United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1977
Telephone Privacy Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit unsolicited commercial telephone calls to a telephone subscriber who has notified the telephone company that he does not wish to receive such calls. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe regulations specifying the manner in which a telephone subscriber shall notify the telephone company that he does not wish to receive unsolicited calls. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Excludes from the definition of unsolicited commercial telephone calls, those calls made in response to an express request of the individual called or in connection with an overdue debt or contractual obligation.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1977
Declares that the President should instruct the United States delegation to the Belgrade Conference (1) to bring to the attention of attending countries incidents of harassment and human rights violations, especially violations of the rights of persons attempting to monitor the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and (2) to urge observation of human rights and redress of such violations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1977
Surplus School Recycling Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to local agencies to pay the costs of renovating surplus school facilities so they may be converted for other educational and social purposes. Suggests purposes for which conversion grants may be extended, including: (1) community centers; (2) senior citizens centers; (3) day care centers; (4) vocational schools; (5) medical facilities; and (6) recreational centers. Sets forth application requirements which local agencies must complete in order to obtain grants under this Act. States that the amount of a grant under this Act shall be 80 percent of the estimated cost of renovation. Requires local agencies which receive a grant for more than the actual cost of renovation to return surplus money to the Secretary. Sets priorities to be followed by the Secretary in approving applications for grants under this Act. Directs the Secretary to serve as a national clearinghouse to local agencies by providing information on feasible alternative uses of surplus school facilities. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the President and Congress: (1) a yearly report listing local agencies receiving grants and the purposes for which such grants were made; and (2) a detailed evaluation of the effectiveness of the program based on cost analysis and a survey of school closure problems to be submitted at the end of three years.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1977
Declares it the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the Secretary of State to request the Secretary General of the United Nations to work through existing United Nations agencies to secure a full accounting of Americans listed as missing in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to furnish Federal financial assistance for construction projects to separate rail-highway crossings where the rail facilities have incurred a substantial increase in use as a result of coal transportation activities resulting in substantial delays in highway travel. Stipulates that the Federal share of such a project shall be 90 percent of its cost. Authorizes appropriations of $300,000,000 out of the Highway Trust Fund for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980 to carry out such projects.
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 · 26 September 1977
Tuition Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit against an individual's income tax in an amount equal to 50 percent of the sum of the amounts paid by him to educational institutions as tuition (though no more than $500 for any single individual) for the attendance of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or any of his dependents with respect to whom he is entitled to a personal exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1977
Continues the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs through December 31, 1979. Authorizes the expenditure of additional funds, not to exceed $250,000 per annum, by the Select Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1977
Right to Financial Privacy Act - States that the purposes of this Act are to protect and preserve the confidential relationship between financial institutions and their customers and the constitutional rights of those customers, and promote commerce by prescribing policies and procedures to insure that customers have the right to challenge unwarranted disclosure of their records. Prohibits any Federal agency or employee, or any State or local government from obtaining copies of, or the information contained in, the financial records of any customer from a financial institution unless the financial records are described with particularity and: (1) such customer has authorized such disclosure in accordance with this Act; (2) such financial records are disclosed in response to an administrative subpena or summons; (3) such financial records are disclosed in response to a court order; or (4) such financial records are disclosed in response to a judicial subpena. Grants to a customer whose financial records have been subpoenaed, the right to challenge the relevancy and scope of the summons and the relationship of the records sought to the investigation from which the subpena issued. States that no financial institution may provide a Federal agency or employee, or any State or local government, copies of or the information contained in the financial records of any customer except in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Sets forth provisions governing customer authorization, administrative subpenas and summons, judicial subpenas, and search warrants. Makes the requirements of this Act inapplicable to specified disclosures including: (1) records used in making reports on returns required by the Internal Revenue Code; (2) grand jury subpenas; and (3) records required by supervisory agencies for use in the regulation of such institution. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act. Makes injunctive relief available to stop and prevent violations of this Act. Invalidates any waiver of the rights granted by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1977
National Climate Policy and Program Act - Requires the President to establish a comprehensive national climate program including (1) research on causes of climate fluctuation and resultant impacts, (2) collection of climate data on a global basis, (3) development of long term weather forecasts, and (4) intergovernmental research and services including university participation in applied research projects. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate the activities of the program with the climate programs of other nations and international organizations. Requires the President to direct the maintenance of specific planning and management activities including a five-year national climate program plan, and the establishment of advisory committees. Directs the Secretary to establish a cooperative program for Federal and State activities in climate research and advisory services. Authorizes the Secretary to award matching funds to State universities for climatological research and advisory services. Authorizes the Secretary to establish experimental climate forecast centers. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1977
Amends the National Trails System Act of 1968 to re-establish the advisory council on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, to limit such council's existence to ten years, and to reduce the term of council members from five to two years. Increases the limitations on acreage which may be acquired for rights-of-way and by condemnation proceedings along the Appalachian Trail without the consent of the owner from 25 acres in any one mile to at least 25 acres but not more than 125 acres within any one mile. Increases from $5,000,000 to $89,000,000 the authorization of appropriations for acquisition of lands for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Makes nonmarket economy countries eligible to participate in programs carried out by the Commodity Credit Corporation under which credit or investment guarantees are extended.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the Privacy Protection Study Commission should be commended for its report, "Personal Privacy in an Information Society," and that the Congress should implement the Commission's recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Amends the Bankruptcy Act to establish in the order of payment out of bankrupt estates, a priority for consumers on account of a deposit of money made in connection with the purchase, lease, or rental of goods or services for personal, family or household use.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1977
National Electrical Energy Reliability and Conservation Act - Title I: National Power Grid and Regional Bulk Power Distribution - Creates a National Power Grid Corporation to establish and operate a national power grid system consisting of electric power generating facilities and a system of high voltage transmission lines. Authorizes regional corporations to act as exclusive marketing agents for the national grid in designated regions of the country. Authorizes electric utilities, publicly or privately owned, to enter into agreements for services with the regional corporation. Imposes specified conditions on any such contract for the National Grid which may be sold. Directs the National Grid to carry out a program of research and development in the area of electric power generation and transmission giving preference to environmental protection and land use research priorities. Authorizes up to $250,000,000 per fiscal year to carry out such program. Requires that at least two percent of the annual revenues collected by the National Grid be channeled into research and development activities. Transfers specified Federal generating and transmission facilities to the Grid. Title II: General Provisions Applicable to National Grid and to Regional Corporations - Stipulates that each corporation shall be subject to Federal, State, and local environmental standards. Specifies the interests to be represented on the Board of Directors of such corporations, and their composition, terms of members, procedures for selecting the officers and employees of the corporations. Stipulates that the corporations shall have those powers conferred on nonprofit corporations pursuant to the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act and specified additional powers. Directs such corporations to at all times maintain complete and accurate books of accounts. Authorizes each corporation to issue and sell bonds for financing its activities, providing that the aggregate total of outstanding bonds shall not exceed $30,000,000,000. Authorizes each corporation to cause to be instituted condemnation proceedings against any lands or interests in land necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Requires each corporation to report annually to the President and provide for transmittal of such report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Regulatory Flexibility Act - Requires Federal agencies to: (1) assess the costs of private information collection and compliance which are or would be imposed by existing or proposed agency rules; (2) compare such impositions with the importance of the public policy achieved or to be achieved by such rules; and (3) determine whether such rules should apply to the same extent to individuals, and organizations of various sizes and resources. Requires, in the event that it is determined that such proposed rules, will have a substantial effect on any significant number of small businesses, that such rules be submitted to the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Requires such Office to comment on the impact of such proposed rules on smaller enterprises. Requires such comments to be made public and available to Federal personnel responsible for reviewing such rules. Directs that proposed rules be issued in two or more parts when the analysis of such rules indicates the desirability of applying varying requirements for performance or reporting depending on the resources of the organization or individual required to comply with such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for the services of optometrists related to the treatment of aphakia under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1977
Provides for payment of a supplemental tuition allowance to each qualified veteran upon application to the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs. Structures such allowance to offset institutional differences in tuition costs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1977
Provides for payment of a supplemental tuition allowance to each qualified veteran upon application to the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs. Structures such allowance to offset institutional differences in tuition costs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1977
Commemorates the thirtieth anniversary of Jackie Robinson's entry into major league baseball and joins in the celebration of the week of July 18 through 25, 1977, in recognition of Jackie Robinson's contributions to the American ideal of equality.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish a price support for sugar beets and sugarcane at a level not in excess of 90 percent nor less than 60 percent of the parity price of processed sugar products.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
National Crude Oil Supply and Transportation Act - Expresses the intent of Congress that the continuation of a transportation system to deliver Alaskan crude oil to Northern Tier or inland States be accomplished through expedited administrative procedures. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a time schedule for the completion of required environmental impact statements in order to select a crude oil transportation system by February 1, 1978. Establishes criteria to be considered by the Secretary in selecting a transportation route. Directs the Secretary and other appropriate Federal officials to take all actions necessary to provide rights of way, permits, leases, and other authorizations necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the transportation system approved under this Act. Declares that the actions of Federal officers and agencies under this Act shall not be subject to judicial review by the courts. Allows for claims that: (1) actions under this Act will deny Constitutional rights; and (2) actions taken are beyond the scope of authority conferred by this Act, provided that such claims are filed within 60 days following the date of the challenged action. Vests exclusive jurisdiction to hear such claims in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, acting as a special court. Stipulates that any judicial proceedings should be completed at the earliest possible date. Declares that nothing in this Act shall authorize or imply an exemption from provisions of the antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1977
Fair Representation for Small Business Act - Declares the finding of Congress that economic, governmental, and other pressures are mounting on small businesses, that small and medium-sized businesses should be taken into account when Federal agencies formulate policy, and such businesses are essential to the health and well-being of the Nation's economy. Requires, under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, that all advisory bodies of the Federal Government which are concerned with matters affecting the economy or business must contain a fair representation of the small business sector of the economy.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1977
Requires the head of each Executive agency to designate at least one employee in such agency to act as liaison with the small and independent business community and the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, and to conduct an analysis of the differential effects of agency policies on new- and medium-sized independent business.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1977
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that the duty to bargain collectively includes bargaining with respect to retirement benefits for retired employees.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1977
Athletic Opportunities Assistance Act - Grants paid leave to any Federal employee participating as a member of an official United States team in any world, Pan American, or Olympic competition.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1977
Expresses the sense of Congress that the national observance of Thanksgiving should include a voluntary practice to be called "Thankful Giving" whereby Americans are invited to share with those abroad who are hungry.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Federal Criminal Diversion Act - States that Federal criminal diversion programs may include, but are not limited to, medical, educational, vocational, and social services; residence in a halfway house; other rehabilitative services; restitution to victims; and uncompensated community service. Empowers a Federal judge or magistrate to release an individual charged with a Federal crime to a Federal criminal diversion program if (1) the offense charged is either non-violent or resulted in no substantial bodily injury to victims, (2) participation in the program is recommended by the prosecuting attorney, (3) the individual waives any applicable statute of limitations and the right to speedy trial, (4) all persons injured by the offense charged agree; and (5) release is found to be not contrary to public interest. Directs that charges against a person so released be continued for one year and then dismissed unless (1) charges are dropped within that period, (2) release is terminated by the judge or magistrate because public interest requires or because the prosecuting attorney finds that the person is not fulfilling his release obligations, or (3) charges are dismissed sooner upon certification by the administrative head of the diversion program that the individual has completed the program and concurrence of the prosecuting attorney. Authorizes the chief judge of each district to appoint an advisory committee for each Federal criminal diversion program in the district to plan and review its operation. Specifies the duties of the Attorney General in implementing this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Requires the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force to keep the Secretary of the military department of which such individual is a member, fully and currently informed on matters considered or acted upon by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
ERISA Small Business Paperwork Reduction and Investment Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require the Secretaries of Labor and the Treasury and the Executive Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to designate a single agency to which annual reports and registrations and certain other information required to be filed under such Act may be forwarded. Revises requirements for annual statements to employee benefit plan beneficiaries. Provides for small business representation on the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans. Specifies deadlines by which requested administrative action must be taken. Revises guidelines for fiduciaries investing employee benefit plan funds. Directs that consultations be held for the purpose of implementing certain recommendations of the Commission on Federal Paperwork.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Solar Energy for Homes Act - Authorizes the administrators of Federal housing programs, established under title II or III of the National Housing Act or (of) title V of the Housing Act of 1949, to increase the amount of loans made on single- or multi-family dwelling units by up to 20 percent where such increase reflects the cost of solar energy equipment. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize home improvement loans for the cost of acquisition and installation of solar energy systems.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make and insure loans under such Act for the solar heating or cooling of residential structures on family farms.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Guarantees automatically any loan to a qualified veteran for the purchase and installation, of solar heating and/or cooling in a dwelling which he owns and occupies. Authorizes the Veterans' Administration to make loans for such purposes in certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the reduction in disability insurance benefits which is presently required in the case of an individual receiving workmen's compensation benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Small Business Economic Policy and Advocacy Reorganization Act - Title I: Advocacy and Economic Research and Analysis - Amends the Small Business Act to establish the following Associate Administrator positions within the Small Business Administration (SBA): (1) Associate Administrator for Minority Assistance; (2) Associate Administrator for Finance; (3) Associate Administrator for Procurement Assistance; (4) Associate Administrator for Advocacy and Economic Research and Analysis; and (5) Associate Administrator for Investment. Establishes within the SBA the Division of Advocacy, Economic Research and Analysis. Sets forth the functions of the Associate Administrator in charge of such division, including the making of recommendations for policy and program improvements benefitting small business, and the building of a comprehensive small business economic data base. Title II: Declaration of Small Business Investment Policy - Enunciates a national small business economic policy which requires the coordination of planning among Federal departments and agencies in order to propose incentives to help assure that small business needs are met through private sector investments. Title III: Small Business Economic Policy Report - Requires that the President annually assess the capital investment needs of small business and report such findings to Congress. Title IV: Small Business Economic Council - Creates the Small Business Economic Council, headed by the SBA Administrator, with the Secretaries of the Treasury, Commerce, Labor,and Agriculture, and the Chairmen of the Federal Reserve Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Council of Economic Advisers as members. States that the Council shall advise the President on the impact of Federal policies and programs on small business, and work to maximize cooperation between the SBA and other Federal departments and agencies. Title V: Small Business Administrator - Raises the office of Small Business Administrator to executive level I. Title VI: Small Business Credit Information - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to direct the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other specified bank regulatory agencies to disclose, through quarterly reports, the volume of commercial bank credit extended to commercial and industrial borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to establish a grant program designed to support projects which: (1) develop methods for the identification, prevention, and treatment of domestic violence; and (2) provide for family rehabilitation and support, and for emergency shelter and protection for individuals who are threatened by domestic violence. Directs the Director to establish a national information and resource clearinghouse to collect, analyze, prepare, and disseminate information relating to domestic violence. Requires the Director, in cooperation with the Administrator of Law Enforcement Assistance and the head of any other Federal agency involved with domestic violence, to study State laws, practices, and policies relating to domestic violence. Requires the Director to annually review the effectiveness of projects carried out under this Act and to report the findings to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to transmit each such report to the President and to each House of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the representation of the District of Columbia in the Congress. Authorizes the election of two Senators and the number of Representatives in the House to which the District would be entitled if it were a State. Provides that this Amendment shall have no effect upon the present system for selecting the number of electors for President and Vice President to be appointed for the District.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1977
Rehabilitation Extension Amendments - Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to set the authorization for appropriations for State grants for vocational rehabilitation services at the previous year's authorization adjusted by fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization for appropriations for the following purposes: (1) innovation and expansion grants, (2) vocational rehabilitation personnel training, (3) construction and staffing of rehabilitation facilities, (4) the study of comprehensive service needs, (5) vocational rehabilitation service grants, (6) special projects and demonstrations, (7) the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults, (8) program evaluations, and (9) the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1977
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the United States representatives to the Belgrade Conference should indicate the United States' concern over Anatoly Scharansky, who sought to monitor compliance with the Helsinki Accords.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1977
(Reported to Senate from the Committee on Foreign Relations (without written report)) Declares the sense of the Senate that the United States should press the Soviet Union for an accounting of the circumstances which precipitated the detention of Robert C. Toth and that every appropriate means should be taken to obtain his safe return to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1977
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a specified segment of the Upper Mississippi River, Minnesota, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Provides for the inclusion of lands owned by the Chippewa Indian Tribe.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1977
Amends Titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include within the coverage of those Titles services rendered by a nurse-midwife. Defines the term "nurse-midwife" to mean a registered nurse who has successfully completed a prescribed course of study or who has been certified by a recognized organization, and who performs services in the care of mothers and babies throughout the maternity cycle.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1977
Radiation Health and Safety Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to develop and issue to the States criteria and minimum standards for the accreditation of educational institutions conducting programs for the training of radiologic technologists and medical and dental practitioners, hygienists, and assistants. Directs the Secretary to develop and issue to the States criteria and minimum standards for licensure of radiologic technologists. Directs that State and local governments be encouraged to minimize exposure of the public to radiation from all sources and establishes procedures for the adoption of appropriate standards. Allows the Secretary to make grants to States in an amount up to two-thirds of the first year and one-third of the second year costs of planning, developing, or establishing programs to carry out the provisions of this Act. Prohibits conducting activities contrary to this Act and subjects violators to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.
![Official portrait of Sen. Humphrey, Hubert H. [D-MN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000953_200.jpg)