United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should release Ida Nudel and allow her to emigrate to Israel. Urges the President to: (1) express U.S. opposition to the exile of Ida Nudel to Siberia; and (2) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will take into account the extent to which countries honor their commitments under international law, particularly concerning human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. delegation to the 1980 Madrid meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe to seek free elections supervised by the United Nations in the Baltic States after the withdrawal of all Soviet military and civilian personnel. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should inform and gain the support and cooperation of other nations in realizing independence for the Baltic States. Expresses the sense of Congress that the: (1) President should warn the Soviet Union against making citizenship claims on U.S. citizens; and (2) Secretary of State should inform U.S. citizens planning to visit the Soviet Union of the implications of the Soviet law on citizenship.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1979
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the payment of benefits to any individual for any month in which such individual is confined in a penal institution. Stipulates that benefits withheld from such individuals shall be treated as having been paid to such individuals for purposes of determining the benefits to which other persons are entitled on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1979
National Water Resources Policy and Development Act of 1979 - Title I: Directs States to review periodically their water resources needs. Authorizes the States to request the Water Resources Council for detailed studies of specific water resources needs. Directs States to submit to the Council a list of authorized studies which have not been completed and which are necessary to meet identified water resources needs. Authorizes the appropriate Federal water resources agency to make detailed evaluations of specific water resources needs upon referral by the Council. Stipulates that the State or other non-Federal body must agree to pay ten percent of the costs of the study before any study may be initiated. Provides for State employees to work in coordination with the appropriate agency. Requires such agencies to assure that studies are equitably undertaken on a regional basis. Directs States to develop and submit to the Council annually a priority list of water resource needs and projects. Stipulates that such lists will be deemed approved after 60 days unless the Council finds that such list was developed without adequate public participation. Requires reports to be filed by the appropriate agency with the Council and appropriate States upon completion of studies of water resource projects. Provides for the authorization of construction of such projects upon: (1) certification by the Governor to the Council that a project is needed and entitled to priority consideration; and (2) recommendation of construction by the appropriate agency. Stipulates that if a Governor of a State affected by such project objects to the Council within 90 days, then such project must be authorized by Congress. Requires the States or other non-Federal bodies to agree to pay specified percentages of the costs of construction and operation of such projects. Permits the use of the Inland Waterways Trust Fund to pay the non-Federal contribution for commercial inland navigation projects. Requires any revenues from such projects to be shared between the non-Federal interests and the participating Federal agencies based on their percentage contribution to the project. Sets forth the formula for allocating authorized funds by the Council among the States. Terminates projects authorized prior to this Act if: (1) construction has not begun within five years of enactment of this Act; and (2) the project is not on a State's priority list. Authorizes the Council to study and propose legislation authorizing construction of regional water resources projects which have national significance and priority. Directs the Council to select up to 25 of such projects from among projects authorized prior to enactment of this Act which shall be eligible for direct funding by Congress without regard to specific limitations in this Act. Stipulates that such projects, if authorized specifically by Congress, shall be constructed at full Federal cost. Permits States to apply to the Council for loans to finance the construction of projects authorized prior to this Act. Requires the Council to report to Congress concerning: (1) national priorities for water resources development; (2) the needs for cost-effective development of the projects; and (3) the best ways to achieve the maximum efficient use of water supplies from existing Federal projects. Prohibits the construction of water resource projects designed to bring land into production for crops receiving Federal price supports until such studies are submitted. Title II: Amends the Water Resources Planning Act to provide for an independent Water Resources Council. Revises the composition of such Council to include experts in the engineering or economics of water resources development.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1979
Maritime Education and Training Act of 1979 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 to integrate existing provisions of Federal law concerning maritime education and training by the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Academy), State maritime colleges, and civilian nautical schools. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish minimum requirements and a system of competition for selecting candidates to the Academy. Prohibits granting any preference in the selection process to members of the families of Academy alumni. Requires the Panama Canal Commission to nominate candidates from the areas and installations made available to the United States pursuant to the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and related agreements. Authorizes the Secretary to make a limited number of noncompetitive appointments to the Academy each year. Requires each candidate who is a U.S. citizen, as a condition of appointment, to sign an agreement committing the candidate: (1) to complete instruction at the Academy; (2) to obtain and maintain an officer's license in the United States merchant marine for six years following graduation; (3) to apply for and, if tendered, accept a six-year appointment as a commissioned officer in the United States Naval Reserve; (4) in lieu of such appointment, to serve the U.S. national defense or foreign commerce for five years; and (5) to report to the Secretary on compliance with such agreement. Authorizes the Secretary to order any cadet who violates the agreement to active duty to serve the unexpired portion of required service. Authorizes the chairmen of the congressional committees having legislative jurisdiction over the Academy to designate committee staff members as staff members for the Board of Visitors of the Academy. Directs the Governors of the States or territories cooperating to sponsor a regional college to identify the State or territory to conduct the affairs of such college. Declares that a regional maritime college is eligible for Federal assistance on the same basis as a State maritime college. Authorizes the Secretary: (1) to pay the costs to such a regional or State college (college) for fuel used for training cruises; and (2) to provide for training of college students on Government-owned and subsidized vessels or other vessels. Requires the Secretary to assist the colleges with the operation and maintenance of new vessels. Stipulates that a college, as a condition for receiving Federal assistance or a training vessel, must require Students to pass the examination for an entry-level merchant marine officer's license. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to appoint students graduating from a college which receives Federal assistance as Reserve midshipmen of the U.S. Navy or to commission such students as Reserve ensigns in the Navy. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to college students. Requires that each student receiving a loan agree to certain conditions concerning use of the loan and post-graduate service obligations. Declares that such a loan shall be forgiven if the student: (1) completes all terms of the loan agreement; or (2) is separated from the college because of failure to meet the academic requirements of the college or the physical requirements for a merchant marine officer's license. Allows the Secretary to waive payment of the loan under specified circumstances. Includes service as an administrative enrollee of the United States Maritime Service (USMS) as Federal service for those enrollees appointed to civil service positions. Stipulates that: (1) such USMS service shall be counted either toward one periodic step increase or toward one additional step increase; and (2) after appointment to the civil service such enrollees are not entitled to certain USMS travel and health benefits. Authorizes the Secretary: (1) to lend surplus shipping equipment to the Academy, colleges, or other approved merchant marine training schools for instructional purposes; (2) to utilize resources of other Federal agencies, with the consent of such agencies, for maritime-education purposes; and (3) to employ instructors for maritime-education courses without regard to specified provisions of Federal law concerning the classification of civil service positions and General Schedule pay rates. Repeals certain provisions of Federal law relating to marine education and training.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1979
Fisheries Advanced Technology Transfer Act of 1979 - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study of the fish harvesting and processing techniques and technologies which are utilized in foreign nations and in the United States which can be used or adapted for use in harvesting or processing fish or fish products within the United States fisheries. Declares that such technologies and techniques may include, but are not limited to, those involving or related to fishing gear, processing equipment, vessels, harvesting methods, or processing methods. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report the results of such study to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, within six months after the date of enactment of this Act. Permits organizations in the fishing industry and regional fishery development foundations to submit applications for funds to conduct projects which will enable such persons, foundations, and organizations to utilize the advanced technologies and techniques in commercial harvesting and processing of fish. Directs the Secretary, when considering such project applications, to take into account the extent to which: (1) a project addresses both the harvesting and processing of fish; (2) a project addresses problems common to more than one fishery, State, or region; (3) the project promotes the United States' efficient utilization of fishery resources within the United States fishery conservation zone; (4) the project minimizes costs and avoids unnecessary duplication; and (5) applicants are able to defray the cost of conducting a project by providing matching funds or in-kind contributions of equipment, labor, or services, including, but not limited to, boats, gear, and locations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow residential and institutional (hospitals, churches, or educational institutions) users of refined petroleum products a refundable income tax credit for the increase in price of such products due to deregulation of the oil industry. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to determine the deregulation amount for petroleum products for each calendar quarter beginning after the effective date of oil deregulation. Limits the amount of such credit to $125 for a taxable year. Reduces the amount of such credit by .75 percent of the amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $25,000. Provides for advance payments of the deregulation credit on a quarterly basis upon the application of a taxpayer entitled to such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1979
National Fishery Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer moneys made available to encourage exportation and domestic consumption of agricultural products to the Secretary of Commerce in amounts equal to 30 percent of the gross receipts from duties collected under customs laws on fishery products. Declares that such funds shall be maintained in a separate fund and used by the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) carry out a national program of fisheries research and development which promotes the free flow of domestically produced fishery products in domestic and international commerce by conducting fishery educational, technological, biological, and related research programs; and (2) provide financial assistance for fisheries development projects. Allows any person, regional fishery development foundation, or organization involved with the commercial fishing industry to make application to the Secretary of Commerce for such funds. Requires the person or organization obtaining such funds to submit periodic project status reports to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to include as part of the annual report to the National Marine Fisheries Service an analysis and evaluation of all programs funded under this Act. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to transmit to specified House and Senate committees, 60 days in advance of each fiscal year, a list of projects and a budget for each project which is proposed under this Act. Requires that not less than 50 percent of the moneys in the fund shall be made available annually to fund the fisheries development projects, and that the remainder of such moneys be made available to implement the national fisheries research and development program. Declares that moneys not obligated shall remain in the fund without fiscal year limitation. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to appoint not fewer than six officers who shall, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, serve abroad to promote United States fishing interests. Requires the Secretary of State, upon the request of the Secretary of Commerce, to officially assign the officers to the diplomatic mission of the United States in the country in which such officers are placed, and to obtain for them diplomatic privileges and immunities. Transfers any balance of funds remaining in the fisheries loan fund created by the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as of September 30, 1980, to the Federal Ship Financing Fund established under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to provide for the guarantee of obligations relating to fishing vessels engaged in developing fisheries which might not otherwise meet the normal economic soundness criteria established under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1979
Social Security Deposit Act of 1979 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to direct a State to pay to the Secretary of the Treasury, within 30 days following the end of each month, OASDI contributions related to the employment of State employees.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should communicate U.S. insistence that the Soviet Union remove its troops from Cuba. Stipulates that ratification of the SALT II Treaty be suspended until such troops are removed.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Illegal Alien Control Act of 1977 - Directs the Attorney General to establish a border patrol force of not less than 3,800 officers. Directs the Attorney General to report to the President and the Congress on the feasibility of: (1) establishing a system for issuing machine-readable identification cards to aliens entering the United States; and (2) utilizing the most current technology in electronic sensing devices in patrolling land borders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude from the definition of the term "immigrant" those persons entering the United States for a period of not more than one year to perform temporary services or labor if the Secretary of Labor has determined and certified to the Attorney General that there are not sufficient workers available at the aliens' destination who are willing and able to perform such services. Directs the Secretary to refer to employers who request such certification, workers in the number desired, able and qualified, and who agree to present themselves to commence employment on the date and for the period specified. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to issue social security cards for aliens who may be employed or receive public assistance in the United States. Specifies the information which an alien must provide when applying for a social security card. Requires the applicant to supply either proof of the individual's citizenship or alien status, or an affidavit that the individual was assigned a social security account number at least five years before the date of application for the card. Prohibits the employment or provision of public assistance to an individual specified in this Act unless such individual presents a social security card to the employer or agency and the employer or agency submits required information to the Secretary. Establishes a civil penalty for the violation of such prohibition. Prohibits the employment or provision of public assistance to an alien whose status under the Immigration and Nationality Act does not permit such alien to work or receive public assistance. Establishes penalties for presenting a false social security card or providing fraudulent information in order to obtain employment or public assistance. Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 to prohibit the use of Federal financial aid to provide job training or employment opportunities to aliens who are not authorized to work or who are illegally in the United States. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit income tax deductions for wages paid to aliens illegally working in the United States. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the Secretary of Labor, when adjudicating the petition of an alien for admission to perform skilled or unskilled labor, from considering the work experience gained by the alien in the United States during any time while in an immigration status in which employment was not authorized for the alien. Amends the Social Security Act to prohibit the payment of Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits and Medicaid benefits to illegal aliens. Adds border crossing cards, alien registration receipt cards, and other documents prescribed by regulation for entry into the United States to the list of documents the false making of which shall be punished by fine or imprisonment or both.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Title I: Contracts Between Sales Representatives and Principals - 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. Enumerates items which must be set forth in any contract between a sales representative and a principal. Title II: Indemnification - Exempts principals conforming with such information requirements from the indemnification provisions set forth in this Act. Requires a principal who, without good cause, terminates a contract between such principal and a sales representative, or reduces the rate of commission for orders solicited on behalf of such principal, to indemnify the representative according to this Act. Requires a principal who reduces the size of the geographic territory assigned to a representative for a specified account, which results in a specified reduction in commissions, to indemnify such representative. Sets forth formulae for the indemnification of such representatives. Title III: Miscellaneous - 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 · 2 August 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should, with regard to the 1980 summer Olympics: (1) permit full participation by athletes, spectators, and journalists; (2) issue visas, admission tickets, and hotel reservations on a nondiscriminatory basis; (3) not interfere with news coverage; and (4) not prevent or punish its citizens for communicating with participants.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1979
Employees Incentive Ownership Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove restrictions on the use of restricted stock options and to eliminate the exercise of such stock options as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1979
Tax Relief Act of 1979 - Title I: Individual Income Tax Reductions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual and estate and trust income tax rates for 1979 and to make permanent reductions for succeeding years. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to individual income tax brackets and to the amount of the personal exemption. Provides that the amount of the personal exemption and the zero bracket amount applicable to a taxpayer shall determine whether such taxpayer is required to file an income tax return. Title II: Capital Cost Recovery - Revises the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits a taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year. Title III: Reduction of Payroll Taxes and Long-Range Financial Strengthening of the Social Security System - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to repeal the special increases in the contribution and benefit base, for purposes of determining amount of tax liability, for 1979 through 1981. Limits contribution and benefit bases to a maximum $22,900 in 1979 and 1980. Makes reductions in the social security tax rate and sets forth the tax rate through year 2010. Provides for the partial funding of title XVIII (Medicare), part A (Hospital Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled) of the Social Security Act from general revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1979
Consumer Checking Account Equity Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize member banks in the Federal Reserve System and federally insured nonmember banks to make automatic funds transfers from a savings deposit to a demand deposit pursuant to the written authorization of the depositor to make such transfers in connection with checks or drafts drawn upon the bank. Authorizes federally insured banks and savings and loan associations, State banks and savings and loan associations, savings banks, and mutual savings banks to offer interest-bearing deposits or accounts upon which the depositor may make withdrawals by negotiable instrument for the purpose of making transfers to third parties (NOW accounts). Stipulates that such deposits or accounts may only be held by individuals or nonprofit organizations. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to permit Federal savings and loan associations and Federal mutual savings banks to establish remote service units pursuant to regulations of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Authorizes such associations to extend loans directly related to negotiable order of withdrawal accounts. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to require any institution which has subscribed for the stock of a Federal Home Loan Bank to maintain reserves against its negotiable order of withdrawal accounts pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Prescribes the required form of such balances. Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to permit insured credit unions to offer share draft deposits to individuals and nonprofit organizations in accordance with regulations prescribed by the National Credit Union Administration Board. Requires each Federal credit union to maintain reserves against such deposits in amounts and forms prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1979
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should express disapproval to the Soviet Union concerning the nondelivery of mail to persons in the Soviet Union; (2) the State Department should bring such violations to the attention of member countries of the Universal Postal Union; and (3) the U.S. delegation to the Congress of the Universal Postal Union should ask members to take measures that would encourage improved postal performance by the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Defines "appropriate manager" as a person whose management authority extends to informing Federal agencies and a business entity's personnel about serious dangers associated with a particular product or business practice. Makes it a Federal crime for an appropriate manager to knowingly fail to inform the appropriate Federal agency in writing, and to warn affected employees in writing, within 30 days after discovering in the course of business that a serious danger is associated with a product or business practice.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1979
Calls upon the Soviet Union to waive application of a Soviet dual citizenship law with respect to citizens of the United States and Eastern Europe. Declares that the United States will not participate in the 1980 Summer Olympics, if adequate assurances are not received from the Soviets regarding such waiver.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow domestic corporations an income tax deduction for dividends paid by such corporations during the taxable year, in lieu of the deduction for dividends received from other corporations. Disqualifies the following types of corporations: (1) Subchapter S corporations; (2) regulated investment companies; (3) real estate investment trusts; (4) personal holding companies; and (5) domestic international sales corporations (DISC). Limits the amount of the deduction for dividends received from certain foreign corporations to 85 percent of a corporation's taxable income computed without regard to other deductions and the capital loss carryback. Provides that such limitation shall not apply to any corporation which has a net operating loss for the taxable year. Disallows any deduction for dividends on any share of stock which is sold by a taxpayer who has held such stock for less than 15 days (90 days for preferred stock) or stock for which the taxpayer is under an obligation to make corresponding payments with respect to substantially identical stock or securities. Repeals provisions allowing deductions for dividends received on certain preferred stock.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax exclusion from personal income earned abroad by an individual performing qualified charitable services for a tax-exempt employer created or organized in the United States. Limits such exclusion to an amount not to exceed a figure computed on a daily basis at an annual rate of $20,000. Sets a formula for the maximum amount of exclusion for an individual who performs such charitable services and also performs other services while residing in a camp located in a hardship area.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Declares that the Soviet authorities should: (1) release a copy of the judgment against Anatoly Shcharansky; and (2) free Shcharansky and other Prisoners of Conscience and permit their emigration to Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Smaller Enterprise Regulatory Improvement Act - Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency to publish semiannually an agenda of those rules which may be proposed during the upcoming six-month period affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and small organizations. Defines "small organizations" to include unincorporated businesses, sheltered workshops, nonprofit enterprises which are not dominant in their fields and such other groups and enterprises as each Federal agency shall establish by rule. Requires each published agenda to be transmitted to the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comments. Directs each Federal agency to endeavor to provide notice of each agenda to affected small enterprises by means other than publication in the Federal Register. Directs each Federal agency to publish a written analysis prior to the issuance of any rule affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and organizations which considers: (1) the effect of such rule on small enterprises and competition; (2) whether an exemption could be provided such small enterprises; (3) whether lesser compliance standards could be adopted for small enterprises; and (4) the expected nature of reporting and recordkeeping requirements necessitated by such rule. Requires each Federal agency to issue a rule containing an exemption or differing compliance standards for such small business concerns and organizations if it is lawful, desirable, and feasible to do so. States that such small enterprises shall be given an opportunity to participate in agency rulemaking. Requires each agency to review its existing rules and prepare an analysis for purposes of eliminating those rules which are most burdensome to small businesses and organizations. Permits any agency to perform the analyses required by this Act in conjunction with any other analysis required by law. Declares that such other analysis shall not in itself satisfy the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. delegation to the 1980 Madrid meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe to seek free elections supervised by the United Nations in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, after the withdrawal of all Soviet military and civilian personnel. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should inform and gain the support and cooperation of other nations in realizing independence for the Baltic States. Expresses the sense of Congress that the: (1) President should warn the Soviet Union against making citizenship claims on U.S. citizens; and (2) Secretary of State should inform U.S. citizens planning to visit the Soviet Union of the implications of the Soviet law on citizenship.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Congressional Salary Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to make any recommendations of the President relating to the salaries of Members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico purely advisory. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to require that the annual rate of pay for members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the Senate and House leadership be the rate payable for such positions on the date of enactment of this Act unless otherwise established by law. Prohibits any law increasing such rates of pay from taking effect before the first day of the Congress following the Congress during which such law is enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to exempt from applicable Federal regulations any State having in effect a law, rule, or regulation applicable to underground injection control related to the production or recovery of oil or natural gas unless the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency finds that such law, rule, or regulation fails to protect underground sources of drinking water. Provides that any State for which such finding is made may amend its law, rule, or regulation in order to benefit from such exemption where approved by the Administrator. Exempts from the underground injection well permit requirements any State having in effect such law, rule, or regulation approved by the Administrator. Exempts from the administrative procedure and judicial review requirements of the United States Code any action relating to national interim primary drinking water regulations, revised national primary drinking water regulations, and State underground injection control program regulations, except as expressly provided by this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish a docket for such actions, and sets forth notice and public and agency commenting requirements for any proposed rulemaking. Sets forth procedures and other requirements for promulgating rules concerning drinking water regulations, and establishes procedures for judicial review of such actions. Amends the definition of "primary drinking water regulation". Revises the standard for the promulgation of primary drinking water regulations. Makes technical and conforming amendments to such Act. Requires any State having primary enforcement responsibility to submit notice to the Administrator that its public water system supervision program conforms to any revision or amendment to any national primary drinking water regulation made by the Administrator. States that failure to submit such notice shall be grounds for withdrawal of State primary enforcement responsibility. Amends such Act to authorize a State having such enforcement responsibility to exempt from maximum contaminant level requirements or treatment technique requirements any public water system not having any reasonable alter native source of drinking water available. Revises the dates for compliance by public water systems with contaminant level and treatment technique requirements. Extends the effective date for State underground injection control regulations approved by the Administrator. Authorizes the waiver of the prohibition against State grants being made for any period beginning more than one year after the date of a State's first grant having been made for a period of 18 months after the effective date of any amendment or revision of the national primary drinking water regulations if the State has assumed primary enforcement responsibility and is making diligent efforts to comply with such amendment or revision. Prohibits the Administrator from making grants to any State unless the State has assumed primary enforcement responsibility within two years after the Administrator promulgates State underground injection control program regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1979
Omnibus Geothermal Energy Development Act of 1979 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to accelerate the development of geothermal energy in the United States. Title II: Amendments to the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 -Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to expand the acreage limitation on holders of geothermal leases to 51,200 acres, except as specified. Provides for an expedited bidding and leasing system for lands within any known geothermal resources area. Establishes the Interagency Geothermal Leasing Committee to review the activities of the several agencies and departments pursuant to this Act and to take such action as necessary to fully implement this Act. Directs such Committee to report to the Interagency Geothermal Coordinating Council in response to any requests for information or recommendations. Directs such Committee to commission a training and education program on geothermal leasing and operations for Federal surface management field managers in the appropriate departments and agencies. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe amendments to existing rules and regulations and to issue any necessary new rules and regulations to carry out this Act, and exempts such actions from being construed as a "major Federal action" for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to develop cooperative agreements with the Governor of each State in which are located lands subject to this Act for coordination of Federal, State, and local decisionmaking related to environmental analyses, permit approvals, and land use planning. Sets forth geothermal lease application and permits procedures. Directs the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior, to establish annual goals for the five future fiscal years for geothermal leasing. Requires the development of an expedited procedure for consideration and approval of permits for exploration and testing for geothermal resources. Stipulates that the establishment of such procedure shall be deemed to satisfy any requirements of NEPA applicable to any such exploration and testing activities. Permits any applicant for a geothermal lease to use a conditioned development lease with a phased environmental assessment and leasing procedure which shall limit the scope of consideration by the Secretary of the Interior as to compliance with the requirements of NEPA. Stipulates that any lessee seeks to conduct any operations of a developmental nature must prepare a detailed plan of development and utilization in accordance with requirements specified by the Secretary. Sets deadlines for review and final action on such plans. Permits exploration and testing activities on lands subject to this Act included in wilderness study areas pursuant to the Wilderness Act of 1974 and the Federal Land Management and Policy Act, so long as such activities are not conducted in a manner which would permanently impair wilderness values. Authorizes the Secretary to grant no-cost permits to specified surface owners or occupants of lands subject to this Act or to the Stock Raising Homestead Act for use of geothermal resources within such lands. Authorizes any Federal agency with an installation or facility located on or contiguous to lands subject to this Act to apply for a geothermal lease for use of geothermal resources by such installation or facility, provided that a determination has been made that such lease will not discourage or preclude commercial development of geothermal resources on such lands. Directs the Secretary to establish and implement orderly and expeditious procedures for the processing of all lease and permit applications pursuant to this Act. Title III: Amendments to the Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 - Geothermal Research, Development, and Demonstration Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 to establish the Interagency Geothermal Coordinating Council to be assisted by an Advisory Committee on Geothermal Energy. Extends the period of guaranties and interest assistance under the loan guaranty program of such Act to ten years beyond September 3, 1979. Authorizes guaranties of up to 90 percent of the aggregate cost of a geothermal resource project conducted by a publicly owned utility. Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, the Administrator of the Rural Electric Administration, the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, with the approval of the Secretary of Energy, to utilize funds in the Geothermal Resources Development Fund established by such Act for loan or loan guaranty assistance for geothermal energy development and directly related activity by means of loan and loan guarantee programs otherwise authorized by law in such agencies and departments. Limits the total amount of such fund available for such purposes to $50,000,000 per fiscal year. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to establish a loan program for the accelerated development of geothermal resources for non-electric applications by geothermal utility districts, geothermal industrial development districts, and projects, and other persons. States that such loans shall be funded by the Geothermal Resources Development Fund. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 to such Fund for fiscal year 1980. Directs the Secretary to establish and implement expeditious procedures for the processing of loan guarantee applications under such Act. Directs the Secretary to conduct a complete review of all considerations associated with the accelerated development of geopressured methane in the United States and on the Outer Continental Shelf, addressing legal, institutional, and regulatory barriers to such development and the current status of technology development to support such accelerated development. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a similar review of accelerated development of the energy potential of hot dry rock systems in the United States. Directs the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Interagency Geothermal Coordinating Committee and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to conduct a complete review of the need for environmental control technology, generic or specialized for a particular form of geothermal energy, to support the accelerated development of all forms of geothermal energy. Directs the Secretary to establish and implement a program in cooperation with the insurance and reinsurance industry to provide reservoir insurance to any qualified eligible applicant having a total direct investment of not less than $1,000,000 in the development and use of a geothermal resource associated with a reservoir. Authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds for the purposes of such program. Directs the Secretary to initiate a program for the utilization of geothermal energy in Federal buildings, facilities, and installations in the United States, to be developed in full coordination with existing programs for solar utilization and energy conservation. Title IV: Priority Geothermal Energy Project Act - Priority Geothermal Energy Project Act of 1979 - Declares that the purpose of this title is to provide for a coordinated, simplified, and expeditious process for Federal approval of geothermal energy facilities that are determined to be in the national interest. Directs the Secretary of Energy to designate priority geothermal energy projects based on specified criteria, and to publish a Project Decision Schedule containing deadlines for all Federal actions relating to such project. Directs the President to make any decisions or perform any actions in the event that an agency of department fails to meet its deadline. Limits environmental and judicial reviews to those of absolute necessity. Authorizes the Secretary to establish deadlines for Federal agency action which are shorter than the minimum period required under existing legislation in cases of exceptional national need. Provides for coordination of the actions of Federal, State, and local governments. Directs the Secretary to recommend to any State Governor and to the Congress actions to alleviate or prevent any delays in a priority energy project created or threatened by any State or local government. Sets time limits for filing claims arising out of actions pursuant to this title and bars any claims filed thereafter. Stipulates that such claims shall be brought in the United States court of appeals for the circuit where the project would be located, and grants exclusive original jurisdiction to such court in such matters. Directs such court to give precedence to such matters over all other matters on the court's docket to the greatest extent practicable. Authorizes the Supreme Court, exclusively, to review interlocutory judgments or orders of the court of appeals pursuant to this title, and directs the Supreme Court to give precedence to such matters to the greatest extent practicable. Prohibits the granting of injunctive relief against the issuance of any right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization pursuant to this title except in conjunction with a final judgment on a claim filed pursuant to this title. Establishes an Office for Priority Energy Projects within the Department of Energy to assist the Secretary with his duties under this title. Title V: Geothermal Amendments of 1979 to the National Energy Act of 1978 - Geothermal Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Energy Tax act of 1978 to: (1) qualify geothermal equipment for the investment tax credit; (2) provide that the time period during which geothermal equipment may qualify for such credit shall extend to December 31, 1989; (3) eliminate as an item of tax preference, for purposes of the minimum tax, the amount by which the intangible drilling costs incurred with respect to geothermal properties exceed the net income of the taxpayer from such properties for the taxable year; and (4) permit the deduction of intangible drilling and development costs related to geothermal reinjection wells in the taxable year in which such costs are incurred. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to include facilities which produce energy from geothermal resources within the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Amends the Saccharin Study and Labeling Act to extend until June 30, 1981, the period during which the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not take specified actions to restrict the continued use of saccharin or of any food, drug, or cosmetic containing saccharin.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Requires the President to insure the satisfactory resolution of the certified claims of United States nationals against the Cuban Government before considering normalizing relations with Cuba. Requires the provision of tax credits to United States certified claimants should the President enter into any agreement involving counterclaims made by the Cuban Government. Directs the President to urge the Cuban Government to establish a fund for the payment of claims of U.S. nationals to be administered by the International Monetary Fund or some similar international agency.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Replacement Motor Fuels Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to promote the development and use of replacement fuels in the United States to replace gasoline used as a motor fuel with replacement motor fuel containing the maximum percentage of alcohol, or other liquid produced from coal, oil, shale, or other substances as is economically and technically feasible. Directs the Secretary to determine with respect to replacement fuels: the most suitable raw materials for their production, the nature of the distribution systems and production processes of such fuels, the technical and economic feasibility of including liquids extracted from oil shale and coal in such program, and the technical and economic feasibility of reaching goal of replacing 20 percent of the gasoline used as a motor fuel with replacement fuels by the year 1992. Directs the Secretary to set production goals for replacement fuels for each of calendar years through 1981 through 1987. Sets forth the manner of determining the percentage of replacement fuel by volume to be contained in the total quantity of gasoline and replacement fuel sold annually in commerce in the United States in calendar years 1981 through 1990, and directs the Secretary to issue a rule setting the minimum percentage replacement fuel to be sold for year 1981 through 1986 by any refiner. by any refiner. Sets forth provisions for the enforcement of such requirements. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the major oil companies should continue to provide supplies and other services to independent oil dealers so that such dealers may continue their summer fill-up programs of home heating oil.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 to include in the definitions of the terms "United States" and "State" the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any other territory or possession over which the United States has jurisdiction. Directs the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to implement and administer a national recreational boating safety and facilities improvement program. Authorizes the Secretary to allocate funds to States for accepted State recreational boating safety and facilities improvement programs if sufficient State matching funds are available. Directs the Secretary to accept State programs that include: (1) an approved vessel numbering system; (2) a cooperative boating safety assistance program with the Coast Guard; (3) sufficient patrol to enforce applicable State laws; (4) boating safety education; (5) a State agency to implement or coordinate the program and report to the Secretary; and (6) facilities improvement. Sets forth formulas for the allocation of funds among the States. Establishes in the Treasury a National Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Fund from which the Secretary may allocate funds for accepted State programs. Authorizes appropriations for such State programs of $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1981 through 1984. Amends the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer certain amounts from the taxes received from special motor fuels and gasoline used in motorboats to the National Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Directs the President to furnish to the House of Representatives certain information related to the current oil situation, including data on: (1) shortages, supplies, demand, and allocation of crude oil; and (2) refinery yield reductions and capacity utilization.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1979
Omnibus Solar Energy Commercialization Act of 1979 - Establishes a national goal for the increased use of renewable energy resources as a part of the Nation's total energy supply in the year 2000. Defines the term "passive solar energy system" to mean space heating and cooling systems making the most efficient use of, or enhancing the use of, natural forces including solar insulation, winds, nighttime coolness, and cooling by radiation to the night sky, to heat or cool living space by the use of conductive, convective or radiant energy transfer. Describes several types of passive solar energy systems. States that it shall be the policy of the Secretary of Energy to utilize State and local government organizations, Energy Extension Services, regional Solar Energy Research Centers, and other such entities in providing information services, training, education and other services to the public and to persons involved in the development and commercialization of solar energy systems. Directs the Secretary to establish the Solar Heating and Cooling Information Center to provide information services to the public and to the entities listed above, including: (1) retrieval and dissemination of solar energy development and commercialization materials; (2) development of materials specifically designed to assist architects, builders, installers, manufacturers and others involved in solar energy development and commercialization; and (3) development of training and education programs specifically designed for such purposes. Directs Federal agency heads responsible for construction of new civilian Federal buildings to require the utilization of active and passive solar energy systems unless it is determined that such systems are not cost effective, according to a specified formula. Directs the head of each Federal agency operating a fueling station for civilian gasoline motor vehicles to require that such stations only dispense a ten percent alcohol and gasoline mixture. Requires that the same alcohol-gasoline mixture be dispensed by retail gasoline supply outlets operated by Federal agencies. Authorizes the Administrators of the Alaska Power Administration, the Bonneville Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, and the Western Area Power Administration to purchase power from proposed non-federally constructed generating facilities utilizing renewable energy resources. Authorizes such Administrators to construct and operate non-hydroelectric generating facilities, provided that the Administrator has made a public offer to purchase or guarantee the purchase of power from a comparable non-federally constructed facility and has received no offer from a non-Federal entity to construct such a facility. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Energy a Solar Energy Development Corporation with the same corporate powers given the Government National Mortgage Association. Sets forth the purposes of the Solar Corporation to provide financial initiatives to promote the use of renewable energy resources, including subsidies of long-term, low-interest loans. Sets forth terms and conditions of and limits on the amount of such loans. Amends the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 to include within the definition of "weatherization materials" materials associated with passive and active solar energy systems.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to entitle households composed entirely of persons who are age 60 or older, or who receive supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act, to a medical expense deduction in the computation of household income which is equal to the actual cost of medical expenses. Removes the $75 limit on the excess shelter expense deduction for such households.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1979
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Iranian leaders should: (1) respect the human rights of religious minorities; and (2) stop the harassment of those who wish to practice their religion.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1979
Small Business Investment Incentive Act of 1979 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to include within the private offering exemption from full registration any transaction involving securities bearing a legend stating that such securities may not be sold or transferred except to accredited investors provided all purchasers of such securities are accredited investors or persons the issuer reasonably believes to be accredited investors and there is no general advertising or solicitation in connection with the transaction. Defines the term "accredited investor" to include: (1) banks, insurance companies, investment companies and their subsidiaries, and any fund, trust or account administered by a bank or insurance company; (2) persons designated by regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission on the basis of expertise or net worth; and (3) persons who rely on the investment advice of a qualified accredited investor. States that a person engaging in the sale or distribution of restricted securities (securities acquired in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public offering) shall not be considered an underwriter if such person has been the beneficial owner for at least five years. Limits civil liability in connection with the sale of securities in private offerings. Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to grant an exemption from such Act to certain issuers which engage in the business of furnishing capital or providing business ventures and activities, purchasing securities for which no ready market is in existence, or reorganizing companies. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to prescribe necessary rules and regulations within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lent, Norman F. [R-NY-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000243_200.jpg)