United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Solar Energy Bank Act - Establishes a Government corporation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development to be known as the Solar Energy Development Bank to make long-term, low-interest loans to encourage the use of solar energy in commercial and residential structures. Sets forth requirements for loan eligibility concerning the term and amount of the loan and necessary warranties for the solar energy systems covered by such loan. Prohibits conflicts of interest on the part of officers or employees of the Bank. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Establishes a seven-member Advisory Board to make annual reports to Congress and the President on the operation of the program established by this Act. Prohibits subsidy payments under this Act to any person who has received other Federal assistance for purchase and/or installation of energy systems similar to the solar systems assisted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Soft Drink Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that exclusive territorial arrangements made as a part of a licensing agreement for the manufacture, distribution, or sale of a trademarked soft drink product are lawful under the antitrust laws provided such product is in substantial and effective competition with other products of the same general class.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Title I: Authorizations and Miscellaneous Amendments - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize appropriations for specified programs and expenses of the Small Business Administration. States that all appropriations, whether specifically or generally authorized, shall remain available until expended. Authorizes the Administration to make disaster loans available to small business concerns affected by a shortage of energy-producing resources caused by a strike, boycott, or embargo unless such strike, boycott or embargo is directly against such small business concern. Makes specified low-interest disaster loans available until October 1, 1982. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to repeal the authority of the Administration to invest sums from the revolving fund for surety bond guarantees in Treasury bonds, obligations, and other guaranteed debt securities. Authorizes such investments from the revolving fund for qualified contract guarantees. Transfers specified provisions of the Act which established an Office of Advocacy within the Small Business Administration to the Small Business Act. Title II: Small Business Development Centers - Authorizes the Small Business Administration to make grants to States, State agencies, regional entities, State-chartered development credit corporations, and institutions of higher learning to assist in establishing Small Business Development Centers. Requires such grants to be matched in equal amounts by funds from non-Federal sources. Establishes additional restrictions on such grants for fiscal years 1979 through 1982. States that Small Business Development Centers shall have a full-time staff, business and technology analysts, information and professional specialists, and access to laboratory and engineering facilities. Requires such Centers to provide small businesses with business and technology counseling, information on government regulations, library services, and comprehensive studies and surveys. Directs federally funded laboratories and innovation centers to cooperate with the Small Business Development Centers. Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to appoint a Deputy Associate Administrator for Management and Technical Assistance to administer the Small Business Development Center program. Establishes a National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board consisting of nine civilian members. Sets forth provisions governing the appointment of members, a Chairman, meetings, and compensation of the Board. Directs the Small Business Administration to conduct an evaluation of the Development Center program and to submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress within three years. Title III: White House Conference on Small Business - White House Conference on Small Business Act - Directs the President to convene a White House Conference on Small Business by June 30, 1980, to identify the problems of small business concerns and to make recommendations for executive and legislative action. Requires the Conference to submit a report to the President and the Congress within one year of the date it convenes. Requires the Small Business Administration to report to the Congress within three years on the status and implementation of the findings and recommendations of the Conference. Authorizes appropriations for the expenses of the Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Sludge Management Act of 1979 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to study the environmental, health, and economic effects of subsurface landfilling sludge on soils and ground water, and alternate methods of sludge disposal. Directs the Administrator to develop guidelines for sludge disposal and land-spreading in order to protect the public health and welfare. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States and localities of up to 40 percent of the cost of removal of sludge from navigable waters of the United States or any adjacent shoreline. Directs the Administrator to establish an Environmental Protection Agency Task Force on sludge removal. Authorizes the establishment of programs of training, demonstration, and surveys relating to the restoration of water quality where degraded by sludge. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit grants for treatment works, unless the applicant demonstrates that adequate, confined sludge disposal methods will be provided.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Sunset Act of 1979 - Title I: Reauthorization of Government Programs - Sets forth a ten-year schedule for reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 1979. Sets forth the procedure in the House of Representatives and the Senate for the consideration of any bill, resolution, or amendment which authorizes new budget authority. States that it is not in order for either House to consider any legislation which authorizes the enactment of new budget authority for a program for a period of more than ten years, for an indefinite period, or for any fiscal year beginning after the next reauthorization date applicable to such program. Provides that before the Congress can appropriate funds for any program, after its first reauthorization date, there must be a specific authorization in law to support the appropriation. Requires the committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct a sunset review of programs during the Congress in which such programs are scheduled for review. Requires that the report accompanying such reauthorization contain specified information, and that the report be completed during the Congress in which the program is scheduled for reauthorization. Exempts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as interest on Federal debts, health care services, general retirement and disability payments, as well as litigation activities which have as their objectives the protection and implementation of civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and specified retirement pay and benefits. Allows the reauthorization schedule set forth in this Act to be changed by concurrent resolution of the two Houses of Congress and sets forth the procedure for such change. Requires all legislation and other matters related to changes in the dates for programs under this Act to be referred to the committee with legislative jurisdiction over any program affected by the proposal and, sequentially, to the Committee on Rules in the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Rules and Administration in the Senate. Requires such committees to report any concurrent resolution or bill referred to it by a committee of legislative jurisdiction within 30 days, with a statement on each of its recommendations. Makes provisions for any proposed change which has been reported by a committee before June 1, 1980. Title II: Program Inventory - Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs. Declares that the purpose of such program inventory is to advise and assist Congress in carrying out the reauthorization and reexamination requirements and to link such reauthorization and review process with the budget process. Requires the Comptroller General to submit such program inventory to each House of Congress no later than January 1, 1980. Sets forth the contents of the inventory program, including the type of authorization provided for such programs' new budget authority; and the manner in which related program areas may be grouped for evaluation and review. Permits the congressional committees, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service to review the program inventory and suggest revisions. Requires that the program inventory be revised at the end of each session of Congress, and that such revisions be reported to each House. Requires that periodic reports tabulate the progress of congressional action on bills and resolutions authorizing budget authority for programs in the inventory. Requires the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to submit periodic reports to the Congress on the adequacy of the functional and subfunctional categories for grouping programs of like missions or objectives. Title III: Program Reexamination - Requires each committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to reexamine selected programs or groups of programs over which it has jurisdiction. Sets forth procedures for such review, and criteria for selection of program areas for evaluation. Directs each committee to consult with the appropriate committees of either the House of Representatives or the Senate in order to achieve coordination of program reevaluation and inform itself of the related activities of or available assistance from the General Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the Congressional Research Service, the Office of Technology Assessment, and appropriate instrumentalities in the executive and judicial branches. Requires each committee to deliver a report on the reexamination to the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House at the date specified in the funding resolution first reported by such committee in 1981 and thereafter for the first session of each Congress. Allows two or more committees which have legislative jurisdiction over the same programs or portions of the same programs to examine such programs jointly and submit a joint report. Stipulates that such report: (1) contain the findings, recommendations, and justifications of the program; and (2) include specified information including, but not limited to, an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the program and an identification of any trends, developments, and emerging conditions which are likely to affect the nature and extent of the problems or needs which the program is intended to address. Requires each executive department or agency which is responsible for a program selected for reexamination to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget and to the appropriate committees of the Congress on its findings, recommendations, and justifications of specified aspects of the program. Title IV: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes, as an independent instrumentality of the United States, the Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to conduct a nonpartisan study and investigation of the organization and methods of operation of all departments, agencies, independent instrumentalities, and other authorities of the executive branch of the Government, and to make such recommendations as it determines are necessary to promote economic, efficient and improved services in the transaction of public business. Requires the Commission to submit interim reports to the President and the Congress, and to submit a final report with its findings and recommendations. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report on the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Specifies the composition of the 15-member Commission and sets forth the duties and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall cease to exist 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated until September 30, 1984, without fiscal year limitations, $4,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Title. Title V: Regulatory Impact - Requires the President to submit, at the beginning of each of the five congresses beginning with the 97th Congress, an analysis of the purposes, function, and efficiency of 16 specified regulatory agencies. Requires the President to submit legislative plans, based on such analyses, for the improvement of operations of such agencies. Establishes a schedule according to which plans for specified agencies will be submitted early in each of the five congresses for which the required analyses are submitted. Directs the President, with each plan, to submit a report on the cumulative impact of government regulatory activity on specific industry groupings. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to assess each of the agencies included in the President's plan and to analyze the plan, and submit such information to the Congress. Title VI: Government Accountability - Requires the President, beginning with the first year of the 97th Congress, to submit biennially, as part of the budget, a report on the management of the executive branch. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to provide an evaluative report on Federal programs to the President to be included with the President's report. Title VII: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, after consultation with the Joint Committee on Taxation of the Congress, to prepare an inventory of tax expenditure provisions and to submit a report on such inventory to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House and the Senate Finance Committee. Defines the term "tax expenditure provision" as any provision of Federal law which allows a special exclusion, exemption, or deduction in determining liability for any tax or which provides a special credit against any tax, a preferential rate of tax, or a deferral of tax liability. Specifies the contents of the report which include an estimate of the revenue loss from each tax provision. Requires the Director to: (1) submit a revised inventory to each House of Congress by December 1, 1980; (2) revise the inventory after the close of each session of Congress and report such revisions to Congress; and (3) periodically report on congressional action on bills and resolutions which create or affect tax provisions. Directs the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax provisions similar to the schedule set out for Federal programs in title I of this Act. Requires Congress to take final action on the reauthorization schedule for tax provisions before the end of the 96th Congress. Provides that each tax expenditure provision shall expire unless it is reauthorized by a law enacted during the Congress in which it is scheduled for review. Sets forth procedures and restrictions for the consideration of bills reauthorizing tax provisions, which are similar to the restrictions and procedures governing bills authorizing new budget authority for Federal programs as described in title I. Requires that the report accompanying a reauthorization bill include specified information. Permits Congress to prescribe technical rules as may be necessary to mitigate adverse effects which might result for taxpayers who rely on a certain tax provision. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to permit the committees of Congress to obtain from the agencies of the Government estimates or requests for appropriations or requests for increases in an item of any such estimate or request, and recommendations as to how the revenue needs of the Government should be met. Declares that nothing shall require the public disclosure of records which are specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order, or which are otherwise specifically protected by law. Sets forth administrative procedures and requirements. Directs the President, with the cooperation of the head of each appropriate agency, to submit to the Congress a "Regulatory Duplication and Conflicts Report" for all programs scheduled for reauthorization in the next Congress. Stipulates that each such report identify duplicative or conflicting rules and regulations promulgated by executive departments, independent agencies, and State and local governments and contain recommendations which address such conflicts or duplications. Defines the term "required authorization waiver resolution" for purposes of this Act. Sets forth the procedure which the chairman of the committee of the Senate or the House of Representatives having legislative jurisdiction over programs must follow in order to introduce a required authorization waiver resolution. Makes it the duty of the Committees on Governmental Affairs and on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committees on Government Operations and on Rules of the House of Representatives to review the operation of the procedures established by this Act and to submit a report every five years beginning December 31, 1986. Authorizes to be appropriated through fiscal year 1990 such sums as may be necessary to carry out the review requirements and for the compilation of the inventory of Federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Declares it the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of State should seek the good offices of the Secretary General of the United Nations for the purpose of establishing a special investigatory commission charged with the responsibility of securing a full accounting of Americans listed as missing in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1978
Comprehensive Anti-Inflation Act - Title I: Coordination of Economic Policies - Amends the Employment Act of 1946 with the stated purpose of reducing the rate of inflation and keeping it within reasonable bounds. Directs the President, in each annual Economic Report, to establish economic and regulatory policies which set forth: (1) current trends in the levels of prices, wages, productivity, and production costs, including projections for inflation rates in the next calendar year; (2) annual numerical inflation goals; (3) fiscal policy targets; and (4) specific programs designed to achieve such inflation goals. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to transmit annually to the Congress an independent statement of its intended monetary policies for the year. Title II: Establishment of Guidelines - Directs that a set of guidelines be established to govern price increases and wage settlements. Authorizes the President to promote voluntary compliance with such guidelines. Prohibits the use of mandatory wage or price controls by the President. Requires the Council of Economic Advisors to seek the advice and concurrence of the Council on Wage and Price Stability in establishing economic policies and guidelines. Title III: Policies and Programs to Reduce Inflation - Directs the President, in formulating and revising tax policy: (1) to reduce, or substitute for, taxes which significantly increase price levels; (2) to develop specific procedures to promote the promulgation of economically efficient and socially desirable regulations; (3) to deregulate industries over which the Federal Government has ratesetting authority; (4) to encourage the growth of productivity in both the private and public sectors; (5) to examine the use of tax incentives to hold cost increases to specified levels; (6) to strive to preserve production incentives and allow market forces to operate wherever possible; (7) to address the price implications of energy policies in the Economic Report; (8) to explore ways to increase competition in concentrated industries; and (9) to pursue negotiations for fair trade agreements with foreign nations. Title IV: Congressional Review - Directs the Joint Economic Committee to hold special hearings to review the President's proposed economic policies and to submit its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives and the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1978
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 · 27 September 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for expenses allocable to the construction, maintenance, or financing of waste treatment works.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1978
Declares the sense of the Congress that the President and the Secretary of State should take all necessary steps to bring the Baltic States question before the United Nations and to urge the United Nations to request the Soviet Union to withdraw all non-native troops, agents, colonists, and controls from the Republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, and to return all Baltic exiles from Siberia and from prisons and labor camps in the Soviet Union. Requires the Secretary of State to do his utmost to bring the matter of the Baltic States to the attention of all nations by means of special radio programs and publications. Declares that the United States should not agree to the recognition of the Soviet Union's annexation of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Directs the President to take steps to provide that all maps of Europe show the Republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia as independent states. Calls for a return of self-determination to the peoples of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia through free elections conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1978
State and Local Welfare Reform and Fiscal Relief Act - Amends the program of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) established by Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act to establish a new formula for determining the amount of the Federal payment to each State for amounts expended by a State under such program. Provides for an annual cost-of-living increase in such amount. Requires that such increases be passed on to the recipients of aid under the program. Directs that each State plan for the operation of the State AFDC program provide for the reimbursement of the political subdivisions of the State for the amount contributed to the program by the subdivisions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 August 1978
Free and Fair Trade in Procurement Act - States the purposes of this Act to be to provide preference for domestic goods in government procurement with Federal funds, and to provide an additional preference for such procurement over foreign goods not freely and fairly traded. Defines "domestic article" for purposes of this Act to be any final good delivered to the government of which at least 75 percent of the total cost is attributable to United States sources. Includes within the definition of "Federal agency" for purposes of this Act AMTRAK and Conrail. Requires that domestic articles and materials be purchased for (1) procurements by Federal agencies or with Federal funds; (2) public buildings or public works involving Federal funds; and (3) State and local procurements at least 50 percent of which are federally funded. Allows for exceptions to such preference if the domestic product can not be obtained in sufficient quantity or quality, or if the cost of such product is excessive. Directs that no product may be procured with Federal funds from nonmembers or violators of an international government code to which the United States is a party. Allows for exceptions to such preference due to insufficient quantity, quality, or excessive cost. Extends the preference for domestic goods to subcontracts which form ten percent or more of the total delivered price of the procured product. Stipulates that the procurement preferences provided for in this Act shall not apply to the procurement of goods to be used outside the United States, or for purchases inconsistent with the public interest. States that the cost of a domestic product is to be considered excessive if the cost of the domestic product is (1) more than ten percent higher than a foreign equivalent product which is freely and fairly traded; or (2) not less than nor more than 40 percent higher than a foreign equivalent product which is not freely and fairly traded. Sets forth the guidelines for determining whether a foreign product is freely and fairly traded for purposes of this Act. Provides that a person in violation of certain unfair import practices under the Tariff Act of 1930 shall be barred from participating in any government procurements for three years. Requires a contractor supplying foreign products for government procurements to certify that he has written assurance from any foreign supplier that such foreign products are not being supplied at below their production cost, and that such foreign supplier is not in violation of United States antitrust laws. Provides that a contractor falsely certifying shall be barred from participating in any government procurements for three years. Repeals the "Buy American Act."
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 · 14 August 1978
Sludge Management Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to study the environmental, health, and economic effects of subsurface landfilling sludge on soils and ground water, and alternate methods of sludge disposal. Directs the Administrator to develop guidelines for sludge disposal and land-spreading in order to protect the public health and welfare. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States and localities of up to 40 percent of the cost of removal of sludge from navigable waters of the United States or any adjacent shoreline. Directs the Administrator to establish an Environmental Protection Agency Task Force on sludge removal. Authorizes the establishment of programs of training, demonstration, and surveys relating to the restoration of water quality where degraded by sludge. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit grants for treatment works, after September 30, 1976, unless the applicant demonstrates that adequate confined disposal methods will be provided.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1978
Makes findings concerning the unavailability in the United States of adequate training facilities for athletes competing in the XII Olympic Winter Games. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income prizes won in the New York State olympic lottery established pursuant to the New York State Tax Laws to raise revenue for the maintenance of the sports facilities constructed at Lake Placid.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1978
Free and Fair Trade in Procurement Act - States the purposes of this Act to be to provide preference for domestic goods in government procurement with Federal funds, and to provide an additional preference for such procurement over foreign goods not freely and fairly traded. Defines "domestic article" for purposes of this Act to be any final good delivered to the government of which at least 75 percent of the total cost is attributable to United States sources. Includes within the definition of "Federal agency" for purposes of this Act AMTRAK and Conrail. Requires that domestic articles and materials be purchased for (1) procurements by Federal agencies or with Federal funds; (2) public buildings or public works involving Federal funds; and (3) State and local procurements at least 50 percent of which are federally funded. Allows for exceptions to such preference if the domestic product can not be obtained in sufficient quantity or quality, or if the cost of such product is excessive. Directs that no product may be procured with Federal funds from nonmembers or violators of an international government code to which the United States is a party. Allows for exceptions to such preference due to insufficient quantity, quality, or excessive cost. Extends the preference for domestic goods to subcontracts which form ten percent or more of the total delivered price of the procured product. Stipulates that the procurement preferences provided for in this Act shall not apply to the procurement of goods to be used outside the United States, or for purchases inconsistent with the public interest. States that the cost of a domestic product is to be considered excessive if the cost of the domestic product is (1) more than ten percent higher than a foreign equivalent product which is freely and fairly traded; or (2) not less than nor more than 40 percent higher than a foreign equivalent product which is not freely and fairly traded. Sets forth the guidelines for determining whether a foreign product is freely and fairly traded for purposes of this Act. Provides that a person in violation of certain unfair import practices under the Tariff Act of 1930 shall be barred from participating in any government procurements for three years. Requires a contractor supplying foreign products for government procurements to certify that he has written assurance from any foreign supplier that such foreign products are not being supplied at below their production cost, and that such foreign supplier is not in violation of United States antitrust laws. Provides that a contractor falsely certifying shall be barred from participating in any government procurements for three years. Repeals the "Buy American Act."
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1978
Amateur Sports Act - Title I: Declaration of Policy - Makes findings and states that the policy of Congress is to promote amateur athletics and protect the right of amateur athletes to participate in athletic competition. Title II: Olympic Committee Reorganization - Amends the corporate charter of the Olympic Committee to (1) provide for a principal place of business of the United States Olympic Committee (Corporation); (2) set forth the objectives and purposes of the Corporation; (3) set forth the powers of the Corporation; (4) provide reasonable representation for specified individuals and organizations in establishing and maintaining provisions for the governance and conduct of its affairs; and (5) subject to civil liability any person who uses an Olympic designation without authority to promote a private financial interest. Permits contributors or suppliers of goods or services to use the name of the United States Olympic Committee or its designation to advertise that such goods or services have been furnished to, approved, or selected by the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to establish in its constitution and bylaws provisions for the resolution of disputes involving the opportunity of an amateur athlete or other specified individuals to participate in sanctioned athletic competitions. Authorizes the Corporation to recognize as a national governing body any amateur sports organization (but only one for each sport) which submits an application for recognition and complies with eligibility requirements. Sets forth such eligibility requirements. Sets forth the duties and powers of a national governing body and the requirements which an amateur sports organization must meet to hold an athletic competition or sponsor athletes in competition and be sanctioned by a national governing body. Grants to the Corporation the power of review over the actions of any national governing body and invests a United States district court with jurisdiction to enjoin any action of a national governing body inconsistent with the terms of the Corporate charter. Sets forth procedures for the Corporation in (1) processing a complaint against a national governing body by an individual athlete or an amateur sports organization; (2) revoking recognition of a national governing body; and (3) replacing an incumbent national governing body. Provides for arbitration of a determination of the Corporation. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to lend financial assistance to the Corporation in developing amateur athletics in the United States. Authorizes appropriations for carrying out the work of the national governing bodies. Directs the Secretary to conduct a feasibility study to determine the most appropriate means of providing funding to the Corporation for the construction and operation of training centers and sports medicine research facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for State and local property taxes that are allocable to the construction or improvement of sewage treatment works, even though such benefits tend to improve the value of the property taxed.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1978
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to States, municipalities, and regional agencies to assist in financing the operation and maintenance of publicly owned treatment works, constructed with grants awarded under such Act if such facility provides secondary treatment and if the cost of providing such secondary treatment in any fiscal year exceeds twice the cost of the primary treatment provided by the applicant in the last fiscal year. Limits the amount of such grant to 75 percent of this excess cost. Authorizes appropriations of $80,000,000 to carry out this Act for fiscal years 1980 and 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1978
Stipulates that upon the withdrawal of approval of any portion of an Interstate Highway, the State involved, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Transportation, shall not be required to refund to the Highway Trust Fund any sums paid to the State for intangible costs. Stipulates that refunds shall not be required if the State applies such funds to an eligible transportation project or to a public conservation or recreation purpose within ten years.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1978
Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish an urban park and recreation recovery program to provide financial assistance for rehabilitation of recreation areas and facilities in the form of challenge grants to local governments. Sets the requirements for grant eligibility. Directs the Secretary to promulgate funding priority regulations, for processing and approval of grant proposals, which include the use of objective data to measure comparative need for assistance among local governments. Requires regulations to include criteria evaluating the extent to which local governments have demonstrated results in providing equal opportunity housing.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1978
Anti-Inflation Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for annual cost-of-living adjustments to the individual income tax rates, personal exemption amounts, withholding tax amounts and the minimum amounts of income which necessitate filing a return.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1978
Steel Trade Negotiations Act - Lists products the manufacture of which shall constitute the "steel sector" for purposes of determining the appropriate product sector with respect to import restriction authority under the Trade Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1978
Omnibus Product Liability Insurance Act - Title I: Federal Insurance Commission - Creates the Federal Insurance Commission which shall have the duty to supervise and regulate all activities of any insurer affecting commerce, to insure that such insurer is solvent, charges reasonable premiums, and otherwise acts in the public interest. Declares unfair insurance practices in commerce to be unlawful. Empowers and directs the Commission to prevent persons from engaging in unfair insurance practices. Sets forth the procedures to be employed by the Commission in any proceeding against any person believed to be using unfair insurance practices in commerce. Empowers the Commission to issue cease and desist orders to persons, partnerships, or corporations found to be involved in such practices. Sets forth the procedure for obtaining a review of such order in the United States courts of appeals. Transfers to and vests in the Federal Insurance Commission, all the functions, powers, and duties of the Federal Insurance Administrator of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and of the other officers and offices within the Federal Insurance Administration. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as the Commission may deem necessary to carry out its duties under this Title. Title II: Standards For State Product Liability Tort Litigation Act - Declares that each State has authority to adopt legislation relating to product liability tort law in accordance with specified basic standards set forth in this Title. Establishes, as an independent instrumentality within the Department of Commerce, the Standards for Product Liability Tort Law Review Panel to review State product liability legislation, to determine whether such legislation is in accordance with the basic standards. Declares that such State legislation will be deemed to be in accordance with such basic standards, and hence an "Approved State Plan," if the Review Panel determines that such legislation provides for: (1) a product liability cause of action; (2) a statute of limitations; (3) a state of the art defense; (4) court appointment of expert witnesses; (5) comparative responsibility; and (6) the treatment of workplace injuries in accordance with this Title. States that the product liability cause of action provided by this Title shall be in lieu of all existing causes of action for damage as a result of bodily injury caused by a product. Sets forth the procedure whereby the Review Panel shall examine product liability legislation certified to it by the chief executive officer of a State. Declares that the Review Panel shall determine that a certified State plan is in accordance with the basic standards only if such plan is in compliance with all the provisions set forth in this Title. Subjects a declaration by the Review Panel that a State plan is not in accordance with the basic standards, to judicial review in the United States courts of appeals. States that if the Review Panel declares that a State does not have an approved State plan, an alternative plan for product liability, under which the product liability cause of action shall be in lieu of all existing causes of action for damages resulting from both bodily injury and injury to property caused by a product, shall take effect in that State. Stipulates that this Title is not a grant of Federal jurisdiction over actions for product liability benefits. Title III: Internal Revenue Code Amendments - Product Liability Tax Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for amounts contributed to a product liability trust, up to the fair market value of product liability insurance for the taxpayer. Sets forth the requirements such a product liability trust must meet to be tax-exempt. Includes distributions from such a trust other than for payment of product liability claims in the recipient's gross income. Imposes excise taxes on such trusts for self-dealing, unqualified expenditures, and contributions in excess of the fair market value of product liability insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1978
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze, silver, and gold national medals and deliver them to the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Winter Games Corporation, a nonprofit corporation. Requires such medals to be struck at not less than their estimated cost of manufacture, plus a surcharge equal to 25 percent of such cost. Requires such surcharge to be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1978
Press Protection Act - Prohibits any person acting under color of law, without a prior adversary court proceeding, from searching any place or seizing any things in the possession, custody, or control of any person engaged in the gathering or dissemination of news for the print or broadcast media, unless with a warrant issued by a court upon probable cause that such person has committed or is committing a criminal offense. Establishes a criminal fine of not more than $10,000 for violation of this Act, and creates a civil cause of action for any person aggrieved by a violation. Allows punitive damages of up to $10,000, and reasonable attorneys fees.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1978
Franchising Termination Practices Reform Act - Requires a franchisor to notify a franchisee at least 90 days in advance of the franchisor's intention to terminate the franchise and to state the reasons for termination. Prohibits a franchisor from cancelling a franchise or failing to renew a franchise unless the franchisor is effecting a market area withdrawal or the franchisor has good cause for failure to renew and has given proper notice. Makes any franchisor who has violated the requirements of this Act civilly liable to the aggrieved franchisee.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1978
Amends the Trade Act of 1974, with respect to the authority of the President to negotiate trade agreements, to direct the President to reserve any article for which an agreement limiting agricultural imports has been entered into, from negotiations to reduce or eliminate customs duties or import restrictions.
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 · 25 April 1978
Authorizes a certain nonprofit corporation to have medals struck in commemoration of the XIII Olympic Winter Games to be held in Lake Placid, New York in 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Voluntary Job Preservation and Community Stabilization Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a continuing investigation to identify those industrial, business, agricultural, and service organizations (1) which are in danger of ceasing operation or of outmigration and (2) whose closing or relocation would result in substantial unemployment and economic dislocation in the community. Provides, through the Secretary, loans for technical assistance and status and operating costs to an employee or employee/community corporation which meets certain requirements in order that it may assume ownership and operation of an organization so identified. Conditions loans, among other factors, upon certification that the corporation will allow new employees to participate and will adopt a method for acquisition of stock of persons no longer associated with the organization for the purpose of making it available to all employees on a nondiscriminatory basis. Authorizes loans of up to $15,000 to an employee who wishes to purchase stock in a purchasing corporation and who is unable to secure financing elsewhere.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Surface Transportation Assistance Act - Title I: Federal Aid Highway Act - Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 to revise and extend the authorization for appropriations for the Interstate Highway System through fiscal year 1992. Sets forth a formula for the apportionment of a portion of such funds for fiscal years 1980 through 1983. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to apportion such amounts in a specified manner for fiscal year 1980. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for specified highway programs. Stipulates that the Federal share of railroad-highway crossing demonstration projects under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 shall be 95 percent of the cost of such a project. Establishes a cutoff date for the designation and completion of the Interstate Highway System. Authorizes the Secretary to approve projects for resurfacing, restoring, and rehabilitating lanes on the Interstate System which have been in use for more than five years. Sets forth the Federal share of the costs of such projects. Increases the Federal share for specified highway programs. Authorizes the Secretary to approve a State's request for the retention of certain outdoor advertising where the sign or display was in existence on May 5, 1976. Authorizes the Secretary to approve Federal participation in State projects for replacing unsafe highway bridges which are not on the Federal-aid system. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for traffic control signalization projects designed to conserve motor fuel and decrease traffic congestion. Directs the Secretary to allocate funds made available for pavement marking demonstration programs in a manner deemed by the Secretary most appropriate to expedite the completion of pavement markings on all highways. Increases the amount of appropriations authorized for the construction of bridges across Federal dams which may be expended as an emergency fund to meet additional costs. Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to increase the Federal share for construction projects on the Appalachian development highway system and to increase the authorized mileage for such system. Establishes a ceiling on obligations for Federal- aid highways and highway construction projects for fiscal year 1979. Amends the Energency Highway Emergy Conservation Act to authorize the Secretary to approve carpool projects in urbanized areas. Authorizes the reapportionment of funds not used by a State for the Interstate System to another State which has obligated all of its apportionment. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out access control demonstration projects designed to demonstrate whether preserving the capacity of existing highways to move traffic safely by acquiring and controlling the right of access to such highways is a cost effective alternative to the construction of additional highways. Bikeway Transportation Act - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States and municipalities for the construction of bikeways in urbanized areas. Stipulates that the Federal share of such a project shall be 80 percent of its cost. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal years 1979 through 1982. Stipulates that upon repayment of a specified sum by the State of Indiana to the Treasurer of the United States, Interstate Route 80/90 shall be free of all restrictions with respect to the imposition and collection of tolls. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a demonstration project in a metropolitan area of 500,000 or more population to restrict the access of motor vehicles to the central business district during peak traffic hours in order to determine the practicability of this method in reducing motor vehicle congestion. Directs the Secretary to conduct a demonstration project on the Interstate System to place vending machines in rest and recreation areas located on the rights-of-way of such System. Directs the Secretary to designate a portion of State Highway Numbered 17 in Richmond, California as part of the Interstate System. Exempts the facility owned by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority on the right-of-way of interstate route I-81 in New York State from certain restrictions prohibiting commercial establishments on such a right-of-way. Authorizes the Secretary to approve certain construction projects with respect to interstate route I-90 in New York State. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the construction of spur highways to connect the Great River Road with existing bridges across the Mississippi River. Directs the Secretary to reimburse the Federal share of the cost of constructing a new toll bridge across the Ohio River at Huntington, West Virginia. Prohibits the expenditure of Federal funds to erect or modify road signs solely using the metric system unless specifically authorized by Congress. Requires each State to annually report to the Secretary regarding State enforcement of its vehicle weight limitations on the Federal-aid system. Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations to the State of New Hampshire for expenditure on Federal-aid highways (other than Interstate System highways) which serve as alternative routes to the Franconia Notch Parkway. Directs the Secretary to carry out a demonstration project permitting a State to sell State lottery tickets at publicly owned rest and recreation areas on the rights-of-way of the Interstate System in such State. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a demonstration project on the Federal-aid primary system for the construction of a bypass highway around Prairie Creek Redwood State Park in Humbolt County, California. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study on the feasibility of an additional bridge across the Columbia River between Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. Directs the Secretary to carry out a rural highway public transportation demonstration project in the Sherman, Texas - Denison, Texas area. Title II: Highway Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for specified highway safety programs. Amends the Highway Safety Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for projects to eliminate hazards relating to rail-highway crossings. Requires each State to annually certify to the Secretary that it is enforcing the national maximum speed limit. Directs the Secretary to reduce a State's apportionment for Federal-aid highway funds if the percentage of motor vehicles exceeding 55 miles per hour exceeds a specified percentage. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1979 through 1982 to the Secretary of Transportation for the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of highway accident data and for establishing procedures for reporting accidents on a nationwide basis. Abolishes the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee. Authorizes the Secretary to waive State highway safety program standards for projects to identify highway accident causes and to reduce accidents. Directs the Secretary to carry out six pilot projects designed, through the use of television and radio, to develop and evaluate methods to achieve maximum measurable effectiveness in reducing traffic accidents, injuries, and death. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Title III: Urban Mass Transportation Act Amendments - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act to repeal the provision which allows States or local public bodies to use Federal urban mass transportation assistance for the payment of operating expenses for mass transportation services. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for specified projects under such Act. Requires that a specified portion of such appropriations be used for grants for intercity bus service. Directs the Secretary to apportion authorizations for the urban mass transit program according to a specified formula for fiscal years 1979 through 1982. Removes specified restrictions regarding the availability of fellowships for public transportation training programs. Authorizes general appropriations to carry out the provisions of the Urban Mass Transportation Act through fiscal year 1982. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress monthly regarding the funding of projects under such Act. Revises the Federal operating assistance program for the provision of rail passenger service under such Act. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for such program. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States and local bodies to acquire, construct, or alter facilities for use in providing intercity bus service and in coordinating such service with other modes of transportation. Stipulates that the Federal share of such a project shall be 80 percent of its net cost. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 to carry out such program. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for the liquidation of obligations incurred for public mass transit projects substituted for routes on the Interstate Highway System. Authorizes the Secretary to convert specified mass transportation equipment and facilities loans to grants under specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to make a full and complete investigation and study of establishing and operating a mass transportation system which would provide basic services with a minimum of amenities at low costs and to report the results of such study to Congress. Directs the Secretary to carry out a demonstration project using high speed jetfoil transportation facilities and operating between the Long Branch, New Jersey area, Sandy Hook State Park, and New York, New York to determine the feasibility of utilizing this technology in providing certain public mass transportation service. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such project. Title IV: Prohibits the awarding of grants of more than $5,000,000 for the acquisition of any steel or rolling stock for fixed rail service unless substantially all the steel to be acquired has been domestically produced. Sets forth exceptions to this requirement. Provides for Congressional review of certain rules and regulations relating to highways or urban mass transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Targeted Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow manufacturers planning property eligible for the investment tax credit in designated "labor surplus" areas to take double investment tax credits and depreciation deduction for the property. Doubles the allowable deduction for real property taxes on realty used in connection with this property.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make urban rehabilitation grants to severely distressed cities and urban counties for the following purposes: (1) to finance the acquisition of real property by private, nonprofit entities for residential rehabilitation; (2) to finance residential rehabilitation through grants, revolving loan funds, mortgage insurance, high-risk mortgage pools, and low interest loans; (3) to make grants to neighborhood groups to carry out residential rehabilitation; and (4) to finance the rehabilitation of publicly owned building when the recipient of the grant participates in such rehabilitation. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations for the purpose of assuring that rehabilitation activities conducted with grants made under this program are primarily moderate rehabilitation activities and that such activities do not displace low- and moderate-income people. Lists information to be included in applications for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1978
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates below the level established by the Social Security Amendments of 1977 on employment income for both employers and employees and on self-employment income. Increases Federal contributions to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act by 50 percent. Increases the ceiling on the amount of income that is subject to social security taxation to $100,000 in 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Amends the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out such Act to $10,000,000,000.
![Official portrait of Rep. Nowak, Henry [D-NY-33]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/n000163_200.jpg)