United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1976
Older Americans Health Services Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to increase the amounts authorized to be appropriated in fiscal year 1976 through 1978 for purposes of informational exchange on the subject of restraining programs for older Americans. Allows the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants under such Act to cover the cost of administering and operating multipurpose senior centers. Declares it the sense of Congress that any Federal legislation establishing a national health insurance program should include specified provisions relating to the availability of home health services for older persons.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1976
Amends the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to give special emphasis to insuring mortgages covering medical practice facilities which are primarily for the purpose of providing preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services to elderly outpatients. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to entitle a grant recipient to an additional grant if such recipient plans to use such additional grant for the construction or maintenance of a senior center providing recreational, health, and nutritional services. Directs the Secretary to insure mortgages made in connection with senior centers offering health, nutritional, recreational, and social facilities to elderly persons, regardless of whether such centers offer housing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1976
Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to direct the Corporation to provide financial assistance to qualified programs designed to furnish legal assistance to eligible older persons in connection with any determination relating to eligibility or payment for home health services or specified health-related hearings under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1976
Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a Home Health Clearinghouse. Directs such Clearinghouse to establish and maintain a computer system to gather information on services and benefits available to the elderly through public and private agencies. Directs the Clearinghouse to publish and keep current a publication describing services and benefits available to the elderly under Federal law. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to establish and maintain the Clearinghouse. Creates in the Department an Assistant Secretary for Elderly Health, to perform specified duties, including the coordination of Department policy relating to the health of the elderly and coordination of the interagency task force on long-term home and institutional care of the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1976
Establishes the House Committee on Health which shall have the responsibility for investigating health measures generally, health facilities, health care programs, national health insurance, public health and quarantine, and biomedical research and development.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1976
Recommends that the Board on Geographic Names approve a proposal to name two mountains in Alaska after the later Congressmen Hale Boggs and Nick Begich.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1976
National Home Health Care Act - Broadens the coverage of home health services under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and removes the 100-visit limitation presently applicable to the home health service program. Extends the coverage of posthospital home health services to include payment for items and services which the individual could otherwise obtain in a skilled nursing facility. Requires the inclusion of home health services under Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, and permits the payment of rent under such program for elderly and handicapped persons who would otherwise require nursing home care. Provides expanded Federal funding for congregate housing for the displaced and the elderly by increasing the amount available for such housing under the low-income housing program. Establishes, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a Home Health Patient Ombudsman, who shall be appointed and provided with adequate staff and facilities by the Secretary. Makes it the duty and responsibility of the ombudsman to monitor specified programs under the Social Security Act and the various medical assistance programs under the State plan approved pursuant to such Act, and to maintain such oversight of those programs and their operation and administration as may be necessary to: (1) assure that home health patients under such programs are receiving the care to which they are entitled; (2) provide safeguards against over-charging for home health services; (3) identify abuses against home health patients; (4) receive, handle, and expedite complaints by home health patients; (5) recommend to the Secretary any changes in the regulations affecting home health services which may appear necessary or desirable; and (6) take appropriate action (including the transmission of findings to the Attorney General) with respect to abuses and violations of law affecting the provision or receipt of home health services under such programs. Requires the disclosure to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare of the identity of all persons with an ownership interest in a skilled nursing facility. Requires the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of extending to the Medicare program the prospective cost-related method of computing payments to nursing homes and home health agencies which is currently provided for under the Medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1976
Youth Counseling and Employment Act - Establishes within the Department of Labor a Youth Employment Office, to be headed by a Director appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance through grants and contracts in urban and rural areas for comprehensive work and training programs, and necessary supportive and follow-up services; including: (1) programs to provide useful work experience for high school students from low-income families; (2) programs to provide unemployed, underemployed, or low-income persons aged 16 and over with useful work and training; and (3) jobs for economically disadvantaged youths during the summer months. Requires that to the maximum extent feasible programs conducted under this Act be linked to work and training programs conducted pursuant to the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973. States that assistance shall be provided, to the maximum extent feasible, for a minimum period of three years. Requires the Director of the Office to conduct necessary studies to assess the effectiveness of the programs and to keep appropriate Congressional committees fully informed. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, to provide financial assistance in urban and rural areas with large concentrations of unemployed and low-income persons for comprehensive work and training programs and necessary supportive and followup services. Authorizes appropriations of sums necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1976
Public Participation in Government Proceedings Act - Entitles any person to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of participation incurred by such person in any Federal agency proceeding if the participation of such person promotes or can reasonably be expected to promote a full and fair determination of the issues involved in the proceeding, the economic interest of such person in the outcome is small compared to the costs of participation in such proceeding, and such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in such proceeding in the absence of an award under this Act. Requires each agency, whenever practicable, to determine, prior to the commencement of any proceeding, the eligibility of a person for an award under this Act and the amount of such award. Requires payment of such an award, where necessary, prior to the conclusion of such proceeding but in no event later than 90 days after the conclusion of such proceeding. Directs the head of each agency to report annually to Congress with respect to awards made under this Act. Entitles any person who is a party to, or intervenor in, any civil suit or proceeding for judicial review of agency action to costs incurred by such person in litigation if such person is afforded the relief sought in substantial measure, the court determines that such action served an important public purpose, the economic interest of such person in the outcome of such action is small compared with the cost of litigation, and the person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in such action absent an award under this Act. Directs the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually to Congress with respect to awards granted by courts of the United States under this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for agency awards under this Act, $10,000,000 each year for fiscal years 1977, 1978, and 1979. Authorizes to be appropriated for judicial awards under this Act such sums as may be necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1976
Act for the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons - Establishes penalties for killing, attempting to kill, kidnapping, assaulting, or threatening a foreign officer, offical guest, or internationally protected person. Establishes additional penalties for assault on such persons with a deadly or dangerous weapon. Defines "internationally protected person" to mean a chief of state, head of government, or foreign minister, and any member of his family accompanying him. Establishes penalties for willfully intimidating, coercing, or harassing an official guest and for obstructing a foreign official in the performance of official duties. Establishes penalties for commiting specified acts on or within 100 feet of any building or premises used by a foreign government, foreign official, or international organization for diplomatic or residential purposes if such acts are intended to intimidate, coerce, threaten, or harass any forign official or obstruct such individual in the performance of official duties. Authorizes the United States, if the victim of an offense under this Act is an international protected person, to exercise jurisdiction over the offense if the alleged offender is present within the United States, irrespective of the place where the offense was committed or the nationality of the victum or the alleged offender. Authorizes the Attorney General to request assistance from any Federal, State, or local agency, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, any statute, rule, or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding, in order to enforce this Act. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 112, 970, 1116, 1201, Adds 18 U.S.C. 878)
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1976
Title I: Aircraft Sabotage Act of 1975 - Revises the description of Federal offenses related to the destruction of aircraft and aircraft facilities, adding the offense of knowingly communicating false information which endangers the safety of an aircraft in flight. Enumerates offenses in violation of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation and subjects violators to a fine of not more than $10,000, imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both. Prohibits imparting or conveying a threat to do specified felonious acts related to the destruction of aircraft and aircraft facilities where there is apparent determination and will to carry the threat into execution. Subjects violators to a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment for not more than five years, or both. Title II: Aircraft Piracy Amendments of 1975 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to subject anyone who knowingly communicates false information regarding an attempt to do specified criminal acts related to the destruction of aircraft and aircraft facilities to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 which is recoverable in a civil action brought in the name of the United States. Prohibits unauthorized persons from carrying a concealed deadly or dangerous weapon when boarding an aircraft. Subjects violators to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. Subjects anyone who willfully and maliciously, or with reckless disregard for human life, knowingly communicates false information regarding an attempt to do specified criminal acts related to the destruction of aircraft and aircraft facilities to a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment for not more than five years, or both. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 31, 32; Adds 18 U.S.C. 32A, 36; Amends 28 U.S.C. 1395)
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1976
Federal Act for the Commitment of Incompetent Persons - Defines "lack of criminal responsibility", for purposes of this Act, as the lack of mental capacity to commit the offense charged as determined by the applicable law in the Federal trial jurisdiction. Directs the district court for each judicial district to designate a panel or panels of qualified psychiatrists to conduct examinations under this Act. Requires all such examinations to be conducted as expeditiously as possible with minimal restraint upon the liberty of the person to be examined. Stipulates that where confinement to a medical facility is necessary to complete such an examination, the court may so order. Requires that the accused be represented by counsel at all stages of court proceedings pursuant to this Act. Directs that an accused be referred by the court to a member of the examining panel whenever the court has reason to believe the accused may be incompetent. Requires the examing member to file with the court a report of the examination stating the medical and other data upon which the report's conclusion is based. Directs that a competency hearing be held unless the report indicates competency and the accused signs a written waiver. Authorizes the trial court to commit an accused who has been found incompetent to the care of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare for care and treatment. Permits the Secretary to temporarily release the accused. Stipulates that if the district U.S. attorney objects to such release, the committing court shall authorize the release only if reasonably satisfied that the accused will not flee or pose a danger to persons or property. Allows the court to dismiss pending charges if it finds that the accused is incompetent and unlikely to regain competency within a reasonable time. Outlines the procedure for determining that an accused was mentally incompetent at the time of trial where such issue was not raised during trial, and directs that where the accused is found to have been mentally incompetent the judgment of conviction be vacated and a new trial granted. Requires a determination of whether a person is dangerous to himself or to the person or property of others where such person is: (1) in the custody of the Secretary and unlikely to regain competency within a reasonable time; (2) charged with a Federal offense and acquitted after raising the defense of lack of criminal responsibility; and (3) in the custody of the Attorney General and about to be released. Directs the Secretary to petition the court for an order of civil commitment if such person is found to be dangerous. Requires a hearing prior to such commitment. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with States and private agencies to make available facilities, on a reimbursable basis, for the confinement and care of persons commited to the custody of the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to discharge unconditionally a person who is no longer dangerous to himself or the person or property of others. Requires the Secretary to file an annual report setting forth reasons supporting a determination that confinement should be continued. Entitles a confined person who petitions from such a determination to a hearing. Allows the United States attorney, prior to verdict, to make a motion for referral for examination whenever the mental condition of the accused at the time of the alleged criminal conduct can reasonably be expected to be in issue. (Repeals 18 U.S.C. 4241-4248; Adds U.S.C. 4230-4242)
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1976
Authorizes the Judicial Conference of the United States to fix fees and costs in U.S. district courts. Makes specified technical and conforming amendments. (Amends 28 U.S.C. 1914)
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1976
Requires the supervisory Board of the Federal Judicial Center to hold meetings semi-annually (formerly quarterly). Allows the Board to authorize an expenditure for furnished housing accommodations for the Director and his family in specified circumstances. (Amends 28 U.S.C. 621, 622, 624, 626)
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1976
Authorizes a taxpayer, under the Internal Revenue Code, to elect to treat qualified architectural and transportational barrier removal expenses which are paid or incurred during the taxable year as expenses which are not chargeable to capital account. Deems such expenses so treated as allowable tax deductible expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1976
Surplus School Conversion Act - Entitles taxpayers, under the Internal Revenue Code, to elect to take a deduction with respect to the amortization of any qualified school or hospital property based on a period of 180 months. Defines qualified school or hospital property to mean any building or other structure which is acquired by the taxpayer from a tax-exempt organization which used such structure to provide facilities for an educational institution or an institution which provided medical or custodial care. Makes technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1976
Surplus School Conservation Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to local agencies to pay the costs of renovating closed school buildings so they may be converted for other educational and social purposes. Suggests purposes for which conversion grants may be extended, including: (1) community centers; (2) senior citizen centers; (3) day care centers; (4) vocational schools; (5) medical facilities; and (6) recreational centers. Sets forth application requirements which local agencies must complete including: (1) structuring a plan for renovation of the closed school building; (2) estimating costs of such renovation; and (3) demonstrating to the Secretary's satisfaction sufficient financial ability to carry out the provisions of such plan. States that the amount of a grant under this Act shall be 80 percent of the estimated cost of renovation. Requires local agencies which receive a grant for more than the actual cost of renovation to return such surplus money to the Secretary. Sets priorities to be followed by the Secretary in approving applications for grants under this Act including: (1) an application for renovating a closed school building in a school district whose current school enrollments have decreased by ten percent or more from the school enrollments of the previous school year, and (2) an application for renovating a closed school building which is not being utilized for any educational or social service purpose at the time of application. Directs the Secretary to serve as a national clearinghouse to local agencies by providing information on feasible alternative uses for closed school buildings. Prohibits the distribution of more than ten percent of the funds appropriated by Congress for the program for grants in any fiscal year. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the President and Congress: (1) a yearly report listing local agencies which received grants and the purposes for which such grants were made; and (2) a detailed evaluation of the effectiveness of the program based on cost analysis and a survey of school closure problems to be submitted at the end of three years.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1976
Antitrust Civil Process Act Amendments - Revises the discovery procedures and requirements for Federal civil antitrust investigations. Revises the procedures and requirements for seeking an order modifying or setting aside discovery demands by the Justice Department in antitrust cases.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1976
Amends the Medicare program of the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for specified diagnostic tests and physical examinations given for the detection of breast cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1976
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act - Requires the Chief Justice of the United States to designate seven district court judges, each of whom shall have jurisdiction to hear applications for and grant orders approving electronic surveillance anywhere within the United States. Requires the Chief Justice to designate three Federal judges to comprise a special court of appeals which shall have jurisdiction to hear an appeal by the United States from the denial of any application. Grants the United States a further right to appeal an affirmance of denial to the Supreme Court. Requires each application for any order approving electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes to be approved by the Attorney General and to include: (1) the identity of the officer making the application; (2) the authority conferred on the applicant by the President and the approval of the Attorney General to make the application; (3) the identity of the subject of the surveillance; (4) the fact and circumstances justifying belief that the target of surveillance is a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power; (5) a description of the type of information sought and a certification by one of specified Federal officers that such information is foreign intelligence information that cannot feasibly be obtained by normal investigative techniques; and (6) a statement of the period of time for which the surveillance is required. Directs the judge to enter an ex parte order as requested or as modified approving the electronic surveillance if he finds that the criteria specified have been met. Allows issuance of orders to approve surveillance for 90 days or the period necessary to achieve its purposes, whichever is less. Permits extensions of orders upon application for an extension made in the same manner as required for an original application. Authorizes the Attorney General, upon a reasonable determination that an emergency situation exists, to authorize the emergency employment of electronic surveillance if an appropriate judge is informed by the Attorney General of such authorization at the time it is made and if an application is made as soon as practicable but not more than 24 hours after authorization. Requires, in the absence of a judicial order, that surveillance terminate when the information sought is obtained, when the application for an order is denied, or 24 hours after authorization, whichever is earliest. Allows information acquired from electronic surveillance conducted pursuant to this Act to be used and disclosed only for designated purposes or for the enforcement of the criminal law. Requires when an order to approve the emergency employment of electronic surveillance is not obtained, that the judge serve notice on the individual subject to surveillance of the fact of the application, the period of surveillance, and the fact that information was or was not obtained. Permits the judge to delay or forego this action on a showing of good cause. Requires the Attorney General to submit an annual report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and to Congress including: (1) the number of applications made for orders and extensions of orders approving electronic surveillance and the number of such orders and extensions granted, modified, and denied; (2) the periods of time for which orders authorized surveillances and their actual duration; (3) the number of surveillances in place at any time during the preceding year; and (4) the number of surveillances terminated during the preceding year. Declares that nothing contained in this Act shall limit the Constitutional power of the President to order electronic surveillances for specified national security reasons if the facts and circumstances giving rise to such order are beyond the scope of this Act. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 2521-2528)
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1976
Solar Energy Incentive Act - Allows an individual to take a tax credit, under the Internal Revenue Code, in an amount equal to 25 percent of the qualified solar heating and cooling equipment expenditures incurred by the taxpayer with respect to his principal residence to the extent such expenditures do not exceed $8,000, plus that portion of the qualified State or local real property taxes paid or accrued for the taxable year or accrued for the taxable year attributable to such solar heating and cooling expenditures. Authorizes an individual to take a tax deduction for a part of the acquisition costs of any qualified solar heating and cooling equipment for any residence. Limits such deduction to the lesser of ten percent of the acquisition costs or $800 or $400 for the third year of such acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1976
Victims of Crime Act - Establishes the Crime Victims Compensation Commission to make annual and supplemental grants to each qualifying State program covering 50 percent or 100 percent of the costs of paying compensation to the victims of specified qualifying crimes. Grants the Commission specified powers, including: (1) the establishment of general policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations which must be followed by State programs; and (2) denial, revision, or agreement to any request for an annual or supplemental grant under this Act. Stipulates that a State program qualifies for grants under this Act if it meets specified criteria, including: (1) compensation for personal injury to individuals who suffer such injuries as the result of qualifying crimes; (2) compensation to the surviving dependents of individuals whose death resulted from qualifying crimes; and (3) the right to a hearing with administrative or judicial review for any aggrieved claimant. Excludes from Federal grants the costs of administrative expenses and the costs of State compensation awards: (1) for pain and suffering; (2) for property loss; (3) to the extent to which the amount of any reward to a victim or a victim's dependents exceeds $50,000; (4) to any claimant who is entitled to receive compensation from any other source up to the amount of such compensation; (5) for lost earnings of more than $200 per week; (6) to a claimant who failed to file a claim within one year of the occurrence of the qualifying crimes; and (7) to any claimant failing to report such crime to law enforcement authorities within 72 hours of its occurrence. Requires the Commission to publish and submit to the House and Senate Judiciary committees an annual report containing specified information on the operation of State victims of crime compensation programs and on the Commission's activities. Authorizes the appropriation of specified sums in fiscal years 1977 through 1979 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1976
Victims of Crime Act - Establishes the Crime Victims Compensation Commission to make annual and supplemental grants to each qualifying State program covering 50 percent or 100 percent of the costs of paying compensation to the victims of specified qualifying crimes. Grants the Commission specified powers, including: (1) the establishment of general policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations which must be followed by State programs; and (2) denial, revision, or agreement to any request for an annual or supplemental grant under this Act. Stipulates that a State program qualifies for grants under this Act if it meets specified criteria, including: (1) compensation for personal injury to individuals who suffer such injuries as the result of qualifying crimes; (2) compensation to the surviving dependents of individuals whose death resulted from qualifying crimes; and (3) the right to a hearing with administrative or judicial review for any aggrieved claimant. Excludes from Federal grants the costs of administrative expenses and the costs of State compensation awards: (1) for pain and suffering; (2) for property loss; (3) to the extent to which the amount of any reward to a victim or a victim's dependents exceeds $50,000; (4) to any claimant who is entitled to receive compensation from any other source up to the amount of such compensation; (5) for lost earnings of more than $200 per week; (6) to a claimant who failed to file a claim within one year of the occurrence of the qualifying crimes; and (7) to any claimant failing to report such crime to law enforcement authorities within 72 hours of its occurrence. Requires the Commission to publish and submit to the House and Senate Judiciary committees an annual report containing specified information on the operation of State victims of crime compensation programs and on the Commission's activities. Authorizes the appropriation of specified sums in fiscal years 1977 through 1979 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1976
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Commissioner of Education to make Federal interest subsidy and administrative cost allowance payments to holders of loans under such Act on behalf of the borrower within 30 days of receipt by the Commissioner of an itemized voucher in such form as the Commissioner shall by regulation prescribe.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1976
Authorizes and requests the President to issue annually a proclamation designating the first week of May of each year as "Clean Air Week," and inviting the Governors and Mayors of State and local governments to issue similar proclamations. Requests the President to consider including in such a proclamation an invitation calling upon the communications media and all organizations and individuals concerned with programs to improve the quality of the atmosphere to participate in "Clean Air Week."
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Increases by $2,500,000,000, the amount authorized to be appropriated for long-term direct loans to nonprofit sponsors for construction of housing for the elderly and the handicapped.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Provides, under the Clayton Act, that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person or persons shall acquire, directly or indirectly, the whole or any part of the stock or other share capital or of the assets of another person or persons, if the acquiring person or persons, or the person or persons the stock or assets of which are being acquired, or both, are engaged in commerce or in any activity affecting commerce, and (1) (A) the acquiring person or persons have total assets or annual net sales in excess of $100,000,000 and (B) the person or persons the stock or assets of which is being acquired have total assets or annual net sales in excess of $10,000,000; or (2) (A) the acquiring person or persons have total assets or annual net sales in excess of $10,000,000 and (B) the person or persons the stock or assets of which are being acquired have total assets or annual net sales in excess of $100,000,000; until 30 days after such person files a premerger notification with the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department. Provides for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each day during which such person directly or indirectly holds stock or assets in violation of this Act. Exempts specified classes of transactions from notification requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Authorizes, under the Internal Revenue Code, any individual who has attained the age of 65 to take a nonrefundable tax credit for a percentage of the amount of real property taxes or the amount of rent constituting real property taxes paid or accrued by the taxpayer during the taxable year. Defines the applicable percentage as 50 percent reduced by two percent for each $1,000 amount by which the adjusted gross income of such taxpayer exceeds $5,000.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Authorizes the President to issue annually a proclamation designating the seven-day period commencing on April 30 of each year as "National Beta Sigma Phi Week," to recognize the National Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and its social, cultural, and service programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1976
Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Economic Development Administration, to make grants to any State or local government for local public works projects, including but not limited to: (1) those public works projects of State and local governments for which Federal financial assistance is authorized under provisions of law other than this Act; and (2) the architectural design, engineering, and related planning of local public works projects. Stipulates that the Federal share of any project for which a grant is made under this Act shall be 100 percent of the cost of such project. Authorizes the Secretary to make an additional grant for the purpose of increasing to 100 percent the Federal contribution to a public works project for which Federal financial assistance is authorized under provisions of law other than this Act. Stipulates that no such grants shall be made for any project which has as its principal purpose the channelization, damming, dredging, or diversion of a natural watercourse, or the enlargement of any canal other than a canal designated as a historic site. Directs the Secretary to prescribe rules, regulations, and procedures necessary to carry out this Act. Lists factors that the Secretary shall consider in accordance with the relative needs of the various sections of the country, with priority consideration to those areas where unemployment exceeds the national average. Stipulates that not less than one-half of one percent nor more than ten percent of all amounts authorized under this title shall be allocated for local public works projects within any one State. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,500,000,000 through fiscal year 1977 in order to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1976
Solid Waste Energy and Resource Recovery Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency: (1) to assist with research projects for the development of pilot plant facilities for the purpose of investigating new fuels, recovery methods, or technology; (2) to conduct demonstrations of new methods and technology; and (3) to test and evaluate such pilot plants and demonstration projects. Directs the Administrator to establish a program for the collection and dissemination of information to assist Federal, State, interstate, regional, and local agencies in planning and building solid waste collection, recycling and recovery facilities. Sets forth specific areas to be covered by such program. Directs the Administrator to make grants to State, interstate, municipal and intermunicipal agencies for: (1) the implementation of solid waste management plans and planning programs; (2) the development and revision of solid waste disposal plans as part of regional environmental protection systems; (3) the development of interlocal regions and establishment of regional agencies; (4) the development of proposals for various projects; and (5) the planning of programs for the removal and processing of abandoned motor vehicle hulks. Authorizes the Administrator to impose conditions consistent with the purposes of this Act upon such grants. Limits the amount of available Federal assistance to 85 percent of the total cost. Authorizes the Administrator to guarantee loans incurred by State, regional, or local government agencies to finance the construction of large-scale fuel, energy, or resource recovery facilities. Limits the total outstanding indebtedness allowed under this Act to $75,000,000. Sets forth procedures for applying for loan guarantees under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to a State, regional authority or local government agency for the construction, operation, or maintenance of fuel, energy, and resource recovery facilities when such facilities cannot be financed by any other means. Limits the amount of each grant to 25 percent of the total cost of the project. Authorizes the appropriation of the following amounts for solid waste research and development and for grants for energy and resource recovery programs: $65,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1977; $17,000,000 for the transitional period ending September 30, 1977; and $70,000,000 for fiscal year 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums for grants for State, interstate, and local planning: $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1977; $9,000,000 for the transitional period; and $45,000,000 for fiscal year 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums for grants for construction of facilities: $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1977; 12,000,000 for the transitional period; and $60,000,000 for fiscal year 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1976
Establishes the Potomac National River in Maryland, Viginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire specified lands and interests in lands within the boundaries of such national river. Directs the Secretary to encourage and assist the jurisdictions in which the national river is located to plan, acquire, develop, and manage lands within and adjacent to the national river for recreation, fish and wildlife conservation, historic preservation, or similar purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplemental grants to such jurisdictions for acquisition of lands and interests in lands within 2,000 feet of the banks of the Potomac River. Permits hunting on lands within the national river which are under the jurisdiction of the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with non-Federal public bodies for the operation and management by the Secretary or such public bodies of lands within the national river in accordance with a mutually acceptable management plan. Directs the Secretary to formulate and transmit to appropriate Congressional committees within three years from the date of the enactment of this Act a plan for the development and use of lands within the national river. Includes the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park as identifiable units of the national river and stipulates that such historical parks shall continue to be administered separately in accordance with their respective enabling acts. Establishes a Potomac National River Advisory Commission to advise and consult with other Federal agencies, State agencies, local governments, and persons on matters relating to recreation, historic preservation, scenic protection, and resource conservation within and in the vicinity of the national river. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress within two years after the date of enactment of this Act recommendations as to extension of the national river from the area established by this Act to the Potomac River's source at Fairfax Stone, West Virginia, and to its mouth at the Chesapeake Bay. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1976
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act - Requires the Chief Justice of the United States to designate seven district court judges, each of whom shall have jurisdiction to hear applications for and grant orders approving electronic surveillance anywhere within the United States. Requires the Chief Justice to designate three Federal judges to comprise a special court of appeals which shall have jurisdiction to hear an appeal by the United States from the denial of any application. Grants the United States a further right to appeal an affirmance of denial to the Supreme Court. Requires each application for any order approving electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes to be approved by the Attorney General and to include: (1) the identity of the officer making the application; (2) the authority conferred on the applicant by the President and the approval of the Attorney General to make the application; (3) the identity of the subject of the surveillance; (4) the fact and circumstances justifying belief that the target of surveillance is a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power; (5) a description of the type of information sought and a certification by one of specified Federal officers that such information is foreign intelligence information that cannot feasibly be obtained by normal investigative techniques; and (6) a statement of the period of time for which the surveillance is required. Directs the judge to enter an ex parte order as requested or as modified approving the electronic surveillance if he finds that the criteria specified have been met. Allows issuance of orders to approve surveillance for 90 days or the period necessary to achieve its purposes, whichever is less. Permits extensions of orders upon application for an extension made in the same manner as required for an original application. Authorizes the Attorney General, upon a reasonable determination that an emergency situation exists, to authorize the emergency employment of electronic surveillance if an appropriate judge is informed by the Attorney General of such authorization at the time it is made and if an application is made as soon as practicable but not more than 24 hours after authorization. Requires, in the absence of a judicial order, that surveillance terminate when the information sought is obtained, when the application for an order is denied, or 24 hours after authorization, whichever is earliest. Allows information acquired from electronic surveillance conducted pursuant to this Act to be used and disclosed only for designated purposes or for the enforcement of the criminal law. Requires when an order to approve the emergency employment of electronic surveillance is not obtained, that the judge serve notice on the individual subject to surveillance of the fact of the application, the period of surveillance, and the fact that information was or was not obtained. Permits the judge to delay or forego this action on a showing of good cause. Requires the Attorney General to submit an annual report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and to Congress including: (1) the number of applications made for orders and extensions of orders approving electronic surveillance and the number of such orders and extensions granted, modified, and denied; (2) the periods of time for which orders authorized surveillances and their actual duration; (3) the number of surveillances in place at any time during the preceding year; and (4) the number of surveillances terminated during the preceding year. Declares that nothing contained in this Act shall limit the Constitutional power of the President to order electronic surveillances for specified national security reasons if the facts and circumstances giving rise to such order are beyond the scope of this Act. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 2521-2528)
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1976
Establishes a National Commission on Food Production, Processing, Marketing, and Pricing, to be composed of nine members. Directs the Commission to study and appraise the economic and industrial structure of all segments of the food industry, including: (1) economic forecasts; (2) desirable structural changes in the various segments of the food industry; and (3) the effect of food imports and exports on producers, processors, and consumers in the United States. Requires the Commission to make such interim reports as it deems advisable, and to make a final report of its findings, recommendations, and conclusions to the President and to the Congress by July 1, 1978. Sets forth the powers of the Commission. Requires that, within six months following the filing of the final report, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Agriculture shall each publish separate reports on the policy planning, budget allotments, investigations, complaints, indictments, litigation, and other actions of each agency with respect to the enforcement of the antitrust laws on the various sectors of the food industry. Directs the FTC and the Department of Justice to submit to the Congress and to publish in the Federal Register annual indices of the structure and the state of competition in the food industry. Authorizes appropriations to the Commission of up to $3,750,000 to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes appropriations of up to $1,000,000 to the Federal Trade Commission to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1976
Amends the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the medicare program for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and physical examinations, and related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1976
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to make expenditures to correct serious structural defects in dwellings securing loans guaranteed or insured by the Administrator if the defect is one that existed on the date of issuance of the loan and is one that a proper inspection could reasonably be expected to disclose (presently, the dwellings must have been actually inspected by either the VA or FHA during construction). (Amends 38 U.S.C. 1827(a)).
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Title I: Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to increase the amount of appropriations authorized under such Act to $300,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, $450,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $625,000,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $800,000,000 for each fiscal year thereafter through fiscal year 1989. Revises procedures for the apportionment of land and water conservation fund moneys to States by the Secretary of the Interior. Imposes public participation requirements with respect to the preparation of comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plans. Authorizes Federal financial assistance for the planning and development of sheltered facilities for swimming pools and ice skating rinks, provided specified conditions are met. Title II: Amends the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 to establish a historic preservation fund in the United States Treasury. Stipulates that $24,400,000 for fiscal year 1977, $75,000,000 annually for fiscal years 1978 and 1979 and $100,000,000 annually for each fiscal year thereafter until fiscal year 1989 be covered into the fund from revenues due and payable to the United States under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and other Federal Mining laws. Stipulates that such moneys shall remain available until appropriated to carry out the purposes of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Authorizes the appropriation of $175,000 per year for fiscal years 1977,1978, and 1979 for the International Center for the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Repeals the revisions of the Official United States Standards with respect to the grading of carcass beef and slaughter cattle. States that no change shall become effective in grade designations or specifications for slaughter cattle or carcass beef which provides for a higher grade designation for such cattle or carcass than would exist under current standards. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate regulations to establish a different and non deceptive grade designation and specification for beef.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Amends the National Housing Act to authorize expenditures by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for repair of major structural defects which create a serious danger to the life and safety of inhabitants of any one-, two-, three-, or four-family dwelling covered by any mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Establishes a Bureau of Agricultural Statistics within the Department of Agriculture. States that the Bureau shall obtain information with regard to: (1) the prices received by producers and processors of agricultural commodities; and (2) the wholesale and retail prices of food. Directs the Bureau to issue a report to the Congress containing a summary of such information and recommendations for legislation to provide lower retail prices when the prices received by producers of any agricultural commodity are decreasing or remaining constant and the retail prices of food made from such commodity are increasing. Places such Bureau under the direction of a Commissioner of Agricultural Statistics to be appointed by the President. Directs such Commissioner to recommend to Congress legislation providing any mandatory reporting requirement the Commissioner deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Designates April 8, 1976, as "National Food Day". Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation to promote public involvement in order to develop a national food policy guided by the needs of people, both in the United States and abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Authorizes the expenditure of up to $1,276,767.32 by the House Judiciary committee for investigations and studies and general oversight responsibilities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Directs the President to express the request of the United States Government that the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics provide Valentyn Moroz with the opportunity to accept the invitation of Harvard University to join the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute for the 1976-77 academic year.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1976
Lifeline Rate Act - Stipulates that no rate schedule of an electric utility shall result in a greater per kilowatt-hour charge to residential electric consumers for a subsistence quantity of electric energy than the lowest charge to any other electric consumer. Sets forth procedures for civil suits and judicial review where violations by utilities as regulatory authorities are alleged under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1976
Establishes the Frederick Law Olmsted Home and Office in Brookline, Massachusetts, as a national historic site. Authorizes to be appropriated sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Rodino, Peter W., Jr. [D-NJ-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000374_200.jpg)