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United States · Official source
3,074 records where Rep. Hawkins, Augustus F. [D-CA-29] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Makes it a Federal crime to rob a controlled substance from a pharmacy.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Tanker Safety Improvement Act - Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972 to require that vessels subject to such Act be constructed and operated using the best available pollution prevention technology. Requires that vessels of more than 20,000 deadweight tons which are documented under the laws of the United States and engaged in the carriage of oil in bulk to ports of the United States and for which construction is contracted for or begun after January 1, 1978, be equipped with a segregated ballast capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Amends the Social Security Act to provide that, if the delivery day for benefit checks under titles II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income Program) falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal public holiday, benefit checks for such month shall be mailed for delivery on the first day preceding such designated day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal public holiday, without regard to whether the delivery of such checks is made in the same calendar month for which such benefit checks are issued.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Health Security Act - Title I: Health Security Benefits - Makes every resident of the U.S. (and every non-resident citizen when in the U.S.) eligible for covered services. Permits reciprocal and "buy-in" agreements for groups or non-resident aliens, and in some cases benefits to U.S. residents when visiting in other countries. Entitles every eligible person to have payments made by the Health Security Board for covered services provided within the United States by a participating provider. Extends coverage to all necessary professional services of physicians, wherever furnished. Extends coverage to: (1) comprehensive dental services (exclusive of most orthodontic services) for children under age 15, with the covered age group increasing by two years each year until all those under age 25 are covered; (2) inpatient and outpatient hospital services and services of a home health agency; and (3) pathology and radiology services as parts of institutional services. Limits payment for skilled nursing home care. Limits the psychiatric hospital benefit to 45 consecutive days of active treatment during a spell of illness. Extends coverage to two categories of drug use: prescribed medicines administered to inpatients or outpatients within participating hospitals; or to enrollees of comprehensive health service organizations, and drugs necessary for the treatment of specified chronic illnesses or conditions requiring long or expensive therapy. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish two lists of approved drugs, taking into account the safety, efficacy and cost of each drug. Lists approved medicines available for use in institutions and by comprehensive health service organizations and those available for use outside such organized settings. Declares that the appliances benefit is similar in concept and operation to the drug benefit, subject to a limitation on aggregate cost. Extends coverage to professional services of optometrists and podiatrists, subject to regulations, and diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished by independent pathology laboratories and radiology services. Excludes from coverage: (1) health services furnished or paid for under a workmen's compensation law; and (2) services of a professional practitioner if they are furnished in a hospital which is not a participating provider. Requires that participating providers meet standards established in this title or by the Board. Makes professional practitioners licensed when the program becomes eligible to practice in the State where they are licensed and requires that all newly licensed applicants for participation meet national standards established by the Board in addition to existing State standards. Establishes conditions of participation for general hospitals. Makes psychiatric hospitals eligible to participate only if the Board finds that the hospital is engaged in furnishing active diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to mentally ill patients. Establishes conditions of participation for skilled nursing homes similar to those established for extended care facilities under Medicare. Makes provisions for the participation of home health service agencies. Allows the participation of the following as providers of health services under this Act: (1) a health maintenance organization which undertakes to provide an enrolled population either with complete health care or, at least, with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of health and the care of ambulatory patients; (2) a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society; and (3) community health centers or the like which, though furnishing services as comprehensive as are required by this Act, do not serve an enrolled or otherwise predetermined population and may not meet other requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Board to deal separately with the primary care portion of a system of comprehensive health care where it is necessary to rely on arrangements with other providers. Permits the Board to contract directly with public or other nonprofit mental health centers and mental health day care services. Specifies the conditions under which independent pathology laboratories, independent radiological services, and providers of drugs, devices, appliances, equipment, or ambulance services may qualify as providers under Health Security. Requires that a participating skilled nursing home have in effect an agreement with at least one participating hospital for the transfer of patients and medical and other information as medically appropriate. Prohibits in malpractice judgments any damages to be awarded to the injured party for the cost of medical services which he is entitled to receive under this Act. Excludes the institutions of the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and institutions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare serving merchant seamen or Indians or Alaskan natives, from serving as participating providers, as well as any employee of these institutions when acting as an employee. Allows reimbursement for any services furnished by such institutions or agencies to eligible persons who are not a part of their normal clientele. Permits a physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, licensed in one State and meeting the national standards, to furnish Health Security benefits in any other State. Grants similar authority to other professional and nonprofessional health personnel. Establishes the Health Security Trust Fund, to receive the net assets of existing (Medicare) funds taken over by the Health Security program, the yield of the Health Security taxes, and the Government's contribution from general revenues amounting to 100 percent of the yield from these taxes. Directs that three separate accounts be established in the Health Security Trust Fund: a Health Service Account, a Health Resources Development Account, and an Administration Account. Make provision for allocation of the Health Services account among the regions of the country. Stipulates that the allocation to each region shall be based on the aggregate sum expended during the most recent 12-month period for covered services (with appropriate modification for estimated changes in the consumer price index, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries, and estimated changes in the number of participating providers). Directs the Board to divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, appliances, equipment; and miscellaneous services. Stipulates that payments for covered services provided to eligible persons by participating providers shall be made from the Health Service Account in the Trust Fund. Authorizes the Board to experiment with other methods of reimbursement so long as the experimental method does not increase the cost of service or lead to overutilization or underutilization of services. Stipulates that skilled nursing homes and home health agencies shall be paid in the same manner as a general hospital (on an approved annual budget basis). Stipulates that a health organization shall be paid for covered services, on the basis of a fixed capitation rate multiplied by the number of eligible enrollees. Authorizes special improvement grants: (1) to any public or other nonprofit health agency or institution to establish improved coordination and linkages with other providers of services; and (2) to organizations providing comprehensive ambulatory care, to improve their utilization review, budget, statistical, or records and information retrieval systems, to acquire equipment needed for those purposes, or to acquire equipment useful for mass screening or for other diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of HEW and the Board with regard to this title. Creates an administrative structure within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with exclusive responsibility for the administration of the Health Security program. Establishes a five-member, full-time Health Security Board serving under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires that the members be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, for five-year overlapping terms. Establishes a National Health Security Advisory Council, with the Chairman of the Board serving as the Council's Chairman and 20 additional members not in the employ of the Federal Government. Authorizes the Advisory Council to appoint professional or technical committees to assist in its functions. Directs the Advisory Council to advise the Board on matters of general policy in the administration of the program, the formulation of regulations and the allocation of funds for services. Charges the Board with responsibility for informing the public and providers about the administration and operation of the Health Security program. Requires the Board to make a continuing study and evaluation of the program, including adequacy, quality and costs of services. Authorizes the Board to make detailed statistical and other studies on a national, regional, or local basis of any aspect of the title; to develop and test incentive systems for improving quality of care, methods of peer review of drug utilization and of other service performances; to develop and test systems of information retrieval, budget programs, instrumentation for multiphasic screening or patient services, and reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services and the administration of the program. Grants authority to the Board, in accordance with regulations, to make determinations of who are participating providers of services, determinations of eligibility, of whether services are covered, and the amount to be paid to providers. Allows a provider of services who is dissatisfied with a final Board determination to obtain a hearing before a Board panel, and judicial review of a final decision. Authorizes the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Commission on the Quality of Health Care, to issue and review regulations assuring the quality of care furnished under this Act. Requires continuing professional education by physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. Authorizes the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of HEW and an Under Secretary for Health and Science. Stipulates that no provision of this Act shall alter any contractual obligation of an employer to provide health services to his employees and their dependents. Title II: Health Security Taxes - Converts the existing Medicare hospital insurance payroll taxes into Health Security taxes, and raises the rates to one percent on employees and 3.5 percent on employers. Excludes from the gross income of employees, for income tax purposes, payment by their employers of part or all of the Health Security taxes on the employees. Converts the existing Medicare self-employment tax into a Health Security self-employment tax, raising the rate to 2.5 percent. Adds a new one percent Health Security Tax on unearned income (unless such income is less than $400 a year), subject to the same maximum on taxable income as is applicable to the employee and self-employment taxes. Title III: Commission on the Quality of Health Care - Establishes in the Department of HEW a Commission on the Quality of Health Care, with the primary responsibility of: (1) initiating and continuing development of methods of assessing the quality of health care furnished under the Health Security Act; and (2) submitting to the Secretary and the Health Security Board its findings and recommendations. Stipulates that in carrying out its duties the Commission shall emphasize, and give first consideration to, care furnished for those illnesses and conditions which have relatively high incidence in the population and which are relatively amenable to medical or other care. Title IV: Repeal or Amendment of Other Acts - Requires that after the effective date of benefits received under this Act no State shall be required to furnish any service covered under Health Security as a part of its State plan for participation under Medicaid. Title V: Studies Related to Health Security - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to study the coverage of health services for U.S. residents in other countries. Directs the Secretary of HEW to study the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the Federal health benefit programs for merchant seamen and Indians and Alaskan natives and also veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Proposes that the President seek a treaty or appropriate international agreement to establish criteria for tanker safety and to take whatever other steps may be necessary to protect international waters from further pollution.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Federal Employees Flexible and Compressed Work Schedules Act - Requires each agency to establish a flexible scheduling or compressed work schedule experimental program covering a sufficient number of positions and work time alternatives on which to base an evaluation of the effectiveness of such program. Requires the Civil Service Commission to render educational and technical assistance to agencies for such programs. Sets forth the procedure whereby an agency head may seek an exemption from the requirements of this Act. Title I: Flexible Scheduling of Work Hours - Requires that the experimental testing of flexible work schedules include designated periods of required presence of employees and designated periods during which employees may choose arrival and departure times or accumulation of credit hours. Permits an agency head, upon a determination that the agency's functions are being handicapped or its costs are increasing, to restrict choice of arrival and departure time or credit hours, or to exclude any employees. Prescribes the method of computation of overtime under such a schedule, granting employees a choice of compensatory time in lieu of overtime. Limits premium pay for night-work under such a schedule. Requires payment to employees prevented from working on holidays because of such schedule. Permits use of time clocks under such experiments. Prohibits carryover of more than ten credit hours from one biweekly period to the next. Title II: Four-Day Week and Other Compressed Work Schedules - Permits agencies to conduct experiments with four-day workweeks or other compressed schedules. Stipulates that an employee in a unit not represented by an employee organization having exclusive recognition, will not be required to participate in any program under this Act unless the majority of employees in such unit have voted to so participate. Requires an agency, upon finding that participation in such a program would impose a personal hardship on an employee who has requested exemption from such program, to either except or reassign such employee. Exempts the hours of compressed schedules from provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act relating to premium pay for overtime work. Allows overtime pay for hours worked in excess of the hours of such compressed schedules. Title III: Administrative Provisions - Includes employees in labor organizations in experiments under this Act only to the extent provided in an agreement between such organizations and the agencies involved. Prohibits threats or coercion by fellow employees against employees not represented in labor organizations regarding the choice of work hours and credit hours. Requires an interim and a final report by the Commission to the Congress on results of and recommendations relating to the experiments conducted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
National Home Health Care Act - Broadens the coverage of home health services under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and removes the 100-visit limitation presently applicable to the home health service program. Extends the coverage of posthospital home health services to include payment for items and services which the individual could otherwise obtain in a skilled nursing facility. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the inclusion of home health services in a State's Medicaid program and permit the payment of rent under such program for elderly and handicapped persons who would otherwise require nursing home care. Provides expanded Federal funding for congregate housing for the displaced and the elderly by increasing the amount available for such housing under the low-income housing program. Establishes, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a Home Health Patient Ombudsman, who shall be appointed and provided with adequate staff and facilities by the Secretary. Makes it the duty and responsibility of the ombudsman to monitor specified programs under the Social Security and the various medical assistance programs under the State plans approved pursuant to such Act, and to maintain such oversight of those programs and their operation and administration as may be necessary to: (1) assure that home health patients under such programs are receiving the care to which they are entitled: (2) provide safeguards against over-charging for home health services; (3) identify abuses against home health patients; (4) receive, handle, and expedite complaints by home health patients; (5) recommend to the Secretary any changes in the regulations affecting home health services which may appear necessary or desirable; and (6) take appropriate action (including the transmission of findings to the Attorney General) with respect to abuses and violations of law affecting the provision or receipt of home health services under such programs. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of extending to the Medicare program the prospective cost-related method of computing payments to nursing homes and home health agencies which is currently provided under the Medicaid program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Emergency Stamp Assistance Act - Authorizes the Federal Energy Administrator to establish an energy stamp program to assist households with gross annual incomes below $12,500 in meeting monthly fuel costs. Authorizes assistance to renters to offset rent attributable to fuel costs. Stipulates that participating States shall assume responsibility for certification of eligible households and issuance of coupons. Specifies monthly allotments authorized by this Act. Requires that priority be given households in regions which have been declared emergency or disaster areas as a result of fuel supply, allocation, and costs problems. Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall be retroactively effective on January 1, 1977, and shall terminate April 30, 1977. Stipulates that benefits received pursuant to this program shall not be considered as income for internal revenue purposes or for determination of eligibility for other federally-related benefits programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Community- Based Day Treatment and In-Home Services for Children and Families Act - Amends Part B of Title IV (Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act to provide for the establishment of day treatment and in-home arrangements for services to children and families in trouble. Makes funds appropriated under the Social Security Act for child welfare services available to cooperating State agencies in the provision of day treatment and in-home services to children and families. Authorizes the appropriation of an additional $50,000,000 for each of the two fiscal years following the enactment of this Act for the purposes of this Act. Provides for the distribution of such funds to the appropriate State agencies. Defines the terms "day treatment services," and "in-home services. Requires States, as a condition to receiving Federal payments for child welfare services, to limit the placement of children outside of the home for treatment to those cases in which all feasible alternatives have been exhausted, or such placement has been ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. Requires State plans for aid and services to needy families with children to provide that the State agency supervising the administration of the plan will: (1) exhaust all feasible alternatives to placement of a child in a foster home, institution, or other residential facility before placing or approving the placement of such child in such a home, institution, or facility; and (2) submit to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare periodic reports indicating the steps being taken to explore such alternatives (and the various types of alternative arrangements being considered) in connection with the placement of children in such homes, institutions, and facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Bridge Safety Act - Title I: Bridge Program - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to approve Federal participation in a State project to repair or replace unsafe highway bridges under a needs formula as established in this Act. Stipulates that the Federal share of any such project shall not exceed 90 percent of its cost. Amends the Highway Safety Act of 1976 to authorize appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund of $180,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 and $720,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1978 through 1990 for such purpose. Title II: Extension of Highway Trust Fund and Certain Related Provisions - Amends the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 to extend appropriations for the Highway Trust Fund through fiscal year 1990. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act to extend the fund through fiscal year 1990. Postpones specified excise tax reductions under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Grand Jury Reform Act - Revises the procedures for finding a recalcitrant Federal grand Jury witness in contempt to require that 12 or more grand jury members vote to apply to the district court for a contempt order. Entitles recalcitrant grand jury witnesses to a hearing prior to being confined. Prohibits confining a recalcitrant witness more than once, for refusing to testifying about any specified transaction or set of transactions. Limits confinement to six months. Set forth guidelines relative to place of confinement and release pending appeal. Establishes as a defense to contempt for refusing to testify at a Federal grand jury proceeding the fact that the request for information is based on any violation of a witness' Federal constitutional or statutory rights. Prohibits a recalcitrant grand jury witness from being held in contempt unless he has consented to and has been given transactional immunity. Directs a district court to notify upon impanelment a grand jury of its rights and duties. Empowers a grand jury to inquire into alleged offenses committed against the United States within the appropriate judicial district by Federal, State, or local officials. Permits a grand jury to have a special attorney assist it in such an independent inquiry in lieu of an attorney for the government. Requires the attorney for the Government, or the special attorney, to take reasonable steps to notify any person of (1) any intention to present evidence against the person and request a presentment and (2) a right to testify and present evidence. Excepts from such notice requirements situations in which the attorney for the Government, or the special attorney, can prove that notice would result in flight, undue delay, or danger to other witnesses. Stipulates that a subpena summoning a witness to appear or present evidence before a grand jury may issue only upon an affirmative vote of 12 or more jurors. Requires that upon the service of any subpena the witness be given notice of the following: (1) the right to counsel set forth in this Act; (2) the privilege against self incrimination; (3) the subject matter of the grand jury investigation; (4) whether the witness's own conduct is under investigation; (5) the criminal statutes, violation of which is under consideration, if known; and (6) any other rights which the court deems appropriate. Sets forth jurisdictional and procedural rules regarding motions relative to subpenas to appear before grand juries. Entitles every grand jury witness to counsel during his testimony. Limits a grand jury's inquiry to offenses committed within the district in which it is convened. Authorizes a court to transfer its proceedings upon a finding of hardship to the witness or where justice so requires. Directs a district court to dismiss any indictment (1) based on insufficient or illegally obtained evidence or (2) issuing from a grand jury proceeding in which all exculpatory evidence was not presented. Entitles witnesses compelled to testify before Congress or a Federal agency to transactional immunity. Prohibits a grand jury inquiry into any transaction or event if another jury has failed to return an indictment based on the same occurrence, unless the court finds that additional relevant evidence has been discovered. Entitles a witness summoned to appear before a grand jury to examine and copy any relevant personal statements in the possession of the government, and a witness who has testified before a grand jury to copy and examine a transcript of such testimony. States that no person shall be required to testify or held in contempt for refusing to testify before a grand jury if it is shown (1) the primary purpose of the information sought is or will be to secure testimony for the trial or other information regarding a person already under formal accusation by the United States, a State, or a subdivision thereof for activities relative to testimony sought; (2) the witness has not been advised of his rights; (3) the evidence sought is not relevant to the grand jury investigation properly conducted within the grand jury's jurisdiction and (4) compliance with the subpena will be unreasonable or oppressive. Directs the Attorney General to annually report to Congress and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts with respect to specified aspects of grand jury proceedings, including: (1) the number of investigations conducted and the nature of each such investigation; (2) the number of requests for witness immunity and the nature of arrests, indictments, trials and convictions which resulted from orders granting such immunity; (3) the number of contempt citations and confinements; and (4) description of the procedures by which grand jury information is processed, stored, and used by the Department of Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Declares it the sense of the Congress that the President should establish a special task force to develop reliable information to determine whether the price of natural gas in interstate commerce should be deregulated. Stipulates that the task force shall consist of representatives of the Department of the Interior, the Federal Energy Administration, the Federal Power Commission, the Energy Research and Development Administration, and industrial and residential users. Directs the task force to report the findings of its study within three months after the date of adoption of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1977
Amends the Library Services and Construction Act to authorize the appropriation of funds through fiscal year 1981 for the purpose of making grants to States for (1) library services; (2) the construction of public libraries; (3) the carrying out of interlibrary cooperation programs; and (4) the carrying out of library programs for older persons. Requires any State expending Federal funds received under such Act for the administrative costs of such programs to match the amounts expended with non-Federal funds.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1977
Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act - Title I: Establishment of Goals, Planning, and General Economic Policies - Amends the Employment Act of 1946 to declare that all adult Americans able, willing, and seeking work have the right to useful paid employment at fair rates of compensation. States that, in moving toward the goal of full employment, it shall be an objective to maintain trends in the ratio of private employment civilian public employment and first priority is to expand conventional private jobs through policies made available under this Act. Directs the President in each annual Economic Report to recommend numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power, as well as policies to support these goals and achieve balanced growth and full employment. Requires the preparation of a Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, prepared with the assistance of Economic Advisers and in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. Requires that such plan set forth foreseeable social and economic goals; provide estimates of unmet social and economic needs; identify available and needed resources; and contain long-term economic goals including (1) full employment goals set at the number of jobs to be provided in order to reduce unemployment to the minimum level of functional unemployment consistent with efficient job search and labor mobility, (2) full production goals set at levels of output estimated to be yielded by achievement of full employment goals, and (3) full purchasing power goals set at levels estimated to be necessary for attaining and maintaining full employment and production while contributing to an equitable distribution of purchasing power. States that in achieving such goals the President shall include the objective of holding the annual rate of price increases to levels consistent with reasonable price stability. Requires the full employment goal to be consistent with an adult unemployment rate not in excess of three percent. Requires that the plan propose priority policies and programs to support full employment and balanced growth and enumerates sectors of the economy to be included in such policies and programs. Directs the President to submit proposals improving the efficiency and economy of the Federal Government. Requires the Presidents' Budget and Economic Report to set forth the level and composition of Federal expenditures, tax policy, and monetary policy consistent with and in promotion of the goals and policies contained in this Act. Directs the Federal Reserve Board to report to the President and Congress, identifying the extent to which the Federal Reserve will support the economic goals recommended by the President. Stipulates that each Economic Report contain a comprehensive set of anti-inflation policies to supplement monetary and fiscal policy. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Full Employment and Balanced Growth to advise and assist the Council of Economic Advisers. Directs the Council of Economic Advisers to prepare the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan and to consult with the Advisory Committee. Title II: Countercyclical, Structural, and Youth Employment Policies - Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 90 days of the enactment of this Act a proposal, together with necessary legislation, establishing permanent supplementary employment policies and programs required to reduce high unemployment arising from cyclical movements in the economy. Specifies types of programs which should be considered by the President in establishing component parts of such proposal and the means to be utilized in coordinating them. Requires the President to also transmit to Congress within such period legislation creating a permanent grant program related to the stabilization and needed growth of State and local budgets. Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 180 days of the enactment of this Act (1) a comprehensive regional and structural employment proposal designed to reduce chronic underutilization of human and capital resources in certain areas of the country and in groups within the labor force, and (2) legislation providing institutional means to encourage public and private investment in areas with substantial unemployment and to provide an alternative source of capital funds for local and State governments to finance public facilities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress legislation creating a comprehensive youth employment program which utilizes existing resources and facilities and provides additional employment programs. Directs the President to provide job opportunities through reservoirs of federally operated public employment projects and approved private nonprofit employment projects to the extent, and only to the extent, that willing able adults are not otherwise provided job opportunities. Establishes, within the Department of Labor, a Full Employment Office to assist in creating such employment opportunities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress a proposal, together with such legislation as is necessary, on how the income maintenance and employment policies can be integrated to insure that employment is substituted for income maintenance to the maximum extent feasible. Title III: Policies and Procedures for Congressional Review - Requires the Joint Economic Committee to carry out overall review of executive branch policies under this Act. Requires the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives to review the fiscal policy, economy in government policies, and Federal budget priorities recommended by the President. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to review and make recommendations to Congress on annual numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power proposed by the President. Provides for Congressional review of the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, including reports to the Joint Economic Committee from the Standing Committees of Congress on matters that relate to the plan, public hearings before the Joint Economic Committee, and consideration of State and local views on the plan. Establishes a Division of Full Employment and Balanced Growth within the Congressional Budget Office to assist the Joint Economic Committee in the discharge of its duties under this Act. Provides that the provisions of this title, with specified exceptions, be incorporated into the rules of the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively. Title IV: General Provisions - Makes general provisions with respect to nondiscrimination, labor standards, and authorizations of appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1977
Title I: Wildlife Restoration Fund - Amends the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act to: (1) make available to any State so much of the appropriation apportioned to it for any fiscal year for hunter education or public target range programs, which remain unexpended at the close of such fiscal year, for use in such programs during the succeeding fiscal year; (2) authorize the Secretary of the Interior to use any such funds, which remain unexpended at the close of such succeeding fiscal year, to assist one or more States in carrying out projects within their hunter education or public target range programs during the two fiscal years following such succeeding fiscal year; (3) authorize the Secretary to use any funds not expended for such projects before the close of such two- fiscal-year period to carry out the Migratory Bird Conservation Act; (4) require that certain revenues from taxes imposed on bows, arrows, and component parts of ammunition for firearms which accrue to the Wildlife Restoration Fund after fiscal year 1975 be apportioned among the States; (5) authorize the Secretary to pay funds to and cooperate with certain agencies of American Samoa in carrying out wildlife restoration projects; (6) include hunter education and public target range programs in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands within the projects which may be funded by the Secretary under the Act; (7) authorize each State to use certain funds apportioned to it under the Act to pay not more than 75 percent of the cost of a hunter education or public target range program, or both; and (8) set forth requirements with respect to the expenditure of Federal funds for public target ranges. Title II: Tax on Sale of Component Parts of Firearm Ammunition - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose a tax on specified component parts of ammunition for firearms, and to exempt such articles from tax when purchased with funds appropriated for the military department.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1977
Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to: (1) allow the mortgagor of a second mortgage to pay all or part of the unpaid balance ahead of schedule without penalty; (2) require a judicial hearing to determine whether a default has occurred before sale, foreclosure, or seizure of real property for nonpayment of any payment due under any second mortgage; (3) prohibit the extension of credit in the form of a second mortgage to a prospective mortgagor whose projected income is not sufficient to meet the payments of the second mortgage; (4) prohibit harassment of a mortgagor of the second mortgage by the mortgagee or person employed by the mortgagee in connection with collection of any payment; (5) entitle a mortgagor of a second mortgage to specified remedies for violations of this Act; and (6) prohibit a real estate broker who has arranged a second mortgage to acquire such property at a foreclosure sale.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1977
Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act - Title I: Establishment of Goals, Planning, and General Economic Policies - Amends the Employment Act of 1946 to declare that all adult Americans able, willing, and seeking work have the right to useful paid employment at fair rates of compensation. States that, in moving toward the goal of full employment, it shall be an objective to maintain trends in the ratio of private employment civilian public employment and first priority is to expand conventional private jobs through policies made available under this Act. Directs the President in each annual Economic Report to recommend numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power, as well as policies to support these goals and achieve balanced growth and full employment. Requires the preparation of a Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, prepared with the assistance of Economic Advisers and in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. Requires that such plan set forth foreseeable social and economic goals; provide estimates of unmet social and economic needs; identify available and needed resources; and contain long-term economic goals including (1) full employment goals set at the number of jobs to be provided in order to reduce unemployment to the minimum level of functional unemployment consistent with efficient job search and labor mobility, (2) full production goals set at levels of output estimated to be yielded by achievement of full employment goals, and (3) full purchasing power goals set at levels estimated to be necessary for attaining and maintaining full employment and production while contributing to an equitable distribution of purchasing power. States that in achieving such goals the President shall include the objective of holding the annual rate of price increases to levels consistent with reasonable price stability. Requires the full employment goal to be consistent with an adult unemployment rate not in excess of three percent. Requires that the plan propose priority policies and programs to support full employment and balanced growth and enumerates sectors of the economy to be included in such policies and programs. Directs the President to submit proposals improving the efficiency and economy of the Federal Government. Requires the Presidents' Budget and Economic Report to set forth the level and composition of Federal expenditures, tax policy, and monetary policy consistent with and in promotion of the goals and policies contained in this Act. Directs the Federal Reserve Board to report to the President and Congress, identifying the extent to which the Federal Reserve will support the economic goals recommended by the President. Stipulates that each Economic Report contain a comprehensive set of anti-inflation policies to supplement monetary and fiscal policy. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Full Employment and Balanced Growth to advise and assist the Council of Economic Advisers. Directs the Council of Economic Advisers to prepare the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan and to consult with the Advisory Committee. Title II: Countercyclical, Structural, and Youth Employment Policies - Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 90 days of the enactment of this Act a proposal, together with necessary legislation, establishing permanent supplementary employment policies and programs required to reduce high unemployment arising from cyclical movements in the economy. Specifies types of programs which should be considered by the President in establishing component parts of such proposal and the means to be utilized in coordinating them. Requires the President to also transmit to Congress within such period legislation creating a permanent grant program related to the stabilization and needed growth of State and local budgets. Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 180 days of the enactment of this Act (1) a comprehensive regional and structural employment proposal designed to reduce chronic underutilization of human and capital resources in certain areas of the country and in groups within the labor force, and (2) legislation providing institutional means to encourage public and private investment in areas with substantial unemployment and to provide an alternative source of capital funds for local and State governments to finance public facilities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress legislation creating a comprehensive youth employment program which utilizes existing resources and facilities and provides additional employment programs. Directs the President to provide job opportunities through reservoirs of federally operated public employment projects and approved private nonprofit employment projects to the extent, and only to the extent, that willing able adults are not otherwise provided job opportunities. Establishes, within the Department of Labor, a Full Employment Office to assist in creating such employment opportunities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress a proposal, together with such legislation as is necessary, on how the income maintenance and employment policies can be integrated to insure that employment is substituted for income maintenance to the maximum extent feasible. Title III: Policies and Procedures for Congressional Review - Requires the Joint Economic Committee to carry out overall review of executive branch policies under this Act. Requires the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives to review the fiscal policy, economy in government policies, and Federal budget priorities recommended by the President. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to review and make recommendations to Congress on annual numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power proposed by the President. Provides for Congressional review of the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, including reports to the Joint Economic Committee from the Standing Committees of Congress on matters that relate to the plan, public hearings before the Joint Economic Committee, and consideration of State and local views on the plan. Establishes a Division of Full Employment and Balanced Growth within the Congressional Budget Office to assist the Joint Economic Committee in the discharge of its duties under this Act. Provides that the provisions of this title, with specified exceptions, be incorporated into the rules of the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively. Title IV: General Provisions - Makes general provisions with respect to nondiscrimination, labor standards, and authorizations of appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers to take the credit for expenses of work incentive programs for wages paid new, full-time handicapped employees over the first cumulative 12 months of their employment.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1977
Federal Employees' Political Activities Act - Revises provisions prohibiting Federal employees, Postal Service employees, and District of Columbia employees from engaging in political activities. Declares it the policy of Congress that employees should be encouraged to fully exercise, to the extent not expressly prohibited by law, their rights of voluntary participation in the political processes of State and local governments. Continues proscriptions against employees using their official authority or influence to interfere with the result of any election or to coerce the political action of any person. Modifies provisions relating to the solicitation and offering of political contributions by Federal employees. Prohibits employees from: (1) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or refrain from voting in any election; (2) soliciting or receiving a political contribution to vote or refrain from voting in any election; (3) knowingly giving a political contribution to a superior; (4) knowingly soliciting or receiving a political contribution from another employee with respect to whom such employee is a superior; or (5) knowingly soliciting or receiving a political contribution in specified facilities. Places additional restrictions on specified employees of the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Justice, and the Central Intelligence Agency. Prohibits employees from holding, or being a candidate for, any office of a political party or for any elective public office unless such position is a part-time office of a State or political subdivision thereof or is nonpartisan. Prohibits employees, with specified exceptions, form engaging in political activity (1) which entails active campaigning for a candidate or political party in connection with a partisan Federal election, (2) while on duty or while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying their position, or (3) in designated areas. Establishes the Board on Political Activities of Federal Employees to decide cases regarding violations of this Act. Designates the Civil Service Commission to investigate reports and allegations of prohibited activity. Specifies guidelines for carrying out such investigations. Requires the Commission to give notice to the Board and the employees involved of apparent violations, except when the conduct of specified officials is involved, in which case the Commission is directed to refer the matter to the Attorney General and to report to Congress and the President. Directs the Board to render a final decision on the apparent violation on the basis of the record after a hearing conducted by a hearing examiner, which record shall include the recommended decision of the hearing examiner and any exception to such decision filed by the employee. Grants to the Board specified powers in carrying out its functions. Permits an employee upon whom a penalty is imposed by an order of the Board to seek judicial review in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or in the United States district court for the judicial district in which the employee resides or is employed. Specifies penalties for violation of the prohibitions contained in this Act. Directs the Commission to establish and conduct a continuing program to inform all employees of their rights of political participation and to evaluate employees with respect to those activities which are prohibited. Creates a specific criminal offense for extorting political contributions from Federal personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1977
National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act - Title I: National Consumer Cooperative Bank - Establishes the National Consumer Cooperative Bank to: (1) encourage the development of cooperatives eligible for its assistance by providing specialized credit and technical assistance; (2) maintain broad-based control of the Bank by its voting stockholders; (3) encourage broad-based ownership control and active participation by members in eligible cooperatives; (4) assure that the net savings from operations and the operations of borrowers from the Bank are made available or accounted for to the stockholders or members; and (5) assist in improving the quality and availability of goods and services to consumers. Authorizes the creation of no less than four nor more than twelve corporate regional banks. States that the Bank shall have the power to make and service loans, commitments for credit, guarantees, furnish financially related services, technical assistance, and issue obligations. Enumerates additional powers necessary to carry out its powers and duties. Requires the Bank to hold an annual meeting of stockholders. Permits the Bank to obtain funds through the public or private sale of its bonds, debentures, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness. Authorizes the Bank to make loans to eligible organizations which shall be repayable in not more than 40 years. States that the objective of the Bank shall be to provide the type of credit needed by eligible borrowers, at the lowest reasonable cost on a sound business basis, taking into account the cost of money to the Bank. Defines "eligible cooperatives" for purposes of assistance under this title. Title II: Self-Help Development Fund - Establishes in the Treasury a Consumer Cooperative Self-Help Development Fund. Permits the Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration to make a capital investment advance out of the Fund to any eligible cooperative if the Administration determines that the applicant's initial or supplemental capital requirements exceed its ability to obtain a Title I loan from the Bank or other sources, and the membership of the applicant consists substantially of low-income persons. Title III: Cooperative Technical Assistance - Directs the Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration to make available information and services concerning the organization or reorganization of cooperatives to best achieve the objectives of this Act and to best provide the means through which various types of goods, services, and facilities can be made available to members and patrons. States that such assistance may include investigations, surveys, and director and management training and assistance. Title IV: The Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration and General Provisions - Establishes the Cooperative Bank and Assistance Administration. Directs the Administration to assure that the objectives of this Act are carried out. States that until the stock of the Bank held by the United States has been fully retired the Bank shall be exempt from any form of taxation. Requires the Administration and the Board to report annually to the appropriate committees of Congress on the activities of the Administration and on the Bank's capital, operations, financial condition, the self-help development fund, and to make recommendations for legislation to improve its services.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1977
Amends the Vocational Education Act of 1963 to require the Bureau of Indian Affairs to pay a specified amount of the costs of vocational education programs administered for eligible Indian tribes. Increases the authorization of appropriations for State advisory councils on vocational education and allocates such funds according to a formula contained in such Act. Stipulates that the minimum expenditure requirements mandated for post secondary courses, the handicapped, and the disadvantaged apply only to the block grants made to a State. Permits the use of Federal funds for local administration but limits such use to the same percentage of funds as the Federal funds bear to the total program funds of the locality. Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to pay State administrative costs from block grants made under such Act. Permits a State to contract with a private vocational school capable of making a significant contribution to the State program at a reduced cost to the State. Limits the percentage of Federal funds, made available through basic grants, which can be used to pay the State administration expenses of any five year plan for vocational education program support or improvement. Grants State research coordinating unit, the power to contract for exemplary or innovation programs and for curriculum development projects. Delays the implementation dates for the national vocational education reporting system and the occupational information data system for one year. Permits the National Advisory Council on Vocational Education to accept gifts. Delays for one year the submission of reports by the National Institute of Education.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to terminate insurance or reinsurance issued to any investor, upon a Corporation determination that such investor has offered or paid, directly or indirectly, any significant amount of money (or anything of significant value) to a foreign official to influence any decision of a foreign government.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and physical examinations, and related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the feasibility and desirability of establishing the Santa Margarita National Recreation Area, in the area which is now Camp Pendleton, California.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for certain clinical psychologists' services under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1968 to allow the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to initiate civil actions to enforce the provisions of such Act. Extends from 30 to 60 days the period during which no civil suits may be initiated and the Secretary must make efforts to obtain voluntary compliance with such Act. Permits courts to award attorneys' fees to prevailing plaintiffs without regard to his financial ability to assume such fees.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Amends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1974 to extend for one year the emergency compensation program thereunder so as to permit benefits to be paid with respect to weeks ending before March 31, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Opportunities Industrialization Centers Skills Training and National Community Based Organizations Job Creation and Employment Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) contact Opportunities Industrialization Centers, Incorporated, for the provision of skills training to certain types of unemployed persons through such centers; and (2) contact other national community based organizations, such as the Urban League and union-related organizations, for the provision of comprehensive employment services, including counseling, job creation and development, remedial education, and followup. Directs the head of each agency having administrative authority with respect to specified Federal grant and construction programs to take steps to assure that special consideration be given national community based organizations in providing employment services and job opportunities for unemployed persons pursuant to such authority.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Adds Title X - "Special Demonstration Programs in the Biomedical Sciences for Secondary School Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds" to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, institutions of higher education for the purpose of offering five-year demonstration programs to encourage disadvantaged secondary education students to pursue professional training in the biomedical sciences. Directs the Commissioner to appoint an advisory committee to advise on the approval of applications for assistance under this title. Stipulates that the amount of assistance for any one five-year demonstration program shall not exceed a specified sum. Sets forth the activities each demonstration program must provide and the criteria which each applicant must meet in order to be eligible for assistance under this title. Requires each demonstration project to have an advisory committee of at least nine members. Sets forth the authorized uses of funds made available under this title. Authorizes the appropriation of $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1978. Stipulates that such sum shall remain available for expenditure or obligation through fiscal year 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Energy Industry Divestiture Act - Revises the Clayton Act to make it unlawful, after a specified date, for any corporation or association affecting commerce to control mineral deposits in two or more of the following classes: (1) coal; (2) petroleum and natural gas; or (3) uranium and other fissionable minerals. Disallows such corporation or association, after a specified date, from performing two or more of the following activities: (1) owning deposits of; (2) producing; (3) transporting; or (4) marketing at retail, petroleum, petroleum products, or natural gas. Prohibits any corporation or association which, with its affiliates, produces, refines, or transports at retail a daily worldwide average of at least 1,600,000 barrels of crude oil, or the equivalent in natural gas, or products of petroleum refining, from participating in a joint venture with any other such corporation or association except with specific approval of the Attorney General. Requires any corporation or association that would be in violation of this Act, but for the specified compliance date, to submit plans to the Federal Trade Commission for compliance by such date. Prohibits any person from serving as a director, officer, or employee of two or more corporations or associations in the energy industry.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Designates February, 1977, as "Black History Month."
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals an income tax credit for five percent of the rent paid for their principal residence. Limits the credit to $75 in the case of a joint return, $37.50 for married individuals filing separately, and $50 for other taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1977
Sugar Disclosure Labeling Act - Requires, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, that any packaged food containing sugar prominently display a declaration of such fact on its label if the sugar provides at least ten percent of the total number of calories in such food. Excludes fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and alcoholic beverages from the requirement imposed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize reduced air fares for persons 60 years of age or older.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1977
Provides that recipients of veterans' pension and compensation will not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced, or entitlement thereto discontinued, because of increases in monthly social security benefits. Applies these amendments to annual income determinations made for calendar years after 1972. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 415(g), adds 38 U.S.C. 503(d))
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1977
Directs the Secretaries of the various armed forces to establish discharge review boards and panels and to geographically disburse such panels on the basis of population concentrations of discharge applicants. Requires such panels to travel to areas where a reasonable number of applications for review have been filed. Directs the discharge review boards and panels to review any discharge or dismissal from the armed forces granted under other than fully honorable conditions upon their own motion or upon the request of the former member or the representative of a former member. Directs the review board or panel to determine whether such discharge was fair and equitable, or in the interest of justice, by standards current at the time of review, taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish guidelines and directives to be followed by the review boards and panels including specified mitigating and extenuating circumstances. Stipulates that the presence of strong mitigating factors shall normally warrant the upgrading of an other than fully dishonorable discharge to an honorable discharge, unless they are offset by serious aggravating factors which have a direct relationship to the issuance of an other than fully honorable discharge. Authorizes a review board or panel to issue an honorable discharge (limited) to individuals who were discharged under less than honorable conditions if such individuals have rehabilitated themselves and their conduct, activities and habits since being granted original discharge have been exemplary. Stipulates that such new discharge certificate shall be the same as a fully honorable discharge for all records and information pertaining to the individual. Stipulates that no benefits under any laws shall automatically be afforded to any individual issued an honorable discharge (limited) unless such an individual would have been entitled to such benefits under the original discharge or dismissal. Sets forth the procedures which review boards and panels must follow regarding review hearings. Requires the Government to provide legal counsel or assistance as may be necessary to insure that an applicant is competent to present a claim for review, in clear cases of need. Directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out a public information program designed to inform former members of the armed services of the new discharge review program under this Act. Requires each Secretary of the various services concerned to prepare a semiannual report on the functions, problems, and accomplishments of the review boards and panels established under this Act. (Amends 10 U.S.C. 1553)
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1977
Amends Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income Program) of the Social Security Act to extend benefits to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam on the same basis as the States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Human Resources Development Act - Directs the President, through the Secretary of Labor, to carry out a program of projects by means of contracts with public and private employers, including labor unions, and with institutions of higher education, each such project to either: (1) involve increased participation of employees in decision making and, through compensation or otherwise, in the gains associated with increased productivity; or (2) demonstrate specific programs or guidelines under which employment can be maintained at prescribed levels for a specific period and advances can be made in the quality of working life. Includes within such demonstration projects, grants to employers in high unemployment areas for the purpose of retaining employees who would otherwise be laid off during periods of cyclical unemployment through improving the design of workplaces or work assignments or improving job skills. Directs the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the National center for Productivity and Quality of Working Life, when requested by the Secretary, to provide technical assistance with respect to projects pursuant to contracts under this Act. Establishes a Human Resources Advisory Council to furnish advice and assistance in the administration of such projects. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee, or make commitments to guarantee, loans made by certain financial or credit institutions or pension funds to independently owned and operated small businesses requiring funds in order to continue participation in a project assisted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Grand Jury Reform Act - Entitles a witness who is accused of having unjustifiably withheld information in any proceeding before or ancillary to any court or grand jury of the United States to a hearing prior to being held in contempt and confined. Grants the right to counsel to such witness at a contempt hearing. Sets forth guidelines relative to such hearings and any subsequent confinement. Prohibits persons who are confined for refusing to testify before a grand jury about any transaction, from being later confined for a subsequent refusal to testify about such transaction. Establishes as a defense to contempt for refusal to testify or otherwise refusing to produce information, proof that the interrogation is based on, or is directly or indirectly derived from, an improper interception of any wire or oral communication. Requires that witnesses compelled to testify before any Federal court or grand jury, any Federal agency, or either House of Congress or any Congressional Committee be given transactional immunity. Prohibits a United States district court from issuing an order to compel testimony before such a body unless it finds that: (1) there is no danger that the witness will be prosecuted or will be subjected to any fine or forfeiture by a foreign government on account of any transaction about which testimony is sought; and (2) in the case of testimony before a grand jury, that the investigation is proper and the testimony sought is relevant. Sets the size for grand juries impaneled before United States district courts at not less than nine nor more than 15 persons. Stipulates that an indictment may be found only if at least nine jurors are present and two-thirds of those present concur. Specifies criminal penalties for disclosure of evidence introduced, statements made, or other matters occurring before a Federal grand jury by a person present at the grand jury proceedings. Exempts the following from such penalties: (1) disclosure to or by an attorney for the Government in the performance of his duties; (2) disclosure directed or permitted by the court; (3) disclosure by a witness who has appeared before the grand jury, or by his attorney, of any matter concerning which the witness has provided information; and (4) disclosure by any representative of the press acting in his professional capacity. Requires the court to give adequate and reasonable notice to the grand jury and to assure that the grand jury understands specified rights and duties which it possesses. Establishes procedures whereby any person may request to appear before a grand jury and request that the grand jury conduct an independent inquiry pursuant to this Act. Requires the grand jury to consider all such requests forwarded to it and, unless a majority of the grand jury votes to the contrary, the Government to subpena the witness or evidence offered. Conditions appearance of a witness so subpoenaed upon a waiver of immunity. Requires that upon the service of any subpena directing a witness to testify or produce evidence before a grand jury the witness be given notice of the following: (1) the right to counsel set forth in this Act; (2) the privilege against self incrimination; (3) the subject matter of the grand jury investigation; (4) whether the witness's own conduct is under investigation; (5) the criminal statutes, violation of which is under consideration, if known; and (6) any other rights which the court deems appropriate. Sets forth jurisdictional and procedural rules regarding motions relative to subpenas to appear before grand juries. Requires upon proper motion, the attorney for the Government or, if applicable, the special attorney appointed under this Act to show that: (1) the primary purpose of the information sought is not or will not be to secure testimony for the trial or other information regarding a person already under formal accusation by the United States, a State, or a subdivision thereof; for activities relative to testimony sought; (2) the witness has been advised of his rights; (3) the evidence sought is relevant to the grand jury investigation properly conducted within the grand jury's jurisdiction; and (4) compliance with the subpena will not be unreasonable or oppressive. Limits a grand jury's inquiry to offenses committed within the district in which it is convened. Authorizes a court to quash subpena or to transfer its proceedings upon a finding of hardship to the witness. Prohibits the bringing before a grand jury of any witness who has given advance notice of intention to exercise the privilege against self-incrimination or the bringing to the attention of the jurors the invocation of the privilege by such witness. Prohibits a grand jury inquiry into any transaction or event if another jury has failed to return an indictment based on the same occurrence, unless the court finds that additional relevant evidence has been discovered. Empowers any grand jury impaneled before any district court to inquire on its own initiative into offenses against the criminal laws of the United States alleged to have been committed within that district. Sets the term of grand juries conducting such inquiries. Authorizes a jury conducting an independent inquiry to request at any point by a majority vote the court to appoint a special attorney in lieu of the attorney for the Government. Entitles every witness subpoenaed to appear and testify or to produce information before a grand jury impaneled by a district court to the assistance of counsel. Limits the role of counsel of a grand jury witness to being present in the grand jury room while his client is testifying and advising him. Prohibits requiring a witness to testify sooner than one week after service of the subpena unless the Court finds special need. Entitles a defendant to examine and copy a transcript or electronic recording of: (1) the grand jury testimony of all witnesses to be called at trial; (2) all statements relating to the defendant's case made to the grand jury by the court and by the attorney for the Government or special attorney; (3) all grand jury evidence which in any manner could be considered exculpatory; and (4) all other grand jury evidence which the court may deem material to the defense. Authorizes the court, upon a showing of good cause, to modify or deny such disclosure. Entitles a defendant to a preliminary examination when charged with any offense, other than a petty offense, which is to be tried by a judge of the district court. Directs the Attorney General to annually report to Congress and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts with respect to specified aspects of grand jury proceedings, including: (1) the number of investigations conducted and the nature of each such investigation; (2) the number of requests for witness immunity and the nature of arrests, indictments, trials and convictions which resulted from orders granting such immunity; (3) the number of contempt citations and confinements; and (4) description of the procedures by which grand jury information is processed, stored, and used by the Department of Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require the President to transmit certain information to Congress with respect to any proposed major arms sale to a non-NATO country. Prohibits the issuance of any letter of offer for such sale if the Congress disapproves such letter by concurrent resolution, within the first period of 30 days of continuous Congressional session after receipt of Presidential certification of such offer.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
National Conference on Learning Disabilities and Juvenile Delinquency Act - Directs the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to organize and convene a National Conference on Learning Disabilities and Juvenile Delinquency. Directs the Conference to formulate methods of disseminating extant knowledge and the results of ongoing research related to learning disabilities and handicaps to appropriate agencies and individuals. Makes it a goal of such Conference to develop coordinated plans of cooperation among disciplines to deliver all services feasible to the learning disabled. Sets forth the procedures under which the Conference shall operate and the qualifications for membership in it. Calls for the convening of meetings related to the Conference in each State or Region in preparation for the National Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual income tax credit for 25 percent of the amounts paid or incurred for the purchase and installation of qualified insulative materials or heating equipment in the taxpayer's principal residence. Limits the credit to $375, or $750 in the case of a joint return. Stipulates that to be considered qualified such improvements must meet heat loss reduction or heating efficiency criteria to be established by the Secretary of the Treasury in accordance with standards developed and prescribed by the National Bureau of Standards.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Amends the Bankruptcy Act to establish in the order of payment out of bankrupt estates, a priority for consumers on account of a deposit of money made in connection with the purchase, lease, or rental of goods or services for personal, family or household use which were not delivered; or on account of a cause of action based on breach of warranty of fitness or merchantability or breach of express warranty or service contract with respect to the purchase, lease, or rental of goods or services for personal, family, or household use.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1978 for carrying out the provisions of titles I to VII of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973, including (1) comprehensive manpower services, (2) public service employment programs, (3) the Job Corps, and (4) emergency job programs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Establishes a Task Force on the Taxation of Real Property by State and Local Governments to study and evaluate such taxation, its effects on middle and fixed income taxpayers, and the feasibility of using Federal taxation and other methods to reduce the dependence of State and local governments on such taxation. Provides that the Task Force shall include: (1) four officials of the executive branch, to be appointed by the President; (2) four Senators, no more than two from the same political party, to be appointed by the majority leader; (3) four Representatives, no more than two from the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker; and (4) 12 individuals not Federal employees or officers representing State and local governments, the academic community and citizens groups, to be appointed by the President, Speaker and majority leader in concert. Empowers the Task Force to hold hearings, administer oaths, issue subpenas, hire a staff, contract out research projects and obtain assistance upon request from all other Government agencies and departments. Directs the Task Force to submit its final report to the President and the Congress within one year after all of its members have been appointed. Provides for the termination of the Task Force on the ninetieth day after submission of its final report.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Amends the Trading With the Enemy Act to prohibit authorization of a trade embargo with Vietnam except with respect to war and other materials defined by the Mutual Defense Assistance Control Act of 1951 and regulations thereunder.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Federal-Aid to Ridesharing Act - Title I: Short Title, Findings, Purpose, Policy, Goals, and Definitions - Declares it the national policy to encourage ridesharing, to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads and highways, to reduce demand for gasoline, and to increase transportation opportunities for the handicapped and the elderly. Title II: Consolidation of Federal Ridesharing Activities - Establishes an Office of Ridesharing within the Urban Mass Transportation Administration of the Department of Transportation to coordinate Federal ridesharing programs under this Act and to establish national goals with respect to ridesharing. Requires the Director of the Office of the Management and Budget to transfer to the Office of Ridesharing the existing programs of the various Federal agencies which are duplicative of, or could be performed more appropriately by, the Secretary of Transportation under the authority contained in this Act. Requires the Director to report to the Committees on Appropriations and Government Operations of the House and Senate regarding such program transfers. Terminates the Office of Ridesharing on September 30, 1983. Directs the President and the committees of the House and Senate having primary oversight responsibility with respect to the Office to conduct inquiries into its performance and effectiveness and to make recommendations on whether the Office should be abolished, reorganized or extended prior to such termination date. Title III: Planning, Technical Studies, Research and Demonstration - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish procedures and guidelines for the development and implementation of State ridesharing plans. Authorizes Federal financial assistance for the development and implementation of qualified State plans. Authorizes Federal grants for technical studies and research projects. Directs the Secretary to set a goal for each State for increasing average motor vehicle occupancy by 1980 and to set national ridesharing goals for 1980 and 1985. Authorizes the Secretary to undertake research, development, and demonstration projects in all phases of ridesharing. Authorizes the Secretary to study the transportation component of those Federal programs and projects providing social services and to propose a plan to make such services more cost- effective. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress regarding such study. Title IV: Ridesharing Programs, Grants, Loans - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and loans to assist States and designated recipients in developing specific ridesharing programs and projects. Stipulates that such loans shall constitute a revolving fund and all monies from such fund shall be deposited in the General Treasury on September 30, 1983, unless Congress acts to continue such fund. Title V: General Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe such rules as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the President and the Congress and other specified individuals on the operation of programs under this Act. Establishes additional criteria for the submission and approval of surveys, plans, specifications, and estimates for proposed projects under this Act. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts from the highway trust fund for the various programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Designates the anniversary of Martin Luther King Junior's birth, January 15, as a legal public holiday.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize any taxpayer to elect to have any portion of any overpayment of tax or any contribution in money which the taxpayer forwards with the return for such taxable year be available, as the taxpayer may designate on such return, for the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities.