United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1979
Oil Transportation by Vessel Liability Act - Makes the owner and operator of a vessel (other than a public vessel) liable for all damages, cleanup costs, and interest resulting from such vessel. Limits the liability of such owner or operator unless: (1) there is gross or willful negligence or violations; or (2) there is a lack of cooperation. Sets forth specified defenses to such liability. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report periodically to Congress concerning the desirability of adjusting the liability limitations. Prohibits any agreement transferring liability from the vessel owner or operator. Sets forth the damages due to oil discharges for which claims may be made. Makes the President or authorized State representative public trustees of the natural resources. Permits claims by foreigners or foreign nations. Establishes an Oil Cargo Liability Fund in the U.S. Treasury to be liable for all damages and cleanup costs not otherwise compensated by the owner or operator. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to invest moneys in the Fund in U.S. interest-bearing special obligations. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue notes or other obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury if the money in the Fund is insufficient to pay any claim. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report annually concerning such Fund. Establishes an Oil Cargo Liability Fund Fee to be levied on each barrel of crude oil. Provides civil penalties for failures to pay such fee. Permits any person or the Fund which pays any claimant compensation under this Act to be subrogated to all rights and causes of action of such claimant. Directs the Attorney General, at the request of the Secretary, to recover any compensation paid by the Fund. Sets forth the procedures to be followed in filing and pursuing a claim under this Act. Requires vessel owners and operators to establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility acceptable to the Secretary. Authorizes the Attorney General to act on behalf of any group presenting claims. Gives the public access to information concerning liability and compensation for oil discharge damages or cleanup costs. Sets forth penalties for violating the provisions concerning evidence of financial responsibility. Permits States to impose additional requirements, taxes, or liability for damages and cleanup costs with specified exceptions. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1978, the Intervention on the High Seas Act, the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act: (1) to repeal any separate liability provisions for oil discharge from vessels under such Acts; and (2) to provide coverage under the Oil Cargo Liability Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1979
Urges (1) the International Whaling Commission to adopt a moratorium on the commercial killing of whales and (2) various countries to voluntarily comply with such moratorium.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1979
Expresses the gratitude of the Senate upon the retirement of the Honorable Clarence M. Mitchell, Junior, as chief legislative spokesman for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and for his contributions to the establishment of justice and equality in America.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Soft Drink Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that exclusive territorial arrangements made as a part of a licensing agreement for the manufacture, distribution, or sale of a trademarked soft drink product are lawful under the antitrust law provided such product is in substantial and effective competition with other products for the same general class in the relevant market or markets. Prohibits recovery in private actions under the Clayton Act based on territorial provisions in a trademark licensing agreement prior to a final determination that such provisions are unlawful.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Children and Youth Camp Safety Act - Establishes in the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare an Office of Youth Camp Safety to be headed by a Director of Youth Camp Safety. Confers upon the Director the primary responsibility for the promulgation and enforcement of Federal and State youth camp safety regulations. Requires any State which desires to assume responsibility for the development and modification of youth camp safety standards to submit a State plan to the Director for approval. Allows a State whose plan has been rejected to obtain review of the decision in the United States court of appeals. Authorizes the Director to make grants to States for the development of youth camp safety plans, such grants not to exceed 80 percent of the cost of carrying out the State plan. Authorizes the Director to enter and inspect youth camps and their records. Charges the Director with establishing within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a Federal Advisory Council on Youth Camp Safety and to submit to Congress at least once a year a report on his administration under this Act. Establishes judicial procedures to restrain any condition or practice which poses an imminent danger of serious injury at such camps. Prescribes penalties for violations by youth camp operators of the standards promulgated pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1979
Independent Local Newspaper Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the establishment of independent local newspaper advance estate tax trusts to facilitate payment of the estate tax imposed upon the estate of a decedent who owned an interest in an independent local newspaper. Sets forth requirements for the establishment of such trusts, including requirements that such trusts: (1) be created pursuant to a plan adopted by the newspaper; (2) be governed by a written instrument which requires that contributions to and income of the trust be invested solely in obligations of the United States; (3) name as trustee a bank or another individual who is capable of administering such trust in compliance with the requirements of this Act; (4) maintain trust assets separately from other property; (5) accept contributions exclusively from independent local newspapers; (6) devote assets of the trust solely to the payment of the estate tax; and (7) distribute any excess funding of the trust to its beneficiaries or their estates. Limits an individual who owns interests in several independent local newspapers to participation in not more than one estate tax payment trust. Defines an "independent local newspaper" as a newspaper publication which is not a member of a chain and which maintains all its offices in a single city, community or metropolitan area, or, on January 1, 1979, within one State. Defines "excess funding" as the excess of the face value of the assets of a qualified trust over: (1) 70 percent of the value of a decedent's interest in an independent local newspaper which is includable in his gross estate; or (2) a decedent's estate tax which is attributable to his interest in an independent local newspaper included in his gross estate. Exempts independent local newspaper advance estate tax trusts and the individuals for whom such trusts are established from income taxation with respect to income earned by such trust. Terminates such tax-exempt status if the taxpayer's interest in the newspaper is sold, the newspaper itself is sold or ceases to qualify as an independent newspaper, or there is an excess funding of the trust. Provides that the amount of any excess funding shall be distributed to the individual for whom the trust was created and included in his gross income or gross estate. Allows an income tax deduction to local independent newspapers for contributions made to estate tax payment trusts. Limits the amount of such deduction to 50 percent of the taxable income derived from such newspaper for the taxable year. Requires the redetermination of the estate tax of an individual for whom an independent local newspaper advance estate tax trust is established and the inclusion in the gross estate of such individual of an amount equal to the estate tax payment made by such trust which is attributable to the individual's interest in the newspaper, if the trust or any heir of the individual sells, within 15 years of the death of such individual, any part of the interest in the newspaper with respect to which the trust was created. Provides for the gradual phaseout of any additional estate tax which is imposed due to the premature sale of a newspaper, if the sale does not occur prior to the ten to 15 year period following the death of the individual for whom the estate tax trust is established. Permits the shareholders of an independent local newspaper who receive the stock of a corporation which the newspaper controls to exclude from their gross income any gain realized as a result of such distribution if: (1) the shareholders do not sell such stock within five years after the date of its distribution; (2) the shareholders retain control of the newspaper for five years after the date of the distribution; and (3) the newspaper and the controlled corporation each continue to be engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business through the five year period beginning on the date of the distribution. Excludes from the gross estate of a decedent the value of any interest in an independent local newspaper which he holds at the time of his death and any estate tax payment made by an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust. Permits the executor of an estate which includes an interest in an independent local newspaper to pay the estate tax in two or more (but not exceeding ten) equal installments. Limits the maximum amount of estate tax that may be paid in installments to the excess of the amount of estate tax over the tax that would have been imposed if the interest in the newspaper had not been included in the gross estate, reduced by all payments of the estate tax made by an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1979
University and Small Business Patent Procedures Act - States that it is the objective of this Act to amend existing patent procedures in order to promote the marketing of inventions developed under federally supported research and development projects by nonprofit organizations and small business firms. Permits any such organization or firm to elect, within a reasonable amount of time, to retain title to such inventions. Permits Federal agencies which have supported such projects to retain title to inventions through their funding agreements in specified circumstances. Requires review of agency determinations that such circumstances exist by the Comptroller General and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the implementation of this Act by Federal agencies. Enumerates provisions which must be included in funding agreements between a Federal agency and a small business firm or nonprofit organization including provisions: (1) to insure the rights of the Federal Government under this Act; (2) to provide that the agency shall have a nonexclusive, nontransferable, irrevocable and paid-up license to use the invention; (3) to prohibit a nonprofit organization from assigning rights to the invention without the approval of the Federal agency; (4) to prohibit such an organization from granting exclusive rights from the earlier of five years from the first commercial use of the invention or eight years from the date of invention; and (5) to require such organizations to use their royalties and earnings to support scientific research or education. Authorizes a Federal agency to transfer or assign its rights, acquired from an agency employee as coinventor, to an inventor electing to acquire title to an invention. Empowers any Federal agency to require inventors or their assigns to grant licenses in order to: (1) achieve practical application of the invention in its field of uses; (2) alleviate health or safety needs; (3) meet requirements for public use specified by Federal regulations; or (4) achieve participation by United States industry in the manufacture of an invention. Entitles the government to collect up to 50 percent of all net income above specified amounts received by a patent holder until government research funds have been repaid. Restricts the assignment and licensing of rights by patent holders to foreign owned or controlled firms unless such persons agree that any products embodying the subject invention or produced through the use of the subject invention will be manufactured substantially in the United States. Authorizes Federal agencies to withhold information on inventions from public disclosure. Specifies the authority of Federal agencies with respect to obtaining patents, promoting licensing of inventions, granting licenses, conducting market surveys, transferring custody of patents, and receiving funds. Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations specifying the terms upon which any federally-owned invention may be licensed. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate a program for assisting Federal agencies in protecting and licensing federally-owned inventions. Sets forth the procedure whereby Federal agencies may grant exclusive or partially exclusive licenses in any invention covered by a federally-owned domestic patent or patent application. Prohibits licensing which lessens competition. Directs that small business firms be given preference in exclusive or partially exclusive licensing. Enumerates provisions which must be contained in any grant of a license by a Federal agency. Declares that this Act shall take precedence over any other Act in the disposition of inventions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1979
Competition Improvements Act of 1979 - Prohibits Federal agencies from taking action which tends to lessen competition except in specified circumstances. Authorizes the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission to advise the agencies on the validity of exceptions to this Act. Requires each independent regulatory agency to devise procedures whereby the Attorney General will receive timely and adequate notice of important agency actions which may have a significant impact on competition. Places the burden of proof upon the agency to establish by substantial evidence that it has complied with the standard asserted in this Act in any proceeding for judicial review of such agency's order. Requires Federal departments and agencies to insure the integration antitrust law and policy in all activities which may have an impact on competition. Requires each Federal department and agency to review its statutory authority, administrative regulations, policies, practices and procedures to determine whether they contain any deficiencies or inconsistencies which may prevent full compliance with the purpose of this Act. Requires the departments and agencies to recommend such measures to the President and to the Congress, as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to report annually to the President and to Congress on the degree to which Federal agencies have complied with the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain married individuals, who do not file a single joint return with their spouses, to elect the same tax rates currently applicable to unmarried individuals (other than surviving spouses and heads of households), without regard to any community property laws. Entitles any married individual making such an election to claim the income tax credit for dependent care services paid for under specified circumstances, even though such individual did not contribute over half of the support of the dependent concerned.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Disapproves the proposed deferral of budget authority deferral D79-6 to promote and develop fishery products and research pertaining to American fisheries, as transmitted by the President to the Congress on October 2, 1978, pursuant to the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Social Security Administration Act - Title I: Social Security Administration - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish as an independent agency of the Executive branch of the Government, a Social Security Administration, headed by a Board appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Declares that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance), XVI (Supplemental Security Income) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, and to discharge the duties and responsibilities imposed on the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in connection with the administration of the program established by title IV of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. States that the Administration shall also have the duty of studying and making recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance, and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Provides for the appointment of an Executive Director and a General Counsel of the Administration. Makes the Administration responsible for administering the old age, survivors, and disability insurance program, medicare, supplemental security income, and the black lung benefit program under the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. Transfers to the Social Security Administration: (1) all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare with respect to the administration of programs and activities the administration of which is vested in such administration by reason of this Act; and (2) all personnel, assets, liabilities, contracts, property, and records which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget determines to be employed, held or used by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare primarily in connection with the functions, activities, and programs which, by reason of this Act are vested in or become the responsibility of the Administration. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security. Title II: Miscellaneous and Conforming Amendments - Prohibits the mailing of announcements with Social Security and SSI checks which make reference by name, title, or signature to any officer of the United States. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Social Security Act, the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, the Budget and Accounting Act, and the Executive Schedules of the United States Code.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers who do not itemize income tax deductions to claim a deduction from gross income for charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States, and the District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall elect the President and Vice President. Requires each elector to cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. Requires the electors of President and Vice President in each State to have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature, except that for electors of President and Vice President, the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive residence qualifications and for electors of President and Vice President the Congress may establish uniform residence qualifications. Provides that the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected, if such number is at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast. Provides that if no pair of persons has such number, a runoff election shall be held in which the choice of President and Vice President shall be made from the two pairs of persons who received the highest numbers of votes. Requires the days for such elections to be determined by Congress and to be uniform throughout the United States. Requires Congress to prescribe by law the time, place, and manner in which the results for such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Allows Congress to provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Department of Education Organization Act of 1979 - Title I: General Provisions - Declares the purposes of this Act to be to: (1) insure that education receives the appropriate emphasis at the Federal levels; (2) coordinate Federal educational programs; (3) supplement and complement the educational efforts of State, local, and tribal governments, as well as the private sector; and (4) protect the rights of State, local, and tribal governments, and public and non-public educational institutions in the areas of educational policies, administration of programs, and selection of curriculums and program content. Title II: Establishment of Department - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education to be headed by a Secretary of Education. Establishes, within such Department, offices of Assistant Secretary for: (1) Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; (2) Postsecondary Education; (3) Elementary and Secondary Education; (4) Occupational, Adult, and Community Education; and (5) Educational Research and Development. Establishes within such Department: (1) a Director of the Office of Civil Rights; (2) two additional Assistant Secretaries; (3) an Inspector General; (4) a General Counsel; and (5) an Administrator of Education for Overseas Dependents. Includes, within the functions of such Department, the administration of programs relating to: (1) elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education; (2) occupational, adult, and community education; (3) grants; (4) special education and rehabilitative services; (5) schools for overseas dependents of the Department of Defense; (6) enforcement of civil rights; (7) educational research; (8) intergovernmental policies; (9) public information; and (10) congressional relations. Establishes, within such Department, Offices of: (1) Civil Rights; (2) Elementary and Secondary Education; (3) Postsecondary Education; (4) Occupational, Adult, and Community Education; (5) Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; (6) Education for Overseas Dependents; (7) Educational Research and Improvement; (8) Inspector General; and (9) General Counsel. Establishes within such Department an Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Education to assure the effective coordination of Federal programs. Establishes a Federal Interagency Committee on Education to assist the Secretary in coordinating the procedures and actions of the Department with other Federal agencies. Title III: Transfers of Agencies and Functions - Transfers to the Department from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW): (1) the Education Division of HEW, including the National Institute of Education; (2) the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Education, including the National Center for Education Statistics; (3) the Institute of Museum Services; (4) any advisory committees primarily concerned with education; and (5) the Office of Information and Resources for Handicapped Individuals; (6) the Rehabilitation Services Administration, except the part of such Administration that administers the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act; (7) the National Institute of Handicapped Research; (8) the Interagency Committee on Handicapped Research; (9) the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults; and (10) the National Council on the Handicapped. Transfers from HEW to the Department of Education educational functions regarding: (1) the General Education Provisions Act; (2) the Emergency School Aid Act; (3) the Higher Education Act of 1965; (4) the Emergency Insured Student Loan Act of 1969; (5) the Act of August 30, 1898; (6) title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (7) certain provisions of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act; (8) the International Education Act of 1966; (9) the National Defense Education Act of 1958; (10) the Education of the Handicapped Act; (11) the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act; (12) the Vocational Education Act of 1963; (13) the Career Education Incentive Act; (14) the Office of Civil Rights; (15) the budgetary oversight of certain educational institutions; (16) certain loans and scholarships for students in the medical and health services under the Public Health Service Act; (17) certain provisions under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (18) the National Institute of Education and the Institute of Museum Services; (19) Gallaudet College, Howard University, the American Printing House for the Blind, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf; and (20) telecommunications grants under the Communications Act of 1934. Transfers to the Department of Education from the Departments of: (1) Defense, the administration and operation of overseas dependents schools; (2) Justice, the student loan and grant programs known as the Law Enforcement and Education Program and the Law Enforcement Intern Program; and (3) Housing and Urban Development, the administration of college housing loans. Transfers to the Department of Education: (1) specified functions of the National Science Foundation; and (2) the Advisory Council on Educational Statistics. Title IV: Administrative Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to appoint and fix the salaries for the Department's employees in accordance with the civil service laws. Allows certain higher level appointments to be made by the Secretary without Civil Service Commission approval if the individual so appointed is transferred to the Department in connection with a transfer of functions under this Act. Stipulates that Congress shall authorize the annual number of personnel for the Department of Education. Establishes guidelines for computing such personnel authorization. Grants rulemaking authority to the Secretary. Requires such rules to be in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act and specified provisions of the General Education Provisions Act. Authorizes the Secretary to (1) employ experts and consultants; (2) enter into contracts with public agencies and private persons and organizations; (3) provide technical advice to participants or potential participants in Departmental programs; (4) maintain, alter, or discontinue field offices; (5) acquire and maintain schools, laboratories, and related facilities; (6) provide and maintain various facilities for employees and their dependents at remote locations; (7) utilize, with their consent, Federal, State, tribal, or foreign facilities; (8) acquire necessary copyrights and patents; (9) accept and utilize gifts and requests of real and personal property; (10) establish a working capital fund for administrative expenses; and (11) transfer funds within the Department. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to the Congress concerning the Department's activities. Stipulates that such report include: (1) a statement of goals and priorities; (2) an assessment of progress; (3) an analysis of data concerning changing trends in education and areas of particular educational concern; (4) five-year budget projections; and (5) recommendations made by the Federal Interagency Committee on Education. Requires that public hearings be held as part of the preparation of such report. Directs that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget jointly conduct a study of the administration of Federal Indian education programs, and that such study be submitted to the Congress and the President within six months of enactment of this Act. Stipulates that such study contain; (1) an analysis of problems and recommendations for improvements; and (2) recommendations concerning the proper organizational structure for Indian education programs within the Federal Government. Provides that, except where inconsistent with provisions of this Act, the General Education Provisions Act shall apply to functions transferred by this Act. Title V: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Redesignates the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Title VI: Effective Date and Interim Appointment - Directs that this Act shall take effect 180 days after the Secretary of Education takes office, or earlier if the President so decides. Authorizes the President to make initial interim appointments to the Department of Education under specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Victims of Crime Act of 1979 - Establishes a nine-member, part-time Advisory Committee on Victims of Crime to advise the Attorney General with respect to the administration of this Act and the compensation of victims of crime. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to qualified State programs for the compensation of victims of crime. States that such grants shall total: (1) 25 percent of the allowable compensation paid to victims and dependent survivors of victims of State crimes designated by the State as appropriate for compensation under this program; and (2) 100 percent of the allowable compensation paid to victims and survivors of victims of crimes which would constitute designated State crimes except for the fact that the crime is subject to exclusive Federal jurisdiction. Specifies criteria for a State plan to qualify under this Act, including that such plan: (1) offers compensation for personal injuries suffered as a result of certain State and Federal crimes; (2) offers compensation to surviving dependents of any person whose death resulted from being victim to such a crime; (3) grants claimants the right to a hearing; (4) requires cooperation with law enforcement agencies as a condition for recovery; (5) does not have a financial means test; (6) subrogates the State to any claim the victim or dependent has against the perpetrator to the extent of the amount compensated by the State; (7) does not require claimants to seek welfare benefits; (8) denies or reduces any claim where the victim or claimant contributed to the death or injury; (9) may require the criminal by State law or rule to make restitution to the victim; and (10) does not require that any person be apprehended or convicted of the crime giving rise to the claim. Permits States with programs not in compliance with this Act to remain eligible for grants under this Act until the day after the close of the first regular State legislative session that begins after the effective date of this Act. Sets forth specified expenses that may not be included in the State program's cost of paying compensation when determining the amount of the grant for which such program is eligible. Directs the Attorney General to submit annual reports to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees with respect to each qualifying State program, and the activities of the Attorney General in carrying out this Act. Requires the Attorney General to report to Congress on the appropriateness of requiring State laws which prevent criminal wrongdoers from enjoying profits made from publicity surrounding their wrongdoing.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Small Business Depreciation Reform Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the straight line depreciation based on a period of 36 months of business property with a useful life of three years or more and a basis not in excess of $25,000.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Directs the Department of Labor, in cooperation with the Department of Commerce, to develop methods for improving the collection of labor statistics relating to Americans of East Asian or Pacific Island origin or descent. Directs the Departments of Commerce, Labor, Agriculture, and Health, Education, and Welfare to collect social, health, and economic statistics relating to such Americans. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop a Government-wide program for the collection of such statistics. Directs the Department of Commerce to: (1) study methods for developing creditable estimates of undercounts of such Americans; (2) insure that the needs and concerns of such Americans are given full recognition in data-collection activities; and (3) implement an affirmative action program within the Bureau of the Census for the employment of personnel of East Asian or Pacific Island origin or descent.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and physical examinations, and related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
National Ski Patrol System Recognition Act of 1979 - Grants a Federal charter to the National Ski Patrol System. Declares that the purpose of such corporation shall be to promote public safety in skiing.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Authorizes the Attorney General to institute a civil action for or in the name of the United States in an appropriate district court whenever he has reasonable cause to believe that a State or its agents are subjecting persons confined in any correctional facility, juvenile correction center, mental hospital, nursing home, or facility for the mentally ill, retarded, or disabled to conditions of willful or gross neglect which deprive such persons of their Federal constitutional or statutory rights. Permits the Attorney General to intervene in any action commenced in a Federal court in which relief is sought from conditions allegedly depriving institutionalized persons in State institutions of their Federal rights. Prohibits any retaliation against individuals reporting conditions which may constitute a violation. Requires the Attorney General to report to Congress concerning actions instituted or in which the Attorney General has intervened pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States, and the District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall elect the President and Vice President. Requires each elector to cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. Requires the electors of President and Vice President in each State to have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature, except that for electors of President and Vice President, the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive residence qualifications and for electors of President and Vice President the Congress may establish uniform residence qualifications. Provides that the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected, if such number is at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast. Provides that if no pair of persons has such number, a runoff election shall be held in which the choice of President and Vice President shall be made from the two pairs of persons who received the highest numbers of votes. Requires the days for such elections to be determined by Congress and to be uniform throughout the United States. Requires Congress to prescribe by law the time, place, and manner in which the results for such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Allows Congress to provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1978
Expresses the appreciation of the Senate and commends the members of the American K2 Expedition Team for their service in representing themselves and their country with distinction by successfully climbing K2, a mountain in Pakistan.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1978
Designates the Federal building and court house located at 25 South Third Street in Yakima, Washington, as the "Justice William O. Douglas Federal Building."
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an accrual basis taxpayer who operates a life care community to include in gross income over a ten-year period an amount paid by an individual incident to becoming a resident of such life care community. Defines "life care community" as a community owned or leased by the taxpayer which provides housing and health care services for permanent residents (age 60 or older) and which contains separate dwelling units available for rental for at least 100 residents.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1978
Independent Local Newspaper Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to promote the survival of independent newspapers by providing for the establishment of tax-exempt trusts for paying estate taxes on such papers, and by postponing the payment of estate taxes on such papers.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 1978
Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act - Directs the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration to develop and maintain comprehensive programs to insure widespread public involvement in formulating regional electric power programs and policies. Establishes a Bonneville Consumers' Council and a Bonneville Utilities Council with whom the Administrator is directed to consult, together with the Governors or the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, and the general public in preparing a regional power planning and conservation program. Exempts such councils from the purview of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and exempts their members' actions from constituting potential violations of Federal or State antitrust laws. Directs the Administrator to offer to sell electric power to specified customers at rates to be established and periodically modified, in accordance with specified criteria, and establishes amounts of power such customers are to receive. Directs the Administrator to implement feasible and cost-effective measures to conserve electric power, and to assist governmental authorities in promoting conservation of electric power. Authorizes the Administrator to acquire additional electric power resources where regional electric power obligations cannot be met by employing conservation measures, but specifically directs the Administrator to give priority to developing renewable energy resources where additional resources are needed. Authorizes acquisition or the construction and operation of other types of electric power resources where needed to assure transmission system reliability. Sets forth procedural instructions for such acquisitions. Amends the Federal Columbia River Transmission System Act to authorize such expenditures as are necessary to implement this Act. Amends such Act further to authorize the issuance of bonds and other debt obligations for the purpose of financing activities arising from the implementation of this Act. Stipulates that such obligations bear interest at a rate not to exceed the rate applicable to such obligations if purchased by the Federal Financing Bank. Increases the aggregate principal amount of obligations incurred under such Act which are outstanding at any one time to include the principal amount of obligations incurred and outstanding which were issued to assist in financing the activities of this Act. Extends the definition of "Pacific Northwest" to include the entire State of Idaho. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into such agreements and contracts as are deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Exempts from the provisions of the Public Utility Holding Company Act any "person" or "company," as therein defined, connected with electric generating facilities, which sell 75 percent or more of their power to the Administrator.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1978
Expresses the support of the Senate for the nomination of the Public Groups to Promote Observance of the Helsinki Agreement in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1978
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of State: (1) make every effort to negotiate an agreement with Canada to preserve our mutual airshed, protect air resources, and maintain air quality; and (2) take whatever diplomatic actions necessary to reduce or eliminate any undesirable impact on both countries resulting from air pollution from any source.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1978
Amends the Fishery Conservation Zone Transition Act to give effect to the Reciprocal Fisheries Agreement between the United States and Canada for 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1978
Amends the Fishery Conservation and Management Act: (1) to delete from the definition of fishing any operations at sea in support of or in preparation for catching or harvesting fish; and (2) to delete processing vessels from the definition of fishing vessels. Defines process or processing as any treatment of fish in preparation for commercial use. Defines a processing vessel as any vessel used to process, store, refrigerate or transport fish products. Prohibits any foreign processing fishing vessel from fishing within the fishery conservation zone unless such vessel has a valid permit issued pursuant to the Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to approve any application for foreign processing vessel that proposes to receive fish harvested by vessels of the United States unless United States processing capability is adequate for processing the fish harvested from the fishery involved.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1978
Sugar Stabilization Act - Sets forth the policy of the Congress with respect to foreign trade in sugar. Title I: International Sugar Agreement - Authorizes the President to prohibit the importation of sugar from any country not a member of the International Sugar Organization, and to otherwise regulate foreign trade in sugar to implement the International Sugar Agreement. Establishes civil penalties for the violation of such regulations. Requires the President to submit to Congress an annual report on the Agreement. Title II: Domestic Sugar Program - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make an annual estimate of the sugar consumption needs of the United States. Establishes a formula for determining the price objectives of domestic sugar. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a quota for the importation of sugar, and to adjust such quota. Authorizes the Secretary to impose an import fee in order to attain the price objective for sugar. Prohibits the established quota from being filled by direct-consumption sugar, except in specified circumstances. Permits the Secretary to suspend such quota and fees under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a quota on the importation of "sugar-containing products. Prohibits the importation of sugar, liquid sugar, or "sugar-containing products" after the import quotas have been filled. Prohibits the importation of certain sugar or liquid sugar into the Virgin Islands in excess of 100 pounds annually. Prohibits the exportation of certain sugar from the United States. Regulates the exportation of sugar. Sets forth items to which the sugar quota shall not apply. Title III: General Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out this Act. Establishes penalties for the violation of such regulations. Requires certain information to be furnished to the Secretary by persons engaged in the manufacture, marketing, transport, or industrial use, of sugar. Prohibits officials engaged in the administration of this Act to invest in sugar. Establishes penalties for the violation of such prohibition. Authorizes the President to suspend the operation of Title II of this Act in a national emergency. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (1) to conduct surveys and investigations to carry out this Act, and (2) to announce a "daily spot price" for raw sugar in specified circumstances. Terminates the authority of the Secretary under this Act on December 31, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Expresses the concern of the Senate regarding the slaughter of dolphins in the Sea of Japan by Japanese fishermen. Encourages the Government of Japan to join in international discussions to cooperate in the establishment of an international cetacean commission, and to adopt comprehensive marine mammal protection legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Reading Services Expansion and Improvement Act - Authorizes appropriations to States for: (1) employment of persons who through reading aloud can afford blind persons ready access to printed information; (2) transcription of printed information into braille or sound recording, if such transcription is performed pursuant to individual requests from blind persons for such service; (3) the purchase, storage, and distribution of equipment and materials necessary for the production, duplication, and reproduction of braille materials and sound recordings; and (4) the purchase, storage, and distribution of equipment provided to blind persons that affords such persons private individual access to printed materials.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Amends the Central, Western, and South Pacific Fisheries Development Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to consult and cooperate with appropriate member nations of the South Pacific Regional Fishery Agency in carrying out the purposes of the Act. Authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with all member nations of the Agency and other specified parties, to establish an additional program for the development of tuna and other latent fishery resources. Increases appropriation authorizations to carry out the purposes of the Act through fiscal year 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1978
Consumer Product Safety Act Authorization Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to extend its authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to authorize additional appropriations to the United States Railway Association in order to purchase securities of the Consolidated Rail Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the coverage of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act agricultural hand-harvest labor performed by full-time students under the age of 16 years, except where the State in which such labor is performed provides unemployment compensation for such labor.
![Official portrait of Sen. Magnuson, Warren G. [D-WA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b6bcbf426a6727b130ff10246e7c1bfa_200.jpg)