United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Citizen Protection Act of 1978 - Requires a subpoena duces tecum for the search and seizure of evidence when anyone acting under color of law has probable cause to believe evidence of a crime is located on or about premises in which the person in possession of the evidence has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Permits issuance of a search warrant instead of a subpoena duces tecum only if there is probable cause to believe: (1) the person in possession of the evidence may be involved in the crime under investigation; or (2) the evidence sought to be seized would be destroyed, hidden, or moved if the subpoena duces tecum procedures set out in this Act were followed. Creates a cause of action for any person injured by a violation of this Act. Allows punitive damages of up to $10,000 for each violation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Surplus School Conservation Act of 1979 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to local agencies to convert closed school buildings for educational and social purposes. Stipulates that no more than ten percent of such grants shall go to local agencies in any particular State.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Establishes a Task Force on the Taxation of Real Property by State and local Governments to study and evaluate such taxation, its effects on middle and fixed income taxpayers, and the feasibility of using Federal taxation and other policies to reduce the dependence of State and local governments on such taxation. Sets forth the membership composition and powers of the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to submit a final report to the President within one year. Terminates the Task Force 90 days after submission of such report.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to entitle individuals who retired on disability before October 1, 1976, to the exclusion from gross income for amounts received under accident and health plans without regard to the applicable income restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Small Business Impact Statement Act of 1979 - Directs the head of each Federal agency to prepare a small business impact statement in connection with each rule made by such agency unless the agency head, with the approval of the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration, determines that such rule will not have a substantial effect on a significant number of small businesses. Sets forth information which must be present in each small business impact statement. Prescribes steps which each agency head must follow in preparing any small business impact statement, including publication of the statement in the Federal Register. Requires each agency head to prepare, publish, and submit to Congress a small business impact statement for any rule having a substantial effect on small businesses which took effect after December 31, 1973. Directs each agency head to minimize the paperwork burden on small businesses in carrying out this Act. Empowers either House of Congress to disapprove any proposed rule which requires a small business impact statement.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Parental Kidnapping Act of 1979 - Requires appropriate State authorities to give full faith and credit to a child custody determination by a court of another State which has jurisdiction and meets specified conditions. Authorizes a State court with jurisdiction to modify a custody determination of another State court which no longer has or has declined to exercise jurisdiction. Amends title IV (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of the Social Security Act to include as a function of the Parent Locator Service the provision of information to authorized persons about any absent parent or child for the enforcement of a child custody determination or with regard to parental kidnapping. Prohibits the intentional restraint of a child in violation of any other persons' right of custody or visitation arising from: (1) a State custody determination; (2) a valid written agreement between the child's parents, foster parents, or guardians; or (3) a parental or guardian relationship. Specifies (1) the jurisdictional basis for such offense, including the willful transportation of a child in interstate commerce, and (2) Federal investigation procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
North Country National Scenic Trail Act of 1979 - Establishes as a component of the National Trails System the North Country Scenic Trail, a corridor of approximately 3,200 miles extending from eastern New York State to the vicinity of Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota. Directs the Secretary of Interior to study the feasibility of establishing a connecting trail between the North Country National Scenic Trail as authorized by this Act and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Removes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the United States and the Federal district courts over any case arising out of any State statute, ordinance, rule or regulation, which relates to voluntary prayers in public schools and public buildings.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Declares the term "person," with respect to due process and equal protection, applicable to human beings irrespective of age, health, function or condition of dependency, including the unborn. Prohibits the deprivation of life of an unborn person, except pursuant to laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Denies pension and survivor's annuity benefits to any Federal employee who is convicted of any felony committed in connection with his or her Federal employment or who has fled the United States to avoid prosecution for any such felony.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Permits postage-free mailing of correspondence to any Member of Congress by residents of the State or district represented by such Member, providing such correspondence is sent to the Member's official business address.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Requires, under the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act, that Federal agencies pay interest at an annual rate of at least 12 percent on any payment which is overdue by more than four weeks on a contract with a small business concern.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Requires each executive agency or officer to submit for the review of each House of Congress any proposed rule, regulation, or change in a rule or regulation. Declares that the rule, regulation, or change shall become effective 60 days after submission unless either House adopts a resolution disapproving it. Sets forth Senate and House procedures for consideration of such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that the reasonable cost of physical, occupational, speech or other therapy services shall be based on a reasonable rate per unit of service rather than on a reasonable salary paid for such services as is now the case. Removes the $100 limitation on "outpatient physical therapy services" furnished to an individual while an inpatient of a hospital or extended care facility.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Prohibits vessels transporting Alaskan oil to any port in California which is east or south of the Santa Barbara Channel Islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and Anacapa from using any route passing through the territorial or international waters which lie between such islands and the coast of California. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Terminates all rights under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 with respect to any leases or lease applications under serial number Riverside 04843 within the Los Padres National Forest in California. Stipulates that all interest in such leases shall be vested in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Individual Housing Account Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals an income tax deduction of up to $2,500 annually and $10,000 in a lifetime for cash contributions to an individual housing account (IHA) established to finance the purchase of a principal residence for the taxpayer. Exempts IHA's from income taxation. Excludes from gross income distributions to a taxpayer from an individual housing account used to purchase a principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Sunset Program Reauthorization and Evaluation Act of 1979 - Title I: Reauthorizations of New Budget Authority - Requires Government programs to be evaluated pursuant to a specified schedule to determine whether each such program should be continued, terminated, or altered (reauthorization review). Prohibits the authorization of new budget authority for a period of more than five years. Exempts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as interest on Federal debts, health care services, general retirement and disability payments, as well as litigation activities which have as their objectives the protection and implementation of civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and specified retirement pay and benefits. Prohibits the authorization of new budget authority for any program for which there has not been conducted a reauthorization review. Requires that the report accompanying such reauthorization contain specified information. Provides that before the Congress can appropriate funds for any program, after its first reauthorization date, there must be a specific authorization in law to support the appropriation. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in consultation with the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to compile a list of programs subject to a reauthorization date for which new budget authority was not authorized. Title II: Program Inventory - Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs. Declares that the purpose of such program inventory is to support the planning and execution of reauthorization and review requirements, and to link such reauthorization and review process to the budget process. Requires the Comptroller General to submit such program inventory to each House of Congress no later than July 1, 1980. Sets forth the contents of the inventory program, including the type of authorization provided for such programs' new budget authority; and the manner in which related program areas may be grouped for evaluation and review. Requires the congressional committees, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service to review the program inventory and suggest revisions. Requires that the program inventory be revised at the end of each session of Congress, and that such revisions be reported to each House. Requires that periodic reports tabulate the progress of congressional action on bills and resolutions authorizing budget authority for programs in the inventory. Requires the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to submit periodic reports to the Congress on the adequacy of the functional and subfunctional categories for grouping programs of like missions or objectives. Title III: Program Review and Evaluation - Requires each House of Congress to select from programs scheduled for reauthorization review in any given year a number of programs for comprehensive reauthorization review. Requires the President and each congressional committee to recommend such programs. Sets forth the criteria for the selection of programs and the procedures for such review. Stipulates that each such review include specified information including an assessment of the effectiveness of each program and an identification of any duplicative programs. Permits congressional committees which have jurisdiction over common programs to conduct a joint review for any such program. Requires each committee conducting such review to submit to Congress a report on its findings during the session of Congress in which the reauthorization date for the program occurs. Title IV: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes, as an independent instrumentality of the United States, the Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to conduct a nonpartisan study and investigation of the organization and methods of operation of all departments, agencies, independent instrumentalities, and other authorities of the executive branch of the Government, and to make such recommendations as it determines are necessary to promote economic, efficient and improved services in the transaction of public business. Requires the Commission to submit interim reports to the President and the Congress, and to submit a final report with its findings and recommendations. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report on the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Specifies the composition of the 18-member Commission and sets forth the duties and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall cease to exist 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated until September 30, 1983, without fiscal year limitations, $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Title. Title V: Miscellaneous - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to permit the committees of Congress to obtain from the agencies of the Government estimates or requests for appropriations, or requests for increases in an item of any such estimate or request, and recommendations as to how the revenue needs of the Government should be met. Declares that nothing shall require the public disclosure of records which are specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive Order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive Order, or which are otherwise specifically protected by law. Provides that the committees of the Senate or the House of Representatives shall not be required to publicly disclose any such records, except as otherwise provided by the rules of either House. Sets forth administrative procedures and requirements. Requires all agencies which are exempt from reauthorization review to submit a status report to Congress. Requires the Comptroller General to furnish Congress with the results of prior audits and reviews of programs being reviewed under this Act. Makes it the duty of the Committees on Governmental Affairs and on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committees on Government Operations and on Rules of the House of Representatives to review the operation of the procedures established by this Act and to submit a report every five years beginning December 31, 1986. Authorizes to be appropriated through fiscal year 1986 such sums as may be necessary to carry out the review requirements and for the compilation of the inventory of Federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Requires that rulemaking hearings which must be held under the Administrative Procedure Act and which primarily concern a single unit of local government, geographic area, or State be held within such unit, area, or State.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from implementing a proposed revenue procedure entitled, "Proposed Revenue Procedure on Private Tax-Exempt Schools," or any other guidelines for determining whether private schools have forfeited their tax-exempt status through the adoption of racially discriminatory policies.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Regulatory Review Act of 1979 - Requires all rules proposed by any Federal agency to be submitted to Congress together with an estimate of the costs to be incurred by the Federal Government, State and local governments, nongovernmental entities, and individuals affected by such proposed rule. States that such rule shall become effective 60 days after submission to Congress unless, within such period, either House disapproves such rule.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Gasohol Motor Fuel Act of 1979 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to promote the development and use of alcohol-blended fuels in the United States. Directs the Secretary to study the most suitable raw materials for the production of alcohol-blended fuels. Requires that such study emphasize alternative fuel sources to petroleum and natural gas, and evaluate the efficiency of various production and distribution systems. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress within six months after the enactment of this Act concerning the results of such study. Directs the Secretary to set production goals for alcohol-blended fuel development within six months after the completion of the study. Directs the Secretary to require that motor fuel sold in 1981 be one percent alcohol-blended. Sets increasing percentage requirements for succeeding years ending in 1990 where motor fuel shall be ten percent alcohol-blended. Empowers the Secretary to enforce the provisions of this Act and enumerates the enforcement procedures and penalties. Requires that all facilities constructed to distill alcohol for motor fuel use shall use fuel sources which are renewable. Directs the Secretary to establish, within six months after the enactment of this Act, procedures for the certification of alcohol distilling facilities. Requires the Secretary to give first priority for fuel sources to operate such distillation facilities to renewable energy resources. Grants last priority for fuel sources to petroleum, petroleum derivatives and natural gas. Empowers the Secretary to waive the preference for renewable resources upon a finding that they are economically or technically infeasible for use as fuel sources to power distillation facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the tax exemption of certain charitable organizations and the allowance of an income tax deduction for contributions to such organizations shall not be construed as the provision of Federal assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
American Tax Reduction Act of 1979 - States as the purposes of this Act: (1) the reduction of the public debt; (2) the imposition of limits on Federal spending; (3) the inducement of Members of Congress to eliminate unneeded Federal programs; (4) the reduction of individual income taxes; (5) tax relief for homeowners; and (6) the indexation of tax rates to reflect inflation of income. Title I: Individual Income Tax Rate Reductions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual and estate and trust income tax rates for 1979, 1980, and 1981, and to make a permanent reduction in such rates for years after 1981. Title II: Provisions Relating to Capital Gains - Reduces the alternative tax on capital gains to 15 percent of the net capital gain. Eliminates capital gains as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum and maximum tax. Repeals the alternative minimum tax schedule for capital gains of individual taxpayers which was enacted by the Revenue Act of 1978. Permits a taxpayer to elect to offset against taxable income all capital losses not in excess of taxable income. Permits a one-year carryover of losses in excess of taxable income. Eliminates the age requirement (55) for eligibility for the one-time $100,000 exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence. Title III: Provisions Relating to Indexing for Inflation - Requires cost-of-living adjustments to income brackets for purposes of the individual income tax and the normal tax on corporate income. Requires a similar adjustment to capital assets for purposes of determining gain or loss and to estates and gifts in determining the tax at the time of transfer. Replaces the corporate income tax rates with a graduated, five-tier schedule, imposing the uppermost (46 percent) marginal rate upon income in excess of $100,000. Title IV: Reduction in Federal Spending - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to limit Federal spending to 18 percent of the gross national product by fiscal year 1983. Prohibits the consideration of any bill in Congress which would cause the spending limit to be exceeded. Title V: Reduction of the Public Debt - Amends such Act further to the application of two percent of the annual Federal budget to the retirement of the Federal deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Prohibits any increase in the rate of pay or any other financial benefit of Members of Congress or officers of the Congress from taking effect unless such increase is approved by each House of Congress by resolution and adopted by recorded vote, and does not take effect before the first day of the following Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require House of Representatives committee reports on proposed legislation of a public character to contain statements estimating the reporting and recordkeeping requirements imposed on individuals, private industry, and State and local governments as a result of the enactment of such legislation. Prohibits the House of Representative from considering any legislation reported in the House unless it contains such a statement. Declares that the requirements of this Act shall be considered as part of the rules of the House.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Allows the enactment and repeal of law by popular vote. Excludes specified areas, including the right to: (1) propose constitutional amendments; (2) declare war; (3) grant letters of marque or reprisal; (4) make rules concerning captures on land or water; and (5) call forth the militia. Requires a petition signed by at least three percent of the whole number of citizens, in each of at least ten States who voted in the most recent election for electors for President, and the total number of signatures on such petition shall be at least three percent of the whole number of people, from all of the several States, who votes in such election in order to place such an issue on the ballot. Requires a majority vote in all of the several States for a proposed law to become law. Declares that no law passed by popular vote shall be subject to the approval of the President or to amendment or repeal, during a two-year period following enactment, by Congress except by a two-thirds affirmative vote of each House of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week beginning on the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that no person shall be a Senator or Member of the House of Representatives during more than six consecutive Congresses.
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 · 18 January 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the new Department of Labor health and safety training regulations for miners places an undue burden on small store, sand, and gravel surface mining operations and should not apply to operations with 35 or fewer employees.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt taxpayers from the payment of interest or a penalty on tax deficiencies attributable to erroneous advice obtained in writing from an Internal Revenue Service Officer or employee acting in an official capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Individual Housing Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals an income tax deduction of up to $2,500 annually and $10,000 in a lifetime for cash contributions to an individual housing account (IHA) established to finance the purchase of a principal residence for the taxpayer. Exempts IHA's from income taxation. Excludes from gross income distributions to a taxpayer from an individual housing account used to purchase a principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Establishes in the executive branch the National Zoological Foundation consisting of a National Zoological Board and a Director. Directs the Foundation to award scholarships for the training of staff members for zoos and aquariums, initiate and support research to improve the welfare of animals in zoos and aquariums, establish accreditation standards for zoos and aquariums and to make specified project and program grants. Authorizes the Foundation to initiate and support appropriate research at academic and other nonprofit institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Solar Energy Bank Act - Establishes a Government corporation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development to be known as the Solar Energy Development Bank to make long-term, low-interest loans to encourage the use of solar energy in commercial and residential structures. Sets forth requirements for loan eligibility concerning the term and amount of the loan and necessary warranties for the solar energy systems covered by such loan. Prohibits conflicts of interest on the part of officers or employees of the Bank. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Establishes a seven-member Advisory Board to make annual reports to Congress and the President on the operation of the program established by this Act. Prohibits subsidy payments under this Act to any person who has received other Federal assistance for purchase and/or installation of energy systems similar to the solar systems assisted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Methanol Fuel Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals to elect an income tax deduction with respect to the amortization of any qualified methanol producing facility based on a period of 60 months. Defines the term "qualified methanol producing facility" to mean any tangible property: (1) which is used in producing methanol from coal, wood, waste, or natural gas; and (2) which is of a character subject to the allowance for depreciation. Specifies the amount of such deduction. Provides that such deduction shall be in lieu of a depreciation deduction. Exempts gasoline and special fuels containing at least ten percent methanol from excise taxes otherwise imposed on gasoline and special fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for preventive services furnished in the screening, testing, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals for hypertension.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include the services of licensed practical nurses under the coverage provided pursuant to such titles.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for one comprehensive physical examination a year, dental care including dentures, eye examinations including eyeglasses, hearing aids including examination, and treatment of foot conditions. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to take steps to eliminate unnecessary or excessive medical appliance expenditures under the Medicare program by implementing appliance leasing, auditing of medical appliance manufacturers and providers, and by cross-referencing prevailing medical appliance rates. Includes under the term "medical appliance" hearing aids, eyeglasses, dentures, and similar health aids. States that the Federal Trade Commission should continue and increase scrutiny of the medical appliance industries in the interest of consumer protection. States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare should provide increased assistance to encourage the continuing education and training of hearing specialists, clinical audiologists, and physicians to improve the quality of hearing care, and to encourage the provision by State and local governments of more and better hearing care for the elderly, including a network of examination and treatment sites.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require automatic sprinkler systems in all skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities certified for participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs unless a waiver of such requirement is granted in accordance with conditions set forth in this Act. Establishes a program of low-interest Federal loans to assist such facilities in constructing or purchasing and installing automatic sprinkler systems.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
National Home Health Clearinghouse Act of 1979 - Establishes in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a Home Health Clearinghouse to gather and disseminate information concerning the various public and private agencies providing home health care and related services to the elderly. Directs the Clearinghouse to (1) establish a computerized system for such purposes, and (2) publish current descriptions of Federal services and benefits available to the elderly under the Social Security Act, the Older Americans Act of 1965, and other related laws.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the charitable deduction allowed for expenses incurred in the operation of a motor vehicle shall include the depreciation, operation, and maintenance costs allocable to such operation and shall be determined in the same manner as a business related deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to allow volunteers in the Service Corps of Retired Executives, established under the National Volunteer Programs to Assist Small Businesses, to provide assistance to home health agencies which provide home health services.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lagomarsino, Robert J. [R-CA-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000020_200.jpg)