United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1977
Federal Construction Costs Reduction Act - Raises from $2,000 to $40,000 the dollar value of contracts to which the Davis-Bacon Act setting minimum wages on federally-affected construction projects applies. Directs the Secretary of Labor to increase such threshold level yearly in proportion to the rise in the Consumer Price Index. Makes the Act applicable only to the wages of unskilled laborers. Exempts apprentices, helpers, and trainees from the Act and forbids the Secretary from taking any action which discourages the customary utilization of apprentices, helpers, and trainees. Requires the "prevailing wage" (contracts covered by the Act must provide that covered employees are paid at a rate determined by the prevailing wage) to be set at the average wage paid laborers employed on at least three projects similar to the subject project which were carried out in the immediate geographic area during the previous two years. Requires such determination to be made no later than 60 days prior to the opening of invitations for bids for projects covered by the Act. Requires, in lieu of the weekly wage reports presently required by the Act, that in the event there is no evidence that a contractor is violating the Act, such contractor need only submit an affidavit certifying his compliance. States that where evidence of such violation exists, the contractor must submit weekly certified payroll statements and other records required by the Secretary. Establishes a Federal Construction Appeals Board to which any interested party may appeal wage rate determinations or other Labor Department rules likely to have a substantial effect on future wage rate determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1977
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to transfer the responsibility for investigating Communist and subversive organizations affecting the internal security of the United States to a standing Committee on Internal Security established by this Resolution. Confers upon such committee the responsibility for investigating all organizations within the United States aimed at overthrowing or altering the Government of the United States by force, insurrection or other unlawful means or inciting or employing violence to obstruct the authority of the Federal Government with respect to matters of internal security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
National Food Stamp Reform Act - Extends the Food Stamp Act of 1964 through fiscal year 1982. Excludes from the definition of "food" which may be purchased with food stamps alcoholic beverages, tobacco, ice cubes, artificial food colorings, powdered and liquid cocktail mixes, carbonated beverages, cooking wines, and chewing gum; and any other food, class of food, food product or condiment which the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the President of the National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council (Food and Nutrition Board), determines to have a negligible or low nutritional value or to be an insignificant enhancement of palatability. Includes residents of federally subsidized housing for the elderly in the definition of "household". Redefines "elderly person" as someone 65 years or older (currently, 60 years of age). Defines "nutritionally adequate diet" as a diet sufficient to feed a family of four persons, consisting of a man and a woman between 20 and 54 years of age, one child between ages nine and eleven and one child between six and eight, and which meets additional specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to establish uniform national standards of eligibility for participation by households in the food stamp program. Requires the income standards of eligibility in every State to be the nonfarm income poverty guidelines prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget, adjusted annually; but limits the standards for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam to those of the 50 States. Sets a 90-day accounting period for certification or recertification of food stamp applicants. Limits the maximum allowable financial resources (liquid and nonliquid assets) of a household to $1,500, except that, for households or two or more persons with one or more members 65 years or older, such resources are limited to $2,250. Specifies holdings excluded from the determination of such resources. Requires household income for purposes of the food stamp program to be the gross income of the household less: (1) a deduction of $25 a month for any household in which there is at least one elderly person; and (2) an additional deduction equal to 15 percent of all earned income to compensate for taxes, mandatory deductions, and work expenses. Includes in gross income: (1) all monetary payments to or on behalf of any household member except payments made for medical costs; (2) all income tax refunds and Federal income tax credits; (3) the value of all in-kind items; and (4) the value of all benefits received under any publicly or privately funded assistance program. Excludes from gross income: (1) payments for medical costs made on behalf of the household; (2) compensation for services performed by a student residing with the household who is not yet 18; (3) Uniform Relocation Assistance payments; (4) infrequent or irregular quarterly income; (5) all loans except deferred repayment education loans; and (6) the cost of producing self-employed income. Authorizes the Secretary to establish temporary emergency eligibility standards for households which are victims of a disaster. States that no household shall be eligible for participation in the Food Stamp program which includes an able- bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 65 who: (1) incurs a reduction of income as a result of voluntarily reducing his or her number of hours of employment without good cause; (2) fails to register for employment at a State or Federal employment office; (3) has refused to accept employment or public work within 30 miles of the person's principal residence; (4) fails to actively seek employment; or (5) is enrolled in an institution of post-secondary education as a substitute for full-time employment. Excludes from this class of ineligible individuals mothers with dependent children, primary or secondary school students, post-secondary level students or trainees' employed part-time, enrollees in a drug addiction or alcoholic treatment program, and persons working at least 30 hours per week. States that refusal to work at a plant site because of a strike or other labor dispute shall be deemed to be a refusal to accept employment. Declares that no person shall be eligible who is not a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. States that no minor shall be considered a household member if such minor resides in a household in which no other member has a legal duty to support him unless: (1) the individual who had such a duty is financially unable to perform it; or (2) no individual with such duty exists. Requires each household receiving food stamps to report its income at least once each month. Declares that no household that knowingly transfers liquid or nonliquid assets for the purpose of qualifying or attempting to qualify for the food stamp program shall be eligible to participate in the program for a minimum of 90 days. States that no person who receives supplementary security income benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. State supplementary payments under such title, or payments under specified provisions of title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of such Act, shall be considered a member of a household for any month, if for such month, such individual resides in a State in which the Supplemental Security Income benefit has been increased specifically to include the bonus value of food coupon allotments. Requires food coupons to be designed with spaces for the user to sign upon receipt and redemption. Requires coupon users to present suitable identification; including signature and photograph, when redeeming coupons at approved food stores. States that the value of the food coupon allotment to which eligible households will be entitled shall be an amount sufficient to allow a household to purchase a nutritionally adequate diet. Requires the semi-annual adjustment of the value of an allotment based on changes in the cost of food. Establishes as the charge a household shall pay for its coupon allotment the lesser of: (1) the percentage of its income which would be expended for food by an average household of its size and income range in the same region of the country; or (2) 30 percent. Provides, under the requirements for State plans for the administration of the food stamp program, for closer State supervision of eligibility by households. Requires the State agencies administering the program to conduct nutrition education programs for recipients. Directs each State agency to establish an earnings clearance system for the purpose of checking the actual income and assets of a household against those reported by the household. Provides that if a State agency does not comply with the provisions of the Food Stamp Act, the Secretary may refer the matter to the Attorney General with a request for an injunction, or he may direct that there be no further issuance of coupons in the political subdivisions where such failure has occurred until such time as satisfactory corrective action has been taken. Establishes a national system for providing information to State agencies in order to assist them in preventing households from receiving food stamps in more than one State or in more than one political subdivision within a State. Sets a civil penalty not in excess of $10,000 for each violation of the Food Stamp Act of 1964 or regulations issued pursuant to it by specified persons, including State agencies. Directs the Secretary to pay to each State agency out of funds appropriated by Congress an amount equal to 75 percent of all direct costs of State food stamp program investigations, prosecutions, and State activities related to recovering losses sustained in the food stamp program. Specifies information to included in the Secretary's annual report in addition to information already given.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1977
Amends the Postal Reorganization Act Amendments of 1976 to extend to June 15, 1977, the period during which the Postal Service is prohibited from: (1) increasing rates and fees to levels exceeding those in effect on the date of enactment of the Act; (2) offering levels and types of services which are less than those available on July 1, 1976; and (3) closing certain postal facilities which were in operation on July 1, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide that the requirements of such Act shall apply to the Congress, Federal agencies, and the courts of the United States. Assigns to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, in the case of any workplace under the authority or jurisdiction of the Secretary of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the powers otherwise assigned to the Secretary of Labor or to such Commission, including the authority to (1) conduct investigations and inspections; (2) issue citations; and (3) conduct hearings and issue orders.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny tax-exempt status to certain organizations if such organizations hold farm real property purchased after the date of enactment of this Act and the holding of such property is not substantially related to the charitable or educational purpose which would otherwise make the organizations tax-exempt.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Natural Gas Act Amendments - Amends the Natural Gas Act to terminate Federal Power Commission authority to regulate sales of new natural gas in interstate commerce. Stipulates that prices for offshore sales of new natural gas shall not exceed the ceiling price for sales of new natural gas produced from onshore Federal lands. Stipulates that emergency sales of natural gas to curtailed customers who qualify as essential users shall not affect such exempt status. Authorizes the Commission to terminate such exemptions on or after April 15, 1978, if they are no longer deemed necessary to protect high priority consumers of natural gas. Directs the Federal Power Commission to conduct studies and make reports regarding the nature and availability of natural gas reserves. Requires that the Commission keep current information available relating to the estimated natural gas reserves for individual fields. Establishes procedures for the establishment of ceiling prices for new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands through December 31, 1982. Authorizes the Commission to grant exemptions to price ceilings within high-cost production areas. Establishes procedures for adjustments to price ceilings established pursuant to this Act. Directs the Commission to prohibit the curtailment of adequate supplies of natural gas for essential agricultural purposes. Directs the Commission to prohibit the use of natural gas as boiler fuel where adequate alternatives are available. Authorizes exemptions from such prohibition where necessary to comply with pollution control or environmental protection and safety standards.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Constitutional Amendment- Allows an item veto by the President of appropriations bills. Requires the President, in signing the bill, to designate the provisions disapproved and return the bill to the House in which it originated. Provides that such bills shall be subjected to the same proceeding as other bills disapproved by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to credit against the income tax specified higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, books, and supplies, incurred by the taxpayer for himself or any other individual. Limits the credit to 100 percent of the first $300 for any individual, 50 percent of the next $300, and 10 percent of the next $400. Limits the credit to expenses incurred by full time students at institutions of vocational and higher education, minus scholarships and veterans' benefits. Limits the total credit allowed the taxpayer to his income tax liability minus the sum of all other credits applied thereto. Disallows any deduction of educational expenses used to determine the amount of the credit allowed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Natural Diversity Preservation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and Purposes - States that the purpose of this Act is to establish a nationwide policy of preserving representative examples of the full range of the elements of natural, biological, and geological diversity found in the United States. Title II: Responsibility and Function - Establishes in the Department of the Interior the Office of Nationwide Ecological Reserves which shall have as its function, among other things, the development and administration of a comprehensive data inventory, storage, and retrieval system capable of identifying those examples of elements of natural diversity deemed relevant for potential inclusion on the Nationwide Registry of Ecological Reserves. Establishes the Nationwide Ecological Reserves Board. Title III: Inventory and Registry - Requires the development of a Nationwide Registry of Ecological Reserves which shall classify resources according to their relative significance: National, State or local. Sets forth standards of protection for in such Registry. Title IV: Funding Authorization - Establishes the Natural Diversity Preservation Fund in the Department of the Treasury. Defines the terms which must be followed by the Secretary of the Interior in providing financial assistance for Federal agencies, State and local governments, and the private sector.
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
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to require that beginning with the 1977 crop the support price for wheat be computed without adjustments for differences in location.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Prohibits charging against the allowance, appropriation, or other fund from which a congressional employee is paid the amount such employee's salary is decreased by reason of the fact that such employee is receiving a Federal pension.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Food and Nutrition Program Consolidation and Reorganization Act - Provides the States with the option of consolidating and reorganizing the following food assistance programs: (1) the food stamp program under the Food Stamp Act of 1964, (2) the child feeding programs of the National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act of 1966, and (3) the commodity supplemental food program. Allows any State to participate in the consolidation program, and guarantees that a participating State shall receive the funds it would otherwise have received under the above-mentioned programs. Permits a State to receive a planning grant of up to two percent of the amount that State presently receives under the four existing programs, in order to prepare a consolidated plan conforming to this Act. Sets forth requirements for receiving such a grant. Requires each State desiring to receive funds for the consolidation program to (1) designate a State agency to assess the food and nutrition needs of the States needy population, to formulate and monitor the State consolidation plan and to receive and apportion State and Federal funds earmarked for the program; (2) publish, prior to consolidated assistance and every fourth year thereafter, a four-year comprehensive State plan which conforms to the requirements of this Act, and update that plan annually; (3) certify to the Secretary of Agriculture that the requirements of #2 have been complied with; and (4) provide for an annual audit of expenditures, and to report the findings of that audit to the Secretary. Mandates that each State, in developing the State plan, establish procedures to assure that (1) an assessment is made to determine the food and nutrition needs of the State's needy, (2) funds used under this Act will be coordinated with State, local, and Federal funds and programs, (3) adequate notice and an opportunity for public comment is provided for proposed changes in the State plan, (4) procedures are established to assure that State regulations will be established, amended, or repealed consistent with State administrative procedure and due process, and (5) Federal funds provided under this Act supplement and not supplant State or local funds. Requires that a State plan (1) set forth the procedure for and results of the food and nutrition needs assessment, (2) state the goals to be achieved under the plan, (3) provide for procedures, in conformance with this Act, for distribution of funds to local agencies and organizations, (4) set out the State's program for providing meals and nutrition education in connection with certain federally funded programs carried out with funds not provided under this Act, (5) provide procedures for monitoring activities of agencies and organizations responsible for administering the State plan, (6) provide for an audit of the expenditure of funds by those agencies and organizations, (7) prescribe procedures for State action when such agencies fail to implement a program plan, and provide an appeal process for an agency which is dissatisfied with that State action, and (8) provide that an annual audit be prepared of all expenditures and that the audit be reported to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to notify a State, within 60 days after receiving its comprehensive State plan, whether such plan complies with this Act. Mandates that the Secretary indicate in what respect the plan fails to comply, and the action the State must take to comply. Provides that a State participating in a consolidated program is eligible to receive an additional grant for carrying out that program equal to 10 percent of its total entitlement, provided that such amount is matched by the State with an equal amount of non-Federal funds. States that the amounts that all States are entitled to in a fiscal year shall be ratably reduced if the sums appropriated in that year for State payments are not sufficient to pay each state the entire amount to which it is entitled. Requires the Secretary to furnish the same services-in- kind which would have been furnished to the State had the State not participated in the consolidated program. Permits the States to purchase food service equipment and facilities with funds made available under this Act. Forbids any State from using funds made available under this Act in excess of 7 1/2 percent of those funds for administrative expenses (excludes the State's share of matching funds). Provides for evaluations and monitoring of the program authorized under this Act. Requires the Secretary to carry out a program of grants to States which consolidate under this Act for purposes of interstate cooperation. Authorizes $3,000,000 to be appropriated in each of the ten fiscal years beginning October 1, 1977 to carry out this provision. Forbids payment of funds to any State which has not certified to the Secretary that it has published its comprehensive State plan or update in accordance with this Act. Provides sanctions which may be imposed by the Secretary if a State's comprehensive plan is not in compliance with this Act, or if the State fails to follow its comprehensive plan. Provides for both administrative and judicial review of any sanctions imposed. Provides for the participation of children enrolled in private or Indian tribal schools if a State is prohibited by law from providing for their participation. Provides criminal penalties for anyone who embezzles, steals, or fraudulently obtains any funds authorized by this Act. States that, effective October 1, 1982, the consolidation program shall terminate. Directs the Secretary to establish orderly procedures for such termination.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Mobile Source Emission Control Amendments - Amends the Clean Air Act to extend through model year 1979 interim standards for hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions from light-duty motor vehicles. Specifies standards applicable in model years 1980 and afterwards for such pollutants. Revises the emission standard for carbon monoxide to allow emissions of up to 9.0 grams per vehicle mile. Extends until model year 1981 the current 2.0 grams per vehicle mile interim standard for nitrogen oxide emissions from light-duty vehicles. Establishes a nitrogen oxides emissions standard of 1.0 gram per vehicle mile for model years after 1981, subject to revision or waiver by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with prescribed procedures. Stipulates that such revisions and waivers shall not permit emissions in excess of the 2.0 grams per vehicle mile interim standard. Directs the Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Energy Administration to submit separate reports to Congress regarding the consequences of such emission standards on fuel consumption. Establishes additional prohibitions and penalties for tampering with motor vehicle emission control equipment. Empowers limits in the amount of vehicle testing required of small manufacturers. Establishes procedures for review of instructions for high altitude performance adjustments for motor vehicle emission control systems by the Administrator in accordance with specified requirements. Revises warranty requirements stipulated by the Act. Specifies an 18-month or 18,000 mile warranty requirement for the useful life of motor vehicle emission control systems. Directs the Administrator to study the effects of emissions of sulfur-bearing conformed from motor vehicles and aircraft. Extends the exception for disclosure of confidential information in administrative and judicial proceedings to emission data upon a satisfactory showing to the Administrator that such data would divulge trade secrets. Requires that documentation, justifications, proposed drafts, and comments of other agencies an proposed motor vehicle emission standards be made available to the public once such standards are proposed. Establishes procedures for oral presentation of views, with opportunity for cross-examination, with respect to such standards. Authorizes direct review of alleged procedural errors in the appropriate court of appeals. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980, to carry out the purposes of this Act other than research, development, and demonstration activities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Food Additive Safety Amendments - States that a food additive shall be deemed safe if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (1) makes a finding, based on recommendations of an advisory committee, that the public benefit from permitting the use of such additive would exceed the public risk which might result from such use; (2) gives notice in the Federal Register of such a finding and invites public comment thereon; and (3) issues a final order not earlier than 120 days of such publication in the Federal Register of such findings. Specifies factors the Secretary must take into consideration when evaluating a food additive. Deems saccharin a safe food additive unless the Secretary declares it unsafe under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands and interests in specified areas of Nebraska and to establish the Trails West National Historical Park in Nebraska and Wyoming once sufficient lands have been acquired. Creates a Trails West National Historical Park Advisory Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Stipulates that sales of natural gas by small, independent producers shall be exempt from regulation by the Federal Power Commission. Requires that prices of such sales be at a level which adequately compensates the seller for current costs, including an adequate return on investment. Defines the term "small producer" to include independent producers (1) not affiliated with natural gas pipeline companies or larger producers; (2) whose total sales do not exceed 10 million Mcf per year; and (3) whose average production per well does not exceed 100 Mcf per day on an annual basis.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Suspends for two years with regard to regulations involving saccharin the operation of the proviso in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act which prohibits regulatory approval of a food additive found to cause cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Establishes within the Department of Agriculture an Advisory Committee on Timber Sales Procedures to study the methods by which the Forest Service sells timber and to provide independent recommendation with respect to establishing procedures by which the Service will be able to sell timber in a manner which will, over the long term, provide for community stability and which will provide the most stable return to the Federal Government while maintaining diversity in terms of sizes, types and locations of operations and facilities which process timber. Terminates such Advisory Committee upon its submission of its findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture and to the appropriate committees of Congress. Directs that oral auction be used for the competitive sale of national forest timber to the maximum extent consistent with historic patterns of bidding. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to monitor and review all sales from individual national forests and to report to the Justice Department all patterns of bidding which may be collusive.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Camp Safety Incentive Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to develop and promulgate model youth camp safety standards within six months after the enactment of this Act. Defines "youth camp" as any camp advertised as a youth camp; conducted for ten or more children under the age of 18; and operated for five or more consecutive days. Authorizes Federal financial assistance to States for the development of State youth camp safety plans which include either penalties or loss of certification as a means of enforcement. Requires States receiving financial assistance under this Act to file annual accident reports with the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to make annual reports to the President and to the Congress. Terminates the assistance program established by this Act on September 30, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw and segregate ten percent of the funds appropriated to pay a judgment in favor of the Delaware Tribe of Indians and the Absentee Delaware Tribe of Western Oklahoma. Directs the Secretary to prepare a roll of those persons born on or prior to October 3, 1972, and who have a lineal ancestor appearing on the registry filed pursuant to the Treaty with the Delaware Indians. Specifies the procedure for the enrollment of applicants. Directs that ten percent of the above segregated and withdrawn funds be distributed to the Kansas Delaware Tribe of Indians, for the purpose of payment of its costs and attorney's fees. Directs that 90 percent of those funds be distributed per capita to those persons enrolled as detailed above.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to base specified disaster payments for wheat and feed grains on the actual acreage planted, in lieu of the farm acreage allotment base.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Grants to the Administrator of the Federal Grain Inspection Service, under the United States Grain Standards Act, discretion as to the subjects and processes about which he shall require appropriate agencies and persons to maintain complete and accurate records with respect to the official inspection and official weighing of grain. Repeals the requirement that the State and other official and State agencies designated to perform inspection or weighing functions pay fees to the Administrator to cover the costs of the direct supervision of personnel of such agencies by the field office personnel of the Federal Grain Inspection Service. Authorizes appropriations to cover such costs. Establishes a 12 member advisory committee to advise the Administrator with respect to the implementation of the United States Grain Standards Act of 1976. Requires such committee to terminate 18 months after the enactment of this Act. Makes numerous technical amendments to the United States Grain Standards Act, as amended by the United States Grain Standards Act of 1976, including: (1) deleting the general exception to the provision limiting the number of official agencies for inspection or weighing to one for any geographic area; (2) authorizing the Administrator to make exceptions to the general prohibition against the official inspection of grain samples not physically located within the geographical area assigned to an official agency; and (3) limiting the performance of appeal weighing to employees of the Federal Grain Inspection Service. Prohibits any person from knowingly making any false representation that any weighing service under the United States Grain Standards Act, as amended, has been performed with respect to grain. Prohibits any person acting under a license or authorization to perform official functions under the United States Grain Standards Act from certifying or stating in writing or performing any analysis to determine: (1) the subclass of Hard Red Winter wheat on the basis of color or on the basis of the dark, hard, and vitreous kernel content; or (2) the percentage of dark, hard, and vitreous kernels in Hard Red Winter Wheat.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Prohibits rules promulgated by any Federal agency (except an emergency rule which must become immediately effective to prevent serious injury or the substantial frustration of legislative policies or intent) from becoming effective until such proposed rules have been submitted to Congress and a 60-day period has lapsed thereafter. Prevents such rules from becoming effective if disapproved by either House of Congress within such 60-day period. Permits disapproved of emergency rules. Prohibits the submission to Congress of any rule identical to one which has been disapproved unless submitted pursuant to new legislative authority which has been enacted affecting the agency's powers with respect to the subject matter of such rule. Renders agency rules dealing with emergency or routine matters or which will have an insignificant impact effective without publication of advance/notice of proposed rule making proceedings in the Federal Register as is currently required. Renders any rule granting an exemption to another rule or which is exempt from public notice and comment requirements effective immediately.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Encourages the Federal Communications Commission to insure that the quality and quantity of over-the-air broadcasting service which is now available to the public is not impaired by the operation of pay television. Expresses the sense of Congress that the development of pay television should be regulated in a manner consistent with the maintenance of free broadcasting.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition Education Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to authorize and enable the creation of an orderly procedure, adequately financed through an assessment and voluntary contributions, for the development and initiation of an effective and continuous coordinated program of research and nutrition education designed to improve and enhance the quality and make the most efficient use of American wheat, processed wheat, and wheat end products to insure an adequate diet for all Americans. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue orders to effectuate the declared purpose of this Act. States that such orders shall include provisions: (1) for establishing projects for research and nutrition education for wheat and wheat products; (2) for establishing and carrying on research or studies with respect to the sale, distribution, marketing, and utilization of wheat and wheat products and the creation of new products; and (3) requiring that processors, distributors of processed wheat, and end product manufacturers maintain and make available for inspection such books and records as may be required by an order issued pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue orders providing for the establishment of a Wheat Industry Council to: (1) administer and make rules and regulations to effectuate orders issued pursuant to this Act; (2) receive, investigate and report to the Secretary complaints of violations of such orders; and (3) recommend to the Secretary amendments to such orders. States that membership of such Council shall represent wheat producers, processors, end product manufacturers and consumers on an equal basis. Requires each end product manufacturer to pay to such Council an assessment, not to exceed five cents per hundredweight, based on the total number of hundredweights of processed wheat purchased by or transferred to such manufacturer, to be uses for expenditures and expensed incurred by the Council or Secretary under this Act. Exempts from this Act any end product manufacturer who does not purchase more than 2,000 hundredweight of processed wheat per year for use in manufacture. Requires the Secretary to conduct a referendum among end product manufacturers to determine whether the issuance of an order under this Act is favored by such manufacturers. States that no such order shall become effective unless: (1) votes were cast by more than 50 percent of the registered end product manufacturers; and (2) not less than two-thirds of such voting manufacturers approve of such order or by a majority of such manufacturers if such majority manufactured not less than two-thirds of the total processed wheat contained in all end products manufactured by those voting in referendum. Allows end product manufacturers who have reserved the right to seek refunds and who disfavor the programs under this Act to receive from the Council the assessment paid to such Council. Sets forth the procedures for the administrative and judicial review of orders or obligations imposed under this Act. States that any person who willfully violates any order issued under this Act or who fails to remit any required assessment or fee shall be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per violation. Requires the Secretary to conduct a referendum on request by ten percent or more of the end product manufactures to determine whether such manufacturers favor the suspension or termination of any order. States that such order shall be suspended or terminated if more than 50 percent of the voting manufacturers or manufacturers who produce end products containing more than 50 percent of the total processed wheat contained in all end products manufactured by those voting approve of such action. Authorizes the Secretary to make investigations for the effective carrying out of his or her responsibilities under this Act or to determine whether any person has or is about to violate any of the provisions of this Act. Sets forth the eligibility requirements for any organization wishing to: (1) participate in the nominating of Council members; (2) represent wheat producers, processors, end product manufacturers or consumers; and (3) request the issuance of an order under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such funds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that certain factors be considered in determining whether a proposed use of a food additive is safe.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to redefine the term "navigable waters" as it applies to permits for dredged or fill material as required by the Act. Allows the discharge of dredged or fill materials without a permit in waters other than navigable waters and adjacent wetlands. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to enter into agreements with States to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material in waters other than navigable waters and in wetlands other than adjacent wetlands. Exempts farming, silviculture, ranching, forestry and specified construction activities from permit requirements with respect to discharges of dredged or fill material. Stipulates that Federal projects shall be exempt only if the effects of such discharges have been assessed pursuant to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to delegate authority over dredged and fill material in adjacent wetlands to the States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to increase to $900,000,000 from $600,000,000 in fiscal year 1978 and $750,000,000 in fiscal year 1979 the amount of income to be produced by such Fund in such fiscal years. Authorizes the appropriation to such Fund of such sums, in addition to collected revenues, as are necessary to make the income of the Fund not less than $900,000,000 in fiscal year 1978 and each year thereafter through fiscal year 1989. Credits to a special account within the Fund the additional income to be produced by the Fund in fiscal years 1978 and 1979 in accordance with the amendments made by this Act. States that the special account shall remain available until appropriated for the acquisition of national or federally administered lands. Provides that appropriations allotted for the acquisition of land or waters for Recreation Areas of the National Park System and the National Forest System be available notwithstanding any statutory ceiling on such appropriations contained in any other provision of law enacted prior to the convening of the 95th Congress, except that such expenditures may not exceed such ceiling by a specified excess amount. Permits the Secretary of the Interior, following notice to specified committees in Congress, to modify boundaries of an area of the national park system and acquire land, waters or interests adjacent to such area. Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to issue free lifetime admission permits to designated units of the National Park System to persons 60 years of age or older and to specified blind or disabled persons.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act to exclude from coverage (1) employers with ten or fewer employees; and (2) employees not employed on a regular basis for 30 or more consecutive days. Requires that a warning rather than a citation be given for a first instance violation, other than a willful or serious violation, to an employer who has not employed more than 25 employees at any time during the 30 days prior to an inspection or investigation. Prohibits the imposition of a civil penalty against an employer for a nonserious violation if (1) such employer has not previously received a citation for the same violation; and (2) the inspection upon which such citation was based resulted in the issuance of citations for ten or or fewer violations of a nonserious nature.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Provides for the designation of the library of any nationally accredited law school as a depository library upon request of such law school. (Adds 44 U.S.C. 1916)
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt aircraft used primarily for agricultural operation from the excise tax on civil aircraft. Provides for the refund of the excise tax on gasoline used for farming purposes in an aircraft to the aerial applicator who purchased it.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1977
Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition Education Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to authorize and enable the creation of an orderly procedure, adequately financed through an assessment and voluntary contributions, for the development and initiation of an effective and continuous coordinated program of research and nutrition education designed to improve and enhance the quality and make the most efficient use of American wheat, processed wheat, and wheat end products to insure an adequate diet for all Americans. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue orders to effectuate the declared purpose of this Act. States that such orders shall include provisions: (1) for establishing projects for research and nutrition education for wheat and wheat products; (2) for establishing and carrying on research or studies with respect to the sale, distribution, marketing, and utilization of wheat and wheat products and the creation of new products; and (3) requiring that processors, distributors of processed wheat, and end product manufacturers maintain and make available for inspection such books and records as may be required by an order issued pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue orders providing for the establishment of a Wheat Industry Council to: (1) administer and make rules and regulations to effectuate orders issued pursuant to this Act; (2) receive, investigate and report to the Secretary complaints of violations of such orders; and (3) recommend to the Secretary amendments to such orders. States that membership of such Council shall represent wheat producers, processors, end product manufacturers and consumers on an equal basis. Requires each end product manufacturer to pay to such Council an assessment, not to exceed five cents per hundredweight, based on the total number of hundredweights of processed wheat purchased by or transferred to such manufacturer, to be uses for expenditures and expensed incurred by the Council or Secretary under this Act. Exempts from this Act any end product manufacturer who does not purchase more than 2,000 hundredweight of processed wheat per year for use in manufacture. Requires the Secretary to conduct a referendum among end product manufacturers to determine whether the issuance of an order under this Act is favored by such manufacturers. States that no such order shall become effective unless: (1) votes were cast by more than 50 percent of the registered end product manufacturers; and (2) not less than two-thirds of such voting manufacturers approve of such order or by a majority of such manufacturers if such majority manufactured not less than two-thirds of the total processed wheat contained in all end products manufactured by those voting in referendum. Allows end product manufacturers who have reserved the right to seek refunds and who disfavor the programs under this Act to receive from the Council the assessment paid to such Council. Sets forth the procedures for the administrative and judicial review of orders or obligations imposed under this Act. States that any person who willfully violates any order issued under this Act or who fails to remit any required assessment or fee shall be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per violation. Requires the Secretary to conduct a referendum on request by ten percent or more of the end product manufactures to determine whether such manufacturers favor the suspension or termination of any order. States that such order shall be suspended or terminated if more than 50 percent of the voting manufacturers or manufacturers who produce end products containing more than 50 percent of the total processed wheat contained in all end products manufactured by those voting approve of such action. Authorizes the Secretary to make investigations for the effective carrying out of his or her responsibilities under this Act or to determine whether any person has or is about to violate any of the provisions of this Act. Sets forth the eligibility requirements for any organization wishing to: (1) participate in the nominating of Council members; (2) represent wheat producers, processors, end product manufacturers or consumers; and (3) request the issuance of an order under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such funds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to require that beginning with the 1977 crop the support price for wheat be computed without adjustments for differences in location.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1977
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the ban or prohibition of saccharin should be delayed until the appropriate Congressional committees have determined that consumption of saccharin in unsafe.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Free Market and Food Protection Resolution - States that whenever the President or any other member of the executive branch suspends export sales of corn, wheat, soybeans, grain sorghum, or cotton the Secretary of Agriculture shall make payments to any farm owner or operator who has in storage at the beginning of the suspension any amount of the commodity for which export sales have been suspended. Sets forth the specified percentage rate of such payments.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Establishes a two-year, seven-member advisory committee to advise the Administrator of the Federal Grain Inspection Service with respect to the implementation of the United States Grain Standards Act of 1976. Amends such Act to repeal the requirement that the State and other official agencies designated to perform inspection or weighing functions pay fees to the Administrator to cover the costs of the direct supervision of personnel of such agencies by the field office personnel of the Federal Grain Inspection Service. Authorizes appropriations to cover such supervisory costs. Amends such Act relative to recordkeeping. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, within six months of the effective date of this Act, to review certain recordkeeping provisions of Federal law and the regulations of the Commodity Credit Corporation as they apply to grain elevators, warehouses or other grain storage and handling facilities. Directs the Secretary, on the basis of such review, to establish a single system for recordkeeping by such facilities that will meet the requirements of such regulations and the law.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1977
Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to make a complete study of the use of grain, grain products, or their derivatives in the development and use of fuels. Details various factors to be included in such study and recommendations to Congress for further research, development, and demonstration activities. Stipulates that such report to Congress shall be completed no later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Exempts musical and social programs and activities designed for parents and students from the prohibition against sex discrimination in federally assisted educational activities imposed by the Education Amendments of 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
Amends rule XVI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to apply the ten minutes of debate rules to a motion to recommit with instructions on the adoption of a simple resolution or conference report after the previous question has been ordered.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to eliminate the requirement that persons filing an application with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare include as part of application for approval of a new drug full reports of investigations which show whether or not such a drug is effective. Eliminates the power of the Secretary to disapprove a new drug on the basis that such drug will not have the effect it purports or is represented to have under the conditions of use prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the proposed labeling of the drug. Prevents the Secretary from withholding exemption for an experimental drug for investigative purposes on the basis that such drug will not be effective in a research context. Eliminates the authority of the Secretary to withhold approval of an application with respect to any new animal drugs on the basis that full reports of investigations on such drug have not proven it effective. Prevents the Secretary from withdrawing approval of a new animal drug on the basis that it poses an imminent hazard to health of man or animals because of a lack of substantial evidence that the drug will have the effect it purports or is represented to have under the conditions of use prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the labeling of it.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1977
Restricts payments of the United States to the United Nations to the ratio of the population of the United States to the total population of member nations.
![Official portrait of Rep. Sebelius, Keith G. [R-KS-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000217_200.jpg)