The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Rep. Cotter, William R. [D-CT-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000799_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
569 records where Rep. Cotter, William R. [D-CT-1] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Declares that there be no reduction of customs duties on textile, apparel, or fiber products and that such products be excluded from the current Tokyo Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Declares that the President should take steps to discourage activities by the United States which benefit the Government of Uganda; including closing the Ugandan embassy in the District of Columbia; restricting the movement of officials of the Ugandan mission to the United Nations; supporting legislation to prohibit imports to or exports from Uganda; prohibiting the entry of individuals on scholarships from Uganda; prohibiting the training of Ugandans in areas having military application; revoking the landing rights of Ugandan aircraft in the United States; and prohibiting maintenance in the United States of equipment having police or military application.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1977
Extends to fourteen years the deadline for ratification of the equal rights amendment.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an additional excise tax on cigarettes to be paid to States not imposing local cigarette taxes to the extent the taxes collected are attributable to those States. Imposes penalties for bootlegging large amounts of cigarettes and provides for the regulation of interstate cigarette dealers and transporters by the Department of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Regional Energy Development Act - Chapter I: Introductory - Declares that energy shortages and the high cost of energy have created economic hardships in the Northeastern States, which would especially benefit from regional cooperation with the United States through an entity capable of financing and otherwise promoting increased energy supply and energy conservation in the "Northeastern States" of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Chapter II: Organization, Management, Powers - Authorizes the creation of a corporation for profit, which will not be an agency or establishment of the Federal government. Directs the President to appoint incorporators who reside in the Northeastern States to serve as the initial Board of Directors of the Corporation, and to take whatever actions are necessary to establish the Corporation. Stipulates that a Northeastern State shall become a member of the Corporation when such State shall subscribe for State stock, contribute initial capital in the amount of $1 per capita, and enact supporting legislation. Allows the Corporation to become operational if at least three States become members before December 31, 1978. Authorizes States that are contiguous to members to join the Corporation in the same manner. Authorizes the Corporation to participate in joint ventures with public or private groups and to operate through subsidiaries. Requires the Corporation to submit annual reports and audits to the President, Congress, Governors and legislatures of Member States. Directs the Governors, on a rotating basis, to designate independent persons to evaluate the performance of the Corporation every two years. Chapter III: Projects and Programs of the Corporation - Authorizes the Corporation to participate in financing any project related to solving the loans, guarantees or equity investments. Stipulates that before any financial assistance is provided, the Board of Directors of the Corporation must find that: (1) the project is expected to have a beneficial impact on the energy problems of the region; (2) the investment together with other Corporation activities will not materially impair the credit of the Corporation; (3) private capital is unavailable or insufficient; and (4) unless this limitation is specially waived, the Corporation will not operate the project on a continuing basis or invest more than 50 percent of the total cost. Authorizes rejection of each project by the Governor of the Member State in which it is located. Charges the Board with reviewing periodically the allocation of Corporation resources among the Member States to assure a measure of equity in the distribution of benefits. Limits the Corporation's investment in any one project to the greater of 10 percent of its borrowing authority or $200,000,000. Chapter IV: Financing - Stipulates that capital subscriptions from the States ($1 per capita initial contribution) and private investors shall determine the borrowing authority of the Corporation according to a formula of $15 borrowing backed by Federal guarantees for each $1 capital contribution. Authorizes the contribution of additional capital by the States after the the initial subscription. Authorizes the issuance of capital securities to States and private investors in a form determined by the Board. Permits the Corporation to issue its own obligations which shall be general obligations payable out of any revenues. Prohibits the Corporation from pledging credit of the United States or the credit of Member States. Chapter V: Guarantee of Obligations - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee obligations of the Corporation. Permits the Secretary to agree with the Corporation that the United States will purchase the product of its projects, if necessary, in the event market conditions preclude private sale. Chapter VI: State Legislation - Requires Member States, upon joining the Corporation, to enact legislation: (1) assuring decisions within 90 days of application on request for permits required for Corporation projects; (2) exempting the property, income and operations of the Corporation from State and local taxation; and (3) specifying that insofar as the provisions of any State, general, special, or local law may be inconsistent with this Act, the provisions of this Act and the legislation enacted under this Chapter are controlling. Chapter VII: Miscellaneous - Specifies terms of construction and separability of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Declares it the sense of the Congress that the President direct the United States delegation to the Belgrade Conference to place the issue of the arrest, trial, and conviction of Mykola Rudenko and Oleska Tykhy before the Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1977
International Emergency Food Reserve Act - Authorizes the President: (1) to enter into negotiations with other nations to develop an international system of food reserves for humanitarian food relief needs; and (2) to establish and maintain an International Emergency Food Reserve as a contribution of the United States toward the development of such a system. Requires for such Reserve minimum stocks of two million tons, allowing an increase up to six million tons pursuant to an international agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize any taxpayer to elect to have any portion of any overpayment of tax or any contribution in money which the taxpayer forwards with the return for such taxable year be available, as the taxpayer may designate on such return, for the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1977
Provides that representatives of the Polish Legion of American Veterans are recognized as claims agents for claims arising under laws administered by the Veterans' Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1977
Directs that hearings be commenced as soon as possible by the committee with appropriate jurisdiction to consider and determine what should be the Nation's future telecommunications policy.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Rail Rehabilitation Act - Title I: Findings, Purpose, and Definitions - Declares that the purposes of this Act are to designate an Interstate Railroad System, to rehabilitate the lines within such System, and to transfer to the States the responsibility for maintaining rail lines not included within such System. Title II: Interstate Railroad System - Requires each rail carrier to provide the Secretary of Transportation with specified information regarding its rail lines. Stipulates that the Initial Interstate Railroad System shall be comprised of: (1) all rail lines operated by railroad companies within the United States; (2) all out-of-service but not abandoned rail lines controlled by domestic railroad companies; and (3) such rail lines outside the United States which are operated by a railroad company which operates primarily within the United States and which are deemed essential to the System by the Secretary. Specifies exceptions to such inclusion. Directs the Secretary to prepare and distribute a report containing a description of all rail lines included in the Initial System and a report identifying all rail lines not included in the Initial System and the reason for such exclusion. Directs the Rail Services Planning Office of the Interstate Commerce Commission to hold public hearings regarding the establishment of the Initial System, and to report to the Secretary its recommendations for additions to and deletions from such System. Directs the Secretary, after receiving such recommendations, to prepare and release a summary of an Intermediate Interstate Railroad System. Requires the Secretary to include findings in support of each addition to or deletion from the Initial System. Stipulates that the Intermediate System shall designate the future maintenance standards of each rail line in the System according to specified criteria. Directs the Rail Services Planning Office to hold public hearings to solicit comments on the Intermediate System and to report to the Secretary its recommendations for additions to and deletions from such System. Directs the Secretary, after receiving such recommendations, to prepare and transmit to Congress the Final Interstate Railroad System. Stipulates that the Final System shall contain no deletions from the Intermediate System except those deletions recommended by the Office or approved by the Governor of the State in which the rail lines to be deleted are included. Stipulates that the Final Plan shall contain future maintenance standards for each rail line which are no lower than those contained in the Intermediate System except under specified circumstances. Stipulates that the Final System shall be deemed approved unless either the House of Representatives or the Senate passes a resolution of disapproval within 60 days. Directs that, in the event such a resolution is passed, the Secretary shall submit a revised System to Congress for review. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of receiving the Office's recommendations regarding the Intermediate System, to establish a rehabilitation, capital improvement, and maintenance program for the restoration of all rail lines in the System to the future maintenance standards set forth in the Final System. Stipulates that this entire program shall be scheduled for completion within 12 years after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Army, within three years after the enactment of this Act, to carry out a study of the long-term capital needs for the major upgrading of the Final System. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Rail Property Administration (as established by this Act) to establish a revised rehabilitation, capital improvement and maintenance program showing the schedule for completion of each element of the program. Stipulates that all rail properties subject to reorganization under the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 shall be part of the Final System. Title III: Federal Rail Property Administration - Establishes the Federal Rail Property Administration within the Department of Transportation. Authorizes the Administration to acquire rail lines and transportation property other than rail lines from any railroad company operating within the United States or whose principal place of business is within the United States. Stipulates that such property may include United States railroads outside the U.S. in contiguous portions of Canada and Mexico where necessary for the Interstate Rail System. Authorizes the Administration to enter into leases with railroad companies which deed rail lines to the Administration for the purpose of providing rail service for a period of not more than 25 years. Stipulates that such a lease shall be renewable. Sets forth provisions to be included in such a lease. Directs the Administrator to establish regulations for the planning and implementation of projects to coordinate, and consolidate railroad operations. Authorizes railroad companies, after the Final System is deemed approved, to offer to transfer all its rail facilities included in the System to the Administration. Authorizes ConRail to offer its rail facilities to the Administration any time 120 days after the enactment of this Act. Requires the Administration to accept title to such rail facilities and to enter into operating leases for such lines within 120 days after receipt of an offer to transfer. Authorizes railroad companies (other than Con Rail) to offer to transfer rail facilities before approval of the Final System under specified conditions. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop rehabilitation and capital improvement programs for rail properties owned by the Administration. Requires such programs to be incorporated into the leases for such properties. Stipulates that the Administration shall pay the costs of such programs and shall contract with the leaseholding railroad to perform such programs. Directs the Administrator and any rail carrier leasing property to establish a schedule of maintenance for such property after the conclusion of a rehabilitation program. Stipulates that such maintenance shall be the responsibility of the carrier or carriers involved. Directs the Administrator to supply all materials and equipment for such maintenance. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the President and the Congress on the properties owned by the Administration and on the condition of all other rail properties in the nation. Title IV: Funding - Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary for each of the 12 years following the enactment of this Act for rehabilitation projects and maintenance projects. Imposes a Rail User Charge on all railroads operating on facilities of the Administration. Stipulates that such charge shall amount to $.20 annually per thousand gross ton-miles of freight, passengers, and rail equipment moved on such facilities. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary, the Interstate Commerce Commission, and the Administrator to carry out provisions of this Act. Title V: State and Local Rail Service Discontinuance and Abandonment - Sets forth conditions for the discontinuance or abandonment of rail service or rail properties transferred to the Administration. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Federal aid program in support of State rail planning as required by the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973. Title VI: Labor Contracts - Stipulates that all contracts between rail carriers and labor organizations for maintenance of properties transferred to the Association shall remain in full effect. Authorizes the Association to enter into contracts for the performance of maintenance, rehabilitation and capital improvement projects provided that all employment pursuant to such contracts shall be subject to the terms of labor contracts in force at the time on the property affected.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should express to the Soviet Union the concern of the United States for the physical condition of Yurij Shukhevych, and should urge his release.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should (1) urge the Soviet Union to release Rudenko and Tykhy from prison and permit them to emigrate, (2) urge the Soviet Union to release and drop charges against other members of groups monitoring the Helsinki Agreement, and (3) make it known that the United States expects all signatories of the Helsinki Accord to fulfill that agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Directs the President to request the Soviet Union to permit Valentyn Moroz to accept an invitation of Harvard University.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to designate specific customs rates for ball or roller bearing pillow block flange, take-up, cartridge and hanger units.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Unemployment Compensation Cost Equalization Act - Entitles, under the Social Security Act, states whose rates of insured unemployment is at least six percent to partial reimbursement on an ascending sliding scale of unemployment compensation costs incurred above a certain amount.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should release Anatoly Scharansky from custody and permit him to emigrate.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1977
Prohibits the shipment in interstate or foreign commerce of any fur or leather, raw or in finished form, from animals trapped in any State or foreign country which has not banned the manufacture, sale, or use of such traps. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to publish a list of such States and foreign countries. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1977
Amends the Clayton Antitrust Act to entitle the United States, natural persons, and State attorney generals acting as parens patriae for persons residing within the State to bring civil actions under such Act for injury in fact, whether direct or indirect. States that this amendment shall apply to any civil action pending on June 9, 1977, or filed thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1977
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to social security coverage of employees of tax exempt nonprofit organizations which have treated their employees as having such coverage when they have not been covered. Extends to December 31, 1977, the deadline for organizations which have received credit or refunds for social security taxes paid to file certificates providing such coverage. Forgives any retroactive liability of organizations which have not received refunds or credits for unpaid social security coverage for October 1976, through June 1977, absent a contrary election by individual employees. Provides for the payment of retroactive liabilities in installments rather than lump sums, under regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1977
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to designate specific customs rates for ball or roller bearing pillow block flange, take-up, cartridge and hanger units.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1977
Amends Titles II and XVIII (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance, and Medicare, respectively) of the Social Security Act to specify the types of treatment and amount of coverage which will be provided for individuals disabled by end stage renal disease. Defines the time at which coverage begins for programs of renal dialysis, and for kidney transplant operations. States that coverage for home dialysis programs shall begin with the month in which such program begins. Extends coverage for a regular course of renal dialysis to individuals who received a kidney transplant in the case of the failure of such transplant. Extends coverage under the Medicare program to kidney donors. Authorizes the making of payments under the Medicare program to providers of services and renal dialysis facilities on behalf of individuals who have end-stage renal disease. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish annually a target reimbursement rate for home dialysis. Sets forth factors to be considered by the Secretary in determining such rate. Directs the Secretary to establish renal disease network areas, including a medical review board for each area, and a national end stage renal disease medical information system. Defines the goals of the network organizations and medical review boards to be the assurance of the most appropriate form of renal disease treatment for each individual having such disease, and the identification of treatment facilities and providers that are not cooperating toward meeting network goals. Declares it to be a national objective to have a majority of new patients being accepted for end-stage renal disease treatment in self-dialysis settings or in preparation for, or undertaking, kidney transplantation. Directs the Secretary, where it is found that self-training programs in any network are of insufficient capacity or are not distributed throughout the network in a manner which assures that self- dialysis training is adequate to meet the needs of individuals with renal disease, to place in effect a program under which self-dialysis training is provided in renal disease facilities or providers which shall be designated for this purpose. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a medical review board to assess the appropriateness of patients for proposed treatment procedures, and to review and evaluate the comparative performance of facilities and physicians. Directs the Secretary to establish pilot projects under which assistance is provided to individuals in the purchase of home dialysis equipment. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress annually on the end stage renal disease program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for rural health clinic services under the supplementary medical insurance program. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide through demonstration projects, reimbursement on a cost basis for services provided by physician-directed clinics in urban medically underserved areas for which payment may be made under Medicare, and for services provided by physician extenders employed by such clinics. Directs the Secretary to carry out demonstration projects to provide reimbursement under the Medicare program for services provided in organized centers offering comprehensive outpatient mental health services.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the excise tax on private foundations' investment income.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1977
Hospital Cost Containment Act - Title I: Transitional Hospital Cost Constraint Provisions - States that it is the purpose of the program established by this title to constrain the rate of increases in total acute care hospital inpatient costs. States that a hospital's average reimbursement per admission for inpatient services and a hospital's average inpatient charges per admission, in the next four accounting years, shall not exceed the hospital's base reimbursement per admission for inpatient services, or the hospital's base inpatient charges per admission by more than the percentage allowed under this Act for each year. Sets forth formulas to be used in increasing or reducing such costs limitations to reflect changes in the cost of care and the number of admissions to a hospital in an accounting year. Permits the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant an exemption from the limits established by this Act to a hospital: (1) which has increased its coverage of inpatient services; (2) which will receive less reimbursement in a particular year than that received in its base year; or (3) which has changed its capacity or the types or character of inpatient services available. Prohibits, under the Social Security Act, the payment of hospital costs in excess of the limits established pursuant to this Act. Prohibits the receipt by any hospital, or payment by any cost payer for inpatient hospital services on a cost basis in excess of applicable limits. Subjects hospitals or cost payers in violation of these prohibitions to: (1) a Federal excise tax established by this Act; and (2) exclusion from participation in any of the programs established under the Medicaid, Medicare on Maternal and Child Health Services programs of the Social Security Act. Allows the Secretary to exclude from cost containment provisions: (1) hospitals which meet specified criteria, at the request of the Governor of such States; and (2) hospitals engaged in certain experiments on demonstrations authorized by the Social Security Act. Requires every hospital to submit semiannually to the appropriate health systems agency, its average semiprivate room rate and the charges for the ten other representative services most important for purposes of comparing hospitals. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose an excise tax on payments received for inpatient hospital services in excess of the inpatient hospital reimbursement increase limit.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Stocks Management and Reserve Act -- Title I: Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish, maintain and dispose of a separate reserve of wheat, corn and other enumerated feed grains through storage contracts with producers. Limits such reserves to no less than 25 million tons nor more than 35 million tons. Specifies how the Secretary may establish such reserves through the Commodity Credit Corporation. Title II: Amends the Agriculture Act of 1949 to set the loan level per bushel of wheat at $2.25 for the 1977 crop and $2.35 for the 1978 through 1981 crops. Sets the loan level per bushel of corn at $1.75 for the 1977 crop and $2.00 for the 1978 through 1981 crops. Sets a formula for the adjustment of the respective loan rates under specified circumstances. Requires the Secretary to set a fair and reasonable loan level on each crop of barley, oats, and rye. Title III: Amends the Agriculture Act of 1949 to authorize the President (1) to enter into negotiations with other nations to develop an international system of food reserves to provide for humanitarian food relief needs, and (2) to establish and maintain an International Emergency Food Reserve, as a contribution of the United States toward the development of such a system, to be made available in the event of food emergencies in foreign countries. Requires for such reserve minimum stocks of two million tons, allowing an increase up to six million tons pursuant to an international agreement. Requires periodic rotation of such stocks to avoid spoilage and deterioration.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Amends the Small Business Investment Act to change the title of the Associate Administrator for Finance and Investment of the Small Business Administration to that of Associate Administrator for Investment. Sets forth the powers of such office including the purchase of preferred securities of any incorporated small business investment company and the purchase or guarantee of all principal and interest payments as scheduled on debentures issued by any small business investment company. Specifies conditions which must be fulfilled before such powers may be exercised.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1977
Investment Policy Act - Title I: Findings and Definitions - States that the lack of a national policy on investment can adversely affect the economic health and well-being of the Nation. Title II: Declaration of National Policy - Declares that it is the policy and responsibility of the Federal Government to provide incentives to assure maximum investment in private enterprise. Title III: Federal Agency Coordination and Cooperation - Requires the Council on Wage and Price Stability shall submit an Investment Policy Report to Congress which shall include information on levels of capital investment available, trends in such levels, and reviews of economic programs affecting capital investment. Requires the President to transmit to Congress as a part of the economic report such other recommendations as desirable or necessary to achieve the policy declared in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Authorizes the head of any Federal agency to procure property or services for such agency from areas of high unemployment if such agency head determines that bids or offers will be obtained from a sufficient number of eligible concerns to assure that awards will be made at reasonable prices.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1977
Declares a state of war against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to distribute, upon request and without cost, up to three packages of seeds per household for use in home gardening to produce food for the personal consumption of the household. Authorizes an appropriation of $6,000,000 to carry out the purposes of this Act. Limits the duration of this Act to three years.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1977
Directs the House Committee on International Relations to conduct hearings to determine the nature and extent of any United States involvement in the hostilities in Northern Ireland.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that should import relief actions taken by the President not provide limits on footwear imported into the United States which would maintain a viable domestic nonrubber footwear industry, then the House should disapprove the President's import relief action on nonrubber footwear of April 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1977
Requires the publication of statistics indicating the social, health, and economic conditions of Americans of Balto-Slavic origin or descent by specified executive departments. Requires that an affirmative action program be implemented within the Bureau of the Census for the employment of personnel of Balto-Slavic background to aid in collecting census data on such persons.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1977
Wildlife on Federal Lands Trapping Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue such regulations, relating to trapping, as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any type of trap unless such trap utilizes the most humane capture method available for the species concerned, and minimizes the probability of capturing species for which such trap was not intended. Directs the Secretary to undertake a research program to develop such types of traps. Establishes an advisory commission to make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to traps designed or intended for use. Prohibits the Secretary from permitting trapping on Federal lands where such trapping may reduce any species below specified levels. Sets forth a procedure for the application and issuance of trapping permits. Requires the attachment of a shipping certificate to any package containing the fur, hide, skin, horn, or feathers of any mammal or bird captured by any trap within any State or the District of Columbia if such package is transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) engaging in trapping without a permit issued pursuant to this Act; (2) violating any condition of such permit; (3) violating any regulation of the Secretary relating to trapping; (4) selling or transporting in interstate commerce an unapproved trap; or (5) falsifying the shipping certificate. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with States with respect to the imposition of trapping regulations consistent with those prescribed under this Act. Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1977
Alaskan Oil Distribution and Export Plan - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 to prohibit exports of domestically produced crude oil transported by pipeline over rights-of-way granted pursuant to such Act. Authorizes exemptions from such prohibition where required for convenience or increased efficiency of transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Amends provisions of the Gun Control Act of 1968 which impose additional sentences for using or unlawfully carrying a firearm during the commission of a Federal felony to: (1) increase minimum sentences for second or subsequent convictions; (2) prohibit suspended and probationary sentences for first as well as subsequent, convictions; and (3) deny parole to persons convicted of such a violation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for 30 percent of the first $500 spent by an individual between March 17, 1975 and January 1, 1978, for insulating a residence in existence on March 17, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Replaces title I of the Speedy Trail Act with provisions setting time limits for making certain pretrial motions in Federal criminal cases and for bringing defendants charged with Federal offenses with the use of a firearm to trial.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Experimental Sunset Act - Title I: Experimental Review of Selected Government Programs; Limitations on New Budget Authority - Requires each congressional committee having legislative jurisdiction over programs relating to active and retired military personnel or relating generally to education and training to conduct sunset review such as such term is defined in this Act, of such programs prior to September 30, 1979, to determine whether such programs merit continuation at present, lower, or higher levels or if they should be terminated. Prohibits the enactment of new budget authority for a program covered by this Act after such date unless a sunset review report has been submitted to the appropriate House by the committee having responsibility for such report. Exempts from this prohibition new budget authority necessary due to an emergency identified and explained by the appropriate committee. Requires the Comptroller General to provide the appropriate committees the results of prior audits and reviews of such programs. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require any Federal agency which administers any program which has been found to be deficient in achieving its objectives by the Comptroller General to inform Congress of the steps taken and the progress made toward eliminating such deficiency. Title II: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate to conduct sunset reviews of each tax exclusion, exemption, deduction, credit, preferential tax rate, or deferral of tax liability prior to the date such provision is terminated pursuant to this Act and to conduct analogous reviews of all similar proposed tax provisions. Requires the Ninety-fifth Congress to become effective on December 31, of one of the years from 1979 through 1983. Requires termination dates for similar future tax provisions to be established so as to become effective after December 31, of one of the five years beginning with the first taxable year to which such provision applies. Forbids the consideration of any legislative which contains a tax provision covered by this Act unless a sunset review has been submitted to the appropriate House of Congress by the appropriate committee. Title III: Miscellaneous - Requires the head of each agency to transmit to Congress a statement of each request for new budget authority and a statement of estimated outlays which that agency has submitted to the President or the Office of Management and Budget.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Accelerated Depreciation Allowance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to elect accelerated amortization (twice the allowable depreciation deduction) for manufacturing property placed in service in States having an unemployment rate which is greater than six percent between October 1, 1976 and October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Drug Enforcement Act - Directs the Attorney General to establish Special Drug Forces in the Department of Justice composed of law enforcement personnel and special United States attorneys. Declares the duty of the drug forces to be to assist States and local governments in which there is an unusually large amount of drug trafficking and whose law enforcement and criminal justice system is unable to effectively prosecute violators of the Controlled Substances Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to eliminate atomatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to establish the rate of pay for Members of Congress at the rate in effect on March 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Child Exploitation Prevention Act - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to prohibit the sexual exploitation of children by making it unlawful for any individual to (1) cause or permit a child to be photographed or filmed engaged in a sexual act prohibited under this Act; (2) photograph or film a prohibited sexual act; (3) knowingly transport any film or photograph depicting a prohibited sexual act; or (4) receive for sale or sell any such film or photograph, if such individual knows or should know such film or photograph has or may be transported in such a manner as to affect interstate or foreign commerce. Imposes a fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 20 years for a violation of the sexual exploitation of children provisions of this Act. Imposes a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 15 years for a violation of the transportation of photographs and films of children engaged in sexual acts provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Department of Energy Organization Act - Title I: Declaration of Purposes - Declares it the purpose of this Act to establish a permanent Department of Energy in the executive branch to assist in the development of a coordinated national energy policy. Title II: Establishment of Department - Establishes a Department of Energy in the executive branch. Establishes an Energy Information Administration and an Economic Regulatory Administration within such Department. Title III: Transfers of Functions - Transfers to the Secretary of Energy all functions now vested in the Federal Energy Administration, the Energy Research and Development Administration, and the Federal Power Commission. Transfers energy-related functions from the Department of the Interior to the new Secretary. Transfers specified functions of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary of Commerce to the new Secretary. Title IV: Board of Hearings and Appeals - Establishes a three-member Board of Hearings and Appeals within the Department to make agency determinations as required by law. Prohibits persons having interests in energy companies from serving as Board members. Title V: Administrative Procedures and Judicial Review - Stipulates that the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act shall apply to rules and regulations issued by the Secretary or his delegate. Requires that opportunity for oral presentations of viewpoints be afforded where regulations are likely to have a substantial economic impact. Requires hearings on rules which substantially impact on a single geographic area to be held in such geographic area. Stipulate that United States district courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction of cases arising under this Act without regard to amount in controversy, except where otherwise provided in authority transferred to the Secretary. Title VI: Administrative Provisions - Establishes a Leasing Liaison Committee to obtain information and make recommendations on Federal leasing activities conducted by the Secretary of the Interior which relate to energy resources. Requires officers and employees of the Department of Energy to disclose known financial interests in energy companies. Imposes criminal penalties for knowing violations of such disclosure requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to delegate authority to other officers, to create regional officers, and to establish advisory committees. Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to the President for submission to the Congress. Title VII: Transitional Savings and Conforming Provisions - Stipulates that transfers of personnel as authorized by this Act shall not result in reduction in grade or unemployment for one year after enactment of this Act. Stipulates that orders, rules, and proceedings established or commenced under previous authority shall not be affected by the transfers under this Act. Amends the Federal Energy Administration Act, the Energy Reorganization Act, the Federal Power Act, the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, the Energy Conservation Standards for New Buildings Act, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, and other provisions of law to conform with the changes made by this Act. Title VIII: Effective Date and Interim Appointments - Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall take effective no later than 120 days after the Secretary first takes office. Establishes procedures for interim appointments of officers prior to the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Financial Disclosure Act - Requires the President, Vice President, Members of Congress and candidates for those offices, justices and judges of the United States, Presidential nominees, officers and employees of the United States compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the rate prescribed for the grade of GS-15, and members of the uniformed services compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the monthly rate prescribed for grade O-6 to file in each calendar year, with the Comptroller General and other specified executive or administrative officers, a financial statement for the preceding calendar year if such individual has occupied or been a candidate for the office or position for more than 90 days in such calendar year. Specifies the content of such financial statements. Makes mandatory the inclusion in such report of all items held not only by the individual, but by the spouse, and dependents of such person, and those acting on the individual's behalf. Permits the President to exempt any individual in the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency, or other person engaged exclusively in intelligence activities from the requirement to file a report with the Comptroller General if such disclosure would reveal the identity of an undercover Federal agent. Makes failure to file and falsifying reports punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Requires the head of each agency, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit annually to the Comptroller General a complete list of individuals required to file such a report. Requires the Comptroller General to refer to the Attorney General the names of all individuals who the Comptroller General have reasonable cause to believe has failed to file or falsified such report, and that if such an individual is a Member of Congress, that the name be referred to the appropriate Congressional committees. Requires the Comptroller General to make such reports available to the public for all purposes not excluded under this Act. Makes the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and the head of each agency responsible for the review of such reports in accordance with any law or regulation regarding conflicts of interest or confidential financial information. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct audits of each specified group at varying intervals, and gives the Comptroller General subpena power for the purpose of conducting such audits. Requires the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Justice to recommend to Congress such legislation as may be necessary in the area of financial conflicts of interest among Federal employees and officers.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to permit reimbursement through the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to private physicians for services in supplying medical evidence of record needed to evaluate claims for social security disability benefits under this title.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Public Participation in Federal Agency Proceedings Act - Authorizes each Federal agency to award reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of participation in all rulemaking, ratemaking, licencing, and other proceedings which relate directly to the health, safety, civil rights, environment, and economic well-being of consumers in the marketplace. Permits such awards if the person participating in the agency proceeding represents an interest the representation of which contributes or can reasonably be expected to contribute substantially to a fair determination of the proceeding, and the economic interest of the person in the outcome is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the proceeding or the person demonstrates to the satisfaction of the agency that such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the proceeding absent an award under this Act. Requires the agency to make a determination of eligibility under this Act prior to timely participation in the proceeding if at all possible. Requires payment of an award under this Act within 90 days after the date of final decision. Allows such agency to make advance payments to permit the persons to participate or to continue to participate in the proceeding. Makes such recipient liable for repayment of such advance if the agency determines that the person clearly has not provided the representation for which the payments were made or that the person has acted in an obdurate, dilatory, mendacious, or oppressive manner toward any other participant. Permits persons seeking judicial review of a Federal agency's action to recover attorneys' fees and other reasonable costs of litigation from the United States if: (1) the plaintiff is afforded the relief sought in substantial measure; (2) the court determines that such action served an important public purpose; and (3) the economic interest of the person is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the action, or such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the action absent an award under this section. Requires the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit to Congress an annual report on awards of attorneys' fees and litigation expenses against the United States. Authorizes to be appropriated (1) for awards to participants in agency proceedings under this Act, $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980; and (2) for awards to persons seeking judicial review of agency actions under this Act, such sums as may be necessary to make such awards for actions brought prior to the end of fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1977
Provides that representatives of the Polish Legion of American Veterans are recognized as claims agents for claims arising under laws administered by the Veterans' Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to expand the current population survey to provide each State, Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia monthly statistics of the number of unemployed persons within its jurisdiction.