United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1979
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to exempt a State or political subdivision of a State from coverage under the Act. Permits a State, at its election, to develop its own safety and health plan and to submit such plan to the Secretary of Labor for approval. Authorizes any State agency or court to assert jurisdiction under State law over any mandatory health or safety standard involving a State-owned mine.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians Act - Establishes the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians to: (1) determine whether a wrong was committed against American citizens and permanent resident aliens who were subjected to relocation or internment as a result of Executive Order Numbered 9066 dated February 9, 1942, and other associated Government acts; and (2) recommend appropriate remedies. Directs the Commission: (1) to hold public hearings in specified cities; and (2) within 18 months after enactment of this Act, to submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to Congress and the President. Terminates the Commission six months after such report is submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Export Trading Company Act of 1979 - Title I: Establishment of Export Trading Companies - Sets forth the procedure for the licensing of export trading companies. Prohibits licensing any such company if: (1) a foreign entity owns stock in such company; (2) any person owns more than 20 percent of the stock of such company and does not submit a divestiture plan; or (3) such company engages in manufacturing directly or indirectly as a member of a controlled group of corporations. Gives the Secretary of Commerce exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether such company meets the terms and conditions of its license. Sets forth the procedures to be followed and the remedies for violations. Makes licensed export trading companies eligible for loans and guarantees from the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Small Business Administration, and the Economic Development Administration, to meet export-related operating expenses. Authorizes the Export-Import Bank to provide loan guarantees to such companies. Permits banks and bank holding companies to purchase a portion of the equity securities of licensed export trading companies. Exempts licensed export trading companies from the antitrust laws as long as specified conditions do not exist. Title II: Tax Treatment of Export Trading Companies and their Shareholders - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to permit licensed export trading companies to elect not to be subject to taxes imposed by this title. Stipulates that distributions from such companies shall be included in gross income or applied to reduce the basis of the stock to the shareholder. Permits the investment tax credit of electing companies, to be allowed as a credit to the shareholders of such company according to a specified formula. Makes shareholders of such companies eligible for a foreign tax credit. Prohibits the allocation of income and deductions among taxpayers, when such taxpayers are an electing export trading company and a foreign subsidiary of such company. Stipulates that net operating losses of such companies shall be only carried over. Requires those companies electing to be subject to taxes imposed by this title to include specified information in their returns. Requires each such company to report annually to the Secretary of the Treasury summarizing its operations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Medicare and Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Civil Monetary Penalties for Medicare and Medicaid Fraud - Amends Part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to impose an additional civil penalty of not more than $2,000 for each offense on any provider of services under titles XVIII (Medicare) or XIX (Medicaid) of such Act who presents a claim for a medical or other item or service knowing that such item or service: (1) was not provided; (2) was provided in violation of Federal or State law; or (3) was provided in violation of an agreement between such provider and the United States or a State. States that such provider shall also be subject to an assessment of not more than twice the amount claimed for each such item or service in lieu of damage sustained by the United States or a State because of such claim. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to: (1) enter into an agreement with any person against whom such a penalty has been assessed whereby such person will consent not to claim payment under titles XVIII or XIX for a period of time not to exceed two years; and (2) prohibit payments under titles XVIII or XIX to any provider against whom a penalty has been assessed during a period of not more than two years from the date upon which the penalty was imposed. Title II: Other Provisions - Stipulates that limitations on funding for State Medicaid fraud control units shall be calculated on an annual, rather than quarterly, basis. Directs the Secretary to exclude from participation in the Medicaid or Medicare programs a physician or other health care professional convicted of a criminal offense related to such individual's participation in such programs. Requires any entity providing services under a Medicaid plan to disclose certain information relating to the ownership of such entity. Authorizes the Secretary to reduce Federal payments to Medicaid providers from whom the Secretary has been unable to recover Medicaid overpayments.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer election to amortize, on the basis of 60 months, business start-up expenditures incurred prior to the commencement of such business on an ongoing basis. Defines "start-up expenditures" as expenditures which are incurred in the investigation, formation, and creation of a trade or business, are chargeable to capital account, and are of a character which, if expended incident to the investigation, formation, and creation of a trade or business having a determinable life, would be amortized over such life.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1979
National Employment Priorities Act of 1979 - Requires a business concern to give notice, with an economic impact statement, to the Secretary of Labor and to affected employees, labor organizations, and local governments whenever such business concern intends a change of operations at an establishment which will result in an employment loss in any 18-month period for the lesser of 100, or for 15 percent, of the employees at such establishment. Requires, with exceptions, that such notice be given within specified periods of time (varying according to the number of employees affected) before such business concern reduces the weekly wages or suspends or terminates the employment of any employee in connection with such change. Directs the Secretary to investigate and hold public hearings on specified matters related to such change upon receipt of a written request for such investigation from an affected labor organization or from at least ten percent of the employees at such establishment. Requires such request to be made within 60 days of receipt of notice. Authorizes the Secretary to investigate and hold closed hearings on such matters, without regard to whether such notice is given, upon: (1) a determination that such investigation would serve the purpose of this Act; or (2) a request from at least 50 percent of such employees. Empowers the Secretary to issue subpoenas for witnesses and evidence in such investigations. Directs the Secretary to prepare and publish a report of such investigation. Makes employees who accept employment with such business concerns, with knowledge that such notice has been given, ineligible for specified assistance under this Act. Requires such business concerns to give written statements of employment status to employees whose weekly wages are lowered by a specified amount or who are suspended or terminated. Stipulates that an employee will be deemed to suffer an employment loss if a business concern fails to: (1) give such a statement of employment status to an employee; or (2) include in such statement an assurance of increased wages or reinstatement. Requires a business concern which gives such assurance, yet fails to prevent such employment loss, to pay such employee a lump sum in a specified amount in addition to other required payments. Requires a business concern, for a 52-week period following an employment loss, to make payments: (1) to the employee in a weekly income maintenance payment equal to 85 percent of such employees's wage rate or 100 percent of such rate while such employee participates in specified training programs and (2) to specified employment benefit plans for such employees. Sets forth conditions under which such payments may be reduced or limited. Stipulates that such payments are not to be deemed wages for all other purposes, including specified employee benefit plans. Requires such business concerns to pay moving expenses for employees who resume employment with the same business concerns within three years. Requires such business concerns to continue weekly income maintenance payments to employees between 53 and 61 years of age when the 52 week payment period expires. Directs the Secretary to reimburse such business concerns for such continued payments. Directs the Secretary to make transitional assistance payments to employees upon their request whenever a business concern fails to make such payments. Provides that the amount of such payments shall then be owed, with interest, to the United States by such business concern. Makes a business concern which transfers ownership or control of an establishment to avoid liability for transitional assistance payments liable to the United States for a specified amount if the owning or controlling business concern fails to provide such assistance. Requires such business concerns to offer employees who suffer an employment loss any available employment, with equivalent wages and benefits, at any establishment of such business concerns for a three-year period after such employment loss. Sets forth such former employees' rights to credits and benefits in employee benefit plans and such business concerns' liability for payments to such plans. Stipulates that specified violations shall be deemed violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, for which civil actions may be brought. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with specified groups, to implement a comprehensive assistance program (including existing or new programs of job training, job placement, and payments for job search and moving expenses) for employees who suffer or may suffer employment loss. Authorizes the Secretary to develop and implement retraining programs and to condition specified assistance to business concerns upon their implementation or assistance with such programs. Directs the Secretary to issue certificates of Federal procurement credit to business concerns which comply with this Act for appropriate periods if the Secretary finds that such assistance would provide additional employment opportunities through the cooperating concerns. Sets forth conditions of eligibility for assistance of business concerns, local governments, and certain employers or cooperative associations of employees. Authorizes the Secretary to provide specified forms of such assistance, giving priority to those which enable employees to continue at their present establishment. Makes such business concerns liable to local governments which lose revenue because of such changes of operations. Sets forth formulas for determining the amount of such liability. Directs the Secretary to pay such amounts to local governments if a business concern fails to do so (with such amount to be owed, with interest, to the United States by such business concern). Makes business concerns which transfer operations to an establishment outside the United States, when an economically viable alternative to such transfer existed, liable to the United States for lost revenues according to specified formulas. Sets forth criminal and civil violations and penalties. Enumerates violations of employees' rights and remedies for such violations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) recover overpayments for specified Federal assistance to employees obtained through a knowing deception; (2) maintain specified operating reserves; and (3) record mortgage security on specified loans. Provides procedures for congressional disapproval of rules promulgated by the Secretary to carry out this Act. Directs the Secretary to make specified reports and legislative proposals to the Congress. Sets forth general powers of the Secretary in carrying out this Act. Directs the Secretary to implement this Act through the National Employment Priorities Administration. Authorizes the Secretary to delegate any function, power or duty under this Act to the Administrator of the National Employment Priorities Administration. Establishes the National Employment Priorities Administration in the Department of Labor to: (1) perform such delegated functions, powers and duties; (2) conduct research on the relationship between unemployment and changes of business operations; and (3) identify services and products which may profitably be provided by business concerns receiving specified assistance. Establishes the National Employment Priorities Advisory Council to: (1) advise and assist the Secretary in carrying out this Act; (2) evaluate programs under this Act; (3) study and report on those areas of future economic activity in which the United States will be at a competitive disadvantage and on industries in which many businesses may change operations; and (4) research and propose new assistance programs for employees, local governments and business concerns. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1979
States the findings of Congress with respect to the utility of regulations issued by Federal financial regulatory agencies. Requires regulations issued by Federal financial regulatory agencies to insure that: (1) the need for and purpose of such regulations are clearly established; (2) meaningful alternatives to the issuance of regulations are considered; (3) compliance costs, paperwork, and other costs are kept at a minimal level; (4) conflicts, duplications and inconsistencies between regulations are avoided; (5) opportunities for comment by interested parties are made available; and (6) the language of such regulations is clear and simple. Directs Federal financial regulatory agencies to establish a program which assure periodic review of existing regulations. Requires all Federal financial regulatory agencies to submit reports outlining their progress in implementing financial regulation simplification to the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Terminates the provisions of this Act five years after its effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Urges the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a minimum wheat set-aside for the 1980 crop year of not less than five percent of the 1980 wheat acreage.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1979
Veteran Senior Citizen Health Care Act of 1979 - States the purposes of this Act to be: (1) to provide for the increasing demand for geriatric and extended health care and medical services being placed on the Veterans' Administration (VA) hospital system; and (2) to make the VA hospital system foremost in the area of geriatric health care and the repository of gerontology medical knowledge. Directs that within the Office of the Chief Medical Director of the VA one Assistant Chief Medical Director shall be doctor of geriatrics, and shall be responsible for the VA's geriatric services. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to designate 15 VA hospitals as demonstration centers of geriatric research, education, and clinical operations. Stipulates that such centers shall operate until September 30, 1983. Directs the Administrator to provide that: (1) each hospital operating as a geriatric center on the date of enactment of this Act be designated as the location for a demonstration center; and (2) such designated hospitals be geographically dispersed across the United States. Directs the Administrator to establish a Geriatrics and Extended Care Task Force within the VA's Special Medical Advisory Group. Stipulates that such Task Force shall assess: (1) the VA's capability to provide geriatric services on a sustained and growing basis to eligible veterans; and (2) the current and projected needs for geriatric and extended health services among eligible veterans. Requires such Task Force to submit a report to the Administrator and the Special Medical Advisory Group within 18 months after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Administrator to transmit such report, (within 90 days of receipt) along with any comments, to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees. Requires a final report to be submitted by such Task Force within four years of the effective date of this Act. Authorizes appropriations of: (1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1980; (2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1981; (3) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1982; and (4) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from a taxpayer's gross income interest or dividends on savings deposits or withdrawable savings accounts from a bank or a savings institution. Limits such exclusion to the excess of such interest or dividends for the taxable year over such interest or dividends received during the preceding year, up to a maximum of $100.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct feasibility studies of the following hydroelectric power projects: (1) Black Canyon Dam powerplant, Idaho; (2) Cle Elum and Tieton Dams powerplants, Washington; (3) Hungary Horse powerplant enlargement and reregulating reservoir, Montana; (4) Headgate Rock powerplant, Arizona; (5) Owyhee Dam powerplant, Oregon; (6) Potholes Canal Chute-Station 3480+45 powerplant, Washington; (7) Wickiup Dam powerplant, Oregon; (8) Tiber Dam powerplant, Montana; (9) New Siphon Drop powerplant, California; (10) Green Mountain Afterbay, Colorado; and (11) Alcova pumped-storage plant, Wyoming.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Federal Power Marketing Revolving Fund Act of 1979 - Directs the Administrators of specified power administrations to construct or otherwise acquire transmission facilities in order to: (1) integrate and transmit the electric power from existing or additional generating units; (2) provide customer service; (3) provide interregional transmission facilities; and (4) maintain electrical stability and reliability. Limits the Administrators' authority to make such acquisitions. Authorizes the Administrators to become members of electrical cooperatives and other institutions determined necessary to carry out this Act. Authorizes the establishment of the following separate funds in the U.S. Treasury: (1) Alaska Power Administration Fund; (2) Southeastern Power Administration Fund; (3) Southwestern Power Administration Fund; and (4) Western Area Power Administration Fund. Includes in such Funds: (1) receipts from power marketing activities; (2) moneys borrowed from the U.S. Treasury; (3) congressional appropriations; and (4) unexpended balances of funds appropriated or otherwise made available. Authorizes the appropriate Administration to make expenditures from such Funds as necessary for each power administration's programs. Limits the use of appropriated and trust funds. Requires the Secretary to keep the official record of each power administration's operations, receipts, and expenditures. Directs the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration to maintain separate accounts for specified individual projects of such Power Administration. Establishes specific restrictions on the Western Fund. Authorizes each Administrator to: (1) invest moneys in nonmarketable obligations of the United States; and (2) borrow from the Secretary amounts in behalf of the power administrations. Directs the Administrators to give notice of requests for construction of major transmission facilities to affected States and contractual entities. Sets forth general provisions of employment in connection with electrical facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct, operate, and maintain the following hydroelectric powerplant projects and the necessary transmission facilities: (1) Friant powerplant, California; (2) Whiskeytown powerplant, California; (3) Canyon Ferry powerplant enlargement, Montana; (4) Yellowtail Afterbay powerplant, Montana; (5) Colorado-Big Thompson powerplant, Colorado; (6) Hoover Dam outlet works powerplant, Arizona and Nevada; (7) Buffalo Bill Dam powerplant replacement, Wyoming; (8) Red Bluff powerplant, California; (9) Stony Gorge powerplant, California; (10) Monticello powerplant, California; (11) Boca powerplant, California and Nevada; (12) Prosser powerplant, California and Nevada; and (13) Blue Mesa powerplant, Colorado. Stipulates that the hydroelectric power generated by such facilities shall be marketed by the Secretary of Energy through the existing Federal hydroelectric power marketing systems.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to lease real property, including building space, for periods of up to five years. Stipulates that space requirements in Washington, D.C., and requirements of more than 5,000 square feet in Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas should be obtained through the General Services Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1979
Paperwork and Redtape Reduction Act of 1979 - Title I: Central Management and Control Responsibility - Requires Federal agencies to utilize methods of collecting information which: (1) impose a minimum burden on business; (2) require a minimum cost to the Government; and (3) eliminate any unnecessary duplication of efforts. Establishes, within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of Federal Information Management Policy (OFIMP) to have government-wide responsibility for setting policies and coordinating procedures governing the planning, budgeting, management, and control of Federal information management activities and of the measurement of the burdens imposed by such activities on businesses, State and local governments, and individuals. Requires the Administrator of OFIMP to: (1) publish, annually, a report of the burdens imposed by the reporting requirements of each agency; (2) review, at least every three years, the information management activities and the paperwork reduction activities of each agency; (3) establish goals for the reduction of reporting requirements; (4) assist agencies in developing information management programs; (5) recommend policies to Congress, the President, and agencies concerning the confidentiality and security of information; (6) study and develop improved information and paperwork cost accounting and reduction techniques; and (7) promulgate standards concerning recordkeeping requirements imposed on the public. Sets forth procedures which enable the Administrator to designate one agency to collect information for two or more agencies requiring similar data. Prohibits any agency from collecting information which: (1) is collected by a designated agency; or (2) the Administrator determines is unnecessary. Authorizes the Administrator to order the exchange of information among agencies. Requires an agency, before collecting any information, to: (1) eliminate reporting requirements which seek information which is available through another Government source; (2) minimize the compliance burden on respondents; (3) plan the tabulation of the information in a manner which maximizes its usefulness to other agencies; and (4) obtain the Administrator's approval of such collection. Directs the Administrator to approve a collection request within 60 days after its receipt for a period not to exceed two years. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress annually on the activities of OFIMP. Grants access to all records of such Office to the Comptroller General. Requires that formal meetings of OFIMP to establish policies and regulations be open to the public. Specifies conditions under which confidential information may be released from one agency to another. Delegates specified information management duties of the Director of the OMB to the Administrator. Title II: Elimination of Unnecessary Duplication - Establishes, within OFIMP, a Federal Locator System composed of an information locator, a data element dictionary, and an information referral service. Directs the System to serve as the authoritative register for all recordkeeping requirements and all public use, interagency, and intra-agency reports. Directs the Administrator to: (1) design and operate the system; (2) require the head of each agency to insert into the system a synopsis of the questions of each report and the information maintained for each reporting requirement of that agency; (3) compare the information sought by proposed reporting requirements to information in the System; and (4) make available the comparison results to agencies and the public. Requires the Administrator to insure that no actual data is contained within the locator system, except descriptive data profiles necessary to identify duplicative data or to locate information. Requires that any information holding which contains a data element of a personal or proprietary nature within the meaning of the Privacy Act of 1974 be identified as such and restricted in access and use. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. States that this Act shall take effect 60 days after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers an income tax credit equal to ten percent of the value of farm crops (wholesale market price or most recent sale price) contributed to a tax-exempt charitable or educational organization. Requires, as a condition of eligibility for the credit, that: (1) the crop be harvested by, or on behalf of, the donee; (2) the crop be fit for human or animal consumption; (3) the use of the crop by the donee be related to the purpose constituting the basis of its tax exemption; (4) the crop not be transferred by the donee in exchange for money, other property, or services; and (5) the taxpayer receive from the donee a written statement that the crops are being used in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Terminates the credit after December 31, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1979
Fuel Energy Conservation Act of 1979 - Establishes uniform national standards for weight and length of vehicles using the Interstate and Defense Highway System.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend to the 1980 and 1981 crops of cotton, feed grains, rice, and wheat the prevented planting and farm disaster payment programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1979
Expresses the congressional intention that the President initiate negotiations with other oil importing nations to establish a Council of Oil Importing Nations to negotiate for reasonable oil prices with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Directs the President to develop and submit to such Council a set of appropriate sanctions to be used by such Council to encourage compliance with negotiated oil prices. Requires the President to report to Congress concerning progress with such negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Energy should issue a rule to assure that activities directly related to coal exploration, extraction, and production receive 100 percent of their current needs for diesel fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to grant an additional allotment of funds for the construction of publicly owned waste treatment works to any State which has obligated 90 percent or more of the funds previously allotted to it for such purpose by March 31 of any fiscal year. Makes such additional funds available for the fiscal year for which such funds were authorized, and for the succeeding 12 months. Provides that any funds unobligated at the end of such period be allotted equally among the other States. Makes adjustments in the amount of additional funds allocated for a State where funds previously authorized proved inadequate. Authorizes appropriations for such additional funds. Sets the amount of funds authorized to be reserved each fiscal year to two percent of the amount authorized to be appropriated for allotments to States under this program. Makes funds allotted to the States for fiscal years 1978 and 1979 available for the next succeeding 24 months. Provides for the reallotment of funds not obligated at the end of such period to all States except those which failed to obligate any of the funds being realloted. Stipulates that such realloted funds be in addition to those otherwise allotted to such State for grants under this program.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Amends the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to exclude from the definition of "employee" any person engaged in the manufacture, repair, servicing, or sale of recreational or fishing boats, unless such person is: (1) so engaged on or over the navigable waters of the United States (as defined prior to the enactment of P.L. 92-576); and (2) not otherwise covered by State workers' compensation law.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Impact Reduction of Energy Resources Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to study petitions for reorganization in bankruptcy of railroad lines or applications for abandonment of railroad lines and rail transportation to determine the impact of such plans and applications upon the transportation of coal. Directs the Secretary to oppose such actions as he determines may reduce or curtail present or future coal shipments. Provides for loans or grants to an applicant for the maintenance of coal transportation services. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 and the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to make railroads eligible for assistance under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Impact Reduction of Energy Resources Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to study petitions for reorganization in bankruptcy of railroad lines or applications for abandonment of railroad lines and rail transportation to determine the impact of such plans and applications upon the transportation of coal. Directs the Secretary to oppose such actions as he determines may reduce or curtail present or future coal shipments. Provides for loans or grants to an applicant for the maintenance of coal transportation services. Requires the Secretary to provide temporary assistance to any coal-fired electric generating utilities when such utility is partially or completely serviced by a railroad or a rail carrier which has filed for reorganization in bankruptcy or for abandonment. Limits the use of such assistance to the lease or purchase of coal cars to maintain service which contributes to meeting a balanced overall utilization of domestic energy supplies. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 and the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to make railroads eligible for assistance under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Emergency Rail Assistance Act of 1979 - Title I: Emergency Rail Services Financial Assistance - Removes the requirement that a trustee certificate issued by a railroad which filed for bankruptcy after October 1, 1977, be treated as an expense of administration and receive the highest lien on the railroad's property and priority in payment before the Secretary of Transportation may guarantee such a certificate. Title II: Directed Service - Stipulates that in the event that the Interstate Commerce Commission directs a rail carrier to continue unprofitable service or to continue discontinued service the amount of payments made to the carrier shall not include a profit margin. Requires the Commission in such an event to assure that there is no erosion of the assets of the directed carrier for such service. Title III: Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing - Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to remove the requirement that the Secretary consider whether a proposed railroad rehabilitation and improvement financing project will return public benefits sufficient to justify its cost in determining whether to provide funding for such a project.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should pursue a policy of displacing a specified percentage of foreign oil with domestic coal.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to construct a navigational project at the Bonneville lock and dam, Oregon and Washington.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that disability insurance benefits for an individual having a terminal illness shall begin with the first month during all of which such individual has such illness. Defines the term "terminal illness" to mean a medically determinable physical impairment which is expected to result in death within the next 12 months.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the report of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare entitled "Report on Home Health Services Under Titles XVIII, XIX, and XX" is not responsive to the requirements set forth in the Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments; and (2) such report shall be returned to the Secretary and revised to comply with such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Commends the American Broadcasting Company, the National Broadcasting Company, and the Public Broadcasting Service for their work in closed-captioned television programming for the deaf and hearing-impaired.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1979
Requires the Chicago, Milwaukee, Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad Company to continue specified freight service for a period of 45 days unless any discontinuance or abandonment: (1) is authorized by the Interstate Commerce Commission; and (2) no affected State (or local or regional or transportation authority) opposes such action. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to provide financial assistance to maintain the existing level of service by such railroad.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1979
Food Assistance Reform Act of 1979 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to direct the President to: (1) give consideration to expanding markets for local foodstuffs, as well as U.S. agricultural commodities, by increasing demand and stimulating economic growth; and (2) take precautions that credit sales and commodity distributions do not interfere with local food production or marketing. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to safeguard the usual marketing of agricultural commodities of the recipient country, as well as the United States, when entering into agreements for financing agricultural exports. Requires entities distributing commodities to work with and support indigenous institutions. Stipulates that agreements allowing the sale of commodities for foreign currency provide that the currency be used to alleviate the causes of the need for assistance as well as increase the effectiveness of food distribution and the availability of food. Authorizes the value of U.S. agricultural commodities to be applied by the recipient country against its repayment obligation under the Food for Development Program. Stipulates that consideration in carrying out Food for Development projects be given to programs using U.S. agriculture to further economic development and increase food production. Deletes the requirement that a country's utilization proposal include an annual plan for the intended uses of the commodities only for the years such funds are to be disbursed. Permits the value of the commodities or amounts received from the sale of commodities to be used against the recipient country's credit obligation to the Commodity Credit Corporation. Requires recipient countries to include in their reports to the President a description of how the commodities were used. Requires the President to include in the annual report a review of agreements providing for the use of the value of agricultural commodities when the funds or commodities were not fully disbursed the preceding year. Authorizes the export of commodities to meet developmental purposes even if it results in inadequate domestic supplies. Stipulates that in periods of short supply humanitarian concerns will be given priority over developmental purposes. Requires the use of agricultural commodities under this Act for humanitarian and developmental objectives, as well as expansion of U.S. and recipient countries' agricultural commodity markets. Directs the carrying out of country assessments in order to determine the types and quantities of agricultural commodities needed. Declares that there shall be a relatively constant supply of commodities provided over the life of programs conducted under this Act. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that assistance under such Act and the Agriculture and Trade Assistance Act of 1954 emphasize programs to assist developing countries to increase their national food security.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1976 which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property's basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1979
Uniform Relocation Assistance Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 to require that relocation benefits, including relocation assistance advisory services, be made available to all persons displaced by the commencement of a Federal or federally assisted project by the head of the Federal agency administering or financing such assistance. Increases the amount of payment for moving and dislocation allowances for displacement from dwellings, business, and farm operations. Stipulates that the additional housing payments for occupant-owned dwellings shall compensate such displaced person for any increased real property taxes which such person will incur during the life of the mortgage on the replacement dwelling. Increases the amount of replacement housing payments for tenants and certain other persons to enable such displaced persons to rent or lease a dwelling or to make a downpayment on the purchase of a dwelling. Stipulates that the assurances required of the relocation assistance advisory services that housing will be available shall: (1) be made prior to Federal approval of a project; (2) be based upon careful analysis of the housing needs of the persons to be displaced and the availability of housing; and (3) include plans for housing replacement by the Federal agency as last resort if comparable replacement sale or rental housing is not available. Authorizes the agency head to use funds authorized for the project to provide such housing. Directs the President to designate an agency which shall establish a single uniform set of regulations and procedures for use by Federal agencies and by States, State and local agencies, and other recipients of Federal financial assistance. Requires such agency to assure the uniform application and interpretation of such regulations and procedures. Makes provisions for aggrieved persons to petition such agency for a hearing. Requires such agency annually to make adjustments, beginning fiscal in year 1982, for inflation in housing costs. Authorizes the head of a Federal agency administering or financing a project to offer to acquire property from any person owning property affected by such project who is left with an uneconomic remnant in order to entitle the owner and occupant to full benefits under this Act. Makes this Act effective on October 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the special tax treatment of church agency pension plans as qualified church plans. Provides that plans maintained by groups or associations of churches include individuals "substantially all" of whom are qualified beneficiaries. Allows such plans to retain accrued benefits, according to their terms, or to continue receiving contributions for up to five years for separated employees. Allows any plan which is determined to have failed to meet church plan requirements a grace period of 270 days, or any other period specified by the Secretary of the Treasury or a court in an adjudication of such an issue, to bring itself into compliance without becoming disqualified. Applies these provisions retroactively to 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that, for purposes of computing the allowable retirement plan exclusion and employer contributions allowance for church employees, all years of service for a church, church association, or an agency for such churches, shall be considered employment for one employer. Extends to church employees the same option presently enjoyed by employees of tax-exempt health and education organizations to elect alternative exclusion allowances for contributions to annuity contracts. Provides a minimum $10,000 allowance for annual additions to these contracts without regard to the amount of the employee's compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1979
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to make permanent the special tax treatment of church agency pension plans as qualified church plans. Provides that plans maintained by groups or associations of churches include individuals "substantially all" of whom are qualified beneficiaries. Allows such plans to retain accrued benefits, according to their terms, or to continue receiving contributions for up to five years for separated employees. Allows any plan which is determined to have failed to meet church plan requirements a grace period of 270 days, or any other period specified by the Secretary of the Treasury or a court in an adjudication of such an issue, to bring itself into compliance without becoming disqualified. Applies these provisions retroactively to 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to extend until October 1, 1982, the program of Federal payments to States for costs incurred in carrying out a State plan of services for disabled children who receive SSI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to require that aged, blind, or disabled aliens, as defined in title XVI, must have resided in the United States during the three years immediately preceding such aliens' application for benefits under title XVI. Exempts from the three-year requirement those aliens: (1) who are political refugees or parolees into this country; (2) with respect to whom the support agreement under the Immigration and Nationality Act is excused; and (3) certain blind or disabled individuals. Stipulates that such three-year requirement shall apply only to aliens applying for supplemental security income benefits under title XVI. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to stipulate that no immigrant shall be admitted into the United States unless: (1) at the time of application for admission a support agreement exists which states that the immigration sponsor shall provide such financial support as is necessary to maintain the immigrants' income at a dollar amount equal to the dollar amount such immigrant would receive under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, if such immigrant is aged, blind, or disabled as defined in title XVI, during the three-year period beginning on the date of admission of the immigrant; (2) such immigrant presents evidence of other means to provide the required support; or (3) such immigrant is designated as a parolee or political refugee without available means of private support. Authorizes the Attorney General, the immigrant, or any State which is making payments to such immigrant under any program based on need, to enforce such agreements in a civil action. Declares a support agreement excused and unenforceable if: (1) the sponsor dies or is adjudicated as bankrupt; (2) the alien becomes blind or disabled from causes arising after admission to the U.S.; (3) the sponsor can affirmatively demonstrate that his or her financial resources have diminished beyond the sponsor's control and that the sponsor is financially incapable of supporting the alien; or (4) judgment cannot be obtained in court because of circumstances unforeseeable to the alien at the time of admission.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to allow, for households containing one or more members 60 years of age or older, an excess medical deduction for the portion of the actual cost of allowable specified medical costs in excess of $35 a month, adjustable semiannually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1979
National Commission on Literacy Act - Establishes the National Commission on Literacy whose members shall be appointed by the President and representative of the following areas: (1) State, local, and Federal personnel from educational institutions; (2) public and private library personnel; (3) minority groups; (4) labor, business, and industry; (5) Members of Congress; and (6) experts in elementary and adult education. Directs the Commission to define illiteracy and investigate programs and policies, both public and private, which relate to literacy and illiteracy. Directs the Commission to report to the President and Congress its findings and recommendations not later than 18 months after its first meeting. Terminates such Commission 180 days after submission of its final report.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1979
Gold Coinage Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and issue gold coins in a denomination of $100, which may be increased periodically in accordance with the world market price of gold.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of January 21 through January 27, 1979, as "Junior Achievement Week" in honor of the sixtieth anniversary of Junior Achievement, an organization dedicated to the American enterprise system and service to youth.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Impact Reduction of Energy Resources Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to study petitions for reorganization in bankruptcy of railroad lines or applications for abandonment of railroad lines and rail transportation to determine the impact of such plans and applications upon the transportation of coal. Directs the Secretary to oppose such actions as he determines may reduce or curtail present or future coal shipments. Provides for loans or grants to an applicant for the maintenance of coal transportation services. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 and the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to make railroads eligible for assistance under this Act.
![Official portrait of Sen. Melcher, John [D-MT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000635_200.jpg)