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 · 10 September 1976
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to release to the board of regents of the universities and State colleges of Arizona, upon compliance with specified conditions, a certain reversionary interest retained by the United States in a specified deed conveying lands for the use of the University of Arizona.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1976
Amends the Walsh-Healey Act to permit employment not in excess of ten hours per day and not in excess of four days per week by employees of contractors of the Federal Government whose contracts exceed $10,000. Amends the Contract Work Hours Standards Act to limit overtime pay only to hours worked in excess of ten hours in any calendar day or in excess of 40 hours during the workweek.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1976
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct, operate, and maintain the Allen Camp unit of the Central Valley project in California. Authorizes the Secretary to replace roads and bridges which would be inundated by the project. Places restrictions on the use of water from such project. Authorizes the appropriation of $64,220,000 for construction of the unit. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1977 of $150,000 under the Indian Elementary and Secondary School Assistance Act, $1,200,000 under the Elementary and Secondary School Assistance Act, $1,200,000 under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and $632,000 under the Adult Education Act for the continuation of specified grants authorized under those Acts. Directs the Commissioner of Education to make grants under authorities contained in the Indian Education Act in specified amounts to applicants not yet funded for fiscal year 1976 from the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1976
Provides that during consideration of S. 3737, a bill making grants for Indian education, provisions of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 restricting the consideration of appropriations shall be waived.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1976
Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act to reduce the portion of the income from Federal mineral lands to be paid into the reclamation fund created by the Reclamation Act from 52 1/2 to 40 percent. Directs that an additional 12 1/2 percent of such revenues by paid by the Secretary of the Treasury to the States from within which such recepits were derived. Requires States, in disposing of such additional funds, to give priority to those subdivisions socially or economically impacted by the development of mineral lands for (1) planning, (2) construction and maintenance of public facilities, and (3) provision of public services. Requires Colorado and Utah to give similar priority in spending funds received from specified oil shale test leases. Directs theat income received by the United States under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 be disposed of in the same manner as income received under the Mineral Lands Leasing Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1976
Consumer Loan Contracts Act - Prohibits consumers from asserting a claim or defense on a consumer loan contract against a creditor who purchased such contract from the seller of the consumer goods if such creditor is a holder in due course. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve system to exempt from the requirements of this Act any class of consumer loans within any State if it determines that under the law of that State that class of loans is subject to requirements which afford the individual greater protection than is afforded under this Act, and that there is adequate provision for enforcement.
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 · 18 June 1976
Approves the execution of a contract of sale between the Department of the Interior and the State of Nevada for the Fort Mohave transfer area, submitted to the Senate on May 7, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1976
Amends the John F. Kennedy Center Act to limit to $3,700,000 the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 1978 for services necessary to the nonperforming arts functions of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1976
Authorizes appropriations for grants to the Navajo Community College for fiscal years 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982, of $10,000,000 for construction costs. Authorizes appropriations of an annual sum for operation and maintenance of the college equal to the average amount of the per capita contribution made by the Federal Government to the education of Indian students at federally operated institutions of the same type.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1976
Amends the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of the feasibility and desirability of designating the Desert Trail, extending from the Canadian border of Idaho through Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, and Arizona to the Mexican border, as a national scenic trail.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1976
Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to perform such work as may be necessary to prevent further deterioration of historically significant sections of the Congressional Cemetery. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study for the purpose of formulating proposals for the renovation and maintenance of such areas by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1976
Agenda for Government Reform Act - Directs the President to report to Congress concerning the effects of Federal agency activity upon: (1) the transportation and agriculture industries by January 31, 1978; (2) the mining, heavy manufacturing, and public utilities industries by January 31, 1979; (3) the light manufacturing and construction industries by January 31, 1980; and (4) the communications, finance, insurance, real estate, trade, and service industries by January 31, 1981. Requires that such report include a determination of whether any such agency activity has fulfilled its purposes, whether it is duplicative or conflicts with other agency activity, and whether the benefits of such activity exceed its costs. Directs the President to present in such report his recommendation for reform. States that the Congressional committee to which a proposal made by the President is referred must report to its respective House a bill approving or disapproving, in whole or in part such proposal. Provides that if such a bill has not been reported by November 15 next following the submission of such report, that the President's proposal shall become the pending order of business in both Houses and remain so until acted upon.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1976
Natural Gas Act Amendments - Amends the Natural Gas Act to terminate Federal Power Commission authority to directly regulate sales prices of new natural gas except for new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands. Stipulates that prices for onshore sales of new natural gas shall not exceed: (1) the ceiling price for sales of new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands; (2) $1.60 per Mcf as adjusted by the Commission; or (3) a ceiling rate established by any State for interstate sale and consumption. Stipulates that prices paid for natural gas in transactions between a natural gas company and its affiliates shall not exceed prices paid in comparable sales by persons not affiliated with any natural gas company. Directs the Federal Power Commission to conduct studies and make an annual independent estimate of proved and potential natural gas reserves. Requires that the Commission keep current information available relating to the natural gas industry. Establishes procedures for the establishment of ceiling prices for new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands. Authorizes the Commission to grant exemptions to price ceilings within certain high-cost production areas. Establishes procedures for adjustments to price ceilings established pursuant to this Act. Directs the Commission to prohibit the curtailment of adequate supplies of natural gas for essential agricultural purposes. Stipulates that the provisions of the Natural Gas Act shall extend to synthetic natural gas. Directs the Commission to prohibit the use of natural gas as boiler fuel where adequate alternatives are available. Authorizes exemptions from such prohibition where necessary to comply with pollution control or environmental protection and safety standards. Directs the Commission to impose a user charge on sales of natural gas for use as boiler fuel. Establishes procedures for the establishment and periodic revision of national ceiling prices for the sale of old natural gas in interstate commerce.
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 · 6 May 1976
Voting Rights Act Repealer Amendments Act - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to repeal the prohibitions against voting qualifications, prerequisites, tests, or devices which abridge the right of a citizen to vote who is a member of a language minority. Repeals the requirement that States and other political subdivisions make available registration and voting materials, and voting assistance in languages other than English in areas where (1) more than five percent of the citizens belong to a single language minority, and (2) the illiteracy rate of such minority exceeds the national rate.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1976
Federal Program Control Act - Title I: Authorizations of Budget Authority - Terminates all budget authority for an unspecified or indefinite number of years except such as apply to trust funds effective October 1, 1980. Limits budget authority for new programs to four years but in no case longer than the original budget authority period plus one year. Prohibits the authorization of budget authority: (1) for more than one fiscal year for a program or activity for which new budget authority has not been authorized for any prior fiscal year; (2) for more than two fiscal years for a program or activity for which new budget authority has been authorized for only one prior fiscal year; or (3) for a program or activity for which new budget authority has been authorized for less than four prior fiscal years, unless a program control review has been conducted, and a report submitted thereon as required by this Act. Prohibits the changing of any trust fund or permanent budget authority without first conducting a program control review of such activity as provided for by this Act. Makes this title effective on the first day of the first session of the Ninety-fifth Congress. Title II: Early Elimination of Inactive and Duplicative Programs - Requires the Comptroller General to study all Federal programs and identify for the Congress those which are inactive or duplicative. Requires Congressional committees to give the Comptroller General's report prompt consideration with a view toward eliminating such programs. Title III: Program Control Review - Requires that not less than every fourth year each standing Congressional committee conduct a review of each program within its jurisdiction to study the feasibility of alternative programs, study the impact of such programs on other programs and on the economy, consider the elimination or consolidation of such programs, and study the regulations issued and the personnel levels necessary to carry out such programs. Requires that if such committee recommends the continuation of such program, it state its reasons. Requires the Comptroller General to give to any committee conducting such review a cost-benefit analysis of the program being review and other material, such as the results of past audits, which will aid such committee in its review. Requires the head of the agency which administers a program being reviewed to report to such reviewing committee analyzing the effectiveness of such program. Title IV: Continuing Review and Evaluation - Requires the Comptroller General to conduct audits of programs he has found deficient at least every six months until he determines that the deficiency has been corrected. Directs the Comptroller General to appraise Congress of the results of such such audits. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to require that the budget transmitted pursuant to such Act include a description of the achievement of the objectives for the past fiscal year and the goals for the coming fiscal year of each program included in such budget. Title V: Miscellaneous - States that specified provisions of this Act are enacted as an exercise of the rulemaking power of Congress. Recognizes the right of either House of Congress to change such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Prevention of Crime Against the Elderly Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require that comprehensive State plans under such Act include provisions for the prevention of crimes against the elderly. Authorizes the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to make grants to States having approved comprehensive plans for the development and operation of programs designed to reduce crimes against the elderly, including effective sentencing alternatives and the use of mandatory sentences, and improved offender rehabilitation programs for offenders committing crimes against the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Imposes mandatory minimum sentences on persons convicted in the District of Columbia of specified violent crimes if the victim of the offense is 60 years of age or older.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Imposes specified mandatory minimum sentences on anyone found guilty of assault with intent to commit murder or rape, assault with intent to commit any felony, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, assault by striking, beating, or wounding, murder, maiming, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, attempted murder or manslaughter, rape, robbery, burglary, and kidnapping, where the victim of such offense is 60 years of age or older.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1976
Imposes a fine of no more than $15,000 and/or imprisonment of not more than 15 years for disclosure of: (1) the association of any individual or entity with the foreign intelligence operation of the United States; or (2) the identity of such individual where such disclosure may prejudice the safety of such individual.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1976
Expresses the general policy of the United States Government to rely upon private commercial sources for the goods and services required to meet Government needs, and that this policy be administered by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1976
Solar Energy Act - Title I: Findings, Policy, Purpose and Definitions - Declares it the policy of the United States to reduce national reliance on crude oil imports as an energy source by demonstrating the reliability of solar energy generation facilities. Title II: Solar Energy Fiscal Year 1977 Suggested Budget Outlays for Operating Expenses, Plant and Equipment, and Construction - Recommends budget outlays for fiscal year 1977 in the following areas: solar heating and cooling, agricultural and industrial process heat, solar-thermal electric, photovoltaic, ocean-thermal, wind, solar crop irrigation, resource assessment and technology utilization, and other areas of solar energy research. Includes recommended budget outlays for specific projects. Title III: Responsibilities of the Administration - Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to direct the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to: (1) insure, to the maximum extent possible, that procurement under such Act be on a cost-sharing basis with private business; (2) consult with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration before granting or contracting of any demonstration projects under the Act; and (3) report to the President and the Congress by September 30, 1977 on the integration of existing electric utility systems with decentralized solar-electric generation systems.
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 · 17 March 1976
Alaskan Natural Gas Transportation Act - Expresses the intent of Congress that the selection and construction of a natural gas transportation system to deliver Alaskan natural gas to the contiguous 48 States be expedited through the establishment of new administrative and judicial procedures. Directs the Federal Power Commission to complete review of applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity relating to such natural gas transportation system by January 1, 1977, and transmit its findings to the President. Requires that reports from other agencies which the President shall deem appropriate be submitted by February 1, 1977. Establishes criteria for information to be considered in such reports. Directs the President to make a final decision as to proposed systems for the transportation of Alaskan natural gas not later than August 1, 1977. Establishes procedures for Congressional review of such Presidential decision. Establishes procedures for issuance of additional authorizations necessary for completion of the project. Requires the filing of a final environmental impact statement on the proposed project with the Council on Environmental Quality. Stipulates that interagency review procedures of the National Environmental Policy Act shall not apply to this project. Directs the Secretary of the Interior and other appropriate Federal officials to issue all necessary permits and take other necessary action to enforce all rights-of-way, permits, and leases related to the construction and operation of such natural gas transportation system. Requires compliance with requirements of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 relating to rights-of-way for pipelines through Federal lands. Exempts authorizations issued pursuant to this Act from requirements concerning: (1) compliance with National Environmental Policy Act provisions; (2) technical and financial capacity of applicants; (3) public hearings; and (4) furnishing of specified information and reports. Authorizes the Secretary and the Commission to develop procedural requirements of Federal law where desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Act. Declares that the actions of Federal officers and agencies under this Act shall not be subject to judicial review by the courts. Allows for claims that: (1) this Act is unconstitutional; (2) actions under this Act will deny Constitutional rights; and (3) actions taken are beyond the scope of authority conferred by this Act, provided that such claims are filed within 60 days following the date of the challenged action. Declares that exclusive jurisdiction shall be vested in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, with review of any final order limited to direct appeal to the United States Supreme Court. Declares that the district court shall not have the power to issue injunctive relief against the issuance of any certificate, except in cases where a final judgment is entered.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1976
Benefit Program Coordination Act - Declares the finding of Congress that a number of financial benefit programs for individuals or families have been developed without sufficient coordination and that some individuals are recipients under more than one program which has resulted in effects inconsistent with the intent of such programs. Declares the purpose of this Act is to provide improved legislative procedure and technological assistance to consider the effects on recipients of existing financial benefit programs of proposed legislation designed to change or establish a financial benefit program. Requires that effective the first day of the Ninety-fifth Congress, whenever a congressional committee reports legislation establishing or changing a financial benefit program (including a change in the Federal income tax laws which is expected to have a significant impact on such a program) such report must contain a statement describing any expected significant impact on any such program. States that if such committee determines that the inclusion of such information is not practicable it need not include it. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to designate a unit within such Office to assist the committees in carrying out the provisions of this Act. Requires the President to designate a Federal agency to monitor the interactions among financial benefit programs. Requires the President to report annually to Congress on the developments in coordination of such programs and the impact which legislation changing or establishing a financial benefit program enacted during the preceding three years had on other such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1976
Energy Conservation Research and Development Act - Declares it the purpose of this Act to establish an energy conservation program through the development of new technologies designed to reduce consumption by small energy consumers and organizations that influence energy consumption. Title I: State Energy Conservation Research and Development Institutes - Authorizes the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to assist the States in establishing and operating energy research, development, and demonstration institutes. Authorizes the expenditure of additional funds to the institutes for special projects which would not otherwise be undertaken, provided such funds are matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by non-Federal sources. Lists requirements and qualifications for such institutes. Authorizes the Administrator to establish additional rules and regulations, and to encourage cooperation between the institutes and other organizations. Directs the Administrator to submit an annual progress report to Congress with regard to projects financed under this title. Title II: Cooperative Energy Conservation Extension Service - Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress a cooperative energy conservation plan, including the creation of a Cooperative Energy Conservation Service. Details requirements for such a plan, including a list of services to be offered by the Conservation Service. Requires congressional action before the plan becomes finalized. Title III: Authorizing Appropriations - Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000 to each State for the establishment of the institutes during fiscal year 1977. Authorizes $250,000 to each State for each of the fiscal years 1978 through 1980, inclusive, for such purposes. Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums for special energy conservation projects of such institutes: $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $7,000,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1980. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1977 and 1978, for the establishment of the Cooperative Energy Conservation Extension Service.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1976
Permits the carriage of mail by private persons. Allows such private carriers to deposit mail in, and collect mail from, post office boxes and letterboxes.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1976
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the Congress shall seek to assure that the total outlays of the Government during any fiscal year do not exceed the total receipts of the Government during such fiscal year. Directs the President to ascertain the total receipts and outlays of the Government during each fiscal year. Provides that if the total receipts are less than the total outlays, the President shall determine the percentage rate of income tax surtax to be imposed to equal the amount by which such total receipts are less than total outlays. Provides that the income tax surtax, which would otherwise be in effect for the year, may be suspended in case of a grave national emergency declared by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1976
Small Business Employers' Occupational Safety and Health Act Amendments - Directs the Secretary of Labor, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, to visit the workplaces of small business employers of 25 employees or less to provide consultation and advice. Stipulates that such visits may be conducted only upon valid request, and shall be limited to matters specified in the request affecting conditions, structures, machines, apparatuses, devices, equipment, or materials in the workspace. Directs the Secretary to make recommendations regarding the elimination of any hazards disclosed within the scope of the on-site consultation. Prohibits the issuance of notices, citations, or penalties as a result of such visit. Requires that upon issuance of a citation to a small business for violations of standards, notice shall be given to such small business of the availability of financial assistance to correct violations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1976
Requires that any concurrent resolution adopted pursuant to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 may not set forth a recommended level of Federal revenues which is lower than the appropriate level of total budget outlays.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1976
Expresses the appreciation of Congress to specified scientific and engineering societies for their Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship Programs. Encourages the scientific and engineering communities to continue and expand such activities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Prohibits the Federal courts from requiring any Federal, State, or local official to classify persons by race, creed, or color for the purpose of assigning pupils to public schools. (Adds 28 U.S.C. 3101)
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Small Employer Occupational Safety and Health Amendments - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide that no standard adopted by the Secretary of Labor shall require any employer of twenty-five or fewer employees to phase out, change, or replace any existing equipment or facilities before the expiration of its normal useful life. Exempts any employer of twenty-five or fewer employees from penalty or citation where non-compliance with specified rules or standards has been found if such employer is able to show that he furnished adequate notice, exerted reasonable efforts to obtain the compliance of his employees, and could not have reasonably prevented the violation. Provides that the Secretary of Labor or his representative may render onsite consultation and advice to employers of twenty-five or fewer employees upon request of such employer. Provides that the Secretary may issue recommendations regarding the elimination of any hazards disclosed within the scope of the consultation, but that no citation or civil penalty shall follow from such onsite consultation except for the purpose of eliminating imminent dangers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Makes it unlawful for any individual or entity to solicit or enroll any member of the armed forces in any labor organization, or for any member of the armed forces to join, or encourage other members to join, any labor union. Prescribes a penalty of not more than five years imprisonment for any individual violating this Act, and a fine of not less than $25,000 or more than $50,000 for any labor organization in violation of this Act. (Adds 10 U.S.C. 975)
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Paperwork Review and Limitation Act - Requires, under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, that each public bill or resolution reported by a Congressional committee must be accompanied by a Paperwork Impact Statement which must assess the amount and character of the information that such bill or resolution will require of private individuals and businesses and the cost or time required of such individual or businesses. Requires each committee of Congress to review annually the reporting requirements (including the number and character of reporting forms issued and withdrawn) of any agency under such committee's jurisdiction. States that no Federal agency may collect information from ten or more persons, other than Federal employees, unless the Director of the Office of Management and Budget has approved the proposed collection and the forms to be used. Limits the Director's approval for the collection of information to one year, and provides that the forms used must indicate when such approval expires, and that such forms must indicate that no response is required if the approval date has expired. Requires each agency to report annually to the Director and Congress concerning all forms such agency has issued or withdrawn during the calendar year. Requires the Director to study the feasibility of requiring a single standard form for collecting information by all Federal agencies and to report the results of such study not later than one year after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1976
Sets forth the basis for determining the fees to be charged for the commercial grazing of domestic livestock: (1) on public lands under the Taylor Grazing Act; (2) on government timberlands; and (3) within the national forest system.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1976
Antidiscrimination Act - Prohibits any affirmative action program required by law from prescribing (1) quotas, or (2) goals or objectives designed to establish quotas, or (3) programs designed to expand applicant pools and participation, regarding the statistical composition of any entity of a Federal contractor or grantee. Prohibits any court of the United States or Federal agency from making a finding of discrimination based solely on composition of a work force or membership. Prohibits such court or agency from granting relief unless an act of discrimination has been committed. Prohibits such court or agency from granting relief to enforce the establishment of quotas or goals designed to establish quotas. Prohibits any department of the Federal Government from requiring employers, labor organizations, Federal grantees, or contractors, to collect data regarding race, color, religion, national origin, or sex of employees or participants.
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