United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Solar Energy Bank Act - Establishes a Government corporation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development to be known as the Solar Energy Development Bank to make long-term, low-interest loans to encourage the use of solar energy in commercial and residential structures. Sets forth requirements for loan eligibility concerning the term and amount of the loan and necessary warranties for the solar energy systems covered by such loan. Prohibits conflicts of interest on the part of officers or employees of the Bank. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Establishes a seven-member Advisory Board to make annual reports to Congress and the President on the operation of the program established by this Act. Prohibits subsidy payments under this Act to any person who has received other Federal assistance for purchase and/or installation of energy systems similar to the solar systems assisted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Sugar Disclosure Labeling Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that any packaged food containing sugar prominently display a declaration of such fact on its label if the sugar provides at least ten percent of the total number of calories in such food. Excludes fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and alcoholic beverages from the requirement imposed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to disregard renewal commissions received by an insurance salesman from life insurance policies which such salesman sold before reaching age 65, for purposes of computing OASDI benefits based on income.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Independent Agencies Regulatory Improvements Act of 1979 - Directs the head of each independent regulatory agency to revise the rulemaking procedures of the agency in order to: (1) minimize the paperwork required of such procedures; and (2) provide for public participation in such procedures. Requires each agency head to publish in the Federal Register at least twice a year an agenda of the significant rules under development or review by that agency. Sets forth the information concerning each rule which must be included in such agenda. States that criteria for identifying significant agency rules shall be established by each agency head and must include consideration of: (1) the persons and organizations affected, the paperwork required, and the direct and indirect effects caused by the rule; and (2) the relationship of the rule to rules of other programs or agencies. Specifies that there must be a 60-day period provided for public comment on proposed significant rules. Requires each agency head to approve proposed significant rules before they are published in the Federal Register. Directs the agency head to approve such rule upon determining that: (1) the impact and requirements of any public comment concerning such rule have been adequately considered; and (2) the proposed rule is necessary, clearly written, and the least burdensome of acceptable alternatives. Requires each agency head to prepare a regulatory analysis of significant rules which may have major economic consequences for the general economy, industry, government, or geographic regions. Directs the agency head to develop procedures for public participation in developing such analysis. Directs each agency head to review periodically agency rules to determine whether such rules conform to the policies of this Act. Requires the agency head to publish within 60 days of the date of enactment of this Act the criteria for selecting the rules to be reviewed. Requires the Comptroller General to monitor the implementation of this Act by the agencies and to report to Congress and the President on the effectiveness of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Legislative Oversight Act of 1979 - Title I: Requirements for Authorization Bills - Requires all legislation considered by either House of Congress which authorizes new budget authority or increased tax expenditures to include a statement of objectives of the program to be authorized or established and a requirement that the agencies administering the program report annually to Congress to assist it in determining whether such program should be amended. Requires such agency reports to list the costs and accomplishments of each program. Title II: Requirements for Reports Accompanying Authorization Bills - Requires committee reports accompanying such legislation to identify expected economic and social costs and benefits of new programs authorized or established by such legislation, potentially duplicative programs, and previous efforts to accomplish the objectives of the program being considered. Requires reports to contain an assessment of the degree to which an existing program, authorization, or tax expenditure has met previously stated objectives. Requires the Comptroller General to publish and periodically update a descriptive catalog of interrelated Federal activities which compares program costs and accomplishments and describes program interrelationships, including the extent to which programs are duplicative. Title III: Presidential Budget Recommendations - Requires the President's budget to describe the relationship between the President's recommended program budgets and the program accomplishments reported by Federal agencies under this Act. Title IV: Authorization Time Limit; Certain Obligations Not Impaired - Prohibits congressional consideration of any legislation which authorizes new budget authority or provides new or increased tax expenditures, or new spending authority for a period exceeding five years. Exempts from this prohibition national debt service and payments to individuals from Federal trust funds to which such individuals have contributed. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions; Effective Date - Recognizes the authority of either House to amend this Act. Sets the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Adds to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 a new title (Title XI: Regulatory Budget Procedure) to require Congress, on or before September 15 of each year, to complete action on a concurrent resolution which establishes a regulatory budget for each Federal agency that sets the maximum costs of compliance with all rules and regulations declared by the agency. Directs the President to establish a Business Advisory Council to include representatives of each major industrial and commercial sector, and each geographic region, to provide such information, advice and consultation as he may require to develop and carry out regulatory costs analysis procedures. Directs the President, in consultation with the Council, to formulate the criteria for determining the costs of compliance with Federal rules and regulations. Requires the head of each agency, using such criteria, to conduct a study of the costs of compliance with rules and regulations set forth by the agency and to submit such reports to the President, Congress, and the Comptroller General. Directs the Comptroller General to review such agency reports and to submit its findings to Congress. Requires the President to include regulatory budget recommendations in the Budget to Congress. Directs Congress to utilize such findings and recommendations in developing the regulatory budget for each agency. Requires Congressional committee reports on bills or resolutions to contain a statement of the estimate of the costs of compliance with agency rules or regulations to carry out the provisions of such bill or resolution. Sets forth the rules for consideration of any bill, resolution, or amendment that would cause the level of costs of compliance for any agency to exceed the maximum costs of compliance as established in the regulatory budget for the agency.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Regulatory Conflicts Elimination Act of 1979 - Directs the President to formulate criteria for use in determining the costs of compliance with Federal rules and regulations. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to submit to the President. Congress and the head of each independent agency an annual report which: (1) identifies duplicative or conflicting rules and regulations promulgated by executive departments or independent agencies; (2) determines the costs of compliance with such rules; and (3) makes recommendations for modifying, elimination, or consolidating such rules. Requires each head of an independent agency and the President to transmit to Congress and the Comptroller General recommendations for changing the conflicting or duplicative rules promulgated by the agency or executive department, and to implement such recommendations 60 days after transmittal unless Congress passes a concurrent resolution disapproving those recommendations. Directs the Comptroller General, within 30 days after the receipt of such reports, to submit a review of such reports to Congress. Directs the President to formulate criteria for use in determining the costs of compliance with Federal rules and regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Regulatory Cost Reduction Act of 1979 - Directs the President to establish (1) methods for determining the costs of compliance with Federal rules and regulations, and (2) methods of comparing the cost effectiveness of alternative ways of achieving regulatory objectives. Requires the President to submit such information to the head of each executive agency after review by the public and specified offices. Requires each agency head to use the most cost effective method for achieving a regulatory goal whenever alternative methods exist. Directs each agency head to prepare for each proposed rule a regulatory impact analysis which includes: (1) a description of the economic and social consequences of each alternative proposal; (2) a justification of the selection of the final rule; and (3) the paperwork requirements, economic impact, conflicting rules, and a cost-benefit analysis of the final rule. Requires each agency to develop procedures for public participation and comments regarding the regulatory analysis. Requires each agency head to review existing rules within five years of the date of enactment of this act. Urges the agency head to: (1) eliminate unnecessary rules; (2) clarify rule language; and (3) modify rules where necessary to adjust to technological or economic changes which have occurred since promulgation of the rule. Directs each agency head to publish a draft and, after approval of the President, a final report on the actions taken by the agency to implement this Act. Specifies the contents of the report which include estimates of the annual costs of compliance with the rules of each agency. Requires the Comptroller General to monitor the implementation of this Act and to report to Congress and the President on the effectiveness of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Sunset Act of 1979 - Title I: Reauthorization of Government Programs - Sets forth a ten-year schedule for reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 1979. Sets forth the procedure in the House of Representatives and the Senate for the consideration of any bill, resolution, or amendment which authorizes new budget authority. States that it is not in order for either House to consider any legislation which authorizes the enactment of new budget authority for a program for a period of more than ten years, for an indefinite period, or for any fiscal year beginning after the next reauthorization date applicable to such program. Provides that before the Congress can appropriate funds for any program, after its first reauthorization date, there must be a specific authorization in law to support the appropriation. Requires the committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct a sunset review of programs during the Congress in which such programs are scheduled for review. Requires that the report accompanying such reauthorization contain specified information, and that the report be completed during the Congress in which the program is scheduled for reauthorization. Exempts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as interest on Federal debts, health care services, general retirement and disability payments, as well as litigation activities which have as their objectives the protection and implementation of civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and specified retirement pay and benefits. Allows the reauthorization schedule set forth in this Act to be changed by concurrent resolution of the two Houses of Congress and sets forth the procedure for such change. Requires all legislation and other matters related to changes in the dates for programs under this Act to be referred to the committee with legislative jurisdiction over any program affected by the proposal and, sequentially, to the Committee on Rules in the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Rules and Administration in the Senate. Requires such committees to report any concurrent resolution or bill referred to it by a committee of legislative jurisdiction within 30 days, with a statement on each of its recommendations. Makes provisions for any proposed change which has been reported by a committee before June 1, 1980. Title II: Program Inventory - Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs. Declares that the purpose of such program inventory is to advise and assist Congress in carrying out the reauthorization and reexamination requirements and to link such reauthorization and review process with the budget process. Requires the Comptroller General to submit such program inventory to each House of Congress no later than January 1, 1980. Sets forth the contents of the inventory program, including the type of authorization provided for such programs' new budget authority; and the manner in which related program areas may be grouped for evaluation and review. Permits the congressional committees, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service to review the program inventory and suggest revisions. Requires that the program inventory be revised at the end of each session of Congress, and that such revisions be reported to each House. Requires that periodic reports tabulate the progress of congressional action on bills and resolutions authorizing budget authority for programs in the inventory. Requires the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to submit periodic reports to the Congress on the adequacy of the functional and subfunctional categories for grouping programs of like missions or objectives. Title III: Program Reexamination - Requires each committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to reexamine selected programs or groups of programs over which it has jurisdiction. Sets forth procedures for such review, and criteria for selection of program areas for evaluation. Directs each committee to consult with the appropriate committees of either the House of Representatives or the Senate in order to achieve coordination of program reevaluation and inform itself of the related activities of or available assistance from the General Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the Congressional Research Service, the Office of Technology Assessment, and appropriate instrumentalities in the executive and judicial branches. Requires each committee to deliver a report on the reexamination to the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House at the date specified in the funding resolution first reported by such committee in 1981 and thereafter for the first session of each Congress. Allows two or more committees which have legislative jurisdiction over the same programs or portions of the same programs to examine such programs jointly and submit a joint report. Stipulates that such report: (1) contain the findings, recommendations, and justifications of the program; and (2) include specified information including, but not limited to, an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the program and an identification of any trends, developments, and emerging conditions which are likely to affect the nature and extent of the problems or needs which the program is intended to address. Requires each executive department or agency which is responsible for a program selected for reexamination to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget and to the appropriate committees of the Congress on its findings, recommendations, and justifications of specified aspects of the program. Title IV: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes, as an independent instrumentality of the United States, the Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to conduct a nonpartisan study and investigation of the organization and methods of operation of all departments, agencies, independent instrumentalities, and other authorities of the executive branch of the Government, and to make such recommendations as it determines are necessary to promote economic, efficient and improved services in the transaction of public business. Requires the Commission to submit interim reports to the President and the Congress, and to submit a final report with its findings and recommendations. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report on the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Specifies the composition of the 15-member Commission and sets forth the duties and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall cease to exist 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated until September 30, 1984, without fiscal year limitations, $4,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Title. Title V: Regulatory Impact - Requires the President to submit, at the beginning of each of the five congresses beginning with the 97th Congress, an analysis of the purposes, function, and efficiency of 16 specified regulatory agencies. Requires the President to submit legislative plans, based on such analyses, for the improvement of operations of such agencies. Establishes a schedule according to which plans for specified agencies will be submitted early in each of the five congresses for which the required analyses are submitted. Directs the President, with each plan, to submit a report on the cumulative impact of government regulatory activity on specific industry groupings. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to assess each of the agencies included in the President's plan and to analyze the plan, and submit such information to the Congress. Title VI: Government Accountability - Requires the President, beginning with the first year of the 97th Congress, to submit biennially, as part of the budget, a report on the management of the executive branch. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to provide an evaluative report on Federal programs to the President to be included with the President's report. Title VII: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, after consultation with the Joint Committee on Taxation of the Congress, to prepare an inventory of tax expenditure provisions and to submit a report on such inventory to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House and the Senate Finance Committee. Defines the term "tax expenditure provision" as any provision of Federal law which allows a special exclusion, exemption, or deduction in determining liability for any tax or which provides a special credit against any tax, a preferential rate of tax, or a deferral of tax liability. Specifies the contents of the report which include an estimate of the revenue loss from each tax provision. Requires the Director to: (1) submit a revised inventory to each House of Congress by December 1, 1980; (2) revise the inventory after the close of each session of Congress and report such revisions to Congress; and (3) periodically report on congressional action on bills and resolutions which create or affect tax provisions. Directs the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax provisions similar to the schedule set out for Federal programs in title I of this Act. Requires Congress to take final action on the reauthorization schedule for tax provisions before the end of the 96th Congress. Provides that each tax expenditure provision shall expire unless it is reauthorized by a law enacted during the Congress in which it is scheduled for review. Sets forth procedures and restrictions for the consideration of bills reauthorizing tax provisions, which are similar to the restrictions and procedures governing bills authorizing new budget authority for Federal programs as described in title I. Requires that the report accompanying a reauthorization bill include specified information. Permits Congress to prescribe technical rules as may be necessary to mitigate adverse effects which might result for taxpayers who rely on a certain tax provision. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to permit the committees of Congress to obtain from the agencies of the Government estimates or requests for appropriations or requests for increases in an item of any such estimate or request, and recommendations as to how the revenue needs of the Government should be met. Declares that nothing shall require the public disclosure of records which are specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order, or which are otherwise specifically protected by law. Sets forth administrative procedures and requirements. Directs the President, with the cooperation of the head of each appropriate agency, to submit to the Congress a "Regulatory Duplication and Conflicts Report" for all programs scheduled for reauthorization in the next Congress. Stipulates that each such report identify duplicative or conflicting rules and regulations promulgated by executive departments, independent agencies, and State and local governments and contain recommendations which address such conflicts or duplications. Defines the term "required authorization waiver resolution" for purposes of this Act. Sets forth the procedure which the chairman of the committee of the Senate or the House of Representatives having legislative jurisdiction over programs must follow in order to introduce a required authorization waiver resolution. Makes it the duty of the Committees on Governmental Affairs and on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committees on Government Operations and on Rules of the House of Representatives to review the operation of the procedures established by this Act and to submit a report every five years beginning December 31, 1986. Authorizes to be appropriated through fiscal year 1990 such sums as may be necessary to carry out the review requirements and for the compilation of the inventory of Federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Requests the Speaker of the House of Representatives to establish a bipartisan Task Force on Federal Regulatory Practices. Directs the task force to investigate and evaluate the extent that Federal regulations achieve intended purposes, and the disproportionate economic effects of Federal regulations on particular segments of society. States that the task force shall identify duplicate regulations and identify methods by which Congress can evaluate the administration of regulatory programs. Authorizes the expenses of the task force to be paid out of the contingent fund of the House in a total amount not to exceed $300,000. Directs the task force to file a report containing its findings and recommendations with the Clerk of the House as soon as practicable before the adjournment sine die of the second session of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1978
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States, while seeking to improve relations with the People's Republic of China, shall continue to maintain full diplomatic relations with the Republic of China and shall not alter its Mutual Defense Treaty with such country.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1978
Sunset Program Reauthorization and Evaluation Act - Title I: Reauthorization of New Budget Authority - Requires Government programs to be evaluated pursuant to a specified schedule to determine whether each such program should be continued, terminated, or altered (reauthorization review). Prohibits the authorization of new budget authority for a period of more than ten years. Prohibits the authorization of new budget authority for any program for which there has not been conducted a reauthorization review. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in consulation with the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to compile a list of programs subject to a reauthorization date for which new budget authority was not authorized. Title II: Program Inventory - Requires the Comptroller General to compile an inventory of Federal programs including a description of such programs covering specified topics. Title III: Program Review and Evaluation - Requires each House of Congress to select from the programs scheduled for reauthorization review in any given year a number of programs for comprehensive reauthorization review. Requires the President and each congressional committee to recommend such programs. Title IV: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes an independent Citizen's Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to study the organization and operation of Federal agencies and to recommend ways to improve the efficiency and operations of such agencies. Requires the Commission to submit its final report by July 1, 1983, and terminates the Commission 90 days after the submission of such report. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires the Comptroller General to furnish Congress with the results of prior audits and reviews of programs being reviewed under this Act. Requires all agencies which are exempt from reauthorization review to submit a status report to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1978
Eliminates the divisions of the judicial district of Maine. Adds Johnstown to the list of places where the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania shall be held. Transfers Polk and Tyler counties from the Southern District of the United States District Court for Texas to the Eastern District. Establishes a Lufkin Division of the Eastern District. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to conduct a comprehensive study of the judicial business of the Central District of California and the Eastern District of New York and make recommendations to Congress with respect to the need for creating new judicial districts.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1978
Expresses the support of Congress of a comprehensive review of retirement income, survivor benefit, and disability benefit programs, as set forth in the objectives of the President's Commission on Pension Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1978
Provides for an official memorial flag to honor war veterans to be displayed in all national cemeteries on Memorial Day in lieu of small flags at individual gravesites. Describes such memorial flag.
United States · United States Congress · 17 August 1978
Provides for an official memorial flag to honor war veterans to be displayed in all national cemeteries on Memorial Day in lieu of small flags at individual gravesites. Describes such memorial flag.
United States · United States Congress · 15 August 1978
Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to increase the maximum amount of acreage which may be conveyed to a single person, association, or corporation under a Federal geothermal lease in a single State from 20,480 acres to 51,200 acres.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1978
Amends the charter of the Boy Scouts of America to stipulate that the annual report of the Boy Scouts shall be printed each year as a separate House document.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1978
Steel Trade Negotiations Act - Lists products the manufacture of which shall constitute the "steel sector" for purposes of determining the appropriate product sector with respect to import restriction authority under the Trade Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1978
States that the Territory of American Samoa shall be represented in the United States Congress by a nonvoting delegate to the House of Representatives. Sets forth the procedure for the election of such delegate.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1978
Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act - Requires a report to the Secretary of Agriculture, containing legal name, address, citizenship, type of interest, and legal description of the land involved, and other specified information, from any foreign person (including individuals, organizations, governments, or any combination thereof) who holds, acquires, or transfers any interest, other than a security interest, in agricultural land. Establishes a civil penalty for violation of any provision of this Act in an amount not to exceed 25 percent of the fair market value of the land interest involved on the date of the penalty assessment. Requires the Secretary to report to the President and to Congress an analysis of the information obtained by him pursuant to this Act, and a determination of the effects of foreign holdings, acquisitions, and transfers on family farms and rural communities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt taxpayers from the payment of interest or a penalty on tax deficiencies attributable to erroneous advice obtained in writing from an Internal Revenue Service Officer or employee acting in an official capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1978
Establishes a Task Force on the Taxation of Real Property by State and Local Governments to study and evaluate such taxation, its effects on middle and fixed income taxpayers, and the feasibility of using Federal taxation and other methods to reduce the dependence of State and local governments on such taxation. Provides that the Task Force shall include: (1) four officials of the executive branch, to be appointed by the President; (2) four Senators, no more than two from the same political party, to be appointed by the majority leader; (3) four Representatives, no more than two from the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker; and (4) 12 individuals not Federal employees or officers representing State and local governments, the academic community and citizens groups, to be appointed by the President, Speaker and majority leader in concert. Empowers the Task Force to hold hearings, administer oaths, issue subpenas, hire a staff, contract out research projects and obtain assistance upon request from all other Government agencies and departments. Directs the Task Force to submit its final report to the President and the Congress within one year after all of its members have been appointed. Provides for the termination of the Task Force on the ninetieth day after submission of its final report.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow handicapped individuals who are incapable of operating highway vehicles an income tax deduction for their comuting expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1978
Requires that, until further Congressional action is taken, the determination of whether an individual is an employee for purposes of social security taxation, unemployment taxation, and income tax withholding shall be made in accordance with audit practices and regulations in effect December 31, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1978
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should be continually committed to assuring that Federal regulations are issued expeditiously, written clearly, and designed to efficiently meet the goals of the programs they are designed to regulate.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1978
Act to Combat International Terrorism - Directs the President to transmit a report to the Congress every six months on those incidents determined to be acts of international terrorism as defined in this Act. Requires that, where the incident involves citizens or property of the United States, such report be transmitted not more than 30 days after the incident. Stipulates that such report shall include a description of the incident and persons involved, the identity of any government providing support for such terrorist acts, a description of the actions of any government which assisted in bringing about a positive termination of the incident, and a description of the response of the United States to such incident. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a list of governments which have demonstrated a pattern of support for international terrorism. Directs the President with respect to countries appearing on such list to: (1) provide no assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) not authorize any sale of, or extend any credit or guaranty, with respect to defense articles or services; (3) approve no export license for the export of commodities or technical data which has a potential military application or which would otherwise enable a foreign government to support acts of international terrorism; or (4) extend no duty-free treatment under the Trade Act of 1974. Authorizes the President to suspend such sanctions in the interest of national security. Authorizes the President to take such other actions with respect to such countries as are deemed appropriate. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to assess the effectiveness of the security measures at foreign airports. Directs the Secretary, upon a finding that such an airport does not maintain effective security measures, to notify the appropriate authorities of such foreign government of his findings and to recommend any steps necessary to bring the security measures in use to the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Directs the Secretary to publish the names of foreign airports which fail to bring their security measures into compliance with such standards and to display the names of such airports at United States airports. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold, revoke, or impose conditions on the operating authority of any carrier or foreign air carrier to engage in foreign air transportation utilizing such an airport. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance concerning aviation security to foreign governments. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture explosive materials which do not contain identification taggants which are retrievable after detonation and which make possible the identification of the manufacturer, the date of manufacture and which provide such other information as the Secretary of the Treasury may require. Makes it unlawful to manufacture explosive materials which do not contain a detction taggant which permits detection of such material prior to its detonation. Makes the importation, transportation, or receipt of explosive materials without identification and detection taggants, illegal. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of such taggant requirements. Makes it illegal: (1) to interfere with the operation of any civil aircraft; (2) to commit any act of violence against an aircraft passenger; or (3) to willfully communicate false information which endangers the safety of any aircraft while in flight. Imposes criminal penalties on individuals committing specified offenses against or on board aircraft registered in a State other than the United States and who are afterwards found in this country. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for individuals imparting false information regarding attempts or alleged attempts to commit specified crimes against aircraft. Directs the President to submit to Congress every two years a Report on Federal and International Capabilities to Combat Terrorism. Urges the President to seek international agreements to assure more effective international cooperation in combating terrorism. Directs the President to develop standards and programs to insure the full implementation of the provisions of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation (Montreal, September 23, 1971). Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to prescribe regulations and orders to prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of nuclear material security information which could result in the theft of nuclear material for use in a nuclear explosive device.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1978
Extends the boundaries of the Toiyabe National Forest, in Nevada, to include specified lands at Mount Diablo, Meridian, Nevada. Removes the existing limitation of $12,500,000 on funds available for the acquisition of property in the area.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1978
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude aliens affiliated with terrorist organizations from: (1) visa eligibility and admission into the United States; (2) temporary parole admission; and (3) transit through the United States as foreign officials. Authorizes the Attorney General to deport such aliens, and prohibits the Attorney General from allowing such aliens to voluntarily depart rather than being deported. Removes specified diplomatic and semidiplomatic immunities from such aliens. Makes it a felony under such Act to knowingly aid such an alien to enter the United States. Defines terrorist organization for purposes of such Act. Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to: (1) define terrorist organization for purposes of such Act; (2) direct the Attorney General to investigate the activities of any person registered under such Act as an agent of a terrorist organization; and (3) make such an agent who knowingly receives funds from such an organization criminally liable.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1978
Authorizes the President of the United States to designate the week beginning on the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week".
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1978
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should direct the Ambassador to the United Nations to use all means at his disposal to obtain action by the General Assembly removing the observer status of the Palestine Liberation Organization at the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1978
Provides that where two or more Members of the House of Representatives pay the basic pay of an individual from the clerk-hire allowance of each such Member, such individual shall be considered to be on the payroll of only one such Member for purposes of determining the number of individuals employed by such Members under the clerk-hire allowance. Requires such Members to designate who shall be considered the employer for the month involved and to report such designation to the Office of Finance.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1978
Condemns those responsible for the crimes against Aldo Moro. States the sense of Congress that: (1) the President extend support to the Government of Italy; and (2) the President encourage nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to work with the Italian Government to coordinate and strengthen efforts of free nations to apprehend terrorists and work through diplomatic channels for the isolation and condemnation of those countries which give refuge and support to terrorists.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1978
Comprehensive Older Americans Act Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require each Federal agency proposing to establish programs and services substantially related to the purposes of such Act to consult with the Administration on Aging prior to the establishment of such programs and services. Authorizes a recipient of a grant under the Older Americans Act of 1965 to enter into an agreement with a profitmaking organization to carry out the provisions of such Act. Declares it to be the purpose of Title III of such Act (Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging) to encourage and assist State and local agencies to concentrate resources to serve older persons by entering into cooperative arrangements with the providers of social services or nutrition services or multipurpose senior centers, for the planning and provision of social services, nutrition services, or multipurpose senior centers. Defines terms used in such Title. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981 for grants approved under such Title. Requires each State, to be eligible to receive a grant under such Title, to designate a State agency as the sole State agency: (1) to develop and administer a State plan formulated pursuant to this Act; and (2) to designate planning and service areas. Requires each such area agency on aging to prepare and develop an area plan. Sets forth specified material to be included in such plan. Requires each State, in order to be eligible for grants under such Title, to submit to the Commissioner on Aging a State plan. Sets forth specified material to be included in such plan. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to insure any mortgage for a multipurpose senior center in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Act. Creates a Multipurpose Senior Center Insurance Fund to be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out all insurance provisions with respect to such mortgages. Authorizes the Commissioner, under the Act, to make grants to eligible tribal organizations, as defined in this Act, to pay all of the costs for the delivery of social and nutritional services for Indians who are age 60 and over. Sets forth criteria for applications for such grants. Requires the Commissioner to make grants to States for: (1) the establishment and operation of nutrition projects for older persons which five or more days a week, provide, in a congregate setting, at least one hot or cold meal per day, each of which assures a minimum of one-third of the daily recommended dietary allowances; and (2) the establishment and operation of multipurpose senior centers which shall be community facilities for the organization and provision of a broad spectrum of social services or nutrition services, or both, for older persons; (3) the provision of legal services for the elderly; and (4) the conduct of projects under which a State ombudsman receives and investigates complaints made by or on behalf of older persons who are residents of long-term care facilities relating to administrative action which may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of such residents. Declares that, under the Act, a national manpower policy shall be developed for the field of aging which will reflect the present and future needs for training personnel in all programs serving the elderly. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants for the purpose of conducting studies on: (1) the problems experienced by State and area agencies on aging and other service providers in operating transportation services; (2) the impact of this Act and other service and benefit programs in meeting the long-range needs of the elderly population; and (3) the differences in unit costs, service delivery and access between rural areas and urban areas for services assisted under this Act and the special needs of the elderly residing in rural areas. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to develop and operate statewide, regional, metropolitan area, county, city, or community model projects which will demonstrate methods to expand or improve social services and promote the well-being of older persons. Requires the Commissioner in making such grants to give special consideration to projects designed: (1) to assist in meeting the housing needs of older persons; (2) to provide continuing education to older persons; (3) to provide preretirement education information; (4) to provide services to assist in meeting the particular needs of physically and mentally impaired older persons; (5) to meet the special needs of, and improve the delivery of services to older persons who are not receiving adequate services under other provisions of this Act; (6) to assist older persons to remain within their communities and out of institutions; (7) to establish comprehensive service systems for older persons residing in rural areas; and (8) to develop or improve methods of coordinating all available home social services for the homebound elderly, blind, and disabled by establishing demonstration projects. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to and enter into contracts with appropriate bodies to support programs of legal services and ombudsman programs established under provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to support the development of comprehensive, coordinated systems of community long-term care for older persons. Requires such grants to be used for the development of programs which provide a full continuum of services designed to support alternatives to institutional living, including (1) adult day health; (2) individual assessment of need, service plan development, monitoring, and evaluation of service effectiveness; (3) supported living in public and private, nonprofit housing; (4) family respite services; (5) preventative health services; (6) home health, homemaker, and other rehabilitative and maintenance in-home services; (7) geriatric health maintenance organizations; and (8) other services which the Commissioner determines are appropriate. Redesignates Title IV (Training and Research) of the Act "Training, Research, and Discretionary Projects and Programs. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for: (1) multidisciplinary centers of gerontology; and (2) the Older American Community Service Employment Program. Title II: White House Conference on Aging - 1981 White House Conference on Aging Act - Declares it the policy of the Congress that the Federal Government should work with the States and citizens to develop recommendations and plans to meet the needs of older persons. Requires that programs developed under this Act place emphasis upon the right of older persons to free choice and self-help in planning their futures. Authorizes the President of the United States to call a White House Conference on Aging in 1981 to develop recommendations for research and action in the field of aging. Requires the Conference to include representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, and professional and lay people working in the field of aging including older persons. Directs that a final report of the White House Conference, containing a comprehensive statement of a coherent national policy on aging and the recommendations of such Conference, be submitted to the President and Congress within a specified time. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in administering this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to the Conference and such other technical committees as may be necessary to carry out such Conference. Title III: Study of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in Programs for Older Americans - Directs the Commission on Civil Rights: (1) to undertake a comprehensive study of discrimination based on race or ethnic background in any federally assisted programs and activities which affect older persons; and (2) to identify any federally assisted activity in which evidence is found of persons or organizations who are otherwise qualified being, on the basis of race or ethnic background, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, refused employment or contracts with, or subject to discrimination under, such activity.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1978
Comprehensive Older Americans Act Amendments - Title I: Administration on Aging - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize each area agency on aging to waive any minimum age requirement for eligibility under Title III (State and Community Programs on Aging), Title V (Multipurpose Senior Centers), or Title VII (Nutrition Programs), if such waiver is necessary or appropriate to facilitate the participation in programs under any such title by members of minority groups in particular communities or areas. Establishes, in the Administration on Aging, the Office of Affirmative Action and Minority Affairs. Requires the Office to: (1) review any State plan for the provision of social services to the aged to determine if such plan provides for compliance with applicable law by assuring that members of minorities are eligible to receive services under such plan in amounts which are at least proportionate to the number of such individuals in the planning and service area or State involved; and (2) develop a complaint and grievance procedure for use in communities and other areas receiving services under the provisions of the Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the Federal Council on Aging. Designates the Director of the National Institute on Aging as an ex officio member of the Federal Council on Aging. Stipulates that no part of the cost of any program under this Act may be treated as income or benefits to any eligible individual, other than any wage paid, for the purpose of any other program or provision of State or Federal law. Exempts any wage received by any older person under this Act from any State or Federal income tax: (1) to the extent that such wage is for 20 hours of work or less in any work week; and (2) to the extent such wage or salary does not exceed any applicable minimum wage law. Title II: State and Community Programs - Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for area planning and social service programs under the Act. Requires an area plan developed by an area agency on aging: (1) to provide for the establishment and operation of affirmative action programs designed to furnish special assistance to older persons who are members of minority groups; and (2) to provide for the designation of one or more focal points (such as multipurpose senior centers) for the delivery of social services. Grants to any unit of general purpose local government, not designated as a planning and service area: (1) the right, before approval of the State plan, to a review of the denial of such designation by the State; and (2) the right to representation on the advisory council established pursuant to the Act for the planning and service area in which such unit is located. Requires each State, to be eligible for grants, to provide that the State agency responsible for the programs act as an advocate for older persons, and that area agencies on aging shall act as advocates for older persons in their communities. Authorizes each area agency to concentrate its efforts on one or more programs for purposes of complying with the State plans. Authorizes the Commission on Aging to make grants for model projects: (1) to establish comprehensive service systems for older persons residing in rural areas which are designed to utilize approaches, methods, and techniques specially suited to rural areas; and (2) to enable older persons to provide for the security of their homes through construction modifications and the installation of security devices. Requires each State agency responsible for the programs under this Act, to be eligible for grants, to establish an advocate program to provide advocate services to the residents of long-term care facilities. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to establish programs to provide legal services to older persons. Requires the Commissioner to provide reimbursement to any State for the delivery of social services during any major disaster declared by the President. Requires the Commissioner to establish a special grant program to enable States to establish community long-term care initiatives designed to assess the needs of chronically ill or disabled older persons and to assist in the efficient operation of a comprehensive and coordinated system for the delivery of services to such older persons. Requires such grant program to insure that: (1) the needs of individual older persons for services are identified; (2) individual older persons are referred to appropriate services; and (3) procedures are established to insure that services continue to be responsive to the needs of individual older persons. Title III: Training and Research - Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants: (1) to assist community colleges and junior colleges in the development of programs relating to gerontology; and (2) to develop and maintain informal educational opportunities for older persons. Requires the Commissioner to conduct a comprehensive study of the problems of older persons residing in rural areas. Requires the Commissioner to set aside such funds as may be necessary: (1) to train individuals who are members of minority groups and who are employed in fields related to the purposes of this Act; and (2) to conduct a study of issues relating to the needs of older persons who are members of minority groups. Requires any multidisciplinary center of gerontology which receives a grant under the Act to establish an affirmative action plan to provide for the recruitment, enrollment, and education of individuals who are members of minority groups. Authorizes the Commissioner to establish a grant program to make reimbursements to institutions of higher education to defray a portion of tuition costs applicable to eligible older persons at such institutions. Sets forth information which must be included in an application from an institution of higher education in order to receive such reimbursements. Stipulates that any older person who is qualified to enroll in any course of study at an institution of higher education receiving reimbursements under this Act shall be eligible for such enrollment without being required to defray any cost of tuition. Title IV: Multipurpose Senior Centers - Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to provide for multipurpose senior centers which will serve as focal points in communities for the development and delivery of social services and nutritional services designed primarily for older persons. Defines the term "multipurpose senior center" as a community facility for the organization and provision of a broad spectrum of services (including provision of health, social, and educational services and provision of facilities for recreational activities) for older persons. Requires any State desiring to receive funds for such centers to submit to the Commissioner a State plan. Sets forth specified information which must be provided in such plan. Increases the principal obligation allowed on a mortgage for a multipurpose senior center from $250,000 to $1,000,000. Title V: Nutrition Projects - Establishes a nutrition project for the elderly which, five or more days per week, provides at least one home-delivered meal which assures a minimum of one-third the daily recommended dietary allowances. Stipulates that in allotting funds for nutrition projects preference shall be given to congregate projects and meals-on-wheels projects that are operating in those areas of each State that contain the highest incidence of low-income individuals, and, to the extent feasible, projects receiving allotments shall be operated by and serve the needs of, minority, Indian, and limited English-speaking eligible individuals in proportion to their numbers in their State. Directs the Commissioner to develop minimum criteria of efficiency and quality for the furnishing of home-delivered meal services. Provides that such criteria shall be designed so that well-established meals-on-wheels programs may continue such service without major alteration in the furnishing of such services. Requires that a State plan for a nutrition program shall provide assurances that contracts shall be made, to the maximum extent feasible, with existing meals-on-wheels organizations. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for home-delivered meal nutrition programs. Requires the Commissioner to conduct a study of the effectiveness of the national home-delivered meals program. Title VI: Employment Opportunities - Defines an individual who has low income for purposes of Title IX (Community Service Employment for Older Americans) of the Act as an individual who receives regular cash welfare payments or whose annual income does not exceed the appropriate percentage of State median income which determines eligibility for adult services under Title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for community service employment programs for older Americans. Title VII: White House Conference on Aging - Declares it the policy of the Congress that the Federal Government should work with the States and citizens to develop recommendations and plans to meet the needs of older persons. Requires that programs developed under this Act place emphasis upon the right of older persons to free choice and self-help in planning their futures. Authorizes the President of the United States to call a White House Conference on Aging in 1981 to develop recommendations for research and action in the field of aging. Requires the Conference to include representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, professional and lay people working in the field of aging including older persons. Directs that a final report of the White House Conference, containing a comprehensive statement of a coherent national policy on aging and the recommendations of such Conference, be submitted to the President and Congress within a specified time. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in administering this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to the Conference and such other technical committees as may be necessary to carry out such Conference. Title VIII: General Provisions - Adds to the Older Americans Act of 1965 a new Title VIII, Grants for Indian Tribes. Authorizes the Commissioner, under the Act, to make grants to eligible tribal organizations, as defined in this Act, to pay all of the costs for the delivery of social and nutritional services for Indians who are age 60 and over. Sets forth criteria for applications for such grants. Authorizes the Commissioner to delegate to the Secretary of the Interior or to the head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs any functions under this title. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make available surplus Indian educational facilities for use as multipurpose senior centers. Authorizes appropriations for the program through fiscal year 1981. Amends the formula under which funds are allocated to States for State and community programs on aging, nutrition programs for older Americans, and community service employment programs for older Americans. Requires the Commission on Civil Rights to study the occurrence of discrimination based on race in any program designed to assist older persons which receives Federal financial assistance. Amends the Age Discrimination Act of 1975: (1) to change the prohibition declared in the statement of purpose from unreasonable discrimination to any discrimination on the basis of age in programs receiving Federal financial assistance; (2) to authorize any person aggrieved pursuant to this Act, upon exhausting Federal administrative remedies, to bring a civil action; and (3) to require the head of each Federal agency to annually issue a report detailing the steps taken in the preceding year to carry out specified provisions of the Act. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for area planning and social service programs, multipurpose senior centers, and nutrition programs under the Older Americans Act of 1965. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1979 for the National Older Americans Volunteer Programs under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1978
Expresses Congressional disapproval of the sale of F-5E aircraft to Egypt, F-15 aircraft to Saudi Arabia, and F-15 and F-16 aircraft to Israel, proposed to Congress April 28, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants to local governments and urban and insular areas for the rehabilitation and development of recreation areas and facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1978
Amends the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1975 to allow the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe the terms and conditions applying to lands added to approved coal lands leases.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1978
Amends the Trade Act of 1974, with respect to the authority of the President to negotiate trade agreements, to direct the President to reserve any article for which an agreement limiting agricultural imports has been entered into, from negotiations to reduce or eliminate customs duties or import restrictions.
![Official portrait of Rep. Santini, James D. [D-NV-98]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000058_200.jpg)