United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Marine Science, Engineering, and Resource Development Act - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President, a National Council on Marine Science, Engineering and Resource Development. Makes it the duty of the President, with the advice and assistance of the Council, to: (1) survey significant marine science activities of the Federal government; (2) develop a comprehensive program of marine resource development activities; (3) establish lines of responsibility and insure cooperation among Federal departments and agencies engaged in marine science activities; (4) undertake a study of new legal problems arising from the use of the marine environment, and certain other impact studies; (5) review annually all Federal marine science activities; (6) distribute research funds in promotion of the marine science program. Requires the Council to establish an Advisory Panel on Marine Science, Engineering, and Resource Development to review the activities of the Council. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1977
Title I: Public Works Employment - Public Works Employment Act - Authorizes to be appropriated a sum not to exceed $2,000,000,000 for the purpose of making grants to States and local governments for local public works projects with respect to which unsuccessful applications for grants were made prior to December 23, 1976, under the Public Works Employment Act of 1976. Authorizes an additional sum not to exceed $2,000,000,000 for the purpose of making grants for local public works projects which are eligible for grants under title I of the Public Works Employment Act of 1976, including projects for which grant applications are pending, and for projects for the construction or improvement of health care or rehabilitation facilities owned and operated by private nonprofit entities. Limits the Federal share for any such project to 80 percent of its cost. Sets forth guidelines for making grants under this title, including the consideration of unemployment rates in grant allocation. Stipulates that up to two and one-half percent of funds appropriated under this title shall be available for projects requested by Indian Tribes of Alaska Native organizations. Title II: Youth Community Improvement Program- Youth Community Improvement Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to make grants and to enter into contracts with, any State, local government, Indian tribe, or Alaska Native organization to pay the cost of community improvement projects to be carried out by youths. Sets forth requirements for applications for assistance and for agreements evidencing grants or contracts under this title, including requirements relative to wages to be paid to participating youths, projects supervisory personnel, and job opportunities and skills development. Directs eligible applicants to establish or designate a local nonprofit organization to carry out activities funded under this title. Directs the Secretary to work with appropriate State education agencies to provide that academic credit be awarded for work experience gained through the youth community improvement program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1977
Authorizes the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a bust or statue of Martin Luther King, Junior, and to cause such sculpture to be placed in a suitable location in the Capitol. Authorizes appropriations of not more than $25,000 to carry out this concurrent resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Displaced Homemakers Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a minimum of 50 Multipurpose Service Centers for displaced homemakers. States that each Center shall provide specified services, including: (1) job counseling; (2) job training and job placement; (3) health education and counseling; (4) financial management; (5) legal counseling and referral; and (6) outreach information with respect to Federal assistance programs. Sets forth factors to be considered by the Secretary in selecting Center sites. Directs the Secretary to designate a public or non-profit private organization to administer a Center once its site has been chosen. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants in accordance with specified guidelines to such organizations for the purpose of establishing and maintaining Centers. Directs the Secretary to prepare and furnish to Congress biennial evaluations which are to include a thorough assessment of each Center and recommendations concerning the administration and expansion of such Centers at the local, State, and Federal levels. Directs the Secretary to prepare and furnish to the Congress a study to determine the feasibility of, and appropriate procedures for, allowing displaced homemakers to participate in: (1) programs established under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973; (2) work incentive programs under the Social Security Act; (3) related Federal employment, education and health assistance programs; and (4) programs established, or benefits provided, under Federal and State unemployment compensation laws.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Modern Congress Act - Title I: Sets forth the policy and purposes of this Act. Title II: State of the Congress Report - Requires the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives to submit to the Congress and the President a "State of the Congress" message with respect to each session. Title III: Federal State Legislative Council - Establishes a Federal State Legislative Council to conduct studies to identify and investigate problems common to the legislative process of both the Federal and State Governments, and to develop proposed legislation to carry out its recommended solutions to such problems. Title IV: Office of Congressional Communications - Establishes for the Congress an Office of Congressional Communications, subject to the supervision and control of the Architect of the Capitol, to provide specified communication and television services to the Congress. Title V: Schedule of Committee Meetings - Requires the Office to establish and maintain a computerized schedule of all House and Senate committee and subcommittee meetings, as well as joint and conference committee meetings. Title VI: Office of Senate Legal Counsel - Establishes as an office of the Senate, the Office of Senate Legal Counsel to: (1) defend the Senate or a committee, member, officer, agency, or employee of the Senate in specified and actions involving official duties and responsibilities; (2) institute civil actions to enforce a Senate subpoena or order; (3) intervene in legal actions concerning the constitutionality of any Federal law or the powers and responsibilities of Congress; (4) represent the Senate in immunity proceedings; and (5) perform specified advisory and research functions. Sets forth the procedure for the direction of the Counsel by the Senate. Prohibits any Member, officer, or employee of the Senate from requesting representation by the Department of Justice subsequent to the passage of this Act. Title VII: General Accounting Office - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to authorize the Comptroller General to institute a Civil action for declaratory and injunctive relief whenever the Comptroller General has reasonable cause to believe that any officer or employee of the executive branch is about to expend or obligate public funds in an illegal or erroneous manner or amount. Authorizes the Attorney General to represent the defendant in such action. Title VIII: Appropriations Authorized - Authorizes the appropriation of funds necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make financial assistance available to States to rehabilitate unsafe highway bridges. Establishes the Federal share of a bridge replacement or rehabilitation project. Amends the Highway Safety Act of 1976 to authorize appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund for bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make loans to individuals and families owning and occupying one-to-four family residential structures to assist them in purchasing and installing qualified solar heating and cooling equipment. Stipulates that such loans may be made in an amount covering up to 75 percent of the cost of purchasing and installing the necessary equipment, and not exceeding amounts specified in this Act. Sets forth the terms and conditions governing the loans. Specifies eligibility criteria for solar heating and cooling equipment in order to qualify for loans under this Act. Directs the Energy Research and Development Administration to establish procedures for periodic inspection and review of solar heating and cooling equipment models and certifications. Directs the Secretary to disseminate full, complete, and current information concerning recommended standards and types of qualified solar heating or solar heating and cooling equipment appropriate for use in residential structures of varying sizes and types and in various regions of the country. Imposes criminal penalties for making false or misleading statements in attempting to obtain loans under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 into a revolving fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Declares it to be the sense of Congress that wasteful energy consumption in the United States must be eliminated. Requests the President to call for a National Energy Crusade and to designate an Energy Conservation Month. Requests the President to report to the Congress and to the nation on the status of energy conservation initiatives.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
Federal Housing Bank Act - Declares the findings of the Congress, including that: (1) decent, safe, and sanitary housing cannot be provided if interest rates on home mortgages are inordinately high; and (2) Congress must create an institution which can reduce the costs of financing the purchase of a home for the average American family. Creates a body corporate to be known as the Federal Housing Bank, which shall have succession until dissolved by Act of Congress. Requires that the Bank shall be an agency of the United States Government and shall maintain such offices as may be necessary or appropriate. Sets forth the general powers of the Bank. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in order to facilitate the formation of the Bank, to pay initial organizing and operating expenses. Authorizes to be appropriated not to exceed $500,000 for this purpose. Grants the Bank the authority: (1) to make commitments to purchase, and to purchase, service, and sell home mortgages on single family homes, or condominiums or cooperatives, from the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Bank system, and (2) to make commitments to purchase, and to purchase, hold, and refinance mortgages on homes of persons who certify that they have been unemployed for six months and do not have assets that could be used to pay the mortgage on their principal dwelling place. Authorizes the Bank to declare a moratorium on payments of principal, interest, or both for a period of 18 months on terms and conditions to be determined by the Bank so as to alleviate hardship arising from unemployment. Authorizes the Bank to issue and have outstanding obligations having such maturities and bearing such interest as may be determined by the Bank. Permits the Bank to require the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase obligations of the Bank. Authorizes annual payments to the Bank by the Secretary of the Treasury. Requires an audit report to the Congress on an annual basis. Provides for an additional annual report to the Congress on the Bank's activities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1977
National Health Insurance for Mothers and Children Act - Title I: General Provisions and Administration - Entitles every individual who is a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and who is a child or who is pregnant, to have payment made for health care services received by such individual in accordance with this Act. Establishes in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a Maternal and Child Health Board. Directs the Board to continuously study the operation of this Act and the most effective methods of providing comprehensive personal health services to mothers and children. Requires the Board to report annually to Congress on its activities. Establishes a National Maternal and Child Health Council to advise the Board on matters of general policy, study the operation of this Act, and recommend changes it deems advisable. Title II: Nature and Scope of Benefit - Sets forth procedures to be used in determining whether institutions are qualified health services providers under this Act. Includes within covered professional services: (1) preventive children's health services; and (2) professional services for the diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation following injury, disability, or disease. Includes within covered inpatient hospital services: (1) emergency medical care for children; (2) inpatient services for a child 12 years of age or older in a qualified hospital; and (3) child inpatient services in a qualified nursing home. Includes the following services within the coverage of this Act; (1) rehabilitative services encompassing physical therapy and speech therapy; (2) social services; and (3) mental health services.encompassing psychiatric and psychological services furnished to a child in a qualified facility. Includes within the coverage drugs and biologicals prescribed for a child who is not an inpatient in a nursing home or hospital if such drug or biological is prescribed to be taken for longer than four weeks. Includes within coverage devices, appliances, and equipment, the dispensing of such devices for the correction of a child's vision or hearing, and the dispensing of such devices as are necessary for the treatment or rehabilitation of a child following injury, disability, or disease. Includes within maternity coverage: (1) professional services for the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy and related medical problems; (2) inpatient hospital services for care during pregnancy and for 12 weeks after the pregnancy's termination; (3) diagnostic services performed by a qualified pathology laboratory during such time period; (4) drugs and biologicals prescribed during such time period for a woman not an inpatient in a nursing home or hospital if such drug or biological is prescribed to be taken for more than four weeks; and (5) devices, appliances and equipment for treatment of a woman for any pregnancy-related condition during such time period. Directs the Board to arrange for the furnishing of covered medical services to individuals who reside in a medically underserved area or who, because of poverty, discrimination, or cultural barriers, are determined by the Board to suffer higher risk of infant and maternal mortality. Includes within coverage of such individuals, transportation to and from the place where medical services are furnished care of dependents while such individuals are being furnished medical services, and social outreach services to inform such individuals about services available under this Act. Title III: Administration and Method of Payment of Benefits - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to enter into contracts with carriers to perform some or all of specified administrative functions. Stipulates that payment for covered services may be made only to: (1) the person furnishing such services; (2) the employer of such person; or (3) the facility in which such services were provided. Directs the Secretary to pay 100 percent of the full payment amount for covered services in specified circumstances and to pay 90 percent of that amount in all other cases. Allows the Board, upon determining that a person furnishing covered services under this Act has substantially or consistently violated requirements under this title, to prohibit the making of any payments under this Act for a period not to exceed one year. Requires an individual requesting payment under this Act to: (1) display public notice of participation in the program; and (2) inform each patient of the amount of any copayment the patient must make for covered services, prior to furnishing such services. Requires the Board to approve for each fee payment area a schedule of the amount of payments to be made under this Act for the furnishing of covered professional services. Directs the Board to designate for each fee payment area a nonprofit fee payment board, to submit to the Board a proposed fee payment schedule, and to propose annual revisions. Permits persons adversely affected by the Board's approval or disapproval of a fee payment schedule to seek review in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Directs that payments be made on a timely basis for covered institutional services. Requires qualified institutions requesting payment under this Act to: (1) display public notice of their participation in the program; and (2) inform each patient of the amount of any copayment the patient must make for covered services, prior to furnishing covered services. Directs the Board to make available to the public the name, address, and telephone number of each dispenser of drugs and devices covered under this Act. Requires dispensers to display public notice of their participation in the program and to inform patients of any copayment that must be made for any drugs and devices furnished under this Act. Directs the Board to publish annually a schedule of the wholesale cost of covered drugs and devices commonly dispensed under this Act. Title IV: Comprehensive Maternal and Child Health Practice - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities and enter into contracts with public and private entities for projects: (1) studying the feasibility of developing and operating comprehensive maternal and child health practices or of expanding the operation of existing practices; and (2) establishing or expanding comprehensive maternal and child practices. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee to non-Federal lenders payment of the principal or and the interest on loans made to private entities for such projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make private loans and loan guarantees for initial operations costs of comprehensive maternal and child health practices. Prohibits the approval of an application for a loan guarantee unless the Secretary determines that the loan terms, conditions, security, and schedule are sufficient to protect the financial interests of the United States and are otherwise reasonable. Establishes in the Treasury a loan guarantee fund to be available to the Secretary without fiscal year limitation for the purposes set forth in this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of specified amounts in fiscal years 1978 through 1980 for the purpose of making grants and contracts under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make available medical malpractice reinsurance for claims exceeding $100,000 brought against a comprehensive maternal and child health practice. Authorizes the Secretary to institute litigation to recover from any insurer the amount of any unpaid premium lawfully payable by such insurer to the Secretary. Requires each insurer reinsured under such provisions to file with the Secretary: (1) a copy of each annual statement filed with the insurance authority of the State; (2) information respecting claims asserted by insureds against comprehensive maternal and child health practices and reports of adverse medical incidents filed by such insureds. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to and enter into contracts with public and nonprofit private entities for projects to promote: (1) the teaching of students in health professional schools respecting alternative methods of delivering medical care; (2) the training of medical students in family medicine and general pediatrics; (3) programs wherein health professional schools provide support services to comprehensive maternal and child health practices serving special populations; and (4) programs for training in the management of comprehensive maternal and child health care practices. Directs the Secretary to give special consideration to applications for assignment of National Health Corps personnel to practice in comprehensive maternal and child health practices. Title V: Financing the Maternal and Child Health Program - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose a maternal and child health care tax on employees, employers, and self employed individuals. Creates on the books of the United States Treasury a Maternal and Child Health Trust Fund. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Appropriates to the Fund for fiscal year 1976 and each fiscal year thereafter, amounts equivalent to the revenue from the maternal and child health care taxes. Authorizes the Managing Trustee of the Fund to accept and deposit into the Fund money, gifts, and bequests made unconditionally for the benefit of such Fund or any of its activities. Creates a body to be known as the Board of Trustees of the Fund and designates the Secretary of the Treasury as Managing Trustee. Directs such Board to submit an annual report to Congress on the operation and status of the Fund. Charges the Managing Trustee with the duty of investing such portion of the Fund as is not required to meet current withdrawals. Title VI: Penalties, Effective Dates, and Technical Amendments - Makes it unlawful to make false statements, misrepresent material facts, or fraudulently conceal or fail to disclose material facts in connection with applications and payment requirements under this Act. Makes it unlawful to solicit, offer, or receive kickbacks, bribes, or referral charge rebates in connection with services covered under this Act. Subjects violators to a fine of not more than $10,000, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Makes specified technical and conforming amendments to the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Temporary Natural Gas Emergency Supply Act - Authorizes the President to determine that a natural gas supply emergency exists within interstate pipeline service areas. Directs the Federal Power Commission to order transfers of natural gas supplies to pipeline systems which are experiencing emergencies. Stipulates that the emergency authority granted by this Act shall expire on May 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay a pension to each veteran who served in the active military, naval, or air service at any time during World War I and who is not eligible for a non-service connected disability pension. Directs the Administrator to pay medical services costs required outside Veterans' Administration facilities if travel to such facilities would be a burden for the veteran. Provides for survivor pensions for the widows of such veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Child and Maternal Health Care Extension Act - Authorizes to be appropriated, under Title V (Grants to States for Maternal and Child Welfare) of the Social Security Act, for the purpose of enabling the States to diagnose, screen, and provide immediate limited treatment of child health and maternal health conditions, for each fiscal year a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of this Act. Declares that such funds shall be used for making payments to States which have submitted, and had approved by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, State plans for establishment and operation of mobile health care facilities. Enumerates criteria which a State plan must meet prior to approval, including: (1) the existence and operation of a mobile health care team in each of the eligible counties within the State; (2) the establishment or designation of a single State agency to supervise the administration of the plan; and (3) the authorization of the State agency to carry out the plan in conformity with this Act. Requires the periodic review of the eligibility of all counties in each State. Provides that if the State agency supervising the administration of the State plan finds that: (1) the plan has been so changed that it no longer complies with the provisions of this Act; (2) in the administration of the plan there is a failure to comply substantially with this Act; or (3) an eligible county within the State is not included within the State plan; further payments will not be made to the State until the Secretary is satisfied that there will no longer be any such failure to comply. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for pediatric nurses services. Defines the terms used in this Act. Provides, under the Social Security Act, for: (1) the training of pediatric nurse practitioners; (2) the payment for services rendered by such pediatric nurse practitioner; (3) expanded services for crippled children; and (4) maternal and child health services for low-income families.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow limited income tax credit for the higher education expenses paid for the taxpayer, his spouse, and his dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make real estate and operating loans available to private domestic corporations and partnerships controlled by farmers and ranchers engaged primarily in farming or ranching who, individually or as to their principal stockholders and partners, are United States citizens. Increases the maximum allowable total principal indebtedness for real estate loans which may be outstanding by any one borrower to $200,000 or $300,000 in the case of a guaranteed loan. States that special consideration for: (1) water and waste facilities loans may be given rural areas having a population of more than 5,500; and (2) soil and water conservation, pollution control and private business enterprise loans may be given to rural areas having a population of more than 25,000. Revises the maximum interest rate on real estate loans other than guaranteed loans under such Act from five percent to a rate determined by the Secretary taking into account the current market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States. Removes the $500,000 ceiling from the aggregate principal of loans made using the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Increases the amount of indebtedness which may be outstanding for operating loans under such Act for an individual from $50,000 to $100,000 or in the case of a guaranteed loan, $200,000. States that the interest rates on such loans which are guaranteed shall be the rate agreed upon by the borrower and lender. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase the guaranteed portion of any rural development loan using funds from the Rural Development Insurance Fund and the guaranteed portion of all other loans with funds from the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans and grants, and approve transfers and assumptions under such Act in connection with property securing a loan made, insured, or held by the Secretary notwithstanding the fact an area ceases to be eligible for assistance under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a procedure for appeal and review of determinations by a county committee that a loan applicant is not unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere to finance his actual needs at reasonable rates and terms. Provides for congressional authorization of program levels under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Equity in Social Security Act - Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act: (1) to eliminate the requirement that a husband be receiving at least one-half of his support from his wife, and that a widower be receiving at least one- half of his support from his wife at the time of her death in order to qualify for husband's and widower's insurance benefits; (2) to extend eligibility for such benefits to unmarried divorced husbands and widowers; (3) to extend without regard to any age limitation, husband's benefits to a husband who has in his care a minor child who is entitled to child's insurance benefits under Title II; and (4) to extend to widowers and surviving divorced fathers the same benefits as are available to widows and surviving divorced mothers with minor children in their care. Permits the payment of old-age insurance benefits to a married couple on their combined earnings record.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
National Gas and Petroleum Conservation and Coal Utilization Act - Amends the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 to extend the authority of the Federal Energy Administrator to issue coal conversion orders under such Act until September 30, 1980. Directs the Federal Energy Administrator to prohibit coal-burning installations from thereafter burning natural gas as a primary energy source. Requires the issuance of a permit for coal-burning installations to switch to oil as a primary energy source. Directs the Administrator to require disclosure of information relating to domestic coal reserves. Requires that new facilities be capable of utilizing coal or a fuel source other than oil or natural gas. Establishes procedures for extensions of compliance dates and exemptions for facilities otherwise subject to the requirements of this Act. Requires consideration of environmental control requirements where appropriate. Establishes procedures to allow for just compensation for disruption of energy supply contracts caused by operation of the provisions of this Act. Imposes civil and criminal penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act. Specifies the amount of civil penalties based on amounts of oil and natural gas used in excess of the maximum allowable amount. Authorizes exemptions from compliance with this Act where necessary to protect public health, safety, or welfare during emergencies. Authorizes exemptions for Federal facilities where the President determines such exemption to be in the paramount interest of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Elderly and Handicapped Persons Transportation Act - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize reduced air fares on a space-available basis for persons 60 years of age or older and for handicapped individuals and their attendants. Directs the Civil Aeronautics Board to conduct a study and to report to the Congress on the feasibility and economic impact on air carriers of providing such reduced rate transportation for persons 21 years of age or younger.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Coal Substitution Incentive Act - Amends the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 to authorize the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration to make and guarantee loans to assist industries in the purchase and installation of air pollution control devices for coal-fired boilers and heating devices. Limits the aggregate amount of outstanding loan guarantees to $5,000,000,000. Limits the aggregate amount of outstanding loans to $1,000,000,000. Establishes additional criteria and limitations on the making of such loans and guarantees. Stipulates that no such commitments shall be made after January 1, 1985. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 through 1982 for the purposes of this Act. Stipulates that priority consideration shall be given to requests for assistance by facilities in receipt of coal conversion orders issued by the Administrator under the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Public Participation in Federal Agency Proceedings Act - Entitles any person to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of participation incurred by such person in any Federal agency proceeding if the participation of such person promotes or can reasonably be expected to promote a full and fair determination of the issues involved in the proceeding and the economic interest of such person in the outcome is small compared to the costs of participation in such proceeding, or such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in such proceeding in the absence of an award under this Act. Requires each agency, whenever practicable, to determine, prior to the commencement of any proceeding, the eligibility of a person for an award under this Act and the amount of such award. Requires payment of such an award, where necessary, prior to the conclusion of such proceeding but in no event later than 90 days after the conclusion of such proceeding. Directs the head of each agency to report annually to Congress with respect to awards made under this Act. Entitles any person who is a party to, or intervenor in, any civil suit or proceeding for judicial review of agency action to costs incurred by such person in litigation if such person is afforded the relief sought in substantial measure, the court determines that such action served an important public purpose, the economic interest of such person in the outcome of such action is small compared with the cost of litigation, and the person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in such action absent an an award under this Act. Directs the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually to Congress with respect to awards granted by courts of the United States under this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for agency awards under this Act, $10,000,000 each year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Authorizes to be appropriated for judicial awards under this Act such sums as may be necessary. (Adds 5 USC 558a; 707)
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Children and Youth Camp Safety Act - Requires each youth camp operator to provide each camper safe and healthful conditions and adequate supervision to prevent injury. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to promulgate camp safety regulations within nine months of enactment of this Act. Provides that during a two-year period following promulgation and annually thereafter States may assume responsibility for development and enforcement of safety standards. Requires such States to submit plans for such development and enforcement. Grants the Secretary a right of disapproval of such plans. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance and consultative services to assist in the development and implementation of State plans. Permits the Secretary to make grants to States for the development of youth camp safety plans, to assist such States with plan initiation and training costs, and for the early operation and improvement of youth camp safety programs. Permits representatives of the Secretary to inspect youth camps and to investigate their records. Requires youth camp operators to file annual reports with the Secretary on accidents resulting in death, injury, and serious illness. Requires the Secretary to provide for the citation of youth camp operators for any violation of any standard, rule, or order promulgated pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary to afford an opportunity for a hearing for any youth camp operator issued a citation or notice of a proposed penalty. Permits any youth camp operator adversely affected by the decision of the hearing examiner to obtain a review of the decision in the United States court of appeals. Provides that upon the request of any youth camp operator, director, or staff, or during any inspection the Secretary shall provide consultative services to youth camps in States which do not have in effect a State plan. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this Act and regulations by youth camp operators. Grants United States district courts and other courts of competent jurisdiction the jurisdiction, upon petition of the State or Secretary as appropriate, to restrain youth camp conditions threatening imminent dangers. Directs the Secretary to establish an Advisory Council on Youth Camp Safety to advise and consult on policy matters relating to youth camp safety. States that this Act or regulations issued under this Act shall not be construed to interfere with the religious activities or any youth camp that is operated by any religious corporation, association, or society or operated for a particular religion.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Rural Energy Office Act - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture an Office of Rural Energy Assessment and Development whose Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Makes such Office responsible for identifying, developing, and compiling data pertaining to fuel and other energy needs of persons residing in rural areas. Directs the Office to submit semi-annual reports to Congress containing an accounting of the findings and conclusions of the Office with respect to the following subject matter as it relates to the needs of persons in rural areas: (1) the heating and cooling of residential dwelling units; (2) transportation; (3) the production of agricultural commodities; (4) the energy needs of business and industries; (5) sources of electricity; (6) conservation of energy; and (7) energy research and development. Directs the Office to provide such reports to specified committees of Congress and directs such committees to cooperate in publishing making available to the public every six months a document containing the most recent information provided by the Office. Imposes a civil fine to be assessed against the Director of such Office if the Director fails to submit such reports by the dates specified in this Act. Requires regulations of the Federal Energy Administration, the Energy Research and Development Administration, the Federal Highway Commission, and the Federal Power Commission to be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture for review where concerning a rural energy matter. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Terminates the Office and provisions of this Act in five years.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Education Reorganization Act - Establishes a Department of Education headed by a Secretary at cabinet level, to promote the cause and advancement of education throughout the nation. Transfers to the Department of Education the education functions of specified agencies. Authorizes the President to transfer other Federal agency functions to the Department as he determines necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Creates a Federal Interagency Committee on Education to assure effective coordination of all Federal programs affecting education. Creates a National Advisory Commission on Education composed of members chosen from among those who have recognized expertise and direct involvement in the field of education, as well as representatives from the general public, industry, and the mass media. Makes the purpose of such Commission to review the administration and operation of Federal education programs, conduct evaluations, and make recommendations for necessary improvements. Directs the Secretary to make annual reports to the President for submission to the Congress. Authorizes the Secretary to make such expenditures as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Deems service as a member of the Women's Air Force Service Pilots as active duty for the purposes of all laws administered by the Veterans' Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to revise policy directives for Federal financial assistance to agricultural producers under such Act. Requires that eligibility criteria for the receipt of such assistance take into consideration: (1) the need to control erosion and sedimentation; (2) national environmental policy priorities; (3) encouragement of voluntary compliance to solve nonpoint source pollution problems; (4) conservation measures likely to provide a return in the form of increased production or increased land values; and (5) contribution to the national objective of adequate food and fiber for maintenance of a strong and healthy people and economy. Stipulates that funds appropriated for such purposes may not be utilized to assist drainage on officially-designated wetlands areas. Stipulates that payments shall be allotted to landlords, tenants, and sharecroppers in proportion to the contribution of each group to the cost of conservation and environmental enhancement measures. Repeals: (1) the use of surplus appropriations to expand domestic and foreign markets; (2) permission to use regional associations of producers in lieu of State, county and local committees in the administration of naval stores conservation programs; (3) the $500,000,000 maximum limit on obligations for various soil and water conservation programs for any calendar year; and (4) the provision for making agreements with retiring farmers for the conversion of their farmland to conservation uses. Transfers the administration of various soil and water conservation programs from the Production and Marketing Administration to the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require that skilled nursing facilities be adequately equipped with wheelchairs and other appropriate equipment and supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Amends Title XI (General Provisions and Professional Standards Review) of the Social Security Act to require the inclusion of professional registered nurses in Professional Standards Review Organizations of medical professionals in carrying out the functions of such review organizations pursuant to such Title. Requires the inclusion of two professional registered nurses on the Statewide Professional Standards Review Councils. Requires the inclusion of three professional registered nurses on the National Professional Standards Review Council. Includes professional registered nurses in that class of health care practitioners which may not be held civilly liable for action taken in compliance with or reliance upon norms of care and treatment applied by a Professional Standards Review Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Directs the President to call a National Leadership Conference on Energy Policy during 1977. Declares that the purpose of the Conference shall be to develop specific proposals to increase supplies of energy with minimum impact on the environment while decreasing energy demand without harming America's economic recovery. Stipulates that representatives of various groups shall be included in the Conference. Establishes procedures for preparations for the Conference, including the appointment of a 15-member committee by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to permit enforcement of any executive order restricting the importation of Rhodesian chrome, pursuant to any United Nations Security Council resolution. Requires that steel mill products containing chromium may not be imported while such executive order is in effect without filing a certificate of origin with the Secretary of the Treasury unless such shipment is released by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out this provision.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase the inpatient deductible from $40 to $104 in the case of any spell of illness beginning before 1978. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to roll back the time period considered for the purpose of determining the rate of hospital insurance tax on employees, employers, and the self-employed.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Establishes within the judicial branch a United States Commission on Sentencing to, among other functions, promulgate and distribute suggested sentencing ranges and guidelines for Federal courts. Specifies factors to be considered by a sentencing court in imposing a term of imprisonment, a fine, or a term of probation, including: (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant; (2) the need for the sentence to adequately deter criminal conduct; (3) whether other less restrictive sanctions have been applied to the defendant frequently or recently; and (4) any guidelines established by the commission. Requires a court in every case in which it imposes a term of imprisonment to make as part of the record and to disclose in open court to the defendant at time of sentencing a statement of the reasons for the sentence imposed. Provides that in any case in which a sentence has been imposed, with the exception of certain cases involving plea agreements, a petition for review of such sentence may be filed with a United States court of appeals by (1) the United States if the sentence includes a fine or term of imprisonment less than the minimum established by law or the minimum established by the sentencing guidelines of the Commission, or (2) the defendant if the sentence includes a fine or term of imprisonment more than the maximum established by law or the maximum established by the sentencing guidelines. Directs the court of appeals to overturn the sentence if it finds that (1) the Commissions guidelines were properly applied but that the sentence imposed outside the guidelines was otherwise clearly unreasonable, or (2) that the sentence imposed was within the guidelines but was otherwise clearly erroneous.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Comprehensive Youth Employment Act - Title I: Youth Employment and Community Service Programs - Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 to establish a Youth Community Service program whereby prime sponsors under such Act are to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants for the purpose of providing Youth Community Service employment to youths in jobs required to carry out approved community service projects. Directs each prime sponsor to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants for the establishment of youth opportunity in private enterprise and youth occupational information and career guidance programs. Directs the Secretary of Labor to make payments to prime sponsors in order to make financial assistance available to local education agencies for the purpose of providing youths in secondary schools with job experience. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a National Occupational Information and Career Guidance Service in the Department of Labor to undertake estimates of present and future occupational needs, to compile data on the numbers of people engaged in education and training, to assist States in the preparation of individual State and area projections of occupational outlook, and to serve as the informational and statistical base required for matching career preparation with future career prospects. Authorizes the Secretary to (1) make grants to public agencies, colleges, and nonprofit private organizations for the purpose of training and retraining job counseling and placement personnel and (2) carry out a program of demonstration and evaluation projects relative to job counseling, information, and placement programs for youths. Requires each prime sponsor to establish an Education-Work Committee in its planning council. States the duty of such committees to be to make recommendations with respect to the programs established under this title and to institute local career development plans. Title II: National Conservation Corps - National Conservation Corps Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to jointly establish a National Conservation Corps for the purpose of providing employment and training for youths in projects which reduce the inventory of conservation work or provide public benefits in connection with the conservation, protection, reforestation, regeneration, improvement, development, utilization, maintenance, or enjoyment of the natural resources of lands and waters under the ownership or control of the United States, any agency thereof, or of any State or any subdivision thereof. Authorizes the Secretaries to make grants to States and local governments to assist them in employing youths to carry out conservation projects on non-Federal public lands and waters. Title III: Jobs Corps - Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated annually to the Job Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Opportunities Industrialization Centers Skills Training and National Community Based Organizations Job Creation and Employment Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) contact Opportunities Industrialization Centers, Incorporated, for the provision of skills training to certain types of unemployed persons through such centers; and (2) contact other national community based organizations, such as the Urban League and union-related organizations, for the provision of comprehensive employment services, including counseling, job creation and development, remedial education, and followup. Directs the head of each agency having administrative authority with respect to specified Federal grant and construction programs to take steps to assure that special consideration be given national community based organizations in providing employment services and job opportunities for unemployed persons pursuant to such authority.
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
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act - Directs the President to establish an earthquake hazard reduction program. Lists the objectives of such program, including: (1) the development of technology to make new and existing structures earthquake resistant; (2) the implementation of an earthquake prediction system in areas of high and moderate seismic risk; and (3) the development of model codes and other means to coordinate information about seismic risk with land use policy and building activity. Specifies the Federal agencies which are to participate in, and identifies activities to be conducted under, the program. Establishes a National Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazard Reduction to review and advise the President on matters regarding the earthquake hazard reduction program. Authorizes the appropriation of designated sums for fiscal years 1978-1980 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
New American Health Services Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to the States for the purpose of assuring high quality comprehensive health services for immigrants residing in the United States through the establishment and support of: (1) health services projects; (2) counseling and educational program; and (3) related evaluation efforts. Sets forth conditions which applications for grants under this Act must meet in order to receive consideration for approval. Directs that the Secretary shall not finally disapprove a State plan except after reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing to the State. Declares that individuals who have resided in the United States for more than five years shall not be considered (aliens) immigrants for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Restores to their status as bona fide recognized veterans of World War II those Filipino veterans who served in either the Army of the United States in the Philippines (Commonwealth Army) or in the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), but whose wartime records were subsequently nullified by the removal of their names from the official records of the United States Army after the war.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends Title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to require that psychologists be included in any Professional Standards Review Organization appointed under such title.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase to $5,040 the amount of outside earnings which is permitted an individual each year without any deduction from benefits. Directs that if an eligible widow or widower marries, such individual's insurance benefit shall be reduced over a five-year period, commencing with the year following the year of such marriage, until such insurance benefit equals one-half of the primary insurance amount of the deceased individual on whose wages and self-employment income such benefit is based.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 by establishing the price support of milk at not less than 90 percent of the parity price on the date of enactment, and by providing for quarterly adjustments.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include as "medical and other health services" for which coverage will be provided under Medicare, and as "medical assistance" for which coverage will be provided under Medicaid, that medical or other remedial care furnished by registered professional nurses within the scope of their practices as defined by State law.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase to $4,800 the amount of outside earnings which is permitted an individual each year without any deduction from benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act - Title I: Establishment of Goals, Planning, and General Economic Policies - Amends the Employment Act of 1946 to declare that all adult Americans able, willing, and seeking work have the right to useful paid employment at fair rates of compensation. States that, in moving toward the goal of full employment, it shall be an objective to maintain trends in the ratio of private employment to civilian public employment and that the first priority is to expand conventional private jobs through policies made available under this Act. Directs the President in each annual Economic Report to recommend numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power, as well as policies to support these goals and achieve balanced growth and full employment. Requires the preparation of a Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, prepared with the assistance of Economic Advisers and in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. Requires that such plan set forth foreseeable social and economic goals; provide estimates of unmet social and economic needs; identify available and needed resources; and contain long-term economic goals including: (1) full employment goals set at the number of jobs to be provided in order to reduce unemployment to the minimum level of functional unemployment consistent with efficient job search and labor mobility, (2) full production goals set at levels of output estimated to be yielded by achievement of full employment goals, and (3) full purchasing power goals set at levels estimated to be necessary for attaining and maintaining full employment and production while contributing to an equitable distribution of purchasing power. States that in achieving such goals the President shall include the objective of holding the annual rate of price increases to levels consistent with reasonable price stability. Requires the full employment goal to be consistent with an adult unemployment rate not in excess of three percent. Requires that the plan propose priority policies and programs to support full employment and balanced growth and enumerates sectors of the economy to be included in such policies and programs. Directs the President to submit proposals improving the efficiency and economy of the Federal Government. Requires the Presidents' Budget and Economic Report to set forth the level and composition of Federal expenditures, tax policy, and monetary policy consistent with and in promotion of the goals and policies contained in this Act. Directs the Federal Reserve Board to report to the President and Congress, identifying the extent to which the Federal Reserve will support the economic goals recommended by the President. Stipulates that each Economic Report contain a comprehensive set of anti-inflation policies to supplement monetary and fiscal policy. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Full Employment and Balanced Growth to advise and assist the Council of Economic Advisers. Directs the Council of Economic Advisers to prepare the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan and to consult with the Advisory Committee. Title II: Countercyclical, Structural, and Youth Employment Policies - Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 90 days after the enactment of this Act a proposal, together with necessary legislation, establishing permanent supplementary employment policies and programs required to reduce high unemployment arising from cyclical movements in the economy. Specifies types of programs which should be considered by the President in establishing component parts of such proposal and the means to be utilized in coordinating them. Requires the President to transmit to Congress within such period legislation creating a permanent grant program related to the stabilization and needed growth of State and local budgets. Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 180 days after the enactment of this Act (1) a comprehensive regional and structural employment proposal designed to reduce chronic underutilization of human and capital resources in certain areas of the country and in groups within the labor force, and (2) legislation providing institutional means to encourage public and private investment in areas with substantial unemployment and to provide an alternative source of capital funds for local and State governments to finance public facilities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress legislation creating a comprehensive youth employment program which utilizes existing resources and facilities and provides additional employment programs. Directs the President to provide job opportunities through reservoirs of federally operated public employment projects and approved private nonprofit employment projects to the extent that willing, able adults are not otherwise provided job opportunities. Establishes, within the Department of Labor, a Full Employment Office to assist in creating such employment opportunities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress a proposal, together with such legislation as is necessary, on how the income maintenance and employment policies can be integrated to insure that employment is substituted for income maintenance to the maximum extent feasible. Title III: Policies and Procedures for Congressional Review - Requires the Joint Economic Committee to carry out overall review of executive branch policies under this Act. Requires the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives to review the fiscal policy, economy in government policies, and Federal budget priorities recommended by the President. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to review and make recommendations to Congress on annual numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power proposed by the President. Provides for Congressional review of the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, including reports to the Joint Economic Committee from the standing committees of Congress on matters that relate to the plan, public hearings before the Joint Economic Committee, and consideration of State and local views on the plan. Establishes a Division of Full Employment and Balanced Growth within the Congressional Budget Office to assist the Joint Economic Committee in the discharge of its duties under this Act. Provides that the provisions of this title, with specified exceptions, be incorporated into the rules of the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively. Title IV: General Provisions - Makes general provisions with respect to nondiscrimination, labor standards, and authorizations of appropriations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Humphrey, Hubert H. [D-MN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000953_200.jpg)