United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1977
Civil Rights Commission Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1957: (1) to impose upon the Commission on Civil Rights the duty of studying and collecting information concerning legal developments constituting a denial of the equal protection of the laws under the Constitution on account of age or handicap, and appraise Federal laws and policies with respect to such denials; and (2) to extend such Commission for five years, until the end of fiscal year 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1977
Denounces South Africa for the death of Steve Biko and for certain repressive measures against the opponents of apartheid, including closing of newspapers and other restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1977
Alien Adjustment Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Attorney General to create a record of lawful admission for permanent residence in the case of an alien who entered the United States prior to January 1, 1970 (updated from June 30, 1948 by this Act) provided that such alien is not inadmissible because of past criminal or otherwise proscribed behavior. Prohibits the creation of such a record for an alien who assisted in the prosecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Authorizes the Attorney General to permit any alien who entered the United States on or before January 1, 1977 to reside in the United States for a period of up to five years if specified criteria are met and such person is not otherwise inadmissible under provisions of the Act excluding criminals, and other immoral persons. Prohibits temporary resident aliens admitted under this Act from receiving Medicaid, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Supplemental Security Income, or Food Stamps. Prohibits any person from employing or assisting illegal aliens in procuring or retaining employment in the United States. Sets penalties for violating such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1977
Requests the President to issue a proclamation designating the week beginning November 13, 1977, and ending November 19, 1977, as "National Gifted and Talented Children Week."
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1977
Extinguishes any right, title, or other interest in tracts of land on which dwellings of individuals are located, that is asserted by the Mashpee Tribe in its civil action against the New Seabury Corporation in Massachusetts. Limits the size of the tracts so affected by this Act to one acre, with a designation by the Secretary of the Interior of up to one acre to be so affected on tracts which now exceed that size.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1977
Designates the South Portal Federal Office Building of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare at 200 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, D. C., as the "Hubert H. Humphrey Building."
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1977
Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a school of medicine from receiving a capitation grant to be made in the fiscal year 1978 unless its application for such grant is supported by assurances satisfactory to the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare that the school will increase its enrollment of full time, third-year students in the 1978-1779 school year by at least five percent over the smaller of: (1) the number of full-time first-year students; or (2) the number of full-time third-year students enrolled in school year 1977-1978. Excludes from the determination of the enrollment increase of full-time, third-year students in a given school, those full time, third-year students who were not second-year students in such school and who: (1) are not citizens of the United States; (2) were previously enrolled in a school of medicine in a State which is not accredited by the appropriate bodies; (3) first enrolled after October 12, 1976, in a school of medicine not in a State; or (4) did not successfully complete part I of the National Board of Medical Examiners' examination by August 15, 1977. Sets forth the reasons for which the Secretary may waive the requirement of increased enrollment. Stipulates that a school of medicine which did not comply with the increase requirements shall not be eligible to receive a capitation grant in the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1977
Regional Energy Development Act - Chapter I: Introductory - Declares that energy shortages and the high cost of energy have created economic hardships in the Northeastern States, which would especially benefit from regional cooperation with the United States through an entity capable of financing and otherwise promoting increased energy supply and energy conservation. Defines "Northeastern States" as Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Chapter II: Organization, Management, Powers - Authorizes the creation of a corporation for profit, which will not be an agency or establishment of the United States, and shall be known as the Energy Corporation of the Northeast. Directs the President to appoint incorporators who reside in the Northeastern States to serve as the initial Board of Directors of the Corporation, and to take whatever actions are necessary to establish the Corporation. Stipulates that a Northeastern State shall become a member of the Corporation when such State shall subscribe for State stock, contribute initial capital in the amount of $1 per capita, and enact supporting legislation. Allows the Corporation to become operational if at least three States become members before December 31, 1978. Authorizes States that are contiguous to members to join the Corporation in the same manner. Authorizes the Corporation to participate in joint ventures with public or private groups and to operate through subsidiaries. Requires the Corporation to submit annual reports and audits to the President, Congress, Governors and legislatures of Member States. Directs the Governors, on a rotating basis, to designate independent persons to evaluate the performance of the Corporation every two years. Chapter III: Projects and Programs of the Corporation - Authorizes the Corporation to participate in financing any project related to solving the energy needs of the Northeast. Allows the Corporation to assist projects by loans, guarantees or equity investments. Stipulates that before any financial assistance is provided, the Board of Directors of the Corporation must find that: (1) the project is expected to have a beneficial impact on the energy problems of the region; (2) the investment together with other Corporation activities will not materially impair the credit of the Corporation; (3) private capital is unavailable or insufficient; and (4) unless this limitation is specially waived, the Corporation will not operate the project on a continuing basis or invest more than 50 percent of the total cost. Authorizes rejection of each project by the Governor of the Member State in which it is located. Charges the Board with reviewing periodically the allocation of Corporation resources among the Member States to assure a measure of equity in the distribution of benefits. Limits the Corporation's investment in any one project to the greater of 10 percent of its borrowing authority or $200,000,000. Chapter IV: Financing - Stipulates that capital subscriptions from the States ($1 per capita initial contribution) and private investors shall determine the borrowing authority of the Corporation according to a formula of $15 borrowing backed by Federal guarantees for each $1 capital contribution. Authorizes the contribution of additional capital by the States after the initial subscription. Authorizes the issuance of capital securities to States and private investors in a form determined by the Board. Permits the Corporation to issue its own obligations which shall be general obligations payable out of any revenues. Prohibits the Corporation from pledging the credit of the United States or the credit of Member States. Chapter V: Guarantee of Obligations - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee obligations of the Corporation. Permits the Secretary to agree with the Corporation that the United States will purchase the product of its projects, if necessary, in the event market conditions preclude private sale. Chapter VI: State Legislation - Requires Member States, upon joining the Corporation, to enact legislation: (1) assuring decisions within 90 days of application on request for permits required for Corporation projects; (2) exempting the property, income, and operations of the Corporation from State and local taxation; and (3) specifying that insofar as the provisions of any State, general, special, or local law may be inconsistent with this Act, the provisions of this Act and the legislation enacted under this Chapter are controlling. Chapter VII: Miscellaneous - Specifies terms of construction and separability of the provisions of this Act.
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
Drug Benefits for the Aged Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish: (1) a Drug Benefit Program for the Aged to pay for prescription drugs from participating pharmacies; (2) a Drug Benefits List; (3) a Drug Benefits Council to advise the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare on matters relating to this Act; and (4) penalties for abuses of the benefits program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1977
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, which prohibits Federal agencies from obtaining excess personal property for purposes of furnishing such property to grantees of such agencies, by exempting the Office of Economic Opportunity from such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1977
Continues the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs through December 31, 1979. Authorizes the expenditure of additional funds, not to exceed $250,000 per annum, by the Select Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1977
Economic Opportunity Amendments - Extends the authorization for appropriations for the following programs under the Economic Opportunity Act: (1) demonstration community partnership agreements, (2) rural and urban community action programs, (3) special programs to combat rural poverty, (4) Headstart and Follow Through, (5) Community economic development, (6) Native American projects, (7) research and demonstration projects, and (9) evaluation programs. Extends the authorization for appropriations administration and coordination of programs under such Act. Sets a minimum size of 15 members for community action agencies and changes the maximum length of service for community representatives on community action boards from six to seven years. Provides for direct community action sponsorship of summer youth recreation program. Sets a permanent Federal/non-Federal funding ratio of 80/20 for community action agencies. Revises administrative authority within the Community Services Administration. Phases out the National Advisory Council. Abolishes the Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Community Services. Authorizes the making or guaranteeing of loans to Community Action Agencies and eligible community-based organizations for business, housing, and community development projects. Repeals authorization for an environmental action program, day care projects, and specified other activities under the Economic Opportunity Act. Revokes authorization for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Service's program for winterization of old or substandard dwellings, improved space conditioning, and insulation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Small Hydroelectric Power Projects Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Power Commission to establish a program of grants and low-interest loans to assist in the development of small hydroelectric power projects by municipalities, electric cooperatives, industrial development agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other persons. Details procedures and eligibility criteria for such financial assistance programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 per fiscal year for grants under this Act and $50,000,000 per fiscal year for loans under this Act, for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Revises licensing requirements to reduce the maximum annual charges for licenses involving Government dams issued after December 31, 1975, to $1 per kilowatt of installed capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Rehabilitation Amendments - Amends the formula for allocating funds among the States for basic vocational rehabilitation services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the Privacy Protection Study Commission should be commended for its report, "Personal Privacy in an Information Society," and that the Congress should implement the Commission's recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1977
Industrial Energy Conservation Act - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Federal Energy Administrator to establish and maintain a program to promote increased energy efficiency by American industry. Directs the Administrator to establish industrial energy efficiency improvement targets for the ten leading energy-consuming industries. Directs the Administrator to establish national heating function efficiency targets. Requires major energy-consuming corporations to file semiannual reports with the Administrator on progress toward achieving energy efficiency targets. Directs the Administrator to publish an annual report on the overall progress toward achieving energy and heating function efficiency goals. Establishes judicial procedures to compel production of reports required by this Act. Authorizes non-disclosure of information containing trade secrets.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1977
Energy Industry Competition and Performance Act - Makes it unlawful for any major petroleum producer to acquire or retain any interest or control over any coal or uranium asset. Defines control as a direct or indirect legal or beneficial interest in, or direct or indirect legal power or influence over, another person, arising through direct, indirect, or interlocking ownership of capital stock, interlocking directorates or officers, or contractual relations which substantially impair the independent business behavior of another person. Requires each major petroleum producer who owns or controls any interest in any coal or uranium asset to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission listing its interest in such assets. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by each major petroleum producer for the divestment of its interest in such assets. Grants primary oversight jurisdiction to the Federal Trade Commission and specified enforcement powers to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to report to the Congress on the extent to which the control of solar energy technology by major petroleum producers may be retarding the production of solar energy.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1977
Directs the Secretary of Defense to maintain a list of all persons currently eligible for medical or dental care under the Civilian Health and Medical Plan of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) other than members of the uniformed services serving on active duty. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with health maintenance organizations to provide health care services under such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1977
Provides for payment of a supplemental tuition allowance to each qualified veteran upon application to the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs. Structures such allowance to offset institutional differences in tuition costs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1977
President's Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the President's Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavorial Research. Directs the Commission to: (1) conduct an investigation to identify the ethical principles which should underlie the conduct of biomedical and behavioral research involving human subjects; (2) develop guidelines to be followed in such research; and (3) make recommendations to the appropriate agency or department for such administrative action as may be appropriate to apply such guidelines to biomedical and behavioral research conducted or supported under programs administered by the appropriate agency or department. Requires the Commission to develop uniform policies, procedures, and guidelines to be followed in biomedical and behavioral research involving human subjects to assure that it is conducted in accordance with ethical principals identified by the Commission. Directs the Commission to investigate and study biomedical and behavioral research conducted, supported or regulated under programs administered by any Government department or agency involving children, prisoners, military personnel, and the institutionalized mentally infirm to determine the nature of the consent obtained and the information given to such persons before such persons were involved in the research. Directs the Commission to develop guidelines to be followed by each department or agency in establishing, implementing, certifying, and monitoring human investigation review boards in those entities which receive funds from or which are regulated by such department or agency. Directs the Commission to undertake a comprehensive study of the ethical, social, and legal implications of advances in biomedical and behavioral research technology, including an analysis and evaluation of the implications of such advances both for individuals and for society. Directs the Commission to identify the basic ethical principles which should underlie the delivery of health services. Directs each Government department or agency, in cooperation with the Commission, to develop guidelines for the establishment and cooperation of human investigation review boards in entities which are supported by such department or agency. Makes it the duty of each human investigation review board to:(1) establish policies for the review of research sponsored in whole or part by Federal funds or required by Federal regulation; and (2) assume full responsibility to insure that biomedical and behavioral research involving human subjects is carried out under the safest possible conditions and with the fully informed consent of the subject or his family. Requires each agency which has established a human investigation review board to establish and maintain such records as any such agency shall by regulation require in order to determine compliance with this Act. States that personal data collected by the Commission or by an agency pursuant to this Act, may not be disclosed to any person or entity other than the individual who is the subject of the data. Stipulates that until such time as a human investigation review board has been certified by a department, each department shall determine with respect to biomedical and behavioral research supported by each department that: (1) the rights of human subjects of such research are fully exercised; (2) the interests of human subjects of such research are fully protected; (3) the risks to a human subjects of such research are outweighed by the potential benefits to him or her or by the importance of the knowledge to be gained from such research; and (4) informed consent is given by each human subject. Repeals the provisions for a National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research of the National Research Act. Abolishes the National Advisory Council for the Protection of Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1977
Provides for payment of a supplemental tuition allowance to each qualified veteran upon application to the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs. Structures such allowance to offset institutional differences in tuition costs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
Amends the Clayton Antitrust Act to entitle the United States, natural persons, and State attorneys general acting as parens patriae for persons residing within the State to bring civil actions under such Act for injury in fact, whether direct or indirect. States that this amendment shall apply to any civil action pending on June 9, 1977, or filed thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
Federal Transportation Improvement Act - Revises title 23 (Highways) of the United States Code. Changes the name of such title to "Transportation." Abolishes the Highway Trust Fund as of September 30, 1978. Stipulates that the Federal gasoline and other revenues which presently are deposited in the Fund shall be placed in the general fund of the Department of the Treasury. Stipulates that there shall be only three Federal-aid highway system: the rural system, the urban system, and the Interstate System. Stipulates that funding for such systems shall be made through the normal authorization and appropriation process. Stipulates that funds authorized and appropriated for the urban and rural system shall be available either for highway construction and maintenance or for construction and operating subsidies for mass transit systems. Stipulates that the Federal share for projects on the urban, rural, and Interstate systems shall be 90 percent of the costs of such a project. Requires the Governors of each State to develop a comprehensive program for the utilization of Federal funds under this Act. Stipulates that such programs must meet specified criteria. Requires that such a program be administered by a single State agency. Stipulates that the Secretary of Transportation's disapproval of such a plan shall be subject to judicial review. Stipulates that urban system funds shall be apportioned to the States on the basis of population and the rural system funds shall continue to be apportioned on the basis of mileage, land area, and population. Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to prohibit the purchase of buses with the financial assistance provided under such Act or title 23 of the United States Code unless such vehicles meet specified standards under the Clean Air Act and the Noise Control Act of 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Unemployment Compensation Reform Act - Title I: Unemployment Compensation Cost Equalization Program - Unemployment Compensation Cost Equalization Act - Entitles, under the Social Security Act, a States whose rate of insured unemployment is at least six percent, to partial reimbursement on an ascending sliding scale of unemployment compensation costs incurred above a certain amount. Title II: Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act - Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act - Replaces the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 with an extended unemployment benefit program which includes both regular extended benefits of up to 13 weeks and supplemental extended benefits of up to 13 additional weeks. Directs that benefits be made available when unemployment exceeds specified trigger levels which are similar to those used under present law. Revises the method for determining unemployment rates for the purposes of such triggers. Provides for 50 percent Federal funding of regular extended benefits and for full Federal funding of supplemental benefits. Title III: Financing Amendments for Unemployment Compensation Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to extend the payback period of a State having an outstanding balance of loans and to permit a State to pay as little as 20 percent of the outstanding balance in a year upon determining that the State is taking sufficient steps to restore the fiscal soundness of its trust fund. Waives any repayment requirement for States in which the insured unemployment rates exceeds a specified level. Restricts the penalty tax in a State which defaults to only insured employers and provides that the rate of such tax shall remain constant even if the outstanding balance owed is not entirely repaid.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1977
Makes it unlawful for any Federal official or employee, with the exception of employees of the Central Intelligence Agency or the National Security Agency, to require or request any other employee or any person seeking employment to take a polygraph test. Makes it unlawful for any person engaged in any business in commerce to require or request an employee or applicant to take a polygraph test or to use such a test unless fully consented to by an employee. Permits aggrieved persons to seek injunctive relief in Federal courts.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1977
Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act - Title I: The National Center for Clinical Pharmacology - Establishes the National Center for Clinical Pharmacology within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Title II: Establishment of Food, Drug, Cosmetics and Devices Administration - Establishes the Food , Drug, Cosmetics, and Devices Administration within such Department. Transfers the functions of the Food and Drug Administration to such newly created Administration. Establishes within the Food, Drug, Cosmetics and Devices Administration the Research and Development Review Bureau and the Compliance and Monitoring Bureau. Title III: Drugs and Devices - Establishes procedures and requirements for (1) warnings on drug labels; (2) prescription drugs; (3) new drug approval and limited use marketing; and (4) new prescription drug package inserts. Title IV: Advertising, Marketing, and Promotional Practices - Restricts the transfer by drug manufacturers to physicians and pharmacists of gifts, premiums, and free samples. Requires certain price information on advertisements. Requires manufacturers' representatives to undergo a training program whose standards are to be established by the Commissioner of the Food, Drug, Cosmetics and Devices Administration. Title V: Drug Quality and Interchangeability - Requires the Commissioner to establish requirements for proof of therapeutic equivalence to assure uniform performance among chemically equivalent drugs. Requires the Commissioner to publish a list of interchangeable drugs. Title VI: National Drug Science Board - Establishes the National Drug Science Board to advise the Commissioner concerning the use, regulation, certification, and approval of human and animal drugs. Title VII: Definitions and Miscellaneous - Makes general amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Transfers certain duties and powers under specified Acts to such Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Federal Criminal Diversion Act - States that Federal criminal diversion programs may include, but are not limited to, medical, educational, vocational, and social services; residence in a halfway house; other rehabilitative services; restitution to victims; and uncompensated community service. Empowers a Federal judge or magistrate to release an individual charged with a Federal crime to a Federal criminal diversion program if (1) the offense charged is either non-violent or resulted in no substantial bodily injury to victims, (2) participation in the program is recommended by the prosecuting attorney, (3) the individual waives any applicable statute of limitations and the right to speedy trial, (4) all persons injured by the offense charged agree; and (5) release is found to be not contrary to public interest. Directs that charges against a person so released be continued for one year and then dismissed unless (1) charges are dropped within that period, (2) release is terminated by the judge or magistrate because public interest requires or because the prosecuting attorney finds that the person is not fulfilling his release obligations, or (3) charges are dismissed sooner upon certification by the administrative head of the diversion program that the individual has completed the program and concurrence of the prosecuting attorney. Authorizes the chief judge of each district to appoint an advisory committee for each Federal criminal diversion program in the district to plan and review its operation. Specifies the duties of the Attorney General in implementing this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Lobbying Reform Act - Requires annual registration of any organization which expends at least $1,250 per calendar quarter for lobbying purposes, employees any person as a lobbyist for 24 hours per week or more, or two or more such persons for at least 12 hours per week each, or which expends in excess of $5,000 per quarter to engage any other person as a lobbyist. Requires such organizations to file quarterly lobbying reports disclosing the identity of paid lobbyists, amounts paid to such lobbyists, and the issues such lobbyists sought to influence during the quarter. Requires the annual registration of organizations acting through their own paid officers or employees engaging in 15 or more oral lobbying communications in any quarterly filing period. Permits the filing of abbreviated quarterly filing reports for organizations required to file solely because of the number of oral lobbying communications made by their own personnel. Requires organizations which have submitted any bid for any Government contract or grant to file quarterly reports until such contract or grant is awarded disclosing any attempts such organization has made to influence such award. Specifies the required contents of such reports including: (1) identity of any employee seeking to influence such award who, during the past five years, was a Federal employee of the agency responsible for the award who was paid in excess of the highest rate specified for pay grades GS-11, O-4, or W-2, as the case may be; (2) specified gifts made to Federal officers or employees in excess of $35; and (3) an itemized listing of each expenditure for any reception, dinner, or similar event where the total cost of such event exceeds $500. Specifies recordkeeping and report preparation requirements for any organization required to file under this Act. Requires the Comptroller General, with whom such registrations and reports must be filed, to investigate possible violations of this Act and to establish cross-indexing systems to reveal the identity of individuals employed as lobbyists by more than one organization, and to establish similar cross-indexing systems with the Federal Election Commission and the Department of Justice to disclose persons identified in reports filed under this Act and the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 or the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Directs the Comptroller General to make copies of reports filed under this Act and summaries of data in such reports available to the public. Forbids the use of information secured under this Act for commercial purposes. Imposes upon the Comptroller General the duty to render advisory opinions with respect to the requirements of this Act upon which seekers of such opinions may justifiably rely. Directs the Comptroller General to refer to the Attorney General any actions or omissions which it is believed constitute violations of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to institute civil actions where appropriate and requires the prosecution of criminal actions where appropriate. Imposes civil and criminal sanctions for the violation of this Act. Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Federal Computer Systems Protection Act - Makes it a Federal crime for a person to directly or indirectly access or cause to be accessed for fraudulent purposes a computer system affecting commerce or having a connection with a Federal agency or financial institution.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Voluntary Retirement Act - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to prohibit an employee benefit plan or seniority system from requiring the involuntary retirement of an individual between the ages of 40 and 65 because of age.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1977
Saccharin Study, Labeling, and Advertising Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to conduct a study to assess (1) current technical capabilities to predict the toxic or carcinogenic effect on humans of substanced which have induced cancer in animals; (2) public health benefits and risks of food containing such substances; (3) existing means of evaluating such benefits and risks, and the validity of such analysis; (4) instances in which restrictions on such substances do not accord with benefit-risk analysis; and (5) the relationship between Federal regulatory policies concerning the use of such substances for food and nonfood purposes. Directs the Secretary to request the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, or other public or private nonprofit organizations, to conduct the study. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of saccharin and other nonnutritive sweeteners to determine (1) any impurities in saccharin; (2) the toxic and carcinogenic effects of such impurities; and (3) the health benefits of saccharin and other nonnutritive sweeteners. Requires the Secretary to complete both studies within one year and submit the results to the Senate Committee on Human Resources and the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce within 30 days of such completion date. Prohibits the Secretary from restricting (except for labeling requirements allowed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) the sale or distribution of saccharin or any food, drug, or cosmetic containing saccharin for eighteen months, unless the Secretary determines that saccharin presents an unreasonable and substantial public risk. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a food containing saccharin misbranded if it is (1) without a specified warning conspicuously placed on the label or package; (2) sold in a vending machine without such statement conspicuously displayed on the machine; (3) sold at a retail establishment not having prominently displayed near such food a statement prepared by the Secretary including information on the current state of knowledge concerning saccharin; (4) advertised in any electronic communications medium subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission without such advertisement having all the information necessary for a retail establishment statement; and (5) advertised by written communication without the specified warning, conspicuously located in the advertisement.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to establish a grant program designed to support projects which: (1) develop methods for the identification, prevention, and treatment of domestic violence; and (2) provide for family rehabilitation and support, and for emergency shelter and protection for individuals who are threatened by domestic violence. Directs the Director to establish a national information and resource clearinghouse to collect, analyze, prepare, and disseminate information relating to domestic violence. Requires the Director, in cooperation with the Administrator of Law Enforcement Assistance and the head of any other Federal agency involved with domestic violence, to study State laws, practices, and policies relating to domestic violence. Requires the Director to annually review the effectiveness of projects carried out under this Act and to report the findings to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to transmit each such report to the President and to each House of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the representation of the District of Columbia in the Congress. Authorizes the election of two Senators and the number of Representatives in the House to which the District would be entitled if it were a State. Provides that this Amendment shall have no effect upon the present system for selecting the number of electors for President and Vice President to be appointed for the District.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1977
Radiation Health and Safety Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to develop and issue to the States criteria and minimum standards for the accreditation of educational institutions conducting programs for the training of radiologic technologists and medical and dental practitioners, hygienists, and assistants. Directs the Secretary to develop and issue to the States criteria and minimum standards for licensure of radiologic technologists. Directs that State and local governments be encouraged to minimize exposure of the public to radiation from all sources and establishes procedures for the adoption of appropriate standards. Allows the Secretary to make grants to States in an amount up to two-thirds of the first year and one-third of the second year costs of planning, developing, or establishing programs to carry out the provisions of this Act. Prohibits conducting activities contrary to this Act and subjects violators to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1977
Establishes, in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, the Lowell National Cultural Park consisting of a preservation zone and an intensive use zone. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish the boundaries of such zones. Permits the Secretary to either enter into cooperative agreements with property owners to preserve and maintain property within the park or to acquire such property within the intensive use zone by purchase or condemnation if the parties have failed to reach an agreement through negotiation. Permits the Secretary to enter into agreements with Federal agencies or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for firefighting, law enforcement or other specified assistance. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a park management plan and to establish standards applicable to the construction and use of properties within the intensive use zone. Requires any Federal agency conducting activities affecting the park to conform to such standards. Establishes the Lowell National Cultural Park Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary on the boundaries of the park and the development and use of properties and activities within the park.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act - Prohibits the sexual exploitation of children by making it unlawful for any person to knowingly use or cause any minor to engage in or assist in any sexual act for the purpose of promoting any film, photograph or other visual medium. Makes it unlawful for any parent, guardian or person having control over a minor to knowingly permit such minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Imposes a fine of $10,000 and/or imprisonment up to ten years for a violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act - Requires the Chief Justice of the United States to designate seven district court judges, each of whom shall have jurisdiction to hear applications for and grant orders approving electronic surveillance anywhere within the United States. Requires the Chief Justice to designate three Federal judges to comprise a special court of appeals which shall have jurisdiction to hear an appeal by the United States from the denial of any application. Grants the United States a further right to appeal an affirmance of denial to the Supreme Court. Requires each application for any order approving electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes to be approved by the Attorney General and to include among other information: (1) the identity of the officer making the application; (2) the authority conferred on the applicant by the President and the approval of the Attorney General to make the application; (3) the identity of the subject of the surveillance (4) the fact and circumstances justifying belief that the target of surveillance is a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power; (5) a description of the type of information sought and a certification by one of specified Federal officers that such information is foreign intelligence information that cannot feasibly be obtained by normal investigative techniques; (6) a statement of the period of time for which the surveillance is required, and (7) a statement of procedures to be taken to minimize intrusion into the privacy of United States persons. Directs the judge to enter an ex parte order as requested or as modified approving the electronic surveillance if he finds that the criteria specified have been met. Allows issuance of orders to approve surveillance for 90 days or the period necessary to achieve its purposes, whichever is less. Permits extensions of orders upon application for an extension made in the same manner as required for an original application. Authorizes the Attorney General, upon a reasonable determination that an emergency situation exists, to authorize the emergency employment of electronic surveillance if the appropriate judge is informed by the Attorney General of such authorization at the time it is made and if an application is made as soon as practicable but not more than 24 hours after authorization. Requires, in the absence of a judicial order, that surveillance terminate when the information sought is obtained, when the application for an order is denied, or 24 hours after authorization, whichever is earliest. Requires, when an order to approve the emergency employment of electronic surveillance is not obtained, that the judge serve notice on any United States person subject to surveillance of the fact of the application, the period of surveillance, and the fact that information was or was not obtained. Permits the judge to delay or forego this action on a showing of good cause. Allows information acquired from electronic surveillance conducted pursuant to this Act to be used and disclosed only for designated purposes or for the enforcement of the criminal law. Requires the Attorney General to submit an annual report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and to Congress, including the number of applications made for orders and extensions of orders approving electronic surveillance and the number of such orders and extensions granted, modified, and denied.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 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 ConRail) 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 move 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.
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