United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1979
Savings of Income for Retirement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of the deduction for contributions to an individual retirement savings account (IRA): (1) by individuals to the lesser of 20 percent (currently 15 percent) of annual compensation or $2,000 (currently $1,500), adjustable annually for increases in the Consumer Price Index; and (2) by certain married individuals to the lesser of 20 percent (currently 15 percent) of annual compensation or $2,400 (currently $1,750), adjustable annually for increases in the Consumer Price Index. Increases the amount of the deduction for contributions to an owner-employee retirement plan (Keogh) by a self-employed individual to the lesser of 20 percent (currently 15 percent) of annual earned income or $10,000 (currently $7,500), adjustable annually for increases in the Consumer Price Index, but only after the deductible amount for an individual's contributions to an IRA has reached $5,000. Allows a new income tax deduction for amounts paid in cash by an individual for his own benefit to: (1) a qualified pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan; (2) an annuity plan; (3) a qualified bond purchase plan; (4) an individual retirement account (IRA), or a retirement bond; or (5) a group retirement trust. Limits the amount of such deduction to the lesser of ten percent of annual compensation or $1,000. Places limitations on such deduction for amounts paid to certain IRA accounts, retirement annuities, or bonds. Denies such deduction to any individual claiming a deduction for such contributions under certain existing Code provisions. Denies such deduction to any highly compensated participant unless the employer certifies that specified discrimination standards have been met.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1979
Guaranteed Student Loan Improvement Act of 1979 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend the federally insured student loan program to students enrolled for not less than two nor more than six credit hours of courses required for a degree or certificate. Allows repayment to be deferred: (1) for each consecutive year such study is continued, not to exceed a maximum deferred period of four years and nine months; or (2) beyond such period only if the student is enrolled half-time or more, not to exceed a maximum of eight years and nine months from the beginning of study. Limits such loans to $1,500 per academic year and $6,000 in the aggregate for the insured unpaid principal amount of the loan. Extends the national direct student loan program to such less than half-time students, with the same $1,500 yearly and $6,000 aggregate limits on such loans. Authorizes eligible institutions, in their discretion, to make loans to such students from not more than ten percent of the funds available for direct student loans at such institutions. Extends the Federal student loan insurance program through fiscal year 1986 for new student loans and through fiscal year 1990 for loans to enable students with prior insured loans to continue or complete their education. Sets a $3,000 limit on the total of loans made to an independent undergraduate student in any academic year which may be covered by Federal loan insurance. Raises the limitations on aggregate unpaid principal amounts for all such insured loans to $12,500 (from $7,500) for non-independent undergraduate students, to $15,000 for independent undergraduate students, and to $25,000 (from $15,000) for graduate or professional students. Makes similar changes in limitations on State and nonprofit institution loan insurance programs which receive Federal payments to reduce student interest costs or which are reimbursed under Federal loan insurance supplemental guaranty agreements. Authorizes the Commissioner to increase the limits applicable to graduate and professional students pursuing exceptionally expensive programs. Includes among those permitted to defer repayment of principal on Federally insured student loans; officers in the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service, full-time disabled or unable to secure employment because of the care required by a temporarily disabled spouse. Permits similar deferments under specified student loan programs insured by States or nonprofit institutions. volunteers with specified tax-exempt organizations, interns, and those temporarily totally Directs the Commissioner to enter into cooperative agreements with credit bureau organizations providing for the exchange of information concerning students borrowers. Requires that such agreements provide that: (1) the Commissioner disclose only accurate and complete information and not disclose that a loan is in default until a reasonable effort has been made to collect the debt; (2) such organizations will be promptly notified, and will promptly record, changes submitted by the Commissioner or objections by the borrower with respect to such information, (3) no unfair, unreasonable, harassing, or misleading collection practices will result; and (4) the Commissioner will notify the borrower that such information will only be disclosed after a reasonable period has passed (at least 30 days from the date such notice has been sent) in which such borrower has failed to enter into repayment. Directs the Commissioner to notify promptly any borrower of any such disclosure. Requires that written agreements evidencing federally-insured student loans contain notice of such system of disclosure and provide that the lender on request of the borrower will inform such credit bureaus of the repayment status of the note. Authorizes the Commissioner to provide eligible lenders, and State or nonprofit organizations having specified guaranty agreements, any relevant information from whatever source with respect to borrowers. Permits parents of a dependent undergraduate student to borrow, under the same terms as other guaranteed student loans, up to $3,000 per student per academic year and up to $15,000 as an aggregate insured principal for loans on account of any one student. Prohibits such borrowing to pay for the expenses of more than three students in any academic year. Provides for annual insurable limits, deferments of repayment of principal, and interest rates for such loans. Directs the Secretary to insure such loans in a State only if the State does not do so within a specified period. Prohibits the payment of special allowances on loans made or purchased with funds obtained from specified sources or on loans pledged as security to obtain specified funds. Sets forth the conditions under which special allowances must be paid to specified agencies. Deletes provisions for a Committee on the Process of Determining Student Loan Special Allowances. Redefines student eligibility for federally insured student loans to include maintaining satisfactory progress in the course of study, not owing a refund on previous grants or being in default on specified student loans, and filing a statement that such funds will be used solely for educational purposes. Directs the Commissioner to make payments in specified amounts to State or private nonprofit agencies which have entered into agreements to provide student loan insurance programs and which provide a lender referral service to eligible students. Authorizes appropriations for such payments. Sets forth requirements for the types of security which must be made on warehousing advances made by the Student Loan Marketing Association and for the use of proceeds from such advances. Requires that student loans set aside pursuant to the offering of participations or pooled interests be adequate at all times to ensure timely principal and interest payments on such securities. Includes lenders with less than $100,000,000 (formerly $50,000,000) in deposits among those permitted to condition student loans upon the student or the student's family maintaining a business relationship with the lender. Permits the Board of Directors of the Student Loan Marketing Association to fix from time to time the par value of its shares of common stock. Terminates the requirements that the Secretary prescribe regulations for the maximum number of shares of such stock which may be issued or be outstanding at any one time. Includes nonvoting common stock among such stock for which dividends may be declared. Authorizes the Association to issue nonvoting stock, which shall be freely transferable. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from conditioning approval of issuance of obligations by the Association on such obligations being made or sold to the Federal Financing Bank. Extends through fiscal year 1984 the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to guarantee payment on such obligations. Requires prompt Government action on Association requests for approvals to issue such obligations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase such obligations, within specified limits. Authorizes the Association to sell or issue obligations on the security of guaranteed student loans to the Federal Financing Bank. Authorizes the Association to make new insurable loans to specified borrowers to discharge the liability on old student loans. Authorizes the Association to make insurable student loans whenever the Secretary after consulting with representatives of a State determines that a substantial portion of all eligible borrowers in a State or within an area of substantial population within a State are unable to obtain student loans. Stipulates that the Association in making such loans shall not be deemed a creditor for any purposes of the Consumer Credit Protection Act. Declares that the Truth in Lending Act shall not apply to any guaranteed student loans. Authorizes States and nonprofit private institutions or organizations which have specific student loan program agreements with the Commissioner to consolidate multiple loans into a single loan at the student borrower's election and to establish income contingent repayment schedules for such loans. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such purposes. Directs the Commissioner to prescribe regulations for payment to such States or nonprofit entities. Extends the authorization for appropriations for the National Direct Student Loans program through Fiscal year 1985. Changes the dates during which there shall be a capital distribution of the assets from student loan funds to after fiscal year 1984 and not later than March 31, 1985, with provision for distribution of specified excess assets prior to fiscal year 1985. Raises the limit on the aggregate of loans for all years made by an institution of higher education from National Direct Student Loan funds from $10,000 to $12,000 for graduate or professional students, from $5,000 to $6,000 for undergraduates who have completed two years towards the bachelor's degree, and from $2,500 to $3,000 for any other students. Includes among those permitted to defer, for specified periods, repayment of principal of, or interest on, National Direct Student Loans: officers in the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service, full-time volunteers with specified tax-exempt organizations, interns, and those temporarily totally disabled or unable to secure employment because of the care required by a temporarily disabled spouse. Requires that agreements with institutions for Federal contributions to National Direct Student Loan Funds provide that the Commissioner will provide to such institutions any relevant information, from whatever service, on borrowers. Directs the Commissioner to enter into cooperative agreements with credit bureau organizations to exchange information concerning student borrowers in default for specified periods. Requires that student loan agreements contain notice of such system of information disclosure. Removes the limitation on the aggregate of the amount of specified Federal capital contributions paid for any fiscal year to proprietary institutions of higher education. Raises the interest rate on national direct student loans from three percent to seven percent per year. Stipulates that the amount of a national direct student loan and interest on such loan, which has been cancelled for certain public service shall not be considered taxable income. Revises the formulas and procedures by which the administrative expenses of student assistance programs are compensated by the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary (formerly the Commissioner) to administer such compensation. Includes among required information which participating institutions must give to all students: (1) special facilities and services available to handicapped students; and (2) names of entities which accredit, approve or license the institution and its programs. Directs the Secretary (formerly the Commissioner) to make available to eligible institutions descriptions of Federal student assistance programs. Extends the annual authorization of appropriations, for the Student Financial Assistance Training Program through fiscal year 1986. Terminates all authority for such program at the end of fiscal year 1986. Directs the Secretary to publish annually in the Federal Register a proposed schedule of expected family contributions for an academic year for various levels of family income for the purpose of determining a student's need for financial assistance. Directs the Commissioner to provide interested parties an opportunity for comments and recommendations during a 30-day period following such publication. Requires such schedule to be submitted to Congress and, if either House of Congress adopts a resolution of disapproval, directs the Commissioner to publish a new schedule. Directs the Commissioner to promulgate regulations concerning the determination of such expected family contribution, as well as special regulations for determining the expected family contribution and effective family income of an independent student, in accordance with specified basic criteria, including a standard for determining if a married student is dependent of parents. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations necessary to carry out such title, including regulations for the limitation, suspension or termination of the eligibility for any student assistance program of any otherwise eligible institution upon determination, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing on the record, that such institution has violated or failed to carry out specified provisions, agreements or regulations. Limits such periods of suspension to sixty days, with specified exceptions. Directs the Secretary to prescribe a single application form for determining a student's need and eligibility for financial assistance under such title. Establishes, as an independent agency within the executive branch, a National Commission on Student Financial Assistance. Directs the Commission to make a report and recommendations to the President and the Congress on specified issues relating to the financing of student loans. Authorizes the Commission to accept grants, gifts, or bequests. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the work of the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1979
Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States, local public agencies, and nonprofit organizations for projects designed to prevent domestic violence and to provide immediate shelter and other assistance for victims and dependents of victims of domestic violence. Stipulates that such funds may not be used for direct payment to any victim of domestic violence or to a dependent of such victim, and that no income eligibility standard may be imposed for anyone seeking services under this Act. Requires each State receiving assistance to report annually to the Secretary on the implementation of programs and projects under this Act. Directs the Secretary to designate within the Office of the Secretary an administrative unit to serve as the National Center on Domestic Violence, to be responsible for: (1) the coordination (through the interagency council established by this Act) of all Federal programs relating to domestic violence; (2) the operation of a national clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information relating to domestic violence; (3) the development of a national media campaign to increase public awareness of the problems of domestic violence and the availability of services for its victims; and (4) keeping Congress informed with respect to the implementation of this Act. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the programs authorized by this Act. Requires that the records of any person subject to any program, project, or activity assisted under this Act be subject to the confidentiality provisions of the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972. Directs the Secretary to evaluate and report to Congress within two years of the first obligation of State grants on the effectiveness of the programs under this Act. Establishes an Interagency Domestic Violence Council to assist the Director of the National Center in coordinating all Federal programs regarding the prevention of domestic violence. Directs the Secretary to report within 90 days of the end of fiscal year 1981 and of each subsequent fiscal year to certain congressional committees specific information relating to applications for assistance for domestic violence research. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1983 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1979
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to prepare a comprehensive plan and program of research, development, and demonstration of ocean thermal energy conversion systems. Directs the Secretary to prepare a comprehensive commercialization plan designed to realize the goal of producing 10,000 megawatts of electrical capacity or energy product equivalent from ocean thermal energy conversion systems by the year 1999. Sets forth criteria for the selection of programs and the establishment of priorities concerning ocean thermal energy conversion systems. Establishes an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Advisory Committee to study and advise the Secretary on the implementation and conduct of the programs established under this Act and on other matters concerning ocean thermal energy conversion. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress an annual report on the activities undertaken pursuant to this Act. Authorizes appropriations for plant and capital equipment for specified ocean thermal energy conversion demonstration plants.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1979
Community Energy Efficiency Act of 1979 - Provides grants to cities and counties for basic planning, advanced planning, and capital investment related to energy conservation, renewable resource utilization, and other energy-related community programs. Requires that an application for a basic community energy action planning grant include plans for implementing the following programs: (1) a conservation and alternative energy information program; (2) a program designed to reach locally-established targets for energy conservation and renewable resource development; (3) a neighborhood energy conservation and production activity program; (4) a program to assist low-income residents in taking energy conservation and renewable resource measures; (5) a program to integrate such measures with those at the metropolitan or areawide level; (6) a program to amend local land use controls, transportation controls, and policies and ordinances so as to facilitate conservation and renewable resource development; and (7) a program to coordinate local energy activities with State and Federal programs and policies. States that a recipient of such grant may apply for grants for advanced planning for community energy action program development after making significant progress in implementing the programs described above. Requires that an application for such development grant include plans for implementing the following programs: (1) plans for adoption of a renewable resource ordinance providing access and facilitating the use of such energy sources; (2) adoption of residential and commercial property conservation standards; (3) a program to displace nonrenewable resource consumption; and (4) development of a capital energy plan utilizing Federal and State energy-efficiency projects. Requires recipients of such grants to make grants available to neighborhood organizations for special energy projects. Authorizes cities and counties reaching the advanced planning stage to apply for capital investment grants for investment in conservation and renewable resource technologies appropriate to individual communities. Establishes a Local Energy Reference Center as a data bank and clearinghouse for information on locally-based energy conservation and renewable energy resource development efforts. Directs the Center to establish regional Technical Assistance Panels to provide assistance for local energy program development. Provides documentation and distribution grants to local governments for the preparation and distribution of publications on energy conservation and renewable energy resources. Requires States to provide eligible grant recipients with a description of applicable State energy programs and policies, identifying areas of local responsibility. Directs the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development and Energy to issue specified regulations and to monitor the progress of recipients of grants awarded under this Act. Directs them to convene an interagency task force to improve existing Federal policies and programs in order to promote the purposes of this Act and to report to Congress on the operation and the energy impact of the programs established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1979
Amends the National Housing Act to extend specified Federal Housing Administration insurance programs for 30 days. Extends for 30 days the authority for the purchase of mortgages under the Emergency Home Purchase Assistance Act of 1974. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to extend the rehabilitation loan program for 30 days. Extends the authority for rural housing programs under the Housing Act of 1949.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1979
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal of appropriate design to Simon Wiesenthal in recognition of his contribution to international justice through the documentation and location of war criminals from World War II. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze duplicates of such medal for sale to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should, with regard to the 1980 Summer Olympics: (1) permit full participation by athletes, spectators, and journalists; (2) issue visas, admission tickets, and hotel reservations on a nondiscriminatory basis; (3) not interfere with news coverage; and (4) not prevent or punish its citizens for communicating with participants.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1979
Postal Service Employees' Political Activities Act of 1979 - Declares it to be the policy of Congress to encourage employees of the United States Postal Service to exercise their rights to participate or refrain from participating in political processes. Prohibits such employees from: (1) using their official authority to influence the result of any election or the political action of any person; (2) using any information obtained through employment and not publicly available for any political purpose; (3) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or refrain from voting; (4) soliciting or receiving a political contribution to vote or refrain from voting; (5) knowingly giving a political contribution to a superior; (6) knowingly soliciting or receiving a political contribution from another employee with respect to whom such employee is a superior; or (7) knowingly soliciting or receiving a political contribution in specified facilities or from any person who has or is seeking business relations with the employee's agency. Directs the Postal Service and the Postal Rate Commission to prescribe certain exemptions to such prohibitions. Prohibits employees from engaging in political activities while on duty, while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying their position, or in designated areas. Requires a postal employee to notify his or her agency (U.S. Postal Service or the Postal Rate Commission, as applicable) upon becoming a candidate for elective office. Permits such employee to take annual leave or leave without pay to engage in activities related to his or her candidacy. Sets forth the penalties to be imposed against any employee who is found by the Merit Systems Protection Board to have violated provisions of this Act. Requires the Postal Service to study and report to Congress on the effects of this Act on the political activities of employees, the merit system, and matters generally contributing to the improper use of official authority or information by employees.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1979
Conservation Bank Act - Establishes a Conservation Bank to provide subsidies for below-market interest rate and principal-deferred loans made to owners or builders of commercial and residential structures for the purchase and installation of energy conservation measures. Declares that the Bank shall be in the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) and have succession until September 30, 1984. Directs the General Accounting Office to conduct periodic audits of the Bank. Empowers the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to fix and amend the levels of loan subsidies given by the Bank. Specifies that such subsidies shall not exceed six percent below the current maximum interest rate on insured mortgages under the National Housing Act, and the interest rate paid by borrowers on such loans. Enumerates factors to be considered by the Bank in subsidizing loans including prevailing interest rates, other Federal incentives for conservation, energy costs, and the level of subsidies needed to induce installation of energy conservation measures. Directs the Bank, beginning in fiscal year 1980, to provide subsidies to financial institutions which extend below-market interest rate and principal-deferred loans for the purchase and installation of energy conservation measures as defined in the National Energy Conservation Policy Act. Requires that the Bank provide such subsidies through lump-sum payments to a financial institution in an amount necessary to compensate the institution for the difference between the reduced interest rate and the market rate or the amount received by the institution with the deferred repayment of principal and the amount which would have been received under a conventional loan. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to set the interest rate subsidy on a principal-deferred loan so that its cost to the GNMA equals the prevailing below-market interest rate loan subsidy. Requires subsidies to be repaid if a borrower fails to meet the obligations under a loan. Authorizes the payment of subsidies only if: (1) the term of the loan is not more than 15 years or less than five years with no penalty for prepayment at any time; (2) the amount of the loan does not exceed $5,000 per unit in the case of a one-to-four family structure, $2,500 per unit in the case of a residential structure with more than four dwelling units up to a maximum of $250,000 per loan, and $200,000 in the case of any commercial structure; (3) the security for the loan meets the requirements of the GNMA; and (4) the energy conservation measures financed with the loan will be purchased and installed after enactment of this Act except that consumers who borrowed to purchase and install energy conservation measures after September 13, 1979, may have their loans refinanced with assistance from the Bank. Requires that 75 percent of the subsidy payments made in any year shall be for financing energy conservation measures in residential structures. Establishes penalties for fraud and misrepresentation with respect to loans assisted under this Act. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to submit a report to the Congress on the Bank's activities including recommendations for other methods of disbursing funds for energy conservation if the Bank has been unable to expend the funds provided by this Act. Directs the Secretary and the GNMA to promote the program established by this Act and to coordinate their efforts with the Department of Energy. Authorizes the Secretary to issue rules to insure the quality of the conservation measures subsidized under this Act. Directs the GNMA to implement the authority conferred upon it by the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to purchase loans to low- and moderate-income families for energy conserving improvements and to coordinate these purchases with the Conservation Bank.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1979
Home Energy Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States to assist eligible low-income households to meet increasing home energy costs. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1980 through 1984 to carry out this Act. Sets forth allotments from such appropriations for such grants to States and specified American territories and possessions for energy crisis related activities under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, and for emergency energy disaster assistance to States. Stipulates that such grants may be used for making payments to home energy suppliers on behalf of eligible households and directly to such households in specified cases. Sets forth application procedures and requirements for such grants. Authorizes States receiving such grants to make grants to eligible households for meeting excessive cooling costs where such cooling is medically necessary under standards established by the Secretary. Requires States to comply with the uniform data collection standards established by the Secretary concerning home energy consumption, cost and type of fuels used, use by which income groups, and other information determined to be necessary to carry out this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold payments under this Act for failure to comply with approved application provisions. Sets forth provisions for the administration of this Act. Stipulates that payments received by members of participating households are not to be considered income for determining eligibility for other Federal assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1979
Health Care for All Americans Act - Establishes a comprehensive "national health insurance system" (defined as the programs established by this Act and Medicare for the financing of health-care services). States the findings and purposes of this Act. Enumerates the rights of eligible individuals, providers, insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Requires that such individuals and entities have their views considered with respect to actions under this Act affecting them. Gives such an individual the right to: (1) choose any participating provider with respect to a covered service; (2) the prompt and accurate making of decisions under this Act; (3) be heard on any grievance related to benefits under this Act; and (4) confidential treatment and use of information collected under this Act. Gives such a provider the right to: (1) decide whether or not to participate in the system; (2) the prompt and accurate payment for services; and (3) choose the mode and place of practice (with respect to a physician provider). Gives such an insurer and HMO the right to: (1) decide whether or not to participate in the system; and (2) carry on a supplemental health insurance business. Defines terms used in this Act. Title I: Eligibility, Entitlement, and Enrollment - Extends eligibility for the benefits of this Act to: (1) U.S. citizens; (2) aliens lawfully admitted or permanently residing in the U.S. under color of law, including refugees; (3) aliens admitted to the U.S. as employees of a foreign government or international organization which has entered into an agreement with the U.S.; and (4) aliens admitted as temporary visitors from a foreign government which has entered into such an agreement. Directs the National Health Board (established by this Act), after consultation with the Secretary of State, to recommend to the President that executive agreements be entered into: (1) with foreign governments and international organizations to make their employees and officers eligible for health benefits in return for a payment of the national community-rated premium plus an amount equal to what would otherwise be payable as the Medicare hospital insurance payroll tax, if such employees were so taxed; and (2) with foreign governments upon a determination that it is in the national interest to make nationals or citizens of such nations who visit the U.S. eligible for benefits in return for comparable treatment of U.S. citizens abroad. Entitles each eligible individual to: (1) enroll in a qualified plan offered by an insurer or HMO and to change enrollment during certain periods; (2) have payment made on such individual's behalf and not be charged any fee for basic covered services; and (3) be issued a health insurance enrollment card. Stipulates that such a card shall not identify the category or basis for the individual's enrollment. Requires enrollment information to be available and provided: (1) by employers to employees; (2) by or through the Board to Medicare-eligible individuals; (3) by the Secretaries of Defense, Transportation, Commerce, and HEW to active-duty uniformed service personnel under their jurisdiction; (4) by the Social Security Commissioner to Supplemental Security Income (SSI)- eligible individuals; (5) by managers of Federal and State institutions to residents; (6) by State welfare agencies to Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)-eligible persons; and (7) by or through State health boards to other individuals. Directs the Board to notify State health boards of the identity of eligible individuals who, in certain Federal information returns, have failed to indicate enrollment under a qualified plan. Requires providers to transmit to their respective health boards requests for payment for eligible persons who did not indicate enrollment at the time of receiving services. Directs State health boards to make special efforts to locate such persons and provide for their enrollment. Defines "first general open enrollment period", "general open enrollment period", and "special enrollment period" for purposes of the program. Stipulates that all members of a family (other than those who are Medicare or SSI-eligible or residents of a Federal or State institution) be enrolled at any time in only one qualified plan. Requires employers to offer qualified employees during specified enrollment periods the choice of enrollment under: (1) at least one plan offered by an insurer belonging to (A) the Blue Cross-Blue Shield consortium or (B) the commercial insurance consortium; and (2) at least one plan offered by an HMO belonging to (A) the individual group practice HMO consortium or (B) the prepaid group practice HMO consortium (if such a plan is available in the area in which the employees obtain health care services). Allows the employer to also offer enrollment in plans offered by a self-insurer. Requires an offer of enrollment to be made first to a collective bargaining representative or other employee representative designated under law. Requires each employee to elect a plan in accordance with procedures established by the Board. Directs the employer to enroll such employee in a plan in accordance with procedures in the absence of such an election. Requires any employer offering in conjunction with a qualified plan a plan with benefits supplemental to basic services to provide employees with written information regarding additional employee costs for such supplemental plan. Limits a family which is offered a choice of plans to enroll under only one qualified plan. Subjects an employer who knowingly fails to comply with these requirements to a civil penalty which may be assessed by the Board and collected by civil suit in a district court. Requires active-duty members of the uniformed services to enroll in a plan from among such health plans offered by or through the Department of Defense as the Secretary of Defense, after consultation with the Secretaries of HEW, Transportation, Commerce, and the Board, finds are consistent with the statutory requirements regarding uniformed services medical care and with policy requiring provision of basic and other covered health services to such members and their families. Requires Medicare-eligible individuals to enroll with the Board or a participating HMO in accordance with the Medicare program. Allows SSI-eligible individuals, residents of Federal or State institutions not otherwise enrolled, AFDC-eligible individuals, or other individuals not otherwise enrolled to enroll during specified periods in any qualified health plan available to such individuals. Provides for the mandatory enrollment of such individuals who fail to enroll in a plan, in accordance with regulations of the Board and rules and procedures of the State health boards. Title II: Benefits and Providers - Includes as basic covered services: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services (and inpatient mental health services up to (A) 150 consecutive days for Medicare-eligible individuals, or (B) 45 consecutive days for other eligible individuals, during certain periods of treatment as determined under Medicare); (2) physicians' services, including hospital-based physicians (and services for the treatment of mental illness and outpatient mental health services to the extent that expenses for such services do not exceed the fee-equivalent of 20 psychiatric visits per year, as determined under Medicare); (3) post-hospital extended care services up to 100 days during any spell of illness; (4) the following preventive health services: (A) basic immunizations; (B) pre-and post-natal maternal care; (C) well-child care (including periodic physical examinations, hearing and vision screening, and developmental screening and examinations) for persons up to the age of 18 years; and (D) such other services as the Board may add on a year-by-year basis after consultation with appropriate experts and a determination by the Board that such services will be cost-effective (but limits the expenditure for such additional preventive services to $500,000,000 for the first effective year (defined as the third year after the year of enactment) and for subsequent years an increase tied to the average annual rate of increase in the gross national product). Includes as additional basic services: (1) outpatient physical therapy services, outpatient speech pathology services, and outpatient occupational therapy services, and outpatient occupational therapy services; (3) home dialysis supplies; (4) diagnostic X-ray tests and other diagnostic tests; (5) X-ray therapy; (6) durable medical equipment used in the patient's home; (7) ambulance service, to the extent provided by regulations; (8) prosthetic devices (other than dental), including lens after cataract surgery and replacements; (9) leg, arm, back, and neck braces, and artificial legs, arms, and eyes, including replacements; (10) insulin and outpatient prescription drugs for treatment of chronic conditions (but for Medicare-eligible individuals only to the extent provided under such program); (11) one audiological examination per individual per year and the provision of one hearing aid per individual for any three-year period; and (12) mental health day care services to the extent of two days for each day of inpatient mental health services permitted by this program. Excludes as basic services: (1) items and services for which payment may not be made under Medicare; and (2) for other than Medicare-eligible individuals payment for (A) orthopedic shoes or other supportive devices for the feet, (B) certain physician services described under Medicare, and (C) certain inpatient hospital services described under Medicare. Authorizes the Board, after consultation with the Commission on Health-Care Benefits and the Commission on Quality of Health Care (established by this Act), to exclude payment for an item or service under a plan under this program and Medicare on the basis of cost-effectiveness, notwithstanding any other provision. Makes specified provisions of title XI (General Provisions and Professional Standards Review) and title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act applicable to basic services provided under qualified plans to the same extent as they apply under Medicare. Authorizes the Board, after consultation with the Commissions on Health-Care Benefits and Quality of Health Care, to establish a list of high-risk, high-cost, elective, or overutilized items or services for which payment may be made only if one or more of the following conditions are met: (1) the provider is board-certified in the relevant specialty; (2) the diagnosis and recommended service are supported by a second opinion or specific objective findings; (3) the provider-institution is adequately equipped and staffed; (4) the specialist or institution is providing care upon referral by a primary-care physician; or (5) the provider has demonstrated through statistical services that it provides high-quality services and properly uses appropriate methods and technologies. Title III: Financing and Planning - Part A, Budget and Planning Process - Specifies the annual timetable for the budget process for the national health insurance system as follows: (1) by January 15th proposed annual State budgets are to be prepared by the State Health Boards, in accordance with regulations and after consultation with specified interests, and submitted to the Board; (2) the Board shall transmit for inclusion without change in the Budget presented by the President an estimate of the anticipated Federal expenditures related to the appropriate Annual Budgets; (3) by March 1st a comprehensive Annual Budget is to be prepared and adopted by the Board and transmitted to the President, Congress, the States, and the public; (4) the Congressional Budget Office shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees as soon as practicable after receipt of the Annual Budget an analysis of its impact on the Federal Budget; (5) by July 1st the annual State budgets are to be adopted by the State Health Boards, taking into consideration the State Health Care Improvement Plan mandated by this Act, and transmitted to the Board; and (6) on the following January 1st the budget year begins. Specifies the contents of the Annual Budget and annual State Budgets, including enumerated items in the following categories: (1) anticipated expenditures; (2) anticipated revenues; (3) separate schedules, including Medicare and other public programs; (4) premium rates, including the national community-rated and group-rated premium amounts and national premium rate; and (5) five-year projections. Places the following limitations on expenditures under this program: (1) total anticipated expenditures for a year may not exceed the amount of the estimated expenditures by more than the average annual rate of increase in the gross national product for the three-year period ending with the year before the year in which the Annual Budget is adopted; (2) the amounts budgeted for covered health- care services for the U.S. and for any State are the maximum amounts that may be expended for such services (except for costs associated with uniformed service members); (3) a State Health Board may not provide for total expenditures for items covered in the budget in excess of those contained in the Annual Budget with respect to the State; (4) the total anticipated expenditures for the U.S. and for any State for the provision of basic services within a category of services or of providers are the maximum amounts that may be expended for such purposes (within percentage variations that the Board may permit); and (5) the percentage increase in the anticipated expenditures per capita for covered health-care services over the actual expenditures for such services for the previous year are limited according to specified formulas. Directs the Board, in consultation with the President's Commission on the Health of Americans, to prepare and annually revise, before the adoption of each Annual Budget, a National Health Care Improvement Plan which describes: (1) needs over a five-year period relating to the accessibility, quality, and cost of health care; (2) the effect of the provisions of this program on meeting such needs; and (3) recommendations. Directs the Governor of each State to prepare and annually revise a State Health Care Improvement Plan in accordance with Board standards and guidelines which describes: (1) needs over a five-year period relating to the accessibility, quality, and cost of health care; and (2) specific actions for meeting such needs. Requires such State Plan to include to the extent appropriate the objectives of: (1) the State health plan in effect under title XV of the Public Health Service Act (National Health Planning and Development); (2) the State medical assistance plan in effect under Medicaid; and (3) any plan submitted by the State to receive assistance under the Public Health Service Act and the Community Mental Health Centers Act. Title III - Part B, Payments to Providers - Provides for payment to providers as follows: (1) insurers and HMOs shall make payments to providers furnishing services to (A) their respective enrollees and (B) individuals not enrolled at the time of services but who are subsequently enrolled; (2) the Board shall make payments to providers furnishing services to a Medicare-eligible individual who is not enrolled in a plan offered by a HMO; and (3) the Secretary of Defense shall pay for services furnished to a member of the uniformed services on active duty. Requires each insurer or HMO to provide for payments of such allocated portion of the approved prospective budget (required under this Act) of the provider as reflects, in accordance with Board regulations, the proportion of the costs in the budget used to provide such services to such enrollees. Prohibits payment for expenditures by an institutional provider for covered services it furnishes to the extent such expenditures are not included in such approved prospective budget. Requires Board regulations to provide for methods of cost apportionment among insurers and HMOs in accordance with specified criteria. Allows such methods to include apportionment based on: (1) the number of treatments of particular conditions or diagnoses; (2) the relative value of the health-care services furnished (with respect to indices of relative values to be established by the Board); or (3) the number of admissions, patient days, diagnoses, or other easily determinable factor that may fairly allocate costs. Allows a State health board, when regulations provide for more than one apportionment method, to select and require the use of one such method. Requires each institutional provider in a State with an approved prospective budget to transmit annually to the State Health Board an experience report which shows the differences between the actual expenditures and services provided by the provider and those allowed for in its approved prospective budget. Directs the State Health Board to provide for: (1) the retention by the provider of one-half of savings produced by actions which lowered expenditures below those predicted; and (2) adjustments, to the extent appropriate, in the amounts of payments made by insurers and HMOs or in the prospective budget for the following year to correct unintended differences in the amount or source of payments to a provider. Provides for payment to a provider, other than an institutional provider (defined as including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, community health centers and clinics, and, to the extent provided by the National Health Board, HMOs), for covered services (other than drugs, hearing aids, durable medical equipment, or laboratory services) in accordance with the lowest of: (1) the fee charged by the provider; (2) the fee agreed upon between the provider and the insurer or HMO; or (3) the applicable maximum fee schedule for the service (established by this Act). Allows the National Health Board, upon the recommendation of a State Health Board, to increase the payment to a physician provider on an individual basis to recognize performance of unusual merit by such physician. Allows such a provider to elect to be paid on a salary or fee-for-time basis if the total amount payable in a year is not greater than the total amount payable for the equivalent amount of services as computed by the applicable maximum fee schedule. Provides for payment to a provider for: (1) durable medical equipment and laboratory services in accordance with the lowest of: (A) the charge for such service; (B) the charge agreed upon between the provider and the insurer or HMO; or (C) maximum reasonable cost for such service; and (2) drugs and hearing aid; (B) the charge agreed upon between the provider and insurer or HMO; or (C) the highest fee permitted under the applicable fee schedule. Provides for payment to a provider for other covered services in accordance with the lowest of: (1) the charge for the service; (2) the charge agreed upon between the provider and the insurer or HMO; or (3) the maximum reasonable cost of the service, as established by the State Health Boards in accordance with national guidelines and standards. Allows the National Health Board to permit experimental or demonstration methods of reimbursement which will further the purposes of this Act. Provides for periodic review of reimbursement methods. Sets forth procedures with respect to the budget limitations, including the following: (1) monitoring by the State Health Boards, the consortia (all the clearinghouses certified under this Act with respect to the financing of covered services), insurers, and HMOs of payment made to providers; (2) reporting by insurers and each consortium of excessive payments; (3) investigation and corrective actions by the State Health Boards; (4) shifting of funds among categories of services or providers and use of contingency funds for excess expenditures due to unforeseen circumstances; (5) modification of reimbursement methods; (6) additional certifications by State Health Boards of the need for particular services; and (7) requiring insurers and HMOs to make payments for services during certain periods. Allows philanthropic contributions and supplemental payments by State and local governments to finance services additional to those reimbursed under this Act. Stipulates that capital expenditures assisted by such assistance shall not be recognized by a State Health Board in its review of prospective budgets and maximum fee schedules. Requires each institutional provider to submit to the State Health Board its proposed prospective budget for the subsequent year which covers all medical services (not merely covered services) and includes the following: (1) anticipated costs, broken down by schedules for specified costs; (2) the proportion of such costs associated with covered services; and (3) anticipated revenues, broken down by source with respect to each class of items of anticipated costs. Authorizes the National Health Board to require accompanying documentation relating to specified factors for purposes of review. Specifies the manner in which certain costs shall be treated in such prospective budgets, including the following provisions: (1) the costs of all physicians' services under contract with the provider shall be included and the amount budgeted for such services shall be reasonable in relation to the cost of obtaining such services on a salaried or other basis, whichever is less; (2) the total cost of wages and fringe-benefits for nonsupervisory employees shall be included and shall reflect any existing collective-bargaining agreement; (3) the costs of furnishing basic services to ineligible individuals shall be included if no other reimbursement is obtained by the provider; (4) depreciation costs shall not be included, except for certain capital costs, debt repayments, and costs associated with the closing of a facility; and (5) a reasonable rate of return on equity capital with respect to certain proprietary institutions shall be included. Directs the National Health Board, after appropriate consultation, to establish guidelines respecting review and approval by State Health Boards of proposed prospective budgets of institutional providers. Requires such guidelines to include: (1) standards to determine which budgets and budgetary elements may be approved without individual scrutiny; and (2) the detailed review of a random sample. Specifies standards which may be included with respect to providers of inpatient services. Requires the guidelines to provide for the collection and reporting of data in such uniform manner as the Board may set. Establishes procedures for the review and approval of prospective budgets by the State Health Boards, including the following provisions: (1) each review shall be made public and shall (A) assess whether changes in services or capital expenditures conform to the current plan of the health systems agency in the area (mandated under title XV of the Public Health Service Act) and the most recent State Health Care Improvement Plan; (B) review the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of provider services, taking into consideration any relevant findings of professional standards review organizations (PSROs) and of any national provider accreditation organization for that category of provider; (2) a provider shall be given the opportunity to comment on any pending disapproval; (3) the State Health Board shall consider any timely recommendations submitted by consumer groups, the provider, and employee organizations, including negotiated recommendations; (4) a State Health Board may delegate its review functions to an independent entity; and (5) such budgets may not provide for any capital acquisition or expenditure unless the provider has participated in a planning process in accordance with regulations. Requires a State Health Board to approve a budget without modification, taking into account the following factors: (1) total limits on anticipated expenditures; (2) the health systems agency plan; (3) demographic factors; (4) the impact of inflation on budget costs; (5) the effects of any approved capital expenditure or reduction, service modification plans, or future wage increases; and (6) certain other efficiency and cost-effectiveness objectives. Requires resubmission of a budget to the State Health Board if a modification is required for excess expenditures. Disallows payments to an institutional provider for covered services not included in its approved prospective budget. Requires each State Health Board to develop maximum fee schedules for covered services (other than durable medical equipment and laboratory services) after opportunity for negotiations with participating providers. Directs the National Health Board to develop guidelines for such schedules which: (1) establish the relative value of particular services, taking into account specified factors; (2) provide for geographical variations in fees, taking into consideration certain criteria; (3) set the maximum fee for a service which can be provided by two or more categories of health personnel at the lowest of the maximum fees authorized for such categories; and (4) include a formula for allowing annual changes in such schedules. Requires payment for the provision of: (1) durable medical equipment and laboratory services to be the lower of (A) the charge, or (B) the reasonable cost of the equipment or service; and (2) drugs and hearing aids to be the lower of (A) the charge, or (B) the reasonable cost of the drug or aid, plus a reasonable professional fee. Directs the National Health Board to establish guidelines for the reasonable cost of durable medical equipment, laboratory services, drugs, and hearing aids which shall be the lowest cost at which any such item of comparable quality is (or could be made) generally available in an accessible area. Provides for the computation of the professional fee with respect to drugs and hearing aids. Outlines procedures for the use of negotiations to determine the amounts of payments to providers. Directs the National Health Board to establish criteria for the selection of the negotiating groups for each of the following groups of providers: (1) hospitals; (2) skilled nursing facilities; (3) home health care agencies; (4) other institutional providers, including community health centers, migrant health centers, and health clinics; (5) physicians; (6) other non-institutional providers, such as pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists; and (7) hospital employees. Sets forth requirements for representation within such groups. Requires that the selection guidelines by the National Health Board shall provide for: (1) differences in the sizes of the various negotiating groups; (2) proportional representation for each type of health- care provider; (3) three-year terms for each representative; and (4) nomination and election methods. Provides that such negotiations shall concern: (1) limitations with respect to payments made to institutional providers on the basis of approved prospective budgets; (2) maximum-fee schedules; (3) reasonable cost levels with respect to durable medical equipment, laboratory services, drugs, and hearing aids; and (4) other cost control methods. Allows a State Health Board to incorporate within its annual State budget the provision of any agreement reached as the result of such negotiations which would keep expenditures within the budgetary limits. Title III- Part C, Determining Amounts of Premiums and Incentive Payments and Benefits - Directs the National Health Board to establish, in conjunction with the adoption of the Annual Budget and after negotiations with consortia, participating insurers, and HMOs: (1) a national community-rated premium; and (2) a national premium rate. Requires the national community-rated premium to be set so that, if such amount were paid by the members of each family enrolled through an employer plan, the total premiums paid would equal the anticipated expenditures under the Annual Budget, including payments to providers for basic services and administrative costs, but excluding administrative costs for the National and State Health Boards, PSROs, contingency funding, and the costs of covered services to persons who are Medicare-SSI-AFDC-eligible, residents of Federal or State institutions, or members of the uniformed services on active duty. Requires that the national premium rate be set so that the sum of all wage-related and non-wage related premiums, the government payment for unpaid private premiums, and the voluntary premiums under international agreements equals the anticipated expenditures for covered services to Medicare-eligible, SSI-eligible, and AFC-eligible individuals, and residents of Federal and State institutions. Directs the Board to establish a group-related premium for SSI-eligible individuals and for residents of Federal and State institutions who are enrolled in a qualified plan. Requires that: (1) such premium be set so that the total amounts paid on behalf of such individuals equals the expenditures for furnishing care to such persons; and (2) such premium be adjusted annually to reflect the actual cost experience with respect to such expenditures. Provides that the national community-rated premium and the national premium rate are to apply as the State community-rated premium and the premium rate for each State, unless a State is able to provide for reduced premiums by negotiating a lower level of approved expenditures than would otherwise be provided for in the national budget. Requires each State to establish a group-rated premium for AFDC-eligible individuals and residents of State institutions. Requires that such premium: (1) be set so that the total amounts paid on behalf of such individuals equals the expenditures for furnishing care to such persons; and (2) be adjusted annually to reflect the actual cost experience with respect to such expenditures. Permits a participating insurer or HMO to offer eligible individuals (other than Medicare eligibles) an incentive to enroll in a qualified plan by providing additional services or by paying dividends or cash rebates on premiums. Permits an HMO to offer such incentives to Medicare-eligible persons. Sets forth requirements with respect to such dividend and cash rebates, including that: (1) in the case of employed enrollees, they be divided between the employees and employer in accordance with Board procedures; and (2) they not be treated as taxable income to individuals or income under federally-assisted welfare programs, nor reduce any credit relating to a limit on the amount of private premium payments. Sets a limit on the amount of premiums paid with respect to members of a family unit as employees and by members of the family unit. Provides for a refund to families of amounts in excess of such limit. Title III-Part D, Payment and Collection of Premiums - Requires each employer to pay to the applicable consortium on behalf of each employee for each payroll period an amount equal to the product of the wages paid during such period and the applicable State premium rate. Permits an employer (subject to any collective-bargaining agreement) to require employees to pay up to 35 percent of such amount. Requires an employer to pay any voluntary contributions such employee may wish to have made on his behalf. Permits an employer to obtain certification from the Board as an impacted employer and so qualify for: (1) a payment from the Board if such employer is a State employer or nonprofit employer; or (2) a tax credit with respect to other employers. Specifies the formula for determining such payment or credit. Defines terms for the purposes of this section. Requires all persons (with specified exceptions) to pay to the applicable consortium an amount equal to the product of one-half the State premium rate and the amount of non-wage-related income of such persons' family units. Requires such persons to file quarterly information returns in accordance with Board regulations. Authorizes the Board to impose a collection surcharge for untimely payments. Prescribes the payment procedure for premiums under executive agreements. Requires: (1) the Board to make monthly premium payments to consortia on behalf of SSI-eligible individuals and residents of Federal institutions; and (2) each State to make monthly premium payments to consortia on behalf of AFDC-eligible individuals and residents of State institutions. Sets forth rules regarding Government compensation to consortia for certain uncollected premiums and an assessment against State or local governments which fail to make a required employer payment. Title III-Part E Distribution of Premiums - Requires the consortia to: (1) compute for each capitation individual an amount equal to the average anticipated expenditure in the State budget for the individual, including certain administrative costs and funds for the contingency fund, but excluding the administrative costs of the State health board; and (2) report such amounts to the Board for review. Requires each consortium to adjust capitation amounts to reflect for a specific capitation individual: (1) the relative actual costs of providing covered services in the area of such person's residency; and (2) the actuarial risk associated with the individual's characteristics. Requires that such risk adjustment be made to eliminate financial incentives for insurers or HMOs to practice risk selection or experience rating. Requires that the total of capitation amounts and adjusted capitation amounts for enrollees in a State be equal to the total expenditures in the State budget for the provision and administration of covered services, excluding State health board administrative expenses. Requires each consortium to apportion to its members an adjusted capitation amount for each capitation individual and a group-rated premium for each group-rated individual. Requires these amounts to be paid to members in installments consistent with Board guidelines. Directs the Board to provide supplementary payments from the Health Resources Distribution Fund to participating HMOs in operation for less than five years. Requires consortia to provide, in accordance with Board guidelines, for redistribution of collected premiums to assure that each consortium is provided an adjusted capitation amount for each capitation individual, and a group-rated premium for each group-rated individual. Directs each consortium to maintain a contingency fund for expenditures for unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of insurers or HMOs. Authorizes the Board, in any year when premiums collected are less than amounts provided in the annual budget, to guarantee the principle and interest of loans issued by the consortia to assure adequate revenues. Sets forth requirements with respect to such loans. Directs the Board, in any year when premiums collected are greater than provided for in the annual budget, to provide for the consortia to distribute such excess funds, including appropriate adjustments in subsequent national and State budgets. Title IV: Administration-Part A, National Health Board and State Health Boards Establishes an independent, five-member National Health Board, to be appointed by the President, to (among other specific functions): (1) establish commissions, bureaus, divisions, offices, and other entities required by this Act or deemed appropriate; (2) perform the functions of a participating insurer, HMO, or consortium with respect to any area or group of insurers for which there is no certified insurer or consortium; (3) perform the functions of a State health board with respect to any State in which such a board has not been established; (4) establish administrative procedures with respect to consumer and provider appeals from State health board decisions; (5) be responsible for the general implementation of this Act; and (6) study and evaluate on a continuing basis the operation of this Act. Transfers to the Board all functions of the Secretary of HEW relating to specified provisions of: (1) the Social Security Act (including Maternal and Child Health Services, Professional Standards Review Organizations, Medicaid, and Medicare); (2) the Public Health Service Act (but excluding, among other provisions, certain provisions of title III (Administration), title IV (National Research Institutes), title V (Miscellaneous), title X (Population Research), and title XIV (Safety of Public Water Systems)); (3) the Community Mental Health Centers Act; (4) the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act of 1970; (5) the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972; and (6) the provision of health care services to Indians (Public Law 94-437). Requires the Board to have: (1) an Ombudsman, to investigate complaints about program operation; (2) an Advocate, to assist consumers in determining and protecting their rights to services; (3) an Inspector General, to direct the auditing and investigative activities of the Board. Directs the Board to establish the following Commissions: (1) Commission on Benefits, to review and make recommendations with respect to the provision of basic covered services under qualified plans and determine their cost and effectiveness in improving public health; (2) Commission on Quality, to review and make recommendations with respect to the quality of health services provided under this Act; (3) Commission on Access, to review and make recommendations with respect to the utilization of covered services by the different categories of eligible individuals; and (4) Commission on Health Care Organization, to review and make recommendations with respect to the cost and effectiveness of methods for the delivery of services. Requires at least one-half of the members of each Commission to be consumers or representatives of consumers and to include appropriate representation of health care providers and other participants. Establishes: (1) a nine-member Commission on the Health of Americans, to be appointed by the President, to conduct an ongoing review of the health status of the U.S. population and to review a broad range of proposals for improving such health status, including research, environmental programs, highway safety, public health programs, and personal health services programs; and (2) under the direction of the National Health Board, a National Institutes of Health Care Research which shall be composed of (A) an Institute of Health Statistics, (B) an Institute of Health Services Research, and (C) an Institute of Health Technology Evaluation. Transfers to such Institutes certain functions of the Secretary under the Public Health Service Act. Requires each State to charter as a public corporation a State health insurance corporation in accordance with Board guidelines. Directs each State health board (that is, the board of directors of the State corporation) to establish an ombudsman, an advocate, and such advisory commissions as are appropriate to carry out its functions. Delineates the duties of such boards. Title IV - Part B Participating Insurers, Health Maintenance Organizations, and Consortia - Directs the Board to certify an insurer or HMO when certain conditions are met, including a participation agreement between the Board and the insurer or HMO containing specified provisions. Requires the insurer or HMO to: (1) become a member of the appropriate consortium; (2) offer enrollment in at least one qualified health plan which provides basic services without a charge other than the premium; (3) accept during open enrollment all eligible persons in the order they apply without restriction, up to its capacity (but permits the Board to provide for enrollment limits to reflect needs for cost-effective services and for special characteristics of self-insurers); (4) issue an enrollment card for each enrolled person; (5) pay participating providers in amounts no greater than permitted under this Act; (6) report to the State health board and its consortium on payments made and expenses incurred; (7) maintain and afford access to records by the consortium, State health boards, and the Board and provide confidential treatment of individually-identifiable records; (8) offer any rebates or other benefits to all enrollees on the same basis; (9) establish hearing procedures for an enrollee or provider who is dissatisfied with respect to certain services or payments; and (10) comply with other reasonable regulations respecting marketing and customer service practices which the Board establishes. Directs the Board to agree that, in return for agreed-upon services and understandings, the insurer or HMO is to be paid by its consortium for each enrollee in a qualified plan. Requires the Board to certify in each State one consortium for each of the following types of insurers or HMOS: (1) a Blue Cross-Blue Shield consortium, representing nonprofit State- chartered medical/hospital service corporations; (2) a commercial insurance carrier consortium, representing profit-making commercial insurers not directly furnishing health care services; (3) a prepaid group practice HMO consortium; (4) an individual practice association HMO consortium; and (5) a self-insurer consortium. Permits an insurer or HMO to serve as a member of a different consortium with the approval of the Board and the consortium. Sets forth requirements with respect to these consortia including: (1) a participation agreement between the Board and the consortium containing specified provisions; (2) that the consortium provide for premium collection and reallocation and pay members for each enrollee; (3) that a contingency fund be maintained; (4) that certain information be reported regularly to the Board; (5) that the consortium negotiate with provider groups in establishing prospective budgets and maximum fee schedules in areas where its members offer plans; (6) that certain review procedures be established for dissatisfied enrollees and providers; and (7) that other regulations be followed. Establishes as a defense in any civil or criminal antitrust action brought with respect to actions by a participating insurer or HMO or consortium that such actions were taken in the course of performing duties required under agreements entered into under this Act. Directs the Board, after consultation with the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission, to prescribe standards and procedures for the conduct of insurers, HMOs, and consortia which is consistent with the promotion of competition. Directs the Board to investigate complaints by a participating insurer or HMO that another participating organization has engaged in anticompetitive activity. Title V: Health Care Improvement Program - Directs the National Health Board to establish a program to improve the distribution of health care resources in the United States in order to promote the improvement in the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of services provided under this Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Health Resources Distribution Fund. Directs the Board to make grants to the State health boards from the Fund for projects to achieve the purposes of the program, including: (1) the conversion or closure of health care facilities; (2) the provision of health care services in health manpower shortage areas; (3) renovations of institutional health care facilities; (4) HMO and other delivery systems; (5) educational programs for health professionals to meet projected needs; and (6) continuing professional education programs. Requires that the Board allocate an amount to each State health board based on the State's needs as reflected in the National Health Care Improvement Plan. Requires that each State health board provide for a program for the education of consumers concerning health and their rights and privileges under this Act. Directs the Board to: (1) study the impact of this Act on, and means of improving, the Medicaid programs, and report appropriate recommendations to Congress within five years of enactment; (2) provide for the development and demonstration of methods to improve (A) the coordination of services by different providers, (B) the provision of services, and (C) peer review and control of utilization and quality in the provision of drugs, laboratory services and other services under this Act and Medicare; (3) provide for demonstration projects to evaluate the feasibility of providing hospice services as part of basic covered health-care services; (4) provide for an analysis of provider malpractice and the provision of malpractice insurance, and report recommendations to Congress within two years of enactment. Directs the Board to provide for the conduct of a demonstration project in the organization, delivery, and financing of personal care services to groups likely to require such services. Requires that the Board make grants for establishing and maintaining programs to provide personal care services for a substantial population of persons residing in their homes who would otherwise be required to reside in an institution providing personal care services. Sets forth requirements with respect to such program. Directs the Board to transmit to Congress a comprehensive report with appropriate recommendations within five years of enactment. Title VI - Part A, Effective Dates, Transition Provisions, Amendments for a special national premium rate for the period between October 1 and December 31 of the Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this Act. Provides year before the first effective year. Directs the Board to establish for localities within each State maximum fee schedules applicable to services reimbursed under Medicare Part B for the period between July 1 and January 1 of the first effective year. Requires the Board to establish regulations, guidelines, standards, and procedures providing for the orderly administration of the Act, and to report to Congress within 18 months of enactment its progress in establishing implementation procedures. Directs the General Accounting Office to report to Congress within 18 months of enactment on the Board's progress. Provides that this Act does not alter or affect any contractual or other nonstatutory obligation of an employer to pay for or provide health services to present or former employees if the effect shifts the obligation in any part to such persons. Sets forth provisions relating to transfer of functions. Title VI - Part B, Medicare-Related Amendments - Amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare) to conform such Act with the Health Care for All Americans Act. Eliminates the prohibition against Federal supervision or control over the practice of medicine and the compensation of employees and officers of health care providers. Includes the following changes among those relating to eligibility: (1) broadens Medicare entitlement to include citizens of the U.S., persons legally admitted for permanent residence, and certain other persons aged 65 and over; (2) deletes the 24-month waiting period for eligibility for the disabled; and (3) entitles individuals to enroll in a participating HMO. Changes Medicare Part B from a voluntary insurance program to an entitlement program financed by premium payments and Federal funds. Includes the following among the changes relating to the scope of benefits: (1) deletes the limitation on inpatient hospital days; (2) adds mental health day care services; (3) replaces the existing limitation on inpatient psychiatric hospital services with a 150 consecutive day limit for Medicare purposes and a 45 consecutive day limit for purposes of the Health Care for All Americans Act. Limits payment for outpatient psychiatric services and services related to the diagnosis or treatment of mental illness to an annual amount equal to 20 times the fee set forth in the maximum fee schedule for a psychiatrist's visit. Limits to $100 payment for certain outpatient therapy services in the therapist's office or beneficiary's home. Conforms coverage for end-stage renal disease with the provisions of the Health Care for All Americans Act. Includes the following among the changes relating to exclusions from coverage: (1) extends the applicability of exclusions to the Health Care for All Americans Act; (2) stipulates that preventive services are not excluded; (3) excludes hearing aids and related examinations only if they exceed one every three years, and one per individual; (4) eliminates the exclusion relating to orthopedic shoes; (5) permits the waiver, under certain conditions, of the foot care exclusions for persons with diabetes mellitus; and (6) adds a new exclusion for insulin or outpatient prescription drugs for chronic conditions exceeding maximum amounts established by the Board. Makes technical and conforming amendments to Medicare Parts A and B relating to: (1) requirements for certification and requests for payment; (2) agreements with participating providers; (3) the use of State agencies to determine compliance with conditions of participation; (4) PSROs; and (5) payments to HMOs. Requires providers prescribing outpatient prescription drugs to use only generic or other names and specify such amounts as the Board may provide to insure quality and efficiency. Makes certain revisions with respect to payments to institutional and other providers and the administration of benefits. Repeals the deductible and coinsurance provision of the Medicare Part A program and the existing definition of "reasonable cost." Expands the definition of employment subject to the Medicare hospital insurance tax to include employment with Federal, State, and local governments, service performed for charitable organizations, service performed by certain employee representatives, certain students, and other organizations. Repeals provisions relating to the establishment of the Health Insurance Benefits Advisory Council. Applies certain procedural provisions of title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) to Medicare and to the Health Care for All Americans Act. Amends title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) to establish a new arrangement for the determination of the Federal Medicaid payment, by which payment is to be equal to "excess State payments" according to a specified formula. Increases the Federal share of certain State Medicaid expenditures, including: (1) the training and compensation of skilled professional personnel (from 75 to 90 percent); (2) operation of management information systems (from 75 to 90 percent); and (3) general administration (from 50 to 90 percent). Establishes certain additional State Medicaid plan requirements including that States: (1) continue to provide services (other than those covered under the Health Care for All Americans Act) in the amount, duration, and scope as were covered by the States in the quarter before the first effective year of the program; (2) pay premiums on behalf of AFDC-eligible recipients; and (3) reimburse providers in a manner consistent with methods established by the Board. Requires any State not having a Medicaid program to enter into an agreement with the Board by which the State agrees to pay premiums on behalf of AFDC-eligible recipients and receives financial assistance from the Board. Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (General Provisions and PSROs) to: (1) extend the provisions for uniform reporting and disclosure of ownership and related information to the Health Care for All Americans Act; and (2) repeal the provisions relating to limitations on capital expenditures and programs for determining the qualifications of certain health care personnel. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the present deduction for health insurance payments. Permits a deduction for amounts of medical expense not compensated for by insurance, in excess of three percent of adjusted gross income. Adds a new excess health insurance credit for impacted employers. Establishes special rules for computing such credit with respect to controlled groups of corporations and employees of partnerships and proprietorships which are under common control. Amends title XIII of the Public Health Service Act (Health Maintenance Organizations) to make conforming and certain other revisions with respect to the organization and operation of HMOs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to budget funds for certain specified purposes to assist the Civil Air Patrol. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to give, sell, or lend to the Civil Air Patrol excess property acquired by the Air Force under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Nutrition Labeling and Information Amendments of 1979 to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act -- Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the publication of additional nutritional information on food package labels. Authorizes exemptions from prescribed guidelines for such labeling if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare determines that compelling local conditions require the application of a satisfactory, but otherwise federally-pre-empted, State or local labeling statute or regulation. Authorizes the Secretary to approve demonstrations to ascertain the most effective methods of organizing a food label and of conveying required information to consumers. Requires written evaluations of such demonstrations. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to develop, pilot test, and implement a program of consumer education on how to use nutrition labels effectively. Directs the Secretary to notify the Federal Trade Commission of the nutritional information required on labeling and to recommend what information should be required on advertising.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Department of Agriculture Nutrition Labeling and Information Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, after consultation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, to develop and implement a nutrition labeling and information system for meat, meat food products, poultry, and poultry products capable of use as human food. Specifies general contents of such nutrition labeling. Authorizes exemptions from the requirements of this Act to the extent that compliance is impracticable, would result in unfair competition, or is not necessary to provide such health information to consumers. Vests the United States district courts with jurisdiction to specifically enforce, and to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to approve demonstrations to ascertain the most effective methods of organizing the information on labels of such meat and poultry products. Requires written evaluations of such demonstrations. Authorizes the Secretary to develop and publish a standardized reference on the nutrient composition of all foods. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 through 1983 for the development of such reference. Directs the Secretary to notify the Federal Trade Commission of the nutrition information required on labeling and to recommend what information should be required on advertising. Requires the Secretary to develop and promulgate a system of retail quality grade standards for meat, poultry, and dairy products, fresh fruits, and vegetables, expressed in a uniform nonmenclature. Requires all such products sold after implementation of such standards to be conspicuously labeled with such standards, or with the statement: "Not quality graded by the United States Department of Agriculture." Requires implementation of the grade system two years after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1979
Employee Protection and Community Stabilization Act of 1979 - Requires a business concern which intends to terminate or transfer its operations to notify the community and the affected employees or their employee organization of such intent not less than one year prior to such termination or transfer. Requires such notice to be given promptly if such intent is formed less than one year prior to such termination or transfer. Requires such business concern to provide such community, employees or employee organization and the Secretary of Labor with an economic impact statement. Authorizes the Secretary to investigate specified matters related to such change. Directs the Secretary to hold public hearings on such matters upon receipt, within 60 days of such notice, of a written request for such investigation from an affected community, employee organization, or at least ten percent of such employees. Requires such a learning to be requested within 60 days of receipt of notice. Authorizes the Secretary to investigate such matters and hold hearings closed to the public, without regard to whether such notice is given, upon: (1) a determination that such investigation would serve the purpose of this Act; or (2) a request from at least 50 percent of such employees. Empowers the Secretary to issue subpoenas for witnesses and evidence in such investigation. Directs the Secretary to prepare and publish a report of such investigation. Permits recipients of such notices, who form organizations for the purpose of acquiring ownership or control over such business concerns or establishments, to apply for specified forms of assistance for such purpose. Entitles eligible employees, whenever an eligible organization acquires such ownership or controlling interest, to: (1) the right to obtain comparable employment with the establishment to which operations are transferred or other establishments of such business concern; and (2) relocation allowances equivalent to those provided to executive and managerial employees of such concern or establishment. Entitles eligible employees, whenever such eligible organization does not make such acquisition, to: (1) such right to comparable employment; (2) such relocation allowances; (3) maintenance of health and welfare benefit coverage for up to one year; (4) severance pay to supplement unemployment insurance to assure income of 85 percent of their wage rate for up to 52 weeks, or 104 weeks for those over 55 years old; and (5) specified rights and benefits with regard to retirement plans. Requires such business concerns to: (1) provide training, at full pay and benefits, to eligible employees who elect to transfer; and (2) post listings of employment opportunities at their other sites. Subjects to the provisions of collective bargaining agreements: (1) employee rights granted by this Act to employees who transfer; and (2) eligible organizations which become successors to business concerns or establishments subject to this Act. Terminates required payments of benefits by such business concerns to employees who: (1) begin employment offered at another site; (2) refuse employment, commensurate with their skills and experience, within a reasonable commuting distance; (3) refuse to participate or fail to progress, without good cause, in specified training and placement programs; or (4) receive a normal retirement benefit under any plan to which such business concerns made payments. Requires such business concerns to make payments on behalf of an employee to an employee benefit plan during the period such employee is entitled to severance pay if such employee could become vested in such plan by such contributions during such period. Directs the Secretary to make such payments and makes business concerns liable for such amounts, with interest, to the United States whenever such business concerns fail to make payments. Directs the Secretary to certify as eligible organizations which meet specified guidelines, including the adoption of employee ownership plans. Directs the Secretary to issue certificates of procurement credit (for bids on Federal procurement or contracts) to eligible organizations which become business concerns through specified assistance. Directs the Secretary to secure job placement and retraining and, under specified circumstances, to provide job search allowances for eligible employees. Provides for specified civil actions in district courts by aggrieved persons, or by the Secretary. Makes business concerns (which a district court finds required to give notice) liable to affected communities for the difference in yearly taxes paid before and after such termination or transfer of operations. Authorizes such courts to: (1) impose civil penalties (with specified limits on amounts) for violations of this Act; and (2) allow attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party. Provides for criminal penalties for specified violations of this Act. Directs the Secretary to recover overpayments for job training or search assistance under this Act obtained through a knowing deception. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1979
State Social Security Deposit Act of 1979 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to direct a State to pay to the Secretary of the Treasury, within 30 days following the end of each month, OASDI contributions related to the employment of State employees.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1979
Urban Grant University Act of 1980 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Commissioner of Education to make grants to urban universities (as defined by this Act) to assist them in carrying out urban-oriented projects. Sets forth grant application guidelines, including a requirement that no project grant may exceed 90 percent of such project's total cost. Stipulates that any institution receiving assistance under this Act shall be designated as an "urban grant university." Requires the Commissioner to publish annually a list of such urban grant universities. Limits the annual amount of such assistance to institutions in any one State to 15 percent of the total amount paid.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1979
Sound Recording Performance Rights Amendment - Amends the copyright law to give the owner of a sound recording copyright the exclusive right to perform or authorize the performance of the copyrighted work publicly. Exempts specified educational, religious, literary, and governmental performances of sound recordings from copyright infringements. Limits further the exclusive right of the owner of copyrights of sound recordings of specified kinds of works to the right to perform publicly all or any part of the actual sounds fixed in such recordings. Stipulates that the exclusive right to perform publicly, by means of a phonorecord, a copyrighted literary, musical, or dramatic work, and to perform publicly a copyrighted sound recording are separate and independent rights under this Act. Subjects the exclusive performance right in a sound recording to compulsory licensing if phonorecords of such recording have been distributed to the public under the authority of the copyright owner. Sets forth the requirements for obtaining such license. Establishes the royalty rates or payments for broadcast stations based on gross receipts of advertising sponsors, and gives the compulsory licensee the option of computing such royalty fees on either a prorated or blanket basis. Directs that royalty fees shall be deposited by the Register of Copyrights in the United States Treasury and invested by the Secretary of the Treasury in interest-bearing United States securities. Establishes the procedure for the distribution of royalties to persons claiming entitlement to compulsory license fees. Exempts certain broadcast stations and transmitters which publicly perform a copyrighted sound recording from liability for infringement and compulsory licensing requirements if the gross receipts of such stations are less than specified amounts. Stipulates that if an owner of a copyright authorizes the public distribution of material objects that reproduce such copyrighted sounds but do not include any accompanying motion picture, a compulsory licensee shall be freed from further liability for infringement for the public performance of such sounds. Directs the Copyright Royalty Tribunal to retain the services of one or more private, nongovernmental entities to monitor and value sound recording performances, distribute royalty funds to recipients, and perform other functions deemed necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1979
Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Act - Declares as the policy of the United States that each resident in a long-term care facility has specified basic rights, such as the right to participate in decisionmaking regarding his or her medical treatment and the right to confidential treatment of personal and medical records. Requires that each long- term care facility which participates in a health care program, receives Federal assistance, or is certified for participation in a Federal or State health care financing program secure to each resident such basic rights by meeting specified obligations, including the following: (1) establishing written policies regarding residents' rights and procedures for implementing such policies; (2) informing residents of their rights and of any changes in the policies and procedures of the facility at least 30 days before any such change becomes effective; (3) informing residents of the services and charges of the facility; (4) giving 30-day notice to a resident who is to be involuntarily transferred or discharged from the facility; (5) assisting each resident to exercise his or her rights as a resident and citizen, including filing complaints and voicing grievances; (6) protecting each resident from mental and physical abuse; and (7) permitting residents who are husband and wife to share the same room if they so choose. Prohibits any such facility from: (1) denying admission to or terminating the stay of any resident because of the source of third-party payment; or (2) interfering with the right of any resident to receive primary health care services from sources other than the facility. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require the long-term care ombudsman program to investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of a resident of a long-term care facility regarding alleged violations of rights secured by this Act. Grants to any individual whose rights under this Act have been violated a cause of action against the facility for damages and other relief in a United States district court without regard to the amount in controversy or exhaustion of remedies. Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall not apply to any facility for the mentally ill or which is owned and operated by the Federal Government or which is affiliated with a correctional institution.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1979
Health Maintenance Organizations Medicare Reimbursement Amendments of 1979 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise provisions relating to payments to and contractual arrangements with health maintenance organizations (HMO) on behalf of individuals eligible for Medicare. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to determine annually a per capita rate of payment for each class of individuals entitled to benefits under such title who are enrolled pursuant to this Act with a HMO. Directs the Secretary to define classes of members based on such factors as age, sex, institutional status, disability status and place of residence. Provides a rate for each class equal to 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost for that class. Defines the term "adjusted average per capita cost" to mean the average per capita amount that the Secretary estimates would be payable for services furnished under the Medicare program, if the services were to be furnished by other than an HMO. Provides that every individual entitled to benefits under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII or part B only shall be eligible to enroll with an HMO with which the Secretary has contracted to provide services. Sets limits on an HMO's premium rate and the actuarial value of its other charges for individuals enrolled under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with any HMO that can provide the benefits required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Amends the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968 to remove the fiscal year 1979 limitation on authorizations for the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Trust Fund for the Humphrey Fellowship established in the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Institute.
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
Taxpayer Protection and Reimbursement Act - Title I: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to award reasonable court costs, including attorneys' fees, to the prevailing party (other than the United States or a creditor of the prevailing party) in any civil action in any court of the United States for the determination, collection, or refund of any tax, interest, or penalty imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Limits the amount of such award to $20,000 for any one civil action. Includes within the definition of "attorneys' fees" amounts paid to an individual who is not an attorney, but who is authorized to practice before the Tax Court. Defines "prevailing party" as a party who recovers all, or all but an insignificant portion of the amount in controversy in a civil tax proceding, or whose position is sustained as to all, or all but an insignificant portion, of the issues involved, and who establishes that the position of the United States in the civil action was unreasonable. Disallows costs and attorneys' fees for certain civil actions involving declaratory judgments. Title II: Amendments to Title 28 - Incorporates into title 28 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the United States Code the amendments set forth in title I of this Act.
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 · 27 June 1979
International Health Act of 1979 - Title I: International Health Subcommittee of the Development Coordination Committee - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish the International Health Subcommittee of the Development Coordination Committee which is to develop a comprehensive Federal International Health Plan. Sets forth the duties of the Subcommittee in developing such Plan. Provides for Subcommittee employment and compensation. Title II: Office of International Health - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish an Office of International Health within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to be responsible for international health activities. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Public Health Service: (1) International Health Fellowships; (2) International Health Service; and (3) programs to support international health centers and international health programs in U.S. academic institutions. Title III: The Hubert H. Humphrey Fund - Establishes the Hubert H. Humphrey Fund for International Health as a nonprofit corporation. Sets forth provisions regarding a Board of Directors, officers, and employees. Stipulates that such Fund shall facilitate the improvement in the health status of people in developing countries. Requires the Fund to report annually to the President and Congress concerning its operations.
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 · 14 June 1979
Education Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend authorizations of appropriations to fiscal year 1980 for: (1) community services and continuing education programs; (2) special programs for the elderly; (3) college library programs, including research libraries; (4) developing institutions; (5) basic educational opportunity grants; (6) supplemental educational opportunity grants; (7) grants to States for student incentives; (8) special programs for students from low-income families; (9) Educational Information Centers; (10) veterans' cost-of-instruction payments to institutions of higher education; (11) direct student loans; (12) financial aid for administrators training; (13) teacher corps and teacher training programs; (14) acquisition of television and other equipment for improving classroom instruction; (15) grants and loans for construction and renovation of undergraduate academic facilities, and grants for graduate facilities; (16) annual interest subsidy grants for such construction and renovation; (17) graduate programs and fellowships; (18) community colleges; (19) law school clinical programs; and (20) State postsecondary education commissions. Amends the General Education Provisions Act to extend authorizations of appropriations to fiscal year 1980 for: (1) the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education; and (2) the National Institute of Education. Amends the National Defense Education Act of 1958 to extend authorizations of appropriations to fiscal year 1980 for foreign studies and language programs. Amends the Middle Income Student Assistance Act to make such Act effective with respect to student enrollment on or after July 1, 1979 (presently August 1, 1979). Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide that Federal allotments to States for strengthening local educational agencies shall be equal to those granted in fiscal year 1973. Stipulates that excess funds shall be awarded to States on a discretionary basis by the Commissioner of Education. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to: (1) provide that any excess basic educational opportunity grant funds for the academic year 1978-1979 shall remain available for such purpose through September 30, 1981, rather than used for other educational purposes; (2) provide that all eligible lenders shall be considered approved for purposes of Federal interest subsidies unless the Commissioner promulgates required regulations by September 30, 1979; (3) remove limitations on special allowance payments; (4) authorize the Commissioner to collect defaulting direct student loans; and (5) include vocational schools within the definition of "institution of higher education."
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1979
Work and Training Opportunities Act of 1979 - Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) to provide financial assistance to States for the conduct of job search assistance programs run by the States and Native American entities; and (2) federally assisted work and training opportunities, beyond such eight-week programs, run by State and local CETA prime sponsors and Native American entities. Directs the Secretary of Labor to apportion funds for search assistance programs among State and Native American entities according to specified criteria, including the relative numbers of recipients of aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) under the Social Security Act in each State and in geographical areas within each State. Limits Federal assistance for such State programs to 90 percent of costs. Requires that eligible individuals for such programs be (1) adults in families which meet AFDC eligibility standards or (2) registered under the work incentive program (WIN) of the Social Security Act. Requires that job search program services provided through cooperative arrangements between States and local CETA prime sponsors include: (1) instruction in job search techniques; (2) group job search activities; (3) private sector job development; (4) referrals to unsubsidized jobs; (5) supportive services, such as child care, transportation, and medical care; (6) short term remedial services; (7) employability development planning; and (8) referral of eligible individuals to federally-assisted work or training after an eight-week job search period or continuing job search assistance for individuals not so placed or not so eligible. Directs the Governor of each State requesting assistance for such programs to submit a comprehensive State plan to the Secretary. Sets forth criteria for such plans. Directs the Secretary, after consulting the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, to approve such plans and annual program modifications thereof only if certain criteria are met. Requires that such plans and modifications be prepared and developed with the active participation of the State employment and training councils established under CETA, all local CETA prime sponsors, and specified State agencies. Permits prime sponsors to appeal to the Secretary if dissatisfied with arrangements for such programs in their areas. Directs the Secretary, in cases of nonexistent or unapproved State plans or unsatisfactory implementation of State or area programs to make direct payments to public agencies or private nonprofit organizations to carry out such programs in such States or areas. Directs the Secretary to issue certain regulations for such programs only after the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare agrees to such regulations. Directs the Secretary to apportion funds for federally assisted work and training opportunities among State and local CETA prime sponsors and Native American entities according to specified criteria, including the relative numbers of AFDC recipients in each area served by such prime sponsors. Require that eligible participants for such work and training positions: (1) have participated in a job search program for the prior eight weeks; (2) have not refused a bona fide job offer since the beginning of the job search period; and (3) be the principal earner in a family with a child. Limits administrative and related costs of such opportunity programs to 20 percent of costs. Requires remaining funds to be used for wages (including training time compensation) and employment benefits to persons placed in such positions. Stipulates that such federally assisted work and training opportunities shall include: (1) public service employment; (2) vocational, remedial, and on-the-job training positions in the private sector; (3) supportive services; (4) flexible working arrangements; (5) provision for return to a similar work and training position after absence due to incapacity or a short-term job; and (6) referrals to other private or public employment. Limits individual participation in such subsidized work or training positions to a maximum of 78 weeks, renewable upon completion of another eight-week job search. Requires prime sponsors receiving such financial assistance to include satisfactory provisions for such work and training opportunities in their CETA comprehensive plans and to make arrangements with the job search assistance program to assure a continuous sequence of services for participating individuals. Directs the Secretary to prescribe standards and procedures for determining whether an individual has refused a bona fide job offer without good cause. Sets forth certain conditions under which an individual shall not be found to have so refused such an offer. Directs the Secretary to apportion 62.5 percent of CETA funds currently available to prime sponsors for specified employment programs to provide public service employment for certain individuals from welfare eligible families.
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 · 6 June 1979
Social Welfare Reform Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Aid to Families with Dependent Children; Assistance to Meet Emergency Needs; Earned Income Credit - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children, hereinafter AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act to provide that, in determining the income and resources of individuals claiming AFDC: (1) the first $70 per month of earned income plus one-third of the remainder of such income shall be disregarded from the earned income of any child or relative receiving AFDC; and (2) a certain amount of the total income, as determined by a formula set forth in this Act, shall be disregarded. Defines the term "income" for purposes of part A to include all income from whatever source, excluding certain items, including: (1) the cost of producing self-employment income and 20 percent of wages, salary, or self-employment income; and (2) an amount of earned income equal to the monthly cost of care for a child up to a limit of $160 per month. Requires that specified portions of the income of the stepparents of a dependent child be included as income for purposes of determining eligibility under part A. Repeals provisions of part A which: (1) require AFDC payments to be reduced by any unemployment compensation received by a child's parent; (2) require that training incentives and income derived from a special work project under the Work Incentive Program (WIN) be disregarded in determining eligibility under part A based on income; and (3) require that in determining an individual's needs, the additional expenses attributable to participation in the WIN program shall be taken into account. Provides for the payment of reasonable work expenses, in addition to the incentive payment already authorized, under the WIN program. Excludes such work expenses and incentive payments from income under any Federal or federally assisted program. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to prescribe the types and maximum allowable amounts of financial resources which an eligible AFDC family may own. Stipulates that such maximum may be not less than $750 nor more than $1,750. Excludes from such resources, among other things: (1) any licensed vehicle but only such portion of the fair market value that is below $4,500; (2) a home; (3) burial plots; (4) household goods and personal effects; and (5) resources of which the cash value cannot be readily realized. Prohibits the imposition of a lien against the property of any individual because of AFDC aid received. Prohibits an individual from receiving AFDC benefits for specified periods if within 24 months of applying for benefits such individual disposed of property having an uncompensated value of more than $3,000 and which, if retained, would have caused such individual to be ineligible for benefits. Eliminates the term "unemployed father" and substitutes the term "unemployed parent. Repeals the requirement, in the case of a dependent child of an unemployed parent, that such parent must have been employed for at least six out of 13 work period quarters in the period ending one year prior to applying for benefits. Stipulates that only the "principal earner" need register for manpower services, training, and employment as a condition of eligibility for AFDC. Permits a State to pay reduced benefits, in the case of an AFDC child living with a relative who is not legally responsible for such child, based upon the costs of shelter and utilities for such child. Includes within the definition of AFDC payments to a pregnant woman who, following the child's birth, would become eligible for AFDC. Requires a State plan to cover the parent of a dependent child who lives in the same home as the child, and, both parents, if the child is deprived by reason of the incapacity or unemployment of one parent. Sets forth a formula for determining monthly AFDC payments based in part on a family's "monthly cash needs standard." Directs each State to establish a monthly cash needs standard for a family with dependent children such that, for any such family with no income other than AFDC payments the monthly cash needs standard plus the value of the monthly allotment of food stamp coupons shall equal an amount that is not less than 65 percent of the income poverty guidelines for a family with the same number of members as such family. Permits a State to vary its monthly cash needs standard so as to take into account differences in the cost of living in different geographical regions of the State. Defines the term "income poverty guidelines. Directs a State to pay benefits for a specified period to an AFDC applicant who is presumptively eligible if a determination of eligibility cannot be made within 30 days of an application for benefits. Requires a State to replace a lost or stolen check within ten days from the date replacement was requested. Requires a State to provide a fair hearing to any applicant whose claim for AFDC benefits is denied. Sets forth State plan requirements concerning: (1) the effective date of the application; (2) the period for determination of eligibility; (3) the time of the month at which payment must be made; and (4) an annual review of eligibility. Permits an individual to refuse employment yet remain eligible for AFDC if acceptance of such employment would result in a reduction of such individual's income. Authorizes appropriations under part C (Work Incentive Programs) of title IV to be made directly to the Secretary of Labor. Requires a State to provide an administrative system for coordinating employment and training services required by title IV and similar services of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). Sets forth provisions relating to the coordination of the WIN and CETA programs. Establishes a national committee to coordinate such programs. Requires a State, under part A of title IV, to provide "assistance to meet emergency needs" to an AFDC or low-income family with children faced with extraordinary expenses or needs caused by or arising from an accident, natural disaster or other unpredictable event. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to increase the Federal payment to a State, according to a specified formula, for AFDC payments in the case of a child deprived of parental support due to: (1) the death, absence, or incapacity of a parent; or (2) the unemployment of a parent. Directs the Secretary to pay to a State for fiscal years 1982-1986 an amount equal to the excess of the State's "allowable expenditures for AFDC" if such expenditures exceed 95 percent of the State's "fiscal liability base." Provides for a declining proportion of the amount paid in FY 1986 to be paid to a State for FY's 1987 through 1989. Defines the terms "allowable expenditures for AFDC" and "fiscal liability base." Permits a State to increase its "allowable expenditures for AFDC" according to guidelines set forth in this Act. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to issue regulations pertaining to the administration of the aid to families with dependent children program. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to a State, under part A: (1) 90 percent of the expenditures for development of mechanized claims processing and information retrieval systems to provide for the effective administration of the State plan under such part; and (2) 75 percent of State expenditures for the operation of such systems. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant funds to assist a State agency in meeting the cost of developing and implementing systems, techniques, or other innovative approaches designed to improve the administration of an AFDC plan. Stipulates that such funds will be available only to a State agency that demonstrates a substantial likelihood of achieving comprehensive improvements in the administration of a State plan. Requires a State AFDC plan to provide for: (1) the recovery of aid incorrectly paid; (2) the payment of aid incorrectly denied or underpaid; and (3) the cooperation of all State agencies administering AFDC plans in reviewing case records and providing information to identify AFDC recipients who are receiving AFDC benefits in more than one State and benefits under any other federally supported program. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to develop measures for monitoring and assessing the performance, at least annually, of the effectiveness of the requirements for the approval of a State AFDC plan. Sets forth amendments relating to incentive payments made to a State with a low rate of erroneous AFDC payments. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to restrict automatic eligibility of AFDC recipients for Medicaid benefits in any month to: (1) an individual who had been eligible for such benefits on the basis of receipt of AFDC in one of the four months preceding such month; or (2) an individual who would qualify for AFDC on the basis of low income without deducting specified earnings which may be disregarded in determining eligibility for AFDC. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that when determining whether an individual is self-supporting or supported by another individual, or is maintaining a household, any benefit provided under any public assistance program used for the support of the individual or for the maintenance of the household shall not be taken into account. Increases the tax credit allowed on earned income not in excess of $5,000. Excludes from earned income earnings performed in a public service job if such earnings are paid in whole or in part from funds provided under title II (Comprehensive Employment and Training Services) of CETA. Title II: Supplemental Security Income - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make to an SSI recipient, in addition to the SSI benefits currently provided, a cash payment in lieu of food stamps to an eligible individual who lives alone or with other eligible individuals. States that an individual shall cease to qualify for SSI as an eligible spouse after a couple has been living apart for more than one month. States that a husband and wife who are living in the same medical care facility shall be considered to be living apart for the purposes of title XVI. Includes renumeration received for services performed in a sheltered workshop or work activities center as earned income, for the purpose of determining eligibility under title XVI based on income. Excludes a burial plot, certain burial expenses, and certain unearned income received in the form of real or personal property from the resources of an individual when determining the eligibility of such individual for SSI. Increases the amount of the cash advances available to an individual who is presumptively eligible for SSI and who is faced with a financial emergency. Permits an individual, if hospitalized outside the United States, to remain eligible for SSI if the foreign hospital was substantially more accessible than the nearest hospital within the United States. Repeals the definition of the term "child" for purposes of the SSI program and deletes the use of such term from the program. Substitutes conditions of age and occupation for the use of the term "child. Repeals the requirement that a State pay a mandatory supplement to an SSI recipient who was a recipient in December 1973. Prohibits an individual from receiving SSI benefits for specified periods if within 24 months of applying for benefits such individual disposed of property having an uncompensated value of more than $3,000 and which if retained would have caused such individual to be ineligible for benefits. Provides that when an individual who was represented by an attorney obtains a favorable judicial decision in a claim for past-due SSI benefits, the court may allow as part of the judgment a fee for such representation not to exceed 25 percent of such benefits. Provides that eligibility and the benefit amount for SSI will be determined on a monthly rather than quarterly basis. Specifies situations in which optional supplementation of SSI benefits may be authorized. Requires that SSI benefits received during the period in which an individual's application for benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act is pending be recovered from any payment of OASDI benefits which is made retroactive to the date of application. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for the prompt replacement of SSI benefit checks which have been lost, stolen, destroyed, or not delivered within two mail delivery days following the day regularly designated for delivery. Title III: Amendments Applicable to Two or More Programs Under the Social Security Act - Sets forth provisions establishing time periods within which claims for Federal reimbursement to a State for expenditures under the Social Security Act must be made. Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to authorize expenditures from any or all of the Trust Funds for the administrative costs of carrying out the OASDI and Medicare (title XVIII) programs. Requires that such sums be transferred from the Trust Funds to separately identified accounts in the Treasury. Increases from $4,000,000 to $20,000,000 the amount available under part A of title XI to make additional Federal payments to States for certain demonstration projects under the Act. Deletes the requirement that all experimental and demonstration projects under the Act financed from Federal funds be personally approved by the Secretary or the Under Secretary. Amends titles I (Old Age Assistance and Medical Assistance), IV part A, X (Aid to the Blind), XIV (Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled), and XVI of the Act to provide for a Federal matching rate of 75 percent of the sums expended under the State plans of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. Doubles the applicable funding limitations for such payments as set forth in title XI part A for fiscal years 1972 and thereafter, with the exception of fiscal year 1979 which shall remain the same. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit an immigrant from entering the country unless: (1) there is in effect with respect to such immigrant an agreement providing that an approved sponsor shall furnish such financial support as is necessary to prevent the immigrant from qualifying for SSI benefits, AFDC, or other public assistance based on need for the five years following the entry of such immigrant into the United States; (2) such immigrant has other means to support himself or herself; or (3) such immigrant is a political refugee. States that such agreement shall be excused if: (1) the sponsor dies or becomes bankrupt; (2) the immigrant is under age 65 and becomes blind or disabled after entering the United States; or (3) the sponsor cannot fulfill the agreement due to circumstances that were not forseeable at the time the agreement was made. Amends title III (Unemployment Compensation Administration) of the Act to set forth provisions concerning the disclosure of information relating to unemployment compensation which an individual has applied for, is receiving, or has received. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit officers and employees of the Social Security Administration to disclose tax return information disclosed to them to officers and employees of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare or to an appropriate State agency for the purpose of determining eligibility for benefits or the amount of such benefits under specified programs of the Social Security Act. Title IV: Child Support Enforcement - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize appropriations for the enforcement of support obligations owed by absent parents not only to their children, as is presently provided for, but also to the spouse, or former spouse, with whom such child is living. Makes permanent the requirement that a State plan provide child support collection or paternity determination services to an individual not otherwise eligible for such services under the plan. Permits a State, for purposes of determining eligibility for AFDC, to disregard for up to three consecutive months support payments received under part D of title IV. Prohibits payments to a State for child support services under part D of title IV unless the State submits to the Secretary a report specifying: (1) the amount of child and spousal support collected and disbursed; and (2) all expenditures made with respect to such services.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Hazardous Waste Emergency Cleanup Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program for the cleanup of any hazardous waste disposal site that poses an imminent threat to human health or safety if the owner of such site is unable or unwilling to properly carry out such a cleanup, or cannot be found. Requires such a program to include all measures necessary to remove any imminent threat to human health or safety, including removal of hazardous wastes to proper treatment, storage, or disposal facilities meeting the standards determined under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Directs the Administrator to make funds available to any State which has an equivalent or more thorough program, in lieu of carrying out the Federal program in such State. Requires the Administrator to pursue any remedy available for the recovery of amounts expended under this Act from any person who may be liable for payment of the costs so incurred. Requires any State receiving funds for its cleanup program to repay the Administrator a pro rata share of any amounts it similarly recovers. Reserves $65,000,000 of Agency appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for such cleanup program.
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 · 23 May 1979
Adoption Protection Act of 1977 - Prohibits the knowing solicitation, provision, or receipt of anything of monetary value, or the promise of anything of monetary value, for seeking or causing to place, placing, or arranging to place any child for permanent care or adoption where such child is transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to: (1) a parent, guardian, or person seeking to adopt or provide permanent care for a child; (2) a person authorized to place children for adoption if the monetary value is solicited or received solely for such service and is reasonable; and (3) a person providing legal services with respect to the placement or adoption if the monetary value solicited or received is reasonable.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1979
Allows the Secretary of Defense to authorize officers and employees of the Department of Defense which provide police or security functions, including individuals employed pursuant to a contract, to have the power of arrest on military facilities and installations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1979
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make aliens who have been relieved of United States military service obligations eligible for citizenship if their military exemption was pursuant to a treaty or other international agreement. Eliminates such aliens from the definition of the term "ineligible for citizenship" for purposes of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1979
Authorizes the Secretaries of the military departments to reimburse nonappropriated fund instrumentalities located in the Ryukyu Islands and Daito Islands, Japan, for increased costs in severance pay entitlements of their Japanese employees incurred as a result of the reversion of those islands of Japan.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1979
State and Local Government Accounting and Financial Reporting Standards Act of 1979 - Amends the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 to authorize the establishment of an Institute for State and Local Government Accounting and Financial Reporting Standards as a nonprofit, nongovernmental instrumentality. Requires that the Institute consist of 11 members representing Federal, State, and local governments, the public accounting and financial analysts professions, and the public. Declares that the function of the Institute shall be to promulgate accounting and financial reporting standards applicable to State and local governments. Establishes a State and Local Government Accounting and Financial Reporting Standards Council composed of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Comptroller General, and the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission to review the bylaws of the Institute and appoint its members. Requires the Institute and Council to submit annual reports to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations to implement the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to provide criminal penalties for placing, or attempting to place, a loaded firearm aboard an aircraft. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to promulgate regulations which require all air carriers to post notices in conspicuous places informing the public of such prohibition.
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 · 22 May 1979
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that disability insurance benefits for an individual having a terminal illness shall begin with the first month during all of which such individual has such illness. Defines the term "terminal illness" to mean a medically determinable physical impairment which is expected to result in death within the next 12 months.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 16 May 1979
Federal Railroad Employees Safety and Health Act - Title I: Transfer of Certain Railroad Safety Functions - Transfers from the Secretary of Transportation to the Secretary of Labor all of the functions under the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 and other specified laws relating to railroad safety. Title II: Amendments to the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 and to the Hours of Service Laws - Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to prohibit discrimination against railroad employees who: (1) complain of alleged railroad safety violations; (2) participate in any investigatory proceeding with regard to alleged safety violations; or (3) refuse to operate defective equipment, or work in an area, under conditions which the employee reasonably believes present an imminent danger to his health or safety. Sets forth administrative procedures for investigating such allegations of discrimination. Stipulates that employees who are adversely affected by a final order prohibiting the use of a railroad facility or equipment for a violation of a safety rule or regulation shall continue to receive compensation at not less than the regular rate of pay prior to the issuance of such an order. Entitles a railroad employee or a representative of such an employee to obtain an immediate special inspection where the individual reasonably believes that a safety rule has been violated or that an imminent danger exists. Amends the Hours of Service Act to require rail carriers to provide transportation for an employee, who has been given an interim period of release at a designated terminal, to an available lodging facility so that the employee will arrive there within 30 minutes. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides for the transfer of personnel, funds, and property of the Department of Transportation to the Department of Labor to carry out the provisions of this Act. Establishes within the Department of Labor a Federal Railroad Safety and Health Administration to be headed by an Assistant Secretary of Labor.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1979
Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Community and Neighborhood Development and Conservation - Extends the rehabilitation loan program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for community and neighborhood development and conservation provided under the Housing Act of 1964. Amends the Housing Act of 1954 to extend the comprehensive planning program and to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1980. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation programs under the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978. Reduces the authorization level for fiscal year 1980 for the neighborhood self-help development programs and the livable cities programs under the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978. Increases the authorization for appropriations for the community development block grant program for fiscal year 1980. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to waive all or part of the summary, formulation, and description requirements of the community development block grant program under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 in those cases in which an application for a block grant does not involve a comprehensive community development program and such waiver is not inconsistent with the purposes of the program. Extends through fiscal year 1980 the provision that requires a pro-rata reduction in all block grants in the case of a shortfall in funding for entitlement. Includes cities and urban counties with severely distressed areas of poverty in the Urban Development Action Grants (UDAG) program. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse the Veterans Administration and the Secretary of Agriculture for properties transferred to urban homesteading programs. Exempts local governments from the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 when acquiring property for an urban homesteading program. Title II: Housing Assistance Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to enter into contracts for annual contributions under the United States Housing Act of 1937 for low-income housing projects in fiscal year 1980. Redefines the term "lower income families" to mean those families whose incomes do not exceed 70 percent (currently 80 percent) of the median income for the area. Allows the Secretary to establish income ceilings higher or lower than 70 percent. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for such annual contribution contracts. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for operating assistance for troubled multifamily housing projects under the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978. Amends the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary to utilize amounts credited to the rental housing assistance fund prior to October 1, 1978, but remaining unobligated on October 31, 1978, for the sole purpose of carrying out assistance for troubled multifamily housing projects. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to stipulate that any amounts allocated to a State or its communities cannot be reallocated to another State unless the Secretary finds that other areas of the State cannot use the funds within the fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to provide an expedited procedure for review of amendments to housing assistance plans to assure that a community can update their housing assistance plans. Requires that a minimum term of 20 years shall be required under a contract for assistance to new or substantially rehabilitated units and that a project owner must agree to maintain the low- and moderate-income character of the project for the period at least equal to the remaining term of the project mortgage. Title III: Program Amendments and Extensions - Extends for one year, through September 30, 1980, the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to insure mortgages or loans under certain HUD mortgage or loan insurance programs under the National Housing Act and to set interest rates for insured mortgage loans. Extends until October 1, 1980, the authority of the Government National Mortgage Association to enter into new commitments to purchase mortgages under the interim mortgage purchase authority of the National Housing Act as amended by the Emergency Home Purchase Assistance Act of 1974. Amends the National Housing Act to increase loan insurance limits and terms for mobile homes and mobile home lots. Increases the maximum authorized dollar limits on mortgages under the Housing Act for one- to four-family residences, conservation and renewal areas, armed service personnel, and condominium programs. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress, along with recommendations for legislation, a study of possible alternatives to the fixed statutory maximum mortgage limits. Requires such study to include examination of mortgage ceilings, prototype cost limits, regional ceilings, median sales prices, and construction costs. Exempts dwellings covered by HUD approved consumer protection or warranty plans from the ten percent downpayment requirement if such dwellings are less than one year old or were not approved by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) prior to construction. Increases the maximum insurable mortgage amounts prescribed under the National Housing Act for the following programs: (1) regular rental housing; (2) cooperative housing; (3) neighborhood conservation and renewal housing; (4) mortgage insurance for condominiums; and (5) rental housing for moderate-income and displaced families. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary, as an alternative to the acquisition of an insured mortgage to avoid foreclosure, to make all or part of the monthly payments due on an insured mortgage of a one- to four-family residence necessary to avoid default caused by circumstances beyond the mortgagor's control. Stipulates that all payments shall be secured by a lien on the property and by such other obligation as the Secretary may require. Stipulates that such payments may be provided for a period of up to 18 months. Allows payments to be discontinued at any time because the mortgagor's financial circumstances have changed, payments are no longer necessary, or the prospect of payments and repayments is no longer reasonable. Terminates the authority to make such payments on September 30, 1984. Permits the Secretary to insure certain mortgages involving principal exceeding current maximum limits by not more than 25 percent, if the dwelling is in an area designated as an area undergoing significant revitalization activity and the Secretary determines such action is necessary to enable eligible families already residing in such area to remain in the area as homeowners. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 by authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for research. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize appropriations as may be necessary from time to time to cover losses sustained by the General Insurance Fund. Increases for fiscal years 1980, 1981, and 1982, the borrowing authority of the Department of the Treasury for housing programs for the elderly or handicapped under the Housing Act of 1959. Sets forth new factors which the Secretary may consider in reviewing applications for loans for such programs including, but not limited to, the provision of relocation housing for elderly and handicapped families being displaced by revitalization activities. Directs the Secretary to readjust the amount of rental assistance to be provided under a contract for annual contributions in order to reflect fully any difference between the interest rate which will be charged for the permanent financing of the assisted project, and the rate which was in effect at the time of project reservation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on means to reduce the cost of the program which do not unduly burden project sponsors or adversely affect the qualitative ability of the program to meet the housing needs of elderly and handicapped families. Increases the single family loan ceiling for federally chartered savings and loan associations under the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933. Includes a mortgage, lien, or other security interest on the stock or membership certificate issued to a tenant-stockholder or resident-member of a cooperative housing corporation, and on the instrument granting a right of tenancy in the dwelling unit of such a corporation within the definition of the term "residential mortgage" under the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to decrease (from 12-to-1 to 20-to-1) the ratio of capital stock required to be purchased by a member of a Federal Home Loan Bank for such member to be eligible for loans from the Federal Home Loan Banks. Requires the Secretary to study the relative risks of loss which exist with respect to the various classes of mortgages insured under the National Housing Act and the feasibility and financial desirability of requiring minimum rent payments from tenants in low-income housing assisted under the United States Housing Act of 1937. Exempts from State constitutional and statutory usury ceilings mortgages or advances insured under the National Housing Act by the Federal Housing Administration. Homeownership Opportunity Act of 1979 - Amends the National Housing Act to provide new options for homebuyers under the FHA-insured graduated payment program by reducing the downpayment to that which is required under regular FHA-insured programs and removing the limitation that the mortgage balance not exceed 97 percent of the appraised value of the home at the time of purchase. Stipulates that the mortgage balance may not exceed 97 percent of the "projected value" which would be calculated by increasing the initial appraised value of the property by an appreciation rate of not more than two-and-one-half percent. Limits the principal amount of mortgages to not more than 20 percent of the initial principal amount of all mortgages insured under the FHA one- to four-family insurance programs in that year. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to permit each Federal Home Loan Bank to use residential home mortgages and United States Government obligations or obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral for advances to its members. Title IV: Interstate Land Sales - Amends the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act to exempt from Federal registration and disclosure requirements: (1) the sale or lease of real estate by a developer engaged in a sales operation which is wholly intrastate in nature; and (2) the sale or lease of real estate, not to exceed 500 lots in a subdivision, by a developer to a resident of another State when the principal residence of the purchaser is within a radius of 100 miles from the property to be purchased. Stipulates that in order to be exempt under such provisions: (1) the land must be free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, and adverse claims; (2) the purchaser must make an onsite inspection of the land prior to purchase; and (3) each purchase or lease agreement must contain a clear and specific statement describing the party responsible for providing and maintaining the roads, water facilities, sewer facilities, and other amenities. Requires that lots sold under the 100 mile radius provision would further require the developer to execute and supply the purchaser with a written designation of the developer's agent within the purchaser's State for the service of process. Enumerates the circumstances under which the voidability of contracts due to nondelivery of a property report would be applicable and the operative time for the application of the statute of limitations provisions. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct rulemaking and adjudicatory actions and provide written notice of reasons in any adverse action or final disposition taken.
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