United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress to assure that the total outlays of the Government, during any fiscal year, do not exceed the total receipts of the Government during such fiscal year. Provides for the phased implementation of this requirement after the ratification of this amendment. Permits expenditures to exceed national revenues in time of national emergency, but states that such expenditures shall never exceed receipts by more than ten percent. Provides that during the fourth fiscal year beginning after the ratification of this amendment and for the next 19 succeeding fiscal years thereafter, the total receipts of the Government shall exceed outlays by an amount equal to five percent of the Federal indebtedness at the beginning of the fourth year fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
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 · 15 January 1979
Establishes the Claude Pepper Senior Citizen Congressional Intern program which authorizes each Member of Congress to hire each year one senior citizen intern to serve within the District of Columbia for one of two two-week periods. Specifies that such intern shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed $300 per week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 August 1978
Good Samaritan Act - Declares: (1) that any physician, registered nurse, or aircraft employee who, in good faith and with a reasonable belief that immediate medical attention is necessary, renders emergency care to an injured or ill person aboard an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission by such individual in rendering such care, except for any act or omission amounting to gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct; and (2) that any such individual shall not be liable for any such act or omission in rendering continued emergency care to the injured or ill person during transportation from the aircraft to a medical facility for further treatment or care.
United States · United States Congress · 17 August 1978
Urges the prompt appointment of the National Commission on Social Security established by the Social Security Amendments of 1977. Resolves that the Congress request such Commission to study the feasibility of converting the present old-age, survivors, and disability insurance programs of the Social Security Act into self-renewing investment funds which will fulfill the purpose of the present program with a substantial reduction in taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1978
Modifies the Smithville Lake project, Little Platte River, Missouri, to authorize the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to modify the project's visitor center to establish a memorial to Congressman Jerry L. Litton at an estimated cost of $1,200,000. Renames the visitor's center the "Jerry L. Litton Memorial Visitor Center".
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code by providing graduated corporate income tax rates ranging, over seven brackets, from a 16 percent rate on a corporation's first $25,000 income to a 45 percent rate on income over $150,000.
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 · 21 June 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the levels of total budget outlay and new budget authority for any fiscal year from exceeding the corresponding level for the previous year by a percentage greater than the average annual percentage increase of the gross national product during the three calendar years immediately preceeding the beginning of the applicable fiscal year. Provides an exception to the restriction established by this Act in time of war or national emergency.
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 · 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 · 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 · 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
States that power and energy marketed by the Southwestern Power Administration shall be sold at uniform system-wide rates, without discrimination between customers to whom the Southwestern Power Administration delivers such power and energy by means of transmission lines or facilities constructed with appropriated funds, and customers to whom the Southwestern Power Administration delivers such power and energy by means of transmission lines or facilities, the use of which is acquired by lease, wheeling, or other contractural arrangements. Provides that agreed points of delivery shall not be changed unilaterally.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1978
Prohibits Congress from making any appropriations in excess of total estimated revenues in any fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 1980. Provides an exception to such prohibition in time of war or national emergency. Prohibits any increase in the national debt. Requires the repayment of the national debt during the next 100 years.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 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 · 18 April 1978
Authorizes additional mileage for the Interstate Highway System for the construction of a route along Missouri Route 725 between Interstate Route 270 and Page Avenue in Saint Louis County, Missouri.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that State and local government retirement systems shall be tax exempt organizations. Exempts these systems from the reporting requirements pertaining to deferred compensation. Treats all such systems as qualified pension plans under the code.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that all committee reports accompanying public bills or joint resolutions which authorize or appropriate specific sums for any fiscal year contain a computation of the annual tax impact of such legislation on the individual taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that property used in, or related to, the taxpayer's trade or business, and which the taxpayer acquired without cost, shall not qualify as a capital asset.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1978
Rural Community Development Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to nonmetropolitan units of local government to help finance specified community development programs including: (1) the acquisition of real property which is blighted, deteriorating, undeveloped or inappropriately developed from the standpoint of sound community development or which is to be used for public works or other public purposes; (2) the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or installation of public works or other improvements including neighborhood facilities, historic properties, and recreation facilities; and (3) special projects to remove material or architectural barriers which restrict the mobility of elderly and handicapped persons. Sets forth application and review requirements. Lists factors, including population growth or decline rates and unemployment rates, which the Secretary shall consider in allocating funds to States and units of general local government. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee local government notes or other obligations where such entity is carrying out comprehensive community development programs, and public agency obligations for purposes of financing the acquisition of real property. Permits the Secretary to issue obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury in an amount outstanding at any one time sufficient to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out his obligation under guarantees authorized by this Act. States that obligations guaranteed by this Act shall be subject to Federal taxation. Prohibits discrimination in the administration of this Act. Provides a procedure to be followed where the Secretary finds that a recipient of assistance under this Act has failed to substantially comply with any provision of this Act. Permits interstate agreements with respect to community development planning and programs. Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and Housing and Urban Development to conduct a study of the feasibility and desirability of meeting the community development needs of units of general local government which are located within a metropolitan area having a population of 20,000 or less and are rural in character under the provisions of this Act rather than under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to prohibit the making of any grant to a unit of local government which is located outside of a metropolitan area and has a population of 20,000 or less.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Agriculture Emergency Act - Title I: Agricultural Export Expansion - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish abroad between six and 25 United States Agricultural Trade Offices, for the purpose of developing, maintaining, and expanding international markets for United States agricultural commodities. Changes the title of Agricultural Attaches to Agricultural Counselors, and requires each Counselor to submit to the Secretary an annual report detailing the social, political and economic factors affecting agriculture and agricultural trade in the country or area to which such Counselor is assigned. Establishes in the Department of Agriculture: (1) an Assistant Secretary for Commodity Programs, to perform duties related to agricultural stabilization and conservation; and (2) an Under Secretary for International Affairs to perform duties related to foreign agriculture. Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to direct the Secretary to provide Corporation financing to exporters of agricultural commodities who wish to extend deferred payment terms, not to exceed three years, to foreign buyers in order to meet foreign competition and to make additional export sales. Title II: Agricultural Credit - Subtitle A: Amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide loans to any farm owners or tenants for the purposes of meeting Federal, State, or local requirements for agricultural, animal, or poultry waste pollution abatement and control facilities. Establishes a low-income farm ownership loan program for owners or operators of small or family farms, and extends eligibility for real estate and operating loans to private domestic corporations and partnerships primarily engaged in farming or ranching. Extends eligibility for operating loans to farm cooperatives. Increases the maximum allowable total principal indebtedness for real estate loans which may be outstanding by any one borrower to $200,000, or $300,000 in the case of a guaranteed loan. Removes the $500,000 ceiling from the aggregate principal of loans made using the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Increases the amount of indebtedness which may be outstanding for operating loans for an individual from $50,000 to $100,000, or in the case of a guaranteed loan, $200,000. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase the guaranteed portion of any rural development loan using funds from the Rural Development Insurance Fund and the guaranteed portion of all other loans with funds from the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Replaces the current provision for an up to five-year renewal of an operating loan with a provision for the consolidation or rescheduling of outstanding loans for payment over a period not to exceed seven years from the date of such consolidation or rescheduling. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans and grants, and approve transfers and assumptions under such Act in connection with property securing a loan made, insured, or held by the Secretary notwithstanding the fact an area ceases to be eligible for assistance under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a procedure for appeal and review of determinations by a county committee that a loan applicant is able to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere to finance his actual needs at reasonable rates and terms. Increases from $15,000 to $25,000 the amount of claims that can be compromised without approval of the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration. Authorizes the Secretary to grant a moratorium upon the payment by an individual of interest and principal on a loan, upon a showing of temporary inability to continue making payments, beyond the individual's control. Subtitle B: Emergency Agricultural Credit Adjustment Act - Directs the Secretary to insure, guarantee, or make direct loans for the purpose of making payment of principal and interest installments or refinancing, in whole or in part, equipment or operating loans, giving preference to owners or operators of small or family farms. Requires the Secretary to guarantee 100 percent of the principal and interest of any such loan. Limits the total principal balance outstanding on insured or guaranteed loans to $200,000. Allows the total outstanding principal indebtedness of any borrower to reach $150,000 without approval of the senior State official of the Farmers Home Administration. Limits the total principal amount of all outstanding loans under this title during 1978 to $1,500,000,000, and during 1979 to $3,000,000,000. Terminates such program on December 31, 1979. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Extends the Emergency Livestock Credit Act through September 30, 1979. Title III: Wheat, Feed Grains, and Cotton Price Supports, Set-Aside and Release Prices - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 and 1979 crops of the following commodities a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging: (1) for wheat, from $3.00 per bushel for a 20 percent set-aside up to $5.00 per bushel for a 50 percent set-aside; (2) for corn, from $2.10 for a ten percent set-aside up to $3.49 for a 50 percent set-aside; and (3) for upland cotton, from 54 cents per pound for a 20 percent set-aside up to 85 cents per pound for a 50 percent set-aside. Sets the 1979 established price for a 50 percent set-aside of all three commodities at the January, 1979 parity price for the 1979 crops. Prohibits: (1) the Secretary from providing for the redemption of stored wheat and feed grains loans unless the market price for such commodities is not less than parity; (2) the calling of such loans until the market price for wheat and feed grains is at least 105 percent of parity; and (3) the Commodity Credit Corporation from selling its stocks of wheat and feed grains for less than the parity price of such commodities. Title IV: Sugar - Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to increase the price support for the 1978 through 1980 crops of sugar beets and sugarcane to a minimum of 65 percent of parity, but not less than 17 cents per pound raw sugar equivalent. Title V: Meat Imports - Sets formulae for quotas on the importation of specified meat products as of January 1, 1979. Prohibits the annual importation of specified kinds of cattle in excess of the smaller of either: (1) the average number of such livestock imported during the period January 1, 1973, through December 31, 1977; or (2) 960,000 head. Title VI: National Farmer and Rancher Board - Establishes the National Farmer and Rancher Board, composed of bona fide farmers and ranchers from eight agricultural regions of the United States who shall be elected to such Board by agricultural producers according to specified procedures. Limits the duties of such Board to advising, consulting with, and making written recommendations to the President, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretaries and Administrators of other specified departments and agencies on matters pertaining to the family farm and/or the production and marketing of agricultural commodities. Title VII: Congressional Review of Embargoes or Sale Suspensions - Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to require notification of Congress of any embargo or suspension of a commercial export sale of specified commodities, and to permit Congress to halt such embargo by adoption of a resolution of disapproval within 60 days after notification. Title VIII: Government Purchases - Declares that it is the sense of Congress that all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of all three branches of the United States Government use their resources and facilities to the maximum extent practicable to purchase agricultural products produced in the United States. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1964 to exclude from food stamp coverage any food labeled imported. Title IX: Agricultural Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an investment tax credit for buildings and structural components used in the business of farming. Grants an exemption from the excise tax for any trailer or semitrailer used for farming purposes or for transporting horses or livestock, whose gross vehicle weight is 10,000 pounds or less. Entitles aerial applicators to a refund of gasoline and special fuels taxes. Repeals the carryover basis provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property's basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent. Allows a deduction from income for State estate taxes in the case of income in respect of a decedent. Title X: Natural Gas for Essential Agricultural Purposes - Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to prohibit curtailment by a natural gas company of natural gas for essential agricultural, food processing, and food packaging purposes for which natural gas is necessary. Requires the Secretary to determine the purposes for which natural gas is necessary. Title XI: Increase Farm Storage Loan Ceiling - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to increase the farm storage loan ceiling from $50,000 to $100,000. Title XII: Regulatory Reform - Authorizes either House of Congress by resolution to disapprove, in whole or in part, any rule or regulation prescribed by the head of any Federal department or agency. Requires the heads of all Federal departments and agencies to submit a comprehensive review and evaluation of their programs and activities so that the Congress may determine if the merits of each program or activity support its continuation or diminution rather than its termination.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Elephant Protection Act - Prohibits the import, export, possession, transport, or sale of any elephant product. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to issue permits for acts herein prohibited for scientific purposes. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violation of this Act. Establishes rewards for persons providing information regarding violations of this Act. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior, Treasury, and the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to enforce this Act, and to promulgate regulations for such enforcement. Permits citizens suits to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1978
Expresses the sense of the House that the national motto, "In God We Trust," shall continue to be engraved and printed on the currency of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1978
Agricultural Trade Act - Title I: Establishment of United States Agricultural Trade Offices - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish abroad not less than six nor more than 25 United States Agricultural Trade Offices, for the purpose of developing, maintaining, and expanding international markets for United States agricultural commodities. Title II: Intermediate Commercial Credit - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to require the Corporation to finance, under its export credit sales program, export sales of agricultural commodities out of its own private stocks on credit terms in excess of three years, but not more than ten years. Title III: Reorganization - Establishes in the Department of Agriculture: (1) an Assistant Secretary for Commodity Programs, to perform duties related to agricultural stabilization and conservation; and (2) an Under Secretary for International Affairs to perform duties related to foreign agriculture. Title IV: Agricultural Counselors - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to change the title of Agricultural Attaches to Agricultural Counselors, and to require each Counselor to submit to the Secretary an annual report detailing the social, political and economic factors affecting agriculture and agricultural trade in the country or area to which such Counselor is assigned. Title V: General Provisions - Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress annual reports on the activities and accomplishments of the Department, especially those of the United States Agricultural Trade Offices, in developing, maintaining, and expanding foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Calls upon the President to direct the Attorney General to retain David W. Marston as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania until all investigations of corruption involving public officials presently being conducted in such district are concluded.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Petitions the President and the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) increase price supports to bring commodity prices up to parity; (2) provide diversion payments for devoting land to conservation practices; (3) implement the critical lands and graze-out programs; (4) prevent Government dumping of surplus grain and dairy products into already depressed markets; (5) re-implement fully the summer-fallow provisions of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973; and (6) maximize agricultural exports.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 to restrict the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the justness or reasonableness of any stockyard service rate or charge to only those rates or charges for services at stockyards which have a certain minimum annual sales volume.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1977
Prohibits any agency or agent of the United States from issuing, implementing, or enforcing any rule or regulation with respect to quotas related to race, creed, color, national origin, or sex which requires any individual or entity to take any action with respect to hiring, promotion, or admissions policies or practices.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1977
Declares that the Federal Power Commission and other Federal agencies with authority over the allocation of natural gas shall give the highest priority to specified agricultural uses, including irrigation, grain drying, and the production of fertilizer and other agricultural chemicals.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Authorizes each Member of the House of Representatives, including the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico and the Delegates from Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, to hire for two week of each year two senior citizen interns to serve within the District of Columbia. Makes available to each Member for the purpose of hiring such interns an annual gross allowance of $600.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1977
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to eliminate age limitations with respect to the requirement that all personnel actions affecting employees or applicants for employment in Federal agencies, the United States Postal Service, or the District of Columbia government be taken without regard to such employees' or applicants' age.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1977
Jobs Creation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the individual income tax rates. Allows a credit against the income tax up to $1,000, for ten percent of the increase in the total savings deposits and investments since the end of the previous year. Allows a limited income tax deduction by certain domestic corporations for dividends paid. Limits corporate deductions for dividends received from foreign corporations. Repeals corporate deductions for other dividends received. Limits the corporate normal tax rate to 20 percent. Allows the taxpayer to take a deduction for specified percentages of the acquisition costs of certain types of property, with a corresponding reduction in basis, in lieu of a depreciation deduction. Doubles the corporate surtax exemption to $100,000.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1977
Revenue Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for permanent tax rate reductions for individuals and businesses, and for a permanent increase in the corporate surtax exemption from $50,000 to $200,000.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Amends the National Trails System Act to include historic trails, in addition to recreation and scenic trails, within the National Trails System. Defines historic trails as those trails which follow as closely as possible and practicable the original trails or routes of travel of national historical significance. Designates the Oregon National Historic Trail and Travelway in the States of Oregon and Washington, as a unit of the National Trails System. Sets forth the criteria for the qualification of a trail as a National Historic Trail.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1977
Amends the District of Columbia Code to apply provisions relating to pretrial release of persons charged with capital crimes only to those defendants charged with first degree murder or forcible rape. Authorizes the detaining of such a defendant if after a pretrial detention hearing the judicial officer finds: (1) no one or more conditions of release will reasonably assure that the person will not flee or pose a danger to any other person or to the community; and (2) there is substantial probability that the person committed the offense for which he is charged. Permits institution of pretrial detention hearings by a judicial officer on such officer's own initiative. Authorizes a judicial officer to detain for up to ten days a person coming before him for bail determination charged with any offense if it appears that such person is presently, and was at the time of the offense charged, on bail or other release for a State or Federal felony. Extends the maximum permissible detention period under the provision allowing pretrial detention for persons charged with an offense who are on parole or probation, pending notification to appropriate State or Federal court, probation, or parole officials to ten days. Empowers a judicial officer to hold a pretrial detention hearing and detain an individual pending trial if such State or Federal officials fail to take custody of him during such ten day period. Directs that such an individual who is subsequently convicted of the offense charged receive credit toward service of sentence for the time detained pursuant to this provision. Extends to 90 days the period after which a defendant who is charged with a dangerous crime, a violent crime, or an obstruction of justice and is ordered detained pending trial must be released unless the trial is in progress or has been delayed at the request of the defendant.
United States · United States Congress · 2 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 · 1 June 1977
Directs the Secretary of Defense to place a plaque and a permanent display of medals, ribbons, and tributes of the Vietnam era on the crypt at the National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia, reserved for an unknown American serviceman who lost his life in Southeast Asia. Directs the Secretary to perform the duties required by this Act even though the remains of such serviceman have not yet been placed in the crypt.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1977
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to transfer the responsibility for investigating Communist and subversive organizations affecting the internal security of the United States to a standing Committee on Internal Security established by this Resolution. Confers upon such committee the responsibility for investigating all organizations within the United States aimed at overthrowing or altering the Government of the United States by force, insurrection or other unlawful means or inciting or employing violence to obstruct the authority of the Federal Government with respect to matters of internal security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act -- Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in cooperation with other Federal u, State and local agencies, to carry out a continuing appraisal of the soil, water and related resources of the Nation and to develop a national soil and water conservation program, and to report to Congress on such appraisal and such program not later than December 31, 1979, and at each five-year interval thereafter during the period this Act is in effect. Specifies aspects of conservation problems to be dealt with in such appraisal and such program. Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act
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