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United States · Official source
2,256 records where Rep. Tauke, Thomas Joseph [R-IA-2] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980
Extends the congratulations of the House of Representatives to the Order of the Sons of Italy in America for their 75th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1980
National Export Policy Act of 1980 - Title I: General Findings and Purposes - Sets forth congressional findings and the purposes of this Act. Title II: Export Financing - Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to direct the Export-Import Bank to adopt export finance programs comparable in structure to those extraordinary measures of official export credits offered by competing countries, until such financing is limited by international agreements. Requires the Bank to report annually to Congress as to whether any additional appropriations or any increases in its commitment authority or ceiling levels are necessary to carry out this Act. States that this Act shall not take effect until six months after enactment, unless the President defers the effective date for an additional six months. Declares it to be the policy of the Congress that the Export-Import Bank of the United States should facilitate, particularly in the presence of foreign officially-supported export credit competition, exports to countries: (1) having insufficient access to international credit facilities; (2) demonstrating reasonable economic progress; and (3) offering adequate formal assurances of repayment (currently, must offer sufficient likelihood of repayment). Increases the aggregate amount of loans and contractual liability of guarantees and insurance which may be outstanding at any one time. Requires such activities to be carried out through the Export Expansion Facility. Provides for the capitalization of such facility. Establishes staggered ten-year terms of office for the Bank directors. Declares that the appropriate congressional committees should consider limitations on Bank activities when considering appropriations for international trade activities rather than when considering foreign assistance activities. Title III: Export-Related Tax Policy - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the earned income exclusion for United States citizens working abroad, who are bona fide residents of a foreign country, from an annual rate of $20,000 to: (1) $50,000; or (2) $65,000, if such persons qualify as bona fide residents for certain specified periods. Allows separate exclusions to married individuals who are both working overseas, although one's excess exclusion cannot be used against income earned by the other. Waives the residency requirements to qualify for such exclusion for those required to leave a foreign country because of civil unrest, war, or similar adverse conditions precluding the normal conduct of business. Reduces from 17 to 11 months the foreign residency requirement with respect to the deduction for certain housing expenses of living abroad. Revises the formula for determining the base housing amount with regard to such deduction to make it 16 percent of the salary of a GS-14, step 1. Repeals similar deductions for cost-of-living differential, schooling expenses, home leave travel expenses, and residence in a hardship area. Provides that the foreign bad debt loss deduction shall not exceed the greater of 15 percent of the taxpayer's taxable income from exports, or two percent of the taxpayer's export receivables outstanding at the close of the taxable year. Provides that the amount of bad debt losses that may be added to a bad debt reserve shall not exceed five percent of the taxpayer's export receivables outstanding as of the close of the taxable year. Permits the amortization, based on a period of 60 months, of: (1) foreign market studies; (2) foreign marketing expenses; and (3) foreign patents. Permits an income tax deduction for currency fluctuation losses on export credit which have not been repaid by the end of the taxable year. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to extend the six-month deadline for exempting exports from the manufacturer's excise tax for an additional 12 months if it is determined, after consultation with the Secretary of State, that exports were delayed because of war, civil unrest, or similar adverse conditions in a foreign nation. Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to approve the duty-free entry of machinery, materials, and fuels to be used for the production of goods in a foreign trade zone if such goods are not subsequently entered into U.S. customs territory. Sets forth requirements before applications for such treatment will be approved. Makes such approval valid for six years. Requires the Foreign Trade Zones Board to include in its annual report to Congress a summary of activities and proposals to increase the use of foreign trade zones to expand U.S. exports. Makes banking organizations which have invested in an export trading company eligible for treatment as domestic international sales corporations (DISC). Includes the gross receipts from the export of services produced in the United States and from export trade services as qualified export receipts, in the case of a DISC which is an export trading company. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, with the Secretary of the Treasury, to develop and distribute information concerning the utilization of the DISC provisions. Makes export trading companies eligible for Subchapter S treatment if the shareholders of such companies are otherwise small business corporations. Exempts such companies from restrictions on the amount of foreign income they can receive and still be eligible for Subchapter S tax treatment. Title IV: Antitrust - Amends the Webb-Pomerene Act to exempt the export trade, export trade activities, and methods of operation of certified export trade associations and export trading companies from the antitrust laws. Delays the effectiveness of any certificate upon the notification of the Secretary of Commerce by the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of disagreement with the decision to issue a certificate. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by any association, company, or export trading company seeking certification under this Act and by the Secretary in issuing such certificates. Provides for appeal of the Secretary's denial of certification. Authorizes the Attorney General or the FTC to bring an action to invalidate a certification. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General and the FTC, to publish guidelines for determining whether an association or export trading company will meet the certification requirements. Requires certified associations and export trading companies to submit annual reports to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Commerce an office to promote export trade associations and trading companies. Provides for automatic certification of existing associations. Requires that all applications for certification be kept confidential with specified exceptions. Authorizes the Secretary to require an association or trading company to modify its operation to be consistent with international obligations of the United States. Directs the President to appoint, with the Senate's advice and consent, a task force seven years after enactment to examine the effect of this Act and to make recommendations. Directs the Attorney General to study whether: (1) U.S. business conduct to expand exports conflicts with basic antitrust principles; and (2) a more liberal enforcement policy for overseas activities would impede implementation of the antitrust laws. Requires the Attorney General to identify such conduct which would not warrant prosecution under the antitrust laws. Sets forth the procedures for describing such permissible conduct and disclosing such descriptions. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to intervene in such suits and to provide legal assistance to exporters. Prohibits prosecution under the antitrust laws of exporters who: (1) have notified the Attorney General of their intention to engage in such designated conduct; or (2) receive an approval, or no objection, from the Attorney General concerning proposed transactions. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Commerce to report to Congress concerning implementation of this section. Title V: Amendments to Other Laws that Hinder Exports - Amends the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 to change the name of such Act to the Business Practices and Records Act. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require issuers of securities to keep their books and maintain a system of internal accounting controls in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Makes issuers liable for knowingly falsifying any books or for the intentionally wrongful maintenance or circumvention of the system of internal accounting controls. Requires only good faith efforts by issuers holding 50 percent or less of the equity capital to use their influence to cause transactions and dispositions of assets to be carried out consistent with such provisions. Repeals the provisions specifying prohibited foreign corrupt practices by issuers. Amends the Business Practices and Records Act to include issuers within the provisions specifying prohibited foreign corrupt practices by domestic concerns. Permits items of value to be given to foreigners in specified circumstances, including courtesy items, demonstration expenses, and payments lawful under the laws of the country of the intended recipient. Directs the Attorney General to issue guidelines specifying permissible conduct and arrangements associated with common types of export sales arrangements and business contracts and precautionary procedures creating a rebuttable presumption of compliance. Provides for the establishment of a Business Practices and Records Act Review Procedure to answer specific inquiries concerning enforcement of such Act. Requires the Attorney General to issue opinions regarding compliance. Makes such opinions final and binding on all parties if the conduct does not involve a violation. Requires annual reports to Congress by: (1) the Attorney General concerning actions taken pursuant to such Act; and (2) the Securities and Exchange Commission concerning the reporting requirements. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should negotiate agreements establishing standards of conduct for international business practices, a resolution procedure, and rates of commissions. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the progress of such negotiations. Requires Congress to review the Business Practices and Records Act after receiving the President's report. Requires an export competitiveness impact statement from any issuing authority taking significant action which could affect adversely U.S. exports or the international competitive position of the United States and its exporters. Expresses the sense of Congress that export paperwork must be reduced to encourage export sales. Requires all agencies to minimize paperwork and reporting requirements. Title VI: Export Awareness and Export Promotion Programs - Export Trading Company Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promote export trading companies and facilitate contacts between producers of exportable goods and export trading companies. Authorizes any banking organization to invest up to specified amounts in export trading companies upon notifying, but without obtaining the prior approval of, the appropriate Federal banking agency, if such investment does not cause an export trading company to become a subsidiary of such organization. Allows greater investment by Edge Act Corporations not engaged in banking. Permits any banking organization to invest beyond such limitations with the prior approval of the appropriate Federal banking agency. Requires prior notification of such agencies in specified circumstances. Sets forth further limitations on export trading companies and investments by banking organizations. Specifies factors to be taken into consideration by the banking agencies. Permits such agencies to impose conditions in approving applications to invest in export trading companies. Requires such agencies to report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning implementation of this Act and any recommendations. Provides for judicial review of denial orders in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals. Sets forth the grounds for disapproval. Provides for remand for further consideration by the banking agency. Directs the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration to give special weight to export-related benefits when considering applications for loans and guarantees by export trading companies. Directs the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide loan guarantees to export trading companies or exporters to be secured by accounts receivable or inventories when adequate financing is not otherwise available and such guarantees will facilitate expansion of exports. Small Business Export Expansion Act of 1980 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to permit participating lending institutions to take actions on behalf of the Administrator with respect to deferred participation loans. Empowers the SBA, either directly or in cooperation with lending institutions, to extend credit for export purposes to enable small business concerns to develop foreign markets. Limits the extension of such credit to periods of 18 months or less. Sets a maximum of $750,000 which may be committed to any borrower from the business loan and investment revolving fund. Establishes within the Administration an Office of International Trade to promote sales opportunities for small business goods and services abroad. Requires such Office to: (1) provide small businesses with access to current and complete export information; (2) encourage greater small business participation in trade fairs, shows, missions, and other domestic and overseas export development activities of the Department of Commerce; and (3) assign full-time export development specialists to each Administration regional office. Directs the Administrator, after consultation with specified agencies, to establish an export promotion center in each of two regional offices of the Administration where field offices of the Department of Commerce and the Internal Revenue Service exist. Requires each such center to serve as a one-stop information center of Federal Government export assistance, financing programs available to small business, and other provisions of law governing exporting for small business. Requires: (1) a progress report on the implementation of such centers to the appropriate Congressional committees within six months of enactment of this Act; and (2) an evaluation, within two years after enactment, of the effectiveness of such centers in developing and expanding small business exports. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to qualified applicants to encourage the development and implementation of small business international marketing programs. Sets forth eligibility requirements for applicants. Prohibits the use of any Federal funds to directly underwrite any small business participation in foreign trade missions abroad. Requires each small business international marketing program to: (1) have a full-time staff director to manage program activities; (2) have access to export specialists to counsel and assist small business clients; and (3) establish an advisory board. Directs the Secretary to require, as a condition to any grant, that an additional amount equal to twice the amount of such grant be provided from sources other than the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary to develop a plan to evaluate such programs to: (1) determine the impact of such programs on the small businesses assisted; (2) determine the amount of export sales generated by such businesses; and (3) make recommendations concerning continuation and/or expansion of the program. Requires the establishment of at least one small business international program within each region of the Department of Commerce. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the International Trade Administration, to maintain a central clearinghouse for the collection, dissemination, and exchange of information between such programs. Directs the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with industrial corporations to develop foreign markets for their products. Requires the Secretary to direct specific market research for the products involved in foreign markets upon entering such agreements. Permits interested industrial corporations to submit a proposal incorporating specific marketing actions to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a marketing agreement after approving any such proposal. Requires repayment of the Federal share of the costs by the entity entering into such an agreement. International Education Programs Act - Amends the Higher Education Act to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to, and contracts with, institutions of higher education to pay the Federal share of the cost of programs designed to promote linkages between such institutions and the American business community engaged in international economic activities. Requires higher education institutions to apply for such grants and contracts. Limits the amount of Federal assistance. Provides for an advisory board to consider the grants made, or contracts entered into, and to review programs established under this section. Directs each Federal agency and U.S. representative to any international organization to: (1) identify programs affecting the export of U.S. firms' services; (2) make available information concerning such programs; (3) establish programs to publicize export-related programs for services; and (4) modify those programs with an adverse effect on the export of services. Makes the Secretary of Commerce responsible for coordinating such programs. Directs the Department of Treasury to report to Congress concerning the feasibility of extending DISC treatment to the export of services. Title VII: Agricultural Exports - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to establish the Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund to be available for: (1) the export of, or aid in the development of, foreign markets for agricultural commodities; and (2) loans for the acquisition of facilities in foreign countries to improve the countries' capacities to handle agri-commodities exported from the United States. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to report to Congress annually concerning the export credit sales program. Abolishes such fund effective October 1, 1983. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to require the ratio of credit extended by the Export-Import Bank for agricultural exports in comparison with the total amount extended be at least equivalent to the value of agricultural exports in comparison with total value of exports. Specifies exceptions to this requirement. Requests the President to take action to establish an International Wheat Exporting Commission which would establish an annual minimum world market price for wheat and prescribe export quotas. Requires the President to keep Congress informed about the establishment of such Commission and to report annually once such Commission is established. Title VIII: International Agreements - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the multilateral trade agreement be strongly implemented; and (2) the efforts must continue to secure a freer world trading environment. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a special export subsidy program for agricultural commodities to neutralize the effects of foreign export subsidy programs. Specifies the circumstances required before such program may be implemented. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should enter negotiations for international codes of: (1) official export financing; (2) business conduct; (3) reciprocity of antitrust enforcement; and (4) fair trade in services. Requires the President to report to Congress concerning the progress of such negotiations. Title IX: Government Support of Export Goals - Overseas Private Investment Corporation Act of 1980 - Establishes the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) as an independent agency. Sets forth the duties of OPIC. Provides for the capital of OPIC to be paid in through the appropriation process and through transfer from OPIC's earned income. Sets forth the structure of OPIC with a Board of Directors, a President of the Corporation, an Executive Vice President of the Corporation, other officers and staff, and consultants. Authorizes OPIC to issue insurance to eligible investors covering new or existing investments protecting against specified risks. Authorizes OPIC to make arrangements with foreign governments or multilateral organizations for sharing liabilities. Limits the insurance that may be issued to a single investor. Authorizes OPIC to issue guarantees of loans and other investments. Sets forth limitations on such guarantees. Authorizes OPIC to make direct loans to privately owned or mixed publicly and privately owned firms for projects sponsored by or significantly involving United States small business or cooperatives. Limits the circumstances under which OPIC may acquire stock in any other corporation. Authorizes OPIC to initiate and support the identification, assessment, and promotion of private investment opportunities, with specified exceptions. Authorizes OPIC to administer special projects to provide private technical, professional, or managerial assistance in the development of human resources, skills, technology, capital savings, and intermediate financial institutions and cooperatives. Authorizes OPIC to engage in other insurance, reinsurance, and risk sharing activities with other insurance companies, financial institutions, persons, or groups. Limits the amount of reinsurance of liabilities which OPIC may issue. Limits the amount of maximum contingent liability pursuant to insurance or guarantees issued under this Act which may be outstanding at any one time. Establishes the: (1) Direct Investment Fund as a revolving fund to be available for direct investments; and (2) Insurance Reserve and Guaranty Reserve to be available for discharging liabilities. Authorizes appropriations to the investment and guaranty fund in specified circumstances. Authorizes OPIC to issue obligations in specified circumstances in order to discharge liabilities. Requires that all revenues and income transferred to or earned by OPIC be available to carry out OPIC's purposes. Directs OPIC to determine that suitable arrangements exist for protecting OPIC's interests in connection with any insurance, guaranty, or reinsurance issued under this Act. Pledges the full faith and credit of the United States for the full payment and performance of previous obligations. Sets forth conditions with respect to insurance, guaranty, and reinsurance coverage under this Act concerning fees, time limits, fraud, and settlement of disputes. Sets forth administrative provisions and duties applicable to OPIC. Requires OPIC to undertake to broaden the participation of United States small business, cooperatives, and other small investors in the development of small private enterprise in less developed friendly countries or areas. Directs OPIC to report annually to Congress concerning its operations. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to define "eligible investor" in terms of this Act with respect to housing guarantees. Repeals provisions: (1) prohibiting the transfer of OPIC funds between accounts; (2) authorizing the President to deny assistance to any less developed country which fails to enter into an agreement to institute the investment guaranty program; and (3) establishing OPIC. Stipulates that nothing in this part shall be construed as terminating any of OPIC's statutory authority. Requires the President to submit to the appropriate congressional committees any necessary technical or conforming amendments. Declares that the potential for U.S. exports shall be a primary decisionmaking factor in considering which projects to include in U.S. foreign aid programs. Requires the Director of the International Development Cooperation Agency, (IDCA) to transfer the functions of the Office of Reimbursable Development from the Agency for International Development to an independent functional status within the IDCA. Declares that the Office of Management and Budget should assure that adequate budget allocations are made available to carry out the programs prescribed in this Act. Declares that the Department of Justice should do what it can to facilitate procedures for exporters. Declares that the Small Business Administration should: (1) be aware of the benefits of export to small business development; and (2) use every opportunity to provide information and assistance to potential exporters. Declares that the U.S. ability to export coal, nuclear power fuels, and other energy matters in a reliable manner should be a key consideration. Directs congressional committees to include in their reports the effect of the bill or resolution on the international competitiveness of the United States. Creates a National Export Council to: (1) serve as a national advisory body on matters relating to United States export trade: (2) act as a liaison among the communities represented by its membership; and (3) provide advice on Federal plans and actions that affect export promotion and development policies which have an impact on those communities represented by its membership. Requires the Council to make an annual report to the President and the Congress on its activities. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to appoint commercial ministers, counselors, and attaches with the rank and privileges of other ministers, counselors, and attaches in U.S. embassies and consulates, to: (1) provide trade and commercial services; (2) engage in the promotion of U.S. exports; (3) file semiannual reports to the Secretary on market, industrial, and commodity conditions in their districts and on the implementation of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements; and (4) maintain current data on the commercial standing and capacity of foreign firms within their districts. Provides for domestic assignment, office logistics, allowances and benefits of such ministers, counselors, and attaches. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress with any recommendations concerning: (1) the organization of international trading and financing programs in the United States; (2) the effectiveness of foreign export promotion programs; and (3) the trade activities of specified Federal agencies. Expresses the sense of Congress that the appropriate congressional committees should review periodically the trade organization of the U.S. Government.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Designates March 19, 1981, as "National Agriculture Day."
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Extends the congratulations of the House of Representatives to members of the 1980 handicapped Olympic team and recognizes specified organizations for their efforts in producing the second winter Olympics for the physically handicapped.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to authorize standing committees with more than 20 members to establish not more than six subcommittees. Sets forth a schedule for current standing committees with more than six subcommittees to reduce the number of subcommittees in the 97th and 98th Congresses. Limits Members to service on no more than five subcommittees at any one time, excluding ad hoc committees. Directs that service on select, permanent select, joint, or special committees shall be counted as service on one subcommittee. Provides that chairmen and ranking minority members of committees shall not count ex officio membership on subcommittees. Authorizes Members who currently serve on more than six subcommittees to serve on six subcommittees in the 97th Congress. States that subcommittees include any subunit of a committee established for a period of more than six months, and that members include Delegates and Resident Commissioners to the House of Representatives. Makes this resolution effective January 3, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1980
Equal Employment Opportunity for the Handicapped Act of 1980 - Amends title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include discrimination because of an individual's handicapping condition as an unlawful employment practice.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1980
Expresses the opposition of Congress to the imposition of any withholding tax on interest-bearing bank accounts and on dividend income.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1980
Permits a taxpayer who is required to change his method of accounting pursuant to Revenue Ruling 80-60 (inventory valuation) and Revenue Procedure 80-5 to effect such a change only for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Prohibits the importation of any article from a foreign country whenever export controls are in effect with respect to such country for reasons of national security or foreign policy under the Export Administration Act of 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Federal Lending Oversight and Control Act - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to provide a basis for controlling loans and loan guarantees under Federal credit programs through the congressional budget process. Title I: Amendments to Congressional Budget Act of 1974 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the first concurrent resolution on the budget for each fiscal year to set forth the appropriate level of total gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans and the appropriate level of total commitments to guarantee loans and to allocate such totals among the major functional categories of the budget. Directs each standing committee of the House and Senate to submit its estimates of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments provided for in legislation under its jurisdiction by March 15 of each year for consideration of the Budget Committee in formulating the budget resolution. Directs the House and Senate Banking Committees to submit recommendations to the Budget Committees for the aggregate levels of direct loans and loan guarantees in each fiscal year. Requires the joint explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on the concurrent resolution on the budget to include an estimated allocation of the total levels of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments among the committees of the House and Senate. Directs the Committees on Appropriations to provide such an allocation among their subcommittees as soon as practicable after a budget resolution has been agreed to. Requires the House Committee on Appropriations, before reporting any regular appropriations bills, to submit a summary report to the House comparing the credit authority contained in such bills to the levels agreed to in the budget resolution. Requires any report accompanying legislation conferring new budget authority or increasing tax expenditures to include information on direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments. Establishes a deadline for the completion of action on legislation providing credit authority. Requires the second concurrent resolution on the budget in any fiscal year and the reconciliation process to take into account Federal obligations and commitments on loans and loan guarantees. Declares out of order any measure brought up for consideration in either House which would increase the level of loan obligations and guarantee commitments agreed to in the budget process. Requires any authority to guarantee the payment of any indebtedness to be contingent on provisions in appropriation Acts. Title II: Amendments to the Budget and Accounting Act - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to direct the President to include items relating to Federal loan obligations and guarantee commitments in the annual budget message to the Congress. Title III: Amendment to House Rules - Amends Rule X of the House of Representatives to make the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs or other designated committee responsible for reviewing and studying all laws, programs, and Government activities dealing with Federal credit activities. Requires all other House committees to refer any bill or resolution providing for Federal credit activities to such Committee for consideration of such activities before placing the bill or resolution on the appropriate calendar. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective dates of the titles of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a national medal to each athlete selected to be a member of the 1980 United States Olympic Team to the Olympic Games. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be struck such medals in bronze with gold plating, and with such emblems as shall be determined by the Secretary in consultation with the United States Olympic Committee. Authorizes the Secretary to strike duplicates and replicas of such medal in bronze for sale to the general public.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1980
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to impose certain limitations on the value of honorariums which may be accepted by an employee of a Member or committee of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that bonds issued by a volunteer fire department to finance the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or improvement of firefighting property shall be treated as the obligation of a political subdivision of a State (interest on such bonds is tax-exempt). Provides that a volunteer fire department qualifies for preferential tax treatment of its bonds if it: (1) is organized and operated to provide firefighting services in an area which does not have any other firefighting services; (2) is required by a local government to furnish firefighting services; (3) receives over half of its funding from local government; and (4) makes no charge for its services.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1980
Prohibits any Federal court (excluding the Supreme Court) from issuing injunctive relief in any case arising out of Federal, State, or local law that prohibits, limits, or regulates abortion or the provision of public assistance for the performance of abortions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to transfer the authority to invest moneys in federally-guaranteed bonds from the (Treasury) surety bond fund to the (Treasury) qualified contract fund. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to delegate certain responsibilities respecting deferred participation loans to participating lending institutions, including eligibility determination, loan monitoring, collection, and liquidation. Includes "Asian Pacific Americans" within the definition of socially disadvantaged groups for purposes of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee the payment of all principal and interest as scheduled on any debenture issued by any qualified State or local development company. Prohibits such a guarantee to be made unless: (1) the debenture is issued to permit a small business to use the proceeds of the loan for plant acquisition, construction, expansion, or conversion purposes; (2) private loan sources are unavailable; (3) the interest rate on such debenture is not lower than Treasury rates; (4) the aggregate amount of such debenture does not exceed the amount of loans to be made from the proceeds of such debenture; (5) the amount of any loan does not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the project with respect to which such loan is made; and (6) each loan is approved by the SBA. Authorizes the SBA to impose an administrative charge for such guarantees. Defines the term "qualified State or local development company" to mean a development company which has a full-time professional staff, professional management ability, and an active board of directors or membership.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Amends the Small Business Act to specify that contract priority shall be given to small businesses. Revises the existing priority order for Federal contracts under set-aside programs to set forth the following order of priorities: (1) small businesses located in labor surplus areas, on the basis of a total set-aside; (2) small businesses, on the basis of a total set-aside; (3) small businesses located in labor surplus areas, on the basis of a partial set-aside; (4) small businesses, on the basis of a partial set-aside; and (5) businesses (regardless of size) that will perform a substantial part of their contract production in areas of concentrated unemployment or underemployment or in labor surplus areas. Repeals the existing provision terminating such priorities as of September 30, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Provides for up to ten staff personnel for the office of the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Directs specified congressional leaders to designate delegates to participate in an interparliamentary meeting with delegates from the Iranian Parliament to discuss matters of mutual concern, including the release of the hostages in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1980
Small Business Employee Ownership Act of 1980 - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to provide that a qualified employee trust shall be eligible for certain Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guarantees regardless of the percentage of stock of the business held by the trust, including loans for the purchase of small business majority stock interests. Amends the Small Business Act to define "qualified employee trust" as: (1) a trust which is part of an employee stock ownership plan as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (a) which is maintained by a small business; and (b) entitles plan participants to direct the manner in which voting rights under qualifying employer securities are to be exercised respecting a corporate matter which must be decided by a majority vote of outstanding common shares voted; and (2) in the case where the trustee enters into an agreement with the SBA which is binding on the trust and on the small business and which provides that; (a) the guaranteed loan shall be used solely for buying qualifying employer securities of such business; (b) such business shall provide loan repayment funds and put up its property for security for such loan if necessary; and (c) all such purchased qualifying employer securities shall be allocated to eligible plan participants' accounts. States that a trust may be treated as a qualified employee trust with respect to a small business if: (1) the trust is maintained by an employee organization representing at least 51 percent of such business' employees; and (2) such business maintains a plan (a) which is designed to invest primarily in qualifying employer securities, (b) which provides for plan participants to direct specified employer securities voting rights exercised with respect to certain corporate matters, (c) which provides for repurchase of specified employer securities by the business, and (d) which meets other requirements that may be prescribed by the SBA; and (3) in the case of certain loan guarantees, such business enters into a trustee-SBA agreement (as set forth in this Act). Authorizes the SBA to guarantee certain loans to employee trusts for approved (by the SBA) stock purchases which will result in at least 51 percent employee trust-ownership of such business. Sets forth the requirements of such SBA approved plan. Requires periodic reports to be made to Congress respecting such loan guarantees. Directs the SBA to contract with an independent consultant for a study of the feasibility of loan guarantees directly to the seller of a small business concern in connection with the installment sale of such business. States that such study shall include an analysis of: (1) the extent of installment sales in the sale of small businesses; (2) the ability of the SBA to make credit judgments in connection with such sales; (3) the need for SBA loan guarantees to facilitate such sales; (4) financial institution participation; and (5) the anticipated cost of such a program. Directs the SBA to report to the appropriate House and Senate committees regarding such study not later than April 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1980
Arts and Humanities Act of 1980 - Title I: Amendments to National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 - Amends the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to authorize the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts to establish and carry out a program of loans to groups or individuals for projects and productions of substantial artistic and cultural significance. Includes cultural diversity as a factor to be considered by the Chairman in making grants or loans under such Act. Limits the amount of funding the Chairman may allot to certain jurisdictions, other than States which have a population of less than 200,000. Permits the Chairman to enter into interagency agreements on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis to promote or assist with the arts-related activities of other Federal agencies. Permits the use of program funds for such purpose. Authorizes the Chairman to establish and carry out a program of contracts with, or grants-in-aid to, public agencies and private nonprofit organizations on a national, State, or local level to assist cultural organizations and institutions and provide additional support for cooperative efforts undertaken by State art agencies and local art groups to promote effective arts activity at the State and local level. Eliminates financial assistance to State agencies for photography and film projects. Eliminates the requirement of Senate advice and consent for the appointment of the members of the National Council on the Arts. Makes available to the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities specified percentages of excess funds from the grants-in-aid programs to be allotted among specified grant recipients. Limits the amount of funding such Chairman may allot to certain jurisdictions, other than States, which have a population of less than 200,000. Permits such Chairman to enter into interagency agreements on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis to promote or assist with the humanities-related activities of other Federal agencies. Permits the use of program funds for such purpose. Eliminates the requirement of Senate advice and consent for the appointment of the members of the National Council on the Humanities. Permits such Chairman to unilaterally approve or disapprove any application for $30,000 or less, subject to Council delegation and review. Directs the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities to undertake studies and make reports which address the state of the arts and humanities, particularly with respect to their economic needs and problems. Directs the Council to report to Congress on the state of employment opportunities for professional artists, including the effectiveness of existing Federal programs and the need for new programs. Directs the Council to report to Congress on the effectiveness and feasibility of expanding the indemnity program created by the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act. Directs the Chairmen of the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities to each conduct a study of and report to Congress on the use, sale, or other disposal of property to carry out the purposes of such Act, the effectiveness of such use, sale, or disposition as an incentive for increasing the levels of non-Federal support, and the extent to which such activities of each Chairman result in undue administrative and financial burdens upon grant recipients. Authorizes appropriations for the National Endowment for the Arts and for the Humanities for fiscal years 1981 through 1985. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of such authorizations based upon the value of donated property and the total amounts received by grantees from non-Federal sources. Establishes authorization ceilings for fiscal year 1981. Directs the Chairmen of the Endowments to issue guidelines to implement the authorizations. Title II: Museum Services - Amends the Museum Services Act to authorize the Director of the Institute of Museum Services to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with professional museum organizations to provide financial assistance to undertake projects designed to strengthen museum services. Limits such assistance for projects to a one-year period. Prohibits the use of such assistance for operational expenses. Limits the aggregate amount of financial assistance to such organizations. Requires the Director to establish procedures for reviewing and evaluating grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance for fiscal years 1981 through 1985. Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to repeal the authority of the Secretary of Education to eliminate or restructure the Institute of Museum Services. Title III: Amendments to Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act - Amends the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act to increase from $250,000,000 to $400,000,000 the aggregate amount covered under indemnity agreements. Increases the amounts deductible under such agreements if the estimated value of the covered items exceeds $2,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1980
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit total budget outlays for any fiscal year after fiscal year 1980 from exceeding the total budget outlays for the preceding fiscal year by a greater percentage than the percentage increase in the gross national product in the preceding calendar year. Reduces further the permissible total budget outlays by percentages based upon the inflation rate and Federal grants to State and local governments. Permits: (1) an increase in the permissible total budget outlays if both Houses of Congress agree by a three-fourths vote; and (2) emergency outlays to be authorized if the President has declared an emergency and both Houses agree by a two-thirds vote. Prohibits requiring State or local governments to perform additional functions without compensation for necessary costs incurred in connection with such functions. Requires such compensation to have been authorized and included as a part of the permissible total budget outlays. Requires concurrent resolutions on the budget to include the estimated amount of grants to State and local governments, in the aggregate and as a fraction of total budget outlays, and any changes. Sets forth restrictions on the consideration of concurrent resolutions on the budget which violate these provisions. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require the Budget to be prepared in compliance with this Act. Directs the President to take necessary action to assure continuing compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest earned on industrial development bonds, substantially all of the proceeds of which are used to provide financing for railroad rehabilitation. Includes in such rehabilitation: (1) the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or erection of any roadbed, track, trestle, depot, switching and signaling equipment, but not rolling stock; or (2) the acquisition of land or rights- of-way.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a certain portion of royalty owner oil production from the windfall profit tax. Limits the amount so exempted per quarter to ten barrels per day. Requires proportionate allocation of any production in excess of ten barrels per day between tier 1 oil, tier 2, and tier 3 oil, and within any tier on the basis of removal prices. Requires allocation of the ten barrel amount among royalty owners who are members of the same related group.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980
Disapproves the President's imposition of import fees on petroleum and petroleum products pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1980
Proclaims October 19, 1981, a national day of celebration as the two hundredth anniversary of the victory of General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1980
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to: (1) increase the amount of income an individual or couple may receive and still qualify for SSI benefits; and (2) provide for periodic cost-of-living increases.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1980
Alcohol Farm Fuel Use Tax Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow, in the case of a taxpayer engaged in the trade or business of farming, a credit against income tax in an amount equal to the annual expenditures (not to exceed $2,000) for conversion of qualified farm equipment to the fuel use of either: (1) pure alcohol; or (2) a mixture not less than 20 percent of which is alcohol. Requires that such equipment use an internal combustion engine for power and that it be used on a farm in the United States. States that the increase in the basis of such farm equipment which would otherwise result from such an expenditure shall be reduced by the amount of credit so allowed.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1980
Expresses the opposition of the House of Representatives to the action by the President imposing a fee on the importation of crude oil.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System should establish a discount rate for agricultural paper which is less than the rate for commercial and industrial paper.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1980
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to a named individual in full satisfaction of a claim against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1980
Small Business Motor Fuel Marketer Preservation Act of 1980 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make loans to small businesses acquiring gas stations from a refiner. Makes it unlawful for a refiner, other than an independent or small refiner, to operate a gas station in the United States. Requires a refiner, in disposing of any interest in such a station, to offer a right of first refusal to the dealer at such station. Sets forth the requirements for such an offer. Makes it unlawful for a refiner to: (1) exceed specified annual sales limitations in any State (requires the Federal Trade Commission to determine specified limitation formulas); and (2) sell motor fuel at any time at any point of transfer at different prices (except for price differentials which reflect manufacturing, sale, or delivery differences). Stipulates that a refiner shall: (1) be in violation of this Act if such refiner withholds available motor fuel from a purchaser and then resells such fuel at a lower price to refiner-operated stations; and (2) not be prevented from charging a uniform surcharge in connection with a sale of motor fuel as consideration for the purchaser's use of a refiner's trademark or other such identifying symbol. Makes it unlawful for any person to interfere in any way with the purchasing, selling, or storing of motor fuel by a dealer. Makes it unlawful for any dealer at a station displaying a trademark or identifying symbol of a particular refiner to sell motor fuel not refined by such refiner without providing notice to purchasers. Requires each refiner within three months of enactment to provide to the Federal Trade Commission information regarding the number of: (1) gallons of motor fuel sold, consigned, or distributed in each State during the preceding year; (2) gallons of motor fuel sold to its stations in each State during the preceding year; and (3) barrels of crude oil produced and refined during the preceding year. Requires persons owning 50 or more motor fuel stations in the United States to report specified information to the Commission. Sets forth fines for violation of this Act. Permits civil actions to be brought against violators of the requirements of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1980
Commodity Letter of Credit Act - Amends the National School Lunch Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to issue commodity letters of credit each fiscal year to each State participating in the food service programs under such Act or under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 for the purchase of domestic agricultural commodities and other foods for use in carrying out these programs. Directs the Secretary to specify the types of commodities and other foods to be purchased with such letters, with special emphasis to be given to high protein foods. Establishes the national average value of commodity letters of credit for fiscal year 1981. Sets forth the formula for the periodic adjustment of such average. Apportions such letters to each State based upon the number of school lunches served in such State. Directs each State to further apportion the value of the letters received to each school based upon the number of lunches served in such school. Directs the Secretary to forward to each State an advance program payment to be used by the State under the letters for the purchase of foods for the requirements of lunches and breakfasts. Substitutes such commodity letter program for the direct purchase and donation of commodities by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance for the reduction of transportation, storage, handling, and labor costs through the use of commodity letters of credit. Directs the Secretary to issue commodity letters of credit in lieu of direct purchase and donation for the purchase of agricultural commodities for use in institutions participating in the child care food program. Sets forth the formula for determining the value of such letters. Permits each State participating in such program to elect to receive cash payments in lieu of some or all of such letters. Directs the Secretary to make available to the Department of Defense the same payments and commodity letters of credit as are provided to the States for breakfasts and lunches for students attending dependents' schools outside the United States. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to substitute the commodity letters of credit for the direct purchase and donation of commodities by the Secretary. Permits the Secretary to use funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation for the purpose of issuing commodity letters for specified programs. Establishes criminal penalties for violations respecting the application, procurement, claim for reimbursement, or record keeping in the commodity letters program. Permit the issuance of commodity letters for summer camps for children. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to permit the use of cash payments in lieu of the commodity letters.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1980
Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to prohibit the President from taking action, pursuant to the President's authority to adjust the imports of articles which threaten national security, to impose import fees on petroleum and petroleum products imported into the United States without specific authorization from Congress, effective March 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1980
Amends the Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to require that environmental impact statements be prepared with respect to interstate pipelines before Federal rights-of-way or permits may be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that it does not intend to take any action to authorize wage and price controls.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Small Business Motor Fuel Marketer Preservation Act of 1980 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make loans to small businesses acquiring gas stations from a refiner. Makes it unlawful for a refiner, other than an independent or small refiner, to operate a gas station in the United States. Requires a refiner, in disposing of any interest in such a station, to offer a right of first refusal to the dealer at such station. Sets forth the requirements for such an offer. Makes it unlawful for a refiner to: (1) exceed specified annual sales limitations in any State (requires the Federal Trade Commission to determine specified limitation formulas); and (2) sell motor fuel at any time at any point of transfer at different prices (except for price differentials which reflect manufacturing, sale, or delivery differences). Stipulates that a refiner shall: (1) be in violation of this Act if such refiner withholds available motor fuel from a purchaser and then resells such fuel at a lower price to refiner-operated stations; and (2) not be prevented from charging a uniform surcharge in connection with a sale of motor fuel as consideration for the purchaser's use of a refiner's trademark or other such identifying symbol. Makes it unlawful for any person to interfere in any way with the purchasing, selling, or storing of motor fuel by a dealer. Makes it unlawful for any dealer at a station displaying a trademark or identifying symbol of a particular refiner to sell motor fuel not refined by such refiner without providing notice to purchasers. Requires each refiner within three months of enactment to provide to the Federal Trade Commission information regarding the number of: (1) gallons of motor fuel sold, consigned, or distributed in each State during the preceding year; (2) gallons of motor fuel sold to its stations in each State during the preceding year; and (3) barrels of crude oil produced and refined during the preceding year. Requires persons owning 50 or more motor fuel stations in the United States to report specified information to the Commission. Sets forth fines for violation of this Act. Permits civil actions to be brought against violators of the requirements of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Small Business Development Act of 1980 - Title I: Small Business Innovation - Amends the Small Business Act to require the head of each Federal agency which obligates over $100,000,000 for research and development in a fiscal year to: (1) expend at least one percent of the amount spent on research and development during the next year for a small business innovation program; (2) solicit research and development proposals from small businesses during the next year; and (3) promote the use of small businesses to conduct research and development. Requires the head of each Federal agency to increase the amount of funds obligated for the conduct of research and development by small businesses by one percent each year until the amount obligated to small businesses in a fiscal year equals at least ten percent of the total amount obligated by such agency for research and development. States that it is an objective of this Act to amend existing patent procedures in order to promote the marketing of inventions developed under federally supported research and development projects by nonprofit organizations and small business firms. Permits any such organization or firm to elect, within a reasonable amount of time, to retain title to such inventions. Permits Federal agencies which have supported such projects to retain title to inventions through their funding agreements in specified circumstances, including when necessary to conduct foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities. Requires review of agency determinations that such circumstances exist by the Comptroller General and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the implementation of this Act by Federal agencies. Enumerates provisions which must be included in funding agreements between a Federal agency and a small business firm or nonprofit organization, including provisions: (1) to insure the rights of the Federal Government under this Act; (2) to provide that the agency shall have a nonexclusive, nontransferable, irrevocable and paid-up license to use the invention; (3) to prohibit a nonprofit organization from assigning rights to the invention without the approval of the Federal agency; (4) to prohibit such an organization, other than small business firms, from granting exclusive rights from the earlier of five years from the first commercial use of the invention or eight years from the date of invention; and (5) to require such organizations to use their royalties and earnings to support scientific research or education. Provides that the first commercial use with respect to a product of the invention shall not end the exclusive period to different subsequent products covered by the invention. Requires the head of a Federal agency to approve provisions of a funding agreement which require the licensing to third parties of inventions owned by the contractor. Sets forth terms and conditions under which such approval may be granted. Authorizes a Federal agency to transfer or assign its rights, acquired from an agency employee as coinventor, to an inventor electing to acquire title to an invention. Empowers any Federal agency to require inventors or their assignees to grant licenses in order to: (1) achieve practical applications of the invention in its field of uses; (2) alleviate health or safety needs; (3) meet requirements for public use specified by Federal regulations; or (4) achieve participation by United States industry in the manufacturing of an invention. Entitles the government to 15 percent of all net income in excess of $70,000 gross income received by a contractor after a patent application is filed on a subject invention. Provides that if a contractor receives a gross income of $1,000,000, the government shall be entitled to a share of the excess of $1,000,000 that shall be negotiated but not to exceed five percent of such excess. Limits the government share of any excesses to its contributions under the funding agreement. Requires the Director of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to revise the government entitlements in light of changes to the Consumer Price Index or other indices at least every three years. Declares such government entitlements applicable to subject inventions upon which United States patents are granted and in effect. Restricts the assignment and licensing of rights by patent holders to foreign-owned or controlled firms unless such persons agree that any products embodying the subject invention or produced through the use of the subject invention will be manufactured substantially in the United States where commercially feasible. Authorizes Federal agencies to withhold information on inventions from public disclosure. Specifies the authority of Federal agencies with respect to obtaining patents, granting licenses, and transferring custody of patents. Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations specifying the terms upon which any federally-owned invention may be licensed. Sets forth the procedure whereby Federal agencies may grant exclusive or partially exclusive licenses in any invention covered by a federally-owned domestic patent or patent application. Prohibits licensing which lessens competition. Directs that business firms be given preference in exclusive or partially exclusive licensing. Enumerates provisions which must be contained in any grant of a license by a Federal agency. Declares that this Act shall take precedence over any other Act in the disposition of inventions. Title II: Depreciation Acceleration; Repeal of Used Property Limitation in Investment Tax Credit; Corporate Income Tax Rate Reductions - 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 a 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. Repeals the $100,000 limitation on the amount of used property which is eligible for an investment tax credit. Reduces the tax rates applicable to corporate income. 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. Title III: Tax Incentives for Small Business Capital Formation - Provides for the nonrecognition of gain on the sale or exchange of an equity interest in a small business which is reinvested in another small business within two years. Defines a "small business" as any business entity in which the aggregate equity interests do not exceed $25,000,000. Allows a tax credit for proceeds received from small business debentures which have a fixed maturity and grant no conversion or voting rights. Limits the amount of such credit to $5,000 ($10,000 in the case of a joint return). Disallows such credit if the issuing small business has $1,000,000 of such debentures outstanding or has a class of securities subject to regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Treats amounts paid on such debentures which represent a share of the issuer's earnings as long-term capital gain. Treats losses on such debentures as an ordinary loss. Requires distributions on such debentures, which represent either interest or a share of earnings, to be treated as interest. Title IV: Small Business Equal Access to Justice - Amends title II of the Small Business Act (Study of Small Business) to direct the Office of Advocacy within the Small Business Administration to assist the Attorney General, Federal agencies, and the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States to facilitate relief afforded to small businesses under such Act. Requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to submit biennial reports to the President and Congress on awards made to small businesses under such Act. Excludes from the definition of "party" for purposes of this title: (1) an individual whose net worth exceeds $1,000,000; and (2) any partnership, corporation, association, organization, or sole owner of an unincorporated business whose net worth exceeds $5,000,000, but includes an agricultural cooperative, as defined in the Agricultural Marketing Act, regardless of its net worth. Entitles a prevailing party (other than the United States) to be awarded fees and other expenses, including attorney fees, which were incurred by such party in: (1) an administrative adjudication (excluding ratemaking and license application hearings, but including such actions as suspension or modification of a license); or (2) in any civil action, other than a tort, brought by or against the United States, unless the agency conducting such adjudication, or the court having jurisdiction of such action, finds that the position of the agency or the United States was substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award unjust. Allows the agency or the court to reduce any such award to the extent that the prevailing party unduly and unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy. Stipulates that such awards in administrative adjudication shall be paid by the particular agency over which the party prevails, but prohibits authorization of appropriations to such agency for the specific purpose of such payments. Authorizes a party dissatisfied with such award in an administrative adjudication to petition for leave to appeal the decision in an appropriate Federal court. Authorizes a court to award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in any civil action brought by or against the United States or any agency, including the Post Office, or official of the United States acting in an official capacity, where the court may award such fees in such suits involving private parties (thus applying to Government litigation the common law and statutory exceptions to the "American rule" which requires parties to be responsible for their own attorney fees). Directs the Administrative Conference and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually on the amount of fees and expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year in such agency adjudications and civil actions. Makes this title applicable to any civil action pending on, or commencing after, the date of enactment, except for civil tax actions, which shall be subject to this title six months after enactment. Directs the Office of the Chairman of the Administrative Conference and Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide to the Small Business Office of Advocacy the information required to be collected in this title. Title V: Small Business Regulatory Flexibility - 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 businesses and small organizations. Permits Federal agencies to modify the definition of "small business", if appropriate, after notice and opportunity for hearing. Defines "small organizations" to include unincorporated businesses, sheltered workshops enterprises which are not dominant in their fields, and such other groups and enterprises as each Federal agency shall establish by rule, not in conflict with the definition of "small business." 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 proposed rule affecting a substantial number of small businesses 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 recordkeeping requirements necessitated by such rule. Requires each Federal agency to issue a rule containing an exemption or differing compliance standard 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, which substantially affects such enterprises, unless otherwise provided. Requires each agency to review its existing rules and prepare an analysis for purposes of eliminating or modifying those rules which are most burdensome to small businesses and organizations. Permits any agency to perform the analyses required by this title in conjunction with any other analysis required by law. Declares that such other analysis shall not in itself satisfy the requirements of this title. Title VI: Sunset Provisions - Requires the Congressional Budget Office in conjunction with the congressional committees having jurisdiction over each Government program, within one year after enactment of this Act, to set forth a timely review of all Government programs. Terminates any program which has not been reviewed within three years after enactment of this Act unless both Houses of Congress vote to continue such programs pending completion of a review. Requires that each review: (1) identify the need for the program; (2) identify conflicting or duplicative programs; (3) assess the program's effectiveness and cost; and (4) assess the impact of the program on the national economy.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Designates July 18, 1980, as "National P.O.W.-M.I.A. Recognition Day."
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1980
Designates May, 1980, as "Better Hearing and Speech Month."
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the first concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 1981 reported by the Committee on the Budget shall limit budget outlays to 21 percent of the gross national product.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1980
Denies veterans' benefits to any individual whose discharge from the Armed Forces is characterized as being for misconduct, unsuitability, marginal performance of duty, personal abuse of drugs other than alcohol, or for the good of the service and is under conditions indicating that such person has performed less than honest and faithful service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1980
Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit the direct or indirect restriction by any person engaged in commerce on the use of credit instruments in any transaction concerning the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel, where there is no similar restriction on transactions concerning conventional motor fuel. Prohibits any other conditions, restriction, agreement, or understanding which otherwise discriminates against or unreasonably limits the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1980
Appropriates additional funds for fiscal year 1981 for the National Institutes of Health to carry out lupus erythematosus research.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that illegal aliens should be excluded from the total population of States as determined in the decennial census for the purpose of apportioning Representatives in Congress among the States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Department of Energy should: (1) impose a moratorium on gasoline allocations to retail outlets not in existence or in the process of being established as of the date of enactment of this Act; (2) revise the gasoline allocation regulations to provide simplicity, flexibility, and understandability, and to prevent unnecessary market disruptions; and (3) submit to the Congress a plan for reducing the number of pending cases and expediting future cases before it.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1980
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to limit the sum of all severance taxes or fees, for any fiscal year, levied upon or collected from any taxpayer by a State or any political subdivision thereof on coal destined for shipment in interstate commerce for use in any powerplant or major fuel-burning installation or on any improvements or other rights, property, or assets produced, owned, or used in connection with the production of such coal. States that such tax shall not exceed a total of 12 1/2 percent of the value of such coal produced during a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1980
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to limit the sum of all severance taxes or fees, for any fiscal year, levied upon or collected from any taxpayer by a State or any political subdivision thereof on coal destined for shipment in interstate commerce for use in any powerplant or major fuel- burning installation or on any improvements or other rights, property, or assets produced, owned, or used in connection with the production of such coal. States that such tax shall not exceed a total of 12 1/2 percent of the value of such coal produced during a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1980
Swine Health Protection Act - Prohibits the feeding, or the permission to feed, of garbage to swine unless such garbage has been treated to kill disease organisms, in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, at a facility holding a valid permit issued by the Secretary (or the chief agricultural or animal health official of a State with an agreement with the Secretary). Exempts waste from ordinary household operations which is fed directly to swine on the same premises as the household from coverage as "garbage" under this Act. Requires persons operating a garbage-treatment facility who know such garbage is to be fed to swine to hold a valid permit issued under this Act. Provides for the issuance, suspension, and revocation of such permits. Requires that such facilities, to be issued such permits: (1) meet requirements prescribed by the Secretary to prevent the introduction or dissemination of any infectious or communicable disease of animals or poultry; and (2) be so constructed that swine are unable to enter the premises or have access to untreated garbage or material coming in contact with such garbage. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides for general enforcement of this Act by the Attorney General, upon the request of the Secretary, in U.S. district courts. Provides for cooperative agreements with State agencies for coordination of enforcement, administration, and regulation under this Act and under State law. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal or supercede any State law prohibiting the feeding of garbage to swine. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1980
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to specify, in the tabulation of total population by States as required for the apportionment of Representatives in Congress to be completed within nine months after the decennial census date, the number of aliens in each State, including a separate accounting of those aliens not lawfully present in the United States. Provides that such illegal aliens not be counted for purposes of such apportionment.