United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1980
International Communications Reorganization Act of 1980 - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President a Council on International Communications and Information (Council). Directs the Council to: (1) review any action or proposed action under specified Executive Orders; (2) coordinate the policies and activities of Federal agencies involving international communications and information; and (3) review all policy determinations and proposed policy statements by such agencies relating to international communications and information, except actions or determinations made pursuant to specified rulemaking or adjudicatory procedures. Sets forth the powers of the Council. Directs all Federal agencies to provide the Council with information it deems necessary to perform its functions. Prohibits any agency from acting with respect to international communications or information without prior review by the Council unless such action is made pursuant to specified rulemaking or adjudicatory procedures. Directs the Council to establish an Advisory Committee on International Communications (Committee). Establishes an interagency committee to advise the Council on problems encountered by Federal agencies in the performance of responsibilities related to international communications and information. Permits the disclosure of confidential information where the recipient has been sufficiently informed of the confidential nature of the information, submitted to the Council the Committee, or the interagency committee: (1) to designated U.S. officers and employees; (2) to an appropriate congressional committee; (3) to the Committee; or (4) pursuant to court order. Establishes, and sets forth the functions of, the following offices: (1) a Bureau of International Communications and Information within the Department of State; (2) a Special Ambassador for Telecommunications and Information Services within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; and (3) an Office of International Communications within the Federal Communications Commission. Directs the Council to report to specified congressional committees with respect to: (1) the Council's plans for fulfilling its responsibilities under this Act; and (2) legislative or administrative recommendations to further the establishment of a comprehensive international communications and information policy.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1980
Title I: Regulation of Federal Elections - Amends Federal law to change Presidential, Vice Presidential, and Congressional election days from Tuesday to Saturday and Sunday. Sets forth uniform hours that such polling places shall remain open. States that absentee ballots for Federal elections shall be available to eligible voters, even if the State or local deadline has passed, up to 72 hours before such elections begin. Makes it a crime in any Federal election to: (1) vote more than once; (2) register to vote in more than one location; or (3) register to vote more than once under two or more names. Title II: Board of Voter Registration - Establishes the Board of Voter Registration. Sets forth such Board's functions, including: (1) monitoring the States' conduct of Federal elections; (2) monitoring the availability of absentee ballots; (3) centralizing voter registration lists from all States; and (4) reporting violations of this Act to the Attorney General.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1980
Alaska Lands Amendments Act - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares it the purpose of this Act to amend the provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act so as: (1) to preserve the geological, scientific, wilderness, cultural, recreational, and wildlife values of remaining Federal lands in Alaska; and (2) to provide authorities and guidelines for the administration of the provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Title II - Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to increase the acreage of: (1) West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness; (2) Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness; (3) Russel Fjord Wilderness; (4) Renali Wilderness; (5) Gates of the Artic Wilderness; (6) Glacier Bay Wilderness; (7) Katmai Wilderness; (8) Artic Wildlife Refuge Wilderness; (9) Koyukak Wilderness; (10) Yukon Wilderness; (11) Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge; and (12) Artic National Wildlife Refuge. Decreases the acreage of: (1) Wrangell-Saint Elicis Wilderness; (2) Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park; and (3) Lake Clark National Preserve. Increases the acreage of Wrangell-Saint Elias National Preserve and Lake Clark National Preserve. Establishes: (1) Yukon Charley Wilderness; (2) Devilnaw Wilderness; (3) Copper River Wilderness; (4) Copper River National Wildlife Refuge; and (5) Tetlin Wilderness. Establishes the Teshekpuk National Wildlife Refuge and the Utukok National Wildlife Refuge with a program for the issuance of exploration permits and lease sales. Increases the acreage of Wild and Scenic River Corridors and designates portions of the Yukon (Ramparts section) as a scenic river area. Designates certain planning areas within the Tongass National Forest. Provides that no timber within designated planning areas be sold except pursuant to the Tongass land management plan. Provides that all National Forest System lands in specified planning areas be withdrawn from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, subject to valid existing rights. Requires the Secretary of Agriculutre to report to Congress findings as to whether specified planning areas should be: (A) designated a wilderness; (B) continued in planning status; or (C) made available for multiple uses. Exempts specified planning areas from the second roadless area review and evaluation. Provides that funds necessary to maintain the timber supply from the Tongass National Forest shall be drawn from the total sums collected as receipts from oil, gas, timber and coal which are deposited in the Treasury and credited as miscellaneous receipts. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to designate alternative lands of equal or greater timber value other than within Admiralty Island and Misty Fjords National Monuments in the satisfaction of the rights of the Natives of Sitka. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to permit limited development within Misty Fjords National Monument to the extent U.S. Borax and Chemical is presently entitled. Provides that Monument McKinley shall retain its name. Removes Stiese National Conservation Area from coverage of the Act. Places certain restrictions on state selections and conveyances. Sets forth procedures for the conveyance of public lands to certain Village Corporations and Regional Corporations. Permits local residents and others aggrieved by a failure of the State or Federal government to provide for the priority for subsistence uses to file a civil action in the Federal Court for the District of Alaska. Provides that nothing in the Act shall preclude the renewal or continuation of valid leases or permits for cabins, homesites or similar structures. Extends the length of time required for the Secretary to complete certain studies and reports to the Congress. Provides that the executive may not withdraw more than 5,000 acres without the approval of the Congress by joint resolution within one year of notice of such withdrawal. Requires the Secretary to establish an oil and gas leasing program on public lands not included in the Federal North Slope Oil and Gas leasing program or the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska unless prohibited by applicable law. Permits the Secretary to refuse to renew a permit for an existing cabin if the Secretary determines that such renewal would not be in the public interest. Prohibits any fees from being charged for entrance or admission to any unit of the National Park System located in Alaska. Makes additional technical, conforming and perfecting amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1980
Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to require the Secretary of Commerce to conduct and submit to Congress a study on the effects of radioactive waste disposal in ocean waters from 1946 to 1970 on: (1) benthic and other marine life; and (2) human health as a result of radioactive contamination of marine life in the food chain. Directs the Secretary, in carrying out such study, to locate and survey specified radioactive waste disposal sites in ocean waters.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1980
Establishes the United States Holocaust Memorial Council which shall: (1) provide and encourage appropriate ways for the Nation to observe the Days of Remembrance to commemorate the holocaust; (2) plan, erect, and oversee the operation of a memorial museum to the victims of the holocaust; and (3) develop a plan for carrying out the recommendations of the report submitted to the President on September 27, 1979, by the President's Commission on the Holocaust. Authorizes the Council to receive public land in the District of Columbia on which it may erect the memorial. Terminates the Council's authority to construct a memorial if the erection of the memorial has not commenced within five years of enactment of this Act and sufficient funds to ensure completion of the memorial have not been certified to be available. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 1980
American Wine Labeling Equity Act - Requires the wine ingredient labeling regulations promulgated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms pursuant to the Federal Alcohol Administration Act to be applied to foreign producers of wine imported into the United States as well as to American producers.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Secretary of State should revoke any visas issued to aliens who have been arrested for engaging in violent or illegal activity while participating in an anti-American demonstration in the United States; and (2) the Attorney General should order the prompt deportation of such aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1980
Gasohol Competition Act of 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 of equivalent usability where there is no similar restriction on transactions concerning conventional motor fuel. Allows such person to impose a credit fee for such sale or transfer, provided such fee does not exceed the actual costs of extending the credit. Prohibits any other condition, restriction, agreement, or understanding which otherwise discriminates against or unreasonably limits the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel of equivalent usability. Provides that nothing in this Act: (1) precludes such person from requiring labeling of pumps dispensing gasohol or synthetic fuel to indicate that such fuels are not manufactured, distributed, or sold by such person; (2) precludes such person from issuing disclaimers of product liability for damage resulting from the use of such fuels; (3) requires such person to provide advertising for such fuels; or (4) requires such person to furnish additional pumps or facilities for the sale of such fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1980
Petroleum Displacement Act of 1980 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to repeal certain prohibitions and limitations on the use of natural gas as a primary energy source in electric powerplants. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to prohibit the use of petroleum or natural gas or both as a primary energy source in electric powerplants where coal or alternate fuel capability exists. Makes certain technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980
Authorizes the President to present a gold-plated medal, on behalf of the Congress, to those athletes selected through the Olympic trial process to be members of the United States Summer Olympic Team of 1980. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be stricken 650 such medals with suitable emblems. Declares that such medals are national medals and that funds to carry out this Act shall be made available under the Amateur Sports Act of 1978.
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 · 28 May 1980
Prohibits a Federal agency from fixing the maximum age limit for original appointments to a position as a law enforcement officer whose duties primarily involve detention activities at less than 40 years of age. Increases from 55 to 60 years the age at which such an officer who is eligible for immediate retirement must be separated from the service.
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 · 20 May 1980
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the entitlement of a disabled widow or widower under the age of 60 shall not be less than 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the deceased spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to enable an insured individual's spouse, who has attained the age of 50 and is not entitled to any other monthly benefits, to obtain a transition benefit for four months upon the death of the insured individual. Establishes the amount of such transition benefits at 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the insured individual, or if it is higher, 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require that any surviving spouse, surviving divorced wife, or surviving divorced mother (as such term is defined in such Act) to whom an individual had been married for at least five years shall inherit all of the wages and self-employment income credited to such individual during their marriage.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to grant benefits to a divorced woman who had been married for only five years after the younger spouse reached age 50. Maintains, for other marriages, the current requirement that the marriage must have lasted ten years regardless of age.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the combined earnings of a married couple, which are attributable to the period of their marriage, shall be shared equally between them for purposes of determining the eligibility for and amount of OASDI benefits to which each spouse is or may become separately entitled. Credits the survivor of the marriage with 100 percent of the combined total wages for the period of the marriage. Declares that this Act shall not apply in specified cases where it would result in a reduction of OASDI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide a married couple, at the time either or both of them become entitled to benefits, the option of splitting equally their combined earnings, which are attributable to the period of their marriage, for purposes of determining the eligibility for and amount of OASDI benefits to which each spouse is or may become separately entitled. Provides that if a couple exercises such option and one spouse is not fully insured, that spouse shall become fully insured by reason of crediting wages and self-employment income to that spouse. Grants a couple, after a divorce, two years within which to exercise the option. Provides that, if a couple chooses not to exercise the option, their benefit will be based on 75 percent of the combined primary insurance amount.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the seven-day period beginning October 5, 1980, as "National Port Week." Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report annually to Congress on the conditions of U.S. public ports.
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 · 1 May 1980
Corrupt Horseracing Practices Act of 1980 - Prohibits the following conduct with respect to horseracing: (1) the entering of a horse in a race by its owner or trainer who knows or should know that the horse is drugged or numbed; (2) the drugging or numbing of a horse with reason to believe that it will compete in a race; and (3) the willful failure by the operator of a horseracing facility to disqualify or prohibit a horse from racing if such individual has been notified in accordance with this Act that such horse is drugged or numbed, was not available for testing, or has been suspended from racing. Sets forth the penalties for such acts, and provides increased penalties for second offenses, use of a dangerous weapon in committing such offenses, and the interference with duties or the falsification of records required by this Act. Provides for the disqualification of offenders from horseracing activities and the suspension of a drugged or numbed horse from racing, in accordance with specified procedures. Grants the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration certain investigatory and other powers with respect to such offenses. Requires operators of horseracing facilities to comply with recordkeeping requirements established by the Administrator and to furnish testing space and facilities. Directs the Administrator to: (1) exempt from this Act any State which has enacted a comparable program; and (2) submit biennial reports to Congress on matters covered by this Act. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1980 to carry out this Act. Permits the Administrator thereafter to assess fees upon operators of horseracing facilities to meet the costs of this Act. Amends the Federal criminal code to include the offenses of this Act in the existing prohibition against interstate and foreign commerce in aid of racketeering enterprises.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1980
Title I: Northeast Corridor - Northeast Corridor Redirection Act of 1980 - Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (the Act) to extend the time period within which: (1) regularly scheduled and dependable intercity rail passenger service is to be established between Boston and New York, and New York and Washington, D.C.; and (2) the Secretary of Transportation must submit to Congress an updated, comprehensive report on the financial and operating results of such service. Adds as a new goal of the Act, the elimination of congestion in rail traffic at the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel in Baltimore, Maryland. Increases the authorization of appropriations for the Boston-Washington, D.C. passenger service required by the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire necessary real estate interests to effectuate the goals of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with cost-sharing State, local, or regional transportation authorities, providing for the Secretary to carry out such improvements and requiring reimbursement by the cost-sharing parties. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation excess real or personal property from the Northeast Corridor improvement project. Requires that such property be subject to the mortgage entered into pursuant to the Act. Declares that it shall be a goal of the Corporation to manage its operating costs, pricing policies, and other factors so that annual revenues derived from the operation of intercity rail passenger service over the Northeast Corridor route between Washington, D. C., and Boston, Massachusetts, shall equal or exceed the annual operating costs of providing such service. Establishes a goal of self-sufficiency for such intercity passenger service within five years of the completion of such project. Requires the Corporation to submit to the President for transmission to the Congress a report on the success of the Corporation in attaining such goal. Title II: National Rail Passenger Corridor Projects - National Rail Passenger Corridors Act of 1980 - Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to declare that it is the purpose of this title to provide for the development of high-speed intercity rail passenger service in corridors throughout the United States. Directs the Secretary, under such Act, to establish improvement projects in 13 specified rail passenger corridors. Sets forth a deadline for meeting specified service goals for such projects. Directs the Corporation to develop design and engineering plans for each corridor improvement project. Directs the Corporation to consult with the States and rail carriers to be affected by the provision of such rail passenger service. Authorizes the Corporation to undertake specified improvements in tracks and facilities. Directs the Corporation to acquire specified new equipment. Requires the Corporation to submit: (1) by January 1, 1981, a report to Congress concerning preliminary cost estimates of such improvement; and (2) by July 1, 1981, a report to Congress setting forth final estimates in regard to such costs in each corridor. Directs the Corporation to enter into contracts and agreements with other rail carriers for the improvement of such tracks and facilities. Authorizes the Corporation to apply to the Secretary for an order directing such rail carrier to make the requested improvements. Permits the Secretary to order such improvements under certain conditions and including specified terms. Directs the Secretary to use certain criteria in establishing compensation for such required improvements. Directs the Corporation, under certain conditions, to undertake improvements in service between corridors in order to maximize ridership. Directs the Corporation to report to the Secretary any deterioration suffered by a track improved under this title. Directs the Secretary to investigate such track and, if necessary, order the rail carrier which owns such track to make the appropriate repairs by a specified date. Sets forth a civil penalty and an affirmative defense for a failure to comply with such order of the Secretary. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct annual audits, using the records of the Corporation, and to report on each audit to Congress. Directs the Corporation to identify restrictions imposed by a State or local government on the speed of Amtrak trains and to consult with such governments for purposes of evaluating alternatives to such restrictions. Directs the Corporation to include in its annual report to Congress certain information with respect to each corridor improvement project. Authorizes appropriations for the purposes of this title. Directs the Secretary, under specified conditions, to order a rail carrier to permit Amtrak trains over its lines for compensation agreed upon by the Corporation and such carrier or ordered by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1980
Amends the Federal, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem as misbranded and adulterated specified imported agricultural commodities grown with unacceptable pesticides. Requires that personnel of the Department of Health and Human Services (formerly, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare) examine samples of commodities to be imported. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish laboratories on the border between the United States and Mexico to determine if raw agricultural commodities imported from Mexico bear or contain such pesticides.
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 · 26 February 1980
Directs the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to procure a bust or statute of Frederick Douglas, to be placed in a suitable location in the Capitol.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation extending best wishes and expressing appreciation to Carl Vinson for his devotion to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1980
Northeast Corridor Completion Act of 1980 - Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to extend the time period within which (1) regularly scheduled and dependable intercity rail passenger service is to be established between Boston and New York and New York and Washington, D.C.; and (2) the National Railroad Passenger Corporation must submit to the President and to Congress an updated, comprehensive report on the financial and operating results of such service. Increases the amount authorized to be appropriated to effectuate the establishment of such service. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire any real property which the Secretary deems necessary to effectuate such service. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with cost-sharing parties to permit the Secretary to incur obligations to carry out improvements in anticipation of reimbursement from such parties. Permits the Secretary to transfer to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation excess real or personal property from the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project. Establishes a goal of self-sufficiency for such intercity passenger service within five years of the completion of such Project. Amends the Department of Transportation Act to authorize the Secretary to establish a working capital fund for financing the activities of the Transportation Systems Center, including research and analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Expresses appreciation to Canada for: (1) its historic close relations and cooperation with the United States in conducting foreign policy; (2) its support for U.S. efforts to obtain the safe release of the hostages in Iran; and (3) its efforts to protect and arrange the safe departure of certain U.S. citizens from Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1980
Establishes the Lake Tahoe National Scenic Area, in the States of California and Nevada, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the provisions of this Act and, in the case of national forest land within such scenic area, in accordance with the laws applicable to the national forests. Directs the Secretary to prepare a plan which shall contain such standards and describe such programs as the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the purpose of this Act. Requires the Secretary, before adopting any such plan, to: (1) publish a proposed plan which shall be available to the public; and (2) hold at least two public hearings within the scenic area regarding the proposed plan. Directs the Secretary to adopt, within two years after the date of enactment of this Act, a final "Lake Tahoe National Scenic Area Plan". Directs the Secretary, as soon as possible after the date of enactment of this Act, to promulgate regulations which distinguish between the types of activities which shall be deemed to have a potentially significant impact on the scenic area and those activities which do not. Requires any State or local governmental entity which has authority to issue any permit, variance, license, or other type of approval for any activity which is deemed to have a potentially significant impact on the scenic area to provide prompt notice to the Secretary of any determination made by such entity to: (1) approve an application; or (2) carry out such activity (in the case of activities conducted directly or indirectly by the State or local government). Prohibits any such permit, variance, license, or other type of approval from becoming effective unless, within a 60 day period after such entity has submitted notice to the Secretary, the Secretary has issued a written approval of the activity. Allows any permit, variance, license, or other type of approval for an activity which is deemed not to have a potentially significant impact on the scenic area to become effective 10 days after approval is made, unless, during such time, any interested party submits a written petition to the Secretary appealing the approval. Sets forth specified actions that the Secretary shall take to ensure that certain Federal funds and permits are not made available to any State or local governmental entity having jurisdiction within the scenic area if the Secretary determines that such governmental entity has failed to: (1) establish regulations or laws consistent with the standards specified in the plan within one year after any such standards have been adopted by the Secretary; (2) interpret such regulations or laws in a manner consistent with the plan; or (3) notify the Secretary of applications for building or sewer permits or zoning variances within the scenic area. Allows the Secretary to charge user fees for use of the scenic area. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a Lake Tahoe National Scenic Area fund which shall be available to the Secretary for the purpose of implementing this Act. Permits the Secretary to acquire by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, exchange, condemnation, or otherwise any property, or interest therein, within the scenic area. Limits acquisition by condemnation to specified conditions. Allows the Secretary to establish a Lake Tahoe National Scenic Area Advisory Commission to insure public participation in the preparation and implementation of the plan. Declares that nothing contained in this Act shall effect any right of the States of California or Nevada, or any political subdivisions thereof, to: (1) exercise civil or criminal jurisdiction within the scenic area; (2) levy taxes on any persons or property within the scenic area; or (3) adopt and enforce any standards or requirements for the protection of scenic resources or environmental quality within the scenic area. Provides for the mitigation of local revenue losses due to an increase in property taxes on properties remaining in private ownership within the scenic area. Provides for judicial review of any final action or order of the Secretary under this Act. Repeals the Act consenting to the Tahoe regional planning compact approved December 18, 1969, effective upon the date of the adoption of the plan by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 1979
Product Liability Risk Retention Act of 1979 - Title I: Risk Retention Groups - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate standards for the approval of risk retention groups. Defines such groups as corporations, or other limited liability associations taxable as corporations, whose principal activity consists of assuming and spreading all or any portion of the product liability or completed operations liability risk exposure of its group participants and which are organized, under the laws of a State, for the primary purpose of conducting such activity. Sets forth factors to be included in a group's application for approval. Enumerates Standards which the Secretary must consider in approving any such group, including the amount and liquidity of its assets, soundness of its reserves, adequacy of the expertise and experience of those responsible for its management, adequacy of its loss prevention programs and those of its group participants, and failure to disclose material facts of circumstances bearing on its qualifications. Sets forth limitations on the risk coverage afforded to any one person in the group. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such limitations upon determination that the group is likely to be financially sound and capable of shifting and distributing the risks of its group participants. Directs the Secretary to issue certificates of approval to applicant groups upon determination that such groups have sound plans of operation in accordance with standards promulgated by the Secretary. Requires any refusal of approval to specify the factual conclusions and legal authority upon which it is based. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct audits of the applicant and its group participants. Authorizes the Secretary to require a group to set a maximum amount of risk which it will accept. Requires such a group's participants to obtain insurance for losses in excess of such maximum limitations. Establishes requirements for the terms of such insurance coverage. Requires all or a portion of an individual's product liability or completed operations risk exposure be assumed by the group. Prohibits a group from assuming liability for any person other than its members or its members' affiliates. Permits a group to assume liability which arises from an agreement of hold harmless or indemnity between a member and its supplier, purchaser, or consignee. Prohibits a group from making non-pro-rata assessments or retroactive adjustments based on the loss experience of a member. Sets forth requirements concerning the return of a withdrawing member's capital contribution. Prohibits such groups from acquiring reinsurance from its members or affiliates. Directs the Secretary to requires each group to maintain reserves: (1) to meet incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses; and (2) for unearned premiums paid or to be paid to the group by its group participants. Requires that such reserves be invested prudently. Requires each group to submit information on plan changes and annual reports to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to ensure that other required reports do not constitute as undue burden upon groups. Declares that this Act shall preempt any State law relating to the formation operation, or provision of insurance-services to risk retention groups. Stipulates that this Act shall not effect the authority of a State to tax risk retention groups. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations relating to claims settlement practices of such groups and to consumer protection taking into consideration State laws on such matters. Applies Federal antitrust laws to such groups. Exempts the ownership interests of such groups from the securities laws. Limits the use of information obtained pursuant to this Act. Permits the Secretary to require data concerning the product liability claims experience of such groups. Authorizes the Secretary to audit each group and to require each group to engage an independent accountant to examine its books, records, and financial statements. Requires each group to pay an application fee and annual fees to cover supervisory expenses of the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to revoke the certificate of approval of a risk retention group. Enumerates circumstances in which such authority may be exercised. Requires that all hearings to revoke a group's certificate of approval be held in the District of Columbia. Empowers the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to hear appeals from orders of the Secretary issued pursuant to this Act. Title II: Group Purchase of Product Liability Insurance and Completed Operations Insurance - Exempts any group seeking to purchase liability insurance, its members, or any person who provides such insurance from any State law which restricts groups insurance or would prohibit or discriminate against the application of this Act. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares that this Act shall not be deemed to affect State tort law. Directs the Secretary to issue rules and regulations and to take all other actions necessary or appropriate to implement this Act. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate committees of Congress on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 1979
Telecommunication Act of 1979 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to declare that it is the purpose of such Act to: (1) assure that all the people of the Nation have available, at reasonable and affordable rates, domestic telecommunications services and facilities; and (2) assure that the people, economy, and general welfare of the Nation will benefit from continuing improvements in telecommunications technology. Declares that the Federal Communications Commission shall exercise regulatory authority to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Allows the Commission to take any action as may be necessary to assure that the costs of the competitive activities of carriers are not borne by the users of noncompetitive services or facilities of such carriers. Defines, for the purposes of this Act, the term "interexchange telecommunications service" as the provision of telecommunications service between local exchange areas, including the local distribution of interexchange telecommunications by means other than intraexchange telecommunications facilities. Defines the term "intraexchange telecommunications service" as the provision of telecommuncations service between points within a single local exchange area. Authorizes the Commission to: (1) carry out the provisions of this title with respect to any carrier which furnishes telecommunications services or makes available telecommunications facilities, or both, between local exchange area; (2) establish and administer rules and regulations applicable to the interconnection of the facilities of interexchange telecommunications services through interconnnection with the facilities of intraexchange carriers; (4) review, approve, disapprove, or modify request for the pooling of revenues by interexchange carriers and intraexchange carriers; and (5) administer the National Telecommunications Pool, upon the termination of the transitional joint board established by this Act. Requires the State communications commission of each State, not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, to establish boundaries for local exchange areas in such State. Declares that, subject to the authority of the Federal Communications Commission, the State shall exercise exclusive regulatory authority with respect to any telecommunications service to the extent such service originates and terminates in any such local exchange area. Declares that no interexchange carrier, other than any carrier classified as a dominant carrier by the Commission, shall be subject to any regulatory authority of the Commission, except that the Commission shall: (1) have authority to require the payment of an intraexchange access fee by any interexchange carrier for interconnection with the facilities of any intraexchange carrier; (2) have authority to establish standards to promote the national defense and security and the emergency preparedness of the Nation; and (3) require, and provide for the regulation of basic telecommunications service so that such service is available at reasonable and affordable rates. Requires the Commission, in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Act, to classify interexchange carriers according to whether each such carrier is a dominant carrier. Declares that a dominant carrier shall not be subject to any regulatory authority of the Commission in connection with the offering of any telecommunications service (other than basic telecommunications service) in a particular market or submarket if such dominant carrier: (1) establishes a fully separated subsidiary, in accordance with the Act, to offer such service in such market or submarket; and (2) utilizes a cost accounting system designated to ensure that the costs of such fully separated subsidiary are not subsidized by revenues of such dominant carrier from telecommunications services or facilities which are subject to the regulatory authority of the Commission or the State communications commmission. Sets forth the requirements applicable to the furnishing of telecommunications services or facilities by dominant carriers and by intraexchange carriers. Declares that any dominant carrier which is subject to any consent judgement or decree entered into before the date of enactment of this Act, and any company or other business organization affiliated with such carrier, may provide any service, facility, or product which is not subject to the regulatory authority of the Commission or to the regulatory authority of any State Commission and which is: (1) a telecommunications service, facility, or product; or (2) a service, facility, or product which is incidental to telecommunications. Grants the Commission, in disputed cases, the authority to determine whether any service, facility, or product is incidental to telecommunications. Establishes a transitional joint board for the purpose of: (1) providing for an orderly transition to the system of intraexchange access fees established by this Act; (2) ensuring equitable economic treatment of subscribers to basic telecommunications service, and of competing interexchange carriers; and (3) ensuring equitable treatment of terminal equipment and related facilities in use on the date of enactment of this Act, and ensuring the continued availability of such equipment and related facilities to customers. Declares that the authority of the transitional joint board with respect to the functions established by this Act shall supersede the authority of any joint board in existence on the date of enactment of this Act. Declares that the transitional joint board shall have the authority to perform such acts, to establish such rules and regulations, and to issue such orders as are consistent with the provisions of this Act and as may be necessary to carry out its functions. Requires such board to submit annual reports to each House of Congress with respect to its activities. Terminates the transitional joint board at the end of the 45-month period following the date of enactment of this Act. Transfers the functions and duties of such board, upon its terminaton, to the Commission. Establishes a system of intraexchange access fees for the use of intraexchange telecommunications services by interexchange carriers and other customers in order to achieve specified functions. Requires each intraexchange carrier, with specified exceptions, to submit to the Commission a schedule of fees for the use of its telecommunications services or facilities by all interexchange carriers and other customers which use the facilities of such intraexchange carrier through interconnection with such facilities. Directs the Commission to approve, disapprove, or modify any such schedule of fees to ensure that such fees are consistent with the provisions of this Act. Establishes a Natonal Telecommunications Pool which shall be administered by the transitional joint board, until the termination of such board, at which time the Pool shall be administered by the Commission. Requires intraexchange access fees, in such amounts as may be allocated by the transitional joint board, to be deposited into the National Telecommunications Pool to be disbursed by such board in order to ensure the alleviation of the effects of any substantial or undue increases in charges for intraexchange or interexchange telecommunications services or facilities. Requires each dominant carrier or other interexchange carrier to maintain a system of accounting methods, procedures, and techniques which shall be established by the Commission to ensure a proper allocation of costs to, and among, various telecommunications services, facilities, and products which are offered by such carrier or any affiliate of such carrier and are subject to the regulatory authority of the Commission. Requires the Commission to submit an interim report to each House of Congress, not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, including a summary of action taken by the Commission to establish such accounting system. Requires the Commission to submit a final report to Congress as soon as practicable after the establishment of such accounting system. Allows any carrier, with specified stipulations, to engage in any meeting with any other carrier for purposes of planning or agreeing to: (1) the design, plan, construction, and maintenance of any network of telecommunications services or facilities; (2) the development of technical standards applicable to such services and facilities; and (3) any tariff for the provision of joint and through services. Requires a transcript of such meeting to be filed immediately with the Commission and to be available at the offices of the Commission for public inspection not later than 30 days after the meeting involved is conducted. Authorizes the President to require any carrier subject to the provisions of this Act to furnish telecommunications services or facilities to any Federal agency if the President determines that: (1) the provision of such services or facilities is necessary to promote the national defense and security or the emergency preparedness of the Nation; and (2) all other means of obtaining such services and facilities have been exhausted. Declares that the provisions of the Act relating to payment for such services shall apply if such a determination is made by the President. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect in any manner the applicability of the Federal antitrust laws, or to express in any manner the sense of the Congress with respect to any litigation which is pending on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1979
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to specify that any use of a broadcasting station by legally qualified candidates for the office of President or Vice President without the payment of any charge shall not be subject to the requirements of such Act relating to equal broadcasting opportunities for political candidates. Declares that the licensee involved in such broadcast shall not have any editorial control over the material unless such appearance is part of a bona fide newscast, news interview, news documentary, or on-the-spot coverage of news events.
![Official portrait of Rep. Van Deerlin, Lionel [D-CA-42]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/v000024_200.jpg)