United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Establishes a national dam safety program. Directs each Federal agency to regulate the safety of dams which are either owned by the United States and operated by the involved agency, or which are located on lands owned by the United States for which the involved agency in responsible. Requires States to regulate the safety of dams in such States not owned by the United States. Allows Federal jurisdiction upon request, over dams owned by a non-Federal entity located on Federal lands in such State. Requires Federal agencies to examine, inspect, and repair specified dams within their jurisdiction. Directs such agencies to: (1) review plans for dam construction or modification; (2) inspect performance of such work; (3) retain data of such construction; and (4) issue certificates of approval. Requires such Federal agencies to issue regulations for dam safety in accordance with guidelines established by the Secretary of the Army. Makes compliance with this Act and applicable regulations a requirement for construction and operation of dams subject to this Act. Directs the Secretaries of the Army, the Interior, and Agriculture to furnish aid and advice to States requesting assistance in implementation of dam safety programs.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to transfer 6,000 acres presently under its jurisdiction in the State of Idaho to the Secretary of the Interior for sale to qualifying farmers whose land was damaged by the Teton flood of June 5, 1976. Limits the amount of land that can be transformed to a single ownership.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to prevent any rule or regulation concerning public lands and national forest lands including their management, rise, and protection, from taking effect until the expiration of 90 days after the issuance of such rule and then only if Congress has not adopted a concurrent resolution of disapproval.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the television broadcasting of programs portraying nudity, obscenity, explicit sexual activity, gross physical violence, or morbid torture. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe regulations prohibiting broadcasting of such portrayals.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Authorizes and directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to develop regulations permitting the payment of up to 50 percent of the amount due the Federal Government from grazing permitees in the form of range improvement work.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Title I: - Sets forth the purposes of the Act. Title II: Joint Committee on Atomic Energy - Abolishes the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. Title III: Transfers of Certain Functions of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy and Conforming Amendments to Certain Other Laws - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to define the terms "nuclear energy" and "nuclear weapon." Amends the Atomic Energy Community Act of 1955 and the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to transfer the functions and authorities of the Joint Committee, to the congressional committees which under the rules of the House and Senate are assigned jurisdiction over the subject matter of the Acts. Transfers authority formerly held by the Joint Committee regarding the approval of certain electric utility contracts entered into by the Atomic Energy Commission, to such committees. Title IV: Information and Assistance to Congressional Committees - Requires the Energy Research and Development Administration and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to keep the congressional committees having jurisdiction over their functions informed with respect to the activities of the Administration and the Commission. Requires the Department of Defense to keep the congressional committees having jurisdiction over the national security considerations of nuclear technology informed of relevant security matters. Requires the transfer of records of the Joint Committee to the Senate committees having jurisdiction over the subject matter of such records. Title V: Protection of National Security Information - Requires the transfer of all records of the Joint Committee relating to national security to the Senate committees having jurisdiction over such matters. Establishes in the Senate the Office of Classified National Security Information under the policy direction of the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to safeguard classified information assigned to it by any Senate committee. Requires the Office to furnish the Committees on Armed Services, on Energy and Natural Resources, on Environment and Public Works, and on Foreign Relations of the Senate with a listing of all those records of the Joint Committee which are to be transferred to such committees under this Act. Title VI: Committee Staff - Requires the transfer of certain staff members of the Joint Committee to the Office of Classified National Security Information upon the abolition of the Joint Committee. Directs that any such staff members not transferred to the Office shall be transferred to the staff of a new committee by the Committee on Rules and Administration in consultation with the chairmen and ranking minority members of the new committees. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, to stipulate that none of the laws restricting trade between points in the United States to vessels of the United States shall apply to inflatable boats used in river running.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1977
Food Additive Safety Amendments - States that a food additive shall be deemed safe if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (1) makes a finding, based on recommendations of an advisory committee, that the public benefit from permitting the use of such additive would exceed the public risk which might result from such use; (2) gives notice in the Federal Register of such a finding and invites public comment thereon; and (3) issues a final order within 120 days of publication in the Federal Register of such findings. Specifies factors the Secretary must take into consideration when evaluating a food additive. Deems saccharin a safe food additive unless the Secretary declares it unsafe under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1977
Child Exploitation Prevention Act - Prohibits the sexual exploitation of children by making it unlawful for any individual to (1) cause or permit a child to be photographed or filmed engaged in a sexual act prohibited under this Act; (2) photograph or film a prohibited sexual act; (3) knowingly transport any film or photograph depicting a prohibited sexual act; or (4) receive for sale or sell any such film or photograph, if such individual knows or should know such film or photograph has or may be transported in such a manner as to affect interstate or foreign commerce. Imposes a fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 20 years for a violation of the sexual exploitation of children provisions of this Act. Imposes a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 15 years for a violation of the transportation of photographs and films of children engaged in sexual acts provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Authorizes to be appropriated funds for the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to conduct a study of the potential carcinogenic effects of saccharin. Directs the Secretary to submit a report on such study to the President and the Congress not later than 60 days after the study's completion. Prohibits any ban or restriction on saccharin in interstate commerce by the Secretary or any officer in the executive branch of the Federal Government for a period of three years.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers maintaining households to elect either a $250 income tax credit or a $1,000 deduction for each dependent aged 65 or over who resides in their homes.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 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 · 7 March 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation: (1) to study opportunities to augment, utilize or conserve water supplies available to Federal reclamation projects and to undertake conservation activities to mitigate damages to such projects from the 1976-1977 drought period; (2) to purchase water supplies and redistribute such water within Federal reclamation projects; (3) to study and evaluate potential facilities to mitigate the effects of a recurrence of drought and make recommendations to the President and to Congress evaluating such facilities; and (4) to make payments to Federal reclamation project landowners who are without irrigation water supplies to carry out soil conservation measures. Authorizes the Secretary to defer without penalty the 1977 and 1978 payments of any installment charges owed to the United States on Federal reclamation projects as he deems necessary because of financial hardship caused by extreme drought conditions. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress by March 1, 1978, on expenditures under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excess profits surtax on the taxable income of all petroleum industry corporations having an invested capital structure exceeding $2,500,000. Sets the rate of the tax at 90 percent of the amount by which the taxable income of the corporation exceeds the average rate of return on capital investment for all manufacturing corporations for the taxable year as determined by the Federal Trade Commission. Excludes from income subject to this surtax amounts used for exploration, research, or development of new energy sources, fuels, on uses. Makes sums invested (1) in domestic research and development facilities for new or expanded energy sources, or (2) to increase the domestic energy supply or its more efficient use, eligible for the investment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include within the meaning of the term "hospital" under such Title, rural health facilities of 50 beds or less. Sets forth exceptions to staffing, health, and safety requirements set forth for hospitals in the definition of such term.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1977
Sugar Import Restriction Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to estimate the annual sugar needs and production of the United States and to establish sugar importation quotas.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Water Resources Research and Technology Development Act - Title I: General Water Resources Research - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to assist in the establishment of qualified water research and technology institutes at State colleges and universities. Requires that water resources research programs be developed and submitted to the Secretary for approval in accordance with specified criteria. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $500,000 per year to each participating institute for fiscal years 1978 through 1982. Authorizes additional appropriations of $10,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1978 and 1979 as matching grants to equal, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, funds made available to the institutes from non-Federal sources. Establishes eligibility requirements for such matching grants. Authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 and 1979 for grants and other assistance by the Secretary to other institutes for the conduct of water research projects. Authorizes the Secretary to initiate research assessment, transfer, and information dissemination programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1978 through 1982 to the Secretary to carry out the general purposes of this title. Repeals the Water Resources Research Act of 1964. Title II: Research and Engineering Development on Saline and Chemically Contaminated Water - Saline Water Conversion Act -- Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility of converting saline or other chemically contaminated water into water suitable for beneficial consumptive uses. Directs the Secretary to develop a ten year plan for development and transfer of desalination technology. Authorizes the appropriation of $35,000,000 for research, development, and administrative activities to carry out the provisions of this title. Stipulates that not less than $10,000,000 of such funds shall be allocated for brackish ground water demonstration projects. Repeals the Saline Water Conversion Act of 1971.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits a justice of the Supreme Court or a judge of any inferior court established by Congress from holding office for more than ten years after (1) taking office, (2) the Senate last consented to his continuance in office, or (3) the ratification of this amendment, whichever last occurs, unless the President nominates and the Senate consents to a continuance in office.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Increases the authorization of appropriations, from $19,802,000 to $47,802,000, for the acquisition of lands within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1976 to delay, for one year, the effective date of the changes made in the Internal Revenue Code with regard to the taxation of income earned abroad by U.S. citizens living abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Authorizes and requests the President of the United States to designate the week beginning on the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the President to review Government revenues and expenditures at specified times and to determine a surtax rate when expenditures exceed revenues to insure that receipts will equal outlays. Authorizes a suspension of such measures in the case of a grave national emergency declared by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
Energy Conservation Tax Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allows individuals a limited income tax credit for amounts expended for insulating their residence and installing devices which improve the fuel efficiency of existing home heating systems.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $100 to $600 ($1,200 in the case of a joint return) the amount of dividends which individuals may exclude from income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income the first $100 ($200 for persons filing joint returns) earned as interest on savings deposits in financial institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
American Stock Ownership Plans - Provides that for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code the term "American stock ownership plan" means a trust created or organized in the United States for the exclusive benefit of an individual or his beneficiaries which meets specified requirements, including: (1) contributions will not be accepted for the taxable year in excess of $1,500 on behalf of any individual; (2) the trust is designed to invest solely in common stock of domestic corporations; (3) contribution received by the trustee during a particular taxable year will be allocated to a separate class year account; and (4) the interest of an individual in each class year account may not be paid or distributed before the end of the seventh taxable year following that year in which such class year account was established, except in the case of death or disability. States that the term "American stock ownership annuity" means a contract for a variable annuity, issued by an insurance company which meets specified requirements similar to those of the stock ownership trust above. Provides that a trust created or organized in the United States by an employer for the exclusive benefit of his employees or their beneficiaries or by an association of employees for the exclusive benefit of its members of their beneficiaries, shall be treated as an American stock ownership plan, but only if the trust meets the requirements of such a plan as stated above and also provides a separate accounting for the interest of each employee or member. Exempts American stock ownership plans from taxation. Provides that any amount paid by an employer to American stock ownership plan or annuity shall be included in an individuals gross income. Allows an individual to deduct from his gross income amounts paid in cash during the taxable year by or on behalf of such individual to an American stock ownership plan or annuity. Stipulates that no deduction shall be allowed for the two taxable years succeeding the taxable year in which a payment or payment or distribution from such a plan or annuity which is taxable to the individual under this Act is made. Stipulates that the deduction allowable to an individual under this Act may not exceed an amount equal to 15 percent of the compensation included in his gross income for such taxable year, or $1,500 whichever is less, multiplied by a fraction, the denominator of which is $20,000 and the numerator of which is $20,000 minus the excess of such compensation over $20,000. Provides that any amount received from a class year account established more than seven years before the taxable year in which the amount is received, and any amount paid or distributed on account of the death of the individual for whose benefit the broadened stock ownership plan or annuity was created shall be included in gross income in the year received and treated as a long term capital gain.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) reduce the normal corporate income tax; (2) increase the corporate surtax; and (3) increase the corporate surtax exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to amortize over 60 months, or in the case of a building, over one-half of its useful life, property placed in service after December 31, 1976, and before January 1, 1980, in an area in which the rate of unemployment is seven percent or greater.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a nonrefundable income tax credit for the hiring of new employees. Sets the amount of the credit at: (1) $1 multiplied by the number of new employee hours of employment for the first 26 weeks of employment; and (2) 50 cents multiplied by the number of new employee hours of employment for the second 26 weeks of employment. Stipulates that new employees must have been unemployed for more than 26 weeks and not displace or replace a current employee. Directs the Secretaries of Labor and Commerce to publicize the availability of this credit in connection with employment programs for which they are responsible.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Solar Energy Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow limited income tax credits for the installation of solar heating and cooling equipment in the taxpayer's principal residence or place of business. Makes that portion of the cost of purchasing a new residence or a new commercial building which is attributable to the presence of solar heating and cooling equipment eligible for the credit. Allows rapid amortization of solar heating and cooling equipment installed in commercial buildings. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate standards of eligibility for such equipment. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop such standards for the Secretary of the Treasury. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration to report annually to the Congress on the operation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Amends the Clean Air Act to stipulate that nothing in such Act authorizes a requirement for high-altitude certification for motor vehicle sales to counties with population densities of less than 100 persons per square mile.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow as a deduction an amount equal to 25 percent of the gross income from geothermal steam and geothermal resources property. Limits such deduction to a maximum of 50 percent of the taxpayer's taxable income from the geothermal steam and geothermal resources property for the taxable year. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to adopt regulations which allow the same deduction for intangible drilling and development costs for geothermal steam and geothermal resources as are presently available for the development of oil and gas wells.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase from one-twelfth of one percent to five-ninths of one percent the increment by which an individual's old-age benefits shall be increased because of delayed retirement beyond age 65.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Regulatory Reform Act - Requires the President to submit to Congress a plan recommending reforms with respect to the regulation of: (1) energy, the environment, housing, and occupational health and safety by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1979; (2) transportation and communications by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1981; (3) banking and finance, international trade, and Government procurement by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1983; and (4) food, consumer health and safety, economic trade practices, and labor- management concerns by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1985. States that each such plan shall include recommendations for reform of such specified agencies and shall report on the cumulative impact of all Government regulatory activity reviewed, up to that date, on specific industry groupings. States that if the President fails to submit such plans by the specified dates, the Senate and House Committees on Government Operations shall draft their own plans to be submitted to Congress for action. Requires the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office, contemporaneously with the development of the President's plan, to submit a report assessing the purpose, effects, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of each agency included in the plans submitted by the President. States that if no comprehensive regulatory reform legislation is enacted by August 1 of the year following the year in which a comprehensive plan has been submitted by the President, then all agencies affected thereby shall have no authority to issue any new rules not essential for preserving the public health and safety; if such reform is not enacted by October 1 of such year, such agency shall have no authority to enforce any rule not essential for preserving the public health and safety; if no such reform is enacted by December 31 of such year, such agency shall be terminated on such date. States that all rules of such terminated agency essential for preserving the public health and safety shall remain effective and shall be enforced by the Department of Justice. Requires the President to submit subsequent plans in the manner and in the order and frequency set forth by this Act every ten years.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Amends the Colorado River Basin Project Act to extend for an additional ten years until September 30, 1988, the period during which the Secretary of the Interior shall not undertake studies of water importation plans for the basin.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1977
Youth Employment Act -- Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act to authorize the Secretary of Labor to provide financial assistance to prime sponsors, under the comprehensive manpower services provisions of such Act, certain counties, and Indian tribal groups for comprehensive manpower services for economically disadvantaged, unemployed, and underemployed youths age 14- 24. Makes eligible for a bonus payment prime sponsors which engaged, in the year prior to applying for assistance under this Act, in a cooperative education or training project with a local or State education agency. Repeals provisions under which assistance is presently provided for part time and summer employment of disadvantaged youths.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1977
Jobs Creation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) reduce individual and corporate income tax rates; (2) allow a limited income tax deduction by certain domestic corporations for dividends paid; (3) allow a tax credit for new savings deposits; and (4) allow a deduction for a portion of a property's cost in lieu of a deduction for depreciation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1977
Natural Gas Conservation Act - Amends the Natural Gas Act to prohibit the Federal Power Commission from regulating sales produced or deliveries of natural gas produced after January, 1977, provided such producers are not engaged in the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce. Prohibits the Commission from regulating rates or changes made by natural gas companies dealing with affiliates to the extent that such prices do not exceed current prices paid for comparable gas to nonaffiliates. Authorizes the Federal Power Commission to monitor the wellhead prices of natural gas exempted under this Act for a three-year period. Authorizes the Commission to re-impose ceiling prices where necessary in accordance with specified factors.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1977
Prohibits foreign travel at Government expense by any Member of Congress whose term has expired and who has not been elected or reelected as a Member in the next succeeding Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1977
States that no Federal court shall have jurisdiction to enter any decree which would require the transportation of any student or teacher to achieve racial desegregation of any school or school system. Vests the jurisdiction terminated by this Act in the State courts and in the case of the District of Columbia and any territory or possession of the United States in such Federal court exercising essentially local jurisdiction in such area. Grants the United States Supreme Court the power to review any school assignment orders of the highest State court or territorial court exercising jurisdiction over such a case. Sets aside any Federal court order with respect to school assignment to achieve racial desegregation that is in effect on the day before enactment of this Act. Directs the appropriate State or territorial court to assure jurisdiction any such case and enter an order for appropriate remedial relief.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Declares it to be the sense of Congress that wasteful energy consumption in the United States must be eliminated. Requests the President to call for a National Energy Crusade and to designate an Energy Conservation Month. Requests the President to report to the Congress and to the nation on the status of energy conservation initiatives.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Declares the term "person", with respect to due process and equal protection, applicable to human beings irrespective of age, health, function or condition of dependency, including the unborn. Prohibits the deprivation of life of an unborn person, except under laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Declares the term "person," with respect to due process and equal protection, applicable to human beings irrespective of age, health, function or condition of dependency, including the unborn. Prohibits the deprivation of life of an unborn person, except under laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Disapproves the recommendations of the President transmitted to Congress pursuant to the Federal Salary Act of 1967 recommending rates of pay for (1) Members of Congress and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, (2) certain positions in the legislative branch, (3) specified judicial personnel, and (4) certain positions under the Executive Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the filing of an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 upon the designation by any Federal department or agency of any areas as critical habitats of endangered or threatened species.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Title I: Meat and Meat Products - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to require meat imports to be labeled as imports and to be subjected to tests regarding substances or levels of substances prohibited in any domestically produced animal. Title II: Dairy Products - Prohibits the importation of dairy products unless the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare certifies that such imports originated from pure and wholesome supplies and were manufactured in plants which comply with certain minimum standards of sanitation. Makes such products subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act after entry into the United States. Permits assessments and fees to be prescribed for such tests and inspections and the revocation of import privileges for failure to pay such fees.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Makes it unlawful for any individual or entity to solicit to enroll or enroll any member of the armed forces in any labor organization or for any member to encourage others to join or to actively support any military labor organization. Sets forth penalties for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Delays increases in the pay of Members of Congress authorized pursuant to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 and the Federal Salary Act of 1967 until the first day of the Congress after the one in which such pay increase was proposed.
![Official portrait of Sen. McClure, James A. [R-ID]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000346_200.jpg)