United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
United States - South African Fair Employment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce, according to a specified formula, the tax credit allowed to United States citizens and corporations who pay taxes to foreign governments if such citizens or corporations violate a fair employment principle governing the employment of employees in the Republic of South Africa. Specifies fair employment principles applicable to taxpayers doing business in South Africa. Requires the taxpayer to report on his compliance with such principles, and imposes criminal penalties for failure to report. Establishes a Commission on American Employment Practices in South Africa. Empowers the Commission to determine whether a taxpayer has violated a fair employment principle. Sets forth the membership and duties of such Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit the Administrator of General Services to assign to the Secretary of Commerce for disposal such surplus real property, including any improvements situated thereon, as is determined by the Secretary to be required to help multistate, State, and local areas meet special needs arising from actual or threatened severe unemployment arising from actions of the Federal Government in closing Federal facilities. Permits the Secretary to transfer or sell such property to any State, political subdivision, Indian tribe, or tax-exempt corporation, for public works, public service or development facility, or other economic development use. Authorizes the Federal Government to reenter and take such property if it is not used for economic development purposes for at least 20 years. Allows any entity qualifying under this Act to obtain a refund from the Administrator if the current or proposed use of such property would qualify under this Act if such property was disposed of by the Administrator after September 1, 1975, and before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the remarriage of a widow, widower, or parent, child, or wife shall not terminate his or her entitlement to insurance benefits or reduce the amount thereof.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to authorize the issuance of duplicate supplemental security income benefit checks to individuals whose original benefit checks are lost or delayed and who are faced with financial emergency as a result.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to provide that support and maintenance furnished in kind shall not be counted as income in determining the eligibility of any individual for supplementary security income benefits or the amount of such benefits, regardless of whether such individual is living in another person's household.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Expresses congressional findings concerning the unavailability in the United States of adequate training facilities for athletes competing in the Thirteenth Olympic Winter Games. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income prizes won in the New York State Olympic Lottery established pursuant to New York State tax laws to raise revenue for the maintenance of the sports facilities constructed at Lake Placid, New York.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of the Social Security Act to provide 100 percent Federal reimbursement for increases in a State's aid to families with dependent children payments which reflect rises in the cost of living since 1973 or are due to increased caseload. Makes such reimbursement contingent upon the State providing cost-of-living adjustments in such payments, implementation of a program of aid to dependent children of unemployed fathers, and agreement by the State not to impose any new restrictive requirements under its approved State plan.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the foreign tax credit or any income tax deduction for any income, war profits, or excess profits taxes paid or accrued to the Republic of South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to authorize payments to States for the cost of emergency shelter or services provided to an individual in danger of physical or mental injury, neglect, maltreatment, or exploitation.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to provide that an individual may work without being considered as having engaged in substantial gainful activity, and thus forfeiting disability status, if such individual's earnings are at a rate that does not exceed the amount specified by this Act. Excludes from an individual's income, for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits under such title, an amount equal to the expenses which such individual incurs in earning income.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and for physical examinations, and for related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends rule XXXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to allow admission to the House floor to clerks of committees when business from their committees is under consideration, and to not more than one person from a Member's staff when that Member has a bill or an amendment under consideration.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
States that if the Secretary of Commerce revises the criteria for determining standard metropolitan statistical areas, Federal agencies shall collect data on, and provide benefits to, such revised areas to the same extent as such services were performed for standard areas prior to such revision.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Requires the Department of Commerce to submit to Congress, within 90 days after the enactment of this Act, a report on the effects on the United States economy of the implementation of the Department's proposed rule to revise the definition of a standard metropolitan statistical area. Prohibits the Department from implementing such rule until such report is submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Asbestos School Hazard Detection and Control Act of 1979 - States the purposes of this Act to be to: (1) establish a Federal task force to ascertain the extent of the danger from asbestos materials in schools to children or employees; (2) require States to establish programs for asbestos inspection in schools; (3) provide scientific and technical assistance to States and local school boards; (4) provide loans for the mitigation of serious asbestos hazards in schools; and (5) assure that no disciplinary action be taken against employees for calling attention to such hazards. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish an Asbestos Hazards Schools Safety Task Force within 30 days of enactment. States that the duties of such Task Force shall include: (1) preparing educational materials; (2) compiling and disseminating medical, scientific, and technical materials to State and local entities; (3) reviewing and approving State plans for loans and reimbursements; (4) establishing criteria for levels of asbestos hazards in schools; and (5) making recommendations to the Secretary for technical assistance grants. Requires States to submit an asbestos safety plan no later than September 1, 1979. States that such plan shall include: (1) a timetable for identifying imminent asbestos health hazards; (2) a description of the procedures to be used to locate and identify such hazards; (3) a timetable for the removal of such hazards; (4) procedures for recordkeeping; and (5) the identification of a State agency to prepare and administer such plan. Establishes an Asbestos Hazards Detection Fund in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires all companies engaged in the mining, manufacture, or importation of asbestos between 1946 and 1972 to make payments to such fund. Requires such companies to make available to the Secretary: (1) an audit of the amount of asbestos produced in the period 1946-1972; (2) a description of the products and their use; and (3) other information the Secretary may require. Authorizes the Secretary and the Attorney General of the United States to subpena such records. Provides that local governmental units responsible for the administration and safety of schools may be reimbursed for up to one half of their asbestos hazards detection expenses. Directs the Secretary to determine those costs that are reimbursable. Authorizes contributors to such funds, upon approval by the Secretary, to provide asbestos testing services in lieu of up to 50 percent of their financial contribution. Authorizes the Secretary to allocate up to 20 percent of such asbestos detection funds for use in education and technical assistance programs. Requires recipients of such asbestos detection funds to file a report with the Secretary describing detection and testing activities undertaken, the results, and the plan for correcting any discovered asbestos hazards. Establishes an Asbestos Hazards Control Loan Program in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Stipulates that loans from such program shall be: (1) available only to correct imminent asbestos hazards in schools to school children or school employees; (2) limited to projects covering more than 2,500 square feet; (3) for a period not exceeding 20 years; and (4) interest free. Requires applications for such loans to describe: (1) the nature of the asbestos problem; (2) the results of preliminary testing; and (3) the methods to be used to correct such problem. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate House and Senate committees regarding such loan program. Stipulates that the United States be subrogated to any legal rights to recover on any such loans. Prohibits any such loans to be made without such stipulation. Directs the Secretary to promulgate and distribute to the States safety standards and procedures for testing the level of asbestos in schools and for determining the likelihood of the leakage of asbestos into the school environment. Stipulates that no employer receiving funds under this Act shall discriminate against or discipline any worker who focuses public attention on an asbestos problem in his or her school district. Stipulates that nothing in this Act shall restrict any other legal rights in connection with the purchase or installation of asbestos materials in schools, or with any claim or disability or death from exposure to asbestos in a school setting.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Provides that each State entitled to more than one Representative in the 99th Congress or any subsequent Congress shall establish a number of districts equal to the number of Representatives to which that State is entitled. Directs the districts to be established as soon as practicable after the latest decennial census, but in no case later than three years. Sets forth the standards for establishing districts in order to insure fair and effective representation in the House of Representatives. Declares that any State legislature may establish by law standards for establishing fair and effective districts. Sets forth judicial procedures to insure compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Stipulates that a foster child of a member or former member of the uniformed services shall be considered a dependent of such individual for purposes of: (1) benefits under CHAMPUS (Civilian Health and Medical Plan of the Uniformed Services); (2) allowances for uniformed service personnel; and (3) payments to dependents of members of the uniformed services in a missing status.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Foster Care and Adoption Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Child-Welfare Services Program - Amends part B of title IV (Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act to: (1) revise procedures for the payment to States for child-welfare service programs; and (2) prohibit payment to any State for such programs unless that State has in effect an action plan to assure foster care protection. Title II: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Amends part A of title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) to require States receiving payments under part A to make adoption support payments. States that parents of adopted children are eligible for such payments while the adopted child is either under the age of 18, or is under the age of 21 and is a student.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Requires that whoever uses a firearm during the commission of a felony over which a Federal court has original and exclusive jurisdiction, or whoever carries a firearm during the commission of such felony if an element of such felony is the use or threat of violence, shall, in addition to the punishment provided for the commission of such crime, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than five nor more than ten years. Requires in the care of a second or subsequent conviction the imposition of a term of imprisonment of not less than ten years, or to life imprisonment. Stipulates that the execution or imposition of any term of imprisonment under this Act: (1) may not be suspended; (2) may not run concurrently; and (3) may not include probation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Directs the President to inform Congress of any dangers to Taiwan. Declares the policy of the United States to safeguard its interest and meet any dangers to Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a named individual a specified sum representing life insurance benefits under the Veterans' Administration policy of another named individual, notwithstanding any forfeiture provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to prohibit the importation of certain uranium compounds, uranium ore, uranium metal, or coal from South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of United States Courts to examine methods for improving the scheduling of criminal cases in district courts. Directs the judges of each district court to establish and make public sentencing guidelines. Requires the court to state in the record the reasons for any deviation from such guidelines. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to reduce the number of peremptory jury challenges.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Prohibits selling, financing, or licensing for export, under the Arms Export Control Act, defense articles or services to South Africa. Prohibits exports of those articles, materials, or supplies controlled pursuant to the Export Administration Act of 1969 if such exports have military, law enforcement, or internal security uses. Prohibits licensing for export nuclear materials, facilities, or data for South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
National Rebuilding and Development Bank Act - Declares the finding of the Congress that: (1) the lack of long-range commitments and financing of efforts to rebuild blighted areas and to seek decent neighborhoods for all citizens has prevented the use of the most modern methods, caused job insecurity for employees in the industries involved, and led to higher costs than would otherwise exist; (2) lack of job security in such industries has led to the use of new technologies and resistance to the bringing in of new employees into the work force; and (3) high costs have led to rents and purchase price payments in rebuilt housing exceeding the ability to pay of residents in the communities affected, forcing many to move whether they wish to do so or not, often into worse housing at higher cost, and generating resistance to rebuilding efforts. Makes it the purpose of this Act to provide for a long-range rebuilding program to remove blight and to establish a National Rebuilding and Development Bank to make long-term funds available for construction of dwellings and related facilities in such a manner as to deal with the conditions set forth in the findings contained in this Act. Title I: The National Rebuilding and Development Bank - Creates a body corporate to be known as the National Rebuilding and Development Bank which shall have succession until dissolved by Act of Congress. Stipulates that the bank shall have a board of directors which shall consist of seven persons, appointed by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes the bank, subject to the other provisions of this Act, to make commitments to purchase, and to purchase, service, or sell, on terms and conditions determined by the bank, any obligation or participation therein, of a State or local government. Provides that any action by the bank under this Act shall be in accordance with sound and prudent development banking principles, and no commitment shall be entered into, and no purchase will be used by the borrower to finance capital expenditures for public works and community facilities serving community needs. Directs the bank to develop criteria to assure that projects assisted by it under this Act are not inconsistent with comprehensive planning for the development of the community in which the projects to be assisted will be located, or disruptive of Federal programs which authorize Federal assistance for the development of like or similar categories of projects. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase obligations issued by the bank in order to carry out the purposes of this Act and in order to effect such purchases is authorized to issue and deliver to the bank obligations of the United States, which may be in addition to any other such obligations authorized by law. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to make, and to contract to make, annual payments to the bank in amounts not to exceed the amount by which the dollar amount of interest paid by the bank on account of its obligations may exceed the dollar amount of interest received by the bank on account of loans made by it pursuant to this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to the bank and to the Secretary of the Treasury such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, including such sums as may be necessary to make the annual payments required by contracts entered into by the Secretary pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the bank to lease, purchase or otherwise acquire, own, hold, foreclose upon, improve, use, or otherwise deal in and with any property, real, personal, or mixed, or any interest therein wherever situated. Authorizes the bank to provide technical assistance to State and local governments in the preparation of comprehensive development projects and programs, including the evaluation of priorities and the formulation of specific project proposals. Stipulates that a report of each audit for a fiscal year shall be made by the Comptroller General to the President and to the Congress not later than six months following the close of each fiscal year. Requires that the bank shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, transmit to the President of the United States and the Congress an annual report of its operations and activities. Defines the terms used in this title. Title II: National Rebuilding and Development Program - Authorizes the bank to make loans and guarantees thereof for the purpose of construction of housing and community facilities and to obtain, sell, or lease property on such terms as will effectuate the purposes of this Act. Provides that in making loans and guarantees and sales or leases of property the bank may include terms whereby persons and public or private corporations shall agree to operate facilities under terms and conditions which will effectuate the purposes of this Act. Provides for maximum feasible participation by the private sector in the objectives of this Act. Requires that: (1) all construction hereunder shall be carried on by private contractors; and (2) housing constructed under this Act shall be sold, leased, or transferred to private owners or operators, including residents of such housing, to the maximum extent consistent with the objectives of this Act. Stipulates that where the board of directors of the bank determines that the degree of taxation levied upon improvements on real estate will defeat the purposes of this Act, the bank or its lessee may in lieu of taxes pay to the taxing jurisdiction with respect to property held or leased by the bank such amounts as may be agreed upon between the bank and the taxing authority; or in the absence of such agreement, such amounts as the appropriate United States district court determines. Requires the board of directors of the bank to establish an environmental advisory panel, which may establish such additional subadvisory panels and processes as it may deem necessary to carry out the processes of this Act, and may do so without regard to any other provision of law or of any executive order or regulation promulgated prior to the enactment of this Act. States that the size, membership, and composition of the environmental advisory panel may be fixed and altered by the board of directors of the bank from time to time. Specifies that members representing the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Bureau of Standards, the Energy Research and Development Administration and other appropriate Federal agencies in the field of scientific research shall be included on the environmental advisory panel.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to provide for the acceptance by pharmacies of food stamps in exchange for food or food supplements prescribed for cancer patients.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the Housing Act of 1937 to require that before any tenant is evicted from a low-rent housing project, such tenant be afforded a public hearing before the public housing authority after written notice of the proposed eviction to determine whether the eviction is legally justified. States that such determination shall be made on the record and shall be subject to judicial review.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct surveys to determine the number, sex, race, and age of individuals not counted by the most recent census. Requires that such information be used in determining the amount of aid available under Federal assistance programs which are based on population statistics.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Drug Enforcement Act of 1979 - Directs the Attorney General to establish Special Drug Forces in the Department of Justice composed of law enforcement personnel and special United States attorneys. Directs the Attorney General, upon a request by a State or local government, and following a determination of need by a board of specified Department officers, to dispatch a Special Drug Force to assist such State or local government where there is an unusually large amount of drug trafficking and where the law enforcement and criminal justice system is unable to prosecute effectively violators of the Controlled Substances Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Extends to three years the time during which certain former officers and employees of the executive branch, independent Federal agencies, or agencies of the District of Columbia are prohibited from appearing before any Federal court, department, or agency for anyone other than the United States in proceedings connected with their former duties. Prohibits certain Federal employees paid under the Executive Schedule from holding a position with an independent regulatory authority and any other executive agency within any 12-month period.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Grants a Federal charter to the 369th Veterans' Association. Declares that the purpose of such organization is to memorialize the patriotic services of its members in the several units of the 369th antiaircraft artillery group and other units of the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Older Americans Education and Employment Act - Title I: Reduced Education Costs for Older Americans - Permits any institution of higher education to submit to the Commissioner of Education a plan for the reduction of education costs for older persons (aged 60 or over). Limits such reduction to 50 percent of the normal cost of study at such institution. Requires the Commissioner to determine whether or not to approve such plan. Prohibits any plan from being approved unless the institution agrees to: (1) transmit reports to the Commissioner; (2) keep sufficient records; (3) make assurances of effective fiscal control; and (4) comply with rules set forth by the Commissioner. Makes any older person eligible to receive reduced tuition rates at any qualified institution. Allows any higher education institution whose plan is approved to receive reimbursement for the reduced tuition rates. Title II: Employment Opportunities for Older Americans - Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a system for the collection of data for vacancies in jobs for older persons, and such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate to identify employment opportunities for older persons. Requires the Secretary to establish a computerized job data bank for older persons.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to State and local communities to pay the full costs of eye examinations provided under a program carried out under the auspices of private nonprofit or public agencies to detect glaucoma, for residents who are at least 65 years of age.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Includes, for purposes of computing military retirement pay for nonregular service, time spent in segregated non-Caucasian State militia units between 1930 and 1941 if such unit was ordered to active Federal duty during World War II and if such unit conformed to the training standards of the federally recognized National Guard.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
National Comprehensive Vision Care Act of 1979 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a program of grants to States for vision screening programs for public school students, including annual vision tests, followup services, and training of personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to increase relocation payments to individuals, families, and business concerns displaced from urban renewal areas. Sets forth the method for determining losses of property for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Repeals the Postal Reorganization Act. Reenacts provisions relating to the postal service which were in effect immediately prior to the enactment of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to establish in the Public Health Service a National Sickle Cell Anemia Institute for the purpose of conducting and supporting programs for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sickle cell anemia. Establishes an advisory council to advise and make recommendations to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare on matters relating to the Institute.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
International Opium Control Act - Urges the President to negotiate a treaty for an international system of enforcement standards and penalties for illegal opium producers and traffickers. Directs the United States representative to the International Criminal Police Organization to propose the establishment of a special opium control staff within the organization. Establishes a committee in the United States to coordinate United States opium control efforts in such organization. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish foreign opium control assistance. Directs the President to terminate all foreign assistance to any country which permits the production of opium which illegally enters the United States. Establishes an Executive Committee on International Opium Control to review all national and international control measures.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Revises the lower-income housing assistance program of the United States Housing Act of 1937 to establish a task force to evaluate housing for the elderly and report to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and to Congress on proposals for actions designed to improve such program. Requires the Secretary to submit periodical reports to Congress with respect to the operation of such program. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor in establishing the wages prevailing in a locality in which a project is located, to require wages to reflect the actual wages being paid in the immediate area in which the project is located.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Declares the public policy of the United States to prohibit the manufacture, sale, interstate shipment, and use of leg-hold and steel-jaw traps in the United States and abroad. Prohibits the shipment into interstate or foreign commerce of fur or leather products which come from animals trapped in any State or foreign country which has not banned such traps. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to publish a list of States and foreign countries which have not banned the manufacture, sale, and use of leg-hold and steel-jaw traps. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Parental Kidnapping Act of 1979 - Requires appropriate State authorities to give full faith and credit to a child custody determination by a court of another State which has jurisdiction and meets specified conditions. Authorizes a State court with jurisdiction to modify a custody determination of another State court which no longer has or has declined to exercise jurisdiction. Amends title IV (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of the Social Security Act to include as a function of the Parent Locator Service the provision of information to authorized persons about any absent parent or child for the enforcement of a child custody determination or with regard to parental kidnapping. Prohibits the intentional restraint of a child in violation of any other persons' right of custody or visitation arising from: (1) a State custody determination; (2) a valid written agreement between the child's parents, foster parents, or guardians; or (3) a parental or guardian relationship. Specifies (1) the jurisdictional basis for such offense, including the willful transportation of a child in interstate commerce, and (2) Federal investigation procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Intergovernmental Antirecession and Supplementary Fiscal Assistance Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Public Works Employment Act of 1976 to add to the congressional findings under such Act that both an antirecession fiscal assistance program and a supplementary fiscal assistance program which aid governments requiring fiscal relief are essential elements of a sound Federal fiscal policy. Extends the authorization of appropriations for antirecession fiscal assistance through September 30, 1980. Provides for the suspension of such assistance in certain circumstances if the unemployment rate does not exceed six percent. Amends such Act to require the Secretary of Labor to calculate the unemployment rate for specified units of local governments, within or encompassing standard metropolitan statistical areas, using the population survey methodology used prior to January 1, 1978, if such rates are higher than under the current methodology. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to reallocate any undistributed excess amounts among the States and local governments proportionately. Repeals the requirement that States and local governments file statements with the Secretary containing certain reporting assurances. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplemental payments to local governments whose allocation would be reduced as a result of calculating unemployment rates by a new formula. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide the Secretary of Commerce with necessary information and to determine unemployment rates for each State and local government. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to pay supplementary fiscal assistance to local governments with unemployment rates above six percent whenever the unemployment rate for the United States is five percent or more. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance through September 30, 1980. Provides for the suspension of such assistance if antirecession fiscal assistance is being paid or U.S. unemployment rates are less than five percent. Specifies the formula to be used in determining payments under this Act. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to combine certain supplementary payments with the general revenue sharing payment and make a single payment to the local governmental unit. Provides for the reallocation of any undistributed excess amounts among the local governmental units proportionately. Requires local governments receiving supplementary fiscal assistance to comply with those provisions applicable to antirecession fiscal assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Creates a House Select Committee on Insurance to conduct an investigation and study of all facets of the business of insurance, rating and ratemaking, and other related issues. Requires the Select Committee to submit to the House as soon as practicable the results of its investigation and study.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Permits taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns whether they wish to contribute any portion of their income tax refund or make any additional contribution to the support of either the arts or the humanities. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to amend income tax return forms to provide a notice to taxpayers of their option to contribute. Authorizes the payment of 50 percent of taxpayer refunds or contributions designated for the arts to the National Endowment for the Arts and 50 percent to State Art Agencies. Specifies purposes for which such funds may be used and imposes restrictions on the use of such funds for administrative purposes or for research projects. Treats payments of funds to State agencies as donations from private persons and not as Federal assistance. Authorizes the payment of 80 percent of taxpayer refunds or contributions designated for the humanities to the National Endowment for the Humanities and 20 percent to State Humanities Entities. Specifies purposes for which such funds may be used and imposes restrictions on the use of such funds for administrative purposes or for research projects. Treats payments of funds to State Humanities Entities as donations from private persons and not as Federal assistance. Prohibits any Endowment or agency to which funds are paid under this Act from requiring any applicant for funds to raise additional funds or meet any matching requirements. Prohibits the use of funds raised by this Act to make grants to any institutions which hold such funds for investment. Limits the amount of funds which any institution may receive under this Act according to a specified percentage of the institution's operating budget.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Toxic Tort Act - Title I: Federal Cause of Action - Creates a Federal cause of action for damages to any person physically injured by the negligent manufacture of a toxic pollutant by a manufacturer. Stipulates that this action shall not preempt any other rights or causes of action existing under State or Federal law. Establishes a two-year statute of limitations for actions brought under this title, such period to commence on the date that the Environmental Protection Agency determines the requisite nexus exists between the physical injury complained of and the toxic pollutant alleged to be the cause of such injury. Authorizes the award of exemplary damages upon a finding by the trier of fact that the conduct of the defendant constituted a gross and wanton disregard for public safety. Sets forth certain rules regarding rebuttable presumptions and jurisdiction for any action pursuant to this title. Title II: State Worker's Compensation Law Amendments - Preempts any provision of State law contrary to the provisions, purposes, or intents of this title. Declares that the worker's compensation law of any State shall not deny benefits to any injured person solely for the untimely filing of a claim for benefits where such claim would have been timely under the provisions of this Act. Title III: Toxic Pollutant Compensation Agency - Establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency the Toxic Pollutant Compensation Agency (TPCA). Sets forth the powers and duties of the TPCA, including the power to subpoena any person to provide information deemed relevant to a claim; to promulgate such rules, regulations, and procedures necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act; to employ experts and consultants; and to perform any other administrative activities necessary for the effective fulfillment of its powers and duties under this Act. Outlines the procedure for certification of victims of toxic substance pollution and sets forth criteria upon which the TPCA shall determine whether the toxic pollutant caused the physical injury. Entitles certified victims to benefits not to exceed $50,000 per victim for medical expenses, costs of rehabilitation, and lost wages, where such claims are not provided for by insurance. Directs the TPCA to promulgate, through rules and regulations, appropriate forms and procedures for the filing of claims for benefits. Entitles persons other than the victim to payment of benefits if necessary to secure payment of alimony, maintenance or child support, to insure satisfaction of authenticated claims by those who furnished the victim with products or services constituting medical or rehabilitation benefits, or to insure satisfaction of claims for reasonable attorney's fees. Establishes the Toxic Pollutant Revolving Fund to provide for the payment of benefits. Directs the TPCA to prepare and submit to the Congress and the President annual reports of the activities of the TPCA. Vests jurisdiction for review of any compensation award or other final determination of the TPCA in the United States district court for the district in which the injury, disease, or death allegedly occurred. Authorizes the court to grant appropriate relief to persons petitioning for a review of a TPCA award or order. Title IV: Environmental Protection Agency - Sets forth powers and duties of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in administering this Act. Authorizes the EPA to make studies and investigations to determine whether physical injuries are caused by toxic pollutants, and sets forth procedures for conducting such studies and investigations. Requires the EPA to publish in the Federal Register for public comment any tentative findings of requisite nexus between a physical injury and an allegedly toxic pollutant, and to make and publish a final determination upon a finding of requisite nexus. Authorizes judicial review in the United States district court of such finding upon petition praying that the finding be set aside or modified.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Extends death benefit coverage under title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include public safety officers who die as a result of medical conditions arising out of or exacerbated by official duties.
![Official portrait of Rep. Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY-15]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000053_200.jpg)