United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Repeals the laws permitting the private carriage of letters. Exempts letters and packages carried by private express from the requirement that all letters and packages carried by a vessel in interstate commerce by delivered promptly to the local post office upon arrival in a port.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Disapproves the recommendations of the President transmitted to Congress, pursuant to the Federal Salary Act of 1967, recommending rates of pay for: (1) the Vice President, Members of Congress and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico; (2) specified positions in the legislative branch; (3) specified judicial personnel; (4) specified positions under the Executive Schedule; and (5) the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to make eligible for registration, as being of United States nationality, aircraft owned by a citizen of a foreign country who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt government chartered air museums operated exclusively for the care or use of antique, custom-built, racing, military or other special types of aircraft from the excise taxes on special fuels and the use of civil aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1977
Jobs Creation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the individual income tax rates. Allows a credit against the income tax up to $1,000, for ten percent of the increase in the total savings deposits and investments since the end of the previous year. Allows a limited income tax deduction by certain domestic corporations for dividends paid. Limits corporate deductions for dividends received from foreign corporations. Repeals corporate deductions for other dividends received. Allows the taxpayer to take a deduction for specified percentages of the acquisition costs of certain types of property, with a corresponding reduction in basis, in lieu of a depreciation deduction. Doubles the corporate surtax exemption to $100,000.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
United States Air Traffic Services Corporation Act - Establishes the United States Air Traffic Services Corporation as an independent corporation of the United States. Transfers to the Corporation the functions and duties of the Secretary of Transportation under specified laws relating to civil aviation including those of the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Authorizes the Corporation to change the rates of tax imposed under the Internal Revenue Code relating to taxes on special fuels, taxes on the transportation of persons and property by air, and taxes on the use of civil aircraft. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act in an amount equal to 50 percent of the total funding requirement of the Corporation for any fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Natural Gas Temporary Purchase Act - Amends the Natural Gas Act to direct the Federal Power Commission to exempt from regulation sales of natural gas to interstate pipelines where such natural gas was not committed to interstate commerce prior to promulgation of such regulation and where the pipeline company is curtailing deliveries of natural gas supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Natural Gas Temporary Purchase Act - Amends the Natural Gas Act to direct the Federal Power Commission to exempt from regulation sales of natural gas to interstate pipelines where such natural gas was not committed to interstate commerce prior to promulgation of such regulation and where the pipeline company is curtailing deliveries of natural gas supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1977
Right to Private Records Act - Prohibits any financial institution from disclosing to any State or to any subdivision of any State any financial record of a customer unless such customer has so authorized or a valid search warrant, subpena or summons has been obtained according to the terms of this Act. States that no officer, employee or agent of any financial institution, communication common carrier, creditor or credit reporting agency holding any financial, toll, or credit record who is required by law to notify any law enforcement official or any political subdivision of any State of any criminal law violation which such person believes is being committed shall disclose any information except in accordance with this Act. Makes provisions for general or limited authorization of disclosure of any financial, toll, or credit record by means of a written statement containing specified information. Permits revocation of such authorization by written notification at any time, and otherwise limits to one year, any authorization to disclose. Prohibits any financial institution, communication common carrier, creditor, credit reporting agency or other person from requiring any person to make such authorization as a condition for doing business. Prescribes standards for the issuance of search warrants and judicial subpenas. Provides that a court may grant a subpena with a temporary delay of notification for a period of not greater than 90 days following the date of issuance if it finds, on the basis of an affidavit or sworn testimony, that it has been affirmatively demonstrated that such notification would jeopardize a continuing investigation of any crimes enumerated in this Act. Allows courts to enter ex parte orders granting an additional delay of such notification period not to exceed 180 days. Requires judges who grant or deny such delays to report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts the particulars of such request. States that the Director of such office shall transmit to the Congress an annual report concerning the number of applications for extension of delay and the number of extensions granted or denied during the preceding calendar year. Grants standing to move to quash a subpena to any person to whom the financial, toll, or credit record ordered to be disclosed relates. Sets civil remedies available to persons injured by violations of this Act, including actual and punitive damages, attorney's fees and injunctive relief. Sets criminal penalties imposed on persons violating this Act. Prohibits any officer, employee, or agent of any person or government agency from intercepting, in the course of carrying out the business operations of such person or agency, oral or wire communications by or to any other officer, employee, or agent of such person or agency unless: (1) written notice is given; (2) such interceptions are for the purpose of training; (3) such interceptions occur only during the period specified in the notice required by this Act; (4) there is no recording of such communication; and (5) such person whose communication is intercepted has given written consent.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1977
Comprehensive Right to Privacy Act - Sets forth administrative restrictions for any organization maintaining a data system that includes personal information. Imposes additional restrictions upon statistical reporting and research information systems. Establishes public and personal notice requirements relating to the existence and purpose of such systems. Requires organizations maintaining personal information (1) to inform the data subject of legal obligations to supply data, (2) to request consent of the data subject to the transfer of data to another organization, (3) to permit the data subject to inspect to inspect personal information, its sources, and uses, (4) to makes specified disclosures, (5) to notify the data subject prior to the release of information pursuant to legal process, (6) to take certain actions with respect to the challenge, correction, or explanation of the information by the data subject, and (7) to notify the data subject of the nature of the information maintained and the place where subject may inspect such information. Exempts from requirements of this Act (1) active criminal investigatory files of law enforcement agencies, (2) files of press and news media, and (3) certain mailing lists. Prohibits requirements for disclosure of a social security number or other universal identifier unless required by Federal law. Establishes the Federal Privacy Board to implement this Act and to publish a Data Base Directory of the United States. Prohibits disclosure of personal information or business secrets except as required by this Act. Declares disclosures under this Act confidential information. Establishes criminal penalties and civil remedies for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Bill of Rights Procedures Act - Title I: Confidentiality of Financial, Toll, and Credit Records - Prohibits any United States entity or representative from obtaining copies of, or access to, information contained in the financial records, toll records, or credit records of any customer of a financial institution, communication common carrier, credit card issuer, or consumer reporting agency. Lifts such prohibition if: (1) the records are described with sufficient particularity; and (2) the customer has authorized disclosure, the disclosure is obtained in response to an administrative subpoena, search warrant, or judicial subpoena, or disclosure is in compliance with specified provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Sets forth procedures for obtaining customer authorization, administrative subpoenas and summons, search warrants, and judicial subpoenas. Requires financial institutions, communication common carriers, credit card issuers, and consumer reporting agencies to keep records of all examinations of customer records, including the identity of the person examining such records, the governmental agency or department such person represents, and a copy of the authorization. Directs that copies of, or the information contained in, financial, toll, or credit records obtained pursuant to this Act not be used for other than the specific statutory purpose for which the information was originally obtained and that such information or records not be provided to any other Government department or agency or other person except where the transfer of such information is specifically authorized by statute. Stipulates that any action under this title may be brought in any appropriate U.S. district court without regard to the amount in controversy, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, within three years from the date on which the violation occurs or the date of discovery of such violation, whichever is later. Imposes liability on any person or entity who knowingly obtains or discloses information in violation of this title, making such person or entity liable to the customer to whom the disclosed information relates for actual damages, such punitive damages as the court may allow if the violation was willful, and the costs of litigation. Makes injunctive relief available to any person aggrieved by a violation or threatened violation of this Act. Title II: Mail Covers - Defines "mail cover" as the procedures by which a systematic record or inspection is made of any data appearing on the outside cover of any mail matter. Prohibits the initiation of any mail cover without the written authorization of specified postal officials and good cause to believe, on the basis of an affidavit setting forth the specific reasons for the proposed mail cover, that such procedure is necessary to the investigation of the commission or the attempted commission of a felony or is necessary to aid in locating a fugitive. Permits a mail cover to be conducted for 30 days, with extensions to be granted as specified. Requires any mail cover conducted for more than one year to be judicially authorized. Allows the chief postal inspector or a regional chief postal inspector to issue an emergency authorization for a mail cover on the basis of an oral request from specified law enforcement officials, if such request is supported by an affidavit within 45 days and on condition that no data from such mail cover be made available to the requesting authority until authorization according to regular procedures has been granted. Stipulates that the subjects of mail covers shall be given notice of such cover within 90 days of its termination, unless notice is judicially waived due to possible jeopardizing of continuing investigations. Requires that the chief postal inspector submit to Congress an annual report including the number of requests for mail covers, the identity of the law enforcement agencies making such requests, and a list of the offenses for which mail cover requests were received. Specifies civil remedies for violation of this title. Title III: Amendments to Chapter 119, Title 18, United States Code - Sets forth procedures and restrictions governing the interception of wire or oral communications for purposes of supervisory observing or service by communication common carriers and others. Requires each communication common carrier to submit an annual report to the Federal Communications Commission detailing the interceptions made by it for the protection of its service against theft of service, the nature and frequency of communications intercepted, the number of persons whose communications were intercepted, the length of such interceptions, and the number of hours of recording of intercepted communications. Prohibits the manufacture, distribution, possession, and advertising of devices for theft of communication common carrier services. Stipulates that any such device may be seized and forfeited to the United States. Title IV: Penalties - Subjects officers, agents, or employees of the United States who violate any provision of title I or title II of this Act to a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Title V: Congressional Subpoenas - Stipulates that nothing in this Act shall apply to Congressional subpoenas.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
National Energy Extension Service Act - Establishes an Energy Extension Service in the Energy Research and Development Administration to develop and implement a comprehensive program for the identification and application of energy conserving practices and techniques. Stipulates that programs shall provide for technical assistance and practical demonstration in the agricultural, commercial, residential, and small business sectors. Requires that the national program permit States to establish technical support institutes at colleges or universities as designated by the Governor of each State. Stipulates that such program shall be implemented in a manner designed to minimize conflict with existing services in the private sector of the economy. Establishes procedures and criteria for the development of State plans for implementing the provisions of this Act. Allows for Federal development of plans for States in which an acceptable plan has not been submitted. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to develop a comprehensive program and plan for coordination of Federal energy education and information dissemination programs. Stipulates that such plan shall detail procedures for assessing the energy efficiency of various Federal programs. Establishes a National Energy Extension Service Advisory Board to conduct a continuing review of the programs developed under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 to carry out the purposes of this Act. Prescribes a formula for allocation of such funds to the States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to make eligible for registration, as being of United States nationality, aircraft owned by a citizen of a foreign country who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Administrator of the Civil Aeronautics Board to issue regulations allowing the operation of aircraft during the period when the emergency locator transmitter has been removed from the aircraft for inspection, repair, modification or replacement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow as a deduction an amount equal to 25 percent of the gross income from geothermal steam and geothermal resources property. Limits such deduction to a maximum of 50 percent of the taxpayer's taxable income from the geothermal steam and geothermal resources property for the taxable year. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to adopt regulations which allow the same deduction for intangible dwelling and development costs for geothermal steam and geothermal resources as are presently available for the development of oil and gas wells.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to approve user charge systems based upon ad valorem taxation if he determines that: (1) changing from such method would create hardships; and (2) using such method would substantially achieve the goal of proportionality among classes of recipients and individual users. Stipulates that indirect costs not attributable to individual users shall be equitably prorated among all user classes.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Establishes the Santa Monica Urban National Park in California. States that the Secretary of the Interior shall establish an Urban Park Planning Commission for the park within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act. States that the function of the commission shall be to develop a plan for the use of the land and water resources within the park boundaries. Prohibits the proposal of an expenditure of Federal funds greater than $50,000,000 in such plan. Lists areas in which the Secretary of the Interior shall lend assistance to the Commission. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make grants directly to the State or local units of government having responsibility for implementing the provisions of this Act. Establishes a special account in the Treasury of the United States for the purpose of holding moneys to be used for grants to the State or local units of government. Authorizes the sum of $650,000 to be appropriated to defray the expenses of the Commission and allows the Secretary to authorize an additional sum not to exceed $250,000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Small Corporate Employers Retirement Pension Plans Act - Authorizes small corporate employers to establish a qualified trust, or annuity plan for their employees by complying with a plan which prescribes minimum participation standards, minimum vesting standards, and minimum funding standards different from those presently applicable to qualifying trusts under the Internal Revenue Code. Allows an employer to take a tax deduction for contributions to an employees' trust or annuity for an amount in excess of such contributions, up to a contribution level of $25,000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow as a deduction an amount equal to 25 percent of the gross income from geothermal steam and geothermal resources property. Limits such deduction to a maximum of 50 percent of the taxpayer's taxable income from the geothermal steam and geothermal resources property for the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Independent Federal Aviation Agency Act - Establishes the Federal Aviation Agency as an independent agency of the United States. Authorizes the appointment of an Administrator and a Deputy Administrator by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Transfers to the Administrator all functions, powers, and duties of the Secretary of Transportation and other officers of the Department of Transportation which are exercised by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, under the Federal Aviation Act, the Airport and Airway Development Act, and other specified laws. Stipulates that all orders, determinations and rulings which have been issued or allowed to become effective shall continue in effect and that no suit or other proceedings shall be abated by reason of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 to make privately owned public use airports eligible for funding under such Act if written assurances are given to the Secretary of Transportation that the landing area of such an airport will be used for public purposes for not less than 20 years after the completion of the airport development project for which funds would be made available under such Act and that immediate repayment of all such funds will be made to the United States if the airport is not used for such public purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt aircraft used primarily for agricultural operation from the excise tax on civil aircraft. Provides for the refund of the excise tax on gasoline used for farming purposes in an aircraft to the aerial applicator who purchased it.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a deduction for the intangible drilling and development costs for wells drilled for geothermal steam and geothermal resources. Removes the 22 percent limitation on deductions for depreciation of geothermal resources. Allows the deduction of geothermal exploration expenditures where intangible drilling and development costs may be deducted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Restricts payments of the United States to the United Nations to the ratio of the population of the United States to the total population of member nations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require air carriers engaged in the carriage of property to give a 60-day notice to the Civil Aeronautics Board of any proposed rate change. Requires air carriers to give a 45-day notice to the Board for any proposed passenger fare change. (Previously a 30-day notice was required for both passenger and property rate changes.) Requires the Board, when suspending a proposed rate change, to notify the air carrier affected at least 15 days before such tariff changes would otherwise go into effect.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize reduced air fares on a space-available basis for persons 60 years of age or older and for handicapped individuals and their attendants. Directs the Civil Aeronautics Board to conduct a study and to report to the Congress on the feasibility and economic impact on air carriers of providing such reduced rate transportation for persons 21 years of age or younger. Authorizes air carriers operating within the State of California pursuant to authority granted by the State public utilities commission and which operate aircraft capable of carrying 30 or more persons to enter into agreements with other air carriers to establish joint fares, rates and services. Specifies various methods for determining the lowest such joint fare or rate which may be established.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to review, at specified times, the estimated revenue and budgeted expenditures of the Government and, if expenditures are found to exceed revenues, to levy a surtax so that receipts equal expenditures. Authorizes the suspension of such measures in the case of a grave national emergency declared by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Right to Private Records Act - Prohibits any financial institution from disclosing to any State or to any subdivision of any State any financial record of a customer unless such customer has so authorized or a valid search warrant, subpena or summons has been obtained according to the terms of this Act. States that no officer, employee or agent of any financial institution, communication common carrier, creditor or credit reporting agency holding any financial, toll, or credit record who is required by law to notify any law enforcement official or any political subdivision of any State of any criminal law violation which such person believes is being committed shall disclose any information except in accordance with this Act. Makes provisions for general or limited authorization of disclosure of any financial, toll, or credit record by means of a written statement containing specified information. Permits revocation of such authorization by written notification at any time, and otherwise limits to one year, any authorization to disclose. Prohibits any financial institution, communication common carrier, creditor, credit reporting agency or other person from requiring any person to make such authorization as a condition for doing business. Prescribes standards for the issuance of search warrants and judicial subpenas. Provides that a court may grant a subpena with a temporary delay of notification for a period of not greater than 90 days following the date of issuance if it finds, on the basis of an affadavit or sworn testimony, that it has been affirmatively demonstrated that such notification would jeopardize a continuing investigation of any crimes enumerated in this Act. Allows courts to enter ex parte orders granting an additional delay of such notification period not to exceed 180 days. Requires judges who grant or deny such delays to report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts the particulars of such request. States that the Director of such office shall transmit to the Congress an annual report concerning the number of applications for extension of delay and the number of extensions granted or denied during the preceding calendar year. Grants standing to move to quash a subpena to any person to whom the financial, toll, or credit record ordered to be disclosed relates. Prohibits any officer, employee, or agent of any person or government agency from intercepting, in the course of carrying out the business operations of such person or agency, oral or wire communications by or to any other officer, employee, or agent of such person or agency unless: (1) written notice is given; (2) such interceptions are for the purpose of training; (3)such interceptions occur only during the period specified in the notice required by this Act; (4) there is no recording of such communication; and (5) such person whose communication is intercepted has given written consent.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Requests the President of the United States to transmit a report about the freedom of citizens of Romania to exercise their rights and cultural freedoms, and especially their right to emigrate, to each House of Congress and to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. Requests that such a report be transmitted each time the President makes a request for authority to waive the application of the Trade Act of 1974, or for authority to extend the United States-Romanian Trade Agreement itself. Requests the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe to transmit a report with respect to the freedom of the citizens of Romania to emigrate, and on the status of minorities in that country, to both Houses of Congress. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that if Romania restricts fundamental rights of its citizens, it should be denied its current most-favored nation treatment, and the 1975 United States-Romanian Trade Agreement should be ended. Provides an additional $50,000 for the Trade Subcommittee of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House to assist in carrying out its duties under the Trade Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1976
Federal-Aid Highway Act Amendments - Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1976 to increase and extend the appropriations authorized under such Act for the fiscal years 1977 and 1978 for the Federal-aid primary system to $3,350,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1978 through 1990. Increases the Federal share for projects financed with primary funds on the Federal-aid primary system from 70 percent of its cost to 80 pecent, or to 95 percent under specified circumstances. Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from approving projects on such system if the portion of the project that is on a new location does not provide for complete control of access. (Amends 23 U.S.C. 109, 120)
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1976
Right to Private Records Act - Prohibits any financial institution from disclosing to any State or to any subdivision of any State any financial record of a customer unless such customer has so authorized or a valid search warrant, subpena or summons has been obtained according to the terms of this Act. States that no officer, employee or agent of any financial institution, communication common carrier, creditor or credit reporting agency holding any financial, toll, or credit record who is required by law to notify any law enforcement official or any political subdivision of any State of any criminal law violation which such person believes is being committed shall disclose any information except in accordance with this Act. Makes provisions for general or limited authorization of disclosure of any financial, toll, or credit record by means of a written statement containing specified information. Permits revocation of such authorization by written notification at any time, and otherwise limits to one year, any authorization to disclose. Prohibits any financial institution, communication common carrier, creditor, credit reporting agency or other person from requiring any person to make such authorization as a condition for doing business. Prescribes standards for the issuance of search warrants and judicial subpenas. Provides that a court may grant a subpena with a temporary delay of notification for a period of not greater than 90 days following the date of issuance if it finds, on the basis of an affadavit or sworn testimony, that it has been affirmatively demonstrated that such notification would jeopardize a continuing investigation of any crimes enumerated in this Act. Allows courts to enter ex parte orders granting an additional delay of such notification period not to exceed 180 days. Requires judges who grant or deny such delays to report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts the particulars of such request. States that the Director of such office shall transmit to the Congress an annual report concerning the number of applications for extension of delay and the number of extensions granted or denied during the preceding calendar year. Grants standing to move to quash a subpena to any person to whom the financial, toll, or credit record ordered to be disclosed relates. Prohibits any officer, employee, or agent of any person or government agency from intercepting, in the course of carrying out the business operations of such person or agency, oral or wire communications by or to any other officer, employee, or agent of such person or agency unless: (1) written notice is given; (2) such interceptions are for the purpose of training; (3)such interceptions occur only during the period specified in the notice required by this Act; (4) there is no recording of such communication; and (5) such person whose communication is intercepted has given written consent.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1976
Establishes the Santa Monica Urban Park in California. Directs the Secretary to establish the Urban Park Planning Commission to develop the park plan. Authorizes the appropriation of $650,000 for expenses of the Commission. Makes available to the Commission an additional $250,000 upon authorization of the Secretary. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 for grants to State and local units for land acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 2 September 1976
Amends the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 to make privately owned airports which are, or will be, used for public purposes eligible to receive Federal assistance under such Act for airport development projects. Requires as a condition precedent to the approval of such a project, written assurances to the Secretary of Transportation that the landing area of such an airport will be used for public purposes for not less than 20 years. Requires the immediate repayment to the United States of all Federal project funds with an annual interest rate of six percent if the airport is not used for public purposes during such period.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1976
Eliminates the requirement, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, that new drugs be regulated according to their effectiveness. States that such drugs be regulated solely to assure their safety.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1976
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President shall submit a full report to Congress on fundamental human rights and cultural freedoms in Romania with special emphasis on the national minorities, showing concrete measures taken to ameliorate their situation by the Romanian Government. Directs that should no ameliorative measures occur, it is the sense of the House that the 1975 United States-Romanian Trade Agreement and the most-favored-nation treatment of the Socialist Republic of Romania shall not be extended.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1976
Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act - Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act to remove the 40-acre limitation on tracts of land which may be leased for coal mining by the Secretary of the Interior. Prohibits the lease of Federal lands for coal production where the prospective lessee has not produced coal for 15 or more years from other lands held under such a lease. Stipulates that lands containing coal deposits may only be offered for lease after inclusion in a comprehensive land use plan. Stipulates that each coal lease shall contain provisions requiring compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Clean Air Act. Requires that an exploration license be acquired from the Secretary prior to the conduct of coal exploration for commercial purposes on oil lands subject to the Mineral Lands Leasing Act. Stipulates that licensees may not cause substantial disturbance to the natural land surface. Authorizes the Secretary to consolidate coal leases into logical mining units. Stipulates that development and production of the unit shall be completed within a time period established by the Secretary, which shall not exceed 40 years. Stipulates that coal leases shall be for a period of 20 years and for so long thereafter as coal is produced annually in commercial quantities from that lease. Requires termination of any lease not producing coal in commercial quantities at the end of ten years. Imposes the requirement that mining operations be developed diligently and continuously. Requires that lessees submit for the Secretary's approval an operation and reclamation plan. Requires that the Secretary make annual reports to Congress on coal leasing activities, including recommendations for improved management, efficiency, and environmental safeguards. Authorizes disposition of royalties to the States for additional public purposes. Directs the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to study all leasing activities pursuant to the Mineral Lands Leasing Act and report his findings and recommendations to Congress. Stipulates that no person or legal entity may control more than 46,080 acres of coal leases in any one State, nor more than 100,000 acres in the entire United States under the Mineral Lands Leasing Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1976
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to allow air carriers to offer reduced-rate transportation on a space-available basis to persons who are 65 years of age or older or 21 years of age or younger, to handicapped persons, and to an attendant of such a handicapped person.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1976
Earthquake Hazard Reduction Act - Directs the President to establish (1) a coordinated National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, (2) an Office of Earthquake Hazard Reduction, (3) a National Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazard Reduction, and (4) an Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Board. Specifies the duties of the Office of Earthquake Hazard Reduction, including developing and maintaining an Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program plan and staffing and assisting the National Advisory Committee. Directs the National Advisory Committee to review and advise the Office of Earthquake Hazard Reduction regarding the progress, implementation, and coordination of the Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program. Enumerates the Federal agencies to be assigned responsibilities in the Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program. Details the elements of the Program, including physical studies; structural studies; social, legal and economic research; and practical application of knowledge concerning earthquakes. Directs the Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Board to evaluate individual earthquake prediction, compile and maintain a public record of the performance of prediction methods, and issue authenticated earthquake predictions if and when earthquake prediction becomes a sufficiently reliable science.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1976
Expresses the sense of the Congress that no individual whose social security or railroad retirement benefits are increased should suffer, by reason of such increase, a loss of or reduction in any pension which he or she (or any member of his or her family) is otherwise entitled to receive under laws administered by the Veterans' Administration. Stipulates that the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs should without delay consider and report legislation eliminating the possibility of any loss of or reduction in pensions payable under laws administered by the Veterans' Administration on account of increases in social security or railroad benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1976
Establishes the Santa Monica Urban Park in California. Directs the Secretary to establish the Urban Park Planning Commission to develop the park plan. Authorizes the appropriation of $650,000 for expenses of the Commission. Makes available to the Commission an additional $250,000 upon authorization of the Secretary. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 for grants to State and local units for land acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow as a deduction an amount equal to 25 percent of the gross income from geothermal steam and geothermal resources property. Limits such deduction to a maximum of 50 percent of the taxpayer's taxable income from the geothermal steam and geothermal resources property for the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1976
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Conference Act - Establishes a National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Conference. Enumerates the duties of the Conference, including: (1) the formulation of a national program to develop capabilities for earthquake hazards reduction; (2) the establishment of means for disseminating earthquake prediction information and technical assistance; (3) the coordination of earthquake and related hazard research programs; and (4) the establishment of an earthquake prediction board. Details provisions relating to the powers, composition, structure, and reporting requirements of the Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1976
Energy Conservation in Buildings Act - Title I: Research, Development, and Demonstration - Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to initiate a program for the development of methods to calculate energy consumption costs associated with residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Directs the Administrator to develop a program for the development of improved energy conservation technologies for use in buildings. Authorizes the Administrator to cooperate with Federal agencies in order to improve the design and energy efficiency of Federal buildings. Authorizes the establishment of educational and training programs to incorporate the concept of life cycle cost analysis into the fields of engineering and building analysis. Authorizes the appropriation of $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title II: Demonstration and Standards - Directs the Administrator of General Services to promote energy efficiency in Federal buildings through the use of improved energy conservation technologies, solar heating and cooling, and total energy systems. Requires that all proposed construction and renovation of Federal office buildings include optional energy features. Requires that all such construction projects include a life cycle analysis in the design and planning stages . Directs the Administrator of General Services to develop standards for the use of energy-conserving technologies in Federal buildings. Directs the Administrator of General Services to conduct biennial design competitions for energy conservation features in commercial and industrial buildings. Requires semiannual reports to Congress on activities conducted under this title. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 to carry out the provisions of this title.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1976
Provides that funds shall not be expended from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives for allowances to Members, officers, or standing committees of the House except through the adoption of a resolution by the House of Representatives.