United States · United States Congress · 17 August 1978
Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act - Directs the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration to develop and maintain comprehensive programs to insure widespread public involvement in formulating regional electric power programs and policies. Establishes a Bonneville Consumers' Council and a Bonneville Utilities Council with whom the Administrator is directed to consult, together with the Governor of the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, and the general public, in preparing a regional power planning and conservation program. Exempts such councils from the purview of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and exempts their members' actions from constituting potential violations of Federal or State antitrust laws. Directs the Administrator to offer to sell electric power to specified customers at rates to be established and periodically modified, in accordance with specific criteria, and establishes amounts of power such customers are to receive. Directs the Administrator to implement feasible and cost-effective measures to conserve electric power, and to assist governmental authorities in promoting conservation of electric power. Authorizes the Administrator to acquire additional electric power resources where regional electric power obligations cannot be met by employing conservation measures, but specifically directs the Administrator to give priority to, developing renewable energy resources where additional resources are needed. Authorizes acquisition or the construction and operation of other types of electric power resources where needed to assure transmission system reliability. Sets forth the procedural instructions for such acquisitions. Amends the Federal Columbia River Transmission System Act to authorize expenditures as are necessary to implement this Act. Amends such Act further to authorize the issuance of bonds and other debt obligations for the purpose of financing activities arising from the implementation of this Act. Stipulates that such obligations bear interest at a rate not to exceed the rate applicable to such obligations if purchased by the Federal Financing Bank. Increases the aggregate principal amount of obligations incurred under such Act which are outstanding at any one time to include the principal amount of obligations incurred and outstanding which were issued to assist in financing the activities of this Act. Extends the definition of "Pacific Northwest" to include the entire State of Idaho. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into such agreements and contracts as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Exempts from the provisions of the Public Utility Holding Company Act any "person" or "company," as therein defined, connected with electric generating facilities which sell 75 percent or more of their power to the Administrator.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 1978
Directs the Civil Aeronautics Board to immediately dissolve the Airlines Mutual Aid Pact. Directs the Board to study the collective bargaining process within the airline industry and to make recommendations to Congress within six months on methods of alleviating the occurrence of protracted airline strikes.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 1978
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Federal courts should expedite all remaining administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to the Seabrook Nuclear Station project (New Hampshire), and that all licensing and permitting procedures for the construction and operation of nuclear generating stations should be reviewed and modified to improve the efficiency of such procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1978
States that the Territory of American Samoa shall be represented in the United States Congress by a nonvoting delegate to the House of Representatives. Sets forth the procedure for the election of such delegate.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1978
States that the Territory of American Samoa shall be represented in the United States Congress by a nonvoting delegate to the House of Representatives. Sets forth the procedure for the election of such delegate.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1978
States that the Territory of American Samoa shall be represented in the United States Congress by a nonvoting delegate to the House of Representatives. Sets forth the procedure for the election of such delegate.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1978
States that the Territory of American Samoa shall be represented in the United States Congress by a nonvoting delegate to the House of Representatives. Sets forth the procedure for the election of such delegate.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1978
States that the Territory of American Samoa shall be represented in the United States Congress by a nonvoting delegate to the House of Representatives. Sets forth the procedure for the election of such delegate.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1978
Agricultural Land Retention Act - Title I: Objectives - Declares that it is in the public interest to retain, protect and improve agricultural land, including land in and around urban areas, to reduce its conversion to nonagricultural uses, and to limit the encroachment of industrial activities. Title II: Research Program - Establishes a three-year Agricultural Land Review Commission to study: (1) agricultural land in the United States; (2) the effects of industrial development, climate and other factors on the productivity of such land; (3) the acquisition of such land by persons not engaged in agricultural activities; and (4) methods of protecting and improving such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted to nonagricultural uses. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to public and private institutions to do research pursuant to its study. Requires the Commission to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title III: Demonstration Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay up to 75 percent of the cost and to provide technical assistance to any State pilot project undertaken to demonstrate and test methods of reducing the amount of agricultural land, including land in and around urban areas, being converted to nonagricultural uses. Requires all such projects to be completed within four years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title IV: General Provisions - Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1982. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1978
Authorizes the President of the United States to designate the week beginning on the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week".
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1978
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1978
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act - Title I: National Park System - Designates specified public lands in Alaska to be included as units of the National Park System. Title II: National Wildlife Refuge System - Establishes specified areas in Alaska as units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Title III: National Wild and Scenic Rivers System - Lists rivers in Alaska which shall be wild rivers for purposes of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Designates other rivers for study for inclusion as wild and scenic rivers. Title IV: National Forest System Adds specified lands to the Tongass and Chugach National Forest in Alaska. Title V: Designation of Wilderness Areas and Wilderness Study Area Provisions - Designates as wilderness areas certain areas with the National Park System, and the National Wildlife Refuge System. Designates other areas for study for designation as wilderness areas. Title VI: Subsistence; Fish and Wildlife Management Permits the establishment of subsistence management zones and prescribes conditions under which subsistence uses may be permitted. Title VII: Cooperative Study and Planning Commission - Provides for the establishment of the Alaska Cooperative Study and Planning Commission to study, plan, and make recommendations concerning proposed land and resource uses in Alaska. Title VIII: Implementation of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and Alaska Statehood Act - Conveys to each Village Corporation for a Native Village all right, title, and interest of the United States to the surface estate in the land and submerged lands under water areas within the township within which such village is located. Lists certain exceptions to such conveyance. Conveys to each Native Corporation and Native Group established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act all lands which they are entitled to receive under such Act. Establishes the Alaska Native Land Bank Program, which will permit a Native Corporation to place up to 90 percent of its undeveloped and unimproved land holdings into an agreement with the State, or the Secretary if the State declines participation. States that such agreements shall be for ten years; with five year renewal periods. Provides that for three years after the date of enactment of this Act, any appropriate Federal district court shall have jurisdiction to hear, consider, and decide any action brought by the State or by a Native Corporation to enforce the provisions of this title. Title IX: Mineral Study, Exploration, and Extraction In Conservation System Units - Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a mineral assessment program and general geologic investigatory program in Alaska. Requires the Secretary to study the liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon and other mineral potential of such areas under the Departments' jurisdiction. Authorizes the Secretary to issue permits for mineral exploration and extraction in conservation areas if consistent with the purposes of such area. Title X: Transportation and Utility Systems on Conservation System Units - Provides that laws which are generally applicable to units of the National Park, Wilderness Preservation, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Wildlife Refuge Systems regarding rights- of-way for transportation or utility systems, shall apply to units of conservation systems in Alaska. Reaffirms the authority of the Secretary to provide access to wilderness areas for the administration of such areas (including emergency measures involving the health and safety of persons within the areas) consistent with the Wilderness Act. Set forth procedures for the consideration and processing of applications for rights-of-way on public lands within conservation units in Alaska for transportation or utility systems over which the Secretary has no authority. Authorizes the Secretary to grant rights-of-way for certain oil or gas pipelines if he has determined that there is no economically feasible alternative route. Authorizes the Secretary to grant a right-of-way for a transportation or utility system across public lands within a conservation system unit (other than a wilderness area), if an environmental impact statement for that section of the right-of-way crossing such unit would not have been required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Secretary has determined that such right-of-way: (1) would not result in a significant adverse effect on the conservation system unit, and (2) would be compatible with the purposes for which the unit was established and the purposes of this Act. Requires the Secretary to transmit a recommendation to the Congress regarding whether or not the application for a certain right-of way which the Secretary does not have the authority to grant or deny, should be granted. States that prior to making such recommendation the Secretary must determine; (1) whether the approval of such application is in the public interest; (2) whether there is an economically feasible and prudent alternative to granting the right-of-way; and (3) whether the transportation or utility system can be constructed, operated, and maintained in a manner compatible with the purposes of the affected conservation system unit and this Act. Sets forth other items to be transmitted to the Congress by the Secretary with such recommendations. Establishes a procedure for Congressional approval of the Secretary's recommendations. Requires the Secretary to issue a use permit for a right-of-way immediately following the enactment of a joint resolution of congressional approval. Requires payment by the permittee, to the United States, of the fair market value of the right-of-way, unless Congress otherwise directs. Sets forth certain requirements for pipelines which cross wild and scenic rivers. Title XI: General Administrative Provisions - Provides for withdrawal of designated lands from appropriation under mining and mineral leasing laws. Delineates rights of Native Corporations with respect to designated lands. Authorizes the Secretary to establish administrative sites and visitor facilities outside the conservation units. Directs the Secretary to locate such sites and facilities on Native lands where practicable and desirable. Sets forth the authorities of the Secretary in regard to establishing such sites and facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish a local-hire program, under which the Secretary will consider for selection qualified local residents to positions in any of the units, without regard to civil service regulations which require minimum periods of formal training or experience, other preference provisions, or numerical limitations on personnel. Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports and recommendations to Congress on such program. Provides for the continued use, operation, and maintenance of (1) existing air and water navigation aids and existing facilities for weather, climate, and fisheries research, where they are located within the conservation system units, and (2) existing facilities for national defense purposes, and related air and water navigation aids, within or adjacent to conservation system units. Title XII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Establishes the Iditarod National Historic Trail, by amending the National Trails System Act. Permits the State of Alaska to donate mineral interests, as well as surface estate lands, to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Authorizes the Secretary to investigate and plan for an information and education center for visitors to Alaska. Title XIII: Appropriations - Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1978
Agricultural Land Retention Act - Title I: Objectives - Declares that it is in the public interest to retain, protect and improve agricultural land, including land in and around urban areas, to reduce its conversion to nonagricultural uses, and to limit the encroachment of industrial activities. Title II: Research Program - Establishes a three-year Agricultural Land Review Commission to study: (1) agricultural land in the United States; (2) the effects of industrial development, climate and other factors on the productivity of such land; (3) the acquisition of such land by persons not engaged in agricultural activities; and (4) methods of protecting and improving such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted to nonagricultural uses. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to public and private institutions to do research pursuant to its study. Requires the Commission to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title III: Demonstration Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay up to 75 percent of the cost and to provide technical assistance to any State pilot project undertaken to demonstrate and test methods of reducing the amount of agricultural land, including land in and around urban areas, being converted to nonagricultural uses. Requires all such projects to be completed within four years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title IV: General Provisions - Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1982. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 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 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 · 3 May 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands in Puget Sound, Washington, for the preservation of the Central Whidbey Island Historic District. Designates such property the Ebey's Landing National Historical Park. Empowers the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with the State of Washington, its political subdivisions, corporations, associations, or individuals for preservation of nationally significant historic sites.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1978
Expands by 150,000 acres the Federal San Luis Unit Service Area of the Central Valley Reclamation Project in the State of California. Adds the O'Neill Dam and Reservoir, the Coalinga Canal, and the San Luis drain to such project. Makes specified engineering features of such project facilities for joint use with the State of California. Changes restrictions on water to be provided by the Federal San Luis Unit. Makes provisions for improved water drains and for the disposal of agricultural drainage water. Removes the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to construct recreation facilities within the Federal San Luis Unit. Directs the Secretary to initiate negotiations with the State of California in order to achieve the coordinated management of their respective water systems and to develop standards and criteria concerning the water of the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta, California.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1978
Establishes as a National Historic Reserve the Central Whidbey Island Historic District, as depicted on the map entitled "Ebey's Landing National Historic Reserve," to preserve and commemorate the exploration and settlement of the Puget Sound area of Washington. Provides for the transfer of management of reserve areas to the county government if appropriate regulations are established. Authorizes Federal grants by the Secretary of the Interior to the county for personnel, facility, preservation, and other administrative costs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1978
Independent Local Newspaper Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to promote the survival of independent newspapers by providing for the establishment of tax exempt trusts for paying estate taxes on such papers, and by postponing the payment of estate taxes on such papers.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants to local governments and urban and insular areas for the rehabilitation and development of recreation areas and facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Department of Education Act - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education to be administered by a Secretary of Education. States that the principal function of such Department is to promote the cause and advance of education throughout the United States. Transfers to the Secretary specified functions of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare and the Commissioner of Education and various educational responsibilities of other Federal agencies and instrumentalities. Creates the Federal Interagency Committee on Education, the National Advisory Commission on Education, and the Office of the Inspector General within the Department of Education. Redesignates the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Secretary of such Department as the Department of Health and Welfare, and the Secretary of Health and Welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
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 · 10 April 1978
Authorizes appropriations to the Alaska Power Administration for engineering and economic investigation expenses. Authorizes appropriations to the Western Area Power Administration for specified purposes including operation and maintenance, emergency funds, and for the continuation of work on the transmission system of the Upper Colorado River Storage Project. Authorizes appropriations to the Southwestern and the Southeastern Power Administrations. Prohibits the use of funds authorized under this Act where the costs of the program exceed 120 percent of the authorization, or exceed by more than $5,000,000 the amount authorized, whichever is the lesser. Prohibits the use of funds authorized by this Act for programs which have not been presented to, or requested of Congress unless 30 calendar days have elapsed since the Secretary of Energy has presented to all appropriate congressional committees a full and complete statement of the action proposed. Permits the written waiver of this prohibition where such waiver is signed by each appropriate committee of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1978
Amends the Water Resources Planning Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for the following: (1) expenses of the Water Resources Council; (2) to carry out the comprehensive river basin planning program and national water assessments; and (3) grants to States to assist them in developing water and related land resources plans.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that State and local government retirement systems shall be tax exempt organizations. Exempts these systems from the reporting requirements pertaining to deferred compensation. Treats all such systems as qualified pension plans under the code.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the coverage of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act agricultural hand-harvest labor performed by full-time students under the age of 16 years.
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
Amends Title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to increase the ceiling imposed upon payments for services under such Title for the fiscal years 1979, 1980, 1981 and maintains the 1981 level for succeeding years.