United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Extends until October 1, 1980, the appropriation authorizations for the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge in California. Extends until October 1, 1980, appropriation authorizations for the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina and increases appropriations to $21,100,000 for fiscal years 1978-1980.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals alternative, limited income tax credits or deductions for the tuition paid for the primary, secondary or higher education of the taxpayer, his spouse and dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Campaign Financing Act -- Title I: Public Financing of Congressional General Election Campaigns - Entitles to payments under this Act Congressional candidates who agree to certain reporting and recordkeeping procedures and who certify that (1) he and his authorized committees will not incur campaign expenses in excess of certain limitations, (2) he has qualified to have his name placed on the election ballot in an election for Congressional office, and (3) he has received contributions in excess of a certain sum and no person has given more than $100 toward the amount so certified. Sets the amount of payments to an eligible candidate at the amount of contributions received up to a specified maximum. Stipulates that sums given by any one contributor totalling over $100 shall be disregarded for purposes of matching grants. Restricts use of funds forwarded under this Act to defraying campaign expenses either directly or through repayment of campaign loans. Specifies a limit on the amount of personal funds which a candidate may spend in connection with a Congressional campaign and remain eligible to matching grants. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to specify spending limits for candidates receiving payments under this Act. Waives such limits for candidates whose opponents are not receiving matching payments and have spent sums in excess of the limit imposed for candidates receiving payments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a separate Congressional General Election Payment Account in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and to deposit certain sums in such account in accordance with specified guidelines. Requires repayment of excess payments and unexpended payments. Penalizes use of funds for other than campaign purposes. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to institute repayment actions in district courts. Specifies the administrative authority of the Commission in carrying out this Act. Title II: Public Financing of Presidential General Election Campaigns - Raises the general election spending limit for Presidential candidates who are eligible to receive public funds under either the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act or the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act. Sets limits on the amount which a State party committee may spend in connection with the general election campaign of its Presidential candidate. Provides an alternative method for determining the amount of money to which candidates are entitled under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act based upon amount of contributions received after the final primary. Specifies conditions for candidates electing such method. Permits Presidential candidates eligible to receive payment under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act to receive additional small contributions from individual contributors up to a specified limit. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reduce the maximum amount which a multicandidate committee may contribute to any candidate or his committees. Specifies the effective date of the provisions of this Act and guidelines with respect to deposit in the Congressional General Election Campaign Fund during 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited income tax deduction for retirement savings by persons who are active participants in other retirement benefit plans qualifying for special tax consideration. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to repeal the provision permitting pension plans which provide for the payment of annuities before the normal retirement age to pay such benefits in a form other than one having the effect of a qualified joint and survivor annuity, as defined by such Act. Requires a plan to provide a survivor's annuity to the spouse of a participant who dies before the earliest retirement age, such annuity to (1) begin on a date determined as if the participant had lived until earliest retirement age, and (3) consist of payments which are not less than the payments which would have been made under the survivors annuity to which the spouse would have been entitled if the participant had separated from the service immediately preceding his death. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make similar revisions with respect to requirements for qualifying pension plan trusts thereunder.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities which are engaged in the development of new schools of veterinary medicine to assist in such development. Requires applying schools to demonstrate that there is a reasonable indication that non-Federal financial resources for development will be available and that Federal assistance will accelerate the date on which the school will be able to begin its teaching program.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Declares the term "person", with respect to due process and equal protections, applicable to human beings irrespective of age, health, function or condition of dependency, including the unborn. Prohibits the deprivation of life of an unborn person, except under law permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide a claimant who has been denied benefits thereunder with the opportunity to obtain informal reconsideration of his claim. Requires the maintenance of a written summary of reconsideration proceedings. Grants a claimant the right to a hearing on the denied claim if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare affirms the denial upon review. Requires the hearing to be conducted pursuant to the requirements for an 'adjudication" under the Administrative Procedure Act under an administrative law judge (ALJ). Directs the Secretary to appoint ALJ's to conduct such hearings. Sets forth criteria under which the ALJ in charge of a hearing must remand a disputed claim to the appropriate regional commissioner of the Social Security Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Directs the Federal Energy Administrator to establish methods of determining the life cycle cost effectiveness for building, considering the life cycle fuel and energy requirements for such buildings. Requires that all Federal buildings be life cycle cost effective and that such determination serve as a basis for the awarding of contracts in the procurement and leasing of new Federal buildings. Directs the Administrator to promote the use of life cycle cost effective methods in all buildings. Directs the Administrator to establish energy performance targets for existing buildings which are compatible with new buildings which are compatible with new building performance standards developed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Requires all Federal agencies to conduct an energy audit of existing buildings within their jurisdiction. Requires that a specified percentage of the gross square footage of building space be selected by each agency for retrofitting with appropriate energy conservation measures.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Amends Title IV of the Social Security Act to permit the payment of benefits under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program with respect to unborn children where the fact of the mother's pregnancy has been determined by medical diagnosis and the unborn child would be a needy child, as defined in this Act, if such child has been born in the preceding month.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Amends the Fishery Conservation Zone Transition Act to give Congressional approval to the Reciprocal Fisheries Agreement between the United States and Canada and to make such Agreement effective during the period beginning March 1, 1977 and ending December 31, 1977. Permits vessels and nationals of Canada to fish within the fishery conservation zone, and for certain species and resources beyond such zone, in accordance with the Agreement. Exempts certain fishing by vessels and nationals of Canada from the requirements of the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 relating to foreign fishing and international fishery agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Authorizes the President of the United States to designate the week beginning November 6, 1977, and ending November 12, 1977, as "National Volunteer Firemen Week."
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals to deduct an amount equal to the sum of the amounts paid to an adoption agency for the medical care of a child adopted by the individual. States that if the amounts paid for such medical expenses cannot be ascertained an amount equal to the lower of 25 percent of the adoption agency charges, or $500 may be deducted.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1977
Permits the head of a Federal agency administering any Federal assistance program under which assistance is apportioned on the basis of a standard metropolitan stastical area (SMSA) to modify the geographic boundaries of such area in order to include within the area only (but all) areas which are essentially metropolitan upon request of the Governor of the State in which such area is located and in concurrence with the Executive Office of the President.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1977
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 by establishing the support price of milk at not less than 90 percent of the parity price, and by providing for quarterly adjustments.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1977
Consumer Class Action Act - Defines "unfair consumer practice" for the purposes of this Act. Includes therein misleading and deceiving representations made in connection with the sale, lease, rental or loan (or offers therefor) of goods, services or credit to consumers or the collection of debts from consumers. Enumerates specific types of conduct embraced by the term "unfair consumer practice", including those so defined under the decisions interpreting the Federal Trade Commission Act. Excludes from the definition of "goods", securities or interests in securities or aircraft. Includes in the definition of "services", insurance services. Provides that the term "consumer" shall be limited to natural persons. Makes unlawful any unfair consumer practice committed by anyone whose business affects commerce, or whose violation of this Act affects commerce. Grants United States district courts original jurisdiction (concurrent with that of the courts of the several States) over civil class actions brought by a consumer on behalf of himself and others similarly situated. Makes Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, applicable to such class action. Provides that the amount in controversy shall exceed $25,000, but permits aggregation of individual claims (none of which shall be less than $10) in computing such amount. Includes among the types of relief the court may grant to a prevailing class: injunctions; declaratory judgments; actual damages; and costs and reasonable attorney's fees. States that when the class seeks relief under State law, and brings the action in a Federal court, the law of the State shall be the law of the forum. Prohibits removal of a class action from a State to a Federal court when relief is sought under State law. Prohibits the court from awarding monetary relief if: (1) the plaintiff informs the defendant of the nature of the unfair consumer practice complained of (which the plaintiff must do at least 35 days prior to instituting suit); (2) appropriate corrective action is initiated by the defendant with respect to all identifiable members of the class within 30 days after the plaintiff mailed the notice; and (3) the defendant ceases the unfair consumer practice. Authorizes the court to supervise settlement prior to judgment. Permits the court to allow persons in the class the opportunity to exercise individual choice with respect to acceptance or rejection of a settlement offer. Fixes the statute of limitations at three years from the time the cause of action arose. Tolls such statute in any case brought in, and dismissed without prejudice by, a Federal court for the interval between the time the action was filed and one month after dismissal. Provides venue for a consumer class action in any district in which the claim arose; or in which the defendant is found, has an agent, is licensed to do business, or is doing business. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed in derogation of the law of any State or Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt trade or business expenses incurred in providing day care services on a regular basis in a taxpayer's dwelling unit from the prohibition on deducting expenses with respect to a dwelling unit which is used by the taxpayer as his residence.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1977
Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Act - Prohibits the development of hard mineral resources of the deep seabed by persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States except: (1) as authorized pursuant to this Act: (2) as authorized under a license issued by a reciprocating foreign state: or (3) as authorized by international agreement. Authorizes the issuance of licenses by the Secretary of Commerce to develop deep seabed mineral resources, in accordance with prescribed conditions. Stipulates that licenses shall remain in force for ten years or as long as commercial recovery from the block of land mineral resources continues. Authorizes the Secretary to establish procedures for the issuance of licenses. Requires the establishment of objective environmental standards for operations licensed under this Act. Sets forth a table of minimum annual expenditures per licensed block until commercial recovery from such block is initiated. Requires notification by each licensee to the Secretary after completion of exploration activities prior to the granting of an authorization to the licensee to begin commercial recovery. Requires that such request be made no earlier than six months, and no later that three months, prior to the projected commencement of such activity. Withdraws the following areas from licensing: (1) areas relinquished by the applicant under a license issued under this Act within the prior three years; (2) areas subject to a prior application or outstanding license; and (3) areas which would increase the licensees' holding to more than 30 percent of the deep seabed in a 250-kilometer circular area. Requires that licensees relinquish 75 percent of any block within ten years of the license date. Requires compliance with subsequent international agreements which may supersede the requirements of this Act. Stipulates that licensees suffering a measurable economic loss as a result of any international agreement shall be entitled to compensation from the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to establish reasonable licensing fees, not to exceed $100,000. Stipulates that United States district courts shall have original jurisdiction of cases arising under this Act, without regard to diversity of citizenship or amounts involved. Imposes a civil penalty of $10,000 per day for violations of this Act. Imposes a criminal penalty of $25,000 per day for willful and knowing violation of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the administration of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1977
Amends the Health Programs Extension Act of 1973 to prohibit any entity which receives financial aid from, or enters into any contract with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from questioning any applicant for admission as a student about the views of the applicant regarding abortion or sterilization. Prohibits such entity from discriminating against any applicant for study because of the refusal of the applicant to participate in the performance of an abortion or other medical services contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of the applicant.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1978 for the relief of victims of the May 6, 1976, earthquake in Italy.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
House Commission on Congressional Operations Resolution - Establishes within the House of Representatives a House Commission on Congressional Operations. Requires the Commission to: (1) make a continuing study of the organization and operation of Congress and recommend improvements; (2) identify any court proceedings or action of vital interest to the Congress or the House of Representatives, and to call such proceeding to the attention of the House; and (3) conduct a continuing study of the jurisdiction of various standing committees of the House and their relative work loads, and of ways of rationalizing committee jurisdictions between the two Houses of Congress. Establishes for the House of Representatives an Office of Placement and Office Management, subject to the supervision and control of the Commission, to assist Members, committees, and officers seeking competent personnel, and to furnish advice with respect to office management. Declares that the expenses of the Commission shall be paid from the contingent fund of the House. Sets forth regulations governing the use of funds for foreign travel by the Commission and its employees.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Amends Titles XVIII (Medicare) and II (Old-Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that eligible drugs, requiring a physician's prescription or certification, shall be included among the items and services covered under the hospital insurance program for the aged at a specified amount of payment. States that the reasonable allowance for eligible drugs furnished an individual pursuant to any one prescription and purchased by such individual at any one time shall be reduced by an amount equal to the applicable prescription copayment obligation which shall be $1. Establishes, within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a Medicare Formulary Committee to compile and publish a Formulary listing the drugs deemed qualified for benefits under this Act, together with maximum allowable costs and additional information concerning such drugs. Makes provisions for selecting drugs for the Formulary.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 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 individual filing a separate return to the amount actually earned by that individual.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Federal Service Labor-Management Act - Sets forth a plan for the conduct of labor-management relations in the Federal service. Grants certain employees the right to form, join, and assist any labor organization without fear of penalty or reprisal. Establishes the Federal Labor Relations Authority, responsible for carrying out the purposes of this Act. Empowers and directs the Authority to prevent any person from engaging in conduct violative of this Act. Requires that exclusive recognition be granted to a labor organization which has been selected by a majority of employees in an appropriate unit in an election held in conformity with this Act. Denies recognition to labor organizations under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Authority to certify labor unions as exclusive representatives without an election under certain conditions. Specifies the kinds of employees who may not constitute a unit. Grants labor organizations which have been given exclusive recognition below the agency level national consultation rights, and requires that such organizations be informed of proposed changes in conditions of employment. Stipulates that a labor organization, accorded exclusive recognition, becomes the exclusive representative of all employees in the unit, and requires that such organization represent the interest of all such employees regardless of organization membership. Requires that labor organizations be given the opportunity to be represented at discussions between management and employees concerning personnel policies and practices, and matters affecting general working conditions, and that both parties meet and negotiate in good faith. Stipulates that any policy or regulation which affects conditions of employment of employees of an agency for which a labor organization holds exclusive recognition at the agency level shall be subject to negotiation. Establishes a Federal Personnel Policy Board to consider policies and regulations regarding conditions of employment in specified circumstances, to be comprised of management officials of the agencies and representatives of labor organizations holding exclusive recognition under this Act. Requires agencies to honor written assignments from employees which authorize the deduction from wages of amounts for the payment of regular dues of labor organizations having exclusive recognition, without cost to employees or organizations. Requires each employee in a unit having an exclusive representative, who is not a member of a recognized organization, to pay such organization an amount equal to the fees paid by a member. Defines conduct which will be considered an unfair labor practice for agencies and labor organizations. Authorizes the Authority to prevent such practices. Requires the General Counsel of the Authority to investigate charges of unfair labor practices, and authorizes the General Counsel to issue a complaint against such agency or organization. Requires the Authority to conduct hearings on such complaints and authorizes the subpena of documents and witnesses. Prescribes remedies for violations of this Act. Requires the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, upon request, to provide assistance to agencies and labor organizations in the resolution of negotiation impasses. Establishes within the Authority a Federal Service Impasses Panel which may, upon request, consider any matter which has not been resolved by other means. Authorizes the parties to adopt a procedure for binding arbitration of an impasse when voluntary arrangements have failed. Sets forth standards of conduct for labor organizations. Entitles any employee against whom an adverse action under this title is taken to appeal such action to the Civil Service Commission. Requires that agreements between agencies and organizations having exclusive recognition contain procedures for the settlement of grievances, including questions of arbitrability. Authorizes the filing of an exception with the Authority to an arbitrator's award, and specifies the procedures for review by the Authority. Outlines the procedure for judicial review in the United States courts of appeals of the Authority's orders. Authorizes the Authority to petition the appropriate United States district court for temporary relief. Stipulates that labor organizations and their members are subject to specified reporting and disclosure procedures. Authorizes official time to be given to employees, representing an exclusively recognized labor organization, for negotiation of agreements. Requires the Authority to maintain files of its proceedings and copies of agreements and decisions, and to publish its decisions and certain actions taken by the Panel. Requires the Authority, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and the Panel to prescribe rules and regulations. Modifies or repeals all laws inconsistent with this Act. Increases the compensation recoverable by employees found to have been affected by an unjustified or unwarranted personnel action. Sets forth the procedures to be followed by an agency in bringing an adverse action against an employee.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Amends Titles II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize Medicare coverage for disabled individuals under age 65 from the first month of their entitlement to benefits based on disability, in cases where the individuals involved become re-entitled to such coverage after a previous coverage period which ended within the previous 60 months. Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 to extend the same provisions to individuals previously covered by such Act who are now under Title II of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to stipulate that an individual who has completed 30 years of service shall be deemed to have a "current connection with the railroad industry" for purposes of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Social Security Amendments - Provides full benefits under Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act for disabled wives, husbands, widows, and widowers without respect to age. Authorizes benefits for essential spouses of disability beneficiaries without regard to age or children in care. Provides child's benefits on the wage record of a supporting relative provided such child has been receiving over one-half his support from such relative for a continuous period of at least one year. Permits dependent's and survivor's benefits for additional specified relatives of an insured individual if such relative was dependent and receiving at least one-half his support from such insured individual. Provides that the computation of benefits under Title II for a couple shall be determined on the basis of their combined earnings record. Revises the eligibility standards for disability benefits. States that eligibility for disability benefits shall be made without regard to the number of recent quarters of coverage. Repeals the earnings test standard for eligibility for benefits under title II. Authorizes optional coverage for mothers of preschool children under the self-employed individual insurance program. Grants eligibility to illegitimate children for child's insurance benefits under specified circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Displaced Homemakers Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a minimum of 50 Multipurpose Service Centers for displaced homemakers. States that each Center shall provide specified services, including: (1) job counseling; (2) job training and job placement; (3) health education and counseling; (4) financial management; (5) legal counseling and referral; and (6) outreach information with respect to Federal assistance programs. Sets forth factors to be considered by the Secretary in selecting Center sites. Directs the Secretary to designate a public or nonprofit private organization to administer a Center once its site has been chosen. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants in accordance with specified guidelines to such organizations for the purpose of establishing and maintaining Centers. Directs the Secretary to prepare and furnish to Congress biennial evaluations which are to include a thorough assessment of each Center and recommendations concerning the administration and expansion of such Centers at the local, State, and Federal levels. Directs the Secretary to prepare and furnish to the Congress a study to determine the feasibility of, and appropriate procedures for, allowing displaced homemakers to participate in: (1) programs established under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973; (2) work incentive programs under the Social Security Act; (3) related Federal employment, education, and health assistance programs; and (4) programs established, or benefits provided, under Federal and State unemployment compensation laws.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act - Allows an income tax credit for 30 percent of the expenditures not exceeding $750 which the taxpayer paid or incurred during the taxable year for installation of insulation or energy-conserving components which improve heating plant efficiency in his principal residence. Limits the application of this credit to expenditures paid or incurred for installations made between 1976 and 1982 in pre-existing dwellings. Reduces the allowable credit, on a graduated scale, for individuals with adjusted gross incomes greater than $10,000. Allows an income tax credit for 40 percent of the first $1,500, and a secondary credit for 25 percent of the next $7,600 paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year for the installation of qualified solar, wind and geothermal energy equipment in his principal residence. Allows an income tax credit for 20 percent of the first $1,500, and a secondary credit for 12.5 percent of the next $7,600 paid or incurred for the installation of wood stove, heat pump, or burner equipment in connection with new solar, wind or geothermal energy equipment which will be the principal source of space heat in the taxpayer's principal residence. Reduces these limitations in subsequent tax years by subtracting the amounts taken into account for these credits in previous tax years. Limits these credits to equipment installed between 1976 and 1982. Prorates each of the above credits for residential improvements among joint owners and cooperative shareholders according to their proportionate interests in the residential property. Provides for the carryover of any allowable credit which exceeds the taxpayer's current income tax liability. Reduces the allowable credits, on a graduated scale for and Conservation Act. persons with adjusted gross incomes greater than $15,000. Allows an investment tax credit for 25 percent of the qualified investment cost of depreciable geothermal, solar or wind energy equipment placed in service. Allows such a credit for 12 percent of the qualified costs of ventilation, heating, water and other components primarily designed to reduce the heat loss or gain of a structure, and origin ally used by the taxpayer. Prohibits these credits for property originally funded with Federal grants, or located in States which take these energy conserving measures into account for property assessment, or which don't enforce the thermal design requirements of the Energy Policy
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Solar and Energy Conservation Commercialization Act - Amends the National Housing Act to specify additional types of Solar energy systems eligible for financial assistance under such Act. Stipulates that such systems shall include solar heating and cooling and hot water systems, geothermal and wind energy systems, and other energy conservation measures and equipment such as insulation, heat pumps and devices to improve furnace efficiency. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants and loans to individuals and families to assist in the purchase of solar, renewable source, and energy conservation measures and equipment. Authorizes grants and loans for similar purposes to neighborhood, community, or nonprofit groups. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make loans to small businesses to assist in the purchase and installation of solar, renewable source, and energy conservation improvements and equipment. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and the Federal Energy Administrator to cooperate in carrying out the provisions of this Act and to jointly submit an annual report to the President and the Congress on activities carried out under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1978 through 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Title I: Small Business Act Amendments - Empowers the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make loans to assist any small business concern in financing plant construction and equipment acquisition for the production, installation, or maintenance of solar energy equipment or other energy conservation equipment. Permits the Administration to make grants to non-profit organizations for the establishment of training seminars that teach small business concerns methods for design, installation, and maintenance of solar energy equipment. Title II: Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 Amendments - Establishes within the Energy Research and Development Administration an Office of Invention and Innovation to evaluate proposals submitted by any individual or small business concern for the development of an energy-related invention and to provide grants for the development of such invention.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to direct the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to assist less developed countries in the development and utilization of unconventional, nonnuclear energy technologies. Authorizes the Administrator, in cooperation with the Agency for International Development, to conduct studies on the energy needs, uses, and resources in other countries. Stipulates that such studies should be designed to result in the establishment of an information system permitting transfers of unconventional, nonnuclear energy technologies to impoverished areas of the world. Requires that results of such studies and recommendations for cooperative projects be reported to Congress by July 1, 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 to the Energy Research and Development Administration for fiscal year 1978 for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Directs the Federal Energy Administrator to establish methods of determining the life cycle cost effectiveness for buildings, considering the life cycle fuel and energy requirements for such buildings. Requires that all Federal buildings be life cycle cost effective and that such determination serve as a basis for the awarding of contracts in the procurement and leasing of new Federal buildings. Directs the Administrator to promote the use of life cycle cost effective methods in all buildings. Directs the Administrator to establish energy performance targets for existing buildings which are compatible with new building performance standards developed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Requires all Federal agencies to conduct an energy audit of existing buildings within their jurisdiction. Requires that a specified percentage of the gross square footage of building space be selected by each agency for retrofitting with appropriate energy conservation measures.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Agricultural Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Title I: Existing Programs - Amends the Bankhead-Jones Act of 1035 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct and to stimulate research and development relating to uses of solar energy with respect to farm buildings, farm homes and farm machinery. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 each fiscal year to carry out such research and development. Includes the agricultural uses of solar energy in the agricultural extension programs. Directs that loans, under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, be made for the purchase of farm equipment which utilizes solar energy and for the acquisition and installation of any qualified solar energy thermal conversion system in any residential structure located on a family farm. Title II: Solar Demonstration Farms - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Research and Demonstration Planning Committee which shall be responsible for compiling a list of solar energy research projects and for meeting with regional representatives of the State departments of agriculture to determine which projects will be useful and beneficial to the several States. Requires each State department of agriculture to establish one large model farm and within one year to establish not less than ten demonstrations of solar energy research projects using the most efficient or practicable research projects demonstrated on such model farm. Stipulates the terms of any agreement entered into between selected farmowners and the State departments of agriculture for the establishment of such demonstration projects. Authorizes the appropriation of $20,000,000 for the purposes of this title, of which 80 percent is to be used by State departments of agriculture for the model farm and demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Solar Energy Government Building Act - Title I: Solar Hot Water and Space Heating Program for Federal Buildings - Directs the Administrator of General Services to establish a solar hot water and space heating program designed to place solar hot water and space heating devices in 15,000 federally owned buildings within six fiscal years following the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to annually survey Federal buildings to determine those most suitable for the installation of solar hot water and space heating devices considering geographic distribution and life-cycle cost evaluations in making such determination. Directs the Administrator to report annually to Congress on the status of the Program, including recommendations for future funding levels necessary to fully implement the six-year target set forth in this Act. Establishes an advisory Committee on the Solar Energy Government Building Program of specified Government executives to assist the Administrator in the establishment and conduct of the Program. Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 through 1983 for the purpose of this title. Title II: Federal Photovoltaic Utilization Program - Establishes a Federal Photovoltaic Utilization Program for the annual acquisition and use of photovoltaic solar electric systems, primarily for use by the Department of Defense. Directs the Administrator of General Services to administer the program, with the assistance of the Secretary of Defense. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration of establish a photovoltaic system evaluation and purchase program to insure that such systems reflect the most advanced, low-cost technology. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 through 1982 for design and engineering aspects of the program. Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for photovoltaic system acquisition in fiscal year 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish energy production and conservation assistance to developing countries, including solar, wind, and water projects. Authorizes consultative visits by the Energy Research and Development Administration to design such projects. Authorizes the President to carry out studies to identify the energy needs, uses, and resources of various countries and regions, with special emphasis on the transfer of energy technology. Requires that $10,000,000 of appropriations for development assistance for fiscal year 1978 be spent only for these purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Community- Based Day Treatment and In-Home Services for Children and Families Act - Amends Part B of Title IV (Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act to provide for the establishment of day treatment and in-home arrangements for services to children and families in trouble. Makes funds appropriated under the Social Security Act for child welfare services available to cooperating State agencies in the provision of day treatment and in-home services to children and families. Authorizes the appropriation of an additional $50,000,000 for each of the two fiscal years following the enactment of this Act for the purposes of this Act. Provides for the distribution of such funds to the appropriate State agencies. Defines the terms "day treatment services," and "in-home services. Requires States, as a condition to receiving Federal payments for child welfare services, to limit the placement of children outside of the home for treatment to those cases in which all feasible alternatives have been exhausted, or such placement has been ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. Requires State plans for aid and services to needy families with children to provide that the State agency supervising the administration of the plan will: (1) exhaust all feasible alternatives to placement of a child in a foster home, institution, or other residential facility before placing or approving the placement of such child in such a home, institution, or facility; and (2) submit to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare periodic reports indicating the steps being taken to explore such alternatives (and the various types of alternative arrangements being considered) in connection with the placement of children in such homes, institutions, and facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to conduct a feasibility study of using solar energy in certain House Office Buildings. Authorizes the appropriation of funds to conduct such study.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Amends the Fishery Conservation Zone Transition Act to approve, as governing international fishery agreements for purposes of the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976, agreements concerning fisheries off the United States coast with (1) the European Economic Community, (2) Japan, (3) Korea, and (4) Spain.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Allows a tax deduction up to $750 for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred by a taxpayer under the Internal Revenue Code in making repairs and improvements to his residence during the taxable year. Allows the owner of rental housing to amortize at an accelerated rate (over a 60-month period) the cost of rehabilitating or restoring such housing. Authorizes the taxpayer to switch from such accelerated amortization to the regular depreciation deduction allowable under the Internal Revenue Code for property used in a trade or business or held for the production of income.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Performance Life Disclosure Act - Requires manufacturers of durable consumer products, including appliances and electronic items, to disclose on a conspicuous label or tag affixed to each item sold at retail to consumers the performance life, under normal operating conditions, of each manufactured durable product. Grants to the National Bureau of Standards the final authority over the selection of durable products and components of such products for which performance life designations shall be made and over the determination of the performance life of such products. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prevent any person from violating the provisions of this Act in the same manner and with the same jurisdiction as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act were incorporated into and made a part of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the General Provisions of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 - Amends the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 to extend the applicability of the provisions of such Act to mines other than coal mines. Transfers the functions of the Secretary of the Interior in developing health and safety standards to the Secretary of Labor. Title II: Mine Safety and Health Standard Amendments - Amends the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 to establish the duty of: (1) each mine operator and miner to comply with the health and safety standards of the Act, and (2) each mine operator to furnish a place of employment free from recognized hazards. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to promulgate, modify, or revoke mine health and safety standards in accordance with prescribed criteria and procedures. Authorizes the Secretary to utilize advisory committees in the development of standards. Authorizes the Secretary, or the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare: (1) to enter any mine subject to this Act, and (2) to make reasonable inspections and investigations and to question privately employers, owners, operators, agents, or employees. Requires inspections of underground mines at least four times a year and inspection of surface mines at least two times a year. Stipulates that no advance notice of inspections shall be given. Requires the maintenance of records by mine operators with regard to work-related deaths, injuries, illness, miner exposure to toxic substances, and mine accidents. Authorizes special inspections of mines by the Secretary upon request by any miners or representatives of miners where any violation of standards or imminent danger is alleged to exist. Establishes procedures for review of decisions by the Secretary with respect to establishment and enforcement of standards. Establishes procedures for the enforcement of mine health and safety standards through issuance of citations, imposition of civil and criminal penalties, and injunctive relief. Establishes special procedures to counteract imminently dangerous conditions. Requires that copies of all notices, orders, and decisions affecting mine safety in a particular mine be conspicuously posted at such mine site. Stipulates that, in the event of mine closures by orders issued pursuant to this Act, that miners idled as a result of any such order shall be entitled to full compensation for the period they are idled within prescribed limits. Title III: Relationship to Occupational Safety and Health Program - Adds two members to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission who shall be especially qualified in the field of mine safety and health. Establishes procedures governing hearings and other administrative proceedings under this Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Authorizes the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to conduct research related to the development of mine health and safety standards. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Transfers functions of the Secretary of the Interior with respect to mine health and safety to the Secretary of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Establishes a Mine Safety and Health Administration in the Department of Labor to carry out mine safety and health functions assigned to the Secretary of Labor. Repeals the Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act of 1966.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Taxpayer Audit Disclosure Act - Requires the establishment of formal procedures and criteria for the selection of individual income tax returns for audit. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate to provide any individual selected for auditing with a written notice which clearly specifies the reasons for and manner in which the return of such individual was selected for audit. Provides that the Secretary or his delegate shall furnish to such individual a written explanation which describes the audit procedure, the rights which a taxpayer may exercise during such procedure, the right of the taxpayer to make an administrative or judicial appeal from an adverse decision at the end of such procedure, and the right of the taxpayer to claim a refund. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate to submit to the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation before September 30 of each year a report setting forth: (1) the number of individuals whose returns were selected for audit during the previous 12-month period; (2) a classification of individuals whose returns were audited during the previous 12-month period by, among other factors, income levels, geographic distribution, and profession; (3) the number of individuals audited during the previous 12-month period who were found to have made underpayments or overpayments of tax, together with summary statistics reflecting the percentage of such number, by income category, who made underpayments or overpayments of certain ranges of amounts (to be determined by the Secretary or his delegate); and (4) such other information as may be requested by the joint committee in accordance with the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Appliance Dating Act - Requires any consumer durable product determined by the Federal Trade Commission to be of a type whose design or performance features are changed on a periodic basis in such a manner as to make its date of manufacture a relevant factor in connection with sales to consumers to be labeled by the manufacturer as to the month and year of manufacture. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Renders applicable to first convictions for using a firearm to commit a Federal Felony or for unlawfully carrying a Firearm during the commission of such a crime the prohibition against suspended or probationary sentences presently mandatory with respect to second or subsequent convictions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the income tax, pensions paid to retired policemen and firefighters, or to their survivors to the extent that such benefits are based on full-time service for a governmental entity.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for nutritional counseling as part of the home health services provided under the supplementary medical insurance program.
![Official portrait of Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/o000006_200.jpg)