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![Official portrait of Rep. Allen, Clifford R. [D-TN-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/a000118_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
155 records where Rep. Allen, Clifford R. [D-TN-5] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Deems a certain individual to have had a specified period of disability for purposes of determining her entitlement to disability insurance under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1977
GI Bill Improvements Act - Title I: GI Bill Rate Increases - Increases the rates of educational assistance, vocational rehabilitation subsistence, survivors' and dependents' educational assistance, flight training, correspondence course, and on-the-job training assistance allowances, and of education loans. Title II: Educational Assistance Program Adjustments - Excludes from the computation, pursuant to the "85-15" rule, of the percentage of students in a course who are receiving Government educational assistance those students whose fees are paid by Federal agencies other than the Veterans' Administration. Exempts from the two-year minimum period of operation rule courses offered on or immediately adjacent to a military base which are available to civilians as well as to active duty military personnel and their dependents, but only when such courses are offered outside the United States. Permits waiver of the two-year minimum period of operation rule for courses offered by branches or extensions of specified educational institutions where the Administrator finds it to be in the best interest of the eligible veteran and the Federal Government. Authorizes the Administrator to permit a person's educational progress to extend a reasonable time beyond the approved length of time without being declared unsatisfactory progress. Lowers from 30 percent to ten percent the disability rating necessary to qualify a disabled veteran for employment and training assistance. Title III: Effective Date - Makes October 1, 1977, the effective date of this Act.
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 · 18 July 1977
GI Bill Improvements Act - Title I: GI Bill Rate Increases - Increases the rates of educational assistance, vocational rehabilitation subsistence, survivors' and dependents' educational assistance, special restorative training, flight training, correspondence course, and on-the-job training assistance allowances, and of education loans. Title II: Educational Assistance Program Adjustments - Excludes from the computation, pursuant to the "85-15" rule, of the percentage of students in a course who are receiving Government educational assistance those students whose fees are paid by Federal agencies other than the Veterans' Administration. Exempts from the two-year minimum period of operation rule courses offered on or immediately adjacent to a military base which are available to civilians as well as to active duty military personnel and their dependents, but only when such courses are offered outside the United States. Permits waiver of the two-year minimum period of operation rule for courses offered by branches or extensions of specified educational institutions where the Administrator finds it to be in the best interests of the eligible veteran and the Federal Government. Lowers from 30 percent to ten percent the disability rating necessary to qualify a disabled veteran for employment and training assistance. Title III: Effective Date - Makes October 1, 1977, the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
Public Participation in Federal Agency Proceedings Act - Authorizes each Federal agency to award reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of participation in all rulemaking, ratemaking, licencing, and other proceedings which relate directly to the health, safety, civil rights, environment, and economic well-being of consumers in the marketplace. Permits such awards if the person participating in the agency proceeding represents an interest the representation of which contributes or can reasonably be expected to contribute substantially to a fair determination of the proceeding, and the economic interest of the person in the outcome is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the proceeding or the person demonstrates to the satisfaction of the agency that such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the proceeding absent an award under this Act. Requires the agency to make a determination of eligibility under this Act prior to timely participation in the proceeding if at all possible. Requires payment of an award under this Act within 90 days after the date of final decision. Allows such agency to make advance payments to permit the persons to participate or to continue to participate in the proceeding. Makes such recipient liable for repayment of such advance if the agency determines that the person clearly has not provided the representation for which the payments were made or that the person has acted in an obdurate, dilatory, mendacious, or oppressive manner toward any other participant. Permits persons seeking judicial review of a Federal agency's action to recover attorneys' fees and other reasonable costs of litigation from the United States if: (1) the plaintiff is afforded the relief sought in substantial measure; (2) the court determines that such action served an important public purpose; and (3) the economic interest of the person is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the action, or such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the action absent an award under this section. Requires the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit to Congress an annual report on awards of attorneys' fees and litigation expenses against the United States. Authorizes to be appropriated (1) for awards to participants in agency proceedings under this Act, $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980; and (2) for awards to persons seeking judicial review of agency actions under this Act, such sums as may be necessary to make such awards for actions brought prior to the end of fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1977
Declares that the Federal Power Commission and other Federal agencies with authority over the allocation of natural gas shall give the highest priority to specified agricultural uses, including irrigation, grain drying, and the production of fertilizer and other agricultural chemicals.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Amends the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to direct the Authority to implement specified rate design policies to discourage wasteful consumption of electric energy. Directs the Authority to establish additional programs designed to assist residential energy conservation and to demonstrate new technologies for cogeneration, burning of coal, solar hearing and cooling, and electric storage facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Amends the Federal Reserve Act to provide low-interest construction and mortgage loans for low- and medium-priced housing by permitting member banks of the Federal Reserve System to elect to be paid interest on their funds on reserve in exchange for furnishing such loans. Permits nonmember banks, savings and loan associations, and other financial institutions to offer deferred-interest loans for low- and medium-priced housing.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Increases the rates of vocational rehabilitation, educational assistance, and special training allowances paid to eligible veterans. Increases the allowance for administrative expenses incurred by State and local agencies administering these programs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1977
National Usury Law - Limits, to seven percent, the interest charge in connection with any credit or loan transaction entered into on or after December 31, 1980. Sets forth a schedule by which the maximum allowable interest charge shall be reduced from ten percent in six month steps by one-half percent per step.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Directs the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a one year review of toxic and carcinogenic substances including: (1) current capabilities to predict the effect on humans of substances found to induce cancer in animals; (2) the benefits and risks to the public of such substances; (3) the validity of benefit-risk analysis of such substances; and (4) the relationship of Federal regulatory policies concerning the use of such substances for food and for non-food purposes. Directs the Institute to report its findings and legislative and administrative recommendations to the Congress and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare within one year. Authorizes the continued use of saccharin for eighteen months. Prohibits the Secretary from taking any action under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit or restrict the sale or distribution (other than requiring labeling) of saccharin.
United States · United States Congress · 23 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 · 22 June 1977
Provides that the income tax treatment of certain transportation expenses between the taxpayer's residence and place of work shall be determined without regard to Revenue Ruling 76-453 or any other ruling, regulation or decision reaching the same result.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
National Weatherization Act - Title I: Utility Program - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to promote the voluntary submission by a State to the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration of a residential energy conservation plan for utilities in such State. Requires such plan to direct utilities to implement a program informing residential customers of suggested measures for saving home heating and cooling costs. Permits the Administrator to require a regulated or unregulated utility in a State to offer such program upon the Administrator's determination that such State has not offered such plan for approval or implemented such plan. Title II: Weatherization Grants for the Benefit of Low-Income Families - Amends the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 to permit a raise in the eligible income level for weatherization grants to low-income families. Expands the definition of the term "weatherization materials" in such Act to include additional devices and technologies. Limits the amount of financial assistance available under such Act that may be spent on weatherization materials and specified accompanying costs. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a weatherization program financing the installation of weatherization materials in farm residences occupied by low-income people. Title III: Secondary Financing and Loan Insurance for Energy Conserving Improvements - Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to direct the Federal National Mortgage Association to purchase loans insured under the National Housing Act and made to low- and moderate-income families for the installation of energy conserving improvements in residences owned by such families. Permits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure a loan for the installation of energy conserving improvements. Specifies the eligibility conditions of such loan. Allows the Government National Mortgage Association to have standby authority to purchase loans for energy-conserving improvements. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Permits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to enter into annual contributions contracts for low-income projects to finance the installation of energy- conserving improvements. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to promote the use of energy saving techniques through minimum property standards established for new rural residential housing assisted under the Housing Act of 1949. Amends the National Housing Act to permit specified increased amounts of assistance if such increase results from increased cost of a residence or project due to the installation of a solar energy system. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct a study for determining the necessity of a mandatory Federal requirement that all residential dwelling units meet energy efficient standards.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Stipulates that the recalling to duty and assignment on a full-time basis of any retired member of the armed forces to the American Battle Monuments Commission shall not be chargeable against the authorized end strengths and grade limitations of the Department of Defense or the military departments concerned nor to any administrative ceiling established by the Secretary of Defense.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to assist in acquiring specially adapted housing for those veterans who have a permanent and total service-connected disability due to the loss, or loss of use, of one upper and one lower extremity, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, acting through the States, to make loans to homeowners to assist them in purchasing and installing qualified solar heating and cooling equipment. Describes the financial assistance available under this Act. Sets forth the formula for the allocation of appropriated funds to the States. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information concerning recommended standards and types of qualified solar heating or solar and cooling equipment appropriate for use in residential structures. Imposes criminal penalties for making false or misleading statements in attempting to obtain loans under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1977
World War I Pension Act - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay (in addition to any already paid) a monthly pension of $150 to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements, or to the surviving spouse of each such veteran, or when there is no surviving spouse, to the child or children of each such veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Amends the Older Americans Act by adding the following title: Title X: Relief for Older Americans Who Own or Rent Their Homes - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to reimburse the States for real property tax relief programs aimed at elderly households with incomes of $15,000 or less. Provides that the amount of such reimbursement shall be a percentage (determined on the basis of the household income) of the tax relief provided multiplied by the aggregate number of households receiving such relief. Authorizes to be appropriated the sums necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act for fiscal years 1977 through 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Bonnie Plan - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require each spouse on a joint tax return to verify by oath or affirmation that such spouse has equal ownership, management, and control of the income, assets, and liabilities of the marriage partnership.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
International Banking Act - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to permit foreign banks to establish and operate Federal branches in any State in which it is not prohibited for a foreign bank to establish such a branch upon receipt of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency. Sets forth considerations which the Comptroller must take into account in determining whether to permit foreign banks to operate under this Act. Permits the Comptroller, in his discretion to waive specified citizenship requirements with respect to directors of associations which are subsidiaries or affiliates of foreign banks. Permits a foreign bank, with the approval of the Comptroller, to convert any branch operated pursuant to State law into a Federal branch or agency. Terminates the authority to operate a Federal Federal branch when (1) the parent bank voluntarily relinquishes it; (2) the parent bank is dissolved; (3) the Comptroller has reasonable cause to believe that a foreign bank has not complied with the provisions of this Act and revokes the authority to operate a Federal branch; or (4) when a conservator is appointed for such foreign bank. Prohibits any branch from accepting deposits of United States citizens, residents, or businesses whose principal place of business is in the United States unless the branch maintains a surety bond or pledge of assets with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Sets forth the assets which foreign banks are required to keep or deposit before the Federal branch may accept deposits of United States residents or businesses. Prohibits foreign banks from retaining interests in non-banking companies or from participating in non-banking activities with specified exceptions. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury (1) to issue guidelines with respect to the entry of foreign banking organizations into banking in the United States; and (2) to assist Federal and State banking agencies in acting on applications for the establishment of branches by foreign banks. Requires each foreign bank that maintains an office other than a branch in an State to register with the Secretary of the Treasury; the Secretary of State, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Makes provisions for the enforcement of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Designates service as a Member of the Women's Air Forces Service Pilots as active duty for the purposes of all laws administered by the Veterans' Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Crude Oil Allocation Act - Amends the Energy Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to establish a Crude Oil Allocation Office within the Federal Energy Administration. Directs the Office to maintain an accurate and current inventory of domestic crude oil reserves. Requires petroleum and refinery companies to file monthly reports with the Office disclosing information relating to crude oil sales and purchases. Requires petroleum and refining companies to make fair and equitable allocation of all petroleum products refined or manufactured from crude oil. Prohibits sale or transfer of domestic crude oil or petroleum to foreign customers in any year in which such products are imported into the United States. Directs the Office to establish regulations governing allocations under this Act. Stipulates that such allocations shall be made in a monthly basis. Imposes criminal penalties for failure to comply with the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Lifeline and Electric Rate Reform Act - Title I: General Provisions - Declares it the purpose of this Act to reform inequities in the structure of electric utility rates. Title II: Definitions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Defines the scope of coverage under this Act. Stipulates that direct Federal regulation shall not apply where regulation is specifically reserved and effectively enforced by the States in accordance with applicable national minimum standards. Title III: Electric Energy Office - Creates an Electric Energy Office in the Federal Power Commission to establish and enforce National Minimum Standards for Ratemaking to be binding upon all electric utility regulatory agencies. Requires that all electric utilities and local distributors furnish monthly reports to the office disclosing information on the amount of electric energy supplied, the amount and rate of charges for each consumer class, and the amount and costs of fuel utilized by each utility. Imposes criminal and civil penalties for failure to make full disclosure of such information. Title IV: Rate Structures - Directs the Federal Power Commission, in the exercise of its regulatory functions, to accord highest priority to residential and small business users. Prohibits regulatory authorities from permitting the sale of electric energy to low priority users at rates less than those charged to high-priority consumers. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of electric-energy at rates or charges which have not been specifically approved by the appropriate regulatory agency after public hearings. Directs the Federal Power Commission to encourage conservation of electric energy by requiring that rates be graduated progressively upward for consumption of electric energy in amounts above subsistence quantities. Title V: Lifeline Electric Rates - Requires that electric utility rate charges for subsistence quantities of electric energy to residential consumers not exceed the lowest rate charged to any other electric consumer. Requires the use of graduated rate structures for consumption of electric energy in amounts above subsistence quantities. Title VI: Electric Rates for Nonresidential Customers - Requires that electric utility rate changes for nonresidential customers be the lowest rate charged to any other electric consumer in the same class. Requires progressively higher rates for consumption in excess of the basic requirements of such nonresidential customers. Title VII: Effective Dates - Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall become effective one year from the date of its passage, unless otherwise indicated.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that should import relief actions taken by the President not provide limits on footwear imported into the United States which would maintain a viable domestic nonrubber footwear industry, then the House should disapprove the President's import relief action on nonrubber footwear of April 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Authorizes the Clerk of the House of Representatives to withhold charitable contributions from the pay of House employees for transmittal to the Combined Federal Campaign, if the employee requests the Clerk to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 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 · 26 April 1977
Provides that the recipient of a veterans' pension or dependency and indemnity compensation will not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced because of cost-of-living increases in social security benefits, railroad retirement annuities, or other retirement benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Housing and Community Development Act - Title I: Community Development Amendments - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to include the alleviation of physical and economic distress through private investment and community revitalization among the objectives of such Act. Defines additional terms including "age of housing" and "extent of growth lag." Authorizes funds to be appropriated for the purpose of making grants to States and units of local governments to help finance community development programs, not to exceed: $3,500,000,000 for fiscal year 1978; $3,650,000,000 for fiscal year 1979; and $3,800,000,000 for fiscal year 1980. Limits amounts of appropriated funds which may be used to aid metropolitan cities, urban counties, and other units of local government within metropolitan areas to meet their hold-harmless needs. Authorizes funds not to exceed $400,000,000, to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980 for the purpose of assisting severely distressed cities that require supplemental grant assistance in order to alleviate excessive deterioration through neighborhood reclamation and community revitalization. Changes specified application and review requirements for such grants. Includes among activities eligible for assistance under this Act: (1) the financing of public or private acquisition for purposes or rehabilitation; and (2) activities carried out by public or private nonprofit entities which are necessary or appropriate to meeting the needs and objectives of approved community development plans. Sets forth the formulae which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development must follow in order to determine the amount to be allocated to each metropolitan city and urban county and the distribution of remaining funds. Extends, by three years, the period during which funds will be reserved for use by the Secretary to make grants at his discretion. Increases, by one percent, the amount of funds to be reserved from the total amount appropriated for Community Development Programs. Removes the Secretary's authority to guarantee loans for acquisition of property with respect to grants to States and units of local government to help finance Community Development Programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make urban development action grants to severely distressed cities to help alleviate physical and economic deterioration through community revitalization in areas of population out-migration or stagnating or declining tax base. Reserves urban development action grants only to those cities that have demonstrated results in providing housing for persons of low- and moderate-income and in providing equal opportunity in housing and employment for low- and moderate-income persons and members of minority groups. Lists information to be included in applications for such grants, including a description of a concentrated Urban Development Action Program. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria to be followed in selecting cities to be recipients of such grants. Requires annual reviews and audits of grant recipients. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to extend the rehabilitation loan program through fiscal year 1979. Authorizes $60,000,000 to be appropriated for fiscal year 1978. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1978 for comprehensive planning under the Housing Act of 1954, of which funds 20 percent shall be made available for planning grants. Title II: Housing Authorizations - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to increase the limit on funds that are authorized to be appropriated for contracts for annual contributions to low-income housing projects in 1977. Sets forth the limitation on funds authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of providing annual contributions for the operation of such projects. Prohibits the Secretary from entering into contracts for specified dwelling units after the enactment of this Act. Makes provisions for the assumption of maintenance responsibilities of existing units. Amends the National Housing Act to increase the maximum mortgage amounts under the Federal Housing Administration's multifamily mortgage insurance programs including the homeownership program. Changes the eligibility requirements for mortgage insurance under the National Housing Act by decreasing downpayment requirements. Permits the Secretary to increase mortgage insurance premiums for cooperative housing projects. Extends additional assistance payments for low-income rental projects which achieve 50 percent occupancy. Permits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure, on a permanent basis, mortgages and loans with provisions of varying rates of amortization. States that the principal obligation of such mortgages insured may not exceed 97 percent of the appraised value of the property covered by the mortgage. Exempts such insured mortgages from State laws limiting the amount of interest which may be charged. Amends the National Housing Act to increase the allowable maximum mortgage amount and the term of maturity for mortgage credit assistance. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated to reimburse the housing loan funds for properties transferred under the urban homesteading program. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to authorize funds, not to exceed $108,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 and such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year thereafter, for flood insurance studies. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 to authorize funds not to exceed $65,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 for specified research and demonstration projects. Increases the limits on amounts of conventional mortgages which may be purchased by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation pursuant to the National Housing Act. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to prohibit the Secretary from applying new administrative policies in derogation of the rights (including the right of renewal) of an owner under specified leases. Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to direct the Secretary to issue and implement regulations for the efficient coordination of application processing for specified loans for housing for elderly and handicapped families. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary to insure mortgages in any community where the Secretary determines among, other things that: (1) temporary adverse economic conditions exist throughout the community as a direct and primary result of outstanding claims to ownership of land in the community by an American Indian tribe, band, or Nation; (2) as a direct result of the community's temporarily impaired economic condition, owner occupants of homes in the community have been involuntarily unemployed or underemployed and have thus incurred substantial reductions in income which significantly impair their ability to continue timely payment of their mortgages; and (3) as a result, widespread mortgage foreclosures and distress sales of homes are likely in the community. Title III: Program Extensions - Amends the National Housing Act to extend specified Federal Housing Administration insurance programs including the following: (1) housing renovation and modernization; (2) general insurance authorization; (3) housing for moderate income and displaced families; (4) membership in cooperative associations for lower income families; (5) rental housing for low-income families; (6) coinsurance of mortgages; (7) experimental housing; (8) armed services housing; (9) group practice facilities and medical practice facilities; and (10) new communities. Extends the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to grant flexible interest rates for specified mortgage insurance programs. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend the national flood insurance program until September 30, 1978. Extends, by one year, the Emergency Home Purchase Assistance Act and the new community program. Title IV: Lending Powers in Federal Savings and Loan Association - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to extend the lending authority of Federal Savings and Loan Associations for the following: (1) construction loans; (2) single family dwelling loans; (3) property improvement loans; and (4) multifamily dwelling loans. Makes conforming amendments to the Federal Home Loan Bank Act. Title V: National Urban Policy - National Urban Policy and New Community Development Act- Amends the Urban Growth and New Community Development Act of 1970 to change its emphasis from urban "growth" to "development and redevelopment." Makes changes in the contents of the President's national urban policy report. Title VI: Rural Housing - Authorizes appropriations for specified rural housing programs. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to make changes in the guaranteed housing loan program. Authorizes prepayment of taxes and insurance by Farmers Home Administration borrowers without requiring that such funds are held in escrow. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make expenditures from the Rural Housing Insurance Fund in order to correct construction defects or to pay claims of the owner of property arising from such defects. Redefines the term "domestic farm labor" for purposes of farm housing loans and grants to include specified laborers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Sets forth eligibility requirements for farm housing assistance for elderly or handicapped persons or families. Extends the program for rural housing loans for elderly and handicapped families to include congregate housing facilities for families who require some supervision and central services. Requires that at least 60 percent of insured rural housing loans shall benefit persons of low income. Authorizes the Farmers Home Administration to undertake rural housing research with any public or private body. Makes it mandatory for the Secretary of Agriculture to provide rural rental assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the taxpayer's age requirement (65 years) and the dollar limitation on the adjusted sales price ($35,000) for the exclusion from gross income of gain realized on the sale of the taxpayer's principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Lifeline and Electric Rate Reform Act - Title I: General Provisions - Declares it the purpose of this Act to reform inequities in the structure of electric utility rates. Title II: Definitions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Defines the scope of coverage under this Act. Stipulates that direct Federal regulation shall not apply where regulation is specifically reserved and effectively enforced by the States in accordance with applicable national minimum standards. Title III: Electric Energy Office - Creates an Electric Energy Office in the Federal Power Commission to establish and enforce National Minimum Standards for Ratemaking to be binding upon all electric utility regulatory agencies. Requires that all electric utilities and local distributors furnish monthly reports to the office disclosing information on the amount of electric energy supplied, the amount and rate of charges for each consumer class, and the amount and costs of fuel utilized by each utility. Imposes criminal and civil penalties for failure to make full disclosure of such information. Title IV: Rate Structures - Directs the Federal Power Commission, in the exercise of its regulatory functions, to accord highest priority to residential and small business users. Prohibits regulatory authorities from permitting the sale of electric energy to low priority users at rates less than those charged to high-priority consumers. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of electric-energy at rates or charges which have not been specifically approved by the appropriate regulatory agency after public hearings. Directs the Federal Power Commission to encourage conservation of electric energy by requiring that rates be graduated progressively upward for consumption of electric energy in amounts above subsistence quantities. Title V: Lifeline Electric Rates - Requires that electric utility rate charges for subsistence quantities of electric energy to residential consumers not exceed the lowest rate charged to any other electric consumer. Requires the use of graduated rate structures for consumption of electric energy in amounts above subsistence quantities. Title VI: Electric Rates for Nonresidential Customers - Requires that electric utility rate changes for nonresidential customers be the lowest rate charged to any other electric consumer in the same class. Requires progressively higher rates for consumption in excess of the basic requirements of such nonresidential customers. Title VII: Effective Dates - Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall become effective one year from the date of its passage, unless otherwise indicated.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Renegotiation Reform Act - Excludes from the definition of the terms "contract" and "subcontract" under the Renegotiation Act of 1951 any lease financing transaction by a bank or a subsidiary of a bank holding company when such transaction is the functional equivalent of an extension of credit by the lessor. Amends such Act to limit the terms of office of members of the Renegotiation Board to five years. Sets the rate of compensation for the chairman of the Board at the rate of pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule and for the other members of the Board at the rate for level V of the Executive Schedules. Prohibits the use of the percentage-of-completion method of accounting for renegotiation contracts from which the Board finds excessive profits. Specifies other criteria to be used in such renegotiation. Eliminates the exemptions from the provisions of the Act currently afforded products of gas and oil wells and standard commercial services. Repeals provisions of the Act allowing any contractor or subcontractor subject to this Act to waive exemptions from the Act for standard commercial articles. Requires all such contractors and subcontractors to furnish complete cost and pricing data on all articles subject to exemption under the Act. Requires the Board to conduct a study of such cost and pricing data and report to Congress on the profitability of such exempted items. Raises the minimum amount of contracts subject to renegotiation under the Act from $1,000,000 to $4,000,000 and of subcontracts subject to renegotiation from $25,000 to $50,000. Changes from criminal to civil fines imposed under the Act for failure to file or for filing misleading information required to be filed under the Act. Declares the Chairman of the Board to be the Board's chief executive officer and confers upon him direction of all executive functions of the Board. Grants the Board the power to issue subpoenas. Requires the Board to audit all financial statements submitted to it pursuant to the Act. Directs the Board to report annually to the Secretary of each Department with respect to the contractors or subcontractors who have received or accrued during the past fiscal year amounts under contracts with such Department or subcontracts under contracts with such Department. Requires the General Accounting Office to review the activities of the Board annually and to submit a report of its findings to Congress. Makes provisions for refunds owed to contractors and subcontractors.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Provides that recipients of veterans' pension and compensation will not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced, or entitlement thereto discontinued, because of increases in monthly social security benefits. Applies these amendments to annual income determinations made for calendar years after 1972. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 415(g), adds 38 U.S.C. 503(d))
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Requires that Federal agencies prepare energy consumption analysis prior to construction or renovation of public buildings. Details information and evaluations to be included in each such analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Declares that specified persons previously appointed as temporary hearing examiner's under the Supplemental Security Income program of the Social Security Act shall be considered appointed to career-absolute positions as hearing examiners.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Department of Education Act - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education to be administered by a Secretary of Education. States that the principal function of such Department is to promote the cause and advance of education throughout the United States. Transfers to the Secretary specified functions of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare and the Commissioner of Education and various educational responsibilities of other Federal agencies and instrumentalities. Creates the Federal Interagency Committee on Education, the National Advisory Commission on Education, and the Office of the Inspector General within the Department of Education. Redesignates the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Secretary of such Department as the Department of Health and Welfare, and the Secretary of Health and Welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the income limitation for the income tax credit for the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Creates a Select House Committee on Population to conduct an investigation and study of: (1) the major adverse effects of current population growth throughout the world; (2) approaches which have been shown to be effective in coping with excessive population growth; and (3) means to encourage countries with excessive population growth rates to adopt methods proven to be successful in reducing population growth rates.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Prohibits any reduction, by reason of outside earnings in the old-age insurance benefits of an individual who is entitled thereto under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Repeals the provisions of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 permitting automatic cost-of-living adjustments in the salaries of Members of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Natural Gas Reform Act - Amends the Natural Gas Act to redefine the scope of coverage of such Act to include all aspects of the production, supply, transportation, distribution, and sale of natural gas, except in the case of sales and distribution to ultimate consumers by local distributors. Stipulates that natural gas in liquid or any other form shall be covered by the Act. Requires all natural gas companies to furnish monthly reports to the Commission on current and anticipated future natural gas supplies. Imposes criminal penalties for failure to furnish such information in good faith. Prohibits natural gas companies from withholding available supplies of natural gas whenever a demand for such natural gas exists. Imposes criminal penalties for withholding such natural gas, except where specifically authorized by the Commission. Authorizes the President to seize such withheld or unsold natural gas upon ten days' notice and order its distribution as the public interest requires. Authorizes the President to seize and reallocate any reserves of natural gas upon ten days' notice in order to alleviate natural gas shortages. Directs the Federal Power Commission to establish priorities for the use of natural gas. Directs the Commission, in the exercise of its pricing and rate-mailing authority, to grant high priority to the welfare of residential and small business consumer of natural gas, and to promote the conservation of natural gas through graduated price and rate schedules designed to discourage wasteful consumption. Requires the Commission to complete processing of applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity filed by natural gas companies within a period of six months, except where the President specifies an additional period of time to complete such processing. Authorizes the President to enter into agreements with natural gas companies to provide Federal reimbursement for amounts not to exceed one-half of any net losses incurred in natural gas exploration and drilling expenses, provided good faith efforts to produce such natural gas or other petroleum products proved unsuccessful.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Removes from the definition of "Veterans' Administration facility" private facilities contracted for when Government facilities are not capable of furnishing economical care because of geographic inaccessibility. Repeals the requirement that medical services be furnished only within the limits of Veterans' Administration facilities to: (1) any eligible veteran on an outpatient or ambulatory basis; or (2) any veteran on pension receiving a care and attendance allowance or who is permanently housebound.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Veterans' Administration Medical Facilities Acquisition Act - Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, in carrying out his duties under this Act: (1) to provide for the construction and acquisition of medical facilities equitably throughout the United States with due regard for the comparative urgency of the need for each particular facility; and (2) to give due consideration to excellence of architecture and design. States that no appropriation shall be made to construct, alter, or otherwise acquire any medical facility which involves a total expenditure of more than $1,000,000 unless such construction, alteration, or acquisition is first approved by resolution adopted by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, respectively. Stipulates that no appropriation shall be made to lease any space at an average annual rental of more than $200,000 for use for a medical facility unless such lease is first approved by resolutions adopted by such committees. Enumerates structural requirements for any medical facilities pursuant to this Act. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress an annual report regarding the construction, alteration, and leasing of medical facilities. Requires such report to contain: (1) a five-year plan for those medical facilities most in need of construction, replacement and alteration; (2) a priority list of at least ten such hospitals, and (3) general plans for each medical facility in the five-year plan or the list. Directs the Administrator to establish and operate not less than 10,000 beds in the fiscal year 1980 and in each fiscal year thereafter, for the furnishing of nursing home care to eligible veterans in facilities over which the Administrator has direct and exclusive jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Designates the week starting with the third Monday in February of each year as "National Patriotism Week."
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Displaced Homemakers Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a minimum of 50 Multipurpose Service Centers for displaced homemakers. States that each Center shall provide specified services, including: (1) job counseling; (2) job training and job placement; (3) health education and counseling; (4) financial management; (5) legal counseling and referral; and (6) outreach information with respect to Federal assistance programs. Sets forth factors to be considered by the Secretary in selecting Center sites. Directs the Secretary to designate a public or nonprofit private organization to administer a Center once its site has been chosen. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants in accordance with specified guidelines to such organizations for the purpose of establishing and maintaining Centers. Directs the Secretary to prepare and furnish to Congress biennial evaluations which are to include a thorough assessment of each Center and recommendations concerning the administration and expansion of such Centers at the local, State, and Federal levels. Directs the Secretary to prepare and furnish to the Congress a study to determine the feasibility of, and appropriate procedures for, allowing displaced homemakers to participate in: (1) programs established under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973; (2) work incentive programs under the Social Security Act; (3) related Federal employment, education, and health assistance programs; and (4) programs established, or benefits provided, under Federal and State unemployment compensation laws.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add rule XLV prohibiting any Member from maintaining or having maintained for such Member's use, an unofficial office account.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Renegotiation Reform Act - Amends the Renegotiation Act of 1951 to limit the terms of office of members of the Renegotiation Board to five years. Sets the rate of compensation for the chairman of the Board at the rate of pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule and for the other members of the Board at the rate for level V of the Executive Schedules. Prohibits the use of the percentage-of-completion method of accounting for renegotiating contracts under which the Board finds excessive profits. Specifies other criteria to be used in such renegotiation. Eliminates the exemptions from the provisions of the Act currently afforded products of gas and oil wells and standard commercial services. Repeals provisions of the Act allowing any contractor or subcontractor subject to this Act to waive exemptions from the Act for standard commercial articles. Requires all such contractors and subcontractors to furnish complete cost and pricing data on all articles subject to exemption under the Act. Requires the Board to conduct a study of such cost and pricing data and report to Congress on the profitability of such exempted items. Raises the minimum amount of contracts subject to renegotiation under the Act from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 and of subcontracts subject to renegotiation form $25,000 to $50,000. Changes from criminal to civil fines imposed under the Act for failure to file information required by the Act. Increases the criminal penalties for filing misleading information under the Act. Declares the Chairman of the Board to be the Board's chief executive officer and confers in him direction of all executive functions of the Board. Grants the Board the power to issue subpoenas. Requires the Board to audit all financial statements submitted to it pursuant to the Act. Directs the Board to report annually to the Secretary of each Department with respect to the contractors or subcontractors who have received or accrued during the past fiscal year amounts under contracts with such Department or subcontracts under contracts with such Department. Requires the General Accounting Office to review the activities of the Board annually and to submit a report of its findings to Congress. Makes provisions for refunds owed to contractors and subcontractors.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, for cash management purposes, to invest any portion of the Treasury's operating cash for periods of up to 90 days in (1) obligations of depositories maintaining Treasury tax and loan accounts secured by a pledge of collateral acceptable to the Secretary as security for tax and loan accounts, and (2) obligations of the United States and of agencies of the United States. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit public money in any federal savings and loan association or member of a federal home loan bank. Amends the National Housing Act to make institutions insured by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation depositories of public money. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to define qualified savings and loan associations which may receive tax payments.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1977
National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act - Title I: National Consumer Cooperative Bank - Establishes the National Consumer Cooperative Bank to: (1) encourage the development of cooperatives eligible for its assistance by providing specialized credit and technical assistance; (2) maintain broad-based control of the Bank by its voting stockholders; (3) encourage broad-based ownership control and active participation by members in eligible cooperatives; (4) assure that the net savings from operations and the operations of borrowers from the Bank are made available or accounted for to the stockholders or members; and (5) assist in improving the quality and availability of goods and services to consumers. Authorizes the creation of no less than four nor more than twelve corporate regional banks. States that the Bank shall have the power to make and service loans, commitments for credit, guarantees, furnish financially related services, technical assistance, and issue obligations. Enumerates additional powers necessary to carry out its powers and duties. Requires the Bank to hold an annual meeting of stockholders. Permits the Bank to obtain funds through the public or private sale of its bonds, debentures, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness. Authorizes the Bank to make loans to eligible organizations which shall be repayable in not more than 40 years. States that the objective of the Bank shall be to provide the type of credit needed by eligible borrowers, at the lowest reasonable cost on a sound business basis, taking into account the cost of money to the Bank. Defines "eligible cooperatives" for purposes of assistance under this title. Title II: Self-Help Development Fund - Establishes in the Treasury a Consumer Cooperative Self-Help Development Fund. Permits the Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration to make a capital investment advance out of the Fund to any eligible cooperative if the Administration determines that the applicant's initial or supplemental capital requirements exceed its ability to obtain a Title I loan from the Bank or other sources, and the membership of the applicant consists substantially of low-income persons. Title III: Cooperative Technical Assistance - Directs the Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration to make available information and services concerning the organization or reorganization of cooperatives to best achieve the objectives of this Act and to best provide the means through which various types of goods, services, and facilities can be made available to members and patrons. States that such assistance may include investigations, surveys, and director and management training and assistance. Title IV: The Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration and General Provisions - Establishes the Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration. Directs the Administration to assure that the objectives of this Act are carried out. States that until the stock of the Bank held by the United States has been fully retired the Bank shall be exempt from any form of taxation. Requires the Administration and the Board to report annually to the appropriate committees of Congress on the activities of the Administration and on the Bank's capital, operations, financial condition, the self-help development fund, and to make recommendations for legislation to improve its services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
Provides that a certain individual be classified as a child under the Immigration and Nationality Act.