United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Limousine Limitation Act - Prohibits Government use of any limousine, use of any Government motor vehicle to transport any official between his place of employment and his dwelling place, and Government employment of any chauffeur. Excepts from this Act limousines for the President, Ambassadors, and specified other persons whose personal safety depends upon the use of such limousines.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Truth in Lending Improvement Amendments - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require each appropriate regulatory agency to conduct biennial examinations of every creditor subject to the requirements of such Act. States that whenever any agency has reason to believe as a result of the examination that there has been a substantial violation, as defined by this Act, it shall be publish in the Federal Register the name of the creditor and specified information concerning the violation, not more than 30 days after the date on which the examination report has been completed. Requires such agency to notify the creditor of the violation and of the date by which the agency will publish such information. Permits the creditor to submit a written response to the apparent violation which the agency must publish in the Federal Register. Requires the creditor to notify the consumer upon the direction of the agency, when specified requirements of the Truth in Lending Act appear to have been violated. Directs the agency to notify such consumer if the creditor fails to do so. States that such notice shall include: (1) the fact that the agency found a violation; (2) the nature of the violation, and (3) the rights of the consumer under this Act. Exempts a creditor from civil liability for failure to comply with the requirements of this Act if, within 30 days after discovering an error or, being informed of any error by an enforcing agency and before an action is begun or before the creditor notifies the consumer of the error and makes adjustments to the consumer's account to insure that the person will not be required to pay a finance charge in excess of the percentage rate or amount actually disclosed.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1977
Investment Policy Act - Title I: Findings and Definitions - States that the lack of a national policy on investment can adversely affect the economic health and well-being of the Nation. Title II: Declaration of National Policy - Declares that it is the policy and responsibility of the Federal Government to provide incentives to assure maximum investment in private enterprise. Title III: Federal Agency Coordination and Cooperation - Requires the Council on Wage and Price Stability shall submit an Investment Policy Report to Congress which shall include information on levels of capital investment available, trends in such levels, and reviews of economic programs affecting capital investment. Requires the President to transmit to Congress as a part of the economic report such other recommendations as desirable or necessary to achieve the policy declared in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1977
Stocks Management and Reserve Act -- Title I: Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish, maintain and dispose of a separate reserve of wheat, corn and other enumerated feed grains through storage contracts with producers. Limits such reserves to no less than 25 million tons nor more than 35 million tons. Specifies how the Secretary may establish such reserves through the Commodity Credit Corporation. Title II: Amends the Agriculture Act of 1949 to set the loan level per bushel of wheat at $2.25 for the 1977 crop and $2.35 for the 1978 through 1981 crops. Sets the loan level per bushel of corn at $1.75 for the 1977 crop and $2.00 for the 1978 through 1981 crops. Sets a formula for the adjustment of the respective loan rates under specified circumstances. Requires the Secretary to set a fair and reasonable loan level on each crop of barley, oats, and rye. Title III: Amends the Agriculture Act of 1949 to authorize the President (1) to enter into negotiations with other nations to develop an international system of food reserves to provide for humanitarian food relief needs, and (2) to establish and maintain an International Emergency Food Reserve, as a contribution of the United States toward the development of such a system, to be made available in the event of food emergencies in foreign countries. Requires for such reserve minimum stocks of two million tons, allowing an increase up to six million tons pursuant to an international agreement. Requires periodic rotation of such stocks to avoid spoilage and deterioration.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Horizontal Divestiture in the Energy Industries Act - Revises the Clayton Act to make it unlawful, after a specified date, for any corporation or association affecting commerce to control mineral deposits in two or more of the following classes: (1) coal; (2) petroleum and natural gas; or (3) uranium and other fissionable minerals. Requires any corporation or association that would be in violation of this Act, but for the specified compliance date, to submit plans to the Federal Trade Commission for compliance by such date.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Federal Coal Lease Preference Act - Revises Federal mineral leasing laws to require that the Secretary of the Interior give priority to applicants for coal leases who are not petroleum companies or electric utility companies.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the admission of any immigrant unless a United States citizen has agreed in writing to sponsor and to provide financial support to such immigrant for five years after entering the United States. Makes such agreement enforceable against the sponsor in the United States district court for the district in which the sponsor resides.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Energy Technology Availability Act - Amends the Clayton Act to make it unlawful for any person owning any nonnuclear energy technology to refuse or fail to make it available to any qualified applicant at reasonable rates on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms for use in the development, demonstration, or commercial application of any nonnuclear energy process or system.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1977
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the admission of any immigrant unless a United States citizen has agreed in writing to sponsor and to provide financial support to such immigrant for five years after entering the United States. Makes such agreement enforceable against the sponsor in the United States district court for the district in which the sponsor resides.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1977
Product Liability Insurance Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify trusts established for the payment of product liability claims as tax exempt organizations. Allows taxpayers a business income tax deduction for contributions to such trusts only to the extent they exceed the reasonable costs of product liability insurance for the deducting taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1977
Freight Claims Settlement Act - Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to require common carriers by railroad, specified transportation companies, motor carriers, and freight forwarders to acknowledge, in writing, receipt of a claim alleging loss or damage to property within 30 days after receipt of such a claim. Requires such carriers, within 120 days of receipt of such a claim to either: (1) pay such claim in full; (2) enter into an agreement with the claimant for settlement of such claim; (3) make a firm compromise offer in writing to the claimant; or (4) deny such claim in writing. Sets forth civil penalties on a per day basis for failure to meet such time limitations. Authorizes the Interstate Commerce Commission to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1977
Competition Review Act - Establishes the Competition Review Commission to conduct a study of the laws, regulations, policies and any other practices of the United States having a significant impact on competition. Includes, in the scope of the study, the antitrust laws and exemptions thereto, the patent laws, Internal Revenue laws, the National Labor Relations Act, regulatory policies, and Federal contracting and bidding practices. Directs the Commission to conduct a study of the major industries of the United States to determine the extent and nature of competition within such industries. Enumerates industries to be included in such study. Requires each study to evaluate the effect of the laws and enforcement procedures, policies and other actions of the Federal Government, and degree of concentration within the major industries on: employment, price levels, profit levels, efficiency, the quality of goods and services produced, the ability of the United States to compete with foreign counterparts, and the net benefit or harm to the United States economy. Directs the Commission to report its findings to the President and to Congress within three years of the enactment of this Act. Enumerates the powers of the Commission including the power to issue subpenas.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include the services of licensed practical nurses under the coverage provided pursuant to such Titles.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Deems a certain individual an immediate relative under the Immigration and Nationality Act so that he may be lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Amends Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to require that resident aliens reside continuously in the United States for five years to qualify for supplemental security income benefits. Amends the Immigrations and Nationality Act to prevent an immigrant from entering the United States unless a United States citizen (immigration sponsor) executes a document, signed in the presence of an immigration officer, agreeing to support the immigrant for five years from the date of his admission at 125 percent of the current poverty level rates. Excuses the immigration sponsor from performance of the agreement if such sponsor dies or is adjudicated a bankrupt.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Directs the Committees on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs; Appropriations; Agriculture; and International Relations of the House of Representatives to review all United States foreign assistance furnished through bilateral or multilateral lending institutions, to ascertain means of increasing Congressional control over such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Prohibits the appointment of new employees to operate automated elevators in the Capitol and its associated buildings. Directs that such positions be eliminated as they become vacant.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendments - Repeals provisions stipulating that nothing in certain sections of the United States Code relating to interception of communications shall be construed to limit the power of the President to take measures to protect national security. Directs that applications for authorizations to intercept communications in connection with specified national security crimes be made to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Authorizes interception of communications with respect to violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 and the Export Administration Act of 1969. Sets at 90 days the period for which interception of communications for national Security purposes may be conducted. Authorizes, with respect to such interceptions, waiver of notice to persons surveilled. Excepts national security wiretaps from provisions allowing persons intercepting communications pursuant to a court order to disclose the contents of such communication and of derivative evidence while under oath.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House to prepare a daily electronic recording which shall include a summary of action taken in the Senate and House Chambers during the preceding day and a list of laws signed by the President during the thirty-day period before the day on which such recording is prepared. Requires the establishment of a toll-free telephone listing to be used to transmit such electronic recordings. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Social Security Rights Act - Requires that procedures be established for the expedited replacement of undelivered benefit checks under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Requires that decisions (and reconsiderations) on initial benefit claims be made within 90 days. Requires that payment of benefits on approved claims begin no later than the day regularly fixed for delivery of benefit checks in the second month following the month in which the claim was approved.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Defense Production Act Amendments - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to prohibit any Federal contracting officer who by virtue of his position is authorized to solicit or select sources of supply, or describe requirements for, enter into, award, modify, terminate, administer, or make determinations or findings with respect to any or contract while so employed, from accepting compensation from any contractor without the written permission of the standards of conduct counselor for his employing agency. Prohibits such contracting officer from owning a controlling interest in any contractor who has been affected by action taken by such officer. Prohibits such contracting officer from accepting employment within two years following his employment with the United States from any contractor who was affected by the action of such officer taken by him or her within three years prior to the termination of his or her employment with such agency, and from accepting employment with such a contractor in a position which was created or subsidized by revenues realized through a Federal contract handled by such officer until five years after the termination of such officer's employment with such agency has been terminated. Prohibits contractors from offering to any such officer of any compensation such officer is prohibited from receiving under this Act. Establishes a Conflict of Interest Review Board to review compliance by contracting officers with this Act. States that the Board shall issue advisory opinions with respect to compensation offered to such contracting officer after notice is published in the Federal Register and interested parties have had an opportunity to present testimony relating to the issuance of such advisory opinion. States that reliance on such advisory opinion shall be a defense to a civil or criminal case brought under this Act. Requires meetings of the Board at which such advisory opinions will be considered to be open to the public. Authorizes the Board to issue rules to implement this Act. Requires the Board to report annually to Congress respecting its activities and recommendations of legislative or regulatory actions to promote high ethical standards for Government employees. Requires the following persons to file specified information with the Board: (1) former Government employees who were employed in any given fiscal year as a representative of a Government contractor in any action in which the United States was a party or in any transaction with the United States; and (2) any Federal employee who was previously employed by a Government contractor at a salary rate equal to or greater than that for positions in grade GS-13. Exempts specified persons from the filing requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1977
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission to regulate the rates, terms, and conditions for pole attachments used for wire communication, in any case in which such rates, terms, and conditions are not regulated by any State authority. Stipulates that a just and reasonable rate shall assure the utility of recovery of not less than the additional costs of providing pole attachments nor more than the actual capital and operating expenses of the utility attributable to that portion of the pole used by the attachment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
Establishes within the House of Representatives a Select Committee on Welfare Reorganization to: (1) study any problems which exist in the interaction of present benefit programs; (2) formulate legislation to resolve such problems; (3) study the system used by the House to refer proposed welfare legislation to committees; and (4) study whether there is a need in the House for a standing committee to handle such legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Amends Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to require that resident aliens reside continuously in the United States for five years to qualify for supplemental security income benefits. Amends the Immigrations and Nationality Act to prevent an immigrant from entering the United States unless a United States citizen (immigration sponsor) executes a document, signed in the presence of an immigration officer, agreeing to support the immigrant for five years from the date of his admission at 125 percent of the current poverty level rates. Excuses the immigration sponsor from performance of the agreement if such sponsor dies or is adjudicated a bankrupt.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Requests the President (1) to transmit to the Congress and to Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe a report on human rights in Romania, and (2) to transmit such a report to Congress with each request of the President to extend the United States-Romanian trade agreement or to waive trade restrictions against countries which do not permit freedom of emigration. Requests the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe to transmit to Congress a report on the freedom to emigrate from Romania and the status of minorities in Romania. Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that the 1975 United States-Romanian Trade Agreement and the most-favored-nation status of Romania should be terminated if Romania continues to restrict the human rights of its citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Authorizes the Clerk of the House of Representatives to withhold charitable contributions from the pay of House employees for transmittal to the Combined Federal Campaign, if the employee requests the Clerk to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1977
Energy Conservation Tax Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow limited, nonrefundable income tax credits for individuals who: (1) install qualified insulation in their residences; (2) install qualified solar heating and cooling equipment in dwelling units used by them, or leased to others as residences; (3) replace the heating system in any dwelling with a reversible, compressible refrigerant system (i.e., a heat pump system); or (4) purchase personal or family electric highway vehicles between 1976 and 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to increase the ceilings on the amount of earnings which may be counted for social security benefit and tax purposes. Sets forth proposed ceiling of $25,300 for calendar year 1976, $16,500 for calendar year 1977, $20,000 for calendar year 1978, $25,000 for calendar year 1979, and $30,000 for calendar year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1977
Community Reinvestment Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to require each appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency to use its authority, when chartering and regulating financial institutions, to encourage such institutions to help meet the credit needs of the local communities in which they are chartered. Directs each Federal financial supervisory agency to develop programs and procedures including the following: (1) requiring each applicant to analyze the deposit and credit needs of its primary savings service area and to specify how such applicant proposes to meet these needs; (2) permitting consumer organizations to present testimony at hearings on how well the applicant has met or is proposing to meet the credit needs of the communities served or to be served by the applicant; and (3) requiring periodic reports on the amount of consumer deposits received and credit extended in the institution's primary savings service area.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1977
Establishes a delegation of United States citizens to confer with similar delegations from NATO democracies, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, in commemoration of the Marshall Plan, to assess existing institutions and recommend means to perfect and preserve these institutions to protect the general welfare, liberty, and sovereignty of the people of the participating countries.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1977
Amends Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to require that resident aliens reside continuously in the United States for five years to qualify for supplemental security income benefits. Amends the Immigrations and Nationality Act to prevent an immigrant from entering the United States unless a United States citizen (immigration sponsor) executes a document, signed in the presence of an immigration officer, agreeing to support the immigrant for five years from the date of his admission at 125 percent of the current poverty level rates. Excuses the immigration sponsor from performance of the agreement if such sponsor dies or is adjudicated a bankrupt.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1977
International Security Assistance Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act to authorize the appropriation of not more than $5,000,000 for the disaster relief contingency fund for fiscal year 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $39,000,000 for international narcotics control for fiscal year 1978. Amends such Act to authorize the appropriation of $228,900,000 for fiscal year 1978 for military assistance, including specific amounts for Greece, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Jordan, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand. Permits the President to increase such amounts by not more than ten percent. Sets forth restrictions on such appropriations. Amends such Act to increase to $255,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 the value of defense articles which may be added to stockpiles in foreign countries. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to restrict the utilization of military personnel in the overseas management of foreign assistance and sales programs. Restricts the use of defense attaches for such functions. Permits regular armed forces units to be used to standardize military operations between the United States and NATO countries. Restricts to 400 the number of military personnel which may be assigned to the management of international security assistance programs. Places military personnel performing such functions under the Chief of the United States Diplomatic Mission in the recipient country. Charges the overseas management costs of security assistance programs to funds appropriated by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Exempts personnel performing functions on a fully reimbursable basis under the Arms Export Control Act from prohibitions on the use of military personnel in the management of foreign assistance and sales programs. Removes administration of foreign military assistance from the direction of the Chief of the United States Diplomatic Mission. Amends such Act to exempt programs in southern Africa from the restriction of security supporting assistance to no more than 12 countries in any fiscal year. Requires security supporting assistance to be furnished to promote development objectives to assist the poor, avoiding large-scale development projects. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,214,700,000 for such purposes for fiscal year 1978, specifying amounts for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Cyprus, Lebanon, and Portugal. Exempts such assistance for Cyprus, Lebanon, and Portugal, from the limitation on the number of countries which may receive security supporting assistance in any fiscal year. Restricts $100,000,000 of appropriations for security supporting assistance for assistance to the majority ruled countries of southern Africa for problems of economic dislocation and educational training of Africans from Namibia and Zimbabwe. Requires the President to notify the Congress prior to obligation of funds for assistance in southern Africa. Expresses Congressional support for (1) negotiations to establish majority rule in Zimbabwe, and (2) establishment of an international fund for economic justice and development in Zimbabwe. Prohibits the use of more than $200,000,000 of funds appropriated for security supporting assistance, for economic development loans to Portugal unless the President certifies to Congress (1) that other countries have made commitments for economic assistance loans to Portugal, and (2) the justification for funds in excess of $200,000,000. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the appropriation of $31,400,000 for fiscal year 1978 for international military education and training. Amends such Act to prohibit the use of funds made available under such Act for the construction, operation, or supply of fuel for any nuclear powerplant. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations not to exceed $8,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 for the Middle East Special Requirements Fund. Requires the President to justify utilization of such Fund rather than funds for development assistance. Directs that funds appropriated for such Fund or for security supporting assistance be available to assist Egypt and Israel in carrying out the agreement of October 10, 1975, and to implement the Sinai early warning system. Exempts certain funds from the requirement that the President report such obligations to Congress. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to repeal the requirement that the President notify Congress 30 days prior to approving transfer of defense articles. Delays the effectiveness of such approval for 30 days, during which Congress may disapprove such consent, unless the President certifies the existence of an emergency requiring immediate transfer. Exempts (1) transfers of maintenance or repair defense services or articles, (2) temporary transfers of defense articles for maintenance or repair, and (3) cooperative cross servicing arrangements among NATO members, from restrictions on the transfer of defense articles. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to authorize the appropriation of $675,850,000 for fiscal year 1978 to carry out such Act. Increases to $2,098,500,000 for fiscal year 1978 the limitation of the total of credits or loans for foreign military sales, of which not less than $1,000,000,000 shall be available only for Israel. Extends through fiscal year 1978 certain exemptions and repayment conditions for such assistance to Israel. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to exempt the issuance of licenses for the export of major defense equipment to Australia, Japan, or New Zealand from the $25,000,000 limitation on the value of arms exports to non-NATO countries. Exempts the authorizations of appropriations and limitations of authority for arms exports for fiscal year 1977 from provisions of this Act, when enacted. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1978 to carry out defense cooperation agreements between Greece and Turkey. Prohibits obligation or expenditure of such funds until such agreement is approved by legislation. Prohibits the obligation of funds appropriation for fiscal year 1978 for military assistance to Turkey until the President certifies that Turkey is in compliance with the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act, and that substantial progress is being made toward agreement regarding the military forces in Cyprus, except for sales, credits and guarantees to enable Turkey to fulfill obligations to NATO. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase to $175,000,000 the limitation on military sales assistance to Turkey. Directs the President to study United States policies and practices with respect to the national security and military implications of international technology transfers. Specifies factors to be examined by such study. Requires the President to submit to Congress the findings of such study and recommendations for legislation. Prohibits assistance of any kind during fiscal year 1978 which would promote military operations in Zaire, unless the President determines that such assistance would be in the national security interests of the United States and submits to Congress the reasons for such determination and a description of such assistance. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit military assistance under such Act or sales under the Arms Export Control Act for aiding foreign governments in the repression of the rights of the populations of such countries contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Declares it the sense of Congress that the President (1) take all effective measures to assure the cooperation of the Republic of Korea with the Department of Justice investigation of allegations of improper activity in the United States by agents of the Republic of Korea, and (2) report to Congress the extent of such cooperation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1977
Establishes a delegation of United States citizens to confer with similar delegations from NATO democracies, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, in commemoration of the Marshall Plan, to assess existing institutions and recommend means to perfect and preserve these institutions to protect the general welfare, liberty, and sovereignty of the people of the participating countries. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 to carry out this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1977
Gives Congressional endorsement to the efforts of the United States Delegation to the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea to achieve a multilateral treaty which articulates the principle that deep seabed resources are the common heritage of all people and should be utilized with a view to distributing revenues to all countries. Endorses particularly the establishment of an International Seabed Authority to regulate such a system.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a distinct $10 income tax credit for contributions to candidates for Congress from the district, or in the case of Senator from the state, of the taxpayer, while maintaining the existing $25 credit for all other candidates.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
International Development and Food Assistance Act - Title I: International Development Assistance - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to make development assistance available to the relatively least developed countries on a grant basis to the maximum extent consistent with United States development objectives. Amends the policy statement of such Act with respect to maximizing the effectiveness of development assistance. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1976 and to authorize the appropriation of $613,200,000 for fiscal year 1978, for food and nutrition assistance. Requires that not less than $10,000,000 of such funds be used only for research, development, and use of small-scale, renewable energy sources for rural areas, undertaken with the cooperation of the Energy Research and Development Administration. Authorizes the appropriation of $181,000,000 for family planning and population growth control assistance for FY 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $105,900,000 for FY 1978 for health assistance. Requires that such assistance be administered with attention to developing the standard of living in developing countries. Restricts $1,700,000 of the above health funds to be used for contribution to the World Health Organization Onchocerciasis Control Program. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the authorization of appropriations for FY 1976 and to authorize the appropriation of $84,900,000 for FY 1978 for education and human resources development assistance. Amends such Act to repeal the authorization of appropriations for FY 1976 and to authorize appropriations of $110,000,000 for FY 1978 for technical assistance, energy research, reconstruction, selected development problems, and assistance for severe environmental damage in less developed countries. Requires that not less than $8,000,000 of such funds be used to design and implement nonnuclear energy sources. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to exempt from cost-sharing and funding limits grant assistance to the relatively least developed countries and intermediate technology assistance. Requires that not less than $10,000,000 of funds made available for FY 1978 be used only for technical assistance in the development and use of cooperatives. Directs the President to submit to Congress a report on the integration of women into the developing economics of countries receiving development assistance. Prohibits the use of certain funds made available by this Act for any country receiving security supporting assistance or assistance for Middle East peace, unless specifically authorized by Congress. Repeals prohibitions for using such funds for any country receiving (1) assistance for relief of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, or (2) Indochina postwar assistance. Requires that $750,000 of development assistance funds made available for FY 1978 be used to study and promote civil and political rights in countries receiving assistance. Prohibits the use of such funds to influence any election. Requires the administration of certain development assistance to give attention to the impact of programs on population growth. Requires certain activities to be reviewed for their impact on fertility. Directs particular attention to be paid to building motivation for family planning. Authorizes the President to study the factors affecting population and motivation of family planning. Encourages the President to promote breastfeeding programs. Directs the President to take into account the impact of development programs on the natural resources of the recipient country. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance for the long-term development of the Sahel. Directs the President to prepare an annual report on the Sahel development program. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 for FY 1978 for such purposes. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the authorization of appropriations for American schools and hospitals abroad for FY 1976. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 for FY 1978 for such purposes. Prohibits the furnishing of such assistance to more than four institutions in one country. Authorizes the appropriation of $7,000,000 for fiscal years 1977 and 1978 in foreign currencies for such purposes. Amends such Act to repeal the authorization of appropriations for FY 1976 for international organizations and programs and to authorize the appropriation of $271,750,000 for FY 1978 for such purposes. Requires that not less than $500,000 be used for a contribution to the Namibia Institute. Requests the President in making contributions to international organizations, to take into account the economic integration of women. Amends such Act to repeal the authorization of appropriations for FY 1976 for international disaster assistance, and to authorize the appropriation of $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1977 and 1978 for such purposes. Authorizes the appropriation of $20,000,000 for FY 1978 for relief assistance to the victims of the 1976 earthquakes in Italy. Amends such Act to permit the furnishing of services and commodities through foreign voluntary nonprofit relief agencies, approved by the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid under regulations issued by the President when no United States voluntary nonprofit relief agency is available. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the prohibitions on aid to countries assisting or trading with Cuba or Vietnam. Repeals the authority of the President to waive prohibitions on aid in the national interest. Amends such Act to abolish the office of Inspector General, Foreign Assistance, in the Department of State. Authorizes the President to assign the duties of such officer to the Inspector General, Foreign Services. Amends such Act of repeal the direction to the President to establish a Development Coordination Committee. Directs the President to submit to Congress an annual report on United States international development policies and programs. Authorizes the President to use up to $2,000,000 of funds appropriated under this Act for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978 to work with friendly countries which do not receive development assistance to facilitate access to natural resources and stimulate reimbursable aid programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $220,200,000 for FY 1978 for operating expenses under such Act, and of such sums as may be necessary for employee benefits. Permits the transfer of funds appropriated under such Act to operating expenses. Amends such Act to prohibit the obligation of funds under such Act for activities not justified, or in excess of the amount justified to Congress, unless certain Congressional committees are notified in advance. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare it the sense of Congress that the United States should substantially increase assistance for self-help development of the world's poorest people. Title II: Food for Peace - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to repeal the prohibitions against agricultural financing by the Commodity Credit Corporation for any exporter trading with Vietnam. Repeals the requirement that applications for financing by the Corporation be accompanied by certain information regarding corporate officers and subsidiaries. Amends the definition of "friendly country" under such Act to repeal the exclusion of nations trading with Cuba, Vietnam, or the United Arab Republic. Revises the criteria, under such Act, for allocation of food aid commodities to prohibit more than 25 percent of such commodities from being provided to countries that do not meet the poverty criteria established by the International Development Association. Eliminates the power of the Congress to disapprove a Presidential waiver of such criteria for humanitarian food purposes upon certification to Congress. Directs the President to assure that purchase authorizations under such Act are consistent with requisite storage facilities in the recipient country. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to prohibit agricultural commodity agreements with any country which engages in a consistent pattern of gross human rights violations, unless such agreement will directly benefit the needy people in such country. Sets forth procedures for determining the existence of a consistent pattern of human rights violations. Amends such Act to declare it the policy of the United States that the United States shall assist economic self-sufficiency in food assistance recipient-countries and shall continue provision of high protein, blended or fortified foods. Permits the President to waive repayment of food assistance up to the costs of processing, enrichment, or fortification. Authorizes the President to establish food for development programs by encouraging the use of the resources provided by the concessional financing of agricultural commodities under this Act by permitting the funds accruing from the local sale of such commodities which are used for such purposes to be applied against from the local sale of such commodities which are used for such purposes to be applied against the repayment obligation of governments receiving concessional financing under this Act. Sets forth the criteria for eligibility for such food for development programs, and procedures for implementation of such programs (including multiyear use proposals integrating the programs into development plans and development assistance, and review of such programs). Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to require the President to submit to Congress, every five years, a comparative cross-country evaluation of the food for development programs and commodity assistance programs for famine and other purposes. Increases the annual minimum quantity of commodities distributed for famine and other purposes to 1,600,000 tons of which 1,300,000 tons shall be distributed through nonprofit voluntary agencies and the World Food Program. Permits the President to utilize a foreign nonprofit voluntary agency approved by the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Aid when no United States nonprofit voluntary agency approved by the Committee is available. Requires the use of indigenous workers to the extent feasible to furnish nutrition information and conduct food distribution programs. Directs that food distribution priority by given to those suffering from malnutrition.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Congressional Campaign Financing Act - Entitles to campaign payments congressional candidates who agree to certain reporting and recordkeeping procedures and certify that (1) they and their authorized committees will not incur campaign expenses in excess of certain limitations and (2) they have 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. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to specify spending limits for candidates receiving payments under this Act. Waives such limits for sums in excess of the limit imposed for candidates receiving payments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a separate Congressional 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.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Universal Voter Registration Act - Establishes the positions of Administrator and Assistant Administrator of Voter Registration within the Federal Election Commission. Specifies the duties of the Administrator, including (1) establishing and administering a voter registration program in accordance with this Act; (2) providing for the collection, analysis, and publication of voter registration information in coordination work the Secretary of Commerce; and (3) providing information and technical assistance to State and local officials concerning voter registration. Requires each State and local government to permit any individual who is eligible under applicable State and Federal law to register to vote in any Federal election to register on the date of a Federal election at the appropriate polling place. States that any individual so registering shall, if required by State or local authorities, establish his identity by (1) executing an affidavit containing certain information and (2) submitting either an affidavit executed by a person who is registered to vote at the polling place involved and is present at such polling place with the individual seeking registration or one of any forms of identification approved by the Commission. Directs the Commission to make grants for approved voter registration outreach programs to States which comply with the election day registration requirements of this Act. Conditions the amount of such grants on whether a State has a similar election day registration program in effect with respect to State and local elections. Stipulates that a registration outreach program may include projects relating to registration by mail, registration through the use of mobile units, or bilingual registration, and those projects otherwise designed to improve voter registration methods and procedures. List the purposes for which grant funds may be used. Sets forth criminal penalties for any person who knowingly and willfully (1) register, or attempts to register, to vote under this Act for the purpose of voting more than once in any Federal election; (2) conspires with any person for the purpose of enabling such person to make false registration to vote in a Federal election under this Act or for the purpose of enabling or encouraging any individual to make such false registration to vote in a Federal election; or (3) falsifies any information with respect to the name, residence, or age of such person, or any other information for the purpose of establishing eligibility to register to vote in a Federal election under this Act. Directs the Commission to institute actions to prevent any violation for this Act. Requires Federal courts to expedite consideration of actions involving a violation of, or a constitutional challenge to, any provision of this Act. Prohibits commercial use of any list compiled by a State or local government of individuals registered to vote in a Federal election.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Pledges the support of the Congress to advance human rights. Urges the President to inform other nations that the United States will consider human rights protection in evaluating its relations with other nations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Amends rules XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that each committee report accompanying a public bill or joint resolution contain an evaluation of the paperwork which would be incurred in carrying out such bill or resolution including estimates of time and cost required of affected parties, a showing of whether the effect of the bill could be substantial, and an estimate of recordkeeping requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Title I: Small Business Act Amendments - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make loans to assist small business concerns in financing plant construction and the acquisition of equipment and supplies for the producing of solar energy or other energy conserving equipment. Authorizes the appropriation of $75,000,000 for such purpose. Authorizes the Administration to provide additional assistance to small businesses in the area of training seminars and technical manuals on the design, installation, and maintenance of solar energy equipment. Title II: Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 Amendments - Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to establish an Office of Invention and Innovation in the Energy Research and Development Administration. Authorizes the Office to evaluate proposals for the development of energy-related inventions and to provide financial assistance for the development of such inventions. Stipulates that not less than 20 percent of the funds appropriated to the Energy Research and Development Administration for solar energy programs shall be expended for the benefit of small business concerns and individual inventors. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to encourage the participation of individuals and small businesses in the research, development, and advancement of energy-conserving technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 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 · 31 March 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 · 31 March 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. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 to the Administrator to perform the functions as authorized or required under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of additional sums as necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 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 · 31 March 1977
Agricultural Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Title I: Existing Programs - Amends the Bankhead-Jones Act of 1935 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 · 31 March 1977
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to prohibit any cost-of-living adjustments to the salaries of Senators and Representatives which take effect before October 1, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 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.