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United States · Official source
3,716 records where Rep. Skelton, Ike [D-MO-4] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1979
Entitles Federal and District of Columbia employees to military leave on a fiscal year rather than a calendar year basis.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1979
Designates December 7, 1979, as "National Unity Day."
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1979
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the taxation of any title II benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 1979
Designates December 7, 1979, as "National Unity Day."
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1979
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should direct the Secretaries of State and the Treasury to establish all debts owed by Iran to the people of the United States and secure the payment of such debts by attachment or other legal action against Iranian assets in the United States. Declares that remaining Iranian assets in the United States should be seized in reparation for damages to U.S. property and for compensation to U.S. citizens held hostage in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1979
Designates the third week of September of each year as "National Cystic Fibrosis Week."
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should terminate all military training of Iranian personnel pursuant to sales under the Arms Export Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1979
Repeals the provision prohibiting Federal recognition of Virgin Islands' National Guard Officers above the grade of colonel as members of the National Guard.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1979
Sunset Review Act of 1979 - Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to jointly develop and maintain an inventory of all Federal programs and tax expenditures. Requires such inventory to classify all such programs and expenditures according to the jurisdiction of the various legislative committees of the two Houses. Requires the General Accounting Office, before the beginning of the 97th Congress, after consultation with the appropriate legislative committees, to submit a draft inventory to the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. Requires such Committees to notify each legislative committee of the programs and tax expenditures which are classified within its jurisdiction. Allows any legislative committee to propose revisions of such inventory within 30 days after notification. Requires, after a determination that all programs and tax expenditures are accurately classified, that such inventory be published in a single document. Requires that an update be made of such inventory at the beginning of every Congress. Directs the General Accounting Office to maintain and publish a supplement to the inventory. Requires each legislative committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate, on or before March 1 in the first session of each Congress beginning with the 98th Congress, to develop, adopt, and submit to the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committees on Rules and Administration an agenda for the sunset review of selected Federal programs within its jurisdiction or in the case of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance, of selected tax expenditures. Requires the committees of each House to develop their sunset review agenda in consultation with any other committee which has concurrent jurisdiction over any programs or tax expenditures involved. Prohibits either the House or the Senate from considering a primary expense resolution for any legislative committee in any Congress until that committee has developed and submitted its sunset review agenda. Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to incorporate such agendas into a consolidated sunset review agenda and to report such consolidated agenda to its House in the form of a concurrent resolution, within seven legislative days after all committee sunset review agendas have been submitted. Requires the consolidated sunset review agenda to be adopted in the House and in the Senate no later than March 30 in the first session of each Congress. Sets forth the procedures for adoption. Requires each committee of the House or the Senate, not later than May 15 in the second session of each Congress, to report a bill or bills modifying, continuing, or terminating each program or tax expenditure which it has been directed to review under the consolidated sunset review agenda adopted during the first session. Requires such bill to be accompanied by a report setting forth the committee's findings, recommendations, and justifications. Requires each department, agency, and instrumentality in the executive branch of the Government which is responsible for the administration of a Federal program or tax expenditure selected for sunset review to give assistance to the appropriate Congressional committees. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall affect the authority of any legislative committee to review programs or tax expenditures within its jurisdiction and to report legislation modifying, continuing, or terminating such programs or expenditures at such times and in such manner as it deems appropriate. Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to include the consolidated sunset review agendas and the congressional inventory of Federal programs as part of the House Committee on Rules' functions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1979
Designates the week beginning June 22, 1980, as "National Athletic Boosters Week."
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1979
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include within the categories of deportable aliens foreign students who knowingly participated in a political demonstration resulting in, or intending to result in, injury or damage to another's person or property. Permits the Attorney General to suspend deportation of such foreign students.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1979
Provides an alternative eight-year (unless otherwise extended) term of service in the Reserve as one of the requirements for a Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) scholarship. Stipulates that such service may include periods of active duty, active duty for training, and other active or inactive service. Increases the maximum number of such scholarship recipients in the Army program from 6,500 to 12,000. Authorizes additional scholarships to be awarded to eligible students at a military junior college. Defines "military junior college" as a civilian postsecondary educational institution essentially military in nature that does not confer baccalaureate degrees and that meets other requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Army. Establishes eligibility criteria for such scholarship recipients, including: (1) United States citizenship; (2) enlistment in an Army Reserve unit; and (3) service as a commissioned officer in the Army Reserve or the National Guard for at least eight years. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to order a scholarship recipient who does not complete the course of instruction, or who refuses to accept a commission upon completion of instruction, to serve on active duty for up to four years. Authorizes the Secretary to delay the commencement of such Reserve service until completion of a graduate or undergraduate degree.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1979
Prohibits the United States Park Service, for any calendar year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, from reducing the number of user days of commercial motorized watercraft travel permitted on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon National Park to less than the number of such days permitted during calendar year 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1979
Amends the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Incorporated, to erect a memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia in honor and recognition of the men and women of the armed forces who served in the Vietnam war.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1979
Disaster Relief Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to direct the President to reimburse State and local governments for two-thirds of the costs of alleviating an emergency or major disaster declared as a result of a snowstorm. Requires the President to determine when a snowstorm became sufficiently severe to warrant emergency or major disaster designation. Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency to prescribe standards to be used in determining whether a snowstorm shall be declared an emergency or a major disaster. Permits the President to declare an emergency or major disaster even if all the standards are not met. Prohibits taking into account the extent of assistance previously granted to a State when deciding whether to declare an emergency or major disaster. Prohibits making grants to update State disaster assistance plans to any State normally receiving heavy snowfall unless such State has completed a snow preparedness plan satisfactory to the President.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1979
Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to authorize payment of a gratuity (equal to one year's salary at time of death) to the surviving dependents of officers or employees of the Central Intelligence Agency who die as a result of injuries sustained outside of the United States upon a determination by the Director of Central Intelligence that the death resulted from hostile or terrorist activity or occurred in connection with an intelligence activity having a substantial element of risk.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should release Ida Nudel and allow her to emigrate to Israel. Urges the President to: (1) express U.S. opposition to the exile of Ida Nudel to Siberia; and (2) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will take into account the extent to which countries honor their commitments under international law, particularly concerning human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1979
Rural Cooperative Business Income Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that income received by a mutual or cooperative telephone or electric company for services to customers or rural telephone or electric companies, and income received from the rental or sale of communications or power facilities, shall not be subject to the tax on unrelated business income.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1979
Small Business Innovation Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to the Small Business Act - Amends the Small Business Act to empower the Small Business Administration to provide management assistance in addition to technical assistance to small business concerns to obtain government contracts for research and development. Directs the SBA to consult and cooperate with other Government agencies in furthering the purposes of the Small Business Act. Directs each Federal agency to target an increase of its research and development budget to be obligated for prime contract awards to small business concerns by at least two percent more than the percent of such awards made in the preceding fiscal year. Requires the increase to begin in fiscal year 1980 and continue until such concerns are receiving at least 20 percent of such awards. Directs each agency to fully utilize procurement methods authorized under this Act in order to achieve the target levels. Requires each Federal agency having a research and development budget of $100,000,000 or more to initiate and conduct a small business innovation research competitive solicitation program. Directs that funding for such program shall be made available from each agency's budget and that each agency, utilizing applicable procurement methods, award to small business concerns at least 50 percent of its annual target for prime contracts. Directs each agency to conduct its program in accordance with such rules and regulations as are established by the SBA, including: (1) identifying specific and definable categories of projects; (2) establishing a simplified, standardized acquisition process; and (3) developing solicitation release schedules for notifying small business of contract opportunities. Requires the SBA to develop and maintain a master solicitation release schedule, source file, and informational program to facilitate small business participation in federally funded research and development. Directs the National Science Foundation and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to provide advice and assistance to the SBA in the promulgation of such regulations. Requires the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in cooperation with the SBA, to insure that such regulations provide the maximum practicable opportunity for small business concerns to perform federally funded research and development contracts. Provides that such regulations shall include: (1) the elimination of cost-sharing requirements and the allowance of negotiated fees on all contracts; (2) the opportunity for fair and equitable competition for contract awards; (3) a fair and prompt review of unsolicited proposals and the opportunity to receive sole source awards; (4) the consideration of independent research and development and bid and proposal costs as expenses under the contract in the fiscal year in which they occur; (5) the requirement for the Departments of Defense and Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to conduct periodic breakout reviews of all proposed large-scale systems contracts; (6) the opportunity for women-owned and minority business firms to be considered for research and development contracts; (7) the evaluation of procurement personnel performance in the award of contracts to small and minority business concerns; and (8) the responsibility to identify, study, and eliminate discrimination practices in procurement systems. Requires all Federal agencies to promulgate regulations which, insofar as practicable, impose the least amount of regulatory burden on small businesses. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to conduct an annual review of its rules and regulations which have the effect of restricting small business concerns from access to securities markets and to report to the appropriate congressional committees relative to the results of such review. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide procedures for sales and exchanges of interests in qualified small business concerns. Allows a taxpayer who sells an equity interest in any such business and purchases replacement property within 18 months, to elect that the gain from such sale be recognized to the extent that the amount realized exceeds the costs of the replacement property. Requires that such election be filed with the Secretary of the Treasury in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe. Requires, for purposes of this Act, that an exchange of equity interest shall be treated as a sale of such interest and the acquisition of replacement property on such exchange shall be treated as a purchase of such property. Requires that the determination of whether an equity interest in a small business concern be made at the time such interest is acquired by the taxpayer. Provides limitations on stock sales with respect to any equity interest in a qualified small business concern. Requires a reduction on the basis of replacement property in the case of nonrecognition of gain on the sale of equity interest in qualified small business concerns. Provides a statute of limitations for the assessment of any deficiency attributable to gain from the sale of equity interest in such business concerns. Provides technical and conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code applicable to provisions of this Act. Permits employees of qualified small concerns to exercise stock options within ten years after the date such option was granted. Provides for a reduction of capital gains tax for such business concerns held by a taxpayer for at least 5 years. Grants a capital loss carryover to a taxpayer to the extent such loss is attributable to an investment in such business concern for the ten succeeding years after the loss year. Allows a tax deduction for contributions to research and experimental expenditure reserves equal to the amount of such cash contribution during the taxable year, subject to specified limitations. Provides that such reserves shall be considered tax-exempt organizations under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Requires that amounts distributed to any person from such reserve shall be included in the gross income of such person, unless such amount relates to a research and experimental expenditure expense. Amends the definition of small business corporations under the Code to specify that such corporation does not have more than 100 shareholders and does not have as a shareholder a person who is not an individual or corporation. Removes limitations on amounts allowable for tax losses with respect to stock issued by qualified small business concerns. Sets forth effective dates for amendments made under this Act. Allows a qualified small business concern to treat research and experimental expenditures for the acquisition or improvement of property as expenses not chargeable to its capital account. Allows such concerns to treat such expenditures for any property subject to a depreciation or depletion allowance as deferred expenses, and in the case of a building such deferred expense shall be allowed ratably over a period of 120 months. Title III: Patents and Inventions - States that it is the objective of this Act to amend existing patent procedures in order to promote the marketing of inventions developed under federally supported research and development projects by nonprofit organizations and small business firms. Permits any such organization or firm to elect, within a reasonable amount of time, to retain title to such inventions. Permits Federal agencies which have supported such projects to retain title to inventions through their funding agreements in specified circumstances, including when necessary to conduct foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities. Requires review of agency determinations that such circumstances exist by the Comptroller General and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the implementation of this Act by Federal agencies. Enumerates provisions which must be included in funding agreements between Federal agency and a small business firm or nonprofit organization including provisions: (1) to insure the rights of the Federal Government under this Act; (2) to provide that the agency shall have a nonexclusive, nontransferable, irrevocable and paid-up license to use the invention; (3) to prohibit a nonprofit organization from assigning rights to the invention without the approval of the Federal agency; (4) to prohibit such an organization, other than small business firms, from granting exclusive rights from the earlier of five years from the first commercial use of the invention or eight years from the date of invention; and (5) to require such organizations to use their royalties and earnings to support scientific research or education. Provides that the first commercial use with respect to a product of the invention shall not end the exclusive period to different subsequent products covered by the invention. Requires the head of a Federal agency to approve provisions of a funding agreement which require the licensing to third parties of inventions owned by the contractor. Sets forth terms and conditions under which such approval may be granted. Authorizes a Federal agency to transfer or assign its rights, acquired from an agency employee as coinventor, to an inventor electing to acquire title to an invention. Empowers any Federal agency to require inventors or their assigns to grant licenses in order to: (1) achieve practical application of the invention in its field of uses; (2) alleviate health or safety needs; (3) meet requirements for public use specified by Federal regulations; or (4) achieve participation by United States industry in the manufacturing of an invention. Entitles the government to 15 percent of all net income in excess of $70,000 gross income received by a contractor after a patent application is filed on a subject invention. Provides that if a contractor receives a gross income of $1,000,000, the government shall be entitled to a share of the excess of $1,000,000 that shall be negotiated but not to exceed five percent of such excess. Limits the government share of any such excesses to its contributions under the funding agreement. Authorizes and directs the Director of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to revise the government entitlements in light of changes to the Consumer Price Index or other indices at least every three years. Declares such government entitlements applicable to subject inventions upon which United States patents are granted and in effect. Restricts the assignment and licensing of rights by patent holders to foreign owned or controlled firms unless such persons agree that any products embodying the subject invention or produced through the use of the subject invention will be manufactured substantially in the United States where commercially feasible. Authorizes Federal agencies to withhold information on inventions from public disclosure. Specifies the authority of Federal agencies with respect to obtaining patents, granting licenses, and transferring custody of patents. Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations specifying the terms upon which any federally-owned invention may be licensed. Sets forth the procedure whereby Federal agencies may grant exclusive or partially exclusive licenses in any invention covered by a federally-owned domestic patent or patent application. Prohibits licensing which lessens competition. Directs that business firms be given preference in exclusive or partially exclusive licensing. Enumerates provisions which must be contained in any grant of a license by a Federal agency. Declares that this Act shall take precedence over any other Act in the disposition of inventions. Directs the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to establish regulations governing: (1) the citation to the Patent and Trademark Office of prior art patents or publications which are pertinent to a later patent; and (2) the reexamination of a patent to determine whether such a prior patent or publication has any bearing on the patentability of any claim of such patent. Authorizes any individual to: (1) cite to the Office any such prior patent; and (2) request such a reexamination. Requires the Commissioner within 90 days of such a request to make a determination as to whether the cited prior patent raises a new question of the patentability of any claim of the later patent. Authorizes the Commissioner on his or her own initiative to make such a determination at any time. States that a determination that no new question is raised shall be final. Directs the Commissioner, upon determining that there is a new question of patentability, to order and conduct a reexamination. Requires that the patent owner be provided at least two months to file a statement on such question and that the person making the reexamination request be provided two months to respond to such statement. Declares that the patent owner shall be provided an opportunity in any reexamination to amend any claim of the patent in order to distinguish the claim from the prior patent cited, or in response to a decision adverse to the patentability of the claim. Authorizes the owner to appeal any adverse decision. Directs the Commissioner, upon the conclusion of any reexamination or appeal proceeding, to issue and publish a certificate cancelling any unpatentable claim, confirming any valid claim, and incorporating any amended claim in the patent. Declares that no prior patent or publication may be relied upon as evidence of nonpatentability in a civil action involving the validity or infringement of a patent unless: (1) the prior patent or publication was cited by or to the Office regarding application or reexamination proceedings for the patent; or (2) the court concludes that consideration of the prior patent or publication in such proceedings is unnecessary for adjudication. Sets forth circumstances under which a court may stay the proceedings of a civil action involving the infringement or validity of a patent to enable either party to such action to secure a determination on a request for reexamination of the patent by the Patent and Trademark Office. Provides the moving party in such action the right to dismiss the complaint commencing such action.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1979
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the payment of benefits to any individual for any month in which such individual is confined in a penal institution. Stipulates that benefits withheld from such individuals shall be treated as having been paid to such individuals for purposes of determining the benefits to which other persons are entitled on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1979
Provides an alternative eight-year (unless otherwise extended) term of service in the Reserve as one of the requirements for a Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) scholarship. Stipulates that such service may include periods of active duty, active duty for training, and other active or inactive service. Increases the maximum number of such scholarship recipients in the Army program from 6,500 to 12,000. Authorizes additional scholarships to be awarded to eligible students at a military junior college. Defines "military junior college" as a civilian postsecondary educational institution essentially military in nature that does not confer baccalaureate degrees and that meets other requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Army. Establishes eligibility criteria for such scholarship recipients, including: (1) United States citizenship; (2) enlistment in an Army Reserve unit; and (3) service as a commissioned officer in the Army Reserve or the National Guard for at least six years. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to order a scholarship recipient who does not complete the course of instruction, or who refused to accept a commission upon completion of instruction, to serve on active duty for up to four years. Authorizes the Secretary to delay the commencement of such Reserve service until completion of a graduate or undergraduate degree.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1979
Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to extend to the 1980 and 1981 crops of rice, cotton, feed grains, and wheat the low yield and prevented planting disaster payment programs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1979
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal of appropriate design to Simon Wiesenthal in recognition of his contribution to international justice through the documentation and location of war criminals from World War II. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze duplicates of such medal for sale to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1979
Designates the month of July, 1980, as "National Porcelain Art Month."
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate March 11, 1980, as "National Postal Workers' Recognition Day."
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1979
Title I: Meat Labeling and Inspection - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require the labeling as imported of any imported meat or meat product, which is capable for use as human food, or its container. Requires that such products: (1) meet the same health standards as domestically produced meat; and (2) be tested in the exporting country. Requires periodic tests of such products in the United States by the Department of Agriculture as well. Title II: Requirement of Certain Eating Establishments to Inform Customers that Imported Meat or Meat Food Products are Served in Such Establishment - Requires eating establishments serving imported meat to inform customers of this fact.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1979
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit the adoption of any concurrent resolution on the budget which sets forth a level of total budget outlays in excess of 21 percent of the gross national product in fiscal year 1981, or 20 percent of the gross national product for each fiscal year thereafter. Establishes procedures to enable the President and the Congress to suspend such limitations on the level of budget outlays.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1979
Welcomes Pope John Paul II to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1979
Small Business Innovation Research Act of 1979 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop an information program to assure that each qualified small business concern has the opportunity to participate in the Federal agency Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs. Requires the SBA to report annually to the appropriate committees of Congress on the SBIR programs. Requires each Federal agency having an annual research and development budget of more than $100,000,000 to establish an SBIR program where one-half of one percent of its 1980 research and development budget and one percent of its subsequent budgets would be reserved for contract awards to small business firms specifically in connection with the SBIR program. Sets forth responsibilities of each such Federal agency with respect to the administration of an SBIR program as follows: (1) determine categories of projects; (2) issue SBIR solicitations; (3) receive and evaluate proposals; (4) select awardees for SBIR contracts; (5) administer such contracts; (6) make payments to SBIR contractors; and (7) make quarterly reports on the SBIR program to the SBA. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $20,000,000 to establish goals specifically for awards of contracts for research and development to small business concerns. Allows such agencies to include the value of SBIR contracts in determining whether such goals are met. Prohibits contract awards to small business concerns for research and development which result from competitive or single source selections other than under an SBIR program to be counted as meeting any portion of the percentage requirements established pursuant to this Act. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in conjunction with the SBA and the National Science Foundation, to issue regulations which shall: (1) provide a simplified acquisition process for the program with SBIR requests for proposals being standardized throughout the Federal Government; and (2) include uniform requirements for patent rights and rights in data.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to: (1) conduct a study, containing specified analyses, with regard to the cost effectiveness of the hourly salary equivalent reimbursement system which is currently required for determining the payment to providers for therapy services or services of health-related personnel (other than physicians); and (2) report such study to the appropriate congressional committees within two years of enactment. Suspends the guidelines for respiratory therapy services under Medicare pending submission of such study, and requires that Medicare costs for reimbursement of respiratory therapy services furnished under arrangements be evaluated so that such costs do not exceed what a prudent and cost- conscious buyer would pay for the given service in accordance with current Federal regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1979
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit specified House committees and subcommittees from holding regular or additional meetings on days when the House is in session, other than for the purpose of taking testimony or receiving evidence, on Thursdays or on Wednesday afternoons, and other specified committees on Tuesdays or Wednesday mornings. Prohibits any subcommittee from meeting in the District of Columbia, except for the purpose of taking testimony or receiving evidence, unless the chairman of the committee has specifically authorized in writing the subcommittee meeting. Requires the Committee on House Administration, through the House Information Systems, to provide a scheduling service which shall be used by all the committees and subcommittees of the House to eliminate any meeting and scheduling conflicts. Requires any announcement made by a House committee concerning the date, place, and subject of any committee hearing to be promptly entered into the committee scheduling service of the House Information Systems.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Limits the increase of total budget outlays of the United States Government during any fiscal year to a percentage equal to the percentage increase in the gross national product during the previous calendar year. Stipulates that if the inflation rate exceeds three percent annually the increase in total outlays shall be reduced by one-fourth the difference between the inflation rate and three percent. Requires any surplus in total revenues received by the Government to be used to reduce the public debt. Allows the limit on total outlays to be changed by a three-quarters vote of both Houses of Congress, or to meet an emergency declared by the President. Continues Federal aid programs to States and local governments for a period of six years. Prohibits Congress authorizing any United States agency from requiring that a State or local government engage in additional or expanded activities without compensation equal to the additional costs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1979
Federal Firearms Law Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to Gun Control Act - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition and persons engaged in the business of repairing firearms. Adds a new definition, "engaged in the business", with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Includes as a manufacturer of ammunition a person whose gross sales of his own ammunition exceed $1,000 in any calendar year. Includes as a dealer in firearms a person who deals in firearms as a regular course of business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms. Replaces the current term "crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year" with a new definition of "disabling crime." Eliminates certain activities regarding ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Revises current provisions respecting the interstate sale or transfer of firearms. Revises the current prohibition against selling a firearm or ammunition to certain persons (such as persons under indictment for a felony or addicted to drugs) to apply such prohibition only to persons convicted of a disabling crime. Revises the current prohibition against certain persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to: (1) extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition; (2) conform such prohibition to the new "disabling crime" provision; and (3) include as additional categories illegal aliens, persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces, and persons who have renounced their United States citizenship. Makes the same changes to the current prohibition against certain persons who receive a firearm or ammunition which has been transported in interstate commerce, but applies such prohibition to persons who are employed by specified individuals. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Stipulates that the Secretary of the Treasury may revoke a license only where the holder of such license has "knowingly" violated a provision of the Act or regulation. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations under this Act which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, but for which such individual has not been convicted. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, and any firearm or ammunition kept by an importer, manufacturer, or dealer pursuant to this Act that the Secretary has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises of such persons. Restricts the firearm information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Stipulates that the general penalty under this Act shall apply to whoever "willfully" violates any provision. Prohibits, with respect to a person's second or subsequent conviction for illegally using or carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony, the granting of parole before completion of the minimum sentence. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Requires a court to award attorney's fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in an action or proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Allows the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was initiated in bad faith. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require (1) the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or (2) the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Allows one House of Congress to disapprove by resolution any firearms regulation within 90 days of continuous session of the promulgation of such rule. Set forth procedures for such resolutions. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing any rules identical to regulations disapproved by Congress without the enactment of additional legislation respecting his authority. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Makes any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of December 3 through December 9, 1979, as the "Boy Scouts Calendar Distribution Week."
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Campaign Contribution Reform Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any multicandidate political committee (other than a multicandidate committee of a political party) from making contributions to a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress and his or her authorized committees which in any calendar year exceeds: (1) $5,000 with respect to any general or special election and a primary election relating to such election; or (2) $7,500 (but not more than $5,000 for one election) with respect to a general or special election and both a primary and runoff election relating to such election. Prohibits a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress or any authorized political committee from accepting contributions from political committees, other than committees of a political party, aggregating more than $50,000 in any calendar year, except in the case of a candidate who is a candidate in a general election and a special election, such candidate may accept such contributions aggregating: (1) $50,000 with respect to such general and any primary election relating to such general election; and (2) $50,000 with respect to such special election and any primary election relating to such special election. Specifies that any contribution made in a year, other than the calendar year in which the election is held, is considered to be made in the calendar year in which such election is held, and any contribution made after the date of such election shall be considered a contribution with respect to such election only if such contribution is used to pay obligations incurred with respect to such election. Specifies that any extension of credit for goods or services relating to advertising on broadcasting stations, in newspapers or magazines, by direct mail or other similar types of general public political advertising shall be considered a contribution, if such extension of credit is: (1) in an amount of more than $1,000; and (2) for a period of more than 30 days.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate August 31, 1980, as "Working Mother's Day."
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 · 17 July 1979
Establishes in the House of Representatives a Select Committee on Energy which shall conduct a full and complete investigation and review of: (1) the development of sources of energy other than oil; (2) proposals for energy conservation; (3) the powers and duties of the proposed Energy Mobilization Board; (4) the powers and duties of the proposed Energy Security Corporation; (5) methods to provide for the energy needs of older Americans and low-income Americans at reasonable prices; (6) the impact of the President's proposals on energy on older and low-income Americans; and (7) any matters referred by the Speaker of the House for review and investigation. Requires the select committee to report to the House, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this resolution, the results of its investigation and review, including such recommendations as it deems advisable.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1979
Farm Credit Act Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Federal Land Banks and Associations - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to authorize any Federal land bank, under the supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) participate in loans with other Farm Credit System institutions (i.e., Federal land banks, Federal land bank associations, Federal intermediate credit banks, production credit associations, and banks for cooperatives); (2) participate in loans which the land banks are authorized to make with lenders which are not Farm Credit System institutions; (3) sell interests in loans to such lenders; (4) buy from and sell to Farm Credit System institutions interests in loans, other extended financial assistance, and nonvoting stock; (5) make other investments; (6) accept contributions to their capital from Federal land bank associations; (7) enter into agreements with other Farm Credit System institutions to share loan and other losses; (8) issue nonvoting stock to borrowers as a patronage refund; and (9) make or participate with other lenders in long-term real estate mortgage loans not exceeding 85 percent of the appraised value of the real estate security. Makes producers and harvesters of aquatic products eligible for Federal land bank services. Authorizes Federal land bank associations to make capital contributions to a Federal land bank. States that a member of a Federal land bank association need not make the required purchases of land stock with respect to that part of a loan derived from a lender which is not a Farm Credit System institution. Authorizes the Federal land bank associations to pay dividends on a differential basis between different classes and issues of stock and participation certificates corresponding to the value of such classes and issues to the capital or earnings of the Federal land bank in its district. Permits the Federal land bank associations to agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System institutions. Title II: Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations - Authorizes the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, subject to the supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) buy from and sell to Farm Credit System institutions interests in loans, other extended financial assistance and nonvoting stock; (2) make other investments; (3) agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System institutions; (4) participate with other Farm Credit System institutions in making loans; and (5) issue nonvoting stock to such institutions. Authorizes the Federal intermediate credit banks to discount for, or purchase from other financial institutions loans made to producers and harvesters of aquatic products. Permits any Federal intermediate credit bank to transfer more than 2.5 percent of its net earnings after expenses to its allocated reserve account (presently, not more than 25 percent of such earnings may be transferred to this account). Authorizes each production credit association, subject to the supervision of the intermediate credit bank in its district and the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) buy from and sell to any bank in the Farm Credit System interests in loans, other financial assistance extended, and nonvoting stock; (2) participate in loans with other Farm Credit System institutions; (3) agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System Institutions; (4) issue participation certificates to eligible borrowers in lieu of nonvoting stock; and (5) issue participation certificates or nonvoting stock to any financial institution outside the Farm Credit System with which the association participates in a loan in satisfaction of the requirement that a borrower own such stock or participation certificates. Requires a borrower to own only that amount of stock or participation certificates which is proportionate to that portion of a loan retained by a production credit association when it participates with another lender in making a loan. Authorizes the production credit association to extend loan assistance to bona fide farmers, ranchers, and producers and harvesters of aquatic products for basic processing and marketing directly related to the borrower's operations. Title III: Banks and Cooperatives - Empowers each bank for cooperatives, subject to the supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) participate with other Farm Credit System institutions in making loans; (2) deposit its securities and current funds with any domestic or foreign financial organization (presently, such deposits must be made at a member bank in the Federal Reserve System); (3) buy and sell bankers acceptances which are obligations of member banks in the Federal Reserve System; (4) buy and sell other obligations including those which arise in the course of transactions which the bank has assisted through loans; (5) buy from and sell to Farm Credit System institutions interests in loans, other financial assistance extended and nonvoting stock; (6) make other investments; (7) invest in foreign and domestic business entities to facilitate the obtaining of credit information and the performance of services related to international transactions; (8) maintain credit balances to assist in the transfer of funds between parties to authorized transactions; (9) agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System institutions; and (10) issue participation certificates to parties who may not be issued voting stock. Requires all participation certificates, voting and nonvoting stock issued by the banks for cooperatives to be retired at par value. Authorizes the banks for cooperative to: (1) offer a currency exchange for eligible cooperative associations; and (2) extend loans, loan participation commitments, and other technical and financial assistance to any domestic or foreign party in which a member cooperative has an ownership interest or which engages with the cooperative in dealings in agricultural or aquatic products, farm supplies or the lease of property, provided such assistance substantially benefits the member cooperative. Enables cooperatives solely engaged in furnishing aquatic business services to borrow from the banks for cooperatives. Reduces the degree of ownership in a cooperative which must be held by farmers, producers or harvesters of aquatic products, or other cooperative associations in order to make such a cooperative eligible to borrow from a bank for cooperatives. Requires a bank for cooperatives to retire any equity held by a borrower in default or dissolution at fair market value not to exceed the par value of the equity interest of the borrower. Prohibits the retirement or cancellation of such an equity interest if the bank's capital structure would be adversely affected. Permits each bank for cooperatives to transfer more than 25 percent of its net annual savings to a surplus account. Authorizes the banks for cooperatives to pay patronage refunds to borrowers in the form of participation certificates. Title IV: Provisions Applicable to Two or More Classes of Institutions of the System - Declares that interest rates established by the Farm Credit Administration for loans made by Farm Credit System institutions shall preempt any interest rate limitation imposed by State law. States that when two or more Farm Credit System institutions participate in a loan as authorized by this Act, the terms of such loan shall be those agreed upon by the institutions. Requires that such factors as borrower eligibility, membership, term, amount, loan security and purchase of stock or participation certificates by the borrower are to be governed by the provisions of law applicable to the institution originating the loan. Exempts credit transactions of Farm Credit System institutions from the provisions of any State statute or any other law or regulation which impose, with regard to a credit transaction, any duty or requirement which had been imposed by the Truth in Lending Act before amendment. Authorizes the institutions of the Farm Credit System to organize corporations to perform non-lending functions and services which such institutions are authorized to perform. Empowers the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration to review and revise the charters of such corporations. States that such corporations shall be subject to supervision and examination by the Administration. Title V: District and Farm Credit Administration Organization - Revises the process for the election of farm credit district directors by reducing from three to two the number of nominees in the election poll. Establishes the rate of compensation for the Federal Farm Credit Board at the daily equivalent of the rate prescribed for grade GS-18 of the General Schedule. Authorizes the Board to fix the salary of the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration at any level not exceeding the maximum rate of basic pay in the Executive Schedule. Authorizes the Governor to appoint Deputy Governors to provide assistance in the functioning of the Farm Credit Administration. Exempts the Administration from provisions of Federal law relating to appointments in the competitive civil service, travel expenses, allowances, procurement, and property disposition. Credits employees of Farm Credit System institutions with specified leave and retirement benefits when they are transferred to Federal service in the Farm Credit Administration.
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 · 9 July 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of April 1 through April 7, 1980, as "National Mime Week."
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
Designates April 10, 1980, as "ORT Centennial Day" to salute the Organization for Rehabilitation through Training on its 100th anniversary.
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
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 · 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
Congratulates the men and women of the Apollo program upon the tenth anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon and requests the President to designate the period of July 16 through July 24, 1979, as "United States Space Observance" in honor of such event.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1979
Establishes the Commission to Construct a Monument Dedicated to the Duties and Responsibilities of American Citizens. Directs the Commission to: (1) evaluate the public interest in such a monument and the likelihood of funding its construction from public contributions; and (2) transmit a final report to Congress within one year after the enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after such report is transmitted.