United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for one comprehensive physical examination a year, dental care including dentures, eye examinations including eyeglasses, hearing aids including examination, treatment of foot conditions. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to take steps to eliminate unnecessary or excessive medical appliance expenditures under the Medicare program by implementing appliance leasing, auditing of medical appliance manufacturers and providers, and by cross-referencing prevailing medical appliance rates. Includes under the term "medical appliance" hearing aids, eyeglasses, dentures, and similar health aids. States that the Federal Trade Commission should continue and increase scrutiny of the medical appliance industries in the interest of consumer protection. States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare should provide increased assistance to encourage the continuing education and training of hearing specialists, clinical audiologists, and physicians to improve the quality of hearing care, and to encourage the provision by State local governments of more and better hearing care for the elderly, including a network of examination and treatment sites.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to add the following new title: Title VI - Legal Assistance for the Elderly in Connection with Home Health Services. Authorizes the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to make grants to public or nonprofit private agencies or organizations for the purpose of providing legal assistance to individuals who are 60 years of age or older and who are unable to afford legal assistance in connection with their eligibility for home health care pursuant to Title XVIII (Medicare), Title XIX (Medicaid), and Title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act. Directs that preference in awarding grants under this title shall be given to national organizations of proven ability in providing legal services to individuals 60 years of age or older.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Health Revenue Sharing and Health Services Act to permit the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants and loans for the initial costs of establishing and operating home health agencies and for expansion of their services. Permits the Secretary to make grants to educational institutions and other public and nonprofit private entities for programs for the training of guidance counselors, social workers, nurses, geriatric specialists, and other home health services personnel. Authorizes the appropriation of specified amounts for fiscal year 1977 for the purpose of making such grants. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include within its medical coverage: (1) preventive health care, including an annual comprehensive physical examination of older individuals, and diagnostic services; (2) hearing aids, foot care, dental care, and vision aids (including hearing and vision examinations for older individuals); (3) care and services provided by outpatient clinics for the elderly; (4) nutritional counseling; (5) professional guidance and counseling for aged and disabled individuals living alone at home; (6) periodic chore services; and (7) hospital outreach services. Revises such Act to require State comprehensive medical plans to include provisions for intermediate care facility services. Charges the Professional Standards Review Organization with the same responsibility for review of health care services in the case of skilled nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and other long-term care providers as now required with respect to hospitals. Permits the Secretary to make grants to States to assist them in funding specified demonstration and pilot projects to determine the effectiveness of various home health and supportive services. Permits the Secretary to make grants to political subdivisions of States to enable them to conduct annual health fairs through which individuals over age 60 would be provided free medical checkups. Authorizes the Secretary to make demonstration grants to help meet the cost of establishing and operating private nonprofit entities to provide community care to persons over age 65. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to political subdivisions of States to enable them to establish and operate programs to provide mobile health facilities to persons over age 60. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that a minimum of $20,000,000 be obligated for grants and contracts for emergency medical services systems for the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a Home Health Clearinghouse. Directs such Clearinghouse to establish and maintain a computer system to gather information on services and benefits available to the elderly through public and private agencies. Directs the Clearinghouse to publish and keep current a publication describing services and benefits available to the elderly under Federal law. Creates in the Department an Assistant Secretary for Elderly Health, to perform specified duties, including the coordination of Department policy relating to the health of the elderly and coordination of the interagency task force on long-term home and institutional care of the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends Title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to provide that any patient of a nursing home or intermediate care facility which is participating in the hospital insurance program under Title XVIII (Medicare) or Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act shall have the right to terminate any contract entered into for his or her care in such a facility upon giving the facility at least 30 days written notice. Prohibits such a facility from requiring any patient to turn over to it any periodic benefit check or other income received after the patient has given such notice.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the limit of 100 visits which applies to post-hospital home health services. Drops the requirement that the home health care provided be of the same kind as provided in prior hospitalization. Eliminates the requirement that a physician review the home health care plan and that the patient be under the care of a physician. Requires that such functions be done by the appropriate health professional under regulation of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Extends Medicare coverage to include periodic chore services, hospital outreach services, nutritional counseling, health and supportive services furnished in elderly day care centers, and expansion of professional standard review organization review functions. Requires the Secretary to establish a review plan which is adapted to meet the non-institutional nature of home health services. Extends Medicare coverage only to those outpatient rehabilitation services which are certified by a physician as being required.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Appropriates $7,000,000 out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated as an additional amount for carrying out the home health services provisions of the Health Revenue Sharing and Health Services Act. Appropriates specified sums, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for making multipurpose senior center grants under the Older Americans Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Older Americans Health Services Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to specify the amounts authorized to be appropriated in fiscal year 1978 for purposes of informational exchange on the subject of retraining programs for older Americans. Allows the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants under such Act to cover the cost of administering and operating multipurpose senior centers. Declares the sense of Congress that any Federal legislation establishing a national health insurance program should include specified provisions relating to the availability of home health services for older persons.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Authorizes a tax deduction, under the Internal Revenue Code, for any taxpayer who contributes the right to use any real property owned by the taxpayer to a tax-exempt organization for use by a multipurpose senior citizen center or outpatient geriatric clinic. Limits such deduction to 50 percent of the lesser of (1) the fair market rental value of such property or (2) the amount of State or local property taxes which are paid or incurred by the taxpayer and which are allocable to such property.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to give special emphasis to insuring mortgages covering group practice facilities or medical practice facilities which are to be used primarily for the purpose of providing preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services to elderly outpatients. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act to entitle a grant recipient to an additional grant for the construction or maintenance of a senior center providing recreational, health, and nutritional services, regardless of whether such centers offer housing facilities. Directs the Secretary to prescribe eligibility requirements for block grants for senior centers. Redefines the term intermediate care facilities for purposes of the National Housing Act to include facilities that permit day health care services to the extent necessary to serve the needs of elderly persons served by the facility.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to decrease the floor on allowable medical deductions to two percent of adjusted gross income. Eliminates the one percent floor on deductions for drugs and medicine. Includes deductible amounts for medical insurance with other medical care expenses for which the two percent floor is applicable.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that property used in, or related to, the taxpayer's trade or business, and which the taxpayer acquired without cost, shall not qualify as a capital asset.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Pledges the support of the Congress to advance human rights. Urges the President to inform other nations that the United States will consider human rights protection in evaluating its relations with other nations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to determine, on the basis of medical evidence, whether purchase of durable medical equipment by a patient pursuant to title XVIII would be less costly or more practical than rental of such equipment. Allows the Secretary to waive the 20 percent coinsurance amount with respect to purchases of durable medical equipment whenever the purchase price of the equipment is at least 25 percent less than the reasonable charge for comparable new equipment. Directs the Secretary to encourage suppliers of durable medical equipment to make their equipment available to individuals entitled to benefits under title XVIII.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Campaign Financing Act -- Title I: Public Financing of Congressional General Election Campaigns - Entitles to payments under this Act Congressional candidates who agree to certain reporting and recordkeeping procedures and who certify that (1) he and his authorized committees will not incur campaign expenses in excess of certain limitations, (2) he has qualified to have his name placed on the election ballot in an election for Congressional office, and (3) he has received contributions in excess of a certain sum and no person has given more than $100 toward the amount so certified. Sets the amount of payments to an eligible candidate at the amount of contributions received up to a specified maximum. Stipulates that sums given by any one contributor totalling over $100 shall be disregarded for purposes of matching grants. Restricts use of funds forwarded under this Act to defraying campaign expenses either directly or through repayment of campaign loans. Specifies a limit on the amount of personal funds which a candidate may spend in connection with a Congressional campaign and remain eligible to matching grants. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to specify spending limits for candidates receiving payments under this Act. Waives such limits for candidates whose opponents are not receiving matching payments and have spent sums in excess of the limit imposed for candidates receiving payments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a separate Congressional General Election Payment Account in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and to deposit certain sums in such account in accordance with specified guidelines. Requires repayment of excess payments and unexpended payments. Penalizes use of funds for other than campaign purposes. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to institute repayment actions in district courts. Specifies the administrative authority of the Commission in carrying out this Act. Title II: Public Financing of Presidential General Election Campaigns - Raises the general election spending limit for Presidential candidates who are eligible to receive public funds under either the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act or the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act. Sets limits on the amount which a State party committee may spend in connection with the general election campaign of its Presidential candidate. Provides an alternative method for determining the amount of money to which candidates are entitled under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act based upon amount of contributions received after the final primary. Specifies conditions for candidates electing such method. Permits Presidential candidates eligible to receive payment under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act to receive additional small contributions from individual contributors up to a specified limit. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reduce the maximum amount which a multicandidate committee may contribute to any candidate or his committees. Specifies the effective date of the provisions of this Act and guidelines with respect to deposit in the Congressional General Election Campaign Fund during 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny employers a tax deduction for expenses to employee health or accident plans which do not extend their wage or medical coverage to pregnancy disabilities and expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that the duty to bargain collectively includes bargaining with respect to retirement benefits for retired employees.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to eliminate age limitations with respect to the requirement that all personnel actions affecting employees or applicants for employment in Federal agencies, the United States Postal Service, or the District of Columbia government be taken without regard to such employees' or applicants' age.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Economic Disaster Community Assistance Act - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to establish within the Department of Commerce an Office of Aid to Economic Disaster Communities, to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the President to designate as an economic disaster community, any area, without regard to political or geographic boundaries, where: (1) the average unemployment rate for at least three consecutive months exceeds the average national unemployment rate for the preceding calendar year, (2) the current unemployment rate exceeds the national unemployment rate for the prior month and has increased by at least 100 percent within the past 12 months, or (3) the current unemployment rate is at least six percent and there are such other critical economic conditions as the President determines to warrant assistance under this Act. Directs the appointment of Federal and State coordinating officers for areas designated economic disaster communities. Authorizes all Federal agencies to assist such areas by making available real property, personnel, equipment, and other resources. Authorizes the President, with the concurrence of the Director of the Office, to direct any Federal agency charged with the administration of a Federal grant-in-aid program to modify conditions for assistance in order to facilitate the delivery of aid to economic disaster communities. Establishes a separate Federal Economic Recovery Fund within the Treasury. Directs the heads of Federal agencies and the Director of the Office to select existing Federal grant-in-aid and loan and loan guarantee programs to be assisted by the fund. Authorizes the allocation of fund monies for certain other purposes, including: (1) loans to individuals and businesses to enable them to meet mortgage payments, (2) unrestricted grants to States and local governments to implement local initiatives and projects designed to relieve unemployment and stimulate the economy but which are not eligible for existing grants; (3) relocation assistance for unemployed individuals and their families; (4) housing assistance; (5) unemployment assistance; (6) grants to accelerate Federal, State, or local projects; and (7) grants or loans to nonprofit organizations and loan guarantees to private profitmaking organizations for job creation and holding major employers in the area. Stipulates that areas designated as economic disaster communities shall remain eligible for assistance under this Act for at least one year after which time benefits will be phased out if the area no longer meets eligibility criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide a claimant who has been denied benefits thereunder with the opportunity to obtain informal reconsideration of his claim. Requires the maintenance of a written summary of reconsideration proceedings. Grants a claimant the right to a hearing on the denied claim if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare affirms the denial upon review. Requires the hearing to be conducted pursuant to the requirements for an 'adjudication" under the Administrative Procedure Act under an administrative law judge (ALJ). Directs the Secretary to appoint ALJ's to conduct such hearings. Sets forth criteria under which the ALJ in charge of a hearing must remand a disputed claim to the appropriate regional commissioner of the Social Security Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior, to promulgate regulations which must be complied with before any large-scale killing of birds or mammals shall be permitted. Prohibits any such killing until an environmental impact statement has been approved. Prohibits the eradication or suppression of certain animals injurious to agriculture or to other animals until an environmental impact statement has been approved by the Administrator and the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make a comprehensive study of the wolf for the purpose of developing adequate conservation measures to conserve such mammals and to insure humane treatment in all cases. Requires that the results of such study be reported to Congress no later than January 1, 1980. Establishes a moratorium on the hunting of wolves from aircraft or other mechanized vehicles. Prohibits all killing of wolves except the killing of individual animals by hunters as game in areas where the wolf is not protected under the Endangered Species Act. Stipulates that such moratorium on the large-scale killing of wolves shall remain in effect pending completion of the study and implementation of legislative recommendations by Congress. Authorizes appropriations of $50,000 for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 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 March 1977
Veterans Judicial Review Act - Provides that the decisions of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs on any question of law or fact under any law administered by the Veterans' Administration providing benefits for veterans and their dependents or survivors shall be subject to judicial review. Repeals the requirement that the Administrator determine and pay fees to agents or attorneys in allowed claims for monetary benefits. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 211; Repeals 38 U.S.C. 3404(c))
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Guarantees automatically any loan to a qualified veteran for the purchase and installation of solar heating and/or cooling in a dwelling which he owns and occupies. Exempts such loans from the existing $17,500 maximum amount of guaranty entitlement, and sets the amount of such entitlement at either: (1) the reasonable total cost of such purchase and installation, or (2) 20 percent of the value of the structure in which such system is to be installed, whichever is less. States that the original principal amount of such a loan shall not exceed the amount of guaranty entitlement so set.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make and insure loans under such Act for the solar heating or cooling of residential structures on family farms.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Solar Energy for Homes Act - Authorizes the administrators of Federal housing programs, established under title II or III of the National Housing Act or (of) title V of the Housing Act of 1949, to increase the amount of loans made on single- or multi-family dwelling units by up to 20 percent where such increase reflects the cost of solar energy equipment. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize home improvement loans for the cost of acquisition and installation of solar energy system. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the use of community development block grants for payments to assist in the acquisition and installation of solar energy equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Requires the President to seek a treaty or other arrangement with Canada calling for an immediate moratorium on the killing of the eastern timber wolf.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Mobile Source Emission Control Amendments - Amends the Clean Air Act to extend through model year 1979 interim standards for hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions from light-duty motor vehicles. Specifies standards applicable in model years 1980 and afterwards for such pollutants. Revises the emission standard for carbon monoxide to allow emissions of up to 9.0 grams per vehicle mile. Extends until model year 1981 the current 2.0 grams per vehicle mile interim standard for nitrogen oxide emissions from light-duty vehicles. Establishes a nitrogen oxides emissions standard of 1.0 gram per vehicle mile for model years after 1981, subject to revision or waiver by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with prescribed procedures. Stipulates that such revisions and waivers shall not permit emissions in excess of the 2.0 grams per vehicle mile interim standard. Directs the Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Energy Administration to submit separate reports to Congress regarding the consequences of such emission standards on fuel consumption. Establishes additional prohibitions and penalties for tampering with motor vehicle emission control equipment. Empowers limits in the amount of vehicle testing required of small manufacturers. Establishes procedures for review of instructions for high altitude performance adjustments for motor vehicle emission control systems by the Administrator in accordance with specified requirements. Revises warranty requirements stipulated by the Act. Specifies an 18-month or 18,000 mile warranty requirement for the useful life of motor vehicle emission control systems. Directs the Administrator to study the effects of emissions of sulfur-bearing conformed from motor vehicles and aircraft. Extends the exception for disclosure of confidential information in administrative and judicial proceedings to emission data upon a satisfactory showing to the Administrator that such data would divulge trade secrets. Requires that documentation, justifications, proposed drafts, and comments of other agencies an proposed motor vehicle emission standards be made available to the public once such standards are proposed. Establishes procedures for oral presentation of views, with opportunity for cross-examination, with respect to such standards. Authorizes direct review of alleged procedural errors in the appropriate court of appeals. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980, to carry out the purposes of this Act other than research, development, and demonstration activities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1977
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans through the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund to agricultural producers in the United States who sustain losses incurred on or after January 1, 1973, as a direct result of their food crops, animal feedcrops, livestock (including poultry), or livestock products being quarantined or condemned by a Federal or State official because such crops, livestock or products contain quantities of toxic chemicals dangerous to the public health. Sets a maximum loan amount of $100,000, a term of seven years, and leaves the interest rate to the Secretary's discretion. Requires repayment of the loan up to the amount of the compensation within three months of the receipt of any compensation for losses for which the loan was made. Permits the Secretary to postpone all but a nominal amount of principal and interest payments for up to three years.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1977
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to prohibit the export of any agricultural commodity pursuant to an agricultural commodity export agreement unless the exporter has obtained an agricultural export license from the Secretary of Commerce. Prohibit approval of such license unless the Secretary of Commerce determines that: (1) there will be a sufficient domestic supply of the commodity for a 12 month period; (2) the proposed transaction will not increase consumer prices; and (3) the proposed transaction will not increase domestic unemployment. Exempts from this Act exports in a quantity for which the price is less than $10,000,000. Stipulates that such agreements, occurring within a 30 day period between the same parties and for the same commodity shall be considered a single agreement for purposes of this exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1977
Declares it the sense of the Congress that the President should establish a special task force to develop reliable information to determine whether the price of natural gas in interstate commerce should be deregulated. Stipulates that the task force shall consist of representatives of the Department of the Interior, the Federal Energy Administration, the Federal Power Commission, the Energy Research and Development Administration, and industrial and residential users. Directs the task force to report the findings of its study within three months after the date of adoption of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to permit to be included within a group of workers certified by the Secretary of Labor as eligible for adjustment assistance thereunder individuals whose last total or partial separation from employment occurred up to two years prior to the date of the petition on which such certification was granted.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to expand the current population survey to provide each State, Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia monthly statistics of the number of unemployed persons within its jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
Adds Rule XLV to the Rules of the House of Representatives, allowing television and radio coverage of the proceedings in the House Chamber. Provides all television and radio broadcasting stations in the United States with access to all of the live coverage of the proceedings of the House. Restricts use of coverage to legitimate news or research purposes. Prohibits the commercial use or sponsorship of such coverage except in bona fide news or public affairs documentary programs. Prohibits the use in political campaigns of coverage provided under this resolution. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act. Directs that the coverage shall be carried out through the facilities and personnel of the television networks entered into by the Clerk with a television network pool.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Minority Enterprise Act - Title I: Amendments Affecting the Small Business Act - Amends the Small Business Act to establish the Office of Minority Small Business Assistance Personnel in the Small Business Administration (SBA) to work with all agencies of the Government having procurement powers in order to identify contracts suitable for minority concerns and within each regional office of the SBA to supervise and coordinate minority small business programs. Directs the Administrator of the SBA to appoint an Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business and Procurement Assistance. Increases the authorization for appropriations in the small business loan program and requires that not less than 25 percent of aggregate direct loans shall be made to minority small business concerns. Increases the authorization for appropriations for the equal opportunity loan program. Provides statutory standards for contracting and subcontracting by the United States with respect to minority businesses. Directs the Administration to prepare and publish in the Federal Register rules governing the maximum size of small business concerns qualified to receive procurement assistance under the Small Business Act. Requires that the Administration shall report to Congress and the President concerning the development of minority small businesses. Authorizes $201,600,000 to be appropriated for purposes of this Title. Title II: Amendments to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 - Requires that a Utilization of Minority Business Enterprises clause appear in specified Government contracts. Requires that specified Government contractors establish and conduct a Minority Business Enterprise Subcontracting Program which includes: (1) designation of a liaison officer to administer the contractor's program; (2) consideration of the potentialities of minority business enterprises in all "make or buy" decisions to provide materials or service; and (3) maintenance of records concerning procedures adopted and subcontracts awarded. Sets forth other preferences which will be extended to minority business enterprises. Title III: Commission on Federal Assistance to Minority Enterprise - Establishes the Commission on Federal Assistance to Minority Enterprise composed of 15 members appointed by the President, with the consent of the Senate, from members of minority groups who are knowledgeable in minority participation in the economy. Directs the Commission to develop methods for delivery of financial assistance to minority enterprises; for generating markets for goods and services; and for providing effective business education and technical assistance. Requires that the Commission shall submit semiannual reports to each House of Congress concerning its activities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 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 to promote commerce by prescribing policies and procedures to insure that customers have the same right to protect against unwarranted disclosure of customer records as if the records were in their possession. Prohibits any Federal agency or employee, or any State or local government, from obtaining copies of, access to, or the information contained in, the financial records of any customer from a financial institution unless such records are described with particularity and: (1) such customer has authorized such disclosure in accordance with with Act; (2) such records are disclosed in response to an administrative subpena or summons; (3) such records are disclosed in response to a court order; or (4) such records are disclosed in response to a judicial subpena. States that no financial institution may provide to a Federal agency or employee, or to 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, and judicial subpenas. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from requiring an institution to maintain any financial records or to transmit any reports relating to customers unless: (1) such records are required for use by a supervisory agency in the supervision of that institution; or (2) such records are required to be maintained by the Internal Revenue Code. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violation of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Older Persons Comprehensive Counseling Assistance Act - Title I: General Provisions - Directs the United States Commissioner on Aging, through the National Information Resource Clearing House for the Aging, to collect, analyze, and disseminate information related to counseling services for older persons. Title II: Counseling Assistance Programs - Requires each State desiring a grant under this Act to submit a comprehensive State plan for providing counseling assistance to the elderly, such plan to conform to specified criteria. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States having approved plans, such grants to be distributed to area agencies on aging for counseling assistance programs for the elderly on the basis of statewide needs and priorities. Permits the use of grants to fund counseling assistance outreach programs, preretirement counseling programs, career counseling assistance programs, referral services, community activities, and counseling for families of sick and disabled senior citizens. Enumerates requirements for State programs and for State training and retraining programs for counseling personnel. Directs the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to contract with postsecondary education institutions and area agencies on aging for the purpose of providing needed training and retraining of counseling personnel. Directs the Commissioner on Aging to carry out a program of demonstration and evaluation for specified purposes, including: (1) identification of existing effective practices in counseling older persons; (2) identification of areas where further development is needed; and (3) development of model training programs for professional counselors.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Regulatory Reform Act - Requires the President to submit to Congress a plan recommending reforms with respect to the regulation of: (1) energy, the environment, housing, and occupational health and safety by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1979; (2) transportation and communications by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1981; (3) banking and finance, international trade, and Government procurement by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1983; and (4) food, consumer health and safety, economic trade practices, and labor- management concerns by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1985. States that each such plan shall include recommendations for reform of such specified agencies and shall report on the cumulative impact of all Government regulatory activity reviewed, up to that date, on specific industry groupings. States that if the President fails to submit such plans by the specified dates, the Senate and House Committees on Government Operations shall draft their own plans to be submitted to Congress for action. Requires the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office to, contemporaneously with the development of the President's plan, submit a report assessing the purpose, effects, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of each agency included in the plans submitted by the President. States that if no comprehensive regulatory reform legislation is enacted by August 1 of the year following the year in which a comprehensive plan has been submitted by the President, then all agencies affected thereby shall have no authority to issue any new rules not essential for preserving the public health and safety; if such reform is not enacted by October 1 of such year, such agency shall have no authority to enforce any rule not essential for preserving the public health and safety; if no such reform is enacted by December 31 of such year, such agency shall be terminated on such date. States that all rules of such terminated agency essential for preserving the public health and safety shall remain effective and shall be enforced by the Department of Justice. Requires the President to submit subsequent plans in the manner and in the order and frequency set forth by this Act every ten years.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Revises the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act to require retail distributors selling packaged consumer commodities to mark the total selling price on the package of the commodity.
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 · 1 March 1977
Endangered American Wilderness Act - Designates specified lands in the following national forests as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Tongass National Forest, Alaska; (2) Coronado National Forest, Arizona; (3) Inyo and Sequoia National Forests, California; (4) Los Padres National Forest, California; (5) Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado; (6) Cibola National Forest, New Mexico; (7) Willamette National Forest, Oregon; (8) Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon; (9) Wasatch and Uinta National Forests, Utah; and (10) Umatilla National Forest, Washington and Oregon. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review the feasibility and suitability of designating as wilderness specified lands in the following national forests: (1) Coronado National Forest, Arizona; (2) Rio Grande and Gunnison National Forests, Colorado; (3) Lolo and Kootenai National Forests, Montana; (4) Santa Fe and Carson National Forests, New Mexico; and (5) Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming. Includes specified lands in the Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon, in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Electric Utilities Rate Reform Act - Directs State and local electric utility regulatory authorities to implement and maintain rate schedules which distribute costs to consumer classes in accordance with consumption patterns. Requires that rate schedules accurately reflect long-run incremental costs of service and that price differentials between consumer classes reflect actual document differentials in cost of service. Prohibits regulatory authorities from allowing recoupment of promotional and advertising expenses, unless such expenses finance efforts encouraging the consumption of electricity or the shifting of electricity consumption from peak load periods to off-peak load periods. Establishes standards to regulate monthly changes in rates by the use of fuel adjustment clauses. Establishes standards of determining the effective date of proposed changes in rates and schedules. Authorizes the Federal Power Commission to provide financial assistance to non-Federal regulatory authorities as necessary to meet additional costs incurred as a result of complying with provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Deems any food containing more than .02 parts per million of polybrominated byphenyl adulterated for purposes of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Prohibits any State from establishing or enforcing a standard less stringent than the standard established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
National Condominium Act - Establishes requirements for federally assisted condominium housing loans, including a statement by the developer to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development containing information concerning the nature of the project, and the owner's estimated operating costs and assurances of warranty, completion date, developer's responsibility for structural defects, and of owners' rights to form an association. Requires that recreation fees be stated separately from any other fees charged purchasers of dwelling units in the project. Establishes requirements to protect tenants in a leased-unit structure to be converted to condominium use, including assurances that tenants have received prior notice, a period of at least three months to decide whether or not to purchase their units and for those tenants renting under a lease, specific protection from eviction and abridgment of the lease. Requires developers to disclose to new purchasers operating costs, service benefits, and planned structure alterations. Requires a 15-day cancellation period. Requires the Secretary to publish a form for developers embodying provisions for all of the information required in such statement. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State and local governments to help establish or expand offices or agencies to administer similar requirements and procedures. Sets forth penalties for the violation of this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Brodhead, William [D-MI-17]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000862_200.jpg)