United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include within the categories of deportable aliens foreign students who knowingly participated in a political demonstration resulting in, or intending to result in, injury or damage to another's person or property. Permits the Attorney General to suspend deportation of such students.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Anti-Inflation Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require annual cost of living adjustments, based on the Consumer Price Index, to individual income tax rates, the personal tax exemption, withholding requirements, and minimum income tax return amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1970 to revise and increase the mandatory penalties for using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony. Defines such offense as using a firearm to commit a felony over which the district courts have exclusive jurisdiction or carrying a firearm during such a felony involving violence. Deletes the requirement that the firearm be carried "illegally." Increases the additional penalty imposed for such offense from one to ten years' imprisonment to five to ten years' imprisonment for a first offender and from two to 25 years to ten years to life imprisonment for a second or subsequent offender. Extends to first offenders the directions, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence or grant probation and that the additional sentence not run concurrently with any term of imprisonment imposed for the offense itself. Makes a first offender ineligible for parole for five years and a second or subsequent offender ineligible for ten years. Expresses the sense of Congress that the executive prosecute vigorously such offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Sunset Act of 1981 - Title I: Reauthorization of Government Programs - Sets forth a ten-year schedule for reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for fiscal year 1979. Sets forth the procedure in the House of Representatives and the Senate for the consideration of any bill, resolution, or amendment which authorizes new budget authority. States that it is not in order for either House to consider any legislation which authorizes the enactment of new budget authority for a program for a period of more than ten years, for an indefinite period, or for any fiscal year beginning after the next reauthorization date applicable to such program. Provides that before the Congress can appropriate funds for any program, after its first reauthorization date, there must be a specific authorization in law to support the appropriation. Requires the committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to schedule and conduct a sunset review of programs to be reauthorized. Requires that the report accompanying such reauthorizations contain specified information and be completed during the Congress in which the program is scheduled for reauthorization. Exempts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as interest on Federal debts, health care services, general retirement and disability payments, as well as litigation activities which have as their objectives the protection and implementation of civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution, and specified retirement pay and benefits. Allows the reauthorization schedule set forth in this Act to be changed by concurrent resolution of the two House of Congress and sets forth the procedure for such change. Requires all legislation and other matters related to changes in the dates for programs under this Act to be referred to the committee with legislative jurisdiction over any program affected by the proposal and, sequentially, to the Committee on Rules in the House Representatives and to the Committee on Rules and Administration in the Senate. Requires such committees to report any concurrent resolution or bill referred to it by a committee of legislative jurisdiction within 30 days, with a statement on each of its recommendations. Makes provisions for any proposed change which has been reported by a committee before June 1, 1982. Title II: Program Inventory - Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs. Declares that the purpose of such program inventory is to advise and assist Congress in carrying out reauthorization and reexamination requirements and to link such reauthorization and review process with the budget process. Requires the Comptroller General to submit such program inventory to each House of Congress no later than January 1, 1982. Sets forth the contents of the inventory program, including the type of authorization provided for such programs' new budget authority and the manner in which related program areas may be grouped for evaluation and review. Permits the Congressional committees, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service to review the program inventory and to suggest revisions. Requires that the program inventory be revised at the end of each session of Congress, and that such revisions be reported to each House. Requires that periodic reports tabulate the progress of Congressional action on bills and resolutions authorizing budget authority for programs in the inventory. Requires the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to submit periodic reports to the Congress on the adequacy of the functional and subfunctional categories for grouping programs of like missions or objectives. Title III: Program Reexamination - Requires each committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to reexamine selected programs or groups of programs over which it has jurisdiction. Sets forth procedures for such review, and criteria for selection of program areas for evaluation. Directs each committee to consult with the appropriate committees of either the House of Representatives or the Senate in order to achieve coordination of program reevaluation. Directs each Committee to inform itself of the related activities of or available assistance from the General Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the Congressional Research Service, the Office of Technology Assessment, and other appropriate instrumentalities in the executive and judicial branches. Requires each committee to deliver a report on the reexamination to the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House at the date specified in the funding resolution first reported by such committee in 1983 and thereafter for the first session of each Congress. Allows two or more committees which have legislative jurisdiction over the same programs or portions of the same programs to examine such programs jointly and submit a joint report. Stipulates that such report: (1) contain the findings, recommendations, and justifications of the program; and (2) include specified information including, but not limited to, an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the program and an identification of any trends, developments, and emerging conditions which are likely to affect the nature and extent of the problems or needs which the program is intended to address. Requires each executive department or agency which is responsible for a program selected for reexamination to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget and to the appropriate committees of the Congress on its findings, recommendations, and justifications of specified aspects of the program. Title IV: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, after consultation with the Joint Committee on Taxation of the Congress, to prepare an inventory of tax expenditure provisions and to submit a report on such inventory to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House and the Senate Finance Committee. Defines the term "tax expenditure provision" as any provision of Federal law which allows a special exclusion, exemption, or deduction in determining liability for any tax or which provides a special credit against any tax, a preferential rate of tax, or a deferral of tax liability. Specifies the contents of the report, which include an estimate of the revenue loss from each tax provision. Requires the Director to: (1) submit a revised inventory to each House of Congress by December 1, 1982; (2) revise the inventory after the close of each session of Congress and report such revisions to Congress; and (3) periodically report on Congressional action on bills and resolutions which create or affect tax provisions. Directs the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax provisions similar to the schedule set out for Federal programs in title I of this Act. Requires Congress to take final action on the reauthorization schedule for tax provisions before the end of the 97th Congress. Provides that each tax expenditure provision shall expire unless it is reauthorized by a law enacted during the Congress in which it is scheduled for review. Sets forth procedures and restrictions for the consideration of bills reauthorizing tax provisions, which are similar to the restrictions and procedures governing bills authorizing new budget authority for Federal programs as described in title I. Requires that the report accompanying a reauthorization bill include specified information. Permits Congress to prescribe technical rules necessary to mitigate adverse effects which might result for taxpayers who rely on a certain tax provision. Title V: Miscellaneous - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to permit the committees of Congress to obtain from the agencies of the Government estimates or requests for appropriations, or requests for increases in an item of any such estimate or request, and recommendations as to how the revenue needs of the Government should be met. Sets forth administrative procedures and requirements. Directs the President, with the cooperation of the head of each appropriate agency, to submit to the Congress a "Regulatory Duplication and Conflicts Report" for all programs scheduled for reauthorization in the next Congress. Requires that each such report identify duplicative or conflicting rules and regulations promulgated by executive departments, independent agencies, and State and local governments and contain recommendations which address such conflicts or duplications. Directs the chairmen of the House and Senate committees having jurisdiction over a program scheduled for reauthorization during a Congress, to introduce a bill constituting a reauthorization within 15 days of the beginning of the second session of that Congress. Declares that it shall be in order to discharge a committee from consideration of such a bill if the committee fails to report the bill by a specified date. Makes it the duty of the Committees on Governmental Affairs and on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committees on Government Operations and Rules of the House of Representatives to review the operation of the procedures established by this Act and to submit a report every five years beginning December 31, 1988. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Establishes in the House of Representatives a Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control to review problems of narcotics abuse, including enforcement, international trafficking, organized crime, and the criminal justice system with respect to narcotics law violations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1980
Establishes the United States Holocaust Memorial Council which shall: (1) provide and encourage appropriate ways for the Nation to observe the Days of Remembrance to commemorate the holocaust; (2) plan, erect, and oversee the operation of a memorial museum to the victims of the holocaust; and (3) develop a plan for carrying out the recommendations of the report submitted to the President on September 27, 1979, by the President's Commission on the Holocaust. Authorizes the Council to receive public land in the District of Columbia on which it may erect the memorial. Terminates the Council's authority to construct a memorial if the erection of the memorial has not commenced within five years of enactment of this Act and sufficient funds to ensure completion of the memorial have not been certified to be available. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should convey congressional concern about the deprivation of the rights of Christians by the Soviet Union, particularly the Pentecostals living in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Directs the President to report to Congress on the prospects for religious freedom in the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that aliens who engage in unlawful or disorderly activities in the United States should be promptly deported in accordance with provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1980
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to appoint a task force to study the problems of allocating the use of airport facilities and airspace among persons using or seeking to use such facilities. Directs the task force to report its findings and recommendations to specified congressional committees. Appoints the Chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board as chairman of the task force. Requires the Secretary to appoint the members of the task force and to include representatives of: (1) the Departments of Transportation and Justice; (2) States; (3) airport owners and operators; (4) specified air carriers; (5) interested financial institutions; and (6) aviation consumer groups. Directs the task force to meet not later than 30 days after all its members have been appointed. Directs the Secretary to provide necessary staff and support services.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide homebuilders with an income tax credit for the construction of residences which incorporate a passive solar energy system. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and Housing and Urban Development, to prescribe regulations setting forth a solar construction credit table for purposes of determining the amount of the credit for which the incorporator of the solar energy system is eligible. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $2,000 for calendar years prior to 1986 and phases out the amount of the credit by $500 decrements until 1989 when such credit terminates. Defines "passive solar energy system" as a system which contains a solar collection area, an absorber, a storage mass, a heat distribution method, and heat regulation devices. Requires such system to be installed in a new residence after September 30, 1980 and before January 1, 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1980
Appellate Court Reorganization Act of 1980 - Divides the current United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit into the following two circuits: (1) the Fifth Circuit, composed of the Canal Zone and the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, and consisting of 14 judges; and (2) the Eleventh Circuit, composed of the States of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, and consisting of 12 judges. (The current Fifth Circuit consists of all six States and has 26 judges.) Designates Atlanta, Georgia, the headquarters of the Eleventh Circuit and New Orleans, Louisiana, headquarters of the Fifth Circuit. Makes this Act effective October 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1980
Amends the John F. Kennedy Center Act to increase the responsibility of the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service, as regards the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to include structural and other building repairs, maintenance, security, and utilities. Limits the Secretary's responsibility for utilities to 70 percent of the total cost of such utilities at the Center. Limits the responsibilities of the Secretary as regards maintenance and janitorial services at the Center. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish, on a reimbursable basis, either directly or by contract, services which are the responsibility of the Board of Trustees of the Center. Adds the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of the Treasury to the Board. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to forgive the Board from payment of interest due and accruing on parking revenue bonds under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Center to issue additional revenue bonds to the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1980
Prohibits the receipts and disbursements of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and any amount in such Trust Fund from being included in the totals of the budget of the United States Government. Exempts such receipts, disbursements, and amounts from any general limitations imposed on budget outlays of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1980
Public Buildings Act Amendments of 1980 - Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959 to authorize the Administrator of General Services to carry out preliminary engineering and design for the alteration of a public building before a project for such alteration is authorized. Requires approval by the appropriate congressional committees before: (1) acquiring a public building by exchange of property worth more than $500,000; (2) leasing space in a building at a rate in excess of $500,000; (3) altering leased premises if the cost of alteration exceeds $250,000; and (4) reducing the amount of space in an approved project by more than ten percent. Prohibits the Administrator from leasing any space to accommodate the following, except as may be necessary to meet immediate and urgent requirements that cannot be met in public buildings: (1) major computer operations; (2) secure or sensitive activities related to the national defense or security; (3) offices which would require major alterations; or (4) a permanent court room, judicial chamber, or administrative office for any United States court. Prohibits the Administrator from entering into any lease providing for a rental which exceeds the average of commercial rentals for space and services of nearest comparable quality by more than five percent. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress, not later than the 15th day after Congress convenes each year, a program for that calendar year of projects and actions which the Administrator deems necessary to carry out any duties under the Act. Amends the Act to prohibit the Administrator from using the name of any individual, living or dead, in the name or other designation of any building under the custody and control of the General Services Administration. Repeals the authority of the Administrator to provide space by entering into purchase contracts under the Public Buildings Amendments of 1972. Directs the Administrator to provide, for employees and visitors, sheltered and secure locations and equipment for parking bicycles at public buildings and at buildings leased by the Administrator.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1980
Trade Procedures Simplification Act of 1980 - Requires the Attorney General, in consultation with other Federal agency heads, to determine whether: (1) U.S. business conduct and arrangements in various countries to expand exports conflict with basic antitrust principles; and (2) a more liberal enforcement policy for overseas activities would impede implementation of the antitrust laws. Directs the Attorney General to identify conduct and arrangements associated with particular types of export sales which the Attorney General determines would not warrant prosecution under the antitrust laws. Sets forth the procedures for describing such permissible conduct and disclosing such descriptions. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to intervene in such suits and to provide legal assistance to exporters. Prohibits prosecution under the antitrust laws of exporters who: (1) have notified the Attorney General of their intention to engage in such designated permissible conduct; or (2) receive an approval, or no objection, from the Attorney General concerning proposed transactions. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Commerce to report to Congress concerning implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the seven-day period beginning October 5, 1980, as "National Port Week." Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report annually to Congress on the conditions of U.S. public ports.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Year-End Spending Control Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to apportion appropriations to Federal agencies in a manner which insures that no more than 20 percent of the total appropriations available to an agency in a fiscal year may be obligated during the last two months of that year. Authorizes the Director to waive such a spending limitation upon determining that it would seriously disrupt an agency program or operation, if the Director reports on such waiver to Congress before the agency violates such limitation. Requires the Director to report to Congress concerning: (1) the implementation of this Act; (2) violations of spending limitations; (3) the results and impacts of this Act including the effects upon procurement and apportionment processes; and (4) recommendations on continuing the spending limitations. Exempts reserves established to comply with a spending limitation under this Act from reporting requirements of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Directs an agency to consider an employee's compliance with agency rules and procedures applicable to year-end expenditure practices when: (1) evaluating the performance of a member of the Senior Executive Service; and (2) determining any pay increase for a supervisor or manager under the merit pay system.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1980
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit total budget outlays for any fiscal year after fiscal year 1980 from exceeding the total budget outlays for the preceding fiscal year by a greater percentage than the percentage increase in the gross national product in the preceding calendar year. Reduces further the permissible total budget outlays by percentages based upon the inflation rate and Federal grants to State and local governments. Permits: (1) an increase in the permissible total budget outlays if both Houses of Congress agree by a three-fourths vote; and (2) emergency outlays to be authorized if the President has declared an emergency and both Houses agree by a two-thirds vote. Prohibits requiring State or local governments to perform additional functions without compensation for necessary costs incurred in connection with such functions. Requires such compensation to have been authorized and included as a part of the permissible total budget outlays. Requires concurrent resolutions on the budget to include the estimated amount of grants to State and local governments, in the aggregate and as a fraction of total budget outlays, and any changes. Sets forth restrictions on the consideration of concurrent resolutions on the budget which violate these provisions. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require the Budget to be prepared in compliance with this Act. Directs the President to take necessary action to assure continuing compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 by: (1) directing the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to perform the functions, powers, and duties of the Secretary of Transportation pertaining to aviation safety; (2) prohibiting the Administrator from performing any functions, powers, or duties other than those pertaining to aviation safety; and (3) directing the Secretary to perform any functions, powers, and duties performed by the Administrator before the effective date of this Act which do not pertain to aviation safety. Directs the Secretary to identify and report to Congress and the office within the Department of Transportation on such functions, powers, and duties. Prohibits the Secretary or any employee of the Department from delegating any functions, powers, or duties which do not pertain to aviation safety to the Administration or its employees. Transfers to the Secretary the personnel, assets, liabilities, and contracts made in connection with the functions, powers, or duties formerly performed by the Administrator and herein transferred to the Secretary. Continues in effect all orders, rules, regulations, contracts, and licenses previously made or issued by the Administration not pertaining to aviation safety until modified or terminated by the Secretary, a court, or operation of law. Transfers to the Department of Transportation proceedings pending at the time this Act takes effect before the Federal Aviation Administration which do not pertain to aviation safety. Prohibits suits by or against the Administration or its officers commenced prior to the effective date of this Act from abating or from being affected by the provisions of this Act. Substitutes the Secretary for the Administrator in such suits not pertaining to aviation safety.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to review and revise the existing national airport system plan to provide for the development of public-use airports in the United States. Directs that such plan shall include the type and estimated cost of eligible airport development considered by the Secretary to be necessary to provide a safe and efficient system of public-use airports to anticipate and meet the needs of civil aeronautics, to meet requirements in support of the national defense, and to meet the needs of the postal service. Directs the Department of Defense to make military airports and airport facilities available for civil use to the extent feasible. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for airport development and planning in the form of project grants. Sets forth the aggregate funding level for such grants for fiscal years 1981 through 1985. Directs that no obligation shall be incurred by the Secretary for airport development at a privately owned public-use airport unless the Secretary receives assurances that such airport will continue to function as a public- use airport during the economic life (no less than ten years) of any facility at such airport that was developed with Federal financial assistance under this Act. Authorizes appropriations out of such fund for fiscal years 1981 through 1985 for: (1) the establishment of air navigation facilities; (2) airport research engineering and development, and demonstration projects; (3) training State and local government employees to carry out the purposes of this Act; (4) costs of services provided under international agreements relating to the joint financing of air navigation services; and (5) costs incurred in operating and maintaining air navigation facilities in a safe and efficient condition. Directs that the costs of site preparation work associated with the establishment or improvement of air navigation facilities by the Secretary pursuant to the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 shall be charged to appropriated funds available to the Secretary for that purpose. Directs that the Secretary shall provide in a grant or other agreement with an airport owner or sponsor, for the performance of such site preparation work in connection with airport development, subject to payment or reimbursement for such work by the Secretary from such appropriated funds. Prohibits appropriations from the Trust Fund to carry out programs or activities under such Act. Directs that amounts authorized shall remain available in the Trust Fund until appropriated for the purposes described. Directs that amounts transferred to the Trust Fund by the Airport and Airway Revenue Act of 1970 may not be appropriated for administrative expenses of the Department of Transportation. Grants the Secretary the authority to obligate to an airport by grant agreement the unobligated balance of amounts that were apportioned in prior fiscal years and that remain available for approved airport development projects, in addition to amounts authorized for that fiscal year by this Act. Sets forth the method for apportioning the funds made available under this Act. Sets forth conditions which determine eligibility for funding under this Act. Sets forth procedures for the submission of project grant airport development applications and requirements which must be satisfied to approve such applications. Requires a sponsor of an airport project to hold public hearings where the project-grant application involves the location of an airport, an airport runway, or a major runway extension. Directs that such a grant shall not be made unless the Governor of the State in which the project is to be located certifies in writing to the Secretary that there is a reasonable assurance that the project will be located, designed, constructed, and operated so as to comply with applicable air and water quality implementation plans. Authorizes the Secretary to approve standards (other than standards for safety of approaches) established by a State for airport development at public-use airports which are not primary airports. Authorizes the Secretary, in connection with any project the sponsor will comply with this Act, to require the project sponsor to certify that all of the statutory and administrative requirements imposed by this Act. Directs that the United States' share of allowable project costs for a project approved under this Act shall not exceed 90 percent of its cost. Establishes lower percentages for such projects under specified circumstances. Imposes upon the Secretary, as a condition precedent to approval of an airport development project contained in a project grant application submitted under this Act, the duty to receive written assurances that: (1) such airport will be available for public use on fair, reasonable, equitable and nondiscriminatory terms; (2) generally, no person providing aeronautical services to the public will have an exclusive right to use such airport; (3) such airport and related facilities will be suitably operated and maintained, with due regard to climatic and flood conditions; (4) the aerial approaches to such airport will be adequately cleared, protected, and hazard-free; (5) land in the immediate vicinity of such airport will be used for purposes compatible with airport operations; (6) such airport's facilities will be available for use by United States Government aircraft; (7) the airport operator or owner will furnish certain land, water, or estate therein to the Federal Government for use in connection with air traffic control, navigation, weather reporting, or communications activities related to air traffic control; (8) all project records will be kept in accordance with a standard accounting system; (9) the airport operator or owner will maintain a fee and rental structure for the facilities and services being provided to airport users which will make the airport as self-sustaining as possible; (10) such operator or owner will submit reports as requested by the Secretary; (11) the airport and all airport records will be available for the Secretary's inspection; and, (12) such operator or owner who receives a grant for the purchase of land for noise compatibility purposes which is conditioned on the disposal of the acquired land at the earliest practicable time will use its best efforts to so dispose of such land. Authorizes the Secretary to relieve a project sponsor from contractual obligations entered into under this Act, the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970, or the Federal Airport Act, to provide free space in airport buildings to the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary first to determine that the cost of an airport development or planning project is allowable before the United States pays from amounts appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act. Sets forth conditions to determine whether costs are allowable. Authorizes the Secretary to approve, as allowable costs of an airport development project, terminal development costs in nonrevenue producing public-use areas which are directly related to the movement of passengers and baggage. Directs that construction work on projects funded under this Act shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Secretary and shall be in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Directs that contracts in excess of $2,000 for such construction projects shall include provisions establishing minimum rates of wages to be predetermined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act. Requires that construction contracts for airport development projects grant employment preferences to Vietnam and disabled veterans. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in the event that a public airport project will require the use of Federal lands, to request the head of the Federal agency or department controlling such lands to transfer the necessary property interests to the public agency sponsoring the project or which owns or controls the airport involved. Requires the head of such an agency or department to notify the Secretary within four months of its decision with respect to such a request. Exempts from such requests lands under the administration of the National Park Service, units of the National Wildlife Refuge System or similar areas under the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or within any national forest or Indian reservation. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to annually report to the Congress describing operations under this Act during the preceding fiscal year. Sets forth criminal penalties for fraudulent acts committed with respect to projects under this Act. Sets forth recordkeeping and auditing requirements with respect to projects under this Act. Directs the Secretary to take affirmative action to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex, be excluded from participating in any activity conducted with funds received from any grant made under this Act. Repeals the provisions of the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970. Amends the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 by authorizing the Secretary to incur obligations to make grants for airport noise compatibility planning. Amends such Act by stating that all of the provisions of this Act applicable to grants made herein shall be applicable to grants made under such Act. Amends the Airport and Airway Development Act Amendments of 1976 by authorizing $19,750,000 to be appropriated out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund before the date which is 180 days after the date of enactment of the International Air Transportation Competition Act of 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1980
Amends the National Visitor Center Facilities Act of 1968 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to sublet a portion of the Union Station Concourse to the Secretary of Transportation for operation as a rail passenger terminal. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to construct a parking structure for buses and 1400 cars. Allows the Secretary to vary the number of spaces for visitors' automobiles if it is determined to be necessary in order to carry out the purpose of this Act. Directs the Washington Terminal Company to cease construction of the new railroad passenger facility beneath the parking structure and to assign to the Secretary of Transportation all rights and obligations concerning such terminal. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to use funds (to be deposited into a special account for the National Park Service) received from operating the National Visitor Center to pay the costs of such Center. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation: (1) to use funds received through operation of the sublet space to pay the costs of such space; and (2) to spend appropriated funds for rail passenger operations without regard to the matching funds requirement of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976. Requires every contract for the facility must be bid competitively on a fixed-price basis. Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the Interior to furnish steam from the Capitol Powerplant to Union Station. Authorizes the Secretary to construct connections to such Powerplant. Increases the authorization of appropriations for adequate visitor facilities. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for the construction or alteration of any facility authorized by the National Visitor Center Facilities Act of 1968, until final plans for such construction or alteration have been submitted to Congress, and Congress does not disapprove such plans within a 30 day period after their submission.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1980
Resource Conservation and Development Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a resource conservation and development program to assist States, local units of government, and local nonprofit organizations to operate and maintain a planning process for land conservation and utilization, natural resources development, and rural economic and environmental improvement. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance in developing area plans for designated rural areas; (2) cooperate in conducting surveys and inventories, disseminating information, and developing area plans; (3) assist in the carrying out of approved area plans by local public agencies and nonprofit organizations designated by States; and (4) enter into specified agreements. Sets forth terms and conditions of agreements which must be met if the Secretary is to provide any technical or financial assistance, including loans, to a State agency, local government, or local nonprofit organization in carrying out works of improvement specified in an approved area plan. Permits the identification of groups or problems for special consideration in area plans. Declares that the authority of the Secretary under this Act shall be supplemental and not in lieu of any authority of the Secretary under any other provision of law. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Agriculture a Resource Conservation and Development Policy Board to advise the Secretary regarding the administration of this Act. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the program provided for in this Act and to report on such evaluation, with recommendations. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act, with specified annual limits on technical and financial assistance and on loans.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1980
Budget Deficit Control Act - Declares it the policy of the Congress to balance the Federal budget annually. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to determine, during the first quarter of each fiscal year, whether anticipated Federal revenues will cover the level of budget outlays set forth in the concurrent resolution on the budget for such fiscal year. Requires the President, if the Secretary anticipates a deficit, to issue an order sequestering controllable expenditures to effect a pro rata reduction which would balance the budget. Renders such orders effective within 15 days, unless revised or abrogated by the Congress. Sets forth expedited procedures for congressional review of such orders. Authorizes the Congress, on its own motion or upon request of the President, to suspend the operation of an order which has taken effect.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1980
Amends the Act providing for the location of foreign government and international organization offices within a specified area in the District of Columbia to authorize the Secretary of State to develop in coordination with the Administrator of General Services (GSA) or to exchange, as well as sell or lease, property in such area for such purpose. Increases the specified area available for such purpose. Designates such Act as the International Center Act. Repeals provisions regarding a headquarters building for the Organization of American States within such area. Authorizes the GSA to design, construct and equip a headquarters building, legation building, or related facilities, on property within such area, if so requested by any foreign government or international organization. Requires any such buildings constructed in such area to be subject to the approval of the National Capital Planning Commission. Includes demolition or removal of existing structures and site preparation within the services to be provided by the Secretary, GSA, and the D.C. government within or contiguous to such area. Includes such services for other utilities and related improvements within such authority. Permits the Secretary to retain a reserve for maintenance of public improvements out of the proceeds from the sale, exchange, or lease of such property to foreign governments or international organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation extending best wishes and expressing appreciation to Carl Vinson for his devotion to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should release Andrei Sakharov from internal exile immediately. Urges the President to: (1) protest Sakharov's exile and the continued suppression of human rights in the Soviet Union; (2) call upon other nations to join in such protests and impose sanctions against the Soviet Union; and (3) inform Helsinki signatory governments that the U.S. delegation intends to raise these violations at the 1980 Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe review meeting.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1980
Includes within the definition of the United States Capitol Grounds specified areas and portions of streets surrounding the Capitol, the Botanic Garden, the Capital Power Plants, and House Office Buildings. Revises the list of streets to be maintained and improved by the District of Columbia. Authorizes the Capitol Police Board to detail police for police duty on the Capitol Grounds and the Library of Congress Grounds. Suspends the prohibition against vendors operating on specified portions of the Capitol Grounds temporarily to permit the orderly relocation of such vendors. Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to acquire specified property for addition to the Capitol Grounds. Authorizes the Architect to enter into contracts and make necessary expenditures to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress to condemn Soviet actions taken against Andrei Sakharov which further show the lack of the Soviet Union's fitness to host the Olympics.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation honoring the memory of Walt Disney on the 25th anniversary of his contribution to the American dream.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1979
Veterans Administration Adjudication Procedure and Judicial Review Act - Title I: Adjudication Procedures - Codifies, for Veterans Administration (VA) adjudication purposes, the burden of proof and reasonable doubt standard currently provided for by VA regulation. States that a claimant has the burden of submitting sufficient evidence to justify his or her claim, and that if an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence exists regarding the merits of a claim, the VA is to resolve such doubt in favor of the claimant. Stipulates that VA subpoenas may be served either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail. Increases the size of the Board of Veterans' Appeals from 50 to 65 members. Requires the Chairman of such Board to submit an annual report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning the Board's current handling of cases and projections for the subsequent fiscal year. Requires the Board: (1) to provide notice to a claimant and an opportunity for a hearing before a decision may be based on "additional official information" received after a Board decision has previously been made; (2) provide the claimant with an opportunity for a hearing; and (3) make its decision exclusively on evidence and material of record in the proceeding. Removes the requirement that new material sufficient to allow the Board to reopen a previously disallowed claim be in the form of official reports. Provides that the Board's discretionary authority to reopen a claim will not be diminished by a judicial decision following an appeal as provided for by this Act. Requires the Board to mail to the claimant notice of its decision and the reasons for such decision. Provides that, upon the request of a claimant, the Board shall provide an independent advisory medical opinion when there exists substantial medical disagreements with respect to a material issue in a veterans' appeal. Sets forth new procedural rules for adjudication hearings regarding: (1) oaths, affirmations, and witness examination; (2) admissibility of evidence; (3) procedural rights of claimants; (4) disqualification of a hearing officer; (5) the record of the proceedings and the claimants' right to examine and obtain a copy of such record; and (6) the exclusivity of veterans' adjudication procedures and rights prescribed by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to provide at each stage of the appeal proceedings written notice to a claimant of procedural rights and procedures. Directs the Administrator to conduct a study of two alternate claims resolution methods, one a new intermediate-level adjudication process, the other an enhanced schedule of formal Appeals Board hearings. Title II: Veterans' Administration Rule Making - Includes the VA's rulemaking procedures under the relevant provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Title III: Judicial Review - Provides for judicial review of VA decisions in the Federal court system. States, with regard to jurisdiction: (1) that judicial review of a final decision in a claim for benefits may be obtained in a civil action brought within 180 days of the Board's mailing of notice of its decision, and that such action shall be brought in Federal district court; (2) that in cases not directly involving a claim for benefits a civil action otherwise authorized by law shall not be precluded; (3) the definition of final decision; (4) that the judicial review procedures established under this Act shall not apply to insurance and home loans; (5) that the VA shall file the various materials constituting the record in a case together with its answer to the claimant's complaint; and (6) that the court render a decision on the pleadings. States, with regard to the reviewing court's scope of review, that such court: (1) decide questions of law and interpret constitutional, statutory, and regulatory provisions, but that questions of fact (unless unsupported by substantial evidence) will not be subject to a trial de novo; and (2) in reviewing a final decision of the VA which is adverse to a party solely because such party failed to comply with VA procedures, such court may only review questions concerning such procedures. Sets out provisions regarding remand, survival of actions, and appellate review. Title IV: Attorneys' Fees - Authorizes the Administrator to allow attorneys' fees above the present $10 maximum if the appealing party's claim is allowed by the VA after an initial denial. States that such fee shall be the lesser of: (1) the fee agreed upon by the party and attorney; (2) $500, unless the Administrator approves a greater amount; or (3) if the party and attorney have entered into a contingent-fee agreement, not more than 25 percent of the total of any past-due benefits' awarded on the basis of such party's claim. Provides for the approval of attorneys' fees, in successful veterans' claims brought before court, as provided for under this Act. Stipulates that such fees shall be determined by such court, and in contingent-fee agreements such fees shall not exceed 25 percent of the total of any past-due benefits awarded on the basis of such claim. Authorizes attorneys' fees of up to $750 in certain unsuccessful veterans' claims. Prohibits the VA from authorizing payment to a claimant's attorney based on past-due benefits unless such benefits are owed as of the date of the VA's or a court's award. Establishes procedures for the review of the VA's or a court's approval of attorneys' fees. States that in the case of a benefits claim resolved before the VA, either the claimant or the attorney may challenge the award in the Federal district court in which the claimant resides or has his principal place of business within 30 days after notice of the attorneys' award. States that in the case of such a claim resolved in court, either the claimant or the attorney may challenge the award in such court within 30 days after such award. Provides that all parties be given notice. Stipulates that such provisions regarding attorneys' fees shall only apply to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the VA and shall not apply in cases in which the VA is the plaintiff or in which other attorneys' fees statutes are otherwise controlling. Title V: Effective Dates - States that this Act shall become effective 180 days after enactment. Permits review of Board of Veterans' Appeals rendered on or after January 1, 1977, and prior to the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1979
Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959 to authorize the Administrator of General Services to issue obligations for purchase by the Federal Financing Bank, to the extent authorized in appropriation Acts, for financing the acquisition or construction of any public building. Requires approval by the appropriate congressional committees of such acquisition or construction.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1979
Expresses the support of Congress for the work of the White House Preservation Fund in preserving and enhancing the historic and museum character of the White House.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1979
Title I: Limitation on Future Growth of Federal Spending and Tax Expenditures - Federal Spending and Tax Expenditure Control Act of 1979 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit the adoption of any concurrent resolution on the budget which sets forth a level of total budget outlays and total tax expenditures in excess of 28.5 percent of the gross national product in fiscal year 1981, 28 percent of the gross national product in fiscal year 1982, or 27.5 percent of the gross national product in any fiscal year thereafter. Establishes procedures to enable the President and the Congress to suspend such limitations on budget outlays and tax expenditures. Title II: Federal Credit Program Control - Federal Credit Program Control Act of 1979 - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to provide a basis for controlling loans and loan guarantees under Federal credit programs through the congressional budget process. Requires the first concurrent resolution on the budget for each fiscal year to set forth the appropriate level of total gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans and the appropriate level of total commitments to guarantee loans and to allocate such totals among the major functional categories of the budget. Directs each standing committee of the House and Senate to submit its estimates of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments provided for in legislation under its jurisdiction by March 15 of each year for consideration of the Budget Committees in formulating the budget resolution. Directs the House and Senate Banking Committees to submit recommendations to the Budget Committees for the aggregate levels of direct loans and loan guarantees in each fiscal year. Requires the joint explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on the concurrent resolution on the budget to include an estimated allocation of the total levels of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments among the committees of the House and Senate. Directs the Committees on Appropriations to provide such an allocation among their subcommittees as soon as practicable after a budget resolution has been agreed to. Requires the House Committee on Appropriations, before reporting any regular appropriations bills, to submit a summary report to the House comparing the credit authority contained in such bills to the levels agreed to in the budget resolution. Requires any report accompanying legislation conferring new budget authority or increasing tax expenditures to include information on direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments. Establishes a deadline for the completion of action on legislation providing credit authority. Requires the second concurrent resolution on the budget in any fiscal year and the reconciliation process to take into account Federal obligations and commitments on loans and loan guarantees. Declares out of order any measure brought up for consideration in either House which would increase the level of loan obligations and guarantee commitments agreed to in the budget process. Requires any authority to guarantee the payment of any indebtedness to be contingent on provisions in appropriation Acts.
![Official portrait of Rep. Levitas, Elliott H. [D-GA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000265_200.jpg)