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United States · Official source
1,080 records where Sen. Cannon, Howard W. [D-NV] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1980
Grants a Federal charter to the Italian American War Veterans of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1980
Amends the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act to authorize the construction of measures to mitigate fish and wildlife habitat losses as part of the salinity control program established under such Act. Specifies that the technical assistance provided to water users on means and measures for limiting excess water applications to irrigated lands, as an element of the Grand Valley salinity control unit, shall be available, after December 31, 1989, only to those lands that participate in the Department of Agriculture programs to improve onfarm water management. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, from time to time, to review the plans for implementation of the units authorized by such Act, and, based upon his findings, make recommendations to the appropriate Congressional committees regarding the desirability of continuing to implement such units or portions thereof. Requires the Secretary to notify the Governors of the Colorado River Basin States of such recommendations. Authorizes appropriations for the construction of works necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act. Specifies the portion of such funds that are to be used for mitigation of fish and wildlife habitat losses.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1980
Railroad Employee Protection Modification Act of 1980 - Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to grant, to protected employees, a monthly displacement allowance for any calendar month within the period identified in this Act in which the employee is deprived of employment or is adversely affected with respect to compensation. Sets forth provisions for payment of such allowance. Specifies the duration of the monthly displacement allowance. Sets forth provisions for training and transfer of employees. Permits ConRail to offer a vacant position to not more than four protected non-contract employees. Directs ConRail to give such position to the protected employee accepting transfer whom ConRail considers to be best qualified for the particular position involved. Directs ConRail, the United States Railway Association, replacement operators, and acquiring railroads, as the case may be, to pay the allowances, expenses, and costs provided protected employees under this Act. Directs the Railroad Retirement Board to reimburse ConRail, the Association, replacement operators, and acquiring railroads for such allowances, expenses and costs up to an aggregate sum of $485,000,000. Limits the aggregate amount of such reimbursements to $180,000,000. Authorizes an annual appropriation of up to $485,000,000. Directs ConRail, the Association, replacement operators, and acquiring railroads to pay benefits otherwise reimbursable upon the exhaustion of such authorization. Authorizes appropriations for administrative expenses incurred by the Railroad Retirement Board and the Association. Directs the Association to: (1) audit the payment of benefits under this Act; and (2) report annually to Congress and the President. Sets forth technical amendments to the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1980
Directs the United States Railway Association, by a certain date, to make recommendations to the Congress in regard to: (1) projected funding requirements of the Consolidated Rail Corporation (ConRail); and (2) the future structure and activities of ConRail in a defined region necessary or appropriate to meet specified goals. Directs ConRail, within 30 days of the enactment of this Act, to submit to the Association its findings in regard to rail properties which it will propose for abandonment or transfer for continued operation. Directs the Association to publish in the Federal Register its preliminary findings on such submission. Sets forth information to be included in such findings. Specifies those to receive such findings on the date of publication. Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission to hold hearings on such findings and submit the evidence from such hearings to Congress and the Association within a specified period. Directs the Association, within 60 days of the receipt of such evidence, to submit to Congress, the Commission, and the Secretary of Transportation a plan of rationalization of ConRail properties. Mandates such plan to be consistent with specified goals and to identify rail properties which should be: (1) abandoned, (2) operated by means of a rail service continuation payment, or (3) transfered to a railroad or qualified person for continued operation. Directs the Commission and the Secretary to submit to Congress, within a specified time, evaluations of such plan. Sets forth provisions for Congressional review and approval or disapproval of such plan. Authorizes ConRail, with Congressional approval, to abandon specified properties or transfer identified rail properties to a railroad or other qualified person. Directs that such abandonments or transfers become effective under specified conditions. Authorizes appropriations to the Association to cover its administrative expenses for fiscal years 1981 and 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1980
Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 1981 and 1982. Sets forth the amount of funds allocated for: (1) operation and maintenance expenses; (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore facilities, vessels, and aircraft, including equipment related thereto; (3) alteration or removal of bridges over navigable waters of the United States constituting obstructions to navigation; and (4) research, development, testing, and evaluation. Permits the Coast Guard to have an end-of-year strength for active duty personnel of 39,487, provided that such ceiling does not include members of the Ready Reserve called to active duty. Specifies the average military training student loads for the Coast Guard as follows: (1) recruit and special training; 4,175 students; (2) flight training; 117 students; and (3) professional training in military and civilian institutions; 595 students; and (4) officer acquisitions; 925 students. Authorizes the leasing of housing facilities in foreign countries on a multiyear basis for a period not to exceed five years, and in accordance with local custom and practice, provides for advance payment for the lease. Authorizes the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to increase the existing capital of the Coast Guard Supply Fund by the value of usable materials transferred thereto from the Coast Guard inventories carried in other accounts. Disallows reductions in the rate of pay and allowances to which appointed temporary officers would have been entitled had they remained in their former grade and continued to receive the increases in pay and allowance authorized for that grade. Permits the payment of a monetary allowance in place of transportation to a member whose baggage and household effects are moved by a privately owned or rented vehicle.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1980
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Act of 1980 - Title I: Regulation of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Facilities and Plantships - Prohibits any person from owning, constructing, or operating an ocean thermal energy conversion facility and prohibits United States citizens from owning, constructing, or operating an ocean thermal energy conversion plantship without a license issued pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to issue, transfer, amend, or renew licenses for the ownership, construction, and operation of such facilities or plantships upon application and in accordance with this Act. Sets forth criteria for determining whether to issue such licenses, and directs the Administrator to prescribe any conditions deemed necessary to carry out this Act or which are required by any Federal department or agency. Directs the Administrator to establish bonding requirements or other assurances necessary to assure that upon revocation or other termination of a license, the licensee will remove all components of any such facility or plantship from the ocean and the seabed as directed by the Administrator. Sets the term of such licenses at a maximum of 25 years, with a right of renewal for an additional ten years for each renewal. Directs the Administrator to issue regulations, within one year of the date of enactment of this Act, to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies having jurisdiction over or expertise concerning any aspect of the construction or operation of such facilities or plantships to submit to the Administrator written comments as to their expertise or statutory responsibilities with respect to this or any other Federal law. Sets forth application procedures and requirements for licenses authorized for issuance by this Act, including provisions for public notice hearings, and Federal agency review. Requires that applicants for licenses remit a fee at the time of filing such application, to be determined by the Administrator, and to be deposited in the miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury. Establishes priorities for the issuance of licenses where more than one application is submitted for the same designated application area. Establishes criminal penalties for the breaking of or injury to any submarine electric transmission cable or equipment being constructed or operated under a license issued under this Act. Requires a licensee to indemnify the owner of any vessel which sacrifices any anchor, fishing net, or other fishing gear to avoid injuring any such cable or equipment. Requires any licensee who causes any break in or injury to any submarine cable or pipeline to bear the cost of the repairs thereto. Directs the Administrator to submit applications for issuance, transfer, or renewal of any license to the Attorney General for antitrust review. Directs the Administrator to designate as an "adjacent coastal State" any coastal State either directly to be connected by electric transmission cable or pipeline to an ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship or located within 15 miles of any such proposed facility or plantship. Authorizes the Administrator to make such designation for any other State, upon request, upon a determination that there is a risk of damage to the coastal environment or if it is likely that the thermal plume of any proposed facility or plantship would impinge on possible locations for other ocean thermal energy conversion facilities or plantships which would be connected to such State. Requires that the Administrator transmit to the Governor of any designated adjacent coastal State a complete copy of each license application. Prohibits the issuance of any license for an ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship without consultation with the Governor of such State where such State has an approved coastal zone management program in effect pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. Directs the Administrator to condition the license granted so as to make it consistent with such State program. Prohibits the Administrator from issuing such licenses for any facility or plantship unless the adjacent coastal State to which such facility or plantship is to be directly connected has an approved coastal zone management plan in effect. Authorizes State to enter into agreements or compacts to apply for such licenses and to establish agencies for implementing such agreements or compacts. Requires the Administrator to issue regulations requiring licensees to pursue diligently such facility or plantship construction and operation and authorizes the termination of any license for failure to comply with such regulations. Directs the Administrator to initiate a program to assess the environmental effects of such facilities or plantships so as to determine whether their cumulative impact requires that a limit be placed on the number or total capacity of such facilities or plantships to be licensed under this Act. States that the issuance of such licenses is deemed to be a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the environment for purposes of the environmental impact statement provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes the preparation of a consolidated environmental impact statement by the Administrator and other involved Federal agencies and departments. Directs the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue regulations and enforce procedures concerning any ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship, including rules on vessel movement, transfer of materials between facilities and plantships and transport vessels, designation of anchorage areas, maintenance, law enforcement, and the equipment, training, and maintenance required to prevent pollution of and other adverse impacts on the marine environment and to clean up any pollutants which may be discharged. Directs the Secretary to designate a zone of appropriate size around and including any ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship for the purpose of navigational safety, and to establish safety zones during the period of construction of such facilities or plantships. States that for the purposes of the vessel inspection laws, such facilities and plantships shall be deemed to be vessels. Requires that licenses include such conditions as necessary to ensure that construction and operation of such facilities and plantships are conducted with reasonable regard for navigation, fishing, energy production, scientific research, or other uses of the high seas, including the operation of other ocean thermal energy conversion plantships and facilities. Authorizes the inspection and monitoring of licensees' activities, and sets forth procedures thereon. Sets forth provisions for the suspension, revocation, and termination of licenses for failure to comply with provisions of this Act or applicable rules or conditions issued or imposed by the Administrator under the authority of this Act. Includes provisions for the immediate suspension of facility or plantship construction or operation upon a determination by the Administrator that such action is necessary to protect public health and safety or to eliminate dangers to the environment, or upon a determination by the President that such suspension is necessary to avoid a conflict with any international obligation of the United States established by treaty or convention. Sets forth provisions concerning recordkeeping, reports, and public access to information. Authorizes licensees to relinquish to the Administrator any right to conduct construction or operation of such a facility or plantship, but stipulates that such relinquishment shall not relieve the licensee of any obligation or liability established by this Act. Authorizes civil actions by any person having a valid legal interest which is or may be adversely affected by actions of licensees or by the failure of the Administrator to comply with the requirements of this Act. Authorizes judicial review of any decision of the Administrator concerning a license. Title II: Maritime Financing for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion - States that for the purposes of the Merchant Marine Act: (1) any ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship licensed under this Act, and any vessel providing shipping service to or from such facilities or plantships, shall be deemed to be a vessel operated in the foreign or domestic commerce of the United States; and (2) any vessel documented under the laws of the United States and providing such service shall be deemed to be used in, and used in an essential service in, the foreign commerce or foreign trade of the United States. Amends the Federal Ship Mortgage Insurance provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, to include such facilities and plantships in the definition of "vessel" and to add a definition of "ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship." Amends such provisions to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to guarantee, or make a commitment to guarantee, payment of the principal of and interest on an obligation which aids in financing a vessel designed for use as an ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship. Increases the aggregate principal amount which may be guaranteed with respect to such facilities or plantships constructed without the aid of a construction-differential subsidy. Increases the aggregate unpaid principal amount of obligations guaranteed under such Act to $12,000,000,000, and requires that $2,000,000,000 of such amount be limited to obligations pertaining to demonstration ocean thermal energy conversion facilities or plantships guaranteed under such Act. Establishes the OTEC Demonstration Fund as a special sub-account of the Federal Ship Financing Fund, to be used for obligation guarantees authorized by such Act which do not otherwise qualify under other sections thereof. Limits to five the number of ocean thermal energy conversion facilities or plantships which may obtain obligation guarantees. Title III: Enforcement - Provides for the enforcement of provisions of this Act and rules or orders issued thereunder and lists prohibited acts. Authorizes the Administrator to issue compliance orders to any person for violation of specified provisions of this Act and to request the Attorney General to commence civil action for relief or civil penalties for any violation for which the Administrator is authorized to issue such compliance orders. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for such violations as specified. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Administrator, after consultation with the Secretary of State, to issue amendments to any regulations issued under this Act to conform such regulations to any treaty ratified by the United States as a result of any United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. Exempts from the provisions of this Act any ocean thermal energy conversion facility or plantship designated by the Secretary of Energy as a demonstration project. Sets forth provisions concerning the relationship of other laws to the facilities and plantships authorized for construction and operation under this Act, including a provision that the law of the nearest adjacent coastal State to which such a licensed facility is connected by electric transmission cable or pipeline is declared to be the law of the United States. Directs the Administrator to establish standards and regulations for the safe construction and operation of submarine electric transmission cables and equipment over which the United States has jurisdiction. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress an annual report on the administration of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1980
Amends title V (Improving Automotive Efficiency) of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to exempt manufacturers of fewer than 10,000 passenger automobiles in any model year from the average fuel economy standards for such year. Exempts from such standards manufacturers whose domestically manufactured production commenced after a specified date. States that the failure of any manufacturer to comply with any average fuel economy standard shall not be deemed unlawful conduct if the manufacturer has sufficient credits or time in which to gain such credits to offset any penalty which would otherwise be assessed. Permits credits earned for exceeding the required fuel economy levels for any given model year to be used to offset any penalties such manufacturer may have incurred for the three consecutive model years prior to such year or any penalties such manufacturer may incur in the succeeding three consecutive model years. Extends the time available to all passenger automobile manufacturers to carry forward or carry back such credits. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to include certain foreign-manufactured automobiles in such manufacturer's calculation of average fuel economy when: (1) at least 50 percent of the cost to the manufacturer of such automobiles is attributable to value added in the United States or Canada; (2) such automobiles have never previously been domestically manufactured; (3) the manufacturer submits an acceptable original plan relating to a timetable for the domestic production of such automobiles; and (4) any automobile assembled in Canada is imported into the United States within 30 days after the end of the applicable model year.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that on or before June 1 of each odd-numbered year, the President should transmit to Congress a plan setting forth the proposed participation of the United States for two fiscal years in international programs in meteorology.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1980
Independent Safety Board Act Amendments of 1980 - Amends the Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to include aviation incidents under requirements binding on persons reporting such incidents subject to the National Transportation Safety Board's investigatory jurisdiction. Directs that certain investigations conducted by the Board shall have priority over all other investigations conducted by Federal regulatory agencies. Specifies that any properly credentialed employee of the Board, in investigating a transportation accident, may take custody of any materials determined to be required for the purpose of the investigation. Authorizes appropriations for the purposes of such Act for the fiscal years of 1981 and 1982. Directs that such sums shall remain available until expended.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1980
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey specified lands at fair market value to Henderson, Nevada.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1980
Maritime Appropriation Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1981 and 1982 - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 and 1982 for use by the Department of Commerce for: (1) the acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of vessels, the construction-differential subsidy, and the cost of national defense features incident to the construction, reconstruction or reconditioning of ships; (2) the payment of obligations incurred for the operating-differential subsidy; (3) research and development activities; (4) maritime education and training expenses; and (5) operating expenses including reserve fleet expenses. Authorizes additional appropriations for increases in salary, pay, retirement, or other employee benefits authorized by law, and for increased costs for public utilities, food service, and other expenses of the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation extending best wishes and expressing appreciation to Carl Vinson for his devotion to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1980
Congratulates the members of the 1980 U.S. Winter Olympic team, its coaches and officials for a job well done. Recognizes the International Olympic Committee, the U.S. Olympic Committee, the Lake Placid Olympic Organizing Committee and the people of the Lake Placid area for their successful efforts in organizing and producing the XIII Winter Olympic Games.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1980
National Bureau of Standards Authorizations of Appropriations Act for Fiscal Years 1981 and 1982 - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 and 1982 to the Secretary of Commerce for: (1) activities of the National Bureau of Standards under the Act of March 3, 1901 and other statutes; (2) facilities improvement; (3) international activities; and (4) activities performed for other agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1980
Rock Island Transition Act - Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission to continue directed service over specified lines of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad until April 2, 1980, or until such lines are sold. Directs the Commission to expedite proceedings involving the Rock Island. Requires the Commission to reach a final decision on specified proceedings involving a sale, transfer, or lease of any line of the Rock Island to a solvent carrier within a specified period. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to purchase redeemable preference shares or trustee certificates convertible to redeemable preference shares as necessary to facilitate the purchase of properties of the Rock Island by other railroads. Establishes a ceiling for the total par value of such shares which the Secretary may purchase. Exempts activities under this Act from the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1980
Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for programs to stimulate travel to the United States. Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from reducing the number of employees or the funding of U.S. Travel Service offices in foreign countries below fiscal year 1979 levels.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1980
Expresses the policy of the United States that: (1) no astronaut or other individual who participates in a space flight mission be unjustly enriched through the sale of items carried on such mission; and (2) postal covers, coins and other items carried to the Moon and now in the possession of the United States be retained by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1980
Motor Carrier Reform Act of 1980 - Amends the Interstate Commerce Commission Act to amend the transportation policy of the United States to rely to the maximum extent feasible upon actual and potential competition to improve and maintain a sound, privately-owned motor carrier system which meets the transportation needs of the United States. Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to issue a certificate to a person as a motor common carrier of property if to do so would not be inconsistent with the present or future public convenience and necessity. Sets forth the factors the Commission must consider when determining such public convenience and necessity. Sets forth exceptions to such certification process, including applications to provide transportation services: (1) for points not served by a certified motor carrier of property; (2) as a direct substitute for abandoned rail service; and (3) for the United States Government for specified commodities. Limits protests to an application to provide transportation as a motor common carrier of property to those who already possess such authority or applied prior in time for the authority to handle such traffic, or to those whom the Commission grants leave to intervene. Prohibits any contract motor carrier of property from protesting any such application. Eliminates specified restrictions on motor carrier of property operations, including gateway restrictions, circuitous route limitations, narrow categories of commodities authorized, intermediate point service prohibitions, and one-way authority. Exempts from ICC regulation: (1) the transportation of specified agricultural commodities and uncooked meat; (2) the transportation by motor vehicle incidental to transportation by motor vehicle incidental to transportation by aircraft; (3) specified transportation by a motor vehicle operated by an owner or a person accompanied by an owner; and (4) specified transportation for compensation provided by a person who is a member of a corporate family for other members of the same corporate family. Eliminates the number of shippers to be served by the carrier as a factor to be considered by the Commission in deciding whether to approve the application of a person for a permit as a motor contract carrier. Eliminates Commission-imposed limitations on contract carrier operations with regard to geographic areas, industries, or persons to be served. Permits a person to hold both a certificate of a motor common carrier and a permit of a motor contract carrier. Permits a motor contract carrier of property to contract with a telephone, telegraph, or cable company to exchange services and perform specified services for a freight forwarder. Eliminates specified restrictions on line-haul transportation of property for at least 450 highway miles. Permits the Commission to amend or revoke any part of a motor contract carrier permit and issue in its place a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Prohibits the Commission from investigating, suspending, revising or revoking any rate proposed by a motor carrier of property or freight forwarder on the grounds that such rate is unreasonable on the basis that it is too high or too low except as specified. Directs the Commission to authorize revenue levels for common carriers that are adequate under efficient management to cover expenses, plus a reasonable profit to support and encourage capital outlays and investment. Sets forth the factors the Commission must consider when prescribing rates, classifications, rules, or practices for transportation or service by common carriers other than rail carriers. Defines the term "single-line rate" for the purpose of rate agreements. Permits motor common carriers of property to enter into agreements between two or more such carriers concerning rates, allowances, classifications and divisions. Permits the submission of such agreements to the Commission for approval. Sets forth the conditions for approval. Sets forth the responsibilities of a consignor or consignee who require that persons who own or operate motor vehicles be assisted in loading or unloading such vehicles. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for the violation of such responsibilities. Directs the Commission to issue a license to a qualifying person authorizing such person to be a broker for transportation of property. Directs the Commission to require the use of written contracts governing the interstate movement by motor vehicle of exempt agricultural commodities. Increases the amount of the total value of outstanding securities and other obligations of motor carriers exempt from Commission jurisdiction. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with State agencies and the motor carrier industry, to develop recommendations to be made to Congress to provide a more efficient and equitable system of State regulations for interstate motor carriers. Permits any motor common carrier of property that is a party to a pooling agreement to apply for Commission approval of such agreement. Requires the Commission to enter upon a hearing if it determines that such agreement is of major transportation importance and there is a substantial likelihood that the agreement will unduly restrain competition. Prohibits the Commission from requiring a motor carrier of property, without its consent, to include in such through route substantially less than the entire length of its route except as specified. Directs all carriers party to a through route and joint rate to promptly pay divisions or make interline settlements. Authorizes the Commission to grant a motor carrier of property temporary or emergency temporary authority to provide transportation to a place having no motor carrier capable of meeting the immediate needs of such place. Amends the nonrail proceedings for reaching an initial decision and for deciding an application for rehearing, reargument, or reconsideration. Authorizes the Commission to bring a civil action through its own attorneys to enjoin violations and compel compliance with specified provisions of such Act. Exempts from Commission jurisdiction: (1) motor vehicles controlled and operated by cooperative associations or a federation of cooperative associations when providing specified transportation services; (2) services of a shipper or a group of shippers on a nonprofit basis. Permits the Commission to prescribe specified record keeping and filing requirements and to conduct inspections. Prohibits discrimination in the provision of services by a freight forwarder or in the consideration of a freight forwarder permit application.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1981 - Authorizes appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for research and development, construction of facilities, and research and program management. Permits appropriations for research and development to be used: (1) for any items of a capital nature (other than acquisition of land) which may be required at locations other than NASA installations for the performance of research and development contracts; and (2) for grants to nonprofit institutions of higher education, or to nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is the conduct of scientific research, for purchase or construction of additional research facilities. Stipulates that when so specified and to the extent provided in an appropriation Act, any amount appropriated for "research and development" or for "construction of facilities" may remain available without fiscal year limitation. Permits the funds for construction of any of specified facilities: (1) in the discretion of the NASA Administrator, to be varied upward ten percent; or (2) following a report by the Administrator to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the circumstances of such action, to be varied upward 25 percent to meet unusual cost variations. Limits the total cost of all construction work to the total of the amounts specified. Permits one half of one percent of the funds appropriated for research and development to be transferred to the "construction of facilities" appropriation. Authorizes the expenditure of such funds, together with $10,000,000 of the funds appropriated for construction of facilities, to construct, expand, or modify laboratories and other installations. Disallows any amount appropriated pursuant to this Act from being used for any program deleted by the Congress from requests as originally made to either the House Committee on Science and Technology or the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Disallows any amounts appropriated pursuant to this Act from being used for any program in excess of the amount actually authorized for that particular program for research and development or research and program management. Disallows any amount from being used for any program which has not been presented to or requested of such committees, with certain exceptions. Expresses the sense of the Congress that it is in the national interest that consideration be given to geographical distribution of Federal research funds whenever feasible, and that NASA should explore ways and means of distributing its research and development funds whenever feasible.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Authorizes a supplemental appropriation for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for research and development.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1980
Expresses the gratitude of the Senate for the forceful action of Colonel Ishmail Kahn and Mr. Bill Hamidullah in repelling the attackers of the International School of Islamabad in Pakistan.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1980
Authorizes additional expenditures by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for inquiries and investigations from March 1, 1980, through February 28, 1981, not to exceed $2,652,800.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1980
Urges: (1) the U.S. Olympic Committee to propose the transfer or cancellation of the 1980 summer Olympic games; (2) the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to adopt such proposal; and (3) the U.S. Olympic committee and other nations' Olympic committees to not participate in such summer games, if the IOC rejects such proposal, and conduct alternative games.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1980
Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations to the United States Railway Association for the purpose of carrying out its administrative expenses under such Act for fiscal year 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1980
Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to exempt manufacturers of fewer than 10,000 passenger automobiles in any model year from the average fuel economy standards for such year. Exempts from such standards manufacturers whose domestically manufactured production commenced after a specified date. States that the failure of any manufacturer to comply with any average fuel economy standard shall not be deemed unlawful conduct if the manufacturer has sufficient credits or time in which to gain such credits to offset the amount or any penalty which would otherwise be assessed. Permits credits earned for exceeding the required fuel economy levels for any given model year to be used to offset any penalties such manufacturer may have incurred for the three consecutive model years prior to such year or any penalties such manufacturer may incur in the succeeding three consecutive model years.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
States that this Act authorizes the establishment of a cooperative program involving the United States, the State of Washington, the Treaty Tribes, and other appropriate parties to: (1) encourage stability in commercial and charter fishing industries; and (2) improve the quality of and opportunity for salmon and steelhead recreational fishing. Title I: Coordination - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to provide grants for the preparation of programs under this Act and to promote research and coordinated management of salmon and steelhead resources. Makes such grants available to the State, the Treaty Tribes, the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, or any joint entity undertaking such research program. Title II: Resources Enhancement and Habitat Maintenance - Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to provide grants for projects for the enhancement of the salmon and steelhead resources in the conservation area. Provides that such plan must be a comprehensive plan developed and agreed to by the State and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, and approved by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce. Declares that such plan shall describe all enhancement projects anticipated by the State and the Commission for a period of at least five years. Sets forth standards to be included in such plan and conditions for approval by the Secretary. Provides for review, modification, amendments, or revisions of any such plan, with the approval of the Secretary. Sets forth requirements to be included in project proposals submitted to the Secretary by the State and the Commission after approval of a comprehensive plan. Authorizes the Secretary to approve any project consistent with such plan and to provide funding for such project as directed by provisions in this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a system to monitor and evaluate approved enhancement projects. Title III: Commercial Fishing Fleet Adjustment- - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to distribute Federal funds to the States for the purchase of commercial fishing and charter vessels, gear, and licenses. Directs the Secretary to establish standards for the fleet adjustment program relative to reducing the fishing effort on the salmon resources in the conservation area. Sets forth conditions under which the Secretary may approve the State program and directs the Secretary to continually review such program's operations. Title IV: Tribal Fishery Development Program - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to provide loans to Treaty Tribes or Treaty Tribe fishing corporations for projects to modernize and develop such tibe's salmon and steelhead fishing operations. Declares such loans to be for projects which are in accordance with the comprehensive plan approved by the Secretary. Provides that such loans shall be for projects for the: (1) purchase, replacement, or modernization of salmon and steelhead fishing vessels; or (2) construction, rental, purchase, or improvement of fishing facilities other than processing facilities. Directs the Secretary to conduct a continuing review of any such tribal program. Creates a revolving fund within the Treasury for Treaty Tribal fishery development and sets forth the operating procedure of such fund. Title V: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the appropriate Secretary to promulgate necessary regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs the State and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission to report annually to such Secretary on the status of any authorized program under such Act. Declares that nothing in this Act should be construed to diminish appropriate jurisdiction in the field of resource enhancement and management or supersede or modify applicable existing law.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Expresses the Senate's support for efforts to win the freedom of the hostages in Iran. Calls upon all nations to join in cooperative efforts to restrict relations with Iran. Declares that: (1) any trial or public exploitation of the hostages would be viewed as added provocation; and (2) the American people will not be diverted from their determination that the hostages be freed.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1979
Northeast Corridor Completion Act of 1979 - Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to extend the time period within which (1) regularly scheduled and dependable intercity rail passenger service is to be established between Boston and New York and New York and Washington, D.C.; and (2) the National Railroad Passenger Corporation must submit to the President and to Congress an updated, comprehensive report on the financial and operating results of such service. Increases the amount authorized to be appropriated to effectuate the establishment of such service. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire any real property which the Secretary deems necessary to effectuate such service. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with cost- sharing parties to permit the Secretary to incur obligations to carry out improvements in anticipation of reimbursement from such parties. Permits the Secretary to transfer to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation excess real or personal property from the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project. Establishes a goal of self- sufficiency for such intercity passenger service within five years of the completion of such Project. Amends the Department of Transportation Act to authorize the Secretary to establish a working capital fund for financing the activities of the Transportation Systems Center, including research and analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1979
Regulatory Flexibility and Administrative Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: The Management, Planning, and Analysis of Regulatory Functions - Defines the term "major rule" as an agency rule that is estimated will have an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more or otherwise will have a major impact. Establishes the Regulatory Policy Board which shall: (1) publish a semiannual Calendar of Federal Regulations containing information on all major rules to be developed or considered by agencies during the next year; (2) identify overlapping and duplicative agency rules; (3) monitor agency compliance with this Title; (4) organize interagency reviews of selected initial regulatory analyses of major rules; and (5) develop methods to reduce duplicative reporting requirements imposed by Federal, State, and local governments. Requires the Executive Director of such Board: (1) in consultation with the Director of the Federal Register, to develop categories for the classification of all agency rules; (2) to compile the classifications of rules which shall be submitted and updated annually by each agency into a comprehensive index of all agency rules; and (3) to publish in the Federal Register instructions for public access to such index. Directs any agency which collects, prepares, or maintains information pertaining to Federal regulatory activities to supply the Board with such information upon request. Requires each regulatory agency: (1) to publish in the Federal Register a semiannual regulatory agenda containing a list of rules the agency expects to propose or promulgate and a description of the areas of regulatory inquiry which the agency will consider during the next year; (2) to solicit public comment on such agenda; (3) to include in the notice of a rulemaking or judicatory proceeding the date by which the agency intends to complete such proceeding; and (4) to notify the public and the Executive Director of any failure to meet such a deadline, of the new completion date, and of the reasons for such a failure. Directs an agency, whenever it is required to publish general notice of a proposed major rule, to prepare and make available to the public an initial regulatory analysis which: (1) describes the need for the rule; (2) describes compliance requirements of the rule; (3) identifies existing duplicative rules; (4) describes alternative approaches for accomplishing the objective of the proposed rule; and (5) describes the economic, health, safety, and environmental effects of the rule. Requires that each agency prepare for each adopted major rule a final regulatory analysis which includes a summary of public comments received on the initial analysis and a justification of the selection of the final rule. Directs each agency to include in the general notice of any proposed rule an initial regulatory flexibility analysis which: (1) describes any adverse economic impact of the rule on individuals, small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions; and (2) discusses alternative regulatory approaches such as varying compliance requirements depending on the resources of the person affected by the rule. Requires each agency to prepare for each final rule a final regulatory flexibility analysis which summarizes comments received on the initial analysis and justifies the selection of the final rule. Specifies techniques through which the head of an agency promulgating a rule shall assure that persons adversely affected by the rule are provided an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking proceeding. Prohibits any Federal agency from: (1) regulating or licensing entry under a scheme when such entry is limited; (2) setting levels for or otherwise controlling the prices, production, or distribution of goods or services; or (3) controlling the terms of agreements among providers and purchasers of goods or services, unless the agency finds such an action to be the least anticompetitive alternative for achieving a statutory goal. Specifies exceptions to the applicability of such prohibition. Requires each agency to establish procedures for notifying the Attorney General of any plans for such an action. Requires each agency to prepare a list of all major rules promulgated by that agency and to publish in the Federal Register a draft schedule for the review over a five-year period of its rules, policies, and practices. Sets forth guidelines for selecting such precepts to review. Directs each agency to publish a final review schedule within one year of the effective date of this Act. Requires that each agency announce the review date for each major rule upon its publication. Requires each agency to publish an assessment of each precept reviewed including a statement of the benefits, adverse effects, costs of such precept, and a determination as to whether the precept should be rescinded, amended, or continued without change. Directs the President to transmit to Congress: (1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of this procedure for reviewing agency precepts; and (2) legislative recommendations for establishing another five-year review period. Requires the Regulatory Policy Board to report to the President and Congress on the regulatory activities of Federal agencies during each of the five fiscal years after the enactment of this Act. Specifies the contents of such report, including an evaluation of agency compliance with this Act. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, for each of the first three fiscal years after enactment of this Act, to monitor agency compliance with regulatory analyses requirements of this Act. Title II: Improving the Efficiency of Administrative Proceedings - Eliminates the exemption from public notice and comment requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act for agency rulemaking concerning Federal loans, grants, and benefits. Exempts from such requirements emergency rules and rules governed by short term statutory or judicial deadlines, provided that an agency complies with such requirements after publication of such a rule when appropriate. Requires each agency: (1) to include in the general notice of proposed rulemaking statements soliciting alternative approaches to the regulatory objective and describing the paperwork requirements of the proposed rule; (2) to resolve controversies concerning proposed major rules through oral or written procedures including informal public hearings, expert advisory councils, and the presentation of witnesses; and (3) to include a response to issues raised by public comments with the statement of the basis and purpose of a final rule. Requires each agency to maintain a file of information on each rulemaking proceeding. Specifies the contents of such file which include: (1) any information which the agency is required to make public; and (2) a record of the source, recipient, and content of any communication with an agency official regarding a proposed major rule. Reorganizes provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act governing adjudication and rulemaking proceedings required by statute to be determined on the record after opportunity for an agency hearing. Declares that if the presiding employee at such a hearing becomes unavailable, another qualified employee shall conclude the hearing. Enumerates the powers of such a presiding employee. Authorizes such employee to cross-examine witnesses and to request the agency to consider and act on interlocutory appeals when action on such appeals would expedite final agency action. Directs such employee to: (1) oversee the expeditious completion of such hearing; and (2) provide a concise record of the important matters of the proceeding. Provides two levels for conducting such adjudication and rulemaking proceedings. Establishes a "general hearing process" which applies to: (1) any rulemaking, ratemaking, or licensing proceeding except a proceeding to withdraw, suspend, or revoke a license or a proceeding before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; (2) a proceeding to determine an initial claim of a party, other than an individual, for a subsidy, right, or other benefit; and (3) any other proceeding which the agency determines does not require a "formal hearing" for a fair disclosure of all material facts. Requires a "formal hearing": (1) for all other proceedings required by statute to be determined on the record; and (2) when there is a genuine and substantial dispute of fact in a general hearing which cannot be resolved without formal cross-examination and upon which the decision of the agency is likely to depend. Requires, in any general hearing proceeding, the conduct of a hearing to afford parties an opportunity to submit written data, and, at the request of any party, an opportunity for oral argument. Prohibits any agency employee who performs investigative or prosecuting functions for the agency in such a proceeding from participating in the decision making process of that proceeding. Authorizes the presiding employee at a formal hearing to: (1) rule on offers of proof and relevant evidence; (2) require written testimony and arguments when oral testimony is not required; and (3) upon request, to issue a decision prior to completion of the hearing if there is no substantial dispute of fact. Prohibits any employee presiding over a formal hearing or participating in any decision or review of a decision of such a hearing from: (1) making ex parte communications; or (2) being responsible to an employee or agent performing investigative or prosecuting functions for an agency. Allows: (1) members of employee boards of review to consult with each other; and (2) persons advising a presiding employee to consult with each other and with the presiding employee. Authorizes each agency to establish employee review boards to review the decisions of presiding employees. Directs each agency to specify the conditions under which it will accept an appeal of the decision of such a board or presiding employee. Authorizes an agency to subpoena any person or evidence as necessary in any general or formal hearing proceeding. Sets forth: (1) the civil penalty for persons who fail to comply with a subpoena; and (2) the judicial procedure for enforcement of such a subpoena. Requires each agency to maintain a public file of significant material concerning the major stages of a proceeding. Permits an action to be brought in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the review of an agency rule if there is no applicable special statutory review proceeding. Requires the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States to recruit for administrative law judge positions among all groups of qualified persons. Directs the Chairman, in cooperation with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to examine, rank, certify, and register eligible candidates for such positions. Requires the Conference to certify the names of the ten highest ranked candidates to an agency requesting candidates for such a position. Limits to 350 the number of administrative law judges which may be appointed to positions in the GS-16, GS-17, and GS-18 levels of the General Schedule. Directs the Chairman to select administrative law judges to be detailed from one agency to another upon the consent of the transferring agency and the judge selected. Establishes the Administrative Law Judge Career Service consisting of judges appointed under this Act. Title III: Review of the Effectiveness of and Continuing Need for Government Regulation - Directs the President to establish a Committee on Regulatory Evaluation to advise the President concerning the reform of regulation by Federal agencies. Specifies the composition of the Committee and the compensation of Committee members. Requires the Committee to meet at least twice a year. Directs Congress to evaluate according to a specified schedule the regulatory functions of certain agencies and any reform legislation or report transmitted by the President concerning each such agency. Requires the Committee to examine each agency scheduled for review and to submit to the President any recommendations for legislation for reforming such agency. Directs the President, prior to the scheduled date for congressional review of an agency, to submit to Congress a report and any proposed legislation concerning the regulatory reform of that agency. Requires that such report: (1) examine the impact of each agency's regulatory activities; (2) compare the agency's regulatory policies to those of other agencies; and (3) explain in detail the proposed regulatory reforms or the reasons for not proposing a regulatory reform bill. Sets forth House and Senate procedure for considering such reform legislation. Title IV: The Administrative Conference of the United States - Changes the term of office of the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States to a four year term which coincides with the term of the President. States that at least one-fourth of the members of the Conference appointed by the Chairman shall be representatives of regulated interests. Directs the Conference to establish a Committee on Administrative Procedure to draft procedural rules for agency rulemaking proceedings and adjudications. Requires that such rules be designed to enhance public participation in agency proceedings. Title V: Miscellaneous - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1979
Calls upon all followers of Islam to prevail upon their brethren to: (1) release the American hostages held in Iran; and (2) until they are released, permit them to worship regularly in accordance with their religious faiths and meet with clergy of their faiths.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 1979
Waives certain provisions of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to the consideration of S. 1991 (Federal Trade Commission funding).
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1979
Grants a Federal charter to the National Federation of Music Clubs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1979
Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships - Implements the Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (MARPOL Protocol). Applies this Act to ships of United States registry or nationality or of a country party to the MARPOL Protocol and ships registered in or of the nationality of a country not a party to the MARPOL Protocol travelling in all waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Exempts: (1) warships, naval auxiliaries or other ships owned by the United States while engaged in noncommercial service, subject to standards prescribed by the appropriate Federal department and agencies, and (2) other ships specifically excluded by the MARPOL Protocol. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to administer, enforce, and prescribe regulations to carry out the provisions of the MARPOL Protocol and this Act, utilizing other Federal departments and agencies as necessary. Authorizes such Secretary to designate persons to issue certificates required by the MARPOL Protocol. Stipulates that (1) certificates shall not be issued to ships of countries not a party to the MARPOL Protocol, and (2) certificates issued by a participating country of the MARPOL Protocol shall be honored. Subjects to inspection any ship required to carry a valid certificate. Directs the Secretary to detain any ship required to have a certificate which either does not have one on board or has a condition in disagreement with the certificate until such ship can proceed to sea without presenting an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment. Allows any person whose ship is detained to petition the Secretary. Permits compensation for any loss or damage suffered by a ship unreasonably detained or delayed. Directs the Secretary, after consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, to establish regulations for determining the adequacy of reception facilities of a port or terminal, and to issue certificates indicating that facilities for receiving residues and mixtures containing oil or noxious liquid substances from seagoing ships are adequate. States conditions under which such certificate can be inspected, suspended, or revoked. Requires the listing of such certified ports and terminals in the Federal Register. Allows the Secretary to deny entry to any ship retaining residues and mixtures containing oil or noxious liquids to a port or terminal required to have but not holding a valid certificate. Requires immediate reporting of any incident covered by the Protocol to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to investigate any such report of violation and take appropriate action, acting through the Secretary of State in cases involving a ship not of United States registry or nationality. Imposes a fine of not more than $50,000 for each violation or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both, and a civil penalty of not more than $10,000, or $1,000 in cases of false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations. Deems a ship liable in rem for any pecuniary fine or penalty incurred. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to refuse or revoke clearance required by R.S. 4197 to any ship liable for such a penalty. Sets forth procedure of action to be taken in accepting a proposed amendment to the MARPOL Protocol received by the United States from the Secretary-General of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization. Permits any person having an interest adversely affected by (1) any person who is alleged to be in violation of these provisions or (2) a Secretary who is alleged to be in neglect in performing duties under this Act to bring a suit against such party, subject to specified procedures and jurisdictions. Authorizes the court to award costs of litigation. Allows the Attorney General to intervene in any action not involving the United States. Repeals the Oil Pollution Act, 1961, and the Oil Pollution Act Amendments of 1973. Authorizes the Secretary to inspect vessels subject to this Act, except public vessels engaged in noncommercial service entering navigable waters of and documented under the laws of the United States. Directs the Secretary and the heads of Federal departments to issue regulations, standards, and certificates upon enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 1979
Waives certain provisions of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to the consideration of S. 1648 (Airport and airway system).
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1979
Wagering Neutrality Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the withholding tax requirements with respect to gambling winnings.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1979
Transportation Energy Efficiency Act of 1979 - Title I: Energy Efficient Public Transportation - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1981 through 1989 from the Energy Security Trust Fund to finance grants, loans, and/or contracts for: (1) Federal financial assistance to State and local agencies for the construction or improvement of mass transportation systems; (2) public transportation projects substituted for segments of Interstate highway; (3) buses and bus facilities; and (4) projects for the deployment of innovative techniques and methods in the management and operation of public transportation services. Limits the amount of such funds which may be appropriated for allocation by the President. Title II: Improved Automobile Use - Permits the Secretary of Transportation to increase the Federal share of interstate highway costs to at least 90 percent for energy conservation projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to governments and private organizations of 90 percent of the costs of energy conservation projects and for the purpose of planning, implementing, or evaluating innovative transportation strategies for more efficient use of automobiles and alternatives to low occupancy automobiles. Permits the inclusion in highway safety programs of programs for increased automotive fuel efficiency, including improved driver practices and vehicle operation and maintenance with funding provided from the Energy Security Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations from such Fund for fiscal years 1980 through 1989 for carrying out the national maximum speed limit, energy conservation projects, and highway safety programs. Limits the percentage of funds to be used for public information programs directed to improve automobile usage and administrative costs. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway trust fund for liquidation of obligations incurred for highway projects approved on or after the Transportation Energy Efficiency Act. Reduces the apportionments to States where a segment of the Interstate System is withdrawn for a substituted public mass transit project and makes a revised estimate of the Federal share of the costs of such segment available for highway substitution projects. Title III: Basic Automotive Research Program - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1989 from the Energy Security Trust Fund to carry out cooperative basic automotive research to advance the state of knowledge underlying automotive technology. Title IV: Fuel Economy Technology Assessment - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1980 through 1989 to assist in carrying out automobile fuel economy assessment under the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1979
Automotive Fuel Economy Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to exempt manufacturers of fewer than 10,000 passenger automobiles in any model year from the average fuel economy standards for such year. Exempts from such standards manufacturers whose domestically manufactured production commenced after a specified date. States that the failure of any manufacturer to comply with any average fuel economy standard shall not be deemed unlawful conduct if the manufacturer has sufficient credits or time in which to gain such credits to offset the amount of any penalty which would otherwise be assessed. Permits credits earned for exceeding the required fuel economy levels for any given model year to be used to offset any penalties such manufacturer may have incurred for the three consecutive model years prior to such year or any penalties such manufacturer may incur in the succeeding three consecutive model years.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1979
Authorizes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Incorporated, to erect a memorial on public grounds in West Potomac Park 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 · 29 October 1979
Railroad Transportation Policy Act of 1979 - Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission, in regulating rail transportation, to consider the following as being in the public interest: (1) the development of an efficient freight transportation system, in the private sector, in which various modes of transportation are subject to impartial regulation; (2) the maximum reliance on competitive market forces on all transportation modes to provide transportation services; (3) the avoidance of undue concentrations of market power; (4) the reduction of regulatory barriers to entry into and exit from the industry; (5) the elimination of noncompensatory rates for rail transportation; and (6) the encouragement and promotion of energy conservation. Title I: Ratemaking - Directs the Commission, at least once a year, to establish an average ratio of revenue-to-variable cost that the rail carrier would be required to realize from all transportation provided by the industry in order to cover total operating expenses including depreciation and obsolescence, plus a reasonable and economic return on capital employed in the business. Authorizes rail carriers to establish any transportation rate which is equal to or less than such ratio. Prohibits the Commission from finding a railroad rate to be unreasonable or unjust on the basis that such rate exceeds a reasonable maximum for the services rendered. Allows rail carriers to increase any rate so long as such rate is equal to or less than an adjusted base rate for such transportation. Defines "base rate" as those rates in effect on January 1, 1980, for the transportation of such a commodity, or if no such commodity rate existed on such date, the rate in effect on such date for the most nearly comparable service. Directs the Commission, at least quarterly, to publish a rail cost adjustment factor to adjust such base rate based on changes in the Index of Railroad Material Prices and Wage Rates. Authorizes rail carriers to further increase such rates by an amount not exceeding four percent per year of such adjusted base rate. Directs the Commission to submit, at least every three years, a report which analyzes the revenue needs of rail carriers and which makes recommendations for modifying such allowable rate increases. Sets forth the allowable general rate increases which a rail carrier may institute for the six years following the effective date of this Act. Directs the Commission, within four years, to submit a report to the Congress on the effect of such general rate increase limitations including the feasibility of eliminating general rate increases. Authorizes one or more rail carriers to enter into contracts with one or more purchasers of rail services to provide specified services under specified rates and conditions. Authorizes the Commission, upon request, to limit the right of a rail carrier to enter into future contracts of such type if it determines that such additional contracts would impair the ability of the rail carrier to provide transportation to other shippers on reasonable request. Directs the Commission to determine annually the percentage of the equipment of each class I rail carrier that may be made available for use in fulfilling such contracts without impairing the carrier's ability to meet its non-contract obligations. Entitles any interested party to request a modification of such a determination upon a showing of changed circumstances or any other good cause. Exempts such contracts from specified regulations. Removes the requirement that the Commission conduct a hearing when prescribing through routes, joint classifications, joint rates, or the division of joint rates. Reduces the time period during which the Commission must take final action regarding such proceedings. Requires that rate bureau meetings be open to the public. Prohibits secret voting at such meetings. Authorizes a rail carrier to participate in discussions related to single-line rates proposed by another rail carrier or rates related to a particular interline movement. Stipulates that such discussions shall be limited to comments upon the proposal and shall exclude any agreement to approve, modify, disapprove or withdraw the proposal, except that in the case of a proposed interline movement, such agreements may be made by a rail carrier that can practicably participate in that movement. Authorizes rail carriers to establish demand-sensitive rates. Directs the Commission to facilitate the establishment of such rates. Authorizes rail carriers to establish transportation rates under which the liability of a carrier for property damage or loss is limited to a value established by written declaration of the shipper or by written agreement between the carrier and the shipper. Sets forth filing requirements with respect to a rail carrier's contract rates and services. Decreases the time period after which a rail rate change shall become effective after filing. Title II: Structure - Directs the Commission, in determining whether to approve a consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control application which does not involve two class I railroads to consider: (1) whether the transaction is likely to result in a substantial lessening of competition, creation of a monopoly, or restraint of trade in freight surface transportation; and (2) whether the anticompetitive effects of the transaction outweigh the public interest in meeting significant transportation needs. Sets forth administrative procedures regarding applications for the approval of such a transaction involving a rail carrier. Sets forth time limits during which the Commission must act on such applications. Stipulates that, with respect to the abandonment or a discontinuance of a rail line of a carrier in bankruptcy, the provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act shall prevail over any conflicting provisions of the bankruptcy laws. Requires rail carriers, in filing a notice of intent to abandon a discontinue rail line, to include in such a notice a statement that the line is available for subsidy or sale together with a statement that the carrier will provide to each interested party an estimate of the subsidy or minimum purchase price required to keep the line in operation. Directs the Commission to approve such an abandonment or discontinuance if no protest is received within 30 days after such an application is filed from shippers or other persons who have made significant use of the railroad involved during the 12-month period preceding the filing of the application, or from States or political subdivisions thereof in which any part of the railroad line is included. Establishes procedures and time limitations which the Commission is to follow in the event that such a protest is filed. Requires the Commission to publish in the Federal Register any decision to permit the abandonment or discontinuance of a rail line. Allows any person or governmental authority to make an offer to pay the rail carrier involved a subsidy or offer to purchase such a line within ten days after such publication. Directs the Commission to postpone the issuance of a certificate authorizing such abandonment or discontinuance if the terms of such financial assistance meet specified criteria. Directs the Commission to continue such postponement so long as a subsidy agreement is in effect or to dismiss the application in the event of the purchase of a line which will provide for continued rail service. Stipulates that such a purchaser may not transfer or discontinue service on such a line for a two year period nor may the purchaser transfer such line for a five-year period (except to the carrier from whom it was purchased). Stipulates that any such subsidy may be discontinued upon 60-days notice. Directs the Commission to authorize the extension of an existing rail carrier's lines or the construction or acquisition of additional lines upon a finding that the public convenience and necessity will permit such an action. Stipulates that where a railroad has been issued a certificate authorizing such an action, no other railroad may block the construction or extension by refusing to permit the carrier to cross its property so long as the construction or operation of the line does not reasonably interfere with the operation of the crossed line and the owner of the crossing line pays compensation for such crossing. Authorizes the Commission to require railroads to enter reciprocal switching agreements where it finds such an agreement to be practicable and in the public interest. Title III: General Provisions - Stipulates that any action undertaken or order issued by the Commission pursuant to its powers to deal with rail service emergencies shall be limited to a 30-day period unless, during such period, the Commission has begun proceedings to resolve the service problems on a more permanent basis. Stipulates that such an order may be extended for a 60-day period if such a proceeding is undertaken. Authorizes the Commission to exempt a person, class of persons, or a transaction from rail transportation regulation if it finds that the application of such a regulation is not necessary to carry out the national transportation policy as set forth in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1979
Transfers to the Secretary of Agriculture: (1) all range improvement functions currently carried out by the Department of the Interior; and (2) certain obligations, property, funds, and personnel related to such functions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1979
Makes a technical amendment to the Act of January 2, 1951 (the Johnson Act), to exempt bona fide vending machines and their subassemblies and parts from the prohibition on the interstate transportation of gambling devices.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1979
Directs the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to stay any order, resulting from a court ordered environmental impact statement, canceling or modifying any permit or lease for grazing livestock on the public rangelands, to enable the permittee or lessee to appeal such order and exhaust all applicable administrative remedies.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1979
Amends the Desert Land Acts to repeal the provision which permits persons who are not resident citizens of Nevada to apply for desert lands in Nevada.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1979
Milwaukee Railroad Restructuring Act - Authorizes the bankruptcy court to allow the abandonment of the lines of the Milwaukee Railroad if an employee ownership or employee-shipper ownership arrangement is not implemented by a specified date. Stipulates that, pending the expiration of the time for appeal of such an order, the court may authorize the termination of service on a line to be abandoned. Stipulates that such order may not be stayed. Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission to give preference to proceedings involving the sale or transfer of a line of a railroad in reorganization. Sets forth time limits regarding such proceedings. Authorizes a bankruptcy court, upon the date of enactment of this Act, to authorize the abandonment of lines of railroad in any case pending under the Bankruptcy Act. Stipulates that, pending the expiration of the time for appeal of such an order, the court may authorize the termination of service on a line to be abandoned. Stipulates that such an order may not be stayed. Authorizes an association of representatives of national railway labor organizations, employee coalitions, and shippers to submit to the Commission a single plan for converting all or substantially all of the Milwaukee Railroad into an employee or employee-shipper-owned company. Stipulates that such a plan must be submitted by December 1, 1979. Directs the Commission, within 30 days, to approve such a plan if: (1) adequate financing is available to the proponents of such plan; (2) the plan is fair and equitable to the railroad's creditors; (3) implementation of such plan will occur by March 1, 1980; (4) the railroad can be operated on a self-sustaining basis; and (5) the plan contains an assessment of all operating practices including the implementation of changes designed to achieve the greatest possible labor productivity increases consistent with safe operations and adequate service. Directs the Commission, upon finding that the plan meets such criteria, to submit its findings to the bankruptcy court. Directs the court, within ten days, to determine whether the plan is fair and equitable to the estate of the Milwaukee Railroad. Stipulates that if the court approves such plan the proponents shall implement the plan by March 1, 1980. Amends the Emergency Rail Services Act of 1970 to remove the requirement that Federally guaranteed railroad certificates of railroads in reorganization be treated as an expense of administration and receive the highest priority in bankruptcy if the railroad involved is actively engaged in formulating an employee ownership plan or an employee-shipper ownership plan. Increases the aggregate principal amount of all certificates which may be guaranteed under such Act. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to immediately guarantee trustee certificates of the Milwaukee Railroad to allow the railroad to maintain its rail system. Stipulates that such certificates shall be subordinated to the claims of any creditor's of the railroad which exist on the date of enactment of this Act. Stipulates that an employee of such railroad who elects to receive a separation allowance shall be entitled to receive from the Railroad Retirement Board expenses for training in qualified institutions for new career opportunities. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Directs the Secretary, pursuant to the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to guarantee obligations of such railroad in order to provide protection for employees affected by restructuring, transactions, or reductions in service by such railroad. Directs the Secretary to guarantee obligations of the railroad to finance an equipment repair program for the railroad, or its successors, during the remainder of 1979 and 1980. Stipulates that the obligations guaranteed for such repair program and for employee protection arrangements shall be subordinated to the claims of any creditor of the railroad existing on the date of enactment of this Act. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to authorize the Secretary to purchase redeemable preference shares or trustee certificates which are convertible to such shares to facilitate the rehabilitation and improvement of Milwaukee Railroad property that has been sold to another person prior to November 1, 1980, or retained by such railroad so long as such property will be used for continuing rail service. Stipulates that the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 shall not apply to transactions carried out pursuant to this Act. Directs the Milwaukee Railroad to maintain its entire railroad system and continue its level of service until: (1) an employee or employee-shipper ownership plan is not submitted to the Commission in the allotted time; (2) the Commission finds the plan not to be feasible; (3) the bankruptcy court finds that the plan is not fair and equitable to the railroad's creditors; or (4) the plan is not implemented within the allotted time. Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to stipulate that the United States Railway Association may increase the principal amount of a loan, in an amount not to exceed $4,000,000 if the railroad is establishing an employee stock ownership plan, that assures by December 31, 1980, the railroad will contribute a specified sum to such plan. Amends the Department of Transportation Act to stipulate that rail service assistance funds which are available for reallocation as of October 1, 1979, shall be reallocated solely to States which require supplementary assistance to mitigate the effects caused by the filing of large-scale abandonments by railroads in liquidation on reorganization.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1979
Designates the month of July 1980 as "National Porcelain Art Month."
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1979
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1979 - Makes the United States liable for: (1) damages arising from certain nuclear tests conducted at the Nevada Test Site to individuals who resided in the affected area for a period of one year between January 1, 1951, and October 31, 1958, or between June 30, 1962, and July 31, 1962; (2) damages to individuals who worked in a uranium mine in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, or Utah for at least one year between January 1, 1947, and December 31, 1961; and (3) damages to a qualified sheep herd. Establishes in any action filed under this Act, upon a determination by the court that the plaintiff meets the requirements of the Act, an irrebuttable presumption that the damages alleged were caused by exposure to radiation as a result of a nuclear detonation or exposure to uranium. Limits the amount of attorney fees which can be received with respect to such actions. Defines "affected area" to mean specified areas of Utah, Nevada, and Arizona, and any other area of the United States which received a high level of fallout as a result of the Nevada Test Site detonations, as determined by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Establishes within the National Cancer Institute a seven-member Advisory Panel on the Health Effects of Exposure to Radiation and Uranium to identify, for the purposes of recovery under this Act, types of cancer which develop after exposure to low level radiation and diseases and illnesses which develop after uranium mine employment. Directs the Advisory Panel to report its findings to Congress within nine months of the date it convenes. Amends title III of the Public Health Service Act (General Powers and Duties) to direct the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the adverse health effects resulting from the Nevada Test Site atomic weapons test program since January 1, 1951. Transfers to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare all functions of the Department of Energy relating to research on the health effects of radiation on human beings.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1979
Federal Firearms Law Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to Gun Control Act - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition and persons engaged in the business of repairing firearms. Adds a new definition "engaged in the business" with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Includes as a manufacturer of ammunition a person whose gross sales of his own ammunition exceed $1,000 in any calendar year. Includes as a dealer in firearms a person who deals in firearms as a regular course of business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms. Replaces the current term "crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year" with a new definition of "disabling crime." Eliminates certain activities regarding ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Revises current provisions respecting the interstate sale or transfer of firearms. Revises the current prohibition against selling a firearm or ammunition to certain persons (such as persons under indictment for a felony or addicted to drugs) to apply such prohibition only to persons convicted of a "disabling crime." Revises the current prohibition against certain persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to: (1) extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition; (2) conform such prohibition to the new "disabling crime" provision; and (3) include as additional categories illegal aliens, persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces, and persons who have renounced their United States citizenship. Makes the same changes to the current prohibition against certain persons who receive a firearm or ammunition which has been transported in interstate commerce, but applies such prohibition to persons who are employed by the enumerated categories of individuals. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Stipulates that the Secretary of the Treasury may revoke a license only where the holder of such license has "knowingly" violated a provision of the Act or regulation. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations under this Act which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, where such individual is not convicted of such charges. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records or documents and any firearm or ammunition kept by an importer, manufacturer, or dealer pursuant to this Act that the Secretary has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises of such persons. Restricts the firearm information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Stipulates that the general penalty under this Act shall apply to whoever "willfully" violates any provision. Prohibits, with respect to a person's second or subsequent conviction for illegally using or carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony, the granting of parole before completion of the minimum sentence. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Requires a court to award attorney's fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in an action or proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Allows the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was initiated in bad faith. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Allows one House of Congress to disapprove by resolution any firearms regulation within 90 days of continuous session of the promulgation of such rule. Requires that resolutions of disapproval be immediately referred to only those standing committees having legislative responsibility for this Act. Allows a sponsor of any such resolution to move to discharge from further consideration a committee which does not report out the resolution within 45 days of continuous session of Congress. States that it shall be in order to move to proceed to the consideration of the resolution any time after a committee has reported or has been discharged from further consideration. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing any rules identical to regulations disapproved by Congress without the enactment of additional legislation respecting his authority. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Makes any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1979
Makes the Federal tort claims procedure the exclusive remedy in medical malpractice actions resulting from federally authorized National Guard training activities (repeals the current provision covering such liability).
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1979
Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to allow a dry bulk cargo vessel to be removed from documentation under the laws of the United States ten years (previously 25 years) after such documentation where such removal is coincident with the sale of such a vessel to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Requires the owner of such a vessel to pay the United States any principal or interest due prior to such removal and requires the owner to place the net proceeds of such sale in its capital construction fund. Requires the owner of such a vessel to contract for the construction of a new dry bulk cargo replacement vessel within one year after such a sale if the vessel which was sold was constructed less than 25 years earlier. Stipulates that any purchaser of such a vessel shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary allowing the vessel to be used by the United States, for just compensation, in time of emergency. Allows dry bulk cargo vessels which are receiving an operating-differential subsidy to perform repairs outside of the United States or Puerto Rico. Removes the provision of law which prohibits individuals who are receiving an operating-differential subsidy or who are chartering vessels owned by the Department of Commerce from operating or acting as an agent for any foreign-flag dry bulk cargo vessel which competes with American carriers. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations to insure that the removal of such prohibition will not result in unfair competition with operators of exclusively United States-flag vessels and that no diversion of any subsidy will occur with respect to foreign-flag operations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1979
Household Goods Transportation Act of 1979 - Exempts from the antitrust laws, agreements approved by the Interstate Commerce Commission between two or more carriers engaged in the business of transporting household goods which is solely related to, or contains procedures for, the joint establishment of: (1) proposals for changes in the standard rate level for household goods; and (2) charges between two carriers for the use of the facilities and equipment of one carrier by the other. Prohibits the Commission from finding the rate for the transportation of household goods unreasonable if the rate charged is not more or less than ten percent of the standard rate level for such transportation in effect on April 1, 1980. Prohibits the Commission from finding a rate for services incident to such transportation to be unreasonable if the rate is not more or less than 20 percent of the standard rate level in effect on such date. Directs the Commission, not less than semiannually, to adjust the standard rate level for household goods based on the percentage change for the previous period in the actual operating costs incurred by the carriers. Directs the Commission to issue a certificate to a person to provide motor transportation of household goods if: (1) the applicant is fit, willing, and able to provide such services and to conform to the provisions of this Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder; and (2) the transportation to be provided is consistent with the present and future public convenience and necessity. Places the burden of making such showings upon the applicant. Directs the Commission, in making such a determination, to consider a household goods transportation industry which is competitive and operates under reduced regulation as being in the public interest. Directs the Commission to promulgate regulations for processing such applications which provide for adequate notice and opportunity for any interested person to file written evidence and argument. Directs that such process need not provide for an oral evidentiary hearing. Prohibits the Commission from including in such a certificate a condition which prevents a carrier from adding to its equipment and facilities or its transportation within the scope of its certificate in order to satisfy business development and public demand. Directs that each principal carrier shall be responsible for the acts and omissions of its agents which relate to the interstate or foreign transportation of household goods. Sets forth investigatory procedures before the Commission with respect to complaints that an agent does not have sufficient knowledge to provide household goods transportation or is not fit, willing, or able to perform such services. Exempts from the antitrust laws, discussions or agreements between a carrier and its agents which relate solely to: (1) rates for transporting household goods under the authority of the principal carrier; (2) charges for services incidental to such transportation; (3) allowances relating to such carriage; and (4) divisions between the principal carrier and its agents. Directs the Commission to institute a rulemaking proceeding to review all of its regulations pertaining to household goods transportation. Directs the Commission to reduce such regulations and paperwork required of each carrier. Prohibits the Commission from prescribing specific formulas or formats with respect to cost estimates given to shippers by carriers from such transportation. Forbids the Commission from prohibiting carriers to charge the shipper for such an estimate. Directs the Commission to promulgate rules that provide carriers with the maximum possible flexibility in weighing shipments. Allows carriers to offer their shippers guarantees or options for per diem payments in the event the carrier does not pick up or deliver the shipment as agreed. Establishes dispute-settlement procedures with respect to losses or damages incurred in such transportation. Provides for the recovery of attorney's fees by a shipper or carrier under specified circumstances. Establishes civil penalties for violations of the regulations promulgated under this Act or for failure to fully comply with reports mandated by the Commission regarding the transportation of household goods. Establishes a criminal penalty for weight-bumping (the knowing and willful making or securing of a fraudulent weight on a shipment of household goods).