United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Authorizes the Administrator of the General Services to dispose of up to 45,000 long tons of tin presently held in the national and supplemental stockpiles. Stipulates that: (1) up to 26,000 long tons of such tin, or the proceeds from the sale thereof, shall be used to obtain up to 225,000 short tons of copper; (2) the proceeds from the sale of the first 5,000 long tons of tin sold pursuant in this Act in fiscal year 1978 and the proceeds from the sale of the first 10,000 long tons of such tin sold in fiscal year 1979 shall be covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts; and (3) 4,000 long tons of such tin, or the proceeds from the sale thereof shall be used to acquire strategic and critical materials which are needed on a priority basis. Authorizes the Administrator to use any quantity of tungsten or the proceeds from the sale thereof, which is available for disposal to aid in the acquisition of the 225,000 short tons of copper (except that the proceeds from the sale of the first 3,000,000 pounds of tungsten for each of the fiscal years 1978 and 1979 may not be used for such purpose). Stipulates that the copper acquired pursuant to this Act shall be placed in the national stockpile.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1978
Bilingual Education Act Amendments - Revises the Bilingual Education Act to extend the general authorization for appropriations under such Act to 1981. Stipulates that grants for assistance to bilingual education programs will be available for fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981. Revises application requirements for such grants, including provisions regarding an evaluation plan and bilingual personnel recruitment. Provides special provisions for Puerto Rico regarding use and distribution of funds under such Act. Directs the Commissioner of Education to conduct a study of the need for compensatory English proficiency programs in Puerto Rico. Directs the Commissioner to make authorized payments directly to the applicants rather than to the Secretary of the Interior for specified programs of bilingual education for Indian children. Transfers specified evaluation responsibilities of the Secretary regarding such programs to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Revises specified bilingual education training provisions under such Act to place particular emphasis on degree programs in bilingual education. Extends indefinitely the Commissioner of Education's authority to award fellowships for bilingual teacher training. Directs the Commissioner to undertake an ongoing study of the impact of such fellowships on the field of bilingual education. Revises the definition of "eligible applicant" for purposes of such training grants. Requires an individual receiving such assistance to work in a bilingual education related activity for a period equivalent to the period such assistance was received. Establishes within the Office of Education in place of the existing Office of Bilingual Education a Bureau of Bilingual Education to be headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Bilingual Education. Revises the composition of the National Advisory Council on Bilingual Education, including a requirement that at least two parents of children whose language proficiency is other than English be included in such Council. Extends authorizations for research and demonstration projects under such Act to fiscal year 1981. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1979-1983 for a grant program to local educational agencies and private nonprofit organizations eligible for Emergency School Aid assistance to meet the needs of minority children from an environment in which English is not the dominant language. Stipulates that such grants be designed to complement local programs carried out under the Emergency Aid Act. Provides for a program of grants for fiscal years 1982 and 1983 to States for bilingual education and for supplementary incentive grants to States providing State assistance to bilingual education programs. Provides guidelines for State applications for such bilingual education grants, including an annual State plan for distribution of such funds to local educational agencies giving priority to those programs that have been funded in previous years. Amends the Emergency School Aid Act to revise certain appropriation allocations and application requirements regarding: (1) educational television; (2) special projects; and (3) evaluations of specific projects assisted under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of Energy to develop research, development, and demonstration programs concerning the use of solar photovoltaic energy systems. Authorizes the Secretary to provide up to 75 percent of the purchase and installation costs of selected systems used for research purposes. Requires the Secretary to formulate definitive performance criteria concerning solar photovoltaic systems and to develop a system of certification for conforming systems. Directs the Secretary to consult with relevant Federal agencies concerning the use of solar photovoltaic systems in Federal facilities. Requires the Secretary to set up a development and demonstration program of prototype photovoltaic systems at the Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, Colorado. Directs the Secretary to establish a solar energy data bank at the Golden facility. Requires relevant Federal officials to ensure that small business concerns are granted realistic and adequate opportunities to participate, to the maximum extent possible, in the programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1978
Water Research and Development Act - Title I: Water Resources Research and Development - Provides for the designation of a water resources research and technology institute at a college or university within each State. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to assist such institutes in the study of the hydrologic cycle; the conservation and reuse of water; the economic, legal and social aspects of water use; and other specified topics. Directs each State institute to annually report to the Secretary concerning its efforts to coordinate water resources research within its jurisdiction. Requires such institutes to cooperate with the Secretary in the development of five-year water resources research and development program. Authorizes a program to provide funds, on a competitive basis, to State institutes for transferring research results to other organizations for further development and practical use. Permits the Secretary to make grants to qualified educational institutions, private foundations, private firms, and individuals to conduct water research and development projects. Allows the Secretary to make advance payments of initial expenses to facilitate such projects. Prohibits the expenditure of funds appropriated under this Act until 30 days have elapsed following the transmittal of a report concerning such expenditures to designated committees of Congress. Requires that such report include among other things, the location, characteristics, and estimated cost of such projects. Title II: Water Research and Development for Saline and Other Impaired Waters - Directs the Secretary to conduct, encourage, and promote research aimed at converting impaired water into water suitable for beneficial uses. Directs the Secretary to carry out engineering and technical work to test various saline water conversion processes. Requires the Secretary to study the economic aspects of various techniques of saline water conversion. Directs the Secretary to use the expertise of the Department of the Interior in water marketing activities. Permits the Secretary to receive compensation for studies or surveys related to impaired waters. Permits the Secretary to study, design, and operate water resources programs and activities to demonstrate the economic and technical inability of various techniques. Prohibits the expenditure of funds appropriated under this Act until 30 days have elapsed following the transmittal of a report concerning such expenditures to designated committees of Congress. Requires that such report include among other things, the location, characteristics and estimated cost of such projects. Title III: Technology Transfer and Information Dissemination - Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a research assessment and technology transfer program. Permits the Secretary to create and maintain a national center for the acquisition, processing, and dissemination of information concerning water resources research, technology development, and demonstration. Title IV: General Provisions - Grants the Secretary powers consistent with the duties assigned under this Act. Authorizes funds for the implementation of this Act. Limits the use of funds for foreign activities under this Act. Sets criteria for the approval of grants under this Act. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with relevant Federal, State and local agencies in the implementation of this Act. Permits the Secretary to receive compensation for waters and byproducts created by programs created by this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to the President and Congress annually concerning the programs created by this Act. Repeals the Water Resources Research Act of 1964; the Saline Water Conversion Act of 1971; and the Water Research and Conversion Act of 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1978
Solar Power Satellite Research, Development, and Demonstration Program Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to initiate a Solar Power Satellite Research, Development, and Demonstration Program to study technical problems regarding the viability of the solar power satellite concept. Requires the Secretary to cooperate with the Administrator in the submission to Congress, by September 30, 1978, of a comprehensive plan to implement the Program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals to elect either an income tax deduction for 100 percent of the social security taxes paid, or a tax credit for 15 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1978
Reclamation Safety of Dams Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to modify Bureau of Reclamation dams and related facilities in order to preserve structural safety.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1978
Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act - Title I: Tribally Controlled Community Colleges - Provides for educational grants by the Secretary of the Interior to tribally controlled Indian community colleges. Provides that schools eligible for such grants shall be: (1) formally controlled, sanctioned or chartered by an Indian tribe or tribes; (2) governed by a board of directors, a majority of whom are Indians; (3) directed by stated goals, philosophy, or plan of action aimed at meeting the needs of Indians; and (4) attended by students, a majority of whom must be Indians if the school has been in operation more than one year. Authorizes technical assistance to the schools. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to contract with the Assistant Secretary of Education of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare for feasibility studies of individual schools. Requires such studies to be conducted by the Secretary of the Interior upon tribal request. Provides for the administration, and funding of these grants, with certain rule-making authority being vested in the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations of stated amounts for three years. Directs the Secretary to make annual reports and recommendations to Congress on the program. Stipulates that assistance under this Act shall not, in itself, prevent any recipient college from receiving other educational assistance. Directs the Secretary to prepare a report, on existing and planned tribally controlled community college facilities, Bureau of Indian Affairs facilities which could reasonably be converted to such use. Excludes the Navajo Tribe from the provisions of this title, as well as any colleges which limit enrollment to specific tribes. Title II: Construction Grants - Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress by November, 1979, a survey and study on the academic facilities required by tribally controlled community colleges. Authorizes the Secretary to make planning and construction grants to the colleges upon proper applications and showings. Excludes the Navajo Tribe, as well as any colleges which limit enrollment to specific tribes, from the provisions of this title. Title III: Navajo Community College - Navajo Community College Assistance Act - Amends the Navajo Community College Act to authorize construction appropriations of $60,000,000 for the College over the three years following this enactment. Appropriates additional operating and maintenance appropriations for the College. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish procedures to control such appropriations and to segregate them from appropriations for Navajo programs historically expended by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide for a study of the suitability and feasibility of designating the Vietnam Veterans Chapel, Eagle Nest, New Mexico, as a national memorial to the Vietnam veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Expresses the consent of Congress to an amendment of the constitution of New Mexico to provide a method for executing leases and other contracts for the development and operation of geothermal steam and waters on lands granted or confirmed to such State.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1978
Middle Income Student Assistance Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a $250 minimum basic educational opportunity grant for college students whose adjusted family income does not exceed $25,000. Sets forth new guidelines for determining the assets of independent students for purposes of eligibility for basic educational opportunity grants. Revises certain provisions regarding Federal payments to reduce student loan interest costs under such Act including raising the maximum allowable adjusted family income requirement to $40,000.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1978
Alcohol Fuel Encouragement Act - Requires all gasoline stations, within three years of the passage of this Act, to sell a mixture of gasoline and alcohol in the same manner as they sell gasoline. Imposes a civil penalty for violations of such requirement. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow rapid amortization of facilities producing alcohol for use as a fuel in motor vehicles. Amends the Clean Air Act with respect to the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the use of alcohol as a fuel additive.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1978
Gives Department of Energy (DOE) couriers and security inspectors the same civil service retirement benefits as law enforcement officers and firefighters. Defines "couriers" as any DOE employee who provides security during shipment of nuclear weapons components and strategic quantities of special nuclear materials. Defines "security inspector" as any DOE employee who protects nuclear weapons components and strategic quantities of special nuclear materials.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Legislative Oversight Act - Title I: Requirements for Authorization Bills - Requires all legislation considered by either House of Congress which authorizes new budget authority or increased tax expenditures to include a statement of objectives of the program to be authorized or established and a requirement that the agencies administering the program report annually to Congress to assist it in determining whether such program should be amended. Requires such agency reports to list the costs and accomplishments of each program. Title II: Requirements for Reports Accompanying Authorization Bills - Requires committee reports accompanying such legislation to identify expected economic and social costs and benefits of new programs authorized or established by such legislation, potentially duplicative programs, and previous efforts to accomplish the objectives of the program being considered. Requires reports to contain, if the legislation continues an existing program, authorization, or tax expenditure, an assessment of the degree to which such program or tax expenditure has met previously stated objectives. Requires the Comptroller General to publish and periodically update a descriptive catalog of interrelated Federal activities which compares program costs and accomplishments and describes program interrelationships, including the extent to which programs are duplicative. Title III: Presidential Budget Recommendations - Requires the President's budget to describe the relationship between the President's recommended program budgets and the program accomplishments reported by Federal agencies under this Act. Title IV: Authorization Time Limit; Certain Obligations not Impaired - Prohibits congressional consideration of any legislation which authorizes new budget authority or provides new or increased tax expenditures, or new spending authority for a period exceeding five years. Exempts from this prohibition national debt service and payments to individuals from Federal trust funds to which such individuals have contributed. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions; Effective Date - Recognizes the authority of either House to amend this Act. Sets the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Modifies the exterior boundary of the Cibola National Forest, New Mexico. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, upon request of the Governor of New Mexico, to acquire by exchange any lands or interests therein owned by the State of New Mexico within the National Forest.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1978
Public Grazing Lands Improvement Act - Requires that an inventory of rangeland conditions and trends be taken in 11 contiguous western states and Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage and improve public rangelands so that they become as productive as feasible in accordance with the rangeland management objectives established through the land use planning process prescribed in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. Provides for the funding of such improvements. Announces the formula to be used by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior in setting fees for domestic livestock grazing on public lands. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue ten year grazing leases or permits except when he has determined, on a case-by-case basis, that the establishment of a shorter term is in the interest of sound land management policy. Allows for private adoption of excess wild horses or burros when rangeland inventories indicate overpopulation of such animals in an area where a demand for private adoption exists. Permits the donation of adopted burros and horses to individuals who have provided humane conditions and care for such animals for a period of one year.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1978
Grants a Federal charter to the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Incorporated. Stipulates that the purposes of such organization are to assist the widows and orphans of deceased ex-prisoners of war and to assist ex-prisoners of war who have been injured or handicapped as a result of their service.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Requires that the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service shall reimburse Bernalillo County, New Mexico, for the inpatient and outpatient care and treatment of eligible Indians for hospital and medical services. States that the methods of determining the reasonable cost of services shall be agreed upon between the governing body of the hospital and the Surgeon General.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for the current fair market value charitable contributions of literary, musical or artistic compositions created by the taxpayer, without any reduction for appreciation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Calls for a national referendum on whether the United States should divest itself of the Panama Canal and states that Congress shall be guided by the results.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
States that during the year following the enactment of this Act the Secretary of the Interior shall neither withhold water delivery from any beneficiary of a Federal reclamation project nor initiate any proceeding intended to require the sale of privately owned lands within any project, for purposes of achieving conformity with acreage limitations or residency requirements of reclamation law.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1977
Declares certain lands owned by the United States in Sandoval County, New Mexico, to be held by the United States in trust for the benefit and use of the Pueblo of Zia.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1977
Tuition Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit against an individual's income tax in an amount equal to 50 percent of the sum of the amounts paid by him to educational institutions as tuition (though no more than $500 for any single individual) for the attendance of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or any of his dependents with respect to whom he is entitled to a personal exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for foot care involving the cutting and removal of corns, warts, and calluses and the trimming of club nails.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 1977
Enlarges the acreage limitation under Federal reclamation laws to 480 acres of class 1 land or its equivalent. Defines "equivalent" for purposes of this Act. Includes interest in the amount of construction charges that must be paid before excess lands shall carry the right to receive water. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to amend existing contracts to conform to the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 1977
Authorizes the Indian Arts and Crafts Board of the Department of the Interior to make loans and grants to Indian museums for operational expenses and for management personnel and support expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1977
States that during the year following the enactment of this Act the Secretary of the Interior shall neither withhold water delivery from any beneficiary of a Federal reclamation project nor initiate any proceeding intended to require the sale of privately owned lands within any project, for purposes of achieving conformity with acreage limitations or residency requirements of reclamation law.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Federal Disclosure and Accountability Act - Prohibits any Federal employee from coercing any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of such individual to disclose any illegal or otherwise improper Government action to the Review Board on Improper Government Actions, established by this Act and from taking any adverse personnel action against such individual who is a Federal employee in retaliation for such disclosure. Requires the Board to investigate any such disclosure and, in the event further investigation or action is warranted, to notify the person, the head of the agency in which such person is employed, and, if appropriate, the Attorney General and/or the Comptroller General.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1977
Declares that there be no reduction of customs duties on textile, apparel, or fiber products and that such products be excluded from the current Tokyo Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1977
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development should not implement the proposed reorganization of the field and insuring offices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development prior to the time when the appropriate committees of the Congress have had an opportunity to hold hearings on such reorganization.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1977
Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior from increasing the grazing fee for the 1978 grazing year in order to allow Congress sufficient time to analyze the Secretaries' report and recommendations with respect to the value of grazing on public lands and the fee to be charged for domestic livestock grazing on such lands.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
States that during the period following the enactment of this Act until December 31, 1978, neither the Secretary of the Interior nor the Attorney General shall withhold water delivery from any beneficiary of a Federal reclamation project for purposes of achieving conformity with acreage limitations or residency requirements of reclamation law.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Copper Environmental equalization Act - Title I: Amendments to the Tariff Schedules of the United States - Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to impose additional customs duties on copper. Title II: Adjustments to Copper Equalization Duty - Directs the President to adjust the customs duties on copper by an amount equal to the excess of the United States environmental production costs over foreign environmental production costs if such article exceeds ten cents per pound. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe a procedure for proposal of such adjustments. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to determine such production costs. Title III: Amendment to the Trade Act of 1974 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to make certain copper imports ineligible for the Generalized System of Preferences. Title IV: Effective Date - Declares this Act effective upon enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1977
Calls for a national referendum on whether the United States should divest itself of the Panama Canal and states that Congress shall be guided by the results.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1977
States that during the year following the enactment of this Act the Secretary of the Interior shall neither withhold water delivery from any beneficiary of a Federal reclamation project nor initiate any proceeding intended to require the sale of privately owned lands within any project, for purposes of achieving conformity with acreage limitations or residency requirements of reclamation law.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct hydroelectric powerplants at specified locations. Stipulates that the power generated by such facilities shall be delivered to the Secretary of Energy for distribution and marketing through existing Federal hydroelectric power marketing systems. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for the construction of each facility under this Act. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be required by the Secretary of Energy to interconnect such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that artistic compositions, copyrights, and the like shall not be included in the estate tax valuation of the creator's estate.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1977
Prohibits the Secretary of the Army from determining a 45-acre cabin site at Conchas Lake, New Mexico, to be in excess of project needs prior to 1996 unless such determination is agreed to by the Governor of New Mexico. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring the removal or sale and purchase of cabins or other privately owned improvements unless agreed to by the Governor of New Mexico.
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
Amends the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to obligate for fiscal years 1979 and 1980 not less than $30,000,000 of the funds authorized to be appropriated under such Act for improving air navigation facilities for the purpose of establishing no fewer than 45 automated flight service stations. Defines "flight service stations" as air navigation facilities used to assist pilots in the safe conduct of flight.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Returns title to the United States to specified land in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, originally conveyed to certain Indian pueblos of New Mexico. Provides for the transfer to the Secretary of the Interior on behalf of the United States as trustee for the pueblos. Preserves any rights: (1) to the land of the Indian Pueblos Cultural Center, Inc., as assignee or sublessee of The All Indian Pueblo Council, Inc.'s August 27, 1974, lease; and (2) to the lands previously conveyed to the County of Bernalillo for Four-H Club use.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that artistic compositions, copyrights, and the like shall not be included in the estate tax valuation of the creator's estate.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Ocean Pollution Environmental Research and Development Act - Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to prepare a comprehensive annual plan for ocean pollution environmental research and development to be submitted to Congress and the President. Establishes procedures for interagency coordination of existing ocean-related programs. Authorizes the Administrator to provide financial assistance in the form of grants and contracts for additional ocean pollution research and development activities. Directs the Administrator to establish an oil spill research and development program. Directs the Administrator and the Commandant of the Coast Guard to conduct a study of the practicality of utilizing oil spill removal technologies developed under such Act by Federal agencies. Directs the Administrator to submit an annual report of activities under this Act to Congress and the President. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 to the Administrator for fiscal year 1979 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1977
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 or labor. 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. Authorizes the Attorney General, upon receipt of such certification by the Secretary, to extend the terms of an alien's admission for periods not exceeding one year in the aggregate.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1977
Restricts payments of the United States to the United Nations to the ratio of the population of the United States to the total population of member nations.