United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Urban Trees Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants, on a matching basis, with urban areas to the States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam in order to provide financial assistance to such urban areas for arboriculture programs. Defines "arboriculture" as the planting, growing, maintenance, and protection of trees and shrubs. Authorizes appropriations of up to $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 to carry out such grant program. Requires that grants under this Act be made in accordance with an urban arboriculture plan for the selection, planting, and maintenance of trees agreed upon in advance by the Secretary and the State forester or other appropriate official. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to urban areas for arboriculture programs under this Act.
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 · 1 October 1976
Requests a United States Government policy toward Namibia which maintains the commitment of the United States to provisions of United Nations Security Council resolutions numbered 276, 301, and 385, which call for withdrawal of South African administration of Namibia and transfer of power to Namibians. Request United States adherence to policies which uphold additional obligations toward Namibia set forth in International Court of Justice decisions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1976
Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to stipulate that licenses for construction or modification of nuclear materials production or utilization facilities shall be subject to State disapproval for a 90-day period following notification of the affected State.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1976
Government Executive Analysis and Reform (GEAR) Commission Act - Establishes the Government Executive Analysis and Reform (GEAR) Commission consisting of 18 members appointed by the President. States that six members are to be appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; four each by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Chief Justice of the United States. Directs the Commission to study all Executive departments and independent agencies and other authorities of the Federal Government: (1) to determine whether regulatory activities have limited competition within segments of the economy and whether such regulators have contributed to current economic difficulties; and (2) the purposes, structure and jurisdiction, statutory framework, and procedures of such agencies. Directs the Commission to assess the costs and benefits of Federal programs and to make recommendations concerning the restructure of the Government to improve the efficiency of Federal programs. Requires the Commission to submit its recommendations to the President and Congress within 33 months after it first meets. Requires the President to submit to Congress his findings an specific proposals for legislation within 90 days of receipt of the Commission's report. Establishes the Task Force on American Federalism composed of 20 members appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Task Force to study the appropriate levels of responsibility among units of local, State and the Federal Government, means for each level to finance such responsibilities, and the extent of intergovernmental assistance required to achieve the proper balance and division of respective Federal, State and local roles and authorities. Directs the Task Force to submit its final report to Congress 15 months after it first meets stating its findings and proposals for constitutional amendments, legislation, or administrative action necessary to carry out its recommendations. Terminates the Task Force and the Commission 90 days after submission of their final reports. Authorizes to be appropriated $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1976
Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to stipulate that licenses for construction or modification of nuclear materials production or utilization facilities must be approved by affected States prior to application for Federal Power Commission approval. Authorizes States to adopt safety standards which are more stringent than Federal requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1976
Amends Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives by replacing the Committee on the District of Columbia with the Committee on Urban and District of Columbia Affairs. States that the Committee shall have jurisdiction over all measures relating to the municipal affairs of the District of Columbia in general, other than appropriations therefor. Provides that the committee shall have the function of studying and investigating the problems confronting urban areas, including problems relating to municipal fiscal affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1976
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that there exists a sufficient indication of a relationship between the level of violence depicted on television and a distorted view of social reality held by heavy viewers of television to warrant consideration of such relationship by those persons responsible for television programming and broadcasting. Urges further investigation of the correlation between the level of violence depicted on television and aggressive, including violent behavior in children and adults.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1976
Makes appropriation of $2,812,732 to the District of Columbia for use by its fire department to keep all of the fire department facilities open on a full-time basis during fiscal year 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1976
Expresses the objection of Congress to the proposed sales to Iran of defense articles and services which are described in the certifications submitted by the President of the United States pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act on September 1, 1976, and covering transmittals numbered 7T-36 (a), 7T-36 (b), 7T-25, 7T-32, 7T-29, 7T-34, 7T-46, 7T-28 and 7T-31.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1976
National Digestive Diseases Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a National Commission on Digestive Diseases. Directs the Commission to develop and recommend a long-range plan for the use of national resources to deal with digestive diseases, such plan to include provisions for: (1) research studies into the biological process related to digestive diseases; (2) investigations into the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of such diseases; (3) development of coordinated health care systems to combat digestive diseases; and (4) education and training of scientists, clinicians, educators, and allied health professionals in fields related to digestive diseases. Directs the Commission to make a final report to Congress within 18 months of its initial meeting, such report to include the projected costs of implementing programs to combat digestive diseases, legislative recommendations, and a long-range plan for dealing with such diseases. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,500,000, without fiscal year limitation, to carry out the purposes of the Commission set forth in this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a Coordinating Committee for Digestive Diseases to improve coordination among Federal agencies in the research, training, control, and treatment of digestive diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1976
Federal Support Payment Act - Authorizes individuals, to whom the proceeds of a child support order are payable, to register such order in any court in any State in which the individual responsible for making such payments resides. Allows courts, in which such an order is registered, to entertain contempt proceedings against an individual who fails to comply with the support order in the same manner as if the court originally issued the order. Requires a court in which any support order is registered or any enforcement proceedings are undertaken to send written notice of such action to the original court.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1976
Diplomatic Relations Act - Authorizes the President to regulate the privileges and immunities of foreign diplomatic missions and their personnel in a manner consistent with international agreements. Defines "foreign diplomatic mission and personnel thereof" for purposes of this Act. Requires the President to periodically publish a list of permanent foreign diplomatic missions and the personnel thereof. Declares void any judicial writ or process against a person or the property of any person entitled to immunity from suit or process under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1976
Condemns the murders of Orlando Letelier and Ronni Karpen Moffitt and the serious injury of Michael Moffitt. Urges a complete and thorough investigation by federal authorities of the circumstances surrounding the bombing.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1976
Public Participation in Government Proceedings Act - Entitles any person to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of participation incurred by such person in any Federal agency proceeding if the participation of such person promotes or can reasonably be expected to promote a full and fair determination of the issues involved in the proceeding, the economic interest of such person in the outcome is small compared to the costs of participation in such proceeding, and such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in such proceeding in the absence of an award under this Act. Requires each agency, whenever practicable, to determine, prior to the commencement of any proceeding, the eligibility of a person for an award under this Act and the amount of such award. Requires payment of such an award, where necessary, prior to the conclusion of such proceeding but in no event later than 90 days after the conclusion of such proceeding. Directs the head of each agency to report annually to Congress with respect to awards made under this Act. Entitles any person who is a party to, or intervenor in, any civil suit or proceeding for judicial review of agency action to costs incurred by such person in litigation if such person is afforded the relief sought in substantial measure, the court determines that such action served an important public purpose, the economic interest of such person in the outcome of such action is small compared with the cost of litigation, and the person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in such action absent an award under this Act. Directs the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually to Congress with respect to awards granted by courts of the United States under this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for agency awards under this Act, $10,000,000 each year for fiscal years 1977, 1978, and 1979. Authorizes to be appropriated for judicial awards under this Act such sums as may be necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1976
Amends Titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to establish the Special Commission on Quality Assurance and Utilization Control in Home Health Care. States that the Commission shall be composed of 17 members appointed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Sets forth the fields of experience and expertise from which Commission members are to be drawn, including five representatives of professional groups with expertise in accreditation and three who are recipients of benefits under Medicare, Medicaid, or under a State plan of services. Requires Senate approval of the member designated chairman of the Commission. States that the function and duty of the Commission shall be: (1) to conduct a full and complete study, investigation, and review of the provision of home health care and services to individuals in the United States, including care and services furnished by agencies which do not qualify as providers of services under the Social Security Act as well as care and services furnished by agencies which do so qualify, with the particular objective of determining: (a) the extent to which additional quality assurance and utilization control in the provision of such care and services is needed; and (b) the manner in which the standards, conditions, and requirements of Title XVIII, Title XIX, or Title XX should be modified in order to provide additonal assurance and control; and (2) on the basis of such study, investigation, and review, to develop a detailed plan for quality assurance and utilization control in home health care. Directs the submission to the Secretary and the Congress of the required plan within one year of the appointment of the majority of the members of the Commission. Requires the Secretary, within 90 days of the submission of such plan, to issue regulations making such modifications in the Social Security Act as may be necessary to implement the plan and carry out the Commission's accompanying recommendations, and to submit to the Congress any recommendations which would require a change in existing law.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1976
Restates the charter of the George Washington University, Washington, D.C. in its entirety. Sets forth the purposes and powers of the university. Prohibits any individual (except the president of the university) from serving as a member of the board of trustees during the period in which the individual is an officer, professor or other employee of the university. Stipulates the powers of the board of trustees of the university. Authorizes the board to merge the university with any other nonprofit organization by a two-thirds vote.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1976
Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Acency to make grants and provide technical assistance to eligible States, municipalities, or municapal or interstate agencies for the construction or acquisition of facilities for the use or land disposal of sewage sludge. Conditions eligibility for such grants or assistance on possession of a permit issued under the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 for the dumping of sewage in waters subject to such Act or to this Act. Sets forth regulations for the administration of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of not in excess of $100,000,000 to carry out the purposes of this Act for the first fiscal year subsequent to enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 September 1976
Directs the Mayor of the District of Columbia to enter into an agreement with appropriate Federal officials setting the rates to be paid by the District of Columbia Government and other units of government for the delivery of water from the Potomac River through the Washington Aqueduct. Authorizes the inclusion in such agreement of terms and conditions which encourage equitable water conservation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 September 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 · 31 August 1976
Prohibits carriers of Federal employee health benefits plans from reducing benefits or excluding any class of provider of health services unless the Civil Service Commission gives notice of, and conducts hearings relative to, the proposed change at least 120 days before its effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 30 August 1976
Prohibits carriers of Federal employee health benefits plans from reducing benefits or excluding any class of provider of health services unless the Civil Service Commission gives notice of, and conducts hearings relative to, the proposed change at least 120 days before its effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 1976
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating the week beginning October 3, 1976, and ending October 9, 1976, as "National Volunteer Firemen Week."
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1976
Condemns North Korea for its continued acts of treachery culminating in the axe murders of two American officers and the wounding of five others. Directs the Speaker of the House to make known the regrets of the House to the wives and children and other survivors of Major Bonifas and Lieutenant Barrett.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1976
Directs the House Committee on Armed Services to make a study of the murder by members of the North Korean Armed Forces serving as guards at Panmunjom of two American Army officers attached to the United Nations Command, and other recent North Korean violations of the armistice agreement. Requires the committee to transmit a report to the House containing a statement of the findings of the committee no later than January 3, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1976
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take such steps as may be necessary to place the threat to the peace created by the murder of two American Army officers attached to the United Nations Command by members of the North Korean Armed Forces serving as guards at Panmunjom, and other recent North Korean violations of the armistice agreement, on the agenda of the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 August 1976
Prohibits carriers of Federal employee health benefits plans from reducing benefits or excluding any class of provider of health services unless the Civil Service Commission gives notice of, and conducts hearings relative to, the proposed change at least 120 days before its effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 1976
Solar Energy for Homes Act - Directs the Administrator of specified Federal housing programs to increase by not more than 20 percent any amount which represents a limitation on the amount of the principal obligation of a mortgage on a dwelling unit, if such increase represents the increase in the cost of the dwelling unit which may be attributed to the unit's being heated or cooled by solar energy. Amends the National Housing Act to provide for the increase in amount of home improvement loans which may be insured if the loan is used to acquire a solar energy system. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act to authorize the use of community development block grants to encourage community development activities related to the use of solar energy in residential housing.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 1976
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to make loans and loan guarantees to veterans for the purchase of solar heating and cooling systems to be used in any dwelling or farm residence to be owned and occupied by the veteran as his home.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 1976
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make and insure loans under such Act for the solar heating or cooling of residential structures on family farms.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 1976
Condemns the Soviet Union's failure to observe the spirit of existing international conventions to which it is a party, especially the restriction respecting the delivery of parcels.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1976
Provides that the automatic cost-of-living increases in benefits which are authorized under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act may be made on a semiannual basis (rather than only on an annual basis as at present).
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1976
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that attorneys' fees allowed in administrative or judicial proceedings under that Title (or under title XVIII (Medicare) of such Act), in cases where the claimants are successful, shall be paid by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare rather than deducted from the amounts awarded claimants.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1976
Entitles to overtime rates of pay Federal employees performing critical services who are required to remain at work when other agency employees have been dismissed without charge to leave or loss of pay due to emergency or adverse weather conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1976
Provides that the fees payable to agents or attorneys who represent veterans in allowed claims under the veterans laws shall be paid by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs rather than deducted from amounts awarded under the claims.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the amount of the charitable deduction allowed for expenses incurred in the operation of a motor vehicle shall include that portion of the costs of operating and maintaining such vehicle (including a reasonable allowance for depreciation) which is allocable to such operation, and shall be determined in the same manner as if such operation were in connection with a trade or business of the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from 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 (presently, transportation must be limited to students and employees of schools).
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1976
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to designate a specified segment of the New River, North Carolina, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic River System upon application of the Governor of North Carolina. Prohibits the Federal Power Commission from issuing any license for any undertaking which would adversely affect such segment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers of any age to exclude from gross income gain from the sale or exchange of property if during the eight year period preceding the sale or exchange, such property has been owned and used as the taxpayer's principal residence for periods aggregating five years or more. Allows a surviving spouse to tack on the holding and use periods of the decedent spouse without regard to whether such decedent spouse had made an election to exclude gain from a prior sale or exchange.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1976
Commends the government and commando units of Israel for the rescue mission at Entebbe Airport. Disapproves efforts being undertaken by certain nations to condemn or censure Israel for such mission. Supports the United States-United Kingdom position at the United Nations condemning all acts of terrorism. Requests the President to engage in the negotiation of agreements with other nations to help prevent acts of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1976
Intergovernmental Coordination Act - Requires, under the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968, that any Federal agency which administers any program requiring a State plan as a condition of assistance under such program to require that the Governor of the State, or such agency as the Governor may designate, be given the opportunity to comment on the relationship of such State plan to any comprehensive or other State plan or program or to any plan or program of any affected areawide planning agency or unit of general local government. Directs such department or agency to require that any affected areawide comprehensive planning agency or unit of general local government be provided with an opportunity to review any State plan which has specific applicability to or effect upon areawide or local planning and programming or which establishes criteria or distribution formulas or systems for State subgrants of Federal assistance. Requires, whenever any Federal agency contemplates the disposal of any interest in real property, that reasonable notice be given to the Governor of the State in which such land is located and to the head of the governing body of the unit of general local government having jurisdiction over zoning and land-use regulation in the geographical area within which such land is located in order to afford the State and local government the opportunity of planning and zoning for the use of such land in accordance with State, areawide, and local comprehensive planning. Requires, to the extent practicable, that prior to a commitment to acquire any real property or any interest in real property, any Federal agency or department shall notify the State, the appropriate areawide agency and the local unit of general local government exercising zoning and land-use jurisdiction over the land proposed to be purchased of the intent of such agency or department to acquire such land and the proposed use of the property. Requires such acquiring agency to comply, to the extent practicable, with the zoning regulations and planning objectives of the State, areawide agency, or local government with jurisdiction over such real estate. States that, upon the request of any areawide agency which is designated under State laws or interlocal agreement to perform areawide comprehensive planning and has been designated as a planning and development clearinghouse, such areawide agency may be authorized or designated to perform areawide planning assisted under any Federal assistance program. States that all such clearinghouses shall prepare, adopt, and update annually a program for the coordinated use of Federal areawide planning assistance to develop and implement a unified and comprehensive areawide development plan. States that unless such program for the coordinated use of Federal areawide planning assistance has been adopted, no grant which assists areawide planning shall be made after two years from the date of enactment of this Act to any areawide planning agency under the authority of specified Federal assistance laws. Requires that local governments within the jurisdiction of such development clearinghouse agree with such program and that such plan be consistent with national urban growth and rural development policies. Provides that funds made available under any Federal assistance program for projects or activities undertaken by any areawide agency designated under State law or inter-local agreement to perform areawide comprehensive planning and to serve as a planning and development clearinghouse may be used jointly with funds made available for such projects or activities under any other Federal assistance program subject to regulations prescribed by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1976
Authorizes the American Hungarian Bicentennial Monument, Incorporated, to erect a memorial in honor of the late Colonel Michael Korvats de Fabrici. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to select, with the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, a suitable site on land owned by the United States in the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1976
Includes Charles County, Maryland within the National Capital region for purposes of comprehensive planning relating to the location of Federal agencies. Requires that specified proposed leases within the National Capital region by executive departments and agencies or by the United States Postal Service Service be submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission to vote any such proposed lease.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1976
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Israel be commended for its rescue operation in Uganda. Calls upon the President to reevaluate the policies and programs of the United States in order to strengthen its stand against international terrorists and countries affording aid and support to terrorist organizations.
![Official portrait of Rep. Gude, Gilbert [R-MD-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000513_200.jpg)