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United States · Official source
3,121 records where Rep. Ottinger, Richard L. [D-NY-20] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1979
Requests the Secretary of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, to develop a plan for local nutrition monitoring including: (1) the identification of priority target areas; (2) the development of a structure for monitoring specified regions; and (3) the choice of methodology and a timetable.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1979
Polygraph Control and Privacy Protection Act of 1979 - Prohibits any person engaged in interstate commerce from: (1) requiring any employee, officer, or applicant for employment to take a polygraph test in connection with such individual's employment; (2) denying employment or disciplining an employee by reason of such individual's refusal to submit to such test; or (3) using the results of such test in connection with such individual's employment. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of such provisions. Authorizes civil actions in U.S. district courts in behalf of aggrieved individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1979
Condemns the use of lethal chemical agents against the Hmong tribespeople in Laos. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) take action to bring about the cessation of such poison gas use; (2) direct the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Committee on Disarmament to place such warfare on the U.S. agenda and reach agreement with the Soviet Union on a general prohibition of chemical warfare; and (3) report to the Congress concerning actions taken.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1979
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the taxation of any title II benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1979
Small Business Export Expansion Act of 1979 - Title I: Small Business Export Expansion Assistance - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to qualified applicants to encourage the development and implementation of a small business international marketing program. Stipulates that not more than one-third of such grants be used for the purpose of hiring personnel. Sets forth eligibility requirements for applicants. Requires each small business international marketing program to: (1) have a full-time staff director to manage program activities; (2) have access to export specialists to counsel and assist small business clients; and (3) establish an advisory board of nine members appointed by the Governor of the State in which the applicant is located. Sets forth operational procedures for such advisory board. Directs the SBA to maintain a central clearinghouse for the collection, dissemination, and exchange of information between small business international marketing programs. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for such programs. Title II: Export Promotion Centers - Directs the Administrator of SBA, after consultation with specified agencies, to establish an Export Promotion Center in each regional office of the Department of Commerce. Requires the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Internal Revenue Service, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the SBA to each designate at least one full-time employee to serve as the agency representative in each Center. Directs the Administrator to report to the Senate Select Committee on Small Business and the House Small Business Committee on the progress made in imprementing this title, not later than six months after enactment of this Act. Directs the Administration to establish a plan for the evaluation of the international marketing program to be submitted annually to the appropriate congressional committees. Title III: Small Business Export Financing Assistance - Authorizes the Administration to make loans to small businesses for export purposes of 90 percent of the balance of such loans outstanding at the time of disbursement. Title IV: Small Business Investment Companies - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize the Administration to make commitments, by contract, to guarantee qualifying investments by small business investment companies licensed pursuant to this Act. Limits such contracts to specified aggregate amounts of guarantee eligibility. Provides that such guarantees be granted with respect to initial and subsequent (to the effective date of this Act) investments made in eligible small business concerns, and shall not exceed 50 percent of each net investment loss. Directs that such guarantees be granted to such concerns which are or will be engaged in continuous export business operations, giving preference to new-to-export small businesses. Sets forth requirements for qualifying investments and terms and conditions under which the Administration may void or suspend any such contractual commitments.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 1979
Establishes the Barrier Islands National Parks. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands and interests in land within the boundaries of the barrier islands units by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange, except that in the case of developed land, the Secretary may acquire such land only with the consent of the owner thereof, or following a determination by the Secretary that an actual or proposed change in the use of such land after the date of enactment of this Act would impair the quality of the unit. Withdraws lands within the barrier islands units from entry or appropriation under the mining laws of the United States and from the operation of the mineral leasing laws. Prohibits any Federal financial assistance from being made available under any authority of Federal law, and no Federal license, permit, or other form of approval may be issued by any Federal agency for: (1) the construction of any structure, road, or facility of any type on any barrier island unit of the Atlantic or gulf coast of the United States; (2) any road, airport, boat landing facility, or other facility to be used for providing access to any such barrier island contrary to the purposes of this Act; and (3) any project to prevent the erosion of, or to otherwise stabilize, any shoreline or inshore area of such a barrier island.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 1979
World War II Japanese-American Human Rights Violations Redress Act - Directs the Attorney General to locate those individuals of Japanese ancestry who were interned, detained, or forcibly relocated by the United States at any time during the World War II internment period and pay them $15,000 plus $15 multiplied by the number days such individual was so interned or detained. Provides for payments due deceased individuals to go to family members.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1979
Directs the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to determine the validity and amounts of claims against Iran by U.S. citizens held as hostages in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, and their families, for personal injuries and punitive damages. Requires the Commission to certify: (1) the amount of damages to the individual claimants and to the Secretary of State; and (2) the amount of each award to the Secretary of the Treasury. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a special fund for the payment of such awards into which shall be paid: (1) payments by Iran to satisfy such claims; and (2) amounts realized from Iranian assets subject to control under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Requires the Secretary to make payments from such funds for awards not otherwise satisfied by Iran. Directs the President to continue to prohibit transactions in at least $100,000,000 of Iranian assets subjected to controls, until all claims are fully satisfied.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1979
Wind Energy Systems Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1979 - Declares it to be the policy of the United States and the purpose of this Act to establish a research, development, and demonstration program for converting wind energy into electricity. Sets as a goal of such program the attainment of a total megawatt capacity of at least 800 megawatts from wind energy systems by fiscal year 1988 and the reduction of the average cost of electricity produced by such systems to a level competitive with conventional energy sources by the end of fiscal year 1986. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to enter into agreements with public and private entities to obtain scientific, technological, and economic information on the design, fabrication, purchase, installation, and testing of wind energy systems. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to entities seeking to install wind energy systems upon submission of the proper application. Sets forth terms and conditions for receiving such assistance. Terminates any Federal subsidization of purchases of such equipment upon the determination that such systems have become competitive with conventional energy sources or by a specified date. Sets forth the amount of such assistance, taking into consideration any tax credits allowed under the Internal Revenue Code for renewable energy source expenditures. Allocates a portion of the funds appropriated to carry out such assistance program for accelerated procurement and installation of wind energy systems by Federal agencies for demonstration purposes. Directs the Secretary to promulgate voluntary performance standards for such systems. Directs the Secretary to initiate a three-year national wind resource assessment program to: (1) validate existing assessments of known wind resources; (2) perform wind resource assessments in regions where the use of wind energy may prove feasible; (3) initiate a general site prospecting program; (4) establish standard wind data collection and siting techniques; (5) establish, in consultation with the Administrators of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a national wind data center to make public information available on wind energy. Directs the Secretary to prepare a comprehensive program management plan for the research, development, and demonstration activities prescribed under this Act for submission to specified congressional committees. Sets forth criteria for selection of programs consistent with the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to monitor, collect and evaluate data and information, and conduct studies and investigations relating to wind energy systems and programs. Directs the Secretary to assure that information relating to programs, projects and other activities conducted under this Act are widely disseminated to Federal, State, and local authorities, relevant segments of the economy, the scientific community and the public, so as to promote the use of wind energy to the maximum extent feasible. Directs the Secretary to assure that small businesses will have adequate opportunities to participate in the programs conducted under this Act to the maximum extent practicable. Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1979
Opportunities Industrialization Centers Skills Training and National Community-Based Organizations Youth Job Creation and Employment Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to direct prime sponsors under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) to: (1) enter into contracts with Opportunities Industrialization Centers, Incorporated, for the creation of jobs and the provision of skills training for unemployed and unemployable youth; and (2) enter into contracts with other national community-based organizations for the provision of comprehensive employment services to such persons. Directs the head of each agency administering authority under specified Acts or programs, including the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972, the Housing and Community Development Act, and public works assistance programs, to take steps to assure that consideration will be given to national community-based organizations for the provision of comprehensive employment services and job opportunities to youth pursuant to those Acts and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1979
Designates the third week of September of each year as "National Cystic Fibrosis Week."
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
Municipal Resources Management Act of 1979 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to include among the objectives of the State and Regional Solid Waste Plan provisions of such Act the maximum utilization of energy and materials recoverable from solid waste. Amends such Act to include among the considerations for promulgating State Plan guidelines the existence of available new and additional markets for energy and energy resources recovered from solid waste. Makes a State eligible for financial assistance for energy and materials recovery feasibility planning and assistance under such Act upon a determination that such State's solid waste plan includes specified provisions relating to energy and other materials recoverable from municipal waste. Authorizes such State to make any of such assistance available to municipalities for similar activities. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to municipalities to carry out energy and materials recovery feasibility planning and assistance activities. Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical assistance to States and municipalities to assist in removing impediments to the development of systems and facilities designed to recover energy and materials from municipal waste. Directs the Administrator to collect and disseminate information relating to the recovery of energy and materials from solid waste.
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 · 9 November 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week beginning on November 23, 1980, as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1979
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to enter into agreements with the State of New York for a demonstration project for the removal of polychlorinated biphenyls from the Hudson River and storing such toxic substances in secure landfills. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to the State for 75 percent of the costs of such project.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1979
Wildlife Information and Learning Development Act of 1979 - Establishes a Wildlife Information Clearinghouse within the Office of Endangered Species of the Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. Makes the Clearinghouse responsible for evaluating, consolidating, and distributing endangered species and wildlife conservation information concerning the behavioral, social, and environmental elements of wildlife existence. Authorizes the appropriation of funds for such Clearinghouse for fiscal years 1981 through 1983. Authorizes the Commissioner of the Fish and Wildlife Service to make grants to local educational institutions, institutions of higher education, and other public or private nonprofit organizations for the development of informational materials pertaining to: (1) species information packets for distribution to elementary and secondary schools; (2) the violation of statutes enacted for the protection of endangered or potentially threatened wildlife and plant species; (3) technical factsheets for postsecondary and graduate wildlife students; and (4) information materials which may be helpful for the general public. Appropriates funds for such grants for fiscal years 1981 through 1983. Provides that 80 percent of such funds shall be used for projects which propose innovative and promising approaches for providing informational services to the public, 5 percent for the evaluation of the grant program, and the remainder to be used in a manner the Commissioner deems appropriate. Declares that none of the funds appropriated under this Act shall be transferred to any other office or agency, or be subject to change by reorganization plan or otherwise, except to the extent specifically provided by law.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1979
Infant Formula Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to set forth requirements for infant formulas. States that formulas which do not conform to such requirements shall be deemed to adulterated. Requires each manufacturer of an infant formula to annually submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly, the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare) reports or test results which show that the formula meets such requirements. Directs the Secretary to notify the manufacturer if such Secretary determines the formula is adulterated. Requires such manufacturer to give the Secretary satisfactory assurances of initiating a recall to all retail purchasers of such formula within 48 hours of receiving notification of the Secretary's determination. Directs the Secretary to initiate actions for the seizure of such formula should the manufacturer fail to make such assurances. Permits an inspector enforcing the provisions of this Act access to specified test records of the manufacturer at all times. Makes the failure to submit required reports and test results a prohibited act under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1979
Hazardous Waste Response Fund Act of 1979 - States that the provisions of this Act shall not apply to oil or other pollution of navigable waters. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to establish a hazardous waste response program for dealing with emergencies involving the release or threat of release of hazardous waste into the environment from sites now regulated under Federal law. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to take such emergency response actions as determined to be immediately necessary to prevent or minimize any harm to public health or the environment when any hazardous waste is released or is threatened to be released into the environment. Stipulates that where the Administrator determines that the owner or operator of such site, the generator of such waste, any other person responsible for such release or threatened release, or the State or local government concerned, will take such emergency actions, the Administrator shall not exercise such emergency response authority. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with, State or local governments to undertake such emergency actions where it is determined that such entities have the capability to carry out those actions. Sets forth the types of emergency actions which are authorized. Authorizes the Administrator to remove, contain, and clean up hazardous waste at or associated with any hazardous waste site which may present a danger to public health or the environment. Directs the Administrator not to exercise such authority if he determines that the owner or operator of such site, the generator of waste treated, stored or disposed of at such site, any other person responsible for such site, or the State or local government concerned, will take the action referred to in this paragraph. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with, State or local governments to undertake such actions where it is determined that such entities have the capability to carry out those actions. Sets forth the types of containment and removal actions which are authorized. Authorizes the Administrator to provide special rapid emergency assistance to State and local governments and to take such action, or assist other Federal agencies in taking actions as are deemed necessary to protect health and the environment from hazardous substances released into the environment in a manner which may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or the environment. Stipulates that such assistance may be rendered and actions taken even where the Administrator is unable to immediately determine the applicability of any Federal law other than this Act or the existence of any authority to take remedial action with respect to such hazardous substance release. Requires the Administrator or such other Federal agency or instrumentality to reimburse the Fund established under this Act for amounts expended for emergency assistance or actions where it is determined that such action taken or assistance provided is authorized under any authority of law other that this Act. Directs the Administrator to issue a National Hazardous Waste Response Plan after appropriate public review and public hearings are completed. Sets forth the components of such plan, and requires that hazardous waste removal and containment and emergency assistance for releases of such wastes shall be in accordance with such plan. Requires that such plan set forth recommended methods, procedures, criteria, and equipment for handling released hazardous waste. Authorizes the Administrator to provide equipment and other items necessary for damage assessment and response capability of Federal, State, and local strike forces or other emergency response teams. Limits the Federal share of the cost of actions taken by the Administrator under this Act. Establishes in the United States Treasury a Hazardous Waste Response Fund to finance emergency response, removal, containment, cleanup, and other actions authorized by this Act, including administrative and personnel costs. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 through 1984 for such fund. Includes in such fund: (1) fees collected under this Act; (2) damage payments received for liability for hazardous waste releases; (3) reimbursements for emergency assistance or for the costs of actions taken for removal, containment, or cleanup of hazardous waste releases; (4) penalties assessed under this Act; and (5) amounts authorized to be appropriated. Imposes fees to be set by the Administrator on: (1) suppliers of petrochemical feedstocks; (2) suppliers of inorganic elements and compounds; and (3) refiners and exporters of crude oil. Specifies the aggregate amounts of fees imposed under this Act which are to be collected from such parties. Authorizes the Administrator to reduce such fees upon his determination that any such feedstock, element, or compound is derived from the waste stream of a production process or from recycled materials. Imposes civil penalties for the failure or refusal to pay such fees. Directs the Administrator to issue regulations prohibiting the release of hazardous waste into the environment. Requires owners or operators of hazardous waste sites and persons responsible for hazardous waste releases or threatened releases violating the regulations issued under this Act to notify the Administrator thereafter. Prohibits any person from knowingly destroying or concealing records relating to hazardous wastes or hazardous waste sites. Authorizes the Administrator to require, by order, any owner or operator of a hazardous waste site or generator of hazardous waste to take such action as may be required for removal, containment, or cleanup of released hazardous waste. Authorizes the Administrator to commence a civil action against any person to impose a civil penalty for violation of regulations issued under this Act, up to $50,000 for single violations, and $250,000 for willful and knowing violations. Authorizes the Administrator to issue abatement orders or to seek equitable relief in the event of hazardous waste releases endangering or threatening to endanger public health or safety. States that the United States district courts shall have jurisdiction to grant such relief. Authorizes criminal penalties and imprisonment upon the owner or operator of a hazardous waste site or upon any other party responsible for a hazardous waste release for failure to comply with the notification requirements of this Act. Authorizes anyone taking actions under this Act as authorized by the Administrator to exercise the entry, inspection, and other authority contained in the applicable inspection provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Imposes strict liability upon any person causing or contributing to the release or threatened release of hazardous waste into the environment. Specifies the damages and costs for which such person shall be liable and states that such liability shall be to the governmental entity which incurred costs relating to removal, containment, emergency assistance or other actions, and to persons who sustained damages for personal injury, injury to property, and economic loss resulting from such release or threatened release. Stipulates that nothing in this Act shall affect the liability of any person under any other law except that the amount recovered under such other laws shall reduce the amount recoverable under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1979
National Energy Conservation Incentives Act - Title I: Amendments to Utility Program - Amends the residential energy conservation title of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to extend the definition of "residential building" to include: (1) any building used for residential occupancy which contains at least one dwelling unit; and (2) specified commercial buildings. Requires that each utility program under such title contain procedures authorizing utilities to reinspect buildings equipped with conservation measures to determine the extent to which such measures have been installed. Amends the requirements for approval of proposed residential energy conservation plans to require that contractors or suppliers of residential energy conservation measures seeking to be included on the list of approved contractors and suppliers provide one year warranties on materials and installation of such measures and express a willingness to defer receipt of payment for such measures sold or installed until the reinspection described above is completed. Requires that such list indicate such willingness on the part of such contractors and suppliers to allow such deferred payments. Requires that the list of lending institutions offering financial assistance for the purchase and installation of such conservation measures indicate the availability at each such institution of assistance provided under the Energy Conservation Bank Act. Amends the requirements under such title concerning accounting and payment of costs of operating a utility program under such Act. Authorizes public utilities to make loans or capital investment payments to residential building owner customers for the purchase and installation of residential energy conservation measures under specified conditions. Amends the accounting and payment of costs provisions of such title to provide for the financing of such loans and capital investment payments. Stipulates that neither the Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission, nor any other agency shall be barred from challenging anticompetitive acts or practices related to activities conducted under this Act, nor shall any person be deemed to have immunities or defenses to actions under the antitrust laws as a result of the provisions of this Act. Establishes effective dates for the issuance of regulations implementing the provisions of this Act by the Secretary of Energy, Governors or State regulatory agencies, and nonregulated utilities. Directs the Secretary of Energy to provide assistance to States for the training of residential building inspectors undertaking inspections required by this Act and for the development of approved energy conservation methods and inspections. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 through 1982 to carry out this title. Title II: Financial Assistance Provided by the Energy Conservation Bank - Energy Conservation Bank Act - Establishes the Energy Conservation Bank in the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide financial assistance with respect to loans made to owners of existing commercial and residential buildings for the purchase and installation of energy conserving improvements in such buildings. Authorizes the Bank to provide such assistance in the form of payments to financial institutions and public utilities providing financing pursuant to the National Energy Conservation Policy Act. Sets forth criteria for providing such assistance and terms, conditions, and maximum amounts thereof. Establishes as part of the Bank an Advisory Committee to provide advice to the Board of Directors of the Bank on matters concerning energy conservation assistance. Directs the Bank to promote the program established by this Act and to coordinate its efforts with the Department of Energy. Directs the Board to issue an annual report to the Congress and the President discussing the operations of the Bank identifying problems encountered in the energy conservation industry, the Federal Government, and financial institutions concerning energy conservation, and making recommendations for improvement in the Bank's operations. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to permit the Bank to use personnel of such Department for the purpose of carrying out this Act. Establishes penalties for fraud and misrepresentation with respect to loans assisted under this Act. Authorizes the use of funds from the Energy Security Trust Fund to provide assistance under this title. Sets forth limitations on the amount of such funds available for each of the fiscal years 1980 through 1983. Title III: Secondary Financing - Requires that the Board direct the Bank to make commitments to purchase, to purchase and to service, sell, and otherwise deal in loans and advances of credit made under this Act and the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to residential building owners for the purchase of energy conserving improvements. Authorizes the Bank to issue obligations to enable the Bank to carry out its functions. Exempts transactions authorized under this Act from State or local usury or loan insurance laws. Repeals specified provisions of the National Housing Act which authorize the Government National Mortgage Association to purchase energy conserving improvement loans. Amends the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to authorize such Corporation to purchase, make commitments to purchase, and to hold, deal with, sell, and otherwise dispose of mortgages or interest therein held by any public utility acting under a utility program pursuant to the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, the original proceeds of which are applied for in order to finance energy conserving improvements. Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to authorize such association to exercise powers similar to those granted to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation as described above. Title IV: Weatherization Program - Amends the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 to limit the amount of any grant made under such Act to be used for administrative purposes. Amends such Act to increase the amount of payment which may be made to pay volunteers and trainees and public employment workers under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 available to work on weatherization projects in the event there are insufficient participants under such program. Requires the coordination of activities related to rehabilitation, weatherization, and code enforcement conducted by local governments including activities undertaken pursuant to the Housing and Community Development Act and related to energy assistance programs for low- income families, including programs under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Amends such Act to repeal the provisions granting priority in the allocation of weatherization assistance funds to community action agencies serving an area eligible for emergency energy conservation assistance under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Directs the Secretary to establish standards and procedures for weatherization programs under such Act in a manner designed to accomplish uniform results among all the States in any particular similar climatic area. Directs the President to appoint an energy conservation coordinator to assure that the Secretaries of Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Health, Education and Welfare, Defense, the Administrator of the General Services Administration, and other heads of agencies responsible for developing energy conservation standards reach a consensus on establishing criteria for issuing such standards. Directs the President to make annual reports to the Congress on the activities relating to coordination of Federal energy conservation programs. Makes technical amendments to the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1979
Amends the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Incorporated, to erect a memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia in honor and recognition of the men and women of the armed forces who served in the Vietnam war.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1979
Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to authorize payment of a gratuity (equal to one year's salary at time of death) to the surviving dependents of officers or employees of the Central Intelligence Agency who die as a result of injuries sustained outside of the United States upon a determination by the Director of Central Intelligence that the death resulted from hostile or terrorist activity or occurred in connection with an intelligence activity having a substantial element of risk.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should release Ida Nudel and allow her to emigrate to Israel. Urges the President to: (1) express U.S. opposition to the exile of Ida Nudel to Siberia; and (2) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will take into account the extent to which countries honor their commitments under international law, particularly concerning human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. delegation to the 1980 Madrid meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe to seek free elections supervised by the United Nations in the Baltic States after the withdrawal of all Soviet military and civilian personnel. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should inform and gain the support and cooperation of other nations in realizing independence for the Baltic States. Expresses the sense of Congress that the: (1) President should warn the Soviet Union against making citizenship claims on U.S. citizens; and (2) Secretary of State should inform U.S. citizens planning to visit the Soviet Union of the implications of the Soviet law on citizenship.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1979
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 · 18 October 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that no U.S. company doing business in South Africa should not: (1) engage in unfair employment practices; (2) deny its employees the right to choose a representative organization; (3) maintain segregated facilities; or (4) pay unequal compensation for equal work. Expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. companies doing business in South Africa should: (1) recognize unions and permit collective bargaining; (2) train nonwhites for supervisory, administrative, and skilled jobs; and (3) try to improve housing, transportation, and health facilities for their nonwhite employees.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1979
Citizens' Energy Act of 1979 - Title I: Price and Allocation Controls - Subtitle A - Extension of Authority - Amends the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to extend mandatory controls on domestic crude oil through December 31, 1981, and provide the President with discretionary authority to continue such controls through December 31, 1983. Subtitle B - Home Heating Oil - Middle Distillate Fuel Control Act of 1979 - Directs the President to impose controls on heating oil and diesel fuel within 15 days after enactment of this Act. Subtitle C - Natural Gas - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to eliminate natural gas deregulation and to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to set rates for interstate and intrastate natural gas. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require States to hold hearings, with full opportunity for public participation including intervenor funding, to determine whether or not lifeline rates for residential natural gas users should be implemented by State-regulated gas utilities or nonregulated gas utilities. Title II: Conservation - Subtitle A - Energy Productivity - Part I - Residential Energy Conservation Establishes a Residential Energy Conservation Office in the Department of Energy to be administered by a Director appointed by the Secretary of Energy. Directs the Director to reimburse eligible homeowners or apartment dwellers who insulate or install other energy conservation improvements designed to increase energy efficiency. Requires the Director to coordinate such program with the energy audit program authorized under the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, and to advertise the availability of such audits as a means of promoting such program of reimbursement. Requires the Director to conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the promotion of such program. Directs the Comptroller General to audit the operations of the Office. Requires any seller of energy conservation improvements to certify to purchasers whether such improvements comply with any regulations issued by the Director which establish performance and quality standards for energy conservation improvements. Establishes criminal penalties for willfully providing false information to the Director in any application for reimbursement. Part II - Industrial Fuel Conservation - Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to industrial firms to assist them in paying engineering costs for studying the cost-effectiveness of energy conservation investments. Stipulates that such loans would be repaid only if the study showed investing in a more efficient process would be cost-effective. Authorizes the Secretary to provide energy rebates to industrial firms which implement conservation projects for every barrel of oil saved for the first year following the investment in such project. Part III: Commercial Property Energy Conservation Loan Program - Directs the Secretary to establish a Commercial Property Energy Conservation Loan Program to provide low-interest loans to owners, developers, and builders of commercial property for investment in energy conservation systems. Directs the Secretary to appoint an Administrator and such other staff as necessary to carry out such program. Establishes an Advisory Board to be appointed by the President to advise the Secretary in carrying out such program. Establishes criminal penalties for knowingly making any false statement or misrepresentation concerning any loan assisted under such program. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to the Congress and the President on the operation of such program. Directs the Secretary to promote such program by informing financial institutions and commercial property owners, developers, and builders of the benefits of such program. Subtitle B - Industrial Energy Efficiency - Industrial Equipment Efficiency Act of 1979 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended by the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, to add new definitions relating to energy efficiency of industrial equipment. Amends such Act, to require a study of industrial equipment to determine which categories of devices would benefit from labeling or mandatory energy efficiency standards. Directs the Secretary to select the classes or types of equipment for which he will establish test procedures. Stipulates that any such test procedures will be designed in consultation with equipment manufacturers and appropriate technical societies. Directs the Secretary to determine the types of equipment for which he will prescribe labeling rules and to consult with equipment manufacturers affected by proposed rules. Requires the Secretary to select the types of electric motors and pumps for which he will prescribe standby energy efficiency standards and set forth procedures and criteria for issuing such standards. Exempts small equipment manufactures from such standards upon a determination that imposition of such standards may cause serious economic hardship. Stipulates that if the Attorney General finds that the imposition of standards would have an anticompetitive impact, the Secretary shall withdraw such standards. Directs the Secretary to establish a market penetration schedule for "high efficiency motors" and "high efficiency pumps". Sets forth reporting requirements for specified manufacturers of electric motors and pumps. Requires the Secretary to report quarterly to the Congress on the results of such reports. Sets forth conditions under which standby energy efficiency standards may be removed from standby status and made permanently effective. Incorporates the same provisions on rules, authority to obtain information, exports, imports, prohibited acts, enforcement, injunction enforcement, citizen suits, and administrative procedure and judicial review as are applicable to the appliance efficiency standards program of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended. Subtitle C - Residential Energy Audits - Residential Energy Audit Act of 1979 - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to require a residential building owner offering his building for sale to make a copy of the energy audit report on such building available to the purchaser, if the building is served by a utility offering a residential energy conservation program, and is financed by any institution whose deposits are insured by a Federal agency. Prohibits any such financial institution from providing financing for the purchase of a residential building served by such a utility unless such institution has received a current energy audit report on the building. Subtitle D - National Speed Limits - Amends the national maximum speed limit legislation to provide that if the percentage of motor vehicles exceeding 55 miles per hour in a State exceeds 25 percent that State's Federal highway apportionment shall be reduced by 20 percent (previously if the percentage of vehicles exceeding such limit was greater than 60 percent the State's apportionment would be reduced by five percent). Subtitle E - Residential Heating Improvement - Residential Furnace Improvement and Cost Savings Act of 1979 - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to require the Secretary of Energy to publish in the Federal Register a list of energy conservation retrofit devices found to improve energy efficiency of home heating and cooling devices and which can qualify for the residential energy credit provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Requires manufacturers of home heating devices to issue procedures for the modification of home heating devices to permit the utilization of energy conservation retrofit devices. Directs the Secretary to invite State governors to submit plans for the certification of contractors qualified to install such devices, and sets forth criteria for such certification plans. Prohibits, after January 1, 1981, the financing of the sale of any residential building by any financial institution whose deposits are insured by any Federal agency without: (1) State or Federal certification that the home heating device contained in such building (a) has been modified by the installation of an energy conservation retrofit device, or (b) meets minimum efficiency standards established by the Department of Energy; or (2) evidence of a contract to retrofit a home heating device in such a building after purchase. Imposes a fine of not less than $2,500 for the failure by the new owner of a residential building to make such modifications to the building's heating device. Directs the Secretary to make grants to each State having an approved contractor certification plan for the administrative costs of such plan. Directs the Secretary to establish a Federal program to carry out the provisions of this Act in States which do not have approved certification plans. Directs the Secretary, in coordination with other relevant agencies, to establish a program of assistance for low-income residential building owners to assist them in obtaining the energy conservation retrofit devices required under this Act. Title III: Federal Energy Corporations - Subtitle A - Energy Corporation of America - Energy Company of America Act - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish a government corporation to be known as the Energy Company of America. Sets forth the composition of the Board of Directors of such Company. Authorizes the Company to: (1) explore for oil, natural gas, coal, geothermal and solar resources on any Federal lands; (2) develop, produce, purchase, refine, store, transport, and sell such energy resources; (3) engage in research and development for improved methods of fuel resource technology; (4) obtain necessary equipment and facilities; (5) explore for, develop, produce, import, purchase, store, transport and sell fuel resources in or from non-domestic sources; (4) conduct other corporate business as necessary to achieve the purposes of this Act. Sets forth the duties of the Company. Provides for production of oil, natural gas, coal, geothermal, or other energy from standby reserves upon a finding that such production is necessary to alleviate domestic shortages. Provides for the establishment of standby reserves. Sets forth conditions and procedures for the conveyance of Federal lands to the Company. Sets forth procedures to ensure environmental protection relevant to the construction of Company facilities. Prohibits the Company from proceeding with any such proposed activity except as provided by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency unless, upon judicial review, the court sets aside an adverse determination of the Administrator. Exempts the Company from Federal taxation. Permits comparable State and local taxation of the Company. Prohibits the Company from selling at prices below actual adjusted costs. Directs excess revenues to be converted into the miscellaneous receipts fund of the Treasury of the United States. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct quarterly audits of the Company's transactions. Directs the Company to transmit an annual report to the Congress and the President. Excludes the receipts and disbursements of the Company from totals of the budget of the United States, and exempts them from any annual expenditure and lending limitations imposed on the United States Government. Makes the Occupational Safety and Health Act applicable to employees of the Company. Establishes criminal penalties for the unlawful disclosure of information concerning crude oil or petroleum products and speculation thereon. Declares that Congress shall exercise continuing oversight of the activities of the Company. Empowers the Company to incur debt for capital and operating purposes through any form of securities, agreements, or obligations. Authorizes any party or party intervenor in a civil action against the Company to recover attorney's fees from the United States. Authorizes any person to commence such actions for mandatory or prohibitive injunctive relief against the Company. Defines "standing" for the purposes of such actions. Vests title in any invention made or conceived by Company personnel in the United States. Amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to include any claims arising from Company activities. Subtitle B - Oil Import Authority - Oil Imports Act of 1979 - Part I - Oil Importation - Prohibits the importation of crude oil or other petroleum products into the United States unless permitted by, purchased by, or manufactured from crude oil purchased by the American Oil Import Corporation created by this Act. Sets forth requirements for issuing import permits for the importation of crude oil and petroleum products. Directs the Corporation in national emergencies, to issue permits for such imports to assure military access to needed oil supplies. Requires that crude oil and petroleum products for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve be purchased from the Corporation. Grants to the Corporation exclusive purchasing authority for crude oil and petroleum product imports, and sets forth requirements regarding such purchasing authority. Part II - American Oil Import Corporation - Establishes a nonprofit corporation to be known as the American Oil Import Corporation, to be managed by a Board of Directors appointed by the President. Establishes an Advisory Board to the Corporation composed of officers of specified Federal agencies and departments to meet periodically with the Directors to share information of the activities of the Corporation Sets forth the powers and duties of the Corporation and confers upon the Corporation nonprofit status. Establishes a Public Energy Fund in the Treasury of the United States into which shall be deposited revenues from activities of the Corporation. Sets forth specified reporting, recordkeeping, and audit requirements of the Corporation. Part III - Miscellaneous Provisions - Makes it a crime for any officer, employee, or person acting for or on behalf of the United States or any department or agency thereof to prematurely disclose information concerning crude oil or petroleum products required to be withheld from publication until a fixed time, or to speculate directly or indirectly in any such product by buying or selling the same in quantity before such information is made public through regular official channels. Repeals the standby purchase authority of the President under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973. Title IV: Refinery and Related Policies - Amends the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to authorize the President to require refiners to produce maximum amounts of petroleum products in order to avert gasoline or distillate shortages. Amends such Act to extend indefinitely authority to prevent oil industry hoarding, to require refiners to emphasize production of products in short supply, and to establish inventory targets for crude oil or petroleum products. Title V: Investigations and Information - Subtitle A - Special Prosecutor - Special Prosecutor Act of 1979 - Establishes an independent Office of Special Prosecution, to be headed by a Special Prosecutor appointed by the President, with jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute violations of the Emergency Petroleum Act of 1973. Grants the Special Prosecutor the power to exercise all investigative and prosecutorial functions and powers of the Departments of Justice and Energy, including: (1) conducting civil and criminal litigation in any court; (2) contesting the assertion of executive, testimonial, evidentiary, or other privilege; (3) receiving appropriate national security clearance and contesting any attempt to withhold evidence on grounds of national security; (4) using the original or a copy of any tax return; and (5) instructing the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other domestic investigative agencies with respect to information and evidence. Directs the Special Prosecutor to submit at least annually a report to the President and the Congress. Requires the submission of a detailed statement of the activities of the Office with recommendations for legislation and administrative action. Terminates the office five years after appointment of the Special Prosecutor. Subtitle B - Information Gathering - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to make any information collected by the Department of Energy available to the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of the Interior, the Government Accounting Office, Congress, or any Governor upon request. Title VI: Solar Energy - Subtitle A - Solar Energy Bank - Solar Energy Bank Act - Establishes within the Department of Housing and Urban Development the Solar Energy Development Bank to subsidize long-term, low-interest loans made by financial institutions to promote the use of solar energy in commercial and residential structures. Provides for the appointment of the President of the Bank by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Requires the General Accounting Office to periodically audit the Bank's financial transactions. Establishes an Advisory Board to make annual reports to Congress and the President. Authorizes the Bank to make payments to financial institutions to subsidize long-term, low-interest loans to owners or builders of commercial or residential structures for the installation of solar systems. Limits the amount of such loans to $10,000 per single family dwelling, $500,000 for multi-unit residential dwellings, and $200,000 for commercial buildings. Sets forth requirements for loan eligibility concerning the term and amount of the loan and necessary warranties for the solar energy systems covered by such loan. Authorizes the making of such loan subsidies to units of local government on behalf of low-income persons for projects carried out under other housing or rehabilitation programs. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Directs the Bank to conduct a program to promote the benefits of its loan subsidy program. Prohibits subsidy payments for anyone who has received or is receiving other Federal assistance for the purchase and/or installation of solar energy systems. Subtitle B - Omnibus Solar Commercialization - Omnibus Solar Commercialization Act of 1979 - Part I - Renewable Energy Initiatives - Establishes a national goal for the increased use of renewable energy resources as a part of the Nation's total energy supply in the year 2000. Defines the term "passive solar energy system" to mean space heating and cooling systems making the most efficient use of, or enhancing the use of, natural forces. Describes several types of passive solar energy systems. States that it shall be the policy of the Secretary of Energy to utilize State and local government organizations, Energy Extension Services, regional Solar Energy Research Centers, and other such entities in providing information services, training, education and other services to the public and to persons involved in the development and commercialization of solar energy systems. Directs the Secretary to establish the Solar Energy and Conservation Information Center to provide information services to the public and to the entities listed above, including: (1) retrieval and dissemination of solar energy materials; (2) development of materials specifically designed to assist architects and builders; and (3) development of training and education programs specifically designed for such purposes. Directs Federal agency heads responsible for construction of new civilian Federal buildings to require the utilization of active and passive solar energy systems unless it is determined that such systems are not cost effective, as determined by a specified formula. Directs the head of each Federal agency operating a fueling station for civilian gasoline motor vehicles to require that such stations only dispense a ten percent alcohol and gasoline mixture. Requires that the same alcohol-gasoline mixture be dispensed by retail gasoline supply outlets operated by Federal agencies. Authorizes the Administrators of the Alaska Power Administration, the Southeastern Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, and the Western Power Administration, to purchase power from proposed non-federally constructed generating facilities utilizing renewable energy resources. Authorizes such Administrators to construct and operate non-hydroelectric generating facilities, provided that the Administrator has made a public offer to purchase or guarantee the purchase of power from a comparable non-federally constructed facility and has received no offer from a nonfederal entity to construct such a facility. Directs the Secretary to establish a programs demonstrating energy self-sufficiency through the use of renewable energy resources, including programs to: (1) promote the development of synergistic combinations of different renewable energy resources designed to reduce fossil fuel imports; (2) initiate energy self-sufficiency at appropriate levels of government; and (3) provide Federal assistance to stimulate private industry participation in the realization of such self-sufficiency. Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Energy Self-Sufficiency and to prepare a plan setting forth the responsibilities of such Office to be submitted to the Congress. Part II - Wind Energy Initiatives - Directs the Secretary to establish a commercialization program designed to promote and accelerate research, development, and experimentation of wind energy systems and components. Authorizes the Secretary to provide Federal assistance in designing, testing, purchasing, installing and marketing such systems to public or private entities. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to enter into contracts and make grants for the development of wind energy systems for commercial production and utilization. Directs the Secretary to enter into arrangements with Federal agencies to carry out demonstration projects of Federal facilities. Sets forth criteria for selection of program selection criteria. Directs the Secretary to collect and evaluate data and information, and conduct studies relating to wind energy systems programs. Directs the Secretary to assure that information relating to programs, projects and other activities are widely disseminated to Federal, State, and local authorities, relevant segments of the economy, the scientific community and the public. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies on: (1) the Federal applications of wind energy systems; (2) the effects of widespread utilization of wind energy systems on the existing electrical utility system; (3) and the prospects for applications of wind energy systems for power generation in foreign countries, particularly lesser developed countries. Establishes a wind energy utilization program for the accelerated procurement and installation of wind systems for power production in Federal facilities. Establishes an advisory committee to assist the Secretary concerning such program. Title VII: Energy Tax Policy - Oil Industry Tax Reform Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the percentage depreciation allowance for independent oil and gas producers and royalty owners. Repeals the tax treatment of intangible drilling and development costs for oil and gas wells (except nonproductive wells) as currently deductible expenses. Requires such costs to be capitalized and amortized over a 168 month period. Disallows an income tax credit for foreign taxes paid by domestic corporations on foreign oil-related income. Treats such taxes as royalties for which a deduction or exclusion from foreign source income would be allowed. Requires the payment of income taxes at the corporate level on the foreign oil-related income of domestic corporations. Title VIII: Divestiture - Subtitle A - Natural Gas - Natural Gas Industry Competition Act of 1979 - Part I - Industry Competition - Makes it unlawful, five years after enactment of this Act: (1) for any major natural gas producer to own or control any interest in any natural gas transportation or marketing assets; (2) for any natural gas transporter to own or control any interest in any natural gas production or marketing asset; (3) for any major natural gas marketer to own or control any interest in any production or transportation asset; and (4) for any person who owns any natural gas production or marketing asset to transport any energy resource in which he has interest by means of any transportation asset in which that portion has an interest. Prohibits major producers from entering into joint ventures resulting in actions prohibited by this part, and prohibits major producers, marketers, or transporters having interests in any operation prohibited under this part from making any additional investments in such operations. Makes it unlawful for any major producer, marketer, or transporter having such interests in any prohibited asset to fail to withdraw all operating cash flow attributable to such ownership or control in or from any affiliate of such producer, marketer, transporter. Requires each person to whom this part applies or may apply to submit periodical reports about his/her assets, and such other information as the Attorney General may request. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for violations of this subtitle. Part II - National Energy Industry Competition Court - Establishes a National Energy Industry Competition Court with exclusive jurisdiction over all actions and suits brought under this subtitle. Provides that such Court shall consist of three or more judges to be designated by the Chief Justice of the United States, and shall be dissolved by the Chief Justice when its purposes have been accomplished. Establishes procedures for direct appeal from the decisions of the Court to the United States Supreme Court. Subtitle B - Petroleum and Energy Industries - Part I - Horizontal Integration - Energy Industry Competition and Performance Act of 1979 - Makes it unlawful for any major petroleum producer to acquire or retain any interest or control over any coal, uranium, or solar asset. Defines control as a direct or indirect legal power or influence over another person, arising through direct, indirect, or interlocking ownership of capital, interlocking directorates or officers, or contractual relations which substantially impair independent business behavior. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to exempt any corporation formed or reorganized as a result of compliance with this part from the Clayton Act for a period of up to one year. Requires each major petroleum producer who owns or controls any interest in any coal, uranium, or solar asset to file a report with the Commission listing its interest in such assets. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by each major petroleum producer for the divestment of its interest in such assets. Grants primary oversight jurisdiction to the Commission and specified enforcement powers to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Part II - Vertical Integration - Petroleum Industry Competition Act of 1979 - Makes it unlawful for: (1) any major petroleum producer to own or control any interest in any refinery, transportation, or marketing asset; (2) any petroleum transporter to own or control any interest in any production, refinery, or marketing asset; (3) any major refiner or marketer to own or control any interest in any production or transportation asset; or (4) any major refiner to own or control any marketing asset. Requires each person to which such prohibitions apply to file a report with the Commission about higher assets. Sets forth divestment procedures regarding such assets. Grants primary enforcement jurisdiction to the Commission, and prescribes civil penalties for violation of this Act. Part III - Major Acquisitions - Energy Antimonopoly Act of 1979 - Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit any entity or subsidiary which produced or had an interest in a total of 35,000,000 barrels of crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids in 1976 from acquiring control or a majority of the assets of any other entity whose assets exceed $100,000,000. Title IX: Low and Moderate Income Assistance - Fuel Assistance Act of 1979 - Part I - Fuel Assistance for Low-Income and Elderly Households - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), in cooperation with the Secretary of Energy, the Director of the Community Services Administration, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to establish procedures for determining the needs of eligible low-income and elderly households for increased weatherization and other energy-related assistance and for providing such assistance on a timely basis. Earmarks specified funds for public information and outreach programs. Directs the Secretary of HEW, acting through the Social Security Administration, to establish a program to provide assistance to low-income and elderly households to aid in meeting primary residential fuel costs. Sets forth criteria for determining the amount of such assistance, and requirements for eligibility. States that the benefits provided under such program shall not be considered income or resources for any purposes under any Federal or State law. Establishes a payment system for fuel suppliers supplying fuel to eligible recipients. Requires such suppliers to provide specified information to the appropriate State agency to qualify for such payments. States that such program shall be administered by the appropriate State agency according to an agreement between such agency and the Secretary, or, in the absence of such agreement, by the Secretary in accordance with his regulations. Requires suppliers to keep full records and submit them to the Comptroller General as needed for auditing purposes. Prohibits suppliers from refusing to sell fuel to eligible participants solely on the basis of their participation in the fuel assistance programs established under this Act. Prohibits suppliers from terminating supplies of primary residential fuel to eligible households except in accordance with specified procedures. Imposes criminal penalties for violation of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to issue necessary regulations. Directs the Director of the Community Services Administration to establish a crisis intervention program to supplement the fuel assistance program with evacuation procedures, emergency shelter, home repair, or payment of bills. Authorizes appropriations for such program for fiscal years 1980 through 1982. Part II - Middle-income Energy Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for residential heating oil costs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1979
Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Act - Declares as the policy of the United States that each resident in a long-term care facility has specified basic rights, such as the right to participate in decision-making regarding his or her medical treatment to the maximum extent possible, and the right to confidential treatment of personal and medical records. Requires that each long-term care facility which participates in a health care program, receives Federal assistance, or is certified for participation in a Federal or State health care financing program secure to each resident such basic rights by meeting specified obligations, including the following: (1) establishing written policies regarding residents' rights and procedures for implementing such policies; (2) informing residents of their rights and of any changes in the policies and procedures of the facility at least 30 days before any such change becomes effective; (3) informing residents of the services and charges of the facility; (4) giving 30-day notice to a resident who is to be involuntarily transferred or discharged from the facility; (5) assisting each resident to exercise his or her rights as a resident and citizen, including filing complaints and voicing grievances; (6) protecting each resident from mental and physical abuse; and (7) permitting residents who are husband and wife to share the same room if they so choose. Prohibits any such facility from: (1) denying admission to or terminating the stay of any resident because of the source of third-party payment; or (2) interfering with the right of any resident to receive primary health care services from sources other than the facility. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require the long-term care ombudsman program to investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of a resident of a long-term care facility regarding alleged violations of rights secured by this Act. Grants to any individual whose rights under this Act have been violated a cause of action against the facility for damages and other relief in a United States district court without regard to the amount in controversy or exhaustion of remedies. Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall not apply to any facility: (1) for the mentally ill; (2) owned and operated by the Federal Government or; (3) affiliated with a correctional institution.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1979
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the payment of benefits to any individual for any month in which such individual is confined in a penal institution. Stipulates that benefits withheld from such individuals shall be treated as having been paid to such individuals for purposes of determining the benefits to which other persons are entitled on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1979
Calls upon the President, with respect to Chile, to: (1) recall the U.S. Ambassador to Chile; (2) apply statutes limiting assistance to countries with terrorist governments or countries harboring terrorists; (3) prohibit deliveries of defense articles or services; (4) recall all military personnel; (5) prohibit the issuance of U.S. visas to Chilean military or intelligence personnel; (6) prohibit credits or loan guarantees to be granted by the Export-Import Bank; (7) prohibit the granting of export licenses; (8) order the immediate suspension of private bank loans; and (9) demand that Chilean rights be fully restored.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1979
Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit any provision in any appropriation bill or amendment to such bill which changes existing law or has the effect of imposing any limitation not contained in existing law.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1979
Designates specified lands in California as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1979
Product Liability Risk Retention Act of 1979 - Title I: Risk Retention Groups - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate standards for the approval of risk retention groups. Defines such groups as entities formed to assume or spread the liability of two or more persons arising from products liability claims or defective construction claims. Enumerates standards which the Secretary may consider in approving any such group including the amount and liquidity of its assets, soundness of its reserves, adequacy of its insurance coverage, and its overall plan of operations. Sets forth factors to be included in a group's application for approval. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct audits of the applicant. Sets forth limitations on the risk coverage afforded to any one person in the group. Authorizes the Secretary to make approval conditional as necessary. Requires any refusal of approval to specify the factual conclusions and legal authority upon which it is based. Authorizes the Secretary to require a group to set a maximum amount of risk which it will accept. Requires such a group's participants to obtain insurance for losses in excess of such maximum limitations. Establishes requirements for the terms of such insurance coverage. Prohibits a group from assuming liability for any person other than its members or its members' affiliates. Permits a group to assume liability which arises from an agreement of hold harmless or indemnity between a member and its supplier, purchaser, or consignee. Requires all or a portion of an individual's product liability or completed operations risk exposure to be assumed by the group. Sets forth requirements concerning the return of a withdrawing member's capital contribution. Prohibits such groups from acquiring reinsurance from its members or affiliates. Prohibits a group from making non-pro-rata assessments or retroactive adjustments based on the loss experience of a member. Directs the Secretary to require each group to maintain reserves which it shall hold as a fiduciary for the benefit of claimants against its members. Prohibits a group from having any interest in the securities or debts of its members or their affiliates. Requires each group to submit annual reports to the Secretary. Declares that this Act shall preempt any State law relating to the formation, operation, or provision of insurance-services to risk retention groups. Stipulates that this Act shall not effect the authority of a State to tax risk retention groups. Applies Federal antitrust laws to such groups. Exempts the ownership interests of such groups from the securities laws. Limits the use of information obtained pursuant to this Act. Permits the Secretary to require data concerning the product liability claims experience of such groups. Authorizes the Secretary to audit each group and to require each group to engage an independent accountant to examine its books, records, and financial statements. Requires each group to pay an application fee and annual fees to cover supervisory expenses of the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to revoke the certificate of approval of a risk retention group. Enumerates the circumstances in which such authority may be exercised. Requires that all hearings to revoke a group's certificate of approval be held in the District of Columbia. Exempts such hearings from requirements of law relating to agency adjudications. Empowers the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to hear appeals from orders of the Secretary issued pursuant to this Act. Requires the proceeds from a group's reinsurance policies to be paid to the group's receiver or other appropriate judicial officer if the group is adjudged insolvent. Title II: Group Purchase of Product Liability and Completed Operations Insurance - Exempts any group seeking to purchase liability insurance, its members, or any person who provides such insurance from any State law which restricts group insurance or would prohibit or discriminate against the application of this Act. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares that this Act shall not be deemed to affect State tort law. Directs the Secretary to issue rules and regulations and to take all other actions necessary or appropriate to implement this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1979
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal of appropriate design to Simon Wiesenthal in recognition of his contribution to international justice through the documentation and location of war criminals from World War II. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze duplicates of such medal for sale to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1979
Designates the month of July, 1980, as "National Porcelain Art Month."
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1979
Federal Artists Program Act of 1979 - Amends the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to establish a "Federal Artists Program" of Federal assistance to individual artists for employment in community-oriented and locally supported projects. Defines "artist" as an individual of demonstrated artistic ability who: (1) has completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in a recognized professional training program and has at least two years of professional work experience as an artist or has at least four years of professional work experience as an artist; and (2) has received more than 20 percent of individual income from employment as an artist during any two calendar years occurring during the most recent four calendar years. Authorizes the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, any designated arts agency to establish programs to place artists with local sponsoring organizations to undertake artistic endeavors: (1) as a component of services provided by such organization; and (2) which serve the public by providing access to art experiences and enriching the environment and the quality of life. Bases eligibility as a designated arts agency on a public agency's or a private nonprofit organization's: (1) designation by any State or local government, or combinations thereof, as their official arts agency; and (2) experience in directly supporting the arts and artists through a grants program or advocacy on their behalf. Requires the applications for assistance of such agencies to include a comprehensive program plan with specified features. Directs the Chairman to: (1) establish criteria (with specified inclusions) and procedures for evaluating and selecting such applications; (2) seek recommendations from a panel of experts representing a diversity of geographic areas and cultural backgrounds before approving such applications; and (3) coordinate the administration of the Federal Artists Program with specified Federal, State, local and private programs. Sets a three year limit on assistance to any sponsoring organization based on a declining percentage of the salaries such organization pays artists. Sets forth requirements for the sponsoring organization relating to working conditions and use of funds. Limits to ten percent the amount of such funds which may be used for administrative expenses by a designated arts agency. Allows designated arts agencies to submit another application for grants or contracts upon the mandatory three year expiration of a grant or contract. Limits the amount of salary and the duration of employment (three years maximum) of any one artist under such program. Requires each designated arts agency receiving assistance for any fiscal year to submit a program report, with specified inclusions, to the Chairman. Directs the Chairman to review programs at least annually. Stipulates that the copyright of any work produced by an artist in such program shall be retained exclusively by the artist and that the artist shall own all such original work. Grants the sponsoring organization and the designated arts agency involved a royalty-free nonexclusive right to use or display such art work for a period not to exceed five years from the completion of the project. Applies all financial assistance procedures and other provisions relating to the National Endowment for the Arts to the Federal Artists Program. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 through 1985 for such program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1979
Equal Employment Opportunity for the Handicapped Act of 1979 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include discrimination against the handicapped as an unlawful employment practice. Permits such discrimination pursuant to a bona fide seniority or merit system or as a bona fide occupational qualification. Authorizes courts to order the hiring or reinstatement or paying of back pay to anyone discriminated against on the basis of their handicap. Prohibits discrimination in Federal employment of the handicapped. Authorizes civil actions for such discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1979
Cigarette Safety Act - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to prescribe regulations to ensure that any cigarette or little cigar will stop burning within five minutes if it is not smoked during that time, effective January 1, 1981. Prohibits the manufacture of cigarettes or little cigars which are not in accord with such regulations. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations. Gives jurisdiction to U.S. district courts to restrain such violations. Exempts from such regulations cigarettes and little cigars manufactured for export or for consumption beyond the jurisdiction of internal revenue laws (except for those manufactured for sale or distribution to the U.S. Armed Forces).
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1979
National Historic Preservation Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Act known as the "National Historic Preservation Act of 1966" to officially entitle such Act the "National Historic Preservation Act." Declares under such Act, that it is the duty of the Federal Government, in cooperation with other nations, the States, local communities, and private organizations and individuals, to promote the preservation and conservation of the historic, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources of the United States and of the international community of Nations. Declares that the Federal Government shall give priority to preservation activities for the revitalization of urban areas, the conservation of agricultural areas, the creation of local employment opportunities, and the conservation of energy. Directs the Administrator for Historic Preservation appointed pursuant to this Act to establish and maintain a National Register of Historic Places at the national, State, or local level in accordance with procedures set forth in this Act. Requires that such properties shall: (1) be of national or world heritage significance; (2) involve a direct or indirect public investment; and (3) be legally dedicated to preservation. Directs the Administrator, not later than one year after his initial appointment, to establish an Inventory of Historic Resources on a State-by-State basis. Declares that those properties which are determined to meet the criteria of significance, but which lack the other requirements for inclusion in the National Register, shall be designated as eligible for inclusion on the Register. Makes such Inventory available to all Federal, State, and local government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations concerning nondisclosure to the public of any property location where such disclosure would be likely to endanger the property. States that properties included in such inventory and designated as eligible properties shall be treated as certified historic structures under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, unless the Administrator finds that such treatment would not further the purposes of this Act. Declares that such properties shall be entitled to financial assistance in accordance with provisions of such Act. Directs the Administrator to review, during the one-year period following enactment of this Act, all properties included in the National Register under prior authority of law. Requires the Administrator to include each property designated as "National Historic Landmarks" under prior authority and each property which meets the requirements of this Act in the National Register. Provides that those properties included in the Register under prior authority, but which do not meet all the requirements under this Act shall be designated in the Inventory as "eligible properties." Allows any State or local government carrying out an approved program under this Act or any Federal agency to nominate a property for inclusion in the Register or for inclusion in the Inventory as an eligible property. Requires such information to be included in the Register, as appropriate, unless the Administrator disapproves such nomination within 30 days of its receipt. Allows the Administrator to accept a nomination from any person, if the property nominated is located in a State or political subdivision where there is no approved program. Requires the Administrator to determine the eligibility or inclusion of such property in the Register. Allows the Administrator on his own motion or at the request of any person, to include any property on the Inventory and designate such property as eligible if he determines such property to meet the requirements of this Act. Declares that a property shall be considered of national significance when: (1) the Congress so designates a property; (2) a property is included in the National Park System as a historical unit; or (3) the Administrator determines the property to be of national significance. States that a property shall be considered to be of World Heritage significance when it is included in the World Heritage list maintained in accordance with the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Declares that a property shall be considered a public investment if government agency fund expenditures directly or indirectly contribute substantially to the preservation of such property, or if a Federal income tax deduction or similar State or local measure is taken with respect to the amortization of amounts spent for rehabilitation of a certified historic structure. Provides that a property shall be treated as legally dedicated to preservation when: (1) an easement, or other property interest, requiring preservation of significant features of such property for not less than 30 years is held by any person or government entity or is otherwise legally binding on the owner; (2) such property is under public ownership and managed for preservation; or (3) any State or local law provides for the designation or preservation of such property. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish and administer grant-in-aid programs to States and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and programs of direct grants, loans or loan guarantees for historic preservation. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States, upon application, for programs approved under this Act. Prohibits such grants from paying more than 50 percent of the costs of such programs. Provides that the remaining 50 percent shall be contributed by non-Federal sources, and of such percentage not more than 25 percent may be contributed in the form of property or services, or both. Requires the Administrator, upon approval of such programs, to evaluate such programs every four years to determine whether or not such programs are in compliance with the requirements of this Act. Requires the Administrator to conduct periodic fiscal audits of the recipients of Federal grants. States that State and local governments may assume the responsibility for financial and compliance audits of Federal grants received by them and other persons or organizations and their subgrantees. Declares that the Federal Government shall be responsible for audits which deal with economy, efficiency, and program results and for assuring that such financial and compliance audits are conducted under generally accepted audit standards. Directs State and local governments receiving grants to set forth in writing criteria by which they judge whether they are meeting program requirements, to be available for use by the auditors. Directs the Administrator to reimburse State and local governments for actual expenses incurred in conducting such audits. Sets forth the following requirements for approval of State programs: (1) designation by the Governor of a State historic preservation officer; (2) transfer of not less than 50 percent of the grants received to political subdivisions of the State having preservation programs; (3) provision of financial mechanisms for the development of properties on the National Register or in the Inventory of Historic Resources; (4) provision of mechanisms for the acquisition, acceptance of donations, and dedication of fee title in applicable properties; (5) provisions for relocation assistance to persons or businesses affected within the historic district; (6) giving priority to projects that will conserve energy, are labor intensive, or will further urban revitalization or agricultural conservation; (7) provision of a professional acceptable mechanism for the identification, evaluation, and protection of historic properties within the State; and (8) otherwise carrying out the purposes of this Act. Sets forth restrictions for grants made under this Act for the improvement of properties. Prohibits grants made under this Act for the improvement of properties. Prohibits grants made for any single property to exceed $50,000. Prohibits any grant to any State in any fiscal year to exceed ten percent of such funds to carry out a comprehensive statewide survey of historic resources. Requires that no more than 15 percent of such grant be used for improvement of government buildings used for governmental purposes. Sets forth procedures for the allocation by States of grants to political subdivisions. Allows the Administrator to allocate funds to any political subdivision of any State that does not have an approved program within two years after the date of enactment of this Act. Sets forth procedures for approval of State historic preservation programs in effect under prior authority of law. Sets forth conditions for grants and loans that may be made by the Administrator for: (1) the preservation of properties of national or world heritage significance; (2) demonstration projects to preserve any eligible property or property on the National Register; (3) the training and development of skilled labor in trades and crafts and in curation relating to historic preservation; and (4) Indian tribes for the preservation of historic properties. Provides that any such loans made by the Administrator shall be at an interest rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury guided by applicable provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to make loan guarantees for any project approved by the State historic preservation officer, or the chief elected official of any State that does not have an approved program. Sets forth conditions for loans and loan guarantees made by the Administrator in consultation with the Secretary of Treasury. Authorizes the Administrator to deem any portion of any record, material, or data received in connection with any financial application as privileged or confidential within the meaning of applicable law. Establishes as an independent agency a Historic Preservation Agency to be under the direction of the Administrator for Historic Preservation, appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the President to establish an Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to be composed of the following members: (1) the Secretary of the Interior and the Architect of the Capitol; (2) four agency heads (other than the Department of the Interior) whose activities affect historic preservation; (3) representatives of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and four professionals in the fields of history, architecture, archeology, urban planning, or related disciplines; (4) three State governors or mayors; and (5) three at large members of the general public. Sets forth requirements and procedures to be followed in the operation of the Council. Authorizes the Council to conduct hearings and make determinations and recommendations with respect to the protection of historic properties. Requires the Council, when transmitting legislative recommendations, testimony, or comments on legislation to the President or the Office of Management and Budget, to concurrently transmit such copies thereof to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Sets forth the duties of the Administrator including: (1) advising the President and the Congress on matters relating to historic preservation; (2) encouraging public interest and participation in historic preservation; (3) conducting studies relating to historic preservation and the effects of tax policies on such preservation; (4) assisting State and local governments in drafting appropriate legislation; (5) providing training and education in the field of historic preservation; and (6) maintaining the historic register, surveys, and records of the agency. Requires the Administrator to submit an annual comprehensive report of his activities and the results of his studies to the President and the Congress. Authorizes the Administrator to accept donations and bequests of money and real and personal property, and to use such donations in accordance with provisions of this Act. Directs the Administrator, consistent with the provisions of this Act, to institute a program of education and training relating to historic preservation for Federal agencies, State and local governments, private organizations and individuals, and other nations and international organizations connected with the World Heritage Convention. Directs the Administrator to increase the awareness of historic resources and preservation among the student population of the United States, to develop mechanisms to give the public a greater knowledge of historic resources in the cultural heritage of the United States, and to establish a program for training and development of skilled labor in trades and crafts relating to historic preservation. Requires the Administrator to review the policies and programs of Federal agencies whose activities are under the purview of this Act. Directs the Administrator to promulgate guidelines relative to archaeological and historical data for Federal agencies consistent with provisions of this Act. Directs the Administrator, within one year after his appointment, to establish, jointly with the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, and Defense, and the Administrator of the General Services Administration, standards for the management and preservation of federally owned historic properties. Directs the Administrator to review and approve the plans of transferees of surplus federally owned properties eligible for or on the National Register to ensure historic preservation in the rehabilitation of such properties. Requires all Federal agencies administering any program of Federal assistance to any State or local government or under which any Federal approval is required to coordinate such program with the purposes of this Act. Requires such agencies to submit proposals to the Administrator, within 180 days after his appointment, relative to their preservation activities. Directs the Administrator to designate National Historic Landmarks and World Heritage properties and to submit such designations to the appropriate World Heritage properties and to submit such designations to the appropriate congressional committees 30 days after such designations become effective. Directs the Administrator to encourage and coordinate United States participation in the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and other international historic preservation activities in cooperation with the Secretaries of the Interior and State, and the Smithsonian Institution. Requires the Administrator to establish a program to nominate historic properties to the World Heritage Committee on behalf of the United States. Requires such nominations to be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees 60 days prior to the intended action. Authorizes the participation of the United States as a member of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property. Authorizes the appropriation of the sums necessary for United States membership in the Centre for fiscal years 1979 through 1989. Directs the Administrator to establish a program to encourage tourism by people of other nations to historic properties of the United States, reflecting the diverse, ethnic and cultural heritages of the citizens of the United States. Requires each Federal agency to notify the Administrator 45 days prior to any undertaking outside the United States that may affect a property on the World Heritage list or which has been nominated for inclusion on such list. Requires the head of each Federal agency to designate a Preservation Officer responsible for coordinating the agency's activities under this Act. Requires each agency having jurisdiction or control over properties on the National Register to submit property management plans to the Administrator for comment within one year after the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and investigate properties included in the National Register which are under the jurisdiction or control of Federal agencies. Authorizes the Secretary to recommend to the President the transfer of administrative jurisdiction or control of such properties to him as a unit of the National Park System. Requires such recommendation to be concurrently submitted to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Authorizes the Secretary, upon the concurrence of the Administrator, to accept gifts or donations of less than fee interests in any properties in the National Register, where such acceptance will facilitate the preservation of such property. Authorizes each Federal agency having authority for management of any real property, with the concurrence of the Administrator, to lease or exchange with any person or organization the management of properties on the National Register. Requires the proceeds of such leases to be retained by the agency to defray the expenses with respect to such properties, and the surplus proceeds to be deposited in the United States Treasury. Allows the heads of such agencies to enter into contracts for the management of such properties. Directs all Federal agencies to cooperate with purchasers and transferees of eligible property or property included in the National Register in the development of plans for uses of such property comparable with preservation and conservation objectives without imposing unreasonable economic burdens on public or private interests. Requires each Federal agency having direct or indirect jurisdiction over a proposed Federal or federally assisted undertaking in any State to survey the affected area to determine the effect of such undertaking on the protection of historic properties. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate regulations or guidelines, as appropriate, under which Federal programs or undertakings may be exempted from the requirements of this Act. Authorizes all Federal agencies to expend appropriated funds for purposes of this Act. Requires each Federal agency to provide the Administrator a 45-day comment period with respect to any program or policy that may affect historic properties. Defines terms used in this Act. Establishes a Historic Preservation Fund in the Treasury of the United States to be funded from revenues payable to the United States under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act or the Act of June 4, 1920, or both. States that not less than two-thirds of appropriated funds shall be available for other grants or loans and for the Administrator to carry out his duties under this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish regulations to insure maximum public participation in all activities of the Administrator, the Council, other Federal agencies, States, and units of local governments in carrying out requirements under this Act. Declares that grants made under this Act may not be used to satisfy requirements of other provisions of law requiring matching by State or local funds nor shall they be treated as taxable income for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Grants attorney fees to any person who prevails in any civil action brought in any United States district court against any Federal agency to enforce the requirement relating to the protection of historic properties in connection with the action of a Federal agency. Authorizes the Administrator to establish an annual preservation awards program under which he makes awards to Federal, State, or local government officers or employees in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the preservation of historic resources. Allows the President to award any citizen of the United States recommended for such award by the Administrator. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for carrying out the awards program. Authorizes the Administrator to delegate to any State having an approved program under this Act the authority to carry out responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 with respect to such approved program. Transfers the provisions of various Acts relating to historic preservation responsibilities from the Secretary of the Interior to the Administrator for Historic Preservation. Authorizes the Administrator to issue an order to postpone for 60 days any action undertaken, or being undertaken, by any Federal agency, or agency or instrumentality of a State or local government, or by any other person if such action may adversely affect any property included in the National Register. Directs the Administrator, during the period, to endeavor to develop an acceptable preservation plan for the affected property, or to exercise his emergency acquisition authority provided under this Act. Provides procedures for the assessment of civil penalties for violations of such orders, and for judicial review in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or any other district in which such person resides. Provides procedures for administrative hearings for the assessment of civil penalties. Establishes the Pension Building in Washington, District of Columbia, as a national historic site to be named the "National Center for the Building Arts." Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration to transfer such building and lands to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior. Directs the Secretary to administer the management of the Center in accordance with provisions of this Act and other Acts generally applicable to units of the National Park System. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with the National Building Arts Foundation relating to management of such Center. Appropriates $15,000,000 to be used for the renovation of the Center. Establishes a National Building Arts Foundation and specifies programs it shall carry out relating to the building arts. Directs the Foundation to coordinate its activities with other public and private organizations and individuals in order to avoid duplication of efforts relating to the functions of the Foundation. Establishes a Board of Trustees of the Foundation and provides for the funding of the Foundation. Directs the General Accounting Office to review and audit regularly the accounts of the Foundation to determine the ability of the Foundation to pay for the functions of the Center. Requires the Foundation to submit annually a report to the appropriate congressional committees containing a statement of its activities pursuant to this Act and a proposal for its programs during the succeeding four years. Provides emergency acquisition procedures for the Administrator for any properties eligible for or in the National Register where such properties are threatened with demolition or impairment. Directs the Administrator, in consultation with the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress and the Buildings Arts Foundation, to report within two years after the date of enactment of this Act, to the President and the Congress on preserving and conserving the intangible elements of our cultural heritage. Requires the report to include recommendations for legislative and administrative action by the Federal Government relating to such heritage. Directs the Administrator for the Historic Preservation Agency to submit the following reports: (1) to the President and the Congress within eight years on the operation of the Historic Preservation Fund; (2) to the Congress within 90 days of his appointment on his study of the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation; (3) to the President and Congress within one year of his appointment on recommendations with respect to Federal tax laws relating to historic preservation; and (4) to the President and the Congress within two years of enactment of this Act on recommmendations for the creation of a National System of Cultural Parks. Amends the Pennsylvania Development Corporation Act to require any historic property demolition, or other rehabilitation, to be in accordance with applicable Federal and District of Columbia laws.
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 · 28 September 1979
Conservation and Renewable Energy Resource Act - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to add definitions of the terms "commercial customer" and "energy conservation measure." Requires that utilities inspect residential buildings provided with energy conservation measures to ensure properly completed installation. Deletes the provision authorizing the utility to charge the administrative costs of carrying out a utility program to the particular residential customer for whom energy conservation measures have been provided. Directs regulated utilities to establish programs providing for the installation or maintenance by the utility or by approved independent contractors of energy conservation measures for commercial or residential customers. Directs such utilities to make loans to such customers for the purchase of energy conservation measures or for the installation of such measures by independent contractors. Requires that utilities conduct energy audits of buildings seeking to participate in such programs as as a condition of such participation. Sets forth qualifications for independent contractors seeking eligibility to participate in such programs. Sets forth procedures for the financing of such programs. Stipulates that these provisions shall preempt any State or local law prohibiting utilities from establishing such programs. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to establish a residential and commercial energy conservation grant program to reimburse eligible building owners for part of the costs of supplying or installing energy conservation measures. Directs the Secretary to arrange for the broad distribution of information regarding such grant program. Sets forth application procedures, requirements for eligibility for, and maximum amounts of such grants. Directs the Secretary of Energy to submit an annual report to the Congress on the operation of such grant program. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1980 and 1981 to carry out such program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1979
Residential Energy Efficiency Program of 1979 - Amends the State residential energy conservation plan provisions of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to authorize the Secretary of Energy to institute an alternative home energy efficiency program in any State, political subdivision, utility service area, or geographical area thereof. Exempts persons subject to such program from the requirements and prohibitions contained in the utility program established under such Act. Sets forth requirements for such alternative home energy efficiency program, including: (1) a requirement that the Secretary designate a Federal, State, or local agency to negotiate a contract with an energy conservation company to undertake a home energy retrofit program in a specified geographic area for a specified per unit price to be paid by such agency; (2) a requirement that such energy conservation company comply with specified criteria concerning such home energy retrofit program; and (3) a requirement that the designated agency establish accurate normalized measurements of energy use by type of energy before and after the installation of such retrofit measures to determine the savings produced by such energy conservation company. Directs the Secretary to provide funds to designated agencies to pay energy conservation companies for energy actually saved. Requires public utilities to make periodic payments to the Secretary not to exceed the value of the savings in a given year realized by such utilities as a result of the energy actually saved. Authorizes such utilities to sell any energy available to it as a result of a home energy retrofit program to willing nonresidential buyers. Authorizes the Secretary to issue notes or other obligations in order to finance such energy retrofit programs in the event the moneys received from public utilities under this Act are insufficient to finance such programs. Places limitations on the Secretary's authority to enter into such contracts depending on the amount of payments received from public utilities pursuant to this Act. Requires the Secretary, prior to instituting any program authorized by this Act, to provide for public comment thereon. Expands the definition of "residential buildings" for the purposes of this Act to include buildings having more than four dwelling units.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1979
Vinson-Trammell Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Vinson-Trammell Act to prohibit the Secretary of Defense from making a noncompetitive national defense contract unless the contractor agrees to: (1) pay any excess profit to the United States; (2) make no subcontract in order to evade any provisions of this Act; and (3) make no first tier subcontract unless the subcontractor also agrees to such provisions (present section sets forth aircraft contract requirements). Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) collect any profits owed by a contractor by setoff against any amounts due such contractor; or (2) waive the requirements of this Act with regard to any contract or subcontract. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the Congress concerning actions taken under this Act. Repeals provisions setting forth naval vessel contract requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1979
Dollar Bill Preservation Act - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to prohibit the cancellation, retirement, destruction, or removal from circulation of any dollar bill note, except where necessary to replace mutilated bills. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to maintain the amount of dollar bills issued at the level outstanding on September 26, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1979
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 established by the Secretary of the Treasury for the business related deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1979
Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act to extend the period of eligibility for public service employment wages paid from funds under such Act from 78 weeks to 104 weeks in a five-year period. Allows participants whose eligibility has so terminated and who reside in areas where the rate of unemployment for the three most recent consecutive months preceding such termination exceeds the national unemployment rate for such period to continue to be paid such wages for an additional 26 weeks.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1979
National Center of Afro-American History and Culture Act - Establishes the National Afro-American History and Culture Commission which shall: (1) be responsible for the development of a definitive plan for the construction and operation of the National Center for Afro-American History and Culture; and (2) solicit subscriptions of funds from private sources to help meet costs of the construction, furnishing, and operation of the center, including the costs of acquiring works of art and artifacts. Allows the Commission to: (1) acquire by gift, purchase with appropriated or donated funds, transfer from any Federal or State agency, exchange, or otherwise acquire suitable land and interest in land in the vicinity of Wilberforce, Ohio, for the location of the headquarters of the center; (2) acquire appropriate works of art and any other real or personal property necessary for the establishment and operation of the center; and (3) sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any property acquired and designate any proceeds from such disposal for the benefit of the center. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by donation or purchase with donated or appropriated funds the Colonel Charles Young Home and adjacent lands in Wilberforce, Ohio, not to exceed 80 acres, which when acquired shall be known as the Wilberforce National Historic Site.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1979
Women in Science and Technology Equal Opportunity Act - Title I: Statement of Findings, Purpose, and Policy - Sets forth the findings of Congress with respect to the employment of women in science and technological fields. Declares it the purpose of this Act to encourage the full participation of women in scientific, professional, and technical fields. Declares it the policy of the United States to assure equal opportunity for women in education, training, and employment in scientific and technical fields. Sets guidelines for activities carried out pursuant to this Act. Title II: Education - Directs the National Science Foundation to support activities to strengthen elementary and secondary school programs in science and mathematics to involve female students in such areas. Sets forth the areas which such support programs are to emphasize. Requires application to the Director of the National Science Foundation for grant and contract assistance for such programs. Directs the National Science Foundation to support programs in institutions of higher education to increase the participation of women in scientific and technical studies, training and fellowship opportunities, and careers. Sets forth the areas which such support programs are to emphasize. Requires application to the Director of the National Science Foundation for grant and contract assistance for such programs. Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to determine the amount of training and fellowship stipends awarded under this title. Directs the National Science Foundation to initiate a program of continuing education in science and engineering providing opportunities to women. Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to make grants to institutions of higher education, other academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private business firms to develop courses and curricula for such continuing education programs. Authorizes the Director to allocate continuing education fellowships under this title. Directs the Director to require programs under this title to develop and utilize standardized evaluation tools to determine the impact of authorized programs. Authorizes the Director to furnish technical assistance to the development of activities authorized by this title. Title III: Public Understanding - Directs the National Science Foundation to establish a Clearinghouse on Women in Science to collect and disseminate to the public information concerning activities which encourage the participation of women in science and technology. Requires the Clearinghouse to coordinate its activities with existing public and private efforts. Directs the National Science Foundation to conduct a research program to increase understanding of the potential contribution of women in these fields and to facilitate the participation and advancement of women in science and technology careers. Directs the Foundation to support projects to improve information concerning the importance of women in science and technology through the media. Specifies the factors to be used in determining funding priorities for such projects. Requires the Foundation to identify books and instructional materials: (1) to encourage girls and young women to study science and mathematics; (2) to pursue careers in science and technology; (3) to stress the importance of equal opportunity in science and technology; and (4) to emphasize the importance of mathematical and scientific skills in a wide range of programs. Authorizes the Foundation to support the development of books and instructional materials which support these goals. Directs the Foundation to support community outreach activities to attract substantial numbers of women to such careers. Requires the Foundation to make grants to nonprofit organizations which sponsor community activities to enable such organizations to include programs related to science and mathematics. Directs the Foundation to make grants to museums and science centers to encourage women to study such fields, to enter such careers, and to stress the importance of equal opportunity for women in science and technology. Establishes the President's Committee for Equal Opportunity in Science Awards to recommend to the President recipients of the annual Distinguished Achievement in the Advancement of Women in Science Award, also established by this Act. Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to award annually the Mathematics and Science Incentive Awards, established by this Act, to schools which demonstrate over a three year period a substantial increase in the enrollment of women and girls in mathematics and science courses. Establishes the visiting women scientists program to enable women scientists to visit secondary schools and institutions of higher education to encourage girls and women to consider careers in these fields. Requires the Director of the Foundation to select women to be visiting women scientists. Title IV: Equal Employment Opportunity - Directs the head of each Federal agency, national laboratory, and federally funded research and development center which supports research and development in science and technology, to: (1) prevent discrimination against women in science and technology; (2) increase opportunities for the employment and advancement of women in these fields; and (3) encourage the participation of minority and physically handicapped women in science and technology careers. Requires a reduction, according to a specified formula, in the amount of Federal support for research and development in science and technology received by institutions employing on a percentage basis an insufficient number of women as set forth in this Act. Authorizes the Foundation to make grants for legal assistance to alleviate discrimination against women in scientific and technical fields. Requires the head of each Federal agency which provides financial assistance for research and development in science and technology of at least $30,000,000 in any fiscal year, the head of each national laboratory, and of federally funded research and development centers, to report annually to Congress concerning the employment status of women in such organizations. Requires the Director of the Foundation to assess the participation and status of women in all disciplines and job categories of scientific and technological fields in the public sector, private enterprise, and academic institutions and to disseminate annually a public report. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to include in its training program for Federal officials information concerning the employment and encouragement of women in science and technology. Directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to include in existing registers women qualified for and seeking scientific and technological positions, and to circulate such registers to each Federal agency, national laboratory, and federally funded research and development center. Directs the National Science Foundation to make grants: (1) to encourage the employment and advancement of women in science and technology through flexible work schedules, and other work related arrangements and (2) for the establishment of visiting professorships for women in science at eligible academic institutions. Title V: General Provisions - Specifies the authority of the Foundation to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1979
District of Columbia Retirement Reform Act - Title I: Financing of Retirement Benefits - Establishes the District of Columbia Retirement Board to exercise exclusive authority to manage and control the funds established by this Title. Details provisions relating to the Board's composition, the election and terms of office of Board members, the procedures to be followed by the Board, and the financing of the Board's operations. Establishes the District of Columbia Policemen and Fire Fighters' Retirement Fund into which shall be deposited: (1) amounts withheld from the salaries of, and deposited by, members of the Metropolitan Police and the Fire Department of the District of Columbia, pursuant to the Policemen and Firemen's Retirement and Disability Act; (2) amounts appropriated to the Fund pursuant to this Act; and (3) amounts made as return on investment of the assets of the Fund. Establishes the District of Columbia Teachers' Retirement Fund into which shall be deposited: (1) amounts withheld from the salaries of, and amounts deposited by, each teacher in the public schools of the District of Columbia for such teachers' retirement account; (2) assets transferred from the District of Columbia teachers' retirement and annuity fund; (3) amounts appropriated to the Fund pursuant to this Act; and (4) amounts made as return on investment of the assets of the Fund. Establishes the District of Columbia Judges' Retirement Fund into which shall be deposited: (1) amounts withheld from the salaries of, and amounts deposited by, judges of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia; (2) assets transferred from the District of Columbia Judicial Retirement and Survivors Annuity Fund; (3) amounts appropriated to the Fund pursuant to this Act; and (4) amounts made as return on investment of the assets of the Fund. Requires that the assets of each Fund established by this Act be kept separate from other moneys, but not necessarily kept separate from one another if the Board determines that commingling of such assets is advisable for investment purposes. Requires the Board to maintain a cash reserve for the funds sufficient to meet current annuity and disability benefit outlays. Prohibits the investment of assets of the funds in obligations issued or guaranteed in whole or in part by the government of the District of Columbia, the government of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the government of the State of Maryland, or the government of any political subdivision thereof, or in obligations secured by real property in the District of Columbia, Virginia, or Maryland. Directs the Board to engage an enrolled actuary to determine, in accordance with generally accepted actuarial practices, the level percentage of payroll required to be paid into the Fund, considering length of participation in the retirement program and the present value of future benefits. Sets forth formulae to determine annual Federal Payments and annual District of Columbia payments to each Fund. Authorizes the appropriations of specified sums from the revenues of the United States and from amounts in the United States Treasury credited to the District of Columbia contributions to each Fund, respectively. Provides for a reduction in Federal contributions to the District of Columbia Policemen and Fire Fighters' Retirement Fund should the costs of police officers and fire fighters' disability retirement prove excessive as determined by a specified formula. Sets forth the criteria for determining the percentage of disability for current employees who apply for disability retirement. Requires each member of the Board to submit detailed annual personal financial disclosure statements to Congress and the D.C. government. Directs the Board to publish annual reports with respect to each retirement program and corresponding Fund to which this Act applies. Requires that each such report include: (1) a financial statement containing a statement of Fund assets and liabilities, a statement of changes in net assets available for benefits under the retirement program, and other specified information; (2) an opinion by an independent public accountant as to whether such financial statement is presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles; (3) an actuarial statement containing specified information relating to the Fund and retirement program; (4) information relating to the number of employees covered by the retirement program, persons receiving compensation from the Fund, and specified changes to the Funds' operation; and (5) a report from each insurance company or similar organization from which program benefits are purchased or which guarantees such benefits. Directs the Board to prepare summary retirement programs descriptions to be supplied to each participant in, and beneficiary under, each retirement program to which this Act applies. Requires that annual reports and copies of summary retirement program descriptions, including periodic updates containing material modification, be filed with the Mayor of the District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Council, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Empowers the Mayor, the Council, or either House of Congress to reject any filing upon making specified findings. Suspends Federal contributions to any Fund with respect to which a filing is rejected or no timely filing has been made pending an acceptable filing. Requires that copies of such reports and descriptions be made available for public inspection. Designates the Board and each member of the Board fiduciaries with respect to the Funds. Authorizes the Board to designate one or more persons to exercise fiduciary responsibilities with respect to Funds established by this Act but places with the Board fiduciary responsibility for the oversight of any person so designated. Lists standards and guidelines to be followed by fiduciaries in the discharge of their duties. Specifies circumstances under which a fiduciary shall be liable for a breach of fiduciary duty by another fiduciary. Prohibits a fiduciary from causing the Fund to engage in specified transactions with interested parties or with itself. Deems void any provision in an agreement instrument which purports to relieve a fiduciary of responsibility or liability. Permits the Board, fiduciaries, and groups of retirement program participants to purchase insurance to cover liability or losses arising from a breach of fiduciary duty. Prohibits any person convicted of specified crimes from serving as an administrator, fiduciary, counsel, or employee of, or as a consultant to, the Fund established by this Act within five years of any such conviction or release from imprisonment, unless the Board of Parole of the United States determines that such person's service with the Fund would not be contrary to the purposes of this Act. Requires every fiduciary of a Fund established by this Title and every person who handles its funds to be bonded. Sets forth criminal penalties for violation of fiduciary obligations. Creates civil causes of action for the benefit of specified plaintiffs to enforce the provisions of this Act. Specifies time limits within which civil action grounded on breach of fiduciary duty must be brought. Title II: Changes in Retirement Benefits - Revises the method for determining the salary base period for computation of annuities of participants in the District of Columbia Policemen and Fire Fighters' Retirement Fund. Permits any member or officer of the Metropolitan Police or Fire Department who is on approved leave without pay to serve as a full-time official of an employee organization to have such service credited towards his retirement upon meeting specific requirements. Sets forth separate procedures and standards for members of the Metropolitan Police and the Fire Department with respect to: (1) eligibility for optional retirement; (2) eligibility for disability retirement; (3) amount of disability annuities; (4) suspension of disability annuities; (5) physical examination of disability annuitants; (6) amount of survivors annuities; (7) deferred annuities; and (8) interest on refunds and on deposits for prior service credit. Authorizes cost-of-living adjustments in annuities payable from the District of Columbia Policemen and Fire Fighters' Retirement Fund. Permits the Mayor to waive collection of any overpayment to an annuitant if such overpayment is less than $100. Permits the Mayor, in the case of payments due to mental incompetents or minors, to make payment to any person, who in his judgment, is responsible for the care of such claimant. Directs the Board of Police and Fire Surgeons to submit to the Mayor recommendations for regulations to improve the administration of disability retirements. Places restrictions on retired police officers and fire fighters receiving an annuity under this Act while employed by the District of Columbia government. Authorizes cost-of-living adjustments in annuities payable from the District of Columbia Teacher's Retirement Fund and District of Columbia Judges' Retirement Fund. Revises the means for determining eligibility for each such adjustment. Revises the amount of benefits due under a teacher's annuity in the event the name beneficiary of such annuity predeceases the annuitant. Provides the termination of teachers' disability annuities based on excessive outside earned income. Places restrictions on retired teachers receiving an annuity under this Act while employed by the District of Columbia government.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1979
Fuel Assistance Act of 1979 - Title I: Fuel Assistance for Low-Income and Elderly Households - Directs the Secretary of Health. Education, and Welfare (HEW), in cooperation with the Secretary of Energy, the Director of the Community Services Administration, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to establish procedures for determining the needs of eligible low- income and elderly households for increased weatherization and other energy-related assistance and for providing such assistance on a time basis. Earmarks specified funds for the purpose of creating public information and outreach programs designed to ensure maximum participation in the energy assistance program established under this Act. Directs the Secretary of HEW, acting through the Social Security Administration, to establish a program to provide assistance to low-income and elderly households for meeting primary residential fuel costs. Sets forth criteria for determining the amount of such assistance, and requirements for eligibility. Specifies that the amount or value of benefits provided under such program shall not be considered income or resources for any purposes under any Federal or State law. Establishes a system of making payments to fuel suppliers supplying fuel to eligible recipients. Requires such suppliers to provide specified information to the appropriate State agency in order to qualify for such payments. Provides that such program shall be administered by the appropriate State agency according to an agreement between such agency and the Secretary, or, in the absence of such agreement, by the Secretary in accordance with regulations. Requires suppliers to keep full records and submit them to the Comptroller General as needed for auditing purposes. Prohibits suppliers from refusing to sell fuel to eligible participants solely on the basis of their participation in the fuel assistance programs established under this Act. Prohibits suppliers from terminating supplies of primary residential fuel to eligible households except in accordance with specified procedures. Imposes criminal penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations necessary to carry out this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such fuel assistance program. Directs the Director of the Community Services Administration to establish a crisis intervention program to supplement the fuel assistance program with evacuation procedures, emergency shelter, home repair, or payment of bills. Authorizes appropriations for such crisis intervention for fiscal years 1980 through 1982. Title II: Middle-Income Energy Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit to eligible taxpayers for amounts paid for heating oil for principal residences.