United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Postal Service Employees' Political Activities Act of 1979 - Declares it to be the policy of Congress to encourage employees of the United States Postal Service to exercise their rights to participate or refrain from participating in political processes. Prohibits such employees from: (1) using their official authority to influence the result of any election or the political action of any person; (2) using any information obtained through employment and not publicly available for any political purpose; (3) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or refrain from voting; (4) soliciting or receiving a political contribution to vote or refrain from voting; (5) knowingly giving a political contribution to a superior; (6) knowingly soliciting or receiving a political contribution from another employee with respect to whom such employee is a superior; or (7) knowingly soliciting or receiving a political contribution in specified facilities or from any person who has or is seeking business relations with the employee's agency. Directs the Postal Service and the Postal Rate Commission to prescribe certain exemptions to such prohibitions. Prohibits employees from engaging in political activities while on duty, while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying their position, or in designated areas. Requires a postal employee to notify his agency (U.S. Postal Service or the Postal Rate Commission, as applicable) upon becoming a candidate for elective office. Permits such employee to take annual leave or leave without pay to engage in activities related to his candidacy. Sets forth the penalties to be imposed against any employee who is found by the Merit Systems Protection Board to have violated provisions of this Act. Requires the Postal Service to study and report to Congress on the effects of this Act on the political activities of employees, the merit system, and matters generally contributing to the improper use of official authority or information by employees.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Social Security Refinancing Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to finance the payment of hospital insurance benefits through general tax revenues, rather than through employment and self-employment tax revenues. Establishes new employment and self-employment tax rates for the purpose of financing the old age, survivors and disability insurance program (title II of the Social Security Act).
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, from prescribing any rule, regulation, or order affecting the use of navigable airspace by civil aircraft or requiring the installation of navigational aids aboard civil aircraft as a condition for the use of navigable airspace without first explaining its purpose in an appearance before the appropriate committees of Congress in open public hearings and providing a 120-day period for public comments.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Young Families Homeownership Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals who are saving for their first home an income tax credit for 20 percent of the cash contributions made during the taxable year to an individual housing account. Limits the amount of such credit to $500 for any taxable year and $2,000 during a lifetime. Sets forth requirements for the establishment of an individual housing account. Imposes penalties for distributions made from an individual housing account which are not used in connection with the purchase of a principal residence. Exempts interest earned on an individual housing account from income taxation. Requires the trustee of an individual housing account to make such reports regarding the maintenance of an individual housing account as the Secretary of the Treasury may require. Prohibits contributions to an individual housing account in excess of prescribed limits and imposes a tax on such excess contributions equal to the tax on excess contributions to an individual retirement account.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Regulatory Reform Act of 1979 - Requires the President to submit to Congress a plan recommending reforms with respect to the regulation of: (1) energy, the environment, housing, and occupational health and safety by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1981; (2) transportation and communications by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1983; (3) banking and finance, international trade, and Government procurement by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1985; and (4) food, consumer health and safety, economic trade practices, and labor- management concerns by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1987. States that each such plan shall include recommendations for reform of such specified agencies and shall report on the cumulative impact of all Government regulatory activity reviewed, up to that date, on specific industry groupings. States that if the President fails to submit such plans by the specified dates, the Senate and House Committees on Government Operations shall draft their own plans to be submitted to Congress for action. Requires the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office, contemporaneously with the development of the President's plan, to submit a report assessing the purpose, effects, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of each agency included in the plans submitted by the President. States that if no comprehensive regulatory reform legislation is enacted by August 1 of the year following the year in which a comprehensive plan has been submitted by the President, then all agencies affected thereby shall have no authority to issue any new rules not essential for preserving the public health and safety; if such reform is not enacted by October 1 of such year, such agency shall have no authority to enforce any rule not essential for preserving the public health and safety; if no such reform is enacted by December 31 of such year, such agency shall be terminated on such date. States that all rules of such terminated agency essential for preserving the public health and safety shall remain effective and shall be enforced by the Department of Justice. Requires the President to submit subsequent plans in the manner and in the order and frequency set forth by this Act every ten years.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should express disapproval to the Soviet Union concerning the nondelivery of mail to persons in the Soviet Union; and (2) U.S. Postal Service representatives should bring such violations to the attention of the Congress of the Universal Postal Union.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1979
Establishes a Select Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Oversight to conduct a full and complete investigation of: (1) the impact of Federal regulations upon the private sector of the economy; (2) the reorganization of Federal regulatory agencies; (3) better congressional oversight procedures; and (4) the means of establishing guidelines or standards for the periodic review and reauthorization of new and existing programs. Directs the select committee to report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives during the present Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Franchise Reform Act - Requires a franchisor to notify a franchisee at least 90 days in advance of the franchisor's intention to terminate the franchise and to state the reasons for termination. Prohibits a franchisor from cancelling a franchise or failing to renew a franchise unless the franchisor is effecting a market area withdrawal or the franchisor has good cause for failure to renew and has given proper notice. Makes any franchisor who has violated the requirements of this Act civilly liable to the aggrieved franchisee.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
National Ski Patrol System Recognition Act of 1979 - Grants a Federal charter to the National Ski Patrol System. Declares that the purpose of such corporation shall be to promote public safety in skiing.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for tuition paid by the taxpayer for the higher education of himself, his spouse, or his dependents. Limits such deduction to tuition costs which exceed three percent of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Extends through fiscal year 1984 the entitlement periods for the authorization of appropriations under the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Title I: Meat Labeling and Inspection - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require the labeling as imported of any imported meat or meat product which is capable of use as human food, or its container. Requires that such product: (1) meet the same health standards as domestically produced products; and (2) be tested in the exporting country. Requires periodic tests of such products in the United States by the Department of Agriculture as well. Requires certain eating establishments serving imported meat to inform customers of this fact.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require that any social security account number assigned, after this Act becomes effective, be on a card or in such other form as will easily reveal any illegal alteration or duplication. Requires, in the case of cards issued to aliens who are not in the United States under conditions which make it lawful for them to engage in employment, that such card be marked to indicate that such individual may not be legally employed. Authorizes the reissuance of such card without such mark at such time as it is determined that the alien may lawfully engage in employment in the United States. Establishes criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly employ alien holders of cards which indicate that they may not lawfully engage in employment in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Postal Reorganization Act of 1979 - Title I: Organization of Postal Service - Reorganizes the structure of the United States Postal Service. Abolishes the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service. Places the authority of such Board in the Postmaster General. Makes the Postmaster General an officer appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. States that the Deputy Postmaster General shall be appointed by the Postmaster General. Title II: Procedures for Changing Postal Rates, Fees, and Services - Abolishes the Postal Rate Commission which sets postal rates and establishes classes of mail. Authorizes the Postal Service to make one change in postal rates and fees during any fiscal year, such change to be no greater than the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the preceding year. Provides that a rate increase greater than the increase in the Index may be implemented if not disapproved by the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service of the House or the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate. Requires that any change in mail classification be approved by such committees. Requires the Postal Service to submit to Congress a detailed statement of any proposed change in postal services which would have a nationwide impact on the public, business, or postal employment. Declares that such proposed change shall become effective 60 days after submission unless either House of Congress adopts a resolution disapproving it. Sets forth House procedures for consideration of such resolution. Requires that the General Accounting Office transmit a report to each House of Congress reviewing the operation of amendments made by this Act. Title III: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the appropriation of such funds as are necessary to carry out the functions of the Postal Service for fiscal years 1980 and 1981. States that all revenues collected by the Postal Service shall be deposited in the general fund of the United States Treasury. Requires that the person appointed as postmaster of certain post offices: (1) must have resided within the city or town where such office is located for at least one year prior to appointment; and (2) must continue to reside in such area during service as postmaster. Directs the Postal Service to study the feasibility of hiring persons who have been unemployed for 60 days as a public service to combat unemployment. Title IV: General Provisions - States that the provisions of this Act do not affect any collective bargaining agreement or authority of the Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Requires a principal who, without good cause, terminates or fails to renew a contract between such principal and a sales representative, reduces the size of the geographic territory assigned to a representative for a specified account by more than 25 percent, or reduces the rate of commission for orders solicited on behalf of such principal, to indemnify the representative according to this Act. Sets forth formulae for the indemnification of such representatives. Requires a principal to furnish specified information to a sales representative concerning orders placed through the representative's account and a monthly accounting of commissions due such representative. Allows a plaintiff to bring an action to enforce any rights or liabilities created by this Act in a United States district court. Stipulates the procedure for such action.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Emergency Medical Services Amendments of 1979 - Amends title XII of the Public Health Service Act (Emergency Medical Services Systems) to make certain revisions with respect to the grant procedure for the establishment, initial operation, and improvement of emergency medical services systems. Extends the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for assistance for emergency medical services systems. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to hospitals with special expertise in burn injuries to assist in providing fellowships for burn treatment training.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Anti-Arson Act of 1979 - Establishes an Interagency Committee on Arson Control to coordinate Federal anti-arson programs and to provide assistance to State and local governments for the prevention, detection and control of arson. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the awarding of grants to States and localities for: (1) programs designed to prevent and detect crimes involving arson; and (2) the development of education and training for State and local prosecutors with respect to the crime of arson. Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to: (1) classify arson as a major crime in the Uniform Crime Reports; and (2) develop a special investigation program for the crime of arson. Directs the Administrator of the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration to: (1) conduct a research program for the development of techniques and equipment for use by State and local fire fighting and law enforcement personnel for arson prediction, prevention, and control; (2) establish anti-arson educational and training programs for State and local government; (3) develop materials for community awareness programs; and (4) provide information relative to the prevention, prediction, occurrence, and control of arson. Amends the Urban Property Protection and Reinsurance Act of 1968 to provide that fair access to insurance requirements plans shall require policies to be issued only after insurers obtain information from a prospective policyholder with respect to arson.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Voluntary Job Preservation and Community Stabilization Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a continuing investigation to identify those industrial, business, agricultural, and service organizations which are in danger of ceasing operation or of outmigration and whose closing or relocation would result in substantial unemployment and economic dislocation in the community. Provides, through the Secretary, loans for technical assistance and startup and operating costs to an employee or employee/community corporation which meets certain requirements in order that it may assume ownership and operation of an organization so identified. Conditions loans upon, among other factors, certification that the corporation will allow new employees to participate and will adopt a method for acquisition of stock of persons no longer associated with the organization for the purpose of making it available to all employees on a nondiscriminatory basis. Authorizes loans of up to $15,000 to an employee who wishes to purchase stock in a purchasing corporation and who is unable to secure financing elsewhere.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
National Digestive Diseases Prevention, Cure, and Control Act - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to establish a National Digestive Diseases Education and Information Clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information respecting digestive diseases and to serve as a national educational resource for patients with digestive diseases. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to medical schools for education and training programs in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of digestive diseases. Establishes a 24-member part-time National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board to advise on the coordination of Federal agencies' efforts in the implementation of the long- range plan of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases, among other specified functions. Terminates such Board on September 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total expenditures in any fiscal year shall not exceed the net amount of revenue received by the Government in that year. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war declared by Congress or by a concurrent resolution passed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress. Stipulates that any unanticipated deficit in any fiscal year shall be considered an expenditure for the succeeding fiscal year. Directs the Congress to provide an appropriate increase in the level of total receipts if the amount of such deficit exceeds two percent of the total expenditures for the succeeding fiscal year. Authorizes the Congress to apportion any deficit over the four following fiscal years or, by a two-thirds vote of both Houses, to include such deficit in the debts of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President: (1) should enter into negotiations to secure the withdrawal of Soviet personnel and the release of political prisoners from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; (2) should instruct the U.S. delegation to present the illegal Soviet actions in such countries at the preparatory meeting of the 1980 Madrid meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe; and (3) should gain the cooperation of other nations in achieving such objectives.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1979
Prohibits the disclosure of medical records maintained by Federal agencies or insurance companies without the written consent of the patient. Permits the disclosure of records in specified circumstances. Provides penalties and permits civil actions for violating this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 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 65 or older, or who receive supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1979
Federal Bicycle and Physical Fitness Facilities Act - Requires the head of each Federal department and agency to provide safe bicycle parking facilities at all buildings under the jurisdiction of such department or agency within one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1979
Authorizes appropriations for the use by the Phelps-Stokes Fund for the acquisition of a monument to Doctor Ralph J. Bunche and its erection in United Nations Plaza Park in New York City.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to establish minimum qualification standards for rehabilitation counselors hired pursuant to State plans under such Act. Specifies the nature of such standards with respect to the course work in rehabilitation counseling and/or the acceptable experience.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow handicapped individuals an income tax deduction for expenses incurred in commuting between their residence and their principal place of employment.
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 · 8 February 1979
Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require Federal agencies to prepare and publish in the Federal Register an economic impact analysis of all proposed and final rules subject to the provisions of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Grain Products Utilization Act - Title I: Department of Agriculture-Research and Studies on the Economic and Agricultural Effects of Using Agricultural Products in the Development and Use of Fuels - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct research and studies concerning the economic and agricultural effects of using agricultural products in the development of fuels. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress regarding such research and studies. Title II: Department of Energy-Research and Studies on the Use of Agricultural Products in the Development and Use of Fuel - Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct research and studies concerning the use of agricultural products in the development of fuels. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress regarding such research and studies. Title III: Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide a deduction with respect to the amortization of any qualified ethanol-producing facility. Defines qualified ethanol-producing facility for purposes of such deduction. Provides an annual tax credit of one penny for each gallon of qualified gasoline sold by an eligible taxpayer during the taxable year. Defines taxpayer and qualified gasoline for purposes of such tax credit. Title IV: Guaranteed Loans for Ethanol-Producing Facilities - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program of federally guaranteed loans for the construction of ethanol-producing facilities. Directs that farmers and farm groups be given priority for such guaranteed loans. Prohibits the Secretary from guarantying more than 75 percent of any such loan. Limits the amount of indebtedness guaranteed under any such loan to not more than $5,000,000. Limits the amount of indebtedness guaranteed under this section to not more than $750,000,000 at any one time.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Taxpayer Relief Amendments to Panama Treaty Legislation - Specifies that all expenses incurred implementing the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 shall be treated as an expense of the Panama Canal Commission. Prohibits payments to Panama out of U.S. Treasury revenues. Requires the Panama Canal Company to pay its cash assets to the U.S. Treasury to be applied against its debt. Directs the Commission to continue repaying its debt to the United States. Amends the Panama Canal Code to require the Commission to pay: (1) all canal operating revenues to the U.S. Treasury; and (2) the payments required under the Treaty to Panama only with express congressional authorization. Directs the General Accounting Office to monitor all costs incurred by the Commission and report annually to Congress on the differences in costs to the U.S. taxpayer. Prohibits unless expressly authorized by Congress: (1) the use of U.S. funds to implement the Treaty; (2) the transfer of U.S. property in the Canal Zone to Panama; and (3) the cessation of the Panama Canal Company and the Canal Zone Government.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
National Presidential Direct Primary Election Act of 1979 - Requires candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States to be chosen by direct Presidential primaries conducted in each of the States on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May of each Presidential election year. Establishes guidelines for such primaries including: (1) qualification for primary ballots by region; (2) party identification; and (3) authorizing States to require filing fees up to a maximum of $2,500.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Unified Education and Training Act - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education to be administered by a Secretary of Education. Declares the purpose of such Department to be to coordinate and administer Federal educational and training programs in such a manner as to eliminate duplication of effort and conflicting policies without interference with State and local school systems or private institutions. Transfers to the Secretary specified functions of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Commissioner of Education and specified educational responsibilities of other Federal agencies and instrumentalities. Redesignates the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Secretary of such Department as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs the Secretary of Education to prepare an annual report to the President for submission to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow renters of their principal residence an income tax credit for 30 percent of their proportionate share of the State and local real property taxes imposed upon the property on which their residence is located. Stipulates that the amount of the allowable credit may not exceed the amount of rent paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1979
Directs the Federal Communications Commission to examine the use of the AM radio broadcasting band and to assign such spectrum and distribute licenses so as to ensure that each community, regardless of size, is provided with the maximum local full-time radio broadcasting service.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1979
Zero-Based Paperwork Act of 1979 - Requires a biennial justification for the continued use of any form used to solicit information from private sources and State and local government agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Social Security Act to finance the hospital insurance program of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act through general revenues rather than through employment and self-employment taxes. Repeals the 1980 and 1981 increases in the contribution and benefit base (which is used in determining wages and self-employment income).
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Administrative Rulemaking Reform Act - Requires a Federal agency preparing to hold a rulemaking session to make a reasonable effort to inform those likely to be affected by the proposed rulemaking. Requires that if the affected group is large, representatives of such group must be notified. Requires, in addition to present requirements, that the notice of rulemaking include the projected effective date of the rules, the purpose of the rulemaking, the text of the proposed rules, and the technical or other studies on which the agency intends to rely in the rulemaking proceedings. Applies the requirements of this Act to all rulemaking sessions except: (1) those specifically authorized to be kept secret in the interest of national security, and (2) those relating to agency management. Requires public notice and public opportunity for comment on all rulemaking proceedings under this Act unless the agency finds that the rules to be proposed are emergency rules or are of routine or insignificant impact in which case the rule must be published with reasons for its adoption. Requires Federal agencies to give interested persons at least 45 days to participate in the rulemaking. Requires the agency to maintain a file of each proceeding to be made available to the courts, Congress, and to the public in connection with review of the rule. Limits the period for public comment to a maximum of 90 days. Requires a copy of all proposed rules to be sent to Congress. States that such rule, other than an emergency rule, shall not become effective if it is disapproved within 90 days by both Houses of Congress, or it is disapproved within 60 days by one House and no action is taken on the disapproval resolution by the other House. Provides that either House of Congress may, by resolution, require any agency to reconsider and resubmit any rule to which this Act applies. Requires that such proposed rule be repromulgated anew in accordance with all the provisions of this Act unless it is reconsidered and resubmitted to Congress within 180 days after the adoption of the resolution requiring such reconsideration. Requires the Administrative Conference of the United States to study Congressional review of agency rulemaking under this Act and report the effect of such review on such rulemaking before July 1, 1984. Authorizes to be appropriated $200,000 to finance such study. Makes this Act effective 90 days after enactment. Terminates the Congressional review required by this Act at the adjournment of the Ninety-eight Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Establishes a single six-year term of office for the President and Vice President and a three-year term of office for Members of the House of Representatives. Limits to three the number of consecutive terms a Senator may serve and to five the number of consecutive terms a Representative may serve. Prohibits any person from serving as the President, the Vice President, a Senator, or a Representative in Congress who has attained the age of 75 years, or would attain the age of 75 years, before the end of that term.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
National Digestive Diseases Prevention, Cure, and Control Act - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to establish a National Digestive Diseases Education and Information Clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information respecting digestive diseases and to serve as a national educational resource for patients with digestive diseases. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to medical schools for education and training programs in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of digestive diseases. Establishes a 24-member part-time National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board to advise on the coordination of Federal agencies' efforts in the implementation of the long- range plan of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases, among other specified functions. Terminates such Board on September 30, 1982.
![Official portrait of Rep. Murphy, Austin J. [D-PA-20]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001088_200.jpg)