International Development Assistance Act

International Development Assistance Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to restate United States development assistance policy. Authorizes the President to furnish grant and loan assistance to carry out this Act.

Revises the criteria for making development loans. Repeals certain exemptions from the three percent minimum interest on such loans. Repeals the prohibitions against: (1) transferring such loan funds to other accounts; and (2) utilizing the special assistance authority of the President to waive the limitations on development loan assistance. Authorizes a specified amount of such Fund to furnish assistance to research and development institutions within the United States to strengthen their capacity to carry out economic and social development programs in less developed countries.

Authorizes the President to use development assistance funds to pay transportation costs on relief, rehabilitation, and development shipments by certain United States voluntary foreign aid agencies.

Abolishes the Development Loan Fund. Repeals certain limitations on making development loans with respect to the efficient use of the loan by the recipient country. Repeals the authority of the President to enter into agreements obligating development loan funds. Repeals the statement of the purposes of development assistance. Repeals the authority of the President to make technical cooperation and development grants. Deauthorizes assistance programs for: (1) small farmers; (2) use of used equipment; (3) demonstration of protein concentrates; (4) media communication of development information; (5) reopening the Suez Canal; (6) development research; and (7) regional and multilateral development programs for Southeast Asia. Abolishes the President's authority to appoint a committee to review the economic development program of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for: (1) food, nutrition, and rural development assistance; (2) education and human resources development; (3) technical assistance, energy, research, reconstruction; and selected development programs; (4) Americans schools and hospitals abroad; (5) international organizations and programs; (6) international disaster assistance; and (7) operating expenses to furnish foreign assistance.

Requires the Agency for International Development to emphasize technology for small farms and businesses in furnishing technological assistance.

Requires the President to take the environmental consequences of development activities into account in carrying out development programs.

Revises American policy with respect to furnishing housing guarantees. Revises Presidential authority to grant housing and other credit guarantees. Sets forth the priorities for the type of projects for which such guarantees may be issued. Repeals the authority for such guarantees limited to Latin America.

Extends for one year the authority to furnish agricultural and productive credit and self-help community development assistance to five unspecified Latin American countries. Extends for one year the authority to furnish housing and other credit guarantees.

Requires the President to make annual reports to Congress with respect to the types and amounts of foreign assistance furnished by the United States. Repeals the requirement that the annual report accompanying the request for foreign assistance appropriations contain information regarding military sales and assistance to South Vietnam, Thailand and Loas. Repeals other reporting requirements with respect to: (1) food production targets; (2) management of foreign assistance programs; (3) enumeration of countries and organizations receiving assistance; and (4) military assistance and sales. Repeals certain limitations upon furnishing foreign military assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Revises the amount which may be spent on the purchase or hire of motor vehicles pursuant to such Act. Increases the amount which may be used for reimbursable development programs.

Repeals the request that the President explore improved arrangements for standby forces for United Nations peacekeeping purposes. Repeals the authority of the President to conclude agreements with less developed countries for the establishment of Joint Commissions on Rural Development. Repeals the exemption from the limitations of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for the use of settlement receipts under the Agreement Between the United States and Japan Regarding the Settlement of Postwar Economic Assistance to Japan. Repeals the requirement that assistance under such Act be furnished to the maximum extent possible through multilateral organizations.

Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out foreign assistance programs for fiscal year 1980.