United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1980
Supports a Presidential policy against further U.S. manufacture or possession of lethal and incapacitating chemical weapons. Urges a treaty banning the manufacture and possession of such weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the U.S. delegation to the Copenhagen conference on the United Nations Decade for Women should be encouraged to support resolutions relating to health, education, and employment. Declares that the U.S. delegation to the Conference should oppose any resolutions which do not relate directly to the goals of the Conference. Requires the U.S. delegation to report to Congress on the results of the conference.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1980
Directs the President to furnish the House of Representatives with information concerning White House and Justice Department actions with regard to Billy Carter's involvement with Libya.
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 · 2 July 1980
Tax Rate Reduction Act of 1980 - Title I: Individual Tax Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual income tax rates for calendar years 1981 through 1985, and permanently thereafter. Title II: Inflation Adjustments for Taxable Years Beginning After 1985 - Requires annual cost of living adjustments to income levels in each income tax bracket, beginning in calendar year 1985. Requires similar cost of living adjustments to the $1,000 personal tax exemption. Increases the minimum income levels at which a taxpayer is required to file an income tax return by providing that such levels shall be equal to the taxpayer's income tax exemption and zero bracket amount, adjusted for inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1980
National Ground water Environmental Research Act of 1980 - Title I: Ground Water Research and Planning - Directs the President to establish a Commission on Ground Water Research to develop guidelines and coordinate research by the States on identification of major freshwater aquifers in the United States and the extent of ground water pollution. Directs the Commission to make grants to States to conduct the freshwater aquifer research program. Requires the Commission to develop a comprehensive research plan for the prevention of ground water pollution. Authorizes the Commission to provide Federal, State, and local governments with technical advice on the protection of ground water from pollution. Directs the Commission to submit to Congress an annual report with recommendations for legislation on the protection of ground water from pollution. Title II: Institute for Research on Drinking Water Technology - Establishes an Institute for Research on Drinking Water Technology to conduct research and development on purification of drinking water. Stipulates that the Institute shall not conduct research on the health effects of drinking water. Sets forth the authorities of the Institute. Establishes an initial board of directors composed of Federal, State, and local officials and private water supply utilities officials appointed by the President. Authorizes the Institute to: (1) make research and development grants to institutions of higher education; (2) work with other agencies, institutions, and States in carrying out its functions under this title; and (3) assess and collect voluntary contributions from participating water supply agencies. Prohibits the Institute from engaging in lobbying activities. Sets forth the criteria for the operation of the Institute, including: (1) a location at or near a related laboratory or university; (2) establishment of a program for visiting researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and other scholars; and (3) the requirement that the bulk of the Institute's programs be conducted directly by the Institute and not be contract. Directs the Institute to: (1) develop new drinking water treatment and monitoring technologies; (2) improve existing drinking water treatment and monitoring technologies; (3) cooperate with research programs conducted under Title I of this Act and by participating water supply agencies; (4) publish archival and review articles; and (5) publish an annual progress report. Directs the Institute to establish a technology transfer program with water supply agencies. Requires the Institute to publish the results of a formal evaluation of such program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the U. S. delegation to the Copenhagen conference on the United Nations Decade for Women should be encouraged to support resolutions relating to health, education, and employment and to sign the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. Declares that the U. S. delegation to the Conference should be instructed to oppose any resolutions which do not relate directly to the goals of the Conference. Requires the U. S. delegation to report to Congress on the results of the conference.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1980
Research and Development Authorization Estimates Act - Amends the Presidential Science and Technology Advisory Organization Act to require the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to advise the President and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget every other fiscal year in preparing an estimate of the appropriate funding levels for research and development for each Federal department, agency and instrumentality for at least that and the following fiscal years. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to identify and describe situations and conditions which warrant special attention within the next four years, rather than the next five years as is now required, including the significant effects of current and projected trends in science and technology on the requirements of the Nation and existing and projected scientific and technological resources. Requires the director to consult with the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology concerning programs and responsibilities relating to the problems, constraints, and opportunities so identified, and to recommend legislation which will contribute to the resolution of such problems. Requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy to study on a continuing basis the impact of inflation on the conduct of federally-supported research and development. Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to require the Foundation to annually submit to Congress an analysis of all Federal research and development funding by function.
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 · 26 June 1980
Presidential Nomination Commission Resolution - Establishes the Commission on Presidential Nominations to make an investigation regarding the presidential nominating process. Directs the Commission to report to the President and Congress respecting such investigation, including recommendations for the 1984 presidential elections. States that the Commission shall cease to exist 60 days after submitting such report. Sets forth the powers of such Commission and related administrative provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that congressional fellowships for foreign nationals constitute a valuable resource for the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Father Michael J. McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus, as the Knights of Columbus celebrate their 100th anniversary. Requires that such stamp be issued in the denomination used for first class mail and be placed on sale in 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1980
Tax Reduction - Job Creation Act - Title I: Individual Tax Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce income tax rates for each category of individual taxpayers. Title II: Incentives for New Plant and Equipment - 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 taxpayers 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 · 17 June 1980
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to halt immediately implementation of those regulations relating to clinical laboratory personnel published October 12, 1979, and published as corrected October 23, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should invite the public to participate in a White House Conference on Energy Conservation to: (1) identify obstacles to energy conservation; (2) identify ways to achieve more wide-spread implementation of energy conservation measures; and (3) prepare a list of recommended action to be taken.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a refundable income tax credit for the purchase of domestically manufactured fuel-efficient passenger automobiles acquired after June 12, 1980, and before January 1, 1988. Limits the amount of such credit to the lesser of ten percent of the cost of such automobile or $1,000. Limits the applicability of the credit to one automobile in a taxable year, and denies the credit to a taxpayer who has claimed such credit in any of the two immediately preceding taxable years. Permits a full ten percent investment tax credit for fuel-efficient automobiles without regard to the useful life of such automobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1980
Service Liability Partial Self- Insurance Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction to any taxpayer furnishing professional design services for cash contributions to a tax-exempt service liability trust and for cash amounts paid to a captive insurer (wholly or partially-owned by the taxpayer) for service liability insurance. Defines service liability as liability for tort damages attributable to negligence in, breach of warranty regarding, or defects in the professional construction or modification design of buildings or structures on real property. Limits the allowable deduction: (1) for a taxpayer with a severe service liability problem to a maximum of $100,000, or one of two specified formula sums, whichever is least; and (2) for a taxpayer with no severe liability problem to a maximum of $25,000, or one of two formula sums, whichever is least. Penalizes unauthorized distributions from such accounts except for: (1) corrective withdrawal of excess contributions; (2) distributions when a change of circumstances renders continued maintenance of no trade or business purpose; (3) transfers of rollover amounts; (4) distributions following complete liquidation of the pertinent trade or business; and (5) certain sales deemed distributions. Limits investment of account assets to: (1) Federal public debt securities; (2) nondefaulted State or local obligations; (3) time or demand deposits in certain Federally insured financial institutions; or (4) any other investment asset permissible under law of the State where such account is organized. Treats service liability loss reserves as amounts accumulated for the reasonably anticipated needs of a business, for purposes of avoiding the accumulated earnings tax.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that the provisions of law requiring twice a year cost of living adjustments for Federal civil service and military retirees should not be changed.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that neither the Secretary of Transportation nor the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall take any actions which would reduce public air service into Washington National Airport.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1980
Extends the congratulations of the Congress to the Order of the Sons of Italy in America for their 75th anniversary. Proclaims Sunday, June 22, 1980, as "National Italian-American Day."
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Limitation on Government Recordkeeping Requirements and Actions Act of 1980 - Prohibits any Federal agency from: (1) requiring any person to maintain, prepare, or produce any record (other than a record relating to a dangerous material) of an event after four years have expired since the event occurred; and (2) commencing an action against a person who violated a regulation if four years or more have expired since such violation occurred, except as otherwise provided by the Internal Revenue Code or a regulation promulgated thereunder.
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
Allows an individual under the Internal Revenue Code an income tax deduction equal to 50 percent of the travel deposit loss sustained by such taxpayer as a result of the boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics. Limits the amount of such deduction to $2,500.
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 · 29 May 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the independence of Yugoslavia and its continued development of a multinational federation are consistent with U.S. and European security interests and contribute to world peace; and (2) the President should assist Yugoslavia in maintaining its independence and in improving the well-being of its people.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1980
Nuclear Waste Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research, development, and demonstration program for the disposal of nuclear wastes. Requires the Secretary to identify four regional repository sites in the continental United States, at least one of which shall be located in each of the eastern, central, and western regions of the United States. Directs that emphasis be given to federally owned sites. Directs the Secretary to design, construct, and operate four technology-demonstration repository facilities at the sites selected. Requires that all four repositories be in operation by the end of fiscal year 1990, with the first having been placed in operation by the end of fiscal year 1986. Sets forth certain design requirements for such sites and for disposal methods. Requires the Secretary to conduct a study and report to Congress on advanced techniques for disposal of low-level radioactive wastes.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1980
Space Industrialization Act of 1980 - Title I: Establishment of Space Industrialization Corporation - Authorizes the establishment of the Space Industrialization Corporation. Directs the President to appoint a panel assist in the selection of persons to be appointed to the board of directors of such corporation. Sets forth the terms and conditions of membership on such board. Sets forth the powers and duties of such corporation, including the provision of the financial means to purchase satellite launching and related services. Requires the Corporation to provide assistance by financing industrial ventures under negotiated management plans to promote the development of new products, processes, services, and industries in space, and the transfer of space technology for applications having potential societal benefits. Requires applications for assistance to contain a detailed description of all of the technical, business, and economic aspects of the project. Limits assistance to corporations or groups organized under the laws of any State or territory or possession of the United States and to U.S. citizens. Requires the Corporation to give preference to those proposals which have high potential benefits with consideration being given to the level of risk and the potential for recovery of the assistance provided, and in which the applicant demonstrates substantial commitment to achieving technical, financial, and business objectives. Requires the Corporation and an applicant whose proposal is found to be meritorious to negotiate a management plan which includes appropriate intermediate goals and milestones, a requirement that no less than five percent of the costs will be provided by the applicant, provision for continuing review by the Corporation, a requirement for repayment of the assistance authority of the Corporation to terminate such assistance, the cost of utilizing space industrial systems, and the functions to be performed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Permits the Corporation to make special grants to applicants to correct deficiencies in proposals otherwise meritorious. Requires the Corporation to establish criteria and guidelines for administering the assistance program. Reserves to an applicant for assistance all rights to intellectual properties and discoveries pertaining to or disclosed in the proposal and any other such properties held and discoveries made prior to final approval of the project involved. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a Space Industrialization Trust Fund to be made available to the Corporation for use in carrying out the objectives and purposes of this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to invest a portion of the Funds as specified. Directs the President to aid in the planning, development, and execution of a national program implementing space industrialization systems, coordinate the activities of governmental agencies with responsibilities in fields related to space industrialization, and exercise appropriate supervision over relationships of the Corporation with foreign governments and international bodies. Directs NASA to advise and consult with the Corporation on the technical characteristics of space industrialization systems, assist in the conduct of research, development, and operations, and to furnish launching and associated services. Requires the Corporation to notify and consult with the Department of State whenever specified business negotiations are entered into with any international or foreign entity. Directs the Corporation to transmit annually to the President and Congress a report containing a comprehensive description and evaluation of the activities and accomplishments of the Corporation. Title II: Public Ownership of Space Industrialization Corporation - Directs the Board to take all steps necessary to transfer the Corporation from Government to public ownership. Subjects the Corporation to the District of Columbia Business Corporation Act. Authorizes the Corporation to issue shares of capital stock, nonvoting securities, bonds, debentures, and other certificates of indebtedness. Permits inspection and copying of Corporation records by stockholders without regard to the percentage of stock held. Requires all proceeds from securities issued to be deposited in the Space Industrialization Trust Fund. Requires sums from such Fund to be used to pay all expenses of dividend, interest, and redemption payments and to repay appropriations as specified to the general fund of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for cash and other personal property contributions to a savings account created or organized exclusively for the purpose of paying the educational expenses of the taxpayer or the taxpayer's child. Limits the amount of such deduction to $1,000 per year, adjusted for inflation. Limits the duration of eligibility for such deduction to calendar years prior to the account beneficiary's 21st birthday, or prior to the beneficiary's enrollment as a full-time student at an eligible educational institution of higher learning, whichever occurs earlier. Excludes distributions from such an account from the gross income of the payee so long as such distributions are used to defray the beneficiary's tuition, fees, books and supplies, and reasonable living expenses. Specifies sanctions for the use of account funds for other than such educational purposes. Treats qualified distributions as income to the beneficiary for the taxable year in which the beneficiary attains age 25, and for each of the following nine years, in successive apportionments equal to ten percent of the total amount of such distributions. Allows a deduction for cash and other personal property contributions to a savings account created or organized for the benefit of the taxpayer (or the taxpayer and spouse if married) for the exclusive purpose of purchasing the first dwelling purchased by such individual as a principal residence. Limits the maximum annual deduction to $1,500 ($3,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly), with a maximum lifetime deduction of $15,000 ($30,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly). Provides for annual inflation adjustment of such amounts. Excludes distributions from such account from gross income so long as they are used exclusively for the purchase of a first principal dwelling. Provides for recapture of such distribution upon a subsequent sale of such first dwelling if another house is not purchased with the proceeds. Requires reduction of the $100,000 exclusion from gross income of proceeds from the sale of a principal residence by a taxpayer 55 years of age or older if such residence had been purchased with distributions from a tax-exempt housing savings account. Limits the amount of such reduction to the amount of any such distribution excluded from gross income.
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 · 7 May 1980
Expresses a congressional tribute to the members of the Armed Forces who participated in the mission to rescue the Americans held hostage in Iran and urges the President to dedicate May 17, 1980, Armed Forces Day, to such military personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Directs specified congressional leaders to designate delegates to participate in an interparliamentary meeting with delegates from the Iranian Parliament to discuss matters of mutual concern, including the release of the hostages in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 28 April 1980
Constitutional Amendment - Establishes a Court of the States, consisting of one judge from each State selected in accordance with State law. Grants such Court jurisdiction to hear all cases arising under this or the tenth amendment of the Constitution (reserved powers to States), upon appeal from the Supreme Court. Makes such Court's decisions unreviewable by any other court.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1980
Expresses the condolences of the Congress over the death of members and officials of the United States Amateur Athletic Union boxing team in a plane crash in Warsaw, Poland.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
National Science Foundation Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1981 - Authorizes appropriations for the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 1981. Makes funds authorized for 1981 available for: (1) mathematical and physical sciences; (2) astronomical, atmospheric, earth and ocean sciences; (3) United States Antarctic Program; (4) biological, behavioral, and social sciences; (5) Ocean Drilling Programs; (6) Science Education Programs; (7) engineering and applied science; (8) scientific, technological, and international affairs; (9) Cross-Directorate Programs; and (10) program development and management. Establishes minimum amounts to be spent for specified programs, including Earthquake Hazards Mitigation, the Small Business Innovation Program, Research and Development in Appropriate Technology, Science Facility Improvement Programs, Science Education Programs relating to Appropriate Technology, and for salaries of faculty members at institutions of higher education with limited programs in science and engineering. Establishes spending ceilings for specified programs, including the Ocean Margin Drilling Project and United States/Union of Soviet Socialist Republics cooperative research. Requires the Foundation to prepare and submit to Congress a report on the Ocean Margin Drilling Project. Requires the National Academy of Sciences to study and report on marine earth sciences research. Limits the amount which may be used for official consultation or representation at the discretion of the Director of the National Science Foundation and for the expenses of the National Science Foundation incurred outside the United States. Permits the transfer of funds from one category to another as specified. Requires the foundation to consolidate all Directors. Requires the Director of the Foundation, with the Secretary of Education, to develop and transmit to Congress a proposed joint science education program plan. Eliminates the Civil Service Commission clearance of personnel with access to specified information or property requirement. Makes individuals who make outstanding contributions in the behavioral or social sciences eligible to receive a National Medal of Science. Directs the President to develop and report to Congress a comprehensive national policy respecting women and minorities in science and technology. Requires the Director to require that all Foundation grants contain a brief statement of the purpose of the research being undertaken.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
National Bureau of Standards Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1981 - Authorizes appropriations to carry out the activities of the National Bureau of Standards for fiscal year 1981. Sets forth minimum amounts to be spent on specified programs, including the Environmental Measurement Program, Earthquake Hazards Engineering, Measurement Standards for the Handicapped, the Automated Manufacturing Research Facility, and for Transfer to Working Capital Fund. Establishes a spending ceiling for expenses of the Bureau incurred outside the United States. Authorizes additional appropriations to carry out the activities performed by the National Technical Information Service for fiscal year 1981, for research, development, and related activities in the field of innovation and productivity, and for adjustments in salary and employee benefits. Sets forth a formula for the apportionment of appropriated funds. Permits the transfer of funds among the line items according to a specified formula and procedure. Directs the Director of the Bureau to charge other agencies for any services performed by the Bureau at such agency's request or as required by law. Increases the ceiling on the amount the Bureau may spend for facilities improvement. Authorizes the Director to expend funds to defray the expenses of foreign nationals not in service to the Federal government while they are performing scientific or engineering work at the National Bureau of Standards or participating in the exchange of scientific or technical information at the Bureau. Authorizes employees of the Bureau to participate in foreign exchanges offered by a foreign government for the performance of scientific or engineering activities or the exchange of information if to do so would be in the interests of the United States. Repeals the provision relating to a limited authorization of appropriations for fiscal years 1979 and 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
Title I: Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program - Amends the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to designate the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the agency with the primary responsibilities to conduct and coordinate the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. Requires the Director of such Agency to: (1) recommend to the President the role and responsibility of each appropriate Federal department, agency, and entity with respect to each object and element of the program; (2) provide for the cooperation and coordination with, and assistance to, interested governmental entities in all States; (3) compile by September 30, 1981, and update and submit to Congress annually a written program plan with budget options; and (4) recommend appropriate roles for other levels of government, individuals, and private organizations. Directs that the research elements of the program include the development techniques for the delineation of the potential effects of earthquakes, and their application on a regional basis. Authorizes the Director of the United States Geological Survey to issue an earthquake prediction or advisory as he deems necessary. Requires the Director to recommend specific actions to the State and local officials and residents of an area for which a prediction has been made. Includes within the mitigation elements of the program: (1) the transmittal to Congress by the Director of an intraagency coordination plan for earthquake hazard mitigation and response; and (2) the development and implementation by the Director of a preparedness plan for response to earthquake predictions which includes a prototype plan for a major metropolitan area with specific adaptations for other high risk metropolitan areas. Eliminates the reporting to Congress requirement when proposed action under such plan has not been initiated. Directs the Director to conduct and submit to Congress a study recommending amendments to the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to include funding for the period of time following a validated earthquake prediction. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for: (1) the continuation of the Interagency Committee on Seismic Safety in Construction and the Building Seismic Safety Council Programs; (2) plans and preparedness for earthquake disasters; (3) prediction response planning; (4) architectural and engineering planning and practice programs; (5) development and application of a public education program; (6) earthquake policy research by the National Science Foundation; (7) use by the Center for Building Technology, National Bureau of Standards; (8) the United States Geological Survey; (9) the National Science Foundation; and (10) the National Bureau of Standards. Permits the transfer of funds between categories as specified. Title II: Fire Prevention and Control - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for: (1) a three-year concentrated demonstration program of fire prevention and control in two States with high fire death rates; (2) rural fire prevention and control; and (3) research and development activities at the Fire Research Center of the National Bureau of Standards. Establishes minimum amounts to be spent on such programs. Title III: Multihazard Research, Planning, and Mitigation - Authorizes and directs the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to initiate studies to define and develop a multihazard research, planning, and implementation process within the Agency, develop prototype multihazard mitigation projects for State and local governments, and prepare a report on the status of the Agency's emergency information and communication satellites. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth the ratio for the apportionment of funds appropriated for the program included in this Act.
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 · 22 April 1980
Condemns the internal exile of Andrei Sakharov and urges the restoration of full human rights and fundamental freedoms to him. Declares it U.S. policy to halt official travel to the United States by Soviet scientists and scholars, which is not directly beneficial to the United States, for at least six months. Recommends that all governmental agencies, private agencies, scientists, and engineers be requested to defer all official travel to the Soviet Union related to scientific and technological cooperation for at least six months. Calls upon foreign governments, professional societies, scientists, and engineers to join in similar actions. Directs the President to assure that all Federal agencies take coordinated action should any circumstances change. Urges Federal agencies, together with governments and scientists of all nations, to develop standards, and/or policies for the conduct of international cooperative research and research communications and for the protection of the human rights of scientists. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the appropriate policies to further this resolution and steps taken to assure coordinated Federal agency actions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1980
Hostage Relief Act of 1980 - Title I: Amendments to Title 5 of the United States Code - Amends title 5 of the United States Code to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a savings fund to which the head of an agency may allot all or a portion of the pay and allowances of any employee who is in a missing status on or after November 4, 1979, as the result of a hostile action against the United States. Requires interest on such fund to be compounded quarterly at the average rate paid on United States Treasury bills with three-month maturities issued during the calendar quarter immediately preceding the first day of the applicable pay period. Directs the President to issue regulations to authorize agency heads to reimburse (up to $25,000 in any calendar year) any such employee, or dependent of such an employee, for necessary travel, rest and recuperation, private medical car, and other expenses related to the ordeal which are incurred on or after such date. Entitles the spouse of such an employee to reimbursement, for a certain time, for expenses incurred for tuition, books, fees, and subsistence while attending an educational or training institution. Extends to such employees the provisions of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, deferring civil actions that affect property rights of such persons until their missing status is ended. Applies the provisions of this Title to all citizens and resident aliens of the United States held hostage in Teheran at any time during November, 1979, and to their dependents and spouses, regardless of whether they are Federal employees. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of such an employee compensation received for active service for any month during the period of his or her missing status, or during which such employee was hospitalized as a result of wounds, injury, disease, or partial or total physical or mental disablement incurred during a hostile action against the United States. Cancels the income taxes for any such employee who dies as a result of such hostile action, for the year in which death occurs and for all prior years during which the employee was in missing status. Authorizes spouses of such employees to file a joint income tax return. Defers the filing of an income tax return by such an employee until after 180 days following the termination of his or her missing status. Applies the provisions of this Title to all citizens and resident aliens of the United States held hostage in Teheran at any time during November, 1979, regardless of whether they are Federal employees. Applies the tax exclusion to non-employees only to the extent of the daily equivalent of the annual basic rate of pay in effect for level V of the Executive Schedule.