United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the President to enter into treaties or other agreements with countries contiguous to the United States for the purpose of air pollution control in border areas. Directs the Secretary of State to take appropriate diplomatic actions to reduce or eliminate air pollution adversely affecting any area of the United States and originating in another country. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to determine the percentage of air pollutants in border areas resulting from foreign sources and to eliminate such percentage in determining compliance with ambient air quality standards by such region.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Postmaster General and the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee should give favorable consideration to the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Americans of Italian descent and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Philip Mazzei on December 25, 1980, or as soon as possible thereafter. States that the Postmaster General and the Committee should honor other foreign-born contributors to the revolutionary cause, from countries which have not yet been commemorated, prior to the conclusion of the American Bicentennial celebration in 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Smaller Enterprise Regulatory Improvement Act - Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency to publish semiannually an agenda of those rules which may be proposed during the upcoming six-month period affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and small organizations. Defines "small organizations" to include unincorporated businesses, sheltered workshops, nonprofit enterprises which are not dominant in their fields and such other groups and enterprises as each Federal agency shall establish by rule. Requires each published agenda to be transmitted to the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comments. Directs each Federal agency to endeavor to provide notice of each agenda to affected small enterprises by means other than publication in the Federal Register. Directs each Federal agency to publish a written analysis prior to the issuance of any rule affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and organizations which considers: (1) the effect of such rule on small enterprises and competition; (2) whether an exemption could be provided such small enterprises; (3) whether lesser compliance standards could be adopted for small enterprises; and (4) the expected nature of reporting and recordkeeping requirements necessitated by such rule. Requires each Federal agency to issue a rule containing an exemption or differing compliance standards for such small business concerns and organizations if it is lawful, desirable, and feasible to do so. States that such small enterprises shall be given an opportunity to participate in agency rulemaking. Requires each agency to review its existing rules and prepare an analysis for purposes of eliminating those rules which are most burdensome to small businesses and organizations. Permits any agency to perform the analyses required by this Act in conjunction with any other analysis required by law. Declares that such other analysis shall not in itself satisfy the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Armed Forces Earned Educational Assistance Act - Entitles any individual who enlists or reenlists for the first time in the armed forces for a period of two or more years and who possesses a critical military skill, as determined by the Secretary concerned, to specified educational benefits. Stipulates that such assistance may be for a period of up to 36 months of full time educational assistance. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a joint report containing their respective plans for implementing such program. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress semiannually on the operation of such program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to permit local distribution companies to provide natural gas service to residential customers for use in outdoor lighting fixtures installed before the enactment of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Coal Pipeline Act of 1979 - Title I: Rights-of-Way for Federal Lands - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant or renew rights-of-way over, under, upon, or through Federal lands for coal pipelines and related facilities, under terms and conditions set forth under this Act which are necessary: (1) to protect Federal property and economic interests; (2) to provide efficient management of such lands and protection of other lawful users of such lands; and (3) to carry out the purposes of this Act. Title II: Non-Federal Lands - Authorizes the Secretary to issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity to any person, upon application, proposing to construct a coal pipeline. Sets forth criteria for issuing such certificates, including requirements that specified findings be made by the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Energy, and the Interstate Commerce Commission. Prohibits the issuance of such certificates to users or suppliers of coal to be transported by such pipelines. Directs the Attorney General to conduct an antitrust review to determine the effects upon competition of such certificates. Authorizes any person who proposes to construct a coal pipeline to acquire any right-of-way necessary for construction, operation, or maintenance of such pipeline and related facilities by the exercise of the power of eminent domain in the appropriate United States district court, but only if such person is unable to acquire such right-of-way by negotiation and such person holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under this Act. Exempts specified lands from being taken by eminent domain. Title III: General and Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Attorney General, at the Secretary's request, to seek appropriate equitable remedies to enforce any provision under this Act or any regulation or order issued under this Act. Imposes civil and criminal penalties for any violation or failure to comply with the provisions of this Act. Authorizes any State issuing a State water permit or authorization to a pipeline for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity was issued or a right-of-way was granted under this Act to condition the water rights of such pipeline to effectuate a legitimate State public interest. Requires that right-of-way permits and certificates of public convenience and necessity issued under this Act contain terms and conditions necessary to protect the environment from adverse effects associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of such pipeline. Requires that all such pipelines be buried underground.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Gives the consent of the Congress to the amended Bear River Compact between the States of Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming which establishes the Bear River Commission to regulate the diversion of water from the Bear River.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Establishes the Legionville National Historic Site in the State of Pennsylvania to preserve and protect the site of the first United States military training camp. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire specified lands for such purpose and to administer such property pursuant to applicable law. Directs the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with appropriate public or private entities for the management, development, and interpretation of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Congratulates the men and women of the Apollo program upon the tenth anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon and requests the President to designate the period of July 16 through July 24, 1979, as "United States Space Observance" in honor of such event.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1979
Reclassifies the positions of Border Patrol agents to correspond with the positions of law enforcement personnel. Advances: (1) a GS-9 agent who spends between 25 and 50 percent of his or her time in investigative work to a GS-11 grade; and (2) a GS-11 agent who either spends between 25 and 50 percent of his or her time investigating and has program responsibilities in one geographic area or investigates less than 25 percent of the time but has responsibilities in more than one area to a GS-12 grade.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to direct the Southwest Border Regional Commission to make grants to eligible local educational agencies for school facilities construction to assist such agencies in providing education to immigrant children. Authorizes additional appropriations of up to $45,000,000 for such purposes. Requires a local education agency to be eligible for assistance to have: (1) at least 20 immigrant children; and (2) a minimum enrollment of seven percent immigrant children. Stipulates that an immigrant child, guardian, or parent must live within a school district of such agency to be counted for eligibility purposes. Stipulates that a local educational agency shall receive $1,000 for each immigrant child for whom such agency provided free public education during the 1978-1979 school year. Requires a local educational agency to submit an application for such assistance, and sets forth guidelines for such application. Defines the term immigrant child for purposes of this Act as a child born in Mexico and who has legally immigrated to the United States, or a child whose parents are legal immigrants from Mexico, and who is provided free public education.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 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. Prohibits recovery in private actions under the Clayton Act based on territorial provisions in a trademark licensing agreement prior to a final determination that such provisions are unlawful.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the individual income tax credit for the elderly and to eliminate the adjusted gross income limitation on such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Amends the Small Reclamation Projects Act of 1956 to increase from $400,000,000 to $600,000,000 the amount of funds authorized to remain available for assistance to non-Federal organizations in developing reclamation projects.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Declares a named individual, upon resubmission of a specified application: (1) exempt from the tax on self-employment income for services heretofore or hereafter performed as a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a church; and (2) ineligible for old age, survivors and disability insurance benefits coverage based on such income. Directs: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury to refund any such tax paid; and (2) the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to delete any record of such income.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1976 which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property's basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977 to provide that provisions of such Act shall not apply to stone mining or sand and gravel mining operations.
United States · United States Congress · 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
Meat Import Act of 1979 - Limits the maximum aggregate quantity of specified meat articles which may be entered, or withdrawn from warehouses, for consumption in the customs territory of the United States in any calendar year after 1978 to 1,204,600,000 pounds, adjustable according to a specified formula. Excludes from the domestic commercial production factor in such formula the carcass weight of live cattle specified in certain Tariff Schedules. Requires a further adjustment of such annual aggregate quantity by multiplying it by a ratio of: (1) the average annual per capita production of domestic cow beef during a calendar year (as estimated) and the four preceding calendar years; and (2) to the average annual per capita production of domestic cow beef in the calendar year (as estimated) and the preceding calendar year. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, for each calendar year after 1978, to estimate and publish the aggregate quantity of meat articles prescribed for such year as well as the quantity that would be entered into the United States but for the limitations. Directs the President to limit by proclamation, upon giving 30 days notice in the Federal Register, the total quantity of meat articles entered into the United States, whenever such quantity equals or exceeds 110 percent of the Secretary's estimate; but prohibits any limitation below 1,200,000,000 pounds. Requires the termination of any limitation as of the first day of a calendar quarter, under most circumstances, if before such quarter the aggregate quantity is less than 110 percent of the Secretary's estimate. Permits the President, upon giving 30 days notice in the Federal Register, to suspend any proclamation or increase any amount proclaimed as required by the preceding provision if: (1) required by economic or national security interests; (2) supplies are inadequate to meet domestic demand at reasonable prices; or (3) trade agreements ensure the execution of the policy. Prohibits the President from increasing the total quantity of meat imports if the above ratio is less than 1.0 unless: (1) a period of national emergency is declared; or (2) supplies are inadequate because of a natural disaster to meet demand at reasonable prices. Prohibits such suspension or increase from extending beyond the termination of the national emergency. Requires the Secretary to allocate the entry quota of meat articles proclaimed by the President among supplying countries on the basis of their respective shares of the United States market for meat articles during the representative period, taking into account any special factors. Directs the Secretary to study the regional economic impact of imports of meat articles and report any recommendations to the appropriate committees of Congress by December 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Title I: Meat and Meat Products - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require the labeling as imported of the package or container of any imported meat or meat product capable of use as human food. Requires that such products: (1) meet the same health standards as domestically produced meat; and (2) be tested in the exporting country. Requires periodic tests of such products in the United States by the Department of Agriculture. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to prescribe necessary assessments and fees. Title II: Dairy Products - Prohibits the importation of dairy products into the United States unless certified wholesome and pure by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the Secretary to establish standards for such products comparable to standards imposed on domestic dairy products. Directs the Secretary to inspect imported dairy products and to require a certificate of compliance to accompany them. Requires imported dairy products to comply with United States labeling and packaging requirements, and to carry indications on their labeling that they are imported.
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
Repeals the requirement, under the Social Security Amendments of 1977, that the amount of monthly benefits payable to a spouse or surviving spouse under title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act be reduced by the amount such spouse or surviving spouse receives in monthly payments from a Federal or State pension fund.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include rural health facilities of 100 beds or less within the definition of the term "hospital." Makes special provision with respect to nursing services, health, fire, and safety requirements for such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Authorizes the inclusion of military service performed by an individual after December, 1956 in the aggregate period of service on which a civil service annuity is based. Stipulates that this Act applies only to individuals becoming eligible for such annuity after the date of enactment. Directs the Civil Service Commission, upon request, to recompute the annuity of an individual receiving such annuity before the date of enactment.
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 · 4 October 1978
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exclude from inpatient hospital services provided under such Title the services of a physician in a teaching hospital only if: (1) the hospital elects to receive any payment due under Medicare for reasonable costs of such services; and (2) all physicians in the hospital agree not to bill charges for professional services rendered in such hospital to individuals covered by Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross estate of an individual the value of an annuity under a qualified State judicial plan or any benefits payable thereunder. Defines "qualified State judicial plan" as a compulsory defined benefit plan for the exclusive benefit of elected judges or their beneficiaries. Provides that the designation of a beneficiary under a State judicial plan shall not be considered a transfer of property for purposes of the gift tax.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1978
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Reverend Sun Myung Moon return to the United States prior to October 31, 1978, appear before the Subcommittee on International Organizations investigating Korean-American relations, and fully respond to all questions of the subcommittee.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1978
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 · 2 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 · 28 July 1978
Uranium Mill Tailings Control Act - Title I: Residual Radioactive Material at Certain Existing Sites - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to enter into cooperative agreements with designated States under which the Federal Government would pay up to 90 percent of the costs of: (1) assessing the radiation levels of residual radiactive materials from specified former uranium ore processing sites within such States; and (2) limiting the exposure of individuals to such radioactive materials. Exempts certain processing sites from the coverage of this Act. Requires the agreements made by the Secretary and such States include terms providing, among other things, that the Secretary select the appropriate remedial action for limiting radiation exposure after consulting with the State, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, that the States acquire ownership of (1) the land upon which the radioactive materials are located; (2) the residual radioactive materials; and (3) the site selected for disposal of these materials, and that the State transfer ownership and custody of the residual radioactive materials and the disposal site to the United States when the Commission determines that the requisite remedial work has been completed. Grants the prior owner of a processing site acquired by a State the right of first refusal whenever that State seeks to sell that processing site. Requires that States reimburse the Federal Government for costs involved in performing such remedial work from any gain realized by the States in selling land on which processing sites were located. Authorizes mineral recovery contracts between States and any person seeking to recover minerals from such residual radioactive materials upon payment to the State and the United States of specified sums. Directs the Secretary to enter into similar agreements with the Secretary of the Interior and Indian tribes for the assessment of radiation levels and performance of remedial action on lands owned by Indian or held in trust for them. Authorizes payment of 100 percent of the costs of such agreements. Directs the Secretary to conduct a research program on reducing the hazards of exposure to residual radioactive materials. Authorizes the Secretary to establish rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs EPA to issue standards and criteria for the protection of the general public with respect to radiological and nonradiological hazards associated with the possession and transfer of residual radioactive materials. Permits judicial review of such rules upon petition in the United States Court of Appeals. Authorizes the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to issue rules, regulations or orders requiring specified exempt parties to conduct monitoring and remedial work and to comply with other measures designed to protect the general public from expsoure to residual radioactive materials. Provides for civil penalties for violation of such rules or orders of the Commission. Title II: Uranium Mill Tailings Licensing and Regulation - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require that specified licenses issued under such Act for activities resulting in the production of by- product material have terms assuring that prior to termination of such licenses, (1) the licensee shall comply with the Commission's requirements relating to termination, and (2) ownership of by-product materials and their disposal sites shall be transferred without cost to the United States. Authorizes the Commission to establish standards and instructions insuring that a licensee will provide funds necessary for the completion of Commission requirements relating to reclamation and long-term care of sites, structures and equipment used in conjunction with by-product material. Requires States having authority to regulate by-product materials under an agreement with the Commission to adopt and enforce: (1) standards for the protection of public health and safety from hazards associated with such material; (2) provisions allowing for public notice and public participation in licensing and rulemaking actions; and (3) requirements for the preparation of a written environmental analysis, to be made available to the public prior to approval of any construction activity relating to by-product material. Authorizes the Commission to retain authority under such Federal-State agreements with respect to determining a licensee's compliance with applicable standards and requirements prior to termination of licenses for by-product materials. Provides for civil penalties for violation of rules or orders of the Commission. Authorizes the Administrator of EPA to issue generally applicable standards and criteria for the protection of the environment from radiological and nonradiological environmental hazards associated with by-product material and its disposal. Permits judicial review of such rules upon petition in the United States Court of Appeals. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. Requires the Commission to consolidate licenses and licensing procedures under this Act with licenses and licensing procedures under other authorities contained in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1978
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to transfer the responsibility for investigating Communist and subversive organizations affecting the internal security of the United States to a standing Committee on Internal Security established by this Resolution. Confers upon such committee the responsibility for investigating all organizations within the United States aimed at overthrowing or altering the Government of the United States by force, insurrection or other unlawful means or inciting or employing violence to obstruct the authority of the Federal Government with respect to matters of internal security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code by providing graduated corporate income tax rates ranging, over seven brackets, from a 16 percent rate on a corporation's first $25,000 income to a 45 percent rate on income over $150,000.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1978
Meat and Livestock Import Amendments - Subjects specified kinds of preserved beef and veal products to the policy of Congress related to the restriction of beef imports. Revises the formula for the determination of beef and veal import quotas. Repeals the authority of the President to suspend a proclamation limiting beef imports. Directs the President to limit beef imports at any one port of entry in order to insure the geographical distribution of such imports. Declares it the policy of Congress that a quota should be imposed upon the importation of cattle. Directs the President to impose such limitation and to limit such imports at any one port of entry.
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