United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Directs district courts to award court costs to prevailing individual parties in civil actions where (1) an action is brought by the United States or agent thereof and the court finds that bringing of the action constituted harassment or (2) the court finds that the conduct of the United States or agent thereof which gave use to the action constituted harassment. Directs the Tax Court to award costs to individual taxpayers who substantially prevail in a proceeding for redetermination of a deficiency.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1977
Specifies civil penalties for persons who continue to engage in conduct which the Postal Service determines constitutes either (1) a scheme or device for obtaining money or property through the mail by means of false pretenses or (2) a lottery, gift enterprise, or similar scheme for the distribution of money or property, and for persons who fail to comply with orders issued by the Postal Service as a result of such a determination. Empowers the Postal Service to order a person whom it determines is conducting a lottery by mail or is obtaining money or property through the mail by means of false pretenses to (1) offer to return upon written request, money or property received by such conduct, (2) return such money or property within 21 days after receiving such an order, and (3) provide the Postal Service a list of persons from whom money or property was received, a list of persons who have requested the return of money or property, and a statement indicating the persons to whom money and property has been returned. Specifies civil penalties for persons who fail to maintain such records as may be necessary to comply with such orders.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1977
Community Reinvestment Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to require each appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency to use its authority, when chartering and regulating financial institutions, to encourage such institutions to help meet the credit needs of the local communities in which they are chartered. Directs each Federal financial supervisory agency to develop programs and procedures including the following: (1) requiring each applicant to analyze the deposit and credit needs of its primary savings service area and to specify how such applicant proposes to meet these needs; (2) permitting consumer organizations to present testimony at hearings on how well the applicant has met or is proposing to meet the credit needs of the communities served or to be served by the applicant; and (3) requiring periodic reports on the amount of consumer deposits received and credit extended in the institution's primary savings service area.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend coverage to include expenses incurred in providing a Papanicolaou test for the diagnosis of uterine cancer, if the individual receiving the test has not had such a test on a routine basis during the preceding six months.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1977
Amends the Council on Wage and Price Stability Act to extend the authority of the Council on Wage and Price Stability through fiscal year 1979 and to authorize the appropriation of funds to carry out such Act for fiscal years 1978 and 1979. Directs the Council to focus attention on the need for full employment.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1977
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to extend the coverage of such Act to individuals 65 or over, and to make unlawful seniority systems and employee benefit plans which require the retirement of individuals 40 or over.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
Youth Incentive Act - Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 to direct the Secretary of Labor to provide financial assistance to prime sponsors submitting approved plans for school year youth incentive and/or summer youth incentive programs. States that under school year youth incentive programs assistance is to be given to eligible applicants for projects which provide part-time employment for disadvantaged youth who are attending or who return to secondary school or an educational program leading to high school equivalency, while under summer youth incentive programs assistance is to be given to eligible applicants for projects which provide full-time or part-time employment for disadvantaged youths during the summer to enable them to continue in a course of instruction or in job training.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1977
Young Families' Housing Act - Graduated Payment Mortgage Insurance Act - Amends the National Housing Act to permit the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure, on a regular basis, mortgages and loans with provisions for varying rates of amortization corresponding to anticipated variations in family income. Sets a percentage limit on the mortgage value ratio of mortgages which will be insurable under this Act. Prescribes eligibility requirements for such insurance. States that mortgages or loans insured pursuant to this Act shall not be subject to State usury laws in most cases. Individual Housing Account Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for amounts paid in cash into an individual housing account. Defines the term "individual housing account" for the purposes of this Act. Limits annual tax deductions to $2,500 and lifetime deductions to $10,000. Makes provisions for tax treatment upon distribution of such accounts. Exempts individual housing accounts from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Amends the Education Amendments of 1974 to authorize the Commissioner of Education to grant to the District of Columbia, as to any State, financial aid for the development and administration of an equalization plan.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Housing and Community Development Act - Title I: Community Development Amendments - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to include the alleviation of physical and economic distress through private investment and community revitalization among the objectives of such Act. Defines additional terms including "age of housing" and "extent of growth lag." Authorizes funds to be appropriated for the purpose of making grants to States and units of local governments to help finance community development programs, not to exceed: $3,500,000,000 for fiscal year 1978; $3,650,000,000 for fiscal year 1979; and $3,800,000,000 for fiscal year 1980. Limits amounts of appropriated funds which may be used to aid metropolitan cities, urban counties, and other units of local government within metropolitan areas to meet their hold-harmless needs. Authorizes funds not to exceed $400,000,000, to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980 for the purpose of assisting severely distressed cities that require supplemental grant assistance in order to alleviate excessive deterioration through neighborhood reclamation and community revitalization. Changes specified application and review requirements for such grants. Includes among activities eligible for assistance under this Act: (1) the financing of public or private acquisition for purposes or rehabilitation; and (2) activities carried out by public or private nonprofit entities which are necessary or appropriate to meeting the needs and objectives of approved community development plans. Sets forth the formulae which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development must follow in order to determine the amount to be allocated to each metropolitan city and urban county and the distribution of remaining funds. Extends, by three years, the period during which funds will be reserved for use by the Secretary to make grants at his discretion. Increases, by one percent, the amount of funds to be reserved from the total amount appropriated for Community Development Programs. Removes the Secretary's authority to guarantee loans for acquisition of property with respect to grants to States and units of local government to help finance Community Development Programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make urban development action grants to severely distressed cities to help alleviate physical and economic deterioration through community revitalization in areas of population out-migration or stagnating or declining tax base. Reserves urban development action grants only to those cities that have demonstrated results in providing housing for persons of low- and moderate-income and in providing equal opportunity in housing and employment for low- and moderate-income persons and members of minority groups. Lists information to be included in applications for such grants, including a description of a concentrated Urban Development Action Program. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria to be followed in selecting cities to be recipients of such grants. Requires annual reviews and audits of grant recipients. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to extend the rehabilitation loan program through fiscal year 1979. Authorizes $60,000,000 to be appropriated for fiscal year 1978. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1978 for comprehensive planning under the Housing Act of 1954, of which funds 20 percent shall be made available for planning grants. Title II: Housing Authorizations - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to increase the limit on funds that are authorized to be appropriated for contracts for annual contributions to low-income housing projects in 1977. Sets forth the limitation on funds authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of providing annual contributions for the operation of such projects. Prohibits the Secretary from entering into contracts for specified dwelling units after the enactment of this Act. Makes provisions for the assumption of maintenance responsibilities of existing units. Amends the National Housing Act to increase the maximum mortgage amounts under the Federal Housing Administration's multifamily mortgage insurance programs including the homeownership program. Changes the eligibility requirements for mortgage insurance under the National Housing Act by decreasing downpayment requirements. Permits the Secretary to increase mortgage insurance premiums for cooperative housing projects. Extends additional assistance payments for low-income rental projects which achieve 50 percent occupancy. Permits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure, on a permanent basis, mortgages and loans with provisions of varying rates of amortization. States that the principal obligation of such mortgages insured may not exceed 97 percent of the appraised value of the property covered by the mortgage. Exempts such insured mortgages from State laws limiting the amount of interest which may be charged. Amends the National Housing Act to increase the allowable maximum mortgage amount and the term of maturity for mortgage credit assistance. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated to reimburse the housing loan funds for properties transferred under the urban homesteading program. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to authorize funds, not to exceed $108,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 and such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year thereafter, for flood insurance studies. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 to authorize funds not to exceed $65,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 for specified research and demonstration projects. Increases the limits on amounts of conventional mortgages which may be purchased by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation pursuant to the National Housing Act. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to prohibit the Secretary from applying new administrative policies in derogation of the rights (including the right of renewal) of an owner under specified leases. Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to direct the Secretary to issue and implement regulations for the efficient coordination of application processing for specified loans for housing for elderly and handicapped families. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary to insure mortgages in any community where the Secretary determines among, other things that: (1) temporary adverse economic conditions exist throughout the community as a direct and primary result of outstanding claims to ownership of land in the community by an American Indian tribe, band, or Nation; (2) as a direct result of the community's temporarily impaired economic condition, owner occupants of homes in the community have been involuntarily unemployed or underemployed and have thus incurred substantial reductions in income which significantly impair their ability to continue timely payment of their mortgages; and (3) as a result, widespread mortgage foreclosures and distress sales of homes are likely in the community. Title III: Program Extensions - Amends the National Housing Act to extend specified Federal Housing Administration insurance programs including the following: (1) housing renovation and modernization; (2) general insurance authorization; (3) housing for moderate income and displaced families; (4) membership in cooperative associations for lower income families; (5) rental housing for low-income families; (6) coinsurance of mortgages; (7) experimental housing; (8) armed services housing; (9) group practice facilities and medical practice facilities; and (10) new communities. Extends the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to grant flexible interest rates for specified mortgage insurance programs. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend the national flood insurance program until September 30, 1978. Extends, by one year, the Emergency Home Purchase Assistance Act and the new community program. Title IV: Lending Powers in Federal Savings and Loan Association - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to extend the lending authority of Federal Savings and Loan Associations for the following: (1) construction loans; (2) single family dwelling loans; (3) property improvement loans; and (4) multifamily dwelling loans. Makes conforming amendments to the Federal Home Loan Bank Act. Title V: National Urban Policy - National Urban Policy and New Community Development Act- Amends the Urban Growth and New Community Development Act of 1970 to change its emphasis from urban "growth" to "development and redevelopment." Makes changes in the contents of the President's national urban policy report. Title VI: Rural Housing - Authorizes appropriations for specified rural housing programs. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to make changes in the guaranteed housing loan program. Authorizes prepayment of taxes and insurance by Farmers Home Administration borrowers without requiring that such funds are held in escrow. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make expenditures from the Rural Housing Insurance Fund in order to correct construction defects or to pay claims of the owner of property arising from such defects. Redefines the term "domestic farm labor" for purposes of farm housing loans and grants to include specified laborers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Sets forth eligibility requirements for farm housing assistance for elderly or handicapped persons or families. Extends the program for rural housing loans for elderly and handicapped families to include congregate housing facilities for families who require some supervision and central services. Requires that at least 60 percent of insured rural housing loans shall benefit persons of low income. Authorizes the Farmers Home Administration to undertake rural housing research with any public or private body. Makes it mandatory for the Secretary of Agriculture to provide rural rental assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
States that Congress should expeditiously determine the future telecommunications policy of this Nation with the purpose of insuring the continuance of high-quality telephone service.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that any legislation providing for the modification or federalization of medical assistance programs include optometric services. Urges the States to seek to include optometric services whether or not they are included in the offerings of primary health care.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
District of Columbia Retirement Reform Act - Title I: Financing of Retirement Benefits - Establishes the District of Columbia Retirement Board to exercise exclusive authority to manage and control the funds established by this Title. Details provisions relating to the Board's composition, the election and terms of office of Board members, the procedures to be followed by the Board, and the financing of the Board's operations. Establishes the District of Columbia Policemen and Firemen's Retirement Fund into which shall be deposited: (1) amounts withheld from the salaries of, and deposited by, members of the Metropolitan Police and the Fire Department of the District of Columbia, pursuant to the Policemen and Firemen's Retirement and Disability Act, (2) amounts appropriated to the Fund pursuant to this Act, and (3) amounts made as return on investment of the assets of the Fund. Establishes the District of Columbia Teachers' Retirement Fund into which shall be deposited: (1) amounts withheld from the salaries of, and amounts deposited by, each teacher in the public schools of the District of Columbia for such teachers' retirement account, (2) amounts appropriated to the Fund pursuant to this Act, and (3) amounts made as return on investment of the assets of the Fund. Establishes the District of Columbia Judges' Retirement Fund into which shall be deposited: (1) amounts withheld from the salaries of, and amounts deposited by, judges of the District of Columbia Court of of Appeals and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, (2) amounts appropriated to the Fund pursuant to this Act, and (3) amounts made as return on investment of the assets of the Fund. Requires that the assets of each Fund established by this Act be kept separate from other moneys, but not necessarily kept separate from one another if the Board determines that commingling of such assets is advisable for investment purposes. Requires the Board to maintain a cash reserve for the Funds sufficient to meet current annuity and disability benefit outlays. Prohibits the investment of assets of the funds in obligations issued or guaranteed in whole or in part by the government of the District of Columbia, the government of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the government of the State of Maryland, or the government of any political subdivision thereof, or in obligations secured by real property in the District of Columbia, Virginia, or Maryland. Directs the Board to engage an enrolled actuary to periodically determine: (1) the amount required to be deposited in each Fund annually in perpetuity in order to meet the cost of annuities and other retirement and disability benefits payable in perpetuity from the Fund less the amount of employee contributions to the Fund; (2) in years before fiscal year 2004, the base level amount required to be deposited in each fund annually in perpetuity to meet the cost of annuities and other retirement and disability benefits payable from the Fund less the amount of employee contributions; and (3) the amount received to meet the obligations of each Fund for the next fiscal year less employee contributions for such period. Sets forth formulae to determine annual Federal amortization payments and annual District of Columbia payments to each Fund. Authorizes the appropriations of specified sums from the revenues of the United States and from amounts in the United States Treasury credited to the District of Columbia for Federal and District of Columbia contributions to each Fund, respectively. Requires each member of the Board to submit detailed annual personal financial disclosure statements to Congress and the D.C. government. Directs the Board to publish annual reports with respect to each retirement program and corresponding Fund to which this Act applies. Requires that each such report include: (1) a financial statement containing a statement of Fund assets and liabilities, a statement of changes in net assets available for benefits under the retirement program, and other specified information; (2) an opinion by an independent public accountant as to whether such financial statement is presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles; (3) an actuarial statement containing specified information relating to the Fund and retirement program; (4) information relating to the number of employees covered by the retirement program, persons receiving compensation from the Fund, and specified changes to the Funds' operation; and (5) a report from each insurance company or similar organization from which program benefits are purchased or which guarantees such benefits. Directs the Board to prepare summary retirement programs descriptions to be supplied to each participant in, and beneficiary under, each retirement program to which this Act applies. Requires that annual reports and copies of summary retirement program descriptions, including periodic updates containing material modification, be filed with the Mayor of the District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Council, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Empowers the Mayor, the Council, or either House of Congress to reject any filing upon making specified findings. Suspends Federal contributions to any Fund with respect to which a filing is rejected or no timely filing has been made pending an acceptable filing. Requires that copies of such reports and descriptions be made available for public inspection. Designates the Board and each member of the Board fiduciaries with respect to the Funds. Authorizes the Board to designate one or more persons to exercise fiduciary responsibilities with respect to Funds established by this Act but places with the Board fiduciary responsibility for the oversight of any person so designated. Lists standards and guidelines to be followed by fiduciaries in the discharge of their duties. Specifies circumstances under which a fiduciary shall be liable for a breach of fiduciary duty by another fiduciary. Prohibits a fiduciary from causing the Fund to engage in specified transactions with interested parties or with itself. Deems void any provision in an agreement instrument which purports to relieve a fiduciary of responsibility or liability. Permits the Board, fiduciaries, and groups of retirement program participants to purchase insurance to cover liability or losses arising from a breach of fiduciary duty. Prohibits any person convicted of specified crimes from serving as an administrator, fiduciary, counsel, or employee of, or as a consultant to, and Fund established by this Act within five years of any such conviction or release from imprisonment, unless the Board of Parole of the United States determines that such person's service with the Fund would not be contrary to the purposes of this Act. Requires every fiduciary of a Fund established by this Title and every person who handles its funds to be bonded. Sets forth criminal penalties for violation of fiduciary obligations. Creates civil causes of action for the benefit of specified plaintiffs to enforce the provisions of this Act. Specifies time limits within which civil action grounded on breach of fiduciary duty must be brought. Title II: Changes in Retirement Benefits - Revises the method for determining the salary base period for computation of annuities of participants in the District of Columbia Policemen and Firemen's Retirement Fund. Permits any member or officer of the Metropolitan Police or Fire Department who is on approved leave without pay to serve as a full-time official of an employee organization to have such service credited towards his retirement upon meeting specific requirements. Sets forth separate procedures and standards for members of the Metropolitan Police and the Fire Department with respect to (1) eligibility for voluntary retirement, (2) eligibility for disability retirement, (3) amount of disability annuities, (4) suspension of disability annuities, (5) physical examination of disability annuitants, and (6) amount of survivors annuities. EnTitles any such member who completes five years of service and who is thereafter separated from service other than through disability retirement or voluntary optional retirement to elect to either (1) receive at the time of separation the amount of deductions from such individual's salary deposited in the Fund, or (2) receive an annuity beginning on the first day of the month during which such individual attains age 55 or on the first day of the month after such individual's separation from service, whichever occurs later. Authorizes cost-of-living adjustments in annuities payable from the District of Columbia Policemen and Firemen's Retirement Fund. Permits the Mayor to waive collection of any overpayment to an annuitant if such overpayment is less than $100. Permits the Mayor, in the case of payments due to mental incompetents or minors, to make payment to any person, who in his judgement, is responsible for the care of such claimant. Authorizes cost-of-living adjustments in annuities payable from the District of Columbia Teacher's Retirement Fund and District of Columbia Judges' Retirement Fund. Revises the means for determining eligibility for each such adjustment. Revises the amount of benefits due under a teacher's annuity in the event the named beneficiary of such annuity predeceases the annuitant.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to extend the coverage of such Act to individuals 65 or over, and to make unlawful seniority systems and employee benefit plans which require the retirement of individuals 40 or over.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the automatic cost-of-living increases in benefits be made on a semiannual basis (rather than on an annual basis as at present).
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to credit against the income tax specified higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, books, and supplies, incurred by the taxpayer for himself or any other individual. Limits the credit to 100 percent of the first $300 for any individual, 50 percent of the next $300, and 10 percent of the next $400. Limits the credit to expenses incurred by full time students at institutions of vocational and higher education, minus scholarships and veterans' benefits. Limits the total credit allowed the taxpayer to his income tax liability minus the sum of all other credits applied thereto. Disallows any deduction of educational expenses used to determine the amount of the credit allowed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Labor, through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to prepare, as part of the Consumer Price Index published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a consumer price index (to be known as the Consumer Price Index for the Aged and Other Social Security Beneficiaries) designed to reflect the relevant price information for individuals, as a group, who are 65 years of age or older or are otherwise entitled to monthly benefits under Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, under the United States Housing Act of 1937, to make annual contributions to public housing agencies for the provision of services designed to provide for the safety, security, and well-being of the residents of low-income housing projects, including the installation of safety systems, the services of security staff, and the establishment of special security Committees.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Allows any Federal employee or Member of Congress who is a Japanese-American World War II internee to credit, for civil service retirement purposes, the period during which such individual was detained or interned in a camp or similar facility.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
District of Columbia Retirement Reform Act - Establishes three retirement funds encompassing: (1) District of Columbia firefighters and police officers; (2) District of Columbia teachers; and (3) District of Columbia judges. Establishes the District of Columbia Retirement Board to manage the retirement funds created by this Act. Details provisions relative to the administration of such funds and revises provisions relating to specified retirement and disability benefits under the retirement programs of such personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
World Peace Tax Fund Act - Establishes within the Treasury of the United States a special trust fund to be known as the World Peace Tax Fund. Provides that any taxpayer who has qualified as a conscientious objector, or who declares that he or she is conscientiously opposed to participation in war, within the meaning of the Military Selective Service Act, shall qualify to designate the payment of his or her income taxes to the fund. Makes provisions for the designation of income, estate, or gift tax payments for transfer to the World Peace Tax Fund. Provides for the computation and publication of the percentage of annual expenditures for military purposes. Provides that this portion of monies in the Fund shall remain in the Fund to accrue interest, and that the remaining portion shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury of the United States, not to be appropriated for any military purposes. Establishes a Board of Trustees of eleven members to authorize expenditures out of the Fund for research into peaceful solutions to international conflict, and for improvement of international health, education, and welfare. Requires the Board to submit its budget to the Congress, report to the President and Congress annually, and provide a complete accounting of all funds received and disbursed according to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Civil Rights Amendments - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of marital status in: (1) public accommodations; (2) public facilities; (3) public education; and (4) federally assisted opportunities. Prohibits such discrimination in housing. Amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to prohibit such discrimination in federally assisted education.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Part-Time Career Opportunity Act - Sets forth a time schedule for the required introduction of part-time jobs in each grade in each Federal agency, at a rate of two percent each year for five years. Authorizes the Civil Service Commission to waive or reduce any such percentage minimum for a period not to exceed one year under specified circumstances. Deems such decision a final agency action for judicial review purposes. Declares the provisions of this Act to be nonapplicable to situations where a collective bargaining agreement is in effect which establishes the number of hours of employment in a week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Voting Rights for the Elderly and the Handicapped Act - Directs the Attorney General in consultation with the Secretary for Health, Education, and Welfare to prescribe standards for polling and registration facilities which will assure ready access by the handicapped and the aged. Permits designation of facilities for Federal elections which do not comply with such standards only where conforming facilities are unavailable. Requires States to provide alternative registration and voting methods for aged and handicapped persons assigned to inaccessible registration facilities or polling places. Requires that a paper ballot be made available or a voting assistant be permitted to a person unable to operate a voting machine.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Civil Rights Improvements Act - Declares the right to enjoy one's reputation as a right secured by the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment for purposes of provisions authorizing civil suits against persons depriving others under color of law of their constitutional and Federal statutory rights. Renders a State, unit of local government or agency, thereof, liable for damages and subject to injunctions for acts of its agents which result in the deprivation of such rights if: (1) the official directly responsible for the employee who committed such violation either directed or encouraged the violation or failed to act to remedy a pervasive pattern of unconstitutional or unlawful conduct by the employee; or (2) the party seeking relief establishes that one or more government officers engaged in grossly negligent conduct in violation of his rights but cannot identify, or prove causation with regard to, any such officer. Renders a prosecuting officer of a State, municipality, or other unit of local government liable for damages or subject to an injunction for failure to disclose to the defendent in any criminal proceeding, upon the request of such defendant or his counsel, all material evidence which such officer knows or reasonably should know is exculpatory to the defendant. Prohibits a Federal court from refusing to proceed in a civil action for the deprivation of civil rights by persons acting under color of law on the ground that either: (1) the action contains an undecided issue of State law the resolution of which could make unnecessary a decision on the Federal issues; or (2) the plaintiff has failed to exhaust State remedies. Prohibits, except under extraordinary circumstances, a Federal court from proceeding in a civil action for the deprivation of civil rights by a person acting under color of law if there is pending in a State or local court a criminal action against the plaintiff based on the same facts. Authorizes the Federal court to enjoin such a criminal action if such a civil action is pending at the time of its institution. Prohibits a Federal court from refusing to hear a civil action for persons acting under color of law or res judicata on collateral estoppel grounds based upon State or local proceedings, but limits relief which a Federal court may grant under such circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Housing and Community Development Act - Title I: Community Development Amendments - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to include the alleviation of physical and economic distress through private investment and community revitalization among the objectives of such Act. Defines additional terms including "age of housing" and "extent of growth lag." Authorizes funds to be appropriated for the purpose of making assistance to States and units of local governments to help finance community development programs, not to exceed $3,500,000,000 for fiscal year 1978; $3,650,000,000 for fiscal year 1979; and $3,800,000,000 for fiscal year 1980. Limits amounts of appropriated funds which may be used to aid metropolitan cities, urban counties, and other units of local government within metropolitan areas to meet their hold-harmless needs. Authorizes funds not to exceed $400,000,000 to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980 for the purpose of assisting severely distressed cities that require supplemental grant assistance in order to alleviate excessive deterioration through neighborhood reclamation and community revitalization. Includes among activities eligible for assistance under this Act: (1) the financing of public or private acquisition for purposes of rehabilitation and (2) activities carried out by public or private nonprofit entities which are necessary or appropriate to meeting the needs and objectives of approved community development plans. Sets forth the formulae which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development must follow in order to determine the amount to be allocated to each metropolitan city and urban county and the distribution of remaining funds. Extends, by three years, the period during which funds will be reserved for use by the Secretary to make grants at his discretion. Increases, by one percent, the amount of funds to be reserved from the total amount appropriated for Community Development Programs. Removes the Secretary's authority to guarantee loans for acquisition of property with respect to grants to States and units of local government to help finance Community Development Programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make urban development action grants to severely distressed cities to help alleviate physical and economic deterioration through community revitalization in areas of population out-migration, or stagnating or declining tax base. Reserves urban development action grants to only those cities that have demonstrated results in providing housing for persons of low-and moderate-income and in providing equal opportunity in housing and employment for low-and moderate-income persons and members of minority groups. Lists information to be included in applications for such grants, including a description of a concentrated Urban Development Action Program. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria to be followed in selecting cities to be recipients of such grants. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to extend the rehabilitation loan program through fiscal year 1979. Authorizes $60,000,000 to be appropriated for fiscal year 1978. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1978 for comprehensive planning under the Housing Act of 1954. Title II: Housing Authorizations - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to increase the limit on funds that are authorized to be appropriated for contracts for annual contributions to low-income housing projects in 1977. Sets forth the limitation on funds authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of providing annual contributions for the operation of such projects. Amends the National Housing Act to increase the maximum mortgage amounts under the Federal Housing Administrations's multifamily mortgage insurance programs including the homeownership program. Changes the eligibility requirements for mortgage insurance under the National Housing Act by decreasing downpayment requirements. Permits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure on a permanent basis mortgages and loans with provisions of varying rates of amortization. States that the principal obligation of such insured mortgages may not exceed 97 percent of the appraised value of the property covered by the mortgage. Exempts such insured mortgages from State laws limiting the amount of interest which may be charged. Amends the National Housing Act to increase the allowable maximum mortgage amount and the term of maturity for mortgage credit assistance. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated to reimburse the housing loan funds for properties transferred under the urban homesteading program. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to authorize funds, not to exceed $108,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 and such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year thereafter, for flood insurance studies. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 to authorize funds not to exceed $60,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 for specified research and demonstration projects. Increases the limits on amounts of conventional mortgages which may be purchased by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation pursuant to the National Housing Act. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to prohibit the Secretary from applying new administrative policies in derogation of the rights (including the right of renewal) of an owner under specified leases. Title III: Program Extensions - Amends the National Housing Act to extend specified Federal Housing Administration insurance programs including the following: (1) housing renovation and modernization; (2) general insurance authorization; (3) housing for moderate income and displaced families; (4) membership in cooperative associations for lower income families; (5) rental housing for low-income families; (6) coinsurance of mortgages; (7) experimental housing; (8) armed services housing; (9) group practice facilities and medical practice facilities; and (10) new communities. Extends the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to grant flexible interest rates for specified mortgage insurance programs. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend the national flood insurance program until September 30, 1978. Extends, by one year, the Emergency Home Purchase Assistance Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Provides for the striking of a national medal to be issued annually in commemoration of the bicentennials of outstanding historic events and personalities from 1777 to 1789. States that one such medal shall honor President James Madison and shall be issued to coincide with the dedication of the new James Madison Building of the Library of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Federal Intelligence Agencies Control Act - Title I: Domestic Intelligence Activities - Prohibits any Federal agency or official from: (1) engaging in the collection, maintenance, or dissemination of information relating to the opinions of any person or the exercise of first amendment rights; (2) engaging in any action to discredit or harass any individual; (3) carrying out an investigation or prosecution against a particular person or class of persons in retaliation for engaging in first amendment activity; or (4) encouraging such prohibited activity by any other person or any State or local government agency. Renames the Federal Bureau of Investigation the Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigation and limits its activities to the investigation of specific acts which violate Federal criminal statutes. Limits the Bureau's authority to investigate such violations to cases in which there is a reasonable suspicion as such term is defined in this Act, of a violation, except that preliminary inquiries are permitted upon receiving a specific allegation that a person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a Federal crime. Limits investigations and preliminary inquiries, generally, to 30 days in length. Authorizes extensions of such time limits but prohibits the continuance of any investigation for longer than six months. Requires supervising Bureau agents who believe an investigation may result in the collection of information of first amendment activity or may pose any danger to such activity to bring such investigation to the attention of the Attorney General who shall permit such investigation to continue if satisfied that the express prohibitions of this Act are not violated. Requires investigative files to be sealed upon termination of any investigation and prohibits the dissemination of person information in such files except pursuant to congressional oversight investigations, a valid search warrant or subpena, or upon the request of the subject of the investigation. Requires such subject to be notified that such sealed file is maintained by the Department of Justice and that such person has a right of access to such file. Requires such files to be maintained for ten years and then destroyed unless required for civil or criminal litigation except that information in such file which pertains to first amendment activity, is false, or was acquired by illegal means must be expunged as soon as practicable. Requires the Attorney General to recommend to the President for appointment with Senate confirmation an Inspector General of the Bureau who shall be responsible for overseeing the activities of the Bureau to assure that they are in conformity with the law and the Constitution of the United States, investigate citizen complaints directed at the Bureau, and testify at least annually before the appropriate congressional committees regarding any illegal activity. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to limit the term of the Director of the Bureau to six years. Abolishes the Internal Security Branch of the Bureau and transfers the function of conducting background investigations of Federal employees and officials to the Civil Service Commission. Makes employees of the Bureau, except supervisory employees, subject to the laws governing appointments in the competitive service. Requires the publication of the budget of the Bureau and its submission to Congress as part of the budget of the Department of Justice. Directs the Comptroller General to audit the Bureau at least annually. Repeals the Riot, Seditious Conspiracy, Smith, Voorhis Anti-Propaganda, Peacetime Military Sedition, and Military Sedition Acts. Allows persons whose rights have been deprived by a Federal official to institute a civil action before a Federal court regardless of the amount in controversy and specifies minimum liquidated damages for such deprivations. Title II: Investigative Procedures; Prohibitions and Limitations - Repeals specified provisions of Federal law authorizing interception of electronic or oral communications. Prohibits any information Federal official, from posing for the purpose of covert surveillance as a member of a group engaged in valid first amendment activity. Prohibits the inspection of tax, bank, credit, or toll records, or the use of mail covers by the Federal Government unless conducted pursuant to a court order after a finding of probable cause according to procedures specified by this Act. Title III: Foreign Intelligence Activities - Renames the Central Intelligence Agency the Foreign Information Service and restricts its functions to the collection, correlation, and evaluation of foreign intelligence information and the advising of the National Security Council on matters concerning such foreign intelligence activities. Prohibits the covert collection of foreign intelligence by any Federal agency. Restricts counterintelligence investigations inside the United States (which may only be conducted by the Bureau) to obtaining evidence of violations of the criminal laws of the United States. Prohibits the expenditure of funds for foreign intelligence activities which are not specifically authorized for such purpose. Directs the Office of Management and Budget to provide Congress with a horizontal budget showing the total amount budgeted for foreign intelligence activities and line item budgets for each agency engaged in such activities. Title IV: Classified Information - Repeals the exemption from the Freedom of Information Act of information required to be kept secret by Executive order in the interest of national security. Directs that such information shall be subject to such Act unless it is in fact properly classified as national defense information, as defined in this Act, except that such information may not be exempted if it appears to relate to illegal activity engaged in by any official of the Federal Government. Title V: Official Deceit - Establishes a criminal penalty for any Federal official who conceals, obstructs, or fails to report as soon as possible any conduct of any other official which violates this Act. Title VI: Protection of Employee Disclosure of Refusal to Participate in Government Wrongdoing - Prohibits the taking of disciplinary action against any Federal official who expresses an opinion with respect to the conduct of a Federal agency or refuses to participate in official activities which such person reasonably believes to be illegal. Title VII: Temporary Special Prosecutor - Establishes for a period of five years an independent Office of Special Prosecutor for Violations of Law by Intelligence Agencies headed by a Special Prosecutor appointed by a special panel of United States judges. Confers upon the Special Prosecutor exclusive jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute all offenses committed by Federal officials in connection with or arising out of intelligence or counterintelligence activities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act by removing the limitation upon the amount of outside income which an individual may earn while receiving benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Industrial Energy Conservation Act - Directs the Administrator of Energy Research and Development to establish and maintain a comprehensive program for research, development, and demonstration of industrial energy conserving technologies. Specifies criteria that the Administrator is required to apply in reaching decisions regarding the directions, priorities, activities, and operations of the industrial energy conservation program. Authorizes the Administrator to make loans and loan guarantees for the purchase, construction, operation, or maintenance of energy-efficient equipment or facilities. Directs the Administrator to give special priority to loan recipients in depressed industrial areas. Establishes limits on the amount of outstanding indebtedness to be guaranteed under this Act. Stipulates that no guarantee or commitment to guarantee shall be undertaken after September 30, 1977. Details procedures in the event of a default on guaranteed obligations. Authorizes the appropriation of the following amounts for research and development programs authorized by this Act: (1) $55,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976; (2) $20,000,000 for the transitional quarter ending September 30, 1976; and (3) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Authorizes the appropriation of the following amounts for the purpose of making loans under this Act: (1) $22,500,000 for fiscal year 1975; (2) $45,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976; (3) $22,500,000 for the transitional quarter; and (4) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $500,000,000 to be paid in the event of a default on obligations guaranteed under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Food Stamp Reform Act - Repeals the Food Stamp Act of 1964. Replaces the existing program with a similar program, but: (1) eliminates charges for coupon allotments and makes coupons redeemable for cash; (2) drops the eligibility requirement that household members be related; (3) permits tribal councils to be designated "State agencies" with respect to Indian communities; (4) requires national income standards of eligibility to be income guidelines for the nonfarm United States prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget; (5) specifies exclusions and deductions from household income for qualification purposes; (6) directs that food stamp applications be included on applications forms for other public assistance programs, and requires certification for participation on the same day application is made; (7) allows the Secretary of Agriculture to refer cases of noncomplying State agencies to the Attorney General for suit for injunctive relief, or in the alternative to take over direct administration of a State program; (8) authorizes the Secretary to pay up to 75 percent of all costs of State program investigations, prosecutions, and other activities related to recovering losses; and (9) directs the Secretary to make contracts or grants for research that will help improve the administration and effectiveness of the food stamp program.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Omnibus Intelligence Community Reorganization and Reform Act - Title I: Foreign Intelligence Community - Establishes within the National Security Council (NSC) the Committee on Foreign Intelligence to assist the Director of Central Intelligence (an office established by this Act) and the Foreign Activities Committee (established by this Act) in advising the President with respect to sensitive intelligence collection activities of intelligence agencies. Requires all new sensitive intelligence collection activities to be submitted to the Foreign Activities Committee for approval. Establishes within the NSC the Counterintelligence Committee to coordinate all counterintelligence activities of the United States and assure that they are legally conducted. Establishes as an independent establishment in the executive branch the Office of the Director of Central Intelligence to coordinate and oversee the entire foreign intelligence community of the United States. Establishes within such Office the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community to investigate any misconduct by any intelligence agency and report any such misconduct to the Attorney General. Creates within such Office a National Intelligence Board to advise the Director of Central Intelligence with respect to the supervision and control of intelligence agencies and to review finished intelligence estimates. Gives the Secretary of Defense authority over all foreign intelligence operations and activities in time of war. Places the Central Intelligence Agency under the NSC and the Office of the Director of Central of Intelligence. Changes the name of the head of such Agency to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Repeals provisions permitting the selection of the Director of such Agency from the ranks of commissioned officers of the armed forces. Limits the functions of the Agency to conducting a counterintelligence activities outside the United States. Prohibits collection of information concerning an American except at the request of the Department of Justice to assist in a criminal investigation or in the investigation of an employee of the Agency who may have violated security. Establishes within the Central Intelligence Agency a General Counsel to report any illegal action of the Agency. Creates under the NSC and the Director of Central Intelligence an Intelligence Research and Analysis Agency to assume the functions of the Central Intelligence Agency with respect to production, analysis, and dissemination of foreign intelligence. Removes the National Security Agency from the Department of Defense and makes it an independent establishment in the executive branch. Transfers the powers and duties of the Secretary of Defense with respect to such Agency to the Director of the National Security Agency. States that the Agency shall protect from unauthorized access official communications of the United States transmitted by electronic or mechanical means and collect intelligence from foreign communications transmitted by any electronic or mechanical device. Prohibits the monitoring of domestic communications or accepting records of such communications from any commercial carrier. Authorizes the Directors of the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, upon reasonable suspicion that a breach of security has occurred, to conduct a surveillance of the employee involved for not more than 15 days. Requires the fruits of such surveillance to be turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) if there is reason to believe that a crime has been committed. Abolishes the Defense Intelligence Agency. Limits the intelligence components of the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces to conducting foreign counterintelligence activities for the protection of military installations and personnel. Prohibits the clandestine collection of foreign intelligence by human beings through espionage or other covert techniques except in time of war. Restricts liaison with foreign intelligence services and domestic police. Prohibits the use of clergy, journalists, and persons who promote the arts, humanities, or cultural affairs to obtain intelligence information. Requires an annual report to the President and the appropriate congressional committee with respect to all commercial organizations owned in whole or in part by any intelligence agency. Prohibits the transfer of funds between intelligence agencies, the reprograming of funds within agencies, and the expenditure of contingency funds in connection with any intelligence collection activity. Permits the General Accounting Office to conduct full and complete management and financial audits of any intelligence agency. Title II: Domestic Intelligence Activites - Prohibits surveillance which is political in nature or designed to interfere with the first amendment activity of any person. Restricts the FBI to investigating incidents in which there exist reasonable suspicion that a person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a specific act which violates a Federal criminal statute. Prohibits criminal investigations which are not authorized by the Director of the FBI and generally limits the length of such investigation to 90 days. Requires the approval of the Attorney General for any investigation which may pose a danger to first amendment rights. Limits the use of financial records and mail covers. Sets forth warrant procedures and requirements for use of informants and undercover agents. Sets forth warrant requirements and procedures for inspection of records with and without prior notice, and for mail covers. Specifies the authority of the Attorney General over the FBI. Requires the Attorney General to approve the budget of the FBI and to review its investigative procedures at least annually. Limits the term of the Director of the FBI to ten years. Establishes within the FBI the position of Inspector General of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to report any activity of the FBI which appears to have been conducted illegally. Abolishes the Internal Security Branch of the Intelligence Division of the FBI and terminates its functions. Prohibits the collection by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of any information about any American on behalf of any intelligence agency. Places other restrictions on the collection and dissemination of information collected by the IRS. Title III: Remedies - Repeals specified provisions of law respecting seditious conspiracy, advocating the overthrow of government, registration of organizations, and activities affecting the armed forces generally. Repeals provisions permitting specified electronic surveillance under color of law. Repeals the provision specifying that unwarranted searches of businesses must be done maliciously to be illegal. Sets penalties for misrepresentation of membership in political groups and assassinations by intelligence personnel. Imposes penalties for the experimental administration of drugs to any person without his or her prior informed consent, and for disciplining any Federal officer or employee for disclosing specified information, refusing to partake in illegal activity, or responding to a congressional request. Establishes within the Department of Justice an Office of the Special Prosecutor for Intelligence Crimes to exercise exclusive and independent jurisdiction over the investigation and prosecution of all offenses committed by an officer or employee of the United States arising out of an intelligence activity conducted in violation of this Act. Provides for congressional oversight of the activities of the Special Prosecutor. Permits any individual who has suffered a deprivation of rights by a Federal official acting under color of law to bring a civil suit against such officer and be awarded the greater of actual damages or $250 for each day of each such deprivation up to $2,500. Makes the United States liable to pay such damages but gives the United States the right to subrogate such award against the official whose action gave rise to such damages. Permits such suit to be brought in Federal court irrespective of the amount in controversy. Permits the granting of equitable relief for such activity. Places a two-year statute of limitations on such actions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Drug Enforcement Act - Directs the Attorney General to establish Special Drug Forces in the Department of Justice composed of law enforcement personnel and special United States attorneys. Declares the duty of the drug forces to be to assist States and local governments in which there is an unusually large amount of drug trafficking and whose law enforcement and criminal justice system is unable to effectively prosecute violators of the Controlled Substances Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Public Participation in Federal Agency Proceedings Act - Authorizes each Federal agency to award reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of participation in all rulemaking, ratemaking, licencing, and other proceedings which relate directly to the health, safety, civil rights, environment, and economic well-being of consumers in the marketplace. Permits such awards if the person participating in the agency proceeding represents an interest the representation of which contributes or can reasonably be expected to contribute substantially to a fair determination of the proceeding, and the economic interest of the person in the outcome is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the proceeding or the person demonstrates to the satisfaction of the agency that such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the proceeding absent an award under this Act. Requires the agency to make a determination of eligibility under this Act prior to timely participation in the proceeding if at all possible. Requires payment of an award under this Act within 90 days after the date of final decision. Allows such agency to make advance payments to permit the persons to participate or to continue to participate in the proceeding. Makes such recipient liable for repayment of such advance if the agency determines that the person clearly has not provided the representation for which the payments were made or that the person has acted in an obdurate, dilatory, mendacious, or oppressive manner toward any other participant. Permits persons seeking judicial review of a Federal agency's action to recover attorneys' fees and other reasonable costs of litigation from the United States if: (1) the plaintiff is afforded the relief sought in substantial measure; (2) the court determines that such action served an important public purpose; and (3) the economic interest of the person is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the action, or such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the action absent an award under this section. Requires the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit to Congress an annual report on awards of attorneys' fees and litigation expenses against the United States. Authorizes to be appropriated (1) for awards to participants in agency proceedings under this Act, $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980; and (2) for awards to persons seeking judicial review of agency actions under this Act, such sums as may be necessary to make such awards for actions brought prior to the end of fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Permits any Federal employee or Member of Congress who, at the time of retirement, does not elect a reduced annuity in order to provide a survivor annuity to a spouse or other person to make such an election within one year after retiring. Requires such employee to refund to the Government an amount equal to the amount such employee's annuity would have been reduced during the period from the date of retirement to the date of election plus interest. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 8339)
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Requires creditors, under the Truth in Lending Act, to post, at each place of business where they extend credit to consumers, a sign which states clearly and conspicuously the current rates of interest being charged for each category of loan.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should direct the Ambassador to the United Nations (1) to have the United States accepted as a member of the United Nations Council for Namibia, (2) to endorse United Nations Council for Namibia "Decree Number 1 - For the Protection of the Natural Resources of Namibia," and (3) to support any proposal in the Security Council declaring the administration of Namibia by South Africa a threat to the peace.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Permits any Federal employee or Member of Congress who, at the time of retirement, does not elect a reduced annuity in order to provide a survivor annuity to a spouse or other person to make such an election within one year after retiring. Requires such employee to refund to the Government an amount equal to the amount such employee's annuity would have been reduced during the period from the date of retirement to the date of election plus interest. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 8339)
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Declares that the House Select Committee on Assassinations shall continue in operation for the duration of the Ninety-fifth Congress. Authorizes the select committee to bring, defend, and intervene in lawsuits and make applications to courts in carrying out its purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Veterans' Administration Administrative Procedure and Judicial Review Act - Provides that the decisions of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs on any question of law or fact under any law administered by the Veterans' Administration providing benefits for veterans and their dependents or survivors shall be subject to judicial review. Subjects all rules regulations, orders and any other determination of any kind made by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Repeals the requirement that the Administrator determine and pay fees to agents or attorneys in allowed claims for monetary benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Debt Collection Practices Act - Prohibits debt collectors from harassing or intimidating consumers in connection with the collection or attempted collection of any alleged debt arising from a consumer credit transaction. Sets forth conduct violating this Act, including the use of violence by a debt collector, or publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts. Prohibits communication with any person other than the consumer owing the debt or the spouse without prior consent of the consumer. Prohibits false or misleading representation or impersonation in connection with the collection of an alleged debt. States that not debt collector may engage in unfair practices, such as soliciting a post-dated check for purposes of threatening criminal action. Prohibits debt collectors from taking specified legal actions, such as causing unauthorized service of process. Provides that each debt collector must disclose, clearly and accurately, to each consumer a list of information which includes the date the alleged debt was incurred and the original creditor. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violation of the provisions of this Act. Requires the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General to report periodically to Congress concerning their administration of functions delegated to them under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a food additive unsafe to be marketed if it is found to induce cancer in man or animal when ingested in reasonable quantities, or found in appropriate tests to induce cancer in man or animal when ingested in reasonable quantities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Economic Disaster Community Assistance Act - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to establish within the Department of Commerce an Office of Aid to Economic Disaster Communities, to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the President to designate as an economic disaster community, any area, without regard to political or geographic boundaries, where: (1) the average unemployment rate for at least three consecutive months exceeds the average national unemployment rate for the preceding calendar year, (2) the current unemployment rate exceeds the national unemployment rate for the prior month and has increased by at least 100 percent within the past 12 months, or (3) the current unemployment rate is at least six percent and there are such other critical economic conditions as the President determines to warrant assistance under this Act. Directs the appointment of Federal and State coordinating officers for areas designated economic disaster communities. Authorizes all Federal agencies to assist such areas by making available real property, personnel, equipment, and other resources. Authorizes the President, with the concurrence of the Director of the Office, to direct any Federal agency charged with the administration of a Federal grant-in-aid program to modify conditions for assistance in order to facilitate the delivery of aid to economic disaster communities. Establishes a separate Federal Economic Recovery Fund within the Treasury. Directs the heads of Federal agencies and the Director of the Office to select existing Federal grant-in-aid and loan and loan guarantee programs to be assisted by the fund. Authorizes the allocation of fund monies for certain other purposes, including: (1) loans to individuals and businesses to enable them to meet mortgage payments, (2) unrestricted grants to States and local governments to implement local initiatives and projects designed to relieve unemployment and stimulate the economy but which are not eligible for existing grants; (3) relocation assistance for unemployed individuals and their families; (4) housing assistance; (5) unemployment assistance; (6) grants to accelerate Federal, State, or local projects; and (7) grants or loans to nonprofit organizations and loan guarantees to private profitmaking organizations for job creation and holding major employers in the area. Stipulates that areas designated as economic disaster communities shall remain eligible for assistance under this Act for at least one year after which time benefits will be phased out if the area no longer meets eligibility criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Repeals the requirement that appointments in the departmental service in the District of Columbia be apportioned among the States, territories, possessions, and the District of Columbia on the basis of population. (Repeals 5 USC 3306)
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to specifically encompass pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions within the prohibition against sex discrimination in employment, including discrimination with respect to fringe benefit plans.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Franchising Termination Practices Reform Act - Requires a franchisor to notify a franchisee at least 90 days in advance of the franchisor's intention to terminate the franchise and to state the reasons for termination. Prohibits a franchisor from cancelling a franchise or failing to renew a franchise unless the franchisor is effecting a market area withdrawal or the franchisor has good cause for failure to renew and has given proper notice. Makes any franchisor who has violated the requirements of this Act civilly liable to the aggrieved franchisee.
![Official portrait of Del. Fauntroy, Walter E. [D-DC-At Large]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000046_200.jpg)