United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1980
Family Enterprise Estate and Gift Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift taxes from $47,000 to $155,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases from $175,000 to $500,000, by specified annual increments through 1985, the minimum gross estate requiring filing of a return. Repeals the existing limitations on the marital deduction for gift and estate taxes. Increases from $3,000 to $6,000 the annual gift tax exclusion. Permits disabled individuals and those receiving social security benefits to meet existing material participation requirements with respect to the special use valuation of certain farms and other real property, if an individual has materially participated in the operation of the farm or business for five out of the eight years preceding the year in which he or she becomes disabled or eligible for such benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to meet such requirements if the spouse has actually managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death, or takes over active management upon the decedent's death. Permits the owner of a woodland to qualify for the special use valuation if he or she has actively managed the property for ten years prior to death. Reduces from 15 to ten years the length of time a qualified property must be held following the decedent's death before it can be disposed of without incurring a recapture of estate tax benefits. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification for the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted for application of the special use valuation. Allows like kind exchanges of property without loss of special use valuation qualification. Allows net crop share rentals to qualify for the special use valuation as well as cash rentals. Authorizes the step-up basis of assets recaptured because of loss of the special use valuation. Repeals the requirement that an heir elect special treatment for involuntary conversions of qualified real property, thus making such treatment automatic upon such a conversion. States that gifts made within three years of a decedent's death shall be valued as of the time of transfer rather than as of the date of death. Authorizes an individual to elect to pay a gift tax rather than use the unified tax credit. Eliminates the alternative extension of time for payment of the estate tax where the estate consists largely of an interest in a closely held business. Allows installment payment election if the value of the interest in the closely held business is either 35 percent of the value of the gross estate, or 50 percent of the taxable estate. Allows payment of an installment within six months after the due date without penalty. Allows a disclaimer of an interest in property for estate tax purposes in specified circumstances where such disclaimer does not result in the passing of the interest concerned under the applicable State law.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1980
Disapproves the President's determination transmitted to Congress on March 26, 1980 (against providing import relief for the leather wearing apparel industry).
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1980
Provides for decreasing interest rate differentials between deposits or accounts in insured banks and those in savings and loan institutions. Prescribes maximum rates for savings and loan accounts in excess of 0.25 percent of the maximum rates for bank accounts decreasing to 0.05 percent until June 30, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1980
Declares seven named individuals to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1980
Commission on Presidential Nominations Resolution - Establishes the Commission on Presidential Nominations to make an investigation regarding the presidential nominating process. Directs the Commission to report to the President and Congress respecting such investigation, including recommendations for the 1984 presidential elections. States that the Commission shall cease to exist 60 days after submitting such report. Sets forth the powers of such Commission, and related administrative provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1980
Consultant Reform Act of 1980 - Title I: Appointments - Establishes general statutory authority for the head of a Federal agency to appoint and fix the compensation of experts or consultants for temporary or intermittent services. Eliminates provisions of Federal law permitting an agency to procure such services by contract only when specifically authorized by appropriation or statute. Establishes the pay rate payable for GS-18 as the maximum pay rate for experts and consultants for all agencies. Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations governing the employment of experts and consultants by Federal agencies. Requires each agency: (1) to submit to OPM a quarterly report on the number of days each consultant or expert is employed and the amount each individual is paid; and (2) to count such individuals as fractions of persons (depending on the number of hours they are employed) in administering any personnel ceiling. Prohibits an agency from initiating any action to obtain consultant or expert services by contract unless it has been certified that all reasonable steps have been taken to obtain such services by appointment. Title II: Contracts - Requires each Federal agency to transmit to the Secretary of Commerce a written notice describing: (1) any proposed contract in an amount exceeding $10,000, with specified exemptions; and (2) any contract modification that increases the contract award by $50,000 or more. Directs the Secretary to publish such notices in a specified publication of the Department of Commerce. Directs each agency to notify the Committees on Appropriations of each House of Congress concerning any such modification. Directs every Federal agency to maintain and make available to the public each month a list of contracts which were entered into during the preceding 24 months and for which contractors have not completed performance. Requires that such list disclose certain information concerning the contract, contractor, and Government employees responsible for awarding and administering the contract. Declares that all contracts, excluding contracts determined to be classified information for national security reasons, shall be considered public information. Specifies information concerning the qualifications and selection of a contractor which shall be available to the public upon request. Requires each agency report which is prepared by a contractor or which is derived from a contractor's report, to disclose certain information concerning the contract including: (1) the identity of the contractor; (2) the amount of the contract; and (3) the type of procurement process used to award the contract. Defines the term "organizational conflict of interest" as any situation in which a contractor has interests relating to work to be performed under a contract which may bias the contractor's judgment or result in an unfair competitive advantage to the contractor. Requires each contractor and each consultant or subcontractor used by such contractor to disclose any information relevant to any potential or existing organizational conflict of interest with regard to any contract for which such contractor is submitting a proposal or any proposed modification to an existing contract. Directs an agency, upon determining that such a conflict exists, to: (1) disqualify such contractor or the consultant or subcontractor from eligibility for award of the proposed contract; (2) modify the proposed contract to eliminate such conflict; (3) include in the agency records and transmit to Congress a statement concerning such conflict if the contract services can be obtained from no other person; (4) terminate the existing contract to be modified; or (5) modify the existing contract to mitigate the conflict and report thereon to Congress if termination is not in the best interest of the Government. Requires each agency to include with its requests for regular appropriations for each fiscal year an itemized statement of amounts requested for the procurement of goods and the procurement of services. Requires the Budget transmitted by the President to Congress each year to specify requests for new budget authority for an estimate of outlays by each agency for such procurement. Directs each agency head, by a specified date, to transmit to the Committees on Appropriations of each House an analysis of such requests and estimates. Requires each agency to include in its records regarding any completed contract totaling more than $50,000 and for which a report was prepared, an evaluation describing such report, the actions taken by the agency in response to such report, and a summary of the performance of the contractor. Directs an agency to consider an employee's compliance with agency rules and procedures applicable to contracting functions when: (1) evaluating the performance of a member of the Senior Executive Service; and (2) determining any pay increase for a supervisor or manager under the merit pay system. Requires the Director of OMB to apportion appropriations to Federal agencies in a manner which insures that no more than 20 percent of the total appropriations available to an agency in a fiscal year for procurement of goods and services may be obligated during the last two months of that year. Authorizes the Director to waive such spending limitation with regard to certain funds upon determining that such action is necessary to avoid a serious disruption of an agency program or operation, if the Director reports on such waiver to Congress. Requires the Director to report to Congress on the implementation, agency violations, impact, and continuation of such spending limitation. Exempts reserves established to comply with such a spending limitation from reporting requirements of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Requires the Director to promulgate a regulation establishing a data system for the collection and dissemination of information regarding Government procurement activities. Specifies information concerning each Government contract for the procurement of goods or services which must be included in the system. Directs the Director: (1) to make information within the system available to Congress, Federal agencies, and the public upon request; and (2) to submit to Congress quarterly and annual reports on Government procurement activities. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to require agencies to make information produced pursuant to a contract available to the public to the same extent as if produced by Government officials.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1980
Directs the Senate Finance Committee to report to the Senate by September 3, 1980, a responsible, targeted anti- inflationary tax cut to take effect in 1981. Directs the Democratic Task Force on the Economy to recommend to the Senate a comprehensive economic policy at the earliest possible date.
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 · 10 June 1980
Permits a taxpayer who is required to change his method of accounting pursuant to Revenue Ruling 80-60 (inventory valuation) and Revenue Procedure 80-5 to effect such a change only for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to prohibit the importation into the United States of any motor vehicle chassis, body, or part produced in the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
Motor Gasoline Incremental Pricing Act of 1980 - Directs the President to establish a program providing for: (1) the distribution of coupons for purchasing gasoline at a discounted price; (2) the distribution of coupons for no more than 50 percent of each State's actual total of gasoline sold; (3) limitations on the price charged by gasoline retailers; (4) the distribution of coupons within each State; and (5) payments by or to retailers based on the amount of coupons collected. Restricts coupons to no more than two vehicles per family. Requires congressional approval of the regulations establishing such program.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest on an industrial development bond refunding issue if: (1) such issue is secured by a pledge of substantial revenues derived from 20 or more facilities operated or leased by the issuer; (2) the issuer is a political subdivision engaged primarily in promoting economic development; (3) the issuer was created under State law at least 20 years prior to the issuance of such refunding bonds for the express purpose of promoting economic development; and (4) any debt service savings derived from the refunding may be used only for the proper corporate purposes of the issuer and shall not be used to reduce any existing obligations of any nonexempt person.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Declares that continued insensitivity to the statutory requirements for nominees to the Federal Reserve Board shall not be overlooked by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs or by the U.S. Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that, during the leadership transition in Yugoslavia, the President should: (1) make clear U.S. opposition to Soviet attempts to violate or subvert Yugoslav independence; and (2) encourage other governments to announce publicly their continued support for Yugoslav independence.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1980
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the enactment of a withholding tax on interest and dividend payments would be detrimental to the economic well-being of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1980
Small Business Export Expansion Act of 1980 - Title I: Small Business Export Financing Assistance - Amends the Small Business Act to empower the Small Business Administration, either directly or in cooperation with lending institutions, to extend credit for export purposes to enable small business concerns to develop foreign markets. Limits the extension of such credit to periods of 18 months or less. Sets a maximum of $750,000 outstanding and committed to any borrower from the business loan and investment revolving fund. Allows the Administrator to authorize participating lending institutions to take certain actions on his or her behalf with respect to deferred participation loans. Establishes within the Administration an Office of International Trade to promote sales opportunities for small business goods and services abroad. Requires such Office to: (1) provide small businesses with access to current and complete export information; (2) encourage greater small business participation in trade fairs, shows, missions, and other domestic and overseas export development activities of the Department of Commerce; and (3) assign full-time export development specialists to each Administration regional office. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, after consultation with specified agencies, to establish an export promotion center in each of two regional offices of the Administration where field offices of the Department of Commerce and the Internal Revenue Service exist. Requires each such center to serve as a one-stop information center on Federal Government export assistance, financing programs available to small business, and other provisions of law governing exporting for small business. Requires: (1) a progress report on the implementation of such centers to the appropriate congressional committees within six months of enactment of this Act; and (2) an evaluation, within two years after enactment, of the effectiveness of such centers in developing and expanding small business exports. Title II: Small Business Export Expansion Assistance - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to qualified applicants to encourage the development and implementation of small business international marketing programs. Limits the grant amount to each applicant to a maximum of $150,000 annually for three years. Sets forth eligibility requirements for applicants. Prohibits the use of any Federal funds to directly underwrite any small business participation in foreign trade missions abroad. Requires each small business international marketing program to: (1) have a full-time staff director to manage program activities; (2) have access to export specialists to counsel and assist small business clients; and (3) establish an advisory board of nine members appointed by the staff director. Sets forth operational procedures for such a board. Directs the Secretary to require, as a condition to any grant, that an additional amount equal to twice the amount of such grant be provided from sources other than the Federal Government. Excludes from such additional amount indirect costs or in-kind contributions paid for under any Federal program. Prohibits any such indirect costs or in-kind contributions from exceeding 50 percent of the non-Federal additional amount. Directs the Secretary to develop a plan to evaluate such programs to: (1) determine the impacts of such programs on the small businesses assisted; (2) determine the amount of export sales generated by such businesses; and (3) make recommendations concerning continuation and/or expansion of the program. Requires the establishment of at least one small business international program within each region of the Department of Commerce. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the International Trade Administration, to maintain a central clearinghouse for the collection, dissemination, and exchange of information between such programs. Authorizes appropriations for such programs through fiscal year 1983. Title III: National Export Council - Creates a National Export Council, composed of the Secretaries of State, Treasury, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, and others, to serve as a national advisory body on matters relating to United States export trade. Requires the Council to: (1) evaluate the export promotion and development activities of the communities represented by its membership; (2) examine specific problems which business, industrial, and agricultural practices may cause for export trade; (3) examine the needs of business, industry, and agriculture to expand their efforts; and (4) recommend specific legislative and administrative solutions to these problems and needs. Directs the Council to: (1) act as a liaison among the communities represented by its membership; and (2) encourage the business, industrial, and agricultural communities to enter new foreign markets and to expand existing export programs. Sets forth administrative provisions for the Council. Requires an annual report to be submitted to the President and to Congress regarding the Council's activities. Requires the Council to make an annual report to the President and the Congress on its activities. Title IV: Commerce Department--Commercial Officers Overseas - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to appoint commercial ministers, commercial counselors, and commercial attaches with the rank and privileges of other ministers, counselors, and attaches in the United States embassies and consulates, to: (1) provide trade and commercial services, such as the protection and promotion of United States trade and commercial interests and investments in their districts; (2) engage in promotion of United States exports; (3) file semiannual reports to the Secretary on market, industrial, and commodity conditions in their districts and on the implementation of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements; and (4) maintain current data on the commercial standing and capacity of foreign firms within their districts. Provides for domestic assignment, office logistics, allowances and benefits of such ministers, counselors, and attaches.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1980
Expresses the gratitude and commendation of the Senate to the military personnel who participated in the rescue attempt of the American hostages in Iran. Extends the condolences of the Senate to the families of those who sacrificed their lives in such attempt.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Agriculture should formulate and implement an emergency loan program to assist farmers in meeting the cost of producing their 1980 crops.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1980
Powerplants Fuel Conservation Act of 1980 - Title I: Statement of Purposes - States the purpose of this Act. Title II: Accelerated Fuels Conversions of Certain Powerplants - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to prohibit the use of petroleum or natural gas as a primary energy source in certain identified electric powerplants, without express exemption by the Secretary of Energy. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, which shall not be considered income for Federal income tax purposes, to any eligible utility to assist it in meeting qualifying capital costs of converting such powerplants to the use of coal or another alternate fuel as a primary energy source. Specifies grant application requirements. Limits the amount of any grant to the lesser of: (1) 50 percent of the utility's qualifying capital costs; or (2) $4 per barrel of oil displaced on the utility's system by the converting facility. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal year 1982. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to an eligible utility to pay all or a portion of the capital costs of the design and installation of advanced sulfur removal systems for existing electric powerplants. Specifies general requirements for application for such grant and general criteria for approval. Requires the Secretary to submit every such application to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for his recommendation and certification that the powerplant in question is in compliance with applicable air quality standards. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal year 1982. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to any eligible person for the purpose of paying up to 20 percent of the qualifying capital costs for the construction of coal preparation facilities for reducing the sulfur content of coal. Specifies general requirements for application for such grant and general criteria for approval. Requires submission of every such application to the Administrator for his evaluation and recommendation. Directs the Secretary to give priority in approving grants to those applications which the Administrator determines are likely to result in a significant reduction in emissions from coal combustion. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal year 1982. Prohibits recovery after December 31, 1985, of any fuel costs by any utility for petroleum or natural gas used in a powerplant by use of an automatic adjustment clause in its rate schedule, without express exemption by the Secretary. Title III: Voluntary Fuels Displacement Program - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to authorize the Secretary to provide financial assistance to any qualifying electric utility to achieve reductions in the use of petroleum and natural gas as the primary energy source in electric powerplants. Requires such assistance to be in a manner commensurate with a utility's percentage share of a total 1990 petroleum and natural gas fuel displacement target of 600,000 barrels per day, not to exceed $10,000 per barrel per day of fuel displacement. Requires any electric utility seeking financial assistance to petition the Secretary for determination of its base period usage of petroleum and natural gas. Specifies general contents of any fuel displacement plan. Conditions approval of any such plan by the Secretary upon prior approval by the Governor of the State where the powerplant involved is located. States that inclusion of all or part of a new facility in a fuel displacement plan that is approved by the Secretary shall satisfy any requirement for a determination of need for power otherwise required for the purposes of any State or local law. Provides for recapture by the United States of any financial assistance to any utility failing to achieve or maintain its 1990 fuel displacement target. Requires annual reports to the Secretary by assisted utilities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide $10,000,000 for the establishment and operation of offices of consumer services to assist consumers in their presentations before State agencies in matters directly related to the development and review of fuel displacement plans. Requires the Secretary to make an annual report to Congress on progress toward reducing consumption of petroleum and natural gas by electric utilities. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to carry out the provisions of this Title. Title IV: Mandatory Study - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to require every electric utility which consumed 250,000 barrels or more of petroleum or natural gas equivalent on annual average during the calendar years 1974 through 1978 to submit to the Secretary and the appropriate State regulatory authorities a fuel displacement study containing a 15-year forecast of: (1) the estimated cost of continued use of petroleum and natural gas; and (2) the total estimated cost of converting existing powerplants to coal or other alternate fuel use, constructing new plants using coal or other alternate fuel as a primary energy source, or implementing energy conservation programs to eliminate or reduce the use of petroleum and natural gas. Requires the Secretary to submit a comprehensive report to Congress before April 1, 1982, with respect to the results of such fuel displacement studies. Title V: Other Funding Provisions - Sets fiscal year ceilings on appropriations authorized by this Act. Allocates portions of such authorizations to fiscal years 1980 and 1981. Title VI: Other Conforming Amendments - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to make conforming amendments consistent with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1980
Transfers the counties of Audrain and Montgomery from the Eastern Division of the Eastern Judicial District of Missouri to the Northern Division of such District.
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 · 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 · 5 February 1980
National Agricultural Security Act of 1980 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make available loans and purchases and participation in the producer storage program on up to 50 percent of the corn produced in the 1979 crop year by any producer who did not file a timely agreement to participate in the 1979 feed grain set-aside program. Permits the Commodity Credit Corporation to sell its stock of corn at less than 150 percent of the current level of price support if such corn is used in the production of alcohol for motor fuel at facilities meeting specified requirements. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to stipulate that the reduction of acreage normally planted to designated commodities required by the Secretary for eligibility for price supports shall not apply to the 1979 crop of soybeans. Directs the President to establish a reserve stock of wheat to provide emergency food assistance to developing countries when domestic supplies are limited. Declares that such reserve stocks shall not be considered a part of the total domestic supply and shall not be subject to specified export limitations. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to raise the limit on a secured storage facility construction or remodeling loan from $50,000 to $100,000. Amends the Emergency Agricultural Credit Adjustment Act of 1978 to raise the ceiling on the total principal balance which may be outstanding from $4,000,000,000 t0 $6,000,000,000. Extends the authority to make contracts of insurance or guarantee under such Act until September 30, 1981. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, with the U.S. Trade Representative, to study and report to the President and Congress on the potential for expanding U.S. agricultural export markets and the use of agricultural exports to obtain needed natural resources or other products. Sets forth items to be included in such study. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation to purchase the agricultural products which were intended for export to the Soviet Union.
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 · 4 February 1980
Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit the direct or indirect restriction by any person engaged in commerce on the use of credit instruments in any transaction concerning the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel, where there is no similar restriction on transactions concerning conventional motor fuel. Prohibits any other condition, restriction, agreement, or understanding which otherwise discriminates against or unreasonably limits the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1980
Requires the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad Company to maintain its entire railroad system as it existed on September 1, 1979, for a period of 90 days, unless: (1) any discontinuance or abandonment is authorized by the Interstate Commerce Commission; and (2) no affected State (or local or regional transportation authority) opposes such action. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, pursuant to the Emergency Rail Services Act of 1970, to guarantee trustee certificates of such railroad. Raises the ceiling in the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all such certificates.
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
Emergency Federal Crude Oil Sale, Use, and Storage Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of the Interior, and the heads of other Federal agencies having responsibility for the disposition of Federal crude oil to undertake a study of alternative means for the disposition of such oil and the economic implications of such alternatives on the domestic economy. Requires that such report be transmitted to Congress within 120 days of the date of enactment. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy, pending completion of such study, to extend, for a period of up to 120 days with the concurrence of the existing purchaser, the contracts for the sale of Federal crude oil produced from the Elk Hills and Teapot Dome Naval Petroleum Reserves. Directs the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary the Interior, after consultation with the appropriate Federal agency heads, to develop a program for the use and disposition of Federal crude oil in accordance with this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of the Interior to implement such program by: (1) storing such crude oil in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; (2) entering into contracts to have such crude oil refined into products to be used by the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies or exchanged for products to be used by such departments or agencies; and (3) selling such crude oil at prices not in excess of the average price of domestic crude oil exempted price controls. Sets forth specified preferences and limitations concerning such sales. Exempts Federal royalty crude oil from the provisions of this Act, except that any such oil not presently subject to price controls shall be sold at prices not in excess of the average price of domestic crude oil exempted from price controls. Terminates the authority contained in this Act one year from the date of its enactment. Voids any proposed sale or bid awards or contracts entered into by the Secretary of Energy between January 1, 1980 and February 1, 1980.
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 · 13 December 1979
Waives certain provisions of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to the consideration of H.R. 5537 (District of Columbia borrowing authority).
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1979
Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to extend the effective period of emergency Acts passed by the D.C. Council from 90 days to 180 days. Prohibits the Council from passing any emergency Act covering the same subject matter and purpose of any previously passed emergency Act. Prohibits the Council from amending any emergency Act in effect on the date of enactment of this Act in order to extend such emergency Act for the 180-day period. Provides that such emergency Acts, including those in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, shall terminate on the date provided or upon expiration of the 180-day period. Sets forth procedures for such Acts when Congress adjourns sine die.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1979
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to authorize the use of certified mail for the service of complaints, orders, and other process and papers of the National Labor Relations Board.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1979
Establishes the Patent and Trademark Office as an independent Government agency. Designates the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks as the Chief Officer of the Office. Declares that the Commissioner shall be appointed to a six-year term of office and shall be removable from office by the President with the consent of the Senate, only for good cause. Sets forth conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1979
Small Business Export Expansion Act of 1979 - Title I: Small Business Export Expansion Assistance - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to qualified applicants to encourage the development and implementation of a small business international marketing program. Stipulates that not more than one-third of such grants be used for the purpose of hiring personnel. Sets forth eligibility requirements for applicants. Requires each small business international marketing program to: (1) have a full-time staff director to manage program activities; (2) have access to export specialists to counsel and assist small business clients; and (3) establish an advisory board of nine members appointed by the Governor of the State in which the applicant is located. Sets forth operational procedures for such advisory board. Directs the SBA to maintain a central clearinghouse for the collection, dissemination, and exchange of information between small business international marketing programs. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for such programs. Title II: Export Promotion Centers - Directs the Administrator of SBA, after consultation with specified agencies, to establish an Export Promotion Center in each regional office of the Department of Commerce. Requires the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Internal Revenue Service, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the SBA to each designate at least one full-time employee to serve as the agency representative in each Center. Directs the Administrator to report to the Senate Select Committee on Small Business and the House Small Business Committee on the progress made in implementing this title, not later than six months after enactment of this Act. Directs the Administration to establish a plan for the evaluation of the international marketing program to be submitted annually to the appropriate congressional committees. Title III: Small Business Export Financing Assistance - Authorizes the Administration to make loans to small businesses for export purposes. Provides that in agreements to participate in loans on a deferred basis participation by the Administration shall be 90 percent of the balance of the loan outstanding at the time of disbursement. Title IV: Small Business Investment Companies - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize the Administration to make commitments, by contract, to guarantee qualifying investments by small business investment companies licensed pursuant to this Act. Limits such contracts to specified aggregate amounts of guarantee eligibility. Provides that such guarantees be granted with respect to initial and subsequent (to the effective date of this Act) investments made in eligible small business concerns. States that such guarantees shall not exceed 50 percent of each net investment loss. Directs that such guarantees be granted to such concerns which are or will be engaged in continuous export business operations, giving preference to new-to-export small businesses. Sets forth requirements necessary to qualify for a guarantee of qualifying investments and terms and conditions under which the Administration may void or suspend any such contractual commitments.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1979
Makes the Interest Rate Modification Act of 1979, passed by the District of Columbia Council and signed by the Mayor, effective upon enactment of this Act, notwithstanding any other provision of law. Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to extend the period of emergency Acts passed by the D.C. Council from 90 days to 180 days. Prohibits the Council from passing any emergency Act covering the same subject matter and purpose of any previously passed emergency Act. Provides that such an Act shall terminate on the date provided in such Act or upon the expiration of the 180-day period, whichever occurs first. Sets forth procedures for such Acts when Congress adjourns sine die.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1979
Makes the Interest Rate Modification Act of 1979, passed by the District of Columbia Council and signed by the Mayor, effective upon enactment of this Act, notwithstanding any other provision of law. Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to extend the period of emergency Acts passed by the D.C. Council from 90 days to 180 days. Provides that such an Act shall terminate on the date provided in such Act or upon the expiration of the 180-day period, whichever occurs first. Sets forth procedures for such Acts when Congress adjourns sine die. Prohibits the Council from passing any emergency Act covering the same subject matter and purpose of any previously passed emergency Act.
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 · 1 November 1979
Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Act of 1979 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into commitments to guarantee loans made to Chrysler Corporation if the Secretary determines that: (1) such a commitment is needed to enable Chrysler to continue to operate and the failure to meet this need would adversely and seriously affect the employment or economic situation in the United States or any of its regions, or the degree of competition in the automobile industry; (2) Chrysler has submitted a feasible operating plan for its 1980 fiscal year and the next three fiscal years demonstrating its ability to continue as a going concern in the automobile business without additional Federal assistance after December 31, 1983; and (3) Chrysler has submitted a satisfactory financial plan which includes at least $1,500,000,000 in funds that are not guaranteed by the Federal Government. Requires a portion of such nonfederal funds to be in the form of commitments and concessions contributed after October 17, 1979, by financial institutions, Chrysler's creditors, shareholders, and employees, and management, State and local governments, labor unions, and other entities with an economic stake in Chrysler. Prohibits the amount of outstanding guarantees actually issued by the Secretary from ever proportionately exceeding the amount of such nonfederal funding obtained and not repaid. Permits Chrysler to obtain capital and cash in order to meet the required level of nonfederal funding through a merger, the sale of securities, assets, or other transactions consummated after October 17, 1979. Requires the Secretary to receive assurances as to the availability and adequacy of all financing contemplated by the financing plan before entering any commitments to guarantee loans. Stipulates that the Secretary may issue guarantees only pursuant to commitments. Requires such commitments to provide that guarantees will only be issued if the Secretary determines that: (1) Chrysler would otherwise be unable to obtain credit upon reasonable terms sufficient to meet the needs of its operating plan; (2) there is a reasonable prospect of repayment; (3) the loan bears interest at a reasonable rate determined by the Secretary not less than the current average yield on Treasury securities of comparable maturity; (4) Chrysler continues to comply with an operating and financial plan or a revision which is feasible and satisfactory to the Secretary; (5) Chrysler has agreed to deliver rolling four-year operating and financial plans to the Secretary and an annual analysis of deviations in performance from the targets set forth in such plans; and (6) Chrysler has complied with the requirements set forth in the terms of any commitment. Renders any determination made by the Secretary under this Act conclusive upon the issuance of a loan guarantee. States that the validity of any guarantee shall be incontestable except for fraud or material misrepresentation on the part of the holder thereof. Authorizes the Secretary to determine the form of all guarantees issued under this Act. Directs the Secretary to collect, at least once a year, a guarantee fee of at least one-half percent per annum on the outstanding guaranteed loan principal computed daily. Authorizes the Secretary to negotiate appropriate additional terms to compensate the United States for the risk it assumes in issuing loan guarantees. Requires that all guaranteed loans mature no later then December 31, 1990. Prohibits waiver or amendment of the terms of any guaranteed loan without the Secretary's consent. Requires each commitment to contain appropriate protective provisions. Directs the Secretary to require security for the loans guaranteed under this Act, subordination of existing creditors, and that Chrysler pay no dividends on any common or preferred stock. Permits the Secretary to waive such requirements if necessary to enable Chrysler to obtain financing and if, despite such waiver, there is a reasonable prospect of repayment. Directs the Secretary to require a change in Chrysler's management if the Secretary determines that the inability of Chrysler to obtain credit without guarantees is a result of the failure of management to exercise reasonable business prudence. Authorizes the Secretary to inspect the records of Chrysler or any of its affiliates for which an application for a loan guarantee has been submitted. Authorizes the General Accounting Office to conduct a detailed audit of Chrysler and its affiliates. Directs the Office to report the results of such audit to the Secretary and the Congress. Prohibits the outstanding principal amount of loans guaranteed by the Secretary from exceeding $1,500,000,000 at any one time. Directs the Secretary to enforce the rights of the United States as a guarantor under this Act. Entitles the Secretary to recover any payments made pursuant to a guarantee from Chrysler, its affiliates, or any other liable person. Empowers the Secretary to utilize all available remedies in enforcing the rights of the United States and to bring actions in the United States district courts or any other appropriate court to enforce compliance with this Act or the terms of any agreement. Grants jurisdiction to such courts to hear such actions and to fashion appropriate remedies. Prohibits the Secretary from guaranteeing any tax-exempt security either directly or indirectly if the guarantee provides significant collateral for other tax-exempt obligations. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the priority of the United States if necessary to facilitate financing contemplated by the financing plan provided the Secretary determines that, despite such waiver, there is a reasonable prospect of repayment. Stipulates that such a waiver may not subordinate the claims of the United States to any other creditor. Directs the Secretary to submit a annual report to the Congress on activities conducted pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act beginning in fiscal year 1979 and remaining available without fiscal year limitation. Limits the authority of the Secretary to make guarantees to the extent provided in advance by appropriation Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1979
Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 to include in the definitions of the terms "United States" and "State" the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any other territory or possession over which the United States has jurisdiction. Directs the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to implement and administer a national recreational boating safety and facilities improvement program. Authorizes the Secretary to allocate funds to States for accepted State recreational boating safety and facilities improvement programs if sufficient State matching funds are available. Directs the Secretary to accept State programs that include: (1) an approved vessel numbering system; (2) a cooperative boating safety assistance program with the Coast Guard; (3) sufficient patrol to enforce applicable State laws; (4) boating safety education; (5) a State agency to implement or coordinate the program and report to the Secretary; and (6) facilities improvement. Sets forth formulas for the allocation of funds among the States. Establishes in the Treasury a National Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Fund from which the Secretary may allocate funds for accepted State programs. Requires that revenues attributable to the taxes on special motor fuels and gasoline used in motorboats be covered into such Fund. Authorizes appropriations for such State programs of $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1981 through 1984. Amends the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer certain amounts from the taxes received from special motor fuels and gasoline used in motorboats to the National Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Fund.