United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1976
States that every foster child has inherent rights and standards for treatment including the following: (1) to be cherished by a family of his own; (2) to be nurtured by foster parents who have been selected to meet his individual needs, and who are provided services and supports; (3) to be reared in the proper environment; (4) to receive education, training, and career guidance; (5) to be represented by an attorney at law in administrative or judicial proceedings with access to fair hearings and court review of decisions; and (6) to receive a high quality of child welfare services.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1976
Voting Rights Act Repealer Amendments Act - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to repeal the prohibitions against voting qualifications, prerequisites, tests, or devices which abridge the right of a citizen to vote who is a member of a language minority. Repeals the requirement that States and other political subdivisions make available registration and voting materials, and voting assistance in languages other than English in areas where (1) more than five percent of the citizens belong to a single language minority, and (2) the illiteracy rate of such minority exceeds the national rate.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1976
Abolishes the Federal Energy Administration. Transfers the functions of the Federal Energy Administration to the Secretary of the Interior. Transfers international energy affairs functions to the Department of the Treasury. Transfers conservation and environmental functions to the Department of Commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1976
Authorizes the Chief of Engineers to initiate construction of the project for water quality control in the Arkansas-Red River Basin in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1976
Exempts fraternal societies, orders, and associations operating under the lodge system from the status of private foundations for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1976
Arkansas-Red River Basin, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas Water Resources Development Act - Modifies the project for water quality control in the Arkansas-Red River Basin in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, to authorize the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to initiate construction of remaining project features designed to reduce natural salt pollution within the Wichita River Basin.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1976
Arkansas-Red River Basin, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas Water Resources Development Act - Modifies the project for water quality control in the Arkansas-Red River Basin in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, to authorize the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to initiate construction of remaining project features designed to reduce natural salt pollution within the Wichita River Basin.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1976
Excludes the value of any principal residence held by the decedent in determining the value of the estate on which such residence is located for purposes of the estate tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Increases the limitation on the aggregate amount of marital deductions to 50 percent of the value of the adjusted gross estate, plus $100,000. Authorizes a five-year extension in the time for paying the first installment due from a taxpayer where the estate consists largely of an interest in a closely held business.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Authorizes a taxpayer who receives an interest in any proven oil or gas property to utilize the percentage depletion allowance with respect to the production of crude oil or natural gas attributable to such interest where the interest is transferred for other than a tax avoidance purpose, under the Internal Revenue Code. Stipulates that taxable income for the purpose of computing the limitation on percentage depletion allowances shall be computed without regard to the deduction for expenses incurred in connection with exploration for non-producing wells and expenses relating to intangible drilling and development costs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1976
Authorizes each State to determine the staffing standards with respect to child day care services for which the State receives payments under Title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1976
Amends the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to stipulate that price controls shall not apply to the first sale of crude oil produced from domestic "stripper" wells whose daily production of crude oil for the preceding year did not exceed ten barrels per well. Authorizes periodic inspections to insure compliance with the requirement that wells which qualify for the exemption are actually producing crude oil at the maximum feasible rate. Stipulates that price controls shall not apply to first sales of crude oil from marginal domestic wells. Establishes criteria for defining such wells, based on the factors of vertical depth and maximum daily production. Authorizes periodic inspections to insure compliance with such criteria. Stipulates that price controls shall not apply to first sales of crude oil from enhanced recovery operations. Establishes procedures for certification of such operations by the Federal Energy Administration and other appropriate regulatory agencies. Stipulates that the certified estimate as to the future rate of production shall be used in determining the volume of crude oil to be exempted from price controls. States that price controls shall not apply to first sales of crude oil from new discoveries. Allows such exemption for crude oil produced on properties which had not produced crude oil prior to February 1, 1976. Establishes criteria for verification of new discoveries by the Federal Energy Administration and other appropriate agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1976
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to further define the term "navigable waters" as it applies to the issuance of permits for dredged or fill material by the Corps of Engineers.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1976
States that unemployment compensation, for those ordinarily steadily employed but who have become temporarily, involuntarily unemployed, which is payable to a Federal employee for any week shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the benefits payable to him with respect to such week under a Federal pension system.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1976
Department of Education Act - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education to be headed by a Secretary of Education appointed by the President. Transfers to such Department all functions and assets of the Office of Education and of the Commissioner of Education, as well as other functions and related assets of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare under specified laws and provisions of law relating to education. Transfers specified functions and related assets of other executive departments relating to education to such new Department. Redesignates the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Department of Health and Welfare. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a working capital fund for the maintenance and operation of administrative services of the Department. Authorizes the Secretary to provide specified services, supplies, and facilities for employees of the Department and their dependents stationed in remote areas. Allows the Secretary of the Treasury to invest and reinvest in securities of the United States or in federally guaranteed securities, any moneys contained in the capital fund created by the Secretary of Education. Authorizes the Secretary to appoint advisory committees for consultation purposes, and to enter into contracts for research into any aspect of the problems related to the programs of the Department. Makes specified amendments in various laws to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Secretary to make an annual report to the President for submission to the Congress regarding the activities of the Department. States that all orders, regulations, contracts and licenses previously in effect under any provision of law amended under this Act or in the exercise of functions transferred under this Act shall remain in effect until modified or terminated by the Secretary. States that this Act shall not affect any proceedings pending before any department or agency, but that such proceedings to the extent they relate to functions transferred under this Act shall be continued before the Department. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress, within two years from the effective date of this Act, a proposed codification of all laws which contain functions transferred to the Secretary by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Amends the Farm Labor Registration Act of 1963 to exempt from the registration requirements of such Act, persons who engage solely in the contracting of combine machine operating crews for the harvesting of grain or the contracting of individuals for the shearing of sheep.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1976
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the Congress shall seek to assure that the total outlays of the Government during any fiscal year do not exceed the total receipts of the Government during such fiscal year. Directs the President to ascertain the total receipts and outlays of the Government during each fiscal year. Provides that if the total receipts are less than the total outlays, the President shall determine the percentage rate of income tax surtax to be imposed to equal the amount by which such total receipts are less than total outlays. Provides that the income tax surtax, which would otherwise be in effect for the year, may be suspended in case of a grave national emergency declared by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1976
Requires that any concurrent resolution adopted pursuant to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 may not set forth a recommended level of Federal revenues which is lower than the appropriate level of total budget outlays.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Small Employer Occupational Safety and Health Amendments - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide that no standard adopted by the Secretary of Labor shall require any employer of twenty-five or fewer employees to phase out, change, or replace any existing equipment or facilities before the expiration of its normal useful life. Exempts any employer of twenty-five or fewer employees from penalty or citation where non-compliance with specified rules or standards has been found if such employer is able to show that he furnished adequate notice, exerted reasonable efforts to obtain the compliance of his employees, and could not have reasonably prevented the violation. Provides that the Secretary of Labor or his representative may render onsite consultation and advice to employers of twenty-five or fewer employees upon request of such employer. Provides that the Secretary may issue recommendations regarding the elimination of any hazards disclosed within the scope of the consultation, but that no citation or civil penalty shall follow from such onsite consultation except for the purpose of eliminating imminent dangers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Makes it unlawful for any individual or entity to solicit or enroll any member of the armed forces in any labor organization, or for any member of the armed forces to join, or encourage other members to join, any labor union. Prescribes a penalty of not more than five years imprisonment for any individual violating this Act, and a fine of not less than $25,000 or more than $50,000 for any labor organization in violation of this Act. (Adds 10 U.S.C. 975)
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1976
Requires the United States Postal Service to consider specified factors in determining the need for an existing third- or fourth-class post office. Sets guidelines relating to such determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1976
Indian Tribal Restoration Act - Extends Federal recognition to the Wyandotte Indian Tribe of Oklahoma, the Ottawa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma, and the Peoria Indian Tribe of Oklahoma. Reinstates all rights and privileges of such tribes under Federal treaty, statute, or otherwise which may have been diminished or lost under previous legislative enactments. Extends recognition to the Modoc Indian Tribe of Oklahoma.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1976
Directs the Indian Claims Commission to determine the value of the property interests of which the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma was deprived as a result of specified legislation and to enter a final judgement in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Claims Commission Act, including all rights of appeal therein provided.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Transfers from Federal to State courts jurisdiction to enter decrees requiring the transportation of students or teachers to carry out a plan of racial desegregation, when such cases arise within a State. Vests appellate jurisdiction of such cases in the Supreme Court of the United States by writ of certiorari from the highest State or territorial court exercising such jurisdiction. Terminates the order of any Federal court requiring the transportation of students and teachers to carry out a plan of racial desegregation. Directs any State court of appellate jurisdiction to assume jurisdiction of such cases upon application of a party.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1976
Provides that the Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities shall not release a final report containing any information classified by the Executive, which the President, after ten days to consider such report, certifies should not be publicly released, unless the Senate, after adequate time to consider the President's objections, shall decide by a majority vote to release the report publicly.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1976
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating the week beginning May 9, 1976, as "National Small Business Week", in recognition of the achievements and contributions which small and independent family-farmers and business men and women have made to American society.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1976
Regulatory Review Act - Requires that all regulations proposed by any officer or agency of the United States be submitted to the Congress for review. Requires each submission to include a report of the probable effects of such regulation on the Federal and State governments and consumers. Provides that such regulations will become effective 60 legislative days after submission to the Congress or later if so provided for by such regulation unless either House of Congress adopts a resolution disapproving such regulation. States that this Act shall not apply to regulations dealing with national security, foreign affairs, agency management, or personnel matters.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1976
Disapproves the proposed deferral of budget authority (Deferral D/76-97) for Indian health facilities set forth in the special messages transmitted by the President to the Congress on January 23, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1976
Increases the estate tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code from $60,000 to $400,000 of the value of the gross estate. Allows an executor to value farmland and woodland at its current use value rather than at its fair market value.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1976
Amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to exempt Boys State, Boys Nation, Girls State and Girls Nation conferences, from the sex discrimination provisions of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1976
Requests the President to engage in the negotiation of agreements with other nations to help prevent acts of terrorism by, among other means, denying assistance or asylum to persons who perpetuate acts of terrorism, and by invoking sanctions against any nation which gives assistance or grants asylum to such person.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1976
Emergency Food Stamp Vendor Accountability Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Food Stamp Act of 1964, to prescribe regulations to be followed by food coupon vendors with respect to the depositing of funds received for such coupons and the accounting for such funds to the State and Federal Governments. Requires vendors to deposit such funds weekly in accordance with Department of Agriculture regulations. Requires more frequent deposit of balances of $1,000 or more. States that vendors act as fiduciaries of the Federal Government when receiving food coupon funds. Prohibits the use of such funds by vendors for the benefit of anyone other than the Federal Government. Requires vendors to report periodically to State and Federal Government agencies the amount of funds deposited. Establishes criminal penalties for the violation of the regulations established in accordance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1976
Amends the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to stipulate that price controls shall not apply to the first sale of crude oil produced from domestic wells whose daily production of crude oil for the preceding year did not exceed ten barrels per well.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1975
Reduces the excise tax imposed on investment income of private foundations by the Internal Revenue Code from four percent to two percent, effective as of the taxable year ending after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1975
Siletz Restoration Act - Terminates Federal supervision over the property and members of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon. Extends to the Siletz Indians Federal recognition as a sovereign Indian tribe. Restores to the Siletz Indians those Federal services and benefits furnished to federally recognized American tribes. Declares that the membership roll of the tribe published in the Federal Register on July 12, 1956, is open. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make current such roll including all persons entitled to be in the roll of July 12, 1956, but were not and any descendent of an enrollee who possesses at least one-fourth degree of Siletz Indian blood. Establishes procedures for the election of a Siletz Interim Council which shall act as the interim tribal governing body until the election of tribal officers. Declares that such Council shall draft a constitution and by-laws for the tribe to be voted on by those on the current membership roll. States that within 120 days of the adoption of such constitution the Council shall conduct an election by secret ballot to determine those individuals who will serve as tribal officers as provided by the constitution. Directs the Secretary to negotiate with the Siletz Interim Council to develop a plan for the assumption of land and other assets of the tribe and to submit such plan to Congress. Provides that if neither House of Congress has passed a resolution of disapproval within 60 days the Secretary shall accept such land and other assets of the tribe pursuant to such plan. Subjects all land and assets so transferred to any valid existing rights including any outstanding taxes, liens, mortgages or any other obligation. Provides that such lands and assets are subject to foreclosure or sale pursuant to the terms of any valid existing obligation in accordance with the laws of Oregon. Declares that the land transferred shall be held in trust for the tribe and shall be their reservation. Exempts such transfers of land and other assets from all local, state and Federal taxation. Authorizes the Secretary to make such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1975
Makes it a crime to damage an employer's property notwithstanding the fact that such damage takes place during the course of a labor dispute. Includes within the crime of extortion, the obtaining of the property of another by violence or threat of violence in the course of a labor dispute. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 1951)
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1975
Imposes a one-year moratorium, except for rotational purposes, on the sale or disposition from stockpiles of strategic and critical materials acquired under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act, Defense Production Act, Agricultural Trade Development Act or any other Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1975
Disapproves the Act of the District of Columbia Council entitled "An Act to authorize the issuance of $50,000,000 General Obligation Bonds of the District of Columbia to refund certain loans made to the District from the United States Treasury", passed by the Council of the District of Columbia and signed by the Mayor.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1975
Extends from February 1, 1976, to October 1, 1977, the period during which payment may be made for child day care services under titles IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) and XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act without regard to new staffing standards imposed by or under title XX.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1975
Establishes the Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labor or Management Field. Directs the Select Committee to investigate and study the extent, if any, to which illegal or unethical activities are engaged in by any persons in the field of labor-management relations. Empowers the Select Committee with such authority as is necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution. Authorizes the Committee to recommend the enactment of new legislation it considers necessary to safeguard the integrity of labor-management relations. Directs the Committee to make a final report of its findings to the Senate no later than December 31, 1976. Limits the expenses of the Committee to $1,250,000 through December 31, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1975
States that the Senate commends Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger for his excellence in office, his intellectual honesty, personal integrity, courage and independence. Expresses a debt of gratitude to Secretary Schlesinger for his services and particularly for his determination to convey the truth to the American people.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1975
States that Congress has not delegated to the Federal Trade Commission any authority to determine whether, or to what extent, any rule issued under the Federal Trade Act preempts the laws of the States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1975
Allows a tax deduction, under the Internal Revenue Code, of an amount equal to 25 percent of the gross income from a geothermal steam and geothermal resources property. States that such deduction may not exceed 50 percent of the taxpayer's taxable income from the property.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1975
Dairy and Meat Import Inspection and Identification Act - Establishes labeling and sanitation requirements for imported meat and dairy products. Title I: Dairy Products - Defines terms as used in this title. Directs that no dairy products shall be imported into the United States unless the Secretary of Agriculture first certifies that such products are wholesome and pure. Requires the Secretary to establish standards comparable to standards imposed upon domestic dairy products. Provides that such imports must comply with United States packaging and labeling requirements. Requires that the package or container of any food product made in whole or in part of imported dairy products shall be labeled "imported" or "imported in part". Establishes criminal penalties for violation of the requirements of this Act. Title II: Meat and Meat Products - Imposes the same labeling requirements on meat products as those imposed by title I of this Act. Requires that such products meet the same health standards as imposed upon domestically produced meats. Requires that inspectors employed by the Department of Agriculture supervise the testing of imported meats. Directs that periodic tests of imported meats shall be conducted in the United States by the Department of Agriculture.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1975
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating November 10, 1975, in commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1975
Provides that members of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin shall be considered Indians for which hospital and medical care was being provided by or at the expense of the Public Health Service since August 16, 1957, for purposes of any legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1975
Constitutional Amendment - States that, with respect to the right to life, the word "person", as used in this article and in the fifth and fourteenth articles of amendment to the Constitution of the United States, applies to all human beings, irrespective of age, health, function, or condition of dependency, including their unborn offspring at every stage of their biological development. Provides that no person shall be deprived of life by any person. Provides that this article shall not apply in an emergency when a reasonable medical certainty exists that continuation of the pregnancy will cause the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1975
Constitutional Amendment - States that, with respect to the right to life, the word 'person,' as used in this article and in the fifth and fourteenth amendments to the Constitution of the United States, applies to all human beings, including their unborn offspring at every stage of their biological development, irrespective of age, health, function, or condition of dependency. Provides that this article shall not apply in an emergency when a reasonable medical certainty exists that continuation of the pregnancy will cause death of the mother.
![Official portrait of Sen. Bartlett, Dewey F. [R-OK]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000200_200.jpg)