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
Land and Water Resources Conservation Act - Provides for an appraisal of quality and quantity of the land and water resources of the Nation. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to formulate resource appraisal reports by December 31, 1979, and at each five-year interval thereafter. Directs the development, through the Soil Conservation Service, of a National Land and Water Conservation Program for furthering land and water conservation on private and non-Federal lands. Stipulates that the program shall set forth the direction of future soil and water conservation efforts based on the current resource appraisal as formulated under the provisions of this Act. Requires a report on such appraisal and program to be transmitted to the Congress on the first day Congress convenes in 1980 and at each five-year interval thereafter, together with a detailed statement of policy intended to be used in framing budget requests for Soil Conservation Service activities. Permits Congress a right of disapproval of such appraisal, program, or policy statement. Provides that commencing with the budget for fiscal year 1979, requests presented by the President to the Congress governing Soil Conservation Service activities shall express in qualitative and quantitative terms the extent to which the programs and policies projected under the budget meet the policies approved by Congress in accordance with this Act. Requires the Secretary, during preparation of the fiscal year 1980 budget and annually thereafter, to prepare a report which evaluates the program's effectiveness in attaining the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Sunset Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Sets forth a five-year schedule for review and reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for fiscal year 1977. States that no program not specifically reauthorized by Congress pursuant to this Act shall continue to function after the review date set forth in such schedule. Excepts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as health care services, general retirement and disability insurance, and Federal employment retirement and disability payments. Permits legislation authorizing Federal program review more often than every five years as required by this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to identify for Congress for each program being reviewed the type of budget authority such program has and those inactive programs for which no outlays have been made during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Title II: Review of Programs - Requires the authorizing committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct "sunset reviews" of all programs prior to the review date applicable to such program and to issue a report on the findings of such review. Sets forth guidelines for the content of such sunset reviews including the identification of programs with duplicative objectives and an assessment of the impact of eliminating the program or funding it at a lower level. Provides the authorizing committees with assistance from the Government Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service in carrying out such sunset reviews. Title III: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes a Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to study and make recommendations on ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government. Requires the Commission to submit its final report together with its findings and recommendations no later than September 30, 1980. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Joint Committee on Taxation, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Budget Committees of the House and Senate, to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax expenditures, similar to the schedule set out in Title I for Federal programs, and to report its recommendations to the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance. Requires the Congress to take final action before the end of the 95th Congress on the schedule for tax expenditures. States that, following the adoption of the schedule, the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance are required to conduct "sunset" reviews of tax expenditures according to the schedule. Sets forth guidelines for such reviews similar to those set out in Title II for such programs. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires executive department agency heads to submit to Congress (after the President has submitted his budget) a statement of that agency's request for new budget authority as transmitted to the Office of Management and Budget. Requires agency heads to furnish the authorizing committees of Congress information regarding supplemental budget requests and supplemental estimates of outlays. Provides for a one-year grace period for programs which have not been specifically reauthorized by the scheduled time.
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
Requests the President: (1) to require an accounting for prisoners of war, missing in action, or killed in action in Southeast Asia; and (2) to require the Secretary of State to pursue enforcement of the Paris Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Committee System Reorganization Amendments - Title I: Standing Committees: Jurisdictions and Sizes - Establishes and defines, pursuant to the Standing Rules of the Senate, the jurisdictions of the Senate committees on Agriculture and Small Business; Appropriations; Armed Services; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; the Budget; Commerce, Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Environment and Public Works; Finance; Foreign Relations; Governmental Affairs; Human Resources; the Judiciary; and Rules, Administration, and Standards in lieu of the present standing Senate committees. Title II: Committee Assignments; Chairmanships - States that no Senator may serve on more than two standing and one select, special, or ad hoc committees and no more than two subcommittees of each standing committee and one subcommittee of each select, special, or ad hoc committee of which he is a member. Allows each Senator to serve as chairman of not more than one standing, select, special, or ad hoc committee of the Senate or joint committee of Congress and not more than one subcommittee of any Senate or joint committee of which he is a member. Requires the appropriate Senate committee to report legislation not later than July 1, 1977, terminating specified joint congressional committees and prohibits the referral to or receipt of a report from any joint congressional committee by the Senate. Title III: Multiple Referral of Proposed Legislation; Establishment of Ad Hoc Committees - Requires the presiding officer of the Senate to decide which committee has jurisdiction with respect to any proposed legislation except that such decision shall be subject to appeal. States that upon motion by the Majority and Minority Leaders or their designates, proposed legislation may be referred to two or more committees jointly or sequentially. Sets forth rules for the establishment of ad hoc committees by resolution proposed by the Majority and Minority Leaders or their designates. Title IV: Scheduling of Committee Meetings - Requires the Committee on Rules, Administration, and Standards of the Senate to maintain a computerized schedule of all meetings of the committees and subcommittees of the Senate and all meetings of the joint committees of the Congress and their subcommittees to be available on-line to terminals in the offices of all Senators, committees of the Senate, and permanent joint committees of the Congress to be updated hourly. Prohibits the meeting of a Senate committee or subcommittee, without special leave, after the first two hours after a meeting of the Senate has commenced and in no case after two o'clock p.m. unless the Majority and Minority Leaders have given their consent. Prohibits Senate members of congressional joint committees from meeting at such times without special leave. Declares it the sense of the Senate that, insofar as possible, roll call votes should not be held before two o'clock p.m. on any day without 24 hours' notice. (Amends 2 U.S.C. 190b) Title V: Continuing Review of the Committee System - Requires the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate to review on a continuing basis the committee system of the Senate and to report the results of such review to the Senate during each Congress. Requires such report to include such Leaders' recommendations for change, if they have such recommendations. Title VI: Amendments not within a Committee's Jurisdiction - Makes out of order any proposed committee amendments which contains matter not within the jurisdiction of the committee proposing such amendment. Title VII: Committee Staffs - Provides for the transfer of committee staffs from the committees existing before the effective date of this Resolution to those committees created by this resolution. Specifies severance pay and other compensation for staff members whose jobs are terminated as a result of the provisions of this resolution or any other action which terminates the committee duties of the Senator for whom such staff member worked for the purposes of assisting such Senator in carrying out such committee duties. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - States that all proposed legislation and nominations referred to the standing committees of the Senate before the effective date of this resolution shall be rereferred on such effective date to the appropriate standing committee.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1976
Elementary and Secondary Education Optional Consolidation and Reorganization Act - Declares it the purpose of this Act to afford States the option of consolidating and reorganizing specified programs of assistance to State and local educational agencies for elementary, secondary, vocational, and adult education into three broad categories: (1) special educational needs programs; (2) vocational education programs; and (3) special emphasis projects. Title I: Special Needs Program - Requires each State which desires to consolidate Federal educational aid programs under this Act to include the following in its comprehensive consolidation plan: (1) a program designed to address the special educational needs of educationally deprived children in local education agencies having high concentrations of children from low- income families, of neglected and delinquent children in State-operated programs, and of children in adult correctional institutions; (2) a program designed to provide comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, social, and other similar services primarily for children from low-income families; (3) a program designed to address the special educational needs of children of migratory agricultural workers and of migratory fishermen; (4) a program designed to provide and establish standards for specified educational programs for handicapped children; (5) a program of instruction designed for children of limited English-speaking ability; and (6) a program of bilingual vocational training. Requires every agency operating educational programs for the handicapped which is to receive assistance under this Act to establish and maintain procedures to assure safeguards to handicapped children and their parents with respect to the provision of appropriate free public education. Sets forth guidelines for the distribution of the funds received by the States for each program required under this title. Title II: Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Employment Training - Requires each State which does not have a separate State agency for vocational education and desires to participate in the consolidation program authorized by this Act to include specified programs in its comprehensive consolidation plan, including: (1) a program designed to improve existing and develop new programs of vocational education; (2) a program to provide part-time employment for youths who need the earnings from such employment to continue their vocational training on a full-time basis; (3) a program to provide vocational education to persons who are handicapped and persons who have limited English-speaking ability; and (4) a program to meet the needs for adult basic education and to plan and operate community education projects. Authorizes each State to include in its comprehensive plan a program to provide the education program portion of the manpower services program under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act. Sets forth guidelines to the distribution of the funds received by States for programs under this title. Title III: Special Emphasis Projects - Requires each State desiring to participate in the consolidation program authorized by this Act to include in its comprehensive plan a program to provide services and make grants to local educational agencies for the acquisition of printed materials and instructional equipment and for the development of specified guidance, innovation, curricula improvement, health services, and support project programs. Sets forth guidelines for the distribution of funds received by States under this title. Title IV: General Provisions - Directs the Commissioner of Education to reserve from amounts appropriated for fiscal years 1978-82 to carry out programs which may be consolidated under this Act such sums as are necessary to make allotments to States which choose to consolidate such plans for programs under their respective comprehensive plans. Sets forth formulae to determine the amount of such allotments. Extends planning grants to States desiring to participate in the consolidation program authorized by this Act to assist such States in the preparation of consolidated plans. Details administrative prerequisites for receiving such grants. Directs the Commissioner to make payments for administration of State consolidation programs. Requires each State to establish procedures in developing its comprehensive State plan which are designed to assure specified administrative safeguards and flexibility. Lists additional requirements relative to such plans. Directs the Commissioner to make supplemental grants to States participating in the consolidation program the proceeds of which are to flow through to local educational agencies or be used in programs administered by the State which provide direct services to students. Requires (1) each State participating in the consolidation program to adopt an evaluation model by which to assess the effectiveness of such consolidation and (2) each local education agency to prepare and submit annual evaluation reports in accordance with the State model. Directs the Commissioner to conduct a monitoring program in each State participating in the consolidation program and to carry out a program of making grants to such States for the purpose of interstate cooperation. Requires the consolidation program authorized by this Act to be administered by a separate identifiable unit to be established by the Commissioner in the Office of Education. Directs the Commissioner to reduce or stop payments to States which fail to comply with specified requirements of this Act. Permits States which are not satisfied with the Commissioner's actions to have such action reviewed in a United States court of appeals. Permits funds paid to a State under this Act to be made available for construction of facilities for which funds would have been available under any program consolidated in this Act. Subjects funds made available under this Act to specified provisions prohibiting discrimination in the administration of federally-assisted programs. Requires that certain children enrolled in private nonprofit or in Indian tribal elementary or secondary schools be given an opportunity to participate on an equitable basis in activities assisted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1976
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates all budget authority for Federal programs on specified dates according to the functional or subfunctional category of each program as set forth in the fiscal year 1977 budget. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress by April 1, 1977, on specified programs with respect to the laws under which such program is carried on, the amount of new budget authority received by such program during the four fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977, and to identify programs for which no outlays have been made during the last two fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977. Prohibits providing new budget authority after the applicable review date set forth in this Act unless the provision of such budget authority is specifically authorized by law or the standing rules of either House of Congress. Title II: Zero-Base Program Review - Sets forth a timetable for Congressional zero-base review of new budget authority. Defines "zero-base review" as an evaluation of a given program to determine the merits of its continuation at a level less than, equal to, or more than its existing level. Requires each congressional committee conducting a zero-based program review to adopt tentative and final review plans, receive reports from the Comptroller General and Federal agencies on the program being reviewed, and report to their respective House the results of such zero-base review of the program. Sets forth minimum objectives of inquiry for such reviews. Requires that any committee reporting pursuant to this Act recommend the extent to which any program reviewed should be continued or eliminated. Title III: Continuing Review - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require, whenever the Comptroller General issues a report which discloses any substantial deficiency in the achievement of the objectives of any Federal program, the agency conducting such program to report to specified congressional committees 60 days after such report and every six months thereafter to deliniate the actions taken with respect to such deficiency. Requires that such agency continue to issue such reports until such time as the Comptroller General determines that no purpose is served by their submission. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require the inclusion in the Budget of a statement of the specific objectives of each Government program, and a comparison, in each subsequent Budget, of the achievement of such objectives for the last completed fiscal year with the planned objectives of such year. Title IV: Citizens Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes the Citizens' Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government, an independent agency of 18 members to study Federal agencies. Directs the Commission to make recommendations to the President and Congress for the restructuring of such agencies to improve their efficiency. Requires the Commission to submit its final report by September 30, 1979, and terminate it 90 days thereafter. Authorizes to be appropriated without fiscal year limitation $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires the Director of Management and Budget to study the feasibility of zero-base budgeting for Federal agencies. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to study the feasibility of personnel ceilings on employees of the United States and their relationships to alternative methods of carrying out the activities of such employees. Requires that such reports be submitted to Congress. Requires Federal agency heads to report requests for new budget authority to Congress. Requires specified committees to study the effectiveness of the zero-base review procedures required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1976
Expresses the Senate's gratitude to Mike Mansfield of Montana for his participation in the Government and his service on behalf of the Nation's people.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 1976
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of the Army to convey, subject to specified conditions, all interest of the United States in the Fort Gibson Dam and Reservoir project to the State of Oklahoma.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1976
Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to prohibit the distribution of agricultural commodities to foreign nations for food relief programs unless the Secretary of Agriculture determines that adequate storage facilities are available in the recipient country to prevent spoilage or waste and the distribution of the commodity will not result in a significant decrease in the price of the commodity in the recipient country.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1976
Federal Officials' Anti-Defamation Act - Stipulates that any person who with actual malice makes any false and defamatory communication concerning a Federal official which results or tends to result in pecuniary or nonpecuniary loss to such individual shall be liable for damages sustained. Charges the plaintiff in such actions with the burden of proof. Entitles the plaintiff to recover punitive damages if the defendant is guilty of gross abuse, outrageous conduct, or oppression resulting in aggravated injury sustained by the plaintiff. Prohibits the use of the defense that the false and defamatory communication in issue was reprinted or in any manner repeated from another source. Grants Federal district courts original jurisdiction over civil actions brought under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1976
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Chickasaw Indian Nations for the purchase or lease by the United States of each nation's right and interests in the riverbed of the Arkansas River. Authorizes appropriations of sums necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1976
Extends the period of eligibility during which qualified disabled veterans may be afforded vocational rehabilitation from June, 1975, to such time as is determined by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to be necessary for each such veteran based upon the veteran's disability and need for vocational rehabilitation. States that the Administrator shall not approve the enrollment of veterans or dependents eligible for educational assistance in any independent study program except one leading to a standard college degree. Places specified limits on the furnishing of financial support to veterans or dependents enrolled in independent study programs leading to a standard college degree. States that payment of educational assistance shall not be made to: (1) any eligible veteran or person for auditing a course; (2) any eligible veteran or person for a course for which the grade assigned is not used in computing the requirements for graduation, including a course from which the student withdraws unless there are mitigating circumstances beyond his control; and (3) any eligible veteran or person for pursuit of the correspondence portion of a combination correspondence-residence course leading to a vocational objective. States that the Administrator shall not approve the enrollment of an eligible veteran or eligible person in any course offered by: (1) a public or other tax-supported institution where the branch or extension is located outside of the area of the taxing jurisdiction providing support to such institution; or (2) a proprietary institution where the branch or extension is located beyond the normal commuting distance of such institution, if such course has been in operation for less than two years.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare and publish in each year's income tax forms a table listing: (1) the functional categories for Federal outlays, as set forth in the Federal Budget, the total amount of outlays for each such functional category for such fiscal year, and the percentage of the total amount of outlays for such fiscal year which the total amount of outlays for each such functional category comprises; and (2) each subfunctional category of Federal outlays, for which the total amount of outlays for such fiscal year exceeded one percent of the total amount of outlays for that year, and the total amount of outlays for each such subfunctional category.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1976
Natural Gas Act Amendments - Amends the Natural Gas Act to terminate Federal Power Commission authority to directly regulate sales prices of new natural gas except for new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands. Stipulates that prices for onshore sales of new natural gas shall not exceed: (1) the ceiling price for sales of new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands; (2) $1.60 per Mcf as adjusted by the Commission; or (3) a ceiling rate established by any State for interstate sale and consumption. Stipulates that prices paid for natural gas in transactions between a natural gas company and its affiliates shall not exceed prices paid in comparable sales by persons not affiliated with any natural gas company. Directs the Federal Power Commission to conduct studies and make an annual independent estimate of proved and potential natural gas reserves. Requires that the Commission keep current information available relating to the natural gas industry. Establishes procedures for the establishment of ceiling prices for new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands. Authorizes the Commission to grant exemptions to price ceilings within certain high-cost production areas. Establishes procedures for adjustments to price ceilings established pursuant to this Act. Directs the Commission to prohibit the curtailment of adequate supplies of natural gas for essential agricultural purposes. Stipulates that the provisions of the Natural Gas Act shall extend to synthetic natural gas. Directs the Commission to prohibit the use of natural gas as boiler fuel where adequate alternatives are available. Authorizes exemptions from such prohibition where necessary to comply with pollution control or environmental protection and safety standards. Directs the Commission to impose a user charge on sales of natural gas for use as boiler fuel. Establishes procedures for the establishment and periodic revision of national ceiling prices for the sale of old natural gas in interstate commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1976
Provides, under the Federal Trade Commission Act, that exclusive territorial arrangements in any franchise agreement, or any trademark licensing contract or agreement, for the manufacture, distribution, and sale of a trademarked soft drink product shall not be deemed unlawful, provided: (1) that such product is in substantial and effective competition with products of the same general class distributed or sold by others; (2) the licensee is in substantial and effective competition with vendors of other products of the same general class; and (3) the licensor retains control over the nature and quality of such product in accordance with the provisions of the Trademark Act of 1946.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1976
National Weather Modification Policy Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a comprehensive study of the state of scientific knowledge concerning weather modification and weather modification technology. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the President and the Congress, within one year after the enactment of this Act, a final report on the findings and conclusions of such study, including a recommended national policy on weather modification.
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 · 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 · 7 April 1976
Adopts the following rules of procedure and practice for resolving contested elections for the office of the United States Senator: (1) the Senate shall seat the candidate holding the last certificate of election which is valid on its face; (2) when an individual has been properly certified as elected, the returns are presumed to be correct; (3) in contesting the election to the Senate of an individual properly certified as elected, in accordance with the rules of the Senate, the individuals contesting the election must allege with particularity the grounds for the contest and such allegations must justify the relief sought; (4) an election shall not be declared void on grounds of fraud, irregularity, or mistake in the conduct of the election, unless the party contesting the election proves by clear and convincing evidence facts sufficient to render a determination of the outcome impossible; (5) requires the contesting party to prove by clear and convincing evidence facts sufficient to change the results of the election in favor of such candidate before he shall be seated; and (6) in determining the matters in contest, the Senate shall apply the election law of the State of contest.
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 · 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 · 17 March 1976
Disapproves the proposed budget deferral numbered D76-96 (Corps of Engineers plans for hopper dredges), as set forth in the President's special message of January 23, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1976
United States Grain Standards Act Amendments - Title I: Declaration of Policy - Revises the U.S. Grain Standards Act to declare the Congressional finding that the regulation of grain transactions provided in this Act is necessary to prevent or eliminate burdens on grain commerce and to regulate such commerce. Title II: Official Inspection - Revises definitions under the Grain Standards Act to meet purposes of this Act. Requires the official inspection at export grain elevators required or authorized to be inspected under this Act be performed by authorized employees of the Department of Agriculture. Authorizes the Secretary to require that grain loaded at an interior point in the United States for transportation from the United States be inspected in a similar manner. Allows the Secretary to enter into contracts with any State or person for such inspection functions if such State or person meets specified requirements. Forbids the Secretary from entering into such contracts with any person or business entity currently engaged in the storage or merchandising of grain. States that official inspection contracts entered into terminate within five years and may be renewed in accordance with criteria specified in this Act. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to audit the books and records of official inspection contractors at least biennially and at the expiration of such contract. Allows the Secretary to revoke such contracts, after an opportunity for a hearing has been afforded, when the Secretary determines the contractor has not complied with any provision of this Act. Allows the suspension of such contract for 30 days without a hearing when the Secretary has reason to believe there is cause for revocation. Provides for the inspection of American grain in Canadian ports for overseas shipment. Title III: Official Inspection Personnel - Requires the licensing of any person performing inspection functions under this Act. States that all such licenses shall expire triennially and any license shall be suspended automatically when the licensee ceases to be employed by an official grain inspection contract. Provides for the periodic rotation of supervisory personnel for grain inspection for the stated purpose of preserving the integrity of the inspection system. Allows the Secretary to automatically revoke any license issued under this Act if the licensee has been convicted of any offense specified in this Act. Title IV: Refusal of Inspection and Civil Penalties - Allows the Secretary to refuse to provide official inspection of grain or assess a civil penalty of $100,000 per violation or both for any individual violating the provisions of this Act. Allows the Secretary to refuse inspection for seven days without a hearing pending final determination of the proceedings when the Secretary has reason to believe there is sufficient cause. Title V: Records - Requires the maintenance of records of purchases, sales, transportation and handling by any person who receives official inspection and that such records be made available to authorized representatives of the Secretary. Title VI: Weighing - Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) investigate the weighing of grain shipped in interstate or foreign commerce; (2) prescribe regulations and standards for accurate weighing and certification procedures; and (3) require the maintenance of accurate records of the weighing of all grain shipped in or out of grain elevators. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations regarding all weights and scales used in such weighing. Requires that representatives of the Secretary be afforded access to any elevator or warehouse from which grain is delivered or shipped in interstate or foreign commerce. Title VII: Funding - Directs the Secretary to charge and collect reasonable fees to cover the performance of official inspection and supervision of weighing functions. States that such fees and any proceeds from the sale of samples obtained for inspection purposes which become the property of the United States, shall be deposited in a fund for the expenses of the Department in providing official inspection services. Title VIII: Criminal Provisions - Prescribes criminal penalties for specified offenses under this Act. Title IX: Department of Agriculture Reporting Requirements and Studies - Directs the Secretary to report annually to specified Congressional committees regarding the effectiveness of the official grain inspection system together with recommendations for legislation. Directs the Secretary to notify such Committees of complaints regarding faulty grain delivery made by a foreign purchaser. Requires an annual summary of all complaints make by foreign purchasers or prospective purchasers. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study regarding the adequacy of current grain standards and make such changes as are determined to be necessary and appropriate. Title X: General - Sets forth the authority granted the Secretary under this Act including the authority to prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out specified functions under this Act. Sets forth the effective dates of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1976
Authorizes a maximum loan amount for guaranteed real estate loans, under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, of $200,000 or the value of the farm or security, whichever is less. Revises the interest rate for specified loans under such Act. Increases the maximum loan limitation and revises the interest rate for operating loans under such Act. Provides for congressional authorization of program levels under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Amends the Postal Reorganization Act to direct the United States Postal Service to hold a public hearing prior to deciding whether to close or consolidate any post office. Permits any person served by any post office which the Postal Service has decided to close or consolidate to appeal such decision to any court of appeals of the United States. Empowers a court of appeals to set aside or affirm an appealed determination but prohibits the court from modifying it. Removes the Postmaster General and Deputy Postmaster General from the Board of Governors of the Postal Service. Designates the Postmaster General head of the Postal Service. Requires appointment of the Postmaster General and Deputy Postmaster General by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets the salaries for such officials at specified Executive Schedule pay rates. Specifies the number of Assistant Postmasters General, and sets the salaries for such officials and other officers of the Postal Service. Repeals the authority of the Postal Service Board of Governors to direct and control the expenditures and review the practices and policies of the Postal Service. Delegates to the Postmaster General direct responsibility to transmit the annual report to Congress and the President concerning the operation of the Postal Service.
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
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 · 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
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates on specified dates budget authority for all Government programs except health care services, general retirement and disability insurance, and Federal employee retirement and disability programs which are funded by trust funds. Declares out of order in either the Senate or the House of Representatives any legislation which authorizes new budget authority not in compliance with this Act. Requires the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on the Budget of both Houses of Congress to identify each program's functional and subfunctional category (as so characterized in the Budget of the United States, Fiscal Year 1977, transmitted to Congress by the President on January 21, 1976), the committees having legislative jurisdiction over such program, and whether such program operates under permanent authorizations and budget authority. Makes the budget termination provisions of this Act effective on the first day of the Ninety-fifth Congress. Title II: Early Elimination of Inactive and Duplicate Programs - Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to identify for Congress any programs which have duplicate objectives or for which no outlays have been made for the last two fiscal years. Directs the standing committees of both Houses to consider such programs and report recommendations on such programs before March 15, 1978, if possible. Title III: Quadrennial Program Review and Evaluation - Sets forth a timetable for reviewing the budget of a Government program. Requires review by standing committees of the Congress every four years of each program's cost, effectiveness, and the extent to which such program duplicates or is similar to any other program. States that such review shall include a comprehensive evaluation of the merits of such program to determine if it warrants continuation. Requires justification of any recommendation to fund any program which has objectives similar to or the same as another program's objectives. Directs the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office to provide Congress with information and analysis of programs being reviewed under this Act. Requires the President to similarly review the merits of continuing programs contained in annual Budget and to report the finding of such review prior to transmitting the Budget to Congress. Title IV: Continuing Review and Evaluation - Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress the result of any audit which shows a substantial deficiency in achievement of the objectives of any Government program. Requires subsequent audits, a report of which must be submitted to Congress, to determine if such deficiency has been eliminated. Title V: Miscellaneous - States that those provisions of this Act which direct the operation of either House are enacted as an exercise of the rulemaking power of such House and recognizes the right of either House to change such rules.
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 · 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 · 17 December 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should call upon all nations to withhold support from all of the combatants in Angola. Provides that the President should urge the Organization of African Unity to mediate the dispute. Urges the President to curtail exports and impose economic sanctions against countries which persist in intervening in the conflict in Angola.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1975
Reaffirms Congress' commitment to follow the procedures established by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act. Recognizes and approves the President's determination to reduce spending levels in order to reduce the national deficit. Requests the President to expedite his submission to Congress of specific spending cut proposals. Declares the Senate's intention to counterbalance future tax reductions by restricting the growth of spending.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1975
Allows foreign countries and agencies thereof and foreign companies to purchase and store United States agricultural commodities or the products thereof in the United States. Provides that such agricultural commodities or products, if so purchased and stored as a reserve for a period of twelve months or longer upon approval by the Secretary of Agriculture, may be exported without regard to any export restraints or controls.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1975
Makes it the policy of the United States to develop and implement a coordinated and comprehensive national program of weather modification for the benefit of mankind. Calls for the establishment of a detailed weather modification policy for the United States. Establishes, within the Department of Commerce, a National Weather Modification Commission to study the research needs of weather modification to establish areas in which more research could be expected to yield the greatest return in terms of operationally useful weather modification technology. Requires a preliminary report by the Commission to the President and to the Congress within one year after its organization. Sets forth the contents of such preliminary report. Enumerates the powers of the Commission under this Act. Defines terms used in this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $750,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1975
Declares the findings of the Congress that climatic phenomena and related economic hardships require appropriate Federal action to assit the States in the prevention of potential adverse meteorological conditions. Makes it the policy of the United States to conduct experimental research into scientific areas likely to provide operationally useful techniques for drought prevention. Defines terms used in this Act. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Commerce to carry out a ten-year experimental research effort in furtherance of the purposes of this Act. Requires a final report to the Congress at the end of such ten-year period. Directs the Secretary to appoint an Advisory Board composed of individuals knowledgeable in weather modification research or operations, meteorology, agriculture, and related fields. Provides for consultation to State and local governments who wish to mount weather modification drought alleviation efforts of their own. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,500,000 for the first fiscal year and up to $10,000,000 per fiscal year thereafter to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1975
Declares the finding of the Congress that climatic and related phenomena and serve economic hardships related to adverse meteorological conditions require appropriate Federal action to assist the States in their attempts to prevent or alleviate adverse meteorological conditions. States that conditions dictate that the Federal Government provide appropriate assistance to those States that desire to use existing technology to attempt to prevent or alleviate such damaging conditions. Defines terms used in this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide financial assistance to the States for implementing specified State programs for drought control. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $5,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out the purposes of this Act.
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.
![Official portrait of Sen. Bellmon, Henry L. [R-OK]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000351_200.jpg)