United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
National Agricultural Land Policy Act - Title I: Objectives - Declares that it is the policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, to use all practicable methods to retain and protect 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 such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted to nonagricultural uses. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to institutes of higher learning 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: General Provisions - Defines terms used in this Act. Title V: Funding - Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $15,000,000. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $75,000,000 each for fiscal years 1979 and 1980, and $100,000,000 each for fiscal years 1981, 1982, and 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Condemns recent terrorism in Egypt, Israel, and Jordan. Extends Congressional condolences to victims of these attacks. Declares that the President should (1) intensify efforts of the executive branch to counter international terrorism, (2) report to Congress on the implementation of laws regarding terrorism; (3) report to Congress on the activities of the Palestine Liberation Organization office in New York; and (4) report to specified Congressional committees the names of nations which furnish assistance to such Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Small Business Simplification Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer, in calculating depreciation allowances of property, to apply a 36-month useful life computed under the straight-line method for up to $100,000 of basis of property.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Small Business Act to provide "energy independence loan," under specified conditions to individuals or firms that provide energy conservation or solar energy related services or that manfacture, distribute, retail, or install energy conservation or solar energy products or measures.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Solar Energy Transition Act - Directs each Federal agency to use and encourage the use of solar energy technologies. Requires each agency to review the programs, projects, and policies it is administering, and assess the feasibility of alternative approaches utilizing solar energy technologies. Directs the Secretary of Energy to develop guidelines and otherwise assist the Federal agencies in the review required by this Act. Establishes the National Solar Energy Advisory Council to advise the Secretary in the performance of his duties under this Act. Directs the Secretary to report to the President and Congress annually starting April 20, 1980 on the progress of the Federal Government and the nation in converting to solar energy.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Solar Global Marketing Survey Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to conduct a global market survey to determine which foreign countries might serve as markets for solar energy equipment manufactured in the United States. Requires such survey be completed by September 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
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 structures. Prohibits conflicts of interests 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. Allows the Solar Bank to make loans directly, or through lending institutions which are entitled to reasonable fees for their services. Sets the annual interest rates on such loans at not more than three percent and limits the loans to a maximum of 30 years duration. Permits the Solar Bank to develop standards for certifying that the solar energy equipment, installation and related costs will result in a meaningful reduction in the conventional energy dependence of the year. Requires the Solar Bank to establish guidelines for the distribution of its loans among commercial and residential uses and requires that at least 60 percent of such monies loaned be for residential purposes. Establishes procedures govering the processing and approval of loan applications by the Bank. Provides penalties for the violation of the loan contract or for fraud in the obtaining of such loan. Exempts the Solar Bank and its assets from taxation, except that the real and tangible personal property of the Bank shall be subject to Federal, State, and local taxation to the same extent as that of private corporations. Directs the General Accounting Office (GAO) to audit the financial transactions of the Bank, and grants the GAO access to all its books, records, and accounts. 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 · 13 March 1978
Small Scale Energy Technology Programs Reorganization Act - Defines "small scale technology" to include but not be limited to energy and nonenergy technologies and systems which provide energy or other services to individual or small groups of end users, which minimize environmental impacts. Establishes within the Department of Energy an Office of Small Scale Technology. Requires the Director of such Office to: (1) make grants to small businesses for small scale technology; (2) act to inform small businesses about opportunities for participation in the programs of the Office; (3) evaluate and certify the performance of equipment and demonstration models of grantees; (4) supervise the activities of the National Center for Appropriate Technology; and (5) coordinate Office activities with related activities of other Federal, State, and local agencies. Directs the Office to enter into contractual or other arrangements with the National Center for Appropriate Technology or other groups with similar experience and expertise to perform research and development programs and demonstration projects concerning weatherization oriented small scale technology and to provide grants and other assistance. Transfers all functions of the Energy Related Inventions Program of the National Bureau of Standards and all functions of such Program located within the Department of Energy to the Office. Establishes an Interagency Council on Appropriate Technology as an independent instrumentality of the United States in the Executive branch. Requires the Council to coordinate all small scale technology programs of the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to study the feasibility of using solar energy for heating the hot water in the Phillip A. Hart Office Building now under construction. Directs the Architect to make cost comparisons between solar and conventional energy systems over specified periods of time and report such findings to the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1978
Amateur Sports Act - Title I: Declaration of Policy - Makes findings and states that the policy of Congress is to promote amateur athletics and protect the right of amateur athletes to participate in athletic competition. Title II: Olympic Committee Reorganization - Amends the corporate charter of the Olympic Committee to (1) provide for a principal place of business of the United States Olympic Committee (Corporation); (2) set forth the objectives and purposes of the Corporation; (3) set forth the powers of the Corporation; and (4) subject to civil liability any person who uses an Olympic designation without authority to promote a private financial interest. Permits contributors or suppliers of goods or services to use the name of the United States Olympic Committee or its designation to advertise that such goods or services have been furnished to, approved, or selected by the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to establish in its constitution and bylaws provisions for the resolution of disputes involving the opportunity of an amateur athlete or other specified individuals to participate in sanctioned athletic competitions. Authorizes the Corporation to recognize as a national governing body any amateur sports organization (but only one for each sport) which submits an application for recognition and complies with eligibility requirements. Sets forth such eligibility requirements. Sets forth the duties and powers of a national governing body and the requirements which an amateur sports organization must meet to hold an athletic competition sanctioned by a national governing body. Grants to the Corporation the power of review over the actions of any national governing body and invests a United States district court with jurisdiction to enjoin any action of a national governing body inconsistent with the terms of the Corporate charter. Sets forth procedures for the Corporation in (1) processing a complaint against a national governing body by an individual athlete or an amateur sports organization; (2) revoking recognition of a national governing body; and (3) replacing an incumbent national governing body. Provides for arbitration of a determination of the Corporation. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to lend financial assistance to the Corporation in developing amateur athletics in the United States. Authorizes appropriations for carrying out the work of the national governing bodies.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1978
Includes within the definition of "air traffic controller," for purposes of Federal air traffic control career programs, those persons who are actively engaged in providing preflight, inflight, or airport advisory service to aircraft operators or are the immediate supervisors of any such persons who are employed in any flight service station facility.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1978
Amends the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to obligate for fiscal years 1979 and 1980 not less than $30,000,000 of the funds authorized to be appropriated under such Act for improving air navigation facilities for the purpose of establishing no fewer than 45 automated flight service stations. Defines "flight service stations" as air navigation facilities used to assist pilots in the safe conduct of flight.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1978
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for the Securities and Exchange Commission for fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Federal Disclosure and Accountability Act - Prohibits any Federal employee from coercing any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of such individual to disclose any illegal or otherwise improper Government Action to the Review Board on Improper Government Actions established by this Act, and from taking any adverse personnel action against such individual who is a Federal employee in retaliation for such disclosure. Requires the Board to investigate any such disclosure and, in the event further investigation or action is warranted, to notify the person, the head of the agency in which such person is employed, and, if appropriate, the Attorney General and/or the Comptroller General.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Indian Program Evaluation and Needs Assessment Act - Makes findings that Federal agencies dealing with Indian affairs have not adequately furnished Congress with the information necessary to assess the needs of Indians and Alaskan Natives and that such lack of information has hampered Congress in determining such needs and responding to them. Title I: Program Expenditure Data - Requires the head of each Federal agency to develop procedures for compiling, maintaining, keeping current and reporting to Congress information concerning (1) the agency's annual expenditures for programs and services for which Indians are eligible; (2) services or programs specifically for the benefit of Indians; and (3) the agency's method of delivery of services and funding. Requires further that each Federal agency which administers programs which are specifically directed to or for the benefit of Indians and other programs for which Indians are eligible maintain and report to Congress information on the relative amounts expended for the administration of such programs and for actual services and funding to Indians and individual Indian organizations. Directs the Bureau of Indian Affairs to provide Congress with a comprehensive record of land holdings and use patterns of Indian land. Requires the head of each Federal agency, in coordination with the Federal Interagency Council on Indian Affairs established by this Act, to conduct every five years a needs assessment program aimed at determining the actual needs and problems of Indians and Indian organizations that are eligible for the programs and services administered by each such agency. Title II: Federal Interagency Council On Indian Affairs - Establishes a Federal Interagency Council on Indian Affairs. Sets forth the duties of such Council in the development of a uniform format to be used by all Federal agencies in assessing the needs of Indians.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1978
Congregate Housing Services Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to enter into contracts with public housing agencies for the establishment of congregate housing projects which are supplemented by supportive services for frail and physically impaired residents. Requires assisted public housing authorities to maintain any financial effort they were making in furtherance of congregate services prior to contract authority approval, unless the Secretary waives such requirement. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to permit the provision of congregate services in existing public housing. Makes provisions for the administration of services and requires assisted public housing agencies to employ elderly and physically disabled residents to the maximum extent practicable. Sets forth application procedures, requirements for eligibility for services, and rules for the setting of fees for congregate services. Directs assisted public housing agencies to review this program with eligible residents and with the professional assessment committee within the 12 month period prior to the submission of an application for renewed funding.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1978
Emergency Agricultural Act - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, with respect to 1978 crops only, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Commodity Credit Corporation, to make payments to cotton, feed grains, soybean, and wheat producers for setting aside acreage to approved conservation uses in addition to required set-asides. Requires a minimum acreage set-aside, under this program, of: (1) 15 million acres for wheat; (2) 10 million acres for feed grains; and (3) 3 million acres each for cotton and soybeans. Authorizes additional payments for set-aside acreage opened to the general public for hunting, trapping, fishing, and hiking. Requires the Secretary to make up to 50 percent of any such payment immediately, in advance of determination of performance. Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to increase the Corporation's borrowing authority from $14,500,000,000 to $25,000,000,000. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to make private domestic corporations and partnerships controlled by farmers and ranchers, and engaged primarily in farming or ranching, eligible for real estate and operating loans. Increases the maximum allowable total principal indebtedness for real estate loans which may be outstanding by any one borrower to $200,000, or $300,000 in the case of a guaranteed loan. Increases the amount of indebtedness which may be outstanding for operating loans for an individual from $50,000 to $100,000, or in the case of a guaranteed loan, $200,000.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1978
Authorizes the withholding of wages on a voluntary basis for tax purposes for individuals employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same State.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1978
Small Business Reduction and Stimulation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide graduated income tax rates for corporations with a maximum rate of 46 percent on income in excess of $150,000 and a minimum rate of 15 percent on income not in excess of $25,000.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1978
Genetic Disease Amendments - Title I: Revision and Extension of Genetic Diseases - Amends the National Sickle Cell Anemia, Cooley's Anemia, Tay-Sachs, and Genetic Diseases Act to include genetic conditions, as well as genetic diseases, within the program of research, counseling, and education established by such Act. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such program for three fiscal years, through 1981. Title II: National Commission Amendment - Directs the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research to conduct a study of the ethical, social, and legal implications of voluntary testing, counseling, and information and education programs with respect to genetic diseases and conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1978
Urges the Secretary of Defense not to include within the competitive rate program (under which services are procured for the movement of the household goods of Department of Defense employees) the movement of household goods of Department personnel who are being transferred between the continental United States and Alaska or Hawaii.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1978
Women in Science and Technology Equal Opportunity Act - Title I: Statement of Findings, Purpose, and Policy - Sets forth the findings of Congress with respect to the employment of women in science and technological fields. Declares it the purpose of this Act to encourage the full participation of women in scientific, professional, and technical fields. Declares it the policy of the United States to assure equal opportunity for women in education, training, and employment in scientific and technical fields. Title II: Education - Directs the National Science Foundation to support activities to strengthen elementary and secondary school programs in science and mathematics to involve female students in such areas. Stipulates the areas which such support programs are to emphasize. Requires application to the Director of the National Science Foundation for grant and contract assistance for such programs. Directs the National Science Foundation to support programs in institutions of higher education (1) to increase the participation of women in scientific and technical studies, training and fellowship opportunities, and careers. Stipulates the areas which such support programs are to emphasize. Requires application to the Director of the National Science Foundation for grant and contract assistance for such programs. Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to determine the amount of training and fellowship stipends awarded under this title. Directs the National Science Foundation to initiate a program of continuing education in science and engineering, emphasizing the participation of women. Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to make grants to institutions of higherer education, other academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private business firms to develop courses and curricula for such continuing education programs. Authorizes the Director to allocate continuing education fellowships under this title. Directs the Director to require programs under this title to develop and utilize standardized evaluation tools to determine the impact of programs authorized hereunder. Authorizes the Director to furnish technical assistance to the devleopment of activities authorized by this title. Title III: Public Understanding - Directs the National Science Foundation to establish a Clearinghouse on Women in Science to collect and disseminate public information concerning activities which encourage the participation of women in science and technology. Authorizes appropriations for the fiscal years 1980 through 1989 for such Clearinghouse. Directs the National Science Foundation to conduct a research program to increase understanding of the potential contribution of women in these fields and to facilitate the participation and advancement of women in science and technology careers. Directs the National Science Foundation to support projects to improve information concerning the importance of women in science and technology through the media. Specifies the factors to be used in determining funding priorities for such projects. Requires the National Science Foundation to identify books and instructional materials to encourage girls and young women to study science and mathematics and to pursue careers in science and technology. Authorizes the Foundation to support the development of books and instructional materials which support these goals. Directs the Foundation to support community outreach activities to attract substantial numbers of women to such careers. Requires the Foundation to make grants to nonprofit organizations which sponsor community activities to enable such organizations to include programs related to science and mathematics. Directs the Foundation to make grants to museums and science centers to encourage women to study such fields, to enter such careers, and to stress the importance of equal opportunity for women in science and technology. Establishes the President's Committee for Equal Opportunity in Science Awards to recommend to the President recipients of the annual Distinguished Achievement in the Advancement of Women in Science Award, established by this Act. Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to award annually the Mathematics and Science Incentive Awards, established by this Act, to schools which encourage the enrollment of women and girls in mathematics and science courses. Establishes the visiting women scientists program to enable women scientists to visit secondary schools and institutions of higher education to encourage girls and women to consider careers in these fields. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to select women to be visiting women scientists. Title IV: Equal Employment Opportunity - Directs the head of each Federal agency, national laboratory, and federally funded research and development center which supports research and development in science and technology, to (1) prevent discrimination against women in science and technology, (2) increase opportunities for the employment and advancement of women in these fields, and (3) to encourage the participation of minority and physically handicapped women in science and technology careers. Requires the head of each Federal agency which provides financial assistance for research and development in science and technology of at least $30,000,000 in any fiscal year, the head of each national laboratory, and federally funded research and development centers, to report annually to Congress concerning the employment status of women in such organizations. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to assess the participation and status of women in all disciplines and job categories of scientific and technological fields in the public sector, private enterprise, and academic institutions. Directs the Civil Service Commission to include in its training program for Federal officials information concerning the employment and encouragement of women in science and technology. Directs the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission to include in existing registers women qualified for and seeking scientific and technological positions, and to circulate such registers to each Federal agency, national laboratory, and federally funded research and development center. Directs the Clearinghouse on Women in Science to compile an employment register listing qualified women seeking such positions, and listing positions available in public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. Directs the National Science Foundation to make grants to encourage the employment and advancement of women in science and technology through flexible work schedules, and other work-related arrangements. Title V: General Provisions - Specifies the authority of the Foundation to carry out this Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1980 through 1990 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1978
Food Amendments Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require processors of food for human consumption to develop, implement, and maintain adequate safety assurance procedures for each establishment which they own or operate. Sets forth requisite considerations in the development of such procedures. Exempts food processors whose establishments are unlikely, because of the nature or volume of food processing, to create more than a minimal risk of adulteration. Exempts from such procedures the processing of fresh fruits and vegetables, on-farm processing, fishing or the holding of fish on a vessel, and processing of food in a retail establishment. Provides that if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare finds that any class of food is processed, stored, or handled so as to present an unreasonable risk of adulteration, or existing safety assurance procedures are not adequate to protect against such risk, he shall immediately publish such finding in the Federal Register and promulgate regulations, to be effective within one year, establishing safety assurance standards. Provides that if the Secretary finds that a threat to the public health caused by adulteration of food requires the immediate adoption of, or immediate amendment to, an applicable safety assurance standard, he may promulgate such standard or amendment, without compliance with procedural prerequisites, and shall comply therewith as soon as practicable. Requires persons, subject to the requirements of this Act, to keep and make available such records, pertaining to safety assurance procedures and standards, as the Secretary may require. States that whenever a food processor acquires information indicating that any food which he has processed and which has left his control may be adulterated, or whenever such a processor institutes a recall of any food, such processor shall immediately notify the Secretary. Permits any person to commence a civil action for mandatory or prohibitive injunctive relief against food processors in violation of this Act or regulations thereunder, or against the Secretary for failure to fulfill the requirements of this Act. States that the rulings of the court in any such action shall not be a bar to the institution of any judicial or administrative proceeding by the Secretary. Exempts from such provisions relating to safety assurance the processing of poultry, meat, and eggs, to the extent of the application of other specified statutes. Requires the Secretary to cooperate with the Small Business Administration for loans to assist affected small business concerns to comply with such provisions. Requires food manufacturers and packers to establish and implement a system of food coding, and apply such to all food products, which identifies the manufacturer, the plant, the food, the lot or batch number, and the date of packing. Directs the Secretary to make public sufficient information to enable consumers to comprehend the basic purposes of such coding systems. Exempts from such coding requirements packaged food which is packed in a retail establishment for sale therein or food not intended for human consumption. Permits the detainment for 20 days of any food, in interstate commerce, found or believed to be adulterated. Permits such detainment pending a seizure action, an action for injunction, or pending notification by the Secretary to a governmental authority having jurisdiction over such food. Imposes a civil penalty of $10,000 for each day of commission of prohibited acts regarding food, under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Sets forth procedures for and rights relating to proceedings for issuance, amendment, or repeal of any regulation authorized under such Act. Permits the awarding of attorneys' fees for rulemaking proceedings and litigation, under specified conditions. Provides, under such Act, that as to establishments for the manufacturing, processing, preparing, packaging, or holding of food, inspection shall extend to records bearing upon whether a food may be adulterated. Provides, under such Act, that any person who imports, or offers for importation, into the United States any food or class of food shall file a certificate with the Secretary prior to such importation identifying the food or class of foods and establishing that such food or class has been produced in accordance with safety assurance procedures and standards under such Act. States that the disclosure of information under this Act shall be governed by the Freedom of Information Act, except that if the Secretary determines that information is not a trade secret, but the originator of such information does so claim, the Secretary shall notify such originator with particularity of his intention to disclose, and shall not disclose such information until ten days following receipt of such information by such originator. Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to establish regional offices for facilitating the administration of such Act. Imposes criminal penalties of up to one year imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine for commission of prohibited acts relating to food under such Act, by individuals who act knowingly, willfully, or without the care of a prudent man under the circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to require food processors to submit to him a registration statement, describing plant locations and foods processed therein, and to update such statement as appropriate. Permits exemptions from such requirement where it is determined that such registration is not necessary for the prevention of an unreasonable risk of adulteration of food or for the protection of the public health. Exempts from such registration the processing of poultry, meat, and eggs, to the extent such processing is covered by other statutes; processing of food in a retail establishment; processing of alcoholic beverages; and fishing vessels or the holding of fish. Subjects both registered and exempted establishments to inspection under this Act. Provides, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act relating to misbranded foods, that dates on labels shall conform to regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Requires such regulations to: (1) identify those foods, except fruits and vegetables, for which date information is required to promote honesty and fair dealing; (2) require such foods to bear on the package or label the date by which it is recommended that such food be sold at retail for consumption or the date after which it is recommended that such food not be sold; and (3) require that such date be printed on the package or label of such food in a clear and conspicuous manner and in such form as will enable the consumer readily to identify and understand the significance of such date. States that packaged foods for human consumption, except fresh fruits and vegetables, to which vitamin, mineral, or amino acid has been added, or for which any claim respecting the presence of any vitamin, mineral, or amino acid or respecting nutritional value is made on the package or label, or in advertising or promotion, shall be deemed misbranded unless nutritional information is provided in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Requires mandatory ingredients of foods to be listed on the labels. Requires each ingredient to be listed by its common or usual name. Permits the Secretary to exempt from such requirements foods received in bulk containers at retail establishments, under specified conditions, and incidental additives present in foods. Requires public eating places serving margarine or oleomargarine to conspicuously notify the public of such fact. States that, unless a State or local law promotes the interests of consumers without unduly burdening interstate commerce, Federal labeling laws shall supersede all State and local laws. Exempts alcoholic beverages from the labeling requirements of this Act relating to date information, nutritional information, and ingredient listing by common name, but requires a study of the need for non- exemption of such beverages. Requires a study of the need for a logo or symbol on labels indicating the absence of artificial flavors or colors.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1978
Authorizes the appointment of Members of Congress to meet with representatives of the Japanese Diet for discussion of common problems in the interests of relations between the United States and Japan.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to acquire the Museum of African Art. Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution a bureau to be known as the Museum of African Art. Sets forth the functions of such bureau. Establishes a Commission for the Museum of African Art to assist the Board in the operation and development of the Museum. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1978
Social Security Refinancing Act - Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to finance the payment of disability insurance benefits and hospital insurance benefits through general tax revenues, rather than through employment and self-employment tax revenues. Reduces employment and self-employment tax rates below the rates established by the Social Security Financing Amendments of 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Foreign Mission Solar Energy Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of State to demonstrate solar energy and other renewable energy technologies by using such energy sources in Foreign Service buildings located abroad. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Energy concerning the most viable techniques adaptable to the local resources and environmental conditions of the host country. Requires the Secretary of State to insure that projects under this Act are demonstrated to, and are available for inspection by, officials and other citizens of the host country. Directs the Secretary to give priority to projects in less developed countries.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1978
Authorizes and requests the President to annually designate the Sunday following Fire Service Recognition Day as "Memorial Sunday" for firefighters disabled or killed in the line of duty during the preceeding year.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Permits certain veterans with service- connected disabilities who are retired members of the uniformed services to receive compensation concurrently with retired pay, without deduction from either.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Veterans' and Survivors' Income Security Act - Title I: Security Pension for Veterans and Survivors - Establishes rates for security pensions which may be elected in lieu of regular pensions by: (1) veterans of a period of war who are permanently and totally disabled from a non-service-connected disability; and (2) surviving spouses or children of veterans of a period of war of deceased veterans entitled to compensation or retirement pay for a service-connected disability. Specifies exclusions from the determination of annual income of such veterans and survivors. Requires persons applying for a security pension to report the income and estate of each spouse and child on account of whom added pension is applied for or received. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires annual adjustments of security pension rates in conjunction with cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits. Title III: Effective Date - Sets the effective date of this Act as October 1, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Amends the Intervention on the High Seas Act to redefine terms and establish procedures in a manner consistent with the Protocol Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Pollution by Substances Other Than Oil, 1973. Places the burden of proof on the United States to establish that the substance reasonably could have posed a grave and imminent danger at the time of the intervention in actions brought against the United States for use of excessive measures during the course of an intervention. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to determine when a substance other than those enumerated in the Protocol is liable to create a hazard. Permits the President to accept amendments to the list of substances contained in the Protocol, other than convention oil.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Agricultural Trade Expansion Act - Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to permit the Commodity Credit Corporation to finance export sales of agricultural commodities on credit terms in excess of three years, but not more than ten years. Exempts such sales from the requirement that exports be transported on privately owned United States - flag commercial vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Minority Mental Health Program Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish within the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration a Division for Minority Mental Health Programs. Enumerates duties for the Secretary acting through the Division including: (1) the development of systems to assist minority populations in adopting and coping with racism; and (2) the development of special training programs aimed at the elimination of institutional racism.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to establish expedited procedures for the determination of matters involving carriers other than rail carriers before the Interstate Commerce Commission. Permits the Commission or a division to void the requirement that an initial decision be made on such matters where questions of policy, new or novel issues of law, or issues of general transportation policy are involved. Establishes review procedures for initial decisions made by a division, an individual Commissioner or an authorized employee. Stipulates that such an initial decision shall be deemed an action of the Commission on the twentieth day after it is served on the interested parties unless it is appealed during such period or by the end of an extended period as authorized or is stayed by the Commission, an individual Commissioner, division, or employee or appeal board. Authorizes the Commission to establish regulations to permit appeal boards to review specified types of initial decisions and issue administratively final decisions in specified situations. Stipulates that review after the appeal of an initial decision has been determined may only be granted on a clear showing that material new evidence, changed circumstances or matters of general transportation importance are involved. Authorizes the Commission to change final decisions where warranted because of material error, new evidence, or substantially changed circumstances. Stipulates that actions of the Commission shall become effective on the thirtieth day of service of such action upon the interested parties unless the Commission provides otherwise. Defines final actions by the Commission for purposes of judicial review.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
National Small Business Policy Act - Creates on Advisory Council on Small Business and Free Enterprise in the Executive Office of the President to make recommendations for a policy toward promotion of Small business and economic competition, and to gather and publish information on small businesses. Directs the President to submit an annual "Small Business and Free Enterprise Report" to Congress. Establishes an Executive Coordinating Group on Small Business Policy and Programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Equal Access to Courts Act - Entitles a party which: (1) prevails in any civil action, including an action for judicial review of agency actions; and (2) is a small business as defined by the Small Business Act or an individual or entity having assets or income below specified amounts to a judgment for costs and an award for attorney fees, witness fees, and necessary studies and reports. Directs an agency to pay costs and fees to a party meeting the criteria of (2) above if such a party: (1) successfully defends the imposition of an agency sanction; (2) successfully opposes the issuance or amendments of certain agency orders; or (3) successfully appeals agency action or is subject to agency action which is appealed or reviewed. Entitles a party partially prevailing against the United States to costs and fees to the extent to which it prevailed. Authorizes, where in the interest of justice, an award of cost and fees to a party which fails to prevail in a civil action instituted by or against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
States that it shall be the policy of the United States to protect and preserve for American Indians their inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercise their traditional religions. Directs the various Federal executive agencies responsible for administering laws which interfere with the exercise of these religions to evaluate their policies and procedures in order to determine the changes necessary to protect and preserve American Indian religious cultural rights and practices.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the United States should encourage the United Nations to hold a World Alternate Energy Conference to consider alternate ways to meet the world's energy needs and to establish an International Alternate Energy Commission to encourage worldwide use of alternate energy sources.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay specified sums to a certain individual in full settlement of such individual's claims against the United States.
![Official portrait of Sen. Matsunaga, Spark M. [D-HI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000250_200.jpg)