United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to declare that each person has a fundamental and inalienable right to a healthful environment. Stipulates that persons engaged in activities affecting interstate commerce who are responsible for air pollution, water pollution, or the creation of any unreasonable noise, shall be subject to liability in class actions brought in United States district courts. Stipulates that district courts shall have jurisdiction of such class actions without regard to the amount in controversy. Declares that the remedies provided by this Act are in addition to any other remedies available under existing Federal and State law.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a tax exclusion to interest on industrial development bonds, the proceeds of which are used to provide facilities for the furnishing of electricity, unless those facilities utilize domestic fuel or no fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Prisoner of War Bonus Benefits Act - Entitles members of the armed forces and Federal employees who were in a missing status during the Vietnam era to a double credit for such period for retirement eligibility and pay purposes. Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide such members of the armed forces and their dependents with additional health benefits including psychological and counseling services. Specifies additional pay and allowance benefits to which such individuals are entitled.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to reduce the requirements for eligibility for disability benefits for blind persons. Requires that a blind individual have at least six quarters of coverage to be eligible for disability benefits. Sets forth a method of computing the average monthly wage of a blind individual for the purpose of determining such individual's primary insurance amount. Provides that in no case shall such amount be less than the amount which would be determined without regard to an individual's blindness. States that no reductions will be made from the benefits to which a person is entitled because of such person's refusal to accept State-approved rehabilitative services under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Continues the payment of such benefits as long as blindness lasts, the amount of an individual's earnings notwithstanding.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Permits officers and employees of the Federal Government to elect coverage under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Establishes periods during which such officers and employees may certify their intention to be covered by the Social Security Act. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate regulations requiring the heads of the various Federal agencies to know which of their employees qualify for elective coverage under this Act, or, in the alternative, to provide for the collection of the tax from a Federal employee electing such coverage, where it is not feasible for the head of the Federal agency or instrumentality involved to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to local fire departments to pay up to one-half the cost of purchasing firefighting equipment. Sets forth the following conditions of eligibility for grants: (1) members of the fire department are participating or have participated in a training program conducted or approved by the National Academy of Fire Prevention and Control; (2) the department is an agency of a State or political subdivision, or is incorporated by the State in which it is located; (3) equipment purchased with grant funds conforms with standards adopted by the National Bureau of Standards; and (4) any other conditions the Secretary may find appropriate and necessary. Defines "firefighting equipment" as any technical equipment used for fire investigation, suppression, and extinguishment or first aid.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit for a portion of the wages paid previously unemployed Vietnam veterans. Allows the credit for 15 percent of the wages paid individuals who were: (1) employed by the taxpayer not less than six months during the two years previous to the last date of the taxpayer's taxable year; and (2) unemployed since discharge, or for four months prior to employment by the taxpayer. Limits the credit to wages paid for work in jobs certified by the Secretary of Labor as either reflecting the employee's prior experience or education or providing training which leads to self-improvement or job advancement. Limits the employees who may be taken into account for this credit to 30 percent of the taxpayer's labor force. Provides for the carryover (to seven years) or carryback (to three years) of the allowable credit which exceeds the taxpayer's current tax liability.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to make it unlawful for an air carrier to demand the payment of money from, or to assert legal liability against, a ticket agent for the usage by persons of stolen airline tickets if the agent was not a participant in the theft of such tickets and the agent has given notice of the theft and the serial numbers of the stolen tickets to the carrier or a representative of the carrier.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest paid or accrued by the taxpayer on savings deposits. Limits such exclusion to $500 per individual.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Civil Aeronautics Board, in carrying out its duties with respect to the encouragement and development of an air transportation system adapted to the present and future needs of the foreign commerce of the United States, to take into account whether the laws or requirements of foreign countries or foreign air carriers result in discrimination or discriminatory practices against, or differential treatment of, American citizens traveling abroad on the basis of race, color, or religion. Directs the Board to hold hearings upon complaints alleging such discrimination when after a preliminary investigation there appear to be reasonable grounds for such a complaint. Requires the Board upon a finding that such discrimination exists, and unless overriding considerations of national interest require otherwise and the Congress is so advised, to suspend the operating certificates of all air carriers to serve such country and the permits issued to foreign air carriers of such nationality until such country has acted to end such discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction for amounts paid by the taxpayer to a tax exempt educational institution for the tuition of the taxpayer, his spouse, or a dependent. Limits such deduction for tuition and fees paid with respect to an individual to $2,500.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Voters' Information Act - Requires that the following information be posted in a prominent place in each post office: (1) the qualifications, dates, and places for registration and voting in the area served by the post office; (2) the names and office addresses of the United States Senators and Representatives for the area served by the post office; (3) the names and office addresses of the State legislators representing the area served by the post office; and (4) the cost and availability of Western Union public opinion messages to the President, Vice President, and Members of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Comprehensive Health Care Insurance Act - Requires every employer to offer each of his employees and their families qualified health care insurance. States that such coverage shall be optional with the employee. Requires an employer to contribute to the cost of such coverage for the benefit of an electing employee and his family at least 65 percent of the premium, with the employee contributing the balance. Establishes, for low-income employees, a program of certificates of entitlement or income tax credit in the amount by which the portion of the premium payable by such an employee exceeds the premium for which he would be liable under the program of health insurance for the unemployed or self-employed as established by this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring suit to compel an employer to comply with the provisions of this Act. Stipulates that employers experiencing substantial increases in payroll cost due to the provisions of this Act will be entitled to a cash payment by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare or a credit against income tax. States that premiums for employee groups of one to 100 persons and self-employed persons shall not exceed 125 percent of the estimated average in the State of the annual premium for employee groups of more than 100 persons. Sets forth a plan of health insurance providing hospital, medical, dental, and other health care services for non-employed and self-employed individuals and their families. Establishes, as a means of implementing such plan, a program of certificates of entitlement issued by the Secretary and credits against income tax for the premium for qualified health care insurance. States that the amount of Federal participation shall be related to the income of the individual or family, the Government to pay the full premium for those whose annual incomes are insufficient to create income tax liability, and to pay a gradually smaller proportion of the premium for others in relation to increasing amounts of income tax liability. Provides qualified health care insurance for an individual or family with no tax liability for the base year. Stipulates that the premium rate to be charged for a qualified health care insurance policy offered under such plan for any year shall in no case exceed 125 percent of the estimated average of premiums paid in the State for qualified health care insurance for groups of employees with more than 100 members. Excludes from qualified health care insurance coverage payment for stipulated items, including: (1) personal comfort items; (2) eyeglasses, hearing aids, or orthopedic shoes; and (3) private room inpatient hospital accommodations. Limits the aggregate amount of expenditures for catastrophic illness expenses. Sets forth requirements which must be met by qualified health care insurance plans. Establishes the Federal Health Insurance Redemption Fund. Authorizes appropriations to the fund of amounts equal to the aggregate amount of premiums paid under this Act. Requires carriers offering qualified health care insurance policies to participate in an assigned-risk pool which may be established in such State by the State insurance department or by such agency as may be authorized by the State. Establishes a Health Insurance Advisory Board to: (1) prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act; (2) establish minimum Federal standards for the use of State insurance departments in determining whether an insurance company and plan are qualified under this Act; (3) in consultation with carriers, providers of services, and consumers, plan, review, and develop, where necessary, programs whose purposes are to provide for maintaining the quality of medical care; and (4) review the effectiveness of the program established by this Act. Stipulates that individuals collecting unemployment compensation are eligible for coverage under this Act, unless covered through an employed member of his family. Permits an income tax credit for premiums paid for qualified insurance plans under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant financial assistance to individuals who are recipients of benefits under such Title and who are faced with a financial emergency. Specifies that such assistance shall be granted to any such individual within 24 hours of application for (1) replacement of lost, stolen, or undelivered checks issued to or for such individual in payment of such benefits, or (2) replacement of lost or stolen cash which constitute the proceeds of one or more such checks. Requires automatic cost-of-living increases in supplemental security income benefits and State supplementary payments when such increases are granted in Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance. Excludes amounts paid for social security cost-of-living increases when determining the income of an eligible individual. Amends provisions requiring the payment of benefits directly to an institution or facility where an eligible individual is being treated, to allow the continued payment of benefits to the individual when such payment would be of significant therapeutic value and when there is substantial reason to believe that he or she would not misuse or improperly spend the funds involved. Makes supplemental security income recipients eligible for food stamps. Requires that applications for benefits filed pursuant to Title XVI be acted upon within 30 days after they are filed (or within 60 days after filing in the case of an application for such benefits on the basis of disability). Amends the definition of "eligible spouse" to require that such individual be living with the disabled individual in order to receive benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Stipulates that the method of linkage between any tug and any barge in an articulated tug-barge system shall not be deemed to establish the weight of the tug for purposes of ship inspection and certification. Stipulates that, with respect to tonnage assignments, any tug which is capable of independent operation shall be deemed to be a separate unit for such inspection and certification purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Maritime Academy Act of 1958 to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to appoint students at maritime academies or colleges assisted under such Act as Reserve midshipmen in the Navy and to commission such individuals as Reserve ensigns upon graduation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to permit the payment of old-age insurance benefits to a married couple on their combined earnings record where that method of computation produces a higher combined benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit for a portion of the wages paid previously unemployed Vietnam veterans who were missing in action or prisoners of war. Allows the credit for 35 percent of the wages paid to an individual during the first year of his employment and 17.5 percent during succeeding years who were: (1) employed by the taxpayer not less than six months during the two years previous to the last date of the taxpayer's taxable year; and (2) unemployed since discharge, or for four months prior to employment by the taxpayer. Limits the credit to wages paid for work in jobs certified by the Secretary of Labor as either reflecting the employee's prior experience or education or providing training which leads to self-improvement or job advancement. Limits the employees who may be taken into account for this credit to 30 percent of the taxpayer's labor force. Provides for the carryover (to seven years) or carryback (to three years) of the allowable credit which exceeds the taxpayer's current tax liability.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry on a national education campaign designed to educate drivers and pedestrians as to the danger of driving on or crossing the highways. Imposes an additional tax of one-tenth of one percent per gallon on gasoline and other motor fuels to pay for the costs of such campaign.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Automobile Driver Education and Highway Safety Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry on a national education campaign designed to educate drivers and pedestrians as to the danger of driving on, or crossing the highways. Authorizes appropriations of $85,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 and for each of the two succeeding fiscal years to carry out such program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit for a portion of the wages paid previously unemployed handicapped Vietnam veterans. Allows the credit for 25 percent of the wages paid individuals who were: (1) employed by the taxpayer not less than six months during the two years previous to the last date of the taxpayer's taxable year; and (2) unemployed since discharge, or for four months prior to employment by the taxpayer. Limits the credit to wages paid for work in jobs certified by the Secretary of Labor as either reflecting the employee's prior experience or education or providing training which leads to self-improvement or job advancement. Limits the employees who may be taken into account for this credit to 30 percent of the taxpayer's labor force. Provides for the carryover (to seven years) or carryback (to three years) of the allowable credit which exceeds the taxpayer's current tax liability.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to repeal the duty imposed on: (1) articles assembled abroad with components produced in the United States; and (2) specified metal articles manufactured in the United States and exported for further processing.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an additional income tax exemption for each taxpayer, spouse, or dependent who has a serious mental or physical disability which can be expected to result in death or be of long-continued or indefinite duration, or who had a physical or mental disability which caused his death during the taxable year. Makes such provision applicable only for individuals who do not qualify for an exemption for blindness.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
States that quota visa numbers not issued under the Immigration and Nationality Act during fiscal year 1977, shall be transferred to an immigration pool to be issued to specified preference classes of immigrants and to others who are otherwise admissible but unable to obtain prompt issuance of a preference visa solely because of the oversubscription of visas.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide identical income tax rates for single persons and married couples filing joint returns. Limits the earned income that must be reported by a married person filing a separate return to the amount actually earned by that individual.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit any air carrier from discontinuing any air service provided under its certificate of public convenience and necessity unless, after public notice and hearings, the Civil Aeronautics Board determines that such discontinuance is in the public interest.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for the amounts paid for the education of a dependent in any primary or secondary educational institution. Limits the deduction taken for food or lodging to the minimum amount charged for such service at the institution the student is attending. Allows a $400 deduction (not more than $200 per semester) for food and lodging not provided by the student's school.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Makes it a Federal crime to kill or assault a fireman or law enforcement officer engaged in, or on account of action taken in, the performance of duty when the offender travels in interstate commerce or uses any facility of interstate commerce for such purpose. Establishes, upon the failure of the State or local authorities where the crime took place to make an arrest within 24 hours after the killing or assault, the rebuttable presumption that the perpetrators so traveled or used such a facility. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 1116)
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Prohibits the Postmaster General from making available to the public any mailing or other list of post office box patrons. Prohibits the Postmaster General and all Government agencies from furnishing any mailing or other lists of names or addresses to the public for any purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Higher Education Funding Act - Authorizes an income deduction for contributions to a qualified higher education fund established by the taxpayer for the purposes of funding the higher education of his child dependents. Limits the amount of the deduction to the lesser of: (1) $500 times the number of qualified beneficiaries; (2) ten percent of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income; or (3) $2,500. Provides that a qualified education fund must be established by the taxpayer pursuant to a written plan: (1) solely for the purpose of defraying the cost of room, board, and tuition at an institution of higher education of one or more eligible beneficiaries; (2) which provides that no distribution shall be made by the fund (except upon termination thereof) other than to, or on behalf of, eligible beneficiaries; (3) which provides that upon termination of the fund all assets of the funds shall be distributed to the taxpayer or to his estate; (4) which prohibits contributions to the fund in excess of amounts deductible; and (5) under which the taxpayer consents to specified income tax treatment upon termination of the fund. Defines "institution of higher education" as an educational institution: (1) which regularly offers education at a level above the twelfth grade; (2) contributions to or for the use of which constitute charitable contributions; (3) which is legally authorized to provide and does provide a program of postsecondary education; and (4) which is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association listed by the United States Commissioner of Education.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for donations of blood to charitable organizations in an amount equal to $25 for each pint donated.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to state that if in any fiscal year beginning after June 30, 1979, the total number of immigrant visas made available to immigrants from any foreign state under specified preference categories was less than three-fourths of the average annual number of such visas made available to immigrants from such foreign state during the ten-fiscal-year period beginning on July 1, 1955, there shall be made available to immigrants from such foreign state an additional number of visas for the succeeding fiscal year equal to the difference between the number of visas made available to them in the preceding year and three-fourths of such average number, up to a maximum of 10,000 additional visas. Sets forth the priorities for making such additional visas available.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Domestic Fishermen's Emergency Assistance Act - Permits commercial fishermen who are adversely affected by the imposition of prohibitive Federal and State restrictions to apply to the Secretary of the Interior for grants to meet the usual business expenses, which, but for the economic loss caused by the imposition of such restrictions, such persons would ordinarily be able to meet. Limits reimbursement to restrictions related to a deterioration in the quality of the aquatic environment and imposed on or after January 1, 1973, by any State or by any department or agency of the Federal Government which, in the judgment of the Secretary, impairs the economic feasibility of any type of domestic fishing to such an extent as to reduce: (1) by 50 percent or more the fair market value, in the affected area, of fishing or equipment principally useful for that type of fishing; or (2) by 20 percent or more the market value of the commercial catch in the affected area which would have been realized in the calendar year concerned but for the imposition of such restrictions. Authorizes the Secretary to attach conditions and limitations on such grants. Stipulates that the acceptance of a grant under this Act shall operate as an assignment to the Secretary of all rights of the eligible person receiving the grant to recover damages against any party for committing or failing to commit acts which resulted in the imposition of the prohibitive Federal or State restrictions on the basis of which the eligible person obtained such grant. Authorizes the appropriation of funds to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase to $7,500 the amount of outside earnings which is permitted an individual each year without any deduction from benefits under such Title.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Electric Power Production Authority Act - Establishes, within the Department of Commerce, an Electric Power Production Authority. Directs the Authority to: (1) assure that adequate supplies of electric energy, based on proven and developed technology, are available to meet the anticipated needs of the United States; (2) review the demand and supply of electric energy in the United States and report annually to the Congress; and (3) loan to investor-owned electric utilities or States or municipal power authorities sums up to 100 percent of the costs of new electric powerplant distribution and transmission facilities. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000,000 over a ten-year period for such purposes. Authorizes the Authority to provide loans and loan guarantees for the purchase of coal and nuclear fuel supplies in order to meet anticipated requirements of electric powerplants. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000,000 over a ten-year period for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to local fire departments to pay up to 90 percent of the cost of purchasing heat-protective firefighting suits and breathing apparatus. Sets forth the following conditions of eligibility for grants: (1) members of the department are participating or have participated in a training program approved or conducted by the National Academy of Fire Prevention and Control, (2) the department is an agency of a State or political subdivision, or is incorporated by the State in which it is located, (3) equipment purchased with grant funds conforms with standards adopted by the National Bureau of Standards, and (4) any other conditions the Secretary may find appropriate and necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) to increase by 50 percent the primary insurance amount for individuals covered under such Title.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a program under which life insurance with a face value of not less than $5,000 shall be made available at affordable rates to individuals who have cancer. Specifies the percentage of the face value of the policy to be paid beneficiaries of insureds who die from cancer within four years of having obtained the policy.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Prohibits any waiver for national security purposes of the requirement of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, that vessels engaged in coastwise trade be built and documented under the laws of the United States and owned by citizens of the United States, unless at least 60 days prior to the effective date of such proposed waiver notice that it is being considered is published in the Federal Register and an opportunity is given for a public hearing regarding such action.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Administrator of the Civil Aeronautics Board to prescribe regulations (1) which require the screening of any property being placed in a public storage area of an airport by weapon-detecting and explosive-detecting procedures or devices, and (2) which require that all property placed abroad an aircraft or placed in airport storage areas bear identification marks which positively identify the owner or bearer.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Makes loans available, under the Small Business Act, to assist any small business concern in continuing or establishing its business if the Administrator of the Small Business Administration determines that such concern has suffered economic injury as the result of the disruption of operations and services of public utilities occurring on or after February 1, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Requires the Federal Communications Commission, under the Communications Act of 1934, to establish procedures to be followed by licensees of television broadcasting stations to ascertain the needs, views and interests of the residents of their grade A coverage area for the purposes of their broadcast operations. Requires that such a broadcasting station include locally produced foreign language subtitles in programs of local origin when such determination reveals that five percent or more of the residents in the station's grade A coverage area utilize any language other than English as their primary spoken language. Provides that compliance with this requirement shall be taken into account in broadcast license renewals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the provision of law requiring the Attorney General to acquire and preserve identification records to direct that personal fingerprints voluntarily submitted from registered national security exchanges, their members, affiliated stock clearing corporations, and brokers and dealers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission be collected, classified, preserved, and identified in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as personal fingerprints voluntarily submitted from insurance companies and national banks.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize reduced rate air transportation for persons between the ages of 12 and 21, inclusive, on a space-available basis.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations governing the humane treatment of animals transported in air commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to permit the National Committee of American Airmen Rescued by General Mihailovich to construct and maintain a monument to General Drama Mihailovich. Sets forth the procedure to be followed in raising funds and constructing the monument on public land within the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Penalizes the transportation in interstate or foreign Commerce of airline tickets worth at least $5,000 knowing the same to be stolen or obtained by fraud. Prohibits the receipt, concealment, or sale of airline tickets worth at least $5,000 or the possession of at least five airline tickets whether or not any entries have been made thereon, knowing the same to be stolen. Prescribes the transportation in commerce of forged, altered, or counterfeited airline tickets or of tools to be be used in forging, altering, or counterfeiting an airline ticket. Prohibits the receipt, concealment, sale or disposal as part of interstate or foreign commerce of forged, altered, or counterfeit airline tickets.
![Official portrait of Rep. Murphy, John M. [D-NY-17]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001098_200.jpg)