United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1978
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to raise the price support levels for milk, wheat, corn, soybeans, and cotton to 90 percent of their respective parity prices. Reduces the price levels at which producers participating in the wheat and feed grains storage program: (1) may redeem and market commodities securing price support loans (from between 140 to 160 percent of their respective parity prices to 100 percent); and (2) must repay such loans (from 175 to 110 percent of their respective parity prices).
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1978
Agricultural Foreign Investment Information Act - Requires a report to the Secretary of Agriculture containing legal name, address, citizenship, type of interest, legal description of the land involved, and other specified information, from any foreign person (including individuals, organizations, governments, or any combination thereof) who holds, acquires, transfers, or accepts transference of any interest, other than a security interest, in agricultural land. Directs the Secretary: (1) to develop and distribute a standard report form to facilitate automated data processing, analysis, and reporting of the information gathered; (2) to analyze such information to determine the trends and the actual and potential effects that the acquisition, transferring, and holding of agricultural lands in the United States by foreign persons have on the agricultural industry, the national economy, and the foreign relations of the United States; and (3) to report his findings and conclusions to the President and to the appropriate committees of Congress. Requires the Office of Inspector General to conduct periodic studies to determine the reliability of information gathered pursuant to this Act. Establishes a civil penalty for violation of any provision of this Act in an amount not to exceed 25 percent of the fair market value of the land interest involved on the date of the penalty assessment.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1978
Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to alter the formula for the distribution of Federal funds to support agricultural research at the 1890 land-grant colleges, to assure that such colleges receive funds in fiscal year 1979 and following years at levels at least the same as the present funding levels. Changes the formula for the distribution of the excess over these amounts from the current 50 percent proportionate to the State rural population, 50 percent proportionate to the State farm population allotment, to a 20 percent in equal proportions, 40 percent proportionate to the State rural population, 40 percent proportionate to the State farm population allotment,
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1978
Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to study and report to Congress on the feasibility of measures to prevent streambank erosion along the Tensaw River in order to protect Blakeley, Alabama, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1978
Interstate Compact - Grants the consent of Congress to the Historic Chattahoochee Compact between Alabama and Georgia, for the purpose of promoting the cooperative development of the Chattahoochee Valley's potential for historic preservation and tourism, and to establish a joint Historic Chattahoochee Commission to assist in such efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1978
Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to require the export, for sale, donation, or barter, of a minimum aggregate quantity of 7,000,000 metric tons of United States farm commodities each fiscal year from 1979 through 1982, unless: (1) the Secretary of Agriculture determines that export supplies are not available; or (2) the food needs of developing countries, as gaged by specified factors, do not merit such quantity. Requires the President to report to the appropriate committees of Congress the specific reasons for any shortfall should less than the minimum quantities required by this Act be exported.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow, retroactively to August 15, 1971, the investment tax credit for the construction of agricultural structures used for single purpose food production.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1978
Free and Fair Trade in Procurement Act - States the purposes of this Act to be to provide a preference in government procurement with Federal funds for domestic goods, and to provide an additional preference for such procurement over foreign goods not freely and fairly traded. Defines "domestic article" for purposes of this Act to be any final good delivered to the government of which at least 75 percent of the total cost is attributable to United States sources. Includes within the definition of "Federal agency" for purposes of this Act AMTRAK and Conrail. Requires that domestic articles and materials be purchased for: (1) procurements by Federal agencies or with Federal funds; (2) public buildings or public works involving Federal funds; and (3) State and local procurements at least 50 percent of which are federally funded. Allows for exceptions to such preference if the domestic product cannot be obtained in sufficient quantity or quality, or if the cost of such product is excessive. Directs that no product may be procured with Federal funds from nonmembers or violators of an international government procurement code to which the United States is a party. Allows for exceptions to such preference due to insufficient quantity, quality, or excessive cost. Extends the preference for domestic goods to subcontracts which form ten percent or more of the total delivered price of the procured product. Stipulates that the procurement preferences provided for in this Act shall not apply to the procurement of goods to be used outside the United States, or for purchases inconsistent with the public interest. States that the cost of a domestic product is to be considered excessive if the cost of the domestic product is: (1) more than ten percent higher than a foreign equivalent product which is freely and fairly traded; or (2) not less than 30 nor more than 40 percent higher than a foreign equivalent product which is not freely and fairly traded. Sets forth the guidelines for determining whether a foreign product is freely and fairly traded for purposes of this Act. Provides that a person in violation of certain unfair import practices under the Tariff Act of 1930 shall be barred from participating in any government procurements for three years. Requires a contractor supplying foreign products for government procurements to certify that he has written assurance from any foreign supplier that such foreign products are not being supplied at below their production cost, and that such foreign supplier is not in violation of United States antitrust laws. Provides that a contractor falsely certifying shall be barred from participating in any government procurements for three years. Repeals the "Buy American Act."
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1978
Disapproves the suspension of the quota on imported meat and the President's announced intention of permitting the import this year of 200,000,000 pounds of meat in excess of the established limit before imposing new quotas.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1978
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit State and county agricultural extension services engaged in cooperative agricultural extension work to obtain excess United States property from the Secretary of Agriculture, where title is retained by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1978
Expresses the sense of the Senate that neither the exchange of the Panama Canal Treaty instruments of ratification nor the incurring of any international obligation to exchange such documents should take place earlier than March 31, 1979, unless implementing legislation has been enacted prior to such date.
United States · United States Congress · 23 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 · 17 May 1978
Artificial Marine Reef Fishing Act - Declares it a purpose of this Act to establish a network of artificial fishery habitats in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Marine Fisheries Service, to make grants to certain States enumerated in the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to develop artificial marine fisheries in the territorial waters of such States and to develop such habitats in the fishery conservation zone off the coasts of such States. Requires each fishery management council established under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to establish a fishery management plan for each habitat established under this Act in the Councils' region. Authorizes an appropriation of $2,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 1979-1983 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from unemployment taxation commercial fishermen who, pursuant to an agreement with the fishing boat owner, receive a share of the boat's catch of fish in lieu of cash remuneration. Specifies that such share must be proportionate to the boat's entire catch and that the boat's crew must be comprised of fewer than ten individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Investment Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore part of the pre-1969 tax treatment of capital gains by repealing the capital gains item of tax preference for the minimum tax; lowering the corporate alternative tax to 25 percent of net capital gain; and lowering the alternative individual tax to 25 percent of net capital gain.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Steel Trade Negotiations Act - Lists products the manufacture of which shall constitute the "steel sector" for purposes of determining the appropriate product sector with respect to import restriction authority under the Trade Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1978
Expresses the sorrow of the Senate for the death of Aldo Moro. Condemns the Red Brigade for this murder. Declares it the sense of the Senate that Italy deserves the praise of the United States for its efforts to prevent this murder. Declares it the sense of the Senate that the President should instruct the Ambassador to the United Nations to press for consideration of proposals to end terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1978
Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to extend from seven to 15 years the repayment term for production credit association loans to producers or harvesters of aquatic products.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to convey to the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission specified additional real property for use by such Commission as a part of the permanent site of the Alabama Space Science Exhibit.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1978
Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act -- Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to consolidate existing programs and to provide financial, technical, and other assistance to State foresters or equivalent State officials for: (1) the rural forestry assistance program; (2) the forestry incentive program; (3) insect and disease control; (4) urban and community forestry assistance programs; (5) fire prevention and control in rural communities and areas; (6) fire prevention and control on non-Federal forest and rural lands; (7) forest resources management and planning assistance programs; and (8) cooperative technology implementation programs. Permits the Secretary to make consolidated payments to a State in lieu of functional cost-sharing mechanisms, formulas, or agreements. Establishes within the Treasury of the United States a special rural fire disaster fund. Requires annual reports to Congress on these programs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1978
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to include specified textiles and textile products in the articles reserved from tariff reduction or elimination negotiations by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop and carry out a plan for the completion of the Natchez Trace Parkway from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, within five years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations not to exceed $180,000,000 for such construction project.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Beef Import Act - Subjects specified kinds of preserved beef and veal products to the policy of Congress related to the restriction of beef imports. Revises the formula for the determination of beef and veal import quotas. Directs the President to limit beef imports at any one port of entry in order to insure the geographical distribution of such imports. Revises the criteria under which the President may suspend a proclamation limiting beef and veal imports to permit such suspension only during a national emergency or when the supply of such products are inadequate to meet domestic supply at reasonable prices.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any amount received as a statutory subsistence allowance by a public law enforcement officer in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1978
Solar Power Satellite Research, Development, and Demonstration Program Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to initiate a Solar Power Satellite Research, Development, and Demonstration Program to study technical problems regarding the viability of the solar power satellite concept. Requires the Secretary to cooperate with the Administrator in the submission to Congress, by September 30, 1978, of a comprehensive plan to implement the Program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
PCP Criminal Laws and Procedures Act - Sets forth penalties for the manufacture, distribution, or possession with intent to manufacture or distribute phencyclidine (PCP) and its salts. Requires, with respect to each transfer of piperidine, that the seller report certain information about the buyer to the Attorney General and that the buyer present positive identification. Requires importers to report each shipment of piperidine received. Specifies guidelines for searches of sellers' premises. Prescribes and sets forth penalties for certain other piperidine-related transactions including sales to minors, or sales to or by fugitives or mental defectives, and commerce in stolen piperidine.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1978
Expresses the condemnation of the Senate of the kidnapping of Aldo Moro. Declares it the sense of the Senate 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 · 13 March 1978
Beef Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require imported equine meat products capable of use as human food (1) to be labeled as imported, and (2) to be tested for chemical substances. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to assess fees for the testing and labeling of such products. Authorizes the Secretary to suspend imports for failure to pay such assessments. Amends the policy of Congress to restrict the importation of beef, veal, goat, and sheep meat, and live cattle to specified amounts after December 31, 1978. Prescribes a formula for adjustment of such quota. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate such quota among supplying countries according to certain criteria. Decreases the percentage by which estimates of such annual imports must exceed the imports of the preceding calendar year before triggering the imposition of import quotas. Permits the President to suspend an import quota proclamation if it determined that domestic cattle producers are operating at a reasonable profit. Permits the President to prohibit or curtail the importation of any products covered by this Act if it is determined that such action is required by the economic or national security interests of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Tax Indexation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to subject zero bracket amounts, personal exemptions, the corporate surtax exemption, limitations on individual retirement accounts and Keough contributions, the gift exclusion, the unified estate and gift tax credits, and the basis of assets to an annual cost-of- living adjustment, whereby each currently listed dollar amount shall be increased by an amount equal to such dollar amount multiplied by two-thirds of the increase in the Consumer Price Index over the two preceding years. Grants the President power to suspend such adjustments, subject to veto by either House of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1978
Emergency Agricultural Act - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, with respect to 1978 crops only, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Commodity Credit Corporation, to make payments to cotton, feed grains, soybean, and wheat producers for setting aside acreage to approved conservation uses in addition to required set-asides. Requires a minimum acreage set-aside, under this program, of: (1) 15 million acres for wheat; (2) 10 million acres for feed grains; and (3) 3 million acres each for cotton and soybeans. Authorizes additional payments for set-aside acreage opened to the general public for hunting, trapping, fishing, and hiking. Requires the Secretary to make up to 50 percent of any such payment immediately, in advance of determination of performance. Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to increase the Corporation's borrowing authority from $14,500,000,000 to $25,000,000,000. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to make private domestic corporations and partnerships controlled by farmers and ranchers, and engaged primarily in farming or ranching, eligible for real estate and operating loans. Increases the maximum allowable total principal indebtedness for real estate loans which may be outstanding by any one borrower to $200,000, or $300,000 in the case of a guaranteed loan. Increases the amount of indebtedness which may be outstanding for operating loans for an individual from $50,000 to $100,000, or in the case of a guaranteed loan, $200,000.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Declares it the sense of Congress that the March 3, 1978, agreement for the transition to majority rule in Rhodesia merits the endorsement of the United States. Urges the President to instruct the Ambassador to the United Nations to gain international support for the agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1978
Removes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the United States and the Federal district courts over any case arising out of any State statute, ordinance, rule or regulation, which relates to voluntary prayers in public schools and public buildings.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1978
Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that the Food and Drug Administration should not promulgate any rules or restrictions on the use and distributions of penicillin and tetracycline products in animal feeds at low levels until a well-designed epidemiological study and a thorough benefit-risk determination are made concerning the safety of such products.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1978
Expresses Congressional disapproval of the Presidential denial of import relief to the producers of nuts, bolts, and large screws, under the Trade Act of 1974, transmitted to the Congress on February 10, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1978
Expresses the condolences of the Senate to the family of the late Albert Boutwell, former Mayor of Birmingham, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Alabama and three-term member of the State Senate of Alabama.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1978
Renewable Resources Extension Act - Provides for a nationally coordinated program to insure the most efficient utilization of forest and range land renewable resources. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Renewable Resources Extension Program in cooperation with State directors of cooperative extension service programs and eligible colleges and universities. Requires the Secretary and relevant State officials to cooperate in the identification and study of needed areas of research, and in the dissemination of the results of such research. Requires the Secretary to coordinate the establishment of ongoing training programs for landowners, processors and other interested parties. Directs the Secretary to prepare a five-year Renewable Resources Extension Program to provide national guidance for State programs. Requires annual reporting to Congress on implementation of the plan.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1978
Repeals the McSweeney-McNary Act of 1928 and amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to substitute for the existing reforestation and forest products research program a new program of investigations, experiments, tests, and other activities necessary to obtain, analyze, demonstrate, and disseminate scientific information about protecting, managing, and utilizing forest and rangeland renewable resources in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Specifies the content of renewable resource management, environmental, protection, utilization, and assessment research fields. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish forest and rangeland research facilities and to make competitive grants to public and private institutions and agencies and to individuals to further such research activities. Directs the Secretary to make and keep current a comprehensive survey and analysis of the present and prospective conditions of and requirements for the renewable resources of the forests and rangelands of the United States and of the supplies of such renewable resources. Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1978
Extends the commendation of the Senate to the University of Alabama and other teams and their coaches and staffs for having provided millions of fans throughout the Nation a year of outstanding and wholesome competition that brings credit to their schools and to national collegiate football.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1978
Antitrust Reciprocity Act - Amends the Clayton Act to entitle any foreign sovereign government to sue for actual damages and the cost of suit (but not for treble damages) when injured in its business or property by reason of any action forbidden in the antitrust laws upon certification by the Attorney General of the United States that such foreign government (1) permits the United States access to its courts, and (2) prohibits restrictive trade practices.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1978
Flexible Parity Act - Title I: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 crop of wheat a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging from $3.00 per bushel for a 20 percent set-aside up to $5.04 per bushel for a 50 percent set-aside. Title II: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 crop of feed grains a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging from $2.10 for a ten percent set-aside up to $3.45 for a 50 percent set-aside. Title III: Upland Cotton - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 crop of upland cotton a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging from 54 cents per pound for a 20 percent set-aside up to 84 cents per point for a 50 percent set-aside. Title IV: Grain Release Prices - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949: (1) to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from providing for the redemption of stored wheat and feed grains loans unless the market price for such commodities is not less than parity; (2) to prohibit the Secretary from calling such loans until the market price for wheat and feed grains is at least 105 percent of parity; and (3) to prohibit the Commodity Credit Corporation from selling its stocks of wheat and feed grains for less than the parity price of such commodities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1978
More Adequate Title I, Public Law 480 Program Act - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide Commodity Credit Corporation financing for a minimum of $1,000,000,000 for the purchase of United States farm commodities under dollar agreements to be entered into in fiscal year 1978 with friendly developing nations.