United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
ERISA Small Business Paperwork Reduction and Investment Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require the Secretaries of Labor and the Treasury and the Executive Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to designate a single agency to which annual reports and registrations and certain other information required to be filed under such Act may be forwarded. Revises requirements for annual statements to employee benefit plan beneficiaries. Provides for small business representation on the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans. Specifies deadlines by which requested administrative action must be taken. Revises guidelines for fiduciaries investing employee benefit plan funds. Directs that consultations be held for the purpose of implementing certain recommendations of the Commission on Federal Paperwork.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Small Business Economic Policy and Advocacy Reorganization Act - Title I: Advocacy and Economic Research and Analysis - Amends the Small Business Act to establish the following Associate Administrator positions within the Small Business Administration (SBA): (1) Associate Administrator for Minority Assistance; (2) Associate Administrator for Finance; (3) Associate Administrator for Procurement Assistance; (4) Associate Administrator for Advocacy and Economic Research and Analysis; and (5) Associate Administrator for Investment. Establishes within the SBA the Division of Advocacy, Economic Research and Analysis. Sets forth the functions of the Associate Administrator in charge of such division, including the making of recommendations for policy and program improvements benefitting small business, and the building of a comprehensive small business economic data base. Title II: Declaration of Small Business Investment Policy - Enunciates a national small business economic policy which requires the coordination of planning among Federal departments and agencies in order to propose incentives to help assure that small business needs are met through private sector investments. Title III: Small Business Economic Policy Report - Requires that the President annually assess the capital investment needs of small business and report such findings to Congress. Title IV: Small Business Economic Council - Creates the Small Business Economic Council, headed by the SBA Administrator, with the Secretaries of the Treasury, Commerce, Labor,and Agriculture, and the Chairmen of the Federal Reserve Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Council of Economic Advisers as members. States that the Council shall advise the President on the impact of Federal policies and programs on small business, and work to maximize cooperation between the SBA and other Federal departments and agencies. Title V: Small Business Administrator - Raises the office of Small Business Administrator to executive level I. Title VI: Small Business Credit Information - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to direct the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other specified bank regulatory agencies to disclose, through quarterly reports, the volume of commercial bank credit extended to commercial and industrial borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to establish a grant program designed to support projects which: (1) develop methods for the identification, prevention, and treatment of domestic violence; and (2) provide for family rehabilitation and support, and for emergency shelter and protection for individuals who are threatened by domestic violence. Directs the Director to establish a national information and resource clearinghouse to collect, analyze, prepare, and disseminate information relating to domestic violence. Requires the Director, in cooperation with the Administrator of Law Enforcement Assistance and the head of any other Federal agency involved with domestic violence, to study State laws, practices, and policies relating to domestic violence. Requires the Director to annually review the effectiveness of projects carried out under this Act and to report the findings to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to transmit each such report to the President and to each House of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the representation of the District of Columbia in the Congress. Authorizes the election of two Senators and the number of Representatives in the House to which the District would be entitled if it were a State. Provides that this Amendment shall have no effect upon the present system for selecting the number of electors for President and Vice President to be appointed for the District.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Declares it the policy of the United States to encourage, develop, and implement, at the earliest possible time, policies which will, by voluntary means consistent with human rights and individual conscience, move to stabilize the population of the United States and thereby promote the future well-being of the citizens of this Nation and the entire world.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1977
Veterans Disability Compensation and Survivor Benefits Act -- Title I: Veterans Disability Compensation -- Increases the rates of disability compensation for disabled veterans. Title II: Survivors Dependency and Indemnity Compensation -- Increases the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of disabled veterans. Title III: Clothing Allowance and Effective Date Provisions -- Increases the clothing allowance for disabled veterans who wear prosthetic appliances that tear clothes. Declares that the provisions of this Act shall become effective on October 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Veterans Health Care Amendments Act - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to furnish initial readjustment professional counseling (including a general mental and psychological assessment) for any veteran with readjustment problems who requests such aid within four years after his discharge or release from service, or within two years after enactment of this Act, whichever is later. Requires further mental health services on an outpatient basis if a physician employed by the Veterans' Administration determines on the basis of initial counseling that such services are necessary for the veteran's successful readjustment. Directs the Chief Medical Director to provide for the training of professional, paraprofessional, and lay personnel necessary to carry out such programs. Directs the Administrator to ensure that all potentially eligible veterans are advised of such potential eligibility. Authorizes the Administrator to provide a preventive health care program to ensure the best possible health care for veterans with service- connected disabilities. Directs the Administrator to provide for a health maintenance pilot program to demonstrate the medical advantages and cost-effectiveness of furnishing comprehensive preventive health care services to veterans with varied types and degrees of service-connected disabilities. Requires a comprehensive annual report to Congress on such programs. Requires the Administrator to carry out programs providing inpatient and outpatient treatment and rehabilitation services on a nationwide basis to eligible veterans suffering from alcohol or drug dependence or abuse disabilities. Directs the Administrator to assist the Secretary of Labor in providing veterans receiving such treatment with appropriate job and training opportunities. Requires the Administrator, when an applicant for such treatment has received a less than honorable discharge from the armed services, to advise such applicant of his right to apply for review and correction of such discharge. Requires the provision of such services to eligible veterans who are charged with or convicted of any criminal offense and who are not confined and not required to participate in such a treatment program; and permits provision of such services, under specified conditions, to eligible veterans similarly charged or convicted, if a court does require participation in such a program. Allows a member of the active armed services with alcohol or drug problems to transfer to any Veterans' Administration facility for treatment within the last 30 days of such member's tour of duty. Directs the Administrator and the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to coordinate the Professional Standards Review program carried out under part B of title XI (General Provision) of the Social Security Act and the comparable programs carried out by the Department of Medicine and Surgery to assess the quality of patient care in Veterans' Administration health care facilities. Requires the Chief Medical Director, through the Administrator, to report to Congress on the effectiveness of such coordination. Requires the Chief Medical Director to report to Congress, not later than three months after the end of each fiscal year, on all activities in which he or a designee, as a representative of the Veterans' Administration, has participated in an advisory or coordinating capacity with respect to programs carried out by the executive branch.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1977
Directs the Administrator of General Services to convey surplus property, consisting of railroad rails, ties and associated hardware, to the State of Hawaii.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to three individuals and to the estate of a fourth individual in full settlement of such individuals' claims against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to the heirs, successors, or assigns of a certain individual in full settlement of such individual's claims against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
Permits any Federal agency employing any person stationed in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, or any territory of the United States to terminate specified home leave and other travel benefits of such employee if he or she is entitled to such benefits solely as a result of his or her claim of actual residence outside the area in which he or she is stationed, provided: (1) qualified local residents are eligible and able to fill the position of such employee; (2) the employee's contract period has expired; and (3) the employee refuses to accept assignment to a comparable position in the continental United States or other area in which he claims an actual residence. (Adds 5 U.S.C. 5734).
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
National Center for the Handicapped Act - Establishes a National Center for the Handicapped within the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Places general supervision of the Center in a Board of Trustees and an Administrator and sets forth the terms of their appointment, responsibilities, and compensation. Directs that the Center consist of education, research, and service components. Directs the Center to perform specified functions, including: (1) developing educational programs and teaching employment skills to the handicapped; (2) developing programs and providing training for educational and rehabilitation staff personnel; (3) developing and implementing programs for the severely handicapped; (4) conducting research and evaluating new techniques in education, training, and placement of the handicapped; (5) providing information services; (6) identifying areas of employment available to the handicapped; and (7) operating model educational and rehabilitation centers. Authorizes the Center to (1) hire additional personnel; (2) receive, sell, or use donated or bequeathed money and property; (3) prescribe regulations; (4) hold hearings; (5) appoint task forces and study committees; (6) secure information from any Federal agency, State, or local authority; (7) obtain the services of experts and consultants; (8) utilize noncompensated personnel and reimburse them for travel expenses; (9) enter into contracts and grants; (10) lease land, office space, and other facilities; and (11) make other necessary expenditures. Requires the Center to submit annual reports to the President and to the Congress beginning with fiscal year 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 and up to $60,000,000 for each succeeding fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this Act. Deems the Act effective upon date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act - Prohibits the sexual exploitation of children by making it unlawful for any person to knowingly use or cause any minor to engage in or assist in any sexual act for the purpose of promoting any film, photograph or other visual medium. Makes it unlawful for any parent, guardian or person having control over a minor to knowingly permit such minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Imposes a fine of $10,000 and/or imprisonment up to ten years for a violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1977
Farm Production Protection Act - Repeals the Federal Crop Insurance Act. Establishes, within the Department of Agriculture, the Farm Production Protection Corporation, with a capital stock of $300,000,000 subscribed by the United States of America. Empowers such Corporation to protect producers of agricultural products against loss of production cost due to unavoidable natural causes. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States the Agricultural Disaster Relief Fund, which the Corporation may charge: (1) to cover that part of claims in excess of premium income whenever such claims involve catastrophic production losses in an area; and (2) to reimburse the Corporation for administrative and operating expenses, interest, and the direct costs of loss adjustments incurred in paying claims for catastrophic production losses.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1977
Permits the vessel Scuba King to be documented to engage in the fisheries and the coastwise trade of the United States so long as such vessel is continuously owned by a citizen of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1977
Provides that June 14, 1977, Flag Day, shall be a legal public holiday. Authorizes and requests the President to designate June 13, 1977 through June 19, 1977 as "Flag Week."
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, and $5,000,000 for each of the four succeeding fiscal years for grants to the States for the establishment and expansion of veterans cemeteries owned by the States. Sets forth the conditions under which grants may be made to the States under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to make payments, for the calendar year 1978 and each calendar year thereafter, to the States for the interment of veterans and for the maintenance of State veterans' cemeteries. Requires the Administrator to conduct biennial surveys to determine the reasonable cost of interment and perpetual care maintenance for the purposes of payment under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1977
Amends the Small Business Act to establish the position of Associate Administrator for Women's Business Enterprise within the Small Business Administration. Lists among the duties of such Administrator: (1) increasing participation of women in Small Business Administration programs; and (2) reporting to the Administrator on proposals for implementing policy objectives.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1977
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to suspend until December 31, 1978, the customs duties on field glasses, opera glasses, binoculars, and other telescopes not designed for use with infra-red light.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1977
Child Exploitation Prevention Act - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to prohibit the sexual exploitation of children by making it unlawful for any individual to (1) cause or permit a child to be photographed or filmed engage in a sexual act prohibited under this Act; (2) photograph or film a prohibited sexual act; (3) knowingly transport a film or photograph depicting a prohibited sexual act; or (4) receive for sale any such film or photograph, if such individual knows or should know such film or photograph has or may be transported in such a manner as to affect interstate or foreign commerce. Imposes a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment for up to five years for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1977
Senate Administrative Reorganization Resolution - Establishes within the Senate the Administrative Office of the Senate to be headed by an Administrator of the Senate appointed by the Administrative Council. Establishes an Administrative Council of the Senate to supervise the Administrator and review the plans and recodifications submitted by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to maintain all administrative and support service and facilities delegated to such individual, and to review existing systems and prepare a recodification of the laws, rules, and standing orders of the Senate relating to administrative services and facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1977
Medicare - Medicaid Administrative and Reimbursement Reform Act - Establishes a new method of reimbursement for routine operating costs for hospitals under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Requires the establishment of uniform accounting and cost allocation system for determining operating and capital costs of hospitals providing services. Requires the establishment of a system by which hospitals will be classified by such criteria as (1) size; (2) type of hospital (general, teaching, or specialized care); and (3) other criteria. Stipulates that the term "routine operating costs" does not include: (1) capital costs; (2) direct personnel and supply costs of hospital education and training programs; (3) costs of interns, residents, and non-administrative physicians; (4) energy costs associated with heating and cooling the hospital plant; and (5) malpractice insurance expense; or (6) ancillary service costs. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to determine annually for the hospitals classified in each category of the hospital classification system established by this Act, an average per diem routine operating cost amount for use in determining the reasonable cost of that portion of the hospital's costs which consist of routine operating costs. Provides for the periodic increase during the year of the routine operating cost as determined pursuant to this Act to reflect increases in the cost of services which are attributable to inflation. Provides for the adjustment of the routine operating cost of a hospital to reflect higher costs to such hospital of a case mix which requires a greater intensity of care than for other hospitals in the same classification. Directs the Secretary to establish a five-member Hospital Transitional Allowance Board to act on the applications of hospitals for reimbursement of expenses incurred in the retirement or conversion of underutilized facilities. Requires that such conversion promote efficient and economical delivery of services covered by the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Establishes a plan for the reimbursement of physicians under which participating doctors of medicine or osteopathy would accept the assignment of patients' claims for reimbursement under the Medicare program. Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for expediting the payment of such assigned claims to physicians. Promulgates an incentive payment to encourage physicians to participate in the program of assignment of claims. Sets forth criteria for determining the reasonable charge which may be made for physicians' services, and medical services, supplies and equipment under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Sets forth the conditions under which anesthesiologists, pathologists, and radiologists may be paid under the Medicare and Medicaid programs for patient care services. Authorizes payment, under the Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits program of Medicare, for antigens prepared by an allergist for a particular patient. Permits the Secretary to make agreements with the States under which the services of a State health agency will be utilized for the purpose of determining whether an institution in such State qualifies as a skilled nursing facility for purposes of the Medicaid program. Combines the Medicare, Medicaid, Office of Long Term Care, and Bureau of Quality Assurance agencies into a single Administration for Health Care Financing headed by an Assistant Secretary. Establishes specific performance criteria with respect to State Administration of Medicaid. Terminates the Health Insurance Benefits Advisory Council. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public or nonprofit private regional pediatric respiratory centers affiliated with institutions of higher learning for training and instruction in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of respiratory diseases in children and young adults and in providing health care services to children and young adults suffering from such diseases. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the making of such grants for fiscal year 1978 and the succeeding four fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1977
Declares that specified persons previously appointed as temporary hearing examiners under the Supplemental Security Income program of the Social Security Act shall be considered appointed to career-absolute positions as hearing examiners.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act of 1966 Amendments - Amends the National School Lunch Act to authorize the appropriation of such sums as are necessary for fiscal years 1977 through 1982 to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain the program of assistance to States in providing nonprofit food service programs for children in day care and recreation centers during the summer months. Directs the Secretary to assist States in the development of information and technical assistance to encourage greater utilization of meals prepared at the facilities of sponsors or schools. Establishes a fund to aid sponsoring institutions offering federally subsidized food service year round in the purchase of equipment to enable such institutions to create or expand onsite meal preparation. Entitles institutions demonstrating adequate administrative and financial responsibility and meeting appropriate eligibility criteria to participate in the program. Permits the Secretary to develop guidelines for site size limitations to promote quality food service programs. Sets forth priority criteria to be utilized in determining sponsorship where more than one institution seeks to serve the same area. Stipulates that residential camps can only be reimbursed for meals served to children eligible for free or reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act. Specifies the amounts of Federal assistance that can be made available to sponsors for food service operations. Directs every sponsor when applying for the program to submit a complete budget for administrative costs related to the program. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the food service operations carried out under the National School Lunch Act. Specifies various factors that must be taken into consideration in such study. Requires the Secretary to make any necessary changes in the reimbursement levels for operations costs pursuant to such study. Directs the Secretary to analyze the administrative expenditures to sponsors participating in the program and prescribe maximum levels of reimbursement of such expenditures. Requires the Secretary to report his findings and recommendations to Congress. Makes financial assistance available to sponsors only for meals served during the months of May through September with certain exceptions made for sponsors developing programs to cover children on school vacations. Directs the Secretary to forward advance payments to each State. Sets forth a formula for determination of the amounts of such advance payments. Requires sponsors receiving funds under such Act to serve meals containing a combination of foods and meeting prescribed nutritional standards. Requires each State to promote meal quality for prescribing model meal specifications and including such specifications in contracts between sponsors and food service management companies. Directs the States to develop a standard form contract for use by sponsors and food service management companies. Requires sponsors to use competitive bidding on any contract worth more than $10,000. Stipulates that a food service management company must register with the administering State agency in order to participate in the program. Sets forth items which such registration statement must include. Requires the Secretary to maintain records on all registered food service management companies for use by State agencies. Directs each sponsor to make positive efforts to utilize small and minority owned businesses as supply sources. Requires each sponsor receiving program payments in excess of $50,000 to have an independent certified public accountant audit its program claims and documentation. Specifies the time limits for composing proposed and final regulations under this Act. Directs participating service institutions to utilize, insofar as practicable, foods designated as in abundance by the Secretary. Permits the Secretary to fund sponsors directly if he is unable to utilize State agencies. Stipulates that Federal assistance under such Act may not be used to replace expenditures by State and local agencies. Directs the Secretary to pay to each State a varying percentage of its administrative costs incurred under such Act. Prohibits a food service management company from subcontracting with a single company for the total meal or its assembly. Requires the keeping of such records and accounts as may be necessary to enable the Secretary to determine whether the States, State agencies, and sponsors are in compliance with such Act. Directs each State desiring to participate in the program to submit a management and administrative plan including specified material. Imposes fines and/or imprisonment for specified violations of such Act. Directs the Secretary to purchase agricultural commodities for the school lunch program and authorizes the appropriation from the general funds of the Treasury of such sums as are necessary for such purchases. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to authorize the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to enable the Secretary to carry out a special milk program to encourage fluid milk consumption by children in nonprofit schools and child care institutions in the United States by reimbursing schools and institutions for part of the cost of the milk they serve. Makes children who are eligible for free lunches eligible for free milk when milk is made available at times other than meal times. Stipulates that the reimbursement for milk shall not be less than 5 cents per half-pint but in no event may such reimbursement exceed the actual cost of the milk. Requires the Secretary to make an additional payment of up to 45 cents with semi-annual cost-of-living adjustments, for breakfasts served under the School Breakfast Program to children in especially needy schools. Authorizes appropriations under the Nonfood Assistance Program for equipment to enable schools to prepare and serve food of amounts not to exceed $40,000,000. Makes funds available to the States for use in Nonfood Assistance Programs operating in areas in which poor economic conditions exist. Specifies that the amount of such funds shall be a percentage of the funds expended by the States in the previous year's School lunch Program. Requires States to give priority to schools without either food service programs or facilities to prepare and cook hot meals when apportioning funds received under the Nonfood Assistance Program. Reserves a specified percentage of the funds appropriated for Nonfood Assistance Programs for disbursement by the Secretary to assist schools without facilities in preparing and cooking hot meals. Requires any such funds appropriated for the purpose of enabling schools to produce their own hot meals to be used only for facilities at the school or a kitchen operated by the local school district except in certain specified situations. Requires the Secretary to pay to each State agency a percentage of its administrative costs incurred pursuant to the administration of the Child Nutrition Act and National School Lunch Act. Specifies what administrative costs such funds may be used to pay. Permits an adjustment to the percentage allowed for administrative costs in the event a State agrees to assume certain administrative responsibilities previously performed by the Department of Agriculture. Requires each State agency to submit a plan for the utilization of administration expense funds. Permits payment of administration expense funds only if a State agrees to maintain its level of funding prior to enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to create a program to provide for nutritional training of educational and food service personnel and to disseminate sound nutrition information to children. Directs the Secretary to make grants to implement such a program. Permits the Secretary to make grants to schools and educational agencies to pay the costs of pilot demonstration projects with respect to nutrition education. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out such program. Specifies the uses to which funds available under such program may be utilized. Requires State educational agencies participating in such a program to keep such accounts and records as may be necessary to enable the Secretary to determine whether they are in compliance with the program requirements. Requires each participating State to appoint a State coordinator on nutrition education. Directs the State coordinator to develop and furnish to the Secretary a comprehensive plan for nutrition education. Establishes within the National Agricultural Library of the United States a Food and Nutrition Information and Education Resources Center. Delineates the responsibilities of such Center.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1977
Deems the service performed by a certain individual as an employee of the Pacific Stars and Stripes during a specified period as creditable service in determining his eligibility for a civil service annuity upon the payment of certain contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to exempt from regulatory provisions thereunder employee benefit plans maintained solely for the purpose of complying with health insurance laws.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Authorizes the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to provide for radio and television coverage of proceedings in the Senate Chamber during the second session of the Ninety-fifth Congress. Directs the Committee to maintain videotapes and recordings of such coverage to be made available to public and commercial broadcasting stations. Directs the Committee to compile a daily written summary of Senate proceedings to be made available to the news media and to Senate Members, officers, and committees.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1977
Reaffirms the percentage of local cash contribution required for construction of navigation facilities at the Barber's Point deep-draft harbor, Hawaii. Declares that material dredged during such construction shall become the property of Hawaii for disposal.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Authorizes the issuance of immigration visas to aliens who are natives of the Philippines who served for at least three years in any United States Armed force during World War II and who were separated from such service under honorable conditions. Exempts such individuals from paying fees for such visas.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the making of economic injury disaster loans not in excess of $100,000 each to small businesses where a disaster has occurred but where a disaster has not been declared by the Governor of a State, provided that the Small Business Administration has determined that such businesses have suffered economic injury as a result of the disaster and are in need of financial assistance which is not available on reasonable terms in the disaster-stricken area.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Provides that recipients of veterans' pensions and compensation will not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced because of increases in social security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Denies veterans' benefits to an individual whose discharge from military service during the Vietnam era under less than honorable conditions is administratively upgraded, under temporarily revised standards, to discharge under honorable conditions; but only when such veteran's claim for benefits is based solely on such upgraded discharge.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Requires the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to install telecommunication devices to enable deaf persons and persons with speech impairments to engage in toll-free communications with Members of Congress. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Declares that a certain individual shall not be subject to deportation by reason of the same facts upon which deportation proceedings were commenced by the Attorney General.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Directs the Department of Labor, in cooperation with the Department of Commerce, to develop methods for improving and expanding the collection, analysis, and publication of labor force characteristics relating to Americans of East Asian or Pacific origin or descent for those States containing significant populations of such individuals. Directs the Departments of Commerce, Labor, Agriculture, and Health, Education, and Welfare to collect and publish statistics regarding the social, health, and economic conditions of such individuals. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in conjunction with the heads of other data-gathering Federal agencies, to develop a Government-wide program for the collection and publication of data regarding such individuals. Requires the Department of Commerce to implement an affirmative action program within the Bureau of the Census for the employment of personnel of East Asian or Pacific Island origin or descent. Requires the Department to submit a report to Congress within one year after the enactment of this Act on the progress of such program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Consumer Protection Act - Establishes as an independent agency in the executive branch the Agency for Consumer Advocacy. Directs the Administrator of the Agency to submit an annual report to the Congress and the President on the Agency's activities and court actions affecting the interests of consumers. Directs the Agency to advise the Congress and the President on matters affecting the interests of consumers and to protect and promote the interests of the people of the United States as consumers of goods and services. Enumerates the functions of the Administrator including the following: (1) the representation of the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts; (2) the conduct and support of research, studies, and testing; (3) the submission of recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; and (4) the publication of material developed in carrying out this Act to inform consumers of matters of interest to them. States that whenever the Administrator determines that the result of any Federal agency proceeding may substantially affect an interest of consumers, he may as of right intervene as a party or otherwise participate for the purpose of representing an interest of consumers. Provides that whenever the Administrator receives any complaint which discloses: (1) an apparent violation of law relating to an interest of consumers; or (2) a commercial, trade, or other practice which is detrimental to an interest of consumers, he shall transmit such complaint to any Federal, State, of local agency which has the authority to enforce any relevant law or to take appropriate action. Directs the Administrator to maintain a public document room containing, for public inspection and copying, an up-to-date listing of all consumer complaints of any significance which the Agency has received, as arranged in meaningful and useful categories, together with annotations of actions taken in response thereto. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct studies, and to obtain data and information from persons engaged in a trade, business, or industry which substantially affects interstate commerce and whose activities he determines may substantially affect an interest of consumers. Stipulates that the Administrator shall not have the power to require the production or disclosure of any data or other information under this Act from any small business. Authorizes and directs each Federal agency, upon written request by the Administrator, to furnish access to all documents which the Administrator deems necessary for the performance of his functions. Sets forth limitations on the disclosure of any information obtained pursuant to any authority conferred by this Act. Prohibits sex discrimination in any program or activity carried on or receiving Federal assistance under the Act. Directs the President to submit to Congress a reorganization plan which provides for the transfer to the Agency of those consumer-related programs of Federal agencies which can be performed with greater efficiency by the Administrator under the authority contained in this Act. Requires Federal agencies to issue standards governing public participation in agency proceedings. Requires each Federal agency, which is authorized to promulgate rules, to transmit to the Comptroller General a cost-benefit assessment statement with respect to any rules which are likely to have a substantial economic impact. Requires the President to issue regulations providing guidelines for Federal agencies as to the nature and content of such cost and benefit assessment statements. Sets forth the procedure by which such regulations shall become law.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States Postal Services should issue, during 1977, a commemorative stamp honoring Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1977
Emergency Reforestation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to develop a program employing individuals in projects to reforest, thin, improve timber stand, control forest fires, control insects and diseases, and prevent soil erosion and floods in national forests.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1977
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Amendments - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to direct that the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention assist in the preparation of the annual evaluation of, and the annual comprehensive plan for, Federal juvenile delinquency programs. Reduces to four the minimum number of Coordinating Council meetings per year. Revises the power of the Administrator of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to delegate his authority under such Act. Eliminates direct formula grants to local governments under provisions relative to assistance for State and local delinquency programs. Permits the Federal contribution for projects by private nonprofit organizations assisted under such programs to equal 100 percent. Authorizes waiver of the non-Federal share cash matching requirement with respect to assisted activities. Revises provisions allowing use of formula funds to meet the matching share requirement of certain Federal delinquency-related grants. Modifies requirements for State plans which must be submitted in order to receive formula grants to (1) eliminate comprehensive drug and alcohol abuse programs from the group of priority programs for which 75 percent of assistance funds must be used and (2) make placement of juveniles who are charged with or have committed offenses which would not be criminal if committed by an adult in shelter facilities rather than in detention or correctional facilities optional rather than mandatory. Includes among the special emphasis prevention and treatment activities which may receive assistance development and support programs stressing advocacy aimed at improving services to youth impacted by the juvenile justice system. Authorizes the Administrator to increase the Federal share of the cost of any delinquency program or project funded by a grant to an Indian tribe. Repeals the prohibition against disclosure or transfer of records containing the identity of individual juveniles gathered for purposes of such Act. Incorporates into such Act certain administrative provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to require that the chairman and at least two members of any juvenile delinquency advisory group established under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act be appointed to the State law enforcement and crime control planning council.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Expands the program of making grants to States for the construction, remodeling or renovation of State veterans' care facilities to include hospital and domiciliary as well as nursing home care facilities. Authorizes the appropriation of $15,000,000 for fiscal years 1978 and 1979 and states that such sums shall remain available until expended. Repeals the authorization provisions of the existing program, together with the limitation on the amount any one State may receive.
![Official portrait of Sen. Matsunaga, Spark M. [D-HI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000250_200.jpg)