United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to transfer the responsibility for investigating Communist and subversive organizations affecting the internal security of the United States to a standing Committee on Internal Security established by this Resolution. Confers upon such committee the responsibility for investigating all organizations within the United States aimed at overthrowing or altering the Government of the United States by force, insurrection or other unlawful means or inciting or employing violence to obstruct the authority of the Federal Government with respect to matters of internal security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Requires the Office of Management and budget to provide information on the formulas and assumptions used in the distribution of Federal domestic assistance.
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 · 28 July 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to reduce the requirements for eligibility for disability benefits for blind persons. Requires that a blind individual have at least six quarters of coverage to be eligible for disability benefits. Sets forth a method of computing the average monthly wage of a blind individual for the purpose of determining such individual's primary insurance amount. Provides that in no case shall such amount be less than the amount which would be determined without regard to an individual's blindness. States that no reductions will be made from the benefits to which a person is entitled because of such person's refusal to accept State-approved rehabilitative services under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Continues the payment of such benefits as long as blindness lasts, the amount of an individual's earnings notwithstanding.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1977
Congressional Integrity Act - Requires the President to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute acts by agents of foreign governments to buy influence of elected officials and employees of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1977
Improper Foreign Influence Special Prosecutor Act - Provides for a judicially appointed special prosecutor to investigate alleged violations of Federal law by Federal officials and employees which relate to an attempt by a foreign government (including the Republic of Korea) or national to influence the operation of the United States Government.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1977
Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that the Attorney General should appoint a special prosecutor to serve in the Department of Justice to investigate and prepare prosecutions with respect to illegal acts to obtain influence for foreign governments from Federal elected or nonelected officials.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
Amends the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to obligate for fiscal years 1979 and 1980 not less than $30,000,000 of the funds authorized to be appropriated under such Act for improving air navigation facilities for the purpose of establishing no fewer than 45 automated flight service stations. Defines "flight service stations" as air navigation facilities used to assist pilots in the safe conduct of flight.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Limousine Limitation Act - Prohibits Government use of any limousine, use of any Government motor vehicle to transport any official between his place of employment and his dwelling place, and Government employment of any chauffeur. Excepts from this Act limousines for the President, Ambassadors, and specified other persons whose personal safety depends upon the use of such limousines.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Authorizes each Member of the House of Representatives, including the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico and the Delegates from Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, to hire for two week of each year two senior citizen interns to serve within the District of Columbia. Makes available to each Member for the purpose of hiring such interns an annual gross allowance of $600.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers a credit against the income tax for specified higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, books and supplies, incurred by the taxpayer for himself or any dependent.
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
Investment Policy Act - Title I: Findings and Definitions - States that the lack of a national policy on investment can adversely affect the economic health and well-being of the Nation. Title II: Declaration of National Policy - Declares that it is the policy and responsibility of the Federal Government to provide incentives to assure maximum investment in private enterprise. Title III: Federal Agency Coordination and Cooperation - Requires the Council on Wage and Price Stability shall submit an Investment Policy Report to Congress which shall include information on levels of capital investment available, trends in such levels, and reviews of economic programs affecting capital investment. Requires the President to transmit to Congress as a part of the economic report such other recommendations as desirable or necessary to achieve the policy declared in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that United States ground forces not be withdrawn from South Korea until Congress has examined the effect of such withdrawal.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Small Business Impact Statement Act - Directs the head of each Federal agency to prepare a small business impact statement in connection with each rule made by such agency unless the agency head, with the approval of the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration determines that such rule will not have a substantial effect on a significant number of small business. Sets forth information which must be present in each small business impact statement. Prescribes steps which each agency head must follow in preparing any small business impact statement including publication of the statement in the Federal Register.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Authorizes the President of the United States to designate the week beginning on the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week".
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in compiling unemployment statistics, to classify as unemployed: (1) any farmer who reports a farm net loss on his or her income tax return; and (2) any dependent of such farmer whose sole occupation consists of working 15 or more hours per week on the farm. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report the number of such farmers and dependents to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Requires any Federal programs in which funds are allocated, in whole or in part, on the basis of unemployment statistics, to base such allocations, after September 30, 1978, on unemployment statistics compiled pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers a credit against the income tax for specified higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, books and supplies, incurred by the taxpayer for himself or any dependent.
United States · United States Congress · 2 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 · 1 June 1977
Prohibits use or supply of false documentation, false information, or birth or immigration documents of another, for purposes of obtaining a Federal document containing an element of identification. Forbids commerce in such information, documentation, or official documents for purposes of securing a State or local government document containing an element of identification. Proscribes specified acts relative to: (1) forgery, counterfeiting, or alteration of Federal, State, or local government documents containing an element of identification; (2) interstate or foreign commerce in any such counterfeited, forged, or altered document; and (3) receipt, possession, use, or furnishing of any such document with intent to secure false official identification.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1974, to increase to three the number of Lyndon Baines Johnson congressional interns which may be hired by each Member of the House of Representatives. Authorizes the payment of additional compensation to such interns from the clerk-hire allowance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Social Security Rights Act - Requires that procedures be established for the expedited replacement of undelivered benefit checks under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Requires that decisions (and reconsiderations) on initial benefit claims be made within 90 days. Requires that payment of benefits on approved claims begin no later than the day regularly fixed for delivery of benefit checks in the second month following the month in which the claim was approved.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to eliminate the requirement that persons filing an application with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare include as part of application for approval of a new drug full reports of investigations which show whether or not such a drug is effective. Eliminates the power of the Secretary to disapprove a new drug on the basis that such drug will not have the effect it purports or is represented to have under the conditions of use prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the proposed labeling of the drug. Prevents the Secretary from withholding exemption for an experimental drug for investigative purposes on the basis that such drug will not be effective in a research context. Eliminates the authority of the Secretary to withhold approval of an application with respect to any new animal drugs on the basis that full reports of investigations on such drug have not proven it effective. Prevents the Secretary from withdrawing approval of a new animal drug on the basis that it poses an imminent hazard to health of man or animals because of a lack of substantial evidence that the drug will have the effect it purports or is represented to have under the conditions of use prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the labeling of it.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make real estate and operating loans available to private domestic corporations and partnerships controlled by farmers and ranchers engaged primarily in farming or ranching who, individually or as to their principal stockholders and partners, are United States citizens. Excepts ability to obtain credit for guaranteed loans from the eligibility requirement that applicants for real estate or operating loans must be unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere to finance their actual needs at reasonable rates and terms. Increases the maximum allowable total principal indebtedness for real estate loans which may be outstanding by any one borrower to $200,000 or $300,000 in the case of a guaranteed loan. States that special consideration for: (1) water and waste facilities loans may be given rural areas having a population of more than 5,500; and (2) soil and water conservation, pollution control and private business enterprise loans may be given to rural areas having a population of more than 25,000. Revises the maximum interest rate on real estate loans other than guaranteed loans under such Act from five percent to a rate determined by the Secretary not to exceed the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States. Removes the $500,000 ceiling from the aggregate principal of loans made using the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Increases the amount of indebtedness which may be outstanding for operating loans under such Act for an individual from $50,000 to $100,000 or in the case of a guaranteed loan, $200,000. States that the interest rates on such loans which are guaranteed shall be the rate agreed upon by the borrower and lender. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase the guaranteed portion of any rural development loan using funds from the Rural Development Insurance Fund and the guaranteed portion of all other loans with funds from the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans and grants, and approve transfers and assumptions under such Act in connection with property securing a loan made, insured, or held by the Secretary notwithstanding the fact an area ceases to be eligible for assistance under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a procedure for appeal and review of determinations by a county committee that a loan applicant is not unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere to finance his actual needs at reasonable rates and terms. Provides for congressional authorization of program levels under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Administrative Rule Making Reform Act - Requires a Federal agency preparing to hold a rule making session to make a reasonable effort to inform those likely to be affected by the proposed rule making. Requires that if the affected group is large, representatives of such group must be notified. Requires, in addition to present requirements, that the notice of rule making include the projected effective date of the rules, the purpose of the rule making, the text of the proposed rules, and the technical or other studies on which the agency intends to rely in the rule making proceedings. Applies the requirements of this Act to all rule making sessions except (1) those specifically authorized to be kept secret in the interest of national security, and (2) those relating to agency management. Requires public notice and public opportunity for comment of all rule making proceedings under this Act unless the agency finds that the rules to be proposed are emergency rules or are of routine or insignificant impact in which case the rule must be published with reasons for its adoption. Requires Federal agencies to give interested persons at least 45 days to participate in the rule making. Requires the agency to maintain a file of each proceeding to be made available to the courts, Congress, and to the public in connection with review of the rule. Limits the period for public comment to a maximum of 90 days. Requires a copy of all proposed rules to be sent to Congress. States that such rule, other than an emergency rule, shall not become effective if it is disapproved within 90 days by both Houses of Congress, or it is disapproved within 60 days by one House and no action is taken on the disapproval resolution by the other House. Provides that either House of Congress may, by resolution, require any agency to reconsider and resubmit any rule to which this Act applies. Requires that such proposed rule be repromulgated anew in accordance with all the provisions of this Act unless it is reconsidered and resubmitted to Congress within 180 days after the adoption of the resolution requiring such reconsideration. Requires the Administrative Conference of the United States to study Congressional review of agency rule making under this Act and report the effect of such review on such rule making before July 1, 1982. Authorizes to be appropriated $200,000 to finance such study. Makes this Act effective on the first day of the first session of the Ninety-fifth Congress. Terminates the Congressional review required by this Act at the adjournment of the Ninety-seventh Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1977
Contract Disputes Reform Act - Authorizes an executive agency to settle any claim arising out of any express or implied contract of such agency. Requires an agency contracting officer to settle disputes which cannot be resolved by mutual agreement. Permits any contractor to request an informal administrative conference with the appropriate agency to review the decision of the contracting officer. Declares the decision of the contracting officer to be final unless the contractor sues or appeals as provided in this Act. Permits each agency to establish an agency Board of Contract Appeals if the volume of procurement of such agency justifies a Board of at least three full-time members. Requires appeals to be made to such Board within 90 days of receipt of the contracting officer's decision. Provides for an appeal to the Board of another agency in the event that the party agency does not have its own Board. Requires the rules of each board to provide for a simplified procedure for small claims of $25,000 or less which can be invoked at the option of the contractor. Permits suits in any U.S. district court or the Court of Claims in lieu of an appeal by the contractor to an agency Board. Permits the agency or the contractor to appeal any decision of an agency Board to such Courts. States that in the event the agency appeals a Board decision, that decision shall not be overturned unless arbitrary, capricious, or so clearly erroneous as to imply bad faith. (Amends 28 U.S.C. 2401; 2517)
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1977
Directs the House Committee or Standards of Official Conduct to meet and vote before June 1, 1977, upon whether to undertake a formal investigation of those Members of the House who have publicly admitted accepting money or other emoluments from the Republic of Korea or agents thereof.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1977
Amends rule XXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the House from receiving or considering any bill or resolution unless its title accurately reflects its contents including the specific amount of each authorization or appropriation contained therein.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress to assure that the total outlays of the Government, during any fiscal year, do not exceed the total receipts of the Government during such fiscal year. States that by the fourth fiscal year after the ratification of this amendment the budget shall be balanced. Permits expenditures to exceed national revenues in time of declared emergency, but states that such expenditures shall never exceed receipts by more than ten percent. Provides that during the fifth fiscal year beginning after the ratification of this amendment and for the next 19 succeeding fiscal years thereafter, the total receipts of the Government shall exceed outlays by an amount equal to five percent of the Federal indebtedness at the beginning of the fifth year fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain annual additions for pension plan participants to exceed 25 percent of the participant's compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1977
Title I: Extension and Amendment to Title II of Public Law 94-369 - Amends the Public Works Employment Act of 1976 to authorize for three calendar quarters beginning on July 1, 1977, appropriations for payments to State and local governments to coordinate State efforts with Federal Government efforts to stimulate economic recovery. Sets forth a formula for the determination of the amount allocable to each State and unit of local government, including Indian tribes and Alaskan native villages. Includes prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of age or handicap. Title II: Amendment to the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 - Amends the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 to add a new title authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments to State and units of local government to help counter the effects of an economic recession. Describes financial conditions necessary for State eligibility and a formula for the determination of each State and local government's allocable amount. Requires each State and local government recipient to file with the Secretary a statement of assurances that regulations for handling such funds will be followed and requires withholding of funds for noncompliance with such assurances. Prohibits specified discrimination under any program or activity of a State or local government which receives funds under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1977
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense shall at the earliest opportunity inter an Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and make permanent display of representative medals, ribbons, and tributes of the Vietnam War in the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the automatic cost-of-living increases in benefits be made on a semiannual basis (rather than on an annual basis as at present).
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers a credit against the income tax for specified higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, books and supplies, incurred by the taxpayer for himself or any dependent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
National Food Stamp Reform Act - Extends the Food Stamp Act of 1964 through fiscal year 1982. Excludes from the definition of "food" which may be purchased with food stamps alcoholic beverages, tobacco, ice cubes, artificial food colorings, powdered and liquid cocktail mixes, carbonated beverages, cooking wines, and chewing gum; and any other food, class of food, food product or condiment which the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the President of the National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council (Food and Nutrition Board), determines to have a negligible or low nutritional value or to be an insignificant enhancement of palatability. Includes residents of federally subsidized housing for the elderly in the definition of "household". Redefines "elderly person" as someone 65 years or older (currently, 60 years of age). Defines "nutritionally adequate diet" as a diet sufficient to feed a family of four persons, consisting of a man and a woman between 20 and 54 years of age, one child between ages nine and eleven and one child between six and eight, and which meets additional specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to establish uniform national standards of eligibility for participation by households in the food stamp program. Requires the income standards of eligibility in every State to be the nonfarm income poverty guidelines prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget, adjusted annually; but limits the standards for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam to those of the 50 States. Sets a 90-day accounting period for certification or recertification of food stamp applicants. Limits the maximum allowable financial resources (liquid and nonliquid assets) of a household to $1,500, except that, for households or two or more persons with one or more members 65 years or older, such resources are limited to $2,250. Specifies holdings excluded from the determination of such resources. Requires household income for purposes of the food stamp program to be the gross income of the household less: (1) a deduction of $25 a month for any household in which there is at least one elderly person; and (2) an additional deduction equal to 15 percent of all earned income to compensate for taxes, mandatory deductions, and work expenses. Includes in gross income: (1) all monetary payments to or on behalf of any household member except payments made for medical costs; (2) all income tax refunds and Federal income tax credits; (3) the value of all in-kind items; and (4) the value of all benefits received under any publicly or privately funded assistance program. Excludes from gross income: (1) payments for medical costs made on behalf of the household; (2) compensation for services performed by a student residing with the household who is not yet 18; (3) Uniform Relocation Assistance payments; (4) infrequent or irregular quarterly income; (5) all loans except deferred repayment education loans; and (6) the cost of producing self-employed income. Authorizes the Secretary to establish temporary emergency eligibility standards for households which are victims of a disaster. States that no household shall be eligible for participation in the Food Stamp program which includes an able- bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 65 who: (1) incurs a reduction of income as a result of voluntarily reducing his or her number of hours of employment without good cause; (2) fails to register for employment at a State or Federal employment office; (3) has refused to accept employment or public work within 30 miles of the person's principal residence; (4) fails to actively seek employment; or (5) is enrolled in an institution of post-secondary education as a substitute for full-time employment. Excludes from this class of ineligible individuals mothers with dependent children, primary or secondary school students, post-secondary level students or trainees' employed part-time, enrollees in a drug addiction or alcoholic treatment program, and persons working at least 30 hours per week. States that refusal to work at a plant site because of a strike or other labor dispute shall be deemed to be a refusal to accept employment. Declares that no person shall be eligible who is not a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. States that no minor shall be considered a household member if such minor resides in a household in which no other member has a legal duty to support him unless: (1) the individual who had such a duty is financially unable to perform it; or (2) no individual with such duty exists. Requires each household receiving food stamps to report its income at least once each month. Declares that no household that knowingly transfers liquid or nonliquid assets for the purpose of qualifying or attempting to qualify for the food stamp program shall be eligible to participate in the program for a minimum of 90 days. States that no person who receives supplementary security income benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act, State supplementary payments under such title, or payments under specified provisions of title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of such Act, shall be considered a member of a household for any month, if for such month, such individual resides in a State in which the Supplemental Security Income benefit has been increased specifically to include the bonus value of food coupon allotments. Requires food coupons to be designed with spaces for the user to sign upon receipt and redemption. Requires coupon users to present suitable identification; including signature and photograph, when redeeming coupons at approved food stores. States that the value of the food coupon allotment to which eligible households will be entitled shall be an amount sufficient to allow a household to purchase a nutritionally adequate diet. Requires the semi-annual adjustment of the value of an allotment based on changes in the cost of food. Establishes as the charge a household shall pay for its coupon allotment the lesser of: (1) the percentage of its income which would be expended for food by an average household of its size and income range in the same region of the country; or (2) 30 percent. Provides, under the requirements for State plans for the administration of the food stamp program, for closer State supervision of eligibility by households. Requires the State agencies administering the program to conduct nutrition education programs for recipients. Directs each State agency to establish an earnings clearance system for the purpose of checking the actual income and assets of a household against those reported by the household. Provides that if a State agency does not comply with the provisions of the Food Stamp Act, the Secretary may refer the matter to the Attorney General with a request for an injunction, or he may direct that there be no further issuance of coupons in the political subdivisions where such failure has occurred until such time as satisfactory corrective action has been taken. Establishes a national system for providing information to State agencies in order to assist them in preventing households from receiving food stamps in more than one State or in more than one political subdivision within a State. Sets a civil penalty not in excess of $10,000 for each violation of the Food Stamp Act of 1964 or regulations issued pursuant to it by specified persons, including State agencies. Directs the Secretary to pay to each State agency out of funds appropriated by Congress an amount equal to 75 percent of all direct costs of State food stamp program investigations, prosecutions, and State activities related to recovering losses sustained in the food stamp program. Specifies information to included in the Secretary's annual report in addition to information already given.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Prohibits the Bureau of the Census, with respect to agricultural censuses, from acquiring or utilizing census information which could identify any particular taxpayer. Extends such prohibition to the Department of the Treasury and any regulatory agency with respect to information collected by the Bureau pursuant to an agricultural census. Prohibits the imposition of any penalty for refusing or willfully neglecting to answer any question in connection with an agricultural census.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property's basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 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 · 4 April 1977
Amends rules XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that each committee report accompanying a public bill or joint resolution contain an evaluation of the paperwork which would be incurred in carrying out such bill or resolution including estimates of time and cost required of affected parties, a showing of whether the effect of the bill could be substantial, and an estimate of recordkeeping requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should declare a moratorium on United States manufacture of chemical weapons (lethal and incapacitating nerve and mustard agents and "binary agents') and order the destruction of certain United States stockpiles of such weapons. Urges other nations to destroy their stockpiles. Urges the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament to conclude a treaty banning the manufacture and possession of such weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Food Additive Safety Amendments - States that a food additive shall be deemed safe if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (1) makes a finding, based on recommendations of an advisory committee, that the public benefit from permitting the use of such additive would exceed the public risk which might result from such use; (2) gives notice in the Federal Register of such a finding and invites public comment thereon; and (3) issues a final order not earlier than 120 days of such publication in the Federal Register of such findings. Specifies factors the Secretary must take into consideration when evaluating a food additive. Deems saccharin a safe food additive unless the Secretary declares it unsafe under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Medicare Long-Term Care Act - Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish a voluntary program to provide long-term care benefits for aged and disabled individuals who elect to enroll under such program, financed from premium payments by enrollees together with contributions from funds appropriated by the Federal Government and contributions by States. Lists criteria for eligibility for long-term care service benefits. States that the benefits provided to an individual under this Act shall consist of (1) home health services, (2) homemaker services, (3) nutrition services, (4) long-term institutional care services, (5) day care and foster home services, and (6) community mental health center outpatient services. Enumerates the requirements for certification of a State long-term care agency by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. Provides for the payment of premiums for benefits received under this Act by individuals who elect to participate in the long-term care program. Establishes on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund. Creates a Board of Trustees of such Trust Fund, composed of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, all ex officio. States that the Secretary of the Treasury shall be the Managing Trustee of the Board of Trustees and that the Commissioner of Social Security shall serve as the Secretary of the Board. Requires the Board to meet at least once each calendar year. Enumerates the duties of the Board. Declares that a community long-term care center shall: (1) provide the items and services listed in this Act to each individual who (a) is eligible for benefits under this part, (b) resides in the area served by such center, and (c) is certified as requiring such services; (2) evaluate and certify the long-term care needs of an individual for whom such care may be required in order to maintain such individual in an independent living arrangement which is reasonable given such individual's state of health and other circumstances (but not including such individual's economic circumstances); (3) maintain a continuous relationship with (and periodically evaluate not less than annually) each individual who is receiving any of the items and services listed in this Act; (4) provide full opportunity for such individual and his family to participate in the determinations and functions under this Act; (5) provide an organized system for making its existence and location known to all individuals in its service area who are eligible for benefits under this part, and for making known to such individuals the method or methods by which they may most efficiently obtain and use the services which it makes available; and (6) perform such other functions as the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may by regulation prescribe in order to have such center most effectively carry out the purposes of this Act. Sets forth a formula by which payments to States for the reimbursement of community long-term care centers may be calculated. Directs the Secretary, after consultation with organizations representing the chief executives of the various States, and other interested parties, to develop and make available to community long-term care centers one or more methods of obtaining payment for the benefits covered under this Act on a prospective method, it may not alter its election without the prior approval of the Secretary. Provides that whenever the Secretary finds that the number of community long-term care centers electing a particular prospective payment method promulgated in accordance with this Act is not sufficient to provide an adequate basis for either the operation or evaluation of that method, the Secretary shall withdraw that method and allow the community long-term care centers which have elected such method to select another method within 30 days of notice of such withdrawal. Permits a Governor of a State to certify to the Secretary a method of prospective payment other than those promulgated under this Act. States that the determination of whether an individual is entitled to benefits under this Act shall be made by the Secretary in accordance with regulations prescribed by him. Provides for increases in supplemental security income benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to reduce from 72 to 65 the age beyond which deductions on account of an individual's outside earnings will no longer be made from such individual's benefits.
![Official portrait of Rep. Corcoran, Tom [R-IL-14]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000773_200.jpg)