United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Emergency Highway Repair Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide financial assistance to States for major repairs to routes on any Federal-aid system which were damaged as a result of the severe winter weather. Directs the Secretary to make an estimate of the total cost of such repairs. Stipulates that, in determining the amount of assistance for each state, the Secretary shall consider the ratio of the cost of such repairs in each State to the total cost of repairs in all eligible states. Authorizes the appropriation of $400,000,000 out of the Highway Trust Fund to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Provides that the lake referred to as "Laurel River Lake" on the Laurel River, Kentucky shall hereafter be known as the "John Sherman Cooper Lake," and that the dam forming such lake shall hereafter be referred to as the "John Sherman Cooper Dam."
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Title I: - Sets forth the purposes of the Act. Title II: Joint Committee on Atomic Energy - Abolishes the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. Title III: Transfers of Certain Functions of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy and Conforming Amendments to Certain Other Laws - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to define the terms "nuclear energy" and "nuclear weapon." Amends the Atomic Energy Community Act of 1955 and the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to transfer the functions and authorities of the Joint Committee, to the congressional committees which under the rules of the House and Senate are assigned jurisdiction over the subject matter of the Acts. Transfers authority formerly held by the Joint Committee regarding the approval of certain electric utility contracts entered into by the Atomic Energy Commission, to such committees. Title IV: Information and Assistance to Congressional Committees - Requires the Energy Research and Development Administration and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to keep the congressional committees having jurisdiction over their functions informed with respect to the activities of the Administration and the Commission. Requires the Department of Defense to keep the congressional committees having jurisdiction over the national security considerations of nuclear technology informed of relevant security matters. Requires the transfer of records of the Joint Committee to the Senate committees having jurisdiction over the subject matter of such records. Title V: Protection of National Security Information - Requires the transfer of all records of the Joint Committee relating to national security to the Senate committees having jurisdiction over such matters. Establishes in the Senate the Office of Classified National Security Information under the policy direction of the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to safeguard classified information assigned to it by any Senate committee. Requires the Office to furnish the Committees on Armed Services, on Energy and Natural Resources, on Environment and Public Works, and on Foreign Relations of the Senate with a listing of all those records of the Joint Committee which are to be transferred to such committees under this Act. Title VI: Committee Staff - Requires the transfer of certain staff members of the Joint Committee to the Office of Classified National Security Information upon the abolition of the Joint Committee. Directs that any such staff members not transferred to the Office shall be transferred to the staff of a new committee by the Committee on Rules and Administration in consultation with the chairmen and ranking minority members of the new committees. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Federal Aid in Nongame Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to State nongame fish and wildlife conservation programs. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer personnel, equipment, and scientific information to carry out this Act. Sets forth the formula for the apportionment of revenue to the States and limitations upon administrative expenses of the Secretary and the States chargeable to the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fund. Permits any amount apportioned to a State but not expended or obligated after two fiscal years to be used by the Secretary to assist such programs in other States. Permits any such amount not paid or obligated by the Secretary at the end of two fiscal years to be made available for any nongame fish and wildlife resource project of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Directs all Federal departments and agencies to coordinate their programs with nongame fish and wildlife conservation projects administered by the States. Directs each Federal department and agency with management authority over land and water resources (1) to determine which programs under its authority may be extended to include conservation of nongame fish and wildlife species, (2) to notify the appropriate State agency of any such affirmative determination, and (3) to cooperate with the establishment of conservation agreements with State agencies for such efforts. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide honorably discharged veterans of the Vietnam War a refundable $500 income tax credit for taxable years ending between 1976 and 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1977
Authorizes to be appropriated funds for the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to conduct a study of the potential carcinogenic effects of saccharin. Directs the Secretary to submit a report on such study to the President and the Congress not later than 60 days after the study's completion. Prohibits any ban or restriction on saccharin in interstate commerce by the Secretary or any officer in the executive branch of the Federal Government for a period of three years.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Department of Education Act - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education to be administered by a Secretary of Education. States that the principal function of such Department is to promote the cause and advancement of education throughout the United States. Transfers to the Secretary specified functions of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Commissioner of Education, and various educational responsibilities of other Federal agencies and instrumentalities. Creates the Federal Interagency Committee on Education and the National Advisory Commission on Education. Redesignates the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Secretary of such Department, as the Department of Health and Welfare, and the Secretary of Health and Welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Declares that the United States should do all that is possible to assist Romania, site of a recent earthquake. Expresses the sympathy of the United States to the victims and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1977
Prohibits the first salary adjustment which would be made under the Federal Salary Act of 1967 after the date of enactment of this Act from taking effect for the Vice President, Members of Congress, judges, commissioners, and referees, and positions in the Executive Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1977
Repeals the requirement that survivor annuities to any surviving spouse of a Federal employee be terminated upon remarriage of such surviving spouse. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 8133)
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1977
Interpreters for the Hearing Impaired Act - Directs Federal judges, upon determining that a party or a witness does not speak or understand English with sufficient facility due to a hearing impairment, to order that (1) the proceedings be conveyed to such party or witness through an appropriate mode of communication and (2) that the testimony of such an individual be interpreted for the court. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to certify interpreters for the hearing impaired and to prescribe a fee schedule for, and maintain a list of, interpreters so certified. Directs each district court to maintain a list of certified interpreters within its district. Sets forth guidelines for the selection of an interpreter if no certified interpreter is available within the district.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1977
Expresses the disapproval of the Senate of the proposed deferral D 77-52 for operating expenses for activities of the biomedical and environmental research program conducted by the Energy Research and Development Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1977
Expresses the disapproval of the Senate of the proposed deferral D-77-50 of budget authority for operating expenses for certain research activities in the magnetic fuse on energy program conducted by the Energy Research and Development Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the President to review Government revenues and expenditures at specified times and to determine a surtax rate when expenditures exceed revenues to insure that receipts will equal outlays. Authorizes a suspension of such measures in the case of a grave national emergency declared by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1977
Appoints the minority party's membership on the standing committees, the Select Committee on Small Business and the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $100 to $600 ($1,200 in the case of a joint return) the amount of dividends which individuals may exclude from income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income the first $100 ($200 for persons filing joint returns) earned as interest on savings deposits in financial institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
American Stock Ownership Plans - Provides that for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code the term "American stock ownership plan" means a trust created or organized in the United States for the exclusive benefit of an individual or his beneficiaries which meets specified requirements, including: (1) contributions will not be accepted for the taxable year in excess of $1,500 on behalf of any individual; (2) the trust is designed to invest solely in common stock of domestic corporations; (3) contribution received by the trustee during a particular taxable year will be allocated to a separate class year account; and (4) the interest of an individual in each class year account may not be paid or distributed before the end of the seventh taxable year following that year in which such class year account was established, except in the case of death or disability. States that the term "American stock ownership annuity" means a contract for a variable annuity, issued by an insurance company which meets specified requirements similar to those of the stock ownership trust above. Provides that a trust created or organized in the United States by an employer for the exclusive benefit of his employees or their beneficiaries or by an association of employees for the exclusive benefit of its members of their beneficiaries, shall be treated as an American stock ownership plan, but only if the trust meets the requirements of such a plan as stated above and also provides a separate accounting for the interest of each employee or member. Exempts American stock ownership plans from taxation. Provides that any amount paid by an employer to American stock ownership plan or annuity shall be included in an individuals gross income. Allows an individual to deduct from his gross income amounts paid in cash during the taxable year by or on behalf of such individual to an American stock ownership plan or annuity. Stipulates that no deduction shall be allowed for the two taxable years succeeding the taxable year in which a payment or payment or distribution from such a plan or annuity which is taxable to the individual under this Act is made. Stipulates that the deduction allowable to an individual under this Act may not exceed an amount equal to 15 percent of the compensation included in his gross income for such taxable year, or $1,500 whichever is less, multiplied by a fraction, the denominator of which is $20,000 and the numerator of which is $20,000 minus the excess of such compensation over $20,000. Provides that any amount received from a class year account established more than seven years before the taxable year in which the amount is received, and any amount paid or distributed on account of the death of the individual for whose benefit the broadened stock ownership plan or annuity was created shall be included in gross income in the year received and treated as a long term capital gain.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) reduce the normal corporate income tax; (2) increase the corporate surtax; and (3) increase the corporate surtax exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to amortize over 60 months, or in the case of a building, over one-half of its useful life, property placed in service after December 31, 1976, and before January 1, 1980, in an area in which the rate of unemployment is seven percent or greater.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a nonrefundable income tax credit for the hiring of new employees. Sets the amount of the credit at: (1) $1 multiplied by the number of new employee hours of employment for the first 26 weeks of employment; and (2) 50 cents multiplied by the number of new employee hours of employment for the second 26 weeks of employment. Stipulates that new employees must have been unemployed for more than 26 weeks and not displace or replace a current employee. Directs the Secretaries of Labor and Commerce to publicize the availability of this credit in connection with employment programs for which they are responsible.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for rural health clinic services pursuant to program of Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the aged and Disabled of such Title.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1977
States that a former President may not employ on his staff at Government expense more than one person who is paid at an annual rate of not more than that provided for positions at level II of the Executive Schedule. States that all other persons on such former President's staff shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed the highest rate payable under the General Schedule. States that the maximum aggregate limit of all such compensation of $96,000 shall not be imposed upon any former President whose service in the Office of President has terminated on or after January 18, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1977
Authorizes the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to have installed closed-circuit television from the Senate Chamber to the office of each Member of the Senate. Requires the Committee to issue rules and regulations regarding the operation and maintenance of such television system.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Permits the surviving spouse of a Government employee who died from an injury sustained in the performance of duty, whose survivor's compensation was terminated because of remarriage, to have such compensation restored on the day the remarriage is dissolved by death, divorce, or annulment, if any lump sum paid on termination of such compensation is repaid. States that if such subsequent marriage ends due to death of the second spouse from a government service-connected injury so that under present law and this Act the surviving spouse is entitled to two such annuities, such survivor shall be entitled to an annuity in the amount of the higher of the two annuities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Home-Heating Stamp Act - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1964 to establish a home-heating stamp program to reduce the hardships imposed on low-income households by high home-heating costs and to permit such households to obtain reasonable amounts of home-heating fuels through normal channels of trade. Directs that such program be administered by the Department of Agriculture and the appropriate State agencies which administer the food stamp program. Defines a "household" for the purposes of this Act as a group of individuals who are not residents of an institution and are living as one economic unit, or a single individual living alone. Exempts recipients of supplemental security income benefits from the kinds of restrictions on their participation found in the food stamp program. Limits the home-heating fuel stamp program to the fifty States and the District of Columbia. Authorizes the issuance of home-heating coupons which shall have a greater monetary value than any charge paid by eligible households and which shall be used only: (1) to purchase home-heating fuels from approved providers; or (2) in the case of a household which rents its residence and does not pay its home-heating fuel bill directly to a provider, to offset any rent due its landlord. Requires landlords accepting such coupons as partial rent payment to use such coupons to pay all or part of their fuel bills and prohibits them from increasing rents in connection with or as a result of the use of home-heating coupons by an eligible household. Provides that such coupons shall be redeemable at face value, and that the coupon allotment for any household shall be in an amount reflecting the monthly equivalent of the minimal cost of a reasonable amount of home-heating fuel for a single heating season. Limits the validity of coupons to one heating season, not to exceed six months, which shall be established for a State by the State agency. Requires as a charge to participating households for their coupon allotments a standard percentage of the monthly household income in no event more than the percentage of personal consumption expenditures shown to be spent on home-heating fuels by the best information available to the Secretary. States that no such charge is to be made to households with an income of less than $30 per month for a family of four. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish uniform national standards of eligibility for participating households; and also allows the establishment of temporary emergency standards, for the duration of the emergency, without regard to income or other financial resources, for households that are victims of a disaster which disrupts the normal distribution of home-heating fuels. Directs the Secretary to approve home-heating providers under regulations patterned after those used to approve retail food stores and wholesale food concerns for participation in the food stamp program. States that the administrative provisions of the Food Stamp Act of 1964 shall apply equally to the home-heating fuel program. Requires, in the administration of such program, that all practicable efforts by made to insure that assistance provided does not induce unnecessary additional consumption of home-heating fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1977
Authorizes the appropriation of $292,150,000 to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for salaries and expenses, to remain available until expended. Authorizes transfers of sums from nuclear safety research programs for use as salaries and expenses. Authorizes transfers of sums to other agencies involved in similar activities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1977
Youth Employment Act -- Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act to authorize the Secretary of Labor to provide financial assistance to prime sponsors, under the comprehensive manpower services provisions of such Act, certain counties, and Indian tribal groups for comprehensive manpower services for economically disadvantaged, unemployed, and underemployed youths age 14- 24. Makes eligible for a bonus payment prime sponsors which engaged, in the year prior to applying for assistance under this Act, in a cooperative education or training project with a local or State education agency. Repeals provisions under which assistance is presently provided for part time and summer employment of disadvantaged youths.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Expresses the disapproval of the Senate of proposed deferral D 77-51 withholding funds appropriated for operating expenses for Program Support- Community Operations for certain communities associated with facilities of the Energy Research and Development Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Makes it unlawful for any individual or entity to solicit to enroll or enroll any member of the armed forces in any labor organization or for any member to encourage others to join or to actively support any military labor organization. Sets forth penalties for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Youth Community Improvement Act - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, State and local governments, Indian tribes, and Alaska Native organizations to pay the costs of community improvement projects carried out by youths.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Commercial Aviation Regulatory Reform Act - Sets forth the congressional findings that the present system of Federal economic regulation of commercial air transportation is inappropriate for today's modern commercial aviation system and that a progressive transition to an air transportation system which relies to the maximum extent practicable on natural market forces is in the long-term public interest. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to revise the definition of "foreign air carrier" so as to authorize the Civil Aeronautics Board to exempt such carriers from the provisions of such Act under certain circumstances. Amends such Act to direct the Board, in the exercise of its duties with respect to interstate and overseas air transportation, to consider as being in the public interest the progressive transition to an air transportation system which relies on natural competitive market forces and the continued access of rural areas to the Nation's air transportation network with direct Federal assistance where appropriate. Directs the Board, with respect to foreign air transportation, to recognize the inherent differences between the competitive dynamics of domestic and foreign air transportation in regulating foreign air transportation. Creates an additional operating authority (license) to engage in charter air transportation or all-cargo air transportation as defined in this Act. Sets forth procedures and eligibility requirements for the issuance of certificates to engage in limited air transportation (scheduled service with aircraft of limited capacity). Stipulates that the Board, in determining whether to issue a certificate for such transportation, may base such decision on information supplied in writing to the Board and without a hearing upon a finding that the applicant is fit and willing to provide such transportation. Authorizes the Board to issue such a certificate pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the Board which are deemed to be in the public interest without a specific finding that the issuance of a particular license is required by the public convenience and necessity. Sets forth the duties and responsibilities of a carrier issued such a certificate. Exempts air carriers which engage in air transportation solely with aircraft having a maximum passenger capacity of less than 56 passengers or a maximum payload capacity of less than 16,000 pounds from the requirement that they hold a certificate of public convenience and necessity and other provisions of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 as may be prescribed by the Board if such carrier conforms to such liability insurance requirements and other regulations the Board may adopt. Authorizes the Board to increase such passenger or payload capacity when the public interest so requires. Stipulates that a license to engage in all-cargo interstate or overseas air transportation may be subject to such terms, conditions, and limitations as the public interest may require for a two-year period after the effective date of this Act. Abolishes such regulation at the end of such period. Directs the Board to institute proceedings for the phased removal of all closed door restrictions or any other term, condition, or limitation included in any certificate of public convenience and necessity which is obsolete or inconsistent with the declared policy of this Act. Authorizes an air carrier to terminate any service required by its certificate of public convenience and necessity upon 90 days' notice filed with the Board and served upon each community directly affected by such termination. Authorizes the Board to temporarily suspend such termination. Stipulates that any present certificate authorizing supplemental air transportation shall be deemed to be a license to engage in charter air transportation as well as the carriage of mail. Directs the Board to establish expedited procedures, which need not include oral evidentiary hearings, for processing applications for specified types of operating authority as well as modifications of such authority. Sets forth the factors which the Board must consider in determining whether to use such expedited procedures. Requires the Board to establish procedural deadlines for such Board actions. Sets forth regulations regarding the filing of tariffs by air carriers. Requires that tariffs be filed on 45 days' notice (presently 30 days' notice is required). Eliminates the Postmaster General's authority to require additional schedules for the carriage of mail by air. Establishes limitations on the amount of payment for foreign air carriers for the transportation of mail between the United States and foreign countries. Directs the Board to fix and determine rates of compensation for limited (charter and mail) air transportation. Sets forth the conditions by which the amount of such compensation shall be determined and paid. Eliminates mandatory Board jurisdiction over consolidation, merger, purchase, lease, operating contract, or acquisition of control agreements between air carriers where neither party is a certificated air carrier or a foreign air carrier. Authorizes the Board to require such a carrier to file an application for approval of such actions if it finds that the proposed transaction may restrain competition in air transportation. Authorizes the Board to exempt any person or class of persons (previously air carriers) from the requirements of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 under specified conditions. Authorizes the Board to conduct its proceedings under such Act without an oral evidentiary hearing if there are no significant issues of material fact to be determined. Restricts the Board's powers to set minimum and maximum fares to air carriers engaged in scheduled interstate and overseas air transportation. Authorizes the Board, when it is of the opinion that an emergency requiring immediate action exists with respect to the economic regulation of air transportation, to take such reasonable actions as may be necessary to meet such emergency. Eliminates the Board's present power to fix rates for the transportation of mail. Allows air carriers to set mail rates in their tariffs. Sets forth the Board's regulatory authority regarding such rates. Authorizes the Postal Service to contract with certificated or licensed air carriers for the transportation of mail if present service to an area is inadequate.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Recognizes the outstanding contributions made by President Ford to this Nation and commends him for the manner and integrity with which he carried out his responsibilities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Establishes a temporary Special Committee on Official Conduct. Directs the special committee to conduct a complete study of all matters relating to standards of conduct of Members, officers, and employees of the Senate in the performance of their official duties, and to recommend to the Senate a Code of Official Conduct for Members, officers, and employees of the Senate. Requires such study and recommended Code to include, but not be limited to, standards for: (1) annual public disclosure of income, assets, debts, gifts, and other financial items; (2) restrictions on, or the elimination of, outside income from honoraria, legal fees, gifts, and other sources of financial or in-kind remuneration; (3) conflicts of interest arising out of investments in securities, commodities, real estate, or other sources, (4) office accounts, and excess campaign contributions; (5) Senate travel; and (6) engagement in business or professional activities or employment, or other remunerative activities, so as to avoid any conflict with the conscientious performance of official duties. Sets forth the procedure to be used when the Senate considers the resolution reported by the special committee on March 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums to the Energy Research and Development Administration for fiscal year 1977: (1) for nuclear energy research and development, $5,271,679,000; and (2) for environmental research and safety, basic energy sciences, and related programs, $227,553,000. Amends prior appropriation authorizations Acts to increase the amount authorized for specific energy research projects. Extends such authorizations through fiscal year 1977. Title I: For Nuclear Energy Research and Development, Basic Research, Space Nuclear Systems and Other Technology, Uranium Enrichment, National Security and Related Programs - Authorizes the appropriation of $3,390,051,000 in operating expenses for nuclear energy research and development programs. Lists authorizations for additional plant and capital expenditures. Imposes limits and conditions on such expenditures. Places percentage limitations on the amount of cost overruns allowable without additional Congressional authorization. Prohibits exports of nuclear fuel to nonnuclear-weapon states which have not ratified the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty without approval by the Congress. Authorizes exceptions to such prohibition where deemed necessary by the Executive in accordance with prescribed criteria. Title II: For Environmental Research and Safety, Basic Energy Sciences, Program Support,and Related Programs - Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums for operating expenses: (1) for biomedical and environmental research, $85,900,000; (2) for operational safety, $4,300,000; (3) for environmental control technology, $8,900,000; (4) for basic energy sciences, $19,400,000 for material sciences and $11,800,000 for molecular, mathematical, and geosciences; and (5) for program support $88,035,000. Lists authorizations for additional plant and capital expenditures. Places percentage limitations on cost overruns. Stipulates that determination of the extent and amount of remedial payments for radiation exposure from uranium mill tailings in Colorado shall be based on the recommendation of the State of Colorado. Increases the amount of appropriations authorized for such purposes from $5,000,000 to $8,000,000. Title III: General Provisions - Stipulates that amounts appropriated to the Administration for operating expenses may remain available until expended. Authorizes transfers and mergers of funds for related purposes. Authorizes use of research budgets for the funding of employee-suggested research projects up to the pilot stage of development. Authorizes the Administrator of Energy Research and Development to perform construction design services where the Administrator determines that such project is of such urgency as to require prompt completion upon its approval by Congress. Requires officers or employees of the Energy Research and Development Administration involved in administering programs authorized by this Act to disclose all known financial interests in energy-related businesses. Imposes criminal penalties for knowing violations of such disclosure requirements. Prohibits the use of funds by the Administrator for contracting the services of the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory unless any such contract provides specific guarantees of self-organization to the employees of such laboratory. Title IV: Basis for Government Charge for Uranium Enrichment Services - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to transfer authority over contracts for uranium enrichment services from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to the Energy Research and Development Administration. Requires that Government charges for uranium enrichment services be on such a basis as to allow recovery of Government costs over a reasonable period of time. Revises procedures for Congressional review of criteria to be used in contracting for such services.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Clean Air Amendments - Amends the Clean Air Act to stipulate that no State shall receive less than one-half of one percent of the total annual appropriation under the Act allocated to qualified State agencies. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, after consultation with other government officials, to publish guidelines for transportation planning programs. Requires States to submit plans for prevention of significant deterioration of air quality in clean air regions, subject to approval by the Administrator. Establishes guidelines for classification of such regions. Imposes limitations on projected increases in ambient concentrations of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide for each class of such regions. Requires that new sources constructed in such regions utilize the best available control technology and certify that emissions from such facility will not contribute to a cumulative change in ambient air quality greater than the appropriate limits. Directs the Administrator to recommend to the Congress strategies to prevent significant deterioration by controlling pollutants other than particulates and sulfur dioxide. Authorizes the Administrator to grant extensions of up to five years for the attainment of national primary ambient standards where transportation measures are required. Details requirements for the submission of any such extension application by the Governor of the affected State. Directs the Administrator to make grants to local officials in order to assist in the development of transportation control plans for the area. Authorizes decreases in levels of such assistance if localities fail to implement conditions imposed as a result of an extension granted the region by the Administrator. Requires that States develop a satisfactory process of consultation with local governments with respect to preparation of State clean air implementation plans. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate design or equipment standards where necessary to control emissions of hazardous air pollutants. Authorizes State enforcement action against stationary sources found in violation of compliance schedules established pursuant to this Act. Authorizes extensions of compliance dates for major emitting facilities which submit plans for compliance through application of innovative techniques or technologies. Establishes procedures to allow major emitting facilities to convert to coal in order to conserve fuel and to allow additional time to comply with clean air requirements. Authorizes the Federal Energy Administrator to establish priorities among such facilities in order to insure that facilities in regions which do not meet primary standards are provided available emission control systems. Stipulates that compliance schedules established for such facilities shall be enforceable to the same extent as other compliance schedules established under the Act. Imposes a delayed compliance penalty on any major facility which for any reason not entirely beyond the control of the owner is not in compliance with an applicable emission limitation by January 1, 1979. Stipulates that such penalty shall be incorporated into the sources's compliance schedule and that it shall amount to a monthly payment in an amount no less than the monthly equivalent of the capital costs of compliance over a normal amortization period. Prohibits the construction or modification of major emitting facilities where such facility will prevent the attainment or maintenance of a national ambient air quality standard. Establishes an exception for construction or modification at existing sites, provided the proposed facility will utilize the best available control technology and will not, in combination with existing facilities at the site, prevent reasonable progress towards the achievement of ambient air quality standards. Establishes procedures for revision of State implementation plans where it is alleged that pollutants emitted in the United States endanger the health or welfare of persons in a foreign country. Abolishes the Air Quality Advisory Board originally established by the Act. Repeals energy-related authority previously vested in the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency as it relates to stationary sources. Directs the Administrator to contract for a National Academy of Sciences study of the nature and likelihood of potential effects on the public health and welfare from the release of halocarbons into the atmosphere. Requires further studies of the effects of halocarbons on the ozone in the stratosphere. Directs the Secretary of Labor, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to submit reports on studies of related matters. Directs the Administrator to consider such information and promulgate final regulations for the control of halocarbon discharges no later than April 1, 1978, subject to Congressional review. Imposes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for violation of such regulations. Revises motor vehicle emission standards under such Act to require heavy duty vehicles manufactured in model years 1979 and afterwards to utilize the best available control technology to reduce carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, particulate, and nitrogen oxide emissions. Revises emission standards for light duty vehicles to extend for two years from model year 1977 to 1979 the compliance date for light-duty vehicles to achieve a 90 percent reduction of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions from 1970 levels. Revises the applicable nitrogen oxides standard to require model year 1980 light duty vehicles to achieve a standard of 1.0 gram per vehicle mile. Extends the 2.0 gram per mile interim standard through model year 1979. Requires that no less than ten percent of the vehicles produced by major manufacturers during model year 1979 comply with 1980 standards. Directs the Administrator to contract for a National Academy of Sciences study of the feasibility of establishing light-duty motor vehicle emission standards imposed by this Act. Stipulates that the costs of retrofit devices to enable existing light duty vehicles to meet emission standards shall be included in the original purchase price of the vehicle. Requires the manufacturer to furnish written instructions as to the proper maintenance and use of the vehicle in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Administrator. Authorizes regions which do not meet primary ambient standards for mobile source pollutants to adopt and enforce model year 1980 motor vehicle emission standards in model year 1979. Directs the Administrator to study and report on the effects of emissions of sulfur-bearing compounds from motor vehicles and aircraft engines. Directs the Administrator to establish emission standards for air pollutants from railroad locomotives. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make inspections to insure compliance with such standards. Prohibits States and localities from adopting different standards. Awards costs and attorneys' fees to any private party who prevails against the United States or an officer of the United States in a judicial proceeding under the Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees who participate in any proceeding under the Act. Establishes a National Commission on Air Quality to study various air pollution control objectives and alternatives and report to the Congress. Authorizes the appropriation of $17,000,000 for such study. Authorizes the appropriation of the following amounts to carry out the general provisions of the Clean Air Act: $300,000,000 for fiscal year 1976; $75,000,000 for the transition period ending September 30, 1976, and $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1977 and 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $75,000,000 for grants to assist in the development of regional transportation control plans. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to study the impact on competition of warranties required by the Act. Directs the Administrator to study the feasibility of a system of penalties for emissions of nitrogen oxides.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Clean Air Act Amendments - Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize the appropriation of $200,000,000 per year for fiscal year 1977, 1978, and 1979 to carry out the general provisions of the Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $129,223,500 for fiscal year 1977 for research, development, and demonstration. Authorizes the appropriation of $75,000,000 for fiscal years 1977 through 1979 for development of State transportation control plans. Title I: Amendments Primarily Relating to Title I of the Clean Air Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide training assistance to qualified personnel in State air pollution control agencies. Revises criteria for allocation of Federal assistance for State air pollution planning and control programs. Directs the States to classify air quality control regions, subject to modifications by the Administrator, for the purpose of transportation control planning and prevention of significant air quality deterioration. Directs the Administrator to issue information on costs, benefits, and energy requirements with respect to the establishment of air quality criteria under the Act. Directs the Administrator to publish information and guidelines on procedures and methods of transportation controls designed to reduce air pollution from mobile sources. Requires a thorough review of air quality criteria and standards by an independent scientific review committee at five-year intervals. Revises criteria for establishment of new source performance standards to require consideration of non-air quality environmental factors and energy requirements in establishing such standards. Authorizes use of alternative technological systems to achieve new source standards. Directs the Administrator to consider development of new source standards for additional categories of major stationary sources. Directs the Administrator to include additional new source standards upon application by State Governors. Authorizes the Administrator to waive new source performance standards to encourage use of technological innovations. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate design or equipment standards, where appropriate, to control emissions of hazardous air pollutants. Authorizes States to extend compliance dates, in accordance with specified criteria, for stationary sources to January 1, 1979. Requires that major emitting sources be subject to a delayed compliance penalty in connection with the granting of such extensions. Revises provisions for assessment of civil and criminal penalties in connection with violations of implementation plan requirements and orders issued pursuant thereto. Establishes procedures for abatement of air pollution in foreign countries caused by pollutants emitted in the United States. Abolishes the Air Quality Advisory Board originally established by the Act. Repeals energy-related authority previously vested in the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency as it relates to stationary sources. Establishes procedures to allow major emitting facilities to convert to coal in order to conserve fuel and to allow additional time to comply with clean air requirements. Stipulates that Federal facilities shall not be immune or exempt from legal processes to enforce air pollution control requirements. Establishes procedures to authorize the use of supplemental controls for primary nonferrous smelters, upon application by owners or operators of such smelters, where it is demonstrated that control technology for such smelters is not adequately demonstrated to be reasonably available, considering costs, non-air quality environmental impacts, and energy requirements and where continued emissions will not violate national primary or secondary air quality standards. Stipulates that compliance schedules issued under such procedures shall not result in a postponement of applicable emission requirements beyond January 1, 1988. Directs the Administrator to review all relevant information concerning emissions of vinyl chloride, cadmium, arsenic, and polycyclic organic matter with a view to possible designation of such substances as criteria pollutants or as hazardous air pollutants. Directs the Administrator to issue criteria with a view to establishing a national ambient air quality standard for emissions of nitrogen dioxide over a period of not more than one hour. Directs the Administrator to study the effects of these substances, along with sulfates and other derivatives of nitrogen oxides. Prohibits the construction or modification of major emitting facilities which would result in violations of air quality standards unless specified requirements are met. Requires that such new or modified facilities utilize the best available control technology as defined by this Act and that such facilities comply with applicable emission limitations by January 1, 1979. Directs the Administrator to conduct an independent study, through the National Academy of Sciences, to review the necessity of indirect source review programs contained in State implementation plans. Imposes limitations on the use of indirect source controls unless necessary to meet national primary ambient air quality standards for mobile source-related pollutants. Defines the term "indirect source" to include various facilities which may attract mobile pollution sources. Directs the Administrator to establish procedures for abating interstate air pollution. Directs the Administrator to contract for a National Academy of Sciences study of the nature and likelihood of potential effects on the public health and welfare from the release of substances into the stratosphere. Directs the Secretary of Labor, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to submit reports on studies of related matters. Directs the Administrator to consider such information and promulgate final regulations no later than April 1, 1978, subject to Congressional review. Imposes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for violation of such regulations. Requires States to submit plans for prevention of significant deterioration of air quality in clean air regions, subject to approval by the Administrator. Establishes guidelines for classification of such regions. Imposes limitations on projected increases in ambient concentrations of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide for each class of such regions. Requires that newly constructed major emitting facilities in such regions utilize the best available control technology and certify that emissions from such facility will not contribute to a cumulative change in ambient air quality greater than the appropriate limits. Directs the Administrator to recommend to the Congress strategies to prevent significant deterioration by controlling pollutants other than particulates and sulfur dioxide. Directs the Administrator to convene a conference on air quality modeling within six months after the enactment of this Act and every three years thereafter. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines and reports with respect to prevention of significant deterioration and control of photochemical oxidants on a regional or multistate basis. Authorizes the Administrator to grant extensions of up to five years for the attainment of national primary ambient standards where transportation measures are required. Details requirements for the submission of any such extension application by the Governor of the affected State. Directs the Administrator to make grants to local officials in order to assist in the development of transportation control plans for the area. Authorizes decreases in levels of such assistance if localities fail to implement conditions imposed as a result of an extension granted the region by the Administrator. Title II: Amendments Primarily Relating to Title II of the Clean Air Act - Revises emission standards for light duty motor vehicles to extend for two years from model year 1977 to 1979 the compliance date for light-duty vehicles to achieve a 90 percent reduction of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions from 1970 levels. Revises the applicable nitrogen oxides standard to require model year 1981 light duty vehicles to achieve a standard of 1.0 gram per vehicle mile. Extends the 2.0 gram per mile interim standard through model year 1980. Directs the Administrator to require submission of research and development plans by major automobile manufacturers designed to achieve such goals. Revises motor vehicle emission standards to require heavy duty vehicles manufactured in model years 1979 and afterwards to utilize the best available control technology to reduce carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, particulate, and nitrogen oxide emissions. Establishes model year 1983 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles which require a 75 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides emissions and a 90 percent reduction in carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions from such vehicles. Authorizes the Administrator to issue revised emission standards following public hearings and submission of a report to Congress. Directs the Administrator to study the possibility of increased use of cost-effectiveness analyses in order to achieve the purposes of this Act. Directs the Administrator to study the health effects of particulate emissions from motor vehicles. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to study the impact on competition of various warranties imposed by the Act with respect to motor vehicle emission control systems. Directs the Administrator to study the health effects of emissions of sulfur compounds from motor vehicles and aircraft. Requires that State implementation plans provide for annual inspection and maintenance of light-duty vehicles in regions where transportation control measures are refined. Directs the Administrator to establish emission standards for air pollutants from railroad locomotives. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make inspections to insure compliance with such standards. Prohibits States and localities from adopting different standards. Title III: Amendments Primarily Relating to Title III of the Clean Air Act - Stipulates that the degree of emission limitation required under applicable State clean air implementation plans shall not be affected by stack height or any other dispersion technique. Authorizes courts to award costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney and witness fees, in judicial proceedings where review of action of the Administrator is sought. Prohibits discrimination against employees who participate in any proceeding under the Act. Establishes procedures for allocation of cost of emission control for vapor recovery with respect to mobile source fuels. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to study the effects of such requirements on independent small business marketers of gasoline. Authorizes the Administrator to exempt small, independent firms from such requirements. Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with the National Academy of Sciences, to study the hazards presented by emissions of fine particulate matter. Requires disclosure of known financial interests which might conflict with administration of the Act by employees of the Environmental Protection Agency. Directs the Administrator to prepare economic impact assessments for regulations proposed under this Act. Establishes a National Commission on Air Quality to study various air pollution control objectives and alternatives and report to the Congress. Authorizes the appropriation of $18,000,000 for such study. Directs the Administrator to study the problem of carbon monoxide intrusion into buses and sustained-use motor vehicles. Title IV: Miscellaneous Amendments - Redefines the basis of administrative standards under the Act to direct the Administrator to act where emissions cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger the public health or welfare. Stipulates that rules or regulations prescribed by the Administrator under the Clean Air Act shall be subject to Congressional review. Directs the Administrator to transmit a comprehensive five-year plan of environmental research, development, and demonstration to the Congress, to be updated on an annual basis.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Deems service as a member of the Women's Air Force Service Pilots as active duty for the purposes of all laws administered by the Veterans' Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Opportunities Industrialization Centers Skills Training and National Community Based Organizations Job Creation and Employment Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) contact Opportunities Industrialization Centers, Incorporated, for the provision of skills training to certain types of unemployed persons through such centers; and (2) contact other national community based organizations, such as the Urban League and union-related organizations, for the provision of comprehensive employment services, including counseling, job creation and development, remedial education, and followup. Directs the head of each agency having administrative authority with respect to specified Federal grant and construction programs to take steps to assure that special consideration be given national community based organizations in providing employment services and job opportunities for unemployed persons pursuant to such authority.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States, and the District of Columbia, shall elect the President and Vice President. Requires each elector to cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. Requires the electors of President and Vice President in each State to have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature, except that for electors of President and Vice President, the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive residence qualifications and for electors of President and Vice President the Congress may establish uniform residence qualifications. Provides that the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected, if such number be at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast for such offices. Provides that if no pair of persons has such number, a runoff election shall be held in which the choice of President and Vice President shall be made from the two pairs of persons who received the highest numbers of votes. Requires the days for such elections to be determined by Congress and to be uniform throughout the United States. Requires Congress to prescribe by law the time, place, and manner in which the results for such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Allows Congress to provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and Policy - Declares that most of the nation's coal reserve can only be mined by underground methods. Lists the purposes of this Act, including the establishment of a nationwide program to prevent adverse effects to society and the environment from surface coal mining. Title II: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement - Establishes in the Interior Department the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement with a Director appointed by the President. States that such Office shall administer the programs required by this Act and assist the States in development of State programs for surface coal mining and reclamation. States that the Office shall be considered an independent Federal regulatory body. Title III: Abandoned Mine Reclamation - Creates the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund in the Treasury of the United States. Stipulates that $.35 per ton of coal from the royalties on Federal coal produced by surface mining and $.15 per ton of coal from royalties on Federal coal produced by underground mining shall be deposited into the Fund. Authorizes use of money in the Fund for acquisition and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mine lands and for acquisitions and fillings of voids and sealing of tunnels and entryways in abandoned mines. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into agreements with landowners, including owners of water rights, under which such landowners shall furnish a conservation and development plan and shall effect such plan in return for financial assistance from the Secretary of Agriculture of up to 80 percent of the cost of such a reclamation effort. Allows resale of reclaimed land by public bidding, and allows local public participation in determining the use of reclaimed land. Title IV: Control of the Environmental Impacts of Surface Coal Mining - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to publish, within 180 days of the enactment of this Act, regulations which establish a permanent regulatory procedure and performance standards for surface coal mining and reclamation standards. Requires the Secretary to obtain the concurrence of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to regulations concerned with air or water quality standards. Establishes a permit program to require mining operators to comply with environmental protection standards. Allows State control over surface mining permits if certain requirements are met. Authorizes the implementation of a Federal program if States fail to act. Imposes the following general environmental performance standards on surface mining operations as a condition of the issuance of a permit under this Act: (1) restoration of the land affected to a prior use, consistent with public health and safety; (2) restoration to the original contour of the land, and backfilling, grading, and compacting the excess overburden and other waste materials to attain the lowest grade; (3) removal and segregation of topsoil in a separate layer where it is able to support vegetation; (4) minimization of disturbances to the hydrologic balance at the minesite and surrounding areas by eliminating or reducing toxic drainage, siltation, and contamination problems; (5) conformity with standards for the design and location of coal mine waste piles; and (6) establishment of a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetation on affected areas. Stipulates that the regulatory authority shall make test borings of core samplings for mining operators with an estimated annual production of less than 250,000 tons of coal. Establishes additional requirements for steep-slope surface mining operations. Defines the term "steep-slope" to include any slope above 20 degrees or lesser slopes as may be defined by the regulatory authority. Permits State laws and regulations that are more stringent than those set forth pursuant to this Act. Requires permit applications to describe the method of mining and equipment proposed to be used, to describe by maps the land to be affected, and to contain a statement of results of test borings or core samplings of the affected land. Stipulates that permits must be accompanied by a mining and reclamation plan which shall include a description of present uses of the land, steps to be taken to prevent environmental damage, and a description of the reclamation activities. Requires the posting of performance bonds and possession of liability insurance by applicants for permits. Requires the establishment of coal exploration regulations by appropriate State and Federal authorities. Requires that such regulations include provisions for reclamation of lands disturbed in exploration activities. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations directed at the surface effects of underground mining. Directs and authorizes inspection of surface coal mining and reclamation to determine compliance with this Act and regulations. Provides requirements for recordkeeping and submittal and monitoring by mine operators. Requires surprise inspections by regulatory agencies not less than once a month. Imposes civil penalties for violation of this Act or regulations under it. Establishes procedures for citizen suits and judicial review of actions under this Act. Establishes conditions under which mine operators may request a release of all or part of the performance bond. Requires public notice and hearings upon applications for such releases. Requires States to establish, as a condition of assuming primary regulatory control, a planning process designed to identify lands unsuitable for surface coal mining. Requires designation of lands as unsuitable if it can be shown that reclamation pursuant to the requirements of the Act is not feasible. Authorizes designation of lands as unsuitable where mining operations will: (1) be incompatible with land use plans or programs; (2) affect fragile or historic lands of significant historic, scientific or esthetic value; (3) affect renewable land resources with an impact on long-range food and water supply; and (4) increase a significant hazard to life and property, including the possibility of flood and earthquake damage. Prohibits surface coal mining operations on certain Federal lands, or within 100 feet of a public road or within 300 feet of a building or dwelling, unless the consent of the affected public or private interest is obtained. Requires implementation of a Federal lands program applicable to all surface coal mining and reclamation activities pursuant to Federal laws or taking place on Federal lands. Requires that coal exploration operations which substantially disturb the natural land surface on such lands be subject to a permit program established by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires separate regulations for programs for special bituminous coal surface mines that meet specified criteria. Title V: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees for filing suit under this Act and for testifying in a proceeding under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual grants to the States to assist the States in developing, administering, and enforcing State programs under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training, and assistance in preparing and maintaining a continuing inventory of information on surface coal mining and reclamation projects. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. Directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering and other groups for a study of the technology for surface and open-pit mining and reclamation for minerals other than coal designed to assist in the development of regulation for such operations. Directs the Secretary to consult with Indian tribes in studying the regulation of surface mining on Indian lands. Requires all surface coal mining operations on Indian lands to comply with requirements at least as stringent as specified provisions in this Act within 30 months from the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums to carry out this Act: (1) for various contract authority, $10,000,000 immediately and $10,000,000 for each of the next two fiscal years; and (2) for administrative and other purposes, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $20,000,000 for fiscal years 1979 and 1980, and $30,000,000 for each fiscal year thereafter.
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