United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Establishes the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area National Recreation Area, in Minnesota. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to administer the areas. Directs the Secretary to restrict motorboat usage on specified lakes and rivers within the wilderness. Permits certain owners of commercially operated resorts to require the Secretary to purchase their interests. Permits such owners to retain a limited area for personal use. Directs affected owners to offer the Secretary the right of first refusal to purchase specified lands. Directs the Secretary to terminate, within a year, the timber sale contracts in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Provides for compensation for the termination of such contracts. Establishes procedures for the management of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area National Recreation Area. Prohibits mining in the wilderness and recreation areas and provides for the acquisition of any mining or mineral rights therein. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with the State of Minnesota in the administration of the areas covered by this Act. Provides that nothing in this Act shall effect rights established by the treaties of the United States. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a comprehensive management plan concerning the areas. Establishes the Boundary Waters Canoe Area National Recreational Area Advisory Commission to assist and advise the Secretary concerning the management of the areas.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
International Development and Food Assistance Act - Title I: Development Assistance - Amends the Congressional policy statement of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to development assistance. Authorizes the President to furnish development assistance through certain types of agencies, using grant or loan assistance. Authorizes the President to determine the interest rates on development loans. Limits the amount of development assistance available to research and development institutions in the United States. Authorizes the President to use funds made available under this chapter to pay certain transportation costs of foreign assistance shipments by certain voluntary agencies, under specified procedures. Repeals other development assistance provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to (1) the Development Loan Fund (except for regional development in Africa and multilateral and regional programs), (2) the technical cooperation and development grants (except for American schools and hospitals abroad and a prototype desalting plant in Israel), (3) the Alliance for Progress, (4) the evaluation of programs procedures, and (5) the Southeast Asia multilateral and regional programs. Makes certain technical amendments to reflect this repeal. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish agricultural, rural development, and food assistance. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. Sets forth policies with respect to furnishing and coordinating such assistance. Redefines certain terms regarding agricultural assistance to include aquaculture and fishery, throughout such Act. Amends the Congressional policy statement of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to population and health assistance. Authorizes appropriations for population assistance. Sets forth policies with respect to furnishing such assistance. Prohibits funds appropriated for such purpose from being used for abortions or involuntary sterilizations. Authorizes appropriations for health assistance. Sets forth policies with respect to furnishing such assistance. Repeals the authorization for those population assistance which are a part of development assistance programs. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for education and human resources assistance and technical assistance, energy, research, reconstruction, and selected development programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Amends such Act with respect to the policies under which intermediate technology is furnished. Authorizes certain funds to be used to encourage the participation of women in the development process of developing countries. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 to promote human rights. Requires the President to take environmental consequences into considering development actions. Requires the President to study major environmental problems in developing countries. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for American schools and hospitals abroad. Limits the number of institutions in any one country which may receive such assistance. Amends the Congressional policy statement with respect to housing assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Expands the authority of the President to issue housing investment guaranties to world-wide housing, rather than in Latin America only. Continues the authority of the agricultural and productive credit and self-help community development programs for one year. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for international organizations and programs, of which a specified amount shall be for the United Nations Trust Fund on South Africa. Prohibits such funds from being used for the United Nations Institute for Namibia unless the President determines that such funds will not be used to support the military activities of the Southwest African Peoples Organization. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1969 for international disaster assistance. Authorizes the President to furnish assistance for African refugees. Authorizes appropriations for 1979 for such purpose. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to use an increased amount of funds to carry out such Act for "reimbursable development" programs. Title II: Food for Peace - Sets forth Congressional policy with respect to assistance for basic food needs under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Amends such Act to permit the Commodity Credit Corporation to pay the transportation costs of food for development programs. Deems the proceeds of the sale of food for development commodities to be payments of obligations incurred by the selling country under that Act. Title III: Economic Assistance - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance to promote economic or political stability, under a program to be administered by the Secretary of State. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for economic assistance, with a minimum amount available to Cyprus. Prohibits economic assistance funds from being used for military purposes. Authorizes specific authorizations for fiscal year 1979 for economic assistance to (1) Egypt, (2) Israel, (3) Jordan, (4) Syria, (5) the Maquarin Dam regional project, and (6) private voluntary agency development projects, according to specified procedures. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for economic assistance to the countries of southern Africa. Repeals the authority for security supporting assistance programs, and assistance for Middle East peace. Makes certain technical amendments in accordance with the replacement of security supporting assistance by economic assistance. Title IV: Administrative Provisions - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct development programs to be carried out through competitive selection procedures. Requires the Chair of the Development Coordinating Committee to submit an annual report to Congress reviewing United States foreign assistance. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal previous specified reporting requirements, and (1) the authorization of appropriations for the Sahel development program, and (2) the suspension of foreign assistance (military, economic, agricultural, and arms sale licenses) to Pakistan. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to the use of funds appropriated under such Act for the purchase of motor vehicles. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for operating expenses under such Act. Amends such Act to repeal provisions relating to (1) the minimum contribution to the United Nations Children's Fund, (2) the additional contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the training of Arab refugees, (3) the minimum contribution to the International Atomic Energy Agency, (4) the limitations on contributions to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, (5) a sense of Congress regarding United Nations peacekeeping forces, (6) the authorization for appropriations for the drought-stricken nations of Africa, (7) the authority of the President to furnish earthquake relief assistance to Guatemala, (8) the use of receipts from the settlement of postwar economic assistance to Japan, (9) a statement of policy regarding assistance to newly independent countries, (10) the authorization of appropriations for development assistance administrative expenses, (11) the limitation on the aggregate amount of foreign assistance, (12) the limitation on assistance to Cambodia, (13) the limitations of the use of foreign assistance funds pending the release of certain appropriations impounded in 1971, (14) assistance priorities for funds to countries having agrarian economies, and (15) the authority of the President to conclude agreements with less developed countries to establish Joint Commissions on Rural Development. Title V: Coordination and Administration of the Development-Related Programs and Policies of the United States - Directs the President to coordinate those United States economic policies which affect the developing nations, and to establish an International Development Coordination Administration (superseding the Agency for International Development) to coordinate international development activities. Requires the President to submit a report to Congress on implementation of this title.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of Energy to develop research, development, and demonstration programs concerning the use of solar photovoltaic energy systems. Authorizes the Secretary to provide up to 75 percent of the purchase and installation costs of selected systems used for research purposes. Requires the Secretary to formulate definitive performance criteria concerning solar photovoltaic systems and to develop a system certification for conforming systems. Directs the Secretary to consult with relevant Federal agencies concerning the use of solar photovoltaic systems in Federal facilities. Requires the Secretary to set up a development and demonstration program of prototype photovoltaic systems at the Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, Colorado. Directs the Secretary to establish a solar energy data bank at the Golden facility. Requires relevant Federal officials to ensure that small business concerns are granted realistic and adequate opportunities to participate, to the maximum extent possible, in the programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 12 April 1978
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 · 11 April 1978
Bilingual, Hearing, and Speech Impaired Court Interpreter Act - Establishes, through the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, programs to: (1) compile and make available lists of qualified interpreters for non-English speakers and hearing or speech impaired persons and; (2) provide the services of such interpreters free in criminal actions and civil actions initiated by the United States. Permits, and sets guidelines for, the use of Spanish in actions in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and prohibits the disqualification of potential jurors in such court solely on the ground that they cannot speak English. Revises the Director's administrative duties and powers.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Emergency Daylight Saving Time Act - Allows the President to declare an energy emergency exists within a State suffering from severe energy shortages. Requires, upon such declaration, that daylight savings time be instituted within the effected State for 60 days. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to the President, within 60 days after the imposition or extension of emergency daylight saving time, concerning the operation and effect of this Act upon the effected State. Permits the President to declare additional 60-day emergency periods if he deems such action to be appropriate after having received the most recent report of the Secretary of Transportation. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to make appropriate adjustments in its rules where daytime standard amplitude modulation broadcast stations are adversely affected by the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
Amends part II of the Interstate Commerce Act (Motor Carriers) to exempt from the provisions of such part vehicles carrying up to 15 persons in a single day roundtrip for the purpose of commuting to and from work. Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to exempt from the minimum wage and maximum hours provisions of such Act individuals participating in a voluntary ride-sharing arrangement for the transportation of up to 15 persons in a single day roundtrip for the purpose of commuting to and from work.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Act - Title I: Temporary Storage of Spent Fuel - Directs the Secretary of Energy in consultation with other agencies to conduct a study and issue a preliminary report on the amount of spent nuclear fuel which can be stored at temporary spent fuel storage facilities currently in operation or under construction and whether any additional storage facilities should be acquired by the Federal Government. Requires that a final report be evaluated by the President. Directs that within 60 days after the receipt of such report, the President issue a plan for the temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel. Stipulates that any such plan take effect at the end of 60 calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which copies of such plan are transmitted to each House of Congress. Permits the Congress to reject such plan by the adoption of a concurrent resolution. Sets forth the legislative procedure for the consideration of any such resolution. Title II: Permanent Storage of Radioactive Waste - Directs the Secretary in consultation with other Federal agencies to conduct a study to evaluate methods of providing permanent storage of radioactive waste and to determine the amount of storage capacity required to permanently store all radioactive waste. Requires the Secretary within two years from the date of enactment of this Act to issue a preliminary report on the results of such study. Directs the President to evaluate the final report and issue a plan for the permanent storage of radioactive waste. Stipulates that the plan shall take effect after 60 calendar days of Congressional session unless rejected by the adoption of a concurrent resolution. Sets forth the legislative procedure for the consideration of any such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1978
Peace Corps Act Amendments - Amends the Peace Corps Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1978, and 1979, to carry out such Act, and for employee benefits authorized by law for fiscal years 1978 and 1979. Directs the Peace Corps Act to be administered so as to encourage the economic integration of women in developing countries. Makes the malpractice protection provisions of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1977, applicable to the Peace Corps. Authorizes the President to furnish hospitalization and medical treatment to Foreign Service local employees who are in the United States for training, under certain conditions. Amends the purpose of the Peace Corps Act to emphasize the role of the Corps in assisting the poor. Increases the limitation on the settlement amount authorized to settle and pay claims against the Peace Corps. Specifies information to be included in the annual reports to Congress on Peace Corps activities. Revises the sum which may be used in any fiscal year to encourage the development of international voluntary service programs. Authorizes the President to assign Peace Corps volunteers to private or governmental agencies to furnish relief assistance to displaced persons.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1978
Emergency Daylight Saving Time Act - Allows the President to declare an energy emergency exists within a State suffering from severe energy shortages. Requires, upon such declaration, that daylight savings time be instituted within the effected State for 60 days. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to the President, within 60 days after the imposition or extension of emergency daylight saving time, concerning the operation and effect of this Act upon the effected State. Permits the President to declare additional 60-day emergency periods if he deems such action to be appropriate after having received the most recent report of the Secretary of Transportation. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to make appropriate adjustments in its rules where daytime standard amplitude modulation broadcast stations are adversely affected by the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1978
Solar Energy Bank Act - Creates a Government corporation 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. Prohibits conflicts of interest on the part of officers or employees of the Bank. Prohibits the Bank or its employees from utilizing the Solar Bank to finance political activities. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Allows the Solar Bank to make loans directly, or through lending institutions which are entitled to reasonable fees for their services. Sets the annual interest rates on such loans at not more than three percent and limits the loans to a maximum of 30 years duration. Requires that the detailed plans submitted with each loan application include installation, architectural, and design plans and fees, if applicable. Prohibits the approval of loans unless the Solar Bank finds that the proposed equipment and related expenses are appropriate and reasonable and will result in a meaningful reduction in the conventional energy dependence of the user. Requires the Solar Bank to establish guidelines for the distribution of its loans among commercial and residential uses and requires that at least 60 percent of such monies loaned be for residential purposes. Establishes procedures governing the processing and approval of loan applications by the Bank. Provides penalties for the violation of the loan contract or for fraud in the obtaining of such a loan. Exempts the Solar Bank and its assets from taxation, except that the real and tangible personal property of the Bank shall be subject to Federal, State, and local taxation to the same extent as that of private corporations. Directs the General Accounting Office (GAO) to audit the financial transactions of the Bank, and grants the GAO access to all its books, records and accounts. Establishes a Solar Energy Fund in the Treasury of the United States to pay the expenses of the Bank. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000,000 to the fund.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1978
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 of design, installation, and maintenance of solar energy equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Authorizes the immediate supervisor of any Federal employee who has applied for continuation pay during a period of disability caused by a work injury to require such employee to submit to an examination by a physician designated by the supervisor for the purposes of obtaining a second opinion concerning the employee's claim. Prohibits the payment of continuation pay for the first three days of disability unless the period of disability exceeds 14 days.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Solar Global Marketing Survey Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to conduct a global market survey to determine which foreign countries might serve as markets for solar energy equipment manufactured in the United States. Requires such survey be computed by September 1, 1980. Limits the amount which may be authorized to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Foreign Mission Solar Energy Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of State to demonstrate solar energy and other renewable energy technologies by using such energy sources in Foreign Service buildings located abroad. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Energy concerning the most viable techniques adaptable to the local resources and environmental conditions of the host country. Requires the Secretary of State to insure that projects under this Act are demonstrated to, and are available for inspection by, officials and other citizens of the host country. Directs the Secretary to give priority to projects in less developed countries.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Declares it the sense of Congress that the United States should encourage the United Nations to hold a World Alternate Energy Conference to consider alternate ways to meet the world's energy needs and to establish an International Alternate Energy Commission to encourage worldwide use of alternate energy sources.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1978
Peace Corps Act Amendments - Amends the Peace Corps Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1978, and 1979, to carry out such Act, and such sums as may be necessary for employee benefits authorized by law for fiscal years 1978 and 1979. Directs the Peace Corps Act to be administered so as to encourage the economic integration of women in developing countries. Repeals the requirement that only one Peace Corps volunteer who is a parent of a minor child may receive a readjustment allowance, even though both parents are volunteers eligible for such allowances. Makes the malpractice protection provisions of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year, 1977, applicable to the Peace Corps. Eliminates instruction in the philosophy and menace of Communism from required Peace Corps training. Authorizes the President to furnish hospitalization and medical treatment to Foreign Service local employees who are in the United States for training, under certain conditions. Amends the purpose of the Peace Corps Act to emphasize the role of the Corps in assisting the poor. Increases the limitation on the settlement amount authorized to settle and pay claims against the Peace Corps. Specifies information to be included in the annual reports to Congress on Peace Corps activities. Revises the sum which may be used in any fiscal year to encourage the development of international voluntary service programs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Emergency Daylight Saving Time Act - Allows the President to declare an energy emergency exists within a State suffering from severe energy shortages. Requires, upon such declaration, that daylight savings time be instituted within the effected State for 60 days. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to the President, within 60 days after the imposition or extension of emergency daylight saving time, concerning the operation and effect of this Act upon the effected State. Permits the President to declare additional 60-day emergency periods if he deems such action to be appropriate after having received the most recent report of the Secretary of Transportation. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to make appropriate adjustments in its rules where daytime standard amplitude modulation broadcast stations are adversely affected by the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1978
Expresses the condemnation by the Congress of the March 11, 1978, attack on Israel by the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the expressed intention of the PLO to continue such attacks and to disrupt the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Requests the President to make the disapproval of the Congress known to governments approving the PLO attack. Expresses Congressional approval of the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Urges other Middle East countries to join such efforts. Declares negotiation to be the best way to bring peace to the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay an unspecified sum to a certain individual in full settlement of such individual's claim against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Amends Title II (Old-AGE, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to include all Members of Congress under the Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance system.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Declares it the sense of Congress that coffee containers used for the retail distribution of coffee should be labeled with the percentage of coffee contained which was purchased from Uganda.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals an income tax credit for a portion of the expenses incurred for the residential installations of insulation, solar and other renewable energy equipment, heating improvements and energy-conserving components between April 20, 1977, and January 1, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Elephant Protection Act - Prohibits the import, export, possession, transport, or sale of any elephant product. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to issue permits for acts herein prohibited for scientific purposes. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violation of this Act. Establishes rewards for persons providing information regarding violations of this Act. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior, Treasury, and the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to enforce this Act, and to promulgate regulations for such enforcement. Permits citizens suits to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Expresses Congressional disapproval of the Presidents denial of import relief to the metal fasteners manufacturing industry transmitted to Congress on February 10, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1978
Emergency Daylight Saving Time Act - Allows the President to declare an energy emergency exists within a State suffering from severe energy shortages. Requires, upon such declaration, that daylight savings time be instituted within the effected State for 60 days. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to the President, within 60 days after the imposition or extension of emergency daylight saving time, concerning the operation and effect of this Act upon the effected State. Permits the President to declare additional 60-day emergency periods if he deems such action to be appropriate after having received the most recent report of the Secretary of Transportation. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to make appropriate adjustments in its rules where daytime standard amplitude modulation broadcast stations are adversely affected by the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1978
Authorizes the immediate supervisor of any Federal employee who has applied for continuation pay during a period of disability caused by a work injury to require such employee to submit to an examination by a physician designated by the supervisor for the purposes of obtaining a second opinion concerning the employee's claim. Prohibits the payment of continuation pay for the first three days of disability unless the period of disability exceeds 14 days.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Amends the Labor Management Relations Act to allow the President, in the event of a national emergency labor dispute, to direct the National Labor Relations Board to obtain management's latest offer and place it directly before employees for approval by secret ballot. Deems such offer binding upon all parties upon approval by a majority of the employees.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction of up to $1,500 for household expenses to any taxpayer who maintains a household in which a dependent aged 65 or over resides.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Expresses the insistence of the House of Representatives that the Government of the Republic of Korea cooperate with a certain investigation of the House of Representatives Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Declares that failure of the Government to cooperate with such investigation will have a negative impact on relations between the United States and the Republic of Korea, including assistance for the latter country.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the District of Columbia be treated as a State for purposes of representation in the Congress, election of the President and Vice President, and Article V of the Constitution of the United States. Repeals the provisions of the twenty-third amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Amends the Federal Reserve Act to direct the chairman of the Federal Reserve Board to submit a report to specified Congressional committees on each instance when the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, its officers, or its employees, and the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve banks, their officers or employees have communicated with officers or employees of any institution subject to the regulatory authority of the Federal Reserve System to influence legislative activity affecting the Federal Reserve System.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Human Resources Development Act - Directs the President or his delegate to carry out, through grants to, or contracts with private and public nonprofit institutions, a program consisting of projects which either (1) involve labor-management cooperation for the improvement of productivity and quality of work life, innovation in a major feature of employment, increased worker participation in decisionmaking, or profit sharing or (2) are designed to establish the efficacy of policies and practices maintaining normal employment levels during periods of cyclical downturns in demand through reassignment of workers to training and other specified types of programs. Directs the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the National Center for Productivity and Quality of Working Life to assist in carrying out such program.
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