United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (Rule 32; sentence and judgment) to require the court, in any case in which a defendant is convicted of a felony while admitted to bail, to impose the sentence for such felony as consecutive to any previous sentence.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the President to enter into treaties or other agreements with countries contiguous to the United States for the purpose of air pollution control in border areas. Directs the Secretary of State to take appropriate diplomatic actions to reduce or eliminate air pollution adversely affecting any area of the United States and originating in another country. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to determine the percentage of air pollutants in border areas resulting from foreign sources and to eliminate such percentage in determining compliance with ambient air quality standards by such region.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Venture Capital Tax Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the nonrecognition of gain from the sale of qualified venture capital stock (if within two years after the sale of such stock the taxpayer purchases replacement property) except to the extent that the taxpayer's sales price exceeds the cost of such replacement property. Defines "qualified venture capital stock" as the first $5,000,000 of stock issued by a newly formed, domestic, unaffiliated corporation engaged in manufacturing, research, or extraction. Applies such nonrecognition only to the sale of stock held by the taxpayer for ten years or more. Reduces the basis of replacement property (any qualified venture capital stock) by the amount of gain not recognized solely by reason of the application of this Act. Treats as an ordinary loss (the aggregate amount of which may not exceed $100,000 annually) a loss on the sale of qualified venture capital stock which would otherwise be treated as a capital loss. Applies the current tax treatment of qualified stock options to stock options for venture capital. Requires, for the first ten years of existence of any newly established, unaffiliated business, a net operating loss carryover to each of the ten taxable years following the taxable year of such loss beginning after December 31, 1979. Eliminates the limitation on the deduction for interest on investment indebtedness.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1979
Farm Credit Act Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Federal Land Banks and Associations - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to authorize any Federal land bank, under the supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) participate in loans with other Farm Credit System institutions (i.e., Federal land banks, Federal land bank associations, Federal intermediate credit banks, production credit associations, and banks for cooperatives); (2) participate in loans which the land banks are authorized to make with lenders which are not Farm Credit System institutions; (3) sell interests in loans to such lenders; (4) buy from and sell to Farm Credit System institutions interests in loans, other extended financial assistance, and nonvoting stock; (5) make other investments; (6) accept contributions to their capital from Federal land bank associations; (7) enter into agreements with other Farm Credit System institutions to share loan and other losses; (8) issue nonvoting stock to borrowers as a patronage refund; and (9) make or participate with other lenders in long-term real estate mortgage loans not exceeding 85 percent of the appraised value of the real estate security. Makes producers and harvesters of aquatic products eligible for Federal land bank services. Authorizes Federal land bank associations to make capital contributions to a Federal land bank. States that a member of a Federal land bank association need not make the required purchases of land stock with respect to that part of a loan derived from a lender which is not a Farm Credit System institution. Authorizes the Federal land bank associations to pay dividends on a differential basis between different classes and issues of stock and participation certificates corresponding to the value of such classes and issues to the capital or earnings of the Federal land bank in its district. Permits the Federal land bank associations to agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System institutions. Title II: Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations - Authorizes the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, subject to the supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) buy from and sell to Farm Credit System institutions interests in loans, other extended financial assistance and nonvoting stock; (2) make other investments; (3) agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System institutions; (4) participate with other Farm Credit System institutions in making loans; and (5) issue nonvoting stock to such institutions. Authorizes the Federal intermediate credit banks to discount for, or purchase from other financial institutions loans made to producers and harvesters of aquatic products. Permits any Federal intermediate credit bank to transfer more than 25 percent of its net earnings after expenses to its allocated reserve account (presently, not more than 25 percent of such earnings may be transferred to this account). Authorizes each production credit association, subject to the supervision of the intermediate credit bank in its district and the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) buy from and sell to any bank in the Farm Credit System interests in loans, other financial assistance extended, and nonvoting stock; (2) participate in loans with other Farm Credit System institutions; (3) agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System Institutions; (4) issue participation certificates to eligible borrowers in lieu of nonvoting stock; and (5) issue participation certificates or nonvoting stock to any financial institution outside the Farm Credit System with which the association participates in a loan in satisfaction of the requirement that a borrower own such stock or participation certificates. Requires a borrower to own only that amount of stock or participation certificates which is proportionate to that portion of a loan retained by a production credit association when it participates with another lender in making a loan. Authorizes the production credit associations to extend loan assistance to bona fide farmers, ranchers, and producers and harvesters of aquatic products for basic processing and marketing directly related to the borrower's operations. Title III: Banks and Cooperatives - Empowers each bank for cooperatives, subject to the supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) participate with other Farm Credit System institutions in making loans; (2) deposit its securities and current funds with any domestic or foreign financial organization (presently, such deposits must be made at a member bank in the Federal Reserve System); (3) buy and sell bankers' acceptances which are obligations of member banks in the Federal Reserve System; (4) buy and sell other obligations including those which arise in the course of transactions which the bank has assisted through loans; (5) buy from and sell to Farm Credit System institutions interests in loans, other financial assistance extended and nonvoting stock; (6) make other investments; (7) invest in foreign and domestic business entities to facilitate the obtaining of credit information and the performance of services related to international transactions; (8) maintain credit balances to assist in the transfer of funds between parties to authorized transactions; (9) agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System institutions; and (10) issue participation certificates to parties who may not be issued voting stock. Requires all participation certificates, voting and nonvoting stock issued by the banks for cooperatives to be retired at par value. Authorizes the banks for cooperatives to: (1) offer a currency exchange for eligible cooperative associations; and (2) extend loans, loan participation commitments, and other technical and financial assistance to any domestic or foreign party in which a member cooperative has an ownership interest or which engages with the cooperative in dealings in agricultural or aquatic products, farm supplies or the lease of property, provided such assistance substantially benefits the member cooperative. Enables cooperatives solely engaged in furnishing aquatic business services to borrow from the banks for cooperatives. Reduces the degree of ownership in a cooperative which must be held by farmers, producers or harvesters of aquatic products, or other cooperative associations in order to make such a cooperative eligible to borrow from a bank for cooperatives. Requires a bank for cooperatives to retire any equity held by a borrower in default or dissolution at fair market value not to exceed the par value of the equity interest of the borrower. Prohibits the retirement or cancellation of such an equity interest if the bank's capital structure would be adversely affected. Permits each bank for cooperatives to transfer more than 25 percent of its net annual savings to a surplus account. Authorizes the banks for cooperatives to pay patronage refunds to borrowers in the form of participation certificates. Title IV: Provisions Applicable to Two or More Classes of Institutions of the System - Declares that interest rates established by the Farm Credit Administration for loans made by Farm Credit System institutions shall preempt any interest rate limitation imposed by State law. States that when two or more Farm Credit System institutions participate in a loan as authorized by this Act, the terms of such loan shall be those agreed upon by the institutions. Requires that such factors as borrower eligibility, membership, term, amount, loan security and purchase of stock or participation certificates by the borrower are to be governed by the provisions of law applicable to the institution originating the loan. Exempts credit transactions of Farm Credit System institutions from the provisions of any State statute or any other law or regulation which impose, with regard to a credit transaction, any duty or requirement which had been imposed by the Truth in Lending Act before amendment. Authorizes the institutions of the Farm Credit System to organize corporations to perform non-lending functions and services which such institutions are authorized to perform. Empowers the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration to review and revise the charters of such corporations. States that such corporations shall be subject to supervision and examination by the Administration. Title V: District and Farm Credit Administration Organization - Revises the process for the election of farm credit district directors by reducing from three to two the number of nominees in the election poll. Establishes the rate of compensation for the Federal Farm Credit Board at the daily equivalent of the rate prescribed for grade GS-18 of the General Schedule. Authorizes the Board to fix the salary of the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration at any level not exceeding the maximum rate of basic pay in the Executive Schedule. Authorizes the Governor to appoint Deputy Governors to provide assistance in the functioning of the Farm Credit Administration. Exempts the Administration from provisions of Federal law relating to appointments in the competitive civil service, travel expenses, allowances, procurement, and property disposition. Credits employees of Farm Credit System institutions with specified leave and retirement benefits when they are transferred to Federal service in the Farm Credit Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit common carriers by railroad (including a railroad switching company or a terminal company) to use the retirement-replacement-betterment method of accounting for determining depreciation allowances for income tax deduction purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Taxpayer Protection and Reimbursement Act - Title I: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to award reasonable court costs, including attorneys' fees, to the prevailing party (other than the United States or a creditor of the prevailing party) in any civil action in any court of the United States for the determination, collection, or refund of any tax, interest, or penalty imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Limits the amount of such award to $20,000 for any one civil action. Includes within the definition of "attorneys' fees" amounts paid to an individual who is not an attorney, but who is authorized to practice before the Tax Court. Defines "prevailing party" as a party who recovers all, or all but an insignificant portion of the amount in controversy in a civil tax proceding, or whose position is sustained as to all, or all but an insignificant portion, of the issues involved, and who establishes that the position of the United States in the civil action was unreasonable. Disallows costs and attorneys' fees for certain civil actions involving declaratory judgments. Title II: Amendments to Title 28 - Incorporates into title 28 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the United States Code the amendments set forth in title I of this Act.
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 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 a taxpayer to deduct less 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 · 26 June 1979
Paperwork and Redtape Reduction Act of 1979 - Title I: Central Management and Control Responsibility - Requires Federal agencies to utilize methods of collecting information which: (1) impose a minimum burden on business; (2) require a minimum cost to the Government; and (3) eliminate any unnecessary duplication of efforts. Establishes, within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of Federal Information Management Policy (OFIMP) to have government-wide responsibility for setting policies and coordinating procedures governing the planning, budgeting, management, and control of Federal information management activities and of the measurement of the burdens imposed by such activities on businesses, State and local governments, and individuals. Requires the Administrator of OFIMP to: (1) publish, annually, a report of the burdens imposed by the reporting requirements of each agency; (2) review, at least every three years, the information management activities and the paperwork reduction activities of each agency; (3) establish goals for the reduction of reporting requirements; (4) assist agencies in developing information management programs; (5) recommend policies to Congress, the President, and agencies concerning the confidentiality and security of information; (6) study and develop improved information and paperwork cost accounting and reduction techniques; and (7) promulgate standards concerning recordkeeping requirements imposed on the public. Sets forth procedures which enable the Administrator to designate one agency to collect information for two or more agencies requiring similar data. Prohibits any agency from collecting information which: (1) is collected by a designated agency; or (2) the Administrator determines is unnecessary. Authorizes the Administrator to order the exchange of information among agencies. Requires an agency, before collecting any information, to: (1) eliminate reporting requirements which seek information which is available through another Government source; (2) minimize the compliance burden on respondents; (3) plan the tabulation of the information in a manner which maximizes its usefulness to other agencies; and (4) obtain the Administrator's approval of such collection. Directs the Administrator to approve a collection request within 60 days after its receipt for a period not to exceed two years. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress annually on the activities of OFIMP. Grants access to all records of such Office to the Comptroller General. Requires that formal meetings of OFIMP to establish policies and regulations be open to the public. Specifies conditions under which confidential information may be released from one agency to another. Delegates specified information management duties of the Director of the OMB to the Administrator. Title II: Elimination of Unnecessary Duplication - Establishes, within OFIMP, a Federal Locator System composed of an information locator, a data element dictionary, and an information referral service. Directs the System to serve as the authoritative register for all recordkeeping requirements and all public use, interagency, and intra-agency reports. Directs the Administrator to: (1) design and operate the system; (2) require the head of each agency to insert into the system a synopsis of the questions of each report and the information maintained for each reporting requirement of that agency; (3) compare the information sought by proposed reporting requirements to information in the System; and (4) make available the comparison results to agencies and the public. Requires the Administrator to insure that no actual data is contained within the locator system, except descriptive data profiles necessary to identify duplicative data or to locate information. Requires that any information holding which contains a data element of a personal or proprietary nature within the meaning of the Privacy Act of 1974 be identified as such and restricted in access and use. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. States that this Act shall take effect 60 days after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1979
Priority Energy Project Act of 1979 - Title I: Purposes and Definitions - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to provide for a coordinated, simplified, and expeditious process for Federal approval of non-nuclear energy facilities which are determined to be in the national interest. Title II: Priority Energy Projects - Directs the Secretary of Energy to designate priority energy projects based on specified criteria. Exempts such designations from the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1979. Stipulates that if the Secretary fails to make a designation within 60 days of receiving a designation request from a person proposing an energy project, the proposed project shall automatically be given priority project status. Directs the Secretary to publish a Project Decision Schedule containing deadlines for all Federal actions relating to such projects. Sets the total time allowed for completion of all final agency action and the issuance of all final agency decisions as to licenses, permits, and other authorizations at one year from the date on which notice of designation of a priority energy project is published in the Federal Register. Directs the President to make any decisions or perform any actions in the event that an agency or department fails to meet its deadline. Provides that in the event the Secretary refuses to grant to a Federal agency or to a priority energy project a deadline extension under the provisions of this Act, upon petition to the President, such agency or project may request a deadline extension not exceeding 120 days. Sets forth criteria for the granting of such requests by the President. Provides for the coordination of the actions of Federal, State, and local governments. Directs the Secretary to transmit to the Governor of a State in which a priority energy project is to be located a mandatory decision schedule setting deadlines for State and local authorities to complete their actions relating to such project. Sets forth procedures authorizing the President to waive State or local law provisions causing delay in implementing the State decision schedule. Title III: Major Natural Gas Pipeline Projects - Directs the Secretary to designate, upon application by a major natural gas pipeline project, each such applicant project as a project for expedited processing by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Stipulates that such mandatory designation is not to be construed as a "major Federal action" for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Directs the Secretary to publish a project certification schedule containing deadlines for all action by the FERC concerning certification of such project under the Natural Gas Act of 1938. Authorizes extensions of such deadlines in limited circumstances. Directs the President to make any decisions as to certificate approval or denial in the event the FERC has not acted in accordance with its decision schedule. Authorizes the Secretary to establish deadlines for Federal agency action that are shorter than the minimum periods required under existing legislation. Title IV: Judicial Review and Miscellaneous Provisions - Limits judicial review of decisions of the Secretary made under this Act to claims alleging that an action taken pursuant to this Act will deny constitutional or statutory rights or exceed statutory jurisdiction, authorities, or limitations. Sets time limits for filing appeals or petitions for review of actions taken pursuant to this Act, and bars any challenges to such actions which are not in conformance with these provisions. Stipulates that such challenges shall be brought in the United States courts of appeals for the circuit where the project would be located, and grants exclusive original jurisdiction to such courts in such matters. Directs such courts to give precedence to such matters over all other matters on the docket. Authorizes the Supreme Court, exclusively, to review interlocutory judgments or orders of the court of appeals pursuant to this Act and directs the Supreme Court to give precedence to such matters to the greatest extent practicable. Prohibits the granting of injunctive relief against the issuance of any right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization pursuant to this Act except in conjunction with a final judgment on a claim filed under this Act. Terminates the Secretary's authority to designate priority energy project and major natural gas pipeline projects ten years after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1979
Family Welfare Improvement Act - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to set forth a new formula for determining the amount of payments to a State under such part. Provides: (1) for an annual cost-of-living increase in such amount; and (2) that such amount shall be changed in accordance with a State's population increase or decrease. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to each State with an "excess unemployment percentage" greater than zero, as determined according to this Act, a supplemental grant based on a specified formula. Permits a State to require any individual whose needs are taken into account in determining AFDC eligibility to work as a condition of AFDC eligibility. Establishes a five year, eight State demonstration project in which payments made to participating States pursuant to the AFDC program may be used without regard to the requirements and limitations otherwise applicable under the AFDC program. Directs the Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Relations to report to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare concerning such project.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1979
Trade Agreements Act of 1979 - Approves specified trade agreements and the statements of administrative action proposed to implement such agreements. Authorizes the President to accept the final legal instruments embodying such agreements. Limits the President's acceptance authority. Requires the President to submit regulations and any amendments of existing statutes necessary to implement such agreements to Congress. Directs the Special Representative for trade negotiations to keep the Congressional delegates to trade negotiations informed of any requirements of, amendments to, or recommendations under, such agreements. Title I: Countervailing and Antidumping Duties - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require that a countervailing duty be imposed on imported merchandise if: (1) the administering authority determines that such merchandise receives any subsidy from a country subject to the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures or a similar agreement; and (2) the U.S. International Trade Commission determines that U.S. industry is materially injured or retarded by reason of such imports. Stipulates that such countervailing duty equal the amount of the net subsidy. Directs the administering authority to investigate whether such a subsidy is being provided to imported merchandise upon receiving: (1) information that such a situation exists; or (2) a petition from an interested party alleging such a situation exists. Stipulates that such petition be filed with the Commission in addition to the administering authority. Requires the administering authority to notify the Commission of any investigation in order that the Commission determine whether there is any indication of material injury to U.S. industry. Requires preliminary and final determinations to be made within specified time periods. Provides for the termination or suspension of such an investigation upon: (1) withdrawal of the petition by the petitioner; or (2) the country which allegedly provides subsidies, agreeing to eliminate such subsidy, cease exports of such merchandise, or (in extraordinary circumstances) eliminate the injurious effect of exports to the United States. Sets forth limitations to such agreements. Requires the administering authority to publish a countervailing duty order upon final affirmative determinations by the administering authority and the Commission concerning subsidies on imported merchandise. Requires that an antidumping duty be imposed on imported merchandise if: (1) the administering authority determines that such merchandise is, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than its fair value; and (2) the Commission determines that U.S. industry is materially injured or retarded by reason of such imports. Stipulates that such an antidumping duty equal the amount by which the foreign market value exceeds the U.S. price for such merchandise. Sets forth procedures for investigations by the administering authority and the Commission into sales at less than fair value similar to the countervailing duty investigations. Requires the administering authority to publish an antidumping duty order upon final affirmative determinations by the administering authority and the Commission that imported merchandise is being sold in the United States at less than fair value. Directs the administering authority to review annually: (1) the amounts of countervailing and antidumping duties; and (2) any agreements suspending countervailing or antidumping duty investigations. Requires the results of such review to be published along with any adjustments in the amounts of duty. Authorizes the administering authority to: (1) revoke a countervailing or antidumping duty order; or (2) terminate a suspended investigation after such review. Sets forth methods for determining the amounts of subsidies, material injury, U.S. prices, and foreign market value. Requires the administering authority and the Commission to hold a hearing during the course of any investigation at the request of a party to such investigation. Provides for the establishment of a library of information concerning foreign subsidy practices and countervailing measures. Requires specified information be available to the public. Provides for the confidentiality of certain information. Stipulates that interest be paid on overpayments and underpayments of amounts deposited on imported merchandise subject to countervailing or antidumping duty investigations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury and the Commission to terminate pending investigations into subsidies or sales at less than market value and continue such investigations pursuant to this title. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to make existing provisions concerning countervailing duty investigations applicable only to imported articles from countries not parties to the Agreement. Revises the existing investigation procedures to conform with this title, with specified exceptions. Requires the administering authority to notify the Commission of specified countervailing duty orders. Directs the Commission to determine whether U.S. industry has been materially injured. Directs the administering authority to terminate the waiver of countervailing duties upon being notified by the Commission of an affirmative determination. Stipulates that countervailing duty orders issued under existing provisions shall remain in effect, but subject to review under this title. Continues the waiver of countervailing duty orders applicable to imported merchandise from countries under the Agreement, until the Commission determines whether U.S. industry has been materially injured. Repeals the Antidumping Act, 1921. Continues the effectiveness of findings made under such Act, subject to review under this title. Title II: Customs Valuation - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise the methods for appraising imported merchandise based on the transaction value, deductive value, computed value, or similar value. Repeals the existing alternative valuation standards. Directs the President to report to Congress with an evaluation of the domestic and international operation of the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Specifies the effective dates of the revised valuation standards which vary depending on particular circumstances. Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to increase the rate of duties on ball and roller bearings and pneumatic tires. Repeals provisions stipulating that the duties on clams, footwear, wool knit gloves, and chemicals be based on the American selling price. Increases the rate of duties on such products. Authorizes the President to modify the descriptions of chemicals contained in the Tariff Schedules in specified circumstances. Title III: Government Procurement - Authorizes the President to waive government procurement regulations for eligible products of designated countries, if such regulations result in less favorable treatment than that accorded to U.S. products or products from countries which are parties to the Agreement. Directs the President to prohibit the procurement of otherwise eligible products from countries which are not designated. Authorizes deferrals and waivers from such prohibition in specified circumstances. Requires the President to report to Congress concerning: (1) the effects on the U.S. economy of the refusal to allow the Agreement to cover governmental entities which are principal purchasers of goods and recommendations of alternative means; and (2) actions to establish reciprocity with industrialized countries in the area of government procurement. Authorizes the President to waive application of the Buy American Act in the case of procurement of civil aircraft and related articles from countries which are parties to the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft, specifies objectives, including more open market access abroad, to be sought in the renegotiations provided for in the Agreement. Directs the President to report to Congress if the renegotiations are not progressing satisfactorily. Requires the President to give careful consideration to monitoring and enforcing the requirements of the Agreement and this title. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning: (1) administrative practices in the United States and other industrial countries regarding country of origin determinations; and (2) the economic impact on labor surplus areas of the waiver of the Buy American Act. Requires the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations to make procurement information available to the designated congressional advisors. Title IV: Technical Barriers to Trade (Standards) - Permits private persons and Federal and State agencies to engage in standards related activities that do not create unnecessary obstacles to U.S. foreign commerce. Requires Federal agencies which are engaged in such activities to: (1) ensure nondiscriminatory treatment of domestic and imported products; (2) take into consideration international standards; and (3) develop standards based on performance criteria. Gives the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations responsibility for: (1) coordinating and developing international trade policy; and (2) coordinating negotiations with foreign countries concerning standards-related activities. Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Agriculture to establish technical offices within their Departments to carry such functions as the President prescribes to implement this title. Requires the Secretary concerned to consult and coordinate, with the Special Representative, international standards-related activities. Stipulates that private organization members shall represent U.S. interests before any private international standards organization, unless the Secretary concerned has reason to believe such representation will be inadequate. Directs the Secretary concerned to encourage cooperation among interested Federal agencies which are the U.S. representatives to any international standards organization. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to maintain a standards information center to serve as a national collection facility. Authorizes the Special Representative and the Secretary concerned to make grants, enter into contracts, or provide other assistance for assisting appropriate standards-related activities. Requires such officials to solicit technical and policy advise from the trade policy advisory committees. Permits parties to the Agreement and countries extending similar rights and privileges to the United States to make a representation to the Special Representative alleging that a standards-related activity violates U.S. obligations under the Agreement. Directs the interagency trade organization established by the President to review any findings by an appropriate international forum that a standards-related activity violates U.S. obligations under the Agreement. Permits Federal agencies to consider petitions against standards-related activity in specified circumstances. Exempts specified standards activity from this title. Requires the Special Representative to report to Congress concerning international and domestic operation of the Agreement. Title V: Implementation of Certain Tariff Negotiations - Authorizes aggregate reductions in the rates of duty which exceed the maximum specified in the Trade Act of 1974 in specified circumstances. Directs the President to increase the rates of duty on textile products if the Arrangement Regarding International Trade in Textiles, or substitute Arrangement, ceases to be effective. Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to provide for the separate tariff treatment of sheep, goats, and prepared beef and veal. Authorizes the President to reduce the rate of duty applicable to yellow dent corn below statutory limitations. Revises the tariff provisions for carrots, dinnerware, watches, and brooms. Authorizes the duty-free entry of agricultural or horticultural machinery, equipment, implements, and parts, with specified exceptions. Continues the duty-free entry of certain wool through June 30, 1985. Converts various specific rates of duty to ad valorem equivalents. Title VI: Civil Aircraft Agreement - Authorizes the President to proclaim duty-free treatment for specified articles certified for use in civil aircraft when the conditions for acceptance of the Agreement on Trade Civil Aircraft are fulfilled. Title VII: Certain Agricultural Measures - Directs the President to limit the amount of quota cheese which may enter the United States. Requires the administering authority, with the Secretary of Agriculture, to determine whether countries are providing subsidies to quota cheese. Permits any person to file a complaint with the Secretary alleging that a quota cheese is being: (1) offered for sale at less than the U.S. domestic market price; and (2) subsidized by a foreign government. Directs the Secretary to investigate such complaint and report the determinations to the President. Requires the President to: (1) impose a fee on the imported article to insure that the price will not be less than the U.S. price; or (2) prohibit or limit the entry of such articles. Stipulates that the countervailing duty provisions under title I of this Act shall be inapplicable with regard to quota cheese from countries with whom we have entered into cheese agreements. Directs the President to increase the quota for chocolate crumb. Establishes limits on the aggregate quantity of specified meat articles which may be imported into the United States. Title VIII: Treatment of Distilled Spirits - Distilled Spirits Tax Revision Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to repeal: (1) the wine-gallon method for determining the excise tax on distilled spirits; (2) the rectification taxes on such spirits; and (3) the occupational taxes on rectifiers. Revises the method for determining the tax on distilled spirits and the time for paying such tax. Revises the provisions concerning the establishment, operations, and bonding of distilled spirits plants to require that all operations of distillers, warehousemen, or processors be conducted only on bonded premises by qualified persons. Revises the procedure for tax refunds for loss of distilled spirits. Permits distilled spirits to be denatured on the bonded premises of a qualified distilled spirits plant. Limits the transfer of wine between bonded premises. Sets forth transitional rules for collecting the distilled spirits taxes. Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to repeal the wine-gallon method for assessing duties on distilled spirits, imports and instead, uses the internal revenue standard. Revises the rates of duty on distilled spirits to reflect such change. Directs the President to review foreign barriers to U.S. exports of alcoholic beverages and report the results to Congress. Authorizes the President to proclaim a lower rate of duty on a proof gallon basis upon receiving adequate reciprocal trade concessions. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to permit the transfer of specified liquor products between bonded warehouses, regardless of their location. Title IX: Enforcement of United States Rights - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the President to take all feasible action to: (1) enforce U.S. rights under any trade agreement; and (2) respond to foreign practices which are inconsistent with trade agreements or are unreasonable or discriminatory. Permits the President to take such action even if no petition requesting such action has been filed. Sets forth the procedures for processing petitions filed by interested persons with the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations. Requires the Special Representative to recommend actions to the President after investigating such a petition and consulting with the foreign country concerned. Requires the Special Representative to provide information to private persons about foreign trade practices and trade agreements. Repeals provisions permitting congressional disapproval of such Presidential actions. Title X: Judicial Review - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to set forth procedures for judicial review of countervailing and antidumping duty proceedings. Permits any interested party to petition for judicial review. Gives the U.S. Customs Court exclusive jurisdiction of any civil action brought to review a final determination concerning government procurement. Title XI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend the President's authority to enter into agreements to reduce nontariff barriers or other distortions to trade until January 3, 1988. Authorizes the President to sell import licenses at public auction. Directs the President to seek advice from the private sector concerning the operation of trade agreements and trade policy administration in general. Provides for the establishment of advisory committees representing service interests. Repeals the requirement that advisory committees report to Congress in 1980. Stipulates that committee members shall be consulted before and during negotiations. Exempts committees from reporting requirements contained in the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977. Requires the President to study and report to Congress concerning mutual expansion of market opportunities with other North American countries. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to permit the International Trade Commission to investigate matters involving countervailing duty or antidumping law only if such matters in part involve acts independently establishing a basis for relief under the unfair trade practices provisions. Provides for civil penalties for violations of cease and desist orders issued in response to such unfair trade practices. Makes technical amendments to the Trade Act of 1974 and the Tariff Schedules of the United States. Requires monthly reports on the port of entry value of each item in the Tariff Schedules of the United States and the aggregate values of U.S. imports and exports based on such values. Requires the reporting of rates of duty which would be imposed on dutiable imports based on such values. Directs the President to submit a proposal to Congress concerning a restructuring of the executive branch's international trade functions. Requires the President to report to Congress with a review of export promotion and disincentives. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to include regional economic organizations within the meaning of beneficiary developing country. Permits certain nations which are members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to be designated beneficiary developing countries. Revises limitations on the value of goods qualifying for duty-free treatment. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, at the request of any U.S. possession, to determine whether trade concessions have adversely affected tax revenues of such possessions. Authorizes the President to include amounts in the budget to offset such reduced revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should call upon Paraguay to apprehend and extradite Josef Mengele to stand trial in the Federal Republic of Germany.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Amends the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to exclude from the definition of "employee" any person engaged in the manufacture, repair, servicing, or sale of recreational or fishing boats, unless such person is: (1) so engaged on or over the navigable waters of the United States (as defined prior to the enactment of P.L. 92-576); and (2) not otherwise covered by State workers' compensation law.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 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 · 7 June 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income punitive damages (two-thirds of antitrust treble damages) received by a private litigant if such litigant brings suit against a particular defendant before the Federal Government institutes criminal proceedings. Disallows tax deductions for antitrust punitive damages paid or incurred by a taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 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 · 7 June 1979
Directs the Joint Economic Committee to: (1) undertake an emergency study of the current state of the economy and of the problems relating thereto, with special reference to productivity; and (2) provide the Congress with specific recommendations for legislation to remedy the existing ills and improve the performance of the economy. Directs the joint committee to report its findings and recommendations to the Senate not later than December 31, 1980. Authorizes funds, not to exceed $150,000, to carry out the purpose of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Research Tax Incentive Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional ten percent investment tax credit for investment in research and experimental property. Denies such credit to taxpayers whose gross receipts were in excess of $250,000,000 for a taxable year, or whose research and experimental expenditures did not exceed 2.5 percent of their gross receipts for a taxable year. Extends the investment tax credit to buildings and structural components used in research and experimentation. Requires the recapture of credit amounts if investment property ceases to be used for research and experimental purposes. Allows the amortization of research and experimental property, based on a period of not less than 60 months.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Labor Productivity and Training Act - Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act to permit prime sponsors, pursuant to regulations of the Secretary of Labor, to provide financial assistance: (1) to employees who will be laid off due to productivity improvement programs initiated by private employers; or (2) to employers for the cost of training and retraining employees. Requires prime sponsors to: (1) give special consideration to training and retraining programs which contain cost-sharing arrangements with private employers and/or emphasize on-the-job training programs; and (2) establish, pursuant to regulations of the Secretary, criteria for determining when impending layoffs are due to productivity improvement programs. Requires that such productivity improvement retraining programs meet specified standards for all CETA retraining programs. Limits the amount which each prime sponsor may use for productivity improvement retraining programs to five percent of the CETA allocation for such sponsor. Directs the Secretary to survey all federally assisted labor training programs and to report to Congress with recommended revisions to promote: (1) labor productivity; and (2) worker retraining by joint efforts by Federal Government and by private and State and local public employers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
New Firm Incentive Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that net operating losses incurred by a corporation during its first three taxable years may be carried over to the next ten taxable years, for purposes of the income tax deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Research Promotion Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow businesses with gross receipts not in excess of $250,000,000 a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to ten percent of their research and experimental expenditures which exceed 2.5 percent of their gross receipts for the taxable year. Provides for carryovers and carrybacks of unused credits in any taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Federal Government Productivity Data Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor through the Bureau of Labor Statistics to: (1) collect data on the productivity of Federal employees; (2) conduct comparison studies on the productivity of public and private sector employees; (3) study the feasibility of collecting data on productivity in the private sector in the areas of capital, materials, and energy; and (4) report annually to Congress concerning the results of such studies and any recommendations for improving Government functions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Patent Depreciation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that research and experimental expenditures in connection with a patent may be amortized for any period of not less than 60 months.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1979
Authorizes bank protection activities along the Rio Grande River in Starr County, Texas, in accordance with: (1) specifications established by the U.S.-Mexico International Boundary and Water Commission; and (2) conditions generally applicable to the Rio Grande bank protection project.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1979
Fair and Certain Punishment Act of 1979 - Requires for certain Federal criminal offenses that a separate sentencing hearing be conducted to determine the sentence to be imposed. Specifies penalties for such crimes (graduated according to the severity of the offense) which the judge shall impose in the absence of mitigating or aggravating circumstances. Enumerates ten mitigating and ten aggravating factors to be considered at such hearing. Authorizes the sentencing judge to increase or decrease the presumptive term of imprisonment by 40 percent upon a determination that such factors exist. Entitles: (1) the United States (with respect to a sentence below such 40 percent range); and (2) the defendant (with respect to a sentence above such 40 percent range), to appeal such sentence to the appropriate Federal appellate court, but solely for the purpose of determining whether the sentence was determined in accordance with law. Allows the judge, upon a determination that extraordinary aggravating or mitigating circumstances exist, to: (1) increase the sentence up to specified maximum penalties; or (2) suspend the sentence. Requires the judge to increase the sentence by specified percentages if the defendant has prior convictions. Specifies the procedures for the separate sentencing hearing, including requirements that: (1) the Government establish the existence of aggravating factors beyond a reasonable doubt; and (2) the defendant establish the existence of mitigating circumstances by a preponderance of the evidence. Specifies good time allowances for prisoners sentenced under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit distilled spirits plants to be established solely for producing, processing, storing, using, and distributing distilled spirits exclusively for fuel use. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to exempt such distilled spirits plants from the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code pertaining to distilled spirits, wines, and beers (except requirements pertaining to the payment of the excise tax) when necessary to facilitate the production of fuel. Permits distilled spirits to be withdrawn free of tax from the bonded premises of a distilled spirit plant exclusively for fuel use. Prohibits distilled spirits to be withdrawn, used, sold, or disposed of for any purpose other than fuel use. Specifies that the term "distilled spirits" does not include distilled spirits produced from petroleum, natural gas, or coal.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1979
Authorizes reimbursement under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for services furnished in comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation centers. Defines the term "comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation services" to mean the following items and services furnished to an outpatient of a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility: (1) physician's services; (2) physical therapy; (3) occupational therapy; (4) speech pathology services; (5) respiratory therapy; (6) prosthetic and orthotic devices; (7) social and psychological services; (8) certain nursing care; (9) certain drugs and biologicals; (10) supplies, appliances, and equipment; and (11) certain other medically necessary items and services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 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 · 14 May 1979
Youth Employment Initiatives Act of 1979 - Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) to establish a Prime Sponsor Initiative Program to provide incentives to CETA prime sponsors and others to train, employ, and place for subsequent employment 16 to 21 year old youths who: (1) are out of school; (2) have been unemployed for at least eight weeks immediately prior to eligibility determination; (3) are unemployed at the time of such determination; and (4) have a family income no greater than 70 percent of the lower living standard income level. Allocates, from sums available for such program: (1) 80 percent to prime sponsors; (2) five percent to Governors; (3) at least two percent for Native American Youths; (4) at least two percent for youth in migrant and seasonal farmworker families; and (5) the remainder for discretionary projects of the Secretary of Labor. Allocates, for fiscal years 1981 and 1982, amounts available for prime sponsors and Governors among the States according to a formula based on the number in each State of: (1) unemployed persons; (2) unemployed persons residing in areas of substantial unemployment; and (3) persons in families with annual incomes below the low-income level. Directs the Secretary to use the best available data in determining such allocations. Allocates, for fiscal years 1983 and for succeeding fiscal years thereafter, amounts available for prime sponsors including special State programs and sponsors of Native American programs so that each such sponsor shall receive: (1) $400 for each month that each eligible participant spends in an authorized program; (2) $2,000 for each eligible former participant who has (a) been employed in at least three out of four of the quarters following completion of the program or (b) returned to school and completed a grade of schooling in the four quarters or the next school year following completion of the program; and (3) $500 for each eligible former participant who receives a wage of over 75 percent of the average industrial wage in the area or of over 1.2 times the minimum wage, whichever is higher, in the year following completion of the program. Requires that such sums be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the national average industrial wage. Directs the Secretary to increase the sum for employed former participants to adjust for certain increased difficulties in placement. Requires ratable reduction of such allocations in any fiscal year according to appropriations for such year and ratable increase of such reduced amounts whenever additional funds become available. Directs the Secretary to select for such programs only prime sponsors assuring that: (1) only economically disadvantaged youth will be served; (2) certain required wage levels will be met; (3) participants have experienced certain severe handicaps in obtaining employment; (4) participating youth are not relatives of those hiring them; (5) certain additional training by employers meet certain wage standards; and (6) special efforts will be made to recruit youth from families receiving public assistance, including parents of dependent children. Requires that funds for special State programs and for seasonal farmworker programs be used in accordance with specified plans, approved by the Secretary, for specified purposes. Requires Government agencies to provide employment, unemployment, and wage information on former program participants for fund allocation purposes. Sets forth certain wage standards for employment programs under this Act. Limits the CETA Youth Employment and Training Program to in-school youth. Authorizes appropriations for necessary sums for fiscal years 1981 through 1984 to carry out all CETA Youth Programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1979
Amends the Saccharin Study and Labeling Act to extend from 18 months to 54 months after the date of enactment the period during which the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not take specified actions to restrict the continued use of saccharin or of any food, drug, or cosmetic containing saccharin.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1979
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to permit the duty-free reentry of imported aircraft which have been exported for the purposes of demonstration and solicitation of sales and which paid duty when previously imported.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1979
ERISA Simplification Act of 1979 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to collect certain premiums required under the Act as part of the annual report filed with the Internal Revenue Service by a plan. Requires a pension plan administrator to post at the workplace of the employees a notice containing certain information with respect to the plan (eliminating the current requirement that each plan participant and beneficiary be furnished an annual report). Gives taxpayers the option of filing any forms required by the Act with the annual income tax forms. Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor to publish booklets: (1) to assist plan sponsors in developing recordkeeping systems to simplify compliance with the Act; and (2) for taxpayers summarizing individual retirement account rules. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to bring a civil action to enforce compliance by a plan or trust with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code relating to pension plans.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the special tax treatment of church agency pension plans as qualified church plans. Provides that plans maintained by groups or associations of churches include individuals "substantially all" of whom are qualified beneficiaries. Allows such plans to retain accrued benefits, according to their terms, or to continue receiving contributions for up to five years for separated employees. Allows any plan which is determined to have failed to meet church plan requirements a grace period of 270 days, or any other period specified by the Secretary of the Treasury or a court in an adjudication of such an issue, to bring itself into compliance without becoming disqualified. Applies these provisions retroactively to 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that, for purposes of computing the allowable retirement plan exclusion and employer contributions allowance for church employees, all years of service for a church, church association, or an agency for such churches, shall be considered employment for one employer. Extends to church employees the same option presently enjoyed by employees of tax-exempt health and education organizations to elect alternative exclusion allowances for contributions to annuity contracts. Provides a minimum $10,000 allowance for annual additions to these contracts without regard to the amount of the employee's compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1979
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to make permanent the special tax treatment of church agency pension plans as qualified church plans. Provides that plans maintained by groups or associations of churches include individuals "substantially all" of whom are qualified beneficiaries. Allows such plans to retain accrued benefits, according to their terms, or to continue receiving contributions for up to five years for separated employees. Allows any plan which is determined to have failed to meet church plan requirements a grace period of 270 days, or any other period specified by the Secretary of the Treasury or a court in an adjudication of such an issue, to bring itself into compliance without becoming disqualified. Applies these provisions retroactively to 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1979
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to permit the President to designate as a beneficiary developing country, eligible for duty-free treatment, a country which is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), unless the Congress disapproves such designation within 30 days. Prohibits the President from designating as a beneficiary developing country those countries which aid terrorists. Permits motions to discharge committees from further consideration of a resolution disapproving the designation of an OPEC country as a beneficiary developing country, if such committee has not reported it within ten days of introduction.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to extend until October 1, 1982, the program of Federal payments to States for costs incurred in carrying out a State plan of services for disabled children who receive SSI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1979
Establishes a Commission on the International Application of Antitrust Laws. Charges such Commission with examining the international aspects of United States antitrust laws and related statutes, court rules and administrative procedures, and with making recommendations to the President and to the Congress on the results of such study. Directs the President to appoint the 18 member Commission from the executive branch, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the private sector. Sets forth the organization and compensation of members and the powers of the Commission. Stipulates that any formal recommendation made by the Commission to the President and to the Congress must have the majority vote of the Commission as present and voting. Requires the Commission to submit its final report within one year after its first meeting. Terminates the Commission 60 days after it submits the report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations as may be necessary to carry out the activities of the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the foreign bad debt loss deduction shall not exceed the greater of 15 percent of the taxpayer's taxable income from exports, or two percent of the taxpayer's export receivables outstanding at the close of the taxable year. Provides that the amount of bad debt losses that may be added to a bad debt reserve shall not exceed five percent of the taxpayer's export receivables outstanding as of the close of the taxable year. Permits the amortization, based on a period of 60 months, of: (1) foreign market studies; (2) foreign marketing expenses; and (3) foreign patents. Permits an income tax deduction for currency fluctuation losses on export credit which have not been repaid by the end of the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer to roll over a complete distribution from a money purchase pension plan or report income from such distribution according to the ten year income averaging rules, even if there is no similar distribution from another pension plan of the same employer in which the taxpayer is a participant.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt taxpayers who make late payments of tax from interest penalties, if failure to make payment is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1979
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to authorize a waiver or reduction in the amount of any penalty imposed for a particular violation of a marketing quota for the 1978 through 1981 crops of peanuts, if such violation was unintentional or inadvertent.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Designates the year 1979 as the "Food for Peace Year" to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the enactment of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
Exempts the Toledo Bend Dam and Reservoir project from annual payments to the United States for the use of lands within the Sabine National Forest, Texas, in consideration of the joint development by Texas and Louisiana of an energy source from such project.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1979
Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act Amendments of 1979 - Revises specified requirements concerning the sale or lease of lots located within a municipality or county under the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act. Requires that a title insurance binder or title opinion be presented to the purchaser prior to the time of closing. Exempts the following transactions from the terms of the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act: (1) sale or lease of real estate by a developer who is engaged in a sales operation which is intrastate in nature, and (2) the sale or lease of real estate by a developer who has fulfilled specified conditions to the resident of another State when the principal residence of the purchaser is within a radius of 100 miles from the property. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct all actions brought under the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the waiver of residency requirements for individuals residing in a foreign country who claim income tax deductions for living expenses incurred in such country, if such individuals are prevented from conducting normal business in such country due to war, civil unrest, or similar adverse conditions, and such individuals prove to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury that they would have met such residency requirements under normal conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1979
Privacy of Medical Information Act - Title I: Requirements Applicable to Medical Care Facilities - Requires medical care facilities to permit individuals to inspect and have copies of their medical records. Provides for the correction of medical records at the individual's request. Directs medical care facilities to notify individuals of disclosures that may be made without the individual's authorization and the procedures to learn of such disclosures. Limits the disclosure of medical information to properly identified persons. Permits the disclosure of medical records without the individual's authorization in specified circumstances, including employee use, health research, statutory requirements, audits and evaluations, law enforcement functions, judicial and administrative provisions, and benefit determinations. Authorizes U.S. district courts to grant delays, in specified circumstances, before making written statements available to the individual concerning such disclosure. Requires medical care facilities receiving Federal funds to comply with the disclosure provisions. Exempts medical information compiled by a medical care facility in anticipation of a civil action from the provisions concerning individual access and corrections. Requires penal authorities to comply only with the provisions concerning permissible disclosures of medical information. Title II: Requirements Applicable to Government Authorities - Sets forth limits on disclosures of medical information to governmental authorities. Establishes procedures for obtaining medical information pursuant to administrative and judicial search warrants, subpoenas, and written requests. Stipulates that the individual be notified of such disclosures unless an appropriate court orders a delay. Permits an individual to challenge a summons or subpoena of such individual's records by a governmental authority. Title III: General Provisions - Provides criminal and civil penalties for violations of the disclosure provisions. Exempts compliance surveys from the disclosure provisions in the Social Security Act. Requires Federal authorities requesting medical information concerning an individual to maintain records on its requests for such information. Exempts medical records maintained by medical care facilities from the disclosure provisions generally applicable to government agencies.
![Official portrait of Sen. Bentsen, Lloyd M. [D-TX]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000401_200.jpg)