United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1980
Prevention, Identification, and Treatment of Adult Abuse Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish as an office the National Center on Adult Abuse. Requires the Secretary, through such Center, to: (1) compile and disseminate annually a summary of recently conducted research on adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (2) develop an information clearinghouse on all programs for prevention and treatment of such occurrences; (3) compile and disseminate training materials for personnel engaged in the prevention or treatment of such abuse; (4) provide technical assistance to public and nonprofit agencies and organizations to assist in programs and activities relating to adult abuse; (5) conduct research into the causes and prevention of such behavior; and (6) study and investigate the national incidence of adult abuse. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or enter into contracts with public agencies or nonprofit organizations for demonstration programs and projects designed to prevent, identify, and treat adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Permits such funding to be used for the development and establishment of training programs for personnel in relevant fields, for the establishment of local centers, and for furnishing the services of trained personnel to small communities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to the States to assist in developing, and carrying out adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention and treatment programs. Requires each State to have an adult abuse and exploitation law in effect which is actively enforced to qualify for such grants. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to postpone the recognition of losses, for income tax deduction purposes, which are generated from the sale of certain types of personal property (commodities other than those used in a taxpayer's business, evidences of indebtedness, and other types of personal property other than stock in a corporation) which are offset by the purchase of other personal property from which a gain is recognized. Provides that any loss which exceeds gain from the holding of such offsetting positions may not be recognized for the period during which a taxpayer holds such offsetting positions, plus 30 days. Provides that the running of the required holding period for capital assets shall be tolled during the same period. Defines "offsetting positions" to mean that there is a substantial reduction of the taxpayer's risk of loss from holding any position with respect to personal property because the taxpayer also holds one or more other positions with respect to personal property (commonly referred to as a "straddle"). Creates a rebuttable presumption that two or more positions are offsetting if the positions are customarily treated as straddles, the aggregate margin requirement for such positions is lower than the sum of the margin requirement for each such position, or there are other factors, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to regulations, which indicate that such positions are offsetting. Provides that obligations of the United States, a State or local government, or a U.S. possession, issued on a discount basis and payable without interest in less than one year shall be treated as capital assets in determining tax consequences of gain or loss with respect to such obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1980
Extends the congratulations of the Congress to the Order of the Sons of Italy in America for their 75th anniversary. Proclaims Sunday, June 22, 1980, as "National Italian-American Day."
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Industrial Energy Conservation Incentive Tax Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the investment tax credit energy percentage from ten to 20 percent for alternative energy property and for specially defined energy property. Makes such credit refundable. Provides for a refundable 20 percent investment tax credit for qualified conservation property. Defines "qualified conservation property" as property which is used by a taxpayer as an energy-saving modification to an existing industrial facility.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that any income received or accrued by a tax-exempt mutual or cooperative electric or telephone company from qualified pole rentals, or by a cooperative telephone company from the sale of display listings in a directory furnished to company members, shall not be treated as unrelated business income subject to tax. Defines qualified pole rental as any rental of a pole (or other structure used to support wires) if: (1) such pole or structure is used by the telephone or electric company in providing telephone or electric services to its members; and (2) the use of such pole or structure pursuant to the rental is in connection with the transmission by wire of electricity or of telephone or other communications.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Theatrical Production Investment Tax Credit Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an investment tax credit for costs related to a theatrical production. Includes within the term "theatrical production" plays, musicals, operas, or ballets, in a commercial theater before a live audience. Specifies that a taxpayer may claim a tax credit for such a production only to the extent that he has an ownership interest in it.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980
Authorizes the President to present a gold-plated medal, on behalf of the Congress, to those athletes selected through the Olympic trial process to be members of the United States Summer Olympic Team of 1980. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be stricken 650 such medals with suitable emblems. Declares that such medals are national medals and that funds to carry out this Act shall be made available under the Amateur Sports Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Extends the congratulations of the House of Representatives to members of the 1980 handicapped Olympic team and recognizes specified organizations for their efforts in producing the second winter Olympics for the physically handicapped.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Boston African American National Historic Site in Boston, Massachusetts. Authorizes the Secretary to accept any gift or bequest of any property within the boundaries of such site and to enter into cooperative agreements with the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of their political subdivisions, or any private person or organization for such activities as may be necessary for the preservation of any such properties. Authorizes the Secretary to assist with maintenance of those properties owned by the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, their political subdivisions, or not-for-profit organizations. Specifies that if any fees are charged for the use of a property covered by any such cooperative agreement, and Federal funds are committed in the cooperative agreement, the income from such fees shall be applied to the costs of maintenance and renovation of such property. Permits the Secretary, in cooperation with other interested groups, to identify other significant sites relating to the nineteenth century free African American community on Beacon Hill, Boston, and, with the consent of the owners thereof, to mark them appropriately and make reference to them in any interpretive literature.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay claims for losses sustained by U.S. citizens or corporations as a result of the U.S. boycott of the 1980 summer Olympic games.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Law Enforcement Officers' Protection Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) conduct a study to determine the capacity of handgun bullets to penetrate bulletproof vests and the risk posed to law enforcement officers by the availability of handgun bullets; and (2) report the findings and legislative recommendations to the President and Congress within one year after funds are made available under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the seven-day period beginning October 5, 1980, as "National Port Week." Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report annually to Congress on the conditions of U.S. public ports.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Surface Mining Reclamation Reserve Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the establishment of a reserve account for the addition of tax deductible expenses of surface mining land reclamation incurred during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the investment tax credit for certain rehabilitated buildings leased to tax-exempt organizations or to governmental units.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1980
Prohibits a State, or any of its political subdivisions, from imposing a tax with respect to natural gas which discriminates against any out-of-State producers, transporters, consumers, distributors, or users of natural gas, or which applies only to gas produced outside the territory of such State. Declares any tax as discriminatory if it results in a greater tax burden on interstate natural gas than on intrastate gas.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide that recipients of Federal grants for tuition and related expenses will not be denied a tax exclusion for such grants or expenses merely because they are required to perform future service as a Federal employee as a condition of such grant; (2) grant tax-exempt status upon an annuity contract purchased by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences for any employee who is a member of the civilian faculty or staff of such university; (3) permit common carriers by railroad (including a railroad switching company or a terminal company) to use the retirement-replacement-betterment method of accounting for determining depreciation allowances for income tax deduction purposes; (4) set forth rules for the valuation of certain stock in a transferor railroad subject to a determination of final value by a special court established by the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, for purposes of consolidated return regulations; (5) restore the availability of certain net operating loss carryovers to railroads in Conrail proceedings; and (6) allow a credit against the excise tax on domestic or imported distilled spirits, wines, and beer for each proof gallon of the wine and flavors content of distilled spirits containing wine. Sets the amount of such credit for wine at the excess of $10.50 over the rate of the additional tax on such wine which would be imposed but for its removal to bonded premises. Specifies the points in time for determining the allowance of such credit for domestic and for imported distilled spirits containing wine.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1980
Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability caused by exposure to a phenoxy herbicide (Agent Orange) for veterans who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era. Waives the one-year limitation on claims for compensation for such disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1980
Hostage Relief Act of 1980 - Title I: Amendments to Title 5 of the United States Code - Amends title 5 of the United States Code to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a savings fund to which the head of an agency may allot all or a portion of the pay and allowances of any employee who is in a missing status on or after November 4, 1979, as the result of a hostile action against the United States. Requires interest on such fund to be compounded quarterly at the average rate paid on United States Treasury bills with three-month maturities issued during the calendar quarter immediately preceding the first day of the applicable pay period. Directs the President to issue regulations to authorize agency heads to reimburse (up to $25,000 in any calendar year) any such employee, or dependent of such an employee, for necessary travel, rest and recuperation, private medical car, and other expenses related to the ordeal which are incurred on or after such date. Entitles the spouse of such an employee to reimbursement, for a certain time, for expenses incurred for tuition, books, fees, and subsistence while attending an educational or training institution. Extends to such employees the provisions of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, deferring civil actions that affect property rights of such persons until their missing status is ended. Applies the provisions of this Title to all citizens and resident aliens of the United States held hostage in Teheran at any time during November, 1979, and to their dependents and spouses, regardless of whether they are Federal employees. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of such an employee compensation received for active service for any month during the period of his or her missing status, or during which such employee was hospitalized as a result of wounds, injury, disease, or partial or total physical or mental disablement incurred during a hostile action against the United States. Cancels the income taxes for any such employee who dies as a result of such hostile action, for the year in which death occurs and for all prior years during which the employee was in missing status. Authorizes spouses of such employees to file a joint income tax return. Defers the filing of an income tax return by such an employee until after 180 days following the termination of his or her missing status. Applies the provisions of this Title to all citizens and resident aliens of the United States held hostage in Teheran at any time during November, 1979, regardless of whether they are Federal employees. Applies the tax exclusion to non-employees only to the extent of the daily equivalent of the annual basic rate of pay in effect for level V of the Executive Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income Federal grants for tuition and related expenses at institutions of higher education, even though the grant recipient is required to perform future service as a Federal employee. Deems service in a health manpower shortage area as Federal service.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1980
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare) to conduct a clinical investigation of the safety and efficacy of dimethyl sulfoxide as a drug to be used by persons with arthritis.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1980
Extends death benefit coverage under title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include public safety officers who die as a result of a medical condition sustained while ingesting a poisonous substance or while subject to extreme physical stress, on a single occasion or during a single event, in the performance of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1980
Proclaims October 19, 1981, a national day of celebration as the two hundredth anniversary of the victory of General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1980
Amends the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to establish labeling requirements for substances which cause chronic health side effects. Authorizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission to determine which substances or mixture of substances possess chronic toxicity and are capable of being ingested, inhaled, or absorbed into the human body through any customary or reasonably foreseeable handling, use, or misuse. Sets forth criteria for the determination of toxicity. Sets forth labeling requirements for such substances, including: (1) a statement which describes the nature of a side effect and an explanation of procedures to be followed to counteract such side effect; and (2) a warning where a substance has been determined to possess chronic toxicity that such substance has been shown to cause cancer in animals or in humans.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1980
Vietnam Veterans Comprehensive Readjustment and Rehabilitation Act - Title I: Interagency Coordination and Veterans Outreach Services - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to coordinate all programs and activities affecting veterans and their dependents with other departments and agencies. Directs the Administrator to initiate a comprehensive outreach and information program to inform and assist eligible veterans and eligible persons to understand and utilize such programs. Title II: Compensation and Treatment for Diseases and Disabilities caused by Toxic Substances and Radiation Exposure - Entitles a veteran who suffers from a personal injury or disease contracted in the line of duty, or a disabled child with birth defects resulting from genetic damage to a veteran, to compensation and medical care. Authorizes the Administrator to establish and carry out a comprehensive program of screening veterans who may have been exposed to toxic substances, chemical or biological agents, or radiation during their military, naval, or air service to determine whether such veterans have incurred any disease or disability as a result of such exposure. Provides for outreach services to inform and assist such veterans in adjusting to such diseases or disabilities. Permits the Administrator to establish a centralized registry of claims made before the Veterans' Administration (VA) or other appropriate agency arising out of exposure or possible exposure to toxic substances, chemical or biological agents, or radiation, and of the disabilities, diseases, genetic damage, or symptoms associated with such exposure. Title III: Readjustment Counseling Improvement and Expansion - Authorizes the Administrator to arrange for or assist the veteran or the veteran's dependent, or both, in obtaining readjustment counseling or mental health services. Allows for the Administrator to conduct or contract for comprehensive studies of the psychological and sociological effects of the Vietnam Conflict, military service, and the readjustment process upon veterans and dependents. Title IV: Vocational Rehabilitation - Defines for purposes of this Act: (1) medical condition; (2) program of education; (3) program of independent living services and assistance; (4) rehabilitated; (5) rehabilitation program; (6) serious employment handicap; (7) vocational goal; (8) vocational rehabilitation program. Sets forth the provisions regarding basic entitlement and periods of eligibility for eligible veterans. Sets forth the scope of services and assistance, including: (1) evaluation for rehabilitation potential; (2) educational, vocational, psychological, employment, and personal adjustment counseling; (3) allowance and other appropriate assistance; (4) work study allowance; (5) placement services; (6) personal adjustment and work adjustment training assistance, tuition, fees, books, supplies, and other training materials; (8) loans; (9) treatment care, and services; (10) prosthetic appliances and other corrective devices; (11) services to a veterans' family; (12) essential employment equipment and supplies for severely disabled veterans requiring homebound training and for self-employment; (13) travel and incidental expenses; (14) special rehabilitation services, including services for the blind and the deaf. Provides for the duration of rehabilitative programs. Requires extended evaluations of veterans with service-connected disabilities to determine whether such veteran may have or has a serious employment handicap. Allows the Administrator to formulate an individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation for a veteran. Provides for the payment of a subsistence allowance to eligible veterans. Entitles severely disabled veterans to a program of independent living services, and assistance designed to enable such veteran to achieve maximum independence in the functions of daily living. Authorizes the Administrator to prescribe regulations regarding leaves of absences, conduct, and cooperation. Releases to eligible veterans all books, supplies, and equipment furnished to such veteran under this Act, unless the Administrator determines that such veteran must return the resources. Allows for vocational rehabilitation to hospitalized members of the Armed Forces and veterans. Provides that any Federal agency's facilities may be used to provide unpaid training or work experience as part of a veteran's vocational rehabilitation program. States that such a veteran shall be deemed a Federal employee for workmen's compensation purposes but not for the purposes of laws administered by the Office of Personnel Management. Directs the Veterans Administration (VA) to: (1) provide employment assistance, including direct employment placement, utilization of Federal, State, and nonprofit private employment services and securing loans and paying business license fees; (2) provide vocational rehabilitation staff training and development; and (3) carry out an ongoing program of rehabilitation research and special projects, including grants and contracts with public and nonprofit agencies. Directs the Administrator to appoint a Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation. Revises provisions concerning the limitation on periods of assistance under two or more veterans' educational assistance programs to include post-Vietnam era benefits within such limitation, and to provide a 48 month aggregate eligibility period for vocational rehabilitation and other educational assistance. Authorizes the Administrator to evaluate a veteran's employability in considering certain claims based on total disability and unemployability. Title V: Conditional Cost-of-Living Adjustment Educational Assistance Allowance - Authorizes the Administrator to provide a conditional cost-of-living adjust educational assistance to an eligible veteran or eligible person who makes an application and is eligible therefore. Stipulates that a cost-of-living adjustment allowance shall be in lieu of any authorized educational assistance or training allowance. Title VI: GI Bill Program Adjustments - Modifies the delimiting period for completing a program of education for veterans. Provides for the extension of the delimiting period for eligible veterans up to a period of two years. States that the Administrator shall provide educational, vocational, and personal adjustment counseling for veterans eligible for educational assistance. Limits the aggregate period during which any person may receive assistance under two or more programs of education administered by the Veterans' Administration. Declares that educational assistance allowances for institutionalized veterans after 30 days of institutionalization shall accrue and be withheld (and converted to securities), paid to dependents, and paid to such veteran upon discharge. Authorizes the Administrator, upon the request of such veteran, to pay to such veteran all or part of the monthly allowance to meet continuing financial obligations of such veteran. Provides for the payment of unused contributions to the education assistance fund to specified individuals upon death of the participant. Eliminates reporting requirements to Congress regarding default rates and experience with respect to loans made under this Act to eligible veterans. Discharges a veteran's liability on loans upon such veteran's successful completion of educational, professional, or vocational objective. Title VII: Interagency Task Force; Presidential Commission or Veterans' Affairs - Establishes an Interagency Veterans' Advisory Task Force. Sets forth the duties and responsibilities of such Task Force. Title VIII: Job Counseling, Training, and Placement Service for Veterans - Establishes within the Department of Labor an Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment. Title IX: Employment and Training of Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans - Requires Federal contracts of $10,000 or more to require the contracting party to take affirmative steps to employ qualified disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era and to make reasonable efforts to provide career development, advancement, and training opportunities to such veterans. Encourages veterans employment within the Federal Government. Title X: Veterans Career Development, Advancement, and Training Assistance - Establishes a program of career development, advancement, training, and related services for Vietnam-era veterans. Defines, for purposes of this Act: (1) eligible veteran; (2) eligible employer; and (3) dependent. Sets forth provisions regarding the entitlement to and the eligibility of a veteran for a career development and advancement or training allowance. Sets the duration of such eligibility. Requires the Administrator of the Veterans' Administration to provide occupational and vocational counseling. Permits an eligible veteran to select a program of career development and advancement, or a program of career development and training with an eligible employer in a chosen career field if the employer hires such veteran into its regular workforce with the expectation of permanent employment of the veteran after the training and career development assistance ends. Disallows approval of enrollment of a veteran for: (1) seasonal, intermittent or temporary jobs; (2) jobs paying less than $4.00 an hour, unless the Administrator determines in a particular case that the clause does not apply; (3) jobs outside the United States or its territories or possessions; (4) jobs under which commissions are the primary source of income; (5) employment which involves political or religious activities; (6) employment in an industry which a substantial number of experienced and able workers are unemployed; (7) jobs that are above entry level, except when applicable personnel procedures and collective bargaining procedures regarding the advancement of currently employed workers are complied with; (8) employment which would result in the displacement of any currently employed worker; (9) jobs which if filled would replace any worker who is on lay off, or on strike. Requires the Administrator to discontinue the career development and advancement allowance of an eligible veteran whose conduct or progress is unsatisfactory. Allows the Administrator to renew the veterans' allowance under certain conditions. Directs the Administrator to pay to each eligible veteran employer, on behalf of each eligible veteran, an allowance to meet in part the expenses of such veteran's wages, benefits, training, and any other necessary or appropriate costs. Sets forth the provisions for computation of career development, advancement, and training allowances and payment to eligible employers. Outlines the specifications for approval of career development and advancement programs. Provides for the issuance of certificates of approval to the eligible employers. Requires an employer who receives an overpayment as a result of: (1) willful or negligent failure to report a veteran's excessive absences from work or interruptions in a planned program; or (2) false certification to repay the amount of such overpayment to the United States. Allows the Administrator to make a complete report of the facts to the appropriate approving agency and, if considered advisable, to the Attorney General of the United States for appropriate action. Allows an eligible veteran to make one change of program, unless the Administrator finds sufficient reason to support further changes. Authorizes the Administrator to periodically conduct compliance surveys. Outlines the duties of the Secretary of Labor under this Act. Directs the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor, and of Health, Education, and Welfare, to provide for an outreach and public information program to inform eligible veterans of the program established by this Act. Title XI: Honorable Discharge (Limited) - Creates a discharge category of honorable discharge (limited) if the board determines that such individual has been rehabilitated, that such individual's conduct, activities, and habits since the individuals last discharge or dismissal have been exemplary for a reasonable period of time. Title XII: Effective Date - The amendments made by this Act shall take effect October 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 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 · 11 March 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the 1980 automatic cost-of-living increase in social security benefits should be allowed to occur as scheduled in accordance with the recommendations of the President.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Community Development to make payments to local homesteading agencies in lieu of real estate taxes which accrued during the period of transfer of homestead property.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1980
Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit the direct or indirect restriction by any person engaged in commerce on the use of credit instruments in any transaction concerning the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel, where there is no similar restriction on transactions concerning conventional motor fuel. Prohibits any other conditions, restriction, agreement, or understanding which otherwise discriminates against or unreasonably limits the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1980
Research Revitalization Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer engaged in a trade or business an income tax credit equal to 25 percent of the cash contributions made by such taxpayer to a reserve fund established to finance research or experimentation related to the taxpayer's business. Limits the total amount of such credit to five percent of the taxable business income of the taxpayer for the taxable year. Exempts such reserve fund from income taxation. Allows an income tax deduction for research expenses paid out of the reserve fund during the taxable year. Specifies that research financed pursuant to this Act shall be performed by an institution of higher education. Prescribes tax penalties for the use of funds from the research reserve for purposes other than research and experimentation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1980
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary of Energy to prohibit specified powerplants from using petroleum and natural gas as a primary energy source by December 31, 1990. Authorizes such powerplants to use coal with a sulfur content of up to 2.5 percent notwithstanding other provisions of law. Requires any powerplant which seeks an exemption from a prohibition on the use of petroleum or natural gas on the basis of its plan to cease operations to also demonstrate that it will be replaced by a powerplant which does not use such fuel sources. Repeals the authority of the Secretary to grant a temporary exemption in the public interest. Repeals the authority to extend a temporary exemption granted to maintain reliability of service. Prohibits any temporary exemption from extending beyond 1989. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency or the appropriate State pollution control agency to certify that the use of coal by a powerplant would cause regional pollution to exceed national standards despite the use of the best available control technology in order for such powerplant to be eligible for a permanent exemption on the use of petroleum. Requires any exempted powerplant to reduce its use of petroleum and natural gas. Directs the Secretary to extend grants to the operators of the powerplants required by this Act to cease using petroleum and natural gas in order to defray ten percent of the cost of their converting to an alternate energy source. Prevents any value received under a Federal or State grant or tax credit from being included within an operator's conversion costs. Authorizes appropriations for such grants, limiting such authority to advance provisions in appropriations Acts. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer to treat such fuel conversion expenses as deductible, noncapital expenditures. Prohibits a taxpayer from including any amounts received through a grant by the Secretary within such conversion expenses. States that any such election shall not affect the determination of a taxpayer's entitlement to an investment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation extending best wishes and expressing appreciation to Carl Vinson for his devotion to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1980
Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal the requirement that State implementation plans for meeting the national primary ambient air quality standard provide for periodic inspection and testing of motor vehicles, unless the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency establishes separate inspection and testing of each new motor vehicle before the vehicle is sold by the manufacturer.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980
Small Business Equal Access to Justice Act - Title I: Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy - Amends title II of the Small Business Investment Act (Study of Small Business) to direct the Office of Advocacy within the Small Business Administration to assist the Attorney General, Federal agencies, and the Chairman of the Administrative Conference to facilitate relief afforded to small businesses under such Act. Requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to submit biennial reports to the President and Congress on awards made to small businesses under such Act. Title II: Small Business Equal Access to Justice - Excludes from the definition of "party" for purposes of this Act: (1) an individual whose net worth exceeds $1,000,000; and (2) any partnership, corporation, association, organization, or sole owner of an unincorporated business whose net worth exceeds $5,000,000, but includes an agricultural cooperative, as defined in the Agricultural Marketing Act, regardless of its net worth. Entitles a prevailing party (other than the United States) to be awarded fees and other expenses, including attorney fees, which were incurred by such party in: (1) an administrative adjudication (excluding ratemaking and license application hearings, but including such actions as suspension or modification of a license); or (2) in any civil action, other than a tort, brought by or against the United States, unless the agency conducting such adjudication, or the court having jurisdiction of such action, finds that the position of the agency or the United States was substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award unjust. Allows the agency or the court to reduce any such award to the extent that the prevailing party unduly and unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy. Stipulates that such awards in administrative adjudication shall be paid by the particular agency over which the party prevails, but prohibits authorization of appropriations to such agency for the specific purpose of such payments. Authorizes a party dissatisfied with such award in an administrative adjudication to petition for leave to appeal the decision in an appropriate Federal court. Authorizes a court to award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in any civil action brought by or against the United States or any agency, including the Post Office, or official of the United States acting in an official capacity, where the court may award such fees in such suits involving private parties (thus applying to Government litigation the common law and statutory exceptions to the "American rule" which requires parties to be responsible for their own attorney fees). Directs the Administrative Conference of the United States and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually on the amount of fees and expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year in such agency adjudications and civil actions. Makes this Act applicable to any civil action pending on, or commencing after, the date of enactment, except for civil tax actions, which shall be subject to this Act six months after enactment. Directs the Office of the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States and Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide to the Small Business Office of Advocacy the information required to be collected in title I of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1980
Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1980 - Title I: Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish and revise within one year safety rules and regulations to assure that: (1) commercial motor vehicles are safely maintained, equipped, loaded, and operated; (2) the responsibilities imposed upon drivers of such vehicles do not impair a driver's ability to operate such vehicle safely; (3) the physical condition of such drivers will be adequate to enable them to drive safely; and (4) the operation of such vehicles does not create deleterious effects on the physical condition of such drivers. Permits the Secretary to waive such rules and regulations if to do so is in the public interest and consistent with the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles. Directs the Secretary and the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor to undertake, and submit to Congress within one year a study of health hazards to which operators of commercial vehicles are exposed. Requires the development of such materials and information as are necessary to enable such employees to carry out their employment free from recognized hazards capable of causing serious injury. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct research, development, demonstration, and training activities to develop such rules and regulations, to design and develop improved enforcement procedures and technologies, and to familiarize affected persons with such regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to require persons subject to this Act to maintain such records and make such reports as are necessary to insure compliance with this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct investigations and inspections without notice to enforce this Act. Requires the Secretary to timely investigate nonfrivolous complaints alleging a material violation of any rule or regulation issued under this Act. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for such violations. Provides for judicial review of final orders with respect to such alleged violations. Prohibits an employer from discriminating or taking punitive actions against employees who complain of safety violations, who participate in any proceeding regarding such alleged violations, or who refuse to operate a vehicle when to do so would materially violate motor carrier safety violations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for up to 80 percent of the costs of the development or implementation of programs for the enforcement of commercial motor vehicle safety regulations. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose for fiscal years 1981, 1982 and 1983. Requires States which agree to enforce this Act to submit an enforcement plan to the Secretary for approval. Sets forth requirements which must be included in any such plan. Permits any State agency to adopt additional or more stringent rules and regulations which are consistent with the Federal rules and regulations. Permits any State to retain existing hours-of-service regulations except where such regulations diminish commercial motor vehicle safety or are unduly burdensome on interstate commerce. Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to the Congress regarding current plans to upgrade the safety and health of operators of commercial motor vehicles. Directs the Secretary to submit a report to Congress within 12 months regarding the advisability of establishing a national commercial vehicle driver register to upgrade safety through improved monitoring of traffic accidents and violations and of multiple State licensing. Exempts vehicles engaged in farming or logging operations from the requirements of this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Advisory Committee to review research projects and proposed regulations, make recommendations and advise the Secretary on matters relating to the activities and functions of the Department in the field of commercial motor vehicle safety. States that membership on such Committee shall be appointed by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal of appropriate design to Ambassador Kenneth Taylor in recognition of his efforts to secure the return of six American Embassy officials in Tehran. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be struck such gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Vietnam Era Veterans Agent Orange Act - Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability for certain diseases arising in Vietnam-era veterans (and for birth defects in their children) exposed to agent orange.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1980
African Development Foundation Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish the African Development Foundation to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the people of Africa and the United States and to assist in the development of Africa. Requires such Foundation to cooperate with indigenous organizations representative of Africa and other private, regional, and international organizations. Authorizes such Foundation to make grants, loans, and loan guarantees to African entities for developmental purposes. Requires the Foundation to give priority to community self-help projects with the maximum feasible participation of the poor. Sets forth the corporate powers of such Foundation. Provides for the appointment of a Board of Directors to manage such Foundation. Requires the Board to consult with a Council composed of individuals knowledgeable about development activities in Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1980
Amends the Federal charter of the Boy Scouts of America to change from April 1 to June 1 the due date of its annual report to Congress. Specifies that such report be printed as a separate document of the House of Representatives.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lederer, Raymond F. [D-PA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000187_200.jpg)