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United States · Official source
3,267 records where Rep. Rodino, Peter W., Jr. [D-NJ-10] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1977
Authorizes and requests the President to designate 1979 as "Thomas A. Edison Centennial Year. Establishes the Thomas A. Edison Centennial Commission. Stipulates that such Commission shall terminate on September 30, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1977
Community Reinvestment Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to require each appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency to use its authority, when chartering and regulating financial institutions, to encourage such institutions to help meet the credit needs of the local communities in which they are chartered. Directs each Federal financial supervisory agency to develop programs and procedures including the following: (1) requiring each applicant to analyze the deposit and credit needs of its primary savings service area and to specify how such applicant proposes to meet these needs; (2) permitting consumer organizations to present testimony at hearings on how well the applicant has met or is proposing to meet the credit needs of the communities served or to be served by the applicant; and (3) requiring periodic reports on the amount of consumer deposits received and credit extended in the institution's primary savings service area.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1977
Specifies procedures for the transfer of convicted offenders to and from foreign countries pursuant to treaties providing for such transfers. Stipulates that an offender must consent to any transfer and may only be transferred to a country of which is a citizen or national. Bars transfer of an offender while any appeal or collateral attack is pending. Conditions the transfer to the United States of an offender who is on probation upon a determination that by the Attorney General that the appropriate United States district court is willing to undertake the supervision of the offender. States that, with certain exceptions, an offender serving a sentence of imprisonment in a foreign country who is transferred to the custody of the Attorney General shall remain in custody for the same time, be entitled to the same good time privileges, and subject to the same conditions as an offender committed to the custody of the Attorney General by a Federal court. Provides that offenders transferred to the United States shall be eligible for parole according to Federal law. Makes eligible for parole at any time an offender transferred to the United States who was age 21 or younger when convicted. Directs that, unless otherwise provided by or pursuant to treaty, offenders transferred to the United States because of an act which would be deemed an act of juvenile delinquency in the United States be treated as a delinquent. Sets forth procedures for verification of consent of an offender transferred to or from the United States. Specifies guidelines on the status of alien offenders transferred to other countries. Restricts jurisdiction to challenge the conviction or sentence of a transferred offender to the country of conviction.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend coverage to include expenses incurred in providing a Papanicolaou test for the diagnosis of uterine cancer, if the individual receiving the test has not had such a test on a routine basis during the preceding six months.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Victims of Crime Act - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to qualified State programs for the compensation of victims of crime. Specified requirements for program certification, including that the program (1) offer compensation for personal injuries suffered as a result of certain State and Federal crimes, (2) offer compensation to surviving dependents of persons whose deaths resulted from being victim to such a crime, (3) require cooperation with law enforcement agencies as a condition for recovery, (4) grant claimants the right to a hearing, and (5) subrogate the State to any claim the victim or dependent has against the perpetrator to the extent of the amount compensated by the State. States that grants made under this Act shall total 50 percent of the allowable compensation paid to victims and dependent survivors of victims of State crimes designated by the State as appropriate for compensation under this program and 100 percent of the allowable compensation paid to victims and dependent survivors of victims of crimes which would constitute designated States crimes except for the fact that the crime is subject to exclusive Federal jurisdiction. Limits compensation with respect to any single claim to (1) loss resulting from medical and related treatment, physical and occupational therapy and rehabilitation, and past anticipated future earnings up to $200 per week and (2) a total of $50,000. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Victims of Crime to advise the Attorney General with respect to the administration of this Act and the compensation of victims of crime.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Authorizes the printing of a revised edition of "The Constitution of the United States of America," revised under the direction of the Committee on the Judiciary.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1977
Federal Employee Health Sunshine Act - Requires, the Civil Service Commission, in the event a contractor providing group health insurance for Federal employees intends to reduce the benefits provided under its contract, to publish in the Federal Register, 180 days before any such proposed reduction is to take effect, a statement explaining such proposal and giving the time and place of a hearing with respect to such proposal. Directs the Commission to hold such a hearing not later than 120 days before such proposal is scheduled to take effect.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1977
Ethics in Government Act - Title I: Government Personnel Financial Disclosure Requirements - Requires each candidate for President or Vice President, each Federal employee or officer from those classified at GS-16 to the President, inclusive, each military officer rated at 0-7 or higher, and each presidential appointee whose Senate confirmation is pending to file a financial disclosure statement containing specified information, including: sources and amounts of income and gifts; identity approximate value of property held and liabilities owed; transactions in commodities and securities; positions held with business entities; and agreements with respect to future employment and continuation of payments by former employers. Requires such reports to be generally made available to the public. Prohibits the use of information from such reports for commercial, credit, or solicitation purposes. Title II: Office of Government Ethics - Establishes within the Civil Service Commission the Office of Government Ethics with which the President, Vice President, agency heads, and presidential appointees shall file their financial disclosure statements (Requires other Federal personnel to file with the head of the agency employing such persons or, in the case of presidential or vice-presidential candidates, with the Federal Elections Commission). Charges the Office with responsibility for overall direction of Executive branch policies related to preventing conflicts of interest, monitoring compliance with this Act, and conducting random audits of reports required by this Act to ascertain possible violations of conflict of interest laws. Title III: - Extends from one to two years the period of prohibition on appearances before an agency by a former Federal employee or official on matters that were under such person's responsibility. Includes within such prohibition informal as well as formal contacts. Prohibits formal and informal contacts with such agencies of former employment on other matters for a period of one year after the end of such employment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1977
Radiation Health and Safety Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to develop and issue to the States criteria and minimum standards for the accreditation of educational institutions conducting programs for the training of radiologic technologists and medical and dental practitioners. Directs the Secretary to develop and issue to the States criteria and minimum standards for licensure of radiologic technologists. Directs that State and local governments be encouraged to minimize exposure of the public to ionizing radiation from all sources, and establishes procedures for the adoption of appropriate standards. Allows the Secretary to make grants to States in an amount up to two-thirds of the first year and one-third of the second year costs of planning, developing, or establishing programs to carry out the provisions of this Act. Prohibits conducting activities contrary to this Act and subjects violators to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress every fifth year a report evaluating the implementation of this Act and making recommendations for legislation. States that whenever a performance standard for a class of X-ray system in prescribed, the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe a performance standard applicable to systems of such class prior to the effective date of such standard. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of inspection of all X-ray systems to which standards apply and which are in actual use in the United States. Authorizes officers or employees duly designated by the Secretary to enter at reasonable times any establishment in which an X-ray system is located and to inspect such system. Directs the Secretary to publish guidelines for the use of X-ray examinations in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1977
Authorizes the President of the United States to designate the week beginning on the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week".
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1977
Plutonium Licensing Control Act - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prohibit the issuance of commercial licenses for (1) operation of nuclear power reactors utilizing recovered plutonium as a fuel source or (2) nuclear reactor fuel processing designed to recover plutonium. Stipulates that such prohibition shall not apply to activities necessary for United States military defense.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1977
Criminal Code Reform Act - Title I: Codification, Revision, and Reform of Title 18 - Defines the criminal jurisdiction of the United States. Declares a general rule that the existence of Federal jurisdiction is not preemptive. Enumerates offenses which are exceptions to the rule. Lists culpable states of mind; defines them; and requires that, unless otherwise specified, a culpable state of mind must be shown with respect to each element of every offense in this Act. Specifies the particular state of mind which must be shown if an offense is described without designating the required state of mind. Details standards relative to the liability of an accomplice, of an organization for the conduct of its agent, and of an agent for the conduct of an organization. Sets forth criminal offenses against the United States. Designates a category for each offense for purposes of punishment rather than prescribing a penalty for each crime separately. Organizes offenses by type rather than alphabetically. Specifies the types of offenses as follows: (1) offenses of general applicability, including criminal attempt, criminal conspiracy, and criminal solicitation; (2) offenses involving national defense, including treason and related offenses, sabotage and related offenses, espionage and related offenses, and atomic energy offenses; (3) offenses involving international affairs, including foreign relations crimes, and immigration, naturalization, and passport crimes; (4) offenses involving government processes, including general obstructions of government functions, obstructions of law enforcement, obstructions of justice, contempt offenses, perjury and related offenses, and commercial bribery and related offenses; (5) offenses involving taxation, including internal revenue offenses and customs offenses; (6) offenses involving individual rights, including civil rights crimes, privacy crimes, and political rights crimes; (7) offenses involving the person, including homicide offenses, assault offenses, kidnapping and related offenses, highjacking offenses, and sex offenses; (8) offenses involving property, including arson and other property destruction offenses, burglary and other criminal intrusion offenses, robbery, extortion, blackmail, theft and related offenses, counterfeiting and related offenses, commercial bribery and related offenses, and investment, monetary, and antitrust offenses; and (9) offenses involving public order, safety, health, and welfare, including organized crime offenses, drug offenses, explosives and firearms offenses, riot offenses, public health offenses, gambling offenses, obscenity offenses, prostitution, failure to obey an officer, and violating State or local law in a Federal enclave. Includes among new Federal offenses (1) a series of crimes dealing with obstruction of an election and misuse of power for political purposes, (2) consumer fraud, (3) possession of eavesdropping devices, (4) possession of burglar's tools, and (5) conspiracy in the United States to assassinate a foreign official outside the United States. Revises other offenses, among them (1) contempt (adds invalidity of court orders as a defense), (2) unlawful discrimination (includes sex as unlawful basis), (3) rape (includes all sexual assaults, modifies evidentiary requirements and redefines statutory rape), (4) failure to appear or testify (adds new defenses), (5) riot (narrows applicability), and (6) marijuana possession (decriminalizes possession of small amounts and reduces penalties for possessing larger quantities). Repeals provisions defining certain crimes including those relative to registration of Communists and communicating with a foreign country for the purpose of influencing policy. Directs that, except as otherwise specifically provided, a defendant who has been found guilty of an offense described in any Federal statute be sentenced in accordance with this Act. Authorizes a sentencing court to (1) order a presentence study of a defendant, either before or after receipt of the presentence report and commit the defendant to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons pending receipt of such a study or (3) order a presentence psychiatric examination of a defendant. Specifies factors to be considered by a sentencing court, including: (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant; (2) the need for the sentence imposed to deter similar conduct, protect the public, or provide the defendant needed training; and (3) the applicable sentencing range set forth in guidelines promulgated by the United States Sentencing Commission (established in title II of this Act). Authorizes a court to order a person found guilty of deceptive practices to notify interested persons of the conviction. Empower a court to order a guilty defendant to make restriction to a victim of the offense. Authorizes imposition of a term of probation, unless such sentence is specifically prohibited, with respect to all but the most serious class of felonies. Lists permissable terms of probation for each category of offenses. Requires as a mandatory condition of probation that a defendant not commit another crime. Enumerates discretionary conditions of probation. Sets forth provisions relative to the running of a term of probation and revocation of probation. Authorizes imposition of a fine upon any person found guilty of an offense. Sets limits on the amount of a fine for each category of offenses. Prescribes higher maximums for organizational than for individual defendants. Permits as an alternative maximum fine twice the gain derived or twice the loss caused by an offense. Directs the court, in determining the amount of a fine and the method and fine for its payment, to consider the defendants' financial status. Prohibits the court from imposing a term of imprisonment as an alternative to payment of a fine. Details procedures for the modification or remission of a fine. Authorizes the imposition of a term of imprisonment upon an individual found guilty of an offense. Specifies maximum terms for each category of offense. Empowers a court to designate a term of parole ineligibility up to nine-tenths of the sentence imposed. Lists factors to be considered in setting or modifying a term of imprisonment or parole ineligibility. Prescribes guidelines relative to concurrent and consecutive terms. Designates which Federal agency is to have primary responsibility for detecting and investigating the commission of each criminal violation under this Act. Defines the law enforcement authority, including authority to arrest and execute process, of certain officials and employees of the following departments and agencies: (1) Federal Bureau of Investigation, (2) Drug Enforcement Administration, (3) Department of the Treasury, (4) United States Postal Service, (5) United States Marshals Service, (6) United States Probation Service, (7) Bureau of Prisons, (8) Immigration and Naturalization Service, and (9) Department of the Interior. Revises provisions relative to interception of communications for law enforcement purposes. Permits interception of communications with respect to certain crimes not presently covered, such as criminal solicitation of specified offenses and aircraft hijacking. Restricts interception of communications without a court order in emergency situations to offenses involving treason, sabotage, espionage, or a risk of death, rather than to conspiracies involving national security or organized crime. Amends provisions regarding extradition. Repeals provisions relating to extradition of persons fleeing the United States to countries under the control of the United States and to extradition of persons fleeing to the United States from such countries. Prohibits extradition of a person convicted in absentia unless assurances are made that proceedings will be reopened or unless the person fled after having been present when his trial commenced. Details new procedures for the arrest and detention of persons who have committed extraditable offenses. States that extraditability shall be found in an appropriate hearing only upon proof of certain facts, including (1) an applicable treaty covering the offense involved is in effect, (2) the pending criminal charge against the person sought, or the prosecution for the offense of which he was convicted, was brought within any applicable statute of limitations, and (3) probable cause that the person sought and the person arrested are identical and that the person sought has committed or has been convicted of the alleged offense. Permits hearsay to be admitted in extradition hearings. Prescribes standards and procedures for waiver of extradition hearings and for appeal of a judgment issued in such a hearing. Expands the criminal jurisdiction of United States magistrates to authorize trial of all misdemeanors by such officers. Restricts the election of defendant to be tried by a district court rather than by a magistrate to misdemeanors punishable by more than six months imprisonment. Repeals provisions relative to additional bail and demonstration pretrial services agencies. Permits Federal prosecution of a juvenile charged with a Federal felony if such prosecution is in the interest of justice, even though State jurisdiction exists and the appropriate State has adequate juvenile services. Specifies guidelines for (1) surrender to State authorities of persons age 18-21 who are arrested and charged with a Federal offense and (2) pretrial release of juveniles. Increases the time which a juvenile may be detained prior to trial. Authorizes, where in the interest of justice, prosecution as an adult of a juvenile under 16 years of age who is charged with murder. Allows a victim of juvenile delinquency to obtain information regarding final disposition of any action taken as a result of the incident. Revises procedures for determining mental competency to stand trial. Sets limits on the time a person deemed incompetent may be confined. Requires that a person deemed incompetent be released if, after appropriate time limits, he still is incompetent to stand trial, has no prospect of becoming competent, but does not, by clear and convincing evidence, pose a substantial risk to others of serious bodily or property damage. Sets the same standard for hospitalization of persons acquitted by reason of insanity and of mentally ill prisoners due for release as that for persons incompetent to stand trial who have no prospect to attain capacity to do so in the foreseeable future. Directs that psychiatric examinations required under this Act be conducted by at least two psychiatrists or clinical psychologists. Lists guidelines for psychiatric and hospital reports. Permits, unless contrary to a plea agreement or consistent with United States Sentencing Commission policy statements, a defendant to appeal a sentence greater than the maximum allowed under applicable Sentencing Commission guidelines and the Government to appeal a sentence less than the applicable minimum. Sets forth standards and procedures for appellate court review. Details special probation and expungement procedures for first offense drug possessors. Designates as eligible for parole any prisoner (1) who is sentenced to a term of six months or longer and (2) who has served the term of parole eligibility imposed by the sentencing court or six months, whichever occurs later. Directs the United States Parole Commission to grant parole to an eligible prisoner if, having regard for guidelines and pertinent policy statements of the United States Sentencing Commission concerning parole, it determines (1) release at that time is consistent with the factors that led to imposition of the particular sentence, (2) there is no undue risk of failure to conform to the conditions of parole warranted under the circumstances, and (3) release, in light of the prisoner's conduct during incarceration, would not have a substantially adverse effect on institutional discipline. Directs the Bureau of Prisons to conduct a complete study of every prisoner who is due to become eligible for parole. Entitles a prisoner who is eligible for parole to an interview in accordance with specified procedures. Sets forth ranges for terms of parole according to categories of offense. Directs the Parole Commission to set conditions of parole, taking into consideration any guidelines or statements of the Sentencing Commission, the circumstances of the offense, the history of the parolee, the need to protect the public from further crimes of the parolee, and the need of the parolee for educational, medical, and other services. Requires as a mandatory condition that the parolee not commit another crime. Details procedures for revocation of parole and appeal of Parole Commission decisions. Increases the number of crimes with respect to which proceeds, instrumentalities, and other property may be forfeited. Prescribes forfeiture procedures. Empowers the Attorney General to bring civil actions to prevent and restrain racketeering offenses and to enjoin a practice that constitutes or could constitute a fraudulent scheme or consumer fraud. Establishes in the Treasury a Victim Compensation Fund from which victims of Federal crimes against the person or their surviving dependents may be compensated upon filing a claim with the United States Victim Compensation Board. Conditions compensation upon the offense having been reported to a law enforcement officer within 72 hours, the claim being filed within one year of the offense, and the claimant sustaining a certain minimum loss. Limits compensation to $50,000 per victim per offense. Reduces compensation by amounts received from certain other sources. Excludes from the recodification numerous provisions presently included in Title 18, among them the provisions of the Speedy Trial Act. Title II: Miscellaneous Amendments - Reenacts specified sections of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 and of the Gun Control Act of 1968 which are not included in Title 18 of the United States Code as recodified by this Act as parts of those respective Acts. Provides for punishment of persons violating those sections through the sentencing provisions of Title 18. Revises the oath which must be submitted by an absentee buyer seeking to purchase a firearm from a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer. Adds a new rule on burdens of proof to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure which sets forth standards relative to (1) proof of offenses, defenses, affirmative defenses, and jurisdiction and (2) presumptions and prima facie evidence. Reenacts, with certain revisions, provisions regarding jurisdiction over offenses committed in Indian country which are not included in the recodification. Confers jurisdiction on Kansas and New York with regard to offenses committed by or against Indians on Indian reservations. Establishes a United States Sentencing Commission as an independent Commission in the judicial branch. Designates as the primary duty of the Commission promulgation of (1) guidelines setting forth ranges of sentences to be used by sentencing courts in accordance with the provisions of this Act and (2) general policy statements regarding application of the guidelines and other aspects of sentencing. Directs the Commission to develop, taking into consideration enumerated factors, categories of offenses and defendants for use in creating its sentencing guidelines. Reenacts certain provisions deleted from Title 18 by this Act regarding gathering and disclosing national defense or classified information as parts of the Subversive Activities Control Act of 1950 and the Espionage and Sabotage Act of 1954. Retains the criminal penalties specified in those sections and stipulates that sections of Title 18 on culpable states of mind shall not apply to such provisions. Title III: General Provisions - States that any holding that a provision or application of a provision of this Act is invalid shall not effect the validity of other provisions or applications of a provision. Continues the Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Prison Industries, which were created under sections of Title 18 deleted by this Act, under Title 28 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure). Sets as the effective date of this Act the first day of the calendar month first beginning 24 months after enactment, with the exceptions of sections establishing the United States Sentencing Commission which are to take effect upon enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1977
Gives Congressional endorsement to the efforts of the United States Delegation to the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea to achieve a multilateral treaty which articulates the principle that deep seabed resources are the common heritage of all people and should be utilized with a view to distributing revenues to all countries. Endorses particularly the establishment of an International Seabed Authority to regulate such a system.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
Tertiary Eye Center Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to identify tertiary eye care centers that need upgrading and to make grants to accomplish such purpose. Directs the Secretary to create a Tertiary Eye Commission to assess the present state of eye care facilities in the United States, to develop plans for improving and expanding such facilities, and to make grants to public and nonprofit private tertiary eye care centers to implement such upgrading. Requires the Commission, within two years of enactment of this Act, to submit to the Secretary and the President a final report, and to submit such interim reports as are necessary, with respect to its activities. Authorizes the appropriation of $21,000,000 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1977
Legal Services Corporation Amendments Act - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to subject the Corporation and each State advisory council established under such Act to Government in the Sunshine Act requirements regarding open meetings. Authorizes the Corporation to carry out its research, training, and assistance functions by means of grant or contract. Permits up to ten percent of the funds appropriated to the Corporation to be used for such purposes. Requires a court appointing an attorney employed by an organization receiving assistance under the Legal Services Corporation Act to provide for reasonable compensation for such attorney, unless the appointment is made pursuant to a law or practice applied generally to all lawyers appearing before the court. States that attorneys receiving more than one-half their annual professional income from an organization established for the sole purpose of providing legal assistance under the Legal Services Corporation Act shall be deemed to be State or local employees for purposes of provisions prohibiting certain activities of such employees in connection with partisan politics. Repeals restrictions on political activities unrelated to legal assistance with respect to such attorneys. Revises guidelines regarding eligibility for, and priorities relative to, such assistance. Revises the limitations on the use of funds made available by the Corporation to (1) permit the provision of legal assistance with respect to criminal matters where a person is charged with an offense involving hunting, fishing, trapping, or gathering fruit of the land, a defense asserted involves rights arising from an Indian treaty, or a person is charged with a misdemeanor or lesser offense in an Indian tribal court; and (2) eliminate prohibitions against providing legal assistance to un-emancipated persons less than 18 years of age or in connection with a proceeding relative to school desegregation or a selective service or military violation; and (3) revise the prohibition against providing legal assistance to organize or encourage the formation of any organization or coalition. Authorizes appropriations for carrying out the activities of the Corporation through fiscal year 1979. Authorizes the appointment of independent hearing examiners to preside over hearings to suspend or terminate assistance under the Legal Service Corporation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
New Jersey Pine Barrens National Ecological Reserve Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants to the State of New Jersey for the development of a plan for the conservation of natural resources in the Pine Barrens area in New Jersey. Sets requirements for such grants, including the establishment of a management commission. Requires the Secretary to publish specified guidelines for the contents of such plan. Authorizes the Secretary, upon approval of the New Jersey plan, to establish the Pine Barrens National Ecological Reserve, to acquire lands within the reserve and to transfer such lands and other Federal lands to the State, and to make grants to the management commission for the acquisition of land in the reserve, compensation to landowners, and payments in lieu of taxes to local governments. Allows the Secretary to retain a reversionary right in such transferred lands and authorizes him to establish a federally-managed National Ecological Reserve upon the failure or nonsubmission of the plan. Requires the establishment of a Pinelands Citizens Advisory Committee, prior to approval of the State plan, to consult with the management commission established under such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1977
Authorizes and requests the President to designate November 16 of each year as "National Grandparents Day."
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
District of Columbia Retirement Reform Act - Title I: Financing of Retirement Benefits - Establishes the District of Columbia Retirement Board to exercise exclusive authority to manage and control the funds established by this Title. Details provisions relating to the Board's composition, the election and terms of office of Board members, the procedures to be followed by the Board, and the financing of the Board's operations. Establishes the District of Columbia Policemen and Firemen's Retirement Fund into which shall be deposited: (1) amounts withheld from the salaries of, and deposited by, members of the Metropolitan Police and the Fire Department of the District of Columbia, pursuant to the Policemen and Firemen's Retirement and Disability Act, (2) amounts appropriated to the Fund pursuant to this Act, and (3) amounts made as return on investment of the assets of the Fund. Establishes the District of Columbia Teachers' Retirement Fund into which shall be deposited: (1) amounts withheld from the salaries of, and amounts deposited by, each teacher in the public schools of the District of Columbia for such teachers' retirement account, (2) amounts appropriated to the Fund pursuant to this Act, and (3) amounts made as return on investment of the assets of the Fund. Establishes the District of Columbia Judges' Retirement Fund into which shall be deposited: (1) amounts withheld from the salaries of, and amounts deposited by, judges of the District of Columbia Court of of Appeals and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, (2) amounts appropriated to the Fund pursuant to this Act, and (3) amounts made as return on investment of the assets of the Fund. Requires that the assets of each Fund established by this Act be kept separate from other moneys, but not necessarily kept separate from one another if the Board determines that commingling of such assets is advisable for investment purposes. Requires the Board to maintain a cash reserve for the Funds sufficient to meet current annuity and disability benefit outlays. Prohibits the investment of assets of the funds in obligations issued or guaranteed in whole or in part by the government of the District of Columbia, the government of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the government of the State of Maryland, or the government of any political subdivision thereof, or in obligations secured by real property in the District of Columbia, Virginia, or Maryland. Directs the Board to engage an enrolled actuary to periodically determine: (1) the amount required to be deposited in each Fund annually in perpetuity in order to meet the cost of annuities and other retirement and disability benefits payable in perpetuity from the Fund less the amount of employee contributions to the Fund; (2) in years before fiscal year 2004, the base level amount required to be deposited in each fund annually in perpetuity to meet the cost of annuities and other retirement and disability benefits payable from the Fund less the amount of employee contributions; and (3) the amount received to meet the obligations of each Fund for the next fiscal year less employee contributions for such period. Sets forth formulae to determine annual Federal amortization payments and annual District of Columbia payments to each Fund. Authorizes the appropriations of specified sums from the revenues of the United States and from amounts in the United States Treasury credited to the District of Columbia for Federal and District of Columbia contributions to each Fund, respectively. Requires each member of the Board to submit detailed annual personal financial disclosure statements to Congress and the D.C. government. Directs the Board to publish annual reports with respect to each retirement program and corresponding Fund to which this Act applies. Requires that each such report include: (1) a financial statement containing a statement of Fund assets and liabilities, a statement of changes in net assets available for benefits under the retirement program, and other specified information; (2) an opinion by an independent public accountant as to whether such financial statement is presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles; (3) an actuarial statement containing specified information relating to the Fund and retirement program; (4) information relating to the number of employees covered by the retirement program, persons receiving compensation from the Fund, and specified changes to the Funds' operation; and (5) a report from each insurance company or similar organization from which program benefits are purchased or which guarantees such benefits. Directs the Board to prepare summary retirement programs descriptions to be supplied to each participant in, and beneficiary under, each retirement program to which this Act applies. Requires that annual reports and copies of summary retirement program descriptions, including periodic updates containing material modification, be filed with the Mayor of the District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Council, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Empowers the Mayor, the Council, or either House of Congress to reject any filing upon making specified findings. Suspends Federal contributions to any Fund with respect to which a filing is rejected or no timely filing has been made pending an acceptable filing. Requires that copies of such reports and descriptions be made available for public inspection. Designates the Board and each member of the Board fiduciaries with respect to the Funds. Authorizes the Board to designate one or more persons to exercise fiduciary responsibilities with respect to Funds established by this Act but places with the Board fiduciary responsibility for the oversight of any person so designated. Lists standards and guidelines to be followed by fiduciaries in the discharge of their duties. Specifies circumstances under which a fiduciary shall be liable for a breach of fiduciary duty by another fiduciary. Prohibits a fiduciary from causing the Fund to engage in specified transactions with interested parties or with itself. Deems void any provision in an agreement instrument which purports to relieve a fiduciary of responsibility or liability. Permits the Board, fiduciaries, and groups of retirement program participants to purchase insurance to cover liability or losses arising from a breach of fiduciary duty. Prohibits any person convicted of specified crimes from serving as an administrator, fiduciary, counsel, or employee of, or as a consultant to, and Fund established by this Act within five years of any such conviction or release from imprisonment, unless the Board of Parole of the United States determines that such person's service with the Fund would not be contrary to the purposes of this Act. Requires every fiduciary of a Fund established by this Title and every person who handles its funds to be bonded. Sets forth criminal penalties for violation of fiduciary obligations. Creates civil causes of action for the benefit of specified plaintiffs to enforce the provisions of this Act. Specifies time limits within which civil action grounded on breach of fiduciary duty must be brought. Title II: Changes in Retirement Benefits - Revises the method for determining the salary base period for computation of annuities of participants in the District of Columbia Policemen and Firemen's Retirement Fund. Permits any member or officer of the Metropolitan Police or Fire Department who is on approved leave without pay to serve as a full-time official of an employee organization to have such service credited towards his retirement upon meeting specific requirements. Sets forth separate procedures and standards for members of the Metropolitan Police and the Fire Department with respect to (1) eligibility for voluntary retirement, (2) eligibility for disability retirement, (3) amount of disability annuities, (4) suspension of disability annuities, (5) physical examination of disability annuitants, and (6) amount of survivors annuities. EnTitles any such member who completes five years of service and who is thereafter separated from service other than through disability retirement or voluntary optional retirement to elect to either (1) receive at the time of separation the amount of deductions from such individual's salary deposited in the Fund, or (2) receive an annuity beginning on the first day of the month during which such individual attains age 55 or on the first day of the month after such individual's separation from service, whichever occurs later. Authorizes cost-of-living adjustments in annuities payable from the District of Columbia Policemen and Firemen's Retirement Fund. Permits the Mayor to waive collection of any overpayment to an annuitant if such overpayment is less than $100. Permits the Mayor, in the case of payments due to mental incompetents or minors, to make payment to any person, who in his judgement, is responsible for the care of such claimant. Authorizes cost-of-living adjustments in annuities payable from the District of Columbia Teacher's Retirement Fund and District of Columbia Judges' Retirement Fund. Revises the means for determining eligibility for each such adjustment. Revises the amount of benefits due under a teacher's annuity in the event the named beneficiary of such annuity predeceases the annuitant.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
District of Columbia Retirement Reform Act - Establishes three retirement funds encompassing: (1) District of Columbia firefighters and police officers; (2) District of Columbia teachers; and (3) District of Columbia judges. Establishes the District of Columbia Retirement Board to manage the retirement funds created by this Act. Details provisions relative to the administration of such funds and revises provisions relating to specified retirement and disability benefits under the retirement programs of such personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to make Federal ship mortgage insurance available for obligations for fishing vessels which do not exceed 87 1/2 percent of the actual or depreciated cost of such vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Declares a state of war against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1977
Energy Conservation Tax Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow limited, nonrefundable income tax credits for individuals who: (1) install qualified insulation in their residences; (2) install qualified solar heating and cooling equipment in dwelling units used by them, or leased to others as residences; (3) replace the heating system in any dwelling with a reversible, compressible refrigerant system (i.e., a heat pump system); or (4) purchase personal or family electric highway vehicles between 1976 and 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Establishes, in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, the Lowell National Cultural Park consisting of a preservation zone and an intensive use zone. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish the boundaries of such zones. Permits the Secretary to either enter into cooperative agreements with property owners to preserve and maintain property within the park or to acquire such property within the intensive use zone by purchase or condemnation if the parties have failed to reach an agreement through negotiation. Permits the Secretary to enter into agreements with Federal agencies or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for firefighting, law enforcement or other specified assistance. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a park management plan and to establish standards applicable to the construction and use of properties within the intensive use zone. Requires any Federal agency conducting activities affecting the park to conform to such standards. Establishes the Lowell National Cultural Park Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary on the boundaries of the park and the development and use of properties and activities within the park.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Sludge Management Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to study the environmental, health, and economic effects of subsurface landfilling sludge on soils and ground water, and alternate methods of sludge disposal. Directs the Administrator to develop guidelines for sludge disposal and land-spreading in order to protect the public health and welfare. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States and localities of up to 40 percent of the cost of removal of sludge from navigable waters of the United States or any adjacent shoreline. Directs the Administrator to establish an Environmental Protection Agency Task Force on sludge removal. Authorizes the establishment of programs of training, demonstration, and surveys relating to the restoration of water quality where degraded by sludge. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit grants for treatment works, after September 30, 1976, unless the applicant demonstrates that adequate confined disposal methods will be provided.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Part-Time Career Opportunity Act - Sets forth a time schedule for the required introduction of part-time jobs in each grade in each Federal agency, at a rate of two percent each year for five years. Authorizes the Civil Service Commission to waive or reduce any such percentage minimum for a period not to exceed one year under specified circumstances. Deems such decision a final agency action for judicial review purposes. Declares the provisions of this Act to be nonapplicable to situations where a collective bargaining agreement is in effect which establishes the number of hours of employment in a week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Campaign Financing Act -- Title I: Public Financing of Congressional General Election Campaigns - Entitles to payments under this Act Congressional candidates who agree to certain reporting and recordkeeping procedures and who certify that (1) he and his authorized committees will not incur campaign expenses in excess of certain limitations, (2) he has qualified to have his name placed on the election ballot in an election for Congressional office, and (3) he has received contributions in excess of a certain sum and no person has given more than $100 toward the amount so certified. Sets the amount of payments to an eligible candidate at the amount of contributions received up to a specified maximum. Stipulates that sums given by any one contributor totalling over $100 shall be disregarded for purposes of matching grants. Restricts use of funds forwarded under this Act to defraying campaign expenses either directly or through repayment of campaign loans. Specifies a limit on the amount of personal funds which a candidate may spend in connection with a Congressional campaign and remain eligible to matching grants. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to specify spending limits for candidates receiving payments under this Act. Waives such limits for candidates whose opponents are not receiving matching payments and have spent sums in excess of the limit imposed for candidates receiving payments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a separate Congressional General Election Payment Account in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and to deposit certain sums in such account in accordance with specified guidelines. Requires repayment of excess payments and unexpended payments. Penalizes use of funds for other than campaign purposes. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to institute repayment actions in district courts. Specifies the administrative authority of the Commission in carrying out this Act. Title II: Public Financing of Presidential General Election Campaigns - Raises the general election spending limit for Presidential candidates who are eligible to receive public funds under either the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act or the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act. Sets limits on the amount which a State party committee may spend in connection with the general election campaign of its Presidential candidate. Provides an alternative method for determining the amount of money to which candidates are entitled under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act based upon amount of contributions received after the final primary. Specifies conditions for candidates electing such method. Permits Presidential candidates eligible to receive payment under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act to receive additional small contributions from individual contributors up to a specified limit. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reduce the maximum amount which a multicandidate committee may contribute to any candidate or his committees. Specifies the effective date of the provisions of this Act and guidelines with respect to deposit in the Congressional General Election Campaign Fund during 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to define sex discrimination for employment purposes to include discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. Prohibits an employer providing benefits under a fringe benefit program which is in violation of this Act from reducing benefits or compensation in order to comply with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Provides that the brochure entitled "How Our Laws Are Made" be printed as a House document and that 246,000 copies be printed, of which 25,000 shall be for the use of the Committee on the Judiciary and the balance prorated to the Members of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit any corporation engaged in any activity affecting commerce from acquiring stock, other share capital, or assets of one or more corporations where the effect of such requisition is the substantial lessening of competition or the tendency to create a monopoly.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to designate lands in Hyde Park, New York, as the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site and to acquire such lands. Directs the Secretary to manage the site and to arrange studies, lectures, and seminars to be conducted at the site through agreements with qualified public or private entities. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Solar and Energy Conservation Commercialization Act - Amends the National Housing Act to specify additional types of Solar energy systems eligible for financial assistance under such Act. Stipulates that such systems shall include solar heating and cooling and hot water systems, geothermal and wind energy systems, and other energy conservation measures and equipment such as insulation, heat pumps and devices to improve furnace efficiency. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants and loans to individuals and families to assist in the purchase of solar, renewable source, and energy conservation measures and equipment. Authorizes grants and loans for similar purposes to neighborhood, community, or nonprofit groups. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make loans to small businesses to assist in the purchase and installation of solar, renewable source, and energy conservation improvements and equipment. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and the Federal Energy Administrator to cooperate in carrying out the provisions of this Act and to jointly submit an annual report to the President and the Congress on activities carried out under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1978 through 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act - Allows an income tax credit for 30 percent of the expenditures not exceeding $750 which the taxpayer paid or incurred during the taxable year for installation of insulation or energy-conserving components which improve heating plant efficiency in his principal residence. Limits the application of this credit to expenditures paid or incurred for installations made between 1976 and 1982 in pre-existing dwellings. Reduces the allowable credit, on a graduated scale, for individuals with adjusted gross incomes greater than $10,000. Allows an income tax credit for 40 percent of the first $1,500, and a secondary credit for 25 percent of the next $7,600 paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year for the installation of qualified solar, wind and geothermal energy equipment in his principal residence. Allows an income tax credit for 20 percent of the first $1,500, and a secondary credit for 12.5 percent of the next $7,600 paid or incurred for the installation of wood stove, heat pump, or burner equipment in connection with new solar, wind or geothermal energy equipment which will be the principal source of space heat in the taxpayer's principal residence. Reduces these limitations in subsequent tax years by subtracting the amounts taken into account for these credits in previous tax years. Limits these credits to equipment installed between 1976 and 1982. Prorates each of the above credits for residential improvements among joint owners and cooperative shareholders according to their proportionate interests in the residential property. Provides for the carryover of any allowable credit which exceeds the taxpayer's current income tax liability. Reduces the allowable credits, on a graduated scale for and Conservation Act. persons with adjusted gross incomes greater than $15,000. Allows an investment tax credit for 25 percent of the qualified investment cost of depreciable geothermal, solar or wind energy equipment placed in service. Allows such a credit for 12 percent of the qualified costs of ventilation, heating, water and other components primarily designed to reduce the heat loss or gain of a structure, and origin ally used by the taxpayer. Prohibits these credits for property originally funded with Federal grants, or located in States which take these energy conserving measures into account for property assessment, or which don't enforce the thermal design requirements of the Energy Policy
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to direct the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to assist less developed countries in the development and utilization of unconventional, nonnuclear energy technologies. Authorizes the Administrator, in cooperation with the Agency for International Development, to conduct studies on the energy needs, uses, and resources in other countries. Stipulates that such studies should be designed to result in the establishment of an information system permitting transfers of unconventional, nonnuclear energy technologies to impoverished areas of the world. Requires that results of such studies and recommendations for cooperative projects be reported to Congress by July 1, 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 to the Energy Research and Development Administration for fiscal year 1978 for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Agricultural Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Title I: Existing Programs - Amends the Bankhead-Jones Act of 1935 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct and to stimulate research and development relating to uses of solar energy with respect to farm buildings, farm homes and farm machinery. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 each fiscal year to carry out such research and development. Includes the agricultural uses of solar energy in the agricultural extension programs. Directs that loans, under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, be made for the purchase of farm equipment which utilizes solar energy and for the acquisition and installation of any qualified solar energy thermal conversion system in any residential structure located on a family farm. Title II: Solar Demonstration Farms - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Research and Demonstration Planning Committee which shall be responsible for compiling a list of solar energy research projects and for meeting with regional representatives of the State departments of agriculture to determine which projects will be useful and beneficial to the several States. Requires each State department of agriculture to establish one large model farm and within one year to establish not less than ten demonstrations of solar energy research projects using the most efficient or practicable research projects demonstrated on such model farm. Stipulates the terms of any agreement entered into between selected farmowners and the State departments of agriculture for the establishment of such demonstration projects. Authorizes the appropriation of $20,000,000 for the purposes of this title, of which 80 percent is to be used by State departments of agriculture for the model farm and demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Title I: Small Business Act Amendments - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make loans to assist small business concerns in financing plant construction and the acquisition of equipment and supplies for the producing of solar energy or other energy conserving equipment. Authorizes the appropriation of $75,000,000 for such purpose. Authorizes the Administration to provide additional assistance to small businesses in the area of training seminars and technical manuals on the design, installation, and maintenance of solar energy equipment. Title II: Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 Amendments - Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to establish an Office of Invention and Innovation in the Energy Research and Development Administration. Authorizes the Office to evaluate proposals for the development of energy-related inventions and to provide financial assistance for the development of such inventions. Stipulates that not less than 20 percent of the funds appropriated to the Energy Research and Development Administration for solar energy programs shall be expended for the benefit of small business concerns and individual inventors. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to encourage the participation of individuals and small businesses in the research, development, and advancement of energy-conserving technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish energy production and conservation assistance to developing countries, including solar, wind, and water projects. Authorizes consultative visits by the Energy Research and Development Administration to design such projects. Authorizes the President to carry out studies to identify the energy needs, uses, and resources of various countries and regions, with special emphasis on the transfer of energy technology. Requires that $10,000,000 of appropriations for development assistance for fiscal year 1978 be spent only for these purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Ocean Dumping Amendments Act -- Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to authorize the issuance of interim permits through December 31, 1981, for ocean dumping without regard to preexisting criteria. Limits such interim authorizations to persons already engaged in dumping of similar materials prior to the enactment of the Act, and where such person has no feasible alternative for disposal other than ocean dumping. Stipulates that such interim permits shall be reviewable on an annual basis. Requires that holders of interim permits expend adequate funds for research into alternate methods of material disposal, subject to conditions specified by the Administrator of the Environmental Protections Agency. Requires applicants for permits to pay a processing fee for administrative costs directly incurred in the processing of permits. Directs the Administrator to conduct studies to reduce or eliminate the dumping of radiological, chemical, or biological warfare agents or high-level radioactive wastes into ocean waters. Repeals various authorities of the Secretary of Commerce with respect to evaluation of substantive programs of other agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to study the feasibility of using solar energy in connection with the operation of House Office Buildings and related structures and to report to the House of Representatives within one year of the adoption of this resolution. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000 to be expended by the Architect under the direction of the House Office Building Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Directs the Federal Energy Administrator to establish methods of determining the life cycle cost effectiveness for buildings, considering the life cycle fuel and energy requirements for such buildings. Requires that all Federal buildings be life cycle cost effective and that such determination serve as a basis for the awarding of contracts in the procurement and leasing of new Federal buildings. Directs the Administrator to promote the use of life cycle cost effective methods in all buildings. Directs the Administrator to establish energy performance targets for existing buildings which are compatible with new building performance standards developed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Requires all Federal agencies to conduct an energy audit of existing buildings within their jurisdiction. Requires that a specified percentage of the gross square footage of building space be selected by each agency for retrofitting with appropriate energy conservation measures. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 to the Administrator to perform the functions as authorized or required under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of additional sums as necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Automotive Transport Research and Development Act - Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to establish a program to develop advanced automobile propulsion systems within five years of the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to make grants for research projects designed to assist the furtherance of such program. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to evaluate and report the extent to which the automobile industry utilizes advanced automotive technology. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to test vehicles developed pursuant to the program established by this Act, in order to determine compliance with applicable standards under the Clean Air Act and the Noise Control Act of 1972. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to test such vehicles in order to determine compliance with applicable standards under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, and the Automobile Information Disclosure Act. Establishes contracting procedures consistent with applicable provisions of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to submit annual reports to Congress of activities pursuant to this Act, including results of economic surveys designed to evaluate the extent to which Federal guarantees of financial obligations may aid in developing commercial markets for advanced automobile technology. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to require that efforts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration be directed towards the development of advanced automobile propulsion systems. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 and $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 to carry out the purposes of this Act. Stipulates that no more than 60 percent of such appropriations shall be directly expended in Federal laboratories.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Makes changes in the management program of Redwood National Park, California, including authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to alter the boundaries of the Park Protection Zone. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire specified lands and sets forth procedures for such takings. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual written report on such acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Declares that specified persons previously appointed as temporary hearing examiner's under the Supplemental Security Income program of the Social Security Act shall be considered appointed to career-absolute positions as hearing examiners.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Authorizes an officer who seizes explosives in connection with an offense involving forfeiture to destroy the explosives in compliance with specified guidelines, where removal and storage is impracticable or unsafe.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Public Participation in Federal Agency Proceedings Act - Authorizes each Federal agency to award reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of participation in all rulemaking, ratemaking, licencing, and other proceedings which relate directly to the health, safety, civil rights, environment, and economic well-being of consumers in the marketplace. Permits such awards if the person participating in the agency proceeding represents an interest the representation of which contributes or can reasonably be expected to contribute substantially to a fair determination of the proceeding, and the economic interest of the person in the outcome is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the proceeding or the person demonstrates to the satisfaction of the agency that such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the proceeding absent an award under this Act. Requires the agency to make a determination of eligibility under this Act prior to timely participation in the proceeding if at all possible. Requires payment of an award under this Act within 90 days after the date of final decision. Allows such agency to make advance payments to permit the persons to participate or to continue to participate in the proceeding. Makes such recipient liable for repayment of such advance if the agency determines that the person clearly has not provided the representation for which the payments were made or that the person has acted in an obdurate, dilatory, mendacious, or oppressive manner toward any other participant. Permits persons seeking judicial review of a Federal agency's action to recover attorneys' fees and other reasonable costs of litigation from the United States if: (1) the plaintiff is afforded the relief sought in substantial measure; (2) the court determines that such action served an important public purpose; and (3) the economic interest of the person is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the action, or such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the action absent an award under this section. Requires the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit to Congress an annual report on awards of attorneys' fees and litigation expenses against the United States. Authorizes to be appropriated (1) for awards to participants in agency proceedings under this Act, $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980; and (2) for awards to persons seeking judicial review of agency actions under this Act, such sums as may be necessary to make such awards for actions brought prior to the end of fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Makes the killing of an officer or employee of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms who's performing official duties a Federal crime.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Makes it a Federal criminal offense to kill any officer or employee of the Federal Communications Commission engaged in the performance of official duties.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Directs the printing of the pamphlet, "Black Americans in Congress," as a House document.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Civil Rights Commission Authorization Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1957 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1978, for the Commission on Civil Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Title I: Survey and Certification, Rate-Setting and Audit, and General Regulation of Long Term Care Facilities Under Medicaid Programs - Directs that State plans under Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act must provide that no skilled nursing facility may receive payments under such plan unless and until it is approved to receive payments under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Requires the State plan to give the State agency the power to terminate reimbursement to a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility which such agency has found has violated its provider agreement. States that payment of the skilled nursing facility and intermediate care facility services shall be based upon a prospective cost based method of computation in which the audited costs of rendering service in such facilities in a prior year is updated through the use of economic indices to the year in which payment is made. Requires that any skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility receiving payments under such plan be required to maintain with the State agency a bond in such amount, under such terms, and in such form as the State agency may direct. Title II: Medical, Psychological, and Social Assessment of Patients In Need of Long Term Care under Medicare and Medicaid Programs - Directs that payments for services furnished an individual may be made only to eligible providers of services and only if a physician certifies that such services are necessary, based on such patient assessment criteria as the Secretary may require.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and Policy - Declares that most of the nation's coal reserve can only be mined by underground methods. Lists the purposes of this Act, including the establishment of a nationwide program to prevent adverse effects to society and the environment from surface coal mining. Title II: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement - Establishes in the Interior Department the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement with a Director appointed by the President. States that such Office shall administer the programs required by this Act and assist the States in development of State programs for surface coal mining and reclamation. States that the Office shall be considered an independent Federal regulatory body. Title III: State Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior of sums adequate to provide for each participating State $200,000 for fiscal year 1978, $300,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $400,000 for each fiscal year thereafter for five years, to assist the States in carrying on the work of a competent and qualified mining and mineral resources research institute or center at the school of mines of one public college or university of the State. Requires such monies to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the States. Authorizes appropriations of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, such sum to be increased by $2,000,000 each fiscal year for six years thereafter, for specific projects in mining and mineral research in institutes. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projected scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Requires the Secretary to appoint an Advisory Committee on Mining and Mineral Research for advice on all matters concerning mining and mineral resources research. Title IV: Abandoned Mine Reclamation - Creates the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund in the Treasury. Requires operators of coal mines to pay into the fund quarterly fees of $.35 per ton of coal produced by surface mining and $.15 per ton of coal produced by underground mining, or ten percent of the value of the coal in the mine, whichever is less. Authorizes use of money in the Fund for acquisition and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mine lands and for acquisitions and fillings of voids and sealing of tunnels and entryways in abandoned mines. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into agreements with landowners of water rights under which such landowners shall furnish a conservation and development plan and shall effect such plan in return for financial assistance from the Secretary of Agriculture of up to 80 percent of the cost of such a reclamation effort. Encourages States to acquire abandoned and unreclaimed land, and to transfer it to the Secretary for reclamation, and authorizes matching grants for such purpose, up to 90 percent of the land price. Allows resale of reclaimed land by public bidding, and allows local public participation in determining the use of reclaimed land. Title V: Control of the Environmental Impacts of Surface Coal Mining - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to publish, within 180 days of the enactment of this Act, regulations which establish a permanent regulatory procedure and performance standards for surface coal mining and reclamation standards. Requires the Secretary to obtain the concurrence of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to regulations concerned with air or water quality standards. Establishes a permit program to require mining operators to comply with environmental protection standards. Allows State control over surface mining permits if certain requirements are met. Authorizes the implementation of a Federal program if States fail to act. Permits State laws and regulations that are more stringent than those set forth pursuant to this Act. Requires permit applications to describe the method of mining and equipment proposed to be used, to describe by maps the land to be affected, and to contain a statement of results of test borings or core samplings of the affected land. Stipulates that permits must be accompanied by a mining and reclamation plan which shall include a description of present uses of the land, steps to be taken to prevent environmental damage and a description of the reclamation activities. Requires the posting of performance bonds and possession of liability insurance by applicants for permits. Requires the establishment of coal exploration regulations by appropriate State and Federal authorities. Requires that such regulations include provisions for reclamation of lands disturbed in exploration activities. Imposes the following general environmental performance standards on surface mining operations as a condition of the issuance of a permit under this Act: (1) restoration of the land affected to a prior use, consistent with public health and safety; (2) restoration to the original contour of the land and backfilling, grading, and compacting the excess overburden and other waste materials to attain the lowest grade; (3) removal and segregation of topsoil in a separate layer where it is able to support vegetation; (4) minimization of disturbances to the hydrologic balance at the mine site and surrounding areas by eliminating or reducing toxic drainage, siltation, and contamination problems; (5) conformity with standards for the design and location of coal mine waste piles; and (6) establishment of a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetation on regraded areas. Stipulates that the regulatory authority shall make test borings of core samplings for mining operators with an estimated annual production of less than 250,000 tons of coal. Establishes additional requirements for steep-slope surface mining operations. Defines the term "steep-slope" to include any slope above 20 degrees or lesser slopes as may be defined by the regulatory authority. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations directed at the surface effects of underground mining. Directs and authorizes inspection of surface coal mining and reclamation to determine compliance with this Act and regulations. Provides requirements for recordkeeping and submittal and monitoring by mine operators. Imposes civil penalties for violation of this Act or regulations under it. Establishes procedures for citizen suits and judicial review of actions under this Act. Establishes conditions under which mine operators may request a release of all or part of the performance bond. Requires public notice and hearings upon applications for such releases. Requires States to establish, as a condition of assuming primary regulatory control, a planning process designed to identify lands unsuitable for surface coal mining. Requires designation of lands as unsuitable if it can be shown that reclamation pursuant to the requirements of the Act is not feasible. Authorizes designation of lands as unsuitable where operations mining will: (1) be incompatible with land use plans or programs; (2) affect fragile or historic lands of significant historic, scientific or esthetic value; (3) affect renewable land resources with an impact on long-range food and water supply; and (4) increase a significant hazard to life and property, including the possibility of flood and earthquake damage. Prohibits surface coal mining operations on certain Federal lands, or within 100 feet of a public road or within 300 feet of a building or dwelling, unless the consent of the affected public or private interest is obtained. Requires implementation of a Federal lands program applicable to all surface coal mining and reclamation activities pursuant to Federal laws or taking place on Federal lands. Requires that coal exploration operations which substantially disturb the natural land surface on such lands be subject to a permit program established by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires separate regulations for programs for special bituminous coal surface mines that meet specified criteria, and for anthracite coal surface mines which are regulated by environmental protection standards of the States. Title VI: Designation of Lands Unsuitable for Noncoal Mining - Allows the Secretary to designate Federal lands unsuitable for mining materials other than coal, if they are predominantly urban or suburban in character or if such mining operations would have an adverse impact on lands used primarily for residential and related purposes. Title VII: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees for filing suit under this Act and for testifying in a proceeding under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual grants to the States to assist the States in developing, administering, and enforcing State programs under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training, and assistance in preparing and maintaining a continuing inventory of information on surface coal mining and reclamation projects. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering for a study of surface coal mining conditions in Alaska in order to determine which, if any, of the provisions of this Act should be modified with respect to such operations in Alaska. Directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering and other groups for a study of the technology for surface and open-pit mining and reclamation for minerals other than coal designed to assist in the development of regulation for such operations. Directs the Secretary to consult with Indian tribes in studying the regulation of surface mining on Indian lands. Requires all surface coal mining operations on Indian lands to comply with requirements at least as stringent as specified provisions in this Act within 30 months from the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums to carry out this Act: (1) for various contract authority, $10,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980; (2) for the performance of test borings by the regulatory authority, an amount reserved for such purpose from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund not to exceed $40,000 per fiscal year; (3) for administrative and other purposes, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $20,000,000 for fiscal years 1979 and 1980, and $30,000,000 for fiscal years thereafter; and (4) for research and demonstration projects of alternative coal mining technologies, $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, and for the next four years. Stipulates that no new budget authority for fiscal year 1977 is authorized by the provisions of this Act.