United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Requires that whoever uses or carries a firearm during the commission of a Federal felony, or whoever is convicted by a State court of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year and used or carried a firearm transported in, or affecting, interstate or foreign commerce during the commission of such crime shall, in addition to the punishment provided for the commission of such crime, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than five nor more than ten years. Requires in the case of a second or subsequent conviction the imposition of a term of imprisonment of not less than ten years, or to life imprisonment. Stipulates that the execution or imposition of any term of imprisonment under this Act (1) may not be suspended, (2) may not run concurrently; and (3) may not include probation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to exempt interstate trunk lines owned by a telephone company serving subscribers in a single State from the requirement that no carrier in communication shall undertake the construction of a new line or of an extension of any line unless there shall first have been obtained from the Federal Communications Commission a certificate that the present or future public convenience and necessity require or will require such construction.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to credit against the income tax specified higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, books, and supplies, incurred by the taxpayer for himself or any dependent. Limits the credit to 100 percent of the first $200 for any individual, 25 percent of the next $300, and 5 percent of the next $1,000. Limits the credit to expenses incurred by full time students at institutions of vocational and higher education, minus scholarships and veterans' benefits. Limits the total credit allowed the taxpayer to his income tax liability minus the sum of all other credits applied thereto. Disallows any deduction of educational expenses used to determine the amount of the credit allowed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Student's Freedom of Choice Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to prohibit an employer from discriminating against an employee who is enrolled in a full-time program of secondary, vocational, or higher education for nonmembership in or failure to provide financial support to a labor organization.
United States · United States Congress · 4 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 · 4 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that attorneys' fees allowed in administrative or judicial proceedings under that Title (Or under title XVIII (Medicare) of such Act), in cases where the claimants are successful, shall be paid by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare rather than deducted from the amounts awarded claimants.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Fiscal Integrity Act - Title I: Revenue and Budget Outlays Control - Revises the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act to define the term "Federal revenue and budget outlay limit" to be the amount derived through a specified series of mathematical formulas. Prohibits the concurrent resolution on the budget from including any provision which exceeds the Federal revenue and budget outlay limit. Requires that each House include in its report to its House a comparison of estimated budget authority as set forth by the President and by the concurrent resolution. Prohibits amendment of the concurrent resolution during consideration by the Senate or the House of Representatives which exceeds the Federal revenue and budget outlay limit. Requires that the impact of new budget authority and budget outlays, and a projection for the next five fiscal years of the impact of new tax expenditures on the Federal revenue and outlay limit, be included in a statement accompanying a bill or resolution reported by a committee of either House. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to include in his five-year projection report, the concomitant predicted Federal revenue and budget outlay limits for each fiscal year. Prohibits a concurrent resolution from being reported at any time which increases total revenues or the budget outlay limit unless such limit has been suspended pursuant to this Act. Prohibits Congress from making any appropriation for any fiscal year in excess of the Federal revenue and budget outlay limit. Provides for the reduction of the public debt by any revenue which exceeds such limit during any fiscal year. Permits the suspension of the revenue and budget outlay limit by the declaration of a fiscal emergency through the passage of a concurrent resolution approved by two-thirds of the Members present in each House. Requires that all bills of a public or private character introduced in either House of Congress have printed at the bottom of the first page a fiscal note which states the amounts likely to be the costs and savings achieved in the implementation of a bill.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
National Food Stamp Reform Act - Defines the term "income" as used in the Food Stamp Act of 1964 as the monthly gross income of all members of a household, including any in-kind payment, and the total value of any publicly funded assistance payments which supplement food and housing needs. Excludes specified individuals from the definition of "household. Provides for the distribution of federally donated foods to households upon the request by a political subdivision that such distribution be made to all eligible households in lieu of food stamps. Excludes households from eligibility for food stamps: (1) if the monthly household income exceeds the poverty index level of income established by the Office of Management and Budget; or(2) if the market value of liquid and nonliquid resources of a household consisting of one individual exceeds $1,500 or the resources of a multiple-member household exceed $2,250 exclusive of specified resources. Excludes from eligibility households which include an able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 65 who is enrolled in an institution of postsecondary education and such enrollment is a substitute for fulltime employment. Declares that a refusal to work at a plant or site because of a strike or other labor dispute shall be deemed a refusal to work which makes the household of the nonworking individual ineligible for food stamps. Rejects as an excuse for refusal to accept work a condition of employment which requires an individual to join, resign from, or refrain from joining any labor organization. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to require each household receiving benefits under this Act to report its income at least once each month. Requires food coupons to be designed with a space for the recipient to sign upon receipt and again at redemption. Requires one member of each eligible household to be issued a photo-identification card with color photograph. States that such card must be presented at redemption at a food store. Sets forth specific instructions to provide control and accountability over the distribution of food coupons to State agencies. Ties the value of the coupon allotment to the overall retail cost-of-living index. States that the phrase "nutritionally adequate diet", as used to determine the amount of the coupon allotment, shall mean the low-cost food plan developed by the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture. Establishes as the charge a household shall pay for its coupon allotment the lesser of: (1) the percentage of its income which would be expended for food by an average household of its size and income range in the same region of the country; or(2) 30 percent. Provides, under the requirements for State plans for the administration of the food stamp program, for close State supervision of eligibility by households. Requires the State agencies administering the program to conduct nutrition education programs for recipients. States that the United States Postal Service shall serve as a food stamp issuing agency upon the request of a State food stamp administration agency. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to pay the States 100 percent of the costs of providing food stamps to eligible aliens, and 75 percent of the costs of State investigations, prosecutions, collections of claims and other State activities related to retrieving food stamp losses. Provides for payment by the Federal Government to the States of a share of the difference between the face value of the coupon allotment and the amount charged eligible households for the allotment. Sets forth the method of determining and paying the Federal share. Directs the transfer of all functions of the Secretary of Agriculture under the Food Stamp Act to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Jobs Creation Act - Title I: Individual Income Taxes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit for ten percent of the amounts (1) deposited in a savings account at an insured bank, savings and loan association or credit union or (2) used to purchase stock or bonds in a domestic corporation. Limits such credit to a maximum of $1,000. Excludes from income the amounts received by an individual as dividends from domestic corporations. Excludes from income the gain resulting from the sale or exchange of securities, up to $1,000. Lowers the value of the gross estate by the value of the decedent's interest in a farm (1) actively engaged in raising crops or livestock for profit over which the decedent or his spouse exercised supervision during the five years prior to his death, and (2) which passes to an individual related to the decedent or his spouse. Requires that for a period of five years after the decedent's death (1) the interest in the farm be retained by the individual to whom it passed, (2) those individuals reside on that farm, and (3) the farm continue to qualify as a family farm. States that a deviation from any of the preceding qualifications will result in a deficiency in the amount of the difference between the tax actually paid, and the tax that would have been paid absent the family farm deduction outlined above. Limits the family farm deduction to $200,000. Title II: Corporation Taxes - Provides a graduated normal tax rate for corporate taxes. States that a corporation which is a component member of a controlled group of corporations must take into account the taxable income of the other members. Increases the amount of the investment credit to 15 percent of the qualified investment, except for property constructed or acquired before July 1, 1975, in which case the credit is set at 12 percent of that investment. Provides that in the case of transitional property the part of the property's basis attributable to construction before July 1, 1975, shall receive the 12 percent credit, and the part attributable to construction after June 30, 1975, shall receive the 15 percent credit. Increases the corporate surtax exemption from $25,000 to $100,000. Requires that the basis of property be adjusted to reflect the rate of inflation between the year of acquisition and the year of sale before further adjustments in the basis are made. Increases the permissible variance from a prescribed class life from 20 percent to 40 percent. Allows amortization of pollution control facilities to take place over a period of 12 months. Title III: Employee Stock Ownership Plan Financing - Specifies the tax treatment for stock bonus plans of an employer set up for the benefit of his employees with common stock issued by the employer corporation. Allows a deduction to the employer for the amount of any dividend paid under such a plan provided: (1) the securities were held on the record date by an employee stock ownership plan; and (2) the dividend received by the plan is either distributed to the participating employees within 60 days after the plan year in which it is received, or applied to the payment of acquisition expenses within 60 days after the taxable year. Permits a deduction to the employer for contributions made on account of being on the accrual basis, provided that such contributions are applied to the payment of acquisition indebtedness. Exempts such contributions from treatment as an annual addition. States that an employer who transfers employer securities or other property to an employee stock ownership plan shall be entitled to a charitable contribution deduction if: (1) the property is allocated to the participating employees; (2) no part of the property is allocated for the benefit of the taxpayer, his relatives, or anyone else owning 25 percent of employer securities; and (3) the contribution is made with the approval of the employee stock ownership plan. Exempts such contributions from treatment as annual additions. Specifies that the acquisition indebtedness of the employer securities acquired by an employee stock ownership plan must be proportionally allocated to the accounts of the participating employees. States that upon separation from service, a participating employee is entitled to a distribution of his nonforfeitable interest in accordance with the provisions of the plan. Allows such a plan to provide for the required repurchase of qualified employer securities from an individual receiving a distribution thereof, only if all other such outstanding employer securities, whether acquired through the plan or not, are subject to repurchase from nonemployee shareholders. Provides that an individual receiving a lump sum distribution from an employee stock ownership plan may exclude from gross income that part of the distribution consisting of income producing employer securities or assets which are held, or reinvested within 60 days in assets of equivalent value, for the purpose of providing that individual with dividends. States that the proceeds of any sale or disposition of such securities or assets not reinvested within 60 days in income producing property shall be treated as ordinary income. Stipulates that any dividend received by a participating employee under an employee stock ownership plan is taxable to that employee. Forbids any contribution from being allocated for the benefit of any participating employee if the total accumulation of all investments for the benefit of that participant under the employee stock ownership plan and all other such plans equals or exceeds $500,000. Provides that the acquisition or holding of qualifying employer securities and the incurring of indebtedness by an employee stock ownership plan shall satisfy the specifications of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, provided that it meets the requirements of an individual retirement annuity under that Act. Requires that the same standards of prudence and fiduciary responsibility exercised with respect to shareholders are satisfied for such a plan. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a binding advance opinion, in response to any application by an employee stock ownership plan, as to whether the plan satisfies the requirements of this Act. States that payments by an employer to an employee stock ownership plan for the purpose of enabling that plan to pay acquisition indebtedness for the purchase of qualifying employer securities shall not be treated as compensation, fringe benefits, or deferred compensation payments, but treated as debt service payments.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction from gross income for social or adoption agency fees, court costs, attorney fees and other necessary expenses of adopting a child. Limits the deduction to $1,250 for any taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Prohibits collective bargaining agreements between the United States Postal Service and labor organizations recognized as exclusive bargaining representatives for their respective postal employee units from containing procedures which would preclude employees from being represented in grievance and adverse actions arising under such agreements by representatives of their own choosing.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that any individual who would have been fully insured at age 62, may qualify for disability insurance benefits if such individual has 40 quarters of coverage, regardless of when such quarters were earned. Stipulates that such coverage requirement is an alternative to the requirement that an individual have 20 quarters of coverage during the 40-quarter period immediately preceding his disability.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates on specified dates budget authority for all Government programs except health care services, general retirement, and disability insurance, and Federal employee retirement and disability programs which are funded by trust funds. Declares out of order in either the Senate or the House of Representatives any legislation which authorizes new budget authority not in compliance with this Act. Requires the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on the Budget of both Houses of Congress to identify each program's functional and subfunctional category, the committees having legislative jurisdiction over such program, and whether such program operates under permanent authorizations and budget authority. Makes the budget termination provisions of this Act effective on the first day of the Ninety-fifth Congress. Title II: Early Elimination of Inactive and Duplicate Programs - Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to identify for Congress any programs which have duplicate objectives or for which no outlays have been made for the last two fiscal years. Directs the standing committees of both Houses to consider such programs and report recommendations on such programs before March 15, 1978, if possible. Title III: Quadrennial Program Review and Evaluation - Sets forth a timetable for reviewing the budget of a Government program. Requires review by standing committees of the Congress every four years of each program's cost, effectiveness, and the extent to which such program duplicates or is similar to any other program. States that such review shall include a comprehensive evaluation of the merits of such program to determine if it warrants continuation. Requires justification of any recommendation to fund any program which has objectives similar to or the same as another program's objectives. Directs the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office to provide Congress with information and analysis of programs being reviewed under this Act. Requires the President to similarly review the merits of continuing programs contained in the annual Budget and to report the finding of such review prior to transmitting the Budget to Congress. Title IV: - Continuing Review and Evaluation - Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress the result of any audit which shows a substantial deficiency in achievement of the objectives of any Government program. Requires subsequent audits, a report of which must be submitted to Congress, to determine if such deficiency has been eliminated. Title V: Miscellaneous - States that those provisions of this Act which direct the operation of either House are enacted as an exercise of the rulemaking power of such House and recognizes the right of either House to change such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Salary Act to postpone the effective date for recommended adjustments in pay made by the Commission on Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries until the first pay period after the first period of 30 calendar days of continuous congressional session. Provides rules for considering legislation to disapprove such salary adjustments within such 30-session-day period including procedures to limit debate on such measures and to force such a measure out of committee ten days after its introduction.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Extends to contracts for the lease of real property the relief provided under the Small Business Emergency Relief Act to small business concerns which have fixed-price Government contracts where such concerns have suffered or can be expected to suffer serious financial loss because of the energy crisis or rapid and unforeseen escalations of contract costs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Makes American Business Day a legal holiday to be observed on the last Monday in April. Changes the date of Veterans' Day from November 11 to the fourth Monday in October.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
National Commission on Regulatory Reform Act - Establishes the National Commission on Regulatory Reform. Directs the Commission to make a full and complete study of such regulatory activities of the independent regulatory agencies of the Federal Government as the Commission determines to be primarily economic in nature and to have a significant effect on the segments of the economy involving transportation, communication, the development and distribution of energy resources, or financial institutions. States that such study shall be undertaken to determine: (1) whether such regulatory activities have limited competition within such segments of the economy, and if they have, what the economic consequences have been; (2) whether such regulatory activities have, in other ways, contributed to current economic difficulties, in particular inflation; and (3) whether changes need to be made with regard to such independent Federal establishments and their regulatory activities. Requires that such study shall include, with regard to each independent Federal establishment whose regulatory activities are included in such study: (1) an analysis of the purposes for which it was created, its structure and jurisdiction, the statutory framework governing its operation and activities, and the procedures and policies it has adopted; (2) an assessment of its effectiveness in carrying out its purposes; (3) an analysis of the costs and benefits of its various programs and policies, with particular reference to any adverse economic impact; and (4) an examination of the relationship between its regulatory activities and those of State and local regulatory agencies. Sets forth the membership, powers, and authority of the Commission. Directs the Commission to submit to the President and Congress within one year a report containing: (1) a statement of the status of the study being conducted pursuant to this Act; (2) a detailed statement of any findings made or conclusions reached by the Commission; and (3) any recommendations for legislation or administrative action, or both, deemed appropriate by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Requires the Postal Service, before constructing a new facility, to notify and consult with any State or local government agency responsible for the administration of laws relating to the use of land upon which such construction is proposed. Authorizes such agencies to conduct hearings with respect to such proposals. Requires the Postal Service to hold such hearings if the appropriate agencies fail to do so within 90 days after notification of such proposal. Prohibits the Postal Service from undertaking such construction prior to such hearing.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to accept certification by State water pollution control facilities of responsibility for treatment projects within such State. Authorizes financial assistance to State programs so certified in an amount not to exceed two percent of the Federal allotment for waste treatment works projects.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Prohibits a refiner or distributor of petroleum products from cancelling, failing to renew, or otherwise terminating a petroleum products franchise without furnishing prior written notification. Prohibits a refiner or distributor from terminating any such franchise except for one of the following reasons: (1) failure of the holder of the franchise to comply substantially with any essential and reasonable requirement imposed; (2) failure of the holder of the franchise to act in good faith; or (3) withdrawal of the refiner or distributor from doing business in the State where the terminated franchise is located. Permits a retailer to bring a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief against any refiner or distributor who fails to act in good faith in performing or complying with any of the terms or provisions of the franchise or in terminating, cancelling or not renewing the franchise with such dealer.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Prohibits travel at Government expense outside the United States by Members of Congress after adjournment sine die of the last session of a Congress if such Member is not a candidate for reelection in the next Congress or a Presidential nominee for some other Office of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Changes the time period during which Members of Congress and certain Federal officers, whose terms have expired, may send franked mailings to the 90 day period immediately following the date on which they leave office. Restricts the purpose of such mailings to the closing of official business.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Hobbs Act Amendment - Amends the Hobbs Act to impose penalties for interfering with commerce by willfully causing damage to the extent of at least $2,000 to any property of an employer, owner, or other person at or near a factory, construction site, or other place where work or business of the employer or owner is carried on or where such employer or owner transports, stores, or maintains property. Stipulates that a violation of such provisions or of the provision prohibiting interference with commerce through robbery, acts of violence, or extortion shall not be nullified or mitigated by the fact that such acts are also in violation of State or local law or took place in the course of a legitimate labor dispute or in pursuit of legitimate union objectives.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide that any employer who successfully contests a citation or penalty under such Act shall be awarded a reasonable attorney's fee and other reasonable litigation costs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
United States Court of Labor- Management Relations - Establishes a United States Court of Labor-Management Relations to have jurisdiction over labor disputes in industries substantially affecting interstate commerce that have resulted, or threaten to result, in a concerted work stoppage which adversely affects or potentially adversely affects the general welfare of the nation. Permits the jurisdiction of the court to be invoked either: (1) upon application of the Attorney General after all procedures for enjoining work stoppages under the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947 and the Railway Labor Act have been exhausted; or (2) upon application of any party to the labor dispute regardless of the availability of alternate procedures. Empowers the Court, upon the invocation of its jurisdiction, to enjoin the work stoppage. Authorizes the Court, after enjoining a work stoppage, to require the parties to a dispute to attend hearings with respect to the causes and the circumstances of the dispute and conferences to consider the positions of the parties and any settlement proposals. Directs the Court to set a matter down for immediate hearing and final judicial determination if the parties fail to settle their difference within 80 days of the issuance of the injunction or if the parties agreed to continue to attempt beyond such 80 day period to voluntarily settle their differences and thereafter advise the Court that a negotiated settlement is impossible. Sets forth procedures for such hearings. Limits the power of the Court, in making a final determination of any case with respect to which there is in effect a valid collective bargaining agreement or other similar contract, in applying or interpreting such agreement. Specifies guidelines to be followed by the Court in fixing rates of pay or other conditions of employment. States that the decisions of the Court shall be final unless they are arbitrary and capricious or are violations of a constitutional right, in which case the Supreme Court shall have exclusive appellate jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Drug Pushers Elimination Act - Title I: Increased Penalties - Increases, under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, maximum penalties for distribution, possession with intent to distribute, or domestic or certain foreign manufacture of coca leaves or certain of its derivatives, specified opiates or stimulants, or counterfeits thereof. Imposes mandatory minimum sentences for such violations. Excepts addicted persons from the applicable minimum term of imprisonment specified in this Act. Stipulates that one conspiring or attempting to manufacture, distribute, import, or export certain controlled substances shall be punished the same as one who commits the offense which was the object of the conspiracy or attempt. Title II: Conditions of Release - Directs a judicial officer to consider whether a person charged with an offense under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 poses a danger to himself, the persons or property of others, or the community in setting conditions of release pending trial. Denies release prior to trial to a person charged with an offense for which penalties are increased in title I of this Act, upon a judicial officer making any one of specified findings in a special hearing to be conducted at the time of arraignment. Prohibits persons convicted of certain narcotics crimes, with certain exception for addicts, from being released while awaiting sentence or after having filed an appeal or a petition for a writ of certiorari. Permits an addict charged with unlawfully importing, selling, or conspiring to import or sell a narcotic drug to be eligible for civil commitment and rehabilitation in lieu of criminal prosecution if the court determines that such alleged violation was for the primary purpose of enabling the offender to obtain a narcotic drug required for personal use because of the addiction. Adds to the list of conditions which a judicial officer may impose for release pending trial for a noncapital Federal crime, treatment for narcotic addiction. Title III: Miscellaneous - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to subject to forfeiture all money used or intended for use in manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or acquiring any controlled substance in violation of Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 4 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 · 4 January 1977
Directs that no officer, employee, or agent of the United States, or agency or department thereof, may inspect, acquire, or otherwise require for any reason any part of medical and/or dental records of patients whose care was not, or will not be, provided directly by the Federal Government, or is not paid for under a program receiving Federal financial assistance, unless such patient has authorized disclosure. Sets forth procedures for authorizing disclosure. Specifies that any person who violates this Act shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Restricts payments of the United States to the United Nations to the ratio of the population of the United States to the total population of member nations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring an indirect emission source review as part of any applicable clean air implementation plan.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal provisions allowing an employer and a labor organization to enter into an agreement to require membership in such organization as a condition of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 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 · 4 January 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a suitable medal commemorating the 200th anniversary of the drafting of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Occupational Safety and Health Reform Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to improve the administration of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and to provide for regulatory procedures related to such administration. States that the Secretary of Labor shall not propose any rule formulating a new Occupational Health or Safety Standard before he: (1) has, as part of each such proposal, reviewed and published in the Federal Register the financial impact of such proposed standard; and (2) has determined with due regard for that impact that the benefit to be derived from such standard justifies such proposal. Provides that no standard adopted or promulgated shall require any employer to phase out, change, or replace existing equipment or facilities before the normal useful life of that equipment or facility has expired unless failure to so phase out, change, or replace that equipment or facility prematurely would result in a serious violation. Directs the Secretary to prescribe, as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, as part of each existing standard adopted under the Occupational Safety and Health Act: (1) the estimated average and maximum cost per unit to the average employer who is subject to that standard for compliance with the conditions, practices, means, methods, operation, or process used or proposed to be used by that employer under that standard; and (2) the period within which it is, in fact, possible for such employers to meet such standard including, but not limited to, availability of required devices, and possibility of performance of required procedures. Sets forth requirements with respect to notifying an employer of violations of the requirements prescribed pursuant to this Act. States that any employer who has been found to be not in compliance with any rule or standard adopted or promulgated under this Act shall not receive a notice for such violation if he is able to show: (1) that implementing such rule or standard would not materially affect the safety or health of his employees in the facility inspected; (2) that he has employed alternative procedures to protect his employees from the hazards contemplated by the rule or standard which are as effective in protecting the safety and health of his employees; or (3) that he has furnished adequate notice and exerted all reasonable efforts, pursuant to such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, to obtain the compliance of his employee, that such violation was attributable to such employees, and that he could not otherwise have reasonably prevented such violation. Sets forth procedures for enforcement of these regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into compliance agreements with an employer believed to be in violation of an Occupational Safety and Health Standard promulgated pursuant to such Act under which enforcement and penalty provisions are waived or deferred upon condition that the employer will voluntarily comply with the applicable standard upon such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines appropriate under the circumstances. States that failure of an employer to abide by such an agreement may be taken into account in resulting enforcement and penalty procedures. Directs the Secretary to provide technical advice, assistance, and consultation to employers with less than 100 employees whenever it is necessary to assist them in complying with applicable standards.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Excludes from eligibility for food stamps under the Food Stamp Act of 1964 any household whose principal wage earner is on strike for the duration of such strike. Excepts a household from this exclusion if it was participating in the food stamp program immediately prior to the start of such strike, or if any of its members is subject to an employer's lockout.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Exempts from the inspection requirements of the Federal Meat Inspection Act the custom slaughtering of livestock by any person who does not engage in buying or selling meat or meat products. Allows such an exemption if (1) such livestock is delivered by the owner thereof for such slaughter; (2) the preparation by such slaughterer and transportation in commerce of carcasses, meat, meat food products of such livestock is exclusively for use in the household of such owner and not for resale; and (3) such slaughtering meets sanitation requirements established and enforced by the State in which such slaughtering is conducted.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that any individual who would have been fully insured at age 62, may qualify for disability insurance benefits if such individual has 40 quarters of coverage, regardless of when such quarters were earned. Stipulates that such coverage requirement is an alternative to the requirement that an individual have 20 quarters of coverage during the 40-quarter period immediately preceding his disability.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Declares vacant the office of any Senator of Representative who fails to be recorded in person on 60 percent of the roll call votes taken during any regular session of Congress unless such roll call votes were missed due to hospitalization required by illness or accident.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total appropriations shall not exceed estimated revenues. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war or national emergency. Prohibits any increase in the national debt as it exists on the date this article is ratified. Sets forth a schedule for repayment of the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total appropriations shall not exceed estimated revenues. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war or national emergency. Prohibits any increase in the national debt as it exists on the date this article is ratified. Sets forth a schedule for repayment of the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Authorizes the President of the United States to declare the week beginning October 2, 1977, and ending October 8, 1977, as "National Volunteer Firemen Week."
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits a justice of the Supreme Court or a judge of any inferior court established by Congress from holding office for more than 10 years after (1) taking office, (2) the Senate last consented to his continuance in office, or (3) the ratification of this amendment, whichever last occurs, unless the President nominates and the Senate consents to a continuance in office.
![Official portrait of Rep. Robinson, J. Kenneth [R-VA-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000337_200.jpg)