United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1977
Directs the President to review United States policies and practices with respect to arms shipments to South Africa and to insure that such policies and practices are consistent with obligations under the United Nations Security Council Resolution to prevent shipment of arms and related items which might contribute to apartheid in South Africa. Requires the President to report on such review to Congress and to explain the licensing of "nonmilitary weapons" for shipment to South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
International Development and Food Assistance Act - Title I: International Development Assistance - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to make development assistance available to the relatively least developed countries on a grant basis to the maximum extent consistent with United States development objectives. Amends the policy statement of such Act with respect to maximizing the effectiveness of development assistance. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1976 and to authorize the appropriation of $613,200,000 for fiscal year 1978, for food and nutrition assistance. Requires that not less than $10,000,000 of such funds be used only for research, development, and use of small-scale, renewable energy sources for rural areas, undertaken with the cooperation of the Energy Research and Development Administration. Authorizes the appropriation of $181,000,000 for family planning and population growth control assistance for FY 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $105,900,000 for FY 1978 for health assistance. Requires that such assistance be administered with attention to developing the standard of living in developing countries. Restricts $1,700,000 of the above health funds to be used for contribution to the World Health Organization Onchocerciasis Control Program. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the authorization of appropriations for FY 1976 and to authorize the appropriation of $84,900,000 for FY 1978 for education and human resources development assistance. Amends such Act to repeal the authorization of appropriations for FY 1976 and to authorize appropriations of $110,000,000 for FY 1978 for technical assistance, energy research, reconstruction, selected development problems, and assistance for severe environmental damage in less developed countries. Requires that not less than $8,000,000 of such funds be used to design and implement nonnuclear energy sources. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to exempt from cost-sharing and funding limits grant assistance to the relatively least developed countries and intermediate technology assistance. Requires that not less than $10,000,000 of funds made available for FY 1978 be used only for technical assistance in the development and use of cooperatives. Directs the President to submit to Congress a report on the integration of women into the developing economics of countries receiving development assistance. Prohibits the use of certain funds made available by this Act for any country receiving security supporting assistance or assistance for Middle East peace, unless specifically authorized by Congress. Repeals prohibitions for using such funds for any country receiving (1) assistance for relief of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, or (2) Indochina postwar assistance. Requires that $750,000 of development assistance funds made available for FY 1978 be used to study and promote civil and political rights in countries receiving assistance. Prohibits the use of such funds to influence any election. Requires the administration of certain development assistance to give attention to the impact of programs on population growth. Requires certain activities to be reviewed for their impact on fertility. Directs particular attention to be paid to building motivation for family planning. Authorizes the President to study the factors affecting population and motivation of family planning. Encourages the President to promote breastfeeding programs. Directs the President to take into account the impact of development programs on the natural resources of the recipient country. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance for the long-term development of the Sahel. Directs the President to prepare an annual report on the Sahel development program. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 for FY 1978 for such purposes. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the authorization of appropriations for American schools and hospitals abroad for FY 1976. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 for FY 1978 for such purposes. Prohibits the furnishing of such assistance to more than four institutions in one country. Authorizes the appropriation of $7,000,000 for fiscal years 1977 and 1978 in foreign currencies for such purposes. Amends such Act to repeal the authorization of appropriations for FY 1976 for international organizations and programs and to authorize the appropriation of $271,750,000 for FY 1978 for such purposes. Requires that not less than $500,000 be used for a contribution to the Namibia Institute. Requests the President in making contributions to international organizations, to take into account the economic integration of women. Amends such Act to repeal the authorization of appropriations for FY 1976 for international disaster assistance, and to authorize the appropriation of $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1977 and 1978 for such purposes. Authorizes the appropriation of $20,000,000 for FY 1978 for relief assistance to the victims of the 1976 earthquakes in Italy. Amends such Act to permit the furnishing of services and commodities through foreign voluntary nonprofit relief agencies, approved by the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid under regulations issued by the President when no United States voluntary nonprofit relief agency is available. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the prohibitions on aid to countries assisting or trading with Cuba or Vietnam. Repeals the authority of the President to waive prohibitions on aid in the national interest. Amends such Act to abolish the office of Inspector General, Foreign Assistance, in the Department of State. Authorizes the President to assign the duties of such officer to the Inspector General, Foreign Services. Amends such Act of repeal the direction to the President to establish a Development Coordination Committee. Directs the President to submit to Congress an annual report on United States international development policies and programs. Authorizes the President to use up to $2,000,000 of funds appropriated under this Act for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978 to work with friendly countries which do not receive development assistance to facilitate access to natural resources and stimulate reimbursable aid programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $220,200,000 for FY 1978 for operating expenses under such Act, and of such sums as may be necessary for employee benefits. Permits the transfer of funds appropriated under such Act to operating expenses. Amends such Act to prohibit the obligation of funds under such Act for activities not justified, or in excess of the amount justified to Congress, unless certain Congressional committees are notified in advance. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare it the sense of Congress that the United States should substantially increase assistance for self-help development of the world's poorest people. Title II: Food for Peace - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to repeal the prohibitions against agricultural financing by the Commodity Credit Corporation for any exporter trading with Vietnam. Repeals the requirement that applications for financing by the Corporation be accompanied by certain information regarding corporate officers and subsidiaries. Amends the definition of "friendly country" under such Act to repeal the exclusion of nations trading with Cuba, Vietnam, or the United Arab Republic. Revises the criteria, under such Act, for allocation of food aid commodities to prohibit more than 25 percent of such commodities from being provided to countries that do not meet the poverty criteria established by the International Development Association. Eliminates the power of the Congress to disapprove a Presidential waiver of such criteria for humanitarian food purposes upon certification to Congress. Directs the President to assure that purchase authorizations under such Act are consistent with requisite storage facilities in the recipient country. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to prohibit agricultural commodity agreements with any country which engages in a consistent pattern of gross human rights violations, unless such agreement will directly benefit the needy people in such country. Sets forth procedures for determining the existence of a consistent pattern of human rights violations. Amends such Act to declare it the policy of the United States that the United States shall assist economic self-sufficiency in food assistance recipient-countries and shall continue provision of high protein, blended or fortified foods. Permits the President to waive repayment of food assistance up to the costs of processing, enrichment, or fortification. Authorizes the President to establish food for development programs by encouraging the use of the resources provided by the concessional financing of agricultural commodities under this Act by permitting the funds accruing from the local sale of such commodities which are used for such purposes to be applied against from the local sale of such commodities which are used for such purposes to be applied against the repayment obligation of governments receiving concessional financing under this Act. Sets forth the criteria for eligibility for such food for development programs, and procedures for implementation of such programs (including multiyear use proposals integrating the programs into development plans and development assistance, and review of such programs). Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to require the President to submit to Congress, every five years, a comparative cross-country evaluation of the food for development programs and commodity assistance programs for famine and other purposes. Increases the annual minimum quantity of commodities distributed for famine and other purposes to 1,600,000 tons of which 1,300,000 tons shall be distributed through nonprofit voluntary agencies and the World Food Program. Permits the President to utilize a foreign nonprofit voluntary agency approved by the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Aid when no United States nonprofit voluntary agency approved by the Committee is available. Requires the use of indigenous workers to the extent feasible to furnish nutrition information and conduct food distribution programs. Directs that food distribution priority by given to those suffering from malnutrition.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
Consumer Protection Act - Establishes as an independent agency within the executive branch the Agency for Consumer Protection, to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the Administrator to transmit to the Congress and the President in January of each year a report on the activities and accomplishments of the Agency during the preceding calendar year including a summary of consumer complaints received and actions taken thereon and recommendations for legislation to protect the interests of consumers. States that the functions of the Agency shall be to: (1) represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts to the extent authorized by this Act; (2) encourage and support research, studies, and testing leading to a better understanding of consumer products and improved products, services, and consumer information; (3) submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; and (4) cooperate with State and local governments and private enterprise in the promotion and protection of the interests of consumers. Allows the Administrator, whenever he determines that the result of any Federal agency proceeding or activity may substantially affect an interest of consumers, to intervene as a party or otherwise participate in representing the interests of consumers. Directs the Agency to receive, evaluate, develop, act on, and transmit complaints to the appropriate Federal or non-Federal entities concerning actions or practices which may be detrimental to the interests of consumers. Authorizes the Administrator to request Federal agencies to perform tests regarding products, services or any other matter affecting the interests of consumers. Requires the Agency to maintain a public document room containing an up-to-date listing of all signed consumer complaints of any significance arranged in meaningful and useful categories together with annotations of Agency actions together with annotations of actions taken by it. Authorizes the Administration to propose to any Federal agency, for submission to specified persons, written interrogatories or requests for reports and other related information, within such agency's authority. Requires every Federal agency considering any action which may substantially affect the interests of consumers to notify the Agency of such action. Terminates the Agency for Consumer Protection on September 30, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1977
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1978 - Title I: State Department - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of State for fiscal year 1978 for functions relating to the administration of foreign affairs ($762,005,000), international organizations and conferences ($389,412,000), international commissions ($21,839,000), education exchange ($88,100,000), migration and refugee assistance ($53,054,000), and employee benefits and compensation. Restricts the transfer of funds for such purposes. Authorizes $7,281,583 of funds authorized for international organizations and conferences to be used to pay the United States assessment to the World Health Organization, notwithstanding restrictions on payments to the United Nations and affiliated agencies. Restricts $20,000,000 of the amount appropriated for migration and refugee assistance to assist the resettlement in Israel of refugees from the Soviet Union and Communist countries in Eastern Europe. Authorizes the Secretary of State to assist United States citizens incarcerated abroad. Revises limitations on appropriations made to the Secretary of State for acquisition of buildings and grounds, in foreign countries, under the Foreign Service Buildings Act. Repeals the ten-year limitation on leaseholds acquired under such Act for sites and buildings. Creates an Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights. Abolishes the position of Coordinator for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs and transfers the functions of such position to the Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights. Makes the individual serving as Coordinator of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs the Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights without requiring reappointment of such individual. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to rename the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs as the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Establishes an Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs to assume the functions of the administrator of such bureau. Removes the Bureau for jurisdiction of the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Administration. Makes the individual serving as administrator of the bureau the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs without requiring reappointment of such individual. Establishes a board to advise the Secretary of State with respect to negotiations concerning toll increases on the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the Welland Canal. Requires that such board consist of representatives of groups affected by the increased tolls. Terminates such board on the date such negotiations are completed at September 30, 1978, whichever occurs first. Directs the President to emphasize the development and use of light capital technologies at the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 to authorize appropriations not to exceed $25,000,000 for each fiscal year beginning with FY 1979 for the Inter-American Foundation. Grants the consent of Congress, upon approval of the Secretary of State and the other concerned Secretaries, to (1) any retired member of the uniformed services, (2) any member of a Reserve component of the Armed Forces, and (3) any member of the commissioned Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service, to accept civil employment from a foreign government. Title II: Foreign Service Personnel System - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to extend the procedures for computation of compensation for a Foreign Service officer acting as chief of mission to any Reserve officer acting in such capacity. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to authorize establishments of the Government, including legislative and judicial branches, in addition to governmental agencies to administer alien employee programs in accordance with compensation plans for alien employees of the Foreign Service. Permits the heads of Government agencies and other establishments of the Government to compensate any current or former alien employee who is or has been imprisoned by a foreign government upon a determination by the Secretary of State that such imprisonment resulted from the alien's employment by the United States. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to repeal the ten-year citizenship requirement for appointment as a Foreign Service officer, or as a Foreign Service Reserve officer. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to replace entry procedures for Foreign Service officer candidates with a Career Candidate Program which authorizes the appointment of candidates who have passed the required examinations as Foreign Service Reserve officers for a trial period. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to make the retirement procedures for any foreign service officer who has served as chief of mission applicable to the Foreign Service Reserve officer who is a participant in the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to preserve the Foreign Service personnel status of Foreign Service Reserve officers appointed to any governmental agency or international body by the President. Redefines "Foreign Service employee," for purposes of death gratuities for foreign service employees, to include alien employees. Authorizes retirement benefits for certain Foreign Service officers selected-out of the Foreign Service who were not in class one, two, or three at the time of retirement. Title III: United States Information Agency - Authorizes appropriations to the United States Information Agency for fiscal year 1978 to carry out international informational activities under the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, and Reorganization Plan Numbered 8 of 1953 for (1) salaries and expenses ($269,286,000), (2) special international exhibitions ($4,360,000), (3) acquisition and construction of radio facilities ($19,872,000), and (4) increases in employee compensation and benefits (such amounts as may be necessary). Restricts the transfer of such funds. Requires the Director of the United States Information Agency to submit to the Secretary of State plans for replacement of the Agency's facilities in Soweto, South Africa. Permits the Director to make available to the Administrator of General Services, for deposit in the National Archives, a master copy of the film "Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden" and any films for the "Young Filmmakers Bicentennial Film Series" of the Agency. Title IV: Board for International Broadcasting - Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations of $68,980,000 for fiscal year 1978 for grants to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and for other purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Broadcast License Renewal Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to set the term of a broadcast station license, or renewal, at five years. Provides that any license granted may be renewed upon its expiration, if the Commission finds that the public interest, convenience, and necessity would be served by the renewal of such license. Allows appeals from decisions and orders of the Commission to be taken to the United States court of appeals for the circuit in which such broadcast facility is located. Sets guidelines for expeditious action on applications for renewal of broadcasting station licenses by limiting material required to be filed. Requires the Commission to examine the renewal process and report within six months on methods of reducing and consolidating filings and supporting documents.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1978 - Title I: State Department - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of State for fiscal year 1978 for functions relating to the administration of foreign affairs ($762,005,000), international organizations and conferences ($389,412,000), international commissions ($21,839,000), education exchange ($88,100,000), migration and refugee assistance ($53,054,000), and employee benefits and compensation. Restricts the transfer of funds for such purposes. Authorizes $7,281,583 of funds authorized for international organizations and conferences to be used to pay the United States assessment to the World Health Organization, notwithstanding restrictions on payments to the United Nations and affiliated agencies. Restricts $20,000,000 of the amount appropriated for migration and refugee assistance to assist the resettlement in Israel of refugees from the Soviet Union and Communist countries in Eastern Europe. Authorizes the Secretary of State to assist United States citizens incarcerated abroad. Revises limitations on appropriations made to the Secretary of State for acquisition of buildings and grounds, in foreign countries, under the Foreign Service Buildings Act. Repeals the ten-year limitation on leaseholds acquired under such Act for sites and buildings. Creates an Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights. Abolishes the position of Coordinator for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs and transfers the functions of such position to the Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights. Makes the individual serving as Coordinator of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs the Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights without requiring reappointment of such individual. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to rename the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs as the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Establishes an Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs to assume the functions of the administrator of such bureau. Removes the Bureau for jurisdiction of the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Administration. Makes the individual serving as administrator of the bureau the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs without requiring reappointment of such individual. Establishes a board to advise the Secretary of State with respect to negotiations concerning toll increases on the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the Welland Canal. Requires that such board consist of representatives of groups affected by the increased tolls. Terminates such board on the date such negotiations are completed or September 30, 1978, whichever occurs first. Directs the President to emphasize the development and use of light capital technologies at the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 to authorize appropriations not to exceed $25,000,000 for each fiscal year beginning with FY 1979 for the Inter-American Foundation. Grants the consent of Congress, upon approval of the Secretary of State and the other concerned Secretary, to (1) any retired member of the uniformed services, (2) any member of a Reserve component of the Armed Forces, and (3) any member of the commissioned Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service, to accept civil employment from a foreign government. Title II: Foreign Service Personnel System - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to extend the procedures for computation of compensation for a Foreign Service officer acting as chief of mission to any Reserve officer acting in such capacity. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to authorize specified establishments of the Government to administer alien employee programs in accordance with compensation plans for alien employees of the Foreign Service. Permits the heads of Government agencies and other establishments of the Government to compensate any current or former alien employee who is or has been imprisoned by a foreign government upon a determination by the Secretary of State that such imprisonment resulted from the alien's employment by the United States. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to repeal the ten-year citizenship requirement for appointment as a Foreign Service officer, or as a Foreign Service Reserve officer. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to replace entry procedures for Foreign Service officer candidates with a Career Candidate Program which authorizes the appointment of candidates who have passed the required examinations as Foreign Service Reserve officers for a trial period. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to make the retirement procedures for any foreign service officer who has served as chief of mission applicable to the Foreign Service Reserve officer who is a participant in the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to preserve the Foreign Service personnel, status of Foreign Service Reserve officers appointed to any governmental agency or international body by the President. Redefines "Foreign Service employee," for purposes of death gratuities for foreign service employees, to include alien employees. Authorizes retirement benefits for certain Foreign Service officers selected-out of the Foreign Service who were not in class one, two, or three at the time of retirement. Title III: United States Information Agency - Authorizes appropriations to the United States Information Agency for fiscal year 1978 to carry out international informational activities under the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, and Reorganization Plan Numbered 8 of 1953 for (1) salaries and expenses ($269,286,000), (2) special international exhibitions ($4,360,000), (3) acquisition and construction of radio facilities ($19,872,000), and (4) increases in employee compensation and benefits (such amounts as may be necessary). Restricts the transfer of such funds. Requires the Director of the United States Information Agency to submit to the Secretary of State plans for replacement of the Agency's facilities in Soweto, South Africa. Permits the Director to make available to the Administrator of General Services, for deposit in the National Archives, a master copy of the film "Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden" and any films for the "Young Filmmakers Bicentennial Film Series" of the Agency. Title IV: Board for International Broadcasting - Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations of $68,980,000 for fiscal year 1978 for grants to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and for other purposes.
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 · 20 April 1977
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Labor, through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to prepare, as part of the Consumer Price Index published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a consumer price index (to be known as the Consumer Price Index for the Aged and Other Social Security Beneficiaries) designed to reflect the relevant price information for individuals, as a group, who are 65 years of age or older or are otherwise entitled to monthly benefits under Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to make Federal ship mortgage insurance available for obligations for fishing vessels which do not exceed 87 1/2 percent of the actual or depreciated cost of such vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1977
Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Sunset Act - Sets forth a five-year schedule for review and reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal year 1977. States that no program not specifically reauthorized by Congress pursuant to this Act shall continue to function after the review date set forth in such schedule. Excepts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as health care services,general retirement and disability insurance, and Federal employment retirement and disability payments. Permits legislation authorizing Federal program review more often than every five years as required by this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to identify for Congress for each program being reviewed the type of budget authority such program has and those inactive programs for which no outlays have been made during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Title II: Review of Programs - Requires the authorizing committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct "sunset reviews" of all programs prior to the review date applicable to such program and to issue a report on the findings of such review. Sets forth guidelines for the content of such sunset reviews including the identification of programs with duplicative objectives and an assessment of the impact of eliminating the program or funding it at a lower level. Provides the authorizing committees with assistance from the Government Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service in carrying out such sunset reviews. Title III: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes a Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to study and make recommendations on ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government. Requires the Commission to submit its final report together with its findings and recommendations no later than September 30, 1980. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Joint Committee on Taxation, after consultation with Secretary of the Treasury and the Budget Committees of the House and Senate, to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax expenditures, similar to the schedule set out in Title I for Federal programs, and to report its recommendations to the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance. Requires the Congress to take final action before the end of the 95th Congress on the schedule for tax expenditures. States that, following the adoption of the schedule, the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance are required to conduct "sunset" reviews of tax expenditures according to the schedule. Sets forth guidelines for such reviews similar to those set out in Title II for such programs. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires Executive Department agency heads to submit to Congress (after the President has submitted his budget) a statement of that agency's request for new budget authority as transmitted to the Office of Management and Budget. Requires agency heads to furnish the authorizing committees of Congress information regarding supplemental budget requests and supplemental estimates of outlays. Provides for a one-year grace period for programs which have not been specifically reauthorized by the scheduled time.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt nonprofit volunteer firefighting or rescue organizations from the excise tax on sales of special fuels, automotive parts, petroleum products, and communication services.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Sludge Management Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to study the environmental, health, and economic effects of subsurface landfilling sludge on soils and ground water, and alternate methods of sludge disposal. Directs the Administrator to develop guidelines for sludge disposal and land-spreading in order to protect the public health and welfare. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States and localities of up to 40 percent of the cost of removal of sludge from navigable waters of the United States or any adjacent shoreline. Directs the Administrator to establish an Environmental Protection Agency Task Force on sludge removal. Authorizes the establishment of programs of training, demonstration, and surveys relating to the restoration of water quality where degraded by sludge. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit grants for treatment works, after September 30, 1976, unless the applicant demonstrates that adequate confined disposal methods will be provided.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Civil Rights Amendments - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of marital status in: (1) public accommodations; (2) public facilities; (3) public education; and (4) federally assisted opportunities. Prohibits such discrimination in housing. Amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to prohibit such discrimination in federally assisted education.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1978 for relief assistance to the victims of 1976 earthquakes in Italy.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Grants the consent of Congress to retired members of the uniformed services, members of Reserve components of the armed forces, and members of the Public Health Service Reserve Corps to accept employment with foreign governments with the approval of the Secretary concerned and the Secretary of State.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Grants the consent of Congress to retired members of the uniformed services, members of Reserve components of the armed forces, and members of the Public Health Service Reserve Corps to accept employment with foreign governments with the approval of the Secretary concerned and the Secretary of State.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act - Allows an income tax credit for 30 percent of the expenditures not exceeding $750 which the taxpayer paid or incurred during the taxable year for installation of insulation or energy-conserving components which improve heating plant efficiency in his principal residence. Limits the application of this credit to expenditures paid or incurred for installations made between 1976 and 1982 in pre-existing dwellings. Reduces the allowable credit, on a graduated scale, for individuals with adjusted gross incomes greater than $10,000. Allows an income tax credit for 40 percent of the first $1,500, and a secondary credit for 25 percent of the next $7,600 paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year for the installation of qualified solar, wind and geothermal energy equipment in his principal residence. Allows an income tax credit for 20 percent of the first $1,500, and a secondary credit for 12.5 percent of the next $7,600 paid or incurred for the installation of wood stove, heat pump, or burner equipment in connection with new solar, wind or geothermal energy equipment which will be the principal source of space heat in the taxpayer's principal residence. Reduces these limitations in subsequent tax years by subtracting the amounts taken into account for these credits in previous tax years. Limits these credits to equipment installed between 1976 and 1982. Prorates each of the above credits for residential improvements among joint owners and cooperative shareholders according to their proportionate interests in the residential property. Provides for the carryover of any allowable credit which exceeds the taxpayer's current income tax liability. Reduces the allowable credits, on a graduated scale for and Conservation Act. persons with adjusted gross incomes greater than $15,000. Allows an investment tax credit for 25 percent of the qualified investment cost of depreciable geothermal, solar or wind energy equipment placed in service. Allows such a credit for 12 percent of the qualified costs of ventilation, heating, water and other components primarily designed to reduce the heat loss or gain of a structure, and origin ally used by the taxpayer. Prohibits these credits for property originally funded with Federal grants, or located in States which take these energy conserving measures into account for property assessment, or which don't enforce the thermal design requirements of the Energy Policy
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to direct the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to assist less developed countries in the development and utilization of unconventional, nonnuclear energy technologies. Authorizes the Administrator, in cooperation with the Agency for International Development, to conduct studies on the energy needs, uses, and resources in other countries. Stipulates that such studies should be designed to result in the establishment of an information system permitting transfers of unconventional, nonnuclear energy technologies to impoverished areas of the world. Requires that results of such studies and recommendations for cooperative projects be reported to Congress by July 1, 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 to the Energy Research and Development Administration for fiscal year 1978 for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Title I: Small Business Act Amendments - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make loans to assist small business concerns in financing plant construction and the acquisition of equipment and supplies for the producing of solar energy or other energy conserving equipment. Authorizes the appropriation of $75,000,000 for such purpose. Authorizes the Administration to provide additional assistance to small businesses in the area of training seminars and technical manuals on the design, installation, and maintenance of solar energy equipment. Title II: Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 Amendments - Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to establish an Office of Invention and Innovation in the Energy Research and Development Administration. Authorizes the Office to evaluate proposals for the development of energy-related inventions and to provide financial assistance for the development of such inventions. Stipulates that not less than 20 percent of the funds appropriated to the Energy Research and Development Administration for solar energy programs shall be expended for the benefit of small business concerns and individual inventors. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to encourage the participation of individuals and small businesses in the research, development, and advancement of energy-conserving technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish energy production and conservation assistance to developing countries, including solar, wind, and water projects. Authorizes consultative visits by the Energy Research and Development Administration to design such projects. Authorizes the President to carry out studies to identify the energy needs, uses, and resources of various countries and regions, with special emphasis on the transfer of energy technology. Requires that $10,000,000 of appropriations for development assistance for fiscal year 1978 be spent only for these purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Export Administration Amendments - Title I: Export Administration Improvements and Extension - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to extend the authority granted by such Act to September 30, 1978. Requires that appropriations to carry out the Export Administration Act of 1969 be specifically authorized by Congress for each fiscal year after October 1, 1977. Authorizes the appropriation of $14,033,000 to the Department of Commerce to carry out this Act. Revises the criteria for imposition of export controls for national security purposes. Eliminates the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to assign priority to such controls. Revises the authority of the President to impose export controls for national security purposes without regard to the availability of the controlled articles from sources other than the United States in order to require the President to predicate the imposition of controls on articles available from other sources upon a determination that absence of such a control would be detrimental to the national security of the United States. Revises the policy for control of exports for national security purposes under such Act to redefine "controlled country" as a country to which exports are controlled for national security purposes. Amends such Act to permit agricultural commodities purchased by or for a foreign country to remain in the United States free of quantitative limitations on exports, upon approval by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, and under regulations for such export which the Secretary of Commerce is herein authorized to issue. Permits Congressional disapproval of any action by the President under such regulations to prohibit or curtail agricultural exports. Specifies that any export license application under such Act shall be deemed approved within 90 days of its receipt unless disapproved or unless the applicant is notified that additional time is required for the decision. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to study technical data exports and their effects upon the national security or foreign policy of the United States, and to submit a report of such study to Congress. Amends such Act to exclude petroleum products refined in United States foreign-trade zones, or Guam, from foreign crude oil export controls to prevent excessive drain of scarce materials except if the Secretary of Commerce finds that such products are in short supply and issues regulations herein authorized to limit such exports. Prohibits the exportation of horses by sea for slaughter. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to account for technical assistance and technical advisory committees in semiannual reports to Congress under such Act. Requires the Secretary to review regulations under such Act in order to report to Congress on simplification of such regulations. Increases the terms of persons on such committees. Increases the fine for violations of such Act to $25,000 for the first offense and to $50,000 for a subsequent offense. Increases the fine for prohibited exports to Communist- dominated nations to $50,000. Increases the civil penalty for such violation of such Act to $10,000. Permits suspension of the payment of export licensing penalties for a probationary period. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to stipulate that such Act shall not be construed as authority for withholding information from Congress. Requires the President to make every reasonable effort to reduce aid to international terrorists before resorting to export controls for that purpose. Amends the requirements for reports to Congress and to the President under such Act by appropriate departments or agencies to specify information to be included in such reports and to require semiannual rather than quarterly reports. Requires a special report to Congress by the President on multilateral export controls, and a special report to Congress by the Secretary of Commerce with respect to modification of unilateral and multilateral export control lists. Authorizes the President, acting through the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor and the International Trade Commission, to study the domestic economic impact of industrial technology the export of which requires a license under the Export Administration Act of 1969. Title II: Foreign Boycotts - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to direct the President to promulgate regulations (1) to prohibit any United States person from supporting any boycott by a foreign country against any country friendly to the United States; and (2) to require the reporting of requests for such compliance to the Secretary of Commerce. Permits the suspension or revocation of the authority of any United States person to export as a penalty for violation of such regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Automotive Transport Research and Development Act - Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to establish a program to develop advanced automobile propulsion systems within five years of the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to make grants for research projects designed to assist the furtherance of such program. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to evaluate and report the extent to which the automobile industry utilizes advanced automotive technology. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to test vehicles developed pursuant to the program established by this Act, in order to determine compliance with applicable standards under the Clean Air Act and the Noise Control Act of 1972. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to test such vehicles in order to determine compliance with applicable standards under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, and the Automobile Information Disclosure Act. Establishes contracting procedures consistent with applicable provisions of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to submit annual reports to Congress of activities pursuant to this Act, including results of economic surveys designed to evaluate the extent to which Federal guarantees of financial obligations may aid in developing commercial markets for advanced automobile technology. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to require that efforts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration be directed towards the development of advanced automobile propulsion systems. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 and $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 to carry out the purposes of this Act. Stipulates that no more than 60 percent of such appropriations shall be directly expended in Federal laboratories.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Declares that specified persons previously appointed as temporary hearing examiner's under the Supplemental Security Income program of the Social Security Act shall be considered appointed to career-absolute positions as hearing examiners.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and Policy - Declares that most of the nation's coal reserve can only be mined by underground methods. Lists the purposes of this Act, including the establishment of a nationwide program to prevent adverse effects to society and the environment from surface coal mining. Title II: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement - Establishes in the Interior Department the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement with a Director appointed by the President. States that such Office shall administer the programs required by this Act and assist the States in development of State programs for surface coal mining and reclamation. States that the Office shall be considered an independent Federal regulatory body. Title III: State Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior of sums adequate to provide for each participating State $200,000 for fiscal year 1978, $300,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $400,000 for each fiscal year thereafter for five years, to assist the States in carrying on the work of a competent and qualified mining and mineral resources research institute or center at the school of mines of one public college or university of the State. Requires such monies to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the States. Authorizes appropriations of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, such sum to be increased by $2,000,000 each fiscal year for six years thereafter, for specific projects in mining and mineral research in institutes. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projected scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Requires the Secretary to appoint an Advisory Committee on Mining and Mineral Research for advice on all matters concerning mining and mineral resources research. Title IV: Abandoned Mine Reclamation - Creates the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund in the Treasury. Requires operators of coal mines to pay into the fund quarterly fees of $.35 per ton of coal produced by surface mining and $.15 per ton of coal produced by underground mining, or ten percent of the value of the coal in the mine, whichever is less. Authorizes use of money in the Fund for acquisition and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mine lands and for acquisitions and fillings of voids and sealing of tunnels and entryways in abandoned mines. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into agreements with landowners of water rights under which such landowners shall furnish a conservation and development plan and shall effect such plan in return for financial assistance from the Secretary of Agriculture of up to 80 percent of the cost of such a reclamation effort. Encourages States to acquire abandoned and unreclaimed land, and to transfer it to the Secretary for reclamation, and authorizes matching grants for such purpose, up to 90 percent of the land price. Allows resale of reclaimed land by public bidding, and allows local public participation in determining the use of reclaimed land. Title V: Control of the Environmental Impacts of Surface Coal Mining - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to publish, within 180 days of the enactment of this Act, regulations which establish a permanent regulatory procedure and performance standards for surface coal mining and reclamation standards. Requires the Secretary to obtain the concurrence of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to regulations concerned with air or water quality standards. Establishes a permit program to require mining operators to comply with environmental protection standards. Allows State control over surface mining permits if certain requirements are met. Authorizes the implementation of a Federal program if States fail to act. Permits State laws and regulations that are more stringent than those set forth pursuant to this Act. Requires permit applications to describe the method of mining and equipment proposed to be used, to describe by maps the land to be affected, and to contain a statement of results of test borings or core samplings of the affected land. Stipulates that permits must be accompanied by a mining and reclamation plan which shall include a description of present uses of the land, steps to be taken to prevent environmental damage and a description of the reclamation activities. Requires the posting of performance bonds and possession of liability insurance by applicants for permits. Requires the establishment of coal exploration regulations by appropriate State and Federal authorities. Requires that such regulations include provisions for reclamation of lands disturbed in exploration activities. Imposes the following general environmental performance standards on surface mining operations as a condition of the issuance of a permit under this Act: (1) restoration of the land affected to a prior use, consistent with public health and safety; (2) restoration to the original contour of the land and backfilling, grading, and compacting the excess overburden and other waste materials to attain the lowest grade; (3) removal and segregation of topsoil in a separate layer where it is able to support vegetation; (4) minimization of disturbances to the hydrologic balance at the mine site and surrounding areas by eliminating or reducing toxic drainage, siltation, and contamination problems; (5) conformity with standards for the design and location of coal mine waste piles; and (6) establishment of a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetation on regraded areas. Stipulates that the regulatory authority shall make test borings of core samplings for mining operators with an estimated annual production of less than 250,000 tons of coal. Establishes additional requirements for steep-slope surface mining operations. Defines the term "steep-slope" to include any slope above 20 degrees or lesser slopes as may be defined by the regulatory authority. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations directed at the surface effects of underground mining. Directs and authorizes inspection of surface coal mining and reclamation to determine compliance with this Act and regulations. Provides requirements for recordkeeping and submittal and monitoring by mine operators. Imposes civil penalties for violation of this Act or regulations under it. Establishes procedures for citizen suits and judicial review of actions under this Act. Establishes conditions under which mine operators may request a release of all or part of the performance bond. Requires public notice and hearings upon applications for such releases. Requires States to establish, as a condition of assuming primary regulatory control, a planning process designed to identify lands unsuitable for surface coal mining. Requires designation of lands as unsuitable if it can be shown that reclamation pursuant to the requirements of the Act is not feasible. Authorizes designation of lands as unsuitable where operations mining will: (1) be incompatible with land use plans or programs; (2) affect fragile or historic lands of significant historic, scientific or esthetic value; (3) affect renewable land resources with an impact on long-range food and water supply; and (4) increase a significant hazard to life and property, including the possibility of flood and earthquake damage. Prohibits surface coal mining operations on certain Federal lands, or within 100 feet of a public road or within 300 feet of a building or dwelling, unless the consent of the affected public or private interest is obtained. Requires implementation of a Federal lands program applicable to all surface coal mining and reclamation activities pursuant to Federal laws or taking place on Federal lands. Requires that coal exploration operations which substantially disturb the natural land surface on such lands be subject to a permit program established by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires separate regulations for programs for special bituminous coal surface mines that meet specified criteria, and for anthracite coal surface mines which are regulated by environmental protection standards of the States. Title VI: Designation of Lands Unsuitable for Noncoal Mining - Allows the Secretary to designate Federal lands unsuitable for mining materials other than coal, if they are predominantly urban or suburban in character or if such mining operations would have an adverse impact on lands used primarily for residential and related purposes. Title VII: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees for filing suit under this Act and for testifying in a proceeding under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual grants to the States to assist the States in developing, administering, and enforcing State programs under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training, and assistance in preparing and maintaining a continuing inventory of information on surface coal mining and reclamation projects. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering for a study of surface coal mining conditions in Alaska in order to determine which, if any, of the provisions of this Act should be modified with respect to such operations in Alaska. Directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering and other groups for a study of the technology for surface and open-pit mining and reclamation for minerals other than coal designed to assist in the development of regulation for such operations. Directs the Secretary to consult with Indian tribes in studying the regulation of surface mining on Indian lands. Requires all surface coal mining operations on Indian lands to comply with requirements at least as stringent as specified provisions in this Act within 30 months from the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums to carry out this Act: (1) for various contract authority, $10,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980; (2) for the performance of test borings by the regulatory authority, an amount reserved for such purpose from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund not to exceed $40,000 per fiscal year; (3) for administrative and other purposes, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $20,000,000 for fiscal years 1979 and 1980, and $30,000,000 for fiscal years thereafter; and (4) for research and demonstration projects of alternative coal mining technologies, $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, and for the next four years. Stipulates that no new budget authority for fiscal year 1977 is authorized by the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Title I: Survey and Certification, Rate-Setting and Audit, and General Regulation of Long Term Care Facilities Under Medicaid Programs - Directs that State plans under Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act must provide that no skilled nursing facility may receive payments under such plan unless and until it is approved to receive payments under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Requires the State plan to give the State agency the power to terminate reimbursement to a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility which such agency has found has violated its provider agreement. States that payment of the skilled nursing facility and intermediate care facility services shall be based upon a prospective cost based method of computation in which the audited costs of rendering service in such facilities in a prior year is updated through the use of economic indices to the year in which payment is made. Requires that any skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility receiving payments under such plan be required to maintain with the State agency a bond in such amount, under such terms, and in such form as the State agency may direct. Title II: Medical, Psychological, and Social Assessment of Patients In Need of Long Term Care under Medicare and Medicaid Programs - Directs that payments for services furnished an individual may be made only to eligible providers of services and only if a physician certifies that such services are necessary, based on such patient assessment criteria as the Secretary may require.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Requires creditors, under the Truth in Lending Act, to post, at each place of business where they extend credit to consumers, a sign which states clearly and conspicuously the current rates of interest being charged for each category of loan.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should direct the Ambassador to the United Nations (1) to have the United States accepted as a member of the United Nations Council for Namibia, (2) to endorse United Nations Council for Namibia "Decree Number 1 - For the Protection of the Natural Resources of Namibia," and (3) to support any proposal in the Security Council declaring the administration of Namibia by South Africa a threat to the peace.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Long-Term Care Services Act - Amends Title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to authorize the establishment of an experimental program to provide in-home care for elderly individuals. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to subsidize families who agree to care for their dependents who are 65 years of age or older and who would otherwise require, because of physical or mental infirmities, the services of a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility, in their own homes. Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for elderly day care center services under the supplementary medical insurance program. Directs the Secretary to institute a program under which qualified organizations, public and private, will submit plans for the development of carefully conceived and innovative projects to meet the special health care, housing, and related needs of elderly persons in a campus-type setting. Authorizes the Secretary to make interest subsidy payments to holders of mortgages covering such projects. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages secured by properties in projects built pursuant to this Act. Amends Title XVIII to provide payment for extended and intermediate care services under the supplementary medical insurance program. Amends Title XVIII to provide for the creation of an alternative reimbursement formula which will allow participating hospitals with less than 100 beds and less than 60 percent average occupancy to provide long-term care without applying proportional allocation of overhead costs to all patients in such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Geriatric Health Personnel Training Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act (Health Research and Teaching Facilities and Training of Professional Health Personnel) to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant $500,000 for each of six schools of medicine to assist in the establishment and operation of departments of geriatrics. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to assist schools of medicine in the establishment and operation of continuing education programs in geriatrics for physicians. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1978, and $5,000,000 for each of the next three fiscal years to enable the Secretary to make grants to schools of medicine to assist in developing and conducting training programs designed to prepare armed forces veterans, with appropriate experience as paramedical personnel, to serve as medical assistants in long-term health care facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts with public or nonprofit colleges and universities for the development of graduate programs for nurses in geriatrics and gerontology. Amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it an unfair labor practice for an employer to discharge or otherwise discriminate against an employee who has testified before any congressional committee or any governmental agency or department.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Nursing Home Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize a deduction for amounts paid during the taxable year by the taxpayer for nursing home expenses for an individual if such individual is a dependent of the taxpayer in all respects except the receipt of at least half of his support from such taxpayer. Permits the payment of supplemental security income to residents in nonmedical shelter care facilities in any State if such State certifies that the residents are ambulatory, needing only minimum supervision, and that the amount of State supplementation is not less than $100 per resident per month. Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to redefine the term "skilled nursing facility" to require that such facilities, in order to qualify under Title XVIII, provide the services set forth in this Act. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a review of State plans approved under Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act at least once a year to determine each State's compliance with and the quality of the administration of its plan. Directs the Secretary to establish a rating system for nursing homes participating in the programs under titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act. States that whoever shall offer, solicit, receive, or accept any consideration as compensation or inducement for referring patients, clients, or customers to any person for purposes of Titles XVIII and XIX shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Requires nursing facilities to provide a program to insure the integrity of patients' accounts, moneys, or valuables and to insure that they are not mingled with those belonging to the facility. Specifies that the Secretary shall pay to the States an amount equal to 100 percent of the sums expended in the enactment of, conversion to, and enforcement of, new enforcement tools short of nursing home licensure revocation. Allows beneficiaries to bring suit for specific performance in any Federal district court without reference to the $10,000 jurisdictional amount. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to any nonprofit organization, church, or association of churches to meet all or a part of the cost of construction or rehabilitation of a home which will be owned and operated by such church, organization, or association. Authorizes the Secretary to make interest reduction payments under specified circumstances with respect to a mortgage covering repair or rehabilitation of a nursing home in order to correct physical deficiencies and comply with Federal minimum standards. Establishes a program of grants to any church, association of churches, or other nonprofit organization to meet all or part of the cost of planning, developing, constructing, or rehabilitating a nursing home owned by such entity in black and other minority areas where there is a demonstrated shortage of nursing home beds. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President submit to the Congress an action plan which would provide a suitable multiagency plan for dealing with nursing home abuses. Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Long-Term Care in 1978, in order to develop recommendations for action in establishing a national policy with respect to the needs of disabled Americans with primary emphasis on the physically and mentally impaired aged.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the charitable deduction allowed for expenses incurred in the operation of a motor vehicle shall include the depreciation, operation and maintenance costs allocable to such operation and shall be determined in the same manner as for a business related deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the excise tax, buses purchased by tax exempt organizations or by other persons for exclusive use in furnishing transportation for a State or local government or a tax exempt organization (currently, transportation must be limited to students and employees of schools).
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Medicare Long-Term Care Act - Repeals existing provisions for post-hospital home health services under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Establishes, within the hospital insurance program of such Title, a program of long-term care benefits to be provided for aged and disabled individuals including all recipients of supplemental security income benefits and to be financed without additional cost to such individuals, through the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, from funds appropriated by the Federal Government. States that the benefits provided to an individual by such program 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. Requires that, to the maximum extent possible, such benefits shall be provided by or through community long-term care centers, as defined in this Act; and, in any case where a State has an agency which performs the functions of planning and developing such centers and overseeing their operation the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall make grants to the State or State agency to reimburse it for expenses incurred in the performance of such functions. Directs the Secretary to pay 75 percent of the amount expended by a State for the operation of a State long-term care agency. Enumerates the functions of such an agency. Declares that a community long-term care center shall: (1) provide the items and services listed in this Act to each individual (i) who is eligible for benefits under this part, (ii) who resides in the area served by such center and (iii) who 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. Defines terms used in this Act, including the services to be provided by community long-term care centers. Directs the Secretary to develop and promulgate to community long-term care centers one or more methods of obtaining payment for the benefits covered under this Act. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations setting forth the standards of care for homemaker and nutritional services. Establishes the Federal Advisory Council on Long-Term Care. Sets forth the qualifications of the five members of such Council. States that it shall be the duty and function of the Council to provide advice and recommendations for the consideration of the Secretary on regulations under this Act and on matters of general policy with respect to this Act. States that no regulations of the Secretary under this Act shall become effective unless they have first been approved by the Council. States that the determination of whether an individual is entitled to benefits under this shall be made by the Secretary in accordance with regulations prescribed by him. Authorizes the appropriation to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund of such sums as the Secretary considers necessary for any fiscal year for the purposes of the program created by this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts with institutions to meet the cost of training programs in the techniques and methods of providing long-term health care.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to prohibit any expenditure to an individual to the extent to which an entity (other than a member of the individual's family) would be liable for payment for such care and services but for a provision of a contract or a State law which has the effect of limiting or excluding such liability because the individual is eligible or entitled to receive care or services under the plan. Provides that a lien may be imposed by the State against the estate of a deceased individual after the death of his surviving spouse, on account of medical assistance paid or to be paid on his behalf under Title XIX.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends Title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to reallot unused social services funds to States which will use such funds during the succeeding year in preventing or reducing inappropriate institutional care by providing for community-based care, home-based care, or other forms of less intensive care. Allocates additional Federal matching for multipurpose senior center programs. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to clarify and standardize the eligibility requirements applicable to the provision of assistance to multipurpose senior centers.
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 · 17 March 1977
Designates service as a Member of the Women's Air Forces Service Pilots as active duty for the purposes of all laws administered by the Veterans' Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 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 · 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 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 · 15 March 1977
Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1977, to increase the authorization of appropriations to the Department of State for fiscal year 1977 for international organizations and conferences, and migration and refugee assistance. Authorizes appropriations for such year for assistance to citizens incarcerated abroad. Amends the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926, (1) to repeal the authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1977 for purchase or construction of such buildings in Africa, the American Republics and East Asia; (2) to decrease such appropriations for buildings in Europe, facilities for the United States Information Agency, and facilities for agricultural and defense attache housing; (3) to increase the authorization for appropriations for buildings in the Near East and South Asia; and (4) to authorize appropriations for facilities of the United States Agency for International Development for fiscal year 1977. Requires that the Chair or Vice Chair of the House of Representatives delegation to the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group, the Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group, the North Atlantic Treaty Parliamentary Conference, and the Conference on Interparliamentary Union a Member of the International Relations Committee. Increases the size of the Congressional delegation to the annual NATO Parliamentary Conference. Requires that not less than four members of the delegation of the House of Representatives be from the Committee on International Relations. Repeals the restriction upon the number of delegates who are Members of the same political party. Requires that appropriations to the Bureau of the Interparliamentary Union be disbursed upon the approval of the Executive Secretary of the United States group and the Chair of the delegation of the House of Representatives or the Senate, rather than the approval of such Executive Secretary and the President. Increase the number of House of Representative delegates to the Conference on Interparliamentary Union. Requires that at least four such delegates be from the Committee on International Relations. Amends the Department of State Appropriation Act of 1959 to direct the Presiding Officer of the Senate to designate the Chair of the Senate delegation to the Conference on Interparliamentary Union. Amends the Third Deficiency Appropriation Act to make final and conclusive the audit of accounts of the House and Senate delegations to the American Group to the Interparliamentary Union upon certification by the Chair of the respective delegation and the Executive Secretary of the American Group to the Interparliamentary Union, rather than upon the certification of the president and the secretary to the American Group.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Reorganization Act - Permits the President to prepare and submit to Congress a plan to reorganize any Executive agency for the purpose of improving the functioning of the Executive branch. Requires such plan to itemize, so far as is practicable, estimates of any reduction or increase in expenditures called for by such plan and to describe any improvements in management, delivery of Federal services, execution of the laws, and increases in Government efficiency which are expected as a result of such reorganization. States that such plan may not provide for the abolition of existing agencies or the creation of new ones. States that no such plan shall take effect which is not submitted to Congress within three years after the enactment of this Act. Makes a plan submitted pursuant to this Act effective at the end of 60 calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date of submission of such plan unless disapproved by either House within such period. Sets forth procedures for consideration of any disapproval resolutions.
![Official portrait of Rep. Fascell, Dante B. [D-FL-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000041_200.jpg)