United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Financial Disclosure Act - Requires the President, Vice-President, Members of Congress, justices and judges of the United States, officers and employees of the United States compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the rate prescribed for GS-16, and members of the uniformed services compensated at a rate equal to or in excess of the monthly rate prescribed for 0-7 to file in each calendar year, during which the individual has occupied the office or position for a period in excess of ninety days, a report containing a complete financial statement for the preceding calendar year. Requires any individual seeking nomination for election, or election to the office of President, Vice President, or Member of Congress to file in any year in which the individual has (1) qualified for nomination for election, or election, or (2) received political contributions or made expenditures, a complete financial statement for the preceding calendar year. Specifies the content of such financial statements. Requires that certain individuals report the identity of any non-Government person who paid such individuals compensation in excess of $5,000 in any of the five years prior to the preceding calendar year, and the nature and the service performed, confidential information established as a matter of law excepted. Requires disclosure of certain property held by the individual, the spouse, dependents or agents. Permits the President to exempt any individual in the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, or other person engaged exclusively in intelligence activities from the requirement to file a report with the Comptroller General if such disclosure would reveal the identity of an undercover Federal agent. Makes failure to file and falsifying reports punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Requires the head of each agency, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit annually to the Comptroller General a complete list of individuals required to file such a report. Requires the Comptroller General to (1) refer to the Attorney General the names of all individuals who the Comptroller General has reasonable cause to believe have failed to file or falsified such report, and (2) in the case of a Member of Congress, refer the name to the appropriate Congressional Committees. Requires that the Comptroller General make such reports available to the public for all purposes not excluded under this Act. Makes the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and the head of each agency responsible for the review of such reports in accordance with any law or regulation regarding conflicts of interest or confidential financial information. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct audits of each specified group at varying intervals, and gives the Comptroller General subpena power for the purpose of conducting such audits. Requires the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Justice to recommend to Congress such legislation as may be necessary in the area of financial conflicts of interest among Federal employees and officers.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Veterans' Administration Administrative Procedure and Judicial Review Act - Provides that the decisions of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs on any question of law or fact under any law administered by the Veterans' Administration providing benefits for veterans and their dependents or survivors shall be subject to judicial review. Directs that all rules, regulations, orders and any other determination of any kind made by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs be subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Repeals the requirement that the Administrator determine and pay fees to agents or attorneys in allowed claims for monetary benefits.
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
Food and Agriculture Act - Title I: Payment Limitation for Wheat, Feed Grains, and Upland Cotton - Extends through 1982 the payment limitation for wheat, feed grain, and upland cotton programs provided by the Agriculture Act of 1970, as amended. Title II: Dairy - Extends the effectiveness of Class I dairy base plans through 1985 and of other dairy base plans through 1982. Extends through 1982 the authority for making dairy products available to veterans' hospitals and to the military, and for making indemnity payments to dairy farmers who sustain losses as a result of pesticides. Title III: Wool Program - Extends through 1982 the current program for wool. Title IV: Wheat Program - Establishes the cost of production as the basis for target prices for 1979 through 1982 crops of wheat, corn and upland cotton, and requires that the loan rate on these crops shall be not less than 75 percent of the cost of production, subject to adjustment under special circumstances. Sets the target price for wheat for 1978 at $2.91 per bushel, and the loan rate at $2.18 per bushel. Extends through 1982, among other things: (1) the marketing certificate and acreage set-aside programs, and the exemption of processors and exporters from marketing certificate requirements; (2) the suspension of wheat marketing quotas; (3) the exclusion of wheat allotments from the transfer of acreage allotments on public lands; (4) the floor for sales of wheat by the Commodity Credit Corporation and the price at which purchases must be made to offset sales; and (5) the limit on summer fallow use of wheat acreage. Title V: Feed Grain Program - Extends the feed grain program through 1982 and sets the target price of corn for 1978 at $2.28 per bushel and the loan rate at $1.71 per bushel. Title VI: Upland Cotton Program - Extends the cotton program through 1982 and sets the target price for cotton for 1978 at $.511 per pound and the loan rate at $.3833 per pound. Extends through 1982: (1) the minimum base acreage allotment program; (2) the suspension of marketing quotas for cotton; (3) the price formula at which the Commodity Credit Corporation is required to sell upland cotton for unrestricted use; (4) the suspension of the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to equalize the price supports for cottonseed and soybeans; and (5) the application of established rules for classifying skiprows. Title VII: Rice - Extends through 1982 among other things: (1) the national acreage allotment program for rice crops; (2) the established price and loan rate for rice crops; (3) the suspension of rice marketing quotas and the unused acreage allotment program; and (4) the rules regarding the finality of determinations setting out the basis for payments and loans. Title VIII: Food and Agricultural Research - States the findings of Congress and declares that it is the policy of the Federal Government that special measures be undertaken to improve food and agricultural research and that the Secretary of Agriculture should have the primary role in the overall national research effort. Establishes within the executive branch of the United States Government the Federal Food and Agriculture Research Policy Council: (1) to review Federal food and agriculture research programs to insure maximum coordination and cooperation among the Federal departments and agencies in their research efforts; and (2) to submit recommendations annually to the Secretary with respect to supplemental funding or organizational changes necessary to achieve the objectives of food and agriculture research. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Federal Food and Agriculture Research Operations and Advisory Committee: (1) to provide a forum for the interchange of information among the organizations represented; (2) to develop a system for compiling information about private and federally supported research projects and for reviewing and evaluating such projects; (3) to develop guidelines for the making of competitive grants; and (4) to submit annual reports identifying high-priority research areas and summarizing the research achievements of the prior fiscal year while making recommendations for research programs for the following year. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Users Advisory Board for Food and Agriculture Research, composed of five interest panels representing users of food and agriculture research, which shall annually assess for the Policy Council and Operations Committee: (1) the programs of the Federal departments and agencies performing research; (2) the relationship of the Federal Government to agricultural colleges and State agricultural experiment stations; and (3) the extent of research being conducted by other entities. Expresses the sense of the Congress that Federal food and agricultural research should be annually supported at a level of one-half of one percent of (1) the amount spent annually in the United States on food for personal consumption, and (2) the annual value of agricultural exports from the United States. Allocates to high- priority research not less than 50 percent of the appropriations for the competitive research grants program of the Department of Agriculture. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Office of Research and Competitive Grants to compile information about each Federally supported research project and to administer the competitive grants program. Authorizes the Secretary to make competitive five-year grants to State agricultural experiment stations, colleges and research institutions and to Federal and private organizations; and three-year grants to agricultural land-grant colleges and State experiment stations to facilitate on-going State-Federal programs that require funding in excess of normal program levels. Sets the formula for determining amounts of grants to State agricultural experiment stations for equipment, supplies and buildings, and to colleges of veterinary medicine and experiment stations for animal health research. Establishes in the United States Treasury a "Department of Agriculture Contingency Research Fund", funded at a minimum level of $5,000,000 to meet irregular or unexpected research needs of any service agency within the Department of Agriculture. Declares that it is the policy of the United States that the Department of Agriculture conduct research in the field of human nutrition. Directs the Secretary to develop a national food and human nutrition research and extension program and to make such research a separate and distinct mission of the Agricultural Research Service. Requires that not less than two percent of the appropriations for the Agricultural Research Service be allocated to improve programs of the Food and Nutrition Service. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the potential value and cost of establishing regional food and human nutrition research centers. States that not less than 15 percent of funds appropriated for distribution to States shall be used by experiment stations for conducting food and human nutrition research projects. Directs the Extension Service to establish a national educational program for dissemination of the results of research, with special attention to the education of low-income individuals. Directs the Secretary to establish an Animal Health Science Research Advisory Board to recommend priorities for the conduct of animal health research programs. Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary and directs that they be apportioned thus: (1) 4 percent retained by the Department of Agriculture for administration and program assistance; and (2) 96 percent to go to accredited colleges of veterinary medicine and agricultural experiment stations in the several States. Directs the deans of the participating colleges and the director of the State agricultural experiment station for the State to develop a comprehensive animal health research program for each State based on the research capacity of each eligible institution in the State. Requires the dean or director of each eligible institution to cause preparation of and to review project proposals which comply with the purpose and provisions of this Act. Sets the Federal contribution to any eligible institution at $100,000 in addition to amounts matching funds from non-Federal sources. Title IX: Public Law 480 - Extends through 1982 the authority to carry out the "Food for Peace" programs under Public Law 480. Authorizes the President to reallocate commodities earmarked for humanitarian purposes in developing countries when he determines that the quantity of such commodities cannot be effectively used to carry out such purposes. Permits the use of foreign currencies to assist foreign countries in establishing facilities for the handling, storage, and distribution of U.S. agricultural commodities. Increases to 1,500,000 tons (from 1,300,000 tons) the minimum quantity of agricultural commodities to be distributed in each fiscal year under Title II of Public Law 480, and deletes the requirement that one million tons be distributed through voluntary agencies and the World Food Program. Increases to $900,000,000 (from $600,000,000) the maximum level of assistance under Title II of Public Law 480. Permits payment of transportation costs to points of entry other than the seaports of the recipient country. Title X: Food Stamps : - National Food Stamp Reform Act - Redefines the meaning of the term "household" as used in the Food Stamp Act of 1964. Deletes the existing requirement that individuals sharing common living quarters be related in order to qualify as a household. Includes within the meaning of the term "retail food store" any private, nonprofit, cooperative food purchasing venture in which members pay for food purchased prior to receipt of such food. Authorizes such cooperatives to redeem members' food coupons. Amends the definition of the term "elderly person" to delete the requirement that such person be either living alone or with a spouse. Adds definitions to the term "nutritionally adequate diet". Prohibits the distribution of federally donated foods to households except as is considered necessary by the Secretary of Agriculture to effect an orderly transition on an Indian reservation from a food distribution program to the food coupon program. Sets forth standards or eligibility for participation by households in the food stamp program. States that the income standards of eligibility shall be the income poverty guidelines prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget. Defines the terms "gross income" and "household income" as used in determining the eligibility. Sets forth the exemption allowed in determining the amount of each type of income attributable to a household. Limits participation to households with net income at or below the official Federal poverty levels. Replaces itemized deductions with a standard deduction of $70. Establishes a 30-day retrospective accounting period for eligibility determinations. Authorizes the Secretary to establish temporary emergency eligibility standards for households that are victims of a disaster. Directs the Secretary to provide that no household shall be eligible for the food stamp program if such household includes an able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 60 (subject to specified exceptions) who without good cause fails to register for employment at a State employment service, or otherwise fails to attempt to find work, or refuses to accept employment or voluntarily quits any job. States that no person shall be eligible to receive food coupons who is not a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. States that no individual shall be considered a household member for food stamp program purposes who: (1) has reached his eighteenth birthday; (2) is enrolled in an institution of higher education; and (3) is properly claimed or could be claimed as a dependent by a taxpayer who is not a member of an eligible household. Declares that no household that knowingly transfers liquid or nonliquid assets for the purpose of qualifying or attempting to qualify for the food stamp program shall be eligible to participate in the program for a minimum of 30 days. States that no person who receives supplementary security income benefits under Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act, State supplementary payments under such title, or payments under specified provisions of Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of such Act, shall be considered a member of a household for purposes of this Act during specified months. Establishes the face value of the coupon allotment which State agencies shall be authorized to issue to eligible households. States that such allotment will be in an amount sufficient to allow a household to purchase a nutritionally adequate diet. Sets the charge for a household coupon allotment at 27.5 percent of the household's income. Requires issuance of 4 authorization-to-purchase cards to each participating household at the beginning of each month. Directs the extension of the nutrition education program of the Department of Agriculture to the greatest extent possible, including the development and distribution of printed materials. Directs the States to include in their plans for the administration of the food stamp program procedures for: (1) the expedited payment to households of the bonus value of any coupon allotment which has been wrongfully denied, delayed, or terminated as a result of an administrative error; and (2) the expedited determination of an applicant household's eligibility. Establishes measures by which the Secretary may ensure the compliance of State agencies with regulations governing State food stamp programs. Authorizes the use of food coupons by the elderly and disabled to purchase "meals on wheels". Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to prescribe regulations permitting applicants and recipients of supplemental security income benefits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act to apply for food stamps at supplemental security income certification offices. Provides for the use of multilingual personnel and material in the administration of the food stamp program in areas where numerous persons speak a language other than English. Increases the criminal penalties for the fraudulent use of food coupons and authorization to purchase cards. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct experimental projects for purposes of increasing the program's efficiency and improving the delivery of benefits to eligible households. Adds to the Assistant Secretaries of Agriculture now provided by law an Assistant Secretary for food and nutrition programs. Title XI: Rural Development - Extends the rural community fire protection program under the Rural Development Act of 1972 through September 30, 1980, with an annual authorization of appropriations not to exceed $7,000,000. Encourages rural fire fighting forces to make use of excess Federal property. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress on rural community fire protection. Amends the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act to provide that prior Congressional approval of watershed projects will be required only where the estimated Federal contribution is in excess of $750,000. Increases from $250,000 to $500,000 the amount of any loan that can be made for a resource conservation and development project under the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act without prior Congressional approval of the loan. Title XII: Extension of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act - Makes permanent the scientific advisory panel established by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to assess the environmental impact of action proposals for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Extends the authorization for appropriations under the Act for fiscal years 1978 ($65,000,000), 1979 ($70,000,000), and 1980 ($75,000,000). Title XIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Includes marine and fresh water aquaculture and human nutrition among the basic functions of the Department of Agriculture. Extends through 1982: (1) the authority for making indemnity payments to beekeepers who sustain losses as a result of pesticides; and (2) the authority for the purchase and donation of agricultural commodities with appropriated funds. Authorizes the Secretary, in case of emergency in the National Forest System or when called upon by local or State authorities, to use personnel and equipments and incur expenses in the search for lost persons, in the aid of the seriously ill or injured, or in the transport of dead persons to the nearest place where the body may be transferred to interested parties or local authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include the services of licensed practical nurses under the coverage provided pursuant to such Titles.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Youth Community Improvement Act - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, State and local governments, Indian tribes, and Alaska Native organizations to pay the costs of community improvement projects carried out by youths.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow limited income tax credit for the higher education expenses paid for the taxpayer, his spouse, and his dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Disapproves the recommendations of the President transmitted to Congress pursuant to the Federal Salary Act of 1967 recommending rates of pay for (1) Members of Congress and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, (2) certain positions in the legislative branch, (3) specified judicial personnel, and (4) certain positions under the Executive Schedule.
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
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to permit the National Committee of American Airmen Rescued by General Mihailovich to construct and maintain a monument to General Draza Mihailovich. Sets forth the procedure to be followed in raising funds and constructing the monument on public land within the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Requires the imposition of mandatory sentences of not less than two years for certain burglary and aggravated assault convictions. Requires a mandatory sentence of not less than two years and which may be up to life imprisonment for certain second degree murder convictions. Requires a mandatory sentence of not less than two years for convictions of crimes involving the use of a firearm. Specifies mandatory sentences for crimes involving heroin. Increases the sentences of repeat Federal offenders. Waives the imposition of mandatory minimum sentences under this Act if the individual convicted (1) was less than 16 years of age at the time of the crime; (2) was mentally impaired; (3) was under substantial duress; or (4) was a minor accomplice. Provides for a special hearing before the court without a jury to determine whether any of the factors enumerated above are applicable.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Deems service as a member of the Women's Air Force Service Pilots as active duty for the purposes of all laws administered by the Veterans' Administration.
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
Specifies additional penalties including death, for members of terrorist organizations who commit certain offenses pursuant to the advocacy, direction, teachings, or encouragement of their respective organization. Requires a separate sentencing hearing in cases where capital punishment is an authorized additional sentence. Sets forth standards and procedures for such hearings.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 1977
Extends various programs under the Agriculture Act of 1970, as amended by the Agriculture and the Consumer Protection Act of 1973, through 1981, 1982, or 1984. Continues the price support programs for wheat, feed grains, cotton, wool, soybeans and dairy products through 1981. Increases the minimum support and loan levels for wheat to $2.25 per bushel and for feed grains to $1.87 per bushel, plus handling costs. Sets the support level for milk at 80 percent of parity and the loan level for cotton at 38 cents per pound. Revises the formula for support payments for each crop to reflect established prices of: (1) $3.10 per bushel of wheat; (2) $2.25 per bushel of each feed grain; and (3) 48 cents per pound of cotton. Increases the limit on payments under the wheat, feed grain and cotton programs for the 1974 through 1981 crops to $30,000. Sets a five percent maximum interest rate for wheat, feed grains and cotton loans and allows the producer-borrower to specify any loan period not exceeding five years. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to pay 50 percent of the storage costs incurred by any producer under the price support programs. Directs the Secretary to give wheat and feed grain producers the option to set aside acreage or to plant a full crop and store a percentage of the harvest whenever carryover stocks will be so large as to seriously depress the price of the particular commodity. Makes election under such option a condition of receiving loans, purchases and payments under the two price support programs. Requires the Secretary to pay 50 percent of the storage costs incurred by a producer pursuant to an election to plant and store, and authorizes him to guarantee loans for 90 percent of the cost of constructing storage facilities. Allows the removal and sale of wheat or feed grains so stored whenever the market price for either equals 150 percent of the loan rate on such crop; and requires repayment of the loan from the proceeds of such sale. Permits the Secretary to recall loans when the price of a commodity exceeds the loan level of stored crops by more than 200 percent. Forbids prohibitions or limitations on the export of wheat or a feed grain, with exceptions, whenever the equivalent of 350,000,000 bushels of wheat or 500,000,000 bushels of such feed grain is under storage pursuant to elections provided for by this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish human nutrition food reserve to help meet emergency food conditions in any area of the world suffering severe food loss due to a natural disaster. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire and process for the reserve up to 100,000,000 bushels of grain. Prohibits the sale of reserve food supplements through normal commercial channels. Allows the Secretary to permit foreign countries to participate in the program by purchasing the wheat or feed grains concerned and paying the required storage and handling costs. Prohibits the application of export embargoes to commodities so stored. Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate House and Senate committees within 90 days of enactment indicating the action taken to implement this reserve program. Extends through 1981, among other things: (1) the effectiveness of various orders to producers and handlers relating to uniform prices for milk products; (2) the authority of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs and the Secretary of the Army to use dairy products stored under price support programs in facilities under their respective jurisdictions; (3) the exemption of wheat from marketing quotas; (4) the exclusion of wheat allotments from the transfer of acreage allotments on public lands; (5) the floor for sales of wheat and feed grains by the Commodity Credit Corporation and the price at which purchases must be made to offset sales; (6) the limit on summer fallow use to 55 percent of the cropland acreage for crops of wheat, feed grains and cotton (7) the prohibition on equalizing the price supports of cottonseed and soybeans; and (8) the application of established rules for classifying skiprows. Excludes crop loans for wheat, feed grains and cotton from the budget of the United States and exempts them from any general limitation imposed by statute on expenditures and net lending of the United States.
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 · 11 January 1977
Establishes within the judicial branch a United States Commission on Sentencing to, among other functions, promulgate and distribute suggested sentencing ranges and guidelines for Federal courts. Specifies factors to be considered by a sentencing court in imposing a term of imprisonment, a fine, or a term of probation, including: (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant; (2) the need for the sentence to adequately deter criminal conduct; (3) whether other less restrictive sanctions have been applied to the defendant frequently or recently; and (4) any guidelines established by the commission. Requires a court in every case in which it imposes a term of imprisonment to make as part of the record and to disclose in open court to the defendant at time of sentencing a statement of the reasons for the sentence imposed. Provides that in any case in which a sentence has been imposed, with the exception of certain cases involving plea agreements, a petition for review of such sentence may be filed with a United States court of appeals by (1) the United States if the sentence includes a fine or term of imprisonment less than the minimum established by law or the minimum established by the sentencing guidelines of the Commission, or (2) the defendant if the sentence includes a fine or term of imprisonment more than the maximum established by law or the maximum established by the sentencing guidelines. Directs the court of appeals to overturn the sentence if it finds that (1) the Commissions guidelines were properly applied but that the sentence imposed outside the guidelines was otherwise clearly unreasonable, or (2) that the sentence imposed was within the guidelines but was otherwise clearly erroneous.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to exclude from the definition of employer any agricultural employer who employs less than 12 man-years of compensated agricultural labor during the calendar year. Includes within the term agricultural employer persons employing the operating crews of combine machines used in the harvesting of grain, if such activity affects interstate commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to decrease from 72 to 65 the age at which earnings limitations are no longer applicable.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Grants a Federal charter to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Declares that the purposes of such corporation are to encourage the study of events relating to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and to shield from neglect the graves of those who served there during the attack.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the appropriation of $350,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978, to carry out the general purposes of the Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $148,800,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1977 and 1978 for specified research, development, and demonstration programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $75,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978, for grants to State and interstate programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978, for educational and training programs under the Act. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $5,000,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1977 and 1978 for grants to States and localities for waste treatment facilities. Specifies a formula for allotment of such funds to States. Revises procedures for allocation of grants for areawide waste treatment management programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $150,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1977 and 1978 for such grants. Authorizes the appropriation of $150,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978, for grants to States for clean lakes programs as authorized by the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include as "medical and other health services" for which coverage will be provided under Medicare, and as "medical assistance" for which coverage will be provided under Medicaid, that medical or other remedial care furnished by registered professional nurses within the scope of their practices as defined by State law.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Small Business Administrative Review Act - Title I: Establishes a Small Business Administrative Review Court as an independent agency within the Executive Branch. Outlines the organization of the Court, its divisions and sessions. Grants to the court jurisdiction over any fine, citation or order issued by a department or agency of the Federal Government to any citizen or resident alien of the United States, such fine, citation, or order having a dollar value of $2,500 or less. Allows the court to rescind any such fine, citation or order, based on its findings. Requires the Court to issue a report on each proceeding. Title II: Describes the rules of procedure and service of process of the court. Title III: Requires the chief judge of the court to submit to the President and the Congress not later than four years after the enactment of this Act a report including an assessment of the success of the court in fulfilling its functions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Directs courts to furnish to a victim of juvenile delinquency, upon request, information relative to the final disposition of such juvenile by the court.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Allows the inclusion of clauses which require payment in gold or any particular kind of coin or currency in contracts entered into on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Sunset Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Sets forth a five-year schedule for review and reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for fiscal year 1977. States that no program not specifically reauthorized by Congress pursuant to this Act shall continue to function after the review date set forth in such schedule. Excepts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as health care services, general retirement and disability insurance, and Federal employment retirement and disability payments. Permits legislation authorizing Federal program review more often than every five years as required by this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to identify for Congress for each program being reviewed the type of budget authority such program has and those inactive programs for which no outlays have been made during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Title II: Review of Programs - Requires the authorizing committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct "sunset reviews" of all programs prior to the review date applicable to such program and to issue a report on the findings of such review. Sets forth guidelines for the content of such sunset reviews including the identification of programs with duplicative objectives and an assessment of the impact of eliminating the program or funding it at a lower level. Provides the authorizing committees with assistance from the Government Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service in carrying out such sunset reviews. Title III: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes a Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to study and make recommendations on ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government. Requires the Commission to submit its final report together with its findings and recommendations no later than September 30, 1980. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Joint Committee on Taxation, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Budget Committees of the House and Senate, to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax expenditures, similar to the schedule set out in Title I for Federal programs, and to report its recommendations to the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance. Requires the Congress to take final action before the end of the 95th Congress on the schedule for tax expenditures. States that, following the adoption of the schedule, the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance are required to conduct "sunset" reviews of tax expenditures according to the schedule. Sets forth guidelines for such reviews similar to those set out in Title II for such programs. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires executive department agency heads to submit to Congress (after the President has submitted his budget) a statement of that agency's request for new budget authority as transmitted to the Office of Management and Budget. Requires agency heads to furnish the authorizing committees of Congress information regarding supplemental budget requests and supplemental estimates of outlays. Provides for a one-year grace period for programs which have not been specifically reauthorized by the scheduled time.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
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 · 10 January 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include community mental health centers among the facilities which may be qualified providers of services under such title. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require States having approved plans under such program to provide community mental health center services.
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
Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to extend the rural community fire protection program through September, 1980. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to report annually to the Congress on the assistance sought and rendered under the program. Directs the Secretary to encourage, with the assistance of the Administrator of General Services, the use by rural fire forces of Federal personal property not required by the agency or department holding it.
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
Requests the President: (1) to require an accounting for prisoners of war, missing in action, or killed in action in Southeast Asia; and (2) to require the Secretary of State to pursue enforcement of the Paris Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Committee System Reorganization Amendments - Title I: Standing Committees: Jurisdictions and Sizes - Establishes and defines, pursuant to the Standing Rules of the Senate, the jurisdictions of the Senate committees on Agriculture and Small Business; Appropriations; Armed Services; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; the Budget; Commerce, Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Environment and Public Works; Finance; Foreign Relations; Governmental Affairs; Human Resources; the Judiciary; and Rules, Administration, and Standards in lieu of the present standing Senate committees. Title II: Committee Assignments; Chairmanships - States that no Senator may serve on more than two standing and one select, special, or ad hoc committees and no more than two subcommittees of each standing committee and one subcommittee of each select, special, or ad hoc committee of which he is a member. Allows each Senator to serve as chairman of not more than one standing, select, special, or ad hoc committee of the Senate or joint committee of Congress and not more than one subcommittee of any Senate or joint committee of which he is a member. Requires the appropriate Senate committee to report legislation not later than July 1, 1977, terminating specified joint congressional committees and prohibits the referral to or receipt of a report from any joint congressional committee by the Senate. Title III: Multiple Referral of Proposed Legislation; Establishment of Ad Hoc Committees - Requires the presiding officer of the Senate to decide which committee has jurisdiction with respect to any proposed legislation except that such decision shall be subject to appeal. States that upon motion by the Majority and Minority Leaders or their designates, proposed legislation may be referred to two or more committees jointly or sequentially. Sets forth rules for the establishment of ad hoc committees by resolution proposed by the Majority and Minority Leaders or their designates. Title IV: Scheduling of Committee Meetings - Requires the Committee on Rules, Administration, and Standards of the Senate to maintain a computerized schedule of all meetings of the committees and subcommittees of the Senate and all meetings of the joint committees of the Congress and their subcommittees to be available on-line to terminals in the offices of all Senators, committees of the Senate, and permanent joint committees of the Congress to be updated hourly. Prohibits the meeting of a Senate committee or subcommittee, without special leave, after the first two hours after a meeting of the Senate has commenced and in no case after two o'clock p.m. unless the Majority and Minority Leaders have given their consent. Prohibits Senate members of congressional joint committees from meeting at such times without special leave. Declares it the sense of the Senate that, insofar as possible, roll call votes should not be held before two o'clock p.m. on any day without 24 hours' notice. (Amends 2 U.S.C. 190b) Title V: Continuing Review of the Committee System - Requires the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate to review on a continuing basis the committee system of the Senate and to report the results of such review to the Senate during each Congress. Requires such report to include such Leaders' recommendations for change, if they have such recommendations. Title VI: Amendments not within a Committee's Jurisdiction - Makes out of order any proposed committee amendments which contains matter not within the jurisdiction of the committee proposing such amendment. Title VII: Committee Staffs - Provides for the transfer of committee staffs from the committees existing before the effective date of this Resolution to those committees created by this resolution. Specifies severance pay and other compensation for staff members whose jobs are terminated as a result of the provisions of this resolution or any other action which terminates the committee duties of the Senator for whom such staff member worked for the purposes of assisting such Senator in carrying out such committee duties. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - States that all proposed legislation and nominations referred to the standing committees of the Senate before the effective date of this resolution shall be rereferred on such effective date to the appropriate standing committee.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Committee System Reorganization Amendments - Title I: Standing Committees Jurisdiction; Size - Amends Rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate to abolish all the standing committees set forth therein. Creates the following new standing committees: (1) Agriculture and Small Business, (2) Appropriations, (3) Armed Services, (4) Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, (5) Budget, (6) Commerce, Science and Transportation, (7) Energy and Natural Resources, (8) Environment and Public Works, (9) Finance, (10) Foreign Relations, (11) Governmental Affairs, (12) Human Resources, (13) Judiciary, and (14) Rules, Administration and Standards. Specifies the matters which shall be referred to each standing committee. Allows each standing committee to review tax expenditures relating to the subject matters within its jurisdiction. Sets forth the number of Senators which shall comprise each standing committee. Title II: Committee Assignments; Chairmanships - Amends Rule XXV of the Standing Rules to limit the number of committees and subcommittees on which a senator may simultaneously serve. Allows temporary exceptions to these rules under specified circumstances. Excepts for a specified time, membership on the Budget Committee from such limitation. Prohibits a Senator from serving as chairman of more than one committee or more than one subcommittee. Directs the Committee on Governmental Affairs to report to the Senate by July 1, 1978, a resolution concerning the disposition of the jurisdiction and functions of the Select Committee on Intelligence. Directs the appropriate standing committees to report, by July 1, 1977, legislation shifting the functions of the following joint committees to the appropriate standing committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives: (1) Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, (2) Joint Committee on Congressional Operations, (3) Joint Committee on Defense Production, (4) Joint Economic Committee, (5) Joint Committee on the Library, (6) Joint Committee on Printing, and (7) Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation. Directs that not later than July 1, 1977, the appropriate standing committees shall report legislation establishing a Congressional Revenue Office to be primarily responsible to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Committee on Finance. Amends Rule XVI of the Standing Rules to repeal the requirement that members of specified committees of the Senate serve as ex officio members of the Committee on Appropriations when the annual appropriation bills dealing with certain subjects are considered in the Appropriations Committee. Abolishes the Select Committee on Small Business. Abolishes the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct. Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the appointment of Senators and chairmen to the standing committees establish pursuant to this resolution. Title III: Multiple Referral of Proposed Legislation; Establishment of Ad Hoc Committees - Amends Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules to authorize the presiding officer of the Senate to decide without debate questions of jurisdiction of any committee of the Senate with respect to any proposed legislation. Repeals the section of the Legislative Reorganization Act which governs such questions. Sets forth a procedure for appealing such decision to the Senate as a whole. Requires proposed legislation which is referred to two or more committees jointly to be reported jointly with only one report. Allows a motion for joint referral to stipulate those sections of the proposed legislation which each committee shall consider. Amends Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules to establish a procedure whereby the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader may introduce a resolution to establish an ad hoc committee. Establishes procedures for the functioning of such committees. Title IV: Scheduling of Committee Meetings - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to establish and maintain a computerized schedule of all meetings of Senate committees and subcommittees. Requires such schedule to be available to all members through on line terminals in their offices, and to be updated hourly. Amends Rule XXV of the Standing Rules to prohibit any Senate committee or subcommittee from meeting, without special leave, after the first two hours after a meeting of the Senate has begun, and in no case after 2:00 p.m., unless consent therefor has been obtained from the Majority and Minority Leaders. Directs the majority leader to plan and announce meetings of the Senate as far in advance as possible. States that in order to provide the maximum amount of time for the meeting of committees the Senate should meet only on those days and at those times necessary for the proper conduct of its business. Stipulates that no roll call vote ordered during the first two hours of a daily meeting shall be held before 2:00 p.m. unless ordered otherwise by the Senate on the previous calendar day. Title V: Continuing Review of the Committee System - Directs the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader to review on a continuing basis the committee system of the Senate. Requires them to submit a report on such review to the Senate during the second session of each Congress. Title VI: Amendments not within a Committee's Jurisdiction - Amends the Standing Rules to add a new Rule XLV - "Committee Amendments not within its Jurisdiction" which prohibits the reporting of any bill or resolution from a committee with any proposed committee amendment which contains any matter not within the jurisdiction of that committee. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Provides that this resolution and the amendments to the Standing Rules of the Senate made by this resolution shall take effect on the 30th day after this resolution is agreed to.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1976
Elementary and Secondary Education Optional Consolidation and Reorganization Act - Declares it the purpose of this Act to afford States the option of consolidating and reorganizing specified programs of assistance to State and local educational agencies for elementary, secondary, vocational, and adult education into three broad categories: (1) special educational needs programs; (2) vocational education programs; and (3) special emphasis projects. Title I: Special Needs Program - Requires each State which desires to consolidate Federal educational aid programs under this Act to include the following in its comprehensive consolidation plan: (1) a program designed to address the special educational needs of educationally deprived children in local education agencies having high concentrations of children from low- income families, of neglected and delinquent children in State-operated programs, and of children in adult correctional institutions; (2) a program designed to provide comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, social, and other similar services primarily for children from low-income families; (3) a program designed to address the special educational needs of children of migratory agricultural workers and of migratory fishermen; (4) a program designed to provide and establish standards for specified educational programs for handicapped children; (5) a program of instruction designed for children of limited English-speaking ability; and (6) a program of bilingual vocational training. Requires every agency operating educational programs for the handicapped which is to receive assistance under this Act to establish and maintain procedures to assure safeguards to handicapped children and their parents with respect to the provision of appropriate free public education. Sets forth guidelines for the distribution of the funds received by the States for each program required under this title. Title II: Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Employment Training - Requires each State which does not have a separate State agency for vocational education and desires to participate in the consolidation program authorized by this Act to include specified programs in its comprehensive consolidation plan, including: (1) a program designed to improve existing and develop new programs of vocational education; (2) a program to provide part-time employment for youths who need the earnings from such employment to continue their vocational training on a full-time basis; (3) a program to provide vocational education to persons who are handicapped and persons who have limited English-speaking ability; and (4) a program to meet the needs for adult basic education and to plan and operate community education projects. Authorizes each State to include in its comprehensive plan a program to provide the education program portion of the manpower services program under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act. Sets forth guidelines to the distribution of the funds received by States for programs under this title. Title III: Special Emphasis Projects - Requires each State desiring to participate in the consolidation program authorized by this Act to include in its comprehensive plan a program to provide services and make grants to local educational agencies for the acquisition of printed materials and instructional equipment and for the development of specified guidance, innovation, curricula improvement, health services, and support project programs. Sets forth guidelines for the distribution of funds received by States under this title. Title IV: General Provisions - Directs the Commissioner of Education to reserve from amounts appropriated for fiscal years 1978-82 to carry out programs which may be consolidated under this Act such sums as are necessary to make allotments to States which choose to consolidate such plans for programs under their respective comprehensive plans. Sets forth formulae to determine the amount of such allotments. Extends planning grants to States desiring to participate in the consolidation program authorized by this Act to assist such States in the preparation of consolidated plans. Details administrative prerequisites for receiving such grants. Directs the Commissioner to make payments for administration of State consolidation programs. Requires each State to establish procedures in developing its comprehensive State plan which are designed to assure specified administrative safeguards and flexibility. Lists additional requirements relative to such plans. Directs the Commissioner to make supplemental grants to States participating in the consolidation program the proceeds of which are to flow through to local educational agencies or be used in programs administered by the State which provide direct services to students. Requires (1) each State participating in the consolidation program to adopt an evaluation model by which to assess the effectiveness of such consolidation and (2) each local education agency to prepare and submit annual evaluation reports in accordance with the State model. Directs the Commissioner to conduct a monitoring program in each State participating in the consolidation program and to carry out a program of making grants to such States for the purpose of interstate cooperation. Requires the consolidation program authorized by this Act to be administered by a separate identifiable unit to be established by the Commissioner in the Office of Education. Directs the Commissioner to reduce or stop payments to States which fail to comply with specified requirements of this Act. Permits States which are not satisfied with the Commissioner's actions to have such action reviewed in a United States court of appeals. Permits funds paid to a State under this Act to be made available for construction of facilities for which funds would have been available under any program consolidated in this Act. Subjects funds made available under this Act to specified provisions prohibiting discrimination in the administration of federally-assisted programs. Requires that certain children enrolled in private nonprofit or in Indian tribal elementary or secondary schools be given an opportunity to participate on an equitable basis in activities assisted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1976
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates all budget authority for Federal programs on specified dates according to the functional or subfunctional category of each program as set forth in the fiscal year 1977 budget. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress by April 1, 1977, on specified programs with respect to the laws under which such program is carried on, the amount of new budget authority received by such program during the four fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977, and to identify programs for which no outlays have been made during the last two fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977. Prohibits providing new budget authority after the applicable review date set forth in this Act unless the provision of such budget authority is specifically authorized by law or the standing rules of either House of Congress. Title II: Zero-Base Program Review - Sets forth a timetable for Congressional zero-base review of new budget authority. Defines "zero-base review" as an evaluation of a given program to determine the merits of its continuation at a level less than, equal to, or more than its existing level. Requires each congressional committee conducting a zero-based program review to adopt tentative and final review plans, receive reports from the Comptroller General and Federal agencies on the program being reviewed, and report to their respective House the results of such zero-base review of the program. Sets forth minimum objectives of inquiry for such reviews. Requires that any committee reporting pursuant to this Act recommend the extent to which any program reviewed should be continued or eliminated. Title III: Continuing Review - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require, whenever the Comptroller General issues a report which discloses any substantial deficiency in the achievement of the objectives of any Federal program, the agency conducting such program to report to specified congressional committees 60 days after such report and every six months thereafter to deliniate the actions taken with respect to such deficiency. Requires that such agency continue to issue such reports until such time as the Comptroller General determines that no purpose is served by their submission. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require the inclusion in the Budget of a statement of the specific objectives of each Government program, and a comparison, in each subsequent Budget, of the achievement of such objectives for the last completed fiscal year with the planned objectives of such year. Title IV: Citizens Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes the Citizens' Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government, an independent agency of 18 members to study Federal agencies. Directs the Commission to make recommendations to the President and Congress for the restructuring of such agencies to improve their efficiency. Requires the Commission to submit its final report by September 30, 1979, and terminate it 90 days thereafter. Authorizes to be appropriated without fiscal year limitation $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires the Director of Management and Budget to study the feasibility of zero-base budgeting for Federal agencies. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to study the feasibility of personnel ceilings on employees of the United States and their relationships to alternative methods of carrying out the activities of such employees. Requires that such reports be submitted to Congress. Requires Federal agency heads to report requests for new budget authority to Congress. Requires specified committees to study the effectiveness of the zero-base review procedures required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1976
Expresses the Senate's gratitude to Mike Mansfield of Montana for his participation in the Government and his service on behalf of the Nation's people.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 9 September 1976
Establishes an Antitrust Review and Revision Commission to study the antitrust laws of the United States, their applications, and their consequences, including the effect of antitrust laws on: (1) price levels, product quality and service; (2) employment, productivity, and profits; and (3) economic growth. Specifies the membership, method of appointment, and manner of compensation of the members of the Commission. States that the Commission shall make a report of its findings and conclusions no later than two years after its first meeting, and that the Commission shall cease to exist 60 days after the submission of such report. Authorizes appropriations in such amount as may be necessary to carry out the activities of the Commission. States the effective date of 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."
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