United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1980
Directs the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to conduct a full investigation of alleged improper conduct (commonly referred to as ABSCAM) of Members, officers, or employees of the House of Representatives. Directs the Committee to report to the House any recommendations it deems appropriate as a result of such investigation. Authorizes the Committee to conduct hearings, issue subpoenas, and coordinate its investigation with the Department of Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1980
Designates the Federal Building at 75 High Street in Morgantown, West Virginia, as the Harley O. Staggers Federal Building, effective January 15, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation extending best wishes and expressing appreciation to Carl Vinson for his devotion to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal of appropriate design to Ambassador Kenneth Taylor in recognition of his efforts to secure the return of six American Embassy officials in Tehran. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be struck such gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Expresses appreciation to Canada for: (1) its historic close relations and cooperation with the United States in conducting foreign policy; (2) its support for U.S. efforts to obtain the safe release of the hostages in Iran; and (3) its efforts to protect and arrange the safe departure of certain U.S. citizens from Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Provides for an exemption from the windfall profits tax for independent oil producers for an amount equal to 1,000 barrels of crude oil multiplied by the number of days in the taxable period.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1979
Title I: Fish Restoration Program - Amends the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act to: (1) define the term "coastal State" for the purposes of such Act; and (2) authorize appropriations in the amount equal to the revenue accruing from taxes relating to sport fishing equipment and certain recreational boats and boating equipment for fiscal year 1980 and each fiscal year thereafter. Title II: Fish Restoration Program - Increases the percentage of the annual appropriation deducted for administrative expenses. Sets forth the apportionment ratio for the Secretary of the Interior to use in distributing funds among the States under the fish restoration program. Authorizes the Secretary to expend unobligated funds to carry out the purposes of this Act. Eliminates the notification by a State of intent to accept such apportionment funds requirement. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to finance up to 75 percent of the costs of the acquisition of lands or interests therein and the construction of structures or facilities. Permits each State to utilize up to ten percent of its apportionment for an aquatic resource education program. Title III: Tax on Sale of Sport Fishing Equipment and certain Recreational Boats and Boating Equipment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose a tax on the sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any article of sport fishing equipment, recreational boats, and boating equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1979
National Forest Multiple-Use Management Act of 1980 - Specifies that lands within the National Forest System considered for wilderness designation under the Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE) conducted by the Department of Agriculture, but not recommended for designation as wilderness or identified for further planning during the 96th Congress shall continue to be managed for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. Directs that lands within the National Forest System which have been recommended for designation as wilderness during the 96th Congress, but have not been included in the National Wilderness Preservation System prior to January 1, 1984, shall be managed beginning on such date for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. Directs that lands within the National Forest System which have been identified for further planning during the 96th Congress, but which have not been included in the National Wilderness Preservation System prior to January 1, 1985, shall be managed beginning on such date for uses other than wilderness. Stipulates that if: (1) an executive communication has been received by Congress recommending the designation of any such lands as wilderness prior to January 1, 1985, and such lands have not been included in the National Wilderness Preservation System prior to January 1, 1987, they shall be managed beginning January 1, 1987, for uses other than wilderness; and (2) at any time a determination is made by the Secretary of Agriculture under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 that any such lands shall not be recommended for designation as wilderness, they shall be managed beginning on the date of such determination for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. Directs that lands within the National Forest System recommended for designation as primitive area during the 96th Congress, for termination and management for use other than wilderness, shall be managed after the date of enactment of this Act for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. Directs that lands within the National Forest System that have been recommended for designation as primitive area during the 96th, for termination and designation as wilderness, but which have not been included in the National Wilderness Preservation System prior to January 1, 1984, shall be managed beginning on such date for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 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 · 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 · 25 September 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction with respect to the amortization, based on a period of 12 months, of federally required property. Defines "federally required property" as any depreciable property which the taxpayer uses in connection with his business plant or facility, the installation of which is required by Federal or State law.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1976 which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property's basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 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 · 2 August 1979
Opportunities Industrialization Centers Skills Training and Private Sector Job Creation Welfare Reform Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) enter into a contract with Opportunities Industrialization Centers, Incorporated, for the creation of jobs and the provision of skills training for hard-core unemployed welfare recipients in urban and rural depressed areas, and unemployed persons in depressed areas whose unemployment insurance has expired; and (2) enter into contracts with other national community-based organizations, such as the National Urban League, for the provision of comprehensive employment services to such persons. Directs the head of each agency administering authority under any of specified Acts or programs, including the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972, the Housing and Community Development Act, and public works assistance programs, to take steps to assure that consideration will be given to national community-based organizations for the provision of comprehensive employment services and job opportunities to welfare recipients pursuant to those Acts and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1979
(Reported to House from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce with amendment, H. Rept. 96-1378) Repeals the prohibition against certain coercive practices affecting broadcasting in the Communications Act of 1934 (the Lea Act). Makes technical and conforming changes in such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Postmaster General and the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee should give favorable consideration to the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Americans of Italian descent and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Philip Mazzei on December 25, 1980, or as soon as possible thereafter. States that the Postmaster General and the Committee should honor other foreign-born contributors to the revolutionary cause, from countries which have not yet been commemorated, prior to the conclusion of the American Bicentennial celebration in 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Smaller Enterprise Regulatory Improvement Act - Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency to publish semiannually an agenda of those rules which may be proposed during the upcoming six-month period affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and small organizations. Defines "small organizations" to include unincorporated businesses, sheltered workshops, nonprofit enterprises which are not dominant in their fields and such other groups and enterprises as each Federal agency shall establish by rule. Requires each published agenda to be transmitted to the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comments. Directs each Federal agency to endeavor to provide notice of each agenda to affected small enterprises by means other than publication in the Federal Register. Directs each Federal agency to publish a written analysis prior to the issuance of any rule affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and organizations which considers: (1) the effect of such rule on small enterprises and competition; (2) whether an exemption could be provided such small enterprises; (3) whether lesser compliance standards could be adopted for small enterprises; and (4) the expected nature of reporting and recordkeeping requirements necessitated by such rule. Requires each Federal agency to issue a rule containing an exemption or differing compliance standards for such small business concerns and organizations if it is lawful, desirable, and feasible to do so. States that such small enterprises shall be given an opportunity to participate in agency rulemaking. Requires each agency to review its existing rules and prepare an analysis for purposes of eliminating those rules which are most burdensome to small businesses and organizations. Permits any agency to perform the analyses required by this Act in conjunction with any other analysis required by law. Declares that such other analysis shall not in itself satisfy the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the income tax deduction for medical expenses shall apply with respect to payments for the medical care of certain relatives of the taxpayer whether or not they are dependents of the taxpayer.
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
Priority Energy Project Act of 1979 - Title I: Purposes and Definitions - Sets forth the purposes and definitions of terms as used in this Act. Title II: Priority Projects - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to designate a maximum of six proposed energy facilities as priority energy projects during each calendar year. Allows any person planning or proposing an energy facility to apply to the Secretary for an order designating such facility as a priority energy project. Sets forth the procedure and criteria for designating priority energy projects. Excludes such determinations by the Secretary from the definition of major Federal action within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Directs the Secretary to encourage prospective applicants to file applications for any necessary Government actions or approvals with the appropriate agencies as soon as possible. Requires such Federal agencies to submit specified information to the Secretary not later than 30 days after public notice of an order designating a proposed energy facility as a priority energy project. Directs the Secretary to establish a decision deadline schedule. Provides for the extension of such deadlines. Delegates decision authority to the President if a deadline on the decision deadline schedule has elapsed without Federal agency decision or action. Provides for the Presidential extension of such deadlines. Directs the Secretary to grant certification of completed Federal agency review upon the determination that all Federal actions and approvals necessary to the completion of a priority energy project have been granted. Specifies that such certification shall indicate Federal approval expiration dates and shall constitute conclusive evidence in any judicial or executive proceeding that all necessary Federal permits have been granted. Directs the Secretary to notify the Governor of any State within which any portion of a priority energy project would be located and to request the Governor to submit specified information to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to submit all such information to the priority energy project and propose a decision schedule to assist State and local authorities in coordinating their activities with actions by the Federal Government. Title III: Judicial Review and Miscellaneous Provisions - Exempts from judicial review the actions of Federal officers or agencies pursuant to this Act, except as specified in this title. Exempts from judicial review a decision of the Secretary granting or denying an order designating a proposed energy facility as a priority energy project except as required by the Constitution of the United States. Sets forth judicial procedures for claims arising out of actions pursuant to this Act. Grants to the Supreme Court the exclusive authority to review an interlocutory judgment or order of the court of appeals pursuant to this title. Sets forth certiorari and certification procedures. Makes this Act effective 30 days after the date of its enactment. Provides for the expiration of the Secretary's authority to designate priority energy projects seven years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Defense Production Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to authorize the President to allow the Department of Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority to guarantee loans for the purpose of expediting deliveries or services with respect to national defense contracts. Increases the maximum loan which any Federal agency may guarantee under such Act without the approval of Congress from $20,000,000 to $38,000,000. Requires notification to specified Congressional committees of any proposed obligation above such limit. Authorizes the agency involved to guarantee such a loan if neither House of Congress disapproves of such action within a specified time. Authorizes the President to provide loans to private business enterprises for the production of energy. Increases the ceiling for loans made to private enterprises pursuant to such Act from $25,000,000 to 48,000,000. Extends the President's power under such Act to purchase raw materials for the national defense through fiscal year 1995. Directs the President to attempt to achieve a national production goal of at least 500,000 barrels per day crude oil equivalent of synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks within five years. Authorizes and directs the President to require fuel and chemical feedstock suppliers to provide synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks in any case where the President deems it practicable and necessary to meet national defense needs. Authorizes the President, in carrying out these objectives, to: (1) contract for purchases or commitments to purchase synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks which may be for Government use or resale; and (2) encourage the development and production of such synthetic fuels and feedstocks for national defense preparedness. Terminates the President's authority to enter into such contracts at the end of fiscal year 1995. Sets forth procedures for the awarding and performance of such contracts. Authorizes the President to organize corporations to meet the production goal for synthetic fuels and feedstocks as set forth in this Act. Sets forth Congressional oversight measures with respect to the formation of such corporations. Authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000,000 for synthetic fuel and feedstock contracts as authorized pursuant to this Act. Extends specified provisions of such Act through fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 20 June 1979
Authorizes the Interstate Commerce Commission to prescribe through lines and joint rates for motor carriers of property. Prohibits the Commission from requiring such a carrier, without its consent, to embrace in such a mandated route substantially less than the entire length of its route and of any intermediate carrier operated in conjunction and under a common management which lies between the termini of such proposed through route unless: (1) such inclusion of lines would make the through route unreasonably circuitous; or (2) the Commission finds that the through route proposed to be established is needed in order to provide adequate, more efficient, or more economic transportation. Requires carriers participating in a through route and joint rate to promptly pay rate divisions or make interline settlements. Allows the suspension or cancellation of such a route and rate under rules promulgated by the Commission in the event of undue delinquency in the settlement of such divisions or interline settlements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1979
National Energy Self-Sufficiency Act of 1979 - Title I: Duty on Imported Crude Oil - Imposes on imported crude oil an additional duty equal to the amount by which the average synthetic fossil fuel price is greater than the imported crude oil price. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to establish methods for the determination of such prices. Provides for the monthly redetermination of such prices. Title II: Synthetic Fossil Fuel Fund - Establishes the Synthetic Fossil Fuel Fund in the U.S. Treasury. Stipulates that such Fund shall consist of the equivalent of amounts received from the duty imposed under title I, in addition to such other amounts as may be appropriated. Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress concerning such Fund. Requires the Secretary to invest the portion of such Fund, not required to meet current withdrawals, in interest-bearing obligations of the United States. Declares that such Fund shall be available for making loans for synthetic fossil fuel production. Establishes the Synthetic Fossil Fuel Board to make loans for the construction of synthetic fuel production facilities. Sets forth the criteria to be used by the Board in making such loans.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1980 - Title I: Department of State - Department of State Appropriation Act, 1980 - Makes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 within the Department of State for the following: (1) the administration of Foreign Affairs for: salaries and expenses; representation allowances; acquisition, operation, and maintenance of buildings abroad (including provisions for payments in foreign currencies); emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service; and payment to the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (2) International Organizations and Conferences for: contributions to international organizations; contributions for international peacekeeping activities; missions to international organizations; and international conferences and contingencies; (3) International Commissions for: the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico; American Sections, International Commissions; and International Fisheries Commissions; and (4) the United States-Yugoslavia Bilateral Science and Technology Agreement. Prohibits the use of appropriations to promote or assist an organization which promotes the principle of one world government or citizenship. Title II: Department of Justice - Department of Justice Appropriation Act, 1980 - Makes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 within the Department of Justice for the following: (1) general administration, for salaries and expenses; (2) the United States Parole Commission for salaries and expenses; (3) Legal Activities for: salaries and expenses, general legal activities (including a transfer from the Alien Property Fund, World War II); salaries and expenses, Antitrust Division; salaries and expenses, United States Attorneys and Marshals; Support of United States Prisoners; fees and expenses of witnesses; and salaries and expenses, Community Relations Service; (4) the Federal Bureau of Investigation for salaries and expenses; (5) the Immigration and Naturalization Service for salaries and expenses; (6) the Drug Enforcement Administration for salaries and expenses; and (7) the Federal Prison System for: salaries and expenses, Bureau of Prisons (including a transfer from the appropriation for Buildings and Facilities); and the National Institute of Corrections; buildings and facilities. Authorizes the Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated, to make such expenditures, contracts and commitments as may be necessary to carry out the fiscal year 1980 program of such corporation. Establishes a limitation on the use of funds of such corporation for administrative expenses and vocational training of prisoners. Title III: Department of Commerce - Department of Commerce Appropriation Act, 1980 - Makes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 within the Department of Commerce for the following: (1) general administration for salaries and expenses; (2) the Bureau of the Census for salaries and expenses and periodic censuses and programs; (3) Economic and Statistical Analysis for salaries and expenses; (4) the Industry and Trade Administration for operations and administration; (5) Minority Business Enterprise for minority business development; (6) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for: operations, research, and facilities (including a funds transfer); coastal zone management; the Coastal Energy Impact Fund; the Fishing Vessel and Gear Damage Compensation Fund; and the Fishermen's Contingency Fund; (7) the Patent and Trademark Office for salaries and expenses; (8) Science and Technical Research and Services; (9) the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for salaries and expenses and public telecommunications facilities, planning and construction; and (10) the Maritime Administration for: ship construction; operating-differential subsidies; research and development; and operations and training. Prohibits the use of appropriations for: (1) constructing any ship in a foreign country; and (2) promoting or conducting trade relations with Cuba. Title IV: The Judiciary - Judiciary Appropriation Act, 1980 - Makes appropriations to the Judiciary for fiscal year 1980 for the following: (1) the Supreme Court of the United States for salaries and expenses and care of the building and grounds; (2) the Court of Customs and Patent Appeals for salaries and expenses; (3) the Customs Court for salaries and expenses; (4) the Court of Claims for salaries and expenses; (5) the Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and other judicial services for: salaries of Judges; salaries of supporting personnel; defender services; fees of jurors and commissioners; travel and miscellaneous expenses; salaries and expenses of magistrates; Bankruptcy Courts, salaries and expenses; services for drug dependent offenders; and space and facilities; (6) the Administrative Office of the United States Courts for salaries and expenses; and (7) the Federal Judicial Center for salaries and expenses. Limits the expenditure of funds for the study of rules of practice and procedure. Title V: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations to the following agencies for fiscal year 1980: (1) the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency for arms control and disarmament activities; (2) the Board for International Broadcasting for grants and expenses; (3) the Commission on Civil Rights for salaries and expenses; (4) the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe for salaries and expenses; (5) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for salaries and expenses; (6) the Federal Communications Commission for salaries and expenses; and (7) the Federal Maritime Commission for salaries and expenses; (8) the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission for salaries and expenses through a transfer of funds from the account for Payment of Vietnam Prisoners of War Claims; (9) the International Communication Agency for: salaries and expenses (including provisions for payments in foreign currency); the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange between East and West; and acquisition and construction of radio facilities; (10) the International Trade Commission for salaries and expenses; (11) the Japan-United States Friendship Commission for the Japan-United States Friendship Trust Fund; (12) the Legal Services Corporation for payment to the Legal Services Corporation; (13) the Marine Mammal Commission for salaries and expenses; (14) the Office of the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations for salaries and expenses; (15) the Presidential Commission on World Hunger for salaries and expenses; (16) the Securities and Exchange Commission for salaries and expenses; (17) the Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy for salaries and expenses; (18) the Small Business Administration for;: salaries and expenses; revolving funds under the Small Business Administration; the Business Loan and Investment Fund; the Disaster Loan Fund; and the Lease Guarantees Revolving Fund; and (19) the United States Metric Board for salaries and expenses. Title VI: General Provisions - Prohibits the use of appropriations for publicity or propaganda purposes not authorized by Congress. Prohibits unauthorized payments in foreign currencies. States that no part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly so provided. Restricts the use of funds for advisory committees on the Bureau of the Census.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1979
Title I: Authorizations and Miscellaneous Amendments - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize appropriations for specified programs and expenses of the Small Business Administration. States that all appropriations, whether specifically or generally authorized, shall remain available until expended. Authorizes the Administration to make disaster loans available to small business concerns affected by a shortage of energy-producing resources caused by a strike, boycott, or embargo unless such strike, boycott or embargo is directly against such small business concern. Makes specified low-interest loans available under the Small Business Act until October 1, 1982, for the relief of small business concerns affected by disasters occurring on or after October 1, 1978. Provides loans bearing interest at three percent for amounts not exceeding $55,000, for the repair or replacement of a principal residence or personal property. Makes the following disaster loans available under the Small Business Act and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act: (1) loans bearing interest at three percent on amounts for the repair or replacement of property damaged or destroyed if the applicant is unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere; and (2) loans bearing interest at the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the average maturities of such loans, plus not to exceed one percent if the applicant is able to obtain credit elsewhere. Stipulates that the total amount outstanding and committed to any one borrower shall not exceed $500,000. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to repeal the authority of the Administration to invest sums from the revolving fund for surety bond guarantees in Treasury bonds, obligations, and other guaranteed debt securities. Authorizes such investments from the revolving fund for qualified contract guarantees. Title II: Small Business Development Centers - Authorizes the Small Business Administration to make grants to States, State agencies, regional entities, State- chartered development credit corporations, and institutions of higher learning to assist in establishing Small Business Development Centers. Requires such grants to be matched in equal amounts by funds from non-Federal sources. Establishes additional restrictions on such grants for fiscal years 1979 through 1982. States that Small Business Development Centers shall have a full-time staff, business and technology analysts, information and professional specialists, and access to laboratory and engineering facilities. Requires such Centers to provide small businesses with business and technology counseling, information on government regulations, library services, and comprehensive studies and surveys. Directs federally funded laboratories and innovation centers to cooperate with the Small Business Development Centers. Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to appoint a Deputy Associate Administrator for Management and Technical Assistance to administer the Small Business Development Center program. Establishes a National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board consisting of nine civilian members. Sets forth provisions governing the appointment of members, a Chairman, meetings, and compensation of the Board. Directs the Small Business Administration to conduct an evaluation of the Development Center program and to submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress within three years. Title III: White House Conference on Small Business - White House Conference on Small Business Act - Directs the President to convene a White House Conference on Small Business by June 30, 1980, to identify the problems of small business concerns and to make recommendations for executive and legislative action. Requires the Conference to submit a report to the President and the Congress within one year of the date it convenes. Requires the Small Business Administration to report to the Congress within three years on the status and implementation of the findings and recommendations of the Conference. Makes such sums as are appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act available until expended.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
State and Local Government Cost Estimate Act of 1979 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act to require the Congressional Budget Office, for every bill or resolution reported in the House or Senate, to prepare and submit (along with its regular estimate of the Federal cost involved) an estimate of the costs which would be incurred by State and local governments in carrying out or complying with such bill or resolution.
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 · 4 April 1979
Fair Trade Enforcement Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to Antidumping Act, 1921 - Amends the Antidumping Act of 1921 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a formal investigation within 30 days of receiving information that foreign goods are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value. Directs the Secretary to make public any determination and advise the International Trade Commission of any affirmative determination. Requires the Commission to determine whether U.S. industry is being, or is likely to be, injured due to imports at less than fair value. Directs the Secretary to: (1) publish the Finding of the affirmative determinations of both the Secretary and the Commission; and (2) assess a special dumping duty. Sets forth the procedure by which a foreign exporter or a domestic importer may petition: (1) the Secretary to terminate a final determination of sales at less than full value; and (2) the Commission to terminate its determination that U.S. industry is likely to be harmed by such sales. Requires the Secretary or the Commission to conduct a hearing at the request of interested parties. Exempts such hearings from specified administrative procedure requirements. Requires the Secretary to impose provisional dumping duties when making a tentative determination that imports are being sold at less than fair value. Stipulates that duties shall either be refunded or adjusted based on the difference between the purchase price and the fair market value (the margin of dumping), depending on the Secretary's final determination. Imposes a special dumping duty on imported goods after a finding has been made. Requires the Secretary to periodically revise the applicable margin of dumping and apply it retroactively to the imported goods. Sets forth methods for determining the special dumping duty, the foreign market value, and the constructed value of merchandise (when home market sales are made at less than the costs of production). Requires the Secretary to make annual reports to Congress concerning findings, duties collected, and negative determinations. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to direct the Secretary to require a certified invoice with imported goods which includes a statement of the prices at which such goods are sold in the exporting country (home consumption prices). Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and Commerce and the Commission Chairman to publish quarterly a statistical enumeration of the purchase prices and home consumption prices. Requires a verified statement from foreign manufacturers whose goods supply ten percent or more of the U.S. market showing the home market value and the purchase price. Title II: Countervailing Duty Law Amendments - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit offsetting the net amount of any bounty or grant for any fiscal charge or indirect tax related to the export of the article that is subject to the bounty or grant. Requires the Secretary to investigate whether any bounty or grant is being paid or bestowed on exports into the United States within 30 days after a petition is filed or information is received concerning such bounty or grant, and to forward an affirmative determination to the Commission. Directs the Commission to investigate whether the likelihood of any U.S. industry being injured due to such export bounty or grant. Directs the Secretary to publish a Countervailing Duty Order following final determinations by the Secretary and the Commission. Sets forth the procedure by which a foreign exporter or domestic importer may petition the Secretary and the Commission to terminate the final determinations of export bounties or grants. Provides for a public hearing before any determination is made at the request of an interested party. Specifies the formula for establishing and revising countervailing duties. Title III: Amendments to Other Provisions of Law - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to stipulate that all imported merchandise shall be assessed duties, countervailing duties, or antidumping duties in accordance with the Secretary's determination 30 days after notice of such duty is published. Permits domestic manufacturers, producers, or wholesalers to contest in the U.S. Customs Court any determination that goods are not being sold at less than fair value, that bounties or grants are not being paid, or that U.S. industry is not being injured by such activities. Amends the provisions setting forth Customs Court procedure to permit actions contesting: (1) the termination of findings that imported goods are being sold at less than fair value; (2) the termination of Countervailing Duty Orders; (3) determinations that U.S. industry is not being harmed by sales of imported goods at less than fair value or export bounties or grants; or (4) determinations that there is no information that goods are being sold at less than fair value or bounties or grants are being paid or bestowed. Imposes civil penalties on persons who violate Commission findings and orders concerning unfair trade practices. Permits the President to disapprove the Commission's determination concerning unfair trade practices for 90 days after notifying Congress and the Commission. Requires congressional approval of the President's actions within the 90 day period if such suspension is to be indefinite. Gives domestic manufacturers a remedy for damages suffered as a result of unfair trade practices. Amends a provision of Federal law which makes it unlawful to import or sell articles in the United States at less than market value to give the burden of rebutting the prima facie case, by showing justification, to the person charged with the violation. Permits any person injured by a violation to sue for treble damages. Requires such suit to be commenced within four years after the cause of action accrued. Stipulates that the Commissioner of Customs shall be the agent upon whom all lawful process may be served in any action or proceeding against foreign manufacturers or exporters. Title IV: Transfer of Certain Functions under the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Laws from the Secretary of the Treasury to the International Trade Commission - Amends the Antidumping Act of 1921 and the Tariff Act of 1930 to transfer from the Secretary to the Commission the responsibilities for investigating and making determinations about (1) imported goods being sold at less than fair value or (2) bounties or grants being paid or bestowed on imported goods, effective January 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1979
Expresses the disapproval of the House of Representatives with respect to the Secretary of Transportation's recommendations designating the basic route system for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation as submitted to the Congress on January 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Expresses the disapproval of the House of Representatives with respect to the Secretary of Transportation's recommendations designating the basic route system for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation as submitted to the Congress on January 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from prescribing rules to permit increased duplication of radio broadcasting station assignments on class I-A clear channels.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1979
Senior Citizens Health Insurance Reform Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to institute a program of voluntary certification for health insurance policies sold in supplementation of medicare. Sets forth minimum standards for such certification with respect to liability, cancellation, reasonableness of premium charge, and economic benefit to the insured. Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) misrepresentations in connection with such certification; (2) the sale of specified types of duplicate insurance; and (3) certain activities in connection with the sale of insurance policies in States which have not approved such policies.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to transfer to panels of Members of the House selected by lot, with four being from the majority party and four from the minority party, the authority of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to make findings and investigations with respect to alleged violations by Members, officers, or employees of the House of the Code of Official Conduct or of any law, rule, regulation, or other applicable standard. Entitles any Member, officer, or employee of the House with respect to whom a panel is to receive evidence to two preemptory challenges to the membership of the panel. Allows any member of the panel to disqualify himself upon the submission to the committee of a written affidavit made under oath stating that the member cannot render an impartial and unbiased decision. Directs the panel to report its findings and recommendations for action to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and directs the Committee to transmit, by resolution and without change, such recommendation to the House within seven days.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total expenditures in any fiscal year shall not exceed the net amount of revenue received by the Government in that year. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war declared by Congress or by a concurrent resolution passed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress. Stipulates that any unanticipated deficit in any fiscal year shall be considered an expenditure for the succeeding fiscal year. Directs the Congress to provide an appropriate increase in the level of total receipts if the amount of such deficit exceeds two percent of the total expenditures for the succeeding fiscal year. Authorizes the Congress to apportion any deficit over the four following fiscal years or, by a two-thirds vote of both Houses, to include such deficit in the debts of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Taxpayer Relief Amendments to Panama Treaty Legislation - Specifies that all expenses incurred implementing the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 shall be treated as an expense of the Panama Canal Commission. Prohibits payments to Panama out of U.S. Treasury revenues. Requires the Panama Canal Company to pay its cash assets to the U.S. Treasury to be applied against its debt. Directs the Commission to continue repaying its debt to the United States. Amends the Panama Canal Code to require the Commission to pay: (1) all canal operating revenues to the U.S. Treasury; and (2) the payments required under the Treaty to Panama only with express congressional authorization. Directs the General Accounting Office to monitor all costs incurred by the Commission and report annually to Congress on the differences in costs to the U.S. taxpayer. Prohibits unless expressly authorized by Congress: (1) the use of U.S. funds to implement the Treaty; (2) the transfer of U.S. property in the Canal Zone to Panama; and (3) the cessation of the Panama Canal Company and the Canal Zone Government.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1979
Directs the Federal Communications Commission to examine the use of the AM radio broadcasting band and to assign such spectrum and distribute licenses so as to ensure that each community, regardless of size, is provided with the maximum local full-time radio broadcasting service.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Amends the Clean Air Act to postpone for one year the application of certain restrictions to areas which have failed to attain national ambient air quality standards and to delay for one year the date required for adoption and submission of State implementation plans applicable to these areas.
![Official portrait of Rep. Slack, John [D-WV-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000473_200.jpg)