United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1978
Renewable Resources Extension Act - Provides for a nationally coordinated program to insure the most efficient utilization of forest and range land renewable resources. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Renewable Resources Extension Program in cooperation with State directors of cooperative extension service programs and eligible colleges and universities. Requires the Secretary and relevant State officials to cooperate in the identification and study of needed areas of research, and in the dissemination of the results of such research. Requires the Secretary to coordinate the establishment of ongoing training programs for landowners, processors and other interested parties. Directs the Secretary to prepare a five-year Renewable Resources Extension Program to provide national guidance for State programs. Requires annual reporting to Congress on implementation of the plan.
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 · 9 February 1978
National Intelligence Reorganization and Reform Act - Title I: National Intelligence - National Intelligence Act - Authorizes the national intelligence community (but only the intelligence community as defined in this Act) to conduct national intelligence, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism activities under the direction and control of the National Security Council. Authorizes the President to determine what activities, in addition to those enumerated in this Act shall constitute "national intelligence activities. Establishes within the Executive Branch an Office of the Director of National Intelligence headed by a Director who shall serve under the direction and control of the National Security Council. Makes the Director responsible for the coordination of national intelligence, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism activities conducted abroad by the intelligence community and for review of all ongoing and proposed intelligence activities to assure their effectiveness, efficiency, and legality; and requires such Director to serve, additionally, as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (unless such office is held by the Deputy Director of National Intelligence). Makes the Director responsible for the preparation and approval of the national intelligence budget. Sets forth requirements relating to appropriations for national intelligence, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism activities. Provides for audits and reviews of such appropriated funds by the Comptroller General. Directs the President to establish standards and procedures by which activities involving the clandestine collection of foreign intelligence shall be reviewed and approved. Requires such standards to be submitted to Congress. Prohibits the conduct of any activity abroad to further United States programs in such a manner that the role of the United States is not apparent (not including counterintelligence or counterterrorism activities) without prior presidential approval. Requires an annual review of such activities by the National Security Council. Limits such activity to the CIA or, in times of war, to the armed forces. Prohibits payment to specified persons to engage in intelligence activities including: clergy, promoters of education, the arts, humanities, or cultural affairs, and journalists. Prohibits the maintenance of cover for any United States agent with any United States religious organization, academic institution, the Peace Corps, or any Government program promoting education, the arts, humanities, or cultural affairs through international exchanges. Prohibits the use of any nonmilitary United States person by the intelligence community as a combatant in any foreign country, except pursuant to a declaration of war by Congress. Makes it a crime for any person within the United States and any employee of the United States anywhere in the world to conspire to assassinate any foreign official. Prohibits the use of specified activities including: support of international terrorists activities; creation of food or water shortages or floods; creation of epidemics of diseases; and torture of individuals. Permits the President to waive specified restrictions of this Act in time of war. Requires the National Security Council to manage counterintelligence and counterterrorism activities of the United States. Requires, generally, the Attorney General to notify Congress of the initiation of specified counterintelligence or counterterrorism activities prior to such initiation. Directs the President to establish an Intelligence Oversight Board which shall discover and report to the Attorney General any intelligence activity which the Board believes raises a question of legality and report to the President, and where appropriate, to the Director any such activity the Board believes raises a serious question of propriety. Provides for congressional oversight of all national intelligence activities. Title II: Intelligence Activities and Constitutional Rights - Intelligence Activities and Constitutional Rights Act - Directs the Attorney General to participate in the National Security Council, with the Director of National Intelligence, the Intelligence Oversight Board, and the heads of branches of the intelligence community, to ensure that intelligence activities conform to the Constitution and laws of the United States. Prohibits collection of information regarding any person for foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, or counterterrorism purposes, except in conformity with specified standards. Permits the collection of information with the consent of the person in question. Permits the collection of publicly available information related to an authorized function of the collecting agency. Requires information to be collected by the least intrusive means possible. Directs the head of each entity of the intelligence community to designate those officials who are entitled to authorize information collection, and to issue other regulations pertaining to information collections. Sets forth standards under which the collection of intelligence information is authorized with respect to any United States person who is reasonably believed to be engaged in espionage or clandestine intelligence activities. Permits the utilization of certain intelligence gathering techniques only in exigent circumstances or upon a finding by the Attorney General that such techniques are reasonable and necessary. Includes among such techniques: (1) the examination of tax records; (2) physical surveillance; (3) mail covers; and (4) electronic surveillance. Limits the validity of the approval of intelligence collection to 90 days, renewable for an additional 90 days. Stipulates the findings which must be made prior to approval of such information collection. Permits information collection for up to 180 days concerning targets of foreign intelligence services or international terrorists. Requires that such targets be informed of the risks posed to them by foreign intelligence or international terrorists activities, except in certain circumstances. Specifies the circumstances under which foreign intelligence in the possession of a United States person may be collected without such persons's consent. Authorizes information collection for 90 days concerning a United States person who is reasonably believed to have contact with any person engaged in espionage or clandestine intelligence activity, in order to identify such United States person and to determine the access of such person to information the disclosure of which would be harmful to the United States. Authorizes information collection for 90 days concerning a United States person who is reasonably believed to be a potential source of information or operational assistance. Specifies the circumstances under which such collection may occur without the consent of the person concerned. Authorizes information collection concerning a United States person within, on the grounds of, or in the immediate vicinity of the installations of any entity of the intelligence community. Stipulates the limitations upon such collection. Requires the matter to be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency if a clear threat to the physical safety of the installation is posed. Permits information collection concerning any employee or contractor of any entity of the intelligence community to determine if such person has violated security regulations. Stipulates the techniques which require prior approval when used in collection for this purpose. Authorizes information collection concerning a foreign person in the United States in certain circumstances. Stipulates the conditions under which nonpublic information collected for intelligences purposes may be retained by any department or agency without the consent of the person who is the subject of such information. Permits retention or dissemination of information collected through electronic means only in accordance with title III of this Act. Permits intraagency dissemination of collected information only to persons who require such information for the discharge of authorized governmental responsibilities. Stipulates the circumstances under which private information may be disseminated outside the collecting agency. Permits the retention or dissemination of information collected in violation of this Act only for purposes of redress. Prohibits destruction of such information if the collecting agency is on notice of a related administrative or judicial proceeding. Declares that the limitation upon retention or dissemination of collected information are not to be construed to limit Congressional access to such information, or to prevent the retention or dissemination of information in a manner which clearly would not identify the person concerned. Prohibits any intelligence activity to be directed against any United States person solely because such person exercised any Constitutional right. Prohibits any intelligence activity from interfering with the exercise of any Constitutional right by any United States person. Prohibits the dissemination anonymously or under a false identity of intelligence information concerning any United States person without such person's consent except in certain circumstances. Prohibits any person on behalf of an entity of the intelligence community from instigating or committing a violation of the criminal statutes of the United States unless: (1) approved by the Attorney General; (2) acts of violence are not involved; (3) this Act is not violated; and (4) the violation is necessary to prevent espionage, sabotage, terrorism, or assassination. Restricts undisclosed participation in United States organizations on behalf of an entity of the intelligence community. Stipulates the circumstances under which the head of such entity may approve such undisclosed participation. Prohibits entities of the intelligence community, other than the Department of Justice or Treasury, from assisting the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration or State or local police organizations or activities. Permits such entities to cooperate with law enforcement authorities with respect to protecting against espionage, activities and other related, stipulated functions. Directs the Attorney General to review any such provision of equipment, information, or personnel. Prohibits any entity of the intelligence community from conducting research on any human subject except in accordance with applicable guidelines issued by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Grants the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research jurisdiction to monitor such research. Title III: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance - Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act - Establishes a Special Court of the United States whose main task shall be to rule on applications for approval of certain domestic and foreign surveillance and intelligence activities in accordance with standards and procedures set forth in this title. Establishes a Special Court of Appeals with jurisdiction to hear appeals from decisions of the Special Court. Requires each application for any order approving domestic 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 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. States that orders so issued may approve surveillance within the United States for a maximum of 90 days where the target is not a foreign power or a maximum of one year, reviewable every 90 days, where the target is a foreign power. Establishes procedures for obtaining extensions of surveillance orders. 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 for judicial approval 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. 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, of 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. Restricts foreign electronic or signals intelligence activities targeted against a person other than a United States person with respect to treatment of any resultant information regarding a United States person. Prohibits, except in accordance with this Act, any intelligence entity from intentionally attempting to acquire information concerning a particular United States person or persons by means of foreign electronic or signals intelligence under circumstances where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists or where a warrant for law enforcement purposes within the United States would be required. Sets forth procedures for judicial approval of such activities substantially similar to those procedures set forth for domestic electronic surveillance. Allows the senior United States official of an agency authorized by the President or by statute to conduct electronic or signals intelligence activities in a foreign country, the head of such agency, or the appropriate United States chief of mission to authorize such activities on an emergency basis provided judicial authorization is sought within 72 hours. Bars an intelligence entity from conducting unconsented physical searches within the United States or unconsented physical searches of United States persons abroad except where searches comply with constitutional guidelines for law enforcement activities, or judicial authorization, based on standards for domestic or foreign surveillance promulgated in this Act, is granted. Imposes similar restrictions on mail openings by intelligence entities. Title IV: Central Intelligence Agency - Central Intelligence Agency Act - Enumerates the functions of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Authorizes the collection of foreign intelligence abroad and from foreign persons domestically by using publicly available sources and clandestine means. Authorizes the conduct of counterintelligence and counterterrorism activities domestically and abroad, but limits such domestic activities to those integrally related to CIA activities abroad. Lists general and special authorities of the CIA including procurement powers and authorization to loan CIA employees to other Federal agencies. Provides procedures for, but does not require, the liquidation of any CIA-owned business entity the net value of which exceeds $50,000. Authorizes the entry of any alien and his family for permanent residence where such entrance is in the interest of national security. Establishes the General Counsel of the Agency to serve as the principal legal advisor to the Director of the CIA. Establishes an Inspector General of the Agency with responsibility to determine in what respects the CIA may more effectively perform its lawful functions and to determine the facts and circumstances of any alleged wrongdoing. Establishes criminal penalties for disposition of a CIA-owned business by any former CIA employee on his own behalf or as an agent for anyone other than the United States without written permission from the CIA; misuse of the name, initials, or seal of the CIA; and unauthorized disclosure of the identity of secret agents. Provides for the payment of travel and other expenses of and the retirement system for CIA personnel. Title V: Federal Bureau of Investigation - Federal Bureau of Investigation Intelligence Activities Act - Restricts all activities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to those related to the intelligence functions authorized in this title. Requires the Attorney General to review such activities at least annually to assure that they are conducted in accordance with this Act. Authorizes the FBI to collect counterintelligence and counterterrorism intelligence within the United States and abroad but only with the approval of the Attorney General and the written approval of the CIA. Makes the FBI responsible for approving requests by any other entity of the intelligence community to conduct counterintelligence or counterterrorism intelligence collection activities within the United States, except with respect to such activities conducted by the military services solely against members of such military service. Title VI: National Security Agency - National Security Agency Act - Enumerates the duties of the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) which are, generally, to manage intelligence signals and cryptologic personnel, resources, and programs. Requires the General Counsel of the Agency, as principal legal advisor to the Director, to review NSA activities and regulations to assure conformity with the laws of the United States. Requires the NSA to maintain an Inspector General of the Agency to investigate NSA activities and report wrongdoing to the General Counsel. Lists general, special, and other authorities of the NSA. Limits access to signals intelligence information obtained by the NSA to those persons authorized by the President. Permits the NSA to keep secret patents and inventions useful to the security of data transmission. Provides for travel and other expenses of, use of commissary and mess services and recreation facilities by, and a retirement system for NSA employees. Title VII: Miscellaneous Amendments and Effective Date - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to declare that it is the duty of the National Security Counsel to provide guidance for and an ongoing review of the conduct of all Federal intelligence, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism activities and to coordinate domestic, foreign, and military intelligence policies. Repeals the CIA's exemption from the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
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 · 7 February 1978
Prohibits, during fiscal years 1978 and 1979, the use of funds appropriated to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to carry out a program on smoking and health described by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare on January 11, 1978. Stipulates that programs on smoking and health for the period beginning October 1, 1977 and ending January 10, 1978, shall not be affected.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1978
Rural Health Needs Planning Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to include in the national guidelines for health planning separate guidelines for nonurbanized areas. Requires to be included on the National Council on Health Planning and Development consumers of health care who are representative of nonmetropolitan areas. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to health systems agencies on the basis of square mileage served by the agency, for the development and operation of subarea councils and requires health systems agencies to consider the views of such councils. Changes the formula by which the size of grants to health systems agencies shall be determined. Requires the inclusion of members from nonmetropolitan areas on Statewide Health Coordinating Councils. Requires centers for health planning to disseminate to health systems agencies planning approaches and methodologies with special emphasis on the needs of medically underserved populations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Emergency Natural Gas Extension Act - Extends to February 15, 1978, the period in which the President may require emergency deliveries of natural gas under the Emergency Natural Gas Act of 1977.
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 · 1 December 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to include all Members of Congress and other officers and employees in the legislative branch of the Government under the Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance system.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1977
Prohibits denial of employment (except by an employer with no more than ten employees) to any person because of any obligation as a member of a Reserve component of the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1977
Home Ownership Program Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Farmers Home Administration, to carry out in a selected number of counties or States a pilot program of credit extension to participating financial institutions at a rate of interest of four percent annually, to enable institutions to make mortgage loans to low- and moderate-income families residing in the service area of such institutions at interest rates of six percent annually.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1977
Declares that there be no reduction of customs duties on textile, apparel, or fiber products and that such products be excluded from the current Tokyo Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Omnibus Antiterrorism Act - Title I: Reorganization of Executive Office of the President - Establishes a Council to Combat Terrorism in the Executive Office of the President. Includes among the Council's functions (1) assisting the President to implement this Act, (2) assisting in the preparation of lists of countries aiding terrorist enterprises and of dangerous foreign airports, and (3) coordinating Federal efforts to combat terrorism. Directs the President to: (1) report to Congress on each act of terrorism which involves or affects United States citizens; and (2) impose sanctions against countries on the list of countries aiding terrorists and against airports on the list of dangerous foreign airports. Title II: Reorganization of the Department of State - Establishes a Bureau for Combating International Terrorism in the Department of State. Urges the President to seek international agreements which assure cooperation in combating terrorism. Lists provisions which should be given priority in negotiating such agreements. Requires the President to: (1) develop programs to insure full implementation of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation; (2) approve all defense article sales and credits made to any individual or group; and (3) include the names of all types of explosives on the United States Munitions List. Title III: Reorganization of the Department of Justice - Establishes an Office for Combating Terrorism in the Department of Justice. Directs the President to extend existing safety and security requirements to supplemental means of air transportation. Requires that all explosives contain identification and detection taggants. Title IV: Aircraft Sabotage and Piracy - Amends provisions of title 18, U.S. Code, that specify prohibited acts regarding the destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities to, among other revisions, set forth penalties for committing violence against a passenger which is likely to endanger an aircraft in service and for communicating false information which results in endangering the safety of an aircraft in flight. Sets forth penalties for a person found in the United States who has committed against or aboard a foreign aircraft an offense in violation of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation. Authorizes civil penalties for carrying an accessible weapon aboard an aircraft and for imparting or conveying information known to be false regarding one of specified crimes aboard an aircraft. Specifies minimum penalties for threatening to commit air piracy or any other of certain crimes aboard an aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1977
Telephone Privacy Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit unsolicited commercial telephone calls to a telephone subscriber who has notified the telephone company that he does not wish to receive such calls. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe regulations specifying the manner in which a telephone subscriber shall notify the telephone company that he does not wish to receive unsolicited calls. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Excludes from the definition of unsolicited commercial telephone calls, those calls made in response to an express request of the individual called or in connection with an overdue debt or contractual obligation.
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 · 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 · 14 September 1977
Right to Financial Privacy Act - States that the purposes of this Act are to protect and preserve the confidential relationship between financial institutions and their customers and the constitutional rights of those customers, and promote commerce by prescribing policies and procedures to insure that customers have the right to challenge unwarranted disclosure of their records. Prohibits any Federal agency or employee, or any State or local government from obtaining copies of, or the information contained in, the financial records of any customer from a financial institution unless the financial records are described with particularity and: (1) such customer has authorized such disclosure in accordance with this Act; (2) such financial records are disclosed in response to an administrative subpena or summons; (3) such financial records are disclosed in response to a court order; or (4) such financial records are disclosed in response to a judicial subpena. Grants to a customer whose financial records have been subpoenaed, the right to challenge the relevancy and scope of the summons and the relationship of the records sought to the investigation from which the subpena issued. States that no financial institution may provide a Federal agency or employee, or any State or local government, copies of or the information contained in the financial records of any customer except in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Sets forth provisions governing customer authorization, administrative subpenas and summons, judicial subpenas, and search warrants. Makes the requirements of this Act inapplicable to specified disclosures including: (1) records used in making reports on returns required by the Internal Revenue Code; (2) grand jury subpenas; and (3) records required by supervisory agencies for use in the regulation of such institution. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act. Makes injunctive relief available to stop and prevent violations of this Act. Invalidates any waiver of the rights granted by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain large businesses with severe long term losses a five-year carryback and five-year carryover period for net operating losses.
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 · 1 July 1977
Natural Diversity Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants to the States for implementing State programs for maintaining landscape and other natural diversity with supporting biological data management systems. Requires each State to prepare a plan identifying, classifying, maintaining, and monitoring elements of natural diversity occurring within its boundaries in order to renew its grants. Directs each State to submit to the Secretary a priority list of sites which contain important elements of the State's natural diversity and which can be best protected through acquisition. Directs the Secretary to make matching grants for acquisition upon a finding that the site will contribute to the goals of this Act. States that the sites acquired by such grants shall be known as Diversity Preserves and that a registry of sites shall be maintained by the Secretary. Requires each Federal land management agency to establish a natural diversity program and biological data management system and to designate sites on Federal lands for entry on the registry. Directs the Secretary to prepare an annual summary assessment of the status of the nation's national diversity. Establishes the Federal Natural Diversity Office in the Department of the Interior and a technical advisory committee.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Solar Energy for Homes Act - Authorizes the administrators of Federal housing programs, established under title II or III of the National Housing Act or (of) title V of the Housing Act of 1949, to increase the amount of loans made on single- or multi-family dwelling units by up to 20 percent where such increase reflects the cost of solar energy equipment. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize home improvement loans for the cost of acquisition and installation of solar energy systems.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make and insure loans under such Act for the solar heating or cooling of residential structures on family farms.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Guarantees automatically any loan to a qualified veteran for the purchase and installation, of solar heating and/or cooling in a dwelling which he owns and occupies. Authorizes the Veterans' Administration to make loans for such purposes in certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act - Establishes the National Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. Names the board of directors of the Corporation. Empowers the Corporation to continue the work of the urban reinvestment task force in establishing neighborhood housing services programs, in providing grants and technical assistance to selected neighborhood preservation projects, and in supporting Neighborhood Housing Services of America. Authorizes specified Federal departments and Federal banks to provide services to the Corporation with or without reimbursement. Directs the Corporation to publish an annual report to the President and the Congress. Requires an annual audit of the Corporation.
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 · 8 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide heads of households with the same zero bracket amount (i.e., standard deduction) previously available to married persons.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that State and local government retirement systems shall be tax exempt organizations. Exempts those systems from the reporting requirements pertaining to deferred compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
White House Conference on Energy Conservation Resolution - Requests the President to convene a White House Conference on Energy Conservation as soon as practicable, but not later than December 31, 1978. Establishes a National Energy Conservation Planning and Advisory Council to plan and conduct the Conference. Directs the Council to prepare and submit a final report to the President and to transmit recommendations for administrative and legislative action to the President and the Congress. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 to carry out this resolution.
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 · 17 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the number of mutual deposit guaranty funds qualifying as tax exempt organizations and to allow such organizations to provide reserve funds for, and insure deposits in both savings and loan associations and credit unions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1977
Senate Administrative Reorganization Resolution - Establishes within the Senate the Administrative Office of the Senate to be headed by an Administrator of the Senate appointed by the Administrative Council. Establishes an Administrative Council of the Senate to supervise the Administrator and review the plans and recodifications submitted by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to maintain all administrative and support service and facilities delegated to such individual, and to review existing systems and prepare a recodification of the laws, rules, and standing orders of the Senate relating to administrative services and facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress to assure that the total outlays of the Government, during any fiscal year, do not exceed the total receipts of the Government during such fiscal year. States that by the fourth fiscal year after the ratification of this amendment the budget shall be balanced. Permits expenditures to exceed national revenues in time of declared emergency, but states that such expenditures shall never exceed receipts by more than ten percent. Provides that during the fifth fiscal year thereafter, the total receipts of the Government shall exceed outlays by an amount equal to five percent of the Federal indebtedness at the beginning of the fifth fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1977
Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to classify as rural area for purposes of financial assistance for housing, places within a standard metropolitan area with a population between 10,000 and 20,000 which have a serious lack of mortgage credit as determined by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Housing and Urban Development. Applies this Act to any application for such financial assistance filed with the Secretary of Agriculture on or after January 1, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1977
Judicial Tenure Act - Establishes A Council on Judicial Tenure. Sets forth procedures whereby complaints concerning Federal judges may be made to either the Council of Judicial Tenure except in the cases involving certain appellate judge's, or to the Judicial Council of the appropriate circuit. Directs that all nonfrivolous complaints within the scope of the Council on Judicial Tenure be investigated. Requires the Council to make further investigation into each written complaint to determine whether grounds specified in this Act for removal of a Justice or judge from office or for censure or involuntary retirement of a Justice or judge exist. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States or, with the concurrence of a majority of its members, a panel of nine member judges to sit as a Court on Judicial Discipline to hear causes brought before it by the Council on Judicial Tenure. Authorizes the Conference or committee in all causes brought before it, by majority vote (1) to order the censure of any Justice or judge whose conduct is found to be inconsistent with the good behavior required by the Constitution; (2) to order the removal of any such Justice or judge from office; (3) to order the involuntary retirement of any Justice or judge in accordance with this Act; and (4) to dismiss or remand to the Council any such case. Directs the Supreme Court to review orders of the judicial conference upon the petition of any aggrieved judge. Establishes a temporary court of Disciplinary Review to review petitions of any aggrieved Supreme Court Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1977
Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to extend the following authorities for one year: (1) for payments on notes and obligations for rural housing loan funds; (2) for housing and facilitities for elderly and handicapped families in rural areas; (3) for the Rural Housing Insurance Fund; and (4) for mutual and self-help rural housing. Makes changes in the authorizations for appropriations for low-income repair loans and grants and financial assistance for labor housing.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Peanut Act - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to establish (1) the national marketing quota for the 1978 crop of peanuts at a quantity sufficient to provide a national acreage allotment equal to the national acreage allotment for the 1977 crop, reduced by not more than ten percent; and (2) the national marketing quota for the 1979, 1980, and 1981 crops at a quantity sufficient to provide a national acreage allotment equal to the preceding year, reduced in each crop year by not more than five percent of the national acreage allotment for the preceding year. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to allow free transfer of all or any part of any such allotment. Sets the price support of peanuts at 70 percent of parity as of April 1, 1978, for the 1978 crop, and at the same level, adjusted for the 1979, 1980, and 1981 crops. Directs the Commodity Credit Corporation to make warehouse storage loans available to approved designated area marketing associations of peanut producers.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Child Nutrition Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a universal food service program which will provide at least one free meal per day to all students in public and nonprofit private schools of high school grade and under, and to children in service institutions. Authorizes the Secretary to formulate and fund a program to give nutritional education and training to food service employees and students. Establishes a National Advisory Council on Child Nutrition to advise the Secretary in the administration of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act - Title I: National Consumer Cooperative Bank - Establishes the National Consumer Cooperative Bank. States that the Bank shall (1) encourage the development of new and existing cooperatives eligible for its assistance by providing specialized credit and technical assistance; (2) maintain broad-based control of the Bank by its voting stockholders; (3) encourage broad-based ownership, control and active participation by members in eligible cooperatives; (4) assure that the net savings from its operations and the operations of borrowers from the Bank are made available or accounted for to the stockholders or members of the cooperative organization; and (5) assist in improving the quality and availability of goods and service to consumers. Authorizes the creation of no less than four nor more than 12 corporate regional banks. States that the Bank shall have the power to make and service loans, commitments for credit, guarantees, furnish financially related services, technical assistance, and issue obligations. Enumerates additional powers necessary to carry out its powers and duties under this Act. Requires the Bank to hold an annual meeting of stockholders. Permits the Bank to obtain funds through the public or private sale of its bonds, debentures, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness. Authorizes the Bank to make loans to eligible organizations which shall be repayable in not more than 40 years. States that the objective of the Bank shall be to provide the type of credit needed by eligible borrowers, at the lowest reasonable cost on a sound business basis, taking into account the cost of money to the Bank. Defines "eligible cooperatives" for purposes of assistance under this title. Title II: Self-Help Development Fund - Establishes in the Treasury a Consumer Cooperative Self-Help Development Fund. Permits the Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration to make a capital investment advance out of the Fund to any eligible cooperative if the Administration determines that the applicants' initial or supplemental capital requirements exceed its ability to obtain a Title I Loan from the Bank or other sources, and the membership of the applicant consists substantially of low-income persons. Title III: Cooperative Technical Assistance - Directs the Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration to make available information and services concerning the organization or reorganization of cooperatives to best achieve the objectives of this Act and to best provide the means through which various types of goods, services, and facilities can be made available to members and patrons. States that such assistance may include investigations, surveys, and director and management training and assistance. Authorizes appropriations to the Administration of sums necessary for the administration of this title. Title IV: The Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration and General Provisions - Establishes the Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration. Directs the Administration to assure that the objectives of this Act are carried out. States that until the stock of the Bank held by the United States has been fully retired the Bank shall be exempt from any form of taxation. Requires the Administration and the Board to report annually to the appropriate committees of Congress on the activities of the Administration and on the Bank's capital, operations, financial condition, the self-help development fund, and to make recommendations for legislation to improve its services.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that tax liens shall not be valid unless the fact of filing is entered and recorded in a public index at the State or local office where the notice is filed.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that justices of the Supreme Court and judges of inferior Federal courts be reconfirmed by the Senate every eight years.
![Official portrait of Sen. Morgan, Robert B. [D-NC]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000956_200.jpg)