United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Fair Fund Transfer Act - Requires the issuers of debit instruments designed to make payments and effect transfers through electronic terminals to do the following: (1) disclose a customer's rights and obligations when an account is opened and when there is a change of terms; (2) make available to the customer a written receipt of every transaction at electronic funds transfer terminals; and (3) furnish a monthly statement to each customer identifying all transactions. Provides a procedure for the correction of account errors. Excuses a customer of liability for unauthorized use of his debit instrument unless the debit instrument issuer can establish customer fraud or negligence. Sets forth liability for system malfunction. Provides civil liability for willful violation of this Act and criminal liability for fraudulent use of debit instruments. Makes bank regulatory agencies and the Federal Trade Commission responsible for administrative enforcement of the terms of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals, who are participants in a retirement plan, an income tax deduction for contributions to an individual retirement (IRA) account. Limits such deduction to the amount allowed individuals for contributions to IRA accounts, reduced by the amounts contributed by or on behalf of the individual to the plan in which he is a participant.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Amends the Clayton Act to entitle any foreign sovereign government to sue for actual damages and the cost of suit (but not for treble damages) when injured in its business or property by reason of any action forbidden in the antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an employee, amounts paid or expenses incurred by the employer for educational assistance to the employee. Limits to 25 percent the amount of payments which may be made by such programs to shareholders or owners (or their spouses or dependents), each of whom owns more than five percent of the stock or of the capital or profits interest in the employer.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Veterans' and Survivors' Income Security Act - Title I: Security Pension for Veterans and Survivors - Establishes rates for security pensions which may be elected in lieu of regular pensions by: (1) veterans of a period of war who are permanently and totally disabled from a non-service-connected disability; and (2) surviving spouses or children of veterans of a period of war of deceased veterans entitled to compensation or retirement pay for a service-connected disability. Specifies exclusions from the determination of annual income of such veterans and survivors. Requires persons applying for a security pension to report the income and estate of each spouse and child on account of whom added pension is applied for or received. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires annual adjustments of security pension rates in conjunction with cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits. Title III: Effective Date - Sets the effective date of this Act as October 1, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Authorizes a $543,000,000 appropriation for reimbursing States for expenditures made with respect to services provided by such States under specified titles of the Social Security Act. Sets forth procedures and time limitations for making claims for reimbursement and maximums amounts which a State may receive for providing services under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Small Business Investment Incentive Act - Title I: Investment Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide special tax benefits with respect to gains and losses on the sale of interests in small businesses, bad debt deductions for guarantors of obligations of small business corporations, reserves for losses on equity investments of small business investment companies, and qualified stock options for small businesses. Title II: Tax Reduction - Increases the corporate surtax exemption, and the amount of the additional first year depreciation allowance for small businesses. Allows a ten-year carryover of small business net operating losses. Increases the minimum accumulated earnings credit.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1977
Authorizes and requests the President to annually designate the Sunday following Fire Service Recognition Day as "Memorial Sunday" for firefighters disabled or killed in the line of duty during the preceeding year.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1977
Calls upon the President to prohibit the export of military and police equipment to Uganda, to prohibit approval of any visa application of any official or employee of Uganda for military or police training, and to instruct the United States Ambassador to the United Nations to submit a resolution for a mandatory arms embargo against Uganda.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1977
Minority Business and Economic Development Act - Establishes within the Small Business Administration a Bureau of Minority Business and Economic Development. Creates the position of Director for the Bureau of Minority Business and Economic Development. Sets forth the functions of the Bureau including the coordination of efforts of other Federal departments, establishment of goals, and implementation of financial and nonfinancial services which may affect minority business enterprises and the collection and dissemination of information useful for the undertaking and promoting of minority businesses. Directs the Bureau to submit an annual report of the activities under this Act to the President and Congress. Authorizes the Office of Advocacy, Small Business Administration, to make recommendations and evaluations in coordination with the Bureau. Establishes the position of Deputy Associate Administrator whose primary responsibility shall be the expediting of financial resources to minority small business concerns by the Small Business Administration. Authorizes to be appropriated for five years such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
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 · 3 November 1977
Waives certain requirements of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to the consideration of H.R. 9346, amendment 1541 (Social Security financing).
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum out of War Claims Funds to four individuals, descendants of a certain deceased person whose shares of stock and bank account were acquired by the Attorney General for the benefit of the United States under the Trading With the Enemy Act as a result of erroneous findings of fact and law.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1977
States that during the year following the enactment of this Act the Secretary of the Interior shall neither withhold water delivery from any beneficiary of a Federal reclamation project nor initiate any proceeding intended to require the sale of privately owned bonds within any project, for purposes of achieving conformity with acreage limitations or residency requirements of reclamation law. Prohibits the Secretary from approving the sale of excess lands during the year following the enactment of this Act unless final excess land regulation become effective.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1977
Designates the South Portal Federal Office Building of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare at 200 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, D. C., as the "Hubert H. Humphrey Building."
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1977
Minority Enterprise Venture Capital Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to change the title of the Associate Administrator for Finance and Investment of the Small Business Administration to that of Associate Administrator for Investment. Sets the interest rate payable on debentures purchased by the Small Business Administration at three percent per annum and the dividend rate on preferred securities purchased by the Administration at three percent per annum. Limits the amount of preferred securities that the Administration can purchase from specified small business investment companies. Requires that any small business investment company authorized by the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 after December 31, 1977, have not less than $500,000 of private paid-in capital and surplus.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1977
Tuition Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit against an individual's income tax in an amount equal to 50 percent of the sum of the amounts paid by him to educational institutions as tuition (though no more than $500 for any single individual) for the attendance of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or any of his dependents with respect to whom he is entitled to a personal exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) remove the adjusted gross income limitation on the credit for the elderly; (2) increase the amount of the credit; and (3) provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment for the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1977
Deems the service performed by a certain individual, at the age of twelve, in the United States Navy during World War II, to have been served under a lawful enlistment. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to issue such individual an honorable discharge.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1977
Amends the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to establish special first sale prices for crude oil which is owned by a State or political subdivision thereof.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1977
Exempts disaster payments made in connection with the 1977 crops of wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice from the payment limitations contained in the Agricultural Act of 1970 and the Agricultural Act of 1949.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an investment tax credit for oil and gas drilling expenditures and a supplementary credit for productive exploratory oil and gas wells.
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 · 5 August 1977
Title I: Tax Credits - Tax Incentives for Neighborhood Revitalization Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited income tax credit to individuals for the purchase, construction, or rehabilitation of a principal residence located in an area designated by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, as a neighborhood revitalization area. Allows a limited credit to lending institutions which finance such purchase, construction, or rehabilitation. Allows individuals a credit for that portion of their State and local property taxes attributable to improvements directly related to rehabilitation expenditures for which the taxpayer is allowed a credit under this title. Title II: Neighborhood Revitalization Designation and Plans - Neighborhood Revitalization Act - Directs units of local government which wish to have the provisions of Title I of this Act apply to an area within their boundaries to designate the area a "neighborhood revitalization area." Requires such a designation to be approved by the Secretary of the Treasury if certain requirements are met and a finding is made that the area is declining.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Immigrant Children Assistance Act - Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make payments to local educational agencies for educational programs and services for immigrant children, including the construction of necessary school facilities. Requires local agencies to submit an application to the Commissioner for funds under this Act, and establishes the criteria for such application. Authorizes the Commissioner to withhold such funds upon a finding of noncompliance with the requirements of this Act. Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall terminate on October 1, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the definition of "employee" under the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to specify the coverage of such Act with respect to persons engaged in the manufacture, sale, repair, or service of recreational or fishing boats.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Regulatory Reduction and Congressional Control Act - Requires any rule promulgated by a Federal agency to be submitted to Congress accompanied by: (1) an economic impact analysis disclosing the costs and benefits expected to result from such rule; (2) a paperwork impact analysis disclosing the information-gathering requirements and the nature and number of records persons will be required to keep under such rule; and (3) a judicial impact analysis disclosing the probable consequences of such rule on the operation, work load, and efficiency of the Federal courts. Permits such rules having specified penalties or economic impacts to become effective only if approved by both Houses of Congress. Permits other rules to become effective if not disapproved by either House within 60 days of promulgation. Limits the life of any such rule to five years, after which time it must be rejustified or repromulgated.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Expresses the displeasure of the Senate toward any policy of the Internal Revenue Service which changes through administrative interpretation long-standing applications of the internal revenue laws. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Internal Revenue Service refrain from changing its policy with respect to taxation of benefits given to employees, without submission of any proposed changes to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1977
International Financial Reform Amendments - Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to require Congressional authorization for (1) disposition of more than 25,000,000 ounces of gold from the International Monetary Fund, or (2) establishment of a trust from such Fund for the benefit of a single Fund member or segment. Requires the President, upon request, to furnish relevant information to Congressional committees with monetary policy oversight responsibilities. Amends the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 to prohibit the extension of any Fund loan by more than six months unless the President notifies Congress that exigent circumstances exist. Terminates the requirement that United States obligations be payable in dollars rather than gold.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Regulatory Flexibility Act - Requires Federal agencies to: (1) assess the costs of private information collection and compliance which are or would be imposed by existing or proposed agency rules; (2) compare such impositions with the importance of the public policy achieved or to be achieved by such rules; and (3) determine whether such rules should apply to the same extent to individuals, and organizations of various sizes and resources. Requires, in the event that it is determined that such proposed rules, will have a substantial effect on any significant number of small businesses, that such rules be submitted to the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Requires such Office to comment on the impact of such proposed rules on smaller enterprises. Requires such comments to be made public and available to Federal personnel responsible for reviewing such rules. Directs that proposed rules be issued in two or more parts when the analysis of such rules indicates the desirability of applying varying requirements for performance or reporting depending on the resources of the organization or individual required to comply with such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require States having agreements for coverage of their employees under the system of insurance established by such Title to make payments and reports on a calendar-quarter basis.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property's basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
National Crude Oil Supply and Transportation Act - Expresses the intent of Congress that the continuation of a transportation system to deliver Alaskan crude oil to Northern Tier or inland States be accomplished through expedited administrative procedures. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a time schedule for the completion of required environmental impact statements in order to select a crude oil transportation system by February 1, 1978. Establishes criteria to be considered by the Secretary in selecting a transportation route. Directs the Secretary and other appropriate Federal officials to take all actions necessary to provide rights of way, permits, leases, and other authorizations necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the transportation system approved under this Act. Declares that the actions of Federal officers and agencies under this Act shall not be subject to judicial review by the courts. Allows for claims that: (1) actions under this Act will deny Constitutional rights; and (2) actions taken are beyond the scope of authority conferred by this Act, provided that such claims are filed within 60 days following the date of the challenged action. Vests exclusive jurisdiction to hear such claims in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, acting as a special court. Stipulates that any judicial proceedings should be completed at the earliest possible date. Declares that nothing in this Act shall authorize or imply an exemption from provisions of the antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1977
Employee Bill of Rights Act - Amends the Congressional findings and policies declared in the National Labor Relations Act. Stipulates that only bargaining representatives who are chosen by secret ballot may be deemed exclusive representatives with whom employers have a duty to bargain collectively. Deems it an unfair labor practice for a labor organization to threaten or impose any fine or other economic sanction against any person in the exercise of rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Permits a labor organization, employer, or ten percent of the members of the appropriate bargaining unit to request a referendum regarding a potential or existing strike. Deems it an unfair labor practice for a labor organization to call or maintain a strike if a majority of employees voting in such a referendum vote not strike or if such a referendum is requested before a strike begins and the results have not yet been certified. Provides that if an employer, labor organization, or group of employees submit a dispute to binding arbitration under an existing collective bargaining agreement, or have agreed to submit, arbitration shall be the exclusive forum and no unfair labor practice proceeding involving the same subject matter may be instituted before the National Labor Relations Board unless determinations of such arbitration are inconsistent with rights granted under the National Labor Relations Act. Permits any member of a religion , body, or sect which has traditionally objected to membership in and financial support of labor organizations to refrain from joining or supporting a union. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to prohibit use of any procedure by which union dues and other assessments are deducted from employees paychecks in soliciting and collecting contributions for a segregated campaign fund.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1977
Crude Oil Pricing Reform Act - Amends the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act to exempt first sale prices of crude oil produced from (1) properties from which crude oil was first produced after May 31, 1977; (2) stripper wells, or deep stripper wells; and (3) tertiary enhanced recovery projects from pricing regulations under such Act. Stipulates that mandatory ceiling prices applicable to first sales of nonexempt crude oil shall be equal to the weighted average first sale price for exempt crude oil.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1977
Emergency Product Liability Act - Title I: General Provisions - Expresses the sense of Congress that it is necessary to provide national standards for product liability litigation in order to reduce the effects of the product liability crisis. Title II: Limitations of Product Liability Litigation - Limits the time for commencing product liability actions to two years after the date upon which the injury was sustained or discovered and prohibits the commencement of any action later than seven years after the date upon which the product was purchased. Exempts manufacturers and sellers of products from liability for damages caused by misuse of a product or modifications of a product made subsequent to manufacture or sale without the consent of the manufacturer or seller. Exempts manufacturers or sellers of products from liability for injuries or damages caused by a product when the plan or design, or the methods, standards, or techniques of manufacturing the product conform with the prevailing state of the art applicable to the product. Title III: Relation to State Law - Preempts any State law which is inconsistent with the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to exempt from the coverage of this Act any State which adopts the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1977
Removes the power of any United States court to issue school transportation orders based on race, color, or national origin unless the court first determines that a discriminatory purpose in education was a principal motivating factor in the constitutional violation for which such transportation is proposed as a remedy. Stipulates that any court order requiring the transportation of any student based on race, color, or national origin must be promulgated by a three judge district court. Restricts such transportation of students to that which is reasonably necessary to have the student composition reflect what it otherwise would have been if a constitutional violation had not occurred. Requires any court before entering a transportation order to hold a hearing and make specific findings of the discriminatory purpose of the violation and the degree to which the concentration in the student composition by race, color, or national origin has been altered from its normal course by such violation. Stipulates that any transportation order on the basis of a constitutional violation shall be stayed until all appeals have been exhausted. Specifies that any transportation order for a constitutional violation which is not yet final before the date of enactment of this Act must meet the requirements imposed by this Act.
![Official portrait of Sen. Tower, John G. [R-TX]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000322_200.jpg)