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 · 15 May 1980
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the combined earnings of a married couple, which are attributable to the period of their marriage, shall be shared equally between them for purposes of determining the eligibility for and amount of OASDI benefits to which each spouse is or may become separately entitled. Credits the survivor of the marriage with 100 percent of the combined total wages for the period of the marriage. Declares that this Act shall not apply in specified cases where it would result in a reduction of OASDI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide a married couple, at the time either or both of them become entitled to benefits, the option of splitting equally their combined earnings, which are attributable to the period of their marriage, for purposes of determining the eligibility for and amount of OASDI benefits to which each spouse is or may become separately entitled. Provides that if a couple exercises such option and one spouse is not fully insured, that spouse shall become fully insured by reason of crediting wages and self-employment income to that spouse. Grants a couple, after a divorce, two years within which to exercise the option. Provides that, if a couple chooses not to exercise the option, their benefit will be based on 75 percent of the combined primary insurance amount.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1980
Amends the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1980 and 1981, to increase the authorization of appropriation to the State Department for fiscal year 1980 and 1981 for international organizations and conferences and for fiscal year 1981 for the administration of foreign affairs (earmarks a specified portion for payment ex gratia to Yugoslavia for injuries sustained by a Yugoslav national). Decreases the authorization of appropriations for international commissions. Repeals the ceilings on the aggregate amount spent on the administration of foreign affairs, international organizations and conferences, and international commissions. Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to increase the authorization of appropriations for fiscal years 1980 and 1981 for the Board for International Broadcasting. Amends specified passport provisions to provide for the Secretary of State to prescribe a fee for issued passports which shall be paid into the U.S. Treasury (presently such fees are set at ten dollars for each passport and are paid quarterly). Extends the period of validity of a passport from five years to ten years. Removes the ceiling on authorized funds for the U.S. share of expenses of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History. Prohibits the U.S. payment of its share of the annual expenses of the Hague Conference on Private International Law and of the International (Rome) Institute for the Unification of Private Law from exceeding ten percent of the total expenses after 1978 (currently seven percent). Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to direct the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a U.S. representative to the Vienna office of the United Nations. Authorizes the use of appropriated funds for living quarters for the staffs of U.S. representatives to the United Nations. Authorizes necessary appropriations for the U.S. share of the expenses of the United Nations peacekeeping forces (presently limited to those in the Middle East). Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for the Inter-American Foundation. Exempts private sector representatives on U.S. delegations to international telecommunications conferences, who are specifically designated as the U.S. Representative with respect to a particular matter, from specified criminal code provisions on conflicts of interest. Requires such representatives to have on file a financial disclosure report with the State Department. Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to permit any person having special scientific, technical, or professional qualifications, in the employ or service of the U.S. Government, to be assigned to a foreign government (presently restricted to U.S. citizens). Authorizes the making of procurement contracts for periods which do not exceed five years if: (1) appropriations are adequate for the first fiscal year; (2) Government need is reasonably firm and continuing; (3) such contract will encourage effective competition or promote economics in performance and operation; and (4) such method will not inhibit small business participation. Requires such contracts to be cancelled if funds are not available for continuation into subsequent fiscal years. Revises the authority of the Director of the International Communication Agency (ICA) to purchase vehicles for use abroad to permit security vehicles to be purchased without regard to maximum price limitations. Provides for the principal assistant of an ICA Associate Director to perform the duties of any Associate Director who dies, resigns, or is sick or absent. Requires the ICA Director to make available the film, "Reflection: Samuel Eliott Morison," for public distribution within the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1980
Export Promotion and Export Trading Company Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to encourage the formation of export trading companies by providing information and advice to interested persons. Requires the Secretary to provide a referral service to facilitate contacts between producers of exportable goods and services and concerns offering export trade services. Permits State and local governments to participate in such export trading companies. Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt trading companies, solely with respect to their export trade activities, from antitrust restrictions. Directs the President, five years after enactment, to appoint a task force to study and report any recommendations to the President concerning the effect of this Act on domestic competition and the U.S. trade deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
National Science Foundation Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1981 - Authorizes appropriations for the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 1981. Makes funds authorized for 1981 available for: (1) mathematical and physical sciences; (2) astronomical, atmospheric, earth and ocean sciences; (3) United States Antarctic Program; (4) biological, behavioral, and social sciences; (5) Ocean Drilling Programs; (6) Science Education Programs; (7) engineering and applied science; (8) scientific, technological, and international affairs; (9) Cross-Directorate Programs; and (10) program development and management. Establishes minimum amounts to be spent for specified programs, including Earthquake Hazards Mitigation, the Small Business Innovation Program, Research and Development in Appropriate Technology, Science Facility Improvement Programs, Science Education Programs relating to Appropriate Technology, and for salaries of faculty members at institutions of higher education with limited programs in science and engineering. Establishes spending ceilings for specified programs, including the Ocean Margin Drilling Project and United States/Union of Soviet Socialist Republics cooperative research. Requires the Foundation to prepare and submit to Congress a report on the Ocean Margin Drilling Project. Requires the National Academy of Sciences to study and report on marine earth sciences research. Limits the amount which may be used for official consultation or representation at the discretion of the Director of the National Science Foundation and for the expenses of the National Science Foundation incurred outside the United States. Permits the transfer of funds from one category to another as specified. Requires the foundation to consolidate all Directors. Requires the Director of the Foundation, with the Secretary of Education, to develop and transmit to Congress a proposed joint science education program plan. Eliminates the Civil Service Commission clearance of personnel with access to specified information or property requirement. Makes individuals who make outstanding contributions in the behavioral or social sciences eligible to receive a National Medal of Science. Directs the President to develop and report to Congress a comprehensive national policy respecting women and minorities in science and technology. Requires the Director to require that all Foundation grants contain a brief statement of the purpose of the research being undertaken.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
Condemns the internal exile of Andrei Sakharov and urges the restoration of full human rights and fundamental freedoms to him. Declares it U.S. policy to halt official travel to the United States by Soviet scientists and scholars, which is not directly beneficial to the United States, for at least six months. Recommends that all governmental agencies, private agencies, scientists, and engineers be requested to defer all official travel to the Soviet Union related to scientific and technological cooperation for at least six months. Calls upon foreign governments, professional societies, scientists, and engineers to join in similar actions. Directs the President to assure that all Federal agencies take coordinated action should any circumstances change. Urges Federal agencies, together with governments and scientists of all nations, to develop standards, and/or policies for the conduct of international cooperative research and research communications and for the protection of the human rights of scientists. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the appropriate policies to further this resolution and steps taken to assure coordinated Federal agency actions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1980
Directs the President to utilize the forum of the Venice Economic Summit to urge the development of an International Code of Business Conduct. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should negotiate and report to Congress concerning agreements to establish standards of ethical and equitable conduct of international business and mechanisms to resolve problems. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to report to Congress concerning its recommendations regarding such negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1980
Calls upon the President to: (1) increase humanitarian assistance to East Timor; (2) encourage Indonesia to allow free emigration from East Timor; (3) establish a U.S. presence in East Timor; and (4) encourage Indonesia to withdraw its troops from East Timor and allow self-determination for the East Timorese.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1980
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require Federal agencies which are about to dispose of surplus real property suitable for agricultural use to offer such property for sale to the individual who transferred such property to the agency or to the individual who leased such property from the agency for a specified period, provided that the individual had used such property for agricultural purposes. Requires the deed of conveyance of any property sold under this Act to provide that the property shall revert to the United States if it is not used and maintained for agricultural purposes for at least 15 years.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1980
International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1980 - Title I: Military and Related Assistance Programs - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to repeal the President's authority to reduce or waive charges for the use of plant and production equipment and nonrecurring research, development, and production costs pursuant to coproduction arrangements for foreign procurement in the United States of defense articles and services. Authorizes the President to sell or contract to sell design or construction services to eligible countries or international organizations if the United States is paid in full in advance for the costs of furnishing such services. Makes such sales subject to the statutory provisions applicable to defense articles and services. Requires the President to certify information to Congress concerning any letter of offer to sell any design and construction services for $200,000,000 or more. Authorizes appropriations for foreign military sales for fiscal year 1981. Stipulates that credits and loan guaranties may be made only to the extent provided in advance in appropriations acts. Establishes separate ceilings on the total amount of credit and of loan guarantees authorized to be extended for fiscal year 1981. Increases the amount earmarked for Israel. Makes a specified amount available only for the costs of relocating Israeli forces from the Sinai. Sets a ceiling on the amounts which may be made available for the Philippines and for Thailand. Exempts Israel from specified credit and loan guarantees restrictions for fiscal year 1981. Releases Israel from a specified amount of its contractual liability to repay the United States. Grants a ten year grace period before Egypt, the Sudan, and Turkey are required to begin repayment of the principal of loans guaranteed to finance credit sales of defense articles and services. Requires the President to submit written certification to Congress concerning the transfer of defense articles and services only if such transfer involves major defense articles or services valued above specified amounts to countries other than Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Exempts letters of offer to sell and applications for licenses to export defense articles and services to such nations from certification requirements. Raises the ceiling on arms sales which are required to be sold under the Arms Export Control Act in order to be issued an export license. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish military assistance to friendly countries or international organizations by transferring authorized funds for specified recipients to be used to meet obligations of such recipients for payment for arms sales under the Arms Export Control Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for military assistance with specified limitations on amounts for Portugal, Spain, and the Philippines. Increases the aggregate value of the drawdown of defense articles from Defense Department stocks, defense services, and military education and training authorized in emergencies. Extends the authority to furnish military assistance until September 30, 1982, or for five years after such assistance is authorized. Decreases the value of additions of defense articles to stockpiles in foreign countries during fiscal year 1981. Revises the list of foreign countries to which the President is authorized to assign members of the U.S. Armed Forces to manage security assistance programs by deleting Iran and Kuwait and adding Egypt. Permits the number of defense attaches performing overseas management functions to exceed by up to six the number of attaches authorized on December 31, 1979. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for international military education and training. Requires a human rights program to be included in the curriculum of programs receiving such funds. Makes such program a prerequisite for completion of all other courses. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning specific measures taken to implement such program. Includes the additional costs of furnishing such training within the definition of "value." Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require purchasers of training who are concurrently receiving training assistance to pay such additional costs. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for peacekeeping operations. Repeals the provision creating the Middle East special requirements fund. Permits the President to make sales, extend credit, or issue guaranties under the Arms Export Control Act, as well as furnish assistance, without regard to statutory limitations if to do so is vital to U.S. security. Prohibits the expenditure of appropriated funds for foreign intelligence operations unless the President, prior to the initiation of such operation, reports a description and scope of such operation to the House and Senate Select Committees on Intelligence (presently such reports are required to be submitted in a timely fashion to the appropriate congressional committees). Permits the President to defer, for the shortest practicable period, such prior reporting in extraordinary circumstances or to avoid unreasonable risks. Title II: Economic Support Fund - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for the Economic Support Fund. Prohibits the use of such funds for nuclear facilities in a foreign country, unless the President certifies to Congress that such use is indispensable to the achievement of U.S. nonproliferation objectives. Repeals the Fund's regional programs. Earmarks specified amounts for Israel, Egypt, Turkey, and special requirements in the Middle East. Prohibits making funds available for Syria, unless the President certifies to Congress that Syria is making good faith efforts towards a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East and such funds will serve the peace process in the Middle East. Makes specified amounts available to Jordan for the Maqarin Dam and Jordan Valley Irrigation System and for other development programs. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the obligation of funds for Middle East special requirements. Provides for a congressional veto of such proposed use. Makes specified amounts available for emergency uses to promote economic or political stability. Limits the amount which may be used for Mozambique. Title III: Development Assistance Programs - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for: (1) agriculture, rural development, and nutrition; (2) population planning and health programs; (3) education and human resources development; (4) development of indigenous energy resources (with a specified amount for survey work and exploration for potential oil, natural gas, and coal reserves in developing countries which are not members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries); (5) human rights promotion; (6) Sahel development program; (7) international organizations and programs; (8) reimbursable development programs; and (9) the Institute for Scientific and Technological Cooperation. Declares that energy production from renewable decentralized sources and energy conservation are vital elements in the development process. Authorizes cooperative programs to include research and development of suitable energy technologies, analysis of energy uses, needs and resources, training and institutional development, and scientific interchange. Stipulates that prohibitions on assistance to countries shall not be construed to prohibit the continuation of assistance to private and voluntary organizations and cooperatives. Directs the President to take into consideration whether such continued support is in the U.S. national interest. Stipulates that prohibitions on assistance to countries shall not be construed to prohibit the continuation of assistance to private and voluntary organizations and cooperatives. Directs the President to take into consideration whether such continued support is in the U.S. national interest. Decreases the amount due and payable during fiscal year 1981 to the United States from relatively least developed countries on development loans. Permits expenses for orderly termination of programs to include funds to enable students abroad to complete their training. Urges the President to use appropriated funds for fiscal year 1981 for bilateral development assistance in the eastern Caribbean countries. Directs the President to report to Congress on the implementation of such assistance. Title IV: Other Assistance Programs - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for: (1) American schools and hospitals abroad; (2) international narcotics control (with specified limitations on the amount which may be contributed to the United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control); (3) international disaster assistance; and (4) the rehabilitation and resettlement needs of displaced persons and other victims of civil strife in Africa in ways not generally provided by existing refugee relief agencies. Amends the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1980 and 1981, to increase the authorization of appropriations for migration and refugee assistance for fiscal year 1981. Authorizes the President to transfer up to a specified amount from other accounts for international disaster assistance. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should encourage Indonesia to allow: (1) increased access to East Timor by international relief agencies and international journalists; and (2) free emigration from East Timor. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to authorize the President to transfer up to 15 percent of available funds between the titles of such Act. Title V: African Development Foundation - African Development Foundation Act - Establishes the African Development Foundation to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the people of Africa and the United States and to assist in the development of Africa. Requires such Foundation to cooperate with indigenous organizations representative of Africa and other private, regional, and international organizations. Authorizes such Foundation to make grants, loans, and loan guarantees (not to exceed $250,000 in total) to African entities for developmental purposes. Requires the Foundation to give priority to community self-help projects with the maximum feasible participation of the poor. Sets forth the corporate powers of such Foundation. Sets forth conflict-of-interest provisions. Exempts such Foundation from Federal, State, or local taxation. Provides for the appointment of a Board of Directors to manage such Foundation. Requires the Board to consult with an advisory council composed of individuals knowledgeable about development activities in Africa. Makes any spending authority effective only to the extent provided in advance in appropriation Acts. Earmarks a specified portion of the fiscal year 1981 authorization of appropriations for development assistance for this title. Title VI: Peace Corps - Amends the Peace Corps Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for the Peace Corps and for any necessary increases. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to prohibit assistance to countries causing the disappearance of persons by the abduction and clandestine detention of those persons. Directs the Comptroller General to report on the audits of funds administered by international organizations to the President and Congress. Directs the President to seek the establishment of external, professionally qualified groups to evaluate and audit the programs and activities of the United Nations and its affiliated organizations (presently calls for a single professionally qualified group to evaluate). Provides for the auditing of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Development Bank. Requires the Comptroller General to include an evaluation of such reports submitted to Congress and the President. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the annual reports to Congress on U.S. contributions to international organizations within nine months after the fiscal year to which they relate or, in the case of fiscal year 1978, by December 31, 1980. Directs the President to submit semiannual reports to Congress listing all voluntary U.S. contributions to international organizations. Allows foreign assistance funds to be used to procure agricultural products outside the United States when the domestic price is less than parity if the commodity can not reasonably be procured in the United States in fulfillment of the objectives of a particular assistance program. Replaces the Auditor General with an Inspector General. Makes such Inspector General responsible for security activities, as well as audit and investigative activities, of the agency administering development assistance and, to the extent requested, the U.S. International Development Cooperation Agency. Gives the Inspector General subpoena power. Sets forth additional duties of the Inspector General. Authorizes the Inspector General to investigate employee complaints concerning the U.S. International Development Cooperation Agency. Permits economic support funds to be used to pay shipping differentials resulting from the use of U.S.-flag vessels. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for the operating expenses for administering the international development programs. Expresses the sense of Congress concerning: (1) the effectiveness of the Interagency Group on Human Rights and Foreign Assistance; (2) the commitment to peace of the parties to the Arab-Israeli conflict; and (3) the responsibility of Jordan to act in good faith to achieve peace in the Middle East in order to receive foreign assistance under this Act. Directs the President to report to Congress regarding the economic conditions prevailing in Egypt, Israel, Portugal, and Turkey which may affect their international debt obligations and economic stability.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1980
National Technology Foundation Act of 1980 - Establishes the National Technology Foundation as an independent agency to: (1) foster communication between scientific and technological agencies of the Federal Government and the small business community; (2) collect, analyze and publish information concerning grants and contracts awarded to small business concerns by such agencies; (3) operate programs of grants and contracts for the development of high-technology small businesses; and (4) operate the programs transferred to it by this Act. Transfers to the Foundation; (1) the Patent and Trademark Office; (2) the National Bureau of Standards; (3) the National Technical Information Service; (4) the Office of Small Business Research and Development of the National Science Foundation; (5) the directorate for Engineering and Applied Science of the National Science Foundation; and (6) the working groups on Innovation Processes and their Management and on Socioeconomic Effects of Science and Technology. Establishes specified offices within the Foundation to perform the functions of such organizations and other functions of the Foundation. Requires the Foundation to: (1) collect and analyze information on the availability of and the current and projected need for engineering, technical, and technology managerial resources in the United States; (2) support engineering, technical, and technological managerial training through grants, loans, or other assistance; (3) assist the establishment of Centers for Industrial Technology to enhance technological innovation through specified means; (4) conduct technology assessments; (5) determine the relationships of technological developments and international technology transfers to the productivity, employment, and world trade performance of the United States and foreign industrial sectors; (5) develop improved indicators of the state of technology; (6) determine the influence of economic conditions and government policies on industrial innovation and the development of technology; (7) promote technology transfer from the Federal government and private enterprise to State and local governments; (8) support applied research in engineering and other disciplines as necessary in the national interest; (9) promote United States interests in international voluntary standardization activities; and (10) promote technology transfer from the Federal Government to private enterprise. Establishes within the Foundation a National Technology Board to supervise and control the policy of the Foundation. Sets forth the composition, procedures, and terms of membership on such Board which is to be operated under the auspices of a Chairman, a Director, and a Deputy Director. Sets forth the general authority of the Foundation. Establishes a National Technology Medal to be awarded by the President to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of technology and technological manpower for the improvement of the economic, environmental, or social well-being of the United States. Requires the Director to coordinate the programs of the Foundation with other programs of the Federal, State, and local governments and the private sector. Sets forth the powers of the Director, including the exercise of authority over the transferred Federal divisions, the establishment and alteration of regional or field offices, and the transfer of funds within the Foundation. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1980
Condemns the internal exile of Andrei Sakharov and urges his restoration to his former situation. Declares it U.S. policy to halt official travel to the United States by Soviet scientists and scholars, which is not directly beneficial to the United States, for at least six months. Recommends that all governmental agencies, private agencies, scientists, and engineers be requested to defer all official travel to the Soviet Union related to scientific and technological cooperation for at least six months. Calls upon foreign governments, professional societies, scientists, and engineers to join in similar actions. Directs the President to assure that all Federal agencies take coordinated action should any circumstances change. Urges Federal agencies, together with governments and scientists of all nations, to develop standards for the conduct of international cooperative research and research communication and for the protection of the human rights of scientists. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the appropriate policies to further this resolution and steps taken to assure coordinated Federal agency actions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1980
Food Security Act of 1980 - Declares it to be U.S. policy to develop a wheat reserve solely to provide for emergency food needs in developing countries. Directs the President, in order to carry out such policy, to establish a reserve stock of wheat of up to 4,000,000 metric tons for specified purposes. Permits stocks of wheat for such reserve to be acquired: (1) through purchases from producers or in the market, if the Secretary of Agriculture determines that such purchases will not unduly disrupt the market; and (2) by designation by the Secretary of stocks of wheat acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Authorizes the President to release such designated or acquired wheat reserve stocks to provide, on a donation or sale basis, emergency food assistance to developing countries at any time that the U.S. domestic wheat supply is so limited that quantities cannot be made available for disposition, except for humanitarian purposes, under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Provides that up to 300,000 tons of wheat may be released from the reserve in any fiscal year for use under such Act in providing urgent humanitarian relief in developing countries which suffer major disasters (as determined by the President), in circumstances of unanticipated and exceptional need when the normal means of obtaining food assistance make timely programming impossible. Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on wheat so released and its timely replenishment. Allows such wheat to be processed in the U.S. and shipped to the recipient country as wheat flour, when necessary. Requires that such wheat be made available under such Act, with specified provisions as to determinations of availability inapplicable thereto. Directs the Secretary to provide for reserve management as to location and class of wheat needed to meet emergencies, rotation to avoid spoilage and deterioration, and prompt equivalent replacement of removed quantities. Specifies that stocks of wheat shall not: (1) be considered a part of the total domestic supply (including carryover) for certain purposes; or (2) be subject to any quantitative export limitations under the Export Administration Act of 1979. Directs the Secretary to utilize the funds and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation in carrying out this Act, except that any restrictions applicable to the acquisition, storage, or disposition of Corporation owned or controlled commodities shall not apply to wheat for or in the reserve. Requires that the Corporation be reimbursed for actual costs under such program. Declares final any determination by the President or the Secretary under this Act. Provides that: (1) this Act shall take effect on October 1, 1980; (2) the authorities of this Act shall expire on September 30, 1983; and (3) any wheat in the reserve when such authorities expire shall be distributed under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act in fiscal year 1984 and subsequent fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) governments causing the disappearance of any person, by abduction and clandestine detention, are committing terrorist acts; (2) the President should encourage other nations to join together in calling upon the United Nations to condemn such acts, to establish effective procedures for dealing with such cases, and to demand that all governments investigate all reports of disappearances, prosecute those responsible, and account for those persons who have disappeared; and (3) the President should attempt to implement a program to be taken with respect to governments practicing such acts of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that recent attempts to undermine the stability of Tunisia constitute a serious threat to international peace and U.S. national security interests. States that the United States should furnish economic and security assistance to Tunisia.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should release Andrei Sakharov from internal exile immediately. Urges the President to: (1) protest Sakharov's exile and the continued suppression of human rights in the Soviet Union; (2) call upon other nations to join in such protests and impose sanctions against the Soviet Union; and (3) inform Helsinki signatory governments that the U.S. delegation intends to raise these violations at the 1980 Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe review meeting.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any Member of Congress from using funds received as contributions to pay personal expenses.
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
Condemns the internal exile of Andrei Sakharov and urges his restoration to his former situation. Declares it U.S. policy to halt official travel to the United States by Soviet scientists and scholars for one year. Recommends that all governmental agencies, private agencies, scientists, and engineers be requested to defer all official and nonessential travel to the Soviet Union for one year. Calls upon foreign governments, professional societies, scientists, and engineers to join in similar actions. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the appropriate policies to further this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should press for the immediate release of Andrei Sakharov from internal exile. Declares that Congress will continue to raise the issue of Sakharov's treatment until he is accorded his legal rights by the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1980
Fusion Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish research, development, and demonstration programs involving magnetic fusion energy systems to: (1) construct and operate a fusion engineering test facility by 1986; (2) construct and operate a magnetic fusion demonstration facility before the end of this century; (3) maintain and expand the base programs for fusion energy research and the development and testing of appropriate alternative confinement technologies; (4) maintain a strong research and development program in advanced fusion fuels; and (5) ensure an uninterrupted source of scientific and engineering talent from institutions of higher learning to support such effort. Requires such programs to include a study of the potential of using fusion energy for the production of synthetic fuels and the electrification of ground transportation systems. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information promoting the practical uses of fusion energy.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the income tax credit for the hiring of new employees under the qualified cooperative education program to include work study special education programs for handicapped children.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1980
African Development Foundation Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish the African Development Foundation to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the people of Africa and the United States and to assist in the development of Africa. Requires such Foundation to cooperate with indigenous organizations representative of Africa and other private, regional, and international organizations. Authorizes such Foundation to make grants, loans, and loan guarantees to African entities for developmental purposes. Requires the Foundation to give priority to community self-help projects with the maximum feasible participation of the poor. Sets forth the corporate powers of such Foundation. Provides for the appointment of a Board of Directors to manage such Foundation. Requires the Board to consult with a Council composed of individuals knowledgeable about development activities in Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress to condemn Soviet actions taken against Andrei Sakharov which further show the lack of the Soviet Union's fitness to host the Olympics.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1980
Urges: (1) the U.S. Olympic Committee to propose the transfer or cancellation of the 1980 summer Olympic games; (2) the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to adopt such proposal; and (3) the U.S. Olympic committee and other nations' Olympic committees to not participate in such summer games, if the IOC rejects such proposal, and conduct alternative games.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1979
Condemns the use of lethal chemical agents against the Hmong tribespeople in Laos and any such use in Kampuchea (Cambodia). 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 express strong concern over such use 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 · 13 December 1979
Condemns the use of lethal chemical agents against the Hmong tribes people in Laos and any such use in Kampuchae (Cambodia). 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 · 6 December 1979
Telephone Privacy Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit unsolicited commercial telephone calls to a telephone subscriber who has notified the telephone company that he does not wish to receive such calls. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe regulations specifying the manner in which a telephone subscriber shall notify the telephone company that he does not wish to receive unsolicited calls. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Excludes from the definition of "unsolicited commercial telephone calls" calls made in response to an express request of the individual called or made in connection with an overdue debt or contractual obligation.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 26 November 1979
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should direct the Secretaries of State and the Treasury to establish all debts owed by Iran to the people of the United States and secure the payment of such debts by attachment or other legal action against Iranian assets in the United States. Declares that remaining Iranian assets in the United States should be seized in reparation for damages to U.S. property and for compensation to U.S. citizens held hostage in Iran.
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 · 13 November 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should terminate all military training of Iranian personnel pursuant to sales under the Arms Export Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1979
Sunset Review Act of 1979 - Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to jointly develop and maintain an inventory of all Federal programs and tax expenditures. Requires such inventory to classify all such programs and expenditures according to the jurisdiction of the various legislative committees of the two Houses. Requires the General Accounting Office, before the beginning of the 97th Congress, after consultation with the appropriate legislative committees, to submit a draft inventory to the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. Requires such Committees to notify each legislative committee of the programs and tax expenditures which are classified within its jurisdiction. Allows any legislative committee to propose revisions of such inventory within 30 days after notification. Requires, after a determination that all programs and tax expenditures are accurately classified, that such inventory be published in a single document. Requires that an update be made of such inventory at the beginning of every Congress. Directs the General Accounting Office to maintain and publish a supplement to the inventory. Requires each legislative committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate, on or before March 1 in the first session of each Congress beginning with the 98th Congress, to develop, adopt, and submit to the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committees on Rules and Administration an agenda for the sunset review of selected Federal programs within its jurisdiction or in the case of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance, of selected tax expenditures. Requires the committees of each House to develop their sunset review agenda in consultation with any other committee which has concurrent jurisdiction over any programs or tax expenditures involved. Prohibits either the House or the Senate from considering a primary expense resolution for any legislative committee in any Congress until that committee has developed and submitted its sunset review agenda. Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to incorporate such agendas into a consolidated sunset review agenda and to report such consolidated agenda to its House in the form of a concurrent resolution, within seven legislative days after all committee sunset review agendas have been submitted. Requires the consolidated sunset review agenda to be adopted in the House and in the Senate no later than March 30 in the first session of each Congress. Sets forth the procedures for adoption. Requires each committee of the House or the Senate, not later than May 15 in the second session of each Congress, to report a bill or bills modifying, continuing, or terminating each program or tax expenditure which it has been directed to review under the consolidated sunset review agenda adopted during the first session. Requires such bill to be accompanied by a report setting forth the committee's findings, recommendations, and justifications. Requires each department, agency, and instrumentality in the executive branch of the Government which is responsible for the administration of a Federal program or tax expenditure selected for sunset review to give assistance to the appropriate Congressional committees. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall affect the authority of any legislative committee to review programs or tax expenditures within its jurisdiction and to report legislation modifying, continuing, or terminating such programs or expenditures at such times and in such manner as it deems appropriate. Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to include the consolidated sunset review agendas and the congressional inventory of Federal programs as part of the House Committee on Rules' functions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1979
Uniform Federal Research and Development Utilization Act of 1979 - Title I: Policy - Declares that the public interest would be better served if greater efforts were made to obtain patent protection for and to promote the commercial use of new technology resulting from federally-sponsored research. Declares it the purpose of this Act to establish a uniform Federal system for the management and use of the results of federally-sponsored scientific and technological research and development. Title II: Functions of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology - Requires the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology to make recommendations to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy with regard to the uniform planning and administration of Federal programs pertaining to inventions, patents, trademarks, copyrights, and rights in technical data, such recommendations to be transmitted by the Director to Federal agencies. Title III: Allocation of Property Rights in Inventions Resulting from Federally Sponsored Research and Development - Establishes criteria for the issuance of regulations by the Administrator of General Services and the Secretary of Defense for the allocation of property rights in subject inventions. Requires all contractors to report to the sponsoring Federal agency each patentable subject invention as well as the contractor's intent to file a patent application and commercialize such invention. Declares that each Federal agency shall acquire on behalf of the Federal government, at the time of contracting, title to any invention made under the contract of a Federal agency if the agency determines: (1) the services of the contractor are for the operation of a Government-owned research or production facility; (2) acquisition of title is necessary because of the national security nature of the work being performed; (3) because of the exceptional circumstances, acquisition of title by the Government is necessary to assure the adequate protection of the public health, safety, or welfare; (4) the principal purpose of the contract is to develop or improve products, processes, or methods which will be required for use by Government regulations; and (5) in any exceptional contracting situation, that the ownership of title to inventions developed under such a contract is necessary to the accomplishment of the agency's mission. Specifies, in other situations, the minimum rights, with respect to any invention, which each Federal agency shall acquire at the time of contracting. Stipulates that the contractor shall retain a defeasible title only to those subject inventions on which the contractor files a United States patent application and declares its intent to achieve practical application of the subject invention. Authorizes each sponsoring Federal agency to extend the period of the contractor's exclusive commercial rights established under this Act. Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration and the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations which will provide payment to the government for Federal funding of research and development activities through the sharing of royalties and/or revenues with the contractor. Requires that all inventions made by Federal employees while under the administrative jurisdiction of a Federal agency be reported to the authority of such agency. Establishes criteria for the allocation of rights to inventions between the Federal Government and the Federal employee-inventor. Stipulates that the Federal Government shall obtain the entire right, title, and interest in and to all inventions by any Federal employee which bear a relation to the duties of such employee-inventor, or which are made in consequence of employment. Authorizes an incentive awards program to reward and stimulate Federal employee-inventors. Authorizes Federal agencies to share income from patent licenses with the Federal employee-inventor. Title IV: Domestic and Foreign Protection and Licensing of Federally Owned Inventions - Specifies the authority of Federal agencies with respect to obtaining patents, promoting licensing of inventions, granting licenses, conducting market surveys, transferring custody of patents, and receiving funds. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate a program for assisting Federal agencies in protecting and licensing federally-owned inventions. Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations specifying the terms upon which any federally-owned invention may be licensed. Sets forth the procedure whereby Federal agencies may grant exclusive or partially exclusive licenses in any invention covered by a federally-owned domestic patent or patent application. Title V: Miscellaneous - Amends specified Acts to conform to the provisions of this Act.
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 · 24 October 1979
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish disaster relief to alleviate the famine in Cambodia through international agencies to the extent feasible. Stipulates that priority be given to furnishing agricultural commodities under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1979
Provides for the conveyance of certain surplus property of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration located in Erie County, Ohio, to certain individuals from whom the United States acquired the property.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1979
Title I: Findings, Purposes, and Definitions - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to provide for a coordinated, simplified, and prompt process for obtaining Federal, State, and local approval of nonnuclear energy facilities which are determined to be in the national interest. Title II: Priority Projects - Authorizes the President to establish an Energy Mobilization Board to be composed of members appointed by the President. Sets forth the general duties and powers of such Board, including the subpoena power. Directs the Board to keep the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs and on Interstate and Foreign Commerce fully and currently informed concerning its activities, including the submission of an annual report. Stipulates that projects related to the production of nuclear energy or approved under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies of 1978 be excluded from coverage under this Act. Directs the Board to designate Priority Energy Projects and to publish a Project Decision Schedule containing deadlines for all Federal actions relating to such projects. Directs the Board to provide the appropriate committees with a copy of such designation orders. Sets forth the criteria the Board must consider in making such designations, including: (1) the extent to which the energy project would reduce the Nation's dependence upon nonrenewable resources; (2) the magnitude of any economic and social impacts and costs associated with the project in relation to the impacts and costs of alternatives; (3) the extent to which the project would make use of renewable energy resources, or conserve energy; (4) the extent to which the project would contribute to the development of new production or conservation technologies and techniques; (5) adverse impacts on the environment and on competition; and other specified criteria. Directs the Board to notify the Governor of each State in which any portion of a project designated as a Priority Energy Project is proposed to be located. Permits such Governor to appoint a non-voting Member to the Board to participate in decisions concerning such project, including the Project Decision Schedule. Exempts priority energy project designations or refusals to make a designation, promulgation or revision of Project Decision Schedules, and Board actions relating to streamlining of procedures, from the impact statement requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Directs the Council on Environmental Quality to determine whether any Federal action relating to a Priority Energy Project, after it has been so designated and prior to establishing the Project Schedule, will be a "major Federal action" for purposes of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Requires the Council to designate a lead agency to assure compliance with NEPA whenever a major Federal action is involved. Authorizes the Board to require that one environmental impact statement be prepared and that such statement be used by all Federal agencies to satisfy NEPA with respect to such projects. Authorizes the Board to extend the time for certain deadlines. Requires each agency having authority to make any agency decision with respect to any part of a project designated as a Priority Energy Project to transmit to the Board: (1) a compilation of all significant actions required to be taken by such agency and by the applicant before such decision can be made and a summary of procedural requirements applicable to such actions; (2) a tentative schedule for completing such actions and making such decisions; and (3) a statement of administrative requirements to take such actions. Directs the Board to publish a Project Decision Schedule within 45 days of the transmittal of agency information. Stipulates that such schedule: (1) identify the order in which decisions which must be made by each agency are to be made; (2) identify the deadlines applicable to such decisions; (3) be consistent with the tentative schedules transmitted to the Board, unless the Board determines a different schedule is essential to expedite and coordinate agency review; and (4) be binding on the agency and on all other persons to which the Schedule applies. Permits the Board to modify any schedule applicable to any agency's decision or action subject to the Project Decision Schedule upon petition of such agency where the agency determines such modification will facilitate agency compliance with the Schedule. Permits affected agencies to consolidate proceedings related to actions and decisions subject to the Project Decision Schedule, if such streamlined procedures provide for effective participation by interested parties in such decisionmaking. Directs the Board to monitor compliance with the Schedule by all affected agencies and persons. Permits the Board to take such actions as it deems appropriate to bring any person or agency responsible for a project delay into compliance with the Schedule. Directs the Board, when any person responsible for filing or taking any other action on behalf of a Project refuses to take such action, to either revise such Project Decision Schedule or revoke the Priority Energy Project designation. Stipulates that, unless otherwise provided for, the other statutory obligations and authority of any independent regulatory agency remain unaffected by this Act. Authorizes the Board to bring an expedited enforcement action against any agency failing to or reasonably likely to fail to comply with a Project Decision Schedule in the appropriate United States district court. Directs such court to issue specified orders requiring compliance with such Schedule and to take any necessary measures, including citation and punishment of the responsible officials for contempt of court, for failure to meet any court-imposed deadlines. Authorizes the President to perform any action or make any decision required of an agency by court order in the event such agency fails to perform such action or make such decision. Authorizes the Board to order the temporary suspension of the application of any requirement of Federal, State, or local law enacted or promulgated after the commencement of construction of any facility which is part of a Priority Project where it is determined that such requirement could prevent timely completion or operation of such facility and that such temporary suspension would not create any significant public health or safety risks. Sets forth time limits on such suspension orders and exempts specified requirements from being suspended. Stipulates that nothing in this Act shall expand or confer on the United States any right to acquire water rights nor alter any provisions of State law or interstate compact governing water use. States that Board action granting or denying designation orders or suspending Federal, State, or local requirements of law shall be subject to judicial review only for failure to comply with this Act or for constitutional violations. Provides for judicial review of other Board actions as specified. Requires that any reviewing court expedite and consolidate such review to the maximum extent practicable. Requires that any party seeking Supreme Court review of any judgment or order of a circuit court of appeals pursuant to this Act must file a petition for a writ of certiorari within 60 days of the decision of the lower court or such appeal shall be barred. Sets a 60-day time limit for the promulgation of regulations for carrying out this Act. Terminates the Board's authority seven years after the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Board to prepare and submit to the President and the Congress a comprehensive report of its activities during such period. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit to the Congress a report evaluating the performance of the Board and setting forth findings and recommendations with respect to the program authorized under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 and succeeding fiscal years to carry out this Act.
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
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
Condemns the use of lethal chemical agents against the Hmong tribes people 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 attacks; (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 · 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
Energy Productivity Act of 1979 - Title I: Residential Energy Conservation - Establishes the Residential Energy Conservation Office within the Department of Energy to accept applications for reimbursement of residential energy conservation improvement expenditures made in accordance with regulations issued by the Director of such office. Sets forth requirements for such applications and imposes limitations upon the amount of reimbursement to be made to approved applicants for energy conservation improvements to houses, apartment buildings, and hotels. Directs the Director to coordinate such reimbursement program with the energy audit program established under the National Energy Conservation Act and to promote the availability of such audits in connection with such reimbursement program. Authorizes the Director to use any available means of communication to advertise such residential energy conservation reimbursement program. Requires the Director to conduct an evaluation of such program to determine its effectiveness in promoting residential energy conservation and its cost effectiveness in terms of probable energy savings. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to audit the operations of the Residential Energy Conservation Office. Sets forth procedures for such audits. Authorizes appropriations for such residential energy conservation program. Requires sellers of energy conservation improvements to certify to purchasers that such improvements comply with regulations issued by the Director pursuant to this Act. Establishes criminal penalties for providing false information to the Director concerning any reimbursement application or improvement certification. Title II: Industrial Fuel Conservation - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make loans to industrial firms to assist in paying engineering costs for industrial energy conservation projects. Sets forth criteria for issuing necessary regulations and terms and conditions for such loans. Authorizes appropriations for such program for fiscal years 1980 through 1985. Authorizes appropriations for an accelerated energy productivity industrial research, development, and demonstration program. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations providing for an energy rebate to industrial firms implementing energy conservation projects approved by the Secretary. Sets the amount of such rebate at $15 for each barrel of crude oil equivalent of critical fuel saved in the full year following such project implementation. Requires that such rebate be structured to provide incentive for investment in permanent conservation equipment and production procedures. Authorizes appropriations for such rebate program. Title III: Commercial Property Energy Conservation Loan Program - Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Energy a Commercial Property Energy Conservation Loan Program for the purpose of providing low-interest loans to owners, developers, or builders of commercial property for the purchase of energy conservation systems. Prohibits participation of Program personnel and agents in matters affecting their personal interest or the interests of any entity with which they are associated. Directs the General Accounting Office to periodically audit the financial transactions of the program. Establishes an advisory board to provide advice to the Secretary in carrying out such loan program. Sets forth membership requirements for such Board. Excludes owners, developers, or builders of structures eligible for grants pursuant to title III of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act from eligibility for such loans. Defines the term "energy conservation systems" for the purpose of determining eligibility for such loans and sets forth terms thereof. Provides that where a borrower has entered into agreements with his tenants allowing energy savings passthroughs, such borrower may pass through annual loan payments to his tenants as operating energy expenses. Establishes criminal penalties for making false statements or misrepresentations concerning loans made under such program. Directs the Secretary to make annual reports to the President and to both Houses of Congress on the operation of such program, recommendations for improvements, and identification of problem areas. Directs the Secretary to promote such loan program by informing financial institutions and commercial property owners, developers, and builders of the benefits of such program. Permits the use of Department of Energy personnel on such program. Authorizes appropriations for such program for fiscal years 1980 through 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1979
Directs the Director of the International Communication Agency to make available to the Administrator of General Services the film, "Reflections: George Meany", for distribution in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1979
National Employment Priorities Act of 1979 - Requires a business concern to give notice, with an economic impact statement, to the Secretary of Labor and to affected employees, labor organizations, and local governments whenever such business concern intends a change of operations at an establishment which will result in an employment loss in any 18-month period of the lesser of 100, or of 15 percent, of the employees at such establishment. Requires, with exceptions, that such notice be given within specified periods of time (varying according to the number of employees affected) before such business concern reduces the weekly wages or suspends or terminates the employment of any employee in connection with such change. Directs the Secretary to investigate and hold public hearings on specified matters related to such change upon receipt of a written request for such investigation from an affected labor organization or from at least ten percent of the employees at such establishment. Requires such request to be made within 60 days of receipt of notice. Authorizes the Secretary to investigate and hold closed hearings on such matters, without regard to whether such notice is given, upon: (1) a determination that such investigation would serve the purpose of this Act; or (2) a request from at least 50 percent of such employees. Empowers the Secretary to issue subpoenas for witnesses and evidence in such investigations. Directs the Secretary to prepare and publish a report of such investigation. Makes employees who accept employment with such business concerns, with knowledge that such notice has been given, ineligible for specified assistance under this Act. Requires such business concerns to give written statements of employment status to employees whose weekly wages are lowered by a specified amount or who are suspended or terminated. Stipulates that an employee will be deemed to suffer an employment loss if a business concern fails to: (1) give such a statement of employment status to an employee; or (2) include in such statement an assurance of increased wages or reinstatement. Requires a business concern which gives such assurance, yet fails to prevent such employment loss, to pay such employee a lump sum in a specified amount in addition to other required payments. Requires a business concern, for a 52-week period following an employment loss, to make payments: (1) to the employee in a weekly income maintenance payment equal to 85 percent of such employees's wage rate or 100 percent of such rate while such employee participates in specified training programs; and (2) to specified employment benefit plans for such employees. Sets forth conditions under which such payments may be reduced or limited. Stipulates that such payments are not to be deemed wages for all other purposes, including specified employee benefit plans. Requires such business concerns to pay moving expenses for employees who resume employment with the same business concerns within three years. Requires such business concerns to continue weekly income maintenance payments to employees between 53 and 61 years of age when the 52 week payment period expires. Directs the Secretary to reimburse such business concerns for such continued payments. Directs the Secretary to make transitional assistance payments to employees upon their request whenever a business concern fails to make such payments. Provides that the amount of such payments shall then be owed, with interest, to the United States by such business concern. Makes a business concern which transfers ownership or control of an establishment to avoid liability for transitional assistance payments liable to the United States for a specified amount if the owning or controlling business concern fails to provide such assistance. Requires such business concerns to offer employees, who suffer an employment loss, any available employment, with equivalent wages and benefits, at any establishment of such business concerns for a three-year period after such employment loss. Sets forth such former employees' rights to credits and benefits in employee benefit plans and such business concerns' liability for payments to such plans. Stipulates that specified violations shall be deemed violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, for which civil actions may be brought. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with specified groups, to implement a comprehensive assistance program (including existing or new programs of job training, job placement, and payments for job search and moving expenses) for employees who suffer or may suffer employment loss. Authorizes the Secretary to develop and implement retraining programs and to condition specified assistance to business concerns upon their implementation or assistance with such programs. Directs the Secretary to issue certificates of Federal procurement credit to business concerns which comply with this Act for appropriate periods if the Secretary finds that such assistance would provide additional employment opportunities through the cooperating concerns. Sets forth conditions of eligibility for assistance of business concerns, local governments, and certain employers or cooperative associations of employees. Authorizes the Secretary to provide specified forms of such assistance, giving priority to those which enable employees to continue at their present establishment. Makes such business concerns liable to local governments which lose revenue because of such changes of operations. Sets forth formulas for determining the amount of such liability. Directs the Secretary to pay such amounts to local governments if a business concern fails to do so (with such amount to be owed, with interest, to the United States by such business concern). Makes business concerns which transfer operations to an establishment outside the United States, when an economically viable alternative to such transfer exists, liable to the United States for lost revenues according to specified formulas. Sets forth criminal and civil violations and penalties. Enumerates violations of employees' rights and remedies for such violators. Directs the Secretary to: (1) recover overpayments for specified Federal assistance to employees obtained through a knowing deception; (2) maintain specified operating reserves; and (3) record mortgage security on specified loans. Provides procedures for Congressional disapproval of rules promulgated by the Secretary to carry out this Act. Directs the Secretary to make specified reports and legislative proposals to the Congress. Sets forth general powers of the Secretary in carrying out this Act. Directs the Secretary to implement this Act through the National Employment Priorities Administration. Authorizes the Secretary to delegate any function, power, or duty under this Act to the Administrator of the National Employment Priorities Administration. Establishes the National Employment Priorities Administration in the Department of Labor to: (1) perform such delegated functions, powers, and duties; (2) conduct research on the relationship between unemployment and changes of business operations; and (3) identify services and products which may profitably be provided by business concerns receiving specified assistance. Establishes the National Employment Priorities Advisory Council to: (1) advise and assist the Secretary in carrying out this Act; (2) evaluate programs under this Act; (3) study and report on those areas of future economic activity in which the United States will be at a competitive disadvantage and on industries in which many businesses may change operations; and (4) research and propose new assistance programs for employees, local governments, and business concerns. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1979
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should promptly enact the President's April 5, 1979, proposal providing for solar energy tax credits and that such enactment should take effect retroactively to such date.
![Official portrait of Rep. Pease, Donald J. [D-OH-13]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000170_200.jpg)