United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1980
Amends the Clean Air Act to make the same standard of performance of allowable emissions apply to any stationary source (currently fossil fuel fired stationary sources are also required to reduce emissions if such fuels are not treated prior to combustion). Removes the requirement that a system of continuous emission reduction be technological. Permits coal-fired stationary sources to substitute coal having low-pollution characteristics for coal having high-pollution characteristics as a means of limiting emissions. Includes the use of coal having low-pollution characteristics as the best available control technology for coal-fired stationary sources. Disapproves any State plan, if not amended, which: (1) prohibits the use of such coal to limit emissions; or (2) does not permit the reduction of any air pollutant which is attributable to the substitution of such fuel for fuel having high-pollution characteristics.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980
Declares that the people of Poland should be allowed to settle their own affairs, including the formation of independent trade unions and the right to strike, without foreign interference.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 1980
Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease additional lands to the holder of an oil shale lease for purposes, other than the removal of minerals contained therein, connected with the development of an oil shale operation that the lessee demonstrates are necessary for such operation. Permits the lessee to use the land to, among other things: (1) dispose of oil shale waste; and (2) build plants, reduction works, and other needed facilities. Requires a lease to contain provisions providing for proper protection of environmental and other resource values. Sets forth guidelines for determining the duration of the lease and the rental fee.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1980
Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise the authority of the Secretary of Energy to lease lands containing oil shale deposits. Permits such leases to exceed 5120 acres of land if necessary to permit long-term commercial operations. Increases the number of such leases which may be held from one to two in any one State and four nationwide. Permits the acquisition of one additional lease in a State where the holder has achieved commercial production and is within ten years of exhausting the reserves on one of the leases. Authorizes the unlimited issuance of leases to avoid bypass of otherwise uneconomical resources. Authorizes the Secretary to issue oil shale leases allowing the mining of other mineral deposits contained in the lands covered by such lease. Requires consultation with the Attorney General before issuing such leases which also allow coal mining. Authorizes the Secretary to issue additional leases to holders of oil shale leases if necessary for the development of an oil shale operation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1980
Title I: Short Title; Findings and Declaration of Policy; Definitions - Western Lands Distribution and Regional Equalization Act of 1980 - States that the practice of retaining Federal ownership to territory within the borders of States located west of the one-hundredth meridian as a condition precedent to their admission into the Union has impinged on the sovereignty of such States in derogation of the tenth amendment to the Constitution. Declares that the United States shall hold all federally owned, unreserved, and unappropriated lands located within such States in trust for such States and shall transfer ownership and administration of such lands to such States when they have adopted legislation which provides a uniformity of State and Federal law relating to land administration, conservation, and use. Excludes from transfer, in implementing such policy: (1) all Federal lands within national parks, national monuments, and national wildlife and migratory bird sanctuaries established prior to July 25, 1980; (2) lands within Indian or military reservations; (3) lands necessary to the operation and access to shipyards, docks, security and defense establishments and other buildings housing operations of the United States Government; and (4) lands selected pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and the Alaska Statehood Act. Title II: Federal Land Transfer Board - Authorizes the Governor of any State seeking to acquire such unreserved and unappropriated lands to petition the President within 60 months of the enactment of this Act to establish a Federal Land Transfer Board for such State. Directs the President to establish such a Board consisting of State and Federal members within 90 days of the receipt of such an application. States that the Board shall serve until all conveyances of such lands within the State are carried out. Requires each Federal Land Transfer Board to coordinate its activities with the State land commission established pursuant to this Act. Directs each Board to carry out the required land transfers within two years of its determination that a State's application meets the requirements of this Act. Empowers the Land Transfer Boards to resolve land claims and disputes arising from the implementation of this Act. Grants any State aggrieved by a decision of a Land Transfer Board on its application the right to a public hearing and review before the Board. Empowers the United States courts of appeals to hear appeals from final orders of the Boards. States that judicial review shall be on the record made before the Board and that the Board's findings shall be conclusive if supported by substantial evidence. States that the judgment of the court of appeals shall be subject to review only by the United States Supreme Court upon a writ of certiorari or certification. Title III: State Land Commissions - Requires each State seeking the conveyance of unreserved and unappropriated land under this Act, to establish a State land commission board to: (1) hold any transferred lands in trust for all people of the United States; (2) manage such lands to maximize conservation and permit compatible land uses; (3) protect the interests of persons who have acquired rights in such land under Federal law; (4) collect fees, rents, and royalties, issue licenses, conduct surveys, and perform other administrative functions relating to such lands; (5) transfer to the United States those property interests necessary to continue lawful Federal activities; and (6) continue to administer lands previously administered by the United States pursuant to a treaty or interstate compact in conformance with the terms of such treaty or compact. Requires States to make payments to local governments at least equivalent to the amount which would have been paid if such land had remained in Federal ownership. Directs each State land commission board to coordinate its activities with the appropriate Federal Land Transfer Board. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Declares that the United States shall retain control over the oceans, seas, navigable rivers, streams, and lakes, and projects of the Corps of Engineers and the Water and Power Resources Service. Directs the President to modify agreements with other nations if necessary to implement this Act. Grants the consent of Congress to any interstate compact relating to the management and use of lands if it has been approved by the appropriate Federal Land Transfer Boards. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1980
Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act Amendments of 1980 - Amends the Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act of 1963 to revise the definition of "farm labor contractor" to: (1) broaden specified exclusions from such definition (thus broadening certain exemptions from coverage under such Act); and (2) exclude from such definition (and such coverage) any nonprofit or cooperative association of farmers, growers, or ranchers, duly incorporated under appropriate State laws, and operated solely for the mutual benefit of the members thereof, and any full-time or regular employee of such association or cooperative who engages in such activity solely for such employer. Adds other definitions relating to such revisions. Revises the definition of "agricultural employment" to specify that listed activities take place on a farm or ranch. Limits the definition of "migrant worker" to mean (among individuals engaged in agricultural employment on a farm or ranch on a seasonal or temporary basis) only those who cannot regularly return to their domicile each day after working hours, or who are transported from and to their domicile each workday by the person who recruits, solicits, hires, or furnishes such worker for agricultural employment on a farm or ranch owned or operated by another person.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1980
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to extend specified cost-of-living increases for railroad employee annuitants. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (Tax on Employers) to increase the excise tax paid by employers on employees' compensation so as to generate funds to finance such increases. Directs the Railroad Retirement Board, not later than 30 days before the beginning of a calendar year, to determine the account balance-benefit ratio for such calendar year. Directs the Board to publish a notice in the Federal Register of such ratio and of the tax rate applicable under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1980
Military Construction Appropriation Act, 1981 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Defense for military construction for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Defense agencies, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, and Air Force Reserve. Makes appropriations for the United States' share of costs of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and for expenses of family housing for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Defense agencies. Sets forth limitations on the use of funds appropriated by this Act, including limitations on funds for the installation of solar energy systems, space transportation system facilities, and the MX missile system.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980
Authorizes the President to present a gold-plated medal, on behalf of the Congress, to those athletes selected through the Olympic trial process to be members of the United States Summer Olympic Team of 1980. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be stricken 650 such medals with suitable emblems. Declares that such medals are national medals and that funds to carry out this Act shall be made available under the Amateur Sports Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay claims for losses sustained by U.S. citizens or corporations as a result of the U.S. boycott of the 1980 summer Olympic games.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1980
Amends the Mineral Land Leasing Act of 1920 and the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to expand the application of such Acts to include gilsonite and all vein-type solid hydrocarbons. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish a lower aggregate acreage limitation for leases in areas known to contain deposits of tar sand. Directs the Secretary, under specified conditions, to extend a lease for not less than three years beyond its primary term in areas known to contain deposits of tar sand. Permits the owner of an oil and gas lease issued before the date of enactment of this Act to apply to the Secretary to convert the lease to a new combined hydrocarbon lease.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1980
Prohibits any Act of Congress to provide for the transfer of public lands to the Department of Defense for use as sites for the deployment of the MX missile system until a complete written plan is provided to Congress which details: (1) the social, economic, and environmental impacts of such system on the proposed Utah-Nevada site; (2) the feasibility of basing such site in more than two States; (3) alternative basing modes for the MX system which would best serve national defense needs through the 1990's if the SALT II Treaty is or is not ratified; (4) the security requirements, including the amount of public lands to be closed to the public; (5) cost-effectiveness and appropriateness of such system; and (6) substantiation of the survivability of such system with respect to national defense strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a certain portion of royalty owner oil production from the windfall profit tax. Limits the amount so exempted per quarter to ten barrels per day. Requires proportionate allocation of any production in excess of ten barrels per day between tier 1 oil, tier 2, and tier 3 oil, and within any tier on the basis of removal prices. Requires allocation of the ten barrel amount among royalty owners who are members of the same related group.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on small cigarettes from $4 per thousand to $9 per thousand, and on large cigarettes from $8.40 per thousand to $18.90 per thousand.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to implement his or her recommendations, upon finding an adverse effect on employment, by modifying a limitation or order issued under such Act. Directs the Administrator to modify or withdraw any effluent limitation or order, if the Governor of any State advises the Administrator that such limitation or order threatens closing of a plant or facility. Declares that such requested modification or withdrawal shall be deemed approved if the Administrator has not acted upon it within 90 days of receipt.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, States, and local governments to modify or withdraw imposed or proposed requirements under such Act which have adverse effects on employment. Directs the Administrator to approve a State implementation plan revision which establishes less stringent emission limitations applicable to an existing source in an attainment or nonattainment area and which, in the case of a nonattainment area, demonstrate reasonable further progress toward attainment and maintenance of ambient air quality standards, if the Governor of such State proposes such revision because the requirements of such Act threaten shutdown of such source. Declares that such revision will be deemed approved if the Administrator has not acted on the proposed revision within 90 days of receipt.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1980
Sets forth venue provisions applicable to the National Environmental Policy Act or any Act of Congress relating to environmental quality, including Acts relating to nonstatutory Federal water rights, in which the impact or injury alleged is less than nationwide in scope, requiring such actions to be brought only in a judicial district in which a substantial portion of the impact or injury occurs. Requires appeals from any agency decision arising under such Acts to be appealed to the court of appeals for the judicial circuit in which a substantial portion of the impact or injury occurs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1980
Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act to provide that the words "oil and gas" shall embrace all hydrocarbons, including native asphalt, solid and semisolid bitumen, and bituminous rock, but excluding gilsonite and those hydrocarbons which the Secretary of the Interior shall determine to lease as coal or oil shale, and the word "gas" also includes all naturally occurring gases, except helium and geothermal steam.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980
Small Business Equal Access to Justice Act - Title I: Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy - Amends title II of the Small Business Investment Act (Study of Small Business) to direct the Office of Advocacy within the Small Business Administration to assist the Attorney General, Federal agencies, and the Chairman of the Administrative Conference to facilitate relief afforded to small businesses under such Act. Requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to submit biennial reports to the President and Congress on awards made to small businesses under such Act. Title II: Small Business Equal Access to Justice - Excludes from the definition of "party" for purposes of this Act: (1) an individual whose net worth exceeds $1,000,000; and (2) any partnership, corporation, association, organization, or sole owner of an unincorporated business whose net worth exceeds $5,000,000, but includes an agricultural cooperative, as defined in the Agricultural Marketing Act, regardless of its net worth. 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 (excluding ratemaking and license application hearings, but including such actions as suspension or modification of a license); or (2) in any civil action, other than a tort, 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 the United States was substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award unjust. Allows the agency or the court to reduce any such award to the extent that the prevailing party unduly and unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy. Stipulates that such awards in administrative adjudication shall be paid by the particular agency over which the party prevails, but prohibits authorization of appropriations to such agency for the specific purpose of such payments. 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 or any agency, including the Post Office, or official of the United States acting in an official capacity, where the court may award such fees in such suits involving private parties (thus applying to Government litigation the common law and statutory exceptions to the "American rule" which requires parties to be responsible for their own attorney fees). 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. Makes this Act applicable to any civil action pending on, or commencing after, the date of enactment, except for civil tax actions, which shall be subject to this Act six months after enactment. Directs the Office of the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States and Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide to the Small Business Office of Advocacy the information required to be collected in title I of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1980
Establishes a Commission on More Effective Government to study and recommend ways of promoting economy, efficiency, and improved service within the Federal Government. Directs the Commission to recommend methods to improve the relationship between Federal, State, and local governments. Provides for the appointment of members of the Commission by the President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Sets forth provisions governing the organization and compensation of the Commission and its staff. Empowers the Commission to establish advisory councils and committees as it deems appropriate without regard to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Sets forth the powers of the Commission enabling it to gather information free from subsequent review or comment by any Federal agency. Directs the Commission to submit its final report to the Congress ten days after the Ninety-eighth Congress convenes. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such date. Authorizes the appropriation of funds necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1980
Fusion Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish research, development, and demonstration programs involving magnetic fusion energy systems to: (1) construct and operate a fusion engineering test facility by 1986; (2) construct and operate a magnetic fusion demonstration facility before the end of this century; (3) maintain and expand the base programs for fusion energy research and the development and testing of appropriate alternative confinement technologies; (4) maintain a strong research and development program in advanced fusion fuels; and (5) ensure an uninterrupted source of scientific and engineering talent from institutions of higher learning to support such effort. Requires such programs to include a study of the potential of using fusion energy for the production of synthetic fuels and the electrification of ground transportation systems. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information promoting the practical uses of fusion energy.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1980
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to grant quitclaim deeds conveying all interest of the United States in certain real property located near Provo Airport in the State of Utah to the owners of adjacent properties.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Provides for an exemption from the windfall profits tax for independent oil producers for an amount equal to 1,000 barrels of crude oil multiplied by the number of days in the taxable period.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1979
National Forest Multiple-Use Management Act of 1980 - Specifies that lands within the National Forest System considered for wilderness designation under the Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE) conducted by the Department of Agriculture, but not recommended for designation as wilderness or identified for further planning during the 96th Congress shall continue to be managed for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. Directs that lands within the National Forest System which have been recommended for designation as wilderness during the 96th Congress, but have not been included in the National Wilderness Preservation System prior to January 1, 1984, shall be managed beginning on such date for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. Directs that lands within the National Forest System which have been identified for further planning during the 96th Congress, but which have not been included in the National Wilderness Preservation System prior to January 1, 1985, shall be managed beginning on such date for uses other than wilderness. Stipulates that if: (1) an executive communication has been received by Congress recommending the designation of any such lands as wilderness prior to January 1, 1985, and such lands have not been included in the National Wilderness Preservation System prior to January 1, 1987, they shall be managed beginning January 1, 1987, for uses other than wilderness; and (2) at any time a determination is made by the Secretary of Agriculture under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 that any such lands shall not be recommended for designation as wilderness, they shall be managed beginning on the date of such determination for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. Directs that lands within the National Forest System recommended for designation as primitive area during the 96th Congress, for termination and management for use other than wilderness, shall be managed after the date of enactment of this Act for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. Directs that lands within the National Forest System that have been recommended for designation as primitive area during the 96th, for termination and designation as wilderness, but which have not been included in the National Wilderness Preservation System prior to January 1, 1984, shall be managed beginning on such date for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1979
Telephone Privacy Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit unsolicited commercial telephone calls to a telephone subscriber who has notified the telephone company that he does not wish to receive such calls. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe regulations specifying the manner in which a telephone subscriber shall notify the telephone company that he does not wish to receive unsolicited calls. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Excludes from the definition of "unsolicited commercial telephone calls" calls made in response to an express request of the individual called or made in connection with an overdue debt or contractual obligation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1979
Federal Agency Responsiveness Act of 1979 - States that, in a review by a court of an action of a Federal agency, there shall be no presumption that any rule or regulation of any agency is valid. Prohibits the courts of the United States and State courts from upholding the validity of a challenged rule or regulation unless such validity is established by a preponderance of the evidence shown. Provides that if any rule or regulation is set up as a defense to any criminal prosecution or action for civil penalty, such rule or regulation shall be presumed valid until the party initiating the criminal prosecution or action for civil penalty shall have sustained the burden of proof normally applicable in such actions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should terminate all military training of Iranian personnel pursuant to sales under the Arms Export Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1979
Sunset Review Act of 1979 - Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to jointly develop and maintain an inventory of all Federal programs and tax expenditures. Requires such inventory to classify all such programs and expenditures according to the jurisdiction of the various legislative committees of the two Houses. Requires the General Accounting Office, before the beginning of the 97th Congress, after consultation with the appropriate legislative committees, to submit a draft inventory to the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. Requires such Committees to notify each legislative committee of the programs and tax expenditures which are classified within its jurisdiction. Allows any legislative committee to propose revisions of such inventory within 30 days after notification. Requires, after a determination that all programs and tax expenditures are accurately classified, that such inventory be published in a single document. Requires that an update be made of such inventory at the beginning of every Congress. Directs the General Accounting Office to maintain and publish a supplement to the inventory. Requires each legislative committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate, on or before March 1 in the first session of each Congress beginning with the 98th Congress, to develop, adopt, and submit to the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committees on Rules and Administration an agenda for the sunset review of selected Federal programs within its jurisdiction or in the case of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance, of selected tax expenditures. Requires the committees of each House to develop their sunset review agenda in consultation with any other committee which has concurrent jurisdiction over any programs or tax expenditures involved. Prohibits either the House or the Senate from considering a primary expense resolution for any legislative committee in any Congress until that committee has developed and submitted its sunset review agenda. Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to incorporate such agendas into a consolidated sunset review agenda and to report such consolidated agenda to its House in the form of a concurrent resolution, within seven legislative days after all committee sunset review agendas have been submitted. Requires the consolidated sunset review agenda to be adopted in the House and in the Senate no later than March 30 in the first session of each Congress. Sets forth the procedures for adoption. Requires each committee of the House or the Senate, not later than May 15 in the second session of each Congress, to report a bill or bills modifying, continuing, or terminating each program or tax expenditure which it has been directed to review under the consolidated sunset review agenda adopted during the first session. Requires such bill to be accompanied by a report setting forth the committee's findings, recommendations, and justifications. Requires each department, agency, and instrumentality in the executive branch of the Government which is responsible for the administration of a Federal program or tax expenditure selected for sunset review to give assistance to the appropriate Congressional committees. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall affect the authority of any legislative committee to review programs or tax expenditures within its jurisdiction and to report legislation modifying, continuing, or terminating such programs or expenditures at such times and in such manner as it deems appropriate. Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to include the consolidated sunset review agendas and the congressional inventory of Federal programs as part of the House Committee on Rules' functions.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 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 · 25 October 1979
Prohibits the United States Park Service, for any calendar year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, from reducing the number of user days of commercial motorized watercraft travel permitted on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon National Park to less than the number of such days permitted during calendar year 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1979
Hospital Cost Containment and Reporting Act of 1979 - Establishes a 15-member National Commission on Hospital Costs, to be appointed by the President, to report annually to Congress and the President on: (1) its activities and the implementation of this Act; (2) the rate of increases in hospital expenses; and (3) the success of the voluntary efforts of hospitals to meet the voluntary goals for hospital cost containment established by this Act. Directs the Commission to submit to Congress and the President, within one year of the appointment of a majority of its members, a report on measures that can be taken to control costs in the health care industry. Directs the Commission to study and make recommendations to Congress and the President within two years of the appointment of a majority of its members with respect to: (1) the effect of policies and procedures (including use of deductibles, coinsurance, cost- or risk-sharing, tax deductions and exclusions, and repaid health plans) on the strengthening of competitive forces in the health services industry; (2) the desirability of increasing the use of such methods in federally funded and other health insurance programs; (3) underutilized capacity in the health care system and means to reduce such capacity; (4) the costs and benefits of State certificate of need programs and programs of review of capital expenditures under the Social Security Act (section 1122); (5) the impact of increased hospital capital expenditures on operating expenses; (6) the impact of increases in the number of professional health personnel; (7) the impact of wage increases and increased utility expenses on hospital costs; (8) alternative systems of financing health care services; (9) the costs to hospitals of Federal and State regulations; (10) the costs to hospitals of serving the medically needed; and (11) other matters affecting hospital expenses or revenues. Directs the Commission to consult with appropriate professional organizations in the conduct of its activities. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide financial assistance for up to 50 percent of the expenses involved with the planning, establishment, or operation of State voluntary or mandatory hospital cost containment programs which meet specified conditions, including that any such program: (1) excludes any institution (A) having an average stay of 30 days or more during the preceding three years, (B) deriving 75 percent or more of its inpatient care revenues from one or more health maintenance organizations; (C) located in a rural area and having an average annual admissions of 4,000 or less during the preceding 12 months; (D) which does not accept payments for services; (E) is a psychiatric hospital; or (F) is a Federal institution; (2) sets as voluntary goals the reduction of the rate of increase in total hospital expenses for 1979 ( and each subsequent year) to four percent less than the rate of increase for 1977 (subject to an inflation adjustment); (3) conforms with specified administrative and review requirements; and (4) does not treat as hospital revenues amounts attributable to specified types of grants, gifts, endowments, and other funds. Directs the Secretary to monitor the performance of such State programs and make recommendations with respect to: (1) containing aggregate levels of hospital utilization; (2) shifting utilization from inpatient to outpatient services; (3) reducing excess hospital capacity through mergers, conversions, and terminations; and (4) promoting alternative methods of providing health care, such as through health maintenance organizations. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for such State programs. Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (General Provisions) to provide that gifts, grants, and endowments shall not be deducted from any operating costs of nonprofit hospitals for purposes of determining under the Maternal and Child Health, Medicare, and Medicaid programs the reasonable costs of services furnished by such hospitals. Prohibits any Federal law providing for the containment or control of hospital costs from treating as hospital revenues amounts attributable to specified types of grants, gifts, endowments, and other funds. Adds as new requirements of the State plans under the Maternal and Child Health and Medicaid programs of the Social Security Act that: (1) entities providing services reimbursable on a cost-related basis be audited as the Secretary determines is necessary to insure proper payments; and (2) for any such audit involving an entity which is also reimbursed on a cost-related basis under Medicare, the audit under the Maternal and Child Health or Medicaid program be coordinated and conducted jointly with an audit under Medicare. Directs the Secretary to condition payment to a State for the administrative costs of auditing any such entity on such coordinated audit procedures. Amends the Medicare program to permit any hospital (other than a hospital which has in effect a waiver of the 24-hour nursing service requirement) which: (1) has an agreement under such program; and (2) has been granted a certificate of need for the provision of long-term care services for the State health planning and development agency (designated under title XV of the Public Health Service Act), to enter into an agreement with the Secretary under which its inpatient hospital facilities may be used for the furnishing of the type of services which, if furnished by a skilled nursing facility, would constitute posthospital extended care services. Provides that payment to any hospital for such services shall be based upon the reasonable cost of the services, consisting of the reasonable cost of routine and ancillary services as defined by this Act. Stipulates that a hospital furnishing such services shall be required to meet all the requirements that a skilled nursing facility would be required to meet and that the provision of such services shall be subject to the same requirements as those furnished by a skilled nursing facility, except for those requirements which the Secretary determines are inappropriate with respect to a hospital. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress within three years of enactment on such extended care service program. Amends the Medicaid program to permit payment to be made under approved State plans for nursing facility services and intermediate care facility services furnished by a hospital which has in effect an agreement under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1979
Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians Act - Establishes the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians to: (1) determine whether a wrong was committed against American citizens and permanent resident aliens who were subjected to relocation or internment as a result of Executive Order Numbered 9066 and other associated Government acts; and (2) recommend appropriate remedies. Directs the Commission: (1) to hold public hearings in specified cities; and (2) within 18 months after enactment of this Act, to submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to Congress and the President. Terminates the Commission six months after such report is submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1979
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit the adoption of any concurrent resolution on the budget which sets forth a level of total budget outlays in excess of 21 percent of the gross national product in fiscal year 1981, or 20 percent of the gross national product for each fiscal year thereafter. Establishes procedures to enable the President and the Congress to suspend such limitations on the level of budget outlays.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1979
Federal Firearms Law Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to Gun Control Act - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition and persons engaged in the business of repairing firearms. Adds a new definition, "engaged in the business", with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Includes as a manufacturer of ammunition a person whose gross sales of his own ammunition exceed $1,000 in any calendar year. Includes as a dealer in firearms a person who deals in firearms as a regular course of business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms. Replaces the current term "crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year" with a new definition of "disabling crime." Eliminates certain activities regarding ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Revises current provisions respecting the interstate sale or transfer of firearms. Revises the current prohibition against selling a firearm or ammunition to certain persons (such as persons under indictment for a felony or addicted to drugs) to apply such prohibition only to persons convicted of a disabling crime. Revises the current prohibition against certain persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to: (1) extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition; (2) conform such prohibition to the new "disabling crime" provision; and (3) include as additional categories illegal aliens, persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces, and persons who have renounced their United States citizenship. Makes the same changes to the current prohibition against certain persons who receive a firearm or ammunition which has been transported in interstate commerce, but applies such prohibition to persons who are employed by specified individuals. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Stipulates that the Secretary of the Treasury may revoke a license only where the holder of such license has "knowingly" violated a provision of the Act or regulation. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations under this Act which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, but for which such individual has not been convicted. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, and any firearm or ammunition kept by an importer, manufacturer, or dealer pursuant to this Act that the Secretary has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises of such persons. Restricts the firearm information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Stipulates that the general penalty under this Act shall apply to whoever "willfully" violates any provision. Prohibits, with respect to a person's second or subsequent conviction for illegally using or carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony, the granting of parole before completion of the minimum sentence. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Requires a court to award attorney's fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in an action or proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Allows the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was initiated in bad faith. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require (1) the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or (2) the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Allows one House of Congress to disapprove by resolution any firearms regulation within 90 days of continuous session of the promulgation of such rule. Set forth procedures for such resolutions. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing any rules identical to regulations disapproved by Congress without the enactment of additional legislation respecting his authority. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Makes any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Sets forth venue provisions applicable to the National Environmental Policy Act or any Act of Congress relating to environmental quality, including Acts relating to nonstatutory Federal water rights, in which the impact or injury alleged is less than nationwide in scope, requiring such actions to be brought only in a judicial district in which a substantial portion of the impact or injury occurs. Requires appeals from any agency decision arising under such Acts to be appealed to the court of appeals for the judicial circuit in which a substantial portion of the impact or injury occurs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Makes the United States liable for damages, arising from certain nuclear tests conducted at the Nevada Test Site, to: (1) individuals who resided in the affected area (A) for a period of one year between January 1, 1951, and October 31, 1958, or (B) between June 30, 1962, and July 31, 1962; (2) civilian or military participants during the Baneberry detonation on December 18, 1970; and (3) a qualified sheep herd. Limits the amount of attorney fees which can be received with respect to such actions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Postmaster General and the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee should give favorable consideration to the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Americans of Italian descent and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Philip Mazzei on December 25, 1980, or as soon as possible thereafter. States that the Postmaster General and the Committee should honor other foreign-born contributors to the revolutionary cause, from countries which have not yet been commemorated, prior to the conclusion of the American Bicentennial celebration in 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Smaller Enterprise Regulatory Improvement Act - Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency to publish semiannually an agenda of those rules which may be proposed during the upcoming six-month period affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and small organizations. Defines "small organizations" to include unincorporated businesses, sheltered workshops, nonprofit enterprises which are not dominant in their fields and such other groups and enterprises as each Federal agency shall establish by rule. Requires each published agenda to be transmitted to the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comments. Directs each Federal agency to endeavor to provide notice of each agenda to affected small enterprises by means other than publication in the Federal Register. Directs each Federal agency to publish a written analysis prior to the issuance of any rule affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and organizations which considers: (1) the effect of such rule on small enterprises and competition; (2) whether an exemption could be provided such small enterprises; (3) whether lesser compliance standards could be adopted for small enterprises; and (4) the expected nature of reporting and recordkeeping requirements necessitated by such rule. Requires each Federal agency to issue a rule containing an exemption or differing compliance standards for such small business concerns and organizations if it is lawful, desirable, and feasible to do so. States that such small enterprises shall be given an opportunity to participate in agency rulemaking. Requires each agency to review its existing rules and prepare an analysis for purposes of eliminating those rules which are most burdensome to small businesses and organizations. Permits any agency to perform the analyses required by this Act in conjunction with any other analysis required by law. Declares that such other analysis shall not in itself satisfy the requirements of this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. McKay, K. Gunn [D-UT-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000490_200.jpg)