United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1979
Marihuana Control Act of 1979 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish a civil fine of not more than $100 for anyone who: (1) possesses not more than one ounce of marihuana within a private dwelling for his or her own use, or for the use of others within such dwelling, if it is not possessed with the intent to distribute, transfer, or sell in violation of Federal law; (2) possesses in a public area not more than one ounce of marihuana incident to a private use, if it is not possessed with the intent to distribute, transfer, or sell for profit in violation of Federal law; or (3) distributes or transfers lawfully possessed marihuana in public or private to any person for a lawful private use, if such distribution or transfer is not made for profit.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1979
Amends the Commercial Fisheries Research and Development Act of 1964 to extend the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1983 to carry out the purposes of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1979
World Peace Tax Fund Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit conscientious objectors to designate their income, estate, or gift tax payments for nonmilitary purposes. Establishes within the Treasury of the United States a World Peace Tax Fund to receive such tax payments. Requires tax forms to contain a checkoff for taxpayers who wish to claim conscientious objector status and designate their tax payments for the World Peace Tax Fund. Specifies that an individual may claim conscientious objector status only if such individual has actually qualified as a conscientious objector for selective service or immigration purposes or declares that he or she is conscientiously opposed to participation in war, within the meaning of the Military Selective Service Act. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to require any individual who claims conscientious objector status to provide such additional information as is necessary to verify such status. Permits the setting aside of criminal or civil penalties imposed upon a taxpayer for nonpayment of tax prior to the enactment of this Act, if the taxpayer pays the tax (with interest) and satisfactorily establishes that nonpayment was due to his conscientious objection to war. Directs the Comptroller General to determine the percentage of actual appropriations made by the United States from the Federal budget during the preceding fiscal year for military purposes. Requires the publication of such information in the Congressional Record. Establishes a World Peace Tax Fund Board of Trustees. Sets forth the membership structure and duties of the Board.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1979
Competition Review Act - Establishes the Competition Review Commission as an independent instrumentality in the executive branch to study Federal laws and practices which have a significant impact on competition in specified industries including the antitrust laws, the patent laws, the internal revenue laws and regulations, the National Labor Relations Act, regulatory policies, and contracting and bidding practices. Establishes the membership of such Commission which includes representatives from the legislative and executive branches of the Federal Government and the private sector. Directs the Commission to appoint an Executive Director at Level V of the Executive Schedule. Empowers the Commission to subpoena witnesses and evidence and to have such process enforced in the United States district courts. Grants the Commission power to issue civil investigative demands and general or specific orders for information identical to the authority conferred upon the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General under the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Antitrust Civil Process Act. Requires all actions challenging this Act or the authority of the Commission to be filed in the United States District Court or the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Requires these Courts to give precedence to such actions over all other actions on their calendars. Directs the Commission to prepare an initial plan for its investigations, a comprehensive bibliography on antitrust policies and competition, a timetable and outline for its studies, any interim reports it deems advisable, and a final report on the state of competition in the American economy. Requires the Commission to submit such reports, at specified intervals, to the President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate culminating in the submission of its final report within five years of the enactment of this Act. Prohibits the disclosure of any information obtained by the Commission except to the Commission staff while engaged in the performance of its duties. Requires all such information to be held under seal by the Administrator of General Services for at least five years following the termination of the Commission. Terminates the Commission 90 days after the submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1979
Establishes in the House of Representatives a Select Committee on Energy which shall conduct a full and complete investigation and review of: (1) the development of sources of energy other than oil; (2) proposals for energy conservation; (3) the powers and duties of the proposed Energy Mobilization Board; (4) the powers and duties of the proposed Energy Security Corporation; (5) methods to provide for the energy needs of older Americans and low-income Americans at reasonable prices; (6) the impact of the President's proposals on energy on older and low-income Americans; and (7) any matters referred by the Speaker of the House for review and investigation. Requires the select committee to report to the House, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this resolution, the results of its investigation and review, including such recommendations as it deems advisable.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Omnibus Maritime Regulatory Reform, Revitalization, and Reorganization Act of 1979 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares that the purposes of this Act are to: (1) promote the foreign commerce of the United States; (2) develop and maintain an efficient and competitive ocean transportation system capable of carrying a fair share of America's imports and exports; (3) provide for the national security; and (4) ensure a unified and consistent national maritime policy. Title II: Regulation of International Ocean Shipping - Exempts from the antitrust laws certain loyalty contracts between ocean common carriers or conferences of carriers as well as specified agreements regarding rates, divisions of revenue, and the regulation of freight or passenger traffic to be carried. Exempts rate agreements made by such carriers and other common carriers from such laws. Sets forth requirements pertaining to loyalty contracts utilized by ocean carriers or conferences of carriers with shippers or consignees. Authorizes the Federal Maritime Commission to establish guidelines to determine whether the provisions of such a contract are in conformity with such requirements. Authorizes shippers' councils to negotiate with any ocean common carrier or conference regarding rates, practices, and terms and conditions of service and to exchange information with such carriers or conferences concerning traffic and transportation data. Requires that agreements and any amendments thereto made among ocean carriers or conferences or with shippers' councils be filed with the Commission. Requires such conferences or councils to file a code of conduct with the Commission to which its members must adhere as a condition for entering into any such agreement. Authorizes the Commission to dispense with such filing requirements where it determines that such an action is not required. Sets forth rules governing the activities of ocean carrier conferences, including: (1) reasonable notice to the appropriate shippers' council of any proposed rate changes; (2) a right of independent action by a conference serving different trades that would otherwise be naturally competitive or by carriers not subject to this title to establish their portion of rates or conditions of service performed exclusively by them under an intermodal agreement; (3) the establishment of an adequate self-policing machinery; (4) the establishment of a consultation process between shippers and conferences; (5) the power of the Commission to review the minutes of conference meetings, audit conference accounts, and have access to conference documents and officials; (6) the establishment of procedures for the commercial arbitration of disputes between conferences and shippers or shippers' councils involving rates or surcharges; (7) the provision of reasonable and equal terms regarding the admission to conference membership of any national shipping line serving the foreign commerce of its country; and (8) permission for any member to withdraw from conference membership upon reasonable notice without penalty. Requires shippers' councils to: (1) allow the Commission to review the minutes of all council meetings; (2) establish procedures for the commercial arbitration of disputes between conferences and councils regarding rates or surcharges; and (3) establish a consultation process between shippers and conferences. Stipulates that agreements between conferences and shippers' councils shall become effective within 30 days after filing with the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to suspend such effective date at its discretion for a period of up to 180 days. Sets forth the conditions under which the Commission may disapprove, cancel, or modify any such agreement. Sets forth requirements relating to the filing and public accessibility of ocean carrier and conference tariffs. Stipulates that no new rates or increases in existing rates may become effective earlier than 30 days after filing with the Commission unless the Commission allows otherwise. Stipulates that a rate change which decreases a shipper's existing rate may become effective upon such filing. Authorizes the Commission to permit an ocean carrier or conference to refund a portion of freight charges collected from a shipper to correct an error in the rate charged. Establishes procedures to be followed before such a refund may be made. Directs the Commission to prescribe a system of uniform commodity descriptions and classifications to be used when filing rates. Prohibits any ocean common carrier that is controlled by a government under whose registry such carrier operates from maintaining rates that are below a level which is just and reasonable. Places the burden of proving that such tariff is just and reasonable on the controlled carrier involved. Sets forth factors which the Commission is to consider in determining whether the rates of such a controlled carrier are just and reasonable, including whether: (1) the rates are below a level which is fully compensatory to the controlled carrier; (2) the rates are the same as or similar to those charged by other carriers in the same trade; (3) the rates are required to assure movement of a particular cargo in the trade; or (4) the rates are required to maintain acceptable service to or from affected ports. Requires a controlled carrier, upon the request of the Commission, to file a statement of justification of its existing rates or proposed rates. Authorizes the Commission to suspend a controlled carrier's rate pending a determination of its lawfulness. Requires the Commission to transmit to the President any order of suspension or final order of disapproval of a controlled carrier's rates. Grants the President the authority to require the Commission to stay such order for national defense or foreign policy reasons. Sets forth exemptions with respect to the controlled carrier regulations contained in this Act. Prohibits any individual from engaging in ocean freight forwarding unless the individual has furnished a bond approved by the Commission of no less than $50,000 or no greater than $100,000. Prohibits specified acts by ocean common carriers including rebates, rate discrimination, and retaliation against shippers. Sets forth the powers of the Commission and procedures to be followed with respect to adjudicatory proceedings under this title. Sets forth penalties for violations of this title. Authorizes the Commission to compromise or remit any such penalty. Repeals the provisions of the Shipping Act, 1916, which are in conflict with this title. Title III: Amendments to the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to declare that the policy of the United States shall be to have an efficient and competitive merchant marine capable of carrying its domestic commerce and a fair share of its foreign commerce and to have an efficient and competitive shipbuilding capacity that is sufficient to satisfy the needs of national security. Directs the Secretary of Commerce in order to achieve such purpose to negotiate commercial agreements with foreign nations to ensure that, within five years, United States flag vessels carry at least 40 percent of the foreign commerce of the United States. Directs the Secretary to reduce the operating differential subsidy payments as the carriage of foreign trade in United States-flag vessels is increased and to determine jointly with the Secretary of Defense the number and location of shipyards necessary for national security and to ensure that such shipyard capacity is maintained. Revises the construction-differential subsidy program under such Act to make vessels which are to be used in international trade (previously only foreign trade) eligible for such subsidies. Directs the Secretary in approving such a subsidy to give preference to vessels which meet specified efficiency standards. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to establish standards relating to the equipment and specifications for vessels so that they will be suitable for use by the United States for national defense or military purposes. Prohibits the granting of any construction-differential subsidy unless the vessel involved meets such standards and unless the vessel will be offered for enrollment in the Sealift Readiness Program. Prohibits the payment of such a subsidy to a shipyard unless the Secretary of Commerce certifies that the rules and practices of such shipyard do not inhibit the efficient utilization of its resources. Repeals the termination date for the construction- differential subsidy program. Reduces such subsidy unless the vessel involved is part of an existing or future vessel series and unless it meets the efficiency standards established by the Secretary pursuant to this Act. Removes the requirement that vessels receiving such a subsidy be documented under the laws of the United States. Removes the competitive bidding requirement for the construction of vessels receiving such a subsidy at United States' shipyards. Sets forth requirements as to which materials used in constructing subsidized vessels may be of foreign origin or must be of United States origin. Allows the Secretary to approve the sale of any subsidized vessel to an individual who will use the vessel in the domestic trade. Requires the new owner of such a vessel to repay annually part of the subsidy which the vessel received. Removes the prohibition which forbids buyers of Department of Commerce vessels to utilize such vessels in foreign trade in competition with other United States-flag vessels. Removes the ban on the commercial use of vessels obtained by the Secretary of Commerce which are 25 years or older. Directs the Secretary to establish efficiency standards in the construction of vessels in shipyards of the United States. Directs the Secretary to prescribe reasonable procedures whereby shipyards are encouraged to discover and notify the Secretary of possible wasteful or unnecessary practices and features required by the vessel plans and specifications that have been approved by the Secretary or by the efficiency standards promulgated under this Act. Entitles the shipyard and the carrier concerned which are allowed to eliminate such a wasteful practice to a portion of the cost savings realized by such elimination. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct payments to shipyards for the purpose of making capital improvements to promote series construction and to improve shipyard efficiency. Entitles vessels engaged in international trade (previously only foreign trade) to an operating-differential subsidy. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any such subsidy unless the foreign operation of the vessel is required to meet foreign-flag competition and unless the vessel is offered for enrollment in the Sealift Readiness Program. Removes the requirement that a vessel be performing essential service to receive such a subsidy. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a special subsidy if, after notice and hearing, it is determined that there is inadequate United States-flag vessel service on a particular route and that the United States foreign commerce or national security is prejudiced by such inadequate service. Stipulates that no operating-differential subsidy shall be paid for the operation of any vessel while it is exclusively engaged in the domestic trade. Entitles owners or lessees of vessels engaged in international trade (previously only foreign and domestic trade) to enter into an agreement with the Secretary to establish a capital construction fund and to use the proceeds from such fund to construct such vessels. Revises the conditions under which a vessel may be eligible for an operating-differential subsidy. Directs the Secretary to undertake a study to determine the costs and benefits of terminating or reducing the operating- differential subsidy program and to submit the results of such study to the President and the Congress within four years. Directs the Secretary to insure that any contractor receiving an operating-differential subsidy and who also owns foreign-flag vessels uses such funds only to support United States-flag vessels. Repeals the termination date for the provision of war-risk insurance by the Secretary to American vessels. Title IV: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the scope of the exclusion from gross income of nonresident aliens and foreign corporations for earnings derived from the operation of ships not under United States registry. Stipulates that, for the purposes of determining sources of income where the income is attributable to sources both within and outside the United States, one-half of the taxable income derived from United States shipping shall be treated as income attributable to sources within the United States. Defines "United States shipping" as: (1) the shipping of any cargo between the United States and the last foreign port at which such cargo is unloaded; and (2) the shipping of any cargo between the foreign port at which such cargo is first loaded for shipment and the United States. Establishes an alternative tax on the shipping income of a nonresident alien or foreign corporation which the individual or corporation may choose to elect. Stipulates that any nonresident alien individual or foreign corporation which ships cargo into or out of the United States shall collect any tax imposed on gross income derived from United States shipping of such cargo by any other nonresident alien or foreign corporation and shall pay such amount to the Secretary of the Treasury at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe. Authorizes the Secretary to require a nonresident alien or foreign corporation which has gross income derived from United States shipping to give a bond to insure the payment of any taxes with respect to such income. Repeals the exclusion from foreign based company income for income which is reinvested in shipping operations. Increases the investment tax credit for qualified withdrawals from capital construction funds established under the Merchant Marine Act, 1936. Allows a taxpayer to elect to treat qualified vessel and qualified shipyard expenditures which are paid or incurred during a taxable year as expenses which are not chargeable to capital account. Treats such expenditures as deductions. Title V: Reorganization of Maritime Policymaking Functions - Directs the President to submit a reorganization plan to Congress by March 31, 1980, which shall establish within the Office of the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations a Deputy Special Representative for Maritime Affairs who shall be delegated the President's authority to conduct international relations with respect to United States maritime affairs. Transfers to such Deputy Representative specified powers and functions of the Federal Maritime Commission and grants the Deputy Representative the power to review specified decisions of the Commission. Transfers to such Deputy Representative specified functions of the Maritime Administration of the Department of Commerce and such additional powers and duties as the President deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Elephant Protection Act of 1979 - Prohibits the importation into or exportation from the United States of African elephants or elephant products. Prohibits the acquisition, transportation, or sale in interstate commerce of such products imported in violation of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant permits for the importation or exportation of elephants and elephant products if: (1) the Secretary finds the wildlife management authorities of the nation in which such products originate are developing an elephant conservation program according to specified criteria; (2) the products can be traced as coming from a particular nation; or (3) such products are for zoological, educational, or scientific purposes or to enhance elephant propagation. Prescribes conditions for the granting of such permits. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress concerning the granting of such permits. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes the payment of rewards to persons furnishing information concerning violations of this Act. Grants specified search and seizure powers for enforcement furnishing information concerning violations of this Act. Grants specified search and seizure powers for enforcement of this Act by authorized persons. Provides for the forfeiture of elephants, elephant products, or vehicles aiding in the acquisition or transportation of such products contrary to the provisions of this Act. Supersedes the Endangered Species Act, the Tariff Act, and State laws regarding elephant and elephant products.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Amends the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to establish a ninth Regional Fishery Management Council, the California Pacific Council, which shall consist of the State of California and have authority over the fisheries in the Pacific Ocean seaward of such State.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Department of Energy take necessary steps to provide a set-aside of middle distillate fuels equal to eight percent to each of the States. Declares that the Department of Transportation should establish, on an emergency basis, a uniform national minimum truck weight standard of not less than 80,000 pounds, and a length standard of not less than 60 feet for single trailers and 65 feet for dual trailers. Declares that the Interstate Commerce Commission should further modify its diesel fuel recovery program to assure that pass-through provisions of the freight rate surcharge be passed to subhaulers. Declares that the Governors of the respective States and the President should delay unnecessary summer training programs by National Guard and United States Army and Marine Reserve units, or restrict their movements to the nearest appropriate training center, and to add the middle distillate fuels thereby saved to State set-aside programs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1979
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal of appropriate design to Bryan Lewis Allen, the first aviator to cross the English Channel in a self-powered plane. Authorizes appropriations of up to $15,000 to strike such medal. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze duplicates of such medal for sale to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Calls upon the President to urge: (1) the International Whaling Commission to adopt an indefinite moratorium on the commercial killing of whales; and (2) various countries to voluntarily comply with such moratorium.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1979
Omnibus Geothermal Energy Development Act of 1979 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to accelerate the development of geothermal energy in the United States. Title II: Amendments to the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 -Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to expand the acreage limitation on holders of geothermal leases to 51,200 acres, except as specified. Provides for an expedited bidding and leasing system for lands within any known geothermal resources area. Establishes the Interagency Geothermal Leasing Committee to review the activities of the several agencies and departments pursuant to this Act and to take such action as necessary to fully implement this Act. Directs such Committee to report to the Interagency Geothermal Coordinating Council in response to any requests for information or recommendations. Directs such Committee to commission a training and education program on geothermal leasing and operations for Federal surface management field managers in the appropriate departments and agencies. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe amendments to existing rules and regulations and to issue any necessary new rules and regulations to carry out this Act, and exempts such actions from being construed as a "major Federal action" for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to develop cooperative agreements with the Governor of each State in which are located lands subject to this Act for coordination of Federal, State, and local decisionmaking related to environmental analyses, permit approvals, and land use planning. Sets forth geothermal lease application and permits procedures. Directs the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior, to establish annual goals for the five future fiscal years for geothermal leasing. Requires the development of an expedited procedure for consideration and approval of permits for exploration and testing for geothermal resources. Stipulates that the establishment of such procedure shall be deemed to satisfy any requirements of NEPA applicable to any such exploration and testing activities. Permits any applicant for a geothermal lease to use a conditioned development lease with a phased environmental assessment and leasing procedure which shall limit the scope of consideration by the Secretary of the Interior as to compliance with the requirements of NEPA. Stipulates that any lessee seeks to conduct any operations of a developmental nature must prepare a detailed plan of development and utilization in accordance with requirements specified by the Secretary. Sets deadlines for review and final action on such plans. Permits exploration and testing activities on lands subject to this Act included in wilderness study areas pursuant to the Wilderness Act of 1974 and the Federal Land Management and Policy Act, so long as such activities are not conducted in a manner which would permanently impair wilderness values. Authorizes the Secretary to grant no-cost permits to specified surface owners or occupants of lands subject to this Act or to the Stock Raising Homestead Act for use of geothermal resources within such lands. Authorizes any Federal agency with an installation or facility located on or contiguous to lands subject to this Act to apply for a geothermal lease for use of geothermal resources by such installation or facility, provided that a determination has been made that such lease will not discourage or preclude commercial development of geothermal resources on such lands. Directs the Secretary to establish and implement orderly and expeditious procedures for the processing of all lease and permit applications pursuant to this Act. Title III: Amendments to the Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 - Geothermal Research, Development, and Demonstration Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 to establish the Interagency Geothermal Coordinating Council to be assisted by an Advisory Committee on Geothermal Energy. Extends the period of guaranties and interest assistance under the loan guaranty program of such Act to ten years beyond September 3, 1979. Authorizes guaranties of up to 90 percent of the aggregate cost of a geothermal resource project conducted by a publicly owned utility. Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, the Administrator of the Rural Electric Administration, the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, with the approval of the Secretary of Energy, to utilize funds in the Geothermal Resources Development Fund established by such Act for loan or loan guaranty assistance for geothermal energy development and directly related activity by means of loan and loan guarantee programs otherwise authorized by law in such agencies and departments. Limits the total amount of such fund available for such purposes to $50,000,000 per fiscal year. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to establish a loan program for the accelerated development of geothermal resources for non-electric applications by geothermal utility districts, geothermal industrial development districts, and projects, and other persons. States that such loans shall be funded by the Geothermal Resources Development Fund. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 to such Fund for fiscal year 1980. Directs the Secretary to establish and implement expeditious procedures for the processing of loan guarantee applications under such Act. Directs the Secretary to conduct a complete review of all considerations associated with the accelerated development of geopressured methane in the United States and on the Outer Continental Shelf, addressing legal, institutional, and regulatory barriers to such development and the current status of technology development to support such accelerated development. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a similar review of accelerated development of the energy potential of hot dry rock systems in the United States. Directs the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Interagency Geothermal Coordinating Committee and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to conduct a complete review of the need for environmental control technology, generic or specialized for a particular form of geothermal energy, to support the accelerated development of all forms of geothermal energy. Directs the Secretary to establish and implement a program in cooperation with the insurance and reinsurance industry to provide reservoir insurance to any qualified eligible applicant having a total direct investment of not less than $1,000,000 in the development and use of a geothermal resource associated with a reservoir. Authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds for the purposes of such program. Directs the Secretary to initiate a program for the utilization of geothermal energy in Federal buildings, facilities, and installations in the United States, to be developed in full coordination with existing programs for solar utilization and energy conservation. Title IV: Priority Geothermal Energy Project Act - Priority Geothermal Energy Project Act of 1979 - Declares that the purpose of this title is to provide for a coordinated, simplified, and expeditious process for Federal approval of geothermal energy facilities that are determined to be in the national interest. Directs the Secretary of Energy to designate priority geothermal energy projects based on specified criteria, and to publish a Project Decision Schedule containing deadlines for all Federal actions relating to such project. Directs the President to make any decisions or perform any actions in the event that an agency of department fails to meet its deadline. Limits environmental and judicial reviews to those of absolute necessity. Authorizes the Secretary to establish deadlines for Federal agency action which are shorter than the minimum period required under existing legislation in cases of exceptional national need. Provides for coordination of the actions of Federal, State, and local governments. Directs the Secretary to recommend to any State Governor and to the Congress actions to alleviate or prevent any delays in a priority energy project created or threatened by any State or local government. Sets time limits for filing claims arising out of actions pursuant to this title and bars any claims filed thereafter. Stipulates that such claims shall be brought in the United States court of appeals for the circuit where the project would be located, and grants exclusive original jurisdiction to such court in such matters. Directs such court to give precedence to such matters over all other matters on the court's docket to the greatest extent practicable. Authorizes the Supreme Court, exclusively, to review interlocutory judgments or orders of the court of appeals pursuant to this title, and directs the Supreme Court to give precedence to such matters to the greatest extent practicable. Prohibits the granting of injunctive relief against the issuance of any right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization pursuant to this title except in conjunction with a final judgment on a claim filed pursuant to this title. Establishes an Office for Priority Energy Projects within the Department of Energy to assist the Secretary with his duties under this title. Title V: Geothermal Amendments of 1979 to the National Energy Act of 1978 - Geothermal Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Energy Tax act of 1978 to: (1) qualify geothermal equipment for the investment tax credit; (2) provide that the time period during which geothermal equipment may qualify for such credit shall extend to December 31, 1989; (3) eliminate as an item of tax preference, for purposes of the minimum tax, the amount by which the intangible drilling costs incurred with respect to geothermal properties exceed the net income of the taxpayer from such properties for the taxable year; and (4) permit the deduction of intangible drilling and development costs related to geothermal reinjection wells in the taxable year in which such costs are incurred. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to include facilities which produce energy from geothermal resources within the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Finds it in the interest of the United States to encourage the development of a multiracial democracy in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. Directs the President to terminate sanctions against Zimbabwe-Rhodesia when the Government of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia demonstrates the exercise of genuine majority rule. Requires the President to report to Congress regarding a decision not to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe-Rhodesia by December 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude from its coverage any individual certified by a private nonprofit institution of higher education to be a full-time student at that institution and employed by that institution as a resident assistant or counselor living in a resident hall or dormitory of such an institution.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that no U.S company, doing business in South Africa, should: (1) engage in unfair employment practices; (2) deny its employees the right to choose a representative organization; (3) maintain segregated facilities; or (4) pay unequal compensation for equal work. Expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. companies, doing business in South Africa, should: (1) encourage collective bargaining; (2) train nonwhites for supervisory, administrative, and skilled jobs; and (3) try to improve housing, transportation, and health facilities for its nonwhite employees.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1979
Authorizes the immediate supervisor of any Federal employee who has applied for continuation pay during a period of disability caused by a work injury to require such employee to submit to an examination by a physician designated by the supervisor for the purposes of obtaining a second opinion concerning the employee's claim. Prohibits the payment of continuation pay for the first three days of disability unless the period of disability exceeds 14 days.
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
Replacement Motor Fuels Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to promote the development and use of replacement fuels in the United States to replace gasoline used as a motor fuel with replacement motor fuel containing the maximum percentage of alcohol, or other liquid produced from coal, oil, shale, or other substances as is economically and technically feasible. Directs the Secretary to determine with respect to replacement fuels: the most suitable raw materials for their production, the nature of the distribution systems and production processes of such fuels, the technical and economic feasibility of including liquids extracted from oil shale and coal in such program, and the technical and economic feasibility of reaching goal of replacing 20 percent of the gasoline used as a motor fuel with replacement fuels by the year 1992. Directs the Secretary to set production goals for replacement fuels for each of calendar years through 1981 through 1987. Sets forth the manner of determining the percentage of replacement fuel by volume to be contained in the total quantity of gasoline and replacement fuel sold annually in commerce in the United States in calendar years 1981 through 1990, and directs the Secretary to issue a rule setting the minimum percentage replacement fuel to be sold for year 1981 through 1986 by any refiner. by any refiner. Sets forth provisions for the enforcement of such requirements. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1979
Fair Employment Relations Resolution - Title I: Fair Employment Relations Board - Establishes as an office of the House of Representatives the House Fair Employment Relations Board to: (1) establish and publish policies and guidelines for the implementation and enforcement of clause 9 of rule XLIII and clause 6(a) (3) (A) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives; (2) supervise the actions of the Director and the operations of the House Fair Employment Relations Office; and (3) hear and determine complaints. Title II: House Fair Employment Relations Office - Establishes as an office of the House of Representatives the House Fair Employment Relations Office to develop procedures to implement the policies of the Board, gather information relating to House employment practices, and review procedures for the hearing and setting of complaints. Title III: Complaints of Violations of Equal Employment Opportunities - Provides for counseling and assistance through the Office to any individual who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in violation of rule XI or rule XLIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives. Sets forth the procedures for filing informal complaints based on employment discrimination, and for the informal settlement of such claims. Sets forth the procedure for filing formal complaints, and for conducting hearings on such claims. Provides for an appeal to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct from an adverse decision or order of the Board. Sets forth remedies available to individuals who have experienced discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Stanislaus River, California, as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1979
Suisun Marsh Preservation and Restoration Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, to enter into a cooperative agreement with California to mitigate the adverse effects of the Central Valley project on the fish and wildlife resources of the Suisun Marsh and for the preservation and restoration of such resources. Specifies the requirements of such agreement and stipulates that the Federal share of the costs of implementing such agreement shall be 50 percent. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for the Federal share of the construction and the initial operation and maintenance of facilities in the Marsh.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1979
Food Transportation Act of 1979 - Exempts from the regulation of the Interstate Commerce Commission the transportation of all food products for human consumption.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1979
Amends the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to extend the exclusive fishery management authority of the United States to highly migratory species of fish (currently excluded).
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 · 10 April 1979
Food Security Act of 1979 - Declares it to be the policy of the United States to develop a wheat reserve solely to provide for emergency food needs in developing countries. Directs the President to establish a reserve stock of wheat of up to 4,000,000 metric tons. Authorizes the President to release such stocks on a donation or concessional sale basis to provide emergency food assistance to developing countries at any time that the domestic supply of wheat in the United States is so limited that quantities cannot be made available except for urgent humanitarian purposes. Exempts such reserve stock from limitations which may be imposed pursuant to the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 and the Export Administration Act of 1969.
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
Food Security Act of 1979 - Declares it to be the policy of the United States to develop a wheat reserve solely to provide for emergency food needs in developing countries. Directs the President to establish a reserve stock of wheat of up to 4,000,000 metric tons. Authorizes the President to release such stocks on a donation or concessional sale basis to provide emergency food assistance to developing countries at any time that the domestic supply of wheat in the United States is so limited that quantities cannot be made available except for urgent humanitarian purposes. Exempts such reserve stock from limitations which may be imposed pursuant to the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 and the Export Administration Act of 1969.
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
Wind Energy Systems Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1979 - Declares it to be the policy of the United States and the purpose of this Act to establish a research, development, and demonstration program for converting wind energy into electricity. Sets as a goal of such program the attainment of a total megawatt capacity of at lease 500 megawatts from wind energy systems by fiscal year 1986 and the reduction of the average cost of electricity produced by such systems to a level competitive with conventional energy sources. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to enter into such contracts and make such grants as may be necessary or appropriate for the development of wind energy systems for commercial production and utilization. Directs the Secretary to enter into arrangements with appropriate Federal agencies to carry out projects and activities with respect to Federal facilities as may be appropriate for the demonstration of wind energy systems which are suitable and effective for use in such facilities. Sets forth criteria for selection of programs consistent with the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to monitor, collect and evaluate data and information, and conduct studies and investigations relating to wind energy systems and programs. Directs the Secretary to assure that information relating to programs, projects and other activities conducted under this Act are widely disseminated to Federal, State, and local authorities, relevant segments of the economy, the scientific community and the public, so as to promote the use of wind energy to the maximum extent feasible. Directs the Secretary to assure that small businesses will have adequate opportunities to participate in the programs conducted under this Act to the maximum extent practicable. Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
Solar Energy Employment and Training Act - Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 (CETA) to authorize the Secretary of Labor to provide financial assistance to certain CETA prime sponsors and other private nonprofit or public agencies, including community-based organizations, unions, and vocational education facilities, to provide employment and training programs in the fields of solar energy and energy conservation for persons who are: (1) unemployed or underemployed; or (2) in school and are ages 16 to 24, inclusive. Directs the Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to promulgate guidelines for such programs. Allows Governors or prime sponsors, in order to carry out such programs and after consultation with community-based organizations and nonprofit groups, to: (1) enter into contracts with project applicants or employers organized for profit (with limitations on payments to such employers); or (2) operate such programs directly. Requires the Secretary, in awarding financial assistance under the provisions of this Act, to assure that: (1) each geographical section of the country is awarded a project; (2) sufficient natural resources and technology are available to ensure a successful project; and (3) areas which are poor in conventional energy sources are awarded financial assistance. Directs the Secretary to use up to 20 percent of such funds to support certain apprenticeship projects, including those in the solar and energy conservation aspects of traditional building trades and new trades. Authorizes appropriations for such programs for fiscal years 1980 through 1984. Limits to 25 percent the amount of such funds which may be used for administrative and other allowable costs incurred by groups conducting such projects. Directs the Secretary to arrange for the implementation of solar energy and energy conservation education and training programs in suitable Job Corps centers.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1979
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to limit the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration with respect to designating positive control airspace and terminal control areas.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1979
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow certain aliens applying as immigrants to be given preference visas as children of United States citizens provided such an alien: (1) requests such treatment; (2) was born after 1950 in Korea, Vietnam, Laos, or Thailand; (3) was fathered by an American serviceman; and (4) provides a guarantee of financial support. Stipulates that such guarantee must: (1) be signed by a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident who is at least 21 years old; and (2) provide that such signing sponsor will provide necessary financial support for five years. Allows the Attorney General to enforce such guarantee against the sponsor in a civil suit unless such sponsor dies or is adjudicated bankrupt.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1979
Reclamation Lands Opportunity Act - Title I: Findings, Purposes, Definitions - States the purpose of this Act and defines terms used herein. Title II: Acreage Limitations and Equivalency - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, for purposes of administering the reclamation laws, to change the 160 acre limitation to 640 acres of class one land or its equivalent in lands of lesser productivity, provided that in no case such acreage exceeds 960. Title III: Excess Lands and Irrigation Rights - States that one year after the date of enactment of this Act water from any reclamation projects may only be delivered to project lands which comprise a family farm or which fall under specified categories, including former family farmers who lease project land through the lottery system. Provides for the disposition of excess reclamation project lands through a lottery system conducted by the Secretary of the Interior. Title IV: Repayment of Project Costs - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to stipulate in any water right contract that all rates and assessments to be paid by the contracting entity or individual landowners shall be renegotiated every five years. Title V: Leasing of Certain Lands - Authorizes the Secretary to purchase excess lands to be leased to those family farmers unable to purchase lands in reclamation projects and to lease agricultural excess land owned by the Navy at Lemoore Naval Air Station to family farmers. Prohibits foreign individuals or entities from holding any interest to any part of lands serviced by Federal water. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Adds miscellaneous provisions to this Act including a requirement that explanations of the programs of this Act be freely available to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1979
Urges (1) the International Whaling Commission to adopt a moratorium on the commercial killing of whales and (2) various countries to comply with such moratorium.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1979
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1979 - Establishes a program of financial and technical assistance to States for the development, revision, and implementation of fish an wildlife conservation plans and for implementation of nongame fish and wildlife conservation actions. Stipulates that the Secretary of the Interior may not disapprove any such plans or actions for specified reasons unless implementation would threaten the natural stability or continued viability of animals concerned. Makes States eligible for matching funds under the existing fish and wildlife restoration programs if their plans are approved by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to reimburse eligible States for costs incurred in connection with conservation plans and actions. States that nothing in this Act shall effect State regulation of fish and wildlife or the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to control predatory or wild animals. Prohibits the use of funds made available to States to acquire land except from willing sellers.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1979
Federal Protective Service Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to establish a permanent security force within the General Services Administration to be known as the Federal Protective Service (FPS). Prescribes the duties and authority of the officers of the FPS which primarily involve the protection of persons and property on real property under the control of the Administration. Includes such officers within provisions which: (1) concern the protection of officers of the United States; and (2) prohibit requiring certain policemen to use sick leave for an absence due to an injury sustained in the performance of duty. Requires the United States to make a lump sum payment of $50,000 to the survivors of a Federal law enforcement officer or fire fighter who dies as a result of such an injury.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1979
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add a new Rule XLIX to require that remarks made by Members on the floor must be related to governmental matters to be printed in the Congressional Record. Exempts remarks on the death of a present or former Federal official from such standard.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Repeals specified defense contract requirements regarding the purchase of aircraft or naval vessels including: (1) auditing requirements; (2) return of excess profits; and (3) subcontracting prohibitions. Repeals the requirement that at least ten percent of naval aircraft and aircraft engines be manufactured in plants owned and operated by the United States. Removes the President's power to manufacture naval aircraft or aircraft parts in United States owned plants.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Amends the Renegotiation Act of 1951 to stipulate that the provisions of such Act shall only be in effect when the President determines, during a period of national emergency, that having such Act in effect would be in the best interest of the United States and neither House of Congress passes a resolution disapproving such determination within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Limits the amount of outside earned income which may be received by any Member of Congress in any calendar year to 15 percent of his or her annual aggregate salary. Prohibits any Member of Congress from accepting any honorarium in excess of $1,000 in value for an appearance or speech made or article written by such Member while serving in Congress.
![Official portrait of Rep. McCloskey, Paul N., Jr. [R-CA-12]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000343_200.jpg)