United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Shale Oil Production Tax Incentive Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to $3 for each barrel of shale oil produced by the taxpayer during the taxable year, plus the production credit carryovers and carrybacks for that year. Reduces the standard $3 per barrel credit proportionately by: (1) the amount of Federal grant funds, if any, used by the taxpayer in the production of shale oil; and (2) the amount by which the adjusted reference price (average refiner acquisition cost of a barrel of imported crude oil during the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which the credit is claimed) exceeds $25. Authorizes the President to adjust the amount of the credit when such action is in the national interest. Requires, as a condition of eligibility for the credit, that the shale oil be produced within the United States or its possessions. Provides for a cost of living adjustment to the basic $3 credit amount. Requires the Secretary of Energy to publish the adjusted reference price, and an explanation of the method and data used in computing it.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1979
Motor Carrier Regulatory Improvement Act of 1979 - Title I: General Provisions - Declares the findings of Congress that: (1) a safe, sound, competitive, and fuel efficient motor carrier system is vital to the maintenance of a strong national economy and defense system; (2) the objective of a motor carrier system serving the Nation as a whole can best be achieved through the plan of regulation adopted in 1935; and (3) the Interstate Commerce Commission must administer such regulatory system through the issuance of certificates and permits necessary to implement more effectively the standards of public convenience and necessity and of consistency with the public interest. Title II: Motor Carrier Entry - Requires the Commission, in determining whether to issue any certificate authorizing motor carrier transportation, to take specified factors into consideration including the degree of existing competition and fuel conservation with respect to an applicant's requested route authority. Prohibits the Commission from considering an applicant's level of proposed rates in making a determination regarding such requested route authority but directs the Commission to consider whether the level of rates of existing carriers is so high as to constitute an embargo of the traffic. Authorizes the Commission to require a carrier which is protesting a grant of operating authority to show that: (1) it is able to handle the traffic contained in the application; (2) it is willing to provide such service; and (3) it has either performed service or solicited business within the scope of the application. Stipulates that a contract carrier does not have to limit its operation to carriage for a particular industry or within a particular geographic area. Removes the requirement that the Commission, in deciding whether to grant a permit to a motor contract carrier, consider the number of shippers to be served by the carrier or the nature of the transportation to be provided. Stipulates that an application for conversion of motor contract carrier authority to motor common carrier authority must be filed with the Commission when the operations of the contract carrier in fact become common carriage. Stipulates that a person may not hold a certificate of a motor common carrier of property or a permit of a motor contract carrier of property if the person performing the transportation is doing so in the furtherance of a nontransportation primary business. Authorizes one corporation to provide transportation services for another corporation without a certificate or a permit under specified conditions. Directs the Commission to approve pooling and division of transportation or earnings agreements between common carriers without a hearing, unless it finds that the agreement is of major transportation importance or there is a substantial likelihood that the agreement will unduly restrain competition. Stipulates that, if the Commission finds that either of such factors exist, it shall conduct a hearing to determine if the agreement will be in the interest of better service to the public or of economy in operation. Exempts from the Commission's jurisdiction certain carriage of property by motor vehicle which is incidental to transportation by aircraft. Title III: Motor Carrier Rates - Prohibits the Commission from disapproving motor carrier rate bureau agreements unless it finds that such an agreement would violate or not be in furtherance of the national transportation policy. Exempts such approved agreements from the antitrust laws. Revises the voting processes within rate bureau meetings. Directs the Commission, in determining the reasonableness of motor property carrier rate levels, to approve and maintain revenue levels that are adequate to cover total operating expenses, including the operation of leased equipment, and depreciation based upon the replacement cost of useful equipment and facilities of current prices, plus a reasonable profit. Prohibits the Commission from suspending a motor carrier rate on the basis that it exceeds or is below a just and reasonable if: (1) the rate changes are not of general applicability to all or substantially all classes of traffic; (2) the rate change if filed within five years after the enactment of this Act; and (3) the rate increase or decrease is not more than seven percent annually. Grants the Commission the exclusive authority to prescribe an intrastate rate for a motor carrier of property if: (1) the carrier files a change in such a rate with the appropriate State authority; and (2) the State does not act finally on such proposed change within 120 days. Limits a State's power to assess or collect discriminatory taxes on motor carriers of property. Title IV: Expediting Motor Carrier Proceedings - Establishes time limitations for actions of the Commission regarding motor carriers of property proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1979
Authorizes the Interstate Commerce Commission to prescribe through lines and joint rates for motor carriers of property. Prohibits the Commission from requiring such a carrier, without its consent, to embrace in such a mandated route substantially less than the entire length of its route and of any intermediate carrier operated in conjunction and under a common management which lies between the termini of such proposed through route unless: (1) such inclusion of lines would make the through route unreasonably circuitous; or (2) the Commission finds that the through route proposed to be established is needed in order to provide adequate, more efficient, or more economic transportation. Requires carriers participating in a through route and joint rate to promptly pay rate divisions or make interline settlements. Allows the suspension or cancellation of such a route and rate under rules promulgated by the Commission in the event of undue delinquency in the settlement of such divisions or interline settlements.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Veterans' Obligated Period of Service Completion Act - Redefines "veteran" for veterans' benefits purposes to mean an individual who served in, and was not dishonorably discharged from, the active armed services before the period ending 90 days after enactment of this Act, or who entered the active armed services on or after such 90-day period and: (1) served the entire term of duty and was other than dishonorably discharged; (2) was discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability; or (3) before the completion of such term of duty was discharged other-than dishonorably for a satisfactory reason (including joining a reserve unit or enrolling in an educational program). Redefines "eligible veteran" for post-Vietnam era educational assistance to mean an individual who initially entered the armed services on or after January 1, 1977, and: (1) if active service was before such 90-day period under this Act, served more than 180 consecutive days and was discharged other than dishonorably or for a service-connected disability; and (2) if active service was on or after such 90-day period, served more than 180 consecutive days.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to stipulate that the institute currently authorized to conduct research on neurological diseases shall be named the "National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke." Requires at least $16,000,000 of the sums appropriated for such Institute to be obligated for research in the area of regeneration of the spinal cord.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Congratulates the men and women of the Apollo program upon the tenth anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon and requests the President to designate the period of July 16 through July 24, 1979, as "United States Space Observance" in honor of such event.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1979
Federal Gasohol Purchase Act - Directs each Federal agency and department to issue regulations which grant preferences in bulk and retail purchases of gasoline by such agency or department to suppliers or bidders who offer gasohol in lieu of ordinary gasoline provided the cost of such gasohol does not exceed 115 percent of the cost of ordinary gasoline. Establishes procedures for Federal agencies in implementing such fuel purchases. Defines the term "gasohol" to mean a motor fuel consisting of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent methanol or ethanol which is suitable for use by itself or in combination with other fuels as a motor fuel and which is not refined from petroleum and which does not use any petroleum fuel as a heat source for the process of manufacture.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1979
Amends the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to divide any lands subject to such Act classified for coal leasing into leasing tracts which will permit the mining of all coal which can be economically extracted from such tracts. Permits the Secretary to negotiate the sale at fair market value of Federal coal.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1979
Nuclear Waste Management Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to make a preliminary determination concerning: (1) the location of a site to serve as a Federal demonstration repository for nuclear waste; (2) the techniques and methods to be used for the design, construction, and operation of such facility; (3) the procedures for transporting such wastes to the facility; and (4) the appropriate actions necessary to assure protection of the public health and safety and of the environment. Requires that any site recommended by the Secretary comport with recommendations made by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), to the maximum extent possible. Requires the Secretary to select a site for such Federal nuclear waste repository by June 30, 1980, and to arrange for the construction and operation of such facility on such site by September 30, 1988. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a detailed construction schedule for such facility, including the completion dates of required environmental impact statements and issuance dates of work authorization permits. Directs the Secretary to file with the NRC a license application for the facility and requires the NRC to act on such application within two years of the application submittal. Directs the Secretary to file a license application with the NRC for the receipt and disposal of nuclear wastes. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress annual status reports on the progress of the facility until operation begins. Directs the Secretary to hold public hearings and submit a comprehensive report to Congress, if the Secretary determines that circumstances exist which may impede the construction of such repository. Authorizes the Secretary to provide funds by contract for any research, development, and construction activities necessary to carry out the duties under the Act. Stipulates that the Secretary need not comply with specified bid advertising requirements with respect to such contracts. Permits the Secretary to enter into agreements with other persons relating to the transfer of nuclear wastes from civilian nuclear power plants licensed under the Atomic Energy Act to the Federal facility. Provides that user fees be established pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Requires that any materials transferred to the Federal facility be in a form suitable for storage, as determined by regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress annual reports of all agreements entered into relating to the transfer of nuclear waste. Provides that all such records, reports, or information obtained by the Secretary be made available to the public, except where either a showing is made that some portion is entitled to protection as trade secrets or the Secretary determines that the confidentiality of information is required as a matter of national security. Permits disclosure of information which may constitute either trade secrets or matters of national security to officers, employees, or authorized representatives of the U.S. concerned with carrying out this Act or involved in proceedings under this Act. Prohibits withholding of any such information from any duly-authorized congressional committee. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to Congress on: (1) the effects of Federal routing requirements for barge, rail, and highway shipment of nuclear wastes; and (2) the methods needed to insure State participation in the transportation planning process. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate standards and criteria for exposure to radiation from activities involved in the permanent storage and disposal of nuclear wastes. Requires that such standards be published in the Federal Register for public comment. Directs the Administrator to submit an assessment of public health and safety aspects of such activities to the NRC. Establishes the Nuclear Waste Management Advisory Committee to study and advise the Secretary on matters concerning: (1) the scope, pace, costs, and benefits of research and development of nuclear waste disposal technology; (2) the existing and prospective Federal policies and programs affecting development of such technology; (3) research, development, and demonstration activities relating to the construction and operation of a Federal demonstration repository; (4) means to insure effective participation by State and local authorities, relevant segments of the economy, the scientific and technical community, and the public in the research, development, siting, planning, construction, and operation of a Federal demonstration repository; and (5) any other action taken by the Secretary in carrying out the duties under the Act. Directs heads of Federal agencies to cooperate with the Committee and to furnish any information deemed necessary to carry out its duties under the Act. Directs the Secretary to seek advice from State and local governments, public and private organizations, and industry with respect to such technologies. Requires the Secretary to advise the Governor of any State designated as containing a potential site for construction of the Federal facility, to review and consider any materials or recommendations submitted by the Governor of such State and to notify the Governor of the State finally selected for the construction of the Federal facility. Directs the Secretary to not carry out duties under this Act in the event of such a formal recommendation from the Governor unless he resolves the matter with the Governor or finds that the construction of a repository at the designated site is consistent with the public health and welfare and will further the public interest. Affords that State or its representative the opportunity to participate in any NRC licensing proceeding and allows the State legislature to submit materials to be included in NRC's environmental impact statement.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1979
Title I: Authorizations and Miscellaneous Amendments - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize appropriations for specified programs and expenses of the Small Business Administration. States that all appropriations, whether specifically or generally authorized, shall remain available until expended. Authorizes the Administration to make disaster loans available to small business concerns affected by a shortage of energy-producing resources caused by a strike, boycott, or embargo unless such strike, boycott or embargo is directly against such small business concern. Makes specified low-interest loans available under the Small Business Act until October 1, 1982, for the relief of small business concerns affected by disasters occurring on or after October 1, 1978. Provides loans bearing interest at three percent for amounts not exceeding $55,000, for the repair or replacement of a principal residence or personal property. Makes the following disaster loans available under the Small Business Act and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act: (1) loans bearing interest at three percent on amounts for the repair or replacement of property damaged or destroyed if the applicant is unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere; and (2) loans bearing interest at the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the average maturities of such loans, plus not to exceed one percent if the applicant is able to obtain credit elsewhere. Stipulates that the total amount outstanding and committed to any one borrower shall not exceed $500,000. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to repeal the authority of the Administration to invest sums from the revolving fund for surety bond guarantees in Treasury bonds, obligations, and other guaranteed debt securities. Authorizes such investments from the revolving fund for qualified contract guarantees. Title II: Small Business Development Centers - Authorizes the Small Business Administration to make grants to States, State agencies, regional entities, State- chartered development credit corporations, and institutions of higher learning to assist in establishing Small Business Development Centers. Requires such grants to be matched in equal amounts by funds from non-Federal sources. Establishes additional restrictions on such grants for fiscal years 1979 through 1982. States that Small Business Development Centers shall have a full-time staff, business and technology analysts, information and professional specialists, and access to laboratory and engineering facilities. Requires such Centers to provide small businesses with business and technology counseling, information on government regulations, library services, and comprehensive studies and surveys. Directs federally funded laboratories and innovation centers to cooperate with the Small Business Development Centers. Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to appoint a Deputy Associate Administrator for Management and Technical Assistance to administer the Small Business Development Center program. Establishes a National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board consisting of nine civilian members. Sets forth provisions governing the appointment of members, a Chairman, meetings, and compensation of the Board. Directs the Small Business Administration to conduct an evaluation of the Development Center program and to submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress within three years. Title III: White House Conference on Small Business - White House Conference on Small Business Act - Directs the President to convene a White House Conference on Small Business by June 30, 1980, to identify the problems of small business concerns and to make recommendations for executive and legislative action. Requires the Conference to submit a report to the President and the Congress within one year of the date it convenes. Requires the Small Business Administration to report to the Congress within three years on the status and implementation of the findings and recommendations of the Conference. Makes such sums as are appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act available until expended.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1979
National Alcohol Fuel and Farm Commodity Production Act of 1979 - Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to replace the current program of loan guarantees for pilot project production of industrial hydrocarbons from agricultural commodities with a program under which the Secretary of Agriculture may guarantee payment of 50 percent of loans made by private lenders to persons constructing and maintaining plants for the production of fuel alcohol derived from agricultural commodities. Authorizes the Secretary to sell such commodities to such loan recipients and to acquire and use distilled dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) from them. Specifies conditions for such loan guarantees and sets the maximum cumulative total of outstanding principal and interest during the period from October 1, 1979, through September 30, 1984, at $600,000,000. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States the Alcohol Fuel Plant Loan Guarantee Fund, and authorizes the appropriation of $60,000,000 for deposit in such Fund for fiscal year 1980. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the loan level for corn at $2.10 per bushel, and the established price for the 1982 crop at $2.75 per bushel. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the uses and marketing of the byproducts resulting from the production of alcohol fuel, including, if appropriate, a market promotion program identifying the foreign markets for such byproducts for human consumption.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1979
Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to set a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment for anyone violating the provisions of such Act by importing or exporting at least 100 pounds of marijuana. Stipulates that the execution or imposition of such term of imprisonment: (1) may not be suspended; (2) may not include probation or parole; and (3) is not subject to the Federal Youth Corrections Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from a decedent's gross estate for purposes of the estate tax the value of real property used in farming. Excludes up to the first $250,000 of the value of the farm property and certain percentages of the value in excess of $250,000. Requires a percentage reduction of the amount of the exclusion for farm property in excess of $450,000.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Permits any use, including aerial application, of the pesticide mirex on fire ants or imported fire ants during the calendar years 1979 and 1980, notwithstanding provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to the contrary. Subjects such use to Environmental Protection Agency restrictions in effect on October 1, 1977 (excepting only period of use restrictions). Prohibits the Agency from altering the terms of any such restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Controlled Substances Sentencing Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to establish mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for the commission of certain offenses currently prohibited under such Acts. Increases such minimum terms if the defendant had been convicted previously of a felony. Authorizes a court to sentence an individual to a shorter term of imprisonment or parole ineligibility upon a finding of specified mitigating circumstances. Stipulates that the imposition or execution of a sentence under such Act: (1) may not include probation; (2) may not be suspended; (3) may not run concurrently; and (4) may not come under the provisions of the Federal Youth Corrections Act. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that a separate sentencing hearing be conducted when an individual is convicted of an offense for which a mandatory term of imprisonment is authorized under this Act. Directs a judicial officer, in setting the conditions of release pending trial, to consider whether a person charged with an offense under title I of this Act poses a threat to the community or will commit similar offenses. Authorizes such judicial officer to deny pretrial release to such individual upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence of specified aggravating circumstances in a separate hearing. Sets forth due process requirements for such hearings.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1979
Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to pay a named individual additional amounts of retired pay to which such individual would have been entitled if credit for a specified period had been allowed.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to authorize a reduction in the amount of any penalty imposed for a particular violation of a marketing quota for peanuts, if such violation was unintentional or unknowing, and a reduction of such penalty would not impair the effective operation of the peanut price support program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to tax income of married individuals filing tax returns separate from their spouses at the same rates applicable to unmarried individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that disability insurance benefits for an individual having a terminal illness shall begin with the first month during all of which such individual has such illness. Defines the term "terminal illness" to mean, a medically determinable physical impairment which is expected to result in death within the next 12 months.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers an income tax credit for all ordinary and necessary expenses which such taxpayers incur in connection with an audit or a final judicial determination of their tax liability, if such audit or determination establishes that there is no tax deficiency. Disallows an income tax deduction for any audit expenses for which a credit is claimed under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the waiver of residency requirements for individuals residing in a foreign country who claim income tax deductions for living expenses incurred in such country, if such individuals are prevented from conducting normal business in such country due to war, civil unrest, or similar adverse conditions, and such individuals prove to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury that they would have met such residency requirements under normal conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Soft Drink Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that exclusive territorial arrangements made as a part of a licensing agreement for the manufacture, distribution, or sale of a trademarked soft drink product are lawful under the antitrust laws provided such product is in substantial and effective competition with other products of the same general class. Prohibits recovery in private actions under the Clayton Act based on territorial provisions in a trademark licensing agreement prior to a final determination that such provisions are unlawful.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from promulgating a proposed rule applicable to vitamin and mineral products for over-the-counter human use published on March 16, 1979, or from taking any other action which would have the same effect as such proposed rule.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the transfer of the Forest Service and the Farmers Home Administration business and industry programs from the Department of Agriculture is unacceptable, and that any reorganization proposal which would diminish the Department's resources is unacceptable.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an additional $1,000 personal tax exemption for a taxpayer, his spouse, or a dependent who is disabled. Defines "disability" as an inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a physical or mental impairment which has lasted or will last continuously for at least 12 months. Disallows the additional exemption if the taxpayer or his spouse already receives an extra exemption due to blindness.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1979
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from issuing any rule, regulation, or order relating to specified aspects of the control of navigable airspace.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1979
Authorizes the President to award the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously to Private First Class William James Tsakanikas for his service during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1979
Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include discrimination of the physically handicapped as an unlawful employment practice. Permits such discrimination pursuant to a bona fide seniority or merit system or as a bona fide occupational qualification.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1979
Nuclear Power Facility Siting and Licensing Act of 1979 - Title I: Siting and Licensing - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, to require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, upon initially granting a construction permit for nuclear power facilities, to provide on-site inspection of such construction to ensure conformity with the permit and Commission rules and regulations. Authorizes the Commission to issue an operating license upon finding such conformity and in the absence of good cause showing why the granting of such license would not be in accordance with such Act. Authorizes the Commission to require facility design or construction modifications after a construction permit is issued, in order to provide additional health and safety protection. Amends such Act to include among those actions for which hearings may be granted any proceeding for the granting, suspending, revoking, renewing, or amending of a facility design or design of a subsystem thereof. Sets forth notice requirements for such hearings. Authorizes the Commission to permit interim operation of nuclear power facilities or to issue an interim amendment to a facility's operating license upon a finding that the public health and safety, the common defense and security, and the environment will be adequately protected during the period of interim operation and that such interim operation is in the public interest. Authorizes the Commission to issue a site permit for approval of a site for one or more nuclear power facilities upon the application of any person, notwithstanding the fact that no construction permit for such facility or facilities has been filed. Sets forth criteria for such application approval and specifies the information to be included in such application. Authorizes the renewal of such site permits between 18 and 48 months prior to the expiration of the ten year permit validity period. Authorizes the Commission to approve standardized facility design and facility subsystems by means of rulemaking or a manufacturing license proceeding. Authorizes the Commission to consider proposed modifications to such facility designs and to require such modification upon proof, established by the Commission at a hearing, that such modification will produce significant additional protection for public health and safety and that the value of such protection exceeds the additional costs associated therewith. Authorizes the renewal of such rules or manufacturing licenses between 12 and 18 months prior to the expiration of the five-year validity period. Title II: Federal and State Coordination - Directs the Commission to coordinate its licensing functions with Federal and State agencies having responsibility for nuclear power facilities, and to eliminate unnecessary duplication and delay in the licensing process. Sets forth procedures and time limitations for specified steps in the licensing process. Defers to the States the determination of need for such facilities. Directs the Governor of any State seeking to qualify for Federal funding of a program to cooperate with the Commission in its licensing process to submit a proposed program for review. Authorizes the Commission to establish State program review guidelines based on criteria set forth in this Act. Authorizes the Commission to make grants for the development and administration of such programs. Directs the President to establish a Federal/State Licensing Study Commission to further facilitate such coordination and cooperation in the licensing process. Provides that upon submission of its report and recommendations to the President and the Congress, such Commission shall expire, but not later than 18 months after it is established. Title III: Regulation of Airborne Effluents - Relieves the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency of his authority under the Clean Air Act to classify airborne emissions of radioactive materials from nuclear power facilities upon promulgation by the Commission of rules and regulations governing such materials. Title IV: Conforming Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. Title V: Effective Date - Sets the effective date of this Act as of the date of its enactment. Provides for a waiver of up to two years of any of its provisions if consistent with the purpose of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Product and Professional Liability Insurance Tax Equity Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify trusts established for the payment of product liability claims as tax-exempt organizations. Allows an income tax deduction for contributions to such trusts, but limits the amount of such deduction to the reasonable cost to the taxpayer (but for such trust) for product liability insurance protection for the year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Independent Contractor Tax Status Clarification Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify standards for determining whether certain individuals qualify as independent contractors for purposes of social security taxation. Treats an individual as an independent contractor if such individual: (1) controls the total number of his work hours; (2) does not maintain a principal place of business, or if he does, such place of business is not provided, or provided rent-free, by the person for whom such individual performs services; (3) has substantial investment in his business and earns income based upon sales or output rather than upon number of hours worked; and (4) performs services pursuant to a written contract and is provided written notice of his responsibility with respect to income and self-employment taxes. Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for service performed by an individual who qualifies as an independent contractor under the standards established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Energy should: (1) submit to Congress a standby conservation plan which accounts for the economic impacts of restricted energy use; and (2) provide the States with resources and support for the implementation of energy conservation programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Export Administration Reform Act of 1979 - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to make the Secretary of Defense responsible for identifying technologies and goods which shall be controlled for national security purposes. Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Technology Export to assist the Secretary. Directs the President to issue rules and regulations limiting the export of critical technologies and goods and significant technologies and goods. Prohibits the President from restricting the export of significant technologies or goods which are available from foreign sources. Directs the President to negotiate with foreign countries to eliminate the availability for export of technologies and goods detrimental to U.S. national security. Prohibits the President from modifying the Secretary's classification of technologies and goods and findings as to availability unless (1) the President submits a national security impact statement to Congress and (2) Congress does not disapprove. Requires the appropriate Federal agency to submit national security impact statements upon the request of Congress. Provides for the appointment of technical advisory committees by the Secretary of Defense (instead of the Secretary of Commerce).
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Requires the United States to reduce its contribution to the United Nations by a specified percent of the amount budgeted by the United Nations for certain Palestinian organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to subject nonresident aliens and foreign corporations to a tax on the gain from the sale or exchange of farm or rural lands situated in the United States. Requires foreign corporations which hold United States farm lands comprising 20 percent of their assets to make reports on such holdings as the Secretary of the Treasury may require.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Vietnam Veterans Act - Title I: Employment - Provides that Vietnam veterans eligible for specified veterans' educational benefits may use up to 12 months of such benefits for employment assistance payments to non-Federal Government employers hiring such veterans. Establishes eligibility requirements and guidelines for participating veterans and employers. Title II: Health and Psychological Care - Authorizes the Veterans' Administration to provide outpatient mental health services to Vietnam veterans with emotional or psychological civilian readjustment problems. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to establish a program of treatment for Vietnam-era veterans or members of their immediate families with alcohol or drug abuse problems. Provides that any individual eligible for treatment in either the readjustment or alcohol drug program may elect to have such treatment at any community health center providing such services under the Community Mental Health Centers Act. Directs the Administrator to reimburse such centers for such treatment. Authorizes an employee of the General Accounting Office assigned to duty in a Veterans' Administration health facility to act as ombudsman for the patients of such facility. Title III: GI Bill Education Assistance - Extends the ten year delimiting period for veterans' educational assistance eligibility to January 1, 1985, for veterans discharged before December 31, 1969. Removes the requirement of State matching funds for veterans' accelerated payment of educational assistance allowances. Title IV: Administrative Costs for State Home Loan Programs - Authorizes the Administrator to provide grants to States for administrative expenses for the start- up costs veterans' home loan programs. Title V: Commission to Study Veterans' Benefits - Establishes the Commission on Veterans' Benefits to make a comprehensive study of United States laws providing benefits to veterans and their dependents, with particular attention to the needs of Vietnam veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1979
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to take whatever steps are necessary, including research and development, to promulgate standards for an airborne collision avoidance system for all United States aircraft, both civil and military, to improve aviation safety. Requires the Secretary to promulgate such regulations within one year. Sets forth certain requirements with respect to such system which the Secretary shall include in such regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1979
Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to designate a Coordinator of programs to be responsible for: (1) the operation of a national clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information relating to domestic violence; (2) the development of a national media campaign to increase public awareness of the problems of domestic violence and the availability of services for its victims; and (3) making recommendations to Congress with respect to modification of Federal programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to assist them in supporting programs and projects to prevent incidents of domestic violence and to assist the victims and their dependents. Stipulates that such funds may not be used for direct payment to any victim of domestic violence or to a dependent of such victim, and that no income eligibility standard may be imposed for anyone seeking services under this Act. Requires the Secretary to make annual reports to Congress and to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of such programs no later than three years after enactment. Requires that the records of any person subject to any program, project, or activity assisted under this Act be subjected to the confidentiality provisions of the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972. Establishes an Interagency Domestic Violence Council to assist the Director in coordinating all Federal programs regarding the prevention of domestic violence and the provision of assistance to victims and their dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1979
Citizens' Postal Rate Relief Act of 1979 - Prohibits the postal rate for qualified mail matter from exceeding the minimum per piece rate for regular rate third-class bulk mail plus the difference between the rate for ordinary single-piece first-class mail and the discounted rate for such mail when presorted. Defines "qualified mail matter" as domestic letter mail of individuals which is sealed against inspection and subject to third-class bulk mail service standards.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Meat Import Act of 1979 - Limits the maximum aggregate quantity of specified meat articles which may be entered or withdrawn from warehouses, for consumption in the customs territory of the United States in any calendar year after 1979 to 1,204,600,000 pounds, adjustable according to a specified formula. Excludes from the domestic commercial production factor in such formula the carcass weight of live cattle specified in certain Tariff Schedules. Requires a further adjustment of such annual aggregate quantity by multiplying it by a ratio of: (1) the average annual per capita production of domestic cow beef during a calendar year (as estimated) and the four preceding calendar years; to (2) the average annual per capita production of domestic cow beef in the calendar year. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, for each calendar year after 1979, to estimate and publish the aggregate quantity of meat articles prescribed for such year as well as the quantity that would be entered into the United States but for the limitations. Directs the President to limit by proclamation the total quantity of meat articles entered into the United States, whenever such quantity equals or exceeds 110 percent of the Secretary's estimate but prohibits limitation below 1,200,000,000 pounds. Requires the termination of any limitation as of the first day of a calendar quarter, under most circumstances, if before such quarter the aggregate quantity is less than 110 percent of the Secretary's estimate. Permits the President to increase or decrease meat imports in certain circumstances. Allows the President to suspend any proclamation concerning meat import limitations if: (1) a period of national emergency is declared; or (2) supplies are inadequate because of a natural disaster to meet demand at reasonable prices. Prohibits such suspension or increase from extending beyond the termination of the national emergency. Requires the Secretary to allocate the entry quota of meat articles proclaimed by the President among supplying countries on the basis of their representative shares of the United States market for meat articles during the respective period, taking into account any special factors. Directs the Secretary to study the regional economic impact of imports of meat articles and report any recommendations to the appropriate committees of Congress by June 30, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to encourage the American people to turn off electric lights in their homes for a "Minute of Tribute" to Thomas A. Edison on October 21, 1979.
![Official portrait of Rep. Mathis, Dawson [D-GA-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000244_200.jpg)