United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1978
Title I: Public Employee Retirement Income Security - Public Employee Retirement Income Security Act - Requires administrators of pension plans which are (A) not excepted by this Act or otherwise covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and (B) established and maintained for the benefit of the employees of any State government or political subdivision, to provide the following information to plan participants and beneficiaries: (1) a summary plan description which provides an accurate, comprehensive, and understandable summary of their rights and obligations; (2) a summary description of any material modification in the terms of the plan; and (3) upon written request, a statement which indicates the total accumulated contributions, pension benefits, and vesting status of the participant. Specifies the content of such summary plan description. Directs such administrators to provide to any participant or beneficiary who requests withdrawal of contributions, payment of benefits, or a benefit election, a written explanation of the effects of such action on remaining plan benefits. Requires such administrators to file with the Employee Benefit Administration (EBA) established by title II of this Act: (1) a copy of the summary plan description; and (2) an annual report. Specifies the content of such report, including a financial statement and schedule, an actuarial statement, information on terminated vested participants who are entitled to future benefits, and other information which the EBA may require. Directs the EBA to prescribe simplified annual reports for any plan which covers less than 100 participants. Allows the EBA, in certain circumstances, to prescribe alternative methods and to exempt any plan or person from the requirements of this Act. Requires pension plans covered by this Act to provide for one or more fiduciaries and to include: (1) any funding policy which has been established; (2) procedures for amendment and for the allocation of responsibility for the plan's operation and administration; and (3) benefit provisions. States that all assets shall be held in trust by one or more trustees. Prohibits persons who have been convicted of specified offenses from serving in certain capacities, including fiduciary and trustee, for specified periods. Provides that a fiduciary shall discharge his duties for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to participants and their beneficiaries and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the plan, with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence that a prudent man would exercise in like circumstances. Requires a fiduciary to diversify the investments of the plan, except a plan which provides for individual accounts, so as to minimize the risk of large losses, unless under the circumstance it is clearly prudent not to do so. Prohibits a fiduciary from: (1) dealing with the assets of a plan for his own interest or account; (2) acting in any transaction involving the plan on behalf of a party adverse to the interest of the plan or participants; and (3) receiving personal consideration from any party dealing with the plan in connection with a plan transaction. Provides that a fiduciary shall not permit specified transactions with a party in interest for less than, or more than, adequate consideration, security, or a reasonable rate of interest. Limits acquisition by the plan of qualifying employer securities, loans, or real property to ten percent of the fair market value of the assets of the plan. Establishes personal liability for a fiduciary who breaches any of the responsibilities, obligations, or duties imposed by this Act. Sets forth circumstances in which a fiduciary shall be liable for a breach of fiduciary responsibility of another fiduciary with respect to the same plan. Requires trustees holding assets of a plan to use reasonable care to prevent a co-trustee from committing a breach and to jointly manage and control the assets, unless allocation of responsibility is authorized by the trust agreement. Makes a government employer liable in the event of a breach by a fiduciary who is one of its employees or officials, but allows subsequent recovery by such employer from such employee. Sets forth bonding requirements, with specified exceptions, for every fiduciary of a plan. States that no government official shall be a fiduciary or co-fiduciary with respect to actions taken in an official capacity. Establishes penalties for willful violation of the reporting, disclosure, and bonding requirements. Includes violations of this Act within existing criminal statutes involving theft, embezzlement, false statements, and racketeering with respect to ERISA. Provides for a good faith defense for criminal violations of certain provisions of this Act. Requires plans covered by this Act to establish a claims procedure which provides participants with a written explanation of benefit denials and a reasonable opportunity for a full and fair review. Allows a participant or beneficiary to bring a civil action in State or Federal court to recover benefits, enforce rights, or clarify rights to future benefits, or in Federal court for failure of an administrator to comply with a request for information as required by this Act. Authorizes a participant, beneficiary, fiduciary or the EBA to bring a civil action in Federal court for breach of fiduciary duty and to obtain equitable relief for violations of this Act. Sets forth provisions relating to jurisdiction, service of process, allowance of fees and costs, and civil penalties. Authorizes the EBA to make appropriate investigations to determine whether any person has, or is about to, violate any provision of this Act. Prohibits persons from taking retaliatory action against any plan participant or beneficiary for exercising any right to which he is entitled under this Act, or from interfering with or preventing the exercise of such rights. Amends the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to transmit to an individual, upon request, information which the Employee Benefit Administration holds relating to his terminated vested benefits. Establishes an Advisory Council on Governmental Plans to advise and make recommendations to the EBA with respect to its functions under this Act. Provides that any pension plan or trust forming part of a plan, which is subject to this Act, shall be deemed to have met the requirements for a tax qualified plan or trust in the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Title II: Employee Benefit Administration - Employee Benefit Administration Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish, within one year of enactment, an independent Employee Benefit Administration (EBA) which may, in the discretion of the President, be within any department or agency of the United States. Transfers the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation from the Department of Labor to the EBA. Establishes within the offices of the Secretary of Labor and Secretary of the Treasury the positions of special liaison officers to the Administration. Authorizes the EBA to administer all provisions of the Public Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Directs the President to transfer to and vest in the Board of Directors of the EBA: (1) the functions and duties of the Secretary of Labor under titles I and II of ERISA; (2) such functions and duties of the Secretary of the Treasury under titles I and II of ERISA and under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, relating to employee benefit and governmental plans, as the President shall designate, including all functions relating to the qualification and disqualification of employee benefit and governmental plans; and (3) such other functions and duties of departments and agencies, relating to employee benefit and governmental plans, as the President may designate.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1978
Gold Medallion Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to offer gold for sale to the public in the form of gold medallions. Provides for the issuance of such medallions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1978
Technology Transfer Ban Act - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to state that goods and technology may contribute to the military potential of possible adversary nations. Declares it to be the policy of the United States to prohibit the transfer to any Communist country of goods or technology which have any potential for military, law enforcement, or intelligence gathering purposes and to encourage friendly countries to exercise similar controls. Authorizes the President to impose export controls for national security purposes regardless of their availability from sources outside the United States. Directs the President to require a license for export of goods and technology to any Communist country. Provides a procedure for Congress to disapprove the issuance of such license. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to review any proposed export of goods or technology to any Communist country and recommend disapproval if such export has potential military, law enforcement, or intelligence gathering value, which could prove detrimental to the national security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1978
Title I: Public Employee Retirement Income Security - Public Employee Retirement Income Security Act - Requires administrators of pension plans which are (A) not excepted by this Act or otherwise covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and (B) established and maintained for the benefit of the employees of any State government or political subdivision, to provide the following information to plan participants and beneficiaries: (1) a summary plan description which provides an accurate, comprehensive, and understandable summary of their rights and obligations; (2) a summary description of any material modification in the terms of the plan; and (3) upon written request, a statement which indicates the total accumulated contributions, pension benefits, and vesting status of the participant. Specifies the content of such summary plan description. Directs such administrators to provide to any participant or beneficiary who requests withdrawal of contributions, payment of benefits, or a benefit election, a written explanation of the effects of such action on remaining plan benefits. Requires such administrators to file with the Employee Benefit Administration (EBA) established by title II of this Act: (1) a copy of the summary plan description; and (2) an annual report. Specifies the content of such report, including a financial statement and schedule, an actuarial statement, information on terminated vested participants who are entitled to future benefits, and other information which the EBA may require. Directs the EBA to prescribe simplified annual reports for any plan which covers less than 100 participants. Allows the EBA, in certain circumstances, to prescribe alternative methods and to exempt any plan or person from the requirements of this Act. Requires pension plans covered by this Act to provide for one or more fiduciaries and to include: (1) any funding policy which has been established; (2) procedures for amendment and for the allocation of responsibility for the plan's operation and administration; and (3) benefit provisions. States that all assets shall be held in trust by one or more trustees. Prohibits persons who have been convicted of specified offenses from serving in certain capacities, including fiduciary and trustee, for specified periods. Provides that a fiduciary shall discharge his duties for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to participants and their beneficiaries and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the plan, with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence that a prudent man would exercise in like circumstances. Requires a fiduciary to diversify the investments of the plan, except a plan which provides for individual accounts, so as to minimize the risk of large losses, unless under the circumstance it is clearly prudent not to do so. Prohibits a fiduciary from: (1) dealing with the assets of a plan for his own interest or account; (2) acting in any transaction involving the plan on behalf of a party adverse to the interest of the plan or participants; and (3) receiving personal consideration from any party dealing with the plan in connection with a plan transaction. Provides that a fiduciary shall not permit specified transactions with a party in interest for less than, or more than, adequate consideration, security, or a reasonable rate of interest. Limits acquisition by the plan of qualifying employer securities, loans, or real property to ten percent of the fair market value of the assets of the plan. Establishes personal liability for a fiduciary who breaches any of the responsibilities, obligations, or duties imposed by this Act. Sets forth circumstances in which a fiduciary shall be liable for a breach of fiduciary responsibility of another fiduciary with respect to the same plan. Requires trustees holding assets of a plan to use reasonable care to prevent a co-trustee from committing a breach and to jointly manage and control the assets, unless allocation of responsibility is authorized by the trust agreement. Makes a government employer liable in the event of a breach by a fiduciary who is one of its employees or officials, but allows subsequent recovery by such employer from such employee. Sets forth bonding requirements, with specified exceptions, for every fiduciary of a plan. States that no government official shall be a fiduciary or co-fiduciary with respect to actions taken in an official capacity. Establishes penalties for willful violation of the reporting, disclosure, and bonding requirements. Includes violations of this Act within existing criminal statutes involving theft, embezzlement, false statements, and racketeering with respect to ERISA. Provides for a good faith defense for criminal violations of certain provisions of this Act. Requires plans covered by this Act to establish a claims procedure which provides participants with a written explanation of benefit denials and a reasonable opportunity for a full and fair review. Allows a participant or beneficiary to bring a civil action in State or Federal court to recover benefits, enforce rights, or clarify rights to future benefits, or in Federal court for failure of an administrator to comply with a request for information as required by this Act. Authorizes a participant, beneficiary, fiduciary or the EBA to bring a civil action in Federal court for breach of fiduciary duty and to obtain equitable relief for violations of this Act. Sets forth provisions relating to jurisdiction, service of process, allowance of fees and costs, and civil penalties. Authorizes the EBA to make appropriate investigations to determine whether any person has, or is about to, violate any provision of this Act. Prohibits persons from taking retaliatory action against any plan participant or beneficiary for exercising any right to which he is entitled under this Act, or from interfering with or preventing the exercise of such rights. Amends the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to transmit to an individual, upon request, information which the Employee Benefit Administration holds relating to his terminated vested benefits. Establishes an Advisory Council on Governmental Plans to advise and make recommendations to the EBA with respect to its functions under this Act. Provides that any pension plan or trust forming part of a plan, which is subject to this Act, shall be deemed to have met the requirements for a tax qualified plan or trust in the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Title II: Employee Benefit Administration - Employee Benefit Administration Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish, within one year of enactment, an independent Employee Benefit Administration (EBA) which may, in the discretion of the President, be within any department or agency of the United States. Transfers the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation from the Department of Labor to the EBA. Establishes within the offices of the Secretary of Labor and Secretary of the Treasury the positions of special liaison officers to the Administration. Authorizes the EBA to administer all provisions of the Public Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Directs the President to transfer to and vest in the Board of Directors of the EBA: (1) the functions and duties of the Secretary of Labor under titles I and II of ERISA; (2) such functions and duties of the Secretary of the Treasury under titles I and II of ERISA and under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, relating to employee benefit and governmental plans, as the President shall designate, including all functions relating to the qualification and disqualification of employee benefit and governmental plans; and (3) such other functions and duties of departments and agencies, relating to employee benefit and governmental plans, as the President may designate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1978
Expresses the support of Congress of a comprehensive review of retirement income, survivor benefit, and disability benefit programs, as set forth in the objectives of the President's Commission on Pension Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1978
Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act - Requires a report to the Secretary of Agriculture, containing legal name, address, citizenship, type of interest, and legal description of the land involved, and other specified information, from any foreign person (including individuals, organizations, governments, or any combination thereof) who holds, acquires, or transfers any interest, other than a security interest, in agricultural land. Establishes a civil penalty for violation of any provision of this Act in an amount not to exceed 25 percent of the fair market value of the land interest involved on the date of the penalty assessment. Requires the Secretary to report to the President and to Congress an analysis of the information obtained by him pursuant to this Act, and a determination of the effects of foreign holdings, acquisitions, and transfers on family farms and rural communities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1978
Steel Trade Negotiations Act - Lists products the manufacture of which shall constitute the "steel sector" for purposes of determining the appropriate product sector with respect to import restriction authority under the Trade Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1978
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, in carrying out his duties under the Trade Act, should seek the adoption and application of trade agreements which include environmental and safety and health standards among the international fair labor standards to be adopted.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1978
Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Act - Title I: Temporary Storage of Spent Fuel - Directs the Secretary of Energy in consultation with other agencies to conduct a study and issue a preliminary report on the amount of spent nuclear fuel which can be stored at temporary spent fuel storage facilities currently in operation or under construction and whether any additional storage facilities should be acquired by the Federal Government. Requires that a final report be evaluated by the President. Directs that within 60 days after the receipt of such report, the President issue a plan for the temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel. Stipulates that any such plan take effect at the end of 60 calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which copies of such plan are transmitted to each House of Congress. Permits the Congress to reject such plan by the adoption of a concurrent resolution. Sets forth the legislative procedure for the consideration of any such resolution. Title II: Permanent Storage of Radioactive Waste - Directs the Secretary in consultation with other Federal agencies to conduct a study to evaluate methods of providing permanent storage of radioactive waste and to determine the amount of storage capacity required to permanently store all radioactive waste. Requires the Secretary within two years from the date of enactment of this Act to issue a preliminary report on the results of such study. Directs the President to evaluate the final report and issue a plan for the permanent storage of radioactive waste. Stipulates that the plan shall take effect after 60 calendar days of Congressional session unless rejected by the adoption of a concurrent resolution. Sets forth the legislative procedure for the consideration of any such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1978
Directs that Federal Employees Group Life Insurance be made available at any time before retirement to any otherwise eligible Member of Congress or congressional employee who is not covered by such insurance. Stipulates that no Member or employee who is already covered by such insurance shall be required to provide medical evidence of insurability as a condition for optional additional insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1978
Safe Bridge Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) inventory all bridges which are not located on any of the Federal-aid systems; (2) classify them according to serviceability, safety, and essentiality for public use; and (3) assign each bridge a priority for replacement or rehabilitation based on such classification. Authorizes Federal participation in State projects to repair or replace such bridges. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund for bridge replacement or rehabilitation programs through fiscal year 1982. Amends the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 to extend the transfers of specified taxes collected in the general Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund through 1984. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to extend the transfers of specified nonhighway gasoline taxes from such fund to the Treasury through 1984. Postpones specified transportation related excise tax reductions under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1978
Surface Transportation Assistance Act - Title I: Federal Aid Highway Act - Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 to revise and extend the authorization for appropriations for the Interstate Highway System through fiscal year 1992. Sets forth a formula for the apportionment of a portion of such funds for fiscal years 1980 through 1983. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to apportion such amounts in a specified manner for fiscal year 1980. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for specified highway programs. Stipulates that the Federal share of railroad-highway crossing demonstration projects under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 shall be 95 percent of the cost of such a project. Establishes a cutoff date for the designation and completion of the Interstate Highway System. Authorizes the Secretary to approve projects for resurfacing, restoring, and rehabilitating lanes on the Interstate System which have been in use for more than five years. Sets forth the Federal share of the costs of such projects. Increases the Federal share for specified highway programs. Authorizes the Secretary to approve a State's request for the retention of certain outdoor advertising where the sign or display was in existence on May 5, 1976. Authorizes the Secretary to approve Federal participation in State projects for replacing unsafe highway bridges which are not on the Federal-aid system. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for traffic control signalization projects designed to conserve motor fuel and decrease traffic congestion. Directs the Secretary to allocate funds made available for pavement marking demonstration programs in a manner deemed by the Secretary most appropriate to expedite the completion of pavement markings on all highways. Increases the amount of appropriations authorized for the construction of bridges across Federal dams which may be expended as an emergency fund to meet additional costs. Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to increase the Federal share for construction projects on the Appalachian development highway system and to increase the authorized mileage for such system. Establishes a ceiling on obligations for Federal- aid highways and highway construction projects for fiscal year 1979. Amends the Energency Highway Emergy Conservation Act to authorize the Secretary to approve carpool projects in urbanized areas. Authorizes the reapportionment of funds not used by a State for the Interstate System to another State which has obligated all of its apportionment. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out access control demonstration projects designed to demonstrate whether preserving the capacity of existing highways to move traffic safely by acquiring and controlling the right of access to such highways is a cost effective alternative to the construction of additional highways. Bikeway Transportation Act - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States and municipalities for the construction of bikeways in urbanized areas. Stipulates that the Federal share of such a project shall be 80 percent of its cost. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal years 1979 through 1982. Stipulates that upon repayment of a specified sum by the State of Indiana to the Treasurer of the United States, Interstate Route 80/90 shall be free of all restrictions with respect to the imposition and collection of tolls. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a demonstration project in a metropolitan area of 500,000 or more population to restrict the access of motor vehicles to the central business district during peak traffic hours in order to determine the practicability of this method in reducing motor vehicle congestion. Directs the Secretary to conduct a demonstration project on the Interstate System to place vending machines in rest and recreation areas located on the rights-of-way of such System. Directs the Secretary to designate a portion of State Highway Numbered 17 in Richmond, California as part of the Interstate System. Exempts the facility owned by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority on the right-of-way of interstate route I-81 in New York State from certain restrictions prohibiting commercial establishments on such a right-of-way. Authorizes the Secretary to approve certain construction projects with respect to interstate route I-90 in New York State. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the construction of spur highways to connect the Great River Road with existing bridges across the Mississippi River. Directs the Secretary to reimburse the Federal share of the cost of constructing a new toll bridge across the Ohio River at Huntington, West Virginia. Prohibits the expenditure of Federal funds to erect or modify road signs solely using the metric system unless specifically authorized by Congress. Requires each State to annually report to the Secretary regarding State enforcement of its vehicle weight limitations on the Federal-aid system. Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations to the State of New Hampshire for expenditure on Federal-aid highways (other than Interstate System highways) which serve as alternative routes to the Franconia Notch Parkway. Directs the Secretary to carry out a demonstration project permitting a State to sell State lottery tickets at publicly owned rest and recreation areas on the rights-of-way of the Interstate System in such State. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a demonstration project on the Federal-aid primary system for the construction of a bypass highway around Prairie Creek Redwood State Park in Humbolt County, California. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study on the feasibility of an additional bridge across the Columbia River between Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. Directs the Secretary to carry out a rural highway public transportation demonstration project in the Sherman, Texas - Denison, Texas area. Title II: Highway Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for specified highway safety programs. Amends the Highway Safety Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for projects to eliminate hazards relating to rail-highway crossings. Requires each State to annually certify to the Secretary that it is enforcing the national maximum speed limit. Directs the Secretary to reduce a State's apportionment for Federal-aid highway funds if the percentage of motor vehicles exceeding 55 miles per hour exceeds a specified percentage. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1979 through 1982 to the Secretary of Transportation for the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of highway accident data and for establishing procedures for reporting accidents on a nationwide basis. Abolishes the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee. Authorizes the Secretary to waive State highway safety program standards for projects to identify highway accident causes and to reduce accidents. Directs the Secretary to carry out six pilot projects designed, through the use of television and radio, to develop and evaluate methods to achieve maximum measurable effectiveness in reducing traffic accidents, injuries, and death. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Title III: Urban Mass Transportation Act Amendments - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act to repeal the provision which allows States or local public bodies to use Federal urban mass transportation assistance for the payment of operating expenses for mass transportation services. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for specified projects under such Act. Requires that a specified portion of such appropriations be used for grants for intercity bus service. Directs the Secretary to apportion authorizations for the urban mass transit program according to a specified formula for fiscal years 1979 through 1982. Removes specified restrictions regarding the availability of fellowships for public transportation training programs. Authorizes general appropriations to carry out the provisions of the Urban Mass Transportation Act through fiscal year 1982. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress monthly regarding the funding of projects under such Act. Revises the Federal operating assistance program for the provision of rail passenger service under such Act. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for such program. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States and local bodies to acquire, construct, or alter facilities for use in providing intercity bus service and in coordinating such service with other modes of transportation. Stipulates that the Federal share of such a project shall be 80 percent of its net cost. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 to carry out such program. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for the liquidation of obligations incurred for public mass transit projects substituted for routes on the Interstate Highway System. Authorizes the Secretary to convert specified mass transportation equipment and facilities loans to grants under specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to make a full and complete investigation and study of establishing and operating a mass transportation system which would provide basic services with a minimum of amenities at low costs and to report the results of such study to Congress. Directs the Secretary to carry out a demonstration project using high speed jetfoil transportation facilities and operating between the Long Branch, New Jersey area, Sandy Hook State Park, and New York, New York to determine the feasibility of utilizing this technology in providing certain public mass transportation service. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such project. Title IV: Prohibits the awarding of grants of more than $5,000,000 for the acquisition of any steel or rolling stock for fixed rail service unless substantially all the steel to be acquired has been domestically produced. Sets forth exceptions to this requirement. Provides for Congressional review of certain rules and regulations relating to highways or urban mass transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1978
Condemns those responsible for the crimes against Aldo Moro. States the sense of Congress that: (1) the President extend support to the Government of Italy; and (2) the President encourage nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to work with the Italian Government to coordinate and strengthen efforts of free nations to apprehend terrorists and work through diplomatic channels for the isolation and condemnation of those countries which give refuge and support to terrorists.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1978
Declares that certain proposed regulations of the Department of the Treasury regarding centralized firearms sales recordkeeping and other firearms control measures exceed the Departments' authority, and directs that the regulations be withdrawn.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1978
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Extends through 1983 the authorization of appropriations for grants for basic vocational rehabilitation services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Provides that State plans for providing rehabilitation services need be submitted only once every three years instead of annually. Changes the requirements with regard to the contents of State plans, including adding the requirements that the plans provide for vocational rehabilitation services to handicapped American Indians and provide for the establishment and maintenance of information and referral programs so that the handicapped will be aware of the various Federal and State programs which could benefit them. Changes procedures for the withholding of State grants for failure of the State plan to comply with Federal requirements or for failure of the administration of the plan to comply with the plan's own requirements. Allows State vocational rehabilitation services to include (1) the use of existing telecommunications systems which have the potential for improving service delivery methods and (2) the use of services providing recorded material for the blind and captioned material for the deaf. Changes the formula for the computation of State allotments for basic vocational services. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the set aside of funds at the Federal level for regional pilot projects for advising individuals of the benefits available to them under the Act. Establishes a new program of grants to the governing bodies of Indian tribes on reservations for demonstration projects under which the tribes shall develop and provide vocational rehabilitation services for handicapped American Indians residing on or near such reservations. Establishes a National Institute of Rehabilitation Research to be responsible for administering existing programs of rehabilitation research and for coordinating Federal programs and policies relating to research and rehabilitation. Directs the Institute to undertake a study of the way in which Federal programs providing benefits to handicapped individuals might be restructured so as to eliminate any disincentives for persons receiving benefits under such programs to obtain employment. Authorizes the Institute to make grants for the conduct of a research program concerning the use of existing telecommunications systems which have the potential for substantially improving delivery methods. Authorizes the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services to make training grants for medical, social and psychological rehabilitation in addition to vocational rehabilitation. Extends through 1981 the Commissioner's authority to make grants for construction of rehabilitation facilities, for projects to provide vocational training services to handicapped individuals, and for special projects and demonstrations. Revises the program of guarantees of loans for construction of rehabilitation facilities. Renames the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults the Helen Keller Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to the States to establish and operate comprehensive rehabilitation centers which shall provide a broad range of specified services to handicapped individuals. Adds to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 a new Title IV "National Council on the Handicapped," which establishes within Health, Education, and Welfare a National Council on the Handicapped. Sets forth the duties of the Council, including developing general policies for the Rehabilitation Services Administration and the National Institute of Rehabilitation Research. Renames the Architectural Transportation Compliance Board the Architectural Transportation and Communication Barriers Compliance Board, and adds nine handicapped individuals to the membership of the Board. Adds to the duties of the Board the duty to investigate and examine alternative approaches to the communication barriers confronting handicapped individuals. Authorizes United States district courts to award a reasonable attorney's fee to a prevailing plantiff in certain actions brought to enforce rights under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide technical assistance to (1) rehabilitation facilities and (2) nonprofits groups for the removal of architectural, transportation and communication barriers. Title II: Employment Opportunities for Projects with Industry - Employment Opportunities for Handicapped Individuals Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to establish a community service employment program for handicapped individuals with both public and private employers. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to handicapped individuals to enable them to establish and operate their own businesses. Title III: Comprehensive Services for Independent Living - Adds a new title VII to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 "Comprehensive Services for Independent Living." Authorizes, under such Title, the Commissioner to make grants (supplementary to grants under Title I of the Act) to assist States in providing independent living services designed to meet the needs of individuals whose disabilities are so severe that they do not presently have the potential for gainful employment but may benefit from vocational rehabilitation services which will enable them to live and function independently. Title IV: Interagency Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants and contracts for the purpose of research and demonstration projects specifically designed to address the multiple and interrelated service needs of handicapped individuals, the elderly, and children, youths, adults, and families in need of protective services. Requires the submission of a report to Congress on such projects within four months of completion of the project.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1978
Comprehensive Employment and Training Amendments - Revises generally the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 (CETA). Consolidates the administrative provisions of such Act in a new title. Requires State prime sponsors to allow subareas to assist in the planning and delivery of services within their respective jurisdictions. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to act as a prime sponsor for an area under any of the employment and training programs when there is no other prime sponsor for an area or when services are not being provided to an area due to a complaint about the prime sponsor or disapproved plan. Revises the procedures for a prime sponsor to become eligible for grants. Requires each prime sponsor to submit a comprehensive employment and training plan consisting of a master plan and a single assurance that the prime sponsor will comply with the Act, the regulations, and the comprehensive employment and training plan. Sets forth the information to be included in the plans. Amends provisions regarding review of comprehensive plans and complaints about and sanctions against prime sponsors. Changes the composition and meeting requirements of prime sponsor planning councils and State employment and training councils. Consolidates various assurances presently required to be submitted by prime sponsors and redesignates them as program conditions. Sets out those conditions which are applicable to all programs. Includes among such conditions a requirement that small and minority businesses be given maximum reasonable opportunity to compete for contracts. Establishes in the Office of the Secretary of Labor an Office of Audits, Investigations, and Compliance to conduct and supervise audits and investigations relating to CETA programs and activities. Establishes an Office of Management Assistance in the Secretary's Office to provide management assistance to prime expenses. Redefines "unemployed" and "underemployed" for purposes of the Act. Permits institutionalized persons to be designated as "underemployed." Defines "economically disadvantaged" for purposes of the Act. Directs that "areas of substantial unemployment" be determined on the basis of yearly rather than quarterly data. Extends the general authorization for appropriations for activities under CETA. Makes specified changes in the comprehensive employment and training services programs. Restricts eligibility for participation, with certain exceptions, to individuals who are both (1) economically disadvantaged and (2) unemployed, underemployed, or in school. Authorizes prime sponsors to conduct occupational upgrading programs through agreements with public and private employers. Makes eligible for the ungrading program employees of participating employers who are operating at less than their full skill potential, particularly persons in entry level or dead end positions. Requires the Secretary of Labor to provide services to groups of persons with particular labor market disadvantages under the Special Federal Responsibilities Title of CETA. Adds as new groups which are specifically designated as targets of activities under such title handicapped workers, single parents, and displaced homemakers. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out job search and relocation activities as an ongoing national program. Authorizes the Secretary to promote the development of partnership arrangements between prime sponsors and employment security agencies. Consolidates the youth employment demonstration programs, the youth summer employment program, and the Job Corps in a separate title. Makes uniform the basic eligibility requirements for all programs except the demonstration projects as follows: (1) age 16 through 21 or, if authorized by the Secretary, 14 through 21; (2) economically disadvantaged; and (3) underemployed, unemployed, or in school. Deletes Job Corps provisions relative to background investigations of applicants, oaths of allegiance for members, sex-segregated centers, cost per enrollee limitations, and political activity and discrimination. Places Job Corps property under concurrent Federal-State criminal jurisdiction. Changes the name of the National Commission for Manpower policy to National Commission for Employment and Training Policy. Expands the Commission's membership. Combines the present public service employment programs and emergency unemployment programs into a single new program. Allocates public service employment funds among prime sponsors serving areas with high unemployment. Limits participation in the program to economically disadvantaged persons who have been unemployed for at least eight weeks. Creates a new title designed to place individuals in private sector jobs by providing financial assistance to prime sponsors for private sector initiatives, including on-the-job training and related activities. Directs participating prime sponsors to establish private industry councils to assist in the development of initiative programs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Comprehensive Older Americans Act Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require each Federal agency proposing to establish programs and services substantially related to the purposes of such Act to consult with the Administration on Aging prior to the establishment of such programs and services. Authorizes a recipient of a grant under the Older Americans Act of 1965 to enter into an agreement with a profitmaking organization to carry out the provisions of such Act. Declares it to be the purpose of Title III of such Act (Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging) to encourage and assist State and local agencies to concentrate resources to serve older persons by entering into cooperative arrangements with the providers of social services or nutrition services or multipurpose senior centers, for the planning and provision of social services, nutrition services, or multipurpose senior centers. Defines terms used in such Title. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981 for grants approved under such Title. Requires each State, to be eligible to receive a grant under such Title, to designate a State agency as the sole State agency: (1) to develop and administer a State plan formulated pursuant to this Act; and (2) to designate planning and service areas. Requires each such area agency on aging to prepare and develop an area plan. Sets forth specified material to be included in such plan. Requires each State, in order to be eligible for grants under such Title, to submit to the Commissioner on Aging a State plan. Sets forth specified material to be included in such plan. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to insure any mortgage for a multipurpose senior center in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Act. Creates a Multipurpose Senior Center Insurance Fund to be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out all insurance provisions with respect to such mortgages. Authorizes the Commissioner, under the Act, to make grants to eligible tribal organizations, as defined in this Act, to pay all of the costs for the delivery of social and nutritional services for Indians who are age 60 and over. Sets forth criteria for applications for such grants. Requires the Commissioner to make grants to States for: (1) the establishment and operation of nutrition projects for older persons which five or more days a week, provide, in a congregate setting, at least one hot or cold meal per day, each of which assures a minimum of one-third of the daily recommended dietary allowances; and (2) the establishment and operation of multipurpose senior centers which shall be community facilities for the organization and provision of a broad spectrum of social services or nutrition services, or both, for older persons; (3) the provision of legal services for the elderly; and (4) the conduct of projects under which a State ombudsman receives and investigates complaints made by or on behalf of older persons who are residents of long-term care facilities relating to administrative action which may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of such residents. Declares that, under the Act, a national manpower policy shall be developed for the field of aging which will reflect the present and future needs for training personnel in all programs serving the elderly. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants for the purpose of conducting studies on: (1) the problems experienced by State and area agencies on aging and other service providers in operating transportation services; (2) the impact of this Act and other service and benefit programs in meeting the long-range needs of the elderly population; and (3) the differences in unit costs, service delivery and access between rural areas and urban areas for services assisted under this Act and the special needs of the elderly residing in rural areas. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to develop and operate statewide, regional, metropolitan area, county, city, or community model projects which will demonstrate methods to expand or improve social services and promote the well-being of older persons. Requires the Commissioner in making such grants to give special consideration to projects designed: (1) to assist in meeting the housing needs of older persons; (2) to provide continuing education to older persons; (3) to provide preretirement education information; (4) to provide services to assist in meeting the particular needs of physically and mentally impaired older persons; (5) to meet the special needs of, and improve the delivery of services to older persons who are not receiving adequate services under other provisions of this Act; (6) to assist older persons to remain within their communities and out of institutions; (7) to establish comprehensive service systems for older persons residing in rural areas; and (8) to develop or improve methods of coordinating all available home social services for the homebound elderly, blind, and disabled by establishing demonstration projects. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to and enter into contracts with appropriate bodies to support programs of legal services and ombudsman programs established under provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to support the development of comprehensive, coordinated systems of community long-term care for older persons. Requires such grants to be used for the development of programs which provide a full continuum of services designed to support alternatives to institutional living, including (1) adult day health; (2) individual assessment of need, service plan development, monitoring, and evaluation of service effectiveness; (3) supported living in public and private, nonprofit housing; (4) family respite services; (5) preventative health services; (6) home health, homemaker, and other rehabilitative and maintenance in-home services; (7) geriatric health maintenance organizations; and (8) other services which the Commissioner determines are appropriate. Redesignates Title IV (Training and Research) of the Act "Training, Research, and Discretionary Projects and Programs. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for: (1) multidisciplinary centers of gerontology; and (2) the Older American Community Service Employment Program. Title II: White House Conference on Aging - 1981 White House Conference on Aging Act - Declares it the policy of the Congress that the Federal Government should work with the States and citizens to develop recommendations and plans to meet the needs of older persons. Requires that programs developed under this Act place emphasis upon the right of older persons to free choice and self-help in planning their futures. Authorizes the President of the United States to call a White House Conference on Aging in 1981 to develop recommendations for research and action in the field of aging. Requires the Conference to include representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, and professional and lay people working in the field of aging including older persons. Directs that a final report of the White House Conference, containing a comprehensive statement of a coherent national policy on aging and the recommendations of such Conference, be submitted to the President and Congress within a specified time. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in administering this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to the Conference and such other technical committees as may be necessary to carry out such Conference. Title III: Study of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in Programs for Older Americans - Directs the Commission on Civil Rights: (1) to undertake a comprehensive study of discrimination based on race or ethnic background in any federally assisted programs and activities which affect older persons; and (2) to identify any federally assisted activity in which evidence is found of persons or organizations who are otherwise qualified being, on the basis of race or ethnic background, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, refused employment or contracts with, or subject to discrimination under, such activity.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Amends the Trade Act of 1974, with respect to the authority of the President to negotiate trade agreements, to direct the President to reserve any article for which an agreement limiting agricultural imports has been entered into, from negotiations to reduce or eliminate customs duties or import restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
Expresses the sense of the Congress that any right to, title to, or interest in the property of the United States Government agencies in the Panama Canal Zone or any real property and improvements thereon located in the zone should not be conveyed, relinquished, or otherwise disposed of to any foreign government without specific authorization of such conveyance, relinquishment, or other disposition by any Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1978
Defense Dependents' Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a program of free public education through secondary school for dependents of military and civilian personnel overseas and on certain military bases. Transfers certain authority of the Commissioner of Education regarding schools on domestic military installations to the Secretary of Defense. Establishes within the Department of Defense the Office of Dependents' Education and an Advisory Council on Dependents' Education. Makes such overseas schools eligible for assistance under the National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals an income tax credit for a portion of the expenses incurred for the residential installations of insulation, solar and other renewable energy equipment, heating improvements and energy-conserving components between April 20, 1977, and January 1, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1978
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates below the level established by the Social Security Amendments of 1977 on employment income for both employers and employees and on self-employment income. Increases Federal contributions to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act by 50 percent. Increases the ceiling on the amount of income that is subject to social security taxation to $100,000 in 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1978
Expresses Congressional disapproval of the Presidents denial of import relief to the metal fasteners manufacturing industry transmitted to Congress on February 10, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Expresses the condemnation of the House of Representatives of the kidnapping of Aldo Moro. Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) Italy deserves the support of the United States, and (2) the President should instruct the Permanent Representative to the United Nations to press for consideration of solutions to the problem of terrorism in all appropriate forums.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Expresses the condemnation by the Congress of the March 11, 1978, attack on Israel by the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the expressed intention of the PLO to continue such attacks and to disrupt the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Requests the President to make the disapproval of the Congress known to governments approving the PLO attack. Expresses Congressional approval of the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Urges other Middle East countries to join such efforts. Declares negotiation to be the best way to bring peace to the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1978
SS Life Act - Directs the Secretary of the Navy to transfer to LIFE International for 15 years the hospital ship U.S.S. Sanctuary (AH-17) to furnish health care to developing nations. Renames such ship the "SS LIFE". Authorizes the appropriation of $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1979 for modification of such ship and for maintenance and operation $494,000 for fiscal year 1979, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1980, $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1981, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1982, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1983, and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs Memorial Act - Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to provide financial assistance to assist in the development of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Authorizes up to $5,000,000 to be appropriated for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Veterans' Educational Equity Act - Provides for payment of a supplemental tuition allowance to each qualified veteran upon application to the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs. Extends the delimiting period for completing a veteran's education program for up to two years if at the close of the ordinary ten-year delimiting period the veteran is enrolled in a program.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1977
Requires Amtrak, the Urban Mass Transportation Administration, and Conrail to purchase only steel and steel products which have been mined, produced, or manufactured in a State or territory of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1977
Fair Labor Standards Foreign Trade Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to declare the protection of workers and communities through regulation of imports to be a policy of such Act. Permits the President, either House of Congress, a representative of an employee or organization, or other interested party to request that the Secretary of Labor determine whether a product: (1) was produced abroad under labor conditions detrimental to the maintenance of a minimum standard of living for workers; and (2) is impairing domestic labor of the communities. Authorizes the President to take appropriate action if it is found that the product is in competition with domestic goods under such circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Fair Trade Act - Declares it the policy of Congress that access to the United States market should be on an equitable basis. Imposes import quotas on all products entering the United States, after January 1, 1979. Establishes such quota at ten percent of goods needed for consumption or use in the United States unless the demand exceeds domestic production by more than ten percent. Permits the Secretary of Commerce to order gradual reductions in the quantity entered until the ten percent limit is reached. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to administer this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Fair Trade Act - Declares it the policy of Congress that access to the United States market should be on an equitable basis. Imposes import quotas on all products entering the United States, after January 1, 1979. Establishes such quota at an amount equal to the excess of the amount of the product needed for consumption over the amount of the product produced before import worker layoffs. Directs the the Secretary of Commerce to apportion the quantities entered by country. Permits the Secretary of Commerce to order gradual reductions in the quantity entered until the quota limit is reached. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to administer this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
White House Conference on the Arts Act - Directs the President to call a White House Conference on the Arts, to be held by December 31, 1979, to assist in developing a climate wherein the arts can flourish. Establishes a National Conference Planning Council on the Arts to plan and conduct such Conference. Requires the Council to submit a report on such Conference to the President. Authorizes the Chairman of the Council, with the approval of Council members, to make grants to States to defray the costs of participating in the Conference program. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
White House Conference on the Humanities Act - Directs the President to call a White House Conference on the Humanities. Establishes a Presidentially appointed National Planning Council on the Humanities to conduct the Conference. Authorizes the Chairman of the Council, with Council approval, to make a grant to each State to defray the cost of State participation in the Conference. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Declares that the Committee on Education and Labor should study the impact of imports on counterpart domestic industries and on unemployment generally in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 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.
![Official portrait of Rep. Dent, John H. [D-PA-21]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000255_200.jpg)