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United States · Official source
711 records where Rep. Santini, James D. [D-NV-98] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Designates the period of April 13 through April 19, 1980, as "Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust."
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Postmaster General and the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee should give favorable consideration to the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Americans of Italian descent and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Philip Mazzei on December 25, 1980, or as soon as possible thereafter. States that the Postmaster General and the Committee should honor other foreign-born contributors to the revolutionary cause, from countries which have not yet been commemorated, prior to the conclusion of the American Bicentennial celebration in 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Smaller Enterprise Regulatory Improvement Act - Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency to publish semiannually an agenda of those rules which may be proposed during the upcoming six-month period affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and small organizations. Defines "small organizations" to include unincorporated businesses, sheltered workshops, nonprofit enterprises which are not dominant in their fields and such other groups and enterprises as each Federal agency shall establish by rule. Requires each published agenda to be transmitted to the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comments. Directs each Federal agency to endeavor to provide notice of each agenda to affected small enterprises by means other than publication in the Federal Register. Directs each Federal agency to publish a written analysis prior to the issuance of any rule affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and organizations which considers: (1) the effect of such rule on small enterprises and competition; (2) whether an exemption could be provided such small enterprises; (3) whether lesser compliance standards could be adopted for small enterprises; and (4) the expected nature of reporting and recordkeeping requirements necessitated by such rule. Requires each Federal agency to issue a rule containing an exemption or differing compliance standards for such small business concerns and organizations if it is lawful, desirable, and feasible to do so. States that such small enterprises shall be given an opportunity to participate in agency rulemaking. Requires each agency to review its existing rules and prepare an analysis for purposes of eliminating those rules which are most burdensome to small businesses and organizations. Permits any agency to perform the analyses required by this Act in conjunction with any other analysis required by law. Declares that such other analysis shall not in itself satisfy the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Appropriates $513,000,000 to the Administrator of General Services for fiscal year 1980 for purchasing silver for stock piling under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $1,000 of the interest earned on a savings account in a bank, mutual savings bank, or credit union.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to permit local distribution companies to provide natural gas service to residential customers for use in outdoor lighting fixtures installed before the enactment of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Priority Energy Project Act of 1979 - Title I: Purposes and Definitions - Sets forth the purposes and definitions of terms as used in this Act. Title II: Priority Projects - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to designate a maximum of six proposed energy facilities as priority energy projects during each calendar year. Allows any person planning or proposing an energy facility to apply to the Secretary for an order designating such facility as a priority energy project. Sets forth the procedure and criteria for designating priority energy projects. Excludes such determinations by the Secretary from the definition of major Federal action within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Directs the Secretary to encourage prospective applicants to file applications for any necessary Government actions or approvals with the appropriate agencies as soon as possible. Requires such Federal agencies to submit specified information to the Secretary not later than 30 days after public notice of an order designating a proposed energy facility as a priority energy project. Directs the Secretary to establish a decision deadline schedule. Provides for the extension of such deadlines. Delegates decision authority to the President if a deadline on the decision deadline schedule has elapsed without Federal agency decision or action. Provides for the Presidential extension of such deadlines. Directs the Secretary to grant certification of completed Federal agency review upon the determination that all Federal actions and approvals necessary to the completion of a priority energy project have been granted. Specifies that such certification shall indicate Federal approval expiration dates and shall constitute conclusive evidence in any judicial or executive proceeding that all necessary Federal permits have been granted. Directs the Secretary to notify the Governor of any State within which any portion of a priority energy project would be located and to request the Governor to submit specified information to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to submit all such information to the priority energy project and propose a decision schedule to assist State and local authorities in coordinating their activities with actions by the Federal Government. Title III: Judicial Review and Miscellaneous Provisions - Exempts from judicial review the actions of Federal officers or agencies pursuant to this Act, except as specified in this title. Exempts from judicial review a decision of the Secretary granting or denying an order designating a proposed energy facility as a priority energy project except as required by the Constitution of the United States. Sets forth judicial procedures for claims arising out of actions pursuant to this Act. Grants to the Supreme Court the exclusive authority to review an interlocutory judgment or order of the court of appeals pursuant to this title. Sets forth certiorari and certification procedures. Makes this Act effective 30 days after the date of its enactment. Provides for the expiration of the Secretary's authority to designate priority energy projects seven years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Defense Production Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to authorize the President to allow the Department of Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority to guarantee loans for the purpose of expediting deliveries or services with respect to national defense contracts. Increases the maximum loan which any Federal agency may guarantee under such Act without the approval of Congress from $20,000,000 to $38,000,000. Requires notification to specified Congressional committees of any proposed obligation above such limit. Authorizes the agency involved to guarantee such a loan if neither House of Congress disapproves of such action within a specified time. Authorizes the President to provide loans to private business enterprises for the production of energy. Increases the ceiling for loans made to private enterprises pursuant to such Act from $25,000,000 to 48,000,000. Extends the President's power under such Act to purchase raw materials for the national defense through fiscal year 1995. Directs the President to attempt to achieve a national production goal of at least 500,000 barrels per day crude oil equivalent of synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks within five years. Authorizes and directs the President to require fuel and chemical feedstock suppliers to provide synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks in any case where the President deems it practicable and necessary to meet national defense needs. Authorizes the President, in carrying out these objectives, to: (1) contract for purchases or commitments to purchase synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks which may be for Government use or resale; and (2) encourage the development and production of such synthetic fuels and feedstocks for national defense preparedness. Terminates the President's authority to enter into such contracts at the end of fiscal year 1995. Sets forth procedures for the awarding and performance of such contracts. Authorizes the President to organize corporations to meet the production goal for synthetic fuels and feedstocks as set forth in this Act. Sets forth Congressional oversight measures with respect to the formation of such corporations. Authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000,000 for synthetic fuel and feedstock contracts as authorized pursuant to this Act. Extends specified provisions of such Act through fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Shale Oil Production Tax Incentive Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to $3 for each barrel of shale oil produced by the taxpayer during the taxable year, plus the production credit carryovers and carrybacks for that year. Reduces the standard $3 per barrel credit proportionately by: (1) the amount of Federal grant funds, if any, used by the taxpayer in the production of shale oil; and (2) the amount by which the adjusted reference price (average refiner acquisition cost of a barrel of imported crude oil during the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which the credit is claimed) exceeds $25. Authorizes the President to adjust the amount of the credit when such action is in the national interest. Requires, as a condition of eligibility for the credit, that the shale oil be produced within the United States or its possessions. Provides for a cost of living adjustment to the basic $3 credit amount. Requires the Secretary of Energy to publish the adjusted reference price, and an explanation of the method and data used in computing it.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Congressional Salary Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to make any recommendations of the President relating to the salaries of Members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico purely advisory. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to require that the annual rate of pay for members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the Senate and House leadership be the rate payable for such positions on the date of enactment of this Act unless otherwise established by law. Prohibits any law increasing such rates of pay from taking effect before the first day of the Congress following the Congress during which such law is enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1979
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a special postage stamp in honor of Filippo Mazzei, and in tribute to the millions of Americans of Italian descent who have played an important role in American history.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Amends the Saccharin Study and Labeling Act to extend until June 30, 1981, the period during which the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not take specified actions to restrict the continued use of saccharin or of any food, drug, or cosmetic containing saccharin.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1979
Adds specified lands to the Moapa Indian Reservation, Moapa, Nevada, to be held in trust by the United States for the benefit and use of the Moapa Band of Paiutes. Allows restricted lands (whether tribally or individually owned) of such Band to be leased, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, by the Indian owners for a term of 99 years or less.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to stipulate that the institute currently authorized to conduct research on neurological diseases shall be named the "National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke." Requires at least $16,000,000 of the sums appropriated for such Institute to be obligated for research in the area of regeneration of the spinal cord.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow homeowners a nonrefundable income tax credit for expenses paid or incurred to make alterations to their residences for the purpose of making such residences more accessible to, and usable by, a handicapped individual who is either the taxpayer, his spouse, or a dependent of the taxpayer. Limits the amount of such credit, for each such handicapped individual, to the lesser of $1,000 or an amount which, when added to previous year's credits, does not exceed $5,000. Reduces the amount of such credit by one-half of the amount by which the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer exceeds $20,000 ($35,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly). Defines "handicapped individual" as any individual who has a medically identifiable mental or physical impairment which can be expected to result in death or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months, and which substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual. Requires the handicapped individual to live in the principal residence for which the alterations are made for not less than a nine month period during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1979
Fair Employment Relations Resolution - Title I: Fair Employment Relations Board - Establishes as an office of the House of Representatives the House Fair Employment Relations Board to: (1) establish and publish policies and guidelines for the implementation and enforcement of clause 9 of rule XLIII and clause 6(a) (3) (A) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives; (2) supervise the actions of the Director and the operations of the House Fair Employment Relations Office; and (3) hear and determine complaints. Title II: House Fair Employment Relations Office - Establishes as an office of the House of Representatives the House Fair Employment Relations Office to develop procedures to implement the policies of the Board, gather information relating to House employment practices, and review procedures for the hearing and setting of complaints. Title III: Complaints of Violations of Equal Employment Opportunities - Provides for counseling and assistance through the Office to any individual who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in violation of rule XI or rule XLIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives. Sets forth the procedures for filing informal complaints based on employment discrimination, and for the informal settlement of such claims. Sets forth the procedure for filing formal complaints, and for conducting hearings on such claims. Provides for an appeal to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct from an adverse decision or order of the Board. Sets forth remedies available to individuals who have experienced discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Act to designate the Commodity Credit Corporation as the seller or marketing agent for all export sales of wheat, feed grains, rice, and soybeans. Allows an exporter to enter into a sale for export of any such commodity only if it is purchased from the Corporation and such sale is approved by the Corporation. Prohibits any contract for sale of a commodity at less than its established price. Establishes a civil penalty for violations of this Act. Authorizes the Board of Directors of the Corporation, acting as the National Grain Board, to negotiate such export sales, to barter such commodities for other goods, to accept purchase bids from foreign purchasers, and to offer selling bids in the world market. Permits the Corporation to acquire commodities on the domestic market to meet the objectives of this Act, and to establish reserves to meet future export sales. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a revolving Export Sales Fund to receive revenues made by the Corporation in such sales in excess of costs. Allocates the moneys in such Fund for the making of deficiency payments under the Agricultural Act of 1949 with respect to the agricultural commodities concerned. Allocates ten percent of such Fund to establish and maintain a reserve to provide international famine relief assistance. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, at the beginning of each crop year, to increase the established price of an agricultural commodity, according to a specified formula, if any moneys in the Export Sales Fund are derived from such commodity. Directs the Secretary to establish a permanent advisory committee to advise the Secretary, the Corporation, and the National Grain Board. Requires the Corporation to make statistics and other information concerning export sales available to the public on a quarterly basis.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend for one additional year (until January 1, 1981) provisions which allow taxpayers to treat as deductible expenses expenditures to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the handicapped and elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of May 18 through May 24, 1980, as "National Architectural Barrier Awareness Week."
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Requests the President to declare the fourth Saturday of each September as "National Hunting and Fishing Day."
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1979
Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act to remove prisoners from eligibility for programs under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1979
Title I: Amtrak Reorganization - Amtrak Reorganization Act of 1979 - Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to direct the National Railroad Passenger Corporation to issue preferred stock to the Federal Financing Bank to cover the purchase of capital equipment and facilities for which the Corporation is currently obligated against previously authorized guaranteed loan authority. Directs the Bank to accept such stock in full settlement of all the guaranteed loans which it made to the Corporation and which are outstanding. Directs the Bank to transfer such stock to the Secretary of the Treasury in full settlement of all obligations of the Bank to the Secretary in connection with the Bank's loans to the Corporation. Directs the Secretary, in return for additional preferred stock to provide additional resources to the Corporation, as required for payment to vendors to liquidate obligations of the Corporation for capital equipment and facilities. Repeals the present program under which the Secretary guarantees loans of the Corporation. Directs the Corporation, by January 1, 1981, to develop and submit to the President and the Congress, a comprehensive plan for the improvement of all intercity rail passenger service in the basic system. Stipulates that such plan shall include: (1) a zero-based assessment of all operating practices and implementation of changes to achieve the minimum use of employees consistent with safe operation and adequate service; (2) a systematic program for optimizing the ratio of train size to passenger demand; (3) a systematic program for trip time reductions; (4) the establishment of training programs to achieve on-time departures and priorities for passenger trains over freight trains en route; (5) an adjustment of food and beverage pricing and purchasing to increase profitability; and (6) cooperative marketing campaigns between the Corporation and governmental entities having intercity rail passenger service as well as campaigns with specified Federal agencies. Directs the Corporation, by January 1, 1980, to establish a Regional Maintenance Plan to provide systematic preventive maintenance, a systemwide inventory of spare parts, and a method for the periodic evaluation of maintenance costs, time lags, and parts shortages. Directs the Corporation to establish a Performance Evaluation Center to conduct an ongoing review of railroad operations and to make recommendations for improving such operations. Grants the President of the Corporation the power to direct the conductor of any Amtrak train to report to the Center regarding any inadequacy of train operation. Repeals the Interstate Commerce Commission's authority to promulgate adequacy of service regulations for Amtrak trains. Exempts the Corporation from the provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act with respect to the issuance of securities or the assumption of obligations or liabilities with respect to the securities of others. Authorizes the Commission to establish through routes and joint fares with any domestic or international motor, air, or water carrier (previously the Commission could only establish such routes or fares with motor carriers). Stipulates that the Corporation shall not be subject to any State or local law relating to pay periods or dates for payment of employees. Directs the Corporation to enter into a contract with rail carriers on an industrywide basis to establish rights for the operation of special or charter trains between specific routes and points anywhere in the Nation. Stipulates that a facility or service agreement between the Corporation and another railroad may include terms which provide an incentive for the achievement of a certain level of on-time performance by reducing the railroad's payments for failure to meet such level of performance. Stipulates that an application of a State or local agency for subsidized rail passenger service outside the basic system must be accompanied by a statement that the State or local share of the costs of such service shall be 20 percent of the solely related costs during the first year, 35 percent during the second, and 50 percent for each year thereafter. Requires that such an application include a statement that the State or local share of associated capital costs and maintenance costs shall be 20 percent. Requires the convening of Technical Assistance Panels to review such applications by the Corporation. Establishes the composition of such panels. Stipulates that such rail services may be operated by the Corporation or the applicant. Directs the Corporation to continue to operate rail passenger service over any long distance route which is recommended for discontinuance by the Secretary if the short term avoidable loss per passenger is below a certain level and the passenger mile per train mile ratio is above a specified level. Sets forth the level of reimbursement to the Corporation by other railroads for the free or reduced rate transportation for railroad employees if the Corporation and the railroad involved cannot agree on another basis of compensation. Prohibits the downgrading or disposal of railroad facilities utilized by the Corporation as of February 1, 1979, without the approval of the Secretary. Stipulates that if the Corporation does not object to such an action the Secretary shall approve the application for downgrading or disposal. Stipulates that in the event the Corporation does object the Secretary shall approve of the proposed action unless the Corporation agrees to pay the costs which the railroad could avoid if it was not required to maintain the facility in the condition requested by the Corporation. Sets forth considerations which the Corporation is to take into account in determining whether to pay such avoidable costs. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for specified costs of the Corporation for fiscal years 1980 through 1982. Directs the Secretary to establish an Employee Compensation and Incentive Commission to evaluate the salary paid officers of Amtrak and to develop a program for improving Amtrak employee incentive and morale. Requires the Commission, by March 1, 1980, to submit its recommendations to the board of directors of the Corporation. Directs the board to report to the Congress within 90 days any action it plans to take to implement such recommendations. Directs the Commission to establish an Employee Incentive Program to provide recognition awards to individuals, labor organizations, or carriers in recognition of outstanding achievement in meeting the performance standards established by this Act or by the board. Directs the Commission to issue a new class of common stock to qualified employees in accordance with a specified schedule. Directs the Corporation to develop a Job Placement Program for employees who will be affected by the reduction in work force caused by the Secretary's recommendations for the restructuring of routes. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Carrier Coordination Committee to review and evaluate ways for improving cooperation between the Corporation and other carriers in achieving improvement in intercity rail passenger service. Requires the Committee to submit annual reports to the Congress regarding its activities. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the payment of taxes by the Corporation to State and local governments and to make recommendations to Congress by January 1, 1980, regarding the advisability of relieving the Corporation of its obligation to make such payments. Amends the Amtrak Improvement Act of 1978 to authorize the Corporation to defer the Secretary's recommendations for the restructuring of certain routes. Amends the Department of Transportation Act to remove the time limitation during which railroad terminals must be converted into intermodal transportation terminals in order to receive Federal financial assistance for such a project and grants the Secretary the power to establish the time period during which such a conversion must be completed. Title II: Amendments to the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 - Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations to the United States Railway Association for fiscal year 1980 to carry out its administrative expenses under such Act. Requires the Association to submit quarterly reports to Congress regarding the proceedings before the special court to determine the valuation of the rail properties conveyed to the Consolidated Rail Corporation (ConRail) pursuant to such Act. Requires the Comptroller General to submit annual reports to Congress regarding the use of Federal funds in connection with such litigation. Directs the Association and the Attorney General to develop and submit to Congress a plan for the transfer of such litigation functions of the Association to an appropriate Federal agency by March 1, 1980. Directs the Association together with the Department of Transportation to develop and submit to Congress a plan to transfer the other functions of the Association to an appropriate Federal agency by such date. Sets forth procedures for the monitoring of contractors employed by the Association. Directs the special court established pursuant to such Act to include in its order a requirement that ConRail maintain medical and life insurance coverage for employees of railroads in reorganization. Stipulates that the Association shall have a direct claim, as a current expense of administering the estate of a railroad in reorganization, for loans forgiven by the Association pursuant to such Act. Title III: Office of Rail Public Counsel - Authorizes appropriations to the Office of Rail Public Counsel for fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1979
Gasohol Marketing Freedom Act of 1979 - Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to prohibit the termination of a gasoline dealer's franchise due to its selling, consigning, or distributing gasohol, and prohibits any reprisals or discrimination against retailers or distributors of gasohol because of such sale, consignment, or distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1979
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit Federal officers or employees from refusing to issue or renew airman certificates or from requiring air carriers to terminate the employment of, or refuse to employ, airline pilots solely by the reason of the age of such person, if such person is less than 70 years of age. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, upon a determination that it is in the interests of safety, to require airline pilots over the age of 60 to pass more frequent or more comprehensive medical exams than pilots who are less than 60 years of age. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Health, in consultation with the Secretaries of Transportation and Labor, to review available medical data to determine whether an age limitation for aircraft pilots is medically warranted. Requires the Director to submit a report regarding such study to Congress by January 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from a decedent's gross estate for purposes of the estate tax the value of real property used in farming. Excludes up to the first $250,000 of the value of the farm property and certain percentages of the value in excess of $250,000. Requires a percentage reduction of the amount of the exclusion for farm property in excess of $450,000.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to tax income of married individuals filing tax returns separate from their spouses at the same rates applicable to unmarried individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that disability insurance benefits for an individual having a terminal illness shall begin with the first month during all of which such individual has such illness. Defines the term "terminal illness" to mean, a medically determinable physical impairment which is expected to result in death within the next 12 months.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Wind Energy Systems Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1979 - Declares it to be the policy of the United States and the purpose of this Act to establish a research, development, and demonstration program for converting wind energy into electricity. Sets as a goal of such program the attainment of a total megawatt capacity of at lease 500 megawatts from wind energy systems by fiscal year 1986 and the reduction of the average cost of electricity produced by such systems to a level competitive with conventional energy sources. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to enter into such contracts and make such grants as may be necessary or appropriate for the development of wind energy systems for commercial production and utilization. Directs the Secretary to enter into arrangements with appropriate Federal agencies to carry out projects and activities with respect to Federal facilities as may be appropriate for the demonstration of wind energy systems which are suitable and effective for use in such facilities. Sets forth criteria for selection of programs consistent with the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to monitor, collect and evaluate data and information, and conduct studies and investigations relating to wind energy systems and programs. Directs the Secretary to assure that information relating to programs, projects and other activities conducted under this Act are widely disseminated to Federal, State, and local authorities, relevant segments of the economy, the scientific community and the public, so as to promote the use of wind energy to the maximum extent feasible. Directs the Secretary to assure that small businesses will have adequate opportunities to participate in the programs conducted under this Act to the maximum extent practicable. Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the equitable application of energy conservation policy or allocation of energy supplies in the event of a severe energy shortage should be strictly observed.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1979
Boulder City Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Boulder City Act of 1958 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to Boulder City, Nevada, portions of the Federal interest in the water supply system if such municipality agrees to reimburse the United States for the operating and maintenance costs of the water delivery system. Repeals: (1) the ceiling on the costs of supplying water; (2) the provisions concerning the costs of operating such system; (3) the requirement that the Secretary determine the number of employees on such project; and (4) the requirement that the Secretary report to Congress every five years concerning the need for assistance to such municipality.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1979
Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include discrimination of the physically handicapped as an unlawful employment practice. Permits such discrimination pursuant to a bona fide seniority or merit system or as a bona fide occupational qualification.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Copper Environmental Equalization Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to the Tariff Schedules of the United States - Amends the Tariff Schedules to add an additional duty to the duties already imposed on copper and copper bearing ores. Title II: Adjustments to Copper Equalization Duty - Directs the President to adjust such additional duty based upon the environmental costs of production in the United States and in foreign countries, as determined by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe a procedure by which interested parties may propose an adjustment in such duties. Title III: Amendment to the Trade Act of 1974 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to prohibit the President from designating the copper articles subject to the additional duty, as eligible for duty-free treatment. Title IV: Effective Date - Stipulates that the additional duty will apply to goods imported into the United States after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Independent Contractor Tax Status Clarification Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify standards for determining whether certain individuals qualify as independent contractors for purposes of social security taxation. Treats an individual as an independent contractor if such individual: (1) controls the total number of his work hours; (2) does not maintain a principal place of business, or if he does, such place of business is not provided, or provided rent-free, by the person for whom such individual performs services; (3) has substantial investment in his business and earns income based upon sales or output rather than upon number of hours worked; and (4) performs services pursuant to a written contract and is provided written notice of his responsibility with respect to income and self-employment taxes. Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for service performed by an individual who qualifies as an independent contractor under the standards established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Amends the Act granting certain public lands of the United States to the Las Vegas Valley Water District to terminate such authority after December 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month November, 1979, as "National REACT Month."
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1979
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Act to designate the Commodity Credit Corporation as the seller or marketing agent for all export sales of wheat, feed grains, rice, and soybeans in raw form. Authorizes the Board of Directors, acting as the National Grain Board, to negotiate such export sales, to barter such commodities for other goods, to accept purchase bids from foreign purchasers, and to offer selling bids in the world market. Permits the Corporation to acquire commodities on the domestic market to meet the objectives of this Act, and to establish reserves to meet future export sales.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of April 6 through April 12, 1980, as "National Medic Alert Week."
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1979
Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to authorize additional appropriations for fiscal year 1980. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to reduce the number of employees in the United States Travel Service in the offices of such Service in the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act - Title I: Regulation of Exploration and Commercial Recovery by United States Citizens - Disclaims extraterritorial sovereignty by the United States over deep seabeds. Prohibits any United States citizen from engaging in exploration or commercial recovery unless authorized: (1) under a license issued pursuant to this Act; (2) under a license issued by a reciprocating state; or (3) pursuant to an international agreement. Permits the continuation of existing exploration upon timely application for such license. Prohibits interference with the activities of a licensee under this Act. Stipulates activities which are exempted from this Act. Sets forth procedures for the issuance of, and limitations upon, licenses for exploration and commercial recovery under this Act. Declares any United States citizen eligible for a license for exploration. Establishes a formula for the determination of priority of right for issuance. Sets forth findings which must be made prior to issuance of a license of exploration or commercial recovery. Permits modifications or suspension of operations upon order of the Secretary of Commerce. Provides for an antitrust review by the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission of any such license application. Stipulates procedures and effects of denial, suspension, or revocation of a license. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations for the implementation of this Act. Directs the Secretary to prepare an environmental impact statement with respect to the areas likely to be developed by United States citizens. Specifies criteria for the size of areas of exploration or commercial recovery. Requires the Secretary to impose performance requirements upon licensees. Permits relinquishment or surrender of such licenses. Requires certain record keeping, environmental impact statements, navigational safety procedures and disclosure by licensees. Prohibits licensees from interfering with reasonable uses of the seas. Permits the Secretary to monitor exploration or commercial recovery operations. Permits the President to designate "reciprocating states" as defined by this Act. Title II: Transition to International Agreement - Declares the intent of Congress regarding any international seabed agreements to which the United States may become a party to be: (1) to provide reasonable access to the deep seabed mineral resources for United States citizens; and (2) to recognize certain continuing seabed mining rights of United States citizens who have begun such mining operations prior to any such international agreement. Sets forth the effect upon specified provisions of this Act resulting from subsequent international agreements. Title III: Civil Penalties, Criminal Offenses, and Miscellaneous Provisions - Makes unlawful violations of this Act. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for such violations. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to enforce this Act. Makes vessels in violation of this Act liable in rem for such violation. Title IV: Tax - Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Removal Tax Act of 1978 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose a tax on the removal of hard mineral resources from the deep seabed. Establishes in the United States Treasury a Deep Seabed Revenue Sharing Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1979
Senior Citizens Health Insurance Reform Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to institute a program of voluntary certification for health insurance policies sold in supplementation of medicare. Sets forth minimum standards for such certification with respect to liability, cancellation, reasonableness of premium charge, and economic benefit to the insured. Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) misrepresentations in connection with such certification; (2) the sale of specified types of duplicate insurance; and (3) certain activities in connection with the sale of insurance policies in States which have not approved such policies.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of September 16 through 22, 1979, as "National Meals on Wheels Week."
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
National Ski Patrol System Recognition Act of 1979 - Grants a Federal charter to the National Ski Patrol System. Declares that the purpose of such corporation shall be to promote public safety in skiing.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Abolishes diversity of citizenship as a basis of jurisdiction of Federal district courts, but retains as a basis of jurisdiction "alienage," involving foreign states or citizens of foreign states. Increases the amount in controversy requirement in such cases from $10,000 to $25,000. Abolishes the amount in controversy requirement in Federal question cases. Retains as a basis for Federal jurisdiction statutory interpleader, which includes actions between citizens of different States. Permits venue for a Federal civil action in any judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred, or in which a substantial part of property that is the subject of the action is situated. Requires, in suits for damages brought under the Consumer Product Safety Act, that the matter in controversy exceed the sum or value of $10,000. Exempts from such requirement actions brought against the United States, Federal agencies or employees of such agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Administrative Rulemaking Reform Act - Requires a Federal agency preparing to hold a rulemaking session to make a reasonable effort to inform those likely to be affected by the proposed rulemaking. Requires that if the affected group is large, representatives of such group must be notified. Requires, in addition to present requirements, that the notice of rulemaking include the projected effective date of the rules, the purpose of the rulemaking, the text of the proposed rules, and the technical or other studies on which the agency intends to rely in the rulemaking proceedings. Applies the requirements of this Act to all rulemaking sessions except: (1) those specifically authorized to be kept secret in the interest of national security, and (2) those relating to agency management. Requires public notice and public opportunity for comment on all rulemaking proceedings under this Act unless the agency finds that the rules to be proposed are emergency rules or are of routine or insignificant impact in which case the rule must be published with reasons for its adoption. Requires Federal agencies to give interested persons at least 45 days to participate in the rulemaking. Requires the agency to maintain a file of each proceeding to be made available to the courts, Congress, and to the public in connection with review of the rule. Limits the period for public comment to a maximum of 90 days. Requires a copy of all proposed rules to be sent to Congress. States that such rule, other than an emergency rule, shall not become effective if it is disapproved within 90 days by both Houses of Congress, or it is disapproved within 60 days by one House and no action is taken on the disapproval resolution by the other House. Provides that either House of Congress may, by resolution, require any agency to reconsider and resubmit any rule to which this Act applies. Requires that such proposed rule be repromulgated anew in accordance with all the provisions of this Act unless it is reconsidered and resubmitted to Congress within 180 days after the adoption of the resolution requiring such reconsideration. Requires the Administrative Conference of the United States to study Congressional review of agency rulemaking under this Act and report the effect of such review on such rulemaking before July 1, 1984. Authorizes to be appropriated $200,000 to finance such study. Makes this Act effective 90 days after enactment. Terminates the Congressional review required by this Act at the adjournment of the Ninety-eight Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Small Business Regulatory Relief Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct each Federal department, agency, and instrumentality engaged in rulemaking to prepare a written analysis of whether it is legal, feasible, and desirable to exempt small businesses (or classes thereof) from a rule or whether the agency should promulgate a rule with lesser compliance standards for small businesses. Sets forth information which must be present in such analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Magistrate Act of 1979 - Empowers a United States magistrate, when specially designated by a district court and upon consent of the parties, to conduct proceedings in a jury or nonjury civil matter. Authorizes appeal of such decisions to the district court, or directly to the court of appeals upon prior consent of the parties. Requires that anyone appointed as a magistrate must have been a member of a bar of the highest court of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands of the United States for at least five years. Specifies procedures for the appointment of magistrates, including the creation of a Magistrate Selection Panel. Requires the district court to select magistrates from those recommended by the Panel. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to inform Congress annually on the background and qualifications of magistrates, and appeals from their decisions. Authorizes United States courts to require payment by the Government for the expenses of printing the record on appeal from magistrate proceedings. Authorizes magistrates to try any person accused of a misdemeanor, including a jury trial, unless such person elects to be tried before a district court judge. Allows the magistrate to impose sentences of up to one year for misdemeanors or six months in other cases.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Gasohol Motor Fuel Act of 1979 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to promote the development and use of alcohol-blended fuels in the United States. Directs the Secretary to study the most suitable raw materials for the production of alcohol-blended fuels. Requires that such study emphasize alternative fuel sources to petroleum and natural gas, and evaluate the efficiency of various production and distribution systems. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress within six months after the enactment of this Act concerning the results of such study. Directs the Secretary to set production goals for alcohol-blended fuel development within six months after the completion of the study. Directs the Secretary to require that motor fuel sold in 1981 be one percent alcohol-blended. Sets increasing percentage requirements for succeeding years ending in 1990 where motor fuel shall be ten percent alcohol-blended. Empowers the Secretary to enforce the provisions of this Act and enumerates the enforcement procedures and penalties. Requires that all facilities constructed to distill alcohol for motor fuel use shall use fuel sources which are renewable. Directs the Secretary to establish, within six months after the enactment of this Act, procedures for the certification of alcohol distilling facilities. Requires the Secretary to give first priority for fuel sources to operate such distillation facilities to renewable energy resources. Grants last priority for fuel sources to petroleum, petroleum derivatives and natural gas. Empowers the Secretary to waive the preference for renewable resources upon a finding that they are economically or technically infeasible for use as fuel sources to power distillation facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Prohibits any increase in the rate of pay or any other financial benefit of Members of Congress or officers of the Congress from taking effect unless such increase is approved by each House of Congress by resolution and adopted by recorded vote, and does not take effect before the first day of the following Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt taxpayers from the payment of interest or a penalty on tax deficiencies attributable to erroneous advice obtained in writing from an Internal Revenue Service Officer or employee acting in an official capacity.