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
Wastewater Reuse and Recycle and Innovative Technology Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from making certain grants relating to wastewater treatment unless the grant applicant has (1) studied and evaluated methods for eliminating pollutants and (2) analyzed potential recreation and open space opportunities in planning treatment works. Requires the Administrator to encourage waste treatment processes which will reduce total energy requirements. Sets forth the Federal grant share for construction of State treatment works. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants for the technical evaluation of the operation of treatment works, personnel training, and the dissemination of information. Permits States to modify priority lists regarding the needs for construction of waste treatment works to give higher priority for certain grants involving the Federal share of the cost of preparing construction drawings and erecting treatment works which comply with the guidelines promulgated under the Act. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants for certain treatment works if the life-cycle cost of such treatment works does not exceed the life-cycle cost of the most cost-effective alternative by more than 15 percent. Directs the Administrator to operate a program of public information program on recycling and reuse of wastewater. Requires the Administrator to promulgate guidelines for identifying and evaluating demonstrated new and innovative wastewater treatment processes. Directs the Administrator to develop a program of cooperation for utilizing wastewater control systems of Federal facilities. Prohibits the construction of new facilities for wastewater treatment at Federal facilities if alternative methods, utilizing innovative processes, are not used.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1977
Directs the President of the United States, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Foreign Service, and the Department of State to formulate and implement a plan for the expansion of sales of American agricultural commodities abroad, including increased food-for-peace (Public Law 480) sales as well as private international transfers of food.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1977
Declares it the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of State should seek the good offices of the Secretary General of the United Nations for the purpose of establishing a special investigatory commission charged with the responsibility of securing a full accounting of Americans listed as missing in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1977
Amends the National Trails System Act of 1968 to re-establish the advisory council on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, to limit such council's existence to ten years, and to reduce the term of council members from five to two years. Increases the limitations on acreage which may be acquired for rights-of-way and by condemnation proceedings along the Appalachian Trail without the consent of the owner from 25 acres in any one mile to at least 25 acres but not more than 125 acres within any one mile. Increases from $5,000,000 to $35,000,000 the authorization of appropriations for acquisition of lands for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
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 · 4 October 1977
Retirement Savings Equal Treatment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals whose employers make contributions to pension plans a deduction for their contributions to employer pension funds, and to allow a deduction to certain individuals who establish modified individual retirement plans when the employer-employee pension contributions are small.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals aged 62 and over a refundable income tax credit for increases in real property taxes and utility bills.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1977
Declares it the sense of the Congress that no Federal agency should consider the value of military exchange and commissary privileges in determining the entitlement of any retired or former member of the armed forces to any other Federal benefits or the amount of such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Permits the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to continue to pay educational assistance or subsistence allowances to eligible veterans and persons during periods between a semester, term, or quarter when the educational institution is closed for more than one full calendar month as part of an energy conservation program or as a result of a fuel curtailment, and the period between semesters, terms, or quarters does not exceed 45 days.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to establish lower efficient rates for the Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1. Authorizes the Secretary to use any excess pipeline capacity with respect to such reserve for the transportation of petroleum from other sources.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to enter into an agreement with a State to transfer to the State a proportionate share of Medicare trust funds for each individual entitled to medical assistance under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act who elects for a one year period to receive medical assistance under an approved State plan in lieu of assistance under the Medicare program. Requires a participating State to agree to enroll any individual who elects to participate in an approved State plan in lieu of Medicare and to credit against any premiums such individual pays under the State plan any premiums the individual paid under Medicare during the one year period of election. Authorizes the Secretary to agree to transfer on a quarterly basis to a State those funds which the Secretary would otherwise pay to the State under its plan approved under Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act and requires the State to enroll each individual in a plan which provides the same level of medical assistance as provided under the State's Medicaid plan. Prohibits any individual who elects to receive medical assistance under an approved State plan from receiving medical assistance under the Medicare or Medicaid programs during the one year period of election.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1977
Budget Limitation Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to limit the levels of total budget outlays and total new budget authority for a fiscal year to such outlays and authority for the preceding fiscal year, increased by a percentage equal to the average annual percentage increase in the gross national product during the three calendar years preceding the beginning of such fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1977
Illegal Alien Control Act - Directs the Attorney General to establish a border patrol force of not less than 3,800 officers. Directs the Attorney General to report to the President and the Congress on the feasibility of: (1) establishing a system for issuing machine readable identification cards to aliens entering the United States; and (2) utilizing the most current technology in electronic sensing devices in patrolling land borders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude from the definition of the term "immigrant" those persons entering the United States for a period of not more than one year to perform temporary services or labor if the Secretary of Labor has determined and certified to the Attorney General that there are not sufficient workers available at the aliens' destination who are willing and able to perform such services. Directs the Secretary to refer to employers who request such certification, workers in the number desired, able and qualified, and who agree to present themselves to commence employment on the date and for the period specified. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to issue social security cards for aliens who may be employed or receive public assistance in the United States. Specifies the information which an alien must provide when applying for a social security card. Requires the applicant to supply either proof of the individual's citizenship or alien status, or an affidavit that the individual was assigned a social security account number at least five years before the date of application for the card. Prohibits the employment or provision of public assistance to an individual specified in this Act unless such individual presents a social security card to the employer or agency and the employer or agency submits required information to the Secretary. Establishes a civil penalty for the violation of such prohibition. Prohibits the employment or provision of public assistance to an alien whose status under the Immigration and Nationality Act does not permit such alien to work or receive public assistance. Establishes penalties for presenting a false social security card or providing fraudulent information in order to obtain employment or public assistance. Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 to prohibit the use of Federal financial aid to provide job training or employment opportunities to aliens who are not authorized to work or who are illegally in the United States. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit income tax deductions for wages paid to aliens illegally working in the United States. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the Secretary of Labor, when adjudicating the petition of an alien for admission to perform skilled or unskilled labor, from considering the work experience gained by the alien in the United States during any time while in an immigration status in which employment was not authorized for the alien. Authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of vessels, vehicles, and aircraft used to illegally transport aliens into the United States. Sets forth exceptions to such seizure and forfeiture provision, including a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft used as a common carrier unless the owner or other person in charge was at the time of the alleged illegal act a consenting party or privy thereto. Amends the Social Security Act to prohibit the payment of Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits and Medicaid benefits to illegal aliens. Adds border crossing cards, alien registration receipt cards, and other documents prescribed by regulation for entry into the United States to the list of documents the false making of which shall be punished by fine or imprisonment or both.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1977
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to permit States to impose inspection, marking, labeling, packaging, and ingredient requirements that are more stringent than Federal standards.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1977
Expresses the displeasure of the House of Representatives toward any policy of the Internal Revenue Service which changes through administrative interpretation long-standing applications of the Internal revenue laws. Expresses the sense of the House that the Internal Revenue Service refrain from changing its policy with respect to taxation of benefits given to employees, without submission of any proposed changes to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1977
Amends the Panama Canal Zone Code to prescribe procedures preventing Presidential disposition of land within the zone without approval of both Houses of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to a certain individual in full settlement of such individual's claims against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1977
Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make assistance payments for the purpose of aiding any lower-income family in making rental payments with respect to real property on which is located a mobile home owned by such family and utilized by such family as its principal place of residence.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals aged 62 and over a refundable income tax credit for increases in real property taxes and utility bills.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1977
Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that child's insurance benefits shall not be payable to an insured individual's stepchild after such child's natural parent and the insured individual are divorced for any period during which such child is receiving support from another source.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1977
Expresses the sense of the Congress that any right to, title to, or interest in the property of the United States Government agencies in the Panama Canal Zone or any real property and improvements thereon located in the zone should not be conveyed, relinquished, or otherwise disposed of to any foreign government without specific authorization of such conveyance, relinquishment, or other disposition by any Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 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 · 5 August 1977
Illegal Alien Control Act - Directs the Attorney General to establish a border patrol force of not less than 3,800 officers. Directs the Attorney General to report to the President and the Congress on the feasibility of: (1) establishing a system for issuing machine readable identification cards to aliens entering the United States; and (2) utilizing the most current technology in electronic sensing devices in patrolling land borders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude from the definition of the term "immigrant" those persons entering the United States for a period of not more than one year to perform temporary services or labor if the Secretary of Labor has determined and certified to the Attorney General that there are not sufficient workers available at the aliens' destination who are willing and able to perform such services. Directs the Secretary to refer to employers who request such certification, workers in the number desired, able and qualified, and who agree to present themselves to commence employment on the date and for the period specified. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to issue social security cards for aliens who may be employed or receive public assistance in the United States. Specifies the information which an alien must provide when applying for a social security card. Requires the applicant to supply either proof of the individual's citizenship or alien status, or an affidavit that the individual was assigned a social security account number at least five years before the date of application for the card. Prohibits the employment or provision of public assistance to an individual specified in this Act unless such individual presents a social security card to the employer or agency and the employer or agency submits required information to the Secretary. Establishes a civil penalty for the violation of such prohibition. Prohibits the employment or provision of public assistance to an alien whose status under the Immigration and Nationality Act does not permit such alien to work or receive public assistance. Establishes penalties for presenting a false social security card or providing fraudulent information in order to obtain employment or public assistance. Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 to prohibit the use of Federal financial aid to provide job training or employment opportunities to aliens who are not authorized to work or who are illegally in the United States. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit income tax deductions for wages paid to aliens illegally working in the United States. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the Secretary of Labor, when adjudicating the petition of an alien for admission to perform skilled or unskilled labor, from considering the work experience gained by the alien in the United States during any time while in an immigration status in which employment was not authorized for the alien. Authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of vessels, vehicles, and aircraft used to illegally transport aliens into the United States. Sets forth exceptions to such seizure and forfeiture provision, including a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft used as a common carrier unless the owner or other person in charge was at the time of the alleged illegal act a consenting party or privy thereto. Amends the Social Security Act to prohibit the payment of Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits and Medicaid benefits to illegal aliens. Adds border crossing cards, alien registration receipt cards, and other documents prescribed by regulation for entry into the United States to the list of documents the false making of which shall be punished by fine or imprisonment or both.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that our relations with the Republic of China should be continued, and that improved relations with the People's Republic of China can be accomplished without impairing our friendship with the Republic of China.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1977
Asbestos Health Hazards Compensation Act - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the findings and declares the purpose of this Act. States that there is a significant number of persons who suffer disability or death from employment-related diseases caused by the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos and/or the inhalation of asbestos coupled with the inhalation of cigarette tobacco smoke. States that it is the purpose of this Act through the exercise of the power of Congress to regulate commerce among the several States and with foreign nations to provide a schedule of equitable, comprehensive, and exclusive benefits to affected persons who become disabled as a result of an asbestos-related disease and to the dependents of affected persons who die from such diseases. Title II: Claims for Benefits Accruing on or before December 31, 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make payments of benefits in respect of disability of any affected person due to asbestos-related disease and in respect of the death of any affected person whose death was due to asbestos-related disease. Requires the Secretary by regulation to prescribe standards for determining whether an affected person is disabled due to asbestos-related disease; or whether the death of an affected person was due to such disease. Sets forth the manner in which benefits are to be paid pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Title III: Claims for Benefits Accruing after December 31, 1979 - States that the responsibility for funding the payment of benefits for all claims accruing or arising on or after January 1, 1980, shall be borne equally by the "responsible parties," as such term is defined in this Act, and the United States. Establishes within the Department of Labor the Asbestos Health Hazards Compensation Fund. States that all valid claims for benefits under this Title shall be satisfied from such Fund. Establishes a Board of Directors for the Fund and sets forth the duties of such Board. Provides for the development and maintenance of the Fund by means of equal contributions from the responsible parties and the United States. Vests in the Secretary the responsibility, with the advice and concurrence of the Director of the Internal Revenue Services, of assuring that such contributions are collected from the responsible parties. Prohibits an employer from discharging or discriminating against any asbestos-afflicted employee because such person has filed a claim for benefits under this Act. Establishes procedures for the relief of persons discharged or discriminated against because of a claim for benefits pursuant to this Act.
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 · 29 July 1977
Limits the power of any United States court to issue school transportation orders based on race, color, or national origin. Stipulates that only a three judge district court may issue a school assignment order based on race, color, or national origin. Requires the holding of a special hearing where specific findings in relation to such a constitutional violation must be made before a school assignment order may issue. Stays such school assignment orders until all appeals have been exhausted.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1977
Natural Diversity Preservation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and Purposes - States that the purpose of this Act is to establish a nationwide policy of preserving representative examples of the full range of the elements of natural, biological, and geological diversity found in the United States. Title II: Responsibility and Function - Establishes in the Department of the Interior the Office of Nationwide Ecological Reserves which shall have as its function, among other things, the development and administration of a identifying those examples of elements of natural diversity deemed relevant for potential inclusion on the Nationwide Registry of Ecological Reserves. Establishes the Nationwide Ecological Reserves Board. Title III: Inventory and Registry - Requires the development of a Nationwide Registry of Ecological Reserves which shall classify resources according to their relative significance: National, State or local. Sets forth standards of protection for National Classification Registry entries. Title IV: Funding Authorization - Establishes the Natural Diversity Preservation Fund in the Department of the Treasury. Defines the terms which must be followed by the Secretary of the Interior in providing financial assistance for Federal agencies, State and local governments, and the private sector.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that the Attorney General should appoint a special prosecutor to serve in the Department of Justice to investigate and prepare prosecutions with respect to illegal acts to obtain influence for foreign governments from Federal elected or nonelected officials.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1977
States that a review of the national telecommunications policy should be completed expeditiously by the Subcommittee on Communication of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1977
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to increase the value of personal articles which may be entered duty- free by United States residents returning from Mexico.
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 · 15 July 1977
Increases the period of veterans' education assistance from 45 to 54 months, and eliminates the delimiting period. Grants eligibility for such assistance to any veteran of World War II, the Korean conflict, or the Vietnam era whose previous entitlement terminated without such veteran's availing himself of all the assistance to which he was entitled.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1977
Establishes the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area composed of a 48-mile segment of the Chattahoochee River and adjoining lands in the State of Georgia from Buford Dam downstream to Peachtree Creek. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands, waters, and interests therein by donation, purchase or exchange. Reserves a right to retain use and occupancy of noncommercial residential property for specified owners. Authorizes the Secretary to administer, protect, and develop the recreation area in cooperation with the State or its political subdivisions. Prevents the Federal Power Commission from licensing the construction of any dam, water conduit, reservoir, or other project works on or directly affecting the recreation area. Prohibits any department or agency of the United States from recommending authorization of any water resources project that would have a direct and adverse effect on the values for which such area is established. Authorizes such funds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Requires that within three years of the effective date of this Act the Secretary shall, after consulting with the Governor of the State of Georgia, develop a general management plan for the use and development of the recreation area.
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 · 12 July 1977
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to exempt from customs duties products of the insular possessions of, the United States if not more than 70 percent of the products value is attributable to foreign materials, until the value of such imports reaches a specified annual total. Exempts watch products from such quota. Exempts from customs duties products of the insular possessions of the United States upon re-entry, if applicable duties were previously paid.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the limitations on charitable deductions and investment tax credits taken by cooperative corporations. Allows cooperatives to allocate their investment tax credits among their patrons.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Comprehensive Veterans' Employment Training and Supportive Services Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide (1) such comprehensive, coordinated, and interrelated programs as are deemed necessary to facilitate training, readjustment, and rehabilitation, and (2) career, veterans benefits and rights, and personal adjustment and motivational counseling to promote the productive employment of Vietnam era veterans, especially disabled veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Authorizes each Member of the House of Representatives, including the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico and the Delegates from Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, to hire for two week of each year two senior citizen interns to serve within the District of Columbia. Makes available to each Member for the purpose of hiring such interns an annual gross allowance of $600.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Directs the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a one year review of toxic and carcinogenic substances including: (1) current capabilities to predict the effect on humans of substances found to induce cancer in animals; (2) the benefits and risks to the public of such substances; (3) the validity of benefit-risk analysis of such substances; and (4) the relationship of Federal regulatory policies concerning the use of such substances for food and for non-food purposes. Directs the Institute to report its findings and legislative and administrative recommendations to the Congress and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare within one year. Authorizes the continued use of saccharin for eighteen months. Prohibits the Secretary from taking any action under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit or restrict the sale or distribution (other than requiring labeling) of saccharin.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to qualify an individual who, although employable, is unable to care for his or her personal needs without assistance as a disabled person eligible for the services of a home health aide.