United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Commissioner of Education to enter into agreements with credit bureau organizations providing for the exchange of information concerning defaulting student borrowers. States that such agreements: (1) shall provide for disclosure by the Commissioner to such credit organizations; and (2) may provide for the disclosure, by such credit organizations to the Commissioner, of information concerning the defaulting borrower's address and other relevant information. Directs the Commissioner, within 90 days of enactment of this Act, to establish a system for the prompt notification to a defaulting borrower of any disclosure made under this Act. Includes notice of such system of disclosure to credit organizations among the terms of the written agreement evidencing: (1) a federally-guaranteed student loan made more than 180 days after enactment of this Act; (2) subsidy payments for such loans to State and nonprofit private institutions made more than 180 days after enactment of this Act; (3) Federal contributions to an institution for direct student loans; and (4) a direct student loan to an eligible student from his or her institution made more than 180 days after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Coal Pipeline Act of 1979 - Title I: Rights-of-Way for Federal Lands - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant or renew rights-of-way over, under, upon, or through Federal lands for coal pipelines and related facilities, under terms and conditions set forth under this Act which are necessary: (1) to protect Federal property and economic interests; (2) to provide efficient management of such lands and protection of other lawful users of such lands; and (3) to carry out the purposes of this Act. Title II: Non-Federal Lands - Authorizes the Secretary to issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity to any person, upon application, proposing to construct a coal pipeline. Sets forth criteria for issuing such certificates, including requirements that specified findings be made by the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Energy, and the Interstate Commerce Commission. Prohibits the issuance of such certificates to users or suppliers of coal to be transported by such pipelines. Directs the Attorney General to conduct an antitrust review to determine the effects upon competition of such certificates. Authorizes any person who proposes to construct a coal pipeline to acquire any right-of-way necessary for construction, operation, or maintenance of such pipeline and related facilities by the exercise of the power of eminent domain in the appropriate United States district court, but only if such person is unable to acquire such right-of-way by negotiation and such person holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under this Act. Exempts specified lands from being taken by eminent domain. Title III: General and Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Attorney General, at the Secretary's request, to seek appropriate equitable remedies to enforce any provision under this Act or any regulation or order issued under this Act. Imposes civil and criminal penalties for any violation or failure to comply with the provisions of this Act. Authorizes any State issuing a State water permit or authorization to a pipeline for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity was issued or a right-of-way was granted under this Act to condition the water rights of such pipeline to effectuate a legitimate State public interest. Requires that right-of-way permits and certificates of public convenience and necessity issued under this Act contain terms and conditions necessary to protect the environment from adverse effects associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of such pipeline. Requires that all such pipelines be buried underground.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act of 1979 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - States the findings and purposes of the Act. Title II: Improved Security for Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Parts - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to establish standards for motor vehicle safety which include standards to reduce motor vehicle theft by taking into account: (1) the costs and benefits of implementing such standards; (2) the effect of such implementation on automobile insurance costs; (3) savings in terms of time and convenience; and (4) safety considerations. Directs the Secretary to consult with specified individuals and groups interested in the problem of automobile theft when establishing such standards. Requires the Secretary, within 12 months of the enactment of this Act, to issue notices of rulemaking covering the unauthorized starting of a motor vehicle and the identification of major automobile components. Stipulates that proposed rules shall consider current technological developments in such areas. Directs the Secretary to issue final rules within 24 months after the enactment of this Act. Requires that a final rule shall become effective within two calendar years or before the introduction of two model years after such rule is issued. States that a Federal automobile security standard supercedes any State or local standard. Title III: Antifencing Measures - Establishes penalties for anyone who knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters any identification number for any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part required by regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Requires the forfeiture of any vehicle or vehicle part which has had such number removed unless: (1) the vehicle or part is owned by an innocent purchaser; or (2) the number is replaced according to applicable law. States that all provisions of law relating to the seizure and forfeiture of vessels, vehicles, merchandise, and baggage shall apply to seizures and forfeitures of motor vehicles and vehicle parts. Establishes penalties for anyone who buys, receives, possesses, or obtains control of, with intent to sell or otherwise dispose of, any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part knowing that such identification number has been removed or altered. Designates as nonmailable matter any manipulative type device which is designed or adapted to operate, circumvent, remove, or render inoperative the ignition switch or lock, or door or trunk lock of two or more motor vehicles, or any advertisement for the sale of such device. Title IV: Importation and Exportation Measures - Establishes criminal and civil penalties for anyone who imports, exports, or attempts to import or export any self-propelled vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or part knowing it to have been stolen, or any self-propelled vehicle or vehicle part knowing that its identification number has been altered. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require persons who export or attempt to export a used self-propelled vehicle to present to the appropriate customs officer the vehicle and a document describing that vehicle. Authorizes customs officers to carry firearms, execute and serve search and arrest warrants, serve subpoenas and summonses, and make arrests. Title V: Reporting and Requirements - Directs the Attorney General, after consultation with the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Transportation, and the Treasury, to report to Congress on: (1) developments in the area of identification of off-highway vehicles and parts thereof; and (2) other specified measures to help prevent the theft of such vehicles and parts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the leaders of the United States, Mexico, and Canada should meet to discuss energy issues and establish a common economic bond of energy cooperation.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1979
Tuition Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers an income tax credit for 50 percent of the tuition paid for the elementary, secondary, college, or post-secondary vocational education of the taxpayer, his spouse, or any of his dependents. Sets forth maximum dollar amounts allowable as a credit for calendar years 1980, 1981, 1982 and thereafter. Treats tuition payments as paid for calendar year 1980 only if such payments are made on or after August 1, 1980, and before February 1, 1981, for education furnished on or after August 1, 1980, and before January 1, 1981. Treats tuition payments as paid for calendar year 1981 and thereafter only if such payments are made during the particular calendar year or within one month of the beginning or close of such calendar year for education furnished during that year. Excludes graduate students from eligibility for the credit. Requires full-time or qualified half-time attendance at an eligible educational institution. Excludes from the definition of "tuition" any amounts paid for books, supplies, and equipment for courses of instruction, meals, lodging, transportation, or education below the first-grade level. Forbids any construction of this Act as granting the Government additional authority to examine the books or activities of any church school except to the extent necessary to determine whether such school is an eligible educational institution. Provides that an educational institution which enrolls a student for whom a tax credit is claimed under this Act shall not be considered to be a recipient of Federal assistance. Requires the disregard of any amount received by the taxpayer as a tuition tax credit for purposes of determining the eligibility of the taxpayer for Federal or State educational assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1979
Establishes the Public Debt Retirement Trust Fund in the Treasury of the United States. Appropriates to the Trust Fund amounts received in the Treasury equivalent to any windfall profit taxes imposed on domestic crude oil production. Stipulates that such amounts shall be transferred at least monthly from the general fund of the Treasury to the Trust Fund. Requires that the amounts in the Trust Fund be used only for the payment, purchase, or redemption of any obligations included in the public debt. Stipulates that all such obligations shall be canceled and retired and shall not be reissued.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Controlled Substances Sentencing Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to establish mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for the commission of certain offenses currently prohibited under such Acts. Increases such minimum terms if the defendant had been convicted previously of a felony. Authorizes a court to sentence an individual to a shorter term of imprisonment or parole ineligibility upon a finding of specified mitigating circumstances. Stipulates that the imposition or execution of a sentence under such Act: (1) may not include probation; (2) may not be suspended; (3) may not run concurrently; and (4) may not come under the provisions of the Federal Youth Corrections Act. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that a separate sentencing hearing be conducted when an individual is convicted of an offense for which a mandatory term of imprisonment is authorized under this Act. Directs a judicial officer, in setting the conditions of release pending trial, to consider whether a person charged with an offense under title I of this Act poses a threat to the community or will commit similar offenses. Authorizes such judicial officer to deny pretrial release to such individual upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence of specified aggravating circumstances in a separate hearing. Sets forth due process requirements for such hearings.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to tax income of married individuals filing tax returns separate from their spouses at the same rates applicable to unmarried individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1979
Establishes maximum criminal penalties of ten years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine for anyone in authorized possession of classified information identifying any individual or entity as being or having been employed or associated with the Central Intelligence Agency, who willfully discloses such information to anyone not authorized to receive it. Bars prosecution if such information is released to congressional committees, United States district judges, and Federal law enforcement officers upon application to the Attorney General.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1979
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the period from 24 to 36 months that funds allotted to a State for construction of treatment works shall remain available for obligation by the State.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Intergovernmental Fiscal Assistance Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Public Works Employment Act of 1976 to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury, through a targeted fiscal assistance program, to make annual payments for fiscal years 1979 and 1980 to local governments with local unemployment rates at or above six and one-half percent. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Sets forth formulas and procedures for allocations to local governments under such program. Directs the Secretary of Labor to determine or assign unemployment rates necessary to the Secretary of the Treasury's administration of all the antirecession provisions of such Act. Directs the Secretary of Labor, the Director of the Bureau of the Census, and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to provide other necessary information. Sets forth formulas and procedures for allocations to the governments of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands under both the targeted fiscal assistance and the antirecession fiscal assistance programs. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, through an antirecession fiscal assistance program, to make payments to territorial governments and to State and local governments with unemployment rates at or above five percent. Suspends such payments whenever the seasonally adjusted rate of national unemployment is below six and one-half percent. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose during each of the seven succeeding calendar quarters beginning in 1979. Stipulates that a portion of the total amount of such appropriations is to be determined according to a formula based on the seasonally adjusted rate of national unemployment. Sets forth formulas and procedures for allocations to eligible State and local governments and to specified territorial governments.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1979
Declares the need to develop a national emergency energy plan. Authorizes and directs the President to submit to Congress an emergency plan to designate a specific person or entity within the executive branch charged with the responsibility and given the authority: (1) to expedite administrative decisions with regard to all aspects of energy production, transmission, distribution, transportation, and use; (2) to cut through regulations when necessary; (3) to increase domestic energy production; (4) to promote the earliest possible use of new energy technologies and sources; (5) to enhance available energy supply; and (6) to make the Nation self-sufficient in energy.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1979
Federal Acquisition Reform Act - Title I: Regulatory Guidance - Authorizes and directs the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy (Administrator) to promulgate a single, simplified, uniform regulation implementing this Act and to establish procedures for assuring compliance with this Act within two years of its enactment. Authorizes and directs the Administrator to establish and oversee a program to reduce agency use of detailed product specifications. Requires the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, after consulting the Office of Personnel Management, to establish a code of conduct for contracting officers employed by executive agencies. Directs the Inspector General of each agency to: (1) investigate any allegations of code violations; (2) refer criminal violations to the Attorney General; and (3) refer other violations to the agency head. Requires each agency to report on such investigations to the OFPP which shall report to Congress. Title II: Acquisition by Competitive Sealed Bids - Sets criteria for use of the competitive sealed bid method of acquisition. Stipulates that the time prior to opening bids be sufficient to permit competition and that invitation for sealed bids be accessible to all interested bidders. States that eligibility to participate in the bidding may be limited to concerns eligible to participate in small business set-asides, or other authorized programs. Requires the invitation for bids to describe purchases, to the extent practicable, in functional terms in order to permit a variety of distinct products or services to qualify. Requires agency head approval in the event that specific product or service descriptions are to be included in such bids. Provides for instances where the use of functional or performance specifications make it impractical to plan for award primarily on the basis of price. Requires all bids to be opened publicly at the time and place stated in the invitation. States that contracts shall be awarded to the responsible bidder whose bid conforms to the invitation and is most advantageous to the Government. Permits the rejection of all bids when, for cogent and compelling reasons, it is in the Government's interest to do so. Title III: Acquisition by Competitive Negotiation - Permits the use of the competitive negotiation method of procurement when the competitive sealed bid method is inappropriate under criteria set forth in this Act or rules promulgated by the Office. Requires solicitations for offers issued by the Government to interested or potential sources in competitive negotiations to: (1) be obtained from a sufficient number of qualified sources; (2) include the evaluation methodology and the relative importance of all significant factors used during competitive evaluation and for final selection; (3) state broadly agency purchase requirements; (4) clarify agency intent to all offerors in a timely and equitable manner, where inadequacies in the solicitation have been identified; and (5) be subject to prior approval by an agency head, when using detailed product specifications. Establishes standards for written and oral communications with all responsible offerors in a competitive range. States that such discussions shall generally be limited to obtaining any needed clarification, substantiation, or extension of offers. Declares that auction techniques are strictly prohibited. Requires, when awards are made for alternative approaches selected on the basis of the factors contained in the solicitation, that the contractors be sustained in competition to the maximum extent practicable until sufficient test or evaluation information becomes available to narrow the choice. Prohibits disclosure of information concerning a contract award to any person not having source selection responsibilities. Permits the notification of offerors who have been eliminated from competition. Requires prompt notification of award to all unsuccessful offerors. Continues the use of multiple award schedules under competitive methods which: (1) limit the number of items on such schedules which meet the same need; and (2) obtain the lowest competitively priced items which meet the minimum needs of the government. Authorizes the use of noncompetitive acquisition methods: (1) if the contract to be awarded stems from acceptance of an unsolicited proposal; or (2) if the agency head determines that it is in the best interest of the Government to enter into a noncompetitive contract. Requires the contracting officer to use price analysis techniques to evaluate the reasonableness of a negotiated prime contract price or a price adjustment to a contract modification where the price is expected to be $500,000 or less and is based on an established catalog or market price of a commercial item, and where there has been a recent comparable competitive acquisition. Extends such price analysis to subcontracts. Requires that cost data be obtained and cost analysis techniques used whenever the price of a contract, subcontract, or price adjustment pursuant to a modification is expected to exceed $500,000. Permits the contracting officer to obtain cost data and use cost analysis techniques when authorized in regulations issued by the Administrator. Requires contractors and subcontractors to submit in writing such price data or cost data as are required to be obtained pursuant to this Act. Permits regulations issued by the Administrator to authorize identification in writing of price data and cost data in lieu of actual submission. Authorizes the Government to adjust a contract price downward when reliance on inaccurate, incomplete, or noncurrent data increased significantly such price. Waives submission requirements to certain contracts and subcontracts with reasonable negotiated or established prices. Gives agencies the power to inspect plants and records of a contractor up to three years after final payment has been made under a contract to ascertain the accuracy of price and cost data submitted under this Act. Title IV: Acquisition by Simplified Small Purchase Method - Permits the use of the competitive small purchase procedures method of procurement when contracts valued at not more than $10,000 are involved. Directs the Administrator to issue simplified procedures for small purchases. Title V: General Provisions - Prohibits the use of cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost system of contracting under this Act. Requires competitive negotiation contracts and technical proposal awards to contain a warranty by the contractor that no person or selling agency has been employed or retained to solicit or secure the contract for a commission or a contingent fee. Disallows the making of any contract for a period of more than five years unless an exception has been made by the Office under this Act. Permits any executive agency to make advance, progress, partial, or other payments under contracts. Requires adequate security for partial and progress payments made pursuant to a Government contract. Prohibits any such payment of over $25,000,000 without Congressional review. Authorizes the Comptroller General, upon recommendation of the Agency head, to remit sums due the Government under contract terms providing for the assessment of liquidated damages for a delay performance. Requires agency employees who have reason to believe that a bid, proposal, or offer may be in violation of the criminal or antitrust laws to refer the matter to the Justice Department. Makes the Federal Bureau of Investigation responsible for the investigation of improper conduct under this Act. Allows contractors who conduct 75 percent of their business activity under commercial and/or competitive Government contracts to obtain a waiver from certain reviews of internal contractor operations. Requires in every Government awarded contract a provision that interest be paid by the Federal Government to the contractor on any amount due after 30 days. States that no amount shall be considered due until receipt by the Government of a proper invoice and any substantiating documentation required. Makes it the duty of, and empowers, the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) obtain notice of all proposed acquisitions above $10,000 from any executive agency; and (2) publicize such notices in "United States Department of Commerce Synopsis of the United States Government Proposed Procurement, Sales, and Contract Awards". Requires the Administrator to review the prevailing costs of labor and materials at least every three years. Permits the Administrator, where costs have varied by at least ten percent, to revise specified dollar thresholds stated in this Act. Requires all specifications to be reviewed at least every five years and be cancelled, modified, revised, or reissued as determined by such review. Directs the Administrator to attempt through review of acquisition programs to make minority business participation in Government contracting more effective, and to assure that such businesses have full opportunity to compete for Government contracts. Limits the time in which a claim may be made by an executive agency against a contractor to six years from the date of final payment under the contract. Title VI: Delegation of Authority - Permits agency heads to delegate specified authority conferred under this Act. Permits one agency to delegate acquisition functions to another agency to facilitate joint acquisition. Title VII: Protests - Grants authority to the Comptroller General to decide any protest submitted by an interested party or referred by any agency. Requires the Comptroller General to provide inexpensive, informed, and expeditious resolution of protests. Authorizes the Comptroller General to declare whether any protested solicitation or award, comports with law and regulation. Title VIII: Applicability of Subsequent Laws - Declares that any law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act may not be construed as amending this Act unless it explicitly so states. Title IX: Amendments and Repeals - Makes technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Materials Policy, Research, and Development Act of 1979 - Declares it is the policy of the United States to promote an adequate and stable supply of materials necessary to maintain the national well-being and security. States that the Federal Government should: (1) support basic and applied materials research and development; (2) provide for increased dissemination and effective communication of technical information and data resulting from research and development activities; (3) provide for continuing programs for technically trained personnel necessary for materials research, development, and industrial practice; (4) recommend measures to promote industrial innovations; (5) encourage cooperative research and problem solving by private corporations and Federal and State institutions; and (6) place emphasis on programs in the areas of durability of materials, processing in space, remote sensing from space, and novel, law grade, and abundant sources of materials. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a plan to implement such programs and organizational structures within the executive branch, providing for: (1) policy analysis and decision determination within the Executive Office of the President; (2) private sector consultation and interagency coordination at the cabinet level; (3) recommendations for collection and use of information; and (4) recommendations for legislation to implement materials policy. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to carry out a long-range assessment of national materials needs and technologies and to report to Congress. Directs the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology to assist in carrying out the objectives established in this Act. Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to require problems involving materials be included in the President's annual Science and Technology Report.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1979
Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1979 and 1980 to carry out the provisions of such Act with respect to: (1) the regulation of and research pertaining to ocean dumping; and (2) the acquisition, development, and operation of marine sanctuaries. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct research to determine means of ending the dumping into ocean waters of material unreasonably degrading the marine environment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1979
Regional Energy Development Act of 1979 - Chapter I: Introductory - Declares that energy shortages and the high cost of energy have created economic hardships in the Northeastern States, which would especially benefit from regional cooperation with the United States through an entity capable of financing and otherwise promoting increased energy supply and energy conservation. Defines "Northeastern States" as Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Chapter II: Organization, Management, Powers - Authorizes the creation of a corporation for profit, not an agency or establishment of the United States, to be known as the Energy Corporation of the Northeast. Directs the President to appoint incorporators who reside in the Northeastern States to serve as the initial Board of Directors of the Corporation, and to take whatever actions are necessary to establish the Corporation. Stipulates that a Northeastern State shall become a member of the Corporation when such State subscribes for State stock, contributes initial capital in the amount of $1 per capita, and enacts supporting legislation. Allows the Corporation to become operational if at least three States become members before December 31, 1978. Authorizes States that are contiguous to members to join the Corporation in the same manner. Authorizes the Corporation to participate in joint ventures with public or private groups and to operate through subsidiaries. Requires the Corporation to submit annual reports and audits to the President, Congress, Governors and legislatures of Member States. Directs the Governors, on a rotating basis, to designate independent persons to evaluate the performance of the Corporation every two years. Chapter III: Projects and Programs of the Corporation - Authorizes the Corporation to participate in financing any project related to solving the energy needs of the Northeast. Allows the Corporation to assist projects by loans, guarantees, or equity investments. Stipulates that before any financial assistance is provided, the Board of Directors of the Corporation must find that: (1) the project is expected to have a beneficial impact on the energy problems of the region; (2) the investment together with other Corporation activities will not materially impair the credit of the Corporation; (3) private capital is unavailable or insufficient; and (4) unless this limitation is specially waived, the Corporation will not operate the project on a continuing basis or invest more than 50 percent of the total cost. Authorizes rejection of each project by the Governor of the Member State in which it is located. Charges the Board with reviewing periodically the allocation of Corporation resources among the Member States to assure a measure of equity in the distribution of benefits. Limits the Corporation's investment in any one project to the greater of ten percent of its borrowing authority or $200,000,000. Chapter IV: Financing - Stipulates that capital subscriptions from the States ($1 per capita initial contribution) and private investors shall determine the borrowing authority of the Corporation according to a formula of $15 borrowing backed by Federal guarantees for each $1 capital contribution. Authorizes the contribution of additional capital by the States after the initial subscription. Authorizes the issuance of capital securities to States and private investors in a form determined by the Board. Permits the Corporation to issue its own obligations which shall be general obligations payable out of any revenues. Prohibits the Corporation from pledging the credit of the United States or the credit of Member States. Chapter V: Guarantee of Obligations - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee obligations of the Corporation. Stipulates that such obligations are not tax exempt. Prohibits purchase of such obligations by the United States. Establishes an administrative expense fund in the U.S. Treasury to provide for the administrative expense payments with respect to guaranteed obligations. Chapter VI: State Legislation - Requires Member States, upon joining the Corporation, to enact legislation: (1) assuring decisions within 90 days of application on request for permits required for Corporation projects; (2) exempting the property, income, and operations of the Corporation from State and local taxation; and (3) specifying that insofar as the provisions of any State, general, special, or local law may be inconsistent with this Act, the provisions of this Act and the legislation enacted under this Chapter are controlling. Chapter VII: Miscellaneous - Specifies terms of construction and separability of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Establishes a Joint Select Committee on Defense Readiness and Mobilization Capability to investigate and report on defense readiness and mobilization capability, including an analysis of: (1) the kind and extent of threats to the national defense; and (2) the quality and quantity of manpower, material, transportation, budgetary, and programmatic resources needed at present, and able to be mobilized in the future. Sets forth the requirements for appointment to the joint select committee.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1979
Solar Power Satellite Research, Development and Evaluation Program Act of 1979 - Establishes a Solar Power Satellite Research, Development and Evaluation Program to determine the feasibility of a satellite-based solar energy system. Establishes an office within the Department of Energy to manage the Program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Extends through fiscal year 1984 the entitlement periods for the authorization of appropriations under the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow as an income tax deduction the reasonable and necessary expenses paid or incurred by an individual (but not more than $500 for any taxable year) for transportation between his residence and place of business or employment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total expenditures in any fiscal year shall not exceed the net amount of revenue received by the Government in that year. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war declared by Congress or by a concurrent resolution passed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress. Stipulates that any unanticipated deficit in any fiscal year shall be considered an expenditure for the succeeding fiscal year. Directs the Congress to provide an appropriate increase in the level of total receipts if the amount of such deficit exceeds two percent of the total expenditures for the succeeding fiscal year. Authorizes the Congress to apportion any deficit over the four following fiscal years or, by a two-thirds vote of both Houses, to include such deficit in the debts of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
States that if the Secretary of Commerce revises the criteria for determining standard metropolitan statistical areas, Federal agencies shall collect data on, and provide benefits to, such revised areas to the same extent as such services were performed for standard areas prior to such revision.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Requires the Department of Commerce to submit to Congress, within 90 days after the enactment of this Act, a report on the effects on the United States economy of the implementation of the Department's proposed rule to revise the definition of a standard metropolitan statistical area. Prohibits the Department from implementing such rule until such report is submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Small Business Tax Relief Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit recognition on the gain from the sale or exchange of an unincorporated trade or business prior to the time that the taxpayer attains age 55 by providing that such gain shall be recognized only to the extent that it exceeds the cost of reinvesting in replacement property for another small business venture. Provides for the taxation of such gain, after age 55, as ordinary income according to the ten year averaging rules applicable to lump sum distributions from employee benefit plans. Increases the additional first year depreciation allowance for small businesses. Permits a taxpayer election to amortize over a 36 month period expenses for depreciable property which is acquired to put a small business in compliance with Federal regulations and which does not have any economic usefulness for the business. Exempts domestic international sales corporations (DISC) which have adjusted taxable income of $1,000,000 or less from the limitations on deferral of base period export gross receipts which are applicable to larger corporations. Permits businesses with gross receipts of less than $1,000,000 to elect the cash method of accounting in reporting income. Allows a refund to employers of their proportionate share of excess social security payments made on behalf of employees who were employed by two or more employers during the taxable year. Permits an income tax credit of $5 for each form or document which a small business is required to file pursuant to Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week beginning on the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends rule X of the Rules the House of Representatives to establish a standing Committee on Internal Security to investigate and report on Communist and other subversive activities affecting the internal security of the United States, including activities intended to overthrow or alter the form of government in the United States by unlawful means or which incite or employ violence or any unlawful means to obstruct the lawful authority of the government.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an annual cost-of-living adjustment, based on the Consumer Price Index, to the individual income tax rates and the personal exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1976 which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property's basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Declares it the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of State should seek the good offices of the Secretary General of the United Nations for the purpose of establishing a special investigatory commission charged with the responsibility of securing a full accounting of Americans listed as missing in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1978
Amends the Trade Act of 1974, with respect to the authority of the President to negotiate trade agreements, to direct the President to reserve any article for which an agreement limiting agricultural imports has been entered into, from negotiations to reduce or eliminate customs duties or import restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1978
Space Industrialization Act - Title I: Establishment of Space Industrialization Corporation - Establishes, as a Federal agency, the Space Industrialization Corporation which shall promote the development of new processes and industries in space and encourage private industry to invest in such activities. Directs the Corporation to provide funds to industrial space ventures under negotiated management plans. Specifies that such funds shall be repaid with a profit if the venture is profitable and that full documentation is required if it is unprofitable. Establishes in the United States Treasury the "Space Industrialization Trust Fund" which shall be held and administered by the Secretary of the Treasury and made available to the Corporation for use in funding industrial space ventures. Authorizes to the Trust Fund appropriations not to exceed $50,000,000 per year for the first two fiscal years after enactment. Directs the President to aid in the planning, development, and review of a national program for the establishment and operation of a space industrial system. Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to advise, assist, and cooperate with the Corporation in the development of the space industrial system. Title II: Public Ownership of Space Industrialization Corporation - Provides that at such time as the Board of Directors and the President approve, the Corporation shall become a publicly owned entity, which shall be authorized to issue shares of capital stock, nonvoting securities, bonds, debentures, and other certificates of indebtedness as the corporation may determine. Requires all proceeds from such securities to be deposited in the Trust Fund established by Title I.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1978
Two-Step Budget Process Act - Title I: Amendments to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 - Requires that the contents of the first concurrent resolution of the budget be separated into two titles. Prescribes a two-step process for the consideration of amendments to such budget resolution by which amendments to the first title must be considered and disposed of prior to the consideration of amendments to the second title. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - States that such amendments are enacted as an exercise of Congressional rulemaking power.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1978
Anti-Inflation Tax Reduction and Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide cost-of-living adjustments for the individual income tax rates and withholding tables.
United States · United States Congress · 17 August 1978
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Attorney General should parole into the United States the 15,000 Cambodian refugees, half to come in fiscal year 1979, and half in fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 1978
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Requires a principal who, without good cause, terminates or fails to renew a contract between such principal and a sales representative, or reduces the rate of commission for orders solicited on behalf of such principal, to indemnify the representative according to this Act. Requires a principal who reduces the size of the geographic territory assigned to a representative for a specified account, which results in a specified reduction in commissions, to indemnify such representative. Sets forth formulae for the indemnification of such representatives. Requires a principal to furnish specified information to a sales representative concerning orders placed through the representative's account and a monthly accounting of commissions due such representative. Allows a plaintiff to bring an action to enforce any rights or liabilities created by this Act in a United States district court. Stipulates the procedure for such action.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1978
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Federal courts should expedite all remaining administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to the Seabrook Nuclear Station project (New Hampshire), and that all licensing and permitting procedures for the construction and operation of nuclear generating stations should be reviewed and modified to improve the efficiency of such procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1978
States that the Congress of the United States calls upon the Rumanian Government to: (1) restore legal status and full religious freedom to the Byzantine Rite Catholic Church; (2) restore full religious freedom to the Latin Rite Catholic Church and all other religious communities; and (3) permit the Holy See to appoint bishops in both the Latin Rite and Byzantine Rite Catholic Churches.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze, silver, and gold national medals and deliver them to the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Winter Games Corporation, a nonprofit corporation. Requires such medals to be struck at not less than their estimated cost of manufacture, plus a surcharge equal to 25 percent of such cost. Requires such surcharge to be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code by providing graduated corporate income tax rates ranging, over seven brackets, from a 16 percent rate on a corporation's first $25,000 income to a 45 percent rate on income over $150,000.
![Official portrait of Rep. Wydler, John W. [R-NY-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000780_200.jpg)