United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Expresses the condemnation of the House of Representatives of the kidnapping of Aldo Moro. Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) Italy deserves the support of the United States, and (2) the President should instruct the Permanent Representative to the United Nations to press for consideration of solutions to the problem of terrorism in all appropriate forums.
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 · 9 March 1978
Title I: Amendments to Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Authority - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make physical disaster loans to cover losses during the period beginning July 1, 1976, and ending October 1, 1982, at a five percent rate of interest. Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make and issue notes to the Secretary of the Treasury for the purpose of obtaining funds necessary for discharging obligations under the disaster loan revolving fund created by the Small Business Act. Title II: Authorizations and Limitations - Authorizes funds for the small business development center program through fiscal year 1982. Title III: Management and Technical Assistance - Authorizes the Administration to make a grant to any State or local government, development credit corporation, land-grant college, or specified school for small business oriented employment or natural resources development programs including research, counseling, and technical assistance provided that an additional amount equal to the amount of such grant is from a source other than the Federal Government. Title IV: White House Conference on Small Business - Directs the President to call a White House Conference on Small business to be conducted by the National Conference Planning Council on Small Business established by this Act. Title V: Miscellaneous Admendments - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to permit the investment of pollution control revolving fund moneys which are not needed for the payment of claims or current operating expenses. Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration to send to Congress any budget estimate or request, any legislative recommendations or testimony, or comment on legislation which it submits to the President or the Office of Management and Budget.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1978
Product Liability Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify trusts established for the payment of product liability claims as tax exempt organizations. Allows taxpayers a business income tax deduction for contributions to such trusts only to the extent they do not exceed the reasonable costs of product liability insurance for the taxpayer. Imposes excise taxes on self-dealing and excess contribution by persons who contribute, control, own, or have beneficial interests in the trusts. Includes distribution from these trusts in the taxpayers' gross income when made for an unqualified purpose, and imposes a ten percent tax on the trusts for such expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1978
Small Business Capital, Investment, and Business Opportunity Act - Title I: Amendments of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 - States that the interest rate on loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to small business investment companies shall be three percent per annum. Authorizes the Small Business Administration to guarantee up to 75 percent of the funds advanced by small business investment companies to start small business concerns. Limits such guarantees to not more than 20 percent of the private paid-in capital of the small business investment company. Makes the Associate Administrator for Investment of the SBA responsible for the administration of the small business investment program and removes any other duties. Title II: Amendments to the Securities Act of 1933 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to permit the sale of restricted securities without registration under specified circumstances. Requires issuers to report only material information with respect to transactions not involving any public offering. Title III: Amendment of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to provide that the prudence requirement under such Act is not violated solely by an investment in a small business, provided investments of this nature do not exceed in value five percent of the market value of all assets in a defined benefit plan fund. Title IV: Tax Provisions - Increases the surtax exemption from tax on the income of a corporation for any taxable year to $100,000. States that the gain from the sale of an interest in a small concern qualifies as a non-taxable exchange provided such gain is reinvested within 18 months of the sale in another eligible small concern. Repeals the amendments pertaining to qualified stock options under section 442 of the Code as enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1976 and reinstates the former law. Changes the allowable deduction for any taxable year with respect to the issuance of small business stock. Makes small business investment companies eligible to be shareholders of subchapter S corporations. Provides for reserves for losses on equity investments of small business investment companies.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow small business investment companies electing to be taxed as regulated investment companies, and having a tax deficiency as a result of a judicial judgment or administrative settlement concerning certain capital gains or dividend deductions to satisfy such deficiencies by paying out dividends within 90 days after the judgment or settlement.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for dental care including dentures, eye examinations including eyeglasses, and hearing aids including examination. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to take steps to eliminate unnecessary or excessive medical (appliance) expenditures under the Medicare program. States that the Federal Trade Commission should continue and increase scrutiny of the medical appliance industries in the interest of consumer protection.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Title I: Amendments to the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to change the limitation on the amount of securities which the Small Business Administration (SBA) may purchase from various classes of small business investment companies. Authorizes small business investment companies to invest funds in certificates of deposit or savings accounts in institutions whose accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. Repeals certain requirements with respect to interest rates on debentures purchased by the SBA. Title II: Amendments to the Small Business Act - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the SBA to let subcontracts or to arrange for the performance of its own government contracts to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns for construction work, services, and the manufacture, supply or assembly of articles. Defines socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns for purposes of this Act. Exempts small businesses receiving such subcontracts from performance bond requirements under specified circumstances. Requires each public contract to be performed in the United States which exceeds $10,000 in amount to include a clause requiring that small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals be given the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in such contracts. Requires each offering company to submit a summary subcontracting plan with its offer. Conditions the award of a contract to an apparently successful offering company upon a determinination by the procurement authority that the final subcontracting plan affords maximum practicable opportunity for participation by small businesses owned and controlled by disadvantaged individuals. Authorizes the SBA to appeal for modification of such a plan to the head of the procuring agency if determined that such standard is not met. Conditions the granting of Federal funds to be used for the procurement of articles, equipment, or construction work upon the applicant agreeing to utilize small business concerns for such procurement to the maximum extent practicable.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply the same tax rates to married persons filing separate returns as are presently applicable to unmarried individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 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 · 23 February 1978
Directs the Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp in observance of the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Legislative Oversight Act - Title I: Requirements for Authorization Bills - Requires all legislation considered by either House of Congress which authorizes new budget authority or increased tax expenditures to include a statement of objectives of the program to be authorized or established and a requirement that the agencies administering the program report annually to Congress to assist it in determining whether such program should be amended. Requires such agency reports to list the costs and accomplishments of each program. Title II: Requirements for Reports Accompanying Authorization Bills - Requires committee reports accompanying such legislation to identify expected economic and social costs and benefits of new programs authorized or established by such legislation, potentially duplicative programs, and previous efforts to accomplish the objectives of the program being considered. Requires reports to contain, if the legislation continues an existing program, authorization, or tax expenditure, an assessment of the degree to which such program or tax expenditure has met previously stated objectives. Requires the Comptroller General to publish and periodically update a descriptive catalog of interrelated Federal activities which compares program costs and accomplishments and describes program interrelationships, including the extent to which programs are duplicative. Title III: Presidential Budget Recommendations - Requires the President's budget to describe the relationship between the President's recommended program budgets and the program accomplishments reported by Federal agencies under this Act. Title IV: Authorization Time Limit; Certain Obligations not Impaired - Prohibits congressional consideration of any legislation which authorizes new budget authority or provides new or increased tax expenditures, or new spending authority for a period exceeding five years. Exempts from this prohibition national debt service and payments to individuals from Federal trust funds to which such individuals have contributed. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions; Effective Date - Recognizes the authority of either House to amend this Act. Sets the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1978
SS Life Act - Directs the Secretary of the Navy to transfer to LIFE International for 15 years the hospital ship U.S.S. Sanctuary (AH-17) to furnish health care to developing nations. Renames such ship the "SS LIFE". Authorizes the appropriation of $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1979 for modification of such ship and for maintenance and operation $494,000 for fiscal year 1979, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1980, $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1981, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1982, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1983, and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1978
Authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to acquire the Museum of African Art. Establishes a Commission for the Museum of African Art to assist the Board in the operation and development of the Museum. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1978
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit payment for eye care, eyeglasses, hearing aids and related examinations, dental care and dentures under the supplementary medical insurance program. Increases the government contribution to the Federal Supplementary Insurance Trust Fund by twice the amount of premiums that are presently paid into the Fund each month, while decreasing the portion of the Fund comprised fo premiums from one-half to one-third. Excludes from the coverage of the supplementary medical insurance program expenses relating to referrals of individuals by a doctor of optometry for the diagnosis or detection of eye diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide graduted income tax rates for corporations with a maximum rate of 45 percent on income in excess of $150,000 and a minimum rate of 18 percent on income not in excess of $25,000.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1978
Authorizes air carriers holding a certificate to engage in foreign air transportation to carry domestic traffic between points in the United States on flights operated in foreign air transportation. Stipulates that such authority shall be limited to one round trip flight per day in each city-pair market unless otherwise authorized by the Civil Aeronautics Board.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1978
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for foot care involving the cutting and removal of corns, warts, and calluses and the trimming of club nails.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction of up to $1,500 for household expenses to any taxpayer who maintains a household in which a dependent aged 65 or over resides.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude from admission into, and provides for the deportation from, the United States of any alien who engaged or assisted in, or incited or directed others to engage in, the persecution of others on the basis of religion, race, or national origin under the direction of the Nazi government of Germany between March 23, 1933, and May 8, 1945.
United States · United States Congress · 6 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 · 6 February 1978
Amends the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968 to establish a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in Social and Political Thought at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Institution. Establishes the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Trust Fund in the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1978
Title I: Amendments to the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to change the limitation on the amount of securities which the Small Business Administration (SBA) may purchase from various classes of small business investment companies. Authorizes small business investment companies to invest funds in certificates of deposit or savings accounts in institutions whose accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. Repeals certain requirements with respect to interest rates on debentures purchased by the SBA. Title II: Amendments to the Small Business Act - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the SBA to let subcontracts or to arrange for the performance of its own government contracts to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns for construction work, services, and the manufacture, supply, or assembly of articles. Defines socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns for purposes of this Act. Exempts small businesses receiving such subcontracts from performance bond requirements under specified circumstances. Requires each public contract to be performed in the United States which exceeds $10,000 in amount to include a clause requiring that small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals be given the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in such contracts. Requires each offering company to submit a summary subcontracting plan with its offer. Conditions the award of a contract to an apparently successful offering company upon a determination by the procurement authority that the final subcontracting plan affords maximum practicable opportunity for participation by small businesses owned and controlled by disadvantaged individuals. Authorizes the SBA to appeal for modification of such a plan to the head of the procuring agency if determined that such standard is not met. Conditions the granting of Federal funds to be used for the procurement of articles, equipment, or construction work upon the applicant agreeing to utilize small business concerns for such procurement to the maximum extent practicable.
United States · United States Congress · 2 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
Career Criminals Prosecution Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to provide grants and technical assistance to certain units of local government having populations of at least 250,000 for the establishment and operation of programs designed to identify and expedite the prosecution of career criminal offenders. Sets forth requirements for grant applications and limits on payments to any single local government.
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 · 30 November 1977
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the services and contributions of school volunteers be recognized, and requests the President of the United States to issue a proclamation in recognition of this fact.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1977
Prohibits the sale or licensing for export to South Africa of defense articles or services under the Arms Export Control Act. Prohibits the exportation to South Africa of articles controlled under the Export Administration Act of 1969 if such articles could be used for military, law enforcement, or internal security purposes. Prohibits the issuing of licenses for export to or distribution within South Africa of any source material, special nuclear material, by-product material, production facility, utilization facility, or restricted data, under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer to take a credit or an additional deduction for contributions to or for the use of any qualified organization the primary purpose of which is the support of the Arts and Humanities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from approving any application for rental increases in federally assisted housing unless the amount of such increase is permitted under State and local law.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1977
Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act of 1975 to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from permitting the transportation of radioactive materials in areas containing a population density greater than 12,000 persons per square mile, except when such materials are to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment purposes in such area or during a national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Prohibits commerce in contraband cigarettes. Defines "contraband cigarettes" as a quantity of more than 20, with respect to which the applicable State cigarette taxes which have not been paid and which are in the possession of any person other than: (1) a person licensed by the State where the cigarettes are found or by the Internal Revenue Service; (2) a common or contract carrier; or (3) a government agent in the performance of duties. Subjects dealers in cigarettes to such reporting requirements as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Declares it the sense of the Congress that the President direct the United States delegation to the Belgrade Conference to place the issue of the arrest, trial, and conviction of Mykola Rudenko and Oleska Tykhy before the Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Declares that there be no reduction of customs duties on textile or apparel products and that such products be excluded from the current Tokyo Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1977
International Emergency Food Reserve Act - Authorizes the President: (1) to enter into negotiations with other nations to develop an international system of food reserves for humanitarian food relief needs; and (2) to establish and maintain an International Emergency Food Reserve as a contribution of the United States toward the development of such a system. Requires for such Reserve minimum stocks of two million tons, allowing an increase up to six million tons pursuant to an international agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1977
Tuition Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals alternative, limited income tax credits or deductions for the tuition paid for the primary, secondary or higher education of the taxpayer, his spouse, or his dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to (1) make loans to certain cities and counties for the establishment and initial operating costs of clinics for the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats, and (2) make grants for the establishment of courses to train paraprofessionals in the anaesthetising and spaying and neutering of dogs and cats. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) remove the adjusted gross income limitation on the credit for the elderly; (2) increase the amount of the credit; and (3) provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment for the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1977
Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to establish a grant program designed to support projects which: (1) develop methods for the identification, prevention, and treatment of domestic violence; and (2) provide for family rehabilitation and support, and for emergency shelter and protection for individuals who are threatened by domestic violence. Directs the Director to establish a national information and resource clearinghouse to collect, analyze, prepare, and disseminate information relating to domestic violence. Requires the Director, in cooperation with the Administrator of Law Enforcement Assistance and the head of any other Federal agency involved with domestic violence, to study state laws, practices, and policies relating to domestic violence. Requires the Director to annually review the effectiveness of projects carried out under this Act and to report the findings to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to transmit each such report to the President and to each House of Congress.