United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Vietnam Veterans Act - Title I: Employment - Provides that Vietnam veterans eligible for specified veterans' educational benefits may use up to 12 months of such benefits for employment assistance payments to non-Federal Government employers hiring such veterans. Establishes eligibility requirements and guidelines for participating veterans and employers. Title II: Health and Psychological Care - Authorizes the Veterans' Administration to provide outpatient mental health services to Vietnam veterans with emotional or psychological civilian readjustment problems. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to establish a program of treatment for Vietnam-era veterans or members of their immediate families with alcohol or drug abuse problems. Provides that any individual eligible for treatment in either the readjustment or alcohol drug program may elect to have such treatment at any community health center providing such services under the Community Mental Health Centers Act. Directs the Administrator to reimburse such centers for such treatment. Authorizes an employee of the General Accounting Office assigned to duty in a Veterans' Administration health facility to act as ombudsman for the patients of such facility. Title III: GI Bill Education Assistance - Extends the ten year delimiting period for veterans' educational assistance eligibility to January 1, 1985, for veterans discharged before December 31, 1969. Removes the requirement of State matching funds for veterans' accelerated payment of educational assistance allowances. Title IV: Administrative Costs for State Home Loan Programs - Authorizes the Administrator to provide grants to States for administrative expenses for the start- up costs veterans' home loan programs. Title V: Commission to Study Veterans' Benefits - Establishes the Commission on Veterans' Benefits to make a comprehensive study of United States laws providing benefits to veterans and their dependents, with particular attention to the needs of Vietnam veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States and the District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall elect the President and Vice President. Requires each elector to cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. Requires the electors of President and Vice President in each State to have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature, except that for electors of President and Vice President, the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive residence qualifications and for electors of President and Vice President the Congress may establish uniform residence qualifications. Provides that the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected, if such number be at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast. Provides that if no pair of persons has such number, a runoff election shall be held in which the choice of President and Vice President shall be made from the two pairs of persons who received the highest number of votes. Requires the days for such elections to be determined by Congress and to be uniform throughout the United States. Requires Congress to prescribe by law the time, place, and manner in which the results for such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Allows Congress to provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Authorizes the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a bust or statue of Martin Luther King, Junior, to be placed in a suitable location in the Capitol. Authorizes appropriations not to exceed $25,000 for such purpose
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1979
Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to stipulate that where the National Railroad Passenger Corporation and a State, regional, or local authority reach an agreement for providing rail passenger service outside of Amtrak's basic route system, the Corporation's share of the costs of such service shall be 80 percent and the State, local, or regional share shall be 20 percent. Stipulates that such service may be performed by the Corporation or by the State, regional, or local agency involved. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out such service for fiscal years 1980 through 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include displaced homemakers as a targeted group for whom the new employee credit is available. Defines "displaced homemaker" as an individual who: (1) has not worked in the labor force for a substantial number of years but has provided unpaid services in the home for family members; (2) has been dependent on public assistance or the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income; and (3) is unemployed or underemployed and has encountered difficulty in obtaining suitable employment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1979
Title I: Department of State - Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1980 and 1981 - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for the Department of State to be used for: (1) the administration of foreign affairs; (2) international organizations and conferences; (3) international commissions; (4) migration and refugee assistance (with $25,000,000 earmarked for resettling refugees in Israel); (5) bilateral science and technology agreements; and (6) salary increases and currency fluctuations. Requires the United States to reduce its contribution to the United Nations by a specified percentage of the amount budgeted by the United Nations for certain Palestinian organizations. Permits the use of up to ten percent of the authorized appropriations for the State Department to be shifted from one account to another. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to express the sense of Congress that Foreign Service officers assigned abroad be familiar with the local language. Title II: International Communication Agency - International Communication Agency Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1980 and 1981 - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for the International Communication Agency (ICA). Repeals the loyalty investigations required by the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 and the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to give the Director of the ICA, as well as the Secretary of State, the authority to employ aliens without regard to the civil service and classification laws. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to exempt the Director of ICA from provisions concerning the management and disposal of government property with respect to the furnishing of facilities in foreign countries and reception centers in the United States. Amends the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 to authorize the Director to provide services within the United States in connection with exchange activities when such services are requested and reimbursed by other departments or agencies. Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to permit the Director to approve the acquisition, leasing, and improving of real property without regard to provisions requiring the Attorney General's approval of the title. Redesignates the United States Advisory Commission on International Communication, Cultural and Educational Affairs as the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. Provides for the appointment of a Staff Director of such Commission. Revises the administrative authority of the Secretary of State. Authorizes additional appropriations for the ICA to cover salary increases and currency fluctuations. Authorizes the public distribution within the United States of the film, "Aspen," and the "English Teaching Forum." Title III: Board for International Broadcasting - Board for International Broadcasting Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1980 and 1981 - Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations through fiscal year 1981. Authorizes the appropriation of additional amounts for RFE/RL, Incorporated, to cover currency fluctuations. Title IV: Technical Provisions - Amends the Act which establishes a Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe to limit to $6,000 the amount the Commission may use for official reception and representational expenses. Stipulates that any statutory reference to the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives shall be deemed a reference to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1979
Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1979 - Prohibits the sale of carbonated beverages in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of not less than five cents. Requires that retailers and distributors pay the amount of the affixed refund value of brands of beverages bought and sold by such retailers or distributors. Prohibits States from imposing any tax on the collection or return of refund values established by this Act. Prohibits distributors and retailers from selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings. Imposes penalties of up to $1,000 for violation of the provisions of this Act. Stipulates that a consumer or retailer who files an appropriate action in State or Federal court shall be entitled to collect from a retailer or distributor who wrongly withholds prompt payment of the refund value of a beverage container under the provisions of this Act: (1) the amount of the refund value; (2) the amount of any damages resulting in failure to make payment; (3) court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees; and (4) $10.00 for each beverage container for which the retailer or distributor failed to make payment. Imposes civil fines on such retailer or distributor who fails to make payment. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to monitor and report to Congress on: (1) the rate of reuse and recycling of beverage containers; (2) any additional net costs incurred by retailers as a result of enactment of this Act. Requires the Administrator to report to Congress annually on: (1) the impact of this Act on conservation, recycling of waste products, and the economy; and (2) the potential role of refundable beverage container redemption centers. Directs the Administrator to provide technical assistance and information to States, distributors, retailers, consumers, and to manufacturers of beverage containers as necessary to carry out this Act. Directs the Administrator to consult with the Secretary of Labor assisting individuals whose employment may be adversely affected by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to remove the $75 limit on the excess shelter expense deduction in the computation of household income for households composed entirely of persons who are age 62 or older, or who receive supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act. Entitles such households to a medical expense deduction to the extent that the monthly amount expended by any such household for medical or dental care exceeds the amount of the standard deduction in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1979
Declares that the Senate should approve and the President should ratify the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Financial Sponsorship of Immigrants Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require any immigrant wishing to be admitted into the United States to have a five-year financial sponsorship statement at the time of application for admission. Authorizes the Attorney General to make exemptions to such requirement. Provides that the Attorney General or the sponsored immigrant may bring a civil suit against a sponsor who fails to make payments pursuant to a statement of sponsorship. Provides that a Federal, State, or political subdivision may bring a civil suit against a nonpaying sponsor for reimbursement of welfare payments.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1979
Amends the National Ocean Pollution Research and Development and Monitoring Planning Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations to carry out the provisions of such Act for fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1979
Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1979 and 1980 to carry out the provisions of such Act with respect to: (1) the regulation of and research pertaining to ocean dumping; and (2) the acquisition, development, and operation of marine sanctuaries. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct research to determine means of ending the dumping into ocean waters of material unreasonably degrading the marine environment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Maritime Appropriation Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1980 - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for use by the Department of Commerce for: (1) acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of vessels, the construction-differential subsidy, and the cost of national defense features incident to the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of ships; (2) payments of obligations incurred for the operating-differential subsidy; (3) research and development activities; (4) maritime education and training expenses; and (5) operating expenses including reserve fleet expenses. Authorizes additional appropriations for increases in salary, pay, retirement, or other employee benefits authorized by law, and for increased costs for public utilities, food service, and other expenses of the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Small Business Procurement Reform Act of 1979 - Requires any Government procurement contract to which a notice for bidding is published in the Commerce Business Daily to remain open for bidding for at least 30 days. Establishes exceptions to such requirement in specified circumstances. Amends the Small Business Act to establish a goal of 20 percent participation by small business concerns within each Federal agency for the procurement of items which the Small Business Administration determines can be produced by small business. Directs each Federal agency to take all feasible steps to subdivide large procurements into smaller components on which small businesses can bid. Requires any Federal agency to provide small business concerns, upon request, copies and summaries of laws and regulations materially affecting the performance of contracts open for bids under $100,000. Establishes Government contract arbitration panels within the Small Business Administration to facilitate the resolution of disputes between any small business concern and any Federal agency having procurement authority. Establishes the Small Business Procurement Advisory Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Social Security Refinancing Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to finance the payment of hospital insurance benefits through general tax revenues, rather than through employment and self-employment tax revenues. Establishes new employment and self-employment tax rates for the purpose of financing the old age, survivors and disability insurance program (title II of the Social Security Act).
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Disapproves the deferral of budget authority deferral D 79-6 to promote and develop fishery products and research pertaining to American fisheries, as transmitted by the President to the Congress on October 2, 1978, pursuant to the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Requires that veterans receiving hospital, nursing home, or outpatient medical care from the Veterans Administration (VA) for non-service-connected disabilities be charged for such care to the extent that they have health insurance or similar contracts or rights with respect to such care, or have entitlement to private medical care under workers' compensation or automobile accident reparation statutes of any State. Provides that where such non-VA coverage is less than the total charge for such medical care provided to an eligible veteran, the veteran shall not be responsible for the difference.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
National Digestive Diseases Prevention, Cure, and Control Act - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to establish a National Digestive Diseases Education and Information Clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information respecting digestive diseases and to serve as a national educational resource for patients with digestive diseases. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to medical schools for education and training programs in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of digestive diseases. Establishes a 24-member part-time National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board to advise on the coordination of Federal agencies' efforts in the implementation of the long- range plan of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases, among other specified functions. Terminates such Board on September 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Oil Import Purchase Authority Act of 1979 - Makes the Secretary of Energy responsible for the importation of petroleum into the United States. Provides that after October 1, 1979, no petroleum shall be imported except pursuant to a bid submitted to and accepted by the Secretary. Imposes civil and criminal penalties on persons who import petroleum in violation of this Act. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations for allocation by sale of all imported petroleum at prices not to vary more than ten percent above or below the cost of acquisition, taking into account the preservation of an economically sound and competitive petroleum industry and other factors. Repeals the President's emergency authority to exercise the exclusive right to import and purchase petroleum under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1980, 1981, and 1982 to carry out a cooperative program with the States for the conservation, development, and enhancement of anadromous fish.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Civil Rights Amendments Act of 1979 - Authorizes the Attorney General to institute a civil action when an individual is denied use of a public facility because of the individual's affectional or sexual orientation. Prohibits the discrimination on the basis of an individual's affectional or sexual orientation in Federally assisted programs, employment, or housing. Authorizes the Attorney General to intervene in actions charging such discrimination. Prescribes penalties for interfering with an individual's right to housing on the basis of the individual's affectional or sexual orientation. Prohibits: (1) the use of statistical differences in determining whether such discrimination exists; or (2) requiring quotas as a remedy .
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act of 1979 - Requires organizations which expend more than $2,500 per quarter year or which employ at least one individual who spends all or part of each of 13 days or more per quarter year for lobbying purposes to register with the Comptroller General and to update annually such registration. Requires the identification of any such person retained for such lobbying purposes. Requires such organization to file quarterly reports concerning such lobbying activities including: (1) listing of total lobbying expenditures including each expenditures over $35 made to or for the benefit of any Federal officer, congressional employee, or Member of Congress; (2) the identification of retainees of an organization or certain employees making lobbying communications and the disclosure of certain expenditures; (3) a description of the issues for which such an organization has lobbied; (4) the identification of the means of communicating an advertisement intended to solicit over 500 people; (5) known business contacts with the person whom such organization is attempting to influence; and (6) the disclosure of any lobbying communication made on the floor of either House of Congress. Requires that the final quarterly report identify by amount each organization which contributed $3,000 or more to the reporting organization. Requires the Comptroller General to make copies of each registration and report required by this Act available for public inspection and copying. Makes it the duty of the Attorney General to investigate alleged violations of any provision of this Act or regulations promulgated thereunder. Requires the Attorney General to attempt to correct any violation by informal methods of conference or conciliation. Authorizes the Attorney General to institute civil or criminal actions in appropriate circumstances. Grants to the United States district courts jurisdiction for actions brought under this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to transmit reports to the President and each House of the Congress no later than March 31 of each year concerning activities under this Act. Provides a Congressional veto of rules and regulations promulgated by the Comptroller General pursuant to this Act. Makes any person or organization who knowingly fails to comply with the registration, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements of this Act, or regulations promulgated thereto, subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each such violation. Provides criminal penalties of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than two years, for knowing and willful violations of this Act, and for knowingly and willfully making misstatements or omitting material facts. Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act and specified provisions of the Legislative Reorganization Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Fisheries Resource Control Act of 1979 - Amends the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to prohibit a vessel of the United States which is licensed or registered for a fishery to perform any of the following transactions without the approval of the Secretary of Commerce: (1) lease, charter, mortgage, deliver, or in any manner transfer such vessel to any foreign person; (2) sell, deliver, or otherwise transfer to any foreign person for any period exceeding one year a substantial portion of the fish available from the operation of such vessel; or (3) issue to any foreign person a bond, note, or other evidence of indebtedness secured by a mortgage of such vessel. Sets forth the procedure for application to the Secretary of Commerce for any person seeking to engage in such transactions. Directs the Secretary to transmit such application to each Fishery Council which has authority over a fishery in which the vessel is engaged. Directs the Council to submit to the Secretary a written evaluation of the effect of an approval or disapproval on the fisheries involved. Allows the Secretary to approve such application upon a determination that it is consistent with the purpose and policy of this Act, and to exempt particular types of transactions from required approval. Sets forth penalties for false statements of a material fact to a Council, or any officer, attorney, or agent of a Council, or to the Secretary or any delegate of the Secretary. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress an annual report regarding foreign investment in the United States fishing industry, and details the requirements of such report. Allows the Secretary to require any person who is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to furnish information necessary to complete such report.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Amends the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to authorize appropriations of $30,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1980, 1981, and 1982 to carry out the purposes of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
National Digestive Diseases Prevention, Cure, and Control Act - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to establish a National Digestive Diseases Education and Information Clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information respecting digestive diseases and to serve as a national educational resource for patients with digestive diseases. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to medical schools for education and training programs in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of digestive diseases. Establishes a 24-member part-time National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board to advise on the coordination of Federal agencies' efforts in the implementation of the long- range plan of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases, among other specified functions. Terminates such Board on September 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends the Tank Vessel Act, differentiating the minimum safety standards required for the design, construction, alteration, and repair of self-propelled and non-self-propelled vessels covered by such Act. Requires such non-self-propelled vessels to be equipped with full double hulls.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Authorizes payment of up to nine-tenths of the costs incurred in the alteration or replacement of unamortized municipal waste incinerators for the purpose of immediate compliance with air quality standards.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to authorize payments to States for the cost of emergency shelter or services provided to an individual in danger of physical or mental injury, neglect, maltreatment, or exploitation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Asbestos School Hazard Detection and Control Act of 1979 - States the purposes of this Act to be to: (1) establish a Federal task force to ascertain the extent of the danger from asbestos materials in schools to children or employees; (2) require States to establish programs for asbestos inspection in schools; (3) provide scientific and technical assistance to States and local school boards; (4) provide loans for the mitigation of serious asbestos hazards in schools; and (5) assure that no disciplinary action be taken against employees for calling attention to such hazards. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish an Asbestos Hazards Schools Safety Task Force within 30 days of enactment. States that the duties of such Task Force shall include: (1) preparing educational materials; (2) compiling and disseminating medical, scientific, and technical materials to State and local entities; (3) reviewing and approving State plans for loans and reimbursements; (4) establishing criteria for levels of asbestos hazards in schools; and (5) making recommendations to the Secretary for technical assistance grants. Requires States to submit an asbestos safety plan no later than September 1, 1979. States that such plan shall include: (1) a timetable for identifying imminent asbestos health hazards; (2) a description of the procedures to be used to locate and identify such hazards; (3) a timetable for the removal of such hazards; (4) procedures for recordkeeping; and (5) the identification of a State agency to prepare and administer such plan. Establishes an Asbestos Hazards Detection Fund in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires all companies engaged in the mining, manufacture, or importation of asbestos between 1946 and 1972 to make payments to such fund. Requires such companies to make available to the Secretary: (1) an audit of the amount of asbestos produced in the period 1946-1972; (2) a description of the products and their use; and (3) other information the Secretary may require. Authorizes the Secretary and the Attorney General of the United States to subpena such records. Provides that local governmental units responsible for the administration and safety of schools may be reimbursed for up to one half of their asbestos hazards detection expenses. Directs the Secretary to determine those costs that are reimbursable. Authorizes contributors to such funds, upon approval by the Secretary, to provide asbestos testing services in lieu of up to 50 percent of their financial contribution. Authorizes the Secretary to allocate up to 20 percent of such asbestos detection funds for use in education and technical assistance programs. Requires recipients of such asbestos detection funds to file a report with the Secretary describing detection and testing activities undertaken, the results, and the plan for correcting any discovered asbestos hazards. Establishes an Asbestos Hazards Control Loan Program in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Stipulates that loans from such program shall be: (1) available only to correct imminent asbestos hazards in schools to school children or school employees; (2) limited to projects covering more than 2,500 square feet; (3) for a period not exceeding 20 years; and (4) interest free. Requires applications for such loans to describe: (1) the nature of the asbestos problem; (2) the results of preliminary testing; and (3) the methods to be used to correct such problem. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate House and Senate committees regarding such loan program. Stipulates that the United States be subrogated to any legal rights to recover on any such loans. Prohibits any such loans to be made without such stipulation. Directs the Secretary to promulgate and distribute to the States safety standards and procedures for testing the level of asbestos in schools and for determining the likelihood of the leakage of asbestos into the school environment. Stipulates that no employer receiving funds under this Act shall discriminate against or discipline any worker who focuses public attention on an asbestos problem in his or her school district. Stipulates that nothing in this Act shall restrict any other legal rights in connection with the purchase or installation of asbestos materials in schools, or with any claim or disability or death from exposure to asbestos in a school setting.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Terminates the authorization for duplicate locks on the Illinois River, Illinois. Terminates the flood control projects authorized for: (1) Salt Creek Lake, Ohio; (2) Trexler Lake, Pennsylvania; (3) Spewrell Bluff Lake, Georgia; (4) Lincoln Dam and Reservoir, Illinois; (5) Pattonsburg Lake, Missouri; (6) Helm Lake, Illinois; (7) Mill Creek Lake, Ohio; (8) Salem Church Dam and Reservoir, Virginia; and (9) Big Darby Lake, Ohio. Directs the Secretary of Army to convey certain lands acquired for the Big Darby Lake flood control project to the State of Ohio to be administered as a wildlife refuge. Terminates the authorization for further construction of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal. Extends the boundaries of the Ocala National Forest, Florida, to include land owned by the United States as part of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal project. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire lands owned by the State of Florida within the extended boundaries of the Forest. Terminates the Meramec Park Lake flood control project, Missouri. Requires the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers to study and report to Congress concerning the manner of disposition and future utilization of the project's land and structures which best serves the public interest.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Foster Care and Adoption Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Child-Welfare Services Program - Amends part B of title IV (Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act to: (1) revise procedures for the payment to States for child-welfare service programs; and (2) prohibit payment to any State for such programs unless that State has in effect an action plan to assure foster care protection. Title II: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Amends part A of title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) to require States receiving payments under part A to make adoption support payments. States that parents of adopted children are eligible for such payments while the adopted child is either under the age of 18, or is under the age of 21 and is a student.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the Small Business Act to extend the date for making the following low interest disaster loans from October 1, 1978, to October 1, 1979: (1) loans for major disasters declared by the President or for natural disasters determined by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; and (2) loans for the repair or replacement of primary residences and personal property.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Asbestos School Hazard Detection and Control Act of 1979 - States the purposes of this Act to be to: (1) establish a Federal task force to ascertain the extent of the danger from asbestos materials in schools to children or employees; (2) require States to establish programs for asbestos inspection in schools; (3) provide scientific and technical assistance to States and local school boards; (4) provide loans for the mitigation of serious asbestos hazards in schools; and (5) assure that no disciplinary action be taken against employees for calling attention to such hazards. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish an Asbestos Hazards Schools Safety Task Force within 30 days of enactment. States that the duties of such Task Force shall include: (1) preparing educational materials; (2) compiling and disseminating medical, scientific, and technical materials to State and local entities; (3) reviewing and approving State plans for loans and reimbursements; (4) establishing criteria for levels of asbestos hazards in schools; and (5) making recommendations to the Secretary for technical assistance grants. Requires States in order to participate in programs under this Act to submit an asbestos safety plan no later than September 1, 1979. States that such plan shall include: (1) a timetable for identifying imminent asbestos health hazards; (2) a description of the procedures to be used to locate and identify such hazards; (3) a timetable for the removal of such hazards; (4) procedures for recordkeeping; and (5) the identification of a State agency to prepare and administer such plan. Provides that local governmental units responsible for the administration and safety of schools may be reimbursed for up to one half of their asbestos hazards detection expenses. Directs the Secretary to determine those costs that are reimbursable. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) waive such reimbursement limitation; and (2) allocate up to 20 percent of such asbestos detection funds for use in education and technical assistance programs. Requires recipients of such asbestos detection funds to file a report with the Secretary describing detection and testing activities undertaken, the results, and the plan for correcting any discovered asbestos hazards. Establishes an Asbestos Hazards Control Loan Program in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Stipulates that loans from such program shall be: (1) available only to correct imminent asbestos hazards in schools to school children or school employees; (2) limited to projects covering more than 2,500 square feet, in which the asbestos level is at a level specified by the Secretary; (3) for a period not exceeding 20 years; (4) interest free; and (5) used to cover not more than half the cost of correcting such asbestos hazards (although the Secretary may waive such limitation). Requires applications for such loans to describe: (1) the nature of the asbestos problem; (2) the results of preliminary testing; and (3) the methods to be used to correct such problem. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate House and Senate committees regarding such loan program. Directs the Secretary to promulgate and distribute to the States safety standards and procedures for testing the level of asbestos in schools and for determining the likelihood of the leakage of asbestos into the school environment. Stipulates that no employer receiving funds under this Act shall discriminate against or discipline any worker who focuses public attention on an asbestos problem in his or her school district. Stipulates that nothing in this Act shall restrict any other legal rights in connection with the purchase or installation of asbestos materials in schools, or with any claim or disability or death from exposure to asbestos in a school setting.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Declares the public policy of the United States to prohibit the manufacture, sale, interstate shipment, and use of leg-hold and steel-jaw traps in the United States and abroad. Prohibits the shipment into interstate or foreign commerce of fur or leather products which come from animals trapped in any State or foreign country which has not banned such traps. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to publish a list of States and foreign countries which have not banned the manufacture, sale, and use of leg-hold and steel-jaw traps. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1979
Intergovernmental Antirecession and Supplementary Fiscal Assistance Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Public Works Employment Act of 1976 to add to the congressional findings under such Act that both an antirecession fiscal assistance program and a supplementary fiscal assistance program which aid governments requiring fiscal relief are essential elements of a sound Federal fiscal policy. Extends the authorization of appropriations for antirecession fiscal assistance through September 30, 1980. Provides for the suspension of such assistance in certain circumstances if the unemployment rate does not exceed six percent. Amends such Act to require the Secretary of Labor to calculate the unemployment rate for specified units of local governments, within or encompassing standard metropolitan statistical areas, using the population survey methodology used prior to January 1, 1978, if such rates are higher than under the current methodology. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to reallocate any undistributed excess amounts among the States and local governments proportionately. Repeals the requirement that States and local governments file statements with the Secretary containing certain reporting assurances. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplemental payments to local governments whose allocation would be reduced as a result of calculating unemployment rates by a new formula. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide the Secretary of Commerce with necessary information and to determine unemployment rates for each State and local government. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to pay supplementary fiscal assistance to local governments with unemployment rates above six percent whenever the unemployment rate for the United States is five percent or more. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance through September 30, 1980. Provides for the suspension of such assistance if antirecession fiscal assistance is being paid or U.S. unemployment rates are less than five percent. Specifies the formula to be used in determining payments under this Act. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to combine certain supplementary payments with the general revenue sharing payment and make a single payment to the local governmental unit. Provides for the reallocation of any undistributed excess amounts among the local governmental units proportionately. Requires local governments receiving supplementary fiscal assistance to comply with those provisions applicable to antirecession fiscal assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Family Farm Antitrust Act of 1979 - Finds that vertical integration of the agricultural industry by corporations engaged in the processing, distributing and retail industries, and other conglomerate corporations, tends to create monopolies in the agricultural industry and produce unfair competition for family farms, contributing to the decline of rural populations and the consequent crowding of metropolitan centers. Declares it to be the national policy to restore competition to the agricultural industry and to provide for the continuance of the family farm. Provides that no person engaged in commerce in a business other than farming, whose nonfarming business assets exceed $3,000,000, shall engage in farming or the production of agricultural products, or participate in farming by any means of acquisition or control of another person who is engaged in farming. Specifies exceptions including charitable, educational, or nonprofit institutions, and farmer-owned and controlled cooperatives. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire at fair market value any property or interest of which a person is required to divest himself under the provisions of this Act, if the person is otherwise unable to divest himself of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to identify and monitor abandoned hazardous waste sites. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States which submit programs for the maintenance and reclamation of abandoned hazardous waste sites where such programs are approved under rules promulgated by the Administrator intended to protect the public health, safety, and the environment. Authorizes States, pursuant to approved State programs, to enter, study and acquire any land adversely affected by hazardous waste at abandoned hazardous waste disposal sites and to do all things necessary to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent such adverse effects if such action is required in the public interest. Specifies conditions under which a State may acquire such lands. Authorizes the sale of such acquired lands after restoration and reclamation has been accomplished where such lands are deemed to be suitable for specified uses. Directs a State to record a lien against lands not acquired by the State for moneys expended to restore, reclaim or prevent adverse effects of hazardous waste disposal on such lands. Authorizes the Administrator to designate sites for new hazardous waste disposal sites upon a finding that such sites will be safe and environmentally sound. Requires the Administrator to consult with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and to take into account results of studies and investigations of such sites initiated under agreements between the Administrator and NAS before designating such sites. Establishes a fund for the maintenance and reclamation of abandoned sites. Provides that fees collected from permit holders, based upon the toxicity of the type of waste involved and the costs of the technology needed to treat, store or dispose of such type of waste accepted by such persons, shall form the basis of such fund. Imposes civil and criminal penalties for failure to comply with requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to establish and implement programs for maintenance and reclamation of such sites in the event a State fails to receive program approval within one year of enactment of this Act, and stipulates that such Federal programs shall remain in effect until the approval of a State program. Authorizes the Administrator to provide assistance in specified emergencies caused by the release into the environment of any pollutant or other contaminant associated with a hazardous waste facility. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 to maintain that level, for a contingency fund to carry out such emergency assistance. Imposes liability upon an owner or operator of such facility for such discharges for the actual costs incurred by the United States in such emergency cleanup operations. Makes necessary technical and conforming amendments to the Solid Waste Disposal Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Tax Equity Act of 1979 - Provides that the Secretary of the Treasury shall, within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the Committee on Ways and Means a draft of any technical and conforming changes in the Internal Revenue Code which should be made to reflect the substantive amendments made by this Act. Provides that every amendment made by this Act shall apply notwithstanding that its application may be contrary to the provisions of some treaty in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. Title I: Capital Gains and Losses - Repeals the alternative tax on long term capital gains for individuals, corporations, and life insurance companies. Provides, in lieu of the present 60 percent tax deduction for net long term capital gains, an exclusion from gross income of so much of the gain as does not exceed one half of one percent of the adjusted basis of property (capital assets or property used in a trade or business) at the time of its sale or exchange times the number of months such property is held over 12 months. Repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code related to the preferential tax treatment of long term capital gains. Allows the deduction of capital losses for corporations only to the extent of the gains which such corporations realize from the sale or exchange of capital assets and property used in its trade or business. Allows the deduction of capital losses for other taxpayers only to the extent of gains realized by such taxpayers plus the taxable income of the taxpayer or $3,000, whichever is smaller. Permits a one year carryover of net capital losses which exceed the limitations on deductibility in the current or preceding taxable years. Permits a three year carryback of such losses which are in excess of $10,000. Limits the deduction for net capital losses to the amount of the net capital gain in the year in which the loss is carried back. Allows a carryback of net capital losses without regard to the $10,000 limit for a decedent who sustains a capital loss in the year of his death. Allows the executor of a decedent's estate to include in the gross income of a decedent for his last taxable year any unrealized capital gains on a capital asset held by the decedent at the time of his death, if the decedent had a net capital loss during such year. Requires the amount of gain included in the decedent's gross income to be added to the adjusted basis of the property for purposes of computing the basis of property passing to the heirs. Provides that periodic income from the sale or exchange of patent rights shall be treated as royalties (ordinary income) rather than as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. Title II: Income Derived from Extraction of Minerals - Repeals the percentage depletion allowance for taxable years beginning after 1979. Allows an income tax deduction for expenditures (including intangible drilling costs) incurred in the exploration and development of mineral properties (including geothermal deposits), but only to the extent of taxable income derived from such properties. Terminates the income tax deductions for expenditures for the development of mines or other natural deposits (other than an oil or gas well) and for expenditures for mining exploration after 1979. Provides an exclusion from gross income of amounts derived from foreign mineral properties, provided that such income is not derived from: (1) a nonoperating mineral interest; (2) distributions received with respect to the stock of a corporation; and (3) amounts includible in gross income as undistributed profits of controlled foreign corporations. Limits the losses allowable from the disposition of mineral property to the extent of the gains from the sale or exchange of such properties during the taxable year. Title III: Reform Measures Affecting Primarily Individuals - Revises the income tax rates for individuals to limit the maximum rate to 50 percent. Provides, in lieu of certain itemized personal income tax deductions, an income tax credit equal to 30 percent of the itemized deductions which the taxpayer would normally take for the taxable year. Specifies those deductions which qualify as personal deductions. Limits to $10,000 the amount of interest and taxes paid on a personal residence which may qualify for the 30 percent credit. Allows a standard credit allowance (in lieu of the zero bracket amount) for taxpayers who do not itemize income tax deductions. Authorizes the President to increase or decrease by not more than two percent the amount of the credit if he determines that such action is in the public interest. Provides that either House of Congress may disapprove Presidential action to increase or decrease the credit. Requires a taxpayer who is claiming a child for purposes of the 30 percent income tax credit, to include in his gross income any income received by the child during the taxable year from a trust created by the taxpayer, and also any dividends, interest, or royalties received by the child from any property given to him by the taxpayer. Provides that shareholder-employees of closely held corporations must include in gross income: (1) that part of contributions paid by an employer-corporation (and deductible by it) to trusts, annuities, or bond purchase plans for the benefit of the shareholder-employee in excess of (a) the lesser of 15 percent of his compensation; or (b) $7,500, unless 75 percent of the contributions made during the year by the corporation under the plans are for the benefit of employees who are not shareholder-employees; (2) payments to an accident or health plan for the benefit of a shareholder- employee unless employees who are not shareholder-employees received 75 percent or more of all such payments made by the employer-corporation during the taxable year; and (3) the value of lodging and meals furnished by the employer-corporation. Repeals the $100 exclusion from gross income for dividend income. Requires a taxpayer who claims a business expense deduction for attendance at a foreign convention that such convention was: (1) directly related to the active conduct of his trade or business; and (2) more properly held outside the United States than within it, considering all the circumstances. Disallows any deduction for the expenses of attending a convention held on a cruise ship. Revises the formula for computing the income tax deduction for the maintenance of a vacation home to lower the amount of the allowable deduction. Limits the amount of the allowable income tax deduction attributable to farming to the gross income derived from the business of farming for a taxable year plus, in the case of an individual, the greater of $10,000 or the amount of the special deductions (taxes, interest, casualty or theft losses, drought losses, and capital losses) attributable to farming, or in the case of other taxpayers, the amount of the special deductions for the taxable year. Provides that the earnings and profits of a parent corporation, for the purpose of paying taxable dividends, shall not be less than the earnings and profits of the consolidated group for the taxable year. Provides for the recognition of gain from the transfer of appreciated property to a controlled corporation by a related corporation to the extent that such transfer qualifies as the payment of a dividend. Provides that stock options granted to officers and employees of a corporation will not have an ascertainable fair market value at the time they are granted unless such options are traded on a stock exchange or over the counter. Provides that an individual who establishes a trust for his minor children and retains an interest in such trust which will revert to him after ten years will be taxed on the interest which is distributed to his children during the ten year period. Extends to business enterprises formed to invest in real estate the rule which limits income tax deductions for business losses to amounts which such enterprises actually have at risk. Prohibits an individual from basing his estimated tax payments on the prior year's tax (or at the current year's rates applied to the prior year's facts) if in any one of the three preceding taxable years the tax shown on his return was in excess of $100,000. Treats a partnership which is required to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a comparable State agency after July 1, 1979, as a corporation for taxable years ending after the date of the filing of the registration statement. Title IV: Reform Measures Affecting Primarily Corporations - Repeals the investment tax credit with respect to property placed in service on or after January 1, 1980. Repeals the asset depreciation range system of computing the allowance for depreciation. Reinstates the reserve ratio test for determining the useful life of property subject to the allowance for depreciation. Prohibits a corporation from claiming an income tax deduction for depreciation which is greater than the amount of depreciation carried on its books for purposes of reporting earnings to shareholders. Limits the business expense deduction for repairs to the amount which a corporation reports on its books as current expenses. Limits the amount of the income tax deduction for dividends received by corporations to 85 percent of its taxable income computed without regard to the operating loss deduction or any capital loss carryback. Permits a carryover of any amount disallowed due to such limitation to the following taxable year. Provides that any dividend received by a corporation from an unaffiliated corporation shall be reduced, for purposes of the dividends received deduction, by the amount of any interest costs incurred to purchase or carry the stock of the unaffiliated corporation. Disallows the dividends received deduction for dividends received from an unaffiliated corporation to the extent that such dividends exceed the amount of dividends paid by the receiving corporation during the taxable year. Permits the nonrecognition of gain in the case of a corporation which distributes appreciated property in redemption of its stock pursuant to a court proceeding under the antitrust laws, if such stock was acquired before January 1, 1970. Repeals provisions permitting the nonrecognition of gain from the bulk sale of inventory in a 12 month corporate liquidation. Imposes a tax at the corporate level on a portion of the gain from the distribution of property by a corporation to tax-exempt shareholders pursuant to a 12 month liquidation. Permits the nonrecognition of gain from a distribution of corporate property pursuant to a plan of complete liquidation, if , at the time of the adoption of the plan, the corporation has more than 15 shareholders. Disqualifies as a tax free reorganization a transaction in which share-holders of a merging corporation own, as a result of such transaction, less than 20 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the surviving corporation. Terminates the special treatment of bad debt reserves of financial institutions after December 31, 1979. Taxes, on a current basis, the undistributed profits of a controlled foreign corporation to its domestic shareholders based upon each shareholder's pro rata share of such undistributed profits. Terminates the tax exemption for a domestic international sales corporation (DISC) after December 31, 1979. Reduces the basis of property owned by a corporation which is similar or related in service or use to property which has been involuntarily converted by the amount of gain which is not recognized as a result of the purchase of stock in such corporation. Prohibits a corporation from basing its estimated tax payments on the prior year's tax (or on the basis of the prior year's facts and the current year's rates) if in any one of the three preceding taxable years the tax shown on the corporation's return was in excess of $300,000. Disallows the income tax deduction for interest paid by banks and other financial institutions to depositors and other creditors to the extent that their investments in tax exempt bonds constitutes a percentage of their total assets. Title V: Reforms Affecting Individuals and Corporations - Repeals provision which permits the deduction of an individual's or corporation's income tax liability from the sum of the items of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Repeals provisions designating reserves for bad debts of financial institutions, percentage depletion, and capital gains as items of tax preference. Designates tax exempt interest on State and local bonds and the foreign tax credit as items of tax preference. Requires the inclusion in the gross income of a corporation the difference between the value on the open market of the use of the corporation's property or money and the amount charged to a shareholder for the use of such property or money. Treats such amount as a dividend to the shareholder. Disallows an income tax deduction for depreciation of a rental building to the extent that such depreciation would reduce the adjusted basis of the building below the unpaid balance of the mortgage on the land and building. Reduces the allowable amount of the charitable deduction for the contribution of appreciated property to a charitable organization by the amount of gain which would have been realized if the property contributed had been sold by the taxpayer at its fair market value. Requires the capitalization of expenditures attributable to the planting, cultivation, maintenance, or development of any fruit or nut grove, or any vineyard, and which is incurred before the time when the productive stage is reached. Repeals the tax exemption of foreign individuals or corporations which operate ships documented under the laws of a foreign country which grant an equivalent tax exemption to United States citizens or corporations. Empowers the Internal Revenue Service to conduct all civil proceedings involving the enforcement of the internal revenue laws in any court (including the United States Supreme Court). Title VI: Reforms Affecting Private Foundations and Estate and Gift Taxes - Provides that a trust shall not be treated as a public charity if the trustees have discretion to distribute as they see fit more than 50 percent of the trust income between two or more organizations named in the trust instrument as permissible beneficiaries. Treats an individual's contribution to a private foundation as public support only to the extent that such contribution does not exceed one-half of one percent of the foundation's support. Eliminates the five percent reversionary interest test for determining whether the value of trust property passing to its beneficiaries upon the death of the grantor will be included in the estate of the grantor. Requires the inclusion in the gross estate of a decedent the value of an annuity or other plan of compensation receivable by a beneficiary under an agreement of the decedent's employer which arose out of services rendered by the decedent, whether or not the beneficiary has an enforceable right to receive the compensation. Provides that the exclusion from the gross estate of a decedent of annuity payments attributable to employer contributions shall apply only if such payments go to the decedent's surviving spouse. Requires the inclusion of life insurance proceeds in the gross estate of a decedent in the proportion that the premiums paid by the decedent or his spouse bears to all premiums paid for the insurance. Limits the charitable estate tax deduction to the greater of $1,000,000 or 50 percent of the gross estate minus expenses for administration and payment of the decedent's debts. Excludes from the gross estate any transfer made by the decedent during his lifetime for which an estate tax charitable deduction is permitted. Permits the donor of property to a charitable organization a gift tax deduction for the value of such property even if he retains an interest in the property donated. Title VII: State and Local Obligations - Repeals the income tax exclusion for interest on State and local bonds issued after December 31, 1979. Provides that the Federal Government will pay 35 percent of the interest yield on State and local bonds, other than industrial development bonds, issued after December 31, 1979. Title VIII: Withholding of Income Tax on Dividends and Interest - Requires the withholding of income tax on interest and dividends equal to ten percent of such interest or dividends. Defines "interest" and "dividends" for purposes of this Title.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Gasohol Motor Fuel Act of 1979 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to promote the development and use of alcohol-blended fuels in the United States. Directs the Secretary to study the most suitable raw materials for the production of alcohol-blended fuels. Requires that such study emphasize alternative fuel sources to petroleum and natural gas, and evaluate the efficiency of various production and distribution systems. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress within six months after the enactment of this Act concerning the results of such study. Directs the Secretary to set production goals for alcohol-blended fuel development within six months after the completion of the study. Directs the Secretary to require that motor fuel sold in 1981 be one percent alcohol-blended. Sets increasing percentage requirements for succeeding years ending in 1990 where motor fuel shall be ten percent alcohol-blended. Empowers the Secretary to enforce the provisions of this Act and enumerates the enforcement procedures and penalties. Requires that all facilities constructed to distill alcohol for motor fuel use shall use fuel sources which are renewable. Directs the Secretary to establish, within six months after the enactment of this Act, procedures for the certification of alcohol distilling facilities. Requires the Secretary to give first priority for fuel sources to operate such distillation facilities to renewable energy resources. Grants last priority for fuel sources to petroleum, petroleum derivatives and natural gas. Empowers the Secretary to waive the preference for renewable resources upon a finding that they are economically or technically infeasible for use as fuel sources to power distillation facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Social Security Refinancing Act - Amends titles II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to finance the payment of disability insurance benefits and hospital insurance benefits through general tax revenues, rather than through employment and self-employment tax revenues. Reduces employment and self-employment tax rates below the rates established by the Social Security Financing Amendments of 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Wildlife on Federal Lands Trapping Act of 1979 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue such regulations relating to trapping as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any type of trap unless such trap utilizes the most humane capture method available for the species concerned, and minimizes the probability of capturing species for which such trap was not intended. Directs the Secretary to undertake a research program to develop such types of traps. Establishes an advisory commission to make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to traps designed or intended for use. Prohibits the Secretary from permitting trapping on Federal lands where such trapping may reduce any species below specified levels. Sets forth a procedure for the application and issuance of trapping permits. Requires the attachment of a shipping certificate to any package containing the fur, hide, skin, horn, or feathers of any mammal or bird captured by any trap within any State or the District of Columbia if such package is transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) engaging in trapping without a permit issued pursuant to this Act; (2) violating any condition of such permit; (3) violating any regulation of the Secretary relating to trapping; (4) selling or transporting in interstate commerce an unapproved trap; (5) falsifying the shipping certificate; or (6) conveying any package under this Act without affixing the shipping certificate or affixing a false certificate. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with States with respect to the imposition of trapping regulations consistent with those prescribed under this Act. Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Solar Energy Bank Act - Establishes a Government corporation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development to be known as the Solar Energy Development Bank to make long-term, low-interest loans to encourage the use of solar energy in commercial and residential structures. Sets forth requirements for loan eligibility concerning the term and amount of the loan and necessary warranties for the solar energy systems covered by such loan. Prohibits conflicts of interest on the part of officers or employees of the Bank. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Establishes a seven-member Advisory Board to make annual reports to Congress and the President on the operation of the program established by this Act. Prohibits subsidy payments under this Act to any person who has received other Federal assistance for purchase and/or installation of energy systems similar to the solar systems assisted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Nuclear Incident Liability Reform Act of 1978 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require that licensees for nuclear facilities obtain the maximum amount of liability insurance available from private sources. Requires that such licensees participate in an industry retrospective rating plan in addition to maintaining such insurance. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to establish rules specifying the rates for deferred premiums charged to licensees under such plan in the event of any nuclear incident resulting in public liability which exceeds or appears likely to exceed the level of a licensee's primary financial protection and the amount otherwise available from such licensee for the satisfaction of such liability. Authorizes the Commission to loan to a licensee, at prescribed interest rates, the amount by which an assessment of deferred premiums exceeds the amount which the licensee is able to pay within a reasonable time following any nuclear incident without impairing its ability to provide electric utility service. Repeals the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 relating to indemnification of licensees from liability which is in excess of the level of financial protection required of the licensee. Eliminates the $500,000,000 ceiling on indemnification of contractors of the Commission against claims for liability, arising out of contractual activities, which are above the amount of financial protection required of contractors. Repeals provisions of such Act relating to: (1) the $560,000,000 maximum aggregate liability for a single nuclear incident; (2) the collection of fees for indemnification agreements, and (3) compensation to private insurance organizations for services connected with handling indemnifications. Eliminates the exemption from the requirements of financial protection of nonprofit, educational institution licensees. Repeals the Commission's authority to indemnify persons engaged in activities relating to the Nuclear Ship Savannah from liability for nuclear incidents. Terminates the Commission's authority to enter agreements with other indemnitors with respect to emergency assistance payments. Makes technical and conforming amendments to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to extend price controls on domestically produced crude oil for a period of 24 months. Directs the President to promulgate and make effective an amendment to such Act which would continue ceiling prices applicable to any first sale of domestic crude oil for such period.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Asbestos-Related Disease Screening Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Labor, after consultation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, to: (1) make contracts with and grants to reimburse public and private organizations for the reasonable cost of providing screening for asbestos-related diseases to employees who are exposed to asbestos during a period of at least 30 days and for whom a significant risk of developing such a disease exists; and (2) provide for a program to reimburse eligible individuals exposed to asbestos for screening expenses. Disallows reimbursement where such screening is provided from other programs, such as workman's compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 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.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require that a statement of the steps that have been or will be taken to reduce unobligated balances of budget authority under Federal programs and an estimate of the level of unobligated balances of budget authority that will exist at the end of the fiscal year be included in: (1) the report accompanying the first concurrent resolution on the budget each year; (2) the annual reports submitted by other committees to the Budget Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate; and (3) the President's annual budget.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Stipulates that income received from post-1974 Social Security cost-of-living increases shall be excluded in determining the eligibility of an individual for benefits under: (1) title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act; (2) title XI (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of such Act; (3) dependency and indemnity compensation plans for veteran's service connected deaths; (4) veterans' pension plans; (5) the Food Stamp Act of 1964; (6) the United States Housing Relief Act of 1937; or (7) any other Federal assistance program which conditions eligibility upon the income or resources of the applicant.
![Official portrait of Rep. Studds, Gerry E. [D-MA-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s001040_200.jpg)