United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Opportunities for Adoption Act - Provides for adoption assistance programs under the provisions of the Public Health Service Act. Makes it the purpose of this Act, in order to promote the public health and welfare, to facilitate the elimination of obstacles to adoption, and to locate children in need of adoption and facilitate the placement in permanent adoptive homes of such children, particularly children with special needs, by: (1) promoting the establishment of uniform adoption regulations in the States and territories of the United States in order to eliminate jurisdictional and legal obstacles to adoption; (2) providing Federal financial assistance to States for the purpose of assisting public and private nonprofit agencies and adoptive and prospective adoptive parents in meeting costs of adoption in order to remove or alleviate the financial obstacles which present serious barriers to adoption by qualified persons; and (3) providing for the establishment of a National Office of Adoption Information and Services in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to (A) insure quality standards for adoption services (including pre-placement and post-placement and post-adoption counseling and standards to protect the rights of children in need of adoption) and (B) provide for a national adoption information exchange system. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint a Committee on Uniform Adoption Regulations. Directs such Committee to: (1) review current conditions, practices, and laws relating to adoption, with special reference to their effect on facilitating or impeding the finding of suitable adoptive homes for children and the completion of suitable adoptions; (2) propose to the Secretary uniform adoption regulations which would facilitate adoption; and (3) report its proposals to the Congress and the President not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary, in accordance with regulations which he shall prescribe, to make matching grants to States for allocation by State agencies principally responsible for services to families and children to public and private nonprofit adoption agencies which meet standards of quality prescribed pursuant to this Act for the purpose of assisting: (1) such agencies in meeting the cost involved in the adoptive placement of children with special needs (including locating suitable homes and providing pre-placement and post-placement and post-adoptive counseling to children in need of adoption and to prospective and actual adoptive parents); (2) such agencies in meeting the cost of providing prenatal and postpartum services to mothers, voluntarily planning to place their children for adoption, who are unable to assume such costs, in order to protect the health and welfare of both the mother and child, but only to the extent that assistance under other Federal or State programs in the community in question is not readily available to provide adequately for such services; (3) such agencies in meeting the cost of providing for professional counseling and other social services to children in need of adoption, and to prospective and actual adoptive parents and foster parents to assist them in providing a supportive and healthful family environment; (4) adoptive parents in locating and, where appropriate, defraying the cost of post-placement and post-adoption special services to children requiring such services as a result of conditions which existed prior to their placement, up to an amount not exceeding the amount which similar services would cost the State in question were it to provide or secure such services as the guardian of such children; and (5) prospective adoptive parents, who would consider adoption but for their financial inability to meet a child's needs, in defraying the post-placement and post-adoption cost of supporting children with special needs, in amounts of assistance determined by the Secretary to be adequate to enable such adoptive parents to assume responsibility for raising such children. Provides for the establishment of a system in the States under which, with respect to a child who has been in foster care in a State for at least six months after such child is considered legally available for adoptive placement, the foster parents providing care to such child will be notified of the possibility of the financial assistance for adoptive placement authorized by this Act. Directs the Secretary to take such steps as he deems necessary to encourage and facilitate the consideration of comprehensive adoption assistance legislation by those States which have not enacted such legislation. Establishes within the Children's Bureau of the Office of Child Development of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a National Office of Adoption Information and Services which shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Secretary upon the joint recommendation of the Director of the Office of Child Development and the Chief of the Children's Bureau. Provides that the Office shall be the principal agency for carrying out the provisions of this Act. Directs the Director, in accordance with regulations which he shall prescribe, to: (1) conduct a continuous educational program on adoption and to prepare, publish, and disseminate to all interested parties, private and public agencies and organizations, and governmental bodies educational materials regarding adoption and adoption assistance programs; (2) measure and evaluate the impact of the programs authorized by this Act and, not later than 90 days after June 30 of each year, prepare and submit to the Secretary for transmittal to the President and the Congress a report on such evaluation, which shall include, but not be limited to (A) the number of children placed in adoptive homes under adoption assistance agreements during the year preceding the annual report and the major characteristics of such children; and (B) the number of children currently in foster care for six months or more, and the legal status of such children; (3) insure that adoption agencies receiving assistance authorized under this Act subscribe to standards of quality, which he shall prescribe, for adoption services (including pre-placement and post-placement and post-adoption counseling and standards to protect the rights of children in need of adoption) and comply with the requirements of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and (4) notwithstanding any other provisions of law, provide for the operation of a national adoption information system, utilizing computers and modern data processing methods, to assist in the location of children in need of adoption and in the placement in adoptive homes of children awaiting adoption, and for the promotion of cooperative efforts with any similar programs operated by or within any State or foreign country. Authorizes necessary appropriations for the fiscal year 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited tax credit in an amount of $250 for each individual who is at least 61 years of age before the beginning of the taxable year, whose principal place of abode during the taxable year is the principal residence of the taxpayer, and who is not a lodger with the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit against the income tax for 20 percent of the first $250 deposited for the taxpayer and of the first $250 deposited for each dependent in a special savings account maintained to meet the future higher education needs of a beneficiary not presently enrolled in an institution of higher education. Provides for recapture of tax credits from amounts expended from such accounts for noneducational purposes' and from amounts remaining in such accounts when the beneficiary attains the age of 25, or if enrolled in an institution of higher education at that time, when the beneficiary's enrollment terminates.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Railroad Right-Of-Way Improvement Act - Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to declare that it is a purpose of such Act to provide, during times of high unemployment, assistance to create employment opportunities in rebuilding the Nation's railroad rights-of-way. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide financial assistance during times of high unemployment for the purpose of providing employment for unemployed and underemployed persons in jobs maintaining or rebuilding railroad rights-of-way. Authorizes for such purposes, appropriations of $5,000,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 1976; and $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Requires such funds to be expended only for wages and employment benefits. Prohibits further obligation of such funds unless the rate of national unemployment (seasonally adjusted) has receded below 4.5 per cent for three consecutive months. Requires that applications for financial assistance for railroad right-of-way employment programs contain specified assurances. Directs the Secretary to transmit to Congress at least annually a detailed report setting forth the activities conducted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit any deduction for the depreciation of property for a taxable year during which a housing code violation existed for such property for which the owner or his agent was convicted. Provides that the adjusted basis of such property will be determined as though the disallowed deduction were taken.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to credit against the income tax specified higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, books, and supplies, incurred by the taxpayer for himself or any dependent. Limits the credit to 100 percent of the first $200 for any individual, 25 percent of the next $300, and 5 percent of the next $1,000. Limits the credit to expenses incurred by full time students at institutions of vocational and higher education, minus scholarships and veterans' benefits. Limits the total credit allowed the taxpayer to his income tax liability minus the sum of all other credits applied thereto. Disallows any deduction of educational expenses used to determine the amount of the credit allowed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends Title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to require that skilled nursing facilities covered by the Medicare program and intermediate care facilities covered by the Medicaid program, adopt a statement of the rights and responsibilities of the patients who are receiving treatment in such facilities. Specifies that such statement shall include a guarantee that the patient's civil and religious liberties will not be infringed; a guarantee of the patient's right to communications with his physician; a guarantee of the patient's right to present grievances; a guarantee of the patient's right to manage his own financial affairs; and a guarantee of the patient's right to be free from mental and physical abuse and from physical and chemical restraints.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Industrial Energy Conservation Act - Directs the Administrator of Energy Research and Development to establish and maintain a comprehensive program for research, development, and demonstration of industrial energy conserving technologies. Specifies criteria that the Administrator is required to apply in reaching decisions regarding the directions, priorities activities, and operations of the industrial energy conservation program. Authorizes the Administrator to make loans and loan guarantees for the purchase, construction, operation, or maintenance of energy-efficient equipment or facilities. Directs the Administrator to give special priority to loan recipients in depressed industrial areas. Establishes limits on the amount of outstanding indebtedness to be guaranteed under this Act. Stipulates that no guarantee or commitment to guarantee shall be undertaken after September 30, 1977. Details procedures in the event of a default on guaranteed obligations. Authorizes the appropriation of $70,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 and $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 for research and development programs authorized by this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 and $70,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 for the purpose of making loans under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $500,000,000 to be paid in the event of a default on obligations guaranteed under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 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. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to (1) restore the entitlement of any person who lost their entitlement by reason of certain past increases in monthly social security benefits; and (2) pay in a lump sum to any such person any such compensation or pension that would have been payable to him but to such loss of entitlement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to determine and promulgate each year the hospital deductible applicable under the hospital insurance for the aged and disabled provisions of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Requires such deductible to be equal to $40 multiplied by the ratio of the current average per diem rate for inpatient hospital services for the preceding year to such rate for 1966. Requires such deductible to be increased by a percentage equal to one-half of the average percentage of any general or cost-of-living increases in the social security cash benefits for the year.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to make the provisions, formerly applicable to persons between 40 and 65 years of age, applicable to anyone 40 years of age or older.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Stipulates that law enforcement service performed while in the Coast Guard, when the Coast Guard was not operated as a service in the Navy, shall be included in determining if an employee has 20 years of service as a law enforcement officer or firefighter for purposes of qualifying for retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to stipulate that reduction of unemployment shall be the primary factor to be considered by the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Economic Development Administration, in making grants to eligible States and localities under such Act. Increases the authorization of appropriations under such Act from $2,000,000 to $15,000,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which an individual may earn while receiving benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Requires the Commissioner of Education, under the Higher Education Act, to make payments of interest and administrative costs on federally assisted student loans to holders of such loans on behalf of the accounts of borrowers within 30 days of receipt by the Commissioner of an itemized voucher.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
National Commission on Regulatory Reform Act - Establishes the National Commission on Regulatory Reform. Directs the Commission to make a full and complete study of such regulatory activities of the independent regulatory agencies of the Federal Government as the Commission determines to be primarily economic in nature and to have a significant effect on the segments of the economy involving transportation, communication, the development and distribution of energy resources, or financial institutions. States that such study shall be undertaken to determine: (1) whether such regulatory activities have limited competition within such segments of the economy, and if they have, what the economic consequences have been; (2) whether such regulatory activities have, in other ways, contributed to current economic difficulties, in particular inflation; and (3) whether changes need to be made with regard to such independent Federal establishments and their regulatory activities. Requires that such study shall include, with regard to each independent Federal establishment whose regulatory activities are included in such study: (1) an analysis of the purposes for which it was created, its structure and jurisdiction, the statutory framework governing its operation and activities, and the procedures and policies it has adopted; (2) an assessment of its effectiveness in carrying out its purposes; (3) an analysis of the costs and benefits of its various programs and policies, with particular reference to any adverse economic impact; and (4) an examination of the relationship between its regulatory activities and those of State and local regulatory agencies. Sets forth the membership, powers, and authority of the Commission. Directs the Commission to submit to the President and Congress within one year a report containing: (1) a statement of the status of the study being conducted pursuant to this Act; (2) a detailed statement of any findings made or conclusions reached by the Commission; and (3) any recommendations for legislation or administrative action, or both, deemed appropriate by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Bill of Rights Procedures Act - Imposes penalties upon any Federal employee or agent who willfully: (1) procures or inspects the records of telephone calls or of any bank, credit, medical, or other business or private transactions of any individual without either a search warrant or the individual's consent; or (2) opens any foreign or domestic mail either without a search warrant or the sender's or addressee's consent or, with respect to mail of domestic origin, for other than the sole purpose of determining an address at which a letter can be delivered. Reduces the maximum term of imprisonment which may be imposed upon a Federal employee or officer for willfully intercepting, endeavoring to intercept, or procuring any other person to intercept any wire or oral communication except as authorized under specified provisions. Repeals the authority of the President to intercept communications for purposes of national security and the admissibility as evidence of the contents of communications so intercepted. Repeals the authority of specially designated State and local law enforcement officers to intercept communications without prior court approval for purposes of national security or with respect to conspiratorial activities characteristic of organized crime. Revises reporting requirements relative to intercepted wire or oral communications. Specifies reporting requirements relative to warrants authorizing the opening of mail.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit against the individual income tax up to $1,000, for expenses paid or incurred for qualified heating and insulation improvements in any building owned by the taxpayer in the United States. Defines qualified improvements as storm windows, insulation, heat exchangers, ducting or other items certified by the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration as achieving a significant reduction in a building's heating or cooling loss, or which is designed and capable of improving a heating plant's efficiency. Limits the credit to expenses paid or incurred between enactment and January 1, 1979. Provides that the maximum credit allowed for expenses incurred by a subchapter S corporation, controlled groups, and trusts or estates shall be proportionately divided between entity, the owners, or the members or the beneficiaries as the case may be. Provides for a reduction in a building's basis in the same amounted as the credit taken.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to dispose of approximately 117,837,000 troy ounces of silver now held in the national stockpile established pursuant to the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Tertiary Eye Center Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to identify tertiary eye care centers that need upgrading and to make grants to accomplish such purpose. Directs the Secretary to create a Tertiary Eye Commission to assess the present state of eye care facilities in the United States, to develop plans for improving and expanding such facilities, and to make grants to public and nonprofit private tertiary eye care centers to implement such upgrading. Requires the Commission, within two years of enactment of this Act, to submit to the Secretary and the President a final report, and to submit such interim reports as are necessary, with respect to its activities. Authorizes the appropriation of $21,000,000 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide administrative and judicial review of claims which arise under the supplementary medical insurance program. Sets the minimum requirement for amount in controversy for a hearing at $50 and for judicial review at $500.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction to individuals who rent their principal residences for a portion of the real property taxes paid or accrued by their landlord.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to prescribe warranty regulations of 12 months or 12,000 miles for motor vehicle emission control devices rather than the currently prescribed standard of the "useful life" of the vehicle and engine.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Autistic Children Research Act - Provides, under the Public Health Service Act, for the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to: (1) Plan and develop a coordinated autism research program; (2) collect, analyze and disseminate all data useful in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of autism; and (3) establish comprehensive, coordinated diagnostic and evaluation procedures for early detection and effective guidance for autistic children. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out these provisions. Authorizes $500,000 for fiscal year 1977 and $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1978-1981 for loans and grants to any public or private nonprofit entity operating a center with education programs for autistic children.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide identical income tax rates for single persons and married couples filing joint returns. Limits the earned income that must be reported by a married individual filing a separate return to the amount actually earned by that individual.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Petroleum Marketing Practices Act - Title I: Franchise Protection - Prohibits a franchisor from prematurely cancelling a motor fuel franchise unless written notification of intent to terminate is furnished to the franchisee and the franchisee has failed to comply with reasonable terms of the franchise agreement. Permits cancellation of the franchise, with 180 days notice, when an event occurs which is relevant to the operation of the franchise relationship, as a result of which termination of the franchise is reasonable. Prevents a franchisor from failing to renew a franchise unless written notification is provided to the franchisee and the franchisee has failed to comply with any reasonable term of the franchise, without reasonable excuse or justification. States that the provisions of this Act shall not apply to trial franchises. Authorizes civil actions in United States district courts to enforce the provisions of this Act. Title II: Moratorium on Refiners Increasing Percentage of Distribution of Gasoline Through Refiner Operated Retail Outlets - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration to promulgate a rule under the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 to require refiners to submit monthly reports for calendar years 1972 and 1975 on (1) the total volume of gasoline distributed by such refiner for sales through retail outlets, and (2) the percentage of such volume distributed for sale through refiner operated retail outlets. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prohibit for a two year period any refiner from distributing gasoline for sale through refiner operated retail outlets if the volume of such gasoline exceeds a specified percentage. States that violation of such rule shall be considered an unfair method of competition affecting commerce. Directs the FTC to study and report to the Congress on the legislative or regulatory means which the Commission recommends to promote competition in the marketing of automotive gasoline, including recommendations for appropriate prohibitions or discriminatory pricing practices and the appropriateness of specified price differentials and purchaser distinctions. Title III: Octane Disclosure - Requires the FTC to prescribe rules for determining octane ratings of gasoline and displaying such ratings. Prohibits any distributor from making any representation respecting the octane rating of such gasoline unless the gasoline has been tested in accordance with such procedures and the results are fairly disclosed.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Joint Committee on Intelligence Operations Act - Establishes a Congressional Joint Committee on Intelligence Operations to conduct continuing oversight of, and to exercise exclusive legislative jurisdiction over, the foreign intelligence activities of: (1) the Central Intelligence Agency; (2) the Defense Intelligence Agency; (3) the National Security Agency; (4) the Bureau of Intelligence and Research; (5) Army, Navy, and Air Force Intelligence; and (6) other agencies to the extent that such agencies engage in foreign intelligence activities. Requires that the Director of Central Intelligence must keep the joint committee fully informed with respect to all foreign intelligence activities of the United States. Sets forth the administrative powers of the joint committee. Charges the joint committee with the establishment of guidelines for the classification of information originating with the joint committee.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Declares a national shortage of gasoline, distillate fuel oil, and propane gas in the United States. Directs the President to halt all exports of such products until such time as he determines that such a shortage no longer exists.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a specified portion of the Saint John River in Maine as a potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Extends cost-of- living increases in benefits payable on account of disability or death to certain widows, children, and parents of members of the military reserves.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a national adoption information exchange system, utilizing computers and other data processing methods to assist in the placement of children who are awaiting adoption, and in locating such children for prospective parents.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act to reduce from 100,000 the 50,000 the minimum population of local governments or combinations thereof which may be prime sponsors in the comprehensive manpower program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Requires the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to determine the validity and to certify for payment valid claims under the War Claims Act of 1948 filed within one year of the date of enactment of this Act by any individual who was a citizen of the United States on the date of enactment of this Act and whose claim could not have been allowed under the Act because such claimant was not a national of the United States at the time of the loss as defined by the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include as an unlawful employment practice discrimination on the basis of physical handicap. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to require any employer to provide any special services to handicapped employees.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Comprehensive School Health Education Act - Empowers the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State educational agencies and institutions of higher education for teacher training with respect to the provision of comprehensive health education programs in schools. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public or private nonprofit education or research organizations to support pilot demonstration projects in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. States that the Commissioner may make grants to State educational agencies for development of comprehensive programs in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems. Provides for the apportionment of funds appropriated for such purposes. Sets forth the requirements for receiving grants under this Act. Directs the Commissioner, when requested, to render technical assistance to local educational agencies, public and private nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education in the development and implementation of education programs with respect to health and health problems.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Young Adult Conservation Corps Act - Amends the Act which established the Youth Conservation Corps to direct the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to jointly extend the Youth Conservation Corps so as to make possible the year-round employment of young adults. States that individuals employed as Corps members under this Act shall be either between the ages of 18 and 24 exclusively or school dropouts who are at least age 16; shall meet applicable physical standards; shall be given preference for employment if they reside in counties in which the unemployment rate was equal to or in excess of six percent for three consecutive months; and may be employed for a total of not more than 12 months. Specifies guidelines to be followed by the Secretaries in administering this Act, including those relative to the types of jobs and projects to be given preference and the wages to be paid Corps members. Extends the program under which grants are made to States and to assist them in meeting the cost of projects for the employment of young people to develop and maintain non-Federal public lands and waters. Designates a time period during which the Secretaries are to develop a plan to carry out the activities authorized by this Act and prepare the site location, facilities, and equipment selected in such plan. Directs the Secretaries, in performing such functions, to plan for a capacity of the extended Corps to employ 100,000 young adults during the first fiscal year of operation, 300,000 during the second, 400,000 during the third, and 500,000 during the fourth.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities which are engaged in the development of new schools of veterinary medicine to assist in such development. Requires applying schools to demonstrate that there is a reasonable indication that non-Federal financial resources for development will be available and that Federal assistance will accelerate the date on which the school will be able to begin its teaching program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Homeowner's Energy Conservation Act - Establishes in the Department of Housing and Urban Development a direct low-interest loan program to assist homeowners and other owners of residential structures in purchasing and installing more effective insulation and heating equipment. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Establishes in the Department of Agriculture a Bureau of Agricultural Statistics under the direction of a Commissioner appointed by the President. Directs the Bureau to obtain information about prices received by producers and processors of agricultural commodities used for food, and wholesale and retail food prices. Requires the Bureau to make recommendations to Congress twice a year regarding legislative action to lower retail food prices when such prices increase while the prices received by producers drop or remain constant.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Makes it a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act for any retailer to increase the price of consumer commodities once he marks the price on any such consumer commodity.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the National Trails System Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Transportation to conduct studies for the purpose of determining the feasibility and desirability of establishing specified bicycle trails.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, to make visits to the work place of any employer, upon the request of the employer, to consult with and advise the employer concerning the obligations of the employer under such Act. Directs the Secretary to give priority to small business and hazardous workplaces. Stipulates that no consultative visit made under this Act may serve as an inspection or investigation as otherwise provided for by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, except: (1) in the case of an employer who fails to eliminate a danger disclosed during such a visit; or (2) if conditions are found during such a visit which indicate the probability that death or serious harm could result to employees therefrom, the Secretary may notify the employer of such conditions and afford him a reasonable time to eliminate such conditions. Prohibits the transmission of information obtained during a consultative visit to representatives of the Secretary engaged in enforcement. Directs the Secretary to establish education programs to inform employers and employees of the hazards in particular industries. Authorizes the appropriation of funds through fiscal year 1978 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 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 · 4 January 1977
Declares that the heating and cooling of buildings accounts for a significant portion of the consumption of oil, natural gas, coal, and electric power in interstate commerce, and that the use of solar heating and cooling equipment reduces reliance on natural resources. Prohibits State and local laws which permit the construction of buildings or other obstructions which would interfere with the amount of sunlight necessary for the operation of solar heating and cooling equipment in buildings. Declares that State and local laws which are not inconsistent with purposes of this Act are not preempted by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Establishes the Nantucket Sound Islands Trust in the State of Massachusetts for the purpose of protecting the national interest in the preservation and conservation of the natural, scenic, ecological, historic and other values and resources of the Nantucket Sound Islands. Designates Norman's Land Island in Massachusetts as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Provides for the establishment of Trust commissions for such islands by the Governor of Massachusetts. Makes the Secretary of the Interior responsible for enforcement of the land use control plans of the commissions under this Act. Sets forth the specific boundaries of the Trust. Provides for the classification of island land according to use as part of the land use control plans. Requires that the extent of specified Indian common lands be determined in an orderly program as a part of a land control plan under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary annually to defray the expenses of the commissions established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated under such Act to $6,000,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States, and the District of Columbia, shall elect the President and Vice President. Requires each elector to cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. Requires the electors of President and Vice President in each State to have the qualifications requisite for electors of Members of Congress from that State, except that for electors of President and Vice President, the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive residence qualifications and for electors of President and Vice President, the Congress may establish uniform residence and age requirements. Provides that the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected, if such number be at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast for such offices. Provides that if no pair of persons has such number, a runoff election shall be held in which the choice of President and Vice President shall be made from the two pairs of persons who received the highest numbers of votes. Requires the days for such elections to be determined by Congress and to be uniform throughout the United States. Requires Congress to prescribe by law the time, place, and manner in which the results of such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Grants to each State the authority as to the time and place and manner of holding such elections and entitlement to inclusion or the ballot. Specifies that if, at the time fixed for declaring the results of such elections, the presidential candidate who would have been entitled to election as President has died, the Vice Presidential candidate entitled to election as Vice President shall be declared elected President. Allows Congress to provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice president have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President and Vice President elect.
![Official portrait of Rep. Conte, Silvio O. [R-MA-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000709_200.jpg)