United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1978
Entitles former spouses of members of the armed forces who were married to the member for at least ten years to a portion of that member's retired or retainer pay. Entitles such former spouses to a portion of the annuity of the surviving spouse of such member. Stipulates that such a member may not elect not to provide an annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan without the consent of the member's spouse and any former spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1978
Press Protection Act - Prohibits any person acting under color of law, without a prior adversary court proceeding, from searching any place or seizing any things in the possession, custody, or control of any person engaged in the gathering or dissemination of news for the print or broadcast media, unless with a warrant issued by a court upon probable cause that such person has committed or is committing a criminal offense. Establishes a criminal fine of not more than $10,000 for violation of this Act, and creates a civil cause of action for any person aggrieved by a violation. Allows punitive damages of up to $10,000, and reasonable attorneys fees.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1978
Voluntary Job Preservation and Community Stabilization Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a continuing investigation to identify those industrial, business, agricultural, and service organizations (1) which are in danger of ceasing operation or of outmigration and (2) whose closing or relocation would result in substantial unemployment and economic dislocation in the community. Provides, through the Secretary, loans for technical assistance and status and operating costs to an employee or employee/community corporation which meets certain requirements in order that it may assume ownership and operation of an organization so identified. Conditions loans, among other factors, upon certification that the corporation will allow new employees to participate and will adopt a method for acquisition of stock of persons no longer associated with the organization for the purpose of making it available to all employees on a nondiscriminatory basis. Authorizes loans of up to $15,000 to an employee who wishes to purchase stock in a purchasing corporation and who is unable to secure financing elsewhere.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1978
Small Business Contracting Equity Act - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the payment of interest on contract payments which are overdue under Federal contracts with small business.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Provides that refugees who were paroled by the Attorney General for temporary entry into the United States under the Immigration and Naturalization Act and later admitted for permanent residence into the United States shall be treated for naturalization purposes as having established permanent resident status as of the date of such temporary entry.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Extends the right to vote in any election to nominate candidates for the office of President or Vice President of the United States, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress to citizens who will be 18 years of age or older on the date of the election for such office.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Expresses Congressional disapproval of the sale of 50 F-5 aircraft to Egypt, 60 F-15 aircraft to Saudi Arabia, and 15 F-15 and 75 F-16 aircraft to Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1978
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 · 9 May 1978
Establishes an 11-member Commission on the Humane Treatment of Animals to study the treatment of animals. Requires that the membership include zoologists, veterinarians, and representatives from humane societies. Requires the Commission to determine if animals are caused needless pain or suffering as a result of their treatment on farms and in laboratory experimentation. Requires Commission investigation into domestic pet growth rates and the effectiveness of existing laws regarding the treatment of animals. Excludes the study of the treatment of animals occurring in connection with the exercise of any religion. Directs the Commission to report its findings to the Congress and the Commission 60 days after it submits its final report. Authorizes appropriations of $750,000 per year to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1978
Small Business Contracting Equity Act - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the payment of interest on contract payments which are overdue under Federal contracts with small business.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for research and development of new methods of research, experimentation, and testing which minimize the use of and the pain inflicted upon, live animals. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1978
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to make phencyclidine (PCP) a Schedule I (most dangerous substances) rather than a Schedule III drug. Sets forth minimum mandatory prison terms for phencyclidine traffic. Revises provisions specifying penalties for sale of controlled substances to persons under 21 to: (1) repeal the requirement that the seller be at least 18 years old; and (2) set forth separate mandatory prison terms for the sale of phencyclidine.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1978
Amends the Export Administration Act to prohibit United States persons from making investments in South Africa, other than those consisting soley of earnings derived from existing enterprises and made in such enterprises. Imposes fines of up to $1,000,000 for violations of this Act. Prohibits United States persons with major investments in South Africa from: (1) receiving licenses for exports to South Africa; (2) entering into Federal Government contracts; (3) receiving income tax credits for South African taxes; or (4) using Export-Import Bank services, if engaged in unfair employment practices or if not listed on the roster established by this Act. Establishes the mechanism for enforcement of such prohibitions. Establishes an Advisory Board to recommend policy with respect to the exercise of the authority granted under this Act. Requires persons having major investments, as defined in this Act, to notify the Administrator designated by the President to carry out the Act's provisions. Requires the Administrator to establish a roster of all persons complying with required employment practices. Prescribes procedures for findings of unfair employment practices and for enforcement of violations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to grant jurisdiction to the United States Tax Court or any United States district court to enter a declaratory judgment in a controversy involving the issue of whether a tax ruling of the Secretary of the Treasury is in accordance with existing law. Grants standing to bring such action to any individual who can adequately present the appropriate legal issues and whose tax liability is not directly affected by the challenged tax ruling. Requires that the person bringing a petition for a declaratory judgment notify the Secretary of his intentions at leat 90 days before the filing of the petition. Requires the Secretary to publish a notice in the Federal Register that such petition has been filed. Permits intervention in proceedings for a declaratory judgment by any individual whose tax liability is or may be directly affected by the challenged tax ruling. Awards attorney's fees plus an amount not to exceed $100 to any party bringing a petition who prevails on the merits of the case.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1978
Independent Local Newspaper Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to promote the survival of independent newspapers by providing for the establishment of tax exempt trusts for paying estate taxes on such papers, and by postponing the payment of estate taxes on such papers.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1978
Public Playground Equipment Safety Act - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to (1) carry out a study of the different types of surfacing materials used in playgrounds and determine the relationship between such materials and the occurrence of accidents and injuries at such facilities; and (2) promulgate advisory safety standards for playground equipment. Requires playground equipment in federally assisted playgrounds to comply with such safety standards.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1978
Makes ionization smoke detectors containing any radioactive isotope banned hazardous substances subject to the prohibitions of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for research and development of new methods of research, experimentation, and testing which minimize the use of and the pain inflicted upon, live animals. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Small Business Contracting Equity Act - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the payment of interest on contract payments which are overdue under Federal contracts with small business.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Telephone Privacy Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit unsolicited commercial telephone calls to a telephone subscriber who has notified the telephone company that he does not wish to receive such calls. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe regulations specifying the manner in which a telephone subscriber shall notify the telephone company that he does not wish to receive unsolicited calls. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Excludes from the definition of "unsolicited commercial telephone calls" calls made in response to an express request of the individual called or made in connection with an overdue debt or contractual obligation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of Energy to develop research, development, and demonstration programs concerning the use of solar photovoltaic energy systems. Authorizes the Secretary to provide up to 75 percent of the purchase and installation costs of selected systems used for research purposes. Requires the Secretary to formulate definitive performance criteria concerning solar photovoltaic systems and to develop a system certification for conforming systems. Directs the Secretary to consult with relevant Federal agencies concerning the use of solar photovoltaic systems in Federal facilities. Requires the Secretary to set up a development and demonstration program of prototype photovoltaic systems at the Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, Colorado. Directs the Secretary to establish a solar energy data bank at the Golden facility. Requires relevant Federal officials to ensure that small business concerns are granted realistic and adequate opportunities to participate, to the maximum extent possible, in the programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1978
Social Security Refinancing Act - Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to finance the payment of disability insurance benefits and hospital insurance benefits through general tax revenues, rather than through employment and self-employment tax revenues. Reduces employment and self-employment tax rates below the rates established by the Social Security Financing Amendments of 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Wildlife on Federal Lands Trapping Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue such regulations, relating to trapping, as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any type of trap unless such trap utilizes the most humane capture method available for the species concerned, and minimizes the probability of capturing species for which such trap was not intended. Directs the Secretary to undertake a research program to develop such types of traps. Establishes an advisory commission to make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to traps designed or intended for use. Prohibits the Secretary from permitting trapping on Federal lands where such trapping may reduce any species below specified levels. Sets forth a procedure for the application and issuance of trapping permits. Requires the attachment of a shipping certificate to any package containing the fur, hide, skin, horn, or feathers of any mammal or bird captured by any trap within any State or the District of Columbia if such package is transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) engaging in trapping without a permit issued pursuant to this Act; (2) violating any condition of such permit; (3) violating any regulation of the Secretary relating to trapping; (4) selling or transporting in interstate commerce an unapproved trap; or (5) falsifying the shipping certificate. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with States with respect to the imposition of trapping regulations consistent with those prescribed under this Act. Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide identical income tax rates for single persons and married couples filing joint returns. Limits the earned income that must be reported by a married individual filing a separate return to the amount actually earned by that individual.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Allows the court in any civil action brought by or against the United States to award reasonable attorney fees and expenses to the prevailing party (other than the United States or an agency or official thereof). Stipulates that the court may award attorney fees to a prevailing defendant only if the court determines that the action was brought without foundation, vexatiously, frivolously, or in bad faith.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
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 · 11 April 1978
Amends the Age Discrimination Act of 1975: (1) to change the prohibition declared in the statement of purpose from unreasonable discrimination to any discrimination on the basis of age in programs receiving Federal financial assistance; (2) to provide that when a State or local government is out of conformity with the requirements of such Act, and such government is the only entity eligible under a given program or activity for Federal financial assistance, then Federal funds may be disbursed to any nonprofit organization which can carry out the Federal program; (3) to authorize any person aggrieved pursuant to this Act, upon exhausting Federal administrative remedies, to bring a civil action; and (4) to require the head of each Federal agency to annually issue a report detailing the steps taken in the preceding year to carry out specified provisions of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Older Americans Employment Rights Act - Defines the term "age" for purposes of equal employment opportunities under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to mean a person's being considered too old, but only if such person has attained the age of 40 years. Prohibits employment discrimination because of age, under such Act. Repeals the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Older Americans Civil Rights Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1957 to require the Commission on Civil Rights to study and collect information concerning policies and practices constituting discrimination on account of age. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to extend its coverage to discrimination based on age in public accommodations, public facilities, and public education. Requires the Community Services Administration to provide assistance in resolving difficulties relating to discriminatory practices based on age. Prohibits discrimination based on age in: (1) the sale or rental of housing; (2) the financing of housing; and (3) the provision of brokerage services. Prohibits intimidation of any person because of age because such person is or has been selling, purchasing, or renting any dwelling. Defines "age" for the purposes of the amendments made by the Act, as being considered too old, but only if the individual has attained the age of 40 years.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Age Discrimination in Federal Employment Act - Repeals specified Federal laws compelling mandatory retirement based on age for the following: (1) Federal employees; (2) Tax Court Judges; (3) Foreign Service employees; (4) Lighthouse Service officers and employees; (5) the Comptroller General and the Assistant Comptroller General; (6) Central Intelligence Agency officers and employees; and (7) District of Columbia Judges.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Older Americans Civil Rights Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1957 to require the Commission on Civil Rights to study and collect information concerning policies and practices constituting discrimination on account of age. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to extend its coverage to discrimination based on age in public accommodations, public facilities, and public education. Requires the Community Services Administration to provide assistance in resolving difficulties relating to discriminatory practices based on age. Prohibits discrimination based on age in: (1) the sale or rental of housing; (2) the financing of housing; and (3) the provision of brokerage services. Prohibits intimidation of any person because of age because such person is or has been selling, purchasing, or renting any dwelling. Defines "age" for the purposes of the amendments made by the Act, as being considered too old, but only if the individual has attained the age of 40 years.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Age Discrimination in Federal Employment Act - Repeals specified Federal laws compelling mandatory retirement based on age for the following: (1) Federal employees; (2) Tax Court Judges; (3) Foreign Service employees; (4) Lighthouse Service officers and employees; (5) the Comptroller General and the Assistant Comptroller General; (6) Central Intelligence Agency officers and employees; and (7) District of Columbia Judges.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Requires that Federal employees be given compensatory time off to conform to religious requirements of abstention from work during certain periods of time.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Amends the Age Discrimination Act of 1975: (1) to change the prohibition declared in the statement of purpose from unreasonable discrimination to any discrimination on the basis of age in programs receiving Federal financial assistance; (2) to provide that when a State or local government is out of conformity with the requirements of such Act, and such government is the only entity eligible under a given program or activity for Federal financial assistance, then Federal funds may be disbursed to any nonprofit organization which can carry out the Federal program; (3) to authorize any person aggrieved pursuant to this Act, upon exhausting Federal administrative remedies, to bring a civil action; and (4) to require the head of each Federal agency to annually issue a report detailing the steps taken in the preceding year to carry out specified provisions of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Older Americans Employment Rights Act - Defines the term "age" for purposes of equal employment opportunities under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to mean a person's being considered too old, but only if such person has attained the age of 40 years. Prohibits employment discrimination because of age, under such Act. Repeals the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Hearing Dog Training Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to give financial assistance to centers which train dogs to assist individuals with hearing disabilities. Directs that grants will be made to one center in each of the ten Standard Federal Regions as defined by the Office of Management and Budget. Establishes requirements for eligibility to receive grants.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Rehabilitation Cost Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide grants to States: (1) to make a study of the costs involved in removing architectural, communications, and attitudinal barriers against handicapped persons in federally assisted programs; and (2) to pay the costs involved in assisting in such removal.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
Requires that Federal employees be given compensatory time off to conform to religious requirements of abstention from work during certain periods of time.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1978
Emergency Interim Consumer Product Safety Rule Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to provide an interim mandatory safety standard for flame resistance and corrosiveness for cellulose insulation. Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to enforce such safety rule until a final cellulose home insulation product safety rule is in effect. Establishes procedures for amendments to the interim rule as promulgated by the General Services Administration. Directs the Commission to study: (1) the need for safety standards for other forms of home insulation; (2) the methods of testing such insulation; and (3) the methods of enforcing home insulation standards.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that property used in, or related to, the taxpayer's trade or business, and which the taxpayer acquired without cost, shall not qualify as a capital asset.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Declares that it is the policy of the Congress in the interest of public health to phase out Federal assistance which promotes the production of tobacco and the manufacturing and marketing of tobacco products for human consumption. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report to the President and to the appropriate Congressional committees his findings and recommendations regarding the probable economic effects (particularly on family farmers) of the phasing out of specified Federal tobacco assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make urban rehabilitation grants to severely distressed cities and urban counties for the following purposes: (1) to finance the acquisition of real property by private, nonprofit entities for residential rehabilitation; (2) to finance residential rehabilitation through grants, revolving loan funds, mortgage insurance, high-risk mortgage pools, and low interest loans; (3) to make grants to neighborhood groups to carry out residential rehabilitation; and (4) to finance the rehabilitation of publicly owned building when the recipient of the grant participates in such rehabilitation. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations for the purpose of assuring that rehabilitation activities conducted with grants made under this program are primarily moderate rehabilitation activities and that such activities do not displace low- and moderate-income people. Lists information to be included in applications for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Expresses the concern of the House of Representatives regarding the slaughter of dolphins by Japanese fishermen in the Sea of Japan on February 23, and 24, 1978. Encourages the Government of Japan to join in certain discussions and infomration exchanges in an effort to eliminate such slaughter.
![Official portrait of Rep. Drinan, Robert F. [D-MA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000499_200.jpg)