United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Creates a 12 member select committee to conduct an investigation of the circumstances surrounding both product liability and professional liability insurance rate increases and any related issues the committee shall determine. Directs the committee to report to the House as soon as practicable during the present Congress the results of its investigation, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1977
Product Liability Insurance Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify trusts established for the payment of product liability claims as tax exempt organizations. Allows taxpayers a business income tax deduction for contributions to such trusts only to the extent they exceed the reasonable costs of product liability insurance for the deducting taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1977
Investment Policy Act - Title I: Findings and Definitions - States that the lack of a national policy on investment can adversely affect the economic health and well-being of the Nation. Title II: Declaration of National Policy - Declares that it is the policy and responsibility of the Federal Government to provide incentives to assure maximum investment in private enterprise. Title III: Federal Agency Coordination and Cooperation - Requires the Council on Wage and Price Stability shall submit an Investment Policy Report to Congress which shall include information on levels of capital investment available, trends in such levels, and reviews of economic programs affecting capital investment. Requires the President to transmit to Congress as a part of the economic report such other recommendations as desirable or necessary to achieve the policy declared in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1977
Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to allow a Federal magistrate to issue a search warrant based upon sworn oral testimony communicated by telephone or other appropriate means. Specifies a procedure by which a caller can dictate the contents of such warrant to such magistrate, who shall by voice recording device record the call, and who shall place under oath each person whose testimony forms a basis of the application for such warrant.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture to institute a comprehensive revision of the regulations governing the allocation of use for white water rivers to insure a fair allocation of use among all potential users.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1977
Amends the District of Columbia Code to apply provisions relating to pretrial release of persons charged with capital crimes only to those defendants charged with first degree murder or forcible rape. Authorizes the detaining of such a defendant if after a pretrial detention hearing the judicial officer finds: (1) no one or more conditions of release will reasonably assure that the person will not flee or pose a danger to any other person or to the community; and (2) there is substantial probability that the person committed the offense for which he is charged. Permits institution of pretrial detention hearings by a judicial officer on such officer's own initiative. Authorizes a judicial officer to detain for up to ten days a person coming before him for bail determination charged with any offense if it appears that such person is presently, and was at the time of the offense charged, on bail or other release for a State or Federal felony. Extends the maximum permissible detention period under the provision allowing pretrial detention for persons charged with an offense who are on parole or probation, pending notification to appropriate State or Federal court, probation, or parole officials to ten days. Empowers a judicial officer to hold a pretrial detention hearing and detain an individual pending trial if such State or Federal officials fail to take custody of him during such ten day period. Directs that such an individual who is subsequently convicted of the offense charged receive credit toward service of sentence for the time detained pursuant to this provision. Extends to 90 days the period after which a defendant who is charged with a dangerous crime, a violent crime, or an obstruction of justice and is ordered detained pending trial must be released unless the trial is in progress or has been delayed at the request of the defendant.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include the services of licensed practical nurses under the coverage provided pursuant to such Titles.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Directs the Committees on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs; Appropriations; Agriculture; and International Relations of the House of Representatives to review all United States foreign assistance furnished through bilateral or multilateral lending institutions, to ascertain means of increasing Congressional control over such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Defense Production Act Amendments - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to prohibit any Federal contracting officer who by virtue of his position is authorized to solicit or select sources of supply, or describe requirements for, enter into, award, modify, terminate, administer, or make determinations or findings with respect to any or contract while so employed, from accepting compensation from any contractor without the written permission of the standards of conduct counselor for his employing agency. Prohibits such contracting officer from owning a controlling interest in any contractor who has been affected by action taken by such officer. Prohibits such contracting officer from accepting employment within two years following his employment with the United States from any contractor who was affected by the action of such officer taken by him or her within three years prior to the termination of his or her employment with such agency, and from accepting employment with such a contractor in a position which was created or subsidized by revenues realized through a Federal contract handled by such officer until five years after the termination of such officer's employment with such agency has been terminated. Prohibits contractors from offering to any such officer of any compensation such officer is prohibited from receiving under this Act. Establishes a Conflict of Interest Review Board to review compliance by contracting officers with this Act. States that the Board shall issue advisory opinions with respect to compensation offered to such contracting officer after notice is published in the Federal Register and interested parties have had an opportunity to present testimony relating to the issuance of such advisory opinion. States that reliance on such advisory opinion shall be a defense to a civil or criminal case brought under this Act. Requires meetings of the Board at which such advisory opinions will be considered to be open to the public. Authorizes the Board to issue rules to implement this Act. Requires the Board to report annually to Congress respecting its activities and recommendations of legislative or regulatory actions to promote high ethical standards for Government employees. Requires the following persons to file specified information with the Board: (1) former Government employees who were employed in any given fiscal year as a representative of a Government contractor in any action in which the United States was a party or in any transaction with the United States; and (2) any Federal employee who was previously employed by a Government contractor at a salary rate equal to or greater than that for positions in grade GS-13. Exempts specified persons from the filing requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
Establishes within the House of Representatives a Select Committee on Welfare Reorganization to: (1) study any problems which exist in the interaction of present benefit programs; (2) formulate legislation to resolve such problems; (3) study the system used by the House to refer proposed welfare legislation to committees; and (4) study whether there is a need in the House for a standing committee to handle such legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to jointly provide for a study of a Southern Appalachian Slope National Recreation Area at a specified location on the southern slope of the Appalachian highlands in areas of the States of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Requires a report to the Congress on the feasibility of the establishment of such an area, and of the estimated costs thereof.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Broadcast License Renewal Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to set the term of a broadcast station license, or renewal, at five years. Provides that any license granted may be renewed upon its expiration, if the Commission finds that the public interest, convenience, and necessity would be served by the renewal of such license. Allows appeals from decisions and orders of the Commission to be taken to the United States court of appeals for the circuit in which such broadcast facility is located. Sets guidelines for expeditious action on applications for renewal of broadcasting station licenses by limiting material required to be filed. Requires the Commission to examine the renewal process and report within six months on methods of reducing and consolidating filings and supporting documents.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Federal Construction Costs Reduction Act - Raises from $2,000 to $40,000 the dollar value of contracts to which the Davis-Bacon Act setting minimum wages on federally-affected construction projects applies. Directs the Secretary of Labor to increase such threshold level yearly in proportion to the rise in the Consumer Price Index. Makes the Act applicable only to the wages of unskilled laborers. Exempts apprentices, helpers, and trainees from the Act and forbids the Secretary from taking any action which discourages the customary utilization of apprentices, helpers, and trainees. Requires the "prevailing wage" (contracts covered by the Act must provide that covered employees are paid at a rate determined by the prevailing wage) to be set at the average wage paid laborers employed on at least three projects similar to the subject project which were carried out in the immediate geographic area during the previous two years. Requires such determination to be made no later than 60 days prior to the opening of invitations for bids for projects covered by the Act. Requires, in lieu of the weekly wage reports presently required by the Act, that in the event there is no evidence that a contractor is violating the Act, such contractor need only submit an affidavit certifying his compliance. States that where evidence of such violation exists, the contractor must submit weekly certified payroll statements and other records required by the Secretary. Establishes a Federal Construction Appeals Board to which any interested party may appeal wage rate determinations or other Labor Department rules likely to have a substantial effect on future wage rate determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 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 · 17 May 1977
Mobile Source Emission Control Amendments - Amends the Clean Air Act to extend through model year 1979 interim standards for hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions from light-duty motor vehicles. Specifies standards applicable in model years 1980 and afterwards for such pollutants. Revises the emission standard for carbon monoxide to allow emissions of up to 9.0 grams per vehicle mile. Extends until model year 1981 the current 2.0 grams per vehicle mile interim standard for nitrogen oxide emissions from light-duty vehicles. Establishes a nitrogen oxides emissions standard of 1.0 gram per vehicle mile for model years after 1981, subject to revision or waiver by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with prescribed procedures. Stipulates that such revisions and waivers shall not permit emissions in excess of the 2.0 grams per vehicle mile interim standard. Directs the Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Energy Administration to submit separate reports to Congress regarding the consequences of such emission standards on fuel consumption. Establishes additional prohibitions and penalties for tampering with motor vehicle emission control equipment. Empowers limits in the amount of vehicle testing required of small manufacturers. Establishes procedures for review of instructions for high altitude performance adjustments for motor vehicle emission control systems by the Administrator in accordance with specified requirements. Revises warranty requirements stipulated by the Act. Specifies an 18-month or 18,000 mile warranty requirement for the useful life of motor vehicle emission control systems. Directs the Administrator to study the effects of emissions of sulfur-bearing conformed from motor vehicles and aircraft. Extends the exception for disclosure of confidential information in administrative and judicial proceedings to emission data upon a satisfactory showing to the Administrator that such data would divulge trade secrets. Requires that documentation, justifications, proposed drafts, and comments of other agencies an proposed motor vehicle emission standards be made available to the public once such standards are proposed. Establishes procedures for oral presentation of views, with opportunity for cross-examination, with respect to such standards. Authorizes direct review of alleged procedural errors in the appropriate court of appeals. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980, to carry out the purposes of this Act other than research, development, and demonstration activities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1977
Contract Disputes Reform Act - Authorizes an executive agency to settle any claim arising out of any express or implied contract of such agency. Requires an agency contracting officer to settle disputes which cannot be resolved by mutual agreement. Permits any contractor to request an informal administrative conference with the appropriate agency to review the decision of the contracting officer. Declares the decision of the contracting officer to be final unless the contractor sues or appeals as provided in this Act. Permits each agency to establish an agency Board of Contract Appeals if the volume of procurement of such agency justifies a Board of at least three full-time members. Requires appeals to be made to such Board within 90 days of receipt of the contracting officer's decision. Provides for an appeal to the Board of another agency in the event that the party agency does not have its own Board. Requires the rules of each board to provide for a simplified procedure for small claims of $25,000 or less which can be invoked at the option of the contractor. Permits suits in any U.S. district court or the Court of Claims in lieu of an appeal by the contractor to an agency Board. Permits the agency or the contractor to appeal any decision of an agency Board to such Courts. States that in the event the agency appeals a Board decision, that decision shall not be overturned unless arbitrary, capricious, or so clearly erroneous as to imply bad faith. (Amends 28 U.S.C. 2401; 2517)
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1977
Grants the court of claims jurisdiction to render judgments against the United States upon claims for losses other than lost profits sustained by producers, processors, manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or other persons resulting from the ban on apparel, fabric, yarn, or fiber containing Tirs phosphate.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt in certain circumstances, the leasing of property by a corporation, all the stock of which is owned by a private foundation, to a person affiliated with the foundation, from the excise tax on self-dealing by private foundations. Extends specified temporary provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1969 which exempt certain transactions between private foundations and affiliated persons from the self-dealing tax.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1977
Commission on the Reorganization of the Executive Branch Act - Establishes the Commission on the Reorganization of the Executive Branch of the Government to study all instrumentalities of the Government except the judiciary and the Congress to determine what changes in the organization of such entities are necessary to eliminate duplication and improve efficiency. Requires the Commission to submit to the President and Congress an interim report of its activities by June 30, 1978, and a final report by December 31, 1978, at which time the Commission shall cease to exist. States that such final report may propose such constitutional amendments, legislative enactments, and administrative action as might be necessary to carry out the Commission's recommendations. Permits the President to submit to Congress reorganization plans to implement any recommendation of the Commission. Makes such plan effective 60 days after such plan has been submitted unless disapproved by Congress. Permits the President to submit such a plan up until January 1, 1980. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 903; 905)
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1977
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense shall at the earliest opportunity inter an Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and make permanent display of representative medals, ribbons, and tributes of the Vietnam War in the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1977
Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that should import relief actions taken by the President not provide limits on footwear imported into the United States which would maintain a viable domestic nonrubber footwear industry, then the House should disapprove the President's import relief action on nonrubber footwear of April 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 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.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1977
Truth in Government Accounting Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare and make public annual consolidated financial statements for all expenditures of the United States utilizing the accrual method of accounting.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 with respect to the duties of the Office of Community Anti-Crime Programs. Specifies anticrime projects for which the Office is authorized to provide assistance to nonprofit private community organizations and agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Declares that specified persons previously appointed as temporary hearing examiner's under the Supplemental Security Income program of the Social Security Act shall be considered appointed to career-absolute positions as hearing examiners.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Unvouchered Expenditure Control Act - Prohibits the expenditure of Federal moneys, not otherwise provided for by law, which are not made pursuant to procedures providing for a voucher describing the payee and items or services for which payment is being made. Requires all appropriations, not made under a law which provides otherwise, to provide for voucher requirements for expending such moneys appropriated. Requires the Comptroller General to audit all programs subject to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Constitutional Amendment- Allows an item veto by the President of appropriations bills. Requires the President, in signing the bill, to designate the provisions disapproved and return the bill to the House in which it originated. Provides that such bills shall be subjected to the same proceeding as other bills disapproved by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 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 · 5 April 1977
Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal provisions allowing an employer and a labor organization to enter into an agreement to require membership in such organization as a condition of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Federal Employee Freedom of Choice Act - Declares that all Federal employees have the right to form, join, and assist a labor organization or to refrain from any such activity without fear of penalty or reprisal. Excludes from the definition of "labor organization," as used in this Act, any organization which: (1) asserts the right to strike against the Federal Government; (2) advocates the overthrow of the constitutional government; or (3) discriminates with regard to race, color, creed, national origin, or sex.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Creates a Select House Committee on Population to conduct an investigation and study of: (1) the major adverse effects of current population growth throughout the world; (2) approaches which have been shown to be effective in coping with excessive population growth; and (3) means to encourage countries with excessive population growth rates to adopt methods proven to be successful in reducing population growth rates.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Internal Revenue Administration Act - Establishes the Internal Revenue Administration in the executive branch of the Federal Government for the purpose of administering and enforcing the Internal Revenue Code. Prescribes the terms and conditions of office for the Administrator of the Internal Revenue Administration. Transfers all present functions, instructions, rules, or regulations which were promulgated or administered by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate with respect to the enforcement of the Internal Revenue Code, to the Internal Revenue Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Approves the proposed amendment to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure contained in an April 26, 1976, Supreme Court order permitting the parties to stipulate in writing that a verdict may be returned by a jury of less than 12 should the court find it necessary to dismiss a juror after trial commences. Approves proposed amendments contained in such order modified as follows: (1) revises the proposed amendment relative to disclosure of grand jury proceedings to restrict access to such information to only attorneys for the government and to deny access to those persons assisting such attorneys; and (2) revises the proposed amendment relative to factfinding in nonjury trials to require a special finding as to the facts unless such a finding is waived by the defendant. Disapproves three other proposed amendments contained in such order: (1) reducing the number of preemptory jury challenges and permitting a variance in the number of such challenges; (2) setting forth procedures for the removal of State prosecutions to Federal court; and (3) permitting issuance of search warrants in certain circumstances on the basis of oral testimony, communicated by telephone or otherwise, of a person not in the magistrate's presence.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to authorize issuance of a search warrant upon sworn oral testimony, communicated by telephone otherwise, of a person not physically present before a magistrate if the magistrate is satisfied that probable cause exists.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends procedures for removing State criminal actions to Federal court to require, absent good cause, that the removal petition be filed within ten days of arraignment. Directs a United States district court, upon receiving a criminal removal petition, to promptly examine to and, if it is not appropriate for summary dismissal, conduct an evidentiary hearing.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to require consideration of the safety of others and the community at large in setting conditions for pretrial release. Stipulates that conditions imposed to that end may not be financial. Permits the Government to appeal conditions of release in certain circumstances. Directs that a convicted person who has filed an appeal be detained unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the appeal raises a substantial question of law or fact. Applies with specified exceptions, procedures for appealing conditions of release to appeals of detention orders. Sets forth sanctions for violating release conditions, threatening witnesses or jurors while on release, and committing serious offenses while on release.
United States · United States Congress · 24 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 · 24 March 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress to assure that the total outlays of the Government, during any fiscal year, do not exceed the total receipts of the Government during such fiscal year. States that by the fourth fiscal year after the ratification of this amendment the budget shall be balanced. Permits expenditures to exceed national revenues in time of declared emergency, but states that such expenditures shall never exceed receipts by more than ten percent. Provides that during the fifth fiscal year beginning after the ratification of this amendment and for the next 19 succeeding fiscal years thereafter, the total receipts of the Government shall exceed outlays by an amount equal to five percent of the Federal indebtedness at the beginning of the fifth year fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that certain factors be considered in determining whether a proposed use of a food additive is safe.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1977
Excludes from eligibility for food stamps under the Food Stamp Act of 1964 any household whose principal wage earner is on strike for the duration of such strike. Excepts a household from this exclusion if it was participating in the food stamp program immediately prior to the start of such strike, or if any of its members is subject to an employer's lockout.
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 · 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 · 14 March 1977
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make and insure loans under such Act for the solar heating or cooling of residential structures on family farms.
![Official portrait of Rep. Mann, James R. [D-SC-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000105_200.jpg)