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United States · Official source
395 records where Sen. Eastland, James O. [D-MS] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1977
Authorizes the holding of terms of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern Division of the Northern District of Mississippi in Corinth, Mississippi.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase from one-twelfth of one percent to five-ninths of one percent the increment by which an individual's old-age benefits shall be increased because of delayed retirement beyond age 65.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Regulatory Reform Act - Requires the President to submit to Congress a plan recommending reforms with respect to the regulation of: (1) energy, the environment, housing, and occupational health and safety by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1979; (2) transportation and communications by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1981; (3) banking and finance, international trade, and Government procurement by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1983; and (4) food, consumer health and safety, economic trade practices, and labor- management concerns by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1985. States that each such plan shall include recommendations for reform of such specified agencies and shall report on the cumulative impact of all Government regulatory activity reviewed, up to that date, on specific industry groupings. States that if the President fails to submit such plans by the specified dates, the Senate and House Committees on Government Operations shall draft their own plans to be submitted to Congress for action. Requires the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office, contemporaneously with the development of the President's plan, to submit a report assessing the purpose, effects, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of each agency included in the plans submitted by the President. States that if no comprehensive regulatory reform legislation is enacted by August 1 of the year following the year in which a comprehensive plan has been submitted by the President, then all agencies affected thereby shall have no authority to issue any new rules not essential for preserving the public health and safety; if such reform is not enacted by October 1 of such year, such agency shall have no authority to enforce any rule not essential for preserving the public health and safety; if no such reform is enacted by December 31 of such year, such agency shall be terminated on such date. States that all rules of such terminated agency essential for preserving the public health and safety shall remain effective and shall be enforced by the Department of Justice. Requires the President to submit subsequent plans in the manner and in the order and frequency set forth by this Act every ten years.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1977
Authorizes the Senate Committee on the Judiciary to expend during the 95th Congress, $40,000 in addition to the amount previously specified for routine purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, pursuant to the approval of State programs for the completion of the Interstate Highway System, to enter into contractual arrangements on behalf of the United States for the payment of the principal and interest on State bonds or obligations issued for such purpose. Requires the Secretary to make an annual report to Congress with respect to all activities pursuant to this Act. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to make the payments contracted for under this Act.
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 · 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
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 · 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 · 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
Constitutional Amendment - Deems every human being to be a person from the moment of fertilization.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Land and Water Resources Conservation Act - Provides for an appraisal of quality and quantity of the land and water resources of the Nation. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to formulate resource appraisal reports by December 31, 1979, and at each five-year interval thereafter. Directs the development, through the Soil Conservation Service, of a National Land and Water Conservation Program for furthering land and water conservation on private and non-Federal lands. Stipulates that the program shall set forth the direction of future soil and water conservation efforts based on the current resource appraisal as formulated under the provisions of this Act. Requires a report on such appraisal and program to be transmitted to the Congress on the first day Congress convenes in 1980 and at each five-year interval thereafter, together with a detailed statement of policy intended to be used in framing budget requests for Soil Conservation Service activities. Permits Congress a right of disapproval of such appraisal, program, or policy statement. Provides that commencing with the budget for fiscal year 1979, requests presented by the President to the Congress governing Soil Conservation Service activities shall express in qualitative and quantitative terms the extent to which the programs and policies projected under the budget meet the policies approved by Congress in accordance with this Act. Requires the Secretary, during preparation of the fiscal year 1980 budget and annually thereafter, to prepare a report which evaluates the program's effectiveness in attaining the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Sunset Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Sets forth a five-year schedule for review and reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for fiscal year 1977. States that no program not specifically reauthorized by Congress pursuant to this Act shall continue to function after the review date set forth in such schedule. Excepts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as health care services, general retirement and disability insurance, and Federal employment retirement and disability payments. Permits legislation authorizing Federal program review more often than every five years as required by this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to identify for Congress for each program being reviewed the type of budget authority such program has and those inactive programs for which no outlays have been made during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Title II: Review of Programs - Requires the authorizing committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct "sunset reviews" of all programs prior to the review date applicable to such program and to issue a report on the findings of such review. Sets forth guidelines for the content of such sunset reviews including the identification of programs with duplicative objectives and an assessment of the impact of eliminating the program or funding it at a lower level. Provides the authorizing committees with assistance from the Government Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service in carrying out such sunset reviews. Title III: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes a Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to study and make recommendations on ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government. Requires the Commission to submit its final report together with its findings and recommendations no later than September 30, 1980. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Joint Committee on Taxation, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Budget Committees of the House and Senate, to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax expenditures, similar to the schedule set out in Title I for Federal programs, and to report its recommendations to the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance. Requires the Congress to take final action before the end of the 95th Congress on the schedule for tax expenditures. States that, following the adoption of the schedule, the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance are required to conduct "sunset" reviews of tax expenditures according to the schedule. Sets forth guidelines for such reviews similar to those set out in Title II for such programs. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires executive department agency heads to submit to Congress (after the President has submitted his budget) a statement of that agency's request for new budget authority as transmitted to the Office of Management and Budget. Requires agency heads to furnish the authorizing committees of Congress information regarding supplemental budget requests and supplemental estimates of outlays. Provides for a one-year grace period for programs which have not been specifically reauthorized by the scheduled time.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, additional district court judges to specified judicial districts of the United States.
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 · 20 September 1976
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates all budget authority for Federal programs on specified dates according to the functional or subfunctional category of each program as set forth in the fiscal year 1977 budget. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress by April 1, 1977, on specified programs with respect to the laws under which such program is carried on, the amount of new budget authority received by such program during the four fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977, and to identify programs for which no outlays have been made during the last two fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977. Prohibits providing new budget authority after the applicable review date set forth in this Act unless the provision of such budget authority is specifically authorized by law or the standing rules of either House of Congress. Title II: Zero-Base Program Review - Sets forth a timetable for Congressional zero-base review of new budget authority. Defines "zero-base review" as an evaluation of a given program to determine the merits of its continuation at a level less than, equal to, or more than its existing level. Requires each congressional committee conducting a zero-based program review to adopt tentative and final review plans, receive reports from the Comptroller General and Federal agencies on the program being reviewed, and report to their respective House the results of such zero-base review of the program. Sets forth minimum objectives of inquiry for such reviews. Requires that any committee reporting pursuant to this Act recommend the extent to which any program reviewed should be continued or eliminated. Title III: Continuing Review - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require, whenever the Comptroller General issues a report which discloses any substantial deficiency in the achievement of the objectives of any Federal program, the agency conducting such program to report to specified congressional committees 60 days after such report and every six months thereafter to deliniate the actions taken with respect to such deficiency. Requires that such agency continue to issue such reports until such time as the Comptroller General determines that no purpose is served by their submission. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require the inclusion in the Budget of a statement of the specific objectives of each Government program, and a comparison, in each subsequent Budget, of the achievement of such objectives for the last completed fiscal year with the planned objectives of such year. Title IV: Citizens Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes the Citizens' Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government, an independent agency of 18 members to study Federal agencies. Directs the Commission to make recommendations to the President and Congress for the restructuring of such agencies to improve their efficiency. Requires the Commission to submit its final report by September 30, 1979, and terminate it 90 days thereafter. Authorizes to be appropriated without fiscal year limitation $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires the Director of Management and Budget to study the feasibility of zero-base budgeting for Federal agencies. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to study the feasibility of personnel ceilings on employees of the United States and their relationships to alternative methods of carrying out the activities of such employees. Requires that such reports be submitted to Congress. Requires Federal agency heads to report requests for new budget authority to Congress. Requires specified committees to study the effectiveness of the zero-base review procedures required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1976
Expresses the Senate's gratitude to Mike Mansfield of Montana for his participation in the Government and his service on behalf of the Nation's people.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1976
Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud Act - Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, an Office of Central Fraud and Abuse Control. Provides that such Office shall have the overall responsibility for directing and establishing policies with respect to the undertaking of activities which are designed to deal with fraud and abuse in the Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services, Medicare and Medicaid. Specifies that the Office shall also have responsibility for investigating alleged fraud or abuse in any such program, and assisting State agencies, at their request, in the establishment and operation of State antifraud and abuse activities. Directs that no payment for Medicare service may be made to a person claiming such payment under an assignment, including a power of attorney, but may be made to an agent of the person furnishing such service. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare or the Comptroller General to require providers or suppliers of items or services, with respect to which payment is claimed under one of the programs within the jurisdiction of the Office, to furnish specified information including the following: (1) the identity of persons having ownership interest in such entity; and (2) a consolidated certified costs report with respect to its costs and charges, including costs and charges of related organizations. Specifies sanctions which shall be imposed upon entities which fail to comply with requests for information. Increases the penalties for defrauding the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Provides that it shall be a felony (presently misdemeanor) punishable by imprisonment of up to five years for such an offense. States that where a Professional Standards Review Organization is found competent by the Secretary to assume review responsibility with respect to specified types of health care services or specified providers or practitioners of such services and is performing such reviews, such reviews shall constitute the conclusive determination on those issues for purposes of payment under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 August 1976
Provides for the relief of Grace McDougall Anderson.
United States · United States Congress · 27 August 1976
Designates the extension of the Senate Office Building presently under construction pursuant to the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1973, as the "Philip A. Hart Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 24 August 1976
Provides for the relief of Isaias Berrones Reyes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1976
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake the advanced engineering and design stage of the channel deepening project at Gulfport Harbor in Mississippi, at an estimated cost of $1,400,000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1976
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake the advanced engineering and design stage of the Sowashee Creek modification project in Mississippi, at an estimated cost of $450,000.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1976
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to include Mississippi among the States which may provide coverage for policemen and firemen under agreements entered into pursuant to such title.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1976
Shrimp Import Act - Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to impose a duty on the importation of shrimp. Restricts the importation of shrimp to the amount imported during a specified base period, to be determined by the Secretary of Commerce. Imposes restrictions upon importation of headless shrimp and upon the quantity per month. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to increase or decrease such restrictions in response to consumer demand and the domestic shrimp industry. Establishes and authorizes appropriations for a shrimp marketing research, and food assistance fund. Establishes the Shrimp Food Assistance Account, under the Secretary of Agriculture, to purchase surplus domestic shrimp.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1976
Authorizes $100,000 in supplemental expenditures for the Senate Committee on the Judiciary for inquiry and investigation relating to the administration, operation, and enforcement of laws relating to espionage, sabotage, and the protection of the internal security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1976
Provides for the relief of Vojislav S. Bozic, Constantin A. Krylov, Abdurachman G. Kunta, Fatima S. Kunta, Nikolai I. Ozolins, Eugen E. Posdeeff, and Tatiana M. Wassiliew.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1976
Provides for the relief of Dr. Oscar J. Briseno.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1976
Provides for the relief of Dr. Juan Bautista Lopez Ruiz.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1976
Includes within the meaning of the term "hospital" in Title XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, rural health facilities of 50 beds or less.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1976
School Desegregation Standards and Assistance Act - Title I: Standards and Procedures in School Desegregation Suits - States that the purpose of this title is: (1) to prevent unlawful discrimination in public schools; and (2) to remedy the effects of past discrimination. States that, upon a finding that a local or State educational agency has engaged or is engaging in an act of unlawful discrimination, a court may: (1) enter an order enjoining the continuation or future commission of such act; and (2) provide other relief necessary to prevent the occurrence of discriminatory acts or to eliminate the effects of such acts except remedies directed at eliminating the effects of such acts on the present degree of concentration by race, color, or national origin. States that where a court finds that discriminatory acts have caused a greater concentration by race, color, or national origin in a student population than that which would have existed normally, the court may order appropriate relief to adjust the composition to that which would have existed in the absence of discrimination. Requires courts, before entering such an order, to make specific findings concerning the degree to which such concentration in schools effected by unlawful acts varies from that which would have existed in the normal course. Places upon the educational agency involved the burden of going forward with evidence to show that such concentration is attributable to factors other than unlawful discrimination. States that the court's findings required under this Act shall be based on conclusion and reasonable inferences from all of the evidence and shall not be based on the presumption that the concentration by race, color or national origin in a student population is a result of discriminatory acts. Requires all school desegregation orders to rely, to the greatest extent practicable, on the voluntary action of school officials, teachers and students. Prohibits courts from removing the control of the schools from the educational agency involved except to the minimum extent necessary to prevent unlawful discrimination or eliminate its present effects. States that in all cases in which a court-imposed requirement for transportation of students has remained in effect for a period of three years, or in the case of final orders entered prior to the enactment of this Act three years after the effective date of this Act, the court shall terminate the requirement unless: (1) the court finds that the local or State education agency has failed to comply with the requirement and other provisions of the court's order substantially and in good faith throughout the three preceding years, in which case the court may extend the requirement until there have been three consecutive years of such compliance; or (2) the court finds, at the expiration of such period, that the other provisions of its order and other remedies are not adequate to correct the effects of unlawful discrimination, and that the requirement remains necessary for the purpose, in which case the court may continue the requirement in effect until the local or State education agency has complied with the requirement substantially and in good faith for two consecutive additional years. Authorizes courts to extend such time period under extraordinary circumstances or when there are unusually servere residual effects of discriminatory acts. Authorizes courts to reimpose a requirement for transportation of students if there has been a failure to comply with other provisions of the court's order or if discriminatory acts have occurred since the termination of the order necessitating such action. States that such an order may be imposed if no other remedy is sufficient and shall require the transportation of students only to such extent and for such limited period as may be necessary to remedy the effects of discriminatory actions. Prohibits a court from modifying student assignment plans because of subsequent population shifts unless the court finds such changes resulted from discriminatory acts. Directs courts to notify the Attorney General of proceedings in which the relief sought is a recomposition of a student population or whenever it believes that an order or an extension of an order requiring the transportation of students may be necessary. Authorizes the Attorney General to intervene in such actions, including recommendations for: (1) the appointment of a mediator; and (2) the formation of a committee of community leaders to develop a five-year desegregation program. Title II: National Community and Education Committee - Declares that the purpose of this title is to create a nonpartisan national committee to provide assistance to communities which are engaged in or preparing to engage in the desegregation of their schools. Establishes within the executive branch a National Community and Education Committee for such purpose. Specifies the functions and limitations on the activities of the Committee. Authorizes the Chairman of the Committee to make grants to private nonprofit community organizations to assist them in carrying out activities designed to accomplish the purposes of this title. States that such a grant shall not exceed $30,000. Authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000 for salaries and expenses of the Committee and $2,000,000 for grants for each of the fiscal years 1977 through 1979. Establishes a Federal Community Assistance Coordinating Council to consult with representatives of communities which are seeking Federal support for community relations projects and other community-based efforts to facilitate desegregation. Authorizes appropriations of $250,000 annually for fiscal years 1977 through 1979 for the purpose of carrying out the functions and duties of the Council.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1976
Federal Officials' Anti-Defamation Act - Stipulates that any person who with actual malice makes any false and defamatory communication concerning a Federal official which results or tends to result in pecuniary or nonpecuniary loss to such individual shall be liable for damages sustained. Charges the plaintiff in such actions with the burden of proof. Entitles the plaintiff to recover punitive damages if the defendant is guilty of gross abuse, outrageous conduct, or oppression resulting in aggravated injury sustained by the plaintiff. Prohibits the use of the defense that the false and defamatory communication in issue was reprinted or in any manner repeated from another source. Grants Federal district courts original jurisdiction over civil actions brought under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1976
Directs that there be printed with illustrations as a Senate document a revised compilation of materials entitled "History of the Committee on the Judiciary Together With Chairmen and Members Assigned Thereto, 1816 - 1976." Provides that 5,000 copies of the document be printed for the use of the Committee on the Judiciary.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1976
Voluntary Standards and Certification Act - Title I: National Standardization - Requires the Federal Trade Commission to promulgate minimum requirements for uniform standards development procedures for those in the private sector who set standards for products including procedures for making appeals from the decisions of any such standards-setting body. Permits the Commission to enforce the procedures set forth pursuant to this Act upon its own initiative or upon written petition filed with it by any interested person. Provides that any appeal decision with respect to a standards setting decision shall consider the effect of such standard upon competition and consumers. Requires any private organization developing standards or certifying products to obtain certification from the Secretary of Commerce. Requires the Secretary to issue such certification if he finds that such organization meets the minimum requirements promulgated by the Commission. Authorizes the Secretary to grant financial assistance to nonprofit standards- development organizations to insure representation of consumers, small business, and other interests in decisions. Requires all Federal agencies to utilize standards set by certified private organizations whenever possible to avoid duplication of effort. States that appeals bodies established by private organizations shall have no powers of enforcement except those given them by the organizations creating such bodies. Title II: International Standardization - Establishes a Division of Standards and Certifications within the Bureau of Standards of the Department of Commerce to develop the resources, facilities, and expertise necessary to assist the Secretary and the Commission. Requires the Secretary, through the Division, to provide for and assist appropriate participation by private nonprofit organizations in international standardization activities as representatives of the United States. Requires the Secretary to make arrangements for direct governmental participation in such international standardization activities where the Secretary determines private participation is insufficient or cannot be established. Requires the Secretary to list all international standards and certification systems unless to do so would not be in the public interest. Establishes an Interagency Committee on International Standardization Policy and a Public Committee on International Standardization Policy to provide policy guidance to the Secretary in carrying out his duties under this Act. Establishes procedures for petitioning the Secretary to delist a particular standard or certification system and for judicial review. Title III: Accreditation - Requires the Secretary, through the Division, to set forth procedures to establish a voluntary national laboratory accreditation program to accredit certification laboratories for a class of technology or a specific product if he finds it is in the public interest. Requires the Secretary to establish a criteria committee to establish criteria to accredit such laboratories. Sets forth procedures for the development of such criteria and the accreditation of such laboratories, both domestic and foreign. Provides procedures for the removal, withdrawal, or termination of accreditation. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Creates the position of Director of the Division of Standards and Certifications. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Commission: $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1978; $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1979; and $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1980; and to the Secretary of Commerce $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1978; $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1979; and $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1980, to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1976
Establishes the George W. Norris Home National Historic Site, Nebraska.
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
Narcotic Sentencing and Seizure Act - Title I: Mandatory Minimum Sentences - Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to impose specified minimum penalties on individuals convicted of enumerated offenses related to the distribution, transportation, and manufacture of opiates. Permits the court to sentence the defendant to a shorter term of parole ineligibility or imprisonment if, at the time of the offense, the offender was: (1) less than 18 years old; (2) mentally impaired; (3) under unusual and substantial duress; or (4) an accomplice whose participation in the offense was minor. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require a hearing to determine whether a term of imprisonment and parole ineligibility is mandatory in the case of an individual convicted of an opiate-related offense under this Act. Title II: Conditions of Release - Requires judicial officers setting conditions of release for any person charged with an opiate-related offense under this Act to consider which conditions will assure the safety of the community and of witnesses to the offense and which conditions will reasonably assure the avoidance of future similar offenses by the person charged. Permits judicial officers to deny the release of any such person if that person: (1) has previously been convicted of an offense related to an opiate; (2) at the time of the offense was on parole, probation, or other conditional release; (3) is a nonresident alien; (4) was arrested while in possession of a passport or other documentation necessary for international travel incorrectly identifying such person or belonging to someone else; or (5) has been convicted of having been a fugitive from justice, an escapee, or for willfully failing to appear before a court of judicial officer under Federal or State law. Stipulates that no individual shall be denied release unless the judicial officer holds a hearing and finds that there are no satisfactory conditions of release and that there is a substantial probability that the person committed the charged offense. Title III: Forfeiture of Proceeds of Illegal Drug Transactions - Makes all proceeds of an offense described in this Act subject to forfeiture to the United States. Title IV: Illegal Export of Cash - Requires that anyone who intends to transport, or have transported, monetary instruments in an amount exceeding $5,000 from any place within the U.S. to or through any place outside the U.S., or from any place outside the U.S. to or through any place within the U.S. file a report containing specified information. Requires that such reports also be filed by anyone who receives monetary instruments in an amount exceeding $5,000 at the termination of their transportation by common carrier to the United States from or through any place outside the U.S. Permits any Customs officer to search individuals and objects without a warrant where probable cause exists to believe that the report requirement for transport and receipt of monetary instruments has been violated and where exigent circumstances prevent obtaining a warrant. Title V: Prompt Reporting of Vessels - Requires the master of any vessel from a foreign port or of a foreign vessel from a domestic port, or of a vessel of the U.S. carrying bonded merchandise, or foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made, arriving at any place within the U.S., to immediately report the arrival of the vessel at the nearest custom-house.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1976
Provides for the relief of Joseph Spears Buchanan, Jr.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1976
Provides for the relief of Lai-Fung Wong.
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 · 29 March 1976
Removes the time limits within which educational assistance furnished by the Veterans' Administration must be used. Makes eligible for educational assistance any veteran of World War II, the Korean conflict, the Cold War period, or the Vietnam era who: (1) was entitled to educational assistance under any law administered by the Veterans' Administration as a result of active service during such war, conflict or era; and (2) whose entitlement thereto terminated before the date of the enactment of this Act without the veteran concerned availing himself, or only in part using, any such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1976
Medicare-Medicaid Administrative and Reimbursement Reform Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under the Social Security Act to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a unit known as the Health Care Financing Administration. States that such Administration shall include the functions and personnel of the existing Bureau of Health Insurance, Medical Services Administration, Bureau of Quality Insurance, and Office of Nursing Home Affairs. Establishes within the Department the office of Assistant Secretary for Health Care Financing. Places the Assistant Secretary in charge of the Health Care Financing Administration. Includes in the area of responsibility of such Assistant Secretary the programs established by Title XVIII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid), the Professional Standards Review program, and the renal disease program of the Social Security Act. Establishes an Office of Central Fraud and Abuse Control within the Department. Directs the creation of a new position to be known as Inspector General for Health Administration. Places such Inspector General in charge of the Office of Central Fraud and Abuse Control. States that such Inspector General shall have responsibility for dealing with fraud and abuse in the programs established by Title V (Maternal and Child Health Crippled Children's Services), Title XVIII, Title XIX, the Professional Standards Review section of Title XI, and the renal disease treatment provisions of Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Declares it to be the duty of the Inspector General to take such actions as are necessary to ascertain the efficiency and economy of the administration of the programs under his cognizance, their consonance with the provisions of law by or pursuant to which such programs were established, and the attainment of the objectives and purposes for which such provisions of law were enacted. Authorizes the appropriation of such funds as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Inspector General. Establishes mandatory time limits for States to observe in making determinations of eligibility for services under the Medicaid program and in making payments on claims. Specifies those reports which States must submit to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in connection with the operation of the State Medicaid program. Includes reports on the State's performance in meeting the time limits established pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary to conduct an annual survey of each State's performance in meeting established time frames and remaining within allowable rates of error in making eligibility determinations. Establishes sanctions for States which fail to correct deficiencies uncovered by such surveys. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance to any State which requests such assistance in meeting the time limits and error rates established by this Act. Directs the Secretary to prepare a biannual report on the characteristics of the State programs of medical assistance financed under the Medicaid program, including as a minimum: (1) a description of the amount, duration, and scope of benefits available in each State; (2) a description of eligibility criteria for all groups eligible for medical assistance in each State; (3) a specification of the reimbursement rates paid under the State program for the major types of services in each State; and (4) a listing of all fiscal agents contracted with for administration of the program. Directs the submission of such report to the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures consistent with Federal procurement requirements to ensure the economical processing of Medicare claims by organizations engaged in the provision of group health services. Terminates the Health Insurance Benefits Advisory Council. Establishes a new method of reimbursement for routine operating costs for hospitals under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Requires, as part of the implementation of such new method, the establishment of a uniform accounting and cost allocation system for determining operating and capital costs of hospitals providing services. Requires the establishment of a system by which hospitals will be classified by such criteria as: (1) size; (2) type of hospital (general, teaching, or specialized Care); and (3) such other criteria as the Secretary shall identify. Stipulates that the term "routine operating costs" does not include: (1) capital costs (including interest expense on loans to purchase capital assets, and depreciation); (2) direct personnel and supply costs of hospital education and training programs; (3) costs of interns, residents, and medical (but not nursing) personnel; and (4) energy costs associated with heating or cooling the hospital plant. Directs the Secretary to determine annually for the hospitals classified in each category of the hospital classification system established by this Act, an average per diem routine operating cost amount for use in determining, for purposes of making payment under this title to such hospitals for services furnished by them, the reasonable cost of that portion of the hospital's costs which consist of routine operating costs. Provides for the periodic increase during the year of the routine operating cost as determined pursuant to this Act to reflect increases in the cost of services which are attributable to inflation. Provides for the adjustment of the routine operating cost of a hospital to reflect higher costs to such hospital of a case mix which requires a greater intensity of care than that for other hospitals in the same classification. Directs the Secretary to establish a five-member Hospital Transitional Allowance Board. States that the function of such Board shall be to act on the applications of hospitals for reimbursement of expenses incurred in the retirement or conversion of underutilized facilities. Requires that such conversion promote efficient and economical delivery of services covered by the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Sets forth criteria for determining the reasonable charge which may be made for physicians' services, and medical services, supplies and equipment under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Establishes a plan for the reimbursement of physicians under which participating doctors of medicine or osteopathy would accept the assignment of patients' claims for reimbursement under the Medicare program. Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for expediting the payment of such assigned claims to physicians. Promulgates an incentive payment to encourage physicians to participate in the program of assignment of claims. Sets forth the conditions under which anesthesiologists, pathologists, and radiologists may be paid under the Medicare and Medicaid programs for patient care services which they personally perform or direct. Authorizes payment, under the Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits program of Medicare, for antigens prepared by an allergist for a particular patient. Prohibits, under both the Medicare and Medicaid programs, the making of any payment which may be made directly to a physician to a person claiming such payment under an assignment. Permits the Secretary to make agreements with the States under which the services of a State health agency will be utilized for the purpose of determining whether an institution in such State qualifies as a skilled nursing facility for purposes of the Medicaid program. Sets forth procedures for determining the reasonable cost and reasonable charge for services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs and under the program of Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services. Specifies those items of cost which may not be included in a claim for reimbursement for services. Promulgates standards under which payment will be made to health maintenance organizations under the Medicaid program. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public or nonprofit private regional pediatric respiratory centers affiliated with institutions of higher learning for training and instruction in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of respiratory diseases in children and young adults and in providing health care services to children and young adults suffering from such diseases. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the making of such grants for fiscal year 1977 and the succeeding four fiscal years. Increases the criminal penalties for the crimes of receiving or offering kickbacks or bribes in connection with the furnishing of services under the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1976
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Radio Free Europe should be granted the same privileges granted to other news organizations concerning the Olympic games.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1976
Consumer Communications Reform Act - States that Congress finds that the revenues from integrated interstate and foreign common carrier telecommunications services helped maintain a level of charges for telephone exchange service which is lower than otherwise would be required. Expresses the sense of Congress that the authorization of lines, facilities, or services of specialized carriers which duplicate the lines, facilities, or services of other telecommunications common carriers is contrary to the public interest. Reaffirms the intent of Congress that the complete authority to regulate terminal and station equipment used for telephone exchange service shall rest with the States even though such terminal and station equipment also may be used in connection with interstate services. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that no compensatory charges for or in connection with such communication service may be found to be unjust or unreasonable on the ground that it is too low. Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from holding the charge of a carrier up to a particular level to protect the traffic or revenues from a communication service offered or provided by another carrier if such charge proposed by the carrier is compensation. Provides that the Commission shall not grant or authorize any construction permit, station license, or certificate, for the construction, acquisition, or operation of any communication or transmission line or facility, or extension thereof, or any modification or renewal thereof, unless the Commission shall find, after full opportunity for evidentiary hearing on the record, that such permit, license, or certificate will not result in increased charges or unnecessary duplication of communication lines.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Authorizes the 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 · 18 March 1976
Black Lung Benefits Reform Act - Amends the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 to establish a rebuttable presumption that miners with 25 or more years of coal mine employment shall be entitled to receive benefits under provisions of the Act. Stipulates that claims for benefits may be filed with the Secretary of Labor after the enactment of this Act if the date of the last exposed employment of the eligible miner occurred before December 30, 1969. Stipulates that no claim for benefits shall be denied based on location or nature of employment. Stipulates that decisions by administrative law judges in favor of a claimant are not appealable, except upon motion of the claimant. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a program designed to locate and assist individuals who are likely to be eligible for benefits under this Act. Stipulates that individuals so informed shall be eligible to file a claim despite previous failure to file within the specified time frame. Redefines the term "total disability" to prohibit use of the fact that a deceased miner was still a mine employee at the time of death as evidence that such miner was not totally disabled. Stipulates that criteria for determination of total disability shall not be more restrictive than disability insurance criteria listed in the Social Security Act. Requires that all claimants be given an opportunity for a complete medical examination by a physician of the claimant's own choice. Establishes a Black Lung Disability Insurance Fund in the Treasury of the United States. Sets forth provisions governing administration of the Fund. States that amounts in the Fund shall be available for making expenditures to meet the obligations acquired by the Fund, including the expenses of providing medical benefits. Requires coal mine operators to pay premiums into the Fund according to rates prescribed by the Secretary of Labor and based on the number of tons of coal mined by each operator. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the initial operating expenses of the Fund. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for prompt action on claims. Increases the amount of the award for delays beyond the 60-day period established by this Act. Stipulates that payments from the Fund to miners shall include the costs of medical care and services. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1976 for the construction and operation of clinical facilities. Transfers the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation to the Department of Labor.