United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Renders void any agreement which prohibits the television broadcasting of any regular season professional football, baseball, basketball, or hockey game, within a 30 mile radius of the location of such game, for which 95 percent of the tickets of admission for seats have been sold 48 hours prior to game time. Renders void any such agreement regarding a post season game whether or not the required number of tickets have been sold within the required time period. Permits any interested individual to seek injunctive relief to restrain a violation of this Act.
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 · 15 March 1978
Refugee and Displaced Persons Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to define refugee or displaced person for purposes of such Act. Authorizes the admission of up to 40,000 refugees or displaced persons per year as immigrants. Empowers the Secretary of State to recommend to the Attorney General that all or any portion of a group of refugees or displaced persons be admitted into the United States conditionally in certain circumstances. Authorizes the Attorney General to allow parole admission of aliens for humanitarian reasons. Increases from 20 per cent to 26 per cent of the number of additional visas that shall be allocated to spouses, and unmarried sons or daughters of aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
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 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
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
Amends the Emergency School Aid Act to make local educational agencies in which more than 50 percent of the enrollment consists of minorities as a result of geographic location eligible for assistance under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1978
Housing Conservation Act - Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1979 and to set aside specified amounts for multifamily rehabilitation loans and for urban homesteading including under certain circumstances, local programs for homesteading locally held or acquired tax foreclosed land or vacant single family and multifamily properties. Lists conditions to be placed on the authorization of rehabilitation loans.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Community Schools and Comprehensive Community Education Act - Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State and local educational agencies to pay the Federal share of establishing community education programs. Defines "community education program" as a program operated by a local educational agency providing educational, recreational, health care, cultural, and other related services for the community. Establishes a Community Education Advisory Council to advise the National Institute of Education concerning community education programs.
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 · 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 · 7 March 1978
Title I: Lending and Investment Powers - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to authorize federal savings and loan associations to invest in cooperative housing. Removes the limitation on the percentage of its assets which a savings and loan association may invest in the following: (1) commercial real estate loans; (2) loans for home improvement and mobile homes; and (3) State and local government bonds to raise revenue for the rehabilitation, financing, or construction of residential real estate.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1978
Excludes from the Federal law limiting and restricting the corporate powers of national banking associations to deal in and underwrite investment securities, specified dealing in and underwriting of all other nongeneral obligations issued or guaranteed by or on behalf of a State or any political subdivision thereof or agency of a State or any political subdivision thereof (except special assessment obligations and industrial revenue bonds) which are at the time eligible for purchase by a national bank for its own account, subject to specified limitations. Requires the Secretary of Treasury to submit an annual report to the Congress showing the extent to which the business of underwriting and dealing in State and local obligations is being carried on by commercial banks as compared with other banking institutions with a view to determining the effect of the amendment made by the first section of this Act on the institutional distribution of such business.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1978
Health Maintenance Organization Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act - Extends the authorization of appropriations under the Public Health Service Act through fiscal year 1981 for: (1) grants and contracts for surveys of the feasibility of establishing, operating or expanding health maintenance organizations (HMO's); and (2) grants, contracts, loans and loan guarantees for planning and initial development costs related to the establishment of HMO's. Prohibits a health maintenance organization from paying more than 15 percent of the estimated total amount to be paid for basic and supplemental health services in a given fiscal year to individual physicians under contract to the HMO. Implements such prohibition over a four-year period. Requires HMO's to provide the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare with specified information on major financial transactions among HMO's and related organizations. Repeals the requirement that the Secretary give priority to an application for funds for a feasibility survey or planning and initial development costs for an HMO in which 30 percent of the members are members of a medically underserved population. Increases the maximum amount available for grants for the initial development and operation of HMO's. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to public or private entities for the acquisition, construction, renovation, or purchase of ambulatory care facilities for HMO's. Repeals the prohibition against using funds appropriated under the Public Health Service Act, other than under the title pertaining to HMO's, for projects involving HMO's. Requires health systems agencies in reviewing facilities, equipment, or services of HMO's to include only those standards specified by the Secretary. Title II: Amendments to Titles XI and XVIII of the Social Security Act - Amends Title XI (General Provisions and Professional Standards Review) of the Social Security Act to remove HMO's from the capital expenditures limitations of the Medicare, Medicaid, and Maternal and Child Health programs of such Act. Permits a HMO, under Title XVIII (Medicare) of such Act, to have more than 50 percent of its membership over the age of 65 if the HMO is a public HMO, receives funding under the Community Health Centers program of the Public Health Service Act, or is granted a waiver by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary, to annually determine a per capita rate of payment to each HMO for services provided under the Medicare program. States that such payment shall be equal to 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost. Requires the Secretary to pay each HMO its rate on a monthly basis in advance. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a State to enter into a provider agreement under the Medicaid program with any HMO which requests such an agreement. Declares that under such agreement the State will reimburse the HMO for services and benefits covered under the State Medicaid plan. States that such payment shall be equal to 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost of care to members of the HMO. Requires the State to pay each HMO its rate on a monthly basis in advance.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1978
National Art Bank Act - Establishes, within the National Endowment for the Arts, an Art Bank to be headed by a Director. Authorizes the Director to purchase visual works of art for the Art Bank, to make such works available on loan to certain private and governmental entities for public display, to sponser exhibitions, and to assist State and local governments and nonprofit institutions in establishing Art Banks, of funds which may be expended for the work of any one artist during any one fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations corresponding to the principles set forth in a certain private letter ruling relating to the exclusion from gross income of amounts deferred by participants in public deferred compensation plans.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1978
Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to give any Governor the authority to disapprove VISTA programs proposed to be conducted in his State, except that the Director for ACTION is authorized to override such disapproval if he determines after reconsideration of the program that it is fully consistent with the purposes of VISTA. Authorizes the Director to make an advance payment of a volunteer's end-of-service stipend during the volunteer's period of service. Authorizes the payment of support for certain short-term part- time volunteers working in special volunteer programs. Declares that Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers shall not be considered employees of an ACTION agency or a local sponsoring agency for any purpose not consistent with the purpose of RSVP. Forbids the denial of any Government assistance to any volunteer who otherwise qualifies for such assistance by reason of the fact that such person refuses to seek or accept employment or training during the period of volunteer service in a Federal antipoverty program. Declares specified part-time antipoverty volunteers to be Federal employees for purposes of the Hatch Act, the Internal Revenue Code, the Social Security, Federal Tort Claims, and Federal Employees Compensation Acts. Makes the Federal Tort Claims Act the sole available remedy of an individual making a medical malpractice claim as a result of actions by a health care volunteer. Makes the policies and remedies of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act and Age Discrimination Act applicable to volunteers and applicants for volunteer services in any ACTION program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1978
Rehabilitation Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Revises the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to: (1) extend the authorization of appropriations for grants for services for the handicapped and for studying the needs of the severely handicapped; and (2) extend, and set forth a formula for determining, the authorization for appropriations for vocational rehabilitation services. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to Indian tribes for the development of vocational rehabilitation services. Amends: (1) the requirements for annual State vocational rehabilitation plans; (2) the scope of rehabilitation services; and (3) the formula for computing State allotments. Extends the appropriation for vocational rehabilitation research and for rehabilitation personnel training. Eliminates certain restrictions with respect to use of research funds. Authorizes research grants to profitmaking entities. Makes amendments concerning Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers and Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers. Directs the Secretary to develop a long-term rehabilitation manpower plan designed to target resources on areas of personnel shortages. Extends the authorization for appropriations for the following: (1) rehabilitation facility construction and operation; (2) vocational training services grants and contracts; (3) special projects and demonstrations; (4) the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults; (5) program evaluations; (6) program projections; and (7) the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. Provides for the development and delivery of psychiatric services as an integral part of rehabilitation programs. Title II: Comprehensive Services for the Severely Handicapped - Severely Handicapped Comprehensive Services Act - Establishes a program of grants to the States for programs of assistance to the severely handicapped. Requires each State receiving a Federal allotment for planning, providing comprehensive services, and for constructing and operating facilities for severely handicapped individuals to provide the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare with satisfactory assurances that each program: (1) has an individual plan for severely handicapped individuals; and (2) provides for an annual review of such plan. Requires each State receiving such an allotment to provide the Secretary with satisfactory assurances that the State has in effect a system to protect and advocate the rights of severely handicapped individuals. Requires each recipient of assistance under this Act to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified handicapped individuals. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1983 for grants for planning, provision of comprehensive services, and for construction and operation of facilities for severely handicapped individuals. Directs that the Federal share for such allotments not exceed 75 percent of the necessary cost as determined by the Secretary, except in rural areas where it may not exceed 90 percent. Directs the Secretary to allot such funds to the States on the basis of: (1) the population; (2) the need for services for severely handicapped; and (3) the financial need of the States. Requires any State desiring to receive such Federal funds to submit a State plan to the Secretary. Sets forth requirements which must be included in such plan. Directs the Secretary to discontinue funding State projects which fail to comply with the requirements of their plan. Authorizes States to seek judicial review of any such determination. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance, for the establishment and operation of area centers for the employment of the severely handicapped which will create and utilize the best methods of appraising and developing the employment potential of severely handicapped individuals. Enumerates the activities such centers must undertake. Requires the Secretary to establish a demonstration program of models for independent living for severely handicapped individuals. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contracts to carry out such programs. Requires the Secretary to establish a demonstration program of models for infant and preschool services for severely handicapped children. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contracts for such programs. Directs the Secretary to make grants to university affiliated facilities in meeting the cost of administering and operating: (1) interdisciplinary programs for professionals providing services to the severely handicapped; and (2) exemplary service programs which have as a purpose the prevention of severely handicapping conditions or which demonstrate innovative service approaches to the problems experienced by the severely handicapped. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to university affiliated facilities to assist in meeting the costs of the renovation or modernization of facilities being used in connection with such activities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance for the establishment and operation of community centers for severely handicapped individuals. Authorizes the Secretary, through the regional administrators of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, to make project grants to public agencies or private nonprofit institutions for: (1) projects concerning the establishment and improvement of comprehensive services to severely handicapped individuals in areas as parent counseling and training, seizure control systems, community based counseling, housing, and other necessary services and systems for the maintenance of severely handicapped individuals in the community; (2) public awareness and public education programs to assist in the elimination of social, attitudinal, and environmental barriers confronted by severely handicapped individuals; (3) technical assistance for services and facilities for severely handicapped individuals; and (4) gathering and dissemination of information concerning severely handicapped individuals. Directs the Secretary to appoint temporary panels of experts at the regional level to evaluate projects to be assisted. Authorizes the Secretary to establish and carry out a research program to determine the problems of severely handicapped individuals and discover solutions to such problems. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance for the cost of projects and programs for training, traineeships, and related activities designed to assist in increasing the numbers of personnel trained in providing services to severely handicapped individuals and in performing other functions necessary to the development of such services. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the continuing evaluation of all programs and activities conducted pursuant to this Title. Directs the Secretary to contract for the conduct of an objective study to: (1) determine the social and economic consequences of removing severely handicapped individuals from institutions and placing them in community living arrangements; and (2) determine the effect of such community living arrangements upon the lives of severely handicapped individuals removed from institutions. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress annually concerning the conditions affecting the severely handicapped. Directs the Secretary to prescribe general regulations for all the States to prescribe: (1) the kinds of services needed to provide adequate programs for severely handicapped individuals; (2) standards as to the scope and quality of services provided for severely handicapped individuals; (3) the general manner in which a State shall determine priorities for services and facilities; and (4) general standards of construction and equipment for facilities. States that, except as otherwise specifically provided, nothing in this title shall be considered as conferring on any Federal officer or employee the right to exercise any supervision or control over the administration, personnel, maintenance, or operation of any facility for severely handicapped individuals with respect to which any funds have been or may be expended under this Act. Title III: Federal Council on Handicapped Individuals - Establishes the Federal Council on Handicapped Individuals. States that the Council shall: (1) provide advice and assistance to the President concerning the problems and needs of handicapped and severely handicapped individuals; (2) review and evaluate on a continuing basis all policies, programs, and activities concerning handicapped and severely handicapped individuals conducted or assisted by all Federal Departments and agencies; (3) serve as an ombudsman on behalf of handicapped individuals by making recommendations to the President, to the Secretary and to the Congress with respect to Federal policies, programs, and activities concerning handicapped and severely handicapped individuals; (4) inform the public about the problems and needs of handicapped and severely handicapped individuals by collecting and disseminating information; and (5) provide public forums for discussing and publicizing the problems and needs of handicapped and severely handicapped individuals by conducting or sponsoring conferences, workshops, and other such meetings. Directs the Secretary: (1) to make available to the Council such assistance as it may require and (2) not to delegate any duties assigned to the Secretary under this Title to any person not assigned to the office of the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1978
Federal Reserve System Services Act - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to direct the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prepare and publish a schedule of fees for its services and a set of pricing principles no later than July 1, 1979, and to put a fee schedule into effect no later than July 1, 1980. Permits the Board to reduce the amount of reserves required from member banks in order to implement the pricing of its services. Authorizes the offering of Federal Reserve services to any depository institution under certain conditions.
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
Presidential Records Act - Requires the President to assure that the performance of official Presidential duties is adequately recorded. Permits the President to destroy such records if the President determines, after consultation with the Archivist, that they are of insufficient administrative, historical, or informational value to warrant their continued preservation. Requires the Archivist of the United States to take possession of such records upon completion of the President's term of office and makes the Archivist responsible for their continued preservation. Authorizes the President, before the end of the his term of office, to place such restrictions as he considers necessary or appropriate on access to and use of such records, provided such restrictions remain in effect for not more than 15 years. Requires the Archivist to review such restrictions upon the death of a former President during such period of restriction to determine whether the continuation of any such restriction is warranted. Authorizes the Archivist to place additional restrictions on the access to such records to protect national security or foreign policy and to prevent an unwarranted invasion of the privacy of any individual. Makes such records subject to subpena or other lawful process. Requires the Archivist to promulgate regulations to implement this Act. Makes such regulations subject to veto by either House of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1978
Comprehensive Employment and Training Amendments - Revises generally the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) of 1973. Consolidates the administrative provisions of such Act in a new title. Amends the definition of "prime sponsor" to include Native American entities. Requires State prime sponsors to allow subareas to assist in the planning and delivery of services within their respective jurisdictions. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to act as a prime sponsor for an area under any of the employment and training programs when there is no other prime sponsor for an area or when services are not being provided to an area due to a complaint about the prime sponsor or to disapproval of a comprehensive plan. Revises the procedures for a prime sponsor to become eligible for grants. Requires each prime sponsor to submit a comprehensive employment and training plan consisting of a prime sponsor agreement, annual comprehensive employment and training services program supplements, individual annual program supplements for any additional programs the prime sponsor wishes to conduct, and a single assurance that the prime sponsor will comply with the Act, the regulations, and the comprehensive employment and training plan. Sets forth the information to be included in the agreement and program supplements. Amends provisions regarding review of comprehensive plans and complaints about and sanctions against prime sponsors. Changes the composition and meeting requirements of prime sponsor planning councils and State employment and training councils. Consolidates various assurances presently required to be submitted by prime sponsors and redesignates them as program conditions. Sets out those conditions which are applicable to all programs and those which are applicable to the public service employment programs. Includes among the former a requirement that small and minority businesses be given maximum reasonable opportunity to compete for contracts. Includes among the latter a limitation that no public service employment last more than 78 weeks in a five-year period. Redefines "unemployed" and "underemployed" for purposes of the Act. Permits institutionalized persons to be designated as "underemployed." Defines "economically disadvantaged" for purposes of the Act. Directs that "areas of substantial unemployment" be determined on the basis of a year's rather than a quarter's data. Extends the general authorization for appropriations for activities under CETA. Makes specified changes in the comprehensive employment and training services programs. Restricts eligibility for participation, with certain exceptions, to individuals who are both (1) economically disadvantaged and (2) unemployed, underemployed, or in school. Adds provisions relative to job search assistance. Authorizes prime sponsors to conduct occupational upgrading programs through agreements with public and private employers. Makes eligible for the upgrading program employees of participating employers who are operating at less than their full skill potential, particularly persons in entry level or dead end positions. Authorizes, rather than requires, the Secretary of Labor to provide services to groups of persons with particular labor market disadvantages under the Special Federal Responsibilities title of CETA. Adds as new groups specifically designated as targets of activities under such title handicapped workers, single parents, displaced homemakers, and persons who became unemployed in a loss of jobs areas. Increases the allotment of funds for programs for Native Americans. Directs that programs for migrant and seasonal workers be focused primarily on assistance in preparing for and obtaining more stable employment. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out job search and relocation activities as an ongoing national program. Consolidates the youth employment demonstration programs, the youth summer employment program, and the Job Corps in a separate title. Makes uniform the basic eligibility requirements for all programs except the entitlement project as follows: (1) age 16 through 21 or, if authorized by the Secretary, 14 through 21; (2) economically disadvantaged; and (3) unemployed or in school. Deletes Job Corps provisions relative to background investigations of applicants, oaths of allegiance for members, sex-segregated centers, cost per enrollee limitations, and political activity and discrimination. Places Job Corps property under concurrent Federal-State criminal jurisdiction. Specifies that transactions of private-for-profit operators of Job Corps Centers are not to be considered as generating gross receipts. Changes the name of the National Commission for Manpower Policy to National Commission for Employment and Training Policy. Expands the Commission's membership. Combines the present public service employment programs and emergency unemployment programs into a single new program. Restricts, beginning in fiscal year 1980, public service employment funds to those prime sponsors serving areas with high unemployment unless the national unemployment rate exceeds 4.75 percent. Limits participation in the program to economically disadvantaged persons who have been unemployed for at least five weeks. States that, in determining whether an individual is economically disadvantaged for purposes of the public service employment program, family income for the three, rather than the six, preceding months shall be taken into account. Requires that all public service employment jobs be in entry level positions. Creates a new title designed to place individuals in private sector jobs by providing financial assistance to prime sponsors for private sector initiatives, including on-the-job training and related activities. Directs participating prime sponsors to establish private industry councils to assist in the development of initiative programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Amends the Community Mental Health Centers Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a grant program with State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide assistance and related services to victims of rape.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to enter into a contract with each State for payment of 100 percent of the costs of repairing highways and surface rails of urban mass transportation systems (other than railroads) which were damaged as a result of the winter weather of 1977-1978. Authorizes appropriations of $250,000,000 out of the Highway Trust Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1978
National Science Foundation Authorization Act - Authorizes appropriations for specified activities of the National Science Foundation for fiscal years 1979 and 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1978
Electronic Fund Transfer Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to add the following title: Title IX: Electronic Fund Transfers. Prohibits any financial institution from engaging in any transaction with a customer by means of an electronic terminal without first clearly disclosing to the customer all terms and conditions governing such transfer. States that such disclosure shall include: the consumer's liability for unauthorized electronic fund transfers (EFT); the types of transfers the consumer may make; any applicable charges; the consumer's right to reverse a transfer; the financial institution's liability for improper transfer; and the consumer's right to receive electronic fund transfer receipts and account statements. Requires a financial institution to give the customer 30 days notice prior to changing any of the terms of the agreement. States that the consumer must receive a receipt for each transfer affecting the consumer's account at the time of the transfer. Requires financial institutions to provide consumers with a periodic statement for each EFT account. States that receipts and statements required by this Act are to constitute presumptive proof of an EFT payment to a third party. Allows the making of preauthorized transfers only by written authorization from the consumer which shall be revocable at will at any time up to three business days preceding the scheduled transfer. Permits a consumer to reverse a transfer to a third party in the amount of $50 or more only upon oral or written notice to the financial institution within three days of the transfer. Sets forth a procedure for the resolution of errors which calls for prompt investigation of errors and reply to the consumer. States that if a court finds that a financial institution willfully reported to a consumer that his account was correct when such a conclusion could not reasonably be drawn, such institution is liable for treble damages. Limits a consumer's liability (in the event of an unauthorized cash transfer) to the lesser of $50 or the amount of money obtained. Holds a financial institution liable to a consumer for any failure to make a transfer when properly instructed and for the failure to reverse a transfer. Makes exceptions to such rule in the case of an improper or incorrect transfer if the error was caused by a technical malfunction beyond the control of the institution. Permits a financial institution to issue EFT debit cards or account access codes only in response to an application or in renewal of an existing accepted card. Suspends the consumer's obligation to make payment when a technical malfunction prevents the transfer of funds to a third party who has agreed to accept payment by means of an EFT. Prohibits the conditioning of employment, government benefits, or the extension of credit on the consumer's use of EFT's. Exempts $800 of any account in which a consumer deposits his wages by means of EFT from attachment, garnishment, or other process with specified exceptions. Restricts the disclosure of information regarding EFT's. Prohibits any agreement which would deprive a consumer of any right granted under this Act. Sets forth the formula for the determination of civil liability. States that any person who willfully and knowingly gives false or inacurrate information, fails to provide information which is required to be disclosed, or otherwise fails to comply with any provision of this title shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. Places the enforcement of this title in the case of national banks, Federal Reserve member banks, insured banks, Federal savings and loan associations, and Federal credit unions with their respective regulatory agencies. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce the requirements of this title in all other cases. Directs the Board and the Attorney General to make reports to Congress concerning the administration of their functions under this title. Exempts persons from the laws of any State with respect to EFT's only to the extent that those laws are inconsistent with any of the terms of this Title.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1978
Expresses Congressional disapproval of the Presidential denial of import relief to the producers of nuts, bolts, and large screws, under the Trade Act of 1974, transmitted to the Congress on February 10, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the full investment credit amount, rather than the current limit of 50 percent, to be claimed for pollution control facilities for which rapid amortization has been elected.
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 · 9 February 1978
Family Planning Services and Population Research Act Extension - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend for five fiscal years authorization of appropriations for family planning programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1978
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Act Extension - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend for five years authorization of appropriations for sudden infant death syndrome counseling, information, educational, and statistical programs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1978
Air Transportation Regulatory Reform Act - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Civil Aeronautics Board in the performance of its duties with respect to interstate and overseas air transportation to consider competition in the provision of air transportation and the maintenance of a system to provide airline service to small communities as being consistent with the public convenience and necessity. Expresses the Congressional intent that the provisions of this Act shall not have a deleterious effect on the standards of safety currently attained in the air transportation industry. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a continuous review of the effects of this Act on the standard of safety in air transportation, and, based on such study, to take such steps as may be necessary to insure that such safety standards are maintained. Revises the standard which the Board is to apply in issuing certificates of public convenience and necessity for scheduled overseas or interstate air transportation. Directs the Board to issue such a certificate upon a finding that the air transportation applied for is consistent with the public convenience and necessity (under the present standard such service would have to be required by the public convenience and necessity). Requires air carriers which propose to terminate, suspend, or reduce air transportation to give at least 90 days notice to the Board, the Community affected, and the agency of the State in which such community is located. Directs the Board to make every reasonable effort to secure another air carrier to provide the essential air transportation being terminated, reduced, or suspended. Authorizes the Board to permit an air carrier to suspend air services being provided by it, without notice, if such action is in the public interest and so long as essential air transportation is maintained. Prohibits the Board from authorizing a suspension for more than 30 days without a hearing if requested by the community affected. Authorizes any air carrier to petition the Board to have granted to it the authority of another air carrier to provide nonstop scheduled interstate or overseas air transportation between two points. Requires the Board to grant such authority upon a determination that the authority sought has not been exercised by the present carrier up to a specified amount. Requires the Board to act upon such petitions within a specified period of time. Prohibits the Board from including a closed-door restriction in any certificate issued on or after January 1, 1978. Stipulates that on such date any present closed-door restriction on an existing certificate shall be null and void. Exempts from such prohibition closed-door restrictions between points within the State of Hawaii and those restrictions which resulted from the sale, transfer, or exchange by one air carrier of its authority to provide air transportation in any market to another air carrier. Establishes an automatic market entry program under which specified air carriers may enter into new routes automatically and without review by the Board. Stipulates that during 1979 and 1980 such carriers may select one segment for scheduled nonstop air service and two segments per year thereafter for automatic market entry so long as cumulative statute miles in any one year does not exceed 3,000 miles. Establishes limitations on the routes which may be chosen for such automatic entry for a five year period. Requires the Board beginning on March 1, 1980, to submit annual reports to Congress regarding the automatic market entry program. Requires the Board to submit a comprehensive evaluation report on the operation of such program by March 1, 1983. Authorizes the Board, on an emergency basis, to modify the automatic market entry program in order to avert substantial public harm to the national air transportation system. Authorizes air carriers holding certificates for scheduled air transportation to engage in charter air transportation. Stipulates that: a carrier with more than 200,000,000 scheduled aircraft miles may operate no more than two percent of its total system scheduled miles in off-route charter trips; a carrier with less than 200,000,000 but more than 60,000,000 such miles may operate no more than five percent of such miles in off-route charter trips; and a charter with less than 60,000,000 such miles may operate no more than ten percent of such miles in off-route charter trips. Directs the Board, in determining the compensation to be paid for local air mail service, to disregard a carrier's revenues other than the revenue received from the service for which the compensation is being paid until January 1, 1983. Stipulates that such subsidy payments may be made only to carriers entitled to receive compensation for the performance of service during the 12 months ending June 30, 1977. Terminates all such payments after January 1, 1986. Requires the Board to notify the Secretary of Transportation and the Attorney General of any application for approval of air carrier mergers or the acquisition of control transactions. Prohibits the Board from approving transactions which would result in, or be in furtherance of, a conspiracy or combination to monopolize the business of air transportation in the United States. Prohibits the Board from approving such a transaction which would have the effect of substantially lessening competition in any region of the United States or which would tend to create a monopoly unless the Board finds that the anticompetitive effects of such a transaction are outweighed by the public interest. Sets forth time limits during which the Board must act on such applications for approval. Authorizes the Board to act on applications not involving an air carrier directly engaged in the operation of aircraft without a hearing under specified circumstances. Allows air carriers to file agreements or requests for authority to discuss agreements or cooperative working arrangements with the Board. Establishes procedures which the Board is to follow in acting upon such agreements or requests. Enumerates factors and conditions which the Board is to take into account in approving or disapproving such agreements or requests. Immunizes individuals from the operation of the antitrust laws insofar as is necessary to enable such a person to engage in air transportation activities specifically approved by the Board. Authorizes the Board to exempt any person or class of persons from air carrier economic regulation if such an exemption is consistent with the public interest. States that air carriers which engage in interstate or overseas air transportation exclusively with aircraft with a seating capacity of 36 or less and a maximum certificated gross takeoff weight of 40,000 pounds or less shall not be required to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Board to exempt foreign air carriers not directly engaged in the operation of aircraft in foreign air transportation from the provisions of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 if such exemption is in the public interest. Authorizes the Board to determine fair and reasonable amounts of compensation for, and to make payments of such compensation to, eligible air carriers which provides or will provide essential air transportation to eligible points. Establishes criteria for the Board to consider in determining the points eligible for such subsidies. Authorizes air carriers to compete for such subsidized service to eligible points. Directs the Board to insure that essential air transportation is provided to eligible points until January 18, 1979. Establishes procedures the Board is to follow to insure such service when an air carrier serving such a point notifies the Board that its service is to be suspended, terminated, or reduced below the level determined by the Board to be essential. Authorizes the Board to issue a new type of certificate for local air transportation. Stipulates that, in order to be eligible for such certification, the air carrier must provide such service with aircraft having a seating capacity of 36 passengers or less and a maximum certificated gross takeoff weight of 40,000 pounds or less. Precludes the Board from designating the geographic area or the terminal or intermediate points within or between which local air transportation is to be provided. Exempts such carriers from specified provisions of such Act. Authorizes the Board to issue certificates to engage in interstate or overseas charter air transportation. Establishes eligibility requirements for such certification. Prohibits the Board from authorizing charter air transportation between points within the State of Alaska unless the Board determines that such transportation is required by public convenience and necessity. Prohibits direct air carriers or foreign air carriers from entering into interlocking relationships with persons who sell or organize charters in interstate or overseas air transportation or in U.S. originating foreign air transportation. Requires all certificated air carriers with such regulations or orders issued by the Board governing the filing and approval of policies of insurance or plans for self- insurance. Prohibits carriers from carrying charter and scheduled passengers on the same flight in interstate or overseas air transportation. Stipulates that Board regulations shall not restrict the marketability, flexibility, accessibility, or variety of charter trips except to the extent required by the public interest and shall in no event be more restrictive than those charter regulations in effect on July 1, 1977. Prohibits any State from regulating air carriers certificated by the Board. Removes the Board's present power to specify the fares to be charged by a carrier and stipulates that the Board may only set forth the lawful maximum or minimum fare to be charged if it determines that the existing or proposed fare is unreasonable. Establishes a zone of fares which the Board may not find as unreasonable based on fares in effect on July 1, 1977. Establishes time limits during which the Board is to act on applications, complaints, or petitions regarding interstate or overseas air transportation. Authorizes the Board to make such determinations without a hearing under specified circumstances. Directs the Secretary of Labor to make monthly payments to eligible airline employees who have been deprived of employment or who have been adversely affected with respect to compensation as a result of the changes in the air transportation regulatory structure encompassed in this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines to determine the amount of such assistance. Requires air carriers, in hiring employees, to give preference to the terminated or furloughed employees of another carrier. Establishes the Airline Employees Protective Account within the Treasury of the United States in order to make such assistance payments. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make loan guarantees to lenders who make loans to air carriers holding a certificate to engage in local air transportation and to carriers holding certificates of public convenience and necessity for local or regional air service. Increases the total face value of eligible loans from $30,000,000 to $100,000,000
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1978
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates below the level established by the Social Security Financing Amendments of 1977 or employment income for both employers and employees and on self-employment income. Increases Federal contributions to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act by 50 percent. Increases the ceiling on the amount of income that is subject to social security taxation to $100,000 in 1979.
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 · 2 February 1978
Flexible Parity Act - Title I: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 crop of wheat a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging from $3.00 per bushel for a 20 percent set-aside up to $5.04 per bushel for a 50 percent set-aside. Title II: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 crop of feed grains a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging from $2.10 for a ten percent set-aside up to $3.45 for a 50 percent set-aside. Title III: Upland Cotton - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 crop of upland cotton a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging from 54 cents per pound for a 20 percent set-aside up to 84 cents per point for a 50 percent set-aside. Title IV: Grain Release Prices - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949: (1) to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from providing for the redemption of stored wheat and feed grains loans unless the market price for such commodities is not less than parity; (2) to prohibit the Secretary from calling such loans until the market price for wheat and feed grains is at least 105 percent of parity; and (3) to prohibit the Commodity Credit Corporation from selling its stocks of wheat and feed grains for less than the parity price of such commodities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1978
Education and Childcare Reemployment Rights Act - Grants to persons who have been employed for at least five years by an employer and who wish to relinquish full-time employment in order to bear or raise a child or to enter a full-time education program the right to be reemployed in a like position by the employer or the employer's successor within five years of having left such employment. Conditions reemployment rights upon compliance with specified procedures and the absence of interviewing circumstances which would render reemployment impossible or unreasonable.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Health Services Extension Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1979: (1) for grants to State health and mental health authorities to assist in meeting the costs of providing comprehensive public health services; (2) for immunization of children; (3) for the control of diseases borne by rodents; (4) for other disease control programs; (5) for programs for the prevention and control of venereal disease; (6) for testing and counseling, information and education concerning programs relating to genetic diseases; and (7) for lead-based paint poisoning prevention. Establishes a program of grants to the States for hypertension control programs. Authorizes the appropriation of funds for such programs through fiscal year 1979. Amends the Act to extend through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations: (1) for planning and developing migrant health centers; (2) for operating such centers; (3) for inpatient and outpatient hospital services for migrant workers in high impact areas; (4) for planning and developing community health centers; and (5) for operating community health centers. Amends the Act to authorize appropriations through fiscal year 1981: (1) for hemophilia programs; (2) for blood separation centers; (3) for primary care centers in community hospitals as such hospitals are defined for purposes of this Act; and (4) for establishing, operating and training personnel for home health services as defined in the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1978
Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982 to the Secretary of the Army to develop and implement a national dam safety program. Stipulates the formula for allocation of such appropriations. Directs the Secretary to furnish financial and training assistance to any State which establishes a dam safety program which meets specified criteria. Directs the Secretary to guarantee any dam failure liability insurance of a dam owner. Establishes a Federal Dam Safety Review Board: (1) to review the procedures and standards in dam design and safety analysis; and (2) to monitor State implementation of this Act. Directs the Secretary to study techniques of dam inspection.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1978
International Development Cooperation Act - Chapter I: Policy - Sets forth the United States' development assistance goals. Establishes the International Development Cooperation Administration (IDCA) to achieve such goals. Chapter II: Bilateral Development Assistance - Title I: Grant and Loan Assistance - Sets forth the United States bilateral development policy. Authorizes the Administrator of IDCA to furnish agricultural, rural development, and nutrition assistance. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes for fiscal year 1979. Declares that such assistance shall be primarily used for activities which increase the productivity or income of the rural poor. Requires, in the allocation of such funds, that special attention be given to increasing agricultural production in "food priority countries" or "relatively least developed countries." Encourages the Administrator of IDCA to take certain actions to improve the nutritional benefits accruing from such assistance. Requires the Administrator to consider the impact on development policies of commodity sales under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Declares that local currency proceeds from such commodity sales which are owned by foreign governments shall be used whenever practicable to furnish agricultural, rural development, and nutrition assistance. Sets forth United States international population control and health assistance policy. Authorizes the Administrator of IDCA to furnish population planning assistance, emphasizing motivation for small families. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance for fiscal year 1979. Directs such assistance to give particular attention to the relationship between population growth and living standards improvements. Authorizes the Administrator to study factors affecting population growth and family planning. Prohibits funds available for such assistance to be used for abortions or involuntary sterilizations. Authorizes the Administrator of IDCA to furnish health, health education, disease prevention, and sanitation assistance, emphasizing low-cost integrated delivery systems to rural areas and to the poorest people. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance for fiscal year 1979. Sets forth United States education and human resources development assistance policy. Authorizes the Administrator of IDCA to furnish such assistance. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance for fiscal year 1979. Authorizes the Administrator of IDCA to furnish assistance for programs relating to (1) energy problems, (2) natural resources management, (3) development research, (4) intermediate technology, (5) urban development, (6) disaster reconstruction, (7) special problems of "relatively least developed countries," especially transportation and communications systems, and (8) technical cooperation among development organizations. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance for fiscal year 1979. Authorizes a certain amount of funds available under this chapter to assist research and educational institutions in the United States to develop and implement development programs for developing countries. Prohibits the furnishing of assistance under this chapter until the recipient country provides assurances that it will make a significant contribution to the cost of the entire program. Prohibits the disbursing of grant assistance for a specific project for more than four years without further justification to Congress and increasing the recipient country contribution. Authorizes the Administrator of IDCA to make assistance available to "relatively least developed countries" on a grant basis to the maximum extent possible. Permits the Administrator with respect to such countries (1) to waive interest payments on past indebtedness; (2) to accept repayment in local currencies; (3) to accept "in kind" contributions for the recipient share of assistance costs; and (4) to waive certain procurement requirements. Exempts "relatively least developed countries" from the cost-sharing and funding limitations of this Act. Requires the Administrator to report to Congress on a concerted procurement policy with donors of the Overseas Economic Cooperation and Development countries, and its impact on the United States economy. Authorizes the Administrator to furnish long-term development assistance for the Sahel region, to be supplied under a multi-donor system. Requires the Administrator to prepare an annual report on Sahel development. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance beginning with fiscal year 1978. Title II: Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Agricultural Development - Declares that the United States (1) should strengthen the capacity of certain universities in program-related agricultural development and research, (2) should improve the participation of such universities in efforts to increase world-wide food production, and (3) should support research into the food and nutritional problems of developing countries. Authorizes the Administrator to furnish assistance to eligible universities for specified purposes related to such research goals. Directs the President to establish a Board for International Food and Agricultural Development to assist in the administration of such research assistance programs. Authorizes the Board to establish a Joint Research Committee to develop collaborative food research programs, and a joint committee on Country Programs to implement certain research support programs. Permits such research support programs to be funded with appropriations for agricultural, rural development, and nutrition assistance. Requires the Administrator to report to Congress on such research activities. Title III: Agricultural Commodities for Peace and Development - Affirms the continuing intent of Congress that United States agricultural commodities shall be used to combat hunger and to encouarge economic development in developing countries. Authorizes the Administrator of IDCA to carry out specified food donation and development programs under the Agricultural Trade and Development Assistance Act of 1954. Chapter III: Access to Private Capital and Technical Expertise - Title I: General Policy - Expresses the Congressional finding that the reduction of the dependence of developing countries upon concessional assistance to reliance upon private sector resources can be facilitated by loan and investment guarantees and reimbursable services. Title II: Overseas Private Investment Corporation - Makes the Overseas Private Investment Corporation a constituent element of the International Development Cooperation Administration to facilitate the participation of United States private capital in the economic development of developing countries and areas. Sets forth the factors which shall be considered by the Corporation for furnishing insurance, financing, or reinsurance of private sector projects in developing countries or areas. Specifies the functions of the Corporation. Declares that the capital stock of the Corporation shall remain at its present level. Stipulates the organizational and management structure of the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to insure private investments against specified risks, to guarantee private loans and other investments, to make loans to private firms, and to make incentive grants. Specifies restrictions upon and procedures for such functions. Authorizes the Corporation to furnish financial and advisory support, private technical, professional, or managerial assistance. Authorizes the Corporation to enter into certain risk sharing agreements. Establishes limitations upon the amount of outstanding guarantees which can be made by the Corporation. Establishes a Direct Investment Fund to finance the direct investment undertakings of the Corporation. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States an insurance and guaranty fund to discharge liabilities incurred by the Corporation with respect to its insurance and guaranty authority. Authorizes appropriations to the corporation for such fund. Imposes conditions on such appropriations and stipulates procedures for discharging investment insurance liability. Stipulates the purposes for which the income and revenues earned by or transferred to the corporation may be spent without limitations. Sets forth limitations on such investment programs, including investment safeguard provisions, duration, and prohibits insuring investors responsible for bribery as defined in this title. Sets forth the powers of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Requires the Auditor- General of the International Development Cooperation Administration to audit the Corporation and conduct its security functions. Establishes an Advisory Council to the Corporation, composed of representatives of the American business community, for consultation regarding the Corporations' objectives. Declares that no laws, with the exception of this title, shall be construed to prohibit investment insurance activities in Yugoslavia or Romania, if the President determines such programs to be in the national interest. Requires the Corporation to establish criteria to minimize the potential environmental impact of insured projects. Requires the Corporation to report to Congress annually with respect to its operations. Title III: Housing Investment Guarantees - Sets forth Congressional findings with respect to the role of the United States in assisting worldwide housing investment. Authorizes the Administrator of the International Development Corporation (IDCA) to guarantee loans incurred in connection with such housing investment. Sets forth (1) limitations upon such guarantees and (2) the types of housing programs which shall be emphasized in making such guarantees. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Imposes upon housing guarantees authorized by subsequently repealed statutes the laws and fees which were originally applicable to such guarantees. Prohibits guarantee payments for any loss arising from fraud or misrepresentation. Imposes limitations upon such guarantees with respect to housing for the poor and amounts for projects within any single country (exempting Israel, Portugal, and Lebanon through fiscal year 1979). Title IV: Agricultural and Productive Credit and Self-Help Development Communities Programs - Declares it the sense of Congress that the purpose of this program is the stimulation of private participation in the establishment of pilot programs in not more than five Latin American countries. Authorizes the IDCA to guarantee loans for agricultural credit and self-help community development programs. Limits the total dollar amount of such guarantees. Requires consultation with the Inter-American Foundation in developing eligibility criteria for such guarantees. Title V: Reimbursable Services and Commodities - Authorizes any agency of the United States to furnish services and commodities on an advance-of-funds or reimbursable basis to friendly countries, international organizations, the American Red Cross, and certain volunteer nonprofit relief agencies, when the Administrator determines it to be in furtherance of the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to use a specified amount to stimulate reimbursable aid programs consistent with chapter I of this Act. Sets forth procedures governing excess property and advance acquisition of property pursuant to this Act. Chapter IV: Multilateral Development Assistance - Title I: General Multilateral Development Assistance Policy - Sets forth Congressional findings and policy with respect to United States participation in international development assistance agencies. Declares that the United States should encourage (1) equitable contributions to such agencies by participant countries, and (2) the participation of women in the economies of member and recipient countries of such aid and in such agencies. Requires the Administrator to ensure that United States bilateral development programs are coordinated with multilateral programs. Title II: International Financial Institutions - Sets forth Congressional policy with respect to United States participation in international financial institutions. Makes the Administrator of IDCA responsible for formulating the positions of and instructing the representatives of the United States to such institutions. Title III: United Nations Programs - Authorizes the Administrator to make contributions to international organizations in furtherance of this chapter, when the President determines it to be in the national interest. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes for fiscal year 1979. Makes the the Administrator responsible for formulating the positions of and instructing the representatives of the United States to the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Authorizes the President to permit United States participation in the International Fertilizer Development Center. Chapter V: Special Programs - Title I: Economic Support Fund - Authorizes the President to furnish assistance to countries and organizations to promote economic or political stability. Declares it the sense of Congress that assistance to the Middle East should promote respect, security, and economic development in that area. Authorizes appropriations to the President for fiscal year 1979 for economic support funds in the Middle East, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon (including technical and scientific cooperation programs and special requirements). Expresses Congressional support of an internationally recognized settlement of the Rhodesian conflict leading to majority rule. Declares it the intent of Congress to support a Zimbabwe Development Fund. Declares it the sense of Congress that the United States should furnish economic support to Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Mozambique to strengthen their economies and minimize their dependence on minority-ruled regimes. Authorizes appropriations to the President for fiscal year 1979 for economic dislocation and refugee assistance in South Africa. Prohibits the use of such funds for military or paramilitary purposes. Declares it the sense of Congress that such funds shall not be furnished to any country which restricts emigration. Title II: International Disaster Assistance - Authorizes the President to furnish international disaster relief and rehabilitation assistance, including assistance relating to disaster prediction and preparedness. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for such purposes. Authorizes the President to appoint a Special Coordinator for International Relief to coordinate aid by United States agencies and foreign donors. Chapter VI: Private Initiative In Development - Title I: General Policy to encourage the participation of private voluntary organizations in overseas development. Authorizes the Administrator of IDCA to furnish assistance for public and private voluntary initiatives in development, under specified principles. Directs the Administrator to draw upon the resources of such organizations to the maximum extent practicable in implementing programs authorized by this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to pay transportation charges on contributions for development and relief of needy people by the American Red Cross and certain United States volunteer agencies. Establishes within the Administration an International Development Institute to finance, implement, and coordinate development activities involving private and voluntary agencies. Establishes an Advisory Board to the Institute to advise on the planning and administration of programs authorized by this chapter. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator for fiscal year 1979 to carry out this title, of which a specified amount shall be available for the Peace Corps to carry out the purpose of the Peace Corps Act. Transfers the Peace Corp to the International Development Institute. Chapter VII: Administrative - Title I: Organization - Stipulates the organizational structure of the International Development Cooperation Administration. Directs the President to establish a Development Coordination Committee to advise the President with respect to the coordination of United States policies and programs affecting developing countries. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed as infringing upon the powers or functions of the Secretary of State. Sets forth the organizational powers of the Administrator with respect to functions transferred to the IDCA. Transfers to the IDCA the functions and property of the Agency for International Development. Permits the President to transfer to the IDCA functions of other agencies which primarily relate to the functions of the IDCA under this Act. Specifies the procedures for such transfer. Stipulates the formula for computing the annuity of any AID employee who is eligible for retirement under the Foreign Service system who retires during fiscal year 1979. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for the operating expenses of the IDCA. Title II: Personnel - Establishes a career personnel system of officers of the IDCA who shall be known as International Development Officers to formulate and implement programs authorized by this Act. Sets forth the qualifications, compensation, and duty assignments of such officers. Prohibits discrimination or the use of a political test with respect to such officers. Requires the Administrator to pay particular attention to the recruitment and promotion of women as International Development Officers. Authorizes the President to appoint the representative of the United States to the Inter-American Economic and Social Council. Authorizes the employment of experts and consultants to carry out this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to assign any IDCA employee to any office with a foreign government or international organization. Authorizes the Administrator to maintain special missions or staffs abroad. Authorizes the President to appoint the Chair of the Development Assistance Committee or any successor committee thereto of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Transfers to the IDCA the personnel of the Agency for International Development. Title III: Administrative Requirements - Prohibits entering into obligations upon the United States in excess of $100,000 for grant and loan assistance or economic support prior to the completion of project plans and cost estimates, legislative action in the recipient country, and certification by the chief IDCA officer in the recipient country that such country can effectively maintain and utilize such project. Sets forth procurement requirements. Prohibits funds under this Act from being used for the procurement of any agricultural commodity when the commodity's domestic price is below parity. Permits recipients of loan and grant or economic support assistance to use such funds to pay shipping differentials owed to the United States under the Merchant Marine Act, 1936. Exempts the ocean transport between foreign countries (1) of commodities purchased with foreign currencies made available under this Act or the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, or (2) of fresh fruit and products under this Act, from requirements that cargoes procured by the United States be transported in United States flag vessels. Sets forth protections for United States patents and technical information in furnishing grant and loan or economic support assistance. Regulates the use of foreign currencies, procurement, and the use of funds for support purposes, to carry out this Act. Directs the Administrator, so far as is practicable, to assist in the equitable participation of American small business in furnishing goods and services to the IDCA. Establishes an Office of Small Business in the IDCA to carry out this purpose. Title IV: General Provisions - Authorizes the President to utilize a limited amount of funds authorized under this Act each year in furtherance of the purposes of this Act, when the President determines such authorization to be important to the security of the United States. Authorizes the Administrator to transfer not more than 15 percent of funds authorized for grant and loan assistance for other purposes under this Act. Sets forth procedures for Congressional oversight of such authority. Sets forth procedures for the termination of assistance, the payment of assistance and contracts, and related financial matters. Prohibits assistance under this Act to any government which engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of human rights. Sets forth procedures for Congressional oversight of such prohibition. Prohibits the Administrator from considering the race, religion, national origin, or sex of any employee of the United States in making overseas assignments to carry out this Act. Prohibits assistance to any country which objects to the presence of any such United States employee on such grounds. Prohibits assistance to any country which is more than six momths in default on loans under this Act or the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 except in certain circumstances. Prohibits relieving recipients of such loans of liability thereunder. Requires the Administrator to terminate for one year assistance to any country which aids or abets international terrorism, unless the President finds that national security requires otherwise. Prohibits furnishing assistance under this Act to any Communist country, unless the President finds that such assistance is vital to the security of the United States and will promote the independence of such country. Limits the amount of assistance under this Act which may be furnished for the construction of any productive enterprise. Title V: Reporting Requirements - Requires the Chair of the Development Coordination Committee to transmit an annual report to Congress with respect to foreign assistance for the previous fiscal year. Permits legislative veto of program changes under this Act. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the effective date, statutes repealed, savings provisions, definitions, severability, exclusions, and amendments to other laws, under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Nurse Training Amendments - Amends Title VIII (Nurse Training) of the Public Health Service Act to extend for two fiscal years, through fiscal year 1980, the program of financial assistance for nurse training.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1978
National Alcohol Fuels Commission Act - Establishes the National Alcohol Fuels Commission to study the use of alcohol as an alternative fuel source. Charges the Commission with the duty to study the short and long-term potential of alcohol fuels derived from plant, animal and industrial sources and wastes, and from coal. Directs the Commission to study alternative feedstocks and desirability of converting present feedstocks into alcohol fuels. Requires the Commission to identify and study technical, economic, legal, environmental and social factors involved with the production, manufacture, distribution and use of alcohol fuels. Directs relevant Federal agencies to appoint a liaison officer and to cooperate closely with the Commission. Requires the Committee to file a final report with the President and the Congress no later than December 31, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to: (1) extend the authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission through September 30, 1983; (2) provide for appointment of the Commission Chairman by the President, to serve at the President's pleasure; and (3) prohibit options trading until such time as the Commission can document to Congress its ability to regulate specified options transactions successfully, and 90 calendar days pass without disapproval by either House of the proposed regulations. Grants immunity from prosecution to witnesses claiming self incrimination who testify before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
![Official portrait of Sen. Riegle, Donald W., Jr. [D-MI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000249_200.jpg)