United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1978
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to reopen the period during which a State may enter into or modify an agreement which provides for coverage under the program of supplementary medical insurance benefits of the Medicare program for certain individuals eligible for public assistance under Title I (Grants to States for Old-Age Assistance and Medical Assistance for the Aged), Title X (Grants to States for Aid to the Blind), Title XIV (Grants to States for Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled), Part A of Title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) or Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1978
Directs the Civil Aeronautics Board to immediately dissolve the Airlines Mutual Aid Pact. Directs the Board to study the collective bargaining process within the airline industry and to make recommendations to Congress within six months on methods of alleviating the occurrence of protracted airline strikes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the annual amount which an employer may contribute to an employee stock ownership plan on behalf of an employee to 50 percent, or $25,000 whichever is less, of the compensation paid the employee.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1978
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources should hold not less than five days of field hearings in geographically diverse regions of Alaska on Alaska national interest lands, such hearing to be attended by the chairman and ranking minority member of such committee or the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Resources.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1978
Regulatory Cost Reduction Act - Requires the head of each executive department or independent agency to submit an annual report of the costs of compliance with the rules and regulations of that agency or department (hereinafter referred to as "compliance costs") to Congress, the President, and the Comptroller General. Stipulates that such report must include a list of the measures taken and to be taken to reduce compliance costs by five percent each year or an explanation of any failures to do so. Directs the President to formulate the criteria for determining compliance costs and to submit such criteria for review by the public and selected offices. Requires the President and the head of each independent agency to transmit to Congress and the Comptroller General recommendations for reducing compliance costs by five percent for each of the next five years, and to implement those recommendations 60 days after transmittal unless Congress passes a concurrent resolution stating disapproval of the recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to confer tax-exempt status on a general stock ownership plan (GSOP) maintained by the United States, a State, or a locality to enable its residents to purchase corporate securities. Sets forth requirements relating to the residency of GSOP participants, distributions of stock to participants, and the limitations on ownership of any corporation's GSOP stock (ten shares) which a sponsoring jurisdiction must incorporate in its stock ownership plan. Defers taxation on stock transferred to a GSOP participant until such participant sells or exchanges the stock. Defers taxation on distributions made to a GSOP participant until such amounts are actually paid, and treats such amounts as dividends for purposes of income taxation. Allows an income tax deduction for payments to a general stock ownership plan by a corporation. Subjects a general stock ownership plan to the tax on prohibited transactions if a GSOP fails to make distributions as required under its plan. Exempts a general stock ownership plan from the tax on unrelated business activities. Excludes from gross income the interest paid on an industrial development bond obligation of a general stock ownership plan.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1978
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior, subject to the supervision and approval of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Commission, to construct the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1978
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of State: (1) make every effort to negotiate an agreement with Canada to preserve our mutual airshed, protect air resources, and maintain air quality; and (2) take whatever diplomatic actions necessary to reduce or eliminate any undesirable impact on both countries resulting from air pollution from any source.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that an individual's allowable charitable contributions shall be deducted when determining the individual's adjusted gross income, thereby allowing the deduction to individuals who do not itemize.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Investment Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore part of the pre-1969 tax treatment of capital gains by repealing the capital gains item of tax preference for the minimum tax; lowering the corporate alternative tax to 25 percent of net capital gain; and lowering the alternative individual tax to 25 percent of net capital gain.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1978
Amends the Fishery Conservation and Management Act: (1) to delete from the definition of fishing any operations at sea in support of or in preparation for catching or harvesting fish; and (2) to delete processing vessels from the definition of fishing vessels. Defines process or processing as any treatment of fish in preparation for commercial use. Defines a processing vessel as any vessel used to process, store, refrigerate or transport fish products. Prohibits any foreign processing fishing vessel from fishing within the fishery conservation zone unless such vessel has a valid permit issued pursuant to the Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to approve any application for foreign processing vessel that proposes to receive fish harvested by vessels of the United States unless United States processing capability is adequate for processing the fish harvested from the fishery involved.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1978
Requires that Revenue Rulings issued by the Internal Revenue Service on or after December 1, 1975, relating to the definition of the term "employee" be disregarded in applying the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, and income tax withholding requirements to real estate salespeople.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1978
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Amendments - Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to stipulate that, upon the cancellation of stock in a Regional Corporation on December 18, 1991, and issuance of new shares, as is now provided for by such Act, certain restrictions may be imposed on such new shares. Includes among the restrictions which shareholders may impose: (1) the denial of voting rights to non-Native shareholders; and (2) restrictions on alienation of such stock. Authorizes a shareholder who is a member of a profession which limits the ability of such shareholder to practice such profession while owning stock in a Regional Corporation, to transfer such stock in order to practice his or her profession. Stipulates that a Village Corporation shall first convey to the occupants, specified titles to the surface estates in the tracts occupied by such occupants as of December 18, 1971. Authorizes payment to the prevailing party in any action under the Act brought by or against the United States of such a sum as will in the opinion of the court reimburse such party for reasonable costs, including attorney fees. Stipulates that all rents, royalties, profits, and other revenues or proceeds derived from real property interests received pursuant to the Act shall be taxable to the same extent as such revenues or proceeds are taxable when received by a non-Native individual or corporation. Stipulates that any unimproved real property interest acquired in exchange for a real property interest which is exempt from real property taxes shall be deemed to be a property interest conveyed pursuant to this Act and shall be exempt from taxation as if conveyed pursuant to this Act. Stipulates that upon the termination of withdrawn or reserved status, or upon the declaration of surplus status, any withdrawals, reservations, or other public lands excepted from Native selection by the Act, which are located within the village withdrawal area, or within the area of a former withdrawal or reserve for the benefit of the Native Village or its inhabitants shall be made available to the Village Corporation on the basis of an acre-for-acre exchange for other selections or selection rights of the Corporation. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to pay, by grant, $100,000 to specified incorporated Native groups established under the Act and certified by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as an eligible Native Group. Directs that all Alaska Native allotment applications pending before the Department of the Interior on December 18, 1971, be approved. States that no corporation created pursuant to the Act shall be considered a personal holding company within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code. Authorizes necessary appropriations for the escrow account, established pursuant to this Act, into which funds are deposited which are derived from contracts pertaining to lands withdrawn for Native selection. Authorizes the Village of Chenega corporation and the Village of English Bay corporation to file selections upon specified land. Authorizes the regional corporation for the Chugach Region to select lands from within the Chugach National Forest. Validates selections of public lands made pursuant to the Act by Village Corporations in townships which the Village Corporations contended, at the time of such selection, were withdrawn by reason of the Act but which the Secretary of the Interior contended were not withdrawn. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to review, at five-year intervals, the conditions under which lands in the National Wildlife Refuge System were conveyed to a Village Corporation. Stipulates that if the Secretary finds that such lands remain essential to the needs of the wildlife refuge system the Village Corporation may require the Secretary to exchange such lands for: (1) other specified lands; or (2) an amount equal to the fair market value for lease of such lands. Authorizes such appropriations as necessary for this purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1978
Directs the Internal Revenue Service not to adopt a position which is inconsistent with previous general audit procedure or regulations in determining whether an individual is an employee for purposes of social security taxation, unemployment taxation, and income tax withholding until a law amending the definition of "employee" is enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1978
National Historic Trails Act - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares congressional findings and states the purposes of this Act, including to establish national historic trails. Title II: Establishment of a National Historic Trails Category within the National Trails System - Amends the National Trails System Act to include historic trails, in addition to recreation and scenic trails, within the National Trails System. Defines historic trails as those trails which follow as closely as possible and practicable the original trails or routes of travel of national historical significance. Sets qualifications for designation as a National Historic Trail, including, establishment through historic use, national significance with respect to any of several broad facets of American history, and potential for public recreational use related to historic appreciation. Requires the Secretary charged with the administration of each trail to establish an advisory council for each such trail within one year of the date of addition of any national scenic or historic trail to the System. Requires, within two years, submission to Congress of a comprehensive acquisition, management, and development plan for each such trail. Title III: Designation of Certain Routes as National Historic Trails - Designates Oregon Trail, the Mormon Pioneer Trail, the Lewis and Clark Trail, and the Iditarod Trail, Alaska, as National Historic Trails. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Alaska Lands Conservation and Management Act - Title I: National Park System - Designates specified areas in Alaska as components of the National Park System. Adds land to the existing areas of specified national parks. Title II: National Wildlife Refuge System - Designates specified areas in Alaska as components of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Establishes the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. Alters the boundaries of specified wildlife refuges. Title III: National Wild and Scenic Rivers System - Designates specified rivers in Alaska as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Title IV: National Forest System - Expands the area of the Tongass and the Chugach National Forests in Alaska. Title V: Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas - Designates specified lands within the Tongass National Forest as wilderness. Includes special provisions to provide for access, cabins, aquaculture facilities, and other uses in wilderness areas. Directs the Alaska Federal-State Land Use Planning Commission to conduct studies of wilderness demands, uses, and potential wilderness areas. Title VI: Alaska Federal-State Land Use Planning Commission - Establishes the Alaska Federal-State Use Planning Commission upon the passage of enabling legislation by the State government. Grants the Commission jurisdiction over dedicated State lands and over Federal lands not included in conservation systems or military reserves. Directs the Commission to develop land use plans, insure that Federal, State, and local planning and land uses are harmonious; coordinate implementation of air and water pollution lands, coastal zone management law, and other environmental laws; and determine the location of transportation and utility rights-of-way. Reserves the veto power of the Governor and the Secretary of the Interior over their respective lands. Title VII: Subsistence - Permits the State to retain prime responsibility for fish and game management. Grants preferences to subsistence users during periods when fish or wildlife are scarce. Provides criteria for the designation of subsistence users. Directs the Secretary to monitor the State subsistence program and to suspend such program if the subsistence provisions are not followed. Provides the State an opportunity to be heard,and time to correct the subsistence to be heard, and time to correct the subsistence program prior to any suspension by the Secretary. Provides Federal funds to offset any extraordinary costs incurred by the State in setting up the subsistence program. Title VIII: Implementation of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and Alaska Statehood Act - Directs that core townships be conveyed to native corporations within six months after the enactment of this Act. Provides an expedited conveyance system for all other lands. Reserves essential easements specified by existing laws. Defines selection of land rights and entitlements and amends the statehood Act to assist the selection process. Title IX: Mineral Study, Exploration and Extraction in Conservation System Units - Permits continued mineral exploration studies in all Alaska system units. Specifies guidelines for such exploration. Directs the Secretary to initiate an oil and gas leasing program on wildlife refuge system lands. Requires Congressional approval of mineral extraction permits concerning national parks and monuments. Permits the Secretary to issue such permits in all other areas. Preserves access and use rights for existing claims and leases. Title X: Transportation and Utility Rights-of-way - Permits the Secretary to issue rights-of-way across lands under his jurisdiction. Directs the Commission to study and recommend rights-of-way to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to approve such recommendations unless he issues specific findings that such route would significantly harm the resources involved and that there exists an appropriate alternative to the recommended route. Title XI: Administrative Provisions - Includes State and native lands in conservation units only by permission. Provides that lands selected but not conveyed to native corporations shall become part of the relevant conservation unit if within its boundaries. Provides that legally recognized homesites quality for a lifetime occupancy permit. Authorizes the purchase of isolated archeological sites. Provides for the hiring of local people to help manage the lands covered by this Act. Establishes the Alcan highway visitor center and authorizes appropriations for its construction. Permits the establishment of information centers and authorizes appropriations for their construction. Title XII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to study the development of visitor access and facilities in the proposed Denali National Park. Establishes a new historic trails system and designates the Iditarod Trail as a national historic trail. Permits the acquisition of State or private lands for the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Directs the Secretary to study the feasibility of developing a scenic highway between Parks highway and the Glennallen area. Authorizes funds for the paving of the Denali highway. Directs the Secretary to withdraw a transportation and utility corridor across specified Federal lands. Exempts Alaska from provisions requiring wilderness studies on all Bureau of Land Management lands. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a coal gasification research program on native subsurface lands.
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
Endangered Species Act Amendments- Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to establish an Endangered Species Committee. Directs the Committee to review applications submitted by Federal agencies regarding proposed agency actions to determine whether an exemption from the requirement of the Act that Federal agencies take no actions which would jeopardize endangered species or their critical habitats should be granted. Stipulates that such an exemption may be granted only after a public hearing and a finding that the benefits of the agency action outweigh the benefits of alternative courses of action consistent with preserving the species or its critical habitat. States that no final determination of the Committee regarding such an exemption shall be considered a major Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act. Provides for judicial review of any Committee action with regard to an exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Beef Import Act - Subjects specified kinds of preserved beef and veal products to the policy of Congress related to the restriction of beef imports. Revises the formula for the determination of beef and veal import quotas. Directs the President to limit beef imports at any one port of entry in order to insure the geographical distribution of such imports. Revises the criteria under which the President may suspend a proclamation limiting beef and veal imports to permit such suspension only during a national emergency or when the supply of such products are inadequate to meet domestic supply at reasonable prices.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1978
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to create a position for an officer whose sole duty shall be to promote the export of goods and services related to solar power and other nonnuclear renewable energy resources. Requires the Export-Import Bank to include the views of such officer in specified reports to Congress. Directs that such reports describe specific actions taken to encourage solar power and nonnuclear renewable energy use in developing countries.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1978
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 of Commerce to review each aquatic species not identified as a priority species and the program established for each priority species. Directs the Secretary of Commerce 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, and (4) submit an annual report to Congress on the implementation of the provisions of 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 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 to guarantee obligations issued for the financing of aquaculture facilities. Stipulates that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all such guaranteed obligations shall not exceed $500,000,000. 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 default procedures relating to such loans. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make disaster loans to any person if such person's aquaculture facility or stock is damaged or destroyed as a result of a natural disaster, or if such person's stock is damaged or destroyed by disease, pollution, or contamination. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to provide essential property or liability insurance to owners of aquaculture facilities at reasonable rates upon a determination that the issuance of such insurance is necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Establishes a Federal Aquaculture Assistance Fund to enable the Secretary to guarantee obligations, make disaster loans, and implement the insurance program established under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of Commerce, Agriculture, and the Interior to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to increase the participation by States, local communities, private nonprofit groups, and individual groups in efforts to prevent domestic violence and assist victims and dependents of victims of domestic violence. Requires each State, in order to obtain a grant under this Act, to establish a State citizen panel on domestic violence. Declares that such a panel shall be established to provide an opportunity for citizen participation in planning and developing efforts to prevent domestic violence and assist victims and dependents of victims of domestic violence, and provide citizens familiar with the problems of domestic violence an opportunity to make recommendations with respect to resolving such problems. Requires each panel: (1) to oversee within the State the implementation of Federal, State, and local projects under this Act; and (2) to study and make recommendations on matters relating to domestic violence. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States to assist them in supporting programs and projects to prevent incidents of domestic violence. Sets forth requirements for applications for such grants. Requires each State receiving a grant to submit to the Secretary a report providing specified information on the implementation of projects to prevent domestic violence. Establishes within the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare the National Center on Domestic Violence. Declares the duties of the Director of such Center to be: (1) the coordination of all Federal programs with respect to domestic violence; and (2) the provision of a national information and resource clearinghouse for matters concerning domestic violence. Requires the Secretary, through the Director, to enter into contracts to provide for not less than one regional center for domestic violence to be located in each region of the United States as designated by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to conduct research activities with respect to domestic violence. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to annually submit to Congress a report on the programs authorized by this Act. Directs that the records of any person concerning such person's treatment for drug abuse, in connection with any program assisted under this Act, be kept confidential. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress, not later than three years after the enactment of this Act, as to the effectiveness of programs administered pursuant to this Act. Requires the Director to give particular attention to the availability of VISTA volunteers with respect to programs on domestic violence prevention. Establishes an Interagency Domestic Violence Council to assist the Director in coordinating all Federal programs regarding the prevention of domestic violence. Requires the States, to be eligible for grants under this Act, to contribute to programs supported by this Act in amounts specified in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Federal Buildings Artistic Enhancement Act - Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959 to direct the Administrator of General Services to acquire works of art by living American artists and to circulate such works among public buildings throughout the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968 to establish a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in Social and Political Thought at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Institution. Establishes the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Trust Fund in the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Small Business Act to provide "energy independence loan," under specified conditions to individuals or firms that provide energy conservation or solar energy related services or that manfacture, distribute, retail, or install energy conservation or solar energy products or measures.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Solar Energy Transition Act - Directs each Federal agency to use and encourage the use of solar energy technologies. Requires each agency to review the programs, projects, and policies it is administering, and assess the feasibility of alternative approaches utilizing solar energy technologies. Directs the Secretary of Energy to develop guidelines and otherwise assist the Federal agencies in the review required by this Act. Establishes the National Solar Energy Advisory Council to advise the Secretary in the performance of his duties under this Act. Directs the Secretary to report to the President and Congress annually starting April 20, 1980 on the progress of the Federal Government and the nation in converting to solar energy.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Solar Global Marketing Survey Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to conduct a global market survey to determine which foreign countries might serve as markets for solar energy equipment manufactured in the United States. Requires such survey be completed by September 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Small Scale Energy Technology Programs Reorganization Act - Defines "small scale technology" to include but not be limited to energy and nonenergy technologies and systems which provide energy or other services to individual or small groups of end users, which minimize environmental impacts. Establishes within the Department of Energy an Office of Small Scale Technology. Requires the Director of such Office to: (1) make grants to small businesses for small scale technology; (2) act to inform small businesses about opportunities for participation in the programs of the Office; (3) evaluate and certify the performance of equipment and demonstration models of grantees; (4) supervise the activities of the National Center for Appropriate Technology; and (5) coordinate Office activities with related activities of other Federal, State, and local agencies. Directs the Office to enter into contractual or other arrangements with the National Center for Appropriate Technology or other groups with similar experience and expertise to perform research and development programs and demonstration projects concerning weatherization oriented small scale technology and to provide grants and other assistance. Transfers all functions of the Energy Related Inventions Program of the National Bureau of Standards and all functions of such Program located within the Department of Energy to the Office. Establishes an Interagency Council on Appropriate Technology as an independent instrumentality of the United States in the Executive branch. Requires the Council to coordinate all small scale technology programs of the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to study the feasibility of using solar energy for heating the hot water in the Phillip A. Hart Office Building now under construction. Directs the Architect to make cost comparisons between solar and conventional energy systems over specified periods of time and report such findings to the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Water Research and Development Act - Title I: Water Resources Research and Development - Provides for the designation of a water resources research and technology institute at a college or university within each State. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to assist such institutes in the study of the hydrologic cycle; the conservation and reuse of water; the economic, legal and social aspects of water use; and other specified topics. Directs each State institute to annually report to the Secretary concerning its efforts to coordinate water resources research within its jurisdiction. Requires such institutes to cooperate with the Secretary in the development of five-year water resources research and development program. Authorizes a program to provide funds, on a competitive basis, to State institutes for transferring research results to other organizations for further development and practical use. Permits the Secretary to make grants to qualified educational institutions, private foundations, private firms, and individuals to conduct water research and development projects. Allows the Secretary to make advance payments of initial expenses to facilitate such projects. Prohibits the expenditure of funds appropriated under this Act until 30 days have elapsed following the transmittal of a report concerning such expenditures to designated committees of Congress. Requires that such report include among other things, the location, characteristics, and estimated cost of such projects. Title II: Water Research and Development for Saline and Other Impaired Waters - Directs the Secretary to conduct, encourage, and promote research aimed at converting impaired water into water suitable for beneficial uses. Directs the Secretary to carry out engineering and technical work to test various saline water conversion processes. Requires the Secretary to study the economic aspects of various techniques of saline water conversion. Directs the Secretary to use the expertise of the Department of the Interior in water marketing activities. Permits the Secretary to receive compensation for studies or surveys related to impaired waters. Permits the Secretary to study, design, and operate water resources programs and activities to demonstrate the economic and technical inability of various techniques. Prohibits the expenditure of funds appropriated under this Act until 30 days have elapsed following the transmittal of a report concerning such expenditures to designated committees of Congress. Requires that such report include among other things, the location, characteristics and estimated cost of such projects. Title III: Technology Transfer and Information Dissemination - Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a research assessment and technology transfer program. Permits the Secretary to create and maintain a national center for the acquisition, processing, and dissemination of information concerning water resources research, technology development, and demonstration. Title IV: General Provisions - Grants the Secretary powers consistent with the duties assigned under this Act. Authorizes funds for the implementation of this Act. Limits the use of funds for foreign activities under this Act. Sets criteria for the approval of grants under this Act. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with relevant Federal, State and local agencies in the implementation of this Act. Permits the Secretary to receive compensation for waters and byproducts created by programs created by this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to the President and Congress annually concerning the programs created by this Act. Repeals the Water Resources Research Act of 1964, the Saline Water Conversion Act of 1971, and the Water Research and Conversion Act of 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Amends the Water Resources Planning Act of 1965 to specify the amount authorized for the operation and administration of river basin commissions in fiscal year 1979. Increases the annual authorization of the Water Resources Council. Specifies the amount authorized for the preparation of assessments and plans during fiscal year 1979. Reduces the amount authorized for grants to States in fiscal year 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1978
National Art Bank Act - Establishes, within the National Endowment for the Arts, an Art Bank to be headed by a Director. Authorizes the Director to purchase visual works of art for the Art Bank, to make such works available on loan to certain private and governmental entities for public display, to sponser exhibitions, and to assist State and local governments and nonprofit institutions in establishing Art Banks, of funds which may be expended for the work of any one artist during any one fiscal year.
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 · 2 March 1978
Amends the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make loans and grants on the basis of need directly to Alaskan regional native housing authorities (in lieu of the State of Alaska) for the purpose of providing planning assistance, housing rehabilitation, and adequate administrative structures.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1978
Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to allow alienation of stock of Regional Corporations by a stockholder who is a member of a professional organization, association, or board which limits his ability to practice his profession because he holds stock issued under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1978
Urges the Secretary of Defense not to include within the competitive rate program (under which services are procured for the movement of the household goods of Department of Defense employees) the movement of household goods of Department personnel who are being transferred between the continental United States and Alaska or Hawaii.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Makes all units of local government in Alaska other than the borough which acts as the collecting and distributing agency for real property taxes eligible to receive payments from the Secretary of the Interior based upon the amount of public lands within the boundaries of such locality.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize an increase in the zero bracket amount and the amount of the personal exemptions allowed for residents of States for which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget has determined the level of the official poverty line to be 15 percent or more than the average level for all States.
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 · 7 February 1978
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior coordinate development of the National Wilderness Preservation System; (2) interested persons participate in the present roadless area reviews; and (3) future uses of roadless lands be decided as rapidly as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Foreign Mission Solar Energy Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of State to demonstrate solar energy and other renewable energy technologies by using such energy sources in Foreign Service buildings located abroad. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Energy concerning the most viable techniques adaptable to the local resources and environmental conditions of the host country. Requires the Secretary of State to insure that projects under this Act are demonstrated to, and are available for inspection by, officials and other citizens of the host country. Directs the Secretary to give priority to projects in less developed countries.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals, who are participants in a retirement plan, an income tax deduction for contributions to an individual retirement (IRA) account. Limits such deduction to the amount allowed individuals for contributions to IRA accounts, reduced by the amounts contributed by or on behalf of the individual to the plan in which he is a participant.
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