United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
National Agricultural Bargaining Act - Repeals the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967 and establishes an agricultural bargaining policy substantially identical but expanded. Enumerates the unfair practices a handler of agricultural products is forbidden to commit under existing law, and adds a list of unfair practices an association of producers may not commit, including: (1) refusal to bargain in good faith with a handler over prices, terms of sale, and compensation for products produced under contract; (2) coercing or intimidating a handler to breach or terminate marketing contracts and association membership agreements; (3) circulating false reports about an association's or handler's finances, management, or activities; and (4) conspiracy to commit an unfair practice. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to accredit an association for bargaining if it meets specified requirements. Defines good faith bargaining for the purposes of this Act and specifies the conditions and procedure for the accreditation of producer associations. Requires each accredited association to submit an annual report to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to notify any association of the ways in which he believes it has ceased to maintain accreditation standards, and to allow it a reasonable time to answer or correct the deficiencies noted. Provides a procedure for revocation of accreditation. Provides for the assignment of association dues and fees. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide mediation services when bargaining between a handler and an association reaches an impasse; and (2) establish a procedure for compulsory and binding arbitration whenever such an impasse will result in a serious interruption in the flow of products to consumers, or will cause substantial economic hardship to the producers or handlers involved in the bargaining. Provides an administrative procedure for processing charges of unfair practices, but authorizes the Secretary to institute inquiries on his own motion, and to commence a civil action for injunctive and other relief. Specifies the Secretary's investigative powers. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for the violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
Flood Control Procedure Reform Act of 1979 - Establishes a flood control survey and engineering fund in the U.S. Treasury. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to use such fund for surveys or other planning of authorized flood control projects. Authorizes appropriations as necessary for such fund. Provides for the authorization of flood control projects by resolution of the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Amends the Flood Control Act of 1970 to permit the Secretary to enter into agreements with States for water resources projects even if such agreements are contingent upon the State legislative appropriation process.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should approve supplemental appropriations in specified amounts to provide sufficient funds for programs under the Older Americans Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1979
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct, operate, and maintain an enlarged Bumping Lake as part of the Yakima project, Washington, for fish protective facilities, water storage, and recreation purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to prepare a detailed fish and wildlife compensation plan. Stipulates that irrigation repayment contracts shall provide for repayment within 50 years. Sets forth the formula to be used in determining the interest to be paid by non-Federal entities.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1979
Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act - Directs the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration to develop and maintain comprehensive programs to insure widespread public involvement in formulating regional electric power programs and policies. Establishes a Bonneville Consumers' Council and a Bonneville Utilities Council with whom the Administrator is directed to consult, together with the Governors of the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, and the general public in preparing a regional power planning and conservation program. Exempts such councils from the purview of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and exempts their members' actions from constituting potential violations of Federal or State antitrust laws. Directs the Administrator to offer to sell electric power to specified customers at rates to be established and periodically modified, in accordance with specified criteria, and establishes amounts of power such customers are to receive. Directs the Administrator to implement feasible and cost-effective measures to conserve electric power, and to assist governmental authorities in promoting conservation of electric power. Authorizes the Administrator to acquire additional electric power resources where regional electric power obligations cannot be met by employing conservation measures, but specifically directs the Administrator to give priority to developing renewable energy resources where additional resources are needed. Authorizes acquisition or the construction and operation of other types of electric power resources where needed to assure transmission system reliability. Sets forth procedural instructions for such acquisitions. Amends the Federal Columbia River Transmission System Act to authorize such expenditures as are necessary to implement this Act. Amends such Act further to authorize the issuance of bonds and other debt obligations for the purpose of financing activities arising from the implementation of this Act. Stipulates that such obligations bear interest at a rate not to exceed the rate applicable to such obligations if purchased by the Federal Financing Bank. Increases the aggregate principal amount of obligations incurred under such Act which are outstanding at any one time to include the principal amount of obligations incurred and outstanding which were issued to assist in financing the activities of this Act. Extends the definition of "Pacific Northwest" to include the entire State of Idaho. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into such agreements and contracts as are deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Exempts from the provisions of the Public Utility Holding Company Act any "person" or "company," as therein defined, connected with electric generating facilities, which sells 75 percent or more of their power to the Administrator.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an additional $1,000 personal tax exemption for a taxpayer, his spouse, or a dependent who is disabled. Defines "disability" as an inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a physical or mental impairment which has lasted or will last continuously for at least 12 months. Disallows the additional exemption if the taxpayer or his spouse already receives an extra exemption due to blindness.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1979
Authorizes rural hospitals of less than 50 beds which have been granted a certificate of need for the provision of long-term care services to enter into agreements with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under the Medicare (title XVIII) and Medicaid (title XIX) programs of the Social Security Act providing that their inpatient hospital facilities may be used to furnish services which if furnished by a skilled nursing facility would constitute post hospital extended care services. Authorizes, pursuant to such agreements, payments to be made for skilled nursing services and intermediate care services furnished by a hospital.
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 · 4 April 1979
Entitles nonprofit service clubs to the reduced postage rates for third-class mail currently in effect for the mail matter of qualified nonprofit organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1979
Fair Trade Enforcement Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to Antidumping Act, 1921 - Amends the Antidumping Act of 1921 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a formal investigation within 30 days of receiving information that foreign goods are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value. Directs the Secretary to make public any determination and advise the International Trade Commission of any affirmative determination. Requires the Commission to determine whether U.S. industry is being, or is likely to be, injured due to imports at less than fair value. Directs the Secretary to: (1) publish the Finding of the affirmative determinations of both the Secretary and the Commission; and (2) assess a special dumping duty. Sets forth the procedure by which a foreign exporter or a domestic importer may petition: (1) the Secretary to terminate a final determination of sales at less than full value; and (2) the Commission to terminate its determination that U.S. industry is likely to be harmed by such sales. Requires the Secretary or the Commission to conduct a hearing at the request of interested parties. Exempts such hearings from specified administrative procedure requirements. Requires the Secretary to impose provisional dumping duties when making a tentative determination that imports are being sold at less than fair value. Stipulates that duties shall either be refunded or adjusted based on the difference between the purchase price and the fair market value (the margin of dumping), depending on the Secretary's final determination. Imposes a special dumping duty on imported goods after a finding has been made. Requires the Secretary to periodically revise the applicable margin of dumping and apply it retroactively to the imported goods. Sets forth methods for determining the special dumping duty, the foreign market value, and the constructed value of merchandise (when home market sales are made at less than the costs of production). Requires the Secretary to make annual reports to Congress concerning findings, duties collected, and negative determinations. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to direct the Secretary to require a certified invoice with imported goods which includes a statement of the prices at which such goods are sold in the exporting country (home consumption prices). Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and Commerce and the Commission Chairman to publish quarterly a statistical enumeration of the purchase prices and home consumption prices. Requires a verified statement from foreign manufacturers whose goods supply ten percent or more of the U.S. market showing the home market value and the purchase price. Title II: Countervailing Duty Law Amendments - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit offsetting the net amount of any bounty or grant for any fiscal charge or indirect tax related to the export of the article that is subject to the bounty or grant. Requires the Secretary to investigate whether any bounty or grant is being paid or bestowed on exports into the United States within 30 days after a petition is filed or information is received concerning such bounty or grant, and to forward an affirmative determination to the Commission. Directs the Commission to investigate whether the likelihood of any U.S. industry being injured due to such export bounty or grant. Directs the Secretary to publish a Countervailing Duty Order following final determinations by the Secretary and the Commission. Sets forth the procedure by which a foreign exporter or domestic importer may petition the Secretary and the Commission to terminate the final determinations of export bounties or grants. Provides for a public hearing before any determination is made at the request of an interested party. Specifies the formula for establishing and revising countervailing duties. Title III: Amendments to Other Provisions of Law - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to stipulate that all imported merchandise shall be assessed duties, countervailing duties, or antidumping duties in accordance with the Secretary's determination 30 days after notice of such duty is published. Permits domestic manufacturers, producers, or wholesalers to contest in the U.S. Customs Court any determination that goods are not being sold at less than fair value, that bounties or grants are not being paid, or that U.S. industry is not being injured by such activities. Amends the provisions setting forth Customs Court procedure to permit actions contesting: (1) the termination of findings that imported goods are being sold at less than fair value; (2) the termination of Countervailing Duty Orders; (3) determinations that U.S. industry is not being harmed by sales of imported goods at less than fair value or export bounties or grants; or (4) determinations that there is no information that goods are being sold at less than fair value or bounties or grants are being paid or bestowed. Imposes civil penalties on persons who violate Commission findings and orders concerning unfair trade practices. Permits the President to disapprove the Commission's determination concerning unfair trade practices for 90 days after notifying Congress and the Commission. Requires congressional approval of the President's actions within the 90 day period if such suspension is to be indefinite. Gives domestic manufacturers a remedy for damages suffered as a result of unfair trade practices. Amends a provision of Federal law which makes it unlawful to import or sell articles in the United States at less than market value to give the burden of rebutting the prima facie case, by showing justification, to the person charged with the violation. Permits any person injured by a violation to sue for treble damages. Requires such suit to be commenced within four years after the cause of action accrued. Stipulates that the Commissioner of Customs shall be the agent upon whom all lawful process may be served in any action or proceeding against foreign manufacturers or exporters. Title IV: Transfer of Certain Functions under the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Laws from the Secretary of the Treasury to the International Trade Commission - Amends the Antidumping Act of 1921 and the Tariff Act of 1930 to transfer from the Secretary to the Commission the responsibilities for investigating and making determinations about (1) imported goods being sold at less than fair value or (2) bounties or grants being paid or bestowed on imported goods, effective January 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1979
Disability Tax Surcharge and Rollback Act of 1979 - Title I: Increase in Excise Taxes on Cigarettes and Alcoholic Beverages - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose upon producers of alcoholic beverages a surtax of nine percent of the amount of alcohol tax presently imposed on alcoholic beverages. Increases the excise tax on small and large cigarettes. Title II: Use of New Excise Tax Revenues in Financing of Disability Insurance Program - Allocates revenue from the taxes imposed upon alcoholic beverages by this Act and revenues from 20 percent of the taxes imposed upon the sale of cigarettes to the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. Makes reductions in employment taxes after 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1979
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the transfer of the Forest Service and the Farmers Home Administration business and industry programs from the Department of Agriculture is unacceptable, and that any reorganization proposal which would diminish the Department's resources is unacceptable.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Homeownership Opportunity Act of 1979 - Amends the National Housing Act to permit the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure a graduated payment mortgage with a principal amount of up to 100 percent of the appraised value of the property involved.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1979
Amends the Second Liberty Bond Act and the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the concurrent resolution on the budget to establish the public debt ceiling. Repeals the temporary increase of $398,000,000,000 in the public debt limit effective until March 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1979
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to request the National Academy of Science to conduct a study regarding the desirability of developing a Federal policy for the determination of the potential carcinogenicity in man of chemicals tested primarily in nonhuman test systems through the standardization of certain tests.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1979
Equal Access to Justice Act - Entitles a prevailing party (other than the United States) to be awarded fees and other expenses, including attorney fees, which were incurred by such party in: (1) an administrative adjudication, or (2) any civil action (other than a tort or tax action) brought by or against the United States, unless the agency conducting such adjudication, or the court having jurisdiction of such action, finds that the position of the agency or of the United States was substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award unjust. Authorizes a party dissatisfied with such award in an administrative adjudication to petition for leave to appeal the decision in an appropriate Federal court. Authorizes a court to award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in any civil action brought by or against the United States, where the court may award such fees in such suits involving private parties (thus applying to Government litigation the common law exceptions to the "American rule" regarding attorney fee awards). Directs the Administrative Conference of the United States and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually on the amount of fees and expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year in such agency adjudications and civil actions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1979
Elephant Protection Act of 1979 - Directs the President to propose to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species that all trade in elephant products be suspended until large and healthy elephant populations have been reestablished and are biologically stable. Prohibits the importation into or exportation from the United States of elephant products. Prohibits the possession, transportation, or sale of such products. Provides for administration of this Act by the Secretary of the Interior. Authorizes the Secretary to grant permits for scientific purposes or to enhance elephant propagation. Prescribes the conditions for 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 of this Act by authorized persons. Preempts any incompatible State laws.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to remove the $75 limit on the excess shelter expense deduction in the computation of household income for households composed entirely of persons who are age 62 or older, or who receive supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act. Entitles such households to a medical expense deduction to the extent that the monthly amount expended by any such household for medical or dental care exceeds the amount of the standard deduction in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1979
Senior Citizens Health Insurance Reform Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to institute a program of voluntary certification for health insurance policies sold in supplementation of medicare. Sets forth minimum standards for such certification with respect to liability, cancellation, reasonableness of premium charge, and economic benefit to the insured. Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) misrepresentations in connection with such certification; (2) the sale of specified types of duplicate insurance; and (3) certain activities in connection with the sale of insurance policies in States which have not approved such policies.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to finance the construction and rehabilitation of congregate facilities in federally assisted housing projects and the provision of congregate services for elderly and handicapped individuals and families.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Agricultural Land Protection Act - Title I: Federal Agency Compliance - Requires the interpretation and administration of the policies, regulations, and public laws of the United States in accordance with a recognition of the rights and responsibilities of private landholders in making land use decisions, and the rights and responsibilities of State and local governments in developing public policies regarding non-Federal land use. Directs Federal agencies to consider the retention of agricultural land for agricultural purposes when they make decisions which impact directly or indirectly on private, and State and local government public land, as well as on Federal land. Requires all such Federal agencies to review their administrative procedures, especially those regarding land acquisition and management, in order to bring them into conformity with the policies and purposes of this Title. Title II: Study Committee on Protection of Agricultural Land - Establishes a Study Committee on Protection of Agricultural Land to study: (1) agricultural land in the United States; (2) the effects of industrial development, climate and other factors on the productivity of such land; (3) the acquisition of such land by persons not engaged in agricultural activities; and (4) methods of protecting and improving such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted to nonagricultural uses. Requires a final report of the Committee's findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress by July 1, 1983. Title III: Demonstration Program - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, during a three-year period, to provide financial and technical assistance to States and local governments for the development, demonstration, and testing of methods of reducing the quantity of agricultural land (including such land in and around urban areas) being converted from agricultural uses to nonagricultural uses. Limits such financial assistance to not more than 50 percent of the cost of preparing, establishing, demonstrating, conducting, and testing two such reduction projects. Title IV: Technical Assistance Program - Directs the Secretary, through the Soil Conservation Service, to provide States and local governments with: (1) technical assistance concerning methods of protecting agricultural land and reducing its conversion to nonagricultural uses; and (2) financial assistance (not to exceed 50 percent of costs) to enable such governments to develop plans to implement such methods. Title V: General Provisions - Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1980 through 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Medicare Home Health Amendments of 1979 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the 100 visit limitation presently applicable to home health care services under such title. Includes "periodic chore services" within those home health services for which payment may be made under the supplementary medical insurance program (Part B of title XVIII). Eliminates the $60 deductible under the supplementary medical insurance program with respect to home health services. Includes services by a community mental health center among the benefits provided under the medicare program for up to: (1) 10 outpatient visits per year; and (2) 60 partial hospitalization visits per year. Stipulates that in determining the 190-day limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services under the Medicare program, one day shall be included for every four partial hospitalization visits to a community mental health center. Sets forth the conditions and limitations on payments for community mental health center services.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Department of Education Organization Act - Title I: Findings and Purpose - Declares the purpose of this Act to be: (1) to strengthen the Federal commitment ensuring access to equal educational opportunity for every American; (2) to support more effectively States, localities and public and private institutions in carrying out their responsibilities for education; (3) to promote improvements in the quality and usefulness of education through federally supported research, evaluation, and the sharing of information; (4) to improve the management and efficiency of Federal education activities; (5) to increase the accountability of Federal education programs to the President, the Congress, and the public; (6) to encourage the involvement of the public, parents, and students in Federal education programs; (7) to improve the coordination of Federal education programs; and (8) to prohibit Federal control of education. Title II: Establishment of the Department - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education to be headed by a Secretary of Education. Establishes within such Department: (1) a position of Under Secretary of Education; (2) six Assistant Secretary positions; (3) an Office for Civil Rights headed by an Assistant Secretary; (4) an Office of Postsecondary Education headed by an Assistant Secretary; (5) an Office of Elementary and Secondary Education headed by an Assistant Secretary; (6) an Office of Educational Research and Improvement headed by an Assistant Secretary; (7) an office to administer functions relating to the education of overseas dependents of Department of Defense personnel; (8) a General Counsel; (9) an Office of Inspector General; (10) an Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Education to provide an educational forum and to promote better intergovernmental relations; and (11) an Interdepartmental Education Coordinating Committee to assure effective coordination of Federal educational programs and practices. Title III: Transfers - Transfers from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) educational functions and offices vested in: (1) the Assistant Secretary for Education; (2) the Education Division; (3) the Office for Civil Rights; (4) any statutory advisory committee or authority giving advice primarily concerning functions transferred under this Act; (5) the Institute of Museum Services; (6) the Advisory Council on Education Statistics; (7) the Federal Education Data Acquisition Council; and (8) certain functions of the Office of Inspector General. Transfers from HEW educational functions vested in the Secretary under: (1) the General Education Provisions Act; (2) the Emergency School Aid Act; (3) the Higher Education Act of 1965; (4) the Education Amendments of 1978; (5) the Act of August 30, 1898; (6) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (7) the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act; (8) the Environmental Education Act; (9) the National Defense Education Act of 1958; (10) the Education of the Handicapped Act; (11) the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act; (12) the Vocational Education Act of 1963; (13) certain provisions of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964; (14) certain parts of the Public Health Service Act regarding student aid; (15) the Model Secondary School for the Deaf Act; (16) certain telecommunications grants under the Communications Act of 1934; and (17) certain provisions of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949. Transfers from HEW educational functions relating to Gallaudet College, Howard University, the American Printing House for the Blind, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Transfers to the Department of Education from the Departments of: (1) Labor, certain functions regarding migrant and seasonal farmworker employment and training programs under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973; (2) Defense, the administration and operation of overseas dependents schools under the Defense Dependents' Education Act of 1978; (3) Justice, the student loan and grant programs known as the law enforcement education program and the law enforcement intern program under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968; and (4) Housing and Urban Development, the administration of college housing loans under the Housing Act of 1950. Transfers to the Department of Education specified science education programs of the National Science Foundation. Title IV: Administrative Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to appoint and fix the salaries for the Department's employees in accordance with the Civil Service laws. Allows certain higher level appointments to be made by the Secretary without Civil Service Commission approval if the individual so appointed is transferred to the Department in connection with a transfer of functions under this Act. Grants rulemaking authority to the Secretary. Requires such rules to be in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act and specified provisions of the General Education Provisions Act. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) employ experts and consultants; (2) enter into contracts with public agencies and private persons and organizations; (3) provide technical advice to participants or potential participants in Departmental programs; (4) establish, maintain, alter, or discontinue field offices; (5) acquire and maintain schools, laboratories, and related facilities; (6) provide and maintain various facilities for employees and their dependents at remote locations; (7) utilize, with their consent, Federal, State, or foreign facilities; (8) acquire necessary copyrights and patents; (9) accept and utilize gifts and requests of real and personal property; (10) establish a working capital fund for administrative expenses; and (11) transfer funds within the Department. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to the Congress concerning the Department's activities. Stipulates that such report include a statement of goals and priorities and an assessment of progress. Authorizes the appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act and additional functions that may be vested in the Department, to remain available until expended. Title V: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Redesignates the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Title VI: Effective Date and Interim Appointment - Directs that this Act shall take effect 180 days after the Secretary of Education takes office. Allows the President to make initial interim appointments to the Department of Education under specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Amends the program of medical and dental care for members and certain former members of the uniformed services and for their dependents to include former spouses of members of the uniformed services. Establishes length of marriage and other requirements of eligibility.
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 · 22 February 1979
Solar Power Satellite Research, Development and Evaluation Program Act of 1979 - Establishes a Solar Power Satellite Research, Development and Evaluation Program to determine the feasibility of a satellite-based solar energy system. Establishes an office within the Department of Energy to manage the Program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for certain clinical psychologists' services under the supplemental medical insurance program.
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
National Service Act - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to establish a program under which all citizens of the United States between the ages of 18 and 30 are requested to perform one or two years of either military or civilian service, but in which no one is required to serve except to the extent that the needs of the military require that some persons be inducted for military training and service. Title I: National Service System - Declares it the obligation of each citizen to perform some service for the United States and to fulfill this obligation each citizen between the ages of 17 and 24 shall perform suitable civilian service, enlist in the armed forces, or be subject to induction into the armed forces. Establishes within the executive branch an independent agency to be known as the National Service System to be headed by a Director appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Stipulates that such System shall include at least one placement center in each county or comparable political subdivision in each State and there shall be at least one appeals board in each State. Requires each citizen within ten days after becoming 17 years of age to register at his or her local placement center. Requires citizens who are between the ages of 17 and 21 on the effective date of this Act and who are not already registered under the Military Selective Service Act to register within six months of the effective date of this Act. Requires registrants at least ten days before reaching the age of 18 to notify their local placement center of their election to enlist in the armed forces, to participate in the military lottery, or to participate in the civilian service program as well as what age the registrant will begin such service. States that the age for beginning such service shall be not less than 18 years nor more than 23 years of age. Stipulates that individuals who fail to begin their service at such time shall be placed in a lottery pool and shall be liable for a period of six years induction into the armed forces. Stipulates that individuals who elect to enlist in the armed forces but who are not accepted by the age of 25 solely because the manpower needs of the armed forces have already been met will be considered to have discharged their obligation to perform service under this Act. Sets forth the conditions under which an individual may be exempted from the provisions of this Act. Sets forth legal proof requirements for conscientious objectors. Sets forth conditions for deferring participation in the military lottery and the civilian service program. Sets forth registrant classification and reclassification procedures. Sets forth procedures for appeal of a classification or the denial of a request for a change in classification. Sets forth active training and service requirements for individuals who enlist or are inducted into the armed forces or who elect to participate in civilian service pursuant to this Act. Establishes procedures for conducting the military lottery. Specifies the order for induction for training and service in the armed forces in the event of war. Sets forth the rates of monthly basic pay for members of the uniformed services. Transfers the personnel and funds of the Selective Service System to the National Service System. Provides criminal penalties for individuals who refuse to register in the National Service System as required or who fail to report for induction when ordered to do so. Title II: National Youth Service Foundation - Creates the National Youth Service Corps for those registrants in the National Service System electing to perform civilian service. Establishes within the executive branch an independent agency to be known as the National Youth Service Foundation. Empowers such Foundation to administer the National Youth Service Corps and to make grants to units of State and local government in order to provide employment opportunities for civilian service registrants in the Corps. Provides for a Board of Trustees of the Foundation to be appointed by the President. Provides for the appointment of a Director of the Foundation by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the duties of registrants who have elected to perform civilian service. Requires each registrant who has located a position in which to perform civilian service to perform satisfactory service for a period of one year. Designates as "sponsors" those persons and units of State, local, and regional government that have positions available in which civilian service registrants may perform service. Stipulates that each sponsor shall provide supervision and training to civilian service registrants in accordance with minimum standards to be prescribed by the Board. Stipulates that civilian service registrants shall be paid a subsistence stipend determined by the Board based upon the local cost-of-living of the geographic area. Requires any civilian service registrant who withdraws or is dismissed from a civilian service position to report to the local placement center nearest to the registrant's current place of residence for reassignment within ten day of a Board's determination that the registrant is to continue in the civilian services. Requires any civilian service registrant who is not able to find a position in a qualified service category, or who fails to complete satisfactorily a year of service, shall perform such service, or complete such year of service, in the Young Adult Conservation Corps, or shall be placed in the military lottery pool. Authorizes the Board to promulgate regulations designating specific service categories as qualified service categories in which civilian service registrants may serve for the purposes of this Act. Sets forth the conditions under which an activity shall be deemed to be a qualified service category pursuant to this Act. Delineates suitable service categories to include positions in: (1) the Foundation and State, local, and regional government agencies; (2) schools; (3) nonprofit hospitals; (4) law enforcement agencies; (5) penal and probation systems; (6) private, nonprofit organizations whose principal purpose is social service; and (7) certain seasonal farm labor on commercial farms. Stipulates that suitable service categories may not include positions in: (1) profitmaking business organizations; (2) labor unions; (3) partisan political organizations; (4) organizations engaged in religious functions, unless the position itself does not involve any religious functions; and (5) domestic or personal service companies or organizations. Requires the Board to solicit information from sponsors who are authorized to participate in the civilian service program with regard to the types and impact of positions available for civilian service registrants. Provides for Board certification of specific positions as qualified for civilian service. Sets forth limited appeal procedures for sponsors or registrants who are adversely affected by decisions of the Board relating to the suitability of a specific position for civilian service pursuant to this Act. Requires that sponsors provide civilian service registrants with the same hours of work and leave as they afford their new employees. Directs the Board to contract for health care plans for registrants and to prescribe how the costs of such health care shall be borne by registrants and by sponsors. Stipulates that registrants shall not be considered Federal employees except that such an individual shall be considered to be an employee of the United States for the purposes of specified laws. Requires sponsors to submit annual reports to the Board regarding the number and reason for registrants leaving service with such sponsor. Sets forth the conditions under which an individual may be dismissed from civilian service by a sponsor. Stipulates that registrants who are dismissed for cause shall be deemed to have elected to participate in the next military lottery. Authorizes the Board to make grants to units of State and local government for: (1) paying stipends to registrants; (2) encouraging local private persons and other governmental entities to become sponsors in the civilian service program; and (3) such other purposes as the Board may authorize to carry out the provisions of this title. Establishes the National Advisory Council on Youth Service to advise the Board on policy matters relating to the administration of this title. Title III: Veterans Benefits - Entitles individuals who volunteer or who are inducted into the armed forces pursuant to this Act to specified educational benefits. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals the Military Selective Service Act. Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Directs any organization or agency within the Department of Defense to make any excess property available to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) before making such property available to any other organization outside the Department. Amends the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950 to authorize the Director of the FEMA to loan any property obtained from any Federal agency to State and local governments for civil defense purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide identical income tax rates for single persons and married couples filing joint returns. Limits the earned income that must be reported by a married person filing a separate return to the amount actually earned by that individual.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to extend the authorizations of appropriations to September 30, 1982, for: (1) grants for the operation of health projects; (2) grants for public works and development facilities; (3) public works and development facility loans; (4) the redevelopment area loan program; (5) technical assistance and economic development planning; (6) supplemental and basic grants; (7) economic development districts; (8) Indian economic development; (9) supplements to Federal grant programs; and (10) special economic development and adjustment assistance. Permits the termination or modification, prior to September 30, 1982, (formerly 1979) of a designated redevelopment area only at the request of the local governing body.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Space Technology for the Elderly Act - Establishes a program within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop devices and strategies to meet the special needs and alleviate the suffering of the elderly by the use of innovative technologies derived from NASA's space and energy research and development. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Directs the Administrator of NASA: (1) to administer this Act; (2) to report to Congress; and (3) to publish a catalog of such devices and strategies.
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 · 18 January 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 · 18 January 1979
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to acquire lands, easements, rights-of-way, and complete relocations associated with certain canyons at Wenatchee, Washington. Requires local interests to contract to reimburse the United States for the total costs of such acquisitions and relocations in 50 equal annual installments.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Foreign Intelligence Information Protection Act of 1979 - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 by adding a new Title V: Protection of Foreign Intelligence Information. Authorizes the Director of Central Intelligence to designate information as sensitive intelligence information or to remove such designation. Establishes a maximum criminal penalty of life imprisonment and/or a $20,000 fine for the offense of espionage, defined as an unauthorized and knowing act to (1) communicate classified information to a foreign power, or (2) obtain and collect such information on behalf of a foreign power. Establishes a maximum criminal penalty of ten years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine for anyone who, having had lawful access to classified information, knowingly acts to disclose such information without authority. Establishes as a separate offense the knowing disclosure of sensitive intelligence information, with a penalty up to 20 years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine. Establishes a maximum criminal penalty of five years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine for anyone who without authority discloses information which identifies or could identify any individual or entity as being or having been associated with a United States agency engaged in foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities, where such disclosure could prejudice the physical safety of the individual or entity identified. Allows prosecution for the offenses of espionage or unauthorized disclosure of sensitive intelligence information only if the Attorney General and the Director of Central Intelligence certify in writing that at the time of the commission of the offense the information allegedly disclosed was properly designated.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for: (1) dentures under the supplementary medical insurance program; and (2) inpatient hospital services in connection with the provision of any service provided by a dentist if hospitalization is required in connection with the provision of such services.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt taxpayers from the payment of interest or a penalty on tax deficiencies attributable to erroneous advice obtained in writing from an Internal Revenue Service Officer or employee acting in an official capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Repeals the requirement, under the Social Security Amendments of 1977, that the amount of monthly benefits payable to a spouse or surviving spouse under title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act be reduced by the amount such spouse or surviving spouse receives in monthly payments from a Federal or State pension fund.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Solar Energy Bank Act - Establishes a Government corporation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development to be known as the Solar Energy Development Bank to make long-term, low-interest loans to encourage the use of solar energy in commercial and residential structures. Sets forth requirements for loan eligibility concerning the term and amount of the loan and necessary warranties for the solar energy systems covered by such loan. Prohibits conflicts of interest on the part of officers or employees of the Bank. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Establishes a seven-member Advisory Board to make annual reports to Congress and the President on the operation of the program established by this Act. Prohibits subsidy payments under this Act to any person who has received other Federal assistance for purchase and/or installation of energy systems similar to the solar systems assisted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include the services of licensed practical nurses under the coverage provided pursuant to such titles.
![Official portrait of Rep. McCormack, Mike [D-WA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000365_200.jpg)