United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1980
Emergency Motor Fuel Demand Rationing Act of 1980 - Amends the Emergency Energy Conservation Act of 1979 to authorize the President to require payment to the Secretary of the Treasury by each person engaged in the production or importation of motor fuel of an emergency motor fuel rationing fee, which shall remain in effect as specified in this Act, to be levied on each gallon of fuel produced or imported into the United States. Stipulates that such fee may only be put into effect if: (1) there is a severe interruption of the energy supply, or it is necessary for the United States to comply with obligations under the international energy program; (2) the President has transmitted to Congress information to that effect; and (3) neither House of Congress disapproves. Authorizes the President to make the fee effective without regard to the above if: (1) the President has transmitted to Congress a request to waive the requirements in accordance with the provisions of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act which provides an expedited procedure for energy conservation contingency plans; and (2) Congress approves the request within 30 days. Sets forth guidelines for determining the fee, including: (1) the need to restrain consumption; (2) the need to maintain orderly commerce in refined petroleum products in the U.S.; (3) the need to moderate the effect of the consumption of motor fuel in the U.S. on world petroleum markets and on the price of crude oil and refined petroleum products in such markets; and (4) the need to capture and return to end use that portion of the price of fuel, which without the fee, would result in revenue in excess of the unavoidable cost of producing or importing the fuel. Defines "severe energy supply interruption" as a national energy supply shortage which: (1) results in or will result in a daily shortfall in the U.S. of gasoline, diesel fuel, and No. 2 heating oil for a period in excess of 30 days of an amount equal to 20 percent or more of projected daily demand; (2) is not manageable under other energy emergency authorities; (3) is expected to last for a period of time such that the adequacy of domestic gasoline, diesel fuel, and No. 2 heating oil stocks will be seriously threatened; and (4) is having or could have a major adverse impact on the national health, safety, or economy. Establishes the Emergency Motor Fuel Rationing Trust Fund in the United States Treasury to consist of the fee imposed by this Act less those amounts disbursed as rebates. Entitles to a rebate each individual entitled to assignment of rights, and evidence of such rights, entitling such individual to obtain motor fuel in precedence to others under the rationing contingency plan in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Provides that such individuals shall receive rebates in the form of reduced income tax withholding, increased supplemental security income payments; increased veteran's benefits or other methods.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a certain portion of royalty owner oil production from the windfall profit tax. Limits the amount so exempted per quarter to ten barrels per day. Requires proportionate allocation of any production in excess of ten barrels per day between tier 1 oil and tier 2 oil, and within any tier on the basis of removal prices. Requires allocation of the ten barrel amount among royalty owners who are members of the same related group.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1980
Powerplants Fuel Conservation Act of 1980 - Title I: Statement of Purposes - States the purpose of this Act. Title II: Accelerated Fuels Conversions of Certain Powerplants - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to prohibit the use of petroleum or natural gas as a primary energy source in certain identified electric powerplants, without express exemption by the Secretary of Energy. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, which shall not be considered income for Federal income tax purposes, to any eligible utility to assist it in meeting qualifying capital costs of converting such powerplants to the use of coal or another alternate fuel as a primary energy source. Specifies grant application requirements. Limits the amount of any grant to the lesser of: (1) 50 percent of the utility's qualifying capital costs; or (2) $4 per barrel of oil displaced on the utility's system by the converting facility. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal year 1982. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to an eligible utility to pay all or a portion of the capital costs of the design and installation of advanced sulfur removal systems for existing electric powerplants. Specifies general requirements for application for such grant and general criteria for approval. Requires the Secretary to submit every such application to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for his recommendation and certification that the powerplant in question is in compliance with applicable air quality standards. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal year 1982. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to any eligible person for the purpose of paying up to 20 percent of the qualifying capital costs for the construction of coal preparation facilities for reducing the sulfur content of coal. Specifies general requirements for application for such grant and general criteria for approval. Requires submission of every such application to the Administrator for his evaluation and recommendation. Directs the Secretary to give priority in approving grants to those applications which the Administrator determines are likely to result in a significant reduction in emissions from coal combustion. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal year 1982. Prohibits recovery after December 31, 1985, of any fuel costs by any utility for petroleum or natural gas used in a powerplant by use of an automatic adjustment clause in its rate schedule, without express exemption by the Secretary. Title III: Voluntary Fuels Displacement Program - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to authorize the Secretary to provide financial assistance to any qualifying electric utility to achieve reductions in the use of petroleum and natural gas as the primary energy source in electric powerplants. Requires such assistance to be in a manner commensurate with a utility's percentage share of a total 1990 petroleum and natural gas fuel displacement target of 600,000 barrels per day, not to exceed $10,000 per barrel per day of fuel displacement. Requires any electric utility seeking financial assistance to petition the Secretary for determination of its base period usage of petroleum and natural gas. Specifies general contents of any fuel displacement plan. Conditions approval of any such plan by the Secretary upon prior approval by the Governor of the State where the powerplant involved is located. States that inclusion of all or part of a new facility in a fuel displacement plan that is approved by the Secretary shall satisfy any requirement for a determination of need for power otherwise required for the purposes of any State or local law. Provides for recapture by the United States of any financial assistance to any utility failing to achieve or maintain its 1990 fuel displacement target. Requires annual reports to the Secretary by assisted utilities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide $10,000,000 for the establishment and operation of offices of consumer services to assist consumers in their presentations before State agencies in matters directly related to the development and review of fuel displacement plans. Requires the Secretary to make an annual report to Congress on progress toward reducing consumption of petroleum and natural gas by electric utilities. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to carry out the provisions of this Title. Title IV: Mandatory Study - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to require every electric utility which consumed 250,000 barrels or more of petroleum or natural gas equivalent on annual average during the calendar years 1974 through 1978 to submit to the Secretary and the appropriate State regulatory authorities a fuel displacement study containing a 15-year forecast of: (1) the estimated cost of continued use of petroleum and natural gas; and (2) the total estimated cost of converting existing powerplants to coal or other alternate fuel use, constructing new plants using coal or other alternate fuel as a primary energy source, or implementing energy conservation programs to eliminate or reduce the use of petroleum and natural gas. Requires the Secretary to submit a comprehensive report to Congress before April 1, 1982, with respect to the results of such fuel displacement studies. Title V: Other Funding Provisions - Sets fiscal year ceilings on appropriations authorized by this Act. Allocates portions of such authorizations to fiscal years 1980 and 1981. Title VI: Other Conforming Amendments - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to make conforming amendments consistent with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Prohibits a Federal employee from retiring on disability if the employee is eligible for regular civil service retirement. Terminates the civil service disability retirement annuity of any annuitant who earns 80 percent of the current rate of pay of his or her position upon retirement during any calendar year after retirement. Entitles the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to request and receive specified information from the Secretaries of Labor, Defense, and Health, Education, and Welfare to insure the accuracy of information for purposes of provisions concerning civil service disability retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Reduces the initial cost-of-living adjustment for any civil service annuity which was adjusted upon commencement to include the latest cost-of-living increase to become effective before the commencement date of the annuity.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1980
Rescinds $229,000,000 in appropriations provided for the purchase of furniture by Federal agencies and departments in fiscal year 1980. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to allocate such rescission among the agencies and departments and to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate concerning the allocation. Rescinds $15,000,000 in appropriations made to the Federal Buildings Fund for the rental of space in fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1980
Exempts Shippers' Export Declarations from public disclosure unless the Secretary of Commerce determines that such exemption would be contrary to the national interest. Requires the person in command of a ship bound for a foreign port to attach bills of lading or equivalent documents to the manifest of the ship's cargo which is required to be submitted to the appropriate United States Customs Service officer to obtain clearance for the ship. Specifies the information to be included on such manifest or attached documents and the elements of such information which shall be available for public disclosure. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to establish procedures to provide access to the information which may be disclosed and protection for the information not available for disclosure.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1980
Amends the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 to extend the authorization of appropriations for general revenue sharing through fiscal year 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the United States liable for civil damages for the unauthorized disclosure of tax return and nonreturn information made within the scope of office or employment of a Federal official or employee against whom damages are awarded. Declares that any disclosure made corruptly, maliciously, in return for anything of value, or willfully in violation of the confidentiality provisions of the Code shall not be considered within the scope of such office or employment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Former Presidents Facilities and Services Reform Act of 1980 - Title I: Presidential Libraries - Prohibits the Administrator of General Services from establishing any Presidential archival depository after January 20, 1983. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress a prospectus for establishing a central Presidential library for the deposit and preservation of the records and papers of former Presidents, and historical materials related to the former Presidents. Requires the prospectus to provide: (1) for the establishment of the library in a phased manner allowing for expansion; (2) that the first phase of the library shall provide for the deposit and preservation of the records, papers, and materials concerning two former Presidents; (3) that the archival and research space for each former President in the library shall equal the average space provided per President in all Presidential archival depositories; and (4) that a specified area be established for museum displays concerning each former President. Authorizes the Administrator to lend any item stored in the library for display in a private Presidential museum or library. Directs the Administrator to duplicate and make available upon request the more historically significant documents. Requires the President, while holding office, to dispose of his or her Presidential records which have no administrative, historical, informational, or evidentiary value after obtaining the views of the Archivist of the United States concerning such disposal, unless the Archivist notifies the President that the Archivist intends to request advice from certain congressional committees. Declares that the provisions of this title apply only to: (1) the records of those Presidents taking office after January 20, 1969, for whom a Presidential archival depository is not established before January 20, 1983; and (2) all Presidential records to which the Government has title. Title II: Former Presidents - Changes the amount of the annual allowance to which the spouse of a deceased former President is entitled from $20,000 to two-thirds of the allowance to which a former President is entitled. Repeals the requirement that the spouse must waive the right to any other Government annuity or pension to qualify for such allowance. Authorizes the Administrator to provide to each former President, upon request: (1) one office; (2) compensation, without an aggregate ceiling, for members of an office staff who shall be subject to certain provisions of civil service laws; (3) payment for the travel and subsistence allowances for specified office employees; (4) communications services; and (5) printing and binding expenses. Allows any Federal employee to be detailed to the office staff of a former President with the consent of the employee's agency head. Authorizes the Administrator to provide a former Vice President with necessary services and facilities for winding up his or her office affairs which are similar to the services and facilities provided to a former President under this title. Prohibits the use of funds provided for necessary services and facilities of a former President or Vice President for partisan political activities or income generating activities. Permits a former President to use such funds to prepare his or her memoirs if the former President signs an agreement providing that the Public Printer will print and distribute such memoirs. Prohibits the expenditure of such funds for a former President any time beyond 90 days after the former President dies. Requires each former President to submit to Congress an annual report concerning activities carried out with the assistance of such funds. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this title concerning the services and facilities to be provided for former Presidents and Vice Presidents. Repeals specified provisions of the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. Title III: Protection of Former Presidents, Former Vice Presidents, and Their Families - Prohibits the United States Secret Service from protecting a former President, former Vice President, or the spouse, widow, widower, or minor child of a former President except as authorized under this title. Authorizes the Secret Service to protect: (1) a former President for eight years after the individual becomes a former President; and (2) the spouse of a former President to the extent that such protection is incidental to the protection of the former President. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to reinstate for six months the Secret Service protection of a former President or the spouse, widow, widower, or minor child of a former President after the original protection has been terminated upon finding that a serious threat warranting such protection exists. Allows the Secretary to extend for six-month periods the Secret Service protection provided to such an individual upon the individual's written request and upon the approval of an existing advisory committee established to determine whether protection should be furnished to certain Presidential or Vice Presidential candidates. Establishes the Advisory Panel on Secret Service Protection to review requests for extended protection and to make recommendations on such requests to such advisory committee. Permits the Secretary to authorize Secret Service protection for a former Vice President for a period beginning on the last day of the individual's Vice Presidential term and ending on the last day of the fiscal year in which the term expires, upon the former Vice President's written request and upon finding that a threat exists which warrants such protection. Declares that this title shall take effect on October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of nonreturn information as well as of tax returns. Establishes an affirmative defense to a prosecution for unauthorizated disclosure of a return or nonreturn information, if such disclosure resulted from a good faith, but erroneous, interpretation of the confidentiality provisions of the Code while a Federal employee was acting within the scope of his employment or duties.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to a person entitled to notice of a summons to a third-party recordkeeper to produce records of such person: (1) to repeal the current right of such person to stay compliance with the summons; and (2) to authorize such person to move for quashal of the summons within 14 days after notice is given. Requires accompaniment of such motion by an affidavit stating the reasons that the records sought are not relevant to a legitimate tax inquiry or any other legal basis for quashing the summons. Requires any third-party upon receipt of a summons to proceed to assemble the records requested and to be prepared to deliver them at the required time.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow disclosure of tax returns, for purposes not related to tax administration, to an attorney for the Government for use during or in preparation for any administrative, judicial, or grand jury proceeding, or in a criminal investigation which may result in such a proceeding (currently, disclosure is allowed only if reasonable cause exists to believe that a specific criminal act has been committed). Authorizes such disclosure only by ex parte order of a United States district court. Requires the application for such an order to state the reasons why the disclosure of the information on the return is material and relevant to the proceeding or investigation. Permits further disclosure of any return by the Government attorney to such other Government personnel as he deems necessary to assist him during or in preparation for any such proceeding or investigation. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury or his designee to disclose any nonreturn information in his possession within ten days of the receipt of a written request by a Government attorney. Requires such request to be in connection with an administrative, judicial, or grand jury proceeding, or an investigation which may result in such a proceeding, pertaining to the enforcement of a specifically designated Federal criminal statute which the United States or any Federal investigative agency is authorized to pursue. Permits further disclosure of such information to such Government personnel as he deems necessary to assist him. Requires the Secretary to make taxpayer identity information available to such Government attorney upon written request. Directs the Secretary to disclose, as soon as practicable, to a Government attorney, any information except returns which may constitute evidence of a violation of any Federal criminal law or which may be pertinent to any investigation of a violation of Federal statutes, to the degree necessary to permit such Government attorney to request nonreturn information. Directs the Secretary, under exigent circumstances including a possible threat to persons, property, or national security, to disclose such information, including returns, to the extent necessary to apprise the appropriate Federal investigative agency charged with the responsibility for enforcing such laws. Permits the Internal Revenue Service to assist the Department of Justice or any other Federal investigative agency in joint tax and nontax investigations of criminal matters which may lead to income tax violations. Provides a procedure by which the Secretary may apply to a Federal district court to prevent disclosure of tax returns or nonreturn information which would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a civil or criminal tax investigation. Allows a Government attorney to whom tax return or nonreturn information has been disclosed pursuant to the provisions of this Act to apply to a district court for an ex parte order to disclose to an appropriate State official, whose duty it is to investigate or prosecute the crime involved, such information in his possession constituting evidence of the violation of a State felony statute. Authorizes such Government attorney to make similar application for an order to further disclose information in his possession if, in his opinion, such information is evidence material to any Federal civil litigation involving a Federal civil claim. Requires the Secretary to make disclosure of tax returns and nonreturn information to a Government attorney for his use in the performance of duties pursuant to any mutual assistance treaty between the United States and a foreign country which provides for an exchange of criminal evidence or information.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the first concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 1981 reported by the Committee on the Budget shall limit budget outlays to 21 per cent of the gross national product.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1980
Congratulates the members of the 1980 U.S. Winter Olympic team, its coaches and officials for a job well done. Recognizes the International Olympic Committee, the U.S. Olympic Committee, the Lake Placid Olympic Organizing Committee and the people of the Lake Placid area for their successful efforts in organizing and producing the XIII Winter Olympic Games.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government and people of the United States reaffirm their friendship for and express their support for the continuing independence of Tunisia.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1980
Arson-for-Profit Act of 1980 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for whoever maliciously and intentionally damages or destroys, attempts to damage or destroy, or arranges the destruction or attempt to damage commercial property by means of fire in exchange for anything of value. Grants the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury authority to investigate such violations.
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 · 28 January 1980
Urges: (1) public support for the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and athletes; (2) the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to accede to the USOC's proposal to transfer, postpone, or cancel the 1980 summer Olympic games; (3) no American participation or attendance if the IOC fails to adopt such proposal; (4) that other nations be encouraged to support the U.S. policy; and (5) the IOC consider the creation of permanent sites for the summer and winter Olympic games.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Exempts from public disclosure specified items contained in shipper's export declarations or in any successor documents or in documents submitted in lieu thereof for Bureau of the Census statistical purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Overseas Private Investment Corporation Act - Title I: Overseas Private Investment Corporation - Establishes the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) as an independent agency. Sets forth the duties of OPIC. Provides for the capital of OPIC to be paid in through the appropriation process and through transfer from OPIC's earned income. Sets forth the structure of OPIC with a Board of Directors, a President of the Corporation, an Executive Vice President of the Corporation, other officers and staff, and consultants. Authorizes OPIC to issue insurance to eligible investors covering new or existing investments protecting against specified risks. Authorizes OPIC to make arrangements with foreign governments or multilateral organizations for sharing liabilities. Limits the insurance that may be issued to a single investor. Authorizes OPIC to issue guarantees of loans and other investments. Sets forth limitations on such guarantees. Authorizes OPIC to make direct loans to privately owned or mixed publicly and privately owned firms for projects sponsored by or significantly involving United States small business or cooperatives. Limits the circumstances under which OPIC may acquire stock in any other corporation. Authorizes OPIC to initiate and support the identification, assessment, and promotion of private investment opportunities, with specified exceptions. Authorizes OPIC to administer special projects to provide private technical, professional, or managerial assistance in the development of human resources, skills, technology, capital savings, and intermediate financial institutions and cooperatives. Authorizes OPIC to engage in other insurance, reinsurance, and risk sharing activities with other insurance companies, financial institutions, persons, or groups. Limits the amount of reinsurance of liabilities which OPIC may issue. Limits the amount of maximum contingent liability pursuant to insurance or guarantees issued under this Act which may be outstanding at any one time. Establishes the: (1) Direct Investment Fund as a revolving fund to be available for direct investments; and (2) Insurance Reserve and Guaranty Reserve to be available for discharging liabilities. Authorizes appropriations to the investment and guaranty fund in specified circumstances. Authorizes OPIC to issue obligations in specified circumstances in order to discharge liabilities. Requires that all revenues and income transferred to or earned by OPIC be available to carry out OPIC's purposes. Directs OPIC to determine that suitable arrangements exist for protecting OPIC's interests in connection with any insurance, guaranty, or reinsurance issued under this Act. Pledges the full faith and credit of the United States for the full payment and performance of previous obligations. Sets forth conditions with respect to insurance, guaranty, and reinsurance coverage under this Act concerning fees, time limits, fraud, and settlement of disputes. Sets forth administrative provisions and duties applicable to OPIC. Requires OPIC to undertake to broaden the participation of United States small business, cooperatives, and other small investors in the development of small private enterprise in less developed friendly countries or areas. Directs OPIC to report annually to Congress concerning its operations. Title II: Amendment of Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to define "eligible investor" in terms of this Act with respect to housing guarantees. Repeals provisions: (1) prohibiting the transfer of OPIC funds between accounts; (2) authorizing the President to deny assistance to any less developed country which fails to enter into an agreement to institute the investment guaranty program; and (3) establishing OPIC.
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 · 19 December 1979
Federal Credit Program Control Act of 1979 - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to provide a basis for controlling loans and loan guarantees under Federal credit programs through the congressional budget process. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office to provide information to the Budget Committees of each House of Congress with respect to direct loans and loan guarantees and to include such information in its annual report. Requires the first concurrent resolution on the budget for each fiscal year to set forth the appropriate level of total gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans and the appropriate level of total commitments to guarantee loans and to allocate such totals among the major functional categories of the budget. Directs each standing committee of the House and Senate to submit its estimates of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments provided for in legislation under its jurisdiction by March 15 of each year for consideration of the Budget Committees in formulating the budget resolution. Directs the House and Senate Banking Committees to submit recommendations to the Budget Committees for the aggregate levels of direct loans and loan guarantees in each fiscal year. Requires the joint explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on the concurrent resolution on the budget to include an estimated allocation of the total levels of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments among the committees of the House and Senate. Directs the Committees on Appropriations to provide such an allocation among their subcommittees as soon as practicable after a budget resolution has been agreed to. Requires the House Committee on Appropriations, before reporting any regular appropriations bills, to submit a summary report to the House comparing the credit authority contained in such bills to the levels agreed to in the budget resolution. Requires any report accompanying legislation conferring new budget authority or increasing tax expenditures to include information on direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments. Establishes a deadline for the completion of action on legislation limiting credit authority. Requires the second concurrent resolution on the budget in any fiscal year and the reconciliation process to take into account Federal obligations and commitments on loans and loan guarantees. Declares out of order any measure brought up for consideration in either House which would increase the level of loan obligations and guarantee commitments agreed to in the budget process. Requires any authority to guarantee the payment of any indebtedness to be contingent on provisions in appropriation Acts. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to direct the President to include items relating to Federal loan obligations and guarantee commitments in the annual budget message to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1979
Calls upon all followers of Islam to prevail upon their brethren to: (1) release the American hostages held in Iran; and (2) until they are released, permit them to worship regularly in accordance with their religious faiths and meet with clergy of their faiths.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 1979
Expresses the disapproval of the Congress of the Location of Chanceries Amendment Act of 1979, passed by the Council of the District of Columbia on October 9, 1979, and signed by the Mayor on November 9, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Government of the United Kingdom merits commendation for reducing tensions in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia and establishing a basis for peace in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1979
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit the adoption of any concurrent resolution on the budget which sets forth a level of total budget outlays in excess of 21 percent of the gross national product in fiscal year 1981, or 20 percent of the gross national product for each fiscal year thereafter. Establishes procedures to enable the President and the Congress to suspend such limitations on the level of budget outlays.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1979
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Postmaster General and the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee should give favorable consideration to the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Americans of Italian descent and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Philip Mazzei on December 25, 1980, or as soon as possible thereafter. States that the Postmaster General and the Committee should honor other foreign-born contributors to the revolutionary cause, from countries of origin which have not yet been commemorated, prior to the conclusion of the American Bicentennial celebration in 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the American people and their representatives are united in their determination and efforts to achieve the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all U.S. personnel. Calls upon the U.N. Security Council to take all necessary measures to secure the release of all U.S. personnel held hostage in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should release Ida Nudel and allow her to emigrate to Israel. Urges the President to: (1) express U.S. opposition to the exile of Ida Nudel to Siberia; and (2) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will take into account the extent to which countries honor their commitments under international law, particularly concerning human rights.
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 · 2 November 1979
Sentencing Reform Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set forth a new sentencing structure applicable to a defendant who has been convicted of an offense under any Federal statute. Permits an individual to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment or probation, a fine, or restitution in cases involving bodily injury or death, property damage, or other loss. Permits an organization to receive such penalties, with the exception of imprisonment. Requires that the presentence investigation report made by a probation officer under rule 32(c) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure include information on noninstitutional sanctions. Specifies factors to be considered by a sentencing court, including: (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense; (2) the defendant's role in the offense, and aggravating or mitigating circumstances not reflected in the guidelines formulated by the Federal Sentencing Commission (established by this Act); (3) the types of sentences, including noninstitutional sanctions as a condition of probation; (4) the sentence recommended in the Commission's guidelines; (5) any pertinent policy statement issued by the Commission; and (6) the need to have uniform sentencing among defendants who have been found guilty of the same offense. Requires the court to state in open court at the time of sentencing the reasons for the imposition of the particular sentence and the specific reason for the imposition of a sentence different from that set forth in the guidelines. Requires the court to submit to the Commission a written report containing specified information within ten days of sentencing. Permits a defendant to appeal a final sentence in any case except where a sentence recommended in the guidelines is included in a plea agreement. Authorizes the court of appeals, upon a determination that the sentence is clearly unreasonable, to remand the case for imposition of a lesser sentence or impose a lesser sentence. Establishes procedures for imposition and revocation of a sentence of probation. Retains the current exceptions for a granting of probation (an offense punishable by life imprisonment or for which probation is expressly precluded by law). Includes among the authorized conditions of probation: (1) work in community service; (2) participation in a program of a residential community center; (3) necessary medical or psychiatric treatment; or (4) placement in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for up to the lesser of six months or the authorized term of imprisonment during the first year of the term of probation. Requires, upon a determination that there is probable cause to believe that a condition of probation has been violated, that a revocation hearing be held within 30 days before a judge or a United States magistrate. Grants to the probationer with respect to such hearing the following rights: (1) reasonable notice; (2) opportunity to be represented by an attorney (or to have counsel provided); (3) opportunity to testify and present witnesses and evidence; and (4) opportunity to confront and cross-examine witnesses. Subjects a decision of a magistrate or judge to revoke probation to appellate review. Specifies factors to be considered by the court in determining the amount of restitution for loss that is the result of death or personal injury caused by the offense or for property loss. Directs the court to consider any factor relating to the offense or the defendant's finances in determining the amount of any fine, and the time for and method of payment. Establishes as an independent body in the judicial branch a seven-member Federal Sentencing Commission. Includes the Chairman of the Parole Commission and the Attorney General as ex officio members. Directs the President to appoint: (1) one member from a list of ten Federal judges provided by the Judicial Conference of the United States; (2) one member who is a Federal public defender; and (3) five members who represent a variety of backgrounds and who have demonstrated participation and interest in the criminal justice process. Directs the Commission, by affirmative vote of at least five members, to issue guidelines and general policy statements for use by a sentencing court. Enumerates the duties of the Commission with respect to such guidelines, including that: (1) they may provide for an increase or decrease of up to five percent of a term of imprisonment; and (2) they shall include a term of imprisonment when (A) serious bodily injury resulted from the defendant's participation in the offense, or (B) the offense is a felony and the defendant was previously convicted of a Federal, State, or local felony, unless a substantial time period has lapsed since such prior conviction; (3) the Commission revise such guidelines at least biannually and conduct hearings in performing its functions; and (4) the guidelines be reported to Congress by May 1st after the beginning of a regular session and become effective 90 days later, subject to disapproval or modification by Act of Congress. Specifies additional duties of the Commission, including among others: (1) monitoring the performance of probation officers; (2) establishing a research and development program to serve as an information center with respect to Federal sentencing practices and to serve in a consulting capacity to Federal courts and agencies; (3) studying the feasibility of guidelines for the disposition of juvenile delinquents; and (4) studying the plea bargaining process. Directs the Commission to: (1) report annually to the United States Judicial Conference, Congress, and the President on its activities; (2) submit at least annually to Congress an analysis of requisite reports and studies and appropriate legislative recommendations; (3) submit to Congress within three years of the issuance of guidelines a proposal for reducing all statutory maximum prison terms; and (4) submit to Congress with the Bureau of Prisons an analysis and recommendations concerning maximum utilization of prison resources. Requires that good time allowances be made within two days after the end of each month. Provides that such allowance vests at the time it is received. Substitutes the penalty of imprisonment for life without parole for specified Federal crimes which currently authorize the death penalty. Provides that the Commission shall become effective 60 days after enactment and shall issue guidelines within six months of enactment. Makes the remaining provisions effective 60 days after the effective date of the guidelines. Provides that the United States Parole Commission shall remain in effect until three years after the effective date of the guidelines.
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 · 4 October 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the method of valuing farms for estate tax purposes to provide that if there is no comparable land from which the average annual gross rental may be determined but there is comparable land from which the average net share rental may be determined, then the existing valuation formula shall be applied by substituting "average net share rental" for "average gross cash rental. Defines net share rental as the excess of: (1) the value of the produce received by the lessor of the land on which such produce is grown, over (2) the cash operating expenses of growing such produce which, under the lease, are paid by the lessor.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1979
Energy Mobilization Board Act of 1979 - Establishes the Energy Mobilization Board to administer jointly with the Department of Energy a priority energy project program. Authorizes the Board to decide and administer all matters within the jurisdiction of the Board under this Act, and to take final action on any such matters, except as otherwise stated. Sets forth the power and authority of the Board, and stipulates that the Board shall not interfere with labor-management relations or take any actions which conflict with the terms of existing labor- management contracts. Directs the Board to periodically review its activities under this Act and report to the Congress on the functioning of the selection and designation process for priority energy projects, and other matters. Authorizes any person planning or proposing an energy project to apply to the Secretary of Energy for the selection of such project as a candidate priority energy project. Requires that such application identify all Federal, State, and local licensing or permitting actions necessary for approval and development of such project and to contain detailed information of the project's design, economics, and environmental impacts. Directs the Secretary to select from all pending applications for priority designation between eight and twenty-four candidate priority energy projects which are to be forwarded to the Board for further examination under the provisions of this Act. Sets forth criteria for the Secretary's use in selecting such projects. Requires the Secretary to adopt procedures necessary to assure applicants, affected agencies and interested members of the public of the opportunity to participate in the Selection process. Authorizes the Board to make the final designation of priority energy projects based on the stated criteria. Allows the Board to extend the deadlines for receiving public comments on such designation and the time for ruling on an application for designation if more time is required for the comment period or the application is incomplete. Exempts the determinations made by the Secretary and the Board in designating such projects and the promulgation or revision of Project Decision Schedules from the environmental impact provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Requires the appropriate Federal agency to determine whether any Federal action relating to a designated project will be a major Federal action within the meaning of NEPA. Authorizes any person aggrieved by such determination to commence a civil action seeking judicial review of that determination under the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Board, in consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality and appropriate State and local agencies, to require the preparation of a single environmental impact statement to reflect the actions of any or all Federal agencies to satisfy their obligations under NEPA. Stipulates that such statement may substitute for any similar requirement of State or local law if required by the Board, so long as such statement includes all information required under such laws. Provides for the appointment of a lead agency to supervise the preparation of such statement and sets forth the duties of such agency. Requires the Secretary to encourage applicants for priority energy project designation to file applications as soon as possible in order to expedite any eventual action or decision. Requires specified Federal agencies to submit certain information to the Board critical to their consideration of such projects. Requires that the Board notify the Governor and other appropriate local officials or agencies of any State which would be significantly affected by the completion of such projects and request them to supply compilations of significant actions required by State and local governments and by the applicant before the project can be completed and a tentative schedule for completing such actions. Directs the Board to establish a Project Decision Schedule containing deadlines for all Federal, State, and local actions relating to a priority energy project. Requires that final agency action be completed no later than one year after the applicant's application for such actions is complete, unless otherwise required by existing statutory obligations. Provides that upon petition of any agency with authority governed by a Project Decision Schedule, or of the applicant or any other interested party, the Board may make a modification of such schedule. Authorizes the Board to make such modifications only upon the determination that continued adherence to the schedule would be impractical or not in the public interest, that such modification is consistent with other provisions in this Act, and that the agency or applicant, as the case may be, has exercised due diligence in attempting to comply with the schedule. Authorizes the Board to certify that agency review has been completed and all approvals on the schedule have been granted, performed, or are not found to be necessary, and that further judicial review is barred pursuant to this Act. Provides mechanisms for the enforcement of Project Decision Schedules by appropriate action in the specified Federal or State court. Requires the Board to monitor compliance by the applicant and the agencies to the Project Decision Schedule. Authorizes the Board to terminate the priority designation of a project if certain evidence of noncompliance exists. Exempts the granting or denying of a public comment period extension from judicial review except as may be required by the U.S. Constitution. Authorizes judicial review of the designation or termination of a priority energy project designation in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Prohibits a court from staying or enjoining such actions pending appeal or trial de novo. Sets time limits for filing appeals or petitions for review of actions taken pursuant to this Act and bars any challenges to such actions which are not in conformance with these provisions, except as otherwise provided for. Directs such courts to expedite and consolidate such review to the greatest extent practicable. Grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Supreme Court to review any judgment or order of the lower court pursuant to this Act and directs the Supreme Court to expedite such review to the greatest extent practicable. Prohibits trial de novo by the reviewing court of any action pursuant to this Act. Directs the Board to revise a project decision schedule as necessary in the event a decision is rendered remanding any case or controversy to an agency. Terminates the authority of the Board on September 30, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1979
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal of appropriate design to Simon Wiesenthal in recognition of his contribution to international justice through the documentation and location of war criminals from World War II. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze duplicates of such medal for sale to the public.
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 · 3 August 1979
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that any employee who is a member of and adheres to a bona fide religion, body, or sect historically holding conscientious objection to joining or financially supporting a labor organization shall not be required to do so. Allows such employee to be required in an employment contract to pay sums in lieu of and equal to dues and initiation fees to a nonreligious, nonlabor, charitable organization chosen by the employee. Authorizes the labor organization to charge such employee the reasonable cost of any grievance-arbitration procedure instigated by and for such employee's benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1979
Small Scale Energy Technology Programs Reorganization Act - Defines the term "small-scale technology" to include renewable energy and other technologies, products, and services which contribute to energy production, conservation, and awareness among end users in a manner which is simple, environmentally sound, and reliant upon available labor. Establishes and Office of Small Scale Technology within the Department of Energy. Requires the Office to incorporate the energy technology small grants program of the Department. Directs the Secretary of Energy, through the Director of such Office, to: (1) make grants to small businesses and localities for small-scale technology; (2) certify the performance of small-scale technology equipment and demonstration models developed by grantees; (3) assist in the marketing of certified technologies; (4) provide information on the benefits and availability of small-scale technology and the role of small business in its production; (5) assist State and local governments in the use of such technology; and (6) coordinate domestic and international small-scale technology programs. Sets forth procedures for the administration by the Office of the small grants program. Limits any such grant to not more than $100,000 for any two-year period. Directs the Secretary to initiate a program to promote the use of small-scale technology and to improve the competitive position of small, energy-related businesses. Requires the Secretary to provide grants to small businesses and localities to expand the use of certified technologies. Requires the Director to conduct and submit to Congress a study on the practicality of integrating all functions of the Energy-Related Inventions Program into the Office of Small Scale Technology. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress concerning: (1) policy recommendations to the Department for utilizing small-scale technologies to meet the Nation's energy needs; (2) the advisability of modifying the Department's patent policy to enable small businesses to commercialize emerging technologies; and (3) the activities of the Office. Establishes an Interagency Council on Small Scale Technology as an independent instrumentality of the U.S. in the executive branch. Directs the Council to review, coordinate, and report to Congress on the current and potential small-scale technology programs of the Government.
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 · 30 July 1979
Savings and Investment Encouragement Act of 1979 - Title I: Incentives for Individual Saving - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $100 of the interest earned on a savings account. Permits an exclusion of up to $500 for interest which is reinvested in a savings account. Excludes from gross income up to $500 of dividends received which are reinvested in the stock of domestic corporations. Requires that the sum of the adjusted basis of stock in domestic corporations held by the taxpayer plus the amount held in a savings account (investment base) on the last day of a taxable year exceed the investment base of the taxpayer as of the first day of such taxable year, plus the amount of dividends and interest excludible for such taxable year. Title II: Incentives for New Plant and Equipment - Revises the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the cost recovery period. Permits taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year. Title III: Incentives for Research and Development - Qualifies research and development expenditures related to a trade or business for the investment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the payment of excise tax on the sale of certain sporting goods at the close of the quarter immediately following the quarter in which sale of such goods was made.
![Official portrait of Sen. Percy, Charles H. [R-IL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000222_200.jpg)