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United States · Official source
3,423 records where Sen. Matsunaga, Spark M. [D-HI] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Declares five individuals lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for the services of a clinical psychologist under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1979
Declares four individuals lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
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 · 23 January 1979
Directs the Department of Commerce, in cooperation with the Department of Labor and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, to adopt methods for improving and expanding the collection and analysis of labor force characteristics relating to women in all occupations, especially in professional, technical, and managerial positions. Requires the Bureau of Census to provide a statistical breakdown of data relating to the employment of women equal to that provided in the case of men.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Reduces the annuities payable to a surviving spouse over age 62 pursuant to the armed forces Survivor Benefit Plan by an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount received under title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act where such benefits were calculated on the basis of the deceased's service in the uniformed services and calculated assuming that the deceased lived to age 65. Entitles certain individuals who were widowed on or before September 20, 1972, and who are not covered by the Survivor Benefit Plan, to an annuity. Directs that any individual who is entitled to retired or retainer pay and who did not elect to participate in the Survivor Benefit Plan may do so within 270 days after the effective date of this Act while continuing to participate in the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Authorizes the inclusion of military service performed by an individual after December, 1956, in the aggregate period of service on which a civil service annuity is based. Stipulates that this Act applies only to individuals becoming eligible for such annuity after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Civil Service Commission, upon request, to recompute the annuity of an individual receiving such annuity before the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the income tax deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for casualty loss of depreciable fruit or nut trees. Sets a minimum deduction of the fair market value on the date such loss occurs, with a further allowance for an up to ten-year carryback and an up to four-year carryover.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Sunset Act of 1979 - Title I: Reauthorizations of Government Programs - Sets forth a ten-year schedule for reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 1979. Sets forth the procedure in the House of Representatives and the Senate for the consideration of any bill, resolution, or amendment which authorizes new budget authority. States that it is not in order for either House to consider any legislation which authorizes the enactment of new budget authority for a program for a period of more than ten years, for an indefinite period, or for any fiscal year beginning after the next reauthorization date applicable to such program. Provides that before the Congress can appropriate funds for any program, after its first reauthorization date, there must be a specific authorization in law to support the appropriation. Requires the committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct a sunset review of programs during the Congress in which such programs are scheduled for review. Requires that the report accompanying such reauthorization contain specified information, and that the report be completed during the Congress in which the program is scheduled for reauthorization. Exempts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as interest on Federal debts, health care services, general retirement and disability payments, as well as litigation activities which have as their objectives the protection and implementation of civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and specified retirement pay and benefits. Allows the reauthorization schedule set forth in this Act to be changed by concurrent resolution of the two Houses of Congress and sets forth the procedure for such change. Requires all legislation and other matters related to changes in the dates for programs under this Act to be referred to the committee with legislative jurisdiction over any program affected by the proposal and, sequentially, to the Committee on Rules in the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Rules and Administration in the Senate. Requires such committees to report any concurrent resolution or bill referred to it by a committee of legislative jurisdiction within 30 days, with a statement on each of its recommendations. Makes provisions for any proposed change which has been reported by a committee before June 1, 1980. Title II: Program Inventory - Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs. Declares that the purpose of such program inventory is to advise and assist Congress in carrying out the reauthorization and reexamination requirements and to link such reauthorization and review process with the budget process. Requires the Comptroller General to submit such program inventory to each House of Congress no later than January 1, 1980. Sets forth the contents of the inventory program, including the type of authorization provided for such programs' new budget authority, and the manner in which related program areas may be grouped for evaluation and review. Permits the congressional committees, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service to review the program inventory and suggest revisions. Requires that the program inventory be revised at the end of each session of Congress, and that such revisions be reported to each House. Requires that periodic reports tabulate the progress of congressional action on bills and resolutions authorizing budget authority for programs in the inventory. Requires the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to submit periodic reports to the Congress on the adequacy of the functional and subfunctional categories for grouping programs of like missions or objectives. Title III: Program Reexamination - Requires each committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to reexamine selected programs or groups of programs over which it has jurisdiction. Sets forth procedures for such review, and criteria for selection of program areas for evaluation. Directs each Senate committee to consult with the appropriate committees of either the House of Representatives or the Senate in order to achieve coordination of program reevaluation and inform itself of the related activities of or available assistance from the General Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the Congressional Research Service, the Office of Technology Assessment, and appropriate instrumentalities in the executive and judicial branches. Requires each Senate committee to deliver a report on the reexamination to the Secretary of the Senate at the date specified in the funding resolution first reported by such committee in 1981, and thereafter reported for the first session of each Congress. Allows two or more committees which have legislative jurisdiction over the same programs or portions of the same programs to examine such programs jointly and submit a joint report. Stipulates that such report: (1) contain the findings, recommendations, and justifications of the program; and (2) include specified information including, but not limited to, an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the program and an identification of any trends, developments, and emerging conditions which are likely to affect the nature and extent of the problems or needs which the program is intended to address. Requires each executive department or agency which is responsible for a program selected for reexamination to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget and to the appropriate committees of the Congress on its findings, recommendations, and justifications of specified aspects of the program. Title IV: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes, as an independent instrumentality of the United States, the Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to conduct a nonpartisan study and investigation of the organization and methods of operation of all departments, agencies, independent instrumentalities, and other authorities of the executive branch of the Government, and to make such recommendations as it determines are necessary to promote economic, efficient and improved services in the transaction of public business. Requires the Commission to submit interim reports to the President and the Congress, and to submit a final report with its findings and recommendations. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report on the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Specifies the composition of the 15-member Commission and sets forth the duties and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall cease to exist 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated until September 30, 1984, without fiscal year limitations, $4,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Title. Title V: Regulatory Impact - Requires the President to submit, at the beginning of each of the five Congresses beginning with the 97th Congress, an analysis of the purpose, function, and efficiency of 16 specified regulatory agencies. Requires the President to submit legislative plans, based on such analyses, for the improvement of operations of such agencies. Establishes a schedule according to which plans for specified agencies will be submitted early in each of the five Congresses for which the required analyses are submitted. Directs the President, with each plan, to submit a report on the cumulative impact of government regulatory activity on specific industry groupings. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to assess each of the agencies included in the President's plans and to analyze such plans, and submit such information to the Congress. Title VI: Government Accountability - Requires the President, beginning with the first year of the 97th Congress, to submit biennially, as a part of the budget, a report on the management of the executive branch. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to provide an evaluative report on Federal programs to the President to be included with the President's report. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to permit the committees of Congress to obtain from the agencies of the government estimates or requests for appropriations or requests for increases in an item of any such estimate or request, and recommendations as to how the revenue needs of the government should be met. Declares that nothing shall require the public disclosure of records which are specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order, or which are otherwise specifically protected by law. Provides that the committees of the Senate or the House of Representatives shall not be required to publicly disclose any such records, except as otherwise provided by the rules of either House. Sets forth administrative procedures and requirements. Directs the President, with the cooperation of the head of each appropriate agency, to submit to the Congress a "Regulatory Duplication and Conflicts Report" for all programs scheduled for reauthorization in the next Congress. Stipulates that each such report identify duplicative or conflicting rules and regulations promulgated by executive departments, independent agencies, and State and local governments and contain recommendations which address such conflicts or duplications. Defines the term "required authorization waiver resolution" for purposes of this Act. Sets forth the procedure which the chairman of the committee of the Senate or the House of Representatives having legislative jurisdiction over programs must follow in order to introduce a required authorization waiver resolution. Makes it the duty of the Committees on Governmental Affairs and on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committees on Government Operations and on Rules of the House of Representatives to review the operation of the procedures established by this Act and to submit a report every five years beginning December 31, 1986. Authorizes to be appropriated through fiscal year 1990 such sums as may be necessary to carry out the review requirements and for the compilation of the inventory of Federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
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
Designates the birthday of Martin Luther King, Junior, as a legal public holiday.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Veterans' Health Care Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Health Services Programs - Provides that medical examinations for service-connected disability compensation claims be included in the third priority category for veterans' outpatient care. Extends outpatient dental care benefits eligibility to all war veterans who were prisoners of war for more than six months or who have 100 percent service-connected disabilities. Provides for the establishment of a program of readjustment counseling for any veteran who served on active duty during the Vietnam era who requests such counseling within two years from discharge or within two years after the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, in the event of another declaration of war, to recommend to the Congress within six months of such declaration whether the readjustment counseling program should be extended to veterans of such war. Authorizes necessary followup mental health services, including services for family members of eligible veterans. Directs the Veterans' Administration (VA) to provide upon request referral services for non-VA mental health services to former service personnel not eligible for such readjustment counseling because of an other than honorable discharge. Directs the Administrator to cooperate with the Secretary of Defense in notifying veterans of potential eligibility under such readjustment counseling program. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct a five-year pilot program for the treatment and rehabilitation in community-based treatment facilities of veterans with alcohol or drug dependencies. Requires the Administrator to report not later than March 31, 1983, to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs regarding the first three years of such pilot program. Authorizes the Administrator, in cooperation with the Secretary of Labor and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, to aid rehabilitated former addict veterans find employment. Directs the VA to provide upon request referral services for non-VA services to former service personnel not eligible for such alcohol and drug treatment services because of an other than honorable discharge. Provides that active service military personnel with an alcohol or drug dependence can not be transferred to a VA treatment center without such person's written request, and that such request can only be made during the last 30 days of enlistment. Authorizes the Administrator to establish a five-year pilot program of preventive health services for certain veterans with a 50 percent or more disability rating, and for veterans receiving treatment involving a service-connected disability. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the Congress with regard to such program. Authorizes the Administrator to provide hospital care, nursing home care, and medical services in VA facilities in the United States for new Philippine Scouts and Commonwealth Army veterans for service-connected disabilities. Title II: Contract-Care Programs - Provides: (1) that if specified conditions for providing contract outpatient care are satisfied veterans eligible for regular aid-and-attendance or household benefits may be provided such care if, on the basis of a medical examination, it is determined that such medical condition precludes proper treatment in a VA or other Government facility; (2) for the VA to contract for diagnostic services necessary to determine eligibility for treatment at independent VA outpatient clinics; and (3) for specified mental health services for veterans in Alaska or Hawaii. Requires an annual report to the appropriate Congressional committees regarding the VA's contract care authority. Authorizes the Administrator to contract with veterans' organizations recognized by the VA to furnish emergency medical services at the national conventions of such organizations. Title III: Construction, Alteration, Lease, and Acquisition of Medical Facilities - Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, in carrying out his duties under this Act: (1) to provide for the construction and acquisition of medical facilities equitably throughout the United States with due regard for the comparative urgency of the need for each particular facility; and (2) to give due consideration to excellence of architecture and design. States that no appropriation shall be made to construct, alter, or otherwise acquire any medical facility which involves a total expenditure of more than $2,000,000 unless such construction, alteration, or acquisition is first approved by resolution adopted by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, respectively. Stipulates that no appropriation shall be made to lease any space at an average annual rental of more than $500,000 for use for a medical facility unless such lease is first approved by resolutions adopted by such committees. Directs the Administrator to submit a prospectus, including cost estimates and facility description, with regard to the funding of any such proposed medical facility. States that if funds for such facility are not appropriated within one year after approval, either of such committees may rescind approval. Enumerates structural requirements for any medical facility constructed pursuant to this Act. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress an annual report regarding the construction, alteration, and leasing of medical facilities. Requires such report to contain: (1) a five-year plan for those medical facilities most in need of construction, replacement and alteration; (2) a priority list of at least ten such hospitals; and (3) general plans for each medical facility in the five-year plan or the list. Authorizes the Administrator to establish and operate not less than 125,000 beds for the furnishing of nursing home care to eligible veterans in facilities over which the Administrator has direct jurisdiction. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) carry out construction or alteration of medical facilities pursuant to this Act; (2) make contributions to local authorities for safe ingress or egress to such facilities; (3) construct and operate parking facilities; (4) enter into agreements for the mutual use of Armed Forces facilities; (5) partially relinquish, on behalf of the United States, legislative jurisdiction to the State in which such medical facility may be located; and (6) use certain federally owned facilities. Authorizes the President to accept any building or grounds suitable for the use of disabled persons. Title IV: Benefits Payable to Persons Residing Outside the United States - States that in order for VA benefits to be paid on behalf of a child adopted and residing outside the United States, such child must: (1) be under age 18 at the time of adoption; (2) be receiving at least one half of its annual support from the veteran; (3) not be residing with its natural parent unless the natural parent is the veteran's spouse; and (4) be residing with the veteran except in certain specified circumstances. States that after the veteran's death such an adoption would be recognized for veterans' benefits purposes only if the veteran was entitled to or receiving a dependent's allowance for the child at any time during the year before such veteran's death, if such requirements were met for at least one year prior to the veteran's death. Requires the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to carry out a study of veterans' benefits payable to persons residing outside the 50 States and the District of Columbia. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the payment by non-Federal agencies, organizations, and individuals for travel expenses of certain employees of the VA's Department of Medicine and Surgery in connection with their official duties in specified circumstances. Transfers the authority to appoint the Deputy Administrator of Veterans' Affairs from the Administrator to the President by and with the advice of the Senate. Amends specified provisions relating to benefits for overseas VA employees and the salary schedule of the Department of Medicine and Surgery.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Meat Import Act of 1979 - Limits the maximum aggregate quantity of specified meat articles which may be entered, or withdrawn from warehouses, for consumption in the customs territory of the United States in any calendar year after 1978 to 1,204,600,000 pounds, adjustable according to a specified formula. Excludes from the domestic commercial production factor in such formula the carcass weight of live cattle specified in certain Tariff Schedules. Requires a further adjustment of such annual aggregate quantity by multiplying it by a ratio of: (1) the average annual per capita production of domestic cow beef during a calendar year (as estimated) and the four preceding calendar years; to (2) the average annual per capita production of domestic cow beef in the calendar year (as estimated) and the preceding calendar year. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, for each calendar year after 1978, to estimate and publish the aggregate quantity of meat articles prescribed for such year as well as the quantity that would be entered into the United States but for the limitations. Directs the President to limit by proclamation, upon giving 30 days notice in the Federal Register, the total quantity of meat articles entered into the United States, whenever such quantity equals or exceeds 110 percent of the Secretary's estimate; but prohibits any limitation below 1,200,000,000 pounds. Requires the termination of any limitation as of the first day of a calendar quarter, under most circumstances, if before such quarter the aggregate quantity is less than 110 percent of the Secretary's estimate. Permits the President, upon giving 30 days notice in the Federal Register, to suspend any proclamation or increase any amount proclaimed as required by the preceding provision if: (1) require, economic or national security interests; (2) supplies are inadequate to meet domestic demand at reasonable prices; or (3) trade agreements ensure the execution of the policy. Prohibits the President from increasing the total quantity of meat imports if the above ratio is less than 1.0 unless: (1) a period of national emergency is declared or (2) supplies are inadequate because of a natural disaster to meet demand at reasonable prices. Prohibits such suspension or increase from extending beyond the termination of the national emergency. Requires the Secretary to allocate the entry quota of meat articles proclaimed by the President among supplying countries on the basis of their respective shares of the United States market for meat articles during the representative period, taking into account any special factors. Directs the Secretary to study the regional economic impact of imports of meat articles and report any recommendations to the appropriate committees of Congress by December 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to establish the office of Poet Laureate of the United States. States that the Poet Laureate shall be appointed by the President for a five-year term.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of place of residence in the issuance and use of credit cards.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
First Amendment Clarification Act of 1979 - States that, under the Communications Act of 1934, the term "public interest, convenience, and necessity" shall not be construed to give the Federal Communications Commission jurisdiction to require the provision of broadcast time to any person for the expression of any viewpoint. Repeals the authority of the Commission under such Act to revoke a station license or construction permit for willful or repeated failure of a station to grant or sell broadcast time to a candidate for Federal elective office. Repeals the requirement that a licensee grant equal opportunities to all political candidates to use the licensee's broadcasting station. Repeals the prohibition under such Act against editorializing and support of political candidates by noncommercial educational broadcasting stations.
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 · 13 October 1978
Extends the best wishes of the Senate to Senator Dewey F. Bartlett upon his retirement from the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1978
Declares a certain individual lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to enter into agreements with eight States for the purpose of conducting demonstration projects for the training and employment as homemakers or home health aides of individuals who have been certified by the appropriate State or local government agency as being eligible for financial assistance under a State plan of Aid to Families with Dependent Children approved under Title IV of the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary to submit annual reports to the Congress evaluating the demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1978
Jobs Credit Extension Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the existing tax credit for the employment of new employees through December 31, 1980. Revises the credit to permit a taxpayer election to offset against tax liability 35 percent of the excess of unemployment wages paid during a calendar year over the amount of such wages paid during the previous year. Eliminates the requirements that the credit not exceed 50 percent of the increase in unemployment wages during a calendar year over 105 percent of the wages paid in the previous year and that the credit apply to unemployment wages paid during the calendar year which exced 102 percent of the wages paid in the preceding year. Limits the amount of the tax credit to $25,000. Allows an additional ten percent credit for the employment of physically or mentally handicapped individuals. Extends eligibility for the credit to the maritime industry.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide the same tax treatment, with respect to determination of sources of income, for interest paid by foreign branches of domestic banks and interest paid by foreign branches of domestic savings and loan institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 August 1978
Expresses the strong interest and concern of the Senate in the preservation and restoration of Rhodes Tavern, in the District of Columbia, and urges national and local bodies to make every effort to preserve and restore this building to its original condition, or as near thereto as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit equal to one-half of contributions made to the United States Olympic Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 1978
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to increase from $50,000 to $100,000 the amount for which loans may be made to farmers for the construction or remodeling of feed grain, rice, or soybean storage facilities on the farm.
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 1978
National Aquaculture Policy Act - Authorizes the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior to make a comprehensive assessment of aquaculture in the United States and establish a National Aquaculture Development Plan. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary of the Interior, as the case may be, to provide advisory, educational, and technical assistance with respect to aquaculture; consult and cooperate with interested persons regarding the development of aquaculture technology; encourage implementation of aquaculture technology; conduct scale tests of any aquaculture system for the purpose of assessing the biological and economic feasibility; produce and sell at cost, seed stock for commercial aquatic species; develop methods to enhance aquatic species stocks by aquaculture; carry out studies and research with respect to aquatic species and conduct other tests or analyses as necessary. Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior to establish and maintain an aquaculture information center, conduct appropriate surveys, arrange for the mutual exchange of aquaculture information with foreign nations, and conduct a continuing study to determine whether existing capture fisheries could be adversely impacted by competition from products produced by commercial aquaculture enterprises significantly aided under this Act. Establishes the Interagency Aquaculture Coordinating Committee which shall insure a continuing exchange of aquaculture information, review the relevant programs and projects, insure that the aquaculture information center is functioning in compliance with policy, and submit a biennial report to Congress on the status of aquaculture in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior to carry out any function under this Act through grants to or contracts with Federal or State agencies, Indian tribes, regional commissions, educational institutions, or any person. Authorizes the Secretaries to guarantee, or make a commitment to guarantee, the payment of interest on, and the principal amount of, any obligation issued by an obligor for any of the following purposes: (1) the financing of construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of any aquaculture facility; (2) the acquisition of stocks of aquatic species; (3) the financing of initial operating expenses of any aquaculture facility; (4) the financing of marketing operations exclusively for aquaculture products; and (5) the refinancing of any existing obligation. Establishes in the Treasury a Federal Aquaculture Assistance Fund, which shall be available to the Secretary as a revolving fund for purposes of carrying out, and administering guarantees of obligations, and the establishment and operation of aquaculture demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1978
Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of Energy to develop research, development, and demonstration programs concerning the use of solar photovoltaic energy systems. Authorizes the Secretary to provide up to 75 percent of the purchase and installation costs of selected systems used for research purposes. Requires the Secretary to formulate interim and definitive performance criteria concerning solar photovoltaic systems and to develop a system certification for conforming systems. Directs the Secretary to consult with appropriate Federal agencies concerning the use of solar photovoltaic systems in Federal facilities. Requires the Secretary to set up a development and demonstration program of prototype photovoltaic systems at the Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, Colorado. Directs the Secretary to establish a solar energy data bank at the Golden facility. Requires relevant Federal officials to ensure that small business concerns are granted realistic and adequate opportunities to participate, to the maximum extent possible, in the programs under this Act. Establishes a Solar Photovoltaic Energy Advisory Committee to study the need and economic, technological, and environmental consequences of solar photovoltaic energy systems.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1978
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to suspend the duty on certain field glasses and binoculars until January 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1978
Tax Reduction Act - Title I: Provisions Primarily Affecting Individual Income Tax - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce income taxes for individuals and estates and trusts for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1978. Increases the zero bracket amount to $3,400 for certain surviving spouses and married individuals filing joint tax returns, to $2,300 for unmarried individuals, and to $1,700 for a married individual filing a separate return. Increases for single individuals, surviving spouses, and married individuals filing joint tax returns the minimum income level at which an income tax return must be filed. Adjusts withholding amounts to reflect such increases. Increases the personal exemption from $750 to $1,000. Makes permanent the earned income credit. Repeals tax deductions for State and local taxes on the sale of gasoline, diesel fuel, and other motor fuels. Revises the tax deduction for medical and dental expenses to permit the taxpayer to deduct all expenses relating to medical care, medical insurance, and prescription drugs which exceed three percent of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income. Repeals special provisions allowing itemized deductions for one-half the cost of medical and hospitalization insurance premiums (up to $150) and for medicine and drug expenses which exceed one percent of adjusted gross income. Defines "prescribed drug" to mean a drug or biological requiring a prescription of a physician for its use by an individual. Repeals the tax deduction for contributions to candidates for public office and to political newsletter funds. Requires the inclusion of certain amounts of unemployment compensation in gross income if gross income otherwise exceeds certain prescribed levels for any taxable year. Permits deferral of income tax on compensation received by an employee under a public or private nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Limits employer contributions to such plans to the same extent as contributions to qualified plans are limited. Requires a public plan to provide for participation of employees at all income levels. Allows tax deductions for deferred payments for services performed by independent contractors on the same basis as such deductions are allowed for employees. Title II: Tax Shelter Provisions - Extends the rule which limits tax deductions for business losses to amounts which a business actually had at risk to all activities engaged in for the production of income, except those relating to real estate. Requires the recapture of "at risk" deductions where the taxpayer withdraws the amount originally placed at risk. Imposes additional civil fines upon partnerships which fail to file timely or accurate partnership returns. Extends the statute of limitations for assessing income tax deficiencies of partnerships required to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission to four years after the partnership return is filed. Title III: Provisions Primarily Affecting Business Income Tax - Reduces the maximum corporate income tax rate to 46 percent of taxable income in excess of $100,000. Establishes graduated income tax rates for corporations, ranging over five brackets, from a 17 percent rate on the first $25,000 of corporate income to a maximum 46 percent rate on income over $100,000. Excludes mutual savings banks conducting life insurance business, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, and foreign corporations from the new rates. Makes permanent the ten percent investment tax credit and the $100,000 limitation on used property eligible for the credit. Increases over a four-year period the maximum allowable investment tax credit to $25,000 plus 90 percent of an individual's tax liability which exceeds $25,000. Sets forth alternative limitations on the investment tax credit allowable for taxpayers investing in public utilities, railroads, and airlines. Allows the full investment tax credit for pollution control facilities which are eligible for the 60 month amortization election (presently, only 50 percent of such credit may be offset against tax liability), except to the extent that such facilities are financed by tax-exempt industrial development bonds. Establishes for taxable years beginning in 1979 or 1980 a tax credit equal to 50 percent of the unemployment insurance wages paid by an employer to: (1) individuals who have registered for the work incentive (WIN) program under Title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of the Social Security Act; (2) mentally or physically disabled individuals referred to the employer under a State plan for vocational rehabilitation; or (3) individuals of ages 18 through 24 who are members of households receiving food stamps. Limits the amount of wages to which the credit is applicable to the first $6,000 of an eligible individual's wages reduced by the amount of such individual's wages paid by the employer in the preceding calendar year. Provides that the amount of unemployment insurance wages eligible for the tax credit cannot exceed 20 percent of the total amount of such wages paid by an employer to all his employees. Increases from 10 to 15 the number of shareholders a small business may have without losing Subchapter S corporate status. Treats a husband and wife owning stock in a Subchapter S corporation as one stockholder for purposes of determining the number of stockholders in such a corporation. Treats the grantor of a trust owning stock in a Subchapter S corporation as the stockholder. Extends the time period for making a Subchapter S election to the first 75 days after the beginning of the taxable year and allows such an election at any time during the preceding taxable year. Treats any election made after the 75 day period as an election made for the following taxable year. Increases to $1,000,000 the amount of small business corporation stock which a corporation may issue as potentially subject to ordinary loss treatment. Increases to $50,000 ($100,000 for married individuals filing joint tax returns) the amount of loss on small business corporation stock which may be treated as ordinary, rather than capital, loss. Repeals the requirement that a corporation issue small business corporation stock pursuant to a plan developed by the corporation. Increases the amount of allowable first year additional depreciation for small business property to 25 percent of the first $20,000 of such property ($40,000 for married individuals filing joint tax returns). Extends eligibility for such depreciation allowance to only those taxpayers whose depreciable property has an aggregate adjusted basis of less than $1,000,000. Exempts from the rule requiring accrual accounting and capitalization of expenses incurred in preproductive periods certain two and three family farm corporations. Exempts farmers, nurserymen, and florists who use an accrual method of accounting and who are not required to capitalize preproductive period expenses from the requirement of taking an inventory of growing crops in computing taxable income. Permits such individuals to change to a cash method of accounting until 1981. Title IV: Capital Gains - Repeals the alternate 25 percent tax rate on the first $50,000 of long term capital gain of individual taxpayers. Removes capital gains of individuals and corporations as an item of tax preference for purposes of computing the minimum or maximum tax. Title V: Pension Simplification - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit employers to establish pension plans for their employees which are funded exclusively by individual retirement accounts (IRA's). Exempts such plans from the minimum funding standards applicable to other tax-exempt pension plans. Limits employer contributions to such pension plans to 15 percent of an employee's gross income for the taxable year or $7,500, whichever is less. Disallows tax deductions for employee contributions to an individual retirement account in a taxable year in which such employee participates in a pension plan established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1978
Declares six individuals lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1978
Declares a certain individual lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the amount of time which a taxpayer holds a principal residence, for purposes of the holding period requirements for the nonrecognition of gain from the sale of a principal residence by a taxpayer who has attained age 65, may be increased by the amount of time such taxpayer held a prior principal residence which was involuntarily converted through destruction, theft, seizure, requisition, or condemnation.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1978
Disapproves the suspension of the quota on imported meat and the President's announced intention of permitting the import this year of 200,000,000 pounds of meat in excess of the established limit before imposing new quotas.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1978
Establishes the Aboriginal Hawaiian Claims Settlement Study Commission to study the culture, needs, and concerns of Aboriginal Hawaiians and recommend the means by which the United States may compensate them for injuries arising from its annexation of Hawaii. Provides that nine of the Commission's 15 members shall be of specified degrees of Native blood, and that eight members shall be nominated from a list of suggested members from the Governor of Hawaii. Directs the Commission to report its findings to the Congress and the President within six months of the submission of a draft report required by this resolution. Requires the report's recommendations to include provisions for financial and land compensation that will enhance Aboriginal Hawaiian education and culture, and administrative provisions for the distribution of any remedy. Provides that the Commission's recommendations will be designed to seek a final settlement of Aboriginal Hawaiian claims without creating a wardship or trusteeship or diminishing the Aboriginal Hawaiians status as United States citizens. States that this resolution shall not constitute an extension of jurisdiction or consent to Aboriginal Hawaiians to sue the Government, or a precedent for reopening any past settlement of such claims. Authorizes the appropriation of such funds as necessary for fiscal years 1979 and 1980 in order to carry out the provisions of this resolution.
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 · 23 May 1978
Confers jurisdiction on the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii to hear a specified case against the U.S. Army or Civil Service Commission notwithstanding certain limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1978
Designates the weekend of or preceding April 29 of each year as "Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust."
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Investment Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore part of the pre-1969 tax treatment of capital gains by repealing the capital gains item of tax preference for the minimum tax; lowering the corporate alternative tax to 25 percent of net capital gain; and lowering the alternative individual tax to 25 percent of net capital gain.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1978
Commends Lee Williams for his long, faithful, and exemplary service to the United States Senate.
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 · 13 April 1978
Expressess the sense of the Senate that all efforts to bring major league baseball back to Washington, District of Columbia, should be assisted and encouraged to the full extent it is proper to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Beef Import Act - Subjects specified kinds of preserved beef and veal products to the policy of Congress related to the restriction of beef imports. Revises the formula for the determination of beef and veal import quotas. Directs the President to limit beef imports at any one port of entry in order to insure the geographical distribution of such imports. Revises the criteria under which the President may suspend a proclamation limiting beef and veal imports to permit such suspension only during a national emergency or when the supply of such products are inadequate to meet domestic supply at reasonable prices.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to approve the duty-free entry of (1) machines and materials used in the manufacture of goods in a trade zone if the goods are not entered into the customs territory of the United States, and (2) fuels and materials consumed in the manufacture of such goods. Sets forth procedures and criteria for approval of applications for such duty-free entry. Requires machinery, fuel, materials, or manufactured goods imported under this exemption to be taxed at regular rates upon subsequent entry into the customs territory of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1978
Declares a certain individual lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, notwithstanding specified provisions of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1978
Veterans' Disability Compensation and Survivor Benefits Act - Title I: Veterans' Disability Compensation Rates - Increases the rates of disability compensation for disabled veterans. Title II: Survivors' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Rates - Increases the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of disabled veterans. Title III: Miscellaneous and Effective Date Provisions - Provides for an additional increase in dependency and indemnity compensation to a surviving spouse who is permanently housebound but ineligible for an aid and attendance allowance. Provides for retroactive dependency and indemnification compensation and war veterans pensions to children whose entitlement is established after such compensation has already been awarded to a veteran's other children. Reduces supplemental dependency and indemnity compensation for certain 18 year old children considered below such age for purposes of additional dependency and indemnity compensation to a surviving spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1978
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should not impose an import fee on oil as a means of reducing crude oil imports.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
PCP Criminal Laws and Procedures Act - Sets forth penalties for the manufacture, distribution, or possession with intent to manufacture or distribute phencyclidine (PCP) and its salts. Requires, with respect to each transfer of piperidine, that the seller report certain information about the buyer to the Attorney General and that the buyer present positive identification. Requires importers to report each shipment of piperidine received. Specifies guidelines for searches of sellers' premises. Prescribes and sets forth penalties for certain other piperidine-related transactions including sales to minors, or sales to or by fugitives or mental defectives, and commerce in stolen piperidine.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to increase the participation by States, local communities, private nonprofit groups, and individual groups in efforts to prevent domestic violence and assist victims and dependents of victims of domestic violence. Requires each State, in order to obtain a grant under this Act, to establish a State citizen panel on domestic violence. Declares that such a panel shall be established to provide an opportunity for citizen participation in planning and developing efforts to prevent domestic violence and assist victims and dependents of victims of domestic violence, and provide citizens familiar with the problems of domestic violence an opportunity to make recommendations with respect to resolving such problems. Requires each panel: (1) to oversee within the State the implementation of Federal, State, and local projects under this Act; and (2) to study and make recommendations on matters relating to domestic violence. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States to assist them in supporting programs and projects to prevent incidents of domestic violence. Sets forth requirements for applications for such grants. Requires each State receiving a grant to submit to the Secretary a report providing specified information on the implementation of projects to prevent domestic violence. Establishes within the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare the National Center on Domestic Violence. Declares the duties of the Director of such Center to be: (1) the coordination of all Federal programs with respect to domestic violence; and (2) the provision of a national information and resource clearinghouse for matters concerning domestic violence. Requires the Secretary, through the Director, to enter into contracts to provide for not less than one regional center for domestic violence to be located in each region of the United States as designated by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to conduct research activities with respect to domestic violence. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to annually submit to Congress a report on the programs authorized by this Act. Directs that the records of any person concerning such person's treatment for drug abuse, in connection with any program assisted under this Act, be kept confidential. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress, not later than three years after the enactment of this Act, as to the effectiveness of programs administered pursuant to this Act. Requires the Director to give particular attention to the availability of VISTA volunteers with respect to programs on domestic violence prevention. Establishes an Interagency Domestic Violence Council to assist the Director in coordinating all Federal programs regarding the prevention of domestic violence. Requires the States, to be eligible for grants under this Act, to contribute to programs supported by this Act in amounts specified in this Act.