The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Sen. Morgan, Robert B. [D-NC]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000956_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
355 records where Sen. Morgan, Robert B. [D-NC] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1980
Expresses the gratitude of the Senate for the forceful action of Colonel Ishmail Kahn and Mr. Bill Hamidullah in repelling the attackers of the International School of Islamabad in Pakistan.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Agricultural Transportation and Distribution Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, beginning in 1982, to prepare annual reports on: (1) the capability of the U.S. transportation system to meet the needs of the agricultural sector and of rural areas (including rural development needs and noting impediments to the transportation needs of rural people and to the movement of agricultural commodities to domestic and international markets); and (2) the principal marketing, distribution, and utilization systems, other than transportation, serving the agricultural industry, including both domestic and international aspects. Establishes in the Department of Agriculture a transportation and distribution agency to coordinate Department programs and responsibilities involved with the transportation and distribution of agricultural commodities. Directs the Secretary to require the use of written contracts, with minimum requirements and conditions, covering the interstate movement by motor carriage of agricultural freight, where such movement involves the services of a broker or other third party. Directs the transportation and distribution agency to carry out a program of research, education, and technical assistance to small businesses engaged in the transportation of agricultural commodities. Requires that shippers of agricultural commodities have a nondelegable financial responsibility for loading such commodities upon any truck or motor vehicle engaged in interstate commerce. Prohibits shippers from making any charge, suffering any charge to be made, or attempting to evade such responsibility therefor. Makes receivers of such goods similarly responsible for the unloading and prohibited from charging for or evading such responsibility. Prohibits any person engaged in the operation of warehouses, ports, terminals, or distribution centers or any shipper or receiver of agricultural commodities from knowingly permitting any robbery, extortion or extortionate practice against truck owners or drivers. Provides for: (1) the investigation and hearing by the Secretary of complaints of violations of this Act; (2) cease and desist orders regarding such violations; and (3) punishment for violations of such orders. Authorizes the Secretary to make rules and regulations and to cooperate with Federal, State, and local agencies to carry out this Act. Authorizes appropriations after fiscal year 1980 to carry out this Act. Provides for the separability of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to establish in the Treasury an Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund to finance short-term export credit sales of agricultural commodities produced in the U.S. and to make loans for the construction or acquisition of facilities to improve the capacity of foreign countries to handle, market, process, store, or distribute such agricultural commodities. Requires that all sums received by the Commodity Credit Corporation from the liquidation of loans made to finance short-term export credit sales of such agricultural commodities be added to and become a part of such fund. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for fiscal years 1981 through 1983 to such fund. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to report annually to Congress on the export credit sales program carried out by the Corporation in the last fiscal year. Abolishes such fund effective October 1, 1983. Requires that all unobligated money in such fund become a part of the miscellaneous receipts account of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Redefines "veteran" for veterans' benefits purposes to mean an individual who: (1) served in, and was not dishonorably discharged from, the active armed services prior to January 1, 1981; or (2) entered active military service on or after January 1, 1981, and (a) completed at least 18 months of service and was not dishonorably discharged, (b) was granted a hardship discharge, or (c) was granted a disability discharge. Redefines "eligible veteran" for post-Vietnam era educational assistance to include individuals who: (1) entered military service on or after January 1, 1977, but before January 1, 1981, having previously served 180 days or less, subsequently served at least 180 days of active service, and was not dishonorably discharged; (2) entered military service on or after January 1 1981, served at least 18 months of active service, and was not dishonorably discharged; (3) entered military service on or after January 1, 1981, having previously served either less than 180 days prior to 1981 or less than 18 months after such date, subsequently served at least 18 months, and was not dishonorably discharged; or (4) entered military service on or after January 1, 1977, having previously served 180 days or less, and was granted a disability discharged.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to establish a Presidential Commission on National Service to examine the need and feasibility of establishing a comprehensive national service program. Requires the Commission to submit to Congress and the President interim reports and a final report on its examination accompanied by any legislative recommendations. Directs the President or an agency head designated by the President: (1) upon submission of such report, to ascertain the views of agencies affected by the Commission's recommendations; (2) to report to Congress on the feasibility and cost of implementing such recommendations; and (3) to submit a final report to Congress detailing the actions taken by executive agencies with respect to such recommendations. Terminates the Commission 180 days after the submission of its final report.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Expresses the Senate's support for efforts to win the freedom of the hostages in Iran. Calls upon all nations to join in cooperative efforts to restrict relations with Iran. Declares that: (1) any trial or public exploitation of the hostages would be viewed as added provocation; and (2) the American people will not be diverted from their determination that the hostages be freed.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Romania are urged: (1) to release certain political prisoners; and (2) to halt the incarceration and harassment of individuals contrary to the Helsinki Accords.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) reaffirm U.S. commitment to the Helsinki Accords; (2) communicate to the Soviet Union U.S. disapproval of religious harassment of Christians in the Soviet Union and of the restrictions on such Christians' freedom to emigrate; and (3) advise the Soviet Union of U.S. expectation that the Soviet Union honor its commitments under the Helsinki Accords and under international law.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1979
Public Buildings Act of 1979 - Title I: General Authorities - Directs the Administrator of General Services (GSA), acting through the Public Buildings Service, to acquire, design, construct, lease, manage, maintain, repair, renovate, and assign space in public buildings. Establishes in GSA a Public Buildings Service to be headed by a Superintendent of Public Buildings. Creates the position of Supervising Architect to supervise all design activities of the Public Buildings Service. Permits the Administrator to delegate any of the aforementioned authorities after first explaining the scope and reasons for such delegation to specified congressional committees. Sets forth the duties and powers of the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to annually report to Congress concerning activities undertaken to meet the public buildings needs of Federal agencies. Specifies lists to be included in such report. Repeals the Public Buildings Act of 1959. Title II: Locations for Federal Agency Offices - Sets forth requirements for the location of Federal agency offices. Requires the headquarters offices of each Federal agency to be located in the Washington, D.C. area. Requires other Federal agency offices, designated as being located outside of Washington, D.C., to be evenly distributed throughout the country. Permits agency heads to appeal locations assigned by the Administrator. Title III: Design and Management of Public Buildings - Sets forth requirements for the design and maintenance of public buildings, including quality of architecture, longevity, conformity with existing buildings, furnishings, and parking facilities. Directs the Administrator to establish design and construction standards to make buildings fully accessible to handicapped persons. Requires the annual plan to Congress to include a schedule for making all existing public buildings fully accessible to handicapped persons. Title IV: Mixed Use and Adaptive Use in Public Buildings - Public Buildings Cooperative Use Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Public Buildings Cooperative Use Act of 1976 to direct the Administrator to design, construct, and lease out space for commercial, cultural, educational, and recreational activities. Sets forth conditions for space so leased. Repeals provisions requiring the Administrator to: (1) identify existing buildings of historic, architectural, or cultural significance suitable for meeting Federal public buildings needs; and (2) notify Congress of the use or nonuse of such buildings. Title V: Exhibitions and Works of Art - Federal Building Enhancement Act of 1979 - Directs the General Services Administrator to: (1) acquire works of art by living American artists to be exhibited in Federal buildings; (2) develop exhibitions for Federal buildings which reflect the heritage or development of the United States; and (3) commission works of art by American artists for Federal buildings. Sets forth standards such works of art and exhibitions shall meet. Authorizes the Administrator to use one-half of one percent of the sums available for the construction, repair, and acquisition of public buildings for such purposes. Title VI: Architectural Services - Directs the Superintendent of Public Buildings to employ architects, designers, and urban planners to prepare, under the supervision of the Supervising Architect, plans for at least 25 percent of the dollar value of public building projects each year. Requires those architectural designs not prepared in accordance with the above to be procured in accordance with the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and a method to select the best qualified architectural firm. Directs the Administrator to provide competing firms the evaluation criteria and the reasons for the selection made. Title VII: Leasing - Permits the Administrator to lease space only in limited circumstances. Specifies that within the next ten years at least 80 percent of Federal employees shall have their principal offices in public buildings, with such percentage being maintained uniformly throughout the country. Prohibits leasing space for specified Federal functions. Exempts buildings leased pursuant to this Act from provisions requiring money consideration and limiting the amount of rent. Prohibits rental rates from exceeding 105 percent of average commercial rates for space of nearest comparable quality. Requires the Administrator to publicly solicit competitive bids to procure space by lease for the Government. Directs the Administrator to provide a copy of the lease agreement to the highest ranking official of each Federal agency in leased buildings. Sets forth information to be submitted to Congress concerning leased buildings and space. Title VIII: Congressional Authorization - Directs the Administrator to submit annually to Congress a program of necessary projects and actions for the coming fiscal year. Prohibits the obligation of any appropriation for a public building without congressional authorization. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) carry out public building construction, renovation, and acquisition projects; (2) execute leases; and (3) issue obligations to the Treasury. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes and for alterations, maintenance, planning and designs, and administration of the Public Buildings Service. Authorizes the Administrator to increase expenditures or decrease the amount of space to be constructed, up to specified limits, if the project costs exceed the estimated maximum cost authorized. Requires approval by specified committees for any other action. Title IX: Public Building Financing - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require rates and charges for public buildings and buildings leased in behalf of the United States to be established annually at a level equal to the costs of providing space and services, but no more than commercial rates and charges. Requires all proceeds from the disposal of real property, parking fees, and dressing room fees to be deposited into the fund for real property management established in the Treasury. Authorizes the Administrator to issue obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury in order to finance the acquisition, construction, or renovation of any public building. Provides for payment of principal and interest on such obligations from the fund for real property management.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1979
Denies Federal unemployment compensation benefits to certain individuals discharged from the armed forces before completion of at least five-sixths of their initial active-duty enlistments.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1979
Designates the week of December 3 through December 9, 1979, as "Scouting Recognition Week."
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1979
Authorizes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Incorporated, to erect a memorial on public grounds in West Potomac Park in the District of Columbia in honor and recognition of the men and women of the armed forces who served in the Vietnam war.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) all countries and all people be urged to respond generously to Cambodian relief efforts; (2) Cambodian authorities be encouraged to allow the use of all possible avenues for delivering food and medical supplies; and (3) the United States and the United Nations should express their expectation that the great power supporters of the factions in Cambodia share in international responsibility for averting famine.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1979
Venture Capital Investment Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to the Securities Act of 1933 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to include within the private offering exemption from full registration any transaction involving securities bearing a legend stating that such securities may not be sold or transferred except to accredited investors provided all purchasers of such securities are accredited investors or persons the issuer reasonably believes to be accredited investors. Exempts from registration (under the exemption for transactions not involving an issuer, underwriter, or dealer) any resale of a security bearing such a legend if the purchaser is an accredited investor or a person reasonably believed to be an accredited investor. Defines the term "accredited investor" to include: (1) banks, insurance companies, investment companies and their subsidiaries, and any fund, trust or account administered by a bank or insurance company; and (2) persons designated by regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission on the basis of expertise or net worth. Provides that a venture capital company engaging in the distribution of restricted securities (securities acquired in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving a public offering) shall not be considered an underwriter if such a company has been the beneficial owner of the restricted securities for a period of at least five years. Defines "venture capital company" for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to include only those companies which: (1) primarily engage in activities such as providing capital to industry, financing promotional enterprises, purchasing securities for which no ready market exists, or reorganizing companies; and (2) have at least 80 percent of their assets (excluding Government securities, short-term paper, and cash) in securities obtained in connection with a private offering, resale of restricted securities, or corporate reorganization. Title II: Amendments to the Investment Company Act of 1940 - Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to exempt from regulation under such Act as an investment company: (1) any venture capital company which is a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (2) any venture capital company for a period of 180 days after its securities become beneficially owned by more than 100 persons; and (3) any venture capital company which presently proposes to make a public offering of its securities for 180 days after filing its registration statement and 60 days following its effective date or withdrawal, whichever last occurs. Prohibits a venture capital company from: (1) engaging in any business in interstate commerce in which a majority of its directors would be deemed interested if it were an investment company; and (2) selling or disposing of any securities it owns in any manner or amounts except those permitted under the Securities Act of 1933 for securities acquired in a private offering. Restricts the directors, officers, employees, and controlling shareholders of a venture capital company in owning and purchasing securities of the companies in which the venture capital company invests. Permits a venture capital company to register as an investment company though it would be entitled to an exemption under this Act provided it is not a personal holding company as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to promulgate regulations to implement this Act within 180 days of its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1979
Resource Conservation and Development Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a resource conservation and development program to assist States, local units of government, and local nonprofit organizations to operate and maintain a planning process for land conservation and utilization, natural resources development, and rural economic and environmental improvement. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance in developing area plans for designated rural areas; (2) cooperate in conducting surveys and inventories, disseminating information, and developing area plans; (3) assist in the carrying out of approved area plans by local public agencies and nonprofit organizations designated by States; (4) enter into specified agreements; and (5) assist local governments in acquiring land or interest in land for rehabilitation or reclamation which will eliminate a threat to the public health or welfare, subject to specified conditions. Sets forth terms and conditions of agreements which must be met if the Secretary is to provide any technical or financial assistance, including loans, to a State agency, local government, or local nonprofit organization in carrying out works of improvement specified in an approved area plan. Permits the identification of groups or problems for special consideration in area plans. Declares that the authority of the Secretary under this Act shall be supplemental and not in lieu of any authority of the Secretary under any other provision of law. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Agriculture a Resource Conservation and Development Policy Board to advise the Secretary regarding the administration of this Act. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the program provided for in this Act and to report on such evaluation, with recommendations. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act, with specified annual limits on technical and financial assistance and on loans.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1979
Federal Firearms Law Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to Gun Control Act - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition and persons engaged in the business of repairing firearms. Adds a new definition "engaged in the business" with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Includes as a manufacturer of ammunition a person whose gross sales of his own ammunition exceed $1,000 in any calendar year. Includes as a dealer in firearms a person who deals in firearms as a regular course of business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms. Replaces the current term "crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year" with a new definition of "disabling crime." Eliminates certain activities regarding ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Revises current provisions respecting the interstate sale or transfer of firearms. Revises the current prohibition against selling a firearm or ammunition to certain persons (such as persons under indictment for a felony or addicted to drugs) to apply such prohibition only to persons convicted of a "disabling crime." Revises the current prohibition against certain persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to: (1) extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition; (2) conform such prohibition to the new "disabling crime" provision; and (3) include as additional categories illegal aliens, persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces, and persons who have renounced their United States citizenship. Makes the same changes to the current prohibition against certain persons who receive a firearm or ammunition which has been transported in interstate commerce, but applies such prohibition to persons who are employed by the enumerated categories of individuals. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Stipulates that the Secretary of the Treasury may revoke a license only where the holder of such license has "knowingly" violated a provision of the Act or regulation. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations under this Act which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, where such individual is not convicted of such charges. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records or documents and any firearm or ammunition kept by an importer, manufacturer, or dealer pursuant to this Act that the Secretary has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises of such persons. Restricts the firearm information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Stipulates that the general penalty under this Act shall apply to whoever "willfully" violates any provision. Prohibits, with respect to a person's second or subsequent conviction for illegally using or carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony, the granting of parole before completion of the minimum sentence. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Requires a court to award attorney's fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in an action or proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Allows the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was initiated in bad faith. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Allows one House of Congress to disapprove by resolution any firearms regulation within 90 days of continuous session of the promulgation of such rule. Requires that resolutions of disapproval be immediately referred to only those standing committees having legislative responsibility for this Act. Allows a sponsor of any such resolution to move to discharge from further consideration a committee which does not report out the resolution within 45 days of continuous session of Congress. States that it shall be in order to move to proceed to the consideration of the resolution any time after a committee has reported or has been discharged from further consideration. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing any rules identical to regulations disapproved by Congress without the enactment of additional legislation respecting his authority. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Makes any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1979
Makes the Federal tort claims procedure the exclusive remedy in medical malpractice actions resulting from federally authorized National Guard training activities (repeals the current provision covering such liability).
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate October 14 through October 20, 1979, as "National Mobile Home/Manufactured Housing Week."
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1979
Prohibits the salaries of the Vice President, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, the Federal judiciary, the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives from exceeding the rate of pay in effect on September 30, 1978, until the total budget outlays does not exceed Federal revenues for the fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1979
Designates the week of October 1 through October 7, 1979, as "National Productivity Improvement Week."
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1979
Designates the Federal Building in Trenton, North Carolina, as the John D. Larkins, Jr., Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1979
Stipulates that certain full-time training or duty performed by a member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard shall be creditable as active duty for training in Federal service as a Reserve of the Army or Air Force for benefit purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1979
Includes required drills and field exercises within the category of National Guard activities which are considered active duty for training for purposes of veterans' reemployment rights.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1979
Amends the National Museum Act of 1966 to authorize additional appropriations of $1,000,000 each year for fiscal years 1981, 1982, and 1983 to the Smithsonian Institution to carry out the purposes of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1979
Agricultural, Forestry, and Rural Energy Act of 1979 - Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to add a new "Title XX--Agricultural, Forestry, and Rural Energy Act" which directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement an Agricultural, Forestry, and Rural Energy Production, Use, and Conservation Program in order to enable the United States to achieve net energy independence for agricultural and forestry production, processing, and marketing, and to reduce the petroleum and natural gas consumption of rural residents and communities by 50 percent by the year 2000. Directs the Secretary to establish an Agricultural, Forestry, and Rural Energy Board to assist the Secretary by: (1) making a comprehensive assessment of the Nation's agricultural, forestry and rural energy needs, resources, practices, legal authorities, programs, and related elements (such assessment to be updated at least every five years); and (2) preparing the Energy Production, Use, and Conservation Program. Requires the Energy Production, Use, and Conservation Program to: (1) inventory the specific needs and opportunities for public and private investment in agricultural, forestry, and rural energy production, use, and conservation projects; (2) identify estimated costs, returns, results, and benefits associated with such investments; and (3) discuss the priorities and options for the accomplishment of such Program. Requires cooperation with Federal, State, and local agencies and organizations. Demands submission of the completed Program to the Secretary and to Congress within one year after enactment of this Act, with revision at least every five years. Requires annual reports on the Program to Congress by February 1 of each year, the first to be submitted by February 1, 1981. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement an applied research program to develop: (1) economical and energy-efficient fuel hydrocarbons, and petrochemical substitutes from biomass; (2) techniques for using energy so derived in the production, processing, and marketing of agricultural commodities and forest products; (3) economical ways for rural communities to use such energy; (4) the use of wood as an energy-efficient material in building construction; and (5) energy conservation systems and techniques for farmers, owners of forest land, rural residents, and rural communities. Authorizes annual appropriations not to exceed $50,000,000 solely for applied research at State agricultural experiment stations to develop agricultural, forestry, and rural energy production, use, and conservation. Requires the Secretary to study the feasibility of alternate crop-livestock systems to produce both foodstuffs and fiber for domestic and export markets and biomass for use in the production of energy. Directs the Secretary to implement an extension program to disseminate the results of rural energy research and to encourage rural residents and communities to adopt projects for the production and use of biomass energy and energy conservation techniques. Authorizes the annual appropriation of $50,000,000 under the Smith-Lever Act, and $5,000,000 under the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 for rural and forest energy extension work by State extension services. Directs the Secretary to establish (to the extent practicable, at existing Department of Agriculture research facilities) four Wood Energy Centers and four Agricultural Biomass Energy Centers, each in a different geographic region of the United States and located in an area containing substantial amounts of private forest land or intensively used farm land, as appropriate. Requires each Center, under Board direction, to: (1) perform applied wood or agricultural biomass energy production and use and energy conservation research projects; (2) develop an information bank; (3) field-test promising research findings; (4) provide technical assistance to landowners, colleges and universities, and other interested parties; (5) make demonstration projects; (6) disseminate information on new energy technologies; (7) perform energy need analyses for rural residents and communities; (8) perform similar research, field test, and demonstration programs with respect to agricultural commodities; and (9) implement solar energy model farms and demonstration projects. Permits the Secretary to make National Forest Systems wood and residues available to assist in such research and demonstrations. Authorizes annual appropriations of $30,000,000 for Wood Energy Centers and $30,000,000 for Agricultural Biomass Energy Centers. Authorizes the Secretary to share up to 75 percent of the cost of implementing wood energy production practices set forth in agreements for such purposes with owners of nonindustrial private forest land. Requires that such agreements be based on individual forest management plans ensuring maximum development of the land for wood for energy. Authorizes annual appropriations of $100,000,000 for such program. Directs the Secretary to conduct a five-year pilot program of financial assistance to owners of nonindustrial private forest land which shall include, but not be limited to: (1) the insuring and guaranteeing of loans providing periodic loan disbursements; (2) the consolidation for resale in private capital markets of the loan obligations of individual landowners; and (3) the loaning of funds to lending institutions in order to make such guaranteed loans. Declares eligible for such program any private individual, group, Indian tribe or other native group, association, partnership, corporation or other legal entity which owns forest land capable of producing crops of industrial wood, provided the applicant is unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere. Requires borrowers to prepare, keep current, and adhere to an individual forest management plan, developed in cooperation with and approved by the State forester (or equivalent official). Limits the maximum amount of any insured or guaranteed loan to any one landowner to $50,000 annually. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee up to 90 percent of that portion of the overall loan obligation which exceeds the market value of the assets securing such loan. Bases the amount of the periodic loan disbursement upon the future expected market value of the timber securing such loan, limiting the total principal and interest obligation to 80 percent of such value. Allows for adjustment of loan terms, as agreed by both landowner and lender, following periodic reviews of individual loan agreements and forest management plans. Entitles borrowers to prepayment of all or any part of an outstanding loan obligation without penalty. Sets a repayment term of up to 40 years. Allows the interest rate to be set by the lender and borrower. Directs the Secretary to appoint a program development and evaluation committee to advise him regarding the financial assistance program. Requires funding for the program to be drawn from the Rural Development Insurance Fund. Authorizes necessary appropriations for administrative expenses. Limits the total annual expenditure: (1) for insured loans to a maximum $25,000,000; and (2) for guaranteed loans to a maximum of $10,000,000. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State for the employment of additional State foresters or equivalent officials to provide technical assistance to owners of private forest land in: (1) identifying the opportunities for, and increasing the production of, wood for energy; and (2) developing individual forest management plans under programs of this Act. Requires the Secretary, in determining the amount of such assistance, to consider the underuse of forest growth in the State and the potential for use of this material in energy production in the State. Permits the Secretary to take necessary actions to make wood energy use training programs available to such foresters. Authorizes the annual appropriation of not more than $8,500,000 for such financial assistance program. Directs the Secretary to establish State advisory committees in States with significant amounts of nonindustrial private forest land to advise the Secretary and the State forester periodically about the effectiveness of Federal programs and the potential for developing markets for wood energy. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to establish concentration and distribution centers that make fuelwood available to homeowners. Authorizes the annual appropriation of $10,000,000 for five fiscal years. Directs the Secretary to implement a program disseminating information and providing technical assistance with respect to the small-scale production and use of ethanol, methanol, low and medium British thermal unit gas, and other energy forms from agricultural biomass. Requires State extension services to conduct at least 100 workshops annually instructing: (1) interested parties on construction and operation of agricultural biomass energy production facilities; and (2) county extension agents on the conduct of agricultural biomass energy extension at the local level. Directs the Secretary to establish projects for rural energy conservation and the production and use of energy from biomass through direct, insured, and guaranteed loans to finance the construction and operation of commercial or on-farm projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make up to $10,000,000 worth of grants for demonstration for the same purposes. Limits the total amount of such loans made or insured in any fiscal year to not more than $250,000,000 with at least one-third allocated for projects using wood or wood wastes, and at least one-fourth allocated for small-scale facilities for the annual production of at most 2,000,000 gallons of ethanol, or the energy equivalent of other forms of biomass energy. Limits the annual total of guaranteed loans to $1,000,000,000 similarly allocated. Requires: (1) the execution of at least 75 percent of such loans, guarantees, and grants by May 31 of the fiscal year in question; and (2) the coordination of such programs with other specified agriculture and energy loan and grant programs. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize, for fiscal years 1981 and 1982, not to exceed: (1) $25,000,000 for community facility loans for rural electric cooperatives for projects to generate electricity using nonfossil energy sources including biomass and hydropower; (2) $50,000,000 for direct, insured, or guaranteed farm ownership (real estate) loans for nonfossil energy systems used on farms; (3) $20,000,000 for direct, insured, or guaranteed farm operating loans for equipment using biomass or solar energy or increasing energy conservation; (4) $250,000,000 for guaranteed and $20,000,000 for insured industrial development loans, with authority to transfer amounts between such categories, for commercial biomass energy production projects. Authorizes the Administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration to make grants to owners of rural electric systems, or federations of such owners, for projects demonstrating alternate energy and conservation technologies. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal years 1980 through 1983. Directs the Farm Credit Administration to encourage the production credit associations, Federal land banks, and banks for cooperatives to use the existing authority in the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to make loans to farmers for the establishment or operation of commercially feasible biomass energy production or energy conservation projects. Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to authorize the Secretary to provide cost-sharing financial assistance and technical assistance to agricultural producers for shelter belts, minimum tillage systems, manure or other suitable fertilizer wastes, integrated pest management, energy-efficient irrigation water management, and water conservation measures necessary to improve crop yields in relation to the amount of energy used in crop production. Makes this Act effective October 1, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1979
Consumer Banking Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize member banks in the Federal Reserve System and federally insured nonmember banks to make automatic funds transfers from a savings deposit to a demand deposit pursuant to the written authorization of the depositor to make such transfers in connection with checks or drafts drawn upon the bank. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to permit Federal savings and loan associations and Federal mutual savings banks to establish remote service units pursuant to regulations of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to permit insured credit unions to offer share draft deposits to individuals and nonprofit organizations in accordance with regulations prescribed by the National Credit Union Administration Board. Requires each Federal credit union to maintain reserves against such deposits in amounts and forms prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1979
Declares certain individuals lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1979
Solar Energy Development Bank Act - Establishes a Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to be known as the Solar Energy Development Bank to make below-market interest rate loans to promote the use of solar energy in commercial and residential structures. Provides for a presidentially-appointed President of the Bank. Requires the General Accounting Office to periodically audit the Bank's financial transactions. Authorizes the Bank to impose fees for its services. Provides that the Bank shall be governed by a Board of Directors and sets forth the powers and duties of such Board, including the power to fix the level of subsidy on loans and interest rates. Prohibits specified conflicts of interest on the part of officers or employees of the Bank. Establishes an Advisory Board to make annual reports to Congress and the President on the operation of the program established by this Act. Sets forth requirements for loan eligibility concerning the term and amount of the loan and necessary warranties for the solar energy systems covered by such loan. Authorizes the making of such loan subsidies to units of local government on behalf of low-income persons for projects carried out under other housing or rehabilitation programs. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Directs the Bank to conduct a program to promote the benefits of its loan subsidy program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit any State, or political subdivision thereof, which imposes an income tax on a corporation from taking into account any amount of income belonging to, or attributable to, any foreign corporation which is also a member of an affiliated group to which the domestic corporation belongs, unless such amount is subject to Federal income tax. Prohibits any State, or political subdivision thereof, from taxing or otherwise taking into account a certain percentage (determined according to specified formulae) of any dividend received by a corporation from a foreign corporation (or by a domestic corporation treated as having received such a dividend). Allows such State, or political subdivision, to take into account only a tax for which a Federal foreign tax credit would be allowed.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1979
Amends rule XLII of the Standing Rules of the Senate to make the provisions of title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 a rule of the Senate as it pertains to Members, officers, and employees of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1979
Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that no office building should be constructed for the Senate after the date on which this resolution is agreed to, other than any office building which is under construction on such date.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1979
Amends rule XLII of the Standing Rules of the Senate to make the provisions of title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 a rule of the Senate as it pertains to Members, officers, and employees of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate May 1, 1980, as "National Bicycling Day."
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1979
Solar Energy Development Bank Act - Establishes the Solar Energy Development Bank, within the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to make below-market interest rate loans to encourage the use of solar energy in commercial and residential structures. Provides that such Bank shall be governed by a Board of Directors and sets forth the duties and powers of such Board. Authorizes the Bank to make payments to financial institutions for the purpose of subsidizing below-market rate loans made by such institutions to owners or builders of commercial and residential structures for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems. Sets forth requirements for such subsidies concerning the term and amount of loans to be subsidized and necessary warranties for such solar energy systems. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans assisted under this Act. Directs the Board to make annual reports to the President and to both Houses of Congress on the operation of such subsidy program. Provides that up to $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 and up to $150,000,000 for fiscal years 1981 through 1985 shall be made available from the Energy Security Trust Fund for the purpose of carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1979
Longshoremen's and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Longshoremen's and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act to: (1) extend coverage to ship cleaners, lashers, and ship carpenters; and (2) define "longshoring operation", "ship repairman", "ship builder", and "point of rest" for purposes of such Act. Extends the current maximum rates of compensation for disability to compensation for death. Entitles an injured employee to choose an attending physician from a panel designated by the employer and authorized by the deputy commission. Requires an attending physician who refers an employee to a medical specialist or physician to notify the employer with respect to such referral. Requires an employee seeking recovery of expenses for medical treatment to request the employer to furnish such treatment within 21 days of the first treatment. Establishes procedures for providing independent medical examinations when medical questions arise, including guidelines for the determination of the degree of physical impairment. Provides that, except for certain specified injuries, permanent and total disability shall be determined only if as a result of the injury, the employee is unable to earn any wages in the same or other employment. Specifies that compensation for permanent, partial disability as listed in the Act shall not be subject to such restriction but shall be exclusive for those disabilities listed. Allows the employer to suspend or reduce the payment of compensation for permanent, partial disability under specified circumstances. Eliminates death benefits for the survivors of an employee who had been receiving permanent, partial disability compensation and who dies from causes other than the original injury. Establishes procedures for: (1) approval, disapproval, and appeal from disapproval of settlement applications; and (2) payment and computation of lump sum payment to discharge the settlement. Limits increases in disability compensation tied to wage increases to a maximum of three percent per year. Provides that failure to give notice of injury or death shall not act as a bar to a claim if the employer or insurance carrier has actual knowledge that the injury or death was employment related. Revises provisions with respect to payment of compensation awards, including the imposition of a maximum allowance for an injury of $100,000, except in cases of permanent, total disability or death. Repeals the statutory presumptions related to claims under the Act. Revises various provisions with respect to administrative and court review of compensation orders.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate October 13, 1979, as "National Jogging Day."
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1979
Farm Credit Act Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Federal Land Banks and Associations - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to authorize any Federal land bank, under the supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) participate in loans with other Farm Credit System institutions (i.e., Federal land banks, Federal land bank associations, Federal intermediate credit banks, production credit associations, and banks for cooperatives); (2) participate in loans which the land banks are authorized to make with lenders which are not Farm Credit System institutions; (3) sell interests in loans to such lenders; (4) buy from and sell to Farm Credit System institutions interests in loans, other extended financial assistance, and nonvoting stock; (5) make other investments; (6) accept contributions to their capital from Federal land bank associations; (7) enter into agreements with other Farm Credit System institutions to share loan and other losses; (8) issue nonvoting stock to borrowers as a patronage refund; and (9) make or participate with other lenders in long-term real estate mortgage loans not exceeding 85 percent of the appraised value of the real estate security. Makes producers and harvesters of aquatic products eligible for Federal land bank services. Authorizes Federal land bank associations to make capital contributions to a Federal land bank. States that a member of a Federal land bank association need not make the required purchases of land stock with respect to that part of a loan derived from a lender which is not a Farm Credit System institution. Authorizes the Federal land bank associations to pay dividends on a differential basis between different classes and issues of stock and participation certificates corresponding to the value of such classes and issues to the capital or earnings of the Federal land bank in its district. Permits the Federal land bank associations to agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System institutions. Title II: Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations - Authorizes the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, subject to the supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) buy from and sell to Farm Credit System institutions interests in loans, other extended financial assistance and nonvoting stock; (2) make other investments; (3) agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System institutions; (4) participate with other Farm Credit System institutions in making loans; and (5) issue nonvoting stock to such institutions. Authorizes the Federal intermediate credit banks to discount for, or purchase from other financial institutions loans made to producers and harvesters of aquatic products. Permits any Federal intermediate credit bank to transfer more than 25 percent of its net earnings after expenses to its allocated reserve account (presently, not more than 25 percent of such earnings may be transferred to this account). Authorizes each production credit association, subject to the supervision of the intermediate credit bank in its district and the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) buy from and sell to any bank in the Farm Credit System interests in loans, other financial assistance extended, and nonvoting stock; (2) participate in loans with other Farm Credit System institutions; (3) agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System Institutions; (4) issue participation certificates to eligible borrowers in lieu of nonvoting stock; and (5) issue participation certificates or nonvoting stock to any financial institution outside the Farm Credit System with which the association participates in a loan in satisfaction of the requirement that a borrower own such stock or participation certificates. Requires a borrower to own only that amount of stock or participation certificates which is proportionate to that portion of a loan retained by a production credit association when it participates with another lender in making a loan. Authorizes the production credit associations to extend loan assistance to bona fide farmers, ranchers, and producers and harvesters of aquatic products for basic processing and marketing directly related to the borrower's operations. Title III: Banks and Cooperatives - Empowers each bank for cooperatives, subject to the supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, to: (1) participate with other Farm Credit System institutions in making loans; (2) deposit its securities and current funds with any domestic or foreign financial organization (presently, such deposits must be made at a member bank in the Federal Reserve System); (3) buy and sell bankers' acceptances which are obligations of member banks in the Federal Reserve System; (4) buy and sell other obligations including those which arise in the course of transactions which the bank has assisted through loans; (5) buy from and sell to Farm Credit System institutions interests in loans, other financial assistance extended and nonvoting stock; (6) make other investments; (7) invest in foreign and domestic business entities to facilitate the obtaining of credit information and the performance of services related to international transactions; (8) maintain credit balances to assist in the transfer of funds between parties to authorized transactions; (9) agree to share loan and other losses with other Farm Credit System institutions; and (10) issue participation certificates to parties who may not be issued voting stock. Requires all participation certificates, voting and nonvoting stock issued by the banks for cooperatives to be retired at par value. Authorizes the banks for cooperatives to: (1) offer a currency exchange for eligible cooperative associations; and (2) extend loans, loan participation commitments, and other technical and financial assistance to any domestic or foreign party in which a member cooperative has an ownership interest or which engages with the cooperative in dealings in agricultural or aquatic products, farm supplies or the lease of property, provided such assistance substantially benefits the member cooperative. Enables cooperatives solely engaged in furnishing aquatic business services to borrow from the banks for cooperatives. Reduces the degree of ownership in a cooperative which must be held by farmers, producers or harvesters of aquatic products, or other cooperative associations in order to make such a cooperative eligible to borrow from a bank for cooperatives. Requires a bank for cooperatives to retire any equity held by a borrower in default or dissolution at fair market value not to exceed the par value of the equity interest of the borrower. Prohibits the retirement or cancellation of such an equity interest if the bank's capital structure would be adversely affected. Permits each bank for cooperatives to transfer more than 25 percent of its net annual savings to a surplus account. Authorizes the banks for cooperatives to pay patronage refunds to borrowers in the form of participation certificates. Title IV: Provisions Applicable to Two or More Classes of Institutions of the System - Declares that interest rates established by the Farm Credit Administration for loans made by Farm Credit System institutions shall preempt any interest rate limitation imposed by State law. States that when two or more Farm Credit System institutions participate in a loan as authorized by this Act, the terms of such loan shall be those agreed upon by the institutions. Requires that such factors as borrower eligibility, membership, term, amount, loan security and purchase of stock or participation certificates by the borrower are to be governed by the provisions of law applicable to the institution originating the loan. Exempts credit transactions of Farm Credit System institutions from the provisions of any State statute or any other law or regulation which impose, with regard to a credit transaction, any duty or requirement which had been imposed by the Truth in Lending Act before amendment. Authorizes the institutions of the Farm Credit System to organize corporations to perform non-lending functions and services which such institutions are authorized to perform. Empowers the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration to review and revise the charters of such corporations. States that such corporations shall be subject to supervision and examination by the Administration. Title V: District and Farm Credit Administration Organization - Revises the process for the election of farm credit district directors by reducing from three to two the number of nominees in the election poll. Establishes the rate of compensation for the Federal Farm Credit Board at the daily equivalent of the rate prescribed for grade GS-18 of the General Schedule. Authorizes the Board to fix the salary of the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration at any level not exceeding the maximum rate of basic pay in the Executive Schedule. Authorizes the Governor to appoint Deputy Governors to provide assistance in the functioning of the Farm Credit Administration. Exempts the Administration from provisions of Federal law relating to appointments in the competitive civil service, travel expenses, allowances, procurement, and property disposition. Credits employees of Farm Credit System institutions with specified leave and retirement benefits when they are transferred to Federal service in the Farm Credit Administration.
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 · 26 June 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President shall call as soon as possible an Energy Summit Conference to bring together representatives of the oil industry, consumer representatives knowledgeable on energy matters, officials of the executive branch and other levels of government, and such other persons as the President deems necessary to review any data submitted and report to the President on current and expected energy shortages, a prognosis for the future, and recommendations for public and private action to meet those shortages. Directs the Conference to consider the establishment of a national energy council. Directs the President to report to the American people the results of the Conference along with his recommendations for a national energy policy.
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 · 19 June 1979
Trade Agreements Act of 1979 - Approves specified trade agreements and the statements of administrative action proposed to implement such agreements. Authorizes the President to accept the final legal instruments embodying such agreements. Limits the President's acceptance authority. Requires the President to submit regulations and any amendments of existing statutes necessary to implement such agreements to Congress. Directs the Special Representative for trade negotiations to keep the Congressional delegates to trade negotiations informed of any requirements of, amendments to, or recommendations under, such agreements. Title I: Countervailing and Antidumping Duties - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require that a countervailing duty be imposed on imported merchandise if: (1) the administering authority determines that such merchandise receives any subsidy from a country subject to the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures or a similar agreement; and (2) the U.S. International Trade Commission determines that U.S. industry is materially injured or retarded by reason of such imports. Stipulates that such countervailing duty equal the amount of the net subsidy. Directs the administering authority to investigate whether such a subsidy is being provided to imported merchandise upon receiving: (1) information that such a situation exists; or (2) a petition from an interested party alleging such a situation exists. Stipulates that such petition be filed with the Commission in addition to the administering authority. Requires the administering authority to notify the Commission of any investigation in order that the Commission determine whether there is any indication of material injury to U.S. industry. Requires preliminary and final determinations to be made within specified time periods. Provides for the termination or suspension of such an investigation upon: (1) withdrawal of the petition by the petitioner; or (2) the country which allegedly provides subsidies, agreeing to eliminate such subsidy, cease exports of such merchandise, or (in extraordinary circumstances) eliminate the injurious effect of exports to the United States. Sets forth limitations to such agreements. Requires the administering authority to publish a countervailing duty order upon final affirmative determinations by the administering authority and the Commission concerning subsidies on imported merchandise. Requires that an antidumping duty be imposed on imported merchandise if: (1) the administering authority determines that such merchandise is, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than its fair value; and (2) the Commission determines that U.S. industry is materially injured or retarded by reason of such imports. Stipulates that such an antidumping duty equal the amount by which the foreign market value exceeds the U.S. price for such merchandise. Sets forth procedures for investigations by the administering authority and the Commission into sales at less than fair value similar to the countervailing duty investigations. Requires the administering authority to publish an antidumping duty order upon final affirmative determinations by the administering authority and the Commission that imported merchandise is being sold in the United States at less than fair value. Directs the administering authority to review annually: (1) the amounts of countervailing and antidumping duties; and (2) any agreements suspending countervailing or antidumping duty investigations. Requires the results of such review to be published along with any adjustments in the amounts of duty. Authorizes the administering authority to: (1) revoke a countervailing or antidumping duty order; or (2) terminate a suspended investigation after such review. Sets forth methods for determining the amounts of subsidies, material injury, U.S. prices, and foreign market value. Requires the administering authority and the Commission to hold a hearing during the course of any investigation at the request of a party to such investigation. Provides for the establishment of a library of information concerning foreign subsidy practices and countervailing measures. Requires specified information be available to the public. Provides for the confidentiality of certain information. Stipulates that interest be paid on overpayments and underpayments of amounts deposited on imported merchandise subject to countervailing or antidumping duty investigations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury and the Commission to terminate pending investigations into subsidies or sales at less than market value and continue such investigations pursuant to this title. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to make existing provisions concerning countervailing duty investigations applicable only to imported articles from countries not parties to the Agreement. Revises the existing investigation procedures to conform with this title, with specified exceptions. Requires the administering authority to notify the Commission of specified countervailing duty orders. Directs the Commission to determine whether U.S. industry has been materially injured. Directs the administering authority to terminate the waiver of countervailing duties upon being notified by the Commission of an affirmative determination. Stipulates that countervailing duty orders issued under existing provisions shall remain in effect, but subject to review under this title. Continues the waiver of countervailing duty orders applicable to imported merchandise from countries under the Agreement, until the Commission determines whether U.S. industry has been materially injured. Repeals the Antidumping Act, 1921. Continues the effectiveness of findings made under such Act, subject to review under this title. Title II: Customs Valuation - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise the methods for appraising imported merchandise based on the transaction value, deductive value, computed value, or similar value. Repeals the existing alternative valuation standards. Directs the President to report to Congress with an evaluation of the domestic and international operation of the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Specifies the effective dates of the revised valuation standards which vary depending on particular circumstances. Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to increase the rate of duties on ball and roller bearings and pneumatic tires. Repeals provisions stipulating that the duties on clams, footwear, wool knit gloves, and chemicals be based on the American selling price. Increases the rate of duties on such products. Authorizes the President to modify the descriptions of chemicals contained in the Tariff Schedules in specified circumstances. Title III: Government Procurement - Authorizes the President to waive government procurement regulations for eligible products of designated countries, if such regulations result in less favorable treatment than that accorded to U.S. products or products from countries which are parties to the Agreement. Directs the President to prohibit the procurement of otherwise eligible products from countries which are not designated. Authorizes deferrals and waivers from such prohibition in specified circumstances. Requires the President to report to Congress concerning: (1) the effects on the U.S. economy of the refusal to allow the Agreement to cover governmental entities which are principal purchasers of goods and recommendations of alternative means; and (2) actions to establish reciprocity with industrialized countries in the area of government procurement. Authorizes the President to waive application of the Buy American Act in the case of procurement of civil aircraft and related articles from countries which are parties to the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft, specifies objectives, including more open market access abroad, to be sought in the renegotiations provided for in the Agreement. Directs the President to report to Congress if the renegotiations are not progressing satisfactorily. Requires the President to give careful consideration to monitoring and enforcing the requirements of the Agreement and this title. Directs the President to report to Congress concerning: (1) administrative practices in the United States and other industrial countries regarding country of origin determinations; and (2) the economic impact on labor surplus areas of the waiver of the Buy American Act. Requires the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations to make procurement information available to the designated congressional advisors. Title IV: Technical Barriers to Trade (Standards) - Permits private persons and Federal and State agencies to engage in standards related activities that do not create unnecessary obstacles to U.S. foreign commerce. Requires Federal agencies which are engaged in such activities to: (1) ensure nondiscriminatory treatment of domestic and imported products; (2) take into consideration international standards; and (3) develop standards based on performance criteria. Gives the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations responsibility for: (1) coordinating and developing international trade policy; and (2) coordinating negotiations with foreign countries concerning standards-related activities. Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Agriculture to establish technical offices within their Departments to carry such functions as the President prescribes to implement this title. Requires the Secretary concerned to consult and coordinate, with the Special Representative, international standards-related activities. Stipulates that private organization members shall represent U.S. interests before any private international standards organization, unless the Secretary concerned has reason to believe such representation will be inadequate. Directs the Secretary concerned to encourage cooperation among interested Federal agencies which are the U.S. representatives to any international standards organization. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to maintain a standards information center to serve as a national collection facility. Authorizes the Special Representative and the Secretary concerned to make grants, enter into contracts, or provide other assistance for assisting appropriate standards-related activities. Requires such officials to solicit technical and policy advise from the trade policy advisory committees. Permits parties to the Agreement and countries extending similar rights and privileges to the United States to make a representation to the Special Representative alleging that a standards-related activity violates U.S. obligations under the Agreement. Directs the interagency trade organization established by the President to review any findings by an appropriate international forum that a standards-related activity violates U.S. obligations under the Agreement. Permits Federal agencies to consider petitions against standards-related activity in specified circumstances. Exempts specified standards activity from this title. Requires the Special Representative to report to Congress concerning international and domestic operation of the Agreement. Title V: Implementation of Certain Tariff Negotiations - Authorizes aggregate reductions in the rates of duty which exceed the maximum specified in the Trade Act of 1974 in specified circumstances. Directs the President to increase the rates of duty on textile products if the Arrangement Regarding International Trade in Textiles, or substitute Arrangement, ceases to be effective. Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to provide for the separate tariff treatment of sheep, goats, and prepared beef and veal. Authorizes the President to reduce the rate of duty applicable to yellow dent corn below statutory limitations. Revises the tariff provisions for carrots, dinnerware, watches, and brooms. Authorizes the duty-free entry of agricultural or horticultural machinery, equipment, implements, and parts, with specified exceptions. Continues the duty-free entry of certain wool through June 30, 1985. Converts various specific rates of duty to ad valorem equivalents. Title VI: Civil Aircraft Agreement - Authorizes the President to proclaim duty-free treatment for specified articles certified for use in civil aircraft when the conditions for acceptance of the Agreement on Trade Civil Aircraft are fulfilled. Title VII: Certain Agricultural Measures - Directs the President to limit the amount of quota cheese which may enter the United States. Requires the administering authority, with the Secretary of Agriculture, to determine whether countries are providing subsidies to quota cheese. Permits any person to file a complaint with the Secretary alleging that a quota cheese is being: (1) offered for sale at less than the U.S. domestic market price; and (2) subsidized by a foreign government. Directs the Secretary to investigate such complaint and report the determinations to the President. Requires the President to: (1) impose a fee on the imported article to insure that the price will not be less than the U.S. price; or (2) prohibit or limit the entry of such articles. Stipulates that the countervailing duty provisions under title I of this Act shall be inapplicable with regard to quota cheese from countries with whom we have entered into cheese agreements. Directs the President to increase the quota for chocolate crumb. Establishes limits on the aggregate quantity of specified meat articles which may be imported into the United States. Title VIII: Treatment of Distilled Spirits - Distilled Spirits Tax Revision Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to repeal: (1) the wine-gallon method for determining the excise tax on distilled spirits; (2) the rectification taxes on such spirits; and (3) the occupational taxes on rectifiers. Revises the method for determining the tax on distilled spirits and the time for paying such tax. Revises the provisions concerning the establishment, operations, and bonding of distilled spirits plants to require that all operations of distillers, warehousemen, or processors be conducted only on bonded premises by qualified persons. Revises the procedure for tax refunds for loss of distilled spirits. Permits distilled spirits to be denatured on the bonded premises of a qualified distilled spirits plant. Limits the transfer of wine between bonded premises. Sets forth transitional rules for collecting the distilled spirits taxes. Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to repeal the wine-gallon method for assessing duties on distilled spirits, imports and instead, uses the internal revenue standard. Revises the rates of duty on distilled spirits to reflect such change. Directs the President to review foreign barriers to U.S. exports of alcoholic beverages and report the results to Congress. Authorizes the President to proclaim a lower rate of duty on a proof gallon basis upon receiving adequate reciprocal trade concessions. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to permit the transfer of specified liquor products between bonded warehouses, regardless of their location. Title IX: Enforcement of United States Rights - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the President to take all feasible action to: (1) enforce U.S. rights under any trade agreement; and (2) respond to foreign practices which are inconsistent with trade agreements or are unreasonable or discriminatory. Permits the President to take such action even if no petition requesting such action has been filed. Sets forth the procedures for processing petitions filed by interested persons with the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations. Requires the Special Representative to recommend actions to the President after investigating such a petition and consulting with the foreign country concerned. Requires the Special Representative to provide information to private persons about foreign trade practices and trade agreements. Repeals provisions permitting congressional disapproval of such Presidential actions. Title X: Judicial Review - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to set forth procedures for judicial review of countervailing and antidumping duty proceedings. Permits any interested party to petition for judicial review. Gives the U.S. Customs Court exclusive jurisdiction of any civil action brought to review a final determination concerning government procurement. Title XI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend the President's authority to enter into agreements to reduce nontariff barriers or other distortions to trade until January 3, 1988. Authorizes the President to sell import licenses at public auction. Directs the President to seek advice from the private sector concerning the operation of trade agreements and trade policy administration in general. Provides for the establishment of advisory committees representing service interests. Repeals the requirement that advisory committees report to Congress in 1980. Stipulates that committee members shall be consulted before and during negotiations. Exempts committees from reporting requirements contained in the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977. Requires the President to study and report to Congress concerning mutual expansion of market opportunities with other North American countries. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to permit the International Trade Commission to investigate matters involving countervailing duty or antidumping law only if such matters in part involve acts independently establishing a basis for relief under the unfair trade practices provisions. Provides for civil penalties for violations of cease and desist orders issued in response to such unfair trade practices. Makes technical amendments to the Trade Act of 1974 and the Tariff Schedules of the United States. Requires monthly reports on the port of entry value of each item in the Tariff Schedules of the United States and the aggregate values of U.S. imports and exports based on such values. Requires the reporting of rates of duty which would be imposed on dutiable imports based on such values. Directs the President to submit a proposal to Congress concerning a restructuring of the executive branch's international trade functions. Requires the President to report to Congress with a review of export promotion and disincentives. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to include regional economic organizations within the meaning of beneficiary developing country. Permits certain nations which are members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to be designated beneficiary developing countries. Revises limitations on the value of goods qualifying for duty-free treatment. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, at the request of any U.S. possession, to determine whether trade concessions have adversely affected tax revenues of such possessions. Authorizes the President to include amounts in the budget to offset such reduced revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1979
Excludes from the Federal law limiting and restricting the corporate powers of national banking associations to deal in and underwrite investment securities, specified dealings in and underwriting of all other nongeneral obligations issued or guaranteed by or on behalf of a State or any political subdivision thereof or agency of a State or any political subdivision thereof (except special assessment obligations and industrial revenue bonds) which are at the time eligible for purchase by a national bank for its own account, subject to specified limitations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit an annual report to the Congress showing the extent to which the business of underwriting and dealing in State and local obligations is being carried on by commercial banks as compared with other banking institutions with a view to determining the effect of the amendment made by the first section of this Act on the institutional distribution of such business.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit State and county agricultural extension services and State agricultural experiment stations to obtain excess personal property from the Secretary of Agriculture.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a named individual in satisfaction of a claim against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Stipulates that enlisted members of the armed forces are entitled to a basic allowance for subsistence when on authorized leave of absence, while confined in a hospital, or while performing travel under orders from their designated post of duty, but not while being subsisted in-kind at the expense of the United States. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish rates for meals provided at mess halls sufficient to provide reimbursement of operating expenses and food costs to the appropriations concerned, except that members of the uniformed services and civilians in a travel status receiving a per diem allowance in lieu of subsistence shall be charged at a rate of not less than $2.50 per day.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Energy Antimonopoly Act of 1979 - Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit any entity, or subsidiary thereof, which produced or had an interest in a total of 35,000,000 barrels of crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids in 1975 from acquiring control or a majority of the assets of any other entity whose assets exceed $100,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to include within the coverage of the OASDI program the Vice President, all Members of Congress, and employees of the legislative branch. Directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to undertake a study of the problems involved and alternatives available in reconciling coverage for Members of Congress and employees of the legislative branch under the Civil Service Retirement System and under the OASDI program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1979
Requires that documentation be submitted with vouchers for reimbursements out of Senators' Official Office Expense Accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1979
Grants a Federal charter to the Gold Star Wives of America.
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.