United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1977
Consumer Communications Reform Act - 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 compensatory. Provides that the Commission shall not grant or authorize any construction permit, 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 · 31 January 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1977
Raises the amount of capital stock of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation authorized by the Federal Crop Insurance Act from $100,000,000 to $300,000,000. Increases the maximum compensation of members of the FCIC Advisory Committee and of members of the Board of Directors who are not otherwise employed by the Government to no greater than the daily rate for GS-18. Eliminates county crop insurance committees and associations of producers from the administration of the insurance program. Makes insurance available to producers of rice as well as of wheat, cotton, grain sorghum, corn, and barley wherever they are grown commercially. Provides for a three-year period during which the Corporation must accept all eligible producers who want insurance; after which it may limit or refuse insurance under adverse circumstances to producers who have not availed themselves of the opportunity to enter the program. Authorizes insurance against prevented planting losses caused by floods. Provides for a 25% Federal subsidy of each participant's premium. Removes the $12,000,000 limitation on funds that may be made available by direct appropriation and creates within the United States Treasury a separate revolving fund available, without fiscal year limitation, for administrative and operating expenses of the Corporation discretionary borrowing authority. Authorizes the Government to reimburse the Corporation for the depletion of premium reserves paid in by farmers caused by administrative and operating expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1977
States that no Federal court shall have jurisdiction to enter any decree which would require the transportation of any student or teacher to achieve racial desegregation of any school or school system. Vests the jurisdiction terminated by this Act in the State courts and in the case of the District of Columbia and any territory or possession of the United States in such Federal court exercising essentially local jurisdiction in such area. Grants the United States Supreme Court the power to review any school assignment orders of the highest State court or territorial court exercising jurisdiction over such a case. Sets aside any Federal court order with respect to school assignment to achieve racial desegregation that is in effect on the day before enactment of this Act. Directs the appropriate State or territorial court to assure jurisdiction any such case and enter an order for appropriate remedial relief.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Designates the United States Department of Agriculture Research Center located near Clay Center, Nebraska, as the "Roman L. Hruska Meat Animal Research Center."
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Declares the term "person", with respect to due process and equal protection, applicable to human beings irrespective of age, health, function or condition of dependency, including the unborn. Prohibits the deprivation of life of an unborn person, except under laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Declares the term "person," with respect to due process and equal protection, applicable to human beings irrespective of age, health, function or condition of dependency, including the unborn. Prohibits the deprivation of life of an unborn person, except under laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1977
Increases the amounts excludable from gross income as income earned abroad by repealing the provisions respecting such exclusions enacted in the Tax Reform Act and restoring former law.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to redefine the term "navigable waters" as it applies to permits for dredged or fill material as required by the Act. Allows the discharge of dredged or fill materials without a permit in waters other than navigable waters and adjacent wetlands. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to enter into agreements with States to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material in waters other than navigable waters and in wetlands other than adjacent wetlands. Exempts farming, silviculture, ranching, forestry and specified construction activities from permit requirements with respect to discharges of dredged or fill material. Stipulates that Federal projects shall be exempt only if the effects of such discharges have been assessed pursuant to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to delegate authority over dredged and fill material in adjacent wetlands to the States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Title I: Meat and Meat Products - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to require meat imports to be labeled as imports and to be subjected to tests regarding substances or levels of substances prohibited in any domestically produced animal. Title II: Dairy Products - Prohibits the importation of dairy products unless the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare certifies that such imports originated from pure and wholesome supplies and were manufactured in plants which comply with certain minimum standards of sanitation. Makes such products subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act after entry into the United States. Permits assessments and fees to be prescribed for such tests and inspections and the revocation of import privileges for failure to pay such fees.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Makes it unlawful for any individual or entity to solicit to enroll or enroll any member of the armed forces in any labor organization or for any member to encourage others to join or to actively support any military labor organization. Sets forth penalties for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Recognizes the outstanding contributions made by President Ford to this Nation and commends him for the manner and integrity with which he carried out his responsibilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Natural Gas Act Amendments - Amends the Natural Gas Act to terminate Federal Power Commission authority to regulate sales of new natural gas in interstate commerce. Stipulates that emergency sales of natural gas to curtailed customers who qualify as essential users shall not affect such exempt status. Stipulates that contractual provisions prohibiting sales to such customers shall be suspended and unenforceable for the duration of such emergency sale. Stipulates that prices for offshore sales of new natural gas shall not exceed the ceiling price for sales of new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands. Stipulates that prices paid for natural gas in transactions between a natural gas company and its affiliates shall not exceed prices paid in comparable sales by persons not affiliated with any natural gas company. Directs the Federal Power Commission to conduct studies and make reports regarding the nature and availability of natural gas reserves. Requires that the Commission keep current information available relating to the estimated natural gas reserves for individual fields. Establishes procedures for the establishment of ceiling prices for new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands through December 31, 1982. Authorizes the Commission to grant exemptions to price ceilings within high-cost production areas. Establishes procedures for adjustments to price ceilings established pursuant to this Act. Directs the Commission to prohibit the curtailment of adequate supplies of natural gas for essential agricultural purposes. Directs the Commission to prohibit the use of natural gas as boiler fuel where adequate alternatives are available. Authorizes exemptions from such prohibition where necessary to comply with pollution control or environmental protection and safety standards. Stipulates that the provisions of the Natural Gas Act shall extend to synthetic natural gas.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to include in the term "fresh, chilled, or frozen" any meat on which preparation or preservation must be completed in the United States, its territories or possessions.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Amends the policy of Congress to restrict to 750,000,000 pounds the annual aggregate importation of fresh, chilled, or frozen beef, goat, or sheep meat after December 31, 1974. Prescribes a formula for adjustment of such quota. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate such quota among supplying countries according to certain criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Amends rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate to require that substitute conferees be appointed and that such appointments be announced on the Senate floor and printed in the Senate Calendar of Business before such newly appointed members are permitted to participate or vote in the committee of conference.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Amends rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate to require the Presiding Officer, in appointing Senate conferees to a committee of conference on matters which have been considered by more than one Senate committee, to consider the recommendations of the majority leader, minority leader, and the chairman and ranking minority member of each such committee.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Amends rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate to establish procedures to permit the conduct of business by the Senate conferees of a committee of conference when the number of such conferees does not constitute a majority of the appointed Senate conferees. States that a majority of the appointed Senate conferees must be present to agree on the final text of a conference report.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Amends rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate to require that Senate conferees be furnished with a written text of a motion, or a written explanation of the substantive effect of the motion, prior to consideration of the motion by a conference committee.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Declares it the sense of the Congress that the United States should oppose United Nations membership of Vietnam and deny diplomatic recognition to Vietnam until that country cooperates in securing a satisfactory accounting of Americans missing in action and unaccounted for in the territory under Vietnamese control.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt aircraft used primarily for agricultural operation from the excise tax on civil aircraft. Provides for the refund of the excise tax on gasoline used for farming purposes in an aircraft to the aerial applicator who purchased it.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments - Amends Titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require that Medicare and Medicaid payments be made directly to the physician or other person providing the service involved. Allows payment in accordance with an assignment from the person or institution providing care or service if such assignment is made to a governmental agency or entity or is established by the order of a court of competent jurisdiction or to an agent of such person or institution if the agency does so pursuant to an agency agreement under which the compensation to be paid to the agency for his services or in connection with the billing or collection of payments due such person or institution under the plan is unrelated to the amount of such payments or the billings thereof, and is not dependent upon the actual collection of any such payment. States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall by regulation (or by contract provision) provide that any entity (other than a public agency) which is a provider or supplier that furnishes or arranges for the furnishing of items or services with respect to which payment is claimed under Title XVIII, Title V (Maternal and Child Welfare), or under Title XIX of the Social Security Act to a party to an agreement with the Secretary under such titles shall promptly comply with any request, specifically addressed to that entity by the Secretary or the Comptroller General of the United States, for information concerning ownership, control, or costs of such entities. Increases the maximum penalty for defrauding the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Authorizes the Comptroller General of the United States to sign and issue subpoenas for the purpose of any audit, investigation, examination, analysis, review, evaluation, or other function authorized by law with respect to any program authorized under this Act. Requires the Secretary to suspend any physician or practitioner from participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs whenever such individual is convicted of a criminal offense related to their involvement in such programs. Conditions participation in or certification or recertification under the programs established by titles XVIII, XIX, and XX (Grants to States for Services) upon disclosure of the name of any person who: (1) has a direct or indirect ownership or control interest of five percent or more in such provider, institution, organization, or agency; and (2) has been convicted of a criminal offense related to the involvement of such person in any of such programs. Prohibits expenditure under the Medicaid plan to the extent that any agency, organization, or other person (other than a member of the individual's family) would have been obligated by a State law or contract to provide such care or services but for a provision of the State law or contract which limits or excludes such obligation because the individual is eligible for or receives care or services under the plan.
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 Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act to increase from $250,000 to $1,000,000 the maximum amount of estimated Federal contribution to a small watershed project which will exempt the project from Congressional review and approval procedures. Increases the total amount of loans or advancements the Secretary of Agriculture may make to carry out works of improvement from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000. Stipulates that construction work which covers 15,000 acre feed or less and does not require channelization shall be exempt from filing environmental impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
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
Renders applicable to first convictions for using a firearm to commit a Federal felony or for unlawfully carrying a firearm during the commission of such a crime the prohibition against suspended or probationary sentences presently mandatory with respect to second or subsequent convictions. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 924)
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total appropriations shall not exceed estimated revenues. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war or by a concurrent resolution passed by the Senate and the House stating that a national emergency requires such suspension.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1976
Sugar Act Extension - Amends the Sugar Act of 1948 to reinstate the powers vested in the Secretary of Agriculture under such Act on January 1, 1977. Reinstates the powers of the Secretary to set price objectives and quotas for sugar on October 1, 1976, and terminates such authority on March 31 of the year of termination of the manufacturer's excise tax on sugar which is reinstated under this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reinstate the excise tax on the manufacture or use of sugar after December 31, 1976. Terminates such tax on June 30 of the year following the effective date of any law which limits conditional payments under the Sugar Act of 1948 or payments with respect to unsold sugar or sugar products held by a manufacturer or in customs custody.
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 · 29 June 1976
Declares it to be the policy of the Congress to promote greater efficiency and equity in the operation and administration of Federal and federally aided income assistance programs. Requires the President, from time to time, to examine the operation of, the provisions of law governing, and the organization of the agencies responsible for administering specified income assistance programs under the: (1) Social Security Act; (2) Food Stamp Act of 1964; (3) United States Housing Act of 1937; (4) National Housing Act; (5) Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965; and the (6) Housing Act of 1949. Requires the President, when it is determined that changes to such programs are necessary in order to carry out the policy of the Congress, to prepare an income assistance program modification specifying the changes found to be required. States that such changes may include modifications to the organization of agencies administering such programs, including transfer and consolidation of organizations and functions within and between such existing agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1976
Designates the United States Department of Agriculture Meat Animal Research Facility located near Clay Center, Nebraska, as the "Roman L. Hruska Meat Animal Research Facility," in honor of Senator Roman L. Hruska.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1976
International Social Security Agreements Act - Authorizes the President, under Title II (Old- Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, to enter into agreements establishing arrangements between the social security system of the United States and the social security system of any foreign country, for the purpose of establishing entitlement to old-age, survivors, disability, or derivative benefits based on a combination of an individual's periods of coverage under the social security system established by Title II and the social security system of such foreign country. Sets forth regulations governing the apportionment of benefits and the crediting of coverage based on periods of coverage in this country and a foreign country. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prevent the withholding of social security taxes from an individual during any period when such individual's income is subject to the social security taxes of another country.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1976
Freedom of Emigration Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to prohibit the President from renewing any commercial agreement with any nonmarket economy country which places certain restrictions upon emigration. Increases the circumstances under which: (1) the President shall not conclude or renew such agreement; and (2) such country may not participate in United States programs which extend credit or guarantees, to include visitation restrictions, old age benefit restrictions, and certain currency restrictions. Permits the Congress to find such country in violation of such Act. Eliminates the exemption from these prohibitions of countries with most-favored-nation status and the authority of the President to waive these restrictions.
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 · 11 May 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that tax returns and tax reform information shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed under any circumstances except to such persons and for such purposes as are authorized by this Act. Provides that returns and return information, except with regard to taxes imposed on wagering and machine guns, shall be available to State tax agencies to the extent necessary for the administration of a specific tax law of a State and shall be used only for tax administration. Provides for disclosure of returns and information to the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Committee on Finance, and the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation upon written request of the chairman of the Committee for use in closed executive session. Authorizes disclosure to other Congressional committees upon written request of the chairman for use in closed executive session if the committee is authorized by a resolution of the House or Senate to inspect returns or return information. Authorizes the disclosure of returns and return information to the President if he submits to the Secretary of the Treasury a written request containing specified information. Provides for the disclosure of returns and return information to Federal officers and employees directly engaged in the preparation of any Federal administrative or judicial proceeding pertaining to the enforcement of a specific Federal statute not involving tax administration only if: (1) the taxpayer is or may be a party to such proceeding; (2) the taxpayer consents; or (3) the return or return information has a direct bearing on the outcome of such proceeding because of the existence of specified relationships between parties to the proceedings and the taxpayer. Authorizes the disclosure of returns and return information in any Federal or State judicial or administrative proceeding pertaining to tax administration or any judicial or administrative proceeding pertaining to a specified Federal statute not involving tax administration if: (1) the taxpayer is a party to such proceeding; (2) the taxpayer consents; (3) the return or return information may have a direct bearing on the outcome of such proceeding; (4) it is necessary to impeach the testimony of the taxpayer as a witness; (5) it is required by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure; (6) it is required by the United States Constitution. Provides for disclosure of specified return information to specified Federal agencies and officials if an individual is under consideration for appointment to a position in the executive or judicial branch of the Federal Government. Authorizes disclosure of taxpayer identity information to any Federal agency and to State and local welfare agencies for purposes of locating an individual with respect to whom a return has been filed. Provides that return information may be disclosed to the Justice Department to the extent necessary to answer an inquiry as to whether a juror in a Federal proceeding has, or has not, been investigated by the Treasury Department. Authorizes the disclosure of return information pertaining to violations of criminal laws to the Attorney General and to States. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to maintain a record of all requests for inspection or disclosure of returns and return information, and of returns and return information inspected or disclosed under this Act. Provides that disclosures of returns or return information in violation of this Act shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000, or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Requires dismissal of the offender if he is an officer or employee of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1976
Broadened Stock Ownership Act - Provides that for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code the term "broadened stock ownership plan" means a trust created or organized in the United States for the exclusive benefit of an individual or his beneficiaries which meets specified requirements, including: (1) contributions will not be accepted for the taxable year in excess of $1,500 on behalf of any individual; (2) the trust is designed to invest solely in common stock of domestic corporations; (3) contribution received by the trustee during a particular taxable year will be allocated to a separate class year account; and (4) the interest of an individual in each class year account may not be paid or distributed before the end of the seventh taxable year following that year in which such class year account was established, except in the case of death or disability. States that the term "broadened stock ownership annuity" means a contract for a variable annuity, issued by an insurance company which meets specified requirements similar to those of the stock ownership trust above. Provides that a trust created or organized in the United States by an employer for the exclusive benefit of his employees or their beneficiaries, or by an association of employees for the exclusive benefit of its members or their beneficiaries, shall be treated as a broadened stock ownership, but only if the trust meets the requirements of such a plan as stated above and also provides a separate accounting for the interest of each employee or member. Exempts broadened stock ownership plans from taxation. Provides that any amount paid by an employer to a broadened stock ownership plan or annuity shall be included in an individuals gross income. Allows an individual to deduct from his gross income amounts paid in cash during the taxable year by or on behalf of such individual to a broadened stock ownership plan or annuity. Stipulates that no deduction shall be allowed for the two taxable years succeeding the taxable year in which a payment or distribution from such a plan or annuity which is taxable year in which a payment or distribution from such a plan or annuity which is taxable to the individual under this Act is made. Stipulates that the deduction allowable to an individual under this Act may not exceed an amount equal to 15 percent of the compensation included in his gross income for such taxable year, or $1,500, whichever is less, multiplied by a fraction, the denominator of which is $20,000 and the numerator of which is $20,000 minus the excess of such compensation over $20,000. Provides that any amount received from a class year account established more than seven years before the taxable year in which the amount is received, and any amount paid or distributed on account of the death of the individual for whose benefit the broadened stock ownership plan or annuity was created, shall be included in gross income in the year received and treated as a long term capital gain. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1976
Directs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry to investigate allegations made by sugar beet growers in Nebraska that the sugar company with which they have contracted in prior years is forcing them to accept unfair contract terms because such company is the only reasonable source available to them for the sale of their commodity. Directs the Committee to examine the extent to which such company is or has been engaging in monopolistic or other unfair trade practices in dealing with the growers; and the extent to which the company is involved with competitive sources of sugar.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1976
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President shall seek the elimination of surety deposit requirements on vegetable protein products imposed by the European Economic Community. Provides that if the President shall fail to eliminate such requirement, he shall obtain full compensation for such actions under article XXIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1976
States that unemployment compensation, for those ordinarily steadily employed but who have become temporarily, involuntarily unemployed, which is payable to a Federal employee for any week shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the benefits payable to him with respect to such week under a Federal pension system.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
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.
![Official portrait of Sen. Curtis, Carl T. [R-NE]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001006_200.jpg)