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United States · Official source
1,947 records where Sen. Chiles, Lawton [D-FL] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1980
Deplores the Soviet violations with respect to Afghanistan. Joins calls for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. Supports the imposition of penalties on the Soviet Union for its aggression. Urges continued action to draw attention to the Soviet violations and to prevent further Soviet incursions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the domestic automotive and truck industry. Declares it to be a goal of the United States to achieve technological superiority in the world automobile and truck industry. Advocates changes in economic, fiscal, and import policies in order to create adequate capital and produce a more favorable climate for the domestic automobile and truck industry.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with other Federal agencies, should establish a program to use energy efficient and viable alternatives to halocarbon based technologies for cooling.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1980
Appellate Court Reorganization Act of 1980 - Divides the current United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit into the following two circuits: (1) the Fifth Circuit, composed of the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, and consisting of 14 judges; and (2) the Eleventh Circuit, composed of the States of Alabama, the Canal Zone, Florida, Georgia, and consisting of 12 judges. (The current Fifth Circuit consists of all six States and has 26 judges.) Designates Atlanta, Georgia, the headquarters of the Eleventh Circuit and New Orleans, Louisiana, headquarters of the Fifth Circuit. Makes this Act effective October 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1980
Trade Procedures Simplification Act of 1980 - Requires the Attorney General, in consultation with other Federal agency heads, to determine whether: (1) U.S. business conduct and arrangements to expand exports in various countries conflict with basic antitrust principles; and (2) a more liberal enforcement policy for overseas activities would impede implementation of the antitrust laws. Directs the Attorney General to identify conduct and arrangements associated with particular types of export sales which the Attorney General determines would not warrant prosecution under the antitrust laws. Sets forth the procedures for describing such permissible conduct and disclosing such descriptions. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to intervene in such suits and to provide legal assistance to exporters. Prohibits prosecution under the antitrust laws of exporters who: (1) have notified the Attorney General of their intention to engage in such designated permissible conduct; or (2) receive an approval, or no objection, from the Attorney General concerning proposed transactions. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Commerce to report to Congress concerning implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week beginning October 5, 1980, as "National Port Week." Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report to Congress on the conditions of U.S. public ports.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1980
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare) to conduct a clinical investigation of the safety and efficacy of dimethyl sulfoxide as a drug to be used by persons with arthritis.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the payment of disability insurance benefits to: (1) any individual for any month during which such individual is an inmate of a penal institution after being convicted of a crime or a facility for the criminally insane or other psychiatric facility after having been found (a) not guilty of a crime by reason of insanity or (b) mentally incompetent to stand trial; and (2) any individual otherwise entitled to benefits on the basis of the wages and income of such inmate for the same period.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Disapproves the proposed rule under the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 relating to the incremental pricing of natural gas for other industrial uses.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1980
Grants a Federal charter to the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II. Declares that the purpose of such corporation is to establish memorials to those who served aboard United States submarines and gave their lives during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1980
Family Care Demonstration Project Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare), in consultation with the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging, to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, any public or private entity, including any hospital that has a medicare agreement in effect, to conduct demonstration programs for the placement of specified elderly persons in private homes as foster care residents. Requires that such elderly persons be: (1) 65 years old or older; (2) inpatients in a hospital or nursing home, but no longer require inpatient care; (3) ambulatory and require continued medical support services or intermittent medical or skilled nursing care similar to the care provided in an intermediate care facility, but do not require continuous skilled nursing services; and (4) lack other appropriate residential arrangements to provide necessary services. Directs the Secretary to require that such programs establish standards to assure that specified criteria are met. Includes among such criteria, requirements that such programs: (1) provide for placement in the homes of blood relatives whenever possible if such homes meet applicable requirements; (2) include placements in homes of relatives and in other foster care homes in order to evaluate care in both settings; (3) provide for contribution to the cost of care by the elderly person to the extent that this does not unduly deplete such person's resources; (4) assure persons in whose home such foster care is given are compensated; and (5) assists members of the family providing foster care in making alternative short-term care arrangements when necessary. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide, to the extent feasible, for the distribution of such grants or contracts among urban and rural areas; and (2) determine the amount of any such grant or contract. Sets forth certain recordkeeping requirements for such programs. Requires that such records be available to the Secretary and the Comptroller General for audit and examination. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to appropriate entities with respect to such programs. Directs the Secretary to establish an information clearinghouse regarding foster care programs available in the United States. Directs the Secretary to evaluate such programs and report to Congress by January 1, 1984. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations relating to the compensation to be received by persons in whose home an elderly person receives foster care under such program. Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out such demonstration programs, to make: (1) foster care maintenance payments on behalf of elderly persons who are eligible for medicare hospital insurance benefits, from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund; and (2) payments to States under the medicaid program with respect to amounts expended by States for foster care maintenance payment to elderly persons otherwise eligible for medical assistance under the State's approved Medicaid plan. Sets forth factors upon which the Secretary is to make determinations of the amount of such payments. Prohibits taking such foster care into consideration in determining eligibility for, or amount of, supplemental security income benefits or specified State payments. Authorizes appropriations for such grants and contracts of $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 1981 through 1983. Provides that such appropriations shall be: (1) available for the costs of such demonstration programs, including payments to persons in whose home an elderly person receives foster care; and (2) available with regard to any elderly person participating in the program, including those for whom specified payments and contributions do not adequately compensate persons in whose home they receive care.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1980
Congressional Reports Elimination Act of 1980 - Title I: Eliminations - Repeals specified provisions of Federal law which require various Federal agencies to submit reports to Congress, the President, and the public. Title II: Modifications - Amends specified provisions of Federal law: (1) to discontinue requirements for agency reports to Congress; (2) to combine such reports; (3) to reduce the frequency or the contents of such reports; (4) to change the dates for transmission of such reports; and (5) to make technical changes.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1980
Rescinds $229,000,000 in appropriations provided for the purchase of furniture by Federal agencies and departments in fiscal year 1980. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to allocate such rescission among the agencies and departments and to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate concerning the allocation. Rescinds $15,000,000 in appropriations made to the Federal Buildings Fund for the rental of space in fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the United States liable for civil damages for the unauthorized disclosure of tax return and nonreturn information made within the scope of office or employment of a Federal official or employee against whom damages are awarded. Declares that any disclosure made corruptly, maliciously, in return for anything of value, or willfully in violation of the confidentiality provisions of the Code shall not be considered within the scope of such office or employment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Former Presidents Facilities and Services Reform Act of 1980 - Title I: Presidential Libraries - Prohibits the Administrator of General Services from establishing any Presidential archival depository after January 20, 1983. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress a prospectus for establishing a central Presidential library for the deposit and preservation of the records and papers of former Presidents, and historical materials related to the former Presidents. Requires the prospectus to provide: (1) for the establishment of the library in a phased manner allowing for expansion; (2) that the first phase of the library shall provide for the deposit and preservation of the records, papers, and materials concerning two former Presidents; (3) that the archival and research space for each former President in the library shall equal the average space provided per President in all Presidential archival depositories; and (4) that a specified area be established for museum displays concerning each former President. Authorizes the Administrator to lend any item stored in the library for display in a private Presidential museum or library. Directs the Administrator to duplicate and make available upon request the more historically significant documents. Requires the President, while holding office, to dispose of his or her Presidential records which have no administrative, historical, informational, or evidentiary value after obtaining the views of the Archivist of the United States concerning such disposal, unless the Archivist notifies the President that the Archivist intends to request advice from certain congressional committees. Declares that the provisions of this title apply only to: (1) the records of those Presidents taking office after January 20, 1969, for whom a Presidential archival depository is not established before January 20, 1983; and (2) all Presidential records to which the Government has title. Title II: Former Presidents - Changes the amount of the annual allowance to which the spouse of a deceased former President is entitled from $20,000 to two-thirds of the allowance to which a former President is entitled. Repeals the requirement that the spouse must waive the right to any other Government annuity or pension to qualify for such allowance. Authorizes the Administrator to provide to each former President, upon request: (1) one office; (2) compensation, without an aggregate ceiling, for members of an office staff who shall be subject to certain provisions of civil service laws; (3) payment for the travel and subsistence allowances for specified office employees; (4) communications services; and (5) printing and binding expenses. Allows any Federal employee to be detailed to the office staff of a former President with the consent of the employee's agency head. Authorizes the Administrator to provide a former Vice President with necessary services and facilities for winding up his or her office affairs which are similar to the services and facilities provided to a former President under this title. Prohibits the use of funds provided for necessary services and facilities of a former President or Vice President for partisan political activities or income generating activities. Permits a former President to use such funds to prepare his or her memoirs if the former President signs an agreement providing that the Public Printer will print and distribute such memoirs. Prohibits the expenditure of such funds for a former President any time beyond 90 days after the former President dies. Requires each former President to submit to Congress an annual report concerning activities carried out with the assistance of such funds. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this title concerning the services and facilities to be provided for former Presidents and Vice Presidents. Repeals specified provisions of the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. Title III: Protection of Former Presidents, Former Vice Presidents, and Their Families - Prohibits the United States Secret Service from protecting a former President, former Vice President, or the spouse, widow, widower, or minor child of a former President except as authorized under this title. Authorizes the Secret Service to protect: (1) a former President for eight years after the individual becomes a former President; and (2) the spouse of a former President to the extent that such protection is incidental to the protection of the former President. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to reinstate for six months the Secret Service protection of a former President or the spouse, widow, widower, or minor child of a former President after the original protection has been terminated upon finding that a serious threat warranting such protection exists. Allows the Secretary to extend for six-month periods the Secret Service protection provided to such an individual upon the individual's written request and upon the approval of an existing advisory committee established to determine whether protection should be furnished to certain Presidential or Vice Presidential candidates. Establishes the Advisory Panel on Secret Service Protection to review requests for extended protection and to make recommendations on such requests to such advisory committee. Permits the Secretary to authorize Secret Service protection for a former Vice President for a period beginning on the last day of the individual's Vice Presidential term and ending on the last day of the fiscal year in which the term expires, upon the former Vice President's written request and upon finding that a threat exists which warrants such protection. Declares that this title shall take effect on October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of nonreturn information as well as of tax returns. Establishes an affirmative defense to a prosecution for unauthorizated disclosure of a return or nonreturn information, if such disclosure resulted from a good faith, but erroneous, interpretation of the confidentiality provisions of the Code while a Federal employee was acting within the scope of his employment or duties.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to a person entitled to notice of a summons to a third-party recordkeeper to produce records of such person: (1) to repeal the current right of such person to stay compliance with the summons; and (2) to authorize such person to move for quashal of the summons within 14 days after notice is given. Requires accompaniment of such motion by an affidavit stating the reasons that the records sought are not relevant to a legitimate tax inquiry or any other legal basis for quashing the summons. Requires any third-party upon receipt of a summons to proceed to assemble the records requested and to be prepared to deliver them at the required time.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow disclosure of tax returns, for purposes not related to tax administration, to an attorney for the Government for use during or in preparation for any administrative, judicial, or grand jury proceeding, or in a criminal investigation which may result in such a proceeding (currently, disclosure is allowed only if reasonable cause exists to believe that a specific criminal act has been committed). Authorizes such disclosure only by ex parte order of a United States district court. Requires the application for such an order to state the reasons why the disclosure of the information on the return is material and relevant to the proceeding or investigation. Permits further disclosure of any return by the Government attorney to such other Government personnel as he deems necessary to assist him during or in preparation for any such proceeding or investigation. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury or his designee to disclose any nonreturn information in his possession within ten days of the receipt of a written request by a Government attorney. Requires such request to be in connection with an administrative, judicial, or grand jury proceeding, or an investigation which may result in such a proceeding, pertaining to the enforcement of a specifically designated Federal criminal statute which the United States or any Federal investigative agency is authorized to pursue. Permits further disclosure of such information to such Government personnel as he deems necessary to assist him. Requires the Secretary to make taxpayer identity information available to such Government attorney upon written request. Directs the Secretary to disclose, as soon as practicable, to a Government attorney, any information except returns which may constitute evidence of a violation of any Federal criminal law or which may be pertinent to any investigation of a violation of Federal statutes, to the degree necessary to permit such Government attorney to request nonreturn information. Directs the Secretary, under exigent circumstances including a possible threat to persons, property, or national security, to disclose such information, including returns, to the extent necessary to apprise the appropriate Federal investigative agency charged with the responsibility for enforcing such laws. Permits the Internal Revenue Service to assist the Department of Justice or any other Federal investigative agency in joint tax and nontax investigations of criminal matters which may lead to income tax violations. Provides a procedure by which the Secretary may apply to a Federal district court to prevent disclosure of tax returns or nonreturn information which would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a civil or criminal tax investigation. Allows a Government attorney to whom tax return or nonreturn information has been disclosed pursuant to the provisions of this Act to apply to a district court for an ex parte order to disclose to an appropriate State official, whose duty it is to investigate or prosecute the crime involved, such information in his possession constituting evidence of the violation of a State felony statute. Authorizes such Government attorney to make similar application for an order to further disclose information in his possession if, in his opinion, such information is evidence material to any Federal civil litigation involving a Federal civil claim. Requires the Secretary to make disclosure of tax returns and nonreturn information to a Government attorney for his use in the performance of duties pursuant to any mutual assistance treaty between the United States and a foreign country which provides for an exchange of criminal evidence or information.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Repeals the Federal requirement of incremental pricing under the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1980
Directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration to establish a program for the display of copies of the Code of Ethics for Government Service in buildings where at least 20 Federal civilian employees are employed.
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 · 19 February 1980
Authorizes the printing of the maximum number of copies which may be printed at a cost not to exceed $1,200 of part 1 of the Senate Special Committee on Agings' annual report to the Senate, entitled "Developments in Aging: 1979," for the use of such committee.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1980
Optional Education Consolidation and Demonstration Act - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to provide an optional program of consolidation and reorganization of certain Federal assistance programs to State and local educational agencies, and to provide such agencies with greater flexibility in the use of such assistance. Title I: Special Needs Programs - Directs States desiring to participate in such a program to design their programs to: (1) meet the special educational needs of children from low-income families and of neglected or delinquent children in State operated programs; (2) provide health, nutritional, and educational services for such children, including preschool children and those previously enrolled in Headstart, Follow Through, or similar programs; (3) meet the educational needs of migratory children, including preschool educational needs; (4) meet the educational needs of handicapped children, and establish standards for such programs; and (5) provide bilingual instruction for children with limited English proficiency, and such instruction and bilingual vocational training programs for specified persons already out of school, as well as personnel-training for such programs. Specifies how a State shall allocate funds to local educational agencies for each of such programs under this title. Title II: Vocational, Adult, and Continuing Education and Employment Training - Authorizes Federal grants to assist States to: (1) extend programs of vocational, homemaking, and consumer educational; (2) develop new programs of vocational education; (3) develop and carry out programs to overcome sex discrimination and sex stereotyping in vocational education programs; and (4) provide part-time employment for youths in order for them to continue vocational training. Sets forth the programs for which funds provided under this title may be used. Requires a State desiring to participate in such consolidation program authorized by such Act to develop programs for adult basic education, for children in adult correctional institutions, and for community education. Provides for the distribution of Federal funds to local educational agencies by the States for programs under this title, and defines how they are to allocated. Title III: Special Emphasis Projects - Requires a participating State to provide funds to local educational agencies for: (1) school library resources and instructional equipment; and (2) special curriculum emphasis, guidance and counseling, innovation, and support projects. Requires that local educational agencies establish the needs and priorities of such programs. Provides for the allocation of State funds under this title to local agencies. Title IV: General Provisions - Provides for the reserving of certain funds from the amounts appropriated to carry out programs consolidated by such Act, and the allocation of such reserved funds among those States participating in the consolidation program. Directs the Commissioner of Education to pay to each participating State an amount equal to the amount expended in that State for carrying out the State plan adopted pursuant to this title. Provides for a participating State to receive a planning grant for use in preparing the comprehensive plan required by such Act. Requires a State desiring to receive a grant for such consolidation program to: (1) designate a State agency to administer the financial assistance made available under this Act; (2) develop third-year plans with annual updates; and (3) submit such plans or updates to the Commissioner for approval. Authorizes grants to States for the costs of administering the consolidation program. Requires a participating State to establish certain procedures for use in developing its comprehensive plan designed to assure: (1) the identification of children and adults with special educational and vocational needs; (2) determination of priorities by local education agencies; (3) participation of interested citizens, local government units, and appropriate State agencies in the development of the plan; (4) coordination of consolidation funds with State, local, and other Federal funds extended for similar purposes; and (5) publication of the final plan or annual update. Deems a State plan to meet the necessary requirements if it includes: (1) the goals and program objectives; (2) the assessments of needs determined above; (3) the types of individual to be served and the estimated enrollment of each program; (4) procedures to assure the proper distribution of funds as authorized by such Act; (5) a description of the program's administrative structure; (6) procedures for monitoring the local educational agencies; (7) procedures that the State will use to insure that any local educational agency receiving funds under such Act will annually develop or update a comprehensive plan for the use of such funds; (8) procedures for auditing local educational agency expenditures under such Act; (9) minimum expenditures of funds from non-Federal sources; (10) procedures to assure that funds made available under such Act supplement and not supplant State and local funds; (11) due process procedures, including withholding of funds, available to a State against a local educational agency which has failed to implement a comprehensive program plan; and (12) an appeal process within the State for a local educational agency dissatisfied with such State's compliance with such Act. Directs that the consolidation program authorized by this Act be administered by a separate Federal administrative unit to be established by the Commissioner within 60 days after enactment. Directs the Commissioner to conduct annual monitoring programs of States' programs, and to establish procedures to rectify areas of noncompliance. Directs the Commissioner to provide technical assistance upon request of State and local educational agencies. Directs the Commissioner to prepare and design a model for evaluation of program effectiveness. Requires participating States to use such model in program evaluations in which local educational agencies participate. Directs the Commissioner to analyze and report annually to Congress on such annual State agency evaluation reports. Directs the National Institute of Education to evaluate the consolidation authorized by this Act, with specified comparisons and inclusions in its study. Directs the Institute to make interim and final reports to the President and the Congress. Provides for delegations, transfers of funds, and contracts by State agencies. Provides the Commissioner with certain enforcement procedures against participating States, and provides such States with judicial recourse against such action. Authorizes the use of funds paid to a State under this Act for construction purposes where such construction funds would have been available under a program consolidated under this Act. Subjects funds made available under this Act to certain civil rights requirements. Provides for certain enforcement procedures against local educational agencies not in compliance with such requirements. Provides for the participation of eligible children in private nonprofit elementary and secondary schools and Indian tribal schools in the programs authorized under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980
Directs the President to issue a proclamation honoring the memory of Walt Disney on the 60th anniversary of the creation and production of his first original, animated cartoon.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1980
Authorizes additional expenditures by the Senate Special Committee on Aging for inquiries and investigations from March 1, 1980, through February 28, 1981, not to exceed $342,600.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Commends Canada for its actions in protecting certain U.S. citizens and arranging for their departure from Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1980
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the first Friday of March as "Teacher Day, United States of America."
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1980
Requests the President to designate February 10, 1980, as "Energy Awareness Day."
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the U.S. Olympic Committee should petition the International Olympic Committee to relocate the 1980 summer games; and (2) the United States should not participate, if such games are not relocated.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1979 - Requires each organization, except certain tax-exempt religious organizations, which expends more than $5,000 in any quarterly filing period for the retention of individuals to draft or make lobbying communications, to register with the Comptroller General and to update such registration annually. Requires that the initial registration identify such individuals, and that subsequent registrations also identify each organization which contributed $3,000 or more to the registered organization during the year preceding each registration. Requires such organization to file quarterly reports concerning such lobbying activities including: (1) a listing of each expenditure over $35 made to or for the benefit of any congressional employee, Member of Congress, or one of specified Federal officials; (2) identification of individuals who are retained for lobbying purposes and certain organization employees who make lobbying communications; (3) the expenditures for the employment of such an employee; (4) a description of the issues for which the organization has lobbied; (5) known business contacts with the person whom such organization is attempting to influence; and (6) identification of expenditures made and the persons or organization retained for the purpose of soliciting another person to influence a Member of Congress if the expenditures for all such solicitations exceed $5,000. Allows certain tax-exempt organizations to compute their lobbying expenditures for each quarterly report in the same manner as computed pursuant to provisions governing the reporting of lobbying expenditures under the Internal Revenue Code. Requires each organization to maintain such records as necessary to comply with the registration and reporting requirements of this Act. Specifies duties of the Comptroller General concerning the management of such disclosed information which include making copies of each registration and report required by this Act available for public inspection and copying. Makes any person who knowingly violates the registration, recordkeeping, or reporting requirements of this Act subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $100,000. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) notify an individual of suspected violations of such requirements; and (2) attempt to correct any violation by informal methods of conference or conciliation, unless such notification, conference, or conciliation would interfere with the enforcement of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to institute a civil action to compel compliance with such requirements if such informal methods fail. Authorizes the Attorney General to issue a civil investigative demand requiring a person suspected of violating this Act to produce specific documentary material. Sets forth the procedure governing the service of such a demand and the custody of the documentary material. Permits the Attorney General to petition the court for an order to enforce such demand and permits the person served with such demand to petition for a court order to modify the demand. Directs the Comptroller General to transmit reports to the President and each House of the Congress no later than March 31 of each year concerning activities under this Act. Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act and specified provisions of the Legislative Reorganization Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such funds as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
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
Occupational Safety and Health Improvements Act of 1980 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to exempt employers who maintain workplaces which qualify as non-hazardous, according to specified standards, from inspections or investigations, with specified exceptions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to enter into agreements with State workers' compensation or other appropriate State agencies under which such State agency will submit an annual list of all employers having one or more reported occupational injuries resulting in two or more lost workdays during the preceding year. Requires employers wishing to claim qualification for such exemptions to file an affidavit with the Secretary relating to the safety records of their workplaces. Limits the type or the amount of penalties which may be assessed against employers who maintain an advisory safety committee and a regular consultation program. Requires employers who qualify for exemptions from inspections or limitations on penalties to maintain records to which the Secretary has access. Provides for review by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and a U.S. court of appeals of rulings by the Secretary that workplaces do not qualify for exemptions from inspection or limitations on penalties. Prohibits considering consultant or committee reports or recommendations or employee assurances under this Act as evidence of a willful violation of such Act if the employer had a reasonable, good faith belief that the condition involved was not a violation. Prohibits specified liability claims against committees or consultants. Directs the Secretary to: (1) assist State agencies to make necessary procedural modifications; (2) report to Congress on State participation; (3) advise employers and employees of the provisions of this Act; (4) require inclusion of the provisions of this Act, or of similar provisions, for approval of State plans; (5) develop and implement other means to identify workplaces qualifying for exemption, as an alternative to the affidavit process; and (6) explore and report on other means to encourage voluntary self- initiative in workplaces to improve safety and health conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State agencies to improve their administration of State workers' compensation programs. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts through fiscal year 1985 for such purpose. Declares the effective date of this Act to be January 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Romania are urged: (1) to release certain political prisoners; and (2) to halt the incarceration and harassment of individuals contrary to the Helsinki Accords.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) reaffirm U.S. commitment to the Helsinki Accords; (2) communicate to the Soviet Union U.S. disapproval of religious harassment of Christians in the Soviet Union and of the restrictions on such Christians' freedom to emigrate; and (3) advise the Soviet Union of U.S. expectation that the Soviet Union honor its commitments under the Helsinki Accords and under international law.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Government of the United Kingdom merits commendation for reducing tensions in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia and establishing a basis for peace in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the calendar week beginning with the first Sunday of June of each year as "National Garden Week."
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1979
Designates the week of December 3 through December 9, 1979, as "Scouting Recognition Week."
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1979
Title I: Biscayne National Park - Establishes the Biscayne National Park in the State of Florida. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire, within the boundary of the Park, the land, waters, and interests therein by donation, purchase, or exchange, except that property owned by the State of Florida or any political subdivision thereof may be acquired only by donation. Abolishes the Biscayne National Monument and makes all lands, waters, and interests therein acquired for such monument part of the Park. Requires the Secretary, within three years after the date of enactment of this Act, to review the Park and report his recommendations as to the suitability or nonsuitability of any area within the Park for designation as wilderness. Title II: Fort Jefferson National Monument -Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to accept gifts of funds which may be donated for the purposes of rehabilitating and stabilizing the historic structures within the Fort Jefferson National Monument, Florida. Requires the Secretary in consultation with the Governor of the State of Florida to develop and transmit to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources a general management plan for the Monument. Requires the Secretary, within three years after the date of enactment of this Act, to review the Monument area and report to the President his recommendations as to the suitability or nonsuitability of any area within the Monument for designation as wilderness.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should release Ida Nudel and allow her to emigrate to Israel. Urges the President to: (1) express U.S. opposition to the exile of Ida Nudel to Siberia; and (2) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will take into account the extent to which countries honor their commitments under international law, particularly concerning human rights.
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 · 8 November 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) all countries and all people be urged to respond generously to Cambodian relief efforts; (2) Cambodian authorities be encouraged to allow the use of all possible avenues for delivering food and medical supplies; and (3) the United States and the United Nations should express their expectation that the great power supporters of the factions in Cambodia share in international responsibility for averting famine.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1979
Authorizes Ronald A. Chiodo, Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Spending Practices and Open Government, to appear at a deposition on Wednesday, October 17, 1979, and to testify with respect to oral or written communications between the personnel of such subcommittee and the personnel of the General Services Administration dating from July 20, 1979, to October 15, 1979.
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
Authorizes the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Spending Practices and Open Government of the Committee on Governmental Affairs to provide the Department of Justice, the Internal Revenue Service, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the General Services Administration, and the Interstate Commerce Commission with certain records, documents, papers, and other information created or obtained by and in the possession of the subcommittee.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate October 14 through October 20, 1979, as "National Mobile Home/Manufactured Housing Week."
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1979
Designates the week of October 1 through October 7, 1979, as "National Productivity Improvement Week."
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1979
Extends the expiration date of the Joint Funding Simplification Act of 1974 from February 5, 1980, to February 5, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1979
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to prepare a comprehensive plan and program of research, development, and demonstration of ocean thermal energy conversion systems. Directs the Secretary to prepare a comprehensive commercialization plan designed to realize the goal of producing 10,000 megawatts of electrical capacity or energy product equivalent from ocean thermal energy conversion systems by the year 1999. Sets forth criteria for the selection of programs and the establishment of priorities concerning ocean thermal energy conversion systems. Establishes an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Advisory Committee to study and advise the Secretary on the implementation and conduct of the programs established under this Act and on other matters concerning ocean thermal energy conversion. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress an annual report on the activities undertaken pursuant to this Act. Authorizes appropriations for plant and capital equipment for specified ocean thermal energy conversion demonstration plants.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1979
Agricultural, Forestry, and Rural Energy Act of 1979 - Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to add a new "Title XX--Agricultural, Forestry, and Rural Energy Act" which directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement an Agricultural, Forestry, and Rural Energy Production, Use, and Conservation Program in order to enable the United States to achieve net energy independence for agricultural and forestry production, processing, and marketing, and to reduce the petroleum and natural gas consumption of rural residents and communities by 50 percent by the year 2000. Directs the Secretary to establish an Agricultural, Forestry, and Rural Energy Board to assist the Secretary by: (1) making a comprehensive assessment of the Nation's agricultural, forestry and rural energy needs, resources, practices, legal authorities, programs, and related elements (such assessment to be updated at least every five years); and (2) preparing the Energy Production, Use, and Conservation Program. Requires the Energy Production, Use, and Conservation Program to: (1) inventory the specific needs and opportunities for public and private investment in agricultural, forestry, and rural energy production, use, and conservation projects; (2) identify estimated costs, returns, results, and benefits associated with such investments; and (3) discuss the priorities and options for the accomplishment of such Program. Requires cooperation with Federal, State, and local agencies and organizations. Demands submission of the completed Program to the Secretary and to Congress within one year after enactment of this Act, with revision at least every five years. Requires annual reports on the Program to Congress by February 1 of each year, the first to be submitted by February 1, 1981. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement an applied research program to develop: (1) economical and energy-efficient fuel hydrocarbons, and petrochemical substitutes from biomass; (2) techniques for using energy so derived in the production, processing, and marketing of agricultural commodities and forest products; (3) economical ways for rural communities to use such energy; (4) the use of wood as an energy-efficient material in building construction; and (5) energy conservation systems and techniques for farmers, owners of forest land, rural residents, and rural communities. Authorizes annual appropriations not to exceed $50,000,000 solely for applied research at State agricultural experiment stations to develop agricultural, forestry, and rural energy production, use, and conservation. Requires the Secretary to study the feasibility of alternate crop-livestock systems to produce both foodstuffs and fiber for domestic and export markets and biomass for use in the production of energy. Directs the Secretary to implement an extension program to disseminate the results of rural energy research and to encourage rural residents and communities to adopt projects for the production and use of biomass energy and energy conservation techniques. Authorizes the annual appropriation of $50,000,000 under the Smith-Lever Act, and $5,000,000 under the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 for rural and forest energy extension work by State extension services. Directs the Secretary to establish (to the extent practicable, at existing Department of Agriculture research facilities) four Wood Energy Centers and four Agricultural Biomass Energy Centers, each in a different geographic region of the United States and located in an area containing substantial amounts of private forest land or intensively used farm land, as appropriate. Requires each Center, under Board direction, to: (1) perform applied wood or agricultural biomass energy production and use and energy conservation research projects; (2) develop an information bank; (3) field-test promising research findings; (4) provide technical assistance to landowners, colleges and universities, and other interested parties; (5) make demonstration projects; (6) disseminate information on new energy technologies; (7) perform energy need analyses for rural residents and communities; (8) perform similar research, field test, and demonstration programs with respect to agricultural commodities; and (9) implement solar energy model farms and demonstration projects. Permits the Secretary to make National Forest Systems wood and residues available to assist in such research and demonstrations. Authorizes annual appropriations of $30,000,000 for Wood Energy Centers and $30,000,000 for Agricultural Biomass Energy Centers. Authorizes the Secretary to share up to 75 percent of the cost of implementing wood energy production practices set forth in agreements for such purposes with owners of nonindustrial private forest land. Requires that such agreements be based on individual forest management plans ensuring maximum development of the land for wood for energy. Authorizes annual appropriations of $100,000,000 for such program. Directs the Secretary to conduct a five-year pilot program of financial assistance to owners of nonindustrial private forest land which shall include, but not be limited to: (1) the insuring and guaranteeing of loans providing periodic loan disbursements; (2) the consolidation for resale in private capital markets of the loan obligations of individual landowners; and (3) the loaning of funds to lending institutions in order to make such guaranteed loans. Declares eligible for such program any private individual, group, Indian tribe or other native group, association, partnership, corporation or other legal entity which owns forest land capable of producing crops of industrial wood, provided the applicant is unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere. Requires borrowers to prepare, keep current, and adhere to an individual forest management plan, developed in cooperation with and approved by the State forester (or equivalent official). Limits the maximum amount of any insured or guaranteed loan to any one landowner to $50,000 annually. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee up to 90 percent of that portion of the overall loan obligation which exceeds the market value of the assets securing such loan. Bases the amount of the periodic loan disbursement upon the future expected market value of the timber securing such loan, limiting the total principal and interest obligation to 80 percent of such value. Allows for adjustment of loan terms, as agreed by both landowner and lender, following periodic reviews of individual loan agreements and forest management plans. Entitles borrowers to prepayment of all or any part of an outstanding loan obligation without penalty. Sets a repayment term of up to 40 years. Allows the interest rate to be set by the lender and borrower. Directs the Secretary to appoint a program development and evaluation committee to advise him regarding the financial assistance program. Requires funding for the program to be drawn from the Rural Development Insurance Fund. Authorizes necessary appropriations for administrative expenses. Limits the total annual expenditure: (1) for insured loans to a maximum $25,000,000; and (2) for guaranteed loans to a maximum of $10,000,000. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State for the employment of additional State foresters or equivalent officials to provide technical assistance to owners of private forest land in: (1) identifying the opportunities for, and increasing the production of, wood for energy; and (2) developing individual forest management plans under programs of this Act. Requires the Secretary, in determining the amount of such assistance, to consider the underuse of forest growth in the State and the potential for use of this material in energy production in the State. Permits the Secretary to take necessary actions to make wood energy use training programs available to such foresters. Authorizes the annual appropriation of not more than $8,500,000 for such financial assistance program. Directs the Secretary to establish State advisory committees in States with significant amounts of nonindustrial private forest land to advise the Secretary and the State forester periodically about the effectiveness of Federal programs and the potential for developing markets for wood energy. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to establish concentration and distribution centers that make fuelwood available to homeowners. Authorizes the annual appropriation of $10,000,000 for five fiscal years. Directs the Secretary to implement a program disseminating information and providing technical assistance with respect to the small-scale production and use of ethanol, methanol, low and medium British thermal unit gas, and other energy forms from agricultural biomass. Requires State extension services to conduct at least 100 workshops annually instructing: (1) interested parties on construction and operation of agricultural biomass energy production facilities; and (2) county extension agents on the conduct of agricultural biomass energy extension at the local level. Directs the Secretary to establish projects for rural energy conservation and the production and use of energy from biomass through direct, insured, and guaranteed loans to finance the construction and operation of commercial or on-farm projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make up to $10,000,000 worth of grants for demonstration for the same purposes. Limits the total amount of such loans made or insured in any fiscal year to not more than $250,000,000 with at least one-third allocated for projects using wood or wood wastes, and at least one-fourth allocated for small-scale facilities for the annual production of at most 2,000,000 gallons of ethanol, or the energy equivalent of other forms of biomass energy. Limits the annual total of guaranteed loans to $1,000,000,000 similarly allocated. Requires: (1) the execution of at least 75 percent of such loans, guarantees, and grants by May 31 of the fiscal year in question; and (2) the coordination of such programs with other specified agriculture and energy loan and grant programs. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize, for fiscal years 1981 and 1982, not to exceed: (1) $25,000,000 for community facility loans for rural electric cooperatives for projects to generate electricity using nonfossil energy sources including biomass and hydropower; (2) $50,000,000 for direct, insured, or guaranteed farm ownership (real estate) loans for nonfossil energy systems used on farms; (3) $20,000,000 for direct, insured, or guaranteed farm operating loans for equipment using biomass or solar energy or increasing energy conservation; (4) $250,000,000 for guaranteed and $20,000,000 for insured industrial development loans, with authority to transfer amounts between such categories, for commercial biomass energy production projects. Authorizes the Administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration to make grants to owners of rural electric systems, or federations of such owners, for projects demonstrating alternate energy and conservation technologies. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal years 1980 through 1983. Directs the Farm Credit Administration to encourage the production credit associations, Federal land banks, and banks for cooperatives to use the existing authority in the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to make loans to farmers for the establishment or operation of commercially feasible biomass energy production or energy conservation projects. Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to authorize the Secretary to provide cost-sharing financial assistance and technical assistance to agricultural producers for shelter belts, minimum tillage systems, manure or other suitable fertilizer wastes, integrated pest management, energy-efficient irrigation water management, and water conservation measures necessary to improve crop yields in relation to the amount of energy used in crop production. Makes this Act effective October 1, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Medicare and Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Civil Monetary Penalties for Medicare and Medicaid Fraud - Amends Part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to impose an additional civil penalty of not more than $2,000 for each offense on any provider of services under titles XVIII (Medicare) or XIX (Medicaid) of such Act who presents a claim for a medical or other item or service knowing that such item or service: (1) was not provided; (2) was provided in violation of Federal or State law; or (3) was provided in violation of an agreement between such provider and the United States or a State. States that such provider shall also be subject to an assessment of not more than twice the amount claimed for each such item or service in lieu of damage sustained by the United States or a State because of such claim. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to: (1) enter into an agreement with any person against whom such a penalty has been assessed whereby such person will consent not to claim payment under titles XVIII or XIX for a period of time not to exceed two years; and (2) prohibit payments under titles XVIII or XIX to any provider against whom a penalty has been assessed during a period of not more than two years from the date upon which the penalty was imposed. Title II: Other Provisions - Stipulates that limitations on funding for State Medicaid fraud control units shall be calculated on an annual, rather than quarterly, basis. Directs the Secretary to exclude from participation in the Medicaid or Medicare programs a physician or other health care professional convicted of a criminal offense related to such individual's participation in such programs. Requires any entity providing services under a Medicaid plan to disclose certain information relating to the ownership of such entity. Authorizes the Secretary to reduce Federal payments to Medicaid providers from whom the Secretary has been unable to recover Medicaid overpayments.