United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
National Agricultural Land Policy Act -- Title I: Objectives -- Declares the policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, to use all practicable methods to retain, protect and improve agricultural land, to reduce its conversion to nonagricultural uses, and to limit the encroachment of industrial activities. Title II: Research Program -- Establishes a three-year Agricultural Land Review Commission to study: (1) agricultural land in the United States; (2) the effects of industrial development climate and other factors on the productivity of such land; (3) the acquisition of such land by persons not engaged in agricultural activities; and (4) methods of protecting and improving such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted to nonagricultural uses. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to public and private organizations to do research pursuant to its study. Requires the Commission to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title III: Demonstration Programs -- Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay up to 75 percent of the cost and to provide technical assistance to any State pilot project undertaken to demonstrate and test methods of reducing the amount of agricultural land being converted to nonagricultural uses. Requires all such projects to be completed within five years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title IV: Funding -- Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $15,000,000. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 through 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should declare a moratorium on United States manufacture of chemical weapons (lethal and incapacitating nerve and mustard agents and "binary agents') and order the destruction of certain United States stockpiles of such weapons. Urges other nations to destroy their stockpiles. Urges the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament to conclude a treaty banning the manufacture and possession of such weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act - Requires organizations which expend more than $1,250 per quarter year or which employ at least one or more individuals who spend a specified amount of time engaged in lobbying activities to register with the Comptroller General and to update such registration annually. Requires the identification of any persons retained for lobbying purposes and the source and amounts of income of such organization as a part of such registration. Requires such organization to file quarterly reports concerning such lobbying activities including: (1) listing of total lobbying expenditures including each expenditure over $35 made to or for the benefit of any Federal officer, congressional employee, or Member of Congress; (2) expenditures made for dinners or receptions; and (3) the issue for which lobbying was carried out identified by bill number or agency involved. Requires the Comptroller General to make copies of each registration and report required by this Act available for public inspection and copying. Requires the Comptroller General to render written advisory opinions upon request of any individual or organization with respect to the requirements of this Act. States that anyone who acts in good faith reliance upon such advisory opinion shall be presumed to be in compliance with this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to enforce this Act using informal methods of conference or conciliation or, if necessary, by referring apparent violations to the Attorney General. Sets forth civil and criminal sanctions for violation of this Act. Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Small Post Office Preservation Act - Prohibits the United States Postal Service from closing any post office which serves a rural area or small town unless (1) a majority of the persons regularly served by such post office approve the closing; (2) it establishes a rural station or branch which provides the same postal services as the post office and does not result in any change in the mailing address of persons served by such post office; or (3) it establishes a rural route to serve the area involved. Allows the Postal Service to establish a rural route as a substitute for an existing post office only upon making specified determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Energy Leasing Amendment - Prohibits, under applicable mineral leasing laws, the leasing of lands by the Secretary of the Interior to person: (1) controlling mineral deposits in two or more of the following: coal, oil or natural gas, geothermal steam, or uranium and other fissionable material; (2) engaging in two or more of the following: ownership or production of petroleum or natural gas, refining of petroleum, transportation of petroleum products or natural gas by pipeline, or marketing of petroleum products or natural gas; or engaging in certain joint ventures except as approved by the Secretary. Stipulates that such prohibition shall take effect after December 31, 1979. Authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General, to conduct hearings and gather information to determine compliance with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendments - Repeals provisions stipulating that nothing in certain sections of the United States Code relating to interception of communications shall be construed to limit the power of the President to take measures to protect national security. Directs that applications for authorizations to intercept communications in connection with specified national security crimes be made to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Authorizes interception of communications with respect to violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 and the Export Administration Act of 1969. Sets at 90 days the period for which interception of communications for national Security purposes may be conducted. Authorizes, with respect to such interceptions, waiver of notice to persons surveilled. Excepts national security wiretaps from provisions allowing persons intercepting communications pursuant to a court order to disclose the contents of such communication and of derivative evidence while under oath.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and Policy - Declares that most of the nation's coal reserve can only be mined by underground methods. Lists the purposes of this Act, including the establishment of a nationwide program to prevent adverse effects to society and the environment from surface coal mining. Title II: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement - Establishes in the Interior Department the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement with a Director appointed by the President. States that such Office shall administer the programs required by this Act and assist the States in development of State programs for surface coal mining and reclamation. States that the Office shall be considered an independent Federal regulatory body. Title III: State Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior of sums adequate to provide for each participating State $200,000 for fiscal year 1978, $300,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $400,000 for each fiscal year thereafter for five years, to assist the States in carrying on the work of a competent and qualified mining and mineral resources research institute or center at the school of mines of one public college or university of the State. Requires such monies to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the States. Authorizes appropriations of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, such sum to be increased by $2,000,000 each fiscal year for six years thereafter, for specific projects in mining and mineral research in institutes. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projected scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Requires the Secretary to appoint an Advisory Committee on Mining and Mineral Research for advice on all matters concerning mining and mineral resources research. Title IV: Abandoned Mine Reclamation - Creates the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund in the Treasury. Requires operators of coal mines to pay into the fund quarterly fees of $.35 per ton of coal produced by surface mining and $.15 per ton of coal produced by underground mining, or ten percent of the value of the coal in the mine, whichever is less. Authorizes use of money in the Fund for acquisition and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mine lands and for acquisitions and fillings of voids and sealing of tunnels and entryways in abandoned mines. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into agreements with landowners of water rights under which such landowners shall furnish a conservation and development plan and shall effect such plan in return for financial assistance from the Secretary of Agriculture of up to 80 percent of the cost of such a reclamation effort. Encourages States to acquire abandoned and unreclaimed land, and to transfer it to the Secretary for reclamation, and authorizes matching grants for such purpose, up to 90 percent of the land price. Allows resale of reclaimed land by public bidding, and allows local public participation in determining the use of reclaimed land. Title V: Control of the Environmental Impacts of Surface Coal Mining - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to publish, within 180 days of the enactment of this Act, regulations which establish a permanent regulatory procedure and performance standards for surface coal mining and reclamation standards. Requires the Secretary to obtain the concurrence of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to regulations concerned with air or water quality standards. Establishes a permit program to require mining operators to comply with environmental protection standards. Allows State control over surface mining permits if certain requirements are met. Authorizes the implementation of a Federal program if States fail to act. Permits State laws and regulations that are more stringent than those set forth pursuant to this Act. Requires permit applications to describe the method of mining and equipment proposed to be used, to describe by maps the land to be affected, and to contain a statement of results of test borings or core samplings of the affected land. Stipulates that permits must be accompanied by a mining and reclamation plan which shall include a description of present uses of the land, steps to be taken to prevent environmental damage and a description of the reclamation activities. Requires the posting of performance bonds and possession of liability insurance by applicants for permits. Requires the establishment of coal exploration regulations by appropriate State and Federal authorities. Requires that such regulations include provisions for reclamation of lands disturbed in exploration activities. Imposes the following general environmental performance standards on surface mining operations as a condition of the issuance of a permit under this Act: (1) restoration of the land affected to a prior use, consistent with public health and safety; (2) restoration to the original contour of the land and backfilling, grading, and compacting the excess overburden and other waste materials to attain the lowest grade; (3) removal and segregation of topsoil in a separate layer where it is able to support vegetation; (4) minimization of disturbances to the hydrologic balance at the mine site and surrounding areas by eliminating or reducing toxic drainage, siltation, and contamination problems; (5) conformity with standards for the design and location of coal mine waste piles; and (6) establishment of a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetation on regraded areas. Stipulates that the regulatory authority shall make test borings of core samplings for mining operators with an estimated annual production of less than 250,000 tons of coal. Establishes additional requirements for steep-slope surface mining operations. Defines the term "steep-slope" to include any slope above 20 degrees or lesser slopes as may be defined by the regulatory authority. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations directed at the surface effects of underground mining. Directs and authorizes inspection of surface coal mining and reclamation to determine compliance with this Act and regulations. Provides requirements for recordkeeping and submittal and monitoring by mine operators. Imposes civil penalties for violation of this Act or regulations under it. Establishes procedures for citizen suits and judicial review of actions under this Act. Establishes conditions under which mine operators may request a release of all or part of the performance bond. Requires public notice and hearings upon applications for such releases. Requires States to establish, as a condition of assuming primary regulatory control, a planning process designed to identify lands unsuitable for surface coal mining. Requires designation of lands as unsuitable if it can be shown that reclamation pursuant to the requirements of the Act is not feasible. Authorizes designation of lands as unsuitable where operations mining will: (1) be incompatible with land use plans or programs; (2) affect fragile or historic lands of significant historic, scientific or esthetic value; (3) affect renewable land resources with an impact on long-range food and water supply; and (4) increase a significant hazard to life and property, including the possibility of flood and earthquake damage. Prohibits surface coal mining operations on certain Federal lands, or within 100 feet of a public road or within 300 feet of a building or dwelling, unless the consent of the affected public or private interest is obtained. Requires implementation of a Federal lands program applicable to all surface coal mining and reclamation activities pursuant to Federal laws or taking place on Federal lands. Requires that coal exploration operations which substantially disturb the natural land surface on such lands be subject to a permit program established by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires separate regulations for programs for special bituminous coal surface mines that meet specified criteria, and for anthracite coal surface mines which are regulated by environmental protection standards of the States. Title VI: Designation of Lands Unsuitable for Noncoal Mining - Allows the Secretary to designate Federal lands unsuitable for mining materials other than coal, if they are predominantly urban or suburban in character or if such mining operations would have an adverse impact on lands used primarily for residential and related purposes. Title VII: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees for filing suit under this Act and for testifying in a proceeding under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual grants to the States to assist the States in developing, administering, and enforcing State programs under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training, and assistance in preparing and maintaining a continuing inventory of information on surface coal mining and reclamation projects. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering for a study of surface coal mining conditions in Alaska in order to determine which, if any, of the provisions of this Act should be modified with respect to such operations in Alaska. Directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering and other groups for a study of the technology for surface and open-pit mining and reclamation for minerals other than coal designed to assist in the development of regulation for such operations. Directs the Secretary to consult with Indian tribes in studying the regulation of surface mining on Indian lands. Requires all surface coal mining operations on Indian lands to comply with requirements at least as stringent as specified provisions in this Act within 30 months from the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums to carry out this Act: (1) for various contract authority, $10,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980; (2) for the performance of test borings by the regulatory authority, an amount reserved for such purpose from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund not to exceed $40,000 per fiscal year; (3) for administrative and other purposes, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $20,000,000 for fiscal years 1979 and 1980, and $30,000,000 for fiscal years thereafter; and (4) for research and demonstration projects of alternative coal mining technologies, $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, and for the next four years. Stipulates that no new budget authority for fiscal year 1977 is authorized by the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Directs that an otherwise proper application for a writ of habeas corpus in behalf of a person in custody pursuant to a judgement of a State court be entertained in a U.S. district court without regard to whether the State court afforded the applicant an opportunity to fully and fairly litigate the issue constituting the basis of such application, so long as the applicant did not deliberately bypass a procedure through which such claim could have been presented. Prohibits any provision of law or any rule prescribed by the Supreme Court from precluding a Federal court from granting appropriate relief to a prisoner whom it has sentenced upon its finding that the judgment was rendered without jurisdiction, that the sentence imposed was unauthorized, or that the prisoner's constitutional rights have been denied or infringed, unless it also finds that the prisoner deliberately bypassed a procedure available to assert his constitutional rights.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to designate lands in Hyde Park, New York, as the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site and to acquire such lands. Directs the Secretary to manage the site and to arrange studies, lectures, and seminars to be conducted at the site through agreements with qualified public or private entities. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Financial Disclosure Act - Requires the President, Vice President, Members of Congress and candidates for those offices, justices and judges of the United States, Presidential nominees, officers and employees of the United States compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the rate prescribed for the grade of GS-15, and members of the uniformed services compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the monthly rate prescribed for grade O-6 to file in each calendar year, with the Comptroller General and other specified executive or administrative officers, a financial statement for the preceding calendar year if such individual has occupied or been a candidate for the office or position for more than 90 days in such calendar year. Specifies the content of such financial statements. Makes mandatory the inclusion in such report of all items held not only by the individual, but by the spouse, and dependents of such person, and those acting on the individual's behalf. Permits the President to exempt any individual in the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency, or other person engaged exclusively in intelligence activities from the requirement to file a report with the Comptroller General if such disclosure would reveal the identity of an undercover Federal agent. Makes failure to file and falsifying reports punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Requires the head of each agency, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit annually to the Comptroller General a complete list of individuals required to file such a report. Requires the Comptroller General to refer to the Attorney General the names of all individuals who the Comptroller General have reasonable cause to believe has failed to file or falsified such report, and that if such an individual is a Member of Congress, that the name be referred to the appropriate Congressional committees. Requires the Comptroller General to make such reports available to the public for all purposes not excluded under this Act. Makes the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and the head of each agency responsible for the review of such reports in accordance with any law or regulation regarding conflicts of interest or confidential financial information. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct audits of each specified group at varying intervals, and gives the Comptroller General subpena power for the purpose of conducting such audits. Requires the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Justice to recommend to Congress such legislation as may be necessary in the area of financial conflicts of interest among Federal employees and officers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Encourages the Federal Communications Commission to insure that the quality and quantity of over-the-air broadcasting service which is now available to the public is not impaired by the operation of pay television. Expresses the sense of Congress that the development of pay television should be regulated in a manner consistent with the maintenance of free broadcasting.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends Titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require automatic sprinkler systems in all skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities certified for participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs unless a waiver of such requirement is granted in accordance with conditions set forth in this Act. Establishes a program of low-interest Federal loans to assist such facilities in constructing or purchasing and installing automatic sprinkler systems.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to increase to $900,000,000 from $600,000,000 in fiscal year 1978 and $750,000,000 in fiscal year 1979 the amount of income to be produced by such Fund in such fiscal years. Authorizes the appropriation to such Fund of such sums, in addition to collected revenues, as are necessary to make the income of the Fund not less than $900,000,000 in fiscal year 1978 and each year thereafter through fiscal year 1989. Credits to a special account within the Fund the additional income to be produced by the Fund in fiscal years 1978 and 1979 in accordance with the amendments made by this Act. States that the special account shall remain available until appropriated for the acquisition of national or federally administered lands. Provides that appropriations allotted for the acquisition of land or waters for Recreation Areas of the National Park System and the National Forest System be available notwithstanding any statutory ceiling on such appropriations contained in any other provision of law enacted prior to the convening of the 95th Congress, except that such expenditures may not exceed such ceiling by a specified excess amount. Permits the Secretary of the Interior, following notice to specified committees in Congress, to modify boundaries of an area of the national park system and acquire land, waters or interests adjacent to such area. Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to issue free lifetime admission permits to designated units of the National Park System to persons 60 years of age or older and to specified blind or disabled persons.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Family Farm Antitrust Act - Finds that vertical integration of the agricultural industry by corporations engaged in the processing, distributing and retail industries, and other conglomerate corporations, tends to create monopolies in the agricultural industry and produce unfair competition for family farms, contributing to the decline of rural populations and the consequent crowding of metropolitan centers. Declares it to be the national policy to restore competition to the agricultural industry and to provide for the continuance of the family farm. Provides that no person engaged in commerce in a business other than farming, whose nonfarming business assets exceed $3,000,000, shall engage in farming or the production of agricultural products, or participate in farming by any means of acquisition or control of another person who is engaged in farming. Specifies exceptions including charitable, educational, or nonprofit institutions, and farmer-owned and controlled cooperatives. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire at fair market value any property or interest of which a person is required to divest himself under the provisions of this Act, if the person is otherwise unable to divest himself of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Financial Disclosure Act - Requires the President, Vice President, Members of Congress and candidates for those offices, justices and judges of the United States, Presidential nominees, officers and employees of the United States compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the rate prescribed for the grade of GS-15, and members of the uniformed services compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the monthly rate prescribed for grade O-6 to file in each calendar year, with the Comptroller General and other specified executive or administrative officers, a financial statement for the preceding calendar year if such individual has occupied or been a candidate for the office or position for more than 90 days in such calendar year. Specifies the content of such financial statements. Makes mandatory the inclusion in such report of all items held not only by the individual, but by the spouse, and dependents of such person, and those acting on the individual's behalf. Permits the President to exempt any individual in the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency, or other person engaged exclusively in intelligence activities from the requirement to file a report with the Comptroller General if such disclosure would reveal the identity of an undercover Federal agent. Makes failure to file and falsifying reports punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Requires the head of each agency, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit annually to the Comptroller General a complete list of individuals required to file such a report. Requires the Comptroller General to refer to the Attorney General the names of all individuals who the Comptroller General have reasonable cause to believe has failed to file or falsified such report, and that if such an individual is a Member of Congress, that the name be referred to the appropriate Congressional committees. Requires the Comptroller General to make such reports available to the public for all purposes not excluded under this Act. Makes the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and the head of each agency responsible for the review of such reports in accordance with any law or regulation regarding conflicts of interest or confidential financial information. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct audits of each specified group at varying intervals, and gives the Comptroller General subpena power for the purpose of conducting such audits. Requires the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Justice to recommend to Congress such legislation as may be necessary in the area of financial conflicts of interest among Federal employees and officers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Creates a Select House Committee on Population to conduct an investigation and study of: (1) the major adverse effects of current population growth throughout the world; (2) approaches which have been shown to be effective in coping with excessive population growth; and (3) means to encourage countries with excessive population growth rates to adopt methods proven to be successful in reducing population growth rates.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Financial Disclosure Act - Requires the President, Vice President, Members of Congress and candidates for those offices, justices and judges of the United States, Presidential nominees, officers and employees of the United States compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the rate prescribed for the grade of GS-15, and members of the uniformed services compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the monthly rate prescribed for grade O-6 to file in each calendar year, with the Comptroller General and other specified executive or administrative officers, a financial statement for the preceding calendar year if such individual has occupied or been a candidate for the office or position for more than 90 days in such calendar year. Specifies the content of such financial statements. Makes mandatory the inclusion in such report of all items held not only by the individual, but by the spouse, and dependents of such person, and those acting on the individual's behalf. Permits the President to exempt any individual in the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency, or other person engaged exclusively in intelligence activities from the requirement to file a report with the Comptroller General if such disclosure would reveal the identity of an undercover Federal agent. Makes failure to file and falsifying reports punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Requires the head of each agency, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit annually to the Comptroller General a complete list of individuals required to file such a report. Requires the Comptroller General to refer to the Attorney General the names of all individuals who the Comptroller General have reasonable cause to believe has failed to file or falsified such report, and that if such an individual is a Member of Congress, that the name be referred to the appropriate Congressional committees. Requires the Comptroller General to make such reports available to the public for all purposes not excluded under this Act. Makes the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and the head of each agency responsible for the review of such reports in accordance with any law or regulation regarding conflicts of interest or confidential financial information. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct audits of each specified group at varying intervals, and gives the Comptroller General subpena power for the purpose of conducting such audits. Requires the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Justice to recommend to Congress such legislation as may be necessary in the area of financial conflicts of interest among Federal employees and officers.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Financial Disclosure Act - Requires the President, Vice President, Members of Congress and candidates for those offices, justices and judges of the United States, Presidential nominees, officers and employees of the United States compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the rate prescribed for the grade of GS-15, and members of the uniformed services compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the monthly rate prescribed for grade O-6 to file in each calendar year, with the Comptroller General and other specified executive or administrative officers, a financial statement for the preceding calendar year if such individual has occupied or been a candidate for the office or position for more than 90 days in such calendar year. Specifies the content of such financial statements. Makes mandatory the inclusion in such report of all items held not only by the individual, but by the spouse, and dependents of such person, and those acting on the individual's behalf. Permits the President to exempt any individual in the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency, or other person engaged exclusively in intelligence activities from the requirement to file a report with the Comptroller General if such disclosure would reveal the identity of an undercover Federal agent. Makes failure to file and falsifying reports punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Requires the head of each agency, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit annually to the Comptroller General a complete list of individuals required to file such a report. Requires the Comptroller General to refer to the Attorney General the names of all individuals who the Comptroller General have reasonable cause to believe has failed to file or falsified such report, and that if such an individual is a Member of Congress, that the name be referred to the appropriate Congressional committees. Requires the Comptroller General to make such reports available to the public for all purposes not excluded under this Act. Makes the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and the head of each agency responsible for the review of such reports in accordance with any law or regulation regarding conflicts of interest or confidential financial information. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct audits of each specified group at varying intervals, and gives the Comptroller General subpena power for the purpose of conducting such audits. Requires the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Justice to recommend to Congress such legislation as may be necessary in the area of financial conflicts of interest among Federal employees and officers.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Financial Disclosure Act - Requires the President, Vice President, Members of Congress and candidates for those offices, justices and judges of the United States, Presidential nominees, officers and employees of the United States compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the rate prescribed for the grade of GS-15, and members of the uniformed services compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the monthly rate prescribed for grade O-6 to file in each calendar year, with the Comptroller General and other specified executive or administrative officers, a financial statement for the preceding calendar year if such individual has occupied or been a candidate for the office or position for more than 90 days in such calendar year. Specifies the content of such financial statements. Makes mandatory the inclusion in such report of all items held not only by the individual, but by the spouse, and dependents of such person, and those acting on the individual's behalf. Permits the President to exempt any individual in the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency, or other person engaged exclusively in intelligence activities from the requirement to file a report with the Comptroller General if such disclosure would reveal the identity of an undercover Federal agent. Makes failure to file and falsifying reports punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Requires the head of each agency, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit annually to the Comptroller General a complete list of individuals required to file such a report. Requires the Comptroller General to refer to the Attorney General the names of all individuals who the Comptroller General have reasonable cause to believe has failed to file or falsified such report, and that if such an individual is a Member of Congress, that the name be referred to the appropriate Congressional committees. Requires the Comptroller General to make such reports available to the public for all purposes not excluded under this Act. Makes the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and the head of each agency responsible for the review of such reports in accordance with any law or regulation regarding conflicts of interest or confidential financial information. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct audits of each specified group at varying intervals, and gives the Comptroller General subpena power for the purpose of conducting such audits. Requires the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Justice to recommend to Congress such legislation as may be necessary in the area of financial conflicts of interest among Federal employees and officers.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
World Peace Tax Fund Act - Establishes within the Treasury of the United States a special trust fund to be known as the World Peace Tax Fund. Provides that any taxpayer who has qualified as a conscientious objector, or who declares that he or she is conscientiously opposed to participation in war, within the meaning of the Military Selective Service Act, shall qualify to designate the payment of his or her income taxes to the fund. Makes provisions for the designation of income, estate, or gift tax payments for transfer to the World Peace Tax Fund. Provides for the computation and publication of the percentage of annual expenditures for military purposes. Provides that this portion of monies in the Fund shall remain in the Fund to accrue interest, and that the remaining portion shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury of the United States, not to be appropriated for any military purposes. Establishes a Board of Trustees of eleven members to authorize expenditures out of the Fund for research into peaceful solutions to international conflict, and for improvement of international health, education, and welfare. Requires the Board to submit its budget to the Congress, report to the President and Congress annually, and provide a complete accounting of all funds received and disbursed according to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Ocean Mining Incentive Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Office of Ocean Mining Incentives in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Directs the Office to establish a program of Federal insurance against ocean mining losses suffered during prototype operations. Specifies conditions and limitations with respect to such insurance coverage. Stipulates that such coverage may not exceed $100,000,000 in aggregate to any single firm. Stipulates that only those firms which have engaged in ocean mining research and development for at least five years and have expended at least $20,000,000 with respect to such activities shall be eligible for coverage. Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to accelerate environmental assessment of deep seabed mining through preparation of a general programmatic environmental impact statement as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Requires the use of such assessment as a basis for regulations governing the conduct of prototype mining operations. Imposes civil and criminal penalties upon ocean mining operations for violations of environmental requirements established by this Act or for unreasonable interference with lawful use of the high seas by any person. Authorizes injunctive relief in the United States district courts to prevent serious or irreparable damage to the marine environment from prototype operations or to prevent unreasonable interference with lawful uses. Expresses the support of Congress for the objectives of the United States Conference on the Law of the Sea. Declares it the sense of Congress that this Act be considered transitional in nature pending implementation of future diplomatic or legislative proposals. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as necessary for (1) the administration of this Act, and (2) for the ocean mining insurance fund established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Directs the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works to submit its final report to the President and Congress by July 31, 1978. (Amends 17 U.S.C. 201nt)
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Tanker Safety Act - Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish and maintain vessel traffic systems for the waters of the maritime safety zone. Defines "maritime safety zone" as extending 200 nautical miles from the shoreline of the United States. Exempts from this title foreign vessels which are in transit to places outside the United States. Directs the Secretary to : (1) establish procedures for the handling and emergency removal of oil or hazardous materials; (2) prescribe minimum safety equipment requirements for structures in or on the navigable waters of the United States or on the shores adjacent to such waters; (3) establish water or waterfront safety zones or other measures for controlled access and activity to protect vessels, structures, waters, or shore areas; and (4) establish procedures for inspection to assure compliance with minimum safety requirements. Requires the Secretary to take into account specified factors regarding navigation and vessel safety and protection of the marine environment in carrying out the duties required under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to require the use of pilots on self-propelled vessels of the United States engaged in foreign commerce or on foreign vessels operating in the navigable waters of the United States. Requires the Secretary to develop, and seek adoption by the States of uniform, minimum standards relating to the regulation of pilotage at least equal to those required of federally licensed pilots. Authorizes the Secretary or the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate incidents which cause damage to any vessel or structure or which affect or may affect the navigation or vessel safety or environmental quality of ports, harbors, navigable waters, or the waters of the maritime safety zone. Grants subpoena powers in order to conduct such inquiry. Prohibits vessels which are determined to be unsafe or which may create a threat to the marine environment or which fail to comply with applicable regulations from entering or operating in the navigable waters or ports of the United States. Exempts the Panama Canal from the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to establish specified standards governing the design, repair, manning and maintenance of any vessel to increase navigation and vessel safety and marine environmental protection for vessels carrying oil or any hazardous material in bulk which are documented under the laws of the United States or which enter the navigable waters of the United States. Requires that all such vessels, after January 1, 1979, be equipped with specified navigational devices, a segregated ballast capacity and gas inerting system, and a double hull. Requires that such vessels hold a certificate of compliance issued by the Secretary in order to enter the navigable waters of the United States. Directs the Secretary to prescribe manning and training requirements for the crews of such vessels. Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to establish eligibility requirements for the issuance of a license to pilot any steam vessel. Specifies certain qualifications which must be met to receive such a license. Specifies conditions under which the Commandant may revoke such a license. Stipulates that the Federal Government shall exercise authority in the 200 mile maritime safety zone established under this Act by: (1) prohibiting the discharge of any oil or hazardous material within such zone; (2) by enforcing the provisions of any international agreement to which the United States is a party concerning navigation or vessel safety or protection of the marine environment; (3) prescribing vessel control traffic; and (4) inspecting vessels destined for any port or place within the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to appoint persons as maritime safety officers. Grants such individuals arrest powers, and boarding and inspection powers, with or without a warrant. Directs the Secretary to establish a national program for inspection of any vessel subject to the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972. Requires yearly inspection of all vessels and a special structure inspection for vessels over ten years old. Specifies the documents which must be kept on board any vessel subject to such Act. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding: (1) the administration of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act; (2) a summary of inspection and enforcement activities; and (3) recommendations to Congress for any necessary additional legislative authority.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1977
Amends the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to provide disaster victims with respect to disasters occurring on or after December 1, 1976, with two options for loan repayment of borrowed funds under certain provisions of the Small Business Act or the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act: (1) a three percent interest rate with up to $2,500 forgiveness on the loan; or (2) a one percent interest rate with no forgiveness clause.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1977
Makes it unlawful for any Federal employee or official or for any person engaged in any business or other activity in or affecting interstate commerce to (1) permit, require, request, or attempt to require or request any employee or person applying for employment to take any polygraph test; or (2) discharge, discipline, or deny promotion to any employee or deny employment to any individual for refusing to submit to any requirement or request that such person take a polygraph test. Permits any person aggrieved by a violation of this Act, or any employee organization authorized by such a person, to obtain compensatory and injunctive relief in appropriate United States district courts.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1977
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude from admission into, and provides for the deportation from, the United States of any alien who engaged or assisted in, or incited or directed others to engage in, the persecution of others on the basis of religion, race, or national origin under the direction of the Nazi government of Germany between March 23, 1933, and May 8, 1945.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Family Farm Antitrust Act - Finds that vertical integration of the agricultural industry by corporations engaged in the processing, distributing and retail industries, and other conglomerate corporations, tends to create monopolies in the agricultural industry and produce unfair competition for family farms, contributing to the decline of rural populations and the consequent crowding of metropolitan centers. Declares it to be the national policy to restore competition to the agricultural industry and to provide for the continuance of the family farm. Provides that no person engaged in commerce in a business other than farming, whose nonfarming business assets exceed $3,000,000, shall engage in farming or the production of agricultural products, or participate in farming by any means of acquisition or control of another person who is engaged in farming. Specifies exceptions including charitable, educational, or nonprofit institutions, and farmer-owned and controlled cooperatives. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire at fair market value any property or interest of which a person is required to divest himself under the provisions of this Act, if the person is otherwise unable to divest himself of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Right to Financial Privacy Act - States that the purposes of this Act are to protect and preserve the confidential relationship between financial institutions and their customers and the constitutional rights of those customers, and to promote commerce by prescribing policies and procedures to insure that customers have the same right to protect against unwarranted disclosure of customer records as if the records were in their possession. Prohibits any Federal agency or employee, or any State or local government, from obtaining copies of, access to, or the information contained in, the financial records of any customer from a financial institution unless such records are described with particularity and: (1) such customer has authorized such disclosure in accordance with with Act; (2) such records are disclosed in response to an administrative subpena or summons; (3) such records are disclosed in response to a court order; or (4) such records are disclosed in response to a judicial subpena. States that no financial institution may provide to a Federal agency or employee, or to any State or local government, copies of or the information contained in the financial records of any customer except in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Sets forth provisions governing customer authorization, administrative subpenas and summons, and judicial subpenas. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from requiring an institution to maintain any financial records or to transmit any reports relating to customers unless: (1) such records are required for use by a supervisory agency in the supervision of that institution; or (2) such records are required to be maintained by the Internal Revenue Code. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violation of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Transportation Users Equity Act - Directs the Secretary of the Army to promulgate regulations establishing a user charge for shallow-draft cargo vessels for the use by such vessel of any navigation project on any inland waterway of the United States. Stipulates that such charges shall be structured to recover 50 percent of the Federal costs of the operation and maintenance of all navigation projects maintained by the Secretary five years after the enactment of this Act and that in ten years such charges shall be structured to recover 50 percent of the Federal costs of the construction and rehabilitation of such navigation projects. Sets forth the methods by which such user charges may be collected. Establishes civil penalties for owners or operators of shallow-draft cargo vessels who fail to pay such charges. Requires the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Transportation, to report to the Congress within three years of the effective date of the schedule of user charges regarding the implementation of the provisions of this Act. Amends the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1976 to extend for one year the time during which the National Transportation Policy Study Commission established under such Act has to submit its final report to Congress regarding its study of the transportation needs and resources of the United States. Stipulates that such report shall include findings and recommendations regarding the waterway user charges established under this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose a tax on the sale of fuels used by shallow-draft vessels used in commercial transportation on inland waterways.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Displaced Homemakers Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a minimum of 50 Multipurpose Service Centers for displaced homemakers. States that each Center shall provide specified services, including: (1) job counseling; (2) job training and job placement; (3) health education and counseling; (4) financial management; (5) legal counseling and referral; and (6) outreach information with respect to Federal assistance programs. Sets forth factors to be considered by the Secretary in selecting Center sites. Directs the Secretary to designate a public or nonprofit private organization to administer a Center once its site has been chosen. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants in accordance with specified guidelines to such organizations for the purpose of establishing and maintaining Centers. Directs the Secretary to prepare and furnish to Congress biennial evaluations which are to include a thorough assessment of each Center and recommendations concerning the administration and expansion of such Centers at the local, State, and Federal levels. Directs the Secretary to prepare and furnish to the Congress a study to determine the feasibility of, and appropriate procedures for, allowing displaced homemakers to participate in: (1) programs established under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973; (2) work incentive programs under the Social Security Act; (3) related Federal employment, education, and health assistance programs; and (4) programs established, or benefits provided, under Federal and State unemployment compensation laws.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an amortization deduction for qualified solar heating and cooling equipment placed in service for nonresidential structures. Specifies that the period of amortization shall be 60 months. Provides that the amount of the monthly deduction shall be equal to the adjusted basis of the equipment at the end of the month, divided by the number of months remaining in the period. States that this deduction shall be in lieu of the depreciation deduction for such equipment. Makes solar heating and cooling equipment eligible for the investment credit allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. Limits both these provisions to installations of equipment within five years of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make and insure loans under such Act for the solar heating or cooling of residential structures on family farms.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Amends the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974 to direct the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to establish programs for the development and demonstration of solar thermal conversion systems in greenhouses, crop-drying facilities, live-stock shelters, and other nonresidential agricultural structures. Requires that at least 50 such demonstration projects be operated on family farms, as such term is defined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 over a three-year period for fiscal years 1977 through 1979 to carry out such program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of the Nation's agricultural energy requirements to assist in the administration of the solar energy demonstration program authorized by this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a central research information exchange center to disseminate information on agricultural applications of solar thermal conversion technology.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Family Farm Energy Conversion Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of anaerobic digesters. Defines "anaerobic digester" as any combination of machines, devices, and structures whose combined functions include anaerobic digestion and are to receive, process, monitor, and control the input of organic waste to the anaerobic digester, to receive, process, monitor and control the output of products from anaerobic digestion, to store such products in a useful form and to recycle such products as may be required for efficient performance. Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit a report regarding the results of such study to the President and the Congress; (2) have printed and make available to the public a brief pamphlet describing no fewer than two models of anaerobic digesters which he considers efficient and safe for operation; (3) institute a pilot project to demonstrate the field performance of optimum anaerobic digesters in at least 100 farms throughout the United States; and (4) issue a report summarizing the results of such trials which shall be presented to the appropriate congressional committees and made available to the public. Authorizes the Secretary, if a pilot project has proved an anaerobic digester to be cost effective and safe, to make grants to farmers owning farms of 640 acres or less for the construction of such digesters. Directs the Director of the Agricultural Research Service to train Soil Conservation Service field personnel in the operation and maintenance of digester systems in order that such field personnel may more effectively assist farmers on their projects. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration at least every six months to determine whether the grant program under this Act is working to the benefit of the small business community. Authorizes appropriations of $8,000,000 for fiscal year 1979 for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Establishes, under the National Housing Act, a guaranteed loan program for the acquisition and installation of solar energy heating and cooling systems in dwelling units. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to pay to the lender the difference between five percent interest paid by the borrower and the interest rate charged on such loan.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Financial Disclosure Act - Requires the President, Vice President, Members of Congress and candidates for those offices, justices and judges of the United States, Presidential nominees, officers and employees of the United States compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the rate prescribed for the grade of GS-15, and members of the uniformed services compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the monthly rate prescribed for grade O-6 to file in each calendar year, with the Comptroller General and other specified executive or administrative officers, a financial statement for the preceding calendar year if such individual has occupied or been a candidate for the office or position for more than 90 days in such calendar year. Specifies the content of such financial statements. Makes mandatory the inclusion in such report of all items held not only by the individual, but by the spouse, and dependents of such person, and those acting on the individual's behalf. Permits the President to exempt any individual in the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency, or other person engaged exclusively in intelligence activities from the requirement to file a report with the Comptroller General if such disclosure would reveal the identity of an undercover Federal agent. Makes failure to file and falsifying reports punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Requires the head of each agency, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit annually to the Comptroller General a complete list of individuals required to file such a report. Requires the Comptroller General to refer to the Attorney General the names of all individuals who the Comptroller General have reasonable cause to believe has failed to file or falsified such report, and that if such an individual is a Member of Congress, that the name be referred to the appropriate Congressional committees. Requires the Comptroller General to make such reports available to the public for all purposes not excluded under this Act. Makes the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and the head of each agency responsible for the review of such reports in accordance with any law or regulation regarding conflicts of interest or confidential financial information. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct audits of each specified group at varying intervals, and gives the Comptroller General subpena power for the purpose of conducting such audits. Requires the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Justice to recommend to Congress such legislation as may be necessary in the area of financial conflicts of interest among Federal employees and officers.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1977
Amends rule XLIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit Members of Congress from using funds, other than those specifically appropriated by Congress, for the purpose of fulfilling their activities as Federal office holders.
United States · United States Congress · 28 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 · 24 February 1977
Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to permit enforcement of any executive order restricting the importation of Rhodesian chrome, pursuant to any United Nations Security Council resolution. Requires that steel mill products containing chromium not be imported while such executive order is in effect without the filing of a certificate of origin with the Secretary of the Treasury unless such shipment is released by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out this provision.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1977
Family Farm Antitrust Act - Finds that vertical integration of the agricultural industry by corporations engaged in the processing, distributing and retail industries, and other conglomerate corporations, tends to create monopolies in the agricultural industry and produce unfair competition for family farms, contributing to the decline of rural populations and the consequent crowding of metropolitan centers. Declares it to be the national policy to restore competition to the agricultural industry and to provide for the continuance of the family farm. Provides that no person engaged in commerce in a business other than farming, whose nonfarming business assets exceed $3,000,000, shall engage in farming or the production of agricultural products, or participate in farming by any means of acquisition or control of another person who is engaged in farming. Specifies exceptions including charitable, educational, or nonprofit institutions, and farmer-owned and controlled cooperatives. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire at fair market value any property or interest of which a person is required to divest himself under the provisions of this Act, if the person is otherwise unable to divest himself of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Makes changes in the management program of Redwood National Park, California, including authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to alter the boundaries of the Park Protection Zone. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire specified lands and sets forth procedures for such takings. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual written report on such acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1977
Legal Services Corporation Amendments Act - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to stipulate that, as soon as practicable, at least three of the eleven members of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation shall be representatives of groups or organizations of eligible clients, at least one of whom is to be an eligible client. Requires that the board of an organization established for the purpose of providing legal assistance to eligible clients, under the Legal Services Corporation Act, contain a minimum percentage of such representatives. Subjects the Corporation and each State advisory council established under such Act to Government in the Sunshine Act requirements regarding open meeting. Authorizes the Corporation to carry out its research, training, and assistance functions by means of grant of contract. Permits up to ten percent of the funds appropriated to the Corporation to be used for such purpose. Requires a court appointing an attorney employed by an organization receiving assistance under the Legal Services Corporation Act to provide for reasonable compensation for such attorney, unless the appointment is made pursuant to a law or practice applied generally to all lawyers appearing before the court. States that attorneys receiving more than one-half their annual professional income from an organization established for the sole purpose of providing legal assistance under the Legal Services Corporation Act shall be deemed to be State or local employees for purposes of provisions prohibiting certain activities of such employees in connection with partisan politics. Eliminates from the Legal Services Corporation Act prohibitions against such attorneys participating in certain partisan or nonpartisan political activities. Revises the limitations on the use of funds made available by the Corporation to (1) permit the provision of legal assistance with respect to criminal matters where a person is charged with an offense involving hunting, fishing, trapping, or gathering fruit of the land, a defense asserted involvers rights arising from an Indian treaty, or a person is charged with a misdemeanor or lesser offense in an Indian tribal court; and (2) eliminate prohibitions against providing legal assistance to un-emancipated persons less than 18 years of age, to organize or encourage the formation of any organization or coalition, or in connection with a proceeding relative to school desegregation, selective service or military violation, or nontherapeutic abortion. Directs that hearing examiners presiding over hearings relative to suspending or terminating assistance under the Legal Services corporation Act shall perform no other duties in the Corporation.
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 Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to make family-owned corporations and partnerships eligible for real estate and operating loans.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
National Vitiligo Control Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to carry out a program to develop information and educational materials relating to the skin disease known as vitiligo and to distribute such information and materials to persons providing health care and to the general public. States that the Secretary may carry out such program through grants to or contracts with public and nonprofit public entities. Authorizes the Secretary to make such grants, and enter into contracts with such entities and with individuals for projects for: (1) research and research training in the diagnosis, treatment, and control of vitiligo; and (2) the development of programs to educate the public concerning the nature and inheritance of the disease. States that participation by any person in any program under this Act shall be wholly voluntary. Sets forth requirements for applicants of grants under this Act, including the requirement that all test results, medical records, and other information regarding treatment of any person treated in connection with a project assisted under this Act shall be kept confidential, unless such person consents to the release of such information. Requires the Secretary to annually prepare and submit to the President for transmittal to Congress a comprehensive report on the administration of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1977
Family Farm Antitrust Act - Finds that vertical integration of the agricultural industry by corporations engaged in the processing, distributing and retail industries, and other conglomerate corporations, tends to create monopolies in the agricultural industry and produce unfair competition for family farms, contributing to the decline of rural populations and the consequent crowding of metropolitan centers. Declares it to be the national policy to restore competition to the agricultural industry and to provide for the continuance of the family farm. Provides that no person engaged in commerce in a business other than farming, whose nonfarming business assets exceed $3,000,000, shall engage in farming or the production of agricultural products, or participate in farming by any means of acquisition or control of another person who is engaged in farming. Specifies exceptions including charitable, educational, or nonprofit institutions, and farmer-owned and controlled cooperatives. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire at fair market value any property or interest of which a person is required to divest himself under the provisions of this Act, if the person is otherwise unable to divest himself of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 16 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 · 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)
![Official portrait of Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000020_200.jpg)