United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Title I: Customs Procedural Reform - Customs Procedural Reform Act - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to (1) the rate of duty on articles upon which the duty may be paid later than the time of entry, (2) times and places for filing the entry of merchandise, (3) procedures for the release of merchandise from customs custody, (4) recordkeeping requirements regarding imported merchandise, (5) the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to examine records and witnesses regarding the entry of imports, and (6) court jurisdiction regarding the summons of such records and witnesses. Repeals the authority of the Secretary to prohibit importation for failure to permit inspection of import records. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to (1) publication of a protest against the decision of a customs officer, (2) withdrawal from a warehouse of merchandise for consumption without payment of duty, (3) falsity or lack of manifests on a vessel or vehicle of importation and the presence of narcotics on such vessel or vehicle, and (4) penalties, enforcement, and judicial procedures for fraud, gross negligent, and negligent entry of merchandise. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to (1) the value limitations on seizure and condemnation of prohibited merchandise, (2) publication requirements on Customs Service rulings, and (3) customhouse brokers licensing. Title II: Customs Simplification - Customs Simplification Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Tariff Schedules of the United States with respect to alcoholic beverages, tobacco imports, and articles for personal use. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to administrative customs exemptions, entry of equipment, and repair parts of vessels made in a foreign country, and consignees as owners of imported merchandise. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to (1) unclaimed merchandise, (2) the disposition of forfeited spirits, wines and beer, (3) the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe declaration and entry regulations, (4) the authority of the Secretary to refund duty paid due to error, (5) exemption of articles imported for personal use from trademark regulations, (6) exemption of owners of pleasure boats from prohibitions against Federal employee ownership of vessels used for importation, and (7) limitations on liquidation. Amends the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 to authorize a monetary payment in lieu of forfeiture of merchandise transported in violation of vessel documentation requirements. Repeals specified importation fees regarding customs documents, vessels and manifests, fees on frontiers, and requirements that tables of such fees be posted. Title III: Custom Service Appropriations Authorization - Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the United States Customs Service for fiscal years 1979 and 1980. Title IV: Separability of Provisions - Declares portions of this Act to be severable.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1977
Investment Policy Act - Title I: Findings and Definitions - States that the lack of a national policy on investment can adversely affect the economic health and well-being of the Nation. Title II: Declaration of National Policy - Declares that it is the policy and responsibility of the Federal Government to provide incentives to assure maximum investment in private enterprise. Title III: Federal Agency Coordination and Cooperation - Requires the Council on Wage and Price Stability shall submit an Investment Policy Report to Congress which shall include information on levels of capital investment available, trends in such levels, and reviews of economic programs affecting capital investment. Requires the President to transmit to Congress as a part of the economic report such other recommendations as desirable or necessary to achieve the policy declared in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 2 June 1977
National Product Liability Act - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to establish a substantive law of product liability for damages resulting from harm caused by products affecting interstate commerce and to establish a product liability action therefor. States that such product liability action preempts all existing causes and laws for the same purpose. Subjects whomever is engaged in interstate commerce and manufactures or sells: (1) a product which is in a defective condition; or (2) any product and fails to warn or protect against a dangerous condition in the use or reasonably foreseeable misuse or unintended use of the product or fails to provide proper instructions for the intended use of that product, to liability for the harm caused despite the fact that the manufacturer or seller has exercised all possible care in the preparation and/or sale of the product. Allows any person harmed by a product who is a reasonably anticipated user or consumer of the product to bring an action in "product liability" against the manufacturer or seller of the product. Allows any person against whom a product liability action is brought to bring an action for indemnification or other appropriate relief against any third party whose misconduct has caused or contributed to the harm for which damages are sought. Limits the time for commencing a product liability action to two years from the date when the harm is first sustained, discovered, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have been discovered. Stipulates that a product shall be deemed in defective condition only if it is unreasonably dangerous for its intended use at the time the product left the control of the party against whom the action is being brought. Prohibits the awarding of punitive or exemplary damages unless the trier of fact finds that the accused acted out of malice or willfully or wantonly acted in flagrant disregard of public health and safety. Allows the primary forum for trying cases brought under this Act to remain in the State courts.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1977
Authorizes the President of the United States to designate the week beginning on the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week".
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Directs the Secretary of Defense to place a plaque and a permanent display of medals, ribbons, and tributes of the Vietnam era on the crypt at the National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia, reserved for an unknown American serviceman who lost his life in Southeast Asia. Directs the Secretary to perform the duties required by this Act even though the remains of such serviceman have not yet been placed in the crypt.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Prohibits use or supply of false documentation, false information, or birth or immigration documents of another, for purposes of obtaining a Federal document containing an element of identification. Forbids commerce in such information, documentation, or official documents for purposes of securing a State or local government document containing an element of identification. Proscribes specified acts relative to: (1) forgery, counterfeiting, or alteration of Federal, State, or local government documents containing an element of identification; (2) interstate or foreign commerce in any such counterfeited, forged, or altered document; and (3) receipt, possession, use, or furnishing of any such document with intent to secure false official identification.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt certain gambling activities conducted by tax exempt organizations from treatment as unrelated business activities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1977
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to make unlawful seniority systems and employee benefit plans which require the retirement of individuals 40 or over.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
Legislative Branch Disclosure Act - Requires each Member of Congress, officer, principal assistant to a Member or congressional officer, professional staff member of a congressional committee, and any individual who becomes a candidate in any election for the office of Member of Congress to file annual financial disclosure reports as long as such persons hold such positions. Stipulates that persons who are paid by the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall file such reports with the Clerk and those paid by the Secretary of the Senate shall file with the Secretary. Directs that such reports be retained for seven years and made available to the public. Requires copies of such reports to be filed with the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct or the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. Requires Members to file a copy of such report with the secretary of state of the State which such Member represents. Requires that such reports contain the following information: the source and amount of income; identify and source of specified gifts; amount and identity of reimbursements; identity and amount of each personal liability owed; details with respect to transactions in securities or commodities futures, property held in a trade or business, real property held, and holdings in specified trust accounts. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for failure to file or falsifying such reports.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make real estate and operating loans available to private domestic corporations and partnerships controlled by farmers and ranchers engaged primarily in farming or ranching who, individually or as to their principal stockholders and partners, are United States citizens. Excepts ability to obtain credit for guaranteed loans from the eligibility requirement that applicants for real estate or operating loans must be unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere to finance their actual needs at reasonable rates and terms. Increases the maximum allowable total principal indebtedness for real estate loans which may be outstanding by any one borrower to $200,000 or $300,000 in the case of a guaranteed loan. States that special consideration for: (1) water and waste facilities loans may be given rural areas having a population of more than 5,500; and (2) soil and water conservation, pollution control and private business enterprise loans may be given to rural areas having a population of more than 25,000. Revises the maximum interest rate on real estate loans other than guaranteed loans under such Act from five percent to a rate determined by the Secretary not to exceed the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States. Removes the $500,000 ceiling from the aggregate principal of loans made using the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Increases the amount of indebtedness which may be outstanding for operating loans under such Act for an individual from $50,000 to $100,000 or in the case of a guaranteed loan, $200,000. States that the interest rates on such loans which are guaranteed shall be the rate agreed upon by the borrower and lender. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase the guaranteed portion of any rural development loan using funds from the Rural Development Insurance Fund and the guaranteed portion of all other loans with funds from the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans and grants, and approve transfers and assumptions under such Act in connection with property securing a loan made, insured, or held by the Secretary notwithstanding the fact an area ceases to be eligible for assistance under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a procedure for appeal and review of determinations by a county committee that a loan applicant is not unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere to finance his actual needs at reasonable rates and terms. Provides for congressional authorization of program levels under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Department of Education Act - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education to be administered by a Secretary of Education. States that the principal function of such Department is to promote the cause and advance of education throughout the United States. Transfers to the Secretary specified functions of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare and the Commissioner of Education and various educational responsibilities of other Federal agencies and instrumentalities. Creates the Federal Interagency Committee on Education, the National Advisory Commission on Education, and the Office of the Inspector General within the Department of Education. Redesignates the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Secretary of such Department as the Department of Health and Welfare, and the Secretary of Health and Welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Authorizes the Clerk of the House of Representatives to withhold charitable contributions from the pay of House employees for transmittal to the Combined Federal Campaign, if the employee requests the Clerk to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1977
Contract Disputes Reform Act - Authorizes an executive agency to settle any claim arising out of any express or implied contract of such agency. Requires an agency contracting officer to settle disputes which cannot be resolved by mutual agreement. Permits any contractor to request an informal administrative conference with the appropriate agency to review the decision of the contracting officer. Declares the decision of the contracting officer to be final unless the contractor sues or appeals as provided in this Act. Permits each agency to establish an agency Board of Contract Appeals if the volume of procurement of such agency justifies a Board of at least three full-time members. Requires appeals to be made to such Board within 90 days of receipt of the contracting officer's decision. Provides for an appeal to the Board of another agency in the event that the party agency does not have its own Board. Requires the rules of each board to provide for a simplified procedure for small claims of $25,000 or less which can be invoked at the option of the contractor. Permits suits in any U.S. district court or the Court of Claims in lieu of an appeal by the contractor to an agency Board. Permits the agency or the contractor to appeal any decision of an agency Board to such Courts. States that in the event the agency appeals a Board decision, that decision shall not be overturned unless arbitrary, capricious, or so clearly erroneous as to imply bad faith. (Amends 28 U.S.C. 2401; 2517)
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax-exempt status to certain computer and fiscal management services which serve social service organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1977
Amends rule XXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the House from receiving or considering any bill or resolution unless its title accurately reflects its contents including the specific amount of each authorization or appropriation contained therein.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend coverage to include expenses incurred in providing a Papanicolaou test for the diagnosis of uterine cancer, if the individual receiving the test has not had such a test on a routine basis during the preceding six months.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Amends the United States Information Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to require the United States Information Agency (USIA) to release to the General Services Administration, and to require the administration to make copies and distribute for public viewing, the USIA film, Winter Count, that depicts the Sioux Indians' method of recording their history.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Amends rule III of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each employee of the House to file an annual statement disclosing the name of each Member who is a relative of such employee.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the consideration of any report from the Committee on Rules, relating to the consideration of any bill or resolution, which does not allow for the offering of germane amendments under the five-minute rule. Prohibits the consideration of specified resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules which do not allow for the offering of germane amendments under the five-minute rule.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1972 to require that the fixing or adjustment of any allowance payable out of the House contingency fund for Members, officers, and committees of the House of Representatives be submitted to the entire House for approval by resolution. Repeals certain appropriations made by the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1972 and the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Amends rule III of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the Clerk to make available for public inspection all records under the Clerk's control respecting expenditures incurred on or after January 5, 1977, by any Member or committee of the House.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1977
Customs Paperwork Simplification Act - Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to raise the resident tariff exemption on items imported for personal use or gifts to $500.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1977
Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide that any employer who successfully contests a citation or penalty under such Act shall be awarded a reasonable attorney's fee and other reasonable litigation costs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1977
Provides that recipients of veterans' pension and compensation will not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced, or entitlement thereto discontinued, because of increases in monthly social security benefits. Applies these amendments to annual income determinations made for calendar years after 1972. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 415(g), adds 38 U.S.C. 503(d))
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1977
Directs that orders of a State court or a court of the District of Columbia relative to the custody of children of divorced or separated parents be given full faith and credit by every other State and the District of Columbia until such issuing court no longer has under the law of the State in which it is located, or declines to exercise, jurisdiction over modifications of such orders.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1977
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense shall at the earliest opportunity inter an Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and make permanent display of representative medals, ribbons, and tributes of the Vietnam War in the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Natural Gas Act Amendments - Amends the Natural Gas Act to terminate Federal Power Commission authority to regulate sales of new natural gas in interstate commerce. Stipulates that prices for offshore sales of new natural gas shall not exceed the ceiling price for sales of new natural gas produced from onshore Federal lands. Stipulates that emergency sales of natural gas to curtailed customers who qualify as essential users shall not affect such exempt status. Authorizes the Commission to terminate such exemptions on or after April 15, 1978, if they are no longer deemed necessary to protect high priority consumers of natural gas. Directs the Federal Power Commission to conduct studies and make reports regarding the nature and availability of natural gas reserves. Requires that the Commission keep current information available relating to the estimated natural gas reserves for individual fields. Establishes procedures for the establishment of ceiling prices for new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands through December 31, 1982. Authorizes the Commission to grant exemptions to price ceilings within high-cost production areas. Establishes procedures for adjustments to price ceilings established pursuant to this Act. Directs the Commission to prohibit the curtailment of adequate supplies of natural gas for essential agricultural purposes. Directs the Commission to prohibit the use of natural gas as boiler fuel where adequate alternatives are available. Authorizes exemptions from such prohibition where necessary to comply with pollution control or environmental protection and safety standards.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize appropriations for the United States International Trade Commission for fiscal year 1978, and for each fiscal year there after. Limits the number of personal staff members of each commissioner and the Chairperson of the Commission. Revises the qualifications for such commissioners. Revises the procedures for the appointment and extends the terms of office of the Chairperson and vice-chair person. three years. Prohibits a commissioner from engaging in any outside business, vocation, or employment. Permits the Commission to function notwithstanding vacancies. Authorizes the chair to take certain administrative actions. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, and the United States International Trade Commission to establish the comparability of statistics on imports with programs for international harmonization of trade statistics as well as domestic production statistics programs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Bill of Rights Procedures Act - Title I: Confidentiality of Financial, Toll, and Credit Records - Prohibits any United States entity or representative from obtaining copies of, or access to, information contained in the financial records, toll records, or credit records of any customer of a financial institution, communication common carrier, credit card issuer, or consumer reporting agency. Lifts such prohibition if: (1) the records are described with sufficient particularity and the customer has authorized disclosure; (2) the disclosure is obtained in response to an administrative subpoena, search warrant, or judicial subpoena, or (3) disclosure is in compliance with specified provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Sets forth procedures for obtaining customer authorization, administrative subpoenas and summons, search warrants, and judicial subpoenas. Requires financial institutions, communication common carriers, credit card issuers, and consumer reporting agencies to keep records of all examinations of customer records, including the identity of the person examining such records, the governmental agency or department such person represents, and a copy of the authorization. Directs that copies of, or the information contained in, financial, toll, or credit records obtained pursuant to this Act not be used for other than the specific statutory purpose for which the information was originally obtained and that such information or records not be provided to any other Government department or agency or other person except where the transfer of such information is specifically authorized by statute. Stipulates that any action under this title may be brought in any appropriate U.S. district court without regard to the amount in controversy, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, within three years from the date on which the violation occurs or the date of discovery of such violation, whichever is later. Makes any person or entity who knowingly obtains or discloses information in violation of this title, liable to the customer to whom the disclosed information relates for actual damages, such punitive damages as the court may allow if the violation was willful, and the costs of litigation. Makes injunctive relief available to any person aggrieved by a violation or threatened violation of this Act. Title II: Mail Covers - Defines "mail cover" as the procedures by which a systematic record or inspection is made of any data appearing on the outside cover of any mail matter. Prohibits the initiation of any mail cover without the written authorization of specified postal officials and good cause to believe, on the basis of an affidavit setting forth the specific reasons for the proposed mail cover, that such procedure is necessary to the investigation of the commission or the attempted commission of a felony or is necessary to aid in locating a fugitive. Permits a mail cover to be conducted for 30 days, with extensions to be granted as specified. Requires any mail cover conducted for more than one year to be judicially authorized. Allows the chief postal inspector or a regional chief postal inspector to issue an emergency authorization for a mail cover on the basis of an oral request from specified law enforcement officials, if such request is supported by an affidavit within 45 days and on condition that no data from such mail cover be made available to the requesting official until authorization according to regular procedures has been granted. Stipulates that the subjects of mail covers shall be given notice of such cover within 90 days of its termination, unless notice is judicially waived due to possible jeopardizing of continuing investigations. Requires that the chief postal inspector submit to Congress an annual report including the number of requests for mail covers, the identity of the law enforcement agencies making such requests, and a list of the offenses for which mail cover requests were received. Specifies civil remedies for violation of this title. Title III: Amendments to Chapter 119, Title 18, United States Code - Sets forth procedures and restrictions governing the interception of wire or oral communications for purposes of supervisory observation or service by communication common carriers and others. Requires each communication common carrier to submit an annual report to the Federal Communications Commission detailing the interceptions made by it for the protection of its service against theft of service, the nature and frequency of communications intercepted, the number of persons whose communications were intercepted, the length of such interceptions, and the number of hours of recording of intercepted communications. Prohibits the manufacture, distribution, possession, and advertising of devices for theft of communication common carrier services. Stipulates that any such device may be seized and forfeited to the United States. Title IV: Penalties - Subjects officers, agents, or employees of the United States who violate any provision of title I or title II of this Act to a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Title V: Congressional Subpoenas - Stipulates that nothing in this Act shall apply to Congressional subpoenas.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Federal Nonsmokers Protection Act - Prohibits smoking in specified areas of Federal facilities and in interstate passenger carrier facilities. Requires the effective separation of smokers from non-smokers in certain areas of such facilities. Requires that nonsmoking employees in Federal facilities be given the opportunity to be assigned to physically distinct offices or workplaces from those who smoke, whenever possible. Makes the executive head or chief administrative officer of each instrumentality responsible for the enforcement of these prohibitions in any Federal facility in which such instrumentality maintains offices. Requires such officers to submit an annual report on the enforcement of these prohibitions to the Administrator of General Services. Establishes civil penalties for individuals who smoke in any area of an interstate passenger carrier facility where smoking is prohibited under this Act. Requires that "No Smoking" signs be posted in specified areas.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to include tobacco products within the definition of food as contained in such Act thereby subjecting such products to the same regulation as food under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act - Makes it unlawful, under the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, for any person to manufacture, import, or package for sale or distribution within the United States any cigarettes the package of which (1) fails to bear the required health warning statement; and (2) fails to bear a statement of the tar and nicotine content of each cigarette in such package, as determined by the Federal Trade Commission. States that it shall be unlawful for any person to disseminate or cause to be disseminated any cigarette advertisement which fails to contain the required statements and which is either disseminated by United States mails or in commerce or which is likely to induce, directly or indirectly, the purchase in, or have an effect upon, commerce of cigarettes. Requires cigarettes for export to contain the required statements in the language of the country to which such package is exported.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Civil Rights Amendments - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of marital status in: (1) public accommodations; (2) public facilities; (3) public education; and (4) federally assisted opportunities. Prohibits such discrimination in housing. Amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to prohibit such discrimination in federally assisted education.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to require that the pay recommendations of the President with respect to salary increases for Members of Congress be approved by legislation by both Houses of Congress. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to abolish automatic cost-of-living adjustments for Members of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to credit against the income tax specified higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, books and supplies, incurred by the taxpayer for himself or any dependent. Limits the credit to those expenses incurred for each individual which do not exceed $100 during taxable year 1978, $200 during 1979, and $300 during 1980. Limits the credit to expenses incurred by full-time students at institutions of vocational and higher education, minus scholarships and veterans benefits. Limits the total credit allowed the taxpayer to his income tax liability minus the sum of all other credits applied thereto. Disallows any deduction of educational expenses used to determine the amount of the credit allowed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Right to Private Records Act - Prohibits any financial institution from disclosing to any State or to any subdivision of any State any financial record of a customer unless such customer has so authorized or a valid search warrant, subpena or summons has been obtained according to the terms of this Act. States that no officer, employee or agent of any financial institution, communication common carrier, creditor or credit reporting agency holding any financial, toll, or credit record who is required by law to notify any law enforcement official or any political subdivision of any State of any criminal law violation which such person believes is being committed shall disclose any information except in accordance with this Act. Makes provisions for general or limited authorization of disclosure of any financial, toll, or credit record by means of a written statement containing specified information. Permits revocation of such authorization by written notification at any time, and otherwise limits to one year, any authorization to disclose. Prohibits any financial institution, communication common carrier, creditor, credit reporting agency or other person from requiring any person to make such authorization as a condition for doing business. Prescribes standards for the issuance of search warrants and judicial subpenas. Provides that a court may grant a subpena with a temporary delay of notification for a period of not greater than 90 days following the date of issuance if it finds, on the basis of an affidavit or sworn testimony, that it has been affirmatively demonstrated that such notification would jeopardize a continuing investigation of any crimes enumerated in this Act. Allows courts to enter ex parte orders granting an additional delay of such notification period not to exceed 180 days. Requires judges who grant or deny such delays to report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts the particulars of such request. States that the Director of such office shall transmit to the Congress an annual report concerning the number of applications for extension of delay and the number of extensions granted or denied during the preceding calendar year. Grants standing to move to quash a subpena to any person to whom the financial, toll, or credit record ordered to be disclosed relates. Sets civil remedies available to persons injured by violations of this Act, including actual and punitive damages, attorney's fees and injunctive relief. Sets criminal penalties imposed on persons violating this Act. Prohibits any officer, employee, or agent of any person or government agency from intercepting, in the course of carrying out the business operations of such person or agency, oral or wire communications by or to any other officer, employee, or agent of such person or agency unless: (1) written notice is given; (2) such interceptions are for the purpose of training; (3) such interceptions occur only during the period specified in the notice required by this Act; (4) there is no recording of such communication; and (5) such person whose communication is intercepted has given written consent.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Repeals all the price support and marketing provisions relating to tobacco of the Agricultural Act of 1949, the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, and related laws. Prohibits the Commodity Credit Corporation, under its Charter Act, from exercising any of its specified powers with respect to tobacco.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Amends rules XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that each committee report accompanying a public bill or joint resolution contain an evaluation of the paperwork which would be incurred in carrying out such bill or resolution including estimates of time and cost required of affected parties, a showing of whether the effect of the bill could be substantial, and an estimate of recordkeeping requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to permit the duty-free importation of crude petroleum and crude shale oil from Canada, when an equivalent amount of the same kind and quality of domestic or duty-paid foreign crude petroleum and crude shale oil has been exported to Canada within 30 days prior to entry.
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 · 30 March 1977
Food Additives Amendment - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow the use of a food additive found to induce cancer in animals if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare determines that such food additive does not present a significant risk to human health. Directs the secretary to consider certain factors in making such a determination.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $50,000 to $100,000 the amount of group term life insurance which employers may purchase for employees without including it within the latter's taxable income.
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
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to base specified disaster payments for wheat and feed grains on the actual acreage planted, in lieu of the farm acreage allotment base.
![Official portrait of Rep. Frenzel, Bill [R-MN-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000380_200.jpg)