United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1979
Limousine Limitation Act of 1979 - Prohibits the purchase, hiring, or operation by the Government of a motor vehicle of a type not generally available on the date of the enactment of this Act in motorpools of the Federal Government. Prohibits the employment of chauffeurs and the use of Government motor vehicles for transporting any Government official between his dwellings and his place of employment. Exempts from the provisions of this Act: (1) medical officers on outpatient medical service; (2) an employee engaged in fieldwork; (3) the President and Vice President; (4) the head of each executive department; (5) the Chief Justice of the United States; (6) specified officers of Congress; and (7) the U.S. Representative of the United Nations. Prohibits the issuance of a Government motor vehicle for the exclusive use of any official or employee not mentioned in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which an individual may earn while receiving benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that any employee who is a member of and adheres to a bona fide religion, body, or sect historically holding conscientious objection to joining or financially supporting a labor organization shall not be required to do so. Allows such employee to be required in an employment contract to pay sums in lieu of and equal to dues and initiation fees to a nonreligious, nonlabor, charitable organization chosen by the employee. Authorizes the labor organization to charge such employee the reasonable cost of any grievance-arbitration procedure instigated by and for such employee's benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1979
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to designate the uncompleted 2.2 mile portion of the Crosstown Expressway connecting I-5 and State 99 in Stockton, California, as part of the Interstate Highway System.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1979
Petroleum and Natural Gas Decontrol Act of 1979 - Amends the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to repeal, at the close of the first calendar month beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, any authority under such Act to promulgate regulations, issue orders, and to enforce such regulations and orders. Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to repeal the ceiling prices on natural gas established by such Act at the close of the first calendar month beginning after the date of enactment of this Act. Repeals specified other natural gas allocation and price control authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Student Freedom of Choice Act of 1979 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to provide that no employer shall justify discrimination against any employee for nonmembership in or failure to support a labor organization if the employee is a student enrolled in a full-time program of secondary, vocational, or higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to eliminate all provisions authorizing union security agreements (requiring union membership as a condition of employment).
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 · 27 June 1979
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Department of Energy take necessary steps to provide a set-aside of middle distillate fuels equal to eight percent to each of the States. Declares that the Department of Transportation should establish, on an emergency basis, a uniform national minimum truck weight standard of not less than 80,000 pounds, and a length standard of not less than 60 feet for single trailers and 65 feet for dual trailers. Declares that the Interstate Commerce Commission should further modify its diesel fuel recovery program to assure that pass-through provisions of the freight rate surcharge be passed to subhaulers. Declares that the Governors of the respective States and the President should delay unnecessary summer training programs by National Guard and United States Army and Marine Reserve units, or restrict their movements to the nearest appropriate training center, and to add the middle distillate fuels thereby saved to State set-aside programs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1979
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal of appropriate design to Bryan Lewis Allen, the first aviator to cross the English Channel in a self-powered plane. Authorizes appropriations of up to $15,000 to strike such medal. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze duplicates of such medal for sale to the public.
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 · 20 June 1979
Motor Carrier Regulatory Improvement Act of 1979 - Title I: General Provisions - Declares the findings of Congress that: (1) a safe, sound, competitive, and fuel efficient motor carrier system is vital to the maintenance of a strong national economy and defense system; (2) the objective of a motor carrier system serving the Nation as a whole can best be achieved through the plan of regulation adopted in 1935; and (3) the Interstate Commerce Commission must administer such regulatory system through the issuance of certificates and permits necessary to implement more effectively the standards of public convenience and necessity and of consistency with the public interest. Title II: Motor Carrier Entry - Requires the Commission, in determining whether to issue any certificate authorizing motor carrier transportation, to take specified factors into consideration including the degree of existing competition and fuel conservation with respect to an applicant's requested route authority. Prohibits the Commission from considering an applicant's level of proposed rates in making a determination regarding such requested route authority but directs the Commission to consider whether the level of rates of existing carriers is so high as to constitute an embargo of the traffic. Authorizes the Commission to require a carrier which is protesting a grant of operating authority to show that: (1) it is able to handle the traffic contained in the application; (2) it is willing to provide such service; and (3) it has either performed service or solicited business within the scope of the application. Stipulates that a contract carrier does not have to limit its operation to carriage for a particular industry or within a particular geographic area. Removes the requirement that the Commission, in deciding whether to grant a permit to a motor contract carrier, consider the number of shippers to be served by the carrier or the nature of the transportation to be provided. Stipulates that an application for conversion of motor contract carrier authority to motor common carrier authority must be filed with the Commission when the operations of the contract carrier in fact become common carriage. Stipulates that a person may not hold a certificate of a motor common carrier of property or a permit of a motor contract carrier of property if the person performing the transportation is doing so in the furtherance of a nontransportation primary business. Authorizes one corporation to provide transportation services for another corporation without a certificate or a permit under specified conditions. Directs the Commission to approve pooling and division of transportation or earnings agreements between common carriers without a hearing, unless it finds that the agreement is of major transportation importance or there is a substantial likelihood that the agreement will unduly restrain competition. Stipulates that, if the Commission finds that either of such factors exist, it shall conduct a hearing to determine if the agreement will be in the interest of better service to the public or of economy in operation. Exempts from the Commission's jurisdiction certain carriage of property by motor vehicle which is incidental to transportation by aircraft. Title III: Motor Carrier Rates - Prohibits the Commission from disapproving motor carrier rate bureau agreements unless it finds that such an agreement would violate or not be in furtherance of the national transportation policy. Exempts such approved agreements from the antitrust laws. Revises the voting processes within rate bureau meetings. Directs the Commission, in determining the reasonableness of motor property carrier rate levels, to approve and maintain revenue levels that are adequate to cover total operating expenses, including the operation of leased equipment, and depreciation based upon the replacement cost of useful equipment and facilities of current prices, plus a reasonable profit. Prohibits the Commission from suspending a motor carrier rate on the basis that it exceeds or is below a just and reasonable if: (1) the rate changes are not of general applicability to all or substantially all classes of traffic; (2) the rate change if filed within five years after the enactment of this Act; and (3) the rate increase or decrease is not more than seven percent annually. Grants the Commission the exclusive authority to prescribe an intrastate rate for a motor carrier of property if: (1) the carrier files a change in such a rate with the appropriate State authority; and (2) the State does not act finally on such proposed change within 120 days. Limits a State's power to assess or collect discriminatory taxes on motor carriers of property. Title IV: Expediting Motor Carrier Proceedings - Establishes time limitations for actions of the Commission regarding motor carriers of property proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1979
Family Welfare Improvement Act - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to set forth a new formula for determining the amount of payments to a State under such part. Provides: (1) for an annual cost-of-living increase in such amount; and (2) that such amount shall be changed in accordance with a State's population increase or decrease. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to each State with an "excess unemployment percentage" greater than zero, as determined according to this Act, a supplemental grant based on a specified formula. Permits a State to require any individual whose needs are taken into account in determining AFDC eligibility to work as a condition of AFDC eligibility. Establishes a five year, eight State demonstration project in which payments made to participating States pursuant to the AFDC program may be used without regard to the requirements and limitations otherwise applicable under the AFDC program. Directs the Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Relations to report to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare concerning such project.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Requires the President to insure the satisfactory resolution of the certified claims of United States nationals against the Cuban Government before considering normalizing relations with Cuba. Requires the provision of tax credits to United States certified claimants should the President enter into any agreement involving counterclaims made by the Cuban Government. Directs the President to urge the Cuban Government to establish a fund for the payment of claims of U.S. nationals to be administered by the International Monetary Fund or some similar international agency.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Terminates the Department of Energy on January 15, 1982, unless prior to such date a law is enacted continuing such Department. Requires the President, within 60 days after termination, to submit to Congress a plan for transferring the functions of such Department to other Federal agencies. States that such plan shall take effect unless disapproved within 30 days by either House of Congress. Requires submission of successive reorganization plans until one is not disapproved by either House. Prohibits any such reorganization plan from creating a new executive department.
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 · 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 · 24 May 1979
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should seek the establishment of an international food cartel made up of the major food exporting countries which would negotiate with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries for reasonable oil prices.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Expands the authorization for the American River Basin Development, California, to include a diversion structure and tunnel from the North Fork Consumnes River to Camp Creek.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1979
Suisun Marsh Preservation and Restoration Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, to enter into a cooperative agreement with California to mitigate the adverse effects of the Central Valley project on the fish and wildlife resources of the Suisun Marsh and for the preservation and restoration of such resources. Specifies the requirements of such agreement and stipulates that the Federal share of the costs of implementing such agreement shall be 50 percent. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for the Federal share of the construction and the initial operation and maintenance of facilities in the Marsh.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1979
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to permit the introduction, or delivery for introduction, of laetrile (amygdalin) into interstate commerce without the approval of a new drug application.
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 · 4 May 1979
Declares that Zimbabwe Rhodesia has: (1) demonstrated its willingness to negotiate in good faith at an all parties conference and (2) approved through elections the transfer of power to a black majority government. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President: (1) should determine that Zimbabwe Rhodesia is in substantial compliance with the International Security Assistance Act of 1978; and (2) should not enforce sanctions against Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 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 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 · 25 April 1979
Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to set a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment for anyone violating the provisions of such Act by importing or exporting at least 100 pounds of marijuana. Stipulates that the execution or imposition of such term of imprisonment: (1) may not be suspended; (2) may not include probation or parole; and (3) is not subject to the Federal Youth Corrections Act.
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
Soft Drink Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that exclusive territorial arrangements made as a part of a licensing agreement for the manufacture, distribution, or sale of a trademarked soft drink product are lawful under the antitrust laws provided such product is in substantial and effective competition with other products of the same general class. Prohibits recovery in private actions under the Clayton Act based on territorial provisions in a trademark licensing agreement prior to a final determination that such provisions are unlawful.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from promulgating a proposed rule applicable to vitamin and mineral products for over-the-counter human use published on March 16, 1979, or from taking any other action which would have the same effect as such proposed rule.
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 · 9 April 1979
National Agricultural Bargaining Act - Repeals the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967 and establishes an agricultural bargaining policy substantially identical but expanded. Enumerates the unfair practices a handler of agricultural products is forbidden to commit under existing law, and adds a list of unfair practices an association of producers may not commit, including: (1) refusal to bargain in good faith with a handler over prices, terms of sale, and compensation for products produced under contract; (2) coercing or intimidating a handler to breach or terminate marketing contracts and association membership agreements; (3) circulating false reports about an association's or handler's finances, management, or activities; and (4) conspiracy to commit an unfair practice. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to accredit an association for bargaining if it meets specified requirements. Defines good faith bargaining for the purposes of this Act and specifies the conditions and procedure for the accreditation of producer associations. Requires each accredited association to submit an annual report to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to notify any association of the ways in which he believes it has ceased to maintain accreditation standards, and to allow it a reasonable time to answer or correct the deficiencies noted. Provides a procedure for revocation of accreditation. Provides for the assignment of association dues and fees. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide mediation services when bargaining between a handler and an association reaches an impasse; and (2) establish a procedure for compulsory and binding arbitration whenever such an impasse will result in a serious interruption in the flow of products to consumers, or will cause substantial economic hardship to the producers or handlers involved in the bargaining. Provides an administrative procedure for processing charges of unfair practices, but authorizes the Secretary to institute inquiries on his own motion, and to commence a civil action for injunctive and other relief. Specifies the Secretary's investigative powers. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for the violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
Perishable Food Protection Act of 1979 - Requires a union or employer to give 30 days written notice to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Labor of a contemplated strike or lockout affecting a processing operation engaged in interstate or foreign commerce which will cause losses of agricultural crops anywhere in the United States if permitted to occur. Allows the union, employer, or a State director of agriculture to petition the Secretaries of Agriculture and Labor to appoint an arbitrator to hear all aspects of the contract dispute. Requires all subjects of bargaining which are mandated under the National Labor Relations Act to be submitted. Sets forth procedures with respect to such arbitration hearing. Provides that the arbitrator's decision shall be final, but allows an aggrieved party to seek review in the appropriate United States court of appeals. Makes available injunctive relief in a district court to the parties or the arbitrator to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1979
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from issuing any rule, regulation, or order relating to specified aspects of the control of navigable airspace.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1979
States the findings of Congress with respect to the utility of regulations issued by Federal financial regulatory agencies. Requires regulations issued by Federal financial regulatory agencies to insure that: (1) the need for and purpose of such regulations are clearly established; (2) meaningful alternatives to the issuance of regulations are considered; (3) compliance costs, paperwork, and other costs are kept at a minimal level; (4) conflicts, duplications and inconsistencies between regulations are avoided; (5) opportunities for comment by interested parties are made available; and (6) the language of such regulations is clear and simple. Directs Federal financial regulatory agencies to establish a program which assures periodic review of existing regulations. Requires all Federal financial regulatory agencies to submit reports outlining their progress in implementing financial regulation simplification to the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Terminates the provisions of this Act five years after its effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1979
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to repeal the provisions permitting the Export-Import Bank to extend credit to Communist countries if the President determines that such credit extensions are in the national interest. Repeals limitations on loans and financial guarantees involving: (1) total amounts; (2) exports to the Soviet Union; and (3) exports of technology and goods for nuclear power facilities. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to prohibit the extension of credits or guarantees to Communist countries even though the President determines that such countries are not denying its citizens the right to emigrate. Terminates any such extension in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. Repeals the authority of the President to waive application of provisions making Communist countries which deny the right to emigrate ineligible for most-favored-nation treatment, credits, and commercial agreements. Terminates any such waiver on the date of enactment of this Act. Repeals the requirement that the East-West Foreign Trade Board include in its reports to Congress recommendations for promoting east-west trade.
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
Homeownership Opportunity Act of 1979 - Amends the National Housing Act to permit the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure a graduated payment mortgage with a principal amount of up to 100 percent of the appraised value of the property involved.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Directs the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to study and recommend to Congress within three years the extent of non-Federal cooperation that should be required for providing retaining works for dredged materials at water resources development projects. Stipulates that payment for such works shall be a Federal responsibility pending congressional action, unless existing law requires such payment.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to subject nonresident aliens and foreign corporations to a tax on the gain from the sale or exchange of farm or rural lands situated in the United States. Requires foreign corporations which hold United States farm lands comprising 20 percent of their assets to make reports on such holdings as the Secretary of the Treasury may require.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1979
Establishes the Channel Islands Marine National Park in the State of California, and includes in such park San Miguel and Prince Islands, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara Islands and surrounding waters. Terminates authority for the Channel Islands National Monument. Sets forth provisions for the acquisition of land for such park. Directs the Secretary of Interior to direct and develop, in cooperation with the State of California, a marine resources study report, including an inventory of all species in the park and recommendations for the protection of marine resources. Directs the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with the State of California for the management of those lands and waters within and adjacent to the national park which are owned by the State of California.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1979
Amends the Plant Variety Protection Act to: (1) make technical amendments; (2) repeal the bonding requirement for designated employees of the Plant Variety Protection Office; (3) extend the term of plant variety protection from 17 to 18 years; (4) authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to issue corrected certificates of plant variety protection instead of the current certificates of correction; and (5) allow application of its provisions to the seeds, plants or transplants of okra, celery, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers, which are currently excluded from the protection of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1979
Declares that Zimbabwe Rhodesia has (1) demonstrated its willingness to negotiate in good faith at an all parties conference and (2) approved a constitution transferring power to a black majority government. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President (1) should determine that Zimbabwe Rhodesia is in substantial compliance with the International Security Assistance Act of 1978 and (2) should not enforce sanctions against Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Meat Import Act of 1979 - Limits the maximum aggregate quantity of specified meat articles which may be entered or withdrawn from warehouses, for consumption in the customs territory of the United States in any calendar year after 1979 to 1,204,600,000 pounds, adjustable according to a specified formula. Excludes from the domestic commercial production factor in such formula the carcass weight of live cattle specified in certain Tariff Schedules. Requires a further adjustment of such annual aggregate quantity by multiplying it by a ratio of: (1) the average annual per capita production of domestic cow beef during a calendar year (as estimated) and the four preceding calendar years; to (2) the average annual per capita production of domestic cow beef in the calendar year. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, for each calendar year after 1979, to estimate and publish the aggregate quantity of meat articles prescribed for such year as well as the quantity that would be entered into the United States but for the limitations. Directs the President to limit by proclamation the total quantity of meat articles entered into the United States, whenever such quantity equals or exceeds 110 percent of the Secretary's estimate but prohibits limitation below 1,200,000,000 pounds. Requires the termination of any limitation as of the first day of a calendar quarter, under most circumstances, if before such quarter the aggregate quantity is less than 110 percent of the Secretary's estimate. Permits the President to increase or decrease meat imports in certain circumstances. Allows the President to suspend any proclamation concerning meat import limitations if: (1) a period of national emergency is declared; or (2) supplies are inadequate because of a natural disaster to meet demand at reasonable prices. Prohibits such suspension or increase from extending beyond the termination of the national emergency. Requires the Secretary to allocate the entry quota of meat articles proclaimed by the President among supplying countries on the basis of their representative shares of the United States market for meat articles during the respective period, taking into account any special factors. Directs the Secretary to study the regional economic impact of imports of meat articles and report any recommendations to the appropriate committees of Congress by June 30, 1980.
![Official portrait of Rep. Shumway, Norman D. [R-CA-14]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000393_200.jpg)