United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1978
Establishes the War in the Pacific National Historic Park in Guam. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer the park. Sets forth procedures for the acquisition of lands within the Park. Directs the Secretary to submit a comprehensive development plan to relevant committees of Congress within two years from the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1978
Establishes the Guam National Seashore to conserve and protect outstanding natural, scenic, and cultural values on the island of Guam. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands within the boundaries of such seashore.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1978
Wildlife on Federal Lands Trapping Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue such regulations, relating to trapping, as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any type of trap unless such trap utilizes the most humane capture method available for the species concerned, and minimizes the probability of capturing species for which such trap was not intended. Directs the Secretary to undertake a research program to develop such types of traps. Establishes an advisory commission to make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to traps designed or intended for use. Prohibits the Secretary from permitting trapping on Federal lands where such trapping may reduce any species below specified levels. Sets forth a procedure for the application and issuance of trapping permits. Requires the attachment of a shipping certificate to any package containing the fur, hide, skin, horn, or feathers of any mammal or bird captured by any trap within any State or the District of Columbia if such package is transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) engaging in trapping without a permit issued pursuant to this Act; (2) violating any condition of such permit; (3) violating any regulation of the Secretary relating to trapping; (4) selling or transporting in interstate commerce an unapproved trap; or (5) falsifying the shipping certificate. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with States with respect to the imposition of trapping regulations consistent with those prescribed under this Act. Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Amends the National Housing Act to prohibit the denial of assistance under the Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance programs solely because the housing is located in an area identified by any federal agency as an area subject to a high noise level resulting from air transportation conducted in connection with the operation of a nearby civilian or military airport.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Prohibits the Veterans' Administration from refusing to guarantee, insure, or make a home loan to veterans solely because the property is located in an area identified by a Federal agency as the area which is most adversely affected by the noise from the operation of nearby civilian or military airports. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, when providing assistance under such conditions, to notify the buyer regarding the nature of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1978
Amends the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out such Act to $10,000,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1978
Entitles members of the Armed Forces Reserves who were on active duty after August 13, 1961, and before May 31, 1963, or after August 4, 1964, and before March 28, 1973, to retired pay.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1978
Reserve Survivors' Benefits Act - Title I: Annuities Under Survivor Benefit Plan - Grants annuities to the survivors of individuals who would have been eligible for retired military pay for non-regular service but who died before reaching the age of 60. Establishes formulae for computing such benefits. Title II: Medical and Dental Care - Entitles such survivors to specified medical and dental benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Amends the Education of the Handicapped Act to: (1) change the formula for determining maximum State entitlement for the education of handicapped children under such Act; and (2) provide an alternative procedure for meeting the eligibility requirements for such entitlement in a State whose laws prohibit the general supervision required under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Expresses the condemnation by the Congress of the March 11, 1978, attack on Israel by the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the expressed intention of the PLO to continue such attacks and to disrupt the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Requests the President to make the disapproval of the Congress known to governments approving the PLO attack. Expresses Congressional approval of the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Urges other Middle East countries to join such efforts. Declares negotiation to be the best way to bring peace to the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Federal Acquisition Act - Title I: Acquisition Methods and Regulatory Guidance - Requires Federal agencies to procure goods and services utilizing methods prescribed in this Act as directed by rules promulgated by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (Office). Title II: Acquisition by Competitive Sealed Bids - Sets criteria for use of the competitive sealed bid method of acquisition. Requires bid invitations to indicate what factors, in addition to price, will be considered in evaluating bids. Title III: Acquisition by Competitive Negotiation - Permits the use of the competitive negotiation method of procurement when the competitive sealed bid method is inappropriate under this Act. Permits procurement through negotiation with a single source if a contract stems from the acceptance of an unsolicited proposal or if such procurement practice is in the best interest of the Government. Requires contractors to submit price data for analysis prior to any negotiated award, change, or modification of any contract valued at over $500,000 in order to facilitate determination of the reasonableness of its offers. Requires contractors party to a single-source award or negotiated contract to submit cost information bearing on the reasonableness of the offered price. Gives agencies the power to inspect plants and records of a contractor up to three years after final payment has been made under a contract to ascertain the accuracy of price and cost data submitted under this Act. Title IV: Acquisition by Competitive Small Purchase Procedures Method - Permits the use of the competitive small purchase procedures method of procurement when contracts valued at not more than $10,000 are involved and if such procedure would be advantageous to the Government. Title V: General Provisions - Prohibits the use of cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost contracting under this Act. Prohibits the employment of any agent on a contingent fee basis to solicit or secure a contract made with the Government. Disallows the making of any contract for a period of more than five years unless an exception has been made by the Office under this Act. Sets forth limitations for the making of advance payments. Gives title to the product of a contractor to the Government as security for partial and progress payments made pursuant to a Government contract. Directs the reconsideration and revision, if necessary, of specifications at least every three years. Title VI: Delegation of Authority - Permits agency heads to delegate specified authority conferred under this Act. Permits one agency to delegate acquisition functions to another agency to facilitate joint acquisitions. Title VII: Protests - Authorizes the Comptroller General to decide protests of awards under this Act. Permits the Comptroller General to declare a protested award or proposed award illegal. Requires protest proceedings to be as informal as possible. Title VIII: Applicability of Subsequent Laws - Prohibits the interpretation of any law passed subsequent to the enactment of this Act as amending this Act unless such law explicitly refers to this Act. Title IX: Amendments and Repeals - Makes technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1978
National Academy of Medicine Act - Establishes a National Academy of Medicine to train doctors at no cost to the student. Requires each student to sign a written agreement to serve as a commissioned officer of the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service upon graduation and after completion of residency and internship for a period of six years for general practitioners and nine years for specialists.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Solar Power Satellite Research, Development, and Demonstration Program Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to initiate a Solar Power Satellite Research, Development, and Demonstration Program to study technical problems regarding the viability of the solar power satellite concept. Requires the Secretary to cooperate with the Administrator in the submission to Congress, by September 30, 1978, of a comprehensive plan to implement the Program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1978
Expresses the sense of the Congress that any right to, title to, or interest in the property of the United States Government agencies in the Panama Canal Zone or any real property and improvements thereon located in the zone should not be conveyed, relinquished, or otherwise disposed of to any foreign government without specific authorization of such conveyance, relinquishment, or other disposition by any Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1978
Reclamation Safety of Dams Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to modify Bureau of Reclamation dams and related facilities in order to preserve structural safety.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1978
Urges the Secretary of Defense not to include within the competitive rate program (under which services are procured for the movement of the household goods of Department of Defense employees) the movement of household goods of Department personnel who are being transferred between the continental United States and Alaska or Hawaii.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1978
Federal Regulatory Expediting and Efficiency Act - Requires any Federal agency receiving a petition to issue, amend, or repeal any rule administered by the agency, to grant or deny such petition within 120 days. Permits any person to enforce this Act by civil suit in any United States court of appeals. Requires agencies to promulgate timetables for general classes of proceedings begun by petition which shall be subject to a one-house veto in Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1978
Permits possession of betelnut for personal use, but not for commercial distribution, by residents of Guam, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates below the level established by the Social Security Amendments of 1977 on employment income for both employers and employees and on self-employment income. Increases Federal contributions to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act by 50 percent. Increases the ceiling on the amount of income that is subject to social security taxation to $100,000 in 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Veterans' and Survivors' Pension Improvement Act - Title I: Amendments to Pension Program for Non-service-connected Disability or Death - Revises the list of specified catagories of payments excluded from the determination of annual income for benefit payment purposes. Requires persons applying for a non-service-connected disability pension to report the income and estate of each spouse and child on account of whom added pension is applied for or received. Sets increased flat pension and aid-and-attendance allowance rates, reduced by the amount of a veteran's annual income, and in specified instances, by the amount of a spouse's or child's income which is reasonably available to or for such veteran. Sets increased flat benefit rates, with similar reductions, for the surviving spouses and children of such veterans. Requires annual adjustments in such pension and benefit rates in conjunction with cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions and Effective Dates - Sets the effective dates for provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the District of Columbia be treated as a State for purposes of representation in the Congress, election of the President and Vice President, and Article V of the Constitution of the United States. Repeals the provisions of the twenty-third amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1978
Increases from $250 to $400 the burial and funeral expense allowance which may be paid by the Veterans Administration on behalf of certain deceased veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Creates a select committee in the House of Representatives to study the effectiveness of measures being taken by the United States and foreign countries to alleviate the threat of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Requires recomputation at a specified rate of the retired pay of any person who completed service as a sergeant major of the Marine Corps before December 16, 1967.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Allows enlised members (regular and reserve) of the Army and the Air Force to retire after 20 years of service. Stipulates that at such time regular enlisted members shall become members of the reserve until their total creditable years of service equals 30.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Revises the method of computing the retired or retainer pay for members of the armed forces who were called to active duty after October 1, 1963, served on such active duty for a continuous period of at least two years and who were released from such duty before October 1, 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Entitles members of the armed forces reserves who were on active duty after August 13, 1961, and before May 31, 1963, or after August 4, 1964, and before March 28, 1973, or who completed at least 20 years of service after August 15, 1945, to retired pay.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1977
Tuition Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit against an individual's income tax in an amount equal to 50 percent of the sum of the amounts paid by him to educational institutions as tuition (though no more than $500 for any single individual) for the attendance of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or any of his dependents with respect to whom he is entitled to a personal exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1977
Grants a Federal Charter to the Gold Star Wives of America. Stipulates that the purpose of such organization is to honor the memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1977
Radioactive Waste Management Act - Amends the Atomic Energy Act to require the transfer of radioactive waste generated by licensees under such Act to Federal repositories for storage. Directs the Energy Research and Development Administration to construct and operate such repositories. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to establish and enforce standards for construction and operation of all Federal repositories. Requires the Commission to hold public hearings in each State which has jurisdiction of any property within 25 miles of the site of the proposed repository and to consult with the Governors of such States. Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to grant the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing and regulatory authority regarding Federal repositories. Requires the transfer of military radioactive waste to Federal repositories. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to restore the background radiation at abandoned uranium mill sites or mines as designated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to levels which approximate those levels which existed before operations commenced at such sites. Authorizes States to exercise concurrent authority regarding radioactive waste storage if the State requirements impose additional or more stringent standards for the construction or operation of such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Removes the present restrictions which prohibit enlisted members of the armed forces on active duty from engaging in a civilian pursuit or business or prohibit members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine bands from receiving remuneration for furnishing music outside of a military base where such activities are in competition with local civilians.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
States that during the period following the enactment of this Act until December 31, 1978, neither the Secretary of the Interior nor the Attorney General shall withhold water delivery from any beneficiary of a Federal reclamation project for purposes of achieving conformity with acreage limitations or residency requirements of reclamation law.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1977
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to make grants to assist older persons adversely affected by a major disaster or emergency declared by the President in accordance with the Disaster Relief Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1977
Amends Titles XI, part A (General Provisions) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to increase the dollar limitations on Medicaid payments to Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, and to eliminate the 50 percent limitation on the Federal medical assistance percentage applicable to the Medicaid programs of such territories and raise such limitation to the same level as that in the States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1977
Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act - Title I: Establishment of Goals, Planning, and General Economic Policies - Amends the Employment Act of 1946 to declare that all adult Americans able, willing, and seeking work have the right to useful paid employment at fair rates of compensation. States that, in moving toward the goal of full employment, it shall be an objective to maintain trends in the ratio of private employment civilian public employment and first priority is to expand conventional private jobs through policies made available under this Act. Directs the President in each annual Economic Report to recommend numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power, as well as policies to support these goals and achieve balanced growth and full employment. Requires the preparation of a Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, prepared with the assistance of Economic Advisers and in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. Requires that such plan set forth foreseeable social and economic goals; provide estimates of unmet social and economic needs; identify available and needed resources; and contain long-term economic goals including (1) full employment goals set at the number of jobs to be provided in order to reduce unemployment to the minimum level of functional unemployment consistent with efficient job search and labor mobility, (2) full production goals set at levels of output estimated to be yielded by achievement of full employment goals, and (3) full purchasing power goals set at levels estimated to be necessary for attaining and maintaining full employment and production while contributing to an equitable distribution of purchasing power. States that in achieving such goals the President shall include the objective of holding the annual rate of price increases to levels consistent with reasonable price stability. Requires the full employment goal to be consistent with an adult unemployment rate not in excess of three percent. Requires that the plan propose priority policies and programs to support full employment and balanced growth and enumerates sectors of the economy to be included in such policies and programs. Directs the President to submit proposals improving the efficiency and economy of the Federal Government. Requires the Presidents' Budget and Economic Report to set forth the level and composition of Federal expenditures, tax policy, and monetary policy consistent with and in promotion of the goals and policies contained in this Act. Directs the Federal Reserve Board to report to the President and Congress, identifying the extent to which the Federal Reserve will support the economic goals recommended by the President. Stipulates that each Economic Report contain a comprehensive set of anti-inflation policies to supplement monetary and fiscal policy. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Full Employment and Balanced Growth to advise and assist the Council of Economic Advisers. Directs the Council of Economic Advisers to prepare the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan and to consult with the Advisory Committee. Title II: Countercyclical, Structural, and Youth Employment Policies - Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 90 days of the enactment of this Act a proposal, together with necessary legislation, establishing permanent supplementary employment policies and programs required to reduce high unemployment arising from cyclical movements in the economy. Specifies types of programs which should be considered by the President in establishing component parts of such proposal and the means to be utilized in coordinating them. Requires the President to also transmit to Congress within such period legislation creating a permanent grant program related to the stabilization and needed growth of State and local budgets. Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 180 days of the enactment of this Act (1) a comprehensive regional and structural employment proposal designed to reduce chronic underutilization of human and capital resources in certain areas of the country and in groups within the labor force, and (2) legislation providing institutional means to encourage public and private investment in areas with substantial unemployment and to provide an alternative source of capital funds for local and State governments to finance public facilities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress legislation creating a comprehensive youth employment program which utilizes existing resources and facilities and provides additional employment programs. Directs the President to provide job opportunities through reservoirs of federally operated public employment projects and approved private nonprofit employment projects to the extent, and only to the extent, that willing able adults are not otherwise provided job opportunities. Establishes, within the Department of Labor, a Full Employment Office to assist in creating such employment opportunities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress a proposal, together with such legislation as is necessary, on how the income maintenance and employment policies can be integrated to insure that employment is substituted for income maintenance to the maximum extent feasible. Title III: Policies and Procedures for Congressional Review - Requires the Joint Economic Committee to carry out overall review of executive branch policies under this Act. Requires the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives to review the fiscal policy, economy in government policies, and Federal budget priorities recommended by the President. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to review and make recommendations to Congress on annual numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power proposed by the President. Provides for Congressional review of the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, including reports to the Joint Economic Committee from the Standing Committees of Congress on matters that relate to the plan, public hearings before the Joint Economic Committee, and consideration of State and local views on the plan. Establishes a Division of Full Employment and Balanced Growth within the Congressional Budget Office to assist the Joint Economic Committee in the discharge of its duties under this Act. Provides that the provisions of this title, with specified exceptions, be incorporated into the rules of the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively. Title IV: General Provisions - Makes general provisions with respect to nondiscrimination, labor standards, and authorizations of appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Declares that the President should establish a Commission on Domestic and International Hunger and Malnutrition which should: (1) collect and generate information and resources on food, hunger, malnutrition and related concerns; (2) assess current programs affecting domestic and international hunger and malnutrition; (3) analyze and report its findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the public; and (4) assist the President and the Congress in implementing its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1977
Public Safety Officers' Group Life Insurance Act - Authorizes the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to purchase from life insurance companies a policy or policies of group life insurance to provide the benefits provided under this Act. Provides that each such life insurance company must: (1) be licensed to issue life insurance in each of the 50 states of the United States and in the District of Columbia; and (2) as of the most recent December 31 for which information is available to the administration have in effect at least one percent of the total amount of group life insurance which all life insurance companies have in effect in the United States. Provides that any purchased policy shall automatically insure any Public Safety Officer employed by a State or local government which has applied to participate in the insurance program and agreed to deduct from such officer's pay the amount of the premium, to be forwarded to the proper Federal agency as designated by the Administration. Specifies the amount of life insurance an officer may receive on the basis of his pay rate. Requires that policies purchased under this Act provide officers accidental death and dismemberment insurance in an amount equal to the applicable amount of life insurance. Provides that each policy purchased by the Administration under this Act shall contain a provision, in terms approved by the Administration, to the effect that any insurance thereunder on any public safety officer shall cease two months after; (1) his separation or release from duty as such an officer; or (2) discontinuance of his pay as such an officer, whichever is earlier. Provides that each policy purchased under this Act shall contain a provision, in terms approved by the Administration, for the conversion of such insurance effective the day following the date such insurance would cease. Specifies that during the period such insurance is in force the insured, upon request to the Administration, shall be furnished a list of life insurance companies participating in the program established under this Act, and upon written application (within such period), to the participating company selected by the insured and payment of the required premiums be granted insurance without a medical examination on a permanent plan then currently written by such company which does not provide for the payment of any sum less than the face value thereof, or for the payment of an additional amount of premiums if the insured engages in public safety activities. Requires that during any period in which a public safety officer is insured under a policy of insurance purchased by the Administration under this Act his employer shall withhold each pay period from his basic or other pay until separation or release from duty as a public safety officer an amount determined by the Administration to be such officer's share of the cost of his group life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Sets forth the order of precedence in which the survivors of the officers will be awarded insurance benefits. States that each policy issued under this title shall include a schedule of basic premium rates and provide for the readjustment of rates. Establishes an Advisory Council on Public Safety Officer Group Life Insurance consisting of the Attorney General as Chairman, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Provides that the Council shall meet once a year, or more often at the call of the Attorney General, and shall review the Administration of this Act and advise the Administration on matters of policy relating to activities thereunder.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1977
National Crude Oil Supply and Transportation Act -- Expresses the intent of Congress that the continuation of a transportation system to deliver Alaskan crude oil to Northern Tier or inland States be accomplished through expedited administrative procedures. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a time schedule for the completion of required environmental impact statements in order to select a crude oil transportation system by February 1, 1978. Establishes criteria to be considered by the Secretary in selecting a transportation route. Establishes procedures for Congressional review and disapproval of the Secretary's decision. Directs the Secretary and other appropriate Federal officials to take all actions necessary to provide rights of-way, permits, leases, and other authorizations necessary for the instruction, operation and maintenance of the transportation system approved under this Act. Declares that the actions of Federal officers and agencies under this Act shall not be subject to judicial review by the courts. Allows for claims that: (1) actions under this Act will deny Constitutional rights; and (2) actions taken are beyond the scope of authority conferred by this Act, provided that such claims are filed within 60 days following the date of the challenged action. Vests exclusive jurisdiction to hear such claims in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, acting as a special court. Stipulates that any judicial proceedings should be completed at the earliest possible date. Declares that nothing in this Act shall authorize or imply an exemption from any provision of the antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1977
Directs the Department of Labor, in cooperation with the Department of Commerce, to develop methods for improving and expanding the collection, analysis, and publication of labor force characteristics relating to Americans of East Asian or Pacific origin or descent for those States containing significant populations of such individuals. Directs the Departments of Commerce, Labor, Agriculture, and Health, Education, and Welfare to collect and publish statistics regarding the social, health, and economic conditions of such individuals. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in conjunction with the heads of other data- gathering Federal agencies, to develop a Government-wide program for the collection and publication of data regarding such individuals. Requires the Department of Commerce to implement an affirmative action program within the Bureau of the Census for the employment of personnel of East Asian or Pacific Island origin or descent. Requires the Department to submit a report to Congress within one year after the enactment of this Act on the progress of such program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Noncontiguous States and Territories Shipping Freight Rate Equalization Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make payments to American shippers for the transportation of merchandise to the noncontiguous States and territories of the United States where such transportation is required to be made in a vessel built in and documented under the United States and owned by citizens of the United States. Stipulates that the amount of such assistance shall be the difference between the rates charged by United States flag vessels and the rates charged by foreign flag vessels for comparable shipping. Requires that the rate charged for such transportation be reduced by the amount of such payment. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1977
Solar Energy Bank Act - Creates a Government corporation to be known as the Solar Energy Development Bank to make long-term, low-interest loans to encourage the use of solar energy in commercial and residential dwellings. Establishes procedures governing the processing and approval of loan applications by the Bank. Prohibits conflicts of interest, on the part of officers or employees of the Bank. Prohibits the Bank or its employees from utilizing the Solar Bank to finance political activities. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Declares that the Solar Bank and its assets shall be exempt by Federal, State, and local taxation. Establishes a Solar Energy Fund in the Treasury of the United States to pay the expenses of the Bank. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000,000 to the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1977
American Samoa Development Fund Act - Authorizes appropriations for a revolving fund for loans under an economic development program to be administered by the American Samoa Government with the oversight of the Secretary of the Interior.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1977
Title I: Amends the Act entitled "An Act to establish a Redwood National Park in the state of California" by increasing the acreage limitation of the park and revising the maps to reflect such changes. Permits the acceptance by donation of any State-owned lands, subject to certain conditions or reverters. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to expend appropriated funds for the management of these lands as well as for construction, design, and maintenance of facilities on them, notwithstanding any other provision of law. Vests title in the United States to all real property within the area indicated as "Proposed Additions" on the map entitled "Additional Lands, Redwood National Park, California," amended 167-80005A, as well as the down tree personal property within such area. Provides that actions taken against the United States for the recovery of just compensation for lands taken by the expansion shall be brought in the United States district court for the district in which the land is located without regard to the amount claimed. Permits the United States to initiate proceedings before the court to determine just compensation, and to deposit payments for the property acquired with the court in advance, which will stop interest running on the deposited amounts. Permits the Secretary to revest title to any real or personal property which he determines not to be necessary for the purposes of such Act, except that for which just compensation has already been paid. Permits the Secretary to sell any down timber which may be removed without damaging the park without regard to the usual procedures for the disposal of Federal excess property, and credit the proceeds of such sales to the Treasury of the United States. Directs the Secretary to convey a right-of-way to the State of California for a bypass highway around the eastern perimeter of Prairie Creek State Park. Requires that the Secretary convey the right-of-way, subject to any protective conditions he may deem necessary, within one year of enactment of this Act. Provides that such route shall be considered a publicly-owned highway, for purposes of such Act. Repeals the 60 day waiting period on the execution of any contracts or cooperative agreements, or on any acquisition of interests in lands on the periphery of the park and on watersheds tributary to streams within the park. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the implementation of such contracts and cooperative agreements. Declares the intent of Congress that any such contracts or agreements will provide for the maximum retention of senior employees by any owners of peripheral property, and the use of such employees in rehabilitation and related management programs. Authorizes the Secretary, through contracts or cooperative agreements with certain public or private entities, to implement a rehabilitation program for areas both within and upstream from the park which are contributing sedimentation due to past road and logging activity. Stipulates that authority to make such payments is limited to those amounts provided for by appropriations. Provides that such contracts and agreements will be subject to other conditions which the Secretary may determine to be necessary to protect the park, provide employment opportunities for those affected by the expansion, and benefit the economies of the local counties. Authorizes the Secretary to identify and establish zones where rules and regulations will be needed to protect the park resources from detrimental upstream activities. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate and enforce reasonable regulations and restrictions on timber harvesting and land rehabilitation and management practices within the defined zones. Requires that such regulations and restrictions may be promulgated only after the Secretary has consulted with the State of California, and has found that existing State regulations are not sufficient to achieve this required protection. Provides that this regulatory ability is not to be considered as authority to acquire lands or interests therein by the adoption of regulations, and any regulation deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a compensable taking under Amendment V of the Constitution shall be of no further effect. Directs the Secretary to request the Attorney General to seek injunctive relief where necessary to prevent violations of regulations, or to require land rehabilitation or other required land practices. Requires that any such action will be based upon a showing of present or likely damage to park resources. Directs the Secretary to study erosion and sedimentation within the Redwood Creek basin, with particular effort to identify both man-caused and natural sources and causes of erosion, and adapt his management plan for the area to benefit from the studies. Requires the Secretary, or the Secretary of Agriculture where appropriate, to manage any additional lands within the Rock Creek drainage which are under his control, so as to minimize sedimentation, and in coordination with plans for sediment management in the basin. Permits the Secretary to authorize access to such areas by designated persons as needed to carry out such duties and to develop further scientific and professional information on the redwood forest ecosystem. Declares the intent of the Congress that the promotion and regulation of the National Park System is to be carried out in accordance with the maintenance of the integrity of this system, and management of these areas shall not compromise these resource values except as Congress may have specifically provided. Provides that provisions for the taking of lands under such Act will vest on the date of enactment. Provides that up to $359,000,000 may be expended from the amounts converted into the Land and Water Conservation Fund for fiscal years 1978 and following, to pay for land acquisition and down tree personal property. Provides that up to $5,000,000 of such funds may be used, in consultation with the Attorney General, to assist in settling the amounts to be paid for the expanded area. Directs the appropriate cabinet officers to analyze the federal actions which can be taken to assist the economies of the area, and to submit a report of the analysis, as well as recommendations for action, to the Congress. Directs the appropriate Departments to take actions within the framework of existing programs to assist the area economy. Provides for the establishment of employment programs to provide jobs to persons affected by the park expansion, and to contribute to the economic revival of the Del Norte and Humboldt counties, in Northern California. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out such provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to appoint specific numbers of additional employees for the park, and to transfer affected State Park employees to the National Park Service. Provides that the Secretary shall give full consideration to individuals affected by the expansion area. Details the manner in which employment opportunities will be provided both in Federal jobs and in the private sector. Directs the Secretary of Labor to carry out this program, to provide appropriate job training and related benefits, as well as to seek the cooperation of all levels of government in this program. Requires the Secretary to submit annual written reports to the Congress for ten years. States that such reports will be concerned with the various programs authorized by such Act, as well as the submission of a general management plan for the expanded park, and specified information regarding visitor use provisions in the park. Authorizes to be appropriated $12,000,000 to carry out the rehabilitations programs, effective October 1, 1978. Provides for the continued application of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act to the expanded national park. Defines the Redwoods Community College District as an affected school district for such purposes. Directs that it shall be a purpose of this Act to maintain the employment levels of the Redwoods United, Incorporated. Pledges the full faith and credit of the United States to promptly pay just compensation for the lands and properties taken by this Act, using funds from the Land and Water Conservation fund account. Provides for public participation in such park protection and regulatory provisions, as well as a continuing review process to periodically examine the State regulations in effect and a provision for immediate implementation of the Federal regulatory system, if necessary. Provides for judicial review for various interested parties, in the United States district court for the district in which the park is located, without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties, in connection with any alleged failure of the Secretary to perform any non-discretionary act or duty under this Act. Provides for discretionary compensation by the courts to prevailing parties. Title II: Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to develop the necessary procedures to implement this title. Defines those employees considered to be affected by the expansion of Redwood National Park. Limits the number of employees to be so defined in certain portions of the local forest products industry. Provides for the protection and accrual of various rights and benefits of affected employees, to the maximum extent feasible. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to enter into agreements to accomplish such protections, including making payments on behalf of employees. Establishes the manner in which employee eligibility for the program will be determined. Defines the manner in which an individual employee's period of protection will be calculated. Sets the amount of layoff and vacation benefits which may be paid to an employee, including various deductions. Provides for the extension of benefits for certain older employees who would otherwise lose benefits before age 65. Permits an employee who would otherwise qualify for income maintenance benefits to elect to receive severance pay instead. Limits the eligibility for benefits of certain employees who have fewer than five years credit in pension plans which are contributed to by affected employers. Provides that such employees are eligible for a severance payment. Empowers the Secretary of Labor to authorize the funding of retraining of affected employees when found necessary. Provides for the payment of a job search allowances to affected employees. Sets forth the duties of the Secretary of Labor concerning such Act. Authorizes the annual appropriation of such sums as may be required to meet the obligations of this Title, effective October 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1977
Natural Diversity Preservation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and Purposes - States that the purpose of this Act is to establish a nationwide policy of preserving representative examples of the full range of the elements of natural, biological, and geological diversity found in the United States. Title II: Responsibility and Function - Establishes in the Department of the Interior the Office of Nationwide Ecological Reserves which shall have as its function, among other things, the development and administration of a identifying those examples of elements of natural diversity deemed relevant for potential inclusion on the Nationwide Registry of Ecological Reserves. Establishes the Nationwide Ecological Reserves Board. Title III: Inventory and Registry - Requires the development of a Nationwide Registry of Ecological Reserves which shall classify resources according to their relative significance: National, State or local. Sets forth standards of protection for National Classification Registry entries. Title IV: Funding Authorization - Establishes the Natural Diversity Preservation Fund in the Department of the Treasury. Defines the terms which must be followed by the Secretary of the Interior in providing financial assistance for Federal agencies, State and local governments, and the private sector.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1977
Establishes the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area composed of a 48-mile segment of the Chattahoochee River and adjoining lands in the State of Georgia from Buford Dam downstream to Peachtree Creek. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands, waters, and interests therein by donation, purchase or exchange. Reserves a right to retain use and occupancy of noncommercial residential property for specified owners. Authorizes the Secretary to administer, protect, and develop the recreation area in cooperation with the State or its political subdivisions. Prevents the Federal Power Commission from licensing the construction of any dam, water conduit, reservoir, or other project works on or directly affecting the recreation area. Prohibits any department or agency of the United States from recommending authorization of any water resources project that would have a direct and adverse effect on the values for which such area is established. Authorizes such funds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Requires that within three years of the effective date of this Act the Secretary shall, after consulting with the Governor of the State of Georgia, develop a general management plan for the use and development of the recreation area.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1977
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to exempt from customs duties products of the insular possessions of, the United States if not more than 70 percent of the products value is attributable to foreign materials, until the value of such imports reaches a specified annual total. Exempts watch products from such quota. Exempts from customs duties products of the insular possessions of the United States upon re-entry, if applicable duties were previously paid.
![Official portrait of Del. Won Pat, Antonio B. [D-GU-At Large]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000686_200.jpg)