United States · United States Congress · 7 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 · 7 February 1977
Medicare Long-Term Care Act - Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish a voluntary program to provide long-term care benefits for aged and disabled individuals who elect to enroll under such program, financed from premium payments by enrollees together with contributions from funds appropriated by the Federal Government and contributions by States. Lists criteria for eligibility for long-term care service benefits. States that the benefits provided to an individual under this Act shall consist of (1) home health services, (2) homemaker services, (3) nutrition services, (4) long-term institutional care services, (5) day care and foster home services, and (6) community mental health center outpatient services. Enumerates the requirements for certification of a State long-term care agency by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. Provides for the payment of premiums for benefits received under this Act by individuals who elect to participate in the long-term care program. Establishes on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund. Creates a Board of Trustees of such Trust Fund, composed of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, all ex officio. States that the Secretary of the Treasury shall be the Managing Trustee of the Board of Trustees and that the Commissioner of Social Security shall serve as the Secretary of the Board. Requires the Board to meet at least once each calendar year. Enumerates the duties of the Board. Declares that a community long-term care center shall: (1) provide the items and services listed in this Act to each individual who (a) is eligible for benefits under this part, (b) resides in the area served by such center, and (c) is certified as requiring such services; (2) evaluate and certify the long-term care needs of an individual for whom such care may be required in order to maintain such individual in an independent living arrangement which is reasonable given such individual's state of health and other circumstances (but not including such individual's economic circumstances); (3) maintain a continuous relationship with (and periodically evaluate not less than annually) each individual who is receiving any of the items and services listed in this Act; (4) provide full opportunity for such individual and his family to participate in the determinations and functions under this Act; (5) provide an organized system for making its existence and location known to all individuals in its service area who are eligible for benefits under this part, and for making known to such individuals the method or methods by which they may most efficiently obtain and use the services which it makes available; and (6) perform such other functions as the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may by regulation prescribe in order to have such center most effectively carry out the purposes of this Act. Sets forth a formula by which payments to States for the reimbursement of community long-term care centers may be calculated. Directs the Secretary, after consultation with organizations representing the chief executives of the various States, and other interested parties, to develop and make available to community long-term care centers one or more methods of obtaining payment for the benefits covered under this Act on a prospective method, it may not alter its election without the prior approval of the Secretary. Provides that whenever the Secretary finds that the number of community long-term care centers electing a particular prospective payment method promulgated in accordance with this Act is not sufficient to provide an adequate basis for either the operation or evaluation of that method, the Secretary shall withdraw that method and allow the community long-term care centers which have elected such method to select another method within 30 days of notice of such withdrawal. Permits a Governor of a State to certify to the Secretary a method of prospective payment other than those promulgated under this Act. States that the determination of whether an individual is entitled to benefits under this Act shall be made by the Secretary in accordance with regulations prescribed by him. Provides for increases in supplemental security income benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Prohibits the closure or realignment of military bases involving reductions in civilian personnel positions below a specified level or construction or conversion at military installations made necessary by the relocation of such civilian personnel unless: (1) the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the military department concerned notifies the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives that such installation is a candidate for closure or realignment; (2) the appropriate Secretary complies with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; (3) the appropriate Secretary notifies the Committees on Armed Services of a final decision in writing regarding such closure or realignment and a detailed justification for such decision; and (4) a period of at least 60 days elapses between such notification and the implementation of such decision. Stipulates that this Act does not apply to closures or reductions which the President has certified to Congress as being necessary for reasons of national security or a military emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Natural Gas Act Amendments - Amends the Natural Gas Act to prohibit the Federal Power Commission from regulating sales or deliveries of natural gas by producers of new natural gas. Prohibits the Commission from regulating rates or charges made by natural gas companies dealing with affiliates to the extent that such prices do not exceed current prices paid for comparable gas to nonaffiliates. Prohibits the Commission from utilizing prices charged for new natural gas as a basis for determining whether or not to grant certificates of public convenience or necessity to natural gas transportation companies.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Congressional Salary Act -- Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to make any recommendations of the President relating to the salaries of Members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico purely advisory. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to require that the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress, Delegates to the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the Senate and House leadership be the rate payable for such positions on the date of enactment of this Act unless otherwise established by law. Prohibits any law increasing such rates of pay from taking effect before the first day of the Congress following the Congress during which such law is enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual income tax credit for 25 percent of the amounts paid or incurred for the purchase and installation of qualified insulative materials or heating equipment in the taxpayer's principal residence. Limits the credit to $375, or $750 in the case of a joint return. Stipulates that to be considered qualified such improvements must meet heat loss reduction or heating efficiency criteria to be established by the Secretary of the Treasury in accordance with standards developed and prescribed by the National Bureau of Standards.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the taxpayer's age requirement (65 years) and the dollar limitation on the adjusted sales price ($35,000) for the exclusion from gross income of gain realized on the sale of the taxpayer's principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make loans for rental or cooperative mobile home projects for elderly or handicapped families.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Higher Education Funding Act - Authorizes an income deduction for contributions to a qualified higher education fund established by the taxpayer for the purposes of funding the higher education of his dependents. Limits the amount of the deduction to the lesser of: (1) $750 times the number of qualified beneficiaries; (2) 15 percent of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income; or (3) $7,500. Provides that a qualified education fund must be established by the taxpayer pursuant to a written plan; (1) solely for the purpose of defraying the cost of room, board, and tuition at an institution of higher education of one or more eligible beneficiaries: (2) which provides that no distribution shall be made by the Fund (except upon termination thereof) other than to, or on behalf of, eligible beneficiaries; (3) which provides that upon termination of the fund of all assets of the funds shall be distributed to the taxpayer or to his estate; (4) which prohibits contributions to the fund in excess of amounts deductible: and (5) under which the taxpayer consents to the income tax treatment upon termination of the fund. Defines "institution of higher education" as an educational institution: (1) which provides an educational program leading to a bachelor's or higher degree, or training students for gainful employment; (2) contributions to or for the use of which constitute charitable contributions; (3) which is legally authorized to provide and does provide a program of postsecondary education; and (4) which is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association listed by the United States Commissioner of Education.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Constitutional Amendment - States that Congress shall make no appropriations for any fiscal year which exceed the total revenues of the United States for such year. Prohibits spending by, or on behalf of, the United States which exceeds the total revenue for that year. Suspends such requirements when Congress declares war or national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits compelling a student to attend a public school other than the one nearest his residence. Grants Congress the power to enforce by appropriate legislation the provisions of this amendment, and to insure equal educational opportunities for all students wherever located.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the automatic cost-of-living increases in benefits be made on a semiannual basis (rather than on an annual basis as at present).
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Labor, through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to prepare, as part of the Consumer Price Index published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a consumer price index (to be known as the Consumer Price Index for the Aged and Other Social Security Beneficiaries) designed to reflect the relevant price information for individuals, as a group, who are 65 years of age or older or are otherwise entitled to monthly benefits under Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Terminates all rights under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 with respect to any leases or lease applications under serial number Riverside 04843 within the Los Padres National Forest in California. Stipulates that all interest in such leases shall be vested in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Prescribes the knowing solicitation, provision, or receipt of anything of monetary value, or the promise of anything of monetary value, for: (1) seeking to place, placing, or arranging to place any child for permanent care or adoption; or (2) coercing any individual to place any child for adoption to provide any child with permanent care, or to adopt any child under circumstances which result in the transportation of such child or individual in interstate or foreign commerce. Exempts from such prohibition: (1) transactions in which the person soliciting, providing, or receiving monetary value for seeking to place or placing a child is such child's parent or guardian or is a person seeking to adopt or to provide permanent care to such child and the monetary value is not in excess of the amount which is customarily charged for similar services; and (2) the provision of legal services which are in connection with the placement of the child in accordance with applicable State laws and for which monetary value is not received in excess of the amount which is customarily received for similar services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Requests that the concerns of the United States be conveyed to the Soviet government regarding adherence to the Helsinki Declaration with respect to freedom to emigrate.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1977
Diplomatic Immunities Act - Deems void any suit or judicial or administrative process against a person or the property of a person entitled to immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Makes Presidential determinations of entitlement to immunity binding upon governmental authorities. Requires the President to publish a list of missions and personnel entitled to such immunity. Repeals the criminal penalties for wrongful suit against an immune person. Repeals exceptions to suits against servants in the service of personnel of a foreign mission. Repeals the present criteria for determining eligibility for immunity.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1977
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to remove the 25-member limit to the number of sponsors of any House of Representatives bill. Permits the addition or deletion of any Member's name as the sponsor of any legislation by a request made by a Member to the Speaker on behalf of such Member.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1977
Jobs Creation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the individual income tax rates. Allows a credit against the income tax up to $1,000, for ten percent of the increase in the total savings deposits and investments since the end of the previous year. Allows a limited income tax deduction by certain domestic corporations for dividends paid. Limits corporate deductions for dividends received from foreign corporations. Repeals corporate deductions for other dividends received. Allows the taxpayer to take a deduction for specified percentages of the acquisition costs of certain types of property, with a corresponding reduction in basis, in lieu of a depreciation deduction. Doubles the corporate surtax exemption to $100,000.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1977
Narcotic Sentencing Act - Title I: Mandatory Minimum Sentences - Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to set forth mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for individuals; (1) manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing specified narcotic drugs or counterfeits thereof; (2) possessing such a substance with intent to distribute or dispense; (3) illegally importing or exporting such a substance; or (4) attempting or conspiring to commit any of the above offenses. Authorizes a court to sentence an individual to a shorter term of imprisonment or parole ineligibility where certain mitigating circumstances are present. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to direct that a separate sentencing hearing be conducted when an individual is convicted of an offense for which a mandatory term of imprisonment is authorized under this Act. Title II: Conditions of Release - Instructs a judicial officer, in setting the conditions of release pending trial, to consider whether a person charged with an offense encompassed by title I of this Act poses a threat to the community or will commit similar offenses. Authorizes a judicial officer to deny pretrial release to a person charged with such an offense upon making any of specified findings in a separate hearing. Title III: Forfeiture of Proceeds of Illegal Drug Transactions - Subjects to forfeiture all proceeds of offenses under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 and all moneys, negotiable instruments, and securities used or intended to be used in committing such crimes. Sets forth guidelines for the disposition of property so forfeited.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Makes it unlawful for any individual or entity to solicit to enroll or enroll any member of the armed forces in any labor organization, or for any member of the armed forces to join, or encourage other members to join, any labor union. Prescribes a penalty of not more than five years imprisonment for any individual violating this Act, and a fine of not less than $25,000 nor more than $50,000 for any labor organization in violation of this Act. (Adds 10 U.S.C. 975)
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Grants a Federal charter to the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II. Stipulates that the purposes of such organization shall be: (1) to perpetuate and establish memorials to the memory of those who gave their lives in submarine warfare during World War II; (2) to award college scholarships; and (3) to make the general public aware of life aboard submarines during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which an individual may earn while receiving benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Prohibits vessels transporting petroleum or petroleum products from Alaska to any port in California which is east or south of the Santa Barbara Channel Islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and Anacapa from using any route through any territorial or international waters which lie between such islands and the coast of California. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which an individual may earn while receiving benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to repeal the increase in salaries of Members of Congress authorized by the Act of August 9, 1975 (Public Law 94-82).
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Truth in Government Accounting Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare and make public annual consolidated financial statements for all expenditures of the United States utilizing the accrual method of accounting.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act - Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, for automatic cost-of-living adjustments, based on the Consumer Price Index, in: (1) the income tax rates; (2) the amount of standard deductions; (3) the amount of personal exemptions; (4) the amount of depreciation deductions; and (5) the adjusted basis for property. Makes cost-of-living adjustments in specified United States savings bonds and certificates and on other obligations of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Declares the term "person", with respect to due process and equal protections, applicable to human beings irrespective of age, health, function or condition of dependency, including the unborn. Prohibits the deprivation of life of an unborn person, except under law permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends rule XIV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that an accurate account of words actually spoken on the floor of the House, together with permitted supporting data be printed in the Congressional Record. Limits revisions of verbatim remarks in the Record to the correction of grammatical and typographical errors which do not change the meaning, content, or substance of those remarks. Entitles Members to insert in the Record remarks not actually delivered on the floor. Stipulates that such insertions always be clearly distinguishable from words actually spoken on the floor.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to require a roll call vote on demand of any committee member on any question before the committee and on every motion to report any bill or resolution of a public character.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Adds Rule XLV to the Rules of the House of Representatives, allowing continuous television and radio coverage of House floor proceedings. Makes the Speaker responsible for the implementation of this Rule. Establishes a Broadcast Advisory Board to assist the Speaker. Makes it the general responsibility of the Clerk to make provision for such coverage. Stipulates that this Rule shall not apply with respect to joint sessions of the House and Senate. Provides all television and radio broadcasting stations, networks, services and systems in the United States and its territories with access to all of the live coverage of the proceedings of the House. Restricts use of coverage to legitimate news or research purposes. Stipulates that broadcast shall be presented without commercial sponsorship. Prohibits coverage provided under this Rule from use as partisan political campaign material.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends rule XXVII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to direct that it shall not be in order to entertain a motion to suspend the rules to consider any measure or matter unless the committee having jurisdiction over the measure or matter, by roll call vote, a majority being actually present, authorizes consideration of the measure or matter under a suspension of the rules, or if a written request has been filed with the Speaker by the chairman and ranking minority member of the committee having jurisdiction over the measure or matter, asking for its consideration under a suspension of the rules.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that records of committee actions be made available for public inspection except for information which would endanger national security or would violate any rule of the House.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that, insofar as applicable, the House rules which apply to standing committees shall also apply to any select, special, or ad hoc committee, commission, or other entity established by the House.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House to require that all committee meetings, including meetings for the mark-up of legislation, shall be open to the public, except when the committee determines in open session by roll call vote that the disclosure of the matter to be considered would endanger national security or violate any law or rule of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to permit the House, by appropriate resolution, to direct the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to undertake an investigation of alleged misconduct on the part of any Member, officer, or employee of the House. Requires the committee to file a written report on its findings and recommendations whenever it has undertaken an investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to limit all standing committees with more than 20 employees, except the Committee on Appropriations, to no more than six subcommittees.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Stolen Property Amendments - Amends provisions of Federal law setting forth penalties for interstate or foreign commerce in stolen cattle to include stolen swine, sheep, fowl, insects, horses, mules, or carcasses thereof.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that a general or blanket amnesty or pardon for persons who committed draft or military absence offenses during our Nation's military involvement in Vietnam would represent a breach of faith with those who served honorably, particularly our honored war dead and their survivors, and should not be issued or granted by the President of these United States.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Requires the prominent labeling of prescription and over-the- counter drugs and pharmaceuticals whose effectiveness or potency becomes diminished after storage as to the date beyond which the product shall not be used. Authorizes the Food and Drug Administration to establish the "beyond use" dates for all applicable products, and the manner in which they shall be labeled.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Intergovernmental Consumer Assistance Act - Amends the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act by adding the following title: Title VII: Intergovernmental Cooperation with Respect To Consumer Assistance and Protection. Authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1978, and $9,000,000 for fiscal year 1979 for the establishment and strengthening of consumer protection offices of State and local governments. Requires the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to assist the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in carrying out the purposes of this Act by compiling information on and studying the effectiveness of existing State and Federal consumer protection offices and agencies. Directs the Secretary to allot each possession $10,000 for the three fiscal years and to allot each State the sums of $50,000, $75,000, and $90,000 for each of the three fiscal years, respectively. Provides that allotments shall be made to each State and possession which has submitted an adequate consumer protection plan that has been approved by the Secretary. Sets forth the required contents for each consumer plan. Provides that the Federal share of the cost of carrying out a plan submitted by a consumer protection office shall not exceed 75 percent. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold Federal funds for failure to comply with the approved consumer plan. Requires the Secretary to submit a detailed report as part of the annual report of the Department of HEW on the administration of this Act. Designates this Act as the "Intergovernmental Consumer Assistance and Protection Act".
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Appliance Dating Act - Requires any consumer durable product determined by the Federal Trade Commission to be of a type whose design or performance features are changed on a periodic basis in such a manner as to make its date of manufacture a relevant factor in connection with sales to consumers to be labeled by the manufacturer as to the month and year of manufacture. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the application of the Tax Reform Act's elimination of the sick pay exclusion for persons who have not retired on total disability, to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 19 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 · 19 January 1977
Establishes a nine-member National Commission on Social Security. Requires the Commission to study and investigate titles II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Requires that annual reports be submitted to Congress and the President. Terminates the existence of the Commission after it files its fourth annual report. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Authorizes and requests the President to reduce the volume of regulations, orders, decisions, studies, memorandums and other forms of paperwork generated by the executive branch of the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Disapproves that part of the recommendations transmitted by the President to Congress, pursuant to the Federal Salary Act of 1967, which recommend rates of pay for Members of Congress and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lagomarsino, Robert J. [R-CA-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000020_200.jpg)