United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1978
Title I: Establishment of Park - Establishes, in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, the Lowell National Cultural Park, consisting of a preservation zone and an intensive use zone, to preserve sites and structures through implementation of the plan of the Lowell Historic Canal District Commission. Title II: Role of the Secretary - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to submit a park management plan to Congress. Provides for consultation with the Lowell city manager and the Lowell National Cultural Park Commission, established by this Act, in setting preservation, restoration, and use standards. Sets requirements for acquisition of property within the preservation zone. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance in preservation, restoration, and other use of park properties. Permits withholding of park management plan funds by the Secretary if the city of Lowell fails to meet specified criteria. Title III: Role of the Commission - Establishes within the Department of the Interior the Lowell National Cultural Park Commission to administer the preservation zone. Requires the Commission to submit management plans and an index of Federal Register and other potentially significant historic cultural or architectural properties. Directs the Commission to make loans, grants, and technical assistance for the preservation, restoration, or development of the park. Provides for the acquisition and disposition of property by the Commission. Enumerates the powers of the Commission, including the holding of hearings, and provides for the staff of the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1978
Entitles a widow or widower of a person drawing a civil service pension to the same annuity to which such widow or widower would have been entitled but for the fact that he or she married the pensioner after his or her retirement from Federal service.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property's basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1978
Amends Rule XXXIV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to vest specified supervisory powers over official House reporters and committee stenographers in the Clerk of the House, subject to the direction and control of the Speaker.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives to appoint a committee to join with a committee from the Senate to notify the President that a quorum of each House has assembled and Congress is ready to receive communications.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Amends the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968 to establish a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in Social and Political Thought at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Institution. Establishes the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Trust Fund in the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Declares that the second session of the 95th Congress shall begin on January 19, 1978. Directs the President to transmit to Congress not later than January 23, 1978, the 1979 budget and the Economic Report.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Declares that when the two Houses of Congress adjourn on December 15, 1977, they shall stand adjourned sine die. Authorizes the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House to receive messages from the President during such adjournment.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare should not include in the National Guidelines for Health Planning any guidelines which would directly or indirectly cause the closing of any small, rural hospital which is the only hospital providing primary care services to a local community.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1977
Deems that: (1) the service performed by a certain individual in the United States Navy during World War II was served under a lawful enlistment; (2) that any injury such individual incurred or aggravated in the line of duty is a service-connected disability; and (3) that such individual received an honorable discharge.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1977
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Anwar el Sadat and Menachem Begin be commended for the steps they have taken towards peace in the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Consumer Representation and Reorganization Act - Establishes as an independent agency within the executive branch an Office of Consumer Representation to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President by and with the consent of the Senate. Requires the Administrator to transmit to the Congress and the President by February 1 of each year a report on the activities and accomplishments of the Office during the preceding calendar year including a summary of consumer complaints received and actions taken thereon. States the functions of the Office, including to: (1) represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts to the extent authorized by this Act; (2) encourage and support research, studies, and testing leading to a better understanding of consumer products and improved products, services and consumer information; (3) submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; (4) cooperate with State and local governments and private enterprise in the promotion and protection of the interests of consumers; and (5) publish and distribute material to inform consumers and Congress of matters of interest to the consumer. Authorizes the Administrator, whenever the result of any Federal agency proceeding or activity may substantially affect an interest of consumers, to intervene as a party or otherwise participate in representing the interests of consumers. Directs the Agency to receive, evaluate, develop, act on, and transmit complaints to the appropriate Federal or non-Federal entities concerning actions or practices which may be detrimental to the interests of consumers. Requires the Agency to maintain a public document room containing an up-to-date listing of all signed consumer complaints of any significance arranged in meaningful and useful categories together with annotations of Agency actions. Requires the Office to gather and disseminate to the public information concerning: (1) the functions and duties of the Office; (2) consumer products and services; (3) problems encountered by consumers; and (4) notices of Federal hearings, proposed and final rules, and other pertinent activities of Federal agencies. Directs the Office to encourage and support, through both public and private entities, the development and application of information on consumer products and services. Authorizes Federal agencies to perform, at the request of the Administrator, tests regarding products, services, or any matter affecting the interests of consumers. Authorizes each Federal agency, upon the written request of the Administrator, to furnish or allow access to all documents, papers, and records in its possession which the Administrator deems necessary for the performance of his functions. Requires every Federal agency, in considering any action which may substantially affect the interest of consumers, to notify the Agency of such action. Transfers to the Office of Consumer Representation the functions, funds, records, and property of other Federal offices the duties of which now fall within what this Act designates as the jurisdiction of the Office of Consumer Representation. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to Congress functions performed by Federal programs which overlap, duplicate, or conflict with the functions performed by the office. Terminates the Office of Consumer Representation five years after the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Consumer Representation and Reorganization Act - Establishes as an independent agency within the executive branch an Office of Consumer Representation to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President by and with the consent of the Senate. Requires the Administrator to transmit to the Congress and the President by February 1 of each year a report on the activities and accomplishments of the Office during the preceding calendar year including a summary of consumer complaints received and actions taken thereon. States the functions of the Office, including to: (1) represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts to the extent authorized by this Act; (2) encourage and support research, studies, and testing leading to a better understanding of consumer products and improved products, services and consumer information; (3) submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; (4) cooperate with State and local governments and private enterprise in the promotion and protection of the interests of consumers; and (5) publish and distribute material to inform consumers and Congress of matters of interest to the consumer. Authorizes the Administrator, whenever the result of any Federal agency proceeding or activity may substantially affect an interest of consumers, to intervene as a party or otherwise participate in representing the interests of consumers. Directs the Agency to receive, evaluate, develop, act on, and transmit complaints to the appropriate Federal or non-Federal entities concerning actions or practices which may be detrimental to the interests of consumers. Requires the Agency to maintain a public document room containing an up-to-date listing of all signed consumer complaints of any significance arranged in meaningful and useful categories together with annotations of Agency actions. Requires the Office to gather and disseminate to the public information concerning: (1) the functions and duties of the Office; (2) consumer products and services; (3) problems encountered by consumers; and (4) notices of Federal hearings, proposed and final rules, and other pertinent activities of Federal agencies. Directs the Office to encourage and support, through both public and private entities, the development and application of information on consumer products and services. Authorizes Federal agencies to perform, at the request of the Administrator, tests regarding products, services, or any matter affecting the interests of consumers. Authorizes each Federal agency, upon the written request of the Administrator, to furnish or allow access to all documents, papers, and records in its possession which the Administrator deems necessary for the performance of his functions. Requires every Federal agency, in considering any action which may substantially affect the interest of consumers, to notify the Agency of such action. Transfers to the Office of Consumer Representation the functions, funds, records, and property of other Federal offices the duties of which now fall within what this Act designates as the jurisdiction of the Office of Consumer Representation. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to Congress functions performed by Federal programs which overlap, duplicate, or conflict with the functions performed by the office. Terminates the Office of Consumer Representation five years after the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Declares that the President should establish a Commission on Domestic and International Hunger and Malnutrition which should: (1) collect and generate information and resources on food, hunger, malnutrition and related concerns; (2) assess current programs affecting domestic and international hunger and malnutrition; (3) analyze and report its findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the public; and (4) assist the President and the Congress in implementing its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1977
Title I: Administrator of the House of Representatives - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add rule XLVIII, to establish an Administrator of the House of Representatives to plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative support operations of the House. Establishes, under the Administrator, a Comptroller of the House of Representatives to be the chief finance official of the House responsible for specified functions relating to budget salaries, and House expenditures. Creates the Office of Personnel and Work Management to carry on recruitment, placement, training, and orientation activities, including the development of an affirmative action program, and a grievance procedure. Requires the Administrator to promulgate guidelines with respect to prices charged to patrons of specified House facilities, use of House photographic service, acceptance of print orders, and use of the House Recording Studio. Adds rules XLIX to the Rules of the House, establishing the position of Auditor of the House of Representatives. Abolishes the Select Committee on the Beauty Shop and the Special Committee on the Recording Studio. Title II: Committee on House Administration - Amends rule X of the Rules of the House to give the Committee on House Administration jurisdiction over all bills, resolutions, and other matters relating to all expenditures of the House, in addition to those made from the contingent fund. Discontinues the Committee's function with respect to reporting on the travel of Members, and the scheduling of meetings. Requires the Committee to perform specified oversight functions regarding the management of House facilities by the Administrator and Auditor. Title III: Clerk of the House of Representatives - Amends rule III of the House to discontinue the Clerk's responsibility for certain administrative matters including the performance of labor and the keeping of accounts. Requires the Clerk to report all House debates and committee hearings. Amends rule XXXIV of the Rules of the House to make the Clerk of the House responsible for the appointment and removal of official reporters of the House. Title IV: Annual Reporting Requirement - Amends Rule I of the Rules of the House to require the Administrator, Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Doorkeeper of the House to submit annual reports on the main activities of their offices to the Speaker. Title V: Miscellaneous Amendments to the Rules of the House of Representatives - Amends Rule XI to authorize the appointment of associate staff members to standing committees. Amends rule XI to require that all standing committees of the House prepare abstracted and indexed hearings which shall be available to the public. Amends rule XXXIV to require that certain remarks not actually made in whole or in part by a Member of the House be distinguished in the Congressional Record from those made by a Member. Adds new rule L to the Rules of the House, establishing a Fair Employment Practices Panel to review complaints alleging discrimination under clause 9 of Rule XLIII. Authorizes the Panel to refer unsettled complaints to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Adds new rule LI to the Rules of the House to require Members desiring to engage in certain foreign travel to submit a request with respect to such travel to the Administrator of the House. Sets forth the procedure for approving such requests. Requires Members engaging in such travel to transmit a report to the Administrator. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by Members desiring to engage in foreign travel relating to such Member's duties as a member of a House committee. Prescribes regulations regarding foreign travel by Members via airplanes. Outlines reimbursement procedures for foreign travel expenses. Title VI: Provisions Relating to House Operations and Employees - Requires that any congressional Member organization which desires to be designated as a legislative service organization transmit an application for certification to the Committee on House Administration. Requires each congressional Member organization and each legislative service organization to submit an annual report to the Committee. Entitles each Member of the House to a clerk hire allowance to remain available throughout the session. Requires each Member, chairman of a standing committee, subcommittee thereof, or congressional Member or service organization to inform the Administrator as to the full-time or part-time status of such individual's employees. Entitles Members-elect to specified allowances. Limits the staff expenses of certain committees. Establishes in the contingent fund of the House the "House Employees Medical Disability and Maternity Benefits Fund" to compensate employees absent from duty. Entitles each House Member to allocate any portion of his or her official expenses allowance to defray the educational expenses incurred by such Member's employees. Requires the Committee on House Administration to establish a billing procedure for official expenses. Entitles each Member to specified allowances for computer services. Directs the House Information Systems to provide computer terminal equipment to each House Member and committee. Title VII: Creation of Select Committee - Creates a select committee to conduct a study of House rule X (standing committees), and rule XI (rules of procedure for committees).
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to certain individuals in full settlement of such individuals' claims against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1977
Natural Diversity Preservation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and Purposes - States that the purpose of this Act is to establish a nationwide policy of preserving representative examples of the full range of the elements of natural, biological, and geological diversity found in the United States. Title II: Responsibility and Function - Establishes in the Department of the Interior the Office of Nationwide Ecological Reserves which shall have as its function, among other things, the development and administration of a identifying those examples of elements of natural diversity deemed relevant for potential inclusion on the Nationwide Registry of Ecological Reserves. Establishes the Nationwide Ecological Reserves Board. Title III: Inventory and Registry - Requires the development of a Nationwide Registry of Ecological Reserves which shall classify resources according to their relative significance: National, State or local. Sets forth standards of protection for National Classification Registry entries. Title IV: Funding Authorization - Establishes the Natural Diversity Preservation Fund in the Department of the Treasury. Defines the terms which must be followed by the Secretary of the Interior in providing financial assistance for Federal agencies, State and local governments, and the private sector.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add Rule XLVII, establishing the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Stipulates that all proposed legislation and other matters relating to the Central Intelligence Agency, intelligence and intelligence-related activities of all other departments and agencies, including any reorganizations, and appropriations authorization for specified departments and agencies be referred to the Select Committee. Sets forth a procedure whereby certain legislation reported by the Select Committee may be referred to certain standing committees for consideration, and conversely from standing committees to the Select Committee. Requires the Select Committee to report to the House on the nature and extent of the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of Federal departments and agencies. Requires the Select Committee to obtain an annual report from the Directors of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Secretaries of State and of Defense reviewing the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the agency or department and of foreign countries directed at the United States. Sets forth procedures whereby the Select Committee may disclose publicly any information in its possession which will serve the public interest. Requires the Select Committee to notify the President of any such proposed disclosure if the information has been previously classified and submitted to the Select Committee by the executive branch with a request that such information be kept secret. Authorizes the Select Committee, upon objection by the President to disclosure, to refer the question of disclosure, with a recommendation thereon, to the House for consideration. Stipulates that if such recommendation is not agreed to, the question shall be deemed recommitted to the Select Committee for further recommendations. Allows the Select Committee to make certain classified information regarding lawful intelligence and intelligence-related activities available to other committees or Members under specified circumstances. Requires the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to investigate any unauthorizes 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. Directs the Select Committee to conduct a study dealing with specified aspects of intelligence and intelligence-related activities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Endorses the Hermosillo Declaration on Combating Traffic in Drugs at the International Level. Urges the President to encourage other nations to cooperate in an international effort to eradicate narcotics trafficking and the illicit production of opium.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1977
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add Rule XLVII, establishing the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Stipulates that all proposed legislation and other matters relating to the Central Intelligence Agency, intelligence activities of all other departments and agencies, including any reorganizations, and appropriations authorization for specified departments and agencies be referred to the Select Committee. Sets forth a procedure whereby certain legislation reported by the Select Committee may be referred to certain standing committees for consideration, and conversely from standing committees to the Select Committee. Requires the Select Committee to report to the House on the nature and extent of the intelligence activities of Federal departments and agencies. Requires the Select Committee to obtain an annual report from the Directors of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Secretaries of State and of Defense reviewing the intelligence activities of the agency or department and of foreign countries directed at the United States. Sets forth procedures whereby the Select Committee may disclose publicly any information in its possession which will serve the public interest. Requires the Select Committee to notify the President of any such proposed disclosure if the information has been previously classified and submitted to the Select Committee by the executive branch with a request that such information be kept secret. Authorizes the Select Committee, upon objection by the President to disclosure, to refer the question of disclosure, with a recommendation thereon, to the House for consideration. Stipulates that if such recommendation is not agreed to, the question shall be deemed recommitted to the Select Committee for further recommendation. Allows the Select Committee to make certain classified information regarding lawful intelligence activities available to other committees or Members under specified circumstances. Requires the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to investigate any 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. Directs the Select Committee to conduct a study dealing with specified aspects of intelligence activities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1977
Declares an adjournment of the House of Representatives from May 26, 1977 to June 1, 1977. Declares a recess of the Senate from May 27, 1977 to June 6, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1977
Establishes a delegation of United States citizens to confer with similar delegations from NATO democracies, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, in commemoration of the Marshall Plan, to assess existing institutions and recommend means to perfect and preserve these institutions to protect the general welfare, liberty, and sovereignty of the people of the participating countries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1977
Establishes a delegation of United States citizens to confer with similar delegations from NATO democracies, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, in commemoration of the Marshall Plan, to assess existing institutions and recommend means to perfect and preserve these institutions to protect the general welfare, liberty, and sovereignty of the people of the participating countries. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 to carry out this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1977
National Energy Act - Establishes the following national energy goals for 1985: (1) reduction of annual growth in energy demand to less than two percent; (2) reduction of oil imports to less than six million barrels per day; (3) reduction of gasoline consumption of 10 percent from 1977 levels; (4) insulation of 90 percent of all homes and all new buildings; (5) increased coal production of at least 400 million tons over 1976 levels; and (6) use of solar energy in at least 2.5 million homes. Title I: Pricing, Regulatory, and Other Nontax Provisions - Directs the Federal Energy Administrator to establish procedures for the submission, approval, and implementation of residential energy conservation plans by State utility regulatory authorities. Prescribes energy conservation measures to be included in such plans. Establishes criteria governing programs to be carried out by public utilities as part of such energy conservation plans. Authorizes exemptions from such requirements where alternative programs will be implemented. Authorizes the Administrator to implement and enforce a Federal plan in the event of inadequate State action. Amends the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to prescribe an actuarially sound premium rate for loans for energy conserving improvements. Amends the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act and the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to include loans or credits for energy conservation purposes within the scope of such programs. Authorizes additional appropriations for the weatherization assistance program administered by the Federal Energy Administrator under the Energy Conservation and Production Act. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to authorize appropriations for new building performance standard grants by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for fiscal years 1978 and 1979. Directs the Federal Energy Administrator to establish energy efficiency standards for specified household appliances. Stipulates that such standards shall reflect the maximum improvement in energy efficiency which is technologically and economically feasible. Authorizes additional appropriations to the Administrator for fiscal year 1977 to carry out such functions. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to require disclosure of additional information relating to tax liability or tax benefits based on automobile fuel economy. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe rules requiring disclosure of such tax information in television advertisements. Authorizes the Federal Energy Administrator to make grants to States for projects to assist schools and hospitals under approved energy conservation plans. Establishes guidelines and criteria governing the submission of such plans by State Governors to the Administrator for approval. Establishes criteria governing the allotment of Federal funds to States for such purposes. Authorizes the appropriation for $300,000,000 for each of fiscal year 1978, 1979, and 1980 for such grants. Directs the President to establish price ceilings for sales of natural gas in accordance with prescribed criteria. Authorizes the President to establish special pricing provisions where deemed necessary to provide incentives for the production of natural gas or synthetic gas. Amends the Natural Gas Act to extend Federal Power Commission jurisdiction to cover specified gas facilities and transactions. Amends the Emergency Natural Gas Act of 1977 to extend the emergency authorities under such Act until April 30, 1979. Directs State utility regulatory authorities to require that electric utilities meet specified national electric rate design policies which require systems to reduce maximum kilowatt demand. Prohibits rate schedules which allow for decreased rates for increased consumption of electric energy. Prohibits electric utility services to newly-constructed buildings which utilize bulk or master meters. Amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Power Commission to provide pooling, wheeling, and other additional services in connection with the transmission of power. Directs the Federal Energy Administrator to prescribe rules prohibiting discrimination against cogenerators in the sale and purchase of electric energy. Specifies rate design policies for natural gas utilities to encourage conservation and reduce consumption. Amends the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 to prohibit new electric powerplants from using natural gas or petroleum as an energy source. Authorizes exemptions from such requirements for peakload electric powerplants or upon a showing that reliable alternatives are unavailable. Prohibits existing electric powerplants from converting from petroleum to natural gas or from utilizing natural gas as an energy source after January 1, 1990. Authorizes exemptions from such prohibitions for the use of synthetic fuels or innovative technology. Authorizes the Federal Energy Administrator to order powerplants to convert from natural gas or petroleum to coal or other fuels where feasible. Requires permits for existing electric powerplants seeking to increase use of petroleum, based either on necessity or achieving clean air standards or inability to use coal or fuels other than natural gas or petroleum. Prohibits new major fuel-burning installation boilers from using natural gas or petroleum as an energy source. Authorizes the Federal Energy Administrator to prohibit use of petroleum or natural gas by nonboilers and existing fuel-burning installations, in accordance with specified criteria. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to prevent the enforcement of coal conversion orders issued by the Federal Energy Administrator if the affected source is unable to comply with air pollution standards. Authorizes the President to allocate coal supplies to alleviate severe energy shortages. Authorizes the Federal Energy Administrator to prohibit powerplants and major fuel-burning installations from using natural gas or petroleum during such energy shortages as declared by the President. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to authorize the Federal Energy Administrator to provide for the establishment of a van pooling program for Federal officers and employees. Authorizes appropriations for each of eight fiscal years through fiscal year 1985 for such purpose. Directs the Federal Energy Administrator to establish a program to demonstrate solar heating and cooling technology in Federal buildings. Establishes criteria governing the submission of proposals by the various Federal agencies for approval by the Administrator. Authorizes the Appropriation of $100,000,000 through fiscal year 1980 for such program. Title II: Tax Provisions - Exempts, for the purposes of this Act, the Governments of American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands from the requirement that they enact the same tax laws as are enacted under the Internal Revenue Code. Allows a non-refundable income tax credit for a portion of the expenses incurred by an individual for the installation of solar energy equipment, insulation, and other energy saving components during taxable years 1977 through 1984 in a pre-existing principal residence. Limits the credits taken by an individual for the same residence by specific amounts for different types of expenditures during different years. Imposes an additional excise tax on automobiles to penalize vehicles with poorer fuel efficiency. Establishes an initial tax scale for the 1978 model year, ranging from $449 on automobiles with less than 13 miles per gallon (mpg) fuel economy to no tax on automobiles with 18 mpg or better. Increases this tax over seven years to a final scale for 1985 and later model years ranging from $2,488 on cars with less than 12.5 mpg fuel economy, to no tax on cars achieving 27.5 mpg or better. Grants a rebate, or excise tax credit to automobile manufacturers for the sale of cars with good fuel efficiency. Establishes a graduated scale of credits initially ranging from $47 for a car with a fuel economy of 19 mpg, to $473 for a car with a fuel economy greater than 39 mpg. Increases this scale over eight years to range from $62 for cars with a rating above 28.5 mpg, to $500 for ratings greater than 39.5 mpg. Limits the credit to sales of domestically manufactured cars, and to foreign made cars pursuant to executive agreements designed to protect domestic manufacturers from adverse effects arising from the fuel efficiency excise taxes and rebates. Imposes a standby gasoline tax, equal to five cents per gallon for each full percentage point that domestic consumption exceeds the national target level for the preceeding year. Establishes target levels which increase to a 1980 high of 7.45 million barrels average daily consumption, and then decrease to 6.5 million barrels daily after 1986. Limits the annual tax increase to five cents per gallon, and the cumulative increase to 50 cents. Assesses the tax on gasoline sold by producers and importers, and on gasoline held for sale by retailers. Allows refunds of this tax, when the applicable tax decreases, on gasoline sold to retailers but not held at the place intended for retail sale, if the decrease is passed on to the retailer through a partial refund. Allows a refundable income tax credit to an individual equal to the product of the individual's personal exemptions and the applicable per capita payment of standby gasoline tax receipts for the taxable year. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Federal Energy Administration, to determine the per capita payment upon a base amount, derived by subtracting the anticipated business deductions for the standby gasoline tax from total standby revenues, after accounting for administrative costs. Limits refunds of this credit to individuals qualifying for the earned income credit, or who have dependent children living with them, have earned income, and, if married, have filed joint returns. Increases the excise taxes on special fuels for motorboats and noncommercial aircraft. Repeals the excise tax on motor bus bodies and chassis. Refunds excise taxes paid by producers, manufacturers and importers on buses sold to intermediate dealers, but not yet sold to the ultimate purchaser, where corresponding refunds are made to the dealers and on busses sold to ultimate purchasers after April 20, 1977 and on or before this Act's enactment. Allows investment tax credits for the installation of electric power boosters, coal and other non-petroleum power facilities, coal pollution control devices, solar equipment and other energy conservation devices prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Federal Energy Administration. Limits the credit to expenses attributable to construction between April 20, 1977 and January 1, 1983, on pre-existing business property. Imposes, over a two year period, a crude oil equalization tax on domestically produced crude oil, in an amount equal to the higher cost of imported oil, less tariffs and import fees. Refunds the amount of this tax attributable to domestically refined distillate fuel oil, as determined by the Federal Energy Administrator, to retailers where the retailer has sold and delivered the oil into the tank of a residential structure, and reduced the price to the purchaser by an equivalent amount. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to determine the per capita payment of crude oil equalization taxes, after subtracting business deductions for the tax and retailer refunds from anticipated revenues, and to provide an equivalent income tax credit in the same manner as for rebates of the standby gasoline tax. Grants equivalent rebates from the gasoline standby and crude petroleum use taxes to persons without taxable income by requiring appropriate payments by the States, with Federal reimbursement. Requires early payment of such rebates to persons qualifying for Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance benefits and medicaid benefits under the Social Security Act and benefits under the Railroad Retirement Acts of 1935, 1937, or 1974. Requires early payment of such rebates to recipients of aid to families with dependent children, by their States, with Federal reimbursement. Prohibits any computation of such rebates in determining any individual's or family's eligibility for any Federal, State or local aid or assistance, or treatment as an increase in income or a reduction in Federal taxes under State law. Directs all employers to adjust employee withholding taxes to reflect the rebates allowable from the crude oil equalization and gasoline standby taxes. Imposes an oil consumption tax on taxable electric utilities equal to 25 cents per million BTU's used annually after 1982. Imposes an oil consumption tax on other trades or businesses in accordance with a graduated scale of taxable oil use, ranging from 60 percent of 600 billion BTU's to 100 percent of 1,500 BTU's. Increases the tax on the taxable use of oil, over a seven year period, from 15 to 50 cents per million BTU's. Imposes a tax on natural gas use by utilities after 1982, and other businesses after 1978, for an amount equal, after intermediate adjustments during interim periods, to the excess cost of certain distillate petroleum products over natural gas per BTU. Imposes this tax against the same amount of taxable energy use as is liable under the oil consumption tax for non- utilities. Exempts petroleum use otherwise taxable under the retailer or manufacturers excise taxes, and specified uses of petroleum and natural gas from both of the consumption taxes. Allows non-utilities a credit against such taxes for the expenses incurred in the installation, after 1977, of power sources using coal, and for coal preparation, transportation and pollution control devices and facilities. Grants a credit against the consumption taxes to electric utilities for expenses incurred after April 20, 1977 in converting oil or natural gas powered generating equipment to equipment utilizing other fuels. Specifies the minimum tax treatment of intangible drilling expenses relating to oil, gas, and geothermal wells.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives to establish a 37 member Ad Hoc Committee on Energy to consider and report to the House on the message of the President dated April 20, 1977, and on certain other related messages, bills, or resolutions. Permits the initial reference to the Ad Hoc Committee of a bill or resolution incorporating the recommendations of the committees with subject-matter jurisdiction over the substance of the President's message.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Allows any Federal employee or Member of Congress who is a Japanese-American World War II internee to credit, for civil service retirement purposes, the period during which such individual was detained or interned in a camp or similar facility.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Establishes within the House of Representatives the Office of the Parliamentarian. Vests the administration of such Office in the Parliamentarian who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House. Requires the Parliamentarian to appoint certain staff members, including a Deputy Parliamentarian.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Establishes, in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, the Lowell National Cultural Park consisting of a preservation zone and an intensive use zone. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish the boundaries of such zones. Permits the Secretary to either enter into cooperative agreements with property owners to preserve and maintain property within the park or to acquire such property within the intensive use zone by purchase or condemnation if the parties have failed to reach an agreement through negotiation. Permits the Secretary to enter into agreements with Federal agencies or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for firefighting, law enforcement or other specified assistance. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a park management plan and to establish standards applicable to the construction and use of properties within the intensive use zone. Requires any Federal agency conducting activities affecting the park to conform to such standards. Establishes the Lowell National Cultural Park Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary on the boundaries of the park and the development and use of properties and activities within the park.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Provides for the striking of a national medal to be issued annually in commemoration of the bicentennials of outstanding historic events and personalities from 1777 to 1789. States that one such medal shall honor President James Madison and shall be issued to coincide with the dedication of the new James Madison Building of the Library of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Declares that when the House adjourns on April 6, 1977, it shall stand adjourned until noon on April 18, 1977, and that when the Senate recesses on April 7, 1977, it shall stand in recess until noon on April 18, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow cancer-inducing additives to be used for human consumption if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare has determined that the benefits of such food additives' availability outweigh its dangers. Permits the Secretary to promulgate specific restrictions on the use of such food additives. Deems saccharin a safe food additive until the Secretary declares it unsafe under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1977
Adds additional employees to the offices of the minority leader, the majority whip, and the chief deputy majority whip. Fixes the rate of compensation for such individuals. Requires that such compensation as may be necessary for such individuals be paid from the contingent fund of the House. Declares that there shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the House additional specified amounts for certain expenses of the majority and minority leaders and whips. Fixes the rate of compensation of the Postmaster of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1977
Establishes within the House of Representatives a 16 member Select Committee on Ethics. Authorizes the Speaker to refer to this select committee any bills or resolutions which incorporate or integrate into permanent law portions or modifications of specified Rules of the House of Representatives. Requires this select committee to consider, and report to the House such bills and resolutions. Confers upon the select committee exclusive jurisdiction over such bills and resolutions. Grants the committee jurisdiction to adopt regulations and issue advisory opinions with respect to the application of specified Rules of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to include within the definitions of "air commerce" and "air transportation" intrastate air commerce and transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Endangered American Wilderness Act - Designates specified lands in the following national forests as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Tongass National Forest, Alaska; (2) Coronado National Forest, Arizona; (3) Inyo and Sequoia National Forests, California; (4) Los Padres National Forest, California; (5) Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado; (6) Cibola National Forest, New Mexico; (7) Willamette National Forest, Oregon; (8) Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon; (9) Wasatch and Uinta National Forests, Utah; and (10) Umatilla National Forest, Washington and Oregon. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review the feasibility and suitability of designating as wilderness specified lands in the following national forests: (1) Coronado National Forest, Arizona; (2) Rio Grande and Gunnison National Forests, Colorado; (3) Lolo and Kootenai National Forests, Montana; (4) Santa Fe and Carson National Forests, New Mexico; and (5) Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming. Includes specified lands in the Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon, in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
Title I: Financial Disclosure - Amends rule XLIV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to: (1) require Members, officers, principal assistants to Members and officers, and professional staff members of committees to file a financial report with the Clerk of the House of Representatives by April 30, 1978, and by April 30 of each year thereafter; (2) require the Clerk to send copies of such reports to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, and to the secretary of state of the State represented by the Member; (3) direct the Clerk to compile the reports and have them printed as a House document to be made available to the public; and (4) require the Committee to maintain and make such reports available for public inspection. Details the required content of such reports. Permits Members who announce before April 30, 1978, that they will not seek election to the 96th Congress to file the report as required by rule XLIV prior to the amendments made by this title in lieu of the report required under such rule as amended by this title. Requires that sealed reports filed by persons under part B of rule XLIV prior to July 1, 1977, be returned to such persons by the Committee when such persons are no longer required to file such reports. Title II: Amendment of the Code of Official Conduct - Amends clause 4 of rule XLIII to: (1) prohibit any Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives from accepting gifts with a value of $100 or more in any calendar year from a foreign national; and (2) include among persons deemed to have a direct interest in legislation before the Congress, any person registered under the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946, and certain other persons retained by such registered persons. Amends clause 7 of rule XLIII to require Members to treat all proceeds from fund raising events as campaign contributions, regardless of any notice given by the sponsors to the participants. Title III: Unofficial Office Accounts; Official Expense Allowances - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add rule XLV prohibiting any Member from maintaining an unofficial office account. Entitles each Member to reimbursement for official expenses incurred in the United States under the Legislative Appropriation Act, 1977 or the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1972. Authorizes the Clerk of the House to make disbursements from such funds. Limits the entitlement of each Member under such reimbursement program to $7,000 annually. Title IV: Limitations on the Use of the Frank - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add rule XLVI, limiting the use of the frank by Members. Title V: Foreign Travel - Amends clause 2(n) of rule XI to set certain limits on expenses of Members and employees of committees traveling in foreign countries. Limits the availability of local currencies owned by the United States for use outside of the United States by Members who have not been reelected. Amends clause 5 of rule XI by prohibiting the expense resolutions of committees from authorizing the payment of travel expenses of Members who have not been reelected. Amends clause 8 of rule I to prohibit the payment of travel expenses from the contingent fund for Members who have not been reelected. Title VI: Outside Earned Income - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add rule XLVII, limiting to 15 percent of the aggregate annual salary of a Member, the amount of outside income which may be earned by a Member in any calendar year. Title VII: Select Committee on Ethics - Establishes in the House a 13-member Select Committee on Ethics to consider and report to the House on bills involving financial disclosure, the Code of Official Conduct, unofficial office accounts, the use of the frank, and outside earned income.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments - Extends through Fiscal year 1978 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) water treatment works pilot training programs; (2) the development of a system of forecasting the supply of and demand for water pollution control specialists; (3) grants for State pollution control programs; (4) scholarships, training grants and contracts in the field of water pollution control; (5) grants to designated agencies to assist in the development and operation of continuing areawide waste treatment management planning processes; (6) grants to the States for lake water improvement programs; and (7) the purposes of this Act other than those specified in (1) through (6) above. Authorizes the use of Federal grants for construction of treatment works as grants for the Federal share of construction costs of sewage collection systems which are part of the same total waste treatment system. Stipulates that the total amount of all such grants shall not exceed $2,800,000. Authorizes the use of a single grant for the combined Federal share of planning and design along with building and construction costs in the case of treatment works with an estimated total cost of $1,000,000 or less. Authorizes the use of ad valorem taxes to satisfy the user charge system requirement for applicants for treatment works grants under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Establishes procedures for allotment of construction grant funds to States in accordance with criteria established by the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation. Stipulates that allotments made subject to a limitation on obligation shall remain available until expended. Extends the provisions for Federal reimbursement of construction costs of publicly owned water treatment works to include reimbursement for works on which construction was started not later than July 1, 1973. Increases the amount of the appropriation authorized to cover such reimbursement to $2,950,000,000. Authorizes additional appropriations for waste treatment construction grants of $5,000,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 and $6,000,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978 and 1979. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to accept certification by State water pollution control agencies of responsibility for treatment projects within such State. Requires a finding by the Administrator that such projects will be carried out in accordance with State laws and standards at least equivalent to those established by Federal law. Stipulates that the determination of priorities with respect to categories of projects for treatment works within each State shall be made solely by the State. Authorizes the Administrator to extend from July 1, 1977, until July 1, 1982, the deadline for the achievement of effluent limitations for public treatment works. Authorizes additional extensions of deadlines until July 1, 1983, in the case of treatment works based on innovative technology. Requires submission of enforceable compliance schedules by applicants for such extension. Extends until April 1, 1975, the deadline for submission of State water quality inventory reports. Requires that such reports be revised by April 1, 1976, and kept current biennially. Directs the Administrator to submit such reports to Congress on or before October 1, 1976, and biennially thereafter. Deletes the 30-day time requirement for public hearings as required by the Act for proposed toxic and pretreatment effluent standards. Authorizes the Administrator to defer the effective date of proposed toxic effluent standards for up to three years following promulgation of such standards if the Administrator determines that compliance within one year is technologically unfeasible for a particular category of sources. Redefines the term "navigable waters" as it applies to permits for dredged or fill material as required by the Act. Allows the discharge of dredged of fill materials without a permit in waters other than navigable waters and adjacent wetlands. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to enter into agreements with States to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material in waters other than navigable waters and in wetlands other than adjacent wetlands. Exempts farming, silviculture, ranching, forestry, and specified construction activities from permit requirements with respect to discharges of dredged or fill material. Stipulates that Federal projects shall be exempt only if the effects of such discharges have been assessed pursuant to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to delegate authority over dredged and fill material in adjacent wetlands to the States. Establishes an emergency contingency fund to provide assistance in cases of imminent and substantial threats to the public health and welfare. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to maintain such fund with a balance of $5,000,000. Authorizes judicial review of administrative acts connected with effluent guidelines or approval of State certification. Establishes procedures for Congressional review and disapproval of rules or regulations issued under authority of the Act. Requires officers and employees of the Environmental Protection Agency to disclose all known financial interests in persons subject to the provisions of the Act. Imposes criminal penalties for knowing violations of such disclosure requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to plan and establish wetland areas as part of water resources development projects. Authorizes the establishment of such an area in connection with dredging for such a project where the Chief of Engineers finds that: (1) the environmental, economic, and social benefits of the area justify increased cost; (2) the cost will not exceed $300,000, and (3) the area to be established will not be substantially altered by natural or man-made causes. Requires certain reports by the Secretary of the Army to the Congress regarding water resources development projects to include consideration of wetland areas.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1977
Amends Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income Program) of the Social Security Act to extend benefits to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam on the same basis as the States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Provides for an adjournment of the House of Representatives from February 9 to February 16, 1977, and a recess of the Senate from February 11 to February 21, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Civil Aeronautics Board, in determining the compensation for any local service air carrier for mail for 1966, to apply a specified rate schedule and to disregard any decrease in the Federal income tax liability resulting from any net operating loss carryback. Requires the Board to recompute such compensation if such a decrease was previously taken into account.
![Official portrait of Rep. Wright, James C., Jr. [D-TX-12]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000763_200.jpg)