United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1978
Good Samaritan Act - Declares: (1) that any physician, registered nurse, or aircraft employee who, in good faith and with a reasonable belief that immediate medical attention is necessary, renders emergency care to an injured or ill person aboard an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission by such individual in rendering such care, except for any act or omission amounting to gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct; and (2) that any such individual shall not be liable for any such act or omission in rendering continued emergency care to the injured or ill person during transportation from the aircraft to a medical facility for further treatment or care.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1978
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1978
Expresses the sentiment of the House of Representatives that (1) the Governments of the United States and Canada set up a bilateral task force under the International Joint Commission (established under the Boundary Waters Treaty) to conduct an evaluation of the desirability of a United States-Canadian clear air agreement to be submitted to the two Governments within nine months of the adoption of this resolution; and (2) the President take any diplomatic action necessary to reduce any undesirable impact on both countries from air pollution.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1978
Provides for an official memorial flag to honor war veterans to be displayed in all national cemeteries on Memorial Day in lieu of small flags at individual gravesites. Describes such memorial flag.
United States · United States Congress · 17 August 1978
American Youth Hostel Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with American Youth Hostels, Incorporated, to develop a national plan for youth hostel development, and to administer a grant program to implement such plan. Establishes guidelines for such cooperative agreements and national plan. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for improvement and renovations of youth hostels, and for a pilot program for new youth hostel construction.
United States · United States Congress · 17 August 1978
Nuclear Waste Management Act - Title I: Definitions; Declarations of Findings and Purposes - Declares that the purposes of this Act are to establish an independent agency to be known as the Nuclear Waste Management Authority which shall have sole responsibility for the decontamination, storage, and disposal of all nuclear wastes as well as surplus, obsolete, or abandoned radioactive facilities, to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate health and safety standards with respect to ionizing emissions from radioactive substances; and to direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to license the setting, design, and construction of nuclear waste facilities. Title II: The Nuclear Waste Management Authority - Creates the Nuclear Waste Management Authority as an independent executive agency. Requires the Director of the Authority to establish a plan, together with cost estimates and an analysis of the social and environmental impacts, for the temporary and permanent treatment and disposal of all nuclear wastes, as well as of obsolete, surplus, or abandoned radioactive facilities and sites which have resulted from the use of nuclear energy since January 1, 1940. Requires the Director to establish an additional treatment and disposal plan for nuclear wastes and obsolete, surplus, or abandoned radioactive facilities and sites which are expected to result from the use of new facilities from the date of the enactment of this Act until the year 2020. Requires the Director to establish and operate nuclear waste facilities and to establish programs for the treatment and disposal of nuclear wastes. Requires the establishment of fees or user charges for the use of nuclear waste facilities or nuclear treatment and disposal programs. Requires the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to furnish the Director with a complete inventory of all nuclear wastes, nuclear fuels, radioactive materials, and facilities and sites in their possession or in private ownership under their control or license. Requires the Director to report to the President, the Congress, and the International Atomic Energy Agency annually concerning any substantial loss of nuclear fuel or waste. Defines "substantial" as any amount greater than the radiological or fissionable equivalent of 0.05 kg pure Pu 239. Directs the Board of the Authority in association with specified agencies, to undertake a nationwide study to determine an inventory of suitable sites for the disposal of nuclear wastes and contaminated radioactive materials produced by the decontamination and decommissioning of radioactive facilities and sites. Stipulates that such radioactive sites must be capable of containing all the material disposed therein without human intervention beginning 125 years after the date of disposal and following that date for a period of 100,000 years. Stipulates that the Authority shall have title and the Director shall have access, to all nuclear wastes, nuclear waste facilities, and surplus, obsolete, or abandoned radioactive facilities. Authorizes the Department of Energy, upon one year's notice to the Director, to reclaim any irradiated, abandoned, or spent nuclear fuel or fuel assemblies if such reclamation can be carried out in a manner which will not pose future or present health and safety problems for humans or other living beings. Title III: Nuclear Waste Management Fund - Establishes within the Treasury a Nuclear Waste Management Fund to be administered by the Director without the requirement of annual authorizations by the Congress. Stipulates that the purposes of such Fund are to provide for capital expenditures necessary for research, design and construction of nuclear waste facilities; to serve as a repository for operating, maintenance, and contingency expenses required for the temporary storage of nuclear wastes; and to provide operation, maintenance and security funds during the first 30 years after the permanent disposal of any nuclear waste or the dismantling of any radioactive facility. Creates a Perpetual Nuclear Waste Trust Fund within the Fund for the perpetual management, security, and maintenance of nuclear waste facilities commencing 30 years after the permanent disposal of any nuclear waste or after the permanent disposal of any radioactive facility. Authorizes the Director to issue and sell securities and Fund bonds and to prescribe and impose fees and charges for services rendered by the Authority pursuant to this Act. Stipulates that the proceeds from the issuance of such bonds, the income and gains realized by the Fund from any investment of excess moneys from the Fund and the income from fees and charges established pursuant to this Act shall be deposited into the Fund. Title IV: Powers of the Department of Energy under this Act - Stipulates that the Department of Energy shall be responsible for performing all necessary research and development in the design and methods for the operation, construction, and decommissioning of nuclear waste facilities; the transportation, processing, storage and disposal of nuclear wastes and the decontaminating or decommissioning of surplus, obsolete, or abandoned radioactive facilities and sites. Requires the Department to conduct research and testing as directed by the Director of the Authority. Stipulates that any development work regarding waste processing and disposal facilities shall be subject to review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Authorizes the Commission to require the Department to post bond for the decontamination of all sites and facilities after the completion of development work or to order the cessation of such work if the potential for accident is unreasonably high. Stipulates that the Assistant Secretary of Environment within the Department of Energy shall participate in the design of all development work under this title. Title V: Powers of the Environmental Protection Agency under this Act - Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to determine and promulgate such standards as will be necessary to protect the health and safety of humans and other living beings from hazardous exposure to ionizing emissions from radioactive substances and materials. Directs the Agency to determine those conditions under which the migration of nuclear wastes and materials from radioactive facilities and nuclear waste facilities shall constitute a hazard or danger to the health and safety of future generations. Directs the Agency to submit such standards to the President, the Congress, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on or before January 1, 1979 and to report every five years concerning the necessity for revising such standards. Title VI: Powers of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under this Act - Stipulates that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall have licensing and related regulatory authority with regard to the operation of existing or future nuclear waste facilities, the transportation, processing, storage, and disposal of nuclear wastes; and the decontamination and decommission of surplus, obsolete, or abandoned radioactive facilities and sites. Directs the Commission every ten years to review licenses granted under this Act to determine whether the original conditions and provisos are sufficient to assure the health and safety of present and future generations in light of the advancement of knowledge since the date of issuance. Title VII: Powers of the several States under this Act - Enjoins the Commission from acting upon an application for a construction license for any facility employed in the production or utilization of commercial nuclear power or the processing, treatment, or disposal of nuclear wastes unless such application is approved by the State where the facility is to be located. Stipulates that a State's failure to act within a specified period shall be deemed an approval. Authorizes the Commission to act upon applications for a construction license for a nuclear waste facility in the event that such application meets the specified criteria and has been submitted to ten or more States and rejected by such States. Sets forth restrictions on such preemptory actions by the Commission. Title VIII: International Planning and Agreements - Requires the Director of the Authority and the Director of the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency to seek the cooperation of other nations in negotiating treaties to promote international research and regulation regarding nuclear waste facilities and nuclear materials security, handling, and disposal. Requires such Directors to undertake a worldwide inventory of recommended nuclear waste disposal sites. Requires such Directors to report annually to the President and the Congress on the status of international negotiations and nuclear waste management programs mandated by this title. Title IX: Transfers of Authority - Transfers the functions, powers, authorizations for appropriations and appropriations of the Department of Energy relating to nuclear wastes and waste facilities to the Authority. Transfers all regulatory and licensing powers and functions of the Environmental Protection Agency with regard to the disposal of nuclear wastes or radioactive materials in any body of water to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Title X: Authorizations of Appropriations and Reports of Budgets - Authorizes appropriations of $1,000,000 for the establishment and operation of the Authority during the fiscal year of the enactment of this Act. Requires the Director of the Authority, the Secretary of the Department of Energy, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to make a report to the President at the end of each fiscal year for submission to the Congress concerning their activities under this Act. Requires that such report include a detailed statement of goals, expenditures, plans and income projected for the ensuing two years. Title XI: Separability and Consistency with Existing Laws - Stipulates that nothing in the Atomic Energy Act or contained in any other applicable law of the United States shall supervene or take precedence over the provisions of this Act. Stipulates that if any portion of this Act or its application shall be declared invalid the other provisions of this Act or their application shall not be affected.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 1978
Nuclear Incident Liability Reform Act - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require that licensees for nuclear facilities obtain the maximum amount of liability insurance available from private sources. Requires that such licensees participate in an industry retrospective rating plan in addition to maintaining such insurance. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to establish rules specifying the rates for deferred premiums charged to licensees under such plan in the event of any nuclear incident resulting in public liability which exceeds or appears likely to exceed the level of a licensee's primary financial protection and the amount otherwise available from such licensee for the satisfaction of such liability. Authorizes the Commission to loan to a licensee, at prescribed interest rates, the amount by which an assessment of deferred premiums exceeds the amount which the licensee is able to pay within a reasonable time following any nuclear incident without impairing its ability to provide electric utility service. Repeals the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 relating to indemnification of licensees from liability which is in excess of the level of financial protection required of the licensee. Eliminates the $500,000,000 ceiling on indemnification of contractors of the Commission against claims for liability, arising out of contractual activities, which are above the amount of financial protection required of contractors. Repeals provisions of such Act relating to: (1) the $560,000,000 maximum aggregate liability for a single nuclear incident; (2) the collection of fees for indemnification agreements, and (3) compensation to private insurance organizations for services connected with handling indemnifications. Eliminates the exemption from the requirements of financial protection of nonprofit educational, institution licensees. Repeals the Commission's authority to indemnify persons engaged in activities relating to the Nuclear Ship Savannah from liability for nuclear incidents. Terminates the Commission's authority to enter agreements with other indemnitors with respect to emergency assistance payments. Makes technical and conforming amendments to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 1978
Tuition Advance Fund Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Commissioner of Education to establish a system of undergraduate tuition advances to be repaid as an income tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Establishes a trust fund in the United States Treasury for such tuition advance program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1978
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend from March 31, 1979, to October 1, 1981, the period of time during which milk shall be supported at not less than 80 percent of the parity price.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1978
Voluntary Job Preservation and Community Stabilization Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a continuing investigation to identify those industrial, business, agricultural, and service organizations (1) which are in danger of ceasing operation or of outmigration and (2) whose closing or relocation would result in substantial unemployment and economic dislocation in the community. Provides, through the Secretary, loans for technical assistance and status and operating costs to an employee or employee/community corporation which meets certain requirements in order that it may assume ownership and operation of an organization so identified. Conditions loans, among other factors, upon certification that the corporation will allow new employees to participate and will adopt a method for acquisition of stock of persons no longer associated with the organization for the purpose of making it available to all employees on a nondiscriminatory basis. Authorizes loans of up to $15,000 to an employee who wishes to purchase stock in a purchasing corporation and who is unable to secure financing elsewhere.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1978
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to treat individuals engaged in the harvesting or transportation of timber as independent contractors rather than employees for purposes of social security taxation, unemployment taxation, and the withholding of income tax. Requires individuals who pay for services relating to the harvesting or transportation of timber to report to the Secretary of the Treasury on the identity of the individuals providing such services and the total amount paid to them and to furnish such individuals with a written statement of the information reported to the Secretary. Imposes fines for failure to comply with such reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1978
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to pay an indemnity, calculated according to a specified formula, to eligible producers or owners of cattle, goats, or sheep (except lambs), whenever the President acts to increase or suspend quotas or to otherwise increase imports for any reasons other than as part of an international agreement to expand agricultural exports from the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1978
Amends the charter of the Boy Scouts of America to stipulate that the annual report of the Boy Scouts shall be printed each year as a separate House document.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1978
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Olympic Committee should immediately take such measures as necessary to have the International Olympic Committee select a site for the 1980 summer Olympic games outside the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 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 · 20 July 1978
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Soviet Government should terminate its unjust trials and incarceration of members and affiliates of the Soviet Helsinki Groups and allow these persons to pursue their lawful activities on behalf of basic human rights. Urges the President to express to the Soviet Government the adverse effects such trials will have on issues of economic, strategic, and other importance between the United States and the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1978
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to request the National Academy of Science to conduct a study regarding the desirability of developing a Federal policy for the determination of the potential carcinogenicity in man of chemicals tested primarily in nonhuman test systems through the standardization of certain tests.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1978
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Soviet Union should terminate its incarceration and trials of members of the Soviet Helsinki Groups. Urges the President to express to the Government of the Soviet Union the effect such actions may have upon economic, strategic, and other matters of mutual importance between the United States and the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1978
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Soviet Government should terminate its unjust trials and incarceration of members and affiliates of the Soviet Helsinki Groups and allow these persons to pursue their lawful activities on behalf of basic human rights. Urges the President to express to the Soviet Government the adverse effects such trials will have on issues of economic, strategic, and other importance between the United States and the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1978
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Soviet Government should terminate its unjust trials and incarceration of members and affiliates of the Soviet Helsinki Groups and allow these persons to pursue their lawful activities on behalf of basic human rights. Urges the President to express to the Soviet Government the adverse effects such trials will have on issues of economic, strategic, and other importance between the United States and the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1978
Amends the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act to include within the conservation, development, and enhancement programs of the Act, fish in lake Champlain which ascend streams to spawn.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1978
Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act - Prohibits the sale of carbonated beverages in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of not less than five cents. Requires that retailers and distributors pay the amount of the affixed refund value of brands of beverages bought and sold by such retailers or distributors. Prohibits States from imposing any tax on the collection or return of refund values established by this Act. Prohibits distributors and retailers from selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings. Imposes penalties of up to $1,000 and/or 60 days imprisonment for violation of the provisions of this Act. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to monitor the rate of reuse and recycling as a result of this Act. Stipulates that the labeling of refund values shall be required within three years of the date of enactment of this Act. Stipulates that the prohibition on detachable metal openings shall take effect one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1978
Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act - Requires a report to the Secretary of Agriculture, containing legal name, address, citizenship, type of interest, and legal description of the land involved, and other specified information, from any foreign person (including individuals, organizations, governments, or any combination thereof) who holds, acquires, or transfers any interest, other than a security interest, in agricultural land. Establishes a civil penalty for violation of any provision of this Act in an amount not to exceed 25 percent of the fair market value of the land interest involved on the date of the penalty assessment. Requires the Secretary to report to the President and to Congress an analysis of the information obtained by him pursuant to this Act, and a determination of the effects of foreign holdings, acquisitions, and transfers on family farms and rural communities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1978
Establishes a National Agricultural Cost of Production Board to review, and advise the Secretary of Agriculture concerning, the adequacy and accuracy of the cost-of-production formulas used by the Department of Agriculture in connection with the administration of its price support programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Alcohol Fuel Act Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code: (1) to allow the election of a deduction with respect to the amortization, based on a 60-month period, of any qualified facility producing alcohol from coal, wood, waste, or agricultural products for primary use as a motor fuel; (2) to exempt from specified excise taxes the sale of any gasoline or fuel at least ten percent of which is alcohol; and (3) to allow the tax-free withdrawal from bonded premises of distilled spirits to the extent such spirits are alcohol produced by a qualified alcohol-producing facility for primary use as motor fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Declares that the Congress denounces the planned American Nazi Party march in Skokie, Illinois, as an affront to American Jews and an act that deserves the fullest condemnation. Extends the sympathy and support of the Congress to the citizens of Skokie and to all American Jews.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1978
Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require States having agreements for coverage of their employees under the system of insurance established by such Title to make payments and reports on a calendar-quarter basis.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the levels of total budget outlay and new budget authority for any fiscal year from exceeding the corresponding level for the previous year by a percentage greater than the average annual percentage increase of the gross national product during the three calendar years immediately preceeding the beginning of the applicable fiscal year. Provides an exception to the restriction established by this Act in time of war or national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1978
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare benefits for individuals who require total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1978
Expresses the sense of the House that the exchange of the Panama Canal Treaty instruments of ratification should not occur earlier than March 31, 1979, unless implementing legislation has been enacted prior to such exchange. Requires specific Congressional authorization by an Act of Congress prior to any conveyance, relinquishment, or disposition of U.S. property in the Panama Canal Zone to any foreign government.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1978
Agricultural Land Retention Act - Title I: Objectives - Declares that it is in the public interest to retain, protect and improve agricultural land, including land in and around urban areas, to reduce its conversion to nonagricultural uses, and to limit the encroachment of industrial activities. Title II: Research Program - Establishes a three-year Agricultural Land Review Commission to study: (1) agricultural land in the United States; (2) the effects of industrial development, climate and other factors on the productivity of such land; (3) the acquisition of such land by persons not engaged in agricultural activities; and (4) methods of protecting and improving such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted to nonagricultural uses. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to public and private institutions to do research pursuant to its study. Requires the Commission to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title III: Demonstration Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay up to 75 percent of the cost and to provide technical assistance to any State pilot project undertaken to demonstrate and test methods of reducing the amount of agricultural land, including land in and around urban areas, being converted to nonagricultural uses. Requires all such projects to be completed within four years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title IV: General Provisions - Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1982. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1978
Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to: (1) extend the Commodity Futures Trading Commission through fiscal year 1981; (2) exclude from the definition of commodity trading advisor any dealers of cash commodities and products thereof; (3) provide for appointment of the Commission Chairman by the President, to serve at the President's pleasure; and (4) subject the use and expenditure of funds by the Chairman to the budget categories, plans, and priorities established by the Commission. Prohibits any Commissioner or employee of the Commission from making any appearance before, or communication to, the Commission on behalf of any person on any particular matter before the Commission for the period of a year following his or her last day of service. Sets forth the procedure for designating a board of trade as a contract market. Prohibits any person from engaging in commodity option transactions without express permission from the Commission. Subjects all proposed rules and regulations governing options trading to the veto prerogative of either House of Congress. Allows the registration of Commission merchants and floor brokers to extend beyond December 31st and to expire not earlier than one year from the date of issuance. Extends to six months the time during which the Commission must act on the application for registration of any commodity trading advisor or commodity pool operator. Applies the anti-fraud provisions of such Act to all advisors and pool operators regardless of whether they are registered or not. Requires a hearing on the record for: (1) refusal, suspension, or revocation of contract market designations; (2) cease and desist orders; and (3) imposition of civil penalties. Grants subpena power to members of the Commission and any Administrative Law Judge or other officer designated by them. Grants concurrent jurisdiction to State agencies or officials to investigate or prosecute civil violations of such Act committed by any persons or organizations other than a designated contract market or a board of trade licensed by the Commission. Prohibits the Commission from making public disclosure of any data or information which would separately disclose the market positions, business transactions, trade secrets or names of customers not previously disclosed publicly in a judicial or congressional proceeding. Authorizes the Commission to require fingerprinting of applicants for registration as Commission merchants or associates. Increases from $2,500 to $5,000 the amount of damages that may be claimed in complaints that may be adjusted without a hearing.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1978
Federal Biological Control Organisms Act - Prohibits the movement of any biological control organism into, through, or within the United States without the authorization of the Secretary of Agriculture. Grants detention and search authority to inspectors. Establishes criminal penalties for the knowing violation of any regulations promulgated under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary, independently or in cooperation with Federal, State, and local government agencies, and with the governments of all countries of the western hemisphere, to eradicate, suppress, control, or prevent or retard the spread of any biological control organism which has been found to be harmful to agriculture or the production of food and fiber.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1978
Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require States having agreements for coverage of their employees under the system of insurance established by such Title to make payments and reports on a calendar-quarter basis.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1978
Provides that where two or more Members of the House of Representatives pay the basic pay of an individual from the clerk-hire allowance of each such Member, such individual shall be considered to be on the payroll of only one such Member for purposes of determining the number of individuals employed by such Members under the clerk-hire allowance. Requires such Members to designate who shall be considered the employer for the month involved and to report such designation to the Office of Finance.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1978
Solar Access Alternatives Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to States for the purpose of conducting Solar Access Reviews to identify legal alternatives to assure access to direct sunlight and methods of encouraging adoption of such alternatives. Sets forth grant eligibility requirements. Allows the Secretary to make grants to Regional Solar Energy Centers (organizations for accelerated introduction of commercial solar energy technology).
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1978
Agricultural Land Retention Act - Title I: Objectives - Declares that it is in the public interest to retain, protect and improve agricultural land, including land in and around urban areas, to reduce its conversion to nonagricultural uses, and to limit the encroachment of industrial activities. Title II: Research Program - Establishes a three-year Agricultural Land Review Commission to study: (1) agricultural land in the United States; (2) the effects of industrial development, climate and other factors on the productivity of such land; (3) the acquisition of such land by persons not engaged in agricultural activities; and (4) methods of protecting and improving such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted to nonagricultural uses. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to public and private institutions to do research pursuant to its study. Requires the Commission to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title III: Demonstration Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay up to 75 percent of the cost and to provide technical assistance to any State pilot project undertaken to demonstrate and test methods of reducing the amount of agricultural land, including land in and around urban areas, being converted to nonagricultural uses. Requires all such projects to be completed within four years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title IV: General Provisions - Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1982. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1978
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President to give preference, in the issuance of housing project guaranties, to foreign projects utilizing solar energy technology. Directs that such preference also be given to projects using other specified renewable energy technologies.
![Official portrait of Sen. Jeffords, James M. [I-VT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000072_200.jpg)