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United States · Official source
3,894 records where Rep. Leach, James A. [R-IA-2] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1977
Declares a state of war against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1977
Authorizes the Clerk of the House of Representatives to withhold charitable contributions from the pay of House employees for transmittal to the Combined Federal Campaign, if the employee requests the Clerk to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1977
Requests the President of the United States to designate July 18, 1978, as "Small Business Day."
United States · United States Congress · 2 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 · 24 May 1977
Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in conducting any census or interim survey in which data is to be collected indicating the ownership of property within the United States, to collect such additional data as may be necessary to determine whether such property is subject to foreign ownership and to publish such information. Requires the Secretary in conducting agricultural censuses to publish data indicating the amount and value of agricultural land within the United States which is under foreign ownership, owned by financial institutions for their own account or as agents, and under ownership by corporations or unincorporated associations which have annual sales of nonagricultural goods and services in excess of $10,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Authorizes the Federal Energy Administrator to make grants to assist States and localities in the construction, purchase, and installation of solar energy systems in new and existing public buildings and facilities. Stipulates that such grants shall be in an amount of up to 50 percent of the incremental cost of such systems. Establishes procedures and criteria for submission and approval of projects under this Act. Requires preparation of an energy use analysis for each proposal. Authorizes technical and related services to States and localities with respect to project proposals. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, within five years of the date of enactment of this Act, to establish standards for solar energy equipment. Authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Administrative Rule Making Reform Act - Requires a Federal agency preparing to hold a rule making session to make a reasonable effort to inform those likely to be affected by the proposed rule making. Requires that if the affected group is large, representatives of such group must be notified. Requires, in addition to present requirements, that the notice of rule making include the projected effective date of the rules, the purpose of the rule making, the text of the proposed rules, and the technical or other studies on which the agency intends to rely in the rule making proceedings. Applies the requirements of this Act to all rule making sessions except (1) those specifically authorized to be kept secret in the interest of national security, (2) those relating to agency management, and (3) those promulgating rules which are not enforceable by imprisonment, fine, civil penalty, or denial of future Federal benefits. Requires public notice and public opportunity for comment of all rule making proceedings under this Act unless the agency finds that the rules to be proposed are emergency rules or are of routine or insignificant impact in which case the rule must be published with reasons for its adoption. Requires Federal agencies to give interested persons at least 45 days to participate in the rule making. Requires the agency to maintain a file of each proceeding to be made available to the courts, Congress, and to the public in connection with review of the rule. Limits the period for public comment to a maximum of 90 days. Requires a copy of all proposed rules to be sent to Congress. States that such rule, other than an emergency rule, shall not become effective if it is disapproved within 90 days by both Houses of Congress, or it is disapproved within 60 days by one House and no action is taken on the disapproval resolution by the other House. Provides that either House of Congress may, by resolution, require any agency to reconsider and resubmit any rule to which this Act applies. Requires that such proposed rule be repromulgated anew in accordance with all the provisions of this Act unless it is reconsidered and resubmitted to Congress within 180 days after the adoption of the resolution requiring such reconsideration. Sets forth procedures for adoption of resolutions to approve, disapprove, or compel reconsideration for both Houses. Requires the Administrative Conference of the United States to study congressional review of agency rule making under this Act and report the effect of such review on such rule making before July 1, 1982. Authorizes to be appropriated $200,000 to finance such study. Makes this Act effective on the first day of the first session of the 95th Congress. Terminates the congressional review required by this Act at the adjournment of the 97th Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1977
Directs the House Committee or Standards of Official Conduct to meet and vote before June 1, 1977, upon whether to undertake a formal investigation of those Members of the House who have publicly admitted accepting money or other emoluments from the Republic of Korea or agents thereof.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to tax the unrelated income of tax-exempt organizations which is derived from farm real property.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Agricultural Census Amendments Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to reduce the overall burden on respondents in the 1979 census of agriculture, drainage and irrigation to no more than 60 percent of the burden on respondents in the 1974 census. Requires the statistical definition of farms in the 1979 census not to exclude any establishment which would normally sell more than $600 worth of agricultural products during the census year; or, for census years following 1979, $600 worth, adjusted by a specified percentage. Directs the Department of Commerce to improve the collection, analysis and publication of data about the ownership structure of American farms. Requires publication of information obtained in each such census as soon as practicable, but in no event later than March 1 of the year following the year in which such census is taken.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Amends rule III of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each employee of the House to file an annual statement disclosing the name of each Member who is a relative of such employee.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the consideration of any report from the Committee on Rules, relating to the consideration of any bill or resolution, which does not allow for the offering of germane amendments under the five-minute rule. Prohibits the consideration of specified resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules which do not allow for the offering of germane amendments under the five-minute rule.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1972 to require that the fixing or adjustment of any allowance payable out of the House contingency fund for Members, officers, and committees of the House of Representatives be submitted to the entire House for approval by resolution. Repeals certain appropriations made by the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1972 and the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Amends rule III of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the Clerk to make available for public inspection all records under the Clerk's control respecting expenditures incurred on or after January 5, 1977, by any Member or committee of the House.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize any taxpayer to elect to have any portion of any overpayment of tax or any contribution in money which the taxpayer forwards with the return for such taxable year be available, as the taxpayer may designate on such return, for the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
Child Exploitation Prevention Act - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to prohibit the sexual exploitation of children by making it unlawful for any individual to (1) cause or permit a child to be photographed or filmed engaged in a sexual act prohibited under this Act; (2) photograph or film a prohibited sexual act; (3) knowingly transport any film or photograph depicting a prohibited sexual act; or (4) receive for sale or sell any such film or photograph, if such individual knows or should know such film or photograph has or may be transported in such a manner as to affect interstate or foreign commerce. Imposes a fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 20 years for a violation of the sexual exploitation of children provisions of this Act. Imposes a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 15 years for a violation of the transportation of photographs and films of children engaged in sexual acts provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
Child Abuse Prevention Act - Prohibits the sexual exploitation of children by making it unlawful for any individual to: (1) cause or permit a child to be photographed or filmed engaged in a sexual act prohibited under this Act; (2) photograph or film a prohibited sexual act; (3) knowingly transport any film or photograph depicting a prohibited sexual act; or (4) receive for sale or sell any such film or photograph, if such individual knows or should know such film or photograph has or may be transported in such a manner as to affect interstate or foreign commerce. Imposes a fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 20 years for a violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1977
Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to require the President to require sales of all agricultural commodities financed by the Commodity Credit Corporation to be made on the basis of a public tender, to be publicly opened in the United States, and to prohibit the payment of a commission to any selling agent.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Housing and Community Development Act - Title I: Community Development Amendments - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to include the alleviation of physical and economic distress through private investment and community revitalization among the objectives of such Act. Defines additional terms including "age of housing" and "extent of growth lag." Authorizes funds to be appropriated for the purpose of making grants to States and units of local governments to help finance community development programs, not to exceed: $3,500,000,000 for fiscal year 1978; $3,650,000,000 for fiscal year 1979; and $3,800,000,000 for fiscal year 1980. Limits amounts of appropriated funds which may be used to aid metropolitan cities, urban counties, and other units of local government within metropolitan areas to meet their hold-harmless needs. Authorizes funds not to exceed $400,000,000, to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980 for the purpose of assisting severely distressed cities that require supplemental grant assistance in order to alleviate excessive deterioration through neighborhood reclamation and community revitalization. Changes specified application and review requirements for such grants. Includes among activities eligible for assistance under this Act: (1) the financing of public or private acquisition for purposes or rehabilitation; and (2) activities carried out by public or private nonprofit entities which are necessary or appropriate to meeting the needs and objectives of approved community development plans. Sets forth the formulae which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development must follow in order to determine the amount to be allocated to each metropolitan city and urban county and the distribution of remaining funds. Extends, by three years, the period during which funds will be reserved for use by the Secretary to make grants at his discretion. Increases, by one percent, the amount of funds to be reserved from the total amount appropriated for Community Development Programs. Removes the Secretary's authority to guarantee loans for acquisition of property with respect to grants to States and units of local government to help finance Community Development Programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make urban development action grants to severely distressed cities to help alleviate physical and economic deterioration through community revitalization in areas of population out-migration or stagnating or declining tax base. Reserves urban development action grants only to those cities that have demonstrated results in providing housing for persons of low- and moderate-income and in providing equal opportunity in housing and employment for low- and moderate-income persons and members of minority groups. Lists information to be included in applications for such grants, including a description of a concentrated Urban Development Action Program. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria to be followed in selecting cities to be recipients of such grants. Requires annual reviews and audits of grant recipients. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to extend the rehabilitation loan program through fiscal year 1979. Authorizes $60,000,000 to be appropriated for fiscal year 1978. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1978 for comprehensive planning under the Housing Act of 1954, of which funds 20 percent shall be made available for planning grants. Title II: Housing Authorizations - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to increase the limit on funds that are authorized to be appropriated for contracts for annual contributions to low-income housing projects in 1977. Sets forth the limitation on funds authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of providing annual contributions for the operation of such projects. Prohibits the Secretary from entering into contracts for specified dwelling units after the enactment of this Act. Makes provisions for the assumption of maintenance responsibilities of existing units. Amends the National Housing Act to increase the maximum mortgage amounts under the Federal Housing Administration's multifamily mortgage insurance programs including the homeownership program. Changes the eligibility requirements for mortgage insurance under the National Housing Act by decreasing downpayment requirements. Permits the Secretary to increase mortgage insurance premiums for cooperative housing projects. Extends additional assistance payments for low-income rental projects which achieve 50 percent occupancy. Permits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure, on a permanent basis, mortgages and loans with provisions of varying rates of amortization. States that the principal obligation of such mortgages insured may not exceed 97 percent of the appraised value of the property covered by the mortgage. Exempts such insured mortgages from State laws limiting the amount of interest which may be charged. Amends the National Housing Act to increase the allowable maximum mortgage amount and the term of maturity for mortgage credit assistance. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated to reimburse the housing loan funds for properties transferred under the urban homesteading program. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to authorize funds, not to exceed $108,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 and such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year thereafter, for flood insurance studies. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 to authorize funds not to exceed $65,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 for specified research and demonstration projects. Increases the limits on amounts of conventional mortgages which may be purchased by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation pursuant to the National Housing Act. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to prohibit the Secretary from applying new administrative policies in derogation of the rights (including the right of renewal) of an owner under specified leases. Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to direct the Secretary to issue and implement regulations for the efficient coordination of application processing for specified loans for housing for elderly and handicapped families. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary to insure mortgages in any community where the Secretary determines among, other things that: (1) temporary adverse economic conditions exist throughout the community as a direct and primary result of outstanding claims to ownership of land in the community by an American Indian tribe, band, or Nation; (2) as a direct result of the community's temporarily impaired economic condition, owner occupants of homes in the community have been involuntarily unemployed or underemployed and have thus incurred substantial reductions in income which significantly impair their ability to continue timely payment of their mortgages; and (3) as a result, widespread mortgage foreclosures and distress sales of homes are likely in the community. Title III: Program Extensions - Amends the National Housing Act to extend specified Federal Housing Administration insurance programs including the following: (1) housing renovation and modernization; (2) general insurance authorization; (3) housing for moderate income and displaced families; (4) membership in cooperative associations for lower income families; (5) rental housing for low-income families; (6) coinsurance of mortgages; (7) experimental housing; (8) armed services housing; (9) group practice facilities and medical practice facilities; and (10) new communities. Extends the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to grant flexible interest rates for specified mortgage insurance programs. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend the national flood insurance program until September 30, 1978. Extends, by one year, the Emergency Home Purchase Assistance Act and the new community program. Title IV: Lending Powers in Federal Savings and Loan Association - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to extend the lending authority of Federal Savings and Loan Associations for the following: (1) construction loans; (2) single family dwelling loans; (3) property improvement loans; and (4) multifamily dwelling loans. Makes conforming amendments to the Federal Home Loan Bank Act. Title V: National Urban Policy - National Urban Policy and New Community Development Act- Amends the Urban Growth and New Community Development Act of 1970 to change its emphasis from urban "growth" to "development and redevelopment." Makes changes in the contents of the President's national urban policy report. Title VI: Rural Housing - Authorizes appropriations for specified rural housing programs. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to make changes in the guaranteed housing loan program. Authorizes prepayment of taxes and insurance by Farmers Home Administration borrowers without requiring that such funds are held in escrow. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make expenditures from the Rural Housing Insurance Fund in order to correct construction defects or to pay claims of the owner of property arising from such defects. Redefines the term "domestic farm labor" for purposes of farm housing loans and grants to include specified laborers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Sets forth eligibility requirements for farm housing assistance for elderly or handicapped persons or families. Extends the program for rural housing loans for elderly and handicapped families to include congregate housing facilities for families who require some supervision and central services. Requires that at least 60 percent of insured rural housing loans shall benefit persons of low income. Authorizes the Farmers Home Administration to undertake rural housing research with any public or private body. Makes it mandatory for the Secretary of Agriculture to provide rural rental assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Establishes the Office of Spanish-Speaking Affairs in the Executive Office of the President to advise the executive branch on appropriate actions to assure that Federal programs are providing needed assistance to Spanish-speaking and Spanish-surnamed Americans, to advise on needed new programs regarding such peoples, and to advise such Americans on receiving Federal assistance. Permits the Director of the Office to appoint advisory task forces to advise him on his functions under this Act. Creates the Spanish-Speaking Affairs Coordinating Council, composed of specified executive officials to coordinate Federal agency efforts respecting Spanish-speaking Americans. Terminates this Act five years after it becomes effective.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to require the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank to consider the observance of human rights in the extension of loans and guarantees. Directs the Bank to seek an agreement with other government agencies to reduce and eliminate government-supported export financing. Prohibits any loan or guarantee by such bank for certain nuclear exports, without certain reports to Congress. Specifies reporting requirements for nuclear exports. Requires the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate Congressional committees and to the Bank upon a determination by the Secretary that a country has violated (1) the nuclear safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, or (2) a safeguard agreement with the United States concerning civil use of nuclear energy, or (3) that a non-nuclear state has detonated a nuclear explosive device. Prohibits the Bank to approve credit to such country or for any liquid metal fast breeder nuclear reactor or any nuclear fuel processing facility, unless the President determines that such credit approval is in the national interest and reports this determination to Congress. Extends the authority of the Export-Import Bank to September 30, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Home-Delivered Meals for the Elderly Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to establish a program for the elderly which would provide one hot, balanced, home- delivered meal five days a week. Provides for a needs assessment of individuals receiving aid under such program. Directs the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to develop minimum efficiency standards for furnishing home-delivered meal services. Limits the amount that may be spent on administration of a State plan for nutrition programs for the elderly to five percent of the funds allotted.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
National Meals-on-Wheels Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to allow States to distribute Federal Funds for the establishment of: (1) projects to provide home-delivered meals to qualified homebound elderly persons; (2) an information and referral system for homebound individuals receiving such meals; and (3) an operation to seek volunteer personnel for the delivery of such meals and to compensate such personnel for related transportation expenses. Authorizes the appropriation of specified sums in fiscal years 1978 and 1979 for the purpose of providing home-delivered meals under this Act. Limits to five percent the amount of such funds which may be spent upon the administration of such program. Directs the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to conduct a demonstration project involving at least three States to determine the feasibility of using the meals system designed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the elderly as a component of, or substitute for, regular nutrition projects assisted under the Older Americans Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Declares a state of war against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Prohibits the Bureau of the Census, with respect to agricultural censuses, from acquiring or utilizing census information which could identify any particular taxpayer. Extends such prohibition to the Department of the Treasury and any regulatory agency with respect to information collected by the Bureau pursuant to an agricultural census. Prohibits the imposition of any penalty for refusing or willfully neglecting to answer any question in connection with an agricultural census.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Provides for the striking of a national medal to be issued annually in commemoration of the bicentennials of outstanding historic events and personalities from 1777 to 1789. States that one such medal shall honor President James Madison and shall be issued to coincide with the dedication of the new James Madison Building of the Library of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Comprehensive Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act - Title I: Educational Assistance Program Amendments - Redefines the qualifying service period of an "eligible veteran" to be the period from August 4, 1964 to January 1, 1977; and redesignates as an "eligible peacetime post-Korean veteran" anyone whose qualifying service period fell between January 31, 1955, and August 5, 1964; and entitles both "eligible veterans" and "eligible peacetime post-Korean veterans" to all benefits, services and loans available under the educational assistance program. Extends from 36 to 45 months the period of eligibility for receiving educational assistance (this provision currently exist, 38 U.S.C. 1661 (a)). Sets conditions for extending the ten-year delimiting period for receipt of assistance up to a maximum of two additional years. Provides that counseling offered by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to veterans eligible for educational assistance may include assisting any veteran: (1) to select the occupation or training objective suitable to personal circumstances, characteristics, financial resources, dependent responsibilities and other relevant factors; (2) to select the occupation or training objective which will provide reasonable opportunities for employment and with job satisfaction after development of the required job skills; (3) to select the educational institution that will effectively assist in attaining educational or vocational objectives; and (4) to develop a program of education that will lead to a recognized and predetermined educational, vocational, technical, or professional objective within the veteran's period of entitlement. Directs the Administrator to take such measures as may be necessary, including denial of applications or disapproval of courses, to insure that no aspect of the educational assistance program is used for the purpose of income supplementation, unemployment compensation, or adjusted compensation. Allows continued payments to veterans enrolled in institutions not complying with provisions of the Act if such veterans are not at fault for the noncompliance. Provides an accelerated educational assistance allowance, not to exceed twice the ordinary monthly amount, to be granted, after appropriate counseling, to an eligible veteran or person who demonstrates need for the acceleration. Stipulates the categories of persons most likely to need a program of acceleration. Limits any program of accelerated assistance allowances to five years. Title II: War Orphans' and Widows' Educational Assistance Program Amendments - Allows the ten-year period of eligibility for educational assistance for the spouse of a veteran with a service-connected disability to run from the wedding date of the spouse and such veteran. Entitles eligible war orphans and widows to accelerated educational assistance allowances. Title III: Administration of Educational Benefits - Extends the coverage of existing administrative provisions of the educational assistance program to all branches and extensions of an educational institution. Directs the Administrator to establish between the Administration, the State approving agencies and nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations, an exchange of information pertaining to activities of educational institutions, especially to the enforcement of approval standard and enrollment restrictions and fraudulent and other criminal activities on the part of persons connected with the institution; and directs the Administrator to furnish the U.S. Attorney General, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and other Federal, State and local agencies such information and assistance as may be necessary to preclude abuses or enhance the effectiveness of the programs established hereunder. Requires educational institutions to transmit to State approving agencies catalogs or bulletins certified as true, current and correct both in content and policy by an authorized school official. Requires the State approving agencies to find as a condition of approval, adequate standards of progress established and clearly defined, and to find that an institution and its programs of education are in every aspect, portion, element, and division in full compliance with the law. Revises the criteria for approval of nonaccredited courses. Requires all advertising, promotion, sales techniques, claims and personnel employed by or representing the institution and branches or extensions offering nonaccredited courses to be in compliance with all applicable State and Federal licensing regulations and laws. Permits the Administrator to disapprove any institution of program of education approved as accredited if it fails to comply with any of specified provisions of law. Makes any advance payment of initial educational assistance or subsistence allowance conditional, and denies such advance payments to those entitled to receive accelerated payments. Requires the application for conditional advance payments to indicate that the eligible veteran or person had requested such, that it is necessary and appropriated to meet specific expenses, and that such expenses shall reasonably equal or exceed the amount of conditional advance payment. Requires the Administrator to set up an appeals procedure for administrative proceedings involving property loss resulting from a decision to terminate or modify an eligible veteran's or person's educational benefits. Increases from $3 and $4 to $8 and $10 respectively the fees paid to educational institutions in reimbursement for reports and certifications. Directs the Administrator to refer to the U.S. Attorney General any deliberate, premeditated, or willful misconduct or illegal action of a significant nature or involving a significant sum of money stemming from overpayments occasioned by a false or misleading report by an educational institution. Sets new conditions for the enrollment of an eligible veteran or person in a program of correspondence or residence-correspondence. Denies approval of enrollment in an institution in any way affiliated with a proprietary institution or profitmaking operation which affects any program of education provided eligible veterans and persons unless such program meets all the requirements of the law. Requires the Administrator to notify any eligible veteran or eligible person of any available vocational assistance alternatives and of any legal recourse when it disapproves an institution or discontinues anyone's educational assistance. Requires the Administrator, upon determination that the interruption of failure of a person's program was due in whole or in part to problems of personal adjustment, to advise such person of available counseling services and vocational, educational and psychological assistance. Establishes with the Veterans Administration an Interagency Veterans' Advisory Task Force to advise and assist the Administrator, among other things, in: (1) the review of the effectiveness and coordination of all rights and services authorized for veterans; (2) the development and implementation of studies of the effectiveness of laws applicable to veterans and eligible persons; (3) the monitoring and evaluation and preclusion of abuses of veterans' adjustment assistance programs; (4) the investigation of allegations indicating that veterans are being denied rights, benefit,or assistance; and (5) the appraisal of Federal laws, appropriations, and policies meeting the readjustment needs of veterans. Directs the Task Force to serve as a national clearinghouse for information and assistance relating to the needs of veterans, and to serve as an advocate for the correction of problems and the preclusion of abuses. Establishes within the Task Force a section on enforcement and implementation of laws, a section on the evaluation and accreditation of military experience, and an Advisory Committee to take over the duties and responsibilities of the current advisory committee, with special emphasis on the inclusion and participation of veterans receiving or requiring readjustment assistance. Empowers the Task Force and its sections to issue subpenas. Requires the Task Force to report to Congress within one year of enactment its findings and recommendations for post-Vietnam era readjustment assistance programs. Sets maximum aggregate education loan amounts for eligible persons with no, one, two, or more dependents. Title IV: Miscellaneous Veterans Program Amendments - Requires the Veterans' Administration to adjust its adjudication criteria and under no circumstances to determine eligibility for veterans' benefits for ex-servicemen with other than honorable discharges with either less lenient or more restrictive criteria and procedures that those used by the various military departments in the review and upgrading of other than honorable discharges. Title V: Employment and Training of Disabled and Vietnam-era Veterans - Creates within the Department of Labor a separate agency to be known as the Veterans' Employment Service which shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment. Title VI: Veterans' Administration: Miscellaneous Amendments - Directs the Administrator to initiate a comprehensive outreach and information program to inform veterans of the programs and services made available by this Act. Directs the veterans' representatives to carry out such outreach and information assistance services. Requires both the Administrator and the veterans' representatives especially to assist veterans whose educational benefits have ended because of the expiration of their delimiting period to obtain alternative means of completing their education and training.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an income tax credit for the amounts paid or incurred by the taxpayer to convert land held in the United States and formerly used for agriculture or raising livestock into an area used exclusively for providing vegetative cover for wind erosion control or wildlife habitat. Provides that such wind erosion control and wildlife habitat areas must: (1) meet such requirements as are established by the Secretary of Agriculture; (2) be no less than 20 feet, nor more than 60 feet in width; and (3) comprise no more than 15 percent of the area of any farm. Provides for the recapture of such credits to the extent that credit is taken for land which ceases to be a wind erosion control or wildlife habitat area, or is transferred by the taxpayer (except by reason of death, or in certain tax-free corporate acquisitions) within three years after the credit is taken. Provides for the carryover of allowable credit to the extent it exceeds the taxpayer's liability. Reduces the taxpayer's basis, and disallows any deduction of expenditures properly charged to capital account for which this credit is taken.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Excludes industrially funded personnel from the computation of the end strength for civilian personnel within the Department of Defense for any fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Creates a House select committee which shall conduct an investigation of all records, memorandums, papers, documents, books, and other information of any standing or select committee of the House or officer of the House respecting expenses incurred by or on behalf of any such committee or its members or employees.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 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 · 30 March 1977
Directs the President to develop a plan for the phased withdrawal of all United States ground forces from the Republic of Korea beginning no later than July 1, 1978, and ending before July 1, 1981, and to submit such plan to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate. Authorizes the President to alter such plan under specified circumstances. Directs the President to report annually to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate regarding such withdrawal.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Food Additive Safety Amendments - States that a food additive shall be deemed safe if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (1) makes a finding, based on recommendations of an advisory committee, that the public benefit from permitting the use of such additive would exceed the public risk which might result from such use; (2) gives notice in the Federal Register of such a finding and invites public comment thereon; and (3) issues a final order not earlier than 120 days of such publication in the Federal Register of such findings. Specifies factors the Secretary must take into consideration when evaluating a food additive. Deems saccharin a safe food additive unless the Secretary declares it unsafe under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Endangered American Wilderness Act - Designates specified lands in the following national forests as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Tongass National Forest, Alaska; (2) Coronado National Forest, Arizona; (3) Inyo and Sequoia National Forests, California; (4) Los Padres National Forest, California; (5) Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado; (6) Cibola National Forest, New Mexico; (7) Willamette National Forest, Oregon; (8) Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon; (9) Wasatch and Uinta National Forests, Utah; and (10) Umatilla National Forest, Washington and Oregon. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review the feasibility and suitability of designating as wilderness specified lands in the following national forests: (1) Coronado National Forest, Arizona; (2) Rio Grande and Gunnison National Forests, Colorado; (3) Lolo and Kootenai National Forests, Montana; (4) Santa Fe and Carson National Forests, New Mexico; and (5) Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming. Includes specified lands in the Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon, in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include as "medical and other health services" for which coverage will be provided under Medicare, and as "medical assistance" for which coverage will be provided under Medicaid, that medical or other remedial care furnished by licensed (registered) nurses within the scope of their practices as defined by State law.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt aircraft used primarily for agricultural operation from the excise tax on civil aircraft. Provides for the refund of the excise tax on gasoline used for farming purposes in an aircraft to the aerial applicator who purchased it.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act 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 · 21 March 1977
Authorizes the President of the United States to designate the week beginning November 6, 1977, and ending November 12, 1977, as "National Volunteer Firemen Week."
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Amends the Arms Export Control Act, with respect to approval for the transfer of defense articles, training, or services under that Act, to delay the effective date of such approval until the end of the first period of 30 days of continuous Congressional session after the President has certified the proposed transfer to Congress, unless Congress disapproves such transfer by concurrent resolution within that period. Permits such proposed transfer to become effective immediately if the President certifies to Congress that a state of emergency exists which requires such transfer in the national security interests of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Family Farm Preservation Act - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to prohibit any insured bank from investing any of the funds of a common trust fund or other fund for the collective investment of assets held by the bank as fiduciary, agent, or in any similar capacity, in real estate used principally for agricultural purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Prohibits the closure or realignment of military bases involving reductions in personnel positions below a specified level or construction or conversion at military installations made necessary by the relocation of such civilian personnel unless: (1) the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the military department concerned notifies the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives that such installation is a candidate for closure or realignment; (2) the appropriate Secretary complies with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; (3) the appropriate Secretary notifies the Committees on Armed Services of a final decision in writing regarding such closure or realignment and a detailed justification for such decision; (4) the appropriate Secretary has provided such committees with an impact statement indicating the effect such action would have on the total amount and percentage of total appropriations the Department of Defense expends in the State to be affected; and (5) a period of at least 60 days elapses between such notification and the implementation of such decision. Requires the appropriate Secretary to provide such committees an analysis of the costs expended in such closure or reduction in force which contrasts such costs with those projected prior to such action. Stipulates that this Act does not apply to closure or reductions which the President has certified to Congress as being necessary for reasons of national security or a military emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Family Farm Preservation Act - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to prohibit any insured bank from investing any of the funds of a common trust fund or other fund for the collective investment of assets held by the bank as fiduciary, agent, or in any similar capacity, in real estate used principally for agricultural purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and physical examinations, and related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Requests that the concerns of the United States be conveyed to the Soviet government regarding adherence to the Helsinki Declaration with respect to freedom to emigrate.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, to make visits to the work place of any employer, upon the request of the employer, to consult with and advise the employer concerning the obligations of the employer under such Act. Directs the Secretary to give priority to small businesses and hazardous workplaces. Stipulates that no consultative visit made under this Act may serve as an inspection or investigation as otherwise provided for by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, except: (1) in the case of an employer who fails to eliminate a danger disclosed during such a visit; or (2) if conditions are found during such a visit which indicate the probability that death or serious harm could result to employees therefrom, the Secretary may notify the employer of such conditions and afford him a reasonable time to eliminate such conditions. Prohibits the transmission of information obtained during a consultative visit to representatives of the Secretary engaged in enforcement. Directs the Secretary to establish education programs to inform employers and employees of the hazards in particular industries. Authorizes the appropriation of funds through fiscal year 1979 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Establishes a two-year, seven-member advisory committee to advise the Administrator of the Federal Grain Inspection Service with respect to the implementation of the United States Grain Standards Act of 1976. Amends such Act to repeal the requirement that the State and other official agencies designated to perform inspection or weighing functions pay fees to the Administrator to cover the costs of the direct supervision of personnel of such agencies by the field office personnel of the Federal Grain Inspection Service. Authorizes appropriations to cover such supervisory costs. Amends such Act relative to recordkeeping. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, within six months of the effective date of this Act, to review certain recordkeeping provisions of Federal law and the regulations of the Commodity Credit Corporation as they apply to grain elevators, warehouses or other grain storage and handling facilities. Directs the Secretary, on the basis of such review, to establish a single system for recordkeeping by such facilities that will meet the requirements of such regulations and the law.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Directs the United States to pay reasonable litigation costs, including attorney fees, to prevailing defendants in civil actions in which the United States is a plaintiff.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1977
Privacy Protection for Rape Victims Act - Amends the Federal Rules of Evidence to prohibit in cases of rape or assault with intent to rape the introduction of reputation or opinion evidence of a person's past sexual behavior. Permits the introduction of evidence of specific instances of a person's past sexual behavior only if such evidence is offered by the accused and is either: (1) on the issue of whether the accused was the source of pregnancy, disease, semen, or injury; or (2) on the issue of whether the alleged victim consented to the sexual behavior with respect to which the crime is alleged and restricted to the victim's past sexual relations with the defendant. Requires an accused who intends to introduce any such evidence to make a written motion to the court accompanied by a written offer of proof. Directs the court to hold a hearing on any such motion in chambers to determine admissibility.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers to take the credit for expenses of work incentive programs for wages paid new, full-time handicapped employees over the first cumulative 12 months of their employment.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
Family Farm Preservation Act - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to prohibit any insured bank from investing any of the funds of a common trust fund or other fund for the collective investment of assets held by the bank as fiduciary, agent, or in any similar capacity, in real estate used principally for agricultural purposes.