United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Public Participation in Federal Agency Proceedings Act - Authorizes each Federal agency to award reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of participation in all agency proceedings in which public participation is permitted or required. Permits such awards if the person participating in the agency proceeding represents a broad substantial public interest the representation of which contributes or can reasonably be expected to contribute substantially to a fair determination of the proceeding, and if the participant's economic interest in the outcome is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the proceeding or the participant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the agency that he or she 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 all possible. Permits judicial review of a decision denying any participant of payment under this Act. 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 proceedings. Makes such recipient liable for repayment of such advance or ineligible for any amount he or she was originally entitled to if the agency determines that the person clearly has not provided the representation for which the payment 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 which relates directly to health, safety, civil rights, the environment, or the economic well-being of consumers 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 1979, 1980, and 1981; 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 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1977
GI Bill Improvements Act - Title I: GI Bill Rate Increases - Increases the rates of educational assistance, vocational rehabilitation subsistence, survivors' and dependents' educational assistance, flight training, correspondence course, and on-the-job training assistance allowances, and of education loans. Title II: Educational Assistance Program Adjustments - Excludes from the computation, pursuant to the "85-15" rule, of the percentage of students in a course who are receiving Government educational assistance those students whose fees are paid by Federal agencies other than the Veterans' Administration. Exempts from the two-year minimum period of operation rule courses offered on or immediately adjacent to a military base which are available to civilians as well as to active duty military personnel and their dependents, but only when such courses are offered outside the United States. Permits waiver of the two-year minimum period of operation rule for courses offered by branches or extensions of specified educational institutions where the Administrator finds it to be in the best interest of the eligible veteran and the Federal Government. Authorizes the Administrator to permit a person's educational progress to extend a reasonable time beyond the approved length of time without being declared unsatisfactory progress. Lowers from 30 percent to ten percent the disability rating necessary to qualify a disabled veteran for employment and training assistance. Title III: Effective Date - Makes October 1, 1977, the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1977
Denies veterans' benefits retroactively to any individual whose entitlement is based on an upgraded discharge under specified revised standards not made applicable to all persons administratively discharged or released from active military service under less than honorable conditions. Requires the board of review to make a separate determination whether an upgraded individual would have been awarded an upgraded discharge under discharge review standards made applicable to all persons administratively discharged under less than honorable conditions. Entitles to veterans' benefits any individual whose upgraded discharge would have been awarded under previous unrevised review standards. Denies, as of the date of enactment, benefits for any disability incurred or aggravated during a period of service from which a veteran was discharged by reason of a bad conduct discharge. States that the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs should promulgate any new or revised regulations providing any unique or special advantage to veterans who have received upgraded discharges under revised standards, or otherwise make any special distinction between such veterans and other veterans. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should take all necessary action to provide that less than honorable discharges and releases of former members of the Armed Forces with respect to any period of war be reviewed under specified revised standards, if they have not been so reviewed previously.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1977
Asbestos Health Hazards Compensation Act - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the findings and declares the purpose of this Act. States that there is a significant number of persons who suffer disability or death from employment-related diseases caused by the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos and/or the inhalation of asbestos coupled with the inhalation of cigarette tobacco smoke. States that it is the purpose of this Act through the exercise of the power of Congress to regulate commerce among the several States and with foreign nations to provide a schedule of equitable, comprehensive, and exclusive benefits to affected persons who become disabled as a result of an asbestos-related disease and to the dependents of affected persons who die from such diseases. Title II: Claims for Benefits Accruing on or before December 31, 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make payments of benefits in respect of disability of any affected person due to asbestos-related disease and in respect of the death of any affected person whose death was due to asbestos-related disease. Requires the Secretary by regulation to prescribe standards for determining whether an affected person is disabled due to asbestos-related disease; or whether the death of an affected person was due to such disease. Sets forth the manner in which benefits are to be paid pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Title III: Claims for Benefits Accruing after December 31, 1979 - States that the responsibility for funding the payment of benefits for all claims accruing or arising on or after January 1, 1980, shall be borne equally by the "responsible parties," as such term is defined in this Act, and the United States. Establishes within the Department of Labor the Asbestos Health Hazards Compensation Fund. States that all valid claims for benefits under this Title shall be satisfied from such Fund. Establishes a Board of Directors for the Fund and sets forth the duties of such Board. Provides for the development and maintenance of the Fund by means of equal contributions from the responsible parties and the United States. Vests in the Secretary the responsibility, with the advice and concurrence of the Director of the Internal Revenue Services, of assuring that such contributions are collected from the responsible parties. Prohibits an employer from discharging or discriminating against any asbestos-afflicted employee because such person has filed a claim for benefits under this Act. Establishes procedures for the relief of persons discharged or discriminated against because of a claim for benefits pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1977
Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act - Requires organizations which expend more than $2,500 per quarter year or which employ at least one individual who spends all or part of each 13 days or more per quarter year for lobbying purposes to register with the Comptroller General and to update such registration annually. Requires the identification of any such person retained for such lobbying purposes. Requires such organization to file quarterly reports concerning such lobbying activities including: (1) listing of total lobbying expenditures including each expenditure over $35 made to or for the benefit of any Federal officer, congressional employee, or Member of Congress; (2) known business contacts with the person whom such organization is attempting to influence; and (3) the issues concerning which such organization has lobbied. Requires the Comptroller General to make copies of each registration and report required by this Act available for public inspection and copying. Requires the Comptroller General to render written advisory opinions upon request of any individual or organization with respect to the requirements of this Act. States that anyone who acts in good faith reliance upon such advisory opinion shall be presumed to be in compliance with this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to enforce this Act using informal methods of conference or conciliation or, if necessary, referring apparent violations to the Attorney General. Sets forth civil and criminal sanctions for violations of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Amends the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act to redefine the term "person" in order to exclude persons who are unlawfully present in the United States from entitlement to relocation payments.
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 · 8 June 1977
Permits actions in Federal court against liability insurers of members of diplomatic missions and their families notwithstanding any defense that the insured is immune from liability, is an indispensable party, or, absent certain circumstances, has violated a term of the contract.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Increases from $950,000 to $1,400,000 the authorization of appropriations for fiscal years 1979-1981 for the Administrative Conference of the United States (Amends 5 U.S.C. 576)
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to assist in acquiring specially adapted housing for those veterans who have a permanent and total service-connected disability due to the loss, or loss of use, of one upper and one lower extremity, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
United States · United States Congress · 1 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 · 26 May 1977
Social Security Rights Act - Requires that procedures be established for the expedited replacement of undelivered benefit checks under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Requires that decisions (and reconsiderations) on initial benefit claims be made within 90 days. Requires that payment of benefits on approved claims begin no later than the day regularly fixed for delivery of benefit checks in the second month following the month in which the claim was approved.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1977
Authorizes the appropriate Secretary of a branch of the armed forces to pay claims up to $2,500 previously $1,000 against the United States not cognizable under any other provision of law for property damage, personal injury or death caused by a civilian employee of a military department or the Coast Guard, or a member of the armed forces, incident to the use of a vehicle of the United States on Government installations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1977
States that in the event a Federal employee presiding over the reception of evidence in any agency hearing is unavailable to render the initial decision in such matter, the decision may be made by an employee qualified to preside at such hearing or the entire record may be certified to the agency for a decision. States that the requirement that a presiding employee make the initial decision in a given case shall not apply to applications for initial licenses, decisions concerning the validity of rates or other specified matters pertaining to public utilities, or matters concerning the agency itself. Prohibits agency employees participating in any agency decision involving more than one party from consulting any person or party on a fact in issue unless all parties have been given notice and an opportunity to participate in such consultation. Prohibits such deciding employees from being involved in the performance of investigative or litigating functions in connection with a case subject to his decision or any factually related case. Authorizes each agency to establish one or more agency appeal boards to review decisions of presiding employees. Requires such agencies to establish rules under which such agency will (1) entertain appeals to it directly from the decision of a presiding employee, or (2) entertain appeals only after the decision of any agency appeal board. Requires each agency to authorize officers, including presiding officers, to sign and issue subpenas. Authorizes agencies to issue subpenas without any other specific statutory authorization.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1977
Repeals the specified bond amounts in the Miller Act with respect to required surety bonds for public construction contracts. Retains the requirement that such bonds be provided for the protection of all persons supplying labor and material in connection with such contract.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1977
Transfers responsibility for furnishing certified copies of payment bonds pursuant to the Miller Act from the Comptroller General to the department secretary or agency head of the contracting agency.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1977
Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in any United States district court for the relief of any institutionalized person whenever the Attorney General has cause to believe that the constitutional rights of such person are being violated pursuant to a pattern or practice of such violations. Requires the Attorney General to give the officials of such institution a reasonable time to correct such violation. Makes any person who causes such a violation liable for redress to the institutionalized person whose rights have been violated. Permits the issuance of an injunction or other preventive relief. Permits the court to award reasonable attorney's fees to a prevailing party. Permits the Attorney General to intervene in such private suits upon certification that the case is of general public importance.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1977
Ethics in Government Act - Title I: Government Personnel Financial Disclosure Requirements - Requires each candidate for President or Vice President, each Federal employee or officer from those classified at GS-16 to the President, inclusive, each military officer rated at 0-7 or higher, and each presidential appointee whose Senate confirmation is pending to file a financial disclosure statement containing specified information, including: sources and amounts of income and gifts; identity approximate value of property held and liabilities owed; transactions in commodities and securities; positions held with business entities; and agreements with respect to future employment and continuation of payments by former employers. Requires such reports to be generally made available to the public. Prohibits the use of information from such reports for commercial, credit, or solicitation purposes. Title II: Office of Government Ethics - Establishes within the Civil Service Commission the Office of Government Ethics with which the President, Vice President, agency heads, and presidential appointees shall file their financial disclosure statements (Requires other Federal personnel to file with the head of the agency employing such persons or, in the case of presidential or vice-presidential candidates, with the Federal Elections Commission). Charges the Office with responsibility for overall direction of Executive branch policies related to preventing conflicts of interest, monitoring compliance with this Act, and conducting random audits of reports required by this Act to ascertain possible violations of conflict of interest laws. Title III: - Extends from one to two years the period of prohibition on appearances before an agency by a former Federal employee or official on matters that were under such person's responsibility. Includes within such prohibition informal as well as formal contacts. Prohibits formal and informal contacts with such agencies of former employment on other matters for a period of one year after the end of such employment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1977
International Security Assistance Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act to authorize the appropriation of not more than $5,000,000 for the disaster relief contingency fund for fiscal year 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $39,000,000 for international narcotics control for fiscal year 1978. Amends such Act to authorize the appropriation of $228,900,000 for fiscal year 1978 for military assistance, including specific amounts for Greece, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Jordan, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand. Permits the President to increase such amounts by not more than ten percent. Sets forth restrictions on such appropriations. Amends such Act to increase to $255,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 the value of defense articles which may be added to stockpiles in foreign countries. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to restrict the utilization of military personnel in the overseas management of foreign assistance and sales programs. Restricts the use of defense attaches for such functions. Permits regular armed forces units to be used to standardize military operations between the United States and NATO countries. Restricts to 400 the number of military personnel which may be assigned to the management of international security assistance programs. Places military personnel performing such functions under the Chief of the United States Diplomatic Mission in the recipient country. Charges the overseas management costs of security assistance programs to funds appropriated by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Exempts personnel performing functions on a fully reimbursable basis under the Arms Export Control Act from prohibitions on the use of military personnel in the management of foreign assistance and sales programs. Removes administration of foreign military assistance from the direction of the Chief of the United States Diplomatic Mission. Amends such Act to exempt programs in southern Africa from the restriction of security supporting assistance to no more than 12 countries in any fiscal year. Requires security supporting assistance to be furnished to promote development objectives to assist the poor, avoiding large-scale development projects. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,214,700,000 for such purposes for fiscal year 1978, specifying amounts for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Cyprus, Lebanon, and Portugal. Exempts such assistance for Cyprus, Lebanon, and Portugal, from the limitation on the number of countries which may receive security supporting assistance in any fiscal year. Restricts $100,000,000 of appropriations for security supporting assistance for assistance to the majority ruled countries of southern Africa for problems of economic dislocation and educational training of Africans from Namibia and Zimbabwe. Requires the President to notify the Congress prior to obligation of funds for assistance in southern Africa. Expresses Congressional support for (1) negotiations to establish majority rule in Zimbabwe, and (2) establishment of an international fund for economic justice and development in Zimbabwe. Prohibits the use of more than $200,000,000 of funds appropriated for security supporting assistance, for economic development loans to Portugal unless the President certifies to Congress (1) that other countries have made commitments for economic assistance loans to Portugal, and (2) the justification for funds in excess of $200,000,000. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the appropriation of $31,400,000 for fiscal year 1978 for international military education and training. Amends such Act to prohibit the use of funds made available under such Act for the construction, operation, or supply of fuel for any nuclear powerplant. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations not to exceed $8,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 for the Middle East Special Requirements Fund. Requires the President to justify utilization of such Fund rather than funds for development assistance. Directs that funds appropriated for such Fund or for security supporting assistance be available to assist Egypt and Israel in carrying out the agreement of October 10, 1975, and to implement the Sinai early warning system. Exempts certain funds from the requirement that the President report such obligations to Congress. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to repeal the requirement that the President notify Congress 30 days prior to approving transfer of defense articles. Delays the effectiveness of such approval for 30 days, during which Congress may disapprove such consent, unless the President certifies the existence of an emergency requiring immediate transfer. Exempts (1) transfers of maintenance or repair defense services or articles, (2) temporary transfers of defense articles for maintenance or repair, and (3) cooperative cross servicing arrangements among NATO members, from restrictions on the transfer of defense articles. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to authorize the appropriation of $675,850,000 for fiscal year 1978 to carry out such Act. Increases to $2,098,500,000 for fiscal year 1978 the limitation of the total of credits or loans for foreign military sales, of which not less than $1,000,000,000 shall be available only for Israel. Extends through fiscal year 1978 certain exemptions and repayment conditions for such assistance to Israel. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to exempt the issuance of licenses for the export of major defense equipment to Australia, Japan, or New Zealand from the $25,000,000 limitation on the value of arms exports to non-NATO countries. Exempts the authorizations of appropriations and limitations of authority for arms exports for fiscal year 1977 from provisions of this Act, when enacted. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1978 to carry out defense cooperation agreements between Greece and Turkey. Prohibits obligation or expenditure of such funds until such agreement is approved by legislation. Prohibits the obligation of funds appropriation for fiscal year 1978 for military assistance to Turkey until the President certifies that Turkey is in compliance with the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act, and that substantial progress is being made toward agreement regarding the military forces in Cyprus, except for sales, credits and guarantees to enable Turkey to fulfill obligations to NATO. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase to $175,000,000 the limitation on military sales assistance to Turkey. Directs the President to study United States policies and practices with respect to the national security and military implications of international technology transfers. Specifies factors to be examined by such study. Requires the President to submit to Congress the findings of such study and recommendations for legislation. Prohibits assistance of any kind during fiscal year 1978 which would promote military operations in Zaire, unless the President determines that such assistance would be in the national security interests of the United States and submits to Congress the reasons for such determination and a description of such assistance. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit military assistance under such Act or sales under the Arms Export Control Act for aiding foreign governments in the repression of the rights of the populations of such countries contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Declares it the sense of Congress that the President (1) take all effective measures to assure the cooperation of the Republic of Korea with the Department of Justice investigation of allegations of improper activity in the United States by agents of the Republic of Korea, and (2) report to Congress the extent of such cooperation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1977
Prohibits any State or political subdivision thereof, in which a Member of Congress maintains a place of abode for purposes of attending sessions of Congress from (1) treating such Member as a resident or domiciliary thereof, or (2) treating any compensation paid by the United States to such Member as income for services performed within, or from sources within, such State or subdivision, for income tax purposes unless such Member represents such State or district therein.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1977
Legal Services Corporation Amendments Act - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to subject the Corporation and each State advisory council established under such Act to Government in the Sunshine Act requirements regarding open meetings. Authorizes the Corporation to carry out its research, training, and assistance functions by means of grant or contract. Permits up to ten percent of the funds appropriated to the Corporation to be used for such purposes. Requires a court appointing an attorney employed by an organization receiving assistance under the Legal Services Corporation Act to provide for reasonable compensation for such attorney, unless the appointment is made pursuant to a law or practice applied generally to all lawyers appearing before the court. States that attorneys receiving more than one-half their annual professional income from an organization established for the sole purpose of providing legal assistance under the Legal Services Corporation Act shall be deemed to be State or local employees for purposes of provisions prohibiting certain activities of such employees in connection with partisan politics. Repeals restrictions on political activities unrelated to legal assistance with respect to such attorneys. Revises guidelines regarding eligibility for, and priorities relative to, such assistance. Revises the limitations on the use of funds made available by the Corporation to (1) permit the provision of legal assistance with respect to criminal matters where a person is charged with an offense involving hunting, fishing, trapping, or gathering fruit of the land, a defense asserted involves rights arising from an Indian treaty, or a person is charged with a misdemeanor or lesser offense in an Indian tribal court; and (2) eliminate prohibitions against providing legal assistance to un-emancipated persons less than 18 years of age or in connection with a proceeding relative to school desegregation or a selective service or military violation; and (3) revise the prohibition against providing legal assistance to organize or encourage the formation of any organization or coalition. Authorizes appropriations for carrying out the activities of the Corporation through fiscal year 1979. Authorizes the appointment of independent hearing examiners to preside over hearings to suspend or terminate assistance under the Legal Service Corporation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1977
Amends the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1975 to extend for two-years assistance for: (1) refugees from Cambodia, Vietnam, or Laos; (2) State and local public agencies providing assistance for such aliens; (3) transportation to and resettlement in, other areas of the United States; and (4) employment assistance rendered to such aliens. Makes such assistance available after 1979 only for such refugees who are under 18 years of age. Requires the President to submit a report to specified Committees of Congress on the status of such refugees at regular intervals until the first day on which no alien is any longer eligible for assistance under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act - Title I: National Consumer Cooperative Bank - Establishes the National Consumer Cooperative Bank to: (1) encourage the development of cooperatives eligible for its assistance by providing specialized credit and technical assistance; (2) maintain broad-based control of the Bank by its voting stockholders; (3) encourage broad-based ownership control and active participation by members in eligible cooperatives; (4) assure that the net savings from operations and the operations of borrowers from the Bank are made available or accounted for to the stockholders or members; and (5) assist in improving the quality and availability of goods and services to consumers. Authorizes the creation of no less than four nor more than twelve corporate regional banks. States that the Bank shall have the power to make and service loans, commitments for credit, guarantees, furnish financially related services, technical assistance, and issue obligations. Enumerates additional powers necessary to carry out its powers and duties. Requires the Bank to hold an annual meeting of stockholders. Permits the Bank to obtain funds through the public or private sale of its bonds, debentures, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness. Authorizes the Bank to make loans to eligible organizations which shall be repayable in not more than 40 years. States that the objective of the Bank shall be to provide the type of credit needed by eligible borrowers, at the lowest reasonable cost on a sound business basis, taking into account the cost of money to the Bank. Defines "eligible cooperatives" for purposes of assistance under this title. Title II: Self-Help Development Fund - Establishes in the Treasury a Consumer Cooperative Self-Help Development Fund. Permits the Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration to make a capital investment advance out of the Fund to any eligible cooperative if the Administration determines that the applicant's initial or supplemental capital requirements exceed its ability to obtain a Title I loan from the Bank or other sources, and the membership of the applicant consists substantially of low-income persons. Title III: Cooperative Technical Assistance - Directs the Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration to make available information and services concerning the organization or reorganization of cooperatives to best achieve the objectives of this Act and to best provide the means through which various types of goods, services, and facilities can be made available to members and patrons. States that such assistance may include investigations, surveys, and director and management training and assistance. Title IV: The Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration and General Provisions - Establishes the Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration. Directs the Administration to assure that the objectives of this Act are carried out. States that until the stock of the Bank held by the United States has been fully retired the Bank shall be exempt from any form of taxation. Requires the Administration and the Board to report annually to the appropriate committees of Congress on the activities of the Administration and on the Bank's capital, operations, financial condition, the self-help development fund, and to make recommendations for legislation to improve its services.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Allows any Federal employee or Member of Congress who is a Japanese-American World War II internee to credit, for civil service retirement purposes, the period during which such individual was detained or interned in a camp or similar facility.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Directs the Attorney General to provide for the construction of a correctional center in Los Angeles County, California, such facility to be capable of accommodating at least 500 Federal detainees.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Performance Rights Amendment - Amends the General Revision of Copyright Law to further limit the exclusive right of the owner of copyrights in sound recordings of specified kinds of works to the right to perform publicly all or any part of the actual sounds fixed in such recording. Stipulates that the exclusive right to perform publicly, by means of a phonorecord, a copyrighted literary, musical, or dramatic work, and to perform publicly a copyrighted sound recording are separate and independent rights under this Act. Subjects the exclusive performance right in a sound recording to compulsory licensing if phonorecords of such recording have been distributed to the public under the authority of the copyright owner. Sets forth the requirements for obtaining such license. Establishes the royalty rates or payments for broadcast station based on gross receipts of advertising sponsors. Exempts certain broadcast stations and transmitters which publicly perform a copyrighted sound recording from liability for infringement and compulsory licensing requirements if the gross receipts of such stations are less than specified amounts. Establishes the procedure for the distribution of royalties to persons claiming entitlement to compulsory license fees. Encourages the copyright owners, performers, and users affected by the procedure for collecting royalties established by this Act to established by this Act to establish a private, nongovernmental entity to assume the collection and distribution functions assigned to the Register of Copyrights.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to direct the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to assist less developed countries in the development and utilization of unconventional, nonnuclear energy technologies. Authorizes the Administrator, in cooperation with the Agency for International Development, to conduct studies on the energy needs, uses, and resources in other countries. Stipulates that such studies should be designed to result in the establishment of an information system permitting transfers of unconventional, nonnuclear energy technologies to impoverished areas of the world. Requires that results of such studies and recommendations for cooperative projects be reported to Congress by July 1, 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 to the Energy Research and Development Administration for fiscal year 1978 for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act - Allows an income tax credit for 30 percent of the expenditures not exceeding $750 which the taxpayer paid or incurred during the taxable year for installation of insulation or energy-conserving components which improve heating plant efficiency in his principal residence. Limits the application of this credit to expenditures paid or incurred for installations made between 1976 and 1982 in pre-existing dwellings. Reduces the allowable credit, on a graduated scale, for individuals with adjusted gross incomes greater than $10,000. Allows an income tax credit for 40 percent of the first $1,500, and a secondary credit for 25 percent of the next $7,600 paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year for the installation of qualified solar, wind and geothermal energy equipment in his principal residence. Allows an income tax credit for 20 percent of the first $1,500, and a secondary credit for 12.5 percent of the next $7,600 paid or incurred for the installation of wood stove, heat pump, or burner equipment in connection with new solar, wind or geothermal energy equipment which will be the principal source of space heat in the taxpayer's principal residence. Reduces these limitations in subsequent tax years by subtracting the amounts taken into account for these credits in previous tax years. Limits these credits to equipment installed between 1976 and 1982. Prorates each of the above credits for residential improvements among joint owners and cooperative shareholders according to their proportionate interests in the residential property. Provides for the carryover of any allowable credit which exceeds the taxpayer's current income tax liability. Reduces the allowable credits, on a graduated scale for and Conservation Act. persons with adjusted gross incomes greater than $15,000. Allows an investment tax credit for 25 percent of the qualified investment cost of depreciable geothermal, solar or wind energy equipment placed in service. Allows such a credit for 12 percent of the qualified costs of ventilation, heating, water and other components primarily designed to reduce the heat loss or gain of a structure, and origin ally used by the taxpayer. Prohibits these credits for property originally funded with Federal grants, or located in States which take these energy conserving measures into account for property assessment, or which don't enforce the thermal design requirements of the Energy Policy
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Title I: Small Business Act Amendments - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make loans to assist small business concerns in financing plant construction and the acquisition of equipment and supplies for the producing of solar energy or other energy conserving equipment. Authorizes the appropriation of $75,000,000 for such purpose. Authorizes the Administration to provide additional assistance to small businesses in the area of training seminars and technical manuals on the design, installation, and maintenance of solar energy equipment. Title II: Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 Amendments - Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to establish an Office of Invention and Innovation in the Energy Research and Development Administration. Authorizes the Office to evaluate proposals for the development of energy-related inventions and to provide financial assistance for the development of such inventions. Stipulates that not less than 20 percent of the funds appropriated to the Energy Research and Development Administration for solar energy programs shall be expended for the benefit of small business concerns and individual inventors. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to encourage the participation of individuals and small businesses in the research, development, and advancement of energy-conserving technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish energy production and conservation assistance to developing countries, including solar, wind, and water projects. Authorizes consultative visits by the Energy Research and Development Administration to design such projects. Authorizes the President to carry out studies to identify the energy needs, uses, and resources of various countries and regions, with special emphasis on the transfer of energy technology. Requires that $10,000,000 of appropriations for development assistance for fiscal year 1978 be spent only for these purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Agricultural Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Title I: Existing Programs - Amends the Bankhead-Jones Act of 1935 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct and to stimulate research and development relating to uses of solar energy with respect to farm buildings, farm homes and farm machinery. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 each fiscal year to carry out such research and development. Includes the agricultural uses of solar energy in the agricultural extension programs. Directs that loans, under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, be made for the purchase of farm equipment which utilizes solar energy and for the acquisition and installation of any qualified solar energy thermal conversion system in any residential structure located on a family farm. Title II: Solar Demonstration Farms - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Research and Demonstration Planning Committee which shall be responsible for compiling a list of solar energy research projects and for meeting with regional representatives of the State departments of agriculture to determine which projects will be useful and beneficial to the several States. Requires each State department of agriculture to establish one large model farm and within one year to establish not less than ten demonstrations of solar energy research projects using the most efficient or practicable research projects demonstrated on such model farm. Stipulates the terms of any agreement entered into between selected farmowners and the State departments of agriculture for the establishment of such demonstration projects. Authorizes the appropriation of $20,000,000 for the purposes of this title, of which 80 percent is to be used by State departments of agriculture for the model farm and demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Solar and Energy Conservation Commercialization Act - Amends the National Housing Act to specify additional types of Solar energy systems eligible for financial assistance under such Act. Stipulates that such systems shall include solar heating and cooling and hot water systems, geothermal and wind energy systems, and other energy conservation measures and equipment such as insulation, heat pumps and devices to improve furnace efficiency. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants and loans to individuals and families to assist in the purchase of solar, renewable source, and energy conservation measures and equipment. Authorizes grants and loans for similar purposes to neighborhood, community, or nonprofit groups. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make loans to small businesses to assist in the purchase and installation of solar, renewable source, and energy conservation improvements and equipment. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and the Federal Energy Administrator to cooperate in carrying out the provisions of this Act and to jointly submit an annual report to the President and the Congress on activities carried out under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1978 through 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Suspends for two years with regard to regulations involving saccharin the operation of the proviso in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act which prohibits regulatory approval of a food additive found to cause cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow as an individual income tax deduction a reasonable allowance for salaries or other compensation for personal services actually rendered but not otherwise deductible paid to any individual during the taxable year. Denies such a deduction for salaries or other compensation paid to: (1) an individual with respect to whom the taxpayer claims a personal exemption deduction; or (2) a child of the taxpayer who has not reached age 19.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to study the feasibility of using solar energy in connection with the operation of House Office Buildings and related structures and to report to the House of Representatives within one year of the adoption of this resolution. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000 to be expended by the Architect under the direction of the House Office Building Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Directs the Federal Energy Administrator to establish methods of determining the life cycle cost effectiveness for buildings, considering the life cycle fuel and energy requirements for such buildings. Requires that all Federal buildings be life cycle cost effective and that such determination serve as a basis for the awarding of contracts in the procurement and leasing of new Federal buildings. Directs the Administrator to promote the use of life cycle cost effective methods in all buildings. Directs the Administrator to establish energy performance targets for existing buildings which are compatible with new building performance standards developed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Requires all Federal agencies to conduct an energy audit of existing buildings within their jurisdiction. Requires that a specified percentage of the gross square footage of building space be selected by each agency for retrofitting with appropriate energy conservation measures. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 to the Administrator to perform the functions as authorized or required under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of additional sums as necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Legal Services Corporation Amendments Act - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to eliminate the requirement that no more than six of the eleven members of the Legal Services Corporation Board of Directors be of the same political party. Subjects the Corporation and each State advisory council established under such Act to Government in the Sunshine Act requirements regarding open meeting. Authorizes the Corporation to carry out its research, training, and assistance functions by means of grant of contract. Permits up to ten percent of the funds appropriated to the Corporation to be used for such purpose. Requires a court appointing an attorney employed by an organization receiving assistance under the Legal Services Corporation Act to provide reasonable compensation for such attorney, unless the appointment is made pursuant to a law or practice applied generally to all lawyers appearing before the court. Repeals restrictions on political activities unrelated to legal assistance with respect to attorneys receiving more than one-half their professional income from an organization established for the sole purpose of providing assistance under the Legal Services Corporation Act. Revises guidelines regarding eligibility for, and priorities relative to, such assistance. Revises the limitations on the use of funds made available by the Corporation to (1) permit the provision of legal assistance with respect to criminal matters where a person is charged with an offense involving hunting, fishing, trapping, or gathering fruit of the land, a defense asserted involvers rights arising from an Indian treaty, or a person is chared with a misdemeanor or lesser offense in an Indian tribal court; (2) eliminate prohibitions against providing legal assistance to un-emancipated persons less than 18 years of age, or in connection with a proceeding relative to school desegregation or a selective service or military violation; and (3) allow activities designed to influence any executive order or ruling or any legislation under certain circumstances. Authorizes the appointment of independent hearing examiners to preside over hearings to suspend or terminate assistance under the Legal Services Corporation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Creates a Select House Committee on Population to conduct an investigation and study of: (1) the major adverse effects of current population growth throughout the world; (2) approaches which have been shown to be effective in coping with excessive population growth; and (3) means to encourage countries with excessive population growth rates to adopt methods proven to be successful in reducing population growth rates.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1977, to increase the authorization of appropriations to the Department of State for fiscal year 1977 for international organizations and conferences, and migration and refugee assistance. Authorizes appropriations for such year for assistance to citizens incarcerated abroad. Amends the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926, (1) to repeal the authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1977 for purchase or construction of such buildings in Africa, the American Republics and East Asia; (2) to decrease such appropriations for buildings in Europe, facilities for the United States Information Agency, and facilities for agricultural and defense attache housing; (3) to increase the authorization for appropriations for buildings in the Near East and South Asia; and (4) to authorize appropriations for facilities of the United States Agency for International Development for fiscal year 1977. Requires that the Chair or Vice Chair of the House of Representatives delegation to the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group, the Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group, the North Atlantic Treaty Parliamentary Conference, and the Conference on Interparliamentary Union a Member of the International Relations Committee. Increases the size of the Congressional delegation to the annual NATO Parliamentary Conference. Requires that not less than four members of the delegation of the House of Representatives be from the Committee on International Relations. Repeals the restriction upon the number of delegates who are Members of the same political party. Requires that appropriations to the Bureau of the Interparliamentary Union be disbursed upon the approval of the Executive Secretary of the United States group and the Chair of the delegation of the House of Representatives or the Senate, rather than the approval of such Executive Secretary and the President. Increase the number of House of Representative delegates to the Conference on Interparliamentary Union. Requires that at least four such delegates be from the Committee on International Relations. Amends the Department of State Appropriation Act of 1959 to direct the Presiding Officer of the Senate to designate the Chair of the Senate delegation to the Conference on Interparliamentary Union. Amends the Third Deficiency Appropriation Act to make final and conclusive the audit of accounts of the House and Senate delegations to the American Group to the Interparliamentary Union upon certification by the Chair of the respective delegation and the Executive Secretary of the American Group to the Interparliamentary Union, rather than upon the certification of the president and the secretary to the American Group.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to specifically encompass pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions within the prohibition against sex discrimination in employment, including discrimination with respect to fringe benefit plans.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Extends until September 30, 1979, the authority: (1) of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to maintain an office in the Republic of the Philippines; (2) of the President to authorize the Administrator to enter into contracts with the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center to pay for hospital care and medical services to Commonwealth Army veterans and new Philippine Scouts for service-connected disabilities; (3) to make payments for such care and services; and (4) to appropriate specified sums for the training of health service personnel, for new equipment and the rehabilitation of the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Removes from the definition of "Veterans' Administration facility" private facilities contracted for when Government facilities are not capable of furnishing economical care because of geographic inaccessibility. Repeals the requirement that medical services be furnished only within the limits of Veterans' Administration facilities to: (1) any eligible veteran on an outpatient or ambulatory basis; or (2) any veteran on pension receiving a care and attendance allowance or who is permanently housebound.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Veterans' Administration Medical Facilities Acquisition Act - Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, in carrying out his duties under this Act: (1) to provide for the construction and acquisition of medical facilities equitably throughout the United States with due regard for the comparative urgency of the need for each particular facility; and (2) to give due consideration to excellence of architecture and design. States that no appropriation shall be made to construct, alter, or otherwise acquire any medical facility which involves a total expenditure of more than $1,000,000 unless such construction, alteration, or acquisition is first approved by resolution adopted by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, respectively. Stipulates that no appropriation shall be made to lease any space at an average annual rental of more than $200,000 for use for a medical facility unless such lease is first approved by resolutions adopted by such committees. Enumerates structural requirements for any medical facilities pursuant to this Act. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress an annual report regarding the construction, alteration, and leasing of medical facilities. Requires such report to contain: (1) a five-year plan for those medical facilities most in need of construction, replacement and alteration; (2) a priority list of at least ten such hospitals, and (3) general plans for each medical facility in the five-year plan or the list. Directs the Administrator to establish and operate not less than 10,000 beds in the fiscal year 1980 and in each fiscal year thereafter, for the furnishing of nursing home care to eligible veterans in facilities over which the Administrator has direct and exclusive jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Directs the President to appoint a specified number of additional judges to designated United States district courts and courts of appeals. Authorizes the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to place an additional eight positions in grades 16, 17, and 18 of the General Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Interior: (1) to study opportunities to augment, utilize or conserve water supplies available to Federal reclamation projects and to undertake conservation activities to mitigate damages to such project from the 1976-77 drought period; (2) to purchase water supplies and redistribute such water within Federal reclamation projects; (3) to study and evaluate studies of potential facilities to mitigate the effects of a recurrence of drought and make recommendations to the President and to Congress evaluating such facilities; and (4) to assist financially Federal reclamation project landowners who are without irrigation water supplies to carry out soil conservation measures. Authorizes the Secretary to defer without penalty the 1977 and 1978 payments of any installment charges owned to the United States on Federal reclamation projects as he deems necessary because of financial hardship caused by extreme drought conditions. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress by March 1, 1978, on expenditures under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1977
Repeals the requirement that persons, including attorneys, prosecuting claims before any United States Government department or bureau take an oath of allegiance and support the Constitution of the United States.
![Official portrait of Rep. Danielson, George E. [D-CA-30]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000043_200.jpg)