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 · 4 August 1977
Unemployment Compensation Cost Equalization Act - Entitles, under the Social Security Act, states whose rates of insured unemployment is at least six percent to partial reimbursement on an ascending sliding scale of unemployment compensation costs incurred above a certain amount.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include within the medical and other health services covered by such Title the transportation of patients confined to a stretcher or wheelchair in a vehicle which is not equipped as an ambulance but which is adequately equipped to transport such patients.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1977
Prohibits the shipment in interstate or foreign commerce of any fur or leather, raw or in finished form, from animals trapped in any State or foreign country which has not banned the manufacture, sale, or use of such traps. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to publish a list of such States and foreign countries. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Part-Time Career Opportunity Act - Sets forth a time schedule for the required introduction of part-time jobs in each grade in each Federal agency, at a rate of two percent each year for five years. Authorizes the Civil Service Commission to waive or reduce any such percentage minimum for a period not to exceed one year under specified circumstances. Deems such decision a final agency action for judicial review purposes. Declares the provisions of this Act to be nonapplicable to situations where a collective bargaining agreement is in effect which establishes the number of hours of employment in a week.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President and the United States delegation urge the Soviet Union to grant visas to the Smeliansky family to emigrate to Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1977
Amends the Clayton Antitrust Act to entitle the United States, natural persons, and State attorney generals acting as parens patriae for persons residing within the State to bring civil actions under such Act for injury in fact, whether direct or indirect. States that this amendment shall apply to any civil action pending on June 9, 1977, or filed thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1977
Social Security Benefit Decoupling Act - Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to revise the computation of OASDI benefits on the basis of the individual's ten or fewer years of highest earnings. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to recompute, in accordance with the method set forth in this Act, the primary insurance amount of an individual who has wages or self-employment income for a year after 1978 for any part of which he is entitled to OASDI benefits. States that the primary insurance amount to be used after such recomputation shall be the larger of the two amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1977
Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to revise the standard for inclusion of religious practices and observances within the ban against employment discrimination based on religion from those practices and observances which can be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship to those which are possible to accommodate without severe material loss.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to pay for medical services and treatment for any physical illness suffered by a United States citizen or permanent resident, which is directly attributable to the atomic bomb explosions on Japan in August 1945. States that this Act applies only to medical services provided in the United States on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1977
Sludge Management Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to study the environmental, health, and economic effects of subsurface landfilling sludge on soils and ground water, and alternate methods of sludge disposal. Directs the Administrator to develop guidelines for sludge disposal and land-spreading in order to protect the public health and welfare. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States and localities of up to 40 percent of the cost of removal of sludge from navigable waters of the United States or any adjacent shoreline. Directs the Administrator to establish an Environmental Protection Agency Task Force on sludge removal. Authorizes the establishment of programs of training, demonstration, and surveys relating to the restoration of water quality where degraded by sludge. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit grants for treatment works, after September 30, 1976, unless the applicant demonstrates that adequate confined disposal methods will be provided.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1977
Federal Computer Systems Protection Act - Makes it a Federal crime for a person to directly or indirectly access or cause to be accessed for fraudulent purposes a computer system affecting commerce or having a connection with a Federal agency or financial institution.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1977
Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require payment to States of 90 percent of the total amount expended under State plans for early and periodic screening and diagnosis, (EPSDT) and 100 percent of the total amount for treatment of defects and conditions discovered through such screening and diagnosis. Institutes a program for distribution of coupons to individuals entitled to medical assistance EPSOT which identify services to which an eligible individual is entitled. Requires an annual compilation of providers and institutions which will provide services under EPSDT and further requires such institutions to provide to the maximum extent feasible all authorized services to individuals so entitled.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to permit to be included within a group of workers certified by the Secretary of Labor as eligible for adjustment assistance thereunder individuals whose last total or partial separation from employment occurred up to two years prior to the date of the petition on which such certification was granted.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Visual Artists Moral Rights Amendment - Gives the author of a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work the right to claim authorship of such work and to object to any distortion or alteration thereof, and to enforce any other limitation recorded in the Copyright Office that would prevent prejudice to the author's honor or reputation during the life of such author and 50 years after death.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Small Business Government Contracting Reform Act - Simplifies Government contracting procedures with respect to small businesses. Establishes Government contract arbitration panels within the Small Business Administration to facilitate the resolution of disputes between any small business concern and any Federal agency having procurement authority. Directs Federal agencies to take the apparent low responsive bidder's small business concern subcontracting plan into account in determining the responsibility of such bidder for the award of such contract. Assigns an employee of the Small Business Administration to each Federal agency to monitor compliance with specified small business programs. Establishes the Small Business Procurement Advisory Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Directs that United States attorneys be appointed and subject to removal by the Attorney General rather than the President. Eliminates set terms for United States attorneys.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President and the United States delegation urge the Soviet Union to grant visas to the Smeliansky family to emigrate to Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1977
Title I: Enactment of Title 11 of the United States Code - Chapter I: General Provisions - Makes general provisions for a uniform system of bankruptcy administration including: (1) definitions to be used in this Act; (2) rules of construction; (3) powers of the court; (4) waiver of sovereign immunity; (5) public access to papers; and (6) descriptions of debtors who may proceed under the liquidation, reorganization and debt adjustment provisions of this Act. Chapter 3: Case Administration - States that voluntary and joint cases in bankruptcy shall commence with the filing of a petition by an individual or entity entitled under the appropriate chapter of this Act. Limits the filing of involuntary case petitions against persons in liquidation and reorganization cases to situations in which the claims of three or more holders of non-contingent claims against the debtor, aggregate at least $5,000 more than the value of any security interest held by such holders in any property of such debtor. Makes provisions for the late joining of creditors to the petition. Empowers the court under specified circumstances to enjoin the commencement or continuation of any action against the estate or the enforcement of any judgment against the estate; or to order other appropriate relief where an ancillary foreign proceeding has commenced or is likely to be commenced. States the qualification and eligibility requirements for trustees in bankruptcy. Requires any attorney who represents a debtor in a proceeding under this Act to file a statement of compensation paid or agreed to be paid. Requires that, within a reasonable time after the order for relief in a bankruptcy case, there shall be a meeting of creditors at which the debtor shall appear and submit to examination under oath. States duties of the trustees pertaining to money of the estates, payment of taxes, and disposition of unclaimed property. Enunciates the effect of conversion of a case from one chapter of this Act to another and the effect of dismissal upon discharge in a subsequent case. Chapter 5: Creditors, The Debtor, and The Estate - Sets forth the procedure for the filing of proofs of claims or interest. States that such claim or interest is deemed allowable unless a party in interest objects. Lists circumstances under which the court, in hearing the objection to a claim, may allow it. Sets forth a procedure by which the court may determine the liability of the estate with respect to a tax incurred during the period of administration. Enunciates the priority ranking of expenses and claims to be paid from the estate. Charges the debtor with the following duties: (1) to file with the court a schedule of assets and liabilities, and a statement of the debtor's financial affairs; (2) to act in cooperation with the trustee as is necessary to enable such trustee to perform his duties; and (3) to surrender to the trustee all property of the estate and documents relating to such property. Lists personal and real property of the debtor which is not available, during or after the case, for the satisfaction of any debt of the debtor that arose before the commencement of the case, except a debt which is not dischargeable. Invalidates any waiver of exemptions executed in favor of a creditor. Permits the debtor to avoid the fixing of specified liens including judicial liens and nonpurchase-money security interests in household goods, instruments of the debtor's trade, or a debtor's interest in property to the extent that such a lien impairs an exemption to which the debtor is entitled. Specifies circumstances under which the debtor may recover transferred property which could have been exempted. Requires the debtor to file a list of property that the debtor claims as exempt under this Act. Describes the effect of discharge as: (1) voiding any judgment obtained at any time, to the extent that such judgment is a determination of the personal liability of the debtor; and (2) enjoining the commencement or continuation of an action or any act to collect, recover, or set-off any debt as a personal liability of the debtor or any specified interest in community property acquired after the commencement of the case. Lists exceptions to discharge including, debts incurred by the debtor by fraud or false written misrepresentations. Protects the debtor against discriminatory treatment of a governmental unit with respect to the denial, revocation, or refusal to renew any license, charter or other similar grants. Identifies property which becomes a part of the estate upon the commencement of a case, specifically excluding powers of appointment that the debtor may exercise solely for the benefit of an entity other than the debtor and including property acquired by the debtor within 180 days of the filing of the petition. Entitles the trustee in bankruptcy to the rights and powers of a hypothetical lien creditor, and bona fide purchaser of real property as of the commencement of the case. Permits the trustee to enforce any cause of action that a creditor or a class of creditors has against any person where there will be a reduction of the claim of such creditor or creditors against the estate. Permits the trustee to avoid any transfer of property of the debtor to or for the benefit of a creditor for or on account of an antecedent debt, made when the debtor was insolvent and within stipulated periods. States exceptions to such rule on preferences. Stipulates the presumption that the debtor was insolvent 90 days before the commencement of the case. Empowers the trustee, under specified conditions, to avoid any transfer of an interest of the debtor in property or any obligation incurred by the debtor, that was made or incurred on or within one year before the date of the filing of the petition. Permits the court after notice and a hearing to authorize the trustee to abandon any property of the estate that is burdensome or of inconsequential value. Chapter 7: Liquidation - Sets forth provisions for the administration of liquidation proceedings including the: (1) appointment of interim trustees; (2) election of trustees; (3) election of successor trustees; (4) obligations of trustees; and (5) conversion and dismissal of cases. Enables the court to authorize the trustee to operate the business of the debtor for a limited period, if such operation is in the best interest of the estate and consistent with the orderly liquidation of the estate. Permits an individual debtor to redeem exempted or abandoned property. Sets priorities for the distribution of property of the estate. Makes provisions for stockbroker and commodity broker liquidation. Chapter 9: Adjustment of Debts of a Municipality - States that this chapter shall in no way limit or impair the power of a State to control, by legislation or otherwise, a municipality of or in such State in the exercise of its political or governmental powers. Prohibits a court from taking any action which would in any way interfere with any of the political or governmental powers of the debtor; any of the property or revenues of the debtor; or the debtor's use or enjoyment of any income-producing property, unless the debtor consents. States that a petition may be filed under this chapter by the municipality's officials, or in the case of an unincorporated tax or special assessment district by such district's governing authority or body having authority to levy taxes to meet the obligations of such district. Sets forth a procedure for objection to such petition and states that the filing of a petition operates as a stay of the commencement or continuation of a judicial or other proceeding that seeks to enforce a lien or arising out of taxes or assessments owed to the debtor. Requires the debtor to submit a list of creditors. Reserves the court's power to dismiss, after notice and a hearing, for cause, such as delay which causes prejudice to creditors, or denial of confirmation of a plan for adjustment of debts. Requires the debtor to file a plan for the adjustment of the debts either at the time of the filing of the petition or at such later time as the court shall fix. Establishes criteria for the decision to confirm such plan and states that a confirmed plan shall bind both the debtor and any creditors, whether or not such creditor's claim has been allowed. Grants continuing jurisdiction in the court for such time as is necessary for the successful execution of the plan. Chapter 11: Reorganization - Requires the court, as soon as practicable after the order for relief under this chapter, to appoint a committee of creditors holding unsecured claims and if necessary to appoint additional committees of creditors or equity security holders. Lists the powers and duties of such committees, including investigation of any matter relevant to the case or to the formulation of a plan and the participation in the formulation of such plan. Permits the court to appoint a trustee or an independent investigator if necessary and if the costs would not be disproportionately high. Specifies the duties of trustees, independent investigators, and debtors in possession. Sets eligibility requirements for one who may propose a reorganization plan. Requires that each holder of a claim or interest of a particular class be given a disclosure statement before an acceptance or rejection of a plan may be solicited. Grants the court the power to revoke an order of confirmation within 180 days after its entry where such order was procured by fraud. Enumerates situations which are exempt from specified securities laws which require registration for offer or sale of a security or registration or licensing of an issuer of, underwriter of, or broker or dealer in, securities. Provides for the reorganization of railroads subject to the provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act and orders of State or local regulatory bodies. Protects the right of owners, leasers, and secured parties to take possession of rolling stock equipment under a security agreement, conditional sale contract, or lease. Chapter 13: Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income - Creates a procedure whereby an individual, who is a wage earner or is self-employed and is a debtor under this Act, may with the advice and assistance of an advisor appointed by the United States trustee, formulate a plan for readjustment of the debts of such individual. Lists provisions that may be present in such plan. States that an order for relief under this chapter shall stay all actions against codebtors. Stipulates that the United States trustee shall serve as trustee in a case under this chapter. Conditions the confirmation of a plan upon factors such as the ability to make all payments under the plan on the good faith of the debtor in proposing such plan. Allows discharge of debts upon the completion by the debtor of all payments under the plan. Permits post-confirmation modification of such plan if necessary in light of stated considerations. Title II: Amendments to Title 28 of the United States Code and to the Federal Rules of Evidence - Chapter 6: Bankruptcy Courts - Creates a bankruptcy court in each judicial district which shall be a court of record known as the United States Bankruptcy Court for the district. Specifies that each bankruptcy court shall consist of the bankruptcy judge or judges for the district in regular active service. Authorizes the President to appoint bankruptcy judges. Sets forth rules for tenure, residence and salary of bankruptcy judges. Makes provisions concerning the holding and adjournment of bankruptcy court sessions. Permits a party to any proceeding in a bankruptcy court to make and timely file an affidavit that the presiding judge is biased or prejudiced and prohibits such judge to proceed further in the case. Chapter 39: United States Trustees - Directs the Attorney General to appoint a United States trustee for each judicial district for a term of seven years and permits the Attorney General to remove such trustee for cause. Places each United States trustee under the general supervision of the Bankruptcy Division in the Department of Justice. Enumerates the duties of such trustees. Chapter 50: Bankruptcy Courts - Enables each bankruptcy court to appoint a clerk, law clerks, secretaries, reporters, criers and bailiffs, and states that the chief judge shall make such appointments whenever a majority of the bankruptcy judges of any court cannot agree. Chapter 90: Bankruptcy Courts - Grants the bankruptcy courts original and exclusive jurisdiction of all cases under Title 11 of the United States Code. States that notwithstanding any Act of Congress, other than the Internal Revenue Code, that confers exclusive jurisdiction on a court or courts other than the bankruptcy courts, the bankruptcy court shall have original, but not exclusive jurisdiction, of all civil proceedings arising under or related to bankruptcy cases; however, such court may abstain from hearing a particular proceeding in the interest of justice. Places venue, for purposes of bankruptcy proceedings, in that district in which is either the domicile, residence, principal place of business, or principal assets of the debtor; or the site of a pending bankruptcy case concerning such debtor's affiliate, general partner, or partnership. Creates an exception to this rule in the following instances: (1) a case to enjoin the commencement or continuation of an action or proceeding in a State or Federal court, or the enforcement of a judgment; (2) a case to enjoin the enforcement of a lien against property, or to require turnover of property of an estate; and (3) cases ancillary to foreign proceedings. Allows a change of venue in the interest of justice and for the convenience of the parties and provides for a cure of defects in the laying of venue. Permits a party to remove any claim or cause of action in a civil action to the bankruptcy court for the district where such civil action is pending, if the bankruptcy courts have jurisdiction over such claim or cause of action. Preserves the right to a trial by jury in a bankruptcy case or in a proceeding arising thereunder, except that the bankruptcy court may order the issues arising under the initiation of an involuntary proceeding to be tried without a jury. Grants a bankruptcy court the powers of a court of equity, law, and admiralty. Authorizes a bankruptcy court to issue a writ of habeas corpus: (1) when appropriate to bring a person before the court for examination; to testify; or to perform a duty imposed on such person by this title; and (2) to release the debtor when such debtor was arrested or imprisoned on process in any civil action which was issued for the collection of a debt dischargeable under this Act where notice and a hearing have been afforded to the adverse party of such debtor to contest the issuance of such writ. Title III: Amendments to Other Acts - Sets forth conforming amendments. Title IV: Transition - Repeals the Bankruptcy Act. States the effective date of this Act. Makes provisions for the operation of courts of bankruptcy during the specified transition period. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts: (1) to conduct a study during the transition period to determine the number of judges that will be needed for the United States bankruptcy courts; and (2) to appoint a committee of bankruptcy judges to advise the Director with respect to matters that arise during the transition period. Sets forth the formula for determination of retirement benefits for eligible bankruptcy judges during the transition period. Authorizes the Supreme Court to issue such additional rules of procedure, consistent with Acts of Congress, as may be necessary for the orderly transfer of functions and records and the orderly transition to the new bankruptcy court system.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1977
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to permit the Bank to extend credit to the Peoples Republic of China. Eliminates the avoidance of arms races between countries not menaced by Communist China from the factors considered by the President in determining whether the prohibitions against credit extensions by the Export-Import Bank for defense sales to developing countries should be waived in the national interest.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Voluntary Standards and Accreditation Act - Title I: National Standardization - Requires the Federal Trade Commission to promulgate rules relating to the procedures and practices of standards-development organizations, testing laboratories, and certification agencies, and the use of product listings and certificates of approval in marketing. Requires the Commission, when promulgating rules under this title, to give all interested persons an opportunity for oral presentations of data, views, and arguments, and a single opportunity to present rebuttal testimony in writing. Permits the Commission to exempt the activities of a standards-development organization, testing laboratory, or certification agency from the requirements of the newly promulgated rules. Permits the Commission to enforce the procedures set forth pursuant to this Act upon its own initiative or upon a written petition filed with it by any interested person. States that any violation of this title or failure to comply with any Commission rule promulgated under this title shall be prosecuted as an unfair trade practice pursuant to the Federal Trade Commission Act. Directs the Commission to notify by publication in the Federal Register, the Secretary of Commerce and all Federal departments and agencies which use the publications of a standards-development organization, of any violation of this title by such an organization or by a certification agency. Directs a department or agency notified by the Commission that an organization is in violation of this title to cease using the services of such organization unless such organization complies within a period determined by the Commission. Subjects to the provisions of this Act any private organization that: (1) develops standards; (2) sponsors the activity of developing or adopting standards; (3) tests, inspects, or certifies products; or (4) sells or uses standards, product listings, or certificates of approval. Directs the Commission to specifically advise an organization that voluntarily submitted its rules for review and does not comply with the new rules, on the procedure such organization may undertake to come into compliance. Authorizes the Secretary to grant financial assistance to nonprofit standards-development organizations to insure representation of consumer, small business, and other interests in decisions. Requires all Federal agencies to utilize standards set by certified private agencies whenever possible in order to avoid duplication of effort. Directs all standards-development organizations, testing laboratories, and certification agencies subject to regulation by the Commission to establish appeals bodies to consider complaints filed by interested persons. States that such appeals bodies shall have no powers of enforcement except those given to them by the organizations' creating such bodies. Title II: International Standardization - Establishes an Institute of Standards and Accreditation within the National Bureau of Standards of the Department of Commerce to develop the resources, facilities, and expertise necessary to assist the Secretary and the Commission in the exercise of their responsibilities under this Act. Requires the Secretary, through the Institute, to provide for and assist appropriate participation by private nonprofit organizations in international standardization activities as representatives of the United States. Requires the Secretary to make arrangements for direct governmental participation in such international standardization activities where the Secretary determines private participation is insufficient or cannot be established. Directs the Secretary to list each international standards and certification agreement developed pursuant to this title unless to do so would not be in the public interest. Establishes an interagency committee on international standardization policy and a public committee on international standardization policy to provide policy guidance to the Secretary in carrying out his duties under this title. Establishes procedures for petitioning the Secretary to delist a particular international standard or certification and for judicial review of the Secretary's determinations. Title III: Testing Laboratory Accreditation - Requires the Secretary, through the Institute, to set forth procedures to establish a voluntary national laboratory accreditation program to accredit certification laboratories for a class of technology or a specific product if the establishment of such laboratory is found to be in the public interest. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria committees to establish criteria to accredit such laboratories. Sets forth procedures for the development of such criteria and the accreditation of such laboratories. Establishes procedures for the removal, withdrawal, or termination of accreditation. Title IV: National Standards Management Board - Establishes as an independent instrumentality in the executive branch, a National Standards Management Board to develop the necessary rules, procedures, policies, and criteria to manage and coordinate national standards-development activities. Directs the Board to develop rules and policies to be used by the Institute when accrediting standards-development organizations and approving national standards. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to appoint a Director of the Institute of Standards and Accreditation to supervise the Institute, its equipment, and its functions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Independent Living Programs for the Handicapped Act - Establishes the Office of Independent Living within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to administer grants to establish independent living centers for the disabled. Requires such centers to provide specified services including (1) counseling regarding attendant care; (2) health programs; (3) housing and transportation assistance; (4) independent living skills; and (5) legal and economic counseling. Authorizes to be appropriated funds for grants for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Establishes the Task Force on Independent Living within HEW to review the operations of such Office and of the centers. Directs the Task Force to report to the Congress not later than March 1, 1979 on the desirability of revising or extending the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Federal Intelligence Agencies Control Act - Title I: Domestic Intelligence Activities - Prohibits any Federal agency or official from: (1) engaging in the collection, maintenance, or dissemination of information relating to the opinions of any person or the exercise of first amendment rights; (2) engaging in any action to discredit or harass any individual; (3) carrying out an investigation or prosecution against a particular person or class of persons in retaliation for engaging in first amendment activity; or (4) encouraging such prohibited activity by any other person or any State or local government agency. Renames the Federal Bureau of Investigation the Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigation and limits its activities to the investigation of specific acts which violate Federal criminal statutes. Limits the Bureau's authority to investigate such violations to cases in which there is a reasonable suspicion as such term is defined in this Act, of a violation, except that preliminary inquiries are permitted upon receiving a specific allegation that a person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a Federal crime. Limits investigations and preliminary inquiries, generally, to 30 days in length. Authorizes extensions of such time limits but prohibits the continuance of any investigation for longer than six months. Requires supervising Bureau agents who believe an investigation may result in the collection of information of first amendment activity or may pose any danger to such activity to bring such investigation to the attention of the Attorney General who shall permit such investigation to continue if satisfied that the express prohibitions of this Act are not violated. Requires investigative files to be sealed upon termination of any investigation and prohibits the dissemination of person information in such files except pursuant to congressional oversight investigations, a valid search warrant or subpena, or upon the request of the subject of the investigation. Requires such subject to be notified that such sealed file is maintained by the Department of Justice and that such person has a right of access to such file. Requires such files to be maintained for ten years and then destroyed unless required for civil or criminal litigation except that information in such file which pertains to first amendment activity, is false, or was acquired by illegal means must be expunged as soon as practicable. Requires the Attorney General to recommend to the President for appointment with Senate confirmation an Inspector General of the Bureau who shall be responsible for overseeing the activities of the Bureau to assure that they are in conformity with the law and the Constitution of the United States, investigate citizen complaints directed at the Bureau, and testify at least annually before the appropriate congressional committees regarding any illegal activity. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to limit the term of the Director of the Bureau to six years. Abolishes the Internal Security Branch of the Bureau and transfers the function of conducting background investigations of Federal employees and officials to the Civil Service Commission. Makes employees of the Bureau, except supervisory employees, subject to the laws governing appointments in the competitive service. Requires the publication of the budget of the Bureau and its submission to Congress as part of the budget of the Department of Justice. Directs the Comptroller General to audit the Bureau at least annually. Repeals the Riot, Seditious Conspiracy, Smith, Voorhis Anti-Propaganda, Peacetime Military Sedition, and Military Sedition Acts. Allows persons whose rights have been deprived by a Federal official to institute a civil action before a Federal court regardless of the amount in controversy and specifies minimum liquidated damages for such deprivations. Title II: Investigative Procedures; Prohibitions and Limitations - Repeals specified provisions of Federal law authorizing interception of electronic or oral communications. Prohibits any information Federal official, from posing for the purpose of covert surveillance as a member of a group engaged in valid first amendment activity. Prohibits the inspection of tax, bank, credit, or toll records, or the use of mail covers by the Federal Government unless conducted pursuant to a court order after a finding of probable cause according to procedures specified by this Act. Title III: Foreign Intelligence Activities - Renames the Central Intelligence Agency the Foreign Information Service and restricts its functions to the collection, correlation, and evaluation of foreign intelligence information and the advising of the National Security Council on matters concerning such foreign intelligence activities. Prohibits the covert collection of foreign intelligence by any Federal agency. Restricts counterintelligence investigations inside the United States (which may only be conducted by the Bureau) to obtaining evidence of violations of the criminal laws of the United States. Prohibits the expenditure of funds for foreign intelligence activities which are not specifically authorized for such purpose. Directs the Office of Management and Budget to provide Congress with a horizontal budget showing the total amount budgeted for foreign intelligence activities and line item budgets for each agency engaged in such activities. Title IV: Classified Information - Repeals the exemption from the Freedom of Information Act of information required to be kept secret by Executive order in the interest of national security. Directs that such information shall be subject to such Act unless it is in fact properly classified as national defense information, as defined in this Act, except that such information may not be exempted if it appears to relate to illegal activity engaged in by any official of the Federal Government. Title V: Official Deceit - Establishes a criminal penalty for any Federal official who conceals, obstructs, or fails to report as soon as possible any conduct of any other official which violates this Act. Title VI: Protection of Employee Disclosure of Refusal to Participate in Government Wrongdoing - Prohibits the taking of disciplinary action against any Federal official who expresses an opinion with respect to the conduct of a Federal agency or refuses to participate in official activities which such person reasonably believes to be illegal. Title VII: Temporary Special Prosecutor - Establishes for a period of five years an independent Office of Special Prosecutor for Violations of Law by Intelligence Agencies headed by a Special Prosecutor appointed by a special panel of United States judges. Confers upon the Special Prosecutor exclusive jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute all offenses committed by Federal officials in connection with or arising out of intelligence or counterintelligence activities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Authorizes each Member of the House of Representatives, including the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico and the Delegates from Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, to hire for two week of each year two senior citizen interns to serve within the District of Columbia. Makes available to each Member for the purpose of hiring such interns an annual gross allowance of $600.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Truth in Lending Improvement Amendments - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require each appropriate regulatory agency to conduct biennial examinations of every creditor subject to the requirements of such Act. States that whenever any agency has reason to believe as a result of the examination that there has been a substantial violation, as defined by this Act, it shall be publish in the Federal Register the name of the creditor and specified information concerning the violation, not more than 30 days after the date on which the examination report has been completed. Requires such agency to notify the creditor of the violation and of the date by which the agency will publish such information. Permits the creditor to submit a written response to the apparent violation which the agency must publish in the Federal Register. Requires the creditor to notify the consumer upon the direction of the agency, when specified requirements of the Truth in Lending Act appear to have been violated. Directs the agency to notify such consumer if the creditor fails to do so. States that such notice shall include: (1) the fact that the agency found a violation; (2) the nature of the violation, and (3) the rights of the consumer under this Act. Exempts a creditor from civil liability for failure to comply with the requirements of this Act if, within 30 days after discovering an error or, being informed of any error by an enforcing agency and before an action is begun or before the creditor notifies the consumer of the error and makes adjustments to the consumer's account to insure that the person will not be required to pay a finance charge in excess of the percentage rate or amount actually disclosed.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Amends the Employment Act of 1946 to prohibit any Member of Congress from serving as a member of the Joint Economic Committee during more than two Congresses in any period of five successive Congresses beginning after 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Stocks Management and Reserve Act -- Title I: Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish, maintain and dispose of a separate reserve of wheat, corn and other enumerated feed grains through storage contracts with producers. Limits such reserves to no less than 25 million tons nor more than 35 million tons. Specifies how the Secretary may establish such reserves through the Commodity Credit Corporation. Title II: Amends the Agriculture Act of 1949 to set the loan level per bushel of wheat at $2.25 for the 1977 crop and $2.35 for the 1978 through 1981 crops. Sets the loan level per bushel of corn at $1.75 for the 1977 crop and $2.00 for the 1978 through 1981 crops. Sets a formula for the adjustment of the respective loan rates under specified circumstances. Requires the Secretary to set a fair and reasonable loan level on each crop of barley, oats, and rye. Title III: Amends the Agriculture Act of 1949 to authorize the President (1) to enter into negotiations with other nations to develop an international system of food reserves to provide for humanitarian food relief needs, and (2) to establish and maintain an International Emergency Food Reserve, as a contribution of the United States toward the development of such a system, to be made available in the event of food emergencies in foreign countries. Requires for such reserve minimum stocks of two million tons, allowing an increase up to six million tons pursuant to an international agreement. Requires periodic rotation of such stocks to avoid spoilage and deterioration.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate from the classes of excludable and deportable aliens those aliens who: (1) are anarchists; (2) are opposed to organized government; or (3) are members or advocates of the Communist or a totalitarian party. Amends the Subversive Activities Control Act of 1950 to remove the prohibition against the application by a member of a Communist organization for a U.S. passport, and the issuance of a passport to such a member.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that the President of the United States (1) should propose an immediate suspension of underground nuclear explosions to remain in effect so long as the Soviet Union abstains from conducting underground explosions, and (2) should set forth promptly a new proposal to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other nations for a permanent treaty to ban all nuclear explosions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to qualify an individual who, although employable, is unable to care for his or her personal needs without assistance as a disabled person eligible for the services of a home health aide.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Entitles the unmarried former spouse of a Federal employee or Member of Congress who was married to such employee or Member for more than 20 years to a share of up to 50 percent of such employee's or Member's annuity and lump-sum benefits, and to a 50 percent share of the annuity of any surviving spouse of such employee or Member, based upon the number of years of Federal service during which such former spouse was married to the employee or Member.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Franchising Termination Practices Reform Act - Requires a franchisor to notify a franchisee at least 90 days in advance of the franchisor's intention to terminate the franchise and to state the reasons for termination. Prohibits a franchisor from cancelling a franchise or failing to renew a franchise unless the franchisor is effecting a market area withdrawal or the franchisor has good cause for failure to renew and has given proper notice. Makes any franchisor who has violated the requirements of this Act civilly liable to the aggrieved franchisee.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Indian and Alaska, Native Housing and Community Development Act - Creates, in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, an Office of Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, through which the Secretary of HUD shall carry out functions relating to Indian and Alaska Native Housing and Community Development. Creates the Office of Assistant Secretary for Indian and Alaska Native Affairs. Directs the Assistant Secretary to submit certain reports to Congress, and conduct an annual conference on Indian and Alaska Native Housing.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1977
Federal Employees Flexible and Compressed Work Schedules Act - Requires each agency to establish a flexible scheduling or compressed work schedule experimental program covering a sufficient number of positions and work time alternatives on which to base an evaluation of the effectiveness of such program. Requires the Civil Service Commission to render educational and technical assistance to agencies for such programs. Requires the Commission to establish a master plan to study and evaluate experiments conducted under this Act. Sets forth the procedure whereby an agency head may seek an exemption from the requirements of this Act. Title I: Flexible Scheduling of Work Hours - Requires that the experimental testing of flexible work schedules include designated periods of required presence of employees and designated periods during which employees may choose arrival and departure times or accumulation of credit hours. Permits an agency head, upon a determination that the agency's functions are being handicapped or its costs are increasing, to restrict choice of arrival and departure time or credit hours, or to exclude any employees. Prescribes the method of computation of overtime under such a schedule, granting employees a choice of compensatory time in lieu of overtime. Limits premium pay for night-work under such a schedule. Requires payment to employees prevented from working on holidays because of such schedule. Permits use of time clocks under such experiments. Prohibits carryover of more than ten credit hours from one biweekly period to the next. Title II: Four-Day Week and Other Compressed Work Schedules - Permits agencies to conduct experiments with four-day workweeks or other compressed schedules. Stipulates that an employee in a unit not represented by an employee organization having exclusive recognition, will not be required to participate in any program under this Act unless the majority of employees in such unit have voted to so participate. Requires an agency, upon finding that participation in such a program would impose a personal hardship on an employee who has requested exemption from such program, to either except or reassign such employee. Exempts the hours of compressed schedules from provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act relating to premium pay for overtime work. Allows overtime pay for hours worked in excess of the hours of such compressed schedules. Title III: Administrative Provisions - Includes employees in labor organizations in experiments under this Act only to the extent provided in an agreement between such organizations and the agencies involved. Prohibits threats or coercion by fellow employees against employees regarding the choice of work hours and credit hours. Requires an interim and a final report by the Commission to the Congress on results of and recommendations relating to the experiments conducted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1977
Refugee Immigration Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to define the term "refugee immigrant" as any alien who is outside of the country of his nationality or last habitual residence, who is unable or unwilling to return to such country because of fear of persecution on account of such alien's race, religion, nationality, or political opinion. Permits any refugee immigrant who is not in the United States to be issued an immigrant visa and admitted to the United States. Permits any refugee immigrant who has been in the United States for one year to have his status adjusted to that of a permanent resident. Limits the number of aliens who may be issued such visas or who may acquire permanent resident status in any fiscal year to 35,000. Authorizes the President to admit additional refugees to the United States at the request of any international refugee organization of which the United States is a member if an emergency refugee situation exists and the President has consulted with the committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Authorizes the President to admit aliens who are refugee immigrants because of an emergent refugee situation in the country of their nationality or last habitual residence which is of special concern to the United States. Requires the President to discontinue such admission if it is disapproved by a concurrent resolution of the Congress. Restricts the authority of the Attorney General with respect to the granting of parole into the United States of refugees.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Horizontal Divestiture in the Energy Industries Act - Revises the Clayton Act to make it unlawful, after a specified date, for any corporation or association affecting commerce to control mineral deposits in two or more of the following classes: (1) coal; (2) petroleum and natural gas; or (3) uranium and other fissionable minerals. Requires any corporation or association that would be in violation of this Act, but for the specified compliance date, to submit plans to the Federal Trade Commission for compliance by such date.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1977
Truth in Lending Reform and Simplification Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to eliminate credit transactions for agricultural purposes from coverage under such Act. Requires a State to enforce requirements under applicable State truth in lending law when such State has been exempted from application of Federal law governing credit transactions within the State because of such similar State law. Requires agencies enforcing such Act to obtain compliance by notifying the debtor of rights under such Act when the creditor fails to comply with its provisions or by publicizing the fact of a creditor's sustained and substantial violations. Grants such agencies the authority to assess civil penalties and to issue cease-and-desist orders. Sets limitations on the time within which civil actions may be brought to enforce such Act. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to issue model forms and clauses, for use in common transactions, describing the transaction in understandable language. Exempts creditors who use such forms from liability under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1977
Small Hydroelectric Power Projects Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Power Commission to establish a program of grants and low-interest loans to assist in the development of small hydroelectric power projects by municipalities, electric cooperatives, industrial development agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other persons. Details procedures and eligibility criteria for such financial assistance programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 per fiscal year for grants under this Act and $50,000,000 per fiscal year for loans under this Act, for each of the fiscal years through fiscal year 1980. Revises licensing requirements to reduce the maximum annual charges for licenses involving Government dams issued after December 31, 1975, to $1 per kilowatt of installed capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1977
Regional Capital Development Banks Act - Establishes ten Regional Capital Development Banks, each to be located and to serve exclusively one of the ten standard Federal administrative regions of the United States. States the general powers of each bank. Provides for the appointment of 15 members for the board of directors for each bank. Authorizes appropriations for the initial formation of the banks in addition to providing for the capitalization of the banks through stock purchase by the Secretary of the Treasury. Creates in each bank special authorities including: (1) the making of direct loans to eligible applicants; (2) the purchase of capital stock of eligible applicants; and (3) the facilitation of exchange of concepts and techniques relating to capital financing of business financing and other economic development. Defines eligible applicants to be a corporation with assets or gross sales not in excess of $10,000,000 or those that control not greater than 25 percent of the market in the line of commerce in which a loan or investment is to be made. Limits any loan or investment to $5,000,000. Requires each bank to develop criteria which will assure that the enterprises invested in shall substantially contribute to the reduction of unemployment and improvement of the quality of life of the region, and that they will comply with Federal policies including environment, nondiscrimination, and regional economic and social objectives. Prohibits discriminatory treatment in hiring on the part of any applicant who receives assistance under this Act. Requires audits of financial transactions of the banks and an annual report of such audit to be made to the President and Congress. Grants Federal tax exemption to specified assets of the banks.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1977
Designates the Veterans' Administration hospital located at 200 Springs Road, Bedford, Massachusetts, as the "Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans' Hospital."
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1977
Competition Review Act - Establishes the Competition Review Commission to conduct a study of the laws, regulations, policies and any other practices of the United States having a significant impact on competition. Includes, in the scope of the study, the antitrust laws and exemptions thereto, the patent laws, Internal Revenue laws, the National Labor Relations Act, regulatory policies, and Federal contracting and bidding practices. Directs the Commission to conduct a study of the major industries of the United States to determine the extent and nature of competition within such industries. Enumerates industries to be included in such study. Requires each study to evaluate the effect of the laws and enforcement procedures, policies and other actions of the Federal Government, and degree of concentration within the major industries on: employment, price levels, profit levels, efficiency, the quality of goods and services produced, the ability of the United States to compete with foreign counterparts, and the net benefit or harm to the United States economy. Directs the Commission to report its findings to the President and to Congress within three years of the enactment of this Act. Enumerates the powers of the Commission including the power to issue subpenas.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1977
Pilot Guaranteed Employment Opportunities Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to conduct a pilot program up to 20 counties having populations of 20,000 or less designed to provide employment opportunities for unemployed persons from low income households. Includes among the elements of the pilot program (1) partial reimbursement of private businesses for wages paid to newly employed eligible individuals, (2) partial reimbursement of State and local government for wages paid eligible individuals employed in community improvement related jobs, and (3) reimbursement at a rate equal to the Federal minimum wage for wages paid to eligible persons who are are employed in jobs created for those individuals not employed in jobs under (1) or (2). Directs the chief executive officer of each participating county to establish an advisory council to assist in carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Amends Titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require automatic sprinkler systems in all skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities certified for participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs unless a waiver of such requirement is granted in accordance with conditions set forth in this Act. Establishes a program of low-interest Federal loans to assist such facilities in constructing or purchasing and installing automatic sprinkler systems.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Franchising Termination Practices Reform Act - Requires a franchisor to notify a franchisee at least 90 days in advance of the franchisor's intention to terminate the franchise and to state the reasons for termination. Prohibits a franchisor from cancelling a franchise or failing to renew a franchise unless the franchisor is effecting a market area withdrawal or the franchisor has good cause for failure to renew and has given proper notice. Makes any franchisor who has violated the requirements of this Act civilly liable to the aggrieved franchisee.
![Official portrait of Rep. Drinan, Robert F. [D-MA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000499_200.jpg)