United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Amends Rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate with regard to the appointment of conferees to conference committees when the matters were considered, or referred to, by more than one committee. Provides that, when the Senate has agreed to a motion for the Presiding Officer to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate, if the matter or matters which are to be considered by the committee of conference were referred to and considered by more than one committee of the Senate, the Presiding Officer shall not appoint conferees on the part of the Senate until he has received the recommendation of the majority leader in consultation with the minority leader, as well as the chairman and ranking minority member of each of such Senate committees with respect to: (1) the Senators to be appointed; and (2) if Senators are to be appointed from more than one committee, that portion of the matters in conference with respect to which the Senators appointed from each committee are to serve as conferees.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Committee System Reorganization Amendments - Title I: Standing Committees Jurisdiction; Size - Amends Rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate to abolish all the standing committees set forth therein. Creates the following new standing committees: (1) Agriculture and Small Business, (2) Appropriations, (3) Armed Services, (4) Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, (5) Budget, (6) Commerce, Science and Transportation, (7) Energy and Natural Resources, (8) Environment and Public Works, (9) Finance, (10) Foreign Relations, (11) Governmental Affairs, (12) Human Resources, (13) Judiciary, and (14) Rules, Administration and Standards. Specifies the matters which shall be referred to each standing committee. Allows each standing committee to review tax expenditures relating to the subject matters within its jurisdiction. Sets forth the number of Senators which shall comprise each standing committee. Title II: Committee Assignments; Chairmanships - Amends Rule XXV of the Standing Rules to limit the number of committees and subcommittees on which a senator may simultaneously serve. Allows temporary exceptions to these rules under specified circumstances. Excepts for a specified time, membership on the Budget Committee from such limitation. Prohibits a Senator from serving as chairman of more than one committee or more than one subcommittee. Directs the Committee on Governmental Affairs to report to the Senate by July 1, 1978, a resolution concerning the disposition of the jurisdiction and functions of the Select Committee on Intelligence. Directs the appropriate standing committees to report, by July 1, 1977, legislation shifting the functions of the following joint committees to the appropriate standing committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives: (1) Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, (2) Joint Committee on Congressional Operations, (3) Joint Committee on Defense Production, (4) Joint Economic Committee, (5) Joint Committee on the Library, (6) Joint Committee on Printing, and (7) Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation. Directs that not later than July 1, 1977, the appropriate standing committees shall report legislation establishing a Congressional Revenue Office to be primarily responsible to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Committee on Finance. Amends Rule XVI of the Standing Rules to repeal the requirement that members of specified committees of the Senate serve as ex officio members of the Committee on Appropriations when the annual appropriation bills dealing with certain subjects are considered in the Appropriations Committee. Abolishes the Select Committee on Small Business. Abolishes the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct. Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the appointment of Senators and chairmen to the standing committees establish pursuant to this resolution. Title III: Multiple Referral of Proposed Legislation; Establishment of Ad Hoc Committees - Amends Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules to authorize the presiding officer of the Senate to decide without debate questions of jurisdiction of any committee of the Senate with respect to any proposed legislation. Repeals the section of the Legislative Reorganization Act which governs such questions. Sets forth a procedure for appealing such decision to the Senate as a whole. Requires proposed legislation which is referred to two or more committees jointly to be reported jointly with only one report. Allows a motion for joint referral to stipulate those sections of the proposed legislation which each committee shall consider. Amends Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules to establish a procedure whereby the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader may introduce a resolution to establish an ad hoc committee. Establishes procedures for the functioning of such committees. Title IV: Scheduling of Committee Meetings - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to establish and maintain a computerized schedule of all meetings of Senate committees and subcommittees. Requires such schedule to be available to all members through on line terminals in their offices, and to be updated hourly. Amends Rule XXV of the Standing Rules to prohibit any Senate committee or subcommittee from meeting, without special leave, after the first two hours after a meeting of the Senate has begun, and in no case after 2:00 p.m., unless consent therefor has been obtained from the Majority and Minority Leaders. Directs the majority leader to plan and announce meetings of the Senate as far in advance as possible. States that in order to provide the maximum amount of time for the meeting of committees the Senate should meet only on those days and at those times necessary for the proper conduct of its business. Stipulates that no roll call vote ordered during the first two hours of a daily meeting shall be held before 2:00 p.m. unless ordered otherwise by the Senate on the previous calendar day. Title V: Continuing Review of the Committee System - Directs the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader to review on a continuing basis the committee system of the Senate. Requires them to submit a report on such review to the Senate during the second session of each Congress. Title VI: Amendments not within a Committee's Jurisdiction - Amends the Standing Rules to add a new Rule XLV - "Committee Amendments not within its Jurisdiction" which prohibits the reporting of any bill or resolution from a committee with any proposed committee amendment which contains any matter not within the jurisdiction of that committee. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Provides that this resolution and the amendments to the Standing Rules of the Senate made by this resolution shall take effect on the 30th day after this resolution is agreed to.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Amends Rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate to require that a quorum consisting of a majority of the Senate conferees be present in order to conduct business or vote at any meeting of a conference committee unless prior to that a majority of the Senate conferees has agreed otherwise. Stipulates that such alternative arrangement will be in order if announced on the Senate floor when the Senate is in session and printed in the Congressional Record in the form of a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, and subscribed to by a majority of the representatives of each party appointed to the conference announcing agreement on such an arrangement. Provides that if a conference report is ordered reported other than in conformity with procedures set forth in this resolution, a point of order may be made against the report and if sustained, the report shall be recommitted to the committee of conference.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Amends Rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate by setting forth a formal procedure for substituting conferees in conference committees. Directs that no Senate member who is not an appointed member of a committee of conference may participate in or vote at any meeting of a committee of conference unless he is first appointed to the committee of conference in place of a previously appointed member; in which event the member he replaces shall not be permitted to participate in or vote at any subsequent meeting of the committee of conference. States that the appointment of a new Senate member to a committee of conference in place of a member previously appointed must be announced on the Senate floor when the Senate is in session and appropriately entered upon and printed in the Senate Calendar of Business before such newly appointed members shall be permitted to participate in or vote on any matter before the committee of conference. Provides that if a conference report is ordered reported and any newly appointed Senate member of the committee of conference participates in the committee of conference, other than in conformity with the procedures provided in this resolution, a point of order may be made against the conference report and if the point of order is sustained, the report shall be recommended to the committee of conference.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Amends Rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate to prohibit conferees on the part of the Senate from considering any motion (other than a motion to adjourn) in a meeting of a committee of conference unless the written text of the motion, or a written explanation of the substantive effect of the motion, has been furnished to each conferee on the part of the Senate prior to its consideration. Provides that it shall not be in order to consider the report of a committee of conference if any motion was considered by the conferees on the part of the Senate in violation of this resolution.
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 · 16 September 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend until January 2, 1979, specified tax provisions for veterans wounded in the Vietnam conflict and spouses of persons missing in action in the Vietnam combat zone. Provides that after such date: (1) persons classified as missing in action in the Vietnam conflict will be considered dead for purposes of computing the terms of surviving spouses; (2) pay earned while hospitalized for wounds received in the Vietnam combat zone will be included in gross income; (3) income tax will be assessed for the taxable years in which veterans die as a result of service in the Vietnam conflict; (4) spouses of persons classified as missing in action may not elect to file joint tax returns; and (5) time requirements concerning filing, paying, claiming, assessing, collecting and commencing actions regarding tax liability will resume running against spouses of persons missing in the Vietnam combat zone.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1976
Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud Act - Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, an Office of Central Fraud and Abuse Control. Provides that such Office shall have the overall responsibility for directing and establishing policies with respect to the undertaking of activities which are designed to deal with fraud and abuse in the Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services, Medicare and Medicaid. Specifies that the Office shall also have responsibility for investigating alleged fraud or abuse in any such program, and assisting State agencies, at their request, in the establishment and operation of State antifraud and abuse activities. Directs that no payment for Medicare service may be made to a person claiming such payment under an assignment, including a power of attorney, but may be made to an agent of the person furnishing such service. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare or the Comptroller General to require providers or suppliers of items or services, with respect to which payment is claimed under one of the programs within the jurisdiction of the Office, to furnish specified information including the following: (1) the identity of persons having ownership interest in such entity; and (2) a consolidated certified costs report with respect to its costs and charges, including costs and charges of related organizations. Specifies sanctions which shall be imposed upon entities which fail to comply with requests for information. Increases the penalties for defrauding the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Provides that it shall be a felony (presently misdemeanor) punishable by imprisonment of up to five years for such an offense. States that where a Professional Standards Review Organization is found competent by the Secretary to assume review responsibility with respect to specified types of health care services or specified providers or practitioners of such services and is performing such reviews, such reviews shall constitute the conclusive determination on those issues for purposes of payment under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1976
Includes community mental health centers among the facilities which may be qualified providers of services under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1976
Professional and Technical Assistance to Exporting Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a procedure within the Bureau of Census of the Department of Commerce to insure that shippers' export declarations contain the address of exporters. Directs the semi-annual compilation of total exports by States, country of destination, and schedule B commodity group. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1978, to carry out and evaluate this Act. Directs the Secretary to adjust the areas served by the field offices of the Department of Commerce to conform to State boundaries and authorizes the appropriation of $100,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1977, to carry out such adjustment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1976
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize the Civil Aeronautics Board to grant exemptions from the requirements of such Act for all-cargo operations in interstate air transportation pending consideration of an application for initial certification under such Act if such exemption is in the public interest.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1976
Includes within the meaning of the term "hospital" in Title XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, rural health facilities of 50 beds or less.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1976
Amends Title XX (Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to authorize the payment of funds to a State with respect to: (1) expenditures for goods or services provided in kind by a private entity; and (2) expenditures from donated private funds with restrictions as to the services with respect to which the funds are to be used.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1976
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for services furnished by physician extenders. Defines the term "physician extenders" to mean an individual certified as a physicians' assistant by the National Board of Medical Examiners, or who is licensed by a State as qualified to provide primary health care services.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1976
Designates a segment of the Obed River, segments of two of its tributaries, and a segment of the Emory River, Tennessee, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic River System. Designates another segment of the Emory River, Tennessee, as a potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic River System.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1976
All Volunteer Health Manpower Act - Title I: Council on Medically Underserved Populations - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint a permanent Council on Medically Underserved Populations to consist of ten individuals from outside of the Government who have demonstrated excellence in conducting analyses of the adequacy of health services, facilities, and personnel. Requires the Council to establish criteria for the designation of medically underserved populations. Title II: Service in Underserved Area - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to make loans to physicians and dentists: (1) not to exceed $1,000 for a visit to an underserved area; (2) not to exceed $3,000 for equipment approved by the National Health Service Corps for use in an underserved area; and (3) not to exceed $5,000 for the purpose of establishing an office in an underserved area. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to furnish information on all Federal health services programs in underserved areas to each school of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, nursing, and to the schools which train allied health personnel. Title III: Capitation Incentives - Revises the capitation differential incentives payable to schools of medicine, osteopathy, or dentistry. Title IV: Assistance to Primary Care Personnel - Directs the Secretary to assist private primary health care personnel who desire to establish medical practices in areas designated as underserved where such personnel meet specified requirements. Title V: Tax Credits for Health Professionals Serving in Designated Underserved Areas - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to allow health professionals practicing in a designated underserved area a yearly tax credit equal to ten percent of their gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1976
Requires the inclusion of professional registered nurses in Professional Standards Review Organizations of medical professionals in carrying out the functions of such review organizations under Title XI (General Provisions and Professional Standards Review) of the Social Security Act. Requires the inclusion of two professional registered nurses on the Statewide Professional Standards Review Councils organized pursuant to such Title. Requires the inclusion of three professional registered nurses on the National Professional Standards Review Council. Includes professional registered nurses in that class of health care practitioners which may not be held civilly liable on account of any action taken in compliance with or reliance upon norms of care and treatment applied by a Professional Standards Review Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1976
Credit Information Protection Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prohibit any employee, officer, or agent of the United States from obtaining information contained in the credit records of any credit card issuer with respect to an identifiable credit and customer unless the procurement of such information is permitted by the informed written consent of such customer or is obtained by a search warrant or subpeona issued in accordance with the procedures required by this Act. States that if a subpeona is used to obtain such information, the customer to whom such records relate must be sent a copy of such subpoena and must be given 18 days in which to respond to prevent such obtainment. Provides that notice to such customer of a judicial subpeona may be delayed if a United States court finds that such notification would seriously jeopardize a continuing investigation of specified criminal offenses including murder, kidnapping, robbery, or extortion. Requires a judge granting such delay to report within 30 days after the expiration of such delay to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts with respect to the reasons for such delay. Prohibits transfering from one Federal agency to any other information obtained pursuant to this Act in the absence of specific legislation authorizing such transfer. Permits any person injured by anyone in violation of this Act to sue for actual damages, punitive damages if such violation was willful, and costs of bringing such suit including reasonable attorney's fees.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1976
Permits the principal presidential candidates to submit the names of possible candidates for Vice President to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for an inquiry into character and past activities of potential nominees. Makes provisions for maintaining secrecy surrounding the investigation. Allows the results of the investigation to be released only to the winner of the Presidential nomination and only with the consent of the person investigated. Requires the destruction of all evidence, information and records relating to potential Vice-Presidential nominees upon the nomination of a candidate. Sets criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1976
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the provisions thereof requiring deductions from benefits on account of excess earnings shall not be applied to any individual, if and to the extent that the application of such provisions whould reduce the individual's annual income, in the form of earnings and social security benefits, to less than $7,800. Provides for the annual adjustment of such amount to reflect increases in the cost of living.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, and Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to include Members of Congress in the coverage provided under such Title.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1976
Directs that there be printed for the use of the Special Committee on aging 4,500 additional copies of its report to the Senate entitled "Fraud and Abuse Among Clinical Laboratories."
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1976
Uniform Criteria Act - Title I: Assignment Provisions - Stipulates that assignment by an educational agency of a student to the school nearest such student's place of residence which provides the appropriate grade level and type of education is not a denial of equal protection of the laws unless such assignment is made to segregate students on the basis of race, color, sex, or national origin. Stipulates that the failure of an educational agency to attain a balance, on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, or socioeconomic status, of students among its schools shall not constitute a denial of equal protection of the laws. Title II: Remedies - Limits Federal courts, departments, and agencies, in formulating a remedy for a denial of equal protection of the laws, to such remedies as are essential for correction. Restricts Federal courts, departments, and agencies, when formulating remedies involving student transportation, to specified remedies. Prohibits Federal courts, departments, and agencies from ordering the implementation of a plan that would require the transportation of any student to a school other than the school closest or next closest to the student's residence. Allows educational agencies to apply to have court orders or desegregation plans under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 reopened and modified to comply with this Act. Title III: Definitions - Defines terms for purposes of this Act. Defines a "dual school system" as one in which students are assigned to schools solely on the basis of race, color, sex, or national origin for the purpose of segregating such students in the schools of the system. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Emergency School Aid Act to repeal the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for the purpose of conducting metropolitan area integration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1976
Dairy and Meat Import Inspection and Identification Act - Title I: Dairy Products - Defines terms used in this title. Prohibits the importation of dairy products into the United States unless the Secretary of Agriculture has certified that such products are wholesome and pure and that the plants in which such products were manufactured or processed comply with minimum standards of sanitation prescribed by the Secretary. Requires that the standards established under this title be comparable to those imposed upon domestic dairy products. Directs the Secretary to inspect imported dairy products and to require that such products be accompanied by a certificate of compliance indicating that such products conform to the minimum standards established under this Act. Provides for the assessment of fees on imported dairy products to cover the cost of inspections and certificates required by this title. Title II: Meat and Meat Products - Prohibits the importation of meat or meat products capable of use as human food into the United States unless tests have been conducted to determine whether such articles contain any substance prohibited in any carcass or meat product from any domestically produced animal or contain a level of any substance in excess of the maximum allowable level for domestically produced meat products. Stipulates that such tests may be conducted by persons in the exporting country if such individuals have been certified to do so under the same criteria as persons certified by the Department of Agriculture to conduct such test on articles of animals produced in the United States. Provides for the assessment of fees on such imported products to cover the costs of inspections and testing required under this title. Title III: Study; Effective Date - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a study to determine the most practicable and effective method of requiring imported meat and dairy products to bear lables identifying such products as being imported.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1976
Agenda for Government Reform Act - Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the effects of Federal agency activity upon: (1) the transportation and agriculture industries by January 31, 1978; (2) the mining, heavy manufacturing, and public utilities industries by January 31, 1979; (3) the light manufacturing and construction industries by January 31, 1980; and (4) the communications, finance, insurance, real estate, trade, and service industries by January 31, 1981. Requires that such report include a determination of whether any such agency activity has fulfilled its purposes, whether it is duplicative or conflicts with other agency activity, and whether the benefits of such activity exceed its costs. Directs the President to present in such report his recommendation for reform. States that the Congressional committee to which a proposal made by the President is referred must report to its respective House a bill approving or disapproving, in whole or in part such proposal. Provides that if such a bill has not been reported by November 15 next following the submission of such report, that the President's proposal shall become the pending order of business in both Houses and remain so until acted upon.
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 · 8 April 1976
Imposes mandatory minimum sentences on persons convicted in the District of Columbia of specified violent crimes if the victim of the offense is 60 years of age or older.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Imposes specified mandatory minimum sentences on anyone found guilty of assault with intent to commit murder or rape, assault with intent to commit any felony, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, assault by striking, beating, or wounding, murder, maiming, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, attempted murder or manslaughter, rape, robbery, burglary, and kidnapping, where the victim of such offense is 60 years of age or older.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1976
Denies the benefits of the foreign tax credit, under the Internal Revenue Code, to any taxpayer, or a member of a controlled group which includes the taxpayer, who is determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to have participated in or cooperated with an international boycott, with respect to income, war profits, or excess profits taxes paid or accrued to any country which requires such participation or cooperation as a condition of doing business within that country. Denies DISC benefits to any DISC that the Secretary of the Treasury determines has participated in or cooperated with an international boycott. Requires taxpayers with foreign source income derived directly or indirectly from sources within a country which requires participation in or cooperation with an international boycott as a condition of doing business with or within such country to report such fact to the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall make a determination whether the taxpayer participated in or cooperated with an international boycott for the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1976
Expresses the general policy of the United States Government to rely upon private commercial sources for the goods and services required to meet Government needs, and that this policy be administered by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1976
Mass Mailings and Computer Use Standards Resolution - Provides that a Senator, or a Member of the House of Representatives, who is a candidate for nomination or election to the Senate, shall register each mass mailing mailed by him as franked mail with the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct. Provides that each registration shall be available for public inspection. Prohibits any such Member from mailing any mass mailing as franked mail less than 60 days immediately before the date of the primary election or political convention in which he is a candidate for nomination or the election in which he is a candidate for election. Limits the total number of pieces which may be included in mass mailings mailed as franked mail by such a Member to 1,000,000 or a total number equal to twice the number of individuals of voting age in the State which the Senator represents or which the candidate seeks to represent. Requires that when a Member of the House of Representatives becomes a candidate for nomination or election to the Senate, he shall certify to the select committee the number of pieces included in mass mailings mailed as franked mail by him during the period beginning on January 1 of the year in which he becomes a candidate and ending on the date on which such certification is made to the select committee. Provides that if a Senator uses any computer material which is prepared by an employee of the Senate or the cost of which was paid out of appropriated funds, or uses any copy made from or made with the use of any such material, for a purpose which is not in the course of the conduct of his official duties and functions as a Senator, he shall reimburse the Senate for the value of the use of the computer material used. Directs the select committee to prepare a proposed Code of Ethics and Conduct for Members, officers, and employees of the Senate, to be submitted to the Senate on or before January 31, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1976
Customs Paperwork Reduction Act - Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States and the Tariff Act of 1930 to increase from $250 to $500 the value of merchandise which may be imported for personal use or as gifts, and which are subject to customs duty of ten percent of the retail value rather than other rates.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1976
Housing Incentive Investment Act - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) to make monthly housing investment interest differential payments to lenders. Prohibits GNMA from approving a mortgage for assistance unless: (1) the mortgage covers a one-to-four family dwelling; (2) the home mortgage is not in excess of $35,000; (3) the purchaser's interest payments are at least two but not more than six percent below the market rate of interest for home mortgages; (4) the lender's interest rate will be adjusted every six months by GNMA to reflect the yield on VA-FHA mortgages; and (5) the purchaser agrees to repay the aggregate amount of differential payments with interest. Requires that upon sale or other disposition of the dwelling or upon termination of the use of the dwelling by the purchaser as his principal residence prior to retirement of the first mortgage, the cost of the extra assistance by GNMA be repaid by the borrower from the appreciation on his home. Authorizes GNMA to establish a lender's interest rate which may not exceed the average yield on VA-FHA mortgages during the six calendar months preceding the date of execution of the mortgage. Allows GNMA to adjust the lender's interest rate upward or downward every six months except that no single adjustment may exceed one quarter of one percent nor may an aggregate upward adjustment exceed two and one-half percent. Provides that if the lender's rate falls below the borrower's rate that the borrower shall be credited with the difference. Establishes in the Treasury a Housing Incentive Investment Fund to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes GNMA to issue to the Secretary of the Treasury notes or other obligations in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000,000. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase and sell such notes and obligations. Sets the termination of this program for five years after the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1976
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the appropriation of specified sums through fiscal year 1978 for Federal assistance to State programs for the protection of underground sources of drinking water and for Federal assistance in related research, technical assistance, information, and personnel training.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1976
Consumer Communications Reform Act - States that Congress finds that the revenues from integrated interstate and foreign common carrier telecommunications services helped maintain a level of charges for telephone exchange service which is lower than otherwise would be required. Expresses the sense of Congress that the authorization of lines, facilities, or services of specialized carriers which duplicate the lines, facilities, or services of other telecommunications common carriers is contrary to the public interest. Reaffirms the intent of Congress that the complete authority to regulate terminal and station equipment used for telephone exchange service shall rest with the States even though such terminal and station equipment also may be used in connection with interstate services. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that no compensatory charges for or in connection with such communication service may be found to be unjust or unreasonable on the ground that it is too low. Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from holding the charge of a carrier up to a particular level to protect the traffic or revenues from a communication service offered or provided by another carrier if such charge proposed by the carrier is compensation. Provides that the Commission shall not grant or authorize any construction permit, station license, or certificate, for the construction, acquisition, or operation of any communication or transmission line or facility, or extension thereof, or any modification or renewal thereof, unless the Commission shall find, after full opportunity for evidentiary hearing on the record, that such permit, license, or certificate will not result in increased charges or unnecessary duplication of communication lines.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Authorizes the use of an expedited procedure in determining the income level of a family for the purpose of establishing eligibility for payment under Title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1976
Provides for the printing as a Senate document of "The Annual Federalism Report" which shall include the policy statements of the National Governors' Conference, the National League of Cities, the United States Conference of Mayors, the Conference of State Legislatures, and the National Association of Counties.
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 · 15 March 1976
Denies the benefits of the foreign tax credit, under the Internal Revenue Code, to any taxpayer, or a member of a controlled group which includes the taxpayer, who is determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to have participated in or cooperated with the boycott of Israel, with respect to income, war profits, or excess profits taxes paid or accrued to any country which requires such participation or cooperation as a condition of doing business within that country. Denies DISC benefits to any DISC that the Secretary of the Treasury determines has participated in or cooperated with the boycott of Israel. Requires taxpayers with foreign sources within a country which requires participation in or cooperation with the boycott of Israel as a condition of doing business with or within such country to report such fact to the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall make a determination whether the taxpayer participated in or cooperated with the boycott of Israel for the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deductions for home mortgage interest and charitable contributions to be subtracted from gross income to determine taxable income in the case of individuals electing the standard deduction. Increases the percentage standard deduction to 20 percent of adjusted gross income, but not to exceed $5,000, or $2,500 in the case of a separate return filed by a married individual. Increases the low income allowance to $2,100 in the case of a joint return or a surving spouse, to $1,700 in the case of an individual who is not married, or to $1,050 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return. Ties future changes in the percentage standard deduction and the low income allowance amounts to changes in the price index for the preceding year. Makes technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1976
Small Business Employers' Occupational Safety and Health Act Amendments - Directs the Secretary of Labor, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, to visit the workplaces of small business employers of 25 employees or less to provide consultation and advice. Stipulates that such visits may be conducted only upon valid request, and shall be limited to matters specified in the request affecting conditions, structures, machines, apparatuses, devices, equipment, or materials in the workspace. Directs the Secretary to make recommendations regarding the elimination of any hazards disclosed within the scope of the on-site consultation. Prohibits the issuance of notices, citations, or penalties as a result of such visit. Requires that upon issuance of a citation to a small business for violations of standards, notice shall be given to such small business of the availability of financial assistance to correct violations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1976
Requires that not less than five percent of amounts appropriated for the National Health Center for Health Services Research of the Health Resources Administration for fiscal year 1976 be utilized to fund research into medical injury problems and alternatives to litigation for the settlement of resultant claims. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a study into specified areas of the medical malpractice problem and to report the findings to Congress not later than one year after enactment of these provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1976
Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make loans to small business concerns for the implementation of energy conservation measures undertaken to permanently modify an existing commercial building or industrial plant in order to: (1) reduce the amount of energy used and/or to shift to solar energy; and (2) cut energy and operating costs. Limits loans to the lesser of $25,000 or 75 percent of the cost of purchasing and installing equipment. Creates an energy conservation measures loan fund in the Small Business Administration. Sets an effective date for the commencement of the measures of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to order the capture and removal of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands in a humane manner when: (1) they are excess animals; (2) they are old, sick, or lame; or (3) it is an act of mercy. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to sell or donate excess wild free-roaming horses and burros. Directs the Secretary to give priority to persons seeking such excess animals for private use. Authorizes the Secretary to order the destruction of wild free-roaming horses or burros in a humane manner, but only if it can be shown that such action is the only practical alternative. Stipulates that upon sale, donation, or destruction, such animals shall lose their status as wild free-roaming horses and burros and no longer be subject to Federal laws relating to their protection, management, and control. Authorizes the Secretary to use aircraft or motorized vehicles on public lands for the purposes of this Act. Stipulates that such authority be exercised only in accordance with humane procedures and with other statutes aimed at the protection of wildlife.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Fair Representation for Small Business Act - Declares the finding of Congress that economic, governmental, and other pressures are mounting on small businesses, that small and medium-sized businesses should be taken into account when Federal agencies formulate policy, and such businesses are essential to the health and well-being of the Nation's economy. Requires, under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, that all advisory bodies of the Federal Government which are concerned with matters affecting the economy or business must contain a fair representation of the small business sector of the economy. (Adds 44 U.S.C. 3513)
![Official portrait of Sen. Brock, Bill [R-TN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000851_200.jpg)