United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1980
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to extend specified cost-of-living increases for railroad employee annuitants. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (Tax on Employers) to increase the excise tax paid by employers on employees' compensation so as to generate funds to finance such increases. Directs the Railroad Retirement Board, not later than 30 days before the beginning of a calendar year, to determine the account balance-benefit ratio for such calendar year. Directs the Board to publish a notice in the Federal Register of such ratio and of the tax rate applicable under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1980
California Wilderness Act of 1980 - Designates specified lands in the State of California as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide homebuilders with an income tax credit for the construction of residences which incorporate a passive solar energy system. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and Housing and Urban Development, to prescribe regulations setting forth a solar construction credit table for purposes of determining the amount of the credit for which the incorporator of the solar energy system is eligible. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $2,000 for calendar years prior to 1986 and phases out the amount of the credit by $500 decrements until 1989 when such credit terminates. Defines "passive solar energy system" as a system which contains a solar collection area, an absorber, a storage mass, a heat distribution method, and heat regulation devices. Requires such system to be installed in a new residence after September 30, 1980 and before January 1, 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980
Prisoner of War Benefits Amendments Act of 1980 - Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to establish an advisory committee to assess new medical and other information on former prisoners of war (_POW's). Provides that the membership of such committee shall include former POW's of World War II, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam era and individuals who are recognized authorities in certain fields of medicine. Allows officials of other executive agencies to be included on such committee. Directs the committee to submit a report, biennially, to the Administrator on its activities. Makes POW's with the disease of psychosis manifest to a degree of ten percent presumably eligible for wartime disability benefits (presently such psychosis must have occurred within two years of separation from service). Entitles POW's of World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, or the Vietnam era eligible for hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care benefits. Directs the Administrator to prescribe regulations and furnish medical services for any disability on an outpatient or ambulatory basis to such POW's. Requires the President to designate an appropriate date for the annual observance of "National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day."
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1980
Designates the following national forest system lands in the State of Texas as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) the Turkey Hill Wilderness, Graham Creek Wilderness, and Jordan Creek Wilderness all in the Angelina National Forest; (2) the Big Slough Wilderness and the Alabama Creek Wilderness both in the Davy Crockett National Forest; (3) the Chamber's Ferry Wilderness and the Indian Mounds Wilderness both in the Sabine National Forest; and (4) the Little Lake Creek Wilderness, Four Notch Wilderness and the Big Creek Wilderness all in the Sam Houston National Forest.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to postpone the recognition of losses, for income tax deduction purposes, which are generated from the sale of certain types of personal property (commodities other than those used in a taxpayer's business, evidences of indebtedness, and other types of personal property other than stock in a corporation) which are offset by the purchase of other personal property from which a gain is recognized. Provides that any loss which exceeds gain from the holding of such offsetting positions may not be recognized for the period during which a taxpayer holds such offsetting positions, plus 30 days. Provides that the running of the required holding period for capital assets shall be tolled during the same period. Defines "offsetting positions" to mean that there is a substantial reduction of the taxpayer's risk of loss from holding any position with respect to personal property because the taxpayer also holds one or more other positions with respect to personal property (commonly referred to as a "straddle"). Creates a rebuttable presumption that two or more positions are offsetting if the positions are customarily treated as straddles, the aggregate margin requirement for such positions is lower than the sum of the margin requirement for each such position, or there are other factors, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to regulations, which indicate that such positions are offsetting. Provides that obligations of the United States, a State or local government, or a U.S. possession, issued on a discount basis and payable without interest in less than one year shall be treated as capital assets in determining tax consequences of gain or loss with respect to such obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Energy Savings Tax Credit Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a refundable income tax credit for 50 percent of the residential energy costs saved by such taxpayers during a taxable year in comparison with residential energy costs incurred during 1979. Terminates the authority for such tax credit for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1985.
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
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a program of salvage of down, damaged, or associated timber and to mitigate the damage which has occurred as a result of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens to the renewable resources on and in the vicinity of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Permits the Secretary to depart from current authorities regarding the sale of national forest timber, including the establishment of a selling price and of concentration yards for stockpiling and processing and the construction and reconstruction of roads and bridges required to salvage such timber. Directs the Secretary to take actions to insure the safety of the public and those persons engaged in the salvage effort. Requires moneys received from the sale of salvaged timber to be deposited in the Mount Saint Helens Eruption Rehabilitation Fund in the Treasury for use over a period of five years in carrying out the rehabilitation program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
National Defense Compensation Act of 1980 - Increases the pay and allowances, and certain special and incentive pays, of members of the uniformed services for pay periods beginning after December 31, 1981, 1982, and 1983. Directs the President, in any year in which an alternative pay plan is transmitted to the Congress, to include in such plan a statement specifying the adjustments which would have been made but for such alternative plan.
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 · 20 May 1980
Honors Raoul Wallenberg for his work in Hungary during World War II. Requests the State Department to discover the whereabouts of Raoul Wallenberg from the Soviet Union and secure his return to Sweden.
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 · 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 · 13 May 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that anti-inflation guidelines prescribed under the Council on Wage and Price Stability Act, which are applicable to refiners and retailers of oil and natural gas, should also be made applicable to producers of oil and natural gas.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1980
Reclamation Lands Opportunity Act - Title I: Findings, Purposes, Definitions - States the purpose of this Act and sets forth definitions. Title II: Acreage Limitations and Equivalency - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, for purposes of administering the reclamation laws, to change the 160 acre limitation to 640 acres of class one land or its equivalent in lands of lesser productivity, provided that in no case such acreage exceeds 2,500. Permits increased parcel sizes for lands above 3,000 feet in elevation. Title III: Excess Lands and Irrigation Rights - States that one year after the date of enactment of this Act water from any reclamation projects may only be delivered to project lands which comprise a family farm or which fall under specified categories, including former family farmers who lease project land through the lottery system. Provides for the disposition of excess reclamation project lands through a lottery system conducted by the Secretary of the Interior. Title IV: Repayment of Project Costs - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to stipulate in any water right contract that all rates and assessments to be paid by the contracting entity or individual landowners shall be renegotiated every five years. Title V: Leasing of Certain Lands - Authorizes the Secretary to purchase excess lands to be leased to those family farmers unable to purchase lands in reclamation projects and to lease agricultural excess land owned by the Navy at Lemoore Naval Air Station to family farmers. Prohibits foreign individuals or entities from holding any interest to any part of lands serviced by Federal water. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Adds miscellaneous provisions to this Act including a requirement that explanations of the programs of this Act be freely available to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Year-End Spending Control Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to apportion appropriations to Federal agencies in a manner which insures that no more than 20 percent of the total appropriations available to an agency in a fiscal year may be obligated during the last two months of that year. Authorizes the Director to waive such a spending limitation upon determining that it would seriously disrupt an agency program or operation, if the Director reports on such waiver to Congress before the agency violates such limitation. Requires the Director to report to Congress concerning: (1) the implementation of this Act; (2) violations of spending limitations; (3) the results and impacts of this Act including the effects upon procurement and apportionment processes; and (4) recommendations on continuing the spending limitations. Exempts reserves established to comply with a spending limitation under this Act from reporting requirements of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Directs an agency to consider an employee's compliance with agency rules and procedures applicable to year-end expenditure practices when: (1) evaluating the performance of a member of the Senior Executive Service; and (2) determining any pay increase for a supervisor or manager under the merit pay system.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1980
International Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 - Imposes an additional duty on the importation into the United States of any fish, wildlife, or plant product. Establishes the International Conservation Grant Panel composed of persons knowledgeable about wildlife issues and at least one specialist on international trade in fish, wildlife, and plants. Authorizes the Panel to award grants to assist foreign nations in developing comprehensive projects for the conservation of fish, wildlife, plants or their habitats. Sets forth factors to be taken into consideration by the Panel in awarding such grants. Requires the Panel to consult with the Secretaries of the Interior and State. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into agreements with the foreign recipients of such grants concerning the conditions and limitations of such grants. Establishes the International Wildlife Fund in the U.S. Treasury to be used for carrying out this Act. States that the Fund shall consist of appropriated sums and any gifts of money. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the administration of this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund equal to the revenues resulting from the additional duty on wildlife products.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1980
Domestic Timber Supply Protection Act of 1980 - Prohibits the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior from selling unprocessed timber from Federal lands which will be exported, used as a substitute for other unprocessed timber which will be exported, or obtained by persons who: (1) export unprocessed timber; (2) own land from which such timber is exported; or (3) buy such timber for export. Permits the Secretary of Agriculture, after consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and public hearings, to exempt from such prohibition specific quantities of grades and species of unprocessed timber.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1980
Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability caused by exposure to a phenoxy herbicide (Agent Orange) for veterans who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era. Waives the one-year limitation on claims for compensation for such disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a certain portion of royalty owner oil production from the windfall profit tax. Limits the amount so exempted per quarter to ten barrels per day. Requires proportionate allocation of any production in excess of ten barrels per day between tier 1 oil, tier 2, and tier 3 oil, and within any tier on the basis of removal prices. Requires allocation of the ten barrel amount among royalty owners who are members of the same related group.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980
American Fisheries Promotion Act - Title I: Research and Development Regarding United States Fisheries - Directs that funds transferred by the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of Commerce from duties collected under custom laws on fishery products shall be maintained in a separate fund and used by the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) provide financial assistance for the purpose of carrying out fisheries development projects approved under this Act; and (2) implement the national fisheries research and development program as set forth by this Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make grants from such fund to assist persons in carrying out research and development fishery projects, including, but not limited to, harvesting, processing, marketing, and associated infrastructures. Subjects each such grant to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require to protect the interests of the United States. Requires the Secretary to carry out a national program of research and development addressed to United States fisheries, if not adequately covered by projects assisted by grants made pursuant to this Act. Requires the Secretary, not later than 60 days before the close of each fiscal year, to submit to specified Congressional committees a report containing: (1) the fisheries development goals and funding priorities for the next fiscal year; (2) the status of each pending project; and (3) an analysis and evaluation of all projects assisted under this Act. Specifies, with respect to any fiscal year, that not less than 75 percent of the moneys transferred to the fund and such existing fund moneys carried over into that fiscal year shall be used by the Secretary to provide financial assistance for projects and the remainder of such moneys shall be used to implement the national fisheries research and development program. Requires the Secretary to award a grant for or carry out pursuant to the national fisheries research and development program: (1) a project to establish and operate a system (in which participation must be voluntary) to grade the quality of fish landed at a United States port; or (2) a project to improve fuel efficiency in carrying out fishing operations within a United States fishery. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint not fewer than six officers who shall, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, serve abroad to promote United States fishing interests. Requires the Secretary of State, upon the request of the Secretary of Commerce, to officially assign the officers to the diplomatic mission of the United States in the country in which such officers are placed, and to obtain for them diplomatic privileges and immunities. Title II: Amendments to the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 - Extends provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 which govern a capital construction fund for vessels built in the United States to govern such a fund for fishing vessels built in, and fishing facilities located in, a Commonwealth, territory, possession, or State of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary: (1) to guarantee the payment of obligations for financing or refinancing the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of fishery facilities capable of being used for priority development fisheries; and (2) to apply an economic soundness test with respect to guarantees of obligations for fishing vessels or facilities designed for use in such priority fisheries which is less stringent than the test applicable to other obligation guarantees under such Act. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Federal Ship Financing Fund three subfunds to contain moneys for obligation guarantees for: (1) fishing vessels and facilities meeting the more stringent test; (2) high risk fishing vessels and facilities meeting the less stringent test; and (3) vessels other than fishing vessels. Declares that during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending at the close of September 30, 1982, the Secretary of Commerce may make loans from the fisheries loan fund only for the purpose of assisting obligors to avoid default on obligations that are issued with respect to the construction, reconstruction, reconditioning or purchase of fishing vessels. Title III: Amendments to the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 - Amends the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to provide for a reduction of the total allowable level of foreign fishing, if any, with respect to any United States fishery for each of the harvesting seasons 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984. Declares that the total allowable level of foreign fishing permitted within any United States fishery during any harvesting season after the 1984 harvesting season is zero, except if the Secretary of Commerce determines that such reduction will result in a substantial surplus of fish stocks within the fishery and that such surplus will not be harvested by vessels of the United States during such harvesting season. Specifies that a recommendation by the Secretary that such reduction be deferred or continued with respect to any harvesting season shall take effect only if: (1) a report containing the recommendation is received by Congress not later than 90 days before the opening day of the respective harvesting season; and (2) neither House of Congress, within the 60 day period beginning on the day on which the report is received by Congress, adopts a disapproval resolution. Requires the owner or operator of any foreign fishing vessel for which a permit is issued pursuant to the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to pay an additional fee equal to ten percent of the ex vessel price of the catch harvested under such permit. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program under which a United States observer will be stationed aboard each foreign fishing vessel while that vessel is within the fishery conservation zone and is: (1) engaging in fishing; (2) accepting United States harvested fish through transfer at sea; (3) cruising to and from a location at which any such fishing or transfer will transpire; or (4) taking highly migratory species. Requires such observers, while aboard foreign fishing vessels, to carry out such scientific and other functions as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to impose, with respect to each foreign fishing vessel, a surcharge in an amount sufficient to cover all costs of providing a United States observer aboard that vessel. Establishes, in the Treasury of the United States, the Foreign Fishing Observer Fund in which the Secretary shall deposit all surcharges collected.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a repayment of the oil import fee equal to ten cents per gallon of gasoline used for certain exempt purposes. Defines "exempt use" as: (1) any use by a State or local government; (2) any use by a nonprofit educational institution; (3) any use as supplies for vessels or aircraft; (4) agricultural uses; (5) certain business uses; and (6) any use in connection with intercity, local, or school buses.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1980
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare) to conduct a clinical investigation of the safety and efficacy of dimethyl sulfoxide as a drug to be used by persons with arthritis.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on small cigarettes from $4 per thousand to $9 per thousand, and on large cigarettes from $8.40 per thousand to $18.90 per thousand.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1980
Rescinds $229,000,000 in appropriations provided for the purchase of furniture by Federal agencies and departments in fiscal year 1980. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to allocate such rescission among the agencies and departments and to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate concerning the allocation. Rescinds $15,000,000 in appropriations made to the Federal Buildings Fund for the rental of space in fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the residential energy credit for energy conservation expenditures with respect to residences substantially completed after April 19, 1977, if such expenditures are for energy conservation items which are not required by Federal, State, or local housing standards.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1980
Wood Residue Utilization Act of 1980 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and operate pilot wood residue utilization projects using residue removal incentives to compensate specified purchasers of National Forest System timber for costs incurred in the removal of wood residues from timber sale areas to points of prospective use. Applies such incentives as a credit against the amount payable for the timber. Sets forth guidelines for such pilot projects. Authorizes the Secretary to require timber purchasers to remove such residues if to do so is cost-effective or necessary for land management purposes. Limits the removal incentives to the difference between the value of the timber and other designated charges. Directs the Secretary to sell such residues for at least the appraised value, except as specified. Requires the Secretary to make annual reports to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Small Business Motor Fuel Marketer Preservation Act of 1980 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make loans to small businesses acquiring gas stations from a refiner. Makes it unlawful for a refiner, other than an independent or small refiner, to operate a gas station in the United States. Requires a refiner, in disposing of any interest in such a station, to offer a right of first refusal to the dealer at such station. Sets forth the requirements for such an offer. Makes it unlawful for a refiner to: (1) exceed specified annual sales limitations in any State (requires the Federal Trade Commission to determine specified limitation formulas); and (2) sell motor fuel at any time at any point of transfer at different prices (except for price differentials which reflect manufacturing, sale, or delivery differences). Stipulates that a refiner shall: (1) be in violation of this Act if such refiner withholds available motor fuel from a purchaser and then resells such fuel at a lower price to refiner-operated stations; and (2) not be prevented from charging a uniform surcharge in connection with a sale of motor fuel as consideration for the purchaser's use of a refiner's trademark or other such identifying symbol. Makes it unlawful for any person to interfere in any way with the purchasing, selling, or storing of motor fuel by a dealer. Makes it unlawful for any dealer at a station displaying a trademark or identifying symbol of a particular refiner to sell motor fuel not refined by such refiner without providing notice to purchasers. Requires each refiner within three months of enactment to provide to the Federal Trade Commission information regarding the number of: (1) gallons of motor fuel sold, consigned, or distributed in each State during the preceding year; (2) gallons of motor fuel sold to its stations in each State during the preceding year; and (3) barrels of crude oil produced and refined during the preceding year. Requires persons owning 50 or more motor fuel stations in the United States to report specified information to the Commission. Sets forth fines for violation of this Act. Permits civil actions to be brought against violators of the requirements of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 28 February 1980
Amends the Military Selective Service Act to establish a voluntary system of registration for the military draft. Reinstitutes a mandatory registration system whenever the President declares a national emergency with respect to a threat to national security or when there is a declaration of war. Subjects any person who knowingly makes, or who knowingly aids or abets the making of any false, incorrect, or improper registration to a civil penalty not to exceed $100.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1980
Credit Union Savers Relief Act of 1980 - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to establish a maximum interest rate on loans to members of 12 percent per year inclusive of all finance charges. Authorizes the board of directors of each credit union to increase this rate to 15 percent in accordance with regulations promulgated by the National Credit Union Administration Board. Empowers the Board to increase the 15 percent maximum rate for a single, 18-month period if money market interest rates have risen over the preceding six months, and disintermediation threatening credit unions has occurred. Requires the Board to consult with the appropriate committees of the Congress, the Department of the Treasury, and the other Federal agencies regulating financial institutions before exercising such authority. States that required balances need not be considered when determining the interest rate on loans made by agent members of the National Credit Union Administration Central Liquidity Facility.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1980
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the export of goods, the sales of which are prohibited or restricted in the United States pursuant to specified public health and safety laws, unless specified conditions are met. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to issue export licenses permitting the export of such goods if: (1) all statutory requirements are met; (2) the Secretary and the head of the agency regulating the sale of such good in the United States concur that (a) the country has requested such export, (b) the country has been fully informed of any U.S. restrictions and possible hazards, and (c) the potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards; and (3) the sale in the importing country would be subject to restrictions comparable to those imposed in the United States. Requires such exported goods to include all information required by U.S. law. Prohibits the export of such goods if such information is likely to be ineffective. Prohibits the export of any good to be used in manufacturing prohibited goods.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1980
Amends the Colorado River Basin Project to prohibit any Federal official (presently, just the Secretary of the Interior) from undertaking reconnaissance studies of any plan for the importation of water into the Colorado River Basin from any other natural watershed outside of specified States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1980
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to grant title to certain real property located in Lane County, Oregon, to persons who were deprived of title as a result of an inaccurate survey by the Bureau of Land Management.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1980
National Heritage Policy Act of 1979 - Title I - Declares the findings of Congress concerning the identification and protection of resources significant to the national heritage. Title II: National Heritage Program - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a national heritage program and an historic preservation program. Directs the Secretary to establish and administer a National Register of Natural Areas which shall include resources of national, state and local significance. Declares that items of national significance shall be designated as "National Natural Landmarks" and such designations shall only apply to an area which clearly meets the standards for national significance as established by this Act. Requires the Secretary to expand and administer the National Register of Historic Places which shall include resources of national, state, and local significance. Requires the Secretary, within one year of the effective date of this Act, to develop or expand regulations or guidelines, as appropriate, for: (1) documentation of significant information concerning such resources; (2) eligibility criteria for inclusion in the Natural or Historic Register; and (3) nominations to the Natural or Historic Register by the State natural heritage officer of the State historic preservation officer as established by this Act. Requires the Secretary to establish revised criteria for the designation of nationally significant areas and places on the Registers. Requires the Secretary, within 18 months after the effective date of this Act, to develop regulations and guidelines for State natural heritage programs and State historic preservation programs, and to request the Governor of each participating State to designate a State natural heritage officer and historic preservation officer. Declares that there may be one person for both such positions. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) develop a process for the voluntary involvement of the public in the conservation and preservation of natural and historic resources; (2) extend honorific Federal recognition of exceptional efforts by local governments and the private sector in the identification and protection of significant heritage resources; (3) develop and provide technical and nontechnical information and assistance on all aspects of natural and historic heritage conservation; and (4) study, in cooperation with other agencies and private and public organizations, the feasibility and necessity of establishing or developing other protective measures at the Federal, State, and local level for natural areas and historic places. Directs each Federal agency, with the advice of the Secretary and in cooperation with the State historic preservation officer, to locate and nominate to the Historic Register, historic resources located on lands which it owns or administers. Specifies measures to be taken by Federal agencies to provide for the maintenance, preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration of federally owned historic resources. Requires the head of any Federal agency having direct or indirect jurisdiction over a proposed Federal or federally assisted undertaking in any State or having authority to license any such undertaking, prior to the approval of the expenditure of any Federal funds or the issuance of any license, to take into account the effect of the undertaking on any area included in or eligible for inclusion in the Natural Register. Specifies that, prior to the approval of any Federal undertaking which may adversely affect any natural or historic landmark, the head of the Federal agency involved shall determine that no feasible alternative to such undertaking exists. Requires the Council on Heritage Conservation, with the concurrence of the Secretary, to promulgate regulations or guidelines for the exemption of Federal undertakings from requirements of this Act. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to States for the conservation of natural areas. Includes networks, cultural landscapes, and neighborhoods significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, or culture, in the National Register. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for the Historic Preservation Fund through fiscal year 1983. Title III: Council on Heritage Conservation - Renames the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation the Council on Heritage Conservation. Directs the Council to: (1) review Federal policies and programs affecting historic places natural areas; and (2) inform and educate interested Federal agencies, State and local governments, Indian tribes, other nations, and international organizations and private groups and individuals as to the authorized activities of the Council. Authorizes appropriations for the assessment for United States membership in the International Centre for Study of Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property for fiscal years 1979 and 1980. Stipulates that no appropriation may be authorized and no payment made to the Centre in excess of 25 percent of the total annual assessment of such organization. Title IV: Administrative Provisions - Permits the Secretary of the Interior to accept donations and bequests of money and personal property for the purposes of this Act. Allows the head of each Federal agency, after consultation with the Secretary, to withhold from public disclosure, information which might reveal the specific location of sites, objects, buildings, structures, terrestrial communities, aquatic communities, geologic features, or landforms which are eligible for or included in the Natural Register or the Historic Register, whenever it is determined that the disclosure of such information would create a risk of harm to such locations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1980
Rental Construction Incentive Tax Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt low-income housing and qualified rental housing construction from the amortization requirements applicable to real property construction period interest and taxes. Defines "qualified rental housing" as housing which is subject to a 30 year covenant binding its owners to maintain such property as residential rental property and which is located in an area having an average vacancy rate for rental housing of less than five percent in the year prior to such rental housing construction. Requires qualified rental housing which contains more than three dwelling units to provide for at least 30 percent occupancy by families of low or moderate income and to limit to 30 percent the number of childless individuals occupying such rental housing. Reduces the required amortization period for construction period interest and taxes with respect to qualified residential rental property (property in areas with a less than five percent vacancy rate) from ten to three years. Permits straight line depreciation, based on a ten-year period, for residential rental property. Qualifies low and moderate income rental housing for preferential tax treatment of recaptured depreciation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to grant title to certain real property located in Lane County, Oregon, to persons who were deprived of title as a result of a survey by the Bureau of Land Management.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980
Provides that Government life insurance shall be paid in accordance with any election of the insured. Stipulates that if at the time of death no such election has been made, the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs shall notify the beneficiary who shall elect whether to receive payment in a lump sum or in installments. Directs the Administrator to notify all insured individuals have not made such election concerning the effect of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a refundable income tax credit equal to 50 percent of the amount of energy saved during the taxable year (based on the amount of energy expenditures for 1978) with respect to the principal residence of the taxpayer. Terminates the authorization for such credit for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1980
Establishes a Commission on More Effective Government to study and recommend ways of promoting economy, efficiency, and improved service within the Federal Government. Directs the Commission to recommend methods to improve the relationship between Federal, State, and local governments. Provides for the appointment of members of the Commission by the President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Sets forth provisions governing the organization and compensation of the Commission and its staff. Empowers the Commission to establish advisory councils and committees as it deems appropriate without regard to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Sets forth the powers of the Commission enabling it to gather information free from subsequent review or comment by any Federal agency. Directs the Commission to submit its final report to the Congress ten days after the Ninety-eighth Congress convenes. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such date. Authorizes the appropriation of funds necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any Member of Congress from using funds received as contributions to pay personal expenses.
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.