United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1980
Condemns the internal exile of Andrei Sakharov and urges his restoration to his former situation. Declares it U.S. policy to halt official travel to the United States by Soviet scientists and scholars for one year. Recommends that all governmental agencies, private agencies, scientists, and engineers be requested to defer all official and nonessential travel to the Soviet Union for one year. Calls upon foreign governments, professional societies, scientists, and engineers to join in similar actions. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the appropriate policies to further this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1980
Fusion Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish research, development, and demonstration programs involving magnetic fusion energy systems to: (1) construct and operate a fusion engineering test facility by 1986; (2) construct and operate a magnetic fusion demonstration facility before the end of this century; (3) maintain and expand the base programs for fusion energy research and the development and testing of appropriate alternative confinement technologies; (4) maintain a strong research and development program in advanced fusion fuels; and (5) ensure an uninterrupted source of scientific and engineering talent from institutions of higher learning to support such effort. Requires such programs to include a study of the potential of using fusion energy for the production of synthetic fuels and the electrification of ground transportation systems. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information promoting the practical uses of fusion energy.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should immediately initiate an accelerated production and deployment of cruise missile carrying B-1 bombers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1980
Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to set the loan level at 90 percent of the parity price for any specified agricultural commodities in which export sales have been suspended (presently such loan levels are set only when export sales are suspended due to short supplies). Stipulates that the loan level shall be at least the average market price for the five marketing days preceding the suspension of exports of such commodities for national security or foreign policy reasons.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation honoring the memory of Walt Disney on the 25th anniversary of his contribution to the American dream.
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 · 18 December 1979
Used Machinery Investment Credit Adjustment Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $100,000 to $200,000 the cost of used property which is eligible for the investment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1979
Authorizes the President to impose higher or additional duties on the products of any country which is not cooperating with the United States in its diplomatic or economic initiatives to terminate the unlawful actions of other foreign governments regarding U.S. citizens assigned to a U.S. diplomatic mission.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1979
National Forest Multiple-Use Management Act of 1980 - Specifies that lands within the National Forest System considered for wilderness designation under the Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE) conducted by the Department of Agriculture, but not recommended for designation as wilderness or identified for further planning during the 96th Congress shall continue to be managed for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. Directs that lands within the National Forest System which have been recommended for designation as wilderness during the 96th Congress, but have not been included in the National Wilderness Preservation System prior to January 1, 1984, shall be managed beginning on such date for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. Directs that lands within the National Forest System which have been identified for further planning during the 96th Congress, but which have not been included in the National Wilderness Preservation System prior to January 1, 1985, shall be managed beginning on such date for uses other than wilderness. Stipulates that if: (1) an executive communication has been received by Congress recommending the designation of any such lands as wilderness prior to January 1, 1985, and such lands have not been included in the National Wilderness Preservation System prior to January 1, 1987, they shall be managed beginning January 1, 1987, for uses other than wilderness; and (2) at any time a determination is made by the Secretary of Agriculture under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 that any such lands shall not be recommended for designation as wilderness, they shall be managed beginning on the date of such determination for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. Directs that lands within the National Forest System recommended for designation as primitive area during the 96th Congress, for termination and management for use other than wilderness, shall be managed after the date of enactment of this Act for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. Directs that lands within the National Forest System that have been recommended for designation as primitive area during the 96th, for termination and designation as wilderness, but which have not been included in the National Wilderness Preservation System prior to January 1, 1984, shall be managed beginning on such date for uses other than wilderness in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 1979
Irrigation Water Conservation Tax Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for equipment which conserves irrigation water an additional ten percent investment tax credit and an election to depreciate such equipment based on a useful life of three years.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1979
Sunset Review Act of 1979 - Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to jointly develop and maintain an inventory of all Federal programs and tax expenditures. Requires such inventory to classify all such programs and expenditures according to the jurisdiction of the various legislative committees of the two Houses. Requires the General Accounting Office, before the beginning of the 97th Congress, after consultation with the appropriate legislative committees, to submit a draft inventory to the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. Requires such Committees to notify each legislative committee of the programs and tax expenditures which are classified within its jurisdiction. Allows any legislative committee to propose revisions of such inventory within 30 days after notification. Requires, after a determination that all programs and tax expenditures are accurately classified, that such inventory be published in a single document. Requires that an update be made of such inventory at the beginning of every Congress. Directs the General Accounting Office to maintain and publish a supplement to the inventory. Requires each legislative committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate, on or before March 1 in the first session of each Congress beginning with the 98th Congress, to develop, adopt, and submit to the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committees on Rules and Administration an agenda for the sunset review of selected Federal programs within its jurisdiction or in the case of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance, of selected tax expenditures. Requires the committees of each House to develop their sunset review agenda in consultation with any other committee which has concurrent jurisdiction over any programs or tax expenditures involved. Prohibits either the House or the Senate from considering a primary expense resolution for any legislative committee in any Congress until that committee has developed and submitted its sunset review agenda. Requires the House Committee on Rules and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to incorporate such agendas into a consolidated sunset review agenda and to report such consolidated agenda to its House in the form of a concurrent resolution, within seven legislative days after all committee sunset review agendas have been submitted. Requires the consolidated sunset review agenda to be adopted in the House and in the Senate no later than March 30 in the first session of each Congress. Sets forth the procedures for adoption. Requires each committee of the House or the Senate, not later than May 15 in the second session of each Congress, to report a bill or bills modifying, continuing, or terminating each program or tax expenditure which it has been directed to review under the consolidated sunset review agenda adopted during the first session. Requires such bill to be accompanied by a report setting forth the committee's findings, recommendations, and justifications. Requires each department, agency, and instrumentality in the executive branch of the Government which is responsible for the administration of a Federal program or tax expenditure selected for sunset review to give assistance to the appropriate Congressional committees. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall affect the authority of any legislative committee to review programs or tax expenditures within its jurisdiction and to report legislation modifying, continuing, or terminating such programs or expenditures at such times and in such manner as it deems appropriate. Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to include the consolidated sunset review agendas and the congressional inventory of Federal programs as part of the House Committee on Rules' functions.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1979
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Research and Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to prepare a comprehensive plan and program of research, development, and demonstration of ocean thermal energy conversion systems. Directs the Secretary to prepare a comprehensive technology application plan designed to realize the goal of producing 10,000 megawatts of electrical capacity or energy product equivalent from ocean thermal energy conversion systems by the year 1999. Sets forth criteria for the selection of programs and the establishment of priorities concerning ocean thermal energy conversion systems. Establishes an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Advisory Committee to study and advise the Secretary on the implementation and conduct of the programs established under this Act and on other matters concerning ocean thermal energy conversion. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress an annual report on the activities undertaken pursuant to this Act. Authorizes appropriations for plant and capital equipment for specified ocean thermal energy conversion demonstration plants.
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 · 26 October 1979
Uniform Federal Research and Development Utilization Act of 1979 - Title I: Policy - Declares that the public interest would be better served if greater efforts were made to obtain patent protection for and to promote the commercial use of new technology resulting from federally-sponsored research. Declares it the purpose of this Act to establish a uniform Federal system for the management and use of the results of federally-sponsored scientific and technological research and development. Title II: Functions of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology - Requires the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology to make recommendations to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy with regard to the uniform planning and administration of Federal programs pertaining to inventions, patents, trademarks, copyrights, and rights in technical data, such recommendations to be transmitted by the Director to Federal agencies. Title III: Allocation of Property Rights in Inventions Resulting from Federally Sponsored Research and Development - Establishes criteria for the issuance of regulations by the Administrator of General Services and the Secretary of Defense for the allocation of property rights in subject inventions. Requires all contractors to report to the sponsoring Federal agency each patentable subject invention as well as the contractor's intent to file a patent application and commercialize such invention. Declares that each Federal agency shall acquire on behalf of the Federal government, at the time of contracting, title to any invention made under the contract of a Federal agency if the agency determines: (1) the services of the contractor are for the operation of a Government-owned research or production facility; (2) acquisition of title is necessary because of the national security nature of the work being performed; (3) because of the exceptional circumstances, acquisition of title by the Government is necessary to assure the adequate protection of the public health, safety, or welfare; (4) the principal purpose of the contract is to develop or improve products, processes, or methods which will be required for use by Government regulations; and (5) in any exceptional contracting situation, that the ownership of title to inventions developed under such a contract is necessary to the accomplishment of the agency's mission. Specifies, in other situations, the minimum rights, with respect to any invention, which each Federal agency shall acquire at the time of contracting. Stipulates that the contractor shall retain a defeasible title only to those subject inventions on which the contractor files a United States patent application and declares its intent to achieve practical application of the subject invention. Authorizes each sponsoring Federal agency to extend the period of the contractor's exclusive commercial rights established under this Act. Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration and the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations which will provide payment to the government for Federal funding of research and development activities through the sharing of royalties and/or revenues with the contractor. Requires that all inventions made by Federal employees while under the administrative jurisdiction of a Federal agency be reported to the authority of such agency. Establishes criteria for the allocation of rights to inventions between the Federal Government and the Federal employee-inventor. Stipulates that the Federal Government shall obtain the entire right, title, and interest in and to all inventions by any Federal employee which bear a relation to the duties of such employee-inventor, or which are made in consequence of employment. Authorizes an incentive awards program to reward and stimulate Federal employee-inventors. Authorizes Federal agencies to share income from patent licenses with the Federal employee-inventor. Title IV: Domestic and Foreign Protection and Licensing of Federally Owned Inventions - Specifies the authority of Federal agencies with respect to obtaining patents, promoting licensing of inventions, granting licenses, conducting market surveys, transferring custody of patents, and receiving funds. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate a program for assisting Federal agencies in protecting and licensing federally-owned inventions. 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. Title V: Miscellaneous - Amends specified Acts to conform to the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1979
Prohibits the United States Park Service, for any calendar year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, from reducing the number of user days of commercial motorized watercraft travel permitted on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon National Park to less than the number of such days permitted during calendar year 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1979
Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from following any practice which would result in the denial of an application for the formation of a one-bank holding company solely because such a transaction involves a bank stock loan of 25 years or less.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1979
Amends the National Trails Systems Act to authorize a study to be conducted by the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, the appropriate States, and the Cherokee people, to determine the feasibility of designating the Trail of Tears as a National Historic Trail. Includes the Trail of Tears as a route to be studied for designation as a national scenic trail.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1979
Rural Cooperative Business Income Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that income received by a mutual or cooperative telephone or electric company for services to customers or rural telephone or electric companies, and income received from the rental or sale of communications or power facilities, shall not be subject to the tax on unrelated business income.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1979
Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to extend to the 1980 and 1981 crops of rice, cotton, feed grains, and wheat the low yield and prevented planting disaster payment programs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the standard mileage rate used in computing the charitable deduction for expenses incurred in the operation of a motor vehicle shall be the same as the standard mileage rate established by the Secretary of the Treasury for the business related deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress to review each rule and regulation issued to carry out any law before it may become effective. Permits Congress to approve, modify, or disapprove such rule or regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1979
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit the adoption of any concurrent resolution on the budget which sets forth a level of total budget outlays in excess of 21 percent of the gross national product in fiscal year 1981, or 20 percent of the gross national product for each fiscal year thereafter. Establishes procedures to enable the President and the Congress to suspend such limitations on the level of budget outlays.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that interest earned on a nonnegotiable time deposit certificate which has a maturity of one year or less will not be treated as received or accrued until the earlier of its maturity date or the date on which it is redeemed. Excludes such certificates from classification as a discount instrument of indebtedness.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Limits the increase of total budget outlays of the United States Government during any fiscal year to a percentage equal to the percentage increase in the gross national product during the previous calendar year. Stipulates that if the inflation rate exceeds three percent annually the increase in total outlays shall be reduced by one-fourth the difference between the inflation rate and three percent. Requires any surplus in total revenues received by the Government to be used to reduce the public debt. Allows the limit on total outlays to be changed by a three-quarters vote of both Houses of Congress, or to meet an emergency declared by the President. Continues Federal aid programs to States and local governments for a period of six years. Prohibits Congress authorizing any United States agency from requiring that a State or local government engage in additional or expanded activities without compensation equal to the additional costs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1979
Federal Firearms Law Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to Gun Control Act - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition and persons engaged in the business of repairing firearms. Adds a new definition, "engaged in the business", with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Includes as a manufacturer of ammunition a person whose gross sales of his own ammunition exceed $1,000 in any calendar year. Includes as a dealer in firearms a person who deals in firearms as a regular course of business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms. Replaces the current term "crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year" with a new definition of "disabling crime." Eliminates certain activities regarding ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Revises current provisions respecting the interstate sale or transfer of firearms. Revises the current prohibition against selling a firearm or ammunition to certain persons (such as persons under indictment for a felony or addicted to drugs) to apply such prohibition only to persons convicted of a disabling crime. Revises the current prohibition against certain persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to: (1) extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition; (2) conform such prohibition to the new "disabling crime" provision; and (3) include as additional categories illegal aliens, persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces, and persons who have renounced their United States citizenship. Makes the same changes to the current prohibition against certain persons who receive a firearm or ammunition which has been transported in interstate commerce, but applies such prohibition to persons who are employed by specified individuals. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Stipulates that the Secretary of the Treasury may revoke a license only where the holder of such license has "knowingly" violated a provision of the Act or regulation. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations under this Act which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, but for which such individual has not been convicted. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, and any firearm or ammunition kept by an importer, manufacturer, or dealer pursuant to this Act that the Secretary has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises of such persons. Restricts the firearm information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Stipulates that the general penalty under this Act shall apply to whoever "willfully" violates any provision. Prohibits, with respect to a person's second or subsequent conviction for illegally using or carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony, the granting of parole before completion of the minimum sentence. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Requires a court to award attorney's fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in an action or proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Allows the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was initiated in bad faith. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require (1) the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or (2) the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Allows one House of Congress to disapprove by resolution any firearms regulation within 90 days of continuous session of the promulgation of such rule. Set forth procedures for such resolutions. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing any rules identical to regulations disapproved by Congress without the enactment of additional legislation respecting his authority. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Makes any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1979
Consumer Checking Account Equity Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize member banks in the Federal Reserve System and federally insured nonmember banks to make automatic funds transfers from a savings deposit to a demand deposit pursuant to the written authorization of the depositor to make such transfers in connection with checks or drafts drawn upon the bank. Authorizes federally insured banks and savings and loan associations, State banks and savings and loan associations, savings banks, and mutual savings banks to offer interest-bearing deposits or accounts upon which the depositor may make withdrawals by negotiable instrument for the purpose of making transfers to third parties (NOW accounts). Stipulates that such deposits or accounts may only be held by individuals or nonprofit organizations. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to permit Federal savings and loan associations and Federal mutual savings banks to establish remote service units pursuant to regulations of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Authorizes such associations to extend loans directly related to negotiable order of withdrawal accounts. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to require any institution which has subscribed for the stock of a Federal Home Loan Bank to maintain reserves against its negotiable order of withdrawal accounts pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Prescribes the required form of such balances. Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to permit insured credit unions to offer share draft deposits to individuals and nonprofit organizations in accordance with regulations prescribed by the National Credit Union Administration Board. Requires each Federal credit union to maintain reserves against such deposits in amounts and forms prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1979
Prohibits either House of Congress from considering any legislation providing new budget authority for the compensation of participants in any regulatory proceeding of a Federal agency, unless enactment of such budget authority is authorized by law. Prohibits the Comptroller General from authorizing the disbursement of funds for such compensation unless such budget authority is provided. Makes the agency disbursing officer responsible for any disbursed funds for which no budget authority has been provided.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1979
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should establish and actively pursue a national energy plan that emphasizes and demands the use of domestic coal as a means of displacing current foreign energy imports. Declares that the President should establish a task force to examine modifications in the implementation of the Clean Air Act that could increase coal use without violating national ambient air quality standards. Declares that the appropriate House committee should review current regulations of the Office of Surface Mining of the Department of the Interior to insure that such regulations conform with the original intent of Congress in passing the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1977. States that the President should submit to Congress within 60 days of enactment of a plan which will achieve the goals of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Alternate Fuels Engine Development Act of 1979 - Title I: Alternative Fuels Engine Development Program - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a comprehensive program for the development of gas turbine engines for commercial production. Stipulates that such program shall include development of gasoline engine conversion systems. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, contracts, and loans with specified types of institutions and organizations in order to carry out this title. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to qualified entities to assist in the commercial production of such engines and conversion systems. Authorizes appropriations for programs described under this title. Requires that federally-purchased vehicles be equipped with gas turbine engines or gasoline engine conversion systems. Directs the Secretary to take such steps as necessary to assure participation by small businesses in the programs conducted under this title. Terminates the provisions of this Act effective January 1, 1990. Title II: Tax Incentives for Gas Turbine Engine Development and Production and for Gasoline Engine Conversion Equipment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide an additional 15 percent investment tax credit for gasoline conservation property, as defined under this Act. Allows a tax deduction with respect to the amortization of any qualified gasoline conservation product facility based on a period of 60 months. Sets forth procedures for determining eligibility for and claiming such deduction. Allows a tax credit for purchase of qualified gasoline conservation products. Allows a tax deduction for fees paid for transportation of a taxpayer on any public transportation motor vehicle which uses any qualified gasoline conservation product.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
National Science and Technology Innovation Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish and maintain an Office of Industrial Technology to enhance technological innovation for the improvement of the economic environmental and social well-being of the United States. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the President and Congress, within three years after the date of enactment of this Act, a report on the progress, findings, recommendations, and conclusions of activities conducted. Requires the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint a Director of the Office. Requires the Director and the National Science Foundation to provide assistance for the establishment of Centers of Industrial Technology, whose activities shall include: (1) research supportive of technology and industrial innovation including cooperative industry- university basic and applied research; (2) assistance in the evaluation and development of technological ideas supportive of industrial innovation and new business ventures; (3) technological assistance and advisory services to industry; and (4) curriculum development and instruction in invention, entrepreneurship, and industrial innovation. Declares that such Centers shall be affiliated with a university or nonprofit institution, and authorizes the Director and the National Science Foundation to make available nonrenewable planning grants to such universities or nonprofit institutions for the purpose of developing a plan for the management and evaluation of the activities proposed within the particular Center, including the consideration of means to place the Center on a self-sustaining basis. Authorizes the Director to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements to assist any activity established under this Act. Prohibits any such grant or cooperative agreement from exceeding 75 percent of the total cost of the program or project involved. Sets forth the terms and conditions for such grants or cooperative agreements. Requires the Director to seek the advice and cooperation of departments and agencies whose missions contribute to or are affected by the programs establish under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to receive moneys from other departments and agencies to support activities of the Centers. Establishes an independent committee to be known as the Industrial Technology Review Panel which shall review annually the activities of the Office and advise the Secretary and the Director with respect to such activities. Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to allow the Foundation to make grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with any nonprofit organization, for-profit organization, government, or other person in order to foster the application of science and technology to the national economy and welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Defense Production Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to authorize the President to allow the Department of Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority to guarantee loans for the purpose of expediting deliveries or services with respect to national defense contracts. Increases the maximum loan which any Federal agency may guarantee under such Act without the approval of Congress from $20,000,000 to $38,000,000. Requires notification to specified Congressional committees of any proposed obligation above such limit. Authorizes the agency involved to guarantee such a loan if neither House of Congress disapproves of such action within a specified time. Authorizes the President to provide loans to private business enterprises for the production of energy. Increases the ceiling for loans made to private enterprises pursuant to such Act from $25,000,000 to 48,000,000. Extends the President's power under such Act to purchase raw materials for the national defense through fiscal year 1995. Directs the President to attempt to achieve a national production goal of at least 500,000 barrels per day crude oil equivalent of synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks within five years. Authorizes and directs the President to require fuel and chemical feedstock suppliers to provide synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks in any case where the President deems it practicable and necessary to meet national defense needs. Authorizes the President, in carrying out these objectives, to: (1) contract for purchases or commitments to purchase synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks which may be for Government use or resale; and (2) encourage the development and production of such synthetic fuels and feedstocks for national defense preparedness. Terminates the President's authority to enter into such contracts at the end of fiscal year 1995. Sets forth procedures for the awarding and performance of such contracts. Authorizes the President to organize corporations to meet the production goal for synthetic fuels and feedstocks as set forth in this Act. Sets forth Congressional oversight measures with respect to the formation of such corporations. Authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000,000 for synthetic fuel and feedstock contracts as authorized pursuant to this Act. Extends specified provisions of such Act through fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to exempt from applicable Federal regulations any State having in effect a law, rule, or regulation applicable to underground injection control related to the production or recovery of oil or natural gas unless the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency finds that such law, rule, or regulation fails to protect underground sources of drinking water. Provides that any State for which such finding is made may amend its law, rule, or regulation in order to benefit from such exemption where approved by the Administrator. Exempts from the underground injection well permit requirements any State having in effect such law, rule, or regulation approved by the Administrator. Exempts from the administrative procedure and judicial review requirements of the United States Code any action relating to national interim primary drinking water regulations, revised national primary drinking water regulations, and State underground injection control program regulations, except as expressly provided by this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish a docket for such actions, and sets forth notice and public and agency commenting requirements for any proposed rulemaking. Sets forth procedures and other requirements for promulgating rules concerning drinking water regulations, and establishes procedures for judicial review of such actions. Amends the definition of "primary drinking water regulation". Revises the standard for the promulgation of primary drinking water regulations. Makes technical and conforming amendments to such Act. Requires any State having primary enforcement responsibility to submit notice to the Administrator that its public water system supervision program conforms to any revision or amendment to any national primary drinking water regulation made by the Administrator. States that failure to submit such notice shall be grounds for withdrawal of State primary enforcement responsibility. Amends such Act to authorize a State having such enforcement responsibility to exempt from maximum contaminant level requirements or treatment technique requirements any public water system not having any reasonable alter native source of drinking water available. Revises the dates for compliance by public water systems with contaminant level and treatment technique requirements. Extends the effective date for State underground injection control regulations approved by the Administrator. Authorizes the waiver of the prohibition against State grants being made for any period beginning more than one year after the date of a State's first grant having been made for a period of 18 months after the effective date of any amendment or revision of the national primary drinking water regulations if the State has assumed primary enforcement responsibility and is making diligent efforts to comply with such amendment or revision. Prohibits the Administrator from making grants to any State unless the State has assumed primary enforcement responsibility within two years after the Administrator promulgates State underground injection control program regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to stipulate that the institute currently authorized to conduct research on neurological diseases shall be named the "National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke." Requires at least $16,000,000 of the sums appropriated for such Institute to be obligated for research in the area of regeneration of the spinal cord.
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
Establishes the Commission to Construct a Monument Dedicated to the Duties and Responsibilities of American Citizens. Directs the Commission to: (1) evaluate the public interest in such a monument and the likelihood of funding its construction from public contributions; and (2) transmit a final report to Congress within one year after the enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after such report is transmitted.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should seek the establishment of an international food cartel made up of the major food exporting countries which would negotiate with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries for reasonable oil prices.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1979
Amends the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950 to implement a new civil defense program designed to: (1) enhance the survivability of the American people and its leadership; (2) enhance deterrence and stability; (3) continue reliance on strategic nuclear forces as the preponderant factor in maintaining deterrence; and (4) plan for population relocation during times of international crisis. Requires the President to develop and execute such program. Stipulates that such program include the following elements: (1) a survey of shelter inherent in existing facilities; (2) nuclear civil protection planning for both in-place protection and population relocation during times of international crisis; (3) planning for the crisis development of additional shelters; (4) improvement of warning systems; (5) improvement of systems and capabilities for direction and control of emergency operations; (6) improvement of radiological defense capabilities; (7) improvement of emergency public information and training programs and capabilities; and (8) development of such other systems and capabilities as may be necessary to maximize lifesaving potential. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of such Act, with provision for inflation adjustments.
![Official portrait of Rep. Watkins, Wes [R-OK-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000194_200.jpg)