United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Directs the Commissioner of Education not to terminate or defer assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to a local agency for alleged noncompliance with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 if within five years preceeding the date of any such imposed action the Commissioner of Education has determined that such agency was in compliance with title VI, unless a Federal court, subsequent to the Commissioner's determination, has determined that such agency is not in compliance with title VI, and has not yet complied with such court's final order or judgment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt aircraft used primarily for agricultural operation from the excise tax on civil aircraft. Provides for the refund of the excise tax on gasoline used for farming purposes in an aircraft to the aerial applicator who purchased it.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to reduce the requirements for eligibility for disability benefits for blind persons. Requires that a blind individual have at least six quarters of coverage to be eligible for disability benefits. Sets forth a method of computing the average monthly wage of a blind individual for the purpose of determining such individual's primary insurance amount. Provides that in no case shall such amount be less than the amount which would be determined without regard to an individual's blindness. States that no reductions will be made from the benefits to which a person is entitled because of such person's refusal to accept State-approved rehabilitative services under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Continues the payment of such benefits as long as blindness lasts, the amount of an individual's earnings notwithstanding.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1977
Provides that recipients of veterans' pensions and compensation will not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced because of increases in social security benefits. Applies to annual income determinations made for calendar years after 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1977
Limousine Limitation Act - Prohibits the purchase, hiring, or operation by the Government of a motor vehicle of a type not generally available on the date of the enactment of this Act in motorpools of the Federal Government. Prohibits the employment of chauffeurs and the use of Government motor vehicles for transporting any Government official between his dwelling and his place of employment. Exempts for the provisions of this Act: (1) medical officers on outpatient medical service; (2) an employee engaged in fieldwork; (3) the Chief Justice of the United States; (4) the President and Vice President; and (5) specified officers of Congress. Prohibits the issuance of a Government motor vehicle for the exclusive use of any elected or appointed official of the United States not mentioned in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
Requires that any plan for reorganization of the Executive Branch submitted by the President to Congress specify the improvements in management, delivery of Federal services, and increases in efficiency in Government operations which are expected to result from such reorganization. Permits the President to amend any such plan at any time during the 30-day period during which such plan is in committee without affecting the time limits otherwise applicable to congressional consideration of such plan. Permits any such plan to deal with more than one logically consistent subject matter and permits submission of such plans under present law until four years after the enactment of this Act. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 903; 905)
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Exempts courses which lead to a standard college degree from the "85-15" rule whereby the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs is required to disapprove enrollment of any eligible veteran, not already enrolled, in any course offered by a proprietary profit or proprietary nonprofit educational institution where more than 85 percent of the students enrolled have their fees paid by either the Veterans' Administration or the institution itself. Revises the application of rules governing the two-year period a course must be in operation before enrollment of eligible veterans or persons can be approved.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Federal Agency Control and Review Act - Requires the Office of Management and Budget to study the efficiency and effectiveness of each Federal agency every ten years and to recommend to the President and Congress reorganization or abolition of each such agency as may be necessary to improve such efficiency and effectiveness. Abolishes each such agency upon the due date of such report unless during the ten-year period since the last report Congress has passed legislation continuing such agency.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Amends Title XI (General Provisions and Professional Standards Review) of the Social Security Act to assure the participation by registered professional nurses in the peer review and related activities authorized under such Title.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Title I: Financial Disclosure - Amends rule XLIV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to: (1) require Members, officers, principal assistants to Members and officers, and professional staff members of committees to file a financial report with the Clerk of the House of Representatives by April 30, 1978, and by April 30 of each year thereafter; (2) require the Clerk to send copies of such reports to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, and to the secretary of state of the State represented by the Member; (3) direct the Clerk to compile the reports and have them printed as a House document to be made available to the public; and (4) require the Committee to maintain and make such reports available for public inspection. Details the required content of such reports. Permits Members who announce before April 30, 1978, that they will not seek election to the 96th Congress to file the report as required by rule XLIV prior to the amendments made by this title in lieu of the report required under such rule as amended by this title. Requires that sealed reports filed by persons under part B of rule XLIV prior to July 1, 1977, be returned to such persons by the Committee when such persons are no longer required to file such reports. Title II: Amendment of the Code of Official Conduct - Amends clause 4 of rule XLIII to: (1) prohibit any Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives from accepting gifts with a value of $100 or more in any calendar year from a foreign national; and (2) include among persons deemed to have a direct interest in legislation before the Congress, any person registered under the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946, and certain other persons retained by such registered persons. Amends clause 7 of rule XLIII to require Members to treat all proceeds from fund raising events as campaign contributions, regardless of any notice given by the sponsors to the participants. Title III: Unofficial Office Accounts; Official Expense Allowances - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add rule XLV prohibiting any Member from maintaining an unofficial office account. Entitles each Member to reimbursement for official expenses incurred in the United States under the Legislative Appropriation Act, 1977 or the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1972. Authorizes the Clerk of the House to make disbursements from such funds. Limits the entitlement of each Member under such reimbursement program to $7,000 annually. Title IV: Limitations on the Use of the Frank - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add rule XLVI, limiting the use of the frank by Members. Title V: Foreign Travel - Amends clause 2(n) of rule XI to set certain limits on expenses of Members and employees of committees traveling in foreign countries. Limits the availability of local currencies owned by the United States for use outside of the United States by Members who have not been reelected. Amends clause 5 of rule XI by prohibiting the expense resolutions of committees from authorizing the payment of travel expenses of Members who have not been reelected. Amends clause 8 of rule I to prohibit the payment of travel expenses from the contingent fund for Members who have not been reelected. Title VI: Outside Earned Income - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add rule XLVII, limiting to 15 percent of the aggregate annual salary of a Member, the amount of outside income which may be earned by a Member in any calendar year. Title VII: Select Committee on Ethics - Establishes in the House a 13-member Select Committee on Ethics to consider and report to the House on bills involving financial disclosure, the Code of Official Conduct, unofficial office accounts, the use of the frank, and outside earned income.
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
Natural Gas Act Amendments - Amends the Natural Gas Act to terminate Federal Power Commission authority to regulate sales of new natural gas in interstate commerce. Stipulates that prices for offshore sales of new natural gas shall not exceed the ceiling price for sales of new natural gas produced from onshore Federal lands. Stipulates that emergency sales of natural gas to curtailed customers who qualify as essential users shall not affect such exempt status. Authorizes the Commission to terminate such exemptions on or after April 15, 1978, if they are no longer deemed necessary to protect high priority consumers of natural gas. Directs the Federal Power Commission to conduct studies and make reports regarding the nature and availability of natural gas reserves. Requires that the Commission keep current information available relating to the estimated natural gas reserves for individual fields. Establishes procedures for the establishment of ceiling prices for new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands through December 31, 1982. Authorizes the Commission to grant exemptions to price ceilings within high-cost production areas. Establishes procedures for adjustments to price ceilings established pursuant to this Act. Directs the Commission to prohibit the curtailment of adequate supplies of natural gas for essential agricultural purposes. Directs the Commission to prohibit the use of natural gas as boiler fuel where adequate alternatives are available. Authorizes exemptions from such prohibition where necessary to comply with pollution control or environmental protection and safety standards.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Extends the coverage for dental services provided under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include any services which may be performed by a doctor of dental surgery or of dental medicine and to authorize payment under the Medicare program for all inpatient hospital services furnished in connection with dental procedures requiring hospitalization.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 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 · 11 January 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 · 4 January 1977
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorization of New Budget Authority - Terminates all budget authority for Federal programs on specified dates according to the functional or subfunctional category of each program as set forth in the fiscal year 1977 budget. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress by April 1, 1977, on specified programs with respect to the laws under which such program is carried on, the amount of new budget authority received by such program during the four fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977, and to identify programs for which no outlays have been made during the last two fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977. Prohibits providing new budget authority after the applicable review date set forth in this Act unless the provision of such budget authority is specifically authorized by law or the standing rules of either House of Congress. Title II: Zero-Base Program Review - Sets forth a timetable for Congressional zero-base review of new budget authority. Defines "zero-base review" as an evaluation of a given program to determine the merits of its continuation at a level less than, equal to, or more than its existing level. Requires each congressional committee conducting a zero-based program review to adopt tentative and final review plans, receive reports from the Comptroller General and Federal agencies on the program being reviewed, and report to their respective House the results of such zero-base review of the program. Sets forth minimum objectives of inquiry for such reviews. Requires that any committee reporting pursuant to this Act recommend the extent to which any program reviewed should be continued or eliminated. Title III: Continuing Review - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require, whenever the Comptroller General issues a report which discloses any substantial deficiency in the achievement of the objectives of any Federal program, the agency conducting such program to report to specified congressional committees 60 days after such report and every six months thereafter to delineate the actions taken with respect to such deficiency. Requires that such agency continue to issue such reports until such time as the Comptroller General determines that no purpose is served by their submission. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, to require the inclusion in the Budget of a statement of the specific objectives of each Government program, and a comparison, in each subsequent Budget, of the achievement of such objectives for the last completed fiscal year with the planned objectives of such year. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Requires the Director of Management and Budget to study the feasibility of zero-base budgeting for Federal agencies. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to study the feasibility of personnel ceilings on employees of the United States and their relationships to alternative methods of carrying out the activities of such employees. Requires that such reports be submitted to Congress. Requires Federal agency heads to report requests for new budget authority to Congress. Requires specified committees to study the effectiveness of the zero-base review procedures required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated under such Act to $6,000,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1976
Federal-Aid Highway Act Amendments - Amends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1976 to increase and extend the appropriations authorized under such Act for the fiscal years 1977 and 1978 for the Federal-aid primary system to $3,350,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1978 through 1990. Increases the Federal share for projects financed with primary funds on the Federal-aid primary system from 70 percent of its cost to 80 pecent, or to 95 percent under specified circumstances. Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from approving projects on such system if the portion of the project that is on a new location does not provide for complete control of access. (Amends 23 U.S.C. 109, 120)
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1976
Makes funds available to any State which has submitted and received approval of a plan to provide benefits to the spouse or dependents of any eligible rescue squad worker who has died as the direct and proximate result of an injury sustained in the performance of duties. Stipulates that a State plan shall include, among others, the following provisions: (1) financial participation by the State; (2) establishment or designation of a single State agency to administer such plan; and (3) granting an opportunity for a fair hearing to any claimant who is denied benefits. Provides that the agency which administers the State plan may grant, before final action, interim benefit payments upon a determination that benefits will probably be paid (based on the need of the claimant). Directs the Secretary of Commerce to approve any State plan which fulfills the requirements of this Act and to pay each State which has such an approved plan an amount equal to 50 percent of the total amount expended by the State for benefits. Places a limitation upon the amount which the Secretary may pay to any State and provides for an installment payment system of such funds to the States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1976
Requires the Federal Communications Commission to increase the channels available for use in the citizens radio service to 46 channels, and to designate one of the channels for the exclusive use of elderly persons or persons whose mobility is restricted. Prohibits the Commission from prohibiting the modification of citizens band equipment to accommodate the increased channels provided for by this Act if such equipment meets reasonable standards promulgated by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1976
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the issuance of solid waste management regulations with respect to the sale or distribution of beverage containers at Federal facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 September 1976
Authorizes the States to administer permit programs to regulate obstructions on intrastate navigable waters under the Act of 1899, relating to Federal regulation of rivers and harbors. Requires that such State programs meet minimum Federal standards.
United States · United States Congress · 1 September 1976
Disposal Area Management Act - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to utilize and encourage the utilization of disposal area management practices designed to minimize the need for new dredged material disposal areas.
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 · 24 August 1976
Directs the Federal Communications Commission to take such steps as may be necessary to increase the channels available for use in the citizens radio service to 46 channels.
United States · United States Congress · 24 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 · 24 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 · 24 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 · 10 August 1976
Title I: Public Buildings Cooperative Use Act - Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959 and the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require the Administrator of General Services, when acquiring or managing space necessary for Federal agencies, to: (1) utilize space in buildings of historic, architectural, or cultural significance where feasible; (2) encourage the location of commercial, cultural, educational, or recreational activities within or near public buildings; and (3) encourage the public use of public buildings outside of regular Federal working hours. Requires the Administrator to place on the access level of Federal buildings those activities requiring regular public contact. Title II: Requires the Administrator to report annually to Congress with respect to his activities and those of other departments with regard to standards issued, revised, repealed, or waived under the Act to insure that certain buildings financed with Federal funds are so designed and constructed as to be accessable to the physically handicapped.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1976
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment under such title for services furnished by physician extenders and clinical staff of community mental health centers. Defines the term "physician extender" to mean a "physicians asssistant," "Medex," and "nurse practitioner" who, having completed an educational program meeting guidelines prescribed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, is trained and qualified to provide primary health care under the supervision of a physician.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1976
Title I: Increases in Rates of Allowances for Vocational Rehabilitation, Educational Assistance, and Special Training - Increases by specified amounts the rates payable to eligible veterans for vocational rehabilitation, educational assistance, and apprentice programs. Title II: Extension of Period of Eligibility of Seriously Disabled Veterans for, and Other Improvements Relating to Vocational Rehabilitation - Extends the period during which qualified disabled veterans may be afforded vocational rehabilitation from June, 1975, to such time as is determined by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to be necessary for each such veteran based upon the veterans's disability and need for vocational rehabilitation. Allows any facilities of any agency of the United States to be used to provide unpaid training or work experience as part or all of a veteran's program of vocational rehabilitation. Title III: Improvements Relating to Education Assistance for Veterans and War Orphans and Widows - Prohibits the Administrator from approving the enrollment of a veteran or other eligible person in any independent study program unless such program leads to a standard college degree. Specifies the method of computing the educational assistance allowance of an eligible veteran or other eligible person pursuing such an independent study program. Title IV: Improvements in the Administration of Educational Benefits and Conforming Amendments - Prohibits the payment of educational assistance to any eligible veteran or person for the purposes of auditing a course, or for a course for which the grade assigned is not used in computing the requirements for graduation, including a course from which the student withdraws, unless there are mitigating circumstances beyond his control. Prohibits payments for pursuit of the correspondence portion of a combination correspondence-residence course leading to a vocational objective. Title V: Effective Date of Amendments - Makes the amendments made by this Act effective October 1, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1976
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Agriculture study the impact of the development of the foreign palm oil industry on the domestic vegetable oil industry. Directs the Secretary, if such study justifies, to recommend that the administration negotiate bilateral agreements with the principal palm oil producing countries to provide reasonable restraints against excessive imports of palm oil into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1976
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study the impact of the development of the foreign palm oil industry on the domestic vegetable oil industry and submit his recommendations to the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the United States Executive Director in each of the international financial institutions to oppose new proposals for palm oil development loans.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1976
Directs the Federal Communications Commission to take such steps as may be necessary to increase the channels available for use in the citizens radio service to 46 channels.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1976
Includes within the meaning of the term "hospital" in Titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, rural health facilities of 50 beds or less.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1976
Extends the delimiting period in the case of any eligible veteran who is pursuing, during his or her tenth year of eligibility, a program of education. Terminates such extension on whichever of the following dates first occurs: (1) the date on which the veteran completes, or ceases to pursue, the program he was pursuing in his tenth year of eligibility; or (2) the last day of the 11-year period beginning on the date of his discharge from active duty. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 1662(e))
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1976
Estate and Gift Tax Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a single unified rate schedule for estate and gift taxes. Establishes progressive rates based on cumulative lifetime transfers and transfers at death. Determines the amount of estate tax by applying the unified rates to such cumulative transfers and then subtracting the taxes payable on lifetime transfers. Provides that for purposes of determining the amount of the gross estate, the amount of gift tax paid with respect to transfers made within three years of death shall be included in the decedent's gross estate. Provides, as a transitional rule, that the lifetime transfers taken into account in determining cumulative transfers at death, for purposes of imposing the estate tax under the unified schedule, shall only include taxable gifts made after December 31, 1976. Repeals the estate and gift tax exemptions. Substitutes for such exemptions a credit against estate and gift taxes in the amount of $29,800. Provides for an additional credit against the estate tax for specified farms and closely held businesses passing to a qualified heir. Defines "qualified heir" as a member of the decedent's family, including his spouse, lineal decendents, parents, and aunts and uncles of the decedent and their decendants. Makes such credit available where the value of a farm or closely held business included in a decedent's gross estate equals or exceeds 65 percent of the value of the gross estate. Stipulates that such credit shall be available only if the farm or closely held business has been owned by the decedent or his family for at least five out of the preceding eight years. Provides that the amount of such credit shall be $25,000 multiplied by a percentage representing the portion of the decedent's estate consisting of the farm or other closely held business. Phases out such credit after the value of the gross estate exceeds $1,000,000. Provides for the recapture of the estate tax benefit of such credit where there is a disposition of the business by the qualified heir to nonfamily members prior to the qualified heir's death or within 25 years of the death of the decedent. Provides for a lien on the qualified interest in a farm or closely held business with respect to which an election of such credit has been made. Increases the estate tax marital deduction to $250,000 or one-half of the decedent's gross estate, whichever is greater. Increases the gift tax marital deduction in the case of lifetime gifts to a spouse. Allows an unlimited marital deduction for the first $100,000 of lifetime gifts made to a spouse and, thereafter, a deduction for one-half of the aggregate lifetime gifts made to a spouse in excess of $200,000. Imposes a tax on the unrealized appreciation of property transferred by a decedent. Provides that the basis of such property shall be its fair market value on December 31, 1976. Allows an election to carry over the decedent's basis in any property instead of having the appreciation taxed. Exempts the first $50,000 of appreciation from taxation. Excludes the appreciation of assets valued at less than $10,000 and which are not held for use in a trade or business or for the production of income from such tax. Allows the deduction of the appreciation tax in computing the value of the taxable estate for estate tax purposes. Exempts from the appreciation tax any property transferred from the decedent if the income tax carries over to the recipient (income in respect of a decedent and survivor annuities). Provides that if an election to carry over the decedent's basis in lieu of paying the appreciation tax is made, the basis of the property is to be increased by the Federal and State estate taxes attributable to the net appreciation in value for the property. Allows the executor of an estate which includes real farm property to value the property as a farm, rather than its fair market value determined on the basis of its highest and best use. Imposes special qualifying conditions for such valuation, including: (1) the farm assets in the decedent's estate including both farm real property and personal property must be at least 50 percent of the decedent's gross estate (reduced by debts and expenses); (2) at least 25 percent of the adjusted value of the gross estate must be qualified farm real property; (3) the real property must pass to a qualified heir; (4) the real property must have been used or held for use as a farm for five of the last eight years prior to the decedent's death; and (5) there must have been material participation in the operation of the farm by the decedent or a member of his family in five years out of the eight years immediately preceding the decedent's death. Provides for recapture of any tax benefits obtained by use of the reduced valuation if, prior to the death of the qualified heir or within 25 years of the death of the decedent, the property is disposed of to nonfamily members or ceases to be used for farming purposes. Provides for a lien on all such real property with respect to which the farm valuation is elected. Provides for a 15-year period for the payment of the estate tax attributable to the decedent's interest in a farm or closely held business, with a deferral of the tax for five years and installment payments over the next ten years. Requires, as a qualification for such deferral and installment treatment, the value of the closely held business or farm in the decedent's estate to be at least 65 percent of the gross estate. Allows discretionary extensions of up to ten years to pay the estate tax for reasonable cause (rather than for "undue hardship" as under present law). Provides for a lien for payment of the deferred taxes attributable to a closely held business or farm. Imposes a tax, in the case of generation skipping transfers under a trust, upon a distribution of the trust assets to a generation skipping heir, or upon the termination of an intervening interest in the trust. Determines the tax by adding the value of the distributed property, or terminated interest, to the heir's taxable transfers and applying the heir's marginal transfer tax rate to the value of such interest. Extends from nine months to 12 months the period after the decedent's death in which an estate tax return must be filed. Requires gift tax returns to be filed for any quarter only when the total cumulative gifts made during the taxable year exceed $25,000, or during the last quarter if the total does not reach $25,000. Provides that if the Internal Revenue Service proposes a deficiency in the estate tax because of a higher valuation of the assets included in the decedent's gross estate, it must disclose to the executor during the settlement process the basis on which the higher valuation was determined.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1976
Prohibits the Commissioner of Education from terminating, refusing to grant or continue, or deferring action on any application for assistance for any local educational agency under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 on the basis of alleged noncompliance with title VI (Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 if within the preceding five years the Commissioner of Education has determined that such agency was in compliance with such title, unless a Federal court has found otherwise subsequent to such determination and the agency has not yet complied with the court order or judgment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1976
Increases from $21,000 to $29,000 the limitation with respect to direct loans to veterans for purchase of a home in a rural area or small town or city where adequate credit is otherwise unavailable. Continues the direct loan revolving fund which provides such loans. Increases from 30 to 50 percent the amount which the Veterans' Administration may guarantee of a loan to a veteran for the purchase of a mobil home.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1976
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress has not delegated to the Federal Trade Commission any authority to preempt the laws of the States and their political subdivisions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1976
Consumer Communications Reform Act - States that Congress finds that the revenues from integrated interstate and foreign common carrier telecommunications services helped maintain a level of charges for telephone exchange service which is lower than otherwise would be required. Expresses the sense of Congress that the authorization of lines, facilities, or services of specialized carriers which duplicate the lines, facilities, or services of other telecommunications common carriers is contrary to the public interest. Reaffirms the intent of Congress that the complete authority to regulate terminal and station equipment used for telephone exchange service shall rest with the States even though such terminal and station equipment also may be used in connection with interstate services. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that no compensatory charges for or in connection with such communication service may be found to be unjust or unreasonable on the ground that it is too low. Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from holding the charge of a carrier up to a particular level to protect the traffic or revenues from a communication service offered or provided by another carrier if such charge proposed by the carrier is compensatory. Provides that the Commission shall not grant or authorize any construction permit, station, license, or certificate for the construction, acquisition, or operation of any communication or transmission line or facility, or extension thereof, or any modification or renewal thereof, unless the Commission shall find, after full opportunity for evidentiary hearing on the record, that such permit, license, or certificate, will not result in increased charges or unnecessary duplication of communication lines.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1976
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to repeal the duty imposed on (1) articles assembled abroad with components produced in the United States, and (2) specified metal articles manufactured in the United States and exported for further processing.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1976
Prohibits the Commissioner of Education from terminating, refusing to grant or continue, or deferring action on any application for assistance for any local educational agency under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 on the basis of alleged noncompliance with title VI (Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 if within the preceding five years the Commissioner of Education has determined that such agency was in compliance with such title, unless a Federal court has found otherwise subsequent to such determination and the agency has not yet complied with the court order or judgment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1976
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen for a term of four years by the people of the several States. Provides that no Member of the House shall file his candidacy for Senator for a term which is to begin before the expiration of the term of the office held by such Member, unless at least 30 days before such filing such Member shall have resigned from such office.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1976
Recognizes the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of American commercial aviation. Requests that all concerned governmental agencies join in participating in appropriate national and local ceremonies celebrating such anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Authorizes the President to issue annually a proclamation designating the seven-day period commencing on April 30 of each year as "National Beta Sigma Phi Week," to recognize the National Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and its social, cultural, and service programs.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1976
Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Economic Development Administration, to make grants to any State or local government for local public works projects, including but not limited to: (1) those public works projects of State and local governments for which Federal financial assistance is authorized under provisions of law other than this Act; and (2) the architectural design, engineering, and related planning of local public works projects. Stipulates that the Federal share of any project for which a grant is made under this Act shall be 100 percent of the cost of such project. Authorizes the Secretary to make an additional grant for the purpose of increasing to 100 percent the Federal contribution to a public works project for which Federal financial assistance is authorized under provisions of law other than this Act. Stipulates that no such grants shall be made for any project which has as its principal purpose the channelization, damming, dredging, or diversion of a natural watercourse, or the enlargement of any canal other than a canal designated as a historic site. Directs the Secretary to prescribe rules, regulations, and procedures necessary to carry out this Act. Lists factors that the Secretary shall consider in accordance with the relative needs of the various sections of the country, with priority consideration to those areas where unemployment exceeds the national average. Stipulates that not less than one-half of one percent nor more than ten percent of all amounts authorized under this title shall be allocated for local public works projects within any one State. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,500,000,000 through fiscal year 1977 in order to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1976
Public Works and Economic Development Act Amendments - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to extend the authorizations for financial assistance to States and localities under the Act through September 30, 1979. Removes the prohibition on Federal assistance to competitors of regulated public utilities. Requires a decrease in the amount of Federal assistance to States and localities which have exhausted their effective taxing and borrowing capacity. Increases from ten percent to 25 percent the minimum amount of Federal funds that must be expended on redevelopment areas under the Act. Allows for additional funds to cover increased construction costs, provided the percentage of the Federal share for such project is not increased. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to agree to pay a portion of the interest on loans guaranteed under this Act. Revises the criteria for designation of redevelopment areas to include all municipalities with a population of 50,000 or more as eligible for such designation. Establishes a program of urban economic development and redevelopment to allievate problems of unemployment, migration, and long-term economic deterioration in urban areas. Details requirements for Federal assistance under such program. Authorizes annual appropriations of $200,000,000 per fiscal year from fiscal year 1977 through 1979. Authorizes an initial appropriation of $50,000,000 for the transitional period from July 1, 1976, through September 30, 1976. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary of Labor to take steps to assure the validity of unemployment rate information. Repeals the prohibition on financial assistance for electric energy generating and transmission facilities. Authorizes additional assistance to areas suffering from long-term economic deterioration under the special economic development assistance program under Title IX of the Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Holland, Kenneth L. [D-SC-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000719_200.jpg)