United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1980
Fusion Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish research, development, and demonstration programs involving magnetic fusion energy systems to: (1) construct and operate a fusion engineering test facility by 1986; (2) construct and operate a magnetic fusion demonstration facility before the end of this century; (3) maintain and expand the base programs for fusion energy research and the development and testing of appropriate alternative confinement technologies; (4) maintain a strong research and development program in advanced fusion fuels; and (5) ensure an uninterrupted source of scientific and engineering talent from institutions of higher learning to support such effort. Requires such programs to include a study of the potential of using fusion energy for the production of synthetic fuels and the electrification of ground transportation systems. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information promoting the practical uses of fusion energy.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should immediately initiate an accelerated production and deployment of cruise missile carrying B-1 bombers.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1979
Amends the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize member banks in the Federal Reserve System and federally insured nonmember banks to make automatic funds transfers from a savings deposit to a demand deposit pursuant to the written authorization of the depositor to make such transfers in connection with checks or drafts drawn upon the bank. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to permit Federal savings and loan associations and Federal mutual savings banks to establish remote service units pursuant to regulations of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to permit Federal credit unions to offer share-draft accounts subject to terms and conditions prescribed by the National Credit Union Administration Board. Terminates the authority conferred by this Act on April 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 1979
Title I: - Amends the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act to extend the current reporting requirement to include persons "attempting" to transport monetary instruments into or from the United States. Title II: Authorizes any customs officer who has reasonable cause to suspect that monetary instruments are being transported for which a report is required to search, without a search warrant, any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, envelope or other container, or person entering or departing from the United States. Title III: - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a reward to any individual providing original information which leads to a recovery of at least $50,000 by way of a criminal fine, civil penalty, or forfeiture for a violation of such Act. Makes ineligible for such payment any Federal, State, or local employee who furnishes information in the performance of official duties.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 1979
Amends the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a reward to any individual providing original information which leads to recovery of at least $50,000 by way of a criminal fine, civil penalty, or forfeiture for a violation of such Act. Makes ineligible for such payment any Federal, State, or local employee who furnishes information in the performance of official duties.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1979
National Energy Conservation Incentives Act - Title I: Amendments to Utility Program - Amends the residential energy conservation title of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to extend the definition of "residential building" to include: (1) any building used for residential occupancy which contains at least one dwelling unit; and (2) specified commercial buildings. Requires that each utility program under such title contain procedures authorizing utilities to reinspect buildings equipped with conservation measures to determine the extent to which such measures have been installed. Amends the requirements for approval of proposed residential energy conservation plans to require that contractors or suppliers of residential energy conservation measures seeking to be included on the list of approved contractors and suppliers provide one year warranties on materials and installation of such measures and express a willingness to defer receipt of payment for such measures sold or installed until the reinspection described above is completed. Requires that such list indicate such willingness on the part of such contractors and suppliers to allow such deferred payments. Requires that the list of lending institutions offering financial assistance for the purchase and installation of such conservation measures indicate the availability at each such institution of assistance provided under the Energy Conservation Bank Act. Amends the requirements under such title concerning accounting and payment of costs of operating a utility program under such Act. Authorizes public utilities to make loans or capital investment payments to residential building owner customers for the purchase and installation of residential energy conservation measures under specified conditions. Amends the accounting and payment of costs provisions of such title to provide for the financing of such loans and capital investment payments. Stipulates that neither the Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission, nor any other agency shall be barred from challenging anticompetitive acts or practices related to activities conducted under this Act, nor shall any person be deemed to have immunities or defenses to actions under the antitrust laws as a result of the provisions of this Act. Establishes effective dates for the issuance of regulations implementing the provisions of this Act by the Secretary of Energy, Governors or State regulatory agencies, and nonregulated utilities. Directs the Secretary of Energy to provide assistance to States for the training of residential building inspectors undertaking inspections required by this Act and for the development of approved energy conservation methods and inspections. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 through 1982 to carry out this title. Title II: Financial Assistance Provided by the Energy Conservation Bank - Energy Conservation Bank Act - Establishes the Energy Conservation Bank in the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide financial assistance with respect to loans made to owners of existing commercial and residential buildings for the purchase and installation of energy conserving improvements in such buildings. Authorizes the Bank to provide such assistance in the form of payments to financial institutions and public utilities providing financing pursuant to the National Energy Conservation Policy Act. Sets forth criteria for providing such assistance and terms, conditions, and maximum amounts thereof. Establishes as part of the Bank an Advisory Committee to provide advice to the Board of Directors of the Bank on matters concerning energy conservation assistance. Directs the Bank to promote the program established by this Act and to coordinate its efforts with the Department of Energy. Directs the Board to issue an annual report to the Congress and the President discussing the operations of the Bank identifying problems encountered in the energy conservation industry, the Federal Government, and financial institutions concerning energy conservation, and making recommendations for improvement in the Bank's operations. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to permit the Bank to use personnel of such Department for the purpose of carrying out this Act. Establishes penalties for fraud and misrepresentation with respect to loans assisted under this Act. Authorizes the use of funds from the Energy Security Trust Fund to provide assistance under this title. Sets forth limitations on the amount of such funds available for each of the fiscal years 1980 through 1983. Title III: Secondary Financing - Requires that the Board direct the Bank to make commitments to purchase, to purchase and to service, sell, and otherwise deal in loans and advances of credit made under this Act and the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to residential building owners for the purchase of energy conserving improvements. Authorizes the Bank to issue obligations to enable the Bank to carry out its functions. Exempts transactions authorized under this Act from State or local usury or loan insurance laws. Repeals specified provisions of the National Housing Act which authorize the Government National Mortgage Association to purchase energy conserving improvement loans. Amends the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to authorize such Corporation to purchase, make commitments to purchase, and to hold, deal with, sell, and otherwise dispose of mortgages or interest therein held by any public utility acting under a utility program pursuant to the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, the original proceeds of which are applied for in order to finance energy conserving improvements. Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to authorize such association to exercise powers similar to those granted to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation as described above. Title IV: Weatherization Program - Amends the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 to limit the amount of any grant made under such Act to be used for administrative purposes. Amends such Act to increase the amount of payment which may be made to pay volunteers and trainees and public employment workers under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 available to work on weatherization projects in the event there are insufficient participants under such program. Requires the coordination of activities related to rehabilitation, weatherization, and code enforcement conducted by local governments including activities undertaken pursuant to the Housing and Community Development Act and related to energy assistance programs for low- income families, including programs under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Amends such Act to repeal the provisions granting priority in the allocation of weatherization assistance funds to community action agencies serving an area eligible for emergency energy conservation assistance under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Directs the Secretary to establish standards and procedures for weatherization programs under such Act in a manner designed to accomplish uniform results among all the States in any particular similar climatic area. Directs the President to appoint an energy conservation coordinator to assure that the Secretaries of Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Health, Education and Welfare, Defense, the Administrator of the General Services Administration, and other heads of agencies responsible for developing energy conservation standards reach a consensus on establishing criteria for issuing such standards. Directs the President to make annual reports to the Congress on the activities relating to coordination of Federal energy conservation programs. Makes technical amendments to the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1979
Amends the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Incorporated, to erect a memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia in honor and recognition of the men and women of the armed forces who served in the Vietnam war.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1979
Exempts nonprofit veterans' organizations and nonprofit fraternal organizations from the requirement that certain musical performance royalties be paid to copyright holders.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1979
Veterans' Rehabilitation and Education Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Revision of Vocational Rehabilitation Program - Revises veterans' vocational rehabilitation provisions to declare the purpose of this Act to be to provide all services necessary to enable veterans with service- connected disabilities to attain maximum independence, to become employable, and to obtain and maintain suitable employment. Redefines "vocational rehabilitation" to include the provision of all services required to achieve the purpose of this Act, including discharge, medical, social, psychological, economic, and vocational services (presently defined in terms of educational and vocational training to restore employability). Defines "employment handicap" as a disability impairing a veteran's ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with his or her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Revises entitlement provisions to: (1) make eligibility run as of September 16, 1940, (rather than World II as at present); (2) require a handicap to be an employment handicap as defined by this Act; and (3) provide for follow up vocational services to a rehabilitated veteran in order for such veteran to enter new employment more suitable to his or her current capacity or condition. Eliminates the language extending eligibility for specified veterans to October 15, 1971. Sets forth the scope of services, including: (1) evaluation of rehabilitation potential; (2) educational, vocational, and personal counseling; (3) a vocational rehabilitation plan; (4) vocational and related services including tutorial services, tuition, books, and other training materials; (5) treatment for mental and emotional disorders; (6) medical care; (7) prosthetic and other corrective devices; (8) placement and postplacement services; (9) services to a veteran's family; (10) special rehabilitation services, including services for the blind and the deaf; (11) subsistence allowances; (12) essential employment equipment and supplies for severely disabled veterans requiring homebound training and or self-employment; (13) transportation costs, including pre- and post-training services; and (14) work study allowance, loans, and other incidental goods and services. Revises duration of services provisions to: (1) provide basic vocational rehabilitation services for 48 months; (2) remove the nine year (from discharge) eligibility limitation; and (3) provide a 12 month rehabilitation evaluation period. Revises subsistence allowances provisions to: (1) provide for payments during the evaluation of vocational rehabilitation period; (2) provide payments for unpaid on-job training or work experience in a Federal agency or during such evaluation period; (3) pay room and board expenses for individuals pursuing a program on a residential basis in a specialized rehabilitation facility; (4) provide that vocational payments be paid on a full-time basis for two months following a determination of employability; (5) set forth the rate of payment for individuals in unpaid Federal training or work experience; (6) prohibit payments to incarcerated individuals; and (7) provide for advance payment of subsistence allowances. Authorizes personal adjustment counseling and counseling during the evaluation of rehabilitation feasibility period. Sets forth basic requirements of a vocational rehabilitation program, which shall include: (1) participation by the veteran in formulation of a written plan; and (2) a statement of objectives and goals, services and a time schedule for providing such services, and a projected completion date. Revises leave of absence provisions to remove the 30 day per year limitation on such leave. Revises the regulation of conduct provisions to remove the three-month forfeiture of subsistence allowance penalty for unsatisfactory conduct and to replace the permanent disqualification for further vocational rehabilitation penalty with a provision allowing the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to reinstate such benefits upon satisfactory conduct. Increases the maximum amount of loans available to a veteran from $200 to $400. Authorizes vocational rehabilitation to veterans hospitalized (not pending final discharge) in VA or non-VA medical facilities. Authorizes vocational training outside the United States (presently prohibited for post-World War II veterans who were not citizens at the time of their United States military service). Provides that any Federal agency's facilities may be used to provide unpaid training or work experience as part of a veteran's vocational rehabilitation program. States that such a veteran shall be deemed a Federal employee for workmens' compensation purposes but not for the purposes of laws administered by the Office of Personnel Management. Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to use the facilities, staff, and other resources of any Federal agency to provide services under this Act. Directs the Administrator to assist in the development of employment and on-job training opportunities, including payments to employers for providing on-job training to certain veterans. Directs the Veterans Administration (VA) to: (1) provide employment assistance, including direct employment placement, utilization of Federal, State, and nonprofit private employment services and securing loans and paying business license fees; (2) provide vocational rehabilitation staff training and development; and (3) carry out an ongoing program of rehabilitation research and special projects, including grants and contracts with public and nonprofit agencies. Directs the Administrator to appoint a Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation. Revises provisions concerning the limitation on periods of assistance under two or more veterans' educational assistance programs to include post-Vietnam era benefits within such limitation, and to provide a 48 month aggregate eligibility period for vocational rehabilitation and other educational assistance. Title II: GI Bill Educational Assistance Program Amendments: Part A - Educational Assistance for Veterans - Authorizes the Administrator to disapprove a veteran's or serviceperson's application for educational assistance if enrollment would be prohibited by any of the appropriate administrative provisions. Eliminates the 50 percent employment reporting requirement for courses if: (1) veteran and eligible dependent or survivor enrollment does not exceed 35 percent of total enrollment (for the two-year reporting period); and (2) the course had met the employment requirements for two consecutive reporting periods. Eliminates the requirement that a major portion of an open circuit television course must require conventional classroom or laboratory attendance in order to be approved by the Administrator for assistance. Eliminates computing persons receiving Federal educational assistance from the "85-15" enrollment eligibility requirement. Eliminates the course completion time provision as a requirement for satisfactory educational progress with regard to discontinuance of educational assistance. Revises foreign study provisions to authorize such study if: (1) the course is part of a standard college degree program (or its equivalent) at an institution of higher learning so recognized by the foreign country; and (2) the Administrator approves. Provides that an incarcerated veteran pursuing a program of education shall be paid at the same rate as half-time and active duty recipients. Authorizes assistance for continuing education or training required by Federal, State, or local law for professional or vocational relicensure or continued employment. Provides that such continuing education shall be paid at the same rate as refresher training. Stipulates that educational assistance for a veteran pursuing an eligible (as revised by this Act) open circuit television course shall be paid in the same manner as an independent study program. Part B - Educational Assistance for Dependents and Survivors of Veterans - Authorizes the Administrator to disapprove an eligible survivor's or dependent's application for educational assistance if enrollment would be prohibited by any of the appropriate administrative provisions. Prohibits such individuals from enrolling in an educational institution not located in a State or in the Republic of the Philippines unless: (1) the course is part of a standard college degree (or its equivalent) at an institution of higher learning so recognized by the foreign country; and (2) the Administrator approves. Revises provisions concerning advance educational assistance payments to such individuals to: (1) authorize direct payments to an eligible individual (presently payments must be made to a parent or guardian); (2) eliminate certain certification requirements; (3) provide that payments for an eligible (as revised by this Act) open circuit television course shall be paid in the same manner as an independent study program; and (4) provide that an incarcerated individual pursuing a program of education shall be paid at the same rate as half-time and active duty recipients. Part C - Amendments Relating to Administration of Educational Benefits - Revises provisions concerning the period for which educational or subsistence allowances will be paid for eligible veterans or persons to provide that: (1) the individual must be pursuing a course of study (presently required to be enrolled); (2) the Administrator shall determine regulations regarding eligibility; and (3) payment shall be for the stated period of enrollment, or the actual period of enrollment, whichever is shorter. Requires veterans and other individuals to report any changes in their educational status to the Administrator. Requires educational institutions to report any facts that they know or should have known concerning their compliance with, or eligibility for, such educational assistance. Revises overpayment provisions to: (1) make individual recipients liable (presently only the educational institution is liable); and (2) provide that a waiver of individual liability shall not release such institution from liability. Includes "residence" in the definition of a full-time undergraduate course. Defines "in residence on a standard quarter- or semester-hour basis" to require pursuit of regularly scheduled weekly class instruction on campus at the rate of one standard class session per week throughout the semester for one semester hour of credit. Provides for payments to veterans and eligible persons attending non-degree courses during periods between terms which do not exceed 15 calendar days and periods when the school is not in session because of teacher conferences or teacher training sessions (not to exceed five days in any 12-month period). Terminates the (veterans') education advisory committee as of December 31, 1989. Includes post-Vietnam era veterans' educational assistance, and deletes vocational rehabilitation, within such committee's responsibility. Title III: Repeal of Authority to Pursue Predischarge Education Training (PREP) Under Chapter 32 - Repeals specified provisions authorizing servicepersons to participate in the predischarge education training program (PREP). Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Administrator to release information to a consumer credit agency concerning veterans' benefits debts to: (1) obtain current addresses of debtors; (2) obtain credit reports in order to assess a debtor's ability to repay; and (3) give notice of the outstanding obligation. Prohibits the VA from making such disclosure until 30 days have elapsed after reasonable efforts have been made to notify the individual of the VA's intention to disclose debt information. Prohibits disclosure of such information by the VA in a case of a disputed claim until the accuracy of the information is determined or until the Administrator reviews such claim. Provides that records disclosed to a consumer reporting agency may be used only for the purpose provided for by this Act, and that the Privacy Act does not apply to such disclosure. Authorizes the disclosure by the Administrator of names and addresses from use in a collection proceeding for debts owed for any Veterans' Administration benefits program. Includes required drills and field exercises within the category of National Guard activities which are considered active duty for training for purposes of veterans' reemployment rights. Defines "person" for purposes of veterans' survivors and dependents special restorative training to mean children of veterans. Title V: Effective Date - Provides that the provisions of this Act shall take effect on the first day of the second month after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Title I: Contracts Between Sales Representatives and Principals - 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. Enumerates items which must be set forth in any contract between a sales representative and a principal. Title II: Indemnification - Exempts principals conforming with such information requirements from the indemnification provisions set forth in this Act. Requires a principal who, without good cause, terminates 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. Title III: Miscellaneous - 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 · 27 July 1979
Consumer Checking Account Equity Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize member banks in the Federal Reserve System and federally insured nonmember banks to make automatic funds transfers from a savings deposit to a demand deposit pursuant to the written authorization of the depositor to make such transfers in connection with checks or drafts drawn upon the bank. Authorizes federally insured banks and savings and loan associations, State banks and savings and loan associations, savings banks, and mutual savings banks to offer interest-bearing deposits or accounts upon which the depositor may make withdrawals by negotiable instrument for the purpose of making transfers to third parties (NOW accounts). Stipulates that such deposits or accounts may only be held by individuals or nonprofit organizations. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to permit Federal savings and loan associations and Federal mutual savings banks to establish remote service units pursuant to regulations of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Authorizes such associations to extend loans directly related to negotiable order of withdrawal accounts. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to require any institution which has subscribed for the stock of a Federal Home Loan Bank to maintain reserves against its negotiable order of withdrawal accounts pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Prescribes the required form of such balances. Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to permit insured credit unions to offer share draft deposits to individuals and nonprofit organizations in accordance with regulations prescribed by the National Credit Union Administration Board. Requires each Federal credit union to maintain reserves against such deposits in amounts and forms prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Alternate Fuels Engine Development Act of 1979 - Title I: Alternative Fuels Engine Development Program - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a comprehensive program for the development of gas turbine engines for commercial production. Stipulates that such program shall include development of gasoline engine conversion systems. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, contracts, and loans with specified types of institutions and organizations in order to carry out this title. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to qualified entities to assist in the commercial production of such engines and conversion systems. Authorizes appropriations for programs described under this title. Requires that federally-purchased vehicles be equipped with gas turbine engines or gasoline engine conversion systems. Directs the Secretary to take such steps as necessary to assure participation by small businesses in the programs conducted under this title. Terminates the provisions of this Act effective January 1, 1990. Title II: Tax Incentives for Gas Turbine Engine Development and Production and for Gasoline Engine Conversion Equipment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide an additional 15 percent investment tax credit for gasoline conservation property, as defined under this Act. Allows a tax deduction with respect to the amortization of any qualified gasoline conservation product facility based on a period of 60 months. Sets forth procedures for determining eligibility for and claiming such deduction. Allows a tax credit for purchase of qualified gasoline conservation products. Allows a tax deduction for fees paid for transportation of a taxpayer on any public transportation motor vehicle which uses any qualified gasoline conservation product.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Postmaster General and the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee should give favorable consideration to the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Americans of Italian descent and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Philip Mazzei on December 25, 1980, or as soon as possible thereafter. States that the Postmaster General and the Committee should honor other foreign-born contributors to the revolutionary cause, from countries which have not yet been commemorated, prior to the conclusion of the American Bicentennial celebration in 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Defense Production Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to authorize the President to allow the Department of Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority to guarantee loans for the purpose of expediting deliveries or services with respect to national defense contracts. Increases the maximum loan which any Federal agency may guarantee under such Act without the approval of Congress from $20,000,000 to $38,000,000. Requires notification to specified Congressional committees of any proposed obligation above such limit. Authorizes the agency involved to guarantee such a loan if neither House of Congress disapproves of such action within a specified time. Authorizes the President to provide loans to private business enterprises for the production of energy. Increases the ceiling for loans made to private enterprises pursuant to such Act from $25,000,000 to 48,000,000. Extends the President's power under such Act to purchase raw materials for the national defense through fiscal year 1995. Directs the President to attempt to achieve a national production goal of at least 500,000 barrels per day crude oil equivalent of synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks within five years. Authorizes and directs the President to require fuel and chemical feedstock suppliers to provide synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks in any case where the President deems it practicable and necessary to meet national defense needs. Authorizes the President, in carrying out these objectives, to: (1) contract for purchases or commitments to purchase synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks which may be for Government use or resale; and (2) encourage the development and production of such synthetic fuels and feedstocks for national defense preparedness. Terminates the President's authority to enter into such contracts at the end of fiscal year 1995. Sets forth procedures for the awarding and performance of such contracts. Authorizes the President to organize corporations to meet the production goal for synthetic fuels and feedstocks as set forth in this Act. Sets forth Congressional oversight measures with respect to the formation of such corporations. Authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000,000 for synthetic fuel and feedstock contracts as authorized pursuant to this Act. Extends specified provisions of such Act through fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) to direct the Secretary of Labor ("the Secretary"), in cooperation with the Secretaries of Energy and the Interior, to assess and report to Congress on the current and projected adequacy of the supply of manpower for the development and expansion of energy technologies and industries to meet domestic needs. Requires such assessment to include specific findings and recommendations concerning the additional employment and training programs or projects needed to provide the necessary manpower, for 1980 through 1984, to fully develop and utilize all domestic energy sources. Directs the Secretary to recommend to prime sponsors programs necessary to fulfill such manpower needs for each of the five years. Prohibits the approval of any CETA plan for any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1980, unless it is reasonably responsive to such recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Defense Production Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to authorize the President to allow the Department of Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority to guarantee loans for the purpose of expediting deliveries or services with respect to national defense contracts. Increases the maximum loan which any Federal agency may guarantee under such Act without the approval of Congress from $20,000,000 to $38,000,000. Requires notification to specified Congressional committees of any proposed obligation above such limit. Authorizes the agency involved to guarantee such a loan if neither House of Congress disapproves of such action within a specified time. Authorizes the President to provide loans to private business enterprises for the production of energy. Increases the ceiling for loans made to private enterprises pursuant to such Act from $25,000,000 to 48,000,000. Extends the President's power under such Act to purchase raw materials for the national defense through fiscal year 1995. Directs the President to attempt to achieve a national production goal of at least 500,000 barrels per day crude oil equivalent of synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks within five years. Authorizes and directs the President to require fuel and chemical feedstock suppliers to provide synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks in any case where the President deems it practicable and necessary to meet national defense needs. Authorizes the President, in carrying out these objectives, to: (1) contract for purchases or commitments to purchase synthetic fuels and synthetic chemical feedstocks which may be for Government use or resale; and (2) encourage the development and production of such synthetic fuels and feedstocks for national defense preparedness. Terminates the President's authority to enter into such contracts at the end of fiscal year 1995. Sets forth procedures for the awarding and performance of such contracts. Authorizes the President to organize corporations to meet the production goal for synthetic fuels and feedstocks as set forth in this Act. Sets forth Congressional oversight measures with respect to the formation of such corporations. Authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000,000 for synthetic fuel and feedstock contracts as authorized pursuant to this Act. Extends specified provisions of such Act through fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Replacement Motor Fuels Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to promote the development and use of replacement fuels in the United States to replace gasoline used as a motor fuel with replacement motor fuel containing the maximum percentage of alcohol, or other liquid produced from coal, oil, shale, or other substances as is economically and technically feasible. Directs the Secretary to determine with respect to replacement fuels: the most suitable raw materials for their production, the nature of the distribution systems and production processes of such fuels, the technical and economic feasibility of including liquids extracted from oil shale and coal in such program, and the technical and economic feasibility of reaching goal of replacing 20 percent of the gasoline used as a motor fuel with replacement fuels by the year 1992. Directs the Secretary to set production goals for replacement fuels for each of calendar years through 1981 through 1987. Sets forth the manner of determining the percentage of replacement fuel by volume to be contained in the total quantity of gasoline and replacement fuel sold annually in commerce in the United States in calendar years 1981 through 1990, and directs the Secretary to issue a rule setting the minimum percentage replacement fuel to be sold for year 1981 through 1986 by any refiner. by any refiner. Sets forth provisions for the enforcement of such requirements. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Congratulates the men and women of the Apollo program upon the tenth anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon and requests the President to designate the period of July 16 through July 24, 1979, as "United States Space Observance" in honor of such event.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1979
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a specially struck gold medal to the American Red Cross. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to make bronze duplicates of such medal for public sale.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Directs the President to furnish to the House of Representatives certain information related to the current oil situation, including data on: (1) shortages, supplies, demand, and allocation of crude oil; and (2) refinery yield reductions and capacity utilization.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1979
Amends the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act to authorize customs officers to stop and search without a search warrant any vehicle or person, if there is reasonable cause to suspect that monetary instruments are being transported for which reports are required.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1979
Amends the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act to include anyone attempting to transport or have transported monetary instruments across the borders of the United States among the persons required to file a report under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1979
Amends the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to pay informants who report violations of the reporting requirements applicable to exports and imports of monetary instruments.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1979
Veteran Senior Citizen Health Care Act of 1979 - States the purposes of this Act to be: (1) to provide for the increasing demand for geriatric and extended health care and medical services being placed on the Veterans' Administration (VA) hospital system; and (2) to make the VA hospital system foremost in the area of geriatric health care and the repository of gerontology medical knowledge. Directs that within the Office of the Chief Medical Director of the VA one Assistant Chief Medical Director shall be doctor of geriatrics, and shall be responsible for the VA's geriatric services. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to designate 15 VA hospitals as demonstration centers of geriatric research, education, and clinical operations. Stipulates that such centers shall operate until September 30, 1983. Directs the Administrator to provide that: (1) each hospital operating as a geriatric center on the date of enactment of this Act be designated as the location for a demonstration center; (2) the desirability of designating hospitals which are affiliated with an accredited medical school having an organized geriatrics program; and (3) such designated hospitals be geographically dispersed across the United States. Directs the Administrator to establish a Geriatrics and Extended Care Task Force within the VA's Special Medical Advisory Group. Stipulates that such Task Force shall assess: (1) the VA's capability to provide geriatric services on a sustained and growing basis to eligible veterans; and (2) the current and projected needs for geriatric and extended health services among eligible veterans. Requires such Task Force to submit a report to the Administrator and the Special Medical Advisory Group within 18 months after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Administrator to transmit such report (within 90 days of receipt), along with any comments, to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees. Requires a final report to be submitted by such Task Force within four years after the effective date of this Act. Authorizes appropriations of: (1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1980; (2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1981; (3) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1982; and (4) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $500 ($1,000 for married individuals filing jointly) of the interest earned on savings accounts in a bank, savings and loan association, or credit union.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1979
Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Community and Neighborhood Development and Conservation - Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to extend and authorize appropriations for the rehabilitation loan program through fiscal year 1980. Extends the intergovernmental program of comprehensive planning for the acquisition of sites for and construction of public buildings under the Housing Act of 1954 through fiscal year 1980. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to increase the authorization of appropriations for grant and supplemental grant assistance to State and local community development programs. Provides for a pro rata distribution of funds among programs to meet all basic grant and hold-harmless entitlement needs in the event of a funding deficiency in fiscal year 1980. Removes statutory restrictions based on census statistics defining the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to waive procedural requirements in awarding grants. Stipulates that in addition to the National Environmental Protection Act of 1969 environmental protection measures must be carried out in order for the Secretary to release funds to applicants for projects. Title II: Housing Assistance Programs - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize appropriations for annual contributions to low-income housing projects and operating services through fiscal year 1980. Amends the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978 to authorize appropriations for operating assistance for troubled multifamily housing projects through fiscal year 1980. Requires the utilization of amounts in the reserve fund created from excess rental charges by owners of housing projects receiving interest reduction payments under the National Housing Act. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to set forth: (1) new limits on the percentage of a family's income which may be required as rent for low-income housing; (2) criteria for tenant selection; (3) requirements for the maintenance of the low-income character of certain assisted housing projects; and (4) provisions for the distribution of unexpended operating subsidies. Directs the Secretary in making rent supplement assistance available under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 to give priority to individuals or families who are occupying substandard housing or are involuntarily displaced at the time they are seeking housing assistance. Amends the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary in making homeownership assistance payments to lower income mortgagees, to give preference to assisting low-income families in acquiring a condominium unit or membership in a cooperative association. Provides for displaced tenants in HUD-owned projects. Title III: Program Amendments and Extensions - Amends the National Housing Act to extend the following mortgage insurance programs of the Federal Housing Administration: (1) housing renovation and modernization; (2) general insurance authorization; (3) housing for moderate income and displaced families; (4) membership in cooperative associations for lower income families; (5) rental housing for low-income families; (6) coinsurance mortgages; (7) experimental housing; (8) armed services housing; (9) group practice facilities and medical practice facilities; (10) new communities; and (11) crime and riot reinsurance. Permits the Secretary to insure, on a permanent basis, mortgages and loans with provisions for varying rates of amortization through fiscal year 1980. Extends the Emergency Home Purchase Assistance program through fiscal year 1980. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary, as an alternative to the acquisition of an insured mortgage to avoid foreclosure, to make all or part of the monthly payments due on an insured mortgage of a one-to four-family residence necessary to avoid default caused by circumstances beyond the mortgagor's control. Stipulates that all payments shall be secured by a lien on the property and by such other obligation as the Secretary may require. Stipulates that such payments may be provided for a period of up to 18 months. Allows payments to be discontinued at any time because the mortgagor's financial circumstances have changed, the payments are no longer necessary, or the prospect of payments and repayments is no longer reasonable. Terminates the authority to make such payments on September 30, 1981. Authorizes appropriations for research and demonstration housing projects through fiscal year 1980. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize appropriations, without limitation, to cover losses sustained by the General Insurance Fund. Extends the authority of the Secretary to issue obligations to finance housing programs for the elderly and handicapped under the Housing Act of 1959. Extends the authority of the Secretary to insure mortgages under the National Housing Act by including dwellings covered by a consumer protection or warranty plan. Authorizes the appropriation of a specified amount to carry out the activities of the National Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation for fiscal year 1980. Directs the Secretary to study the relative risks of loss connected with the classes of mortgages insured under the National Housing Act. States that such study is for the purpose of determining the advisability of reducing related mortgage insurance premiums. Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) exempt insured loans, mortgages, or advances from State usury laws; and (2) increase Federal Housing Administration mortgage limits for insurance eligibility. Increases to 75 percent in any geographical area the amount of: (1) rental housing insurance; (2) cooperative housing insurance; (3) rehabilitation and neighborhood conservation housing insurance; (4) moderate income and displaced family housing insurance; (5) housing for the elderly mortgage insurance; and (6) multifamily condominium mortgage insurance. Increases the limit on loans for mobile homes and lots with respect to credit insurance of financial institutions. Allows the Government National Mortgage Association to purchase a mortgage with an original principal obligation that exceeds the otherwise applicable maximum amount per dwelling unit if the mortgage is a moderate income and displaced family housing insured mortgage and at least 20 percent of the units covered by such mortgage are assisted under contracts authorized by the United States Housing Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. Allows up to ten percent of the assistance available under the Neighborhood Self-Help Development Act of 1978 to be used for uncertified projects demonstrating innovative means of assisting in neighborhood conservation and revitalization. Amends the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to permit securities sold, issued, or guaranteed by the Corporation to be lawful investments and accepted as security for all fiduciary trusts and public funds. Title IV: Interstate Land Sales - Amends the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act to outline specified exemptions from the provisions of such Act including provisions requiring registration and disclosure of the sale or lease of lots in subdivisions of specified size. Sets forth requirements relating to the sale or lease of lots if a mobile home is to be erected as a primary residence. Makes it unlawful for any developer or agent to deceive or in any way defraud a purchaser or lessee of a lot. Provides for civil relief by a purchaser or lessee for any such unlawful act. Permits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to certify as equivalent to the Federal law any State land sale disclosure law which is substantially equivalent to the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure law. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a cease and desist order to any agent or developer believed to be engaging in any unlawful act or practice. Sets forth criminal penalties for any willful violation of this Act. Allows any State attorney general to bring a civil action as parens patriae on behalf of individuals residing in such State, in any appropriate United State district court. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress biennially a report on the administration of this Act and its impact upon the land development industry and purchasers and lessees of undeveloped land. Title V: Rural Housing - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for farm and rural housing programs as follows: (1) loans to provide occupant owned, rental, and cooperative housing for low-and moderate-income families; (2) insured loans for housing for domestic farm labor; (3) notes and other obligations for loan funds; (4) loans and grants for repairs or improvements of rural dwellings; (5) financial assistance to provide low-rent housing for domestic farm labor; (6) technical services and research for new buildings and repairs; (7) escrow accounts for taxes, insurance, and other expenses; (8) grants and loans for the development of technical and supervisory assistance programs in rural areas with Federal, State, and local housing program for low-income families; and (9) mutual self-help housing programs in rural areas and small towns. Authorizes such sums as may be required to provide safe, sanitary housing for low-income families, to conduct economic surveys for a sound mortgage market, and to reimburse the Rural Housing Insurance Fund. Extends the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to insure loans which provide rental and cooperative housing for the elderly or others of low-and moderate-incomes and to insure and make loans for housing and buildings on farms owned by low or moderate income families. Stipulates that the Secretary shall determine the rate of interest on occupant owned, rental, and cooperative housing loans. Defines the terms "persons and families of low income" for purposes of this Act. Provides for the repayment and refinancing of loans for housing for the elderly and families of low income and for domestic farm labor. Permits the Secretary to make or insure loans for 40 percent of the units in multifamily cooperative or rental housing projects. Authorizes the Secretary to assist in providing technical assistance and counseling to recipients who are delinquent with the repayment of any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under the Housing Act of 1949 and to those who need assistance in financial management, home maintenance, and related matters. Includes among the administrative powers of the Secretary the authority to repair and rehabilitate property pledged or mortgaged under the Housing Act of 1949 and purchased by the Secretary at any foreclosure. Makes provisions for the payment by the Secretary out of the Rural Housing Insurance Fund for the correction of, or compensation to homeowners for significant construction defects in certain newly constructed, assisted homes. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to allow the Secretary to make loans for the acquisition and development of land for use as sites on which residential structures will be built without regard to whether such structures will be eligible for assistance under any Federal, State, or local law. Stipulates that such loans shall bear interest at a rate equal to the market rate for comparable loans, as determined by the Secretary.
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 · 10 April 1979
Soft Drink Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that exclusive territorial arrangements made as a part of a licensing agreement for the manufacture, distribution, or sale of a trademarked soft drink product are lawful under the antitrust laws provided such product is in substantial and effective competition with other products of the same general class. Prohibits recovery in private actions under the Clayton Act based on territorial provisions in a trademark licensing agreement prior to a final determination that such provisions are unlawful.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1979
States the findings of Congress with respect to the utility of regulations issued by Federal financial regulatory agencies. Requires regulations issued by Federal financial regulatory agencies to insure that: (1) the need for and purpose of such regulations are clearly established; (2) meaningful alternatives to the issuance of regulations are considered; (3) compliance costs, paperwork, and other costs are kept at a minimal level; (4) conflicts, duplications and inconsistencies between regulations are avoided; (5) opportunities for comment by interested parties are made available; and (6) the language of such regulations is clear and simple. Directs Federal financial regulatory agencies to establish a program which assures periodic review of existing regulations. Requires all Federal financial regulatory agencies to submit reports outlining their progress in implementing financial regulation simplification to the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Terminates the provisions of this Act five years after its effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Homeownership Opportunity Act of 1979 - Amends the National Housing Act to permit the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure a graduated payment mortgage with a principal amount of up to 100 percent of the appraised value of the property involved.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1979
Grants all interest of the United States to specified lands acquired for the Big Darby Lake Flood Control Project to the State of Ohio subject to a reversion should such lands cease to be administered for wildlife management purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1979
Alcohol Fuel Additive Act of 1979 - Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to coordinate and carry out research leading to and culminating in the commercialization of alcohol derived from sweet sorghum or other hydrocarbon-containing agricultural crops. Establishes a National Advisory Committee to assist the Secretary in carrying out such duties. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a bank of all pertinent research data of production of alcohol from sweet sorghums or other hydrocarbon-containing crops. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative projects with foreign governments. Authorizes the Secretary to submit to the President and the Congress an annual report on the status of work underway under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to designate motor vehicles operated by an owner or a nonowner accompanied by an owner as an exempted category under such Act. Prohibits any driver of a motor vehicle coming under such exemption to charge less than the lowest rate, fare or charge specified in tariffs or schedules on file with the Interstate Commerce Commission for identical or similar commodities between identical or similar points.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Veterans' Disability Compensation and Survivors' Benefits Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Veterans' Disability Compensation Benefits - Increases the rates of veterans' compensation for (1) wartime disability compensation; (2) additional compensation for dependents; and (3) clothing allowances paid to certain disabled veterans. Title II: Survivors' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Benefits - Increases the rates of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation for (1) a surviving spouse; (2) surviving children; and (3) supplemental children's benefits. Title III: Effective Date - States that the provisions of this Act shall take effect on October 1, 1979.
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 · 13 February 1979
Repeals the requirement, under the Social Security Amendments of 1977, that the amount of monthly benefits payable to a spouse or surviving spouse under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act be reduced by the amount such spouse or surviving spouse receives as monthly payments from a Federal or State pension fund.