United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Entitles members of the armed forces reserves who were on active duty after August 13, 1961, and before May 31, 1963, or after August 4, 1964, and before March 28, 1973, or who completed at least 20 years of service after August 15, 1945, to retired pay.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1977
Nongame Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to any State to assist such State in developing a comprehensive fish and wildlife resource management plan. Directs the Secretary to prescribe by regulation standards to provide that management plans developed by the States under this Act result in the conservation of fish and wildlife. Sets forth the procedure by which the Secretary shall consider for approval State management plans. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States having approved nongame fish and wildlife conservation programs to assist such States in implementing such programs. Establishes limitations on the amount of such grants and the procedure for allocation among States. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1977
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 · 3 November 1977
Amends the Shipping Act, 1916, to include "controlled carriers" within the coverage of such Act. Defines "controlled carrier" as a common carrier by water operating, offering, or proposing to offer regular liner service in the foreign commerce of the United States where such carrier is owned or controlled by the government under whose registry the vessels of the controlled carrier operate. Requires such carriers to maintain rates or classifications of tariffs filed with the Federal Maritime Commission which are just and reasonable. Authorizes the Commission to disapprove such rates or classifications after notice and hearing upon a finding that they are unreasonable. Requires that such rates or classifications be filed with the Commission at least 30 days before they may become effective. Authorizes the Commission to suspend such proposed rates or classifications pending a determination as to their lawfulness. Stipulates that the regulations contained in this Act shall not apply to rates or classifications governing the transportation of cargo by a controlled carrier between the country which owns or controls the carrier and the United States or its territories or possessions. Exempts from the regulations contained in this Act controlled carriers of a state whose vessels are entitled to receive national or most-favored-nation treatment by treaty, controlled carriers of a state which has subscribed to the statement of shipping policy contained in note 1 to annex A of the Code of Liberalization of Current Invisible Operations, or to specified rate agreements or service agreements under the Shipping Act, 1916. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to prohibit discrimination against any applicant for credit on the basis of the geographical location of the applicant's residence.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1977
Civil Rights Act - Prohibits any person engaged in commerce, any person conducting a program which receives Federal assistance, a Federal contractor or subcontractor, or holder of an interest in Federal property from discriminating with respect to employment, housing, credit, or participation in benefits which make such prohibitions applicable, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religious affiliation or belief, age, handicap, political affiliation or belief, marital status, parental status, or lack of citizenship. Exempts from such prohibitions denial of medical treatment where such denial does not occur because of characteristics of individuals of the above listed status groups. Exempts from such prohibitions (1) employment near Indian reservations in which preference is given to Indians; (2) employment classification or referral by an employer or labor union when the above listed characteristics constitute a bona fide occupational qualification (3) employment by educational institutions with respect to religion under specified circumstances; (4) employment discrimination based on religion when an employer would suffer undue hardship in accommodating religious practices of the individual; (5) age discrimination required by law in order to benefit children or to achieve statutory objectives, or the comply with a bona fide seniority system or employee benefit plan; (6) handicapped discrimination when the handicapped individual could not perform essential job functions without undue hardship to the employer or when the individual does not meet essential eligibility requirements for services, programs, or activities; (7) political discrimination in employment when such individual is elected or appointed to policy making levels of political offices; (8) age discrimination in housing resulting from designation of a certain area for adults; and (9) certain employers with fewer than 15 employees. Authorizes the Attorney General to investigate and enforce complaints of such discrimination. Limits the ability of an individual to institute civil suit based upon such discrimination. Imposes a civil fine for knowing violation of this Act. Imposes a civil fine or imprisonment for willful, repetitions violations of this Act. Repeals nondiscrimination provisions of specified Federal statutes. Supersedes Executive Order 11063 and specified portions of Executive Order 11246. Declares that nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements shall not be required under specified statutes and Federal programs. Directs the Attorney General to prescribe regulations for enforcement of this Act. Transfers to the Attorney General the assets of any agency of which all powers, functions, and duties are terminated by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1977
Directs the President of the United States, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Foreign Service, and the Department of State to formulate and implement a plan for the expansion of sales of American agricultural commodities abroad, including increased food-for-peace (Public Law 480) sales as well as private international transfers of food.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1977
Establishes the Yorktown Bicentennial Commission to plan and coordinate the commemoration of the bicentennial of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. Requires such Commission to submit annual reports to the Congress. Stipulates that such Commission's existence shall terminate no later than December 31, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1977
Amends the Small Business Act to establish in the Small Business Administration a Small Business extension service which shall develop and implement a comprehensive program for the identification, development, and practical demonstration of management techniques suitable for use by small business concerns.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1977
Amends the Great Lakes Fishery Act of 1956 to (1) increase the number of Commissioners representing the United States on the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to four, and (2) require that three of such Commissioners be residents of the Great Lake States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1977
Amends the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to require all hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities which participate in programs under Titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of such Act to adopt and make public a statement of the rights and responsibilities of patients in the care of such facilities. Directs the Secretary to require that such statements establish specified guarantees including guarantees: (1) that the patient's civil and religious liberties will not be infringed; (2) that the patient has the right to private communications with his physician, attorney, or any other person; (3) that the patient has the right to conjugal visits; (4) that the patient has the right to have privacy in treatment in caring for personal needs and confidentiality in the treatment of personal and medical records; (5) that the patient has the right to notice and a hearing before being transferred or discharged from a facility; and (6) that the patient has such other rights as the Secretary deems appropriate. Directs the Secretary to require each facility to provide each patient and staff member with a copy of the statement of rights and the enforcement procedures and remedies available to patients, and requires further that each facility adopt a written plan for implementing such rights. Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for processing patients complaints and for the enforcement of patients' rights. Requires appropriate State agencies to investigate patients' complaints and to file a written report within 20 days disposing of such complaints. Imposes a fine, not to exceed $500 for each violation, upon a facility found in violation of patients' rights. Allows a patient to bring an original action in U.S. district court to enforce guaranteed rights. Authorizes the Attorney General of any State or of the United States to bring an action in U.S. district court or State court to enforce payment of fines imposed upon facilities found in violation of patients' rights. Provides that damages awarded to patients shall not constitute income or resources for purposes of determining eligibility under Medicaid or any Federal or federally-assisted program which conditions eligibility upon income or resources.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1977
National Aquaculture Organic Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, after consultation with the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture and certain other Federal and State officials, to establish a National Aquaculture Development Plan. Requires that such plan identify each aquatic species which can be cultured on a commercial or other basis (priority aquatic species), and contain a program of aquaculture development for such species. Stipulates that each such program shall be implemented either individually, jointly, or collectively by the Secretaries of Commerce, Agriculture and the Interior according to responsibilities vested in the respective Secretaries by law, or on the basis of departmental expertise and resources. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to review annually each aquatic species not identified as a priority species and the program established for each priority species. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, or the Secretary of Agriculture, in implementing the aquaculture development programs, to: (1) provide advisory, educational, and technical assistance to public and private organizations; (2) cooperate with persons and agencies regarding the development of aquaculture technology; (3) produce and sell seed stock when necessary; and (4) prescribe rules and regulations necessary to carry out such program. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) establish an aquaculture information center; (2) maintain an inventory of public and private aquaculture being carried out in the United States; (3) arrange for the mutual exchange of information relating to aquaculture with foreign nations; and (4) conduct a study to determine which existing capture fisheries could be adversely impacted by competition from commercial aquaculture enterprises aided under this Act. Establishes the Interagency Committee on Aquaculture comprised of the heads of various Federal agencies to insure that there is a continuing exchange of information relating to the aquacultural programs and projects of the various agencies and to review on a continuing basis the relevant programs and projects of all Federal agencies. Authorizes the Secretaries of Commerce, Agriculture, and the Interior, according to their powers under this Act, to carry out their functions through grants or contracts. Limits the amount of any such grant to one-half of the estimated cost of the project. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to guarantee obligations issued for the financing of any aquaculture facility within the United States. Stipulates that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all such guaranteed obligations shall not exceed $500,000,000. Authorizes the Secretary to collect a fee for guaranteed obligations not to exceed one-half of one percent per annum of the outstanding principal balance of the obligation. Sets forth the allowable interest rate, maturity date, and default procedures relating to such loans. Authorizes the Secretary to issue notes or obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury if the monies in the loan fund are insufficient to pay such a loan in the event of default. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make disaster loans to any person if such person's aquaculture facility or stock is damaged or destroyed as a result of a natural disaster, or if such person's stock is damaged or destroyed by disease, pollution or contamination. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to provide essential property or liability insurance to owners of aquaculture facilities at reasonable rates upon a determination that the issuance of such insurance is necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Establishes a Federal Aquaculture Assistance Fund to enable the Secretary to guarantee obligations, make disaster loans, and implement the insurance program established under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of Commerce, Agriculture, and the Interior to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Declares that the President should establish a Commission on Domestic and International Hunger and Malnutrition which should: (1) collect and generate information and resources on food, hunger, malnutrition and related concerns; (2) assess current programs affecting domestic and international hunger and malnutrition; (3) analyze and report its findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the public; and (4) assist the President and the Congress in implementing its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1977
Expresses the sense of the Congress that any right to, title to, or interest in the property of the United States Government agencies in the Panama Canal Zone or any real property and improvements thereon located in the zone should not be conveyed, relinquished, or otherwise disposed of to any foreign government without specific authorization of such conveyance, relinquishment, or other disposition by any Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 20 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 · 19 September 1977
Amends the Panama Canal Zone Code to prescribe procedures preventing Presidential disposition of land within the zone without approval of both Houses of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1977
Amends the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to require all hospitals skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, intermediate care facilities, and shared health facilities which participate in programs under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of such Act to adopt and make public a statement of the rights and responsibilities of patients in their care. Directs the Secretary to require that such statement establish specified guarantees including guarantees: (1) that the patient's civil and religious liberties will not be infringed; (2) that the patient has the right to private communications with his physician, attorney, or any other person; (3) that the patient has the right to have privacy in treatment and in caring for personal needs and confidentiality in the treatment of personal and medical records; and (4) that the patient has the right to notice and a hearing before being transferred or discharged from a facility. Directs the Secretary to provide each facility, patient and staff member with a copy of the statement of rights and the enforcement procedures and remedies available to patients, and requires further that each facility adopt a written plan for implementing such rights. Establishes a procedure for the enforcement of patients' rights. Directs the Secretary to prescribe a schedule of statutory money damages for violations of such rights. Requires State agencies responsible for inspection and enforcement of Medicare and Medicaid programs to investigate patients' complaints and to file a written report within ten days disposing of such complaints. Imposes fines upon facilities found in violation of patients' rights payable to the patient or his heirs. Allows a patient or facility to bring an original action in U.S. district court to enforce rights. Awards costs and reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party. Provides that damages awarded to patients shall not constitute income or resources for purposes of determining eligibility under Medicaid or any Federal or federally-assisted State program which conditions eligibility upon income or resources.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1977
Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to make Federal ship mortgage insurance available for obligations for fishing vessels which do not exceed 87 1/2 percent of the actual or depreciated cost of such vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1977
Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act to require the negotiation of division of revenues agreements between the Consolidated Rail Corporation (ConRail) and designated operators providing rail freight service over lines which connect with ConRail rail properties.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to prohibit the issuance of any export license on articles or materials whose export is controlled for national security purposes until after the President has reported to Congress with respect to such export. Prohibits issuance of such license if either House of Congress disapproves the export. Permits immediate issuance if the President determines that it is required in the interests of national security. Prohibits the removal of export controls for national security purposes if disapproved by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Congressional Pay Raise Deferral Act - Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 and the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to provide that any adjustment in the rate of pay for Members of Congress proposed during any Congress shall not take effect earlier than the beginning of the next Congress. States that any such pay adjustment proposed in an even-numbered year of any Congress after the congressional elections and before the beginning of the following Congress, shall be considered as occurring during the first session of the following Congress for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include rescue squad members in the group of persons eligible for public safety officers' death benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1977
Mandatory Automotive Fuel Economy Act - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to establish mandatory minimum motor vehicle fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles of 19 miles per gallon for model year 1982, 21 miles per gallon for model year 1983, 23 miles per gallon for model year 1984, and 25 miles per gallon for model year 1985. Empowers the limited States district courts to prohibit introduction of passenger automobiles in interstate commerce which do not meet such minimum fuel economy standards.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the automatic cost-of-living increases in benefits be made on a semiannual basis (rather than on an annual basis as at present).
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1977
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Labor, through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to prepare, as part of the Consumer Price Index published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a consumer price index (to be known as the Consumer Price Index for the Aged and Other Social Security Beneficiaries) designed to reflect the relevant price information for individuals, as a group, who are 65 years of age or older or are otherwise entitled to monthly benefits under Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1977
Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to permit States to combine their entitlements for rail service continuation subsidies in order to improve rail properties within their respective States or regions.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1977
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to permit the Bank to extend credit to the Peoples Republic of China. Eliminates the avoidance of arms races between countries not menaced by Communist China from the factors considered by the President in determining whether the prohibitions against credit extensions by the Export-Import Bank for defense sales to developing countries should be waived in the national interest.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1977
Entitles officers of the Army or Navy in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, officers in the Air Force or Marine Corps who are judge advocates, and commissioned officers of the Coast Guard designated for special duty (law) to special pay. Entitles such individuals to bonuses upon the execution of a written agreement to remain on active duty for not less than three nor more than six years after completion of initial active duty service.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
International Safe Container Act - Requires that all containers used in international transport meet minimum safety standards and other requirements as prescribed by the International Convention for Safe Containers. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations regarding (1) procedures to revoke approval and to invalidate safety approval plates on containers which no longer meet the requirements of the Convention or this Act; (2) fees to be charged for services associated with the approval and examination of containers; (3) initial approval of containers or container designs to meet the safety standards of the Convention; (4) the authorizing and attaching of safety approval plates; and (5) periodic examinations of approved containers to assure continued compliance with Convention safety standards. Authorizes the Secretary to issue detention orders for containers not having valid safety approval plates. Establishes civil penalties for moving containers in violation of a detention order. Prohibits discrimination against employees who have reported the existence of an unsafe container or who have reported violations of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Secretary of Transportation, to propose amendments to the Convention or to request a conference to amend the Convention. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, to modify the application of this Act with respect to cargoes of military significance moving in response to an emergency situation in containers aboard transportation assets owned by, controlled by, or under contract to the United States Government. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Limousine Limitation Act - Prohibits Government use of any limousine, use of any Government motor vehicle to transport any official between his place of employment and his dwelling place, and Government employment of any chauffeur. Excepts from this Act limousines for the President, Ambassadors, and specified other persons whose personal safety depends upon the use of such limousines.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for hearing aids and dentures under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Amends the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 to disallow Federal employees to accept grants and other types of assistance provided by a foreign government to facilitate participation of such employees in certain cultural exchange programs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1977
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the United States Postal Services should not reduce the frequency of mail delivery service for any user of the mails below the frequency of such service which was in effect for such user of June 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1977
Extends the special pay provisions for physicians and dentists in the uniformed services. Authorizes special pay at a rate of $100 a month for each month of active duty to officers of the Army, Navy, or Air Force who are designated as optometry officers, optometry officers of the Public Health Service, Army or Air Force officers appointed as veterinary officers, and veterinary officers of the Public Health Service.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1977
Investment Policy Act - Title I: Findings and Definitions - States that the lack of a national policy on investment can adversely affect the economic health and well-being of the Nation. Title II: Declaration of National Policy - Declares that it is the policy and responsibility of the Federal Government to provide incentives to assure maximum investment in private enterprise. Title III: Federal Agency Coordination and Cooperation - Requires the Council on Wage and Price Stability shall submit an Investment Policy Report to Congress which shall include information on levels of capital investment available, trends in such levels, and reviews of economic programs affecting capital investment. Requires the President to transmit to Congress as a part of the economic report such other recommendations as desirable or necessary to achieve the policy declared in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that United States ground forces not be withdrawn from South Korea until Congress has examined the effect of such withdrawal.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Small Business Impact Statement Act - Directs the head of each Federal agency to prepare a small business impact statement in connection with each rule made by such agency unless the agency head, with the approval of the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration determines that such rule will not have a substantial effect on a significant number of small business. Sets forth information which must be present in each small business impact statement. Prescribes steps which each agency head must follow in preparing any small business impact statement including publication of the statement in the Federal Register.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1977
Antarctic Conservation Act - Declares it the purpose of this Act to implement the Antarctic Treaty, and the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora. Stipulates that the taking of any native animal, collection of any native plant, introduction of any non-indigenous plant, entrance with certain restricted areas, or discharge of oil or hazardous substances into adjacent waters and ice shelves shall be unlawful in Antarctica. Sets forth import-export restrictions on animals and plants taken in violation of this Act. Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to issue permits for any act in Antarctica otherwise prohibited by this Act. Requires the Director, in consultation with the Secretary of State and other Federal officials, to promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement this Act. Requires all persons participating in expeditions proceeding to Antarctica from the United States to notify the Secretary of State of the purpose and itinerary of such expedition. Requires the Director to notify such persons of any risks to the safety of persons and property in Antarctica which might occur during the period of the expedition. Sets for civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes such appropriations as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.