United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to redefine the term "navigable waters" as it applies to permits for dredged or fill material as required by the Act. Allows the discharge of dredged or fill materials without a permit in waters other than navigable waters and adjacent wetlands. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to enter into agreements with States to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material in waters other than navigable waters and in wetlands other than adjacent wetlands. Exempts farming, silviculture, ranching, forestry and specified construction activities from permit requirements with respect to discharges of dredged or fill material. Stipulates that Federal projects shall be exempt only if the effects of such discharges have been assessed pursuant to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to delegate authority over dredged and fill material in adjacent wetlands to the States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act to exclude from coverage (1) employers with ten or fewer employees; and (2) employees not employed on a regular basis for 30 or more consecutive days. Requires that a warning rather than a citation be given for a first instance violation, other than a willful or serious violation, to an employer who has not employed more than 25 employees at any time during the 30 days prior to an inspection or investigation. Prohibits the imposition of a civil penalty against an employer for a nonserious violation if (1) such employer has not previously received a citation for the same violation; and (2) the inspection upon which such citation was based resulted in the issuance of citations for ten or or fewer violations of a nonserious nature.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Antitrust Law Labor Amendments - Removes statutory limitations upon the application of the Sherman Act to labor organizations and their activities. States that every contract or agreement between any labor organization and any employer whereby such employer undertakes to cease or to refrain from using, selling, handling, transporting, or otherwise dealing in any of the products of any producer, processor, or manufacturer which are distributed in trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, is declared illegal. Provides that every person who enters into, attempts to enter into, or conspires with any other person to enter into, any such contract or agreement shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000,000 or by imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include as "medical and other health services" for which coverage will be provided under Medicare, and as "medical assistance" for which coverage will be provided under Medicaid, that medical or other remedial care furnished by licensed (registered) nurses within the scope of their practices as defined by State law.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the ban or prohibition of saccharin should be delayed until the appropriate Congressional committees have determined that consumption of saccharin in unsafe.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1977
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 · 21 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act 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.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Amends the Arms Export Control Act, with respect to approval for the transfer of defense articles, training, or services under that Act, to delay the effective date of such approval until the end of the first period of 30 days of continuous Congressional session after the President has certified the proposed transfer to Congress, unless Congress disapproves such transfer by concurrent resolution within that period. Permits such proposed transfer to become effective immediately if the President certifies to Congress that a state of emergency exists which requires such transfer in the national security interests of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Amends rules XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that each committee report accompanying a public bill or joint resolution contain an evaluation of the paperwork which would be incurred in carrying out such bill or resolution including estimates of time and cost required of affected parties, a showing of whether the effect of the bill could be substantial, and an estimate of recordkeeping requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Mobile Source Emission Control Amendments - Amends the Clean Air Act to extend through model year 1979 interim standards for hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions from light-duty motor vehicles. Specifies standards applicable in model years 1980 and afterwards for such pollutants. Revises the emission standard for carbon monoxide to allow emissions of up to 9.0 grams per vehicle mile. Extends until model year 1981 the current 2.0 grams per vehicle mile interim standard for nitrogen oxide emissions from light-duty vehicles. Establishes a nitrogen oxides emissions standard of 1.0 gram per vehicle mile for model years after 1981, subject to revision or waiver by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with prescribed procedures. Stipulates that such revisions and waivers shall not permit emissions in excess of the 2.0 grams per vehicle mile interim standard. Directs the Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Energy Administration to submit separate reports to Congress regarding the consequences of such emission standards on fuel consumption. Establishes additional prohibitions and penalties for tampering with motor vehicle emission control equipment. Empowers limits in the amount of vehicle testing required of small manufacturers. Establishes procedures for review of instructions for high altitude performance adjustments for motor vehicle emission control systems by the Administrator in accordance with specified requirements. Revises warranty requirements stipulated by the Act. Specifies an 18-month or 18,000 mile warranty requirement for the useful life of motor vehicle emission control systems. Directs the Administrator to study the effects of emissions of sulfur-bearing conformed from motor vehicles and aircraft. Extends the exception for disclosure of confidential information in administrative and judicial proceedings to emission data upon a satisfactory showing to the Administrator that such data would divulge trade secrets. Requires that documentation, justifications, proposed drafts, and comments of other agencies an proposed motor vehicle emission standards be made available to the public once such standards are proposed. Establishes procedures for oral presentation of views, with opportunity for cross-examination, with respect to such standards. Authorizes direct review of alleged procedural errors in the appropriate court of appeals. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980, to carry out the purposes of this Act other than research, development, and demonstration activities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Requests that the concerns of the United States be conveyed to the Soviet government regarding adherence to the Helsinki Declaration with respect to freedom to emigrate.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Calls for the consideration of the relationship between the violence depicted on television and violence in society by those persons responsible for television programming and broadcasting in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Declares the sense of Congress that there should be no 1976 rebate of individual income taxes, nor any future rebate of individual income taxes which would cause or increase a deficit in the Federal Budget.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1977
Excludes employers with less than 25 employees during any consecutive six-month period in the most recent fiscal year from coverage under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1977
Amends the provision of the Gun Control Act of 1968 imposing additional sentences on persons committing Federal felonies while carrying, or with the use of, a firearm to (1) increase the penalties thereunder, (2) encompass State crimes, (3) prohibit a suspended or probationary sentence with respect to a first, as well as to a subsequent, conviction, and (4) forbid a defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress (1) that the President prohibit foreign assistance and suspend air services to countries granting sanctuary to terrorists; (2) that the President seek formation of an international commission to study terrorism; (3) that the President renew efforts to establish an international convention sanctioning countries which grant sanctuary to those committing unlawful acts against civil aviation; (4) that the President seek compliance with the Convention for Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft; and (5) that the President should seek an international convention for the prevention and punishment of the taking of hostages.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Special Prosecutor Act - Directs the Attorney General to conduct an investigation upon receiving specific information that any of specified campaign chairmen or Federal officials, including the President, the Vice President, Members of Congress, officials in positions listed Level I of the Executive Schedule, and certain officials in the Executive Office of the President, has violated Federal criminal law involving campaign financing, obstruction of justice, abuse of office, or fraud against the United States. Provides for appointment of a special prosecutor by a panel composed of judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upon application of the Attorney General. Empowers a majority of either majority or minority party members of either the House or Senate Judiciary committees to request the Attorney General to make such an application. Grants a special prosecutor full and independent authority to exercise all investigative and prosecutorial functions with respect to matters within his jurisdiction as defined by the appointing panel. Requires a special prosecutor to promptly advise the House of Representatives of any substantial and credible evidence that may constitute grounds for an impeachment. Directs the Attorney General to promulgate rules and regulations requiring any officer or employee of the Department of Justice to disqualify himself from participation in a particular investigation or prosecutor if participation may result in a conflict of interest or appearance thereof.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Revises title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to: (1) eliminate the five-month waiting period for disability benefits; (2) permit adopted children to qualify for benefits without regard to time of adoption; (3) eliminate the reconsideration stage in benefits determinations; (4) provide for the issuance of duplicate benefit checks where the initial checks are lost or delayed; and (5) provide for expedited benefit payments to disability beneficiaries. Increase to $7,500 the amount of outside earnings which an individual may earn without a deduction in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Congressional Pay Reform Act - Amends the Federal Salary of 1967 to: (1) make recommendations for rates of pay for Members of Congress and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, transmitted by the President to Congress, subject to the approval of Congress under this Act; and (2) specify that such recommendations may be considered approved if each House of the Congress passes a specific resolution granting such approval within 180 calendar days of continuous session after the date of the President's transmittal of such recommendations. Sets forth the form of the resolution granting such approval, and the rules and procedure to be followed in each House with respect to the consideration of such resolution. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to establish the annual rates of pay for Members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, the President pro tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate and House majority and minority leaders at the rates in effect on September 30, 1976, until otherwise changed by law. Declares that if any recommendations transmitted to the Congress by the President on January 17, 1977, relating to rates of pay for such positions take effect before enactment of this Act, the rates of pay for such positions will be those in effect on September 30, 1976, unless such recommendations are approved by Congress in accordance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Social Security Reform Amendments - Repeals the earnings limitation under title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Provides benefits under such title to husbands, widowers, and fathers on the same basis as wives, widows, and mothers who presently receive benefits. Eliminates the five- month waiting period for disability benefits. Continues the benefit entitlement under such title through the month of the beneficiary's death. Permits individuals 65 years of age or older to elect an exemption from Social Security coverage and payment of Social Security coverage and payment of Social Security taxes. Eliminates marriage or remarriage of a beneficiary as a factor in terminating or reducing the amount of benefits available. Authorizes direct payments to physicians and other providers at their option under the supplementary medical insurance program of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1977
Calls for the consideration of the relationship between the violence depicted on television and violence in society by those persons responsible for television programming and broadcasting in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Excludes from the definition of "letter" telegrams, letters sent in bulk, and other items not generally considered to be letters. Limits such definition as narrowed by this Act to postal law provisions dealing with private carriage of letters, illegal carriage of letters, and prompt delivery of mail from a vessel. Permits the carriage of mail by private carrier not otherwise permitted if such mail is addressed to such carrier or if the Postal Service determines that such private carriage is in the public interest. (Amends 39 U.S.C. 601)
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the application of the Tax Reform Act's elimination of the sick pay exclusion for persons who have not retired on total disability, to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Extends the term of office of the President and Vice President to six years and prohibits any person from being elected to such offices more than once. Establishes three year terms of office for Members of the House of Representatives. Permits any person previously holding the office of President or Vice President for less than six years to hold such office under this amendment.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the establishment in the House of a Select Committee on Investigations whenever in any Congress the majority party in the House and Senate is the same party as that of the President. Requires such select committee to conduct studies and investigations of the administration and enforcement of Federal laws by the Federal departments and agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to credit against the income tax specified higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, books, and supplies, incurred by the taxpayer for himself or any dependent. Limits the credit to 100 percent of the first $200 for any individual, 25 percent of the next $300, and 5 percent of the next $1,000. Limits the credit to expenses incurred by full time students at institutions of vocational and higher education, minus scholarships and veterans' benefits. Limits the total credit allowed the taxpayer to his income tax liability minus the sum of all other credits applied thereto. Disallows any deduction of educational expenses used to determine the amount of the credit allowed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 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 · 16 February 1977
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require Congress to review each Federal program at least every six years as though it were being proposed to be enacted for the first time. Requires such zero-base budgeting process to consider the costs and benefits, the necessity, and the effectiveness of such program. Prohibits the extension of budget authority for any such program beyond such six-year period until the Congressional committees with jurisdiction over such programs conduct such reviews.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal provisions allowing an employer and a labor organization to enter into an agreement to require membership in such organization as a condition of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
Federal Employee Freedom of Choice Act - Declares that all Federal employees have the right to form, join, and assist a labor organization or to refrain from any such activity without fear of penalty or reprisal. Excludes from the definition of "labor organization," as used in this Act, any organization which: (1) asserts the right to strike against the Federal Government; (2) advocates the overthrow of the constitutional government; or (3) discriminates with regard to race, color, creed, national origin, or sex.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
Student's Freedom of Choice Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to prohibit an employer from discriminating against an employee who is enrolled in a full-time program of secondary, vocational, or higher education for nonmembership in or failure to provide financial support to a labor organization.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Mobile Source Emission Control Amendments - Amends the Clean Air Act to postpone until model year 1982 motor vehicle emission standards which require a 90 percent reduction in emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Established the following interim emission standards for such pollutants: (1) for model years 1977 through 1979, 1.5 grams per vehicle mile for hydrocarbons and 15 grams per vehicle mile of carbon monoxide; and (2) for model years 1980 and 1981, 0.9 grams per vehicle mile of hydrocarbons and 9 grams per vehicle mile of carbon monoxide. Extends until model year 1981 the current 2.0 gram per vehicle mile interim standard for nitrogen oxide emissions from light-duty vehicles. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish such standards as appropriated for future model years. Directs the Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Federal Energy Administration to submit separate reports to Congress regarding the consequences of such emission standards on fuel consumption. Establishes additional prohibitions and penalties for tampering with motor vehicle emission control equipment. Imposes limits on the amount of vehicle testing required of small manufacturers. Establishes procedures for review of instructions for high altitude performance adjustments for motor vehicle emission control systems by the Administrator in accordance with specified requirements. Revises warranty requirements stipulated by the Act. Specifies on 18-month or 18,000 mile warranty requirement for the useful life of motor vehicle emission control systems. Directs the Administrator to study the effects of emission of sulfur-bearing compounds from motor vehicles and aircraft. Directs the Administrator to establish emission standards for air pollutants from railroad locomotives. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make inspections to insure compliance with such standards. Prohibits States and localities from adopting different standards. Extends the exception for disclosure of confidential information in administrative and judicial procedures to emission data upon a satisfactory showing to the Administrator that such data would divulge trade secrets. Requires that documentation, justifications, proposed drafts, and comments of other agencies on proposed motor vehicle emission standards be made available to the public once such standards are proposed. Establishes procedures for oral presentation of views, with opportunity for cross-examination, with respect to such standards. Authorizes direct review of alleged procedural errors in the appropriate United States court of Appeals. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980, to carry out the purposes of this Act other than research, development, and demonstration activities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Voting Rights Act Repealer Amendments Act - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to repeal the prohibitions against voting qualifications, prerequisites, tests, or devices which abridge the right of a citizen to vote who is a member of a language minority. Repeals the requirement that States and other political subdivisions make available registration and voting materials, and voting assistance in languages other than English in areas where more than five percent of the citizens belong to a single language minority.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Prohibits the inspection or acquisition by an agent of the United States of medical and dental records of patients who are not under a federally- assisted program. Sets forth the procedure by which a patient may authorize the disclosure of such records. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Health Care Expenditures Regulation Review Act - Requires any officer or agency in the executive branch of the Federal Government to submit all proposed health care regulations to each House of Congress. Sets forth the procedure by which a proposed health care regulation shall become effective. Directs the head of any Federal department or agency to give 60 days notice to the relevant committees of the House of Representatives and Congress, prior to initial publication of any regulation which relates to: (1) costs or expenditures of, or reimbursements to, individuals or providers of health care; or (2) the fixing of any rate or charge.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual income tax credit for 25 percent of the amounts paid or incurred for the purchase and installation of qualified insulative materials or heating equipment in the taxpayer's principal residence. Limits the credit to $375, or $750 in the case of a joint return. Stipulates that to be considered qualified such improvements must meet heat loss reduction or heating efficiency criteria to be established by the Secretary of the Treasury in accordance with standards developed and prescribed by the National Bureau of Standards.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Establishes a Joint Committee on Intelligence. States that such joint committee shall exercise exclusive legislative jurisdiction with respect to any intelligence activity conducted by any agency or department of the Federal Government. Gives the Committee exclusive jurisdiction with respect to the authorization of funds in connection with any activity conducted by: (1) the Central Intelligence Agency; (2) the National Security Agency; (3) the Defense Intelligence Agency; (4) special offices within the Department of Defense for the collection of specialized intelligence through reconnaissance programs; and (5) intelligence elements of the military services, not including tactical intelligence. Requires all agencies and departments of the Federal Government conducting any intelligence activity to keep the joint committee fully and currently informed with respect to their intelligence activities. Requires members of the joint committee to report to their respective Houses their recommendations with respect to matters which are referred to the joint committee. Makes it the responsibility of the joint committee to establish guidelines for the classification of information originating within the joint committee. Requires the joint committee to keep a record of all its activities. Directs the joint committee to establish rules to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of information obtained by the joint committee. Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives and the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to reflect the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Natural Gas Act Amendments - Amends the Natural Gas Act to prohibit the Federal Power Commission from regulating sales or deliveries of natural gas by producers of new natural gas. Prohibits the Commission from regulating rates or charges made by natural gas companies dealing with affiliates to the extent that such prices do not exceed current prices paid for comparable gas to nonaffiliates. Prohibits the Commission from utilizing prices charged for new natural gas as a basis for determining whether or not to grant certificates of public convenience or necessity to natural gas transportation companies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Excludes from eligibility for food stamps under the Food Stamp Act of 1964 any household whose principal wage earner is on strike for the duration of such strike. Excepts a household from this exclusion if it was participating in the food stamp program immediately prior to the start of such strike, or if any of its members is subject to an employer's lockout.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to authorize individuals who are enrolled in a private retirement plan to voluntarily exempt themselves from the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Congressional Salary Act -- Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to make any recommendations of the President relating to the salaries of Members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico purely advisory. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to require that the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the Senate and House leadership be the rate payable for such positions on the date of enactment of this Act unless otherwise established by law. Prohibits any law increasing such rates of pay from taking effect before the first day of the Congress following the Congress during which such law is enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the taxpayer's age requirement (65 years) and the dollar limitation on the adjusted sales price ($35,000) for the exclusion from gross income of gain realized on the sale of the taxpayer's principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Amends Title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to repeal Federal child day care requirements, and to require adherence of child day care plans to published State standards of such care.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide identical income tax rates for single persons and married couples filing joint returns. Limits the earned income that must be reported by a married individual filing a separate return to the amount actually earned by that individual.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Constitutional Amendment - States that Congress shall make no appropriations for any fiscal year which exceed the total revenues of the United States for such year. Prohibits spending by, or on behalf of, the United States which exceeds the total revenue for that year. Suspends such requirements when Congress declares war or national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Condemns terrorist activities. Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives: (1) that terrorists should be punished; (2) that the release of Abu Daoud by France was premature and unjustified; and (3) that such release should be condemned.
![Official portrait of Rep. Collins, James M. [R-TX-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000638_200.jpg)