United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1978
Renewable Resources Extension Act - Provides for a nationally coordinated program to insure the most efficient utilization of forest and range land renewable resources. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Renewable Resources Extension Program in cooperation with State directors of cooperative extension service programs and eligible colleges and universities. Requires the Secretary and relevant State officials to cooperate in the identification and study of needed areas of research, and in the dissemination of the results of such research. Requires the Secretary to coordinate the establishment of ongoing training programs for landowners, processors and other interested parties. Directs the Secretary to prepare a five-year Renewable Resources Extension Program to provide national guidance for State programs. Requires annual reporting to Congress on implementation of the plan.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
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 · 15 December 1977
Human Resources Development Act - Directs the President or his delegate to carry out, through grants to, or contracts with private and public nonprofit institutions, a program consisting of projects which either (1) involve labor-management cooperation for the improvement of productivity and quality of work life, innovation in a major feature of employment, increased worker participation in decisionmaking, or profit sharing or (2) are designed to establish the efficacy of policies and practices maintaining normal employment levels during periods of cyclical downturns in demand through reassignment of workers to training and other specified types of programs. Directs the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the National Center for Productivity and Quality of Working Life to assist in carrying out such program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare should not include in the National Guidelines for Health Planning any guidelines which would directly or indirectly cause the closing of any small, rural hospital which is the only hospital providing primary care services to a local community.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Declares that there be no reduction of customs duties on textile, apparel, or fiber products and that such products be excluded from the current Tokyo Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction to any taxpayer engaged in the manufacture, importation, distribution, lease, or sale of any product for contributions to his product liability loss reserve account.
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 · 19 September 1977
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to define the term "public charge" as an alien who receives financial support or medical treatment from any Federal, State, or local program designed to support needy individuals. Prohibits the admission of any immigrant unless a United States citizen has agreed in writing to sponsor such immigrant and to reimburse the Federal, State, or local government for financial support or medical treatment provided to the immigrant during the five year period after entering the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1977
Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to guarantee securities and obligations issued by a railroad in reorganization to State and local taxing authorities to secure the railroad's tax obligations when the Consolidated Rail Corporation, the United States Railway Association, or the Federal Government asserts a superior interest in payment out of the estate of such railroad during reorganization or liquidation proceedings under the Bankruptcy Act. Directs the Secretary, if sufficient funds are unavailable to discharge such guarantees, to issue notes or other obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to sell such olbigations. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to discharge all of the Secretary of Transportation's obligations under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 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 · 5 August 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 · 4 August 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize any taxpayer to elect to have any portion of any overpayment of tax or any contribution in money which the taxpayer forwards with the return for such taxable year be available, as the taxpayer may designate on such return, for the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Equity in Social Security for Individuals and Families Act - Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to permit married couples to elect to share their income for social security purposes in a manner similar to the filing of a joint tax return. Provides that, for any year a husband and wife file a joint income tax return, both the husband and the wife shall each be considered to have been paid wages or to have derived self-employment income in such year for the purpose of determining the average monthly wage of the husband and the wife for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance purposes. States that the amount with which each spouse will be credited shall be equal to the higher of: (1) one- half the total of the wages and self-employment income paid to or derived by both of them in such year; or (2) three-fourths of the wages and self-employment income paid to or derived by whichever of them had the larger amount of such wages and self-employment income for such year. States that any person who: (1) is the spouse of a person entitled to old-age or disability insurance and who has no wages or self-employment income; or (2) is the surviving spouse of a fully insured individual shall be credited with the amount of any benefits received under such insurance in determining the average monthly wage of such person for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance purposes. Lowers from 62 to 50 the age at which individuals become eligible for wife's, husband's widow's, and widower's insurance benefits under the Old-Age, Survivor's, and Disability Insurance program. Establishes the percentage of the benefit amount of an eligible spouse to which an ineligible or surviving spouse shall be entitled at 75 percent of the amount to which the eligible spouse is or was entitled under Title II. States that, when the ineligible spouse becomes entitled to benefits in his or her own right, the portion of the other spouse's benefit amount to which the previously ineligible spouse shall be entitled shall be decreased to 25 percent. States that a spouse or surviving spouse not entitled to benefits under Title II but who is or was married to an individual who is or was insured for disability insurance benefits shall be considered insured for benefits with a primary insurance amount equal to the primary insurance amount of the insured spouse. Eliminates the requirement that husbands and widowers be receiving support from their wives in order to qualify for husband's and widower's benefits. Enables a child who is entitled to more than one child's insurance benefit to receive the total amount of all such benefits as a single monthly insurance benefit..
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Congressional Pay Raise Deferral Act - Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 and the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to provide that any adjustment in the rate of pay for Members of Congress proposed during any Congress shall not take effect earlier than the beginning of the next Congress. States that any such pay adjustment proposed in an even-numbered year of any Congress after the congressional elections and before the beginning of the following Congress, shall be considered as occurring during the first session of the following Congress for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
Provides for the designation of the library of any nationally accredited law school as a depository library upon request of such law school. (Adds 44 U.S.C. 1916.)
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1977
Repeals the McSweeney-McNary Act of 1928 and amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to substitute for the existing reforestation and forest products research program a new program of investigations, experiments, tests, and other activities necessary to obtain, analyze, demonstrate, and disseminate scientific information about protecting, managing, and utilizing forest and rangeland renewable resources in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Specifies the content of renewable resource management, environmental, protection, utilization, and assessment research fields. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish forest and rangeland research facilities and to make competitive grants to public and private institutions and agencies and to individuals to further such research activities. Directs the Secretary to make and keep current a comprehensive survey and analysis of the present and prospective conditions of and requirements for the renewable resources of the forests and rangelands of the United States and of the supplies of such renewable resources. Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1977
Forest Resources Extension Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, in cooperation with State extension directors, to conduct educational programs for professionals in forestry and related fields disseminating the results of forestry research. Requires, within one year of the enactment of this Act, a report to the appropriate Congressional Committee outlining a coordinated five-year plan to follow in carrying out this Act. Authorizes, in addition to any sums already authorized, annual appropriations of $15,000,000 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1977
Amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to consolidate specified existing programs of cooperative forest resources assistance under such Act. Authorizes appropriations: (1) up to $25,000,000, annually, for rural forestry assistance; (2) not more than $50,000,000, annually, for the forestry incentive program; (3) as may be necessary for insect, and disease, and environmental pollutant control; (4) as may be necessary for urban and community forestry assistance; (5) up to $5,000,000, annually, for fire prevention and control in rural communities; (6) up to $15,000,000, annually, for fire prevention and control in rural areas generally; (7) up to $60,000,000, annually, for fire prevention and control on non- Federal forest and rural lands; (8) up to $5,000,000, annually, for forest resources management and planning assistance; and (9) up to $10,000,000, annually, for cooperative technology implementation programs. Permits the Secretary of Agriculture to make consolidated payments to a State in lieu of functional cost-sharing mechanisms, formulas, or agreements. Establishes within the Treasury of the United STates special emergency funds: (1) for insect, disease, and environmental pollutant control for lands within urban and community areas, and for lands outside such areas and for Federal lands; and (2) for rural fire disasters. Requires annual reports to Congress on these programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Food Stamp Act - Repeals the Food Stamp Act of 1964. Replaces the existing program with a new program substantially similar, but: (1) changes the purpose of the program from the provision of an opportunity to obtain a "nutritionally adequate diet" to provision of an opportunity to obtain a "more nutritious diet"; (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) establishes the income guidelines for the nonfarm United States, prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget, adjusted annually, as the income standards of eligibility for the program; (5) specifies in the computation of household income: (a) a standard deduction of $60 a month for each household (allowing variable deductions for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), adjusted semiannually; (b) a tax and work expense deduction equal to 20 percent of all earned income; (c) an excess shelter deduction, not to exceed $75 in the 48 contiguous States (or variable amounts in the remaining States and territories), where the shelter costs exceed 50 percent of household income; and (d) a dependent care deduction, not to exceed $75 a month per household, for actual costs of necessary care of a dependent when such care enables a household member to accept employment or training or education preparatory to employment; (6) requires the calculation of household income to take into account, with specified exceptions, the income reasonably anticipated to be received by the household in the period for which eligibility is being determined; (7) allows a household to own liquid and nonliquid assets of up to $1500; or $2,250, if the household is two or more persons; or $3,000, if the household is two or more persons, one of whom is age 60 or over; (8) specifies inclusions in financial resources (e.g. boats, snowmobiles, recreational airplanes, vacation homes, mobile homes, licensed vehicles valued more than $4500); (9) denies eligibility, for a three-month period, to anyone found by a State agency to have fraudulently trafficked in coupons or authorization cards, or for six to 24 months to anyone found by a court to have fraudulently trafficked in such coupons or cards; (10) denies eligibility to any household which refuses to provide to the State agency information necessary for determining or reviewing its eligibility; (11) denies eligibility to: (a) any individual between ages 18 and 60 who refuses to register for work, to fulfill inquiry-about-employment requirements, to accept a job at a specified pay level, or who is a head of household and voluntarily quits work without good cause; (b) any individual age 18 or over, enrolled at least half-time in an institute of higher learning, who is properly claimed or could be claimed as a dependent child for Federal income tax purposes, or who during the regular school year is not employed at least 20 hours per week, does not earn a specified weekly minimum, is not registered for work amounting to at least 20 hours per week, is not a head of household providing half the support of the other members, nor is covered by any work exemption; (c) any illegal aliens, or legal alien visitors, tourists, diplomats, or students temporarily in the United States with no intention of abandoning home country residence; (12) exempts from ordinary eligibility requirements any person: (a) currently complying with specified work registration requirements; (b) who is employed a minimum of 30 hours per week or receiving weekly earnings at a specified rate; (13) requires monthly reports on each coupon issuer's operations containing an oath or affirmation certifying the information as true and correct to the best of the issuer's knowledge and belief; (14) imposes: (a) a $1,000 fine or one-year imprisonment upon any coupon issuer convicted of failing to file such a report; and (b) a $10,000 fine or five-year imprisonment upon any coupon issuer convicted of knowingly providing false information in such reports; (15) eliminates charges for coupon allotments and sets the value of an allotment at an amount equal to the cost to a household of the thrifty food plan reduced by an amount equal to 30 percent of the household's income; (16) requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report to Congress six months after the implementation of charges, and annually thereafter, on the effect on participation and cost of such elimination; (17) prohibits the authorization of any firm as a retail food store and as a wholesale food concern at the same time; (18) requires that private nonprofit cooperative food purchasing ventures be authorized to redeem their members' food coupons prior to receipt by the members of the food so purchased; and prohibits redemption of coupons through banks by private nonprofit organizations serving meals in drug addiction and alcoholic treatment programs; (19) prohibits discrimination by reason of sex in the certification of applicant households; (20) provides for the administration of the food stamp program on all or part of an Indian reservation or community by an Indian tribal organization; (21) requires each State agency to submit a plan of operation that must provide: (a) for action to inform low-income households of the program, including bilingual personnel and printed material; (b) that each household requesting food stamp assistance be permitted to file for assistance on the day of the request on a simplified uniform national application form; (c) that the determination of eligibility be made within 30 days; (d) that notices of expiration of certification be sent immediately prior to or at the start of the last month of a certification period, and that, assuming continuing eligibility, reapplication within 15 days of expiration ensure receipt of new allotment no later than one month after receipt of the last allotment under the prior certification; (e) that a nonmember of a household, if an adult conversant with its financial resources and circumstances, and if designated in writing, may represent such household in the certification process; (f) that applications for food stamps be contained in public or general assistance applications forms, and that certification be based, where appropriate, on information in the public or general assistance case file; (g) that households with income below the standard deduction level receive coupons on an expedited basis; and (h) that households wrongfully denied any allotment or terminated have such allotments promptly restored; (22) directs the Extension Service to include food stamp recipients within its expanded food and nutrition education program; (23) requires the Secretary to promptly inform any State agency of any failure to comply with any provisions of this Act (currently, notification required only for substantial failure to comply); and allows the Secretary to refer cases of noncomplying State agencies to the Attorney General for suit for injunctive relief; (24) requires a State to indemnify the United States Treasury for mere negligence in the certification of households (currently, the standard is gross negligence); (25) authorizes the Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, to issue regulations allowing recipients of social security benefits or of supplemental security income to apply for food stamps at social security offices; (26) requires post offices to issue food stamps upon request by a State agency; (27) permits the payment of a "nutritional supplement", equal to the value of a coupon allotment, in lieu of an allotment to an eligible household of which every member is either over 65, or is eligible: (a) for a supplemental security income under title XV of the Social Security Act or (b) for grants to the blind or disabled in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; (28) permits the Secretary to collect a civil money penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation any approved retail food store or wholesale food concern is found to have made, if outright disqualification of such store or concern would cause hardship to food stamp households; (29) reduces the fine for misdemeanor violations of this Act from $5,000 to $1,000; (30) authorizes the Secretary to pay up to 75 percent of all costs of State program investigations, prosecutions, and other activities related to recovering losses; (31) authorizes the Secretary, effective fiscal year 1979, to adjust the federal share of a State agency's administrative costs: (a) to 60 percent if the agency's cumulative allotment error rate is between five and ten percent; and (b) to 65 percent, if the rate is less than five; (32) requires each State not receiving an increased Federal share to submit a quality control plan specifying proposed actions to reduce the incidence of errors and of invalid decisions in certifying or denying eligibility; (33) directs the Secretary to make contracts or grants for research that will help improve the administration and effectiveness of the food stamp program; (34) authorizes pilot or experimental projects to test program changes (e.g. the use of countersignature of coupons or similar identification mechanisms); (35) directs the Secretary: (a) to implement a pilot project jointly with the Secretary of Labor involving the performance of work in return for food stamp benefits; (b) to study and develop alternative poverty line definitions at different levels; (c) to conduct a feasibility study, through the use of Federal income tax data of a program to recover food stamp benefits from members of eligible households (on a voluntary basis only) in which the adjusted gross income of members of such households for a calendar year may exceed twice the established income poverty guidelines; (36) directs the Secretary to develop and implement measures for evaluating the effectiveness of the food stamp program in achieving its stated objectives; (37) directs the Secretary to purchase sufficient agricultural commodities to maintain the traditional level of assistance for food distribution programs; and (38) authorizes such appropriations as Congress may pass for fiscal years 1978 through 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the United States Postal Services should not reduce the frequency of mail delivery service for any user of the mails below the frequency of such service which was in effect for such user of June 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act - Requires organizations which expend more than $1,250 per quarter year or which employ at least one or more individuals who spend a specified amount of time engaged in lobbying activities to register with the Comptroller General and to update such registration annually. Requires the identification of any persons retained for lobbying purposes and the source and amounts of income of such organization as a part of such registration. Requires such organization to file quarterly reports concerning such lobbying activities including: (1) listing of total lobbying expenditures including each expenditure over $35 made to or for the benefit of any Federal officer, congressional employee, or Member of Congress; (2) expenditures made for dinners or receptions; and (3) the issue for which lobbying was carried out identified by bill number or agency involved. Requires the Comptroller General to make copies of each registration and report required by this Act available for public inspection and copying. Requires the Comptroller General to render written advisory opinions upon request of any individual or organization with respect to the requirements of this Act. States that anyone who acts in good faith reliance upon such advisory opinion shall be presumed to be in compliance with this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to enforce this Act using informal methods of conference or conciliation or, if necessary, by referring apparent violations to the Attorney General. Sets forth civil and criminal sanctions for violation of this Act. Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1977
Agricultural Act - Title I: Payment Limitation for Wheat, Feed Grains and Upland Cotton - Sets increasing amounts of payment limitations for each crop year from 1978 through 1981 for persons entitled to receive payments for wheat, feed grains or upland cotton under the annual programs established by the Agricultural Acts of 1949 and 1970. Title II: Dairy and Beekeeper Programs - Extends the effectiveness of Class I dairy base plans through 1984 and of other dairy base plans through 1981. Extends through 1981 the authority for making dairy products available to veterans' hospitals and to the Armed Forces, and for making indemnity payments to dairy farmers who sustain losses as a result of pesticides or, new with this Act, as a result of nuclear radiation of fallout. Sets the price support of milk at not less than 80 percent of parity, adjusted at the beginning of each semiannual period after the beginning of the marketing year and at the beginning of each remaining quarter. Extends through fiscal year 1981 the provisions of the beekeeper indemnity program. Title III: Wool and Mohair - Extends through 1981 the price support provisions of the National Wool Act of 1954. Excepts 1977 from the current price support of 80.2 cents per pound, grease basis; sets such support, for the years 1977 through 1981, at 85 percent of the amount calculated according to a specified formula. Excepts 1977 from the current price support for mohair; but makes no provision for such support for the years 1977 through 1981. Title IV: Wheat - Extends specified provisions of the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended, through 1981. Raises the loan level for wheat to not less than $2.25 per bushel for the 1977 crops and to $2.35 per bushel for the 1978 through 1981 crops. Replaces the current established price with a target price and establishes such target price at $2.65 per bushel for the 1977 crop, at $3.00 per bushel for 1978, and for the 1979 through 1981 crops at an amount calculated according to a specified formula. Sets formulae for disaster payments and for prevented planting payments to compensate producers prevented from planting acreage intended for wheat because of drought, flood or other natural disaster. Suspends, for producers, processors and handlers, the marketing certificate program for the 1974 through 1981 wheat crops. Extends the set-aside program and current yield calculations through 1981. Substitutes, for the existing specified formulae for the determination of wheat acreage allotments, a single general formula based on an allocation factor found by dividing the announced national wheat acreage allotment by the number of harvested acres. Multiplies the allocation factor by the acreage of wheat harvested on the farm in the current crop year to determine each farm's allotment. Title V: Feed Grains - Extends specified provisions of the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended, through the 1981 crops. Raises the loan level for corn to $1.75 per bushel for the 1977 crop and to $2.00 per bushel for each of the 1978 through 1981 crops. Replaces the established price of feed grains with a target price and sets such target price of corn at $1.85 per bushel for the 1977 crop, at $2.10 per bushel for 1978, and the 1979 through 1981 crops at the previous year's target price, adjusted to reflect changes in the average adjusted cost of production over the previous two to four years. Substitutes, for the existing specified formulae for the determination of feed grain acreage allotments, a single general formula based on an allocation factor found by dividing the announced national feed grain acreage allotment by the number of harvested acres. Multiplies the allocation factor by the acreage of feed grain harvested on the farm in the current crop year to determine each farm's allotment. Title VI: Cotton - Extends the national cotton production goal and national base acreage allotment provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938. Suspends through 1981 other provisions, including: (1) the proclamation of national marketing quotas; (2) the referendum of cotton farmers on the marketing quota proclamation; (3) the existing basis for apportioning national acreage allotments and (4) the program for preserving unused acreage allotments. Revises the formula basis of the level for nonrecourse loans for the 1978 through 1981 crops. Directs the President to proclaim a special limited global import quota, subject to specified conditions, whenever the average price of Strict Low Middling one and one-sixteenth inch cotton exceeds a specified maximum. Sets the established price per pound of cotton at 110 percent of the loan level. Title VII: Rice - Extends through 1981 specified provisions of the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended by the Rice Production Act of 1975. States that for the 1978 through 1981 crops: (1) the established price shall be the established price for the previous year's crop adjusted to reflect any change in specified costs; and (2) the loan level shall bear the same ratio to the loan rate for the preceding year's crop as the established price for each year bears to the established price for the preceding year's crop. Requires that payments to cooperators planting not less than 90 percent of their allotment shall be based on the entire amount of such allotments. Requires that, beginning with the 1978 crop the $55,000 limitation on the total amount of payments to any eligible person shall be reduced 5 percent for each crop year from the limitation in effect for the previous crop year, never, though, below the limitation in effect for wheat, feed grains and cotton. Title VIII: Peanuts - Peanut Production Act - Suspends, for the 1978 through 1981 crops, provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 relating to national marketing quotas and county acreage allotments. Establishes an annual national acreage allotment for peanuts, not less than 1,610,000 acres. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to announce a minimum national poundage quota each year. Requires, for each farm, a farm yield determined according to a specified formula, a farm base production poundage and a farm poundage quota. Requires the Secretary to permit the sale, lease and transfer of acreage allotments, and prescribes the basis of such transfers. Increases the penalty for the marketing of peanuts in excess of a farm's quota from 75 percent to 120 percent of the support price for quota peanuts. Establishes similar penalties for handlers marketing peanuts larger in quantity or higher in quality than the quota peanuts they should be acquiring. Allows the Commodity Credit Corporation to make available for domestic edible use peanuts owned or controlled by it, under specified pricing conditions. Subjects all farmers engaged in peanut production to existing record and report requirements. Establishes the price support of peanuts at not less than $420 per ton. Permits the Secretary to make warehouse storage loans available to designated area marketing associations of peanut producers. Title IX: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Establishes, for the 1977 through 1981 crops of wheat, feed grains and cotton, a minimum diversion of 55 percent of cropland acreage on summer fallow farms for summer fallow use. Directs the Secretary to permit loan borrowers to extend repayment periods for additional twelve month terms under specified conditions. Prohibits the Commodity Credit Corporation from selling wheat or feed grain owned or controlled by it for less than 150 percent of the current loan level, with specified exceptions. Authorizes the Secretary to administer a special program whereunder portions of wheat, feed grains or upland cotton farm acreage allotments shall be planted to wheat and used for grazing purposes or hay. Directs the Secretary to set the loan level for any commodity at 100 percent of parity on any day the President of the United States or any other member of the executive branch, initiates a suspension of export sales of such commodity to any country or area with which the United States continues commercial trade. Requires the Commodity Credit Corporation, under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, to make available loans not in excess of $50,000 for the construction or remodeling of farm storage facilities. Directs the Secretary to make available to producers loans and purchases on each crop of soybeans at such level as he finds appropriate. Requires that export sales of 100,000 metric tons or more of a commodity be reported to the Secretary by 3 P.M., eastern time, on the business day following the day of sale. Restricts the importation of filbert nuts, whenever the Secretary issues a marketing order, to those filbert nuts that comply with the grade, size, quality and maturity provisions of the order. Directs the Secretary to collect and analyze information and to report his conclusions and recommendations to the appropriate Congressional committees regarding the use of bushels of wheat and feed grains and pounds of rice as the basis for assigning allotments to producers of such commodities. Title X: Rural Development and Conservation - Extends the multi-year set aside provisions of the Agricultural Act of 1970, as amended, through 1981. Exempts major disaster areas from the prohibition of livestock grazing; but only if the Secretary finds there is a need for grazing as a result of such disaster. Raises from $250,000 to $500,000 the maximum amount of the estimated Federal contribution to a project which must be exceeded, under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, and the maximum amount of a loan for a resource conservation and development project under the Bankhead-Jones Tenant Act, before special Congressional and Executive Branch approval requirements must be met. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with owners and operators of land in the Great Plains area for the purpose of devoting up to 50 percent of a farm acreage to the planting of soil conserving cover crops. Specifies the terms of such agreements and provides for an annual adjustment payment to such owners or operators not in excess of $30 per acre. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the appropriate Congressional committees on rural water programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $7,000,000 for rural community fire protection for each of fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to describe generally the content of small farm research and extension programs. Authorizes the appropriation for such programs of $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 and 1979; and specifies how such funds will be distributed. Requires the Secretary to file an annual report to Congress on such programs. Title XI: Public Law 480 - Requires that purchases of commodities shall be financed under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 only on the basis of an invitation for bids publicly advertised in the United States. Requires the reporting to the Secretary of any fees paid by commodity suppliers or ocean transportation financed by the Commodity Credit Corporation to any representatives of the importer or the importing country. States that assistance programs shall not be undertaken during any calendar year which call for an appropriation of more than $750,000,000 (currently, $600,000,000) to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for all costs incurred in connection with such programs. Allows disposition under the program of a commodity, which would reduce the domestic supply below that needed for domestic requirements, if the Secretary determines that some part of the supply should be used to carry out urgent humanitarian purposes. Requires that in determining the reimbursement due the Commodity Credit Corporation for all costs incurred in connection with such programs, commodities acquired under a domestic price support program shall be valued at the export market price as of the time they were made available under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Title XII: Food Stamps - Permits the Secretary: (1) to make contracts or grants to public or private organizations to undertake research that will help improve the administration and effectiveness of the food stamp program; (2) to conduct pilot projects involving the use of identification mechanism that do not invade a household's privacy, the use of voucher-type forms in place of food coupons, and other experiments. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement measures for evaluating the effectiveness of the food stamp program in achieving its stated objectives. Authorizes for such programs a total appropriation not to exceed one-fourth of one percent of the previous year's appropriation. Directs the Secretary for fiscal years 1978 through 1981, to continue to purchase sufficient commodities to maintain the traditional level of assistance for domestic food assistance programs. Title XIII: National Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching Policy Act - Designates the Department of Agriculture as the lead Federal agency for agricultural research, extension and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences. Establish within the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering and Technology a Subcommittee on Food and Renewable Resources to review Federal research and development programs relevant to world food and fiber production and distribution, to promote planning and coordination of this research in the Federal Government and to recommend policies and measures concerning food and agricultural science for the consideration of the Council. Establishes a Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences to foster coordination of the research, extension and teaching activities of the Federal Government, the States, colleges and universities and other public and private institutions and persons involved in the food and agricultural sciences. Requires the Secretary to submit to the President and the Congress an annual report containing an annually updated five-year national agricultural research plan and a review of specified categories of research, extension and teaching activities of the Department and their relationship to the related activities of other Federal, State and private agencies. Establishes within the Department an Agricultural, Research, Extension and Teaching Policy Advisory Board. States that the Board's responsibilities shall include: (1) reviewing programs, policies, plans and goals of food and agricultural research agencies; (2) providing a forum for research-sponsoring agencies to exchange information on programs relating to food and agriculture; (3) reviewing and consulting on national policies, priorities and strategies for food and agricultural research, extension and teaching; and (4) assessing the overall adequacy of and making recommendations to the Secretary regarding the distribution of resources. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of competitive grants for agricultural research to be made to individual scientists for research in specified categories. Requires the Secretary to give priority to research in those fields of basic and applied science promising advances and breakthroughs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for up to five year's duration for such research to land-grant colleges, and universities, and to State agricultural experiment stations and to all colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity in agricultural research. Directs the Secretary to make grants for research related to the production and marketing of industrial hydrocarbons derived from agricultural commodities and forest products. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of four pilot projects for the production and marketing of such hydrocarbons by guaranteeing loans not to exceed $15,000,000 per project to public, private or cooperative organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to appoint a Committee on Agricultural Research Facilities to assist the Secretary in the compilation of a report to the President and the Congress on the status and future needs of specified agricultural research materials and facilities. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible institutions for the construction or improvement of agricultural research facilities. Authorizes specified appropriations for such grants for fiscal years 1978 through 1982. Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with and assist the States in carrying out programs of animal disease research at eligible institutions. Directs that funds appropriated for such purposes be apportioned according to a specified formula. Directs the Secretary to conduct a program of grants to States for the purpose of meeting the costs of construction, employing faculty, and acquiring equipment to establish schools of veterinary medicine. Directs the Secretary to conduct a program of competitive grants and fellowships for merit to strengthen undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral research in the food and agricultural sciences. Establishes a National Agricultural Research Award, consisting of a grant not to exceed $50,000 per year for a period of not more than three years to support research or study by: (1) a scientist in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advance of agricultural science; and (2) a graduate student or post-doctoral research worker in recognition of demonstrated capability and promise. Authorizes appropriations to support agricultural research and continuing agricultural and forestry extension at 1890 land grant colleges and universities and Tuskegee Institute. Directs the cooperative extension services to give increasing attention to education programs for the preservation of the family farm system, human nutrition, energy conservation, forestry and natural resources, and animal disease and health care. Requires the Secretary to evaluate for the Congress the economic and social consequences of the programs of the Extension Service and the cooperative extension services. Permits the Department to expand its operational coordination with agricultural research and education activities around the world, in both developing countries. Directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive study of the effects of changing climate and weather on crop and livestock productivity. Establishes with the National Agricultural Library a Food and Nutrition Information and Education Resources Center which shall be responsible for collecting and maintaining food and nutrition education materials. Repeals the existing requirement that at least 20 percent of grant funds distributed to the States be used by State agricultural experiment stations for marketing research. Transfers the administration of additional appropriations for agricultural colleges from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare to the Department of Agriculture. Authorizes the appropriation of specified sums for specified existing and new programs under this Title, for fiscal years 1978 through 1982. Title XIV; Agricultural Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Amends the Bankhead-Jones Act of 1935 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct and to stimulate research and development relating to uses of solar energy with respect to farm buildings, farm homes and farm machinery. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 each fiscal year to carry out such research and development. Includes the agricultural uses of solar energy in the agricultural extension programs. Directs that loans, under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, be made for the purchase of farm equipment which utilizes solar energy and for the acquisition and installation of any qualified solar energy thermal conversion system in any residential structure located on a family farm. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture an Advisory Committee which shall be responsible for compiling a list of solar energy research projects and for meeting with regional representatives of the State departments of agriculture to determine which projects will be useful and beneficial to the several States. Requires each State department of agriculture to establish one large model farm and after two years to establish not less than ten demonstrations of solar energy research projects using the most efficient or practicable research projects demonstrated on such model farm. Stipulates the terms of any agreement entered into between selected farmowners and the State departments of agriculture for the establishment of such demonstration projects. Authorizes the appropriation of $20,000,000 for the purposes of this Title, of which 80 percent is to be used by State departments of agriculture for the model farm and demonstration projects Title XV: Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition Education Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue orders: (1) for establishing projects for research and nutrition education for wheat and wheat products; (2) for establishing and carrying on research or studies with respect to the sale, distribution, marketing, and utilization of wheat and wheat products and the creation of new products; and (3) requiring that processors, distributors of processed wheat, and end product manufacturers maintain and make available for inspection such books and records as may be required by any order issued pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue orders providing for the establishment of a Wheat Industry Council to: (1) administer and make rules and regulations to effectuate orders issued pursuant to this title; (2) receive, investigate and report to the Secretary complaints of violations of such orders; and (3) recommend to the Secretary amendments to such orders. Requires each end product manufacturer to pay to such Council an assessment, not to exceed five cents per hundredweight, based on the total number of hundredweights of processed wheat purchased by or transferred to such manufacturer to be used for expenditures and expenses incurred by the Council or Secretary under this title. Requires the Secretary to conduct a referendum among end product manufacturers to determine whether the issuance of an order under this title is favored by such manufacturers. Allows end product manufacturers who have reserved the right to seek refunds and who disfavor the programs under this title to receive from the Council the assessment paid to such Council. Sets forth the procedures for the administrative and judicial review of orders of obligations imposed under this title. States that any person who willfully violates any order issued under this title or who fails to remit any required assessment or fee shall be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per violation. Requires the Secretary to conduct a referendum on request by ten percent or more of the end product manufacturers to determine whether such manufacturers favor the suspension or termination of any order. Authorizes the Secretary to make investigations for the effective carrying out of his or her responsibilities under this Act or to determine whether any person has or is about to violate any of the provisions of this title. Authorizes the appropriation of such funds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this title.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1977
Suspends for two years with regard to regulations involving saccharin the operation of the proviso in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act which prohibits regulatory approval of a food additive found to cause cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt nonprofit volunteer firefighting or rescue organizations from the excise tax on sales of special fuels, automotive parts, petroleum products, and communication services.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1977
Universal Voter Registration Act - Establishes the positions of Administrator and Assistant Administrator of Voter Registration within the Federal Election Commission. Specifies the duties of the Administrator, including (1) establishing and administering a voter registration program in accordance with this Act; (2) providing for the collection, analysis, and publication of voter registration information in coordination work the Secretary of Commerce; and (3) providing information and technical assistance to State and local officials concerning voter registration. Requires each State and local government to permit any individual who is eligible under applicable State and Federal law to register to vote in any Federal election to register on the date of a Federal election at the appropriate polling place. States that any individual so registering shall, if required by State or local authorities, establish his identity by (1) executing an affidavit containing certain information and (2) submitting either an affidavit executed by a person who is registered to vote at the polling place involved and is present at such polling place with the individual seeking registration or one of any forms of identification approved by the Commission. Directs the Commission to make grants for approved voter registration outreach programs to States which comply with the election day registration requirements of this Act. Conditions the amount of such grants on whether a State has a similar election day registration program in effect with respect to State and local elections. Stipulates that a registration outreach program may include projects relating to registration by mail, registration through the use of mobile units, or bilingual registration, and those projects otherwise designed to improve voter registration methods and procedures. List the purposes for which grant funds may be used. Sets forth criminal penalties for any person who knowingly and willfully (1) register, or attempts to register, to vote under this Act for the purpose of voting more than once in any Federal election; (2) conspires with any person for the purpose of enabling such person to make false registration to vote in a Federal election under this Act or for the purpose of enabling or encouraging any individual to make such false registration to vote in a Federal election; or (3) falsifies any information with respect to the name, residence, or age of such person, or any other information for the purpose of establishing eligibility to register to vote in a Federal election under this Act. Directs the Commission to institute actions to prevent any violation for this Act. Requires Federal courts to expedite consideration of actions involving a violation of, or a constitutional challenge to, any provision of this Act. Prohibits commercial use of any list compiled by a State or local government of individuals registered to vote in a Federal election.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a distinct $10 income tax credit for contributions to candidates for Congress from the district, or in the case of Senator from the state, of the taxpayer, while maintaining the existing $25 credit for all other candidates.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1977
Consumer Communications Reform Act - States that Congress finds that the revenues from integrated interstate and foreign common carrier telecommunications services helped maintain a level of charges for telephone exchange service which is lower than otherwise would be required. Expresses the sense of Congress that the authorization of lines, facilities, or services of specialized carriers which duplicate the lines, facilities, or services of other telecommunications common carriers is contrary to the public interest. Reaffirms the intent of Congress that the complete authority to regulate terminal and station equipment used for telephone exchange service shall rest with the States even though such terminal and station equipment also may be used in connection with interstate services. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that no compensatory charges for or in connection with such communication service may be found to be unjust or unreasonable on the ground that it is too low. Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from holding the charge of a carrier up to a particular level to protect the traffic or revenues from a communication service offered or provided by another carrier if such charge proposed by the carrier is compensation. Provides that the Commission shall not grant or authorize any construction permit, station license, or certificate, for the construction, acquisition, or operation of any communication or transmission line or facility, or extension thereof, or any modification or renewal thereof, unless the Commission shall find, after full opportunity for evidentiary hearing on the record, that such permit, license, or certificate will not result in increased charges or unnecessary duplication of communication lines.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
Child Exploitation Prevention Act - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to prohibit the sexual exploitation of children by making it unlawful for any individual to (1) cause or permit a child to be photographed or filmed engaged in a sexual act prohibited under this Act; (2) photograph or film a prohibited sexual act; (3) knowingly transport any film or photograph depicting a prohibited sexual act; or (4) receive for sale or sell any such film or photograph, if such individual knows or should know such film or photograph has or may be transported in such a manner as to affect interstate or foreign commerce. Imposes a fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 20 years for a violation of the sexual exploitation of children provisions of this Act. Imposes a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 15 years for a violation of the transportation of photographs and films of children engaged in sexual acts provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
Child Abuse Prevention Act - Prohibits the sexual exploitation of children by making it unlawful for any individual to: (1) cause or permit a child to be photographed or filmed engaged in a sexual act prohibited under this Act; (2) photograph or film a prohibited sexual act; (3) knowingly transport any film or photograph depicting a prohibited sexual act; or (4) receive for sale or sell any such film or photograph, if such individual knows or should know such film or photograph has or may be transported in such a manner as to affect interstate or foreign commerce. Imposes a fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 20 years for a violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide a claimant who has been denied benefits thereunder with the opportunity to obtain informal reconsideration of his claim. Requires the maintenance of a written summary of reconsideration proceedings. Grants a claimant the right to a hearing on the denied claim if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare affirms the denial upon review. Requires the hearing to be conducted pursuant to the requirements for an 'adjudication" under the Administrative Procedure Act under an administrative law judge (ALJ). Directs the Secretary to appoint ALJ's to conduct such hearings. Sets forth criteria under which the ALJ in charge of a hearing must remand a disputed claim to the appropriate regional commissioner of the Social Security Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make a comprehensive study of the wolf for the purpose of developing adequate conservation measures to conserve such mammals and to insure humane treatment in all cases. Requires that the results of such study be reported to Congress no later than January 1, 1980. Establishes a moratorium on the hunting of wolves from aircraft or other mechanized vehicles. Prohibits all killing of wolves except the killing of individual animals by hunters as game in areas where the wolf is not protected under the Endangered Species Act. Stipulates that such moratorium on the large-scale killing of wolves shall remain in effect pending completion of the study and implementation of legislative recommendations by Congress. Authorizes appropriations of $50,000 for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Requires appointments to the position of postmaster at post offices serving a delivery area with a resident population of 5,000 or less to be made from a list of qualified applicants who have resided in the area for at least one year unless no such individual has applied for the position. (Amends 39 U.S.C. 1001)
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States, and the District of Columbia, shall elect the President and Vice President. Requires each voter to cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. Requires the voters for President and Vice President in each State to have the qualifications requisite for voters for the most numerous branch of the State legislature, except that for voters for President and Vice President, the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive residence qualifications and for voters for President and Vice President the Congress may establish uniform residence qualifications. Provides that the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected, if such number be at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast for such offices. Provides that if the choice of President and Vice President shall be made from the two pairs of persons who received the highest numbers of votes. Requires the days for such elections to be determined by Congress and to be uniform throughout the United States. Requires Congress to prescribe by law the time, place, and manner in which the results of such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Allows Congress to provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Creates a Select House Committee on Population to conduct an investigation and study of: (1) the major adverse effects of current population growth throughout the world; (2) approaches which have been shown to be effective in coping with excessive population growth; and (3) means to encourage countries with excessive population growth rates to adopt methods proven to be successful in reducing population growth rates.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Provides for the designation of the library of any nationally accredited law school as a depository library upon request of such law school. (Adds 44 U.S.C. 1916)
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 · 30 March 1977
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) designate the home of Charles S. Pierce, known as Arisbe House, and surrounding property not in excess of ten acres, in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Pennsylvania, a National Historic Site; (2) restore such house and establish and maintain a museum dedicated to the works of Charles S. Peirce therein; and (3) construct a building near such house to be used as a center for the study of philosophy, mathematics, logic, and pure science. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 and the Bankruptcy Act to repeal provisions allowing automatic cost-of-living adjustments in the salaries of Members of Congress, persons paid pursuant to the Executive Schedule, the Vice President, and specified judicial positions including bankruptcy referees.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Accelerated Depreciation Allowance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to elect accelerated amortization (twice the allowable depreciation deduction) for manufacturing property placed in service in States having an unemployment rate which is greater than six percent between October 1, 1976 and October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to permit to be included within a group of workers certified by the Secretary of Labor as eligible for adjustment assistance thereunder individuals whose last total or partial separation from employment occurred up to two years prior to the date of the petition on which such certification was granted.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Energy and Weather Emergency Adjustment Assistance Act - Title I: Adjustment Assistance for Workers - Entitles to adjustment assistance allowances of specified amounts each of a group of workers certified by the Administrator of the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration upon a determination that: (1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in the group or a subdivision have become totally or partially separated, (2) sales and or production of such firm have decreased absolutely, and (3) critical shortages of energy supplies or unusually severe weather conditions contributed importantly to such work separation and decline in sales and/or production. Provides additional Assistance allowances, including expenses of training programs and seeking new employment, to each of a group of workers qualified for adjustment allowances who are likely to become totally separated on a permanent basis. Title II: Adjustment to Firms - Entitles firms which are found by the Administrator, due to critical energy shortages or unusual weather conditions, to have ceased sales and/or production and totally or partially separated a significant portion or number of workers to (1) funds for repairing physical damage resulting from the adverse conditions and (2) if the firm is a small business and would not otherwise remain competitive, low-interest loans for operating expenses or (3) if the firm is not a small business, guarantees of loans not otherwise available and necessary to remain competitive. Title III: Adjustment Assistance for Communities - Entitles local governments which are found by the Administrator to have incurred extraordinary expenditures amounting to at least five percent of their operating budget or sustained an increase in unemployment within their jurisdiction of at least ten percent due to critical energy shortages or unusual weather conditions to (1) funds to reimburse the cost of repairing damaged public facilities and purchasing or renting emergency equipment and (2) low-interest loans if the adverse conditions result in a substantial revenue loss. Title IV: General Provisions - Authorizes the appropriation for fiscal years 1977 and 1978 of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act. Specifies the effective date of this Act and the duration of the administrator's authority under it.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, additional district court judges to specified judicial districts of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Minority Enterprise Act - Title I: Amendments Affecting the Small Business Act - Amends the Small Business Act to establish the Office of Minority Small Business Assistance Personnel in the Small Business Administration (SBA) to work with all agencies of the Government having procurement powers in order to identify contracts suitable for minority concerns and within each regional office of the SBA to supervise and coordinate minority small business programs. Directs the Administrator of the SBA to appoint an Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business and Procurement Assistance. Increases the authorization for appropriations in the small business loan program and requires that not less than 25 percent of aggregate direct loans shall be made to minority small business concerns. Increases the authorization for appropriations for the equal opportunity loan program. Provides statutory standards for contracting and subcontracting by the United States with respect to minority businesses. Directs the Administration to prepare and publish in the Federal Register rules governing the maximum size of small business concerns qualified to receive procurement assistance under the Small Business Act. Requires that the Administration shall report to Congress and the President concerning the development of minority small businesses. Authorizes $201,600,000 to be appropriated for purposes of this Title. Title II: Amendments to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 - Requires that a Utilization of Minority Business Enterprises clause appear in specified Government contracts. Requires that specified Government contractors establish and conduct a Minority Business Enterprise Subcontracting Program which includes: (1) designation of a liaison officer to administer the contractor's program; (2) consideration of the potentialities of minority business enterprises in all "make or buy" decisions to provide materials or service; and (3) maintenance of records concerning procedures adopted and subcontracts awarded. Sets forth other preferences which will be extended to minority business enterprises. Title III: Commission on Federal Assistance to Minority Enterprise - Establishes the Commission on Federal Assistance to Minority Enterprise composed of 15 members appointed by the President, with the consent of the Senate, from members of minority groups who are knowledgeable in minority participation in the economy. Directs the Commission to develop methods for delivery of financial assistance to minority enterprises; for generating markets for goods and services; and for providing effective business education and technical assistance. Requires that the Commission shall submit semiannual reports to each House of Congress concerning its activities.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ammerman, Joseph S. [D-PA-23]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/a000177_200.jpg)