United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Permits calculation of the investment tax credit for such property without regard to the useful life of the property. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits a taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Permits taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns an election to contribute any portion of their income tax refunds or any additional contributions forwarded with the returns to the support of the arts. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to modify income tax return forms to notify taxpayers of their option to contribute. Authorizes the payment of 100 percent of taxpayer refunds or contributions designated for the support of the arts to the National Endowment for the Arts (Arts Endowment). Directs the transfer of all such amounts, on a proportionate basis, to State arts agencies. Treats payments of funds to State agencies as donations from private persons and not as Federal assistance. Directs the transfer of amounts transferred to State agencies under this Act, on a proportionate basis, to local arts agencies. Imposes restrictions on the use of funds transferred to the Arts Endowment or State or local arts agencies for administrative purposes. Prohibits any local agency to which funds are paid under this Act from requiring any applicant for funds to meet any matching requirement. Prohibits the use of funds raised under this Act for grants to any endowment funds or for other investment purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Authorizes the President to present on behalf of the Congress specially struck gold medals to fifty-three individuals held hostage in the United States Embassy in Iran. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) strike fifty-three gold medals with suitable emblems, devices and inscriptions; and (2) coin and sell bronze duplicates of such medals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1981
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow preference visas to be given to an alien who: (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 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 · 6 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the standard mileage rate used in computing the charitable deduction for expenses incurred in the operation of a motor vehicle shall be the same as the standard mileage rate for the business related deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1981
Regulatory Procedure Act of 1981 - Title I: The Analysis, Management, and Organization of Agency Functions - Requires the head of each Federal agency to publish for each proposed major rule a preliminary regulatory analysis which describes: (1) the need for the rule; (2) the reasonable alternative approaches; (3) regional differences; (4) the projected benefits, adverse economic effects, and effectiveness of the proposed rule and alternatives; and (5) the advantages and disadvantages of adopting performance standards rather than design standards. Requires that each agency publish for each final major rule a final regulatory analysis which includes: (1) an explanation of the selection of the rule considering its adverse economic effects; (2) a summary of the significant issues raised by public comments; and (3) the total costs to the agency of the preliminary and final regulatory analysis. Directs each agency to: (1) include in the notice of each proposed and final major rule, instructions of how the public may obtain copies of such analyses; and (2) send a copy of such analyses to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Authorizes an agency to delay completing such analyses by publishing a finding that the rule is being adopted in response to an emergency that makes completion of such analyses impossible. Terminates any such emergency rule if such analyses are not completed within 180 days of the publication of the rule. Bars judicial review of such regulatory analyses. Requires the Director of OMB and the Comptroller General to report to Congress on agency compliance with the requirements of this title. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually, a regulatory agenda containing a list of major and other rules for the next year and certain specified information concerning such rules. Directs each agency to submit its proposed major rules to the President for incorporation into a semiannual Calendar of Federal Regulations. Requires the Director of OMB to review and publish a list of rules submitted which potentially duplicate or conflict with other proposed or existing rules. Directs each agency: (1) include in the notice of a rulemaking or adjudicatory proceeding the date by which the agency intends to complete such proceeding; and (2) to prepare and publish in the first regulatory agenda of the year a report on such proceedings which includes the number of proceedings the agency failed to complete by the established deadline and the reasons for such failure. Requires that such report also disclose specified information concerning the use of funds by the agency for procuring services for the preparation of any report in connection with such a proceeding. Requires each agency, within 6 months of the effective date of this Act, to: (1) establish an office, within such agency, to be responsible for regulatory planning and management; (2) issue guidelines for determining which rules are significant rules; and (3) issue guidelines to insure that an adopted major or significant rule meets certain criteria including requirements that: (a) the rule is written to be easily understood; (b) there has been full consideration with affected State and local governments; and (c) the public has been given a full opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process. Requires that each agency submit to OMB and publish in the Federal Register a draft schedule for the review, over a ten-year period, of its major rules and practices. Sets forth guidelines for such review. Directs each agency to publish a final review schedule within one year. Requires that each agency announce the review date for each major rule upon its publication. Requires each agency to publish an assessment of each precept reviewed. Declares that such review requirements shall not apply to any rule or practice involving the internal revenue laws of the United States. Title II: Reorganizing and Improving Agency Proceedings - Requires that the general notice of a proposed rule include: (1) a statement that the agency seeks proposals from the public of alternative methods; and (2) a statement of where the file of the rulemaking proceeding may be inspected or how file copies may be obtained. Subjects rules concerning public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts to notice and comment rulemaking procedures. Directs each agency to maintain a file of each rulemaking proceeding. Requires each agency to transmit semiannually to the appropriate Congressional committees an agenda listing all areas in which the agency intends to propose major rules during the following year. Directs each agency to transmit a copy of each final rule to each House of Congress and to such committees on the day the rule is published. Prohibits the rule from becoming effective: (1) until 30 days after it is received by such committees; (2) until the earlier of the expiration of 60 days after the date on which a committee reports a resolution disapproving the rule or the date on which such resolution is rejected; or (3) if such a resolution is enacted. Exempts from such time constraints any major rule promulgated in response to an emergency situation. Prohibits an agency from promulgating a new rule substantially the same as a disapproved rule. Requires agencies to respond in an appropriate manner to good faith requests from interested persons for interpretations of agency rules. Creates a new procedure for administrative proceedings required by statute. Establishes an "expedited procedure" which applies to any proceeding predominantly concerning policy issues of a general character, including rulemaking and initial licensing. Requires "trial-type procedures" for proceedings which predominantly concern specific factual questions, including proceedings to assess a civil penalty or fine or to determine a claim for certain individual benefits. Directs the agency to conduct a hearing in such a proceeding to afford parties an opportunity to submit written data, arguments, and responses, and, at the request of any party, an opportunity for oral argument. Requires the presiding employee to designate a disputed question for formal cross-examination upon determining, at the conclusion of the hearing, that there is a substantial dispute of fact which can be resolved sufficiently only by formal cross-examination and upon which the decision of the agency is likely to depend. Sets forth procedures for issuing subpoenas in formal proceedings under the expedited or trial-type procedures. Enumerates the powers and responsibilities of a presiding employee at proceedings under trial-type procedure. Allows an agency to designate an appropriate employee to recommend a decision for a proceeding under expedited procedure when the presiding employee submits the record of the proceeding without a recommended decision. Authorizes each agency to establish employee boards to review the decisions of presiding employees. Directs each agency to specify conditions under which it will accept an appeal of a decision of a presiding employee or such a board, and the conditions under which it will exclude a decision from the jurisdiction of a review board. Requires an action to be brought in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the review of an agency rule for which there is no applicable special statutory review procedure. Prohibits a court reviewing an agency action involving a rule from making any presumption in favor of or against the agency action. Requires such court to determine the agency's jurisdiction on the basis of the language of the authorizing statute or other evidence of legislative intent.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income a corporate stock distribution to a stockholder based upon the reinvestment of stock dividends in the corporation by such stockholder pursuant to his election to participate in a qualified dividend reinvestment plan, as defined in this Act. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $1,500 per year. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that a distribution made by a corporation which purchases its common stock within one year of such distribution shall not be deemed a distribution pursuant to a qualified dividend reinvestment plan.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers who do not itemize income tax deductions to claim a deduction from gross income for charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Defines those members who served in the Armed Forces between November 12, 1918, and July 2, 1921, as World War I veterans and reinstates their veteran status.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the disability and income requirements for the sick pay exclusion enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1976. Provides an exclusion from gross income for sick pay not in excess of $100 per week.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1980
Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to designate the Job Corps facilities located in Union and Muhlenburg Counties, Kentucky, as the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1980
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1981 - Makes appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for fiscal year 1981, and for other purposes, as follows. Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriation Act, 1981 - Makes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 to the Department of Labor for the following agencies and purposes: (1) the Employment and Training Administration for program administration, employment and training assistance, temporary employment assistance, community service employment for older Americans, Federal unemployment benefits and allowances, grants to States for unemployment insurance and employment services, and advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and other funds; (2) the Labor-Management Services Administration for salaries and expenses; (3) the Employment Standards Administration for salaries and expenses, special benefits, and the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (4) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for salaries and expenses (with specified limitations on the use of such funds for the enforcement of specified civil penalties, regulations, administrative actions, monitoring visits, and inspections); (5) the Mine Safety and Health Administration for salaries and expenses; (6) the Bureau of Labor Statistics for salaries and expenses; and (7) departmental management for salaries and expenses and the special foreign currency program. Authorizes the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to make expenditures without fiscal year limitations during fiscal year 1981. Provides that appropriations in this Act available for salaries and expenses shall be available for supplies, services, and rental of conference space within the District of Columbia, as the Secretary of Labor shall deem necessary for settlement of labor-management disputes. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this title to: (1) pay any prisoner for work performed prior to 12 months before the presumptive release date of such prisoner; or (2) carry out activities for or on behalf of any individual who is an alien in the United States in violation of any Federal law relating to the immigration, exclusion, deportation, or expulsion of aliens. Title II: Department of Health and Human Services - Department of Health and Human Services Appropriation Act, 1981 - Makes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 to the Department of Health and Human Services for the following agencies and purposes: (1) the Health Services Administration for health services; (2) the Center for Disease Control for preventive health services; (3) the National Institutes of Health for the National Cancer Institute, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Institute of Dental Research, the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases, the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Eye Institute, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Institute on Aging, research resources and general research support grants (with limitations on amounts for indirect expenses), the John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences, the National Library of Medicine, buildings and facilities, and the Office of the Director; (4) the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration for alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health programs and for St. Elizabeth's Hospital maintenance, operation, construction, and renovation; (5) the Health Resources Administration for health resources (but prohibits commitments for direct loans or loan guarantees being made during fiscal year 1981 from the Medical Facilities Guarantee and Loan Fund); (6) the Assistant Secretary for Health for salaries and expenses, the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund, and retirement pay and medical benefits for commissioned officers; (7) the Health Care Financing Administration for grants to States for medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, and program management; (8) the Social Security Administration for payments to Social Security trust funds, special benefits for disabled coal miners, the Supplemental Security Income program, assistance payments programs, low income energy assistance, refugee assistance, and administrative expenses; (9) the Assistant Secretary for Human Development Services for grants to States for social and child welfare services, human development services, and a work incentive program; (10) departmental management for general departmental management, the Office of the Inspector General, the Office of Civil Rights, and policy research studies. Prohibits withholding funds appropriated by this title for grants-in- aid to cover State agencies operating expenses because of any disapproval of their personnel or manner of personnel selection if a merit system and classification and compensation plan is in operation. Prohibits use of funds appropriated under this title for: (1) paying research grant recipients amounts equal to as much as the entire cost of such research; (2) additional permanent positions in the Washington, D.C. area if the total number of authorized positions in such area is allowed to exceed the proportion existing at the close of fiscal year 1966; (3) abortions except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term; and (4) compensation of, or contracts to procure the services of, experts or consultants or organizations thereof, in excess of a specified amount. Makes available funds appropriated to specified agencies under this title for specified Public Health Service purposes and for sharing medical care facilities and resources. Title III: Department of Education - Department of Education Appropriation Act, 1981 - Makes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 to the Department of Education for the following agencies, special institutions, and purposes: (1) elementary and secondary education; (2) school assistance in federally affected areas (with specified limitations on entitlements); (3) equal educational opportunities; (4) libraries and learning resources; (5) education for the handicapped; (6) rehabilitation services and handicapped research; (7) vocational and adult education; (8) student financial assistance; (9) student loan insurance; (10) higher and continuing education; (11) higher education facilities loans and insurance; (12) college housing loans; (13) school improvement; (14) the American Printing House for the Blind; (15) the National Technical Institute for the Deaf; (16) Gallaudet College; (17) Howard University; (18) the Office of Civil Rights for salaries and expenses; and (19) departmental management for salaries and expenses; educational statistics, research and related activities, educational, research, and training activities overseas (special foreign currency program). Prohibits withholding funds appropriated by this title for grants-in-aid to cover State agencies operating expenses because of any disapproval of their personnel or manner of personnel selection if a merit system and classification and compensation plan is in operation. Subjects funds appropriated in this Act to specified institutions to audit by the Secretary of Education. Prohibits use of funds appropriated under this title for: (1) paying research grant recipients amounts equal to as much as the entire cost of such research; (2) specified actions involving forced busing or the transportation of students under specified conditions; and (3) compensation of, or contracts to procure the services of, experts or consultants or organizations thereof, in excess of a specified amount. Limits the total full-time equivalent employment of the Department of Education during fiscal year 1981 to 7,500. Title IV: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 to the following agencies: (1) ACTION for operating expenses of domestic programs; (2) the Community Services Administration for the community services program, the Community Development Credit Unions Revolving Fund, and the Rural Development Loan Fund; (3) the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for the Public Broadcasting Fund (with prohibitions on use of such funds for entertainment for government officials or employees or discriminatory activities); (4) the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for salaries and expenses; (5) the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission for salaries and expenses; (6) the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science for salaries and expenses; (7) the National Labor Relations Board for salaries and expenses; (8) the National Mediation Board for salaries and expenses; (9) the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission for salaries and expenses; (10) the President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine for salaries and expenses; (11) the Railroad Retirement Board for Federal payment to the Railroad Retirement Account and for administrative expenses; and (12) the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home for operation and maintenance. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized uses and limitations on uses of funds appropriated for salaries and expenses under this Act. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act for any loan, loan guarantee, grant, salary or other remuneration for any individual applying for admission, attending, employed by, teaching at, or doing research at an institution of higher education who has engaged in conduct on or after August 1, 1969, which involves the use of (or the assistance to others in the use of) force or the threat of force or the seizure of property under the control of an institution of higher education, to require or prevent the availability of certain curricula, or to prevent the faculty, administrative officials, or students in such institution from engaging in their duties or pursuing their studies at such institution. Authorizes the Secretaries of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services to transfer unexpended balances of prior appropriations to accounts corresponding to current appropriations provided in this Act, provided that such transferred balances are used for the same purposes, and for the same periods of time, for which they were originally appropriated. Prohibits any part of any appropriation contained in this Act from: (1) remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year, unless expressly provided; (2) being used for publicity or propaganda to support or defeat legislation pending before Congress, except in presentation to the Congress itself or for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships; (3) being used to pay for activities by grant or contract recipients or their agents designed to influence legislation or appropriations pending before the Congress; or (4) being used for research, experimental, or other activities presenting a danger to participants or subjects, without their written, informed consent (or that of parents or legal guardians, in the case of minors). Authorizes the Secretaries to make available a specified amount, respectively, from funds available for salaries and expenses under titles I, II, and III, for official reception and representation expenses. Authorizes the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the Chairman of the National Mediation Board to make available specified amounts for such expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1980
Extends the congratulations of the Congress to the Order of the Sons of Italy in America for their 75th anniversary. Proclaims Sunday, June 22, 1980, as "National Italian-American Day."
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Rural Cooperative Business Income Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that income received by a mutual or cooperative telephone or electric company for services to customers or rural telephone or electric companies, and income received from the rental or sale of communications or power facilities, shall not be subject to the tax on unrelated business income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1980
Requests the U.S. Olympic Committee to propose to the International Olympic Committee that all nations join in funding a facility in Greece to serve as the permanent site of the summer Olympic games.
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 · 30 January 1980
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal of appropriate design to Ambassador Kenneth Taylor in recognition of his efforts to secure the return of six American Embassy officials in Tehran. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be struck such gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Expresses appreciation to Canada for: (1) its historic close relations and cooperation with the United States in conducting foreign policy; (2) its support for U.S. efforts to obtain the safe release of the hostages in Iran; and (3) its efforts to protect and arrange the safe departure of certain U.S. citizens from Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1980
Urges the President to prohibit the exportation of fertilizer from the United States to the Soviet Union, until Soviet troops are withdrawn from Afghanistan.
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 · 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 · 7 November 1979
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include within the categories of deportable aliens foreign students who knowingly participated in a political demonstration resulting in, or intending to result in, injury or damage to another's person or property. Permits the Attorney General to suspend deportation of such foreign students.
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 · 23 October 1979
Makes supplemental appropriations to the Community Services Administration for the community services program, part of which is to be transferred to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare for payment to eligible individuals of energy grants and allowances to assist in meeting heating fuel costs. Excludes such allowances from being considered as income or resources for purposes of any other public assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1979
Makes supplemental appropriations to the Community Services Administration for the community services program, part of which is to be transferred to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare for payment to eligible individuals of energy grants and allowances to assist in meeting fuel and related administrative costs. Excludes such allowances from being considered as income or resources for purposes of any other public assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of January 21 through January 27, 1979, as "Junior Achievement Week" in honor of the sixtieth anniversary of Junior Achievement, an organization dedicated to the American enterprise system and service to youth.
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 · 16 July 1979
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should establish and actively pursue a national energy plan that emphasizes and demands the use of domestic coal as a means of displacing current foreign energy imports. Declares that the President should establish a task force to examine modifications in the implementation of the Clean Air Act that could increase coal use without violating national ambient air quality standards. Declares that the appropriate House committee should review current regulations of the Office of Surface Mining of the Department of the Interior to insure that such regulations conform with the original intent of Congress in passing the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1977. States that the President should submit to Congress within 60 days of enactment of a plan which will achieve the goals of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Alternate Fuels Engine Development Act of 1979 - Title I: Alternative Fuels Engine Development Program - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a comprehensive program for the development of gas turbine engines for commercial production. Stipulates that such program shall include development of gasoline engine conversion systems. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, contracts, and loans with specified types of institutions and organizations in order to carry out this title. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to qualified entities to assist in the commercial production of such engines and conversion systems. Authorizes appropriations for programs described under this title. Requires that federally-purchased vehicles be equipped with gas turbine engines or gasoline engine conversion systems. Directs the Secretary to take such steps as necessary to assure participation by small businesses in the programs conducted under this title. Terminates the provisions of this Act effective January 1, 1990. Title II: Tax Incentives for Gas Turbine Engine Development and Production and for Gasoline Engine Conversion Equipment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide an additional 15 percent investment tax credit for gasoline conservation property, as defined under this Act. Allows a tax deduction with respect to the amortization of any qualified gasoline conservation product facility based on a period of 60 months. Sets forth procedures for determining eligibility for and claiming such deduction. Allows a tax credit for purchase of qualified gasoline conservation products. Allows a tax deduction for fees paid for transportation of a taxpayer on any public transportation motor vehicle which uses any qualified gasoline conservation product.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Soft Drink Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that exclusive territorial arrangements made as a part of a licensing agreement for the manufacture, distribution, or sale of a trademarked soft drink product are lawful under the antitrust laws provided such product is in substantial and effective competition with other products of the same general class. Prohibits recovery in private actions under the Clayton Act based on territorial provisions in a trademark licensing agreement prior to a final determination that such provisions are unlawful.
United States · United States Congress · 10 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. Natcher, William H. [D-KY-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/n000009_200.jpg)