United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from taking any action under the Wholesome Meat Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or any other law to prohibit the sale, distribution, or use of nitrites as a food preservative solely on the basis of any carcinogenic effect in humans that nitrites may be represented to have, unless validated evidence is made available to the Secretaries which proves clearly and convincingly that nitrites as a food preservative have a significant carcinogenic effect on humans. States that such prohibition shall not apply if the Secretaries determine that a food preservative is commercially available: (1) which has essentially the same effect on meat products as nitrites; (2) which is effective in the protection of public health from botulism and other forms of food poisoning; and (3) will not impose an unreasonable economic burden on consumers or meat processors. Requires the Secretaries to conduct or support (by grant or contract) research and development activities for a food preservative alternative to nitrites.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Export Administration Act of 1979 - Authorizes the President to prohibit or curtail the export of goods and technology to the extent necessary. Stipulates that U.S. policy concerning the administration of export controls for national security purposes shall not be based exclusively on a country's Communist or non-Communist status, but shall take into account various factors. Directs the President to review annually U.S. policy towards individual countries and to report the results to Congress. Authorizes export controls on goods and technology which would make a significant contribution to the military potential of any nation threatening U.S. national security. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to review such controls annually to insure that export controls are limited to militarily critical goods and technologies. Sets forth the factors to be taken into consideration by the President before imposing export controls. Requires the President to report to Congress concerning the imposition or extension of export controls. Prohibits export controls of goods and technology available outside the United States, unless the absence of such controls would be detrimental to U.S. foreign policy or national security. Directs the President to take steps to negotiate with the appropriate foreign countries to eliminate such availability. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to reorganize the Department of Commerce as necessary. Requires the Secretary to maintain and review a list of goods and technology subject to export controls. Requires the Secretary to establish an Office of Foreign Product and Technology Assessment to gather information on the foreign availability of such goods. Requires the Secretary to keep the public informed of export control policy and procedures. Directs the Secretary to establish validated, qualified general, and general licenses. Sets forth procedures for export license applications. Establishes an Export Administration Board and an Export Administration Review Council composed of the Secretaries of Commerce, Defense, and State and their designated representatives to review export license applications. Provides for review of proposed exports by the appropriate department or agency. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to monitor the export of goods which may contribute to an increase in domestic prices or a domestic shortage. Authorizes the President to impose export license fees in order to protect the domestic economy. Prohibits the exporting of domestically produced crude oil unless specified requirements are met. Prohibits controlling the exports of agricultural commodities without the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture. Directs the President to prohibit compliance with or support of any foreign boycott against a country which is friendly to the United States, with specified exceptions. Requires people receiving a request for compliance with such a boycott to report such request to the Secretary of Commerce. Permits domestic manufacturers or business operators to petition the Secretary of Commerce for an exemption from export controls to alleviate any unique hardship. Sets forth the procedure for such petitions. Directs departments and agencies making determinations as to export controls to consult and cooperate with other departments. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint technical advisory committees to assist in evaluating certain goods and technology which are subject to export controls because of their significance to U.S. national security. Provides criminal and civil penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes the head of any department or agency exercising any function under this Act or the Export Control Act of 1949 to make such investigations as are necessary. Prohibits the disclosure of confidential information. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to review and report to Congress concerning the simplification of rules and regulations issued under this Act. Exempts this Act from specified provisions concerning administrative procedure and judicial review. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report annually to Congress concerning the administration of this Act. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1980. Stipulates that this Act shall become effective on the expiration of the Export Administration Act of 1969. Provides for the continuation of rules and other administrative action under such Act to remain effective.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Employment Tax Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify standards for determining whether certain individuals qualify as independent contractors for purposes of social security taxation. Treats an individual as an independent contractor if such individual: (1) controls the total number of his work hours; (2) does not maintain a principal place of business, or if he does, such place of business is not provided, or provided rent-free, by the person for whom such individual performs services; (3) has substantial investment in his business and earns income based upon sales or output rather than upon number of hours worked; and (4) performs services pursuant to a written contract and is provided written notice of his responsibility with respect to income and self-employment taxes. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for service performed by an individual who qualifies as an independent contractor under the standards established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1979
Amends the Health Programs Extension Act of 1973 to prohibit any entity which receives financial assistance under the Public Health Service Act, the Community Mental Health Centers Act, or the Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act from discriminating against any applicant for training or study because of such applicant's reluctance or unwillingness to counsel, assist, or in any way participate in the performance of abortions or sterilizations contrary to his or her religious beliefs or moral convictions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1979
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977 to provide that the provisions of such Act shall not apply to stone mining or sand and gravel mining operations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow income, estate, and gift tax deductions for charitable contributions for the construction or maintenance of buildings to house tax-exempt fraternal organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Soft Drink Interbrand Competition Act - 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 law provided such product is in substantial and effective competition with other products for the same general class in the relevant market or markets. Prohibits recovery in private actions under the Clayton Act based on territorial provisions in a trademark licensing agreement prior to a final determination that such provisions are unlawful.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1979
Declares the sense of Congress that the President shall take steps to: (1) call upon the Soviet Union to permit the resurrection of the Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic Churches; (2) contact the officials of the Soviet Union to secure freedom of worship in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe; and (3) raise the question of Stalin's liquidation of such churches with national and international religious councils.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1979
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to exempt from pre-slaughter animal examination and post mortem carcass inspection requirements all meat food products processed by a federally inspected establishment and derived from meat which has been slaughtered or processed at a State-inspected establishment in a State whose meat inspection requirements have been determined by the Secretary to be at least equal to the Federal requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Modifies the flood control project for Davenport, Iowa, to authorize the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to take measures to preserve Nahant Marsh.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1979
Equal Employment Opportunity for the Handicapped Act of 1979 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include discrimination of the handicapped as an unlawful employment practice. Permits such discrimination pursuant to a bona fide seniority or merit system or as a bona fide occupational qualification. Authorizes courts to order the hiring or reinstatement or paying of back pay to anyone discriminated against on the basis of their handicap. Prohibits discrimination in Federal employment of the handicapped. Authorizes civil actions for such discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week beginning with the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1979
Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that in any governmental reorganization, the Department of Agriculture should not be changed in any way that would diminish its ability to perform any of its vital functions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain married individuals, who do not file a single joint return with their spouses, to elect the same tax rates currently applicable to unmarried individuals (other than surviving spouses and heads of households), without regard to any community property laws. Entitles any married individual making such an election to claim the income tax credit for dependent care services paid for under specified circumstances, even though such individual did not contribute over half of the support of the dependent concerned.
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
Title I: Nurse Training - Nurse Training Amendments of 1979 - Amends title VIII of the Public Health Service Act to extend the assistance program for nurse training and students, generally at reduced levels of authorization through fiscal year 1980. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to: (1) arrange for the conduct of a study, either with the National Academy of Sciences (if such body agrees) or with another public or nonprofit private entity (if the Academy declines), to determine the need to continue a specific Federal assistance program for nursing education, taking into account specified factors; and (2) report to Congress on such study by January 15, 1980. Title II: Other Health Professions Programs - Amends title VII of the Public Health Service Act (Health Research and Teaching Facilities and Training of Professional Health Personnel) to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to increase the ceiling on federally insured loans in any academic year to a medical student in a school of medicine, osteopathy, or dentistry from $10,000 to $15,000 upon a determination that educational costs require such increase. Increases the aggregate insured unpaid principal amount for all such insured loans made to any such borrower from $50,000 to $60,000. Authorizes the Secretary to defer the date used with respect to service requirements for National Health Service Corps scholarships for students of medicine, osteopathy, or dentistry for a period longer than the current three-year limit for such deferment. Exempts a medical or osteopathic school participating in an area health education center program from the requirement that such school conduct a program for training physician assistants or nurse practitioners which emphasizes enrolling individuals from the area served by the center of the program, if another school participating in the same program meets such requirement. Increases from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 the sums which may be obligated for schools of medicine and other types of health care which are financially distressed or unaccredited, from the total authorizations for start-up assistance, financial distress training, and curriculum development of medical schools. Amends the Health Professions Educational Assistance Act of 1976 to extend authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for certain area health education programs which are funded under the Public Health Service Act prior to October 12, 1976.
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 · 23 January 1979
Amends the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to provide that a declaration of a state of emergency is effective as of the date on which the emergency or major disaster commenced.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1976 which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property's basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Makes the term "person", with respect to due process and equal protection, applicable to human beings irrespective of age, health, function or condition of dependency, including the unborn. Prohibits the deprivation of life of an unborn person, except under laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Reduces the annuities payable to a surviving spouse over age 62 pursuant to the armed forces Survivor Benefit Plan by an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount received under title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act where such benefits were calculated on the basis of the deceased's service in the uniformed services and calculated assuming that the deceased lived to age 65. Entitles certain individuals who were widowed on or before September 20, 1972, and who are not covered by the Survivor Benefit Plan, to an annuity. Directs that any individual who is entitled to retired or retainer pay and who did not elect to participate in the Survivor Benefit Plan may do so within 270 days after the effective date of this Act while continuing to participate in the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Regulatory Reduction and Congressional Control Act - Requires each Federal agency upon publication of each proposed and final rule to prepare, publish, and submit to Congress and the Comptroller General: (1) a statement of the need of the rule; and (2) a preliminary analysis of the economic impact of the rule. Requires, with respect to proposed major and final rules, as such rules are defined in this Act: (1) an economic impact statement disclosing the costs and benefits expected to result from the rule; (2) estimates of the paperwork requirements imposed by the rule; (3) estimates of the effects of the rule on the operation, workload, and efficiency of the Federal courts; and (4) an index of all other rules pertaining to the same subject matter. Makes it the responsibility of the Administrator of General Services to enforce prompt publication of such material. Authorizes the appropriate committees of Congress to review any such rule to determine whether it is economical and consistent with existing law and congressional intent. States that any such rule shall not become effective if it is disapproved within 60 days by one House of Congress and no action is taken on the disapproval resolution by the other House. Provides that either House of Congress may, by resolution, require any agency to reconsider and resubmit any rule to which this Act applies. Requires that such proposed rule be repromulgated anew in accordance with all the provisions of this Act unless it is reconsidered and resubmitted to Congress within 210 days after the adoption of the resolution requiring such reconsideration. Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) determine whether benefits of each rule exceed the costs; (2) determine the accuracy of each economic impact statement; (3) report its findings to Congress; and (4) develop, in conjunction with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the methods of preparing the preliminary analysis and economic impact statement. Requires each agency to transmit to Congress an annual report of the total costs of the public of complying with that agency's rules.
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
Tax Reduction Act of 1979 - Title I: Individual Tax Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the income tax rates for individuals for the taxable years 1980 through 1982. Title II: Inflation Adjustment - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, not later than December 15 of each calendar year beginning in 1982, to prescribe individual income tax rate tables: (1) by increasing the maximum dollar amount on which no tax is imposed under each table, and the minimum and maximum dollar amounts for each rate bracket for which a tax is imposed, by the cost-of-living adjustment for such year; (2) by not changing the rate applicable to any rate bracket as adjusted; and (3) by adjusting the amounts setting forth the tax to the extent necessary to reflect the adjustments in the rate brackets. Declares the cost-of-living adjustment for any calendar year as the percentage by which the Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for the preceding calendar year exceeds the Consumer Price Index for calendar 1981. Requires cost-of-living adjustments in zero bracket amounts, exemptions and withholding taxes. Sets the minimum gross income for which an income tax return is required from certain individuals at an amount less than the sum of the exemption plus the applicable zero bracket amount.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Repeals the Davis-Bacon Act, which requires the rate of wages for workers employed on Federal public buildings by contractors and subcontractors to be based upon the prevailing wages for corresponding classes of workers employed on similar projects in the same area.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Meat Import Act of 1979 - Limits the maximum aggregate quantity of specified meat articles which may be entered, or withdrawn from warehouses, for consumption in the customs territory of the United States in any calendar year after 1978 to 1,204,600,000 pounds, adjustable according to a specified formula. Excludes from the domestic commercial production factor in such formula the carcass weight of live cattle specified in certain Tariff Schedules. Requires a further adjustment of such annual aggregate quantity by multiplying it by a ratio of: (1) the average annual per capita production of domestic cow beef during a calendar year (as estimated) and the four preceding calendar years; to (2) the average annual per capita production of domestic cow beef in the calendar year (as estimated) and the preceding calendar year. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, for each calendar year after 1978, to estimate and publish the aggregate quantity of meat articles prescribed for such year as well as the quantity that would be entered into the United States but for the limitations. Directs the President to limit by proclamation, upon giving 30 days notice in the Federal Register, the total quantity of meat articles entered into the United States, whenever such quantity equals or exceeds 110 percent of the Secretary's estimate; but prohibits any limitation below 1,200,000,000 pounds. Requires the termination of any limitation as of the first day of a calendar quarter, under most circumstances, if before such quarter the aggregate quantity is less than 110 percent of the Secretary's estimate. Permits the President, upon giving 30 days notice in the Federal Register, to suspend any proclamation or increase any amount proclaimed as required by the preceding provision if: (1) require, economic or national security interests; (2) supplies are inadequate to meet domestic demand at reasonable prices; or (3) trade agreements ensure the execution of the policy. Prohibits the President from increasing the total quantity of meat imports if the above ratio is less than 1.0 unless: (1) a period of national emergency is declared or (2) supplies are inadequate because of a natural disaster to meet demand at reasonable prices. Prohibits such suspension or increase from extending beyond the termination of the national emergency. Requires the Secretary to allocate the entry quota of meat articles proclaimed by the President among supplying countries on the basis of their respective shares of the United States market for meat articles during the representative period, taking into account any special factors. Directs the Secretary to study the regional economic impact of imports of meat articles and report any recommendations to the appropriate committees of Congress by December 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Repeals the Credit Control Act which authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to regulate the interest rate and the volume of credit transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Tax Equalization Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require annual cost-of-living adjustments to personal income tax brackets and the personal exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Spending Limitation Act - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to limit the total Federal outlays agreed to in the second or any further concurrent resolution on the Budget to the following percentages of the gross national product: 21 percent in fiscal year 1980; 20 percent in fiscal year 1981; 19 percent in fiscal year 1982; and 18 percent in the fiscal year 1983. Authorizes the Congress to waive such limitations by a two-thirds vote of each House.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Federal Reserve Act to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to require the delivery of all gold coins, gold bullion, and gold certificates held in the private sector to the Treasurer of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress to pass any concurrent resolution on the budget which carries a deficit.
![Official portrait of Sen. Jepsen, Roger W. [R-IA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000101_200.jpg)