United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Regulatory Flexibility Act - Requires Federal agencies to include the following information in the general notice of a proposed rule: (1) the goals and purpose of the rule; (2) the estimated number of individuals, businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions affected by the rule; (3) a statement that the agency seeks alternative proposals which could achieve the goal of the proposed rule at a lower cost to individuals, small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions; and (4) a list of the measures necessary for compliance with any reporting requirement affecting more than ten persons. Requires Federal agencies to accept and consider alternative proposals to a proposed rule and to publish those proposals with justification of the selection of the final rule. Defines a small business, small organization, small governmental jurisdiction, and an individual as used in this Act. Directs each agency to publish a plan for reviewing its rules within 180 days after enactment of this Act. Requires each agency to determine whether such rules are efficiently achieving the goals of the implementing legislation. Directs the agency to publish annually a list of the rules to be issued and reviewed during the next year.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Soft Drink Bottlers' Protection Act of 1979 - Declares that exclusive territorial arrangements made as a part of a licensing agreement for the manufacture, distribution, or sale of a trademarked soft drink product are lawful under the antitrust laws provided: (1) such product is in substantial and effective competition with other products of the same general class; (2) the licensee is in substantial and effective competition with vendors of other products of the same general class; and (3) the licensor retains control over the nature and quality of such product pursuant to the Trademark Act of 1946.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Trade Procedures Reform Act - Amends the Antidumping Act of 1921 to require the payment of an estimated special dumping duty on those foreign goods where it has been determined that such goods are likely to be sold in the United States at less than fair value. Requires the importer to furnish such information as the Secretary of the Treasury deems necessary for ascertaining any special dumping duty to be imposed. Provides for the refund of any excess estimated special dumping duty paid by the importer. Permits the Secretary to use data developed while investigating whether foreign goods are being sold at less than fair value in determining the special dumping duty. Directs the Secretary to notify the International Trade Commission and to determine whether to initiate an investigation whenever the Secretary receives information that foreign goods are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States or elsewhere at less than fair value which may hurt U.S. industries. Directs (1) the Commission to determine whether U.S. industry may be harmed and (2) the Secretary to determine whether such goods are being, or are likely to be, sold at less than fair value. Requires the Secretary to make public any determinations within five months of the initiation of the investigation. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress concerning dumping investigations and any special dumping duties collected. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to permit the President to reduce or terminate any import relief unless Congress disapproves of such action. Directs the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations, upon receiving information that a foreign country or instrumentality is engaged in an unfair trade practice with respect to certain goods, to inquire into such practice. Directs the Special Representative to investigate such practice after conducting the inquiry into whether such investigation is warranted. Requires the Special Representative to make public any determinations within five months after publishing notice of the investigation. Requires the Special Representative to provide for appropriate public hearings and to make public any final recommendation within 30 days of such hearings concerning the need for action against unfair trade practices. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the Secretary to investigate whether any bounty or grant is being paid or bestowed upon exports into the United States within 30 days after a petion is filed or information is received concerning such bounty or grant. Directs the Commission to investigate unfair methods of competition by imported goods within 30 days after receiving a complaint.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Emergency Paperwork Reduction Act of 1979 - Requires each Federal agency to reduce its paperwork costs by 25 percent within two years. Requires each agency to report to Congress on the agency actions to meet this goal or to justify any failure to do so. Stipulates that any agency which certifies that it will be unable to accomplish such reduction within two years must do so within five years. Defines paperwork costs as the costs to the public of complying with agency paperwork requirements and the costs to the agency of administering those requirements. Directs the President and the Comptroller General to develop strategies to reduce paperwork costs for the executive and independent agencies, respectively. Requires the President to formulate the methodology for determining paperwork costs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Space Policy Act of 1979 - Establishes a national space policy to enable the United States to maintain leadership in space science and technology. Declares such policy, including that the United States: (1) is committed to space exploration for peaceful purposes and the benefit of mankind; (2) rejects claims of sovereignty over outer space and celestial bodies; and (3) will continue to participate in cooperative international space activities. Directs the President to assure that the space program proceed toward enumerated goals in space and terrestrial application and in space science. Details the goals to be achieved within ten years, including: (1) design of prototype electric power generation transmission systems; (2) design of space technologies determining the feasibility of space-based manufacturing; (3) establishment of remote-sensing and communications structures; and (4) the pursuit of planetary and lunar science and exploration. Requires the President to submit to Congress a five-year schedule, within annual revisions, identifying missions, projects, and programs to achieve the objectives of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1979
Authorizes the appointment of an Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment to head the Department of Labor's, Veterans' Employment Service in place of the existing Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
International Trade Laws Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Antidumping Act Amendments - Amends the Antidumping Act of 1921 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a preliminary investigation within 45 days of receiving information that foreign goods are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value. Directs the Secretary to make public any determination and, if an affirmative determination is made, forward preliminary indications of possible sales at less than fair value to the International Trade Commission. Requires the Commission to investigate whether U.S. industry is being or is likely to be injured due to imports at less than fair value within 45 days after receiving a petition containing such information or after receiving notification that the Secretary is conducting a preliminary investigation. Requires the Secretary to initiate a full-scale investigation if both the Secretary and the Commission publish affirmative determinations that foreign goods are being sold at less than fair value and are likely to hurt U.S. industry. Stipulates that a final determination should be made within seven months. Directs the Commission to make a final determination concerning harm to U.S. industry within three months of the Secretary's final affirmative determination. Provides for a public hearing, if requested, before any determination is made. Sets forth the procedure by which an foreign exporter or domestic importer may petition: (1) the Secretary to terminate a final determination of sales at less than full value; and (2) the Commission to terminate its determination that U.S. industry is likely to be harmed by such sales. Imposes a special dumping duty on foreign goods when a finding has been made that such goods are being sold at less than full value. Requires customs officers to collect an estimated dumping duty based upon the margins of dumping included in the final determination of the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to periodically revise the applicable margin of dumping and apply such margins of dumping retroactively to the imported goods. Requires the importer to furnish such information as the Secretary deems necessary for ascertaining any special dumping duty to be imposed. Stipulates that all information developed in connection with the assessment and liquidation process shall be available upon request to interested parties. Title II: 1930 Tariff Act Amendments - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the Secretary to investigate whether any bounty or grant is being paid or bestowed upon exports into the United States within 45 days after a petition is filed or information is received concerning such bounty or grant, and forward an affirmative determination to the Commission. Directs the Commission to investigate whether U.S. industry is likely to be injured due to such export bounties or grants within 45 days after a petition is filed or information is received concerning such harm to U.S. industry. Provides for a full-scale investigation upon publication of the Secretary's and the Commission's affirmative determinations of the import practices, with a final determination within seven months. Directs the Secretary to keep the Commission informed as to such imports and the amount of bounties or grants. Directs the Secretary to publish a Countervailing Duty Order, following final affirmative determinations by the Secretary and the Commission, providing for the collection of countervailing duties in the amount of the bounty or grant. Requires customs officers to collect estimated countervailing duties on or before entry of the affected goods. Provides for periodic revisions of bounties or grants to be applied retroactively to imported goods. Stipulates that all information should be available to interested parties. Sets forth the procedure by which a foreign exporter or domestic importer may petition the Secretary and the Commission to terminate the final determinations of export bounties or grants. Provides for a public hearing before any determination is made at the request of an interested party. Directs the Secretary to require a certified invoice with imported goods which includes a statement of the prices at which such goods are sold in the exporting country (home consumption prices). Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and Commerce and the Commission Chairman to publish quarterly a statistical enumeration of the purchase prices and home consumption prices. Requires a verified statement from foreign manufacturers whose goods supply ten percent or more of the U.S. market showing the home market value and the purchase price. Authorizes the Commission to suspend its investigation of unfair methods of competition by imports. Stipulates that the Commission need not determine if there has been a violation if other authorized action determines the controversy. Sets forth the penalties for violating a final order of the Commission. Permits adversely affected foreign manufacturers or exporters or domestic importers to contest in the U.S. Customs Court any finding or order relating to dumping or amount of bounties or grants. Permits domestic manufacturers or labor organizations to contest in the U.S. Customs Court any determination that goods are not being sold at less than fair value, that bounties or grants are not being paid, or that U.S. industry is not being injured by such activities. Title III: Amendments to Customs Court Procedure Laws - Amends the provisions setting forth Customs Court procedure to permit actions contesting: (1) the termination of findings that imported goods are being sold at less than fair value; (2) the termination of Countervailing Duty Orders; or (3) determinations that U.S. industry is not being harmed by sales of imported goods at less than fair value or export bounties or grants. Title IV: Study of Transferring Treasury Investigative Responsibilities to International Trade Commission - Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress the need for and feasibility of transferring the duties of the Secretary to the Commission or independent section of a department of international trade. Title V: Amendments to the Revenue Act of September 8, 1916 - Amends a provision of federal law which makes it unlawful to import or sell articles in the United States at less than market value to give the burden of rebutting the prima facie case, by showing justification, to the person charged with the violation. Permits any person injured by a violation to sue for treble damages. Requires such suit to be commenced within four years after the cause of action accrued. Stipulates that the Commissioner of Customs shall be the agent upon whom all lawful process may be served in any action or proceeding against foreign manufacturers or exporters.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers who do not itemize income tax deductions to claim a deduction from gross income for charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Military Registration and Mobilization Assessment Act of 1979 - Directs the President to commence military selective service registration by October 18, 1979, and to report to the Congress by June 30, 1979, on plans for a modern and efficient system of registration. Amends the Military Selective Service Act of 1967 to authorize regulations granting the Selective Service System access to age and address information in the records of any school, or any agency or political subdivision of any State for the sole purpose of conducting selective service registration. Requires the Secretary of Defense, in the Secretary's annual report to Congress on military manpower requirements, to include an assessment of the Nation's capabilities to mobilize such additional manpower as may be needed to meet national security requirements under emergency situations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1979 - Title I: Findings, Policy, and Definitions - Declares it the purpose of this Act to preserve for the benefit of present and future generations certain lands in the State of Alaska in order to: (1) preserve unrivaled scenic, geologic, and wildlife values; (2) perpetuate significant and diverse ecosystems; (3) protect and preserve cultural values of Native and non-Native people; (4) provide recreation; (5) maintain wilderness resource values; (6) preserve rivers; (7) maintain opportunities for research; and (8) utilize natural resources, consistent with sound ecological principals. Provides that: (1) intangible values should be considered on an equal basis with tangible values; (2) the management policies should cause the least adverse impact possible to people who depend on subsistence uses of resources; and (3) the interests of the State of Alaska and the Native Corporations shall be continuing considered in carrying out provisions of this Act to maintain a viable economy and provide employment for citizens of Alaska. Title II: National Park System - Designates as units of the National Park System: (1) Aniakchak National Monument; (2) Bering Land Bridge National Monument; (3) Cape Krusenstern National Monument; (4) Gates of the Arctic National Monument; (5) Kenai Fjords National Monument; Kobuk Valley National Monument; (7) Lake Clark National Monument; (8) Noatak National Monument; (9) Yukon-Charley National Monument; and (10) Katmai NAtional Monument. Expands and redesignates: (1) Mount McKinley National Park by the addition of Denali National Monument to be redesignated as Denali National Park; and (2) Glacier Bay National Monument by the addition of 40,000 acres to be redesignated as Glacier Bay National Park. Establishes as units of the National Park System: (1) Aniakchak National Preserve; (2) Lake Clark National Preserve; and (3) Noatak National Preserve; and (4) Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve. Establishes and designates as units of the National Wilderness Preservation System certain lands in: (1) Aniakchak National Park and Preserve; (2) Bering Land Bridge National Park; (3) Cape Krusenstern National Park; (4) Denali National Park; (5) Gates of the Arctic National Park; the Arctic Wilderness; (6) Glacier Bay National Park; (7) Katmai National Park; (8) Kenai Fjords National Park; (9) Kobuk Valley National Park; (10) Lake Clark National Park and Preserve; (11) Noatak National Park; (12)Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park; and (13) Yukon-Charley National Park. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the nondesignated areas within the boundaries of the National Park System and report to the President and Congress on the suitability of all roadless areas for preservation as wilderness. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer all Alaska lands, waters, and interests in accordance with applicable laws and this Act. Incorporates the redesignated national monuments specified in this Act as part of the appropriate national park. Makes available for the appropriate national park any funds which were available for the corresponding monument. Subjects the portion of the Alaska Railroad right-of-way within Denali National Park to the applicable laws and regulations. Permits the continuation of reindeer within Bering Land Bridge National Park. Prohibits the Secretary, generally, from acting to restrict unreasonably the exercise of valid commercial fishing rights or privileges obtained pursuant to State or Federal law, with respect to the Malaspina Glacier area of Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park and the Dry Bay area of Glacier Bay National Park. Title III: National Wildlife Refuge System - Redesignates Becharof National Monument as Becharof National Wildlife Monument and Yukon Flats National Monument as Yukon Flats National Wildlife Monument. Designates as units of the National Wildlife Refuge System: (1) Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge; (2) Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge; (3) Copper River National Wildlife Refuge; (4) Iliamna National Wildlife Refuge; (5) Innoko National Wildlife Refuge; (6) Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge; (7) Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge; (8) Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge; (9) Selawik National Wildlife Refuge; (10) Teshekpuk National Wildlife Refuge; (11) Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge; and (12) Utukok National Wildlife Refuge. Expands the following units of the National Wildlife Refuge System: (1) Arctic National Wildlife Range; (2) Cape Newenham National Wildlife Refuge; (3) Clarence Rhode National Wildlife Range and Hazen Bay National Wildlife Refuge; and (4) Kenai National Moose Range. Designates as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System certain lands in: (1) Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (to be known as Alaska Maritime Wilderness, Aleutian Islands Wilderness, Unimak Wilderness and Semidi Wilderness); (2) Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge (to be known as Pavlof Wilderness and Chiginagak Wilderness); (3) Arctic National Wildlife Range; (4) Becharof National Wildlife Monument; (5) Copper River National Wildlife Refuge; (6) Innoko National Wildlife Refuge; (7) Izembek National Wildlife Range; (8) Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge; (9) Kenai National Wildlife Range; (10) Kodiak National Wilderness Refuge; (11) Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge; (12) Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge; (13) Nunivak National Wildlife Refuge; (14) Selawik National Wildlife Refuge; (15) Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge; (16) Togiak National Wildlife Range; (17) Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (to be known as Andreafsky Wilderness and Kisaralik Wilderness); and (18) Yukon Flats National Wildlife Monument (to be known as Hodzana Wilderness and White Mountain Wilderness). Directs the Secretary of the Interior to review all areas within the National Wildlife Refuge System established or expanded by this Act as to their suitability for preservation as wilderness. Directs the President to advise Congress as to the Secretary of the Interior's recommendations. Declares that all Executive orders and other administrative actions which were in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act will remain in force, except to the extent that they are inconsistent with this Act or the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Makes available for the purposes of any conservation unit established under this Act all funds that were previously available. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer each wildlife refuge subject to valid existing rights and in accordance with applicable law and this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from permitting uses or granting easements in the above-designated refuges which are not compatible with the major purposes of the refuge. Withdraws, subject to valid existing rights, all public lands in each refuge from all forms of appropriation under the mining laws and from operation of the mineral leasing laws. Authorizes the Secretary to permit oil and gas development under a leasing program. Directs the Secretary to undertake to enter into cooperative management agreements with Native Corporations, the State, or persons owning land within or adjacent to a refuge. States that each such agreement shall provide that the land subject to the agreement shall be managed by the owner in a manner compatible with the major purposes of the refuge, and in a manner which will not diminish opportunities for subsistence uses in the refuge. Sets forth terms and conditions for such agreements. States that the Congress finds that barren-ground caribou are a migratory species deserving special protection and that the Western Arctic and Porcupine herds of such caribou are of national and international significance. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the barren-ground caribou herds north of the Yukon River, and, acting through the Secretary of State, to initiate negotiations with the Government of Canada in order to enter into a treaty to protect the Porcupine caribou herd and its habitat. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an assessment of the bald eagle in the Chilkat River area in order to determine habitat use, dynamics of salmon runs on which the eagles feed, seasonal movement patterns, and effects on the eagle population of developments by man. Directs the Secretary to develop a proposal to conserve bald eagles and other wildlife in the region, insure compatible land uses, provide for land lease agreements to facilitate the proposal. Title IV: National Forest System - Expands as units of the National Forest System the Tongass National Forest and the Chugach National Forest. Designates as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System certain lands in: (1) Chugach National Forest, to be known as Nellie Juan Wilderness; (2) Admiralty Island National Monument; (3) Tongass National Forest, (to be known as Endicott Wilderness, Etolin Island Wilderness, Idaho Inlet Wilderness, Karta Wilderness, and King Salmon Capes Wilderness; (4) Misty Fjords National Monument; (5) Tongass National Forest, to be known as Petersburg Creek-Duncan Canal Wilderness, Prince of Wales Wilderness, Rocky Pass Wilderness, Russell Fjord Wilderness, Stikine- LeConte Wilderness, South Baranof Wilderness, Tebenkof Wilderness, Tracy-Arms-Ford Terror Wilderness, and West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report to the President and Congress in accordance with the Wilderness Act recommendations as to the suitability of the Western Prince William Sound for preservation as wilderness. Specifies that the provisions of this Act apply only to the lands within Alaska and nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to expand, diminish, or modify provisions of the Wilderness Act with respect to lands outside of Alaska. Allows the Secretary of Agriculture to permit fishery research, management, enhancement, and rehabilitation activities within national forest wilderness areas designated by this Act in accordance with the goal of restoring and maintaining anadromous fish production in the Tongass National Forest. Sets forth factors to be considered in allowing such activity. Directs that previously existing public use cabins within national forest wilderness may be permitted to continue subject to necessary restrictions deemed to preserve the wilderness character of the area. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to construct and maintain a limited number of new cabins and shelters. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to permit commercial fishery activities within national forest wilderness in accordance with principles of sound fisheries management. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to modify any existing national forest timber sale contracts applying to lands designated by this Act as wilderness by substituting other national forest lands of corresponding quality, quantity, and access, to the extent practicable. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire timber rights to those lands selected for the village of Angoon under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act by purchase or exchange for timber rights elsewhere within the Tongass National Forest. Allows, at the election of the shareholders of Kootznoowoo, Inc., the conveyance of timber rights to lands selected by the corporation to the Secretary of Agriculture, and within one year after such a conveyance the conveyance to Kootznoowoo, Inc. of timber rights which are of equal value to those conveyed to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to designate alternative lands, of equal or greater timber value, for the benefit of Shee Atika, Inc., in satisfaction of the rights of the Natives of Sitka as provided by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Specifies that such lands shall be located in southeast Alaska other than Admiralty Island. Sets forth procedures for conveyance of surface and subsurface rights, and the release of such rights. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to reimburse Shee Atika, Inc., Goldbelt, Inc., and Kootznoowoo, Inc. for reasonable and necessary land selection costs. Specifies that permits issued by the Forest Service, before the enactment of this Act, for a dwelling or campsite in the Admiralty Island National Monument, Misty Fjords National Monument, or any wilderness area, shall expire not later than ten years after the enactment of this Act. Provides a limited exception to such permit expiration for Thayer Lake Lodge. Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to prohibit land conveyed to a Native Corporation pursuant to this Act or the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, which is within a contingency area designated in a U.S. timber sale contract, to be subject to such contract or to entry or timbering by the contractor. Prohibits a timber contractor form entering or cutting timber from land in a contingency area that has been withdrawn or selected by a Native Corporation until such Corporation has received all conveyances. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to improve timber production from high quality timber growing sites in the Tongass National Forest through a program of precommercial thinning. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an insured or guaranteed loan program for purchasers of national forest materials in Alaska to assist such purchasers in the acquisition of equipment to use wood products which might not otherwise be utilized. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a study and report to Congress to identify opportunities to increase timber yields on national forest lands in Alaska, and to reduce inefficient timber uses or waste of national forest produced fiber. Title V: National Wild and Scenic Rivers System - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by adding to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System the following rivers (or segments thereof) which are outside the boundaries of other conservation system units: Birch Creek, Colville, Copper, Delta, Etivluk-Nigu, Fortymile, Gulkana, Alagnak, Killik, Nowitna, Stony, Unalakleet, and Yukon (Ramparts section). Adds to the system the following rivers (or segments thereof) which form the boundary of, or are within, any national preserves in Alaska: Aniakchak (including its major tributaries), Chilikadrotna, Mulchatna, Stony, and Telaquana. Adds to the system portions of the following rivers which form the boundary of, or are within, any national wildlife refuge in Alaska: Nowitna, Porcupine, Sheenjek, Andreafsky, Ivishak, Kanektok, Kisaralik, Wind, Beaver Creek, Copper, Selawik, Squirrel, and Utukok. Requires that detailed boundaries and development plans be established for specified rivers within one to three years of the date of enactment of this Act. Designates the following rivers to be studied for possible inclusion in the system: Holitna-Hoholitna, Ikpikpuk, Koyuk, Kuskokwim, Melozitna, Mulchatna, Nelchina-Tazlina, Nuyakuk, Situk, Susitna. Sets forth time requirements for completion of such studies. Authorizes the Secretary to seek cooperative agreements with the owners of non-Federal lands adjoining rivers which are newly designated units of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Permits the Secretary to establish a river protection zone extending two miles from the banks of such rivers. Withdraws the minerals in Federal lands within the boundaries of such rivers and within each such river protection zone from all forms of appropriation under United States mining laws. Authorizes the Secretary to permit the use of snowmobiles for customary purposes by local residents and by authorized subsistence users, if such use was occurring on or before January 1, 1979. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate regulations to protect the quality and quantity of water in the Wulik River. Title VI: Federal-State Coordination - Establishes the Alaska Advisory Coordinating Council, cochaired by the Secretary of the Interior and the Governor of Alaska and composed of the Alaska field directors of the Federal land managing and planning agencies; the Commissioners of the Alaska Departments of Natural Resources, Fish and Game, and Environmental Conservation; and representatives from a Village Corporation and a Regional Corporation. Requires that all Council meetings be open to the public, with at least 15 days prior notice in the Federal Register and in newspapers of general circulation in Alaska. Directs the Council to conduct studies and advise the Secretary, other Federal agencies, the State, and Native Corporations regarding land and resource uses in Alaska, including natural resource management, economic development, and other land administration programs. Authorizes the Council to recommend cooperative planning and management zones where the management of lands or resources of one member materially affects another. Authorizes Federal members of the Council to enter into cooperative agreements with Federal agencies, with State and local agencies, and with Native Corporations for mutual consultation, review, and coordination of resource management plans within such zones. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical and other assistance to landowners whose lands or resources are subject to a cooperative agreement, for fire control, trespass control, law enforcement, resource use, and planning. States that such assistance may be provided without reimbursement if the Secretary determines that doing so would further the purposes of the cooperative agreement and would be in the public interest. Provides that the Council will terminate in ten years, unless extended by Congress. Directs the Council to establish a citizens' advisory committee of land-use advisors. Establishes the Alaska Land Bank Program to facilitate the coordinated management and protection of Federal, State, and Native and other private lands. Authorizes certain private landowners to enter into agreements with the Secretary for ten years, with five year renewal periods, concerning the management of the affected lands. Sets forth required terms of such agreements, as well as benefits to private landowners. Provides, as to Native corporations and other persons or groups that have received or will receive lands or interests therein pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act on this title, immunity from adverse possession, Federal and State taxation, and judgment in any action at law or equity to recover sums owned or penalties incurred by any Native Corporation, or any officer, director, or stockholder of any such Corporation. Title VII: Subsistence - Declares the first priority of this Act to be consumptive uses of fishing and other renewable resources for nonwasteful subsistence uses by local rural residents. Stipulates that restrictions on the taking of populations of fish and wildlife on such lands for subsistence uses in order to protect the continued viability of such populations, or to continue such uses, shall be based on: (1) customary and direct dependence upon the populations as the mainstay of livelihood; (2) local residency; and (3) the availability of alternative resources. Directs the Secretary, if the State fails to do so, to establish: (1) at least seven Alaska subsistence resource regions which, taken together, include all public lands; (2) such local advisory committees within each region, as necessary, based upon a finding that the existing State fish and game advisory committees do not adequately assist in the preparation of the reports required of the regional councils; and (3) a regional advisory council in each subsistence region, to be composed of residents of the affected region. Sets forth the duties of such regional councils in regard to subsistence uses of fish and wildlife within the regions, including the preparation of annual reports to the Secretary. Requires that such reports contain identifications, evaluations and recommended strategies for the management of fish and wildlife populations within the regions, as well as recommendations concerning policies, standards, guidelines, and regulations to implement such strategies. Directs the Secretary to follow the advice of such councils unless he determines in writing that such advice is not supported by substantial evidence, violates recognized principles of fish and wildlife conservation, or would be detrimental to the satisfaction of subsistence needs. Directs the Secretary to take certain administrative action if it is determined that the program or implementation is not in compliance with this Act. Gives the Secretary authority to close public areas to all consumptive uses except subsistence uses by local residents. Sets forth procedures for hearings and appeal by the State. Gives the Secretary emergency authority to temporarily close any public land to subsistence uses if necessary for public safety, administration, or to insure the natural stability and continued productivity of one or more fish or wildlife populations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements or to otherwise cooperate with other Federal agencies, the State of Alaska, Native Corporations, and other appropriate persons and organizations, (including, through coordination with the Secretary of State, other nations) in order to protect subsistence resources and uses. Prohibits Federal agencies from withdrawal, reservation, lease, permit, or other use, occupancy or disposition of lands within their jurisdiction if the effect would be to significantly restrict the subsistence uses unless the head of the agency: (1) gives notice to the appropriate State agency, local committees and regional councils; (2) gives notice of, and holds, a hearing in the vicinity of the area involved; and (3) makes specific determinations regarding the purpose and the effect of the restriction. Directs the Secretary to insure the access to subsistence resources on public lands to persons engaged in subsistence uses. Directs the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service to undertake research on fish and wildlife subsistence activities on the public lands. Title VIII: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to acquire by purchase, donation, or exchange any lands within the boundaries of any conservation system unit. Stipulates that land owned by the State, a political subdivision or a Native Corporation may only be acquired with their consent. Sets forth administrative provisions relating to such acquisitions. Allows the Secretary to permit on conservation system units the use of snow machines, motorboats, airplanes, and nonmotorized transportation methods, subject to reasonable regulation. Removes certain restrictions from sections of the North Slope Haul Road. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire up to 7,500 acres of archaeological or paleontological sites outside of the Cape Krusenstern National Park, Bering Land Bridge National Park, Kobuk Valley National Park, and the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Park. Requires the Secretary, prior to acquiring any such property in excess of 100 acres to submit notice of the proposed acquisition to the appropriate committees of the Congress, and publish notice of such proposed acquisition in the Federal Register. Directs the Secretary to provide advice, assistance, and technical expertise to an applying Native Corporation or Native Group for the purpose of preserving cultural resources, without regard to whether title to such resources is in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to establish an information and education center for visitors to Alaska, on no more than 1,000 acres of land adjacent to the Alaska Highway. Authorizes the Secretary to establish such centers in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish such a center in Juneau, Ketchikan, or Sitka. Sets forth provisions relating to program planning, construction, operation and administration of such centers. Authorizes the Secretary to establish administrative sites and visitor facilities within the conservation units, if compatible, or outside the units. Directs the Secretary to locate such sites and facilities on Native lands where practicable and desirable. Sets forth the authorities of the Secretary in regard to establishing such sites and facilities. Directs the Secretary, under reasonable terms, to permit a person who on or before January 1, 1979, was adequately providing any type of visitor service to a conservation system unit, to continue providing the services if they are consistent with the purposes of the unit. Requires that the Secretary, in selecting persons to provide visitor services, give preference to Native Corporations most directly affected by the conservation system unit, and local residents. Directs the Secretary to establish a local-hire program, under which the Secretary will consider for selection qualified local residents to positions in any of the units, without regard to civil service regulations which require minimum periods of formal training or experience, other preference provisions, or numerical limitations on personnel. Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports and recommendations to Congress on such program. Requires the Secretary to prepare detailed management plans for national park and wildlife refuge units and submit them to Congress within five years of the date of enactment of this Act. Sets forth requirements for such plans, factors which must be considered, public hearings requirements, and requirements for reports to the appropriate committees of Congress. Closes all areas of the National Park System in Alaska to the taking of fish and wildlife, except for authorized subsistence use, fishing, and sport hunting as the Secretary may permit within national preserves. Stipulates that other conservation units will be subject to applicable Federal and State law. Requires that the boundary maps described in this Act shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Secretary of Interior and Secretary of Agriculture. Specifies that in the event of discrepancies between the acreages stated in this Act and those depicted on such maps, the maps shall be controlling. Prohibits the boundaries of areas added to the national systems to extend beyond the mean high tide line to include lands owned by the State unless the State concurs. Directs that a map and legal description of each change in land management status effected by this Act be published in the Federal Register and filed with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, and that each such description shall have the same force as if included in this Act. Directs that the Secretary shall make each such map and description available for public inspection. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to make minor adjustments in the boundaries or areas added to or established by this Act, as appropriate, following reasonable notice in writing to Congress. Permits reasonable access to and operation and maintenance of existing air and navigation aids and facilities for weather, climate, and fisheries research and monitoring in accordance with applicable law. Authorizes reasonable access to and operation and maintenance of, existing facilities for national defense purposes, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act. Permits the establishment of new facilities for national defense purposes within any conservation unit after consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture by the head of the applicable Federal department, in accordance with terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed in order to minimize the adverse effects within such unit. Amends the Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park to provide that lands owned by the State or any political subdivision may be acquired by exchange or donation and that the State may include minerals in any such transaction. Withdraws all public lands within a specified area near the Denali National Park from all forms of entry or appropriation under the mining laws and from operation of mineral leasing laws of the United States, for the purpose of establishing Denali Scenic Highway. Directs the Secretary to study the desirability of establishing a Denali Scenic Highway and within three years after the date of enactment to report to the President, who shall advise the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of any legislation to create such a scenic highway (if so recommended). Stipulates that a holder of a permit to use any conservation system shall be strictly liable for damage to any lands, fish, wildlife or other renewable resource, unless such damage was caused by an act of war or the negligence of the United States. Limits damages for such strict liability to $50,000,000 for any one incident. Exempts the State from strict liability. Withdraws all public lands within the conservation system units in Alaska, subject to valid existing rights, from the mining and mineral leasing laws of the United States. Directs any holder of a valid existing mineral claim or lease to exercise their rights in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary to assure such activities are compatible with the conservation unit. Denies valid lease status to certain noncompetitive oil and gas leases. Allows any holder of a mining claim who feels he has suffered loss to bring an action against the United States in the U.S. District Court for Alaska. Directs the Secretary to assess the oil, gas, and other mineral potential on all public lands in the State of Alaska in order to expand the data base with respect to mineral potential of such lands. Authorizes the appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act for fiscal years beginning after fiscal year 1979. Title IX: Improvements in Administration of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act - Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to cancel all stock issued previous to December 18, 1991, and to issue shares of appropriate class stock to each stockholder. Makes further provisions for permissible restrictions on stockholders; amendments to the articles of incorporation; and stock alienation, annual audits, and transfer of stock ownership. Provides for the taxation of revenues or proceeds derived from real property interests and capital gain or loss on subsequent sale or disposition of land received pursuant to this Act. Includes provisions for: (1) the selection of land by a Village Corporation where the lands selected and conveyed are insufficient to fulfill the Corporation's entitlements; (2) the selection of land by Regional Corporations where the public lands consist only of the mineral estate; and (3) the conveyance of fee title of existing cemetery and historical places in appropriate Regional Corporations. Disentitles any Regional Corporation which asserts a claim with the Secretary to certain subsurface estate of lands selected under such Act which are in a Wildlife Refuge, to any in lieu surface or subsurface estate. Requires that any such claim must be asserted within 180 days after enactment of this Act. Stipulates that all funds received from certain uses of lands withdrawn for selection by a Corporation shall be deposited in an escrow account until lands selected have been conveyed to the receiving corporation and that such proceeds shall be paid, together with interest accrued, to the appropriate Corporation or individual upon such conveyance. Allows the Secretary, upon the request of a Village Corporation, to waive the requirement of such Act which requires that a Corporation select land in whole sections (and that natural features are to be used as boundaries) where such waiver is justified and appears to be beneficial. States that fire protection of Native land provided by the Department of the Interior shall cover wildland. Makes provisions for the conveyance of real property by a Village Corporation to a shareholder of such Corporation to provide homesites and for the reconveyance of less than 1,280 acres by a Village Corporation to a Municipal Corporation or the State in trust. Directs the Secretary to pay by grant to certified Native Group Corporations an amount not more than $100,000 or less than $50,000 for planning, development, or other authorized purposes. Requires that payments under such Act shall be deposited into the Alaska Native Fund on the first day of the fiscal year for which the monies are appropriated and shall be distributed at the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year. Allows the State or a Native Corporation to relinquish its rights in a valid selection of land which is partly within the boundary of a conservation system unit and to select an equal acreage of other lands which are available for such purpose. Withdraws from further entry all lands located in patented townsites or which are the subject of an application for patent on the date of enactment. Provides for the conveyance of unoccupied townsite lands. Requires the Secretary to act on any pending townsites entry and to issue patent, if appropriate, to the townsite trustee. Directs the Secretary to negotiate with specified Native Corporations for boundaries and prices of certain areas of the Pribilof Islands group to be included in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Lists specified lands of: (1) the Nana/Cook Inlet Regional Corporation, the Ahtna Regional Corporation, and the Bering Straits Regional Corporation to be withdrawn for selection, and (2) the Doyon Regional Corporation to be exchanged for lands relinquished. Requires the Hodzana River area to be managed as a study area by the Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with Doyon, Limited. Lists lands, previously selected by Doyon, Limited, which such corporation may identify in partial satisfaction of its entitlement under such Act. Provides for the settlement of certain claims and litigation to implement such Act under the unique circumstances of the Native Village of Eklutna. Directs the Secretary to convey the surface and subsurface estates of specified lands on Afognak Island to Koniag, Incorporated. Extends for 36 months the Secretary's obligation to convey specified lands to the Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated. Conveys to a Village Corporation found eligible by the Secretary of Interior, the surface estate to public land in its "core" township or townships (towns or townships in which the Native Villages are located). Stipulates that where two or more corporations have claim to the same township, the conveyance is delayed until an arbitration decision or other binding agreement between or among the Corporations is filed with and published by the Secretary. Conveys to a Village Corporation found eligible by the Secretary, the surface estate to certain lands in the "core" township. Conveys the surface and subsurface estate in the former Indian Reserve to certain village Corporations. Excludes the Village Corporation for the Native Village of Klukwan from such conveyances. Conveys the subsurface estate in "core" townships conveyed to Village Corporations, to Regional Corporations to the extent they would otherwise have obtained such subsurface estate pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Permits Native Corporations to utilize an expedited conveyance procedure, and sets forth such procedure. Requires Native Corporations choosing to utilize such procedure to file with the Secretary lists of their conveyance priorities. Sets forth administrative provisions concerning: (1) easements on core township lands, other lands, and acquisition of future easements; (2) status of certain lease offers; (3) extension of the moratorium on State taxation of undeveloped and improved lands; and (4) State selection and conveyances. Approves Alaska Native allotment applications which were pending before the Department of the Interior on December 18, 1971, and which describe land that was unreserved on December 13, 1968, except when provided otherwise by the applicable provisions of this Act. Makes exceptions to such approval for: (1) allotment applications describing land within the boundaries of a conservation system unit established before or by this Act and the described land not withdrawn; (2) allotment applications describing land patented or deeded to the State of Alaska, or land selected by, or tentatively approved or confirmed to the State of Alaska as of December 18, 1971 and not withdrawn; (3) allotment applications where a Native Corporation files a protest stating the applicant is not entitled and the land is withdrawn for selection by the Corporation; (4) allotment applications where the State of Alaska files a protest stating the land in the allotment application is necessary for access to public lands; (5) allotment applications where a person or entity files a protest and the land is a situs of an improvement by that person or entity; and (6) an allotment application that was pending before the Department of the Interior on December 18, 1971, which was knowingly and voluntarily relinquished by the applicant. Sets forth procedures for the Secretary to adjust descriptions of lands in allotment applications to eliminate conflicts. Allows the allotment applicant to amend the land description in the allotment if such description describes land that the applicant did not intend to claim. Directs the Secretary to notify the State and all interested parties of such intended correction and gives parties an opportunity to file a protest. Deems vacant, unappropriated and unreserved land described in an allotment application pending before the Department of the Interior on December 18, 1971, which was at such time withdrawn, reserved, or classified for powersite or power-project purposes unless the described land is included as part of a project under the Federal Power Act or is presently utilized for purposes of transmitting or generating electrical power. Reserves such land to be alloted subject to a right or reentry for a 20-year period after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Secretary to identify and adjudicate any record entry or application for title made under an Act other than the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the Alaska Statehood Act, or the Act of May 17, 1906, prior to issuing a certificate for an allotment subject to this Act. Directs the Secretary to determine whether such entry or application represents a valid existing right. Disallows the affecting of existing rights acquired by actual use of the described lands prior to its withdrawal or classification. Title X: National Need Mineral Activity Recommendation Process - Allows the President to make recommendations to the Congress that mineral exploration, development, or extraction not permitted by this Act or other applicable law shall be permitted 90 days after notice of such recommendation has been published in the Federal Register. Requires that a report containing specified information be submitted to Congress together with such recommendation. Stipulates that any such recommendation shall take effect only upon enactment of a joint resolution within 120 calendar days of continuous session of Congress beginning on the date of receipt by the Senate and House of Representatives of the recommendation. Sets forth Congressional procedures with respect to such Presidential recommendation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to subject nonresident aliens, estates, trusts, partnerships, and foreign corporations to a tax on the gain from the sale or exchange of farm or rural lands situated in the United States. Requires foreign corporations which hold United States farm lands comprising 20 percent of their assets to make reports on such holdings as the Secretary of the Treasury may require.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Department of Education Organization Act of 1979 - Title I: General Provisions - Declares the purposes of this Act to be to: (1) insure that education receives the appropriate emphasis at the Federal levels; (2) coordinate Federal educational programs; (3) supplement and complement the educational efforts of State, local, and tribal governments, as well as the private sector; and (4) protect the rights of State, local, and tribal governments, and public and non-public educational institutions in the areas of educational policies, administration of programs, and selection of curriculums and program content. Title II: Establishment of Department - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education to be headed by a Secretary of Education. Establishes, within such Department, offices of Assistant Secretary for: (1) Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; (2) Postsecondary Education; (3) Elementary and Secondary Education; (4) Occupational, Adult, and Community Education; and (5) Educational Research and Development. Establishes within such Department: (1) a Director of the Office of Civil Rights; (2) two additional Assistant Secretaries; (3) an Inspector General; (4) a General Counsel; and (5) an Administrator of Education for Overseas Dependents. Includes, within the functions of such Department, the administration of programs relating to: (1) elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education; (2) occupational, adult, and community education; (3) grants; (4) special education and rehabilitative services; (5) schools for overseas dependents of the Department of Defense; (6) enforcement of civil rights; (7) educational research; (8) intergovernmental policies; (9) public information; and (10) congressional relations. Establishes, within such Department, Offices of: (1) Civil Rights; (2) Elementary and Secondary Education; (3) Postsecondary Education; (4) Occupational, Adult, and Community Education; (5) Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; (6) Education for Overseas Dependents; (7) Educational Research and Improvement; (8) Inspector General; and (9) General Counsel. Establishes within such Department an Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Education to assure the effective coordination of Federal programs. Establishes a Federal Interagency Committee on Education to assist the Secretary in coordinating the procedures and actions of the Department with other Federal agencies. Title III: Transfers of Agencies and Functions - Transfers to the Department from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW): (1) the Education Division of HEW, including the National Institute of Education; (2) the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Education, including the National Center for Education Statistics; (3) the Institute of Museum Services; (4) any advisory committees primarily concerned with education; and (5) the Office of Information and Resources for Handicapped Individuals; (6) the Rehabilitation Services Administration, except the part of such Administration that administers the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act; (7) the National Institute of Handicapped Research; (8) the Interagency Committee on Handicapped Research; (9) the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults; and (10) the National Council on the Handicapped. Transfers from HEW to the Department of Education educational functions regarding: (1) the General Education Provisions Act; (2) the Emergency School Aid Act; (3) the Higher Education Act of 1965; (4) the Emergency Insured Student Loan Act of 1969; (5) the Act of August 30, 1898; (6) title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (7) certain provisions of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act; (8) the International Education Act of 1966; (9) the National Defense Education Act of 1958; (10) the Education of the Handicapped Act; (11) the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act; (12) the Vocational Education Act of 1963; (13) the Career Education Incentive Act; (14) the Office of Civil Rights; (15) the budgetary oversight of certain educational institutions; (16) certain loans and scholarships for students in the medical and health services under the Public Health Service Act; (17) certain provisions under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (18) the National Institute of Education and the Institute of Museum Services; (19) Gallaudet College, Howard University, the American Printing House for the Blind, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf; and (20) telecommunications grants under the Communications Act of 1934. Transfers to the Department of Education from the Departments of: (1) Defense, the administration and operation of overseas dependents schools; (2) Justice, the student loan and grant programs known as the Law Enforcement and Education Program and the Law Enforcement Intern Program; and (3) Housing and Urban Development, the administration of college housing loans. Transfers to the Department of Education: (1) specified functions of the National Science Foundation; and (2) the Advisory Council on Educational Statistics. Title IV: Administrative Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to appoint and fix the salaries for the Department's employees in accordance with the civil service laws. Allows certain higher level appointments to be made by the Secretary without Civil Service Commission approval if the individual so appointed is transferred to the Department in connection with a transfer of functions under this Act. Stipulates that Congress shall authorize the annual number of personnel for the Department of Education. Establishes guidelines for computing such personnel authorization. Grants rulemaking authority to the Secretary. Requires such rules to be in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act and specified provisions of the General Education Provisions Act. Authorizes the Secretary to (1) employ experts and consultants; (2) enter into contracts with public agencies and private persons and organizations; (3) provide technical advice to participants or potential participants in Departmental programs; (4) maintain, alter, or discontinue field offices; (5) acquire and maintain schools, laboratories, and related facilities; (6) provide and maintain various facilities for employees and their dependents at remote locations; (7) utilize, with their consent, Federal, State, tribal, or foreign facilities; (8) acquire necessary copyrights and patents; (9) accept and utilize gifts and requests of real and personal property; (10) establish a working capital fund for administrative expenses; and (11) transfer funds within the Department. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to the Congress concerning the Department's activities. Stipulates that such report include: (1) a statement of goals and priorities; (2) an assessment of progress; (3) an analysis of data concerning changing trends in education and areas of particular educational concern; (4) five-year budget projections; and (5) recommendations made by the Federal Interagency Committee on Education. Requires that public hearings be held as part of the preparation of such report. Directs that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget jointly conduct a study of the administration of Federal Indian education programs, and that such study be submitted to the Congress and the President within six months of enactment of this Act. Stipulates that such study contain; (1) an analysis of problems and recommendations for improvements; and (2) recommendations concerning the proper organizational structure for Indian education programs within the Federal Government. Provides that, except where inconsistent with provisions of this Act, the General Education Provisions Act shall apply to functions transferred by this Act. Title V: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Redesignates the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Title VI: Effective Date and Interim Appointment - Directs that this Act shall take effect 180 days after the Secretary of Education takes office, or earlier if the President so decides. Authorizes the President to make initial interim appointments to the Department of Education under specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act of 1979 - Requires appropriate State authorities to give full faith and credit to a child custody determination by a court of another State which has jurisdiction and meets specified conditions. Authorizes a State court with jurisdiction to modify a custody determination of another State court which no longer has or has declined to exercise jurisdiction. Amends title IV (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of the Social Security Act to include as a function of the Parent Locator Service the provision of information to authorized persons about any absent parent or child for the enforcement of a child custody determination or with regard to parental kidnapping. Prohibits the intentional restraint of a child in violation of any other person's right of custody or visitation arising from a State custody determination. Specifies (1) the jurisdictional basis for such offense, including the willful transportation of a child in interstate commerce, and (2) Federal investigation procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Agricultural Foreign Investment Control Act of 1979 - Prohibits the acquisition of any interest in United States agricultural land by any foreign person without a permit granted by the Secretary of Agriculture. Permits the Secretary to grant such a permit only after he determines that: (1) the foreign person (and each person holding a significant interest in it) holds or controls no other interest in United States agricultural land; (2) the land involved is no larger than a family farm unit; (3) all foreign persons holding or controlling interests in such land will, with the proposed acquisition, together hold or control less than a 50 percent share in its beneficial ownership and control; and (4) the acquisition will not increase the amount of foreign ownership or control of agricultural land in the county to a level incompatible with the best interests of the people of such county. Authorizes the Secretary to waive these requirements, on a case-by-case basis, if he determines that an acquisition is in the best interests of the people of the United States. Prohibits the sale of an interest in United States agricultural land to any foreign person without a permit. Prescribes a civil penalty for the violation of any provision of this Act or of any regulations promulgated by the Secretary to implement it.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Establishes a National Agricultural Cost of Production Board to review and advise the Secretary of Agriculture concerning the adequacy and accuracy of the cost-of-production formulas used by the Department of Agriculture in connection with the administration of its price support programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Small Business Depreciation Reform Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the straight line depreciation based on a period of 36 months of business property with a useful life of three years or more and a basis not in excess of $25,000.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to raise the price support levels for milk, wheat, corn, soybeans, and cotton to 90 percent of their respective parity prices. Reduces the price levels at which producers participating in the wheat and feed grains storage program: (1) may redeem and market commodities securing price support loans (from between 140 and 160 percent of their respective parity prices to 100 percent); and (2) must repay such loans (from 175 to 110 percent of their respective parity prices).
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Regulatory Procedures Improvements Act of 1979 - Directs each Federal agency to publish an explanation of the need of each proposed, significant rule at least 30 days before publication of the general notice of the rule in the Federal Register. Requires each agency to include in the general notices: (1) a justification of the utilization of a design standard rather than a performance standard in a rule; (2) an evaluation of the paperwork requirements to be imposed on the public by such rule; (3) the effects of the rule or national and international competition; and (4) a summary of the regulatory analysis of the rule. Directs each agency to prepare for each significant rule a regulatory analysis which: (1) describes the major alternatives to the rule which address the matter with which the rule is concerned; (2) describes the economic impact on the private sector and State and local governments of each alternative method considered; (3) analyzes the costs to the Federal Government of monitoring compliance with each alternative; and (4) includes a justification of the selection of the final rule. Directs the agency to revise such analysis to reflect any modifications in the proposed rule and to describe the public comments which were or were not incorporated into the final rule. Requires each agency to make such analysis available to the public. Requires each agency to report to Congress annually on the regulatory activities of the agency during the current fiscal year, the planned activities for the succeeding year, and the cost-effectiveness of agency rules in effect during the fiscal year ending three years prior to the reporting year. Requires each agency to report to Congress every three years on the paperwork requirements of the agency. Requires each agency to set an expiration date for each rule promulgated after enactment of this Act. Declares that each such rule shall expire within five years of its effective date, and each existing rule shall expire within seven years of the enactment date, unless repromulgated by the agency. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress within three years on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual and corporate taxpayers to elect to treat certain reforestation expenditures as not chargeable to capital account in order to qualify them as an income tax deduction, limited to $10,000 annually. Denies such deduction for any amount reimbursed under specified Federal reforestation and timber stand improvement cost sharing programs. Establishes in the United States Treasury a Reforestation Trust Fund, whose moneys shall be paid to the Secretary of Agriculture in order to meet obligations incurred in eliminating and preventing a backlog in the reforestation of the National Forest System, but only to the extent such obligations exceed amounts appropriated under any other provision of law. Authorizes the annual appropriation of not to exceed $30,000,000 for such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and physical examinations, and related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the income tax deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Directs the President to estimate the level of Federal receipts for the ensuing fiscal year at the beginning of each regular session of Congress. Prohibits the Congress from authorizing outlays which exceed such estimate during the ensuing fiscal year. States that beginning with the fifth fiscal year after the effective date of this amendment, and for each of the succeeding 20 fiscal years, five percent of the receipts of the Government shall be available only to reduce the public debt. Authorizes suspension of such requirements for one year in time of war or grave national emergency upon the concurrence of three-fourths of the Members of both Houses of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
National Ski Patrol System Recognition Act of 1979 - Grants a Federal charter to the National Ski Patrol System. Declares that the purpose of such corporation shall be to promote public safety in skiing.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Sunset Act of 1979 - Title I: Reauthorizations of Government Programs - Sets forth a ten-year schedule for reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 1979. Sets forth the procedure in the House of Representatives and the Senate for the consideration of any bill, resolution, or amendment which authorizes new budget authority. States that it is not in order for either House to consider any legislation which authorizes the enactment of new budget authority for a program for a period of more than ten years, for an indefinite period, or for any fiscal year beginning after the next reauthorization date applicable to such program. Provides that before the Congress can appropriate funds for any program, after its first reauthorization date, there must be a specific authorization in law to support the appropriation. Requires the committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct a sunset review of programs during the Congress in which such programs are scheduled for review. Requires that the report accompanying such reauthorization contain specified information, and that the report be completed during the Congress in which the program is scheduled for reauthorization. Exempts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as interest on Federal debts, health care services, general retirement and disability payments, as well as litigation activities which have as their objectives the protection and implementation of civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and specified retirement pay and benefits. Allows the reauthorization schedule set forth in this Act to be changed by concurrent resolution of the two Houses of Congress and sets forth the procedure for such change. Requires all legislation and other matters related to changes in the dates for programs under this Act to be referred to the committee with legislative jurisdiction over any program affected by the proposal and, sequentially, to the Committee on Rules in the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Rules and Administration in the Senate. Requires such committees to report any concurrent resolution or bill referred to it by a committee of legislative jurisdiction within 30 days, with a statement on each of its recommendations. Makes provisions for any proposed change which has been reported by a committee before June 1, 1980. Title II: Program Inventory - Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs. Declares that the purpose of such program inventory is to advise and assist Congress in carrying out the reauthorization and reexamination requirements and to link such reauthorization and review process with the budget process. Requires the Comptroller General to submit such program inventory to each House of Congress no later than January 1, 1980. Sets forth the contents of the inventory program, including the type of authorization provided for such programs' new budget authority, and the manner in which related program areas may be grouped for evaluation and review. Permits the congressional committees, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service to review the program inventory and suggest revisions. Requires that the program inventory be revised at the end of each session of Congress, and that such revisions be reported to each House. Requires that periodic reports tabulate the progress of congressional action on bills and resolutions authorizing budget authority for programs in the inventory. Requires the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to submit periodic reports to the Congress on the adequacy of the functional and subfunctional categories for grouping programs of like missions or objectives. Title III: Program Reexamination - Requires each committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to reexamine selected programs or groups of programs over which it has jurisdiction. Sets forth procedures for such review, and criteria for selection of program areas for evaluation. Directs each Senate committee to consult with the appropriate committees of either the House of Representatives or the Senate in order to achieve coordination of program reevaluation and inform itself of the related activities of or available assistance from the General Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the Congressional Research Service, the Office of Technology Assessment, and appropriate instrumentalities in the executive and judicial branches. Requires each Senate committee to deliver a report on the reexamination to the Secretary of the Senate at the date specified in the funding resolution first reported by such committee in 1981, and thereafter reported for the first session of each Congress. Allows two or more committees which have legislative jurisdiction over the same programs or portions of the same programs to examine such programs jointly and submit a joint report. Stipulates that such report: (1) contain the findings, recommendations, and justifications of the program; and (2) include specified information including, but not limited to, an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the program and an identification of any trends, developments, and emerging conditions which are likely to affect the nature and extent of the problems or needs which the program is intended to address. Requires each executive department or agency which is responsible for a program selected for reexamination to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget and to the appropriate committees of the Congress on its findings, recommendations, and justifications of specified aspects of the program. Title IV: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes, as an independent instrumentality of the United States, the Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to conduct a nonpartisan study and investigation of the organization and methods of operation of all departments, agencies, independent instrumentalities, and other authorities of the executive branch of the Government, and to make such recommendations as it determines are necessary to promote economic, efficient and improved services in the transaction of public business. Requires the Commission to submit interim reports to the President and the Congress, and to submit a final report with its findings and recommendations. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report on the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Specifies the composition of the 15-member Commission and sets forth the duties and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall cease to exist 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated until September 30, 1984, without fiscal year limitations, $4,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Title. Title V: Regulatory Impact - Requires the President to submit, at the beginning of each of the five Congresses beginning with the 97th Congress, an analysis of the purpose, function, and efficiency of 16 specified regulatory agencies. Requires the President to submit legislative plans, based on such analyses, for the improvement of operations of such agencies. Establishes a schedule according to which plans for specified agencies will be submitted early in each of the five Congresses for which the required analyses are submitted. Directs the President, with each plan, to submit a report on the cumulative impact of government regulatory activity on specific industry groupings. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to assess each of the agencies included in the President's plans and to analyze such plans, and submit such information to the Congress. Title VI: Government Accountability - Requires the President, beginning with the first year of the 97th Congress, to submit biennially, as a part of the budget, a report on the management of the executive branch. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to provide an evaluative report on Federal programs to the President to be included with the President's report. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to permit the committees of Congress to obtain from the agencies of the government estimates or requests for appropriations or requests for increases in an item of any such estimate or request, and recommendations as to how the revenue needs of the government should be met. Declares that nothing shall require the public disclosure of records which are specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order, or which are otherwise specifically protected by law. Provides that the committees of the Senate or the House of Representatives shall not be required to publicly disclose any such records, except as otherwise provided by the rules of either House. Sets forth administrative procedures and requirements. Directs the President, with the cooperation of the head of each appropriate agency, to submit to the Congress a "Regulatory Duplication and Conflicts Report" for all programs scheduled for reauthorization in the next Congress. Stipulates that each such report identify duplicative or conflicting rules and regulations promulgated by executive departments, independent agencies, and State and local governments and contain recommendations which address such conflicts or duplications. Defines the term "required authorization waiver resolution" for purposes of this Act. Sets forth the procedure which the chairman of the committee of the Senate or the House of Representatives having legislative jurisdiction over programs must follow in order to introduce a required authorization waiver resolution. Makes it the duty of the Committees on Governmental Affairs and on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committees on Government Operations and on Rules of the House of Representatives to review the operation of the procedures established by this Act and to submit a report every five years beginning December 31, 1986. Authorizes to be appropriated through fiscal year 1990 such sums as may be necessary to carry out the review requirements and for the compilation of the inventory of Federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the President to review Government revenues and expenditures at specified times and to determine a surtax rate when expenditures exceed revenues to insure that receipts will equal outlays. Authorizes a suspension of such measures in the case of a grave national emergency declared by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1978
Deplores and condemns the activity of Syrian forces in Lebanon. Appeals to Syria to cease persecuting the Lebanese Christians. Appeals to all countries to assist in bringing the Palestinian violence to an end. Urges the Attorney General to allow the emergency immigration of refugees from Lebanon.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1978
Space Policy Act - Establishes a national space policy and program to enable the United States to maintain leadership in space science and technology. Declares such policy, including that the United States: (1) is committed to space exploration for peaceful purposes and the benefit of mankind; (2) rejects claims of sovereignty over outer space and celestial bodies; and (3) will continue to participate in cooperative international space activities. Directs the President to assure the space program proceeds toward enumerated goals in space and terrestrial application and in space science. Details the goals to be achieved within ten years, including: (1) design of prototype electric power generation transmission systems; (2) design of space technologies determining the feasibility of space-based manufacturing; (3) establishment of a remote-sensing system of earth's resources; and (4) the pursuit of planetary and lunar science and exploration. Requires the President to submit to Congress a five-year schedule, with annual revisions, identifying missions, projects, and programs to achieve the objectives of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1978
Amends the Miller Act which requires performance bonds on specified Federal construction contracts by increasing the dollar amount of contracts to which such Act applies from $2,000 to $25,000.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1978
Expresses the support of the Senate for the nomination of the Public Groups to Promote Observance of the Helsinki Agreement in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1978
Establishes a National Agricultural Cost of Production Board to review, and advise the Secretary of Agriculture concerning, the adequacy and accuracy of the cost-of-production formulas used by the Department of Agriculture in connection with the administration of its price support programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1978
Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Act - Amends the Small Business Act to revise procedures of the Small Business Administration (SBA) governing financial aid for projects providing technical or management assistance to small business concerns. Expands firms eligible for such assistance to include those under the SBA Federal procurement c contracting program. Establishes an advisory committee to facilitate the achievement of the SBA's programs: (1) to encourage placement of subcontracts by private business with small business concerns located in areas of high concentration of unemployed or low-income individuals, with small businesses owned by low-income individuals, and small businesses eligible to receive Federal procurement contracts; and (2) to provide incentives to such businesses to aid in the training of potential subcontractors. Requires the General Accounting Office (GAO) to evaluate SBA activities in such areas. Requires that GAO (previously SBA) evaluate the managerial assistance and other minority business development programs provided by SBA. Establishes within the SBA a Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program to provide assistance exclusively to small businesses eligible to receive contracts under the Federal procurement contracting program. Details the nature of the development program, including provision of assistance in financial counseling, accounting, performance monitoring, and procuring of surety bonds. Prohibits small business concerns from receiving procurement contracts unless the program is able to provide such management, technical and financial services as necessary to promote the competitive viability of the concern within a reasonable period of time.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Expresses the concern of the Senate regarding the slaughter of dolphins in the Sea of Japan by Japanese fishermen. Encourages the Government of Japan to join in international discussions to cooperate in the establishment of an international cetacean commission, and to adopt comprehensive marine mammal protection legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Amends the Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act of 1966 to redesignate title II of the Act as the National Sea Grant College Program. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of the Program for fiscal years 1979 and 1980. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to accept funds from Federal departments and agencies to pay for certain contracts and grants relating to the Program. Amends the Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of 1976 to authorize appropriations to carry out the purposes of the Act during fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1978
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to include specified textiles and textile products in the articles reserved from tariff reduction or elimination negotiations by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Declares that certain proposed regulations of the Department of the Treasury regarding centralized firearms sales recordkeeping and other firearms control measures exceed the Department's authority, and directs that the regulations be withdrawn.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Public Telecommunications Financing Act - Title I: Construction and Planning of Facilities - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish new procedures for the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities. Sets forth new requirements for the application to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for construction grants. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, upon approving an application with respect to any project for the construction of public telecommunications facilities, to make a grant of up to 75 percent of the cost of such project. Authorizes the Secretary to provide such funds as the Secretary deems necessary for the planning of such projects. Provides for the repayment of such grants if the recipient station ceases to be used for public radio or television purposes. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, to establish criteria for making construction and planning grants. Requires the Secretary to develop a long-range plan to: (1) extend delivery or public telecommunications services to as many citizens of the United States as possible; (2) increase public telecommunications services and facilities available to and owned by minorities and women; and (3) strengthen the capability of existing public television and radio stations to provide educational and cultural services to the public. Title II: Telecommunications Demonstrations - Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1979 to be available to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare for disbursement as grants for demonstration projects in the improvement of public telecommunications services. Title III: Corporation for Public Broadcasting - Authorizes appropriations to the Public Broadcasting Fund for fiscal years 1978 through 1983. Requires the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to develop a system to be used by all public broadcast licensees receiving funds under this Act to account for all funds received and expended for public broadcasting purposes. Requires equal opportunity in employment to be afforded to all qualified persons by all public telecommunications entities receiving funds under this Act. Title IV: General Provisions - Defines terms used in this Act and amends existing definitions to conform to the amendments made by this Act to the Communications Act of 1934.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to permit foreign embassies to operate fixed and mobile radio facilities at or near the site of the embassy or legation to the distance of 50 kilometers when the foreign government establishing such facilities has provided reciprocal privileges to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968 to establish a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in Social and Political Thought at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Institution. Establishes the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Trust Fund in the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Amends the Reservoir Salvage Act of 1960, as amended, to authorize appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior for fiscal years 1979-1983 for administration, investigation, and salvage operations of the program providing for recovery, protection, and preservation of significant scientific, prehistorical, historical, or archeological data which may be lost through federally regulated, permitted, or licensed construction projects.
![Official portrait of Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000725_200.jpg)