United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1980
National Trails System Act Amendments of 1980 - Amends the National Trails System Act to declare that it is a purpose of such Act to encourage and assist citizen involvement in the development and management of trails. Specifies that national scenic trails may be located so as to include, but need not be limited to, desert, marsh, grassland, mountain, canyon, river, or forest areas, as well as landforms which exhibit significant characteristics of the physiographic regions into which the Nation is divided. Allows additional trail segments subsequently protected within Federal project boundaries to be established as trail components. Designates the following as national scenic and historic trails: (1) Ice Age National Scenic Trail; (2) Santa Fe National Historic Trail; (3) Chisholm, Shawnee, and Western Historic Trails; (4) Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail; (5) Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail; and (6) Florida National Scenic Trail. Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, where lands administered by either of such Secretaries are involved, to submit specified studies concerning the suitability of trail designations not later than two fiscal years from the date of the addition of such trails to the national scenic or historic trails. Directs the Secretary, if during the course of such study it is determined that it is not feasible to develop a national scenic or national historic trail along the proposed route and that there is no significant need for such trail, to submit a report containing such determination to specified Congressional committees. Directs that the following trails be studied for consideration for designation as national scenic trails: (1) the Goodnight and Goodnight-Loving Trails in the States of New Mexico, Wyoming, Texas, and Colorado; (2) the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail in the State of California; (3) the Trail of Tears in the States of North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma; (4) the Illinois Trail in the State of Illinois; and (5) the Jedediah Smith Trail in the States of Wyoming, California, Utah, Washington, and Oregon. Requires a report to specified Congressional committees by the appropriate Secretary concerning a comprehensive management plan for a designated national historic trail pursuant to such Act to include: (1) an acquisition or protection plan, by fiscal year, for any high potential trail routes or high potential historic sites; and (2) general and site-specific development plans, including anticipated costs. Permits the appropriate Secretary, when a tract of land lies partly within and partly without a national scenic or national historic trail right-of- way, to acquire the entire tract in order to avoid the payment of severance costs, with the consent of the owner thereof. Directs each Secretary charged with the administration of any component of the National Trails System, by means of a cooperative agreement or otherwise, to undertake a systematic study of State, local, and private land use practices within the trail rights-of-way. Directs the Secretary of Transportation and the Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission to encourage State and local agencies and private interests to establish recreational trails. Authorizes the establishment of a volunteer action trails demonstration program to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior to encourage the planning and management by volunteers of all types of nonmotorized trails throughout the Nation. Allows the Secretary, under such program, to make grants of not more than $25,000 to certified trail groups for specified purposes and to private landowners for the construction or repair of gates, fences, bridges, or similar structures which are desirable to be built or maintained as a result of the location of a national scenic, historic, or recreation trail. Prohibits any such grant from being made to a certified trail group unless the group agrees to provide funds, or services pertaining to trails, the value of which is equal to the amount of the grant.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1980
Establishes the United States Holocaust Memorial Council which shall: (1) provide and encourage appropriate ways for the Nation to observe the Days of Remembrance to commemorate the holocaust; (2) plan, erect, and oversee the operation of a memorial museum to the victims of the holocaust; and (3) develop a plan for carrying out the recommendations of the report submitted to the President on September 27, 1979, by the President's Commission on the Holocaust. Authorizes the Council to receive public land in the District of Columbia on which it may erect the memorial. Terminates the Council's authority to construct a memorial if the erection of the memorial has not commenced within five years of enactment of this Act and sufficient funds to ensure completion of the memorial have not been certified to be available. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 1980
American Wine Labeling Equity Act - Requires the wine ingredient labeling regulations promulgated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms pursuant to the Federal Alcohol Administration Act to be applied to foreign producers of wine imported into the United States as well as to American producers.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 1980
Amends the Revenue Act of 1978 to extend until January 1, 1983, the period during which individuals who have not been treated as employees by their employers shall not be treated as such for purposes of the employment tax.
United States · United States Congress · 27 August 1980
Urges the peaceful resolution of issues raised by Polish workers in accordance with international agreements. Requests the Polish government to release persons unjustly imprisoned during recent worker unrest. Asks all signatories to observe the Declaration on Principles Guiding Relations between Participating States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the legitimate demands of the Polish workers be met through negotiation without outside interference. Considers any outside military intervention an act of aggression.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1980
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require as a condition for the receipt of Federal assistance for a proposed State energy conservation plan under this Act that a State permit right turns after stopping at a minimum of 70 percent of the red stoplights in such State.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1980
Financial Integrity Act of 1980 - Amends the Accounting and Auditing Act of 1950 to require the head of each executive agency to prepare and transmit to the President an annual report on the adequacy of the agency's systems of internal auditing and administrative control. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States: (1) in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to establish a method of reporting and a general framework to guide the agencies in evaluating their systems of internal accounting and administrative control, and to modify such method or framework as necessary; and (2) to define internal accounting and administrative controls to provide assurances that: (a) obligations and costs were in compliance with applicable law; (b) funds, property, and other assets were safeguarded against waste, loss, unauthorized use, or misappropriation; and (c) agency revenues and expenditures were properly accounted for and recorded. Requires any inadequacy in the agency's systems which prevents the systems from achieving such assurances to be identified, and a plan for correcting such an inadequacy to be described in detail. Requires the Inspector General or the head of the internal audit staff of each agency to receive and investigate any allegation that an agency employee provided false or misleading information in connection with an evaluation or report concerning the agency's accounting or control systems. Directs the head of an agency to take action against such an employee as necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should convey congressional concern about the deprivation of the rights of Christians by the Soviet Union, particularly the Pentecostals living in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Directs the President to report to Congress on the prospects for religious freedom in the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit of 25 percent of the qualified research and experimental expenditures paid or incurred by a taxpayer in connection with his trade or business. Defines "qualified research and experimental expenditures" as those business-related expenditures which are currently deductible under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, but limits the scope of such expenditures to technological research designed to develop or improve products or services. Excludes expenditures for research or experimentation in the social sciences or humanities, government-funded research, or research carried on in the taxpayer's behalf. Limits the amount of expenditures eligible for the credit to those which exceed 100 percent of the annual average of such expenditures for the immediately preceding three years. Provides for a three-year carryback and seven-year carryover of unused credits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that aliens who engage in unlawful or disorderly activities in the United States should be promptly deported in accordance with provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1980
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to waive specified requirements for the use of title I special educational needs funds by local educational agencies participating in experimental programs designed to consolidate State categorical educational programs. Permits such waiver for any one of fiscal years 1982 through 1985, with possible renewal for an additional one-year period, of requirements that: (1) such Federal funds be used to supplement, not supplant, non-Federal funds for regular and certain special State and local programs; and (2) agencies receiving Federal assistance maintain, through use of non- Federal funds, services comparable to those provided by unassisted agencies. Prohibits the Secretary's approval of a waiver application unless it contains the following assurances plus an assurance that not more than 15 percent of the State's educationally deprived children shall be served under the experimental program. Requires an assurance, in the case of any waiver which enables local educational agencies to consolidate the administration and operation of programs for educationally deprived children and special education programs for handicapped children and for children with limited English-speaking ability, that the educationally deprived children in project areas will be provided with educational programs and services which are comparable to those such children would otherwise receive and that certain Federal funds shall be used to provide programs and services only to eligible children. Requires an assurance, in the case of any waiver which permits local educational agencies to transfer State and local funds among the special educational programs described above and programs for educationally deprived children, that the educationally deprived children shall receive the same level of Federal funds as they would receive in the absence of such waiver and that an accurate accounting of such funds is ensured. Requires an assurance, in the case of any waiver permitting local educational agencies to distribute State and local funds for the programs under this title to project areas and other school attendance areas, that the educationally deprived children at elementary and secondary schools in project areas receive a level of State and local funds not less than, and services from such funds comparable to, the level of such funds and the services from such funds received by elementary and secondary school children in other school attendance areas. Permits a waiver which enables local educational agencies to use funds available for programs under this title to improve educational programs for eligible children who have not met the requirements for grade promotion or for receipt of a high school diploma or to provide educational services to eligible children when required by applicable law or court order.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1980
Grants a Federal charter to the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865. Directs such corporation to submit an annual report on its activities to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should convey congressional concern about the deprivation of the rights of Protestant Christians by the Soviet Union, particularly the Pentecostals living in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Directs the President to report to Congress on the prospects for religious freedom in the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1980
Biomass Research and Development Act of 1980 - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to: (1) make the cost of energy produced by biomass systems competitive; (2) increase the efficiency of biomass energy production; (3) encourage the development of biomass energy resources on land unsuited for cultivating food; and (4) assure the production of at least three quadrillion British thermal units of energy per year from biomass by 1986. Directs the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to establish a six-year biomass energy system research and development program to carry out the purposes of this Act. States that the program shall consist of: (1) a feedstocks program; (2) a conversion program; and (3) an end uses program. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to establish procedures to permit any public or private entity wishing to install a biomass energy system to apply for and receive assistance in purchasing such a system. Directs the Secretary, after the termination of the six year program, to promulgate by rule voluntary performance standards for biomass energy systems. Directs the Secretary to initiate a three-year national biomass resource assessment program. Directs the Secretary to prepare and submit to Congress a comprehensive program management plan for the conduct of the programs established under this Act. Sets forth criteria for program selection. Directs the Secretary to monitor the performance and operation of biomass energy systems assisted or installed under this Act. Directs the Secretary to study and evaluate specified matters related to the development of biomass energy systems and report the findings to Congress. Establishes a biomass energy utilization program for the accelerated procurement and installation of biomass energy systems for power production for Federal facilities. Requires the Secretary to take steps to assure that small business will have adequate opportunities to participate in the programs established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should request the International Red Cross to: (1) make regular visits to the hostages held in Iran and report back to Congress with its findings; and (2) urge its member countries to solicit Iranian cooperation in such visits.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1980
Severe Storms Forecasting Advisory Committee Act of 1980 - Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a Severe Storms Advisory Committee which shall submit annual reports to the President and Congress assessing and making recommendations concerning the current objectives, milestones, and technological developments of the severe storms forecasting program. Sets forth the terms and conditions of membership on such Committee, including representation from specified agencies, State and local civil defense systems, and weather forecasters. Terminates such Committee after five years.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend to 36 months the rollover period for nonrecognition of gain on the sale of principal residences sold in 1980 and to 24 months for those sold in 1981 (currently, such rollover period is 18 months prior to or following the date of sale).
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1980
Reaffirms congressional support for full implementation of the Helsinki Final Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that human rights concerns should be given serious attention at the Madrid meeting to review such Act. Declares that any new measures should be balanced among all sections of the Final Act. Directs the U.S. delegation to seek another review meeting within two years.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1980
Revises the termination date for veterans eligible for educational assistance so that such assistance shall terminate on December 31, 1989, or the date five years after the veterans' last discharge or release from active duty, whichever is later.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1980
Extends U.S. congratulations to Jamaica on its 18th anniversary of independence. Encourages Jamaica's commitment to peaceful change through elections. Supports Jamaica's efforts to protect its heritage from outside influence.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1980
Armed Forces Educational Assistance Act of 1980 - Establishes an Armed Forces Educational Assistance Program for persons who enter military service after September 30, 1980, and serve on active duty for three years or more. Sets forth a schedule of educational assistance entitlement for such veterans as follows: (1) for service of 36 consecutive months but less than 48 consecutive months and an agreement to serve three years in the Ready Reserve, 18 months of assistance; (2) for service of 48 consecutive months but less than 72 consecutive months and an agreement to serve four years in the Ready Reserve, 36 months of assistance; and (3) for service of 72 consecutive months, 36 months of assistance. Allows eligible veterans who have served on active duty for 16 years by September 30, 1986, to transfer their educational entitlement to their spouse or children. Makes any veteran entitled to assistance under this Act eligible to participate in the Predischarge Education Program (PREP) and eligible for education loans. Provides that such veterans are eligible for educational assistance for the six-year period following their discharge or release date. Sets forth procedures extending any applicable time period for such veterans who are prevented from initiating or completing a program of education under certain circumstances. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay tuition costs and a substantial allowance to eligible veterans in the program. Makes technical and conforming amendments to existing laws relating to veterans educational assistance. Grants to eligible veterans, who have served on active duty from three to six years, the right to transfer educational assistance entitlements to such veteran's spouse or children in such manner as prescribed by the Administrator concerned and under limitations set forth in this Act. Terminates the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance program after September 30, 1982. Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to submit a joint report to the Congress, not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act, on plans for implementing the educational assistance provided in such Act. Directs the Secretary of Defense to report semiannually to Congress on the effect of such program on the number and quality of individuals entering the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1980
Directs the President to furnish the House of Representatives with information concerning White House and Justice Department actions with regard to Billy Carter's involvement with Libya.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1980
Petroleum Displacement Act of 1980 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to repeal certain prohibitions and limitations on the use of natural gas as a primary energy source in electric powerplants. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to prohibit the use of petroleum or natural gas or both as a primary energy source in electric powerplants where coal or alternate fuel capability exists. Makes certain technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Estate and Gift Tax Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase from $47,000 to $155,800 the unified credit against the estate and gift tax; and (2) increase from $3,000 to $6,000 the gift tax exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1980
Presidential Nomination Commission Resolution - Establishes the Commission on Presidential Nominations to make an investigation regarding the presidential nominating process. Directs the Commission to report to the President and Congress respecting such investigation, including recommendations for the 1984 presidential elections. States that the Commission shall cease to exist 60 days after submitting such report. Sets forth the powers of such Commission and related administrative provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that congressional fellowships for foreign nationals constitute a valuable resource for the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980
Tax Reduction - Job Creation Act - Title I: Individual Tax Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce income tax rates for each category of individual taxpayers. Title II: Incentives for New Plant and Equipment - 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 taxpayers 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 · 25 June 1980
Directs the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences to establish a program of training in military medicine for reserve commissioned officers enrolled in the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship program. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to relieve participants who complete such training program from the 45-day active duty service requirement during one year of the scholarship program.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1980
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to halt immediately implementation of those regulations relating to clinical laboratory personnel published October 12, 1979, and published as corrected October 23, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that accruals of benefits or forfeitures in a tax- qualified deferred compensation plan, which would otherwise be deemed discriminatory against certain classes of employees, will not be considered to have taken place if: (1) the total present values of such nonforfeitable benefits attributable to employee-officers or shareholders is less than the total present values of nonforfeitable benefits of all other employees; (2) employee-officers or shareholders having nonforfeitable benefits constitute a reasonable cross section of plan participants; or (3) the deferred compensation plan provides that an employee who has completed at least four years of service has a nonforfeitable right to a specified percentage of the accrued benefit derived from employer contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1980
Trade Procedures Simplification Act of 1980 - Requires the Attorney General, in consultation with other Federal agency heads, to determine whether: (1) U.S. business conduct and arrangements in various countries to expand exports conflict with basic antitrust principles; and (2) a more liberal enforcement policy for overseas activities would impede implementation of the antitrust laws. Directs the Attorney General to identify conduct and arrangements associated with particular types of export sales which the Attorney General determines 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 permissible 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 Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1980
Urban Jobs and Enterprise Zone Act of 1980 - Title I: Designation of Private Jobs and Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of private jobs and enterprise zones, for a ten-year period, by local governments, or by State governments on behalf of local governments subject to the approval of the Secretary of Commerce, for purposes of extending the tax incentives provided by title II of this Act to employers and employees within designated zones. Specifies that the Secretary may only approve the designation of such zones if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the designating local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000, or is an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires designating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's approval, to effect a permanent real property tax reduction in their respective jurisdictions, which is not less than 20 percent of the current effective rate. Requires any such property tax reduction to be disregarded for the purpose of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. Expresses the sense of the Congress that in the case of any application for designation of an area in a private jobs and enterprise zone as a foreign trade zone: (1) the Foreign Trade Zone Board should expedite the application process; (2) the Board, in evaluating such application, should consider not only the current economic conditions within the zone, but also future development to be expected as a result of the incentives provided by this Act; and (3) the Board should provide technical assistance to the applicants. Title II: Tax Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce social security payroll taxes in designated private jobs and enterprise zones. States that such tax rate reductions shall not affect an individual's eligibility for social security benefits. Appropriates to the Federal Disability and Hospital Insurance Trust Funds general revenue amounts equivalent to the amount by which such taxes are reduced. Reduces the rate of tax on the capital gains of individuals and corporations in such zones. Exempts gain from the sale or exchange of property used in a business in a private jobs and enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Reduces the rate of tax on the income of corporations whose workforce comprises at least 50 percent of individuals working in a private jobs and enterprise zone (qualifying businesses). Authorizes accelerated depreciation for qualifying businesses (straight line method based on a three year useful life). Limits the basis for depreciation to $500,000. Allows a full investment tax credit for such property despite election of such accelerated depreciation. Permits qualifying businesses to elect to use a cash method of accounting if their gross receipts do not exceed $1,500,000 in any prior taxable year. Allows a ten year carryover of net operating losses for qualifying businesses. Title III: Effective Date - Specifies effective dates for provisions of this Act which apply to income tax, provisions which apply to social security payroll taxes, and provisions which apply to tax procedure and administration.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1980
Small Refineries Relief Act of 1980 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to require that refineries have a refining capacity of less than 50,000 barrels of oil per day, as well as not have their own source of crude oil supply, in order to qualify for preference in the sale of any U.S. royalty oil by the Secretary of Energy.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1980
Commission on the International Application of the United States Antitrust Laws Act - Establishes a Commission on the International Application of the United States Antitrust Laws. Charges such Commission with examining the international aspects of United States antitrust laws and related statutes, court rules and administrative procedures, and with making recommendations to the President and to the Congress on the results of such study. Directs the President to appoint the 18 member Commission from the executive branch, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the private sector. Sets forth the organization and compensation of members and the powers of the Commission. Excludes such Commission from the application of the Freedom of Information Act. Requires that any formal recommendation made by the Commission to the President and to the Congress must have the majority vote of the Commission as present and voting. Requires the Commission to submit its final report within one year after its first meeting. Terminates the Commission 60 days after it submits the report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations as may be necessary to carry out the activities of the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the provisions of law requiring twice a year cost of living adjustments for Federal civil service and military retirees should not be changed.