United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1980
Amends the Federal criminal code to require that any Member of Congress who is convicted of certain bribery offenses committed in connection with the performance of official duties, be sentenced to: (1) at least three months' imprisonment (to run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed); and (2) a fine of one-third of the maximum allowed for the offense (in addition to any other fine imposed).
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1980
Amends the Clean Water Act to repeal the industrial cost recovery provisions which required that applicants for treatment works construction grants make provision for receiving payment from industrial users for that portion of the Federal share of the construction cost allocable to industrial wastes treatment. Makes technical and conforming amendments in such Act. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to remove from any such grants made after March 1, 1973, and prior to the date of enactment of this Act, any condition or requirement no longer applicable as a result of such repeal or to release any grant recipient from such obligations. Amends the Clean Water Act of 1977 to make technical and conforming amendments related to such repeal of industrial cost recovery provisions. Declares that the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on December 27, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) request the Soviet Union to exchange scientific data regarding the outbreak of pulmonary anthrax near Sverdlovsk as provided for by the convention prohibiting bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons; or (2) take appropriate international procedures or lodge a complaint with the United Nations Security Council, if the Soviet Union fails to make available such data.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1980
States as the purposes of this Act: (1) the promotion of industrial development and economic advancement within Indian communities through self-government and self-determination; (2) the authorization of tribal action designed to attract and retain private industry in Indian communities; and (3) the promotion of gainful employment of Indians. Declares that none of the provisions of this Act shall apply with respect to any tribe until the qualified resident voters of the tribe have voted to accept its provisions in a referendum. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to draft an optional model tribal business corporation act embodying the provisions and purposes of this Act for circulation to each tribe. Provides that each tribe may adopt such corporation act as part of its laws under standard election procedures, and after such adoption, the tribe shall be considered a body corporate with the powers prescribed in this Act. States that such a tribe has the authority to acquire and dispose of real and personal property without the approval of the Secretary of the Interior. Continues all lawful debts of the tribe. Authorizes Indian Tribes to: (1) use tribal money to attract new and retain other private industries which will employ at least 50 people on the reservation; (2) contract with private industry and with Federal, State and local governments; and (3) extend to private industry a waiver of tribal taxes for 15 years. Gives the Secretary a veto power over any per capita distribution of the tribe, but requires him to give reasons for such a veto. States that any entity which establishes a new or retains a qualified private industry on a reservation occupied by a tribe shall qualify for the tax incentives provided by this Act if that entity employs a work force one-half of which are Indians. Provides that a qualified entity shall be exempt from taxation upon income attributable to the operation of a qualified private industry for a period of ten years after setting up that industry. States that the basis of the property acquired as an investment shall be either the fair market value of that property after the tenth year of operation or its cost, whichever is higher. Allows the depreciation deduction to be computed at a rate of 20 percent after the tenth year for such property. Grants a tax deduction to such a qualified entity for every Indian who received welfare before becoming employed by such entity, in the amount of five times the amount of the welfare payment received by the Indian immediately before employment. Postpones this deduction until ten years after the industry is formed. Requires the Secretary to provide adult education and vocational training on a priority basis. Authorizes the Secretary to lease any surplus Federal lands under his jurisdiction. Authorizes the Secretary to lend Federal funds for the construction of buildings for qualifying and qualified investors.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for certain charges paid or incurred on agricultural operating loans (as defined by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act) in excess of a 12 percent rate. Limits the application of this Act to loans whose payout period does not exceed 12 months and whose aggregate principal does not exceed $25,000.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Members of Congress should request their States, constituents, and the Bureau of the Census to encourage older people to participate as census workers in the taking of the 1980 Decennial Census.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
American Sovereignty Protection Act - Amends the Alien Enemies Acts to include within the definition of a predatory act against the United States; (1) the seizure of a diplomatic mission; or (2) the seizure of such premises together with the taking of diplomatic hostages.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Members of Congress should request their States, constituents, and the Bureau of the Census to encourage older Americans to participate as census workers in the taking of the 1980 decennial census.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire such interests in the oil, gas, coal, or other minerals owned by the Osage Tribe of Indians, or held in trust for said tribe, necessary for the construction of the Verdigris River and tributaries flood control project, Oklahoma and Kansas, and the project for the Shidler Reservoir, Salt Creek, Oklahoma.
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 · 28 February 1980
Vietnam Veterans Career Development, Advancement, and Training Assistance Act of 1980 - Establishes a program of career development, advancement, training, and related services for Vietnam-era veterans. Defines, for purposes of this Act: (1) eligible veteran; (2) active duty; (3) eligible employer; (4) dependent; (5) career development and advancement program; and (6) career development and training program. Sets forth provisions regarding entitlement to and eligibility of a veteran for a career development and advancement or training allowance. Sets the duration of such eligibility for an eligible veteran. Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to provide occupational and vocational counseling. Permits an eligible veteran to select a program of career development and advancement or a program of career development and training with an eligible employer in a chosen career field if the employer hires such veteran into its regular workforce with the expectation of permanent employment of the veteran after the training and career development assistance ends. Disallows approval of enrollment of a veteran for: (1) seasonal, intermittent or temporary jobs; (2) jobs paying less than $4.00 an hour, unless the Administrator determines in a particular case that the clause does not apply; (3) jobs outside the United States or its territories or possessions; (4) jobs under which commissions are the primary source of income; (5) employment which involves political or religious activities; (6) employment in an industry which a substantial number of experienced and able workers are unemployed; (7) jobs that are above entry level, except when applicable personnel procedures and collective bargaining procedures regarding the advancement of currently employed workers are complied with; (8) employment which would result in the displacement of any currently employed worker; and (9) jobs which if filled would replace any worker who is on lay off, or on strike. Requires the Administrator to discontinue the career development and advancement allowance of an eligible veteran whose conduct or progress is unsatisfactory. Allows the Administrator to renew the veterans' allowance under certain conditions. Directs the Administrator to pay to each eligible veteran employer, on behalf of each eligible veteran, an allowance to meet in part the expenses of such veterans' wages, benefits, training, and any other necessary or appropriate costs. Sets forth provisions for computation of career development, advancement, and training allowances, and payment to eligible employers. Outlines the specifications for approval of career development and advancement programs. Provides for the issuance of certificates of approval to the eligible employers. Requires an employer who receives an overpayment as a result of: (1) willful or negligent failure to report a veteran's excessive absences from work or interruptions in a planned program; or (2) false certification, to repay the amount of such overpayment to the United States. Allows the Administrator to make a complete report of the facts to the appropriate approving agency and, if considered advisable, to the Attorney General of the United States for appropriate action. Allows an eligible veteran to make one change of program, unless the Administrator finds sufficient reason to support further changes. Authorizes the Administrator to periodically conduct compliance surveys. Outlines the duties of the Secretary of Labor under this Act. Directs the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor, and of Health, Education, and Welfare, to provide for an outreach and public information program to inform eligible veterans of the program established by this Act.
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 · 26 February 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that a total embargo on U.S. exports to the Soviet Union should be imposed whenever any embargo on U.S. grain exports to the Soviet Union is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1980
Designates February 26, 1980, as a national day of prayer, meditation, and unity if the hostages being held in Iran are not released by February 25, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1980
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Department of Transportation should conduct a study of the transportation problems of the elderly in rural areas.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1980
Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit the direct or indirect restriction by any person engaged in commerce on the use of credit instruments in any transaction concerning the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel, where there is no similar restriction on transactions concerning conventional motor fuel. Prohibits any other condition, restriction, agreement, or understanding which otherwise discriminates against or unreasonably limits the sale, resale, or transfer of gasohol or other synthetic motor fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1980
Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior to be used for planning and developing a rural water treatment and distribution system, the WEB pipeline project, in South Dakota. Directs the Secretary to transfer such appropriated funds to the Secretary of Agriculture, who shall provide the services to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1980
Intelligence Reform Act of 1980 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to define "special activity" to mean activity conducted abroad to further official United States programs and policies which is planned and executed so that the role of the Government is not apparent or acknowledged publicly, but excluding diplomatic activity and the collection of intelligence or related support functions. Prohibits the expenditure of funds by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for a special activity unless: (1) the President finds that the activity is important to the national security and reports such activity to the congressional select intelligence committees (current law requires such reporting to the "appropriate" congressional committees); or (2) the National Security Council (NSC) determines that the activity does not involve substantial resources or risks and falls within a category of special activities which (A) have been found by the President to be important to the national security, and (B) have been reported to the congressional select intelligence committees. Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to exempt information in files maintained by an intelligence agency or component of the Government from the provisions of any law requiring publication or disclosure, if such files have been specifically designated by the Director of Central Intelligence to be concerned with: (1) scientific or technical systems for the collection of foreign intelligence; (2) special activities and foreign intelligence operations; (3) investigations to determine the suitability of potential foreign intelligence sources; and (4) intelligence liaison arrangements with foreign governments. Requires requests by United States citizens and permanent resident aliens for information concerning themselves to be processed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to add a new title V, "Protection of Certain National Security Information." Establishes a maximum criminal penalty of ten years' imprisonment and/or a $50,000 fine for anyone who, having had authorized access to classified information, intentionally discloses to any individual not authorized to receive classified information any information that identifies an individual as an employee of an intelligence agency or as an agent, informant, or source of assistance to an intelligence agency, where the actor knows or has reason to know that the information so identifies such individual and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such individual's intelligence relationship to the United States. Establishes a maximum criminal penalty of one year imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine for anyone who with intent to impair the foreign intelligence activities of the United States discloses such information with such knowledge. Makes it a defense to such crimes that before the commission of the offense the United States had publicly acknowledged or revealed the intelligence relationship of the individual to the United States. Stipulates that it shall not be an offense to transmit such information directly to the congressional intelligence committees. Defines "intelligence agency" for the purposes of such offenses to mean the CIA and any intelligence component of the Department of Defense.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Native American Culture and Art Development Act - Establishes the Institute of Native American Culture and Arts Development under the direction and control of a Board of Trustees. Sets forth the composition and terms of membership on such Board. Requires that the first Chairman of such Board be appointed by the President and subsequent Chairmen be elected by the trustees. Directs such Chairman, in consultation with the Board, to appoint a President to carry out the policies and functions of such Institute. Sets forth the powers of such Board. Directs the appropriate Federal department to transfer to the Institute the jurisdiction and control over the real property comprising the Institute of American Indian Arts facility located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Authorizes the Board to establish within the Institute: (1) a Center for Culture and Art Studies to include Departments of Traditional Arts and Sciences, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Language, and Literature; (2) a Center for Native American Scholars to include research and fellowship programs and publications; (3) a center for Cultural Exchange to include an inter-American Indian program, marketing and promotion of Indian crafts, promotion of Indian art, exhibits and shows; (4) a Museum of Indian Arts to include the acquisition of Indian art and the curation and exhibition of Indian art; and (5) other related centers or programs. Transfers to the Institute the functions of the Institute of American Indian Arts and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board. Makes the laws applicable to such entities applicable to the Institute. Directs the President of the Institute to submit an annual report to the Board concerning the administration of the Institute. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 to carry out this Act.
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 · 14 December 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the adoption of any Federal budget in which expenditures exceed receipts unless approved by a rollcall vote of three-fifths of the Members of each House of Congress directed solely to that subject. Prohibits the Congress from passing and the President from signing any appropriation bill which would cause the total expenditures of the Federal Government to exceed its total receipts in any fiscal year. Permits the Congress to waive such provisions with respect to any single year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Prohibits any annual increase in the proportion of Federal receipts to the national income unless approved by a rollcall vote, directed solely to such purpose, of three-fifths of each House.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1979
Small Business Export Development Act of 1979 - Title I: Small Business Administration Export Development Programs - Amends the Small Business Act to establish within the Small Business Administration (SBA) an Office of International Trade. Directs the Office to promote sales opportunities for small business goods and services overseas by: (1) providing small businesses with access to current and complete export information; (2) providing assistance to States and other entities through the small business export development grant program; (3) promoting greater small business participation with programs under the Department of Commerce; and (4) providing technical advice to SBA personnel involved in granting loans and other forms of assistance to small businesses engaged in exports. Requires the Office to assign export development specialists to each SBA regional office to assist small businesses: (1) in obtaining export information and assistance from other Federal departments; (2) by maintaining a current directory of all programs pertaining to exports within the region; (3) by encouraging financial institutions to expand and develop programs for export financing; and (4) by providing counseling pursuant to export sales. Authorizes the SBA to make grants to any State government or other entity (applicant) which has established an overseas office to assist such applicant in operating its small business export development program. Provides that such grants shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of such program (limited to $150,000 in any one calendar year). Declares that such grants shall be limited to one applicant in each region during the two fiscal years following enactment of this Act. Sets forth terms and conditions for an applicant to participate in such program. Directs the SBA to develop a plan to evaluate such grant program by: (1) determining its impact on small business; (2) determining the amount of export sales generated; and (3) making recommendations concerning its continuation or expansion and possible improvements. Requires such evaluation to be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees by October 1, 1982. Authorizes specified sums to the SBA to carry out programs promulgated under this title. Title II: Commercial Ministers, Commercial Counselors and Commercial Attaches - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to appoint commercial ministers, counselors, and attaches (who shall be employees of the Department of Commerce) for service in the United States and abroad to carry out the purposes of this title. Requires commercial attaches to participate in training sessions designed by the Secretary in cooperation with the Department of State, the Foreign Service Institute, and other Federal agencies. Declares that such training shall include the study of export and import programs pursuant to the needs of United States businesses for export information and assistance. Declares that such commercial employees shall be accorded the same rank and privileges as other comparable employees posted in United States embassies and consulates abroad. Directs the Secretary of State to attach such commercial employees to the diplomatic mission in the country to which they are assigned by the Secretary of Commerce, and to obtain such diplomatic privileges and immunities enjoyed by comparable Foreign Service personnel. Sets forth the functions and duties of such commercial employees, including all areas of trade and commercial services and export promotion relative to United States interests within their districts. Requires such employees to report semiannually to the Secretary of Commerce on the following information within their districts: (1) market conditions, commercial developments, and economic climate; (2) implementation of and compliance with multilateral and bilateral trade agreements; (3) specific industry and commodity conditions; (4) foreign law and business practices affecting United States interests; and (5) trade opportunities on an industry by industry basis. Directs such employees to maintain and make available current data on the commercial standing and capacity of foreign firms within their districts and any other functions and duties prescribed by the Secretary. Allows any officer or employee assigned to a post abroad to be assigned for duty in the continental United States, at the discretion of the Secretary, for a period of not more than three years. Directs the Secretary of State, at the request of the Secretary of Commerce, to provide office space, equipment, and administrative and clerical personnel deemed necessary for commercial employees to carry out their functions and duties. Authorizes each Federal agency, at the request of the Secretary, to make available its services, personnel, and facilities to such employees. Directs such commercial employees to make available any reports and dispatches to the Department of State, the Small Business Administration, and any other interested Government agencies. Makes available to such employees representative allowances, allowances and benefits, advance payment for rent and other services, and funds for courtesies to foreign representatives. Title III: National Export Council - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President a National Export Council and sets forth its membership and functions. Declares that the Council shall serve as a national advisory body on matters relating to United States export trade. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to provide the Council with administrative and staff services, and support and facilities deemed necessary in the performance of its functions. Provides travel and per diem assistance as authorized by law. Directs the Council to report to Congress by March 31 of each year on its activities. Appropriates sums as may be necessary to carry out this title.
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 · 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
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 · 10 October 1979
Vietnam Veterans Act - Title I: Employment - Provides for a program of career development, training, and related services for Vietnam-era veterans. Establishes the Office of Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment in place of the existing office of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment. Title II: Health and Psychological Care - Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability for certain diseases arising in Vietnam-era veterans (and for birth defects in their children) exposed to agent orange. Authorizes specified mental health care for eligible Vietnam-era veterans at community mental health centers. Title III: GI Bill Assistance - Extends the educational assistance delimiting period for certain Vietnam-era veterans. Eliminates the requirement of matching State funds for accelerated educational loan payments. Increases such maximum payment amounts. Title IV: Administrative Costs for State Home Loan Programs - Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay the initial administrative expenses for a qualifying State or local veterans' home loan program. Title V: Commission to Study Veterans' Benefits - Establishes the Commission on Veterans' Benefits to perform a comprehensive study of the structure and administration of the laws relating to veterans' benefits. States that such Commission shall report its findings within 18 months to the President and Congress, and cease to exist 30 days after such submission.
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 · 4 October 1979
Small Business Innovation Act of 1979 - Title I: Research and Development Contracts - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to advise, assist, and monitor Federal agencies in meeting the small business research and development set-asides required under this Act. Directs the SBA to develop an information program to assure that each qualified small business concern has the opportunity to participate in the Federal agency Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs. Requires the SBA to report annually to the appropriate committees of Congress on the activities of Federal agencies in meeting and development set-asides and on the SBIR programs. Directs each Federal agency to set-aside for award to small business concerns a specified percentage of its budget for prime research and development contracts. Sets forth the percentage for fiscal year 1980 and each succeeding fiscal year until such percentage equals ten percent of the total dollar amount of such contracts. Stipulates that such set-asides apply to basic and applied research and development. Requires each Federal agency having an annual research and development budget of more than $100,000,000 to establish an SBIR program where one percent of its 1980 research and development budget and of its subsequent budgets would be reserved for contract awards to small business firms specifically in connection with the SBIR program. Sets forth responsibilities of each such Federal agency with respect to the administration of an SBIR program as follows: (1) determine categories of projects; (2) issue SBIR solicitations; (3) receive and evaluate proposals; (4) select awardees for SBIR contracts; (5) administer such contracts; (6) make payments to SBIR contractors; and (7) make quarterly reports on the SBIR program to the SBA. Allows such agencies to include the value of SBIR contracts in determining whether such goals are met. Prohibits contract awards to small business concerns for research and development which result from competitive or single source selections other than under an SBIR program to be counted as meeting any portion of the percentage requirements established pursuant to this Act. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in conjunction with the SBA and the National Science Foundation, to issue regulations for conduct by Federal agencies which shall: (1) provide a simplified acquisition process for the program with SBIR requests for proposals being standardized throughout the Federal Government; and (2) include uniform requirements for patent rights and rights in data. Requires the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, in cooperation with the SBA, to establish simplified regulations for all Federal agencies for the award of research and development contracts to small business concerns. Directs the Administrator to insure that such regulations shall: (1) eliminate provisions of research contracts which require businesses to absorb expenses of performance of such contract and require Federal agencies to negotiate fees for all services and expenses relative to awarded contracts; (2) prohibit Federal agencies from excluding any small business concern from competition for such contracts on the same terms and conditions as any other business concern; (3) require each agency to consider and review unsolicited research and development proposals from small business concerns; (4) require agencies to consider small businesses on an equal basis with any other business concern in the award of sole source research contracts; (5) require that independent research and development costs and the bid and proposal costs incurred by small businesses shall be attributable to the contract in the fiscal year such expenses are incurred; (6) require agencies to evaluate the feasibility of dividing large scale proposed contracts into small segments to facilitate participation of small businesses; (7) require agency staff and consultants to provide fair and equal opportunity to small businesses owned by women and minorities and to provide guidance and counseling to such businesses; (8) require Federal agencies to evaluate personnel engaged in the awarding of research contracts; and (9) establish the responsibility of Federal agencies to identify the agency procedures in awarding research contracts which discriminate against small business concerns and take appropriate action to eliminate such procedures. Title II: Patents - States that it is the objective of this title to amend existing patent procedures in order to promote the marketing of inventions developed under federally supported research and development projects. Permits any organization or firm to elect, within a reasonable amount of time, to retain title to such inventions. Permits Federal agencies which have supported such projects to retain title to inventions through their funding agreements in specified circumstances. Requires review of agency determinations that such circumstances exist by the Comptroller General and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the implementation of this Act by Federal agencies. Enumerates provisions which must be included in funding agreements between a Federal agency and a small business firm or nonprofit organization including provisions: (1) to insure the rights of the Federal Government under this Act; (2) to provide that the agency shall have a nonexclusive, nontransferable, irrevocable and paid-up license to use the invention; (3) to prohibit a nonprofit organization from assigning rights to the invention without the approval of the Federal agency; (4) to prohibit such an organization from granting exclusive rights from the earlier of five years from the first commercial use of the invention or eight years from the date of invention; and (5) to require such organizations to use their royalties and earnings to support scientific research or education. Authorizes a Federal agency to transfer or assign its rights, acquired from an agency employee as coinventor, to an inventor electing to acquire title to an invention. Prohibits funding agreements with small business firms or nonprofit organizations from containing provisions allowing a Federal agency to require licensing to third parties of inventions which are not inventions conceived or first actually reduced to practice under a Federal contract or grant without written justification from the head of such agency. Allows such licensing upon a determination by the agency head that such action is necessary to achieve the practical application of the subject invention or work object. Empowers any Federal agency to require inventors or their assigns to grant licenses in order to: (1) achieve practical application of the invention in its field of uses; (2) alleviate health or safety needs; (3) meet requirements for public use specified by Federal regulations; or (4) achieve participation by United States industry in the manufacture of an invention. Entitles the government to collect up to 15 percent of all net income above specified amounts received by a patent holder until government research funds have been repaid. Restricts the assignment and licensing of rights by patent holders to foreign owned or controlled firms unless such persons agree that any products embodying the subject invention or produced through the use of the subject invention will be manufactured substantially in the United States. Authorizes Federal agencies to withhold information on inventions from public disclosure. Specifies the authority of Federal agencies with respect to obtaining patents, granting licenses, and transferring custody of patents. Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations specifying the terms upon which any federally-owned invention may be licensed. Sets forth the procedure whereby Federal agencies may grant exclusive or partially exclusive licenses in any invention covered by a federally-owned domestic patent or patent application. Prohibits licensing which lessens competition. Directs that small business firms be given preference in exclusive or partially exclusive licensing. Enumerates provisions which must be contained in any grant of a license by a Federal agency. Declares that this Act shall take precedence over any other Act in the disposition of inventions. Directs the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to establish regulations governing: (1) the citation to the Patent and Trademark Office of prior art patents or publications which are pertinent to a later patent; and (2) the reexamination of a patent to determine whether such a prior patent or publication has any bearing on the patentability of any claim of such patent. Authorizes any individual to: (1) cite to the Office any such prior patent; and (2) request such a reexamination. Requires the Commissioner within 90 days of such a request to make a determination as to whether the cited prior patent raises a new question of the patentability of any claim of the later patent. Authorizes the Commissioner on his or her own initiative to make such a determination at any time. States that a determination that no new question is raised shall be final. Directs the Commissioner, upon determining that there is a new question of patentability, to order and conduct a reexamination. Requires that the patent owner be provided at least two months to file a statement on such question and that the person making the reexamination request be provided two months to respond to such statement. Declares that the patent owner shall be provided an opportunity in any reexamination to amend any claim of the patent in order to distinguish the claim from the prior patent cited, or in response to a decision adverse to the patentability of the claim. Authorizes the owner to appeal any adverse decision. Directs the Commissioner, upon the conclusion of any reexamination or appeal proceeding, to issue and publish a certificate cancelling any unpatentable claim, confirming any valid claim, and incorporating any amended claim in the patent. Declares that no prior patent or publication may be relied upon as evidence of nonpatentability in a civil action involving the validity or infringement of a patent unless: (1) the prior patent or publication was cited by or to the Office regarding application or reexamination proceedings for the patent; or (2) the court concludes that consideration of the prior patent or publication in such proceedings is unnecessary for adjudication. Sets forth circumstances under which a court may stay the proceedings of a civil action involving the infringement or validity of a patent to enable either party to such action to secure a determination on a request for reexamination of the patent by the Patent and Trademark Office. Provides the moving party in such action the right to dismiss the complaint commencing such action. Title III: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Small Business Research and Development Tax Incentive Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers who sell small business stock to recognize the gain from such sale to the extent such gain exceeds the cost of the purchase of other small business stock within 18 months after such sale. Sets forth definitions and special rules applicable to such nonrecognition of gain. Provides procedures for the reduction of basis of small business stock purchased during such 18-month period. Provides, upon notification to the Secretary of the Treasury, a three-year statutory period for the assessment of any deficiency attributable to any such gain. Sets forth the procedure for determining the period for which the taxpayer has held small business stock which resulted in nonrecognition of gain on the sale of such stock. Allows a taxpayer, other than a corporation, to deduct a specified percentage of his net small business capital gain from his gross income applicable to stock acquired after December 31, 1979. Declares that in the case of a qualified small business concern, a net operating loss in any taxable year after December 31, 1979, shall be a net operating loss carryover to each of the ten taxable years following such loss. Allows a qualified small business concern to treat research and experimental expenditures for the acquisition or improvement of property as expenses not chargeable to its capital account. Allows such concerns to treat such expenditures for any property subject to a depreciation or depletion allowance as deferred expenses, and in the case of a building such deferred expense shall be allowed ratably over a period of 120 months. Allows a tax exclusion for small business concerns engaged in a trade or business other than real estate, for deposits made into a reserve for research and development with specified limitations. Disallows a deduction for amounts paid from a reserve for research and development which is used by the taxpayer for research and experimental expenditures, if such expenditures may be taken into account by the taxpayer under other provisions of the Code. Specifies the percentage the taxpayer must include in gross income for amounts from the reserve not used for research and development. Specifies that a contribution to such reserve may be made only in cash for purposes of this Act. Sets forth requirements and procedures for treatment of such reserve when the taxpayer ceases to be a small business concern. Sets forth the definition of qualified stock options and requirements under which employees may use such granted stock options. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow small business corporations to include 100 shareholders, provided such corporations are not venture capital corporations. Makes amendments under this title applicable to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1979. Title IV: Regulatory Flexibility - Regulatory Flexibility Act - Requires Federal agencies to include the following information in the general notice of a proposed rule: (1) the goals and purpose of the rule; (2) the estimated number of individuals, businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions affected by the rule; (3) a statement that the agency seeks alternative proposals which could achieve the goal of the proposed rule at a lower cost to individuals, small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions; and (4) a list of the measures necessary for compliance with any reporting requirement affecting more than ten persons. Requires Federal agencies to accept and consider alternative proposals to a proposed rule and to publish those proposals with justification of the selection of the final rule. Defines a small business, small organization, small governmental jurisdiction, and an individual as used in this Act. Directs each agency to publish a plan for reviewing its rules within 180 days after enactment of this Act. Requires each agency to determine whether such rules are efficiently achieving the goals of the implementing legislation. Directs the agency to publish, annually, a list of the rules to be issued and reviewed during the next year.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1979
Product Liability Risk Retention Act of 1979 - Title I: Risk Retention Groups - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate standards for the approval of risk retention groups. Defines such groups as entities formed to assume or spread the liability of two or more persons arising from products liability claims or defective construction claims. Enumerates standards which the Secretary may consider in approving any such group including the amount and liquidity of its assets, soundness of its reserves, adequacy of its insurance coverage, and its overall plan of operations. Sets forth factors to be included in a group's application for approval. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct audits of the applicant. Sets forth limitations on the risk coverage afforded to any one person in the group. Authorizes the Secretary to make approval conditional as necessary. Requires any refusal of approval to specify the factual conclusions and legal authority upon which is is based. Authorizes the Secretary to require a group to set a maximum amount of risk which it will accept. Requires such a group's participants to obtain insurance for losses in excess of such maximum limitations. Establishes requirements for the terms of such insurance coverage. Prohibits a group from assuming liability for any person other than its members or its members' affiliates. Permits a group to assume liability which arises from an agreement of hold harmless or indemnity between a member and its supplier, purchaser, or consignee. Requires all or a portion of an individual's product liability or completed operations risk exposure be assumed by the group. Sets forth requirements concerning the return of a withdrawing member's capital contribution. Prohibits such groups from acquiring reinsurance from its members or affiliates. Prohibits a group from making non-pro-rata assessments or retroactive adjustments based on the loss experience of a member. Directs the Secretary to require each group to maintain reserves which it shall hold as a fiduciary for the benefit of claimants against its members. Prohibits a group from having any interest in the securities or debts or its members or their affiliates. Requires each group to submit annual reports to the Secretary. Declares that this Act shall preempt any State law relating to the formation, operation, or provision of insurance-services to risk retention groups. Stipulates that this Act shall not effect the authority of a State to tax risk retention groups. Applies Federal antitrust laws to such groups. Exempts the ownership interest of such groups from the securities laws. Limits the use of information obtained pursuant to this Act. Permits the Secretary to require data concerning the product liability claims experience of such groups. Authorizes the Secretary to audit each group and to require each group to engage an independent accountant to examine its books, records, and financial statements. Requires each group to pay an application fee and annual fees to cover supervisory expenses of the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to revoke the certificate of approval of a risk retention group. Enumerates circumstances in which such authority may be exercised. Requires that all hearings to revoke a group's certificate of approval be held in the District of Columbia. Exempts such hearings from requirements of law relating to agency adjudications. Empowers the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to hear appeals from orders of the Secretary issued pursuant to this Act. Requires the proceeds from a group's reinsurance policies to be paid to the group's receiver or other appropriate judicial officer if the group is adjudged insolvent. Title II: Group Purchase of Product Liability and Completed Operations Insurance - Exempts any group seeking to purchase liability insurance, its members, or any person who provides such insurance from any State law which restricts group insurance or would prohibit or discriminate against the application of this Act. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares that this Act shall not be deemed to affect State tort law. Directs the Secretary to issue rules and regulations and to take all other actions necessary or appropriate to implement this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1979
Federal Buildings Enhancement Act of 1979 - Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959 to direct 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.
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 · 19 September 1979
Lamb Meat Quota Act of 1979 - Limits the aggregate quantity of lamb meat that may be imported into the United States after 1979 to the smaller of: (1) 24,500,000 pounds; or (2) ten percent of the domestic slaughter of land during the preceding year. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to estimate quarterly whether the domestic price of lamb exceeds the parity price and, on the basis of such estimate, to adjust the aggregate quantity of lamb meat which may enter the United States. Requires the Secretary to estimate annually the quota established, the domestic price of lamb, and any adjustment of the quota. Directs the Secretary to allocate such quotas among supplying countries on the basis of their share of the U.S. market.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1979
Designates certain lands, comprising about 10,700 acres, in the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota, as the Black Elk Wilderness. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to file a map of such wilderness and a legal description of its boundaries with the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. Declares that the wilderness designated by this Act shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with provisions of applicable law.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1979
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to exempt a State or political subdivision of a State from coverage under the Act. Permits a State, at its election, to develop its own safety and health plan and to submit such plan to the Secretary of Labor for approval. Authorizes any State agency or court to assert jurisdiction under State law over any mandatory health or safety standard involving a State-owned mine.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Fish Restoration Act of 1979 - Title I: Fish Restoration Program - Directs that Federal moneys apportioned to a coastal State for aid in fish restoration and management be equitably allocated by such a State between marine and fresh water fish projects. Amends the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act to: (1) define the term "coastal State" for the purposes of such Act; (2) authorize appropriations in the amount equal to the revenue accruing from taxes relating to sport fishing equipment and certain recreational boats and boating equipment for fiscal year 1980 and each fiscal year thereafter; (3) increase the percentage of the annual appropriation deducted for administrative expenses; (4) eliminate the notification by a State of intent to accept such apportionment funds requirement; (5) authorize the Secretary of the Interior to finance up to 75 percent of the costs of the acquisition of lands or interests therein and the construction of structures or facilities; and (6) permit each State to utilize up to ten percent of its apportionment for an aquatic resource education program. Title II: Tax on Sale of Sport Fishing Equipment and Certain Recreational Boats and Boating Equipment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose a tax on the sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any article of sport fishing equipment, recreational boats, and boating equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
United States Olympic Development Fund Checkoff Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns that either $1 of any tax refund or $1 of any contribution which the taxpayer forwards with his return shall be payable to the United States Olympic Development Fund. Establishes the United States Olympic Development Fund under the auspices of the Secretary of the Treasury for the receipt of tax contributions and payment to the United States Olympic Development Fund. Directs the United States Olympic Committee to use such funds for a program to expand and improve amateur athletics in the United States. Requires reports on the expenditure of such funds to be submitted by the United States Olympic Committee and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1979
Consumer Checking Account Equity 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. Authorizes federally insured banks and savings and loan associations, State banks and savings and loan associations, savings banks, and mutual savings banks to offer interest-bearing deposits or accounts upon which the depositor may make withdrawals by negotiable instrument for the purpose of making transfers to third parties (NOW accounts). Stipulates that such deposits or accounts may only be held by individuals or nonprofit organizations. 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. Authorizes such associations to extend loans directly related to negotiable order of withdrawal accounts. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to require any institution which has subscribed for the stock of a Federal Home Loan Bank to maintain reserves against its negotiable order of withdrawal accounts pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Prescribes the required form of such balances. 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 · 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 · 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 · 30 July 1979
State Social Security Deposit Act of 1979 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to direct a State to pay to the Secretary of the Treasury, within 30 days following the end of each month, OASDI contributions related to the employment of State employees.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations should seek to persuade the European Economic Community (EEC) to cease subsidizing wheat exports from member countries. Sets forth actions to be taken by the United States if the EEC refuses to stop such subsidies, including subsidizing U.S. wheat exports.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Urges the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a minimum wheat set-aside for the 1980 crop year of not less than five percent of the 1980 wheat acreage.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1979
Competition Review Act - Establishes the Competition Review Commission as an independent instrumentality in the executive branch to study. Federal laws and practices which have a significant impact on competition in specified industries including the antitrust laws, the patent laws, the internal revenue laws and regulations, the National Labor Relations Act, regulatory policies, and contracting and bidding practices. Establishes the membership of such Commission, including representatives from the legislative and executive branches of the Federal Government and the private sector. Directs the Commission to appoint an Executive Director at Level V of the Executive Schedule. Empowers the Commission to subpoena witnesses and evidence and to have such process enforced in the United States district courts. Grants the Commission power to issue civil investigative demands and general or specific orders for information identical to the authority conferred upon the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General under the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Antitrust Civil Process Act. Requires all actions challenging this Act or the authority of the Commission to be filed in the United States, District Court or the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Requires these Courts to give precedence to such actions over all other actions on their calendars. Directs the Commission to prepare an initial plan for its investigations, a comprehensive bibliography on antitrust policies and competition, a timetable and outline for its studies, any interim reports it deems advisable, and a final report on the state of competition in the American economy. Requires the Commission to submit such reports, at specified intervals, to the President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate culminating in the submission of its final report within five years of the enactment of this Act. Prohibits the disclosure of any information obtained by the Commission except to the Commission staff while engaged in the performance of its duties. Requires all such information to be held under seal by the Administrator of General Services for at least five years following the termination of the Commission. Terminates the Commission 90 days after the submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
![Official portrait of Sen. Pressler, Larry [R-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000513_200.jpg)