United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1978
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates below the level established by the Social Security Amendments of 1977 on employment income for both employers and employees and on self-employment income. Increases Federal contributions to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act by 50 percent. Increases the ceiling on the amount of income that is subject to social security taxation to $100,000 in 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1978
Family Farm Development Act - Title I: Price Supports - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish the price support of milk, for the first 500,000 pounds of annual production per dairy producer, at not less than 100 percent of parity. Establishes price supports of corn, upland cotton, mohair, soybeans, wheat, and wool at 90 percent of parity, and prohibits the Commodity Credit Corporation from selling any of such crops owned or controlled by it at less than 110 percent of parity. Declares the Commodity Credit Corporation the seller or marketing agent for all export sales of wheat, feed grains, and soybeans in raw form. Requires the Corporation to negotiate the best possible price in all such sales, with 100 percent parity as price goal. Authorizes a commodity owner to stipulate the minimum price for such sales. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide marketing certificates to active producers of all commodities except livestock and poultry, in an amount equal to the national production goal for each such commodity, but aggregating in value not in excess of $500,000 per producer or farm owner. Directs the Secretary to establish a uniform storage rate of not less than 20 cents per bushel for oats, and not less than 25 cents per bushel for wheat and other feed grains. Directs the Secretary to establish soil quality standards, and best management practices, and to develop a plan of such practices for each land operator which will bring him, over a five-year period, into compliance with such soil quality standards. Requires annual inspection and issuance of a certificate of compliance with such a plan to make any operator or owner eligible for the price support and other assistance provided by this Title. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Farm Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the deductions attributable to the trade or business of farming to a maximum amount consisting of the sum of the taxpayer's gross income plus $15,000 reduced by the amount by which the nonfarm adjusted gross income of such taxpayer exceeds $15,000. States that such limitation shall not apply if the taxpayer's nonfarm adjusted gross income does not exceed $15,000, or if the taxpayer elects to compute his taxable income on the accrual method of accounting. Requires the accrual method of accounting for any person engaged in the trade or business of farming whose gross income from farming exceeds $100,000. Title III: Grants to Preserve Family Farms - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants of from $100,000 to $500,000 to county and local governments and nonprofit community organizations to purchase land suitable for farming and to sell such land to new or young farmers. Requires the Secretary to give priority to applicants who demonstrate that the preservation of family farming is of vital importance to the area in which the applicant is located. Title IV: Small Farm Ownership and Operating Loan Programs - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary to make and insure real estate and appropriate technology loans (at not more than five percent interest), and operating loans (at not more than three percent interest) to owners and operators of small or family farms, and to farmers or ranchers with a low income. Title V: Farm Marketing Programs - Directs the Division of Cooperative Marketing of the Department of Agriculture to give primary emphasis to services to small and moderate-sized family farmers. Amends the National School Lunch Act to require the purchase of locally grown fresh food products for the school lunch program, with maximum supportive effect on the local family farms. Directs the Secretary to extend the Indiana pilot project into 12 States under which county extensions will use computer terminals to assist family farmers in attaining information clarifying various market alternatives. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, not to exceed 75 percent of costs, to establish a direct marketing system between consumers and farmers. Title VI: Family Farm Development Service - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture a Family Farm Development Service, containing a Research Board, which shall devise a national long-term plan for the development of a system providing incentives enabling small and moderate-size family farmers to increase the energy efficiency of their farming operations. Title VII: Research Program - Directs the Administrator of the Family Farm Development Service to conduct an intensive research grant program concerning the improvement of small and moderate-sized family farms. Title VIII: Education, Training, and Demonstration Programs - Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to establish extension programs providing small farmers with education and demonstration assistance, using paraprofessionals. Directs the Secretary: (1) to provide small farmers with pest control and soil improvement instruction; (2) to establish a program encouraging family farmers to hire and train apprentice farmers; and (3) to establish a scholarship program for farmers and potential farmers to study organic farming methods in foreign countries. Title IX: Unfair Trade Practices - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to make it an unfair or deceptive practice affecting commerce for any person engaged in the retail sale of food to sell any food product without a sign at the point of sale containing the amount received by farmers for the agricultural commodities which were used to produce the food product involved. Title X: Food Price Stabilization - Establishes a Food Price Review Board to monitor increases in the price of any food product, and to recommend to the President the issuance of orders limiting or adjusting the amount of any such increase so that it is equal to, and not more than, the amount of any increase in the price received by the grower or producer of any raw food product involved. Empowers the President to issue such orders. Title XI: Miscellaneous - Defines terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1978
Family Farm Development Act - Title I: Price Supports - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish the price support of milk, for the first 500,000 pounds of annual production per dairy producer, at not less than 100 percent of parity. Establishes price supports of corn, upland cotton, mohair, soybeans, wheat, and wool at 90 percent of parity, and prohibits the Commodity Credit Corporation from selling any of such crops owned or controlled by it at less than 110 percent of parity. Declares the Commodity Credit Corporation the seller or marketing agent for all export sales of wheat, feed grains, and soybeans in raw form. Requires the Corporation to negotiate the best possible price in all such sales, with 100 percent parity as price goal. Authorizes a commodity owner to stipulate the minimum price for such sales. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide marketing certificates to active producers of all commodities except livestock and poultry, in an amount equal to the national production goal for each such commodity, but aggregating in value not in excess of $500,000 per producer or farm owner. Directs the Secretary to establish a uniform storage rate of not less than 20 cents per bushel for oats, and not less than 25 cents per bushel for wheat and other feed grains. Directs the Secretary to establish soil quality standards, and best management practices, and to develop a plan of such practices for each land operator which will bring him, over a five-year period, into compliance with such soil quality standards. Requires annual inspection and issuance of a certificate of compliance with such a plan to make any operator or owner eligible for the price support and other assistance provided by this Title. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Farm Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the deductions attributable to the trade or business of farming to a maximum amount consisting of the sum of the taxpayer's gross income plus $15,000 reduced by the amount by which the nonfarm adjusted gross income of such taxpayer exceeds $15,000. States that such limitation shall not apply if the taxpayer's nonfarm adjusted gross income does not exceed $15,000, or if the taxpayer elects to compute his taxable income on the accrual method of accounting. Requires the accrual method of accounting for any person engaged in the trade or business of farming whose gross income from farming exceeds $100,000. Title III: Grants to Preserve Family Farms - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants of from $100,000 to $500,000 to county and local governments and nonprofit community organizations to purchase land suitable for farming and to sell such land to new or young farmers. Requires the Secretary to give priority to applicants who demonstrate that the preservation of family farming is of vital importance to the area in which the applicant is located. Title IV: Small Farm Ownership and Operating Loan Programs - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary to make and insure real estate and appropriate technology loans (at not more than five percent interest), and operating loans (at not more than three percent interest) to owners and operators of small or family farms, and to farmers or ranchers with a low income. Title V: Farm Marketing Programs - Directs the Division of Cooperative Marketing of the Department of Agriculture to give primary emphasis to services to small and moderate-sized family farmers. Amends the National School Lunch Act to require the purchase of locally grown fresh food products for the school lunch program, with maximum supportive effect on the local family farms. Directs the Secretary to extend the Indiana pilot project into 12 States under which county extensions will use computer terminals to assist family farmers in attaining information clarifying various market alternatives. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, not to exceed 75 percent of costs, to establish a direct marketing system between consumers and farmers. Title VI: Family Farm Development Service - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture a Family Farm Development Service, containing a Research Board, which shall devise a national long-term plan for the development of a system providing incentives enabling small and moderate-size family farmers to increase the energy efficiency of their farming operations. Title VII: Research Program - Directs the Administrator of the Family Farm Development Service to conduct an intensive research grant program concerning the improvement of small and moderate-sized family farms. Title VIII: Education, Training, and Demonstration Programs - Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to establish extension programs providing small farmers with education and demonstration assistance, using paraprofessionals. Directs the Secretary: (1) to provide small farmers with pest control and soil improvement instruction; (2) to establish a program encouraging family farmers to hire and train apprentice farmers; and (3) to establish a scholarship program for farmers and potential farmers to study organic farming methods in foreign countries. Title IX: Unfair Trade Practices - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to make it an unfair or deceptive practice affecting commerce for any person engaged in the retail sale of food to sell any food product without a sign at the point of sale containing the amount received by farmers for the agricultural commodities which were used to produce the food product involved. Title X: Food Price Stabilization - Establishes a Food Price Review Board to monitor increases in the price of any food product, and to recommend to the President the issuance of orders limiting or adjusting the amount of any such increase so that it is equal to, and not more than, the amount of any increase in the price received by the grower or producer of any raw food product involved. Empowers the President to issue such orders. Title XI: Miscellaneous - Defines terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Small Business Capital, Investment, and Business Opportunity Act - Title I: Amendments of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 - States that the interest rate on loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to small business investment companies shall be three percent per annum. Authorizes the Small Business Administration to guarantee up to 75 percent of the funds advanced by small business investment companies to start small business concerns. Limits such guarantees to not more than 20 percent of the private paid-in capital of the small business investment company. Makes the Associate Administrator for Investment of the SBA responsible for the administration of the small business investment program and removes any other duties. Title II: Amendments to the Securities Act of 1933 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to permit the sale of restricted securities without registration under specified circumstances. Requires issuers to report only material information with respect to transactions not involving any public offering. Title III: Amendment of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to provide that the prudence requirement under such Act is not violated solely by an investment in a small business, provided investments of this nature do not exceed in value five percent of the market value of all assets in a defined benefit plan fund. Title IV: Tax Provisions - Increases the surtax exemption from tax on the income of a corporation for any taxable year to $100,000. States that the gain from the sale of an interest in a small concern qualifies as a non-taxable exchange provided such gain is reinvested within 18 months of the sale in another eligible small concern. Repeals the amendments pertaining to qualified stock options under section 442 of the Code as enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1976 and reinstates the former law. Changes the allowable deduction for any taxable year with respect to the issuance of small business stock. Makes small business investment companies eligible to be shareholders of subchapter S corporations. Provides for reserves for losses on equity investments of small business investment companies.
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 · 30 January 1978
Renewable Resources Extension Act - Provides for a nationally coordinated program to insure the most efficient utilization of forest and range land renewable resources. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Renewable Resources Extension Program in cooperation with State directors of cooperative extension service programs and eligible colleges and universities. Requires the Secretary and relevant State officials to cooperate in the identification and study of needed areas of research, and in the dissemination of the results of such research. Requires the Secretary to coordinate the establishment of ongoing training programs for landowners, processors and other interested parties. Directs the Secretary to prepare a five-year Renewable Resources Extension Program to provide national guidance for State programs. Requires annual reporting to Congress on implementation of the plan.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Establishes an 11-member Commission on the Humane Treatment of Animals to study the treatment of animals. Requires that the membership include zoologists, veterinarians, and representatives from humane societies. Requires the Commission to determine if animals are caused needless pain or suffering as a result of their treatment on farms and in laboratory experimentation. Requires Commission investigation into domestic pet growth rates and the effectiveness of existing laws regarding the treatment of animals. Excludes the study of the treatment of animals occurring in connection with the exercise of any religion. Directs the Commission to report its findings to the Congress and the Commission 60 days after it submits its final report. Authorizes appropriations of $750,000 per year to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Establishes an 11-member Commission on the Humane Treatment of Animals to study the treatment of animals. Requires that the membership include zoologists, veterinarians, and representatives from humane societies. Requires the Commission to determine if animals are caused needless pain or suffering as a result of their treatment on farms and in laboratory experimentation. Requires Commission investigation into domestic pet growth rates and the effectiveness of existing laws regarding the treatment of animals. Excludes the study of the treatment of animals occurring in connection with the exercise of any religion. Directs the Commission to report its findings to the Congress and the Commission 60 days after it submits its final report. Authorizes appropriations of $750,000 per year to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Establishes an 11-member Commission on the Humane Treatment of Animals to study the treatment of animals. Requires that the membership include zoologists, veterinarians, and representatives from humane societies. Requires the Commission to determine if animals are caused needless pain or suffering as a result of their treatment on farms and in laboratory experimentation. Requires Commission investigation into domestic pet growth rates and the effectiveness of existing laws regarding the treatment of animals. Excludes the study of the treatment of animals occurring in connection with the exercise of any religion. Directs the Commission to report its findings to the Congress and the Commission 60 days after it submits its final report. Authorizes appropriations of $750,000 per year to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited credit against the income tax for contributions of the taxpayer's literary, musical or artistic compositions to certain tax exempt organizations. Limits the credit allowed for any one year to the amount of tax on past gross income attributable to the sale of such compositions. Disallows any credit for letters, memoranda, or similar property relating to the duties of any governmental office held by the taxpayer when they were composed. Limits the credit taken in any taxable year to the greater of $2,500 or 50 percent of the taxpayer's income tax liability for the year. Disallows a credit to the extent that the total value of contribution exceeds $35,000. Allows a five-year carry-over of any credit disallowed by the previous two limitations. Requires that the donee certify to the taxpayer that the contribution is material of literary, artistic or musical significance and its use will be related to the purpose upon which the donee's tax exempt status is based.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Appropriates $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 for the purpose of making grants to increase and improve museum services pursuant to the Museum Services Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Requires the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to install telecommunication devices to enable deaf persons and persons with speech impairments to engage in toll-free communications with Members of Congress. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Hearing Dog Training Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to give financial assistance to centers which train dogs to assist individuals with hearing disabilities. Directs that grants will be made to one center in each of the ten Standard Federal Regions as defined by the Office of Management and Budget. Establishes requirements for eligibility to receive grants.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the excise tax on the investment income of tax exempt foundations shall not apply to any private foundation organized and operated exclusively as a library, museum or similar educational institution, and which is not directly or indirectly controlled by substantial contributors or their families.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Title I Amendments Act - Title I: Parental Involvement - Amends Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to increase parental involvement by requiring: (1) increased parental membership in the advisory councils required by such Title; (2) the Commissioner of Education to sponsor parental involvement workshops; and (3) the National Institute of Education to develop model parent involvement training programs. Title II: Administrative Enforcement - Requires: (1) additional compliance assurances from participating States in their applications to the Commissioner for funds under such Act; (2) the Commissioner to make written findings of compliance before approving such applications; (3) participating local educational agencies to develop and implement complaint resolution procedures; and (4) the Commission to provide the Congress with a report at least once a year of enforcement under such Title. Provides procedures for audit and examination of State and local educational agencies receiving funds under such Title. Requires the Commissioner to establish minimum standards for audits. Revises the standards and procedures regarding (1) withholding funds for violations of such Title; and (2) State approval of local applications for funds under such Title. Authorizes additional Federal funds for State administrative enforcement costs. Title III: Special Projects - Authorizes funds for: (1) summer educational programs for disadvantaged children; (2) parent education programs; (3) model programs for junior and senior high school students; and (4) retraining educational personnel. Title IV: Duration of Programs and Miscellaneous Provisions - Extends programs under such Title to 1982. Title V: Gifted and Talented Children - Gifted and Talented Children Act - Directs the Commissioner to (1) designate an administrative unit within the Office of Education to coordinate all program for gifted and talented children administered by such Office; (2) establish a grant program to enable State and local institutions to meet the special educational needs of such children; and (3) transfer to the National Institute of Education funds necessary for such Institute to carry out a program of research relating to the education of gifted and talented children.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1977
Older Americans Long-Term Care Act - Title I: Long-Term Care for the Elderly and the Disabled - Establishes a program of long-term comprehensive services for the elderly financed by the Federal Government and the States. Establishes within the Department of the Treasury a Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund for such program. Requires a State to establish a State Long-Term Care Agency in order to receive funds under this Act. Requires such State agency to create within the State a system of Community Long-Term Care Centers. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the relationship between the program established by this Act and certain programs under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1977
Drought Relief and Water Conservation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish a loan program to provide financial assistance to drought-impacted water districts and to provide Federal assistance to water districts for acquisition and installation of residential and agricultural water conservation devices and equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1977
Water Resources Management and Pricing Reform Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish in each region where the United States provides water for agricultural purposes: (1) a base volume of water necessary to grow suitable crops; and (2) a base rate per acre foot for water delivered. Prescribes rates for volumes of water used in excess of the base volume. Requires all water service contracts to provide for a recalculation of water delivery cost and a modification of price at least once every two years. Requires Congressional approval of water service contracts involving water in excess of a specified volume.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1977
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 · 6 December 1977
Amends the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from contracting through the Bureau of Reclamation, or otherwise, for water supply for irrigation purposes unless the intent of the Secretary contract is published in newspapers of general circulation in the region which may be affected by such contract and interested persons are given an opportunity to present their views at a public hearing on the matter.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1977
Ex-Offender Employment Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Employment and Training Administration, to establish a grant program to provide financial assistance to private, nonprofit organizations which offer approved employment training or placement services to formerly incarcerated individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare should not include in the National Guidelines for Health Planning any guidelines which would directly or indirectly cause the closing of any small, rural hospital which is the only hospital providing primary care services to a local community.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1977
Small Business Government Contracting Reform Act - Simplifies Government contracting procedures with respect to small businesses. Establishes Government contract arbitration panels within the Small Business Administration to facilitate the resolution of disputes between any small business concern and any Federal agency having procurement authority. Directs Federal agencies to take the apparent low responsive bidder's small business concern subcontracting plan into account in determining the responsibility of such bidder for the award of such contract. Assigns an employee of the Small Business Administration to each Federal agency to monitor compliance with specified small business programs. Establishes the Small Business Procurement Advisory Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1977
Constitutional Amendment -- Provides for popular enactment and repeal of laws, except those with respect to declaring war and similar matters. Requires a petition signed by a number of persons equalling at least three percent of the total number of persons voting in the last Presidential election both in each of at least ten States and nationwide to place such an issue on the ballot and a nationwide majority of votes cast to pass it.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1977
Declares it the sense of the Congress that the President direct the United States delegation to the Belgrade Conference to place the issue of the arrest, trial, and conviction of Mykola Rudenko and Oleska Tykhy before the Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 to restrict the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the justness or reasonableness of any stockyard service rate or charge to only those rates or charges for services at stockyards which have a certain minimum annual sales volume.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from approving any application for rental increases in federally assisted housing unless the amount of such increase is permitted under State and local law.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Independent Local Newspaper Act - Amends the Internal Revenue to promote the survival of independent newspapers by providing for the establishment of tax exempt trusts for paying estate taxes on such papers, and by postponing the payment of estate taxes on such papers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Family Violence Prevention and Treatment Act - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the findings of Congress and declares the purposes of this Act. Defines terms used in this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act in fiscal year 1978 and 1979. Title II: Coordinating Council on Family Violence - Establishes within the executive branch an independent organization known as the Coordinating Council on Family Violence (Council). Specifies the membership of the Council. States that the functions of the Council shall be: (1) to identify, assess, and coordinate all Federal programs related to problems of family violence in order to eliminate duplication of effort, inefficient use of resources, and lack of strategic objectives and priorities; and (2) to stimulate new programs within member agencies of the Council where necessary to fill gaps in services, funding, research, or demonstration programs. Directs the Council to make recommendations to the President and the Congress at least annually with respect to the coordination of overall policy and development of objectives and priorities. Title III: National Center for Community Action Against Family Violence - Directs the Director of ACTION to establish a National Center for Community Action Against Family Violence. States that the purpose of the Center shall be to provide information and technical assistance to local community groups which need assistance with organizing or operating existing or proposed programs dealing with family violence. Describes the functions of the Center including: (1) the development and maintenance of an information clearinghouse for services available for the treatment and prevention of family violence; (2) the establishment of a toll-free telephone number for the provision of information and counseling; (3) the development of a volunteer force to provide service through community centers dealing with family violence; (4) the making of grants to support and train volunteers; and (5) the development of a campaign to educate the public about the problems of family violence and resources available to deal with such problems. Sets forth procedures for the execution of such functions. Title IV: Amendments to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act - Requires State plans under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to include provisions for the reporting of forms of family violence in addition to child abuse and neglect. Title V: Evaluation and Research - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide a specified sum for each of the two years following the enactment of this Act to evaluate the impact of community programs assisted by HEW on the prevention and treatment of family violence.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1977
Comprehensive School Health Education Act - Empowers the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State educational agencies and institutions of higher education for teacher training with respect to the provision of comprehensive health education programs in schools. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public or private nonprofit education or research organizations to support pilot demonstration projects in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health programs. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. States that the Commissioner may make grants to State educational agencies for the development of comprehensive programs in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health problems. Provides for the apportionment of funds appropriated for such purposes. Sets forth the requirements for receiving grants under the Act. Directs the Commissioner, when requested, to render technical assistance to local educational agencies, public and private nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education in the development and implementation of education programs with respect to health and health problems.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1977
Declares that there be no reduction of customs duties on textile, apparel, or fiber products and that such products be excluded from the current Tokyo Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize any taxpayer to elect to have any portion of any overpayment of tax or any contribution in money which the taxpayer forwards with the return for such taxable year be available, as the taxpayer may designate on such return, for the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1977
Pledges Congressional support to the President in efforts to advance the cause of human rights. Urges the President to inform other nations that the United States will take cognizance of the extent to which such nations protect human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that the President of the United States (1) should propose an immediate suspension of underground nuclear explosions to remain in effect so long as the Soviet Union abstains from conducting underground explosions, and (2) should set forth promptly a new proposal to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other nations for a permanent treaty to ban all nuclear explosions.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize any taxpayer to elect to have any portion of any overpayment of tax or any contribution in money which the taxpayer forwards with the return for such taxable year be available, as the taxpayer may designate on such return, for the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) remove the adjusted gross income limitation on the credit for the elderly; (2) increase the amount of the credit; and (3) provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment for the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1977
International Emergency Food Reserve Act - Authorizes the President: (1) to enter into negotiations with other nations to develop an international system of food reserves 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. Requires for such Reserve minimum stocks of two million tons, allowing an increase up to six million tons pursuant to an international agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1977
Bikeway Transportation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for 80 percent of the cost to States and municipalities of bikeway construction projects in urban areas or in places connecting such areas with national, State, or local parks, seashores or recreational areas. Requires such bikeway projects to be in accordance with a continuing comprehensive transportation planning process carried on cooperatively by States and local communities and in accordance with construction standards established by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Declares that the President should establish a Commission on Domestic and International Hunger and Malnutrition which should: (1) collect and generate information and resources on food, hunger, malnutrition and related concerns; (2) assess current programs affecting domestic and international hunger and malnutrition; (3) analyze and report its findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the public; and (4) assist the President and the Congress in implementing its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1977
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to permit States to impose inspection, marking, labeling, packaging, and ingredient requirements that are more stringent than Federal standards.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1977
Farm Production Protection Act - Repeals the Federal Crop Insurance Act. Establishes, within the Department of Agriculture, the Farm Production Corporation, with a capital stock of $300,000,000 subscribed by the United States of America. Empowers such Corporation to protect producers of agricultural products against loss of production cost due to unavoidable natural causes.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that artistic compositions, copyrights, and the like shall not be included in the estate tax valuation of the creator's estate.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1977
Provides for the arbitration of disputes between the Postal Service and recognized organizations of Postal Service managerial personnel other than officers, postmasters, and employees engaged in personnel work in Postal Service headquarters. Identifies as subject to arbitration under this Act issues relating to pay policies, fringe benefits, and the determination of whether or not a matter is subject to participation by such organization. Establishes an arbitration board to consider a dispute upon the request of the Postal Service or such recognized organization.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1977
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act to authorize the Administrator of General Services to assign surplus Federal real property to the Secretary of Commerce for disposal of such property at not less than 25 percent of the fair market value to States and local areas threatened by unemployment as a result of the closing of Federal facilities. Requires that such property be used by the transferees for economic development purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1977
Establishes procedures for taking the decennial census. Establishes a decennial census period beginning two years prior to the decennial census date and ending three years after such date. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce during this period to conduct a trial census which shall be the final test of all the procedures to be used in taking the decennial census. Requires the Secretary to submit a report regarding such trial census to specified committees in Congress prior to conducting such a census. Stipulates that no changes may be made in the content or procedures to be used in taking a decennial census after four months following the date of a trial census. Stipulates that the decennial census shall consist only of: (1) an enumeration of the population; (2) sample surveys of the characteristics of the population and housing of the United States; and (3) supplemental surveys necessary to meet the needs of the Federal, State, or local government for economic and social data. Sets forth restrictions regarding the collection of such data. Allows employees conducting the enumeration of population access to the records of the Federal Government and of State or local governments which are necessary to insure that all individuals and households are counted. Stipulates that such employees may obtain only names and addresses from such records and that such information may only be used for purposes of the enumeration. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct special surveys in a State for the purpose of clarifying the findings of decennial supplemental surveys. Directs the Secretary to prepare a plan specifying procedures to be used for correcting errors in census counts and to submit such plan to specified committees in Congress. Directs the Secretary, beginning in 1985, to conduct a mid-decade census of population. Requires the use of the most recent data, either from the decennial or mid-decade census, in determining eligibility for benefits under Federal programs in which census data is a factor. Requires the Secretary to submit specified reports to Congress prior to the taking of a decennial or mid-decade census. Directs the Secretary to insure that the language and categories of questions used on census forms take into account the needs and preferences of the public and to establish a program to provide information to the public regarding the need for, and operation of, the decennial census. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program for the training and selection of supervisory employees engaged in decennial census activities. Directs the Secretary to prepare a plan for conducting censuses other than the decennial or mid- decade census and to submit such plan to Congress at least 60 days before the census is begun. Authorizes the Secretary to issue "determination estimates," defined as estimates derived from any data which (1) is not produced as an activity of the decennial census period and (2) is produced to enable the executive branch of the Federal Government to determine the amount of benefit received under a Federal law by a State or local government. Sets forth procedures by which a State or local government may challenge such an estimate. Directs the Secretary to establish a Division of Evaluation within the Bureau of the Census to evaluate censuses and to submit the results of such evaluation to the Secretary and the Director of the Census. Directs the General Accounting Office to review evaluations made by the Division every three years. Directs the Secretary in 1979, in 1983, and in every fifth year thereafter, to conduct a census of agriculture. Directs the Secretary to conduct a census of irrigation and drainage in 1979, 1983, and every tenth year after 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1977
Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to establish a grant program designed to support projects which: (1) develop methods for the identification, prevention, and treatment of domestic violence; and (2) provide for family rehabilitation and support, and for emergency shelter and protection for individuals who are threatened by domestic violence. Directs the Director to establish a national information and resource clearinghouse to collect, analyze, prepare, and disseminate information relating to domestic violence. Requires the Director, in cooperation with the Administrator of Law Enforcement Assistance and the head of any other Federal agency involved with domestic violence, to study state laws, practices, and policies relating to domestic violence. Requires the Director to annually review the effectiveness of projects carried out under this Act and to report the findings to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to transmit each such report to the President and to each House of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1977
Reemployment Services Act - Amends the Wagner-Peyser Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to establish an outreach program for the provision of technical and management assistance through the United States Employment Service to State public employment offices for the following: (1) implementation of annual management plans, (2) implementation of improved employment services, (3) implementation of pilot programs assisted by the Service, and (4) evaluation of the cost-effectiveness and potential improvements in performance associated with changes in priorities, programs and objectives. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Service a national clearinghouse for employment service information. Sets forth requirements for State public employment service annual management plans, including (1) provisions for the identification of employment opportunities, and for job placement and counseling, for specified categories of workers, (2) a program to encourage the active participation of employers in the public employment office system, and (3) conformity with certain budgeting principles. Directs the Secretary, through the Service, to implement a financial assistance program for certain job placement projects under State public employment offices. Directs the Secretary to carry out a comprehensive examination of the merits and the cost-effectiveness of establishing a nationwide job bank system and of the feasibility and effectiveness of establishing a system of Federal public employment offices in lieu of the system of State offices established under the Wagner-Peyser Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an income tax credit for expenses incurred in the conversion of farm and ranch land into qualified wind erosion control or wildlife habitat areas. Provides Federal local reimbursement to state and local governments for the real property taxes which would otherwise be collected on such property.
![Official portrait of Rep. Richmond, Frederick W. [D-NY-14]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000232_200.jpg)