United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1978
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 · 29 June 1978
Department of Education Organization Act - Title I: Findings and Purpose - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to promote the quality of education and to enable the Federal Government to more effectively coordinate its education activities. Title II: Establishment of the Department - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education, with a Secretary of Education as its head. Establishes within such Department: (1) an Office of Inspector General; (2) a General Counsel; (3) a research and development office; (4) an elementary and secondary education office; (5) a postsecondary education office; (6) an Office for Civil Rights; (7) a child nutrition office; (8) an Indian, Alaskan Natives, and Aleut office; and (9) an overseas dependents office. Establishes an Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Education. Establishes a Federal Interagency Committee on Education to assure effective coordination of Federal programs affecting education. Title III: Transfers of Functions - Transfers to the Secretary of Education specified functions of the: (1) Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; (2) Department of Defense; (3) National Science Foundation; (4) Department of Justice; and (5) Department of Housing and Urban Development. Title IV: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth the authority of the Secretary of Education. Authorizes to be appropriated such funds as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Title V: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Redesignates the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Department of Health and Welfare, and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Secretary of Health and Welfare. Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Educational Assistance Act to authorize the Secretary of Education to enter into contracts with tribal organizations to carry out functions transferred to the Secretary from the Department of the Interior under this Act. Title VI: Effective Date and Interim Appointments - Sets out the effective date of this Act. Authorizes the President of the United States to make initial interim appointments to the Department of Education under specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1978
Animal Welfare Act Amendments - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit coursing (an event which involves the pursuit by one or more dogs of another live animal).
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1978
Press Protection Act - Prohibits any person acting under color of law, without a prior adversary court proceeding, from searching any place or seizing any things in the possession, custody, or control of any person engaged in the gathering or dissemination of news for the print or broadcast media, unless with a warrant issued by a court upon probable cause that such person has committed or is committing a criminal offense. Establishes a criminal fine of not more than $10,000 for violation of this Act, and creates a civil cause of action for any person aggrieved by a violation. Allows punitive damages of up to $10,000, and reasonable attorneys fees.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Citizens Postal Rate Relief Act - Sets the postal rate for personal domestic letter mail of individuals sealed against inspection at 13 cents for the first ounce of each piece and 11 cents for each additional ounce for each piece. Requires the Postal Service to maintain the rate for the class of mail established by this Act at not more than 80 percent of the rate for the transmission of ordinary letters sealed against inspection.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1978
Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require States having agreements for coverage of their employees under the system of insurance established by such Title to make payments and reports on a calendar-quarter basis.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1978
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior, subject to the supervision and approval of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Commission, to construct the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1978
Agricultural Land Retention Act - Title I: Objectives - Declares that it is in the public interest to retain, protect and improve agricultural land, including land in and around urban areas, to reduce its conversion to nonagricultural uses, and to limit the encroachment of industrial activities. Title II: Research Program - Establishes a three-year Agricultural Land Review Commission to study: (1) agricultural land in the United States; (2) the effects of industrial development, climate and other factors on the productivity of such land; (3) the acquisition of such land by persons not engaged in agricultural activities; and (4) methods of protecting and improving such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted to nonagricultural uses. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to public and private institutions to do research pursuant to its study. Requires the Commission to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title III: Demonstration Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay up to 75 percent of the cost and to provide technical assistance to any State pilot project undertaken to demonstrate and test methods of reducing the amount of agricultural land, including land in and around urban areas, being converted to nonagricultural uses. Requires all such projects to be completed within four years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title IV: General Provisions - Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1982. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1978
Directs that Federal Employees Group Life Insurance be made available at any time before retirement to any otherwise eligible Member of Congress or congressional employee who is not covered by such insurance. Stipulates that no Member or employee who is already covered by such insurance shall be required to provide medical evidence of insurability as a condition for optional additional insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1978
Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1974, to increase to three the number of Lyndon Baines Johnson congressional interns which may be hired by each Member of the House of Representatives. Authorizes the payment of additional compensation to such interns from the clerk-hire allowance.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue code to exclude from gross income statutory subsistence allowances received by State police officers between 1969 and 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1978
Agricultural Land Retention Act - Title I: Objectives - Declares that it is in the public interest to retain, protect and improve agricultural land, including land in and around urban areas, to reduce its conversion to nonagricultural uses, and to limit the encroachment of industrial activities. Title II: Research Program - Establishes a three-year Agricultural Land Review Commission to study: (1) agricultural land in the United States; (2) the effects of industrial development, climate and other factors on the productivity of such land; (3) the acquisition of such land by persons not engaged in agricultural activities; and (4) methods of protecting and improving such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted to nonagricultural uses. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to public and private institutions to do research pursuant to its study. Requires the Commission to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title III: Demonstration Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay up to 75 percent of the cost and to provide technical assistance to any State pilot project undertaken to demonstrate and test methods of reducing the amount of agricultural land, including land in and around urban areas, being converted to nonagricultural uses. Requires all such projects to be completed within four years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title IV: General Provisions - Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1982. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue code to exclude from gross income statutory subsistence allowances received by State police officers between 1969 and 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1978
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Extends through 1983 the authorization of appropriations for grants for basic vocational rehabilitation services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Provides that State plans for providing rehabilitation services need be submitted only once every three years instead of annually. Changes the requirements with regard to the contents of State plans, including adding the requirements that the plans provide for vocational rehabilitation services to handicapped American Indians and provide for the establishment and maintenance of information and referral programs so that the handicapped will be aware of the various Federal and State programs which could benefit them. Changes procedures for the withholding of State grants for failure of the State plan to comply with Federal requirements or for failure of the administration of the plan to comply with the plan's own requirements. Allows State vocational rehabilitation services to include (1) the use of existing telecommunications systems which have the potential for improving service delivery methods and (2) the use of services providing recorded material for the blind and captioned material for the deaf. Changes the formula for the computation of State allotments for basic vocational services. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the set aside of funds at the Federal level for regional pilot projects for advising individuals of the benefits available to them under the Act. Establishes a new program of grants to the governing bodies of Indian tribes on reservations for demonstration projects under which the tribes shall develop and provide vocational rehabilitation services for handicapped American Indians residing on or near such reservations. Establishes a National Institute of Rehabilitation Research to be responsible for administering existing programs of rehabilitation research and for coordinating Federal programs and policies relating to research and rehabilitation. Directs the Institute to undertake a study of the way in which Federal programs providing benefits to handicapped individuals might be restructured so as to eliminate any disincentives for persons receiving benefits under such programs to obtain employment. Authorizes the Institute to make grants for the conduct of a research program concerning the use of existing telecommunications systems which have the potential for substantially improving delivery methods. Authorizes the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services to make training grants for medical, social and psychological rehabilitation in addition to vocational rehabilitation. Extends through 1981 the Commissioner's authority to make grants for construction of rehabilitation facilities, for projects to provide vocational training services to handicapped individuals, and for special projects and demonstrations. Revises the program of guarantees of loans for construction of rehabilitation facilities. Renames the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults the Helen Keller Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to the States to establish and operate comprehensive rehabilitation centers which shall provide a broad range of specified services to handicapped individuals. Adds to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 a new Title IV "National Council on the Handicapped," which establishes within Health, Education, and Welfare a National Council on the Handicapped. Sets forth the duties of the Council, including developing general policies for the Rehabilitation Services Administration and the National Institute of Rehabilitation Research. Renames the Architectural Transportation Compliance Board the Architectural Transportation and Communication Barriers Compliance Board, and adds nine handicapped individuals to the membership of the Board. Adds to the duties of the Board the duty to investigate and examine alternative approaches to the communication barriers confronting handicapped individuals. Authorizes United States district courts to award a reasonable attorney's fee to a prevailing plantiff in certain actions brought to enforce rights under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide technical assistance to (1) rehabilitation facilities and (2) nonprofits groups for the removal of architectural, transportation and communication barriers. Title II: Employment Opportunities for Projects with Industry - Employment Opportunities for Handicapped Individuals Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to establish a community service employment program for handicapped individuals with both public and private employers. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to handicapped individuals to enable them to establish and operate their own businesses. Title III: Comprehensive Services for Independent Living - Adds a new title VII to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 "Comprehensive Services for Independent Living." Authorizes, under such Title, the Commissioner to make grants (supplementary to grants under Title I of the Act) to assist States in providing independent living services designed to meet the needs of individuals whose disabilities are so severe that they do not presently have the potential for gainful employment but may benefit from vocational rehabilitation services which will enable them to live and function independently. Title IV: Interagency Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants and contracts for the purpose of research and demonstration projects specifically designed to address the multiple and interrelated service needs of handicapped individuals, the elderly, and children, youths, adults, and families in need of protective services. Requires the submission of a report to Congress on such projects within four months of completion of the project.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1978
Amends the Export Administration Act to prohibit United States persons from making investments in South Africa, other than those consisting soley of earnings derived from existing enterprises and made in such enterprises. Imposes fines of up to $1,000,000 for violations of this Act. Prohibits United States persons with major investments in South Africa from: (1) receiving licenses for exports to South Africa; (2) entering into Federal Government contracts; (3) receiving income tax credits for South African taxes; or (4) using Export-Import Bank services, if engaged in unfair employment practices or if not listed on the roster established by this Act. Establishes the mechanism for enforcement of such prohibitions. Establishes an Advisory Board to recommend policy with respect to the exercise of the authority granted under this Act. Requires persons having major investments, as defined in this Act, to notify the Administrator designated by the President to carry out the Act's provisions. Requires the Administrator to establish a roster of all persons complying with required employment practices. Prescribes procedures for findings of unfair employment practices and for enforcement of violations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1978
Independent Local Newspaper Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to promote the survival of independent newspapers by providing for the establishment of tax exempt trusts for paying estate taxes on such papers, and by postponing the payment of estate taxes on such papers.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow active participants in a retirement plan an income tax deduction for contributions to an individual retirement account in taxable years prior to the vesting of the individual's rights under the retirement plan.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 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 · 18 April 1978
Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require that contracts and agreements respecting any consumer credit transactions subject to such Act be written in clear and understandable language.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that an individual's allowable charitable contributions shall be deducted when determining the individual's adjusted gross income, thereby allowing the deduction to individuals who do not itemize.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Bilingual, Hearing, and Speech Impaired Court Interpreter Act - Establishes, through the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, programs to: (1) compile and make available lists of qualified interpreters for non-English speakers and hearing or speech impaired persons and; (2) provide the services of such interpreters free in criminal actions and civil actions initiated by the United States. Permits, and sets guidelines for, the use of Spanish in actions in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and prohibits the disqualification of potential jurors in such court solely on the ground that they cannot speak English. Revises the Director's administrative duties and powers.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to extend the authorization of appropriations to carry out the purposes of the Act for fiscal year 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to make the Commodity Credit Corporation the seller or marketing agent for all export sales of the following commodities in raw form: wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, rye, and soybeans.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1978
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that each State shall have at least one very high frequency commercial television station located within the State.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1978
Comprehensive Family Planning Services, Research in Human Reproduction, and Prevention of Unwanted Teenage Pregnancy Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, public or nonprofit entities to assist: (1) in the establishment, maintenance and expansion of voluntary family planning projects which offer a broad range of family planning methods (including natural family planning methods) to all persons who need and desire them; (2) in the provision through such projects of comprehensive services appropriate to the needs of teenagers who are at risk of unwanted pregnancy; and (3) in the establishment and operation of demonstration projects aimed toward the alleviation of problems of infertility through counseling, referral, and medical services to persons who need and desire them. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public or nonprofit private entities and enter into contracts with public or nonprofit private entities and individuals: (1) to establish and maintain a network of community-based informational and educational services designed to help adolescents more fully understand the risks and consequences of teenage pregnancy and childbearing; and (2) to assist in developing appropriate information and educational materials for dissemination to such community-based services. Requires the Secretary to annually report a plan for achieving the purposes set forth in this Act with particular emphasis on assistance to adolescents. Authorizes the appropriation of specified amounts for fiscal years 1979 through 1981 to carry out the programs specified in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1978
Thomas A. Edison Centennial Act - Establishes the Thomas A. Edison Centennial Commission to initiate and encourage the development of publications, projects, and programs, and to coordinate activities relating to the life and achievements of Thomas A. Edison. Authorizes the State University of New Jersey to apply to the Commission for grants to assist specified State and Federal agencies in the compilation and publication of "The Papers of Thomas A. Edison."
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1978
Consumer and Agricultural Protection Act - Establishes a National Board of Agricultural Governors, independent of the Department of Agriculture and consisting in part of agricultural producers, whose primary duty shall be the annual establishment of cost of production prices for cotton, dairy products, dry beans, feed grains, poultry, rice, soybeans, sugar, livestock and wheat. States that such prices shall take into account: (1) machinery ownership costs; (2) general farm overhead costs; (3) a value for the management services contributed by the producer; (4) labor costs; and (5) a value for the land utilized. Sets 1978 cost of production prices as follows: (1) dry beans, $22.00 per hundredweight; (2) wheat, $4.75 per bushel; (3) sugar, $.25 (raw) per pound; (4) corn, $3.15 per bushel; (5) soybeans, $6.60 per bushel; (6) barley, $3.00 per bushel; (7) grain sorghum, $5.39 per hundredweight; (8) oats, $1.65 per bushel; (9) cotton, $.70 per pound; (10) cattle, $.55 per pound; (11) calves, $.65 per pound; (12) milk, $12.00 per hundredweight; (13) hogs, $.50 per pound; (14) rice, $10.00 per hundredweight; and (15) poultry, $.40 per pound. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to guarantee or make direct nonrecourse loans to producers of nonperishable specified commodities. Specifies formulae for the determination of loan levels and conditions for the calling of such loans. Directs the Board to establish mandatory release prices for each commodity, expressed in terms of a percentage of the cost of production price plus storage costs and interest charges. Requires the release for domestic or export sale of a portion of a commodity under loan when such commodity's market price reaches the mandatory release price level. Requires the Secretary to establish and maintain a National Commodity Reserve of cotton, feed grains, rice, soybeans, sugar, and wheat, for provision during national emergencies and for the protection of producers from depressed prices. Requires the Secretary, upon receiving written production estimates from producers prior to the production year, to determine and announce production adjustments if he finds that, in the absence of such adjustments, domestic stocks, including Reserve quantities, will exceed domestic and foreign demand and the replenishment needs of the Reserve. Directs the Board to apportion production cutbacks and mandatory set-asides among producers equally. Specifies civil penalties for the use of land removed from production for harvesting any crop or for grazing. Permits production adjustments with respect to livestock, dairy products, poultry, and perishable commodities (designated by the Board) only upon a vote by a majority of the producers of such a commodity. Provides for coverage under this Act of any commodity not specified, by means of a petition and majority-vote referendum among the producers of such commodity. Permits the termination of such commodity, whether specified or unspecified by the same means. Bars the importation of a specified commodity at less than the domestic cost of production price, adjusted for transportation and handling costs. Authorizes the Board to impose price maintenance custom duties on imported agricultural commodities. Prohibits the purchase of specified domestic commodities for foreign assistance programs at less than cost of production prices.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1978
National Art Bank Act - Establishes within the National Endowment for the Arts an Art Bank to be headed by a Director. Authorizes the Director to purchase visual works of art for the Art Bank, to make such works available on loan to certain private and governmental entities for public display, to sponsor exhibitions, and to assist State and local governments and nonprofit institutions in establishing Art Banks, or funds which may be expended for the work of any one artist during any one fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1978
Amends the authorization for appropriations for grants for State and local public works under the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to authorize up to $10,000,000,000 to carry out such Act without fiscal year limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Amends Title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to increase the ceiling imposed upon payments for services under such Title for the fiscal years 1979, 1980, 1981 and maintains the 1981 level for succeeding years.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Prohibits commerce in contraband cigarettes. Defines "contraband cigarettes" as a quantity of more than 20,000 cigarettes, bearing no evidence of payment of applicable State cigarette taxes, which are in the possession of any person other than (1) a person licensed by the State where the cigarettes are found or by the Internal Revenue Service, (2) a common or contract carrier, or (3) a government agent in the performance of duties. Subjects dealers in cigarettes to such reporting requirements as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Expresses the condemnation of the House of Representatives of the kidnapping of Aldo Moro. Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) Italy deserves the support of the United States, and (2) the President should instruct the Permanent Representative to the United Nations to press for consideration of solutions to the problem of terrorism in all appropriate forums.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1978
Opportunities Industrialization Centers Skills Training and Private Sector Job Creation Welfare Reform Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to (1) enter into a contract with Opportunities Industrialization Centers, Incorporated, for the creation of jobs and the provision of skills training for hard-core unemployed welfare recipients in urban and rural depressed areas, and unemployed persons in depressed areas whose unemployment insurance has expired, and (2) enter into contracts with other national community-based organizations, such as the National Urban League, for the provision of comprehensive employment services to such persons. Directs the head of each agency administering authority under any of specified Acts or programs, including the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972, the Housing and Community Development Act, and public works assistance programs, to take steps to assure that consideration will be given to national community-based organizations for the provision of comprehensive employment services and job opportunities to welfare recipients pursuant to those Acts and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1978
Older Americans Long-Term Care Act - Title I: Long-Term Care for the Elderly and the Disabled - Establishes a program of long-term comprehensive services for the elderly financed by the Federal Government and the States. Establishes within the Department of the Treasury a Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund for such program. Requires a State to establish a State Long-Term Care Agency in order to receive funds under this Act. Requires such State agency to create within the State a system of Community Long-Term Care Centers. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the relationship between the program established by this Act and certain programs under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Expresses the condemnation by the Congress of the March 11, 1978, attack on Israel by the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the expressed intention of the PLO to continue such attacks and to disrupt the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Requests the President to make the disapproval of the Congress known to governments approving the PLO attack. Expresses Congressional approval of the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Urges other Middle East countries to join such efforts. Declares negotiation to be the best way to bring peace to the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow active participants in a retirement plan an income tax deduction for contributions to an individual retirement account in taxable years prior to the vesting of the individual's rights under the retirement plan.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Elephant Protection Act - Prohibits the import, export, possession, transport, or sale of any elephant product. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to issue permits for acts herein prohibited for scientific purposes. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violation of this Act. Establishes rewards for persons providing information regarding violations of this Act. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior, Treasury, and the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to enforce this Act, and to promulgate regulations for such enforcement. Permits citizens suits to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1978
Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments - Title I: Amendments to Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the definitional section. Changes the organizational structure of the political committees by eliminating the requirement that every committee have a chairman. Vests in the treasurer of each committee exclusive authority to authorize disbursements. Extends to 10 days the time during which any person who receives a contribution for a political committee must forward to the treasurer of such committee, certain information regarding the contribution. Revises the recordkeeping procedures to be followed by the treasurer with respect to receipts received by or on behalf of a political committee. Requires each candidate for Federal office (other than the office of Vice President) to authorize his or her principal campaign committee, together with any other political committees, to receive all contributions and make all expenditures on such candidate's behalf. Stipulates that no political committee which supports or has supported more than one candidate may be designated as an authorized committee. Requires that each report or statement of receipts received or disbursements made by an authorized committee be filed with the candidate's principal campaign committee. Directs each principal campaign committee to compile and file such reports in accordance with procedures set forth in this title. Requires each principal compaign committee to file a statement of organization no later than 10 days after designation. Requires all other political committees to file such statement no later than 10 days after receiving contributions or making expenditures which aggregate more than $1,000 during a calendar year. Revises the content of the organization statement. Stipulates that a political committee may terminate only upon the filing of a written statement stating that it will no longer receive or disburse funds, and that such committee has no outstanding debts. Revises the section of the Act relating to the reporting of receipts and expenditures to require that each treasurer of a political committee file reports of receipts and disbursements with the Federal Elections Commission. Eliminates the requirement that each candidate must file such reports with the Commission. Revises the procedures for reporting data on receipts and expenditures by principal campaign committees, other political committees, and individuals. Amends Title III of the Act to strike out the sections dealing with (1) regulation of campaign advertising, (2) preservation of financial reports, (3) reporting of pledges, (4) reports to the President, (5) use of the frank, and (6) penalties for violation of the Act. Revises the procedures for the issuance of advisory opinions by the Commission. Sets forth revised enforcement procedures. Sets forth revised requirements relating to the filing of campaign expenditure and disbursement statements with State officers. Prohibits any candidate for Federal office, or any political committee to use excess contributions for personal use. Revises the limitations on contributions and expenditures. Limits the amount of honorariums which may be accepted by candidates for Federal office. Title II: Amendments to Other Laws - Sets forth amendments to specified Federal laws. Title III: General Provisions - States that the amendments made by this Act shall apply to any Federal election occurring after December 31, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1978
Amends National Labor Relations Act restrictions on payments and loans by employers or labor relations experts to labor organizations or officers or employees thereof to permit the furnishing of goods, services, or accommodations in the ordinary conduct of business on the same basis as such goods, services, or accommodations are furnished to others.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1978
Middle Income Student Assistance Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to limit the assessment rate that may be used to determine the expected family contribution for basic educational opportunity grants after the 1978-1979 academic year. Provides guidelines for independent students' basic grant determinations regarding: (1) contribution exemptions; (2) rate of assessment on non-exempt assets; and (3) subsistence exemptions. Revises certain provisions of the Act regarding: (1) non-Federal payment requirements for State applications for Federal incentive program grants; (2) written agreement requirements for federally insured student loans and Federal payments to reduce student loan interest costs; and (3) the method for determining the quarterly rate to be paid to participating lenders. Stipulates that no veteran shall be ineligible to participate in special postsecondary education programs for the disadvantaged under Title IV of such Act because of age. Increases the entitlement percentage of a basic educational opportunity grant to be paid when insufficient funds are available to pay the full basic educational opportunity entitlements. Lowers from $215,000,000 to $50,000,000 the amount of appropriations which must be available for community college development and community service and continuing education programs before supplemental basic educational opportunity grant funds can be made available.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1978
Education Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 - Amends Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding grants to local educational agencies to: (1) extend authorizations for appropriations to fiscal year 1983; (2) revise the distribution formula used to allocate funds among the States and local educational agencies to require the use of data from the most recently completed census; (3) conform the definition of handicapped children for purposes of such Act to that in the Education of the Handicapped Act; (4) establish a new incentive grant program involving Federal matching funds to States establishing compensatory education programs; (5) establish a new grant program for local educational agencies with especially high concentrations of low-income children with emphasis on basic educational skills; (6) revise application criteria for local educational agencies applying for basic grants under such Act; (7) permit local educational agencies in States with their own compensatory education programs to use funds from such State programs in areas outside of those covered under Title I of such Act under specified conditions; (8) establish a basic grant program that would permit districts with schools in which at lease 80 per cent of the children are from low-income families to carry out school-wide educational programs for all the children in such shcools; (9) revise the provisions regarding assistance to children in private schools; (10) revise State application requirements for basic educational grants; and (11) revise certain provisions relating to adjustments necessitated by appropriations insufficient to pay in full basic educational grants. Basic Skills and Educational Quality Act - Amends Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a grant program to improve the basic educational skills of reading, mathematics, and communication. Establishes guidelines for such program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980-1983. Amends Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to establish a program of grants for fiscal years 1980-1983 to carry out special projects to experiment with new educational techniques and practices in certain areas including: (1) art education in elementary and secondary curricula; (2) education of gifted and talented children; (3) metric education; (4) consumer education; (5) career education and youth employment; and (6) community school programs. Amends Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to revise generally and consolidate provisions regarding programs of educational improvement and support. Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State educational agencies to support local educational agencies in developing innovative compensatory education projects. Authorizes assistance to help strengthen State educational leadership resources. Amends Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding bilingual education to: (1) extend the National Advisory Council on Bilingual Education to fiscal year 1983; (2) expand the target group to include children having difficulty reading and writing English as well as those having difficulty speaking and understanding instruction in English; (3) provide for greater parent pacticipation; (4) restrict grants under such Title to a period of not more than five years; and (5) extend authorization of appropriations under such Title to fiscal year 1983. Title II: Impact Aid Amendments - Revises certain provisions with regard to Federal assistance for local educational agencies in federally impacted area including: (1) eliminating entitlements based on children whose parents work on Federal property outside the county in which the school district is located; (2) simplifying the computation of the local contribution rate; (3) substituting for the existing minimum eligibility criteria for assistance the requirement that all districts absorb without payment a number of federally-connected children equal to three per cent of their total non-Federal enrollment; and (4) authorizing increased payments to certain highly impacted areas. Revises certain provisions concerning educational assistance because of disasters to: (1) eliminate such assistance for local, non-major disasters; (2) extend the program as amended to fiscal year 1983; and (3) raise the minimum amount of loss required for assistance. Extends certain payments for construction of school facilities in federally impacted areas to fiscal year 1983. Title III: Miscellaneous Amendments Relating to Education Programs - Amends the Adult Education Act to: (1) revise State application requirements; (2) extend such Act to fiscal year 1983; (3) permit profit making organizations to carry out adult education programs under such Act; (4) authorize a program for grants for adult education research and related activities; and (5) extend the authorization of appropriations for special projects for the elderly under such Act to fiscal year 1983. Extends the Environmental Education Act and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act to fiscal year 1983. Women's Educational Equity Act - Reenacts section 408 of the Education Amendments of 1974 (also known as the Women's Educational Equity Act of 1974) as a separate authority. Increases from $15,000 to $25,000 the maximum amount of individual grants available under this Act. Title IV: Amendents to the Emergency School Aid Act - Amends the Emergency School Aid Act to: (1) extend the authorization of appropriations to fiscal year 1983 for State apportionment and for special programs and projects under such Act; (2) permit grants and contracts to be made with nonprofit private organizations for special programs and projects; (3) establish a new program of grants to State educational agencies to pay two dollars for each State dollar used in State programs of voluntary desegregation under this Title; and (4) revise application criteria including permitting multiyear applications. Title V: General Education Provisions - Amends the General Education Provisions Act to: (1) extend the authorization of appropriations for the National Center for Educational Statistics to fiscal year 1983; (2) revise the provisions regarding State and local administration; and (3) revise the provisions regarding Federal enforcement including establishing an Education Appeal Board to provide a hearing procedure for adverse actions taken against recipients of most forms of Federal educational assistance by the Office of Education.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1978
Makes permanent the special pay provisions for enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses in the uniformed services. Stipulates that a member of the uniformed services who agrees to train and re-enlist in a military skill which, at the time of the agreement is designated as critical, may be paid the bonus approved for that skill even if that skill is no longer deemed as critical at the time the member becomes eligible for payment of the bonus.