United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1977
Wildlife on Federal Lands Trapping Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue such regulations, relating to trapping, as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any type of trap unless such trap utilizes the most humane capture method available for the species concerned, and minimizes the probability of capturing species for which such trap was not intended. Directs the Secretary to undertake a research program to develop such types of traps. Establishes an advisory commission to make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to traps designed or intended for use. Prohibits the Secretary from permitting trapping on Federal lands where such trapping may reduce any species below specified levels. Sets forth a procedure for the application and issuance of trapping permits. Requires the attachment of a shipping certificate to any package containing the fur, hide, skin, horn, or feathers of any mammal or bird captured by any trap within any State or the District of Columbia if such package is transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) engaging in trapping without a permit issued pursuant to this Act; (2) violating any condition of such permit; (3) violating any regulation of the Secretary relating to trapping; (4) selling or transporting in interstate commerce an unapproved trap; or (5) falsifying the shipping certificate. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with States with respect to the imposition of trapping regulations consistent with those prescribed under this Act. Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Electric Utility Act Title I: Improving Efficiency of, and Preserving Competition in, Generation and Transmission of Electricity - Amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Power Commission to take additional action to increase the transmission capacity of electric generating facilities. Requires the use of central dispatch generating systems in all areas where technologically and economically feasible. Directs the Commission to require utilities to report anticipated shortages of electric energy and to accommodate such shortages in a manner designed to insure continuity of service to retail and wholesale customers. Establishes preliminary proceedings on proposed new utility rate schedules to allow the Commission to authorize such schedules on an interim basis. Prohibits utilities from proposing rate increases while the Commission has pending before it a schedule filed by the same utility, except under extraordinary circumstances. Prohibits increases or automatic adjustments resulting in increases in rate schedules without consideration of such increases in an evidentiary hearing. Requires review of legitimate automatic adjustment clauses by the Commission at least every two years. Authorizes the Commission to issue orders prohibiting unfair methods of competition by public utilities. Authorizes the Commission to review plans for operation of bulk power facilities and to require that such facilities be constructed in a manner consistent with antitrust laws. Directs the Commission to prescribe standards of electric utility reliability. Directs the Commission to prescribe rules encouraging the cogeneration of electric energy with other forms of energy. Revises the prohibition against interlocking directorates contained in such Act to include additional occupations which may not be held by officers or directors of public utilities without approval by the Commission. Title II: Coordination of Planning of Bulk Power Facilities - Requires that electric utilities which control bulk power facilities prepare an annual long-range plan for the use of each such facility. Establishes areawide planning councils to review such plans and submit area plans for bulk power facilities to the Commission. Title III: Improving Efficiency of Use of Electricity - Limits the applicability of the provisions of this title to sales of electric energy by electric utilities for purposes other than resale. Establishes national minimum standards for State-regulated electric utility rates. Stipulates that such rates shall reflect actual costs of providing electric service to each consumer class. Authorizes lower rates for electric energy for essential needs of residential electric consumers, as defined by the State regulatory authority. Stipulates that promotional, political, or institutional advertising costs incurred by public utilities, with specified exceptions, shall not be chargeable to electric consumers. Authorizes electric utilities to recover reasonable costs incurred for pollution control facilities from electric consumers. Prohibits increases or automatic adjustments resulting in increases in State-regulated electric utility rates without consideration of such increases in an evidentiary hearing. Stipulates that automatic adjustment clauses shall be subject to review by the State regulatory authority at least every two years. Requires State regulated electric utilities to promptly implement alternative load management techniques which have been determined to be practicable and cost-effective. Requires such utilities to inform electric consumers of existing rate schedules on and annual basis. Requires notification within 30 days of any proposed changes in rate schedules. Requires such utilities to furnish data on amount of actual electric energy consumption upon request by a specific consumer. Imposes minimum procedures upon such utilities to be followed prior to termination of electric service. Stipulates that nonregulated utilities shall be subject to the same requirements imposed by this title upon State-regulated utilities. Prohibits any rate increases by electric utilities except in accordance with such requirements. Establishes procedures for administration and enforcement of the provisions of this title. Authorizes State regulatory agencies or electric consumers to intervene in any proceeding under this title. Title IV: Consumer Representation and Assistance to State Agencies - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to authorize the Federal Energy Administrator to make grants to State utility regulatory commissions to: (1) improve staffing; (2) encourage the development of innovative rate structures; and (3) to provide for programs to meet requirements with respect to participation in proceedings. Authorizes the appropriation of $40,000,000 per fiscal year for improved staffing. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 per fiscal year for each of the remaining purposes of this title. Establishes procedures for equitable allotment of sums appropriated under this title among the States in accordance with prescribed guidelines. Amends the Federal Power Act to establish an independent Office of Public Counsel in the Federal Power Commission to represent consumer interests in proceeding before the Commission. Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums to the Office: $500,000 for fiscal year 1978; $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1979; $2,200,000 for fiscal year 1980; and $2,400,000 for fiscal year 1981. Authorizes compensation of other parties in Commission proceedings whose views might not otherwise be adequately represented without such assistance. Stipulates that the total amount of such assistance shall not exceed $2,000,000 to all persons in any fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1977
Investment Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional investment tax credit for machinery and equipment placed in service on existing manufacturing plants or in nearby areas.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1977
Alaskan Oil Distribution and Export Plan - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 to prohibit exports of domestically produced crude oil transported by pipeline over rights-of-way granted pursuant to such Act. Authorizes exemptions from such prohibition where required for convenience or increased efficiency of transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide that the requirements of such Act shall apply to the Congress, Federal agencies, and the courts of the United States. Assigns to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, in the case of any workplace under the authority or jurisdiction of the Secretary of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the powers otherwise assigned to the Secretary of Labor or to such Commission, including the authority to (1) conduct investigations and inspections; (2) issue citations; and (3) conduct hearings and issue orders.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Energy Industry Divestiture Act - Revises the Clayton Act to make it unlawful, after a specified date, for any corporation or association affecting commerce to control mineral deposits in two or more of the following classes: (1) coal; (2) petroleum and natural gas; or (3) uranium and other fissionable minerals. Disallows such corporation or association, after a specified date, from performing two or more of the following activities: (1) owning deposits of; (2) producing; (3) transporting; or (4) marketing at retail, petroleum, petroleum products, or natural gas. Prohibits any corporation or association which, with its affiliates, produces, refines, or transports at retail a daily worldwide average of at least 1,600,000 barrels of crude oil, or the equivalent in natural gas, or products of petroleum refining, from participating in a joint venture with any other such corporation or association except with specific approval of the Attorney General. Requires any corporation or association that would be in violation of this Act, but for the specified compliance date, to submit plans to the Federal Trade Commission for compliance by such date. Prohibits any person from serving as a director, officer, or employee of two or more corporations or associations in the energy industry.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Neighborhood Government Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals nonrefundable income tax credits for a portion of the amounts contributed by them to neighborhood corporations which provide municipal services. Limits the amounts allowable to different percentages of the individuals contributions, depending on the individual's income, and ranging from 80 percent of contributions by persons making not more than $10,000 in taxable income to ten percent of contributions by individuals with taxable incomes greater than $25,000. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to pay neighborhood corporations a percentage of the non-Federal taxes paid by each of their members which is equal to the same percentage of neighborhood contributions each member is allowed a credit. Allows the Secretary to reduce such payments where there are insufficient funds to make the payments, and to require such reports and accounting procedures as are necessary to account for Federal funds. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress annually on payments made and reports received under this program. Authorizes all necessary appropriations for the purpose of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Sludge Management Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to study the environmental, health, and economic effects of subsurface landfilling sludge on soils and ground water, and alternate methods of sludge disposal. Directs the Administrator to develop guidelines for sludge disposal and land-spreading in order to protect the public health and welfare. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States and localities of up to 40 percent of the cost of removal of sludge from navigable waters of the United States or any adjacent shoreline. Directs the Administrator to establish an Environmental Protection Agency Task Force on sludge removal. Authorizes the establishment of programs of training, demonstration, and surveys relating to the restoration of water quality where degraded by sludge. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit grants for treatment works, after September 30, 1976, unless the applicant demonstrates that adequate confined disposal methods will be provided.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Tax Equity Act - Title I: Capital Gains and Losses - Repeals the alternative tax presently allowed to corporations, individuals and life insurance companies on long-term capital gains. Provides, in lieu of the present 50 percent deduction for net long-term capital gain, an exclusion of so much of the gain as does not exceed one-half of one percent of adjusted basis of the property times the number of months the property was held over 12 months. Limits capital losses to capital gains and gains from the exchange of business property in the case of corporations, and, in the case of other taxpayers, to capital gains and gains from the exchange of business property plus the taxable income of the taxpayer or $3,000, whichever is smaller. Allows the executor of a decedent's estate to include in gross income any unrealized capital gains on descendent's property to the extent that the decedent had a net capital loss for the taxable year. Provides that income from the sale or exchange of patent rights shall be treated as royalties (ordinary income) rather than as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. Title II: Income Derived from Extraction of Minerals - Repeals the percentage depletion allowance for taxable years beginning after 1977. Allows the deduction of expenditures (including intangible drilling costs) incurred in the exploration and development of mineral property, but only to the extent of taxable income derived from such properties. Provides an exclusion from gross income of amounts derived from foreign mineral properties, provided that such income is not derived from: (1) a nonoperating mineral interest; (2) distributions received with respect to the stock of a corporation; and (3) amounts includible in gross income as undistributed profits of controlled foreign corporations. Limits the losses allowable from the disposition of mineral property to the extent of the gains from the sale or exchange of such properties during the taxable year. Title III: Reform Measures Affecting Primarily Individuals - Provides that the maximum rate of income tax for individuals shall be 50 percent of taxable income. Allows a credit of 24 percent of the amount of deductions which would be allowable, but for this credit, for the following: (1) personal exemptions; (2) interest on non-business obligations; (3) non-business State and local taxes; (4) non-business losses of property; (5) charitable contributions; (6) medical care; and (7) taxes and interest paid by a cooperative housing association. Authorizes the President to increase or decrease the 24 percent credit rate authorized by this Act subject to the disapproval by either House of Congress. States that the income received by a child from a trust created by his parent, and dividends, interest, and royalties from property given the child by his parent shall be included in the gross income of the parent if the parent claims the above credit for the exemption allowable for such child as a dependent. Provides that shareholder-employees of closely held corporations must include in gross income that part of contributions paid by an employer-corporation (and deductible by it) to trusts, annuities, or bond purchase plans for the benefit of the shareholder-employee in excess of (1) the lesser of 15 percent of his compensation; or (2) $7500, and the amount of any forfeitures allocated to the employee's account under a stock bonus or profit-sharing plan. Repeals the $100 exclusion from gross income for dividends and trust income. Restricts the business and income-producing expense deduction for business or trade-related conventions held outside of the United States to the cases where it is more reasonable for the meeting to be held outside of the United States than within it. Disallows business expense deductions for the use of a dwelling unit which is used by the taxpayer during the taxable year as a residence. Limits such deductions for vacation homes. Limits the allowable deductions attributable to farming by individuals whose nonfarm adjusted gross income exceeds $20,000 to gross income derived from farming for the taxable year, plus, in the case of an individual, the higher of $10,000 or the amount of certain allowable deductions. Provides for the computation of earnings and profits on a consolidated basis with respect to distributions by the common parent corporation of a controlled group of corporations. Provides for the recognition of gains incurred upon transfers to corporations controlled by the transferor where the gain qualifies as a dividend. Specifies that stock options granted to an employee by an employer corporation shall be treated as an option without a readily ascertainable value unless the option is traded on a stock exchange. Taxes trust income payable to the children of a grantor with a reversionary interest to the grantor if the child is under 21 years of age or a student. Applies the limitation on partnership losses to real estate partnerships. Repeals the exemption for earned income from foreign sources. Provides that a partnership shall be treated as a corporation for purposes of income taxation upon filing of a registration statement for the offering of units of interest in a partnership with the Securities Exchange Commission. Title IV: Reform Measures Affecting Primarily Corporations - Repeals the investment credit for business property placed in service after 1977. Repeals the Asset Depreciation Range System. States that, in the case of a corporation, the depreciation allowance shall not exceed the depreciation recorded on the corporation's books. Provides that the deduction for repair expenses shall be limited to the amount recorded on the corporation's books. Provides that if a deduction is allowable to a corporation during the taxable year for interest on purchases of stock of an unaffiliated corporation, the dividends received from such corporation shall be eligible for the dividends received deduction only to a limited extent. Repeals the provision allowing nonrecognition of gain on the sale of inventory in certain liquidations. Disqualifies as reorganization certain transactions which result in the shareholders of a merging corporation owning less than 20 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the surviving corporation. Repeals the special treatment of bad debt reserves of financial institutions. Taxes the undistributed profits of foreign corporations to such corporations' American shareholders based on each shareholder's pro rata share of such undistributed profits. Repeals the tax exemption presently permitted to Domestic International Sales Corporations. Provides that where property acquired through involuntary conversion is stock of a corporation owning property similar or related in service or use to the converted property, the basis of such property owned by the corporation shall also be reduced by the amount of gain which is not recognized on account of the purchase of such stock. Repeals an exception to the penalty provisions for underpayment of estimated income tax insofar as they pertain to corporations whose tax for any of the preceding three tax years exceeded $300,000. Title V: Reforms Affecting Individuals and Corporations - Provides that amounts which otherwise would be allowable as a deduction and are attributable to the development of any fruit or nut grove or any vineyard shall be charged to capital account, with exceptions for specific types of development and for replanting of groves and vineyards damaged by weather, disease, or casualty. Repeals the tax exemptions for ships under foreign flags. Provides that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue shall have the authority to conduct any civil litigation in any court concerning tax liability, taxpayer suits, or the collection of internal revenue taxes in the name of the United States. Provides that the 15 percent minimum tax will apply to all tax preferences which exceeds $10,000. Subjects interest on governmental obligations and foreign tax credits to the minimum tax on preferences. Provides that the difference between the cost to a shareholder of the use of corporate property and the fair market value of such use shall be includible in the gross income of the shareholder. Limits the allowable depreciation deduction for rental real estate to an amount which will not reduce the adjusted basis to an amount below any mortgage indebtedness on such property. Reduces the deduction for charitable gifts of appreciated property to the amount of the property's basis at the time of the gift. Title VI: Reforms Affecting Private Foundations and Estate and Gift Taxes - Provides that a trust or other organization which is controlled by non-tax exempt organizations may still be considered a private foundation if its trustees or directors may distribute 50 percent or more of its income to qualified persons. Extends the disqualification of controlled foundations to include those which are only supervised or controlled in connection with unqualified organizations. Provides that organizations qualifying for tax exempt status because of their substantial support from Federal, State or local governments or from the general public may not receive more than one-half of one percent of their total support from any one individual or group related individuals. Excludes transfers with a reversionary interest in the decedent from the value of the decedent's gross estate. Requires the inclusion in the gross estate of the full value of an annuity provided by an employer. Includes in the value of a decedent's gross estate, life insurance proceeds on policies owned by the decedent's surviving spouse and on any policies not owned by the decedent to the extent that they are attributable to premiums paid by the decedent or his spouse. Limits the aggregate amount of charitable deductions allowed under the estate tax to 50 percent of the amount by which the value of the gross estate exceeds the aggregate amount of deductions for expenses, indebtedness, taxes, and casualty losses incurred during the settlement of the estate, or $1,000,000, whichever is greater. Allows a deduction from the gift tax of charitable gifts where the donor retained some interest in the transferred property which was later extinguished. Title VII: State and Local Obligations - Repeals the income tax for interest on State and local obligations issued after 1977. Directs the United States to pay 35 percent of the interest yield on State and local obligations. Title VIII: Withholding of Income Tax on Dividends and Interest - Directs every person who pays interest or dividends to deduct and withhold on such interest or dividends a tax equal to ten percent of the amount thereof. Directs every person required to deduct and withhold any tax to make quarterly returns of such tax to the appropriate Government officer.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
National Historic Preservation Policy Act - Title I: Declaration of National Historic Preservation Policy - Declares that it is the duty of the Federal Government, in cooperation with other nations, the States, and local communities, and private organizations and individuals, to promote the preservation and conservation of the historic, architectural, archeological, and cultural properties of the United States and of the international community of Nations. Title II: National Historic Preservation Program - Renames the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as the Council on Historic Preservation. States that such Council is to administer specified Acts which relate to the historic preservation responsibilities of the Secretary of the Interior and the National Park Service. Requires the Council, in furtherance of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, to establish a program to nominate historic and cultural properties of universal significance to the World Heritage Committee. Directs the Council to promote nominations to the National Register of Historic Places of any properties proposed for sale, transfer, demolition or substantial alteration as a result of any Federal agency action, to provide training, information and advice concerning techniques for the preservation of historic and cultural properties, to establish a program for the emergency acquisition of property included in the National Register and threatened with immediate demolition, and to report to Congress on the national historic preservation program. Requires all Federal agencies, in cooperation with the appropriate State historic preservation officer, to nominate to the National Register all eligible districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects under the jurisdiction or control of such agency or that may be affected by agency action, and to assume responsibility for the preservation of such properties included or eligible to be included in the National Register. Allows the transference of control of such properties to the Secretary of the Interior. Title III: Administrative Provisions - Provides for the administration of the Historic Preservation Fund for fiscal years 1978 through 1981. Requires each Federal agency to expend appropriated funds for the maintenance of properties included in the National Register under its jurisdiction or control.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Gives Congressional endorsement to the efforts of the United States Delegation to the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea to achieve a multilateral treaty which articulates the principle that deep seabed resources are the common heritage of all people and should be utilized with a view to distributing revenues to all countries. Endorses particularly the establishment of an International Seabed Authority to regulate such a system.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Repeals all the price support and marketing provisions relating to tobacco of the Agricultural Act of 1949, the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, and related laws. Prohibits the Commodity Credit Corporation, under its Charter Act, from exercising any of its specified powers with respect to tobacco.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the program of Aid to Families with Dependent Children of Title IV and Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to assure that recipient of aid and benefits under such Titles do not have the amount of such and or benefits reduced because of increases in the amount of benefits under Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Excludes cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits from consideration as household income for purposes of determining: (1) eligibility for participation in the food stamp program; (2) the charge for issuing a coupon allotment to a household; and (3) eligibility for any Federal program administered by the Department of Agriculture which provides for the donation or distribution of surplus agricultural commodities to low-income persons.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act - Allows an income tax credit for 30 percent of the expenditures not exceeding $750 which the taxpayer paid or incurred during the taxable year for installation of insulation or energy-conserving components which improve heating plant efficiency in his principal residence. Limits the application of this credit to expenditures paid or incurred for installations made between 1976 and 1982 in pre-existing dwellings. Reduces the allowable credit, on a graduated scale, for individuals with adjusted gross incomes greater than $10,000. Allows an income tax credit for 40 percent of the first $1,500, and a secondary credit for 25 percent of the next $7,600 paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year for the installation of qualified solar, wind and geothermal energy equipment in his principal residence. Allows an income tax credit for 20 percent of the first $1,500, and a secondary credit for 12.5 percent of the next $7,600 paid or incurred for the installation of wood stove, heat pump, or burner equipment in connection with new solar, wind or geothermal energy equipment which will be the principal source of space heat in the taxpayer's principal residence. Reduces these limitations in subsequent tax years by subtracting the amounts taken into account for these credits in previous tax years. Limits these credits to equipment installed between 1976 and 1982. Prorates each of the above credits for residential improvements among joint owners and cooperative shareholders according to their proportionate interests in the residential property. Provides for the carryover of any allowable credit which exceeds the taxpayer's current income tax liability. Reduces the allowable credits, on a graduated scale for and Conservation Act. persons with adjusted gross incomes greater than $15,000. Allows an investment tax credit for 25 percent of the qualified investment cost of depreciable geothermal, solar or wind energy equipment placed in service. Allows such a credit for 12 percent of the qualified costs of ventilation, heating, water and other components primarily designed to reduce the heat loss or gain of a structure, and origin ally used by the taxpayer. Prohibits these credits for property originally funded with Federal grants, or located in States which take these energy conserving measures into account for property assessment, or which don't enforce the thermal design requirements of the Energy Policy
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to direct the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to assist less developed countries in the development and utilization of unconventional, nonnuclear energy technologies. Authorizes the Administrator, in cooperation with the Agency for International Development, to conduct studies on the energy needs, uses, and resources in other countries. Stipulates that such studies should be designed to result in the establishment of an information system permitting transfers of unconventional, nonnuclear energy technologies to impoverished areas of the world. Requires that results of such studies and recommendations for cooperative projects be reported to Congress by July 1, 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 to the Energy Research and Development Administration for fiscal year 1978 for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Agricultural Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Title I: Existing Programs - Amends the Bankhead-Jones Act of 1935 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct and to stimulate research and development relating to uses of solar energy with respect to farm buildings, farm homes and farm machinery. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 each fiscal year to carry out such research and development. Includes the agricultural uses of solar energy in the agricultural extension programs. Directs that loans, under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, be made for the purchase of farm equipment which utilizes solar energy and for the acquisition and installation of any qualified solar energy thermal conversion system in any residential structure located on a family farm. Title II: Solar Demonstration Farms - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Research and Demonstration Planning Committee which shall be responsible for compiling a list of solar energy research projects and for meeting with regional representatives of the State departments of agriculture to determine which projects will be useful and beneficial to the several States. Requires each State department of agriculture to establish one large model farm and within one year to establish not less than ten demonstrations of solar energy research projects using the most efficient or practicable research projects demonstrated on such model farm. Stipulates the terms of any agreement entered into between selected farmowners and the State departments of agriculture for the establishment of such demonstration projects. Authorizes the appropriation of $20,000,000 for the purposes of this title, of which 80 percent is to be used by State departments of agriculture for the model farm and demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Solar and Energy Conservation Commercialization Act - Amends the National Housing Act to specify additional types of Solar energy systems eligible for financial assistance under such Act. Stipulates that such systems shall include solar heating and cooling and hot water systems, geothermal and wind energy systems, and other energy conservation measures and equipment such as insulation, heat pumps and devices to improve furnace efficiency. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants and loans to individuals and families to assist in the purchase of solar, renewable source, and energy conservation measures and equipment. Authorizes grants and loans for similar purposes to neighborhood, community, or nonprofit groups. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make loans to small businesses to assist in the purchase and installation of solar, renewable source, and energy conservation improvements and equipment. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and the Federal Energy Administrator to cooperate in carrying out the provisions of this Act and to jointly submit an annual report to the President and the Congress on activities carried out under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1978 through 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Provides that recipients of veterans' pensions and compensation will not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced because of increases in social security benefits. Applies to annual income determinations made for calendar years after 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to make insurance against damage caused by the movement of frozen water into property located along shorelines available under the national flood insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to change the tax exemption for wine produced for personal consumption to allow an adult to produce (1) 200 gallons of wine for personal consumption per year if there are two or more adults in the household, or (2) 100 gallons for such consumption if there is only one adult in the household. Allows a tax exemption for beer produced by an adult for personal consumption in the amounts set forth above.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Title I: Small Business Act Amendments - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make loans to assist small business concerns in financing plant construction and the acquisition of equipment and supplies for the producing of solar energy or other energy conserving equipment. Authorizes the appropriation of $75,000,000 for such purpose. Authorizes the Administration to provide additional assistance to small businesses in the area of training seminars and technical manuals on the design, installation, and maintenance of solar energy equipment. Title II: Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 Amendments - Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to establish an Office of Invention and Innovation in the Energy Research and Development Administration. Authorizes the Office to evaluate proposals for the development of energy-related inventions and to provide financial assistance for the development of such inventions. Stipulates that not less than 20 percent of the funds appropriated to the Energy Research and Development Administration for solar energy programs shall be expended for the benefit of small business concerns and individual inventors. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to encourage the participation of individuals and small businesses in the research, development, and advancement of energy-conserving technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish energy production and conservation assistance to developing countries, including solar, wind, and water projects. Authorizes consultative visits by the Energy Research and Development Administration to design such projects. Authorizes the President to carry out studies to identify the energy needs, uses, and resources of various countries and regions, with special emphasis on the transfer of energy technology. Requires that $10,000,000 of appropriations for development assistance for fiscal year 1978 be spent only for these purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to assure the individuals otherwise eligible for benefits under such Title do not lose such eligibility, or have the amount of such benefits reduced, because of increases in the amount of benefits under Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Food Stamp Reform Act - Repeals the Food Stamp Act of 1964. Replaces the existing program with a similar program, but: (1) eliminates charges for coupon allotments and makes coupons redeemable for cash; (2) drops the eligibility requirement that household members be related; (3) permits tribal councils to be designated "State agencies" with respect to Indian communities; (4) requires national income standards of eligibility to be income guidelines for the nonfarm United States prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget; (5) specifies exclusions and deductions from household income for qualification purposes; (6) directs that food stamp applications be included on applications forms for other public assistance programs, and requires certification for participation on the same day application is made; (7) allows the Secretary of Agriculture to refer cases of noncomplying State agencies to the Attorney General for suit for injunctive relief, or in the alternative to take over direct administration of a State program; (8) authorizes the Secretary to pay up to 75 percent of all costs of State program investigations, prosecutions, and other activities related to recovering losses; and (9) directs the Secretary to make contracts or grants for research that will help improve the administration and effectiveness of the food stamp program.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Establishes within the House of Representatives a Standing Committee on Intelligence to oversee and make continuing studies of the intelligence activities and programs of the United States Government, and to submit to the House proposals for legislation. Directs referral to the Committee of all matters relating to the Central Intelligence Agency and its Director, intelligence activities of all other Government departments and agencies, organization or reorganization of such departments and agencies related to intelligence activities, and authorizations for appropriations for specified departments and agencies. Amends rules X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a procedure whereby certain legislation reported by the Committee may be referred to other standing committees for consideration, and conversely from other standing committees to the Committee. Requires the Committee to obtain an annual report from the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Secretaries of State and of Defense, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation reviewing the intelligence activities of the agency or departments, and of foreign countries directed at the United States. Sets forth procedures whereby the Committee may disclose publicly any information in its possession which will serve the public interest. Requires the Committee to notify the President of any such proposed disclosure if the information has been previously classified, submitted to it by the executive branch, and if the executive branch has requested that such information by kept secret. Permits the Committee, upon objection by the President to disclosure, to refer the question to the House for consideration. Authorizes the House to (1) approve the public disclosure, (2) disapprove the public disclosure, or (3) leave the final determination to the Committee. Allows the Committee to make certain information regarding lawful intelligence activities which has been classified, available to other committees or Members under specified circumstances. Requires the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to investigate an unauthorized disclosures. Prohibits the appropriation of funds for any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1978 for specified intelligence activities of Federal departments or agencies unless such funds have been authorized by a House bill or joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to study the feasibility of using solar energy in connection with the operation of House Office Buildings and related structures and to report to the House of Representatives within one year of the adoption of this resolution. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000 to be expended by the Architect under the direction of the House Office Building Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Directs the Federal Energy Administrator to establish methods of determining the life cycle cost effectiveness for buildings, considering the life cycle fuel and energy requirements for such buildings. Requires that all Federal buildings be life cycle cost effective and that such determination serve as a basis for the awarding of contracts in the procurement and leasing of new Federal buildings. Directs the Administrator to promote the use of life cycle cost effective methods in all buildings. Directs the Administrator to establish energy performance targets for existing buildings which are compatible with new building performance standards developed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Requires all Federal agencies to conduct an energy audit of existing buildings within their jurisdiction. Requires that a specified percentage of the gross square footage of building space be selected by each agency for retrofitting with appropriate energy conservation measures. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 to the Administrator to perform the functions as authorized or required under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of additional sums as necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Automotive Transport Research and Development Act - Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to establish a program to develop advanced automobile propulsion systems within five years of the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to make grants for research projects designed to assist the furtherance of such program. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to evaluate and report the extent to which the automobile industry utilizes advanced automotive technology. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to test vehicles developed pursuant to the program established by this Act, in order to determine compliance with applicable standards under the Clean Air Act and the Noise Control Act of 1972. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to test such vehicles in order to determine compliance with applicable standards under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, and the Automobile Information Disclosure Act. Establishes contracting procedures consistent with applicable provisions of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to submit annual reports to Congress of activities pursuant to this Act, including results of economic surveys designed to evaluate the extent to which Federal guarantees of financial obligations may aid in developing commercial markets for advanced automobile technology. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to require that efforts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration be directed towards the development of advanced automobile propulsion systems. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 and $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 to carry out the purposes of this Act. Stipulates that no more than 60 percent of such appropriations shall be directly expended in Federal laboratories.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase from one-twelfth of one percent to one-twelfth of seven percent the amount by which an individual's social security benefits are to be increased on account of delayed retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Constituent Postal Card Act - Sets the postage rate for a postal card mailed to the official address of a Member of Congress by a Constituent of such Member at an amount equal to the cost of the manufacture, printing, and delivery of such card.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase to $3,000 the amount of outside earnings which is permitted an individual each year without any deduction from benefits under such title.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Energy Leasing Amendment - Prohibits, under applicable mineral leasing laws, the leasing of lands by the Secretary of the Interior to person: (1) controlling mineral deposits in two or more of the following: coal, oil or natural gas, geothermal steam, or uranium and other fissionable material; (2) engaging in two or more of the following: ownership or production of petroleum or natural gas, refining of petroleum, transportation of petroleum products or natural gas by pipeline, or marketing of petroleum products or natural gas; or engaging in certain joint ventures except as approved by the Secretary. Stipulates that such prohibition shall take effect after December 31, 1979. Authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General, to conduct hearings and gather information to determine compliance with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Investment Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional investment tax credit for machinery and equipment placed in service on existing manufacturing plants or in nearby areas.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Civil Rights Commission Authorization Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1957 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1978, for the Commission on Civil Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Establishes the Admiralty Island National Preserve in Alaska to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands and water interests within the boundaries of the preserve except for lands owned by specified local cities and organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with Kootznoowoo, Incorporated, representative of the Tlingit community of Admiralty Island to establish research programs for the preservation of cultural resources of Admiralty Island. Requires the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a plan indicating lands of historic, cultural and scientific interest. Allows the owner of improved property in the preserve to retain, upon its acquisition by the Secretary, a right of use and occupancy. Requires the Secretary to publish rules concerning such uses of the preserve as hunting, fishing, and public modes of transportation. Requires a local advisory committee to be consulted relative to specified regulations. Directs the Secretary to offer first to Kootznoowoo, Incorporated any contract for the establishment of revenue-producing visitor services. Designates as wilderness specified lands in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. Provides for an exchange of timber rights between the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior and the Interior and Kootznoowoo, Inc. Allows local native organizations, under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, to either Select lands for their own use which shall then be exempted from the preserve or, in specified cases, receive alternative lands of equal value elsewhere in Southeast Alaska.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to designate lands in Hyde Park, New York, as the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site and to acquire such lands. Directs the Secretary to manage the site and to arrange studies, lectures, and seminars to be conducted at the site through agreements with qualified public or private entities. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Cooperative Organization Competition Act - Amends the Clayton Act to subject the operation of agricultural and horticultural organizations to the antitrust laws. Permits their continued existence provided that their formation through an acquisition or merger does not effect commerce by lessening competition or creating a monopoly. Sets limits on the size, as determined by annual sales volume, of members in such organization. Requires equitable relief including dissolution, upon a finding that such conditions are breached by such organization.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Grants a Federal charter to the Army and Navy Union of the United States of America. Declares that the purpose of such corporation is to unite in fraternal fellowship those who have served honorably and those who are now serving honorably in the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Veterans' Administration Administrative Procedure and Judicial Review Act - Provides that the decisions of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs on any question of law or fact under any law administered by the Veterans' Administration providing benefits for veterans and their dependents or survivors shall be subject to judicial review. Subjects all rules regulations, orders and any other determination of any kind made by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Repeals the requirement that the Administrator determine and pay fees to agents or attorneys in allowed claims for monetary benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to increase to $900,000,000 from $600,000,000 in fiscal year 1978 and $750,000,000 in fiscal year 1979 the amount of income to be produced by such Fund in such fiscal years. Authorizes the appropriation to such Fund of such sums, in addition to collected revenues, as are necessary to make the income of the Fund not less than $900,000,000 in fiscal year 1978 and each year thereafter through fiscal year 1989. Credits to a special account within the Fund the additional income to be produced by the Fund in fiscal years 1978 and 1979 in accordance with the amendments made by this Act. States that the special account shall remain available until appropriated for the acquisition of national or federally administered lands. Provides that appropriations allotted for the acquisition of land or waters for Recreation Areas of the National Park System and the National Forest System be available notwithstanding any statutory ceiling on such appropriations contained in any other provision of law enacted prior to the convening of the 95th Congress, except that such expenditures may not exceed such ceiling by a specified excess amount. Permits the Secretary of the Interior, following notice to specified committees in Congress, to modify boundaries of an area of the national park system and acquire land, waters or interests adjacent to such area. Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to issue free lifetime admission permits to designated units of the National Park System to persons 60 years of age or older and to specified blind or disabled persons.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Equity in Social Security for Individuals and Families Act - Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to permit married couples to elect to share their income for social security purposes in a manner similar to the filing of a joint tax return. Provides that, for any year a husband and wife file a joint income tax return, both the husband and the wife shall each be considered to have been paid wages or to have derived self-employment income in such year for the purpose of determining the average monthly wage of the husband and the wife for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance purposes. States that the amount with which each spouse will be credited shall be equal to the higher of: (1) one- half the total of the wages and self-employment income paid to or derived by both of them in such year; or (2) three-fourths of the wages and self-employment income paid to or derived by whichever of them had the larger amount of such wages and self-employment income for such year. States that any person who: (1) is the spouse of a person entitled to old-age or disability insurance and who has no wages or self-employment income; or (2) is the surviving spouse of a fully insured individual shall be credited with the amount of any benefits received under such insurance in determining the average monthly wage of such person for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance purposes. Lowers from 62 to 50 the age at which individuals become eligible for wife's, husband's widow's, and widower's insurance benefits under the Old-Age, Survivor's, and Disability Insurance program. Establishes the percentage of the benefit amount of an eligible spouse to which an ineligible or surviving spouse shall be entitled at 75 percent of the amount to which the eligible spouse is or was entitled under Title II. States that, when the ineligible spouse becomes entitled to benefits in his or her own right, the portion of the other spouse's benefit amount to which the previously ineligible spouse shall be entitled shall be decreased to 25 percent. States that a spouse or surviving spouse not entitled to benefits under Title II but who is or was married to an individual who is or was insured for disability insurance benefits shall be considered insured for benefits with a primary insurance amount equal to the primary insurance amount of the insured spouse. Eliminates the requirement that husbands and widowers be receiving support from their wives in order to qualify for husband's and widower's benefits. Enables a child who is entitled to more than one child's insurance benefit to receive the total amount of all such benefits as a single monthly insurance benefit..
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the limit of 100 visits which applies to post-hospital home health services. Drops the requirement that the home health care provided be of the same kind as provided in prior hospitalization. Eliminates the requirement that a physician review the home health care plan and that the patient be under the care of a physician. Requires that such functions be done by the appropriate health professional under regulation of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Extends Medicare coverage to include periodic chore services, hospital outreach services, nutritional counseling, health and supportive services furnished in elderly day care centers, and expansion of professional standard review organization review functions. Requires the Secretary to establish a review plan which is adapted to meet the non-institutional nature of home health services. Extends Medicare coverage only to those outpatient rehabilitation services which are certified by a physician as being required.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Family Farm Antitrust Act - Finds that vertical integration of the agricultural industry by corporations engaged in the processing, distributing and retail industries, and other conglomerate corporations, tends to create monopolies in the agricultural industry and produce unfair competition for family farms, contributing to the decline of rural populations and the consequent crowding of metropolitan centers. Declares it to be the national policy to restore competition to the agricultural industry and to provide for the continuance of the family farm. Provides that no person engaged in commerce in a business other than farming, whose nonfarming business assets exceed $3,000,000, shall engage in farming or the production of agricultural products, or participate in farming by any means of acquisition or control of another person who is engaged in farming. Specifies exceptions including charitable, educational, or nonprofit institutions, and farmer-owned and controlled cooperatives. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire at fair market value any property or interest of which a person is required to divest himself under the provisions of this Act, if the person is otherwise unable to divest himself of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Campaign Financing Act -- Title I: Public Financing of Congressional General Election Campaigns - Entitles to payments under this Act Congressional candidates who agree to certain reporting and recordkeeping procedures and who certify that (1) he and his authorized committees will not incur campaign expenses in excess of certain limitations, (2) he has qualified to have his name placed on the election ballot in an election for Congressional office, and (3) he has received contributions in excess of a certain sum and no person has given more than $100 toward the amount so certified. Sets the amount of payments to an eligible candidate at the amount of contributions received up to a specified maximum. Stipulates that sums given by any one contributor totalling over $100 shall be disregarded for purposes of matching grants. Restricts use of funds forwarded under this Act to defraying campaign expenses either directly or through repayment of campaign loans. Specifies a limit on the amount of personal funds which a candidate may spend in connection with a Congressional campaign and remain eligible to matching grants. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to specify spending limits for candidates receiving payments under this Act. Waives such limits for candidates whose opponents are not receiving matching payments and have spent sums in excess of the limit imposed for candidates receiving payments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a separate Congressional General Election Payment Account in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and to deposit certain sums in such account in accordance with specified guidelines. Requires repayment of excess payments and unexpended payments. Penalizes use of funds for other than campaign purposes. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to institute repayment actions in district courts. Specifies the administrative authority of the Commission in carrying out this Act. Title II: Public Financing of Presidential General Election Campaigns - Raises the general election spending limit for Presidential candidates who are eligible to receive public funds under either the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act or the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act. Sets limits on the amount which a State party committee may spend in connection with the general election campaign of its Presidential candidate. Provides an alternative method for determining the amount of money to which candidates are entitled under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act based upon amount of contributions received after the final primary. Specifies conditions for candidates electing such method. Permits Presidential candidates eligible to receive payment under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act to receive additional small contributions from individual contributors up to a specified limit. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reduce the maximum amount which a multicandidate committee may contribute to any candidate or his committees. Specifies the effective date of the provisions of this Act and guidelines with respect to deposit in the Congressional General Election Campaign Fund during 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that the duty to bargain collectively includes bargaining with respect to retirement benefits for retired employees.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Social Security Rights Act - Requires that procedures be established for the expedited replacement of undelivered benefit checks under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Requires that decisions (and reconsiderations) on initial benefit claims be made within 90 days. Requires that payment of benefits on approved claims begin no later than the day regularly fixed for delivery of benefit checks in the second month following the month in which the claim was approved.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Senior Citizen Higher Education Opportunity Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require that higher education institutions receiving Federal aid submit to the Commissioner of Education a senior citizen access plan providing for tuition-free registration of qualified senior citizens in scheduled classes and programs on a space available basis. Directs that such plan be implemented to the satisfaction of the Commissioner. Defines "qualified senior citizen" as an individual 60 years of age or older who has completed all course requirements mandated by the institution of higher learning for enrollment in the scheduled class or program. Deems that a class or program has space available if it is not fully subscribed by students other than nonpaying senior citizens. Enjoins the payment of funds or the approval of supplemental or special grants under specified titles of such Act unless the institution seeking aid has established and fully implemented a senior citizen plan.
![Official portrait of Rep. Seiberling, John F. [D-OH-14]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000230_200.jpg)