United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1979
Veteran Senior Citizen Health Care Act of 1979 - States the purposes of this Act to be: (1) to provide for the increasing demand for geriatric and extended health care and medical services being placed on the Veterans' Administration (VA) hospital system; and (2) to make the VA hospital system foremost in the area of geriatric health care and the repository of gerontology medical knowledge. Directs that within the Office of the Chief Medical Director of the VA one Assistant Chief Medical Director shall be doctor of geriatrics, and shall be responsible for the VA's geriatric services. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to designate 15 VA hospitals as demonstration centers of geriatric research, education, and clinical operations. Stipulates that such centers shall operate until September 30, 1983. Directs the Administrator to provide that: (1) each hospital operating as a geriatric center on the date of enactment of this Act be designated as the location for a demonstration center; and (2) such designated hospitals be geographically dispersed across the United States. Directs the Administrator to establish a Geriatrics and Extended Care Task Force within the VA's Special Medical Advisory Group. Stipulates that such Task Force shall assess: (1) the VA's capability to provide geriatric services on a sustained and growing basis to eligible veterans; and (2) the current and projected needs for geriatric and extended health services among eligible veterans. Requires such Task Force to submit a report to the Administrator and the Special Medical Advisory Group within 18 months after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Administrator to transmit such report, (within 90 days of receipt) along with any comments, to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees. Requires a final report to be submitted by such Task Force within four years of the effective date of this Act. Authorizes appropriations of: (1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1980; (2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1981; (3) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1982; and (4) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Motor Carrier Regulatory Improvement Act of 1979 - Title I: General Provisions - Declares the findings of Congress that: (1) a safe, sound, competitive and fuel efficient motor carrier system is vital to the maintenance of a strong national economy and defense system; (2) the objective of a motor carrier system serving the Nation as a whole can best be achieved through the plan of regulation adopted in 1935; and (3) the Interstate Commerce Commission must administer such regulatory system through the issuance of certificates and permits necessary to implement more effectively the standards of public convenience and necessity and of consistency with the public interest. Title II: Motor Carrier Entry - Requires the Commission, before issuing any certificate authorizing motor carrier transportation, to make specific findings including the degree of existing competition and fuel conservation with respect to an applicant's requested route authority. Prohibits the Commission from considering an applicant's level of proposed rates in making a determination regarding such requested route authority but directs the Commission to consider whether the level of rates of existing carriers is so high as to constitute an embargo of the traffic. Authorizes the Commission to require a carrier which is protesting a grant of operating authority to show that: (1) it is able to handle the traffic contained in the application; (2) it is willing to provide such service; and (3) it has either performed service or solicited business within the scope of the application. Stipulates that a contract carrier does not have to limit its operations to carriage for a particular industry or within a particular geographic area. Removes the requirement that the Commission, in deciding whether to grant a permit to a motor contract carrier, consider the number of shippers to be served by the carrier or the nature of the transportation to be provided. Stipulates that an application for conversion of motor contract carrier authority to motor common carrier authority must be filed with the Commission when the operations of the contract carrier in fact become common carriage. Stipulates that a person may not hold a certificate of a motor common carrier of property or a permit of a motor contract carrier of property if the person performing the transportation is doing so in the furtherance of a nontransportation primary business. Authorizes one corporation to provide transportation services for another corporation without a certificate or a permit under specified conditions. Directs the Commission to approve pooling and division of transportation or earnings agreements between common carriers, without a hearing, unless it finds that the agreement is of major transportation importance or there is a substantial likelihood that the agreement will unduly restrain competition. Stipulates that, if the Commission finds that either of such factors exist, it shall conduct a hearing to determine if the agreement will be in the interest of better service to the public or of economy in operation. Exempts from the Commission's jurisdiction certain carriage of property by motor vehicle which is incidental to transportation by aircraft. Title III: Motor Carrier Rates - Prohibits the Commission from disapproving motor carrier rate bureau agreements unless it finds that such an agreement would violate the national transportation policy. Exempts such approved agreements from the antitrust laws. Revises the voting processes within rate bureau meetings. Directs the Commission, in determining the reasonableness of motor property carrier rate levels, to approve and maintain revenue levels that are adequate to cover total operating expenses, including the operation of leased equipment, and depreciation based upon the replacement cost of useful equipment and facilities at current prices, plus a reasonable profit. Prohibits the Commission from suspending a motor carrier rate on the basis that it exceeds or is below a just and reasonable if: (1) the rate changes are not of general applicability to all or substantially all classes of traffic; (2) the rate change is filed within five years after the enactment of this Act; and (3) the rate increase or decrease is not more than seven percent annually. Authorizes the Commission to prescribe through routes and joint fares for motor carriers of property. Prohibits the Commission from requiring such a carrier, without its consent, to embrace in a Commission mandated through route substantially less than the entire length of its route and of any intermediate carrier operated in conjunction or under a common management which lies between the termini of such proposed through route unless: (1) such inclusion of lines would make the through route unreasonably circuitous; or (2) the proposed through route is needed to provide adequate, more efficient or more economic transportation. Grants the Commission the exclusive authority to prescribe an intrastate rate for a motor carrier of property if: (1) the carrier files a change in such a rate with the appropriate State authority; and (2) the State does not act finally on such proposed change within 120 days. Limits a State's power to assess or collect ad valorem taxes on motor carriers of property. Title IV: Expediting Motor Carrier Proceedings - Establishes time limitations for actions of the Commission regarding motor carriers of property proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from a taxpayer's gross income interest or dividends on savings deposits or withdrawable savings accounts from a bank or a savings institution. Limits such exclusion to the excess of such interest or dividends for the taxable year over such interest or dividends received during the preceding year, up to a maximum of $100.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1979
Environmental Emergency Response Act - Defines containment as the onsite actions taken in the event of a discharge or release or significant threat of discharge or release of a hazardous substance from a hazardous substance disposal site to prevent or minimize such discharge or release. Defines hazardous substance as: (1) any hazardous substance so designated by the Clean Water Act; (2) any hazardous waste having the characteristics identified under or listed pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act; (3) any toxic pollutant listed under the Clean Water Act; (4) any hazardous air pollutant listed under the Clean Air Act; (5) any imminently hazardous chemical substance or mixture as defined by the Toxic Substances Control Act; (6) any substance or mixture designated as a hazardous substance by the President pursuant to this Act; or (7) any element, substance, compound, or mixture which after release into the environment and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation or assimilation into any organism, directly or indirectly, will or may reasonably be anticipated to cause death, physical or behavioral malfunction or disease. Directs the President to promulgate and revise regulations designating as hazardous substances, in addition to those defined above, such elements and compounds which, if released in a determined quantity into the environment, may present substantial danger to the public health or environment. Prohibits the discharge of any hazardous substance in violation of the Clean Water Act or the release or disposal of such substances which may affect the natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United States. Directs any person in charge of any vessel or onshore or offshore facility which is discharging, releasing, or disposing of a hazardous substance to immediately notify the appropriate agency of the United States Government of such discharge, release, or disposal. Establishes criminal penalties for failing to provide such notice. Requires any person subject to liability for a noncomplying waste disposal site to notify the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) within a specified period of: (1) the existence of such site; (2) the amount and type of hazardous substances to be found at such site; and (3) the likelihood of discharge or release of such substances from such site. Establishes criminal penalties for failing to provide such notice. Precludes such persons from any limitation or defense of liability to which they would otherwise be entitled. Prohibits such persons from knowingly rendering unavailable or unreadable any record relating to the to the site or any hazardous substances contained or deposited therein. Authorizes the Administrator to establish and enforce such control or removal requirements as are deemed appropriate to protect the public health and environment from any hazardous substance disposal site not in compliance. Authorizes the President to take any emergency response measure including removal or containment, necessary to protect the public health or the environment whenever a hazardous substance is discharged or released into the environment, unless it is determined that the owner or operator of the source of the release will properly remove such substance. Directs the President, within a specified period, to revise and republish the National Contingency Plan for the removal of oil and hazardous substances to reflect and effectuate the responsibilities and powers created by this Act. Specifies that such revision include a National Hazardous Substance Disposal Site Response Plan, such plan to include: (1) methods for discovering and investigating such sites; (2) methods for evaluating and containing any actual or threatened discharges or releases from such sites which pose a substantial danger to the public health or the environment; (3) methods and criteria for determining the appropriate extent of emergency response, containment, and other measures authorized by this Act; (4) appropriate roles and responsbilities for various governmental and nongovernmental entities in effectuating the Plan; (5) provision for response equipment and supplies; and (6) provision for reporting the existence of and any releases of hazardous substances from sites which may be located on federally-owned or controlled properties. Authorizes the Administrator to require any person involved in activities which may present a danger to public health or the environment related to the handling, storage, treatment, transportation, or disposal of any hazardous substance to take any necessary actions to ascertain the nature and extent of such danger, or to bring suit in the appropriate United States district court to require any such person to take such actions. Makes the owner or operator of a vessel or an onshore or offshore facility from which a hazardous substance is discharged jointly and severally liable for specified damages resulting from such discharge, with specified exceptions. Authorizes the President or the authorized representative of a State to act on behalf of the public as trustee of any natural resources damaged or lost as a result of such discharge and to recover for such damages. Stipulates that each department, agency, or instrumentality of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government shall be subject to and comply with this Act. Imposes liability upon any generator or transporter of any hazardous substance for such discharge by the facility which was the source of the discharge if such generator or transporter could have reasonably anticipated such discharge. Imposes punitive damages upon the owner or operator of a hazardous substance disposal site for failure to properly provide emergency response or containment upon request of the President. Establishes in the United States Treasury a Hazardous Substance Response Fund to be constituted from specified fees, and all moneys recovered on behalf of the Fund or recovered or collected under the Clean Water Act. Requires manufacturers, importers, and generators of hazardous substances to pay fees on each unit of hazardous substance produced, manufactured, or imported into the United States and each unit of hazardous waste generated. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate rules and regulations relating to the collection of such fees, and sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violation of such regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to invest any excess of the Fund in interest-bearing special obligations of the United States. Directs the President to issue notes or other obligations to the Secretary in the event the moneys available in the fund are inadequate to meet the obligations of the fund. Directs the Administrator of EPA, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Comptroller General to conduct a study of possible incentives to safer operation of vessels and facilities to reduce the potential of discharges or releases of hazardous substances, and of measures to prevent or avoid the occurrence of such discharges. Sets forth the purposes for which Fund moneys may be used. Authorizes the President to delegate his duties under this Act to the heads of appropriate Federal agencies, departments, and instrumentalities. Directs the President to establish a national priority system for responding to releases of hazardous substances and a system whereby States affected by such discharges may act to provide emergency response and be reimbursed for reasonable costs incurred thereof. Directs the President to notify an owner, operator, or guarantor of a vessel or an offshore or onshore facility of any allegation as to costs incurred for removal or damages resulting from the discharge of a hazardous substance for which such person would be liable under this Act. Sets forth procedures for the disposition of claims resulting from such discharges. Establishes a six year statute of limitation for claims presented or actions commenced under this Act. Subrogates to the United States Government all rights of a claimant to recover the costs of removal or damages from the person responsible for a hazardous substance discharge prior to payment of any claim by the Fund. Subrogates any person, including the Fund, who pays compensation pursuant to this Act to any claimant for damages or removal costs, to all rights, claims, and causes of action for such damages and removal costs of such claimant. Directs the Attorney General, upon request of the President, to commence on action on behalf of the Fund to recover any compensation paid by the Fund to any claimant pursuant to this Act. Directs the President, acting through the Administrators of the EPA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, to issue regulations for the assessment of damages for injury to or loss of natural resources resulting from a discharge of hazardous substances. Directs the Comptroller General to provide for auditing of all payments and other uses of the Fund. Requires owners and operators of vessels carrying hazardous substances and of onshore and offshore facilities to establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility in an amount consistent with the risks associated with the transportation, treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous substances. Imposes civil penalties on such persons for failure to comply with such requirements. Authorizes judicial review of any regulation issued under this Act only in the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Grants jurisdiction to the United States district courts over all controversies arising under this Act. Makes conforming amendments to the Clean Water Act. Transfers to the Fund one-half of any sums appropriated under the oil and hazardous substances liability provisions of such Act and all of the sums appropriated under the emergency powers provisions of this Act. Terminates the authority to establish and collect fees under this Act on October 1, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that the duty to bargain collectively includes bargaining with respect to retirement benefits for retired employees.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
States that the first 250,000 pieces of an issue of a publication which is eligible for second-class postage shall qualify for a reduced per piece rate currently in effect for presorted mail, regardless of whether such pieces meet weight or volume requirements for the presorted rate (thus extending such rate to small publications).
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise 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 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 capital cost recovery period. Permits a taxpayer to deduct less 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.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1979
Paperwork and Redtape Reduction Act of 1979 - Title I: Central Management and Control Responsibility - Requires Federal agencies to utilize methods of collecting information which: (1) impose a minimum burden on business; (2) require a minimum cost to the Government; and (3) eliminate any unnecessary duplication of efforts. Establishes, within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of Federal Information Management Policy (OFIMP) to have government-wide responsibility for setting policies and coordinating procedures governing the planning, budgeting, management, and control of Federal information management activities and of the measurement of the burdens imposed by such activities on businesses, State and local governments, and individuals. Requires the Administrator of OFIMP to: (1) publish, annually, a report of the burdens imposed by the reporting requirements of each agency; (2) review, at least every three years, the information management activities and the paperwork reduction activities of each agency; (3) establish goals for the reduction of reporting requirements; (4) assist agencies in developing information management programs; (5) recommend policies to Congress, the President, and agencies concerning the confidentiality and security of information; (6) study and develop improved information and paperwork cost accounting and reduction techniques; and (7) promulgate standards concerning recordkeeping requirements imposed on the public. Sets forth procedures which enable the Administrator to designate one agency to collect information for two or more agencies requiring similar data. Prohibits any agency from collecting information which: (1) is collected by a designated agency; or (2) the Administrator determines is unnecessary. Authorizes the Administrator to order the exchange of information among agencies. Requires an agency, before collecting any information, to: (1) eliminate reporting requirements which seek information which is available through another Government source; (2) minimize the compliance burden on respondents; (3) plan the tabulation of the information in a manner which maximizes its usefulness to other agencies; and (4) obtain the Administrator's approval of such collection. Directs the Administrator to approve a collection request within 60 days after its receipt for a period not to exceed two years. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress annually on the activities of OFIMP. Grants access to all records of such Office to the Comptroller General. Requires that formal meetings of OFIMP to establish policies and regulations be open to the public. Specifies conditions under which confidential information may be released from one agency to another. Delegates specified information management duties of the Director of the OMB to the Administrator. Title II: Elimination of Unnecessary Duplication - Establishes, within OFIMP, a Federal Locator System composed of an information locator, a data element dictionary, and an information referral service. Directs the System to serve as the authoritative register for all recordkeeping requirements and all public use, interagency, and intra-agency reports. Directs the Administrator to: (1) design and operate the system; (2) require the head of each agency to insert into the system a synopsis of the questions of each report and the information maintained for each reporting requirement of that agency; (3) compare the information sought by proposed reporting requirements to information in the System; and (4) make available the comparison results to agencies and the public. Requires the Administrator to insure that no actual data is contained within the locator system, except descriptive data profiles necessary to identify duplicative data or to locate information. Requires that any information holding which contains a data element of a personal or proprietary nature within the meaning of the Privacy Act of 1974 be identified as such and restricted in access and use. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. States that this Act shall take effect 60 days after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President shall call as soon as possible an Energy Summit Conference to bring together representatives of the oil industry, consumer representatives knowledgeable on energy matters, officials of the executive branch and other levels of government, and such other persons as the President deems necessary to review any data submitted and report to the President on current and expected energy shortages, a prognosis for the future, and recommendations for public and private action to meet those shortages. Directs the Conference to consider the establishment of a national energy council. Directs the President to report to the American people the results of the Conference along with his recommendations for a national energy policy.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1979
Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to extend the time periods within which: (1) the regulatory authority is required to process and decide upon permit applications submitted by the operators of surface coal mines in expectation of operating such mines; (2) each State must submit to the Secretary of the Interior a State program which demonstrates that such State has the capability of carrying out the provisions of such Act; (3) the Secretary must prepare, promulgate and implement a Federal program for a State which failed to submit an acceptable program within the specified time; and (4) each State must submit a program covering surface coal mining and reclamation operations. Eliminates the time extension for States which require an Act of the State legislature to achieve compliance with such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1979
Replacement Motor Fuels Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to promote the development and use of replacement fuels in the United States to replace gasoline used as a motor fuel with replacement motor fuel containing the maximum percentage of alcohol or other liquid produced from coal, oil, shale, or other substances as is economically and technically feasible. Directs the Secretary to determine with respect to replacement fuels, the most suitable raw materials for their production, the nature of the distribution systems and production processes of such fuels, the technical and economic feasibility of including liquids extracted from oil shale and coal in such program, and the technical and economic feasibility of reaching goal of replacing 20 percent of the gasoline used as a motor fuel with replacement fuels by the year 1992. Directs the Secretary to set production goals for replacement fuels for each of calendar years through 1981 through 1987. Sets forth the manner of determining the percentage of replacement fuel by volume to be contained in the total quantity of gasoline and replacement fuel sold annually in commerce in the United States in calendar years 1981 through 1990, and directs the Secretary to issue a rule setting the minimum percentage replacement fuel to be sold for year 1981 through 1986 by any refiner. Sets forth provisions for the enforcement of such requirements. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1979
Synthetic Fuels Production Act of 1979 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to establish a synthetic fuels and alternate fuels production plan for the Nation. Title II: Corporate Status, General Powers, Subsidiaries, and Tax Status - Establishes the Syn-Fuels and Alternate Fuels Authority which shall be responsible for directing the production of synthetic fuels. Sets forth the general powers of such Authority, including the power to create subsidiary corporations to carry out one or more of the functions of the Authority. Exempts the Authority from all State and Federal taxation except real property taxes and taxes imposed on any entity acquired or established by the Authority which engages in energy-related enterprises. Title III: Financial Assistance - Authorizes the Authority to provide financial assistance to any business concern engaged or which proposes to engage in synthetic and other alternate fuel projects. Sets forth criteria for granting such assistance and specifies application procedures, interest rates, and other conditions for obtaining such assistance. Authorizes the Authority to make loan guaranties to any lender for loans made to any business concern where such funds would contribute to accomplishment of the purposes of this Act. Limits the total amount of financial assistance to be provided by the Authority to the sum of the amount authorized as capital of the Authority and the amount the Authority is authorized to borrow under this Act. Authorizes the Authority to make high-risk loans or direct investments or to provide other direct financial assistance which the Board of Directors of the Authority determines will further the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Authority to sell equity securities. Authorizes the President to appoint an advisory panel to study and report on the effects of issuance of obligations and provision of financial assistance by the Authority on the functioning of the Nation's capital markets. Title IV: Capitalization and Finance - Authorizes capital stock of the Authority in the amount of $25,000,000,000 and authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000,000 for this purpose. Authorizes the Authority to issue and to have outstanding at any one time notes, debentures, bonds, or other obligations in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000,000. Exempts the receipts and disbursements of the Secretary of the Treasury in connection with the purchase or redemption of, and income from, capital stock of the Authority from inclusion in the totals of the budget of the United States. Title V: Management - Vests the power of the Authority to act in the Board of Directors, except as specified. Provides for the appointment of a Chairman of the Board and other directors and sets forth the duties of the Chairman. Sets forth provisions relating to officers and employees, conflicts of interest, delegation of authority, fiscal year reviews and audits, and reports and recordkeeping. Title VI: Priority Energy Project Act - Priority Energy Project Act of 1979 - Declares that the purpose of this title is to provide for a coordinated, simplified, and expeditious, process for Federal approval of energy facilities that are determined to be in the national interest. Directs the Secretary of Energy to designate priority energy projects based on specified criteria. Directs the Authority to publish a Project Decision Schedule containing deadlines for all Federal actions relating to such projects. Directs the President to make any decisions or perform any actions in the event that an agency or department fails to meet its deadline, provided that there has been notice and an opportunity for public comment on such decision. Limits environmental and judicial reviews to those of absolute necessity. Authorizes the Authority to establish deadlines for Federal agency action which are shorter than the minimum period required under existing legislation in cases of exceptional national need. Provides for coordination of the actions of Federal State and local governments. Directs the Authority to recommend to any State Governor and to the Congress actions to alleviate or prevent any delays in a priority energy project created or threatened by any State or local government. Sets time limits for filing claims arising out of actions pursuant to this title and bars any claims filed thereafter. Stipulates that such claims shall be brought in the United States court of appeals for the circuit where the project would be located and grants exclusive original jurisdiction to such court in such matters. Directs such court to give precedence to such matters over all other matters on the court's docket, to the greatest extent practicable. Authorizes the Supreme Court, exclusively, to review interlocutory judgments or orders of the court of appeals pursuant to this title and directs the Supreme Court to give precedence to such matters to the greatest extent practicable. Prohibits the granting of injunctive relief against the issuance of any right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization pursuant to this title except in conjunction with a final judgment on a claim filed pursuant to this title. Establishes an Office for Priority Energy Projects within the Department of Energy to assist the Secretary with his duties under this title. Title VII: Production Goals of the Authority - Directs the Authority to establish a set of goals for the commercial production by the year 1990 of synthetic fuels such as oil shale, coal gas and liquids, and such processes as urban waste reuse, geothermal power, solar power, biomass conversion, and other such resources. Authorizes the Authority to supervise the construction, management, operation, and production of fuels from an Authority-owned synthetic fuels facility to meet part of the fuel needs of the Department of Defense if certain specified conditions obtain. Directs the Authority to establish timetables for the production by the year 1990 of at least 1.5 million barrels of oil equivalent a day from the three technologies of oil shale, coal gas, and coal liquids, and a timetable to reach certain other commercial goals of production for other syn-fuels processes and other alternate fuels processes. Requires the Authority to report to Congress periodically on the progress toward meeting the 1990 goals and to submit its books to periodic audits. Title VIII: Unlawful Acts and Penalties - Imposes fines and/or imprisonment under this Act for the following acts: forgery; false statements; misappropriation of funds; infringement on name; and unlawful contracts. Title IX: General Provisions - Makes provisions for coordination of Authority activities with other entities, severability, termination and liquidation of the Authority, relationship to other laws, and the reservation of right to amend or repeal this Act. Stipulates that the provision of financial assistance under this Act shall be deemed to be a "major Federal action" for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 when: (1) no other Federal agency is required to prepare an environmental impact statement; and (2) such financial assistance is in fact a major action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate with respect to the adoption of transitional rules for the elimination of the tax exclusion of interest from Government bonds issued to finance mortgages on owner-occupied and multifamily residences. Provides that interest from Government bonds issued after April 25, 1979, shall be excludable from gross income if official actions had been taken by such date indicating an intent to issue such bonds. Permits the rollover of bonds outstanding on April 24, 1979, where the maturity date of such bonds is no longer than the life of the initial mortgages on the property. Permits the use of the tax-exempt bonds for the financing of projects which had reached specified stages of development prior to April 25, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1979
Elderly and Disabled Food Stamp Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to allow for households containing a member who is 60 years of age or over or who receives supplemental security benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act: (1) an excess medical deduction for that portion of the actual cost of allowable medical, dental, and other specified health care costs in excess of $35 a month, adjustable semi-annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index; (2) an additional dependent care deduction; and (3) an additional excess shelter expense deduction, without the $75 ceiling.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Energy should issue a rule to assure that activities directly related to coal exploration, extraction, and production receive 100 percent of their current needs for diesel fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Stipulates that if the percentage of motor vehicles exceeding 55 miles per hour in a State exceeds 25 percent that State's Federal-aid highway apportionment shall be reduced by 20 percent (previously if the percentage of vehicles exceeding such limit was greater than 60 percent the State's apportionment would be reduced by five percent).
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1979
Hazardous Waste Post-Closure Liability Act - Prohibits actions for damages arising from a hazardous waste incident from being brought in any Federal, State, or local court except as provided by this Act, and prohibits mandatory contributions to any insurance fund or other fund providing compensation to any person or for any claims which are subject to compensation under this Act. Establishes in the United States Treasury a Hazardous Waste Post-Closure Liability Fund to be constituted from annual nationally-uniform premiums collected from operators of hazardous waste management facilities based upon the amount of hazardous waste received by each such facility. Sets the maximum level of such Fund at $200,000,000 and the minimum level thereof at $100,000,000. Subjects persons to prosecution under the Solid Waste Disposal Act for falsifying records required to be maintained under this Act. Stipulates that failure to pay such premium shall be deemed to constitute failure to establish financial responsibility as required by this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to invest and reinvest any excess in the fund in interest-bearing special obligations of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to issue notes or other obligations to make up any insufficiency of moneys available in the Fund to meet its obligations. States that the Fund shall be available to satisfy claims asserted against owners, operators, or guarantors of hazardous waste facilities in operation or following certification of proper closure and stipulates that claims for damages arising out of a hazardous waste incident which is asserted under Federal or State law shall only be asserted under this Act. Authorizes the Fund to sue and collect from such persons any sums distributed by it pursuant to this Act where it can be established that the damages were caused solely by a knowing or willful violation of any Federal, State, or local standard or condition. Requires operators of hazardous waste management facilities to establish and maintain financial responsibility sufficient to satisfy claims for damages arising from hazardous waste incidents up to $5,000,000. Requires any person in charge of a hazardous waste management facility to notify the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary in the event of any hazardous waste incident. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations establishing procedures for the appraisal of any claim against the Fund. States that the Fund shall be liable only for damages claimed in excess of the limitations on financial responsibility set forth in this Act. Sets forth requirements for establishing liability of the Fund. Grants to the United States district courts exclusive jurisdiction for any action brought under this Act against the Fund. Directs the Administrator to issue regulations requiring owners and operators of hazardous waste management facilities to establish and maintain a fund sufficient to cover any costs incurred in the proper closure of such facilities and any post-closure activities necessary to prevent hazardous waste incidents. Requires the Administrator to inspect hazardous waste management facilities within three years of the permanent closure of any such facilities for compliance with the Solid Waste Disposal Act, and directs the Administrator to certify that the facility has been properly closed should he determine that there is no substantial risk of a hazardous waste incident occurring at such facility. Sets forth requirements for such certification. States that final decisions of the Administrator made under this Act shall be entitled to judicial review.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1979
Energy Supply Act - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to increase domestic energy supplies and to improve the management of the nation's available energy resources. Title II: Priority Energy Project Act - Priority Energy Project Act of 1979 - Centralizes responsibilities for a coordinated process for expediting Federal approval of non-nuclear energy facilities determined to be of national interest. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to designate any proposed non-nuclear energy facility as a priority energy project. Authorizes any person planning or proposing such a facility to apply for such a designation. Establishes procedures and criteria for making such designations. Exempts such designations from the National Environmental Policy Act. Directs Federal agencies involved in the approval of such projects to submit to the Secretary: (1) a compilation of all significant actions required by such agency before rendering a decision on such projects; (2) a compilation of all actions required of the applicant; (3) a tentative schedule for completing agency and applicant action; and (4) all necessary application forms required for such approval. Directs the Secretary to publish a Project Decision Schedule setting deadlines for all such actions. Authorizes the President to act in lieu of any Federal agency failing to meet its deadline. Authorizes the Secretary to establish deadlines for Federal agency action which are shorter than the minimum period required under existing legislation in cases of exceptional national need. Provides for coordination of the actions of Federal, State, and local governments without impinging on the substantive and procedural requirements of State and local law, but directs the Secretary to recommend to a State Governor and to the Congress actions to alleviate or prevent any delays in a priority energy project created or threatened by any State or local government. Exempts from judicial review the actions of Federal officers or agencies pursuant to this Act, except as provided for therein. Sets time limits for filing claims arising out of action pursuant to this Act, and bars any claims filed thereafter. Stipulates that such claims shall be brought in the United States court of appeals for the circuit where the project would be located, and grants exclusive original jurisdiction to such court in such matters. Directs such court to give precedence to such matters over all other matters on the court's docket to the greatest extent practicable. Authorizes the Supreme Court, exclusively, to review interlocutory judgments or orders of the court of appeals pursuant to this Act, and directs the Supreme Court to give precedence to such matters to the greatest extent practicable. Prohibits the granting of injunctive relief against the issuance of any right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization pursuant to this Act except in conjunction with a final judgment on a claim filed under this Act. Establishes an Office for Priority Energy Projects within the Department of Energy to assist the Secretary. Terminates the Secretary's authority to designate priority energy projects seven years after enactment of this Act. Title III: Demonstration of Near-Term Energy Technologies - Directs the Secretary to solicit proposals for commercial demonstration of any of the energy technologies covered by the Federal Non-nuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974, including solar, geothermal, synthetic fuels and conservation technologies. Requires that such proposals be reviewed within 90 days and transmitted to the Congress with recommendations. Title IV: Department of Energy Project Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 and subsequent years for a variety of energy development, demonstration, and commercialization projects for solvent refined coal, high and low Btu gasification, geothermal energy, oil shale, fuel cells, fluidized bed combustion, and urban and industrial waste. Increases the number of small hydroelectric power plants eligible for Federal assistance. Title V: Oil Shale - Establishes a program to determine the commercial viability of oil shale retorting technologies. Directs the Secretary to solicit proposals for the design, construction, and initial operation of Federal oil-shale commercial demonstration projects. Sets forth criteria for selecting, locating, and evaluating such projects with respect to their economic viability and their social, environmental, and economic impacts on local communities. Establishes a Social and Environmental Impact Advisory Panel to advise the Secretary on matters relating to the oil shale program, including impacts on State and local governments, environmental, health, and safety effects of the test facilities, and measures for preventing or mitigating such impacts. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee and make commitments to guarantee the payment of interest on obligations for financing essential community development and planning resulting from this title. Sets the maximum amount of obligations to be guaranteed under this title at $20,000,000 for fiscal years 1980 and 1981. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State and local governments for studying and planning for mitigation of the potential economic, environmental, and social impacts of projects authorized by this title and for establishing related management expertise. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000 for such grants for fiscal year 1980. Establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Oil Shale Commercialization Test Special Fund for the purpose of providing funds for impact assistance as prescribed by this title. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of specified agencies and departments, to prepare and submit to Congress a comprehensive plan for the acquisition of information and evaluation of the impacts of the oil shale program. Specifies components of such plan. Requires that the Secretary prepare and submit to Congress an annual report on activities conducted under this Act. Makes the information collected by the Secretary pursuant to this title available to the public. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 to carry out the provisions of this Act. Title VI: Study of World Oil Supply and Production Opportunities - Directs the Secretary to prepare and submit to Congress a study of world oil supply and production opportunities in non-OPEC countries, including an evaluation of alternative policies for increasing exploration and production, and an assessment of present United States initiatives and potential for new oil discoveries. Title VII: Oil and Gas Leasing - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a five-year program to lease on-shore Federal lands for oil and gas exploration, development, and production. Requires expedited decisions on leasing applications and expanded use of competitive bidding. Requires leases to describe exploration activities in an exploration plan, and to describe development and production activities in a development and production plan, prior to obtaining the Secretary's approval of such activities. Makes provision for assuring the protection of non-energy resources on such lands as are leased under this title. Limits judicial review and relief from the Secretary's actions or determinations to those cases where any such action on determination is found to be arbitrary or capricious. Title VIII: Gasohol - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program promoting the use of alcohol blended fuels. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with appropriate agencies, to conduct a study to determine the most suitable raw materials for the production of alcohol motor fuel and the nature of the alcohol motor fuel distribution system and production processes. Directs the Secretary to set mandatory annual production levels for alcohol fuels for the period of 1981 through 1990. Stipulates that the alcohol content of gasoline shall be increased from one percent to ten percent over the ten-year period. Imposes civil penalties upon refiners violating such production requirements. Requires any facility built for alcohol distillation pursuant to this title to give priority to the use of renewable energy resources as its operating fuel. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1979 to carry out the purposes of this title. Title IX: Short-Term Initiatives - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy, in cooperation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), to implement a two-year program to require any petroleum-fueled commercial, industrial, or utility facility having a natural gas or coal capability to switch to the alternative fuel to replace the oil being used therein. Directs the FERC to order the installation of natural gas transportation facilities by pipeline owners to accommodate the fuel switching requirements of this subtitle. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine whether, a proposal to switch to coal requires a waiver of any State air pollution control standard or limitation in effect pursuant to the Clean Air Act. Exempts facilities required to switch to natural gas which are subject to the requirements of the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1979 from such requirements for two years. Authorizes the Secretary or the FERC to seek injunctive relief for anticipated or actual violations of this subtitle. Imposes a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for knowing violations of this subtitle, and criminal penalties up to $50,000 and imprisonment for willful violations. Terminates such fuel switching program two years after the date of enactment. Authorizes the Secretary to order utilities to generate, transfer, wheel, or purchase electric power upon a determination that such action would reduce oil consumption by electric utilities. Limits the duration of such orders to 30 days. Directs the FERC to set rates for generating and transmitting power pursuant to such orders from the Secretary. Provides for enforcement mechanisms for violations of such electric power transfer requirements. Sets forth an expedited judicial review process for persons aggrieved by any order issued by the Secretary under this title. Title X: Renewable Energy Resources - Establishes a national goal of 20 quadrillion Btu's of energy to be supplied by the year 2000 from renewable energy resources such as solar energy, wind energy, and urban waste systems. Establishes the Solar Heating and Cooling Information Center to provide information on renewable energy resources. Requires the inclusion of cost-effective solar systems in new Federal buildings, the construction of renewable energy generating facilities by the Federal power administrations, and the making of federally-subsidized low-interest loans for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems by owners or builders of commercial and residential structures. Directs the heads of each Federal agency operating a fueling station for civilian gasoline motor vehicles to require that such stations only dispense ten percent alcohol-blended gasoline. Directs the head of each Federal agency operating a retail gasoline supply outlet to require that such outlets offer for retail sale ten percent alcohol-blended gasoline. Establishes within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Solar Programs a Solar Energy Loan Program to administer the low-interest loan program. Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 for such loan program. Establishes as wind energy program objectives to reach by fiscal year 1986, a total megawatt capacity in the United States from wind energy systems of 500 megawatts and a reduction of the average cost of wind generated electricity to a level competitive with conventional energy sources. Directs the Secretary to establish research, development, and demonstration programs to promote the use of wind energy systems by means of Federal financial assistance, subsidies, and contract awards. Establishes a wind energy commercialization program for the accelerated procurement and installation of wind energy systems in Federal facilities. Establishes an advisory committee to assist the Secretary in performing his duties relating to the wind energy program. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 to carry out this Act, of which $100,000,000 shall be used for the wind energy program.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1979
Senior Citizens Health Insurance Reform Act of 1979 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a procedure whereby health insurance policies offered by private insurers to supplement the Medicare program may be certified by the Secretary as meeting minimum standards with respect to adequacy of coverage, reasonableness of premium charge, and general economic benefit to the insured. Sets forth criminal penalties pertaining to the misrepresentation of such policies.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) eliminate the 190 day lifetime limit for in-patient psychiatric care; and (2) limit the amount which a provider of services may charge a Medicare patient for mental health care services to 20 percent of the amount customarily charged for such services. Provides coverage under the Medicare program for services furnished in qualified community mental health centers. Prohibits reimbursement under the Medicare program for psychoanalysis.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1979
Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1965 to stipulate that any person who presents a Medicare card when boarding or paying mass transit fares shall receive the reduced rates for the elderly or handicapped as provided in such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1979
Basic Fuel Assistance Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), in cooperation with the Secretary of Energy, the Director of the Community Services Administration (CSA), and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to establish a Community outreach and information program to assist and encourage the low-income elderly and others eligible for assistance under this Act in obtaining Federal, State, or local energy-related assistance, including energy audits, counseling, educational services, alternate energy technologies, and weatherization. Establishes a program to provide assistance to such persons for meeting primary residential fuel costs. Sets forth criteria for determining the amount of such assistance, and requirements for eligibility. Directs the Secretary of HEW to contract with specified State agencies to administer and distribute such assistance payments, and authorizes reimbursement of 90 percent of the costs of such program administration. Sets forth a system of making payments to fuel suppliers supplying fuel to eligible recipients. Requires suppliers to keep full records and submit them to the Comptroller General as needed for auditing purposes. Prohibits suppliers from refusing to sell fuel to eligible participants solely on the basis of their participation in the basic fuel assistance program. Imposes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Director of CSA to establish a crisis intervention program to supplement the basic fuel assistance program with evacuations, emergency shelter, home repair, or payment of bills. Authorizes the appropriation of $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1980, 1981, and 1982, for such crisis intervention program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1979
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should pursue a policy of displacing a specified percentage of foreign oil with domestic coal.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
National Technology Innovation Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish and maintain an Office of Industrial Technology to enhance technological innovation for the improvement of the economic, environmental and social well-being of the United States. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the President and Congress, within three years after the date of enactment of this Act, a report on the progress, findings, recommendations, and conclusions of activities conducted. Requires the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint a Director of the Office who shall provide assistance for the establishment of Centers of Industrial Technology, whose activities shall include: (1) research supportive of technology and industrial innovation including cooperative industry-university basic and applied research; (2) assistance in the evaluation and development of technological ideas supportive of industrial innovation and new business ventures; (3) technological assistance and advisory services to industry; and (4) curriculum development and instruction in invention, entrepreneurship, and industrial innovation. Declares that such centers shall be affiliated with a university or nonprofit institution, and authorizes the Director to make available nonrenewable planning grants to such universities or nonprofit institutions for the purpose of developing a plan for the management and evaluation of the activities proposed within the particular Center, including the consideration of means to place the Center on a self-sustaining basis. Declares that each Center has the option of acquiring title to any invention conceived under the auspices of the Center that was supported at least in part by Federal funds and that the Secretary shall obtain title to any invention for which such option is not exercised. Authorizes the Director to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements to assist any activity established under this Act. Prohibits any such grant or cooperative agreement from exceeding 75 percent of the total cost of the program or project involved. Sets forth the terms and conditions for such grants or cooperative agreements. Requires the Director to seek the advice and cooperation of departments and agencies whose missions contribute to or are affected by the programs established under this Act. Authorizes the Director to receive moneys from other departments and agencies to support activities of the Centers. Establishes an independent committee to be known as the Industrial Technology Review Panel which shall review annually the activities of the Office and advise the Secretary and the Director with respect to such activities. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act through fiscal year 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Child Health Assurance Act of 1979 - Title I: Child Health Assurance Program; Medicaid Eligibility of Poor Children - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a State's Medicaid program to provide medical assistance to any individual under the age of 18 whose resources do not exceed specified levels. Requires a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX to provide for a child health assurance program (CHAP). Requires each such program to: (1) assure the availability to each eligible child of child health assessments which may only be performed by a health care provider who has entered into a specified written agreement with a State; (2) provide, with respect to certain medical services, for the continuing care of eligible children; (3) assure that all eligible children are informed of the need for and availability of dental services, and are referred to providers of such care and services on a timely and periodic basis; and (4) provide for "outreach" to children eligible for assessments. Requires a State's Medicaid program to provide the following services for individuals under the age of 18: (1) inpatient hospital services; (2) outpatient hospital services; (3) rural health clinic services; (4) certain laboratory and X-ray services; (5) child health assessment services and the continuing care services of a CHAP; (6) immunizations; (7) prescribed drugs and insulin; (8) diagnosis and treatment of vision and hearing problems, including eyeglasses and hearing aids; (9) certain ambulatory mental health services; (10) routine dental care services; and (11) physicians' services furnished by a physician. Exempts the individuals eligible for such services from any enrollment fee, premium, deductible, cost sharing, or similar charges with respect to any such services. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to promulgate regulations establishing a formula for measuring the effectiveness of a State's CHAP. Directs the Secretary to publish a formula to determine a State's Federal medical assistance percentage for an ambulatory care and services for children based on the effectiveness of its program. Directs the Secretary to evaluate at least biannually the effectiveness of each State's program based on specified standards. Requires States under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to inform all families receiving AFDC benefits of the availability of child health assurance services under title XIX. Title II: Medicaid Eligibility of Pregnant Women - Requires a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX to make medical assistance available for care and services provided during pregnancy aid and for 60 days following the termination of pregnancy to women whose resources do not exceed specified levels. Title III: Effective Dates; Regulations - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicaid coverage for care and services provided during pregnancy and for 60 days following the termination of pregnancy to any woman whose resources do not exceed specified limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1979
Authorizes reimbursement under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for services furnished in comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation centers. Defines the term "comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation services" to mean the following items and services furnished to an outpatient of a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility: (1) physician's services; (2) physical therapy; (3) occupational therapy; (4) speech pathology services; (5) respiratory therapy; (6) prosthetic and orthotic devices; (7) social and psychological services; (8) certain nursing care; (9) certain drugs and biologicals; (10) supplies, appliances, and equipment; and (11) certain other medically necessary items and services.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1979
Disabled Veterans Rehabilitation Act of 1979 - Title I: Vocational Rehabilitation Amendments - Revises veterans' vocational rehabilitation provisions to declare the purpose of this Act to be to provide all services necessary to enable veterans with service-connected disabilities to attain maximum independence, to become employable, and to obtain and maintain suitable employment. Redefines "vocational rehabilitation" to include the provision of all services required to achieve the purpose of this Act, including discharge, medical, social, psychological, economic, and vocational services (presently defined in terms of educational and vocational training to restore employability). Defines "employment handicap" as a disability impairing a veteran's ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with his or her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Revises entitlement provisions to: (1) make eligibility run as of September 16, 1940, (rather than World War II as at present); (2) require a handicap to be an employment handicap as defined by this Act; and (3) provide for follow up vocational services to a rehabilitated veteran in order for such veteran to enter new employment more suitable to his or her current capacity or condition. Sets forth the scope of services, including: (1) the evaluation of rehabilitation potential; (2) educational, vocational and personal counseling; (3) a vocational rehabilitation plan; (4) vocational and related services including tutorial services, tuition, books, and other training materials; (5) treatment for mental and emotional disorders; (6) medical care; (7) prosthetic and other corrective devices; (8) placement and postplacement services; (9) services to a veteran's family; (10) special rehabilitation services, including services for the blind and the deaf; (11) subsistence allowances; (12) essential employment equipment and supplies for severely disabled veterans requiring homebound training and or self-employment; (13) transportation costs, including pre- and post-training services; and (14) work study allowance, loans, and other incidental goods and services. Revises duration of services provisions to: (1) provide basic vocational rehabilitation services for 64 months (presently 48 months); (2) remove the nine year (from discharge) eligibility limitation; and (3) provide a 12 month rehabilitation evaluation period. Revises subsistence allowances provisions to: (1) provide for payments during the evaluation of vocational rehabilitation period; (2) provide payments for unpaid on-job training or work experience in a Federal agency or during such evaluation period; (3) pay room and board expenses for individuals pursuing a program on a residential basis in a specialized rehabilitation facility; (4) provide that vocational payments be paid on a full-time basis for two months following a determination of employability; (5) set forth the rate of payment for individuals in unpaid Federal training or work experience; (6) provide payments to an individual pursuing a vocational program while in a Veterans' Administration (VA) or other hospital, or VA domicilliary; and (7) set forth payment guidelines for incarcerated individuals pursuing a vocational program. Authorizes personal adjustment counseling and counseling during the evaluation of rehabilitation feasibility period. Sets forth basic requirements of a vocational rehabilitation program, which shall include: (1) participation by the veteran in formulation of a written plan; and (2) a statement of objectives and goals, services and a time schedule for providing such services, and a projected completion date. Revises leave of absence provisions to remove the 30 day per year limitation on such leave. Revises the regulation of conduct provisions to remove the three-month forfeiture of subsistence allowance penalty for unsatisfactory conduct and to replace the permanent disqualification for further vocational rehabilitation penalty with a provision allowing the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to reinstate such benefits upon satisfactory conduct. Increases the maximum amount of loan available to a veteran from $200 to $400. Authorizes vocational rehabilitation to veterans hospitalized (not pending final discharge) in VA or non-VA medical facilities. Authorizes vocational training outside the United States (presently prohibited for post-World War II veterans who were not citizens at the time of their United States military service). Directs the Administrator to assist in the development of employment and on-job training opportunities. Directs the VA to: (1) provide employment assistance; (2) provide vocational and rehabilitation staff training and development; and (3) carry out an ongoing program of rehabilitation research and special projects, including grants and contracts with public and nonprofit agencies. Provides that a veteran in need of vocational rehabilitation receiving educational assistance may also receive vocational rehabilitation services as authorized by this Act. Revises provisions concerning the limitation on periods of assistance under two or more Veterans' educational assistance programs to include post-Vietnam era benefits within such limitation, and to provide a 64 month aggregate eligibility period for vocational rehabilitation and such other educational assistance. Title II: Technical Amendments - Effective Date - Reduces from 30 percent to ten percent the disability rating required to entitle a veteran to priority consideration for purposes of service-connected disability or death compensation. Prohibits the payment of vocational rehabilitation benefits (as provided by this Act) to individuals on active duty pursuing an educational program or to individuals pursuing such a program under the Government Employees' Training Act. Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall become effective as of October 1, 1979, or the first day of the second month following enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1979
Mental Health Systems Act - Sets forth the findings and purposes of this Act. Title I: Meeting the Needs of the Chronically Mentally Ill - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to any State Agency (designated under the State plan pursuant to title VI of this Act): (1) for specified projects, including the planning and coordination of mental health and support services, identifying State-level barriers to the availability of such services to the chronically mentally ill, and improving the competency of mental health service personnel; and (2) for payments to any Core Service Agency (a public or nonprofit private entity designated by the State Agency to develop and promote mental health and support services to priority population groups) for such projects and additional activities, including educational and information services. Title II: Prevention of Mental Illness - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to any State Agency for specified projects, including the planning and coordination of mental illness prevention activities, information services and demonstration projects related to mental illness prevention, and inservice and other training of health personnel in mental illness prevention measures. Title III: State Mental Health Systems Improvement - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to any State Agency to improve the administration of mental health programs. Title IV: Community Mental Health Services - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public or nonprofit private entities: (1) to prepare for providing mental health services (but only one grant not to exceed $75,000 may be made with respect to a mental health services area); (2) for projects providing mental health services to one or more priority population groups (with preference given to an entity serving an area which has no community mental health center); (3) for projects to develop comprehensive mental health services; (4) which are ambulatory health care centers or are affiliated with such centers and provide emergency, outpatient, and consultation and education services; (5) for the provision of mental health services which generally do not generate revenues; and (6) for projects to provide continued mental health services. Title V: Pilot Projects for State Administration of Grants - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with any State Agency for a demonstration project under which such Agency will pay the Federal funds due to entities for activities authorized by title IV of this Act or for assistance to Core Service Agencies and will perform other agreed-upon functions. Title VI: Requirements for Participation; Authorizations - Requires a State to have in effect a mental health services plan which is consistent with the State health plan prepared in accordance with title XV of the Public Health Service Act (National Health Planning and Development) in order for the State Agency or any entity in such State to be eligible for grants under this Act. Specifies the content of such plans. Directs the Secretary to prescribe quality standards for mental health services. Allows grants to be made under title IV of this Act to any Indian tribe or urban Indian organization for projects serving members of such tribe or organization. Amends title III of the Public Health Service Act (General Powers and Duties) to require individuals who receive a clinical traineeship in psychology, psychiatry, nursing, or social work with respect to mental health to serve, at the rate of one year for each year of the traineeship: (1) in a State mental institution; (2) for any entity eligible for a grant under title IV of this Act; (3) in a health manpower shortage area; or (4) in other service as determined by the Secretary. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Prohibits the appropriation of funds under the Community Mental Health Centers Act (other than for rape prevention and control) after September 30, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1979
Amends title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to authorize payments to States for the cost of emergency shelter or services provided to an adult in danger of physical or mental injury, neglect, maltreatment, or exploitation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1979
Solid Waste Disposal Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to redefine the terms "open dump" and "recovered materials." Allows the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to delegate to other agencies the power to enforce solid waste disposal regulations where such delegation would prevent unnecessary duplication of enforcement efforts. Adds a specific dollar limitation on the authorized appropriations which may be used for purposes of the Resource Recovery and Conservation Panels. Sets forth a minimum amount of the total amount appropriated under this Act which must be used for support to State, regional, local, and interstate agencies for the development and implementation of Solid Waste Plans. Suspends, for a minimum of 24 months, regulations on disposal of drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, and production of crude oil or natural gas, provided that existing State or Federal programs provide mechanisms for obtaining certain information or disposal sites which are to be closed. Stipulates that such suspension will apply until the Congress acts affirmatively to endorse any proposed EPA regulations which are recommended as necessary in the study of such wastes required by this Act. Expands the standards applicable to generators of hazardous waste requiring that such generators be responsible for assuring the arrival of wastes at an appropriate facility. Authorizes the Administrator to distinguish between new facilities and facilities in existence on the date of promulgation of regulations related to performance standards for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. Permits hazardous waste facilities coming into existence between the date of enactment of the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1976 and the date of final promulgation of regulations on identification and listing of hazardous waste and performance standards to qualify for "interim status" with respect to permit requirements. Expands the Administrator's authority to request information or examine the records of a person handling solid waste. Extends EPA's access, entry, and inspection authority to persons or sites which have handled hazardous waste in the past but are not presently doing so. Authorizes EPA contractors as well as officers and employees to obtain samples, perform inspections, and examine records at hazardous waste facilities. Imposes a fine of up to $5,000 and possible imprisonment on any person who knowingly and willfully discloses any information entitled to confidential treatment under the inspection of records provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Amends the enforcement provisions of such Act to impose a civil penalty of up to $25,000 per day for each violation of the provisions of such Act dealing with hazardous wastes. Authorizes the Administrator to issue an order suspending or revoking an operating permit in any compliance order issued under such Act. Modifies the authorization provisions of such Act to include the use of funds for programs to protect health and the environment from hazardous waste disposal sites or facilities no longer in operation. Provides that both States and local governments may enter into long-term contracts for the operation of hazardous waste disposal facilities or for securing long-term markets for material and energy recovered from such facilities. Prohibits open dumping of solid waste and hazardous waste after promulgation of criteria defining this practice. Requires each Federal procuring agency, to procure products composed of the highest percentage of recovered materials practicable, consistent with maintaining competition, pursuant to guidelines to be promulgated by the Administrator for the use of such agencies. Directs contracting officers to require vendors to certify adherence to contract specifications and requirements with respect to the percentage of recovered materials to be used in performance of the contract and to estimate the percentage of the total material utilized for such performance which is recovered material. Extends from 18 months to five years the deadline for changing procurement specifications to allow use of recovered materials. Requires that such specifications include the use of recovered materials to the maximum extent possible without jeopardizing the intended end use of a procured item. Modifies the components of the procurement guidelines to be issued by the Administrator for the use of procuring agencies in complying with the requirements of such Act. Sets September 30, 1980, as the deadline for the promulgation of guidelines for at least three product categories including paper, and September 30, 1982, for two additional product categories, including construction materials. Authorizes the EPA to seek injunctive relief or to take such other necessary action against any practice presenting a substantial endangerment to health or the environment. Modifies the judicial review provisions of such Act: (1) to permit review of the Administrator's denial of any petition for the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of any regulation under such Act; and (2) to permit review of the Administrator's action (A) in issuing, denying, modifying, or revoking any treatment, storage, or disposal permit; and (B) in granting, denying or withdrawing authorization of State hazardous waste programs. Authorizes the Administrator to subpoena records and compel witness testimony in carrying out such Act. Directs the Administrator to prepare and submit to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and to the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce a study on: (1) the adverse health and environmental effects, if any, of drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with crude oil and natural gas exploration, development, or production; and (2) the adequacy of existing regulatory programs related thereto. Requires the Administrator to prepare a plan for research, development, and demonstration respecting the findings of such study and to submit appropriate recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1979
Authorizes the printing, as a Senate document, of the report entitled "Special Bridge Replacement Program, Eighth Annual Report to Congress". Directs the printing of 500 additional copies of such document for the use of the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1979
National Library Act - Title I: National Library Agency - Establishes a National Library Agency as an independent executive agency. Sets forth such Agency's functions, including programs of financial assistance and interlibrary exchanges, research, and cooperation. Title II: Library Services - Authorizes a program of grants to States for library services. Requires States to submit a basic plan and an annual program to be eligible for such grants. Requires any State wishing to participate in any grant program under this Act for any fiscal year to: (1) have in effect a basic State plan; (2) submit an annual program; (3) submit a long-range program; and (4) establish a State Advisory Council on Libraries. Sets forth required criteria and guidelines for such programs and Advisory Council. Title III: Public Library Construction - Authorizes a program of grants to States for public library construction. Requires States to submit a basic plan and long-range program to be eligible for such grants. Title IV: Public Library Programs to Meet Special User Needs - Authorizes a program of grants to States for public library programs to meet special user needs. Requires States to submit a basic plan, a long-range program, and an annual program to be eligible for such grants. Title V: Interlibrary Cooperation - Authorizes a program of grants to States for interlibrary cooperation programs. Requires States to submit a basic plan, long-range program, an annual program to be eligible for such grants. Title VI: Library Personnel Development - Authorizes a program of grants to States for library personnel development. Requires States to submit a basic plan, a long-range program, and an annual program to be eligible for such grants. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals the Library Services and Construction Act, effective as of October 1, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1979
Amends the Saccharin Study and Labeling Act to extend from 18 months to 54 months after the date of enactment the period during which the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not take specified actions to restrict the continued use of saccharin or of any food, drug, or cosmetic containing saccharin.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1979
Congratulates the men and women of the Apollo program upon the tenth anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon and requests the President to designate the period of July 16 through July 24, 1979, as "United States Space Observance" in honor of such event.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1979
Extends for two years the period of time after which: (1) the revenues from the postage rates of certain mail matter of nonprofit organizations which are currently provided reduced rates cannot exceed the attributable postal costs; and (2) the rates for certain commercial publications and educational materials which are currently provided reduced rates must equal full postage rates.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1979
Drug Regulation Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to expand the definition of "person" subject to the coverage of the Act to include an agency of government. Establishes civil penalties for any violation of such Act and criminal penalties for negligent commission of prohibited acts. Requires any new drug to meet standards of identity, stability, and bioavailability, as well as of strength, quality, and purity. Requires drug manufacturers and distributors to prepare information labeling for patients containing: (1) a summary of the benefits and risks of use of a drug; (2) adequate directions for use; and (3) information about proper storage and handling. Requires pharmacies to keep a book available to patients containing the labeling information for the 100 most frequently sold prescription drugs. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education,and Welfare to require retail drug sellers to post the retail prices of designated prescription drugs. Requires manufacturers and distributors to prepare information labeling for practitioners regarding indications, contraindications, and other pertinent matters. Directs the Secretary to afford private organizations the opportunity to prepare, publish, and distribute an index of all prescription drugs and revisions thereof; and if, at the end of three years following enactment, no private index is forthcoming, to prepare one with drugs arranged by diagnostic and therapeutic categories and listed by established name. Permits the Secretary, by order, to require adequate notification to patients, practitioners, and all other necessary persons regarding any substantial risk of illness or injury posed by a drug, if such notification is an effective means to eliminate or reduce such risk. Authorizes the Secretary to disseminate information regarding the safety, effectiveness, and proper use of drugs, and to determine therapeutically equivalent or nonequivalent prescription drugs. Specifies requirements for any promotion labeling issued by or on behalf of a drug manufacturer or any other person under whose proprietary name the drug is distributed. Prohibits the provision of any services or transfer of any property worth more than $5.00 by a manufacturer or distributor with the intent to influence any specified person to buy, prescribe, or dispense one or more particular drugs. Prohibits the distribution of free samples by a manufacturer or distributor, except in specified circumstances. Prohibits any pharmacist or agent from disclosing any prescription information to any person except the patient, the practitioner, another pharmacist for purposes of filling or refilling it, or a State or Federal officer or employee under certain circumstances. Prohibits manufacturers and distributors from obtaining or attempting to obtain prescription information. Changes the ground for immediate suspension of approval of a drug application from "imminent hazard to the public health" to "unreasonable risk of illness or injury to any segment of the population." Requires clinical investigators to obtain voluntary informed consent, in writing, of all human beings, or their representatives, to whom a drug is administered in order to investigate the benefits and risks of such drug. Directs the Secretary to issue written, non-mandatory guidelines regarding protocols and methods for conducting drug investigations. Specifies factors of the health benefits versus risks analysis required for the determination of the safety of a drug. Requires the Secretary to approve the application for a drug proven safe but not proven effective if it is to be prescribed to treat a life-threatening or severely debilitating condition, there is no other effective method of treatment, and there is significant, if not substantial, scientific evidence that such drug is effective. Eliminates existing specified requirements for the certification of drugs containing insulin and antibiotic drugs. Allows the Secretary discretion to impose specified additional requirements as a condition for approval of any drug application. Authorizes the appointment of advisory committees to assist in making the determinations authorized by such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to subpoena witnesses and records in any matter relating to implementation or enforcement of such Act. Allows the manufacture for export, or export of, a drug without an export permit if it is manufactured, packaged, labeled, and distributed in compliance with specified requirements. Title II: National Center for Drug Science - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare the National Center for Drug Science, with a Division of Policy and Research and a Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Training. Directs the Center to conduct an ongoing program of drug science policy research, either directly or by grant or contract, and an ongoing review and analysis of drug use in the United States which shall result in an annual Drug Experience Assessment Report. Directs the Director of the Center to make grants to schools of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry, nursing and training centers for allied health professions for the expansion of existing programs and the establishment of new programs. Authorizes appropriations for demonstration projects, traineeships, and fellowships. Establishes a National Advisory Board on Drug Science to assist the Director and to review and comment on the activities of the Center. Title III: Establishment of the Food and Drug Administration - Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare the Food and Drug Administration. Transfers to the Administration specified functions under specified Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to extend until October 1, 1982, the program of Federal payments to States for costs incurred in carrying out a State plan of services for disabled children who receive SSI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to require that aged, blind, or disabled aliens, as defined in title XVI, must have resided in the United States during the three years immediately preceding such aliens' application for benefits under title XVI. Exempts from the three-year requirement those aliens: (1) who are political refugees or parolees into this country; (2) with respect to whom the support agreement under the Immigration and Nationality Act is excused; and (3) certain blind or disabled individuals. Stipulates that such three-year requirement shall apply only to aliens applying for supplemental security income benefits under title XVI. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to stipulate that no immigrant shall be admitted into the United States unless: (1) at the time of application for admission a support agreement exists which states that the immigration sponsor shall provide such financial support as is necessary to maintain the immigrants' income at a dollar amount equal to the dollar amount such immigrant would receive under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, if such immigrant is aged, blind, or disabled as defined in title XVI, during the three-year period beginning on the date of admission of the immigrant; (2) such immigrant presents evidence of other means to provide the required support; or (3) such immigrant is designated as a parolee or political refugee without available means of private support. Authorizes the Attorney General, the immigrant, or any State which is making payments to such immigrant under any program based on need, to enforce such agreements in a civil action. Declares a support agreement excused and unenforceable if: (1) the sponsor dies or is adjudicated as bankrupt; (2) the alien becomes blind or disabled from causes arising after admission to the U.S.; (3) the sponsor can affirmatively demonstrate that his or her financial resources have diminished beyond the sponsor's control and that the sponsor is financially incapable of supporting the alien; or (4) judgment cannot be obtained in court because of circumstances unforeseeable to the alien at the time of admission.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1979
National Commission on Literacy Act - Establishes the National Commission on Literacy whose members shall be appointed by the President and representative of the following areas: (1) State, local, and Federal personnel from educational institutions; (2) public and private library personnel; (3) minority groups; (4) labor, business, and industry; (5) Members of Congress; and (6) experts in elementary and adult education. Directs the Commission to define illiteracy and investigate programs and policies, both public and private, which relate to literacy and illiteracy. Directs the Commission to report to the President and Congress its findings and recommendations not later than 18 months after its first meeting. Terminates such Commission 180 days after submission of its final report.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1979
Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include as "medical and other health services" for which coverage will be provided under Medicare, and as "medical assistance" for which coverage will be provided under Medicaid, health care services furnished by registered professional nurses which are within the scope of their practices as defined by State law.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Energy-Related Economic Development Act of 1979 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to provide grants for the costs of economic development planning activities in regions suffering economic dislocation as a result of energy-related employment. Authorizes appropriations not to exceed $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 and for each of the three succeeding fiscal years to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Self-Reliant Development and International Food Assistance Reform Act of 1979 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to require the use of agricultural commodities under this Act for humanitarian and developmental objectives. Authorizes the export of commodities to meet developmental purposes even if it results in inadequate domestic supplies. Permits the dollar sales value of the commodities to be applied by the recipient country against their repayment obligation under the Food for Development Program and credit obligation to the Commodity Credit Corporation. Directs the President: (1) to give special consideration to increasing demand for food by expanding markets for local foodstuffs, as well as U.S. commodities; and (2) to take precautions that credit sales and commodity distributions do not interfere with local food production or marketing. Provides for the use of indigenous institutions and workers to assure that food commodities are used effectively and where most needed. Requires countries selling U.S. agricultural commodities for developmental purposes to agree to use the money generated from such sales to alleviate the causes of the need for such assistance, as well as increasing the effectiveness of food distribution and availability of food commodities. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that assistance under such Act and the Agriculture and Trade Assistance Act of 1954 emphasize programs to assist developing countries to increase their national food security.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
Minority Concerns Act of 1979 - Amends title II of the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act of 1963 (Community Mental Health Centers) to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish the Office of Minority Concerns at the level of the Office of the Administrator within the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration with authority for the National Institutes on Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, and Alcoholism, and Mental Health. Authorizes such Office to provide financial assistance to professional associations, universities, nonprofit entities, and State or local agencies to improve the delivery of alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services to minority populations, including research, demonstration, and training programs aimed at eliminating institutional racism.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
Authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to plan for the development of the area south of the original Smithsonian Building in Washington, D.C. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to entitle to specified excess medical care, dependent care, and excess shelter expense deductions from household income, households comprised exclusively of members who are 60 years of age or over or who receive supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
Authorizes the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, through its Subcommittee on Nuclear Regulation, to expend such funds as may be necessary from the contingent fund of the Senate to investigate the accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Station and to study all issues arising from the accident which have implications for the regulation and control of nuclear energy. Directs such subcommittee, in conducting its investigation and study, to utilize available studies, investigations, reports, and other relevant material.
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