United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1979
Citizens' Postal Rate Relief Act of 1979 - Prohibits the postal rate for qualified mail matter from exceeding the minimum per piece rate for regular rate third-class bulk mail plus the difference between the rate for ordinary single-piece first-class mail and the discounted rate for such mail when presorted. Defines "qualified mail matter" as domestic letter mail of individuals which is sealed against inspection and subject to third-class bulk mail service standards.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $7,000 of public retirement benefits received by a taxpayer in a taxable year which are attributable to service performed as a police officer or fire fighter.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1979
Declares that the Senate should approve and the President should ratify the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1979
Regional Energy Development Act of 1979 - Chapter I: Introductory - Declares that energy shortages and the high cost of energy have created economic hardships in the Northeastern States, which would especially benefit from regional cooperation with the United States through an entity capable of financing and otherwise promoting increased energy supply and energy conservation. Defines "Northeastern States" as Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Chapter II: Organization, Management, Powers - Authorizes the creation of a corporation for profit, not an agency or establishment of the United States, to be known as the Energy Corporation of the Northeast. Directs the President to appoint incorporators who reside in the Northeastern States to serve as the initial Board of Directors of the Corporation, and to take whatever actions are necessary to establish the Corporation. Stipulates that a Northeastern State shall become a member of the Corporation when such State subscribes for State stock, contributes initial capital in the amount of $1 per capita, and enacts supporting legislation. Allows the Corporation to become operational if at least three States become members before December 31, 1978. Authorizes States that are contiguous to members to join the Corporation in the same manner. Authorizes the Corporation to participate in joint ventures with public or private groups and to operate through subsidiaries. Requires the Corporation to submit annual reports and audits to the President, Congress, Governors and legislatures of Member States. Directs the Governors, on a rotating basis, to designate independent persons to evaluate the performance of the Corporation every two years. Chapter III: Projects and Programs of the Corporation - Authorizes the Corporation to participate in financing any project related to solving the energy needs of the Northeast. Allows the Corporation to assist projects by loans, guarantees, or equity investments. Stipulates that before any financial assistance is provided, the Board of Directors of the Corporation must find that: (1) the project is expected to have a beneficial impact on the energy problems of the region; (2) the investment together with other Corporation activities will not materially impair the credit of the Corporation; (3) private capital is unavailable or insufficient; and (4) unless this limitation is specially waived, the Corporation will not operate the project on a continuing basis or invest more than 50 percent of the total cost. Authorizes rejection of each project by the Governor of the Member State in which it is located. Charges the Board with reviewing periodically the allocation of Corporation resources among the Member States to assure a measure of equity in the distribution of benefits. Limits the Corporation's investment in any one project to the greater of ten percent of its borrowing authority or $200,000,000. Chapter IV: Financing - Stipulates that capital subscriptions from the States ($1 per capita initial contribution) and private investors shall determine the borrowing authority of the Corporation according to a formula of $15 borrowing backed by Federal guarantees for each $1 capital contribution. Authorizes the contribution of additional capital by the States after the initial subscription. Authorizes the issuance of capital securities to States and private investors in a form determined by the Board. Permits the Corporation to issue its own obligations which shall be general obligations payable out of any revenues. Prohibits the Corporation from pledging the credit of the United States or the credit of Member States. Chapter V: Guarantee of Obligations - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee obligations of the Corporation. Stipulates that such obligations are not tax exempt. Prohibits purchase of such obligations by the United States. Establishes an administrative expense fund in the U.S. Treasury to provide for the administrative expense payments with respect to guaranteed obligations. Chapter VI: State Legislation - Requires Member States, upon joining the Corporation, to enact legislation: (1) assuring decisions within 90 days of application on request for permits required for Corporation projects; (2) exempting the property, income, and operations of the Corporation from State and local taxation; and (3) specifying that insofar as the provisions of any State, general, special, or local law may be inconsistent with this Act, the provisions of this Act and the legislation enacted under this Chapter are controlling. Chapter VII: Miscellaneous - Specifies terms of construction and separability of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1979
Senior Citizens Health Insurance Reform Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to institute a program of voluntary certification for health insurance policies sold in supplementation of medicare. Sets forth minimum standards for such certification with respect to liability, cancellation, reasonableness of premium charge, and economic benefit to the insured. Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) misrepresentations in connection with such certification; (2) the sale of specified types of duplicate insurance; and (3) certain activities in connection with the sale of insurance policies in States which have not approved such policies.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to require that aged, blind, or disabled aliens must have resided in the United States for five years preceding their application for benefits under such title. Exempts those aliens: (1) who are political refugees; (2) whom a support agreement, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, excuses; or (3) who have specified disabilities. Stipulates that such five-year requirement shall apply only to aliens applying for supplemental security income benefits under title XVI.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend until January 1, 1979, the date until which a State legislator may qualify for the income tax deduction for living expenses while engaged in legislative business away from his home district. Eliminates the $3,000 limitation on the income tax deduction for the business expenses of Members of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the individual income tax credit for the elderly and to increase the adjusted gross income limitation on such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to allow the Select Committee on Aging to appoint, by majority vote of the committee, not more than 18 professional staff members.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1979
Requires that whoever uses or carriers a firearm during the commission of any felony which may be prosecuted in a United States court shall, in addition to the punishment provided for the commission of such offense, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of five years. Requires in the case of a second or subsequent conviction the imposition of a term of eight years imprisonment. Stipulates that the imposition of any term of imprisonment under this section: (1) may not be suspended; (2) may not run concurrently; and (3) may not include parole.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Act to Combat International Terrorism - Directs the President to report biannually to Congress regarding acts of international terrorism and to submit lists of countries supporting international terrorism. Specifies the sanctions to be imposed against such countries, which includes: (1) no foreign assistance other than disaster assistance; (2) no sales of defense articles or services; and (3) denying export licenses for defense articles or services or for goods with potential military application, if the President determines such denial would reduce the support of the particular country for terrorist actions. Permits the President to suspend application of such sanctions in the interests of national security after consulting with the appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes the President to exercise other sanctions, including the suspension of air services between the United States and the country supporting terrorist activities. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require the Secretary of Transportation to assess the effectiveness of security measures maintained at foreign airports and report such assessments to Congress. Authorizes the Secretary to restrict operations at those foreign airports failing to bring their security measures to a standard level of effectiveness. Requires the Federal Aviation Administration Administrator to include in the Administrator's report to Congress assessments of the effectiveness of security measures maintained at foreign airports. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical aviation assistance to foreign governments. Amends the provisions of Federal law which relate to the manufacture of explosive materials to require such manufacturers to add an identification taggant and a detection taggant to the explosive materials. Prohibits the distribution, importation, or sale of explosive materials without such taggants. Sets forth the time periods in which such requirements must be met. Specifies penalties for violations of these provisions. Amends the provisions of title 18 of the U.S. Code that specify prohibited acts regarding the destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities to, among other revisions, set forth penalties for committing violence against a passenger which is likely to endanger an aircraft in service, and for communicating false information which results in endangering the safety of an aircraft in flight. Authorizes civil penalties for carrying an accessible weapon aboard an aircraft and for imparting or conveying information known to be false regarding specified crimes aboard an aircraft. Specifies criminal penalties for threatening to commit air piracy, and placing a loaded firearm in baggage on board an aircraft. Urges the President to seek international agreements to assure more effective cooperation in combating international terrorism. Specifies agreements which should receive high priority.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the payment of excise tax on the sale of certain sporting goods at the close of the quarter immediately following the quarter in which shipment of such goods was made.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Small Business Procurement Reform Act of 1979 - Requires any Government procurement contract to which a notice for bidding is published in the Commerce Business Daily to remain open for bidding for at least 30 days. Establishes exceptions to such requirement in specified circumstances. Amends the Small Business Act to establish a goal of 20 percent participation by small business concerns within each Federal agency for the procurement of items which the Small Business Administration determines can be produced by small business. Directs each Federal agency to take all feasible steps to subdivide large procurements into smaller components on which small businesses can bid. Requires any Federal agency to provide small business concerns, upon request, copies and summaries of laws and regulations materially affecting the performance of contracts open for bids under $100,000. Establishes Government contract arbitration panels within the Small Business Administration to facilitate the resolution of disputes between any small business concern and any Federal agency having procurement authority. Establishes the Small Business Procurement Advisory Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to condition certain assistance to States, local governments, and agencies on the adoption of a law enforcement officers' bill of rights which includes as a minimum the following: (1) allowing off-duty officers' to engage in political activities; (2) granting officers specified procedural rights in connection with investigations of their conduct on duty which may lead to a personnel action; (3) requiring officer representation on any police complaint review board established in the jurisdiction; and (4) prohibiting mandatory disclosure of officers' finances.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Food Stamp Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to remove the specified dollar amounts from the appropriations authorized for the food stamp program for fiscal years 1979 through 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Home Finance Leveraging Act of 1979 - Exempts programs of the Federal National Mortgage Association authorized under the National Housing Act or the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970 from State and local usury laws.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage under the Medicare program for: (1) all services performed by a dentist which would be covered if performed by a physician; and (2) inpatient hospital services furnished because of the security of the dental procedure.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Franchise Reform Act - Requires a franchisor to notify a franchisee at least 90 days in advance of the franchisor's intention to terminate the franchise and to state the reasons for termination. Prohibits a franchisor from cancelling a franchise or failing to renew a franchise unless the franchisor is effecting a market area withdrawal or the franchisor has good cause for failure to renew and has given proper notice. Makes any franchisor who has violated the requirements of this Act civilly liable to the aggrieved franchisee.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Requires that veterans receiving hospital, nursing home, or outpatient medical care from the Veterans Administration (VA) for non-service-connected disabilities be charged for such care to the extent that they have health insurance or similar contracts or rights with respect to such care, or have entitlement to private medical care under workers' compensation or automobile accident reparation statutes of any State. Provides that where such non-VA coverage is less than the total charge for such medical care provided to an eligible veteran, the veteran shall not be responsible for the difference.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to include Members of Congress, the President, the Vice-President, and Federal judges, under the Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance system.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Extends through fiscal year 1984 the entitlement periods for the authorization of appropriations under the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Amends the Flammable Fabrics Act to prohibit the manufacture or importation for sale in commerce of articles of interior furnishing intended for use in any public facility unless such articles are made fire-resistant to a specified extent. Directs the Consumer Products Safety Commission to establish requirements for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Robert A. Taft Institute of Government Trust Fund Act - Establishes in the United States Treasury the Robert A. Taft Institute Trust Fund. Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make grants from such fund to develop the Robert A. Taft Institute of Government, New York, New York. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to invest portions of the Fund not required to meet current withdrawals. Appropriates $15,000,000 to the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Postal Reorganization Act of 1979 - Title I: Organization of Postal Service - Reorganizes the structure of the United States Postal Service. Abolishes the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service. Places the authority of such Board in the Postmaster General. Makes the Postmaster General an officer appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. States that the Deputy Postmaster General shall be appointed by the Postmaster General. Title II: Procedures for Changing Postal Rates, Fees, and Services - Abolishes the Postal Rate Commission which sets postal rates and establishes classes of mail. Authorizes the Postal Service to make one change in postal rates and fees during any fiscal year, such change to be no greater than the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the preceding year. Provides that a rate increase greater than the increase in the Index may be implemented if not disapproved by the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service of the House or the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate. Requires that any change in mail classification be approved by such committees. Requires the Postal Service to submit to Congress a detailed statement of any proposed change in postal services which would have a nationwide impact on the public, business, or postal employment. Declares that such proposed change shall become effective 60 days after submission unless either House of Congress adopts a resolution disapproving it. Sets forth House procedures for consideration of such resolution. Requires that the General Accounting Office transmit a report to each House of Congress reviewing the operation of amendments made by this Act. Title III: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the appropriation of such funds as are necessary to carry out the functions of the Postal Service for fiscal years 1980 and 1981. States that all revenues collected by the Postal Service shall be deposited in the general fund of the United States Treasury. Requires that the person appointed as postmaster of certain post offices: (1) must have resided within the city or town where such office is located for at least one year prior to appointment; and (2) must continue to reside in such area during service as postmaster. Directs the Postal Service to study the feasibility of hiring persons who have been unemployed for 60 days as a public service to combat unemployment. Title IV: General Provisions - States that the provisions of this Act do not affect any collective bargaining agreement or authority of the Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Requires a principal who, without good cause, terminates or fails to renew a contract between such principal and a sales representative, reduces the size of the geographic territory assigned to a representative for a specified account by more than 25 percent, or reduces the rate of commission for orders solicited on behalf of such principal, to indemnify the representative according to this Act. Sets forth formulae for the indemnification of such representatives. Requires a principal to furnish specified information to a sales representative concerning orders placed through the representative's account and a monthly accounting of commissions due such representative. Allows a plaintiff to bring an action to enforce any rights or liabilities created by this Act in a United States district court. Stipulates the procedure for such action.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Voluntary Job Preservation and Community Stabilization Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a continuing investigation to identify those industrial, business, agricultural, and service organizations which are in danger of ceasing operation or of outmigration and whose closing or relocation would result in substantial unemployment and economic dislocation in the community. Provides, through the Secretary, loans for technical assistance and startup and operating costs to an employee or employee/community corporation which meets certain requirements in order that it may assume ownership and operation of an organization so identified. Conditions loans upon, among other factors, certification that the corporation will allow new employees to participate and will adopt a method for acquisition of stock of persons no longer associated with the organization for the purpose of making it available to all employees on a nondiscriminatory basis. Authorizes loans of up to $15,000 to an employee who wishes to purchase stock in a purchasing corporation and who is unable to secure financing elsewhere.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
National Digestive Diseases Prevention, Cure, and Control Act - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to establish a National Digestive Diseases Education and Information Clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information respecting digestive diseases and to serve as a national educational resource for patients with digestive diseases. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to medical schools for education and training programs in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of digestive diseases. Establishes a 24-member part-time National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board to advise on the coordination of Federal agencies' efforts in the implementation of the long- range plan of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases, among other specified functions. Terminates such Board on September 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President: (1) should enter into negotiations to secure the withdrawal of Soviet personnel and the release of political prisoners from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; (2) should instruct the U.S. delegation to present the illegal Soviet actions in such countries at the preparatory meeting of the 1980 Madrid meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe; and (3) should gain the cooperation of other nations in achieving such objectives.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the automatic cost-of-living increases in benefits be made on a semiannual basis (rather than only on an annual basis as at present).
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Federal Unemployment Tax Act to delay from January 1, 1980 to January 1, 1983 the date for application of the provision which reduces the total credits allowed a payer of the Federal unemployment compensation tax for contributions to the unemployment fund of a State which has not repaid Federal loans under title XII (Advances to State Unemployment Funds) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1979
Prohibits the disclosure of medical records maintained by Federal agencies or insurance companies without the written consent of the patient. Permits the disclosure of records in specified circumstances. Provides penalties and permits civil actions for violating this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to remove the $75 limit on the excess shelter expense deduction in the computation of household income for households composed entirely of persons who are age 65 or older, or who receive supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 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 · 8 February 1979
Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay a monthly pension at a rate not to exceed $150 to: (1) each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements and whose annual income does not exceed $10,000; (2) certain qualified surviving spouses of each such veteran (whose own annual income does not exceed $10,000); or (3) the child or children of each such veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1979
Occupational Alcoholism Prevention and Treatment Act of 1979 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, acting through the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, to make grants to employers, labor organizations, consortiums of employers or labor organizations, and to public or private nonprofit agencies and organizations to pay no more than 50 percent of the cost of establishing and operating occupational alcoholism programs. Authorizes an appropriation not to exceed 2.5 percent of Federal taxes collected on alcohol to finance such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow renters of their principal residence an income tax credit for 30 percent of their proportionate share of the State and local real property taxes imposed upon the property on which their residence is located. Stipulates that the amount of the allowable credit may not exceed the amount of rent paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Intergovernmental Antirecession and Supplementary Fiscal Assistance Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Public Works Employment Act of 1976 to add to the congressional findings under such Act that both an antirecession fiscal assistance program and a supplementary fiscal assistance program which aid governments requiring fiscal relief are essential elements of a sound Federal fiscal policy. Extends the authorization of appropriations for antirecession fiscal assistance through September 30, 1980. Provides for the suspension of such assistance in certain circumstances if the unemployment rate does not exceed six percent. Amends such Act to require the Secretary of Labor to calculate the unemployment rate for specified units of local governments, within or encompassing standard metropolitan statistical areas, using the population survey methodology used prior to January 1, 1978, if such rates are higher than under the current methodology. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to reallocate any undistributed excess amounts among the States and local governments proportionately. Repeals the requirement that States and local governments file statements with the Secretary containing certain reporting assurances. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplemental payments to local governments whose allocation would be reduced as a result of calculating unemployment rates by a new formula. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide the Secretary of Commerce with necessary information and to determine unemployment rates for each State and local government. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to pay supplementary fiscal assistance to local governments with unemployment rates above six percent whenever the unemployment rate for the United States is five percent or more. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance through September 30, 1980. Provides for the suspension of such assistance if antirecession fiscal assistance is being paid or U.S. unemployment rates are less than five percent. Specifies the formula to be used in determining payments under this Act. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to combine certain supplementary payments with the general revenue sharing payment and make a single payment to the local governmental unit. Provides for the reallocation of any undistributed excess amounts among the local governmental units proportionately. Requires local governments receiving supplementary fiscal assistance to comply with those provisions applicable to antirecession fiscal assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers who do not itemize income tax deductions to claim a deduction from gross income for charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
National Digestive Diseases Prevention, Cure, and Control Act - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to establish a National Digestive Diseases Education and Information Clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information respecting digestive diseases and to serve as a national educational resource for patients with digestive diseases. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to medical schools for education and training programs in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of digestive diseases. Establishes a 24-member part-time National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board to advise on the coordination of Federal agencies' efforts in the implementation of the long- range plan of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases, among other specified functions. Terminates such Board on September 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Small Business Regulatory Relief Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct each Federal department, agency, and instrumentality engaged in rulemaking to prepare a written analysis of whether it is legal, feasible, and desirable to exempt small businesses (or classes thereof) from a rule or whether the agency should promulgate a rule with lesser compliance standards for small businesses. Sets forth information which must be present in such analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit the Administrator of General Services to assign to the Secretary of Commerce for disposal such surplus real property, including any improvements situated thereon, as is determined by the Secretary to be required to help multistate, State, and local areas meet special needs arising from actual or threatened severe unemployment arising from actions of the Federal Government in closing Federal facilities. Permits the Secretary to transfer or sell such property to any State, political subdivision, Indian tribe, or tax-exempt corporation, for public works, public service or development facility, or other economic development use. Authorizes the Federal Government to reenter and take such property if it is not used for economic development purposes for at least 20 years. Allows any entity qualifying under this Act to obtain a refund from the Administrator if the current or proposed use of such property would qualify under this Act if such property was disposed of by the Administrator after September 1, 1975, and before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to (1) make loans to certain cities and counties for the establishment and initial operating costs of low-cost, nonprofit clinics for the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats, and (2) make grants for the establishment of courses to train paraprofessionals in the anesthetising, spaying and neutering of dogs and cats. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lederer, Raymond F. [D-PA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000187_200.jpg)