United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1980
Expresses congressional tribute and thanks to those Americans and Canadians who participated in the rescue of the people onboard the burning passenger vessel Prinsendam off the coast of Alaska during October 4-6, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of the Treasury should exercise his regulatory authority by designating energy efficient wood-burning stoves as eligible for the residential energy tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1980
Declares that the people of Poland should be allowed to settle their own affairs, including the formation of independent trade unions and the right to strike, without foreign interference.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1980
Revises the termination date for veterans eligible for educational assistance so that such assistance shall terminate on December 31, 1989, or the date five years after the veterans' last discharge or release from active duty, whichever is later.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives regarding a rehabilitation plan designed to correct current economic adversities in the basic steel industry through import restrictions, temporary suspensions of Government regulations, and revisions of the current tax structure.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1980
Armed Forces Educational Assistance Act of 1980 - Establishes an Armed Forces Educational Assistance Program for persons who enter military service after September 30, 1980, and serve on active duty for three years or more. Sets forth a schedule of educational assistance entitlement for such veterans as follows: (1) for service of 36 consecutive months but less than 48 consecutive months and an agreement to serve three years in the Ready Reserve, 18 months of assistance; (2) for service of 48 consecutive months but less than 72 consecutive months and an agreement to serve four years in the Ready Reserve, 36 months of assistance; and (3) for service of 72 consecutive months, 36 months of assistance. Allows eligible veterans who have served on active duty for 16 years by September 30, 1986, to transfer their educational entitlement to their spouse or children. Makes any veteran entitled to assistance under this Act eligible to participate in the Predischarge Education Program (PREP) and eligible for education loans. Provides that such veterans are eligible for educational assistance for the six-year period following their discharge or release date. Sets forth procedures extending any applicable time period for such veterans who are prevented from initiating or completing a program of education under certain circumstances. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay tuition costs and a substantial allowance to eligible veterans in the program. Makes technical and conforming amendments to existing laws relating to veterans educational assistance. Grants to eligible veterans, who have served on active duty from three to six years, the right to transfer educational assistance entitlements to such veteran's spouse or children in such manner as prescribed by the Administrator concerned and under limitations set forth in this Act. Terminates the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance program after September 30, 1982. Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to submit a joint report to the Congress, not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act, on plans for implementing the educational assistance provided in such Act. Directs the Secretary of Defense to report semiannually to Congress on the effect of such program on the number and quality of individuals entering the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Father Michael J. McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus, as the Knights of Columbus celebrate their 100th anniversary. Requires that such stamp be issued in the denomination used for first class mail and be placed on sale in 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for electric utility fuel surcharges incurred by a taxpayer in connection with a trade or business or for electricity used in such taxpayer's principal residence resulting from a shutdown of nuclear power generating facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980
Authorizes the President to present a gold-plated medal, on behalf of the Congress, to those athletes selected through the Olympic trial process to be members of the United States Summer Olympic Team of 1980. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be stricken 650 such medals with suitable emblems. Declares that such medals are national medals and that funds to carry out this Act shall be made available under the Amateur Sports Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Extends the congratulations of the House of Representatives to members of the 1980 handicapped Olympic team and recognizes specified organizations for their efforts in producing the second winter Olympics for the physically handicapped.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the independence of Yugoslavia and its continued development of a multinational federation are consistent with U.S. and European security interests and contribute to world peace; and (2) the President should assist Yugoslavia in maintaining its independence and in improving the well-being of its people.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the seven-day period beginning October 5, 1980, as "National Port Week." Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report annually to Congress on the conditions of U.S. public ports.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1980
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission to distribute licenses for very high frequency commercial television broadcasting stations to ensure that each State will have at least one such station.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Postmaster General should distribute for purchase or use any existing postal material relating to the 1980 summer Olympic games, provided that the word "boycott" is superimposed on such material.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow homeowners a nonrefundable income tax credit for 50 percent of the expenses paid or incurred to make alterations to their residences for the purpose of making such residences more accessible to, and usable by, a handicapped individual who is either the taxpayer, his spouse, or a dependent of the taxpayer. Limits the amount of such credit, for each such handicapped individual, to the lesser of $1,000 or an amount which, when added to previous year's credits, does not exceed $5,000. Reduces the amount of such credit by one-half of the amount by which the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer exceeds $20,000 ($35,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly). Defines "handicapped individual" as any individual who has a medically identifiable mental or physical impairment which can be expected to result in death or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months, and which substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual. Requires the handicapped individual to live in the principal residence for which the alterations are made for not less than a nine month period during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1980
Establishes within the National Institutes of Health the Office of Drugs of Limited Commercial Value under the direction of the Director of the National Institutes of Health. Establishes within the Office an advisory council to advise the Director and make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly Health, Education, and Welfare) respecting the time required for drug approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance to entities for the development of drugs of limited commercial value, defined as a drug for a condition or disease of low incidence, to undertake the development of such drugs, undertake studies to determine the potential and need for specific drugs, and coordinate the efforts of public and private entities engaged in the development of such drugs. Requires the submission and approval of an application containing the scientific basis for the development of the drug and the proposed therapeutic use of the drug and other specified information before financial assistance is provided. Requires each entity receiving funds to keep specified records. Requires the Director to report to Congress within two years on the effectiveness of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1980
Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to limit the President's authority to impose import fees on petroleum or petroleum products to periods of: (1) congressionally declared war; (2) a national emergency declared under the National Emergencies Act; (3) a national emergency created by an attack on the United States; (4) U.S. Armed Forces involvement in hostilities pursuant to specific statutory authorization; and (5) U.S. Armed Forces involvement in hostilities under circumstances which require a report by the President to Congress pursuant to the War Powers Resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1980
Extends from January 1, 1977, to January 1, 1978, the income tax exclusion for subsistence allowances paid to State police officers. Extends from April 15, 1979 until one year after the date of enactment of this Act: (1) the period for electing such tax exclusion; and (2) the period for applying for any refund or credit for overpayment of taxes which was prevented by law or rule of law prior to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1980
Declares that a Postal Service employee who stops working because of abnormally dangerous working conditions shall not be considered to be striking. Prohibits another Postal Service employee or officer from interfering with such employee's right not to work under such conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit against an individual's income tax in an amount (not to exceed $200, or $100 in the case of a married individual filing separately) equal to such taxpayer's qualified fuel oil contribution for the taxable year. Defines such fuel oil contribution as the fair market value of fuel oil: (1) the taxpayer has purchased but cannot use by reason of having converted the heating system for his residence to an energy source other than fuel oil; and (2) the taxpayer has consequently contributed to a tax-exempt charitable organization. Denies a charitable contribution deduction to any taxpayer who takes advantage of such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Amends the Copyright Act of 1976 to permit without infringement of copyright: (1) the performance or display of a copyrighted work by instructors or pupils in the course of face-to- face teaching activities of any educational institution (previously only nonprofit educational institutions); and (2) the performance of a nondramatic literary or musical work by a nonprofit veterans' or fraternal organization if the profits are used exclusively for education, religious, or charitable purposes and not for private financial gain.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1980
School Lunch Study Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report to the appropriate committees of Congress on the feasibility of amending the National School Lunch Act to make all children within specified jurisdictions eligible for free lunches.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the residential energy credit for energy conservation expenditures with respect to residences substantially completed after April 19, 1977, if such expenditures are for energy conservation items which are not required by Federal, State, or local housing standards.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1980
Marriage Penalty Offset Tax Credit Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow married individuals filing jointly a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to ten percent of the earned income of the spouse who earns 50 percent or less of the combined earned income of both the husband and wife for the taxable year. Limits the amount of such credit to $500 for the taxable year. Requires the reduction of such credit by one percent for each percentage point by which the lower income spouse's earned income is below 30 percent of the couple's combined earned income.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Community Development to make payments to local homesteading agencies in lieu of real estate taxes which accrued during the period of transfer of homestead property.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Energy should not promulgate any Federal emergency energy conservation plan which would harm recreational boating.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1980
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Attorney General to correct the birthdates on naturalization certificates of individuals admitted as immigrants between December 22, 1945, and November 1, 1954, if such original misrepresentation was predicated upon a fear of persecution if repatriated rather than to evade the existing immigration quotas.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation extending best wishes and expressing appreciation to Carl Vinson for his devotion to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1980
Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal the requirement that State implementation plans for meeting the national primary ambient air quality standard provide for periodic inspection and testing of motor vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1980
Northeast Corridor Completion Act of 1980 - Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to extend the time period within which (1) regularly scheduled and dependable intercity rail passenger service is to be established between Boston and New York and New York and Washington, D.C.; and (2) the National Railroad Passenger Corporation must submit to the President and to Congress an updated, comprehensive report on the financial and operating results of such service. Increases the amount authorized to be appropriated to effectuate the establishment of such service. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire any real property which the Secretary deems necessary to effectuate such service. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with cost-sharing parties to permit the Secretary to incur obligations to carry out improvements in anticipation of reimbursement from such parties. Permits the Secretary to transfer to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation excess real or personal property from the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project. Establishes a goal of self-sufficiency for such intercity passenger service within five years of the completion of such Project. Amends the Department of Transportation Act to authorize the Secretary to establish a working capital fund for financing the activities of the Transportation Systems Center, including research and analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 - Establishes, within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of Federal Information Policy (OFIP) to provide overall direction for the development and implementation of Federal information policies which include guidelines concerning: (1) the reduction of the Government paperwork burden on the public; (2) records management activities; and (3) the privacy of records pertaining to individuals. Requires the Director of OMB to appoint an Administrator of OFIP. Sets forth functions of the Director with respect to Federal information collection and management in the following categories: (1) general information policy functions; (2) information collection request clearance and other paperwork functions; (3) statistical policy and coordination functions; (4) records management functions; (5) privacy of information functions; and (6) automatic data processing and telecommunications functions. Requires the Director to ensure that agencies: (1) provide a substantial opportunity for the public to comment on the means of collecting information with regard to a proposed rule; and (2) assess alternative methods of attaining the statutory goals of such a rule. Requires the Director, within one year after enactment of this Act: (1) to establish requirements and assign responsibility for agency and Government-wide audits of all major information systems; (2) to establish the Federal Information Locator System; (3) to develop a schedule for eliminating any duplication of information collection requests by the Government; and (4) in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, to develop a five-year plan for meeting the automatic data processing and telecommunication needs of the Government. Directs the Director, within two years after this Act is enacted: (1) to establish a system for integrating the various information management practices; (2) to develop a program to enforce Federal information processing standards and to revitalize the standards development program; (3) to complete action on recommendations of the Commission on Federal Paperwork; and (4) to submit to the President and Congress legislative proposals to remove inconsistencies in laws involving privacy, confidentiality and disclosure of information. Requires each agency: (1) to carry out its information management activities in an economical manner; (2) to inventory its major information systems and review, periodically, its management activities; (3) to ensure that its systems do not overlap each other or duplicate systems of other agencies; (4) to develop procedures for assessing the paperwork burden of its collection activities; and (5) assign an official to be responsible for acquisitions of automatic data processing equipment and services. Requires an agency, before collecting any information, to: (1) eliminate reporting requirements which seek information which is available through another Government source; (2) minimize the compliance burden on respondents; (3) plan the tabulation of the information in a manner which maximizes its usefulness to other agencies; and (4) obtain the Director's approval of such collection. Requires the Director to approve or disapprove any collection request within 60 days of receiving it. Allows the Director, when considering a request, to provide an opportunity for the agency or other interested persons to submit oral or written statements. Authorizes the Director: (1) to designate a single collection agency for two or more agencies; and (2) to direct the disclosure of confidential information from one agency to another under specified conditions. Establishes, within OFIP, a Federal Information Locator System composed of a dictionary of information resources, a data element dictionary, and an information referral service. States that the System shall serve as the authoritative register of all information requests. Requires the Director: (1) to design an index for the System; (2) to require each agency head to submit for inclusion in the System a data profile of each information request of that agency; (3) to compare proposed information requests with existing requests through the System; and (4) to ensure that no actual data, excluding descriptive data which is necessary to locate information or identify duplicative data, is included in the System. Declares that no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to provide information to an agency if such agency requested such information after December 31, 1981, in violation of procedures under this Act. Requires the Director: (1) to review the information management activities of each agency at least once every three years; (2) to report the findings to the agency and specified committees of Congress; (3) to keep Congress fully informed of major activities under this Act; and (4) to submit to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House an annual report on such activities. Specifies the contents of such report. Declares that an agency's authority under any other law to prescribe rules or forms for Federal information activities shall be subject to the Director's authority under this Act. Grants the Comptroller General access to all records of OFIP. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Requires the Administrator of General Services: (1) to include in an annual report to Congress and the Director estimates of the lost benefits or savings resulting from the failure of agencies to implement the Administrator's recommendations; and (2) to assist the Administrator of OFIP in conducting studies and developing standards relating to records retention requirements of Federal agencies. Requires the President and the Director of OMB to delegate specified Federal information functions to the Administrator.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980
Provides that Government life insurance shall be paid in accordance with any election of the insured. Stipulates that if at the time of death no such election has been made, the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs shall notify the beneficiary who shall elect whether to receive payment in a lump sum or in installments. Directs the Administrator to notify all insured individuals have not made such election concerning the effect of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1980
Establishes a Commission on More Effective Government to study and recommend ways of promoting economy, efficiency, and improved service within the Federal Government. Directs the Commission to recommend methods to improve the relationship between Federal, State, and local governments. Provides for the appointment of members of the Commission by the President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Sets forth provisions governing the organization and compensation of the Commission and its staff. Empowers the Commission to establish advisory councils and committees as it deems appropriate without regard to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Sets forth the powers of the Commission enabling it to gather information free from subsequent review or comment by any Federal agency. Directs the Commission to submit its final report to the Congress ten days after the Ninety-eighth Congress convenes. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such date. Authorizes the appropriation of funds necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to suspend bioaccumulation and biomagnification testing until December 31, 1982 in evaluating permit applications for ocean dumping of dredged material. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and other appropriate Federal officers, to conduct a study on the validity of such testing. Requires the findings and conclusions of such study to be reported to the Congress by January 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Expresses appreciation to Canada for: (1) its historic close relations and cooperation with the United States in conducting foreign policy; (2) its support for U.S. efforts to obtain the safe release of the hostages in Iran; and (3) its efforts to protect and arrange the safe departure of certain U.S. citizens from Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that athletic games should be held in the United States for U.S. and foreign athletes, if the United States does not participate in the 1980 summer Olympic games.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1980
Fusion Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish research, development, and demonstration programs involving magnetic fusion energy systems to: (1) construct and operate a fusion engineering test facility by 1986; (2) construct and operate a magnetic fusion demonstration facility before the end of this century; (3) maintain and expand the base programs for fusion energy research and the development and testing of appropriate alternative confinement technologies; (4) maintain a strong research and development program in advanced fusion fuels; and (5) ensure an uninterrupted source of scientific and engineering talent from institutions of higher learning to support such effort. Requires such programs to include a study of the potential of using fusion energy for the production of synthetic fuels and the electrification of ground transportation systems. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information promoting the practical uses of fusion energy.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1980
Family Farm Development Act of 1980 - Title I: Family Farm Development Service - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture a Family Farm Development Service, containing a Research Board, which shall devise a national long-term plan for the development of a system providing incentives to encourage small and moderate-size family farmers to use and develop new and improved farming techniques, technology, and mechanisms of food production and distribution. Directs the Administrator of the Family Farm Development Service to submit to the Secretary of Agriculture and to the Congress: (1) a report containing such plan before the end of the three-and-one-half-year development period; and (2) an annual report on specified activities. Title II: Research Program - Directs the Administrator of the Family Farm Development Service to conduct an intensive research grant program concerning the improvement of small and moderate-sized family farms. Directs the Secretary to submit to the President and the Congress an annual report, with recommendations, on such research program. Title III: Education, Training, and Demonstration Programs - Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to establish extension programs providing small farmers with education and demonstration assistance, using paraprofessionals. Directs the Secretary: (1) to provide small farmers with pest control and soil improvement instruction; (2) to establish a program encouraging family farmers to hire and train apprentice farmers; and (3) to establish a scholarship program for farmers and potential farmers to study organic farming methods in foreign countries. Title IV: Loans for Appropriate Technology - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to include among the purposes for which loans may be made or insured under such Act, payment of costs: (1) of appropriate technology use; and (2) incident to instituting methods of sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management among the purposes for which loans may be made or insured under such Act. Sets as a condition for eligibility for such loans being a resident of the U.S. (formerly required U.S. citizenship). Provides that loans made or insured to institute sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management methods shall be repayable in installments determined by the Secretary to reduce initial repayments. Title V: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Farm Tax Equity Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to limit the deductions attributable to the trade or business of farming to a maximum amount consisting of the sum of the taxpayer's gross income plus $17,500 reduced by the amount by which the nonfarm adjusted gross income of such taxpayer exceeds $17,500. Provides for an annual inflation adjustment of such amount. States that such limitation shall not apply if the taxpayer's nonfarm adjusted gross income does not exceed $17,500 or if the taxpayer elects to compute his taxable income on the accrual method of accounting. Requires the accrual method of accounting for any person engaged in the trade or business of farming whose gross income from farming exceeds $100,000, or an amount adjusted for inflation. Provides for a capital gains tax applicable to transfer of rural land by foreign investors. Requires specified reporting procedures relating, to such tax. Title VI: Family Farm Ownership Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants of from $100,000 to $500,000 to units of general local government for the purchase of land suitable for farming, which land shall be sold to new or young farmers. Requires the Secretary to give priority to applicants who demonstrate that the preservation of family farming is of vital importance to the area in which the applicant is located. Establishes revolving fund accounts of grant recipients. Sets forth provisions concerning selection of purchaser and conditions of sale. Title VII: Industrial Hydrocarbons and Alcohols - Authorizes the Secretary to make, and to guarantee, loans for the construction and first year operation of facilities to produce industrial hydrocarbons and alcohols from agricultural commodities, forest products, and their byproducts for direct use or blending as motor or industrial fuel. Declares eligible for such assistance, upon application: (1) any producer who operates a family farm or group of such producers; (2) any private nonprofit organization; and (3) any State or local government. Sets forth: (1) the terms of agreement required from recipients of such aid; (2) limitations on financial assistance; (3) consequences of noncompliance with conditions for such aid; and (4) exemption of specified surplus commodities from marketing agreements or orders. Title VIII: Farm Marketing Programs - Directs the Division of Cooperative Marketing of the Department of Agriculture to give primary emphasis to services to small and moderate-sized family farmers. Amends the National School Lunch Act to direct the Secretary to make cash payments to State educational agencies, upon application, in lieu of not to exceed 25 percent of the value of the commodities such agencies would have received under the school lunch program. Requires that such cash payments be used by such agencies to purchase program commodities designated from time to time by the Secretary as being in abundance nationally, or by the Secretary or the State Governor as being in abundance in the school area. Directs the Secretary to establish and carry out pilot projects in 12 States under which county extension offices will use computer terminals to assist family farmers in attaining information clarifying various market alternatives. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, not to exceed 75 percent of costs, to establish a direct marketing system between consumers and farmers. Title IX: Food Price Stabilization - Establishes a Food Price Review Board to monitor increases in the price of any food product, and to recommend to the President the issuance of orders limiting or adjusting the amount of any such increase so that it is equal to, and not more than, the amount of any increase in the price received by the grower or producer of any raw food product involved. Empowers the President to issue such orders. Title X: Miscellaneous Amendments; Definitions - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to make it an unfair or deceptive practice affecting commerce for any person engaged in the retail sale of food to sell any food product without a sign at the point of sale containing the amount received by farmers for the agricultural commodities which were used to produce the food product involved. Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to include farmers and individuals residing in counties with populations of less than 50 persons per square mile among those whose special difficulties of access to legal services or special legal problems should be taken into account by the Legal Services Corporation in determining and implementing its priorities. Directs the Legal Services Corporation to make grants and contracts for research and for information clearinghouses on legal issues and governmental administrative practices involving farm ownership and operation. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for such purposes. Defines terms used in this Act.