United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1976
National Neighborhood Policy Act - Establishes a National Commission on Neighborhoods which will will include four members from the House and the Senate and 16 public members appointed by the President. States the duties of the Commission, which include studying the factors necessary to neighborhood survival and revitalization and making recommendations for modification of existing laws and policies. Makes provisions for the administration of this Commission. Authorizes to be appropriated funds necessary to carry out this Act.
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 · 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 · 29 April 1976
Bill of Rights Procedures Act - Title I: Confidentiality of Financial, Toll, and Credit Records - Prohibits any United States entity or representative from obtaining copies of, or access to, information contained in the financial records, toll records, or credit records of any customer of a financial institution, communication common carrier, credit card issuer, or consumer reporting agency. Removes such prohibition if the records are described with sufficient particularity, if the customer has authorized disclosure, and if disclosure is obtained in response to an administrative supoena, search warrant, or judicial subpoena. Sets forth procedures for obtaining customer authorization, administrative subpoenas and summons, search warrants, and judicial subpoenas. Requires financial institutions, communication common carriers, credit card issuers, and consumer reporting agencies to keep records of all examinations of customer records, including the identity of the person examining such records, the governmental agency or department such person represents, and a copy of the authorization. Stipulates that any action under this title may be brought in any appropriate U.S. district court without regard to the amount in controversy, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, within three years from the date on which the violation occurs or the date of discovery of such violation, whichever is later. Imposes liability on any person or entity who knowingly obtains or discloses information in violation of this title, making such person or entity liable to the customer to whom the disclosed information relates for actual damages, such punitive damages as the court may allow if the violation was willful, and the costs of litigation. Makes injunctive relief available to any person aggrieved by a violation or threatened violation of this Act. Title II: Mail Covers - Defines a "mail cover" as the procedures initiated at the request of a law enforcement authority by which a systematic inspection is made of any data appearing on the outside cover of any mail matter. Prohibits the initiation of any mail cover without the written authorization of specified postal officials and good cause to believe, on the basis of an affidavit setting forth the specific reasons for the proposed mail cover, that such procedure is necessary to the investigation of commission or attempted commission of a felony or is necessary to aid in locating a fugitive. Permits a mail cover to be conducted for 30 days with extensions to be granted as specified. Requires any mail cover conducted for more than one year to be judicially authorized. Allows the chief postal inspector or a regional chief postal inspector to issue an emergency authorization for a mail cover on the basis of an oral request from specified law enforcement officials, if such request is supported by an affidavit within 45 days and on condition that no data from such mail cover be made available to the requesting authority until authorization according to regular procedures has been granted. Stipulates that the subjects of mail covers shall be given notice of such cover within 90 days of its termination, unless notice is judicially waived due to possible jeopardizing of continuing investigations. Requires that the chief postal inspector submit to Congress an annual report including the number of requests for mail covers, the identity of the law enforcement agencies making such requests, and a list of the offenses for which mail cover requests were received. Title III: Amendments to Chapter 119, Title 18, United States Code - Sets forth procedures and restrictions governing the interception of wire or oral communications for purposes of supervisory observing or service by communication common carriers and others. Requires each communication common carrier to submit an annual report to the Federal Communications Commission detailing the interceptions made by it for the protection of its service against theft of service, the nature and frequency of communications intercepted, the number of persons whose communications were intercepted, the length of such interceptions, and the number of hours of recording of intercepted communications. Prohibits the manufacture, distribution, possession, and advertising of devices for theft of communication common carrier services. Stipulates that any such device may be seized and forfeited to the United States. Title IV: Penalties - Subjects officers, agents, or employees of the United States who violate any provision of title I or title II of this Act to a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Title V: Congressional Subpoenas - Stipulates that nothing in this Act shall apply to Congressional subpoenas.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1976
Revises the Administrative Procedure Act to require public notice of agency rulemaking proceedings when promulgating interpretive rules, general statements of policy, or rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice, unless such rules apply only to agency management. Requires that agencies allow persons interested in commenting on any proposed rule to make such comment after notice of any rulemaking proceeding has been published. Provides an automatic extension of 30 days for the submission of comments upon such proposed rule, with specified restrictions and exceptions. States that, upon request of any interested party, the agency shall be required to conduct public hearings on the merits of proposed rules. States that the requirements of this Act apply with equal force to proposed rules which have been modified substantially following their initial publication.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to reduce the customs duty for fish netting or fish nets of fabric other than cotton or vegetable fibers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Establishes the National Commission on the Reform of Income Maintenance Programs. Defines the membership of the 18-member Commission. States that the Secretaries of Health, Education, and Welfare, and of Labor, individuals in private life, and Members of Congress shall be appointed to the Commission. Directs the Commission to develop and draft proposed legislation to reform existing social welfare laws and programs in accordance with the purposes of promoting economy, efficiency, and improved service in the delivery of social services, and of reducing fraud in the Federal income maintenance programs. Directs the Commission, in performing its function: (1) to hold public hearings, discussions, and meetings and receive such testimony as it deems necessary; (2) to study and analyze past and present social welfare policies and programs on the local, State, and Federal levels; (3) to consider the relationships among cash and in-kind income and job security programs, job creations, social services, and manpower programs; (4) to consult with persons knowledgeable in the development and administration of social welfare programs, including recipients of benefits; and (5) to regularly inform and consult with the relevant legislative committees of Congress and the relevant agencies of the executive branch. Directs the Commission to submit its recommendation to the appropriate Committees of Congress and to the President within one year of the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1976
Extends the expiration date of the Emergency Home Purchase Assistance Act of 1975 to the end of fiscal year 1977. Amends the National Housing Act to place a ceiling on sales prices for each financed dwelling unit at an amount not to exceed the median purchase price for the local housing market area in which the property is located, as determined by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1976
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act - Requires the Chief Justice of the United States to designate seven district court judges, each of whom shall have jurisdiction to hear applications for and grant orders approving electronic surveillance anywhere within the United States. Requires the Chief Justice to designate three Federal judges to comprise a special court of appeals which shall have jurisdiction to hear an appeal by the United States from the denial of any application. Grants the United States a further right to appeal an affirmance of denial to the Supreme Court. Requires each application for any order approving electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes to be approved by the Attorney General and to include: (1) the identity of the officer making the application; (2) the authority conferred on the applicant by the President and the approval of the Attorney General to make the application; (3) the identity of the subject of the surveillance; (4) the fact and circumstances justifying belief that the target of surveillance is a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power; (5) a description of the type of information sought and a certification by one of specified Federal officers that such information is foreign intelligence information that cannot feasibly be obtained by normal investigative techniques; and (6) a statement of the period of time for which the surveillance is required. Directs the judge to enter an ex parte order as requested or as modified approving the electronic surveillance if he finds that the criteria specified have been met. Allows issuance of orders to approve surveillance for 90 days or the period necessary to achieve its purposes, whichever is less. Permits extensions of orders upon application for an extension made in the same manner as required for an original application. Authorizes the Attorney General, upon a reasonable determination that an emergency situation exists, to authorize the emergency employment of electronic surveillance if the appropriate judge is informed by the Attorney General of such authorization at the time it is made and if an application is made as soon as practicable but not more than 24 hours after authorization. Requires, in the absence of a judicial order, that surveillance terminate when the information sought is obtained, when the application for an order is denied, or 24 hours after authorization, whichever is earliest. Allows information acquired from electronic surveillance conducted pursuant to this Act to be used and disclosed only for designated purposes or for the enforcement of the criminal law. Requires, when an order to approve the emergency employment of electronic surveillance is not obtained, that the judge serve notice on the individual subject to surveillance of the fact of the application, the period of surveillance, and the fact that information was or was not obtained. Permits the judge to delay or forego this action on a showing of good cause. Requires the Attorney General to submit an annual report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and to Congress including: (1) the number of applications made for orders and extensions of orders approving electronic surveillance and the number of such orders and extensions granted, modified, and denied; (2) the periods of time for which orders authorized surveillances and their actual duration; (3) the number of surveillances in place at any time during the preceding year; and (4) the number of surveillances terminated during the preceding year. Declares that nothing contained in this Act shall limit the Constitutional power of the President to order electronic surveillances for specified national security reasons if the facts and circumstances giving rise to such order are beyond the scope of this Act. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 2521-2528)
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1976
Extends the authorization for contracts for annual contribution under the United States Housing Act of 1937. Authorizes an additional $850,000,000 to be appropriated in public housing contract authority for fiscal year 1977 and an additional $1,350,000,000 in such authority for fiscal year 1978 and beyond. Requires that at least $250,000,000 of the new public housing contract authority will be made available to finance the construction of new public housing units. Authorizes $60,000,000 to be appropriated for modernization of existing public housing units. Authorizes $600,000,000 per year to be appropriated for operating subsidies for conventional public housing.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make expenditures: (1) to correct structural defects of any property improved by a one to four-family dwelling which was approved for mortgage insurance prior to construction; (2) to pay the claims of the owner of the property arising from such defects; or (3) acquiring title of such property. Extends by four months the deadline for application for relief under such program. Extends by four months the authorization of the Secretary to make expenditures to correct, or to reimburse the owner for the correction of structural defects which so seriously affect use and livability as to create a serious danger to the life or safety of inhabitants of any one, two, three, or four-family dwelling which is located in an older, declining urban area and is covered by any specified federally insured mortgage. Sets prerequisites for application for such assistance. Provides that expenditures for reimbursement pursuant to this program shall be the obligation of the Special Risk Insurance Fund. Sets forth a permanent program covering all Federal Housing Administration insured housing which is in existence at the effective date of this Act to give applicants one year from the date of purchase to apply for reimbursement for major structural defects. Prescribes requirements for eligibility to apply under this program. Provides that the obligation for reimbursement pursuant to this program shall be the obligation of the Special Risk Insurance Fund. Requires that the Secretary promulgate regulations which prescribe the conditions and terms of expenditures and payments to be made under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1976
Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to make single individuals and families whose sole members are at least 62 years of age eligible for low rent housing.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1976
Expresses the sense of the Senate concerning relations with the Soviet Union. Expresses the Senate's support of efforts to conclude agreements for the stabilization and reduction of the strategic military competition between the United States and the Soviet Union; to extend opportunities for diplomatic, economic and social initiatives between the United States and the Soviet Union; and to launch initiatives for an effort on the part of both nations to pursue a peaceful solution in areas of conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1976
National Technology Development Corporation Act - Declares the findings of Congress that Federal support of technological research is ineffective and that such research should be encouraged to solve the Nation's multifarious housing, transportation, and environmental, and other technologically oriented problems. Declares it the purpose of this Act to consolidate Federal Government efforts to stimulate technological research, to speed conversion of outdated facilities to meet current needs, and to aid the economy. Title I: National Technology Development Corporation; Definitions - Establishes the National Technology Development Corporation as a permanent corporate instrumentality of the United States. Establishes a Board of Directors to manage the Corporation. Establishes a Technical Advisory Panel of 15 persons to determine categories of technological research and development within which applications for assistance by the Corporation will be considered. Gives either House of Congress the power to eliminate categories or add to the categories selected by the Panel. Authorizes the Corporation to make loans to any applicant to carry out the purposes of this Act if the program has a reasonable probability of success and the applicant was unable to obtain reasonable financing from any other source. Authorizes the Corporation to guarantee loans and purchases up to 50 percent of the capital stock of any applicant to carry out the purposes of this Act. Specifies means by which the Corporation may secure loans it makes including allowing the Corporation to agree with the recipient to share in the equity or royalties of the recipient. Limits all loans, guarantees, or investments (except those provided to small business concerns) to the lesser of 75 percent of the investment required for the project or one-third of the recipient's total paid-in capital and supplies. Prohibits loans to a corporation with assets or gross sales greater than $1,000,000,000 or to a corporation controlling 25 percent of the appropriate market. Requires publication of all loans, guarantees, or investments over $50,000,000. Gives either House of Congress power to disapprove such transaction within 30 days of such publication. Exempts the Corporation from all taxes except Federal, State and local tangible property taxes. Authorizes the Corporation $5,000,000,000 of capital stock all of which may be purchased by the Secretary of the Treasury upon request of the Board. Authorizes the Corporation to borrow funds. Allows the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase the Corporation's notes and other obligations in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000,000. Sets forth regulations respecting the appointment of officers and employees, conflicts of interests, general corporate powers, and the establishment of principal and branch offices. Requires that at least ten percent of the total amount of all assistance provided under this Act in each fiscal year must be available only for small business concerns. Requires the Corporation to assist small businesses to obtain government contracts and to obtain the benefits of long-range and short-range research and development. Authorizes the Corporation, after consultation with the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, to assist and encourage small firms to undertake joint research and development programs, if the Corporation finds that such joint program will maintain and strengthen the free enterprise system. Prohibits discrimination in employment by any applicant for assistance under this Act on the grounds of race, creed, or sex. Directs the President of the Corporation to report annually to Congress concerning the Corporation's operations. Authorizes to be appropriated the sum of $250,000,000 for each of the first 20 fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 1976, to the Secretary of the Treasury to finance the purchase of Corporation stock. Authorizes to be appropriated, without fiscal year limitation, such sums as may be necessary to pay the interest paid by the Corporation on its obligations that exceeds the amount of interest received by the Corporation on its loans. Authorizes to be appropriated a sum up to $10,000,000 to provide for initial operating and administrative expenses of the Corporation. Title II: Transfer of Functions - Permits the President to transfer to the Corporation any functions of any other agency of the United States which relate primarily to programs or activities which encourage technological development. Provides that such transferred functions will operate within the Corporation just as they did before their transfer.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1976
American Constitution Bicentennial Foundation Act - Declares the finding of Congress that the Constitution of the United States established the longest surviving government now existing in the world, that the bicentennial is an appropriate time to renew our commitment to the principles underlying the Constitution, and that the period between the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 200th anniversary of the Constitution provides an appropriate period to study the principles of the American Revolution, assess where our society and government now stand, and develop goals for America's third century. Establishes the American Constitution Bicentennial Foundation consisting of 15 members appointed by the President with appropriate supporting staff. Authorizes the Foundation to carry out a program of grants-in-aid to groups and individuals to assist in developing or supporting projects and programs to improve the understanding of our heritage, to maintain and strengthen democratic institutions, and to develop fresh insights and approaches to resolving the social and economic problems which confront us. Authorizes the Foundation to accept, use, and dispose of donations to assist in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for grants under this Act of $35,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1977 through 1981 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1982 through 1989. Authorizes to be appropriated to administer this Act $2,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1977 through 1981 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1982 through 1989. Requires the Foundation to report to the President and Congress annually to summarize its activities for the preceding year. Terminates the Foundation on July 31, 1989, at which time its duties with respect to insuring that grants made were used for the purpose they were intended are transferred to the Office of Management and Budget.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Intergovernmental Coordination Act - Declares the finding of Congress that areawide planning has greatly contributed to the solution of problems which affect the Nation's urban and rural areas, that the differences in the administrative components of Federal planning requirements make it difficult to achieve the purpose of areawide planning, and that failure to integrate planning leads to conflict among public policy objectives. Declares that it is national policy to encourage coordination of all levels of government and of all Federal agencies assisting or requiring areawide planning to achieve the benefits of such planning and eliminate the conflicts arising in the absence of such planning. Amends the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 to provide that any Federal agency which administers programs requiring a State plan as a condition of assistance must require that the Governor of the State or his designee be given an opportunity to comment on the relationship of such plan to comprehensive and other State plans where such plans have applicability to areawide or local planning. Authorizes any areawide agency created by State law or interlocal agreement and answerable to elected officials of local government to perform areawide planning under any Federal assistance program. Requires every metropolitan areawide agency established under the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 or the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 to adopt and update annually a program for the coordinated use of Federal areawide planning assistance. Prohibits the making of any areawide planning grant after July 1, 1968, to any area that has not adopted such program. Requires that before planning assistance grants are made to any areawide agency not established by such Acts, an agreement must be reached between such areawide agencies and the Federal agency administering the appropriate program which declares the relationships, coordination, cooperative arrangements, and plans which such areawide agency has made with respect to other activities related to areawide growth management. Requires the appropriate Federal agency which permits or requires the division of a State into two or more planning districts to utilize a district plan established by the State upon the request of the Governor of the State as long as the program establishing such district plan meets criteria set forth in this Act. Permits funds to be made available to areawide planning agencies established under the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 or the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 jointly with funds made available under any other Federal assistance program. Authorizes the Office of Mangement and Budget or any other agency designated by the President to formulate rules to administer this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Expresses the sense of Congress that the negotiations between Southern Railway and Chessie System on one hand and railway labor organizations on the other should be resumed, with the assistance of the Secretaries of Labor and Transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1976
Requires Members of Congress who but for an exemption conferred by Federal law would be required to pay State income tax to the State in which they reside for purposes of attending sessions of Congress to submit to such State a statement in lieu of a State income tax return indicating the amount of tax such Member would have been required to pay. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to such State an amount equal to the amount indicated on such Member's statement and certified to the Secretary by the Governor or head of such State.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1976
Requires the United States Postal Service to consider specified factors in determining the need for an existing third- or fourth-class post office. Sets guidelines relating to such determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1976
Expresses the pride and gratitude of the Senate of the United States for the conduct and achievement of the athletes, coaches, trainers, and committee members of the 1976 United States Winter Olympic Team for their excellent performance at the XII Winter Olympic Games.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance for relief and rehabilitation of refugees and other needy people of Lebanon. Requires that such assistance be distributed, to the maximum extent practicable, under the auspices of the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Expresses the solidarity of the American people in efforts to enlarge human freedom by the participants in the second Brussels conference, February 17 to 19, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1976
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates on specified dates budget authority for all Government programs except health care services, general retirement and disability insurance, and Federal employee retirement and disability programs which are funded by trust funds. Declares out of order in either the Senate or the House of Representatives any legislation which authorizes new budget authority not in compliance with this Act. Requires the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on the Budget of both Houses of Congress to identify each program's functional and subfunctional category (as so characterized in the Budget of the United States, Fiscal Year 1977, transmitted to Congress by the President on January 21, 1976), the committees having legislative jurisdiction over such program, and whether such program operates under permanent authorizations and budget authority. Makes the budget termination provisions of this Act effective on the first day of the Ninety-fifth Congress. Title II: Early Elimination of Inactive and Duplicate Programs - Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to identify for Congress any programs which have duplicate objectives or for which no outlays have been made for the last two fiscal years. Directs the standing committees of both Houses to consider such programs and report recommendations on such programs before March 15, 1978, if possible. Title III: Quadrennial Program Review and Evaluation - Sets forth a timetable for reviewing the budget of a Government program. Requires review by standing committees of the Congress every four years of each program's cost, effectiveness, and the extent to which such program duplicates or is similar to any other program. States that such review shall include a comprehensive evaluation of the merits of such program to determine if it warrants continuation. Requires justification of any recommendation to fund any program which has objectives similar to or the same as another program's objectives. Directs the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office to provide Congress with information and analysis of programs being reviewed under this Act. Requires the President to similarly review the merits of continuing programs contained in annual Budget and to report the finding of such review prior to transmitting the Budget to Congress. Title IV: Continuing Review and Evaluation - Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress the result of any audit which shows a substantial deficiency in achievement of the objectives of any Government program. Requires subsequent audits, a report of which must be submitted to Congress, to determine if such deficiency has been eliminated. Title V: Miscellaneous - States that those provisions of this Act which direct the operation of either House are enacted as an exercise of the rulemaking power of such House and recognizes the right of either House to change such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1976
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to give the President the power to appoint six members of the eight-member Federal Election Commission by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Appoints the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives as ex officio members of the Commission without the right to vote. Terminates the terms of the present members once the new members are appointed and confirmed pursuant to this Act. Declares the sense of the Congress that appointments authorized by this Act should be made as soon as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1976
Federal Election Campaign Reform Act - Title I: Reestablishment of the Federal Election Commission - Abolishes the Federal Election Commission established by the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 effective February 29, 1976. Provides that the President shall appoint by and with the advice and consent of the Senate six members of the newly established Federal Election Commission for six year terms. States that the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives shall serve as ex officio members of the Commission without the right to vote. Requires the members of the present Commission to serve on the new Commission until all of the new members are appointed and qualified and to carry out such of the Commission's functions as are consistent with specified decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States. Transfers all personnel, property, records, contracts, and liabilities consistent with such decision to the Commission established by this Act from the Commission abolished by this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out the functions of the Commission $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, $2,500,000 for the period July 1, 1976, through September 30, 1976, and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Title II: Public Financing of Primary Elections and General Elections for the Senate - Defines the terms used in this title. Declares that to be eligible for payments to match campaign funds in a Senatorial primary election a candidate must raise the lesser of 20 percent of the maximum amount he may spend in connection with his primary election campaign as allowed by law or $125,000. Requires no minimum amount in Senatorial primary runoff elections. Sets no minimum contribution collection limit for Senatorial candidates of major parties in a general election but any other Senatorial candidate must meet the same minimums set by this Act for major party primary elections to be eligible for matching payments in a general election. States that no individual's contribution to a single candidate shall be considered for matching funds to the extent that such contribution exceeds $100. Allows matching payments to Senatorial candidates of major parties in a general election equal to the maximum he may expend in such election as allowed by law. Allows payments to all other qualified candidates in a Senatorial general election according to a specified formula. Prohibits payments to any candidate under this Act which when added to the other sums received by him exceeds the maximum expenditure limitation now imposed by law. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to maintain within the Presidential Election Campaign Fund the Senate Election Account. Requires all funds deposited in the Fund and not used for Presidential elections and conventions to be credited to the Account to finance the provisions of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to supplement such credited funds to carry out the provisions of this Act. Requires the Commission to audit the records of each candidate receiving payments under this Act. Requires such candidates to refund such payments the Commission determines were made in excess of those allowed by this Act or which were not used for campaign expenses. Directs each candidate to send to the Commission from time to time a statement of expenditures which he and his authorized committees have incurred or plan to incur. Requires the Commission to publicize such statements. Requires the Commission, after the close of each calendar year, to report to the Senate all expenditures each candidate has made, amounts certified for payment to such candidate, and amounts required from each candidate and the reasons for each payment required. Sets forth penalties for violating this Act. Makes this Act effective upon enactment except that provisions applicable to primary elections for the Senate shall take effect on January 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1976
Continues the Senate Special Committee on National Emergencies and Delegated Emergency Powers through April 30, 1976, or thirty days after the bill entitled "An Act to terminate certain authorities with respect to national emergencies still in effect, and to provide for orderly implementation and termination of future national emergencies" has been enacted into law, whichever shall first occur. Authorizes the special committee to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate from March 1, 1976, through April 30, 1976, for investigations and studies. Directs that expenses of the special committee under this resolution shall not exceed $12,500. Requires that the special committee shall make its final report, not later than May 31, 1976, instead of February 28, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1976
Intelligence Oversight Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to establish a standing committee of the Senate to oversee and make continuing studies of the intelligence activities and programs of the United States Government. Establishes the Committee on Intelligence Activities, consisting of nine members limited to terms of no more than six years. Requires that all proposed legislation and other matters relating to the Central Intelligence Agency and intelligence activities of all other departments and agencies of the Government shall be referred to the committee, which shall have exclusive jurisdiction over such matters. States that to the extent that the jurisdictions of other standing committees of the Senate include those matters, the jurisdiction of the other committees shall be concurrent with that of the Committee on Intelligence Activities. Prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of intelligence information held by the Committee, but permits disclosure of information when the Committee deems that the public interest requires disclosure. States that if the Committee wishes to disclose information requested to be kept secret by the President, the President shall be notified ten days before such proposed disclosure. Provides that if the President replies that the threat to national security posed by such disclosure outweighs the public interest in such disclosure and that the question of disclosure is so vital as to require a decision by the full Senate and if the Committee agrees concerning the importance of the issue, the question of disclosure shall be submitted to the Senate to be acted on within three legislative days. Requires the head of each department and agency of the United States to fully inform the Committee with respect to current intelligence activities conducted by such entity. Prohibits any significant covert or clandestine activity unless the Committee is informed of such activity before it takes place. Exempts from such prohibition necessary intelligence collection and activities during military operations pursuant to a declaration of war or exercise of powers by the President under the War Powers Resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1976
Authorizes $150,000 in supplemental expenditures by the Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations With Respect to Intelligence Activities for an inquiry and investigation relating to intelligence activities carried out by or on behalf of the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1976
Honors Clarence M. Mitchell, Junior, for his contributions to the establishment of justice and equality in America. Expresses gratitude for his efforts to improve the quality of life for all Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1975
Provides that a charitable organization shall be denied exemption from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code where amounts paid or incurred by such organization during each taxable year to influence legislation exceed specified sums of money, or where a significant portion of the activities of such organization consists of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. Designates charitable organizations to which this Act applies, and defines the term "influencing legislation". Disallows deductions to charitable organizations where the contribution is made for the purpose of influencing legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1975
Makes it unlawful for any United States officer, employee, or citizen to enter into a conspiracy to assassinate, to attempt to assassinate or to assassinate any foreign official outside the United States because of such foreign official's political views, actions, or statements. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 1118)
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1975
Regulatory Reform Act - States Congress' finding that Government economic regulation has become a burden to American business, consumers, and the economy. Requires the President to submit at least once a year a plan designed to eliminate regulation which has led to inflationary consumer prices or a reduction of competition. Directs that each plan establish more efficient organizational and administrative forms for the regulation of commerce, and include provisions necessary to modify or abolish existing agencies and functions so as to eliminate overlapping regulatory jurisdictions, and anticompetitive and duplicative regulations. Defines terms as used in this Act. Provides that the President shall submit each plan required by this Act to the Congress for review by the Committees on Government Operations of the House of Representatives and Senate. Requires such committees to review the plan and report a bill approving or disapproving such plan in whole or in part, with such amendments as are deemed appropriate. Directs that in the event no regulatory reform legislation has been enacted with respect to any area covered by this Act, all rules of any agency described in the President's plan shall be of no force or effect after the last day of June in the calendar year next following the calendar year in which such plan was submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1975
Rehabilitation Act Amendments - Extends, under the Rehabilitation Act, the authorization of appropriations for: (1) vocational rehabilitation services; (2) research and training; (3) grants for construction of rehabilitation facilities; (4) vocational training services for handicapped individuals; (5) special projects and demonstrations; (6) the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults; (7) program and project evaluation; (8) secretarial responsibilities; and (9) the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the signing in Helsinki of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe did not change in any way the longstanding policy of the United States on non-recognition of the Soviet Union's illegal seizure and annexation of the three Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1975
Dedicates the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park to Justice William O. Douglas in grateful recognition of his long and outstanding service to the people of the United States as a teacher, writer, jurist, and naturalist. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to have the words " Dedicated to Justice William O. Douglas" prominently displayed on all signs bearing the name of the park and to take other actions to call to the attention of the public the fact that such park has been so dedicated. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1975
Authorizes, under the Administrative Procedure Act, the awarding of reasonable attorney fees and other expenses for participation in proceedings before Federal regulatory agencies. Sets forth criteria governing the awarding of fees and expenses. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1975
Disapproves the Act of the District of Columbia Council entitled "An Act to authorize the issuance of $50,000,000 General Obligation Bonds of the District of Columbia to refund certain loans made to the District from the United States Treasury", passed by the Council of the District of Columbia and signed by the Mayor.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1975
Designates 1976 as "National Bicentennial Highway Safety Year." Provides that each month of 1976 shall focus on a specific area of activity which offers the prospect of achieving substantial reductions in accidents on the Nation's highways.
United States · United States Congress · 11 November 1975
Condemns the resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations which equates Zionism with racism. Opposes participation by the United States Government in the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. Calls for reconsideration of the Zionism resolution. Directs the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Foreign Relations to begin hearings immediately to reassess the United States' further participation in the United Nations General Assembly.
![Official portrait of Sen. Mathias, Charles McC., Jr. [R-MD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000241_200.jpg)