United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1977
Excludes from the Federal law limiting and restricting the corporate powers of national banking associations to deal in and underwrite investment securities specified dealing in and underwriting of all other nongeneral obligations issued or guaranteed by or on behalf of a State or any political subdivision thereof or agency of a State or any political subdivision thereof (except special assessment obligations and industrial revenue bonds) which are at the time eligible for purchase by a national bank for its own account, subject to specified limitations. Requires the Secretary of Treasury to submit an annual report to the Congress showing the extent to which the business of underwriting and dealing in State and local obligations is being carried on by commercial banks as compared with other banking institutions with a view to determining the effect of the amendment made by the first section of this Act on the institutional distribution of such business.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1977
Establishes the Commission on the Adequacy of the Annual Federal Payment to the District of Columbia to conduct a one year study of the adequacy of the annual Federal payment to the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include within the services to be provided under such Act medically required outpatient rehabilitation services. Defines the terms "outpatient rehabilitation facility," and "outpatient rehabilitation services" for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Consumer Representation and Reorganization Act - Establishes as an independent agency within the executive branch an Office of Consumer Representation to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President by and with the consent of the Senate. Requires the Administrator to transmit to the Congress and the President by February 1 of each year a report on the activities and accomplishments of the Office during the preceding calendar year including a summary of consumer complaints received and actions taken thereon. States the functions of the Office, including to: (1) represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts to the extent authorized by this Act; (2) encourage and support research, studies, and testing leading to a better understanding of consumer products and improved products, services and consumer information; (3) submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; (4) cooperate with State and local governments and private enterprise in the promotion and protection of the interests of consumers; and (5) publish and distribute material to inform consumers and Congress of matters of interest to the consumer. Authorizes the Administrator, whenever the result of any Federal agency proceeding or activity may substantially affect an interest of consumers, to intervene as a party or otherwise participate in representing the interests of consumers. Directs the Agency to receive, evaluate, develop, act on, and transmit complaints to the appropriate Federal or non-Federal entities concerning actions or practices which may be detrimental to the interests of consumers. Requires the Agency to maintain a public document room containing an up-to-date listing of all signed consumer complaints of any significance arranged in meaningful and useful categories together with annotations of Agency actions. Requires the Office to gather and disseminate to the public information concerning: (1) the functions and duties of the Office; (2) consumer products and services; (3) problems encountered by consumers; and (4) notices of Federal hearings, proposed and final rules, and other pertinent activities of Federal agencies. Directs the Office to encourage and support, through both public and private entities, the development and application of information on consumer products and services. Authorizes Federal agencies to perform, at the request of the Administrator, tests regarding products, services, or any matter affecting the interests of consumers. Authorizes each Federal agency, upon the written request of the Administrator, to furnish or allow access to all documents, papers, and records in its possession which the Administrator deems necessary for the performance of his functions. Requires every Federal agency, in considering any action which may substantially affect the interest of consumers, to notify the Agency of such action. Transfers to the Office of Consumer Representation the functions, funds, records, and property of other Federal offices the duties of which now fall within what this Act designates as the jurisdiction of the Office of Consumer Representation. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to Congress functions performed by Federal programs which overlap, duplicate, or conflict with the functions performed by the office. Terminates the Office of Consumer Representation five years after the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Consumer Representation and Reorganization Act - Establishes as an independent agency within the executive branch an Office of Consumer Representation to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President by and with the consent of the Senate. Requires the Administrator to transmit to the Congress and the President by February 1 of each year a report on the activities and accomplishments of the Office during the preceding calendar year including a summary of consumer complaints received and actions taken thereon. States the functions of the Office, including to: (1) represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts to the extent authorized by this Act; (2) encourage and support research, studies, and testing leading to a better understanding of consumer products and improved products, services and consumer information; (3) submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; (4) cooperate with State and local governments and private enterprise in the promotion and protection of the interests of consumers; and (5) publish and distribute material to inform consumers and Congress of matters of interest to the consumer. Authorizes the Administrator, whenever the result of any Federal agency proceeding or activity may substantially affect an interest of consumers, to intervene as a party or otherwise participate in representing the interests of consumers. Directs the Agency to receive, evaluate, develop, act on, and transmit complaints to the appropriate Federal or non-Federal entities concerning actions or practices which may be detrimental to the interests of consumers. Requires the Agency to maintain a public document room containing an up-to-date listing of all signed consumer complaints of any significance arranged in meaningful and useful categories together with annotations of Agency actions. Requires the Office to gather and disseminate to the public information concerning: (1) the functions and duties of the Office; (2) consumer products and services; (3) problems encountered by consumers; and (4) notices of Federal hearings, proposed and final rules, and other pertinent activities of Federal agencies. Directs the Office to encourage and support, through both public and private entities, the development and application of information on consumer products and services. Authorizes Federal agencies to perform, at the request of the Administrator, tests regarding products, services, or any matter affecting the interests of consumers. Authorizes each Federal agency, upon the written request of the Administrator, to furnish or allow access to all documents, papers, and records in its possession which the Administrator deems necessary for the performance of his functions. Requires every Federal agency, in considering any action which may substantially affect the interest of consumers, to notify the Agency of such action. Transfers to the Office of Consumer Representation the functions, funds, records, and property of other Federal offices the duties of which now fall within what this Act designates as the jurisdiction of the Office of Consumer Representation. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to Congress functions performed by Federal programs which overlap, duplicate, or conflict with the functions performed by the office. Terminates the Office of Consumer Representation five years after the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1977
Establishes the Yorktown Bicentennial Commission to plan and coordinate the commemoration of the bicentennial of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. Requires such Commission to submit annual reports to the Congress. Stipulates that such Commission's existence shall terminate no later than December 31, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1977
Provides that certain employees of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service who are not entitled to Indian preferences shall be entitled to an annuity after completing 25 years of service (or after attaining 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service) if they are separated from the service before 1990, or any later date before 1991 if the later date is necessary for continued effective operations of the Department involved. Provides that employees entitled to Indian preference and military preference shall be retained in preference to employees entitled to only military preference during reductions in force within the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Prohibits the appointment of unqualified Indians to any positions under the Indian preference laws. Forbids the application of Indian preference laws to any personnel action respecting an individual if the tribal organization served by the unit in which position exists grants a waiver of those laws. Provides that reassignments of individuals within the Bureau of Indian Affairs shall not be subject to the Indian preference laws where the Commissioner of Indian Affairs determines that the reassignment is necessary to: (1) assure the health or safety of an individual or his family; (2) prevent the deterioration of an individual's operation or of a necessary service to the Indian people; or (3) avoid the displacement of an Indian during a reduction in force. Directs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to recruit Indians for service within the Bureau, to establish training and career development programs for Indian employees of the Bureau and to provide procedures for coordinating Indian preference programs in a uniform manner throughout the Bureau.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1977
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the limit on the number of alien children which may be adopted. Repeals the provisions of the Act which require alien children adopted by United States citizens to reside in the United States for two years in the legal custody of such citizen before being eligible for United States citizenship by naturalization.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1977
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include rescue squad members in the group of persons eligible for public safety officer's death benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1977
Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Families in 1979. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish an advisory committee to such Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) remove the adjusted gross income limitation on the credit for the elderly; (2) increase the amount of the credit; and (3) provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment for the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1977
Allows any Federal employee or Member of Congress to count as creditable service for retirement purposes any time such person may have spent after his or her eighteenth birthday interned in a camp or facility established during World War II for the purpose of detaining persons of Japanese ancestry.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1977
Bikeway Transportation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for 80 percent of the cost to States and municipalities of bikeway construction projects in urban areas or in places connecting such areas with national, State, or local parks, seashores or recreational areas. Requires such bikeway projects to be in accordance with a continuing comprehensive transportation planning process carried on cooperatively by States and local communities and in accordance with construction standards established by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1977
Drought Relief and Water Conservation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish a loan program to provide financial assistance to drought-impacted water districts and to provide Federal assistance to water districts for acquisition and installation of residential and agricultural water conservation devices and equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1977
Directs the Postal Service to submit to Congress any proposed change in the level or types of postal service which has nationwide impact rather than to the Postal Rate Commission. Requires any statement of proposed change so submitted to include an estimate of the impact of such change upon the public, business mail users, service levels, postal finances, and postal employment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1977
Relieves a certain individual of liability to the United States for penalties assessed and judgments rendered against him under the Internal Revenue Code; and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to repay such individual amounts already collected from him.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1977
Motor Carrier Act - Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to direct the Interstate Commerce Commission in the performance of its duties with respect to motor carriers to consider maximum reliance on competitive market forces, the encouragement of new motor carriers, and participation by women and minorities in the motor carrier industry as being in the public convenience and necessity. Sets forth standards which the Commission must apply in determining whether to issue certificates of public convenience and necessity. Stipulates that a party applying for a certificate shall have the burden of showing that it meets the necessary requirements, that a party opposing the issuance shall have the burden of proving that the proposed service is not consistent with the public convenience and necessity, and that a finding that the proposed service is not consistent with the public convenience and necessity must be supported by a preponderance of the evidence. Stipulates that such standards and requirements regarding proof shall be applicable in the case of applications for permits for contract carriers by motor vehicles. Sets forth procedural time limits during which the Commission must dispose of applications pertaining to common or contract motor carriage. Directs the Commission to review and remove from existing commodity classifications those common and contract carrier operating right restrictions which limit the specific types of commodities that may be carried and the routing necessary to serve authorized points. Stipulates that the Commission may approve a certificate or permit transfer only if it is demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that such a transaction will not substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly. Prohibits the Commission from approving any transaction between two or more motor contract carriers if such transaction would cancel or revoke substantial portions of duplicative operating certificates. Prohibits the Commission from approving a consolidation or merger agreement between two or more carriers subject to the Interstate Commerce Act unless it is demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that such a transaction would not substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly. Revises the definition of "interstate commerce" with respect to motor carriers to exclude the transportation of property if such service has been interrupted after it has arrived in one State from another State and such property is to be transported within that State or to any point not more than 50 miles from the place of arrival. Directs the Secretary of Transportation in consultation with the States to develop recommendations to provide a more efficient and equitable system of State regulations for interstate motor carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1977
Child Health Assurance Act - Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require early, periodic screening of physical and mental defects in children under the age of 21 who are members of families eligible for Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Establishes a Child Health Assurance Program under Medicaid. Requires State Medicaid plans to include child health assessments and primary care to specified individuals under the age of 21. Directs that child health care assessments be provided only by a health care provider who enters into an agreement with the State agency responsible for the administration of the Medicaid plan to: (1) provide to specified individuals periodic health assessments; (2) provide a minimum range of diagnostic and treatment services; (3) arrange for referrals where necessary; (4) be readily accessible on an ongoing basis; (5) provide for timely followup services; (6) make required reports to the State or Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Allows an individual who has received a health assessment to remain eligible for all care and services provided under the State plan for six months after such individual's family has become ineligible for Medicaid or Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Sets forth requirements which a State Medicaid program must meet in administering a Child Health Assurance Program. Provides for reimbursement for payments made by the States in providing services under the program. Allows the Secretary to reduce, by 20 percent, a State's Medicaid funds if the State does not comply with the standards promulgated for the Child Health Assurance Program. Allows the Secretary to make additional payments to States that have met specified criteria for good performance of the State's Child Health Assurance Program. Repeals the previous provision of the Social Security Act relating to appropriations for Child Health Care Assurance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1977
Sludge Management Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to study the environmental, health, and economic effects of subsurface landfilling sludge on soils and ground water, and alternate methods of sludge disposal. Directs the Administrator to develop guidelines for sludge disposal and land-spreading in order to protect the public health and welfare. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States and localities of up to 40 percent of the cost of removal of sludge from navigable waters of the United States or any adjacent shoreline. Directs the Administrator to establish an Environmental Protection Agency Task Force on sludge removal. Authorizes the establishment of programs of training, demonstration, and surveys relating to the restoration of water quality where degraded by sludge. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit grants for treatment works, after September 30, 1976, unless the applicant demonstrates that adequate confined disposal methods will be provided.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Permits civil service pension payments made to an employee, Member of Congress, or annuitant to be made to another person if and to the extent expressly provided for in any court decree of divorce, annulment, or legal separation or court ordered property settlement incident to such decree.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Public Participation in Federal Agency Proceedings Act - Authorizes each Federal agency to award reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of participation in all agency proceedings in which public participation is permitted or required. Permits such awards if the person participating in the agency proceeding represents a broad substantial public interest the representation of which contributes or can reasonably be expected to contribute substantially to a fair determination of the proceeding, and if the participant's economic interest in the outcome is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the proceeding or the participant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the agency that he or she does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the proceeding absent an award under this Act. Requires the agency to make a determination of eligibility under this Act prior to timely participation in the proceeding if all possible. Permits judicial review of a decision denying any participant of payment under this Act. Requires payment of an award under this Act within 90 days after the date of final decision. Allows such agency to make advance payments to permit the persons to participate or to continue to participate in the proceedings. Makes such recipient liable for repayment of such advance or ineligible for any amount he or she was originally entitled to if the agency determines that the person clearly has not provided the representation for which the payment were made or that the person has acted in an obdurate, dilatory, mendacious, or oppressive manner toward any other participant. Permits persons seeking judicial review of a Federal agency's action which relates directly to health, safety, civil rights, the environment, or the economic well-being of consumers to recover attorneys' fees and other reasonable costs of litigation from the United States if: (1) the plaintiff is afforded the relief sought in substantial measure; (2) the court determines that such action served an important public purpose; and (3) the economic interest of the person is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the action, or such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the action absent an award under this section. Requires the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit to Congress an annual report on awards of attorneys' fees and litigation expenses against the United States. Authorizes to be appropriated (1) for awards to participants in agency proceedings under this Act, $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981; and (2) for awards to persons seeking judicial review of agency actions under this Act, such sums as may be necessary to make such awards for actions brought prior to the end of fiscal year 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize any taxpayer to elect to have any portion of any overpayment of tax or any contribution in money which the taxpayer forwards with the return for such taxable year be available, as the taxpayer may designate on such return, for the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny any credit to any taxpayer for any amount of any oil and gas extraction taxes paid or accrued to any foreign country.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Establishes within the House of Representatives the Commission on South Korean Influence to conduct an investigation into alleged South Korean influence-buying in Congress. Vests exclusive jurisdiction to investigate such alleged South Korean influence buying in the Commission. Directs the House Committee on standards of Official Conduct to cease its investigation into such matter.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1977
Pipeline Divestiture Act - Title I: Industry Competition - Prohibits, five years after of enactment of this Act, petroleum transporters from controlling any interest in petroleum production, refining, transportation, or marketing assets. Prohibits any person from transporting any energy resource or refined product in which he has any interest by means of any transportation asset in which he has any interest. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to exempt corporations formed or reorganized as a result of compliance with this Act from provisions of the antitrust laws with respect to interlocking directorates for a period not to exceed one year. Requires producers subject to the provisions of this act to submit plans to the Commission for the divestiture of prohibited assets within 18 months after the enactment of this Act. Imposes civil penalties of up to $100,000 for an individual and up to $1,000,000 for a corporation for violations of the provisions of this Act. Imposes a civil penalty of up to $100,000 for violations of lawful orders issued by the Commission pursuant to this Act. Stipulates that each day of a continuing violation shall be deemed a separate offense. Title II: Temporary Petroleum Industry Divestiture Court - Creates a Temporary Petroleum Industry Divestiture Court composed of Federal judges appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States. Stipulates that such court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all cases relating to the provisions of this Act. Stipulates that review of the decisions of the court may be obtained only by petition to the Supreme Court of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1977
Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act - Requires organizations which expend more than $2,500 per quarter year or which employ at least one individual who spends all or part of each 13 days or more per quarter year for lobbying purposes to register with the Comptroller General and to update such registration annually. Requires the identification of any such person retained for such lobbying purposes. Requires such organization to file quarterly reports concerning such lobbying activities including: (1) listing of total lobbying expenditures including each expenditure over $35 made to or for the benefit of any Federal officer, congressional employee, or Member of Congress; (2) known business contacts with the person whom such organization is attempting to influence; and (3) the issues concerning which such organization has lobbied. Requires the Comptroller General to make copies of each registration and report required by this Act available for public inspection and copying. Requires the Comptroller General to render written advisory opinions upon request of any individual or organization with respect to the requirements of this Act. States that anyone who acts in good faith reliance upon such advisory opinion shall be presumed to be in compliance with this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to enforce this Act using informal methods of conference or conciliation or, if necessary, referring apparent violations to the Attorney General. Sets forth civil and criminal sanctions for violations of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1977
Requires all legislation in the House of Representatives which establishes any civil service or executive branch position with a rate of pay equal to or greater than that for level V of the Executive Schedule to be referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. Limits the maximum number of such positions in existence on the date this Act is enacted. Requires the President to transmit to Congress by January 1, 1979, a plan for authorizing executive level positions in the executive branch including the maximum number of such positions. Terminates any authority within the Executive branch to employ any executive level position which is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act effective July 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
Requires the withholding of city or county income taxes from the pay of Federal employees who are residents of or are employed in the city or county imposing such taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1977
Requires all legislation in the House of Representatives which establishes any civil service or executive branch position with a rate of pay equal to or greater than that for level V of the Executive Schedule to be referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. Limits the maximum number of such positions in existence on the date this Act is enacted. Requires the President to transmit to Congress by January 1, 1979, a plan for authorizing executive level positions in the executive branch including the maximum number of such positions. Terminates any authority within the Executive branch to employ any executive level position which is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act effective July 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1977
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include rescue squad members in the group of persons eligible for public safety officer's death benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Limousine Limitation Act - Prohibits Government use of any limousine, use of any Government motor vehicle to transport any official between his place of employment and his dwelling place, and Government employment of any chauffeur. Excepts from this Act limousines for the President, Ambassadors, and specified other persons whose personal safety depends upon the use of such limousines.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
States that until December 31, 1977, the basis administrative workweek of each Federal firefighter shall be an average of 54 hours per week computed on the basis of a period of three consecutive biweekly periods. States that after such date such workweek shall be the lesser of 54 hours or one-quarter of the number of hours determined by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1974 for tours of duty of 28 consecutive days. States that in lieu of premium pay provided for by present law, such firefighters shall be entitled to 25 percent of so much of their annual rate of basic pay as does not exceed the minimum rate of basic pay for GS-10.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Authorizes the Attorney General to change the status of any alien refugee from Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia paroled into the United States after March 31, 1975, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, who has been physically present in the United States for at least two years and is not yet a permanent resident alien to that of permanent resident alien if such refugee qualifies as an admissible immigrant under such Act. Disqualifies from the provisions of this Act those persons who ordered, assisted, or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person because of race, religion, or political opinion. Admits individuals under this Act without regard to immigration quotas.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Federal Energy Leasing Limitations Act - Revises Federal mineral leasing laws to prohibit companies from acquiring control over more than one of the following energy assets; coal, uranium or other fissionable minerals, or oil or natural gas. Stipulates that such prohibition shall take effect after December 31, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Petroleum Industry Pipeline Divestiture Act - Amends the Clayton Act to make it unlawful, after December 31, 1980, for any person who owns or controls a pipeline to transport by such pipeline any petroleum, petroleum product, or natural gas which it owns or controls, or has owned, controlled, produced, or refined. Requires each person who transports by such pipeline any petroleum, product of petroleum refining, or natural gas, not later than December 31, 1979, to submit to the Attorney General plans for compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for 25 percent of the amount of rent paid by the taxpayer which is equal to the taxpayer's proportionate share of the local and State property taxes imposed on the land and building in which his dwelling unit is located.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1977
Federal Employee Administrative Hearing Rights Guarantee Act - Guarantees to those employees in the executive branch of the Federal Government, and to employees of the government of the District of Columbia, who have completed the probationary or trial period and whose positions are not of a confidential or policy determining character a prompt evidentiary hearing before an impartial individual before removal or suspension without pay. Stipulates that the employee must be given 30 days advance written notice of the action sought except when the individual is involved in a criminal action. Requires the employee to be furnished, at the time the 30 day notice is provided, with copies of all evidence relevant to the proposed action. Requires a hearing before an administrative law judge, at which the employee may be represented by counsel, present evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. Directs that the employee be furnished a copy of the verbatim transcript of the hearings and a written decision by the administrative law judge.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1977
Amends the Department of Defense Appropriation Act, 1977, to repeal the prohibition of expenditure of funds for claims for nonemergency inpatient hospital care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) when such care was available at a facility of the uniformed services within a 40-mile radius of the patient's residence.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Social Security Rights Act - Requires that procedures be established for the expedited replacement of undelivered benefit checks under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Requires that decisions (and reconsiderations) on initial benefit claims be made within 90 days. Requires that payment of benefits on approved claims begin no later than the day regularly fixed for delivery of benefit checks in the second month following the month in which the claim was approved.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Requires the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to install telecommunication devices to enable deaf persons and persons with speech impairments to engage in toll-free communications with Members of Congress. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for 25 percent of the amount of rent paid by the taxpayer which is equal to the taxpayer's proportionate share of the local and State property taxes imposed on the land and building in which his dwelling unit is located.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
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 (2) the customer has authorized disclosure, the disclosure is obtained in response to an administrative subpoena, search warrant, or judicial subpoena, or disclosure is in compliance with specified provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Restricts the use of mail covers and the interception of wire and oral communications for purposes of supervisory observing by communication common carriers and others.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Amends the Social Security Act to assure that recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (Title IV); Supplemental Security Income (Title XVI); specified programs of assistance to the aged, blind, and disabled (Titles I, X, and XIV); veterans' pensions and compensation; assistance under the Food Stamp Act of 1964 or the United States Housing Act of 1937; and benefits under any Federal retirement or disability program shall not have the amount of such assistance or benefits reduced because of cost-of-living increases in monthly social security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1977
Redesignates the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Superior National Forest, Minnesota, as the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area. Specifies restrictions relating to timber harvesting, mining, and use of recreational vehicles within such area. Increases to one and one-quarter percent of the fair appraised value the amount payable to the State of Minnesota with respect to lands within the Superior National Forest.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 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 · 10 May 1977
States that the right of a citizen of the United States, who otherwise is qualified, to vote in any election for Federal office shall not be denied or abridged because he has committed a criminal offense unless such citizen is imprisoned in a correctional institution or facility at the time of such election.
![Official portrait of Rep. Harris, Herbert E., II [D-VA-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000241_200.jpg)