United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Directs the Federal Communications Commission to examine the use of the AM radio broadcasting band and to assign such spectrum and distribute licenses so as to ensure that each community, regardless of size, is provided with the maximum local full-time radio broadcasting service.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1979
Regulatory Agency Abolition Act - Abolishes each Federal regulatory agency three years after enactment of this Act unless prior to such date the President and Congress study the effectiveness of such agencies and Congress thereafter adopts a resolution disapproving such abolition. Provides that each regulatory agency established after the date of enactment of this Act shall be abolished three years from the date on which it was first empowered unless the President and Congress take the steps outlined above. Directs the President to submit to Congress a plan for the orderly transfer of duties essential to the public health, safety, or welfare from an abolished agency to the President or to a successor agency. Provides that all orders, rules, certificates, judicial proceedings and licenses made effective by agencies abolished by this Act shall continue in effect until repealed or superceded by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1979
Requires that whoever uses or carriers a firearm during the commission of any felony which may be prosecuted in a United States court shall, in addition to the punishment provided for the commission of such offense, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of five years. Requires in the case of a second or subsequent conviction the imposition of a term of eight years imprisonment. Stipulates that the imposition of any term of imprisonment under this section: (1) may not be suspended; (2) may not run concurrently; and (3) may not include parole.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Voluntary Hospital Philanthropic Support Act - Declares it to be the policy of the United States that philanthropic support for health care be encouraged and expanded. States that in determining the reasonable costs of services furnished by nonprofit hospitals under titles V (Maternal and Child Health), XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, gifts, grants and endowments shall not be deducted from any operating costs in determining such reasonable costs. Prohibits any State from establishing a law or regulation respecting the limitations upon the revenue of hospitals which treats as such revenues any income attributable to grants, gifts or endowments. Prohibits any Federal law which provides for the control of hospital costs to treat as revenues any amounts which a State may not treat as revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to condition certain assistance to States, local governments, and agencies on the adoption of a law enforcement officers' bill of rights which includes as a minimum the following: (1) allowing off-duty officers' to engage in political activities; (2) granting officers specified procedural rights in connection with investigations of their conduct on duty which may lead to a personnel action; (3) requiring officer representation on any police complaint review board established in the jurisdiction; and (4) prohibiting mandatory disclosure of officers' finances.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Social Security Refinancing Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to finance the payment of hospital insurance benefits through general tax revenues, rather than through employment and self-employment tax revenues. Establishes new employment and self-employment tax rates for the purpose of financing the old age, survivors and disability insurance program (title II of the Social Security Act).
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, from prescribing any rule, regulation, or order affecting the use of navigable airspace by civil aircraft or requiring the installation of navigational aids aboard civil aircraft as a condition for the use of navigable airspace without first explaining its purpose in an appearance before the appropriate committees of Congress in open public hearings and providing a 120-day period for public comments.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, from prescribing any rule, regulation, or order affecting the use of navigable airspace by civil aircraft or requiring the installation of navigational aids aboard civil aircraft as a condition for the use of navigable airspace without first explaining its purpose in an appearance before the appropriate committees of Congress in open public hearings and providing a 120-day period for public comments.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should express disapproval to the Soviet Union concerning the nondelivery of mail to persons in the Soviet Union; and (2) U.S. Postal Service representatives should bring such violations to the attention of the Congress of the Universal Postal Union.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1979
Bretton Woods Agreements Review Act of 1978 - Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to make any authorizations granted pursuant to such Act effective only through September 30, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1979
Tuition Tax Credit Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a refundable income tax credit for 50 percent of the tuition paid to vocational, or higher educational institutions for the education of such individuals, their spouses, or dependents. Limits the amount of such credit to $500 per individual for the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1979
Amends the Clean Air Act to postpone for one year the application of certain restrictions to areas which have failed to attain national ambient air quality standards and to delay for one year the date required for adoption and submission of State implementation plans applicable to these areas.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Requires that veterans receiving hospital, nursing home, or outpatient medical care from the Veterans Administration (VA) for non-service-connected disabilities be charged for such care to the extent that they have health insurance or similar contracts or rights with respect to such care, or have entitlement to private medical care under workers' compensation or automobile accident reparation statutes of any State. Provides that where such non-VA coverage is less than the total charge for such medical care provided to an eligible veteran, the veteran shall not be responsible for the difference.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
International Sugar Stabilization Act of 1979 - Title I: International Sugar Agreement, 1977 - Authorizes the President to implement the International Sugar Agreement by (1) regulating the entry of sugar from any country not a member of the International Sugar Organization and (2) requiring records and reports concerning the entry of sugar. Establishes criminal penalties for violating such regulations. Requires the President to submit to Congress an annual report on the Agreement. Title II: Import Restrictions on Sugar - Establishes 15.25 cents per pound, raw value, as the price objective for domestic sugar during the 1978 sugar supply year. Sets forth the formula for determining the price objective for succeeding years. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to monitor the average daily price of sugar imports. Directs the Secretary to pay up to one-half cent per pound, raw value, to domestic producers and processors of sugar beets and sugarcane to assure a return of 15.75 cents per pound, raw value, during the 1978 sugar supply year (to be readjusted in succeeding years as the price objective is readjusted). Imposes a special import duty in the amount by which the average daily price for sugar imports is less than the price objective. Provides for the readjustment of such duties. Authorizes the President, on the recommendation of the Secretary, to: (1) impose special import duties on sugar-containing products; and (2) make any necessary adjustments in any special import duties. Requires the President to request an investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission to determine whether the entry of sugar-containing products is adversely affecting the achievement of the price objective before imposing any special import duty on such products unless it is an emergency. Requires the Secretary to impose quotas on sugar imports whenever the Secretary determines that the price objective will not be achieved by the special import duties alone. Directs the Secretary to periodically review and readjust such quotas. Prohibits the importation of more than 100 pounds of sugar annually into the Virgin Islands. Prohibits the exportation of certain sugar. Establishes penalties for violations of such regulations. Exempts certain sugar or sugar-containing products from this title. Specifies that certain sugar entered for subsequent export shall not be charged against any proclaimed quota. Authorizes the President to suspend the operation of this title in a national emergency. Provides penalties for violations of this section. Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to permit the President to proclaim special import duties and quotas on sugars, syrups, and molasses in order to carry out this Act. Terminates the authority under this title at the end of the 1982 sugar supply year. Title III: Farm Labor Provisions - Requires every producer of sugar beets and sugarcane to pay each employee a specified minimum wage. Requires producers to pay such wages for employees who cannot be located to the Secretary to be held for three years. Authorizes actions against producers failing to pay the specified wages in any Federal or State court. Authorizes the Secretary to supervise the payment of unpaid wages owing to any employees. Requires actions to be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued. Prohibits any producer from discriminating against any employee who has participated in an investigation or proceeding under this title. Prohibits any producer from charging more than the reasonable costs of furnishing customary goods or services to employees. Requires producers to furnish workmen's compensation insurance to employees. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Vests jurisdiction for enforcing this Act in U.S. district courts. Requires all persons engaged in the manufacturing, marketing, transporting, or industrial use of sugar and other sweeteners to furnish the Secretary with necessary information. Prohibits officials engaged in the administration of this Act from investing or speculating in sugar. Establishes penalties for violating these regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct surveys and investigations to carry out this Act. Requires the Secretary to conduct studies on the cost of producing sugar beets, sugarcane, sugar, and other sweeteners. Authorizes the Secretary to waive part of the interest and/or principal to encourage repayment of Commodity Credit Corporation loans with respect to the 1977 and 1978 crops of sugar beets and sugarcane.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total expenditures in any fiscal year shall not exceed the net amount of revenue received by the Government in that year. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war declared by Congress or by a concurrent resolution passed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress. Stipulates that any unanticipated deficit in any fiscal year shall be considered an expenditure for the succeeding fiscal year. Directs the Congress to provide an appropriate increase in the level of total receipts if the amount of such deficit exceeds two percent of the total expenditures for the succeeding fiscal year. Authorizes the Congress to apportion any deficit over the four following fiscal years or, by a two-thirds vote of both Houses, to include such deficit in the debts of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1979
Authorizes appropriations for the use by the Phelps-Stokes Fund for the acquisition of a monument to Doctor Ralph J. Bunche and its erection in United Nations Plaza Park in New York City.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1979
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives by adding Rule XLIX: Limitations on the Use of Official Congressional Stationary. Prohibits any Member of the House of Representatives from using or authorizing any person to use any official congressional stationary to raise funds if such funds are to be used to influence governmental policy or affect governmental elections. Defines "official congressional stationary" to include any stationary, whether prepared with Federal funds or not, which contains any reference to the Congress or the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Biennial Budgeting Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish a two-year cycle for the congressional budget process. Requires each standing committee of Congress to review the laws and programs under its jurisdiction every other year and to consider the desirability of new legislation in such areas. Requires separate consideration for authorizing legislation, budget resolutions, and appropriation bills.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to abolish the Professional Standards Review Organizations which were established to review services covered under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Grain Products Utilization Act - Title I: Department of Agriculture-Research and Studies on the Economic and Agricultural Effects of Using Agricultural Products in the Development and Use of Fuels - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct research and studies concerning the economic and agricultural effects of using agricultural products in the development of fuels. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress regarding such research and studies. Title II: Department of Energy-Research and Studies on the Use of Agricultural Products in the Development and Use of Fuel - Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct research and studies concerning the use of agricultural products in the development of fuels. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress regarding such research and studies. Title III: Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide a deduction with respect to the amortization of any qualified ethanol-producing facility. Defines qualified ethanol-producing facility for purposes of such deduction. Provides an annual tax credit of one penny for each gallon of qualified gasoline sold by an eligible taxpayer during the taxable year. Defines taxpayer and qualified gasoline for purposes of such tax credit. Title IV: Guaranteed Loans for Ethanol-Producing Facilities - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program of federally guaranteed loans for the construction of ethanol-producing facilities. Directs that farmers and farm groups be given priority for such guaranteed loans. Prohibits the Secretary from guarantying more than 75 percent of any such loan. Limits the amount of indebtedness guaranteed under any such loan to not more than $5,000,000. Limits the amount of indebtedness guaranteed under this section to not more than $750,000,000 at any one time.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 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 and spent nuclear fuel assemblies; (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 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, storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel assemblies. 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 or spent nuclear fuel assemblies 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 the Secretary to establish and pay a fee for acquiring title to and custody of spent nuclear fuel assemblies. 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 and spent nuclear fuel assemblies. 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 spent nuclear fuels assemblies and 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 · 5 February 1979
Directs the Federal Communications Commission to examine the use of the AM radio broadcasting band and to assign such spectrum and distribute licenses so as to ensure that each community, regardless of size, is provided with the maximum local full-time radio broadcasting service.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Administrative Rulemaking Reform Act - Requires a Federal agency preparing to hold a rulemaking session to make a reasonable effort to inform those likely to be affected by the proposed rulemaking. Requires that if the affected group is large, representatives of such group must be notified. Requires, in addition to present requirements, that the notice of rulemaking include the projected effective date of the rules, the purpose of the rulemaking, the text of the proposed rules, and the technical or other studies on which the agency intends to rely in the rulemaking proceedings. Applies the requirements of this Act to all rulemaking sessions except: (1) those specifically authorized to be kept secret in the interest of national security, and (2) those relating to agency management. Requires public notice and public opportunity for comment on all rulemaking proceedings under this Act unless the agency finds that the rules to be proposed are emergency rules or are of routine or insignificant impact in which case the rule must be published with reasons for its adoption. Requires Federal agencies to give interested persons at least 45 days to participate in the rulemaking. Requires the agency to maintain a file of each proceeding to be made available to the courts, Congress, and to the public in connection with review of the rule. Limits the period for public comment to a maximum of 90 days. Requires a copy of all proposed rules to be sent to Congress. States that such rule, other than an emergency rule, shall not become effective if it is disapproved within 90 days by both Houses of Congress, or it is disapproved within 60 days by one House and no action is taken on the disapproval resolution by the other House. Provides that either House of Congress may, by resolution, require any agency to reconsider and resubmit any rule to which this Act applies. Requires that such proposed rule be repromulgated anew in accordance with all the provisions of this Act unless it is reconsidered and resubmitted to Congress within 180 days after the adoption of the resolution requiring such reconsideration. Requires the Administrative Conference of the United States to study Congressional review of agency rulemaking under this Act and report the effect of such review on such rulemaking before July 1, 1984. Authorizes to be appropriated $200,000 to finance such study. Makes this Act effective 90 days after enactment. Terminates the Congressional review required by this Act at the adjournment of the Ninety-eight Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Small Business Regulatory Relief Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct each Federal department, agency, and instrumentality engaged in rulemaking to prepare a written analysis of whether it is legal, feasible, and desirable to exempt small businesses (or classes thereof) from a rule or whether the agency should promulgate a rule with lesser compliance standards for small businesses. Sets forth information which must be present in such analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Product Liability Tax Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for amounts contributed to a product liability trust, up to the fair market value of product liability insurance for the taxpayer. Sets forth the requirements such a product liability trust must meet to be tax-exempt. Includes distributions from such a trust other than for payment of product liability claims in the recipient's gross income. Imposes excise taxes on such trusts for self-dealing, unqualified expenditures, and contributions in excess of the fair market value of product liability insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and for physical examinations, and for related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends rule XXXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to allow admission to the House floor to clerks of committees when business from their committees is under consideration, and to not more than one person from a Member's staff when that Member has a bill or an amendment under consideration.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend to permanently and totally disabled individuals the one time $100,000 exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Small Business Tax Relief Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit recognition on the gain from the sale or exchange of an unincorporated trade or business prior to the time that the taxpayer attains age 55 by providing that such gain shall be recognized only to the extent that it exceeds the cost of reinvesting in replacement property for another small business venture. Provides for the taxation of such gain, after age 55, as ordinary income according to the ten year averaging rules applicable to lump sum distributions from employee benefit plans. Increases the additional first year depreciation allowance for small businesses. Permits a taxpayer election to amortize over a 36 month period expenses for depreciable property which is acquired to put a small business in compliance with Federal regulations and which does not have any economic usefulness for the business. Exempts domestic international sales corporations (DISC) which have adjusted taxable income of $1,000,000 or less from the limitations on deferral of base period export gross receipts which are applicable to larger corporations. Permits businesses with gross receipts of less than $1,000,000 to elect the cash method of accounting in reporting income. Allows a refund to employers of their proportionate share of excess social security payments made on behalf of employees who were employed by two or more employers during the taxable year. Permits an income tax credit of $5 for each form or document which a small business is required to file pursuant to Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977 to provide that provisions of such Act shall not apply to stone mining or sand and gravel mining operations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Amends the Saccharin Study and Labeling Act to extend to January 3, 1981 (or to the enactment, if earlier, of any law changing the conditions under which a food additive shall not be deemed safe) of the period during which the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare is prohibited from taking specified actions restricting the continued use of saccharin as a food, drug, or cosmetic. Declares void of all legal force or effect any such prohibited action which the Secretary may have taken after the expiration of the initial 18-month prohibition period.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Parental Kidnapping Act of 1979 - Requires appropriate State authorities to give full faith and credit to a child custody determination by a court of another State which has jurisdiction and meets specified conditions. Authorizes a State court with jurisdiction to modify a custody determination of another State court which no longer has or has declined to exercise jurisdiction. Amends title IV (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of the Social Security Act to include as a function of the Parent Locator Service the provision of information to authorized persons about any absent parent or child for the enforcement of a child custody determination or with regard to parental kidnapping. Prohibits the intentional restraint of a child in violation of any other persons' right of custody or visitation arising from: (1) a State custody determination; (2) a valid written agreement between the child's parents, foster parents, or guardians; or (3) a parental or guardian relationship. Specifies (1) the jurisdictional basis for such offense, including the willful transportation of a child in interstate commerce, and (2) Federal investigation procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates on specified dates budget authority for all Government programs except health care services, general retirement, and disability insurance, and Federal employee retirement and disability programs which are funded by trust funds. Declares out of order in either the Senate or the House of Representatives any legislation which authorizes new budget authority not in compliance with this Act. Requires the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on the Budget of both Houses of Congress to identify each program's functional and subfunctional category, the committees having legislative jurisdiction over such program, and whether such program operates under permanent authorizations and budget authority. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress by April 1, 1979, on specified programs with respect to the laws under which such program is carried on, and the amount of new budget authority received by such program during the four fiscal years ending before April 1, 1979. Makes the budget termination provisions of this Act effective on the first day of the Ninety-sixth Congress. Title II: Early Elimination of Inactive and Duplicate Programs - Requires the Comptroller General to study all Government programs and report to Congress any programs which have duplicate objectives or for which no outlays have been made for the last two fiscal years. Directs the standing Committees of both Houses to consider such reports and act to eliminate inactive or duplicative programs by March 15, 1980. Title III: Quadrennial Program Review and Evaluation - Sets forth a timetable for Congressional zero-based review of new budget authority. Requires review by standing committees of the Congress every four years of each program's cost, effectiveness, and the extent to which such program duplicates or is similar to any other program. States that such review shall include a comprehensive evaluation of the merits of such program to determine if it warrants continuation. Requires justification of any recommendation to fund any program which has objectives similar to or the same as another program's objectives. Directs the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office to provide Congress with information and analysis of programs being reviewed under this Act. Requires the President to similarly review the merits of continuing programs contained in the annual Budget and to include a report on such review with the Budget transmitted to Congress. Title IV: Continuing Review and Evaluation - Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress the result of any audit which shows a substantial deficiency in achievement of the objectives of any Government program. Requires subsequent audits, a report of which must be submitted to Congress, until such deficiency has been eliminated. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, to require the inclusion in the Budget of a statement of the specific objectives of each Government program, and a comparison, in each subsequent Budget, of the achievement of such objectives for the last completed fiscal year with the planned objectives of such year. Title V: Miscellaneous - States that those provisions of this Act which direct the operation of either House are enacted as an exercise of the rulemaking power of such House and recognizes the right of either House to change such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to disregard renewal commissions received by an insurance salesman from life insurance policies which such salesman sold before reaching age 65, for purposes of computing OASDI benefits based on income.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Requires that whoever uses or carries a firearm during the commission of a felony over which a Federal court has original and exclusive jurisdiction, or whoever uses or carries a firearm transported in, or affecting, interstate or foreign commerce during the commission of any crime punishable by imprisonment for a term over one year and is convicted of such crime in a State court, shall in addition to the punishment provided for the commission of such crime, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than five nor more than ten years. Requires in the case of a second or subsequent conviction the imposition of a term of imprisonment of not less than ten years, or to life imprisonment. Stipulates that the execution or imposition of any term of imprisonment under this Act: (1) may not be suspended; (2) may not run concurrently; and (3) may not include probation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Directs the Comptroller General, through the General Accounting Office, to audit the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Advisory Council, the Federal Open Market Committee, and all Federal Reserve banks and their branches, including transactions of the System Open Market Account. Requires the Comptroller General to file a report with Congress on the results of such audit. Directs the Comptroller General to include recommendations for attaining a more economical and efficient administration of the entities audited.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that the cost of drugs and biologicals need not be included in a bill of a physician or hospital or represent an expense to the physician or hospital in the determination of medical and other health services presently being provided under Medicare for such drugs and biologicals.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from taking any action under the Wholesome Meat Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or any other law to prohibit the sale, distribution, or use of nitrites as a food preservative solely on the basis of any carcinogenic effect in humans that nitrites may be represented to have, unless validated evidence is made available to the Secretaries which proves beyond a reasonable doubt that nitrites as a food preservative have a significant carcinogenic effect on humans. States that such prohibition shall not apply if the Secretaries determine, and publish in the Federal Register, that a food preservative is commercially available: (1) which may be used in the place of nitrites; (2) which is effective in the protection of public health from botulism and other forms of food poisoning; and (3) the use of which is economically feasible for meat processors and the consumer. Requires the Secretaries to conduct or support, by grant or contract, research and development activities for a food preservative alternative to nitrites.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act by removing the limitation upon the amount of outside income which an individual may earn while receiving benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to condition certain assistance to States, local governments, and agencies on the adoption of a law enforcement officers' bill of rights which includes, as a minimum the following: (1) allowing off-duty officers' to engage in political activities; (2) granting officers specified procedural rights in connection with investigations of their conduct on duty which may lead to a personnel action; (3) requiring officer representation on any police complaint review board established in the jurisdiction; (4) prohibiting mandatory disclosure of officers' finances; and (5) establishing a law enforcement officers' grievance commission in the jurisdiction to determine officer grievances.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to permit, under specified circumstances, exclusive territorial arrangements made as part of a licensing agreement for the manufacture, distribution or sale of a trademarked soft drink product.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any amount by any Federal entity unless such amount has been specifically appropriated. Requires annual appropriations for all obligations and expenditures of the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Stipulates that regular military compensation for personnel stationed overseas shall be periodically adjusted upward to reflect any changes since January 1, 1977, in the rate of exchange between the dollar and the official currency of the country in which such personnel are stationed.
![Official portrait of Rep. Mathis, Dawson [D-GA-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000244_200.jpg)