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101 records in US in 1979
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1979
Authorizes appropriations not to exceed $800,000,000 to be derived from the Energy Security Trust Fund and allocated by the President to carry out cooperative basic automotive research to advance the state of knowledge underlying automotive technology.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1979
Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to authorize the instigation of the Southwest Coast Corridor Service between San Diego and Los Angeles and beyond to the San Fernando Valley and to Oxnard. Authorizes the acquisition of: (1) capital improvements; (2) railroad rights-of-way; (3) related facilities; and/or (4) real property. Requires a detailed reporting to Congress on: (1) the estimated cost of the improvements; (2) possible obstacles to the establishment of the Corridor; and (3) recommendations as the desirability of implementing such Service. Stipulates that this Act not preempt or reduce existing or prospective local and State authority to develop rail passenger transportation service.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1979
Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to apply the provisions governing the promulgation and enforcement of bumper standards applicable to the promulgation and enforcement of frame standards.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1979
Transportation Systems Efficiency Act of 1979 - Title I: - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to stipulate that the authorization of funds for public mass transportation projects under such Act shall remain available for obligation for the three fiscal years after the fiscal year for which the authorization was made. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for energy conservation projects on nontoll public roads to reduce traffic congestion and facilitate traffic flow on a Federal-aid system highway. Stipulates that the Federal share of such a project shall be 90 percent of its cost. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 through 1990 out of the Public Transportation Trust Fund (as established by title III of this Act) for projects under the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 and for public mass transportation projects substituted for Interstate Highway System projects. Title II: - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to apportion funds for the repair of public roads which have incurred a substantial increase in use as a result of transportation activities to meet national energy requirements and which will continue to incur such use. Stipulates that the Federal share of such a project shall be 80 percent of its cost. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1980 through 1990 for such purpose out of the Highway Trust Fund and out of the Energy Trust Fund (as established by H.R. 3919 of the 96th Congress or its equivalent). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to separate rail highway crossings where there is a substantial increase in the use of rail facilities in transporting coal to meet national energy requirements and where the continued use of such facilities will result in substantial delays of highway travel. Stipulates that the Federal share of such a project shall be 80 percent of its cost. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose for fiscal years 1980 through 1990 out of the Highway Trust Fund and the Energy Trust Fund. Title III: Public Transportation Trust Fund - Establishes within the Treasury of the United States the Public Transportation Trust Fund. Appropriates to such Fund 25 percent of the amounts received by the Treasury pursuant to the windfall profit tax on domestic crude oil. Stipulates that the proceeds of such Fund shall be used for making capital expenditures for public transportation projects or transportation systems projects under the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 or under title 23 (Highways) of the United States Code.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1979
Amends the Department of Transportation Act to stipulate that rail service assistance funds which are available for reallocation under such Act as of October 1, 1979, shall be reallocated solely to States which require supplementary assistance to mitigate the effects caused by the filing of large-scale abandonments by railroads in liquidation or reorganization.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1979
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the President shall submit a plan to use not less than $10,000,000,000 from the proposed windfall profits tax on oil for rail freight and passenger improvements. Stipulates that one-third of such amount should be devoted to rail passenger revitalization and two-thirds should be devoted to freight rail revitalization.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1979
Transportation Energy Efficiency Act of 1979 - Title I: Energy Efficient Public Transportation - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1981 through 1989 from the Energy Security Trust Fund to finance grants, loans, and/or contracts for: (1) Federal financial assistance to State and local agencies for the construction or improvement of mass transportation systems; (2) public transportation projects substituted for segments of Interstate highway; (3) buses and bus facilities; and (4) projects for the deployment of innovative techniques and methods in the management and operation of public transportation services. Limits the amount of such funds which may be appropriated for allocation by the President. Title II: Improved Automobile Use - Permits the Secretary of Transportation to increase the Federal share of Interstate Highway costs to at least 90 percent for energy conservation projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to governments and private organizations of 90 percent of the costs for energy conservation projects and for the purpose of planning, implementing, or evaluating innovative transportation strategies for more efficient use of automobiles and alternatives to low occupancy automobiles. Permits the inclusion in highway safety programs of programs for increased automotive fuel efficiency, including improved driver practices and vehicle operation and maintenance with funding provided from the Energy Security Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations from such Fund for fiscal years 1980 through 1989 for carrying out the national maximum speed limit, energy conservation projects, and highway safety programs. Limits the percentage of funds to be used for public information programs directed to improve automobile usage and administrative costs. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway trust fund for liquidation of obligations incurred for highway projects approved on or after the Transportation Energy Efficiency Act. Reduces the apportionments to States where a segment of the Interstate system is withdrawn for a substituted public mass transit project and makes a revised estimate of the Federal share of the costs of such segment available for highway substitution projects.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1979
Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to increase the amount by which the principal amount of specified loans to a railroad may be increased under specified circumstances. Extends the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to waive specified findings under the Emergency Rail Services Act of 1979 through December 31, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1979
Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to specify when the failure of a manufacturer of motor vehicles to comply with any average fuel economy standard constitutes unlawful conduct. Sets forth the formula for deducting specified credits from the amount of any civil penalty assessed against a manufacturer.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1979
Railroad Right-of-Way Fire Prevention Act - Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate railroad safety requirements to control spark emissions from locomotives to reduce the danger of fires along railroad rights-of-way. Establishes civil penalties for violations of such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from approving, at the end of a two year period, any Federal aid highway program in a State unless the State has: (1) established a form of identification to designate parking spaces reserved for physically handicapped individuals and which distinguishes motor vehicles used by such individuals; and (2) enacted legislation setting forth penalties for the use of such spaces by non-handicapped persons.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1979
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to apportion the funds authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 1981 and 1982 for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways according to specified apportionment factors.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1979
Revises specified inspection and manning requirements for vessels below a specified size carrying passengers or freight for hire. Increases the civil penalty for violations of such manning requirements. Makes freight-carrying vessels below a specified size subject to the same inspection requirements as those applicable to smaller passenger-carrying vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1979
Fuel Savings Truck Weight Act of 1979 - Establishes national uniform gross weight and length limits for vehicles using the Interstate Highway System during fuel emergencies. Authorizes the President to declare such a condition when he finds that a shortage of fuel is seriously disrupting the interstate trucking industry. Stipulates that such standards shall apply for 90 days. Authorizes the President to extend such time period under specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1979
Highway and Public Transportation Improvement Act of 1979 Title I: Amendments to Title 23, United States Code - Amends Title 23, United States Code (Highways), to revise specified definitions contained in such title. Modifies the definition of "construction" to include highway maintenance (thereby allowing States to use Federal system funds for maintaining projects constructed on a Federal system) and to include construction of public transportation projects within the scope of such title. Eliminates the secondary Federal-aid system. Establishes a "small urban and rural" Federal-aid highway system. Stipulates that funds apportioned to each State for the primary Federal-aid system may be spent for any project on the urban system or the small urban and rural system to the extent that such apportionment is attributable to urbanized areas, and small urban and rural areas. Expands the urban system to include all transportation projects in urbanized areas except Interstate highway projects. Stipulates that the Secretary of Transportation may withdraw approval of an Interstate highway within a State upon request of the Governor and local governments concerned (previously such requests were to be made by the State highway department). Stipulates that, upon the joint request of the Governor and the local governments concerned, the Secretary may approve substitute projects for Interstate projects for other areas within a State (previously substitute projects were limited to the corridor or area from which the route was withdrawn). Directs the Secretary, in determining cost estimates for withdrawn Interstate routes, to increase or decrease such cost in accordance with the increase or decrease in construction materials and labor to construct such a substitute project in the local market where the project is located. Requires that all Interstate segments be under construction by September 30, 1986, unless sufficient Interstate funds are unavailable or unless such construction has not commenced due to judicial or administrative restraint. Stipulates that any Interstate segment or substitute project which is not constructed by September 30, 1986, shall become a separate and individual project requiring separate authorizations and appropriations. Ends Interstate apportionments as of such date. Increases the Interstate apportionments which may be set aside by the Secretary for transportation planning. Stipulates that the Governor of a State or the designated planning organization shall submit a single program of proposed projects to the Secretary for funding under either title 23 or the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 as soon as practicable after apportionments have been made for such Acts. Removes the requirement that projects be selected with the concurrence of the State highway department. Stipulates that in approving programs of projects, priority be given to the reconstruction of hazardous highways. Authorizes the use of funds under title 23 for the acquisition of rights-of-way for all Federal-aid systems (previously such funds could be used only to acquire rights-of-way for highway systems). Requires the Secretary to promulgate guidelines to assure that possible adverse economic, social, and environmental effects relating to proposed projects under title 23 or the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 are minimized. Directs the Secretary, in conjunction with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to issue regulations to reduce noise levels at existing Federally funded transportation facilities. Requires an area not meeting such standards to utilize at least five percent of its apportionment under title 23 and five percent of its apportionment under the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to retrofit such facilities to meet such standards. Requires the Secretary and the Administrator to issue regulations to assure that all federally funded transportation projects (previously only highways) are consistent with air quality implementations plans under the Clean Air Act. Prohibits the Secretary from approving transportation projects unless all reasonable alternatives have been considered and the proposed project minimizes specified adverse environmental, health, and economic effects. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any highway project which would increase the vehicular or weightbearing capacity of any highway unless it conforms with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Repeals the provision which allows the Secretary to discharge any responsibilities under title 23 to the States. Authorizes any State or designated recipient of title 23 funds to impose highway tolls only for the purpose of managing peak load demand on vehicular traffic. Prohibits the use of funds from such tolls for highway purposes (except for the operation and maintenance of the toll facilities). Sets forth the apportionment formula for small urban and rural transportation assistance under title 23. Requires that States formulate five-year as well as long-range transportation plans to be eligible for Federal funding under title 23. Requires approval by the Secretary of such plans for project eligibility. Sets forth determinations to be made by the Secretary in approving such plans. Sets forth judicial review procedures with respect to final actions of the Secretary regarding transportation projects or plans. Authorizes the Secretary to approve as a project eligible for funding under title 23 or the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, the construction of exclusive or preferential bus lanes, highway traffic control devices, bus passenger loading areas and facilities, and fringe and transportation corridor parking facilities to serve bus and other public transportation passengers. Prohibits the Secretary from approving a bridge safety rehabilitation or replacement project which would increase the traffic capacity of the road adjacent to the bridge. Stipulates that urban system funds are to be allocated directly to urbanized areas having a population of 50,000 or more. Stipulates that urban system funds attributable to urban of more than 5,000 but less than 50,000 population shall be allocated in accordance with a fair and equitable formula developed by the State. Stipulates that funds allocated to an urbanized area may, upon approval of the local elected officials of the area and the Secretary, be transferred to the allocation of another such urbanized area in the State or to the State for use in any urbanized area. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States and designated recipients for the construction or improvement of bicycle lanes and pedestrian walkways. Directs the Secretary to establish construction standards for bicycle projects. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for such grant program for fiscal years 1980 through 1983. Requires States after October 1, 1981, to have a single State transportation agency to discharge the duties required by title 23 and the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 and which shall have authority for the development of multi-modal transportation programs, planning, and policy in such State. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States and urbanized area planning organizations for projects for the development of transportation plans and programs required under title 23 and the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964. Stipulates that the Federal share of the development of such a plan shall be 80 percent of its cost unless the Secretary determines that the interests of the Federal program would be better served without matching funds. Title II: Termination of Highway Trust Fund - Terminates the Highway Trust Fund as of September 30, 1980. Stipulates that funding for title 23 projects shall be made from the general fund of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Airport and Airway System Development Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to review and revise the existing national airport system plan to provide for the development of public-use airports in the United States. Stipulates that such plan shall include the type and estimate cost of eligible airport development considered by the Secretary to be necessary to provide a safe and efficient system of public-use airports to anticipate and meet the needs of civil aeronautics, to meet requirements in support of the national defense, and to meet the needs of the Postal Service. Directs the Department of Defense to make military airports and airport facilities available for civil use to the extent feasible. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for airport development and planning in the form of project-grants or block-grants. Sets forth the aggregate funding level for such grants for fiscal years 1981 through 1985. Authorizes appropriations out of such fund for fiscal years 1981 through 1985 for: (1) the establishment of air navigation facilities; (2) airport research engineering and development, and demonstration projects; (3) training State and local government employees to carry out the purposes of this Act; (4) costs of services provided under international agreements relating to the joint financing of air navigation services; (5) costs incurred by the Secretary in administering this title; and (6) costs incurred in operating and maintaining the national airspace system in a safe and efficient condition. Sets forth the method for apportioning the funds made available under this title. Sets forth conditions which must be met to be eligible to receive funding under this Act. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with State and local officials in the development of airport plans and programs which are formulated on the basis of overall transportation needs and coordinated with other transportation planning with due consideration to comprehensive long-range land-use and access plans and overall social, economic, environmental, system performance, and energy conservation goals and objectives. Sets forth procedures for the submission of project-grant and block grant airport development applications and requirements which must be satisfied to approve such applications. Requires a sponsor of an airport project to hold public hearings where the project-grant application involves the location of an airport, and airport runway, or a major runway extension. Stipulates that such a grant shall not be made unless the Governor of the State in which the project is to be located certifies in writing to the Secretary that there is a reasonable assurance that the project will be located, designed, constructed, and operated so as to comply with applicable air and water quality implementation plans. Subjects block-grant airport development project applications for States to the same conditions and requirements as those for project-grant applications. Authorizes the Secretary to approve standards (other than standards for safety of approaches) established by a State for airport development at public-use airports which enplane less than .01 percent of the total number of passengers enplaned annually at all commercial service airports. Directs the Secretary, in determining compliance with this Act and other Federal laws, to accept conclusionary certificates from participating States and project sponsors that they have complied or will comply with all of the statutory, regulatory and procedural requirements imposed under this Act or any other Federal law. Stipulates that the United States share of allowable project costs for a project approved under this Act shall not exceed 90 percent of its cost. Establishes lower percentages for such projects under specified circumstances. Stipulates that construction work on projects funded under this Act shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Secretary and shall be in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Stipulates that contracts in excess of $2,000 for such construction projects shall include provisions establishing minimum rates of wages to be predetermined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act. Requires that construction contracts for airport development projects grant employment preferences to Vietnam and disabled veterans. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in the event that a public airport project will require the use of Federal lands, to request the head of the Federal agency or department controlling such lands to transfer the necessary property interests to the public agency sponsoring the project or which owns or controls the airport involved, Requires the head of such an agency or department to notify the Secretary within four months of its decision with respect to such a request. Exempts from such requests lands under the administration of the National Park Service, units of the National Wildlife Refuge System or similar areas under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, or within any national forest or Indian reservation. Sets forth criminal penalties for fraudulent acts committed with respect to projects under this Act. Sets forth recordkeeping and auditing requirements with respect to projects under this Act. Directs the Secretary to take affirmative action to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex, be excluded from participating in any activity conducted with funds received from any grant made under this Act. Stipulates that no obligation for airport development shall be incurred by the Secretary after September 30, 1981, at any airport which enplanes more than .25 percent of the total number of passengers enplaned annually at all commercial service airports. Authorizes other airports after such date to elect not to receive such assistance. Repeals sections of the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 relating to airport development funding.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Merchant Marine Act Bulk Shipping Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to allow proposed ship purchasers or United States' shipyards to apply to the Secretary of Commerce for financial aid for the construction and operation of vessels to be used in essential bulk cargo carrying services. Makes such vessels, once constructed pursuant to plans and specifications approved by the Secretary and once documented under the laws of the United States, eligible for per diem financial assistance payable for each day the vessel is operated in foreign trade. Stipulates that such vessels shall be entitled to engage in all domestic trades without restriction of any kind and shall be entitled to enter or leave domestic trade upon giving the required notice as set forth in this Act. Stipulates that such assistance shall consist of a construction component and an operating component. Establishes a method for computing such assistance. Reduces the time period during which a vessel which has received a construction-differential subsidy must remain documented under the laws of the United States. Stipulates that if such a vessel has held such documentation for less than 25 years then the net proceeds of the sale of the vessel must be transferred to the seller's Capital Construction Fund if the vessel was transferred to another nationality. Requires that such construction funds be committed within a period of two years to the construction of a qualified replacement vessel. Stipulates that capital construction funds may be used to build vessels to operate in the coastwise, intercoastal, or noncontiguous trade. Makes it unlawful for any individual receiving an operating-differential subsidy or a charter of a vessel owned by the Department of Commerce to act as an agent for, or operate, any foreign-flag vessel which competes with, any American-flag service determined to be essential by the Secretary of Commerce. Requires each Federal department or agency to develop an affirmative action plan to insure that at least 50 percent of the cargoes procured or furnished by the agency or department shall be carried on United States-flag vessels. Subjects such plans to the approval of the Secretary. Prohibits any deviation from such a plan without the Secretary's approval.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to stipulate that an automobile manufacturer's failure to comply with any average fuel economy standard shall not be deemed "unlawful conduct" under such Act unless the Secretary of Transportation has determined that: (1) any credits which the manufacturer may have received for exceeding such standards in any model year do not fully offset any penalty for failure to achieve such standards; and (2) the time for which such credits could be earned to offset such a penalty has expired. Allows such a credit to be used to offset any penalty which may have been assessed against the manufacturer in the three consecutive years prior to the model year in which the manufacturer exceeds such a standard.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Maritime Bulk Trade Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations, to immediately negotiate a Governing International Maritime Agreement with each nation whom the United States engaged in the trading of bulk commodities in 1979 where such trade equaled at least five percent of United States bulk trade in that year. Directs the Secretary to negotiate such agreements with any other nation at the request of that nation. Stipulates that each such agreement shall contain the following provisions: (1) each nation reserves to its national flag merchant marine the right to participate in their reciprocal bulk commodity trades to the extent of 40 percent of such trade; (2) nonnational flagships shall be limited to a maximum of 20 percent of such trade; (3) procedures shall be set forth to insure that the national flagships share equally in the trade reserved to such ships; (4) each nation may grant waivers to permit nonnational carriers to carry more than 20 percent of the bulk commodity trade for a period of ten years after the execution of an agreement provided that the national flagships are first offered the opportunity to transport the cargo; (5) each nation shall advise the other of any anticipated shortfall in its ability to transport the share reserved to its flagships; (6) the United States will provide technical assistance for the development and operation of the bulk cargo carrying sector of the trading partner's merchant marine; and (7) the United States shall make available to the trading partner's merchant marine the construction-differential subsidy program and the Federal ship mortgage insurance program for the construction of bulk cargo carrying ships in shipyards of the United States. Directs the Secretary of State to enter into such an agreement with any group of nations which indicate a desire to execute such an agreement on a regional basis. Sets forth procedures for Congressional oversight of such agreements. Makes it unlawful for any nonnational flagship to engage in the transportation of bulk commodities with a trading partner except as authorized by the Governing International Maritime Agreement. Directs the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Treasury to adopt procedures to insure that nonnational flagships do not transport bulk commodities in excess of that authorized by maritime agreements. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an advisory committee composed of the United States maritime industry, representatives of bulk commodity importing and exporting industries and individuals designated by trading partners to advise and assist the Secretary in the implementation of this Act. Requires the Secretaries of State and of Commerce and the advisory committee established by this Act to report annually to Congress on their activities pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Authorizes appropriations for the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River for the purpose of developing a plan for the cooperative management by Federal, State, District of Columbia, and local authorities of certain areas along the Potomac River. Authorizes the Commission to establish an advisory committee to assist it in developing the Potomac River Shoreline Area Plan. Directs the Commission to conduct public hearings and to consult with affected Federal, State, District of Columbia, and local bodies concerning such plan. Specifies elements to be included in such plan. Directs the Commission to submit the plan to the appropriate authorities for their comments and recommendations within 24 months following the availability of appropriated funds. Directs the Commission to submit its plan, as modified if necessary, to the Congress for its approval. Authorizes the Commission to use appropriated funds to study the advisability of developing plans for portions of the Potomac River not covered by the Potomac River Shoreline Area Plan.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Fuel Savings Truck Weight Act of 1979 - Establishes national uniform gross weight and length limits for vehicles using the Interstate Highway System during fuel emergencies. Authorizes the President to declare such a condition when he finds that a shortage of fuel is seriously disrupting the interstate trucking industry. Stipulates that such standards shall apply for 90 days. Authorizes the President to extend such time period under specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to transfer, without reimbursement, the title and ownership of the ocean tug, Scotch Cap, to the Superior - Douglas County Museum in Superior, Wisconsin.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1979
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to apportion Federal-aid highway funds for the repair of highways which have incurred a substantial increase in use as a result of transportation activities to meet national energy requirements and which will continue to incur such use. Stipulates that the Federal share of such a project shall be 80 percent of its cost. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund of $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1981 through 1984 for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1979
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from issuing any rule, regulation, or order relating to specified aspects of the control of navigable airspace.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1979
Federal Aviation Regulatory Review Act of 1979 - Establishes within the Federal Aviation Administration the Federal Aviation Regulatory Review Commission. Stipulates that the Commission shall review and comment in any final rule, regulation, or order relating to aviation issued by the Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, or the Chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board. Stipulates that any such rule, regulation, or order may only take effect upon the approval of at least four members of the Commission. Directs the Commission, in determining whether to approve such proposed action, to consider whether the procedures followed in formulating the rule, regulation, or order allowed adequate representation of interested persons and whether such interests were considered by the Federal entity involved. Sets forth the membership, terms of office, and pay for the Commission. Grants the Commission subpoena power in carrying out its functions. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Title I: Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to review and revise the existing national airport system plan to provide for the development of public-use airports in the United States. Directs that such plan shall include the type and estimated cost of eligible airport development considered by the Secretary to be necessary to provide a safe and efficient system of public-use airports to anticipate and meet the needs of civil aeronautics, to meet requirements in support of the national defense, and to meet the needs of the postal service. Directs the Department of Defense to make military airports and airport facilities available for civil use to the extent feasible. Directs the Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to establish a single method for measuring airport generated noise. Makes airport noise assessment plans and noise impact abatement plans eligible for funding as airport planning projects under this title. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for airport development and planning in the form of project-grants or block-grants. Sets forth the aggregate funding level for such grants for fiscal years 1981 through 1985. Authorizes appropriations out of such fund for fiscal years 1981 through 1985 for: (1) the establishment of air navigation facilities; (2) airport research engineering and development, and demonstration projects; (3) training State and local government employees to carry out the purposes of this Act; (4) costs of services provided under international agreements relating to the joint financing of air navigation services; (5) costs incurred by the Secretary in administering this title; and (6) costs incurred in operating and maintaining the national airspace system in a safe and efficient condition. Sets forth the method for apportioning the funds made available under this title. Sets forth conditions which must be met to be eligible to receive funding under this Act. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with State and local officials in the development of airport plans and programs which are formulated on the basis of overall transportation needs and coordinated with other transportation planning with due consideration to comprehensive long-range land-use and access plans and overall social, economic, environmental, system performance, and energy conservation goals and objectives. Sets forth procedures for the submission of project-grant and block grant airport development applications and requirements which must be satisfied to approve such applications. Requires a sponsor of an airport project to hold public hearings where the project-grant application involves the location of an airport, and airport runway, or a major runway extension. Directs that such a grant shall not be made unless the Governor of the State in which the project is to be located certifies in writing to the Secretary that there is a reasonable assurance that the project will be located, designed, constructed, and operated so as to comply with applicable air and water quality implementation plans. Subjects block-grant airport development project applications for States to the same conditions and requirements as those for project-grant applications. Authorizes the Secretary to approve standards (other than standards for safety of approaches) established by a State for airport development at public-use airports which are not primary airports. Authorizes the Secretary, in connection with any project under this Act, to require the project sponsor to certify that all of the statutory and administrative requirements imposed by this Act will be complied with. Directs that the United States share of allowable project costs for a project approved under this Act shall not exceed 80 percent of its cost. Establishes lower percentages for such projects under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to approve, as allowable costs of an airport development project, terminal development in nonrevenue producing public-use areas which are directly related to the movement of passengers and baggage. Directs that construction work on projects funded under this Act shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Secretary and shall be in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Directs that contracts in excess of $2,000 for such construction projects shall include provisions establishing minimum rates of wages to be predetermined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act. Requires that construction contracts for airport development projects grant employment preferences to Vietnam and disabled veterans. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in the event that a public airport project will require the use of Federal lands, to request the head of the Federal agency or department controlling such lands to transfer the necessary property interests to the public agency sponsoring the project or which owns or controls the airport involved. Requires the head of such an agency or department to notify the Secretary within four months of its decision with respect to such a request. Exempts from such requests lands under the administration of the National Park Service, units of the National Wildlife Refuge System or similar areas under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, or within any national forest or Indian reservation. Sets forth criminal penalties for fraudulent acts committed with respect to projects under this Act. Sets forth recordkeeping and auditing requirements with respect to projects under this Act. Sets forth civil penalties for failure to comply with the provisions of this Act or regulations thereunder. Directs the Secretary to take affirmative action to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex, be excluded from participating in any activity conducted with funds received from any grant made under this title. Repeals the provisions of the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 pertaining to airport development projects and funding.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to stipulate that an automobile manufacturer's failure to comply with any average fuel economy standard shall not be deemed "unlawful conduct" under such Act unless the Secretary of Transportation has determined that: (1) any credits which the manufacture may have received for exceeding such standards in any model year do not fully offset any penalty for failure to achieve such standards; and (2) the time for which such credits could be earned to offset such a penalty has expired. Allows such a credit to be used to offset any penalty which may have been assessed against the manufacturer in the three consecutive years prior to the model year in which the manufacturer exceeds such a standard.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Truck Safety Act - Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall apply to all commercial motor vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (except vehicles engaged in farming or logging operations). Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish, maintain, and monitor safety rules and regulations to assure that: (1) commercial motor vehicles are safely maintained, equipped, loaded, and operated; (2) the responsibilities imposed upon drivers of such vehicles do not impair a driver's ability to operate such vehicle safely; and (3) the health and physical condition of such drivers will be adequate to enable them to drive the vehicles they operate. Directs the Secretary to regulate the working conditions and operating practices of employees of commercial motor vehicle carriers and to establish safety and health regulations with regard to such individuals. Directs the Secretary to conduct research, development, demonstration, and training activities to develop such rules and regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to require persons subject to this Act to maintain such records and make such reports as are necessary to insure compliance with this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe the manner, type, and frequency of medical examinations to be provided by an employer to employees exposed to health or safety hazards. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct investigations and inspections without notice to enforce this Act. Requires the Secretary to timely investigate nonfrivolous complaints alleging a material violation of safety or health rules or regulations. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for such violations. Provides for judicial review of final orders with respect to such alleged violations. Prohibits an employer from discriminating or taking punitive actions against employees who complain of health or safety violations, who participate in any proceeding regarding such alleged violations, or who refuse to operate a vehicle when to do so would materially violate motor carrier safety violations. Requires States which agree to enforce this Act to submit an enforcement plan to the Secretary for approval. Sets forth requirements which must be included in any such plan. Authorizes appropriations, out of the Highway Fund for each fiscal year, of such sums as are required to provide incentive assistance to States to develop and institute such enforcement plans. Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to the Congress regarding current plans to upgrade commercial motor vehicle safety and driver safety and health. Directs the Secretary to submit a report to Congress within 12 months regarding the advisability of establishing a national commercial vehicle driver register to upgrade safety through improved monitoring of traffic accidents and violations and of multiple State licensing. Authorizes the Secretary to exempt State commercial motor vehicle safety standards or regulations from the provisions of this Act under specified conditions. Authorizes appropriations in such sums as Congress may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1979
Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to stipulate that an automobile manufacturer's failure to comply with any average fuel economy standard shall not be deemed "unlawful conduct" under such Act unless the Secretary of Transportation has determined that: (1) any credits which the manufacturer may have received for exceeding such standards in any model year do not fully offset any penalty for failure to achieve such standards; and (2) the time for which such credits could be earned to offset such a penalty has expired. Allows such a credit to be used to offset any penalty which may have been assessed against the manufacturer in the three consecutive years prior to the model year in which the manufacturer exceeds such a standard.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1979
Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to allow a dry bulk cargo vessel to be removed from documentation under the laws of the United States ten years (previously 25 years) after such documentation where such removal is coincident with the sale of such a vessel to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Requires the owner of such a vessel to pay the United States any principal or interest due prior to such removal and requires the owner to place the net proceeds of such sale in its capital construction fund. Requires the owner of such a vessel to contract for the construction of a new dry bulk cargo replacement vessel within one year after such a sale if the vessel which was sold was constructed less than 25 years earlier. Stipulates that any purchaser of such a vessel shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary allowing the vessel to be used by the United States, for just compensation, in time of emergency. Allows dry bulk cargo vessels which are receiving an operating-differential subsidy to perform repairs outside of the United States or Puerto Rico. Removes the provision of law which prohibits individuals who are receiving an operating-differential subsidy or who are chartering vessels owned by the Department of Commerce from operating or acting as an agent for any foreign-flag dry bulk cargo vessel which competes with American carriers. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations to insure that the removal of such prohibition will not result in unfair competition with operators of exclusively United States-flag vessels and that no diversion of any subsidy will occur with respect to foreign-flag operations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1979
Limousine Lockup Act of 1979 - Prohibits the Government from purchasing, hiring, or operating motor vehicles: (1) which are not rated at 20 or more miles per gallon by the Environmental Protection Agency; or (2) for transporting any Government official or employee between home and work. Prohibits the Government from employing chauffeurs. Prohibits the issuance of a motor vehicle for the exclusive use of a Government employee or official. States that the provisions of this Act shall not apply to providing a motor vehicle or hiring a chauffeur to operate a motor vehicle for the personal use of the President.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1979
Directs the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to construct a turnaround basin on the Piscataqua River, New Hampshire.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1979
New England Railroad Improvement Act of 1979 - Title I: Findings, Purpose, and Definitions - Declares that the purposes of this Act are to: (1) designate an Interstate Railroad System to serve the New England States; (2) organize an Administration of the Department of Transportation to acquire and restructure the rail lines included in such system; (3) require minimum maintenance standards for such lines; (4) establish rights of access by rail carriers to rail lines they do not own; and (5) provide Federal funding to the Administration and to States for the rehabilitation of rail lines. Title II: Interstate Railroad System - Requires each railroad company to supply the Secretary of Transportation with specified information regarding its lines. Stipulates that the Initial Interstate System as established by this Act shall consist of: (1) all rail lines operated in the United States by railroad companies; (2) all rail lines within the United States which are owned or controlled by domestic railroad companies which are out of service (except abandoned or discontinued lines as authorized by the Interstate Commerce Commission; and (3) rail lines outside the United States which are operated by a railroad company which primarily operates within the United States and which are deemed essential to the System by the Secretary. Excepts smaller rail lines from such system under specified circumstances. Directs the Secretary to prepare a report of all the rail lines included and excluded from such system for dissemination to specified agencies and Congress and for publication in the Federal Register. Directs the Rail Services Planning Office of the Interstate Commerce Commission to hold public hearings to solicit comments on the Initial System. Requires the Office to report to the Secretary regarding its recommendations for additions to and deletions from such System. Requires that such recommendations include, to the extent possible, the rerouting of through-train operations of one or more railroad companies into a single rail line. Sets forth guidelines for the Office to take into account in determining whether to add or delete rail lines from the Initial System. Directs the Secretary, after receiving such recommendations, to designate an Intermediate Interstate Railroad System. Requires that such report include findings in support of each addition to or deletion from the Initial System. Stipulates that the Intermediate System shall designate the future maintenance standards of each rail line in the System based on specified criteria. Directs the Office to conduct public hearings to solicit comments regarding the Intermediate System. Requires the Office to report to the Secretary regarding its recommendations for additions to, deletions from, or changes to the System along with its reasons for such recommendations. Requires that a copy of such recommendations be published in the Federal Register. Requires the Secretary, after giving full consideration to such recommendations, to prepare and transmit to the Congress the Final Interstate Railroad System. Stipulates that the Final System shall be designed to promote and enhance the ability of rail carriers to provide modern, efficient, and economical interstate rail freight and passenger service which is responsive to present and future needs and demands. Requires the Secretary's report to include findings in support of any additions to or deletions from the Intermediate System. Stipulates that no deletions may be made from the Intermediate System unless such deletions were approved by the Office or the Governor of the State in which the rail lines to be deleted are located. Stipulates that the future maintenance standards for lines on the final system shall be no less than those contained in the Intermediate System except in specified circumstances. Stipulates that the Final System shall be deemed approved unless either House of Congress passes a resolution disapproving such System within 60 days of continuous session after transmittal of the Final System to Congress. Stipulates that if such a resolution is passed the Secretary in cooperation with the Office shall submit a revised System within 60 days. Stipulates that the method of approving such revised System shall be the same as that applicable to the original System. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of receiving the Office's recommendations regarding the Intermediate System, to determine and publish a rehabilitation, capital improvement, and maintenance program for the restoration of all lines in the System to the future maintenance standards set forth in the Final System. Stipulates that such restoration project shall be completed within 12 years. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Army to carry out a study of the long-term capital needs for the modernization of signal systems, line relocation, tunneling, highway grade crossing elimination, electrification and other upgrading to the Final System as revised Directs the Administrator of the Federal Rail Property Administration (as established by this Act) to determine and release a revised rehabilitation, capital improvement, and maintenance program showing the schedule for the completion of each element of the program. Requires such program to be completed within 12 years. Stipulates that all the rail properties reorganized under the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 shall be part of the Final System. Requires the Secretary, within 210 days of the enactment of this Act, to publish an inventory of all rail lines in the United States including a list of the maximum allowable speed for freight and passenger trains on July 1, 1979. Requires each rail carrier to supply the Secretary with a verified statement describing each slow order, speed restriction, and change in employee operating timetable that became effective on or after July 1, 1979. Requires such statement to include the reason for each slow order, speed restriction, and timetable revision. Title III: Federal Rail Property Administration - Establishes the Federal Rail Property Administration within the Department of Transportation. Authorizes the Administration to acquire rail lines and transportation property other than rail lines from any railroad company operating in the United States or whose principal place of business is in the United States. Stipulates that such properties may include properties of United States railroads in contiguous portions of Canada and Mexico which are essential to the Interstate Rail System. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate regulations regarding operators in the Interstate Rail System. Authorizes any railroad company, after the Final System is approved, to offer to transfer all of its rail lines which are included in the System to the Administration. Directs the Administration to accept the title to such facilities and enter into a lease with the company under which the company shall provide rail carriage over such lines for a period of not more than ten years. Stipulates that such a lease shall be renewable upon certification by the Interstate Commerce Commission that the carrier is fit, willing, and able to perform such service. Sets forth provisions which must be included in such lease. Authorizes Con Rail to offer its properties to the Administration. Sets forth procedures for the acquisition of such properties. Directs the Secretary to develop programs of rehabilitation and capital improvements for rail properties owned by the Administration. Stipulates that such programs shall be incorporated into the terms of the lease of such properties. Stipulates that the Administration shall pay the costs of implementing such programs. Directs the Administrator to contract with the leaseholding railroad to implement such programs unless the railroad has an insufficient work force to implement the program or unless it would not be cost-efficient for the leaseholder to perform the work. Directs the Administrator of any leaseholding railroad, after such rehabilitation program has been completed, to establish a maintenance schedule for such rail line. Stipulates that such maintenance shall be the responsibility of the leaseholding railroads. Directs the Administrator to make all materials and equipment necessary for maintenance available to the responsible carrier or carriers. Stipulates that failure to maintain maintenance standards shall be a violation of the lease and subject to liquidated damages. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the President and Congress on the extent and condition of all properties owned by the Administration, and on the condition of all other rail properties in the Nation. Title IV: Funding - Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary for the succeeding 10 fiscal years for the rehabilitation of rail lines under this Act and to provide materials used in maintenance as required by this Act. Establishes a Rail User Charge on all railroads operating on facilities of the Administration. Stipulates that such charge shall be $.20 annually per thousand gross ton-miles of freight, passengers, and rail equipment moved on such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1979
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to propose a program to compensate persons, States, or political subdivisions for shoreline erosion damage caused by actions of the International Joint Commission with respect to the water level of the Great Lakes. Requires the Secretary to submit such proposal to the Congress within one year.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1979
Amends the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 to permit inactive U.S. passenger vessels, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Commerce, to remain under the American flag and operate: (1) in the domestic and foreign commerce of the United States; and (2) between foreign ports.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1979
Limousine Limitation Act of 1979 - Prohibits the purchase, hiring, or operation by the Government of a motor vehicle of a type not generally available on the date of the enactment of this Act in motorpools of the Federal Government. Prohibits the employment of chauffeurs and the use of Government motor vehicles for transporting any Government official between his dwellings and his place of employment. Exempts from the provisions of this Act: (1) medical officers on outpatient medical service; (2) an employee engaged in fieldwork; (3) the President and Vice President; (4) the head of each executive department; (5) the Chief Justice of the United States; (6) specified officers of Congress; and (7) the U.S. Representative of the United Nations. Prohibits the issuance of a Government motor vehicle for the exclusive use of any official or employee not mentioned in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1979
Limousine Limitation Act of 1979 - Prohibits the purchase, hiring, or operation by the Government of a motor vehicle for transporting any Government official between his dwelling and his place of employment. Exempts from the provisions of this Act: (1) medical officers on outpatient medical service; (2) an employee engaged in fieldwork; (3) the President and Vice President; (4) the head of each executive department; (5) the Chief of the United States; (6) specified officers of Congress; and (7) the U.S. Representative to the United Nations. Prohibits the issuance of a Government motor vehicle for the exclusive use of any official or employee not mentioned in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1979
Truth in Mileage Act of 1979 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to require the Environmental Protection Agency to base its automobile fuel economy tests upon actual road testing. Sets forth criminal penalties for any employee of the agency who knowingly falsify the results of such tests.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1979
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to stipulate that no individual may serve as a commercial airline pilot, flight engineer, or flight navigator if such individual is 60 years of age or older. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Labor, to conduct a study to determine whether such age restriction is warranted and whether the rules governing first- and second-class medical examinations for such individuals are adequate. Requires such report to be submitted to Congress within one year.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1979
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Labor, to conduct a study regarding age restrictions for aircraft pilots to determine: (1) the effect of aging on the pilot's performance; (2) whether an age limitation is medically warranted; (3) whether the state of the art of medical testing is adequate to determine if individuals older than a particular age could continue to serve as pilots and still maintain the highest level of safety; and (4) whether the rules governing eligibility for, and rules governing the frequency of, first and second class medical certification and examination are adequate to determine an individual's physical condition. Requires the Director to report the results of such study to the Congress within one year.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1979
Public Transportation Stimulus Act of 1979 - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to authorize additional appropriations of $10,000,000,000 for use through fiscal year 1989 for the urban mass transit discretionary grant program under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Motor Carrier Efficiency and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1979 - Title I: General Provisions - Declares the findings of Congress that: (1) a safe, sound, and fuel efficient motor carrier system is vital to the maintenance of a strong national economy and defense system; and (2) the Interstate Commerce Commission must administer such regulatory system through the issuance of certificates and permits when it finds that they are necessary to meet the public need for service and shall take such other actions as will assure a responsive transportation system in the public interest. Title II: Motor Carrier Entry - Requires the Commission, before issuing any certificate authorizing motor carrier transportation, to make specific findings including the degree of existing competition, the energy efficiency of the applicant's requested route authority, and the effect of such authority on highway safety. Stipulates that lower rates proposed by an applicant may not be the sole or principal basis of a grant of operating authority by the Commission. Stipulates that a motor common carrier may provide transportation under a certificate only if the carrier renders to the public reasonably continuous, safe, and adequate service. Directs the Commission, in determining whether to grant a permit to provide transportation as a motor contract carrier or freight forwarder, to consider the energy efficiency of the proposed service and the effect that granting such a permit would have on highway safety. Stipulates that a person may not hold a certificate of a motor common carrier of property or a permit of a motor contract carrier of property if the person performing the transportation is doing so in the furtherance of a non transportation primary business. Title III: Motor Carrier Rates - Prohibits the Commission from disapproving motor carrier rate bureau agreements unless it finds that such an agreement would violate or would not further the national transportation policy. Exempts such approved agreements from the antitrust laws. Directs the Commission, in determining the reasonableness of motor property carrier rate levels, to approve and maintain revenue levels that are adequate to cover total operating expenses, including the operation of leased equipment and depreciation based upon the replacement cost of useful equipment and facilities at current prices, plus a reasonable profit. Prohibits the Commission from suspending a motor carrier rate on the basis that it exceeds or is below a just and reasonable if: (1) the rate changes are not of general applicability to all or substantially all classes of traffic; (2) the rate change is filed within five years after the enactment of this Act; and (3) the rate increase or decrease is not more than seven percent annually. Title IV: Operations of Carriers - Stipulates that where a motor common carrier of property uses a motor vehicle and a driver of another, the driver shall be considered an employee of the carrier if the Commission finds that the safety of operations, control, and responsibility of such carrier for the driver will be improved by an employer- employee relationship.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Motor Carrier Regulatory Improvement Act of 1979 - Title I: General Provisions - Declares the findings of Congress that: (1) a safe, sound, competitive and fuel efficient motor carrier system is vital to the maintenance of a strong national economy and defense system; (2) the objective of a motor carrier system serving the Nation as a whole can best be achieved through the plan of regulation adopted in 1935; and (3) the Interstate Commerce Commission must administer such regulatory system through the issuance of certificates and permits necessary to implement more effectively the standards of public convenience and necessity and of consistency with the public interest. Title II: Motor Carrier Entry - Requires the Commission, before issuing any certificate authorizing motor carrier transportation, to make specific findings including the degree of existing competition and fuel conservation with respect to an applicant's requested route authority. Prohibits the Commission from considering an applicant's level of proposed rates in making a determination regarding such requested route authority but directs the Commission to consider whether the level of rates of existing carriers is so high as to constitute an embargo of the traffic. Authorizes the Commission to require a carrier which is protesting a grant of operating authority to show that: (1) it is able to handle the traffic contained in the application; (2) it is willing to provide such service; and (3) it has either performed service or solicited business within the scope of the application. Stipulates that a contract carrier does not have to limit its operations to carriage for a particular industry or within a particular geographic area. Removes the requirement that the Commission, in deciding whether to grant a permit to a motor contract carrier, consider the number of shippers to be served by the carrier or the nature of the transportation to be provided. Stipulates that an application for conversion of motor contract carrier authority to motor common carrier authority must be filed with the Commission when the operations of the contract carrier in fact become common carriage. Stipulates that a person may not hold a certificate of a motor common carrier of property or a permit of a motor contract carrier of property if the person performing the transportation is doing so in the furtherance of a nontransportation primary business. Authorizes one corporation to provide transportation services for another corporation without a certificate or a permit under specified conditions. Directs the Commission to approve pooling and division of transportation or earnings agreements between common carriers, without a hearing, unless it finds that the agreement is of major transportation importance or there is a substantial likelihood that the agreement will unduly restrain competition. Stipulates that, if the Commission finds that either of such factors exist, it shall conduct a hearing to determine if the agreement will be in the interest of better service to the public or of economy in operation. Exempts from the Commission's jurisdiction certain carriage of property by motor vehicle which is incidental to transportation by aircraft. Title III: Motor Carrier Rates - Prohibits the Commission from disapproving motor carrier rate bureau agreements unless it finds that such an agreement would violate the national transportation policy. Exempts such approved agreements from the antitrust laws. Revises the voting processes within rate bureau meetings. Directs the Commission, in determining the reasonableness of motor property carrier rate levels, to approve and maintain revenue levels that are adequate to cover total operating expenses, including the operation of leased equipment, and depreciation based upon the replacement cost of useful equipment and facilities at current prices, plus a reasonable profit. Prohibits the Commission from suspending a motor carrier rate on the basis that it exceeds or is below a just and reasonable if: (1) the rate changes are not of general applicability to all or substantially all classes of traffic; (2) the rate change is filed within five years after the enactment of this Act; and (3) the rate increase or decrease is not more than seven percent annually. Authorizes the Commission to prescribe through routes and joint fares for motor carriers of property. Prohibits the Commission from requiring such a carrier, without its consent, to embrace in a Commission mandated through route substantially less than the entire length of its route and of any intermediate carrier operated in conjunction or under a common management which lies between the termini of such proposed through route unless: (1) such inclusion of lines would make the through route unreasonably circuitous; or (2) the proposed through route is needed to provide adequate, more efficient or more economic transportation. Grants the Commission the exclusive authority to prescribe an intrastate rate for a motor carrier of property if: (1) the carrier files a change in such a rate with the appropriate State authority; and (2) the State does not act finally on such proposed change within 120 days. Limits a State's power to assess or collect ad valorem taxes on motor carriers of property. Title IV: Expediting Motor Carrier Proceedings - Establishes time limitations for actions of the Commission regarding motor carriers of property proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Amends the Bankruptcy Act to stipulate that, for the period between December 18, 1977, and November 6, 1978, an abandonment or sale of the properties of a railroad in reorganization need not be approved by the Interstate Commerce Commission. Authorizes the Commission to direct a willing provider of truck or water transportation to transport the traffic of shippers using a railroad line abandoned pursuant to a court decree under the Bankruptcy Act if such transportation would be more efficient than directed rail carriage. Sets forth employee protection arrangements for individuals displaced from their employment on account of such an abandonment. Stipulates that a rail carrier required to provide such protective arrangements shall be reimbursed for such costs by the Railroad Retirement Board. Requires the rail carrier to repay such sums when the Board determines that the financial condition of the carrier permits such reimbursement. Authorizes appropriations to the Board for such reimbursements.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Omnibus Maritime Regulatory Reform, Revitalization, and Reorganization Act of 1979 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares that the purposes of this Act are to: (1) promote the foreign commerce of the United States; (2) develop and maintain an efficient and competitive ocean transportation system capable of carrying a fair share of America's imports and exports; (3) provide for the national security; and (4) ensure a unified and consistent national maritime policy. Title II: Regulation of International Ocean Shipping - Exempts from the antitrust laws certain loyalty contracts between ocean common carriers or conferences of carriers as well as specified agreements regarding rates, divisions of revenue, and the regulation of freight or passenger traffic to be carried. Exempts rate agreements made by such carriers and other common carriers from such laws. Sets forth requirements pertaining to loyalty contracts utilized by ocean carriers or conferences of carriers with shippers or consignees. Authorizes the Federal Maritime Commission to establish guidelines to determine whether the provisions of such a contract are in conformity with such requirements. Authorizes shippers' councils to negotiate with any ocean common carrier or conference regarding rates, practices, and terms and conditions of service and to exchange information with such carriers or conferences concerning traffic and transportation data. Requires that agreements and any amendments thereto made among ocean carriers or conferences or with shippers' councils be filed with the Commission. Requires such conferences or councils to file a code of conduct with the Commission to which its members must adhere as a condition for entering into any such agreement. Authorizes the Commission to dispense with such filing requirements where it determines that such an action is not required. Sets forth rules governing the activities of ocean carrier conferences, including: (1) reasonable notice to the appropriate shippers' council of any proposed rate changes; (2) a right of independent action by a conference serving different trades that would otherwise be naturally competitive or by carriers not subject to this title to establish their portion of rates or conditions of service performed exclusively by them under an intermodal agreement; (3) the establishment of an adequate self-policing machinery; (4) the establishment of a consultation process between shippers and conferences; (5) the power of the Commission to review the minutes of conference meetings, audit conference accounts, and have access to conference documents and officials; (6) the establishment of procedures for the commercial arbitration of disputes between conferences and shippers or shippers' councils involving rates or surcharges; (7) the provision of reasonable and equal terms regarding the admission to conference membership of any national shipping line serving the foreign commerce of its country; and (8) permission for any member to withdraw from conference membership upon reasonable notice without penalty. Requires shippers' councils to: (1) allow the Commission to review the minutes of all council meetings; (2) establish procedures for the commercial arbitration of disputes between conferences and councils regarding rates or surcharges; and (3) establish a consultation process between shippers and conferences. Stipulates that agreements between conferences and shippers' councils shall become effective within 30 days after filing with the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to suspend such effective date at its discretion for a period of up to 180 days. Sets forth the conditions under which the Commission may disapprove, cancel, or modify any such agreement. Sets forth requirements relating to the filing and public accessibility of ocean carrier and conference tariffs. Stipulates that no new rates or increases in existing rates may become effective earlier than 30 days after filing with the Commission unless the Commission allows otherwise. Stipulates that a rate change which decreases a shipper's existing rate may become effective upon such filing. Authorizes the Commission to permit an ocean carrier or conference to refund a portion of freight charges collected from a shipper to correct an error in the rate charged. Establishes procedures to be followed before such a refund may be made. Directs the Commission to prescribe a system of uniform commodity descriptions and classifications to be used when filing rates. Prohibits any ocean common carrier that is controlled by a government under whose registry such carrier operates from maintaining rates that are below a level which is just and reasonable. Places the burden of proving that such tariff is just and reasonable on the controlled carrier involved. Sets forth factors which the Commission is to consider in determining whether the rates of such a controlled carrier are just and reasonable, including whether: (1) the rates are below a level which is fully compensatory to the controlled carrier; (2) the rates are the same as or similar to those charged by other carriers in the same trade; (3) the rates are required to assure movement of a particular cargo in the trade; or (4) the rates are required to maintain acceptable service to or from affected ports. Requires a controlled carrier, upon the request of the Commission, to file a statement of justification of its existing rates or proposed rates. Authorizes the Commission to suspend a controlled carrier's rate pending a determination of its lawfulness. Requires the Commission to transmit to the President any order of suspension or final order of disapproval of a controlled carrier's rates. Grants the President the authority to require the Commission to stay such order for national defense or foreign policy reasons. Sets forth exemptions with respect to the controlled carrier regulations contained in this Act. Prohibits any individual from engaging in ocean freight forwarding unless the individual has furnished a bond approved by the Commission of no less than $50,000 or no greater than $100,000. Prohibits specified acts by ocean common carriers including rebates, rate discrimination, and retaliation against shippers. Sets forth the powers of the Commission and procedures to be followed with respect to adjudicatory proceedings under this title. Sets forth penalties for violations of this title. Authorizes the Commission to compromise or remit any such penalty. Repeals the provisions of the Shipping Act, 1916, which are in conflict with this title. Title III: Amendments to the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to declare that the policy of the United States shall be to have an efficient and competitive merchant marine capable of carrying its domestic commerce and a fair share of its foreign commerce and to have an efficient and competitive shipbuilding capacity that is sufficient to satisfy the needs of national security. Directs the Secretary of Commerce in order to achieve such purpose to negotiate commercial agreements with foreign nations to ensure that, within five years, United States flag vessels carry at least 40 percent of the foreign commerce of the United States. Directs the Secretary to reduce the operating differential subsidy payments as the carriage of foreign trade in United States-flag vessels is increased and to determine jointly with the Secretary of Defense the number and location of shipyards necessary for national security and to ensure that such shipyard capacity is maintained. Revises the construction-differential subsidy program under such Act to make vessels which are to be used in international trade (previously only foreign trade) eligible for such subsidies. Directs the Secretary in approving such a subsidy to give preference to vessels which meet specified efficiency standards. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to establish standards relating to the equipment and specifications for vessels so that they will be suitable for use by the United States for national defense or military purposes. Prohibits the granting of any construction-differential subsidy unless the vessel involved meets such standards and unless the vessel will be offered for enrollment in the Sealift Readiness Program. Prohibits the payment of such a subsidy to a shipyard unless the Secretary of Commerce certifies that the rules and practices of such shipyard do not inhibit the efficient utilization of its resources. Repeals the termination date for the construction- differential subsidy program. Reduces such subsidy unless the vessel involved is part of an existing or future vessel series and unless it meets the efficiency standards established by the Secretary pursuant to this Act. Removes the requirement that vessels receiving such a subsidy be documented under the laws of the United States. Removes the competitive bidding requirement for the construction of vessels receiving such a subsidy at United States' shipyards. Sets forth requirements as to which materials used in constructing subsidized vessels may be of foreign origin or must be of United States origin. Allows the Secretary to approve the sale of any subsidized vessel to an individual who will use the vessel in the domestic trade. Requires the new owner of such a vessel to repay annually part of the subsidy which the vessel received. Removes the prohibition which forbids buyers of Department of Commerce vessels to utilize such vessels in foreign trade in competition with other United States-flag vessels. Removes the ban on the commercial use of vessels obtained by the Secretary of Commerce which are 25 years or older. Directs the Secretary to establish efficiency standards in the construction of vessels in shipyards of the United States. Directs the Secretary to prescribe reasonable procedures whereby shipyards are encouraged to discover and notify the Secretary of possible wasteful or unnecessary practices and features required by the vessel plans and specifications that have been approved by the Secretary or by the efficiency standards promulgated under this Act. Entitles the shipyard and the carrier concerned which are allowed to eliminate such a wasteful practice to a portion of the cost savings realized by such elimination. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct payments to shipyards for the purpose of making capital improvements to promote series construction and to improve shipyard efficiency. Entitles vessels engaged in international trade (previously only foreign trade) to an operating-differential subsidy. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any such subsidy unless the foreign operation of the vessel is required to meet foreign-flag competition and unless the vessel is offered for enrollment in the Sealift Readiness Program. Removes the requirement that a vessel be performing essential service to receive such a subsidy. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a special subsidy if, after notice and hearing, it is determined that there is inadequate United States-flag vessel service on a particular route and that the United States foreign commerce or national security is prejudiced by such inadequate service. Stipulates that no operating-differential subsidy shall be paid for the operation of any vessel while it is exclusively engaged in the domestic trade. Entitles owners or lessees of vessels engaged in international trade (previously only foreign and domestic trade) to enter into an agreement with the Secretary to establish a capital construction fund and to use the proceeds from such fund to construct such vessels. Revises the conditions under which a vessel may be eligible for an operating-differential subsidy. Directs the Secretary to undertake a study to determine the costs and benefits of terminating or reducing the operating- differential subsidy program and to submit the results of such study to the President and the Congress within four years. Directs the Secretary to insure that any contractor receiving an operating-differential subsidy and who also owns foreign-flag vessels uses such funds only to support United States-flag vessels. Repeals the termination date for the provision of war-risk insurance by the Secretary to American vessels. Title IV: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the scope of the exclusion from gross income of nonresident aliens and foreign corporations for earnings derived from the operation of ships not under United States registry. Stipulates that, for the purposes of determining sources of income where the income is attributable to sources both within and outside the United States, one-half of the taxable income derived from United States shipping shall be treated as income attributable to sources within the United States. Defines "United States shipping" as: (1) the shipping of any cargo between the United States and the last foreign port at which such cargo is unloaded; and (2) the shipping of any cargo between the foreign port at which such cargo is first loaded for shipment and the United States. Establishes an alternative tax on the shipping income of a nonresident alien or foreign corporation which the individual or corporation may choose to elect. Stipulates that any nonresident alien individual or foreign corporation which ships cargo into or out of the United States shall collect any tax imposed on gross income derived from United States shipping of such cargo by any other nonresident alien or foreign corporation and shall pay such amount to the Secretary of the Treasury at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe. Authorizes the Secretary to require a nonresident alien or foreign corporation which has gross income derived from United States shipping to give a bond to insure the payment of any taxes with respect to such income. Repeals the exclusion from foreign based company income for income which is reinvested in shipping operations. Increases the investment tax credit for qualified withdrawals from capital construction funds established under the Merchant Marine Act, 1936. Allows a taxpayer to elect to treat qualified vessel and qualified shipyard expenditures which are paid or incurred during a taxable year as expenses which are not chargeable to capital account. Treats such expenditures as deductions. Title V: Reorganization of Maritime Policymaking Functions - Directs the President to submit a reorganization plan to Congress by March 31, 1980, which shall establish within the Office of the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations a Deputy Special Representative for Maritime Affairs who shall be delegated the President's authority to conduct international relations with respect to United States maritime affairs. Transfers to such Deputy Representative specified powers and functions of the Federal Maritime Commission and grants the Deputy Representative the power to review specified decisions of the Commission. Transfers to such Deputy Representative specified functions of the Maritime Administration of the Department of Commerce and such additional powers and duties as the President deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Truth in Mileage Act of 1979 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to require the Environmental Protection Agency to base its automobile fuel economy tests upon actual road testing. Sets forth criminal penalties for officers or employees of the Agency which violate such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Alternate Fuels Engine Development Act of 1979 - Title I: Alternative Fuels Engine Development Program - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a comprehensive program for the development of gas turbine engines for commercial production. Stipulates that such program shall include development of gasoline engine conversion systems. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, contracts, and loans with specified types of institutions and organizations in order to carry out this title. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to qualified entities to assist in the commercial production of such engines and conversion systems. Authorizes appropriations for programs described under this title. Requires that federally-purchased vehicles be equipped with gas turbine engines or gasoline engine conversion systems. Directs the Secretary to take such steps as necessary to assure participation by small businesses in the programs conducted under this title. Terminates the provisions of this Act effective January 1, 1990. Title II: Tax Incentives for Gas Turbine Engine Development and Production and for Gasoline Engine Conversion Equipment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide an additional 15 percent investment tax credit for gasoline conservation property, as defined under this Act. Allows a tax deduction with respect to the amortization of any qualified gasoline conservation product facility based on a period of 60 months. Sets forth procedures for determining eligibility for and claiming such deduction. Allows a tax credit for purchase of qualified gasoline conservation products. Allows a tax deduction for fees paid for transportation of a taxpayer on any public transportation motor vehicle which uses any qualified gasoline conservation product.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1979
Stipulates that the State of Indiana shall be free of all restrictions with respect to the issuance of obligations constituting a lien against the East-West Toll Road in northern Indiana (Interstate Route 80/90) or payable out of revenues derived from the toll road and restrictions relating to the imposition or collection of tolls upon: (1) the repayment of specified Federal-aid highway funds received by the State; and (2) the issuance of new bonds to pay for the costs of completing the required construction of such road. Establishes requirements with respect to the issuance of such bonds. Stipulates that the amounts repaid by the State shall be placed in the Federal-Aid Highway Trust Fund and shall be credited to the unprogrammed balance of the Federal-aid highway funds of the same class apportioned to the State of Indiana.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Amends the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to authorize the President to make grants to help restore, repair, or replace railroad facilities or equipment which are necessary for adequate rail service and which were blocked, damaged, or destroyed by a major disaster.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Prohibits the Coast Guard from converting loran stations off the Pacific coast to the electronic pulsed hyperbolic radio aid to navigation known as Loran-C until January 1, 1981, or until the Coast Guard's loran stations off the Atlantic coast are converted to such system, whichever occurs later.