United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1980
Deplores the Soviet violations with respect to Afghanistan. Joins calls for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. Supports the imposition of penalties on the Soviet Union for its aggression. Urges continued action to draw attention to the Soviet violations and to prevent further Soviet incursions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a certain portion of royalty owner oil production from the windfall profit tax. Limits the amount so exempted per quarter to ten barrels per day. Requires proportionate allocation of any production in excess of ten barrels per day between tier 1 oil, tier 2, and tier 3 oil, and within any tier on the basis of removal prices. Requires allocation of the ten barrel amount among royalty owners who are members of the same related group.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the domestic automotive and truck industry. Declares it to be a goal of the United States to achieve technological superiority in the world automobile and truck industry. Advocates changes in economic, fiscal, and import policies in order to create adequate capital and produce a more favorable climate for the domestic automobile and truck industry.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1980
Designates October 19, 1981, as a Day of National Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the victory of General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1980
Urban Jobs and Enterprise Zone Act of 1980 - Title I: Designation of Private Jobs and Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of private jobs and enterprise zones, for a ten-year period, by local governments, or by State governments on behalf of local governments subject to the approval of the Secretary of Commerce, for purposes of extending the tax incentives provided by title II of this Act to employers and employees within designated zones. Specifies that the Secretary may only approve the designation of such zones if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the designating local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000, or is an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires designating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's approval, to effect a permanent real property tax reduction in their respective jurisdictions, which is not less than 20 percent of the current effective rate. Requires any such property tax reduction to be disregarded for the purpose of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. Expresses the sense of the Congress that in the case of any application for designation of an area in a private jobs and enterprise zone as a foreign trade zone: (1) the Foreign-Trade Zone Board should expedite the application process; (2) the Board, in evaluating such application, should consider not only the current economic conditions within the zone, but also future development to be expected as a result of the incentives provided by this Act; and (3) the Board should provide technical assistance to the applicants. Title II: Tax Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce social security payroll taxes in designated private jobs and enterprise zones. States that such tax rate reductions shall not affect an individual's eligibility for social security benefits. Appropriates to the Federal Disability and Hospital Insurance Trust Funds general revenue amounts equivalent to the amount by which such taxes are reduced. Reduces the rate of tax on the capital gains of individuals and corporations in such zones. Exempts gain from the sale or exchange of property used in a business in a private jobs and enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Reduces the rate of tax on the income to corporations whose workforce comprises at least 50 percent of individuals working in a private jobs and enterprise zone (qualifying businesses). Authorizes accelerated depreciation for qualifying businesses (straight line method based on a three year useful life). Limits the basis for depreciation to $500,000. Allows a full investment tax credit for such property despite election of such accelerated depreciation. Permits qualifying businesses to elect to use a cash method of accounting if their gross receipts do not exceed $1,500,000 in any prior taxable year. Allows a ten year carryover of net operating losses for qualifying businesses. Title III: Effective Date - Specifies effective dates for provisions of this Act which apply to income tax, provisions which apply to social security payroll taxes, and provisions which apply to tax procedure and administration.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President instruct the Attorney General to prosecute all persons who violate the Logan Act and the executive order prohibiting travel to Iran, thereby giving color of right to illegal actions by the Government of Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President instruct the Attorney General to prosecute all persons who violate the Logan Act, thereby giving color of right to illegal actions by the Government of Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to dispose of specified lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management in Clark and Washoe Counties, Nevada. Requires the Secretary and the affected local governmental jurisdictions to jointly develop regulations and select lands to be offered for sale. Sets forth the formula for allocating the revenues from such sales to the Treasury of the United States, the State of Nevada, and to the county or municipality within the boundaries of which such land sale occurred. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire specified unimproved lands to be administered as part of the United States Forest System or, if unsuitable for administration as such, to be transferred to a unit of State or local government with specified restrictions. Permits the acquisition of specified portions of the Lake Tahoe Basin if such lands are being used, or a threat exists that they will be used, in a manner detrimental to the environmental quality of the Basin. Prohibits the acquisition of any detached single-family residential dwelling being used as such. Permits the owners of any improved property which contains a detached single family residential dwelling acquired by the Secretary to retain a right of use and occupancy for noncommercial residential purposes for a specified period. Requires the Secretary to pay to the owner the full market value of the rights acquired. Authorizes appropriations from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for fiscal years 1981 and 1982 to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes additional appropriations in an amount equal to the amount of revenue obtained from the sale of federally-owned lands in Clark and Washoe Counties, Nevada.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1980
Trade Procedures Simplification Act of 1980 - Requires the Attorney General, in consultation with other Federal agency heads, to determine whether: (1) U.S. business conduct and arrangements to expand exports in various countries conflict with basic antitrust principles; and (2) a more liberal enforcement policy for overseas activities would impede implementation of the antitrust laws. Directs the Attorney General to identify conduct and arrangements associated with particular types of export sales which the Attorney General determines would not warrant prosecution under the antitrust laws. Sets forth the procedures for describing such permissible conduct and disclosing such descriptions. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to intervene in such suits and to provide legal assistance to exporters. Prohibits prosecution under the antitrust laws of exporters who: (1) have notified the Attorney General of their intention to engage in such designated permissible conduct; or (2) receive an approval, or no objection, from the Attorney General concerning proposed transactions. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Commerce to report to Congress concerning implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the payment of disability insurance benefits to: (1) any individual for any month during which such individual is an inmate of a penal institution after being convicted of a crime or a facility for the criminally insane or other psychiatric facility after having been found (a) not guilty of a crime by reason of insanity or (b) mentally incompetent to stand trial; and (2) any individual otherwise entitled to benefits on the basis of the wages and income of such inmate for the same period.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1980
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the enactment of a withholding tax on interest and dividend payments would be detrimental to the economic well-being of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1980
Extends the condolences of the Senate to the families of the eight American servicemen who lost their lives during the mission to rescue the hostages in Iran. Declares the sense of the Senate that the President order the American flag to be flown at half-mast on all government grounds from May 4 through May 11, 1980, as a mark of respect for such servicemen.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1980
Amends title VI of the Ethics in Government Act (Special Prosecutor) to require the Attorney General to notify the congressional judiciary committees whenever: (1) an investigation of Government officials is initiated; (2) notification is made to the court that no further investigation is warranted; or (3) a special prosecutor has been appointed. Permits a committee to disclose the notification that no further investigation is warranted upon a determination that any individual's right will not be prejudiced. Prohibits the court from appointing as a special prosecutor any person involved in any Federal investigation or civil or criminal proceeding (except as counsel in such matter).
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1980
Grants a Federal charter to the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II. Declares that the purpose of such corporation is to establish memorials to those who served aboard United States submarines and gave their lives during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
Veterans' Education Assistance Act of 1980 - Establishes a Peacetime Veterans' Educational Assistance Program for persons who enter military service after September 30, 1980, and serve on active duty for a period of two years or more, or are discharged or released from such duty for a service-connected disability. Entitles eligible veterans to 36 months of educational assistance under such program. Makes such veterans eligible to participate in the Predischarge Education Program and eligible for education loans. Provides that such veterans are eligible for educational assistance for the ten-year period following their discharge or release date. Sets forth procedures extending any applicable time period for such veterans who are prevented from initiating or completing a program of education under certain circumstances. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay tuition costs and a subsistence allowance to eligible veterans in the program. Makes technical and conforming amendments to existing laws relating to veterans educational assistance. Terminates the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance program after September 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1980
Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to contract for the use of a privately or publicly owned facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, to provide hospital care for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a certain portion of royalty owner oil production from the windfall profit tax. Limits the amount so exempted per quarter to ten barrels per day. Requires proportionate allocation of any production in excess of ten barrels per day between tier 1 oil and tier 2 oil, and within any tier on the basis of removal prices. Requires allocation of the ten barrel amount among royalty owners who are members of the same related group.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
American Sovereignty Protection Act - Amends the Alien Enemies Acts to include within the definition of a predatory act against the United States; (1) the seizure of a diplomatic mission; or (2) the seizure of such premises together with the taking of diplomatic hostages.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the first concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 1981 reported by the Committee on the Budget shall limit budget outlays to 21 per cent of the gross national product.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Standing Committee on Federal Judiciary of the American Bar Association and the Attorney General take all measures necessary to end discrimination against potential lifetime Federal judges who do not qualify solely as a result of age barriers.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1980
Congratulates the members of the 1980 U.S. Winter Olympic team, its coaches and officials for a job well done. Recognizes the International Olympic Committee, the U.S. Olympic Committee, the Lake Placid Olympic Organizing Committee and the people of the Lake Placid area for their successful efforts in organizing and producing the XIII Winter Olympic Games.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1980
Federal Crime Victims Remedial Act - Amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to give exclusive jurisdiction to the United States district courts over civil actions against the United States for personal injuries or property damages caused by any person charged with a Federal crime who is released or escapes from lawful custody of a Government employee or lawful agent as a result of the negligence of such employee or person.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1980
Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to halt immediately implementation of those regulations relating to clinical laboratory personnel published October 12, 1979, and published as corrected October 23, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1980
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to phase out by 1985 the limitation on outside income for beneficiaries age 65 or older.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Expresses the Senate's support for efforts to win the freedom of the hostages in Iran. Calls upon all nations to join in cooperative efforts to restrict relations with Iran. Declares that: (1) any trial or public exploitation of the hostages would be viewed as added provocation; and (2) the American people will not be diverted from their determination that the hostages be freed.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1979
Regulatory Flexibility and Administrative Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: The Management, Planning, and Analysis of Regulatory Functions - Defines the term "major rule" as an agency rule that is estimated will have an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more or otherwise will have a major impact. Establishes the Regulatory Policy Board which shall: (1) publish a semiannual Calendar of Federal Regulations containing information on all major rules to be developed or considered by agencies during the next year; (2) identify overlapping and duplicative agency rules; (3) monitor agency compliance with this Title; (4) organize interagency reviews of selected initial regulatory analyses of major rules; and (5) develop methods to reduce duplicative reporting requirements imposed by Federal, State, and local governments. Requires the Executive Director of such Board: (1) in consultation with the Director of the Federal Register, to develop categories for the classification of all agency rules; (2) to compile the classifications of rules which shall be submitted and updated annually by each agency into a comprehensive index of all agency rules; and (3) to publish in the Federal Register instructions for public access to such index. Directs any agency which collects, prepares, or maintains information pertaining to Federal regulatory activities to supply the Board with such information upon request. Requires each regulatory agency: (1) to publish in the Federal Register a semiannual regulatory agenda containing a list of rules the agency expects to propose or promulgate and a description of the areas of regulatory inquiry which the agency will consider during the next year; (2) to solicit public comment on such agenda; (3) to include in the notice of a rulemaking or judicatory proceeding the date by which the agency intends to complete such proceeding; and (4) to notify the public and the Executive Director of any failure to meet such a deadline, of the new completion date, and of the reasons for such a failure. Directs an agency, whenever it is required to publish general notice of a proposed major rule, to prepare and make available to the public an initial regulatory analysis which: (1) describes the need for the rule; (2) describes compliance requirements of the rule; (3) identifies existing duplicative rules; (4) describes alternative approaches for accomplishing the objective of the proposed rule; and (5) describes the economic, health, safety, and environmental effects of the rule. Requires that each agency prepare for each adopted major rule a final regulatory analysis which includes a summary of public comments received on the initial analysis and a justification of the selection of the final rule. Directs each agency to include in the general notice of any proposed rule an initial regulatory flexibility analysis which: (1) describes any adverse economic impact of the rule on individuals, small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions; and (2) discusses alternative regulatory approaches such as varying compliance requirements depending on the resources of the person affected by the rule. Requires each agency to prepare for each final rule a final regulatory flexibility analysis which summarizes comments received on the initial analysis and justifies the selection of the final rule. Specifies techniques through which the head of an agency promulgating a rule shall assure that persons adversely affected by the rule are provided an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking proceeding. Prohibits any Federal agency from: (1) regulating or licensing entry under a scheme when such entry is limited; (2) setting levels for or otherwise controlling the prices, production, or distribution of goods or services; or (3) controlling the terms of agreements among providers and purchasers of goods or services, unless the agency finds such an action to be the least anticompetitive alternative for achieving a statutory goal. Specifies exceptions to the applicability of such prohibition. Requires each agency to establish procedures for notifying the Attorney General of any plans for such an action. Requires each agency to prepare a list of all major rules promulgated by that agency and to publish in the Federal Register a draft schedule for the review over a five-year period of its rules, policies, and practices. Sets forth guidelines for selecting such precepts to review. Directs each agency to publish a final review schedule within one year of the effective date of this Act. Requires that each agency announce the review date for each major rule upon its publication. Requires each agency to publish an assessment of each precept reviewed including a statement of the benefits, adverse effects, costs of such precept, and a determination as to whether the precept should be rescinded, amended, or continued without change. Directs the President to transmit to Congress: (1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of this procedure for reviewing agency precepts; and (2) legislative recommendations for establishing another five-year review period. Requires the Regulatory Policy Board to report to the President and Congress on the regulatory activities of Federal agencies during each of the five fiscal years after the enactment of this Act. Specifies the contents of such report, including an evaluation of agency compliance with this Act. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, for each of the first three fiscal years after enactment of this Act, to monitor agency compliance with regulatory analyses requirements of this Act. Title II: Improving the Efficiency of Administrative Proceedings - Eliminates the exemption from public notice and comment requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act for agency rulemaking concerning Federal loans, grants, and benefits. Exempts from such requirements emergency rules and rules governed by short term statutory or judicial deadlines, provided that an agency complies with such requirements after publication of such a rule when appropriate. Requires each agency: (1) to include in the general notice of proposed rulemaking statements soliciting alternative approaches to the regulatory objective and describing the paperwork requirements of the proposed rule; (2) to resolve controversies concerning proposed major rules through oral or written procedures including informal public hearings, expert advisory councils, and the presentation of witnesses; and (3) to include a response to issues raised by public comments with the statement of the basis and purpose of a final rule. Requires each agency to maintain a file of information on each rulemaking proceeding. Specifies the contents of such file which include: (1) any information which the agency is required to make public; and (2) a record of the source, recipient, and content of any communication with an agency official regarding a proposed major rule. Reorganizes provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act governing adjudication and rulemaking proceedings required by statute to be determined on the record after opportunity for an agency hearing. Declares that if the presiding employee at such a hearing becomes unavailable, another qualified employee shall conclude the hearing. Enumerates the powers of such a presiding employee. Authorizes such employee to cross-examine witnesses and to request the agency to consider and act on interlocutory appeals when action on such appeals would expedite final agency action. Directs such employee to: (1) oversee the expeditious completion of such hearing; and (2) provide a concise record of the important matters of the proceeding. Provides two levels for conducting such adjudication and rulemaking proceedings. Establishes a "general hearing process" which applies to: (1) any rulemaking, ratemaking, or licensing proceeding except a proceeding to withdraw, suspend, or revoke a license or a proceeding before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; (2) a proceeding to determine an initial claim of a party, other than an individual, for a subsidy, right, or other benefit; and (3) any other proceeding which the agency determines does not require a "formal hearing" for a fair disclosure of all material facts. Requires a "formal hearing": (1) for all other proceedings required by statute to be determined on the record; and (2) when there is a genuine and substantial dispute of fact in a general hearing which cannot be resolved without formal cross-examination and upon which the decision of the agency is likely to depend. Requires, in any general hearing proceeding, the conduct of a hearing to afford parties an opportunity to submit written data, and, at the request of any party, an opportunity for oral argument. Prohibits any agency employee who performs investigative or prosecuting functions for the agency in such a proceeding from participating in the decision making process of that proceeding. Authorizes the presiding employee at a formal hearing to: (1) rule on offers of proof and relevant evidence; (2) require written testimony and arguments when oral testimony is not required; and (3) upon request, to issue a decision prior to completion of the hearing if there is no substantial dispute of fact. Prohibits any employee presiding over a formal hearing or participating in any decision or review of a decision of such a hearing from: (1) making ex parte communications; or (2) being responsible to an employee or agent performing investigative or prosecuting functions for an agency. Allows: (1) members of employee boards of review to consult with each other; and (2) persons advising a presiding employee to consult with each other and with the presiding employee. Authorizes each agency to establish employee review boards to review the decisions of presiding employees. Directs each agency to specify the conditions under which it will accept an appeal of the decision of such a board or presiding employee. Authorizes an agency to subpoena any person or evidence as necessary in any general or formal hearing proceeding. Sets forth: (1) the civil penalty for persons who fail to comply with a subpoena; and (2) the judicial procedure for enforcement of such a subpoena. Requires each agency to maintain a public file of significant material concerning the major stages of a proceeding. Permits an action to be brought in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the review of an agency rule if there is no applicable special statutory review proceeding. Requires the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States to recruit for administrative law judge positions among all groups of qualified persons. Directs the Chairman, in cooperation with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to examine, rank, certify, and register eligible candidates for such positions. Requires the Conference to certify the names of the ten highest ranked candidates to an agency requesting candidates for such a position. Limits to 350 the number of administrative law judges which may be appointed to positions in the GS-16, GS-17, and GS-18 levels of the General Schedule. Directs the Chairman to select administrative law judges to be detailed from one agency to another upon the consent of the transferring agency and the judge selected. Establishes the Administrative Law Judge Career Service consisting of judges appointed under this Act. Title III: Review of the Effectiveness of and Continuing Need for Government Regulation - Directs the President to establish a Committee on Regulatory Evaluation to advise the President concerning the reform of regulation by Federal agencies. Specifies the composition of the Committee and the compensation of Committee members. Requires the Committee to meet at least twice a year. Directs Congress to evaluate according to a specified schedule the regulatory functions of certain agencies and any reform legislation or report transmitted by the President concerning each such agency. Requires the Committee to examine each agency scheduled for review and to submit to the President any recommendations for legislation for reforming such agency. Directs the President, prior to the scheduled date for congressional review of an agency, to submit to Congress a report and any proposed legislation concerning the regulatory reform of that agency. Requires that such report: (1) examine the impact of each agency's regulatory activities; (2) compare the agency's regulatory policies to those of other agencies; and (3) explain in detail the proposed regulatory reforms or the reasons for not proposing a regulatory reform bill. Sets forth House and Senate procedure for considering such reform legislation. Title IV: The Administrative Conference of the United States - Changes the term of office of the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States to a four year term which coincides with the term of the President. States that at least one-fourth of the members of the Conference appointed by the Chairman shall be representatives of regulated interests. Directs the Conference to establish a Committee on Administrative Procedure to draft procedural rules for agency rulemaking proceedings and adjudications. Requires that such rules be designed to enhance public participation in agency proceedings. Title V: Miscellaneous - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the adoption of any Federal budget in which expenditures exceed receipts unless approved by a rollcall vote of three-fifths of the Members of each House of Congress directed solely to that subject. Prohibits the Congress from passing and the President from signing any appropriation bill which would cause the total expenditures of the Federal Government to exceed its total receipts in any fiscal year. Permits the Congress to waive such provisions with respect to any single year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Prohibits any annual increase in the proportion of Federal receipts to the national income unless approved by a rollcall vote, directed solely to such purpose, of three-fifths of each House.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1979
Exempts nonprofit veterans' organizations and nonprofit fraternal organizations from the requirement that certain musical performance royalties be paid to copyright holders.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1979
Authorizes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Incorporated, to erect a memorial on public grounds in West Potomac Park in the District of Columbia in honor and recognition of the men and women of the armed forces who served in the Vietnam war.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1979
Antitrust Enforcement Improvements Act of 1979 - Title I: General Provisions - States the purposes of this Act. Title II: Federal Trade Commission Act Amendments - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to authorize the Federal Trade Commission to bring civil suits to prevent or restrain unfair methods of competition in district courts of the United States only. Repeals the authority of the Commission to issue administrative complaints to prevent or restrain unfair methods of competition. Retains such authority to issue administrative complaints to prevent or restrain other unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Title III: Clayton Act Amendments - Amends the Clayton Act to require the Federal Trade Commission to institute prevention and restraint proceedings with respect to specified provisions of such Act only in equity in United States district courts (currently, the Commission may bring such complaints in administrative proceedings). Title IV: Savings and Transition Provisions - Applies the provisions of this Act to only Commission actions instituted after the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1979
Rulemaking Improvements Act - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to revise the definition of the term "rule" to include an agency statement which is applied in a manner which has the effect of implementing, interpreting, or prescribing law or policy. Defines the term "emergency rule" as a rule which becomes effective prior to the expiration of the time period required by such Act for public notice of and participation in agency rulemaking and for which the agency publishes a statement finding that a delay in the effective date would seriously harm a person, property, or the public interest. Requires general notice of a proposed rulemaking to be published or served at least 60 days before the effective date of the rule. Requires that such notice include: (1) a description of each significant benefit likely to be achieved by the rule; (2) a description of the significant costs and adverse effects likely to be incurred by the public and the private sectors as a result of the rule; (3) an explanation of how such benefits will outweigh such costs and adverse effects; (4) a description of all reasonable alternative public or private means of achieving such benefits; and (5) an explanation of why such benefits cannot be achieved by means other than promulgation of the rule. Exempts emergency rules from such general notice requirements. Limits the duration of emergency rules to 60 days. Requires each agency to provide interested persons: (1) at least 30 days to participate in a rulemaking proceeding; and (2) an opportunity to present evidence orally and to cross-examine agency experts at such a proceeding. Prohibits any rule from becoming effective unless the responsible agency determines that: (1) the benefits outweigh the costs and adverse effects of the rule; and (2) the proposed rule will achieve such benefits at the lowest cost and with the fewest adverse effects of any alternative approach identified. Directs the agency to include an explanation of such determination with the publication of the final rule in the Federal Register.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1979
Amends the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 to require congressional authorization of all sales and purchases of gold on behalf of the United States except for those effectuated to maintain or establish a permanent relationship between the dollar and a specified quantity of gold.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1979
Authorizes the President, on behalf of Congress, to present a gold medal of appropriate design to Louis L'Amour in recognition of his distinguished career as an author and his contributions to the Nation through his historically based works. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze duplicates of such medal for sale to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1979
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that evidence shall not be excluded from any criminal proceeding solely because it was obtained in violation of the fourth amendment to the Constitution. Makes the United States liable for damages resulting from a search or seizure conducted in the line of duty by a law enforcement officer in violation of the fourth amendment. Allows a person aggrieved by such a violation who: (1) is not convicted of any offense for which evidence was illegally seized to recover such damages as the court may award; or (2) is convicted of such an offense to recover damages only for actual physical personal injury or property damage. Sets the limit for any such judgment at $25,000. Makes such an action the exclusive civil remedy for such a fourth amendment violation. Allows a Federal agency to discipline a law enforcement officer who conducts such an illegal search or seizure upon a determination, after notice and hearing, that the officer lacked a good faith belief that the search or seizure was constitutional.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1979
Transfers to the Secretary of Agriculture: (1) all range improvement functions currently carried out by the Department of the Interior; and (2) certain obligations, property, funds, and personnel related to such functions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1979
Directs the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to stay any order, resulting from a court ordered environmental impact statement, canceling or modifying any permit or lease for grazing livestock on the public rangelands, to enable the permittee or lessee to appeal such order and exhaust all applicable administrative remedies.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1979
Prohibits the annual rate of pay for Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, Delegates to the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, the President pro tempore of the Senate, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the House, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives from exceeding the rate of salary payable for such office or position on September 30, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1979
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1979 - Makes the United States liable for: (1) damages arising from certain nuclear tests conducted at the Nevada Test Site to individuals who resided in the affected area for a period of one year between January 1, 1951, and October 31, 1958, or between June 30, 1962, and July 31, 1962; (2) damages to individuals who worked in a uranium mine in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, or Utah for at least one year between January 1, 1947, and December 31, 1961; and (3) damages to a qualified sheep herd. Establishes in any action filed under this Act, upon a determination by the court that the plaintiff meets the requirements of the Act, an irrebuttable presumption that the damages alleged were caused by exposure to radiation as a result of a nuclear detonation or exposure to uranium. Limits the amount of attorney fees which can be received with respect to such actions. Defines "affected area" to mean specified areas of Utah, Nevada, and Arizona, and any other area of the United States which received a high level of fallout as a result of the Nevada Test Site detonations, as determined by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Establishes within the National Cancer Institute a seven-member Advisory Panel on the Health Effects of Exposure to Radiation and Uranium to identify, for the purposes of recovery under this Act, types of cancer which develop after exposure to low level radiation and diseases and illnesses which develop after uranium mine employment. Directs the Advisory Panel to report its findings to Congress within nine months of the date it convenes. Amends title III of the Public Health Service Act (General Powers and Duties) to direct the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the adverse health effects resulting from the Nevada Test Site atomic weapons test program since January 1, 1951. Transfers to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare all functions of the Department of Energy relating to research on the health effects of radiation on human beings.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1979
Federal Firearms Law Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to Gun Control Act - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition and persons engaged in the business of repairing firearms. Adds a new definition "engaged in the business" with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Includes as a manufacturer of ammunition a person whose gross sales of his own ammunition exceed $1,000 in any calendar year. Includes as a dealer in firearms a person who deals in firearms as a regular course of business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms. Replaces the current term "crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year" with a new definition of "disabling crime." Eliminates certain activities regarding ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Revises current provisions respecting the interstate sale or transfer of firearms. Revises the current prohibition against selling a firearm or ammunition to certain persons (such as persons under indictment for a felony or addicted to drugs) to apply such prohibition only to persons convicted of a "disabling crime." Revises the current prohibition against certain persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to: (1) extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition; (2) conform such prohibition to the new "disabling crime" provision; and (3) include as additional categories illegal aliens, persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces, and persons who have renounced their United States citizenship. Makes the same changes to the current prohibition against certain persons who receive a firearm or ammunition which has been transported in interstate commerce, but applies such prohibition to persons who are employed by the enumerated categories of individuals. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Stipulates that the Secretary of the Treasury may revoke a license only where the holder of such license has "knowingly" violated a provision of the Act or regulation. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations under this Act which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, where such individual is not convicted of such charges. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records or documents and any firearm or ammunition kept by an importer, manufacturer, or dealer pursuant to this Act that the Secretary has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises of such persons. Restricts the firearm information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Stipulates that the general penalty under this Act shall apply to whoever "willfully" violates any provision. Prohibits, with respect to a person's second or subsequent conviction for illegally using or carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony, the granting of parole before completion of the minimum sentence. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Requires a court to award attorney's fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in an action or proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Allows the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was initiated in bad faith. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Allows one House of Congress to disapprove by resolution any firearms regulation within 90 days of continuous session of the promulgation of such rule. Requires that resolutions of disapproval be immediately referred to only those standing committees having legislative responsibility for this Act. Allows a sponsor of any such resolution to move to discharge from further consideration a committee which does not report out the resolution within 45 days of continuous session of Congress. States that it shall be in order to move to proceed to the consideration of the resolution any time after a committee has reported or has been discharged from further consideration. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing any rules identical to regulations disapproved by Congress without the enactment of additional legislation respecting his authority. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Makes any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).