United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 with respect to the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to investigate the effects of imports on national security at the request of any Federal department or agency. Decreases to six months the period during which the findings of such investigation must be reported to the President, when the investigated imports are refined petroleum products.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to permit without separate inspection the interstate movement of meat food products processed by federally inspected establishments and which are derived from meat slaughtered or processed at a State-inspected establishment in a State whose meat inspection requirements are at least equal to the Federal requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for rural health clinic services pursuant to program of Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled of such Title.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1977
Specifies procedures for the transfer of convicted offenders to and from foreign countries pursuant to treaties providing for such transfers. Stipulates that an offender must consent to any transfer and may only be transferred to a country of which be is a citizen or national. Bars transfer of an offender while any appeal or collateral attack is pending. Conditions the transfer to the United States of an offender who is on probation upon a determination by the Attorney General that the appropriate United States district court is willing to undertake the supervision of the offender. States that, with certain exceptions, an offender serving a sentence of imprisonment in a foreign country who is transferred to the custody of the Attorney General shall remain in custody for the same time, be entitled to the same good time privileges, and subject to the same conditions as an offender committed to the custody of the Attorney General by a Federal court. Provides that offenders transferred to the United States shall be eligible for parole according to Federal law. Makes eligible for parole at any time an offender transferred to the United States who was age 21 or younger when convicted. Directs that, unless otherwise provided by or pursuant to treaty, offenders transferred to the United States because of an act which would be deemed an act of juvenile delinquency in the United States be treated as a delinquent. Sets forth procedures for verification of consent of an offender transferred to or from the United States. Specifies guidelines on the status of alien offenders transferred to other countries. Restricts jurisdiction to challenge the conviction or sentence of a transferred offender to the country of conviction.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1977
National Climate Program Act - Requires the President to establish a National Climate Program to: (1) obtain, analyze, and disseminate climate data; (2) perform research to improve understanding of climate and the causes of fluctuations and anomalies in climate, and develop models for predicting climate changes; (3) develop methods to detect and predict such changes, to give early alerts of incipient anomalies, and to evaluate prediction techniques; (4) support and conduct assessments to the impact on human activities of climate changes; and (5) disseminate information on climate predictions. Authorizes the Program to make grants to education institutions for the establishment of climate study centers, and for regional studies programs. Requires the President to designate a Federal agency, referred to as the "lead agency," within which the Program will be administered. Requires the head of the lead agency to establish a National Climate Program Office to administer the Program. Stipulates that the President shall ensure that representatives of Federal agencies, conducting activities relating to the Program, are designated to serve on a Management Council for the Program which shall advise the lead agency, the Office, the State Department, and the President on specified matters relating to climate, and participate in developing the Program's budget. Requires the head of the lead agency, in consultation with the Management Council, to appoint an Advisory Council consisting of representatives of diverse interests relating to the Program to perform certain advisory and reporting functions. Requires the Office to publish a preliminary five-year plan including goals, priorities funding requirements, and the involvement of Federal agencies. Sets forth procedures for budget development. Permits authorized Federal officers or agencies to enter into contract or grant arrangements to exercise functions vested in them under this Act. Sets forth restrictions with respect to patents on inventions made or conceived under such contract or grant arrangement. Authorizes $50,000,000 for appropriation to Federal departments and agencies for fiscal year 1978 for the purpose of conducting the Program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to increase from $100 to $300 the value of articles which may be imported duty free by, or for the account of, any person arriving in the United States who is a returning resident of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act - Prohibits the sexual exploitation of children by making it unlawful for any person to knowingly use or cause any minor to engage in or assist in any sexual act for the purpose of promoting any film, photograph or other visual medium. Makes it unlawful for any parent, guardian or person having control over a minor to knowingly permit such minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Imposes a fine of $10,000 and/or imprisonment up to ten years for a violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1977
Imposes criminal penalties upon any person in authorized possession of classified information identifying any individual or entity as being or having been employed or associated with the Central Intelligence Agency who releases such information to anyone not authorized to receive such information. Bars from prosecution under this Act persons who release such information to specified congressional committees, United States district judges, and Federal law enforcement officers upon application to the Attorney General.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1977
Amends the Small Business Act to establish the position of Associate Administrator for Women's Business Enterprise within the Small Business Administration. Lists among the duties of such Administrator: (1) increasing participation of women in Small Business Administration programs; and (2) reporting to the Administrator on proposals for implementing policy objectives.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1977
Senate Administrative Reorganization Resolution - Establishes within the Senate the Administrative Office of the Senate to be headed by an Administrator of the Senate appointed by the Administrative Council. Establishes an Administrative Council of the Senate to supervise the Administrator and review the plans and recodifications submitted by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to maintain all administrative and support service and facilities delegated to such individual, and to review existing systems and prepare a recodification of the laws, rules, and standing orders of the Senate relating to administrative services and facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1977
Economic Impact Act - Amends the Employment Act of 1946 to authorize the Joint Economic Committee to analyze all bills introduced into Congress which authorize expenditures in excess of specified amounts, or which the Committee determines will affect employment, price levels, State expenditures, or Federal Government receipts in order to determine the economic impact of such bills.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1977
Outer Continental Shelf Lease Sale Number 40 Review Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953 to declare leases granted pursuant to Outer Continental Shelf Lease Sale Number 40 to be legal, valid, and binding. Requires lessees under such leases to submit development and production plans for approval by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with specified criteria. Directs the Secretary to file an environmental report on such lease sale with the Council on Environmental Quality. Specifies information to be included in such report. Establishes procedures for review and comment on the leasing plan and environmental report by the Governors of affected States. Imposes limitations on judicial review of administrative actions undertaken pursuant to this Act. Stipulates that approval of the environmental report by the President shall satisfy all requirements imposed by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
Amends the District of Columbia Code regarding rape to: (1) exclude or limit certain information which may be considered by the court concerning the prosecutrix's sexual behavior; and (2) make evidentiary corroboration of the prosecutrix's testimony unnecessary if such testimony, if believed, establishes every element of the crime of forcible rape. Applies these provisions to trials involving rapes committed within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Authorizes the Attorney General to institute a civil action for or in the name of the United States in an appropriate district court whenever he has reasonable cause to believe that a State or its agents are subjecting persons involuntarily confined in any correctional facility, juvenile correction center, mental hospital, nursing home, or facility for the chronically ill, retarded, or physically handicapped to conditions which deprive such persons of their Federal Constitutional or Statutory rights. Permits the Attorney General to intervene in any action of public importance commenced in a Federal court in which relief is sought from conditions allegedly depriving involuntarily confined persons in State institutions of their Federal rights.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1977
Requires the Secretary of the Senate to establish an office account for each Senator to defray the expenses of conducting official business. Establishes the maximum amount which may be paid from a Senator's office account for any calendar year. Prohibits the expenditure of funds from such account for personal services, or office furnishings or equipment. Requires the Secretary to maintain records of all such accounts and make them available for public inspection. Sets forth a procedure for requesting office furniture and equipment through the General Services Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Establishes the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in the city of San Antonio, Texas. Establishes a San Antonio Missions Advisory Commission to assist the Secretary of the Interior on matters relating to such park.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Exempts the Toledo Bend Dam and Reservoir project of Louisiana and Texas from payment of annual charges to the United States for the use of lands within the Sabine National Forest, Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Raises from $2,000 to $25,000 the minimum dollar value of any public contract to which the Miller Act applies (the Miller Act requires performance and payment bonds from contractors involved in construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings or public works).
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Grants the consent of Congress to an amendment to the Sabine River Compact between Louisiana and Texas which deletes references to pollution abatement and salt water intrusion as potential purposes of the agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Revises the definition of "bridge" for purposes of programs relating to the availability of Federal funds for the alteration of bridges obstructing navigation to include within such definition bridges which were lawful at the time of their construction but the elevation of which has changed through no action or fault of their owners of users.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Directs the Administrator of Federal Procurement Policy to prescribe procedures encouraging, and where appropriate, requiring procurement by executive agencies to be done on the basis of lowest life-cycle cost.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1977
Food Additive Safety Amendments - States that a food additive shall be deemed safe if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (1) makes a finding, based on recommendations of an advisory committee, that the public benefit from permitting the use of such additive would exceed the public risk which might result from such use; (2) gives notice in the Federal Register of such a finding and invites public comment thereon; and (3) issues a final order within 120 days of publication in the Federal Register of such findings. Specifies factors the Secretary must take into consideration when evaluating a food additive. Deems saccharin a safe food additive unless the Secretary declares it unsafe under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1977
National Aquaculture Organic Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a National Aquaculture Development Plan. Requires that such plan (1) identify each aquatic species which can be cultured on a commercial basis (priority aquatic species), and (2) contain a program of aquaculture development for such priority aquatic species. Directs the Secretary to review annually each aquatic species not identified as a priority species and the program established for each priority species. Directs the Secretary to (1) establish and maintain an aquaculture information center, (2) maintain an inventory of public and private aquaculture being carried out in the United States, (3) arrange for the mutual exchange of information relating to aquaculture with foreign nations, (4) submit an annual report to Congress on the implementation of the provisions of this Act, (5) coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the use of aquacultural waste water in carrying out the purposes of this Act, and (6) prescribe regulations necessary to carry out this Act. Establishes the Interagency Committee on Aquaculture comprised of the heads of various Federal agencies to insure that there is a continuing exchange of information relating to the aquacultural programs and projects of the various agencies and to review on a continuing basis the relevant programs and projects of all Federal agencies. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out any function under this Act through grants or contracts. Limits the amount of any grant made available under this Act to one-half of the estimated cost of the project for which the grant was made. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to guarantee obligations issued for the financing of any aquaculture facility within the United States. Stipulates that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all such guaranteed obligations shall not exceed $100,000,000. Authorizes the Secretary to collect a fee for guaranteed obligations not to exceed one-half of one percent per annum of the outstanding principal balance of the obligation. Sets forth the allowable interest rate, maturity date, and default procedures relating to such loans. Authorizes the Secretary to issue notes or obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury if the monies in the loan fund are insufficient to pay such a loan in the event of default. Establishes within the Treasury a Federal Aquaculture Assistance Fund for the purpose of guaranteeing loans under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretaries of Commerce, the Interior, and Agriculture to carry out the various provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Authorizes to be appropriated funds for the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to conduct a study of the potential carcinogenic effects of saccharin. Directs the Secretary to submit a report on such study to the President and the Congress not later than 60 days after the study's completion. Prohibits any ban or restriction on saccharin in interstate commerce by the Secretary or any officer in the executive branch of the Federal Government for a period of three years.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Directs that an individual charged with an act of terrorism be detained pending trial if a judicial officer determines that release would pose a danger to any other person or to the community. Deems an act of terrorism a dangerous crime for purposes of the pretrial release provisions of the District of Columbia Code and establishes a person's being charged with such an act as a rebuttable presumption that no conditions placed on his release could reasonably assure the safety of others and the community.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to a certain individual in full settlement of such individual's claims against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Fair and Certain Punishment Act - Sets forth sentencing procedures and guidelines to be utilized whenever a person is found guilty of or pleads guilty to any of specified types of felonies, including certain homicides, thefts, assaults, rapes, kidnappings, and drug violations. Directs the judge who presided at trial or before whom the guilty plea was entered to conduct a separate sentencing hearing to determine whether enumerated or extraordinary aggravating or mitigating circumstances exist. Specifies procedures for such hearings. Includes among the enumerated mitigating factors: (1) playing a minor role in the commission of an offense; (2) provocation by the victim; (3) lack of substantial judgment due to age; (4) duress; and (5) desire of the defendant to provide necessities to himself or his family. Includes among the enumerated aggravating factors: (1) cruel treatment of victims; (2) infliction of great physical harm; (3) involvement of several perpetrators or victims; (4) lack of need for the proceeds; and (5) leading the criminal enterprise. Designates in terms of a specific number of years the sentence to be imposed absent aggravating or mitigating circumstances with respect to each crime encompassed by this Act. Authorizes the judge to vary an applicable sentence up to 40 percent due to the presence and/or weight of enumerated aggravating and mitigating factors. Authorizes reduction of a sentence or increase of a sentence, subject to specified maximums, due to the presence of extraordinary circumstances. Calls for additional variations in sentences on the basis of previous convictions. Disallows suspended or probationary sentences under this Act except where extraordinary mitigating circumstances exist. Sets forth procedures for appeal of sentences imposed under this Act contrary to appropriate standards. Details guidelines for reduction of imprisonment sentence under this Act due to good behavior.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1977
Regulation Authority Clarification Act - Requires every document published in the Federal Register to contain a preamble detailing the legal authority under which any such document is promulgated and a statement of the foreseeable effect of such document on the body of Federal laws. (Amends 44 U.S.C. 1505; 1506)
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to a certain individual in full settlement of such individual's claims against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
Pension Simplification Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, including sections within the Internal Revenue Code, to terminate the Department of Labor's regulatory jurisdiction relative to pension participation, vesting, and funding standards and to substitute for the tax on prohibited transactions relative to qualified pension trusts and plans a civil penalty to be enforced by the Department of Labor. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to notify the Attorney General and the Secretary of Labor of any such prohibited transaction. Repeals provisions detailing requirements for annual employee benefit plan reports and eliminates the requirement that administrators of employee benefit plans furnish the Secretary of Labor copies of summary plan descriptions and certain plan modifications. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Labor to jointly prescribe a single filing form and a single filing date for employee benefit plans which will satisfy the annual reporting requirements of both departments. Authorizes Federal courts to render declaratory judgments with respect to a failure by the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to issue or deny a determination or to take other action relative to an employee benefit plan within 180 days after requested to do so, if the controversy involves an issue arising under certain provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Establishes within the Department of Defense a Weapons and Munitions Security Office to be headed by an Assistant Secretary of Defense which shall be responsible for formulating, coordinating, and supervising a continuing program of security and accountability for weapons and munitions of the Department of Defense. Requires the Assistant Secretary heading such Office to review existing accountability and security procedures, to modify such procedures or institute new ones as may be necessary, and to conduct periodic inspections to insure that such procedures are being complied with. Requires the military departments to conduct investigations whenever suffering a loss of weapons or munitions. Requires each military department to submit quarterly reports to the Office regarding security and accountability of all weapons and munitions under its jurisdiction. Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit an annual report to Congress summarizing weapons and munitions losses and recoveries by each military department.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1977
Declares the public policy of the United States to prohibit the manufacture, sale, interstate shipment, and use of leg-hold and steel-jaw traps in the United States. Prohibits the shipment into interstate or foreign commerce of fur or leather products which come from animals trapped in any State or foreign country which has not banned such traps. Requires the Secretary of State to (1) ban all fur and leather products from animals from foreign countries which have not banned such traps, and (2) publish a list of such countries. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Authorizes and requests the President of the United States to designate the week beginning on the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1977
National Commission on Air Quality Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to establish a National Commission on Air Quality to study specified subjects relating to air quality. Directs the Commission to report to the Congress the results of a study on nitrogen oxide emission controls for mobile sources by March 1, 1978. Directs the Commission to report to the Congress the results of a study on the relationship of hydrocarbons, photochemical oxidants and related pollutants, within two years of the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Commission to report to the Congress on the results of other studies within three years of the date of enactment of this Act. Specifies that such studies shall encompass the following subjects: (1) economic technical and environmental consequences of achieving or not achieving clean air objectives; (2) alternative measures to achieve such objectives; (3) air pollutants not presently regulated; (4) research and development programs; and (5) adequacy of Federal, State and local governmental resources. Authorizes the appropriation of $17,000,000 to carry out such studies.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1977
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to increase the value limit for personal articles which may be imported duty-free by residents returning from American Samoa, Guam, or the Virgin Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for rural health clinic services pursuant to program of Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the aged and Disabled of such Title.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to remove the public interest requirement for the issuance of orders, permits, and regulations by the Civil Aeronautics Board with respect to foreign air carriers where the carrier is being operated pursuant to an agreement approved by the Board.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1977
Amends the Small Business Act to authorize loans to small businesses which suffered economic injury as a result of the floating of the Mexican peso on or about September 1, 1976. Prohibits such loans to small businesses which suffered such economic injury as a result of a direct investment in the Mexican peso.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1977
Allows a refundable income tax credit for 30 percent of the expenditures not exceeding $750 which the taxpayer paid or incurred during the taxable year for the installation of insulation in his principal residence. Limits the application of this credit to expenditures paid or incurred for installations made before 1980. Allows a refundable income tax credit for 40 percent of the first $1,000, and a secondary credit for 25 percent of the next $6,400 paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year for the installation of qualified solar and geothermal energy equipment in his principal residence. Reduces these limitations in subsequent tax years by subtracting the amounts taken into account for these credit in previous tax years. Limits this credit to equipment installed before 1982 in the case of solar, geothermal or wind energy equipment. Prorates each of the above credits for residential improvements among joint owners and cooperative shareholders according to their proportionate interests in the residential property. Allows an investment tax credit for 20 percent of the qualified investment cost of depreciable geothermal and solar energy equipment placed in service before 1982. Allows such a credit for 10 percent of the qualified costs of insulation placed in service before 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 10 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.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1977
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Agricultural Act of 1949, to administer a special program in each of the crop years 1977 through 1981 whereunder wheat producers may designate up to 40 percent of a wheat acreage allotment to be planted to wheat and used for grazing or for hay rather than for commercial grain production. States that participating producers shall be ineligible for price support on any portion of an acreage allotment so used; but requires that the Secretary pay a producer an amount with respect to such portion according to a certain formula. Prohibits any crop but hay from being harvested from acreage in this special program. Deems such acreage to have been planted for harvest for the purposes of wheat acreage history.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to redefine the term "navigable waters" as it applies to permits for dredged or fill material as required by the Act. Allows the discharge of dredged or 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.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Minority Business Development Act - Establishes the Minority Business Development Administration in the Department of Commerce. Creates the position of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development to direct such Administration. Empowers the Assistant Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts with any person in order to provide management and technical assistance to minority enterprises. Sets forth the functions of the Assistant Secretary including the establishment of goals for other Federal departments which may affect minority business enterprises and the collection and dissemination of information useful for the undertaking and the promoting of minority businesses. Direct the heads of Federal departments to cooperate with the Secretary of Commerce by furnishing specified information. Calls for interagency cooperation with the Assistant Secretary's investigative function. Directs the Assistant Secretary to submit an annual report to the President, the Office of Management and Budget, and Congress.
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