United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide identical income tax rates for single persons and married couples filing joint returns. Limits the earned income that must be reported by a married individual filing a separate return to the amount actually earned by that individual.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Young Families' Housing Act - Graduated Payment Mortgage Insurance Act - Amends the National Housing Act to permit the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure, on a regular basis, mortgages and loans with provisions for varying rates of amortization corresponding to anticipated variations in family income. Sets a percentage limit on the mortgage value ratio of mortgages which will be insurable under this Act. Prescribes eligibility requirements for such insurance. States that mortgages or loans insured pursuant to this Act shall not be subject to State usury laws in most cases. Individual Housing Account Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for amounts paid in cash into an individual housing account. Defines the term "individual housing account" for the purposes of this Act. Limits annual tax deductions to $2,500 and lifetime deductions to $10,000. Makes provisions for tax treatment upon distribution of such accounts. Exempts individual housing accounts from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to prohibit the issuance of any export license on articles or materials whose export is controlled for national security purposes until after the President has reported to Congress with respect to such export. Prohibits issuance of such license if either House of Congress disapproves the export. Permits immediate issuance if the President determines that it is required in the interests of national security. Prohibits the removal of export controls for national security purposes if disapproved by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba be predicated upon resolution of issues regarding violations of persons and property by the Cuban Government in 1959, use of Cuban military personnel beyond its borders, and human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
National Agricultural Land Policy Act -- Title I: Objectives -- Declares the policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, to use all practicable methods to retain, protect and improve agricultural land, to reduce its conversion to nonagricultural uses, and to limit the encroachment of industrial activities. Title II: Research Program -- Establishes a three-year Agricultural Land Review Commission to study: (1) agricultural land in the United States; (2) the effects of industrial development climate and other factors on the productivity of such land; (3) the acquisition of such land by persons not engaged in agricultural activities; and (4) methods of protecting and improving such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted to nonagricultural uses. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to public and private organizations to do research pursuant to its study. Requires the Commission to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title III: Demonstration Programs -- Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay up to 75 percent of the cost and to provide technical assistance to any State pilot project undertaken to demonstrate and test methods of reducing the amount of agricultural land being converted to nonagricultural uses. Requires all such projects to be completed within five years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title IV: Funding -- Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $15,000,000. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 through 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Requires the Office of Management and budget to provide information on the formulas and assumptions used in the distribution of Federal domestic assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Federal Computer Systems Protection Act - Makes it a Federal crime for a person to directly or indirectly access or cause to be accessed for fraudulent purposes a computer system affecting commerce or having a connection with a Federal agency or financial institution.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1977
Directs that Presidential and Congressional elections be conducted on the first full weekend in November and that corresponding primaries be conducted on the last full weekend in the preceding June.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1977
Agency Responsiveness Act - Requires each Federal agency to take steps which will improve the uniformity, speed, and comprehensiveness of such agency's response to citizen complaints and inquiries.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1977
Public Housing Security Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to monitor the planning and implementation of public housing construction, rehabilitation, or modernization projects to assure that crime prevention is taken into account in the design of such housing. Directs the Secretary to make funds available for citizen crime prevention programs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1977
Radiation Health and Safety Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to develop and issue to the States criteria and minimum standards for the accreditation of educational institutions conducting programs for the training of radiologic technologists and medical and dental practitioners. Directs the Secretary to develop and issue to the States criteria and minimum standards for licensure of radiologic technologists. Directs that State and local governments be encouraged to minimize exposure of the public to ionizing radiation from all sources, and establishes procedures for the adoption of appropriate standards. Allows the Secretary to make grants to States in an amount up to two-thirds of the first year and one-third of the second year costs of planning, developing, or establishing programs to carry out the provisions of this Act. Prohibits conducting activities contrary to this Act and subjects violators to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress every fifth year a report evaluating the implementation of this Act and making recommendations for legislation. States that whenever a performance standard for a class of X-ray system in prescribed, the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe a performance standard applicable to systems of such class prior to the effective date of such standard. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of inspection of all X-ray systems to which standards apply and which are in actual use in the United States. Authorizes officers or employees duly designated by the Secretary to enter at reasonable times any establishment in which an X-ray system is located and to inspect such system. Directs the Secretary to publish guidelines for the use of X-ray examinations in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Consumer Controversies Resolution Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to assure all consumers convenient access to a consumer controversy resolution mechanism which is effective, fair, inexpensive, and expeditious and to facilitate better representation of consumer interests. Defines the terms used in this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to establish an office of Consumer Redress. Directs the Commission to perform enumerated duties, including: (1) payment to the States of funds to assist in the development, establishment, or improvement of State consumer controversy resolution systems; (2) review of the operation of each State plan for the resolution of controversy involving consumers which has been approved under this Act; and (3) articulation and evaluation of the goals for a model State system of consumer controversy resolution. Provides for the allocation to States of monies appropriated for financial assistance pursuant to this Act. Specifies purposes for which such funds be used including public education and publicity relating to the availability and proper use of consumer controversy resolution mechanisms and settlement procedures. Requires each recipient of assistance under this Act to keep such records as the Federal Trade Commission shall prescribe. Directs the Commission to submit an annual report to the President and Congress. Authorizes to be appropriated not more than $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 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 officers' death benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1977
Requests the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to hasten the assembly of data and expedite the reviews and consideration precedent to the introduction of sodium valproate for the treatment of epilepsy in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Deaf Services Act - Title I: Installation of Telecommunications Devices in Federal Agencies and in Other Locations - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, after consultation with specified organizations with special knowledge of the problems of deaf persons, to select at least five Federal agencies with which deaf persons have the greatest need for communication and have installed in each such agency and its regional offices a device which permits two-way communication of textual messages in alphanumeric form by telephone lines. Directs the Secretary to select an additional 100 locations for installation of such devices which shall be available to deaf people for their use in communicating with the agencies selected under this Act and with Members of Congress who choose to install such a device under Title III of this Act. Requires the Secretary to prescribe the rates to be charged to the users of such telecommunications devices. Stipulates that such charges may not exceed the cost that would have been incurred had such users been nondeaf persons seeking the same assistance by use of a telephone. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information about the availability of such devices as widely as possible to local organizations of the deaf. Directs that at least one employee be available during normal working hours at each location where such devices are located for use by deaf persons to assist such persons in the use of such devices. Title II: Grants to States - Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to any State or local government for installing telecommunications devices for the deaf in government agencies and other locations in a program to be identical to the Federal program established in Title I of this Act. Sets the level of such grants at 75 percent of the cost of installing and operating such devices. Authorizes annual continuing grants for such purposes to be made after assurances have been received that the requirements of this Act have been and will continue to be met during the ensuing year. Requires the Secretary to seek the cooperation of the Administrator of General Services in having transferred to States any telecommunications devices for the deaf categorized as Federal surplus property. Title III: Installation of Telecommunications Devices in Offices of Members of Congress and in the Capitol - Requires that any Member of Congress making a written request for a telecommunications device for the deaf be provided with one. Directs the Architect of the Capitol to install at the central switchboard in the United States Capitol a telecommunications device for the deaf and requires at least one employee trained in the use of such device to be available during normal working hours to provide assistance to deaf persons. Title IV: Report to Congress - Requires the Secretary to report to Congress within two years after the installation of the first telecommunications device under this Act describing the effectiveness of the programs established by this Act and making recommendations on the continuation and expansion of such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Establishes an Office of Inspector General within each of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, and Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Community Services, Energy Research and Development, Federal Energy, General Services, National Aeronautics and Space, Small Business, and Veterans' Administrations. Makes it the duty of such Offices to direct the auditing and investigation of the programs of the agency in which each such Office is established and to recommend policies to each respective agency to promote the efficiency and economy of and to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in the programs administered by each agency. Directs each such Office to coordinate the relationships between its agency and other Federal agencies, States, and local government agencies in carrying out its mission. Requires each such Office to keep Congress and the head of the respective agency fully informed concerning its activities and findings. Specifies the frequency and content of reports. Transfers to each Office the functions of specified existing audit and investigation offices within the appropriate agencies. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 5315; 5316)
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for rural health clinic services pursuant to the program of Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled of such title.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1977
Amends the Medicare and Medicaid programs of the Social Security Act to include rural health facilities of 100 beds or fewer within the definition of the term "hospital."
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 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 · 18 July 1977
Revises provisions imposing penalties for the commission of rape, including carnal knowledge of a female under age 16, within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States to (1) set forth penalties for any unconsented sexual contact or penetration; (2) proscribe sexual contact or penetration with any person under age 16; (3) detail sentencing guidelines; and (4) prohibit introduction of evidence regarding a victim's prior sexual conduct absent a ruling by the court after an in camera hearing.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1977
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Labor, through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to prepare, as part of the Consumer Price Index published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a consumer price index (to be known as the Consumer Price Index for the Aged and Other Social Security Beneficiaries) designed to reflect the relevant price information for individuals, as a group, who are 65 years of age or older or are otherwise entitled to monthly benefits under Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 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 · 15 July 1977
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend specified provisions of such Act through the 1981 crops of feed grains. Raises the loan level for corn to $1.75 per bushel for the 1977 crop and to $2.00 per bushel for each of the 1978 through 1981 crops. Replaces the established price with a target price and sets such target price of corn at $1.85 per bushel for the 1977 crop, at $2.10 per bushel for 1978, and for the 1979 through 1981 crops at the previous year's target price, adjusted to reflect changes in the average adjusted cost of production over the previous two to four years. Substitutes, for the existing specified formulae for the determination of feed grain acreage allotments, a single general formula based on an allocation factor found by dividing the announced national feed grain acreage allotment by the number of harvested acres. Multiplies the allocation factor by the acreage of feed grain harvested on the farm in the current crop year to determine each farm's allotment. Specifies formulae for the determination of disaster and prevented planting payments.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1977
Makes it unlawful for any individual or entity to solicit to enroll or enroll any member of the armed forces in any labor organization, or for any member of the armed forces to join, or encourage other members to join, any labor union. Prescribes a penalty of not more than five years imprisonment for any individual violating this Act, and a fine of not less than $25,000 nor more than $50,000 for any labor organization in violation of this Act. (Adds 10 U.S.C. 975)
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare benefits for individuals who require total parenteral nutrition (TPN) as a result of intestinal surgery.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase to $6,000 the amount of outside income a recipient may earn in one year without a reduction of benefits under such Title. Amends Title II and the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to provide that income of all types, except payments for retirement injury or illness, shall be included in determining whether an individual's benefits are subject to deductions. Eliminates the requirement that an individual must have been entitled to disability benefits for at least 24 consecutive months to qualify for Medicare on the basis of disability. Eliminates the five-month waiting period presently required for individuals to qualify for disability benefits under the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1977
Bridge Safety Act - Title I - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) inventory all bridges not located on any of the Federal-aid systems; (2) classify them according to serviceability, safety, and essentiality; and (3) assign each bridge a priority for replacement based on such classification. Authorizes Federal participation in State projects to replace such bridges after October 1, 1980. Increases the authorization for appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund for bridge replacement programs. Title II - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to extend such fund through fiscal year 1990. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to postpone specified excise tax reductions. Title III - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to increase the excise taxes on gasoline, diesel fuels, and special motor fuels. Amends the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 to stipulate that such increases shall be deposited in a special account of the Highway Trust Fund to meet the obligations incurred by the United States pursuant to bridge replacement programs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1977
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to permit the Bank to extend credit to the Peoples Republic of China. Eliminates the avoidance of arms races between countries not menaced by Communist China from the factors considered by the President in determining whether the prohibitions against credit extensions by the Export-Import Bank for defense sales to developing countries should be waived in the national interest.
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 · 29 June 1977
Brown Lung Benefits Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to pay benefits to any textile worker who has been totally disabled by byssinosis and to the surviving dependents of any such worker whose death was caused by byssinosis. Defines the term "byssinosis" to mean a chronic dust disease of the lung arising out of employment in a textile plant. Directs the Secretary to prescribe standards for determining whether a textile worker is totally disabled by byssinosis and for determining whether the death of a textile worker was caused by byssinosis. Sets forth the employment conditions under which there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a worker's byssinosis arose out of such employment. Directs the Secretary to make benefit payments as follows: (1) in the case of total disability of a textile worker due to byssinosis, the disabled worker shall be paid benefits during the disability at a rate equal to 50 percent of the minimum monthly payment to which a Federal employee in grade GS-2, who is totally disabled is entitled; (2) in the case of death of a textile worker due to byssinosis or of a textile worker receiving benefits under this Act, benefits shall be paid to the surviving spouse at the rate the deceased worker would receive such benefits if the deceased worker were totally disabled; and (3) in the case of an individual entitled to benefit payments who has one or more dependents, the benefit payments shall be increased at the rate of 50 percent of such benefit payments, if such individual has one dependent, 75 percent if such individual has two dependents, and 100 percent if such individual has three or more dependents. Prohibits the payment of benefits pursuant to this Act unless a claim has been filed before December 31, 1986. Prohibits the consideration of such claim unless a claim has been filed under the applicable State workmen's compensation law prior to or at the same time that a claim was filed for benefits under this Act. States that nothing in this Act shall relieve any operator of a textile plant of the duty to comply with any State workmen's compensation law, except insofar as such State law is in conflict with the provisions of this Act and the Secretary, by regulation, so prescribes.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba be predicated upon resolution of issues regarding violations of persons and property by the Cuban Government in 1959, use of Cuban military personnel beyond its borders, and human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1977
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to eliminate age limitations with respect to the requirement that all personnel actions affecting employees or applicants for employment in Federal agencies, the United States Postal Service, or the District of Columbia government be taken without regard to such employees' or applicants' age.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1977
Provides for the arbitration of disputes between the Postal Service and recognized organizations of Postal Service managerial personnel other than officers, postmasters, and employees engaged in personnel work in Postal Service headquarters. Identifies as subject to arbitration under this Act issues relating to pay policies, fringe benefits, and the determination of whether or not a matter is subject to participation by such organization. Establishes an arbitration board to consider a dispute upon the request of the Postal Service or such recognized organization.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Alcohol Fuel Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code: (1) to allow the election of a deduction with respect to the amortization, based on a 60-month period, of any qualified facility producing alcohol from coal, wood, waste, or agricultural products for primary use as a motor fuel; (2) to exempt from specified excise taxes the sale of any gasoline or fuel at least ten percent of which is alcohol; and (3) to allow the tax-free withdrawal from bonded premises of distilled spirits to the extent such spirits are alcohol produced by a qualified alcohol-producing facility for primary use as motor fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Amends the Small Business Investment Act to change the title of the Associate Administrator for Finance and Investment of the Small Business Administration to that of Associate Administrator for Investment. Sets forth the powers of such office including the purchase of preferred securities of any incorporated small business investment company and the purchase or guarantee of all principal and interest payments as scheduled on debentures issued by any small business investment company. Specifies conditions which must be fulfilled before such powers may be exercised.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1977
Product Liability Insurance Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify trusts established for the payment of product liability claims as tax exempt organizations. Allows taxpayers a business income tax deduction for contributions to such trusts only to the extent they exceed the reasonable costs of product liability insurance for the deducting taxpayer.
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 · 22 June 1977
Postal Service Act - Provides for congressional oversight of decisions of the Postal Rate Commission respecting rates and fees for postal service and mail classification. Limits to two percent of its operating expenses the amount of expenditures which the Postal Service may make for contingencies and prohibits the use of such contingency fund for repayment of past losses. Authorizes appropriations to offset any revenue loss caused by a failure of Congress to authorize postal rates proposed by the Commission, to continue post offices which are no longer self sustaining, to pay for research and development, and to continue the frequency of mail delivery service in effect on June 1, 1977. Sets the maximum size and weight for all parcel mail at 100 inches in girth and length combined and 70 pounds. Abolishes the Board of Governors of the Service and transfers the duties and responsibilities of such Board to the Postmaster General. Makes the Postmaster General an officer appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate and makes the Deputy Postmaster General an officer appointed by the Postmaster General. Subjects the management and disposal of surplus property by the Service to the same regulations controlling the management and disposal of surplus property applicable to other government agencies. Prohibits the Service from commencing any capital investment project costing more than $200,000,000 until the Service transmits a report on such project to specified congressional committees and has received the recommendations of such committees concerning such project.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the United States Postal Services should not reduce the frequency of mail delivery service for any user of the mails below the frequency of such service which was in effect for such user of June 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should declare a moratorium on United States manufacture of chemical weapons (lethal and incapacitating nerve and mustard agents and "binary agents') and order the destruction of certain United States stockpiles of such weapons. Urges other nations to destroy their stockpiles. Urges the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament to conclude a treaty banning the manufacture and possession of such weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1977
Urban Trees Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants, on a matching basis, to the States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam in order to provide financial assistance to urban areas for arboriculture programs. Defines "arboriculture" as the planting, growing, maintenance, and protection of trees and shrubs. Authorizes appropriations of up to $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 to carry out such grant program. Requires that grants under this Act be made in accordance with an urban arboriculture plan for the selection, planting, and maintenance of trees agreed upon in advance by the Secretary and the State forester or other appropriate official. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to urban areas for arboriculture programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Energy Conservation Tax Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow limited, nonrefundable income tax credits for individuals who: (1) install qualified insulation in their residences; (2) install qualified solar heating and cooling equipment in dwelling units used by them, or leased to others as residences; (3) replace the heating system in any dwelling with a reversible, compressible refrigerant system (i.e., a heat pump system); or (4) purchase personal or family electric highway vehicles between 1976 and 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to compute automobile fuel consumption rate statistics based on actual road tests. Requires that such fuel consumption rates, in addition to the presently required fuel economy label, be affixed in a prominent place on each automobile manufactured after 1976. Directs the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) to conduct a study to determine the most accurate and realistic testing procedures which may be used by the EPA for its study of automobile consumption rates. Requires the NBS to report the results of such study to the EPA and to the President and Congress before January 1, 1977.