United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends the Clean Air Act to postpone for one year the application of certain restrictions to areas which have failed to attain national ambient air quality standards and to delay for one year the date required for adoption and submission of State implementation plans applicable to these areas.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from terminating the tax-exempt status of an educational institution for reasons of racial discrimination unless such organization has been adjudicated as racially discriminatory by a State or Federal court.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from taking any action under the Wholesome Meat Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or any other law to prohibit the sale, distribution, or use of nitrites as a food preservative solely on the basis of any carcinogenic effect in humans that nitrites may be represented to have, unless validated evidence is made available to the Secretaries which proves beyond a reasonable doubt that nitrites as a food preservative have a significant carcinogenic effect on humans. States that such prohibition shall not apply if the Secretaries determine, and publish in the Federal Register, that a food preservative is commercially available: (1) which may be used in the place of nitrites; (2) which is effective in the protection of public health from botulism and other forms of food poisoning; and (3) the use of which is economically feasible for meat processors and the consumer. Requires the Secretaries to conduct or support, by grant or contract, research and development activities for a food preservative alternative to nitrites.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from taking any action under the Wholesome Meat Act or any other law to prohibit the sale, distribution, or use of nitrites as a food preservative solely on the basis of any carcinogenic effect in humans that nitrites may be represented to have, unless validated evidence is made available to the Secretary which proves beyond a reasonable doubt that nitrites as a food preservative have a significant carcinogenic effect on humans. States that such prohibition shall not apply if the Secretary determines, and publishes in the Federal Register, that a food preservative is commercially available: (1) which may be used in the place of nitrites; (2) which is effective in the protection of public health from botulism and other forms of food poisoning; and (3) the use of which is economically feasible for meat processors and the consumer. Requires the Secretary to conduct or support, by grant or contract research and development activities for a food preservative alternative to nitrites.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1976 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 · 15 January 1979
Elementary and Secondary Education Tuition Tax Credit Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers an income tax credit for 25 percent of the tuition paid for the elementary or secondary education of the taxpayer or any of his dependents. Allows a maximum $100 credit in 1979 and a maximum $200 credit in 1980, after which the credit expires. Treats tuition payments as paid for calendar years 1979 and 1980 if such payments are made during the particular calendar year or within one month of the beginning or close of such calendar year for education furnished during that year. Defines full-time and qualified half-time student. Excludes from the definition of "expenses of elementary and secondary education" any amounts paid for books, supplies, meals, lodging, transportation, and education below the first-grade level, or for attendance at a kindergarten or nursery. Forbids any construction of this Act as granting the Government additional authority to examine the books or activities of any church school except to the extent necessary to determine whether such school is an eligible educational institution. Requires the disregard of any amount received by the taxpayer as a tuition tax credit for purposes of determining the eligibility of the taxpayer for Federal or State educational assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Higher Education Tuition Tax Credit Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers an income tax credit for 25 percent of the tuition paid for the college or post-secondary vocational education of the taxpayer, his spouse, or any of his dependents. Allows a maximum credit of $250 in 1979 and $500 in 1980, after which the credit expires. Treats tuition payments as paid for calendar years 1979 and 1980 if such payments are made during the particular calendar year or within one month of the beginning or close of such calendar year for education furnished during that year. Excludes graduate students from eligibility for the credit. Requires full-time or qualified half-time attendance at an eligible educational institution (college or post-secondary vocational school). Excludes from the definition of "tuition" any amounts paid for books, supplies, and equipment for courses of instruction, or meals, lodging, transportation, and other living expenses. Forbids any construction of this Act as granting the Government additional authority to examine the books or activities of any church school except to the extent necessary to determine whether such school is an eligible educational institution. Requires the disregard of any amount received by the taxpayer as a tuition tax credit for purposes of determining the eligibility of the taxpayer for Federal or State educational assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total appropriations shall not exceed estimated revenues. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war or national emergency. Prohibits any increase in the national debt as it exists on the date this article is ratified. Sets forth a schedule for repayment of the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits total Federal expenditures from exceeding total receipts. Authorizes suspension of such prohibition for a congressional term in time of war or national emergency upon the concurrence of three-fourths of the Members of both Houses of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1978
National Agricultural Bargaining Act - Repeals the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967 and establishes an agricultural bargaining policy substantially identical but expanded. Enumerates the unfair practices a handler of agricultural products is forbidden to commit under existing law, and adds a list of unfair practices an association of producers may not commit, including: (1) refusal to bargain in good faith with a handler over prices, terms of sale, and compensation for products produced under contract; (2) coercing or intimidating a handler to breach or terminate marketing contracts and association membership agreements; (3) circulating false reports about an association's or handler's finances, management, or activities; and (4) conspiracy to commit an unfair practice. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to accredit an association for bargaining with respect to the specified agricultural products of its members with handlers designated individually or by production or marketing area or by some other appropriate classification. Defines good faith bargaining for the purposes of this Act and specifies the conditions and procedure for the accreditation of producer associations. Requires each accredited association to submit an annual report to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to notify any association of the ways in which he believes it has ceased to maintain accreditation standards, and to allow it a reasonable time to answer or correct the deficiencies noted. Provides a procedure for revocation of accreditation. Provides for the assignment of association dues and fees. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide mediation services when bargaining between a handler and an association reaches an impasse; and (2) establish a procedure for compulsory and binding arbitration whenever such an impasse will result in a serious interruption in the flow of products to consumers, or will cause substantial economic hardship to the producers or handlers involved in the bargaining. Provides an administrative procedure for processing charges of unfair practices. Authorizes the Secretary to institute inquiries on his own motion, and to commence a civil action for injunctive and other relief. Specifies the Secretary's investigative powers. Establishes civil and priminal penalties for the violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total expenditures shall not exceed total revenues for any fiscal year. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war or by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the Senate and the House. Directs the amount of any annual deficit be considered an expenditure of the United States in the following fiscal year. Permits the Congress to apportion any annual deficit over the four following fiscal years, or to include such deficit in the gross Federal debt. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to reduce the public debt of the United States through open-market operations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1978
Technology Transfer Ban Act - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to state that goods and technology may contribute to the military potential of possible adversary nations. Declares it to be the policy of the United States to prohibit the transfer to any Communist country of goods or technology which have any potential for military, law enforcement, or intelligence gathering purposes and to encourage friendly countries to exercise similar controls. Authorizes the President to impose export controls for national security purposes regardless of their availability from sources outside the United States. Directs the President to require a license for export of goods and technology to any Communist country. Provides a procedure for Congress to disapprove the issuance of such license. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to review any proposed export of goods or technology to any Communist country and recommend disapproval if such export has potential military, law enforcement, or intelligence gathering value, which could prove detrimental to the national security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1978
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, from taking any action under the Wholesome Meat Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or any other law to prohibit the sale, distribution, or use of nitrites as a food preservative solely on the basis of any carcinogenic effect in humans that nitrites may be represented to have, unless validated evidence is made available to the Secretaries which proves beyond a reasonable doubt that nitrites as a food preservative have a significant carcinogenic effect on humans. States that such prohibition shall not apply if the Secretaries determine, and publish in the Federal Register, that a food preservative is commercially available: (1) which may be used in the place of nitrites; (2) which is effective in the protection of public health from botulism and other forms of food poisoning; and (3) the use of which is economically feasible for meat processors and the consumer. Requires the Secretaries to conduct or support (by grant or contract) research and development activities for a food preservative alternative to nitrites.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1978
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from taking any action under the Wholesome Meat Act or any other law to prohibit the sale, distribution, or use of nitrites as a food preservative solely on the basis of any carcinogenic effect in humans that nitrites may be represented to have, unless validated evidence is made available to the Secretary which proves beyond a reasonable doubt that nitrites as a food preservative have a significant carcinogenic effect on humans. States that such prohibition shall not apply if the Secretary determines, and publishes in the Federal Register, that a food preservative is commercially available: (1) which may be used in the place of nitrites; (2) which is effective in the protection of public health from botulism and other forms of food poisoning; and (3) the use of which is economically feasible for meat processors and the consumer. Requires the Secretary to conduct or support (by grant or contract) research and development activities for a food preservative alternative to nitrites.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1978
Declares the sense of the Congress that the President and the Secretary of State should take all necessary steps to bring the Baltic States question before the United Nations and to urge the United Nations to request the Soviet Union to withdraw all non-native troops, agents, colonists, and controls from the Republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, and to return all Baltic exiles from Siberia and from prisons and labor camps in the Soviet Union. Requires the Secretary of State to do his utmost to bring the matter of the Baltic States to the attention of all nations by means of special radio programs and publications. Declares that the United States should not agree to the recognition of the Soviet Union's annexation of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Directs the President to take steps to provide that all maps of Europe show the Republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia as independent states. Calls for a return of self-determination to the peoples of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia through free elections conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1978
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, to require any person who purchases any meat or meat food product from any packer to pay for such meat or meat food product within eight days of acceptance of delivery, unless purchaser and packer have agreed to another payment date. Establishes a civil penalty for violation of this Act in an amount not to exceed the sum of the purchase price of the meat or meat food product involved, plus ten percent of such price.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1978
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Federal courts should expedite all remaining administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to the Seabrook Nuclear Station project (New Hampshire), and that all licensing and permitting procedures for the construction and operation of nuclear generating stations should be reviewed and modified to improve the efficiency of such procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1978
Truth-in-Regulation Act - Requires the Environmental Protection Agency and all Federal regulatory agencies to prepare with respect to each rule promulgated by such agencies: (1) a statement comparing the private costs of such rule with the benefit such rule would have on the environment; and (2) an environmental impact statement. Establishes standing task forces in each community affected by proposed agency rules to assess the economic and employment impact of each such rule. Requires Congressional approval of any such rule which will cause an increase in unemployment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1978
Anti-Dumping Enforcement Act - Amends the Antidumping Act, 1921, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to notify the International Trade Commission upon the publication of a finding that the price of imported products is less than the foreign market or construction value. Eliminates the requirement that the Secretary postpone publication of such a finding pending a determination by the Commission on whether "dumping" is occurring. Decreases the time periods during which the Secretary must complete the investigation of "dumping" allegations. Imposes liquidation deadlines upon imported merchandise upon which a special "dumping" duty has been imposed. Requires the establishment of a task force for each investigation of "dumping" allegations to serve as an intermediary between the Secretary and the industrial and labor groups interested in the investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1978
Urban Growth Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce corporate income tax rates. Increases the corporate surtax exemption to $100,000. Makes the regular investment tax credit permanent. Allows an additional ten percent investment tax credit for new property placed in depressed areas. Increases the limitations on the investment credit to allow it to offset 100 percent of the taxpayer's current liability. Increases the credit allowable for employment of new employees by an amount equal to one percent of the unemployment insurance wages paid to qualified employees during periods of unemployment exceeding seven percent nationally. Allows accelerated amortization of depreciable equipment (with a 60 month period) and facilities (with a period equal to one-half each facility's useful life) which are placed in high unemployment areas. Repeals the income tax exclusion of dividends received by individuals. Allows qualified domestic corporations an unlimited deduction for dividends paid. Provides flat limitations on corporate deductions for dividends from foreign corporations where the taxpayer is not claiming a net operating loss. Allows the current deduction of federally-required, nonproductive expenditures as business expenses. Provides for annual cost-of-living adjustments to depreciation allowances, property bases, and the interest paid on United States savings bonds and certificates, as well as the redemption value of all United States obligations of a year or more, including savings bonds and certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1978
Steel Trade Negotiations Act - Lists products the manufacture of which shall constitute the "steel sector" for purposes of determining the appropriate product sector with respect to import restriction authority under the Trade Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1978
Requires that, until further Congressional action is taken, the determination of whether an individual is an employee for purposes of social security taxation, unemployment taxation, and income tax withholding shall be made in accordance with audit practices and regulations in effect December 31, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1978
Act to Combat International Terrorism - Directs the President to transmit a report to the Congress every six months on those incidents determined to be acts of international terrorism as defined in this Act. Requires that, where the incident involves citizens or property of the United States, such report be transmitted not more than 30 days after the incident. Stipulates that such report shall include a description of the incident and persons involved, the identity of any government providing support for such terrorist acts, a description of the actions of any government which assisted in bringing about a positive termination of the incident, and a description of the response of the United States to such incident. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a list of governments which have demonstrated a pattern of support for international terrorism. Directs the President with respect to countries appearing on such list to: (1) provide no assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) not authorize any sale or extend any credit or guaranty, with respect to defense articles or services; or (3) approve no export license for the export of commodities or technical data which has a potential military application or which would otherwise enable a foreign government to support acts of international terrorism. Authorizes the President to suspend such sanctions in the interest of national security. Authorizes the President to take such other actions with respect to such countries as are deemed appropriate. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to assess the effectiveness of the security measures at foreign airports. Directs the Secretary, upon a finding that such an airport does not maintain effective security measures, to notify the appropriate authorities of such foreign government of his findings and to recommend any steps necessary to bring the security measures in use to the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Directs the Secretary to publish the names of foreign airports which fail to bring their security measures into compliance with such standards and to display the names of such airports at United States airports. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold, revoke, or impose conditions on the operating authority of any carrier or foreign air carrier to engage in foreign air transportation utilizing such an airport. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance concerning aviation security to foreign governments. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture explosive materials which do not contain identification taggants which are retrievable after detonation and which make possible the identification of the manufacturer, the date of manufacture and which provide such other information as the Secretary of the Treasury may require. Makes it unlawful to manufacture explosive materials which do not contain a detection taggant which permits detection of such material prior to its detonation. Makes the importation, transportation, or receipt of explosive materials without identification and detection taggants, illegal. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of such taggant requirements. Makes it illegal: (1) to interfere with the operation of any civil aircraft; (2) to commit any act of violence against an aircraft passenger; or (3) to willfully communicate false information which endangers the safety of any aircraft while in flight. Imposes criminal penalties on individuals committing specified offenses against or on board aircraft registered in a State other than the United States and who is afterwards found in this country. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for individuals imparting false information regarding attempts or alleged attempts to commit specified crimes against aircraft. hr13261
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Act to Combat International Terrorism - Directs the President to transmit a report to the Congress every six months on those incidents determined to be acts of international terrorism as defined in this Act. Requires that, where the incident involves citizens or property of the United States, such report be transmitted not more than 30 days after the incident. Stipulates that such report shall include a description of the incident and persons involved, the identity of any government providing support for such terrorist acts, a description of the actions of any government which assisted in bringing about a positive termination of the incident, and a description of the response of the United States to such incident. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a list of governments which have demonstrated a pattern of support for international terrorism. Directs the President with respect to countries appearing on such list to: (1) provide no assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) not authorize any sale or extend any credit or guaranty, with respect to defense articles or services; (3) approve no export license for the export of commodities or technical data which has a potential military application or which would otherwise enable a foreign government to support acts of international terrorism; or (4) extend no duty-free treatment under the Trade Act of 1974. Authorizes the President to suspend such sanctions in the interest of national security. Authorizes the President to take such other actions with respect to such countries as are deemed appropriate. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to assess the effectiveness of the security measures at foreign airports. Directs the Secretary, upon a finding that such an airport does not maintain effective security measures, to notify the appropriate authorities of such foreign government of his findings and to recommend any steps necessary to bring the security measures in use to the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Directs the Secretary to publish the names of foreign airports which fail to bring their security measures into compliance with such standards and to display the names of such airports at United States airports. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold, revoke, or impose conditions on the operating authority of any carrier or foreign air carrier to engage in foreign air transportation utilizing such an airport. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance concerning aviation security to foreign governments. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture explosive materials which do not contain identification taggants which are retrievable after detonation and which make possible the identification of the manufacturer, the date of manufacture and which provide such other information as the Secretary of the Treasury may require. Makes it unlawful to manufacture explosive materials which do not contain a detection taggant which permits detection of such material prior to its detonation. Makes the importation, transportation, or receipt of explosive materials without identification and detection taggants, illegal. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of such taggant requirements. Makes it illegal: (1) to interfere with the operation of any civil aircraft; (2) to commit any act of violence against an aircraft passenger; or (3) to willfully communicate false information which endangers the safety of any aircraft while in flight. Imposes criminal penalties on individuals committing specified offenses against or on board aircraft registered in a State other than the United States and who are afterwards found in this country. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for individuals imparting false information regarding attempts or alleged attempts to commit specified crimes against aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1978
Water Resource Development Act - Adopts and authorizes the following works of improvement for navigation, flood control, and other purposes, to be carried out by the Secretary of the Army through the Chief of the Corps of Engineers: (1) specified bridges of the Atlantic Intracostal Waterway Bridges, Virginia and North Carolina; (2) Kodiak Harbor, Alaska (navigation improvements); (3) Blair and Sitcum Waterways, Tacoma Harbor, Washington (project for navigation); (4) Agana River, Territory of Guam (flood control); (5) Chetco River, Oregon (construction of navigation improvements; (6) Root River Basin, Minnesota (flood control); (7) Panama City Beaches, Florida (beach erosion control and hurrincane flood protection); (8) Des Moines River Basin, Iowa and Minnesota (flood control); (9) Cazenovia Creek, Buffalo, New York (flood control); (10) Little Wood River, Idaho (flood control); (11) Greenville Harbor, Mississippi (navigation); (12) Gulfport Harbor, Mississippi (navigation); and (13) the project for extension of the navigation season on the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway. Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1976 to authorize the project for harbor modification at Cleveland Harbor, Ohio for construction. Describes the stages of construction. Repeals the authorization of a specified portion of the project for the Nansemond River, Virginia. Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake a program of research to increase the capability of the Corps of Engineers to control river and harbor ice and to assist communities in breaking up such ice. Authorizes the use of the water storage capacity of the Belton Reservoir on Leon River, Texas, for water supply as well as irrigation purposes. Authorizes the construction of a public water supply system as part of the project for the Caesar Creek, Ohio River Basin, Ohio. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to construct, as part of the project for flood protection on the Sacramento River, California, bank protection works along specified portions of the River. Authorizes the project for flood protection for Jefferson City on Wears Creek, Missouri. Declares that each resolution adopted by the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, or the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives, or their predecessors, during the Eighty-ninth Congress or any earlier Congress for review of any flood control, river and harbor, or other water resource report shall not be in effect after the date of enactment of this section unless funds were expended for carrying out such resolution during the Ninetieth Congress or any subsequent Congress prior to the Ninety-sixth Congress. Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to design and construct, at full Federal expense, such flood control measures as the Chief determines are necessary and advisable at or in the vicinity of Pikeville, Kentucky, on the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River; Pineville, Kentucky, on the Cumberland River; and Williamson and Matewan, West Virginia, on the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to undertake measures including but not limited to dredging, clearing, and snagging, in the main streams and tributaries of the Tug and Levisa Forks of the Big Sandy River, West Virginia and Kentucky; and the Cumberland River, upstream of Cumberland Falls, Kentucky. Authorizes the replacement and expansion of the existing industrial canal lock, or the construction of an additional lock in the Mississippi River - Gulf Outlet at Meraux, Louisiana. Stipulates that, in the project for navigation improvements in Mobile Harbor, Theodore Ship Channel, Alabama, non-Federal interests shall contribute 25 percent of the costs of areas required for disposal of spoil and of necessary retaining dikes, bulkheads, embankments, and movement of materials therefor. Waives the requirement for such non-Federal constribution upon the determination by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency that, for the area to which such construction applies, the State of Alabama, units of local government, and industrial concerns are participating in an approved plan for the construction, modification, expansion, or rehabilitation of waste treatment facilities, and that applicable water quality standards are not being violated. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake the phase I design memorandum stage of advanced engineering and design of: (1) the project of flood control in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; (2) the project for beach erosion at Jekyll Island, Georgia; and (3) the project for navigation on the Sacramento River, California, from San Francisco Bay to the port of Sacramento. Extends from 15 years to 50 years the period during which the Secretary shall be authorized, under the Water Resources Development Act of 1976, to provide periodic beach nourishment for a water resources development project. Directs that the national shoreline erosion control development and demonstration program, established by the Water Resources Development Act of 1974, be completed by the end of fiscal year 1982. Extends from fiscal year 1979 through fiscal year 1984 the authorization of appropriations for projects established under the Water Resources Development Act of 1976 for the collection and removal of drift and debris from publicly maintained commercial boat harbors. Extends through fiscal year 1982 the authorization of appropriations for the purpose of obtaining increased law enforcement services at projects established under the Water Resources Development Act of 1976. Authorizes and directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to implement a nonstructural project for the purposes of flood damage reduction and recreation on the Tittabawassee River at Midland, Michigan. Provides for non-Federal participation in such project. Specifies the procedure by which Congress shall approve or disapprove the promulgation or repromulgation of any rule or regulation relating to rivers and harbors, flood control, beach erosion and other water resource development projects under the Secretary of the Army. States that the Secretary shall transmit a copy of such rule or regulation to the Senate and the House of Representatives. Provides for such rule or regulation to become effective if, at the end of 60 calendar days of continuous session after promulgation, Congress has not disapproved the rule or regulation. Modifies the project for the East Fork Lake, Ohio River Basin, Ohio, to authorize and direct the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to contruct a public water supply system in accordance with an existing plan. Stipulates that, in the project for harbor improvements at Noyo, Mendocino County, California, non-Federal interests shall contribute 25 percent of the costs of areas required for initial and subsequent disposal of spoil and of necessary retaining dikes, bulkheads, and embankments therefor. Waives the requirement for such non-Federal contribution upon the determination by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency that, for the area to which such construction applies, the State of Alabama, units of local government, and industrial concerns are participating in an approved plan for the construction, modification, expansion, or rehabilitation of waste treatment facilities, and that applicable water quality standards are not being violated. Stipulates that the Federal Government will bear the entire cost of disposal should ocean disposal be used. Authorizes and directs the Secretary, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to cause surveys for flood control and allied purposes to be made at specified locations in Mississippi, Arkansas, Florida, and Illinois. Authorizes and directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the governments of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, to make studies for the purposes of providing plans for the development, utilization, and conservation of water and related land resources of such territory and Commonwealth.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1978
Air Service Improvement Act - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Civil Aeronautics Board, in the performance of its duties, to assign the highest priority to safety in air transportation, and to place maximum reliance on competitive market forces while encouraging new air carriers and preventing industry concentration. Stipulates that the Federal Government shall have preemptive rights with regard to interstate air carriers. Directs the Board and the Secretary of Transportation to jointly prepare a report to be submitted to the Congress by January 1, 1980, concerning direct and indirect Federal, State, and local governmental subsidization of United States scheduled air transportation. Establishes time limitations during which the Board must dispense with applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity to engage in air transportation. Authorizes the Board to dismiss an application on its merits without a hearing within 90 days of its filing date. Deems such dismissal a final order for purposes of judicial review. Requires the Board to issue certificates to engage in regular interstate or overseas air transportation, temporary air transportation, or supplemental air transportation if certain conditions are met and the proposed service is consistent with public convenience and necessity (previously certificates for such interstate and overseas air transportation could only be granted if public convenience and necessity so required). Stipulates that if certain round trip air carriers in interstate or overseas transportation fail to provide specified flight schedules, the Board is authorized to grant their routes to the first air carrier applicant meeting the requirements of the Board and the Secretary of Transportation. Establishes procedures for such route suspension and reissuance to a new air carrier. Authorizes air carriers which hold certificates to engage in foreign air transportation, on any scheduled flight in foreign air transportation, to transport persons, property, and mail between points in the United States between which it is authorized to operate during such flight. Establishes an experimental entry program for certain air carriers to engage in nonstop service in overseas or interstate transportation on routes currently assigned to another carrier. Directs the Board to conduct a study of the procedure for such program and to report to the Congress by June 30, 1980. Authorizes the Board to issue certificates to engage in air transportation on a temporary basis if the Board determines that a test period is desirable in order to evaluate the proposed new services. Establishes time limitations during which the Board must act upon an air carrier's application for removal or modification of a term, condition, or limitation attached to its certificate. Directs the Board to establish simplified procedures for the disposition of applications for certificates or permits to engage in air transportation and for the alteration, suspension, or transfer of such certificates. Directs the Board, in determining the compensation to be paid for local air mail service, to disregard a carrier's revenues other than the revenue received from the service for which the compensation is being paid until January 1, 1983. Requires certain air carriers that are the only carriers between two points to notify the Board and the community involved 90 days in advance of any proposed suspension or termination of nonstop or single-plane air transportation services. Revises the rate determination elements for airmail transportation compensation for 1964, 1965 and 1966. Sets forth procedures and factors to be considered in the disposal of applications for approval of consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control agreements by the Board. Authorizes the Board to dispose of such applications without a hearing under specified circumstances. Prohibits the Board from approving such agreements or pooling agreements which would substantially lessen competition unless certain findings are made. Authorizes the Board to exempt persons from specified Clayton Act antitrust violations if in the public interest to do so. Revises the proceedings of the Board upon a filing by an air carrier of any pooling contract or agreement, including the requirement that the Board provide to the Secretary of Transportation and the Attorney General written notice and opportunity to comment upon any such filed contract or agreement. Authorizes the Board to exempt persons from the provisions of the Act under specified conditions. Exempts air carriers which provide passenger service solely with aircraft which have a maximum passenger capacity of fewer than 56 passengers or cargo service with aircraft having a maximum payload capacity of fewer than 18,000 pounds from the requirement that such a carrier hold a certificate of public convenience and necessity and such other requirements as the Board may promulgate by regulation. Authorizes the Board to decrease such passenger or cargo capacity when the public interest so requires. Authorizes the Board to establish rates of compensation to be paid to commuter air carriers when no adequate service would otherwise be provided between two points. Sets forth factors which the Board is to consider in determining the amount of such compensation. Directs the Board by January 1, 1980 to conduct a review of all points which have been deleted from a certificate or to which service has been suspended without a condition that substitute service be provided to determine whether Federal financial assistance should be provided to commuter air carriers to provide essential air transportation. Restricts the President's powers to disapprove actions of the Board with respect to certificates or permits to engage in foreign air transportation. Stipulates that the President may only disapprove such actions solely on the basis of foreign relations or national defense considerations and not upon the basis of economic or carrier selection considerations. Establishes restrictions with respect to the authority of the Board to prescribe minimum or maximum fares in air transportation. Provides for the withholding from public disclosure of certain information contained in any application, report, or document filed under the Act. Increases the value of loans which may be outstanding in order to be eligible for Federal guarantees of such loans. Increases the maximum time limits during which an aircraft purchase loan may be repaid. Prohibits any such Federal loan guarantee to be made for the purchase of any new turbojet powered aircraft not in compliance with Federal noise standards. Establishes sunset provisions with respect to the Board to become effective on December 31, 1982. Directs the Board, by December 31, 1981, to submit to Congress a comprehensive review of its implementation of the provisions of the Act. Establishes the Airline Employees' Protective Account in the U.S. Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Declares that certain proposed regulations of the Department of the Treasury regarding centralized firearms sales recordkeeping and other firearms control measures exceed the Departments' authority, and directs that the regulations be withdrawn.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Clean Lakes Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act: (1) to transfer authority to approve a State plan for fresh water lake pollution control and to financially assist such plan from the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to the Secretary of the Army acting through the Chief of Engineers; and (2) to authorize the Secretary to enter into agreements with any State or public agency to carry out one or more projects to demonstrate methods and techniques for the elimination or control of pollution within lakes. States that Federal participation in such projects shall be 100 percent of the cost.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1978
Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Power Commission to hold an evidentiary hearing before approving public utility rate increases due to fuel adjustment clauses. Requires a showing that the clause effectively provides incentives for the economical purchase and use of fuel. Requires further that the clause is necessary to enable the utility to pay for the added fuel costs which are by nature short-term fluctuations and therefore not capable of determination in proceedings before such costs are incurred. Sets a one-year limit on approved fuel adjustment clauses and requires an evidentiary hearing before their renewal. Requires the Commission to examine and, if appropriate, to audit the practices of public utilities using fuel adjustment clauses. Requires relevant utilities to supply information as the Commission may require and makes such information available to the public. Grants to any purchaser of electric energy produced for resale and subject to a fuel adjustment clause, the right to examine the records of the relevant utility to insure compliance with applicable schedules and Commission rules. Requires the Commission, after affording the opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, to order the cessation or modification of any practice which does not constitute the most economical purchase and use of fuel. Amends the National Gas Act to impose similar restrictions on rate increases of natural gas companies pursuant to automatic adjustment clauses. Prohibits State regulated utilities from making rate increases pursuant to an automatic adjustment clause unless such clause has been determined to effectively provide incentives for the economical purchase and use of the fuel involved. Requires further that such clauses be necessary to enable the utility to pay for short-term fluctuations in fuel costs that are not susceptible to determination in proceedings held prior to such costs being incurred. Limits automatic adjustment clauses to one-year in duration, and requires an evidentiary hearing before their renewal. Requires the reviewing authority to examine and, if appropriate, to audit the practices of utilities with respect to fuel adjustment clauses. Requires that utilities supply such relevant information as is required by the State regulatory body and makes such information available to the public. Sets procedures for the certification of State regulatory bodies with respect to this Act. Requires the Commission to enforce the Act in the absence of State certification and upon the request of any State regulated utility. Amends the Federal Power Act to expand the scope of businesses forbidden from having interlocking directorates without Commission approval. Makes such approval no defense to actions under specified provisions of the Clayton Act. Amends the Natural Gas Act to expand the scope of natural gas companies forbidden from having interlocking directorates without Commission approval. Makes such approval no defense to actions under specified provisions of the Clayton Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
Requires the Administrator of General Services to submit prospect uses approval before acquiring any building required in connection with the relocation of personnel because of the establishment of the Department of Energy.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Targeted Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow manufacturers planning property eligible for the investment tax credit in designated "labor surplus" areas to take double investment tax credits and depreciation deduction for the property. Doubles the allowable deduction for real property taxes on realty used in connection with this property.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1978
Expresses the condemnation by the Congress of the March 11, 1978, attack on Israel by the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the expressed intention of the PLO to continue such attacks and to disrupt the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Requests the President to make the disapproval of the Congress known to governments approving the PLO attack. Expresses Congressional approval of the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Urges other Middle East countries to join such efforts. Declares negotiation to be the best way to bring peace to the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1978
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Communications Commission should maximize local primary radio broadcast service in any proceeding respecting the provision of class I-A and I-B radio service. Prohibits the operation of a standard broadcast station with power in excess of 50,000 watts.
![Official portrait of Rep. Harsha, William H. [R-OH-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000281_200.jpg)