United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1977
Amends the Flood Control Act of 1970 to require the Secretary of the Army, in determining the need for a flood control project, to consider the economic and social impact of not providing such protection. Sets forth factors for evaluating such impact. Requires the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, upon a finding that the costs of any flood control project exceed its benefits, to furnish the non-Federal interests affected by such decision with an opportunity to contribute to the project the amount by which the costs exceed the benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1977
Requires the Secretary of the Army to have dredging and other river and harbor projects done by private contractors if private industry has the capacity to do such work at reasonable prices. Directs the gradual reduction of the Federal dredge fleet as private industry assumes this capability. Sets forth factors to be considered when comparing the cost of such work by private industry and such work by the government.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Stipulates that the recalling to duty and assignment on a full-time basis of any retired member of the armed forces to the American Battle Monuments Commission shall not be chargeable against the authorized end strengths and grade limitations of the Department of Defense or the military departments concerned nor to any administrative ceiling established by the Secretary of Defense.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to assist in acquiring specially adapted housing for those veterans who have a permanent and total service-connected disability due to the loss, or loss of use, of one upper and one lower extremity, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Stipulates that the recalling to duty and assignment on a full-time basis of any retired member of the armed forces to the American Battle Monuments Commission shall not be chargeable against the authorized end strengths and grade limitations of the Department of Defense or the military departments concerned nor to any administrative ceiling established by the Secretary of Defense.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Veterans and Survivors Pension Adjustment Act - Title I: Veterans' and Survivors' Pensions - Increases the rates of pensions for war veterans with a non-service-connected disability, their surviving spouses and children, and increases the annual income limitations governing payment of such pensions. Title II: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Parents - Increases the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the parents of veterans who died in active military service. Title III: Miscellaneous and Effective Date Provisions - Increases the monthly rate of death compensation payable to a widow or dependent parent if the payee is a patient in a nursing home or helpless or blind. States that the effective date of this Act shall be January 1, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1977
Prohibits the expenditure of Federal funds for the conversion of highway signs to the metric system unless the Congress specifically authorizes such an expenditure.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1977
Mobile Source Emission Control Amendments - Amends the Clean Air Act to extend through model year 1979 interim standards for hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions from light-duty motor vehicles. Specifies standards applicable in model years 1980 and afterwards for such pollutants. Revises the emission standard for carbon monoxide to allow emissions of up to 9.0 grams per vehicle mile. Extends until model year 1981 the current 2.0 grams per vehicle mile interim standard for nitrogen oxide emissions from light-duty vehicles. Establishes a nitrogen oxides emissions standard of 1.0 gram per vehicle mile for model years after 1981, subject to revision or waiver by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with prescribed procedures. Stipulates that such revisions and waivers shall not permit emissions in excess of the 2.0 grams per vehicle mile interim standard. Directs the Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Energy Administration to submit separate reports to Congress regarding the consequences of such emission standards on fuel consumption. Establishes additional prohibitions and penalties for tampering with motor vehicle emission control equipment. Empowers limits in the amount of vehicle testing required of small manufacturers. Establishes procedures for review of instructions for high altitude performance adjustments for motor vehicle emission control systems by the Administrator in accordance with specified requirements. Revises warranty requirements stipulated by the Act. Specifies an 18-month or 18,000 mile warranty requirement for the useful life of motor vehicle emission control systems. Directs the Administrator to study the effects of emissions of sulfur-bearing conformed from motor vehicles and aircraft. Extends the exception for disclosure of confidential information in administrative and judicial proceedings to emission data upon a satisfactory showing to the Administrator that such data would divulge trade secrets. Requires that documentation, justifications, proposed drafts, and comments of other agencies an proposed motor vehicle emission standards be made available to the public once such standards are proposed. Establishes procedures for oral presentation of views, with opportunity for cross-examination, with respect to such standards. Authorizes direct review of alleged procedural errors in the appropriate court of appeals. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980, to carry out the purposes of this Act other than research, development, and demonstration activities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
States that application for service disabled veterans' insurance must be made after separation or release from active duty, and that no such insurance shall be effective until after 120 days following separation or release. Protects the Government from any liability for insurance claims made for deaths occurring before the 121st day following separation or release. States that any insurance policy purchased by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs shall not be effective for any National Guardsman or Air National Guardsman until such Guardsman is assigned to a unit or position in which he may be required to perform active duty.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1977
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow the use of a food additive for dietary management of health disorders or disease, even though such additive is found to induce cancer in animals, if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare determines the benefits to human health of such use outweigh the risks. Directs the Secretary to take into account in making such a determination (1) all scientific data and information on the additive; (2) the scientific validity, analysis, and other conditions concerning the animal testing of such additive; and (3) current knowledge about the reliability of predicting cancer in humans from use of an additive found to induce cancer in animals.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Includes veterans of World War I who have a service-connected disability among those disabled veterans eligible for an automobile assistance allowance and for automobile adaptive equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to assign and pay the applicable rate of compensation for full-service connected disability to a veteran who has suffered the loss or loss of use of one limb as a result of a service-connected disability, and has suffered the loss or loss of use of the other limb such as to cause total disability, as a result of a non-service-connected disability not the result of his own willful misconduct.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Amends the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations not to exceed $2,500,000 for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980, respectively for administration of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Civil Aeronautics Board to adopt time limitations for decisions regarding applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity to engage in interstate air transportation. Requires the Board, if it does not act within such period, to issue the certificate as requested unless it, by order entered within the specified time period, finds that the public interest or extraordinary circumstances justify delay for a period of time specified in the order. Requires that any proposed rule or regulation establishing such time limits be submitted to each House of Congress and stipulates that it shall become effective 30 legislative days after submission unless either House adopts a resolution disapproving such rule or regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require the Civil Aeronautics Board to rescind the authority of any air carrier to provide non-stop service between two points if such authority is not exercised for any continuous one-year period. Authorizes the Board to grant such authority to another carrier with or without a hearing.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Denies veterans' benefits to an individual whose discharge from military service during the Vietnam era under less than honorable conditions is administratively upgraded, under temporarily revised standards, to discharge under honorable conditions; but only when such veteran's claim for benefits is based solely on such upgraded discharge. Requires the Secretary of the armed service concerned to provide the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs with appropriate records indicating the initial issuance of any discharge or release active service which is upgraded.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Food Additive Safety Amendments - States that a food additive shall be deemed safe if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (1) makes a finding, based on recommendations of an advisory committee, that the public benefit from permitting the use of such additive would exceed the public risk which might result from such use; (2) gives notice in the Federal Register of such a finding and invites public comment thereon; and (3) issues a final order not earlier than 120 days of such publication in the Federal Register of such findings. Specifies factors the Secretary must take into consideration when evaluating a food additive. Deems saccharin a safe food additive unless the Secretary declares it unsafe under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Gives the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs the authority to extend medical services to veterans of World War I who have non-service-connected disabilities. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 612)
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act to exclude from coverage (1) employers with ten or fewer employees; and (2) employees not employed on a regular basis for 30 or more consecutive days. Requires that a warning rather than a citation be given for a first instance violation, other than a willful or serious violation, to an employer who has not employed more than 25 employees at any time during the 30 days prior to an inspection or investigation. Prohibits the imposition of a civil penalty against an employer for a nonserious violation if (1) such employer has not previously received a citation for the same violation; and (2) the inspection upon which such citation was based resulted in the issuance of citations for ten or or fewer violations of a nonserious nature.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Un-crazying of Federal Regulations Act - Makes the manufacture, distribution, and sale of saccharin for human consumption lawful in the United States and its territories. Requires the following wording on every container of saccharin sold after the enactment of this Act: "Warning: The Canadians have determined that saccharin is dangerous to your rat's health.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Extends until September 30, 1979, the authority: (1) of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to maintain an office in the Republic of the Philippines; (2) of the President to authorize the Administrator to enter into contracts with the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center to pay for hospital care and medical services to Commonwealth Army veterans and new Philippine Scouts for service-connected disabilities; (3) to make payments for such care and services; and (4) to appropriate specified sums for the training of health service personnel, for new equipment and the rehabilitation of the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Removes from the definition of "Veterans' Administration facility" private facilities contracted for when Government facilities are not capable of furnishing economical care because of geographic inaccessibility. Repeals the requirement that medical services be furnished only within the limits of Veterans' Administration facilities to: (1) any eligible veteran on an outpatient or ambulatory basis; or (2) any veteran on pension receiving a care and attendance allowance or who is permanently housebound.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Veterans' Administration Medical Facilities Acquisition Act - Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, in carrying out his duties under this Act: (1) to provide for the construction and acquisition of medical facilities equitably throughout the United States with due regard for the comparative urgency of the need for each particular facility; and (2) to give due consideration to excellence of architecture and design. States that no appropriation shall be made to construct, alter, or otherwise acquire any medical facility which involves a total expenditure of more than $1,000,000 unless such construction, alteration, or acquisition is first approved by resolution adopted by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, respectively. Stipulates that no appropriation shall be made to lease any space at an average annual rental of more than $200,000 for use for a medical facility unless such lease is first approved by resolutions adopted by such committees. Enumerates structural requirements for any medical facilities pursuant to this Act. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress an annual report regarding the construction, alteration, and leasing of medical facilities. Requires such report to contain: (1) a five-year plan for those medical facilities most in need of construction, replacement and alteration; (2) a priority list of at least ten such hospitals, and (3) general plans for each medical facility in the five-year plan or the list. Directs the Administrator to establish and operate not less than 10,000 beds in the fiscal year 1980 and in each fiscal year thereafter, for the furnishing of nursing home care to eligible veterans in facilities over which the Administrator has direct and exclusive jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1977
Stipulates that the recalling to duty and assignment on a full-time basis of any retired member of the armed forces to the American Battle Monuments Commission shall not be chargeable against the authorized end strengths and grade limitations of the Department of Defense or the military departments concerned.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
National Health Care Act - Title I: Findings and Declaration of Purpose - Expresses the finding of Congress that many Americans find it difficult to secure quality health care when they need it. Declares the purpose of the Act to be the improvement of the organization, delivery, and financing of health care for all citizens of the United States. Title II: Provisions to Strengthen Health Planning - Directs the States, as part of their review of institutional health services, to designate unneeded services as surplus. States that surplus service shall be considered as though it has been denied a certificate-of-need. Establishes under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, a system of grants to reimburse health care institutions which incurred expenses in developing facilities which were later declared surplus. Authorizes State health planning and development agencies to establish a health data consortium to serve the common data needs of itself and specified groups including health care institutions, insurance companies underwriting health insurance plans, and Health Systems Agencies. Requires the Secretary to issue guidelines to be used in establishing certificate-of-need programs and in evaluating the need for new institutional health services. Title III: Provisions to Encourage Comprehensive Ambulatory Health Care Centers - Authorizes grants for the construction and modernization of comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Places priority upon the construction of such facilities located in densely populated areas where such facilities do not now exist. Directs that in order to participate in programs pursuant to this title the States must submit a plan which includes a listing of comprehensive ambulatory health care centers needed to provide adequate ambulatory health care services for patients residing in the State. Title IV: Provisions to Assure a Coordinated National Health Policy - Requires the President to transmit to the Congress not later than July 1 of each year a health report setting forth the present status of the health care system of the Nation with an appraisal of trends and a review of the health programs and activities of the Federal, State and local governments. Creates a Health Policy Board which shall study the Nation's health care programs and make recommendations to the President concerning such programs. Directs the Board to consult with other advisory bodies and representative groups in carrying out its responsibilities. Directs all agencies of the Federal Government to include in every major action, statements regarding the effect of such action on the nation's health care. Title V: Provisions to Make Comprehensive Health Care Insurance Available to All - Establishes minimum standard health care benefits. Specifies that such standard shall be 100 percent of specified examinations, X-rays and laboratory tests and 80 percent of specified hospital, surgical, professional, and ambulatory health care. Prohibits, after a transitional period, any deductions by an employer for payments to an employee health care plan unless the plan offers coverage to the employees' family, the employer pays at least 50 percent of the plan's cost, and the plan provides the minimum health care benefits specified by this title. Allows an unlimited personal deduction for premiums paid by the taxpayer for a health care plan covering himself or his dependents which provides the minimum benefits specified by this Act. Specifies such minimum health care benefits, including basic dental, maternal, child, family planning and mental health care, which must be extended by health plans in order to qualify for the income tax deductions provided by this Act. Requires that such plans provide an annual deductible of $100, with a carryover of any unused portion. Prohibits the award of damages for the cost of remedial services for which a party is compensated under this Act, in any malpractice action arising out of the furnishing of services covered under a health care plan or under the Social Security Act. Adds to the Social Security Act, "Title XXI - Grants to States for Qualified State Health Care Plans". Authorizes the appropriation of such funds as necessary to provide comprehensive health care insurance to needy individuals and families. Allows individuals or families eligible for enrollment in the qualified State health care plan to elect coverage under an arrangement between the administering carrier and an approved health maintenance organization. States that every resident individual or family who is not eligible to enroll in a qualified employee health care plan, who is enrolled in the supplementary medical insurance program for the aged and who meets the requirements concerning income, shall be eligible to enroll in the qualified State health care plan. Sets forth a formula for determining premium rates to be paid by participating individuals and families. States that in the operation of a qualified State health care plan no charge for services rendered or supplies furnished by any hospital, skilled nursing facility, or home health agency shall be reimbursed to the extent that such charges exceed the rates approved by a State health care institution cost commission established pursuant to this Act. Makes it the duty of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to review the level of rates of institutional reimbursement approved by the commission for such categories of health care institutions as shall be established by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to order a reduction in the level of rates approved for a given category of health care institution upon a determination that such rates are unjustifiably high. Stipulates that each State must establish a health care benefits pool. Directs that the premiums collected pursuant to Title XXI, as introduced in this Act, be paid into the pool. Makes such pool available to pay claims and other specified expenses associated with the program. Prohibits any class of individuals or families receiving all, or substantially all, of their medical care under a Federal program from receiving coverage under a qualified State health care plan unless the Federal Government provides payment as required by the Act. Makes the State insurance commissioner responsible for assuring the establishment and regulation of a facility to underwrite or reinsure minimum standard health care benefits for individuals, families, and groups of less than 50 employees or members to whom such benefits would not otherwise be available.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase to $3,000 the amount of outside earnings which is permitted an individual each year without any deduction from benefits under such title.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Voting Rights Act Repealer Amendments Act - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to repeal the prohibitions against voting qualifications, prerequisites, tests, or devices which abridge the right of a citizen to vote who is a member of a language minority. Repeals the requirement that States and other political subdivisions make available registration and voting materials, and voting assistance in languages other than English in areas where more than five percent of the citizens belong to a single language minority.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase from one-twelfth of one percent to one-twelfth of seven percent the amount by which an individual's social security benefits are to be increased on account of delayed retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1977
Requires, under the Gun Control Act of 1968, that whoever during the commission of any robbery, assault, rape, burglary, kidnapping, or homicide (other than involuntary manslaughter), uses any firearm which has been transported in interstate and foreign commerce shall be imprisoned (1) in the case of his first offense, for not less than ten years; and (2) in the case of his second or subsequent offense, for not less than 25 years. Stipulates that the execution or imposition of any term of imprisonment imposed under this Act: (1) may not be suspended; (2) probation may not be granted; and (3) may not run concurrently with any term of imprisonment imposed for the commission of any such defense. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 924)
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments - Extends through Fiscal year 1978 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) water treatment works pilot training programs; (2) the development of a system of forecasting the supply of and demand for water pollution control specialists; (3) grants for State pollution control programs; (4) scholarships, training grants and contracts in the field of water pollution control; (5) grants to designated agencies to assist in the development and operation of continuing areawide waste treatment management planning processes; (6) grants to the States for lake water improvement programs; and (7) the purposes of this Act other than those specified in (1) through (6) above. Authorizes the use of Federal grants for construction of treatment works as grants for the Federal share of construction costs of sewage collection systems which are part of the same total waste treatment system. Stipulates that the total amount of all such grants shall not exceed $2,800,000. Authorizes the use of a single grant for the combined Federal share of planning and design along with building and construction costs in the case of treatment works with an estimated total cost of $1,000,000 or less. Authorizes the use of ad valorem taxes to satisfy the user charge system requirement for applicants for treatment works grants under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Establishes procedures for allotment of construction grant funds to States in accordance with criteria established by the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation. Stipulates that allotments made subject to a limitation on obligation shall remain available until expended. Extends the provisions for Federal reimbursement of construction costs of publicly owned water treatment works to include reimbursement for works on which construction was started not later than July 1, 1973. Increases the amount of the appropriation authorized to cover such reimbursement to $2,950,000,000. Authorizes additional appropriations for waste treatment construction grants of $5,000,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 and $6,000,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978 and 1979. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to accept certification by State water pollution control agencies as discharging the Administrator's responsibility for treatment projects within such State. Requires a finding by the Administrator that such projects will be carried out in accordance with State laws and standards at least equivalent to those established by Federal law. Stipulates that the determination of priorities with respect to categories of projects for treatment works within each State shall be made solely by the State. Authorizes the Administrator to extend from July 1, 1977, until July 1, 1982, the deadline for the achievement of effluent limitations for public treatment works. Authorizes additional extensions of deadlines until July 1, 1983, in the case of treatment works based on innovative technology. Requires submission of enforceable compliance schedules by applicants for such extension. Extends until April 1, 1975, the deadline for submission of State water quality inventory reports. Requires that such reports be revised by April 1, 1976, and kept current biennially. Directs the Administrator to submit such reports to Congress on or before October 1, 1976, and biennially thereafter. Deletes the 30-day time requirement for public hearings as required by the Act for proposed toxic and pretreatment effluent standards. Authorizes the Administrator to defer the effective date of proposed toxic effluent standards for up to three years following promulgation of such standards if the Administrator determines that compliance within one year is technologically unfeasible for a particular category of sources. Redefines the term "navigable waters" as it applies to permits for dredged or fill material as required by the Act. Allows the discharge of dredged or fill materials without a permit in waters other than navigable waters and adjacent wetlands. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to enter into agreements with States to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material in waters other than navigable waters and in wetlands other than adjacent wetlands. Exempts farming, silviculture, ranching, forestry and specified construction activities from permit requirements with respect to discharges of dredged or fill material. Stipulates that Federal projects shall be exempt only if the effects of such discharges have been assessed pursuant to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to delegate authority over dredged and fill material in adjacent wetlands to the States. Establishes an emergency contingency fund to provide assistance in cases of imminent and substantial threats to the public health and welfare. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to maintain such fund with a balance of $5,000,000. Authorizes judicial review of administrative acts connected with effluent guidelines or approval of State certification. Establishes procedures for Congressional review and disapproval of rules or regulations issued under authority of the Act. Requires officers and employees of the Environmental Protection Agency to disclose all known financial interests in persons subject to the provisions of the Act. Imposes criminal penalties for knowing violations of such disclosure requirements.
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 · 2 February 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 · 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 · 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
Big Thicket National Preserve Act - Grants the United States Government the right to immediate possession of specified real property within the units of the Big Thicket National Preserve. Makes provisions for the rendering of just compensation for such lands. Permits the Secretary of the Interior, in his discretion, to initiate eminent domain proceedings against improved property if such lands are subject to uses which are detrimental to the stated purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Public Works Employment Act - Directs the President or his delegate to prepare a comprehensive program of public works to make grants to States to aid the financing of any public works project included in the program and to develop a formula for determining the Federal contribution to each such project based in part on National, State, and local unemployment rates.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Authorizes the expenditure of $539,100 from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives for investigations and studies to be conducted by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Authorizes the expenditure of $50,000 of such amount to procure consultants' services and $15,000 for specialized training. Directs that no part of the funds authorized by this resolution shall be available for expenditure in connection with the study or investigation of any subject which is being investigated for the same purpose by any other committee of the House. Terminates the authorization granted by this resolution on January 3, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1977
Provides to each eligible person for whom the Veterans' Administration has purchased an automobile with specially adapted equipment a loan, not to exceed $5,000, for the purpose of replacing the automobile or conveyance so purchased. Limits the interest on such loan to no more than six percent annually, repayable over a term of four years, and limits the number of such loans to one per eligible person.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1977
Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 to require that disabled veterans be given opportunities to participate in the comprehensive manpower services programs and the public service employment programs thereunder at a rate in excess of the rate of unemployment among such veterans. Directs that special consideration be given disabled veterans in the public service employment programs. Specifies disabled veterans as a group eligible for additional manpower services under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1977
Permits certain veterans with service-connected disabilities, regardless of disability rating, who are retired members of the uniformed services to receive compensation concurrently with retired pay, without deduction from either.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1977
Increases to two the number of automobiles for which adaptive equipment may be authorized for disabled veterans eligible to receive assistance from the Veterans' Administration in procuring one.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1977
Repeals the provision requiring the preservation of total disability ratings for compensation purposes. Reduces from 20 to 10 years the period after which a rating cannot be reduced for pension purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1977
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to compute the ten-year period in which wives and widows of veterans may pursue programs of education as beginning at the date of death of the spouse from whom eligibility is derived (such authority currently exists).
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide either a refund or an income tax credit for Federal gasoline excise taxes paid by disabled veterans for fueling specially equipped motor vehicles for their personal use.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1977
Authorizes a presumption of service connection for cause of death for the purposes of payment of dependency and indemnity compensation in the case of a veteran who had a service-connected disability rated permanent and total for at least one year immediately preceding death, if death was due to natural causes not the result of misconduct on the part of such veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1977
Authorizes a person who has been released from active service and who suffers an increase in a service-connected disability to 30 percent or more to apply for National Service Life Insurance anytime within two years from the date that the increase in the service-connected disability is determined by the Veterans' Administration.
![Official portrait of Rep. Roberts, Ray [D-TX-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000312_200.jpg)