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United States · Official source
3,789 records where Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1978
Designates the weekend of or preceding April 29 of each year as "Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust."
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for increases in the cost of refined petroleum products due to the imposition of duties or fees on such products by the President pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Limits eligibility for such credit to residential users, hospitals, churches, and educational institutions. Limits the amount of allowable credit to $75 for an individual taxpayer. Reduces the amount of allowable credit by 75 percent of the amount by which the adjusted gross income of such individual exceeds $20,000. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to refund in advance one-fourth of the taxpayer's tentative credit under this Act for the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1978
Commends Lee Williams for his long, faithful, and exemplary service to the United States Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Declares that certain proposed regulations of the Department of the Treasury regarding centralized firearms sales recordkeeping and other firearms control measures exceed the Department's authority, and directs that the regulations be withdrawn.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Oil Spill Liability Fund and Compensation Act - Imposes liability for the illegal discharge of oil or other hazardous substances. Permits, as a defense to such liability, proof that the discharge was solely caused by an act of God, an act of war, negligence on the part of the United States, or an act or omission of a third party. Imposes liability for all costs incurred in cleanup, damages for economic loss or loss of natural resources, and other specified losses including direct or indirect loss of taxes, royalties, rental, or net profits due governments for a maximum of one year. Establishes limits to the liability of offending parties. Waives such limits upon a showing of willful negligence or failure to provide all reasonable cooperation with cleanup crews. Permits the President to establish maximum limits of liability in specified instances. Establishes, in the U.S. Treasury, an Oil Spill Liability Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to collect a fee, to be paid into the Fund, on all oil shipped to or from the United States. Provides for civil penalties for failure to pay or collect fees required by this Act. Permits the President, at any time the Fund is inadequate to meet its obligations, to issue notes or other obligations to cover such obligations. Directs the President to use the moneys in the fund to pay costs in excess of those assessed offending parties, to pay claims where the offending party is unknown, and for other specified purposes. Provides that payment of any claim by the Fund shall entitle the Federal Government to all rights of subrogation arising from such payment. Prohibits use of the Fund for damages caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct. Requires a showing of financial responsibility for specified vessels of over 300 tons gross weight. Provides for the seizure of oil or other hazardous cargoes found aboard vessels in navigable waters of the United States without proof of financial responsibility. Directs owners or operators of onshore or offshore facilities of a specified size to maintain evidence of financial responsibility. Imposes a fine of not more than $10,000 for failure to comply with such requirement. Preempts the establishment of similar funds by State or local governments. Provides for assistance to States for the development of cleanup facilities and personnel training. Repeals specified provisions of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act to transfer moneys of the liability fund therein established to the Oil Spill Liability Fund.
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 · 16 March 1978
Condemns recent terrorism in Egypt, Israel, and Jordan. Extends Congressional condolences to victims of these attacks. Declares that the President should (1) intensify efforts of the executive branch to counter international terrorism, (2) report to Congress on the implementation of laws regarding terrorism; (3) report to Congress on the activities of the Palestine Liberation Organization office in New York; and (4) report to specified Congressional committees the names of nations which furnish assistance to such Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1978
Congregate Housing Services Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to enter into contracts with public housing agencies for the establishment of congregate housing projects which are supplemented by supportive services for frail and physically impaired residents. Requires assisted public housing authorities to maintain any financial effort they were making in furtherance of congregate services prior to contract authority approval, unless the Secretary waives such requirement. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to permit the provision of congregate services in existing public housing. Makes provisions for the administration of services and requires assisted public housing agencies to employ elderly and physically disabled residents to the maximum extent practicable. Sets forth application procedures, requirements for eligibility for services, and rules for the setting of fees for congregate services. Directs assisted public housing agencies to review this program with eligible residents and with the professional assessment committee within the 12 month period prior to the submission of an application for renewed funding.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of November 6, 1978 as "Emergency Medical Services Week."
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations corresponding to the principles set forth in a certain private letter ruling relating to the exclusion from gross income of amounts deferred by participants in public deferred compensation plans.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1978
Rehabilitation Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Revises the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to: (1) extend the authorization of appropriations for grants for services for the handicapped and for studying the needs of the severely handicapped; and (2) extend, and set forth a formula for determining, the authorization for appropriations for vocational rehabilitation services. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to Indian tribes for the development of vocational rehabilitation services. Amends: (1) the requirements for annual State vocational rehabilitation plans; (2) the scope of rehabilitation services; and (3) the formula for computing State allotments. Extends the appropriation for vocational rehabilitation research and for rehabilitation personnel training. Eliminates certain restrictions with respect to use of research funds. Authorizes research grants to profitmaking entities. Makes amendments concerning Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers and Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers. Directs the Secretary to develop a long-term rehabilitation manpower plan designed to target resources on areas of personnel shortages. Extends the authorization for appropriations for the following: (1) rehabilitation facility construction and operation; (2) vocational training services grants and contracts; (3) special projects and demonstrations; (4) the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults; (5) program evaluations; (6) program projections; and (7) the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. Provides for the development and delivery of psychiatric services as an integral part of rehabilitation programs. Title II: Comprehensive Services for the Severely Handicapped - Severely Handicapped Comprehensive Services Act - Establishes a program of grants to the States for programs of assistance to the severely handicapped. Requires each State receiving a Federal allotment for planning, providing comprehensive services, and for constructing and operating facilities for severely handicapped individuals to provide the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare with satisfactory assurances that each program: (1) has an individual plan for severely handicapped individuals; and (2) provides for an annual review of such plan. Requires each State receiving such an allotment to provide the Secretary with satisfactory assurances that the State has in effect a system to protect and advocate the rights of severely handicapped individuals. Requires each recipient of assistance under this Act to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified handicapped individuals. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1983 for grants for planning, provision of comprehensive services, and for construction and operation of facilities for severely handicapped individuals. Directs that the Federal share for such allotments not exceed 75 percent of the necessary cost as determined by the Secretary, except in rural areas where it may not exceed 90 percent. Directs the Secretary to allot such funds to the States on the basis of: (1) the population; (2) the need for services for severely handicapped; and (3) the financial need of the States. Requires any State desiring to receive such Federal funds to submit a State plan to the Secretary. Sets forth requirements which must be included in such plan. Directs the Secretary to discontinue funding State projects which fail to comply with the requirements of their plan. Authorizes States to seek judicial review of any such determination. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance, for the establishment and operation of area centers for the employment of the severely handicapped which will create and utilize the best methods of appraising and developing the employment potential of severely handicapped individuals. Enumerates the activities such centers must undertake. Requires the Secretary to establish a demonstration program of models for independent living for severely handicapped individuals. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contracts to carry out such programs. Requires the Secretary to establish a demonstration program of models for infant and preschool services for severely handicapped children. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contracts for such programs. Directs the Secretary to make grants to university affiliated facilities in meeting the cost of administering and operating: (1) interdisciplinary programs for professionals providing services to the severely handicapped; and (2) exemplary service programs which have as a purpose the prevention of severely handicapping conditions or which demonstrate innovative service approaches to the problems experienced by the severely handicapped. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to university affiliated facilities to assist in meeting the costs of the renovation or modernization of facilities being used in connection with such activities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance for the establishment and operation of community centers for severely handicapped individuals. Authorizes the Secretary, through the regional administrators of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, to make project grants to public agencies or private nonprofit institutions for: (1) projects concerning the establishment and improvement of comprehensive services to severely handicapped individuals in areas as parent counseling and training, seizure control systems, community based counseling, housing, and other necessary services and systems for the maintenance of severely handicapped individuals in the community; (2) public awareness and public education programs to assist in the elimination of social, attitudinal, and environmental barriers confronted by severely handicapped individuals; (3) technical assistance for services and facilities for severely handicapped individuals; and (4) gathering and dissemination of information concerning severely handicapped individuals. Directs the Secretary to appoint temporary panels of experts at the regional level to evaluate projects to be assisted. Authorizes the Secretary to establish and carry out a research program to determine the problems of severely handicapped individuals and discover solutions to such problems. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance for the cost of projects and programs for training, traineeships, and related activities designed to assist in increasing the numbers of personnel trained in providing services to severely handicapped individuals and in performing other functions necessary to the development of such services. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the continuing evaluation of all programs and activities conducted pursuant to this Title. Directs the Secretary to contract for the conduct of an objective study to: (1) determine the social and economic consequences of removing severely handicapped individuals from institutions and placing them in community living arrangements; and (2) determine the effect of such community living arrangements upon the lives of severely handicapped individuals removed from institutions. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress annually concerning the conditions affecting the severely handicapped. Directs the Secretary to prescribe general regulations for all the States to prescribe: (1) the kinds of services needed to provide adequate programs for severely handicapped individuals; (2) standards as to the scope and quality of services provided for severely handicapped individuals; (3) the general manner in which a State shall determine priorities for services and facilities; and (4) general standards of construction and equipment for facilities. States that, except as otherwise specifically provided, nothing in this title shall be considered as conferring on any Federal officer or employee the right to exercise any supervision or control over the administration, personnel, maintenance, or operation of any facility for severely handicapped individuals with respect to which any funds have been or may be expended under this Act. Title III: Federal Council on Handicapped Individuals - Establishes the Federal Council on Handicapped Individuals. States that the Council shall: (1) provide advice and assistance to the President concerning the problems and needs of handicapped and severely handicapped individuals; (2) review and evaluate on a continuing basis all policies, programs, and activities concerning handicapped and severely handicapped individuals conducted or assisted by all Federal Departments and agencies; (3) serve as an ombudsman on behalf of handicapped individuals by making recommendations to the President, to the Secretary and to the Congress with respect to Federal policies, programs, and activities concerning handicapped and severely handicapped individuals; (4) inform the public about the problems and needs of handicapped and severely handicapped individuals by collecting and disseminating information; and (5) provide public forums for discussing and publicizing the problems and needs of handicapped and severely handicapped individuals by conducting or sponsoring conferences, workshops, and other such meetings. Directs the Secretary: (1) to make available to the Council such assistance as it may require and (2) not to delegate any duties assigned to the Secretary under this Title to any person not assigned to the office of the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1978
National Intelligence Reorganization and Reform Act - Title I: National Intelligence - National Intelligence Act - Authorizes the national intelligence community (but only the intelligence community as defined in this Act) to conduct national intelligence, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism activities under the direction and control of the National Security Council. Authorizes the President to determine what activities, in addition to those enumerated in this Act shall constitute "national intelligence activities. Establishes within the Executive Branch an Office of the Director of National Intelligence headed by a Director who shall serve under the direction and control of the National Security Council. Makes the Director responsible for the coordination of national intelligence, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism activities conducted abroad by the intelligence community and for review of all ongoing and proposed intelligence activities to assure their effectiveness, efficiency, and legality; and requires such Director to serve, additionally, as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (unless such office is held by the Deputy Director of National Intelligence). Makes the Director responsible for the preparation and approval of the national intelligence budget. Sets forth requirements relating to appropriations for national intelligence, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism activities. Provides for audits and reviews of such appropriated funds by the Comptroller General. Directs the President to establish standards and procedures by which activities involving the clandestine collection of foreign intelligence shall be reviewed and approved. Requires such standards to be submitted to Congress. Prohibits the conduct of any activity abroad to further United States programs in such a manner that the role of the United States is not apparent (not including counterintelligence or counterterrorism activities) without prior presidential approval. Requires an annual review of such activities by the National Security Council. Limits such activity to the CIA or, in times of war, to the armed forces. Prohibits payment to specified persons to engage in intelligence activities including: clergy, promoters of education, the arts, humanities, or cultural affairs, and journalists. Prohibits the maintenance of cover for any United States agent with any United States religious organization, academic institution, the Peace Corps, or any Government program promoting education, the arts, humanities, or cultural affairs through international exchanges. Prohibits the use of any nonmilitary United States person by the intelligence community as a combatant in any foreign country, except pursuant to a declaration of war by Congress. Makes it a crime for any person within the United States and any employee of the United States anywhere in the world to conspire to assassinate any foreign official. Prohibits the use of specified activities including: support of international terrorists activities; creation of food or water shortages or floods; creation of epidemics of diseases; and torture of individuals. Permits the President to waive specified restrictions of this Act in time of war. Requires the National Security Council to manage counterintelligence and counterterrorism activities of the United States. Requires, generally, the Attorney General to notify Congress of the initiation of specified counterintelligence or counterterrorism activities prior to such initiation. Directs the President to establish an Intelligence Oversight Board which shall discover and report to the Attorney General any intelligence activity which the Board believes raises a question of legality and report to the President, and where appropriate, to the Director any such activity the Board believes raises a serious question of propriety. Provides for congressional oversight of all national intelligence activities. Title II: Intelligence Activities and Constitutional Rights - Intelligence Activities and Constitutional Rights Act - Directs the Attorney General to participate in the National Security Council, with the Director of National Intelligence, the Intelligence Oversight Board, and the heads of branches of the intelligence community, to ensure that intelligence activities conform to the Constitution and laws of the United States. Prohibits collection of information regarding any person for foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, or counterterrorism purposes, except in conformity with specified standards. Permits the collection of information with the consent of the person in question. Permits the collection of publicly available information related to an authorized function of the collecting agency. Requires information to be collected by the least intrusive means possible. Directs the head of each entity of the intelligence community to designate those officials who are entitled to authorize information collection, and to issue other regulations pertaining to information collections. Sets forth standards under which the collection of intelligence information is authorized with respect to any United States person who is reasonably believed to be engaged in espionage or clandestine intelligence activities. Permits the utilization of certain intelligence gathering techniques only in exigent circumstances or upon a finding by the Attorney General that such techniques are reasonable and necessary. Includes among such techniques: (1) the examination of tax records; (2) physical surveillance; (3) mail covers; and (4) electronic surveillance. Limits the validity of the approval of intelligence collection to 90 days, renewable for an additional 90 days. Stipulates the findings which must be made prior to approval of such information collection. Permits information collection for up to 180 days concerning targets of foreign intelligence services or international terrorists. Requires that such targets be informed of the risks posed to them by foreign intelligence or international terrorists activities, except in certain circumstances. Specifies the circumstances under which foreign intelligence in the possession of a United States person may be collected without such persons's consent. Authorizes information collection for 90 days concerning a United States person who is reasonably believed to have contact with any person engaged in espionage or clandestine intelligence activity, in order to identify such United States person and to determine the access of such person to information the disclosure of which would be harmful to the United States. Authorizes information collection for 90 days concerning a United States person who is reasonably believed to be a potential source of information or operational assistance. Specifies the circumstances under which such collection may occur without the consent of the person concerned. Authorizes information collection concerning a United States person within, on the grounds of, or in the immediate vicinity of the installations of any entity of the intelligence community. Stipulates the limitations upon such collection. Requires the matter to be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency if a clear threat to the physical safety of the installation is posed. Permits information collection concerning any employee or contractor of any entity of the intelligence community to determine if such person has violated security regulations. Stipulates the techniques which require prior approval when used in collection for this purpose. Authorizes information collection concerning a foreign person in the United States in certain circumstances. Stipulates the conditions under which nonpublic information collected for intelligences purposes may be retained by any department or agency without the consent of the person who is the subject of such information. Permits retention or dissemination of information collected through electronic means only in accordance with title III of this Act. Permits intraagency dissemination of collected information only to persons who require such information for the discharge of authorized governmental responsibilities. Stipulates the circumstances under which private information may be disseminated outside the collecting agency. Permits the retention or dissemination of information collected in violation of this Act only for purposes of redress. Prohibits destruction of such information if the collecting agency is on notice of a related administrative or judicial proceeding. Declares that the limitation upon retention or dissemination of collected information are not to be construed to limit Congressional access to such information, or to prevent the retention or dissemination of information in a manner which clearly would not identify the person concerned. Prohibits any intelligence activity to be directed against any United States person solely because such person exercised any Constitutional right. Prohibits any intelligence activity from interfering with the exercise of any Constitutional right by any United States person. Prohibits the dissemination anonymously or under a false identity of intelligence information concerning any United States person without such person's consent except in certain circumstances. Prohibits any person on behalf of an entity of the intelligence community from instigating or committing a violation of the criminal statutes of the United States unless: (1) approved by the Attorney General; (2) acts of violence are not involved; (3) this Act is not violated; and (4) the violation is necessary to prevent espionage, sabotage, terrorism, or assassination. Restricts undisclosed participation in United States organizations on behalf of an entity of the intelligence community. Stipulates the circumstances under which the head of such entity may approve such undisclosed participation. Prohibits entities of the intelligence community, other than the Department of Justice or Treasury, from assisting the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration or State or local police organizations or activities. Permits such entities to cooperate with law enforcement authorities with respect to protecting against espionage, activities and other related, stipulated functions. Directs the Attorney General to review any such provision of equipment, information, or personnel. Prohibits any entity of the intelligence community from conducting research on any human subject except in accordance with applicable guidelines issued by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Grants the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research jurisdiction to monitor such research. Title III: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance - Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act - Establishes a Special Court of the United States whose main task shall be to rule on applications for approval of certain domestic and foreign surveillance and intelligence activities in accordance with standards and procedures set forth in this title. Establishes a Special Court of Appeals with jurisdiction to hear appeals from decisions of the Special Court. Requires each application for any order approving domestic electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes to be approved by the Attorney General and to include among other information: (1) the identity of the officer making the application; (2) the approval of the Attorney General to make the application; (3) the identity of the subject of the surveillance; (4) the fact and circumstances justifying belief that the target of surveillance is a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power; (5) a description of the type of information sought and a certification by one of specified Federal officers that such information is foreign intelligence information that cannot feasibly be obtained by normal investigative techniques; (6) a statement of the period of time for which the surveillance is required; and (7) a statement of procedures to be taken to minimize intrusion into the privacy of United States persons. Directs the judge to enter an ex parte order as requested or as modified approving the electronic surveillance if he finds that the criteria specified have been met. States that orders so issued may approve surveillance within the United States for a maximum of 90 days where the target is not a foreign power or a maximum of one year, reviewable every 90 days, where the target is a foreign power. Establishes procedures for obtaining extensions of surveillance orders. Authorizes the Attorney General, upon a reasonable determination that an emergency situation exists, to authorize the emergency employment of electronic surveillance if the appropriate judge is informed by the Attorney General of such authorization at the time it is made and if an application for judicial approval is made as soon as practicable but not more than 24 hours after authorization. Requires, in the absence of a judicial order, that surveillance terminate when the information sought is obtained, when the application for an order is denied, or 24 hours after authorization, whichever is earliest. Allows information acquired from electronic surveillance conducted pursuant to this Act to be used and disclosed only for designated purposes or for the enforcement of the criminal law. Requires the Attorney General to submit an annual report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and to Congress, of the number of applications made for orders and extensions of orders approving electronic surveillance and the number of such orders and extensions granted, modified and denied. Restricts foreign electronic or signals intelligence activities targeted against a person other than a United States person with respect to treatment of any resultant information regarding a United States person. Prohibits, except in accordance with this Act, any intelligence entity from intentionally attempting to acquire information concerning a particular United States person or persons by means of foreign electronic or signals intelligence under circumstances where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists or where a warrant for law enforcement purposes within the United States would be required. Sets forth procedures for judicial approval of such activities substantially similar to those procedures set forth for domestic electronic surveillance. Allows the senior United States official of an agency authorized by the President or by statute to conduct electronic or signals intelligence activities in a foreign country, the head of such agency, or the appropriate United States chief of mission to authorize such activities on an emergency basis provided judicial authorization is sought within 72 hours. Bars an intelligence entity from conducting unconsented physical searches within the United States or unconsented physical searches of United States persons abroad except where searches comply with constitutional guidelines for law enforcement activities, or judicial authorization, based on standards for domestic or foreign surveillance promulgated in this Act, is granted. Imposes similar restrictions on mail openings by intelligence entities. Title IV: Central Intelligence Agency - Central Intelligence Agency Act - Enumerates the functions of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Authorizes the collection of foreign intelligence abroad and from foreign persons domestically by using publicly available sources and clandestine means. Authorizes the conduct of counterintelligence and counterterrorism activities domestically and abroad, but limits such domestic activities to those integrally related to CIA activities abroad. Lists general and special authorities of the CIA including procurement powers and authorization to loan CIA employees to other Federal agencies. Provides procedures for, but does not require, the liquidation of any CIA-owned business entity the net value of which exceeds $50,000. Authorizes the entry of any alien and his family for permanent residence where such entrance is in the interest of national security. Establishes the General Counsel of the Agency to serve as the principal legal advisor to the Director of the CIA. Establishes an Inspector General of the Agency with responsibility to determine in what respects the CIA may more effectively perform its lawful functions and to determine the facts and circumstances of any alleged wrongdoing. Establishes criminal penalties for disposition of a CIA-owned business by any former CIA employee on his own behalf or as an agent for anyone other than the United States without written permission from the CIA; misuse of the name, initials, or seal of the CIA; and unauthorized disclosure of the identity of secret agents. Provides for the payment of travel and other expenses of and the retirement system for CIA personnel. Title V: Federal Bureau of Investigation - Federal Bureau of Investigation Intelligence Activities Act - Restricts all activities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to those related to the intelligence functions authorized in this title. Requires the Attorney General to review such activities at least annually to assure that they are conducted in accordance with this Act. Authorizes the FBI to collect counterintelligence and counterterrorism intelligence within the United States and abroad but only with the approval of the Attorney General and the written approval of the CIA. Makes the FBI responsible for approving requests by any other entity of the intelligence community to conduct counterintelligence or counterterrorism intelligence collection activities within the United States, except with respect to such activities conducted by the military services solely against members of such military service. Title VI: National Security Agency - National Security Agency Act - Enumerates the duties of the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) which are, generally, to manage intelligence signals and cryptologic personnel, resources, and programs. Requires the General Counsel of the Agency, as principal legal advisor to the Director, to review NSA activities and regulations to assure conformity with the laws of the United States. Requires the NSA to maintain an Inspector General of the Agency to investigate NSA activities and report wrongdoing to the General Counsel. Lists general, special, and other authorities of the NSA. Limits access to signals intelligence information obtained by the NSA to those persons authorized by the President. Permits the NSA to keep secret patents and inventions useful to the security of data transmission. Provides for travel and other expenses of, use of commissary and mess services and recreation facilities by, and a retirement system for NSA employees. Title VII: Miscellaneous Amendments and Effective Date - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to declare that it is the duty of the National Security Counsel to provide guidance for and an ongoing review of the conduct of all Federal intelligence, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism activities and to coordinate domestic, foreign, and military intelligence policies. Repeals the CIA's exemption from the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to acquire the Museum of African Art. Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution a bureau to be known as the Museum of African Art. Sets forth the functions of such bureau. Establishes a Commission for the Museum of African Art to assist the Board in the operation and development of the Museum. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1978
Social Security Refinancing Act - Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to finance the payment of disability insurance benefits and hospital insurance benefits through general tax revenues, rather than through employment and self-employment tax revenues. Reduces employment and self-employment tax rates below the rates established by the Social Security Financing Amendments of 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1978
Home owners' Equity Act - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to direct the Federal Home Loan Bank Board to adopt regulations permitting Federal savings and loan associations to offer reverse annuity mortgage loans.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1978
Authorizes and directs the President to designate 1978 as the "Franco-American Friendship Year."
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1978
Authorizes and directs the President to designate July 11, 1978, as "Franco-American Friendship Day."
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1978
Health Planning Amendments - Title I: Revision and Extension of National Health Planning and Development Authority - Amends the Public Health Service Act to permit the Governor of any State which comprises part of an interstate health service area, such an area being an entity designed to facilitate health planning and development functions for a specified region, to request, without the concurrence of the Governors of other States which are part of such area, the redesignation of an interstate area made up of an entire standard metropolitan statistical area. States that no proposed revision of the boundaries of a health service area shall comprise an entire State without prior consensus of the Governor. Directs health systems agencies, such agencies being the bodies designated to provide health planning and development services in a health service area, and Statewide Health Coordinating Councils, to adopt procedures to ensure that no such agency or Council member, employee, consultant, or agent have any actual or apparent conflict of interests with any persons, organization or other entities. Sets forth criteria for selecting health system agency governing body and executive committee members. Directs that there be opportunity for residents of a health service area to participate in the selection process. Excludes from the open meeting requirement confidential agency meetings on personnel issues. Provides for the inclusion on the governing bodies of agencies of persons having their principal place of business within the health service area, doctors of medicine and osteopathy, and nonprofessional health workers. Adds to the statement of goals to be included in the Health Systems Plan (HSP) of a health systems agency a description of institutional health services needed in the area. Requires a State health plan prepared by the Council to have the concurrence of the Governor. Requires a State health coordinating council to coordinate the State health plan with the State mental health plan developed pursuant to the Community Mental Health Centers Act. Requires such plan to assess the minimum requirements for institutional health services and specified other health services. Prohibits the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from making any grant to a State health planning and development agency which does not have a State health plan in effect. Mandates health systems agencies to provide technical assistance in obtaining and filling out necessary forms to applicants applying for projects to achieve the HSP. Allows funds granted for State health planning and development and for regulation of health care rates to be used in a periods succeeding that for which it was granted without being deducted from the subsequent grant award. Extends the period of designation of a health systems agency from one to three years. Provides for a three year extension of such designation. Raises minimum grants to such agencies. Reduces by 25 percent per year for each year during which a State has not designated a State health planning and development agency, the amount of any allotment, grant, loan, or loan guarantee which the Secretary may have committed to a State under this Act. Requires periodic reviews of projects for which a certificate-of-need was issued. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981 for (1) grants to the States for specified health planning and development purposes, and (2) grants and allotments to the States for health resources development. Title II: Revision and Extension of Health Resources Development Authority - Requires the Governor of a State, as well as the Statewide Health Coordinating Council, to approve any State medical facilities plan under Title XVI (Health Resources Development) of the Public Health Service Act. Authorizes appropriations under such title for fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981 for the modernization, conversion, and construction of medical facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of financial assistance to encourage the voluntary consolidation of duplicative hospital services and the discontinuance of unneeded hospital inpatient services. Allows incentive payments received to be used for: (1) the planning, development, and delivery of ambulatory care services; (2) home health care services; (3) long term services; (4) other services designated by the Secretary; (5) preparation of a hospital to serve patients of a closed hospital or reasonable termination pay for personnel who lose employment because of discontinued services; or (6) retraining personnel and assisting them in securing employment. Sets forth provisions governing the application for such incentive payments and the administration of the payment plan. Title III: Miscellaneous Amendments - Repeals Title IX (Education, Research Training, and Demonstration in the fields of Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke, Kidney Disease, and Other Related Diseases) of the Public Health Service Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Equal Access to Courts Act - Entitles a party which: (1) prevails in any civil action, including an action for judicial review of agency actions; and (2) is a small business as defined by the Small Business Act or an individual or entity having assets or income below specified amounts to a judgment for costs and an award for attorney fees, witness fees, and necessary studies and reports. Directs an agency to pay costs and fees to a party meeting the criteria of (2) above if such a party: (1) successfully defends the imposition of an agency sanction; (2) successfully opposes the issuance or amendments of certain agency orders; or (3) successfully appeals agency action or is subject to agency action which is appealed or reviewed. Entitles a party partially prevailing against the United States to costs and fees to the extent to which it prevailed. Authorizes, where in the interest of justice, an award of cost and fees to a party which fails to prevail in a civil action instituted by or against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1977
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a specified segment of the Delaware River as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the changes in the income tax exclusion for sick pay made by the Tax Reform Act of 1976. Restores former law with regard to the exclusion, but provides a phaseout of the exclusion if gross income is in excess of $15,000.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1977
Designates the South Portal Federal Office Building of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare at 200 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, D. C., as the "Hubert H. Humphrey Building."
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1977
Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act to require the negotiation of division of revenues agreements between the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Con Rail) and designated operators providing rail freight service over lines which connect with Con Rail rail properties.
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 · 4 August 1977
Waives certain requirements of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to the consideration of S. 1682 (Extradition treaties).
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1977
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act and the Housing Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make, insure, and guarantee loans for the acquisition and installation of solar heating and cooling devices in residential and farm structures.
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
Removes the power of any United States court to issue school transportation orders based on race, color, or national origin unless the court first determines that a discriminatory purpose in education was a principal motivating factor in the constitutional violation for which such transportation is proposed as a remedy. Stipulates that any court order requiring the transportation of any student based on race, color, or national origin must be promulgated by a three judge district court. Restricts such transportation of students to that which is reasonably necessary to have the student composition reflect what it otherwise would have been if a constitutional violation had not occurred. Requires any court before entering a transportation order to hold a hearing and make specific findings of the discriminatory purpose of the violation and the degree to which the concentration in the student composition by race, color, or national origin has been altered from its normal course by such violation. Stipulates that any transportation order on the basis of a constitutional violation shall be stayed until all appeals have been exhausted. Specifies that any transportation order for a constitutional violation which is not yet final before the date of enactment of this Act must meet the requirements imposed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to eliminate the requirement that States match Federal funds for improvement of nonoperational portions of stations used in intercity rail passenger service and of related facilities and fencing in the Northeast Corridor. Increases the appropriations authorized under such Act for such improvements.
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 · 5 May 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase to $6,000 the annual amount which individuals may earn without suffering deductions from their social security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
Emergency Rail Transportation Improvement and Employment Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to eligible applicants for projects involving the repair, rehabilitation, or improvement of railroad roadbeds and facilities. Stipulates that the purposes of such grant program are to: (1) reduce unemployment in areas of substantial unemployment; (2) improve severely deteriorated roadbeds and facilities which are a risk to public safety or seriously inhibit freight and passenger service; and (3) improve roadbeds and facilities which meet transportation needs and policies. Sets forth the information which must be included in applications for such assistance. Stipulates that the funds provided under this Act shall be used solely to pay the wages and benefits earned by individuals employed in programs funded by this Act and not for administrative expenses. Establishes a priority system for hiring individuals for jobs created pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish rules and procedures for referring eligible individuals for employment to applicants receiving funds under this Act. Sets forth criteria for determining which roadbeds and facilities are eligible for project grants under this Act. Sets forth goals to be achieved with respect to such projects. Stipulates that projects must be structured and administered to achieve such goals in order to be eligible for funding. Sets forth restrictions regarding subcontracts for such work on such projects. Sets forth measures relating to labor protection and wages and benefits for employees. Requires recipients of Federal funds under this Act to keep such records as the Secretary of Transportation may prescribe. Directs the Secretary to submit periodic reports to the President and the Congress regarding actions taken pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $750,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Bilingual Courts Act - Requires that proceedings in U.S. district courts, in criminal and civil actions, be conducted bilingually where it is determined that a party to or a witness in, such proceedings does not understand the English language. Directs the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to determine and supply the personnel and facilities necessary to conduct such proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Social Security Cost-of-Living Improvement Act - Requires an annual cost-of-living increase in Federal old-age, survivors, and disability benefits under the Social Security Act. Defines the base periods from which the need for such increases shall be determined. Directs the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, to develop a special Consumer Price Index for the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Federal Spending Control Act - States that it shall not be in order in either the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider any bill or resolution which authorizes the enactment of new budget authority for any fiscal year beginning six years after the effective date of this Act until the committee which has jurisdiction has submitted a report which analyzes and evaluates existing programs in accordance with requirements set forth in this Act. Permits the Senate to waive, by resolution, the limitation on new budget authority imposed by this Act where the proposed legislation provides for the enactment of such authority for a period of more than four fiscal years. Requires that conference reports on authorization bills state the objectives of the program as developed in conference. Makes provisions for the phaseout of existing programs. Requires that each committee of the Senate file with the Senate a report on its proposed plan for implementation of this Act not later than one year following the effective date of this Act. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to furnish information, analyzes, and reports to Congressional committees in order to assist such committees in carry out their duties under this Act. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to conduct a study of the feasibility and advisability of establishing a zero-base budgeting system for the departments and agencies of the executive branch.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Interstate Horseracing Act - Expresses the findings of Congress with regard to the significance of the horseracing industry and the effects of off-track betting on that industry. Declares that the policy of Congress is to assure continued revenue flow from horseracing to the States and to protect the horseracing industry. Prohibits the acceptance of a wager, placed or accepted in one state on the outcome of a horserace in another state. Subjects any person violating this Act to a civil action which may be brought by (1) the host racing association, (2) the host State, or (3) any owner of any horse participating in a race which is the subject of an interstate off-track wager. Allows the courts (1) to enjoin further violations of this Act, and (2) to award damages in an amount equal to three times the amount of that portion of the interstate off-track wagers which the host State, the host racing association, and the owners of horses participating in the race would have received if such wagers had been placed at the track where the race was held. States that in the event that a wager accepted in violation of this Act is of a type not accepted at the host track, the damages shall be equal to three times the greater of (1) the maximum takeout permitted for any type of pari-mutuel wager in the host State, or (2) the maximum takeout for any type of pari-mutuel wager in the off-track state. Defines "takeout" as that portion of a wager which is deducted from the pari-mutuel pool and is distributed to persons or entities other than those placing wagers. Grants jurisdiction over an action under this Act to the United States District Court in the host State or State in which the off track wager was alleged to have been made. Grants concurrent jurisdiction to state courts of competent jurisdiction in the host State or off-track State. Prescribes a statute of limitations of three years after the discovery of an alleged violation of this Act. States that this Act shall not apply to any interstate off-track pari-mutuel wager which is accepted by an off-track State pursuant to a contract which (1) is entered into by the off-track State and the host State prior to enactment of this Act, and (2) authorizes the off-track State to accept such wagers with respect to the outcome of a horserace taking place in the host State. Limits this exception to this Act to the termination date of the above contract, or the period extending until April 30, 1983, whichever date occurs first.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1977
Equal Educational Opportunities Amendments - Amends the Equal Educational Opportunity Act of 1974 to prohibit any court from ordering busing as a remedy under such Act unless the court determines that a discriminatory purpose was a motivating factor of the school officials. Prohibits any court from otherwise abridging the right of a child to attend the school nearest his home except with regard to special education of handicapped children.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1977
Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a study of the effects of saccharin within one year from the enactment of this resolution. Directs the Secretary to submit a report on the findings of such study to the President and Congress. Prohibits the banning of saccharin until such report has been submitted to the President and Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to specifically encompass pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions within the prohibition against sex discrimination in employment, including discrimination with respect to fringe benefit plans.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Directs the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to conduct an investigation and study of the telecommunications policies of the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Small Business Development Center Act - Authorizes the Small Business Administration to make grants to universities to assist them in developing centers to provide small businesses with a broad range of advice, information, and assistance. Limits the amount of such grant to no more than 75 percent of the cost of eligible activities in the operation or development of the center, except for grants to regional centers assisting State centers in research or other high cost activities. Establishes a Small Business Management and Technical Assistance Division within the Small Business Administration to administer the Small Business Development Center program through a Deputy Associate Administrator. Establishes a Small Business Development Center Advisory Board composed of 14 members to advise and confer with the Deputy Associate Administrator for Management and Technical Assistance. Authorizes the Administration to make grants to universities, organizations, and business concerns to support research to solve problems which affect small business concerns.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1977
Opportunities for Adoption Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to facilitate the elimination of obstacles to adoption and facilitate the placement in permanent adoptive homes of children, particularly children with special needs, by: (1) promoting the establishment of uniform adoption regulations in the States and territories of the United States in order to eliminate jurisdictional and legal obstacles to adoption; (2) providing Federal financial assistance to States for the purpose of assisting public and private nonprofit agencies and adoptive and prospective adoptive parents in meeting costs of adoption in order to remove or alleviate the financial obstacles which present serious barriers to adoption by qualified persons; (3) providing for the establishment of a national office of adoption information and services in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare to (A) insure quality standards for adoption services (including preplacement and postplacement and postadoption counseling and standards to protect the rights of children in need of adoption) and (B) provide for a national adoption information exchange system. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint a committee on uniform adoption regulations. Directs such Committee to: (1) review current conditions, practices, and laws relating to adoption, with special reference to their effect on facilitating or impeding the finding of suitable adoptions; (2) propose to the Secretary uniform adoption regulations which would facilitate adoption; and (3) report its proposals to the Congress and the President not later than nine months after the Committee members have been appointed. Requires the Secretary to publish the proposed regulations in the Federal Register within six months following their receipt. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States for allocation, by State agencies principally responsible for services to families and children, to public and private nonprofit adoption agencies which meet standards of quality prescribed pursuant to this Act for the purpose of assisting; (1) such agencies in meeting the cost involved in the adoptive placement of children with special needs (including locating suitable homes and providing preplacement and postplacement and postadoptive counseling to children in need of adoption and to prospective and actual adoptive parents); (2) such agencies in meeting the cost of providing prenatal and postpartum services to mothers, voluntarily planning to place their children for adoption, who are unable to assume such costs, in order to protect the health and welfare of both the mother and child, but only to the extent that assistance under other Federal or State programs in the community in question is not readily available to provide adequately for such services; (3) prospective adoptive parents of children with special needs, who would consider adoption but for their financial inability to meet such child's needs, by sufficiently defraying adoption costs to enable the prospective adoptive parents to adopt such children; and (4) adoptive parents in locating and, where appropriate, defraying the cost of postplacement and postadoption special services to children requiring such services as a result of conditions which existed prior to their placement, up to an amount not exceeding the amount which similar services would cost the state in question were it to provide or secure such services as the guardian of such children. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with State agencies, to ensure (1) annual reviews of the need for and adequacy of assistance; (2) assistance is being provided pursuant to an adoption assistance agreement; and (3) the establishment of a system in each State under which a family providing foster care to a child will be notified of the possibility of financial assistance for adoptive placement under this Act. Directs the Secretary to encourage and facilitate the consideration of comprehensive adoption assistance legislation by those States which have not enacted such legislation. Excludes assistance provided under this Act to adoptive parents or prospective adoptive parents from being taken into account in determining benefits available to such parents under any other Federal programs. Establishes within the Office of the Secretary a National Office of Adoption Information and Services headed by a Director. Makes it the duty of the Director to (1) establish a national adoption data, tracking, and analysis system; (2) conduct a continuing adoption education program, including the making of grants, and the publishing of materials regarding adoption and adoption assistance programs; (3) conduct a program of grants and contracts for the demonstration of methods and programs to enable families having children placed in foster homes to care for such children in their own home; (4) prepare an annual report evaluating and measuring the impact of programs authorized by this Act including in such report (A) the total number of children placed in adoptive homes and the number of such children placed under adoptive assistance agreements; and (B) estimates of the number of children in foster care or other custodial institutions who have been in such institutions for at least six months; (5) ensure that federally assisted adoption agencies are in compliance with applicable rules and regulations; (6) notwithstanding any other provisions of law, ensure the operation of national adoption information system, utilizing computers and modern data processing methods, to assist in the location of children in need of adoption and in the placement in adoptive homes of children awaiting adoption, and for the promotion of cooperative efforts with any similar programs operated by or within any State; and (7) coordinate and consult with other appropriate Federal departments and agencies with respect to services and benefits provided under this Act. Directs the Secretary and Attorney General of the United States to jointly conduct a study to determine the nature, scope, and effect of the interstate placement of children in adoptive homes by unlicensed persons or agencies and to submit such study, together with any legislative recommendations, to Congress within two years after the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 and of such sums as may be necessary for the succeeding three years.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1977
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to restrict the purposes for which unexpended campaign contributions of an unsuccessful Federal office seeker or a retired or deceased Federal office holder may be disbursed to (1) payment into the Presidential Election Campaign Fund; (2) payment into the Federal, or a State or local, treasury; (3) primary or general Federal election campaign expenses; and (4) payment to certain charitable organizations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the tax credit for political contributions to stipulate that contributions shall not cease to be regarded as such even though they are not used for campaign purposes so long as they are disposed of in accordance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
Transfers from the Secretary of the Army to the Secretary of the Interior the authority, real property, project authorization, and unexpended appropriations for the Tocks Island Reservoir Project, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Terminates authorization of the Project as part of the Delaware River Basin project under the Flood Control Act of 1962. Stipulates the priorities of the Secretary of the Interior in administration of the project.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction to individuals who rent their principal residences for their proportionate share of the real property taxes paid or accrued by their landlord.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Commends the President's intention to give diplomatic priority to pursuit of nonproliferation measures. Endorses negotiations with world leaders (1) to curb the spread of nuclear enrichment and reprocessing facilities, (2) to achieve acceptance of nuclear safeguards, (3) to explore international provision of nuclear fuel services, (4) to agree on sanctions against nations seeking to acquire nuclear explosives, (5) to strengthen the International Atomic Energy Agency, and (6) to act promptly on legislation enacting a statement of United States nonproliferation policy.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1977
Energy and Weather Emergency Adjustment Assistance Act - Title I: Adjustment Assistance for Workers - Entitles to adjustment assistance allowances of specified amounts each of a group of workers certified by the Administrator of the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration upon a determination that: (1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in the group or subdivision have become totally or partially separated, (2) sales and/or production of such firm have decreased absolutely, and (3) critical shortages of energy supplies or unusually severe weather conditions contributed importantly to such work separation and decline in sales and/or production. Provides additional assistance allowances, including expenses of training programs and seeking new employment, to each of a group of workers qualified for adjustment allowances who are likely to become totally separated on a permanent basis. Title II: Adjustment Assistance to Firms - Entitles firms which are found by the Administrator, due to critical energy shortages or unusual weather conditions, to have ceased sales and/or production and totally or partially separated a significant portion or number of workers to: (1) funds for repairing physical damage resulting from the adverse conditions; and (2) if the firm is a small business and would not otherwise remain competitive, low-interest loans for operating expenses; or (3) if the firm is not a small business, guarantees of loans not otherwise available and necessary to remain competitive. Title III: Adjustment Assistance for Communities - Entitles local governments which are found by the Administrator to have incurred extraordinary expenditures amounting to at least five percent of their operating budget or sustained an increase in unemployment within their jurisdiction of at least ten percent due to critical energy shortages or unusual weather conditions to: (1) funds to reimburse the cost of repairing damaged public facilities and purchasing or renting emergency equipment; and (2) low-interest loans if the adverse conditions result in a substantial revenue loss. Title IV: General Provisions - Authorizes the appropriation for fiscal years 1977 and 1978 of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act. Specifies the effective date of this Act and the duration of the Administrator's authority under it.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act - Prohibits debt collectors from harassing or intimidating consumers in connection with the collection or attempted collection of any alleged debt arising from a consumer credit transaction. Sets forth conduct which violates this Act, including the use of violence by a debt collector, and practices used to acquire location information about the consumer which publicize the indebtedness, such as post cards. Limits the communication that the debt collector may have with the consumer in connection with debt collection. Requires that further direct collection efforts cease once the consumer has absolutely refused to pay except that the collector may advise the consumer that the further efforts are being terminated and that there is a possibility of an attorney invoking the creditor's remedies. Prohibits false or misleading representation or impersonation in connection with the collection of an alleged debt. Lists unfair practices which a collector is required to avoid, including the solicitation or acceptance by a debt collector from a consumer of any check or other negotiable instrument that is postdated more than three days. Prohibits the taking of specified legal actions, such as causing unauthorized service of process, on the part of collectors. Requires that, within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, the collector send the consumer a written notice containing specified information, including the name of the creditor, so as to provide the consumer with the opportunity to dispute the validity of the debt. Prohibits any person from furnishing forms to a consumer which create the false belief in such consumer that a person other than the creditor is participating in the debt collection. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act. Requires that the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General report periodically to Congress concerning administration of their functions under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Victims of Crime Act - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to qualified State programs for the compensation of victims of crime. Specifies requirements for program certification, including that the program (1) offer compensation for personal injuries suffered as a result of certain State and Federal crimes, (2) offer compensation to surviving dependents of persons whose deaths resulted from being victim to such a crime, (3) require cooperation with law enforcement agencies as a condition for recovery, (4) grant claimants the right to a hearing, and (5) subrogate the State to any claim the victim or dependent has against the perpetrator to the extent of the amount compensated by the State. States that grants made under this Act shall total 50 percent of the allowable compensation paid to victims and dependent survivors of victims of State crimes designated by the State as appropriate for compensation under this program and 100 percent of the allowable compensation paid to victims and dependent survivors of victims of crimes which would constitute designated State crimes except for the fact that the crime is subject to exclusive Federal jurisdiction. Limits compensation with respect to any single claim to (1) loss resulting from medical and related treatment, physical and occupational therapy and rehabilitation, and past and anticipated future earnings up to $200 per week and (2) a total of $50,000. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Victims of Crime to advise the Attorney General with respect to the administration of this Act and the compensation of victims of crime.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Requests that the concerns of the United States be conveyed to the Soviet government regarding adherence to the Helsinki Declaration with respect to freedom to emigrate.