular fund until the balance of any fund which precedes it in priority has been exhausted. Sets forth rules for the treatment of losses, security pledges, and transfers of account incident to divorce. Limits the number of rollover accounts which an individual may maintain to one at a time. Requires the trustee of such an account to keep appropriate records and to file annual returns with the Secretary.

Law· HRH.R. 5766 (96th)open

An act to authorize additional Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarships for the Army, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to provide that cadets awarded such scholarships may serve their obligated period of service in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard of the United States, to authorize the Secretary concerned to require an individual furnished post-secondary education by an Armed Force to reimburse the United States for the cost of such education in the event such individual fails to comply with such individual's active-duty obligation, to provide that certain full-time training duty of members of the National Guard shall be considered as active duty for training in Federal service for certain purposes, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1979

Provides an alternative eight-year (unless otherwise extended) term of service in the Reserve as one of the requirements for a Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) scholarship. Stipulates that such service may include periods of active duty, active duty for training, and other active or inactive service. Increases the maximum number of such scholarship recipients in the Army program from 6,500 to 12,000. Authorizes additional scholarships to be awarded to eligible students at a military junior college. Defines "military junior college" as a civilian postsecondary educational institution essentially military in nature that does not confer baccalaureate degrees and that meets other requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Army. Establishes eligibility criteria for such scholarship recipients, including: (1) United States citizenship; (2) enlistment in an Army Reserve unit; and (3) service as a commissioned officer in the Army Reserve or the National Guard for at least eight years. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to order a scholarship recipient who does not complete the course of instruction, or who refuses to accept a commission upon completion of instruction, to serve on active duty for up to four years. Authorizes the Secretary to delay the commencement of such Reserve service until completion of a graduate or undergraduate degree.

Bill· HRH.R. 5635 (96th)passed

Hospital Cost Containment and Reporting Act of 1979

United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1979

Hospital Cost Containment and Reporting Act of 1979 - Establishes a 15-member National Commission on Hospital Costs, to be appointed by the President, to report annually to Congress and the President on: (1) its activities and the implementation of this Act; (2) the rate of increases in hospital expenses; and (3) the success of the voluntary efforts of hospitals to meet the voluntary goals for hospital cost containment established by this Act. Directs the Commission to submit to Congress and the President, within one year of the appointment of a majority of its members, a report on measures that can be taken to control costs in the health care industry. Directs the Commission to study and make recommendations to Congress and the President within two years of the appointment of a majority of its members with respect to: (1) the effect of policies and procedures (including use of deductibles, coinsurance, cost- or risk-sharing, tax deductions and exclusions, and repaid health plans) on the strengthening of competitive forces in the health services industry; (2) the desirability of increasing the use of such methods in federally funded and other health insurance programs; (3) underutilized capacity in the health care system and means to reduce such capacity; (4) the costs and benefits of State certificate of need programs and programs of review of capital expenditures under the Social Security Act (section 1122); (5) the impact of increased hospital capital expenditures on operating expenses; (6) the impact of increases in the number of professional health personnel; (7) the impact of wage increases and increased utility expenses on hospital costs; (8) alternative systems of financing health care services; (9) the costs to hospitals of Federal and State regulations; (10) the costs to hospitals of serving the medically needed; and (11) other matters affecting hospital expenses or revenues. Directs the Commission to consult with appropriate professional organizations in the conduct of its activities. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide financial assistance for up to 50 percent of the expenses involved with the planning, establishment, or operation of State voluntary or mandatory hospital cost containment programs which meet specified conditions, including that any such program: (1) excludes any institution (A) having an average stay of 30 days or more during the preceding three years, (B) deriving 75 percent or more of its inpatient care revenues from one or more health maintenance organizations; (C) located in a rural area and having an average annual admissions of 4,000 or less during the preceding 12 months; (D) which does not accept payments for services; (E) is a psychiatric hospital; or (F) is a Federal institution; (2) sets as voluntary goals the reduction of the rate of increase in total hospital expenses for 1979 ( and each subsequent year) to four percent less than the rate of increase for 1977 (subject to an inflation adjustment); (3) conforms with specified administrative and review requirements; and (4) does not treat as hospital revenues amounts attributable to specified types of grants, gifts, endowments, and other funds. Directs the Secretary to monitor the performance of such State programs and make recommendations with respect to: (1) containing aggregate levels of hospital utilization; (2) shifting utilization from inpatient to outpatient services; (3) reducing excess hospital capacity through mergers, conversions, and terminations; and (4) promoting alternative methods of providing health care, such as through health maintenance organizations. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for such State programs. Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (General Provisions) to provide that gifts, grants, and endowments shall not be deducted from any operating costs of nonprofit hospitals for purposes of determining under the Maternal and Child Health, Medicare, and Medicaid programs the reasonable costs of services furnished by such hospitals. Prohibits any Federal law providing for the containment or control of hospital costs from treating as hospital revenues amounts attributable to specified types of grants, gifts, endowments, and other funds. Adds as new requirements of the State plans under the Maternal and Child Health and Medicaid programs of the Social Security Act that: (1) entities providing services reimbursable on a cost-related basis be audited as the Secretary determines is necessary to insure proper payments; and (2) for any such audit involving an entity which is also reimbursed on a cost-related basis under Medicare, the audit under the Maternal and Child Health or Medicaid program be coordinated and conducted jointly with an audit under Medicare. Directs the Secretary to condition payment to a State for the administrative costs of auditing any such entity on such coordinated audit procedures. Amends the Medicare program to permit any hospital (other than a hospital which has in effect a waiver of the 24-hour nursing service requirement) which: (1) has an agreement under such program; and (2) has been granted a certificate of need for the provision of long-term care services for the State health planning and development agency (designated under title XV of the Public Health Service Act), to enter into an agreement with the Secretary under which its inpatient hospital facilities may be used for the furnishing of the type of services which, if furnished by a skilled nursing facility, would constitute posthospital extended care services. Provides that payment to any hospital for such services shall be based upon the reasonable cost of the services, consisting of the reasonable cost of routine and ancillary services as defined by this Act. Stipulates that a hospital furnishing such services shall be required to meet all the requirements that a skilled nursing facility would be required to meet and that the provision of such services shall be subject to the same requirements as those furnished by a skilled nursing facility, except for those requirements which the Secretary determines are inappropriate with respect to a hospital. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress within three years of enactment on such extended care service program. Amends the Medicaid program to permit payment to be made under approved State plans for nursing facility services and intermediate care facility services furnished by a hospital which has in effect an agreement under the Medicare program.

Bill· HRH.R. 5574 (96th)referred

A bill entitled: "Farm Disaster Program Act of 1979".

United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1979

Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to extend to the 1980 and 1981 crops of rice, cotton, feed grains, and wheat the low yield and prevented planting disaster payment programs.