United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1977
Stipulates that the $5,000 increase in the official expenses allowance for Members of the House of Representatives shall not take effect until the House of Representatives adopts a resolution determining specific guidelines for what constitutes an official expense.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1977
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 to restrict the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the justness or reasonableness of any stockyard service rate or charge to only those rates or charges for services at stockyards which have a certain minimum annual sales volume.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1977
Civil Rights Act - Prohibits any person engaged in commerce, any person conducting a program which receives Federal assistance, a Federal contractor or subcontractor, or holder of an interest in Federal property from discriminating with respect to employment, housing, credit, or participation in benefits which make such prohibitions applicable, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religious affiliation or belief, age, handicap, political affiliation or belief, marital status, parental status, or lack of citizenship. Exempts from such prohibitions denial of medical treatment where such denial does not occur because of characteristics of individuals of the above listed status groups. Exempts from such prohibitions (1) employment near Indian reservations in which preference is given to Indians; (2) employment classification or referral by an employer or labor union when the above listed characteristics constitute a bona fide occupational qualification (3) employment by educational institutions with respect to religion under specified circumstances; (4) employment discrimination based on religion when an employer would suffer undue hardship in accommodating religious practices of the individual; (5) age discrimination required by law in order to benefit children or to achieve statutory objectives, or the comply with a bona fide seniority system or employee benefit plan; (6) handicapped discrimination when the handicapped individual could not perform essential job functions without undue hardship to the employer or when the individual does not meet essential eligibility requirements for services, programs, or activities; (7) political discrimination in employment when such individual is elected or appointed to policy making levels of political offices; (8) age discrimination in housing resulting from designation of a certain area for adults; and (9) certain employers with fewer than 15 employees. Authorizes the Attorney General to investigate and enforce complaints of such discrimination. Limits the ability of an individual to institute civil suit based upon such discrimination. Imposes a civil fine for knowing violation of this Act. Imposes a civil fine or imprisonment for willful, repetitions violations of this Act. Repeals nondiscrimination provisions of specified Federal statutes. Supersedes Executive Order 11063 and specified portions of Executive Order 11246. Declares that nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements shall not be required under specified statutes and Federal programs. Directs the Attorney General to prescribe regulations for enforcement of this Act. Transfers to the Attorney General the assets of any agency of which all powers, functions, and duties are terminated by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1977
White House Conference on the Humanities Act - Directs the President to call a White House Conference on the Humanities. Establishes a Presidentially appointed National Planning Council on the Humanities to conduct the Conference. Authorizes the Chairman of the Council, with Council approval, to make a grant to each State to defray the cost of State participation in the Conference. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development should not implement the proposed reorganization of the field and insuring offices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development prior to the time when the appropriate committees of the Congress have had an opportunity to hold hearings on such reorganization.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 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 · 14 October 1977
Young Families' Housing Act - Graduated Payment Mortgage Insurance Act - Amends the National Housing Act to permit the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure, on a regular basis, mortgages and loans with provisions for varying rates of amortization corresponding to anticipated variations in family income. Sets a percentage limit on the mortgage value ratio of mortgages which will be insurable under this Act. Prescribes eligibility requirements for such insurance. States that mortgages or loans insured pursuant to this Act shall not be subject to State usury laws in most cases. Individual Housing Account Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for amounts paid in cash into an individual housing account. Defines the term "individual housing account" for the purposes of this Act. Limits annual tax deductions to $2,500 and lifetime deductions to $10,000. Makes provisions for tax treatment upon distribution of such accounts. Exempts individual housing accounts from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1977
Permits a certain individual to be issued a visa and admitted to the United States for permanent residence if such individual is found to be otherwise admissible under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1977
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to make grants to assist older persons adversely affected by a major disaster or emergency declared by the President in accordance with the Disaster Relief Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1977
Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen Protection Act - Requires that the Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen and other relics of Hungarian royalty to be kept in the United States, unless Congress specifically provides otherwise.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1977
Tuition Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals alternative, limited income tax credits or deductions for the tuition paid for the primary, secondary or higher education of the taxpayer, his spouse, or his dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the Secretary of the Treasury to require monthly payment of social security and withholding taxes by employers whose amounts are between $500 and $5,000 for the month, and weekly payment by employers whose monthly amounts exceed $5,000.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1977
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 · 6 October 1977
Directs the President of the United States, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Foreign Service, and the Department of State to formulate and implement a plan for the expansion of sales of American agricultural commodities abroad, including increased food-for-peace (Public Law 480) sales as well as private international transfers of food.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1977
Bikeway Transportation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for 80 percent of the cost to States and municipalities of bikeway construction projects in urban areas or in places connecting such areas with national, State, or local parks, seashores or recreational areas. Requires such bikeway projects to be in accordance with a continuing comprehensive transportation planning process carried on cooperatively by States and local communities and in accordance with construction standards established by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1977
Urges the International Whaling Commission to adopt a ten-year moratorium on the commercial killing of whales, and to undertake the management of unprotected, small cetacean. Encourages specified nations to comply voluntarily with a ten-year moratorium on such killing, as endorsed by the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1977
Family Violence Prevention and Treatment Act - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the findings of Congress and declares the purposes of this Act. Defines terms used in this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act in fiscal year 1978 and 1979. Title II: Coordinating Council on Family Violence - Establishes within the executive branch an independent organization known as the Coordinating Council on Family Violence (Council). Specifies the membership of the Council. States that the functions of the Council shall be: (1) to identify, assess, and coordinate all Federal programs related to problems of family violence in order to eliminate duplication of effort, inefficient use of resources, and lack of strategic objectives and priorities; and (2) to stimulate new programs within member agencies of the Council where necessary to fill gaps in services, funding, research, or demonstration programs. Directs the Council to make recommendations to the President and the Congress at least annually with respect to the coordination of overall policy and development of objectives and priorities. Title III: National Center for Community Action Against Family Violence - Directs the Director of ACTION to establish a National Center for Community Action Against Family Violence. States that the purpose of the Center shall be to provide information and technical assistance to local community groups which need assistance with organizing or operating existing or proposed programs dealing with family violence. Describes the functions of the Center including: (1) the development and maintenance of an information clearinghouse for services available for the treatment and prevention of family violence; (2) the establishment of a toll-free telephone number for the provision of information and counseling; (3) the development of a volunteer force to provide service through community centers dealing with family violence; (4) the making of grants to support and train volunteers; and (5) the development of a campaign to educate the public about the problems of family violence and resources available to deal with such problems. Sets forth procedures for the execution of such functions. Title IV: Amendments to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act - Requires State plans under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to include provisions for the reporting of forms of family violence in addition to child abuse and neglect. Title V: Evaluation and Research - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide a specified sum for each of the two years following the enactment of this Act to evaluate the impact of community programs assisted by HEW on the prevention and treatment of family violence.
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
Budget Limitation Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to limit the levels of total budget outlays and total new budget authority for a fiscal year to such outlays and authority for the preceding fiscal year, increased by a percentage equal to the average annual percentage increase in the gross national product during the three calendar years preceding the beginning of such fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1977
White House Conference on the Arts Act - Directs the President to call a White House Conference on the Arts, to be held by December 31, 1979, to assist in developing a climate wherein the arts can flourish. Establishes a National Conference Planning Council on the Arts to plan and conduct such Conference. Requires the Council to submit a report on such Conference to the President. Authorizes the Chairman of the Council, with the approval of Council members, to make grants to States to defray the costs of participating in the Conference program. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1977
Young Farmers' Homestead Act - Establishes as an agency within the Department of Agriculture the Federal Farm Assistance Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to purchase farm land in value of up to $250,000 per unit. Provides that the Corporation shall make such farms available for lease and subsequently for sale. Directs that the farms may be leased to an eligible applicant for a period of not less than two years not more than ten years with specified restrictions upon the use of such land. Provides that the lessee may at any time within six months prior to the expiration of his lease make application to the Board of Directors for purchase of such unit upon the expiration of such lease. States that the Board shall approve such application if it determines that the lessee can successfully manage and operate such farm unit. Specifies a formula to be used in determining the selling price of each farm. Provides that a buyer may obtain financing through any available source, but if private financing is not available, the Farmers Home Administration shall furnish the financing at a specified rate. Requires the Corporation to file annually with the Secretary of Agriculture a complete report as to the business of the Corporation. Provides that the financial transactions of the Corporation shall be audited at least once each year by the General Accounting Office. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint an advisory council to advise the Board regarding the administration of this Act. Provides that the Council's advice shall include recommendations on what the eligibility requirements should be for leasing farm units and what experience should be required for leasing a farm. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act. Specifies criminal provisions applicable to the Federal Farm Assistance Corporation. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 657, 658, 1006, and 1014)
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1977
Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations to enforce the prohibition in that Act against discrimination toward qualified handicapped individuals under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Stipulates that not less than a third of such authorized expenditures be used for educational purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1977
Bikeway Transportation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for 80 percent of the cost to States and municipalities of bikeway construction projects in urbanized areas or connecting such areas with national, State, or local parks, seashores or recreational areas. Requires such bikeway projects to be in accordance with a continuing comprehensive transportation planning process carried on cooperatively by States and local communities and in accordance with construction standards established by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1977
Expresses the sense of the Congress that any right to, title to, or interest in the property of the United States Government agencies in the Panama Canal Zone or any real property and improvements thereon located in the zone should not be conveyed, relinquished, or otherwise disposed of to any foreign government without specific authorization of such conveyance, relinquishment, or other disposition by any Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1977
Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations to enforce the prohibition in that Act against discrimination toward qualified handicapped individuals under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Stipulates that not less than a third of such authorized expenditures be used for educational purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
National Oil Recycling Act - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Administrator of General Services and the Secretary of Defense to prohibit the disposal of used oil produced by Federal Government activities and to encourage the recycling of used oil. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out a program of public education on the recycling of used lubricating oil. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States which submit acceptable waste oil management plans in accordance with prescribed criteria. Imposes monetary limitations on the amount of such grants. Stipulates that this Act shall not preempt stricter State controls over recycled oil. Requires that automobile oil packaged for sale to consumers be sold in resalable containers with a mandatory 30-cent refund value for each container. Prohibits restrictive covenants designed to discourage the recycling of used oil. Imposes a fine of $50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year for violations of such prohibition. Directs the Administrator of Energy Research and Development to establish a program of research to improve the performance and marketability of recycled oil. Requires the development of performance standards and testing standards designed to compare the performance of recycled oil with new oil. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to submit annual reports to Congress containing information on the implementation of the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the mandatory licensing of patent rights where necessary to accomplish this Act's purposes. Imposes criminal penalties for violation of the provisions of this Act. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1980 to carry out the various programs authorized by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to prohibit the issuance of any export license on articles or materials whose export is controlled for national security purposes until after the President has reported to Congress with respect to such export. Prohibits issuance of such license if either House of Congress disapproves the export. Permits immediate issuance if the President determines that it is required in the interests of national security. Prohibits the removal of export controls for national security purposes if disapproved by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Rail Rehabilitation Act - Title I: Findings, Purpose, and Definitions - Declares that the purposes of this Act are to designate an Interstate Railroad System, to rehabilitate the lines within such System, and to transfer to the States the responsibility for maintaining rail lines not included within such System. Title II: Interstate Railroad System - Requires each rail carrier to provide the Secretary of Transportation with specified information regarding its rail lines. Stipulates that the Initial Interstate Railroad System shall be comprised of: (1) all rail lines operated by railroad companies within the United States; (2) all out-of-service but not abandoned rail lines controlled by domestic railroad companies; and (3) such rail lines outside the United States which are operated by a railroad company which operates primarily within the United States and which are deemed essential to the System by the Secretary. Specifies exceptions to such inclusion. Directs the Secretary to prepare and distribute a report containing a description of all rail lines included in the Initial System and a report identifying all rail lines not included in the Initial System and the reason for such exclusion. Directs the Rail Services Planning Office of the Interstate Commerce Commission to hold public hearings regarding the establishment of the Initial System, and to report to the Secretary its recommendations for additions to and deletions from such System. Directs the Secretary, after receiving such recommendations, to prepare and release a summary of an Intermediate Interstate Railroad System. Requires the Secretary to include findings in support of each addition to or deletion from the Initial System. Stipulates that the Intermediate System shall designate the future maintenance standards of each rail line in the System according to specified criteria. Directs the Rail Services Planning Office to hold public hearings to solicit comments on the Intermediate System and to report to the Secretary its recommendations for additions to and deletions from such System. Directs the Secretary, after receiving such recommendations, to prepare and transmit to Congress the Final Interstate Railroad System. Stipulates that the Final System shall contain no deletions from the Intermediate System except those deletions recommended by the Office or approved by the Governor of the State in which the rail lines to be deleted are included. Stipulates that the Final Plan shall contain future maintenance standards for each rail line which are no lower than those contained in the Intermediate System except under specified circumstances. Stipulates that the Final System shall be deemed approved unless either the House of Representatives or the Senate passes a resolution of disapproval within 60 days. Directs that, in the event such a resolution is passed, the Secretary shall submit a revised System to Congress for review. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of receiving the Office's recommendations regarding the Intermediate System, to establish a rehabilitation, capital improvement, and maintenance program for the restoration of all rail lines in the System to the future maintenance standards set forth in the Final System. Stipulates that this entire program shall be scheduled for completion within 12 years after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Army, within three years after the enactment of this Act, to carry out a study of the long-term capital needs for the major upgrading of the Final System. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Rail Property Administration (as established by this Act) to establish a revised rehabilitation, capital improvement and maintenance program showing the schedule for completion of each element of the program. Stipulates that all rail properties subject to reorganization under the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 shall be part of the Final System. Title III: Federal Rail Property Administration - Establishes the Federal Rail Property Administration within the Department of Transportation. Authorizes the Administration to acquire rail lines and transportation property other than rail lines from any railroad company operating within the United States or whose principal place of business is within the United States. Stipulates that such property may include United States railroads outside the U.S. in contiguous portions of Canada and Mexico where necessary for the Interstate Rail System. Authorizes the Administration to enter into leases with railroad companies which deed rail lines to the Administration for the purpose of providing rail service for a period of not more than 25 years. Stipulates that such a lease shall be renewable. Sets forth provisions to be included in such a lease. Directs the Administrator to establish regulations for the planning and implementation of projects to coordinate, and consolidate railroad operations. Authorizes railroad companies, after the Final System is deemed approved, to offer to transfer all its rail facilities included in the System to the Administration. Authorizes ConRail to offer its rail facilities to the Administration any time 120 days after the enactment of this Act. Requires the Administration to accept title to such rail facilities and to enter into operating leases for such lines within 120 days after receipt of an offer to transfer. Authorizes railroad companies (other than Con Rail) to offer to transfer rail facilities before approval of the Final System under specified conditions. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop rehabilitation and capital improvement programs for rail properties owned by the Administration. Requires such programs to be incorporated into the leases for such properties. Stipulates that the Administration shall pay the costs of such programs and shall contract with the leaseholding railroad to perform such programs. Directs the Administrator and any rail carrier leasing property to establish a schedule of maintenance for such property after the conclusion of a rehabilitation program. Stipulates that such maintenance shall be the responsibility of the carrier or carriers involved. Directs the Administrator to supply all materials and equipment for such maintenance. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the President and the Congress on the properties owned by the Administration and on the condition of all other rail properties in the nation. Title IV: Funding - Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary for each of the 12 years following the enactment of this Act for rehabilitation projects and maintenance projects. Imposes a Rail User Charge on all railroads operating on facilities of the Administration. Stipulates that such charge shall amount to $.20 annually per thousand gross ton-miles of freight, passengers, and rail equipment moved on such facilities. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary, the Interstate Commerce Commission, and the Administrator to carry out provisions of this Act. Title V: State and Local Rail Service Discontinuance and Abandonment - Sets forth conditions for the discontinuance or abandonment of rail service or rail properties transferred to the Administration. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Federal aid program in support of State rail planning as required by the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973. Title VI: Labor Contracts - Stipulates that all contracts between rail carriers and labor organizations for maintenance of properties transferred to the Association shall remain in full effect. Authorizes the Association to enter into contracts for the performance of maintenance, rehabilitation and capital improvement projects provided that all employment pursuant to such contracts shall be subject to the terms of labor contracts in force at the time on the property affected.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
National Agricultural Land Policy Act -- Title I: Objectives -- Declares the policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, to use all practicable methods to retain, protect and improve agricultural land, 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 organizations 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 being converted to nonagricultural uses. Requires all such projects to be completed within five years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title IV: Funding -- Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $15,000,000. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 through 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Channel Islands and Santa Monica Mountains National Park and Seashore. Places various administrative responsibilities with the Secretary. Abolishes the Channel Islands National Monument. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the State of California, the Secretary of Transportation, and local agencies to plan a coordinated public and private transportation system to and within the Park. Directs the Secretary to make and submit a study as to the design, construction, and operation of a public scenic transportation system with the Park area and to implement the construction and operation of such system unless either House of Congress passes a resolution against such construction. Establishes the Channel Islands and Santa Monica Mountains National Park and Seashore Advisory Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Requires the Office of Management and budget to provide information on the formulas and assumptions used in the distribution of Federal domestic assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
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 · 4 August 1977
Extends the best wishes of the House to the Benjamin Whitcomb Independent Corps of Rangers on the occasion of the re-enactment of the Revolutionary War battle of Bennington, Vermont, and commends the Corps for its continuing educational efforts in connection with the Revolutionary War.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1977
Solar Energy Bank Act - Creates a Government corporation to be known as the Solar Energy Development Bank to make long-term, low-interest loans to encourage the use of solar energy in commercial and residential dwellings. Establishes procedures governing the processing and approval of loan applications by the Bank. Prohibits conflicts of interest, on the part of officers or employees of the Bank. Prohibits the Bank or its employees from utilizing the Solar Bank to finance political activities. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Declares that the Solar Bank and its assets shall be exempt by Federal, State, and local taxation. Establishes a Solar Energy Fund in the Treasury of the United States to pay the expenses of the Bank. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000,000 to the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1977
Social Security Benefit Decoupling Act - Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to revise the computation of OASDI benefits on the basis of the individual's ten or fewer years of highest earnings. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to recompute, in accordance with the method set forth in this Act, the primary insurance amount of an individual who has wages or self-employment income for a year after 1978 for any part of which he is entitled to OASDI benefits. States that the primary insurance amount to be used after such recomputation shall be the larger of the two amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
National Home Health Care Act - Broadens the coverage of home health services under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and removes the 100-visit limitation presently applicable to the home health service program. Extends the coverage of posthospital home health services to include payment for items and services which the individual could otherwise obtain in a skilled nursing facility. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the inclusion of home health services in a State's Medicaid program and permit the payment of rent under such program for elderly and handicapped persons who would otherwise require nursing home care. Provides expanded Federal funding for congregate housing for the displaced and the elderly by increasing the amount available for such housing under the low-income housing program. Establishes, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a Home Health Patient Ombudsman, who shall be appointed and provided with adequate staff and facilities by the Secretary. Makes it the duty and responsibility of the ombudsman to monitor specified programs under the Social Security and the various medical assistance programs under the State plans approved pursuant to such Act, and to maintain such oversight of those programs and their operation and administration as may be necessary to: (1) assure that home health patients under such programs are receiving the care to which they are entitled: (2) provide safeguards against over-charging for home health services; (3) identify abuses against home health patients; (4) receive, handle, and expedite complaints by home health patients; (5) recommend to the Secretary any changes in the regulations affecting home health services which may appear necessary or desirable; and (6) take appropriate action (including the transmission of findings to the Attorney General) with respect to abuses and violations of law affecting the provision or receipt of home health services under such programs. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of extending to the Medicare program the prospective cost-related method of computing payments to nursing homes and home health agencies which is currently provided under the Medicaid program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
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) as a result of intestinal surgery.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Limousine Limitation Act - Prohibits Government use of any limousine, use of any Government motor vehicle to transport any official between his place of employment and his dwelling place, and Government employment of any chauffeur. Excepts from this Act limousines for the President, Ambassadors, and specified other persons whose personal safety depends upon the use of such limousines.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Agricultural Water Quality Act -- Title I: Findings and Policy -- States the findings of Congress and declares that it is the policy of the Congress that the Department of Agriculture be responsible for assisting farmers, ranchers, other land users, and local and State water quality management agencies in the implementation of programs for the maintenance or enhancement of water quality impaired by activities on lands used for the production of food, forage, fiber, and forest products; and for reduction of sediment and erosion from related rural activities. Title II: Program -- Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a nationwide agricultural water quality assistance program to maintain or enhance the quality of water in rural areas. Specifies components of such a program. Requires local organizations to prepare and submit to the Secretary for approval agricultural water quality plans containing specified items of information. Title III: Administration -- Requires the Secretary to prepare annual reports evaluating the program's effectiveness, in particular assessing the balance between economic factors and water quality factors being obtained by the program.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1974, to increase to three the number of Lyndon Baines Johnson congressional interns which may be hired by each Member of the House of Representatives. Authorizes the payment of additional compensation to such interns from the clerk-hire allowance.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Alcohol Fuel 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 1977
Food Stamp Act - Repeals the Food Stamp Act of 1964. Replaces the existing program with a new program substantially similar, but: (1) changes the purpose of the program from the provision of an opportunity to obtain a "nutritionally adequate diet" to provision of an opportunity to obtain a "more nutritious diet"; (2) drops the eligibility requirement that household members be related; (3) permits tribal councils to be designated "State agencies" with respect to Indian communities; (4) establishes the income guidelines for the nonfarm United States, prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget, adjusted annually, as the income standards of eligibility for the program; (5) specifies in the computation of household income: (a) a standard deduction of $60 a month for each household (allowing variable deductions for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), adjusted semiannually; (b) a tax and work expense deduction equal to 20 percent of all earned income; (c) an excess shelter deduction, not to exceed $75 in the 48 contiguous States (or variable amounts in the remaining States and territories), where the shelter costs exceed 50 percent of household income; and (d) a dependent care deduction, not to exceed $75 a month per household, for actual costs of necessary care of a dependent when such care enables a household member to accept employment or training or education preparatory to employment; (6) requires the calculation of household income to take into account, with specified exceptions, the income reasonably anticipated to be received by the household in the period for which eligibility is being determined; (7) allows a household to own liquid and nonliquid assets of up to $1500; or $2,250, if the household is two or more persons; or $3,000, if the household is two or more persons, one of whom is age 60 or over; (8) specifies inclusions in financial resources (e.g. boats, snowmobiles, recreational airplanes, vacation homes, mobile homes, licensed vehicles valued more than $4500); (9) denies eligibility, for a three-month period, to anyone found by a State agency to have fraudulently trafficked in coupons or authorization cards, or for six to 24 months to anyone found by a court to have fraudulently trafficked in such coupons or cards; (10) denies eligibility to any household which refuses to provide to the State agency information necessary for determining or reviewing its eligibility; (11) denies eligibility to: (a) any individual between ages 18 and 60 who refuses to register for work, to fulfill inquiry-about-employment requirements, to accept a job at a specified pay level, or who is a head of household and voluntarily quits work without good cause; (b) any individual age 18 or over, enrolled at least half-time in an institute of higher learning, who is properly claimed or could be claimed as a dependent child for Federal income tax purposes, or who during the regular school year is not employed at least 20 hours per week, does not earn a specified weekly minimum, is not registered for work amounting to at least 20 hours per week, is not a head of household providing half the support of the other members, nor is covered by any work exemption; (c) any illegal aliens, or legal alien visitors, tourists, diplomats, or students temporarily in the United States with no intention of abandoning home country residence; (12) exempts from ordinary eligibility requirements any person: (a) currently complying with specified work registration requirements; (b) who is employed a minimum of 30 hours per week or receiving weekly earnings at a specified rate; (13) requires monthly reports on each coupon issuer's operations containing an oath or affirmation certifying the information as true and correct to the best of the issuer's knowledge and belief; (14) imposes: (a) a $1,000 fine or one-year imprisonment upon any coupon issuer convicted of failing to file such a report; and (b) a $10,000 fine or five-year imprisonment upon any coupon issuer convicted of knowingly providing false information in such reports; (15) eliminates charges for coupon allotments and sets the value of an allotment at an amount equal to the cost to a household of the thrifty food plan reduced by an amount equal to 30 percent of the household's income; (16) requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report to Congress six months after the implementation of charges, and annually thereafter, on the effect on participation and cost of such elimination; (17) prohibits the authorization of any firm as a retail food store and as a wholesale food concern at the same time; (18) requires that private nonprofit cooperative food purchasing ventures be authorized to redeem their members' food coupons prior to receipt by the members of the food so purchased; and prohibits redemption of coupons through banks by private nonprofit organizations serving meals in drug addiction and alcoholic treatment programs; (19) prohibits discrimination by reason of sex in the certification of applicant households; (20) provides for the administration of the food stamp program on all or part of an Indian reservation or community by an Indian tribal organization; (21) requires each State agency to submit a plan of operation that must provide: (a) for action to inform low-income households of the program, including bilingual personnel and printed material; (b) that each household requesting food stamp assistance be permitted to file for assistance on the day of the request on a simplified uniform national application form; (c) that the determination of eligibility be made within 30 days; (d) that notices of expiration of certification be sent immediately prior to or at the start of the last month of a certification period, and that, assuming continuing eligibility, reapplication within 15 days of expiration ensure receipt of new allotment no later than one month after receipt of the last allotment under the prior certification; (e) that a nonmember of a household, if an adult conversant with its financial resources and circumstances, and if designated in writing, may represent such household in the certification process; (f) that applications for food stamps be contained in public or general assistance applications forms, and that certification be based, where appropriate, on information in the public or general assistance case file; (g) that households with income below the standard deduction level receive coupons on an expedited basis; and (h) that households wrongfully denied any allotment or terminated have such allotments promptly restored; (22) directs the Extension Service to include food stamp recipients within its expanded food and nutrition education program; (23) requires the Secretary to promptly inform any State agency of any failure to comply with any provisions of this Act (currently, notification required only for substantial failure to comply); and allows the Secretary to refer cases of noncomplying State agencies to the Attorney General for suit for injunctive relief; (24) requires a State to indemnify the United States Treasury for mere negligence in the certification of households (currently, the standard is gross negligence); (25) authorizes the Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, to issue regulations allowing recipients of social security benefits or of supplemental security income to apply for food stamps at social security offices; (26) requires post offices to issue food stamps upon request by a State agency; (27) permits the payment of a "nutritional supplement", equal to the value of a coupon allotment, in lieu of an allotment to an eligible household of which every member is either over 65, or is eligible: (a) for a supplemental security income under title XV of the Social Security Act or (b) for grants to the blind or disabled in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; (28) permits the Secretary to collect a civil money penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation any approved retail food store or wholesale food concern is found to have made, if outright disqualification of such store or concern would cause hardship to food stamp households; (29) reduces the fine for misdemeanor violations of this Act from $5,000 to $1,000; (30) authorizes the Secretary to pay up to 75 percent of all costs of State program investigations, prosecutions, and other activities related to recovering losses; (31) authorizes the Secretary, effective fiscal year 1979, to adjust the federal share of a State agency's administrative costs: (a) to 60 percent if the agency's cumulative allotment error rate is between five and ten percent; and (b) to 65 percent, if the rate is less than five; (32) requires each State not receiving an increased Federal share to submit a quality control plan specifying proposed actions to reduce the incidence of errors and of invalid decisions in certifying or denying eligibility; (33) directs the Secretary to make contracts or grants for research that will help improve the administration and effectiveness of the food stamp program; (34) authorizes pilot or experimental projects to test program changes (e.g. the use of countersignature of coupons or similar identification mechanisms); (35) directs the Secretary: (a) to implement a pilot project jointly with the Secretary of Labor involving the performance of work in return for food stamp benefits; (b) to study and develop alternative poverty line definitions at different levels; (c) to conduct a feasibility study, through the use of Federal income tax data of a program to recover food stamp benefits from members of eligible households (on a voluntary basis only) in which the adjusted gross income of members of such households for a calendar year may exceed twice the established income poverty guidelines; (36) directs the Secretary to develop and implement measures for evaluating the effectiveness of the food stamp program in achieving its stated objectives; (37) directs the Secretary to purchase sufficient agricultural commodities to maintain the traditional level of assistance for food distribution programs; and (38) authorizes such appropriations as Congress may pass for fiscal years 1978 through 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 21 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 · 20 June 1977
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 · 15 June 1977
Drought Emergency Relief Act -- Title I: Amendments to the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 -- Extends the provisions of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to cover any emergency caused by drought. Authorizes Federal agencies to provide emergency range seeding, install irrigation pipes, and establish comprehensive employment and manpower programs in any major disaster or drought emergency. Authorizes the President to provide temporary assistance in the form of mortgage or rental payments to or on behalf of individuals who, as a result of financial hardship caused by drought, face any mortgage or lien foreclosure, lease termination, or cancellation of any contract of sale. Title II: Amendments to the Public Works and Economic Development Policy Act of 1965 -- Extends the provisions of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 as amended respecting economic recovery for disaster areas to cover economic recovery from drought emergencies. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions -- Authorizes assistance for current expenditures to schools located at drought emergency area, and amends the Small Business and Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Acts to authorize the making and insuring of small business and farm loans for persons suffering damages caused by drought. Limits the interest rate of small business loans made by the Government and farm loans made or insured by the Government to one percent per year.
![Official portrait of Sen. Jeffords, James M. [I-VT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000072_200.jpg)