United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1979
Makes the Federal tort claims procedure the exclusive remedy in medical malpractice actions resulting from federally authorized National Guard training activities (repeals the current provision covering such liability).
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1979
Family Protection Act - States as the purpose of this Act the strengthening of the American family and the reversal of governmental policies which hinder its strength and prosperity. Title I: Education - Amends the General Education Provisions Act to prohibit the payment of Federal funds to States which: (1) prohibit voluntary prayer in public buildings; (2) lack procedures for the involvement of parents and representatives of the community in decisions relating to the establishment or continuation of religious studies; (3) limit the right of parents to visit public schools or classes, or inspect their children's school records; (4) require the forced payment of dues or fees as a condition of employment for teachers; or (5) lack procedures for parental review of textbooks prior to their use in the classroom. Stipulates that no Federal funds may be made available for curricula which promote values contradictory to the demonstrated beliefs of the community or for textbooks which tend to deny the role differences between the sexes. Guarantees the right of any State or local educational agency to set qualifications for teachers, set attendance requirements for students, and to limit or prohibit the intermingling of sexes in sports or other school-related activities. Amends the National Labor Relations Act to exclude from the definition of employer any corporation or association operating a hospital or school. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for cash contributions to a savings account established to pay the educational expenses of a dependent child under the age of 22 at a college or vocational school. Limits the amount of such deduction to $2,500 for a taxable year. Exempts from income taxation distributions from such accounts which are used exclusively to meet the educational expenses of the dependent child. Authorizes appropriations for the payment of allotments to States for the financing of elementary and secondary school programs. Directs the Commissioner of Education to terminate the payment of such allotments if the programs for which funds are paid no longer comply with specified requirements. Permits judicial review of any finding of the Commissioner with respect to applications for funding or termination of payments to a State. Prohibits the exercise of Federal control over the curriculum, administration, or personnel of any State or local school system. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to grant tax-exempt status to an educational institution controlled by the parents of students enrolled in such institution. Provides for the termination of the tax exemption of a school which is found to discriminate in the hiring of teachers or the admission of students on the basis of race, nationality, or ethnic background. Denies jurisdiction to the U.S. Supreme Court to review any case arising out of a State statute or regulation which relates to voluntary prayer in public schools or buildings, or to qualifications imposed by a State for the hiring of public school teachers. Title II: Welfare - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals who maintain a household which includes a dependent who has reached age 65 a nonrefundable income tax credit not in excess of $250 for the taxable year. Allows such individuals to take an income tax deduction in lieu of the credit. Limits the amount of such deduction to $1,000 for the taxable year. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to disqualify students enrolled in post-secondary educational institutions from participation in the food stamp program if such enrollment is equivalent to full-time employment. Grants tax-exempt status to organizations providing day care for children. Title III: First Amendment Guarantees - Prohibits the Federal Government from imposing legal requirements upon the operation of a church organization which sponsors a child care center, orphanage, foster home, social action training program, emergency shelter for abused children or spouses, school, or juvenile delinquency or drug abuse treatment center or home. Amends provisions of the United States Code relating to judicial procedure to establish a legal presumption in favor of an expansive interpretation of a parent's role in supervising and determining the religious or moral formation of his child, in cases involving such issue. Title IV: Taxation - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit married individuals to compute on a separate basis the maximum retirement savings deduction to which each individual is entitled. Permits a maximum deduction of $3,000 for a spouse who is handicapped. Permits married individuals to file separate income tax returns and be taxed according to the same rates as unmarried individuals. Specifies that an individual who works without compensation for a charitable, civic, religious, or political activity shall be considered to be gainfully employed for purposes of eligibility for the child care credit. Allows an additional personal tax exemption of $1,000 for each child born to, or adopted by, a taxpayer during the taxable year. Permits an exemption of $3,000 for the adoption of a handicapped child over the age of three whose parents were not of the same race. Allows an income tax deduction for contributions to a trust established by a taxpayer to provide care to such taxpayer's parents or handicapped relatives. Limits the amount of such deduction to $3,000 for a taxable year. Provides for the tax exemption of such trusts. Title V: Domestic Relations - Prohibits Federal preemption of State laws relating to child or spousal abuse, or juvenile delinquency. Prohibits the expenditure of Federal funds for child abuse programs in any State unless the legislature of such State has specifically authorized such programs. Defines "child abuse" as physical maltreatment and psychological or emotional neglect. Excludes from such definition discipline or corporal punishment applied by a responsible parent or an individual authorized to act in the place of such parent. Grants tax-exempt status to organizations which provide for the treatment and care of individuals who suffer physical or psychological abuse from a spouse, parent, or other family member and to organizations which provide shelter, care, and medical treatment for individuals under the age of 18 who have run away from their homes. Requires federally-funded abortion and venereal disease treatment centers to notify parents of unmarried minors that such minors have requested an abortion, contraceptives, or are undergoing treatment for a venereal disease. Amends the Legal Service Corporation Act to place restrictions on the classes of individuals to whom legal assistance may be given and the circumstances under which such assistance may be given. Prohibits the expenditure of Federal funds to any organization which presents male or female homosexuality as an acceptable alternative life style or which suggests that it can be an acceptable life style. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to provide that any action taken by an employer against a homosexual shall not be considered an unlawful employment practice. Prohibits any instrumentality of the Federal Government from seeking to enforce nondiscrimination with respect to homosexuals. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Grants jurisdiction to U.S. district courts to hear any cases arising under this Act. Provides for a six year statute of limitation. Provides a civil penalty for persons violating any provision or regulation promulgated pursuant to this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the administration of this Act and the progress of the States in effectuating its provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1979
Antiquities Act and Federal Land Policy and Management Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Antiquities Act to define "objects of historic or scientific interest" to include specified items. Stipulates that such objects must be directly associated with human activities. Requires congressional approval of any Presidential proclamation of a national monument before it can effect a reservation of public lands in excess of 5,000 acres. Permits the continuance of uses of public lands within a national monument which were valid uses prior to the designation of such lands as a monument, including hunting, guiding, hiking, boating, and use of motorized vehicles. Stipulates that such uses must not adversely affect the objects sought to be protected by the reservation. Grants such provisions governing the proclamation of national monuments retroactive effect as of October 14, 1978. Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to require congressional approval of withdrawals of public lands in excess of 5,000 acres by the Secretary of the Interior.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1979
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that any employee who is a member of and adheres to a bona fide religion, body, or sect historically holding conscientious objection to joining or financially supporting a labor organization shall not be required to do so. Allows such employee to be required in an employment contract to pay sums in lieu of and equal to dues and initiation fees to a nonreligious, nonlabor, charitable organization chosen by the employee. Authorizes the labor organization to charge such employee the reasonable cost of any grievance-arbitration procedure instigated by and for such employee's benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1979
Western Lands Distribution and Regional Equalization Act of 1979 - Title I: Short Title; Findings and Declaration of Policy; Definitions - States that the practice of retaining Federal ownership to territory within the borders of States located west of the one-hundredth meridian as a condition precedent to their admission into the Union, has impinged on the sovereignty of such States in derogation of the tenth amendment to the Constitution. Declares that the United States shall hold all such States federally owned, unreserved, and unappropriated lands in trust for such States and shall transfer ownership and administration of such lands to such States when they have adopted legislation which provides a uniformity of State and Federal law relating to land administration, conservation and use. Excludes from transfer in implementing such policy all Federal lands within national parks, national monuments, and national wildlife and migratory bird sanctuaries established prior to January 1, 1979, lands within Indian or military reservations, and lands necessary for the operation of Federal reclamation projects, shipyards docks, defense establishments and other Federal buildings. Title II: Federal Land Transfer Board - Authorizes the Governor of any State seeking to acquire such unreserved and unappropriated lands to petition the President within 60 months of the enactment of this Act to establish a Federal Land Transfer Board for such State. Directs the President to establish such a Board consisting of State and Federal members within 90 days of the receipt of such an application. States that the Board shall serve until all conveyances of such lands within the State are carried out. Requires each Federal Land Transfer Board to coordinate its activities with the State land commission established pursuant to this Act. Directs each Board to carry out the required land transfers within two years of its determination that a State's application meets the requirements of this Act. Empowers the Land Transfer Boards to resolve land claims and disputes arising from the implementation of this Act. Grants any State aggrieved by a decision of a Land Transfer Board on its application the right to a public hearing and review before the Board. Empowers the United States courts of appeals to hear appeals from final orders of the Boards. States that judicial review shall be on the record made before the Board and that the Board's findings shall be conclusive if supported by substantial evidence. States that the judgment of the court of appeals shall be subject to review only by the United States Supreme Court upon a writ of certiorari or certification. Title III: State Land Commissions - Requires each State seeking the conveyance of unreserved and unappropriated land under this Act, to establish a State land commission board to: (1) hold any transferred lands in trust for all people of the United States; (2) manage such lands to maximize conservation and permit compatible land uses; (3) protect the interests of persons who have acquired rights in such land under Federal law; (4) collect fees, rents, and royalties, issue licenses, conduct surveys and perform other administrative functions relating to such lands; (5) transfer to the United States those property interests necessary to continue lawful, Federal activities; and (6) continue to administer lands previously administered by the United States pursuant to a treaty or interstate compact in conformance with the terms of such treaty or compact. Directs each State land commission board to coordinate its activities with the appropriate Federal Land Transfer Board. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Declares that the United States shall retain control over the oceans, seas, navigable rivers, streams, and lakes, and projects of the Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation. Directs the President to modify agreements with other nations if necessary to implement this Act. Grants the consent of Congress to any interstate compact relating to the management and use of such lands if it has been approved by the appropriate Federal Land Transfer Boards. Sets forth provisions to assist individuals whose employment is disrupted by implementation of this Act. Authorizes each Federal agency with jurisdiction over lands conveyed to a State under this Act, to extend low interest loans to such State to insure that it is financially able to comply with the provisions of this Act. Limits the amount of such loans to the anticipated mineral, timber, and grazing revenues derived from such transferred lands over a ten-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
United States Olympic Development Fund Checkoff Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns that either $1 of any tax refund or $1 of any contribution which the taxpayer forwards with his return shall be payable to the United States Olympic Development Fund. Establishes the United States Olympic Development Fund under the auspices of the Secretary of the Treasury for the receipt of tax contributions and payment to the United States Olympic Development Fund. Directs the United States Olympic Committee to use such funds for a program to expand and improve amateur athletics in the United States. Requires reports on the expenditure of such funds to be submitted by the United States Olympic Committee and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1979
Savings and Investment Encouragement Act of 1979 - Title I: Incentives for Individual Saving - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $100 of the interest earned on a savings account. Permits an exclusion of up to $500 for interest which is reinvested in a savings account. Excludes from gross income up to $500 of dividends received which are reinvested in the stock of domestic corporations. Requires that the sum of the adjusted basis of stock in domestic corporations held by the taxpayer plus the amount held in a savings account (investment base) on the last day of a taxable year exceed the investment base of the taxpayer as of the first day of such taxable year, plus the amount of dividends and interest excludible for such taxable year. Title II: Incentives for New Plant and Equipment - Revises the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the cost recovery period. Permits taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year. Title III: Incentives for Research and Development - Qualifies research and development expenditures related to a trade or business for the investment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to eliminate all provisions authorizing union security agreements (requiring union membership as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act - Title I: Cost Containment Incentives - Amends the Public Health Service Act by adding a new title XIX, "Standards for Health Benefit Plans." Disallows a trade or business expense deduction or an exclusion relating to contributions by employers to accident and health plans under the Internal Revenue Code by an employer who fails to meet the requirements of this title. Requires that an employer offer to his or her employees at least one group health benefit plan (to the extent that such a plan is available) for inpatient hospital services having an annual copayment for hospital services of at least 25 percent, to be paid by the employee. Excepts from such copayment requirement a period from the date on which an employee and his or her family have incurred out-of-pocket medical expenses during a calendar year in an amount in excess of 20 percent of such individuals' combined income and ending on the last day of such calendar year. Requires an employer to make the same expenditure per enrollee with respect to each group health benefit plan regardless of the actual premium cost. Requires an employer to rebate to an employee any excess of the employer's expenditure amount over the premium cost either in cash or other benefits. Prohibits an employer from expending an amount for a plan on behalf of an employee in excess of the premium cost of the most costly group health benefit plan in which at least ten percent of the employees are actually enrolled at the time the expenditure is made. Requires an employer having at least 200 full-time employees to offer his employees at least three health benefit plans with different carriers. Requires the offer of a group health benefit plan to be first made to any collective bargaining representative of an employee. Title II: Catastrophic Illness Insurance - Amends title XIX of the Public Health Service Act (as added by title I of this Act) to disallow a trade or business expense deduction or an exclusion relating to contributions by employers to accident and health plans under the Internal Revenue Code by an employer having 50 or more full-time employees who fails to meet the requirements of this title. Requires a health benefit plan to provide for payment without any cost sharing by any individual covered under the plan for medical expenses from the date on which an employee and his or her family have incurred out-of-pocket medical expenses during a calendar year in an amount in excess of 20 percent of such individuals' combined income and ending on the last day of such calendar year. Requires such plan to disregard any preexisting medical conditions of any such persons. Requires such plan to continue coverage for individuals for a period of six months after the member employee becomes unemployed, ceases to be full-time, or dies. Requires carriers to enter into an arrangement in each State in which it conducts business for the purpose of providing catastrophic illness insurance and preventive care coverage to those persons who are not eligible for coverage under titles II and III of this Act, or a government program of health care. Amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare) to remove the 150 day limitation on inpatient hospital services. Provides that the amount payable for inpatient hospital services shall be reduced by a coinsurance amount equal to 20 percent of the charges imposed with respect to such individual, but only for days not within the "benefit period" (defined as the period beginning with the day on which the total expenses incurred by the individual for services for which benefits under this title are payable exceed 20 percent of such person's income from wages and net earnings from self-employment for the preceding calendar year). Provides that 100 percent of the charges or costs of the supplementary medical insurance benefits for the aged and disabled shall be paid during such benefit period. Title III: Preventive Care - Amends title XIX of the Public Health Service Act (as added by titles I and II of this Act) to disallow a trade or business expenses deduction or an exclusion relating to contributions by employers to accident and health plans under the Internal Revenue Code by an employer having 50 or more full-time employees who fails to meet the requirements of this title. Specifies the preventive care services which a carrier who enters into an arrangement with a State pursuant to title II must provide, including maternal care, childhood immunizations, and hypertension screening. Title IV: Internal Revenue Code Amendments - Makes: (1) a deduction by an employer in providing a health benefit plan to his or her employees; and (2) an exclusion by an employer for contributions to accident and health plans, conditional upon such employer's compliance with the requirements of title XIX of the Public Health Service Act. Title V: Effective Dates - Establishes the effective dates of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1979
Interstate Compact - Gives Congressional consent and approval to the California - Nevada Interstate Compact, which concerns the allocation and shared use of the water within the Lake Tahoe, Truckee River, Carson River, and Walker River Basins.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Occupational Safety and Health Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to exempt farms or non-hazardous businesses with ten or less employees from coverage under such Act. Defines "non-hazardous business" as any business with an occupational injury incidence rate not exceeding seven percent.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Taxpayer Protection and Reimbursement Act - Title I: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to award reasonable court costs, including attorneys' fees, to the prevailing party (other than the United States or a creditor of the prevailing party) in any civil action in any court of the United States for the determination, collection, or refund of any tax, interest, or penalty imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Limits the amount of such award to $20,000 for any one civil action. Includes within the definition of "attorneys' fees" amounts paid to an individual who is not an attorney, but who is authorized to practice before the Tax Court. Defines "prevailing party" as a party who recovers all, or all but an insignificant portion of the amount in controversy in a civil tax proceding, or whose position is sustained as to all, or all but an insignificant portion, of the issues involved, and who establishes that the position of the United States in the civil action was unreasonable. Disallows costs and attorneys' fees for certain civil actions involving declaratory judgments. Title II: Amendments to Title 28 - Incorporates into title 28 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the United States Code the amendments set forth in title I of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
United States - Mexico Good Neighbor Act of 1979 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Attorney General to establish a program for the non-immigrant admission of Mexican nationals as temporary workers in the United States. Provides that: (1) the Attorney General shall establish annual and monthly quotas for temporary worker visas; (2) such temporary services or labor shall not exceed 180 days per year; (3) such visas shall not limit the geographic area within which an alien may work unless specific restrictions are requested by the Secretary of Labor in order to protect domestic workers; (4) an alien who violates the 180-day visa limitation or any imposed geographic restriction shall be ineligible for another temporary visa for five years; and (5) an alien who enters the United States illegally shall be ineligible for obtaining a temporary work visa for ten years. Excludes such temporary Mexican workers from the definition of "immigrant" for purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Includes such workers within the category of aliens whose non-immigrant status may not be adjusted to that of an immigrant. Prohibits the Attorney General from consenting to the reapplication for admission of any such workers deported from the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish and expand United States Consulates in Mexico in order to implement such temporary worker program. Directs the Secretary of Labor to make the nature of such program known to Mexican nationals residing in the United States. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should establish with Mexico an Advisory Commission on the Mexico-United States Temporary Worker Visa program to advise the Attorney General with regard to such program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1979
Synthetic Fuels Production Act of 1979 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to establish a synthetic fuels and alternate fuels production plan for the Nation. Title II: Corporate Status, General Powers, Subsidiaries, and Tax Status - Establishes the Syn-Fuels and Alternate Fuels Authority which shall be responsible for directing the production of synthetic fuels. Sets forth the general powers of such Authority, including the power to create subsidiary corporations to carry out one or more of the functions of the Authority. Exempts the Authority from all State and Federal taxation except real property taxes and taxes imposed on any entity acquired or established by the Authority which engages in energy-related enterprises. Title III: Financial Assistance - Authorizes the Authority to provide financial assistance to any business concern engaged or which proposes to engage in synthetic and other alternate fuel projects. Sets forth criteria for granting such assistance and specifies application procedures, interest rates, and other conditions for obtaining such assistance. Authorizes the Authority to make loan guaranties to any lender for loans made to any business concern where such funds would contribute to accomplishment of the purposes of this Act. Limits the total amount of financial assistance to be provided by the Authority to the sum of the amount authorized as capital of the Authority and the amount the Authority is authorized to borrow under this Act. Authorizes the Authority to make high-risk loans or direct investments or to provide other direct financial assistance which the Board of Directors of the Authority determines will further the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Authority to sell equity securities. Authorizes the President to appoint an advisory panel to study and report on the effects of issuance of obligations and provision of financial assistance by the Authority on the functioning of the Nation's capital markets. Title IV: Capitalization and Finance - Authorizes capital stock of the Authority in the amount of $25,000,000,000 and authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000,000 for this purpose. Authorizes the Authority to issue and to have outstanding at any one time notes, debentures, bonds, or other obligations in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000,000. Exempts the receipts and disbursements of the Secretary of the Treasury in connection with the purchase or redemption of, and income from, capital stock of the Authority from inclusion in the totals of the budget of the United States. Title V: Management - Vests the power of the Authority to act in the Board of Directors, except as specified. Provides for the appointment of a Chairman of the Board and other directors and sets forth the duties of the Chairman. Sets forth provisions relating to officers and employees, conflicts of interest, delegation of authority, fiscal year reviews and audits, and reports and recordkeeping. Title VI: Priority Energy Project Act - Priority Energy Project Act of 1979 - Declares that the purpose of this title is to provide for a coordinated, simplified, and expeditious, process for Federal approval of energy facilities that are determined to be in the national interest. Directs the Secretary of Energy to designate priority energy projects based on specified criteria. Directs the Authority to publish a Project Decision Schedule containing deadlines for all Federal actions relating to such projects. Directs the President to make any decisions or perform any actions in the event that an agency or department fails to meet its deadline, provided that there has been notice and an opportunity for public comment on such decision. Limits environmental and judicial reviews to those of absolute necessity. Authorizes the Authority to establish deadlines for Federal agency action which are shorter than the minimum period required under existing legislation in cases of exceptional national need. Provides for coordination of the actions of Federal State and local governments. Directs the Authority to recommend to any State Governor and to the Congress actions to alleviate or prevent any delays in a priority energy project created or threatened by any State or local government. Sets time limits for filing claims arising out of actions pursuant to this title and bars any claims filed thereafter. Stipulates that such claims shall be brought in the United States court of appeals for the circuit where the project would be located and grants exclusive original jurisdiction to such court in such matters. Directs such court to give precedence to such matters over all other matters on the court's docket, to the greatest extent practicable. Authorizes the Supreme Court, exclusively, to review interlocutory judgments or orders of the court of appeals pursuant to this title and directs the Supreme Court to give precedence to such matters to the greatest extent practicable. Prohibits the granting of injunctive relief against the issuance of any right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization pursuant to this title except in conjunction with a final judgment on a claim filed pursuant to this title. Establishes an Office for Priority Energy Projects within the Department of Energy to assist the Secretary with his duties under this title. Title VII: Production Goals of the Authority - Directs the Authority to establish a set of goals for the commercial production by the year 1990 of synthetic fuels such as oil shale, coal gas and liquids, and such processes as urban waste reuse, geothermal power, solar power, biomass conversion, and other such resources. Authorizes the Authority to supervise the construction, management, operation, and production of fuels from an Authority-owned synthetic fuels facility to meet part of the fuel needs of the Department of Defense if certain specified conditions obtain. Directs the Authority to establish timetables for the production by the year 1990 of at least 1.5 million barrels of oil equivalent a day from the three technologies of oil shale, coal gas, and coal liquids, and a timetable to reach certain other commercial goals of production for other syn-fuels processes and other alternate fuels processes. Requires the Authority to report to Congress periodically on the progress toward meeting the 1990 goals and to submit its books to periodic audits. Title VIII: Unlawful Acts and Penalties - Imposes fines and/or imprisonment under this Act for the following acts: forgery; false statements; misappropriation of funds; infringement on name; and unlawful contracts. Title IX: General Provisions - Makes provisions for coordination of Authority activities with other entities, severability, termination and liquidation of the Authority, relationship to other laws, and the reservation of right to amend or repeal this Act. Stipulates that the provision of financial assistance under this Act shall be deemed to be a "major Federal action" for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 when: (1) no other Federal agency is required to prepare an environmental impact statement; and (2) such financial assistance is in fact a major action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1979
Expresses the congressional intention that the President initiate negotiations with other oil importing nations to establish a Council of Oil Importing Nations to negotiate for reasonable oil prices with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Directs the President to develop and submit to such Council a set of appropriate sanctions to be used by such Council to encourage compliance with negotiated oil prices. Requires the President to report to Congress concerning progress with such negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Omnibus Geothermal Energy Development Act of 1979 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to accelerate the development of geothermal energy in the United States. Title II: Amendments to the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970-Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to expand the acreage limitation on holders of geothermal leases to 51,200 acres, except as specified. Provides for an expedited bidding and leasing system for lands within any known geothermal resources area. Establishes the Interagency Geothermal Leasing Committee to review the activities of the several agencies and departments pursuant to this Act and to take such action as necessary to fully implement this Act. Directs such Committee to report to the Interagency Geothermal Coordinating Council in response to any requests for information or recommendations. Directs such Committee to commission a training and education program on geothermal leasing and operations for Federal surface management field managers in the appropriate departments and agencies. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe amendments to existing rules and regulations and to issue any necessary new rules and regulations to carry out this Act, and exempts such actions from being construed as a "major Federal action" for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to develop cooperative agreements with the Governor of each State in which are located lands subject to this Act for coordination of Federal, State, and local decision making related to environmental analyses, permit approvals, and land use planning. Sets forth geothermal lease application and permit procedures. Directs the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, to establish annual goals for five future fiscal years for geothermal leasing. Requires the development of an expedited procedure for consideration and approval of permits for exploration and testing for geothermal resources. Stipulates that the establishment of such procedure shall be deemed to satisfy any requirements of NEPA applicable to any such exploration and testing activities. Permits any applicant for a geothermal lease to use a conditioned development lease with a phased environmental assessment and leasing procedure which shall limit the scope of consideration by the Secretary of the Interior as to compliance with the requirements of NEPA. Stipulates that any lessee seeking to conduct any operations of a developmental nature must prepare a detailed plan of development and utilization in accordance with requirements specified by the Secretary. Sets deadlines for review and final action on such plans. Permits exploration and testing activities on lands subject to this Act included in wilderness study areas pursuant to the Wilderness Act of 1974 and the Federal Land Management and Policy Act, so long as such activities are not conducted in a manner which would permanently impair wilderness values. Authorizes the Secretary to grant no-cost permits to specified surface owners or occupants of lands subject to this Act or to the Stock Raising Homestead Act for use of geothermal resources within such lands. Authorizes any Federal agency with an installation or facility located on or contiguous to lands subject to this Act to apply for a geothermal lease for use of geothermal resources by such installation or facility, provided that a determination has been made that such lease will not discourage or preclude commercial development of geothermal resources on such lands. Directs the Secretary to establish and implement orderly and expeditious procedures for the processing of all lease and permit applications pursuant to this Act. Title III: Amendments to the Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 - Geothermal Research, Development, and Demonstration Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 to establish the Interagency Geothermal Coordinating Council to be assisted by an Advisory Committee on Geothermal Energy. Extends the period of guaranties and interest assistance under the loan guaranty program of such Act to ten years beyond September 3, 1979. Authorizes guaranties of up to 90 percent of the aggregate cost of a geothermal resource project conducted by a publicly owned utility. Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, the Administrator of the Rural Electric Administration, the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, with the approval of the Secretary of Energy, to utilize funds in the Geothermal Resources Development Fund established by such Act for loan or loan guaranty assistance for geothermal energy development and directly related activity by means of loan and loan guarantee programs otherwise authorized by law in such agencies and departments. Limits the total amount of such fund available for such purposes to $50,000,000 per fiscal year. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to establish a loan program for the accelerated development of geothermal resources for non-electric applications by geothermal utility districts, geothermal industrial development districts and projects, and other persons. States that such loans shall be funded by the Geothermal Resources Development Fund. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 to such fund for fiscal year 1980. Directs the Secretary to establish and implement expeditious procedures for the processing of loan guarantee applications under such Act. Directs the Secretary to conduct a complete review of all considerations associated with the accelerated development of geopressured methane in the United States and on the Outer Continental Shelf, addressing legal, institutional, and regulatory barriers to such development and the current status of technology development to support such accelerated development. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a similar review of accelerated development of the energy potential of hot dry rock systems in the United States. Directs the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Inter-agency Geothermal Coordinating Committee and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to conduct a complete review of the need for environmental control technology, generic or specialized for a particular form of geothermal energy, to support the accelerated development of all forms of geothermal energy. Directs the Secretary to establish and implement a program in cooperation with the insurance and reinsurance industry to provide reservoir insurance to any qualified eligible applicant having a total direct investment of not less than $1,000,000 in the development and use of a geothermal resource associated with a reservoir. Authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds for the purposes of such program. Directs the Secretary to initiate a program for the utilization of geothermal energy in Federal buildings, facilities, and installations in the United States, to be developed in full coordination with existing programs for solar utilization and energy conservation. Title IV: Priority Geothermal Energy Project Act - Priority Geothermal Energy Project Act of 1979 - Declares that the purpose of this title is to provide for a coordinated, simplified, and expeditious process for Federal approval of geothermal energy facilities that are determined to be in the national interest. Directs the Secretary of Energy to designate priority geothermal energy projects based on specified criteria, and to publish a Project Decision Schedule containing deadlines for all Federal actions relating to such project. Directs the President to make any decisions or perform any actions in the event that an agency of department fails to meet its deadline. Limits environmental and judicial reviews to those of absolute necessity. Authorizes the Secretary to establish deadlines for Federal agency action which are shorter than the minimum period required under existing legislation in cases of exceptional national need. Provides for coordination of the actions of Federal, State, and local governments. Directs the Secretary to recommend to any State Governor and to the Congress actions to alleviate or prevent any delays in a priority energy project created or threatened by any State or local government. Sets time limits for filing claims arising out of actions pursuant to this title and bars any claims filed thereafter. Stipulates that such claims shall be brought in the United States court of appeals for the circuit where the project would be located, and grants exclusive original jurisdiction to such court in such matters. Directs such court to give precedence to such matters over all other matters on the court's docket to the greatest extent practicable. Authorizes the Supreme Court, exclusively, to review interlocutory judgments or orders of the court of appeals pursuant to this title, and directs the Supreme Court to give precedence to such matters to the greatest extent practicable. Prohibits the granting of injunctive relief against the issuance of any right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization pursuant to this title except in conjunction with a final judgment on a claim filed pursuant to this title. Establishes an Office for Priority Energy Projects within the Department of Energy to assist the Secretary with his duties under this title. Title V: Geothermal Amendments of 1979 to the National Energy Act of 1978 - Geothermal Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Energy Tax Act of 1978 to: (1) qualify geothermal equipment for the investment tax credit; (2) provide that the time period during which geothermal equipment may qualify for such credit shall extend to December 31, 1989; (3) eliminate as an item of tax preference, for purposes of the minimum tax, the amount by which the intangible drilling costs incurred with respect to geothermal properties exceed the net income of the taxpayer from such properties for the taxable year; and (4) permit the deduction of intangible drilling and development costs related to geothermal reinjection wells in the taxable year in which such costs are incurred. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to include facilities which produce energy from geothermal resources within the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1979
Energy Supply Act - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to increase domestic energy supplies and to improve the management of the nation's available energy resources. Title II: Priority Energy Project Act - Priority Energy Project Act of 1979 - Centralizes responsibilities for a coordinated process for expediting Federal approval of non-nuclear energy facilities determined to be of national interest. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to designate any proposed non-nuclear energy facility as a priority energy project. Authorizes any person planning or proposing such a facility to apply for such a designation. Establishes procedures and criteria for making such designations. Exempts such designations from the National Environmental Policy Act. Directs Federal agencies involved in the approval of such projects to submit to the Secretary: (1) a compilation of all significant actions required by such agency before rendering a decision on such projects; (2) a compilation of all actions required of the applicant; (3) a tentative schedule for completing agency and applicant action; and (4) all necessary application forms required for such approval. Directs the Secretary to publish a Project Decision Schedule setting deadlines for all such actions. Authorizes the President to act in lieu of any Federal agency failing to meet its deadline. Authorizes the Secretary to establish deadlines for Federal agency action which are shorter than the minimum period required under existing legislation in cases of exceptional national need. Provides for coordination of the actions of Federal, State, and local governments without impinging on the substantive and procedural requirements of State and local law, but directs the Secretary to recommend to a State Governor and to the Congress actions to alleviate or prevent any delays in a priority energy project created or threatened by any State or local government. Exempts from judicial review the actions of Federal officers or agencies pursuant to this Act, except as provided for therein. Sets time limits for filing claims arising out of action pursuant to this Act, and bars any claims filed thereafter. Stipulates that such claims shall be brought in the United States court of appeals for the circuit where the project would be located, and grants exclusive original jurisdiction to such court in such matters. Directs such court to give precedence to such matters over all other matters on the court's docket to the greatest extent practicable. Authorizes the Supreme Court, exclusively, to review interlocutory judgments or orders of the court of appeals pursuant to this Act, and directs the Supreme Court to give precedence to such matters to the greatest extent practicable. Prohibits the granting of injunctive relief against the issuance of any right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization pursuant to this Act except in conjunction with a final judgment on a claim filed under this Act. Establishes an Office for Priority Energy Projects within the Department of Energy to assist the Secretary. Terminates the Secretary's authority to designate priority energy projects seven years after enactment of this Act. Title III: Demonstration of Near-Term Energy Technologies - Directs the Secretary to solicit proposals for commercial demonstration of any of the energy technologies covered by the Federal Non-nuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974, including solar, geothermal, synthetic fuels and conservation technologies. Requires that such proposals be reviewed within 90 days and transmitted to the Congress with recommendations. Title IV: Department of Energy Project Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 and subsequent years for a variety of energy development, demonstration, and commercialization projects for solvent refined coal, high and low Btu gasification, geothermal energy, oil shale, fuel cells, fluidized bed combustion, and urban and industrial waste. Increases the number of small hydroelectric power plants eligible for Federal assistance. Title V: Oil Shale - Establishes a program to determine the commercial viability of oil shale retorting technologies. Directs the Secretary to solicit proposals for the design, construction, and initial operation of Federal oil-shale commercial demonstration projects. Sets forth criteria for selecting, locating, and evaluating such projects with respect to their economic viability and their social, environmental, and economic impacts on local communities. Establishes a Social and Environmental Impact Advisory Panel to advise the Secretary on matters relating to the oil shale program, including impacts on State and local governments, environmental, health, and safety effects of the test facilities, and measures for preventing or mitigating such impacts. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee and make commitments to guarantee the payment of interest on obligations for financing essential community development and planning resulting from this title. Sets the maximum amount of obligations to be guaranteed under this title at $20,000,000 for fiscal years 1980 and 1981. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State and local governments for studying and planning for mitigation of the potential economic, environmental, and social impacts of projects authorized by this title and for establishing related management expertise. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000 for such grants for fiscal year 1980. Establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Oil Shale Commercialization Test Special Fund for the purpose of providing funds for impact assistance as prescribed by this title. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of specified agencies and departments, to prepare and submit to Congress a comprehensive plan for the acquisition of information and evaluation of the impacts of the oil shale program. Specifies components of such plan. Requires that the Secretary prepare and submit to Congress an annual report on activities conducted under this Act. Makes the information collected by the Secretary pursuant to this title available to the public. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 to carry out the provisions of this Act. Title VI: Study of World Oil Supply and Production Opportunities - Directs the Secretary to prepare and submit to Congress a study of world oil supply and production opportunities in non-OPEC countries, including an evaluation of alternative policies for increasing exploration and production, and an assessment of present United States initiatives and potential for new oil discoveries. Title VII: Oil and Gas Leasing - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a five-year program to lease on-shore Federal lands for oil and gas exploration, development, and production. Requires expedited decisions on leasing applications and expanded use of competitive bidding. Requires leases to describe exploration activities in an exploration plan, and to describe development and production activities in a development and production plan, prior to obtaining the Secretary's approval of such activities. Makes provision for assuring the protection of non-energy resources on such lands as are leased under this title. Limits judicial review and relief from the Secretary's actions or determinations to those cases where any such action on determination is found to be arbitrary or capricious. Title VIII: Gasohol - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program promoting the use of alcohol blended fuels. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with appropriate agencies, to conduct a study to determine the most suitable raw materials for the production of alcohol motor fuel and the nature of the alcohol motor fuel distribution system and production processes. Directs the Secretary to set mandatory annual production levels for alcohol fuels for the period of 1981 through 1990. Stipulates that the alcohol content of gasoline shall be increased from one percent to ten percent over the ten-year period. Imposes civil penalties upon refiners violating such production requirements. Requires any facility built for alcohol distillation pursuant to this title to give priority to the use of renewable energy resources as its operating fuel. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1979 to carry out the purposes of this title. Title IX: Short-Term Initiatives - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy, in cooperation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), to implement a two-year program to require any petroleum-fueled commercial, industrial, or utility facility having a natural gas or coal capability to switch to the alternative fuel to replace the oil being used therein. Directs the FERC to order the installation of natural gas transportation facilities by pipeline owners to accommodate the fuel switching requirements of this subtitle. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine whether, a proposal to switch to coal requires a waiver of any State air pollution control standard or limitation in effect pursuant to the Clean Air Act. Exempts facilities required to switch to natural gas which are subject to the requirements of the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1979 from such requirements for two years. Authorizes the Secretary or the FERC to seek injunctive relief for anticipated or actual violations of this subtitle. Imposes a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for knowing violations of this subtitle, and criminal penalties up to $50,000 and imprisonment for willful violations. Terminates such fuel switching program two years after the date of enactment. Authorizes the Secretary to order utilities to generate, transfer, wheel, or purchase electric power upon a determination that such action would reduce oil consumption by electric utilities. Limits the duration of such orders to 30 days. Directs the FERC to set rates for generating and transmitting power pursuant to such orders from the Secretary. Provides for enforcement mechanisms for violations of such electric power transfer requirements. Sets forth an expedited judicial review process for persons aggrieved by any order issued by the Secretary under this title. Title X: Renewable Energy Resources - Establishes a national goal of 20 quadrillion Btu's of energy to be supplied by the year 2000 from renewable energy resources such as solar energy, wind energy, and urban waste systems. Establishes the Solar Heating and Cooling Information Center to provide information on renewable energy resources. Requires the inclusion of cost-effective solar systems in new Federal buildings, the construction of renewable energy generating facilities by the Federal power administrations, and the making of federally-subsidized low-interest loans for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems by owners or builders of commercial and residential structures. Directs the heads of each Federal agency operating a fueling station for civilian gasoline motor vehicles to require that such stations only dispense ten percent alcohol-blended gasoline. Directs the head of each Federal agency operating a retail gasoline supply outlet to require that such outlets offer for retail sale ten percent alcohol-blended gasoline. Establishes within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Solar Programs a Solar Energy Loan Program to administer the low-interest loan program. Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 for such loan program. Establishes as wind energy program objectives to reach by fiscal year 1986, a total megawatt capacity in the United States from wind energy systems of 500 megawatts and a reduction of the average cost of wind generated electricity to a level competitive with conventional energy sources. Directs the Secretary to establish research, development, and demonstration programs to promote the use of wind energy systems by means of Federal financial assistance, subsidies, and contract awards. Establishes a wind energy commercialization program for the accelerated procurement and installation of wind energy systems in Federal facilities. Establishes an advisory committee to assist the Secretary in performing his duties relating to the wind energy program. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 to carry out this Act, of which $100,000,000 shall be used for the wind energy program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to repeal the limitation on outside income for beneficiaries age 65 or older.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1979
Antiquities Act and Federal Land Policy and Management Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Antiquities Act to define "objects of historic or scientific interest" to include specified items. Stipulates that such objects must be directly associated with human activities. Requires congressional approval of any Presidential proclamation of a national monument before it can effect a reservation of public lands in excess of 5,000 acres. Permits the continuance of uses of public lands within a national monument which were valid uses prior to the designation of such lands as a monument, including hunting, guiding, hiking, boating, and use of motorized vehicles. Stipulates that such uses must not adversely affect the objects sought to be protected by the reservation. Grants such provisions governing the proclamation of national monuments retroactive effect as of October 14, 1978. Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to require congressional approval of withdrawals of public lands in excess of 5,000 acres by the Secretary of the Interior.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1979
Adds specified lands to the Moapa Indian Reservation, Moapa, Nevada, to be held in trust by the United States for the benefit and use of the Moapa Band of Paiutes. Allows restricted lands (whether tribally or individually owned) of such Band to be leased, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, by the Indian owners for a term of 99 years or less.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1979
Amends the Clean Air Act and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 to delay for one year certain provisions relating to areas which fail to meet national ambient air quality standards.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1979
Amends the Saccharin Study and Labeling Act to extend from 18 months to 54 months after the date of enactment the period during which the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not take specified actions to restrict the continued use of saccharin or of any food, drug, or cosmetic containing saccharin.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1979
Authorizes and directs the Committee on Rules and Administration to provide for television and radio coverage of proceedings in the Senate during consideration of the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1979
Youth Opportunity Wage Act of 1979 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow employers to employ youths between 16 and 20 years of age, without prior or special certification by the Secretary of Labor, at 85 percent of the minimum wage (or the applicable wage in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands) for 180 days, with the exception of youths employed by an employer at the minimum wage before the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to insure against violations of such provisions. Prohibits employers from engaging in a pattern and practice of: (1) substituting younger workers employed at less than the minimum wage for older workers employed at or above the minimum wage; or (2) terminating the employment of some youths and employing other youths in order to gain continual advantage from the youth opportunity wage. Establishes rates of compensation and fines for such violations. Eliminates special subminimum wage provisions for full-time students.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to require that aged, blind, or disabled aliens, as defined in title XVI, must have resided in the United States during the three years immediately preceding such aliens' application for benefits under title XVI. Exempts from the three-year requirement those aliens: (1) who are political refugees or parolees into this country; (2) with respect to whom the support agreement under the Immigration and Nationality Act is excused; and (3) certain blind or disabled individuals. Stipulates that such three-year requirement shall apply only to aliens applying for supplemental security income benefits under title XVI. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to stipulate that no immigrant shall be admitted into the United States unless: (1) at the time of application for admission a support agreement exists which states that the immigration sponsor shall provide such financial support as is necessary to maintain the immigrants' income at a dollar amount equal to the dollar amount such immigrant would receive under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, if such immigrant is aged, blind, or disabled as defined in title XVI, during the three-year period beginning on the date of admission of the immigrant; (2) such immigrant presents evidence of other means to provide the required support; or (3) such immigrant is designated as a parolee or political refugee without available means of private support. Authorizes the Attorney General, the immigrant, or any State which is making payments to such immigrant under any program based on need, to enforce such agreements in a civil action. Declares a support agreement excused and unenforceable if: (1) the sponsor dies or is adjudicated as bankrupt; (2) the alien becomes blind or disabled from causes arising after admission to the U.S.; (3) the sponsor can affirmatively demonstrate that his or her financial resources have diminished beyond the sponsor's control and that the sponsor is financially incapable of supporting the alien; or (4) judgment cannot be obtained in court because of circumstances unforeseeable to the alien at the time of admission.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1979
Permits any individual, association, partnership or corporation in adverse possession of public lands to obtain a patent to such lands from the Secretary of the Interior. Sets forth the information to be included in a petition for such a patent. Directs the Secretary to grant a patent to public lands if the petitioner, the petitioner's ancestors, or grantors have held such lands: (1) under color of title; (2) in good faith; (3) peacefully for at least 20 years; and (4) have improved such lands. Establishes procedures for the review of such petitions. Directs the Secretary, upon a determination that the petition is sufficient, to issue a patent for the interest claimed in an area of public land 50 acres or less upon the payment of $1.25 or less per acre. Grants the Secretary the option of issuing a patent for more than 50 acres upon the payment of the required fee. Requires the Secretary to obtain the consent of other Federal agencies to a patent award if a claim under this Act interferes with functions of such agencies. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a patent to a comparable tract of land or to pay the fair market value of the interest in the land claimed if such consent is not obtained. Permits the petitioner to elect compensation in lieu of substitute land. Reserves to the United States all mineral interests in any land to which a patent is issued under this Act. Prohibits the issuance of any patent if there is an unadjudicated claim adverse to the petitioner. Establishes jurisdiction in the United States Courts of Appeals for the review of all final actions of the Secretary under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1979
Amends the Act granting certain public lands of the United States to the Las Vegas Valley Water District to terminate such authority after December 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1979
Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit any foreign government or entity from suing in any United States district court for injuries sustained from violations of the antitrust laws unless the laws of such foreign government forbid such conduct and authorizes any person, including the government and citizens of the United States, to sue in the courts of that foreign state. Limits recovery of damages of a foreign government to the actual damages and the costs of the suit.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1979
Declares that Zimbabwe Rhodesia has: (1) demonstrated its willingness to negotiate in good faith at an all parties conference; and (2) approved through elections transferring power to a black majority government. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President: (1) should determine that Zimbabwe Rhodesia is in substantial compliance with the International Security Assistance Act of 1978; and (2) should not enforce sanctions against Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to require that actions for judicial review of any final detailed environmental impact statement be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction within a statute of limitations of 180 days after the date on which such final statement is published in the Federal Register.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends title V of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to define additional terms used in such Act. Makes conforming and technical amendments to such Act. Provides for the reimbursement of application costs to the Secretary of the Interior by applicants for crude oil transportation systems. Removes the requirement of Presidential notification and review of proposed crude oil transportation systems. Directs the Secretary to act upon such proposals. Directs the Secretary to transmit to each Governor a copy of any environmental impact statement prepared by the Department of the Interior concerning such systems. Removes the requirement of Presidential approval or disapproval of proposed systems. Provides that actions which relate to the construction and completion of approved pipeline systems and to applications filed in connection therewith shall be taken without further action and that the actions of Federal officers shall not be subject to judicial review.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1979
Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act Amendments of 1979 - Revises specified requirements concerning the sale or lease of lots located within a municipality or county under the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act. Requires that a title insurance binder or title opinion be presented to the purchaser prior to the time of closing. Exempts the following transactions from the terms of the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act: (1) sale or lease of real estate by a developer who is engaged in a sales operation which is intrastate in nature, and (2) the sale or lease of real estate by a developer who has fulfilled specified conditions to the resident of another State when the principal residence of the purchaser is within a radius of 100 miles from the property. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct all actions brought under the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1979
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Clean Air Act Amendments - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to amend certain regulations to require gasoline retail outlets to offer a blend of unleaded gasoline and alcohol which contains not less than ten percent alcohol, if supplies of such a blend are reasonably available. Stipulates circumstances in which such requirement may be waived. Prohibits the Administrator from imposing a prohibition on the use of alcohol as a fuel unless such imposition will, taken as a whole, result in better air quality than would be the case if no such prohibition were imposed. Title II: Gasohol Motor Fuel - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to promote the use of alcohol-blended fuels in the United States. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with other specified Secretaries, to study: (1) the most suitable raw materials, other than petroleum or natural gas, for the production of alcohol motor fuel; and (2) the nature of the alcohol motor fuel distribution systems and the various production processes, using feedstock other than petroleum and natural gas. Directs the Secretary, within six months after the completion of the study, to establish goals for the production of alcohol motor fuel in the United States in each of the calendar years 1982 through 1991, beginning with one percent by volume of the projected consumption of gasoline used as motor fuel in 1982, and culminating with ten percent of the corresponding projected consumption in 1991. Specifies a similar schedule for refiners for the blending of alcohol and gasoline for motor fuel over the same period of time. Instructs the Secretary to determine goals which are technically and economically feasible, and which result in steady progress toward meeting the goal set for 1991. Requires annual reports from refiners to the Secretary. Establishes a civil penalty of $1.00 per gallon of fuel sold that is not in compliance with such requirements. Requires any person constructing a facility to distill alcohol for motor fuel to use fuel sources which are renewable. Title III: Alcohol Production Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction, for income tax purposes, with respect to the amortization of any qualified alcohol-producing facility based on a period of 60 months. Defines such a facility as a tangible property used in producing alcohol (the primary use of which is fuel or other petroleum substitution) from coal or biomass. Specifies a formula for determining the amount of such deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Copper Environmental Equalization Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to the Tariff Schedules of the United States - Amends the Tariff Schedules to add an additional duty to the duties already imposed on copper and copper bearing ores. Title II: Adjustments to Copper Equalization Duty - Directs the President to adjust such additional duty based upon the environmental costs of production in the United States and in foreign countries as determined by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe a procedure by which interested parties may propose an adjustment in such duties. Title III: Amendment to the Trade Act of 1974 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to prohibit the President from designating the copper articles subject to the additional duty, as eligible for duty-free treatment. Title IV: Effective Date - Stipulates that the additional duty will apply to goods imported into the United States after enactment of this Act.
![Official portrait of Sen. Laxalt, Paul D. [R-NV]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000148_200.jpg)