United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow handicapped individuals who are incapable of operating highway vehicles an income tax deduction for their comuting expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1978
Small Business Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain small businesses to compute taxable income under the cash method and without regard to inventories. Increases the corporate surtax exemption and reduces the corporate tax rates. Provides for limited recognition of the gain from the sale or exchange of a sole proprietorship prior to the age of 55, and non-recognition after age 55. Allows the amortization over a 36-month period of expenses of a business for property acquired to put the business in compliance with Federal law and which does not have any economic usefulness to the business. Increases the additional first year depreciation allowance for small businesses. Increases the investment tax credit for investments in certain small manufacturing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1978
Individual Housing Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals an income tax deduction of up to $2,500 annually and $10,000 in a lifetime for contributions to an individual housing account. Makes such accounts tax exempt and allows distributions from such an account to be tax free if such distributions are used exclusively for the purchase of a principal residence for the distributee.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1978
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to prohibit the importation into the United States of certain vegetable products from Cuba until after December 31, 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1978
Farm Water Act - Replaces the existing acreage limitation of 160 acres of reclaimed land per individual with a limitation of 320 acres. Permits larger acreages where the land is less productive or other factors make it less valuable for agriculture. Lists specified lands to which the acreage limitations shall not apply including land within a water district which has paid construction charges of the reclamation project relating to the delivery of water to such landholding. Prevents the delivery of water to irrigable land in excess of 320 acres held in private ownership by a single landowner if such landowner refuses to execute a valid contract for the sale of such excess land. Permits delivery of project water to excess land after the effective date of this Act only if the title to such land is made subject to a condition that the land shall not be sold at a price greater than the landowner's costs increased only by the rate increase of the consumer price index for the period between the dates of purchase and sale. Abolishes the requirement that a qualified recipient must reside on or near a landholding in order for such landholding to be eligible to receive water.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1978
Federal Spending Discipline Act - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act to limit total budget authority and budget outlays for fiscal year 1980 to the levels for fiscal year 1979. States that such authority and outlays for fiscal years 1981, 1982, and 1983 shall not exceed the authority and outlay of the previous fiscal year by more than five percent. Authorizes the President to reduce any budget authority or outlay during fiscal years 1980 through 1983 by up to ten percent in order to comply with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Act to Combat International Terrorism - Directs the President to transmit a report to the Congress every six months on those incidents determined to be acts of international terrorism as defined in this Act. Requires that, where the incident involves citizens or property of the United States, such report be transmitted not more than 30 days after the incident. Stipulates that such report shall include a description of the incident and persons involved, the identity of any government providing support for such terrorist acts, a description of the actions of any government which assisted in bringing about a positive termination of the incident, and a description of the response of the United States to such incident. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a list of governments which have demonstrated a pattern of support for international terrorism. Directs the President with respect to countries appearing on such list to: (1) provide no assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) not authorize any sale or extend any credit or guaranty, with respect to defense articles or services; (3) approve no export license for the export of commodities or technical data which has a potential military application or which would otherwise enable a foreign government to support acts of international terrorism; or (4) extend no duty-free treatment under the Trade Act of 1974. Authorizes the President to suspend such sanctions in the interest of national security. Authorizes the President to take such other actions with respect to such countries as are deemed appropriate. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to assess the effectiveness of the security measures at foreign airports. Directs the Secretary, upon a finding that such an airport does not maintain effective security measures, to notify the appropriate authorities of such foreign government of his findings and to recommend any steps necessary to bring the security measures in use to the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Directs the Secretary to publish the names of foreign airports which fail to bring their security measures into compliance with such standards and to display the names of such airports at United States airports. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold, revoke, or impose conditions on the operating authority of any carrier or foreign air carrier to engage in foreign air transportation utilizing such an airport. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance concerning aviation security to foreign governments. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture explosive materials which do not contain identification taggants which are retrievable after detonation and which make possible the identification of the manufacturer, the date of manufacture and which provide such other information as the Secretary of the Treasury may require. Makes it unlawful to manufacture explosive materials which do not contain a detection taggant which permits detection of such material prior to its detonation. Makes the importation, transportation, or receipt of explosive materials without identification and detection taggants, illegal. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of such taggant requirements. Makes it illegal: (1) to interfere with the operation of any civil aircraft; (2) to commit any act of violence against an aircraft passenger; or (3) to willfully communicate false information which endangers the safety of any aircraft while in flight. Imposes criminal penalties on individuals committing specified offenses against or on board aircraft registered in a State other than the United States and who are afterwards found in this country. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for individuals imparting false information regarding attempts or alleged attempts to commit specified crimes against aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1978
Agricultural Foreign Investment Recording Act - Requires annual reporting to the Secretary of Agriculture by foreign persons and agents of purchases of agricultural lands with a cumulative acreage in excess of 25 acres or a cumulative purchase price in excess of $25,000. Specifies reporting requirements and provides for imposition of civil penalties for reporting violations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Requires any change in the U.S. tax law to increase Federal revenue to be approved by not less than two-thirds of all Members of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1978
States that specified provisions of Federal reclamation laws do not and shall not apply to lands in the Imperial Irrigation District of California. Enumerates non-applicable laws, including provisions governing: (1) acreage, residence, and payment restrictions of the Reclamation Act of 1902; (2) storage and transfer of water for irrigation districts; (3) construction of reservoirs and canals; (4) limitations as to holdings prior to final payment of building and betterment charges, and forefeiture of excess holdings; (5) execution of contracts with districts as a condition precedent to delivery of water; and (6) private lands within projects and agreements as to disposal of excess lands.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1978
Urban Growth Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce corporate income tax rates. Increases the corporate surtax exemption to $100,000. Makes the regular investment tax credit permanent. Allows an additional ten percent investment tax credit for new property placed in depressed areas. Increases the limitations on the investment credit to allow it to offset 100 percent of the taxpayer's current liability. Increases the credit allowable for employment of new employees by an amount equal to one percent of the unemployment insurance wages paid to qualified employees during periods of unemployment exceeding seven percent nationally. Allows accelerated amortization of depreciable equipment (with a 60 month period) and facilities (with a period equal to one-half each facility's useful life) which are placed in high unemployment areas. Repeals the income tax exclusion of dividends received by individuals. Allows qualified domestic corporations an unlimited deduction for dividends paid. Provides flat limitations on corporate deductions for dividends from foreign corporations where the taxpayer is not claiming a net operating loss. Allows the current deduction of federally-required, nonproductive expenditures as business expenses. Provides for annual cost-of-living adjustments to depreciation allowances, property bases, and the interest paid on United States savings bonds and certificates, as well as the redemption value of all United States obligations of a year or more, including savings bonds and certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1978
Anti-Dumping Enforcement Act - Amends the Antidumping Act, 1921, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to notify the International Trade Commission upon the publication of a finding that the price of imported products is less than the foreign market or construction value. Eliminates the requirement that the Secretary postpone publication of such a finding pending a determination by the Commission on whether "dumping" is occurring. Decreases the time periods during which the Secretary must complete the investigation of "dumping" allegations. Imposes liquidation deadlines upon imported merchandise upon which a special "dumping" duty has been imposed. Requires the establishment of a task force for each investigation of "dumping" allegations to serve as an intermediary between the Secretary and the industrial and labor groups interested in the investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1978
Truth-in-Regulation Act - Requires the Environmental Protection Agency and all Federal regulatory agencies to prepare with respect to each rule promulgated by such agencies: (1) a statement comparing the private costs of such rule with the benefit such rule would have on the environment; and (2) an environmental impact statement. Establishes standing task forces in each community affected by proposed agency rules to assess the economic and employment impact of each such rule. Requires Congressional approval of any such rule which will cause an increase in unemployment.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total appropriations shall not exceed estimated revenues. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war or national emergency. Prohibits any increase in the national debt as it exists on the date this article is ratified. Sets forth a schedule for repayment of the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1978
Investment Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore part of the pre-1969 tax treatment of capital gains by repealing the capital gains item of tax preference for the minimum tax; lowering the corporate alternative tax to 25 percent of net capital gain; and lowering the alternative individual tax to 25 percent of net capital gain.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1978
Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of Energy to develop research, development, and demonstration programs concerning the use of solar photovoltaic energy systems. Authorizes the Secretary to provide up to 75 percent of the purchase and installation costs of selected systems used for research purposes. Requires the Secretary to formulate definitive performance criteria concerning solar photovoltaic systems and to develop a system certification for conforming systems. Directs the Secretary to consult with relevant Federal agencies concerning the use of solar photovoltaic systems in Federal facilities. Requires the Secretary to set up a development and demonstration program of prototype photovoltaic systems at the Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, Colorado. Directs the Secretary to establish a solar energy data bank at the Golden facility. Requires relevant Federal officials to ensure that small business concerns are granted realistic and adequate opportunities to participate, to the maximum extent possible, in the programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits Congress from causing Federal taxation to exceed 15 percent of the gross national product. Prohibits the making of appropriations in excess of the total estimated revenues of the United States in any fiscal year except in time of war or national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1978
Authorizes the President of the United States to designate the week beginning on the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week".
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1978
Allows the sale of rights to use water for privately owned land in the Imperial Irrigation District in California without regard to acreage, residence, and payment restrictions of the Reclamation Act of 1902.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1978
Individual Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove the $35,000 sales price limitation on the exclusion of residential sales gains by the elderly. Provides for the payment of interest on excess taxes withheld from individual's wages. Excludes the first $100 in interest from withdrawable savings accounts and debt securities. Provides for annual cost-of-living adjustments for personal exemptions and the individual tax rates. Allows an individual income tax credit of up to $100 for expenses paid for the education of the taxpayer, his spouse or any dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1978
Small Business Regulatory Relief Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct each Federal department, agency, and instrumentality engaged in rulemaking to prepare a written analysis of whether it is legal, feasible, and desirable to exempt small businesses (or classes thereof) from a rule or whether the agency should promulgate a rule with lesser compliance standards for businesses. Sets forth information which must be present in such analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1978
Provides that where two or more Members of the House of Representatives pay the basic pay of an individual from the clerk-hire allowance of each such Member, such individual shall be considered to be on the payroll of only one such Member for purposes of determining the number of individuals employed by such Members under the clerk-hire allowance. Requires such Members to designate who shall be considered the employer for the month involved and to report such designation to the Office of Finance.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1978
Declares (1) that the Department of the Treasury does not possess authority to implement certain proposed firearms transaction reporting regulations, (2) that such proposed additional recordkeeping requirements serve no useful purpose and are wasteful, and (3) that the Department must seek explicit congressional authorization before proposing any rules or regulations for centralizing records required under existing firearms law.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1978
Sugar Stabilization Act - Sets forth the policy of the Congress with respect to foreign trade in sugar. Title I: International Sugar Agreement - Authorizes the President to prohibit the importation of sugar from any country not a member of the International Sugar Organization, and to otherwise regulate foreign trade in sugar to implement the International Sugar Agreement. Establishes civil penalties for the violations of such regulations. Requires the President to submit to Congress an annual report on the Agreement. Title II: Domestic Sugar Program - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make an annual estimate of the sugar consumption needs of the United States. Establishes a formula for determining the price objectives of domestic sugar. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a quota for the importation of sugar, and to adjust such quota. Authorizes the Secretary to impose an import fee in order to attain the price objective for sugar. Prohibits the established quota from being filled by direct-consumption sugar, except in specified circumstances. Permits the Secretary to suspend such quota and fees under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a quota on the importation of "sugar-containing products. Prohibits the importation of sugar, liquid sugar, or "sugar-containing products" after the import quotas have been filled. Prohibits the importation of certain sugar or liquid sugar into the Virgin Islands in excess of 100 pounds annually. Prohibits the exportation of certain sugar from the United States. Regulates the exportation of sugar. Sets forth items to which the sugar quota shall not apply. Title III: General Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out this Act. Establishes penalties for the violation of such regulations. Requires certain information to be furnished to the Secretary by persons engaged in the manufacture, marketing, transports, or industrial use, of sugar. Prohibits officials engaged in the administration of this Act to invest in sugar. Establishes penalties for the violation of such prohibition. Authorizes the President to suspend the operation of Title II of this Act in a national emergency. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (1) to conduct surveys and investigations to carry out this Act, and (2) to announce a "daily spot price" for raw sugar in specified circumstances. Terminates the authority of the Secretary under this Act on December 31, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1978
Requires the President to direct the United States Governor of the International Monetary Fund, the United States Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the United States Governor of the International Finance Corporation, the United States Governor of the Inter-American Development Bank, the United States Governor of the International Development Association, the United States Governor of the Asian Development Bank, and the United States Governor of the African Development Fund, to propose and seek adoption of an amendment to the Articles of Agreement for their respective institutions which would require that institution to establish human rights standards to be considered in connection with each application for assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1978
Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to provide that the term "handicapped individual" does not include any individual who is an alcoholic or drug abuser for purposes of provisions of such Act which require affirmative action programs for the handicapped by Federal contractors and which prohibit discrimination against the handicapped by entities receiving Federal financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1978
National Infant Screening Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants and contracts to public and private entities to acquire the automated equipment, supplies, and personnel required to conduct multiple screening of blood specimens routinely collected from newborn infants for metabolic disorders. Requires the States to develop plans for the screening, diagnosis, and management of newborn infants for metabolic disorders. States that no entity shall be eligible for a grant under this Act unless it is in compliance with the applicable State plan.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1978
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the Secretary of State to transmit to the Congress an annual report on the status of human rights in all foreign countries.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1978
Two-Step Budget Process Act - Title I: Amendments to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 - Requires that the contents of the first concurrent resolution of the budget be separated into two titles. Prescribes a two-step process for the consideration of amendments to such budget resolution by which amendments to the first title must be considered and disposed of prior to the consideration of amendments to the second title. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - States that such amendments are enacted as an exercise of Congressional rulemaking power.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Amends the National Housing Act to prohibit the denial of assistance under the Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance programs solely because the housing is located in an area identified by any federal agency as an area subject to a high noise level resulting from air transportation conducted in connection with the operation of a nearby civilian or military airport.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Prohibits the Veterans' Administration from refusing to guarantee, insure, or make a home loan to veterans solely because the property is located in an area identified by a Federal agency as the area which is most adversely affected by the noise from the operation of nearby civilian or military airports. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, when providing assistance under such conditions, to notify the buyer regarding the nature of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that artistic compositions, copyrights, and the like shall not be included in the estate tax valuation of the creator's estate.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
National Infant Screening Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants and contracts to public and private entities to acquire the automated equipment, supplies, and personnel required to conduct multiple screening of blood specimens routinely collected from newborn infants for metabolic disorders. Requires the States to develop plans for the screening, diagnosis, and management of newborn infants for metabolic disorders. States that no entity shall be eligible for a grant under this Act unless it is in compliance with the applicable State plan.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Act - Title I: Temporary Storage of Spent Fuel - Directs the Secretary of Energy in consultation with other agencies to conduct a study and issue a preliminary report on the amount of spent nuclear fuel which can be stored at temporary spent fuel storage facilities currently in operation or under construction and whether any additional storage facilities should be acquired by the Federal Government. Requires that a final report be evaluated by the President. Directs that within 60 days after the receipt of such report, the President issue a plan for the temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel. Stipulates that any such plan take effect at the end of 60 calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which copies of such plan are transmitted to each House of Congress. Permits the Congress to reject such plan by the adoption of a concurrent resolution. Sets forth the legislative procedure for the consideration of any such resolution. Title II: Permanent Storage of Radioactive Waste - Directs the Secretary in consultation with other Federal agencies to conduct a study to evaluate methods of providing permanent storage of radioactive waste and to determine the amount of storage capacity required to permanently store all radioactive waste. Requires the Secretary within two years from the date of enactment of this Act to issue a preliminary report on the results of such study. Directs the President to evaluate the final report and issue a plan for the permanent storage of radioactive waste. Stipulates that the plan shall take effect after 60 calendar days of Congressional session unless rejected by the adoption of a concurrent resolution. Sets forth the legislative procedure for the consideration of any such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1978
Anti-Inflation Tax Reduction and Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide cost-of-living adjustments for the individual income tax rates and withholding tables.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
National Infant Screening Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants and contracts to public and private entities to acquire the automated equipment, supplies, and personnel required to conduct multiple screening of blood specimens routinely collected from newborn infants for metabolic disorders. Requires the States to develop plans for the screening, diagnosis, and management of newborn infants for metabolic disorders. States that no entity shall be eligible for a grant under this Act unless it is in compliance with the applicable State plan.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Illegal Alien Control Act - Directs the Attorney General to establish a border patrol force of not less than 3,800 officers. Directs the Attorney General to report to the President and the Congress on the feasibility of: (1) establishing a system for issuing machine readable identification cards to aliens entering the United States; and (2) utilizing the most current technology in electronic sensing devices in patrolling land borders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude from the definition of the term "immigrant" those persons entering the United States for a period of not more than one year to perform temporary services or labor if the Secretary of Labor has determined and certified to the Attorney General that there are not sufficient workers available at the aliens' destination who are willing and able to perform such services. Directs the Secretary to refer to employers who request such certification, workers in the number desired, able and qualified, and who agree to present themselves to commence employment on the date and for the period specified. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to issue social security cards for aliens who may be employed or receive public assistance in the United States. Specifies the information which an alien must provide when applying for a social security card. Requires the applicant to supply either proof of the individual's citizenship or alien status, or an affidavit that the individual was assigned a social security account number at least five years before the date of application for the card. Prohibits the employment or provision of public assistance to an individual specified in this Act unless such individual presents a social security card to the employer or agency and the employer or agency submits required information to the Secretary. Establishes a civil penalty for the violation of such prohibition. Prohibits the employment or provision of public assistance to an alien whose status under the Immigration and Nationality Act does not permit such alien to work or receive public assistance. Establishes penalties for presenting a false social security card or providing fraudulent information in order to obtain employment or public assistance. Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 to prohibit the use of Federal financial aid to provide job training or employment opportunities to aliens who are not authorized to work or who are illegally in the United States. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit income tax deductions for wages paid to aliens illegally working in the United States. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the Secretary of Labor, when adjudicating the petition of an alien for admission to perform skilled or unskilled labor, from considering the work experience gained by the alien in the United States during any time while in an immigration status in which employment was not authorized for the alien. Authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of vessels, vehicles, and aircraft used to illegally transport aliens into the United States. Sets forth exceptions to such seizure and forfeiture provision, including a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft used as a common carrier unless the owner or other person in charge was at the time of the alleged illegal act a consenting party or privy thereto. Amends the Social Security Act to prohibit the payment of Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits and Medicaid benefits to illegal aliens. Adds border crossing cards, alien registration receipt cards, and other documents prescribed by regulation for entry into the United States to the list of documents the false making of which shall be punished by fine or imprisonment or both.