United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Ocean Dumping Amendments Act -- Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to authorize the issuance of interim permits through December 31, 1981, for ocean dumping without regard to preexisting criteria. Limits such interim authorizations to persons already engaged in dumping of similar materials prior to the enactment of the Act, and where such person has no feasible alternative for disposal other than ocean dumping. Stipulates that such interim permits shall be reviewable on an annual basis. Requires that holders of interim permits expend adequate funds for research into alternate methods of material disposal, subject to conditions specified by the Administrator of the Environmental Protections Agency. Requires applicants for permits to pay a processing fee for administrative costs directly incurred in the processing of permits. Directs the Administrator to conduct studies to reduce or eliminate the dumping of radiological, chemical, or biological warfare agents or high-level radioactive wastes into ocean waters. Repeals various authorities of the Secretary of Commerce with respect to evaluation of substantive programs of other agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Creates a House select committee which shall conduct an investigation of all records, memorandums, papers, documents, books, and other information of any standing or select committee of the House or officer of the House respecting expenses incurred by or on behalf of any such committee or its members or employees.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Establishes within the House of Representatives a Standing Committee on Intelligence to oversee and make continuing studies of the intelligence activities and programs of the United States Government, and to submit to the House proposals for legislation. Directs referral to the Committee of all matters relating to the Central Intelligence Agency and its Director, intelligence activities of all other Government departments and agencies, organization or reorganization of such departments and agencies related to intelligence activities, and authorizations for appropriations for specified departments and agencies. Amends rules X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a procedure whereby certain legislation reported by the Committee may be referred to other standing committees for consideration, and conversely from other standing committees to the Committee. Requires the Committee to obtain an annual report from the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Secretaries of State and of Defense, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation reviewing the intelligence activities of the agency or departments, and of foreign countries directed at the United States. Sets forth procedures whereby the Committee may disclose publicly any information in its possession which will serve the public interest. Requires the Committee to notify the President of any such proposed disclosure if the information has been previously classified, submitted to it by the executive branch, and if the executive branch has requested that such information by kept secret. Permits the Committee, upon objection by the President to disclosure, to refer the question to the House for consideration. Authorizes the House to (1) approve the public disclosure, (2) disapprove the public disclosure, or (3) leave the final determination to the Committee. Allows the Committee to make certain information regarding lawful intelligence activities which has been classified, available to other committees or Members under specified circumstances. Requires the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to investigate an unauthorized disclosures. Prohibits the appropriation of funds for any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1978 for specified intelligence activities of Federal departments or agencies unless such funds have been authorized by a House bill or joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should declare a moratorium on United States manufacture of chemical weapons (lethal and incapacitating nerve and mustard agents and "binary agents') and order the destruction of certain United States stockpiles of such weapons. Urges other nations to destroy their stockpiles. Urges the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament to conclude a treaty banning the manufacture and possession of such weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) designate the home of Charles S. Pierce, known as Arisbe House, and surrounding property not in excess of ten acres, in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Pennsylvania, a National Historic Site; (2) restore such house and establish and maintain a museum dedicated to the works of Charles S. Peirce therein; and (3) construct a building near such house to be used as a center for the study of philosophy, mathematics, logic, and pure science. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1977 for relief and rehabilitation assistance to the victims of recent earthquakes in Romania. Authorizes the President to furnish such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Requires that Federal agencies prepare energy consumption analysis prior to construction or renovation of public buildings. Details information and evaluations to be included in each such analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Congressional Salary Act -- Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to make any recommendations of the President relating to the salaries of Members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico purely advisory. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to require that the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the Senate and House leadership be the rate payable for such positions on the date of enactment of this Act unless otherwise established by law. Prohibits any law increasing such rates of pay from taking effect before the first day of the Congress following the Congress during which such law is enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Designates service as a Member of the Women's Air Forces Service Pilots as active duty for the purposes of all laws administered by the Veterans' Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Civil Rights Commission Authorization Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1957 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1978, for the Commission on Civil Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Energy Conservation Tax Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow limited, nonrefundable income tax credits for individuals who: (1) install qualified insulation in their residences; (2) install qualified solar heating and cooling equipment in dwelling units used by them, or leased to others as residences; (3) replace the heating system in any dwelling with a reversible, compressible refrigerant system (i.e., a heat pump system); or (4) purchase personal or family electric highway vehicles between 1976 and 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and Policy - Declares that most of the nation's coal reserve can only be mined by underground methods. Lists the purposes of this Act, including the establishment of a nationwide program to prevent adverse effects to society and the environment from surface coal mining. Title II: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement - Establishes in the Interior Department the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement with a Director appointed by the President. States that such Office shall administer the programs required by this Act and assist the States in development of State programs for surface coal mining and reclamation. States that the Office shall be considered an independent Federal regulatory body. Title III: State Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior of sums adequate to provide for each participating State $200,000 for fiscal year 1978, $300,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $400,000 for each fiscal year thereafter for five years, to assist the States in carrying on the work of a competent and qualified mining and mineral resources research institute or center at the school of mines of one public college or university of the State. Requires such monies to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the States. Authorizes appropriations of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, such sum to be increased by $2,000,000 each fiscal year for six years thereafter, for specific projects in mining and mineral research in institutes. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projected scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Requires the Secretary to appoint an Advisory Committee on Mining and Mineral Research for advice on all matters concerning mining and mineral resources research. Title IV: Abandoned Mine Reclamation - Creates the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund in the Treasury. Requires operators of coal mines to pay into the fund quarterly fees of $.35 per ton of coal produced by surface mining and $.15 per ton of coal produced by underground mining, or ten percent of the value of the coal in the mine, whichever is less. Authorizes use of money in the Fund for acquisition and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mine lands and for acquisitions and fillings of voids and sealing of tunnels and entryways in abandoned mines. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into agreements with landowners of water rights under which such landowners shall furnish a conservation and development plan and shall effect such plan in return for financial assistance from the Secretary of Agriculture of up to 80 percent of the cost of such a reclamation effort. Encourages States to acquire abandoned and unreclaimed land, and to transfer it to the Secretary for reclamation, and authorizes matching grants for such purpose, up to 90 percent of the land price. Allows resale of reclaimed land by public bidding, and allows local public participation in determining the use of reclaimed land. Title V: Control of the Environmental Impacts of Surface Coal Mining - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to publish, within 180 days of the enactment of this Act, regulations which establish a permanent regulatory procedure and performance standards for surface coal mining and reclamation standards. Requires the Secretary to obtain the concurrence of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to regulations concerned with air or water quality standards. Establishes a permit program to require mining operators to comply with environmental protection standards. Allows State control over surface mining permits if certain requirements are met. Authorizes the implementation of a Federal program if States fail to act. Permits State laws and regulations that are more stringent than those set forth pursuant to this Act. Requires permit applications to describe the method of mining and equipment proposed to be used, to describe by maps the land to be affected, and to contain a statement of results of test borings or core samplings of the affected land. Stipulates that permits must be accompanied by a mining and reclamation plan which shall include a description of present uses of the land, steps to be taken to prevent environmental damage and a description of the reclamation activities. Requires the posting of performance bonds and possession of liability insurance by applicants for permits. Requires the establishment of coal exploration regulations by appropriate State and Federal authorities. Requires that such regulations include provisions for reclamation of lands disturbed in exploration activities. Imposes the following general environmental performance standards on surface mining operations as a condition of the issuance of a permit under this Act: (1) restoration of the land affected to a prior use, consistent with public health and safety; (2) restoration to the original contour of the land and backfilling, grading, and compacting the excess overburden and other waste materials to attain the lowest grade; (3) removal and segregation of topsoil in a separate layer where it is able to support vegetation; (4) minimization of disturbances to the hydrologic balance at the mine site and surrounding areas by eliminating or reducing toxic drainage, siltation, and contamination problems; (5) conformity with standards for the design and location of coal mine waste piles; and (6) establishment of a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetation on regraded areas. Stipulates that the regulatory authority shall make test borings of core samplings for mining operators with an estimated annual production of less than 250,000 tons of coal. Establishes additional requirements for steep-slope surface mining operations. Defines the term "steep-slope" to include any slope above 20 degrees or lesser slopes as may be defined by the regulatory authority. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations directed at the surface effects of underground mining. Directs and authorizes inspection of surface coal mining and reclamation to determine compliance with this Act and regulations. Provides requirements for recordkeeping and submittal and monitoring by mine operators. Imposes civil penalties for violation of this Act or regulations under it. Establishes procedures for citizen suits and judicial review of actions under this Act. Establishes conditions under which mine operators may request a release of all or part of the performance bond. Requires public notice and hearings upon applications for such releases. Requires States to establish, as a condition of assuming primary regulatory control, a planning process designed to identify lands unsuitable for surface coal mining. Requires designation of lands as unsuitable if it can be shown that reclamation pursuant to the requirements of the Act is not feasible. Authorizes designation of lands as unsuitable where operations mining will: (1) be incompatible with land use plans or programs; (2) affect fragile or historic lands of significant historic, scientific or esthetic value; (3) affect renewable land resources with an impact on long-range food and water supply; and (4) increase a significant hazard to life and property, including the possibility of flood and earthquake damage. Prohibits surface coal mining operations on certain Federal lands, or within 100 feet of a public road or within 300 feet of a building or dwelling, unless the consent of the affected public or private interest is obtained. Requires implementation of a Federal lands program applicable to all surface coal mining and reclamation activities pursuant to Federal laws or taking place on Federal lands. Requires that coal exploration operations which substantially disturb the natural land surface on such lands be subject to a permit program established by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires separate regulations for programs for special bituminous coal surface mines that meet specified criteria, and for anthracite coal surface mines which are regulated by environmental protection standards of the States. Title VI: Designation of Lands Unsuitable for Noncoal Mining - Allows the Secretary to designate Federal lands unsuitable for mining materials other than coal, if they are predominantly urban or suburban in character or if such mining operations would have an adverse impact on lands used primarily for residential and related purposes. Title VII: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees for filing suit under this Act and for testifying in a proceeding under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual grants to the States to assist the States in developing, administering, and enforcing State programs under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training, and assistance in preparing and maintaining a continuing inventory of information on surface coal mining and reclamation projects. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering for a study of surface coal mining conditions in Alaska in order to determine which, if any, of the provisions of this Act should be modified with respect to such operations in Alaska. Directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering and other groups for a study of the technology for surface and open-pit mining and reclamation for minerals other than coal designed to assist in the development of regulation for such operations. Directs the Secretary to consult with Indian tribes in studying the regulation of surface mining on Indian lands. Requires all surface coal mining operations on Indian lands to comply with requirements at least as stringent as specified provisions in this Act within 30 months from the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums to carry out this Act: (1) for various contract authority, $10,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980; (2) for the performance of test borings by the regulatory authority, an amount reserved for such purpose from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund not to exceed $40,000 per fiscal year; (3) for administrative and other purposes, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $20,000,000 for fiscal years 1979 and 1980, and $30,000,000 for fiscal years thereafter; and (4) for research and demonstration projects of alternative coal mining technologies, $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, and for the next four years. Stipulates that no new budget authority for fiscal year 1977 is authorized by the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Permits any Federal employee or Member of Congress who, at the time of retirement, does not elect a reduced annuity in order to provide a survivor annuity to a spouse or other person to make such an election within one year after retiring. Requires such employee to refund to the Government an amount equal to the amount such employee's annuity would have been reduced during the period from the date of retirement to the date of election plus interest. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 8339)
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Accelerated Depreciation Allowance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to elect accelerated amortization (twice the allowable depreciation deduction) for manufacturing property placed in service in States having an unemployment rate which is greater than six percent between October 1, 1976 and October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Medicare Long-Term Care Act - Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish a voluntary program to provide long-term care benefits for aged and disabled individuals who elect to enroll under such program, financed from premium payments by enrollees together with contributions from funds appropriated by the Federal Government and contributions by States. Lists criteria for eligibility for long-term care service benefits. States that the benefits provided to an individual under this Act shall consist of (1) home health services, (2) homemaker services, (3) nutrition services, (4) long-term institutional care services, (5) day care and foster home services, and (6) community mental health center outpatient services. Enumerates the requirements for certification of a State long-term care agency by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. Provides for the payment of premiums for benefits received under this Act by individuals who elect to participate in the long-term care program. Establishes on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund. Creates a Board of Trustees of such Trust Fund, composed of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, all ex officio. States that the Secretary of the Treasury shall be the Managing Trustee of the Board of Trustees and that the Commissioner of Social Security shall serve as the Secretary of the Board. Requires the Board to meet at least once each calendar year. Enumerates the duties of the Board. Declares that a community long-term care center shall: (1) provide the items and services listed in this Act to each individual who (a) is eligible for benefits under this part, (b) resides in the area served by such center, and (c) is certified as requiring such services; (2) evaluate and certify the long-term care needs of an individual for whom such care may be required in order to maintain such individual in an independent living arrangement which is reasonable given such individual's state of health and other circumstances (but not including such individual's economic circumstances); (3) maintain a continuous relationship with (and periodically evaluate not less than annually) each individual who is receiving any of the items and services listed in this Act; (4) provide full opportunity for such individual and his family to participate in the determinations and functions under this Act; (5) provide an organized system for making its existence and location known to all individuals in its service area who are eligible for benefits under this part, and for making known to such individuals the method or methods by which they may most efficiently obtain and use the services which it makes available; and (6) perform such other functions as the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may by regulation prescribe in order to have such center most effectively carry out the purposes of this Act. Sets forth a formula by which payments to States for the reimbursement of community long-term care centers may be calculated. Directs the Secretary, after consultation with organizations representing the chief executives of the various States, and other interested parties, to develop and make available to community long-term care centers one or more methods of obtaining payment for the benefits covered under this Act on a prospective method, it may not alter its election without the prior approval of the Secretary. Provides that whenever the Secretary finds that the number of community long-term care centers electing a particular prospective payment method promulgated in accordance with this Act is not sufficient to provide an adequate basis for either the operation or evaluation of that method, the Secretary shall withdraw that method and allow the community long-term care centers which have elected such method to select another method within 30 days of notice of such withdrawal. Permits a Governor of a State to certify to the Secretary a method of prospective payment other than those promulgated under this Act. States that the determination of whether an individual is entitled to benefits under this Act shall be made by the Secretary in accordance with regulations prescribed by him. Provides for increases in supplemental security income benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1978 for relief assistance to the victims of 1976 earthquakes in Italy.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Revises the provision authorizing suits against persons acting under the color of State or Territorial law for the deprivation of Constitutional and Federal statutory rights to permit suits against (1) bodies politic and (2) persons acting under the color of law of the District of Columbia or a United States possession.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to reduce from 72 to 65 the age beyond which deductions on account of an individual's outside earnings will no longer be made from such individual's benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Permits any Federal employee or Member of Congress who, at the time of retirement, does not elect a reduced annuity in order to provide a survivor annuity to a spouse or other person to make such an election within one year after retiring. Requires such employee to refund to the Government an amount equal to the amount such employee's annuity would have been reduced during the period from the date of retirement to the date of election plus interest. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 8339)
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should urge the Soviet Union to allow Dr. Sergei Kovalev to accept the invitation of Cornell University.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Removes the limitation on the amount of outside income which an individual may earn while receiving benefits under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 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 · 22 March 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to allow the State of New Jersey to establish a divided retirement system for purposes of providing social security coverage of State and local employees under Federal-State agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Debt Collection Practices Act - Prohibits debt collectors from harassing or intimidating consumers in connection with the collection or attempted collection of any alleged debt arising from a consumer credit transaction. Sets forth conduct violating this Act, including the use of violence by a debt collector, or publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts. Prohibits communication with any person other than the consumer owing the debt or the spouse without prior consent of the consumer. Prohibits false or misleading representation or impersonation in connection with the collection of an alleged debt. States that not debt collector may engage in unfair practices, such as soliciting a post-dated check for purposes of threatening criminal action. Prohibits debt collectors from taking specified legal actions, such as causing unauthorized service of process. Provides that each debt collector must disclose, clearly and accurately, to each consumer a list of information which includes the date the alleged debt was incurred and the original creditor. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violation of the provisions of this Act. Requires the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General to report periodically to Congress concerning their administration of functions delegated to them under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include as "medical and other health services" for which coverage will be provided under Medicare, and as "medical assistance" for which coverage will be provided under Medicaid, that medical or other remedial care furnished by licensed (registered) nurses within the scope of their practices as defined by State law.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to decrease the floor on allowable medical deductions to two percent of adjusted gross income. Eliminates the one percent floor on deductions for drugs and medicine. Includes deductible amounts for medical insurance with other medical care expenses for which the two percent floor is applicable.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Equity in Social Security for Individuals and Families Act - Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to permit married couples to elect to share their income for social security purposes in a manner similar to the filing of a joint tax return. Provides that, for any year a husband and wife file a joint income tax return, both the husband and the wife shall each be considered to have been paid wages or to have derived self-employment income in such year for the purpose of determining the average monthly wage of the husband and the wife for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance purposes. States that the amount with which each spouse will be credited shall be equal to the higher of: (1) one- half the total of the wages and self-employment income paid to or derived by both of them in such year; or (2) three-fourths of the wages and self-employment income paid to or derived by whichever of them had the larger amount of such wages and self-employment income for such year. States that any person who: (1) is the spouse of a person entitled to old-age or disability insurance and who has no wages or self-employment income; or (2) is the surviving spouse of a fully insured individual shall be credited with the amount of any benefits received under such insurance in determining the average monthly wage of such person for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance purposes. Lowers from 62 to 50 the age at which individuals become eligible for wife's, husband's widow's, and widower's insurance benefits under the Old-Age, Survivor's, and Disability Insurance program. Establishes the percentage of the benefit amount of an eligible spouse to which an ineligible or surviving spouse shall be entitled at 75 percent of the amount to which the eligible spouse is or was entitled under Title II. States that, when the ineligible spouse becomes entitled to benefits in his or her own right, the portion of the other spouse's benefit amount to which the previously ineligible spouse shall be entitled shall be decreased to 25 percent. States that a spouse or surviving spouse not entitled to benefits under Title II but who is or was married to an individual who is or was insured for disability insurance benefits shall be considered insured for benefits with a primary insurance amount equal to the primary insurance amount of the insured spouse. Eliminates the requirement that husbands and widowers be receiving support from their wives in order to qualify for husband's and widower's benefits. Enables a child who is entitled to more than one child's insurance benefit to receive the total amount of all such benefits as a single monthly insurance benefit..
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Requests the President of the United States to convene a White House Conference on Small Business with the help of the Senate Small Business Committee to develop recommendations, including suggestions for joint legislative and executive action, for revitalizing and maintaining the economic viability of the small business infrastructure.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1977
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 · 21 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property's basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Family Farm Preservation Act - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to prohibit any insured bank from investing any of the funds of a common trust fund or other fund for the collective investment of assets held by the bank as fiduciary, agent, or in any similar capacity, in real estate used principally for agricultural purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Pledges the support of the Congress to advance human rights. Urges the President to inform other nations that the United States will consider human rights protection in evaluating its relations with other nations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Campaign Financing Act -- Title I: Public Financing of Congressional General Election Campaigns - Entitles to payments under this Act Congressional candidates who agree to certain reporting and recordkeeping procedures and who certify that (1) he and his authorized committees will not incur campaign expenses in excess of certain limitations, (2) he has qualified to have his name placed on the election ballot in an election for Congressional office, and (3) he has received contributions in excess of a certain sum and no person has given more than $100 toward the amount so certified. Sets the amount of payments to an eligible candidate at the amount of contributions received up to a specified maximum. Stipulates that sums given by any one contributor totalling over $100 shall be disregarded for purposes of matching grants. Restricts use of funds forwarded under this Act to defraying campaign expenses either directly or through repayment of campaign loans. Specifies a limit on the amount of personal funds which a candidate may spend in connection with a Congressional campaign and remain eligible to matching grants. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to specify spending limits for candidates receiving payments under this Act. Waives such limits for candidates whose opponents are not receiving matching payments and have spent sums in excess of the limit imposed for candidates receiving payments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a separate Congressional General Election Payment Account in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and to deposit certain sums in such account in accordance with specified guidelines. Requires repayment of excess payments and unexpended payments. Penalizes use of funds for other than campaign purposes. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to institute repayment actions in district courts. Specifies the administrative authority of the Commission in carrying out this Act. Title II: Public Financing of Presidential General Election Campaigns - Raises the general election spending limit for Presidential candidates who are eligible to receive public funds under either the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act or the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act. Sets limits on the amount which a State party committee may spend in connection with the general election campaign of its Presidential candidate. Provides an alternative method for determining the amount of money to which candidates are entitled under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act based upon amount of contributions received after the final primary. Specifies conditions for candidates electing such method. Permits Presidential candidates eligible to receive payment under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act to receive additional small contributions from individual contributors up to a specified limit. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reduce the maximum amount which a multicandidate committee may contribute to any candidate or his committees. Specifies the effective date of the provisions of this Act and guidelines with respect to deposit in the Congressional General Election Campaign Fund during 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Prohibits any reduction, by reason of outside earnings in the old-age insurance benefits of an individual who is entitled thereto under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Repeals the provisions of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 permitting automatic cost-of-living adjustments in the salaries of Members of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Federal Employees Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure Act -- Requires each Federal employee compensated at a rate equal to or greater than the minimum rate for grade GS-13 to file a description of each position held during the three years preceeding Federal employment. States that such report shall be filed each year for the first three years of Federal employment and shall include any agency actions occurring during the past year, or then pending, in which such former employer is interested and over which such employee has influence. Requires former Federal employees who were compensated at such rates to file reports disclosing involvement in agency actions in which their present employer was interested and over which they had influence during tenure as a Federal employee. Requires such reports to be filed each year for three years immediately after the termination of Federal employment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Requests that the concerns of the United States be conveyed to the Soviet government regarding adherence to the Helsinki Declaration with respect to freedom to emigrate.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Investment Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional investment tax credit for machinery and equipment placed in service on existing manufacturing plants or in nearby areas.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Veterans Judicial Review Act - Provides that the decisions of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs on any question of law or fact under any law administered by the Veterans' Administration providing benefits for veterans and their dependents or survivors shall be subject to judicial review. Repeals the requirement that the Administrator determine and pay fees to agents or attorneys in allowed claims for monetary benefits. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 211; Repeals 38 U.S.C. 3404(c))
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Guarantees automatically any loan to a qualified veteran for the purchase and installation of solar heating and/or cooling in a dwelling which he owns and occupies. Exempts such loans from the existing $17,500 maximum amount of guaranty entitlement, and sets the amount of such entitlement at either: (1) the reasonable total cost of such purchase and installation, or (2) 20 percent of the value of the structure in which such system is to be installed, whichever is less. States that the original principal amount of such a loan shall not exceed the amount of guaranty entitlement so set.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make and insure loans under such Act for the solar heating or cooling of residential structures on family farms.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Solar Energy for Homes Act - Authorizes the administrators of Federal housing programs, established under title II or III of the National Housing Act or (of) title V of the Housing Act of 1949, to increase the amount of loans made on single- or multi-family dwelling units by up to 20 percent where such increase reflects the cost of solar energy equipment. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize home improvement loans for the cost of acquisition and installation of solar energy system. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the use of community development block grants for payments to assist in the acquisition and installation of solar energy equipment.
![Official portrait of Rep. Fenwick, Millicent H. [R-NJ-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000078_200.jpg)