United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933, as amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to subject imported tomatoes to restrictions comparable to those applicable to domestic tomatoes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
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 would 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 · 10 January 1977
Export Administration and Foreign Boycott Amendments Act - Title I: Export Administration Improvements and Extension - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to extend the authority granted by such Act to September 30, 1977. Requires that appropriations to carry out the Export Administration Act of 1969 be specifically authorized by Congress for each fiscal year after October 1, 1977. Revises the criteria for imposition of export controls for national security purposes. Eliminates the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to assign priority to such controls. Revises the authority of the President to impose export controls for national security purposes without regard to the availability of the controlled articles from sources other than the United States in order to require the President to predicate the imposition of controls on articles available from other sources upon a determination that absence of such a control would be detrimental to the national security of the United States. Revises the policy for control of exports for national security purposes under such Act to redefine "controlled country" as a country to which exports are restricted for national security or foreign policy purposes, rather than as a Communist country. Amends such Act to permit agricultural commodities purchased by or for a foreign country to remain in the United States free of quantitative limitations on exports relating to domestic supply and inflationary impact, upon approval by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, and under regulations for such export which the Secretary of Commerce is herein authorized to issue. Permits Congressional disapproval of any action by the President under such regulations to prohibit or curtail agricultural exports. Specifies that any export license application under such Act shall be deemed approved within 90 days of its receipt unless disapproved or unless the applicant is notified that additional time is required for the decision. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to require persons agreeing to transfer technical data or other information to any controlled country to furnish information with respect to such agreement to the Secretary of Commerce, under regulations promulgated to monitor the effects of such transfers. Directs the Secretary to study technical data exports and their effects upon the national security or foreign policy of the United States, and to submit a report of such study to Congress. Amends such Act to exclude petroleum products refined in United States Foreign-Trade Zones, or Guam, from foreign crude oil export controls to prevent excessive drain of scarce materials except if the Secretary of Commerce finds that such products are in short supply and issues regulations herein authorized to limit such exports. Prohibits the exportation of horses by sea for slaughter. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to account for technical assistance and technical advisory committees in semiannual reports to Congress under such Act. Requires the Secretary to review regulations under such Act in order to report to Congress on simplification of such regulations. Increases the terms of persons on such committees. Increases the fine for violations of such Act to $25,000 for the first offense and to $50,000 for a subsequent offense. Increases the fine for prohibited exports to Communist-dominated nations to $50,000. Increases the civil penalty for such violation of such Act to $10,000. Permits suspension of the payment of export licensing penalties for a probationary period. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to stipulate that such Act shall not be construed as authority for withholding information from Congress. Requires the President to make every reasonable effort to reduce aid to international terrorists before resorting to export controls for that purpose. Amends the requirements for reports to Congress and to the President under such Act by appropriate departments or agencies to specify information to be included in such reports and to require semiannual rather than quarterly reports. Requires a special report to Congress by the President on multilateral export controls, and a special report to Congress by the Secretary of Commerce with respect to modification of unilateral and multilateral export control lists. Requires any employee of the Department of Commerce performing functions under the Export Administration Act to disclose interests affected by such Act. Imposes civil penalties for violation of this requirement. Title II: Foreign Boycotts - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to direct the President to promulgate regulations: (1) to prohibit any United States person from supporting any boycott by a foreign country against any country friendly to the United States; and (2) to require the reporting of requests for such compliance to the Secretary of Commerce. Permits the suspension or revocation of the authority of any United States person to export as a penalty for violation of such regulations. Title III: Exports of Nuclear Material and Technology - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to regulate the export of nuclear material, equipment, and devices. Requires any agreement for such export to meet specified criteria with respect to reprocessing provisions and inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Directs the Secretary of State to seek inclusion of such requirements in agreements made prior to this Act and to seek periodic reports on the status of inventories of plutonium, U233, and enriched uranium possessed under such agreements by non-nuclear weapons parties which are not subject to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. Prohibits issuance of nuclear export licenses unless the recipient country has agreed that such export will not be used for any nuclear explosive device. Specifies conditions under which nuclear materials, exported under such agreements, may be reprocessed. Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should seek international agreements regulating the use and transfer of nuclear materials. Requires the President to study the extent to which United States training of foreign nationals in nuclear engineering and related fields contributes to nuclear proliferation. Prohibits the use of funds authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for the construction, operation, or supply of nuclear powerplants.
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
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the application of the Tax Reform Act's elimination of the sick pay exclusion for persons who have not retired on total disability, to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and physical examinations, and related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the application of the Tax Reform Act's elimination of the sick pay exclusion for persons who have not retired on total disability, to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1976.
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 · 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 · 27 August 1976
Designates the extension of the Senate Office Building presently under construction pursuant to the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1973, as the "Philip A. Hart Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1976
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make specified payments for five fiscal years to units of local government in which are located lands acquired by the United States subsequent to this Act for addition to the National Park System.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1976
Shrimp Import Act - Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to impose a duty on the importation of shrimp. Restricts the importation of shrimp to the amount imported during a specified base period, to be determined by the Secretary of Commerce. Imposes restrictions upon importation of headless shrimp and upon the quantity per month. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to increase or decrease such restrictions in response to consumer demand and the domestic shrimp industry. Establishes and authorizes appropriations for a shrimp marketing research, and food assistance fund. Establishes the Shrimp Food Assistance Account, under the Secretary of Agriculture, to purchase surplus domestic shrimp.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1976
Recognizes the worth and contributions of school volunteers. Encourages all Americans: (1) to continue and support the nationwide effort toward utilization of school volunteers; (2) to review and assess the impact of school volunteer programs on the quality of education; and (3) to determine further steps required to renew the commitment and dedication of each American to increasing the participation of volunteers in the educational process. Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the contributions made by the millions of Americans who are working as school volunteers.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1976
Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare the Office of Inspector General comprised of an Inspector General and a Deputy Inspector General appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Provides that the Inspector General and Deputy shall be removed from office only by impeachment or by the President but only for malfeasance, criminal conduct, incompetence, gross neglect of duty, or disability. States that they shall be subject only to the general supervision of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Sets forth the duties of the Office which include promoting economy and efficiency and preventing and detecting fraud and abuse of the programs and operations of the Department. Requires the Office to report to the Secretary and Congress with respect to its findings and activities quarterly or whenever the Office becomes aware of particularly serious or flagrant problems or abuse. Transfers to the Office the functions of the HEW Audit Agency and the Department's Office of Investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1976
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act to authorize any Federal agency head to procure janitorial, protective, trash removal, and similar services for periods not exceeding four years.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1976
Commercial Fisheries Improvement Fund Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make long-term, low interest, incentive loans for investment in fisheries shoreside facilities for underutilized fisheries and fishing vessels for underutilized fisheries. Sets forth the terms for such loans. Requires the Secretary, before approving a loan for the purchase of a new or used vessel, to determine that the applicant's comtemplated operation of such vessel in a fishery will not cause economic hardship or injury to efficient vessels already operating in that fishery. Directs that loans pursuant to this Act shall be made only to citizens or nationals of the United States. Provides that no corporation, partnership, or association organized under the laws of American Samoa shall be deemed a national of the United States unless 75 percent of the interest therein is owned by nationals or citizens of the United States. Establishes in the U.S. Treasury a Commercial Fisheries Improvement Fund which shall be used by the Secretary as a fund from which to make loans under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $250,000,000 to provide initial capital for all loans under this Act. Repeals provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 which provide loans for financing or refinancing of the cost of purchasing, constructing, equipping, maintaining, repairing, or operating commercial fishing vessels or gear. Directs that any outstanding loans made under such provisions shall be handled in accordance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1976
Directs the President to call a National Leadership Conference on Energy Policy to convene in Washington during 1977. Provides that it shall be the purpose of the Conference to consider alternate policy approaches available to the United States with respect to energy. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1976
Establishes the Temporary Joint Congressional Committee on Financial Oversight of the District of Columbia. Directs the committee to select persons to develop and assist in the implementation of plans for improving the financial planning, reporting, and control systems of the District of Columbia government. Requires such person entering into a contract under this Act to establish an ongoing training program for appropriate District of Columbia personnel. Lists reporting requirements for contractors. Authorizes the Comptroller General, after consultation with the Mayor of the District of Columbia, the Council of the District of Columbia, and the joint committee, to approve, disapprove, or modify plans submitted under this Act. States that each plan so approved or modified shall be deemed part of the financial operating procedures of the District of Columbia government. Directs the joint committee to initiate a balance sheet audit of the financial position of the District of Columbia as of September 30, 1977, and an audit of the financial position and results of operations for fiscal years 1978 and 1979. Requires the government of the District of Columbia to conduct similar audits with respect to each fiscal year beginning with 1979. Establishes the Audit Control Commission of the District of Columbia. Directs such commission to consult with accounting firms conducting audits under this Act on behalf of the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1976
National Meals-on-Wheels Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to allow States to distribute Federal funds for the establishment of: (1) projects to provide home-delivered meals to qualified homebound elderly persons; (2) an information and referral system for homebound individuals receiving such meals; and (3) an operation to seek volunteer personnel for the delivery of such meals and to compensate such personnel for related transportation expenses. Authorizes the appropriation of specified sums in fiscal years 1977 and 1978 for the purpose of providing home-delivered meals under this Act. Directs the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to conduct a demonstration project involving at least three States to determine the feasibility of using the meals system designed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the elderly as a component of, or substitute for, regular nutrition projects assisted under the Older Americans Act of 1965. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary in fiscal year 1977 to carry out this project.
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 · 2 June 1976
Contract Disputes Act - Declares that this Act applies to any contract entered into by any executive agency for the procurement of: (1) property (other than real property in being; (2) services; or (3) construction, repair, or maintenance of real property. Authorizes each executive agency to compromise any claim or dispute with a contractor. Provides that when no resolution of the dispute is achieved the contracting officer shall promptly issue a decision in writing, which shall be final unless the contractor seeks an appeal as provided by this Act. Allows a contractor within 30 days to seek an informal conference to consider the possibility of disposing of the claim by agreement. Establishes within the executive branch the Experimental Small Claims Panel of Contract Appeals with jurisdiction to settle contract claims or disputes where the amount involved is $25,000 or less. States that appeals from decisions by such Panel shall be made to a district court of the Court of Claims. Requires the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy to report to Congress within 30 months after the effective date of this Act with respect to the effectiveness of the Panel. Permits an agency head to establish within his agency a Board of Contract Appeals when the volume of procurement by the agency justifies a full-time Board. Requires such agency Board to adopt regulations which provide expeditious resolution of disputes. Provides that the decision of an agency Board of Contract Appeals shall be final unless the contractor or Government files an appeal. Grants to a member of an agency Board of Contract Appeals the power to administer oaths, authorize depositions, and require by subpoena the attendance of witness and the production of books and papers. Permits a contractor to appeal an adverse decision by a contracting agency official to the Panel, an agency Board, the Court of Claims, or a United States district court. Requires that appeals by contractors to a district court or Court of Claims be commenced within one year after an adverse ruling by the Panel, agency, Board, or contracting agency official. Gives the Government 90 days to file an appeal from a decision by an agency Board. States that interest shall be paid to a contractor who prevails against the United States on appeal to an agency Board, the Panel, or a court on the amount finally awarded to him from the date such appeal is filed at the prevailing interest rate. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act for three years. Grants to the district courts original jurisdiction, concurrent with the Court of Claims, over any civil action not exceeding $100,000 in amount in contract cases. (Amends 28 U.S.C. 1346, 2401, and 2517)
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 · 17 May 1976
Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to perform such work as may be necessary to prevent further deterioration of historically significant sections of the Congressional Cemetery. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study for the purpose of formulating proposals for the renovation and maintenance of such areas by the United States.
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 · 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 · 6 May 1976
Veterans Administration Review Act - Provides that decisions of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs on questions of law and fact under any law administered by the Veterans' Administration shall be subject to judicial review. Repeals the authority of the Administrator to pay fees to agents or attorneys in allowed claims for monetary benefits. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 211; repeals 38 U.S.C. 3404(c))
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1976
Federal Aid Commission Act - Declares it to be the policy of Congress, with respect to Federal aid programs to State and local governments and other recipients, to eliminate red tape and over- regulation of such State and local governments and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of such programs. Establishes a 15-member Commission on Federal Aid Reform to study methods of accomplishing the policy set forth in this Act. Directs the Commission to consider: (1) means to accommodate and improve the special management capacities of State and local governments; (2) means to improve the performance of agencies engaged in Federal aid programs activities; (3) duplications and omissions in such programs; (4) the utility of competition in aid awards; and (5) the extent to which profitmaking organizations should qualify for Federal aid awards. Directs the Commission to make a final report to the President and Congress within two years after the first meeting. States that, within six months after submission of the Commission's report, the Office of Management and Budget shall formulate the views of the executive branch on such report, implement, to the extent permitted by law, recommendations of the Commission which are accepted by the President, and propose to Congress legislation needed to implement other Commission recommendations accepted by the President. Requires each meeting of the Commission to be open to the public unless it is considering specified matters including: information which must be kept secret for reasons of national defense; matters which must be kept secret to protect an individual's liberty or standing in the community; and matters which would disclose the identity of police informers. Terminates the Commission 120 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Peanut Act - Provides, under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, for a national acreage allotment of not less than 1,247,000 acres for the 1977 crop of peanuts. States that the farm yield for such crop shall be determined on a basis equal to 96 percent of the average actual yield per acre on the farm for the three highest yield years out of the five years preceding the year such yield determination is made. Provides that if peanuts were not produced on such farm in at least three years of such five-year period, the Secretary of Agriculture shall have a yield appraised at 90 percent of the yields established for similar farms. Establishes a farm marketing quota for such peanut crop equal to the quantity determined by multiplying the farm peanut acreage allotment by the farm yield. Sets forth economic penalties for the marketing of non-quota peanuts or the marketing of peanuts in a larger quantity or higher grade or quality than could reasonably be produced from the quantity of peanuts or the grade acquired by handlers for marketing. States that only quota peanuts may be retained for use as seed on a farm and when so retained shall be considered as marketings of quota peanuts. Requires that all acreage planted to peanuts be measured and that the disposal of nonquota peanuts be supervised by area marketing associations designated pursuant to the Agricultural Act of 1949. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture under such Act to make price supports available to producers of the 1977 crop of peanuts through loans, purchases, or other operations on quota peanuts at a net level of not less than 70 percent of the parity price as of April 1, 1977, and on nonquota peanuts at not more than 60 percent of the loan and purchase level for quota peanuts or 90 percent of the estimated value of peanuts for crushing, export or both, whichever is lower. Directs the Commodity Credit Corporation to make warehouse storage loans available to marketing associations of specified producing areas which are selected and approved by the Corporation and which are operated primarily for the purpose of conducting such loan activities. Requires such associations to establish pools and maintain records by type for quota peanuts handled under loans and for nonquota peanuts produced within a contract between handler and producer. States that net gains on peanuts in such pool shall be distributed in proportion to the value of the peanuts placed in the pool by each grower. Provides that peanuts received under loan by such associations shall be offered for sale for domestic food and related uses. Sets forth the prices to be charged for such peanuts. Authorizes the sale for crushing or export of any peanuts received under loan which are not needed for domestic purposes. States that for the 1977 and subsequent crop of peanuts the Secretary shall permit the owner and operator of any farm for which a peanut acreage allotment is established to sell, lease, or transfer all or part of such allotment.
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
States that the Senate deplores and condemns the conduct of a specified group toward Governor Wallace of Alabama and Senator Henry Jackson of Washington.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1976
Amends rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the United States Senate to provide that no Senator who is serving at any time as chairman of any committee specified in this resolution may at the same time serve as chairman of more than one subcommittee of any such committee. Provides that no other Senator shall serve at any time as chairman of more than two subcommittees of any of the committees specified.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1976
Life Cycle Costing Procurement Act - Requires that the Federal Government must procure energy intensive consumer products and motor vehicles on the basis of lowest life cycle cost for purchases over $10,000. Defines "life cycle cost" as the total cost of acquisition, operation, maintenance, support, and disposal or replacement of an item.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, to make visits to the work place of any employer, upon the request of the employer, to consult with and advise the employer concerning the obligations of the employer under such Act. Directs the Secretary to give priority to small business and hazardous workplaces. Stipulates that no consultative visit made under this Act may serve as an inspection or investigation as otherwise provided for by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, except: (1) in the case of an employer who fails to eliminate a danger disclosed during such a visit; or (2) if conditions are found during such a visit which indicate the probability that death or serious harm could result to employees therefrom, the Secretary may notify the employer of such conditions and afford him a reasonable time to eliminate such conditions. Prohibits the transmission of information obtained during a consultative visit to representatives of the Secretary engaged in enforcement. Directs the Secretary to establish education programs to inform employers and employees of the hazards in particular industries. Authorizes the appropriation of funds through fiscal year 1978 for the purposes of this Act.
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 · 4 March 1976
Paperwork Review and Limitation Act - Requires, under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, that each public bill or resolution reported by a Congressional committee must be accompanied by a Paperwork Impact Statement which must assess the amount and character of the information that such bill or resolution will require of private individuals and businesses and the cost or time required of such individual or businesses. Requires each committee of Congress to review annually the reporting requirements (including the number and character of reporting forms issued and withdrawn) of any agency under such committee's jurisdiction. States that no Federal agency may collect information from ten or more persons, other than Federal employees, unless the Director of the Office of Management and Budget has approved the proposed collection and the forms to be used. Limits the Director's approval for the collection of information to one year, and provides that the forms used must indicate when such approval expires, and that such forms must indicate that no response is required if the approval date has expired. Requires each agency to report annually to the Director and Congress concerning all forms such agency has issued or withdrawn during the calendar year. Requires the Director to study the feasibility of requiring a single standard form for collecting information by all Federal agencies and to report the results of such study not later than one year after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1976
Establishes a standing committee of the Senate to be known as the Committee on Intelligence Activities, to oversee and make continuing studies of the intelligence activities and programs of the United States Government, and to submit to the Senate appropriate proposals for legislation concerning such intelligence activities and programs. Provides that the Committee shall make every effort to assure that the appropriate departments and agencies of the United States provide the intelligence necessary for the executive and legislative branches to make sound decisions affecting the security and vital interests of the Nation. Provides that the Committee provide oversight of the intelligence activities of the United States. Stipulates that no member or professional employee of the Committee shall serve for more than six years of continuous service. Specifies that all matters relating to the following shall be referred to the Committee: (1) the Central Intelligence Agency and the Director of Central Intelligence; (2) intelligence activities of all other departments and agencies of the Government, including, but not limited to, the intelligence activities of the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and other agencies of the Department of Defense; the Department of State; the Department of Justice; and the Department of the Treasury; (3) the organization or reorganization of any department or agency of the Government to the extent that the organization or reorganization relates to a function or activity involving intelligence activities; and (4) all authorizations for appropriations for all such organizations and activities. Requires the Committee to make periodic reports to the Senate on the nature and extent of the intelligence activities of the various departments and agencies of the United States. Directs the Committee to obtain an annual report from the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Specifies that such report shall review the intelligence activities of the agency or department concerned and the intelligence activities of foreign countries directed at the United States or its interests. Provides that such report shall be made available to the public. Authorizes the Committee to disclose publicly any information in its possession after a determination that the public interest would be served by such disclosure. States that in any case in which the Committee on Intelligence Activities of the Senate votes to disclose publicly any information submitted to it by the executive branch which the executive branch requests be kept secret, such committee shall notify the President of such vote. Provides that when the members of the Committee shall vote not to disclose such information the decision may be referred to the Senate for reconsideration upon the request of three Committee members. Provides that the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct may investigate any alleged disclosure of intelligence information by a Member, officer, or employee of the Senate which violates this Act. Directs that the records, files, documents, and other materials in the possession of the Select Committee on Governmental Operations with respect to Intelligence Activities shall, upon the expiration of such committee's authority, be transferred to the Committee on Intelligence Activities. Requires the Committee to study the quality, nature, and conduct of intelligence activities, including recommendations for any changes in the law considered desirable by the Committee. Requires that the Committee report its findings to the Senate no later than July 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1976
Amends the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the medicare program for specified services performed by chiropracters, including X-ray, and physical examination, and related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1976
Federal Acquisition Act - Declares the findings of Congress that present Federal purchasing laws have become outdated and contribute to waste in Federal spending. Declares it the policy of the United States that the acquisition of property and services by the Federal Government must encourage competition, innovation, and the application of new technology by allowing suppliers maximum latitude to exercise business judgements. Title I: Acquisition Methods and Regulatory Guidance - Requires any procuring agency to acquire services or property in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Act. Authorizes and directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to promulgate a single simplified uniform Federal regulation implementing the policies and procedures in this Act within two years after enactment of this Act. Requires the Administrator to determine whether agency implementation of this Act has been efficient and effective and to include such determination in his annual report. Title II: Acquisition by Competitive Sealed Bids - Requires the use of competitive sealed bids for purchasing property and services whenever: (1) the contract price exceeds $10,000; (2) there are a number of suppliers willing and able to perform the contract; (3) the nature of the contract warrants its award, primarily on the basis of price; and (4) additional criteria are met. Sets forth methods to be used to invite, and evaluate sealed bids and to award contracts. Title III: Acquisition by Competitive Negotiation Method - Requires the use of competitive negotiation in the acquisition of property and services when the contract price exceeds $10,000 and does not meet the criteria for the use of competitive sealed bids. Requires that solicitations for offers be made in such a way as to obtain effective competition for the contract. States that solicitations must be set forth in broad functional terms so as to permit the application of a variety of technological approaches and elicit the most promising competing alternatives. Sets forth procedures for considering offers, awarding contracts, and notifying the offerors. States that compliance with the procedures in this title need not be continued if there is only one available source. Requires in such cases that the intention to award must be publicized in advance of the award. Requires certification by a contractor or subcontractor that the cost or pricing data submitted before award, change, or modification of a contract is accurate, complete and current if (1)the contract, change, or modification is more than $500,000; (2) it is not a price set by competition as a result of sales of the item to the general public; (3) the price has not been determined in competitive negotiation where price was a significant factor; or (4) the price has not been set by law. Entitles the Federal Government to inspect the records of any contractor or subcontractor up to three years after final payment is made under a contract to insure contract performance. Allows an agency head to waive the surveillance requirements for a period not to exceed two years if more than 75 percent of the business of the contractor is being conducted under commercial or competitive fixed-price Government contracts. Title IV: Acquisition by Competitive Small Purchase Procedures Method - Allows the use of the competitive small purchase procedures method for contracts under $10,000. Title V: General Provisions - Prohibits the use of cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost contracting under this Act. Prohibits the employment of any agent on a contingent fee basis to solicit or secure a contract made with the Government. Disallows the making of any contract for a period of more than five years. Sets forth limitations for the making of advance payments. Requires adequate security for partial and progress payments made pursuant to a Government contract. Title VI: Delegation of Authority - Allows an agency head to delegate his or her contracting authority. Title VII: Amendments and Repeals - Makes conforming amendments to various Federal Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Opportunities Industrialization Centers Job Creation and Training Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to provide special authority for the Opportunities Industrialization Centers in order to create and provide job opportunities for specific unemployed persons who were particularly hard hit by the recent economic recession, and to provide opportunities for industry to create additional jobs for the unemployed in rural and urban communities. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to enter into a contract with Opportunities Industrialization Centers, Incorporated (OIC) in order to provide comprehensive employment services and jobs for unemployed persons. Requires each such contract to contain provisions assuring that specific requirements are complied with, including requirements that (1) special consideration in providing jobs will be given to unemployed persons who are most severely disadvantaged in terms of the length of time they have been unemployed; (2) due consideration will be given to persons who have participated in manpower training programs for whom unemployment opportunities would be otherwise unavailable, and (3) the program will to the maximum extent feasible contribute to the elimination of artificial barriers to employment and occupational advancement. Sets forth special conditions to be met prior to providing financial assistance pursuant to a contract entered into under this Act. Requires the programs to contribute, to the maximum extent feasible, to the occupational development or upward mobility of individual participants. Prohibits the Secretary from providing financial assistance unless he determines that: (1) periodic reports will be submitted to him to measure the effectiveness of the programs; (2) there will be no discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, political affiliation, or beliefs within the program, and (3) the participants in the program will not be employed in the construction, operation, or maintenance of sectarian religious facilities. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act of $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, $200,0000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $300,000,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $350,000,000 for fiscal year 1980.
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 · 28 January 1976
Amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to exempt Boys State, Boys Nation, Girls State and Girls Nation conferences, from the sex discrimination provisions of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1975
Interstate Horseracing Act - Title I: Findings and Policy - Expresses the findings of Congress with regard to the significance of the horseracing industry and the effects of off-track betting on such industry. Declares that the policy of the Congress is to assure continued revenue flow from horseracing to the States and to protect the horseracing industry. Title II: Regulation of Interstate Off-Track Wagering - Prohibits the acceptance of a wager, placed or accepted in one State (termed the "off-track State") on the outcome of a horse race in another State. Subjects any State or person violating this Act to a civil action which may be brought by: (1) the host racing association; (2) the State in which the race is held (host State); or (3) any owner of any horse participating in a race which is the subject of an interstate off-track wager on behalf of the host racing association, the host State and owners of all horses participating in a race which is the subject of an interstate off-track wager, to enjoin further violations of this Act and to recover damages in an amount equal to three times the amount of that portion of the interstate off-track wagers which the host State, the host racing association, and the owners of horses participating in the race, would have received if such wagers had been placed at the track where the race was held. States that in the event that a wager accepted in violation of this Act is of a type not accepted at the host track damages shall be equal to three times the greater of the: (1) maximum takeout permitted for any type of parimutuel wager in the host State; or (2) maximum takeout permitted for any type of parimutuel wager in the off-track State. Defines "take-out" as that portion of a wager which is deducted from the parimutuel pool or which is not included in the parimutuel pool and which is distributed to persons or entities other than those placing wagers. Grants jurisdiction over an action under this Act to the United States District Court in the host State or State in which the off-track wager was alleged to have been made. Provides for damages awarded to be distributed to the host State, the host racing association, and the owners of the horses participating in the race upon which the interstate off-track wager was accepted.
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