United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1980
Establishes, for five years, a Towing Safety Advisory Committee to advise, consult with and make recommendations to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating on matters relating to shallow-draft inland waterway navigation and towing safety. Sets forth the composition of such Committee to be appointed by the Secretary, including representatives from the towing industry, port authorities, maritime labor, shippers, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Provides for an exemption from the windfall profits tax for independent oil producers for an amount equal to 1,000 barrels of crude oil multiplied by the number of days in the taxable period.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1979
Provides an alternative eight-year (unless otherwise extended) term of service in the Reserve as one of the requirements for a Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) scholarship. Stipulates that such service may include periods of active duty, active duty for training, and other active or inactive service. Increases the maximum number of such scholarship recipients in the Army program from 6,500 to 12,000. Authorizes additional scholarships to be awarded to eligible students at a military junior college. Defines "military junior college" as a civilian postsecondary educational institution essentially military in nature that does not confer baccalaureate degrees and that meets other requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Army. Establishes eligibility criteria for such scholarship recipients, including: (1) United States citizenship; (2) enlistment in an Army Reserve unit; and (3) service as a commissioned officer in the Army Reserve or the National Guard for at least eight years. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to order a scholarship recipient who does not complete the course of instruction, or who refuses to accept a commission upon completion of instruction, to serve on active duty for up to four years. Authorizes the Secretary to delay the commencement of such Reserve service until completion of a graduate or undergraduate degree.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax exclusion from personal income earned abroad by an individual performing qualified charitable services for a tax-exempt employer created or organized in the United States. Limits such exclusion to an amount not to exceed a figure computed on a daily basis at an annual rate of $20,000. Sets a formula for the maximum amount of exclusion for an individual who performs such charitable services and also performs other services while residing in a camp located in a hardship area.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1979
Disapproves the deferral of budget authority for fiscal year 1980 for promoting and developing fishery products (Deferral Numbered D 80-7) as transmitted by the President to the Congress on October 5, 1979, pursuant to the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1979
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 · 26 September 1979
Fisheries Advanced Technology Transfer Act of 1979 - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study of the fish harvesting and processing techniques and technologies which are utilized in foreign nations and in the United States which can be used or adapted for use in harvesting or processing fish or fish products within the United States fisheries. Declares that such technologies and techniques may include, but are not limited to, those involving or related to fishing gear, processing equipment, vessels, harvesting methods, or processing methods. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report the results of such study to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, within six months after the date of enactment of this Act. Permits organizations in the fishing industry and regional fishery development foundations to submit applications for funds to conduct projects which will enable such persons, foundations, and organizations to utilize the advanced technologies and techniques in commercial harvesting and processing of fish. Directs the Secretary, when considering such project applications, to take into account the extent to which: (1) a project addresses both the harvesting and processing of fish; (2) a project addresses problems common to more than one fishery, State, or region; (3) the project promotes the United States' efficient utilization of fishery resources within the United States fishery conservation zone; (4) the project minimizes costs and avoids unnecessary duplication; and (5) applicants are able to defray the cost of conducting a project by providing matching funds or in-kind contributions of equipment, labor, or services, including, but not limited to, boats, gear, and locations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1979
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey specified Federal land in the Louisiana National Forest to the State of Louisiana on the following conditions: (1) such conveyed property shall be used for the training and support of the National Guard of Louisiana; (2) the United States shall retain all mineral rights of such property and the right to use such land in a national emergency or for national defense; (3) such land shall remain subject to all existing easements, servitudes, and rights-of-way; and (4) the State of Louisiana shall convey certain State-owned land in Camp Livingston, Louisiana, to the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to accept such land subject to all existing easements, servitudes, and rights of way. Requires such land conveyed to the United States to be designated as national forest land and administered by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1979
Illegal Alien Control Act of 1977 - Directs the Attorney General to establish a border patrol force of not less than 3,800 officers. Directs the Attorney General to report to the President and the Congress on the feasibility of: (1) establishing a system for issuing machine-readable identification cards to aliens entering the United States; and (2) utilizing the most current technology in electronic sensing devices in patrolling land borders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude from the definition of the term "immigrant" those persons entering the United States for a period of not more than one year to perform temporary services or labor if the Secretary of Labor has determined and certified to the Attorney General that there are not sufficient workers available at the aliens' destination who are willing and able to perform such services. Directs the Secretary to refer to employers who request such certification, workers in the number desired, able and qualified, and who agree to present themselves to commence employment on the date and for the period specified. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to issue social security cards for aliens who may be employed or receive public assistance in the United States. Specifies the information which an alien must provide when applying for a social security card. Requires the applicant to supply either proof of the individual's citizenship or alien status, or an affidavit that the individual was assigned a social security account number at least five years before the date of application for the card. Prohibits the employment or provision of public assistance to an individual specified in this Act unless such individual presents a social security card to the employer or agency and the employer or agency submits required information to the Secretary. Establishes a civil penalty for the violation of such prohibition. Prohibits the employment or provision of public assistance to an alien whose status under the Immigration and Nationality Act does not permit such alien to work or receive public assistance. Establishes penalties for presenting a false social security card or providing fraudulent information in order to obtain employment or public assistance. Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 to prohibit the use of Federal financial aid to provide job training or employment opportunities to aliens who are not authorized to work or who are illegally in the United States. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit income tax deductions for wages paid to aliens illegally working in the United States. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the Secretary of Labor, when adjudicating the petition of an alien for admission to perform skilled or unskilled labor, from considering the work experience gained by the alien in the United States during any time while in an immigration status in which employment was not authorized for the alien. Amends the Social Security Act to prohibit the payment of Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits and Medicaid benefits to illegal aliens. Adds border crossing cards, alien registration receipt cards, and other documents prescribed by regulation for entry into the United States to the list of documents the false making of which shall be punished by fine or imprisonment or both.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1979
Revises specified inspection and manning requirements for vessels below a specified size carrying passengers or freight for hire. Increases the civil penalty for violations of such manning requirements. Makes freight-carrying vessels below a specified size subject to the same inspection requirements as those applicable to smaller passenger-carrying vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from making payments from the Fishermen's Contingency Fund for damages to fishing gear caused by oil and gas exploration, development, or production when the party to whom such damage is attributable admits responsibility for such damage.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $100 ($200 for joint returns) of the interest income earned by individuals under the age of 65 and to exclude all interest income of individuals who have attained age 65.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to stipulate that it is not an unfair labor practice for a labor organization to refuse to provide representation for any employee in any grievance procedure if such employee is not a member of such labor organization, unless the employee is required by contract to pay dues and initiation fees. Allows a labor organization to agree to provide representation in any grievance procedure for an employee who is not a member of the organization and is not paying dues and initiation fees.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1979
Tax Relief Act of 1979 - Title I: Individual Income Tax Reductions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual and estate and trust income tax rates for 1979 and to make permanent reductions for succeeding years. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to individual income tax brackets and to the amount of the personal exemption. Provides that the amount of the personal exemption and the zero bracket amount applicable to a taxpayer shall determine whether such taxpayer is required to file an income tax return. Title II: Capital Cost Recovery - Revises 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. Title III: Reduction of Payroll Taxes and Long-Range Financial Strengthening of the Social Security System - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to repeal the special increases in the contribution and benefit base, for purposes of determining amount of tax liability, for 1979 through 1981. Limits contribution and benefit bases to a maximum $22,900 in 1979 and 1980. Makes reductions in the social security tax rate and sets forth the tax rate through year 2010. Provides for the partial funding of title XVIII (Medicare), part A (Hospital Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled) of the Social Security Act from general revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Establishes, under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, a limit of 60 days for the completion of consultations between applicants for a Federal permit or license required for drilling for oil or gas, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and any agency which administers the wildlife resources of the affected area.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to expand the time for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to comment upon permit applications received by a State for the discharge of dredged or fill material at specified sites. Establishes time periods within which the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, must act upon permits relating to drilling for oil or gas. Makes this Act retroactive for applications submitted, but not yet acted upon, before the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for amounts paid or incurred for television subtitle equipment for use by hearing-impaired individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1979
Establishes uniform national weight and length limitation on the Interstate Highway Systems until the Secretary of Energy has certified to Congress that there are adequate amounts of middle distillate fuel to meet national requirements for home heating, agricultural production, transportation, and industrial uses.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1979
Requires a ten percent reduction in the number of civilian employees of the executive branch from the number of such employees on September 30, 1977, to be attained through attrition by September 30, 1984. Limits the percentage of low level positions which may be involved in such reduction. States that the reduction of positions among agencies shall be proportionate to the size of each agency's work force. Requires a similar reduction in the work force of the legislative branch. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report annually to Congress on work force reductions in the executive branch. Requires the Director of the Federal Judicial Center to submit to Congress recommendations for similar reductions in the Judicial branch.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Coal Pipeline Act of 1979 - Title I: Rights-of-Way for Federal Lands - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant or renew rights-of-way over, under, upon, or through Federal lands for coal pipelines and related facilities, under terms and conditions set forth under this Act which are necessary: (1) to protect Federal property and economic interests; (2) to provide efficient management of such lands and protection of other lawful users of such lands; and (3) to carry out the purposes of this Act. Title II: Non-Federal Lands - Authorizes the Secretary to issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity to any person, upon application, proposing to construct a coal pipeline. Sets forth criteria for issuing such certificates, including requirements that specified findings be made by the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Energy, and the Interstate Commerce Commission. Prohibits the issuance of such certificates to users or suppliers of coal to be transported by such pipelines. Directs the Attorney General to conduct an antitrust review to determine the effects upon competition of such certificates. Authorizes any person who proposes to construct a coal pipeline to acquire any right-of-way necessary for construction, operation, or maintenance of such pipeline and related facilities by the exercise of the power of eminent domain in the appropriate United States district court, but only if such person is unable to acquire such right-of-way by negotiation and such person holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under this Act. Exempts specified lands from being taken by eminent domain. Title III: General and Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Attorney General, at the Secretary's request, to seek appropriate equitable remedies to enforce any provision under this Act or any regulation or order issued under this Act. Imposes civil and criminal penalties for any violation or failure to comply with the provisions of this Act. Authorizes any State issuing a State water permit or authorization to a pipeline for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity was issued or a right-of-way was granted under this Act to condition the water rights of such pipeline to effectuate a legitimate State public interest. Requires that right-of-way permits and certificates of public convenience and necessity issued under this Act contain terms and conditions necessary to protect the environment from adverse effects associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of such pipeline. Requires that all such pipelines be buried underground.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 to include in the definitions of the terms "United States" and "State" the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any other territory or possession over which the United States has jurisdiction. Directs the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to implement and administer a national recreational boating safety and facilities improvement program. Authorizes the Secretary to allocate funds to States for accepted State recreational boating safety and facilities improvement programs if sufficient State matching funds are available. Directs the Secretary to accept State programs that include: (1) an approved vessel numbering system; (2) a cooperative boating safety assistance program with the Coast Guard; (3) sufficient patrol to enforce applicable State laws; (4) boating safety education; (5) a State agency to implement or coordinate the program and report to the Secretary; and (6) facilities improvement. Sets forth formulas for the allocation of funds among the States. Establishes in the Treasury a National Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Fund from which the Secretary may allocate funds for accepted State programs. Authorizes appropriations for such State programs of $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1981 through 1984. Amends the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer certain amounts from the taxes received from special motor fuels and gasoline used in motorboats to the National Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to permit an individual to use the monthly (instead of annual) earnings test during the first year, after 1977, of the individual's entitlement to OASDI benefits. Disregards certain royalties and income received on a deferred basis, for purposes of determining OASDI eligibility based on income, where receiving income on a deferred basis for services performed in a previous year or years is a common practice in the business from which such income is derived.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Congratulates the men and women of the Apollo program upon the tenth anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon and requests the President to designate the period of July 16 through July 24, 1979, as "United States Space Observance" in honor of such event.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow homeowners a nonrefundable income tax credit for expenses paid or incurred to make alterations to their residences for the purpose of making such residences more accessible to, and usable by, a handicapped individual who is either the taxpayer, his spouse, or a dependent of the taxpayer. Limits the amount of such credit, for each such handicapped individual, to the lesser of $1,000 or an amount which, when added to previous year's credits, does not exceed $5,000. Reduces the amount of such credit by one-half of the amount by which the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer exceeds $20,000 ($35,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly). Defines "handicapped individual" as any individual who has a medically identifiable mental or physical impairment which can be expected to result in death or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months, and which substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual. Requires the handicapped individual to live in the principal residence for which the alterations are made for not less than a nine month period during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1979
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a standing Committee on Energy to investigate and report on: (1) coal production, distribution, and utilization; (2) energy policy; (3) energy regulation and conservation; (4) energy related aspects of deepwater ports; (5) energy development; (6) hydroelectric power; (7) uranium mining and production; (8) conservation, development, and use of naval petroleum and oil shale reserves; (9) oil and gas production and distribution; and (10) solar energy systems. Declares that the committee shall have the special oversight function of reviewing and studying on a continuing basis, all laws, programs and government activities relating to nuclear energy and nonmilitary nuclear energy and research and development, including the disposal of nuclear waste.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend for one additional year (until January 1, 1981) provisions which allow taxpayers to treat as deductible expenses expenditures to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the handicapped and elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1979
Amends the Clean Air Act to provide that the 1979 light-duty motor vehicle emission standards shall continue to apply to diesel light-duty motor vehicles manufactured after the model year 1979 in lieu of standards which would otherwise apply.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction of up to $1,500 for household expenses to any taxpayer who maintains a household in which a dependent aged 65 or over resides.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
State and Local Government Cost Estimate Act of 1979 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act to require the Congressional Budget Office, for every bill or resolution reported in the House or Senate, to prepare and submit (along with its regular estimate of the Federal cost involved) an estimate of the costs which would be incurred by State and local governments in carrying out or complying with such bill or resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Amends the Occupational; Safety and Health Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Labor to prepare an economic impact analysis in connection with the promulgation of occupational safety and health standards.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Permits any use, including aerial application, of the pesticide mirex on fire ants or imported fire ants during the calendar years 1979 and 1980, notwithstanding provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to the contrary. Subjects such use to Environmental Protection Agency restrictions in effect on October 1, 1977 (excepting only period of use restrictions). Prohibits the Agency from altering the terms of any such restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Soft Drink Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that exclusive territorial arrangements made as a part of a licensing agreement for the manufacture, distribution, or sale of a trademarked soft drink product are lawful under the antitrust laws provided such product is in substantial and effective competition with other products of the same general class. Prohibits recovery in private actions under the Clayton Act based on territorial provisions in a trademark licensing agreement prior to a final determination that such provisions are unlawful.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an additional $1,000 personal tax exemption for a taxpayer, his spouse, or a dependent who is disabled. Defines "disability" as an inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a physical or mental impairment which has lasted or will last continuously for at least 12 months. Disallows the additional exemption if the taxpayer or his spouse already receives an extra exemption due to blindness.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Authorizes the United States Navy Memorial Foundation to erect a monument on public grounds in the District of Columbia in honor of the men and women who have served in the United States Navy.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Independent Contractor Tax Status Clarification Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify standards for determining whether certain individuals qualify as independent contractors for purposes of social security taxation. Treats an individual as an independent contractor if such individual: (1) controls the total number of his work hours; (2) does not maintain a principal place of business, or if he does, such place of business is not provided, or provided rent-free, by the person for whom such individual performs services; (3) has substantial investment in his business and earns income based upon sales or output rather than upon number of hours worked; and (4) performs services pursuant to a written contract and is provided written notice of his responsibility with respect to income and self-employment taxes. Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for service performed by an individual who qualifies as an independent contractor under the standards established by this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Treen, David C. [R-LA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000362_200.jpg)